Chapter 28 - Practice Makes Perfect
[Kuromorimine School Carrier - Training Grounds]
(The next day after Erika's amazing day the tankers of Kuromorimine returned to their daily practice routines)
"Come on girls! I don't want to see anyone lagging behind the tank formations!" Erika shouted
"Jawohl!" The girls responded as they rode their tanks
(From afar Maho and Koume were observing the team's training and also saw a difference in Erika)
"Maho-san..is it just me or do you think Itsumi-san became a little brighter and cheerful?"
"Hmmm? Now that you mention it she has been energetic ever since we started practice.."
"Right? She looks like a maiden in love! You think something happened during her date?"
"I'm sure something did..we are going to have to interrogate her later.." Maho said with a grin
(While shouting orders to her team Erika then pulled out her phone from her pocket and looked at the screen. It was Gero and her picture wearing the dress and tuxedo at the restaurant. After getting a good look Erika then smiled and blushed then continued with the training)
[Ooarai Tank Garage - 3 Days Before Finals]
"Everyone listen up! We got a few days to go before the finals against St. Gloriana! We are going to cram every bit of practice we can get before the match!" Momo said
"Alright girls mount your tanks and let's start!" Miho ordered
"Roger that!" everyone replied
(Miho then notices that her brother and his crew were not there with them)
"Has anyone seen Gero and his crew?" Miho asked
"Now that you mention it, I haven't seen them since this morning.." Hana said
"The White Tiger isn't in the garage also.." Yukari said
*CRASH *SHAKE
(A loud crashing noise suddenly was heard along with the ground shaking scared the girls)
"An e-earthquake?!" Saori shouted
"Waaaah! Did a meteor crash?! Yuzu-chan!" Momo was shouting and crying
"Calm down Momo-chan..I don't think it was something like that.." Yuzu said
"It came from the training grounds..let's check it out!" Anzu said as she ran off
(All of the girls then ran after Anzu to see what happened then they saw the White Tiger upside down and Gero was screaming for help from inside the tank)
"Heeeeeelp~"
"H-How the heck do you guys manage to do this?!" Momo said
"Uhhh..can you please help us first? We are trapped in here!"
"Gero! Are you guys alright?!" Miho shouted
"We are fine Miho..just got overly excited on what we were practicing.."
"What kind of practice turns their tank into this?!" the girls had sweat drops on their heads
(With the help of the automobile club's tools they were able to flip the white tiger properly and Gero and his crew were able to get out)
"Thank you so much Leopon! We thought we would be trapped there till tomorrow.."
"No problem! How did you guys even manage that?" Nakajima asked
"We don't even know ourselves.." Ono said
"Matsu-kun just told me to do this and that then the next thing we knew we were upside down.." Ken said
"Just a normal dose of our Taichou's craziness.." Hajime said
"Hey you don't know when we might be able to use that!"
"As long as you're fine Gero but please don't do dangerous things again.." Miho said worryingly
"I got it Miho..sorry..."
"Now that the boys are good to go let's start the practice! Everyone mount up!" Miho ordered
"Roger that!" everyone replied once more
(The girls and boys then proceeded with their daily practice routine)
[Ooarai School Carrier - Boys Apartment]
"Hey Matsu-kun..what made you decide to practice that move?"
"I thought about how are we going to fight against the Churchill and the Black Prince.."
"Do you think that will work?" Ono asked
"Well we have to do something crazy in order to take them by surprise..Darjeeling-san has beaten Miho-chan twice before this tournament..she can't be taken lightly.."
"Then we're just going to have to keep practicing till we get it perfectly..right taichou?" Hajime said
"Yeah..and if we ever pull that off..it will be remembered for a very long time!"
"I like that..our tank will go down the history as one of the craziest tanks out there!" Ken said
"That's why you gotta give it your all Ken-chan!" Ono said
"Of course!"
"It might make Mako-san notice you as well Ken!"
"Why does it lead to that?!"
"Look at him blush.."
"Shut up Hajime-kun!" Ken shouted
[Ooarai Training Grounds - 2 Days Before Finals]
*CRAAASH *SHAKE
"Heeeeelp~"
"A-Again?!" Momo shouted
(The white tiger was once again upside down)
"Sorry for the trouble..again.."
"What are you boys even doing?" Saori asked
"Come on! Do you know how heavy your tank is?!" Hoshino said
"Sorry sorry..but we really need to complete this training before the match.."
"Is it really that important Gero?" Miho asked
"Yes it is..please trust us girls.."
"Don't worry boys I trust you even if Kawashima doesn't!" Anzu said
"Thanks Anzu-san!"
"Kaichou! Don't make me look like the bad guy here!" Momo said
"That's right Anzu-san..I know Momo-chan trust us..!"
"You are the last person that I want to be called by that name!" Momo shouted
(Everyone laughed at the usual comedy skit that Gero and Momo does then went straight to their practice as soon as the white tiger has been flipped back to normal)
[Ooarai Training Grounds - Day Before Finals]
*CRAAASH *SHAAKE
"Oh for crying out loud how many times are you boys gonna- huh?"
(Momo's shouting halted when they saw the white tiger was not flipped and was just parked there perfectly)
"I thought for sure I heard a loud crash.." Momo said
"Me too..I was ready to get the Tiger flipped again.." Tsuchiya said
"We did it!"
"Did what Gero-dono?" Yukari asked
"We finally pulled of what we have been training for the last few days!" Ken said
"That's great! Then you'll be ready for the match?" Anzu asked
"Well..we have just been able to do it once..but I'm sure we can pull it off again!"
"Just remember boys that if you flip during the match that will be an automatic white flag alright?" Miho said
"Yes Miho..we won't do anything reckless.."
"Good..now let's all go to the meeting room to discuss the plan..we already received the map of the match.." Miho said
(The tankers of Ooarai now went to the meeting room as ordered by Miho)
"So where will that DOME have us fight this time?"
"France, No Man's Land..or for this tournament..No Tank's Land.." Miho said
"Oh great...a muddy and open field…" Erwin said
"This will hurt the heavy tanks a lot especially our Leopon!" Tsuchiya said
"Then it will be a very close quarters type of battle.." Ono said
"Yes..another disadvantage to us because St. Gloriana is a lot stronger at close range.."
"I agree..as you can see there will be also trenches at the middle of the field with a dirt Mesa at the center of the trenches.." Miho said
"Dirt Mesa?" Azusa asked
"A Mesa is a mountain or hill with a flat top..just imagine Mt. Fuji but the tip is cut off all the way to the middle.."
"Ohh! I get it now!" Karina said
"Is the Mesa accessible? If it is then that would be the best high ground in the field.."
"From the looks of the trenches it is too tall for a tank to climb up the walls to reach the Mesa.." Yuzu said
"The trenches are designed so that only the light and medium tanks can go inside them so the heavy tanks will be kept out.." Momo said
"That's good..that means only the Cromwells, Matildas and Crusaders can enter the trenches.." Noriko said
"Then up top will be their Churchill and the Black Prince.." Yukari said
"What about their tortoise?" Saori asked
"Due to the field's muddy terrain..the tortoise will just sink to the ground and will just be dead weight so I doubt they'll field it.." Miho said
"By the way...who will be the flag tank this time?" Anzu asked
"This time Anglerfish will be the flag tank..so that Tiger team can-"
"No..this time we will be the flag tank as well Miho.."
"Eh? But Gero last time you.."
"I know that Miho..as the flag tank we couldn't do what we wanted..I really wanted to help you all but was too risky..and it felt horrible.."
"Matsu-kun…"
"But this time it will be different..as the flag tank we will act as bait to keep their heavy tanks from targeting the trenches..that should give Miho enough time to come up with a plan on how to lessen their numbers.."
"Well then if you are going to be the bait, you're gonna need a bodyguard!" Tsuchiya said
"That's right! Nishizumi Taichou..permission to have Leopon Team stick with Tiger Team!" Nakajima said
"Nakajima-san...thank you.."
"But it is still risky..only one tank to guard you.." Anzu said
"Do you trust me Miho?"
"Of course I do..well then..Leopon Team please look out for the boys.." Miho said with a smile
"Roger!" Leopon Team replied
"Alright..since Leopon and Tiger Team will be acting as bait...the rest will head down the trenches with me and fight it out until we get a shot to take out their flag tank..understood?" Miho ordered
"Yes Commander!" everyone replied
"Good..now mount your tanks and let's get started on our last practice for tomorrow's match!"
[Saint Gloriana Girls College Carrier]
"Darjeeling-sama, all preparations are now done for tomorrow's match" Assam said
"Very good..thank you Assam.."
"May I ask a question Darjeeling-sama?" Pekoe said
"What may it be?"
"What do you think will happen at tomorrow's match?"
"Of course it will be our victory..is what I'd usually say..but it is now different.."
"Different how?" Assam asked
"I had always thought of Gero-kun to be a very interesting commander..but what he did during their Pravda match..still boggles my thoughts.." Darjeeling said as she clenches her tea cup
"Doing whatever it takes to win…no matter how ugly it gets.." Assam said as she sipped her tea
"Gero-kun's actions reminded me of the old Nishizumi Style..brutal and merciless.." Darjeeling said
"Do you think he is really that kind of person?" Pekoe asked
"I know he isn't..the duel during the siege battle proved to me that he has pride and honor as a tanker.."
"May I say something Darjeeling-sama?" Rosehip said
"Go ahead.."
"The first time I met my prince..all I saw in him was a kind and bright person..I believe that whatever happened with Pravda had a very good reason.."
"Perhaps the Pravda match was just an isolated case.." Assam said
"We could only hope so..and he is not your prince Rosehip.."
"Ehhh...but he is so handsome Darjeeling-sama!" Rosehip said with hearts in her eyes
"That I agree with you.." Darjeeling said with a smile
[1st National Joint High School Senshado Tournament - Finals]
"Hello everyone and welcome back to the 1st National Joint High School Senshado Tournament! Today will be the Finals match of the tournament! Today will be a match between Ooarai-Shirokumo Team and Saint Gloriana College!
"Last match was on the sandy desert of El Alamein and for today we will be going back in time to the year 1914 in France! Please all be amazed at the historical No Man's Land or as we call it today..NO TANK'S LAND!"
(The screen showed the deserted lands of France where it is only an open field no cover for miles only dead trees and demolished houses all around. There are also trenches made for the tanks at the middle of the map)
[Viewing Platform #1 for VIPs]
"At last its the finals!" Erika shouted
"You seem very very excited Erika.." Maho said with a smile
"O-Oh w-well..I just can't wait for that Darjeeling to lose..that's all.."
"You think Onii-sama will win for sure?"
"Definitely..he promised me.."
"Ohh when did he make such a promise?" Shiho asked
"Eh? Uhh well.."
"By the way, how was your date with my son?"
"Y-Yes..your son really made my day very happy and he even got me a very beautiful dress.." Erika said with a blush
"I see..well that's good to hear because I'd have to scold him if you didn't enjoy.." Shiho smiled
"Hey Erika can I see the picture of you two?" Maho asked
"Of course..here.."
(Erika then showed the picture in her phone to Maho and Shiho)
"My son has surprisingly good choice of clothes.."
"Wow that's a very cute dress! I'm kinda jealous now…" Maho said
"I was really surprised that he got that for me.." Erika said with a blush
"But how did he get the sizes correctly?" Maho asked
"Y-Yeah..Gero said he got it from Sheska.." Erika said with a sweat drop on her head
"As expected of Onii-sama doing advanced recon before a fight!" Maho said with a laugh
"He really is such a bakatora..but a sweet bakatora.." Erika smiled and blushed
[Viewing Platform #2 for VIPs]
"Now this will be an interesting match..Darjeeling versus Miho-san.." Alisa said
"Don't forget my Darling!" Kay shouted
"Gero-kun versus Assam..who will be the better marksman?" Naomi said
"Do you think Tiger-kun will do what he did last match?" Takashi asked
"I trust my Darling that he had a reason for doing that and he will be alright today.." Kay smiled
[Viewing Platform #3 for VIPs]
"Let's see what Gero-kun will show us today.." Katyusha said
"I see you decided to watch also..Kal-kun?" Nonna said
"I wanted to make sure that he wins this..he beat me after all.." Kal said
"Any chance of us seeing that Akuma you were saying?" Katyusha asked
"I don't think so.." Kal said
"Why is that Kal-kun?"
"When we shook hands at the hospital..his eyes were no longer the eyes that I saw at that mountain..I guess we would only see that if the requirements are met.."
"What kind of requirements?"
"Not entirely sure..but my best guess would be..hatred..enormous amounts of hatred.."
"Hatred..then during our match..when you rammed Mihosha's tank was the cause of Gero-kun's hatred outburst?" Katyusha said
"I kind of understand that feeling..if somebody did the same thing to Katyusha-sama..I'd lose myself to hatred to the culprit as well.." Nonna said
"Yeah..and I paid the price for what I did..Gero-kun made sure of it.."
"What's important is that both of you have made up right?" Katyusha said
[No Tank's Land - Center of the Trenches]
"Both Team Commanders and Sub-Commanders! Forward!"
(Miho, Momo and Gero walks forward as well as Darjeeling accompanied by Assam and Pekoe)
"My name is Ami Chouno and I will be your judge in today's match! This match is between Ooarai-Shirokumo Team versus St. Gloriana Girls College" Mode is Flag Tank Battle! The team that destroys the other team's flag tank will be the winner!"
"Both teams ...Bow!"
"Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu!" Both Bowed and greeted
"It's an honor to fight with you again Miho san" Darjeeling said
"The honor is ours Darjeeling-san!" Miho said with a smile
"Gero-kun..it is nice to see you again..I'm glad you recovered quickly from your wounds.." Darjeeling said
"Thank you Darjeeling-san..nice to see you also..and I believe I owe you all something.."
"What might that be?"
(Gero then suddenly bowed in front of Darjeeling and her team as well as in front of the judges. They were all surprised by this and didn't know why Gero did that. The ones watching from the VIP rooms also saw this)
"G-Gero-kun?" Darjeeling took a step back to her surprise
"I am very sorry for the ugly display of Tankery that I showed last match! When I saw Miho's tank fell down the hill..I just got so worried and lost to my emotions..I might have scared you all with what I did but I assure you that I will do my best so that it never happens again! Will you please forgive me?"
"Gero.." Miho smiled at her brother's words
(As Gero said his apologies to everyone Chouno also was smiling at the side along with the judges. Both Assam and Pekoe were also smiling with Momo after hearing his plea for forgiveness)
"Gero-kun..do you know this saying? 'Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another' is what it said.."
"Yes I have heard of it..Emma Goldman if I'm not mistaken?"
"Correct..don't worry Gero-kun..we now understand a lot more about you because of what you said..we forgive you.." Darjeeling smiled
"Thank you..Darjeeling-san..everyone.."
"Now we know you care so much for Miho-san.." Darjeeling said with a grin and looked at Miho
"I-It's not like that Darjeeling-san!" Miho blushed
"Just joking..well you gave us a little scare last match..that's all..nothing big..never knew you were a cunning man.."
"I do have my moments from time to time.."
"Well then..I'm looking forward to have a fun and exciting match today.."
"Me too..let's make this match something to remember!"
"Agreed..you know Gero-kun.."
"Yes?"
"You remind me a lot of Miho-san..both of you somehow have the same presence in Senshado..strong but kind..bold but gentle.."
"R-Really? Never noticed..ahaha.."
(Gero and Miho had a sweat drop on their heads as they realized how sharp Darjeeling's observation was and a little more and she might find out that they really are siblings)
"I see..well then..see you both at the battlefield"
(Darjeeling then now headed back to their tanks for the match was about to start)
[Viewing Platform #2 for VIPs]
"See? Told you my Darling will be fine!" Kay said
"Looks like you didn't have to worry..huh Takashi?"
"Tiger-kun.."
[D.O.M.E STAGE]
"Alright ladies and gentlemen! It's time to kick off this Finals Match! Cue the countdown!" shouted the announcer
(10 seconds to the start of the match and the countdown has started in the audience)
10..!
9..!
8..!
7..!
6..!
5..!
4..!
3..!
2..!
1..!
"MATCH STAAAART!" shouted the announcer
(Both sides begun to move forward in their own formations)
"Ooarai-Shirokumo Team has their assortment of tanks with a total of 9 and the White Tiger is their flag tank once again!"
"While St. Gloriana has 1 Churchill, 1 Black Prince, 2 Cromwells, 1 Crusader and 4 Matilda IIs! A total of 9 also and the Black Prince is their flag tank this match!"
[Saint Gloriana Tank Formation]
"I told you my prince is really a nice guy..right Darjeeling-sama?" Rosehip shouted
"It seems he was just really worried for Miho-san.." Pekoe said
"Darjeeling-sama, you look really happy.." Assam said
"Oh my was it obvious? I guess I still have a lot to learn in hiding my expressions.." Darjeeling said as she smiled
"I think you don't really have to hide it if your happy Darjeeling-sama" Pekoe said
"Maybe so..anyways all tanks forward! Let's show them how Saint Gloriana fights in the finals!" Darjeeling ordered
"Yes Darjeeling-sama!"
[Ooarai Tank Formation]
"You all know the plan! Protect Tiger Team at all costs and find a way towards the enemy flag tank!"
"Roger that Commander!"
"Panzer Vor!" Miho shouted
Coming Up Next : Chapter 29 - Terror in the Trenches
Author's Note:
Hi guys! How was the chapter? The intense fight begins next chapter so look forward to it!
Thank you for the wonderful support you all are amazing! As for the replies to your comments check the reviews section as always!
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