Interlude 18: Erika
Maho started up her laptop in her apartment on her university ship. On Erika's request, she had arranged a meeting over Skype between her, Erika and Miho.
As Maho logged into Skype, she noticed that Erika was already on. Miho had told Maho that she would likely be late, as she was having dinner at Yukari's home with her friends from Anglerfish Team.
Erika soon started the call.
"Hello, Assistant Instructor Nishizumi," Erika said. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes, it's good to see you're here, Erika," Maho said. "I was hoping to talk with you before Miho got on."
"What is it about?" Erika said.
"To begin with, don't you have something to say to Miho?" Maho said. "Specifically, concerning your words and attitude toward her over the course of the past two years?"
Erika, taken off guard, remained silent for a moment, almost long enough to wonder if Erika was still connected.
"Do you want me to apologize to her, Assistant Instructor?" Erika said.
"Only if your apology is sincere, Erika," Maho said. "Miho is perceptive enough to realize when people don't mean what they say. She also knows you well enough to realize that you'll do whatever I tell you to, including apologize to her even if you're not sincerely repentant."
Erika let off a sigh. A part of her wished that Maho had demanded an apology out of her. It would have been simpler to oblige and give a sincere-sounding apology, and simpler to accept such a reaction from Maho.
"I did underestimate Oarai, and I was wrong to blame Miho for our defeat two years ago as much as I did," Erika said. "But it's clear that Miho and I have different approaches to tankery. I make no apologies for following the Nishizumi style, and will not hesitate to prove that it is superior to her style."
Maho simply nodded, having expected this answer.
"Fair enough, Erika," Maho said. "You're not the only one from Black Forest who feels this way."
Within a few minutes, Miho logged on.
"Hello, Onee-chan, Erika-san," Miho said. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"Don't worry about it, Miho," Maho said. "You did tell me in advance that you were meeting with your friends for dinner."
"Assistant Instructor Nishizumi and I were just talking for a little bit," Erika said. "This reminds me; I would like to tell you that I was wrong to dismiss Oarai as an unworthy contender last year, and to scapegoat you for our defeat the year before. "
"Thank you, Erika-san," Miho said. "But, if I may say so, I'm not used to hearing you call my sister the 'assistant instructor' of our family's school."
"That is her job, after all," Erika said. "It's also what I knew her as before she became commander of Black Forest."
"Ah, yes," Miho said. "I wasn't involved with our school much at the time. The students knew that their teacher had two daughters, rather than one, so all of them who knew me by name knew who I was. But I didn't know very many of them, nor did I know much about their perspective on my school save what I could guess."
"Now might be a good time for you to hear it," Erika said, "as a way of explaining some of my decisions now, along with the reason why I'd like to talk with you. To begin with, let's tell about how I got started with the Nishizumi school."
"I recall you saying that you always were a Nishizumi student," Miho said.
"To an extent," Erika said. "I wasn't born a Nishizumi style practitioner- no one, not even the women of the family that runs the school, is. The Nishizumi school gives you a great deal of the skills necessary to succeed at tankery, and makes sure that you remain on task, but once you graduate, it's up to you to find your own motivation."
Miho nodded, remembering all the motivations she and the others close to her had. She sought to lead her friends to victory and enable them to accomplish their goals without leaving behind or sacrificing people. Maho sought to enable Miho to live her life her own way. Kikuyo hoped to repay her mistress, and serve in small and seemingly thankless ways. Ami hoped to devote herself to a higher cause. Takako wanted to train the seemingly hopeless cases while ensuring that they did not give up on themselves.
"So what motivation did you find, Erika-san?" Miho said.
"Initially, none of my own," Erika said. "I wasn't sure why I was here or what kind of tanker I could be. But when i met the Assistant Instructor for the first time, I realized what I could aspire to."
8 years ago
Erika, wearing the Nishizumi School's uniform, waited for Shiho in the opening assembly.
She saw a girl, who seemed no more than a year older than her, walking alongside Shiho. She wore the same uniform as the students, but carried herself with an air of confidence and authority, as though she was closer to her mother than the students.
"Hello, and welcome to the Nishizumi school," Shiho said. "You have worked hard and proven yourselves to get into this school, the most prestigious tankery school in the nation, but your trials have only just begun. In spite of your young age, you have chosen a difficult path, but you will not be granted much leniency, since what I ask of you is well within your ability to fulfill."
Shiho gestured toward the girl Erika had noticed earlier.
"This is my daughter, Nishizumi Maho," Shiho said. "She is one of many assistants in running my school, which she will one day inherit from me."
Gasps of surprise went up from the crowd, before Shiho motioned for silence.
"But while Maho is no older than you are, she is still an ideal Nishizumi," Shiho said. "We do not choose our teachers out of nepotism or sentimentality, but because they uphold our honor and share our values. They are paragons of the Nishizumi style, who serve as an example for others. Study hard, follow their example and make sacrifices, so that you will be able to live up to them."
Shiho's speech concluded, and she began to go about the task of getting everyone started in their classes. While Erika was listening for relevant information, her mind was elsewhere, thinking about what she had just heard.
Even if Erika had leave to speak, she was at a loss for words, surprised at how much someone like Maho could accomplish, as well as the fact that she was expected to live up to her example. But Shiho's arguments were convincing.
Perhaps becoming like Shiho was a distant pipe dream, but she could, as she was now, aspire to become like Maho. If Shiho represented what Nishizumi style practitioners could aspire to in the future, then Maho represented what she could be in the present.
Present day
"It was somewhat humbling, to be honest," Erika said. "I believed I stood above my peers, but then I saw someone who was even better still. Of course, I did, as the Instructor urged, work on getting my way up to her young assistant's level."
Miho was hardly surprised by Erika's account. She knew all about her sister's accomplishments on tankery, as well as the image she projected to the public. There was a time when she, too, idolized Maho, but while she still saw her sister as exceptionally skilled, she no longer wanted to emulate her.
"It wasn't until later that I realized that there was more to the Assistant Instructor than the seemingly flawless tanker that appeared on the surface," Erika said.
"That's true with everyone like me, Erika," Maho said. "All people who are famous or well-respected by the public have a certain persona that they take on that's most conducive for their role. If you have enough practice and skill, you may improve to the point at which maintaining that persona no longer requires conscious effort, but taking it up is almost always a conscious choice, like dressing up or smiling for the camera."
"I know, but unfortunately, I got the sense that whenever I got a glimpse of the real you, it was more due to an accidental oversight than letting me in," Erika said. "I probably know you better than anyone except Teru and your sister, but you confided in them more. I recognize that you have your duties as commander, but a part of me is disappointed that I have not yet earned your trust."
Maho let off a soft sigh. The list of people she confided in had grown over time, including her sister, her maid, and several of her friends. But Erika had known her for a long time, longer than most besides Miho had, yet knew less about her than her closest people did. As Erika was starting to open up and reveal more about herself, so Maho believed it was hardly fair for her not to do the same.
"I'm sorry, Erika," Maho said. "You've admired me all this time, but as person I'm expected to be by Mother and those who are associated with the Nishizumi school, not necessarily the person I am. Knowing this, do you still feel the same way about me that you did before?"
Erika took a moment to consider the facts, and realized that even in this new light, they remained the same. She then nodded before responding.
"I do," Erika said. "Regardless of whether or not you can act as confident and authoritative as a Nishizumi should all the time, you are still the person whom I admire so much, for having accomplished what you have. I just simply wish you'd trust me a little more."
"To be honest, Erika-san," Miho said, "it's not as though knowing my sister's real persona is exclusive to one person. She's significantly happier now that she's able to open up to more people, and I'm glad that more people can know her the way I do."
"You have a fair point..." Erika said. "Now that I think about it, what should I call you, anyway? You're no longer my superior, but we can't exactly say we're friends, either."
"Just Miho is fine, Erika-san," Miho said.
"All right, Miho," Erika said. "Your point is good, even if it's one that I didn't realize at the time. I only vaguely knew that the Assistant Instructor had a sister, until she mentioned you in one of her conversations."
Eight years ago
On the Nishizumi school's tankery training grounds, Erika finished training some of the junior students. Among her class, she stood out from the others, and was recommended for more advanced leadership training, mastering the skills she was taught. While Erika was quick-tempered back then, the controlled nature of those training exercises meant that there would be no unpleasant surprises, thus preventing that flaw from becoming too much of an impediment.
"You did quite well out there, Erika," Maho said. "Most of the young students do not perform nearly as well as you do."
"Thank you, Assistant Instructor," Erika said pleasantly. "You and the Instructor do not give praise easily, so I strive to be worthy of it."
"As Mother said before, this is not an easy road by any stretch of the imagination," Maho said. "Not just any children can learn the Nishizumi style, so the ones that try are not given any allowances, and the ones who succeed earn our respect."
Erika nodded, but as a moment of silence followed, she found herself thinking back to the various things Shiho had said and that Erika had heard about Shiho. Her mind caught on one brief sentence about Shiho's family in a magazine article, and her curiosity was piqued.
"I'm curious about one thing, Assistant Instructor," Erika said. "I heard that the instructor has two daughters; do you happen to have a sister?"
"I do," Maho said. "Her name is Miho and she's a year younger than I am; in other words, your age. She's less interested in tankery, though, as she has difficulty accepting the idea of being ruthlessly devoted to it."
Erika mentally noted how Miho was the same age as she was- thereby wondering for the briefest of moments whether Miho was like her, before Maho's words proved otherwise. What had happened to result in her turning out that way, in spite of being raised by Shiho? Perhaps Erika would never know for certain.
"I never expected that from a Nishizumi," Erika said. "What does she hope to be if not a tanker?"
Maho's stern visage momentarily gave way to warm smile.
"What, indeed?" Maho said, intrigued. "If I am a worthy heiress for my mother, she will have no need of Miho, enabling her to choose what path she wishes, be it tankery or anything else. Still, I do honestly enjoy and take pride in tankery itself, and I hope she will do the same."
Erika simply nodded. She did not do tankery purely for fun, but took pride in how she did it, and did it because she chose to do so. She believed that if Miho did tankery halfheartedly, she would be of no use to her team or her family's school. She believed that it would be best for all concerned if Miho wholeheartedly embraced tankery, and persisted, regardless of whatever challenges she would face or whatever sacrifices she would have to make.
But Erika would not notice the hidden sentiment in Macho's carefully chosen words until years later, nor would she imagine that the heiress of the most prestigious school would tell her sister, the head of the school's other daughter, to forsake her family's style and blaze her own trail, different from the one Erika herself was walking.
Present day
"Essentially, that was the first time I heard about Miho," Erika said. "I didn't think as much of it at the time, since I didn't imagine that Miho would end up doing tankery, which would mean that we would likely have no reason to interact."
"I suppose not," Miho said. "My sister had many other people she knew through tankery or her work in the Nishizumi school. They were generally polite to me, although we couldn't exactly be friends, since they saw me as someone related to their commander and/or their teacher."
"Not everyone felt that way, Miho," Maho said. "Some, not unlike Erika, did not view you as a superior or very important person, and believed that they didn't need your approval to stay in my or Mother's good graces. As such, their reasons for getting along well with you were not necessarily self-serving in nature."
"That might be true," Miho said. "Of course, it seems as though Erika-san didn't necessarily need my putting in a good word for her to succeed at the Nishizumi school."
"You could say so," Erika said. "I graduated at the top of my class. It was a proud moment for me, but I'm not sure that means much to people from Oarai."
Miho pondered Erika's remark for a moment, and wondered if she could say the same about how Black Forest viewed Oarai's accomplishments until their victory in the finals. Those in Black Forest who shared Erika's mindset would not likely have acknowledged Oarai as a worthy foe had Oarai not also succeeded in defeating them.
"I think most people at my school have heard of the Nishizumi school, Erika-san," Miho said, "especially the student council, which recognized my family name. They have some idea of how prestigious it is, as well as how rigorous the training is, to say the least. Most of them realize they wouldn't be considered exemplary or even adequate students there."
"Well, not everyone feels that way," Erika said. "For example, that girl I flew to the hospital on our school's helicopter..." Erika began, before trailing off, unable to remember the name of the person in question.
"Reizei Mako-san," Miho said. "She has some trouble with tardiness, particularly getting up in the morning, but she's at the top of our class and is our best driver. It's possible that she wouldn't go to the absolute top at Black Forest, but she'd do quite well if she weren't turned off by the school's strictness."
Erika thought back to her first encounter with Mako, where she had refused to acknowledge Erika's superiority and suggested that Oarai would prevail against it; against all odds, she was proven correct. Erika briefly wondered why Miho would fail to mention it, finding it unlikely that she had forgotten.
"She clearly seemed unimpressed with me, thinking of me as part of some ivory tower or what have you," Erika said. "I honestly couldn't understand why she and the rest of your friends were so offended that I was telling them what seemed to be obvious back then- that you had little hope of making a decent effort in the tournament."
Miho paused to consider her response. While she had succeeded, she was fully aware that it had never been guaranteed, and that her success in the finals this year was not, either. She instead decided to show Erika how her friends had felt.
"From my friends' perspective, they never wanted to think of things as hopeless for them, even if they initially didn't think they'd get very far," Miho said. "And, from their perspective, if there's a newcomer to a competition, isn't it polite and sportsmanlike to wish them good luck, even if they may eventually become your opponent? If they're trying their best, do they not deserve for you at least recognize and respect their efforts, even if their results are quite poor by your standards?"
"I understand that much," Erika said. "Perhaps I've never been part of an underdog or newcomer team, but I've seen enough people like you who come in with such hopes, and endure them being dashed time and again. Of course, most were better equipped than you were at the start, and most didn't make it as far."
Miho nodded. She was pleased to hear Erika conceding some of her argument, but realized that Erika was about to make one of her own.
"Now let's look at it from a different perspective," Erika said. "If anyone can accomplish what you have so quickly, then what does it say about the efforts of someone like me, who has tried so hard for so long, yet has had less success?"
Miho found herself unable to answer the question. Mako, the person who had made the original statement, found that school and tankery came easily to her, save for the times when she had to wake up in the mornings. And while her friends as a whole tried very hard, it was not the sort of effort Erika would likely acknowledge.
"Is my choosing Miho as vice-captain what you have in mind, Erika?" Maho said. "I still believe, even after everything that happened, that she was the best choice back then."
"I suppose Miho was qualified, but believed she didn't seem to have the determination for the position," Erika said. "Any undertaking requires a mixture of talent and effort. It's a bit like cutting down a tree with an axe; you need a strong axe to be able to cut the tree, but you also have to swing with all your might, in the right way and while believing you can cut it down, or else you won't get anywhere."
"I understand what you're saying," Maho said, having remembered Erika's analogy as one Shiho had used in a lecture on tankery, "but I will say that Miho does have an abundant amount of her sort of determination, even if she said that it's because she cannot simply follow in our footsteps."
"But let's go back before that for a moment," Erika said. "After I graduated, I went to Bismarck Middle School, and did tankery there. Neither of you probably remember me, although I did remember both of you."
In hindsight, Miho remembered Erika's name, but the team was large enough that she did not know everyone on it, so she understood why she had neveer spoken with Erika.
"I actually recall hearing your name, Erika-san," Miho said, "although we didn't speak much."
"We would have, if I'd been chosen commander in our last year," Erika said. "I applied for that position, but was passed over."
"I heard," Maho said. "My successor as Bismarck's commander is apparently studying abroad in the US. The coach hoped Miho would become commander, but was unwilling- and, under the rules, unable- to compel her to do so. Even Mother, as much as she expected us to follow in her footsteps and do tankery her way, believed it would not be in our best interests to force a reluctant Miho to command."
"Neither did I," Erika said. "And since Miho was largely going with the flow, I gave most of the credit for the team's victories to the commander. So you can imagine why I initially thought Miho was not Black Forest leadership material, and why I was disappointed when she was chosen over me."
Two years ago
One afternoon, shortly before tankery practice was about to begin, Erika stood outside the Black forest tankery garage, waiting for her meeting with Maho. Maho had planned to announce her new vice captain at practice that day, so she went to the meeting somewhat eagerly, but with a small amount of eagerness.
Maho approached Erika, accompanied by Miho. All of Black Forest's tankery team knew that Maho and Miho were sisters, so it was not strange for Erika to see the two together.
"Hello, Erika," Maho said. "I've been hoping to talk with you about your application to the position of vice-captain."
"Yes, Commander?" Erika said. "Have you come to a decision yet?"
"We have," Maho said. "We completed the search process for a vice captain and we chose someone else. You were a promising candidate, though, so please continue to work hard and do your best for the team."
Erika let off a sigh. Maho's wording was careful enough, emphasizing that they had made a decision, rather than the fact that Erika had not been selected, but Erika understood the implications; that she was not the best candidate for vice-captain.
She found what she believed to be the simplest explanation; she simply wasn't good enough.
"Yes, Commander," Erika said. "But why, if I may ask, is your sister here for this announcement?"
"I wanted to introduce you to one of your new superiors," Maho said. "Miho is, by my choice and with the coach's approval, our newest vice captain, and Akasaka-senpai's replacement."
"I'll do my best," Miho said. She was hesitant to promise that she would meet the Nishizumi school or Black Forest's standards, but she believed that she owed them her best effort.
Erika immediately knew the implications of this choice, as well as the fact that Miho was, like her, a first year. Erika had assumed that if she lost, it would be to an upperclassman. It was partly a matter of pride, as Erika believed herself to be the best first year; while Black Forest favored senior members of the team for command positions, exceptional individuals could become vice-captain or even commander in their first year, like Teru and Maho had. She also believed this in the hopes that next year or the year after, the position would be vacant and she could try again..
Erika was familiar enough with Miho's resume to know what she had going for her. She had been doing tankery for a long time. She had been in many positions of responsibility, from commander of her crew to vice-captain of the team.
Maho had a great deal of evidence backing up her decision, enough that Erika found it difficult to dispute, but not enough that she was fully convinced of Miho's capabilities. But Erika was less worried about Miho's competence and more worried about her resolve.
Miho seemed to be driven onward by her mother's demands, rather than any passion she had for herself. Black Forest was very much tied to the Nishizumi School, but could they count on Miho to lead them? Could Miho make the many difficult decisions that were expected of Nishizumi disciples? Remembering what Maho had once said about Miho's doubts about tankery, Erika was not convinced.
Another part of Erika, however, concluded that regardless of whether she liked what had happened, it had happened, and now was the time to make it work. Miho had become her superior, and Erika owed her respect and obedience. Perhaps if Miho was as talented as her sister, it would not be such a bad thing to lose to Miho. Perhaps Miho might one day grow into a commander comparable to Maho. Perhaps if she did, it would be the best possible outcome.
Present day
"I would be lying if I said I did not, back then, think I could do a better job than Miho," Erika said. "Perhaps the others felt the same way; to apply for vice captain, you have to believe you can do it better than anyone else, and have the qualifications to support your claim."
"I know how you feel, Erika-san," Miho said. "The other candidates for vice-captain had to be very confident in themselves in addition to being skilled. I can see that they'd be disappointed to not be chosen, and would be skeptical that someone like me would be better than they were. Incidentally, my mother did want me to apply for the position, although I was not entirely unwilling; the expectations were steep, but I would be facing them with my sister."
Maho nodded. The sisters realized Miho was happier at Oarai, but the one thing they missed most about Miho's time at Black Forest was their ability to do tankery together, even considering Maho's responsibilities.
"That may be so, Miho," Maho said, "but with the coach having to approve my decisions, I chose you because I believed you were the best choice for vice-captain, as someone who has considerable experience and works well with me, someone I trusted to help me fulfill my considerable responsibilities." Maho paused slightly. "I stand by my decision."
"Similarly, I stand by what I said to Miho, after that one meeting," Erika said. "You do remember it, don't you, Miho?"
"Ah, yes," Miho said. "That my appointment was a responsibility, that the fact that I was chosen was proof of people believing in my ability, and that because I was chosen, I had to live up to it."
"Precisely," Erika said, pleased that Miho had remembered. "I wanted to believe that you would become a good vice-captain for Black Forest, one that I would eventually come to acknowledge as the better choice. And, for the most part, you lived up to my expectations... until the finals."
"At the time, it no longer mattered to me whether we won yet another championship," Miho said. "I simply had to rescue my friends from danger, or... there might not have been 'a next time' for them."
Erika paused to consider what to say next. Miho had known that the finals would eventually come up, and knew what she would say. How, then, would Erika respond to that?
"Yes, I'm well aware of your reasons, Miho," Erika said. "But for a moment, consider things from my perspective."
Two years ago
Erika was in her Konigstiger, pursuing Pravda's flag tank on the high cliffs above where Miho was.
While quite ambitious, Erika also believed in doing her job for the team at the moment, whatever it may be. Victory was expected of Black Forest's tankers, so she saw it as her job to do whatever she could toward that end. Perhaps if she succeeded at this juncture, she would possibly be chosen as vice-captain once Teru and Maho graduated. For the moment, however, it was nothing more than a possibility, and yet another potential reward for good performance, so rather than count her chickens before they hatched, Erika remained focused on the task at hand.
Erika saw several other Pravda tanks near the flag tank. It was well protected, but all Erika needed was one shot, and the game would be hers. She ordered her gunner to take aim at the flag tank, confident that she had a good shot.
"And now it ends," Erika thought. "I suppose I underestimated you, Nishizumi Miho, but I'm actually glad you came through for us this time- no, perhaps I should say 'as usual.' Maybe you do deserve your position after all."
But the Pravda tanks held their fire. For a moment, Erika did not understand- picking her off would be a somewhat simple task, and necessary to protect the flag tank and stay in the game. But a moment late, Erika found out why.
"Pravda wins the tournament!" the announcer said.
Erika pounded her fist onto the side of the tank. Her difficulty in dealing with setbacks and outright failure was one point against her when she was considered for the position of vice-captain. Perhaps the Nishizumis were expected to win all the time, but they were also expected to be able to handle their mistakes well, so that a minor setback did not doom their efforts.
"This isn't happening!" Erika cried out in frustration. "How did the flag tank get taken out?"
"Apparently, it was Vice-Captain Nishizumi," Erika's radio operator said. "She left her tank to save one that had fallen into the water, and it was taken out while she was away."
Erika let out a bitter chuckle. The entire debacle felt like a bad joke. The person who had been chosen before Erika as vice-captain, one ostensibly better than her, had failed the team at a crucial moment. For a moment, Erika had to wonder- did this mean she was seen as inferior even to a person like that?
If Erika had been in command of the flag tank, she would have done what she saw as her duty. There was no point in helping a tank that would be unable to re-enter combat, especially when the critical flag tank was on the line. Perhaps the tankers would be in danger, but there were those who would be coming to help them, and no need for the commander of the flag tank to abandon her position.
Perhaps Miho's position would soon open up- Erika imagined that with the backlash such a decision would cause, she would resign from her position if she was not removed. But this was not how Erika had wanted things to happen. She had hoped that her school would be victorious once again, even if she was not Maho's right hand.
Erika had some measure of courtesy and decorum, though, and knew that it was not advisable to express those opinions out loud, even if she believed she was not alone in possessing them.
As the closing ceremony ended, and the Nishizumi sisters walked off to deal with private matters, Erika shot Miho a glare full of malice, too angry and disgusted with to even speak. Miho had failed the team, and perhaps Erika had been mistaken to expect anything from her.
That nonverbal exchange was Erika and Miho's last before Miho returned to the school and submitted her resignation.
Shortly after the tournament, Erika was called into Maho's office. While Maho had heard many people speak out against Miho's decision, she had not heard about what had transpired during the Nishizumi sisters' return home.
"You wanted to see me, Commander?" Erika said as she stepped through the door.
"Yes, Erika; have a seat and I'll get straight to the point," Maho said, and Erika sat down in front of the desk. "Miho has resigned as vice captain and made arrangements to transfer out of Black Forest. As such, I now need a new vice captain. Of all the other ones who applied and will still be around next year, you are my first choice. You are also the one my mother and the coach recommended, for having the resolve necessary to win. Are you still willing and able to serve as vice-captain?"
Erika understood Maho's word choice. She would always be second to Miho, and perhaps further down once the rejected candidates who had been third-years were considered. She was chosen in large part because of the wishes of other people.
But there was only one thing for her to do. Maho was giving her the opportunity she had long desired, and asking her to step up to help the team in its time of need.
"Yes, ma'am," Erika said.
"Good," Maho said. "I have spoken with the coach. The two of us will meet with her and Teru later to discuss your responsibilities and our plans, but for now... congratulations."
Maho extended her hand.
"Thank you, Commander," Erika said as she took and shook Maho' shand.
Erika had a great deal of work ahead of her, more than might be expected for even a great responsibility like being vice-captain of Black Forest. But living up to those responsibilities was within her ability, a matter of her Nishizumi style honor, and her duty to the team, all of which she believed she could better perform than her immediate predecessor.
Present day
As Erika concluded her account of how she achieved the position she desired through what she saw as an undesirable turn of events, she, anticipating Miho's response, decided to speak first in order to ward it off.
"Say what you will about what you saw or the decision you had to make, Miho," Erika said. "But if you do so, understand what losing meant to Black Forest, and to me, in particular. Perhaps it may mean little to you compared to those in the tank, but tankery is not merely a game to many of those at Black Forest. The loss was quite hard on us, and to some degree, I did blame you for causing such a problem and leaving without doing anything to solve it. You'd almost earned my respect by the time of the incident, and might just have had it if you had stayed, improved and helped us win."
"I know how you feel, Erika-san," Miho said. "But it's because so many felt that way that I decided to leave, even if it meant parting ways with my sister and my friends, some of whom disagreed with the majority. In any case, I'd prefer that I was held responsible, instead of those I had saved."
"You may be surprised to hear this, Miho," Erika said, "but when Koume announced her decision to stay on the team, and dedicate herself to making up for her mistake, I actually had a fair amount of respect for that kind of resolve- and for doing what I believe you should have done. That's why she's one of the team I respect the most, and is my vice-captain."
"I'm glad to hear that," Miho said. "I didn't want her and the others to blame themselves, or anyone else to blame them."
"Well, it's more of a case of giving them a second chance," Erika said. "They made a critical mistake, but they're willing to rededicate themselves to that, so I respected their resolve, just like how I was disappointed in yours."
"Coach Kubo once said the same thing," Miho said. "I understood what she was saying, but back then, my mind was made up. No one- not you, not she, not Koume-san, not Mother and not even my sister- could have changed it."
Erika nodded.
"That much was clear when you returned to school to turn in your resignation," Erika said. "And yes, I had some idea of what was going on, 'behind the scenes,' if you will. Assistant Instructor Nishizumi did not tell me, and that was the first time I had seen you since the finals, but in spite of that, I knew enough to figure out the rest."
"That was entirely my decision for the sake of Miho's privacy, Erika," Maho said. "Mother did not ask me to do so, but did allow it, wanting to minimize how much exposure this incident received."
"That's very much like Instructor Nishizumi," Erika said approvingly. "Even with her family involved, she always thinks of her school first."
Miho considered how to respond to that, but decided not to argue, since the only arguments she had were ones that Erika would not respect. In spite of that, there was one thing she still wanted to know, one question she believed Erika had not satisfactorily answered.
"But before we move on, I have one question, Erika-san," Miho said. "The lives of the girls in those tank were in danger, but a significant portion of Black Forest, you included, opposed my decision. Please, help me understand- what could be so important that their lives were a secondary priority to you and the others? What reason would you have for abandoning them to continue to fight?"
Erika paused, taken off guard.
"I don't know how to put it in a way that you'll understand," Erika said, "but if I had to say it, I would say that the needs of the many outweigh those of the few, that a collective goal outweighs individual desires, and that your duty to your organization outweighs any obligations you have to your friends."
"What goal is so important?" Miho said.
"I would call it 'school pride,' so to speak- upholding the good name of Black Forest and the Nishizumi school so that those who are part of them can be proud to be part of it," Erika said, "not unlike how people are motivated to serve their country out of patriotism. You do remember what I asked you, Atago Kinue and the commander and vice-captain from Rinkai, right?"
"Yes," Miho said. "For a time, I was proud to be part of Black Forest, and I am proud to be part of Oarai. But upholding my school's pride- that of Oarai, Black Forest or anywhere else- does not compare with the safety of those I fight alongside. So how much does it mean to you compared to your life, Erika-san?"
Erika let off a sigh that soon turned into a bitter chuckle. She left her mic open in the process, enabling Miho and Maho to hear it.
"You've really got me in a tough spot, don't you, Miho?" Erika said. "There are three possible responses- admitting that victory does not matter most, looking like a cowardly hypocrite, or coming off as obsessed with my principles to the point of being practically suicidal. None of them are very desirable."
"That's because it's a difficult position to defend, Erika," Maho said. "Even Mother, as blunt and ruthless as she is, wouldn't be able to say outright that she'd have let those girls drown. Perhaps she'd rationalize it by saying that they'd be taken care of anyway, but it would be more difficult to justify it."
"You have a point, Assistant Instructor," Erika said. "The most I could say in response to Miho's question is that I would be ashamed if my mistake or misfortune hindered the team. But I will also say that not everyone can do things the Nishizumi way. I see no reason for us to justify our ways of doing things with those who have incompatible mindsets, nor any reason for us to accommodate such people in our team."
"Like me?" Miho said.
"Like almost everyone from your school," Erika replied. "That's part of the reason why I assumed that you wouldn't make it far in the tournament. Of all the opponents in that half of the brackets, I only concerned myself with Saunders and St. Gloriana."
"Both of which Miho and her school eventually defeated," Maho said. Having spent so much time hearing her mother talk about her school, Maho had a certain appreciation for the value of concrete facts in a debate. The fact that Oarai had won in such cases was one even Erika could not deny.
"Maybe so," Erika said. "But for the moment, I had to focus on getting through the first three rounds, even if I was confident in my ability to do so. And it did serve its purpose, as well."
"What do you mean?" Miho said.
"Shortly after I had lost the position to you, I believed that if the commander, Teru and the coach let me take your position for just one round, I'd show them how much better I was," Erika said. "Chihatan, our first opponent last year, was good for that purpose. They weren't a complete and utter joke, but they were at a disadvantage against us."
Last year
Black Forest surveyed the battlefield after Chihatan's defeat. All but one of Chihatan's tanks had been disabled, but only one of Black Forest's had been.
It had been Erika's first match as vice-captain, and she found that her responsibilities came easily to her. She had been preparing for the position since middle school, and felt prepared enough for it to confidently state that she was qualified when Maho interviewed her. Along with Maho, Teru and the other commanders, she had ben preparing or the match since the tournament drawing.
The battle had gone according to plan from the beginning until the end. Black Forest's superior tanks and more skilled tankers had easily crushed Chihatan as they had anticipated. Chihatan's desperate measures had been well within Maho's predictions, and with Erika's help, they had quickly eliminated the flag tank as it had tried to flee. There were many schools out there that sought to take down Black Forest, but Chihatan did not belong to the highly exclusive group that could actually prove a threat.
Erika smiled. Chihatan was hardly the strongest opponent out there, but winning against them was a step toward restoring Black Forest's credibility. It was proof of how they performed without unpleasant surprises. Erika believed that with her help, this winning streak would continue, and Black Forest would be the champions once again.
Present day
"Essentially, we won easily in the first round, as a result of having a good opponent" Erika said. "Of course, so did Oarai, to a lesser extent."
"That's because BC Freedom defeated us in the first round," Miho said, "which was a wake-up call that gave us motivation to improve. At times, I wondered if the same happened with Black Forest, but it seems that many of the flaws that were there are not so easily removed."
"Maybe you would consider them flaws, Miho," Erika said. "To the Nishizumis, they were proof that we were following their teachings, and our victories were doing well by their standards."
Miho simply nodded, realizing that the Nishizumi style could not be so easily discredited when people won with it. She was once again reminded of why her mother and the other Nishizumis tried so hard to win.
"Our second match last year was not worth discussing," Erika said. "Virtually everyone, inside the team and out, expected us to win, and we did. People started to see the result of the last tournament as due to an unfortunate incident, rather than proof of our weakness or complacency. Essentially, we were returning to the status quo, and I was glad for it."
Erika's tone was level and dispassionate, as if she were talking about it snowing outside after seeing a forecast predicting a blizzard. Miho subconsciously shook her head; in each of her school's matches, there was some sort of problem to overcome, and the few times and the few cases in which they had the advantage, it was not absolute.
"Then came the match with Pravda," Erika said. "You saw that one, didn't you?"
"I saw it all on TV," Miho said. "Since the winner would become our opponent in the finals, many people in the team took an interest in how the match went and who triumphed."
Pleased that she did not have to go over what had happened in the match, Erika moved on to explaining its significance.
"To me, the match was close, but I believed that by protecting the flag tank, I succeeded where you failed, against the very opponent that had defeated us before."
"Mother had a similar interpretation," Maho said. "She was planning on disowning Miho if she lost to Saunders."
Erika did not speak for several seconds, as she processed what she was hearing. She had always thought of Miho as someone who, while at Oarai, did as she pleased. As a result of learning what the stakes were, though, Erika was starting to reconsider this idea.
"This, on top of your fighting so your school could remain open?" Erika said, incredulous. "Perhaps you were fighting for higher stakes than ours, after all, Miho. Perhaps you did put more on the line for your ideals than we did when you saved the Tas while fighting Saunders."
"That may be the case," Miho said. "But even with what was at stake for me, I am not the sort to sacrifice others for my own well being, nor do I expect them to give up their personal goals so I can achieve my own. Not only is seeing people as expendable tools far too callous for me, it's also arrogant."
Erika's lip twitched, and she wondered if Miho was trying to guilt trip her. But then she realized what Maho had once told her. Miho had no desire to proselytize to others, but was willing to explain her beliefs to others.
"But so far, you have achieved those goals of yours," Erika said in a matter-of-fact tone. "That you did so does say something about your skill, but I wonder what will happen when you're no longer able to do so easily. What will you sacrifice- your principles or your hopes of victory?"
"Perhaps I'll do something not unlike what I did two years ago," Miho said. "In that case, I'll make the choice that I believe is best suited to both goals."
Erika paused, hoping to see Miho tested in the future, and curious as to what she would do when it came.
"Going back to myself, the finals came, and the worst possible scenario happened," Erika said. "Our attempt at reclaiming our honor and proving to the world that Black Forest was still the best was thwarted by a no-name school, commanded by the girl who had left us behind."
Miho remained silent. Erika already understood what the victory meant to Oarai, and was now saying what it meant for Black Forest.
"I understand, Erika-san," Miho said. "But considering what was at stake and what we achieved by winning, I have no regrets about winning."
"I didn't think so," Erika said. "Your friends made their opinions on the Nishizumi school clear when I met them in the cafe, much like you did when you chose to save the tank. There really isn't any chance of convincing any of you to accept the Nishizumi style."
"No, there isn't," Miho said. "But I'm interested in hearing where you stand now, now that Black Forest has been defeated two years in a row."
"I was promoted to Commander, for a few reasons," Erika said. "Part of it was because I was the only holdover from the command team. Part of it was because of my background in the Nishizumi school. And part of it is because the coach respected my determination to improve after the defeat, precisely what Black Forest needs to re-establish itself as the champion."
"So how successful have you been, Erika-san?" Miho said. "How have things been going so far this year?'
"Not as well as I'd hoped at this stage," Erika said. "We won the first two matches, but not as well as we usually do."
Miho was a bit surprised to hear that. The first round was fairly easy for her, but because of her absence, the team had wondered if they could make it through the quarterfinals. And Rinkai was a difficult battle- was Erika also taking winning the semifinals for granted?
But Maho, understanding Erika's perspective, simply nodded and confirmed what she had said.
"Ah, yes," Maho said. "I saw the first match. I also heard about the match with Chihatan in the second round, even if I didn't get around to watching it myself. My school's second match was on that day, not long after I got back from seeing Father."
"I'm somewhat glad that you and Instructor Nishizumi did not see this match, Assistant Instructor," Erika said, "since it was not one of my proudest moments."
Earlier this year
At the end of Black Forest's second match with Chihatan, Erika surveyed the battlefield.
Chihatan had lost seven of its ten tanks, including the flag tank. But Black Forest had lost four tanks, and one of the surviving Chihatan tanks almost succeeded in shooting the flag tank. It was hardly an outcome that Erika would consider ideal, and significantly less smooth than her previous match with Chihatan.
But even if Erika doubted herself, she could not afford to let it show. She realized what Maho's attack of indecisiveness had cost her in the battle with Pravda, and saw how Miho's failure to uphold the Nishizumi style had led to their defeat two years ago.
After the match, the two sides came together and exchanged bows.
"Thank you for the game," Komaki said, extending her hand for a handshake.
"Likewise," Erika said, taking and shaking it before they parted ways.
The Chihatan team came together. This was Komaki's final year of high school, and she had lost to the same opponent again, so she stood before the team with a weary and remorseful expression..
"I'm sorry, everyone," Komaki said, bowing to her teammates in apology.
"Hardly anyone was expecting us to win, Princess," Takimi Haru said. "Aunt Yoshiko told me that her friend from the JGSDF, Instructor Chouno, said the Nishizumis train almost unbelievably hard."
"So do we," Iwato Akise, Kasumi's younger sister and Komaki's cousin, said. "I'd like to think that counts for something."
"Still, we did what we could," Karijuku Tomoe, a second-year with red hair in a ponytail and glasses, said. "We may not hold ourselves to the same standards as the Nishizumis, but we held out as long as we could against them."
"You're right," Komaki said. "We do have some exhibition matches left this year, so I, as always, will do my best to lead you all.
As Erika walked off, she gave them a backward glance, overhearing snippets of her conversation, but shook her head. She saw their mindset as a loser's perspective, and was determined not to share it. She stood above others, and would not settle for mediocrity, but would make her school the champions once again, no matter who stood in her way.
Present day
"So that's where I stand now," Erika said. "I hope to succeed where my predecessor failed, but to do that, I must first defeat those who have won against us in the recent past"
"I see," Miho said. "While I have given my all in the tournament so far, I don't see my participating as a matter of defeating those who are pitted against me, but securing victory for my school. I also don't dismiss other ideologies as wrong, per se, but often find I can learn something from them."
"Including the Nishizumi school?" Erika said. She found Miho's answer quite like her, but wanted to know if she also drew influences from the school that could be described as antithetical to her style.
"Yes," Miho said. "By not being a style I could follow, it challenged me to find my own way. And all my practice when I was younger gave me the skills necessary to win and lead my own team."
Erika silently nodded. She had suspected this much, but now decided to move on to telling Miho about why she wanted to talk to her.
"There were a few reasons I wanted to tell you this, Miho," Erika said. "The first was why I was hostile for you, as well as why I was ultimately wrong. The second was to show the difference between us and to see how well we could understand each other."
"I think I understand you somewhat better now, Erika-san," Miho said, "and why you want to succeed so badly, apart from it being for the sake of the Nishizumi school."
"I have every reason to want to win the tournament this year," Erika said. "To succeed against you where my former commander failed. To restore the reputation of Black Forest and the Nishizumi school. Because it's my duty as commander. And, well, because it's something I want to accomplish for myself, for the sake of proving myself, both in comparison to you and in comparison to all my peers."
Miho sighed, wondering if Erika still refused to acknowledge her rivals as worthy opponents, or their reasons for fighting as good ones.
"I've met all sorts of people with different reasons for winning among my allies and rivals," Miho said. "One girl wanted to stay with her new friends at Oarai, while her old friends wanted to see her again. Another wanted to reconcile with her mother, who hated tankery. Yet another wanted to reunite her family. All those, and many others, are good reasons for winning, and for those reasons, those girls are more than willing to stand against you and the former champions."
Erika paused for a moment
"Maybe," Erika said. "But then I'll have to prove that Black Forest truly is the strongest school, and it's made that way by all the leaders and subordinates it has had over the years, with reasons like mine. Our strength is the result of our efforts and cannot so easily be overcome"
"Perhaps," Maho said. "But remember, Erika, that there is no such thing as an invincible team or a foolproof strategy."
"I'll keep that in mind, Assistant Instructor," Erika said. That advice was difficult for her to accept, but when it came from one of the people she respected most, it was easier for her to understand.
A pause ensued, as Erika checked the time.
"I have to go," Erika said. "I have preparations for the semifinals, but it has been informative talking with you. See you around Miho, Assistant Instructor."
"Until next time, Erika," Maho said.
"Goodbye, Erika-san," Miho said.
As Erika logged off, Maho and Miho remained in the call.
"So, Onee-chan, do you think Erika-san will be OK in the semifinals?" Miho said.
"It's hard to say," Maho said. "She has changed a fair bit over the past two years, but... so have all of our other rivals."
"And now she's facing Kinue-san in the semifinals," Miho said. "I honestly don't know who to root for, since I have friends on both sides."
"I know how you feel, Miho," Maho said. "On the one hand, Kinue is my friend, and I feel I know her better than most of my subordinates. On the other, Black Forest is my alma mater. I felt a sense of duty to the school, a sense of loyalty to it not unlike what Erika felt, and I wanted it to succeed while I was commander."
"So your duties come into play, Onee-chan?" Miho said.
"Somewhat," Maho said. "I'm not entiely sure I would have chosen Black Forest if Mother had not expected me to do so. But it's my school all the same, and once was yours, so it's natural to feel a certain emotional attachment to it."
"Just like the way the Atago sisters feel about Pravda," Miho said. "But in their case, they didn't go anywhere else for high school, so it's their school, their mother's school, and the school where all their friends went, so they'll essentially root for it in virtually all cases."
Maho nodded, finding what Miho had said to be quite familiar to her.
"It's certainly simpler for someone like Hiroe," Maho said. "She told me very plainly that she would be rooting for her sister and her alma mater, and seemed disappointed when I couldn't respond with the same conviction. But she was happy that I was hoping for you to succeed, since she could understand that desire very well."
"You know, that may be the problem, Onee-chan," Miho said. "Some of the Nishizumis do imagine that they're in many ways superior to other tankers. Maybe they are on some levels, but that mindset keeps them from realizing how much they have in common with their rivals. And as long as they're convinced of their own superiority, they will never question their own ideals or consider those of others, and will never change."
"That's true," Maho said. "And when they encounter an opponent who can win against them, it's the best way to disabuse them of that notion. Perhaps defeat may be a good lesson for them... and for you."
Miho nodded.
Maho and Miho talked for a few more minutes about daily life and tankery, and as they logged off, their thoughts were on their school. They had attended becuase they had been expected to do so, but it was a place they had once attended, so they had a certain amount of sympathy for those who did tankery there, even if they had motivations of their own. In the same light, even if their association with Erika had only come through the team, they could not help but hope that she would succeed on one level, if not necessarily by winning.
Author's Notes
This is the last Interlude. I have created a poll asking you which Interlude is your favorite (note: not which character is)
Character Analysis: Erika Itsumi
Erika's one of the more difficult characters to portray well, so she requires more explanation.
While Erika is one of the least pleasant characters in the main series, who typically insults or acts dismissively toward others in almost every scene except her last one, one has to wonder whether there's a reason behind her actions or more humanizing elements to her. Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu paints her in a more comedic light, but also shows some more sympathetic elements to her, such as her newfound respect for Miho, which might be an interesting look at her post-series. As for the pre-series, one can imagine that she was on the cusp of developing a grudging respect for Miho as vice-captain, before the incident in the finals. She has come to understand Miho's reasons for her decision, but still follows the Nishizumi style holds victory above all else.
There's an interesting difference between Erika between the manga and the anime. In the anime, Erika enjoys smugly needling Miho whenever their paths cross, without being at all sad or overly happy that Miho is gone. In the manga, however, Erika accuses Miho of betraying Black Forest by transferring out during a difficult period. Necessary to Win's Erika hews slightly closer to the anime version; Erika thinks that Miho abandoned her duty toward Black Forest, but also that they're better off without her. Perhaps Erika might have forgiven Miho had she remained at Black Forest, but as Miho is now, Erika has come to accept her decision, and acknowledge her as an opponent.
Erika's relationship with Maho has changed slightly in the last year. Erika knows there is more to Maho than the facade she adopts as commander, but realizes that she has only ever been able to get a glimpse at it when Maho inadvertently lets her, a bit like the difference between glancing into Maho's house through an open window, and being invited over.
While Erika has grudgingly come to accept Oarai as a worthy adversary, the same cannot be said for all of her opponents. For example, Erika would be mortified if she lost to Chihatan, which her school defeated almost effortlessly in her second year, and lost to Black Forest's semifinals opponent in her first year. To a lesser extent, this includes Pravda. While Erika concedes that she has lost to them in the past, the victory over them in Necessary to Win proves, in Erika's mind, that Black Forest is superior.
Of course, some opponents do offer a threat to Erika. The first is the aforementioned Miho. The second is Satoha; while Erika views her as an outsider, she also admits that Satoha has enough accomplishments to her name to warrant caution. The third is Kinue; Erika not only dislikes her family's style of tankery, but also her reasons for getting involved. Erika recognizes that Kinue might be able to win, but the possibility of Kinue doing so angers her, since Erika still regards Kinue as inferior.
Erika has changed somewhat since last year, but remains a somewhat proud and hot-tempered individual. She has also improved, but so have her opponents. The question thus remains- can Erika keep pace with her opponents? Can Black Forest remain dominant over tankery? This question may not get a definitive answer this year, but this match, as well as the next, should Black Forest win, will go a long way in showing the answer.