"Miho-san! I have two coupons for Mac-Burger today. Do you want to join me?"

"Oh? Uhm…sur—"

"Hold your horse! Miho-san has promised with me that she would go with me to the arcade today!"

"Oh, I think I di—"

"Don't confuse Miho-san with your scheme!"

Miho was promptly cut-in by the first girl.

"And don't you dare to hoard her all by yourself!"

"Uhm…guys…uggh…" The girl in subject turned her head from one side to the other repeatedly.

And that's the skit of two girls fighting over Miho which Erika Itsumi was seeing right before her eyes.

Boy, you're sure popular. She mentally sighed.

All those times I tried helping her to get more confident and here, she's still indecisive, thinking of the others before her own convenience…

"Hey!" That was it. Enter the Erika.

Her presence was immediately acknowledged by her peers.

""Vi-Vice-Commander?!""

"Erika-san..."

"You're being disrespectful in front of your Commander. Behave yourselves!" Her authority-like tone quickly put the two to back away from the short-haired girl.

"Besides, she has other matters about the Sensha-do to attend so...be it next time, ok?"

""Hai...(Yes…)""

The two resigned their fate as they bowed to Miho with their apologies and soon walked away hurriedly.

"Erika-san…uhm…thank—"

"And you." Erika turned to Miho, bearing the same tongue. "Even though you bear the ranks, you're still being pushed around and undermined by everyone. You should have acted yourself more like the Commander."

"S-sorry…"

Miho cast her eyes down, bringing somewhat...uncomfortable and awkward feel to Erika.

"Come on, don't treat me like your mother. I'm your...friend here." Despite Erika had changed back to her usual tone, Miho's sad expression was still remained.

"I'm sorry..." She repeated it once more.

"..."

Hahh...this is not going to work. Miho is still not confident of herself and in need of improvement…in many ways.

I wonder how did she even lead those misfits back in Ooarai.

Now that I think about it, at this time Ooarai school doesn't have any running Sensha-do club right? They only revived it when Miho has enrolled in... No wait...I'm off the topic here.

How to get her to be more confident...and not to be clumsy anymore. That's the question.

Hah...Dealing with this is more brain cracking than with Cuban Missile Crisis…

If there's some way, a way to change her…like I have changed…is to...

"Corrupt!"

A powerful voice carried such word immediately pulled Erika away from her little world. She looked back up to the female teacher who was teaching the meaning of a word.

"In a general meaning, it is an act of willingness to do a dishonest or dishonorable thing to gain money or for personal gain. It can also be an act of persuading someone to do the said things."

"It's often also viewed as a form of influence. Because a gullible mind would often mistake it like a kind of inspiration, having to you to do because it...fulfilling one curiousity. Pushing you to do when a normal you wouldn't do."

"…"

"Corruption comes in two forms." She put up 2 fingers.

"The first form we'd think of it right away would be the moral corruption. One's personality changed from good to bad."

"Emerg—" For some reason, the muttering girl sitting in front of Erika got hit by a paper fan from a neighbor.

"And the second form is…one's lifestyle."

"That's totally Eme—" Once more, she got bombarded by the paper fan.

"Yare yare daze (Good grief)." sighed a girl nearby.

Many students exchanged their whispers. The teacher could tell that they all got it, but she would rather to clarify it.

"Let me give you an example." The teacher pulled out a pack of cigarette from her pocket. "So what do you think about smoking? Is it bad?"

Everyone in the glass answered yes, nodding their head.

"Let's do this more one time properly." The teacher grinned. "Anyone who think the smoking is bad, raise your hand."

Unanimously, the entire class put up their hands.

"It's bad for your health. Yes…" Calmly, the teacher put one cigarette into her mouth. "But does it look cool?"

Soon, a noticeable number withdrew their hand, bringing up giggles to the class.

"There you go. But don't go be like me."

"Smoking is bad for your health, sensei."

"Right, right. But I did look cool right?"

The whole room was boomed away with laughter.

"Hmm..."

A form of influence...

Inspiration...

Changing who you were. Be cool and confident…

...wait a minute.

A light bulb was illuminated above Erika's head.

That's it. That's it!

All of these time I have a trump card up in my sleeve!

A Joker card, to be exact!

While Erika was grinning, the teacher has taken notice of her expression.

That girl is...something...

~0~

"She is not here, sorry." The 1st-year senior replied to Erika who stood by the class's entrance.

"I see…"

That's disappointing, but considering her character back then...

"Probably she is down below..." Erika muttered.

"Yes?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Thank you very much for telling me, senpai."

As soon as Erika has walked away, the other seniors asked out of curiousity.

"Who is she looking for?"

"It's Nakahashi-san."

"Really? Why?"

She simply shrugged her shoulders.

Unbeknown to them and Erika, a certain brown-haired girl watched their unfolded event just around the corner.

~0~

The silence and the still scene where no person is in sight was what she needed for her guarding duty.

Uneventful. All the way till her shift end.

To her unfulfilled desire, the sound of ascending elevator echoed over the shaft, snapping her dull mind back to full attention for a moment before the platform finally stopped at the level where she was located.

Another girl soon walked out of the elevator. She was wearing the same uniform as her, having a dark yellow shirt with short black tie, and a black kebi cap.

"Anything to report?" asked the girl.

"N-Negative. The coast is clear."

"Alright. Let's check the next sector, we can't afford any intrusion."

"Jawohl!"

The two yellow-colored uniformed girls then finally walked away.

Peaking over the corner, Erika finally let out a sigh of relief once seeing the two has opened the path for her. Erika soon rushed toward the elevator and entered it.

"Damn...I never thought that these Feldgendarmerie would be so active down here." Erika commented. "Now that I think about it, they just love enforcing the rule so much back then."

"Uhm...what do you mean 'back then'?" Miho asked timidly.

"N-nothing! I just...uh...j-just saying to myself. Ah-ha! Hah-hah-hah…"

Pressing her would rather be a pointless action so Miho decided to ask another question, the one was lingering in her mind for some time ever since Erika asked her to come along.

Miho was rather surprised of such venturing they've descended down inside the School Carrier where many wouldn't want to go. It's also forbidden to do so without the permission.

"Uhm...Erika-san, where are we going?"

"I am taking you to the…dark side of Kuromorimine." Erika said this along with her (best) evil face.

"Oh wow! Really?" Miho asked innocently, or rather…got excited like a kid.

What is up with this girl? At least show some nervous, would ya?

"You're not nervous?" Erika asked.

"Well, I do feel kinda…uhm...J-just…the tw-two of us…"

By Miho's words, Erika started to review the moment when she asked Miho to come with her alone. Miho was extremely flustered while her crewmates were putting up some…smirking faces.

Perhaps, she should have invited them along as well.

"Yeah, maybe I should also invite my crew and Leila along, but then one big group would have drawn the unnecessary attention."

"Uhm...you're right..."

It was in that moment, Miho felt her chest was...tightening up. What was that feeling just now? Disappointed? Angry? ...No, no, no. That's not it. Why would she think such a thing?

The ride in the elevator didn't bring a smooth ride experience when they both could hear the creaking and dryness sound of it.

"This elevator seem didn't have much maintenance, or putting any new oil at that."

Miho giggled lightly by Erika's words.

"But I'm rather amazed of how vast and deep this school carrier is. Of all of the time living above, I really didn't aware of it till now." Miho expressed her genuine excitement for exploring the School Carrier for the first time.

"Uhm-hm." Erika nodded, remembering back the time when Karen-senpai invited her to this underworld.

Funny to think how she had influenced her so much. She wondered what kind of expression Karen-senpai would make when they meet each other, for the first time.

Without a warning, the descending platform was shook abruptly, like hitting a bump or something in the shaft. Because of it, Miho lost her balance and fell over Erika.

Erika, on the other hand, reflexively steadied herself as she managed to keep a hold of Miho with her arm support.

"…You ok?"

Like a squirrel, Miho pulled herself away from Erika as she apologized frantically.

"Y-yes, I mean! I-I'm very sorry!"

Heh, her reaction is kinda cu—wait…why in the world did I come up such thought?

This time, Erika's face was starting to turn to the same color as the brown-haired's, however, she was shifty of it as she turned her face to other direction, not letting Miho to see it.

"…"

"…"

The awkward silent between the two continued to extend till the elevator finally reached down to its designated floor.

"...Le-Let's go scouting, shall we?"

"Yes…lets…"

The pair quietly exited out of the elevator and marched on to a location which was marked on Erika's mental map.

"Oh…it rather smells down here." Miho said.

"Yeah." Erika agreed. The bad odors along with some spill of oil were extremely unpleasant to the nose.

Strangely enough, the despite the scene of the lower level was pretty much the same to her memory. She couldn't help but noticed something was…different.

"Hopefully we can find the bar—"

With Erika's hearing sense, something was...spinning in the air, and then it bounced violently onto the metal wall, where it was just a few inches away from her face.

Miho screamed out impulsively when the wall was struck and the awful high-pitched metallic sounds was made at the same time as the object landed heavily in front of them.

"..." Dumbfounded, both Erika and Miho cast their eye down to see what it was...

It was...a wrench?

What welcomed them was a wrench that just flew by and struck on the metal wall?

As they're both trying to process what had happened, something else has come along as it hit their nostrils, hard.

What is this smell? Smoke?

When Erika looked back up, one word that came to her was: Carnage.

Barricades, made out of tables and chairs used for the classroom, barrels…burning fire…awful piercing sound of metallic clanking was made upon the weapons clashing on each other.

"DIE heretics!"

"Death to the infidels!"

Shock and awe, were what the two both expressed to the surreal and violent sight before them.

A moment ago they just had a school day, enjoying some cool, fresh air and even beautiful scenery to look at.

And now, at this very moment, they somehow just descended down to Hell by the elevator?

"What in the name of Stalin is this?!"

Erika's cried out question was promptly drowned out by the on-going fighting noise and yelling.

She then noticed those fighting delinquents/ sailors, each bearing their own color through the headband or scarf wrapping around their arm. Purple, red, orange...

Color gang?

And it hit her.

"Don't tell me this is...Turf War...?"

"A...territory war?"

While Miho was confused and scared, Erika's mind relived the moment of that one conversation in the other timeline.

/ / /

'There is used to be territory war between…gangs?' Sheska inquired.

'Colored gangs.' Kai corrected. 'And there were many fancy names for them as well.'

'How come we never know about this?' asked Leila.

'Intelligent Department. And besides, you girls always go kyaa-kyaa with the whole Sensha-do thing back then. Not a single soul was paying attention, except Abe-san and her mighty corps in silver armor.'

'No one was paying any attention down here.' Candeza said. 'Just like the whole world view to the conflict in Middle East.'

/ / /

…This is not good. This is not good at all!

Escorting Miho through a hell-like battlefield to get to the Garden of Eve. This was totally not in her mission description.

"We need to go ba—"

""CHHAAAARRGEEEE!"" The powerful roar coming from behind Miho and Erika almost petrified them as they saw the corridor they've walked was already filled up by a vast number of girls wearing orange-colored bandana on their head.

"Damn those Orangers! Their reinforcement has arrived!"

The named gang made the full frontal charge with Zerg Rush style, crushing whoever wore different color.

The two adventuring Kuromorine students got caught up in it like being hit by a huge ocean wave.

"Erik—wahhh!"

"Miho-ugh! Miho!"

Just when Erika's hand was trying reach up to her, someone or something had forced her whole body down right onto the floor.

And the chaos didn't stop just there. A loud whistle sound came from the whistler gained the attention as the violent fight was began to pause and shifted the attention to the new arrival group dressing in dark yellow shirt with short black tie, and a black kebi cap. Wearing on their chest with pride was the barge bearing the words in kanji: Morals Disciplinary Committee.

"Arrest them all!"

"Oh-shit! It's the Kuromorimine watchdogs!"

Immediately, all fight and duel were disengaged and then dispersed away like flies followed by echoing whistling sounds as the new force entered the tray. Some managed to run away. Some got subdued. Some resisted in the hand grasp of uniformed girls. One thing to the next, the violent escalated to the next level as fighting gangs worked together to fight off the enforcers.

"Stop! You violated the law!"

"It's all over, lawbreaker!"

"Criminal scum!"

I have to get out of here!

Erika's mind was telling her this. But on the other hand, she could not leave here without Miho. She needed to find her. She ne—

"Got you now!"

"!?" Without a warning, Erika's right arm was grabbed.

She immediately put up a struggle, not wanting to get herself to be pinned down by their arresting technique.

With the CQC basic, Erika reflexively grabbed the girl's arm and threw her over. She had turned the table as she pinned the uniformed girl on the floor, rendering her out of commission.

"Sorry!" After giving a quick apology, Erika slipped away from the chaos.

...

...

"Sector is clear." The patrol leader announced the status over the radio.

However, her report was pre-mature when one of her team members was knocked down by a pellet, then the next one. It was an ambush.

"Not clear! Not clear!"

"Stop what you're doing, you delinquents scu-Gak!"

"Bite us, captain Kirk!" shouted the rebel.

"You picked the wrong sector, fool!" A dark-skinned sailor charged in, swinging a helluva with her baseball bat.

"R-Retreat! Fall back!"

"You'll pay for this!"

The yellow shirts had to fall back under the intense fire from the sailors wearing purple-colored scarf.

Stay hidden from the conflict, a pair of icy blue eyes looked around frantically, searching for a certain face which was not among them.

"Miho...where are you?"

Erika's heart was beating fast once she realized that she has left Miho behind. She needed to find her and get back to the surface.

Oh god...what should I do now?

Pressing hard on her temples as her brain shifted to high gear, hoping to come up with a solution.

Asking those Disciplinary girls would take too much time and not to mention that it would be much hassle over their dumb questions. How should she proceed?

"What do we have here?"

Promptly, she turned around, seeing three silhouettes emerged behind the dark corner.

They're young sailors, perhaps in the Middle School Division like her, but their appearances were…rough as each wearing a green and red-colored scarf.

"Who...what are you?"

"We're Goblins!"

"Shadowy Goblins. As darkness is our friend!"

Erika's one eye was twitching when she heard it.

They're sure fitted the bill…

"Hey! Your face is telling us that you're sure fitted the bill!"

"Uhm…no, I did not." She replied right away.

"She is looking down on us." "Yeah!"

They didn't buy it.

"Look, I need to find someone. So…good luck with your…gang war thing. I'll just…be on my way."

With it, Erika turned her back to them and started to walk away.

However, that's a mistake.

*Rip!*

It was a sound of cloth, namely Erika's shirt, being torn apart when it was caught by the hook-end of the crowbar held by one of them.

"Upsy-daisies."

"Nice bra you got there."

Once again, Erika immediately turned around, shielding her frontal body with both of her arms.

"My uniform...assholes!"

Erika's angry face didn't dispirit those Goblins, in fact, her expression only encouraged them as they wanted to invoke it more.

"Let's see if your panties match with it."

"Gehehee! Slice and dye!"

"Fresh meat! Fresh meat!"

This is bad!

All self-proclaimed Goblins made the approach toward Erika in an alarmingly rate.

Despite being attacked first, Erika's mind remained collected and analyzed the situation.

All three was armed, and she wasn't...

This was not a fair fight.

But she wasn't going to give them any satisfaction.

When the inevitably was about to come as one of them had jumped toward Erika who reflexively put up her arm to guard...

Without a warning, the attacking Goblin was abruptly stopped dead in her track, in a way that she landed flat right on the floor.

"…" "…"

"…"

Dumbfounded, Erika and the others, silently stared down at the fallen body in between them.

And it happened again.

The small-bodied girl was...slammed onto the wall heavily by some sort of…projectile.

"Oi! What the fu—gh!"

The last one soon joined the others.

Before Erika's brain could have registered it, all three were knocked out completely.

"..."

"Damn those Goblins. They're getting more and more aggressive lately." A voice spoke up as she emerged out from the corner.

To what Erika saw, it was a sailor girl, however, her appearance was different than the rest as she didn't seem to be…degenerate. Erika then spotted a familiar looking black bandana which was worn by her gunner back in the other timeline.

"K-Kai...?"

Hearing her voice, the sailor turned her face around. Thanks to the light, Erika finally had a good view on the girl's face. She was…older, older than Erika a few years. Her disheveled hair was dark, and the left side of her face was covered with a long bang.

No. She is not Kai.

Even so, Erika couldn't dismiss such an impression coming from her. Beautiful and cool, like some sort of a…main character of action series.

"Do I know you?" asked the girl.

"Uhm no…I mean…I'm just uh…No one special?" That was Erika's answer.

The bandanaed girl took a careful study at Erika.

"You're a…student from above? What in the world are you doing here?"

"Well...you see…"

Before Erika could give a proper answer, a bird-like whistle echoed in the air.

"That's Nightingale calling, I have to get back to them."

"W-wait. I need your help! I have been separated from Miho—with my friend! Can you help me to find her, please?"

"..."

'How troublesome' was what her face telling.

"Really, who in the right mind would try to come down here? A middle schooler, no less."

"In case you want to know," She extended her hand toward the girl. "Erika Itsumi. Erika is fine."

The senpai was certainly surprised, seeing this light blond-haired was friendly...perhaps, too friendly...

"..."

There was a moment of hesitation, but two hands shook.

"Right, you might want to do something about that."

Her head gesture prompted Erika to cover up the exposed part.

...

...

Looking from left to right and back to forth, all four directions were looked pretty much the same.

The noises and sound of fighting could still be heard, but they're merely echoes, so it was hard to tell the exact location.

After pulling herself out of the river of people, Miho Nishizumi has found herself ended up in some sort of uncharted territory.

"…Erika-san! Where are you?" Miho shouted out, hoping for a respond. However, none was returned.

At least...till now.

She sensed someone. Somebody was watching her.

*Clang!*

"W-who's there?"

She threw a question toward the direction where a sound has come from. Looking intensely for a moment, the darkness was all she could see.

Miho could feel her heart was beating unusually fast, but nothing reveal itself from the shadow.

Soon, she let out a sigh of relief.

It was a premature one though…

"Pee-ka-bo!"

"Kyaa!" The brown-haired let out the scream impulsively as she her legs gave out, rendering her to fall on the ground.

"Gehehe! Did you get that?" The short-heighted girl wearing red and green-colored scarf turned to her mate who holding the flip phone.

"In HD, girl."

"Look like we've got some dumb girl coming down here…oh?"

Noticing the odd look that the delinquent-looking sailor was giving Miho, she began to feel something was moist and cold on her…bottom part, she looked down and soon learned why.

There was bundle of water or something, probably caused by all these violent fight, or it's leakage from the pipes above. However, to the girls' eyes, it looked similar to one who couldn't hold her bladder.

"Ha-ha, she is pissing herself!" The camera girl pointed it out.

"N-no, wait! This is not—"

"She is peeing herself. She is peeing herself, ha-ha!"

Miho tried to persuade but the aggressive making noise and mocking laughter were overwhelming her.

This just felt so…frustrated. Why was she being humiliated like this?

She didn't want this, she wanted it to stop.

Onee-chan! Erika!

*klang*

In the narrowed corridor where one assumed it's vacant of life, came a footstep. Then another, and another.

*klang*

The sounds soon captured all three attentions.

*klang*

In the hall of darkness, a single torch was flickering.

Who is that?

None could tell, but the gang members could tell that it's not their allies. Making those heavy steps, it wasn't in their training. So action was made, they attacked first.

Pulling the sling all the way to the shoulder, she quickly let loose as the rock flew away with high velocity.

The projectile was fired, but it was immediately bounced away by...some sort of metal arm guard clad on the person's arm.

Despite the initial attack was unsuccessful, the second one was soon followed. This time, it was a close quarter strike, very close that the attacker jumped right on with a sack holding a good number of rocks and coins to bash head.

The strike hit. However, the meaning of hit here did not bring any damage to the opponent, since the person was wearing a bike helmet with enclosed visor. The attack barely left any damage.

Before the (goblin) sailor could have react or performance the next action, she was already pinned to the wall in a ruthless fashion, having the armored person's arm pressed onto the neck, suffocating her.

While one hand was restraining her, almost to the point slowly crushing the one's chest, the other hand lifted up a certain object had its body painted in red, the head was the sprayer device.

"No-no-wait-wait-wait-wait—wwwaaahhhhhhh!"

After a spurt of white dense mist of CO2, the helmet-wearing person soon let the KO-ed goblin go, as she had chosen the next target.

"That's one." The armored person said.

The other goblin quickly turned her back and run but only to get hit from behind by a throwing item, rendering her to fell flat on the ground.

Miho simply witnessed the whole event unfolded in shock and awe.

"Two."

The armored person approached slowly to where goblin was 'slanged'. There was a phone lying nearby, she picked it up and then effortlessly broke it in half with her bare hands.

"Uhm...Who are you?"

The girl in armor silently looked at Miho for a moment before she revealed her name, or the title which universally had named her.

~0~

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Eh? Etou..." The light blonde-haired looked dubiously toward the path she intended to take.

This isn't the way?

"Unless you want to meet those Orange girls. That's the way."

Gripping tight over a white and red jacket which Erika had looted from a K.O-ed sailor, she soon returned back to her helper with an apology.

"R-right, sorry. Sorry..."

Erika was drawing a blank. The path, the mental map she had in mind was utterly different to the current status. Perhaps there would be a new change? Changing hall way, setting up new room in the future?

"But boy, you sure have learned from the bad source. There is no such thing called Garden of Eden, let alone a bar, or even a neutral ground for the gang to meet and…hang out." The senpai said. "Everyone down here is literally out for blood all the time. Save for the weekend though."

"…"

Erika was frustrated at herself. What an idiot she was.

"Hold up."

The leading sailor put up a hand, hauling Erika to a stop.

Someone was ahead, they both could tell. The bandanaed girl quietly steadied her weapon, pointing toward the direction as a person's shadow was slowly emerged from the corner.

"Oh...where am I?" The person spoke up.

"Halt! Stop right where you are!"

Following her words, the girl panicky put up both of her hands up-high along with pleading.

"Wah! Don't shoot me! I surrender! I surrender!"

"L-Leila?" Erika called out the name when she finally identified the twin-tailed girl, toning down the air of tension.

"Erika-chan…?" Leila quickly showed a relief face with teary eyes as she launched herself onto her. "Erika-chan!"

"What in the world are you doing in a place like this?"

"I should be the one asking that question!" Leila looked at Erika with her bewildered face. "W-when I saw you two, an-and then I decided to follow you and…and…what in the world is this place?!"

Before Erika could give out her answer, the accompanied sailor responded to Leila's question with her own...style.

"Welcome…to the dark side of Kuromorimine."

"Hiiiiiiii!"

Oi! I did that first!

I was so naive. Damn! There's just so much going on that I didn't even know or aware of. I chose to ignore it because I didn't think it would affect me. Delinquents, Turf War, these are just too complex for me to solve. I guess I should just let it run on its own course.

There were more voices echoing in the hallway, and they're oddly sounded...familiar.

"I should have stayed home!" A voice was sounded like giving up.

"Hey, come now. This is way better than having you stay at home and not having any social skill."

"Hey! I have acting skill and I have social skill!"

"But really, sitting on the sofa, in front of the camera is not really the way becoming an actress."

"Ohh...screw you, Aki-nee! I hate you so much!"

Aki-nee? Could it be...

Like a wolf, Erika immediately run up toward the source, leaving the two, who were dumbfounded by her action.

Erika's footsteps soon alerted the two standing in the pathway, as one of them pointed the torch at Erika.

"Ha…ha…ha…finally, we've catch up with you two. Karen-senpai. Aki-san…" Erika spoke, catching up her breath as she looked up to the two young women, bearing the same auburn-colored hair and silver eyes.

Karen Nakahashi-senpai.

Aki Nakahashi-senpai.

Yes, they're the two. Noticeably, the younger one, Karen who had influenced Erika to change her way of Sensha-do and even radically changed Kuromrimine's rigid tactic and the old Nishizumi Style.

"…" The two sisters looked at each other in silence before the younger one threw Erika and her companions a dubious look along with one question.

"And who the fuck are you guys?"

Eh?

Ehhh?

EEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!

Oh god, I'm such a retard! I'm just so happy to see the old faces but I totally forgot that we have a zero interaction between us!

"Come on, Karen." Her head got hammered by her sister's fist. "That's very rude to say that when you first met the people."

"Yeah, what about the people who wanted to skin us alive when we first met back there?!"

There was a huff of amused coming from the bandanaed girl.

So this is…Karen-senpai? She is…less mature than I had known.

Age comes with the wisdom…I guess. Karen didn't start the whole Valkyria thing until she reached her third year...along with all those bitterness experiences...

"Let's start from over, shall we?" The older auburn-haired put up a greeting hand. "I'm Aki Nakahashi, third year of High Division. And this is my little sis, Karen, first year."

"Hey." She greeted, massaging her head bearing a bum.

"My name is Leila Lou, third year of Middle Division. Hi..."

"...I'm Erika Itsumi. You can just call me Erika."

"Erika...So how did you know our name? Back then, when we first met." Aki asked, showing interested while Karen was putting her guard.

"Uhm...your...reputation preceded you! Aki...Nakahashi-senpai."

"..."

"..."

The two redheads looked at each other once more, this time however, the older one grinned.

"Hahaha! Well, well. Looks like I've got myself a little fan club here."

"Whatever." Karen rolled her eyes.

"What? Are you jealous~?"

"Not really."

"And what's your name, mysterious stranger?" Aki asked.

"...it's Kai."

Wait. What?

"You have the same name as her!" Erika's words quickly gain the attention.

"Who…?" Before the Kai person could have finished her question, she stopped as something had caught her attention intensely.

"W-What is it?" The other soon followed her eyes direction.

On the wall was a certain symbol, like a butterfly painted with aqua-colored glowing paint.

"This is bad…we have get out of here!" She whispered.

"Why are you whispering?"

"What's wrong?"

"Just move, now! Befor—"

"Hold it right there!"

Before the group knew what's going on, they're already surrounded from all sides by people carrying makeshift spears.

Even though they're sailor, they've customized their appearance to look like...regular soldiers back in the Sengoku period with headband, armors.

"These girls are from Azure Clan. Do. Not. Fight. Them." Kai gave the one clear warning.

"With the blade already pressing onto my neck, yup. Sure thing!" Aki said.

"Take them to Azure-sama." said one of the soldiers.

All four exchanged their confused look to one another, with the exception of the bandanaed girl who was grimaced.

"Azure-sama?" Leila asked Erika, who was just as confused as her.

"Oh boy." Kai sighed.

"...I have a bad feeling about this." Karen said.

~0~

In a certain room that used to be a storage. It had been transformed into a throne room where a dark-colored carpet was set all the way from the entrance to the very throne.

This very chamber had ruled the underworld of Kuromorimine for many years, perhaps one might said it was erected in the very first day of Kuromorimine School Carrier's maiden voyage.

From the first look, one could say the carpet was already passed its prime. It looked nothing but a mere rag thanks to its dark tainted color, however, there was an infamously story about it that this very carpet was originally a blue-dyed one. So how did it turn into such state? Particularly, the mid-section of it was bearing a purple-like color? The answer: It was a result of mixing the red and blue.

So where did the red color come from? The answer: They're spilled from the beheaded traitors and many individuals who disappointed the ruler.

And here lied the throne which the Ruler is sitting on. A sofa. Yes, it was a sofa, and it had been modified greatly from scraps and tapes. Lots, lots of tapes.

But do not let its tattered appearance fool you.

Legend said that the sofa was used by many high-ranking individuals, until one who was unworthy of it decided abandoned it out of his petty revenge. It was left on the side of road exposed to the elements of nature for many months. Despite so, when it was placed here. The sofa still provided the comfy feel as ever, and never dissatisfied the user who sat on it.

Sitting on it was a young woman wearing a captain cap with hair bearing the sea color and iris-colored eyes. She was mature and...sexy looking, her chest was large and well-proportioned body. One leg crossed over the other, showing disinterested to the commotion at the time. However, that wouldn't last long, when 5 poor souls were being dragged toward her by the armed sailors wearing aqua-colored headband.

"Ouch! Hey! Watch it!"

"Oh god, oh god. We're going to be murdered!"

"I should have stayed home."

This is getting interesting. Azure, the young woman thought as she examined the captives who all were bonded by the rope, kneeling before her.

~0~

"Now this is oddly remaining me about that one scene." Aki said, examining over the room that they're in.

"The original trilogy was the classic." Karen added.

"So we are going be...enslaved...?"

While Leila was in her own panic mode, Erika, on the other hand, her mind was on the overdrive.

Did I just twist the original plot line...?

Alright. I only intend to derail it…just a bit. Not placing it on a rocket and launch it into space!?

Oh god, where are my peaceful and uneventful days?

I didn't expect that the whole thing would get twist and turn like this...

Yup. I fucked up.

"Erika-chan. Are you alright?" Leila's question didn't receive a return.

Stationed on both side of the throne were the sailors carrying makeshift spears, like royal guards.

For one thing that Erika was amazed was…

I didn't see this one coming…

Sitting on the throne, there was the Queen. It gave out the absolute aura of a ruler.

There's also one person kneeling next to her, like a servant or a slave, judging her scandalous appearance with a few fabrics on her body...hold on, is that...?

"...Miho?"

"Mi-Miho-san?!"

"Erika-san! Leila-san!?"

Hearing the name, the brown-haired girl looked up with both surprised and relief, but then her expression quickly shifted to a shamed one because of her current attire.

Replaced the formal gray uniform was a maid uniform, but its design was rather...bold and showing like some sort of bikini, design with laces. With just two pieces, it left many rooms for the imagination. On top of that, there's a collar to go with, strapping around Miho's neck.

Seeing Miho's appearance had been...degraded like that, Erika was feeling...hot.

Not that way, you dork.

What the Vice-Commander of Kuromorimine Middle Division team was having now is...rage!

The evidence of it was an aura of flame was emitting all around Erika as blood was boiling hot inside her.

Miho's leash was being held by the very person sitting on the sofa, a woman wearing a white-colored outfit like a captain of a ship, holding a fancy-looking handheld fan in her hand.

Who is she? How dare she?!

Clenching her teeth as hard, Erika glared at that person with piercing icy blue eyes like a wolf.

"What did you do to her?"

"Hm?"

"I said...What did you do to her!?"

Despite being restrained, Erika stood back up mightily on her two feet.

The guards stood on both sides of the room immediately pointed their spears, having the blade tip put very close to Erika's body and face.

"Quite a feisty one we have here, don't you agree?" The blue-haired turned to the bikini-clad maid with an amused face.

"Please, don't hurt them! Azure-san, Please." Miho pleaded.

"Fufufu, don't worry, dear. I'm only teasing them." With a soft amused face, the blue-haired signaled her guards to stand down, letting Erika to stand instead of kneeling.

"You know, if she's your friend. You should have look out for her more carefully. She almost got herself harmed by those green snarling goblins if not for her coming to rescue."

Azure explained as she was giving Erika her stern face and gestured her head toward the armored girl.

"..." Erika couldn't...deny what she had said. It was her fault after all.

"Then again. Thanks for that, I've got myself a cute pet now."

Azure began to have her enjoyment by head-patting Miho's head, feeling her soft hair.

This only irritated Erika more and more.

"Oi! Don't you know who she is? She is—"

"I know who she is. Miho Nishizumi. Yes, we have introduced to each other."

She knew who Miho is and yet...

"So…why?"

"Think. Who was the one responsible driving us down to this...shit hole?" She gestured it with opened arms.

"All of those fancy, rigid laws and curfew. To become the true maiden, they said. What a joke, it sounded like a good brain washing program to me."

The Azure members promptly cried out with content, agreeing to their ruler.

"Then again, there's one important rule to learn while you're down here."

She summoned a breath of air before she delivered those piercing words.

"Don't. Screw. With Azure."

The whole room roared up with cheers.

"Easy to remember." Aki leaned toward Karen.

"And what do we have here?" The blue-haired took noticed a familiar face among the captives. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Y-yo, Azure-sama."

"Always sticking your nose into where you shouldn't. You're just looking forward to get your nose bitten, is that it?"

"Bad habit. Can't change it."

"Right. Back to you people over there." Her iris eyes focused on the group. "Who are you? You first, redhead."

"Ehem! Aki Nakahashi."

"Karen...Nakahashi."

"Leila Lou."

"…" At first, Erika didn't want to give out her name, but her stubbornness soon resigned.

"...Erika. Erika Itsumi."

"Erika hah? A fitting name for our school theme." A sailor nearby said, invoking many to snicker.

"Uhm...Erika-san is—"

"Hush now dear." Azure interjected. "I didn't allow you to speak yet."

"So...uhm, Azure...sama? We're extremely sorry for...trespassing your territory. We would gladly to...pay the fine?"

"Oh, but of course." Soon she changed sitting pose by extending one boot toward them.

"Lick my shoes."

All five were grimaced by her proposal.

"Mein Gott, she is the dominatrix type..." Karen whined.

"Oh~ You don't even know half of it." A rough-looking sailor with a blushing face whispered into Karen's ear.

"Gek!"

"Let's go with this one, eh?" Another sailor pointed the finger at Karen. "Seem like a good candidate."

"U-uhm, I-I d-didn't brush my teeth this morning! W-wah, don't touch m—"

"HOLD IT!"

Erika's voice captured all the attention in the room once more.

"Azure-sama! I...I challenge you!"

"Oh-ho?"

"Hey you bi—you little brat! You're challenging her to fight in Sensha-do?!"

Immediately followed her words, the crowd was stirred up.

"Who the hell does she think she is?" "This ought to be good though."

"Watch out. We've got a badass over here."

Azure swiftly made a sharp sound with her fan, ceasing the muttering.

"Do you think you can arrange a match between us and you? Without capturing anyone's attention in school?"

"No. Not in Sensha-do." She said softly before she raised her voice. "Tankathlon!"

The word brought a question mark to many, saved for the two certain auburn-haireds.

"What is this…Tankathlon you speak of?"

"It's a match organized by the tank crew. The rule is simple, your tank is under ten tons. You can enter it."

"Hmm, an unofficial Sensha-do match." Azure lifted an eyebrow out of curiousity. "Hard to believe a prestige student of Kuromorimine would do such a thing."

"Oh believe it! Why? Because standing behind me are the solid proofs. Meet the...Puma team!"

"Puma team?" The crowd showed curious and puzzled.

"Is she talking about you, sis?" Karen asked, feeling nervous by everyone's gaze.

"I think she is talking about us!"

"Nani?! Oi. Oi. Don't drag us into this!" Karen burst out. "Who the hell are you anyway?"

It was this moment, the girl stood up on her own two feet, unwavering and firm.

Summoning a volume of air, she declared.

"I am Erika Itsumi. I'm the Vice-Commander of the Sensha-do team, Middle High Division. Under the command of Miho Nizhisumi, the Commander."

The crowd soon roused up, whispering to each other.

"Erika-san..."

"Oh-ho, interesting."

"That's right. We will take you to fight in Tankathlon!"

There was quite a reaction among the crowd. Some showed curious while the others were discontented from Erika's spirit.

"What in the world are you doing?! What are you thinking, Erika-chan?!" The green-paled Leila hissed, could not believe what has just happened.

"..."

The noises immediately died down from the moment when the Ruler of Azure Clan quietly stood up from the seat and then made the approach toward Erika.

Each step was made. Leila's face was getting greener and greener.

Kai, Aki and Karen unconsciously pulled themselves away from the targeted girl.

The Ruler silently looked like the Vice-Commander with her iris-colored eyes before she gave an answer…

"No." She said it flatly.

"…n-no...?"

"First of all, I don't know how to operate a tank. Making me to do it is like asking a five year old. Also, you have too much advantage and experiences, and that's called cheating."

"That's right! That's right!"

The chamber echoed away with their booing noise.

The Ruler ceased the noise once more with her hand gesture.

"But then again...I may have some use of that, of your talent. Fufufu."

Her giggle made the group feeling blank, don't know what would happen next.

"Okay…You want to use me? Fine! I will be your errand girl."

Whistles, cheers and laughter made away by Erika's declaring.

"Erika-san! Please, you shouldn't—"

"Atta girl!" Azure was pleased.

"Now you let Miho go."

"Let's not be so rush. You have to fight for her freedom after all." She then returned back to her throne.

"Release them."

The guards were surprised at first, but they soon obeyed without having her to repeat it twice.

It brought much relief and ease to the group, at least only for Karen, Aki and Kai. Leila was not happy with this outcome.

"I would like to ask you one more thing though." Azure continued. "Why going so far for her sake?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Summoned a volume of air into her lungs, Erika Itsumi looked at Azure with her determined eyes as she answered it straight away with her firm, clear voice.

"Because she is important to me!"

"..."

"..."

Strangely enough, after Erika's answer, there was a silence. Like a bomb named Silence has been detonated.

"…"

"…"

The light blond-haired quickly learned what's wrong and changed the words.

"I mean. To us, to us! To Kuromorimine! S-She is a Nishizumi after all!"

"..."

"..."

Everyone still put up their poker face, except Miho whose face was getting redder by the second, while Azure, skillfully used her fan to hide her smirk.

"Oh ho."

Oh no! Everybody is probably thinking that I am weird!

'She is…interesting.' Karen thought.

'She swings that way huh.' Aki drew out the conclusion.

'Tsundere.' Kai concluded it as well.

'Erika-chan, so you're really…' Leila was on the verge of tears.

Universally, it was more than weird…

"…"

"How amusing. Don't you agree, Miho-chan?" Azure turned to Miho.

"Uhm…"

Before Miho could have say something, the Ruler quietly removed the collar.

"You can return to their side now."

"…Azure-san." Miho was relief but looking at the current outfit, she wasn't sure if she would want to return back to the surface now.

"Azure-sama." A sailor appeared with folded clothes on her hands. "The girl's clothes are dried."

"Good work."

The uniform was soon returned back to the owner.

"Th-thank you so much."

"Fufu, don't worry, dear. You can always return to me any time you want when that girl over there is bothering you too much."

"N-No, Erika-san is not…" Miho kept herself calm while looking straight at Azure's face. "She isn't like that. So please, stop mocking her!"

Momentary stunned by her words, the blue haired then let a small giggle behind her fan. She then shifted her gaze back to the group, to Erika particularly.

"I will contact you later when I have an official job for you."

"And please do remember that: Don't ever think you would be safe when you're back on the surface. Walls have ears and windows have eyes."

"Oh, and don't worry. All will be restricted in the…Sensha-do business."

"Take good care of yourself. We will meet again soon."

~0~

The whole gang was released, not in the manner getting toss out of the front gate though. They're fortunate enough to be escorted to the service elevator which will take them back to the surface, cue ending the horror and suspended episode of the day.

"Was it…was it just a dream or did it really happen down there?"

Riding in the noisy ascending platform, Leila finally broke the silence, feeling too bewildered of what had transpired.

"Erika-san. I'm sorry I..."

"Save it." Erika shook her head lightly, still bearing the frustration inside her head. "Now all we need to do is focusing on not letting that blue hair get on our asses."

"That's what she said."

"Uhm..."

"What's wrong, Kat?"

"I don't know if this...Azure-sama is attractive or terrifying...probably a little bit of both."

"..."

"..."

Is this the turning point in history where she has come out from the closet?

"So you're called Miho, the younger sister of Maho Nishizumi?"

"Uhm…yes, and you're…"

"I'm Aki. And this is my little sis, Karen."

"Hi." She greeted along with a waving hand. "You're cute!"

"O-oh! Uhm...thank you..."

While Miho's face was slowly turning into a tomato, Erika's face went as pale as a white sheet. The trauma was still there.

God grant me strength if I have to strangle this Succubus to death!

Noticing Erika's dark expression, Karen only put up a question mark on top of her head.

Without a warning, Miho was suddenly pulled into Aki as her head was pressed onto her chest.

"What are you doing?!" Erika cried out.

"Comfort therapy. It must have been very hard for you back there. Don't be shy, Miho-chan. Can I call you Miho-chan? Oh, don't you worry. You can cry on big sister's shoulder as much as you want."

Aki's words coming in rapidly like machine gun only baffled Erika, Leila and Miho.

"Uhm...n-no, I'm good. I'm okay. Really!" Miho's flustered face only…charmed Aki more and more.

"Ohh, she is so cute!" She had no intention of letting her go yet.

God. Make that two!

I never thought that Aki-senpai is this dangerous as well!

"To be honest, I always assumed that the Nishizumi women were all cold and tough, but you're completely different than them. Oh, it's a compliment, really!" Aki said.

"Hey, let me have her too."

The raging Erika shifted back to the younger auburn-haired, only to be horrified, seeing her ten fingers were making odd move like...tentacles.

"Here you go." The elder skillfully pushed Miho into the younger's opened arm.

"Don't pass her around like some object!"

Miho's face soon welcomed with another pair of...mammal parts as she felt the pleasant warm.

Leila looked at them for a moment and then looked down at herself. She made both fists out of her hands. Not out for frustrated or defeated, but with hope and satisfied, since she believed that she has more room to grow.

"Oh wow! This feels...so good! Like hugging a big teddy bear."

"I know, right! Make you feeling cute and calm."

"Ah-hahaha..."

"If you're the Commander of the team, then I wouldn't mind following your order."

"Th-thank you."

"My turn now!" Aki quickly took Miho away and made the second episode.

"Oooh~ I'm so wanting to take you home and make you become mine."

"Stop doing that!" Erika raised her voice.

"MMMm~ Doing what?" Both Aki and Karen asked innocently.

"Giving Miho your...fun pillow...thing..."

Fully aware of what Erika was talking about, the two sisters formed evil smiles on their face.

"Ara Ara~ she is jealous."

"Ara Ara indeed."

Erika opened her eyes wide momentary before she recollected herself.

"Will you two stop that? I totally get it. But that is not how Ara-ara works."

To Erika's surprise, the two along with the sailor looked at her with their dumbfounded faces.

""You actually got that?!""

"Uhm…well…"

"?"

Leila and Miho only expressed their confused faces.

I only learned it the hard way when you two were alone together with Anchovy's little brother…

Death by Snu Snu, hah?

...

...

The elevator halted at one certain level, allowing the tag-along bandanaed girl to exit.

"I need to return back to my gang." Kai said, stretching out her arms. "Obama wouldn't be pleased to hear about this."

"Uhm…thank you. For helping us." Miho politely said.

"You're welcome." Kai smiled.

Before she walked away, she put her face close to one of Erika's ears and whispered.

"You better keep your girlfriend closer from now on."

Erika's blood shot straight up to her head.

"She is not my...!" With a level head, Erika stopped just in time before she speaks out the one word just to dig a hole for herself.

Or throwing herself out of the ship at that.

"See ya." Kai bid her farewell in a cool fashion by putting up one hand and walked away, never look back.

"She is...kinda cool." Leila admitted.

"Whatever..." Erika groaned as she hit the close button, having the elevator continued to ascend.

...

...

Finally, the elevator had come to an end. The group walked out of the platform and what greeted them was the beautiful orange sun ray.

"Hey, what's the reason you three went down there for actually?" Karen asked Leila.

"We-well…I followed them, actually. I saw Erika-chan asked Miho-san out. I mean! I know it's not that kind of ask out! She just ask Miho-san out and…and…I'm just too curious an—"

"Leila. Leila." Erika called out as she pulled Leila back to her side.

"Leila, can you escort Miho back to the dorm? I'm sure you two are very tired and need a good rest."

"But what about you?" asked Miho.

"I, uh...I would like to have a moment with the senpais here."

There was a brief moment before Leila finally gave the answer.

"...Fine! You owned me some cake."

"However you wish, your highness."

"Hihi, that's more like it." Leila soon pushed Miho from behind, giving her no chance to decline. "Come on, Miho-san. Lets leave this place."

Once they had gone out of sight, Erika turned back to redheads who had returned back to their usual state.

"Right. So are you going murder us in cold blood when there's no witness to see?" Karen asked.

"Don't temp me."

""!?""

The two immediately put up their Stand, waiting for the one to make the first move.

"..."

"..." "..."

"That's a joke. Sorry..."

The tension was lifted up between them.

"That's disappointing." said Aki.

"Yare yare daze." Karen sighed.

"What I want to say is...I need senpai's help."

"With what?"

"Where and how to participate Tankathlon?"

"Before we get to that," Aki approached close to Erika. She looked straight at her face with her silver eyes. "Can you tell us the reason how did you three, I mean, you and Miho-chan come down there?"

"..."

Erika managed to convince them with vague (reasonable enough) excuse about how one Commander should have acts.

"Sooo in order for Miho-chan to gain more confident. You wanted to take her down to the place to meet some...people?"

You are. You two!

"T-that's the plan, yes." Erika nodded. "I thought that they would be there but…I heard wrong."

Seeing you two didn't built any solid ground or reputation down here. Having Miho to meet you would be...out of the blue and for no reason at all...

Then again...

"But…I think this is alright though..." Erika continued. "Since I've found you two."

"I have...heard things about you, senpai. You've participated the Tankathlon."

Instead of an excited face or one 'celebrity' would express, Aki only showed a...skeptical face.

"Hmm, I'm pretty sure I've kept things about me quite incognito though." She placed a hand on her chin.

Erika's face promptly broke off a few small sweat drops.

"Y-you can't underestimate the eyes and ears of Kuromorimine students. We're quick to catch thing up."

"...that's true." She bought it. "But, why me?"

"Because I…I believe you, you two, uh…can change things around here."

"Kuromorimine is a strong school, a strong team. It has the Nishizumi Style. But it…it lacks something."

"Character...Individual personality. I guess."

"That's some deep psychology, or philosophy, but whatever." Karen said.

"I guess that's something I can get behind." Aki finally accepted it.

"You will join to me to make some trouble? Alright, you're in!"

"But this...whole thing with Azure-san...sama. Is she actually keeping tabs on us, or is she bluffin—"

Karen's sentence was ceased when she got hit by some sort of projectile.

It's a piece of folded paper.

It said: We arewAtcHInG yoU!

They're written in blood...

"I have to close the curtain from now on." Karen was grimaced.

"Let me ask this one serious question though." Aki looked straight at Erika. "Are you trying to corrupt the younger Nishizumi?"

"..."

"..."

It was quite a long moment for the light blond haired finally gave the answer.

"...yes."

"Awesome!"

~0~

"Shell loaded!" The loader reported.

"Target acquired. Awaiting your order."

"…"

The silence had the crew looked back up to their tank commander, Erika Itsumi.

"Erika-san?"

"Oh! O-oh right!" She snapped back as she immediately gave the order. "Open fire!"

"Firing!" The gunner fired the gun.

The projectile launched from the barrel and hit the designated target within two seconds.

"Direct hit. Good job." The radio operator said.

"Ehe! I'm getting good at this" Megumi felt proud.

"You ok there, Erika-san? You seemed spaced out." Takumi asked.

"I'm okay. I'm alright." She answered it, putting a smile to ease their worriness.

To be honest, how did it get twist so much? How far can I make her, to be mature by the time before the 62nd event?

Of course I need change a lot more at that as well...

"Erika-san. Erika-san!"

Miho's calling snapped Erika back the reality once more. She only found her mind was absent so much lately.

"Hm? Hm! I-I'm here. What is it, Mi—I mean, Commander?"

Miho didn't say a word, only cast her gaze down.

"...It's my fault. Isn't it?" Miho said softly. "I shouldn't let myself be—"

"N-no! It's not—"

*Honk! Honk!*

The honking sound prompted Erika and Miho to look toward the source. Approaching fast was a tub car known as Kübelwagen. The driver and the passenger riding on it was none other than the two red-haired sisters, both wearing the Sensha-do black jacket.

"Ya-hoo! Erika-chan! Ah, Miho-chan is here too!"

"Karen-senpai. Aki-senpai!" Miho was astonished.

The presence of the two senpais quickly became the center of the attention.

"Uhm, senpai? What are you planning?" Erika whispered to Karen.

"Making you girls the super stars."

"C'mere, you little cutie thing you!" Aki charged at Miho with her opened arms.

The hugging scene between Aki and Miho only caused baffled to everyone, much to Erika's dismay.

"Do you know anything about this, Leila-san?" asked Takumi.

"Nope. No idea." She played dumb.

Since the practice session had ended, it was the perfect opportunity for them to 'borrow' the Commander and Vice-Commander. Karen and Miho sat in the back while Erika was sitting on the passenger side next to Aki, the driver.

"...So where are we going now?" asked Erika.

"To the Hangar." Aki replied. "We're gonna get us some tanks!"

...

...

It was a familiar sight. All were too well known, from a pop-pop cracking noise of the blazing blowtorch cutting metal plates to a clanking noise of a wrench tightening up the bolt. Engine's test running. The dense smell of oil.

Something hasn't changed was sure good for Erika's heart and mind.

"Hey Chief!" The oldest-looking man in group, wearing overall turned his face upon the calling.

"Heh, color me surprise." Erika muttered. "Never think that Chief still got his hair back then."

"Hm? Did you just say something, Erika-san?"

"I-It's nothing."

"Well, well, isn't this my beloved troublesome nephews." The old mechanic approached, wiping off some oil on his hand. "What do you need from me? Or you want to discuss something about your tank?"

"Actually, we're not here to talk about Sensha-do. It's the other one."

With Aki's words, Chief Keni gave a look at the four.

"You even dragged two new faces into your mess."

"Oh, but here is the twist. They are asking for it!"

The Chief lifted up an eyebrow.

"Well, Erika-chan here, the blond one, is asking for it."

"Uhm, we would like t—"

"Shh! Not here!"

He signaled the girls to follow him to an area where no one was nearby.

"I swear. Next time you'll come to me and ask me how to wreak havoc Kuromorimine before you graduate."

"Come on, gram. You're making me bad in front of my cute juniors here."

"...My sister wouldn't do it, but maybe I will!" Karen replied casually. "Make chaos. Maybe create a whole civil war, with me leading the rebels."

Even though Erika knew it was merely a joke, but she couldn't help but having a shiver down on her back.

"So? What do you need?"

"Anything else...that is in the back? Not on the display?"

"Drop the whole line from some movie, kid. I'm more into the drama TV show."

The group giggled until Erika stepped up and said,

"We'd like some tanks, which are no longer participated into the Kuromirimine's official formation. They have to be…agile, possible to operate with just two-man crew."

Chief silently looked at Erika as he placed a hand on his chin, thinking for a moment.

"I've got something you might like."

The Chief had the group walk to a hangar nearby. Contrast to the previous one, what greeted them were only the silence and dust, lost of dust.

"Whoa, look at all those tanks." Karen amazed by a number of tanks lined up on both side. "It's a bit sad to see them not to be used anymore."

"Indeed."

They stopped in front of a certain tank that clearly was not made by the German, but a captured one.

"Wow, 7TP. It's a Polish tank."

"Despite having light armor, this little bastard's Bofors 37mm gun can penetrate every German tank back in that war, even the newest Panzer IV. A good tank, no doubt. Too bad, its small number couldn't change the outcome of the war."

The girls were impressed, seeing its condition was well-maintained.

"A good edge for us." Karen nodded with approval.

"Aki-senpai," Erika spoke up. "I believe this is a good tank for you. Karen-senpai can be the gunner while you drive around, causing chaos."

To her unexpected, the two named sisters only looked at Erika with both surprised and curious faces.

"W-what?" Erika asked.

"That's what we're thinking of doing it too…but…how did you know that my sister is a gunner?"

"C-come on now, she has a knack for it, right? She is a good gunner. I've heard about you from other senpais."

"You sure have heard a lot about me. I'm flattered." Karen's frowning face didn't match with her words.

Erika only let out a small awkward laugh.

Miho noticed there was another light tank sitting nearby. It looked like a mini version of Panzer III, but with a turret is similar to Panzer II's.

"Panzer I Ausf. C," The Chief revealed the name. "It's a revised and improved model from Ausf. A and B. Pretty much a support vehicle in the last years of the war. Even so, with its EW 141 anti-tank rifle, it might as well as can go toe-to-toe with other light tanks out there."

"I guess we can use this." Erika examined the tank briefly. "Don't you think so, Miho?"

"Uhm, I think we can."

"Miho? You mean, from the Nishizumi?" The Chief asked.

"…Uhm, yes. Hello."

"Jesus, you've gone as far as to corrupt a Nishizumi member now, haven't you?"

"In our defense, she is the culprit." The two pointed the finger at the blonde.

The Chief shook his head, simply didn't buy it.

Erika couldn't help but smirk.

"Well, I guess that's youth for ya. Can't say it's a life if you don't experience it all." The Chief muttered to himself, then turned to Miho. "May I ask, how's Tsuneo-kun, your father?"

"W-well, last I heard that he is still in Africa, helping the local around."

"Ha! I can imagine those locals already grateful to have him as the mechanic to fix their cars to run in the middle of desert without a hitch."

Miho chuckled lightly.

"You know. This Panzer I here, it was tuned in by your father."

"Oh, really?"

"Of course! I begin to think this is…fate, a connection between a daughter and a father."

"Thank you, Chief Keni."

"But since you're doing those unauthorized matches, you don't get the chance to use my parts to fix those tanks, ok? You break it, you buy it. And no! Don't pull out those puppy eyes. I'm more of a cat person."

"Tsk!" "At least we tried."

The sisters groaned.

"You can find some of those parts in some tank shops. Ooarai is a good place. They're cheap too."

"Guess we should hit Ooarai city when we have the chance."

"...Does Ooarai have a Sensha-do club?" Miho asked.

"..."

"As long as I know, their club has been shut down for about two decades, I think." Chief said. "Kind of pity, Sensha-do isn't that much popular to maidens these days."

"Since we're winning all the time." Aki said. "Eight times in a row."

"Touché." Karen agreed.

"..."

"Erika-chan?" Aki asked

"Hm? Oh! Oh, sorry." She was quickly snapped back to the present. "I got distracted there for a moment."

"..." Miho only looked at Erika silently.

...

...

The orange sky was soon replaced with a dark blue night curtain. Back to the dormitory where one freedom might be viewed as limited because of the girls in yellow shirts was doing the patrol and occasionally checking up the present of student to see anyone dare to break the curfew. Save for one room that the Disciplinary members didn't have to check, or didn't want to bother her since she was a family member of the Nishizumi.

Sitting on the bed with her back against the wall, Miho hugged her favorite brown Boko bear quietly.


My name is Miho Nishizumi.

For many generations, my family held the practices of Sensha-do. Nishizumi Style is what our family has created.

It bears three important points.

The first important point is: firing at the target without missing.

The second is: let the heavy armor do the defensive work.

The last point is: advance forwards in perfect file.

The Nishizumi Style was adhered by Kuromorimine School as their doctrine.

You could say that we are famous. The Nishizumi name is well-recognized all over the Japan. When I was young, I was very proud of Onee-chan. She often appeared on TV and newspaper. Even during the time she was oversea, everyone talked to me about her all the time.

But I...I'm not like Onee-chan.

I'm shy...and imperfect in many ways...

Despite being so, a lot of expectations were riding on me when I've enrolled in Kuromorimine.

Before I could have settled in properly, Onee-chan already suggested that I should take the Vice-Commander position. I...I was not confident and I felt...bad for taking someone's position away as easily as snap of a finger.

Doubt, anxiety were filling in my chest.

But because I'm a Nishizumi, I have to work hard to meet everyone expectation.

I have to.

I have to...

'Are you nervous?'

It was then, I've met her, Erika Itsumi.

Like me, she was one of the first year members just joined in the team.

She appeared in my class one day. Just to return the Boko key chain that I accidentally dropped.

At first thought, I assumed it'd be a brief moment between her and me. I simply needed to say thank you and...that's it. In my own mental scenario and ,my own script.

However, Erika-san, she didn't leave right away just yet. Funny thing was that when she asked about Boko. I felt so delighted because it's been so long that someone mentioned Boko. It got me so embarrassed when I had jumped the gun like that…but Erika-san didn't seem to be bothered much by it.

'Are you nervous? Taking this Vice-Commander position right away after the enlistment?'

It was a question that I couldn't simply answer it with yes or no.

I...wanted to meet the expectations of Onee-chan and mother. On the other hand, I was...anxious, I didn't want to do it.

However, as a child of a Nishizumi, I have to.

'No matter what befall us, we advance!'

My mother's words. Always had us keep moving forward, no matter the cost.

That's the Nishizumi Style.

I have to work hard to meet everyone expectation. To prove the Nishizumi Style.

I have to...

'…Sure it's rough for you. Hang in there.'

Like someone had turned on the light, as my body felt strangely warm when I received such words.

Words of caring.

She reminded me of my childhood friends. Hitomi-chan. Chihiro-chan.

At that moment, I already wanted to become friend with Erika-san.

However, with the announcement of me assuming the role of Vice-Commander under Onee-chan certainly would make many…jealous and skeptical.

Even though they didn't show it directly to me, but I could feel it.

The distance between me and everyone.

My crew, they're newcomers like the others. However, with me being their Commander, it only put too much stress on them.

So I was not confident that whether I could make her a friend or not.

When the two senior members started the quarrel, I was...petrified.

I didn't have the heart to tell them to stand down.

If I did, I fear...I'd lose a piece of myself...

But then Erika-san, you...

Erika-san. She truly surprised me…

She quelled down the whole commotion instantly with her own trick. I was so relief and grateful to Erika-san but what happened next was completely unexpected.

She looked straight at me with her crystal blue eyes and said this.

'Vice-Commander. I would like request a challenge duel with you.'

Why Erika-san? Why?

Many thoughts run wild inside my head, I couldn't tell what has happened or what was going on inside that girl's head!

'Can you prove it to me that you're willing to fight...with your own will and...not just being as a...Nishizumi?'

However, that question, that very question. It reminded me so much of her, Emi-chan, one of my dearest childhood friends.

When I accepted her challenge, I was quite surprised at myself.

Like I've expected it, she was good. She was very good.

All the tricks I've pulled, she already predicted it and made a move ahead of us.

I was both amazed and...relieved.

She was so good that I...I wanted her to take over my position. I wanted myself, the burden to be released out of my chest.

It's my own selfish thought.

However, in that final moment of the match, when I saw Erika was charging at me frontally...

My hands...unconsciously loaded the new magazine into the cannon. Like there's some sort of force, pushing me to do it.

I loaded the weapon and open fire.

Before I even knew what had happened, the match ended in a draw.

I simply found it's hard to believe…

When I looked at Erika, or rather, when she looked at me, I was simply...at lost and dumbfounded.

Like she knew, she already knew my own intention.

When we met face to face again in the locker room, my fear was confirmed.

I only apologized to her, and before I could explain my reason. She startled me by slamming the lockers. I still remembered her icy blue eyes staring at me vividly.

'You're underestimating me, Miho Nishizumi.'

'If you love Sensha-do, then you should respect it. Not defile it.'

She was right. How could I be some foolish?

But at the same time, I didn't want it. I didn't want to bear such responsibility.

I…

What was the reason she want to fight me in the first place?

She didn't want the Commander seat. She already told it in front of Onee-chan.

So why? Why would she wanted to fight me?

I soon learned why.

""We're very sorry for our action, Vice-Commander!""

When the senpais showed up and bowed their heads to me, I was really confused.

"We're so sorry for…doubting you."

"You're…really good at what you're doing, Vice-Commander."

I learned the reason.

The purpose of that duel…it was to help me.

It was Erika's plan all along.

It would be a lie if I said I don't appreciate for what she's done.

But why would she go such length for my sake?

And I…I've insulted her effort with my own petty selfish thought…

I shouldn't meet her. I shouldn't lead the team. I wasn't worthy of this position. I wasn't...

I dwelt myself in those thoughts as I walked on the street alone, aimlessly, in order to have myself some...solitude.

Back in my hometown, when such similar things occurred, I'd often hid myself inside the Panzer II, to get over with those doubts and anxieties.

However, just my luck, I happened to meet Erika again by chance.

Obviously, she was dumbfounded as well, wondering I was doing in such a place.

I didn't know what to do next. Should I start a conversation or just...run, get out of her sight? I didn't do anything, except that I pointed out the sauce that was stuck on her face. She must had ate something nearby.

"...thanks..." she said.

"Oh...it's nothing..."

I tried to put a smile on my face, I really didn't know it's good or bad...

With things as they were, my only thought that I should apologize to her and be on my way…

But she…

'Sorry. I guess I was too harsh on you. I'm sorry.'

Why? Why was she apologizing?! It's my fault! I should be the one who say it!

I tried to stop her but I...

I...

I just couldn't hold it.

I let out those stupid tears. I wanted to run away...but I couldn't...

Like things just washed up away, pushing this...swelling inside my chest.

I stood there and cried pathetically...

But then Erika-san…

'G-get over here!' To my bewilderment, she grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

She took me to a bench where I can recollect my thought.

She calmed me down, and brought me some drink and tissues.

Then...she began to tell a story...her story, her childhood story, the one that I didn't think she would share it to everyone that openly…

I never thought Erika had gone over such hardship. However, in my heart, that's what truly means about Sensha-do.

All Erika wanted to do was to do her very best in Sensha-do and enjoyed it.

'Sensha-do isn't just about refining one's technique with tanks. It wasn't to forge the body and soul. Or polish the self.'

'It was to polish a person in the way they should be.'

They were the words from Kikuyo-san, my house servant. If not thanks to her and Hitomi-chan and Chihiro-chan. I would be very regretted if I didn't say goodbye to Emi-chan on the day she left.

Emi-chan. Despite we didn't started at the best term, but we eventually became best friends. Through Sensha-do. We rode the tank together. Challenged Onee-chan.

Perhaps, that's why Erika-san, she…

Either win or lose, she simply wanted to do it with her very best.

That's what I wanted to do it too. To have fun in doing Sensha-do. I wanted to do Sensha-do because it's fun.

The time I've spent with my childhood friends had proved just that.

Hitomi-chan.

Chihiro-chan.

I wonder what you guys are doing now.

Emi-chan.

I wonder if you're already joined up with one of best and strong German teams yet.

They're right.

It wasn't about the Nishizumi Style.

It's about finding one true self. One's own way of doing in Sensha-do.

Erika already had found her own Sensha-do.

That's why she wanted to help me, to help me to find my own.

Even though I was worried about so many things, everything came out well in the end. Thanks to her.

Little by little, bit by bit. I managed to stay strong and led the girls well in the training for the past year.

Whenever I was wrong, Erika-san was the first one to correct me. Whenever I was in trouble, she was the first one to reach her hand out to me.

Even though she was rather blunt at times, but I do not dislike it.

The girls in my class…they generally…treated me nice, even with my mistakes I've made during training. They simply let it slide. The only reason I received such treatment because of my last name, the achievement of my sister and my mother had earned through Sensha-do.

But Erika, on the other hand, she came up to me and pointed out the problem right away so I can fix it.

It made me feel...happy. She treated me like I was…me, I'm just being me. Not some girl bearing the Nishizumi name.

I'm very grateful to her. She even able to get my most wanted Boko bear back in the arcade store. Till now, I didn't know how did she even get it.

And we had become friend since then.

I like Erika-san…

Like...

'Maybe she is really onto you!'

That's what Takeko-san, Erika's driver's said.

I remembered it when we're sitting together in a burger shop. Takeko-san engaged that conversation as soon as Erika went to the restroom.

'You're not gonna believe it. Whenever she caught some girls saying something bad about you, she immediately stepped in and defends you.'

'She is treating you like a princess.'

Hearing it, I simply blushed hard.

'Oh yeah. That's what girlfriend would d—' The grinning driver failed to noticed the blood-lust white wolf with blue eyes approaching from behind.

'Shut it!' The werewolf Erika scraped Takeko's head with her claws.

The poor girl only cried with distress.

"Girlfriend... Like…" I muttered the words as my mind continued to relive Erika's words delivered to me.

'Because…I'm interested in you.'

My heart started to beating in unusual pace.

She was rather...a strange person.

She would easily...get flustered for some reason or distracted one way or another, always so blunt.

Even in that moment too…

'Why going so far for her sake?'

'Isn't that obvious?'

'Because she is important to me!'

With her words, I got butterflies in my stomach...

Before I even knew it, Azure-san let us go in order for us to fight on this…unsanctioned Sensha-do match, Tankathlon. It was the first time I've heard of it but Erika seemed to know about it already.

She even had two senpais from High School Division to help with, they're even sisters no less. How strange, it like she had a strange good connection with those two long ago...

*tap*

The noise coming from the window promptly pulled me back to the reality.

*tap* There it was again, like something just hit onto the glass.

I soon opened the window and took a look outside...

"Ah, there's our lovely princess in the tower."

"Ya-ho! Commander Miho-chan."

"Keep your voice down, senpai!"

"Aki-senpai. Karen-senpai. Even Leila-san too!" I exclaimed but I quickly put my hands over my mouth as looked back to my room's door, making sure that no Disciplinary member was outside.

"Stand back." Aki-senpai signaled me to stay away from the window.

Immediately, a grappling hook was thrown and successfully hooked up the window's stool.

"Get dress up, Miho-chan. Before the dragon get ya."

Such a bizarre event was happening right before me, however, this was...rather nostalgic to be honest. It reminded me how I was such a...tomboy when I was young.

I couldn't help but smile and think.

I didn't see this one coming.

...


Reader: New chapter! !

Everyone: Hell yeah! Yes! Woohooo!

*Finished the chapter*

Reader: Now we wait again…

Everyone: Aww~ Damn it!

Me: I'm sorry…

Inner me: No you don't. And now I pulled a little sneaky on ya.

...


*– Sneak peak –*

« Welcome to the Tankathlon! » The MC announced as the fire was blazing wildly over the hill.

"Sugoi..." Miho and Leila were amazed by the sight.

"We are going to make a name for ourselves!" said Aki.

...

...

"Who are those girls?" "I recognize that school emblem. It's Kuromorimine!"

The reveal of two Kuromorimine light tanks joining in the chaos promptly gained the attention from the curious onlookers.

"There was a certain man saying this quote: it's kind of fun to do the impossible." The spirit of Erika the Radical was still burning strong inside her.

"Wee-hoo! Look at it flying!"

The law of physic did not apply to those 10-ton vehicles.

"I believe that I can flyyyy~!" Karen singed out loud.

"I somehow think I've lost the plot along the way now..." sighed Erika.

...

...

Before the team could enter their Panzers to fight, Leila pointed her finger toward a point of interest.

"Erika-chan. Look over there."

Eyeing toward the tree, there sitting a young girl playing a Kantele, a Finnish stringed instrument.

"...A strange cold wind just came by." said the girl as she played the strings softly.

...