Blazepaner here...and yep! Another story from my old archives! Not that I actually published this one for whatever reason. Anyways...Enjoy!

Note: Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!

The sun shone through the window of the room, illuminating the cream colored skin of a rather buff man with russet hair. His sleeping form tossed briefly as he fought the urge to wake up, his eyes fluttering between staying awake and going back to dreamland.

Suddenly, a rather loud rock song sent him jumping out the bed, his bare chest flashing briefly though the window as he darted for his phone. Sighing in relief, he picked up said phone, pressing the call button.

"Good morning Brother," a feminine voice greeted him on the other line.

"Good morning Maho," he answered, smiling. "Is everything at Kuromorimine High school as good as you imagined?" he smiled.

"Kuromorimine is amazing Miho, I wish you could be here with me," Maho smiled, though her tone held a bit of a wistful sigh.

"Me too sis, but I ruined my chance when I nearly got that Stug III crew killed. Zero mistake tolerance policy you know," Miho sighed. "Still, I'm kinda looking forward to attending a different school, reminds me of the year I spent at Nishmari."

"You really loved that year didn't you?" Maho smiled, "Well, I've got to go and get dressed, you should too." She added.

"Yeah, I'll call you tonight then, bye sis." Miho promised, before placing down the phone and beginning to do his sit-ups. "One...Two...Three..."

"One Hundred. There, morning exercise done...now to get ready," Miho mused after a few moments of Sit-ups. He quickly washed off the sweat, and placed some deodorant on before jumping into his uniform, a mid-sleeve white shirt with green trimming, paired with black slacks and brown shoes.

Ooarai offered two uniforms, a short sleeved and a long sleeved version, the primary difference being that the boys uniform had black slacks as apposed to the girl's uniform having a green skirt. Additionally, the girl's trimming was different, and the sleeves where shorter on the girl's short sleeved uniform. You could pick which one to wear and when, something Miho viewed as convenient.

Grabbing his bag, he rushed out of the building, gazing around at his surroundings as he walked. Ooarai sure is different, he mused. Suddenly a sweet scent filled his nostrils. "Ah...Fresh bread, smells good," he mused, before running smack dab into a sign. "Ow..." he muttered, rubbing his head.

"Still being a tad clumsily I see," an amused feminine voice chuckled.

"Hanoashi! Where did you come from?" Miho explained.

"I'm attending school here, I guess you are too, given you are in Ooarai's boy uniform." Hanoashi smiled, before gazing at him in concern. "In all seriousness though, are you okay? You did hit your head rather hard..."

"I'm fine Blaze, It doesn't hurt anymore," Miho smiled reassuringly.

"Okay...but still, let me walk you the rest of the way to school, don't want to hear about you fainting on your own," Hanoashi offered. "And I've been dying to catch up with you, Maho was kind enough to text me your new number this morning," she added, sounding slightly cross.

"Oh...I'm so sorry! I was so sure I had given everyone my number..." Miho apologized, bowing slightly.

It's fine, a bit annoying though," Hanoashi smiled gently in response. "Anyways, what class do you have?" she asked as she began walking.

Miho followed her. "Class B-3. You?"

"Same," Hanoashi smiled. "It's great that we'll be classmates again," she added.

"Yep!" Miho smiled, though something seemed off. Like he wanted to be in the same class as his old friend, but not simply as a friend. However, the feeling died out after a moment. "So...what club are you thinking about joining?"

"Probably Archery," Hanoashi shrugged. "It's the closest to Sensado...and I kinda miss it."

"Hm...I was thinking about incense...but maybe I'll think about joining Archery too, sounds interesting." Miho offered. However, he noticed that Hanoashi seemed a bit off when mentioning Sensado.

"I just hope it's nothing like the time I tried out gunnery," Hanoashi fretted, letting out a shudder. "I have no idea how the hell our gunners manage to fire accurate shots going like 50 kph."

"Well...I have no idea how you managed to drive a T-50 so well," Miho chuckled.

"Remind me to never get in a car with you driving," Hanoashi groaned jokingly.

"I'm actually pretty good with driving a car now, but a tank is totally different." Miho defended himself.

"So...what brings you to Ooarai?" Hanoashi asked quietly. "I mean...I'm really glad to see you, and that we're attending the same school...but..."

"The incident," Miho muttered in a tone that invited no further discussion on his being at Ooarai. Realizing that he sounded a bit rude, he let out a quiet smile. "What about you Blaze?"

"Scholarship. You know what my Father is like. He'd let my Aunt fund my scholastic expenses only if I didn't earn a Scholarship, and well...I did, so here I am."

"Oh yeah...you're father's really strict about finances, isn't he?" Miho noted.

"He had to be," Hanoashi sighed quietly. "He might have a fair bit of money, but unless he ever fully recovers, that money has to both take care of me until I found work on top of taking care of himself. Thankfully, he's begun to make a rapid recovery, though it remains to be seen if he'll continue to retain his work work life yet."

"I'm glad to hear that he's doing better," Miho smiled.

"Me too," Hanoashi sighed happily. "But I'm still worried about him. Even though he told me not to when I headed out to Ooarai...I..."

"I understand," Miho sighed, gently placing his hand on her shoulder for a bit.

For a bit, Hanoashi just closed her eyes. "Your hand is warm and comforting...thank you," she breathed.

"No problem! Now, let's head to class, we'll be late if we just stand here," Miho blushed.

"Quite right," Hanoashi nodded briskly, also blushing slightly.

That was embarrassing...then again Nishmari citizens usually show comfort by touching one's shoulder...so why did she seem so...embarrassed by it? Maybe because we're not in Nishmari? Then again...I'm a bit embarrassed too...so... Miho walked alongside Hanoashi as they reached the school.

"Kinda big huh?" Miho smiled.

Hanoashi just nodded. "No different than the larger office complex..." she mused, though her voice was tense. "Sorry,I'm just not used to large buildings yet," she blushed.

"It's fine, living in a small town, these large buildings can be a tad daunting," Miho reassured her.

Entering the School, they quietly exchanged there outdoor shoes for indoor shoes, and began to make the trek to class. "So...how did things go last year?" Miho asked. "The Sensado team I mean."

Hanoashi smiled. "Well, somehow I managed to win the summer tournament, four wins."

"Isn't that a first in the old co-ed league?" Miho gasped, a small smile forming across his face.

"Yep!" Hanoashi smiled in return. "Though, we're all co-ed now, even if the leagues are separated. Speaking of which, I've heard that the old male and co-ed leagues are combining this year.

"I guess it makes sense, given that all schools turned co-ed about fifteen years ago," Miho noted. "Are they going with the bracket format?"

Hanoashi shook her head. "No, they're spiting up the grid formats via random draw, and the winners face off in the finals.

"Ah...that makes sense I guess." Miho noted. "Still, I like how you can lose a match in the grid format and still win the tournament."

"It does make things easier," Hanoashi admitted. "But you have about twice the work, given that you have to face every school in the tournament."

"Class, rise, salute!"

"Good morning Sensei," Miho chorused alongside the rest of the class.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen." Their teacher smiled, before turning to the board. "My name is Aya Takino, and I'll be your homeroom teacher for the year."

Miho paid close attention to his new teacher, intent on listening to everything she was teaching. But everything was a bit of a blur to him as several teachers came in and introduced themselves, before teaching a few things about expectations and such. Before long the bell for lunch resounded.

Glancing at Hanoashi he was about to ask her to lunch when a girl approached behind his friend. "Hey girl, wanna go grab some lunch."

"Uh...I was planing on asking Miho to eat with me," Hanoashi glanced over at him briefly.

"Your friend is more than welcome to eat with us too," a black haired girl smiled, going from Hanoashi to Miho and back.

"Sure then! That's alright with you Miho?" Hanoashi pepped up, gazing at him.

"Absolutely, it's an honor to meet you...er...Saori and Hana, right?"

"Wow, you already know our names?" Saori gasped, impressed.

"Saori...we have name plates on our desk," Hanoashi chuckled.

"Oh...right..." Saori realized, sounding less impressed.

"Anyways, we should get going," Hana smiled, before walking off, motioning them to follow.

"So, what brings you two to Ooarai?" Saori asked as they waited in line.

"Scholarship, for me at least," Hanoashi smiled. "My Aunt promised my father that she'd flip the bill for my education if I made the good grades, but my father insisted that I try and obtain a scholarship first...and since I got one for Ooarai...well...here I am."

"Ah, that makes sense, what about you Miho?" Hana asked.

"Sensado...or rather to get a way from the sport," Miho muttered, before gazing at Hanoashi. "I'll tell you later," he promised.

Hanoashi nodded in understanding. "Best not to press it," she promised. "But when you get ready, I'll be here if you need someone to talk about it," she added softly.

"Thanks Blaze," Miho smiled, feeling better.

"Blaze?" Hana asked.

"Yes?" Hanoashi replied, not realizing that Hana wasn't trying to address her.

"Is...Blaze your nickname?" Hana asked, tipping her head.

Hanoashi nodded. "Feel free to use it if you like, it's kinda grown on me since people started calling me that," she smiled.

It's a pretty name, I think, Miho smiled to himself, though as he sneaked a glance at her he realized with a jolt that her red hair had turned to a lighter ginger tone in comparison to their high school days. Why didn't I notice that? He wondered briefly.

"So...Nishizumi...is it okay for me to call you by your first name?" Saori asked.

"Uh...sure," Miho smiled. "So, what kind of food do they serve in the cafeteria?" he asked.

"Mostly a mix of Japanese food, but they do have some western food as well as Tai." Saori smiled. "It's not as good as home cooking but it is good from what I hear," she added as Hana gave him a small look of disapproval.

"Miho, our pamphlet's told us of this stuff," Hanoashi deadpanned.

"Oh..right, I didn't exactly read mine..." Miho admitted, his sentenced more or less ending in a questioning tone.

"By the Spirit of the Maus, I'm coming over after school and we're reviewing that pamphlet, no questions." Hanoashi hissed. "At least tell me you read up on the rules, right?"

"I uh...kinda forgot that too...I'm in trouble aren't I?" Miho gulped.

"Yes, you are. I can help you study the rules, but there's something else you clearly missed too," Hanoashi muttered. Two things actually, if you didn't read the letter Shiho sent with you!"

"Eh...which is?" Miho asked. And that letter was important? He asked silently.

"Oh...it's that we're starting up a," Hana began, but Hanoashi interrupted her.

"Don't even think about finishing up that sentence, if he's too mouse-brained to read the pamplet, he deserves to get surprised when he finds out," Hanoashi huffed.

"But wait...you said two things...what's the other?" Miho asked. "And why are you preventing Hana from telling me the first?"

"You'll find out the second and you'll thank me after lunch for stopping Hana from telling you the first," Hanoashi deadpanned.

Hana just glanced between them, clearly very confused. Saori just shrugged and walked on. "We need to eat lunch, in case you three have forgotten," she added.

Miho jumped and started forward, just noticing the quiet smirk on Hanoashi's face. "Why do I get the feeling you like what I don't know," he whispered.

"I love the second, and the first...well...I halfway like and halfway dread it," she whispered back.

In the end Miho chose a Teriyaki Salmon lunch, while Hanoashi chose a Curry Rice and a side dish of Miso Soup. He didn't really care much about what Hana and Saori chose for some reason, but he did notice that Saori chose Natto bean, which he really worried would upset Hanoashi.

Thankfully, his friend didn't seem to notice or care. Maybe Hanoashi got over her adverse to Natto beans, or at least can watch others eat the stuff without gagging. Miho noticed as he began to eat his own meal.

Mealtime came and went with the usual talking and banter, most of the girl talk Miho didn't exactly understand, even when he was back in the class room. It was then that Saori revealed something that would kinda surprise even him.

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask you something...I'm a terrible woman you know." Saori then sighed as Hana moaned, something about not this question again. "A lot of guys have been approaching me lately. I'm not looking for any drama," she added, squinting.

I'm not one of them...right? Miho panicked, worriedly, before silently letting out a sigh of releif. No wait...they approached Hanoashi and she insisted that she was going to eat lunch with me so I'm defiantly not one of them. I think...

"A lot of guys?" Hanoashi asked, tipping her head in confusion.

"Yeah, they are saying hi there, or you're looking as lively as ever today!" Saori explained.

"If that's the case I'm sure they are just saying hi to you," Hana deadpanned.

"Eh...no way, they've totally got the hots for me," Saori countered.

"If you insist," Hana sighed, clearly not believing it.

"It's possible that some of them might be into you, but I think most likely Hana is correct, that they are just saying hi to you," Hanoashi admitted. "Did...you go to an all girl's school before this?" she asked hesitantly.

Hana and Saori nodded. "Ooarai was a bit slow going go-ed, up until the Ministry of Education threatened to shut down both schools." they explained.

"I see...then you both will have a lot to learn about boys," Hanoashi smiled.

Just then three girls walked into the class, gazing around before the shortest, the one in twintails, spoke up. "Oh hey! Nishisumi, Katoni!"

"Uh..." Miho gaped, glancing at Hana.

"They're the student council along with the student representative," Saori whispered to Hanoashi.

"We need to talk," another of the three girls, one with a monocle, growled.

"We do?" Hanoashi asked quietly, glancing nervously at Miho. Even she's intimidated! Miho realized. Then again, back at Nishmari, Hanoashi knew most people and was well respected, where as here I'm the only one she's even met before, at least as far as I know.

"Why don't we go into the hall, everyone is staring," the third girl, a tall brunette, suggested. At least she seems considerate, Miho mused and the other two council members nodded and began to head outside, motioning them to follow.

Almost as soon as they exited the room, the Twin-tailed girl practically pounced on them. "I don't know what you where planning to chose for your elective, but sign up for Tankery! Simple, right?"

Hanoashi let out a huff. "Honestly, It's rather rude to try and force someone to join a club, but I'll join. If you're setting up a Sensado program, then you'll need at least one commander who knows how to train new recruits, and I'm well versed in that."

"But wait...I thought this school didn't have a Sensado team," Miho gaped.

"Sounds like fate!" The twintailed girl smiled.

"But I only came here to get away from Sensa..."

"Anyways thanks a bunch!"

Miho wasn't too sure what happened after that, All he remembered was that Hanoashi had urged him into the class-room, and that now he was being guided by her, as well as flanked by Saori and Hana.

"So...what did the student council have to say that made him like this?" Hana asked, her voice holding concern.

"She asked us to join Sensado," Hanoashi muttered. "Which is fine for them to ask me, but I...I think something happened back at Kuromorimine that caused Miho to have an adverse reaction to the idea of participating in Sensado."

"You think?" Saori asked.

Hanoashi shrugged. "Right now Miho isn't in any mood to tell us, and we really shouldn't press him on it, best to get him to the nurses office and get him calmed down." She paused for a bit. "Thanks for coming with us, by the way."

"Of course we'd come with you, we're friends, aren't we?" Hana smiled.

Miho on the other hand, still hadn't recovered. The only thing he could see was the Stug III falling off the cliff, the crew barely managing to crawl out, dazed and clearly in a lot of pain. It was my order...and it almost got them killed, he mused, before letting out a violent shuddered. And now they want me to join in that sport?

"Miho...I can drive for you again if you need me too," Hanoashi whispered gently.

"Huh..oh...I'm...not too sure if I want to join the sport...again Thanks for offering though, Blaze," Miho managed to let out a weak smile.

"Tankey...I know that we were starting one up, but I'm still kinda shocked. Isn't it a little old fashioned and unpopular?" Hana asked.

"It's risen in popularity every since the Zelpha league formed," Hanoashi admitted. "That's the name of combined former Co-ed and Male academies so to speak."

"Then why hasn't we heard of it?" Saori asked.

"Because it's popularity only soared in the past two years, and the Belka League, the former woman's League, had such as strong propaganda arm that it was hard for the Zelpha League to get in a word edge line. So unless you knew of the Zelpha League's existence beforehand or attended a Co-ed league, you most likely wouldn't have heard of it before." Miho sighed. "Fucking Belka league and there Maus Damned propaganda."

"It's that bad?" And did you just cuss?" Saori asked, ending in a gasp.

"Miho almost never cusses, the only time he has before is when someone is being reckless in the tank or when it comes to the Belka league's BS," Hanoashi defended. "Trust me, if you knew how bad a reckless crewman could be, you'd cuss too if you saw someone being reckless."

"I guess that makes sense given that it's so dangerous." Hana admitted. "Still...might want to watch the cussing around school, they kinda have a no tolerance rule about that."

"Oh...I didn't know. Back at Kuromorimine...us Sensado Students always cussed at each other...then again it was a high stress environment."

"Not to change the subject out of the blue...but Miho...did you really not read the letter your mother sent?" Hanoashi asked suddenly.

"No...should I have?" he asked.

"Yes...you should have!" Hanoashi hissed. "She had some very important information to send to you!" Pausing, she let out a huff. "When school is over, you and I are going to have a little look at that letter and you'd better not even think about saying no."

"Okay okay," Miho held his hands up meekly.

"Isn't that a little...forward?" Saori asked.

"His letter also contains information about me," Hanoashi grumbled, flashing Miho a slight glare.

Why does she seem pissed off? I didn't do anything bad by not reading that letter, did I? Miho wondered.

"Calling all students convene in the gym, I repeat, calling all students, convene in the gym!" a voice interjected over the radio.

"So...what's going on?" Hanoashi asked as they began to head toward the gym. Given that Miho had so be be fully recovered, they decided to ignore the nurses office.

"I don't know," Saori admitted. "This is just how our student council likes to do things," she added.

"And everyone just does it?" Miho asked.

"Was Kuromorimine like this?" Hanoashi asked, tipping her head.

"From what I understand...no," Miho admitted. "Though I only went to the middle school, so I wouldn't know first hand and I doubt Maho would have done things like this, whatever Ooarai's council is planning."

Taking a seat between Hanoashi and Saori, Miho noticed several students standing in a row at parade rest. "Think they may be Sensado veterans?" he whispered to Hanoashi.

She just shook her head in response.

"Quiet everyone," one student shouted over the megaphone. "We're starting our presentation on this year's mandatory electives."

So that's what this is all about! Miho exclaimed inwardly. She seems famil...no...not her! She's one of the council members...wait...duh...electives, of course she'd be here. Which one was she...vice president?

Suddenly a projector screen dropped, and a film began to play. "Tankey, a part of our culture..."

Miho suddenly found himself shuddering again. "Why..." he whispered.

Suddenly, he felt something wrap around his hand, glancing there, he realized that Hanoashi was holding his hand. "Blaze..." he whispered.

She gently smiled at him reassuringly before gazing up at the monitor.

"Oh my gosh! It's instructor Nishisumi!" An excited voice rang out.

"Yukari...shut up!" a voice chastised her.

"If you take Tankery, you'll become a better wife, a better mother, and men from all over will fall at your feet."

"I wonder if Miho will fall at my feet?" the same voice excitedly wondered.

"Yukari!"

"Piss off," Hanoashi muttered, slightly tightening her grip on his hand.

Oh my god she likes me! Miho gasped inwardly, sneaking a glance at his ginger haired friend. But when did this happen...not that I mind, she's a nice girl. Besides, better take my chance with her than that Yukari creep! He shuddered inwardly at the thought of a complete stranger expecting him to fall at their feet. Hanoashi would never expect the guy she liked to fall at her feet like that!

"She seems kinda cute, that Yukari chick," a guy whispered not too far away.

"What...you like that rude girl," a girl whispered right beside him.

"Of course Taeko, she seems to be my type," he whispered, more quietly so that Miho had to strain his years just to hear.

"Brother...back in grade school, you'd gun after any girl who participated in Sensado, and your fanaticism with the sport would even drive even the most adamant of Sensado fangirls away," the girl, Taeko whispered.

"I think I might have a chance here though," He argued.

As the lights came on, Miho realized that Hanoashi had at some point removed her hand. "Looks like we might have two recruits," she whispered, glancing at Saori and Hana."

Suddenly feeling partially left out and partially protective of Hanoashi now that he was sure she liked him, he gave a nod. "Three...I'm going to join."

"Why?" I mean, it's great that we'll be in Sensado again, but I don't want you to force yourself of you're uncomfortable with it," Hanoashi whispered.

"I don't want you joining alone," he whispered. "Especially if they decide to make you team leader, which I guess is their intention given that they asked us too join..."

"Those who preform well in the course will receive one hundred meal ticked, two hundred free passes if you're late, and three times the extra credit you'll receive from a normal class," the girl on the stage revealed, interrupting Miho's whispered words and simultaneously causing a rather loud uproar of cheering and a few calls of unfair from members of the other clubs.

"My ears," Hanoashi hissed, shrinking back in pain.

"You can handle the roar of a tank and the firing of it's cannons, but not an excited crowd?" Miho teased.

Hanoashi shot him a mock glared in response. "Totally different," she huffed.

"And to think your second choice on your electives was to be a daycare worker where you'd hear kids crying and screaming all day," Miho laughed, knowing she wasn't really mad at his teasing.

"You know I want to have kids someday Miho," Hanoashi explained softly. "If I can't have that, then I'd really like to have a job where I work with kids." she added.

"Wait...you want to get married?" Saori explained. "Me too! What kind of ring do you want?" she added excitedly.

"I don't want a ring Saroi," Hanoashi chuckled nervously.

"But...when you said you wanted to have kids I thought you wanted to get married," Saori paused.

"I do want to get married, I just don't want to wear a ring is all," Hanoashi explained.

Is she saying this for my benefit or just explaining it to Saori? Miho wondered, not realizing he was having a dumb guy moment with the thought.

"But...you have to wear a ring when you get married!" Saori protested, her expression perplexed.

"Not necessarily," Hana interjected. "Many guys don't wear rings, and though it is rather rare, some girls also don't wear any, even when married."

"My mother doesn't wear one," Miho interjected. "Then again, she's been a single mother every since Tensio died."

"Wait...Saint Tensio was your father?" Saori gasped. "As in the guy who the Sensacons named their medical ship after?"

"Yeah, he was," Miho admitted. "There's also the Saint Yu and Saint Rikona, named after Haoashi's mother and Cousin respectively"

"You must be pretty famous then," Hana gasped, gazing at Hanoashi.

For her part, the ginger girl just sighed. "I...try not to think about it too much, makes me sad."

"I...understand Blaze," Saori whispered.

Miho knew the story quite well. Hanoashi's mother, Yu, had died saving her fellow workers during an extreme fire inside the skyscraper she and her husband, Drake worked in. Drake had suffered extreme smoke inhalation damage, thus forcing him into an early retirement for ten years. Only recently did he begin to recover, but his early retirement had put a strain on finances. As a result, Hanoashi mostly had to grow up on NES games and tape products such as music cassettes and VHS tapes while everyone else moved on to music CD's, DVDS, and now Bluerays.

Rikona, on the other hand, was Hanoashi beloved cousin, and she had died saving lives during the new pandemic. A lot of people had been infected, and Japan had mobilized all available resources, and since it was no secret that Rikona had been studying to become a Nurse, she was mobilized. The only reason why Hanoashi wasn't also mobilized was because she was, in essence the last of the Katoni, and because at that time it was most important that she stay with Drake while he was still recovering.

That was two years ago, and since then we've begun the slow process of recovery...but some wounds cannot be seen and will take years to heal, Miho realized.

"So...anything we need to know about Sensado?" Saori asked as they headed home.

"Yeah...you need to exercise," Hanoshi begin. "It's a combat sport and while you don't need to be buff, you need to build up your strength and stamina. Also, study up on the safety rules and basic tank mechanics, it'll help you get an edge in the field of battle."

"Are you trying to say that I'm fat?" Saori huffed, looking offended.

"Hah, you, fat?" Hanoashi laughed. "Absolutely not! Besides, even if you were fat, I'd never discuss that."

Saori sighed in relief.

"Should I increase my diet?" Hana asked, suddenly looking worried.

"Don't encourage her, she eats enough already," Saori growled.

"I...think you eat enough," Hanoashi admitted slowly.

"Anyways, this is where I leave off," Miho admitted, pointing to his house.

"And me...remember?" Hanoashi noted. "We need to go over your pamphlet and the letter."

"Oh...right," Miho blushed at the thought of her entering his apartment, but nodded. "I guess we'll be meeting tomorrow then," he added, turning to Saori and Hana.

"Alright then," Saori smiled.

"Bye, see you tomorrow!" Hana added carefully.

Miho turned to Hanoashi and nodded. "Well, the pamphlet, or the letter?"

"Letter first," Hanoashi smiled, sounding a little too innocent and perhaps a bit pissed.

"Alright then," Miho agreed, before entering the apartment and opening the letter, his jaw dropping when he saw what the supposed "letter" really was.