A big part of the day that all the girls were looking forward to was the after party. Once the main event had closed, the public had gone home, and the instructors and judges had disappeared (to a bar somewhere, probably!), all the teams congregated in a large circular area surrounded by some of the accommodation tents and wagons.
Chairs, tables and a dance floor were set up. Pravda brought out their 'non-non-alcoholic vodka'. Maginot and BC Freedom both tried to show that they were the ones who produced the best 'grape juice for adults'. Saunders and Anzio provided copious amounts of food. Anzio also demonstrated that the French-themed schools weren't the only ones who could provide 'grape juice for adults'. Even Kuromorimine brought out their 'real beer' or wahres bier, as they called it.
It was quite a dizzying time for Erika. Everyone seemed to want to talk to her and she was still hugely elated by her victory in the exhibition match and the subsequent reception she had received from her teammates.
Looking around the mass of people, Erika was pleased to see so many girls having a good time. She felt that she was beginning to understand what Panzerkraft should be about; enjoyment and camaraderie, rather than just winning at any cost. This was perhaps where Kuromorimine was going to struggle the most, but attending events like this would certainly help.
As the official event was over, there was no requirement for the girls to stay in their uniforms. All of the Kuromorimine students remained in their black jackets and crimson shirts, but many of the other schools changed out of their tank-related uniforms. The girls from St. Gloriana reappeared in their usual school uniforms ('they probably have some weird rule about dressing for dinner!' Erika thought) as did many of the Ooarai girls, but some girls were wearing just casual clothing.
Perhaps, Erika wondered, there should be some sort of gathering like this (although not as big or wild) after every practice? If she could get the Kuromorimine students out of their uniforms and into casual clothes, maybe they would lighten up a bit? It was quite obvious that a lot of the Kuromorimine girls were struggling with social interaction with the other teams. They seemed to be gathered in little black-uniformed bunches, not really sure how to mix in and being largely ignored by the other schools.
An exception to this was Koume. She had already done a turn on the dance floor, taken her jacket off ('I don't recall giving permission for that!' Erika said to herself, before admonishing herself for still thinking in 'old Kuromorimine' ways). Koume had also undone the top few buttons on her crimson shirt and was chatting with Mikko and Aki from Jatkosota High.
Deciding on a whim to join her Vice-Kommandant, Erika wandered over. She was pleased that, despite being only half in her uniform, Koume sprang to her feet as Erika approached.
"Good evening Kommandant!" she greeted Erika enthusiastically but respectfully. The four of them chatted briefly before the two Jatkosota girls drifted off to join their leader Mika.
Erika looked over at the knots and huddles of Kuromorimine girls and shrugged to Koume.
"I guess our school needs to learn how to have fun?" she said.
"Do you want me to go and order them to enjoy themselves?" Koume offered.
Erika hadn't considered this. Ordering Kuromorimine girls to have fun might just work. She gave another shrug and a nod to Koume. "Okay, why not give it a go?" she replied.
"Yes Kommandant!" Koume said with a cheery grin. "Are you alright for a drink?" Koume asked.
Erika had nearly a full glass of pale Kuromorimine beer in her hand (she wasn't sure if it was the alcoholic version or not) and so said she was fine.
"I'm going to get a drink for myself and my cousin," Koume said, indicating towards the bar.
"Oh, I didn't know you had a cousin in Kuromorimine," Erika said.
Koume shook her head. "She's not in Kuromorimine; she's in Ooarai. Yukari Akiyama."
Erika almost choked on her beer, spraying a mouthful of it and nearly drenching Koume.
"What!?" she exploded. "I never knew you're cousins with that f… with… her?!"
Koume gave one of her innocent, carefree, annoying smiles. "Didn't you?" she said, wide-eyed. "It's no great secret or anything. Yukari's mum is my aunt. Some people even say I have the same voice as my aunt."
"Well… now you mention it… the hair similarity sort of makes sense," Erika said, digesting this sudden revelation.
"I'll catch up with you later, Kommandant!" Koume said merrily as she headed off to get her drinks.