As the match kicked off, the tanks rolled into a valley, poised to scout the enemy and set up an ambush. Meanwhile, the boys remained in town, fine-tuning their own ambush while keeping an ear on the comms to monitor the girls' progress.

"So, what's the plan again?" the radio operator of the Lee asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.

"Right, as I explained earlier, the Total Annihilation rules are in effect. The game continues until every tank on the opposing team is knocked out," Miho clarified.

"Got it!"

"Understood!" various voices chimed in.

"What's the operation name?" Anzu inquired, curiosity piqued.

Miho hesitated, then blurted, "Uh... let's call it Operation: Sneaky Sneaks, because we're going to sneakily observe the enemy and then sneakily strike."

"Seriously?" McKay raised an eyebrow, while Blackmore and Voss exchanged bemused shrugs, a mix of amusement and disbelief.

[15 minutes later]

As time ticked by, the boys remained in their tanks, anxiously awaiting the signal to engage their foes. Suddenly, a radio transmission crackled to life from A-Team.

"Hess, turn the volume up," Voss commanded.

"Jawohl," Hess replied, adjusting the dial.

"This is A-Team. We're drawing the enemy in and should reach the rendezvous point in three minutes," came Miho's voice.

"Blackmore, check on the other teams and report back ASAP," Voss instructed the British commander.

"Roger that. Christian, let's move," Blackmore ordered as the Comet rolled out to scout the enemy.

"Another 600 meters and the enemy will be in firing range," Miho relayed to her crew.

The boys settled in, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Then, chaos erupted.

"Fire! Fire!" Momo's voice boomed over the comms.

"Hey, wait—what are you doing?!" Saori exclaimed in disbelief.

"Are they insane?!" Aldrich said, shaking his head as they strained to listen.

"Fire! Fire! Fire!" Momo yelled again.

"Can that girl just calm down?!" Jackson groaned.

"Seriously, she needs therapy," Horvath muttered.

"Bloody hell! This is Blackmore; Oarai is firing wildly at the enemy!" he reported.

"You can't just spray bullets everywhere! Aim for their tracks!" Miho urged, her voice tinged with frustration.

"St. Gloriana is executing a pincer movement—no tanks down yet," Blackmore updated, watching the unfolding chaos.

"Keep firing! Hit them! Use everything you've got!" Momo shouted, frustration creeping into her tone.

"The British wannabes are closing in... Oarai is taking effective fire... they're starting to lose it... the freshmen are knocked out, and the 38(t) is down!" Blackmore's voice was urgent as the situation spiraled.

"Um... B-Team, how's it going?" Saori inquired, her voice steady despite the chaos.

"We seem to have made it through, somehow," came the tentative reply.

"C-Team?" she pressed.

"Fine, of course!" Rommel responded, confidence in her tone.

"D-Team?"

"..." A heavy silence lingered.

"E-Team?"

"We're out," came the defeated response.

"F, G, and H-Team are still operational," McKay reported, scanning the battlefield.

"What should we do?!" the leader of B-Team asked, urgency creeping into his voice.

"Commander, your instructions!"

"You'll be dead meat if you stay there. A-Team, I recommend pulling back into town and starting to harass them from there," the German ace advised firmly.

"Understood. B and C teams, follow us. We're moving," Miho announced decisively.

"Got it!" came the chorus of replies.

"Understood," Rommel added, determination clear in her voice.

"F-Team is covering your escape," Blackmore said as his tank began to retreat into town, positioning itself for an ambush.

"We're entering Operation: Now With More Sneaky Sneaks," Miho declared, her tone lightening slightly.

"Max, they're pulling back now," Blackmore reported, keeping his eyes on the enemy.

"Good. I hope they'll lure those Tommy cookers toward us," Max replied, a grin forming.

"We're entering the town. Make use of the terrain to your advantage," Miho reminded them, her voice focused.

"Why not?!" B-team's commander laughed. "Oarai's my neighborhood!"

Oarai's tanks maneuvered into the town, St. Gloriana hot on their heels, oblivious to the Comet's hidden ambush position.

"They missed me; I'm in pursuit," Blackmore whispered, carefully trailing St. Gloriana while staying hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

As St. Gloriana split up to hunt down Oarai's tanks, the tension mounted.

"This is C-Team! One tank down!" Rommel's voice crackled through the radio, excitement and anxiety mixing.

"B-Team! One tank down!" echoed the distressing news.

"Time to move, Yank," Voss said, adjusting the collar of his uniform with a determined look.

"Right on you, Fritz," McKay replied, both heavy tanks rolling out to engage St. Gloriana while remaining cautious of potential threats.

As they advanced, reports of Rommel's tank and the volleyball team being knocked out filled the airwaves, heightening their sense of urgency.

[In the Comet]

As the British cruiser navigated through the town, it spotted a Matilda emerging from a parking area, smoking but surprisingly intact.

"Chris, halt," Blackmore commanded.

"Ian, tank at 12 o'clock, 200 meters—brew one for me," he added, his voice steady.

"Roger that," Ian confirmed, preparing the gun.

"AP loaded!" the loader shouted, the adrenaline pumping.

The 77mm gun roared to life, the shell slamming into the Matilda and knocking it out of action. Without hesitation, the cruiser sped down the road, adrenaline coursing through the crew.

Suddenly, a Sherman Firefly appeared on the same road ahead.

"Shit! Jink left!" Blackmore shouted, and the driver swerved left as the Firefly fired, the shot whizzing harmlessly by.

"Get ready to power slide..." Blackmore urged, his heart racing. "Now, McGregor!"

With a deft maneuver, Christian McGregor pulled the right stick, and the tank drifted to the right, slipping behind the Sherman.

"Fire!" Blackmore commanded.

The 77mm gun fired again, the shell finding its mark on the Firefly's vulnerable engine deck, and the tank shuddered before succumbing to the blow.

"F-Team reporting one tank down," Blackmore began to relay, but before he could finish, another Firefly's shot struck, igniting their tank in a burst of flames.

"The flag's up! Break! F-Team is out of the game, sorry chaps!" Blackmore called out, disappointment lacing his voice as the crew prepared to exit.

[In the Tiger]

"Sorry, chaps," was the last thing they heard from F-Team before silence fell over the comms.

"H-Team here, I'm splitting off from you, Voss. Good luck," the Pershing's commander said, turning sharply around a corner to pursue other targets.

"Miho, what's your status?" Voss inquired, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.

"We're currently being chased down by St. Gloriana's tanks," she replied, urgency in her tone.

"Roger that. I need you to lure them towards me; I have the gun and armor to take them down. Can you do that?"

"I can try, but I'll do my best," Miho assured him.

"Great. We'll handle their panzers. Hard right, hard right!"

"Jawohl!" Deinhart shouted, executing the turn and leading them into the main street.

As Voss's tank rolled down the avenue, he heard Anzu's voice crackle over the radio. "We're here!" A distant explosion followed, and Anzu's voice faltered. "They got us!" Voss let out a frustrated sigh, a pang of regret hitting him.

Ahead, he spotted the Panzer IV valiantly trying to hold its ground against multiple St. Gloriana tanks, managing to knock out one of their Matilda IIs.

"Good work, Nishizumi, but we'll take care of this," Voss called out.

"Tiger 205 has entered the fray."

"Schultz, target that Matilda II on the left. Deinhart, halt."

"Roger that," Deinhart replied, bringing the heavy tank to a stop. The gun was aimed at the British infantry tank, which fired at them, the round bouncing harmlessly off their thick frontal armor.

"Fire!" Voss commanded.

"On the way!" Schultz responded, and the 88mm gun roared to life, claiming its first victim in the encounter.

"Target immobilized," Voss confirmed, peering through his binoculars. Suddenly, he spotted a Firefly attempting to flank them. "Firefly, 3 o'clock, 400 meters!"

"Powering turret," Deinhart said, his feet steady on the gas as Schultz adjusted their position to target the new threat.

"Geschütz geladen!" Aldrich called out, the anticipation thick in the air.

"Fire!" Voss ordered.

The Tiger's 88mm gun fired again, the round finding its mark and destroying the Firefly in a glorious explosion.

"That serves 'em right," Schultz remarked, his confidence growing as he swung the turret back forward.

"Advance, Deinhart," Voss commanded.

The Tiger moved forward with an imposing presence, its treads rumbling against the pavement and the Maybach engine growling like a beast. They came to a halt, scanning for their next target.

Suddenly, a Churchill tank pushed through the wreckage of its fallen comrades, determined to confront the new threat. But instead of the Panzer IV it expected, it faced the formidable Tiger 1 205, commanded by the legendary ace, Maximillian Voss II.

"Halt. Hah, we got this one in the bag, Tigergruppe," Voss declared confidently. But before he could give the order to fire, a surviving Firefly struck the Tiger's side armor, knocking it out in a sudden, brutal twist of fate. This allowed the Churchill tank to escape and make a beeline for Miho's position. Fortunately for Oarai, an American tank took out the Firefly just in time, charging down the road and firing its 90mm gun to disable the Churchill, effectively ending the match.

"All St. Gloriana's tanks are disabled! Oarai Girls' Academy wins the match!" the announcer proclaimed, excitement crackling through the air.

The commander of the American tank shot a curious glance at Voss. "Why didn't you shoot?" he asked.

"I was, but the Firefly took us out first," Voss replied, frustration mingling with relief.

"Regardless, I think we're going to be fine," the American said, a grin breaking out on his face.

"Hooray! We're not performing the Anglerfish dance!" one of the girls cheered, her voice ringing with joy.

"Still, whatever that anglerfish dance is, I'm glad it's not going to happen today," Hess added with a chuckle.

"Right, get out of the tank! We're not driving it back ourselves," Voss ordered, shaking off the adrenaline.

"Roger that!" The crew of Tiger 205 bailed out, stretching their arms and exhaling, their tension finally easing.

"What a match!" Deinhart exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Indeed, it was good," Voss agreed, still processing the excitement of the battle.

"Well, I'm heading back to the boat. You guys can stick around town," McKay said, revving up his engine and driving off into the sunset.

"There he goes," Schultz remarked, watching him go.

"Come on! The automobile club can take care of our tanks, and while we wait, why don't we get something to eat? I'm starving!" Aldrich suggested, rubbing his stomach dramatically.

"I actually agree with Aldrich for once," Schultz admitted, nodding enthusiastically.

"Let's ask the locals for good places to eat," Voss proposed, leading the way.

"Let's go!" they all chorused, energized by the prospect of food.

The crew of Tiger 205 found a cozy restaurant, where they sat down and eagerly ordered a variety of dishes. They appreciated the local delicacies, savoring a refreshing change from their usual German fare. After their meal, they wandered the town, taking pictures with Schultz's camera—yes, he moonlighted as a photographer—enjoying the sights while still dressed in their work uniforms.

As night fell, they reluctantly headed back to the boat.

"Man, that was fun," Deinhart yawned, stretching his arms overhead.

"Indeed it was, my friend. Indeed it was," Voss replied, a satisfied smile on his face as they climbed aboard the ship, where Sodoko was checking attendance.

"You boys almost missed departure time," she said, arching an eyebrow.

"Sorry, traffic got in the way," Voss offered, but Sodoko just waved it off.

They caught up with the others, who were already buzzing with excitement.

"Took you chaps long enough," David teased.

"Sorry about that," they chorused, slightly sheepish.

"No worries, mate. But look here—our adversary gifted us some tea! Yukari told us that St. Gloriana gives out tea to worthy opponents."

"That's nice of them," Voss said, pleasantly surprised.

"Yep. So what now?" David asked, curious.

"Now? We just have to find out who our next enemy is," Voss replied, his eyes gleaming with determination as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.

...

At a bustling stadium in Tokyo, representatives from various schools gathered for the draw of the 63rd National High School Sensha-Do Tournament. The atmosphere was electric as Miho took the stage, her heart racing as she reached into the box of random numbers. She pulled out a slip and the announcer's voice boomed over the crowd.

"Oarai Girls Academy: Number 8!"

A wave of gasps swept through the audience, and a murmur spread as the realization hit: they were up against the renowned Saunders University.

"Saunders High..." one student whispered, eyes wide with concern.

"Are they strong?" Saori asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.

"I read about them," McKay chimed in, confidence brimming. "They're one of the most popular schools out there. I even have a friend who enrolled there."

"Eh? Will we be okay?" Saori's eyes darted around, searching for reassurance.

"Ah, we'll be fine!" McKay declared, though a hint of uncertainty lingered beneath his bravado.

After the draw, the group dispersed to indulge in some downtime—shopping, eating, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Tokyo. The three commanders reconvened at a tankery-themed café, dessert menus in hand.

"So... Saunders," Blackmore began, glancing around the café to ensure they had some privacy.

"Yes? What about them?" McKay asked, taking a bite of his decadent cake.

"Isn't that why we're here? To discuss them?" Blackmore replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, what do we actually know about them?" Voss inquired, leaning forward with interest.

"Okay, here's the rundown: we're facing 10 tanks. They're loaded—rich as hell, with more tanks than any other school nationwide. They even have three teams," McKay recounted. "And... that's about it. All I know is they use Shermans, but I don't know which variants they'll deploy."

"Given our tanks, they'll likely bring out Shermans armed with 76mm guns," Voss added, savoring a bite of his cheesecake.

"We've got 8 tanks against their 10. You think they'll rely on that numerical advantage?" Blackmore asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

"Probably, if they want to," the American replied.

"Vincent, do you have any idea if they have any surprises up their sleeves? Maybe a sharpshooter or something?" Voss pressed.

"That? I can't say for sure," McKay admitted, shrugging slightly.

"I just hope they don't play wild like the real Yankees did in WWII," Voss remarked, a slight frown forming on his face.

"They might very well try," Blackmore said, leaning back in his chair. "Say, you mentioned you have a friend at Saunders, right?"

"Yeah," McKay nodded enthusiastically. "She's nice and friendly—just like most of the students there, or at least that's what she tells me."

"I see," Voss replied, pondering the potential insights this friend might provide.

"Oh, and I've upgraded my tank with a .50 cal and a .30 cal now," McKay said, a proud grin spreading across his face.

"A .50? Is that even legal?" Blackmore raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

"It's legal as long as I use it from the cupola and not while standing on the engine deck. I found a mount for it—same for the .30 cal on the loader's hatch. I'm not planning to shoot at people, though; it'll be used for measuring range," he explained. "Besides, it breaks on impact, leaving little splinters."

"I guess having that makes sense," Voss conceded, nodding in understanding.

"Yeah, and who knows? It might just give us the edge we need," McKay said, the determination returning to his voice as they continued their strategizing.

"You'll be fighting Saunders University in the first round, right? Don't show us another pathetic battle. Don't tarnish the reputation of the Nishizumi style any further."

"That was rude!" someone exclaimed.

"I'd say you are the rude ones. You're just a no-name school," the girl replied coldly. "Teams that will only embarrass sensha-do's tradition shouldn't participate in the championships. It's an unspoken rule."

"I'd say the only thing that will embarrass this sport's tradition is your attitude." Voss stood up, his voice cutting through the tension. "I won't tolerate you disrespecting my team. I expected people to treat each other with good sportsmanship. Let me remind you that even a no-name school can still bite back hard. With an ego like yours, you'll only be a burden to your team."

"Tsk, do you even know who you're talking to? You have no business here."

"First off, I don't know who you are, nor do you know me. But I see a girl who thinks too highly of herself to show any compassion to her team. Let's see how well you coordinate with your crew with that attitude. Secondly, you insult my team, and that makes it my business." Voss stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. "Let me remind you, little girl—" The light blonde girl's eyes flared with indignation at the term. "—we'll see how much of your arrogance backfires and becomes an embarrassment. Let's see how your team reacts to that."

"You..."

"Erika, that's enough. We're leaving now," the brown-haired girl said firmly.

"Yes, Commander," Erika replied coldly, the two girls striding out of the café, leaving the tension hanging thick in the air.

"Who the hell was that?" one of the boys asked, bewildered.

"That was Kuromorimine. They were the runner-up last year and champions for nine years straight," Yukari explained, her voice low.

"Shit... now my tea's cold," Voss muttered, irritation lacing his tone.

"Forget about it, Fritz. Let's just get out of here," McKay urged.

"Right behind you, mate," Blackmore added, and the three commanders made their exit.

As they walked back to the boat, McKay brushed his hair back, frowning. "I need a haircut."

The next day, classes wrapped up for McKay and the other exchange students. He had groaned about attending, but Voss had insisted they couldn't just service tanks all day. Thus, they were enrolled and bound to attend classes until year-end.

With thoughts of his unruly hair nagging him, McKay wandered through town until he spotted "Akiyama Barber Shop," a name that rang a faint bell. Entering, he was greeted by a cheerful woman.

"Welcome!" she said, bowing slightly.

"Hi," he replied.

"What brings you here, fine gentleman?" asked the male owner.

"I need a haircut. My hair's close to violating grooming standards."

"Take a seat," he said, draping a cape around McKay's shoulders.

"Regulations require a military disconnected undercut. Can you do that?"

"Absolutely!" the man replied, switching on the electric razor. As he began, he casually asked, "I thought Oarai was an all-girls school?"

"Well, I'm part of a foreign exchange program with other boys. We're here to assist the students with their sensha-do training, but we also have to participate in classes."

"Oh, so you're one of the boys our daughter's been talking about. She mentioned being glad to meet two of her idols."

"Wait, your daughter? It's Yukari, right?"

"Yep, that's our daughter."

"Heh, that goofball is always going on about tanks."

"She's passionate, although we hoped she'd make friends at school."

"She has! She's really happy about it."

After a while, McKay finished paying when the front door chimed, and Yukari's mother entered.

"Welcome!" she greeted.

"Excuse us!"

"Eh? McKay-kun? What are you doing here?" Saori asked, surprised.

"Just got a haircut," he replied.

"Is Yukari-san here?" Miho asked.

"Who are you?" Yukari's dad inquired.

"We're her friends, sir," McKay answered.

"Friends? Friends?!" Mr. Akiyama exclaimed, excitement bubbling over.

"Honey, calm down!" Mrs. Akiyama reassured him.

"But they're her friends!" he insisted.

"I heard," she said, bowing to the girls. "Thank you for taking care of her!"

"Um..."

"Yukari left early this morning and hasn't returned from school yet. Let's go to the second floor," Mrs. Akiyama suggested, leading the group upstairs.

Entering Yukari's room, they were greeted by a display of military models and posters. They settled around a table while Mrs. Akiyama returned with snacks.

"Have some snacks!" she offered warmly.

"Um, if you'd like, I could give you a haircut while you wait," Mr. Akiyama suggested, peeking in.

"Darling, they don't need one!" Mrs. Akiyama replied, rolling her eyes with a smile.

"Okay," he grumbled, leaving the room.

"Please excuse him; it's the first time Yukari's had friends over. She's always been obsessed with tanks and struggled to fit in. She's been so happy since she made friends through sensha-do," Mrs. Akiyama said, and the group felt a wave of warmth.

"All right, relax and wait!" she said, closing the door behind her.

"Her parents are nice people," McKay remarked, a smile breaking through his earlier frustration.

"Yeah," one of the girls agreed, feeling the warmth of Yukari's newfound friendship.

Suddenly, one of the windows swung open, and there was Yukari, slipping into her room like a thief in the night.

"Yukari?!" The group jumped in surprise.

"Huh? What's up, everyone?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"That's our line!" Miho exclaimed, hands on her hips.

"We were worried because we couldn't get in touch with you," Hana added, concern lacing her voice.

"Sorry! I had to turn my cell phone off," Yukari said, brushing it off.

"Why didn't you come in through the front door?!" Saori questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought my dad would freak out if he saw me in this getup," Yukari explained, gesturing to her outfit.

"Oh," Saori replied, the tension easing.

"Still, perfect timing! There's something I need to show you!" Yukari declared, a spark of excitement in her eyes. She hurried to set up her TV, inserting a memory card into the port.

"I didn't know there was a video like this," Hana commented, curiosity piqued.

"Where did you get it?" Saori asked, leaning closer.

Yukari shot her a conspiratorial grin, clearly withholding the details.

The screen flickered to life, displaying a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier before cutting to a scene at the front gate of Saunders University.

"Right now, I'm at Saunders University High School! I'm going to infiltrate them!" Yukari announced dramatically.

"What's up with that?" one of the girls chuckled.

"I edited it a bit on the way back. The captions are still tentative, though," Yukari explained, scratching her head sheepishly.

"No, that's not what we're talking about," Hana pointed out, laughing.

"Now that my infiltration is complete, it's time to change into a Saunders uniform!" Yukari exclaimed, but she abruptly realized the camera was still rolling and quickly shut it off.

The video resumed, showing her confidently walking through the bustling halls of Saunders. "Now I'm totally a Saunders student!" she declared, flipping the camera around to capture the surroundings. "Hi!"

"Hi!" two students returned her greeting, smiling back.

"Damn, they got the lockers spot-on," McKay marveled, leaning closer to the screen.

"Everyone's so friendly. I haven't been found out yet," Yukari continued, a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

"What's with the convenience store uniform anyway?" one of her friends asked, puzzled.

"I snuck onto the convenience store supply ship to get onto the Saunders campus!" Yukari said, pride radiating from her.

The video then cut to the motor pool, revealing rows of Sherman tanks lined up in all their glory. "This is amazing! Look at all these Shermans! Those are M4A1s. And those are M4s! A6s too! Only 75 of those were ever made!" Yukari's voice rose with excitement.

As she admired the tanks, three Saunders students turned to her, intrigued. Without missing a beat, Yukari called out, "Good luck on your first round!" They flashed her thumbs up in response, clearly charmed by her enthusiasm.

"She really knows how to blend in," one of her friends remarked, grinning at Yukari's infectious excitement.

The video cut to the briefing room, where Yukari whispered excitedly, "It seems the team briefing is about to begin."

The screen showed a Saunders team member standing at the front, announcing, "Now we'll announce the tanks participating in the first round. One Firefly and nine A1s: one equipped with the 76mm gun, eight with 75mm guns."

"They aren't holding back," Yukari murmured, her eyes wide with intrigue.

"Now let's decide on the flag tank! Okay?!" the speaker continued.

"Yeah!" the audience cheered.

"They have a lot of team spirit. This team's American through and through!" the girls in the background squealed. "Looks like they decided on the flag tank."

"Any questions?" the speaker asked.

"I have one! How will the platoons be organized?" Yukari chimed in.

"Oh, an excellent question! We won't have enough to form two complete platoons, so it'll be one company, with three tanks per platoon!"

"And what about the defense for the flag tank?" she asked, concern evident.

"Nothing!" came the confident reply.

"But I heard the enemy has a StuG III," the student spy protested.

"It'll be alright. We can annihilate them with a single tank," the crowd gasped in amazement. But then, one of the three speakers narrowed her eyes at Yukari, suspicion creeping in. "I haven't seen you before."

Everyone turned to look at her. "Your unit and rank?"

"Um, well... I'm Sergeant Oddball of the 6th Armored Division!" Yukari stammered, causing laughter to erupt from the crowd as others pointed at her, shouting "Spy!"

Yukari bolted out of the room, the sound of footsteps chasing after her. "I have obtained useful information! That's it for the report!" As the credits began to roll, a stunned silence fell over the room.

"That was reckless," Mako said, shaking her head.

"I did my best!" Yukari protested, panting.

"Is it even allowed to do that?" one girl asked.

"Recon before matches is permitted under official rules," Yukari replied, kneeling before them and holding out the memory card. "Nishizumi-dono, I've done some quick editing for the film, but I hope it helps." She handed it to Miho.

"Thank you. Thanks to you, we now know what their flag tank will be. I'll come up with the best strategy!" Miho said, determination sparkling in her eyes.

"I'm so glad you're safe, Yukarin," Saori said, relief flooding her voice.

"Did you get hurt?" another girl asked, concern etched on her face.

"That video made me anxious," Yukari admitted sheepishly.

"Need me to teach you how to do espionage? Just hit me up," McKay offered, a teasing smile on his face.

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness. You even came to my home," Yukari replied, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

"Oh no, it gave us an opportunity to see your room," Hana said with a grin.

"Um, you're the first ones to come to my room. Before, my only friends were tanks," Yukari confessed.

"You're right! The photos in this album mostly feature tanks!" Hana exclaimed.

"Huh?" McKay said, intrigued. He picked up the album and flipped through the pages, chuckling as he glanced at one of the photos.

"What's wrong?" the others asked, looking at him curiously.

"I... I think I know why she has no friends. It's the haircut," McKay said, laughing.

"I cut it because I didn't like my frizzy hair! It looked cool when my dad had that hairstyle," Yukari defended.

"It certainly does, but frankly, it only works for boys. Your frizzy hair suits you much better," McKay replied with a wink.

"Wow, thank you, McKay-san," Yukari said, her cheeks flushing with gratitude.

"In any case, we must win the first round," Miho declared, her voice filled with resolve.

"Let's try hard!" the group chimed in.

"You're the one who'll have to try the hardest," one of the girls teased Yukari.

"Why?" Mako asked, puzzled.

"More practices start tomorrow," Yukari said, grinning mischievously.

"What?!" The room erupted into a chorus of groans and playful protests, but Yukari's enthusiasm was infectious, and everyone couldn't help but smile.

While Anglerfish continued chit-chatting McKay looks outside the window and began to speak from his mind.

"So... you're the appointed leader of Saunders now, huh?" McKay sighed, a mix of admiration and nostalgia in his voice. "There's a fight coming up in a few days, and I finally get my chance to compete against you, old friend."

The following afternoon, after wrapping up another rigorous training exercise, the team was dismissed. The A-Team, or Anglerfish team, decided to stay a bit longer to continue working on their tank. The next day, training resumed, and Voss gathered everyone to emphasize the importance of painting their tanks in green, gray, or camouflage patterns. "It's crucial for your tank's survivability," he insisted. "Styling them to look pretty is a waste when you can stick out like a sore thumb."

Despite his lecture, the team had a creative solution: each tank would feature art representing their team names—'Anglerfish', 'Duck', 'Hippo', 'Turtle', and 'Rabbit'. Voss's tank remained officially designated as 205, while the Americans adopted the callsign 'Ironside' and the British opted for 'Swordfish' to keep with the naming trend.

They practiced gunnery at the range, and the boys watched as the girls steadily improved their accuracy. Afterward, the girls were called in for measurements for their new uniforms, creating a buzz of anticipation. When they returned, everyone resumed servicing their tanks and practicing formations.

Finally, their new uniforms arrived, heightening excitement as the day of the first tournament round approached, drawing a crowd eager to witness the match.

Before the game, the team focused on final preparations, ensuring their tanks were in top condition and wouldn't break down during the match.

"Done with maintenance?" Momo called out, her voice ringing through the air.

"Yes!" the Rabbit team responded in unison.

"Ready to go," Caesar from the Hippo team chimed in, echoed by everyone else.

"Yo, hand me those shells," the loader of the Pershing said to Gordo, who promptly passed the 90mm armor-piercing shells to him. They were loaded into the storage and ready racks.

"Make a final count of those shells, Swan," the commander ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Swan replied, focused on the task.

"Gordo, Horvath, fuel up the tank," McKay instructed.

"Roger that," they replied, getting to work.

Meanwhile, Jackson meticulously painted the name 'Ironside' on the barrel in bright white on both sides, making sure it stood out.

The crew of the Tiger 205 draped camouflage netting over the tank's barrel and other exposed parts, completing their preparations. As they finished, they heard one of the Rabbit team's crew members shout about forgetting their shells. Laughter erupted among their teammates, easing the tension of the moment.

But their light-hearted banter was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of unexpected visitors, bringing a sudden hush to the group.

"You're so carefree. I'm amazed you're participating in the national championship with that kind of attitude." a girl with brown colored hair with twin tails and freckles said with a smug look on her face.

Seeing the visitors approach, Yukari quickly hid behind Mako, her heart racing at the thought of being recognized.

"What are you doing here?!" Momo exclaimed, her surprise evident.

"We wanted to invite you to a meal before the match. Just to socialize a bit," a tomboyish girl offered with a friendly grin.

"Oh, sounds good," Anzu replied, glancing at the others. Honestly, they were all a bit hungry, so grabbing a bite didn't sound bad.

As they made their way to the Saunders side, they were greeted by a vibrant array of truck stalls, from a field ambulance to a spa and a hair salon, not to mention the usual food trucks.

"Dude, this reminds me of our school," Swan remarked, eyes wide.

"Yeah, it's like Saunders University is our sister school," Gordo added.

"Because it is," Jackson interjected with a smirk. "They have the same budget as us since the school caters to hafus in southern Japan, with a little help from Uncle Sam's pocket."

"You guys really enjoy flexing your school's wealth, huh?" Hess teased.

"Yeah, we do, because we're generous like that," Jackson shot back, grinning.

While the boys chatted, someone called out to Anzu.

"Hey, Anzie!"

"Hey, Kay! Thanks for the invitation!" Anzu responded, and the rest of the boys watched the two interact, curious.

"Feel free to eat anything you like, okay?" the blonde girl said, beaming.

"Okay! Okay! Okay, Kay!" Anzu joked, delivering a terrible punchline that somehow made Kay laugh.

"Is that blonde hair of hers natural? I thought Japanese people didn't have naturally blonde hair?" Ian wondered aloud.

"Some do," McKay replied casually, unimpressed.

Suddenly, Kay turned and called out, "Hey, Oddball!" startling Yukari.

"Whoa, she found me out!" Yukari squeaked, panic rising.

The Anglerfish team exchanged worried glances, but they quickly relaxed when Kay asked Yukari if she had made it home safely. When Yukari confirmed, Kay smiled and told her to come hang out anytime before walking away.

Relief washed over Yukari as she peeked out from behind Mako, her heart settling. "That was close," she murmured, a mix of anxiety and excitement dancing in her eyes.

"She's that friendly, huh?" Horvath remarked, watching Kay interact with the team.

"Absolutely. One of the friendliest people I've ever known," McKay replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

"Wait, you two have met before?" Jackson asked, raising an eyebrow at their commander.

"Yeah, we go way back—old friends, childhood friends, to be exact," McKay explained, a smile creeping onto his face as memories flooded back.

"Are you thinking about saying hi to her or something?" Gordo inquired, a teasing lilt in his tone.

"Nah, she seems busy right now. Maybe after the match," McKay replied, shaking his head. "I wouldn't want to interrupt."

"I get it," Jackson nodded, glancing at Kay as she chatted animatedly with Anzu. "It's cool that you have that connection, though. It must feel nice to see a familiar face in all this chaos."

"Yeah, it really does. It reminds me of home," McKay said, his expression softening. "But right now, we have a match to focus on. We need to stay sharp."

"True that," Horvath chimed in. "After all this training, we can't let anything distract us."

"Exactly. Let's show Saunders what we've got!" McKay said, his determination reigniting as he turned back to his teammates. The air buzzed with anticipation, a mixture of excitement and nervous energy, setting the stage for what lay ahead.

As the match approached, the tension in the air was palpable. The two commanders faced each other, exchanging nods and words of encouragement. "Good luck out there," McKay said with a competitive grin. "May the best team win."

"Agreed," the Saunders commander replied, a determined gleam in her eye. With that, they both returned to their tanks, taking their positions at the starting points.

"As I mentioned before," Miho began, addressing her team with focus, "the side that immobilizes the flag tank wins. Remember, Saunders' tanks have superior offense and defense compared to ours, but we can't let that shake our resolve. Stay calm, keep your tanks mobile, and draw them into breaking formation. Once we have them on the back foot, lure them into the range of the StuG III."

"Got it!" the team responded in unison, a wave of determination washing over them.

"Splendid plan," Blackmore added, nodding in agreement.

"Hooah!" McKay cheered, pumping his fist in the air.

"Jawohl, kommandante," Voss acknowledged, his expression serious yet focused.

With a dramatic explosion of fireworks lighting up the sky, the announcer's voice boomed over the crowd, "Commence match!"

In an instant, all tanks surged forward, engines roaring and tracks clanking against the ground, ready to engage in the battle that lay ahead. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the anticipation of the impending clash.

[Ironside]

"Swan, load up on AP!" McKay commanded, his voice steady.

"Copy that!" Swan replied, grabbing an armor-piercing shell and sliding it into the gun breech. "Up!"

"Jackson, you ready?" McKay asked, glancing over.

Jackson secured his M1938 tanker helmet, the familiar weight a comforting reminder of his duties. "Ready!" he responded, his eyes sharp.

"Make sure to hit them accurately, Jackson."

"I've never let you down, sir," Jackson replied confidently.

McKay mentally steeled himself. All right, Kay, let's see what you've got, he thought, focusing on the task ahead.

As the tanks entered a dense forest, they maneuvered behind a cluster of trees to strategize their next move.

"Rabbit team and Ironside team, please scout the area to our right. Duck team and Swordfish team, take the left," Miho directed.

"Roger that!" came the quick responses.

"We got it!" one of the Duck team members affirmed.

"With pleasure," added a member of Swordfish team.

"Hippo team and Anglerfish team will advance, guarding Turtle team," Rommel continued, her mind sharp.

"205 here, acknowledged," Voss confirmed, his voice steady over the radio.

"Panzer vor!" they echoed in unison, a rallying cry that filled the air with camaraderie.

With precision and purpose, the tanks rolled forward, ready to execute their orders and confront whatever lay ahead. The tension was palpable, but so was their determination to emerge victorious.

The M3 Lee and the Pershing rolled cautiously through the dense forest, McKay keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings. Something felt off, and he immediately began issuing orders.

"Gordo, halt!" he commanded.

Gordo brought the Rabbit team to a stop. McKay scanned the area, alert for any movement. Minutes passed before the low rumble of engines reached his ears. He pulled out his binoculars and spotted three M4 Shermans on the verge of entering the forest. Activating his handset, he communicated with Azusa, the Rabbit team's commander. "Rabbit team, this is Ironside. I see three tanks entering at Bravo-Zero-Eight-Five-Sierra. Relay intel to Anglerfish and tell them we're luring them out."

"Got it. Reporting from B085S. We see three Shermans. Will attempt to lure them out!" Azusa responded as the two tanks began to advance. Suddenly, they came under fire from another angle.

"Taking fire from nine o'clock! Additional three Shermans! Damn it, they're trying a pincer movement. We can't get cut off—pulling back!" McKay shouted. "Gordo, turn us around! Rabbit team, follow us!"

The tanks began their retreat, pursued closely by the three Shermans. As they moved, McKay ordered, "Turn your turrets 180 degrees to six o'clock. We need to fight back!"

"Target that tank on the left!" McKay barked.

"On it!" Jackson replied, adrenaline pumping.

"Fire!"

"On the way!" Jackson stepped on the firing pedal, and the 90mm gun roared to life, the armor-piercing shell striking the Sherman and knocking it out.

"That's a goddamn ticket! Enemy armor is out of action!" McKay cheered.

"Woohoo!" Jackson shouted, his enthusiasm infectious.

"That's what I like to see, baby!" Swan exclaimed, pulling another shell from the stowage and setting it on his lap, ready to load.

"Get the next one!" McKay urged, excitement growing.

Jackson swung the turret toward the right tank. "Swan! Round!"

"Loading!" Swan grunted, ramming another 90mm round into the gun. "Clear!"

"Again!" McKay shouted.

"On the way!" Jackson fired, but as the tank hit a bump, his aim faltered, and the shell struck the track instead. "Shit!"

"That's alright, we just need to shake them off our backs!" McKay reassured him, just as another shell whizzed overhead, narrowly missing McKay's head. He instinctively ducked. "Christ, that almost gave me a new fucking haircut! We've got another tank incoming!"

Meanwhile, the Anglerfish, Duck, and Swordfish teams were under heavy fire from advancing Shermans as they fought to link up with their comrades.

"More bloody armor coming in from nine o'clock!" Blackmore shouted. "Ian, give them a bloody reply!"

The Comet swung its turret and fired wildly, sending shells into the trees.

"Bring it on!" Freight yelled, slamming another shell into the gun.

"It's too dangerous to keep driving forward, Rabbit team! Can you stop?" Miho urged, her voice crackling over the radio.

"We can't!" replied the M3 Lee crew. "We're still under fire; no chance to halt!"

"Team Rabbit, Duck, Swordfish, and Anglerfish will catch up with you soon. Once we've merged, proceed northeast!" Miho instructed.

"Yeah, roger that senpai," Azusa chimed in as their tanks passed each other, linking up in the heat of battle. The Panzer IV, Type 89, M3 Lee, M26 Pershing, and Comet maneuvered to lure the enemy away.

As they neared the forest's edge, two Shermans suddenly appeared before them.

"Two Shermans, twelve o'clock, two hundred yards!" Blackmore reported, tension rising.

"What should we do?" came the anxious voice from the crew.

"Punch through! We'll lead the charge! Chris, turn off the speed governor."

"Understood, sir. Speed limiter disabled," Chris replied, and the Comet surged ahead, breaking through the blockade of Shermans and immobilizing one with a well-placed hit.

"We did it! HAHA! Take that, you tossers! Alright, Chris, turn it back on."

"Where the hell is that kraut? He should've been here to help us," McKay said, glancing around.

"He's defending our flag tank. Besides, his heavy tank won't do well in this terrain," Blackmore reminded him.

Sighs "I guess you're right."

The team quickly regrouped to plan their next move, stopping for five minutes to catch their breath before heading back into the wilderness.

As they moved, Miho took the lead in issuing orders. "All tanks, move south on road 0985. Get to the junction! The enemy will be passing through the junction as they move north, so we need to shoot them from the sides as they pass."

"Uhh... okay," McKay replied, pulling out his phone when it vibrated. A message from Saori popped up, revealing the actual plan.

"Why did you send this through text?" he typed back.

"Because Saunders deployed a wiretapping balloon—totally legal!" she replied. McKay couldn't help but grin at their boldness, half impressed, half flabbergasted.

He ordered his driver to follow the new route, and soon the Type 89 and Comet were hidden behind some bushes at the junction, ready to spring their trap.

"Alright, lads, dismount and grab some tools," Blackmore commanded.

The crew of the Comet jumped out and showcased the skills they'd honed at Montgomery Armored College and Engineering. Armed with axes, they chopped down branches and bundled them up, tying them to the Type 89 before climbing back in.

As the enemy tanks approached, they fell for the trap, moving toward the junction as Oarai's tanks lay in wait.

"Look at them. They're just walking right into our trap," Jackson smirked.

"Sooner or later, they'll be devoured by the German wolf," McKay said, steeling himself for the fight ahead.

[Meanwhile...]

"Hey, I'm not a wolf," Voss replied, glancing around.

"Who are you talking to, Max?" Aldrich asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Someone said I'm a wolf," Voss insisted, looking a bit puzzled.

"Probably just the wind playing tricks on you," Aldrich chuckled, shaking his head.

[Back at the action...]

As the tanks closed in, Miho sprang into action. "We're surrounded! All tanks, withdraw!"

The Type 89 tore off, trailing bundles of branches to kick up dust and create the illusion of multiple tanks on the move. Meanwhile, the other Oarai tanks maneuvered from another direction to set up their ambush.

"They've caught on! Break out and escape! 38(t), take cover at point C1024R!"

The Oarai tanks quickly repositioned on elevated terrain, with the Tiger 1 '205' nestled behind a bush at the center, camouflaged and ready.

Voss raised his binoculars, locking onto the two unsuspecting Shermans advancing into their trap.

"Aldrich, is the gun loaded?" he asked, his voice steady.

"All set, sir," Aldrich confirmed, gripping the controls.

"Good."

Schultz aimed at the Sherman on the right, his finger poised over the trigger, waiting for the command to fire. The tension in the air thickened, a palpable anticipation hanging over them.

[Saunders]

The two Shermans moved cautiously into the designated area, scanning their surroundings. Inside one tank, the gunner peered through her sights, methodically sweeping the terrain. As she scanned the ridge, her gaze landed on a bush with a peculiar black dot protruding from it. A sense of unease settled over her as she realized something was amiss. Her instincts kicked in, and just as clarity struck, it was too late. "Jesus!" she exclaimed, panic surging through her as the trap was sprung.

[Tiger 205]

"Fire!"

"On the way!" Schultz shouted, and the gun roared as he fired, obliterating one of the Shermans. The other Oarai tanks fired on the second Sherman, but it somehow survived the barrage.

"Haha! One down, Saunders is getting wrecked!" Schultz cheered, his excitement infectious.

"Woohoo! Take that!" Aldrich joined in, grinning ear to ear.

"Don't celebrate yet, boys. We let one escape, and their flag tank is still out there. Let's regroup."

"Yes, sir!" the crew responded.

"All tanks, rally at high point 0128! We can't win while they still have their Firefly intact."

"As long as we keep out of its sights, our tank should hold," Voss added.

"This is risky, but we'll hit the Firefly from the high ground. Understood? Let's move!"

The tanks traversed the open ground, hunting for the elusive flag tank. The Comet and Type 89 were dispatched to track it down, but the search proved more challenging than expected. Thick trees and dense shrubbery surrounded them, making it difficult to spot anything out of the ordinary.

Just as they were about to call it quits, a fortunate break occurred: they spotted the Type 89 being chased by the Saunders flag tank, its crew scrambling to evade capture.

"Blimey! There they are! After them!" Blackmore commanded.

"Right, commander," Chris replied, accelerating to give chase.

"Enemy flag tank spotted at point 0765! But they've seen us!" Noriko Isobe, the volleyball team's leader, reported urgently.

"This is Swordfish; we're in pursuit of the flag tank, over," They added.

"You said 0765, right? Keep running and draw the enemy with you! All tanks advance to point 0615. Takebe-san, send the text!" Miho instructed her radio operator.

"On it!" Takebe quickly typed and sent the message to all units.

"Alright, boys, let's do this!" Blackmore rallied his crew.

As the Type 89 drew the flag tank in, the Comet fired several rounds at it, the machine guns barking to further provoke the crew inside.

The Type 89 expertly lured the flag tank into the trap, and Oarai's forces closed in. Just as the Panzer IV prepared for a kill shot, the enemy flag tank suddenly halted, narrowly avoiding the strike. In a split second, it retreated, and Oarai quickly followed in hot pursuit.

The tanks chased the flag tank relentlessly, firing at it with determination.

"Come on, bro, come on!" Gordo urged Jackson.

"We're moving too fast; it's not that easy!" Jackson shot back.

"Stay on 'em!" Swan encouraged.

The enemy flag tank fired back, but they managed to evade the shot. Oarai's team pressed on in the chase until a loud bang reverberated around them.

"Shit, that was close," McKay muttered.

"What was that?" someone asked.

"That's a 17-pounder—it's the bloody Firefly!" Blackmore shouted.

McKay grabbed his binoculars, scanning the horizon. "This is Ironside reporting seven Shermans in pursuit, confirmed the Firefly is among them, over."

Miho quickly instructed the Rabbit and Duck teams to form a rear guard while the rest provided cover for their flag tank. Unfortunately, their rear guard was quickly taken out by Saunders' Firefly.

Oarai was in trouble, trapped in a sandwich of enemy fire. Just as despair settled in, Voss's voice crackled over the radio.

"You guys focus on the flag tank; we'll buy you some time," he said.

"What are you planning to do?" Miho asked.

"Hold Saunders back. You figure out how to deal with that flag tank. Good luck. Swordfish, Ironside, with me—let's rush these tanks," Voss ordered.

"Roger that!"

"Understood!" they replied.

The three tanks turned around, charging headfirst into the Saunders ranks.

"Swordfish, use your speed and firepower to harass their lines! Disorganize them!" Voss added.

"It'll be a turkey shoot if we do that," McKay replied.

"I like the sound of that!" The Comet surged ahead, darting through enemy formations and taking out a Sherman, throwing Saunders into disarray.

Meanwhile, McKay directed his crew. "Jackson, tank, 11 o'clock, 600 yards!"

"Identified!"

"Fire!"

"On the way!" The Pershing fired, knocking out one Sherman, while Swan loaded another shell.

"Clear!" he called.

"Fire at will!"

"On the way!" The Pershing and Tiger fired simultaneously, taking out two more Shermans.

"That's a ticket! You boys are a stonewall!" McKay praised.

"Round up!" Aldrich shouted, loading another shell.

The Comet continued its harassment when suddenly, a 17-pounder shell struck its engine deck, knocking it out of action.

"Bloody hell!" Ian cursed.

"This is Swordfish—we're out of action. Saunders is taking another route to cut them off, over," came the grim report.

"This is Ironside—we read you. We're on the move, over." The remaining tanks turned to link up with the others.

"They've got three tanks left after us. Think they'll send in reserves?" Horvath asked.

"It's possible. We knocked out six of theirs; they're down to four," McKay replied.

"We can still do this, sir," Jackson insisted.

"Yeah, we can still do this," McKay nodded, bolstered by his crew's determination.

As they regrouped, Miho urged calm. "Stay focused! The enemy is firing and moving too. The chance of them hitting us is low. We must concentrate on that flag tank! We win if we hit it; we lose if we give up!"

"C'mon, Miho," Voss muttered. "You have to think!"

The heavy tanks finally caught up but saw Saunders right behind them. They spotted the Panzer IV on elevated terrain, but the Firefly was being dispatched to deal with it. The boys knew Hana's skill with the gun could turn the tide.

"They're sending the Firefly after the Panzer IV!" Deinhart warned.

"McKay, let's take that tank out," Voss ordered.

"Roger that. Jackson, take it out. Fire! Fire everything!" McKay manned the M2 Browning, firing controlled bursts while their main guns roared.

The Firefly dodged but was determined. Oarai wouldn't let the Shermans claim the kill on their flag tank.

"All tanks, move forward at full speed!" McKay shouted, and the Pershing and Tiger charged down the hill.

They watched as the Panzer IV prepared to fire. Everyone held their breath.

C'mon, Hana, c'mon," McKay muttered.

Finally, the Panzer IV's short barrel fired, hitting the enemy flag tank and immobilizing it. A stunned silence fell over the battlefield, and then...

"Did we win?"

"Saunders University flag tank has been immobilized! Oarai Girls Academy wins the match!" the announcer declared.

"Yeah!" the boys erupted in cheers.

"Way to go, Hana! You've earned your stripes!" Horvath shouted.

They drove their tanks over to congratulate the Anglerfish team. McKay stood on the engine deck, the rest popping out for fresh air. They jumped down to meet the team.

"Hana, you shot better than I did! Good job!" Jackson praised, giving her a light slap on the back.

"T-Thank you..." she replied, blushing.

"Keep it up, and we'll win the next round!" he encouraged.

The commanders then gathered to bow in respect, signaling the end of the match.

"All bow!"

"Thank you!" The audience erupted in applause for Oarai.

Kay approached Miho, expressing her appreciation for the match and apologizing for the wiretapping. Miho graciously accepted the compliment, shaking her hand with a smile.

After their brief introductions, McKay felt a surge of nostalgia. This was the moment he'd been waiting for—an opportunity to reconnect after three long years. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage as he approached Kay, who stood chatting with her teammates.

"Yo, Kay. Still alive, huh?" he said, trying to sound casual.

"Eh?" Kay turned around, her eyes widening in shock. "Eh???!!!"

"Miss me?" McKay flashed a teasing smile.

Without warning, Kay pulled him into a tight hug, surprising him. "Ohoho—okay, I guess you do miss me, huh? It's alright," he chuckled, a bit flustered.

"I've been waiting for you to show up! I knew that tank of yours looked familiar," she replied, stepping back and beaming.

"Really? And your English didn't die out; that's great!" McKay grinned.

"Yeah! Same numbers and all that. Did you forget that I also watch your matches?"

"Ahahaha... yeah, I somehow forgot that," he admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. The warmth of their reunion made him feel giddy.

"Say, do you mind if we walk around just the two of us?" McKay asked, his tone hopeful.

Kay glanced back at her team, contemplating for a moment. "Sure! I mean, I've got some errands to run, but that can wait. Friends come first, right?"

"Hah! That's what we used to say back in elementary school!" he exclaimed, a laugh escaping him.

The two old friends finally reunited, they wandered away from the bustle of the teams. As they strolled through a quieter area, the memories began to flow back—shared laughter, silly challenges, and countless hours spent dreaming of tank battles.

"So, what have you been up to all these years?" Kay asked, her curiosity evident.

"Training hard, as you can see," McKay replied, gesturing to his tank nearby. "But it's not the same without friends around. How about you? Still causing chaos on the battlefield?"

Kay laughed. "You know it! And I've been working on my tactics; I hope they impress you."

"Trust me, you've always impressed me," he said, sincerity in his voice. They shared a comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of years apart starting to lift.

"Do you remember that time we tried to build our own model tanks?" Kay asked, a nostalgic smile on her face.

"Of course! Yours always looked way better than mine, but I thought I was going to win!" McKay said, chuckling at the memory.

"Oh, you were so competitive!" she teased. "I still have mine, you know. It's a bit dusty, but it's a reminder of those good times."

"Maybe we can have a rematch someday," he suggested, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Count me in!" Kay replied enthusiastically.

As they continued to chat, it felt as if no time had passed at all. They reminisced about their childhood, shared their current lives, and discussed their dreams for the future. In that moment, surrounded by the remnants of competition and camaraderie, the bond they shared felt stronger than ever.

[To be continued...]

(A/N: That's a wrap for now. I've written most chapters in advance, so what I'm just doing are quality checks and all that... so yeah, that's all I have for you, fine people right now, and I'll see ya'll in the next one. Carry on.)