Chapter 2: Of Love and Telegrams

Frozen in the doorway, with one shoe on and the other in her hand, Yukari blinked several times trying to clear her head. Was this all a dream, or a nightmare, some prank? Or was Miss Nishizumi being her usual kind self? Did she not fully understanding the implications of what she had expressed in that note. Seeing Miho still looking slightly distressed and not wanting to leave her in such a state regardless of what was going on she sighed lightly and closed the door, removing the one shoe that she had managed to put on.

This action alone seemed to relieve Miho's outward anxiety and panic. Yukari however, was still guarded. She hadn't put herself in this position since the beginning of junior high. The last time she told another girl she liked her more than a friend should, she was castigated as a freak, as if her long-standing tank obsession didn't do that enough. After that, it was next to impossible for her to make friends. She and her family moved to the Ooari carrier shortly after that, and she had a fresh start. One she had, until recently, squandered as no one here knew of her past. Sure her love of tanks still seemed odd to most, but none knew of her previous reputation as a "freak."

She could have made friends before the Sensha-do program started back up, but her walls prevented herself from ever becoming that invested. She couldn't afford that kind of pain again.

But with the resurgence of the program here, and her not wanting to miss out on such an opportunity to be involved in tanks, she inadvertently fell into an easy friendship with the crew of the Panzer IV. And even though she still showed her odd side of loving tanks, her friends never made fun of her for it, only reining her in when she got too carried away.

But then she met Miho, of the legendary Nishizumi style. It was all downhill from there. What started as admiration, turned to friendship, and then turned to love. Which, she thought she could handle in secrete. But as usual, she got carried away again and just had to find that Boko card in a collectibles shop, and then she just had to write a note. Why did she even bring it with her in the panzer!? Then she remembered why, she thought that was going to be the last time she ever saw Miho, as the odds until the reinforcements arrived, were really against them. Saying goodbye without telling her how she felt scared her.

What scared her more now, however, was the possibility of going back to the way things were before. She knew everyone from anglerfish was kind-hearted, or on the off chance, they were to say something nasty Miss Nishizumi would step in and intervene, but, with her secrete out the friendly relationships she shared now would become entirely professional. She would simply just be a loader in the panzer. While this wouldn't be ideal, it would be something, so at least she had that.

"Miss Nishizumi… I."

Blushing furiously Miho exclaimed "MIHO!"

Silence fell between them for a few seconds before Miho in a more subdued, yet confident tone stated "Miho is fine Yukari. I mean… you don't need to call me Miss or Nishizumi-dono. You can use my first name."

Yukari slightly thrown, struggled to continue "Thank you for being so kind, for being you, but are you sure you understood what… What I…"

"You do love me, right Yukari? Like the note says? You wish to be my girlfriend."

"Yes."

"Then… Yes, I understood. And I know what my answer is. Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes. I would love to be your girlfriend."

"My girlfriend… Wait, you want to date me?!

"Yes."

The bump to Yukari's head must have been harder then she thought. Miss Nishizumi just said she wanted to be her girlfriend. Her thoughts swam in her head faster and faster until blackness completely enveloped her vision.

"Yukari"

The distant sound of her name coaxing her from her sleep was all too familiar. Often when she was having such a wonderful dream about her commander and friend, right when it was getting to the 'good part' her mother would come into her room and wake her up for school or the day's chores. She was usually quick to wake. At least once she got moving, but this dream felt better than the ones she had in the past, and she wanted nothing more than to slip back into it. Murmuring an unusual "5 more minutes" enticed a giggle from the one attempting to coax her out of her slumber. And that's when she realized something: that voice, that laughter. It wasn't that of her mothers.

Shooting up, awake, Yukari found herself in a strange bed. Blinking rapidly trying to gain her bearing's she first noticed the stuffed Boko bear sitting next to her, in all his bandaged glory. Slowly, with an owlish expression on her face, she rotated her head taking in more of her surroundings. She was decidedly in Miho's room. In Miho's bed even. With Miho sitting next to her wearing a small smile on her face.

"GAAAAHH!" promptly falling out of bed Yukari. Still, slightly disoriented from waking up in a bed that wasn't her own, much less that of Miho Nishizumi's was about to stammer out an apology when the… what number was she on… next shock of her day hit her.

Miho, realizing that she still hadn't properly conveyed her feelings to Yukari's satisfaction before she passed out or at least to her understanding, and wanting nothing more than to her point across decided 'now or never' and had promptly placed her lips on that of her loaders.

Yukari froze yet again. She had to be still dreaming. She would be woken up any second by her mother, in another reality, readying her for the day's chores before she could rush off to join up with her Sensha-do friends. But, Damn if this didn't feel real. She could taste the vanilla on her commander's lips from the lip balm she secretly knew was her favorite. It wasn't even like her dream kiss with her aforementioned girl. This was more gentle and caring. The texture was different too. Yukari always though Miho's lips would be extremely soft, like wet velvet, but these were coarser. She could feel lips that desperately needed moisture, like from the lip balm she saw her commander try to apply throughout the day secretly. The smell was off too. In her mind, she usually thought her commander would smell only of the lavender body wash she knew she was partial too. However, there was the hint of sweat and oddly. Was that iron and oil?

Yukari's eyes shot open. Before her, she saw her commander, eyes closed. Slowly, she pulled back. It wasn't until she started gasping for breath, and noticing the same from the woman in front of her that she realized that this aspect of her dreams had never happened to before. Sure she had been out of breath upon waking up, but she could feel Miho's against her lips.

With her eyes still closed Miho leaned slightly forward and rested her forehead on Yukari's. The slight pressure on it, with the sore wound off to the side, felt all too real for it to be a dream.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

Still not entirely convinced it wasn't a dream, Yukari somewhat sarcastically replied: "Tell me about it."

Not missing a beat Miho began "When we first met, looking for tanks on the carrier all those months ago. Finding you behind the trees following us, I'm glad I'm usually a wreck; otherwise, it would have been obvious. Then, During practice and matches, whenever I could steal a glance away from the battle. I would see you loading those shells with such ferocity, but also enjoyment, and love. Eyes shining. Not to mention, when I would catch the way you looked at me when you thought I wasn't looking during a lull in the fighting. It would take everything in me not to fall into the copula. Your love for tanks. For your friends. The dangerous recon missions you threw yourself into for me. How you always… worry about me… and despite my own… others… thoughts about what happened during Kuromorimine's match against Pravada defended my actions in saving my teammates. I… Yukari I… I fell in love with you."

Realizing it was her turn to speak Yukari began "Miss Nishizumi" seeing the stern but gentle and amused gaze from Miho continued

"Miho, when I came to this school I was… alone. Aside from my odd behavior and my love of tanks I was… remain, pretty guarded. I've always admired you. From watching your matches on TV, I knew that you were a decent person. I mean you saved your friends instead of… anyway, when they announced that Sensha-do would be starting here, I never dreamed I would get to be in a tank with a legend. But more than that, I was never really prepared for you. Sure I saw you on TV as vice commander of Kuromorimine during the finals last year. But the TV did not do you justice. Then, to see how you treat others, people who you could easily cast aside as insignificant being an heir of the Nishizumi name, but doing the opposite, taking their suggestions and implementing them in battle. It made me want to load those shells faster than ever I thought I could. Looking up at you from my loaders seat, I saw nothing short of beauty, intelligence, power, compassion, and kindness and every time I would steal a glance myself it would feel as if my arms were turning to jelly and I wouldn't be able to load the next shot because of the awe that I was in. But aside from all of that, aside from Sensha-do, you treat everyone with gentleness and kindness that is not often seen in this world. You inspire people… You inspire me, both on and off the field to be a better person. It's one of the many reasons. That. I fell in love with you too."

There it was. Both had spoken their truest feeling out loud never to be taken back. It no longer scared either; it was as if they were finally on the same page in the same romance novel.

Miho smiled her usual radiant smile that was infectious to others, but to Yukari, it felt different this time.

"So… What do you say" she spoke as she grabbed Yukari's hand "should we give this a shot."

"I…I would love that!"

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

The noise, interrupting so sudden, shocked both girls apart.

Miho however, recovered much faster, most likely due to her experience with shells landing near her and promptly giving orders after which, rose to address the intrusion from their intimate moment.

Swinging the door open she was greeted from a ship classmate, ship communications department according to her sailor uniform and immediately handed a telegram. Bowing in thanks and watching the girl quickly walk off Miho closed the door to find Yukari having recovered from the shock the interruption had provided standing near her.

"What's it say?"

Miho shrugged, looking down at the letter in her hand, quickly reading it, seemingly snapping her head up to look at Yukari just as fast replied.

"Mother… She. Wants to see me this Sunday."

A/N: Up next: Homecoming and Masters. Also reviews are welcome.