An assistant women walk up next to a cameraman who was aiming toward the set, the woman touch her headset to listen to her producer who was going to alert her to start the countdown. The wait wasn't long as she receive the go-ahead from her producer to begin, the women wave her hands for quiet on the set from the other assistants and staff members, then turn her eyes to the large sports broadcast set, that had one large desk built with the words into its front with neon lighting in cursive saying: Sensha-do Battle Network.
Sitting behind this desk was one was a handsome older gentleman in his late 30's. He had a chiseled face with a light tan, a neat comb-over, a fresh clean shave, with large brown eyes. While wearing a gray business suit, as he was the host of the Sensha-do Battle Network, by the name of Fumihiko Sakaguchi, a commentator on matches and on the current news going on around the sport as well.
Suddenly the assistant women wave to get the attention of their host, signaling they were going live. She then held her hand out, holding five fingers, then four, then three, then two, then pointed at the host to let him know he was on.
"Hello, Sensha-do enthusiast! This is your host Fumihiko Sakaguchi, bringing you live from our studio here in the beautiful capital city of Tokyo. As you know, we are currently only into the infancy of the second round of the sixty-third national tournament, with only just yesterday the much-anticipated match between Oarai Girls Academy and Chi-Ha-Tan Academy was fought and what a fight it was."
"As Chi-Ha-Tan suffering from a heavy suspension with many of their veteran's tankers taken out, leaving them only first-years to fight it out against a tough opponent. Yet these young cubs of the Tigress Corps display they could roar just as loud as the rest of their team, as time and time again they gave Oarai fits. Though for all their tenacity Oarai was to fight back with their force of oddball tanks of every variety but were given a little help by foreigners."
"Those foreigners belonging to an American Sensha-do school, by the name of Wolverton Girls Academy. They were part of what we've been told as an experimental reinforcement perk that allow for tanks to help for once give Oarai a full set of tanks. These new American tankers prove that even in their first match they were more than ready to take on Miho Nishizumi's tactical brilliance, whose cunning opening round gambit saw Chi-Ha-Tan not make contact with the enemy for over three hours, while also allowing Oarai and their allies to enjoy the luxury of taking the city that dominated the match grounds, while again not attacking or showing themselves to their foe for a long period of time."
"The inaction seem to prove the right tactic, odd as it was, making Oarai's Commander Yukari Akiyama have to send a scout force to find Chi-Ha-Tan, only for they themselves to be caught out and ambush by their foe who was waiting for them to open the match up finally. From there it was back and forth between the two forces that traded tank takedowns and plane duels with one another."
"Though in most minds of the spectators would find themselves focusing on the actions of Miho Nishizumi herself, having kept back from the match till she came to save her distressed teammates in the dreaded Tiger 1. First hitting a now record shot at over fifteen thousand meters, which smash ace gunner Naomi of Saunders record shot last year of Pravda T34/85. Then the Tigress commander had to fend off 4 tanks, with some support from her team, but untimely it was up to her to what I believe is the most legendary moment in our proud sport, with Miho Nishizumi taking out these four tanks in what most analyst still can't find words for. For Miss Nishizumi commanded her Tiger 1 like she knew when and where her opponent was going to attack. Like watching a Samurai with their katana defecting blows till they found the perfect strike, very uncanny sort of instinct I have never seen."
"With Chi-Ha-Tan eventually winning by Miho's teammates who finally found the Oarai flag tank in the city and took it out with a brilliant assault that sources say Miss Maita led that won the match. Yet only by seconds as the Tiger 1 took a bad tumble after taking out the Panzer 4, and its white kill flag came up just a half-second behind Oarai's flag tank. Which marks the first time in the history of our sport that the Federation Referees had to determine the winner by repay."
"In the end, this match prove to be all we wanted, as two underdogs show us that it isn't about how powerful your tanks are in the end, it's a matter of your will and spirit which goes hand and hand with Sensha-do, to which these ladies show us and the world that in droved during this match, to which I believe will inspire many future generations of great tankers by their actions."
Fumihiko then stop to take a breath, as he shifted his papers over to the next part of the story he was to cover. "Now of course we be remiss to not mention the controversy surrounding this match. That being of what happened when an American tanker fell into the water, with Miho diving in to save her, just as the young girl did last year in the sixty-second national tournament when she save the crew of a Panzer 3 that fell off the cliff in the rushing water when Miss Miho fought under the Kuromorimine banner. After saving the American tanker, the young girl was brought into focus by Federation drones, to which most could tell that she was some sort of family member to Miho as the two look similar if not for slight variations."
"Though there seem to be some hatred toward Miho from the American Nishizumi who has been identified as Fukushu Nishizumi. With the worse part of the argument turning violent as the American tanker punched Miss Miho, leaving a nasty cut under the poor girl's eye. Which led to medical staff being sent in to look her over, but when the crews of both tanks began to fight over the punch, it was Miss Miho to the rescue again, breaking it up and forgiving her family member."
"Yet, while Miho's soul may forgive, the fans of Sensha-do have not. Many have taken to social media calling for the tanker to have charges brought against her for the violent act that has all but tarnish our sport in some minds. Many are even questioning Director Kodama for his approval of adding foreigners to the sport this late in the tournament, as leaks from a meeting held by the Federation Board that this was his plan all along."
"Now, I'm not one to bash Mister Kodama, as the changes to this year's sports has made tremendous strides towards improving Sensha-do. Yet even I must wonder if these positive changes have influenced is his need to try to reach too far, as there were also leaks coming out that he wanted to make late changes to the brackets by cross playing the semi-final, which I'm not for, but luckily were downvoted by the board."
"Many fans are calling Kodama's leadership into question as well, as there has also been leaks that as well that this adding of late foreigners was a step into bringing in more foreign academies to our sport. Yet at what cost? Well these leaks have also said that they will be closing down certain schools to make it happen, though which schools were to be closed down have been left out. This has caused even more outrage to be directed at the Director as it is seen as unbelievably cruel to what most believe will be small school carriers who have just as much of a right to be in the future of our sport. This is only amplified by the fact of seeing a small school like Oarai fight so tenaciously, proving to us that on any given day the underdog can bite just as hard as the top dogs."
"We wait to see how the Director will reply in time, now on to the next part of the news that is just as shocking," Fumihiko pause again, as he sorted to his new sheet, then spoke. "While Miho Nishizumi has been rising in the world of Sensha-do, which in turn would only add to the powerhouse Nishizumi family that has been at the forefront of our sport for so long, this very family is going through more dissonance, but not with an unknown family member, but with two its most prominent members."
"As reports from not just our own team, but other news outlets that Miss Maho Nishizumi has been discover have a sickness, though reports our vague on the condition or what she is diagnosed with, but was quite severe and life-threatening. Yet she press on to fight, thought she had to bribe the Kuromorimine team physician to pass screenings. This has been a shock to everyone in the league, as the legal ramifications will most assuredly deal a terrible blow to the distinguished honor of this proud family. Luckily the Sensha-do Federation Bureau has taken Miss Maho into custody, firstly to be admitted to a hospital for treatment, with legal actions coming in due time."
"As this is happening, the head of the Nishizumi in Miss Shiho is facing her own problems at the moment. As she has been said to have brawled with her apparent cousin during the match after Miho was punched by her American Nishizumi family member. Which only adds to the hot water the powerful family find itself in, which has been on top of Sensha-do since its founding, yet in literally a day now finds itself at a point that it might collapse under this drama."
"Yet, time will tell how these problems sort themselves out, but let us press on to something more exciting to talk about, and that is the next match of the of the sixty-third national tournament, as the current champions Pravda Girls High School take on the overhauled Maginot girls…."
XxxxX
"Who look to pull of the upset, but Pravda has already shown fine form in the first round and look to bring down these French-based tankers who've shown their new identity that offense is the best defense, now lets do match anaylsis on thi-,"
Suddenly the screen that was playing the news report from the Sensha-do Federation network was turn off, with a huff of annoyance from the man holding the remote. That man was Shichiro Kodama, head director for the Sensha-do Federation itself, who was currently in his office located in Tokyo as well. With the T.V. off now, the director lean back in his luxurious officer chair trying to find some peace of mind, but with what he had just watched made that hard to gather as stress was clouding his mind.
"Pretty bold of our own network host to criticize you," a man across from Kodama's desk said.
Opening his eyes, Kodama now sat upright in his seat to take in the sight of the man who had spoken. He was in his late 50's, only holding onto a few wisp of hair, well dressed in a rich grey suit. On the breast of his coat, a Sensha-do Federation badge was hanging on it. His name was Mitsuo Yumoto, head of the internal affairs department of the Sensha-do Federation.
"Well, he can't really be told to hold back just because it will hurt my feelings. The public would obviously think he is being told what to say by us if he simply brush everything under the table," Kodama said with a heavy sigh to follow.
"That still doesn't give him the right. The Sensha-do Battle Network is supposed to be only about the teams, tanks, and matches. Mister Fumihiko going on about the drama is not part of the job description, maybe removing him would be a better option," Mitsuo said hotly, for he had great respect for Kodama who had changed this sport around for the better and would always have his back.
While a bigger respect for the Federation Director stim from him banning the atrocious Panzer Kettō, a practice that many prominent tankery families practice for the right to rule, akin to the duels of old in the Sengoku Period, but now with tanks. For years the Federation turn a blind eye to this horrid practice, Mitsuo included. Some families even went so far as to disown their daughters if they failed, with Mitsuo knowing the worst of all these culprits was the Nishizumi family themselves.
The prime example had to be the woman Konomi Nishizumi, who was thrown out on the street because of her failure. Mitsuo argue with the previous director that this had to be stop, but was rebuffed and there was little Mitsuo could do but grit his teeth. That all changed when Kodama took over and ban the practice, but it was too late for Konomi and before anyone could find her, she was gone.
Only to return with a supposed daughter in tow with an American Sensha-do Academy to boot and was ready to take down her cousin for good in the match with Chi-Ha-Tan as Oarai's reinforcements so they could even out their numbers. Yet no one could have known, even Kodama himself, that the troubles of the past would work their way into the match leading to one of their league's best commanders getting punched by a distraught young girl, her family no less. While Shiho and Konomi had their own little tussle that was now being relay to the public.
"What is right or wrong is irrelevant now, for our job is to repair things as best we can going forward," Kodama said, while rubbing his forehead in some mild frustration over how things had turn out.
"How are we to procced? With things as tense as they are, we might need to make some dramatic choices," Mitsuo reply.
That statement got Kodama's attention. "How do you mean?"
"Well, for all that nonsense that Mister Fumihiko was spouting, he is right about Miss Maho Nishizumi. She bribe someone to keep her condition under wraps, that is an issue we can't ignore," Mitsuo said.
Leaning back in his seat with a perplexed look, Kodama spoke. "What would you have me do? The poor girl might have died, and you want me to throw her to the wolves?"
"She made that choice herself, as Government investigators are demanding they be let in on the questioning. I've only been able to hold them off, because the jurisdiction of any sort of issues of this nature is by law only allowed to be investigated by our own team. Yet they are trying to reach the Prime Minister himself to allow a bypass so they can send their people in, if that happens we really will have to throw her to the wolves," Mitsuo explain.
"If that happens, they will have no mercy on Miss Maho," Kodama said, feeling his stress starting to rise again.
"Yes, they might want to put jail time on her, which would be a shame if that happen without knowing all the facts," Mitsuo said.
"What facts do you want to get to avoid this possible outcome?" Kodama ask.
Mitsuo clear his throat, then spoke. "Facts that maybe she was pushed to do this by her mother."
That made Kodama blink rapidly as if he didn't hear his subordinate's statement correctly. "You want to say that Maho was forced to keep going despite her condition by her mother….that is a very big accusation you mean to lay down. I don't believe personally that Miss Shiho would do such a thing."
"We know the Nishizumi family isn't as squeaky clean just by our knowledge of their past. They threw daughters into essentially life or death duels against one another, if they lost they were a disgrace or shame out of the family. Who's to say that some that isn't still part of their culture till this day?" Mitsuo said, hoping to make his point.
An understanding look follow this by Kodama. "Yes, they have had a trouble past. At the same time I knew Shiho was happy at one time, when she married. Which in turn change her somewhat from the young girl I saw that was rigid and ice cold during her high school and college days."
"Sometimes people never truly change, they just try to repress who they always were," Mitsuo argue.
"I don't about that, for Shiho truly love her daughters during that time. When she was just beginning to work with the Federation, I caught her once or twice picking her phone up to talk to her daughter who would demand she come home, that smile she had was one of pure love. There were no demands of the family weighing her down, just a simple mother who love her daughters," Kodama said, feeling a smile tug on his face when those days he felt he truly saw the side of Shiho that was the real her.
"Yet the moment her family was put in question due to the cheating scandal she went right back to who she was in the end, with her daughters being raised like she was. We can't ignore the fact that she relies on her daughters to further her family's prestige, to the point that it's not impossible she didn't force Maho to fight through her sickness for the sake of keeping this prestige," Mitsuo said.
"Then tell me, my old friend, for you were the one to relay this news of her daughter being sick to Shiho herself, how did she react?" Kodama ask in a serious tone.
Reflecting on that memory for a bit Mitsuo reply. "She seem stunned, but then again it could have been an act. I was more concerned with getting her to you to reprimand for the brawling with her cousin."
"A possibility, but again I have my doubts about your theory," Kodama said with a sigh.
"Well at the end of the day, we have job to do and fix this as you say, with my idea of how to fix this I believe will work," Mitsuo said.
"Will it be as dramatic as I think you're about to make it," Kodama question.
"Possibly, but it's our best bet to do two things," Mitsuo said.
"That being?"
Mitsuo straightens himself up in the chair. "One, get Miss Maho out of any heavy legal actions place against her, while freeing her from her mother for good."
"That is a bold action to take, and the other," Kodama said.
"To wipe the slate clean, as you know tankery schools are dying breed now, as Sensha-do teams are keeping to their own style," Mitsuo said.
Kodama nodded at that. As he did know Sensha-do families had been fading from existence as school carriers began to implement in school styles instead of attaching themselves to a family's tankery style. It had started a decade ago when the Oyakawa family who was affiliated with little know Tategoto High School was said to have taken bribes from a criminal organization to throw matches for their underground gambling rings. Another part of Kodama's cleanup of the sport, as he ban the family from any part of the Federation organization.
This had caused a surge of distrust of Sensha-do tankery families, with small ones being all but drop, with larger one's facing the same fate as years went on. Only the Shimada and Nishizumi were spare due to their long-standing with the sport since its start, so trust was secured. Tategoto High School was in turn shut down for having participated in this act, but had recently open up again to try and gain resurgence, but had a long way to go, or did, as they were on the chopping block for school shutdowns. As shame in Kodama's mind as they had shown promise even if they hadn't been able to qualify for the tournament.
"Alright, what is this second point?" Kodama ask with slight trepidation in his voice.
"We make Shiho Nishizumi the focal point of wiping the slate," Mitsuo said.
"How would you do that?" Kodama press for detail.
The head of the Internal Affairs face grew grave, then explain his idea.
After he was done, Kodama felt like someone had hit him in the chest. "You can't be serious."
"I am, its cruel I know, but to save face we must do this, I'm sure others will do the same in time," Mitsuo said.
Taking a moment to mull over this decision, Kodama felt unbridle sadness take over thinking over what he would have to do. A choice that would affect someone else's life, there was no way to walk around it, no way to justify that he sleep easy once he did this. Yet for the new era of tankery that he alone was heading and had made, he needed to right things so that they could move forward positively.
For they all were heading to a new era.
Meaning they needed to leave the old behind.
After finding his determination, Kodama spoke. "Alright do it, I'll prepare a special press conference in the coming days to show the public we won't stand for this debacle at our feet…even if it's my own fault."
"Very good, sir. I'll go make the preparations to see it done, if you excuse me," Mitsuo said as he walk away.
Yet before he got to the door, Kodama ask something. "Mitsuo, how did you come by the information that Maho was sick?"
Stopping at the door, Mitsuo turn back to his boss. "An anonymous informant let us know the very morning of the match of it, with documents that the physician had try to scrub."
"That very morning, huh?" Kodama said.
"Yes, something wrong, sir?" Mitsuo ask.
"Nothing wrong, please see to your work," Kodama said, with a bow from Mitsuo, who then left the room.
Once he was gone, Kodama reach into his drawer to pull out a glass of bourbon. He quickly pull the cap off and took a few chugs. He wasn't a drinking man, just only when occasions ask for it, to which this was certainly an occasion to have a drink when the world of Sensha-do he had so carefully crafted was falling apart just in front of him, making him wonder how it had gone so wrong in such a short amount of time.
Then he turn to look out of the office window as he spoke in a whisper, that was filled with deep sorrow. "Please Miho, forgive me…forgive me."
XxxxX
No matter how many times I walk these halls, I never feel like I truly ever embrace my life here, strange to think when this was the place to begin my legend, yet it seems to mean nothing to me in the end, just another place on the road already laid before, never really having a choice in the matter but to perform
This sobering thought pass through the mind of Shiho Nishizumi, as she was currently walking down the hallways of her alamater in Kuromorimine Girls Academy. A place that had held the Nishizumi style for over fifty years, a place that was associated with the words victory and tradition. Molded by the style to advance with strength, fire with precision, and never take one step back. Yet now all that seem not to matter these days, as the Nishizumi name was being dragged through the mud.
To which Shiho blame herself for the mess, unlike the cheating scandal with her ex-husband that she had no control over. Though she knew that their marriage was falling apart beforehand, due to Tseuno's dislike for their families Sensha-do style, while wanting his daughters to live a life of their own choosing, not follow a path they had no choice in. Yet Shiho had fought for them to stay together, doing all she could, but in the end it didn't matter.
At the moment the mess Shiho was in right now was ten times worst, due to it being her daughters who were paying the price. With Maho having an illness that was making her cough up blood, with doctors telling her over the phone that luckily she was being treated now, while if she push herself anymore it might have killed her. Though Shiho counted her blessings that deadly outcome hadn't come to pass, though what they told her afterward shock her beyond words.
News to unbearable for Shiho to even phantom now of what it means for the future of their family….
Which made her other daughter, the very one she had scolded and reprimanded time and time again to stay with the tradition of their family, was now also in the hospital. Miho, her youngest, her precious daughter, her world. The very daughter she had kept at arm's length for a near-decade, was now in a deep sleep, though Hidemichi had let her know personally of this. It almost broke Shiho completely as she left the meeting with the Federation Director over the fighting incident with her cousin during the Oarai and Chi-Ha-Tan Match.
Hidemichi though calm her down, telling her the Akagi doctors were adamant this was due to heavy fatigue, and that Miho would be alright once she slept. Though how long she need to sleep was up for debate, but Hidemichi was keeping this quiet, so as not to add more stress on Shiho as the Nishizumi name itself was under much scrutiny of late, with good reason. Their family literally throwing punches at one another, Fukushu having her abandonment issue air live, and Maho's sickness being all over the news. In a short time, the respected Nishizumi name was now anything but respected.
Yet Shiho could care less for any respect at this moment, all she wanted was to hold Maho and Miho close, tell them how sorry she was. Tell them that she wanted to be a family again, not one of expectations, not one with the need to uphold tradition, but one that simply enjoy the simple pleasure of being there for one another. Shiho wanted to laugh again and even wanted to play with her daughters again, though they might be too big for that now, but maybe they humor her one last time.
For all this want of a happy reunion, Shiho had an innate fear that too much time had pass for them to reconcile. Holding her daughters so far for so long, might have created a void between them that might be too large to overcome. Miho alone was her main concern in this regard, as Shiho practically scolded her it seemingly every waking moment, pressing the need for her to conform to the Nishizumi style at any cost. In turn, making her once bubbly little girl into a timid and recluse daughter. Always looking at the ground, never laughing, or smiling. Just that fearful look whenever Shiho would sit her down for a talk about Miho's failures with Maho sitting by to watch.
What did I really gain from all that? What if I had damaged my daughter's mind? I was really no better than my mother, with only a slight difference
Shiho thought as she continue to walk down the hall to the Headmasters office. With that difference being that for all the change Shiho went through to return to her rigid self, one thing she would never do to her daughters that her own mother had done, was raise a hand to them. To use violence as a means to break them down and mold them to be heiresses they needed to be in the end.
For you are a Nishizumi! Strength is all that matters! Victory is all that matters! You must understand this now! Now! Now! Now! Now!
Suddenly Shiho stop walking, while holding out her hand to the something beside her to steady herself. The voice of Nayoko Nishizumi, her mother, plays in her mind. The voice yelling as it rain down backhands across her face back when Shiho show mercy in Panzer Kettō, which had angered her mother like no other. The beating getting to the point Shiho fell unconscious, but when she awoke, an icy resolve had grip her heart to never show mercy or compassion again, never show emotion or vulnerability ever again.
"Come on, steady now, we got a meeting to go to," Shiho quietly told herself, then stood up right again.
She turn to see she had steadied herself on a glass case. Inside this case were dozens of pictures of all the past champions who had won the Victory Flag for Kuromorimine. Adding to its school's prestige, as for nine years they had been the running champions. Shiho look at all of those pictures with mixed feelings, knowing how hard those girls had work for their goal, but at what cost in the end?
Shiho wonder if those past members ever truly love tankery or did they just feel like it was their duty to win.
Were they like her?
Fighting for nothing more than to uphold traditions?
Did they smile with joy when they won?
These questions Shiho didn't know the answer to, because she was now discovering her own self. Of the hatred she had for Sensha-do, with it growing as time went on, burying it down because of the fear of her mother's beatings. Never did Shiho feel close to her own teammates, save for Kikuyo her maid who was her gunner before they separated to different colleges. Yet the subordinate always kept in contact with Shiho over the years, proving to be her one and true friend.
With the other being Chiyo Shimada, but that had been in the past as now there was nothing but a rivalry between them. Though said rivalry was turning to Chiyo's favor now, with the controversy surrounding Shiho's family. To make matters worse, the news outlets were eating up her defense of the Chi-Ha-Tan team when Federation Medics came to take Miho away. Some said she was playing a better mother than Shiho who was not present at the occasion, only because Shiho had to meet with Director Kodama over the brawl with Konomi.
Damn that woman, she's up to something…even worse I don't have an inkling of what it is, while she is spying on me, with my own maids nonetheless
That had been something revealed to Shiho when she talk with Chiyo before the match, making Shiho understand that the headmistress of the Shimada clan was more dangerous than she thought at first. Being someone who was making moves that none were seeing, making Shiho anxious about the future. Yet that would have to be dealt with at another time, as she had a task in front of her that needed to be handled.
As the Kuromorimine Headmaster had call her to a meeting right after her talk with the Federation Director that he wanted to have the following day. Which made sense after all that had happened recently, probably needing to clear the air of what the future held for them. Shiho was confident she could quell the old man's fears, as their two families had been working together for over fifty years.
Hopefully, Shiho could get this done quickly and be with her daughters soon enough.
XxxxX
"This is going to be good," a man said to himself quietly as he sat in the Headmaster's Office of the Kuromorimine High School.
The room itself was very large and well furnished. With a low polish wood table sitting between two black couches, which had tan pillows adorn across just like the academies school colors. Along the wall a large collections of record books were enclosed behind glass doors, each containing the history of Kuromorimine through the years, from its successes in Sensha-do, to excellent students who went on to become leaders in the real world, and many other achievements the school had enjoyed, while two large Kuromorimine Iron Cross banners were adorned on either side of the large window looking out to the calm seas the school carrier was out on the open seas.
While possibly another enjoyment being added to records of the great school was coming soon, but only the man currently in the room would see this next event in such a light, while others would be downright shocked, for good reason of course. With this very man making this shocking moment possible by getting rid of his father of course so that he could become the director of Kuromorimine Girls Academy.
As Yoichi Morimoto, former Headmaster of Kuromorimine Girls Academy had step down in secret, due to his son finding out that he been taking funds away from other clubs to help buy materials for new tanks for the Sensha-do club, with also the help of money from companies the Morimoto family own. That had been kept under the table, but if reveal to the public the scandal would have ruin the father, so with his son's threats the old man had step down to keep his honor, but had kept the change in regime secret for now, with the last act of the old man was to call Shiho to a meeting as to keep her defenses down.
Waiting for this very moment.
With said son, Horiuchi Morimoto now sitting in the very seat his father once sat. As he was going to usher in a new era for Kuromorimine. To have his family, who had a proud tradition as the pioneers of the sport with their academy they built, with many of their other family members taking leadership roles in companies around Japan. Yet for Horiuchi, he had always wanted to take his position of headmaster from his father, not for the mere importance of running Sensha-do's premier academy, but to….
A knock came on the door, dragging the new Headmaster from his thoughts, as he quickly straighten out his necktie while sitting upright in his seat. Knowing he had be presentable for his guest, even if she were dragging the stink of disgrace behind her, Horiuchi would play along for a bit, before he did anything.
"Yes," Horiuchi said to the one who knock.
The door open slightly, revealing his secretary poking her head in. "Sorry to intrude Headmaster Morimoto, but your guest is here."
"Good, see her in," Horiuchi ordered with a pleasant smile.
A blush cross the face of the secretary, as his charming looks had infatuated her with the new Headmaster, which Horiuchi knew well. Then the secretary bow and closed the door to go retrieve the guest of honor, with each passing moment making Horiuchi have to take deep breaths as he could feel his excitement about to blow through the roof.
Another knock came, with the door opening fully now, with said honor guest coming in. A woman whose family was responsible for building the juggernaut that was Kuromorimine since Sensha-do was firstborn. Being Shiho Nishizumi herself, walking in wearing her usual outfit of a black blazer, matching black jodhpurs, and slip-on heels. She was her usual severe self, which was intimidating to most, but with what troubles surrounding her family now, made her seem less imposing.
Horiuchi didn't stand on ceremony as he stood up from his seat to come around his desk, though he could see Shiho raise an eyebrow at him, most likely baffle that Horiuchi's father wasn't greeting her, instead it was his son. Once again brining home that keeping it under wraps of the former Headmaster stepping down was already giving Horiuchi the advantage in the coming talk.
"Miss Nishizumi, a pleasure to see you this day," Horiuchi said, as she stop in front of her to bow, which Shiho bow back to him.
Holding a hand out, Horiuchi shook Shiho's hand as he spoke. "Thank you for your hospitality."
"The pleasure is mine. Might I ask where Mister Yoichi is?" Shiho ask.
Making Horiuchi grin as he drop the truth on her. "My father has stepped down from the Headmaster role for personal reasons, so I have graciously taken over."
"Why now? Being late in the school year," Shiho press.
"As I've said, personal matters. Now, how about we take a seat to discuss some recent events. Do you want tea or water?" Horiuchi ask.
"I'm fine," Shiho said, then walk over to the couch, taking a seat while Horiuchi took a seat on the couch across the table from her.
Clearing his throat first, Horiuchi then spoke. "Miss Nishizumi, as you know things are quite tense, with what happened in the Chi-Ha-Tan and Oarai match, while also the unfortunate news of your oldest daughter's bribery accusation."
"That's still to be determined by law enforcement," Shiho shot back, her face not wavering.
My, she's still going to fight back, now that's what I like in a women
Horiuchi thought, with a pleasant smile on his face. "Of course, of course. Yet you understand the pressure this puts on me, as a new Headmaster, who is being constantly hounded by news outlets for interviews. Asking me how I will deal with this unprecedented debacle."
"Nothing is set in stone. Though I apologize for the inconvieve this has caused you, but we must work together to keep the school's reputation intact," Shiho said.
"Our reputation or yours?" Horiuchi said slyly.
That made Shiho's eyes squint at the man. "I don't know what you're implying."
"Mmm, what I'm implying my dear lady, is that this scandal we are facing is due to your family's actions, not any fault of the Kuromorimine itself," Horiuchi said bluntly.
"I don't know what you're getting at, your father would have already been working out plans to face the media, together no less, to crack down on these news outlets before things get out of hand," Shiho argue calmly.
"Well my father is not here, it's just me now. You're not going to make us clean up your mess because your family can't seem to keep yourselves out of trouble," Horiuchi said, now ramping up his assault.
"You dare insult me and my family? After how close our two have worked together since the start of Sensha-do," Shiho said, her voice rising a bit.
That made Horiuchi chuckle a little. "You mean how your family made us do your bidding? Don't act like we were friends or anything. We were business partners, we provided you a school and funds for the panzers, while you help mold us into champions, I will not deny all the great achievements you have won for our school. Yet when your methods are so brutal, it begs one to wonder what the cost was in the end."
"The Nishizumi style is made this way, with many girls who learn from it going on to be prominent members in the Federation and beyond, you can no deny that either," Shiho said, her voice even, but the anger was hidden behind her words.
"That is somewhat true, but was this style what prompted Miss Maho to bribe our physician with hush hush money. You can't openly deny that, I know your family requires its daughters to uphold your family name, but at this kind of cost makes you wonder," Horiuchi said leaning forward a bit.
Shiho felt her heart clench hearing her oldest daughter's name, as news outlets were making every possible rumor of why Maho had done what she had done. Some were even boldly saying Shiho herself had forced her daughter to fight through her sickness all for the sake of glory to the family name. The utter thought made Shiho furious, not because the rumors were hurting the family's reputation, but for the fact, they thought her cold enough to push her own daughter to her death.
Steeling herself, Shiho look to Horiuchi now. "As I've said before, the investigation team needs to look in on this. I had wished to see Maho myself to get answers, but I can't as they till they finish their questioning."
The memory was still burned into Shiho's head, after the talk with Director Kodama, she had tried to head to the hospital that Maho had been taken to for treatment. Yet she was denied any chance to see her, due to an order from the Japanese Supreme court that bar Shiho to see her daughter till the Federation investigators were done with questioning, while also Shiho would be questioned later on.
Horiuchi made a tsk sound. "What a tragedy to keep a worried mother from her child. Though I wonder how much you care about your daughter, especially when I heard you all but kick your youngest to the curb, which is why she is attending Chi-Ha-Tan Academy of all places."
"More baseless rumors, while I mind your tongue when speaking of my daughter, for I might not show it, but she is my child who I care for more in the end than you ever can imagine," Shiho said, her voice becoming strain trying to keep her fury under control.
"Whether you care for her is up for debate, but what is certain is you must not like your cousin very much. You were said to be brawling with her during the match, not to mention your American Nishizumi family member was shown to all the world punching your daughter," Horiuchi said, now piling it on.
"That..was a mistake," Shiho admitted to herself.
With a wide devilish grin crossing Horiuchi's face, he spoke again. "It seems to be the Nishizumi way of late, mistake after mistake. All this time building up your power, yet in one instance it's all been brought down. I thought you ladies were made of iron, but in reality, you're made of glass that only needed the right moment to be tip over and shatter the veil of invincibility most thought you had."
That made Shiho slam her fist on the table, making Horiuchi jump a little in his seat.
"You will not continue to insult my family, not when yours owes much to mine. You think all your wealth was built up by your own merit…no…it was Nishizumi name behind it, as Sensha-do has many companies invest in it, to which your family use our name to control some of these very companies," Shio said, no longer taking any more from this welp in front of her.
Clearing his throat, Horiuchi was not to back down, even if he felt a cold shiver down his spine. "That may be true, but our family now owns these companies by or actions, not you. As of late the situation, we find ourselves in, means we need to make a hard choice."
The ominous tone made Shiho feel uneasy. "What hard choice?"
"With all this controversy falling around us because of your family, a new problem has also emerged, before you ask, let me show you," Horiuchi ask, as he reach over to his document folder, then open it up, while placing out papers in a neat line in front of Shiho.
Looking them over, Shiho saw pictures of young girls from Kuromorimine, all from different class years, some from a decade ago, others being recent graduates from the school. All of them Shiho recognize as once tankers for the Sensha-do team as well, from all different positions in the tank as well.
"These are past members, what about them?" Shiho ask.
Horiuchi return to his confident self. "These very girls are filing grievances against our school's Sensha-do team for harsh treatment done to them by their fellow teammates. They were apparently not performing up to par, promoting fellow team members to haze them mercilessly to make them keep up with the high standards of the Nishizumi style."
"This is outrageous," Shiho said, her face losing its neutral state, becoming shocked.
A shrug from Horiuchi follow the statement. "We won't know till another investigation team looks into it, yet you must know how this looks to me. Not only are you possibly forcing your daughter to fight for her life for the sake of tradition, but now our very team are hurting their own for the sake of tradition as well, to uphold this so call code of winning at all cost."
"These are lies, no girl under my tutelage ever went this far for the sake of winning," Shiho argue.
"Oh, then how about our own current student Koume Akaboshi?" Horiuchi said with a sly look.
Shiho said nothing, for she did remember Koume, the very girl whose tank had slipped off the edge and fell into the water in the 62nd National Tournament. She would have drowned had it not been for Miho saving Koume and her crew, something Shiho chastise Miho for, to which Shiho now regretted with all her heart now, because she had been so blind to uphold the family name.
Seeing her silence only made Horiuchi press further now. "Do you know that Miss Akaboshi was subjected to bullying from the last year seniors? I was told they were going to make her pay for costing them the final."
"I put an end to any of that, when they try to go after Miho," Shiho argue, which was the truth.
"Yet it didn't stop them going after someone else to sate their rage, it's sick that our Sensha-do member's minds are being twisted in such a way, by the Nishizumi way no less," Horiuchi said, putting some force behind his voice.
"No your wrong, Maho would have told me of this it really happen," Shiho said, feeling her resolve starting to fade.
"Yet it was Maho herself that stop this, not you," Horiuchi revealed, having learned that from students he had questions.
"Why would she not tell me this?" Shiho said, though mostly to herself, for this was the first time she was hearing of her daughter standing up to any of this bullying of other students. Making her regret that burdens like that were placed on her shoulders, when Shiho should have stopped this from ever happening.
"Maybe she doesn't trust her mother," Horiuchi said casually.
That made Shiho bristle, yet part of her couldn't deny there was some truth to that. As of late and before Miho's match, Maho had been talking less and less with Shiho. Maybe because it was the argument they had had before the tournament over Miho leaving or just Maho hating her for the obvious reason that Shiho had all but given up on Miho when she left their home, without Shiho ever trying to stop it.
Seeing he had his opponent on the ropes, it was time for Horiuchi to finish it and Shiho for good. "With all these problems, like I said before, a hard choice must be made for the good of the academy."
Shiho turn her eyes to him, feeling herself shake as he continue to talk.
"As of today, Kuromorimine Girls Academy will be dropping the Nishizumi tankery school and cutting all affiliation with the family," Horiuchi said with a confident look.
"You…you…you can't be serious," Shiho said, feeling sick to her stomach by the very words.
"I am, for I am the headmaster here. I control this entire school, you do not. If my academy is to gain back its reputation it will be without you. While also all Nishizumi training schools around Japan will be closed and you will be placed under house arrest till the investigation of these grievances is fully conducted and if we find any truth to them will be prosecuted," Horiuchi explain, dropping the hammer he had been waiting for the entire day.
The news shock Shiho beyond words. As in one instance everything was destroyed, everything her family had built for 50 years was crushed into dust. Even if the grievances prove to be mute, the damage on Shiho's reputation was all but secure, as well as her small youth schools would be closed down, meaning the Nishizumi style will be wipe from Japan, with only the Shimada left.
"You can't do this," Shiho said in a whisper.
"Oh, look at you. The power that you held so firmly in your cup has been spilled, with nothing but an empty void left. This must be who you really are when that iron will is strip to nothing, quite pathetic really when you been flexing your might for so long," Horiuchi said with a sad shake of the head.
Shiho wanted to retort, but she felt like someone had punched all the air out of her, yet she still whisper words out. "I…I…I need to see Miho…I need to see…Maho."
"I am sorry I must keep you from your daughters, but you brought this on yourself," Horiuchi said, then stood to his feet knowing this meeting was over. "I wish you luck in your future endeavors and was grateful for your visit."
Then Horiuchi bow to Shiho, then walk over to his desk practically telling her he was done with the conversation. Yet Shiho continue to stare into the distance, trying still to process everything that was happening, but her mind became blank, unable to form words or movements, but simply just sit in place.
Yet, she began to move eventually, standing up with her legs feeling like jello which almost caused her to collapse. Shiho then bow to Horiuchi trying to keep some decorum, then walk out of the room, lifeless and emotionless. As Shiho open the door, she was greeted by investigators who were going to escort her home to be placed under house arrest, to which Shiho didn't resist, and went along quietly.
As the once-mighty Tigress was now broken, with her cubs far from her, and seemingly no chance for her to keep steady on this rocky path before her.
Back in the office, Horiuchi just smile as he took his seat. Feeling great joy that he had to be the first person ever to tell off thee Shiho Nishizumi, break her down, and make her leave with her tail between her legs. It had gone exactly as he hope, with this fueling excitement making him a little hot under the collar, but steady himself because he had a phone call to make now.
Pulling out his phone, he found his contact and press the dial button.
It only took one ring, before the recipient pick up, with an alluring graceful voice speaking now. "Hello Mister Morimoto, do what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
Horiuchi smiled as he spoke. "Miss Shimada, it is done. Kuromorimine will no longer have any affiliation with the Nishizumi family anymore. Have just finished sending Miss Nishizumi off, was quite the conversation."
"I can imagine, you've done well. With the Nishizumi family cut off from an affiliate school, their smaller youth schools will fade," Chiyo said in a please voiced.
"Oh, no worries, her other schools will be closing down shortly. I've seen to it myself," Horiuchi said proudly.
"Oh, how have you gone about this?" Chiyo ask.
"By making up fake grievances by past students of the Sensha-do team, that they were being abused for not being up to the standard of the Nishizumi way," Horiuchi explain, while starting to pour himself from celebratory bourbon into a glass.
Yet instead of praise, he was met by silence for a moment, then Chiyo spoke. "You did what?"
Horiuchi explain it all again, a bit perplexed to hear some hostility in Chiyo's voice.
"This was not part of the plan, Mister Morimoto. You jeopardize all I've done by using such a method. You were meant only to see Shiho is longer able to head Kuromorimine's Sensha-do team, not make fake grievances to humiliate her," Chiyo said, her voice still graceful, but small hints of anger behind it.
Hearing her become hostile, prompted Horiuchi to stop his drinking and focus in. "I know it wasn't part of the plan, but this faster approach. We get rid of her for good, no way can Miss Nishizumi come back from this, she's done."
"All you've done, is soothe your ego to put her in her place in what you believe is her place, I may be trying to pull the Nishizumi name down, but even I have honor. I would never go to such depths as lying to make her fall, for there is too much truth she must pay for, so do you see why I am upset with you," Chiyo explain.
"Well I…Lets just leave this up for debate for later, we should be celebrating our success and to our future," Horiuchi said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh, I wonder what we're celebrating for our future," Chiyo said with a sly voice.
"Ah, to our friendship I would say," Horiuchi nervously said.
A small chuckle escape Chiyo's lips, then she spoke. "Friendship? Isn't this nothing more than good business nothing more. For it was I who provided you the means to find your father's corrupt use of money."
"Yet I did the labor for it, please don't insult me, Miss Shimada. Without a major family behind us, Kuromorimine will be lost on how to proceed with our Sensha-do team," Horiuchi pleaded now, feeling like he was losing his grip on things.
"And you assume I would attach my name to your school in the end?" Chiyo ask.
Horiuchi felt sweat begin to drip down his face. "I…I…I…I had always assumed that be the case. Then your daughter Miss Alice would lead the Sensha-do team with her exceptional skills no less, she can even use our school's Tiger 1 just to rub salt in the wound for the Nishizumi family."
"Oh dear me, hahahaha, oh do excuse my laughter," Chiyo said, while calming herself down to speak evenly. "I hate to disappoint, but I would never let my daughter even walk over the bridge to your school. For I have very unladylike hate for German cats, I prefer American and British lions myself, which trickles down to my daughter."
"Wait, Miss Shimada! How am I to procced now? When word gets out that we cut Shiho off and Maho is still in the hospital, my Sensha-do team will be leaderless and without a style to follow," Horiuchi said hotly, trying to dig himself out this.
"You could apologize to Shiho, but you had to go and dig your own grave by those false grievances, I believe they call that tying your own noose. Yet whatever comes, maybe you should take this opportunity to have your team find its own style, as you know, us Sensha-do families are a dying breed, so I doubt you will find another, or even one that is actually competent," Chiyo said casually.
"You can't do this to me! We were in this together!" Horiuchi shouted over the phone.
"Oh do lower your voice, you're even upsetting my unborn child. This was a business arrangement and our business is at an end, so I wish you luck in your future endeavors, do not call me again," Chiyo said.
"Wa-," Horiuchi try to say, but the line was cut off.
The new Headmaster of the Kurominne just stood in disbelief, before slowly falling to his chair.
For he now had to lead a school that was already facing challenges from outside, but now he had cause internal problems, all without the Shimada family behind him. It didn't take long to realize he had been used and worse he had all but severe any chance of asking Shiho to come back by his own actions nonetheless.
Taking the glass in shaking hand, he took a large gulp of his whiskey, then spoke quietly to himself. "What have I done?"
Then he stood up and threw the glass against he wall, which smash to pieces, just like Horiuchi's dreams of a new era of Kuromorimine, which had been smashed as well, with nothing but himself to try to steady the ship.
A rocky start one could say.
XxxxX
The following day…
Aboard the School carrier the Akagi, which was sailing currently over calm seas with a cloudless sky hanging over it. The sun blaring down, speaking to the coming summer warmth that would only lead to more pleasant days out on the sea, as spring was reaching its zenith, yet the cool airflow over the community who were going about their day with great enthusiasm. As for these happy residents, living on a carrier was a great enjoyment, being away from the mainland and enjoying the fresh air day in and day out.
Though their enthusiasm could also be attested to their tankery club who had for the first time in 15 years reach the semi-final of the national tournament. There had supposed to be a big party for the club when they return to the carrier, but that had been put on hold when Miho Nishizumi, their team's commander had been brought back, but was unable to wake up, some fearing she was in a coma.
Thankfully the doctors aboard the Akagi put it down to heavy fatigue and that Miho would just need time to rest, as they monitor her past couple of days, though this was being kept quiet. A mutual agreement due to the fact the Nishizumi family itself was under intense scrutiny because of its actions of late. With Shiho Nishizumi herself having just announced being let go by Kuromorimine as its head instructor, along with rumors of her beating her own cousin during the match, leading to see the once-powerful woman fall from grace.
It didn't help that also Maho Nishizumi was under scrutiny as well, since she was discovered to be paying off the Kuromorimine physician to keep quiet about an illness she had, with most saying she did because her mother force her. Though the Nishizumi legal team had denied the allegations, the damage was already done with Shino Nishizumi being place under house arrest for now.
Though for the residents of the Akagi, they went about their lives, hoping that Miho would wake up soon to celebrate the girl's success while also offering their prayer for her family. This same sentiment was felt throughout the entire Chi-Ha-Tan Academy, with most sending flowers to the hospital, or even visiting to pray that Miho would wake up soon. As they too press on with school life, while a certain student had other idea's of a gift to give Miho, though this one wasn't going to be pleasant in any capacity.
This very student at the moment had to only get through this last class, then she could go about her planning.
"Alright students, again let's make sure to understand the formula," the teacher said, standing with her back to the class, as she wrote on the chalkboard quickly, as she needed to get this in before the bell rang for the girls to go home as their test were coming up.
As she finish the formula on the chalkboard, the female teacher turn around to her class. "The formulas are odd I know, but I'm going to give the plugins. We only need to add these numbers to the formula or sigma which means to add up all numbers. If an X is next to this sigma, we need to add all the x values….."
God I hate statistics
Mizuko Nonaka thought, she was of above-average height, with light skin color. Her eyes were a rich yellow and her hair jet black and flowing down her back, while wearing the Chi-Ha-Tan Academy school uniform with long sleeve light brown jacket, red skirt, with black socks and school slip shoes.
If nothing else, Mizuko was a smart girl, having already mastered this part of statistics she knew other girls in the class would come to her for help. Numbers were never something hard for her to understand, though the complex formulas of chemistry were something else, but she did alright, even if that class made her bang her head against the desk, due to boredom.
Turning her eyes to the left from her seat in the far back of the room, Mizuko look out the open window of the classroom. A cool breeze came in, making her close her eyes and enjoy it washing over her on this warm day. Then she open her eyes again to the outside, seeing most of the academy from the 3rd level of the building. All the clubrooms could be made out, the equestrian club, the archery club, and most hated of all was the tankery club.
Mizuko could make out the building she once call home every day after school, a place that she had left behind in an impulsive act to spite her then commander who she finally had enough of, though that could also be attributed to the fact she had punch said commander when Headmaster Hedimichi had step in to break up the fighting. That day was still in Mizuko's mind, the humiliation laid down to them by Saunders, though Mizuko didn't see it that way, she just saw her upperclassmen at the time as nothing but cowards that ran from a fight and the result was a divided team on the field.
Time and time again, Mizuko try to get her upperclassmen commander Ako to realize they couldn't abandon their warrior ways, but things never work out between them, which led to the divide. The worst was with the first years who were just as divided as the rest of the team, some taking to Mizuko's way of thinking, but because Nishi had been influenced by the modernist third years she was able to turn many of the first years against the teachings of the warrior code.
Not that it mattered now, now the new era of Chi-Ha-Tan tankery had taken flight and with it, three victories for the newly christen Tigress Corps, under the command of the Miho Nishizumi. The very thought made Mizuko angry, for they won while forgetting what Chi-Ha-Tan Tankery was about, while they seem to have forgotten all about the past members just because they won as well. Like Mizuko and the rest of the members weren't even worth remembering which hurt the most.
Tamada, Ikeda, Nagura, Hamada, and some others of the second year group now, were once quite close with Mizuko, as was the tradition in the club to always look after their juniors inside and outside the club, hanging together, and helping one another. They were a tankery family before, but it seem like those bonds meant nothing, as now those who were once close were gone.
Damn those girls, I look after them, molded them, and this is my thanks
Mizuko thought, feeling her face contort in anger, yet just as quickly cool herself, knowing there was soon to be reparation for this betrayal of her underclassmen. With things so up in the air now for the club, even if they had made the semi-final, they might have to do it without their commander who was laid up in the hospital, while not to mention their Tiger 1 was completely wrecked.
"Miss Nonaka," the teacher call out, to pull her student from her thoughts.
"Oh, sorry," Mizuko said, as her classmates began to giggle at her having caught the teacher's ire.
"Please pay attention, just because you have good grades doesn't mean you get to relax. You have to think of college after this year, which goes for the rest of you. It will be a chance to grow up on your own, to which you need to get your studying techniques down now," the teacher explain.
Even with the small scolding she receive, Mizuko went back to daydreaming. Thinking of college really gave her no pleasure, at least right now. She wish Chi-Ha-Tan offer college classes, so she could stay here, with what few remaining friends she had. Going to mainland to go to college would be their only choice, which would be a huge adjustment when she was so used to life on the carrier, but now would have to live on land.
What memory will I have of this place when I graduate? One of fun with my friends when we did tankery or hatred of how things have turn out?
Mizuko thought sadly, then focus herself back on her studies. The rest of the class flew by, which Mizuko was grateful for, since she already knew everything being taught in the review lecture. Which made the final bell for the day be godsend for her, as she was the first to grab her bag and exit the classroom in a rush to get out of the building.
Though she didn't get far, as soon as she was outside her own classroom she was greeted by an old friend.
"Well hello there," a voice call out to her.
Turning with a grin towards her friend, as the hallway began to fill with other female students, Mizuko spoke. "Well hello yourself, Nori, see you were skipping class again."
Nori Umesaka, a small skinny girl, with rich brown hair, pale skin, and large light brown eyes. She was a close friend of Mizuko since first year, as well as once her gunner when they both fought for the tankery club. Even when they left the club, they still kept close after it all, with both having a disdain for the state of things under the new era of Chi-Ha-Tan tankery.
"I was not skipping, I just left faster than you, maybe your just getting slow in your old age," Nori tease.
The comment of her age, made Mizuko blush. "Were the same age, how can I be getting slow?"
"Maybe because you hit up that restaurant every day after school?" Nori said back with a shrug.
"First off, you come with me too," Mizuko argue.
"Yet I eat healthy stuff, unlike you," Nori said with smug look.
That just made Mizuko shake her head. "Eating hamburger steak doesn't count."
"It's got protein."
"It's got fat too."
Nori scoff at her friend. "Whatever, so we still meeting up with the girls?"
"Yea, we need to hurry up. We only got the room to ourselves because the art club is taking today off," Mizuko said back.
"Roger, let's go," Nori said, then the two began to walk down the hallway, heading to the meeting that had been plan today.
XxxxX
The sliding door to the Art Room was open without a knock, as Mizuko and Nori walk in proudly, as they were the last members to get to the meeting they had set up after witnessing their old team win again a couple of day's ago.
Inside the room, a single fold out table sat in the middle, with a small host of other Chi-Ha-Tan students talking softly with one another, with most of the art stands having been neatly folded up and push to the back of the room in an equally neat row. A couch sat near the whiteboard in the room, where another group of girls were talking with one another in soft voices.
Yet all these voices stop when the two Chi-Ha-Tan girls walk in, with most giving their full attention to them. Mizuko nodded at this, as these very girls were the last members of the old team that had stuck with her. Small in number compared to last year, due to many others moving on to other clubs as they still had an itch to compete, while a few had transferred out of the academy altogether, unable to carry the weight of shame of last year's match with Saunders had done to them.
"Hello girls, how we doing?" Mizuko ask with a cool smile.
A round of replies came back, as the girls slowly gather around the fold out table in the middle of the room, some sitting on the ground or pulling some more chairs over. With them all giving their once sub commander their full attention on why she called all of them in.
One girl, in particular, look a little annoyed with a bored look. Having short black hair with a red ribbon tied over, with bright blue eyes. "So Mizuko, you got a reason for this, I had plans to go hang out with my friends after school."
"Mura, I would think hanging with your tankery sisters would be a bit more important than that," Mizuko shot back, with Nori by her side staring daggers at the irritant.
Mura just shrug at them, while sitting on the ground. "We aren't in Sensha-do anymore, so no reason to keep calling us tankery sisters, more like orphans now. Ironic how we got back to this point again in our lives."
Hearing that cause some of the girls in the group to growl at Mura, as most of them were orphans adopted into the academy. Which made them quite defensive whenever anyone would bring it up in a negative fashion, which was worst when it was one of their own saying it. Yet Mura didn't flinch, as she had all but abandon tankery since that humiliation that day, wanting to just move on, with the only reason she was here was to humor Mizuko and see what had her so frantic to get all the remaining members together.
Yet for Mizuko it hurt to see Mura talk about herself in that fashion, especially knowing she was once a tank commander from her platoon, but now had all but seen her Sensha-do spirit evaporate since they had left the club. Slowly distancing herself from the team, till she eventually just stop hanging out with them, instead of finding other girls in her class to hang out with.
"Mura, we're here today because we need to do what's right by our old club," Mizuko argue.
Which made Mura raise an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"What I'm talking about girls, is its time for us to stop the destruction of club's culture," Mizuko said, her fill with determination.
This caused the girls to look bewildered at their leader, then began to chatter softly to one another. Of course a small majority had already known about this plan from Mizuko, the majority had been kept in the dark for the sake of making sure they weren't foiled by someone talking about it openly that Chi-Ha-Tan team might catch wind of.
Mura though look disappointed still. "Really, this is what this is all about. You want to mess with them, for what? Because they won, done what no team Chi-Ha-Tan team has done in a near-decade."
"No, I could care less for what they achieve, it's in the matter that they have done it. Without our warrior code, without what has been part of the club since its founding, that's what I mean to protect," Mizuko argue, as it seem Mura was the only one against this.
"Protecting our code that got us embarrassed?" Mura said, still not convinced.
That made Mizuko clench her fist tight at her sides. "How can you say that? That was Ako's fault because she was a coward, she was the reason why we fell apart."
"Look, I believe in the code as much as you. Yet when we lost the way we did, it open my eyes. All we've done is follow something that has made a joke, it wasn't till I left the club did I realize it. Seeing how many clubs around our school didn't just shake their heads at our failings or laugh at us, but instead look at us like we were disgracing Sensha-do as a sport," Mura explain, causing many in the room to begin to shout at her for being a coward as well.
Thought Mizuko quickly calm them down with a wave of her hands, then turn her eyes onto her once tankery sister. "So you mean to abandon us too, just like the rest."
Seeing her old teammates had had enough of her presence made Mizuko stand up now. "I found some good friends and I'm actually enjoying my final year here at this academy. Of course, I miss parts of Sensha-do, but I've also seen how fun it can be when the team puts their minds to it. Though it helps to have a Nishizumi leading them."
"That Miho is just another Ako, stamping on our ideals," Nori said with venom.
"No, she's something we could never be. I heard Tamada yell at her for trying to change our ways, yet something about her must have touched even our most stalwart defender of the code, because now Tamada is her biggest defender, that should tell you a lot already," Mura said with a sigh following.
Yet Mizuko wasn't deterred from her pursuit. "That's because Tamada just needs a reminder. She's my protégé, she's just caught up in the moment, but can't hide who she really is. No one believe in our code more than her, which means it will be easy to turn her back."
"Alright, fine do what you want. Yet I won't have any part of it," Mura said, while beginning to walk to the door.
"Mizuko move to block her path before she left. "Are you serious? How can you walk out on us? We fought side by side, held the code close to our hearts. Just as I held you close like family."
"Family? Yea we were like family, but your mind's twisted by the very thing that made us family. All you see is the need to preserve something that no longer is relevant in this age of tankery, so while I have move on, you like our code our still in the past, holding onto unneeded anger," Mura explain with a sad look crossing her face.
"Now you insult our clubs ideal, now you're a coward just like Ako," Mizuko growled, yet that earlier feeling of sadness began to take hold fully having to speak to someone she once held close in such a hostile fashion.
With Mura able to see that sadness in her once friend, even if she tries to hide it behind anger. Which promoted Mura to reach out and touch Mizuko's shoulder to say some final words to her. "I can see what you're going to try and do, out of respect I have for you, I won't say anything."
That made Mizuko lean back with a questioning look. "Why would you do that?"
Mura let out a warm smile. "I don't know, but maybe I believe this Miho girl will have the same effect on you like she did on Tamada."
That statement shocked Mizuko for a moment, before she grew angry, talking through clench teeth. "Get. Out. OF. Here. Traitor."
"Fine, been nice knowing you…I hope you find that moment in tankery that will show it can won, not by the old way, but the way that brings us together," Mura said, then walk out of the room closing the door quietly behind her.
Once she was gone, Nori place a hand on Mizuko's shoulder that was shivering in fury. "Don't mind her Mizuko. She's lost her way, but the rest of us haven't, right girls?"
"Yea!" The remaining girls roar back.
Seeing they were still with her, made Mizuko calm down, while patting the hand on her shoulder with affection, then turn to her friend. "Thanks, Nori."
Nori nodded in approval and then step back.
Turning back to her girls, Mizuko spoke. "Does anyone else want out?"
"No!" The group said back.
"Good, then it's time to show our underclassmen the price of failure to uphold our club's ideals," Mizuko said.
Another cheer rose up from the girls, as they stood up in agreement.
"Good, not let's get on with things," Mizuko said with a nod of approval.
"How are we going to go about taking them down?" One of the girls ask.
Mizuko felt a big grin stretch over her face, which said she had everything plan out already. "Well, we can thank little Miss Pamper girl for that."
"And who's that?" Nori ask now.
"Oh, come on, you can't forget her. She's was Ako's little pet project in the end and will now be the reason we rise with while Tigress Corps fall, so make sure girls to thank Nishi for giving us this opportunity," Mizuko said, as she then laid her plan to the team, who only follow their grin now, feeling like they were going to right the wrongs that had been done to their club. With the Tigress herself being the focal point of their charge.
For Miho would certainly get a nice surprise when she return, which Mizuko would personally give her.