Chapter 1: Moving In

Kaoru's POV

"Please make yourself at home," Kikuyo bows before leaving the room.

She hasn't changed much since I last saw her. Kikuyo still looks youthful as ever and is just as kind and dutiful as when I last saw her. I'm glad she is still working here. Kikuyo is my favourite of all the servants the Nishizumi family employs. The others are good at their jobs, but Kikuyo was the only one that didn't act distant. Most of the other servants remind me a lot of Maho's mum. I hope I don't have to spend that much time with her. Maho's mother is a good person. She just has trouble showing it. The memory of what that woman call a moderate playdate still sends shivers down my spine.

At least she didn't give me her idea of a moderate bedroom while I was a guest in her house. It is a surprisingly simple room with just a kingsized bed, a large wardrobe, a desk and chair, and a small ensuite. When I heard I would be staying here, I was surprised to find myself staying in a room that would make the bedroom's royalty sleep look poor. Maho's mother really needs to look up the definition of moderate when she has the chance.

For now, I go about unpacking my things. I didn't take much with me, just two changes of the schools uniform, gym kit, and Sensha-Dō uniform. Maho's mother insisted I join their team, saying that if I am to marry into her family, I have to learn the Nishizumi-style. Apart from clothing for school, I also have several sets of casual clothing, nightwear and enough underwear to last for over a week. Lastly, there is my swimwear and suit that Maho's mother said I would need. As for everything else, Maho's mother has provided that for me. There were towels and stuff for bathing ready on my bed and a toothbrush and toothpaste in the ensuite.

Knock… knock… knock…

"Yes," I say, turning to the sounding of knocking on the door. "Please come in."

"I'm sorry for interrupting you while you are unpacking," Surprisingly, it is Maho entering my room. "My mum asked me to give you these." She drops a stack of paper on my desk. "These are your timetable, Sensha-Dō consent form and a copy of the rules and also a map of the schoolship grounds."

"Thank you," I smile, but I notice Maho's gave on my gloved hand. It seems she hasn't forgotten that day either.

"Also, mother said she forgot to tell you that you are the head boy and required to attend student council meetings," Maho adds. "I believe she wants you to be the boy's representative this year."

"I understand," Maho's mother really likes working people hard. I was hoping to find that has changed in her, but she is still the same hard worker.

"There is one more thing," Maho looked like she only just remembered herself. She was turning to leave only to suddenly stop. "Mother asked me to show you around the school after lunch."

"Okay," I nod my head. "I would appreciate the tour."

"If there is nothing else you need, I will be going," Maho says before she turns to leave.

"Wait, Maho," She jumps and slowly turns around. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too, Kaoru," Maho replies before exiting the room.

Now I need to finish putting everything away.


Lunch was pleasant… a bit awkward but pleasant. At least at lunch, we had Maho's mother, who did her best at starting conversations. Still, Maho's mother really is weak when it comes to social skills. But thanks to her… or, to be honest, thanks mainly to Kikuyo, I did manage to learn a bit more about what has happened to Maho since I last saw her. And I was able to tell Maho what had happened to me.

It seems our pasts aren't that different. Maho has risen to the top of the Sensha-dō league. Won countless matches and became famous and a person people aspired to be. Then she lost it all. First, she lost to Pravda, then to her sister Miho. As for me, I was once at the top of the national wrestling league. I am glad Maho isn't like my younger sister and made jokes about me being into BL. I used to be in the top five male wrestlers in the country, but one broken leg later, I feel from the top. Now that I am a member of the Kuromorimine Sensha-dō team, my chances of regaining that spot have become almost nothing.

But even if Maho's mother was bad at getting us talking to each other, I still wish she was here with us. Both Maho and I are silent, and Maho keeps glancing at my gloved hand as we leave her home. She doesn't say a word or looks like she will any time soon while I don't know what to say to her. We reach the end of the street, and I follow Maho in silence. I miss how we were. We used to be able to talk to each other freely.

"This place hasn't changed much since I last visited," I finally speak up when we hit the main street.

It's not a lie. This place looks the exact same as it did years ago. Same shops with their names written in both German and Japanese. The same wide street that has been kept impeccable clean. The same park with tank themed play equipment. This lace hasn't changed in the slightest. I bet if we were to go looking, we would find our old hideout is still the way we left it.

"Mother likes to keep things the same," Maho tells me as we continue to walk. "She doesn't like the idea of change. Even if it is for the better."

"Is something happening?" I ask, sensing something is wrong when Maho tells me that.

"It's already happened," Maho sighs. "Miho has changed the way Sensha-dō if fought, and mother is too stubborn to let the school adapt to this change. If we keep going as we are, it won't only be Ooarai we have to worry about. Chi-Ha-Tan Academy has already vastly improved. Darjeeling had shown she was well aware of this change when she organised the Cauldron. If we don't change, we are going to be left behind."

"I see," I wish I could help her out here, but if her mother is still as stubborn as she was before, then I have no idea what to do.

"I wish there was a way to get her to listen to me," Maho complains. "But every time I suggest change, she says the Nishizumi Style has no room for change."

"Have you tried slowly making changes?" I suggest. It will take time, but it is the only option I can think of. "Like making a small change here and there at a pace slow enough you mother won't notice right away."

"I thought of it, but it won't work," Maho shakes her head. "The moment my mother notices, she will reverse all of the changes I have made."

"Maho!" We both are surprised by the sudden appearance of a blonde-haired girl who, for some reason, shoots me a glare. "I hope you had a good break and are ready for the new year."

"I was able to relax," Maho nods her head.

"By the way, who is that boy beside you," There she goes giving me another glare. But now that I look at her, I think I have seen her before.

"Erika, this is Kaoru Nagao," Maho introduces me. "He is a childhood friend, and I am sure my mother will make an announcement about this, but I am currently engaged to him. Kaoru, this is my best friend, Erika."

"Engaged…" The girl's face… Erika's face pales when she looks up at me. Maho probable could have found a better way to break it to her, but she was right again. Her mother will most likely announce our engagement soon. Most likely during an assemble at school too. "To him…."

"That's right," Maho nods her head.

"But… but that is…." The girl continued to mutter with her eyes watering.

"If it makes you feel better, it isn't permanent," I tell her. "Think of it more of a trial right now to see if it works."

"So it is only a trial," That seemed to have made her feel better, but she mutters something under her breath that I can't quite make out. "I see what is happening now." The girl bows her head. "It's nice to meet you, Kaoru."

"It's good to meet you too, Erika," I return the gesture. "I hope we can get along."

Ah, now I remember her. She was the girl in the fancy dress that yelled at us when Miho, Maho and I drove a tank through the park. She really has changed. She used to be more stuck up, but now it appears Erika has become friendly. Or at least friendlier to Maho because she shoots me another glare.

"I would like to talk more, but I have things I need to take care of," Erika says. "I will see you at school, Maho. I hope we have a chance to get to know each other better Kaoru."

"Erika may be cold at first, but she is a good friend and someone you can rely on once you get to know her," Maho says as we start to walk. "The school is right around the corning. It is a simple layout, so you don't have to worry about getting lost."


Erika's POV

I still have a chance. It is just a trial run and can be called off. Rushing back home, I am already trying to figure out my plan of attack. There must be something wrong with him? Something that will make Maho call the engagement off. If there is such dirt, I will find it. Maybe that little twerp's friend could help me out. What was her name again? Sergeant Oddball? No, that wasn't it… ah! Yukari Akiyama. If she is as good at finding people's secrets as she is at finding team plans, it won't be long before Kaoru. Then Maho would be available for me to… not now. I can't let myself get distracted by daydreaming. I need to get rid of that boy.


Kaoru's POV

Maho wasn't joking when she said the school's layout was simple and challenging to get lost in. Every floor has the same layout, every building serves a purpose, and everything is clearly labelled and mapped. I guess I should have expected it since Maho's mother runs the school. But one thing is clear with only one look at the school. Sensha-Dō dominates everything at the school. Joining the club alone earns you extra credit.

"There are more than I was expecting," I comment as I stand by Maho's side overlooking rows and rows of tanks.

There are countless panzers of various types, but the massive Maus tank dominates the back of the room. I have only seen pictures of them before, and it really is impressive seeing on in real life. Unfortunately, it looks in bad shape as multiple students are making repairs and stripping away most of its armour.

"We let Pravda borrow it for a practice match," Maho tells me, noticing my gaze. "She ended up flipping the tank somehow and causing a building to collapse on top of the tank."


Maho's POV

It is nearly time for dinner when we return home. Mother is in her office filling out paperwork, and Kikuyo is preparing the table. Kaoru gets a call from his father, leaving me alone. It feels strange for some reason. I have been alone before, but somehow it feels different today. But putting that feeling aside, I do what I always do when I am alone. I go to my room, study, check Miho's social media accounts to see if she is doing okay and look to see if any new Boko toys have been released t gift, my sister. That was the plan anyway, but before I even get halfway to my room, Miho ends up calling me.

"Hello," I immediately pick up, of course. "Is something wrong, Miho?"

"No, nothing is wrong, Onee-Chan," It is a relief to hear Miho sounding so cheerful it really warms my heart. "But why didn't you tell me you got engaged to Kaoru?"

How did she know? Kaoru wouldn't have told her, and mother rarely contacts Miho unless something terrible happens. It isn't that mother hates Miho. It is just that she has trouble expressing her love for Miho.

"Did mother already tell you about it?"

"No, Erika did," My eyes widen. I didn't realise Erika was on good terms with Miho. "She called asking to speak to my friend Yukari and mentioned you got engaged to Kaoru."

"I see," I nod my head. Erika must want to ask Yukari some questions about tanks to impress me with how much she has learned. "Yes, we have got engaged, but it is only a trial run. Kaoru will be attending Kuromorimine, and we will be living together to see how we get along."

"I hope it works out," I can tell Miho is smiling on the other end of the phone. "He is the only boy who made you happy. I hope you two can move past what happened and get married. You would make a… hey Saori what's wrong?... I'm sorry, Onee-Chan, I have to go. Saori is crying because several of her juniors have gotten boyfriends. I'll call you later, and you can tell me all about it."

Miho seems to be living a good life over at Ooarai. Know I should start studying to make sure mother keeps me as her heir, letting Miho's happy life continue.