Third person POV

Katyusha and Darjeeling are sitting together in Pravda's school ship sharing a conversation about the senshado tournament. Nonna then came with tea and jam and she stood next to the table waiting for her turn.

Darjeeling: It's unfortunate at what happened at the semi-finals.

Katyusha: I can't believe you lost where we were able to succeed last year.

Darjeeling: "The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong."

Nonna noticed an opening and she placed the jam and tea down on the table.

Nonna: Here you go.

Darjeeling: Thank you Nonna.

Nonna: No problem.

Darjeeling scoops some of the jam and was about to dump it into the tea when Katyusha intervened.

Katyusha: That's not right! You don't put the jam in the tea. You suck on it while drinking the tea.

She put the jam into her mouth however she accidentally splattered some jam on her cheek.

Nonna: You have some right here. 

Katyusha: You don't have to say that!

Nonna turned to Darjeeling ignoring Katyusha.

Nonna: Here's some Pirozhnoe Kartoshka and some pechen'e.

Nonna pushed the food towards Darjeeling who was enjoying her tea.

Darjeeling: You're going into the semifinals next, but you seem pretty laid back about it. Are you sure you don't have to practice? 

Katyusha: It'd be a waste of fuel. They're just some small-time team no one's ever heard of.

Darjeeling: But the captain's from a senshado school, the Nishizumi school.

Katyusha was in a state of shock and she turned to Nonna.

Katyusha: Why didn't you tell me something so important before now?!

Nonna: I've told you several times.

Katyusha: Well, this is the first time I've heard about it!

Darjeeling: It's the younger sister however.

Katyusha calmed down and she was about to speak again however Darjeeling spoke first.

Darjeeling: They also have an interesting person on their team.

Katyusha: Who, another senshado prodigy?

Darjeeling: A certain boy.

This sent Katyusha and Nonna into shock.

Katyusha: A boy! In senshado!

Nonna: I see.

Darjeeling: That is all I have to tell you.

Katyusha: You came all the way here just to let me know those things Darjeeling?

Darjeeling: Of course not, I also came here for the delicious tea.

Darjeeling continue to enjoy her tea while Katyusha and Nonna begin to think about the match ahead of them.

In the Ooarai hanger.

In the Ooarai tank hanger a Char B1 stood ready to receive their crews while the Panzer 4 is seen having a new and larger gun.

Caboose: This is awesome!

Since the match against Anzio Caboose's injuries had fully recovered in about 2 days. Freckles was correct in that the injuries where not to bad but the nurse was still surprised by his fast recovery time.

Satoko: I changed the outer appearance while I added the long barreled-cannon.

Saori: It looks like an F2.

Satoko: I know right?

Miho: Everyone from the Automotive Club, thank you.

Caboose:Thank you machine people!

Satoko: No problem at all. It was a lot of work, but it feels like it was really worth it.

Yuzu: So we got a new barrel and a new tank.

Momo: We've done a moderate job at supplementing our fighting force.

Miho: So what team is going to ride the Char?

Three girls all with matching haircuts stepped forwards.

Midoriko: We will be joining today. My name is is Sono Midoriko, with the hall monitors. Nice to be working with all of you.

The three girls all took a bow while Mako's eyes go wide.

Caboose: Why would you need to monitor a hall? What does monitor even mean?

Everyone pretty much ignored his question.

Anzu: Sodoko for short. Teach her what she needs to know.

Midoriko: Please don't shorten my name.

Anzu: Captain, what should we call their team?

Miho: Huh?

Caboose: Puppy team!

Midoriko: No, she meant the commander.

Caboose: Oh sorry.

Miho: It's ok Caboose. Well the Char looks kind of like a wild duck don't you think?

Anzu: Okay they're the Mallards.

Caboose: Wait if they look like wild ducks why are we calling them mad-lards?

Midoriko: Mallards?!

Caboose: What's a made-elard?

Saori: It's a wild duck.

Caboose: Neat.

Yuzu: Mako, can you help them with how to drive the tank?

Midoriko: I have to get help from Mako?!

Caboose: What's so bad about Mako?

Mako: Got it.

Midoriko: You're not going to be arrogant just cause you've got good grades right?

Mako: Then I assume you're going to read the manual and practice on your own.

Midoriko: *gasp* How irresponsible can you be? You're going to explain everything to us thoroughly and clearly.

Mako: Right right.

Midoriko: Only one right is ok.

Mako: Right.

Momo: The semifinals are our next match, and we're up against Pravda, who won last year. We're going to win this! Everything's over, if we loose!

Caboose: Wait, everything?!

Momo: Yes.

Caboose: Oh no what about my friends, my cat, my friends! I don't want to loose my cat!

Momo: Not your cat.

Caboose: Oh good because I don't have one.

Yuzu: ....ok...

Azusa: Well why's that?

The student council looked at her in confusion.

Karina: We've always got next year if we loose.

Yuuki: they won last year too.

Aya: Yeah, we can use them as practice to be even stronger lat-

Momo: That's not enough!

Silence followed after that statement.

Anzu: We have to win.

More silence followed.

Anzu: Miho, your orders?

Miho: Oh right. Okay everyone let's get practice started.

The rest of the team: Right.

The team began to run towards their tanks however Anzu stopped Miho for a second.

Anzu: I have something important to tell you later so come to the student council room.

Caboose heard her say this and he decided it was time for a bit of sneaking.

Timeskip brought to you by Caboose getting ready for sneaking time.

Caboose quietly followed Miho as she went to the student council room. On this particular sneaking mission he ditched his armor and went with his causal clothes minus the trench coat. When Miho entered the room he climbed through the roof panels and quietly listened onto their conversation.

Caboose (thought): Must not make noise or else big trouble.

He heard Miho close the door behind her and the sound of something boiling. He continues to listen as he tries to also stifle any sounds he might make.

Anzu: It's gotten pretty cold, hasn't it?

Momo: That's because we've past a latitude of 50 degrees north...

Yuzu: Our next event is in the north.

Momo: I'd wish they stopped deciding where we're holding our matches by roulette.

Miho is seen looking very confused but she regained her composure.

Miho: So what did you want to talk about?

Anzu: Before that, have some goosefish stew.

Caboose (thought): What is goosefish? Is that an animal that's part goose part fish? What kind of goose and what kind of fish?

Yuzu: The goosefish stew the president makes is absolutely divine.

Anzu: First you have to fry the livers up really good, and the you add miso to them-

Miho: No I really don't need to know how to make stew...

There was a period of uncomfortable silence however Yuzu quickly changed the subject.

Yuzu: Is the heater under the table up too high?

Miho: No it's fine...

Anzu: Yuzu managed to find it in the budget to get us this table you know? 

Yuzu: We bought a bunch of other stuff too. We got a refrigerator, a microwave, and a hot plate.

Anzu: We slept in this room overnight a lot right before track meets, the choir recitals, school fairs, and other events. We had "The great curry tournament" last year as an event too.

Miho: I think that's enough reminiscing.

The student council ignores her and continue to talk about their past even bringing out old photos and telling stories of how they got there. Finally Miho seems to be enjoying the stories and she looked at the photos with a smile on her face.

Miho: Looks fun.

Anzu: Yeah it was fun.

Momo: It was really fun.

Yuzu: Back then, we...

Yuzu never finished her sentence and silence filled the room. Miho saw them remmembering and this made her slightly sad. Caboose was getting tired and soon he started to quietly shuffle out of his listening spot. Momo finally broke the silence and Caboose stopped to hear what might be important.

Momo: The stew's started to boil.

Anzu: Yeah let's start eating.

Yuzu: Right.

The student council began to eat and Miho excused herself from the room. Caboose quickly followed and he made his way back to his room. Miho is walking towards her dorm as she was wondering top herself what they wanted to talk about.

Back with the Student council.

Momo: You couldn't tell her.

Anzu: It's fine like this. She just transferred here; it'd be kind of bad if we made her carry a burden like that.

Momo: But...

Anzu: I'd rather her have a fun time at our match, not worrying about anything, instead of knowing the truth and forcing herself to win.

A short silence followed her words however it was quickly broken.

Anzu: I guess I will make some tea.

Yuzu: *sigh*.....everything is over.

Anzu: You still don't know what's going to happen.

At the Nishizumi residance.

Shido Nishizumi, Miho's and Maho's mother, is sitting at a table with Maho. She has in front of her two peices of paper. One of them was the drawing that put Pravda and Ooarai in a match. The other is a photo of Caboose from a newspaper standing next to the Ooarai team in their first match against Saunders.

Shido: Did you know about these two things?

Maho: Yes....

Shido: She carries the name of the Nishizumi, and yet she does not care what she does. I will no longer allow any further embarrassment.

Shido looks at the two papers however her hate is directed at the photo the most. Maho is trying her best not to cry but she knows her mother is serious about this.

Shido: If you shoot, you hit. If you defend, you defend strong. If you advance, you advance without falter. Iron rules and a heart of steel. Tradition above all else. That is what defines the Nishizumi school. Maho?

Maho quickly looks up and puts on her cold poker face.

Maho: I believe that I am, along with you Mother, the living image of the Nishizumi school. But Miho is...

Shido: Forget about her. I will go with you to watch the semifinals, for the express purpose of casting her out of this family.

With Ooarai the next day.

The Ooarai team looked at their team boxs full of supplies for the cold weather.

Yukari: You have pocket warmers in there?

Miho: Our tanks don't have heaters, so we have to prepare as much as we can.

Caboose: I got my mini mittens.

Hana: They look great Caboose.

Caboose: Yea!

Ayumi: Maybe I should put on two layers of stockings.

Yuuki: We should wear leg warmers too.

Karina: Don't you think we should put on some lipstick while we're at it?

Azusa: I'm sure there'll be a lot of people in the gallery watching us too.

Ayumi: How about some color on our cheeks too?

Saemonza: How does it look?

Saezoma has a headband on with a blue crest at the front. Caesar lift her head up and put on an olive wreath.

Caesar: This is what I'm wearing.

Then Nozomi came running in and started to shout.

Nozomi: Hey you! No make up allowed! No dressing up either!

Oryou: Enough bitching already.

Nozomi: You know this is class right? You have to follow the rules!

She was then tapped on the shoulder by Erwin who turned her to herself.

Erwin: You are the star of your own story.

Nozomi: What are you going on about?!

Shinobu: A lot of people are coming to watch us this time.

Takeo: We should write on our tank that we are looking for new volleyball team members.

Noriko: Great idea!

Yukari: Everyone seems to be very excited since we beat Anzio.

Saori: Everyone in our class is expecting a lot from us so we really have to push ourselves this time.

Hana: Shinzaboru said he'd bring my mother to watch the match.

Caboose: What is this?

Saori: It's a jacket Caboose, I think it'll look great on you.

Caboose: But I have my coat.

Saori: You need extras in case if the coat gets wet.

Caboose: Neat.

Timeskip brought to you by Caboose putting a hat on top of his helmet.

The Oarai team is seen waiting for the beginning of the match near their tanks. Snow was coming down and a blanket of white covered the ground.

Saori: It's cold. Seriously cold.

Caboose saw Saori and Hana shivering and he took two coats from his box and put one on each of them.

Hana: Caboose you don't have to.

Caboose: Friends are cold.

Caboose was not going to take them back and Saori and Hana notices this.

Saori: Caboose.....thank you.

Caboose smiles while Hana and Saori smiled back.

Miho: We've put Winterketten on the Assult three, and put antifreeze in the radiator, right?

Yukari: Yeah.

Miho then noticed the Mallard team was standing in a very stiff form so she approached them.

Miho: So....

Midoriko turned her attention towards Miho.

Miho: Going into a match all of a sudden will probably be pretty difficult, but just do your best and don't panic.

Mako: Ask us over the radio if there's something you don't get Sodoko.

Midoriko: I told you not to call me Sodoko! My name is Sono Midoriko.

Mako: Sure Sodoko.

Midoriko: You're not going to stop are you?!

Meanwhile Rabbit team is having a snowball fight, Hippo team is making a snow sculpture of a samurai.

Saemonza: Pretty good.

Caesar: I want to paint it red.

Miho looks at them and laughed nervously however a truck came up and when it stopped Katyusha and Nonna exited the truck.

Miho: Huh?

Saori: Who is it?

Miho: That's the commander......and sub-commander of the Pravda team.

Caboose: They look nice.

Yukari: Snowdrift Katyusha and Blizzard Nonna, I see.

Caboose: Neat names.

Katyusha and Nonna made their way towards the Ooarai team and took a quick glance at Caboose. However they stopped and Katyusha started to laugh. Caboose looked at her confused and turned towards Miho.

Caboose: What's so funny?

Miho: I'm not quite sure.

Katyusha: You prepared these tanks just to make Katyusha laugh, did you not?

Miho: Well that answers your question.

Anzu then stepped forwards with Momo close behind.

Anzu: Hey there Katyusha. I'm the student council president Anzu.

Anzu bent down and extended her hand for Katyisha to shake. Katyusha looked at her in disgust.

Katyusha: Nonna!

Nonna bent down onto her knee and Katyusha got onto her shoulders. Nonna then stood up and Katyusha looked down at Anzu.

Katyusha: All of you are bellow Katyusha. Your tanks, your technology, your hei-

Caboose: Oh I want to play!

Katyusha: What?!

Caboose: Can I join the game please!

Anzu saw an opportunity and smiled a bit.

Anzu: Of course Caboose, the pint of the game is to lift a person onto their shoulders. Nonna here chose to put Katyusha onto her shoulders. Now you have to lift me onto your shoulders in order to win the game.

Her statement brought shock to the rest of the girls.

Katyusha: No one is stronger then Nonna.

Caboose: Ok!

Caboose runs up and scooped Anzu up and got her onto his shoulders in less then a thirty seconds. Even Anzu was surprised but Caboose just smiled and stood up straight bring Anzu one and a half heads higher than Katyusha.

Caboose: Did I win?

Anzu: Yes, great job Caboose.

Caboose: Yeah!

Katyusha: The mighty Katyusha will not stand for this insult.

Caboose: Insult?

Katyusha: I order you to put her down.

Caboose: Why would mean short lady want me to put Anzu down?

Katyusha: What did you say?!

Caboose flinched slightly at the shout.

Caboose: Mean short lady is getting scary.

Nonna: Listen to Katyusha.

Caboose: Tall mean lady is also scary.

Anzu: It's alright Caboose. However you can put me down now.

Caboose: Ok Anzu.

Caboose got down until Anzu could safely hop off his shoulders and he stood back up again. He made his way back towards the Anglerfish crew.

Caboose: I love games.

Saori: Good for you Caboose, glad you enjoyed it.

Katyusha: How dare you listen to her but not me. Katyusha will destroy you lot for this insult! Let's go Nonna.

The two where about to go however Katyusha saw Miho and her eyes widened at the sight.

Katyusha: Oh it's the Nishizumi girl...

Miho started to get uncomfortable and everyone notices this.

Katyusha: Thank you for last year. We were able to win because of you.

Miho started to become a bit sad as the memories started to come back. Caboose started to get slightly agitated as he saw Miho getting sad.

Katyusha: Work your magic with your talent again for us this year.

Katyusha then turned around and waved good bye to them.

Katyusha: See you, Pirozhki. (pies.)

Nonna: Do svidanya. ( Good bye)

Caboose: Proshchay znachit lyudi. ( Goodbye mean people.)

His last comment brought shock to everyone but Nonna and Katyusha continued to walk to their truck and drove off to go to their team.

Miho: You speak Russian.

Caboose: Rush ian?

Miho: Nothing. Let's get ready for the match.

Caboose: Are you ok Miho?

Miho: Yeah I'm fine.

With Darjeeling and Orange Pekoe.

Orange Pekoe: With this cold and the fact that Pravada's tanks far outnumber theirs...I wonder how they plan to win.

With the Ooarai team.

Miho gathered the rest of the team to tell them her plan for the match.

Miho: At this rate, don't be overwhelmed by the number of tanks they have, but instead act calmly. We'll advance slowly while protecting our flag tank, the Duck team, and see what they're up to next.

Caboose: Got it Miho.

Caesar: Attacking slowly is fine, but why not attack all at once?

Miho: Huh?

Saemonza: Indeed.

Erwin: Great move.

Oryou: Whomever makes the first move wins.

Miho: I understand how you feel, but the risk here is...

Noriko: I'll be fine!

Akebi: I think so too.

Shinobu: Us having enthusiasm is important!

Taeko: We should go with a quick attack!

Azusa: I don't think we'll lose. They don't know what we are capable of too.

Karina: Let's show them!

Aya: Yeah, let's show them!

Ayumi: We'll totally show them.

Yuuki: Show them!

Momo: All right, that's what we're going with.

Yuzu: Enthusiasm is important too.

Freckles: Stop.

All the girls stopped and turned to Caboose.

Freckles: You will listen to your commanding officer, failure to do so is punishable by death.

Caboose: Calm down Freckles.

Miho is seen having an internal conflict however she soon raised up her head again.

Miho: Understood. We'll attack all at once.

Yukari: Are you sure?

Hana: What happened to being cautious?

Miho: If the match goes on for too long, they could gain the advantage since they are used to fighting in the snow. Also since you're all pumped up about this...

Anzu: Sun Tzu also says the same.

Caboose: Son Two?

Anzu: Sun Tzu, a military philosopher.

Caboose: I don't get it.

Anzu: I can explain later. Any ways he says "Therefore I have heard of military operations that were clumsy but swift, but I have never seen one that was skillful and lasted a long time." Fighting for a long time is not good for the state. It's better to fight a quick and focused battle. Right Miho?

Anzu winked at her and Miho nodded back.

Miho: Yeah. They're strong but let's get out there and do this.

The girls: Yeah!

The girls pumped their fist into the air. However Caboose suddenly got a very bad feeling for what was ahead of them. And he doesn't like feeling bad.