A/N: Short chapter. I've been playing so much Pokemon: Ultra Sun but I've been putting an effort into writing. The comments I have been getting have been supportive. Thank you.

Oarai Girl's Academy - Hallway - Late Afternoon

The Student Council called a meeting of the tank commanders after practice, one day. It was one of Anzu's 'spur of the moment' kind of deal. This meeting included Ami and Rirko, seeing how much they were involved in the team's development.

As the practice wrapped up, Ami and Rirko made their way to the Student Council room. Not happy about spending part of his evening in an impromptu meeting, Ami was subject to Rirko's complaints.

"I just hope that its news worth listening too." Sighing, Rirko thought about that lost evening while Ami rolled her eyes.

"You have no obligation to go."

"Yeah, well she said anyone who is involved in the team's development. So, I have no choice but to go."

"Well, at least get rid of the pissed-off look for the girls. You're setting a bad example." She looked out of the window and saw the tanks being rolled into the shed for the night. Then, a small group of the tank commanders walking towards the building. They all had sour faces.

"Are they pissed off too?" Rirko asked, with a smug.

"…shut up." The feeling was mutual. No one wanted to stay for a late meeting after a long training session.

Oarai Girl's Academy – Student Council Room – Late Afternoon

"I'm glad that you were all able to make it!" Anzu said this in a cheery voice. However, some of the people in the room glared at the council, including Rirko. Silent contempt.

"Don't give us that look. This is actually important!" Momo tried to look intimidating while crossing her arms. However, Risa wouldn't be taking that.

"I sure hope so. If it's something stupid, then I can't be held responsible for my actions!"

"What you say, smart-mouth?"

"You want me, I'm right here!" Risa was already irritable from spending more time in school.

"HEY!" Momo and Risa stopped their standoff, looking at Rirko. The entire room as well.

"The sooner we get this done, the sooner we all get to go home. And I, for one, have an appointment with a warm kotatsu. So, I would be pleased as punch if girls would settle down and get on with it!"

The girls, including Ami, looked at him as if he had two heads. Momo and Risa looked at each other.

"Fine. I want to get home as soon as possible too." Crossing her arms, Risa sat down. Saying nothing, Momo did the same. Everyone settling down, Yuzu and Anzu were happy how things turned out.

"Always count on the counsellor to be the voice of reason." Anzu shoved another chip into her mouth. Yuzu started the meeting.

"Thank you all for coming. As you well know, the draws for the Nationals will be happening soon. Training during the coming weeks will be crucial. That's why…"

"We'll be facing Kuromorimine in an exhibition match!" Anzu sound both excited and proud. Everyone's jaw dropped, except for Ami.

Rirko looked at her. "You knew about this, didn't you?" She shrugged.

"This was in the works right after we got confirmation about the match in Pravda. They were very forthcoming with their request."

"And who made the request?" asked Nakajima.

"The headmistress of Kuromorimine, through the Sensha-do Kommandant."

Miho had a blank look, while Yukari looked on concerned. The rest of the tank commanders were unsure how to feel. The last time they faced Kuromorimine, they barely won. Could they still pull off the same miracle, especially with Miho out of commission?

"The decision was made before Miho's suspension. But we can't cancel the match. We would lose face." Momo shifted her monocle around her eyes. "Therefore, we shall move forward and work with whatever we got." All eyes turned to Miho.

Them winning off the seat of their pants was not acceptable this time around. Kuromorimine was now privy to Oarai's tricks. Miho and the others would have to be creative in their approaches. Just because she wasn't allowed to ride a tank, didn't mean she couldn't contribute to the strategies utilized.

"Kuromorimine, in the past, has followed a strict battle style. Using formal strategies, they were not flexible in changing tactics on the fly. But now, they know this. They will change something. That is why we must be one step ahead. To continue to act on the fly, so our moves cannot be predicted."

Kii was listening attentively and didn't contribute to the overall team strategy. But, something in her screamed to be said. "Nishizumi-sempai. How can we plan if our moves 'are on the fly?'"

"Don't get me wrong. We'll still have a strategy. However, our moves must not be so easy to read. We will complete the strategy using guile and misdirection."

If Kuromorimine had problems reacting to the stratagems of Oarai, they may have a chance to win. It would be brain vs brawn. Rirko was impressed by Miho's resourcefulness.

"Live. Familiarize. Triumph."

Miho giggled and smiled. "That's the gist of it. Perhaps we can work on the finer details later?"

Everyone seemed to be keen on the idea. Momo, however, wanted to plan right away but one look at Anzu changed her mind.

"Not too long," she said, crossly. "Our match is in two weeks time, so we'll need to step up training!" She turned to Miho. "Nishizumi, wrap things up."

Miho had a different idea. "Actually, Yukari should be the one to wrap things up." Yukari was caught unawares.

"M-Miss Nishizumi?!" Miho gave a gentle nod and Yukari swallowed hard. It was her show now.

"Um…I know that things have changed that made our situation unfavourable. However, with the Nationals coming up, it is now more important than ever to find new ways to engage our opponents, to keep them guessing. So, we can win."

"Our strength comes from thinking out of the box. And although we may seem weak, we have proven the mighty and powerful wrong. We are riding on last year's momentum. Let's keep on going! Now is not the time to rest. Now is the time to move and to show everyone that Sensha-do is not only about winning or glory. It's about having fun!"

To be with teammates who care. To enjoy one's self. To grow in both mind and spirit through Sensha-do. These were the values that Oarai cherished. These were the values that they would protect.

Murmurs of agreements filled the room. Smiles and laughter dissipated the tired air that hung around them. Satisfied, Momo adjourned the meeting while Yukari letting the other commanders know when the next meeting would be.

Ami and Rirko spoke in the hallway.

"Well, it works well for me."

"Oh? How so?"

"The match is on the same week of the workshop. I can attend both. I just have to be there way ahead of you girls."

"Good for you." Ami looked at Rirko and even though he sounded enthusiastic, she knew he was tired.

"Listen, are you doing okay? You look really tired."

"Worried about me?"

"Seriously Rir. Tell me."

Ami was perceptive, and Rirko knew that. Sighing, he knew he couldn't bluff his way out of his predicament.

"Have you heard of emotional fatigue?" Ami shook her head.

"It's when you're so tired feeling for others that you become apathetic or withdrawn. I'm most likely feeling the effects of this."

"Hence the reason you snapped at Risa and Momo?"

"Oh, that? No, I was just worn-out of their bickering. No one wanted to be in that room."

"What are you going to do?" Ami sounded a lot more concerned, than curious.

"Maybe call in sick for a day. Relax. Have time for myself. Then, I should feel right as rain."

"Right." She didn't sound too convinced.

"I'll e-mail the headmistress tonight and leave a voicemail for the school. Probably be off tomorrow."

"I better not see you here tomorrow, Rir. Otherwise, I'll knock you out and drag you home myself!" She sounded serious, but he knew she was only concerned about him. It was touching. Someone cared for 'him'.

"Aye, ma'am."

"I'm with the defence force, not the Marine Corps, stupid."

"You keep using that word. I don't think you know what it means."

"I-" Ami stopped herself before talking more. Rirko was teasing her and having a good time. "Don't be a stranger, Rir." Walking off, Rirko thought about his relationship with Ami and how it was changing.

"This is getting more difficult." He didn't know why, but every time he thought about her, he felt he had butterflies in his stomach. Was he getting sick? Or, was it something else?

Rirko was seemingly alone. Him, the hallway and a potted plant. A potted plant that shook a little.

He sighed. "I know you're there. Come on out."

Miho popped out of her hiding place. "How did you know I was there?"

"I didn't. But, I felt I was being watched by someone. Turned out to be you."

Miho was silent and was looking guilty.

"Where's Yukari?"

"I said I would be going home late because there was some other stuff I needed to take care of for the Student Council."

"Which was a total lie." Miho nodded. She felt bad lying to Yukari but really wanted to speak with Rirko.

"Come on, let's go to my office. We can talk there."

"B-But how about your-"

"I'll be up all night, thinking about what you wanted to say to me. I care enough to at least hear what's on your mind."

Rirko figured that she overheard his conversation with Ami. She probably wants to speak to him after the meeting. Hence, the reason she hid and looked guilty when discovered. Once she heard about his emotional fatigue, she didn't want to burden him.

"One more thing, Miho. Don't eavesdrop on conversations, it's rude."

"I-I'm sorry." As she bowed, Rirko began to leave. She immediately trotted after him.

Oarai Girl's Academy – Rirko's Office – Early Evening

Rirko was still feeling the effects of emotional fatigue. However, he did his best to shake off the feeling and tried to keep an empathic ear to Miho. Even though it wasn't one of their session days, her coming to him meant that it was worth a discussion.

Taking their usual places, Rirko and Miho began their session. "I'm sorry about intruding like this, Mr Nagasawa. I know how tired you are and-"

Rirko held up his hand. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself, you know. But, your concern is appreciated."

"R-Right."

"I actually wanted to know if you met with Dr Tendo recently."

"Dr Tendo? Oh, you mean Shinzuka?"

"Yeah. She goes by first-name basis?" Miho nodded her head. "An informal way to present yourself to a patient, but whatever works for her."

"I met Shinzuka after the day of our…last talk." Remembering it once again, Miho shuttered at the memory of being lost and alone in the forest. "I spoke to her about my medications not working so well so she increased the dosage. But that was after a lengthy discussion."

"I see." Rirko didn't push the issue about the conversation. If Shinzuka wanted to share information, she would say so. "And how do you feel?"

"Better. Much better. I don't feel that depressed unlike before. I'm able to do things and focus on my life."

"Good to hear." Rirko was relieved that Miho was on the right track to her recovery. A favourable outcome would be for her to take back command of the team before the match with Kuromorimine. But, it was still quite a way before progress like that could be made. But it was a start. "What else happened?"

"I…I was able to speak to my sister in Notojima."

Rirko remembered that Maho dropped by and he left her with Miho while he took a walk. He had no idea how that turned out. "Did it go well?"

"Huh…" Miho, remembering her discussion with Maho, was a conversation that was not only tense but heartwarming.

Noto Battlegrounds – Oarai Main Tent – Pravda Match Day - PAST

Maho and Miho were once again together, albeit in unfavourable circumstances. Miho was lying on a cot, trying to wrap around what had happened to her and her subsequent suspension from the Sensha-do team. Maho was sitting right next to her; her hand on her shoulder.

Miho turned around to see her sister and she was happy. They were face-to-face for once. Not, as a voice, but a physical person. Like back in the day. But then again, remembering such times caused her nothing but pain. Gingerly, Maho ran her fingers through Miho's hair and couldn't help but tear up.

"Miho…A-Are you…alright?"

Miho nodded. "I have people who are supporting me. But sometimes, it isn't enough. I make due with what I have. Being…resourceful is part of a commander's traits, right?" Smiling gently, Maho felt herself breaking her strong façade. She was heartbroken. The sister she had sought to help was suffering right in front of her.

And she could do little to help her.

"I'm sorry…I wasn't there for you."

"Maho, it happened during the middle of the match. You couldn't exactly jump down and rush to me, can you?"

Miho thought she was referring to what had happened during the match. However, Maho was referring to the Kuromorimine/ Pravda match and how she didn't say anything to support her. Maho didn't have the courage to correct her.

"I…couldn't no. But I would."

Miho sighed. "Why are we meeting always like this?"

"What do you mean, Miho?"

"We're always meeting when there's something bad happening. School getting closed down, during a Sensha-do National Championship, a gathering of the Federation schools in a showdown against a superior team. I miss…"

Maho crept closer to her. To encourage to say whatever was on her mind.

"I miss…I miss the days when we were just there with each other. Where we did things together, like how we used to."

"I miss those days too. I truly do."

Those days are gone now. There's nothing in the world that can change that. No matter how hard we wish for it…" As she talked, Miho started to cry again. Not wanting to see her cry, Miho turned her back. Each word she spoke was drawn.

Maho couldn't say anything. Hearing Miho cry was agony. She wanted those days back too. But circumstances prevented them to have that wish. With Rirko's revelation and seeing Miho in such a delicate state was too much for her to bear. Tears flowed down her cheeks and unto the cot. Covering her eyes, she wept as well.

Showing such emotion was unheard of for a Nishizumi but the emotional baggage each girl carried was getting to a point where it was unbearable.

"What do you want, Miho?"

"W-What?" She turned and saw her sister crying. Shocked, Miho stared at her and wiped some of her tears off her face.

"What is it do you want me to do, Miho?! What is it going to take for you to not feel this way anymore?! Because I…I can't stand seeing you…like this!"

The sight of Miho's anguish was upsetting. Maho was desperate and would do anything to make her feel better. It was hurting her emotionally. It was a hurt she had never felt in a long while. She wanted to make it disappear. Hers and Miho's.

Miho couldn't answer that question. Maho was upset that she was upset. It was confusing to comprehend. She was expressing herself on how she truly felt. But now Maho, the sister that she loved, was unhappy. She needed to fix that.

"Talk to me more. I know we are miles away from each other. But, hearing your voice reassures me. It makes me happy to know that I still have you. No matter how much apart we are from each other physically, we can still be together."

"Oh, Miho!" Maho embraced her in a hug. Letting out her sorrow, Maho cried on Miho's shoulder. It was an action of love. Shedding tears not for yourself, but for a person that you love. Miho couldn't help but replicate that feeling for she did the exact same thing.

It took a while for both sisters to calm down. After reaffirming their support for one another, Maho agreed to check up on Miho on a bi-weekly basis and to make sure that her sister was supported in all aspects of her life.

As Maho was leaving, Miho sat on the cot and sighed. "Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me."

"You mean a lot to me as well, Miho. It's like you said. We'll always be together no matter how far we are from one another."

Maho left, leaving Miho's eyes glistening with the tears of joy.

Oarai Girl's Academy – Rirko's Office – Early Evening

"It…went well."

"Went well, huh." Gauging Miho's response, Rirko decided to not press the issue. The conversation that Miho had was only meant for her sister. "Let's just leave it at that, then. So, what did you want to talk about?"

It took a minute for Miho to organize her feelings and words. But she spoke. "It's about what you said last time. About having 'closure?' I've been thinking about that."

"Hmm."

"I know that what I did went against everything my school and my family was taught."

"And, do you regret your decision? If you would do it all over again, would you?"

Miho knew she made the right choice. She believed in the sanctity of life trumped over victory. That the lives of her teammates, her friends, was worth a sacrifice. "I don't regret my decision. And if I had to do it all over again. I would."

So strong was Miho's conviction that Rirko couldn't help but admire her. She knew exactly what she wanted. She wasn't her sister, and she was definitely not her mother. Miho was happy where she was.

"So, what are you going to do now? Now, you are sure that you made the right choice. Where to go from here?"

This was a question that Miho tried to figure out for the last few days. When Rirko spoke about confrontation, she wasn't too keen on the idea. To talk directly to someone about a sensitive topic like this, especially if it's your own family. Miho believed, at the time, that confrontation was not an option. But now.

"I…I need to let them know how I feel about this. I tried explaining it once, but they wouldn't listen. I just need to frame it right."

Rirko felt that confrontation was necessary. However, that was before his conversation with Ami about Eastern and Western cultures. Now, he felt he may have been over-zealous about his ideas about Miho confronting her family.

"Before we continue this conversation, there's something I wanted to tell you." Miho didn't like the tone of his voice. He sounded hesitant. "When I came to Oarai, I was so set on my own beliefs and values. I truly believed in what I was taught back home. But that also meant having no tolerance for other cultures. Especially Eastern. Miss Chono spoke to me, at length, about this shortcoming. I may have been forcing my own sets of values on you. I'm sorry."

This was something that Miho was not expecting. Normally no one, especially someone of authority, would announce their shortcomings. Here, Rirko was. But, what did it mean for Miho? Was everything he said just random stuff off the top of his head?

Miho shook her head. "It's okay. Thanks for letting me know, Mr Nagasawa. But, regardless of this, the things you say. They make sense to me."

"What?" Then Rirko remembered that he wasn't dealing with a typical high-schooler. Miho held her own set of beliefs. Beliefs that was like Western ideology. "Right. I guess I still have a lot to learn about the differences between Eastern and Western cultures. But, I'm glad that you understand what I've been saying to you."

"Maybe I still need to think about this a bit more?"

"You don't have to let me know, Miho." She looked at him.

"Don't you want to know what happens?"

"Partially, yes. I would be lying if I said otherwise. However, this is your family we're talking about here. You make the choice. You follow through. And if you need support in this, I can provide for it. All you need to do is ask."

She was happy to hear that and smiled. "Thank you. That makes me feel a whole lot better."

Talking to Rirko about this situation, she felt that a weight was lifted off her shoulders. "I don't want to keep you, Mr Nagasawa. You've been very helpful. I'll be going now." As she was getting ready to leave, Rirko spoke.

"If I can give you one piece of advice. If you believe your ideals are being contradicted by someone, especially someone of authority, then you must do what you think right."

Both looked at each other. Miho's hand was on the doorknob. She turned around and opened the door. He couldn't see her face, but Miho looked dejected.

"I wish we had met sooner, Mr Nagasawa." As she whispered this, she left. Closing the door behind her, she sighed and put her hand on the door. If he was there to help her back then, would anything change? If Rirko was that one supportive person that stood up to her mother, what would her family look like now?

"Nishizumi?" Miho turned and saw Sadoko standing there with Pazomi and Gomoyo on each side of her. Both Pazomi and Gomoyo wore concerned faces.

Miho didn't consider Mallard would be here this late. She didn't expect anyone would be in the school. Then she remembered that the moral committee usually patrols the halls and write a report to security before leaving school. Why, of all nights, did she have to meet Mallard?

No one from the Sensha-do team knew of her counselling sessions. The only thing the team knew was that she was dealing with emotional issues and was getting help. They didn't know, she was receiving help here. She felt her heart beat fast. She was discovered and there was no way she could talk her way out of it. The only thing Miho could do was stare back. No one said a thing for a while.

"What are you doing here, this late?"

"I…I-" Miho stammered while trying to figure out an excuse. However, Sadoko rose her hand.

"Never mind that. You've been good to the school and a good student overall. I'll let you off with a warning this time. But know that the school closes at 5 pm daily, with the exception of any extracurricular activities and designated events. Any student staying in the school after hours is strictly prohibited and will be subject to penalties from the moral committee. Now, off you go."

Not sure what to think about the situation, Miho started to speed past the three as fast as she could. But before she could, she heard Sadoko speak.

"Commander Nishizumi?" Miho stopped, without turning back. "Do you best, okay?" Smiling slightly, she left Mallard alone in the hallway.

Once again, short chapter. Things will pick up in the next one. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to leave a review or PM me. I'm good about getting back to people. Once again, thanks for the support on this.