Author's Note:
Hi everyone! Yes I'm not dead and I'm doing fine! It's been exactly a year since I last updated. I'm sorry for the very very very long delay. Long story short I got busy to the point of needing to drop everything and focus on other things. You may have guessed that it has something to do with the current pandemic but rest assured I'm not infected! I'm still busy at the moment but I may be able to upload a chapter once a month depending on how busy I am so please bear with me! I've replied to your DMs and comments so be sure to check them out! Before we get to the chapter I'd love to give thanks to these wonderful people that have followed and favorited my story for the past year! I love you all and I hope you are all doing great!
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Thank you all of you again and welcome to my story! Without further delay enjoy this chapter and see you on the next one!
Chapter 88 - Can You See Me?
[Finals Battlefield]
"White Tiger Style: Hidden Fangs.."
*CLICK *BANG *BANG *BOOM
(Two 7.92x94mm anti tank rounds buried deep inside the FURY's engine block destroying it completely and a small cloud of black smoke emerged from it. As the surveillance drones flew over the FURY to confirm what had happened Ami Chouno grabbed the microphone in front of her and took a big breath of air)
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE WINNER OF THE 64TH NATIONAL SENSHADO TOURNAMENT IS.."
(As the smoke faded a white flag was seen by everyone on top of the FURY signaling it's defeat)
"KUROMORIMINE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL!" Ami Chouno shouted
*CUE MUSIC : Alfakyun. -ERROR (Cover)*
(Everyone suddenly jumped out of their seats as they cheered for the winners of the tournament. Mixed emotions of happiness, sadness, cheers and tears filled the entire stadium)
[Ooarai Viewing Platform]
"YATTA! THEY WON! THEY WON MIPORIN!" Saori shouted
"Yes! Onii-chan did it! They won! Onii-chan won!" Miho cried as she smiled
"The FURY has been defeated! An amazing end for an amazing match!" Yukari shouted
"Congratulations Ken-chan.." Mako smiled
"That was a blood pumping duel! I want to fight Gero-dono again!" Shizuka smiled
[Jatkosota Viewing Platform]
"THAT WAS AWESOME! DID YOU SEE WHAT GERO-SAN DID?!" Mikko shouted
"I did and yes it was awesome! Crazy but awesome!" Aki smiled
"Congratulations Ro-chan.." Mika smiled with a blush
[Pravda Viewing Platform]
"UUUURAAAAA!" Nina and Alina cheered
"Expected nothing less from the White Tiger..a truly magnificent fight.." Nonna smiled
[Shogun Viewing Platform]
"Did you see that Shinji?! Gero-dono just keeps on getting better!" Akane cheered
"Yeah! He's seriously on another level! He just wrecked the Yamato air just like how she wrecked you!" Shinji said
"Was that really necessary to say?!" Akane reacted
[Crow's Nest Viewing Platform]
"They did it NIi-san! They won! Kuromorimine won!" Sudou shouted
"Yeah..Gero-senpai prevailed.." Kenji smiled
[Viewing Platform for VIPs]
"I can't remember the last time I was this at the edge of my seat watching a match of Senshado.." Chiyo said
"You can say that again.." Tsuneo smiled
"My son is as crazy as always.." Shiho chuckled
"I have to agree with that..to think that he'd deactivate his Sacred Possession and use his crew as a decoy to camouflage himself.." Mai said
"Misdirection.." Shiho smiled
"Heh..I guess my daughter still has a lot to learn..it was our Family's total defeat..congratulations Shiho-chan.." Mai said
[Seven Seats of Senshado Viewing Platform]
"WOOO! THAT'S THE TIGER-KUN I KNOW!" Takashi shouted
"HE DID IT! DARLING DID IT!" Kay shouted
"My goodness that last duel was too intense for me!" Darjeeling said
"The outcome was as expected.." Kal said
"You say that but I saw you were getting worried at the last second.." Naomi teased
"Shut up.."
"This calls for a celebration! Anzio will cook lots of good food for Whitey!" Anchovy shouted
"I guess a grand tea party is needed as well.." Assam smiled
"I'm going to cook some delicious Borscht Pravda Style for Gero-kun!" Katyusha said
(As everyone was all excited they suddenly saw Maho crying softly as she was so happy for their victory. She was glad for her school but most of all happy for her brother that had done the impossible once more)
"Onii-sama won..I'm so glad..he's alright.." Maho cried
"Geez..Maho-chan you're going to make me cry as well!" Kay said
"I'm sorry.."
"Well a little bit of tears of joy wouldn't hurt.." Darjeeling smiled
"Nyaa~!" Weiss comforted Maho by cuddling with her
"Hold your head up high Nishizumi Maho.." Kaede suddenly said
"Kaede-san.." Maho looked at her
"Your brother, Nishizumi Gero is the first person that has ever defeated Shiori in a fair and square match..even with the odds against him..he never gave up..and prevailed..I respect him from the very bottom of my heart.." Kaede smiled
"Thank you Kaede-san.." Maho smiled back
"Look at you complimenting him so much..after all that bad mouthing you said before.." Katyusha teased
"Let the past be past.." Kaede blushed
"Are you sure it's only respect that you feel about him?" Asparagus teased as well
"S-Shut up!" Kaede blushed harder
"You should tell onii-sama that also..I know that would make him very happy.." Maho said
"Maybe I will.."
[Sanctuary - Dortmund, Germany]
(The kids were rejoicing as they watched Gero and his crew win the tournament. Alonso, Jonathan and Dr. Emma also shouted along with the kids to celebrate Kuromorimine's win)
"THEY WON! ONII-SAN WON!" Kin shouted
"Looks like the World Tournament is in for a big surprise.." Alonso smiled
"Woah! I never knew watching a match of Senshado would be this intense!" Jonathan said
"I don't know anything about tankery but that got me really interested!" Dr. Emma smiled
"Senshado is so cool! I want to do it too!" Kin shouted
(Alonso couldn't help but smile at the glow that he saw inside Kin's eyes. It was such a sight seeing a boy that went through hell is now smiling with overflowing emotions because Gero had saved him)
"Is that so young Kin?"
"Yes Alonso-san! I want to do Senshado with onii-san!"
"Then I guess we better start teaching you the basics so that when Sir Gero returns he'll be happy to know you are learning about Senshado!" Alonso said
"Really?! Then I'll learn everything to be of use to onii-san!" Kin smiled
[Finals Battlefield]
(Back in Japan the members of Kuromorimine Team were all ganging up around Gero and his team and were complimenting them on their win)
"Gero-Taichou! I'll never forget this match for as long as I live!" Tojo shouted
"Same for us.." Hajime smiled
"Nii-chan! You were so cool! Alice cheered
"You beat the Yamato heir like a pro!" Chinatsu added
"That was such an awesome duel senpai!" Haruhiko said
"We appreciate the compliments but please stop pushing! We're so beaten up over here.." Ken complained
"Ahaha sorry about that.." Endo chuckled
"HEY! EVERYONE!"
(A loud shout was heard behind them and they looked to see Mauko and Sango's team approaching them together with Sakuraba and Kojima)
"Sango-senpai! Mauko-senpai!" Hanako called out
"I'm not dreaming right?! We really won, right?!" Mauko asked
"That's right! We are the champions!" Isamu answered
"What should I do?! It doesn't feel real at all!" Sango reacted
(All of a sudden Sakuraba started pinching both Sango's cheeks)
"Ow! Ow! Ow! What are you doing?!" Sango shouted
"Ehehe! If you feel that pain it means it's real senpai!" Sakuraba smiled
"Geez! You didn't have to pinch it that hard!" Sango cried
(As they were celebrating with each other Gero stood up slowly and walked towards Sango and the others)
"Sango-san.."
"Yes Gero-san?"
"Thank you.."
"Eh?! Why are you thanking me? For what?" Sango got flustered
"For keeping your promise.."
(Sango then remembered the promise she made to Gero about not getting scared of taking the shot when she needed to)
"I wouldn't be able to face you if I didn't keep it..thank you also for giving me the boost in confidence.."
"BAKATORA!"
"Yo Erika..are you alright-ugh!"
(Erika and her crew finally arrived as well and Gero saw her running towards him as fast as she could and suddenly jumped on him for a big hug which lead to Gero losing his footing and both of them fell down)
"Oi oi my body hurts like hell and you do that?!"
"Shut up Bakatora! I was so worried! When I felt your aura disappear I thought something had happened!" Erika shouted
"I'm alright..all of us are so stop worrying anymore.."
"You always push yourself too hard! You never listen to me! You're such a BAKA BAKA BAKATORA!"
"I'm sorry my Kommandant.."
(On the other side of the crowd Ono and Hajime was approached by Leila and Sheska)
"You okay?" Leila asked
"Yeah..just so tired.." Hajime smiled
"Ono-senpai! Are you feeling alright?! You look so pale!" Sheska was worried
"Don't worry Sheska..just a little bit of sleep will get me energized again.."
"Then let's do this.."
(Suddenly Sheska placed Ono's head on her lap for a traditional "Hizamakura" that all men long for)
"W-W-What are you doing?!" Ono blushed
"Y-You said a little bit of sleep so I thought t-this would help you.." Sheska blushed also
"B-But this is.."
"Is it not comfy? Do you hate it senpai?" Sheska said
"I don't hate it of course..it's the best pillow in the whole universe!"
"Then I'm very glad.." Sheska smiled
(Ono continued to rest on top of Sheska's lap while trying to cover the redness of his face with his hands. Both of them were blushing real hard and everyone was there to see it. Confetti falling from the sky and everyone cheering for them was truly an amazing moment for all of them. Kodama and Tsuji were also ecstatic of their victory and joining in on the cheering)
[Viewing Platform for VIPs #2]
"Would you look at that..a Nishizumi beating a Yamato.." Kodama said
"Wouldn't be the first time.." Tsuji answered
"Yeah..Shiho-san and Mai-san's fight years ago was intense as well.."
"I'd say the only reason why a Nishizumi was able to defeat a Yamato was because it was the White Tiger.." Tsuji smiled
"You seem very supportive of the White Tiger.." Kodama said
"Always have been.." Tsuji whispered
(Kodama wasn't able to hear his whisper and just noticed that Yamato Himura was not on his seat)
"By the way..where did Himura go off to?" Kodama asked
"Oh I'm sure we'll see him sooner or later.." Tsuji smiled
(Of course the reason why Himura wasn't on his seat was because he had already ran off to the parking lot in an attempt to escape as soon as Kuromorimine won. He entered his car and was about to start the engines but he suddenly felt a chill down his spine)
"Where do you think you're going?" a voice asked behind him
"E-Eh..?"
(Himura slowly adjusted his rear view mirror and saw two people sitting behind him inside his own car. They wear wearing fox masks meaning it was the Shimada Family's ANBU)
"H-How did you..?" Himura was scared shitless
"Gero-sama had informed us of your..sudden desire to escape as soon as the tournament was finished.." the ANBU captain said
"What are you going to do to me?" Himura asked as his voice breaks
"Unfortunately it's not up to us what happens to you..we're only here to bring you to Gero-sama.."
"Bring me to hi-?"
(Before Himura could finish his question he was hit on the back of the head and was completely knocked out. In a matter of seconds the ANBU along with Himura was gone and all that was left was his car. Back at the tournament grounds a camera crew and the a group of reporters arrived just to interview Gero and his crew)
"Excuse me White Tiger team! May we have a moment of your time for a quick interview!?"
"I'm sorry but we have to get them to the hospital right now, you can interview the rest of the team for now.." Erika said
"But that wouldn't be interesting! We have to interview the stars of this competition, which is clearly the White Tiger team!" a reporter said
(Clearly this rude statement was heard by the Kuromorimine team and of course they felt annoyed by it and yet they couldn't say anything since what the reporters said was somewhat true. Gero also heard what the reporters said and he couldn't let that kind of treatment to his comrades go unattended.)
"Tsk..why do you guys have to be a pain in the ass!"
"It's alright Erika..let me handle this.."
"Gero?"
"You want our interview?"
"Yes please!" the reporters answered
"You'll get your interview once you finish interviewing every single member of our team.."
(Everyone was surprised at his condition since it was a heavy one. Even the Kuromorimine team was shocked and didn't know what was happening)
"Ha? But that's at least two hundred members!" a reported reacted
"Then you better get started.." Ono smiled
"You said earlier that interviewing them would be uninteresting..but they're about to prove you wrong.." Hajime said
"How so? A lot of people are saying that if your crew didn't join Kuromorimine then they wouldn't have been able to win..you guys clearly are the MVPs here!" another reporter said
"Is that so? Well then let's have a little Q&A right now to confirm if what you said is true!" Ken suggested
"Q&A?"
"Ready? First question is, who helped us pull up our commander's tank when they were about to fall down the cliff?"
"E-Eh? Uhmm..." the reporters were dumbfounded
"Hurry up! We don't have a lot of time!" Ono shouted
(The reporters thought about it carefully and was reluctant to answer so Gero answered for them)
"It was the Iron Fangs and the boys of Kuromorimine!"
"Correct! Now the second question is, who was able to push Yamato Shiori into a corner and forced her to get serious?" Ken asked
"It was none other than our amazing Vice Kommandant ! Akaboshi Koume-san together with the Panther teams!" Hajime answered
(Koume and the Panther crews started to tear up when her action were noticed and praised)
"Third question! Who sacrificed themselves in order to save us from getting white flagged?! If it wasn't for them we would've been taken out!" Ken shouted
"It was the White Lion! Fujiwara Haruhiko, Tajima Isamu, Imasaki Endo and their tank commander Yaegashi Toshi!" Ono answered
(Toshi and his crew were proud and delighted that they were thanked by Gero and his crew)
"Who fought alongside us side by side against the Yamato Family's heir and proved herself capable and reliable?!" Ken shouted again
"It was the White Panther! Azumi Chinatsu, Megumi Hanako, Rumi Rio and their tank commander Shimada Alice!"
"Nii-chan.." Alice smiled and blushed
"Thank you senpai!" her crew shouted
"Next! Who was able to fend off a squad of Sherman Jumbos and even white flag some of them even though they were outnumbered and outgunned?!" Ken asked again
"It was the White Pumas! Kawahara Kise, Hiroshi Kazu, Murakami Itao, and their leader Takada Tojo!"
"Gero-Taichou.." Tojo started to tear up as well
"Who was able to take out the last remaining Calliope tanks of the enemy team and gave us enough time to counter attack?!" Ken shouted
"That was the commander of the Maus, Mauko-chan! She gave orders under intense pressure and chaos and was able to instruct our Sturmtiger with ease!" Ono shouted
"W-Why are you suddenly saying these things?! You guys are going to make me cry!" Mauko started tearing up
"Even though getting rocked hard by the impacts of shells all around them, they were able to stand tall and took the shot that immobilized the enemy flag tank! Who were they?!"
"It was Sango-san and her crew! They were able to connect their shots which was difficult to make by anyone! They gave us the chance to turn things around!"
(Sango-san and her crew were crying as they heard the praise from Gero knowing that they didn't let their team down)
"Who was able to recover from the damages their tank endured and came back to the battlefield and took out the flag tank of Red Wings?!" Ken shouted louder
"That would be my outstanding and amazing disciple! The gunner of our Jagdtiger, Sakuraba Yui and her tank commander Kojima Emi!"
"Gero-senpai.." Sakuraba cried
"Geez don't cry Sakuraba-chan!" Kojima said while being teary eyed
"All of their actions led to our victory! They are the reason why we were able to push our limits and defeat Yamato Shiori!"
"They're our friends! Our comrades!" Hajime shouted
"They are the true stars of this competition!" Ono shouted
"Without them we are nothing!" Ken shouted
"WE ARE KUROMORIMINE!" Gero and his crew shouted
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" everyone shouted inside the stadium
"And of course the mastermind behind all of this is none other than the love of my life, our Kommandant..Itsumi Erika!"
"E-Eh?!" Erika blushed
(Gero put around his arms around Erika's shoulder and pulled her closer to him which made her blush harder)
"Without her..I would've lost a long time ago.."
"Gero.." Erika smiled and blushed
"So if you want our interviews..then interview every single one of them first..I want all of their parts to be seen on television! Alright?!"
"Okay sure..and after them?"
"As promised, after them you get to interview me, my crew, Erika and her crew..then I'll also put in an interview with the current heads of the Yamato, Shimada, and Nishizumi Family.."
(All of the eyes of the reporters started to go wide and glow upon hearing the deal Gero offered them)
"DEAL!" the reporters shouted
"But before that! PICTURE TIME!"
(All of them now gathered in front of Gero's tank, the White Tiger, for the most memorable picture of their lives. The girls sat in front while the boys stood up behind them. Gero was beside Erika in the middle together with their crews. They placed the Senshado Flag on top of the White Tiger so that it would be seen by everyone. The photographer then walked up to the middle and aimed her camera)
"Alright everyone! Three..two..one! PANZER VOR!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
*KA-CHICK
(Many years from now when they see this picture they will know that this is the day that Kuromorimine took back it's crown as champions. Gero and his crew were now walking towards a car which would take them to the hospital to have his wounds treated. Waiting for them was Kikuyo who was very excited to see him again)
"Okaerinasai Gero-sama!" Kikuyo smiled
"Tadaima Kikuyo-neechan..happy to see you again..told you I'd come back.."
"Me too..never doubted you for a second..congratulations Erika-sama on your win!"
"Thank you very much Kikuyo-san! We were able to accomplish it together..all of us.."
"Yes..everyone's hard work was not in vain.."
"Well we have a lot of time to celebrate later..for now let's get this bakatora to the hospital.."
"Indeed..but before we can leave I think someone wants to talk to you Gero-sama.."
(Kikuyo pointed behind them and there was Yamato Kaede trying her best to hide herself but failed)
"Yamato Kaede-san?" Erika called out
"Ahem..ummm..well firstly congratulations on winning..you definitely proved to me that not everything is set in stone and that anything is possible.." Kaede said
"Thanks..I guess?" Erika chuckled
"Also..can I have a word with Nishizumi Gero? With your permission of course.."
"Me? Why?"
"I..I have to confirm something.." Kaede said
"I see..don't take too long then.."
(Erika, Kikuyo and Gero's crew boarded the car while Gero and Kaede talked in private. Both of them were nervous since they have a past together but the other one forgot while the other remembers to this day)
"So what did you want to confirm?"
"Do you know the name, Tsukasa Eiji..?" Kaede asked
"Here we go.." Gero thought "Yes..how do you know him?"
"He was my classmate..then he suddenly disappeared..I've been looking for him for 12 years now..but I don't know what he looks like and I only have this name to go by.."
(Gero was shocked after hearing that Kaede has been looking for him all these years. So he got more nervous as he asked questions)
"Wow twelve years..that's a long time..how come you don't know what he looks like even though he was your classmate?"
"I don't know. Everytime I try to remember him..my memories get all jumbled up and I get headaches..all I see is his face covered in black.."
"Why go so far for someone when you don't even remember his face?"
"I have to find him! I need to.."
(Gero was surprised when Kaede suddenly raised her voice. He felt the sincerity in her words and that they weren't empty)
"He was the first to ever fight me fairly..no punches held back..all my life I have been looked down on because I'm a girl. Nobody would give their all to win against me! Everyone aside from him! He was the only exception!"
"Kaede-san.."
"They all were afraid of the great Yamato name! But for some reason he wasn't scared to face me! We would always compete to get the highest score in our tests and I enjoyed it! For the first time somebody fought me and I lost!"
"Sounds like a fun match.."
"It was! It really was! I started looking forward to every day just to win or lose against him! But all of a sudden everything got crazy..everyone suddenly started hating on him..then eventually me as well.."
"Why? Did he do something to make you angry?"
"No. He's not that type of person. He was nice..very nice..I know he wouldn't do something like that..I don't know what happened..all I remember was hurting him.."
(Kaede was talking about the time when she gave Gero a nasty paper cut on his face. Gero remembered it as well and unconsciously touch his cheek where the old wound was)
"If I told you had a chance to meet him..what would be the first thing you'd say to him?"
"I would say that I'm sorry for hurting him..and pray that he forgives me.."
"Alright..I need you to close your eyes.."
"Eh? But why?" Kaede asked
"You want to meet him again? Then just do it.."
"Alright alright..don't do anything weird okay?!"
"I won't.."
(Kaede then proceeded to close her eyes as told. Then gero placed his right hand gently on Kaede's left cheek which made her blush slightly)
"Now focus on trying to remember his face for me.."
"B-But..it would hurt.."
"Trust me..you won't feel a thing.."
(Kaede tried her best to remember the face of the person she wanted to see and right when she started to see the face covered in black, Gero's eyes glowed golden once more as he activated Sacred Possession for one second.)
"Resonance.."
(Then suddenly it was as if something shattered inside Kaede's mind and allowed the suppressed memories to flow in. Kaede's eyes were still closed as warm tears started to flow down her cheeks as she was now able to confirm what she wanted to know. She slowly opened her eyes and she immediately saw Tsukasa Eiji's face in front of her which was of course Gero who was smiling at her)
"Can you see me?"
"Yes..I can clearly see you now..Eiji-kun.." Kaede smiled with a blush
"Long time no see Kaede-chan.."
"Eiji-kun.."
"Yes?"
"I'm so sorry..for everything.." Kaede started to sob
"It's alright..apology accepted.."
(Kaede couldn't control herself and just suddenly jumped into Gero for a tight hug which Gero returned unconsciously)
"W-wait Kaede-chan.."
"Hmmm..I knew that you were taking too long and this is what I find?" a voice was heard from behind the both of them
(Kaede took a peak and it was Erika standing there with an angry and jealous face after seeing Kaede and Gero hugging like that. Kaede quickly backed off since she got embarrassed by being seen)
"U-Uhm Erika-san..it's not what you think.." Kaede said
"Then care to tell me what I should be thinking?"
"Uhm..hmm..come on Eiji-kun say something!"
"Eiji-kun? You finally remembered?" Erika asked
"Yes..right Eiji-kun?"
(Gero didn't answer and was just standing there in front of them)
"Gero?"
"Eiji-kun?"
(All of a sudden Gero started to tilt backwards, falling. Both Erika and Kaede quickly rushed to his aid catching him right before he hit the ground)
"Gero! Gero?!" Erika shouted
"Eiji-kun! What's wrong?!" Kaede shouted as well
(Both of them were shouting and trying to shake Gero up but he was already unconscious)
Coming Up Next : Chapter 89 - Decision