Saariselkä forests, Upper Lapland

"A bit more to the right, always mind the wind." The dead tree was over a kilometer away, it was relatively small and hard to hit. There was nobody else there, just father and daughter and the few animals roaming around, curiously peeking from a distance. However, Jouko had been practicing with her father's rifle for the past 6 months after she had turned 7. She had always admired Simo Häyhä, the great Finnish sniper of the Winter War, how despite his use of iron sights was able to rack up so great a kill count. It turned out he was a good friend of her grandfather and by extension her family as well, and had trained her father in the ways of shooting, and now it was her turn to continue the tradition. She had also expressed interest in going to Japan, to try out this martial art called "Sensha-do", a sport involving girls fighting using old tanks from the Second World War, to see if she could emulate her hero with tanks. She would also get to meet new friends, she already had several good friends, but it wouldn't hurt to get some more. "Focus, Jouko, this is your longest shot yet." Snapping back to reality, she took careful aim for a few seconds, moved her rifle a degree to the left, and fired, a loud crack echoing through the thousands of trees surrounding them.

Seconds that felt like eons passed by as the shot traversed the distance, but peering through the scope, Jouko watched as the small twig in the distance snapped in half, a subtle "tick" coming seconds later: the sound of the poor thing breaking in two. Pats on the back came from her father, proud of this feat. In the previous few months, Jouko had shown improvement in shooting targets from longer ranges; now, she had hit the kilometer-long shot at last. But, there was still one challenge her father had for her, one she knew well was coming up right now. "You've finally hit the distance! But now, let's see if we can do it using the good old iron sights." Pulling another rifle from the bag, this was the same class of rifle, albeit without a scope, the aim now simply iron sights, like what Simo performed with when out shooting Soviets. "My grandfather's friend Simo always used iron sights, he feared a scope would expose his location; even with that, 500 enemies fell from his bullets. It's important to get used to this, should you find yourself in a similar situation." Jouko took one long look at the rifle. No scope, just the iron sights, 100 times harder to hit the target, at least to her. But, Jouko was prepared. She had worked with iron sights before, although not at this distance, but she was going to give it her best shot.

The two trudged through the thick snow, leaving prints of contrasting sizes behind them. Spotting another dead tree around the same distance off, Jouko tugged on her father's hand, and indicated its position. Both assumed sniping positions as Jouko's father pulled out his old pair of binoculars, watching closely for the tree to snap. Holding her breath and memorizing her previous pose, as well as making calculations in her head about the wind, trajectory, and speed of the bullet, she angled her rifle ever so slightly downwards, and, after waiting for the wind to die down, gently pulled the trigger. The bullet whizzed through the air, and landed mere inches left from the target. Instinctively, Jouko swiftly reloaded and after taking careful aim, this time more to the right, she fired second time. With baited breath she waited for several seconds again, she wanted to hit this shot, it was what she had been working towards for the past half year of her life. Silently praying for her shot to land on target, it took several seconds for the round to make the distance. After what felt like a century, the small tree fell over, eliciting a jump of joy from Jouko. It more than pleased her father. "By Mannerheim, excellent shooting, dear, you are a fast learner!" She smiled, and after packing everything back into the bag, the two traveled back to eat a well-deserved dinner.

Jouko's family home

The family gathered for dinner, and after excitedly boasting of her achievement earlier that day, she brought up her interests of going to Japan to take up Sensha-do. "Simo, but with tanks, mama! Think of it!" Both parents considered this approach, and there was much deliberation behind Jouko's back after dinner, expressing their concerns, but also the potential in their daughter pursuing such a sport.

"We can't afford to lose her, she'll be in a completely different environment and... please, Aiko, let her stay with us, it will be unsafe for her to go alone."
"Maina, she wants it so much, I know you and I don't want to see her sad. Besides, it is a great way to help nurture her on becoming the perfect woman for her adult years."
"Aiko, I don't know. The thought of not being able to see her in person for so long... hurts me to no end. We can't visit her because of all the work we have to do here in Lapland."
"Well, Maina, I think we should honor her wish. Besides, she said she wants to become Simo, but with tanks. I feel that's a good way to honor our late friend."
"I suppose, but I just don't want to see her leave us for such a long time."
"Maina, she won't be gone forever, just be comforted by that. We'll see her again for sure."
And with that, mother and father reached a mutual agreement.

Both parents announced their decision to Jouko on a Monday breakfast, shortly before she was to go to school. "We've decided to let you go to Japan for high school. Sensha-do seems a very giving opportunity for you to grow to become a strong woman, and that's what this family is all about. For now, though, focus on your studies and feel free to roam the forests for training your skills. Your grades are good so far, which we are proud of." Jouko excitedly nodded, beaming and grinning from ear to ear. "And, I'm sure Simo will be very proud of you." This further increased her excitement. Only 6 more years, then she'd be heading off to Japan. Each day passed with growing excitement, she dreamed of doing Sensha-do once she had learned what it was, and reading more about it further fueled this eagerness.

Years passed, as Jouko continued to mature, improve, and expand on her shooting skills. She remained transfixed to her studies when not busy sniping, or hanging out with her friends. She knew her parents weren't really concerned about keeping those grades high, and they were content as long as she didn't fail, but Jouko wanted to make sure she didn't get anything below a B, being the perfectionist she was. Everything was going great in this regard, and each day she continued to progress on learning Japanese to prepare for her journey to Japan. Telling them of her plans, Jouko's fellow female friends were excited upon hearing of her move: among the most prominent were Löfström, a very strong, tough girl who was known for putting dents in the thickest and healthiest of trees, thick bricks, or the toughest of metals, and emerging without a scratch on her knuckles, Frisell, an eloquent communicator who was also very skilled in conversation, and finally Hannes, who knew her way in navigation and exploration, as well as hoping to be a taxi driver once she grew up. These three had collectively decided to join Jouko in her journey to Japan, something Jouko was very grateful for.

Saariselkä forests

Bearing her trusted iron sights rifle, Jouko was taking a peaceful trek across Saariselkä, looking for more dead trees to practice on. Before this shooting session, however, she had been given a thick helmet by her father, for some reason. She had just graduated 8th grade with flying colors: she had been tied for valedictorian with another bright student, but voluntarily allowed that student to be valedictorian, being the humble girl she was. As she made her way to a mountainous area, she was listening to some pieces by Sibelius when she felt something whizz by. Instinctively, she packed her phone and earbuds into her pouch, and ran to find suitable cover as more objects shot through the air, some coming inches from her head. So that's the fuss about the helmet. Searching for a plate in her sack, she lifted it above her head, and a few seconds later, felt impact. It did not shatter the plate, but merely cracked it. Quickly taking out her compass, she began assessing her situation. It's very far away then, and it feels it came from the west, she thought. Taking her rifle, she loaded a dummy bullet. Taking aim in the general direction of where she felt the shot come from, she saw very subtle movement in the far distance. Aiming accordingly, she fired a single shot. A few seconds passed before she caught sight of the object shooting upwards, waving his hand. Standing up to move, she was met with another bullet. It whizzed by her, but feeling its direction, she aimed more to the right, and seeing more movement, fired. The figure sprung up as well, waving his hand in similar fashion to the previous one. Too easy.

The family sauna, Saariselkä

"Ai ai ai, it looks like we've got the next Simo Häyhä sitting right in front of us!" Aarne belted out hearty laughter as his friend Antero handed Jouko a hot cup of coffee. The sauna was a source of great relaxation and relief after many hours in the cold, snowy winter. Aarne and Antero were two of Jouko's best friends, they were experienced snipers who also practiced using dead trees in their free time, though not as good as Jouko, of course. Aarne continued: "Say, you're going to Japan soon, to practice that 'Senshi, Sendash, whatever' stuff, what do you expect from it?" After a short giggle, Jouko corrected him: "'Sensha-do', and I don't know, but from my research it looks like the big high schools there are based off of real-life countries. Saunders is based off of America, Chihatan off of Japan, Kuromorimine off of Germany, there's even a Finnish-style school called 'Jatkosota', or Continuation. I think I'll be joining that, obviously." Antero, the quiet type, spoke up: "I've heard stories that Continuation always steals tanks from other schools, and they call it 'borrowing'. Pretty similar to what we did in the Winter War, right?" As the conversation dragged on, the three friends left the sauna and went to Jouko's home for more delicious dinner.

"Are you sure it's for girls only? Handling tanks is usually a male business or whatever."
"Well, from what I've gathered, Antero, it is, indeed a female sport and considered girly there, like how dolls are considered girly."
"Well that sucks, was hoping to teach some kids there how to drive tanks, but, I guess what goes goes, though that doesn't really make sense to me."
"Ai, don't worry about it, Aarne. Just focus on sniping, Antero, you as well, it seems that's you two's calling here. I'll be fine in Japan, don't express any worries." Aarne belted another hearty laugh. "What worries? For a girl of your caliber you'll be more than fine! Get it, caliber?" The others shared a groan as Aarne chuckled.

Ainola, near Helsinki

Two months passed, and Jouko was ready to fly to Japan to start high school at Continuation High School, but there was something she needed to do, or rather go somewhere to first. Being a lifelong listener and admirer of Sibelius, as well as a decent violinist who could play some pieces of Sibelius and even the Sibelius concerto, she traveled to visit the great composer's home of Ainola, not too far from the Finnish capital of Helsinki, shortly before her flight. Walking through the peaceful, quiet landscape was a source of great relaxation to Jouko, admiring the great Lake Tuusula that was a short walk away from the house. Inside, she gazed at that infamous fireplace where Sibelius was purported to have burned his Eighth Symphony, deeming it imperfect to his standards. She gazed at that piano where so many ideas must have sprung up from its keys, that sauna the Sibelius family regularly used, all of those places. Finally stopping at the grave of the great Finnish icon, it was a simple large slab with Sibelius' name engraved in massive letters, whilst to the corner was the name of his wife Aino. She laid a flower on the grave, paying respects to her hero of music. Spending a few moments more at the residence, Jouko continued to reminisce and imagine what life was like in that house. Throughout the visit, Finlandia was playing in her mind, that piece that so perfectly encapsulated the Finnish spirit, written in a time of oppression and censorship.

Helsinki International Airport
At the airport, Jouko and friends met to bid farewell to their friends and family shortly before they boarded the flight. Aarne and Antero wouldn't be joining them. Taking this final opportunity to talk in person, Antero spoke first: "We're gonna try to improve our sniping, and hopefully get Finland some coveted gold medals at the Olympics!" Aarne chimed in, "Better not disappoint the big man himself, he's watching us from above, you know," followed by a chuckle from everyone. Jouko's parents were there as well to greet her goodbye. Her rifle, clothes, gadgets, and other necessities had already been shipped off for Kanazawa City, and she expected them to arrive within 5 months. "I'll keep in contact with you all as much as I can. I'll focus on my studies, and I'll try to make some new friends. I hope we can meet again in person soon." The family and friends tightly embraced one another, and watched as Jouko joined Löfström, Frisell, and Hannes lined up at the gate. Waving goodbye, the four boarded the plane bound for Tokyo.

Jouko spent the journey listening to pieces by Sibelius and Dvořák on her tape recorder and headphones, the latter's 9th Symphony bearing symbolic meaning as she was traveling to a place she had never been to or seen in person before. The flight itself was uneventful, save for a few spots of turbulence, but overall it was a smooth, peaceful flight to Japan, the four friends sharing center aisle seats and conversing about whatever topics came up in their mind or watching whatever movies were on the plane's screens that best suited their mindsets.

Japan

After landing in Tokyo and admiring the scenery and the city, and visiting and climbing Mount Fuji, a couple of days later the four boarded a domestic flight to Kanazawa City, the port where Continuation's school ship, which was essentially a full town on a massive carrier, was stationed. Two hours later, they arrived at the motel where they would be staying for the next 3 days as they waited for the school year to begin. Over the next 5 days, all tried their best to adjust to the new time zone as fast as possible, going sightseeing and meeting some of their future classmates. They also took to better studying Continuation's Sensha-do roster, to get an idea of what possible tanks they could be able to crew that fit their size and their qualities.

The time finally came for the school year to start. The fresh morning air greeted Jouko and her friends as they rode from their motel to the large ship awaiting them and hundreds of other students milling about at the harbor. There was a stark height difference between the Finns and the Japanese: Jouko had grown healthy and strong during childhood, and stood at a respected 5'10", while her friends ranged from about equal to 3 inches shorter than her. In contrast, many of the students were at most 5'4" or shorter on average, and the students murmured about these veritable giants standing in their midst.
"Look at those four over there, they're skyscrapers compared to us!"
"I've seen many tall people before, but I never felt what it was like having some as classmates!"
"I wish I was as tall as them..."
Turns out they weren't lying when they said people from Asia were usually shorter than people from Europe or America. The four's thoughts were interrupted by an announcement that boomed from the carrier.
"The carrier doors have been opened. Please make your way towards the school assembly hall. Please follow those who are holding signs to guide you to the assembly room."
Jouko watched as the carrier opened its doors, allowing the students to begin flooding in. She could see the signs that would serve as her guide to the assembly hall.

Taking several deep breaths, taking in what was about to happen, she walked up the gangplank into destiny, her three friends following close behind her.