With the dimming and dulling of the sun's rays, fires began to spring up as life returned to the vacant staging area. Where the crowd had left mid-day to a scene of torn steel and blazing tempers to match the heat, now was a cool night illuminating tables of food and tents with bright decorations and large displays of food. Students and guests filtered in partaking in conversation, congratulations, consolation, and most importantly the variety of food provided by Transcendence and Kuromoromine.

Thankfully no one held grudges, even O'Diveley kept his rabble-rousing to a minimum and began to party with whoever crossed his path. Former foes graced the same tables and those who shared jobs compared results and training. The civilian guests and regular students were sat outside under the starry night enjoying song and barrels of fire whereas the Senshado cadets of both schools were separated by a large open-top tent.

The thick-clothed structure housed both teams and their supporting students, a little over two hundred total. It served as a barrier for the weary cadets to mingle and relax away from public attention.

As the celebrations had just started, Kaiser found himself assisting with the last of the tables and food set up. As he placed a tray of steaming food down and another student came up to begin serving portions, an unexpected figure stepped up. Maho stood before him, her stoic expression placidly staring at him. The momentary silence showed all nearby eyes gravitate to her as she stepped away without a word.

Wiping his hands clean, Kaiser asked if he could take his leave. Without much courtesy, the student in charge of culinary affairs dismissed him with a wave of his hand. Understanding of the stress the boy shared with Kuromoromine's student chef at having to serve perhaps over a thousand people, Kaiser brushed off the discourtesy.

Now free, he followed after Maho in the direction she had departed. It didn't take long before he caught sight of her gesturing for him to follow her at a distance. Leading from the front, Maho led him to the rows of Kuromoromine tanks lined up out in the cold night air and away from the warmth of the celebrations.

The vehicle's fronts faced the feast behind them and as she turned to walk behind the tank rears he followed. He caught sight of her climbing aboard the vehicles and step by step ensuring no one had snuck inside of them. She walked down through all twenty of her vehicles and back to Kaiser before plopping down on the elevated rear of her Tiger which lay at the far left end.

Seated, she patted the cool steel next to her gesturing him to join her. Kaiser grabbed the chassis and began to climb as a slender hand was pushed in front of his face. Looking up he saw Maho offering assistance. A short internal deliberation led to him accepting and grasping her palm. Maho heaved him up as he clambered along, both chuckling at her almost being pulled off due to his weight.

As Kaiser settled in, Maho explained her earlier inspection. "Can't be too careful now that we're co-ed. The last thing Kuromoromine needs is a scandal in the team."

"Does this not qualify?" asked Kaiser in concern.

"This is an innocent conversation between two friends."

"Really now? Are you sure you want to make the mistake of befriending me?" he snickered.

"Are you saying Miho could and I can't?"

"Not at all, just didn't expect it."

"Then what was your goal in trying to incite me to combat?"

"Just that. I was picking a fight" he snickered with a somber shake of his head.

"I'm sure my mother wouldn't like to hear that."

"Please don't bring her up" sighed Kaiser, eliciting a soft smile from Maho. A short pause ensued as both looked out into the starry night.

Maho spoke first. "It's irksome to lose to your little sister. At least there is a sense of pride. To lose to someone new? And a year younger nonetheless? I'm not sure how to feel."

Concern crossed Kaiser's mind upon hearing her remark as he leaned back. "Will this affect you? Losing in the semi-finals this year?"

"Worried?" she asked, making light of his question.

"It doesn't affect me but that doesn't mean I don't care when a friend is in trouble."

A soft giggle graced his ears as she waved away his concerns. "There is no shame in losing to a strong enemy. It only means that my juniors will have that much more to prove once I am gone. Just be sure to win the finals so that everyone understands it wasn't a mistake."

"I'll think about it" he replied sarcastically.

"Now, as a senior, I have new choices to focus on now that my Sensahdo season is over."

"Not to mention all those pining for your attention." Maho gave a curious look at his sudden remark. One he could only roll his eyes to. "Come on, you're the Maho Nishizumi. Your mother even told me she was worried about boys chasing after you once you head off to college."

Averting her eyes, Maho gave a conceding nod. A sigh showed she didn't care too much for the inevitable prospect of which.

"You have a lot on your plate. I'd bet you probably add to it without much thought as well. If you ever need a hand or at least someone to complain to, you can reach out to me. Though I doubt I can help you with your college work.

Maho let a skeptical chuckle out. "I'm sure you have no room to speak, if we are so alike that is."

"You got me there" he grinned, laying back on the cool steel of the tank.

"Why the sudden offer?"

Placing his hands behind his head as he looked into the dazzling night sky, he recalled the same words from a bright smiling Kay. "A friend offered it to me when I started Senshado. Not that I ever took them up on it. I'm sure it was just a courtesy at the time but that didn't stop her from insisting."

Maho hummed in interest. "Then what if I extend the same courtesy?"

"I may take you up on it. We'll no longer face each other in competition, at least for a year, and besides you're too interesting of a person to just leave alone."

Maho leaned back and let a small huff of air out. "You better be careful or my parents really will think you're proposing."

Snickering, Kaiser shrugged. "Best not to complicate things then."

"You think so, Adam?"

Kaiser gave a cross glare from one eye at her teasing tone. A small fit of calming laughter crossed the two as they relaxed. Closing his eyes, Kaiser felt the cooling embrace of the desert wind on him and failed to notice Maho in deep thought.

"Why are you the vice commander?" asked Maho.

Nonchalantly, Kaiser replied with his eyes closed. "It's less trouble." He cracked an eye open and saw the expected look of dissatisfaction on her face. He deliberated with himself on what precisely to say. She was a kindred spirit in many ways. She had taken an interest in his personal life just as he did hers, though he may have discovered hers unintentionally. Perhaps he could open up a bit more than usual. Sitting up he gave a short warning.

"I've been hearing that question a lot. Are you ready for a long story?"

Minutes flew by as the night grew colder and the fires behind them illuminated brighter. Eventually, Kaiser took a deep breath at the end of his story as Maho looked up at the glistening moon. At the end of his tale, all she said was "I see…"

"Not so pretty or admirable a story is it?" he laughed with a tinge of bitterness.

Maho brought a knee to her chest and rested her chin against it. "No, but interesting nonetheless. I never would have imagined the strange boy in my father's house would turn out to be so curious."

Kaiser recalled their first meeting and how strange everything had turned out. "I'm glad It happened though. Even more so at the relief of coming clean when I did. I can still remember the pressure when you saw through my disguise. The glaring was unbearable"

"Ah-" Maho let a small sound escape, drawing Kaiser's attention. As he stared she came clean herself. "I wasn't glaring. At the time, I was trying to figure out where I had seen you before. I didn't realize until you told me."

Kaiser threw his head back with a groan. It soon turned to a disbelieving chuckle as he covered his face. "Even so, I guess it all turned out for the best." He slid one hand down to reveal a sly grin as he looked up at her. "I'd never have imagined you to be airheaded though."

The remark struck true as Maho shifted her head to hide her embarrassment. Without hesitation, she hopped off the Tiger's rear and dusted herself off. Kaiser sat up to look as he cleared her throat. "Well, then I suppose we ought to get going."

"Why the rush?" he asked teasingly.

"I need to oversee my teammates and hunt for Erika. She still owes you for that bet of yours correct?"

"Oh? Has she disappeared on you?"

"She hasn't run out on your deal. She wouldn't do that. I'm sure she's just-"

"Sulking?"

"It happens to the best of us" nodded Maho.

Kaiser shook his head, sympathetic to the statement. Watching Maho take her leave he called out to her. "I'll keep an eye out for her." Maho waved her thanks over her shoulder. Kaiser relaxed for another moment before getting up himself. Coincidentally as he headed towards the festivities, he caught sight of a lone figure skulking around the edge of a distant tent. The stranger slipped in through a back flap and the lack of light showed they were sitting in darkness. Most Notable, they had a head of gray hair, naturally, Kaiser beelined for them.

Carefully he made his way to the same isolated tent. His footsteps were light and quick in the sand, ensuring that he was as silent as could be. Gently he grasped the tent's fold, preparing to open it and catch whoever was inside unaware. Tensing at the moment of surprise, a small sound reached his ear, a soft sniff. He hesitated a moment as a self-berating voice followed.

"Why? Why can't I just- just win?" it asked quietly.

He recognized the voice. More than that he empathized with its frustration. Quietly he pulled his hand back and clenched a fist. A glance to either side showed he was still alone outside the tent. Alone and away from prying eyes. Just loud enough for whoever was inside, he announced himself.

"Hello? Is anyone inside?"

The voice inside made a rough noise as her breath hitched, followed by silence as they froze in place hoping not to be found. Keeping the tent as a barrier to privacy, Kaiser took a friendly tone. "If you have 'company' in there then by all means I won't impede further."

The one inside didn't seem to appreciate his humor or the innuendo. "Shut the hell up and go" she spat from inside.

It was certainly Erika within. He was surprised at where her bravado had gone but hearing her temper had confirmed it. Reeling back from his joke, Kaiser nodded to himself, taking on a more serious attitude. "You know I understand how you must feel. I can tell you for certain that a lot of people do."

Hasty footsteps sounded from within as he heard them kick sand. Erika seemed to rush to the tent flap and in a hushed tone laced with frustration, laid into him from behind the cloth divider. "How could you?! You can't! That's how! It's your first year in Senshado! You don't know how long, how hard, I tried!"

"Immediately after her defiant claims soft thud came from within as the tent's flap bulged outward. Erika had fallen onto her rear, bringing her knees up to her chest as she leaned against the tent's structure. Frustrated and tired, she didn't have the energy to argue while standing.

It was surprising to him. Not that she had vehemently argued against him but how he could relate to her. As with so many others he had met in this sport he felt a level of similarity to her. Even if she acted how he used to. Despite her tone, he refuted her claim. "Had it been me from a year or two ago, I would probably be balling my eyes out in private. Even if I had lost today it wouldn't change how upset I'd be. Only now I look to how I'll perform in the future."

The wisdom of his personal experience fell on deaf ears as she weakly repeated herself. "You wouldn't… couldn't understand."

Spinning around Kaiser dropped in place, taking a seat on the still warm sand and nestled against the tent. A soft chuckle left his lips. "You're stubborn like my sisters. All of them. I think that's why I know I can say this. It's alright to be upset. Even cry. I'm just an acquaintance. If you do so it won't affect your standing and no one other than me will ever know."

"Shut up."

Her defiance brought another nostalgic laugh. "You're a fine girl, commander, and friend from what little I've heard. You've been through a lot and that's not a bad thing. You'll make for a great leader and exciting opponent next year."

"How? I'm just a stepping stone, I'll never be as good as Maho. I couldn't even beat you of all people."

Taking the unintentionally backhanded remark, Kaiser pressed on. "And? I'm just a willing tool for Virtanen to pursue his own goals while benefiting from the situation myself."

She snickered bitterly at his attempt at comfort. "That's a load of bull and you know it. You're clearly more skilled."

"He'd cry if he heard you." Kaiser grinned with a shake of his head at the thought. He and I have our own paths and ways of doing things. You saw how we performed against Pravda, everyone did. We simply try to make it work. You and Maho aren't so different but you are not the same. You can't be her but she'll never be you."

Erika's voice seemed to regain a bit of its passion again. "Obviously? God, you're terrible at this."

Kaiser shrugged with a small grin. "Call it an older brother's wisdom."

"That's creepy." she grimaced.

"You know, it's almost refreshing to hear that from someone."

"I'm older than you anyways."

"What month?"

"March. You?"

Kaiser clicked his tongue. "July."

With a strange sound of pride, Erika condescendingly said, "Told you."

"Well," Kaiser groaned as he stood and dusted the sand off his rear. "I'll look forward to facing you next year. In our final match as seniors. Though I won't be a commander anymore."

He expected silence to be his only reply. A muffled and begrudging voice pleasantly surprised him. "You better be there regardless."

Feeling as if he had gotten through to her, Kaiser grinned mischievously. "Sure. Just don't expect this stranger to comfort you if you lose again."

"You're an idiot. If I've known you for a year by then you wouldn't be a stranger."

"Hm, I suppose so."

"I'll be different next year. You'll see.

"Perhaps I will. But people don't change so easily you know?"

Erika turned silent once more. Seeing she was finished, Kaiser ended the conversation on his own note. "However, I can't wait to see the results." Looking out into the groups of laughing and chatting students, He passed a reminder. "Once you're ready you should find Maho. She's not the only one waiting for you to join the fun either."

With that he took his leave and sought to follow his own words, looking for his peers. In the heart of the festivities and surprisingly unnoticed by all, a married couple perused the festivities.

Shiho and Tsuneo had watched the match in its entirety before departing and sneaking back incognito. Though their disguises were light at best, it didn't take much for the large gathering of students and viewers to not notice amidst the distractions.

"Who would've thought he was the commander of an opposing school huh?" asked Tsuneo. His wife kept a stern face as she shrugged at the remark.

"It was obvious in hindsight," she answered. Though she pretended to know, Tusneo knew his wife best. She could be airheaded or even oblivious at times just like her daughters. He had the foresight to look into the boy after meeting him and quickly found his true identity but for his wife's sake, kept that information to himself.

As he adored his wife's conflicted expression in the warm light, Shiho thought aloud. "Senshado is following your path without looking back and only focusing ahead. That boy, Kaiser, is a fickle one. He cannot be underestimated."

Caught in adoration at her profound praise, Tsuneo caught an earsplitting smile. Leaning into her ear he whispered "Is that why you offered our daughter to be his friend? Or is it because he fooled you too?"

Snapping a hand to cover her ear, Shiho shot an icy glare at her husband. Tsuneo grinned wider as he saw the minuscule blush on her stony expression. Knowing her glare did not affect her husband, Shiho relented and coughed into a fist. "I was serious about their friendship. Maho will leave sooner than later for Germany and I will not rescind my offer to him despite his lies and omissions."

Tsuneo raised a teasing eyebrow. "Or is it because you really are worried about Maho because you vehemently insisted she didn't need male friends?"

"I hate it when you get like this" grit Shiho between her teeth.

"I love you no matter what" taunted Tsuneo.

"Oh my," said a voice to their side. The couple turned to see a woman Shiho's height and equally attractive with some fashionable dessert attire. As they sent her a questioning glance she apologized.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just didn't expect to see such a loving couple at a children's sporting event."

Tsuneo grew embarrassed realizing he was indeed in public as Shiho stepped forward and returned to her stern self. "Is there something you require? Or is there an issue?"

"The light brunette waved in dismissal at Shiho's scowl. "None at all, I simply wish to speak to the parents of my son's friend. "I'm Adam's mother, Mrs. Kaiser."

-Chapter End-