Chapter 5
In Sickness And in Health
Miho lay in bed, hugging her Boko doll, as Yukari and Ano stared at her Boko collection.
"I've been here so many times, and I'll never forget how obsessed she is with this show.", Yukari said.
"I'm not-", Miho said, before a violent cough took her voice. "-I'm not obsessed."
"Looks like someone had too many beat up bears.", Ano teased, booping Miho on the nose.
Miho blushed as she turned away. "I'm not obsessed.", she repeated, her voice a lot more quiet.
"Soup's almost done.", Yukari said. "Wow, Ano. I didn't know how well you cooked. Maybe you should cook for your dinner date."
"Why can't we do it now?", Miho coughed. "You know, just to get it over with."
"Miss Nishizumi, you make it sound like you don't want to do this with me.", Ano said in a mockup offended voice.
Miho's eyes widened. "No, I wasn't-", she protested.
"I know.", Ano chuckled.
Miho sighed. "I'm really nervous about being with a guy for the night.", she said, before realizing how poorly she worded that.
"Don't worry, I'm sure that he'll wear protection.", Yukari said.
Miho's face exploded into a blush, as Ano exploded in laughter.
"You just had to!", Ano laughed, until he finally calmed down.
Yukari shrugged and went back to the stove. Ano sat next to Miho and smiled.
"Look, if there's something you need, then I'll be happy to help.", Ano said.
"Well, there's something I do need...from you.", Miho said.
"What is it?", Ano asked, opening a water bottle.
"...your virginity?", Miho asked. Ano spit out the water in his mouth and Yukari dropped the metal bowl in her hands. A loud *CLANG* rang out in the apartment.
Miho giggled before coughing again. "That's how I repay you, Yukari.", she said.
"Why am I in the crossfire?", Ano asked, trying to hold in the laughter himself.
Later, the three were eating the soup Ano and Yukari had cooked. Miho was practically drunk on the soup, amusing enough to Yukari and Ano.
"Wow, I never saw you like that before, Miho.", Yukari said.
"Yeah, you almost can't tell she's sick.", Ano said.
"It's so good!", Miho said, finishing her bowl.
"I'm gonna get you seconds.", Ano said. He picked up the bowl and walked to the pot.
Yukari reached over and tapped Miho on the shoulder. "Are you sure you're OK, commander?", she asked, worry on her face.
"Yukari, I'm fine, really. I'm feeling better already.", Miho reassured. "I'll be up and commanding in no time."
"...OK, if you say so.", Yukari said. Ano came back with Miho's refilled bowl.
Every night would be like this, Ano, along with Yukari or Saori would be visiting. Occasionally, Hana would visit. Mako never came, but Miho didn't blame the sleepy girl. When Miho needed to return to the doctor's office, Ano would help her there.
A month and a week later, Miho was back in school, healthy and happy as a clam. She was walking back towards the tanks, smiling as she stared at the Panzer IV.
"It's been too long.", she sighed, as she climbed on top of the tank.
"Commander!"
Yukari walked up, smiling. "We missed you!", she said.
"So did I.", Miho said, smiling. "What happened while I was gone?"
"Well, Saori and that other guy has been going on a bunch of dates lately, Mako still sleeps with that BT-5 driver-"
"Please tell me it's sleeping with and not 'sleeping with' with Mako.", Miho said, panic in her tone.
"Oh, it's napping. My bad.", Yukari said. Miho sighed.
"Oh, thank god.", the tank commander sighed, as she looked around.
Ano was lying on the BT-7, snoring, as was the rest of the crew, also dozing off.
Miho took a deep breath and walked over to his tank. She climbed on top of it, being careful not to step on any of Ano's team members.
She sat on the tank turret, where Ano was napping, peacefully.
"Pssst.", Miho said.
Ano's eyes opened, and he smiled to see Miho.
"Hey, how're you doing? I know this past month has been hard.", he said.
"I'm good...really.", Miho said. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"Yeah, it's no problem, really.", Ano said. "All I ask in return is another match. I think we can do with a bit more practice."
"I agree.", Miho said. "Next week? We are making up our camping trip. And we do have the dinner date to make up."
"I still have that reservation.", Ano added, winking.
"I look forward to it.", Miho said, blushing slightly.
Ano smiled as he lay back down and went back to napping.
Miho hopped off and walked back to her tank.
The next day, everyone was at the campsite, either setting up or playing in the water.
Saki and the same boy were sleeping along the shore, while Saki's arms were tight around the boy's torso, as the boy was hugging Saki by the waist.
The rest of Rabbit Team and Leopon Team were playing in the water, with the other boy crews, splashing and laughing. Duck Team was having a volleyball match against one of the BT-7 crews.
Anteater Team were doing warm-ups with one of the boys tank teams, while Mallard Team was busy scolding another team with their bad tent building skills.
Hippo Team sat in their persona outfits by themselves, as some boys just stared in confusion, and Turtle Team was talking with Kenn's team, which Kenn called, "Team Basilisk".
The student council were standing next to their Hetzer, in their swimsuits. Kenn's team still had their tank uniforms on.
"So, Why Basilisk?", Anzu asked.
"Cuz our tank is deadly and venomous.", Kenn said. "I mean, look at that."
Anzu just giggled, while Momo sighed.
"Hey, Yuzu...mind if we talk in private?", Kenn asked, a blush evident on his cheeks. Yuzu blushed as well as she and Kenn walked towards the water.
Ano's masked loader walked over, tapping Momo on the shoulder. He wore black a wetsuit, and his mask was replaced with a rebreather connected to an oxygen tank.
"Yes?", Momo said, a frown still on her face.
"Umm, the water's pretty deep over there, and I was wondering if you'd like to come over and dive with me.", the loader said, the muffling of his voice hiding any stutters or nervousness the ears could hear.
Momo looked at Anzu, who nodded. Momo let out a sigh as she turned back to the loader.
"Very well. I'll get a snorkel.", she said. She and the loader walked towards the tents, where the swimming equipment was kept.
Miho smiled as she saw everyone getting along, some more than others. Saori was sitting with the boy she was dating, looking into each other's eyes.
Yuuki was kissing the boy Miho had convinced to ask out, both still in the water. Then the boys and Rabbit Team splashed the couple in the river, laughing at their flustered expressions.
"Miss Nishizumi! Come in, the water's great!", Yukari cried.
"Yes, you have to come in here!", Hana called, as Miho turned to them.
Miho smiled, pulling off the towel she was wearing. She wore a green swimsuit, and she jumped off the Panzer IV, splashing into the water.
Water splattered on the Schürzen armor, as Miho resurfaced, laughing.
"Come on, you got better, so let's get wild!", Yukari said, splashing a handful of water towards the shore.
The water splashed Saki and her boyfriend, waking them up instantly. They saw Yukari giggling, with Hana and Miho glaring at her.
Saki let out a giggle, as the boy smiled. The two walked into the water and started lightly splashing each other.
Miho giggled and splashed Hana. Hana ducked and splashed back.
"Oh no you don't!", Miho said, splashing back at Hana. Hana dodged, and the water splashed into Kenn and Yuzu.
Yuzu slipped and accidentally pulled Kenn into the water, splashing all over the Panzer IV and the M3 Lee.
Everyone stared as Yuzu resurfaced. She looked around. "Kenn? Where are you?", she asked.
A gloved hand popped out of the water, and tapped Yuzu on the side. Yuzu looked down and gasped, before getting up. Kenn sat up out of the water, coughing, before bursting out into laughter.
"Are you OK?", Yuzu asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
Kenn stopped laughing and grinned. "I'm more than OK.", he said, before splashing Yuzu.
Yuzu blinked in surprise, before smirking, and tackling Kenn into the water. Almost immediately, everyone else who wasn't in the water jumped in.
Ano's loader and Momo resurfaced, only to see over forty boys and girls in the water, splashing and yelling.
The two looked at each other and quickly ducked under the water.
Miho saw Ano and quickly made her way towards him.
She jumped and latched onto Ano's back, causing him to fall into the water. The two popped back out, splashing water and laughing.
Miho sighed as she wiped water from her eyes, and looked up at Ano.
Out of nowhere, she hugged Ano, his wet tank uniform clinging onto her face. Ano's face was surprised. "Uhh, Miss Nishizumi?", he asked.
Miho smiled. "Thank you for being there. When I was sick, you stayed and took care of me.", she said. "You didn't have to, but you did."
Ano smiled, and hugged Miho back. A minute later, Miho let go.
"Your uniform's going to make you catch a cold.", Miho said. "You should get a towel."
"Are you sure?", Ano asked. He looked around, and seeing as all the boys and some of the girls were still wearing uniforms.
"Well, you might be an exception.", Miho said. "I don't want you to get sick."
"And if I get sick?", Ano asked.
"Then I'll take care of you. Like you did for me.", Miho said.
Ano blushed, grinning. "Thank you.", he said, as he sat on the shore, Miho joining him.
The day ended with a large Korean barbecue provided by the student council and Basilisk Team.
Saki burped, before blushing. Her boyfriend pat her on the back, before kissing her cheek.
Saori and her date were still chopstick-feeding each other, as they were slow eaters. They didn't even care that the food was cold.
Yuuki had already fallen asleep with her boyfriend, while Momo was trying her best to hide her smile from the bad jokes Ano's loader was saying.
Ano sat on his BT-7, which was next to Miho's Panzer IV.
"You know, I didn't think having boys over would be this much fun.", Miho said. "All the girls say you guys are perverts or sickos."
"I'm hurt. That's only remotely true.", Ano said.
Miho giggled. "But I see the rumors are fake.", she said. "You're talented, sweet, and protective. We hadn't had any tank accidents since you came here."
She sighed and turned to Ano. "I guess you really know what you're doing.", she said.
Ano chuckled. "That's how we came here.", he said.
Miho smiled and lay back on the tank, Ano doing the same.
"I can't wait for our dinner date.", Ano said.
"Don't you mean date?", Miho asked. Ano was a bit surprised, but he smiled.
"Sure...date.", he said.
Later that night, everyone was sleeping in the tents. In the river, Saki and the boy she was with had snuck out, sitting on the sand of the riverbed.
The quiet first year girl blushed, as the boy was smiling at her. Saki turned away, fiddling with her fingers.
"Are you alright?", the boy asked, turning to the cute girl. Saki opened her mouth, and the boy leaned in.
"...butterfly.", she said, pointing at a butterfly, which was fluttering its way to a tree to get its slumber.
The boy grinned, as Saki blushed again.
He gently lifted Saki's chin, and pressed his lips against hers. Saki melted into the kiss, and the two blissfully kissed in the moonlight.