This story is close to its end now. I want to have the last chapter go online on the 31st december, and I really hope that schedule works out, although I can't promise a single thing. Also, those last two chapters will most probably be longer than usual since there is a lot of story that needs to be put in there. Maybe it's best to start immedeatly in that case. Chapter 17 everyone, enjoy!

Back at her apartment, Maho put the keys of her motorcycle on the table. She then placed her helmet next to the wardrobe where she also hung her leather jacket. With that being done, she finally sat down on the couch and unlocked her phone, which had vibrated multiple times throughout her ride home. Checking the twentyfour messages she had got, most of them were birthday wishes by members of the Kuromorimine Sensha-do team. After reading those, which were mostly short, Maho saw that the last two messages were from Miho and Erika. When Maho tapped on Miho's message, a short text popped up on the small screen.

„Hey, Maho!

Happy birthday! How are you? I really miss you over here :(. But guess what, mother said if you are okay with it I can visit you someday! Yay :D! I really hope that's possible! But another thing, we have a practice match against Kuromorimine scheduled. I have no idea how we have to go at it -_-. But then again, we have a few more tanks now, so that's a plus, I guess. Hope you can answer.

Bye!"

A warm smile appeared on Maho's face. Miho coming over for a visit... That was something she could really look forward to. After thinking for a few seconds, she started typing a reply.

„Hey Miho, thanks for your message! A visit would be really nice. I'd have to see when I have some free time, but in the end, christmas is always an option, I guess. And about the practice match... I'll just say this much: Your old tactic won't work, Erika has flipped everything right around. But it wasn't me who you got this from, right? Anyways. I think I can call you tomorrow, I'll have some friends over this afternoon. Well then, goodnight!"

Having re-read it for a few times, Maho hit the small blue button above the on-screen keyboard, sending her little message halfway around the world. After doing so, she decided to check Erika's message, which seemed to include a photo. Maho decided to look at the photo first.

The main part of it was occupied by Erika and Koume who were both wearing bright red cooking aprons, each having one of their arms around the other one's shoulder. In front of them, on a kitchen table, there was a small birthday cake with nineteen lit candles, as well as a cardboard sign reading „Happy birthday, Maho!", along with some confetti spread over the table.

Still smiling at the picture, Maho looked at the message that came with the photo.

„Hello Maho,

Happy birthday! So much love from Koume and me! We... Well, we spontaneously decided to bake a cake, so making it a birthday cake for you seemed like the only right thing to do. We really wish you were here right now, but I guess things can't be changed. Honestly, looking at it this way, I feel kind of bad for us baking your favourite cheesecake... But I digress. Also, Miho probably already told you, but Koume managed to secure a practice match against Ooarai. That will be really awesome! I'm still impressed she managed to pull that off, apparently every single high school in Japan wants a practice match with the 'mysterious underdog'. Hope you'll call back, we don't have school tomorrow, so we'll probably still be awake by then. Okay then, we'll hear from you, right?"

After reading this message, Maho was sure about one thing. It was obvious that the relationship between Koume and Erika was far more than just a professional one, seeing Erika's way of talking about Koume it was actually more likely that there was also a rather strong friendship in place. Snapping out of her thoughts, Maho tapped „Call" and held her phone against her right ear. After only a few seconds, Erika picked up the call.

„Maho! Happy birthday!", Erika almost shouted.

„Hey, calm down, Erika. Thanks for your text. Is Koume there, too?"

„Yes", a soft voice said. „I'm right here."

„How are you two? It's been a while since we last talked, hasn't it?"

„Probably...", Erika said, possibly trying to count the days since their last conversation.

„Anyways...", Koume chimed in. „We're doing pretty good over here. The cake was delicious."

Maho chuckled. „So you sacrificed several hours of your time to bake a cake together? Doesn't sound like your relationship is strictly professional, does it?"

„Well...", Erika responded, obviously feeling a bit awkward. „We... Well... How can I express it..."

„Just tell her already! Yes, we're dating!", Koume exclaimed.

Maho let out a faint „Aww...". „I suspected it. I guess you were dropping hints on purpose?"

„Correct", Erika confirmed. „We didn't want to come out directly, so we figured it would be best to let you figure it out by yourself. You're the only one we've come out to, actually."

„Why's that?", Maho asked. „Didn't you tell your parents?"

„Have you ever met my parents?", Koume said, sounding a bit helpless. „If they ever find out I'm dating a girl, they'll put me into some kind of conversion therapy. Same with Erika. So... Coming out to then doesn't seem like the best option to me."

Maho nodded instinctively. „Of course, of course... On that note, if you want someone to talk to in Japan, Miho is always a good address. She's very open-minded in that regard. If you two told her, she'd most likely fall into some kind of shock due to cuteness overload. Trust me, I am speaking from experience."

„Alright, thanks for the tip", Erika threw in. „Miho and I get along better now, too. I... I realized my mistakes concerning her, and I regret them. But we're getting along now."

„Glad to hear. Did you know she'll maybe come here for a visit at some point?"

„No, I don't think we did", Koume replied. „Wait... Now that you mentioned it, I think she said something about a vacation trip on the phone. Might have been that. But for now, I think I'll have to say goodnight, I'm dead tired."

„One more thing", Maho said. „Do you two live together?"

„Yes", Erika explained. „We moved into a double room right after your departure."

„Congratulations on that. By the way, for how long have you been dating?"

„Uhm... Almost eight months now. I guess we're pretty good at hiding our private life."

„You are indeed. Listen, I think we can talk tomorrow. I'll have to go now, I'll have friends over today."

„Friends are important", Koume said in a smart voice. „Who are they?"

„Uhm... Their names are Helen Meier and Yannik Schwarz."

„Ooh, male friends?"

„Let's say 'gay best friend', which is essentially what he is."

„Ah. I just thought the blossoms of love were florishing in Germany, too."

„Not now, at least. Well then, goodnight."

„Night", The two said almost simultaneously.

With a broad smile on her face and a warm feeling in her heart, Maho hung up.

Now, with that being done, I'll keep it short. Merry Christmas to all of you!