Chapter 16: No Regrets
As Koala Forest witnessed their defeat at the hands of Oarai from the side of the field, Touka let out a shriek of frustration and anger and stomped the ground, her uniform's boot kicking up sand.
Hajime let off a soft nervous laugh. This reaction was par for the course from the irascible Touka. While Touka found defeat frustrating, she had little anger toward her foes, and even less toward her comrades. Hajime was disappointed, but glad that she could hone her skills and try again without being scapegoated for the loss.
"Oarai prevailed yet again!" Touka said. "Even without that vexatious Nishizumi Miho, they succeeded! And the decisive blow on our flag tank went to that unreliable tank's crew after all!"
"Stranger things have happened," Tomoki said flatly.
"I get where you're coming from, Touka," Jun said. "But even if you don't have to like losing, you have to admit, that match was fun."
"Indubitably," Touka said. "It may be better to win, but coming this far was worthwhile for this match alone. Do you not agree, Koromo?"
Koromo, however, remained staring off into space, before turning back to Touka.
"I'd like to see Nonoka again after the match," Koromo said. "I have something I would like to tell her."
In the stands, Sheila watched the outcome, no more sure of her feelings than she was during the match.
A part of her wanted to chide Touka for her failure, and for a performance that was not up to her victory over St. Gloriana. While she resented how her teammates derided her as being overly heavy-handed and strict in her leadership, she had to concede that she enjoyed putting the arrogant Touka in her place.
In spite of that, Sheila realized that she could not be overly hard on Touka, even considering that Touka was no longer her subordinate. She not only had not predicted Nodoka's victory in this situation, but had also blundered into a trap when facing Pravda in this round the previous year, and thus had little room to talk when it came to scolding Touka for her mistakes. Perhaps Sheila's heavy-handed style of leadership and disregard for precedent was no less arrogant than Touka's lack of respect for her.
Sheila sighed. She found it difficult to admit her own fallibility to herself, especially that she was not entirely superior to Touka. It was also difficult for her to admit that she would not necessarily have succeeded if she had been in charge, or that Koala Forest could not defeat Nodoka, much less Miho. Sheila had pushed her team hard out of the believe that they could achieve success beyond what most thought them capable of. Perhaps Touka had that mindset as well; she was certainly confident enough to think so.
"I suppose neither of us has all the answers, Ryuumonbuchi," Sheila thought.
Hisa and Mihoko finished watching the match, smiling and applauding as they witnessed Oarai's victory.
"It seems Haramura-san pulled through this time," Mihoko said. "I'm glad she did, for your school's sake and for Nishizumi-san's sake."
"Miho chose to trust in her friends, rather than force herself to lead during what was a personal crisis," Hisa said. "Her gamble paid off in the end, so it seems she, too, succeeds when the odds are against her."
"She has that in common with you, Hisa," Mihoko said. "I'm not sure if it's in her nature, or because her school has to try so hard in order to defeat enemies that outnumber and overpower them."
"That's only part of it, Mihoko," Hisa said. ""I'd also say that Miho's style of leadership is not entirely different from what you've been practicing. She cares for her subordinates, sees their potential, and hopes to one day entrust the team's future to the younger members, rather than seeing them as beneath her."
"Indeed," Mihoko said. "Still, I do have to wonder what it is I lack, and why I have not had the same success as Nishizumi-san."
"Well, we can figure it out together," Hisa said. "For now, when Nodoka and the others have a minute, let's give them our congratulations, and ask Nodoka to pass along our sympathies to Miho."
Mihoko nodded. Finding the ideal way to lead was an ongoing process, and there was no universal answer. But Mihoko knew that because she owed her help to those under her command, and they would become her team's future, she would always put them first, and lead for their sake, both well and compassionately. With one of her closest friends at her side, she felt confident she could find the answer.
The post-game ceremony followed, with both Oarai and Koala Forest exchanging bows.
"Well fought, Haramura Nodoka," Touka said, extending her hand for a handshake. "I had once thought you to be a paltry substitute for my most esteemed rival, but I now know that you are one of those opponents worthy of my attentions. The least I can owe you is to be magnanimous in defeat- and hope I will be afforded the same courtesy when I triumph against you next year."
"Thank you," Nodoka said, as she shook her opponent's hand. "Koala Forest put up a good fight today."
Koromo then turned to Nodoka.
"Haramura Nonoka?" Koromo said. "When Koromo faced you, she realized something important. All of Koromo's crewmates, Touka especially, have been there for Koromo all along. As we struggled desperately to vanquish you, we did so together."
Nodoka smiled and nodded. Oarai's victory against Koala Forest belonged to all of the members of the team- Nodoka's friends and those who were mere acquaintances, the veterans and the amateurs, and those who had mastered tankery and those who had struggled. Nodoka saw each of them as a comrade in a sense, believing that none of them were simply being kept around out of pity or because the team needed them to go on, and was glad Koromo had realized this as well.
"I'm glad to hear you understood this, Koromo," Nodoka said, reflexively using the name Koromo used to refer to herself. "But how did you realize this?"
"An epiphany in the middle of battle," Koromo said, "from witnessing your struggles and struggling hard in turn. Perhaps the truth was this simple all along, and it helped me realize this."
Little pleased Nodoka more than when someone not only enjoyed tankery, but found it meaningful, so she smiled warmly, reminded of why Saki had chosn to do it again.
"A friend of mine- Miyanaga Saki- taught me how you can communicate to others through tankery," Nodoka said. "I'll have to introduce you to her some time."
"Koromo would be most appreciative," Koromo said.
"As would I," Touka said. "I hope to meet this friend of yours, as well as Nishizumi Miho."
"I hope to face the two of you and your school again," Nodoka said. "Perhaps I may officially be commander at that time."
"Great!" Koromo said. "Koromo's excited to see what you'll do in the future, Nonoka!"
"I will continue on as commander next year as well," Touka said. "And when I face you once again, I will not be defeated, desu wa!"
"I'll try not to disappoint you, Koromo," Nodoka said with a smile. "The same goes for you, um..." she said, as she turned to Touka.
"Ryuumonbuchi Touka!" Touka said, mildly irritated, but she could not help but smile once she had finished. She had gained a worthy rival, and Koromo had gained another friend. "We wish you the best of luck, and send our condolences to Nishizumi Miho."
"Thank you," Nodoka said. "I hope your vice-captain gets well soon."
As Touka walked off, she was mostly pleased with how things had turned out. She had been defeated, but Koromo finally beginning to open up to her cousin and her teammates was pleasant enough for her to forget that.
However, for a moment, Touka's mind turned to one member of her crew who could not be there for the match.
"I hope that Ayumu is not disheartened by this," Touka thought. "Perhaps she thinks it improper to call herself my friend, but surely concern over her well-being would not be unbecoming of someone such as myself."
Ayumu and Miyuki watched the conclusion of the match, having remained silent ever since its outcome.
"I wasn't expecting this," Ayumu said. "Touka-sama never took defeats this gracefully in the past."
"I don't know if it's that surprising," Miyuki said. "The commander isn't the type who demands that heads roll when the team loses."
"Maybe not," Ayumu said, "but Touka-sama is a passionate and stubborn person who fervently pursues her desires and gets quite upset when she fails to get what she wants. So... is it possible that she somehow got what she wanted this time?"
Miyuki could only shrug, wondering why Ayumu would ask this question of someone who barely knew Touka at all.
"You don't know?" Miyuki said.
Ayumu sadly sighed and shook her head before coughing faintly.
"Sadly, no," Ayumu said. "I'm not privy to the intricate details of Touka-sama's family, even if I will one day work for them. Touka-sama does not trust me the same way she does Kunihiro-san and the others on her team. As much as I hope to become worthy of that trust, all I can do is be there for her now, as her subordinate, and as any friend might do."
Miyuki nodded, pleased. Those sentiments had fueled her desire to help her sick friend and perhaps they would help Ayumu move forward while understanding what was most important to her no matter how complicated her position was.
The Haramuras watched the end of the game, pleased at their daughter's accomplishment, and got up to leave, planning on congratulating Nodoka and watching her next match. As they did, they encountered some of Nodoka's old friends, who were also on their way out.
"Akado-sensei?" Kei said. He remembered that he had met Harue during a parent-teacher conference. While Nodoka's participation in the tankery club had been the subject of the conversation, for the sake of politeness, he had not mentioned his distaste of tankery.
"It's been a while, Haramura-san," Harue said. "I'd like to congratulate your daughter on her victory."
"Thank you," Kei said. "To be honest, though, it was not something that I would have thought of as an accomplishment until recently."
Arata paused, wondering how to politely word what she had to say, while helping a relative outsider to tankery understand.
"To be perfectly honest, sir," Arata said, "it's sometimes difficult to understand the perspective of someone in a position of high authority until you hold that authority yourself. Since I was appointed commander last year, around the time I met and became friends with Nodoka, I have started to gain an appreciation of what it means to be in charge of an entire team, and be responsible for its successes... and failures."
Kei pondered what Arata had said. He had long presumed to know enough about tankery, and believed that it was nothing more than a waste of time, but the more he learned, the less certain he was in what he already knew. At this point, Arata's description seemed more convincing than what he had told himself in the past, so he saw no point in contesting it.
"Fair enough," Kei said. "Now that I think about it, though, I don't believe I met you or her," he continued, gesturing at Yuu.
"Sagimori Arata," Arata said. "This is Matsumi Yuu-san, a friend of mine and Kuro's older sister. The two of us only recently met and became friends with Nodoka, as a result of meeting her again through last year's tournament."
Kei nodded, understanding well enough what Arata was saying. He had met Kuro before, and thus knew what it meant for Nodoka to see her and the rest of her friends again, as well as become closer to Kuro's sister and friend.
"I see," Kei said. "My wife and I must be going, but it's nice to meet you two."
"Yes," Reiko said. "It's an honor to meet you, Sagimori-san, Matsumi-san. I'm glad to see you again, Akado-sensei, Atarashi-san, Takakamo-san."
As the couple and the teacher and students parted ways, Kei 's mind turned to the people his daughter had met and the experiences she had through tankery. He now knew why she had tried so hard to keep on doing tankery, and why she refused to be separated from those whom she had met through it. There were many things about tankery that he still did not understand, and believed he never would without participating in it, but he believed he knew enough to truly understand and appreciate why Nodoka did tankery, and what she gained from doing so.
"It looks like tankery changed your life for the better, after all, Nodoka," Kei thought.
Elsewhere, Miho watched the battle end on a television in the hospital lobby, and let off a sigh of relief. In the short term, her decision had worked out for the best, as she could see to her family while her team triumphed. In the long term, Oarai's tankery team would be in good hands with Nodoka as a leader.
"Thank you for coming through for me, Nodoka-san, Yukari-san," Miho thought. "Well done once again, everyone."
"Your friends did quite well, Miho," Maho said. "It seems as though you have a good group of students to carry on your team after you graduate."
"I agree, Onee-chan," Miho said, pleased. She also understood the implications of what her sister was saying; having graduated, she had to entrust her team to her juniors. Black Forest was a school Maho had attended as part of her duty as Nishizumi heiress, but she still hoped for its success. "But what about you?
"Black Forest is striving hard, and trying to rise above its past defeats," Maho said. "Their match against Chihatan was closer than the one I had against them, but their determination is much the same as usual."
"I thought so," Miho said. "Black Forest seems to attract many skilled, confident and determined individuals. Two consecutive failures to win the tournament are shocking, but not enough to crush their spirits."
Maho nodded. Miho always had a certain level of respect and awe for Black Forest and the Nishizumi school, in spite of her disagreements with them. Miho's goal had never been to knock either off their pedestals, but to prove the validity of her own way of tankery. That goal was one that Maho and the rest of Miho's friends, even those at Black Forest, hoped she would accomplish, and they wholeheartedly cheered on her efforts toward that end.
"Still, perhaps you or someone else will triumph over them again this year," Maho said. "And that would, at least in my eyes, be a good thing."
Shiho then entered the lobby. As she noticed the results of the math on the television, she gave the faintest hint of a smile.
"So it seems your school triumphed once again, Miho," Shiho said. "You were right; your team could succeed against Koala Forest."
"Thank you, Mother," Miho said.
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Mother," Maho said. "But if you happened on the victory announcement by chance, I suppose that's not why you're here."
"No, it isn't," Shiho said. "I came to tell you that the surgery was successful, and your father's condition is now stable."
Miho let out a sigh of relief. The news would have come too late to be of any help to her in the match, but it was still pleasing to hear. Miho, who still remembered the time when she was at risk of being cast out of the family- a risk she believed she might one day have to face again- saw any news indicating that their family would be able to stay together as good news. Perhaps she would have to wait a long time for the news, but she could take solace in the more pleasant news.
The Nishizumis waited several hours to hear news, going out to have dinner at a restaurant near the hospital. The meal was mostly quiet, save for the occasional discussion of the match with Koala Forest.
Several hours after the end of the match, Miho and Maho walked into their father's hospital room, where he was lying in bed. His leg was in a cast, his chest and head were bandaged, and he did not seem entirely aware of his surroundings. His sister Koharu sat nearby, and stood up to greet Shiho.
"I'm glad to see you all here," Homura said.
Shiho let out an audible sigh of relief, and her expression softened for a moment.
The group discussed Homura's condition for a few minutes. Before long, though, the conversation shifted to how long Homura was unconscious and what day it was, and Homura immediately remembered the day's significance.
"Again, I'm grateful that you came to see me, Miho," Homura said. "But, unless I am mistaken, isn't your match with Koala Forest today?"
Maho took the initiative to speak. She felt more comfortable speaking out in favor of Miho's actions, and believed that, even if she was stating the facts, it would be more easily accepted coming from her mouth.
"Oarai just defeated Koala Forest, Father," Maho said. "Miho had to leave, but made preparations beforehand, just like we did when we attended Grandmother's funeral. She knew that she wouldn't be up to commanding, but wanted to do her best to ensure that her team would succeed in her absence."
"I see," Homura said. "In that case, your team did quite well in your absence."
"Thank you, Father," Miho said. "How are you feeling?"
"As the doctors most likely told you, my leg is broken, but while I while I was unconscious for some time, I do not have any permanent damage that they can see," Homura said. "I will likely have to take a leave of absence from work for some time while I recover and go through physical therapy."
Miho and Maho nodded solemnly, noticing more frustration in their father's tone over how long he would be incapacitated, than over the injuries he had suffered. The news was unpleasant, but they had prepared themselves for worse news.
"The long and short of it is that I will be here for a while," Homura said. "Miho, Maho, you should be getting back to school. Koharu, your team needs you as well."
"Yes, Father," the Nishizumi sisters said.
"I understand, Nii-san," Koharu said.
"You should also get back to work, dear," Homura said. "If all I can do is stay here and recover, the least I can do is not cause trouble for you or anyone else."
"I will, dear," Shiho said, more gravely than her usual dispassionate tone. "Let's keep in touch when we can."
Shiho and the others walked out of the hotel room, with Shiho at the lead. As they passed through the door, though, Shiho took one last look into her husband's hospital room.
Miho and Maho glanced at their mother, then at each other, in surprise, but said nothing.
As the women of the Nishizumi family walked through the corridors of the hospital, Miho turned to her mother.
"Even at a time like this, when he's injured badly, Father still worries about our family and our school?" Miho said.
"That's the kind of man your father is, Miho," Shiho said, "the kind who would marry into the Nishizumis, and one of the few who understands my sort of devotion. And now, he's unable to play the role he chose for himself. He's quite frustrated at this turn of events, but he chooses to do what he can to bear with it."
Koharu nodded in agreement with her sister-in-law.
"My brother has always been this way," Koharu said. "He has always believed that any great undertaking requires the support of many people to succeed, and having married into the Nishizumi family, believes that family members, most of all, should do their part."
Shiho silently concurred, but then her expression turned uncomfortable.
"I rely on a great many people for the success of the Nishizumi school," Shiho said. "Your father has supported me across the years. My assistants help with teaching. My students, by succeeding, uphold the honor of our family name. My maids help with the housework. And Maho will one day succeed me. They have given their all, and it is my duty to lead them well."
For a moment, Miho pondered what her mother and aunt had said. To some degree, their disagreement with her actions made a certain amount of sense, because she was not contributing to the school to which they had devoted their lives. But Miho had met many people over the years, with different kinds of families, who saw their children as more than mere means by which they could achieve their goals. The Akiyamas did not expect Yukari to follow in their footsteps as a hairdresser, Yuri had come to accept her daughter's decision to do tankery, and Masae would only allow one of her daughters to inherit her school if she proved willing and able to do so.
While in the past, Miho felt unable to argue against her mother due to not having achieved anything similar to what the Nishizumi school had, that was now no longer the case, as Miho's school full of unlikely individuals had triumphed against those who overpowered, outnumbered or looked down on them. Miho had made this possible, but it did not come from her ability alone, so she felt compelled to speak on behalf of all those who had helped, supported and fought alongside her.
"So do I, Mother," Miho said. "And it turns out many of those people who help me are not those that the Nishizumi school would view as very impressive. But they achieve results well, and if any of them were not present and doing their best, I would not have gotten this far. And it's because all of them performed well today that they were able to win without me."
"I do understand that Oarai's strength does not flow solely from you, Miho," Shiho said. "Although I am curious to see how far it can go in the future with what it has. The Nishizumi school did not become the best in the nation overnight, but through repeated and consistent success, the efforts of many talented individuals, and a great deal of support in many forms."
"I know, Mother," Miho said, recalling what she heard of her mother's duties. "I hope to make my school even stronger, but, more importantly, ensure that it always stays true to itself."
"I wasn't thinking entirely of your school, Miho," Shiho said. "There's another strong school out there, a newcomer that is quickly making a name for itself. It would seem to be the optimal opponent for the Nishizumis to demonstrate their strength... but your school will face it before Black Forest can."
Shortly after the match
In a tankery cafe, Harue and Nodoka's friends sat at a table. Since Oarai had finished the match ahead of schedule, its tankers had some time to relax in town before heading back. The same went for the group from Saunders.
"Thanks for coming to eat with us, Nodoka," Harue said. "It's been a while."
"It certainly has, Akado-sensei," Nodoka said. "I don't believe I've seen you since the convention."
"Again, congratulations on winning, Nodoka," Ako said. "At least one of my friends won their match; I suppose you heard about Hatsuse's school getting eliminated by Pravda."
"I did," Nodoka said. "BC Freedom did better than last year, but they're still not quite up to Pravda's level."
"True, but you do have more immediate concerns, you know," Shizuno said. "You did well beating us last year, but... let's just say that you're not the only school to make a strong debut in tankery by defeating us."
"Ah, yes, your match with Rinkai," Nodoka said. "I watched it the night before Miho-senpai heard her news. As such, the upcoming match with Koala Forest overshadowed it, as did Miho-senpai's inability to attend."
A few days ago
The match between Saunders and Rinkai had grown desperate for the former. As a result of a feint by the T-34/76 under Hao's command, Saunders' forces were split in half, caught on opposite sides of a river. Nelly's SU-100 had destroyed the stone bridge, essentially cutting off the two sides, while Rinkai went to work on the half on the eastern side that had the Saunders flag tank.
As Arata's forces fought through the advancing Rinkai tanks, a shot from a Chaffee rang out, and a shell sailed through the air. It struck the Firefly under Himeko's command in the side, charring the turret and disabling it.
"Rinkai wins the match!" the announcer said.
Megan opened the top hatch and looked at the disabled Saunders flag tank. It had been a difficult shot for her crew to make, but they had secured the victory.
Megan then descended into her tank and turned to her crew.
"Good work, everyone," Megan said. "Especially you, Aislinn; that was a good shot."
"(Thanks, Meg,)" Aislinn said in English.
"Thank you very much, Davin-senpai," the radio operator, the youngest member of the group said. "And congratulations on the game-winning shot, Wisheart-senpai."
Aislinn smiled in gratitude while Megan chuckled.
"Well, I get that you all have differing standards of politeness, but if you want to call me 'Megan' or 'Meg,' you can feel free to do so," Megan said. "After all, we're friends, aren't we?"
The others smiled and nodded at Megan's invitation. Their commander was American, their gunner was from New Zealand, and the latter three- the driver, the loader and the radio operator- were, respectively, a third-year, a second-year transfer student and a first year. The five girls believed that without tankery, they never would have met each other, and were glad that they were not only able to become friends, but also become an effective team.
"Of course... Megan-senpai," the radio operator said, and the other two followed suit.
"Thanks, girls," Megan said. She had parted ways with her old friends under less than pleasant circumstances, but while she had her share of regrets, she was starting to move on, embracing her new school and turning her focus to the present.
After a moment, she radioed in to Satoha's tank.
"This is Tank 3 reporting in," Megan said over the radio. "We disabled the Saunders flag tank."
"Nicely done, Meg," Satoha said. "Head on back for the post-game."
"Understood," Megan said."And Satoha? Thank you for letting me do this, for giving me a chance to... make up for what happened at my last tournament."
Satoha knew about the incident in question Megan was describing- something that happened before Megan came to Rinkai, and played a part in her coming there.
"I don't 'give' people chances like this, Meg," Satoha said. "If you managed to take down the flag tank, it's because you followed my orders, found the opportunity and made the most of it yourself." Satoha smiled slightly. "The credit this time is yours."
Megan smiled and nodded. Her regret over the events that had happened a year ago had not fully abated, but she felt as though part of that weight had been taken off her shoulders and her confidence had been renewed. She had succeeded in helping Rinkai win a difficult match, so she felt as though she would be an asset to her school in the battles to come.
At the post-game ceremony, the commanders of all ten tanks from both sides met, with the commanders and vice-captains standing at the fore of each group..
"Thank you for the match," they said, while exchanging bows.
"So how was the match for you and your team, Sagimori-san?" Satoha said. "Your school was a step up from the ones we faced in our last two rounds."
"It's the second time in a row we'd lost to a newcomer," Arata said, slightly dejectedly. "I can understand a school like Oarai can defeat us and win the tournament, but I honestly thought we had improved since then..."
Satoha's stern expression softened upon hearing this.
"I certainly don't want you or anyone else to think of us as a team that you can't possibly defeat," Satoha said. "We believe we have the potential to win the tournament, and our goal is to do so, but we don't imagine our victory to be inevitable, and we don't want to crush the hopes of any would-be challengers, no matter how small or humble, and certainly not a school like yours."
"Did you know about Haru-chan... I mean, Akado-sensei 11 years ago, Tsujigaito-san?" Arata said.
Satoha shrugged. She did recall a somewhat close game back then, but not Harue's involvement in it. What was on her mind was Black Forest's defeats last year, the year before, and one year before Harue's match.
"I do know that there were people who triumphed against Black Forest before Nishizumi-san did, and there will be those those who will accomplish such feats in the future," Satoha said. "Maybe this year it'll be our turn, since if Oarai wins in the next match, we'll face them next, and if we defeat them, we'll fight Black Forest or Pravda."
Arata paused in tacit agreement while considering Satoha's words.
"That's a fair observation," Arata said. "But I do notice that you sound as though you're looking forward to that prospect."
Satoha and Emi nodded.
"I certainly do," Emi said. "Their commander's an old friend of mine. I'd like to be able to face her on the field of tankery battle."
Arata smiled. Before the tournament last year, Nodoka was a friend of a friend, much like she was with Shizuno and Ako. She had connected with the three girls, and learned about the efforts the Achiga girls had made to meet their friends again. Emi was now doing the same.
"So my hopes couldn't come to fruition after all," Arata thought. "But it's not such a bad thing if these people's do."
Arata extended her hand and Satoha took it.
"Well, then, Tsujigaito-san, I wish you the best in the tournament," Arata said, shaking hands with Satoha. "And Nakasuga-san, I'm glad to hear that you'll be facing your friend soon."
As Arata walked back to her team, she did so realizing that it was not such a bad thing that Rinkai had prevailed. Satoha's motivation was not unlike what Harue and many of the others in Saunders' tankery team had felt shortly after its inception, while Emi's was similar to that of Nodoka's friends. But while Rinkai had good reasons for fighting, did they necessarily have to win?
On the boat ride back to the ship, Arata, having changed back into her school uniform, looked out to sea. She was lost in thought as she was considering the decisions she made and the alternatives she had. A part of her believed that this was a useless process, but another part believed that any knowledge she could glean from this loss now would be useful in her final bid at the championship, and making the most of it was her duty to the school.
She heard footsteps behind her, and saw Himeko in her school uniform, which had sleeves that reached her hands. As Arata's eyes met Himeko's, she noticed Himeko's eyes appeared to be red and swollen.
"I was wondering why it was taking Tsuruta-senpai so long to get changed, and why Hanada-senpai and the others thought she was avoiding them," Arata thought. "It seems I wasn't the only one who took the outcome quite hard."
"Commander, I'm sorry about the match," Himeko said.
"I should be the one saying that, Tsuruta-senpai," Arata said. "The only reason you wound up on the other side of the river was because I gave the order."
Himeko paused, at a loss for words.
"I'm honestly not the same kind of commander Mairu was, so I can't really give you a good counterargument to that," Himeko said. "But what I can say is to tell you to take things in stride. You've got another year to try again, improve and defeat Saunders, which is a long time, but too little time for you to waste on regrets."
"That's true," Arata said. "Once I'm back, I'll work on arranging some exhibition matches to train the team, training the newer members, and so forth. We will also look over our mistakes, and ensure that those of us who remain and those who join the team next year do not repeat them."
As Arata adjusted the knot on her uniform's red necktie, a relic of Saunders' previous uniform, she thought about Harue, the one who had given it to her as a gift. There was a time when Arata had lost all respect for Harue over her decision to give up, but now that Arata was facing a similar situation, she started to understand how her mentor and idol had felt.
But unlike Harue, Arata had a second chance now, and time to learn from her mistakes. She would make use of her opportunity and succeed where Harue had failed, winning Saunders the championship next year.
Present day
As Arata finished telling her story, Nodoka felt more grateful than ever that she had been able to win, and proved herself capable of the responsibility she had. She would likely face many more challenges in the next year if she became commander, but she believed she was ready for them, and hoped Arata would overcome her failure and develop the necessary confidence.
"I do still feel as though I let down my teammates," Arata said, "particularly Hanada-senpai, Tsuruta-senpai and all of those a year ahead of me who are graduating this year."
"Of course, Yuu-san, Kay, Alisa and Naomi had a similar situation last year," Shizuno said. "And yet, they were able to enjoy the battle, and graduate largely without regrets- well, except for Alisa, but she came to terms with our loss."
Arata nodded.
"But I do have another chance, and I can learn from this loss," Arata said. "I'm grateful for that, and a part of me is glad that there are so many strong opponents out there. There's the ones we've expected, like Black Forest, Pravda and St. Gloriana, and ones that are up and coming, like Oarai, Rinkai and Koala Forest."
Nodoka nodded. Oarai's emergence had opened things up in the field of high school tankery, as had Rinkai's. In her final year of high school, she would likely enter a tankery tournament that was different in many ways from the way it had been before she entered high school.
"So we're getting ready to try again," Arata said. "And until that day comes, Nodoka, we'll be rooting for you and the others from your school."
"I'll still be striving for victory for my school." Nodoka then smiled. "But it wouldn't be so bad to lose to you if we do have a rematch next year."
"So you might be commander next year, Nodoka?" Harue said. "I'm glad to hear that. It's always nice to see one of my former students come a long way from when I had them."
Harue and her students then began reminiscing about old times, thinking back to when they could barely operate a tank. Many years had passed since then, but Harue was glad to see that the group remained together as well as it could, and that it still counted the members who had graduated or moved to other schools as friends. Perhaps time and life did separate people, but meaningful bonds remained intact, while those who were connected cherished their shared experiences and hoped to meet again.
Elsewhere, in the town, the four members of Anglerfish Team who had participated in the match went shopping for souvenirs in a local tankery store. While there, they passed by Leopon team, overhearing them talking animatedly about the tanks there.
"It feels a bit lonely doing this without Miporin," Saori said.
"Well, we can't do everything together forever, Saori," Mako said. "Miho's present circumstances aside, you and I have been separated various times over the years, and we'll likely go our separate ways for university."
Saori reluctantly nodded. The five girls of Anglerfish Team, a team with little in common outside tankery, had different career goals, and realized that they would likely end up going to separate universities, and even at the same university, they would likely be in entirely different classes. That reality was difficult to accept, but Saori saw little reason to doubt it.
"I know," Saori said. "Still, I always want to include my friends when I can. I was willing to switch out of tankery to do the same elective as Miporin, so the least I could do is offer to bring her along on an outing like this."
Hana nodded in agreement, having made the same decisions regarding her electives for the same reasons Saori had.
"I have an idea!" Yukari said. "Let's buy a little something for Nishizumi-dono."
The group picked out a decently-sized stuffed koala bear that was the mascot for Koala Forest's tankery team, which they believed would fit nicely on Miho's shelf with all the other stuffed animals. The bear was not much more than a thousand yen after sales tax, but they believed it was the best gift they could give to Miho, and they looked forward to being able to give it to her in person.
Shortly after paying for it, Anglerfish Team exited the store, and approached a nearby drugstore. As they approached, Ayumu's team and their substitute commander emerged, with the substitute commander holding a small bag.
"Excuse me, miss," Hana said. "Do you happen to know where we could buy a card to express condolences?"
"Right in here," the girl said. "Should be the middle of the cards aisle, on the left as you enter the store. Ask the clerk if you're still having trouble finding it."
"Thank you very much," Hana said. "And I hope that your vice-captain recovers soon."
"Thank you," the girls from Koala Forest said. "We also wish your commander the best."
As the two groups exchanged bows of gratitude, Anglerfish Team entered the store while the Koala Forest girls returned to their ship.
The clash between the two schools allowed only one side to advance, but in spite of the competition, the teams could still show empathy for one another. The four girls from Anglerfish team recalled the time when Miho repeated to them what she had once heard from her sister; that in tankery, rivalries with one another on the field of tankery battle must not become hard feelings off of it, regardless of the reasons one did tankery and whether they succeeded or failed. Oarai's stakes had been higher than most, even now, as its tankery team worked to justify its continued existence, but it pledged to continue to respect its opponents and the values of good sportsmanship.
"I suppose that with all this competition, some people, like the Nishizumis and their disciples, push themselves a little farther than most," Yukari thought. "But in the end, we succeeded on our own terms, and with Nishizumi-dono, Haramura-dono and people like them, I believe we can still keep on being a successful team."
At the entrance to the hospital, the four female Nishizumis prepared to go their separate ways, arranging transportation back to work and to school. Miho had to stay the night in a hotel room before leaving, but Shiho, Koharu and Maho could leave immediately. As they parted ways, Miho said goodbye, and expressed that, in spite of the circumstances, she was glad to see them again.
As Miho settled into her hotel room bed with a stuffed Bokoare-guma that was one of the few non-essentials she had packed, she drifted off to sleep as well as could be expected for one going to sleep away from home. For Miho, seeing that her father was, for the moment, alright, was enough to put her at ease.
As her mother said, she had to return to her own responsibilities for Oarai. She would have a great deal of challenges to face in the days and weeks ahead, from dealing with everything that happened in her absence to helping her team defeat a highly promising newcomer that was already being compared to the top tankery schools.
But while Miho's tasks were arduous and the odds were long, hope endured. Oarai had improved, but it was in many ways similar to the team she was when she had first joined, and had not sacrificed that part of its identity. Miho's choices would not be easy, but she believed that as long as she did not lose sight of her goals, the means by which she could achieve them would remain well in hand.
Author's Notes
Thank you for the reviews. I'm glad to see someone voted in the poll, although I'm a bit surprised that the vote went to one of the auto club members.
I realized after I wrote up the last chapter of Necessary to Win that Alisa should still be around, but I decided to leave it as it is, since a few others are slightly older (Hiroko Funakubo, Maho Yumeno) or younger (Arata, Kuro) than in canon.
The Koala Forest arc has ended, and we now have our two semi-finals matches: Oarai vs. Rinkai and Pravda vs. Black Forest. For the moment, though, the focus will return to Oarai as Miho returns to school.
Now, the contestants have been narrowed down to the "big four"- Oarai, Rinkai, Black Forest and Pravda. Out of curiosity, who do you think will ultimately win the tournament?