Now it is time for Oarai vs. Saunders. I don't know how long it might be so, I'm gonna split it into parts. Oh, and developments between Momo and Ciel.
Chapter 4: Oarai vs Saunders Part 1: Recon, Training and Heat
Zuikaku Aircraft Carrier-Oarai Girls Academy-Meeting Room: 2 weeks before match
Oarai had been picked to face off against Saunders again. In the last round they won. This year, they're up against them once more. The Anglerfish Team, the student council and Ciel are assembled in the meeting room to discuss the situation. They always hold their meetings here before their matches.
"Kawashima, what do you got?" Anzu asked
"Like before we are facing Saunders Girls Academy." Momo began "They primarily field Sherman tanks of all types ranging from 75mm's to Fireflies. But we don't know what other tanks they will use when we face off against them."
"What's a Sherman?" Ciel asked. Before anyone can answer, Yukari came into the room wearing her infiltration attire.
"Yukari, you're back." Saori said. All members welcomed back Yukari from her infiltration mission.
"Yukari-san, did you do what I think you did?" Miho asked. Yukari showed her a USB card containing all of the crucial evidence. Soon she started up the video and Ciel got a little suspicious.
"Yukari, why did you go to Saunders?" he asked "Aren't you one of Oarai's students?"
"Yes, I was just out doing some recon." Yukari said
"But, do I call that cheating? Because it completely is cheating by any standards." He said sternly. Everyone forgot to tell him that reconnaissance is allowed at a 24 hour advancement.
"Ciel, listen, Yukari did recon work before each match starts so it's okay." Miho said
"Sorry, I'm still getting used to where I am now." He said calmly
"Don't worry sleepyhead," Momo said as she comforts Ciel, "You'll be fine here even with your new friends here." Ciel smiled at her just as Yukari's recon footage was showed on-screen. It was the usual routine where Yukari had to disguise herself as one of Saunders' students. She went on a Panzerhigh when seeing all of their tanks again. But what else she found was more tanks other than Sherman's. She also found Pershing and surprisingly Super Pershing's. Yukari went all over it when she saw it.
"The Super Pershing." Yukari said, surprised and googly-eyed when she spotted the tank. "That tank is an upgraded version of the already powerful M26. It still has its 90mm M3 gun and a match to compete with the Tiger II." She then sees girls inspecting each Sherman and Pershing, preparing them for battle. They looked over to Yukari and wished them luck. It then cuts to the gym where 3 of Saunders' tank team are assembling. Yukari immediately recognized them from last year's match.
Kay is Saunders' tank leader and overall commander, Naomi is the tank sniper and Alisa is the sub-commander and wire-tapper. All three girls got on stage to field which tank to take part. Alisa spoke first.
"Our strength for this year's match: 1 M4A1, 1 Firefly, 1 M4A3E8, 2 76mm's and 4 M26 Pershing's and 1 Super Pershing."
"I'm sure our strength and our tanks can win this match-up." Kay said "You know it everybody?" All girls inside the gym cheered, rallying Saunders' will to fight. Yukari then asked a question to Kay.
"Uh, what will be our formation like?" she asked
"Ever since our loss against Oarai last year, we decided to mix it up a bit. This time, our Super Pershing will protect the flag tank while all the others hunt down the others. Oh, an Alisa here won't do wire-tapping during the battle. Right Alisa?" Kay asked
"Yes, Ma'am." Alisa replied. Oarai knew that Saunders intercepted transmissions from Miho to her teammates last year. This time though Saunders will not go through that blunder again.
"I'm pretty sure they got a Cromwell." Yukari said.
"I assure of you, we will not be beaten this time around." Just then Naomi noticed something is up again.
"Hey, aren't you that girl spying on us again? What's her name? Sergeant Oddball." Naomi said suspiciously. Yukari noticed this and fled again, with Kay laughing and Alisa just shocked that Yukari was able to infiltrate the academy once again.
"This is Yukari Akiyama, from Saunders Girl's Academy, signing off and running for my life once again." She said while running away from other Saunders' students. After the footage ended, everyone consulted each other on what would be there battle plan to take out Saunders' tanks, not to mention a Super Pershing as part of the main force.
"Not only did you infiltrate the school, but you evaded them when you got detected." Ciel stated
"I've worked out a lot and" she replied but cut off by Ciel.
"How on earth did you escape from an aircraft carrier sized-school?" he asked
"Sukus Cargo Ship." She said simply.
"Alright. Just as long as you are careful then." He said
"Taichou, your instructions?" Momo asked
"Uh, maybe we should practice. We have one Pershing so Rhino team will be a practice target. Ciel, since you're new to the concept, we should help you train with your team called Raven." Miho said happily
"Why did you call my team 'Raven'?" he asked
"She took that inspiration from tanks that are related to animals. Some of them are either what they look like or depending on how they perform." Momo said
"Okay, animals that are named for tanks. Story of my life thus far." He said sarcastically. "Still though, very accurate when it comes to performance." They all headed out to the tank sheds for practice. Ami Chouno, Oarai's tankery instructor, notices Ciel.
"You must be the new student that came from that blue sphere a few days ago." She said
"You have no idea what I've been through. My name is Ciel by the way. Your name is..?"
"I'm Ami Chouno, Oarai's tankery instructor and Captain of the JGSDF." She said pleasantly
"A military woman training young girls. You must have taught them really well." He said
"All of that credit came from Miho. Her leadership brought home Oarai's first victory and kept it from closing since who knows how long." She said
"Since you're the instructor, maybe you can help my team. You know, first-timers." He said
"Alright. Get your tank out here and let's see what you can do." She said. Ciel then notices that Kimi had already driven the tank outside. "Kimi, I see that you're driving."
"I've learned how to drive tanks since elementary school. Earned a 'Driver Tankery Badge' that year also." She said happily. "I don't know about Emi and Yuri on what positions they would be covering in." Ciel turned to Emi and Yuri, still standing and flanking him on each side.
"What will you two do?" he asked
"Yuri and I already who would be in which," Emi began "She would take the loader spot, mainly because she works out more and stronger at loading the shells. For me, I'll just do communications."
"Why communications." He said
"I would like to talk to the other tankers as I go along." She replied. "You already know that Kimi is a great driver."
"So I've noticed. There are only 2 positions left which are gunner and commander." He said
"Try the gunner and the commander spots at the same time." Yuri said
"What. I can't do double duty. I only do one thing at a time. That's it." He rebutted
"Just give it a try Ciel, okay?" he looked and Momo stood there and told him what to do. He gave in and accepted.
"Fine, I'll do double-duty." He said blandly and shot an annoyed look to Momo. "I'll do it, Mom." That made Momo shot a smirk at him.
Soon enough, Raven team gathered on the target range with their Cromwell. Ciel, for the time being, still annoyed to do double-duty. "So, what does the gunner do Miho?" he asked
"The gunner takes charge at firing at the enemy tanks. Some rules for being in the gunner's chair, 1. Aim ahead of the target, not directly at it, 2. Fire, then move, if it hits or miss and 3. Don't hit your allies." She said
"Those 3 guidelines. They are good and I already know the friendly fire doctrine." He said "Now, the gunner's sight. It's filled with lines and shot angles."
"The numbers are used to calculate the range for each tank. The lines are for the length." She replied
Ciel took a deep breath and lined up at the target. He forgot that his left eye is a bit blurry, so he removed his eyepatch and unleashed his Faustian in his right eye. Little did he know was that it can see clearly and pinpoints the target. "Target is at 10,000 metres. Firing." Ciel squeezed the trigger and the target is in pieces. He then breathed out seeing the results.
"Good shot Ciel!" "Nice!" "You did it!" All three girls congratulated Ciel for destroying the target. Ciel soon popped out of the gunner's hatch and saw his target. "To think a target is actually fragile. Hope the next one is harder to beat. Did well though." He said and took a deep breath while congratulating himself.
Hours of practice has been more in place of Ciel and Raven team. He even told his team to knock out the Pershing from behind. The day died down as an orange sky filled across Oarai. "Practice is over." Chouno said "I'm more surprised of our new stu-I mean Ciel, who took out the target on his first shot. Even for a freshmen, it's a first time someone hit it on a first time."
"I was just, stunned. That's it." He said
"Just make sure you put those skills of yours into good use," she continued "you and Oarai have yourselves another championship in the bag."
"Alright everyone. Dismissed." Momo said
"Good job everyone!" every girl said while bowing, showing a job well done.
"Maybe we should go out for dinner? I'm starving." Saori said
"I heard there is a new food joint. Let's go there." Yukari said. Then turned to Ciel "Ciel? You want to come with us?"
"Where?" he asked
"A new tank themed restaurant." She replied
"Now there are tank-themed restaurants." He looked at his watch and saw that it is 5:30. "I've got a lot of time on my hands." He said "But first… Momo?" Momo is busy debriefing Arctic Wolf team (the T-34/85) when she heard Ciel.
"Yes?" she answered
"Uh, is it okay if you would like to come with me and Anglerfish team to go out and have dinner?" he asked. "Christ, it's a little early. Please say no, please say no." he thought
"Now's your chance to get to know more about him. That and why he has an eyepatch." She thought to herself. "Uh… Sure just give me a few minutes." She said
"What? She just said yes? I can't believe that worked out nicely." He thought. "Okay. In a few." He replied. After a few minutes, Momo, Ciel and the Anglerfish team departed to the new restaurant. While on their way there, Momo and Ciel began to talk to each other with the Anglerfish walking behind them, all the while Saori was jealous to see that a boy like Ciel would go out with the Student Council PR manager.
"So, you became the loader after the president decided to pitch in?" he asked
"She did. For the first 2 matches, she was just lazy while eating dried potatoes." She replied. "Turns she is a better shot than I am. The kill limit of out tank is usually 2 tanks, mainly damaged ones." Very soon they all arrived at the place. They ordered and began to chow down. That was when two girls in different uniforms saw the Oarai girls.
"So this is the new member." All of the girls turned and saw Erika and Maho, Miho's sister. "I don't know about you, but that's a boy. That means Oarai is not allowed to participate in the tournament this year." What Ciel saw was a girls with sleek grey hair and blue eyes and another as a carbon copy of Miho. He already knew her name and both eyes are locked with each other.
"You're the new kid, Miho talked about." Maho said "I know mother would not allow this. I still welcome this notion. My name is Maho by the way." She extended her hand and Ciel shook it.
"My name is Ciel. Miho has told me a lot about you. Who's the girl behind you?" he asked. Maho pitched up a warm smile on her face, seeing that she is friendly.
"This is my second-in-command, Erika Itsumi." She approached the two and extended her hand also. Ciel gingerly shook it but he made a dour look on his face, and so did Erika. Maho then soon saw Miho. "Hey little sister." Maho said. Miho then stood up and hugged Maho as the two sisters hugged each other. "Onee-chan, you're here to visit?" Miho asked. Maho chuckled a bit. "Yes, I am. I came to visit you and your team before your first match starts. Is it okay if I talk to you in private? It's about Mother and when she saw Ciel on TV." She said "Uh… Hai." Both sisters are outside talking while Ciel is still locked on Erika.
"Ciel," Momo asked "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." He replied
"I don't know how I see this but, our headmistress most certainly don't allow boys into sensha-do." Erika snickered
"Look Erika it's early before the tournament starts and I don't want any harsh comments with what we just heard." Momo said
"I know but with what you assembled, it's best that you drop yourselves out of the tournament before they find out that there is a boy in the match." Erika replied
"I know Ciel is a boy, and so far, he's been a good commander of his own team. I think its best that you save it for a future match." Momo said
"I'm not afraid of him or your school. When the Nishizumi-style reigns supreme, that boy you have is nothing more than a wet dream." She said. That is when Ciel finally traded words with Erika. He approached her and made a devilish grin on his face.
"If you and this Nishizumi-style reigns supreme, I'm nothing more than a wet dream? I've seen worse than this. I have my respect for both Miho and Momo. Now I've even come to terms with Maho. She seems nice, but you on the other hand, are more determined to get me kicked out of tankery and let Oarai being thrown out of the door. This I do not accept. Best save it for when we meet." He said
"Like hell I won't. When you get kicked out, I'm sure Kuromorimine can get easy pickings from Oarai, when we win." She confidently said. Ciel started to get more annoyed as he slammed his drink onto the table and stood up against her.
"You're the one to talk Erika. Once Oarai reaches the finals with you in tow, I expect you to meet me, one on one, in our tanks and slugging it out. The best thing to do now is wait. If both of us meet, you'll see what Oarai does. And what we do is to achieve victory through leadership, morality and our combined might. If your Nishizumi-style does work, I will admit that that style is better and I'm just a wet dream for Oarai. And last I heard your school got beaten by one lone tank and a lone shell. That's why the Nishizumi-style isn't perfect but a flawed doctrine your headmistress applied. For now, just train until we see each other. And I will have the privilege to win against you." He said angrily.
Erika produced a devilish grin on her face before she answered. "Of course. That's your final word?" she asked
"Erika, no more words. Just go and get the fuck out of my sight. And fuck your so-called 'Nishizumi-style!" He screamed angrily. Erika scoffed this as Maho just finished her conversation with Miho. "If I don't see you, good luck little sister." Maho hugged her just as Erika walked up to her commander.
"Taichou, let's get moving. I have enough of this place." Maho nodded before saying goodbye to Miho. "Like I said, good luck Miho." Maho said as she smiled. Miho said "Hai!" before hugging Maho. Miho later settled back to her table and found a very pissed off Ciel at the table with Momo trying to calm him down. "What's wrong with Ciel?" she asked
"Let's just say he got 'issues'." Hana said "He only become like this before you came back."
"Well, is he going to be okay?" Miho asked "And who started this?"
"Erika came over to our table and made pretty nasty comments about him and our school not allowing to participate in the tournament." Yukari said "That's why he's pissed."
"Is he going to be okay?" Miho asked again
"He'll be fine." Saori said. "He just needs to cool off his jets just like Erika."
"Erika might be correct after all, because boys in sensha-do aren't allowed." Mako said in her usual monotonous voice. "Ciel is a boy after all. But he's good for a tank commander."
"Ciel?" Momo said sheepishly "Are you okay?" Ciel was late to respond but he turned red and one lone tear came out. All of them know that he was about to cry. "Momo? Take me home, please?" he said weakly. "I never thought I would swear at a girl. Or even scream at her."
"Alright. I think that outburst might have put you to your limits." Momo said softly. "I'm going to take him home."
"Should we come with you? Ciel might need help from all of us." Miho requested. Ciel whispered something into Momo's ear.
"I think he wants me. And me only." Momo answered "Best you go home and rest for the night." All of the Anglerfish team nodded and went home. Momo meanwhile had to contend with a sobbing Ciel, and dragging him back to his apartment. His apartment complex is farther away and hers is the nearest one. "Is it okay if I ask, but, is it okay that you can sleep in my apartment for the night?" she asked. Ciel looked up, his face a mess and saw Momo's cute face and nodded.
As nighttime rolled over Oarai, they entered Momo's apartment, she settled him down and tried to calm him. Soon enough there was a knock on Momo's door and quick to answer. Turns out it was Miho, who bought Ciel's bag with his clothing and school work.
"Momo, I bought Ciel's bag, which contains his clothing and his work. And surprisingly a picture of him and Welsh Guards?" Miho confusingly said as she handed Ciel's bag to her.
"Arigato taichou." Momo replied "You're going home now?"
"Hai. See you tomorrow then." She said. Momo nodded and waved goodnight to Miho. Ciel, meanwhile, has stopped crying and took some deep relaxation breaths.
"You okay now?" she asked softly
"Not really. I have never done that to Elizabeth before." He said sheepishly "I never swear at anyone, and never said any of those words before." Momo looked at Ciel, who had a blank expression on his face.
"It's not the first time you've done it." She said "You don't need to get your emotions in the way."
"I know mom." He said sternly
"I don't know why you called me mom. Besides, what's wrong with your right eye?" she questioned. He realised that Momo was onto him and his sealed right eye
"Uhh. It's best if you don't look." He answered as he placed his right hand over his right eye.
"Come on, let me see." She requested sternly.
"Really though, you do not want to see it." He rebutted
"Ciel, listen, you can't hide anything with what you own. I've already trusted you and the both of us know each other when we first met. You also can't lie to anybody other than yourself. So, can I see what's on your right eye?" she said
"Y-you trust me?" he asked
"Hai." She answered. "I already trust you since our conversation at the hospital." Ciel took a moment and began to remove the eyepatch. "Alright. Here I go." Ciel shook as he tried to take off his eyepatch on his own. But he can't because he was afraid of what Momo might do to him. "Momo? Is it okay if you… take it off instead?" he asked yet he is scared to look. Momo was surprised.
"Are you sure?" she said softly
"Yes. Just take it off and see for yourself." He answered. Momo removed the eyepatch slowly and gently. When the eyepatch was removed his right eye was closed then it slowly opened. Momo was white-eyed and shocked when she saw a purple eye with weird markings.
"What happened?" she asked
"I made a contract with a demon back in London, two centuries ago." He began
"A demon?" she asked
He nodded. "When I was a child, I was happy. Nothing can ruin my life. One day though some idiotic bastard had lit the mansion on fire, killing my mother and my father. Our butler, Tanaka, tried to protect me, but got knocked out by an unknown assailant. I was captured, sold off to slavery and mis-treated me. They even put me as a sacrifice and branded me, knowing I'm theirs forever. That was when I finally snapped and unleashed a demon. All the pain etched in me caught on fire and my first command to the demon is to 'kill all of them'. He did it swiftly and everyone that put me in this state is dead. With that request done, he told me that I can form a contract with him, and achieving it, my soul shall be his. I accepted and with my right eye bleeding, I made the contract. From that day on, I commanded him that he was my butler, named Sebastian Michaellis and the both of us hunts down the assailants that put me into this state." Momo was shocked with what she heard. Ciel was also on the verge of tears.
"I didn't know that happened to you." She said
"I didn't want to tell you this after the match. Now that you found out," he tried talking more, but the painful memories are completely consuming his mind. Instead, he cried again. "I don't want anyone to know but you only. If you're going to tell anybody, only Miho has to know this, okay. It's always painful! I'm sorry!" He sobbed. Momo didn't know what to do. After hearing that story, she feels sorry for him. Ciel then felt a hand on his face. He turned to his left and saw Momo, who is drying up his tears. She then showed a comforting smile to Ciel and comforted him.
"Don't worry. I understand. I mean, that eye gives you a sense of confidence. I know it gives you pain, but I'm always here for you. No matter what happens." She said softly. Momo then hugged Ciel and he did the same, with both of them not letting go of each other. After a few minutes, she asked him if he wants to sleep with her. He nodded and offered him her bed and she slept on the floor. They both changed into their pajamas and nestled into their spots for the night. Ciel was alone with his thoughts and also Momo.
"I can't believe she would comfort me. At least she is not that clingy unlike Elizabeth." he thought. "At least she trusts me and knows my hidden secret. Maybe, I should ask her out. When the match is finished of course."
"To think, he has a Faustian contract on his right eye." She thought. "I trust him now. No longer will he keep his secrets to himself. Just me and him only. If he asks me out though, I will be surprised. I've never seen the gentleman in him yet. I'll just wait until he has courage to ask me out. Or I'll wait after the match."
"Goodnight Ciel." She said softly
"Goodnight Momo-chan. And thank you. For taking care of me tonight." He replied
Both Momo and Ciel then drifted off to sleep, ready for the next day.
The battle between Oarai and Saunders starts in the next chapter. As always, signing off