Chapter XXXXV: Sins of The Mothers

Two Hours Before Germany-France Match...

Panzersteakhaus Restaurant

Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg

The weather was bad in Baden-Württemberg, as the clouds lingering from midday, and icy cold rain has drenched for some hours with no sign of stopping. Yet, people of Freiburg im Breisgau are keen to gather in local tavern and sports bar, since Germany is playing France in their own turf, Schwarzwald Panzerschlachtfeld. Regular sport would have been postponed in this weather, but senshado, or panzerfahren, as it was called in Germany, can go on, for only the worst of weather could halt a tank from moving.

In the midst of excitement of the clash between these two Europe giants, a woman, with dark grey long trench-coat, brimmed hat, and black umbrella can be seen braving weather in the streets of Freiburg, into a large restaurant known as Panzersteakhaus. The chaperon, quickly took the wet outfit of the lady as she entered the dining floor.

"Can I be of assistance, Fräulein?" asked the receptionist.

"My friend is there," said the lady, pointing on a man sitting near the bay window.

"Ah, yes, so you're the guest of Herr Bäke, very well, Fräulein, Herr Bäke has been expecting for you. But, I beg your pardon, what is your name."

"Shiho Nishizumi, do you need my card?"

"That won't be necessary, Ms. Nishizumi. Please, follow me."

As Shiho followed the chaperon, to a table by the bay window, overlooking a quiet raining streets of Freiburg. A man has already sat there, giving a cue for Shiho to come close. It's Wolfgang Bäke, the supreme commander of German Frauschaften, already preparing a wine for both of them.

"Please sit down, Ms. Nishizumi," said Wolfgang Bäke.

"Thank you, Herr Bäke," said Shiho, "I just surprised that you're accepting my invitation right at this time, just a couple of hours before your team fighting against France."

"My team is alright even without me. So, don't worry about them. I've taken a liberty to order meals for us, if you don't mind."

"Not at all, you're the host."

"Though it surprised me when I got your message, asking to see me. I was kinda hopping that you'll do it a much later."

"You won't be here if later, Herr Bäke. I heard that Bismarck has already departed for Japan some hours ago, am I right?"

"Yes, that's correct, Brunnhilde insisted that Bismarck have to bound for Japan, otherwise, they'll lose previous time in preparation for final."

"Talking about final before you even start your semifinal match?"

"What can I say? My girls are visionary."

They stopped for a while as waiters served appetizer.

"Every time someone tried to win the game before it even starts, they'll end up losing, Herr Bäke."

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win, Ms. Nishizumi."

"It ain't over till the fat lady sing."

They pause for some minutes to savor the meals.

"Anyway, there's something I wanted to ask you, since you've already mentioned about Brunnhilde Knispel."

"You wanted to make sure if she's the daughter of Magda Knispel?"

"I've already knew about that. I just wanted to know will she posses a threat to my daughter Miho?"

"The game between America and Japan is still ongoing and you wanted to count your chicks before they hatched?"

"You have confidence on yours, and I have on mine. Now answer me."

The conversation, again, paused due to the waiters took their empty plate and served the main course.

"I hate to tell you this, but in a nutshell, yes, she posses a threat to your daughter, WHEN they met."

Shiho hauled a deep breath.

"Does it still a problem? After all this time."

"The House of Von Knispel has a long standing tradition of serving the German monarch as their best sword. Do you think a family with that kind of background could easily accept a defeat in the hand of some unknown person from the far side of the world?"

"What's the big deal?"

"You yourself came from senshado family in Japan, or so I heard. Oh, and if I'm not mistaken, you estranged and disowned your own daughter for losing, right? Surely won't be that hard for you to figure out the reason."

"Miho is different. In the end, she proved that she's worthy."

"Oh, so you gave her second chance to do that? Do you?"

Shiho didn't answer. It's like a spike that being driven right through her heart. No, of course she didn't give Miho second chance that she's desperately needed. No, the prestige of her family and Nishizumi Style is far more important that she even *this* close to disowned Miho.

"I guess it all same to you."

"No, it's not the same."

"No?"

"I used to think that the prestige of Nishizumi Style is beyond everything. That all of us Nishizumis are destined and doomed to follow the rule. But Miho opened my eyes. She showed me by her own way of what potential Nishizumi Style could achieve. Yes, I'm wrong. Yes, I tried to disowned her. But had I really done that, it would be the greatest regret I'll ever had."

"Well, good for you then. You Japanese always find a way to avoid the inevitable."

"How is that inevitable?"

"That is something that you people won't understand."

"Do you? Do you even understand?"

"That's ridiculous. Of course I understand."

"Which is more ridiculous than a minor defeat that echoes on through the years?"

"Nothing is ridiculous when it comes to pride, Ms. Nishizumi."

"A hollow pride, remnants of time has long gone."

"That's why I said that you won't understand. An embarrasing defeat, no matter how minor, has a long and profound effect to the House of Von Knispel."

"Understand or not, that is still ridiculous. Unless House of Von Knispel embracing the defeat, they won't go any far than their own shell."

"Oh, but they have gone farther, Ms. Nishizumi. If you don't understand that, meaning you haven't seen how Brunnhilde fight."

Shiho silent for a moment.

"My question remained the same, Herr Bäke. Does Brunnhilde Knispel posses any threat on my daughter."

"If your daughter is as hard-headed as you, then yes. After all, senshado is a dangerous sport. People do died in this sport."

"How should I avoid that."

"Let Brunnhilde win."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Let Brunnhilde win, and everything will be fine."

"And why should I do that for a noble family far away?"

"Do that for the sake of your daughter, Ms. Nishizumi."

Shiho and Wolfgang Bäke then not talking again till they finished all their course of meal. As a courtesy, since she invited him for the meal, Shiho paid for the bill. However, as she asked for a bill, the manager of the restaurant, a lady, maybe few years younger than Shiho, came to see Shiho herself.

"You don't need to pay, Ms. Nishizumi," said the manager, "this is on the house."

"How can I accept that?" asked Shiho, "is there any special occasions I didn't know?"

"In exchange, would you mind to sign my journal?"

"Me?"

The restaurant manager nodded excitedly.

"Do you even know who I am?" asked Shiho.

"Yes, you're Shiho Nishizumi, who decades ago became a captain of a Japanese high-school panzerfahren team. It's been years passed, but I still remember that day when you lead your team to defeat ours. So impeccable, so magnificent," said the manager, "that's what inspired my two daughters to be a panzerfahrerin. Yes, I was sad when our team got beaten by yours, but you also showed that even a commoner like us could triumph in panzerfahren."

Shiho took the journal and put her autograph there. The restaurant manager then asked for them to photograph together, but she doesn't even put a glance on Wolfgang Bäke. After expressing her gratitudes with a lot of "danke", the restaurant manager then see Shiho Nishizumi and Wolfgang Bäke to the front door. As they got out of the restaurant, Wolfgang Bäke bid a cryptic farewell.

"Now you see what I said about long and profound effect, do you?" said Wolfgang Bäke.

Shiho didn't answer and just bowed, before they go their own way. She hauled her breath in the rain. A things of the past has now came to haunt her in the form of Brunnhilde Knispel, daughter of the foe she defeated years ago in this very same place. But she can't do anything for this is not her fight. This time, it's the battle for her daughter Miho. Despite the result of both semifinals match hasn't been known, Shiho knew that it's more than likely Miho will meet Brunnhilde Knispel in final. And she must prepare her before the time comes!

Present Day

Port of Kumamoto City

Off The Coast of Kyushu Island

After steaming in full speed, the school carrier Zuikaku finally arrived in off-shore of Kyushu Island. It's been a long time since Miho finally set her eyes on the sight of her hometown of Kumamoto. She stood on the top of the mast and watching as the Zuikaku coming closer to port of Kumamoto. However, at some point, Zuikaku has been told to drop anchor by Kumamoto harbormaster.

"Why we stop here?" asked Hana to the skipper of the Zuikaku, "it's still far from the port."

"We tried to contact the harbormaster," said the Skipper, "however, I believe he said that the port is full."

"Full? What do you mean?" asked Hana.

"Isuzu-dono, look!" said Yukari pointing on the harbor.

Hana then looked on the direction pointed by Yukari and surprised to see so many gigantic size school carriers are now in the port of Kumamoto. The obvious and foremost is Graf Zeppelin of Kuromorimine Girls' Academy. Next to her is Ark Royal of St. Gloriana Girls College, and after that is George Washington of Saunders University High School. A further back from those big three are Kiev of Pravda Girls' High School, Akagi of Chi-Ha-Tan Academy, and Bearn of BC Freedom Girls' High School. And, in line with Zuikaku are Hakusan Maru of Jatkosota Girls' High School, and Aquila of Anzio Girls High School.

"All the schools are converging here," said Yukari.

"I also got notice that Centipede Team of Tatenashi and girls of Bellwall Academy has arrived by land in Kumamoto as well," said Saori.

"Such a large gathering, is it?" said Yukari.

The skipper then approaching on Hana.

"Kaichou, a helicopter is requesting permission to land on the carrier," said the Skipper.

"Helicopter? Is it from Kuromorimine?" asked Hana.

"No, it's from the island," said the Skipper.

"From the island? But who?" asked Hana.

"It's from Nishizumi Estate," said Miho all of sudden.

Indeed, the approaching helicopter, a Mitsubishi MH2000, is carrying an emblem of Nishizumi Style. Miho and her friends quickly go to the designated landing site, though after she got there, she got a little disappointed as her mother is not in the helicopter. Instead, it was Kikuyo, who came and bowed to her.

"Ojou-sama, Mistress is asking for you to come," said Kikuyo.

"Now?" asked Miho.

"Yes. She wanted to talk to you about something before the estate is getting crowded."

"Can I brought someone with me?"

"Sure, but just one person, Ojou-sama."

Miho looked to Yukari, and signed her to go with her to the helicopter, which Yukari gladly follow.

"Hana-san, me and Yukari will go first. Tell to every commander to go to Nishizumi Estate tomorrow morning, is that okay?" asked Miho.

"Sure, just go," said Hana, "I'll convey your message to everyone."

"What does your mother wanted to tell you, Miporin?" asked Saori, "why did she asked you to go there by yourself?"

"I don't know," said Miho, "but there's something I need to talk to her for sure."

"Just be careful," said Hana, "we won't be able to fight without a commander."

"What do you mean?" said Miho while winked, "you're going to be fine even when I'm not around."

Hana is a little bit dumbfounded with Miho's words, as Miho and Yukari quickly step into the helicopter. After both girls aboard, helicopters then flown away from the carrier, into the mainland of Kumamoto. As Miho looked through the window, she could see scenery that is so familiar to her of her hometown, before finally a sight of a familiar mansion came to a close.

"I'm home..."

Miho then smiled.