Blaze here, and yet another chapter finished! I'll admit it's probably not my best writing, but I wanted to convey how those close to the MC might feel given her absence. This is the last chapter we see of Hanoashi as a prisoner, well, aside from a brief moment when she gets releases next chapter, but that focuses on her return and readjusting to school life.
After that chapter, (Which will be a two part in all likelihood,) we'll have the drawing and first match, which like Das Finale, will be against BC freedom. Other matches will be random unless I can discover more information about Das Finale. Kuromrorine is a given I think. But it's not just going to be matches here on out, more drama is ahead between these matches.
That being said, enjoy! Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!
Hanoashi once again found herself waking up to the bright light of the room. Ugh...how many days is this? Nine? She mused, rubbing her eyes briefly.
"Morning, Katoni San," Mikko groaned.
"Good morning," Hanoashi sighed. "Seems like every day just drags on and on," she whined.
"I know, but at least you've only got another three days, so just bear it a bit longer, okay?" Mikko encouraged.
"You're right, thanks," she smiled. "Still got to make it those three days though."
The guard came in just then. "Hanoashi, you've got a visitor," she remarked. "Place your hands on the wall so that we can begin the transport."
"Oh, boyfriend?" Mikko chimed.
"Father," Hanoashi remarked simply.
"Oh...uh...well then, good luck!"
Stifling a sigh as she was handcuffed once again, she kept quiet as the guard guided her, keeping her hand firmly around her arm. This actually feels interesting, not pleasant though.
If she was being honest with herself, she could probably stand Rikona or Aacob practicing on her now that she'd been constantly handcuffed for over a week. Not that she'd enjoy it, of course.
Her handcuffs where taking off and she was lightly pushed into a room with a glass window.
"Hey Father," she gulped, walking toward the glass.
"I'm not mad at you, my daughter. To be honest, I'm not all that disappointed anymore."
"Really?" Hanoashi gazed up, her green eyes gazing with relief.
"Really. Yeah, you may have screwed up, but you are my daughter, and nothing is going to change how much I love you." Her father let out a faint smile.
"Th...thank you father. And...I...I'm so sorry!"
"It's alright my daughter, I forgive you," he whispered. "Still, can't get used to seeing you in that prison uniform."
"Please don't, I'm never coming back to jail once I've served my sentence," she begged.
"I should hope not," her father deadpanned. "As cute as you are, you don't exactly look good in that jumpsuit."
"I agree. I mean, it's comfortable enough, but still, I can't wait to be able to wear normal clothes again." she sighed. "How are Rikona and Aacob handling things?
"Aacob is managing quite well as a tank commander I hear, but other than that she and Rikona deeply miss you."
"They must be very disappointed in me," Hanoashi fretted.
"I don't think that's true," Drake reassured her. "Rather, I think that they simply miss their sister and cousin, and can't wait for you to get home."
"I hope so. I owe them both a huge apology when I get back." Pausing, her eyes blinked suddenly. "Didn't Ooarai have a practice match with Sanders yesterday?" she asked.
Her father nodded. "That's true. Although your school lost, it was a close match. Rikona and Aacob managed to rally the team after Miho was taken out early and Momo ended up freaking out."
"I wish I had been there," she sighed wistfully.
"You should have been there," Drake pointed out. "But you'll be back in three days."
Hanoashi simply nodded. "I can't wait."
Rikona POV:
Sifting though the rest of her paperwork, Rikona let out a faint smile as she remembered that her cousin, Aacob, was spending the night. We've rarely spent any time together, with just the two of us, she reflected. Granted, that is because Hanoashi and Aacob are practically inseparable.
Hanoashi, Rikona sighed, rubbing a picture she had took with her cushion at the beach. Please, come back to us safe, alright?
Her eyes closed in sorrow. I feel as though this is partially my fault. If I hadn't pushed you or...perhaps if I had been more open about my time at that facility...I don't know.
"I wish she was here too."
Opening her eyes, Rikona gasped softly when she spotted Aacob. "Why didn't you say something?" she whispered, her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Aacob shrugged. "I just arrived and you looked like you where having a moment."
"Do you blame me?" Rikona asked suddenly.
"Why would I?" Aacob asked puzzled.
"It's just..." she paused. "I'm feeling partiality guilty about that. I mean, I used to ask her to just try it with me in the past, and also..." pausing a bit, she let out a sigh. "If I had been more honest about my time in that facility, then maybe..."
"Rikona, stop." Aacob shouted.
Flinching, Rikona just stared at her.
"Look, I get it. Personally, I feel guilty about it as well." Aacob continued. "But my sister made her own choice in the end. Not me, not you."
"I get that...but..." Rikona looked away, only to feel Aacob's hand on her cheek, guiding her to gaze back at her.
"I don't blame you. I don't blame Shelia either, or Father, for that matter." she added softly.
"Even though my mother sent your sister to jail?" Rikona dared to ask.
Aacob nodded, removing her hand. "Be that as it may, she was looking out for my sister. Shelia very well couldn't let her off the hook, and if it had to be sending her to two weeks in juvenile or expelling her, juvenile seems better, especially since Hanoashi was placed in the mercy program."
"I guess you're right. Still, even if the whole things ultimately being covered up, I don't feel good about her going there." Rikona sighed. "Aacob, I have a confession to make."
"What's that?" Aacob asked, tipping her head in confusion.
"You remember when I said I kinda liked going to juvenile?"
"You didn't, did you?"
Rikona nodded. "While I did enjoy the solitude and the felling of being handcuffed constantly, I hated everything else. The mocking, the rough treatment," Pausing, she let out a shudder. "I partially lied to her, and now that she's in there..."
"Like I said, that's all on my sister, not you or Shelia." Aacob insisted. "Anyways, Hanoashi wouldn't want us feeling guilty over something she did on her own, the best thing we can do is try to not dwell on it and welcome her when she gets home."
Pushing down a slight twinge of anger, Rikona reluctantly nodded. "We're spending the night together, so let's try and enjoy ourselves."
Miho POV:
What kind of trouble did you get into this time Blaze? Miho wondered briefly, gazing out at the ocean. Normally, she'd be hanging out with her friends after school, but she felt the need to be alone for the evening.
Miho wasn't stupid. She knew that her best friend wasn't off at some Heiress training camp. That said, she had no idea what her friend did or where she was, but she had some idea that her friend was being punished for something.
Where are you Blaze? she whispered to herself. You rarely ever get sent to a training camp if you've own a sensado championship before and you certainly have time to answer your phone!
Taking a sigh, Miho frowned. Did...did they send you to that juvenile facility? Why? I know you are not a bad person, so what could you have done to be sent there? Or...where you sent away from us for your safety for a while?
"Miho?"
"Yes?" Miho turned around, finding herself facing a girl with chocolate brown hair and eyes. Her facial features looked European, yet her skin tone appear Asian. Still, I don't recognize her.
"I don't think I've introduced myself before," the girl said as she bowed slightly. "My name is Samori."
Samori? That's! Miho promptly bowed. "It's nice to meet you, Samori."
"Polite, just as she said," Samori mused, before rising. "How's Hanoashi doing?"
Miho froze. "She hasn't been here in nearly two weeks," Miho admitted slowly.
"I'm aware," Samori pointed out. "She's being punished, isn't she?"
Gasping, Miho looked down. "So you suspect that too, huh?"
Nodding, Samori sighed. "Believe it or not, I used to be the worst trouble maker back in grade school, detention all the time, even getting expelled, although my father managed to get that repealed." Pausing, she continued. "Point is, I can tell when one of mine club members is being punished for something."
Miho hung her head. "I...I'm worried she might have been sent to the Hokkaido Non-Record Juvenile Correction Facility."
"Do you know why?"
"No, I don't. Aacob and Rikona have been tight lipped about the specifics, only stating that Hanoashi was sent to a Heiress training camp."
Samori nodded. "Yet Heiress training camps don't restrict a girl's cell phone usages for half a month, does it?"
Miho nodded. "Correct."
Frowning, Samori sighed. "Look, I think Hanoashi's a good kid, whatever she did wasn't enough to get her outright expelled or for her crime to go on her record. We can't let any rumors get started about her being sent there, if she was."
"Yeah, that's why I haven't confided in anyone else about this." Miho confessed.
"Same, that why I came to you, I figured if anyone knew why, it would be a heiress. And with Rikona and Aacob both covering for her..." Samori paused. "Yeah, still, we don't have concrete proof."
Sighing, Miho turned back to gazing at the sunrise.
"Hanoashi thanks quite highly of you," Samori began after a few moments.
"Huh?" Miho gasped, nearly hurting her neck she spun her head around so fast in shock.
"I'll grant you, she was upset about that bridge incident," she continued. "But once she opened up to us, she'd often talk about the friendship you had back at Nishmari, how you taught her everything she knew about Sensado."
"We were really close back then," Miho admitted. Even if one of us got upset at the other, we'd be quick to apologize and forgive." Frowning, Miho looked back to the ocean for a final time. "I just wish I had said sorry sooner than I did."
Gentle footsteps resounded as Samori joined her next to the rail. "In all honestly, I think she had already forgiven you long ago. That being said, she's going to need all the friends she can get when she gets back."