Chapter 31 - Poem for My Love
[Ooarai Tank Garage]
"Well since the mood is now a lot better, I'd like to introduce myself properly this time..my name is Matsumoto Shin, and this is my son as you already know.." Matsumoto said
"Nice to meet you sir!" everyone replied and bowed
"Likewise! I'm here today not just to watch my son's match but also to help you all with restoring all your tanks to their original state, I'll even tune them up to get better performance than before!"
"Are you some kind of tank mechanic Matsumoto-san?" Nakajima asked
"I was..and I still am..in the past I was the Chief Tank Mechanic of a Senshado Team in the early days.."
"Wow! How come you didn't tell us that your father was this amazing Gero-san?" Nakajima said
"Ahaha sorry it never crossed my mind to tell you all.."
"So I'm guessing you four are the mechanics of this team?" Matsumoto referring to Leopon Team
"Yes we are!" Tsuchiya said
"Well then..I'll be looking forward to working with you in restoring these babies..got room for one more?"
"Of course sir! We're honored to be able to work with someone like you!" Hoshino said
"It's the least I could do in return for all of you taking good care of my son.."
"I'd say he also took care of us during his time here!" Anzu said
"I see..Now hurry along and clear out the garage you've got an awarding ceremony to attend to right?"
"But Matsumoto-san we can't just leave you here alone with all this work?!" Suzuki said
"Don't worry about it! I'll make sure to leave some tanks for you guys to fix when you get back!"
"We can let my father work here Nakajima-san..he knows his way around..let's all just return back as soon as the ceremony is over.."
"Alright then..thank you again Matsumoto-san! We'll come back soon!" Nakajima said
"Sure thing..ohh and before I forget..Congratulations on winning!"
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH!" all the girls said
"See you later Matsumoto-san!" Ono said
"We'll be back soon!" Ken said
"Enjoy yourselves boys!"
(As everyone left the garage Matsumoto was left there alone and wanted to start with the White Tiger but he got a sudden visitor)
"Long time no see.." a voice called out to him
(As Matsumoto turned around he saw Shiho standing there with a smile on her face)
"It's very good to see you again Shiho-ojou.." Matsumoto bowed
"You look well..how have you been?"
"As you can see I'm perfectly fine..I'd say the same to you ojou.."
"Thank you Chief Matsumoto..for accepting my selfish request 12 years ago..and for taking good care of my son..I am in your debt.." Shiho bowed
"You know..I never thought I'd see the day where you..the so called "Demon" of Senshado..thanking this old man.."
"I am no longer that "Demon" I am just but a mother who is now reunited with her long lost son.."
"Shiho-oujo..not once have I thought of you as a Demon..you were an amazing tanker..but you sucked at taking care of your tank and it was a pain in the ass back in the day.."
"Forgive me for my recklessness before..there was no other way at that time.."
"I understand..and now like mother like son..look at what he did to this amazing Tiger!"
"I believe my son will walk a very different path than me..and I will support him every step of the way.." Shiho said
"I know..as soon as those girls defended him..I already knew that he has become an amazing person.."
"Chief I also want to apologize for the heavy burden I gave you 12 years ago..I practically gave you my child and told you to raise him somewhere far away..you had to leave your job right after you had lost your wife..I accept if you harbor any traces of hatred towards me.."
(Matsumoto was quiet at first and remembered everything that both him and Gero had to go through up till now)
"Ojou..did you know the reason for my wife's death?"
"I never found out what really happened..I was too engrossed with my work and didn't have the time..I'm sorry.."
"It's alright..I knew it was you that left the flowers on her grave..for that I thank you.."
"..."
"My wife died trying to give birth to our first child.."
(Shiho was so surprised at what she had learned. She couldn't react for she was hating herself for not knowing it for 12 years)
"My wife was way past the age of giving birth..but we still tried..our baby was a boy just like yours.."
"You never told me you had a son Chief.."
"That's because I didn't.."
"What do you mean?"
"Our unborn baby boy died inside my wife during childbirth.."
(Once again Shiho was shocked and couldn't respond. All she could feel was grief and pain. She could see Matusmoto's hands tremble as he told his story)
"Our baby was strangled by the umbilical cord as my wife tried to give birth to him..but it was too late before the doctors had noticed it..as our baby died my wife died soon after due to shock and blood loss.."
"I..I'm very sorry..I am so sorry Chief.."
"I am too..but that's all in the past now..and to answer your question if I harbor any hate towards you..my answer is no.."
"May I ask why?"
"The day you gave me your son..to me it was a blessing..it was like me being given another chance to raise my baby boy..and to see him grow up to be the man he is now..if I were to feel anything towards you Ojou it would be gratitude..thank you Shiho-ojou for giving me the opportunity to raise your amazing son.."
(Matsumoto then raised his hand towards Shiho and wanted to shake her hand. Shiho then took his hand and shook it with both hands)
"Thank you chief..thank you for everything..I also am grateful to have you as my friend.."
"And all of us are blessed to have that son of yours.."
"We truly are..oh my son wanted me to give you this.."
(Shiho handed Matsumoto a brown package)
"This is?" Matsumoto asked
"Think of it as my son's way of thanking you..open it when you get home.."
"Understood..well then if you'll excuse me I have a ton of work to do..you better not miss your son's awarding ceremony now..give my regards to Tsuneo-dono.."
"I will.."
(Shiho then left the garage and walked towards the direction of the stage were the awarding ceremony will begin soon)
[D.O.M.E Stadium - Awarding Ceremony]
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Tankers and viewers! I am proud to announce the winner of the 1st National Joint High School Senshado Tournament! Please give a round of applause and your loudest cheers for the victorious Ooarai-Shirokumo Team!" shouted the announcer
(Loud cheers and tons of applause were heard all over the stadium as the crew of Ooarai and White Tiger go up the stage)
"Yay! We won the tournament Miporin!"
"Yes we did..and it's all thanks to everyone!"
"Gero-dono! That is the first time I have seen a Tiger 1 fight like that!"
"It's a first for us also..Ken was shouting the whole time while are tank flew"
"It was so scary you know!" Ken shouted
"Were you boys alright? I see you have bruises.." Hana said
"This nothing don't worry..me and my crew won't go down from this.."
*SLAP
(Miho suddenly slapped the bruise on her brother's arm and made him shiver in pain)
"OUUUUUCH!"
"You won't go down from it right?" Miho said with a grin
"Why did you have to hit me.." Gero had a sad face to her little sister
"That's for making me worry.." Miho pouted
(The other girls had a sweat drop on their heads and thinking they really are brother like sister in terms of being sadistic)
"What's this? A little infighting within the ranks?" a voice called out to them
(Ami Chouno now was on the stage and wanted to greet them personally)
"Instructor Chouno!" Saori shouted
"Yo girls! Congrats on winning!"
"Thank you very much!" all of the replied
"Looks like Gero-kun has given you girls some of his luck don't you think?"
"I'd say he has given us some of his craziness as well.." Nakajima said
"Hey come on that hurts.."
(Everyone burst out in laughter before they were now told to line up in front of the stage)
"Alright now that everyone is here we would like to interview some of you first before we give the awards!" Chouno said
"Ehhh?!" the girls were surprised
"First of let's hear it from the Stug III commander! Erwin-san!"
"Me first?!"
"Come on now!" Chouno said
"So what would you say about this tournament overall?"
"I think it was a very fun experience playing with the boys. It was kind of a very refreshing feeling!"
"I see thank you for that amazing answer! Now to the Type 89B commander! Isobe-san!"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Would you want to have another tournament with the boys participating?"
"Absolutely! They deserve to join us in this wonderful sport! They showed us girls that they also have the guts to fight!"
"Hear that boys? You got guts! Thank you Isobe-san!"
"Sure thing!" Noriko saluted
"Up next is the commander of the winning team! Give it up for Nishizumi Miho!"
(Loud cheers and applause were heard around the stadium)
"Look at all the cheers! Our Taichou really is popular!" Noriko said
"She's already well known throughout the country because of her achievements with us.." Anzu said
"That's right..she saved our school from being closed down..won the 63rd National Tournament..then saved our school again against the university team.." Azusa said
"She is one amazing girl.." Nakajima said
"Miho-san congratulations on your victory today!" Chouno shook Miho's hand
"Thank you very much Instructor Chouno!"
"Tell us..what is your secret on getting these victories?" Chouno passed the mic to Miho
"To tell you honestly..there is no secret move..no secret plan..it's just the hard work that every member gives and the trust we have for each other.." Miho said
"I see..how did you feel about this finals match?" Chouno asked
"To tell you the truth..I thought we were going to lose again to Darjeeling-san.."
"Why is that?"
"The fight inside the trenches were so hard..we couldn't fully support each other..and Darjeeling-san was able to pull off an amazing ambush amidst the chaos.."
"That you easily broke out of I might say.." Darjeeling said
"We would've been taken out right then and there if our recon didn't make it in time.."
"But you still won..am I right?" Darjeeling said
"We won because of the efforts of everyone when we got out of the trenches..especially Tiger and Leopon Team..they are the reason why we won.."
"I might say that what that White Tiger did was very crazy..first time I saw a tank fly that high!" Chouno said
"To make it even crazier that was the first time they have done that! They made me worry so much!"
(Miho looked at Gero with angry eyes and pouting for what his brother did. Gero just looked away with a sweat drop on his head)
"But thanks to their craziness we were able to win..so I guess I can forgive them.." Miho smiled
"What a wonderful remark from Ooarai's commander..not only battle hardened but also kind hearted..everyone please give her a round of applause!" Chouno said
(Everyone gave Miho a warm round of applause then she bowed and went back to line)
"Now for the commander of the runner up team! Darjeeling-san! Please come up the stage"
"Thank you Chouno-sama.." Darjeeling said
"How was this tournament for you? Someone who is a veteran in doing Senshado?" Chouno asked
"It was very fascinating indeed..the new battlefield we fought on..the take the castle event which was my favorite..I can see Japan's Senshado will have an even brighter future from now on.." Darjeeling said
"That is very reassuring coming from you Darjeeling-san..now one last question.."
"Go for it.."
"In this tournament where the boys have been able to participate..was there anyone that had caught your eyes?" Chouno said with a grin
"Eh?" Darjeeling was surprised
(At this moment Darjeeling froze to the question and the first thing that popped into her mind was Gero. Darjeeling then suddenly went bright read and blushed in front of everyone)
"Oh my..looks like there is someone.." Chouno said with another grin
"KYAAAA~!" some of the girl tankers in the audience shouted
"Hmm..even Darjeeling is able to like someone.." Maho said
"She is still a girl aside from her devious attitude.." Erika said
"What if the person she liked was onii-sama?" Maho asked with a grin
"Impossible..there's no way she would like that bakatora.." Erika replied
(At the stage Darjeeling was so flustered that she turned away from the audience and faced behind her only for her to go eye to eye with Gero who was lined up in front of her. Then Gero gave her a smile like he usually does and made her even more embarrassed and bright red)
"Looks like we found the culprit of why Darjeeling-san is being flustered over here.." Chouno said
(Suddenly the large TV screen on top of the stage showed Gero's face)
"Ehh?! Why did you have to show my face there?!"
"Haaaaaa!?" Erika shouted
"Hey Darjeeling I told you Darling is mine!" Kay shouted
"Darjeeling-sama! So this is the reason why you keep saying he is not my prince!" Rosehip shouted
"T-This is not what it looks like!" Darjeeling shouted
(Suddenly both Kay and Erika ran up the stage to confront Darjeeling)
"Explain yourself Darjeeling!" Erika shouted
"That's right explain! Wait why are you here as well?!" Kay asked Erika
"Like I said it's not like that!" Darjeeling said
"Look at what you did Gero.." Miho said
"Ehh?! How is it my fault?!"
(Erika suddenly looked at Gero with angry eyes that sent him shivers down his back and instinctively he sat down in seiza)
"Why did you suddenly sit like that Taichou?" Hajime asked
"I..I felt that if I didn't sit down I was gonna get killed.."
"Ahahaha! Well all kidding aside let's get to the real questions..Darjeeling-san what do you think of the sudden change in the rules of allowing boys?" Chouno said
"Ehem...I think that overall it was a great addition to our Senshado..not only will it increase the competitors but it will also bring new and different kinds of strategies and leadership capabilities that we haven't seen before.." Darjeeling said
"In that I agree with you 100%..forgive me for that earlier question just my way of getting things exciting.." Chouno said with a grin
"That's one heck of a way to excite things.." Erika said
"Well since you're both hear how about we hear from the commanders of Saunders and Kuromorimine!" Chouno shouted
(Cheers and roars echoed in the stadium for both of them are very popular now)
"So Kay-san what did you enjoy the most about this tournament?" Chouno asked
"I really had fun during the take the castle event it was very exciting! This event is also the reason that I met my Darling!" Kay shouted
"I see..aren't you a very popular man commander of the white tiger?" Chouno said
(Erika once again looked at Gero with an angry expression and a dark aura)
"Please don't say things like that or I might not make it through the day.."
"Alright thank you for that answer! Next is Itsumi-san..your Headmistress told me that you hated boys in Senshado? Do you still feel the same way?" Chouno asked
"I completely reject and hate boys in Senshado! It should only be for us women! Not for men!" Erika said
(Everyone was silent and didn't know how to react)
"This is what the old me would have said today..but now it's different..a boy once told me that he will make me look his way and have me acknowledge him through his Senshado.." Erika said
"He certainly knows how to set the bar high for himself.." Darjeeling smiled
"At first I didn't believe what he said..to me it looked like empty words..but then little by little he got my attention..he worked hard to prove that they also have a right to be here with us..to fight with us.."
"Not so empty words like you thought they were huh?" Kay said
"No they definitely were not..at the start I wanted to see him fail..he fought..to the very end..just as hard as the veterans if not more than..not only he showed his skills but he also showed true sportsmanship and respect for his comrades and even to his opponents.."
(Everyone was listening properly to Erika's speech and they all knew who she was talking about. There is only one person that stood out the most in this tournament and he will be forever remembered by the people)
"Suddenly I began wanting to see him keep on fighting and keep on winning..before I knew it..I couldn't take my eyes off of him anymore" Erika said with a blush
"Eririn.." Miho smiled
"Everyone please give your best applause and cheers for none other than the commander of the White Tiger..Gero Matsumoto!" Erika shouted
(Loud cheers and whistles echoed in the stadium for Gero and they even started to chant as he walked towards the mic that Erika handed to him)
"TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!" "TORA!"
"Thank you Erika.."
(Erika just smiled and gave the mic to Gero)
"So Gero-kun..how did your 1st Senshado Tournament feel?" Chouno asked
"It was very fun..me and my crew enjoyed this 1 month of tank filled matches..and we're still hungry for more!"
(The crowd clapped and cheered at his reply)
"I'm glad you boys enjoyed..you and your crew have certainly made your mark here and everyone won't forget about the stunts you pulled here..what do you think about that?"
"We're very happy that all of you took a great liking to us..we just wanted to do Senshado and we never intended to be this known.."
"Well you certainly are celebrities now! Since the tournament is over what do you boys intend on doing now?"
"First we'll have to go back home to our families..I think me and the boys deserve a little bit of rest for all that has happened..no matter how far you have come or how much you have achieved..never forget where you came from..alright girls?"
"YES!" girls of every Senshado Team responded in the audience
"An amazing advice from an amazing person..thank you for that..now onto the last question!"
"Ask away!"
"What is your favorite moment in this entire event?"
"Hmmm...now that's hard...because the whole event was amazing..hard to choose.."
"Then which part of the event made it worth all the hard work?" Chouno asked
(Gero then fell silent as one thing came to his mind. It made his emotions overflow and he couldn't speak properly at first and tears began forming in his eyes)
"T-There is..o-one thing that-"
"Bakatora? Are you alright?" Erika asked
"Darling?" Kay got worried
(As he was about to break down he felt 3 taps on his back. As he looked it was his crew now standing with him in front of everyone giving him a boost of confidence)
"Come on Taichou..you can say it.." Hajime said
"We're here for you Matsu-kun.." Ken patted his back
"From beginning to end.." Ono said as he placed his hand on Gero's shoulder
"Thank guys.."
(Gero took a deep breath and recovered his composure)
"First I'd like to introduce to you all my crew..for I won't be here in front you all without them..this is Ken our driver, Ono my loader, and Hajime our Radioman.."
"Nice to meet you all!" all three of them bowed then waved to the crowd
"Now for my answer to the last question..my most favorite part of this event would be..is that I met the most amazing people who I gave me and my crew the best month of our lives!"
(Everyone was just smiling at Gero's speech as people admired him from everywhere)
"I got to meet the very beautiful and talented commanders and vice commanders of each school..I learned a lot from them and I can't thank them enough for it.."
"Just go on a date with me darling and we'll-"
*HIT
(Kay was suddenly elbowed by Erika who wasn't gonna allow Kay to finish her sentence)
"I met the amazing girls of Ooarai! Each and every one of them are skilled and very nice! They deserve to be here among the best of the best! Me and my crew thank you for this wonderful experience and opportunity you gave us!"
(Gero and his crew bowed to the Ooarai girls as thanks)
"I got reunited with very important people in my life that I haven't seen for a very very long time. Those are people that I cherish and love very much. You know who you guys are so I won't mention you anymore.."
(Miho and Maho smiled as to what Gero said cause they knew it was them that he was referring to. Both of them shed a tear as their brother talked about how thankful he was. Shiho also knew what her son meant by that and also shed a tear)
"Finally..this is the most I am thankful about for this event..I got to meet the girl of my dreams.."
*THU-THUMP
(Erika's heart suddenly skipped a bit and started beating faster as Gero said those words she started to blush as well. Kay was still knocked out from the elbow hit she took so she didn't hear any of this)
"KYAAAAAAA~!" the girls on the audience yelled
"Ohh and who might this lucky girl be?" Chouno asked
"I won't reveal who she is..but I could describe her..by a poem I made"
"Wow a poem! Please enlighten us..!" Chouno got excited
She has blue eyes and long hair, even has the sweetest smile that I just can't bear
She likes to yell out orders as much as she loves to eat hamburgers
Her words are not subtle but direct and frank
I know she can overcome anything because she is as strong as a tank
She can be scary sometimes but I don't care
I know that she fights with all her might fair and square
There is not a second of the day that goes by
That I long to be with her even if it's just to say "hi"
At first she hated me and she kept her distance far away
But I never gave up because I want to make her my wife someday
I may not be the best man out there but I guarantee you that I am a fighter
I will fight for the both of us even if I'm just your Stupid Tiger (Bakatora)
(Right after he finished talking Erika took a peak at Gero and she saw him looking at her secretly like he was trying to see her reaction. Both of them suddenly broke away from eye contact the moment they looked at each other)
*THU-THUMP *THU-THUMP *THU-THUMP *THU-THUMP *THU-THUMP *THU-THUMP
(Erika's heartbeat was so fast and hard it would have jumped out of her chest any moment as Gero finished his poem. She started to blush bright red and steam was coming out of her head again)
"Well that's how it goes.."
"That was amazing Matsu-kun!" Ken shouted
"Didn't know you were a poet Taichou.." Hajime said
"I'm not..I just thought of the words then they rhymed.."
"Of course you did.." Ono said with a sweat drop on his head
(The 4 of them noticed that the whole D.O.M.E stadium was so quiet after his poem. A few seconds went by before erupting into cheers and screams by everyone)
"KYAAAAAA~! KYAAAA~! That was such a cool poem!" the girls were shouting
"THAT'S A REAL MAN!" some guys were shouting in the audience as well
"We support your true love young man! Go for it!" even the elderly were shouting
(Gero was surprised by this reaction and didn't know what to say)
"That was a great poem Gero-kun.." Chouno said with a blush
"Ehh..even you Ami-neesan?" Gero whispered
"Any girl would think of you as very cool and manly after what you just did..who ever that girl is she just won the lottery with you!" Chouno said as she looked at Erika
"Ughh..what happened? Why is everyone screaming?" Kay just woke up
"Oh nothing Gero just gave a great speech that's all.." Darjeeling said
"Ohh..so why do you have your hair down Darjeeling?" Kay asked
(Darjeeling removed her french braid tied hair and let it down because Gero said in his poem the girl he liked had long hair)
"N-No reason..also do you know any great hamburger places?" Darjeeling asked Kay
"Huh? Why the sudden question?" Kay was confused
"There you have it folks! I'm proud to present this Flag and Trophy to Ooarai-Shirokumo Team!" Chouno shouted
(As the flag was given to Gero and the trophy was handed to Miho the whole stadium cheered and shouted for them)
"Once again Congratulations!" shouted Chouno
"CONGRATULATIONS!" the whole stadium shouted
(Gero and crew along with the rest of the Ooarai bowed to the audience)
"Miho-san! Care to end this ceremony your way?" Chouno gave the mic to Miho
"Ready everyone?! All together...and..PANZER VOR!" Miho shouted and jumped
"YEEEEEAAAAAAAAHH!" Everyone else shouted and jumped in the air
(Tons of confetti came raining down the whole stadium and the whole D.O.M.E went dark as fireworks went up into the sky signaling the tournament is now finished)
"Ladies and gentlemen! Tankers and Viewers! This concludes the "1st National Joint High School Senshado Tournament" we will see you all at the next tournament! Good day and goodbye!" shouted the announcer
Coming Up Next : Chapter 32 - Where I Belong
Author's Note:
Hi guys! How was the chapter? Hope you enjoyed the read!
Shout out to: "Jeku Kusanagi" and "Nikthemarine" thank you for the follow and favorite! Glad to have you aboard the fanfic!
Thank you for the wonderful support you all are amazing! As for the replies to your comments check the reviews section as always!
As always if you like what you see leave a Favorite, if you want to see a notification as I post a new chapter please Follow! If you have comments and suggestions leave a review for me to read! Thank you again and have a nice day!