Author Thought:
So back with another chapter, as we continue this build up. Lot of fun with this chapter as we will explore multiple POV's.
Thanks again for just taking some time out of your day to read this, enjoy the read and have a great day!
Just under 2 weeks to Match Day
The sun was burning brightly over another gorgeous day out on the sea for the school carrier Akagi. Rolling over the calm seas, with a gentle wind playing across the small community. Yet for all the serenity to be enjoyed, the constant racket of cannon fire coming from Chi-Ha-Tan Academy could be said to be disrupting this harmony. Yet for the people of this close knit loving community, it made them smile with pride, because it basically told them that their beloved Sensha-do team was again hard at work to win this upcoming match.
Ooarai Girls Academy was the new foe to be taken down, and the community aboard the Akagi were already posting support flags and poster all over the place to cheer on the girls of the Sensha-do team. They were witnessing a rebirth of their club that had been laugh at for years by others, who now were turning heads with their impressive string of victories. Yet for the residents of the Akagi and those who supported the club back in their affiliate port of Chiba Prefecture, they never doubted one day Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-do club would rise back up, and now seeing it firsthand, they would do everything in their power to support their club.
That same wanting to keep her clubs ambitions rolling forward was in Tamada's heart, as her M4A3E2 Jumbo roll forward, upgraded with a 76mm gun, while also painted with the Chi-Ha-Tan color scheme of brown base, splash with green and yellow color for camouflage. With the schools emblem painted on either side of the turret.
Tamada wasn't alone coming forward with her Jumbo, as line up to either side of her was her newly built platoon of first years assign with Type 1 Chi-He's also with the same color scheme and emblems on their turrets. The new tank commanders were Miyata, Shibata, and Nakahara. They were all energetic as would be expected of first years, but discipline as well to make sure to do their duty.
Though one of them was becoming a bit of a handful for Tamada.
"Miyata!" Tamada, who was standing tall in her commanders cupola scolded while touching her throat microphone, "you're pulling too far ahead, keep in line!"
"Uh, sorry platoon leader," Miyata said timidly over the net.
After shaking her head, Tamada focus on her front. They were rolling across the dirt practice field to the their objective, that was in form of a widely space row of large square plywood silhouette targets some 600 meters away, that had large dirt hills behind them, in case of over shooting. That way no shells would be accidently shot into the community aboard the Akagi, safety is important you know.
Something caught Tamada's eye as her platoon continue their steady advance over the field, so she reach to pull the binoculars secure around her neck to take in the sight in front of her with an enhance field of view, to which she curse a bit to see what it was.
Standing in a widely space line facing Tamada's platoon, was Chi-Ha-Tan's newest addition to the tank family, in 2 Type 5 Na-To's with modify hatch over the open area, 2 Type 3 Ho-Ni 3's, and Miho's Tiger 1. They were all waiting for them, and Tamada could see their guns starting to swivel a bit towards them.
Knowing her job, Tamada touch her throat microphone to open her platoon net call, "Alright, enemy bearing 12 o'clock, 600 meters, time to shield up ladies!"
"Roger! Shield up!" Her platoon confirm back over the net.
Tamada turn back around in her commanders cupola to watch her platoon of Type 1 Chi-He's break from their line formation and smoothly move in behind her tank in a single file line, all while not breaking stride, while also staying right behind one another and maintaining good speed so not to bump into each other. It had been a difficult maneuver to get right the last couple of day's but Tamada had drill them hard to get it down, since this was what Miho wanted to use in the next match.
With a nod at her first year's quick response to orders and their steady driving, Tamada close her hatch and took hold of her commanders periscope and watch through the lens. They were closing the distance with the defensive line, and even though this was a practice, Tamada's heart was beating fast for the coming fight.
"Maemi," Tamada call to her driver over the crew net, "keep a steady hand on the sticks, were going to get a lot of shaking when they fire."
"Roger!" Maemi confirm back.
"Chisato, make sure our gyro is on, were going to be firing on the move."
"Ready!" Chisato the gunner said excitedly, her left foot bouncing excitedly and ready to step on the firing pedal.
"Mikik, give me a smoke shell."
Mikik reach down to the stowage unit below her, then loaded the shell into the breech, "loaded!"
"Good, wait for my call out," Tamada said, as she kept her eyes through her periscope at the defensive line.
Then it happen, as sudden succession of flashes from the enemy tanks, they all fired in a ragged volley. For only a split second Tamada could see their tracer shells all flying at her tank, then the sudden sensation of being hit. From the inside, it sounded to Tamada like there was a sudden rash of lightning strikes slapping into her tank, making it shake hard, yet Tamada and her crew were veterans and weren't faze, as this was just another day at the office for them.
"Damn! Bouncing those Type 75 guns and our commanders 88 is unreal! I know were using practice shells, but it's still impressive," Maemi bounce in her seat excitedly, her hands holding the driving sticks confidently, keeping the tank steady.
"Now's our turn! Chisato, 11 o'clock, down ten, 500 meters, fire at the Tiger 1!" Tamada order.
Getting her sights adjusted to the right position, while dealing with firing the gun accurately on the move, Chisato finally got situated and call her shot as she step on the firing pedal, "on the way!"
The 76mm gun on the Chi-Ha-Tan Jumbo Sherman roar to life, sending its smoke shell right at the Tiger 1 and plaster it and the area around it in white smoke. Yet that didn't deter the Tiger 1's first year gunner Nomi, who fire through the smoke, the tracer shell coming through the smoke and slap right into the frontal armor of the Jumbo.
"Jeez! That first year gunner of Miho's is the real thing, she even hit us through a smoke screen," Kana, Tamada's bow gunner said in a surprise tone, while keeping a steady hand on her 1919 Browning machine gun.
"I can't let her keep outshining me, I'm a second year after all," Chisato said, as she was quite competitive, and knew that Nomi was the ace gunner among the Chi-Ha-Tan gunner group, but that only made Chisato want to train harder to beat her.
"She's just trying to imitate that Naomi girl from Saunders, she saw her do the same thing in that match with them," Tamada said with grin, as she respected the first year, yet wanted to beat her too.
Yet they had their drill to go through, so Tamada kept her mind on what Miho wanted her platoon to learn to do for the upcoming match. However a sudden call came over the net from one of Tamada's platoon members, who was also feeling the competitiveness in her heart.
"Watch me Miss Tamada, I'm going to show off my warrior's prowess, just like you!" Miyata excitedly said over the net.
Hearing the sound of a engine driving next to her, Tamada turn her periscope to see Miyata's Chi-He who had broken formation and was pushing past her on the right, which made Tamada's blood boil as she open a net call to her first year, "Miyata, get back in formation!"
"Don't worry Platoon leader, I got this!" Miyata said back, like she wasn't in trouble.
"Well she is a real eager one," Chiasto said, with a shake of her head, then bury face back into the aiming sights.
"She is going to be a dead one, being this reckless," Tamada growl silently to herself, then open the net call again to her impulsive first year, "your expose Miyata, get behind me till we are past their line."
"Watch me! I'll show you a fighting spirit that can contend with you Miss Tamada," Miyata said, not faze by the rebuke from her platoon leader, then the first year order her driver to put full speed to her Chi-He, which could outpace Tamada's Jumbo no problem.
"Ah, she isn't stopping," Kana said with worry.
"Damn her! Why is she so reckle…" Tamada started to say, then something dawn on her.
Was this what we were like, before Miho? Charging blindly to show off our so call fighting spirit, while teams just laugh at us for being so stupid charging at them with no plan. Seeing it from the outside looking in, I feel a lot more foolish about it now, I have to set Miyata right, or she is going to pay for it later.
As the thought ran through Tamada, she watch Miyata through her periscope as even with the Tiger 1 blinded from the smoke, didn't stop the accompany Type 5 Na-To's and Type 3 Ho-Ni's who were space wide enough to begin to swivel their guns to the lone tank, then they fired another volley. Their practice shells were design to be lighter than the live rounds, which would bounce off armor, as to keep the girls safety in mind during practice.
However, the first year crews that were using these new tanks aim for the treads this time, as a way to punish the lone tank for breaking formation. Shells slam into both treads on either side of Miyata's Chi-He's, blowing off the wheels and tracks with ease, and immobilize the Chi-He that came to a grinding stop.
Tamada shook her head, then open a net call to her platoon, "that's why you stay in formation. The rest of you on me! Don't break formation!"
"Roger!" Shibata and Nakahara reply with determination not to follow in their fellow platoon mate's demise.
Tamada order her Jumbo to push to full speed now, with her platoon still keeping close. A host of shells from Miho's defensive line came her way once more, yet the Jumbo's frontal armor, mantlet, and turret bounce their shells away with ease once more. They soon close the distance riding into the smoke and to the space between Miho's Tiger 1 and a Type 5 Na-To.
Once they were through the smoke, Tamada open her hatch to stand tall in the commanders cupola as she spoke once again over the net, "alright line formation on me! Wait for my order to stop!"
"On line!" her two remaining platoon members confirm back over the net.
With a Chi-He to either side of her, Tamada now focus in on the square plywood targets that were only just over 100 meters away, then call over the net again to her platoon, "Halt!"
All drivers put full brakes on, coming to a grinding halt as Tamada snap off orders, "range 100 meters, and pick your targets! Fire when ready!"
All three gunners of the platoon now work their turrets to pick out a squared plywood target, they were calm, though they knew there was need to quickly get their bearings, since in a real fight a few seconds longer adjusting their aim was the difference between a tank kill or being a tank kill. Shortly the gunners began to call their shots, sending their tracer shells across the open space to their targets.
Tamada with her binoculars up, watch the tracer shells in quick order find their targets. The sight made Tamada grin with pride as her gunner Chiasto, along with the rest of her platoon gunners all hit dead center. It was a testament to their training they had endure from Miho in the months since she took over. Even though these first years had been cheering from the sidelines for the last two matches, they had been putting in just as much work as their upperclassmen to be able to stand proudly next to them when the time came, that time was now, and now their hard work was showing off.
"Good shooting ladies, alright lets wrap it up. Everyone follow me, we have to go get Miyata," Tamada order over the net.
"Roger, thanks for training us so hard, were honor to serve under you," Shibata said happily.
"I can't wait for the real thing platoon leader!" Nakahara said matching her platoon mate's excitement.
"Don't worry, you girls got this," Tamada reply with pride for them, then open a net call to Miho, "Commander, we calling it a day?"
"Yea, we need to get to the meeting so we can end practice. Also good job with firing on the move, let Chiasto know she really has a good handle on her gunnery skills, I'm struggling with Nomi over here because she wants a one on one duel now," Miho praise over the net.
Tamada chuckle, then spoke over the net again, "well we can have a go commander, though I don't think you can beat me and my crew in a standup fight."
"Tamada, don't egg my crew on, they heard you," Miho said with sigh over the net.
"Well come on mother tigress where's your competitive side?" Tamada tease.
A gasp escape Miho's lips over the net, "don't call me that! It's embarrassing."
"Yea, yea, I hear you. I got to talk to my rash first year and then I'll see you in the meeting room," Tamada said back over the net.
"Don't be too hard on her," Miho said solemnly over the net.
"Sorry, sometimes a stern hand is needed. Make sure to give her some of the soft tender touch when I'm done."
A sigh escape Miho once more, as she reply back over the net, "you're impossible sometimes."
"That's why you like being around me, see you back at the Tank commanders room," Tamada said happily.
Soon Tamada had park her tank next Miyata's broken down one, already Chief Mechanic Himi, who had been watching from a safe distance, was working with some mechanics on the broken tank. Tamada gave approving nod as she walk past to see Miyata and her crew standing off to the side looking dejected.
Her defeated look seem to only get worse at Tamada's approach with the rest of the platoon behind her. Tamada came to stand in front of Miyata with her arms cross in front of her, waiting for her junior to look at her and when Miyata decided to finally look platoon leader in the eye, is when Tamada spoke up.
"So you know what you did was completely foolish right?" Tamada said in a low tone.
"I just wanted to show off my warrior's spirit, the same one you have Miss Tamada. I wanted to show you I can match your fighting prowess. I've always look up to you when I started at the club," Miyata said, even with a dejected look earlier, she now had a fierceness to her, that Tamada could almost see a reflection of herself in her juniors eyes.
It's the same look I had last year, full of anger and that's it. I need her to understand we aren't looking to the old ways anymore
Tamada thought, then spoke loudly for her whole platoon to hear her, "what is a warrior spirit that charges into the fray blindly, huh? I'll tell you, it's a fool of a warrior."
Miyata said nothing, intently listening to her platoon leader, which was match by the other tank commanders and their crews all standing around Tamada.
"All of us last year believe just charging against our foe with our fiery passion was enough to win the day. Look what that has done to our club over the years, loss after loss, humiliation, jokes at our expense, and to stubborn to change. I was one of these knuckle heads to continue to blindly follow this, you all saw this when you join our club too."
The group began to understand what their platoon leader was getting at, as Tamada kept talking.
"I was so blind to change, so unwavering that our tactics would eventually win the day. You saw how I tore into Miho about it when she first suggested changing our tactics, like a damn idiot I was. Yet I was the fool to believe if we kept charging we win, when all it took was sound tactics from Miho to finally be something of worth."
"Something of worth," Shibata said silently to herself.
Tamada then place a hand on Miyata shoulder, "you and the rest of the first years have the strength to become better than us in the coming years. You won't need these outdated tactics or ideals to win anymore, because we now have commander Miho's Sensha-do style to follow with our hearts, and that you will follow even when she is gone."
For her part, Miyata couldn't look Tamada in the eye as she spoke, "I don't know if will ever be better than you."
Tamada smile, then grip the first years chin to make her look at her in the eye, "you will, what I want for you and the rest of the first years is to be better than us upperclassmen when the day comes for us to leave. For you are our future, and I've found a better future with my club under Miho, as I am sure you will find your own when you all are leading the club. Yet for now, follow my orders, stay in formation, and I promise you will find your moment to show the world your strength, just remember only together can that happen."
Miyata's eyes lit up at her platoon leader's words, "yes ma'am, I will follow those words with my heart."
"Me too," Shibata.
"Tamada is so cool," Nakahara excitedly said.
"She's a tigress herself you know!"
"I can't wait to show Ooarai our fighting spirit!"
"Were going to win!"
"Yea!"
The voices of the tank commanders and their crews began to ring together in excitement. They all believe in each other, they believe they could win, and they believe nothing would stop them. Tamada nodded at all this, with a sense of security that when the day came that she had to leave this club, it would be in better hands than hers. Yet she had to keep her mind on the present, as she had her own ambitions now to climb to the top of the Sensha-do mountain.
"Alright ladies, mount up and let's head back to the garage. Miyata, you and your crew ride on top of my tank, Panzer Vor," Tamada said with a smirk.
"Panzer Vor!" Her platoon roar back.
XxxxxX
With practice over, the remaining members of Chi-Ha-Tan's tank commanders were now gather back up in their room, while their crews were heading back to the dorms for some rest. Practice had been light today, since Miho had put them through the wringer the last couple of days to get a feel for their abilities so she could work out who would use what tanks and who they be assign to for the next battle. Now today they would hash out assignments to which all the first years were looking forward too.
"Alright," Miho began, "first and foremost, good work today ladies."
"Thank you for the practice!" The tank commanders said back as one.
That made Miho smile as she spoke, "Today will be going over assignments. We won't be using platoons for the next match, instead were going to use company size units, which will be five tanks for each company."
Ichioka spoke up, "if I might ask? Why use company size?"
"With Hosomi, Ikeda, and Nishihara gone, we don't have any other platoon leaders. Though I value all of your skills, I don't want to add the stress of command on any of you, so for the next match I, Tamada, and Nishi will command a company. It will be easier for us to command and coordinate with one another, as well as let you first years worry about just fighting," Miho explain to her team.
The first year tank commanders all nodded at that, understanding their commander's reason. While a giddiness took over the girls at who they might be assign to. Most had their preference of who they like to fight under, but they knew their commander was the one who would hand out assignments and would respect her decision.
"As such, please look at the board behind me for the company assignments and what tanks will be in use for the match, also I haven't decided on a flag tank, I will make a decision later . Nishi if you may?" Miho said, then move away from the podium so her team could look at the board.
"Yes commander," Nishi said, then pull the sheet up that had been covering the chalk board to unveil the company assignments and tanks to be use in the next match.
Tozen Company
Company Commander Tamada- M4A3E2 Jumbo(76mm)
Fukuda-Type 4 Ke-Nu
Miyata-Type 1 Chi-He
Shibata-Type 1 Chi-He
Nakahara-Type 1 Chi-He
Daredevil Company
Company Commander Nishi-Type 4 Chi-To
Maita-Valentine Mk 4(Operator Tank)
Fukuhara-Type 97 Short Gun
Kimura–Type 97 Shinhoto
Ishido-Type 97 Shinhoto
Miho's Company
Company Commander/ Team commander Miho-Tiger 1
Ichioka-Type 3 Ho-Ni 3
Junko-Type 3 Ho-Ni 3
Miya-Type 5 Na-To
Chiyoko-Type 97 Shinhoto
The girls all took in their assignments with glee, each high fiving the other who were put into the same company or were pair with the company commander they wanted. Miho, Tamada, and Nishi watch all this with approval, then Miho took her position again at the podium.
"Alright, tomorrow we will be going over exercises with companies, then will go over team maneuvers that I think will help in our battle with Ooarai, that's all for today, get shower and head back to the dorms," Miho said.
"Wait!" Ichioka said shooting up from her chair, her bright green eyes fill with worry.
Miho look surprise at the first year's excited actions, "what's wrong Ichioka?"
"Well," Ichioka began to say as she fidgeted a bit, then spoke, "we don't have a nickname for our company. Shouldn't we also have one?"
"Yea commander, why don't you have one?" Tamada said with an amuse smirk.
"Ah, well I didn't command a platoon in the last match, so I didn't give it much thought to what my company name should be," Miho said scratching her cheek in embarrassment.
Nishi nodded, "ah I forgot you were acting independently in that match, because our original strategy was a mobile defensive battle, though it didn't play out that way."
"Well guess we need a name for our dear commander, so how about it ladies? We're not going to leave this room till we find one right?" Tamada said, giving her first years a bright smile.
"Right!" they confirm back.
Tamada nodded with approval, then turn to Miho, "well the class has spoken, were not leaving till we find a good nickname for you."
"We'll ok, though I think I'll let the first year's in my company make up a name, I'm not too great with that stuff," Miho said bashfully.
"Really?" Fukuda ask from her seat.
"Nah, Fukuda," Tamada spoke up, "she is just embarrass she will pick out some cute name."
"Ah! No I'm not Tamada, don't make things up!" Miho argue with a blush on her face.
"Your tone says it all Miho," Tamada shot back, glad to get her commander fluster.
"Wow, you two are so open with your flirting," Fukuhara said with a grin, remembering Hosomi's orders to keep the teasing up.
That cause both Commander and Vice commander to tense up and blush, as they spoke at the same time, "were not flirting!"
The first years, along with second year Maita all just grin back at the two fluster superiors of theirs. Since they all learn from Hosomi that things were getting serious between them, yet still wonder when they become official. Yet they only tease them about it for now, since everyone approve of them being together, it was only frustrating that they were taking so long to just get on with it.
"Alright, let's get back on track ladies," Nishi said, with a grin on her face.
"Right," Tamada started, "come on first years what's a good nickname for Miho's company? Think of something that attributes to how she fights on the battlefield."
"How she fights on the battlefield?" Ichioka said silently to herself, then slap her fist in her hand as an idea came to her, "I got it!"
Everyone now focus in on the first year, who was giddy with excitement.
"Let's be call Ghost Company," Ichioka said excitedly.
A collective shiver went up everyone's back at the suggested name, then Fukuda spoke, "that's such a scary name though!"
Ichioka shrug at her fellow first year, "well blame Miss Tamada, she is the one who suggested the idea to be in line with how our commander fights."
"Is that how I really fight?" Miho ask, looking at her two Vice Commanders.
Tamada rub her chin in thought for a moment, then spoke, "yea Ichioka might be on to something. I mean in most of the engagements you had, you fire from a conceal position and took out tanks that don't know where your shooting from."
"Well yea, but that makes the most use of the Tiger 1's abilities. Getting up close and firing on the move doesn't really work for it, unless I can train Nomi to be able to do that, but it's not a skill easy to pick up," Miho said.
"Well I like it," Nishi said with a bright smile, "it speaks to our commander's abilities, while at the same time sounding pretty scary for our foes when they hear Ghost Company is on the hunt."
"Commander Miho's Ghost Company," Ichioka, Junko, Miya, and Chiyoko all yell passionately, since they were going to be the proud members of Ghost Company.
Tamada nodded at them with her hands on her hip, then turn to look at Miho with a smug look, "well looks like the kids outnumber you."
"Your right, I can't argue with them," Miho said a little embarrass, but push forward resolutely, "alright then, were hereby known as Ghost Company for the upcoming match."
"Yea!" The team said back excitedly.
"Alright, that's it for today ladies, go get shower and rest. Tomorrow we turn up the intensity for practice," Miho said with a sweet smile.
"Oh man, the commander really wants to break us!" Fukuhara said, playing at being fluster.
"I wonder if I should send a letter home to my folks in case I don't make it," Miyata added to the worries of the group, understanding the teasing that was starting up.
"If she must break us to make us better, I approve of it," Fukuda said with a salute, not getting the gist that they were teasing their commander.
"I really do think I'm going to become a ghost after her training," Ichioka added to the teasing.
"Really Miho? You want to break our first years before they even step on the battlefield," Tamada added to the teasing.
"Well the commander knows best, don't be intimidated first years, fight hard and you will survive," Nishi pile on the teasing as well.
"Ah! I'm not try-," Miho try to say.
"Alright, all rise and bow!" Tamada order, not wanting to let Miho complain.
The first years, along with second year Maita rose to bow and say their respect, "Thank you for the practice!"
Miho pouted at Tamada for a moment, making the fiery commander grin knowing this was just how things between them were always going to be, as it was just too fun to tease Miho.
Getting back on track, Miho turn back to the group, "thank you for your hard work ladies, now go get some rest."
Soon the tank commanders began to trickle out of the room, all of them looking forward to a bath, hot food, and their beds. Yet they were just excited for the next day to begin, so they can come back to their club building. All ready for another go under their commander Miho Nishizumi, in their dream to win and unite their broken tankery family. While dreaming of earning their veteran badges, so they can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with their big tankery sisters.
Miho for her part was glad to see their fighting spirit and enthusiasm on display, which comforted her to know they were ready for the challenge of Ooarai, which was going to prove to be another rough match for sure, as Miho wasn't going to underestimate a team that had already beaten two tough teams so far, with both times being outnumber by their opponents. However that never seem to faze them, as these scrappy underdogs seem to relish in being out numbered.
For some reason, Miho felt like even with their punishment, Ooarai was still the underdog against them. Which made them a dangerous foe.
Though there was still the question as to why they were doing tankery in their final year, especially with their school carrier closing down. The mystery really shouldn't have been any of her concern, but it still was always at the back of her mind, since if it hadn't been for Maho's warning her about it, she would have gone to Ooarai instead of Chi-Ha-Tan. If that had happen she wouldn't have met her treasure friends or help this club turn around, and never met Tamada….
"Miho?" a voice call to her.
Miho turn to see Tamada and Nishi looking at her with concern because Miho's face had been contorting in thought, to which Miho spoke to wave away their worry, "sorry I space out for a moment, I'm good now."
"Good, because we got a surprise for you," Nishi said with a smile.
"What's the surprise?" Miho ask curiously.
"You really think we're going to spill?" Tamada said with a amuse look.
"Well no, but you could give me a hint," Miho said back.
Tamada look to Nishi for her thoughts, to which the former commander shook her head and spoke, "nope, and actually I think it's best to keep you in suspense."
Nishi nodded to Tamada, to which the fiery commander pull out wool black ribbon, and before Miho could ask what she was going to do with that, Tamada quickly got behind her and wrap the soft wool ribbon around Miho's eyes and tied it off quickly.
Immediately Miho began to wave her arms in panic, since she was practically blind now, "you guys, this isn't funny!"
"I don't know about that, I'm getting a good chuckle out of this," Tamada said happily.
Before Miho could make a retort, she was scoop up by Tamada into the usual bridal carry. Again Miho began to squirm against Tamada, since her sight was block by the ribbon. She made a move to get the ribbon off her eyes, but Nishi move to stop Miho with a gentle touch on her hands.
"I know this is a little bold from us Miho, but we just want to surprise you, so please bear with it for now," Nishi said in a comforting tone.
"Fi…fine," Miho said, trying her best to keep her blush down, since with her vision stunted and the feel of Tamada's hands and body was making her feel for some reason more sensitive to her fiery vice commanders touch.
"Good, didn't want you complaining about the whole permission thing again," Tamada said in a joking tone.
"You did pick me up without permission!" Miho whine at her.
That made both girls chuckle at their distress friend. Then they left the tankery building, and as they step outside, Miho felt the chill of the coming night on her skin. Which made her glad for Tamada's warmth at the moment, even going so far to snuggle closer to Tamada in her arms to which the fiery commander held her closer as if she knew what Miho wanted without saying a word to each other.
However, Miho was still peeve at her friends doing this to her, and what was more surprising was that it was Nishi going along with this, since she really wasn't the teasing type either.
Soon the trio stop, yet Miho still didn't know where they were. She then felt Tamada gently put her down on her feet, but Miho on instinct grab one of Tamada's hands to support her. She heard Tamada chuckle at her, then gently remove the ribbon from Miho's eyes. It took a moment to adjust her eyes, but Miho soon got her bearings that they were at the front gate to Chi-Ha-Tan Academy.
Miho at first wonder why they were here, then she focus in on the front of the gate and to the two familiar figures standing at the entrance. The first was Hosomi with a hand on her hip looking proud of herself for some reason, however the second was a surprise in the form of Ikeda.
In a flash Miho came running over to Ikeda, since she was supposed to have come back to the Akagi the day after the punishment was announce to the team, but had been delay because the doctors wanted to run some final test on her and a storm had delay her flight. Yet after a little under a week gone, she was finally back, and for Miho this a treasure surprise to which she wanted.
As Miho came running up, she stop short of jumping into Ikeda for a hug as she spoke, "are you alright? Can I hug you? I won't hurt your rib-."
Miho was cut off as Ikeda stop her friends worrying by bringing her into a hug, as she whisper into Miho's ear, "I'm home Miho."
Wrapping her arms around Ikeda, Miho spoke in a joyful tone, "welcome home."
Nishi, Tamada, and Hosomi now all stood together off to the side to watch their friends embrace, glad to have their group back together. Since they were the first ones to befriend Miho when she started school here, and even though they had a rough start the first day, they had become close over the couple months and it felt great to be together again.
Miho pull back a bit to look at Ikeda, "are you alright? Thiers no lasting pain in your rib?"
A smile plaster Ikeda's face, seeing how work up Miho was for her safety, "I'm fine Miho, just a little bruising. It will go away in a week or so, then its back to being the flag tank after you beat Ooarai."
A grimace look cross Miho's face as she remember how Ikeda got injured, "I'm sorry that I didn't have a better strategy for Saunders. You had to fight so hard to protect our teams dream and you got hurt because of it, forgive me Ikeda."
"Don't ask for my forgiveness Miho," Ikeda said with a warm smile.
"Ikeda," Miho said, tears forming up.
Touching her forehead to Miho's, Ikeda spoke once more, "I told you I defend the flag tank tenaciously right? I do it all over again in a heartbeat, to honor you for setting our club on the right path."
Hosomi elbow Tamada in the ribs, and spoke in a quiet tone just for them, "don't get jealous now."
"Don't be an instigator," Nishi scolded quietly.
"Yea, you don't want to find out what happens when I get even, I know where you sleep," Tamada shot back quietly with a devilish grin.
"Eh!" Hosomi yelp back quietly.
Miho and Ikeda didn't hear their friends quiet conversation, as they were relishing in the moment of being together as Ikeda spoke up again, "I'm sorry I couldn't be well enough for the next match."
After shaking her head, Miho spoke, "don't worry about it. I'm glad you're back healthy now, and don't worry will win so you and the suspended members can come back."
Hosomi spoke up to her two friends, "ah don't sweat it, I'm enjoying my vacation at the moment, nothing beats going back to my dorm room with the cool air on right after school."
"I thought I told you not to be slacking on your fitness regime. Just because you're not allow back into the tankery building, doesn't mean you get to skimp on it," Nishi said with her arms cross and a disapproving look.
"Wah! But you put some insane cross fit regime on us suspended members, I barely got through it the first day," Hosomi whine.
Tamada turn to look at Hosomi with a smug look, "hey, you're going to need it. Don't want your sides showing when you come back to the tankery club. I know you got a sweet tooth that can't be control."
"Hey!" Hosomi yelp in embarrassment, then before Tamada could react, Hosomi put her into a playful choke hold, making Tamada tap on her arm to say she gave up.
Ikeda, with an arm wrap around Miho while watching the horseplay, shook her head at her friend's antics, "guess things don't change for us, inside or outside the club."
Hosomi with a playful smile on her face nodded at that as she spoke with Tamada still tapping out, "yep, like I told Miho, our bond is for life."
"If you keep choking Tamada like that, we might have one less bond in our life, now let her go," Nishi said, coming over to break up the play fighting, that seem to be her personal job in the group.
"She is right Miho," Ikeda said, turning back to look at her commander, "our bond is for life. Inside or outside the club. So don't hesitate to hang out with us when practice is over, our lives are more than about tanks."
"I can concur with Ikeda," Nishi said, now done breaking up the play fighting, "their will come a day when were no longer doing tankery. However, we will still be together without it and will be having just as much fun as well, tankery doesn't solely define our friendship."
"Yea, when you grow your hair out some more, I'll be the one to style it for you," Hosomi said happily.
"I know you love a good cake, so I will always be showing the best places for it, since you know I'm the expert here or better yet I'll cook up some recipes I been wanting to try out," Ikeda said with warm smile.
"If you ever want to try horse riding again, I'll take you. Or even better yet, we can do some boxing tra…ow,ow,ow,ow," Tamada try to say, but Nishi grab her ear like a mother scolding a child.
"You really think that's how she wants to spend her time, getting a beating from you. I heard what you did to Nene the other day in the boxing ring and I'm not letting you do that to Miho, honestly I think you have no clue how proceed with these things," Nishi said with disappointed tone.
"Well it is Tamada, that would be her ideal date," Ikeda tease.
After getting out of Nishi's hold on her ear, Tamada rub the area while she spoke, "that isn't true."
Hosomi came up to Miho now, to whisper in her ear, "don't worry, will make sure that doesn't happen on your first date."
A blush came over Miho's face.
Ikeda follow her friends lead since she learn from Hosomi about the two friends getting close, by whispering in Miho's other ear, "yea, don't worry, Tamada can be a bit of a romantic when she has to, trust me."
Miho somehow turn a brighter shade of red.
"Hey! What are you two spouting about over there?" Tamada said angrily, knowing her friends had to be up to no good.
"Oh, just mumbling about the future is all," Hosomi said happily, making her and Ikeda chuckle.
Even though Miho was blushing like crazy, she chuckle with her two friends. What more could she want than now. She was with her friends, and this moment show her that tankery didn't completely define their friendship. Even though they weren't allow to practice together or be in their tankery club building together, their bond went far beyond the realm of Sensha-do.
"I'm thankful for all of you in my life," Miho started, getting everyone's attention, "I always had a secret worry that our bond was only because of Sensha-do. That one day when it came to an end, we might go our separate ways and that be it. Yet this moment shows me that isn't the case, I hope we stay together forever."
"Me too," Ikeda said.
"Me three," Nishi said, coming over to Miho now.
"Me four," Hosomi said with wide smile.
"Me five," Tamada said, coming up to Miho.
The five girls now came together in a group hug, a show of their close bond that would keep them together beyond Sensha-do and to whatever path in life they would take when it ended for them. This bond that was something that had been put together by tankery would survive and thrive without it.
"Hey us too!" a voice call out.
The five girls turn to see Miho's first year crew in their tankery uniforms, Nomi, Nene, Moteki, and Watabe, were all standing some way from them.
"Were going to be with the commander even when she graduates," Nomi boasted.
"Who else is going to keep us in line," Nene said happily.
"You mean keep you in line trouble maker," Moteki tease.
"Hey!" Nene growl at her friend.
"I…I…I…Wan…want to…be…be…with Miho forever…t…t…to," Watabe stutter out with a smile.
"Of course," Miho said gratefully, "our bond is beyond tankery too. Now come here and welcome Ikeda back home."
The first years obey, who were glad to have Ikeda back as they rush in to group hug her, though they had put too much momentum into their charge and they all went down in tangle of humanity. Nishi scolded the first year's recklessness, yet Ikeda who was surrounded by the warmth of the first years, just began to laugh that became infectious with the rest of the group who laugh together.
Standing off to the side, Miho watch all this with a pleasant grin, then her phone buzz with a text message she receive. She retrieve the phone from her skirt pocket, then smile at who the message was from.
Maho-How you doing little sister? Not causing any trouble I hope :)
"Is that message from your sister?" Tamada said coming up to Miho's side.
"Yea," Miho said, "just asking how I'm doing."
Tamada grin, "well lets show her how well you're doing."
"Huh?"
"Hey everyone!" Tamada yell, getting everyone's attention, "come over for a group picture were going to take to send to Miho's sister."
"Oh cool, I want prime spot next to Miho," Nene said happily as she ran over to Miho.
"No you don't! I call dibs on prime spot," Nomi said coming over.
"Hey slow down! Come one Watabe before they hog all the space," Moteki said, taking her stuttering friends hand.
"Well guess there's no beating them," Nishi said with a lopsided grin.
Ikeda match her friends grin, "nope, but that won't stop me from trying."
"Me either!" Hosomi said, then yell to the group, "after we take the picture, let's have a dinner party at Miho's!"
"Wai-," Miho try to say.
"Yea!" The group roar, already thinking of what food to pick up on the way to Miho's apartment.
"Guess there's no stopping us commander," Tamada tease.
"No, but that isn't such a bad thing," Miho said shyly, as she took one of Tamada's hands in her own, "I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"Neither would I," Tamada said, gently squeezing back, relishing in the touch of the girl she care dearly for.
XxxxxxX
Sitting in her office aboard Kuromorimine's school carrier, The Blücher, Maho was looking over the results for the match between Bonple and BC Freedom Academy, trying to get an understanding of BC Freedom's new tanks and strategy. It was still a shock to learn of their new American tanks added to their arsenal, which definitely made them another deadly foe for Kuromorimine. Though something about the whole thing felt off for Maho about how BC Freedom acquire the new tanks.
A sudden buzzing from her phone drew Maho's thoughts away from the papers she was studying. She eagerly pick up her phone knowing it had to be Miho replying to her text. Yet instead of text, it was a picture she sent. Maho open it, and a pleasant smile instantly cross her face.
The picture was of Miho, her friends, and her first year crew members. They were all smush together into the small picture, each of them laughing or smiling. Miho who was stuck in the middle of the swarm had the largest smile she could muster on her face, that instantly told Maho she was more than good, Miho was doing great, which please the Nishizumi heiress.
Yet that pleasant feeling was soon replace with the sudden bout of coughing again. Maho cover her mouth, dropping the phone on the desk. When the coughing fits were done, she look down again to her hand, to see again some droplets of blood. Maho felt fear coming over her thinking that her sickness was getting worse and at a faster pace. She turn to look at her phone to see that she had cough some blood on it, with one particular droplet right on Miho's face in the picture.
Maho felt hot tears come to her face, as she couldn't bear the thought of Miho's freedom being taken from her if Maho's illness was made public. The Nishizumi heiress knew she would have to stop doing Sensha-do this year, and the team would have to fight on without her. Her mother would have no choice but to drag Miho back into the family, since there were no other heirs to the Nishizumi name if this sickness prove that Maho couldn't do tankery anymore.
If that happen, Miho would return to her former scared and timid self. While Shiho, their mother, would force her to take to the Nishizumi style which would undo all that Miho had gain in these few short months since she join Chi-Ha-Tan Academy.
I can't let this beat me….I can't…I can't…but what if….it kills me…no it won't come to that
Maho let the somber thought past through her mind, then heard a knock on the door. She quickly compose herself, hoping her coughing fits would be kept under control for now as she wipe the blood off her hand and dried her tears.
"Come in," Maho said once she felt settle, thinking she hadn't forgot anything needing to be cover up.
The door open, with both Erika and Koume coming into the room. Koume came in first with Erika behind her, yet as they came close to Maho's desk, Koume's eyes went wide with fear in them. Then she quickly came over to Maho with a handkerchief in hand.
"Oh commander, you got something on your face, let me get that for you," Koume lie, as she wipe at the side of Maho's mouth that had some blood on it that she hadn't notice.
"Hey! Don't start rubbing the commanders face without permission," Erika growl at Koume.
Koume gave Erika a hard look, "excuse me for just helping."
Erika look ready to add a retort, but Maho raise a hand to stop the bickering, "its fine Erika, though Koume please do ask permission next time."
"Certainly commander," Koume said, though she could see Maho silently thanking her with nod in her direction.
For Koume it was heart wrenching to have to keep Maho's condition a secret. Though Maho still wouldn't unveil to her what her condition exactly was, which hurt, since Koume wanted desperately to get medical help for her commander. Yet Maho refuse, again explaining that if she did, she would be taken out of the tournament and her mother would drag Miho back to her family and force her to adopt the Nishizumi style.
Standing back next to Erika, Koume spoke again, "commander, we successfully concluded the firing drills for today."
Maho nodded at that, "how is our accuracy doing?"
"About as well as you can expect, were at average of 94% hit rate per fifty shells. Though my company alone has 96%," Erika boasted.
Koume grin, "my Bush-Mädchen platoon has achieve 97% hit rate."
Erika gritted her teeth, knowing she was the one who tease about Koume's platoon using bushes on their tanks in the last match, so she call them Bush Gals in German. Yet as much as she hated to admit, was that Koume's platoon was becoming quite deadly, even if they were all using Panzer 4's except for Koume who use a Panther tank. Now that nickname stuck with them, and every time they achieve something, she have to get it shove in her face.
There was also the small part of Erika that hated the fact that the platoon was fighting like Miho did last year for the team, with ambushes and sniping, rather than marching fire. It was like Miho had never left the team, which upset Erika a little bit, but it also serve to remind her that at times she miss Miho, as strange of a feeling it was for Erika to have about the youngest Nishizumi.
However, the silver hair sub commander respected Miho's skill, with only Commander Maho's being the only one in Sensha-do she respected more than hers. While Erika secretly still wish that Miho could still be with the team, since that way Erika could have serve under another Nishizumi in her last year, yet what was done was done, and Erika would have to fight next year without a Nishizumi sister to lead them.
"You know, if you were this competitive last year, you might have made it into one of the Vice commanders positions this year," Erika said sharply at Koume.
"If I was this competitive last year, I might have been made sub commander," Koume tease with a bright smile.
"Why you," Erika snarl out, looking ready to have a go with Koume.
"Enough," Maho said in quiet commanding tone.
"Sorry commander," Erika said, always obedient to Maho, who she held in high esteem.
"Know I'm grateful to both of you. I also know that when I leave, this club will be in good hands, that is your hands," Maho said, with a small smile forming on her lips.
"Thank you for your confidence," Koume said with a bow.
"I as well am thankful for your confidence," Erika said with a bow.
"Good, if there's nothing else, you can go," Maho said.
Erika nodded, than was about to leave with Koume, but stop when she notice Maho's phone on her desk. It was open with a picture of Miho and her tankery members of Chi-Ha-Tan in a group photo. Erika instantly felt anger seeing the girl Tamada next to Miho, as she wish she had put that braided girl in the dirt to show Miho she should have stay at Kuromorimine when they met before the National Drawing for the tournament.
Yet it wasn't only the photo that caught her attention, it was the small droplet of blood on it. Her eyes kept staring at it, till she finally lost all composure and came around the desk to her commander. Erika grab the phone to get a good look at the blood on it, then turn to Maho.
The Kuromorimine commander look surprise, since she had forgotten that it was on her desk and now Erika was staring at her in horror. Koume could see that Erika had now seen the blood, and would certainly put two and two together.
Erika herself was putting two and two together as she remember the frantic actions of Koume earlier about wiping the side of Maho's face that had seem strange to her.
"Commander," Erika ask in shaking voice, holding up the phone's screen to Maho "what is this?"
Maho sigh in frustration that she had been careless and forgotten the phone was still on her desk. Koume as well was dumbstruck on what to do. They both had hope to keep this secret till after the tournament, even if they try to lie Erika, she was smart one, who would see through their lies.
"Koume, you don't seem shock by this. Did you already know about this?" Erika question, already quick to notice Koume's seemingly calmness about the whole situation, like she already knew what was up.
Looking at her commander, Koume could see Maho nod to give approval that Erika should know. Koume quickly explain of Maho's sick condition that she herself had found out after the match with Bellwall, which let Erika horror struck.
"Wait, Koume you knew about this and didn't say anything?" Erika accuse.
"Well..I…I," Koume said fluster about how to respond.
"It was on my orders that she remain silent about it," Maho said, now standing from her chair and coming over to Erika to look her in the eyes.
Erika eyes were beginning to water, "yet…yet…yet you couldn't come to me. I've always been loyal to you, I wouldn't have told anyone. Yet you trusted Koume over me."
"Erika, this isn't what this is about. I had to think of Miho first," Maho said in a sad tone.
"Miho? What does she have to do with this?" Erika question.
Maho told Erika that same reasons she explain to Koume before, about the need to keep this secret, since if it were found out, Miho would be drag away from her life she built at Chi-Ha-Tan, to which Erika clinch her fist at her sides.
"Doesn't she deserve to know?" Erika said sadly.
"No, she can't know about this. It break her heart and she lose focus for her matches," Maho said, always thinking about her sister first.
"What if this is life threatening?" Erika argue.
"It won't come to that, I promise," Maho calmly reply back.
"But….," Erika was cut off, as Maho place a hand on her shoulder.
"I earnestly regret that I didn't come to you before, for that I'm sorry. Yet please keep this a secret till af-," now Maho didn't finish because she began to cough violently, making her drop to her knees while covering her mouth.
Erika was shell shock, her arms began reaching out to try and help. Yet she stop before they touch her distress friend, with her vision becoming blurry as her tears came free, as she saw the very girl who was like a pillar of fortitude, of iron, of unbreakable will. Yet now she look weak and fragile, that all it took was a small push to break her.
Yet for all Erika's hesitation, Koume had none as she came over to kneel next to Maho. She put an arm around her shoulder to steady her as she place the handkerchief from earlier against Maho's mouth. The Kuromorimine commander cough some more into it, then calm down.
"Erika, can you please get some water for Commander Maho?" Koume ask desperately.
"Yea…yea…yea I got it," Erika stutter out.
"Erika," Maho call to her sub commander weakly.
Erika turn around to Maho as she spoke, "if I can't go on. Know my faith is in you to lead our school to victory."
The silver hair girl clinch her fist again. The words should have made her feel happy, but knowing she might have to lead, while the very girl she held so high in her mind, might have to leave the team because of her illness or something worse might happen, didn't leave a great aftertaste in her mouth. Yet she press forward for her team and for the very girl who she once was a rival with, and now had her undying loyalty and friendship.
Erika only hope this didn't turn out bad, not just for her team, but also for Miho. She shudder to think what would happen if Miho found out, Erika didn't think her mind could take the stress and she might give up on things. Yet Erika would press on, knowing Maho was doing this for Miho's sake, so Erika would everything she could for Maho's sake.
No matter what it took.
XxxxxxX
"The moon is so beautiful," Shiho Nishizumi said to herself silently.
She was currently out on the balcony of her family's estate. The cool spring air was blowing softly, with a pale moon high in the cloudless skies. It shone down on the mostly open country side that the estate was surrounded by. It was far from the nearest town, with large acres of land that belong to the estate that could house a couple of small villages. Inside the walls of the estate, several well maintain rows flowers of different varieties were shining with moonlight.
Miho and Maho use to love helping the gardeners take care of the flowers when they were kids
Shiho thought, and began to reminisce back to those happier days. Something she seem to be doing more and more lately. Ever since the conversation with her old friend and mentor Hidemichi before the Saunders match, the questions about what she wanted that had begun as nothing more than seedlings, was now blooming all over her mind.
Do I want to give this life up so I can be with my daughters?
Would they even accept me after a near decade of being held at arm's length?
What will I do with my life without the Nishizumi style?
What am I without it?
Can I be someone without it?
Will Miho ever tell me she loves me again?
Will Maho ever say those words to me again?
Questions upon questions plague her mind. And who was there that could answer these question?
No one.
All Shiho had now a days was this empty estate, fill with maids who just bow with respect in her presence. Yet they never talk to her, when really there was no reason to. They got paid to maintain the house, not listen to an internal women's cries for help, and Shiho was smart enough to know that.
Though there was still her.
"My lady," a soft voice call to her.
Shiho turn to take in the sight of her.
The women standing inside her office and near her desk was none other than the head maid for the Nishizumi estate, Kikuyo Idegami. She was a tall women matching Shiho's height, with long black hair tie in a short ponytail and dark brown eyes. She had a very elegant beauty to her, while she wore a bright blue and white stripe kimono.
Kikuyo was more than just the head maid for Shiho, she was also once a crew member for her back in their high school days at Kuromorimine aboard the schools Tiger 1, the most advance tank in the arsenal at the time. Kikuyo could be consider a friend during the happier days at this estate, but when everything change that day, she change along with it….
"My lady," Kikuyo ask politely once more.
Shiho drag herself from her thoughts, "sorry, what is it?"
"I….," at first the head main struggle to fine the right words, while also seeming fidgety.
Shiho eyes her closely, telling from her body posture something was wrong, "Kikuyo, it's alright. Tell me what's the matter."
A silent gasp of relief escape her mouth, then she spoke, "you have a visitor."
That made Shiho raise an eyebrow, "this late at night?"
"Well they more or less broke in," Kikuyo said, yet look compose as if nothing was wrong.
Now Shiho's interest was truly pique, "and this hasn't warranted you to call in security for some reason I presume."
"I fear my lady would be quite displease with me if I had done that without letting her talk to her guest," Kikuyo said in a solemn tone.
As much as she wanted to question her maid about this mysterious figure. Shiho relented, knowing Kikuyo would have either beaten down the intruder herself, since she was quite adept at self-defense, or would have call the guards. Kikuyo also had Shiho's trust, one of few to garner such a thing, so Shiho would go speak to the intruder.
The two made their way out of the office and then down the flight of stairs. The estate was mostly dark with very few lights on, since there was no reason to wastes electricity if Shiho was the only one here using it a night. Kikuyo directed Shiho to the kitchen area where the light was on, and the sound of someone at work was evident to them.
As the approach Kikuyo stop at the door, then directed Shiho to go inside. The Head Nishizumi did so, pushing the door open to look inside and at the intruder. The sight of the intruder shock her internally, yet kept her outward emotions in check. Though her mind that was already being pull in so many directions before, now was being spilt into a million pieces.
There, in the kitchen was a burly man dress in casual grey polo shirt and black pants. His light brown hair sticking up at odd angels, his grey eyes focus on the sandwich he was making. It was then that his grey eyes turn to Shiho, though what one were once full of life, now look tired and defeated.
Shiho felt her hands clinch and rage take over, but remain in a neutral state, she then turn to her head main Kikuyo, "I can see why you wanted me to personally talk to my guest before anything. Thank you Kikuyo, please leave us for a moment."
"As you wish my lady," Kikuyo said with a bow, then left the room.
For a moment nothing was said between Shiho and Tsueno, while he still went about making his sandwich like he was just going about his daily routine.
Shiho finally had enough of the silence, her tone low and threatening, "Do you want to explain why you're here? Or should I just start pummeling you for breaking in."
Tsueno let out a weak chuckle, "wow, not even going to call the guards. Just straight to beating me up, though I know you have the means to do that, I should know I was on the receiving end back in our college days. You remember that first time I tried to flirt with you? I thought my jaw was permanently broken."
"How did you even get in here?" Shiho said, not rising to the question, as her fist were barely able to be control at moment.
"Heh, you think I don't remember this place like the back of my hand. Remember we use to sneak out a lot when we first move in. We use to sneak out to that patch of woods behind the estate all the time, so I still remember the blind spots, might want to get those check out," Tsueno said nonchalantly as he put the finishing touches on his sandwich.
"That doesn't explain why you thought it was a good idea to break in here, knowing what you done to me, knowing what you did to our daughters when you left. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Shiho growl now, her rage starting to take over and self-control being lost.
"You know I ask myself that a lot on the plane ride over here. Constantly asking what I thought I was going to do and say when I got here, yet I'm drawing complete blanks now," Tsueno said sadly, as place the sandwich on the table in the middle of the kitchen to take a bite.
"That's it, you cheat and leave. Make me raise our daughters on our own for almost ten years while I fought for our marriage all the time, even with my own mother. Yet now you're here and You have nothing to say to me?" Shiho snarl now, gone was all her composure.
Tsueno took a bite of his sandwich, then as he finish his bite he turn to explain himself to his former wife, but didn't have the chance as she came up and slug him across the face. He fell back with a heavy crash against the tile floor. While Shiho stood over him, her right hand now showing angry shades of red, a result from the powerful punch.
Laying on the floor with now a ugly bruise on his face. Tsueno raise himself to a sitting position, as he check to make sure his jaw wasn't broken. He had to admit Shiho hit harder in her college days, but still pack a punch even now, while at the same time he also knew he more than deserve that and a lot more.
"Well you haven't lost your touch," Tsueno praise.
"You must have lost your sanity somewhere in America. To think you could come in here like you nothing has happen," Shiho angrily said to him.
"No I was expecting a punch, actually I was expecting some more," Tsueno joke, as he rose himself back up.
Shiho eye him intensely, undecided if another punch was needed, but wanted answers more than anything now, "did you have a bastard daughter?"
Tsueno, who look mostly causal throughout the whole affair, now contorted his face in anger, "don't call her a bastard in my presence. She did nothing wrong, I'm the one to blame, I was the one to forsake our marriage, I was the one to commit the ultimate sin that no man should do to his wife. So I'll say again, don't call her a bastard."
"You think me hearing you recognize your sin is going make me relent."
Tsueno shook his head, "of course not, I didn't come here for forgiveness."
"I can care less what you came here for. Tell me, why did you name her Fukushu?"
"Her name was Kiko when she was born, until she change it to Fukushu, I hate hearing that let alone saying that name," Tsueno said angrily.
"Did have an affair with a branch family member?" Shiho question, wanting to know the truth behind this young girl.
"No, no, no, her mother was some American business women who I happen to meet at bar when I needed to get away one night after a pretty bad spat with your mother and with you," Tsueno explain.
"And you slept with her?" Shiho press on, knowing she was reopening an old wound.
"Yes…I…I…I slept with her. It was a drunken mistake. All I wanted to do, was forget all my worries about my daughters futures and your mother constantly trying to take them away from me with that damn Sensha-do style," Tsueno explain.
Shiho felt she was gut punch all over again like that night Tsueno unveil his infidelity to her, though back then he had been vague about it. Yet now he told her the whole truth, which only hurt worse even after ten years since that night.
"I didn't think I could feel sick about this all over again," Shiho said, feeling like she might throw up.
"Well that's what happen. It was just a one night thing, but she contacted me short time later to reveal that she was pregnant with my child, though she wanted to get rid of it, since her career was more important and didn't want the child. She left Kiko here, while she went back to the states," Tsuneo said, angrily over the memory of the phone conversation.
"So, those years you would be gone from the estate for weeks at a time to work at that local mechanic shop…..," Shiho said, pulling at her memories of their trouble marriage years.
"I was working at the shop," Tsueno started, then sigh before he spoke again, " while I was raising Kiko as best I could, hired a nanny to look after her while keeping her quiet with hush money I took from our accounts."
Shiho lost feelings in her legs, as she slowly slid down to her knees, her hands shaking, "you were raising her, when your own daughters needed you."
"Yes, that's what I was doing," Tsueno said, again knowing apologizing at this point was useless.
"My god, you bastard. I even allow you into my bed and try to please you when you return home, so I could make you stay," Shiho said, her breaths becoming short.
"Yes."
"Why did you decide to finally leave America after all that," Shiho had to ask.
"I knew that if Kiko continue to grow up in Japan, someone would find out about her. I knew that would cause a scandal with how famous the Nishizumi family, so I decided to just shoulder the burden by saying I just cheated. It was easier for me to be only one to take all the blame, while leaving Kiko out of it," Tsueno explain.
Shiho look up at him, "and why didn't you get rid of your last name?"
A sad sigh escape Tsueno's mouth, "because I wanted it to be a reminder of my shame. Every time someone call me by it or I wrote it down for my job back in America. It was to remind me of the family that I lost because of my actions, while I try to raise Kiko with the love I should had been showing my own daughters."
"You idiot, you should have just change it," Shiho said with a shake of her head, then spoke again, "so why did she change her name to Fukushu?"
"That's why I came here. To warn you that there is someone coming to take you down and their using my daughter to do it," Tsueno said.
"What?" Shiho said aghast.
Tsueno now kneel down to be at Shiho's height, "Kiko ran away from home, because she found about tankery, and ironically found a want to be in it. I still don't know where she got it from, since you know my views on the sport."
"You hate it, I know. So what happen after that?"
"Yes, we fought for a lot of years over it," Tsueno said, his mind still plague by the terrible memoires of the deterioration of his and Kiko's relationship, "I just couldn't let it go with anger I still felt towards your mother and your family's Sensha-do style. I felt like Kiko would follow that same path and at the same time I didn't want you to find out about her if she join Sensha-do. I hope she would have seen my side of things, though that wouldn't be the case when she ran from our home."
Shiho shook her head, "And what happen after that?"
"She was pick up by some women and taken to California. I follow the trail as best I could, till I got there. I ask around for my daughter and I found out she had been taken in by some women name Konomi Nishizumi, that ring any bells?" Tsueno ask.
Hi, my name is Konomi, I've always look up to you cousin, I hope we become closer, win or lose this match
That name did ring a bell for Shiho. A name that she once crush into the dirt to what seems like ages ago, a name that disappear into history, or should have till now.
"Konomi, I had heard her family out casted her, and she just faded into background never to be heard of again," Shiho said quietly.
"Well she seems to be back, and was the one to take my daughter from me. I try to go through the courts to get Kiko back, but for some reason I was stunted every time. So much for then American justice system," Tsueno said angrily.
Shiho shook her head in disbelief of what was happening, "and how exactly is she using this daughter of your against me then?"
Tsueno seem to grimace a bit at the question then spoke, "from what little I gather, their seems to be some secret Sensha-do Academy being form up in California, but that as much I could get. Its easy to guess that this Konomi women is a part of it, and took my daughter to go join it. While from what little you told me about this Panzer Kettō business back in the day, she is most likely coming back for revenge."
Now all it made sense. The whole Fukushu business, now couple with a former branch family member coming back for revenge. Tsueno really had no part in it, but Shiho was seeing the demons for her past coming back to bite her now, which only added to her worries.
Shiho felt sick to her stomach over this, but compose herself as best she could, "well I will have to look into this matter myself. However I have other business to worry about than my cousin at the moment."
"I know this is a selfish question, but is there anything you can do to help me get Kiko back?" Tsueno question.
Shiho scoff at him, "you think I offer any help to that child? No I wouldn't, and even if I try, she is in America. I have no influence there to offer any help."
"I…I…I…I understand, but please if you can do something, anything would help. Kiko is innocent in all of this, for all I know that Konomi women is warping her mind and I can't do anything to stop it," Tsueno said, desperation in his voice.
"You should have worry about your own daughters first and foremost, then we wouldn't be in this situation, so stop asking for my help because I'm not giving you any," Shiho' tone telling Tsueno she was done with the subject.
"Fine, alright I get it. One other thing, why did Miho leave Kuromorimine? I heard about on the news," Tsueno ask.
Shiho remain quiet for a moment, then spoke, "that's none of your business."
"But sh-," Tsueno try to argue.
"This conversation is over, get out," Shiho said, now standing to her feet, her compose state coming back.
"I…Fine, but before I go, can I have your permission to talk to my daughters one last time," Tsueno ask, standing as well.
The head Nishizumi eye her former husband critically, "why? You're practically a stranger to them."
"It maybe be my last chance, before I go back to America. I rather have one last good talk with them before I leave," Tsueno said in a silent plead in his voice.
Shiho look over this defeated man once more. She could see he was earnest about talking to his daughters, even if he had no right. Yet Shiho couldn't find it in her to want him to be near her daughters, as she still couldn't find it in her hear to forgive him, now or ever.
"I will not have you go near Maho, she is the sole heiress to this family now, and I need her to focus on her match. However, Miho ran away from me and doesn't have my support, so go see her if you want," Shiho spoke in a dispassionate tone, though part of her didn't want him around Miho either, but she relent at least to him seeing Miho.
Tsueno nodded at that, then spoke, "why did Miho run away to another academy?"
"Because she made one mistake, and instead of facing the truth of it she ran scared. Not a true Nishizumi at all," Shiho reply.
"You mean saving people's lives over a match, I may hate Sensha-do, but I watch that final last year. I don't see how that could look at as mistake," Tsueno said, again testing a boundary.
"You just don't under-," Shiho try to argue back.
"I may have sin, and I have suffer for it. However, how can you stand there and think people dying is alright for some stupid flag and prestige!" Tsueno fought back, his mind seeming to find the words he wanted to say to his former wife.
"Who do you think is responsible for making be this way!?" Shiho shot back.
Tsuneo was about to argue, till he was stop short. It wasn't words or an angry face making him choke on his own words. It was the sight of Shiho Nishizumi, with tears coming down her face now. For Tsueno, he couldn't remember the last time Shiho had ever cried, even the night that he reveal his infidelity she hadn't shed a tear.
Yet here she was, this women of iron, finally snapping under all the pressure on her that she and she alone had to bear on her shoulders it seem.
"I'm so-," Tsueno try to say.
"You don't get to say that! Not to me! Not after what you've done!" Shiho yell at him, hot tears running down her face.
Tsueno shrunk back, as he couldn't find the words to fight back, because she was right. His actions had cause all this, he couldn't blame anyone but himself.
"Let me ask you something? If I had cave in to your demands long ago to leave this life behind, would you have brought that bastard daughter of yours with us?" Shiho accuse, while pointing her finger at him.
"I told you not to call her a bastard!" Tsueno shot back.
"It's what she is, she is the evidence of your shame," Shiho growl back.
"Well you know what, yea I would have brought her along. If you had given up the life of this stifling tradition that turns women into cold machines like your mother, I could have introduce Kiko, sure you would have wanted to strangle me then. Yet the Shiho back then would have accepted her," Tsueno argue.
"You presume too much…get out!" Shiho said angrily, done with the conversation.
"Fine, but I'm going to see Miho, when her school carrier makes port in Chiba Prefecture," Tsueno said in a tone that broker no argument.
"Do what you want, I already told you to go see that runaway!" Shiho said as she turn her face to look away.
Tsueno walk past her to the door out of the kitchen, then he stop as he open it, then turn to say some final words to his former wife, "Shiho, I will always love you. I understand that I was the one to make you go back to the Nishizumi style because of my actions, but don't let my sin be the reason you lose the love of your daughters. You only get them once in life, I should know, I've lost three of them."
With that said, he left the room. Shiho didn't move a muscle, how could she? An old wound had been reopen, the pain of it gipping her heart so tight it hurt. Her mind again being torn into so many different directions, with again no one to vent these feelings or worries to, or more importantly no one she could vent too knowing she had appearances to keep.
Shiho didn't know how long she stood in that kitchen, she didn't break out of her trance till she felt someone's hand in hers. Turning she was greeted to the sight of her head maid, Kikuyo looking at her with concern.
"My lady, maybe some rest is order," Kikuyo said in a gentle tone.
A nod from Shiho was her answer.
The two left the room together, then proceeded up the stairs to the Shiho's room. Once they were there, Kikuyo began to help her mistress undress, since Shiho was still in a state of shock. Kikuyo quickly got Shiho into her nightwear and then lay her down into her bed.
Kikuyo then wrap Shiho's bruise fist that had struck her former husband with such force, leaving it looking angry with red marks over it. Once that was done, Kikuyo laid Shiho down to sleep while pulling the covers over her.
Feeling satisfy she had done what she could, Kikuyo turn to leave the room, but was stop when Shiho reach out to grab the sleeve of Kikuyo's kimono to stop her.
"My lady?" Kikuyo question.
"Could you please stay with me?" Shiho said quietly while looking at her.
To Kikuyo, she look like a little girl who was scared to sleep alone, not the sight of the great Shiho Nishizumi, it was the sight of a women broken and batter. Kikuyo let out a heartfelt smile at her mistress and friend, "certainly, my lady."
After getting dress into some nightwear herself, Kikuyo climb into bed with Shiho who instantly clung to her, as she began to softly cry. This sight of the great Shiho Nishizumi breaking down was only reserve for Kikuyo this night, as she held Shiho close to her while stroking her hair to calm her down.
Shiho for her part was grateful for the comfort, as she soon calm down and in her tired and batter state soon fell asleep. In her dream she remember a time long ago, of two little balls of joy who smile at her on those long summer days, days Shiho herself wish to have once more.