Ami & Kikuyo 4: Guests and Servants
"There's not much to say about the aftermath of the tournament for me," Ami said. "I celebrated with my friends and my school, just like I had in my first year. Takako said that winning was 'a matter of course' for us, but that doesn't mean we don't celebrate our victories. We'd won the tournament and overcome the opponents who had defeated us the previous year, so we were proud of what we had accomplished. My parents were there, and they were proud of what we had achieved."
Takako nodded in agreement with Ami.
"The Nishizumi School is not one of those that hands out medals just for showing up," Takako said. "But because it is difficult to succeed by our standards, success is worth celebrating."
"All the same, we don't rest on our laurels," Ami said. "When we weren't studying for entrance exams to university, or otherwise preparing for our next step, we were training, working to improve ourselves regardless of whatever path awaited us."
Kikuyo sighed softly and looked slightly dejected. She was largely happy with her lot in life, but realized that because of her circumstances, it had partially been chosen for her.
"Unfortunately, I failed my entrance exams to university," Kikuyo said. "Looking for a job, and a way of repaying Instructor Nishizumi for how much she had taught me, I entered the service of the Nishizumi family as a maid, around the time her daughters were young girls."
Masae nodded, remembering Miho and Maho. After a moment, however, she started to wonder why she had only just met Kikuyo
"I do have a question, Kagurazaki-san," Masae said. "I didn't see you at dinner with Instructor Nishizumi and her daughters- why is that?"
"I typically do not eat with the mistress," Kikuyo said, "partly because of my work preparing the meals, and partly because she sees it as improper for masters and servants to fraternize."
Masae could not help but nod. A part of her found it regrettable, but she realized that Kikuyo and Shiho would never be equals. They were divided as teacher and student, and mistress and servant, and while Shiho treated Kikuyo relatively well, that basic fact would never change.
"Is something the matter, Instructor Atago?" Kikuyo said.
"It's nothing," Masae said "Your answer reminded me of how people's interactions are not always equal. Those in my employ tend to get along well with me, but they do not see me as a friend."
Harue nodded.
"True, Instructor Atago," Harue said, "but at the same time, it's not always necessary to set yourself apart from others. Kay told me that she initially saw being commander as something that would isolate herself from her other friends on her team as a result of the power and responsibility. But she remained close to an older friend of hers once that friend became commander, which is why she could lead as she did."
"I see," Masae said, wondering how she would have been influenced if she had spent more time in a tankery team like Saunders.
"In any case, Kagurazaki-san," Harue said, "I'm just surprised that you, despite your intense training in the Nishizumi style, did not go into a more tankery-related occupation."
"Even the Nishizumi School recognizes that many of its disciples will have post-tankery lives," Kikuyo said, "just as, for example, not everyone who does kendo becomes a professional. But they believe that you get out of tankery what you put into it, which is why they urge their students to spare no effort and become ideal women, whatever path they may follow. Ami-san's story is most likely more interesting, though, so I'll let her tell it to you."
Kikuyo turned to Ami, who silently took the cue before she spoke.
"After graduating high school, I enlisted in the JGSDF," Ami said. "One of the things I learned from the Nishizumi school that most resonated with me was the idea of serving a cause that was larger than myself, and learning from the Nishizumi School inspired me to teach others, along with some of my other experiences."
The others nodded in understanding. They had gotten used to the idea that the Nishizumi students' beliefs did not solely come from the school, but Ami decided to hammer the point home.
"A point I would like to emphasize is that all of us at the table had various influences on us," Ami said, "our parents, our teachers, our friends, other people we know and certain events in our lives and the world. Even as far as tankery instructors go, the Nishizumi School was not our only influence as far as tankery went. There were our coaches in Black Forest, and for me, one of my instructors during my training."
Masae nodded.
"That's true," Masae said. "I'm reminded of how one of my teachers in middle school said we had many teachers before coming into her class, and would have many teachers after leaving it."
"Instructor Nishizumi has high standards for us, so we can be useful to our leaders in the future, and ready to learn well from our future mentors," Ami said. "Part of the reason why the Nishizumi school is considered so prestigious is because tankery teachers, impressed with Nishizumi disciples, have put in a good word for the school. Of course, she also hopes that we will keep the Nishizumi ideals in mind, and put them into practice when we can.."
10 years ago
Ami and several other JGSDF cadets stood at attention as their instructor paced back and forth before them.
"Now, I understand that some of you have done tankery in the past, have you not?" the instructor said.
"Yes, ma'am!" Ami and some of the other female cadets said together.
"I see," the instructor said. "Some of you may have dabbled in it, while others may have been dedicated to training themselves in it. But I have one piece of advice in common for all of you- put what you learned out of your heads. We are fighting for things that are more meaningful than trophies or championships. Tanks are destroyed, rather than disabled, and there are no second chances if you cannot survive your tank's destruction. It's no different from how a proficient kendoka may be good with a sword, but may not be ready to wield the sword in battles to the death to defend their nation."
Ami found her instructor's words sobering, enough so that even if she had not been expected to speak only when spoken to, she would have been at a loss for words. Ami was unable to turn her head, but the silence from her fellow cadets gave her some idea of what was on their minds.
"However," the instructor said, "while the rules of engagement are different, as are the tanks you're using, you will need a great deal of determination, integrity, teamwork and skill. Tankery does help make women out of girls, and you will be tested in the weeks to come. Show me what you can do."
After the speech ended, and the cadets had a moment to talk with each other, Yoshiko turned to Ami.
"Cadet Chouno?" Yoshiko said. "I couldn't help but notice that you were one of those who said she was in tankery in the past."
"I did, Cadet Kainou," Ami said.
"I will be honest with you," Yoshiko said. "Having long been interested in the JSDF, I don't think much of doing tankery, which is a bastardization of military service and a poor substitute for actually serving your country."
"Do you think those young women who do tankery are playing around, Cadet Kainou?" Ami said.
"It's quite the opposite, Cadet Chouno," Yoshiko said. "I think the more hardcore ones are elevating this to the same importance as defending our nation when it's nothing of the sort, especially some of the tankery families. I do have some idea of where those girls who get involved because of family traditions are coming from, even if my family isn't quite like that."
"What do you mean?" Ami said.
"I'm part of a family with a long history of military service," Yoshiko said. "We don't serve for praise, fame or because my family does it, but because it's right. My father, a Major in the JGSDF, told me that if I couldn't provide good reasons as to why I wanted to join the military, he'd do everything in his power to keep me out. I wish someone would do the same for all those girls who were forced to get involved in tankery."
Ami paused, thinking about what Yoshiko had just said. What Yoshiko was saying was understandable; to her, tankery did seem like a game in comparison to military service, and some were doing it for the wrong reasons. But while Ami had not originally chosen to get involved in tankery, she knew that, if she had to go back and make the choice, she would do it again. And it was because of her participation in that "petty" sport that Ami was able to devote herself to serious causes.
"My family wanted me to do tankery from the very beginning," Ami said, "before I was old enough to understand why. But in the course of learning how to do it, I met many people and developed my own reasons. Fighting for my school's name and doing tankery to win championships for my middle and high school. Of course, I've realized that these are quite small and petty in the grand scheme of things, but the idea of serving causes greater than myself appeals to me."
Yoshiko's stoic expression faded into a slight smile.
"Then let's see how you do with that," Yoshiko said. "Of course, I'm aware that you need more than enthusiasm and good motivations to become part of the JGSDF, but I'm willing to do what I can to prove that I'm of use to them. I hope you can succeed as well, Cadet Chouno."
Present day
"I was actually impressed by what Ami said back then," Yoshiko said. "Her words weren't those of someone parroting her parents' lectures or her school's slogans, but of someone who had, despite her initial unwillingness, gotten involved in tankery and learned something from it."
"And Yoshiko was serious and committed," Ami said. "She'd probably have done well at the Nishizumi school, if she didn't think tankery was a waste of time."
"Perhaps so," Yoshiko said in English, before continuing in Japanese "but I don't feel that way anymore. I never completely got over my distaste for tankery; I'm here because my superiors ordered me to come. But I realized that people have different reasons for getting involved with it- whether bad or good- and that Ami's was a good reason, one that helped her become a respectable woman, a good teacher and a good soldier."
"I even picked up Yoshiko's habit of using English words and phrases sometimes, since English is a pretty cool language," Ami said.
"I thought so," Masae said. "Apart from Japanese, of course, I'm personally fond of Russian myself."
"Truth be told, I'm not that much of a Germanophile," Takako said. "Some schools go more for their nation's theme than others; St. Gloriana lives and breathes English culture, while Black Forest is more understated."
"Ah yes, I've noticed," Ami said. "This reminds me...I ended up teaching at some of those themed schools, as part of my duties for the JGSDF."
Four years ago
Ami stood at attention before her commanding officer in her office, having been called in to discuss her new assignment.
"Instructor Chouno, reporting in, ma'am!" Ami said.
"Good to see you here," the commander said. "I've called you here to give you a teaching assignment. You will be a temporary tankery instructor for Maginot Girls' College. After a period of inactivity, its tankery club is starting up again, but it lacks people with tankery experience, which is where you come in. Your task is to bring the students up to speed as much as you can in the time you are there."
Ami was briefed on the details of the school and the club, the faculty advisor she would be working with, the scope of her duties and how long she was to teach there. Essentially Maginot's tankery club had shut down for a while, not unlike Oarai's, but had restarted as a result of many interested students and a year-long effort to drum up support, rather than the impending threat of the school's closure.
"There is another thing you should keep in mind, Instructor Chouno, perhaps the most important part." the commander said. "These are civilians you are training, participating in a high school student elective. As such, I believe few would be receptive to the training you received at the Nishizumi School, or the strict instruction you received here."
Ami nodded, as her suspicions had been confirmed.
"Yes, ma'am," Ami said. "But if I may say so, I was not receptive toward the Nishizumi style training at first."
"I understand," the commander said. "But I suppose you realize that the Nishizumi School has a fairly steep attrition rate, do you not?"
"Yes, ma'am, I am aware," Ami said. "Instructor Nishizumi realized that not everyone had what it took to succeed, and did not have patience for those who lacked the necessary qualities."
The commander grimly nodded, a gesture Ami interpreted as understanding the principle but disagreeing with how far it was being taken.
"Your goal is to make the students into good tankers, and you should not tolerate ineptitude or laziness," the commander said. "Some students may even lose interest or not have what it takes in spite of your efforts. But if you push the students too far, they will leave. I've heard that there is a relatively generous time limit to file change of elective paperwork at Maginot- longer than you will be there."
"If I understand correctly, ma'am, it's for the purpose of students who didn't find a good fit with their electives," Ami said.
"That's true, Instructor," the commander said. "But while you can expect them to show up every day barring extenuating circumstances, and to do their best, you cannot expect them to run through the rain while you're calling them maggots and weaklings. They may one day become women who can endure such harsh training, but not today. Remember that you were not always such a person, Instructor."
"Yes, ma'am," Ami said.
"You are to work well with the faculty advisor, who is as much a neophyte as the students, and make the team as good as possible in the limited time you have," the commander said. "The team will not be anywhere near champion level, but I expect to see them improve with you around. Am I understood?"
"I'll do my best, ma'am," Ami said.
"Good; you are dismissed," the commander said.
Ami saluted, did an about face, and left.
Shortly before leaving, Ami met with Aiko in her office, having heard that she, too, had the same experience, and proceeded to discuss her assignment. While the two officers were both the same rank, Aiko held slightly more experience, and so Ami, after explaining her task, listened intently.
"I see," Aiko said, after hearing Ami say what she had been told. "You seem well prepared for this, Instructor Chouno, so there's not much I can say. I suppose I would be most helpful if you could tell me what concerns you most."
"For me, I suppose the greatest challenge is to step outside my comfort zone," Ami said, "teaching in ways differently than I have taught in the past, or I have been taught."
"I know what you mean," Aiko said. "My school may not be as strict as the Nishizumi school, but it''s a step above most tankery teams. I had to adjust my teaching style according to that, and according to the school's framework. Essentially, our ideological differences mean little compared to our circumstances."
"Ah, yes, I heard that before," Ami said. "What about the students? Are they typically cooperative and respectful with their instructors?"
"They should be," Aiko said. "As the saying goes, 'you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.' You can teach students how to do tankery, but it's up to them to learn the lessons and put it into effect. Some students may not be able to get there without a little extra help, but others may not be trying as hard as they can or should be."
"So how do I tell the difference?" Ami said. "Do I just use my own judgment?"
"I suppose so," Aiko said. "But when in doubt, allow students to take the initiative, and see how far they can get on their own. How they do in such instances will be indicative of how far they get without you."
Ami nodded, knowing that when she set out for Maginot, she would be beyond her commander's immediate supervision, and far away from Aiko.
"Most of all, Instructor Chouno," Aiko said, "never forget that you were once a student yourself. Those girls you teach may only be a few years younger than you, but they have more in common with you when you entered the Nishizumi school as a young girl."
"I understand, Instructor Takahashi," Aiko said. "I am still learning, to some extent, and I appreciate your help."
"So am I," Aiko said. "Instructor Atago acknowledges me as a colleague, but I still turn to her for help at times. And I'm glad that you turned to me, since it signifies that you're willing to think beyond your teachings."
"Thank you very much for the help, Instructor Takahashi," Ami said.
"It was my pleasure, Instructor Chouno," Aiko said.
As Ami got up to leave, and the two exchanged salutes, Ami pondered what she was getting into. It was outside the bounds of the Nishizumi style she was taught, and she had to essentially start over from square one when determining how to help the students. But the Nishizumi school had helped her get this far, and now thtt she had tankery students of her own, she hoped to help them in a similar way.
Present day
"When you're a teacher, you, by nature of the position of offering knowledge to your students, are naturally in a position of authority over them," Ami said. "Naturally, people do differ as to how they exercise their authority."
"Do you have me in mind, Ami?" Takako said. She had found talking with Ami easier than it had been in a long time, but she wondered if Ami was choosing now to bring up the issue that had caused a rift between them.
"Yes, Takako," Ami said, "but it's not just you, and you're the last person I have in mind. Instructor Atago has her own disagreements with the Nishizumi style, so much that she rejected it and chose to create her own. But the person I think of most as the person whose authority differs from mine is Akado-san."
"That sounds about right," Harue said. "I'm dressed more formally than most times, as I generally wear business casual to work except for special events. As I said at the start, I answer to Akado-san or Akado-sensei, but I'm open to other forms of address- with my permission. And while I do expect students to do their best, I generally don't have to come down too hard, except in extreme cases. The most I've had to do so far is put one girl on probation."
As Ami chewed a bite of her meal, Harue took a moment to look around the table at her three fellow teachers, taking stock of who they were. Takako was strict and harsh, making no apologies for the decisions her predecessors as coach made, or the ones she herself did. Ami, while far from a stereotypical drill sergeant, was every bit a professional JGSDF officer when it was required of her. Masae, while also in disagreement with the Nishizumi school, also commanded respect.
There was a time when Harue would have felt inadequate compared to them. But she not only was starting to realize that this was not true, but knew that Ami did not think of her in such a way, either.
"You sound a bit like Kouko," Ami said. "She's somewhat perky and informal by nature, but when I came as a guest instructor, she did her best to accommodate me like a good host should. Seeing her doing that much inspired me to want to meet her halfway, and seeing her trying so hard to teach the students in spite of her inexperience made me want to do the best I could for them."
Four years ago
Ami arrived at Maginot, wearing her dress uniform, and, checking her watch, noticed that she was roughly fifteen minutes early, as she had been told that the small things, such as punctuality and appearance- were of the utmost appearance. Ami reported to the main office, announcing her arrival to the secretary there, who placed a call to announce her arrival.
Ami sat down and waited, noticing how much she stood out from everyone else. Among her other JGSDF officers, Ami was yet another woman who looked almost identical to those around her, but here, she was a soldier in a sea of civilians.
"It's quite clear to everyone else that I'm representing the JGSDF, so I'll have to do as well as possible," Ami thought. "But while I don't like to think of it this way, it also means that I'm not a school employee, but someone who helps out because it is my duty, and leaves when my superiors order it."
Before long, a woman came to meet Ami, wearing a dark suit, a white dress shirt and a blue necktie, somewhat more formal attire than most of the others, who wore business casual.
"Bienvenue!" the woman said cheerfully. "Je m'appelle Fuyuko Kouko, and I'm the faculty advisor for the tankery club here."
"My name is Chouno Ami," Ami said, standing up to greet her. "I'm a First Lieutenant and Instructor for the JGSDF."
Ami and Kouko bowed to each other. Something gave Ami the impression that it took no small amount of effort for Kouko to dress and act professionally. Over time, Ami realized that Kouko had dressed up for meeting her, and acted formally around her mainly because she was at work at the time.
"It's nice to officially meet you, Instructor Chouno," Kouko said. "I really liked watching Black Forest while you were in your last year of high school."
"Thank you, Fuyuko-sensei," Ami said. "I am pleased to meet you as well. Iunderstand you're the teacher for the team?"
"I'm the faculty adviser," Kouko said. "I help the commander manage the club, and give advice from the perspective of someone who is employed by the school, as well as an adult, but I don't know any more about tankery than the students do."
"What about the students?" Ami said. "How much do they know at the moment?" Ami expected Kouko to say "Not much," but left that unspoken. She had no desire to make assumptions about the students, lest her own experiences cause her to prematurely reach the wrong conclusions.
"We've divided them into tank crews already," Kouko said. "They've looked over the manuals, and are eager to get to actually driving the tanks. That's all they've done so far, but none of them are complaining."
"I see," Ami said, although she realized that depending on the kind of school it was, the students might not complain out of fear of repercussions. "What can you tell me about this school?"
"We're not overly strict, compared to places like Black Forest, but we do have certain expectations of our students," Kouko said. "As such, I spoke with my students and told them that they are to show you respect, calling you 'Instructor Chouno.' I was thinking of having them salute you, too, but the woman from the JGSDF I spoke with said that wasn't necessary."
Ami chuckled slightly at Fuyuko's remark, but it served to reinforce how different the school was from the places she had been before.
"That sounds appropriate," Ami said.
"In all seriousness, though, we are trying to make a good first impression on you, Instructor," Kouko said, her tone slightly more formal than before. "We understand that you're new to our school, and that we do things differently than you're used to."
"I know," Ami said. "Out of curiosity, do they always use French phrases like the ones you used to greet me? I only know a few words of French, such as saying yes or no, introducing yourself, and a few other common phrases, like please and thank you. I'd rather not embarrass myself by having to follow suit."
"Pas toujours," Kouko said. "I mean, not always, Instructor Chouno. It's something we use in fitting with the theme, but tend not to use in formal situations. For example, I address my students as 'Mademoiselle,' but refer to my bosses by their titles."
"I see," Ami said. "For all intents and purposes, Fuyuko-sensei, you don't need to hold yourself back on my account when it's just the two of us."
"Merci beaucoup," Kouko said pleasantly.
Ami and Kouko walked to the tankery garage, where they saw about four dozen students, in about ten lines of four to five students each, with the commanders at the front. The students stood attentively.
"Everyone," Kouko said. "We have someone here to teach tankery- Instructor Chouno Ami of the JGSDF."
"Bonjour, everyone," Ami said. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you."
Ami looked over the students, sizing them up for a moment while considering what to say next.
"Your advisor seems to suggest that you are all somewhat familiar with the tanks, um... n'est-ce-pas?" Ami said, making a brief attempt to include a French phrase.
"Yes, ma'am!" was the collective response from the group.
"Good," Ami said. "You won't have me as your instructor for very long, and I imagine you're interested in learning how to actually fight, so I'd like to arrange a mock battle as soon as possible."
The students' eyes lit up with excitement, even as Ami and Kouko began discussing the particulars of the battle. Half the team, led by the team commander, would fight the other half, led by the vice-captain. The two individuals had no more experience than the rest, and were mainly chosen due to being among the most enthusiastic, reliable and promising members of the team. They had little grasp of tankery tactics or even how to operate their tanks, but they possessed integrity, responsibility, determination and intelligence.
Ami looked around, seeing students who had gotten involved in tankery because it seemed interesting, and some of whom only did it to satisfy their mandatory membership in an elective. She realized that the school, even with her help, would likely not pose a great challenge to Black Forest, but hoped to share the joy of doing tankery with the students, and help them to fight as well as they could for their school. Her methods were different from Shiho's, but she believed that it was similar to what Shiho had done for her years ago.
A few weeks later, Ami met up with Kouko after practice in an office that the team commanders used for meetings.
Kouko was wearing a navy blue blazer and trousers with a white top, a slightly more casual look that she had first worn on Ami's second day. Ami found this fitting, since Kouko had once remarked that she couldn't stand the idea of wearing the same thing day after day.
"So, you're headed out, Instructor Chouno?" Kouko said.
"Unfortunately, yes, Fuyuko-sensei," Ami said. "As you may recall, this is my last day."
"C'est la vie," Kouko said. "I may be tenured, but I don't hold your only being here a short time against you. When you think about it, it's not different from my only having the kids in my main classes for a year. They're moving on, but will have other teachers to help them, not unlike you did."
Ami tried to recall whether she had ever told Kouko in great detail about her tankery training, or whether Kouko had heard about it from elsewhere, but realized that how Kouko came to realize this mattered less than that it was true.
"You're right," Ami said. "I've had many teachers over the years. I'm not necessarily a carbon copy of any of them, but all of them have been essential to my development. That's why I do my best to teach studentns, even in a temporary assignment like this."
"Tres bien," Kouko said. "And it seems the students have taken notice of- and appreciate- your efforts."
Kouko then produced a manila envelope from her bag.
"Here's some thank you cards that the students signed for you- one for each of our teams, as well as one that the academic director, the headmistress and I signed," she said.
"Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle Fuyuko," Ami said. She had bought a book for starting French speakers, and spent a good portion of her free time learning it.
"You're welcome," Kouko said.
As Ami stepped back, Kouko did a salute, and Ami responded in kind.
"Au revoir," they said to each other, hoping they would meet again one day.
Present day
"I received a satisfactory evaluation for my work at Maginot," Ami said. "It was good to hear that I performed well by professional standards, in addition to pleasing the students."
"And what about Instructor Nishizumi?" Masae said. "It stands to reason that she'd be more difficult to please."
"It went as well as could be expected," Ami said. "As Takako said, the Instructor never gives unreserved praise, and always finds something to criticize, which means that I always have something to improve on. So when she summoned me for a meeting, I was prepared to"
Four years ago
Ami, wearing her dress uniform, walked up to the door of the Nishizumi house, and rang the buzzer, having been called for a meeting after the conclusion of her assignment at Maginot.
As she waited for a response, she could not help but feel slightly intimidated. Shiho was her superior, and therefore, Ami's interactions with her involved doing her best to stay in Shiho's good graces. By contrast, Kouko had been fairly laid-back, albeit acting with a certain level of professionalism while on the job; she'd offered to keep in touch with Ami provided that they not use each other's titles while not on the job, and Ami accepted.
"Nishizumi residence," Kikuyo said.
"Hi, Kikuyo, this is Ami," Ami said. "Instructor Nishizumi asked me to meet with her."
"Yes, ma'am," Kikuyo said. "I will show you in."
Ami opened the door and, for the first time, Ami saw Kikuyo in her kimono. While friends, they had usually met while Kikuyo was off-duty.
"Good evening, Chouno-sama, and welcome to the Nishizumi manor," Kikuyo said.
"-sama, Kikuyo?" Ami said.
"If you would like, I could call you First Lieutenant Chouno, or Instructor Chouno," Kikuyo said, "but I am afraid I cannot make much more of a concession than that while on duty. The mistress dictates that all guests be addressed with the utmost respect, with -sama or their professional titles."
Ami sighed and reluctantly nodded. She recalled a time when she had been promoted to Captain while Yoshiko remained a First Lieutenant. The two had always been forced to act professionally to one another on duty, but there was now a measure of inequality in between them.
But Ami was touched by Kikuyo's desire to repay Shiho, and respected that goal. She then realized that Ami's respect toward her was proof of taking her duties seriously, and could not help but admire that sort of dedication.
"Ok," Ami said. "I get that you have your own rules, and respect that you're taking this seriously."
Kikuyo showed Ami to the living room, where Shiho was sitting.
"Mistress, Chouno-sama is here," Kikuyo said.
"Thank you, Kikuyo," Shiho said. "You are dismissed."
Kikuyo bowed and took her leave. Shiho motioned for Ami to have a seat.
"Thank you for coming, Instructor Chouno," Shiho said, in a respectful and professional, yet commanding tone. Shiho acknowledged her as a fellow teacher, but still considered Ami her student.
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Instructor Nishizumi," Ami said.
"Your superiors have discussed your performance while teaching Maginot with me," Shiho said. "They tell me that you have done well. Maginot does not stand a chance against Black Forest, but you have done your job well, and inspired those without any experience to aspire to greater heights."
"Thank you, ma'am," Ami said politely, although she did wonder what the point of the meeting was.
"Of course, I do notice that discipline is not enforced as rigorously as demanded under the Nishizumi style," Shiho said. "Even considering the students are still learning, you seem somewhat lenient with them."
"There are rules and expectations, Instructor Nishizumi," Ami said, "but I am not the only one enforcing them, nor did I make them. The students are expected to obey their faculty adviser, their commander and their temporary instructor. While I am an authority figure, I also work within the framework of the others, and have no desire to disrupt that framework or overstep my bounds."
"That may be so," Shiho said. "But you do have your role to play, and can exercise your influence to some extent. If you are adequately convincing, they will certainly be amenable to anything you suggest."
"I believe so," Ami said. "But while they have been accommodating to me, I must make allowances of my own as well. It's a bit like you inviting me into your home. You have been gracious enough to host me, so I must be a good guest."
Shiho simply nodded, and Ami inwardly sighed in relief.
"I see," Shiho said. "I understand that you have your orders, both from your clients and your superior officers, and I will not tell you to disobey them. But you must also consider the Nishizumi School's role in all this, and how your actions affect our reputation."
Shiho paused. Ami tried to think of a response, but was unsure what to say, or whether she had permission to speak.
"And yet..." Shiho continued, breaking the silence, "the Nishizumi school is dedicated to succeeding in one's goals above all else. If you are regarded well as an instructor, then perhaps I can put everything else into perspective, for your success helps further the Nishizumi School's good name."
"Yes, ma'am," Ami said.
They discussed some of the particulars of Ami's teaching for several minutes. There was more criticism than praise, but Ami, while accepting most of it, realized that those were things that she had to do because of her circumstances.
Ami then got up to leave, and met with Kikuyo, who escorted her out. In order to respect the privacy of her mistress and her guest, she did not ask about the conversation, and to keep up her professional demeanor, she did not touch about
"Have a safe trip, Chouno-sama," Ami said.
"Thanks, Kikuyo," Ami said. "Let's talk again soon, this time as as friends.
"Yes, let's," Kikuyo said, before bidding Ami goodbye.
As soon as Ami got back to her room, she called Kikuyo.
"Hello, Ami-san?" Kikuyo said as she answered the phone.
"Hi, Kikuyo," Ami said, pleased to hear the polite but not overly formal tone her friend used with her. "I take it you're off duty at the moment?"
"Yes," Kikuyo said. "I'm sorry if I was overly formal with you earlier."
Ami noticed that her friend erred on the side of caution when it came to manners and simply nodded.
"No, don't be," Ami said. "I have to be like that sometimes while on the job. If you enlisted in the JGSDF tomorrow, I'd call you 'Cadet Kagurazaki,' and you'd have to call me "Instructor Chouno," among many other things, based on our situation."
"That sounds like it isn't very different from what I go through," Kikuyo said.
"I know; it's part of the job, which is why I understand why you do what you have to do," Ami said. "But incidentally, Kikuyo, what's it like to have Instructor Nishizumi as a mistress? How different is it from having her as a teacher"
"When you think about it, not much, Ami-san," Kikuyo said. "The mistress demands my obedience and respect, much like the Instructor did. She has little tolerance for mistakes, but part of it is because I'm now an adult."
"So what exactly do you do in your job, Kikuyo?" Ami said.
"You would probably be bored if I told you about my day," Kikuyo said.
"No, I'm all ears," Ami said. "My job isn't exactly what people see in TV and the movies."
"In the morning, I picked up the newspaper, along with some magazines, and some mail; Maho-sama wrote the mistress a letter, while Miho-sama sent me one as well," Kikuyo said. "I made breakfast for the mistress and the master, and spent most of the early morning gardening. In the afternoon, I cleaned the mansion's hallways, doing some dusting, before I greeted a guest- you, Ami-san. I then made dinner, washed the dishes and retired for the night."
"Wow, you're certainly not short on things to do," Ami said.
"It's standard chores, but the mistress is a busy woman," Kikuyo said. "By performing these tasks, I can help free her up to spend more time working on her school, for the good of all who study under it. I'm not the tanker or the teacher that you or Takako-san are, but even I can help the Nishizumi school."
Both Ami and Kikuyo had learned the value of serving others at the Nishizumi School, and how small and seemingly thankless tasks could prove important to others. Some would call Kikuyo's occupation menial or even demeaning, but it was a form of service she had chosen for herself, and took pride in, not unlike how Ami was serving her country.
Present day
"So essentially, that's me in a nutshell," Ami said. "I may be a Nishizumi student, but that's not all that I am. I'm, in various situations, a soldier, a teacher, a tanker, an honored guest, a daughter, a friend and many other things."
"The same goes for me," Kikuyo said. "You heard most of what I do, but I would like to point out that I, in the course of my service, met my mistress' daughters, Miho-sama and Maho-sama."
Harue paused for a moment, realizing that Miho was barely older than some of her students in the tankery club.
"How do you get along with them?" Harue said.
"Very well," Kikuyo said. "They treat me well, almost as if I were no different from them."
"But you are different," Yoshiko said, somewhat matter-of-factly. "Servants cannot expect truly equal treatment from their masters."
"Well, yes," Kikuyo said. "I have to show them the utmost respect, and do what they say unless it contradicts the will of the mistress or goes outside the scope of my duties. For the most part, this is relatively simple; I do as I am told. But there was one time when Miho-sama, doubtful of whether she could continue with tankery, asked me a question that I was unable to answer, however much I wanted to do so."
6 years ago
In the middle of the night, Kikuyo tossed and turned uneasily in her bed in the servants' quarters of the Nishizumi estate, as she thought over a question that she had been asked, but could not answer.
Miho's question earlier in the evening- asking her opinion about her mother's statement that sacrifice was necessary to win- had seemed innocuous enough. People commonly asked others for their opinions on certain things, even if their opinions were bound to be different from theirs. Perhaps even more commonly, people often asked for advice when they were troubled; Miho, who was pondering quitting tankery, was clearly quite troubled at the moment.
But Kikuyo always had to be mindful of how she conducted herself. She had to respect and obey her mistress and her children, as well as uphold the good name of the Nishizumi style. The answer that most obviously came to mind- that ruthlessly sacrificing others in order to win was not something Miho could or should do- was honest, but not appropriate to Kikuyo had no choice but to politely decline to answer Miho's question. Miho had taken it relatively well, but what did that make Kikuyo in Miho's eyes? Was she truly anything more than just another blind follower of Miho's mother, the kind of person Miho could never become?
As she lay there, Kikuyo reflected on what tankery meant to her, and how she had benefited from it. It had made her into the person she was today, so were there not lessons Miho could learn from it? That, in and of itself, seemed to be enough reason to stay in tankery. Kikuyo had, like Miho, gotten involved at her parents' behest, but she had made her reasons for doing it her own, and found it to be a fulfilling proceses.
Kikuyo then realized that she had found her answer, one that Miho would believe and that Shiho would find acceptable. It was not the first and would not be the last time Kikuyo's loyalties would come into conflict with each other. But Kikuyo respected Shiho and held Miho dear to her, and so strove to find the best solution for both their sakes.
Present day
"Essentially, that's what the tankery means to me," Kikuyo said. "It's about serving others and causes greater than yourself. It's about negotiating competing demands, and succeeding in the face of great difficulty. A great deal is asked of you, and you will make many sacrifices for your superiors and your cause. In the end, however, the process is very fulfilling, and what you get out of it more than justifies what you give."
Masae found Kikuyo's description of tankery somewhat easy to accept, since it spoke to what she knew herself. But she had questions of her own regarding her anecdote about the question of how she could reconcile conflicting obligations, and help Miho without opposing the Nishizumi school.
"So it's as I thought; Miho had difficulties simply accepting the Nishizumi style in the past," Masae said. "To think that Instructor Nishizumi did not realize this... or chose to disregard it."
Ami, not unlike Kikuyo once had done, decided to make her point without going out of line as a Nishizumi student.
"Perhaps not everyone learns well under the Nishizumi style," Ami said. "But through the Nishizumi School, I learned the value of pushing myself farther, and it's because of Instructor Nishizumi that I became the person I am today, one who can teach others tankery. As such, both Kikuyo and I are grateful to her as the one who prepared us for careers in which we are in the service of others, even if we do not always agree with her, nor do we follow the Nishizumi style to the letter."
Masae nodded. She realized Ami's respect for Shiho was an understandable consequence of feeling indebted to her, and also that she did not have absolute faith in the Nishizumi style.
"That's right," Takako said. "And for what it's worth, I too, have my own deviations from the Nishizumi style in the name of helping people realize their potential."
Ami paused, and waited for Takako to elaborate. She still disagreed with her, and believed the others at the table felt the same way, but believed Takako deserved a fair hearing. Part of her wondered if now was the time to mend fences with Takako, and that if she wanted to do so, hearing her out was the first step.
Author's Notes
It's interesting looking at Kikuyo's mental processes in Chapter 8 of Little Army, and how she came up with a way to convince Miho not to give up- rather than say anything improper about the Nishizumi style, Kikuyo tells about what tankery means to herself, and what it can mean to Miho.
So ends Ami and Kikuyo's discussion of their pasts, and how they went from children who obeyed their parents' orders to stalwart champions of the Nishizumi style, albeit warm at heart and as human as everyone else.
Edited to fix a mistake and make a few other minor changes.