Two days later, the auditorium buzzed with a mix of curiosity and unease as students from Ooarai, Kuromorimine, Saunders, Pravda, and other schools gathered for another video session. This time, the spotlight was on the United Federation Tankery Academy (UFTA), the Russian powerhouse that had earned a reputation for its brutal efficiency and ruthless tactics.

Miho stood at the front with Maho and Erika by her side, their expressions more serious than usual. Miho addressed the room, her tone calm but measured. "Today, we'll be reviewing a video featuring interviews with UFTA students. Their opinions about Sensha-Dō, including Japanese schools and their competitors, will give us insight into their mindset and motivations."

Maho added, her gaze scanning the room, "Be prepared for blunt answers. UFTA doesn't sugarcoat anything."

Erika smirked, crossing her arms. "This should be interesting."

The video opened with a stark, snowy backdrop—a tank training field in Siberia. The interviewer, a Russian-speaking individual with a calm but firm voice, began with a standard question: "What are your thoughts on Japanese Sensha-Dō schools?"

The first student, a burly young man in a heavy winter coat, glared at the camera.

"No comment," he muttered before walking away, his boots crunching in the snow.

The next student, a blonde girl with piercing blue eyes, flipped off the camera.

"Отъебись," she said coldly, which the subtitles translated bluntly as "Fuck off."

A series of similar responses followed. Some students ignored the interviewer entirely, while others muttered curses or simply walked away.

The interviewer shifted focus, asking about specific schools, including Pravda Girls High School. The responses took a darker turn.

A lean, dark-haired boy sneered at the mention of Pravda.

"Those cowards? They hide behind outdated tactics and propaganda. They're nothing."

Another student, a tall girl with a scar across her cheek, spat on the ground.

"Pravda is a disgrace. They're not real tankers—they're opportunists."

The camera moved to a group of students gathered near a T-90, their expressions cold. One of them spoke with venom. "Pravda are betrayers. They deserve to burn."

The Pravda students in the auditorium shifted uncomfortably, exchanging nervous glances. Katyusha, who had been sitting confidently at the start of the session, now looked pale, her usual bravado completely gone.

The screen cut to Anastasia Orlova, UFTA's Vice-Commander. Her sharp features and steely gaze gave her an air of unshakable confidence. She answered the interviewer's questions in perfect Russian, her voice calm but filled with conviction.

"What do you think of Pravda Girls High School?" the interviewer asked.

Anastasia's expression darkened. "We hope to destroy them."

The room went silent. The bluntness of her statement left no room for doubt—it wasn't just competition; it was personal.

The video shifted to Miya Oktyabrskaya, UFTA's Overall Commander. Standing beside a T-72, she exuded an aura of quiet menace. Her expression was calm, almost detached, as she held up a 75mm AP shell with Katyusha's name written on it in Russian.

The interviewer's voice broke the tension. "What message would you like to send to Pravda?"

Miya looked directly into the camera, her eyes cold. "This shell is for Katyusha. Tell her we haven't forgotten."

The room erupted into murmurs, with students whispering to each other in shock and disbelief. Even the usually stoic Nonna looked unsettled, her eyes flicking toward Katyusha, who now seemed to shrink in her seat.

As the video ended, the silence in the auditorium was deafening. Miho turned to address the crowd, but before she could speak, one of the Saunders students broke the silence.

"What the hell did Pravda do to piss them off that much?"

The Pravda students remained silent, their discomfort palpable. Katyusha's usual confidence was completely gone, replaced by a nervous energy as she avoided eye contact with anyone.

Darjeeling sipped her tea thoughtfully. "This isn't just rivalry. This is hatred."

Anchovy nodded. "I mean, I've seen competitive grudges before, but this? This feels... personal."

Miho and Maho exchanged a glance, their expressions serious. Maho stepped forward, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "Miya Oktyabrskaya and Anastasia Orlova aren't just UFTA students. They're former Pravda students."

The room fell silent again as the weight of her statement sank in.

Erika crossed her arms, her smirk replaced by a frown. "I thought they looked familiar. They were part of Pravda's team a few years ago, weren't they?"

Maho nodded. "Yes. And whatever happened during their time at Pravda clearly left scars—both physical and emotional."

Miho looked toward Katyusha, her tone gentle but firm. "Katyusha, is there something you'd like to tell us?"

All eyes turned to the diminutive commander, who fidgeted nervously. She avoided the question, muttering something under her breath.

Nonna finally spoke, her voice low and steady. "It's not my place to explain, but... it's clear we need to address this before it escalates further."

As the meeting adjourned, the tension in the room was palpable. The video had raised more questions than answers, leaving the students grappling with the implications of UFTA's animosity toward Pravda.

Miho and Maho lingered in the auditorium, their minds racing. "We need to get to the bottom of this," Miho said quietly. "If we don't, this grudge could turn into something far worse."

Maho nodded. "Agreed. But whatever happened between Pravda and UFTA, it's clear we're dealing with more than just a competition. This is war—and not the kind we're used to."

The next day, the tension in the auditorium was nearly palpable as students from Ooarai, Kuromorimine, Saunders, Pravda, and other schools gathered once again. The previous revelations about the United Federation Tankery Academy (UFTA) and their animosity toward Pravda still lingered in the air. Now, Miho and Maho stood ready to present another video—this time focusing on Häyhä Academy, the Finnish Tankery school notorious for its ruthless tactics and unapologetic attitude.

Miho stepped forward, her tone serious. "Today's video features interviews with Häyhä Academy students. Like UFTA, their responses are blunt and unfiltered, so prepare yourselves."

Maho added, her arms crossed, "This video also gives us a closer look at the Törni sisters, who have their own history with Pravda. What you're about to see may raise more questions than answers."

The video opened with the snowy forests of Finland, Häyhä Academy's harsh training grounds. The camera panned over students practicing ambush drills with their tanks, their winter camouflage blending seamlessly with the surroundings. The interviewer's voice, speaking in Finnish, asked the same question as before: "What are your thoughts on the Japanese Sensha-Dō schools?"The first student, a tall, wiry boy with a scar running across his cheek, sneered at the camera.

"Japanese schools? Overrated. They cling to their traditions like they're sacred, but traditions don't win battles."

Another student, a girl with piercing gray eyes, added, "They're soft. Too focused on appearances and ceremony. Out here, survival matters more than style."

The comments grew harsher as more students were interviewed.

"They'd freeze to death in our training grounds," one boy said with a smirk.

"They wouldn't last five minutes in a real fight," a girl chimed in, her tone dripping with disdain.

When the interviewer mentioned Pravda, the responses turned venomous. A broad-shouldered boy slammed his fist into the side of a tank. "Pravda? Cowards. Traitors. They don't deserve to be called tankers."

Another student spat on the ground, muttering something in Finnish that the subtitles translated as, "I hope they rot."

The intensity of the hatred was unsettling, and the Pravda delegation in the auditorium shifted uncomfortably. Katyusha, in particular, looked like she wanted to disappear.

The screen cut to the Törni sisters—Lumi, Aada, and Aino—standing together near a KV-85 tank. Their burned scars and missing eyes gave them a haunting presence, but their expressions were cold and composed.

When asked about their thoughts on Pravda, Lumi, the eldest, spoke first. Her voice was calm, but her words were chilling. "We don't just want to defeat them. We want them to feel what we felt."

Aada, the middle sister, held up her hand, revealing the burn scars on her palm. "We hope to give them the same wounds they gave us."

Finally, Aino, the youngest, leaned closer to the camera, her remaining eye burning with fury. "Pravda left us to die. We'll make sure they never forget it."

As the video ended, the room erupted into murmurs. The Finnish students' blunt threats and the Törni sisters' chilling words had left everyone shaken.

"What the hell did Pravda do to them?" Mako whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Even Mika, usually composed, looked unsettled. "Such hatred doesn't come out of nowhere. There's clearly more to this story."

Several Kuromorimine and Saunders students exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. Erika, frowning, muttered, "I recognize those sisters. They used to be with Pravda."

Maho nodded, her gaze fixed on Katyusha. "So do I. Something didn't feel right during the 61st National Sensha-Dō Tournament. Now I know why."

The room's attention turned to the Pravda delegation, where Nonna sat stiffly beside a visibly pale Katyusha. The murmurs grew louder as the questions mounted.

"Nonna," Miho said gently but firmly, "do you know the Törni sisters?"

Nonna hesitated, her usually calm demeanor cracking under the weight of the room's scrutiny. Finally, she sighed and stood, her voice quiet but steady.

"Yes," she admitted. "We know them."

The room fell silent, all eyes on Nonna as she continued. "During the 61st National Sensha-Dō Tournament, the Törni sisters were part of our team. They were assigned to a KV-85 as part of our flanking strategy."

She paused, her gaze lowering. "But what they didn't know was that they were being used as decoys. The plan was to lure the enemy tanks—Kuromorimine's tanks—into an ambush. Their job was to draw fire and hold the line."

The room erupted into shocked gasps and whispers. Even Miho and Maho looked stunned.

"You used them as bait?" Erika demanded, her voice sharp.

Nonna nodded, her face grim. "Yes. But they didn't know. We didn't tell them."

Nonna's voice wavered as she recounted the events. "The ambush worked, but at a cost. The Törni sisters' tank was hit multiple times. It caught fire, and they were left to fend for themselves. By the time we reached them, it was too late. They were severely injured—burned, blinded, scarred. After the tournament, they left Pravda and cut all ties with us."

The room was silent, the weight of Nonna's confession hanging heavily in the air.

Hana, her voice barely above a whisper, asked, "Why didn't you tell them? Why didn't you warn them about the plan?"

Nonna looked down, unable to meet anyone's gaze. "Because we needed them to believe it was just another maneuver. If they'd known, they might not have gone through with it."

The room erupted into chaos as the students reacted to the revelation.

"That's horrible!" Momo exclaimed, her voice shaking. "How could you do that to your own teammates?!"

Darjeeling's usual poise was replaced with visible anger. "Decoys without consent? That's not strategy—that's betrayal."

Even the usually carefree Kay looked somber. "No wonder they hate you. I would too."

Katyusha, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke, her voice trembling. "It wasn't my decision. I didn't even know until after it happened."

"That doesn't make it any better," Maho said coldly. "You were their commander. Their lives were your responsibility."

As the meeting ended, the room was filled with a mix of shock, anger, and unease. The truth about Pravda's past had cast a shadow over the gathering, and the animosity from UFTA and Häyhä Academy now made perfect sense.

Miho and Maho stayed behind, their minds racing with questions. "This changes everything," Miho said quietly. "We need to figure out how to handle this."

Maho nodded, her expression grim. "If we don't, this league is going to turn into a war. And I'm not sure anyone will come out of it unscathed."

The next day, the tension in Ooarai's student council office was thick enough to cut with a knife. Miho, Maho, Erika, Yuzu, Momo, and Anzu sat around the long table, their expressions serious as they waited for their guests. Seated across from them were Katyusha and Nonna, the usually composed Pravda representatives. Today, however, they looked uneasy, their stiff posture betraying their discomfort.

The silence was broken by Anzu Kadotani, the head of Ooarai's student council. Her usually relaxed demeanor was replaced with a cold stare. "We've brought you here for one reason: to explain what the hell happened between you, the Törni sisters, and Miya Oktyabrskaya."

Yuzu and Momo flanked her, both visibly tense. Yuzu's hands were clasped tightly in her lap, while Momo's lips were pressed into a thin line.

Miho folded her arms, her voice calm but firm. "We've heard their side of the story. Now we want to hear yours."

Katyusha shifted uncomfortably, her usual bravado nowhere to be seen. She glanced at Nonna, who gave her a small nod. Taking a deep breath, Katyusha began.

"Miya Oktyabrskaya was... my best friend," she said, her voice quieter than usual. "We grew up together in Abashiri city, Hokkaido when she immigrated from Novosibirsk. Even as kids, we dreamed of leading Pravda to victory. She was a natural leader, brave, and—at the time—I thought she'd always have my back."

Katyusha paused, her gaze dropping to the table. "When we joined Pravda, Miya quickly became one of our top commanders. By the time she was 15, she was leading a T-34/85 with unmatched skill. She was... everything a Sensha-Dō leader should be."

"So what happened?" Erika asked bluntly, her eyes narrowing.

Katyusha's hands clenched into fists. "The 61st National High School Sensha-Dō Tournament happened. I was nominated as Pravda's Overall Commander, and Miya wasn't happy about it. She thought she deserved the position—and maybe she did."

Katyusha hesitated before continuing, her voice shaking. "During our match against Kuromorimine, I... I made a decision. I led Miya's tank and her crew into a trap, knowing they'd be surrounded."

The room erupted in gasps, but Katyusha kept going, her eyes brimming with tears. "I thought they could handle it. I thought they'd hold the line long enough for us to counterattack. But I didn't tell them about the ambush. They were left exposed, and Kuromorimine's tanks destroyed them. Miya and her crew barely survived."

Nonna, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Miya's injuries were severe. Burns, broken bones... she was unrecognizable when we pulled her from the wreckage."

Katyusha's voice cracked. "She never forgave me. She left Pravda after that, and we haven't spoken since."

Before anyone could respond, Nonna continued, her tone somber. "And then there's the Törni sisters. Lumi, Aada, and Aino."

Nonna's voice grew heavier with each word. "They were some of the youngest members of our team. Lumi was 14, serving as the gunner in a KV-85 alongside her half-sisters. They trusted us—trusted me and Katyusha. And we betrayed them."

Maho's voice was cold as ice. "Explain."

Nonna took a deep breath. "In the same match against Kuromorimine, we used their tank as a decoy. We sent them into an exposed position, knowing Kuromorimine would target them. Their job was to draw fire so we could flank the enemy."

"And did you tell them that?" Miho asked sharply.

"No," Nonna admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "We didn't."

Katyusha buried her face in her hands as Nonna continued. "Kuromorimine's tanks hit their ammo rack. The explosion was... catastrophic. The Törni sisters survived, but just barely. Lumi lost her left eye and suffered severe burns. Aada and Aino weren't much better off."

The room fell into a stunned silence as Nonna finished. "After that match, they left Pravda. I don't blame them."

The silence was broken by the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Maho stood, her hands clenched into fists. Her usual composure was gone, replaced by visible anger.

Without warning, she stepped forward and punched Katyusha on the top of her head—not hard enough to injure her, but enough to make her yelp in surprise.

"You used them as pawns," Maho said, her voice trembling with rage. "Your friends. Your teammates. How could you?"

Before Katyusha could respond, Miho stood as well. Though her demeanor was usually calm, her expression now mirrored her sister's anger. She delivered a similar blow to Nonna, who winced but didn't protest.

"You betrayed them," Miho said, her voice shaking. "You betrayed the people who trusted you. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

As Miho and Maho stepped outside to cool off, the room remained tense. Erika, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I understand betrayal," she began, her voice cold. "During the 61st National High School Sensha-Dō Tournament, one of our own betrayed us. Not only did they shoot Maho's tank after the match was over, but they also sabotaged our tank garage—destroyed everything."

She leaned forward, glaring at Katyusha and Nonna. "We know what betrayal feels like. But doing that to your childhood friends? To people who trusted you with their lives? That's unforgivable."

The room remained silent as Miho and Maho returned, their anger still evident. Yuzu, Momo, and Anzu sat quietly, clearly shocked by what they'd heard.

Miho took a deep breath, her voice steady but firm. "This isn't over. We need to find a way to move forward. But make no mistake—what you did will never be forgotten."

As the Pravda representatives left the office, their heads hung low, the tension in the room lingered. The Nishizumi sisters exchanged a glance, silently vowing to ensure that such betrayals would never happen again.

The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the scars of the past would not heal easily.