Chapter Text
Chapter 1: A New Senshadō
“Strategy is not what you bring. It’s what you become.” – Senshadō 2.0 Doctrine
The wind was gentle. The sun hung high and bathed the midday in warmth.
Really, it was the perfect weather for a picnic, a trip to the beach, or… tearing across the field in a tank?
“Do you always have to drive that fast across the field, Kay?” asked Alisa, watching her commander race her M4 Sherman like it was a Formula 1 car.
Kay laughed as she sped across the terrain. “If you drive slow, you’ll think slow, Alisa! And slow thinking takes all the fun out of Senshadō!”
Alisa sighed and made a frustrated face. “Yeah, whatever you say, ma’am.” Then she glanced at her watch.
“Oh fuck! Ma’am, we still have to get to the assembly! And we’ve got barely an hour left!” she shouted into the radio.
Kay sounded confused. “What? What assembly?” Apparently, she had no idea what Alisa was talking about — or more likely, she’d forgotten.
“Seriously? The assembly where they’re announcing the new Senshadō regulations. I’ve told you about it…” said Alisa.
She had, in fact, told her several times, and was now thoroughly annoyed at having to explain it again.
Kay braked hard, the Sherman jolted. “Oh right… that assembly. The one with all the new rules and the officers who think they invented the sport.”
Alisa rolled her eyes. “The assembly where you’re officially supposed to represent Saunders.” She sighed.
“Well then, hurry up, Alisa! Let’s go rock this thing!” Kay replied.
“Yes, ma’am!” said Alisa. “Maybe I’ll finally be allowed to use proper reconnaissance gear without getting scolded by the officials…” She muttered that more to herself.
Because she knew: even if it were allowed, Kay probably still wouldn’t let her.
The two arrived at the garage and headed toward the plane.
“Why exactly are we flying to Kuromorimine again?” asked Kay.
“Because according to the board, they have the biggest and best hall — ours is still under renovation,” Alisa replied.
“Well, it’s not that bad, I guess. At least I’ll get to see my Thea-chan,” said Kay with a wide smile.
“Thea-chan? Who’s that, ma’am?” asked Alisa, puzzled.
Kay looked at her, surprised.
“What? You don’t know her? I thought I’d introduced you! Well, I’ll show you when we get there.”
Then the plane lifted off and set course for Kuromorimine.
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The aircraft landed on the tarmac. As soon as it came to a stop, Kay jumped out.
Two officers — Darjeeling and Erika — approached.
“Hey Darj and Erika! What’s up?” Kay called out, running over to hug Darjeeling.
Alisa stepped out of the plane, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
“Geez, do you always have to run straight at Darjeeling like that?” she muttered, annoyed. “Such lovebirds… right, Erika?”
Erika turned to Alisa.
“Well, let them be. I honestly don’t care what they do.”
Then she turned back to the others.
“Shall we? There are only ten minutes left before the presentation begins.” She walked ahead. “You can keep kissing afterward,” she added, slightly irritated.
“Geez, Erika… why so stressed today?” Kay asked.
“Because I’ve got a lot on my plate. So please, just follow me,” Erika replied.
She led them toward the hall.
------
Erika opened two large doors. The hall was massive.
Rows of chairs, tables, and students from Kuromorimine and other schools filled the space.
“Wow… this place is huge,” Alisa said. She hadn’t expected it to be this big.
“Where’s Thea-chan? I’ve missed her so much,” Kay asked Erika and Darjeeling.
Erika pointed to a countdown displayed on the stage.
“When that countdown hits zero in five minutes the commander, Johanna, and I will take the stage to announce the new regulations,” she explained.
“So I’ll leave you now, but I’ll take you to your seats first.”
She led the three girls to the front row.
“Johanna wanted you to have these seats. A few other representatives will be joining you.” Then she noticed Miho approaching.
"Like Miho for example."
Miho smiled as she neared the group, Yukari by her side.
“Hello everyone. I hope we’re not too late?” Miho asked.
“Just in time, Miho,” Erika said without stopping. “Please take your seats. Johanna and your sister wanted you to sit in the front row as friends.”
She glanced at the countdown. Five minutes left. “I’d love to chat more, but time’s ticking.”
Then she disappeared behind a door.
Yukari leaned slightly toward Miho.
“Say, Miho… who exactly is this Johanna? Why haven’t I heard of her before?”
Miho chuckled.
“I’m not surprised. She hasn’t been active in Senshadō for the past six months.” She glanced at Darjeeling.
“But to answer your question — Johanna is Darjeeling’s younger sister.”
Yukari’s eyes widened.
“Wait… Darjeeling’s little sister? But she had a different name, didn’t she?” She thought for a moment, then turned to Darjeeling.
“Hey, Darjeeling-sama… is it true that Johanna is your younger sister? And is that her real name?”
Darjeeling turned to them.
“Yes, she is my younger sister. But her name now is Johanna.” She paused briefly. “I’m one of the few who still call her Thea.”
Yukari blinked.
“Why Thea, if I may ask?” She was clearly confused.
Darjeeling smiled.
“Because that’s her birth name. But… something happened. That’s why she goes by a different name now.” She turned her gaze back toward the stage.
“If you’d like, I can tell you more about her sometime — if you’re interested.”
Yukari smiled.
“That would be great, Darjeeling-sama!”
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Meanwhile, backstage:
Erika stepped through the door.
“Hey Johanna, just wanted to let you know — they’ve all taken their seats.”
Then she looked at Maho. “Your sister’s seated too, Commander.”
Maho nodded.
“Thank you, Erika.”
Meanwhile, Johanna looked nervous.
“Oh man, I’m so nervous…” she whispered, pacing in circles. “What if I mess up and say something wrong?”
Erika looked at Maho, puzzled.
“What’s going on with her? She’s usually so cold and focused when planning — always making ten backup plans…”
Maho looked just as confused.
“I don’t know. But I suppose it’s part of it… the doctor did say her personality might shift a little.”
Erika walked over to Johanna.
“What do I do? What do I do?” she kept repeating.
Erika grabbed her arm.
“Hey, Johanna — look at me,” she said. Johanna stared at her, frozen.
“It’s going to be okay, alright? Just try not to overthink it… I get nervous too.” Erika blushed slightly. It was a bit embarrassing to admit.
“But I always find a fixed point to focus on. Or I try to distract myself somehow.”
Johanna looked at her, still frozen — but tears welled up in her eyes.
“I just can’t do this!” she whimpered. “Where’s Koume? I want to see her!”
Erika sighed.
“If people only knew how sentimental you are, Johanna…” She took a deep breath. “You know Koume can’t be here right now — she’s at the reception.”
Maho watched the scene unfold, then sighed.
“Erika,” she whispered, motioning her over. Johanna remained frozen in place.
“This isn’t going to work,” Maho whispered.
“Then what do we do?” Erika whispered back.
“Like this,” Maho said, stepping toward Johanna.
“Johanna!” she barked in command.
Johanna snapped to attention.
“Jawohl” (Yes, ma’am!)
Maho stood tall.
“You’re about to go out there and fulfill your duty as this school’s lieutenant! Do you understand?” Her gaze was ice-cold — but it had to be. Otherwise, Johanna would never stop crying.
“Yes, I understand!” Johanna replied. “Good,” Maho said, satisfied.
Erika’s jaw dropped. She couldn´t believe it.
“Holy crap… how did you do that?”
Maho turned to her.
“I’m her commander. Not her therapist.”
Erika just shrugged.
“Touché…” Was all she could say.
Then Erika walked toward the stage. She glanced at the countdown.
“One minute left,” she said.
Maho looked back at Johanna, who was still standing at attention.
“At ease,” she said in her commanding tone. “And get ready. It’s almost time.”
“Yes, Kommandant,” (Commander) Johanna replied. Her tears had already dried.
She put on her uniform jacket and fastened the pin-up at her collar — a gift from Darjeeling.
“All set, Commander,” she said.
“Good. Then let’s go,” Maho replied.
The three girls stepped onto the stage.
------
The countdown hit zero, and the lights dimmed.
Three figures walked onto the stage from the side: Maho Nishizumi, Erika Itsumi, and Johanna Grey.
They stood side by side and bowed.
“Wow, she looks so different,” Miho said, surprised.
“What did she look like before?” Yukari asked curiously.
“Well, she used to wear her hair just like Darjeeling,” Miho replied.
And she was right — Johanna did look different.
Her hair was now tied back in a ponytail. Her posture had become more elegant, likely due to her year at St. Gloriana.
Then Maho stepped up to the microphone.
“Good evening to everyone present. We will now announce the new regulations for Senshadō.” She paused briefly.
“I recommend writing down any questions or important information. Flyers summarizing the key points are available at the reception — but please wait until after the presentation to collect them.”
She turned to Erika and gestured toward her.
“That concludes my part. My lieutenant will now present the technical changes in Senshadō.” With that, Maho stepped back and Erika stepped forward.
The audience applauded.
Erika approached the microphone. She took a deep breath, then spoke with a firm voice.
“Good evening, esteemed guests. I’m Erika Itsumi, and I will now present the technical changes.” She picked up the microphone and a remote control, then turned to the screen where the countdown had just been displayed.
Erika clicked the remote. The screen changed. A new image appeared:
“Senshadō 2.0 – Strategy, Structure, Symbolism”
She clicked again. A new slide appeared — it was about a new game mode.
“As you can see, there will be a new game mode. Two teams, each consisting of five schools, will compete against each other.” She clicked again — more details appeared.
“Each team may deploy up to 100 tanks. It’s important that the schools within each team coordinate how many tanks each will bring to the field.” She turned back to the audience.
“This is meant to encourage cooperation — not just within schools, but across them. The relationships between schools should deepen even further.”
She clicked again.
A new slide appeared:
“Adaptive Terrain Analysis”
“As you can see, this refers to adaptive terrain analysis. Regardless of the game mode, participants will receive a forecast two days before the match — showing wind, visibility, and weather conditions. This allows teams to adjust or refine their strategies accordingly.”
She paused briefly, then clicked again.
“And finally, we’ll reveal the participating schools in this new game mode.” She clicked once more. Another slide appeared. “We selected ten participants by lottery. The following schools were chosen:” She pulled out a note.
“Kuromorimine, Saunders, St. Gloriana, Pravda, Jatkosota, BC Freedom, Anzio, All Stars University, Oarai, and Chi-Ha-Tan.”
The teams were already assigned:
Team One: Kuromorimine, Jatkosota, Oarai, Anzio, Chi-Ha-Tan
Team Two: St. Gloriana, Saunders, All Stars University, BC Freedom, Pravda
“As you can see." Erika said. "The teams have already been formed. We aimed for a balance of firepower, mobility, commander experience, and fairness — no team should be disadvantaged. Of course, the schools were consulted beforehand about potential allies. This is the result.”
Erika handed the remote to Johanna and placed the microphone back in its holder.
“That concludes the key information about the new game mode. My Kameradin (Comrade) will now explain the technical details regarding vehicles and equipment.” She then stepped beside Maho.
“Wow, so many schools — and so many tanks?” Yukari whispered to Miho.
“I think this new game mode isn’t such a bad idea. And besides…” Miho said, looking thoughtful.
“What is it?” Yukari asked.
“I have a feeling the vehicle updates will be really exciting. Especially for you, Yukari,” Miho replied.
Johanna stepped forward.
She held the remote in one hand, the microphone in the other. She took a deep breath, then spoke.
“Good evening from me as well. I’m Johanna Grey, lieutenant of Kuromorimine. I’ll now present the changes to vehicles and equipment introduced with Senshadō 2.0.”
She clicked the remote. A new slide appeared:
“New Vehicle Types”
“From now on, in addition to heavy, medium, light tanks and self-propelled guns, vehicles with wheels will be allowed for the first time.”
She clicked again — three new images appeared.
“Examples of these new vehicles include the SdKfz 222, the Panzerwerfer 42 ‘Maultier’, and the BM-13 ‘Katyusha’.”
“Katyusha?... I thought that was just the name of a Russian song,” Alice whispered.
“Alice!? Since when are you here? Of course there’s a weapon system with my name. I’m not just any commander. Right, Nonna?” Katyusha whispered back, slightly embarrassed that Alice didn’t know — though how could she?
“Since when have you been here? Especially in the front row?” Miho asked, surprised.
“Miss Grey invited us. She respects Katyusha. And every commander should sit up front,” Nonna said in her typically calm manner.
“Ah, okay…” Miho said. She found it a bit unusual that Johanna had invited all the commanders to sit in the front row — but she dismissed the thought and looked back at Johanna.
“Vehicles like the SdKfz 222 or the Katyusha are meant to play support roles. That means we’ll now have mobile scouts to quickly identify enemy positions — and mobile rocket artillery to engage them from a distance,” Johanna explained.
She clicked to the next slide.
“Now to the final point of this presentation: ‘Enhanced Equipment.’ Since we’ll be deploying 100 vehicles, it’s only logical to provide schools with appropriate gear.”
She inhaled, then exhaled.
“In plain terms: upgraded radios will be provided — including the ability to intercept enemy communications.”
She glanced at Alisa, whose eyes now sparkled with excitement.
“But for fairness, there are strict regulations. Each side may only listen in for five minutes, and must wait eight minutes before doing so again. These five minutes can be split up — you don’t have to be glued to the radio the whole time.”
Johanna turned to the screen and pointed to an image. It showed a camouflaged vehicle.
“Enhanced equipment also includes camouflage nets — allowing passive scouts to conceal themselves more effectively. Any vehicle can use this camouflage, but it must remain stationary. Of course, it may rotate if the situation requires.”
She clicked one last time.
The screen returned to the logo:
“Senshadō 2.0 – Strategy, Structure, Symbolism”
“I hope you enjoyed this presentation. We wish you a pleasant evening. If you turn around, you’ll see the bar where you can order drinks or food.”
Johanna stepped back. Erika and Maho joined her, and the three bowed together. The audience applauded.