(Note: It was day 3 of the training, it was skipped since it was planned that day two of the training would be filled with punishment such as instead learning how to do marchings and drills under the heat of the sun and doing other physical exercises , due to the student's rambling and bickering in the first day of the training.)
(Another note: There is a server to discuss regarding this story, if you're interested in helping, join in! /JBjVgVwq )
Old school garage, 12th of September 2015, Day time:
Everyone was waiting near the garage, already wearing their supposed tankery uniform, waiting for the instructors to arrive. Everyone's expression was but a tired one, with no motivation whatsoever.
"Yesterday was so tired... I feel like I can't move my legs..." Miyuki growled, as she sat on a log, lying her back against the wall. Stretching her legs out.
"Stop complaining... Our fault for making Lieutenant Blais mad, guess he asked for physical training to the principal after we finished last training yesterday." Alisia said in a tired tone, before then reaching for her bottle of water, opening the cap to drink the content, releasing a sigh of relief, now feeling more hydrated from the heat of the sun. "Last night I didn't have much sleep either... The Captain told me to give him a full structure of the team and to email it to him because the president forgot to write it to him... Contacted everyone at night... Finished it in 9PM..."
Miyuki wanted to argue, but Alisia's last statement made her halt in her argument, she then sighed. "Fair.."
There was silence, before Alisia looked at Miyuki, "I see you've taken my advice." Said Alisia in a flat tone, still tired.
"Yep... A bit hard just speaking English but..." Said Miyuki. "Maybe I can adapt here in short time..." she mumbled.
Then, a column of trucks was seen near the school gate, led by a small green willy jeep. On the trucks, attached each 2 or 3 cargo's on the mobile platforms, most are big, some are small. All of it covered in blue tarps. The students looked and waited in anticipation, wondering what would be under those tarps. Then, the willy jeep stopped in front of the garage, and the three instructors hopped out, wearing a lighter clothing due to the heat.
Alisia approached and asked the Captain, "What are behind those covers, Captain?"
The Captain looked at her, he answered. "Oh, those? Those are the tanks you'll be using, extra the Churchill in the garage of course."
Then suddenly, a student approached the Captain, that was Aiden McGregor, "Excuse me Captain, but may I have a request?"
The Captain looked at the student, before then responding with a curious look, wondering what he will be asking. "Yes, what is it Mr. McGregor?"
Lieutenant Blais stared at Aiden with a death glare unintentionally, waiting for him to speak, Aiden shivered in fear, but then Aiden built up his courage and spoke. "I checked on the Churchill two days ago and I found out that its engine is a bit... Rusty. Along with several other components, I think it needs to be repaired, but maybe it's better to be replaced with a better version like the Mk VIII."
The Captain responded, "Ah, the rust? Already taken care of when you were all on punishment yesterday." Then the Captain looked back towards the rest of the students. "Alright! Let's get this started. Head towards your group and we'll be starting our lesson for today, come on."
The Captain's group went back towards the garage to continue with his lectures, while the rest led by Lieutenant Blais and Dionne were guiding them towards the now unloaded tanks, still wrapped. Then Lieutenant Morrison orders, "Right, unwrap those tanks and we'll continue with our lesson today."
Miyuki took the initiative and uncovers one of the tanks, and a M3A5 Stuart was seen, with an appearance as if it was just out of the factory due to how clean the tank is. "Woah... An A5 Stuart! Never thought I'd see one!" Said one student in an excited tone.
Then, the rest of the students uncovered the rest of the tanks. There were 5 Ram Sherman's, and another M3A5 Stuart. In total, 2 Stuarts, 5 Rams and a Churchill. "This is all so cool! I never thought I'd be seeing a tank here out of all places!"
"Alright, for today we will be learning on how to drive and fire, we'll wait once the Captain and the other students are done. Until then, feel free to take a look at the tanks." Said Lieutenant Dionne. The students began exploring each tank, one of them being Miyuki.
Miyuki looked in and sniffed the inside of an M3A5, "Huh... Smells like a new car... All of this is new."
"Really?" Anoki sneaked from behind and into the tank, looking inside. "First time seeing this kind of moving heavy looking metal... It feels... refreshing."
Just a few dozen minutes later, the Captain alongside the other students came back. "Right, how was it?"
Lieutenant Dionne looked back, he wrapped his arms on his back, at an at ease posture. "All's good, sir. The students were just exploring, some even seemed to look like their first time seeing a tank."
Lieutenant Blais added, "For sure nothing wrong happened."
"Huh, alright then. Well, it's obvious it may be their first time, they lived in such rural place anyways." The Captain explained.
"Uhh, didn't this town has a museum dedicated to the veterans in this town? Most people in this town have at least go to war once in their life." Lieutenant Dionne emend.
"I can confirm that, Sir." Lieutenant Blais supported.
As the three officers continued talking, Alisia approached and asked towards Captain Morrison. "So uhm... Sir... What now?"
The Captain looked back at Alisia, "Ah, well Ms. Harlington, have them start picking their tanks, and we'll continue with our lessons."
"Understood..!" Alisia then walked back towards the group,
"Alright everyone, the Captain said start picking your tanks-" Alisia was cut as the students began rushing to the tanks, and began claiming it to their own.
"This is now ours!"
"No! This is ours!"
The chaos continues, Alisia was stressed and then she looks back at the Captain, with a look that begged for an immediate help. Lieutenant Blais saw this and immediately approached the situation, but the students immediately noticed and stopped.
"U-Uhh... You can have that..."
"N-No! Please, you can take it."
Meanwhile, Miyuki was just leaning near the Stuart, along with Anoki, watching at the commotion that was happening. "Omoshiroi... Ne?" Said Miyuki.
"Huh?" Anoki gave a look of confusion, not understanding a single word Miyuki just said.
"Uhm... Forget about it." Miyuki dismissed, which Anoki just gave a hesitant nod.
Lieutenant Blais halted his movement, as the situation is now back to calm. Alisia sighed a breath of relief after, and soon, Alisia approached Miyuki, "So, which one do you two like the most?"
"I don't know... But all of these are so cool! I thought by tankery they meant something else." Said Anoki in an excited way,
"I don't know..." Miyuki looked back at the Stuart she and Anoki has been leaning against since the commotion began. "Maybe this one?"
Alisia looked at the Stuart, he then walked towards it and attempted to reach up, but of course was difficult due to her height. Miyuki looked at this and approached her, before then she lifted Alisia up, startling Alisia. Miyuki then placed Alisia up on the tank, before then letting go of her.
Alisia didn't know what to respond with, after Miyuki all of the sudden lifting her up to the tank. But she later looked back at her. "Thanks..."
"You're welcome!" Miyuki replied with a cheerful tone.
Training field, day time:
"Alright, time to practice the lessons we learned yesterday, get into your tanks and start driving around the field, I'll give an hour, starting from... Now."
The students then went into their tanks, getting inside. One by one, the tanks began to turn on it's engine, the air now filled with the sound of roaring engines, with fumes coming out from the engines, getting all warmed up.
"Alright... Uhh, try turning it on." Alisia ordered to Anoki, sitting on the commander's seat. Anoki meanwhile, looking at the buttons and levers, and a few indicators. Anoki looked at the manual located on her seat which she's sitting on, looking around a few pages, trying to remember.
"Maybe this...? Anoki pushed her finger on a red button, which ignited the engine, causing it roar out loud, hurting everyone's ear drum inside.
"Ow..!" Alisia covered her ears, she reached for something from her pocket trouser pocket, pulling out a hearing protection. She then placed it on her ears, before she made a comment. "I didn't know tank make a sound this loud..."
"I-It's so loud..." Said Miyuki as she also reached for her hearing protection. Putting it onto her ears. Followed with Anoki doing the same.
Anoki took a deep breath, looking at the controls, she placed her arms on the levers. "So... Where should we go Alisia?"
Alisia stood up on the cupola, using the commander's seat to get on top. She looked around, where tanks were seen with their engines fuming, all static and quiet. Students were seen with their heads popping out from the hatches, talking to each other, many with looks of excitement.
"Alright uhh, try to move in circles." Said Alisia, looking down at the hatch which Anoki was below.
"A-Alright..." Anoki then pushed the levers forward, causing the tank lurching forward, which caused Alisia to fell off the turret, and onto the hot engine trap door, causing her to flinch off and fall to the ground.
"Ow..." Alisia moaned in pain from both the heat and impact, her head facing against the dirt. Miyuki looked out and saw Alisia, and in response she came out and hopped off the tank, helping Alisia to stand back up, and with a worried look, she asked.
"Are you okay?" Asked Miyuki with a look of worry, leaning down slightly to reach Alisia's height.
"I-I'm fine..." Alisia replied.
Both returned back inside the tank, it was until the tank's radio went to live and the voice of the Captain could be heard, "Testing, testing. Alright, all tanks, eyes on the jeep, we'll be doing some off-road driving. The terrain would be a little rough but, eh, that'll be in pretty much every match you will all compete in."
Just as the transmission finished, the tanks outside were seen moving, some were slamming onto each other, but after a few minutes later, they managed to get in line, with the leading tank which was the Ram, following behind.
"Alright, uhh... get behind them." Alisia ordered.
"O-Ok..." Anoki was struggling slightly with switching the gears and with turning the tank, due to this being his first time driving the tank. "The stick's a bit heavy and hard to use..." Anoki complained.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it, probably... You're doing good already Anoki." Alisia complimented. "Keep it up."
"T-Thanks.." Anoki smiled back in reply, now focusing back on the controls.
The Stuart moved behind the tanks, waiting to get its turn to move inside the seemingly wet terrain ahead. Alisia later instructed Anoki. "Right... go along the wind and where the cloud goes... or something."
Miyuki noticed Alisia's choice of words, being somewhat familiar. She then spoke up. "That's some interesting choice of words Alisia..."
Alisia looked towards Miyuki. "Uhh, yes..." she answered. "... Stuff that just came on my mind... from whatever Japanese poetries there is... Boring stuff..."
Miyuki giggled, smirking, "So, you still remember your past in Japan? When did you move out?"
Alisia went quiet, before then she answered, "I don't know... Grade 6? Its been a while."
"Eh? Grade 6, and you already knew poetry back then?" Miyuki said in a shocked tone, while giving a surprised look.
"Uhh, but not taught in school... My aunty taught me that, along with my older cousin. It was boring. I'd fall asleep before it even started..." Said Alisia. "Some old silly words and novels about friendship and stuff... Just thinking about it makes me..." Alisia yawned, before she continued. "Sleepy..."
"Ehh, your aunty and cousin must have been so... Old fashioned, is she?" asked Miyuki,
"Yeah-no, she still got some taste in 80's pop music, tho she never admits it, she'll turn red if anyone ever mentions it. My cousin was only following her teachings... Mandatory stuff from her... Tho I heard she's getting more interested in British culture, or more like always has been interested in that..." Alisia added.
"Ehh, such an interesting aunty you have... Mine's all boring and strict." Said Miyuki as she sat back against the wall of the Stuart, as it shaked from the uneven terrain.
"Well... She still sucked... I'd rather stay away from her as much as I can." Alisia added. "Tho I'd probably rather stay with her since I don't get much attention here either... my parents are always busy for whatever reason they have, at least I still have someone that still looked after me, but now she barely answers my calls... or even attend last family reunion."
"By she you mean...?" Miyuki asked with a curious look on her face."
"My cousin." Alisia answered.
"Oh, I see..." Miyuki nodded.
In the middle of their conversation, Anoki interrupted, "Hey, terrain ahead is a bit bad, hold onto something, it's gonna be a tiny bit rough."
Alisia looked back towards Anoki, nodding towards the advice Miyuki just gave, before then she reached back up to the cupola, looking ahead at the rough terrain, holding tight onto the cupola.
Tank course, Day time:
The tank began to traverse, doing quite a job at climbing short hills, some steep ones too, Alisia even fell almost down from the cupola, but saved by Miyuki. Mud entered through the tank as the Stuart slammed down a few puddle of mud, causing the interior and the three wet, as the hatches were open.
"Can't you find routes with lesser puddles?" Alisia complained.
"S-Sorry!" Anoki wiped her face from the mud on her face, as she continued driving the Stuart.
The Stuart continued traversing along with the other tanks, hitting a few rocks and even on some occasions, got suck. But eventually it got out after reversing the tank, which alter continued.
The driving session continued for more than an hour as the students were enjoying the view while driving from their tanks, the sun began to set in the horizon, and the radio announced through, with the voice of Captain Morrison ordering everyone back to the garage.
Training field, Dawn :
"Fyuh... That was tiring..." Said Anoki, with her cloth now dirty from driving earlier, along with the others having their clothing wet and dirty from the dirt and mud that entered into the tank.
"Mhm, but it was fun! Ne? Alisia-chan?" Asked Miyuki in a cheerful tone.
Alisia sighed, looking at Miyuki, "Speak English... Please."
Miyuki pouted, before then nodding, "Fine!"
Alisia sighed again, "You remind me of that one official's daughter from Tokyo who speaks a mix of English and Japanese... That one annoying bratty child..."
"Eh? You lived in Tokyo when you're there?" Miyuki asked, giving another look of curiosity.
"Uhh, no. I lived in Yokohama, Kanagawa. Although still considered Tokyo since its inside the greater area." Alisia answered.
"Oh, Kanagawa. I'm from Nagasaki." Miyuki stated.
"Lemme guess, half American?" Asked Alisia.
"Eh? How did you know?" Miyuki asked, wondering how Alisia knew of her identity.
"...I just know." Said Alisia.
"Well, I actually moved when I was four to Kanagawa and got into the Yokohama International School, I'm surprised how you managed to find out my nationality." Miyuki still gave that look of surprise, in awe at Alisia recognizing her identity.
"Oh? I was there too since I was three or something with my older cousin, all of my siblings were there too, but they moved back to Canada before me." Alisia added.
"Oh... What class was it?" Miyuki asked yet again.
"Well... I don't remember much, but for sure I was almost friends with everyone in the school." Alisia answered, before she added. "I was still quite social back then."
"Ehh... Oh, and also you sorta mention your cousin most of the time... Is she that nice?" Miyuki asked another question towards Alisia, now wanting more answers and questions to be asked.
"... She's more than just a cousin or nice.. She's more than a big sister to me compared to all of my selfish siblings. My siblings rarely talk with me even to this day. She can be a little strict with me sometimes , but that makes what I am today with stuff like religion and manners... Tought me in a better way than my aunt." Alisia released a heavy sigh. "Wish she still talks with me... I miss her."
Just as Miyuki was about to ask more, the Captain interrupted them as he announced to the students. "Alright, that's all for today. Tommorow, we'll be doing a little cleaning, you all now may go home."
The students then began to pack their things, some switched back to school uniform, some didn't, including Alisia. She then walked across the gate, carrying her bag, now walking home, when suddenly, Miyuki approached her from the back.
"Ne, Alisia-chan!"
Alisia looked back towards Miyuki, wondering what Miyuki would now say, but instead, she received this unexpected request,
"Can I visit you tomorrow after the cleanings?" Asked Miyuki,
"W-What? Why?" Alisia gave a confused and surprised look.
"I don't know... Because I just want to talk more with you? Please?" Miyuki looked at Alisia with a pleading look,
Alisia hesitated a bit, but then she took a deep breath and sighed, before then saying a quick, "Yes..."
Miyuki then smiled, and jumped in happiness, "Yay!"
Anoki then approached and asked the same towards Alisia. "Can I come too?"
Alisia sighed, "Yes, yes... Whatever..."
Harlington Residence, Night time:
Alisia continued to walk home. Tired, and all alone, although there's nothing to worry, besides the bears and wolves that might be wandering around. She then arrived in front of the door, unlocking it, not expecting anyone home as usual, she entered and closed the door, when suddenly she was greeted by someone unexpected. There was a blonde woman, who appeared to have just arrived, wearing a light grey trench coat. She then looked back towards Alisia, and smiled.
"Welcome home Lily!" Said the woman, which revealed to be her mother, Maria.
Alisia froze in place, she wasn't expecting such a return all of the sudden in the weekend. "Mom?" She gave a surprised face, unable to react much.
Her mother then kneeled down, and hugged Alisia tightly. "You miss me, sweetie?" Her mother said in a gentle and soothing tone.
Tears fell from her eyes, it had been quite a while, being all alone at home. Finally, at least her mother had returned, she hugged her mother tightly with her still dirty clothes, feeling relieved.
"Aww... You sure missed me..." Maria then stroked her hair gently, before then noticing Alisia's dirty clothes. "Hey... You look a bit dirty... You should clean yourself first." Her mother said before then releasing Alisia, but Alisia simply won't release her. "Alisia?" Her mother looked at Alisia with a concerned look. Her mother then noticed the clothing Alisia was wearing, different from the usual clothing with skirts and blazer or sweater, along with the dirty boots she wore.
"Such an interesting clothing you use... How about you take a bath and then we talk? After all, tomorrow is Saturday." Said Maria as she looked at Alisia with a caring look.
Alisia hesitated, before then nodding and releasing her embrace, and headed towards the bathroom. Her mother also did the same, and went towards the other bathroom, to clean herself. After a while, both then got clean and wore their pajamas, and gathered in her mothers room. Her mother holds her in her arms, all while stroking her hair.
"So... Alisia, you've come quite late to home now, and the clothes you wore before, what have you been doing in school?" Her mother asked in a soothing and gentle tone, still stroking her hair. "I usually see you either playing all day long in front of the computer."
"There's this new club in the school called tankery... I became the leader of it." Said Alisia in a relaxed tone, acting like a spoiled child, letting herself vulnerable.
"Ah, I see... The leader? Wow, what did you do to get such a position?" Maria looked at Alisia with a look of curiosity, waiting for Alisia to respond.
"Well, the headmaster used some weird method to pick a leader... He used some silly pencil and the pencil for some reason, picked me!" Alisia pouted. "It's like the wind hates me."
Maria giggled from Alisia's statement, and continued stroking her hair. "Oh, it really sounded very silly... and no you silly girl, the wind doesn't hate you."
The two continued to talk, without realizing that it was 12 PM already. Alisia yawned from her exhaution from the previous activity, which was noticed by her mother, Maria. "Well, time to sleep."
"Uhm... Can I sleep with you...? Please?" Alisia looked at Maria with a pleading look.
"Alisia... Sweetie... You're 15, you should be able to sleep by yourself... don't be silly." Maria sighed, still stroking Alisia's hair.
"... I feel like I cannot get a good night sleep from being all alone for months without you... so uhm..." Alisia looked down with a look of embarassment, yet she wanted to stay with her mother.
Maria looked at Alisia, looking at her state. She felt somewhat guilty for leaving Alisia multiple times without notice. Yet she also wanted to make her daughter more independent and less reliant. But her heart won over her. "Ok, ok... But only this time, ok?"
Alisia looked back up at Maria, giving a sweet smile towards Maria, and cheered. "Yay!"
Then her mother turned off the lights and pulled the blanket close, wrapping both of them. She then held Alisia close to her chest, giving her a tight embrace. Alisia's eyes began to flicker, and soon, she fell asleep completely. Maria looked at her and released a heavy sigh. Her face seen with guilt, looking at the innocent face of her daughter.
"I left her home and spoiled her too much..." Maria looked at the sleeping Alisia. "I wonder if I'm really worthy of a mother..." She was left in thoughts, it was until she later closed her eyes and fell asleep, in the dark night sky illuminated by the moon. With crickets creating sounds to fill the void of the silent night.