Blazepanzer here, and yeah I have made progress, expect a fair number of uploads this month! Not gonna even bother with a list, at least every other day, if not every day, should have an upload at my current rate. (I have at least five fics ready to go and another twenty on the edge of being ready!
Also, a big thank to all those who have read, faved, followed, and review, your support means a lot to me! With that being said, enjoy! Note that the Blazepanzer does not own girls und panzer!
Her dark green eyes widened as she glanced over at the girl dressing in a long sleeve shirt and pants. "Sudden cold front?" Hanoashi asked teasingly.
"Shut it!" Rikona hissed, before sighing as Hanoashi's eyes widened at the sudden outburst. . " I'm sorry cuz," Rikona apologized, gazing down in shame "I...I may have got grounded..."she whispered.
"Grounded?" Hanoashi asked.
"Yes...I uh...went into the garden to play and knocked over one of the vases...so um..." Rikona gazed downward. "I have to stay in one of the guestrooms except for chores and meals... and I'm not allow to talk to anyone but mother for the whole time." Rikona sighed.
"What about school?" Hanoashi asked.
"Matsumino students typically receive an automatic suspension during their timeouts...some schools don't play ball but mine does," Rikona sighed. "Look...I really...really need to get to the spare room before mom blows her lid..."
"Rikona...you done yet?" Shelia boomed.
"Just leaving mother," Rikona sighed, dragging her feet over to the door.
"I can hear you scuffling," Shelia noted, and Hanoashi could only imagine her crossing her arms. "Hanoashi, prepare for school, you leave in an hour," Shelia noted before her footsteps echoed away, ignoring the two.
Just for breaking a vase? Hanoashi mused, before shrugging, glancing out of the window before sighing and gathering her school supplies. At least I get to go to school today...finally...but...she gazed at the still open door. "Rikona..." she whispered sadly, before sighing and walking down the stares where Rikona and Shelia where waiting.
"She did tell you that she's not allow to..."
"She explained it to me," Hanoashi noted as Shelia placed a set of strawberry dust pancakes, eggs, and sausage in front of her. "Thanks for the food," Hanoashi smiled.
"Good. It doesn't make her a bad kid, but still breaking it requires a punishment, especially since it's an expensive vase," Shelia noted.
"I'm so sorry," Rikona whispered.
"I know. That's why I only gave you three days instead of two weeks, not going on the trip next week, and having to pay for the vase yourself. Had you tried to hide it or blame your cousin for it when she has been asleep the entire time, that would have been your punishment," Shelia noted.
"Pay for the Vase?" Hanoashi asked as she gazed up as Shelia.
"She receives an allowance of ten thousand yen every month to spend on herself. That Vase however is like twelve months of allowance," Shelia noted as she began to eat.
Hanoashi noted that Rikona gazed at her a few times as if she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it. Remind me not to get on Aunt Shelia's bad side. Still, I can't help but feel sorry for Rikona, she was just trying to have a bit of early morning fun, I'm sure she didn't mean to break it.
"Hanoashi, while it's fine to worry about her, Rikona made her own choice to be careless, you need to focus on yourself at this time. It'll be hard, sure, but you and Rikona will be playing together again in no time, alright?" Shelia prompted.
"Alright," Hanoashi noted as she focused on finishing her food.
"Someone got a time out?" a gruff voice asked.
"It was me Grandpa Wayne," Rikona confessed. "I broke one of the vases and..."
"Rikona..." Shelia warned before sighing. "It is true though, thought you could either take Hanoashi to school or babysit Rikona, which ever you want..."
"I'll take Hanoashi to school, considering that Rikona is supposed to only speak to you outside of emergencies after all," Wayne noted, before gazing at Hanoashi. "You ready?" she asked.
"Yes sir," Hanoashi nodded respectfully.
"Rikona, once we're done eating you can do the dishes and then head to the guest bedroom," Shelia noted.
"Yes mother," Rikona lowered her gaze respectfully.
"Hanoashi, let's go," Wayne noted gruffly.
"Co...coming sir," Hanoashi squeaked, following and getting into his car.
"So she broke a vase huh?" Wayne noted as he buckled her in before getting into his passenger seat.
"That's what they said. Rikona was putting on long sleeves when I woke up," Hanoashi mused.
"Ah... you a sleepyhead?" Wayne teased.
"Rikona must have rose earlier than normal," Hanoashi shrugged.
"Well..." Wayne droned. "Anyways, what were your thoughts on the manner?"
"Conflicted. Three days of grounding seems kind of harsh, but it's light compared to how it could have been," Hanoashi shrugged. "And I've been in her shoes before," she added.
"What did you get grounded for?" Wayne asked.
"Throwing a hissyfit at the hospital," Hanoashi muttered.
"If you say so," Wayne yawned. "Did Yu put you in long sleeves as well?"
"No, I had to wear a one piece swimsuit, and if I needed to go down stairs I had to put on a slip-on dress," Hanoashi shrugged, "I also had to take care of all chores and fill out multiplication tables all day as well as any school work, or I would have if I it had not happened on the weekend."
"Not much different from us Matsumino...then again we all have different levels of punishment. One family makes their daughter do one hundred push-ups, one hundred sit ups, and a one kilometer run in addition to all that, and she was to wear a sports bra and gym shorts all the time. Their son was to do twice that amount, though he gets a sleeveless tank-top instead of a sports bra" Wayne noted. "Another forces her children to wash the dishes for eight hours straight."
"Eight hours straight?" Hanoashi asked in confusion.
"The average work shift for a dish washer," Wayne noted. "My point is that we Matsumino all have different ideas on punishments for rule-breaking, but we all have it harsh. I'm glad that Yu kept up with the tradition even after being expelled from the Matsumino family."
So you do care bout me, Hanoashi smirked in amusement.
"Anyways, we're here, Wayne announced after a bit. "Have fun kid, and I'll see you this evening, alright? Oh, and no swim practice for this week, we want to make sure that you fully recover before any of that."
"Alright then," Hanoashi smiled, climbing out of the car. "Thanks for the ride!" she smiled as he took off. Sighing, she walked over to the usual meeting spot.
"Hanoashi!" Hayle called, running up and hugging her. "It's been to long," she smiled.
"Far far too long," Hanoashi smiled, returning the hug.
"Are you okay?" Asuza and Lin asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Hanoashi smiled. "Eager to get back to school though," she added.
"Where's Rikona?" Lin asked after a bit, gazing around.
"She...got grounded," Hanoashi sighed.
"Oh dear," Hayle sighed.
"What she do?" Lin asked suspiciously.
"Nothing that bad, but you'd have to ask her yourself, I'm not exactly a talebearer," Hanoashi shrugged.
"But you told us she got suspended," Asuza pointed out.
"Cheek!" Hanoashi spat playfully. "But what am I supposed to say, that she got sick and then be found a liar? And your my friends as well as hers, be wrong to keep you completely in the dark," she added.
"Fair point," Lin sighed. "Still, hard to believe that she'd get grounded for a day."
"So what? I got grounded for two days once," Hanoashi huffed, crossing her arms.
"Now that I can believe," Lin teased.
"Yeah yeah, I'm aware that I can develop a bit of an attitude," Hanoashi noted reluctantly. I'm almost certain now that I got that from mother, if what I've heard about her past tells me anything... she added silently. Looking back I can still see hints of it, though she turned into something respectable, maybe that's something that I can do...
"So she is self aware," Lin muttered.
"Yes I am," Hanoashi shrugged. Just then the bell rang.
"Come on, we'll be late for class," Hayle gasped, before walking off, Hanoashi following suit.
Arriving in class, Hanoashi let out a small smile as her teacher handing her the make up work. "Try to get it done by next Monday, but take your time to do it right, okay?"
"Of course Sensei Kuto," Hanoashi smiled, bowing in respect before placing it into her school backpack.
"Alright class, today we'll be learning about the history of Japan, just a basic rundown though, nothing too deep. As you go into higher grades you'll naturally go deeper into it, though I hope to instill some curiosity into you with these lessons," Kuto smiled as he began his lesson.
Hanoashi found it fairly fascinating. So this is the history of my country? She mused, amazed by what she was learning.
"It's giving me a headache," Hayle whispered when Kuto stepped out to share a word with the headmaster.
"I find it fascinating," Hanoashi whispered back.
"You're ancestors were American, right?" Hayle whispered.
"Mostly Irish and Dutch genetically speaking," Hanoashi corrected gently.
"Do you ever study the history those countries?" Hayle asked.
Hanoashi shook her head as Kuto entered the room. I'm Japanese through and though, even if I'm mostly Irish-dutch genetically speaking! Hanoashi thought firmly as she leaned in, eager to hear the rest of the basics.
Before long the bell rang and with a nod from Kuto the girls packed up their things and headed to the lunch room. "We have kitchen patrol duty by the way," Hayle smiled as she joined her.
"Sounds good to me," Hanoashi smiled, remembering how much of a blast she had cleaning.
"You really enjoy these household chores don't you?" Hayle teased.
"I can't deny that," Hanoashi shrugged.
"So why don't you study about where your ancestors came from?" Hayle asked as they walked together through the halls.
Hanoashi let out a shrug. "Not really interested in it. Sure, maybe someday, but as far as I'm concerned I'm just as Japanese as the others, even if I look a bit different."
"I can understand that, in a way," Hayle noted. "Although I have at least some interest in my American portion of my heritage.
I wonder if Rikona is ever interested in learning about her heritage...no that'd be mandatory teaching for her... Hanoashi wondered, before letting out a deep tired sigh.
"You alright?" Hayle bend over and asked. "You're not tired or hurting are you?" she added gently in concern.
"Just missing Rikona," Hanoashi sighed. "I know it sounds...er..."
"I'd jokingly say possessive, but I can't really blame you, after everything you went though," Hayle smiled.
"I was going to say weird considering we've spend nearly every waking hour together outside of school, but yeah, that too," Hanoashi noted, before shaking her head a little. "I'll only get to see her during meal times and even then we can't talk to each other," she added.
"Wow, that's rough. Can she not talk at all?" Hayle asked as they arrived in the cafeteria.
Hanoashi shook her head. "She can only speak to Shelia unless it's an emergency," she paused briefly. "I doubt that they are having casual conversations though," she added. "Speaking of which, shouldn't someone fetch her make-up work?"
"They'll give it to her when she comes back, that's in the student handbook in case of suspensions," Hayle noted.
"Oh yeah, now I remember," Hanoashi recalled as she and Hayle picked up their trays and sat down to eat.
"So, your father is recovering, right?" Hayle asked.
Hanoashi let out a nod. "Yeah, I should be able to return home in a most a few weeks," she added.
"You do know that means that you'll be back at your old school, right?" Hayle noted somberly.
Hanoashi paused for a brief moment, mid-bite. She's right...I never thought about it much lately. When I came here I was so eager to return to my old school, but now...she shook the thoughts from her mind. "I wish I could stay here," Hanoashi whispered.
"Sorry," Hayle whispered back.
"I probably still have a few weeks, so let's just enjoy what time I have left," Hanoashi smiled.
"Right," Hayle smiled.
Stepping into the washing area, Hanoashi gave Hayle a quiet smile. "I'll miss going here, but it's been a fantastic time. Thanks for being such a good friend to me," she smiled.
"Same," Hayle smiled as the two began to wash the dishes.
"Oh, are you going to be at swim practice?" Hayle asked.
Hanoashi shook her head. "I'm forbidden from all physical exercise for the current week, even PE," she sighed.
"Bummer, Lin was wanting to show off her scar. I think it's fading though," Hayle noted.
"It is what it is, really I'm just glad to be back in school," Hanoashi smiled.
"Likewise, it's great to have you back," Hayle smiled.
"Great to be back," Hanoashi laughed as she focused on her dish washing.
"So did you get to go racing with Rikona?" Hayle asked. "I overheard Lin and Rikona discussing it last Friday," she added sheepishly.
"Yeah, wasn't allowed to use any of the simulation effects, but..." Hanoashi let out a small sigh before pausing and gazing at Hayle intently. "It was awful...I kept messing up, it took me many many tries to pass each session and I nearly quit several times!" she whined at the memory.
"Was it really awful, or were you just frustrated at yourself for having difficulty," Hayle questioned.
Hanoashi paused, focusing on her dishes as she recalled. "I guess...I'm just frustrated is all. Thanks for helping me realize that," she smiled.
"No problem, what are friends for?" Hayle smiled.
The day passed, and Hanoashi had just stepped in the door when she noticed that Shelia was on the phone. "Yes...I know, thank you for letting me know, I'll tell them," Shelia smiled as she hung up the phone. "Oh, Hanoashi, can you fetch Rikona? She's in her room, unless she headed to the restroom," Shelia smiled. "And be sure to join her down here."
"Alright Aunt Shelia," Hanoashi smiled, heading up to the stairs and knocking at the door. Rikona promptly answered, her light green eyes holding confusion.
"Shelia wants us downstairs," Hanoashi noted.
Rikona let out a small nod, and steeped out of the room, motioning for her to follow. Obeying, the two made their way down stairs, and gazed at their mother and aunt.
"I have some news," Shelia noted, sitting on the couch and motioning for them to sit with her. Obeying, Hanoashi sat on the left with Rikona sitting on the right.
"First, the good news, Drake is coming home this weekend," Shelia began.
"Father's alright!" Hanoashi gasped.
"Calm down, yes he's alright but he'll be having a temporary maid for the next year. Your old babysitter in fact," Shelia smiled.
"Aweso..." Hanoashi paused, a hurt expression crossing her face. "Does this mean I'm going home this weekend?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, it does. But Drake and I wish for you and Rikona to continue your close relationship, not only is it good for you from a friendship level, it'll give you a lot of advantages. Rikona can be a good female role-model for you, and hanging out with you will give her a good taste on how families of different economic situations live and operate."
"But I'm guessing we won't see each other nearly as much as we do now?" Rikona asked quietly, keeping her gaze low and submissive.
"You'll be able to hear each other on the weekend if you wish, assuming a lack of emergency or need on our end, Drake and I have both agreed to leave the phone line for you. Furthermore we're going to try and have you visit at least once a month, though Rikona will probably be visiting as apposed to Hanoashi visiting us," Shelia noted, ending somewhat apologetically.
"I understand Aunt Shelia," Hanoashi nodded. "Now that I'm not at risk of being placed on the streets, most of the other Matsumino won't want me around."
"I'm so sorry," Shelia whispered.
"It's alright, I can't force them to accept me, and it's fine if they don't," Hanoashi replied, trying to be comforting.
"Yu would have been proud," Shelia smiled. "Now, I'm not going to lift Rikona's grounding just because you have a shorter time together. However, as long as you don't communicate and agree to wear long sleeves, you may share the bed with her at night. However..." Shelia paused. "You may only enter after dark and you must leave either when you wake up or at dawn, which ever comes last," she added.
"T...thank you aunt Shelia!" Hanoashi smiled.
"Than you mother," Rikona whispered, her green eyes shining.
"There is one more thing," Shelia noted.
"What's that?" Hanoashi asked.
"Drake wants you to finish the kart racing course, unfortunately Thass won't be able to pick you up on the same day as Rikona, so..." Shelia let out a small sigh. "Still, it's a good experience for you and I hope that you'll do your best," she added.
Hanoashi nodded even though she let out a small shudder. Whyyyyyyyyy... she complained inwardly before shaking the complaint off. "I understand. How long..."
"Until you pass all the tutorials and win three simulated races," Shelia noted. "Truth be told it's something Yu was going to have you begin doing anyways next summer, so yeah...no escape."
"Alright," Hanoashi asked.
"You'll be able to see Rikona the weekend after you return," Shelia noted. "Though briefly," she added.
"Why briefly?" Rikona asked quietly.
"That's when they'll be having Yu funeral, and Drake and I want for Hanoashi to spend the day with her brother as he'll be staying for a few days."
"Nova is coming over?!" Hanoashi gasped.
"Just for two whole days," Shelia cautioned. "But yeah, it'll give you the chance to catch up and such," she added.
"Alright..." Hanoashi noted. "Sorry...it's just..."
"I know," Shelia smiled. "But don't you have a week's worth of make up work to finish? The schools want to adjust your scores quickly after all," she added.
"R...right, I'd better get some of it done," Hanoashi added.
Rikona let out an amused snort.
"Normally I'd chide that breach of silence, but I agree, most likely you'll have it all done by dinner time," Shelia laughed.
"Maybe, we'll see," Hanoashi chuckled.
"Very well then, it's time for Rikona and you to return to your post," Shelia smiled.
"Yes mother," Rikona noted, keeping her gaze low as she walked up the stairs. Hanoashi followed, entering their normal room and sitting on the desk, sitting down as she grabbed her pencil and sat her homework down, counting 25 pages. Yessssssss! she shouted as euphoria erupted at the amount of work, and began by tearing through her math homework.
She paused after finishing the fifth page, standing up to stretch when Shelia appeared. "How goes?" she asked.
"All done with the math," Hanoashi smiled. "Still, 80 problems seems quite trivial considering that I'm doing 300 number multiplication charts," she added.
"Yeah...about that...I want you to hold off on the multiplication table work until you finish the make up work. I'll do the same once Rikona begins going back to school," Shelia smiled.
"Oh...alright then," Hanoashi nodded in understanding.
"Anyways, place the timer for thirty minutes and then fetch Rikona, dinner will be done by then," Shelia nodded before leaving the room.
Hanoashi nodded and set the timer for thirty minutes, before getting back to her homework. As she worked, she would occasionally stretch, but focus right back on her task. This is kind of fun! She smiled, swearing that she heard a buzzing sound but brushed it off.
"Ahem!"
Glancing around she saw Shelia standing over her, a look of bemusement on her face. Then it clicked, the buzzing sound she heard earlier was the alarm. "Oh my gosh I am so sorry!" Hanoashi gasped, rising up and bowing apologetically.
"While it is good for you to be focused on your work, there is such a thing as being too focused," Shelia nodded in understanding. "You must master that balance, especially if you want to be a good mother to your future children."
"Of course," Hanoashi rose up, but kept her gaze lowered.
"Let's fetch Rikona," Shelia noted simply, exiting the room.
Following, Hanoashi gazed as Shelia opened the door to see a somewhat upset Rikona, though she was desperately trying to hide it.
"It was my fault Rikona, I was supposed to fetch you some time ago, but I got so into my homework that I missed the timer and..." Hanoashi paused as Rikona gave her a glare, causing the Irish girl to gaze down.
"Don't expect me to defend you," Shelia laughed. "Come on, it's not that bad," she added as she headed back downstairs.
Hanoashi watched, before falling into step beside Rikona. "I really am sorry Rikona...I...I won't let it happen again."
Rikona glared at her for a while, before letting out a silent sighed and tapping her on the shoulder, about the only way she could non-verbally say I forgive you.
"Thank you...and I'm so sorry," Hanoashi whispered.
As they sat down to dinner, Rikona glanced up at Shelia. "I know it's against the rules, but may I ask Hanoashi about school?" she begged.
"No, but I will allow Hanoashi to tell you about it if she wishes," Shelia noted as she began sitting out the dishes.
"Well...mostly it was the usual, the PE and swim coach refused to let me participate, Hayle and I had fun washing the dishes, and the classes were the same as always, getting fascinated by studying Japanese history," she noted.
Rikona gave her a hurt look, But Sheila shot her a glare. "You've already learned that stuff Rikona, so don't even think about getting upset about it, especially since it's your fault that you are grounded."
Rikona gazed down and nodded.
"I hope you don't mind that I let the girls know you were grounded, but not for what," Hanoashi confessed.
To her surprise Rikona gave her a small smile.
"Alright," Shelia smiled. "Ready and..."
"Thanks for the food!" Hanoashi and Rikona chorused before digging in.
They mostly ate in silence, well giving that Rikona was still grounded. I know cousin...I wanna talk with you too...Hanoashi pined as she saw Rikona glance toward her in-quizzically a few time. Still, there's nothing I can do, she added with an internal sigh.
Dinner was over in a flash, and once again Hanoashi tore into her homework, managing to fill out twelve of the pages. Good, I'm halfway done! She smiled as she glanced out, surprise that it was getting dark outside. She walked over to her portion of the closest and pulled out a pair of leggings and the only long sleeve shirt she brought, a simple beige long sleeve tee-shirt. Maus I forgot how much I hate this...she gritted her teeth before gazing at herself in the mirror.
Nodding after a moment or so, she left her room and entered Rikona's room. As soon as she had entered Rikona practically ran up and hugged her. Letting out a quiet smile. Hanoashi did the same. Before long they broke off, just gazing at each other.
I know cousin, but let's just quietly enjoy each other's company, alright? Hanoashi mused, worried that Rikona might fall to the temptation to just start yanking.
However, Rikona lead her over to the desk and grabbed a piece of paper, and began writing. In an instant Hanoashi let out a smirk. You little cheek! But nodding, she sat down and began reading the questions to herself.
"How were the other's doing?"
Hanoashi wrote under it, "They are doing well, missing you and us as well, but still...It was good to be back."
"Don't worry about the detention, it may seem cruel, but I've been in worse once," Rikona wrote.
"Ah, I see. Yeah I got grounded for two days for throwing a hissyfit at a hospital, so I know the feeling."
"Not as bad as being grounded for a month," Rikona shot back.
"Why'd you get grounded for a month?" Hanoashi inquired through the note.
"Rikona, Hanoashi, you'd better not be writing to each other," Shelia noted through the door.
"Just sharing notes mother," Rikona noted.
"Silently? Whatever, I want to see these notes in the morning, and for Maus sake don't stay up all night doing it," Shelia sighed loudly, before walking off and shutting her door.
"Crap," Rikona muttered under her breath before taking the note and writing one last bit, something about looking stuff up on the internet and deceiving something called a browser history. Rikona then brought out a note book, and gazed at Hanoashi while giving her a piece of paper.
Writing down the notes she took from memory, Hanoashi let out a small smile as Rikona finished it up, and had a hard time giggling as the brunet let out a rather cute yawn. Smiling and tapping her on the shoulder gently, Hanoashi guided her to the bed and the two cousins crawled in.
As soon as she had Hanoashi was surprised that Rikona climbed on top of her. The Irish girl shot her a quizzical look, but soon reached up and brushed Rikona on the cheek. Rikona smiled and reciprocated the gesture, and the two began exchanging this action a few times, before Rikona climbed off and grasped Hanoashi's hand gently, smiling.
Unable to help themselves, they simultaneously rose up and gave each other a hug one last time before finally laying down to sleep, Hanoashi's hand laying on Rikona's hand. All is as it should be...Hanoashi thought happily.