Chapter 38: Summit at Saunders.

Saunders Carrier School, 7.45pm

Kay (present), Alisa, and Naomi were gathered in the school board office (the three of them), having a hearty dinner of meatloaf, hash browns, steak & hash browns, stuffed tacos, and other . For the occasion, they had placed a folding table in the room.

"Even today the girls behaved flawlessly!" The blonde affirmed enthusiastically.

"If they are so skilled also in the tournament we could win the final this year!" Naomi said confidently.

Alisa on her side looked more skeptical.

"At most we will earn second or third place… The first will go to Kuromorimine or Pravda." She stated as she eat a taco.

"Well, that would still be a good result, Alisa. Ah, Naomi, do you already know which schools qualified for the national championship, besides ours?"

Naomi reached for her smartphone, where she'd saved a PDF list of attendees.

"Viking, Koala, Pravda, Bonple, Maginot, Anzio, Saunders, BC Freedom, St. Gloriana, Yogurt, Waffle, Kuromorimine, Chi-Ha-Tan, Blue Division, Jatkosota and Gregor."

"Predictions for the first round?" Kay asked her.

"Surely we, Kuromorimine, St. Gloriana and Pravda will pass it. The most penalized however are Anzio, Bonple, BC Freedom and Gregor."

"Gregor is in their debut, right? Alisa asked.

"Hai, Alisa-chan." Naomi confirmed.

Kay snorted.

"I doubt he'll make it through to the first round."

"I doubt it too…" Naomi backed her up.

The blonde ate another taco.

"Who knows who we will face first in the tournament…"

She looked up at the ceiling.

"Changing the subject, in a few days the Tankatlhon match between our Flying Tank Women and the Katyusha Volunteer Army will take place. Alisa, as our team leader, will be responsible for maintaining Saunders' good name. If you prove yourself a good commander I will consider appointing you as my successor when I leave for the United States."

Hearing that statement Naomi looked annoyed, while Alisa said:

"We already have victory in hand, trust me."

I hope Kay isn't serious… Alisa is temperamental and arrogant, with her at her command Saunders risks decline. Besides, she had already assured me that the lead would pass to me.

Naomi thought, worried.