Chapter Four: The People You Love and the People You Hate

Disclaimer: People who are suffering from mental illness are not inherently more violent, nor are they precondoned to any sort of behavior. Like all people, they are products of the ways people treat them, and are deserving of the love and kindness any other person should get. They need help and support, not condonement or shunning.

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It was the evening of New Year and the temperature rose. The thin icicles that hung on buildings began to drip, staining the melting snow below. Jizo wore a thick brown coat. An old run-down article of clothing that she took from the school when they were giving out winter supplies. She had it zipped all the way up, covering her mouth, so that only her blue eyes showed. Over her head, she covered herself with a hat, which dropped down to her ears at the side. She had done her golden hair as much as she could, but as she walked through the wind, it came undone. Strands of her golden hair blew along the wind.

As she walked, she approached the place they agreed to meet, a small bench near the school. She was exactly on time. Down to the minute. Yet, when she got there, only Lea sat on the bench. Walking up to her, and sitting at her side, Jizo looked over to the older girl. She wore a red-violet puffer jacket buttoned up to her chest. From there, a violet scarf was wrapped around her neck and fell lightly to her side at the end. With nothing to cover her head, Jizo saw how red her ears became, and how her long hair got everywhere. When she tried to start a conversation, Jizo noticed how her eyes were closed. She was probably sleeping. So, she just sat quietly, waiting for something to happen.

"Is that you, first year?" However, from her side, Lea spoke up. Yawning and stretching her arms and legs, the weary girl shook herself awake. "Sorry. I just got tired while waiting." She sniffled, "-and I'm feeling a little light-headed."

"Am I late?"

"No. I just came early."

"I see."

"By the way," She yawned again, "Did you see any of the others on the way here?"

"No."

Lea scoffed, "Those girls are always making me wait on them. Dina' always gets lost, Evonne fights to never leave the house like a lion, and Halfrid will spend three hours fixing up her look. I'm always first. Well, either me or Cahya."

"Is that so?"

"It is." She said smugly. "You're tilting your head. Don't believe me?"

"I just thought that you wouldn't be able to wake up on time."

"Hmm? What gave you that kinda impression?"

"It just seems like you show symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis."

"Of what now?"

"It's a condition wherein someone exhibits being excessively tired. Among other things."

"What makes you think I'm always tired?"

"You're tired right now."

"Yeah. Because I had to stay up late last night. I hadn't finished any of my winter homework yet, and I wanted to spend all day here, so I pulled an all-nighter. Didn't get a wink of sleep."

"Well. You are also always tired when we practice in Tankery."

"Oh', yeah. About that. You see. Tankery is just kinda… Boring. So I get a little tired when we do it."

"Boring?"

"Yeah. Pretty much. Sure, it's fun to be in a firefight and to win matches. But, I've done it since I was young, and it's gotten pretty stale now." Lea put her hand on her cheek.

"If that's the case, then why don't you just quit? If something isn't fun, and you aren't getting anything out of it, then you should stop doing it." At least, that's what she read.

"Hmph," She laughed, and pointed over Jizo's shoulder, "Don't worry about it. You can ask me another time. For now, look who's finally decided to show."

Looking behind her, Jizo saw both Dina' and Halfrid walking together. Dina' wore a thick jacket that went down to her knees, with the hoodie hung over her head. It was quite simple compared to what the girl beside her wore. Halfrid wore a pure white coat with a turtleneck. Over a shoulder was an equally white silk scarf. Brown shining boots that went up to her knees, and a purse hanging from her hip. Jizo imagined it must've cost a lot.

Dina' waved at her, and Jizo waved back.

"Hey, Unteroffizier!"

"Hello."

"Glad you could make it. This is partially a celebration for you too."

"For what?"

"For joining the team, of course!"

"Mo~re importantly," Haflrid said, "Was it that you're wearing?"

"My jacket?"

"Jacket? If that's what you call it. It looks like you're going to storm the trenches rather than go to a firework festival. And I thought Evonne had poor taste."

"Come on." Lea pursed, "Leave her alone. Not everyone can handle your fixation with clothing."

"You don't get to say anything," Halfrid stomped up to Lea, looking angry, and grabbed at her ear."

"Hey… Hey! That hurts, stop."

"Oh? You can still feel it from all this cold? Why aren't you wearing something to cover your ears? They've gone completely red."

"It's fine. I like the feeling of the cold in my hair."

"That's Quatsch. You're going to get sick."

"Leave me alone Mom."

"Do~n't try to brush me off!"

"Ladies. Ladies." Dina' held her hands up to Halfrid, "Let's just drop it."

"No. Dina', take my side! Tell her. Maybe she'll listen to you."

"Fine. Lea, you need to wear something to cover your head."

"Don't care," Lea affirmed.

Dina' shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I did all I could do."

Halfrid shook her head in frustration. "You aren't wearing a hat. Jizo looks like she's homeless. Dina', you look like yourself, which is already bad enough. After Evonne shows up we can do some shopping at the festival. I'm sure the Allgemeine Warenhandelsgesellschaft A.G. will have some sales going on for the event.."

"Ha!" Dina' laughed, "I'm surprised you remembered its whole name."

"Uugh," Halfrid groaned uncharacteristically, "Don't remind me. Evonne, that empty-headed woman. She made me learn the whole thing. It took forever."

"Wer redet hier Scheiße?" From behind, someone wrapped an arm around Halfrid and pulled her in. Evonne, just now arriving, wore a gray overcoat that went down to her ankles. On her head, was a gray fur hat.

"What? I said what I said. Didn't I? Also, I'm pretty sure you promised not to wear that ugly thing."

"Das Ist-"

"Hey now. Speak a language we can all understand. Poor Jizo is looking like a fish out of water."

A fish out of water? What did that mean?

"Ah'" Evonne coughed a little. "... -hi."

"Hello," Jizo said.

"Well, now that everyone is here, let's go~."

The five of them left together, walking closely through the blocks of the Graf Zeppelin. Its streets were packed today, all with people who were also planning on attending. When they reached the region where the festival was to be held, the Neujahr Park, they were greeted first with a booth at the entrance checking for tickets, then after that, a long line of stalls and games to play. There were lanterns and lights strung about from building to building, with balloons, signs, and other decorations littered about. It was nearly as large as the celebration of the Nationals. She could see a man and his daughter walking out of a toy shop. Some kids were running around in the snow, making a snowman. There was a band of performers playing a song. It all seemed very joyous.

"I bet you," Halfrid put a hand to her lip, "That if we were uniform, we would be getting swarmed with people asking to take our autograph."

"As if," Lea replied, "No one even knows our names. The only actual popular person on the team is the Kommandant."

"What are we going to do first?" Dina' asked, "Cause', my little sister asked me to stop by some shop. Apparently, there's this really popular kids show, named Boko, and they are having a special festive sale. She wants me to buy her a plushie."

"Boko hmm?" Halfrid teased, "Are you sure it's not you who's into that?"

"Nuh-uh! That's a kid's show! And I'm an adult."

"Su~re. Well, you can go do that. I refuse to be seen around something so childish. Why don't I take the others to Victor Boss- that's a nice clothes store, nothing you would know about- and find them something nice?

"Firstly!" Dina' yelped, "I do have bad taste in clothing. And I'm proud of it. Secondly, I'm not gonna go alone! Lea, come with me."

"Anything beats going shopping with Halfrid."

"You-!"

They teased each other for a bit longer before they went their separate ways. Inside the major mall was a large clothing chain imported all the way from Germany. Victor Boss AG was a palace of fine shopping. They made a deal with Kuromorimine High and the higher-ups who run the Graf Zeppelin to have their store be one of the first of its kind to be on a school ship. As a result… Its products were as expensive as could be. Just stepping it, Jizo felt like a… fish out of water. Confused? Like she didn't belong? Maybe those would apply. Compared to the sleek, gleaming clothing, her damp-looking coat was definitely different. She would've never imagined coming here on her own.

"I don't think I can afford any of these."

"Don't even wo~rry about it. I'll pay for anything. Is there something specific you might be wanting?"

"Not really."

"Then let's go to the jacket section. Evonne, come too, so we can get you a different overcoat."

Still dragging her along, they eventually came into a large aisle. From left to right, top to bottom, there was every different possible style of winter-wear Jizo could imagine. Different colors and designs. Different logos and brands. Just glancing at the price tags, which were breaking on five digits, she wondered just how wealthy someone would need to be to buy from this place.

"Now let me see…" Halfrid looked Jizo up and down, "I think I know what would go well for you. Just look around for now and see if there is something you like, The same goes for you, Evonne. I'll be right back.

Before Jizo could say anything, Halfrid had already scurried off into some other section, leaving her alone to look aimlessly. Reaching out to an article, she saw a price tag of over five digits reared its end, and she put it right back.

"-look," Evonne called out to her.

Jizo saw her pointing at a sign that hung from the ceiling. From the whiteboards, the phrase 'BOSS' was written in large black letters.

"Pretty sign."

Evonne sighed, "Es ist… Nein. -it is… humorous."

"How is it funny?"

"... SS."

"What?"

Evonne groaned in disappointment. "Sie neigen Ihren Kopf, wenn Sie verwirrt sind… SS… abbreviation. Schutzstaffel.

"What about it?"

"BOSS company get rich… they make… Schutzstaffel clothing…" Evonne looked down to the floor, her eyes were half-lidded, and Jizo thought she looked exhausted. "-they get wealthy. -they get enormous company after der Krieg. -now they have this identification. Es ist…"

Jizo thought she understood. "Ironic?"

Evonne shook her head, "... Disappointing."

"Ladies~, I'm back," Halfrid said, carrying a dozen or so items. "Alright, I got all these nice perfumes for you to take home. Some makeup and mascara. A lot of things. You know how to use them. Right?"

"Not really," Jizo said.

"Well, you are going to have to figure it out. They cost a small fortune. Also, look," She pulled out a beige coat, "This is the latest and most pricy thing they have here. It'll look great. And you, Evonne!"

"Ja?"

"Stop stalling, go find one while I help Jizo try this stuff on!"

"-fine."

Evonne made her way to a different aisle, leaving Jizo alone with Halfrid.

"Here, take that old thing off."

Jizo shook off the brown coat she had for a and put on the beige one. It felt soft and comfortable. It would've definitely kept her warm.

"I like it."

"I knew you would. It's made from rabbit fur."

"Rabbit fur? How did they get that?"

"They-" Halfrid stopped herself, "I mean… They sheared the rabbits that they keep in a nice little home."

"I see." Jizo's eyes glanced at the price tag. "It's pricey."

"As pricey as can be!"

"Why buy it for me?"

"It's a gift."

"What did I do to deserve a gift?"

Halfrid gave her an odd look, "I don't know. Christmas? New Years? To celebrate your first match? Do I need a reason? I got money. I got friends. I can give them gifts."

"We are friends?"

"No~," Halfrid said in a weird way, "I just buy designer clothing for people I hate."

"Really?"

"For the love of Gott- You know what. It's my fault. My sarcasm needs some more work, doesn't it? Look, my old man is loaded. So let me just buy this for you, okay? You shouldn't have to walk around in that thing you had before just 'cause you can't afford a better one."

"So you are buying it for me because I can't afford it myself. Like… Charity?"

"Can you-!" Halfrid's cheeks went red, and her face went sour, "No! It's not doing stupid charity. I'm never gonna donate to charity in my life! Just- think of it from a practical point of view, right? If you are walking around looking like that, you might get picked on. Also, that jacket you had before looks like it's about to fall apart. And it might get colder in the next few months. And- and… Accept the damn coat."

"… Okay. Thank you."

After that, Evonne finally came back with something Halfrid approved of. With the addition of a purple beanie, when they eventually went to check out, the total came to be worth more money than Jizo had ever seen.

As they walked out of the store, Hafrid commented, "They still aren't back yet? I told them to meet up here when they were done. Guess we'll just have to-"

"-wait." Evonne interrupted her.

"What's up?"

The gunner pointed to a small stall. It was a game where the player would have a plastic gun and try to hit some tiny targets to win a prize. Evonne pointed at it and tugged Halfird's hand.

"Evonne, what did we say about ruining things?"

"-it be fun."

"That poor vendor is just trying to make some money. You are going to empty his pockets."

"...-fun."

"Fi~ne. Gott, you can be so empty headed sometimes. Look, Jizo, I have to let this little cat out to play or else she'll get hissy. It'll only take a second. Why don't you go and, I don't know… Get us some snacks to eat before the show. Here-" She reached into her purse and pulled out what Jizo could only describe as a 'wad of cash', "Go buy whatever you want."

"Whatever I want? How about ice cream."

"Ice cream? That's an odd choice… But, I guess it's fine."

After they parted, Jizo went into a nearby sweet store. Inside that shop were white walls and empty tables. There was no one else inside, despite the commotion just out the door. The only person there was a worker at the counter. One of the ceiling lights was flickering slightly. On the floor was a white sign which had the image of a person slipping and falling. On that white wall were a few windows, one of which was in the far back being shattered from the outside in, leaving a bit of cool air to flow through, chilling the entire place.

Walking up to the register, Jizo ordered 5 cups of peach ice cream, which came out quickly. Their light-pink appearance made them look delicious, and she couldn't wait to share them. However before she could leave, a group of girls walked through the front door. They were all members of the Sensha-Do team. Four in total. Three of which were third years, and the fourth being a first year like her. She tried to walk past them, but one of the third years put a hand in front of her.

"Hey. Your Jizo, right? The new girl?"

"Yes."

The girls, all except the first year, laughed. "Well, I should be thanking you, then. During the practice match yesterday, we made a little bet on who would be taken out first. Actually, less of a bet or more of a 'threat'. If anyone got taken out by you, they would have to owe us some money. Really simple. We just thought that it would make the first year girls more serious, but hey, you had to go and pull that crazy stunt and actually take poor Oiwa here-" She pulled in the first year, Oiwa, into her- "out of the running. Now we are all out here eating and shopping on her dime. So thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Oiwa, stop being shy. You've already disgraced your position enough. Give her a shake and acknowledge her."

"S-sure," Oiwa said. Her voice was strained and her face was tense. Her lips quivered in that awkward smile she had on her face. She reached her hand out and Jizo took it. They shook. But when Jizo tried to retract her hand, she couldn't, Oiwa held it in a grip, getting tighter and tighter, applying more pressure. Her hand even became red.

However, after a moment she stopped, and Jizo's hand was freed.

"Good match."

"Okay."

She left after that. Not understanding anything. When she made her way back to the shop she found the other girls waiting. Dina' had a stuffed bear doll with bandages wrapped around it in her hands. Lea wore a purple beanie, and Evonne had the largest rubber duck toy she had ever seen. She gave them all an ice cream each. They gave her a weird look in return. Apparently peach wasn't that popular or known as a flavor.

"The show is gonna start soon!" Dina' shouted, "Let's go!"

The fireworks show was to be displayed at a park. Many people were waiting. The spot they found was a little patch of grass that had the snow tilled away. Right next to a large frozen lake and a tree with no leaves. Despite the crowd, there was no one nearby.

"Hey," Lea said, "Anyone know why Cahya couldn't make it?"

"Beats me~," Halfrid responded, "She seems to be more busy and stressed these days. If you ask me, I blame Khin."

"Well, you can go blaming some of our other teammates too."

"Like who~?"

"Who else? Alfonsine has been on Cahya's ass for a while now. She still holds a grudge against her."

What was that? "Why does Alfonsine hold a grudge against her?" Jizo questioned.

"Well! Alf'y was set to be the Kommandant of the Sensha-Do team. She was even the Sub-Kommandant in her first year, but then Nishizumi joined the team, and she got her spot stolen. That would've been that. I mean, no shame in being beaten by the best, right? But then, Cahya somehow rose in the ranks quickly, thanks to us of course." She laughed, "-and Cahya got made the Sub-Kommadant this year. She's been perpetually angry since."

"I see."

"We~ll," Halfrid commented, "At least Lorita has been taking her attention recently. Fine by mean. Lorita doesn't give a shit about pretty much anything anyone tells her, and Alf'y is trying to play a commander, so of course they are going to be at each other's throats."

Jizo intended to stay quiet in the conversation until she realized she had something to add. "Yesterday Alfonsine called me 'Ary'. She said it would be my new name."

"Really?" Lea yawned, "Alf'y has given 'ya a code name already?"

"A code name?"

"That!" Dina' shouted into her ear, pulling her closer, "That is something we do around here. Normally when you enter into your second year you get a spiritual name. A German one. We all have one. My name isn't actually Gerhardina. Her name isn't actually Lea. Neither is her name Halfrid. Evonne's name is just Evonne."

"Ja."

"We don't normally give them to first years. But it seems like Alf'y decided to do it early. Ary, you said? Hey, that's not a bad one, to be honest."

"Das ist gut."

"Better than Jacqueline."

"Yea~h." Halfrid giggled, "You probably don't know, do you? This one girl tried to name herself Raubal. We all called her that until this other girl, a first year, actually, named Naoko snitched on her to Nishizumi. Then Nishizumi told the Marshal and the Marshal changed it for her to Jacqueline. You better watch out for Naoko. She's a bit… Obsessed with Nishizumi."

"Obsessed?"

"You'll see if you meet her."

"Hmm~." Halfrid hummed, "What about that first year girl who became in charge of our mechanics team? She got a new name as well. Reina. What's up with her?"

"I'm pretty sure," Lea answered, "Her dad works in Germany for some big car manufacturing company. I can't remember its name…"

"Volkswagen."

"Yeah, that was it. Apparently, her dad taught her a lot."

"Mmhmm~." Halfrid hummed again, "Isn't that nice?"

"I'll tell you what isn't nice." Dina' suddenly added, "That one girl, Lurline. She's in our year. She drives a big cat. One time, I tried to talk to her. Y'know, ask her if she wants to hang out. You know what? She told me too, 'verpich Dich,' and looked at me like she wanted to run me over with her tank!"

"Hehe," Halfrid chuckled, "Sounds like someone is trying to take after the Kommadant."

"You're right about that! Just too many of these girls are infatuated with her. They haven't gotten out of their self-absorbed middle school phase!"

"You~ could even say that about our Kommandant. She wouldn't just run you over. She would string you to the front of the tank like a figure on the Endsieg and drive you around the town as a form of ego death. And then kill you! Cahya is the only person who can get away with shit around her. But they've known each other for years. So that's a given."

"... Anything else?" Jizo said as all eyes went to her.

"Anything else about what?" Halfrid asked back.

"About Sakura."

"Ho-ho~, when did you get on a first-name basis with Nishizumi? Don't call her that in front of her face, not unless your last name is Hagasawa. Especially not while we are on duty."

"Hmm," Dina' hummed, "You want to know more about the Kommadant. Well, you might want to ask Cahya about that. But from where I'm standing… She seems pretty much exactly how she appears. Right? She has a lot on her shoulders. Being the Kommandant. Being a Nishizumi. I imagine it would make someone cold like her. But I would think, at least, that she can't be all bad if she can even make friends with Cahya."

"I'll tell you wha~t." Halfrid said, "I do not envy the amount of attention she gets. I see the way people stare whenever we are at games. It's a little creepy If you ask me. Even in the team, though. Like, remember that time when Nishizumi ran out of the hanger? Some people say she was crying. I don't know what exactly happened. But the Kommandant has been extra harsh since then. Like, if anyone is caught gossiping, she'll chew them out like a Feldwebel. She's su~per strict. I bet it's all that attention."

"I've heard," Jizo said, "That she doesn't like me."

"Yeah," Lea spat out, "She doesn't like a lot of people. I know she doesn't like me.

"… -i think." Evonne pronounced, "-she is abusive of her status. -she is a person of ego."

"Enough talking!" Dina' waved her hands to get their attention, "The show's about to start."

From the ground plumed up streaks of light rising up into the sky. The fireworks hit their vertex and exploded into a thousand tiny fragments of dazzling colors, one after the other, beckoning in the New Year. The dark came to become filled with a rainbow of stars. Their shine sprinkled against the canvas behind them, forming a collage. Where there was once empty blackness, where there was once a missing part to a whole, there was now a full image. A finished painting. A completed puzzle. If only for a brief moment, It had life and meaning and purpose and a sense of self. Red, orange, green, yellow, white, and blue. Each one burned hotter than the last, leaving a deeper impression on Jizo. A lonely moon had its children. It was so strange. The wind chill of winter surely should've made it freezing. But, right now, she felt warm. Was it the new coat? Was it the heat of the kinetic energy in the air? Or maybe it was the beating in her chest.

She wasn't sure when, but at some point, Dina' wrapped an arm around Jizo's shoulder. Not just her, but the others got close as well. They were side by side. It was… Pleasant.

She wouldn't mind if it was like this all the time.

The next day was freezing. Winter break had just ended, but still, it snowed over the night. The roads and fields which had been salted now were covered once again. The temperature dropped as well. Jizo's breath frosted over as she walked to school covered by the beaming sun. However, there was something to look forward to. Today she got her new uniform. It was an exact mirror of her old one but with red outlines instead of gray, specific to the Sensha-Do team. When she went about her class periods, she was certain people were giving her stares and talking behind her back. But that was usual. Instead what she focused on was her first official day of practice which would come right after.

Immediately heading for the hangar as soon as the last bell of the day rang, she was greeted with the sight of her fellow tankers lining up in a large row. She was told to stay in the back and wait for the cue. Whatever that was. The Kommandant stood in front of what must have been at least a hundred students with Alfonsine and her side. The students held stoically and silently as their leader walked back and forth, inspecting them, with her hands clasped behind her back.

"Achtung! The new semester has started, and very soon, the winter tournament will begin. As you all know, Kuromorimine has begun a winning streak. So far, this is our second victory in a row. We won the last National, and the Winter National prior." She pointed to a window that displayed two large trophies, among others. "Our goal… No, our expectation is to win the next three tournaments. The current record for the most major victors in a row is four. Also held by us. We need fünf. If that is to be achieved before I graduate, then we cannot lose a single match. Ever. To do that, I will work all of you to death. Your muscles will ache and your bones will break. This is the price that will be paid. If any of you cannot handle it- then step forward now so that you can be discharged from your duties…"

No one stepped forward.

"Good. It seems we have no need for any self-Gleichschaltung. Alfonsine," She turned to the third year next to her, "Go ahead." With that, she simply walked away into another room, leaving Alf'y to continue with a smile on her face.

"Alright! You vermin. The Kommandant has some work to do, and Sub-Kommandant Cahya is on temporary leave. That means I will be taking over today! If any of you are caught lagging behind I will personally shave your head bald and make you walk around the school with a sign that says 'Ich bin ein Verräter an der Schulgemeinschaft."

That got many reactions. Many of the first years looked frightened and shocked. A few even gagged at the idea. The third years, in contrast, were just laughing to themselves, snickering. As if they were told some kind of inside joke. The second years, however-

"Of course." Lorita said, stepping forward and breaking the line, "Give you a little bit of power and it already goes to your head. 'Makes sense, it is empty all the time. It has a lot of space to fill."

In an instant, Alfonsine's smug face fell, and she scowled. "Listen ya' second year… Actually, before that," She laughed, "I have a new student to introduce to you all! A couple of you have already seen her, especially after her performance in the practice match, but a lot of you were absent over the break. So, may I present to you-" She held out her hands.

A moment passed.

Alfonsine groaned, "That's the cue."

Oh.

Jizo walked forward.

"Jizo. Our newest member. I'm as surprised as you all are. But hey, here she is…"

She looked over to the students who all stared at her right back, and waved.

"Hello. I'm new at this Tankery thing, and I'm trying my best. I hope you can all treat me well, and that we can be friends." After that, she bowed her head.

They stared at her. And stared. And stared.

Then a third year broke the silence, "What the hell even is that?"

Another third year shouted, "Who let the köter in?"

A final girl of the same year yelled, "What is with the hair? She looks like a hure!"

That got a response.

"Who said that?!" Stepping forward, Jizo saw Halfrid looking frantically around, "Who the fuck said that? I swear to Gott I will kick your teeth in and we will see who looks like a hure."

"Ah' shut up Halfrid!" Someone replied, "What are you going to do? Daddy's money doesn't mean shit here."

More general insults, shouts, and attacks were made. It was quite similar to how Jizo saw the team the first day she came. And just like that day, it seemed at any moment a full-blown fight between the two different classes was about to break out. Was this just a part of the routine? However, this time, there was no Kommandant to stop them.

As the students became more and more rowdy, Alfonsine stepped away and to the wall, where there was an emergency kit. Designed in a way that would make anyone think it had medical supplies, what she pulled out from instead, was a gun. A fake, or maybe it is real. Whatever the case, it was the Lugar pistol that was used by the Germans during the war, and here, they had one. For what reason?

Alfonsine would show Jizo, as she aimed the pistol up to the ceiling, drew it back, and fired. A loud bang reverberated throughout the hanger, catching the attention of nearly everyone in a single go. Some of the younger girls yelped in fear.

"Is that a gun?" Someone squealed.

"Relax." Alfonsine waved the pistol around like it was a toy, "It's only a dud, there's just one shot in there, and most importantly," She really smirked, "They're used with an emphasis on safety. Just to get your attention in situations like these. But, just to be sure, make sure to look over your head while walking for any falling debris. Not even I know where that bullet went. Still, now that everyone has stopped pussy-footing around, I'll do ya' this. The Kommandant put me in charge, so the rest of you do as I say and get ready to practice. But, Lorita, I'm tired of you and all your back talk. Today, out on the field, let's earn some dueling scars. Winner has to do one thing the person says. Simple solution? Or are you all bark and no bite?"

"As if," Lorita scoffed, stomping forward, "Fine, let me get my tank ready. It'll be over faster than Westfeldzug."

After that, strangely, everyone went about their duties like nothing happened. Like a civil war nearly breaking out was just another day for the class. Jizo was as fascinated by it as she was confused, that was to say, not at all. All she wanted to do was practice. Since Cahya and Khin weren't there, that left her to be in charge of Cahya's crew again. They drove around, fired some shots, and went about standard maneuvers and positioning. It was typical protocol. However, Dina' told her something that she would not soon forget.

"Eventually, if you keep playing, you are going to get put into a real match. That means you'll be with other teammates, at least nine others, but up to nineteen during the finals match. In that case, you should always listen to the Kommandant or Cahya for their orders. They are the two highest rankers. But sometimes that's not possible. In which case, there is no readily established chain of command."

"Why not?"

"Well, firstly, it's because as far as I know, Nishizumi has never actually been eliminated before in any match. She's competed in dozens so far, and at most only a few people manage to graze her tank, let alone get a critical hit on it. So, while they may be a 'chain of command,' we haven't really used it at all. So in practical terms, it just doesn't exist! So, come a time when you aren't able to receive direct orders from Cahya or Nishizumi, then it's best to go on the lone wolf and come up with your own strategies if whatever plan you currently are on is a bad one. And trust me, most of the time, whatever these girls come up with are bad plans."

"Won't I get in trouble for disobeying my superiors?"

"If you were disobeying the Kommandant, yes. She would make you walk on top of the barrel of a tank back and forth while dangling you over the open ocean. However, if it isn't Nishizumi's plans you break, and you manage to get results out of it, then you'll be fine. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Winning. At least, in Kuromorimine."

"So what you're saying is; if I get results, I can get away with breaking the rules."

"Pretty much."

Interesting.

After a long day of Tankery, Jizo was ready to hit the shower and head home after dismissal. The rest of the crew was doing just that. But before she could, Alfonsine stopped her. She wanted to ask her how the duel went, but Alfonsine just grabbed her by the hand and dragged her outside. The third year said they were going to do some 'initiations.' 'Break her in.' She was led to a place where a crowd of her fellow students surrounded someone. Another first year girl, like her.

She was shoved into that circle.

"Alright, she's here."

Looking forward, Jizo saw the familiar face of Oiwa, standing right in front of her.

"Hello."

"… Don't 'hello' me. Bitch!"

What did female dogs-

Oiwa punched Jizo in the jaw. Her eyes went wide, and she stumbled back. A wave of laughter, cheers, and whistles followed. Oiwa then reached forward and grabbed the neck of Jizo's uniform, pulling her in. With another punch to her forehead, Jizo was thrown into the snow. The freezing cold on her back, the burning sensation on her face, her senses were on fire.

It didn't stop there, however, as Oiwa proceeded to straddle onto her chest. What followed was a hectic and chaotic flurry of punches, slaps, and claws all over Jizo's body. Her uniform became torn, her lip was busted, and her cheek was cut. All she could do was lift her hands up to her face and try to protect herself.

"What are you doing?" Through it all, Jizo somehow made out the booming voice of Alfonsine. "I got good money on you here! Don't just stand there and take it! Pull her hair!

Glazing up past her hands, Jizo saw how Oiwa's long brown hair fell from the side of her head, dangling openly. So, she reached up with both her hands and grasped onto the strands. Pulling as hard as she could, Oiwa yelled in pain.

"Ow! Stop!" Jizo, of course, didn't find any reason to stop. Not until finally, after a few more seconds, Oiwa got off her. Taking the opportunity to stand, Jizo had to wipe away a bit of blood that was falling over her eye, and some that got into her mouth.

"You cheap bitch!" Oiwa shouted, rubbing her head, cheeks red. "First you accidentally took me out because your dumbass didn't know how to properly operate a tank and drove through a wall, now you pull my hair? Asshole!"

She was angry over the practice match. "That wasn't accidental."

"Shut up!"

Her opponent dashed at her, but Jizo was determined to act first. So, when she was in reach, Jizo latched herself onto the other girl's uniform. Oiwa did the same. Jizo punched her in the nose, and Oiwa punched her in the mouth. They went back and forth, slugging it out. Though, it wasn't all that spectacle. From the outside, it would just look like two cats having a claw fight. The other girls loved it, however, as they continued to cheer on their brawl. After a minute of this, Jizo and Oiwa were both pulled off each other and forced away. Someone Jizo didn't recognize grabbed the other girl, and Alfonsine grabbed her.

"Alright, I'm gonna be honest, you are getting messed up more than I thought. I really need you to win this little fight against that other first year. So-" She pulled out a blunt rock, "When you get the chance, hit her once with this."

"Isn't that against the rules?"

"What rules?"

"Oh' okay."

Jizo took the rock in her hands, and Alfonsine shoved her forward and back into the circle. However, Oiwa was still taking a little longer to recover. How was she going to do this? Should she try to get close and hit her with it? Should she throw it? But if those didn't work, it would probably show she had a rock, and that would make things a bit harder for her to win. But, she had an idea, and reached down to the snow beneath her. Rolling them up into two balls, she remembered a time in the orphanage when they would throw balls of snow at each other. She never understood. Never played with the other kids. Nor did they invite her. But she saw how they didn't try to avoid them.

Two regular snowballs, and in the third, she hid the rock. Lifting her hand up, she threw a plain one at Oiwa's back, to which she got a yell.

"What the-" Oiwa turned quickly, trying to reach at where it hit, "Did you throw a snowball at me?"

She threw the other one, and Oiwa took it to the chest.

The students laughed at her, and Oiwa's face became red, "You-" She ran at Jizo. Like a rabid animal without much of a plan. When people make the squelched expression she made, it was generally a sign that biologically, they weren't acting rationally. Unfortunately, it meant she didn't have enough time to throw the last one. That was fine though. So long as she wasn't suspecting of the third and final snowball.

Oiwa grabbed onto her hair, "I fucking hate you-!"

A loud thud was heard, as Jizo took the opportunity and slam the final snowball into her face. A sharp pain dug into her palm, and the snow fell apart, Oiwa falling to the ground. But it wasn't over. Rock still in hand, Jizo took advantage of her opponent's stunned form to straddle her just like she did to her, and went at her freely with the blunt rock. Once, twice, three times. Again and again, she tore the girl's face up. Only then did she stop, when two girls ran up from behind her and pulled her away. Looking down, Oiwa had blood streaking down the side of her cheek, and tears flowing freely. After a few seconds, she didn't stand up. The win was hers.

Someone went to the crying girl, picked her up, and hauled her away. The commotion died down, and some of the other students began to leave as well. Some of them were laughing, some of them disappointed. What's wrong? Weren't they going to congratulate her for a victory? Instead, they didn't seem to care much at all about the outcome.

Alfonsine was really happy though.

"Woohoo!" Alf'y said, wrapping an arm around Jizo and scratching her head, "I knew I could trust you, Ary. So many people owe me so much money. That was wild what you did with the snow, no one is going to forget about that any time soon. I just thought you were going to get her once with it. But no! You went to town on that bitch. Haha! Hey, get yourself back to the hangar. I'll treat you to a meal next time." Winking at her, Alfonsine continued to laugh as she walked away.

Jizo was cold. Quite cold. The sun was beaming down on her, that didn't help. If anything, it only made it colder. Left alone to waddle her way back, no one bothered to help her, even when a bit of blood was dripping from her cheek, lip, and the cut on her palm onto the ground. By the time she got back, most everyone had already gone home, and she sat down at a bench. She would catch her breath, and when the beating of her head stopped, she would go home.

Lying down on that empty bench, Jizo closed her eyes. She would just be here for a minute.

.

.

Sakura Nishizumi peered down like an eagle to the sleeping form of a girl. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed first year was lying flat on a bench, bloodied and bruised, completely undignified for her position as a member of the Kuromorimine Sensha-Do team. Even as a bench warmer, all roles still required they look the part. If Sakura had to guess, she was probably involved in one of those pit fights the other girls loved so much. They relished in the thought of getting some 'dueling scars'. It was supposed to be a traditional event. A sign of honor, bravery, and passion. Something for all the world to see. Yet here, it was just an activity they used for some gambling and fun, and to haze in new players.

No matter. Let them have their fun, she wouldn't partake in it more than she needed to. Like that childish little thing, the team did by giving each other honorary names. It was something that had been a tradition of the team for a few years now, so she didn't dismiss it, but she refused to accept one for herself. Similarly, she demanded that the Vice-Kommandant also not accept any honorary name. Apparently, Alfonsine had given the blonde-haired, blue-eyed, first year an honorary name already. If it had made it easier to stomach her, then she would gladly accept it, but no matter what she called that girl it didn't change what her mother-… What the Marshal told her. This girl, this inbred, this bastard, was by some ungodly tragedy, her 'sister'. Whatever that meant. Like how a house cat is a relative of the tiger. If you looked back far enough, even the most genius theoretical physicist can be related to the most degenerate schizophrenic. However, no matter how much she tried to deny it, it had to be true. This snoring little- This girl was biologically related to her.

If she wasn't the Kommandant, If she could act irrationally, then she would have just left her there. Let her sleep in this dark, cold place. But, she was the Kommandant, and she was a Nishizumi. She was better than to engage in such behavior. No matter how much it burned in her. No matter how angry she got or how much she cried. Her emotions mattered not. What mattered was taking care of the name. Whether in public or in private.

So, Sakura Nishizumi walked up to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed, first year, and shook her. After a moment, she stirred and then woke up.

"Hello." She said, in a plain tone.

"Look at you. Dazed, bleeding, and pathetic, like a wounded gazelle. Your first day here, and you are already breaking the rules by staying past dismissal. It truly boggles my mind just how you've managed to survive in this world thus far."

"Sorry."

Sakura shook her head, "You shouldn't apologize that you are like this. Yes, it is completely unnatural for you to be here. Some random genetic mutation has caused you to enter into an ecosystem that you would've never touched before. But you are still a member of the Sensha-Do team. You do not say 'sorry'.

"Okay. Thank you."

… This girl was crazy. Of some kind of mental decay and degeneracy. Clearly, since there was nothing to be gained by continuing this line of conversation, it only made sense to just leave. Creatures of higher thought need not concern themselves with the lesser developed minds of the inferior…

Hmph. Good one, Nishizumi. She was going to use that one later against another team. Put it on a poster.

Sakura went toward the exit, and behind her that girl sprung up from her seat, wearing a coat that looked a little too nice for her. Stepping outside, a small part of her just wanted to lock the door right then and there. Still, that girl ran out before she could consider it, so she just locked it and left it there. Walking down a snow-covered path, thick boots crunching along, Sakura moved at a slightly quicker pace than she normally would've. She just wanted to keep that girl out of her sight.

However, in some truly deranged form of defiance, that girl in her inability to recognize the position they were in ran up ahead to get next to her and started running her mouth.

"How was New Year's Day?"

Nishizumi gave her a side-eye glance, before returning her gaze to the front.

"I went to a festival with a few of my friends." She kept going, "First, after we arrived, we stopped by this clothing shop. That is where I got this nice coat. Then, we got some ice cream, peach flavored. My favorite. And then, at the end, we stopped to watch the fireworks. It was beautiful." The girl recalled in a plain tone. Normally, when you were recounting something pleasant that happened, some emotion would be expressed. However, this girl just went along with her little story without it.

Sakura was sure she was just being intentionally annoying.

"Haven't you spoken enough?"

"Sorry."

"Do not say sorry."

"Thank you."

She clenched her fist. No, she shouldn't get angry. This was her own fault for saying anything. Her words and actions were above those of the average civilian. Wasting them carelessly would only cause her trouble. Recognize when to speak, when to act, and when to not engage. Every step, every breath, everything had to be resourceful and useful, if it was a waste then it ought to be killed off. That is what she was taught by her mother-

Nishizumi stopped dead in her tracks.

"Look-" Sakura made a low growl with her throat, "You're new, you don't know how we do things here. So I'll explain it to you once and only once. You are nothing. You mean nothing to the team. It doesn't matter how much you think you are improving, you will never become worthy of even stepping foot inside of a tank, let alone take part in the Nationals. So, accept that like every other good weak little species when confronted with their own feeble existence, and stay out of sight and out of mind. Only those who are worthy of speaking to me shall speak to me."

"… Okay. Well, aren't I worthy?"

"And what, do tell, on Gott's earth, makes you think that?"

"We're sisters aren't we-"

No, she wouldn't let her finish. Sakura in a moment of passion turned and stopped up to that girl, getting right in front of her face.

"Listen to me. You and I are not related. My mother is the respected and renowned matriarch of the Nishizumi clan. We are the greatest family of tankers in the entire world. We are superior. So learn your place. Stay in your place, and get out of my way-"

"Are you a child? Because only children will exhibit traits of lacking object permanence. Out of sight? out of mind? In their infantile brains, they have yet to develop the ability to recognize that just because their senses cannot detect an object, doesn't mean it no longer exists. Those with further developed brains can look past their own ego-centric conceptualizations of the world and instead begin actually understanding the environment that surrounds us. Just because I'm not in your view does not mean you are going to forget that I exist."

So that girl went on, all without breaking that stoic plain expression on her face or her plain tone.

"I'm not sure what to do exactly. I'm new to having a sister too. I have spent most of my life alone. But from what I've seen from others, this is what we should do. Talk, right?"

"If you insist, by some chance, you and I share blood. Then prove it, right here, right now. You are meek, you are measly, you are prey. So how are you going to show me that you truly do have the same blood in our veins?

That girl stopped and looked up to her as if pondering. She even brought her finger to her lip and hummed. Then, she nodded her head, and said, "Like this?"

"Like what-"

Slap. A slap reverberated through the quiet path they stood on. It took Sakura Nishizumi a few seconds to realize what had happened, her face which had once been glaring at the girl was staring wide-eyed to the side. Her cheek stung a little. She was just slapped.

That girl's arm was extended, her hand completely open, and slightly red.

"Is that what you had in mind?"

Sakura, eyes still wide, mouth agape, looked at her. Then snapped into position, her front canine teeth baring out, her face burning with sheer fury. The sight of it even caused that girl to become startled and step back. But it did little. In a fraction of a second, Sakura swung her arm like a cannon directly into her eye. Decked across the face, hit directly by a truck, and sent crashing and skidding into the snow. That girl lay face-first on the ground.

With a cloud of her steaming breath pushing through her clenched teeth into the cold air, Sakura Nishizumi's blood slowed, and she regained her senses.

She just- She actually- She was- In the face- Sie schlug- She hit- Slapped her- She would dare- How dare she- Der Fehler- Unbelievable- The disrespect- She was a- Nishizumi- She. She… She!

The sun beamed down on them. Sakura slammed her feet and growled. She turned away from the motionless girl, stomping with each step. Her thought process was a mess. Never had she ever faced such disrespect before, she couldn't even comprehend it. What she knew for certain, however, was this-

Sakura Nishizumi would hate Jizo Nishizumi until the day she died.