Chapter 35 - Senpai and Kohai
(Gero now has appeared before the new recruits and took them by surprise. Wearing the same training jacket as them and now saluting them)
"How's everybody doing?"
"They just showed us some of their gunnery skills..you were right about them..they are the best recruits anyone would want.." Maho said
"I knew it the moment I saw them.."
"Well since you're here I'll leave it to you guys to see to their training..I have work to attend to.." Shiho said
"Jawohl Headmistress!"
(Shiho now left the group and Gero noticed that all the newbies were just staring at them)
"Uhmm..is there something on my face?"
"IT'S REALLY THEM! THE WHITE TIGER CREW!" shouted Chinatsu
"WE WATCHED EVERY MATCH YOU PLAYED LAST TOURNAMENT! Rio shouted
"YOU GUYS WERE SO COOL!" Hanako shouted
(Gero and his crew were surprised by the sudden attention they got and were being surrounded by the newbies)
"W-Wait one at a time guys.." Ono said
"We have all the time in the world so please calm down first.." Hajime said
"Matsu-kun heeeeeelp…" Ken shouted as he was being carried and tossed into the sky by the newbies
"You guys are popular as always.." Bauer said
"Come on Bauer-chan help us!"
"Oh right..ATTENTION!" Bauer shouted
(Immediately the newbies went back into their lines facing Gero and his crew)
"Thanks..Bauer-chan.."
"You're welcome Gero-Taichou!" Bauer smiled
"Alright we'd like to properly introduce ourselves to you guys first..even if you already know who we are..you boys first.."
"Hi boys and girls I'm Tsugomoto Ken, position is driver! Nice to meet you!"
"I'm Hajime Taiyou, position is radioman, happy to see you all"
"Nakamura Ono! Call me Ono..position is loader! Welcome to Kuromorimine!"
"Lastly I'm Matsumoto Gero, position is commander and gunner, looking forward to doing Senshado with everyone!"
"NICE TO MEET YOU AND PLEASE TAKE CARE OF US" everyone responded
"Very good..now does anyone have any questions for us?"
"Me!" Rio raised her hand
"Yes Rumi-san your question is?"
"Oh you already knew my name Gero-Taichou?"
"Yes, me and the boys already know each and every one of you..we read all of your application forms before you got here.."
"Ohh! That's amazing!" the others said
"Now what's your question?"
"Yes uhmm why do you wear the same training jacket like us? Don't you already have the tanker jacket?" Rio asked
"Just like you I'm also a transfer student here..I too need to earn that jacket..I refused to get special treatment just because of the latest tournament..we are all a team here..alright?"
"I see thank you very much for the answer!" Rio saluted
"Anyone else?"
"I have a question for Ono-senpai!" Endo said
"Ohh Endo-kun ask away!" Ono said
"How do you do that super fast reload speed? I also want to be a great loader just like you!"
"That's a good question..what I do is I hold the next shell immediately after loading the first one..this cuts down the reload time by at least 2-3 seconds depending on the size of the shell..then the rest depends on your arm strength so we are gonna do some special training for that!" Ono answered
"I understand..thank you very much Ono-senpai!"
"Alright next question?"
"I have one for Tsugomoto-senpai!" Chinatsu raised her hand
"Go for it!" Ken said
"Your tank is a Tiger I right?" Chinatsu asked
"Yes you are correct..it's a Tiger Ausf. E.." Ken said
"It is part of the heavy tank category and yet you drive it like it's a light tank..how do you do that?"
"Ahaha does it look really fast in your perspective?" Ken asked
(Everyone of the newbies nodded their heads in response to his question)
"I see..to you guys watching it looks fast..but for me in the driver's seat it's still heavy..the trick is to not become faster than your opponent's tank but become faster than the enemy drivers themselves.." Ken said
(Some of the newbies knew what he meant and some didn't)
"You try and predict your enemy's movements and move the tank accordingly to put your gunner in a favorable shooting position..I move so that Matsu-kun here can get a clean shot off..think of the combination of the gunner and driver as making a beautiful artwork..and that art is hitting your target in the coolest way possible.." Ken said
(Everyone was so quiet after Ken finished talking)
"Uhmm..what's wrong?" Ken asked
"N-Nothing..I just didn't expect such a deep answer coming from you.."
"Hey that's mean!"
"Did you eat something strange this morning?" Hajime asked
"Shut up Hajime!"
"I'm also shocked by that answer..well done Ken-kun.." Maho said
"Uhuhu even Maho-san is being mean to me now.." Ken was crying
"But what he said was not wrong guys.." Ono said
"That's right..inside your tank is your crew..so you put your trust in your friends and work together..a tank is nothing without the members inside..you may all have different roles but you all act as one..do you understand?"
"Jawohl!" everyone saluted
"Alright anyone else?"
"Senpai..we have something to tell you.." Toshi raised his hand
"Yes Toshi what is it?"
"We are very sorry! Please forgive us!" Toshi and his friend said in unison and bowed
"Huh? Please don't bow why did you have to apologize?"
"We rejected your invitation to join you guys at the previous tournament..and we even said that you won't win..please forgive us!" Toshi said
(Gero and his crew looked at each other then smiled)
"We'll forgive you under three conditions.." Ono said
"What conditions Ono senpai?" Haruhiko asked
"First is to lift up your heads.." Ken said
"Second is forget about the past and focus on the present.." Hajime said
"Third is to do your best and work hard with this team..and enjoy doing Senshado with us" Ono said
"Can you do that for us boys?"
(Toshi and his friends smiled and replied quickly)
"Yes! Thank you very much Gero-Taichou!" the four of them said
"Okay one more question before we start training.."
"Me!" Alice raised her hand
"Ohh Alice-chan..what's your question?"
"Can I still call you Nii-chan?" Alice said with a blush
"Ehh? Of course..why not?"
"Yay! Thank you Nii-chan!" Alice blushed
"Alice-chan do you know Gero-senpai before?" Rio asked
"That's right..me and Nii-chan will be getting married when we graduate!" Alice said
"Ehh..?"
(Everyone got quiet again and processed what they just heard before erupting into different reactions)
"EEEEEEHHHHHH?!" everyone reacted
"G-Getting married?!" Rio said
"W-Wait Alice-chan..when did you come up with that conclusion?!"
"Just now!" Alice smiled
"Eeeeeehhhhh…"
"KKYAAAA~! Alice-chan has grown up to start declaring marriages!" Chinatsu said
"Taichou..I never knew you'd have the guts to do that.." Hajime said
"I didn't do anything!"
"Someone's going to really like hearing about this Gero-kun.." Maho said
"No please Maho-san..she's going to kill me.."
"Uhmm..congratulations Taichou?" Toshi said
"Don't say it like it's already decided!"
"I'll be your best man Gero.." Ono said
"Stop making it worse!"
(Gero and Alice was now being questioned and teased all around them)
"WHAT'S THE NOISE ALL ABOUT?!"
(A loud voice suddenly was heard from behind them and as they looked they saw it was their Kommandant Erika and accompanying her was the rest of the Senshado Team. Erika was wearing her tanker jacket on her shoulders like a cape and her hair was tied to a ponytail)
"Attention! The Kommandant is here!" Maho shouted
(Everyone then fell silent and lined up properly facing Erika and the veterans. They were all nervous because Erika was looking at them with a pissed off expression)
"D-Did she hear?" Ono whispered to Gero
"If she did hear then I'm dead.."
"Is this everyone Maho-san?" Erika asked
"Yes Kommandant..they showed the Headmistress a while ago their shooting skills.." Maho said
"How did the Headmistress react?"
"She was very pleased with the results.." Maho smiled
"I see..that's good then.."
(Gero then approached Erika and saluted)
"All new recruits ready and waiting for your orders Kommandant!"
"Ready and waiting huh..how about your wedding are you ready for that?"
(Gero froze when he heard Erika say that. He knew that he was really gonna get killed. Erika was emitting a very angry aura at Gero that made him sweat. Maho was trying her best not to laugh at her brother getting scolded)
"U-Uhm..that's not it Kommandant..it's all a misunderstanding.."
"A misunderstanding? We'll talk about this later.."
"J-Jawohl.."
"Okay let's start this off..to the newbies that are invited to the wedding of this boy here..run 10 laps around the field..on the double..NOW!"
"Jawohl Kommandant!" the newbies said
(Everyone then suddenly obeyed the order and started to run around the field. Maho then spoke to Erika to try and calm her down)
"Don't be mad at him Erika..you know who the real person he wants to marry..right? Maho said
"I know Maho-san..I just missed teasing him..and I have no plans on giving him up to anyone.."
"I never thought that I'd see you like this deeply in love.." Maho smiled
"Me too..and it's all your onii-sama's fault.." Erika said with a blush
"Ahahaha..it really is.." Maho laughed
"Kommandant!" someone called out to Erika
(When Erika turned around it was Leila Rou. She was Erika's childhood friend and went to middle school with her all the way to Kuromorimine. She has blonde hair and twin tails.)
"Yes Leila?"
"What do we do now Erika-chan?" Leila asked
"Have Koume and the others to prepare the 38(t)s in the field. We'll have the newbies do a mock battle.."
"Roger that!"
"A Mock battle right away? Isn't it too early?" Maho asked
"I thought so too..but it was Bakatora that suggested it.."
"Onii-sama did?"
"Yeah..he said that would be the best way to have them get used to a tank..through battles.."
"Okaa-sama did tell us that when he was still young he would play inside a tank all day.." Maho said
"Really? He really loves tanks huh.." Erika smiled
"Yes he does..but he loves you more Erika.." Maho teased
"Geez Maho-san! Stop saying that!" Erika blushed
"Senpai is blushing.." Sheska said with a grin
"Shut it Sheska!"
"Thinking about Gero-san?" Suzu teased
"Not you too Suzu!" Erika said
(This girl is Nishikawa Suzu, she is Erika's tank driver, she has black and short hair)
"Come on Suzu stop teasing Kommandant and help with the tanks!" someone shouted
"Yes yes I'm on my way Rin-chan..!" Suzu said
"Hurry it up!" Rin shouted
(This other girl is Ayako Rin, she is Erika's tank gunner, she has long red hair)
"Oh Rin thanks for lending me this hair tie.."
"No problem Kommandant..you wanted to look cute for Gero-san right?" Rin said with a grin
"So what if I did?! Get to work!" Erika shouted with a blush
(As Erika was being teased by her friends while the newbies were still doing laps around the field)
[10 Laps later..]
(The newbies were tired from the running and were resting on the field)
"Haa~ Haa~ 10 laps all of a sudden..this is killing me.." Tojo said
"I think we're already lucky getting off with laps around the field.." Sakuraba said
"Our Kommandant is scary.." Endo said
"I saw her once in the 63rd National tournament..she was angry about her tank getting it's tracks busted..and threw a tantrum.." Haruhiko said
"I saw that too.." Rio said
"You have fought against our Kommandant before right Alice-chan?" Chinatsu asked
"Yes I have..but didn't have the chance to meet her properly.." Alice said
"I see..guess this is the first time for all of us meeting her.." Hanako said
"Not all of us.." Toshi said
"That's right..Gero-senpai and his crew have fought with our Kommandant in the Siege Battle.." Isamu said
(All of them looked at Gero and his crew who were not exhausted even after running 10 laps. Maybe because they already did an even harder training at Mt. Fuji that 10 laps is just a cake walk for them. Mauko and Sango were approaching them with bottles of water)
"Yo Gero-kun, nice run!" Mauko said
"Here have some water.." Sango said
"Thanks Mauko-chan..Sango-chan.."
"Right Kommandant was calling for you boys over there.." Mauko said
"Looks like your sentence has been decided Matsu-kun.." Ken said
"That's not funny!"
"Thanks for the water Mauko-san!" Ono said
"No problem!"
(Gero and his crew now went towards Erika as they were called while Mauko and Sango gave the water bottles to the newbies)
"Here you go guys, keep hydrated, Kommandant's orders!" Mauko said
"Thank you very much senpai.." Toshi said
"Call me Mauko..she is Sango.." Mauko said
"Mauko and Sango?" Rio asked
"Yeah it's our nicknames..I'm the commander of the Maus therefore Mauko.."
"And I'm the commander of a Panzer III so Sango..nice to meet you all!"
"Nice to meet you too Mauko-senpai and Sango-senpai!" Tojo said
"So Kommandant gave us these water bottles?" Chinatsu asked
"That's right..Kommandant might be scary but she cares for everyone here.." Sango said
"See guys..the Kommandant is a nice person!" Hanako said
"I'm grateful for the water but that 10 laps was painful.." Endo said
"Ahahaha that's because Gero-san angered the Kommandant about the wedding thing so she just teased him a little..sorry you guys got dragged in it.." Mauko said
"Why did Kommandant get angry about the marriage?" Alice asked
"Oh right you don't know.." Mauko said
"Know what senpai?" Rio asked
"The Kommandant and Gero-san are dating!" Sango said
(Once again the newbies were quiet and took a couple of seconds to process what they heard)
"EEEEEEHHH!?" all reacted again
"KYAAAA~!" some of the girls reacted
"K-Kommandant and Gero-Taichou are!?" Rio said
"Alice-chan! Alice-chan get a grip!" Chinatsu shouted
(Alice was in shock that her Nii-chan was already in a relationship and she was just staring at the ground with lifeless eyes)
"Nii-chan..Nii-chan.." Alice said
"Poor Alice-san.." Sakuraba said
"So only tease Gero-san to our Kommandant and not to anyone else!" Mauko said
"Newbies! Gather around here on the double!" Maho shouted
"Well we better get going, come one guys training is about to start!" Sango said
"Come on guys..let's go.." Toshi said
(The recruits now stood up and gathered in front of Erika and Maho)
"Listen up, you all will now have a mock battle with each other!" Erika announced
"Alright! At last a fight!" Tojo said
"Let's do our best Toshi!" Endo said
"Yeah..let's show senpai our determination to be here!" Toshi smiled
"Alice-chan we can do this!" Hanako said
"You will be able to fight your Nii-chan!" Chinatsu said
"Let's do this!" Alice said
(Alice's eyes suddenly became stars because she really wants to fight Gero. There is one thing that Alice loves more than her Nii-chan and that's fighting strong opponents)
"That's the spirit Alice-san!" Sakuraba said
"Yeah blow a whole through the heart of your Nii-chan!" Rio said
(The girls suddenly felt a cold stare by Erika at them)
"I'm just joking!" Rio reacted
"It will be boys versus girls first then we will mix it up the after!" Maho shouted
"The match will be an annihilation game so whoever has no more tanks remaining loses!" Erika shouted
"Now since both sides have very talented tankers referring to the Gero-kun and Alice-san from the girls..only the both of them can hit each other..they cannot hit anyone else except each other..this is to balance both teams in terms of skill.." Maho said
"Bakatora and Alice-san will also be the overall commanders of each side. Are you satisfied with this rule?" Erika asked Alice
"Yes Kommandant..thank you very much!" Alice said
"Boys will have blue paint shells while girls have red..then Gero-kun and Alice-san will have green shells..so if you get hit by green shells you are not out..we will call those that are out via radio.." Maho said
"That's fair enough..let's have fun Alice-chan!"
"Yes Nii-chan!" Alice smiled
"Gero-kun and Alice-san's tanks will also have a yellow flag on their tank to identify them..so check your targets before you shoot.." Maho said
"Isn't that great? The bride and groom get to fight each other?" Erika said
"L-Like I said it's not like that Kommandant.." Gero was crying
"Kommandant if I beat Nii-chan then I get to keep him as my groom.." Alice challenged
"What are you saying Alice-chaaan!?" Gero was so scared now
"Ohhh! Alice-chan is getting aggressive!" Rio said
"Go for it Alice-chan!" Hanako shouted
"Alice-san fight..fight!" Sakuraba shouted
"And if he wins?" Erika asked
"Then he's not my groom but he will still be my Nii-chan.." Alice said
"Very well..you better not lose Bakatora.." Erika said with an evil smile
"I won't lose Erika..you know that.."
"I know..just making sure..everyone mount your tanks! Blue Team take position in the north and Red Team in the south!" Erika ordered
"Jawohl!" they responded
(The newbies now went in their Panzer 38(t) tanks to get ready for the mock battle. Toshi and his friends are in one tank as a crew, Tojo is the commander of another crew, Sakuraba is the gunner for another crew and Alice and the Bermuda sisters are in one crew)
"Ready! Match START!" Maho radioed
(As a green flare went up in the sky all tanks from both sides moved forward to meet their opponents)
"Haruhiko forward!" Toshi ordered
"Copy that!" Haruhiko responded
"Driver full speed ahead!" Tojo ordered
"Chinatsu-san advance.." Alice said
"You got it Alice-chan!" Chinatsu said
"Ready to meet your bride Matsu-kun?"
"Shut up Ken..come on we got a battle to win.."
"It is a battle you can't afford to lose..like literally.." Hajime said
"That's why we're not going to lose..you hear me boys?"
"Roger that!" his crew said
(The area was filled with trees but had enough space for the tanks to move around and there is a spot in the middle of the forest were it had no trees and only flat ground)
"Enemy tanks spotted straight ahead.."
"What's the plan Gero-Taichou?" Tojo radioed
"All tanks halt..get ready to fire!"
"Copy that..load AP.." Toshi said
"Loaded!" Endo said
"Pick your targets boys..ready..FIRE!"
(A volley of paint shells from the boys platoon were fired at the direction of the enemy girls platoon)
*BOOM *BOOM *BOOM
(Three out of five tanks were hit with that volley while the rest of the shots hit the trees. The two remaining tanks took cover behind the trees)
"3 targets down..nice shot boys!"
"I hit the target!" Isamu said
"Nice shot gunner!" Tojo said
"Continue your fire on those two remaining tanks..Tojo take 3 tanks and backtrack and go around to the left..take the route I showed you.."
"Jawohl Taichou! Tank 4, 7, and 9 follow me!" Tojo said
"Roger!" the three tanks responded
"Why send them to the left senpai?" Toshi asked
"You'll see..they'll be coming at us from both sides boys get ready!"
[Observation Platform]
(Erika and the rest of the regular students were watching the match via the screen and binoculars)
"Amazing..Gero-san already ordered his platoon to take defensive positions..and sent a different detachment.." Koume said
"Yeah..he already predicted that force in front of them was just a decoy.." Maho said
"The rest of the girls will now arrive from their flanks.." Erika said
(As the platoon of the boys get into position to defend themselves as best as they the platoon of Alice approach them from both sides)
"Alice-chan enemy platoon sighted.." Rio said
"All tanks fire at will on both sides.." Alice ordered
"Jawohl!" all girls responded
(Both flanks of the boys' platoon were being poured on by a volley of red paint shells)
*BOOOM *BOOOM
"Gero-senpai! 2 tanks got hit on the right!" Toshi said
"One more got hit on the left!" said on the radio
"Hold your ground boys..we will have our chance soon!"
"Target hit!" Sakuraba said
"I got 1 also!" Rio said
"Something's wrong.." Alice said
"What is it Alice-chan?" Hanako asked
"Nii-chan isn't this passive.." Alice said
*BOOM *BOOM
(Shells suddenly landed on Alice's platoon on the left and hitting 4 tanks instantly)
"From where?!" Chinatsu said
"Behind us Alice-san! 4 panzers!" Sakuraba said
(Alice took a look on her binoculars and saw 4 Panzer 38(t)s rushing them from behind)
"Gero-senpai! We got them by surprise!" Tojo radioed
"Good job Tojo! All tanks on the right pop smoke and join us here on the left! We'll punch through the left flank!"
"Jawohl!" the boys responded
(The right flank dispersed smoke as they joined the left flank leaving the enemy tanks blinded. They regrouped now together with the left as ordered by Gero)
"Alright boys listen up! We are going to punch through this side and regroup with Tojo on the other side! You ready?!"
"JAWOHL TAICHOU!" everyone shouted
"Panzer schieben!" [All Tanks Push!]
(Immediately every Panzer 38(t) rushed forward together with Gero in a charge towards Alice's position)
"Alice-san they're charging right at us!" Chinatsu said
"We are getting hit from the back as well!" Sakuraba said
"Everyone calm down..aim carefully and pick them off one by one.." Alice ordered
"Jawohl!"
"Those that are on the right side hurry and regroup with us!" Alice radioed
"Copy that!" the girls responded
(As both sides engage in a fire fight their forces are getting hit left and right)
*BOOM *BOOM
"Gero-Taichou the enemy forces behind us have punched through the smoke!"
"Don't worry I left someone to welcome them..max speed boys!"
(The forces of the girls emerged from the smoke and took aim at Gero's platoon from behind them)
"On target!"
"Fire-"
*BOOM
(The Panzer 38(t) was suddenly hit by a blue shell behind them)
"From behind again?!" said the girl tanker
"Target destroyed! Next adjust aim to the left! Fire!" Toshi said
"Firing!" Isamu said
*BOOM
(The 37mm paint shell struck another enemy tank and took it out. Gero left Toshi's tank in the smoke to ambush the girls that pushed through the smoke)
"Two targets down Gero-senpai!" Toshi said
"Well done boys! Let's gooooo!"
(The platoon of the Gero that was charging has breached the platoon of Alice on the left and numerous fire fights broke out within the formations. Tanks getting knocked out everywhere)
"Hold your ground!" Alice ordered
(Alice then felt a cold look staring at her from behind. It was Gero's tank aiming at her)
"FIRE!"
(Gero's tank fire the green 37mm shell at Alice's tank but it was dodged cleanly)
"Chinatsu-san keep moving! Don't let Nii-chan get behind you!" Alice ordered
"Copy that!" Chinatsu said
"Rio-san keep on shooting as fast as you can.." Alice said
"Leave it to me!"
(Both Gero and Alice are now facing off each other shooting and dodging within the chaos of the battlefield. On the other side Tojo was having his own battle with Sakuraba and exchanging shots as well)
*BOOM *BOOM
"Tojo-san is a great tank commander that's for sure.." Sakuraba said
"Driver when I say the word get us as close as you can to that tank's rear!" Tojo said
(Both Tojo and Sakuraba's tank were doing circles while chasing one another but the circle keeps getting smaller with every shot)
"NOW!" Tojo shouted
(Tojo's panzer suddenly drifted across towards the back of Sakuraba's tank but it was predicted by Sakuraba and she already had her turret aiming behind her tank)
"FIRE!" both Tojo and Sakuraba shouted
*BOOM *BOOM
(Both their tanks fired at the same time and hit each other at point blank range taking each other out)
"Nice shot Sakuraba-san..good fight!" Tojo said
"Great moves there Tojo-kun.." Sakuraba replied
(As their fight has ended on this side of the field Gero and Alice's fight is nearing the end of their fight as well. As they continued to fight each other they didn't notice that they were already the last tanks remaining. Toshi's tank managed to hold off 5 tanks by himself but got taken out by the last tank. Everyone else was now watching Gero and Alice duel it out.)
"Gero-Taichou and his crew are amazing..going head to head with the Shimada Style.." Tojo said
"I knew they were good but this is something else.." Sakuraba said
(The boys had smiles on their faces as they watch their captain duke it out with a member of a Senshado Style user and see that they are basically equal)
"Round up!" Ono said
"FIRE!"
(The 37mm shell flew towards Alice's tank but it was dodged once again by Chinatsu)
"Up Rio-chan!" Hanako said
"Firing!" Rio said
(Another 37mm shell was fired this time towards Gero's tank and was also dodged easily by Ken)
"Alice-chan's crew is good.." Ono said
"Yes they are.. "
"So how will this end Matsu-kun? A win or a loss?" Ken asked
"Neither.."
(His crew already knew what Gero meant by what he said just nodded with a smile)
"Roger that!" his crew replied
"Chinatsu-san will you be able to do that?" Alice asked
"I can Alice-chan..just tell me when.."
"I'll leave it to you..Rio-san be ready to take the shot at my command.."
"Roger!" Rio said
(Both Gero and Alice's tanks now sped up and were heading towards each other. Both fired but were dodged easily by their drivers)
"Steady...steady…"
"Round up!"
"NOW!" both Gero and Alice ordered
(Both Panzer 38(t)s drifted to their side with their turrets still aimed at each other then all of a sudden both Gero and Alice used Spontaneous Deceleration at the exact same time during the drift. Their tanks slowly reversed together and both gunners saw each other in their gun sights)
"FIRE!" both Gero and Alice shouted
*BOOM
(Both their tanks got green paint on their tank meaning both have been knocked out)
*SIREN
"Mock Battle is over! It's a tie!" Maho shouted
(The regulars watching was amazed and gave the newbies a round of applause and cheers)
"Whooo! Nice job newbies!" Mauko shouted
"Amazing display of tankery all of you!" Suzu shouted
"Everyone is a great shot..this is gonna be good!" Rin said
"Looks like your boyfriend ended up with a tie Erika-chan.." Leila said
"I already knew that he was aiming for it.." Erika said
"How did you know Kommandant?" Suzu asked
"Bakatora said "I won't lose" but he didn't say he was going to win either.." Erika said
"Ehh..what's up with that?" Leila said
"That's just how he is..right Erika?" Maho said
"Yes..always playing troublesome mind games.." Erika blushed
"Troublesome and yet..quite the talented commander.." Sheska said
"Predicting the encirclement by Alice-san, then turning it into a pincer move and surrounding Alice's platoon.." Sango said
"Then covering their rear with smoke then having one tank to hide in the smoke to ambush the other side..ending a tie against a Shimada Style user..just what is with Gero-san?" Koume said
"I believe it's because he is with Kommandant that he found confidence in himself.." Bauer said
"How did you come up with that conclusion Bauer?!" Erika blushed
"The power of love is incredible.." Rin teased
"Shut up you two!" Erika shouted
"Ehh..deep down you're really happy right senpai?" Sheska teased
"SHEEESKAAAAA!"
(Both Gero and Alice now came down from their tanks and shook hands to a great duel)
"You're so strong Alice-chan.."
"You too Nii-chan..do you really hate me being your wife?" Alice teased
"Alice-chan..it's not like that.."
"I know Nii-chan..I'm just joking..Kommandant is very lucky to have you.." Alice smiled
"Geez Alice-chan..give me a break with those kinds of jokes..it's bad for my health.."
"Ahaha..sorry Nii-chan..I haven't seen you in a very long time so I just wanted to have some fun with you.."
"I missed you too Alice-chan..I'm happy we get to go to school together.."
"Me too..by the way, I didn't know you can use Spontaneous Deceleration also.." Alice said
"I did a lot of practicing with the boys..and you got yourself a nice crew Alice-chan.."
"Really?" Chinatsu asked
"Yeah..Alice-chan lucky to have you guys.." Ono said
"You mean WE are lucky to have Alice-chan as our commander senpai.." Rio said
"You're lucky to have each other alright? Good job girls, nice fight!" Ken said
"Thank you very much Tsugomoto-senpai!" Hanako said
"Guys..the Kommandant is calling us back now.." Hajime said
"You heard him..let's go guys before Kommandant gets cranky.."
[Kuromorimine Tank Garage]
(Everyone now has lined up together both regular and new tankers)
"Good job out there..welcome to the Kuromorimine Senshado Team..from now on we are all comrades and a team..we look forward to working with you all so do your best!" Erika said
"Jawohl Kommandant!" everyone replied
"So since the match ended with a tie..it means that Gero-kun will not be Alice-san's groom but will remain his Nii-chan..correct?" Maho said
"Maho-san why do you have to mention that…" Gero was crying again
"Well it's better to clear things up at the earliest right?" Maho said with a grin
"You are definitely enjoying this aren't you?"
"I don't know what you mean...so Alice-chan..no more teasing Gero-kun alright?" Maho said
"Yes Maho-san..I was just kidding in the first place anyway.."
"I see..well then that's that.." Maho said
"I would just like to congratulate our Kommandant for her wonderful relationship with Nii-chan.." Alice smiled
(This made Erika blush also because everyone was looking at her)
"T-Thank you Alice-san..glad to have you here with us also.." Erika said
"If you make Nii-chan cry I won't forgive you.." Alice said
"Don't worry I won't..I'll make him happy for the rest of his life.." Erika said
"Erika.."
"That's good to hear then.." Alice smiled
"KKYAAAA~!" the girls shouted
"Kommandant is so sweet and cool!" Suzu said
"Senpai I'll be the bride's maid!" Sheska said
"Geez...what the heck are you guys making me say!" Erika blushed
"Don't worry Kommandant! The strict and scary side of you is cool but this cute and honest side is even better!" Mauko said
"Oh shut it..anyways..let's call it a day for now...we have 2 weeks before the start of the Exhibition Matches so tomorrow we will continue training but now the regulars will now join the newbies...DISMISSED!" Erika shouted
"Thank you very much!" everyone bowed
[Kuromorimine School Building Rooftop - After Practice]
(Erika was sitting at the rooftop while Gero was sitting behind her and hugging her with his arms around her waist intertwined with Erika's hands as she rested her head on Gero's chest while watching the sunset)
"Wow..the sunset is so beautiful..you always have a thing for finding great spots like this huh?" Erika said
"I guess I do..and you look so cute with your hair tied like that.."
"Thanks..can this be our after training session?"
"Sure why not..I'd want to do this every time.."
"Me too..training you newbies is very tiring you know..need to replenish my Bakatora energy.."
"Ahaha come on don't treat me like a battery charger.."
"I'm not..by the way, how did you meet Alice-san in the first place?"
"Me and Okaa-chan would often visit the Shimada household when Chiyo-sama needed to discuss something with Okaa-chan.."
"The Head of the Shimada Style?"
"Yes..they both work for the Japanese Senshado Federation so they have to conduct meetings from time to time.."
"That's when you met Alice-san?"
"Yup..she was just one year old back then..and I was seven years old..I'd look after her while they were having their meetings.."
"So that's why she calls you her Nii-chan.."
"Right..we would always play together with her older sister.."
"Ehh?! She has an older sister?!"
"Shhh keep your voice down..promise me you'll keep this a secret?"
"Of course..who is it?"
"Hmm..she has a very aloof attitude..adventurous..and likes music..ring any bells?"
"No..more hints!"
"Both of us fought her together in the Siege Battle last tournament.."
(Erika then tried to remember the events during the tournament and one person came to her mind that she fought together with Gero)
"Looks like you know already.."
"No way...Mika!?"
"That's right..Shimada Mika..the eldest of the Shimada Family and heir to the Shimada Style.."
"Well..that's a shocker..I knew she was good..but didn't think she was a Shimada..that explains her commanding skills.."
"She didn't want to be tied down to the duties of the family so she decided to leave and go on her own adventure to pursue her Senshado.."
"And that's why she calls you Ro-chan.."
"Apparently..she gave me that nickname because she was too lazy to pronounce my name.."
"Classic Mika.."
"Right?"
"But isn't that a little irresponsible? She left Alice to be the acting heir in place of her.."
"Then you could say the same for me right? I was not here for my sisters and they had to take responsibility..so I am also guilty of irresponsibility.."
"S-Sorry..that's not what I meant.."
"It's ok..I know what you meant..we can't change the past..all we can do now is move forward and pave the way for a brighter future right?"
(Erika looked up toward Gero while still leaning onto Gero's chest)
"Agreed..and we'll do it together.." Erika blushed
"Together.."
(As they both look into each other's eyes Gero lifted Erika's chin then leaned in towards her face and kissed her on the lips that Erika returned with no hesitation. Thus this day filled with surprises and intense matches have ended with a very sweet and passionate kiss on the rooftop as the sun sets)
Coming Up Next: Chapter 36 - Seven Seats of Senshado
Author's Note:
Wassup guys! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Looks like Kuromorimine has great newbies am I right?!
Again I uploaded another picture at the Facebook page! It's the picture of Erika with her hair tied as she shouted at the newbies and a picture of Nishikawa Suzu and Ayako Rin which are the gunner and loader of Erika's Panzer IV!
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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