Heart of Steel (Maho, Girls und Panzer)

Tense Conversation

"I think things are really going to go bad for me this time Miho..." Maho muttered as she sat on her bed next to her sister who was rubbing her back slowly.

"It'll be alright, mother will change her mind eventually I'm sure"

Maho chuckled slightly at her sister's words, "Normally I'd happily follow her every word but this time..."

"I know" Miho whispered as she leant in and hugged Maho, whose lip had begun to quiver as she spoke.

"What am I going to do?" Maho then asked as Miho held her tightly, unsure of how to respond...

---Paul, Michael and Erika POV---

"Are you sure this is a good idea?..." Paul asked with a gulp as Michael knocked on the front door of the house.

"Of course it is~" Michael responded with a smile as they waited for someone to answer the door.

"I've never met her mother though..."

"She's a great woman, very welcoming~" Michael responded with a laugh, watching as Erika gave Paul a slight smile of encouragement before looking towards Michael with a bewildered expression.

(Erika in head) "What the hell is his plan?"

"Hello Miss Nishizumi~" Michael said happily with a bow as Shiho opened the door with her usual stern expression.

"Hello Michael" She quickly responded, watching as Paul and Erika bowed as well.

"So it's you?..." She then added as she saw Paul standing just behind Michael.

"What are you here for?" She then asked, turning a sharp expression towards Paul as Michael answered with a confident expression.

"We're here to talk about him and Maho"

"There's nothing to discuss, goodbye" Shiho then responded, starting to close the door between her and Michael.

Seeing this, he quickly leaned forward and put his hand on the door, holding it open.

"I know you've made your mind up about him and her, but at least give him a chance to explain himself first" Michael then spoke, in the most confident and self assured tone he could manage. Still sure she was going to say no.

Shiho took in a breath as she glanced over at Paul who was looking back at her with a slightly nervous expression.

She then let out a sigh as she spoke, "Fine, I'll hear what you have to say"

Michael then let out a deep sigh of relief as he and the others followed Shiho inside.

As they did Erika patted Paul's back lightly and whispered, "I can't believe that worked~"

As then entered the small living area, Paul, Michael and Erika knelled across from Shiho at the small table at the center of the room.

"Well?" She spoke, breaking the long and awkward silence.

"U-Um, w-well..." Paul stuttered, still trying to find his words.

An action which caused Shiho to furrow her brows.

He then took a deep breath and looked up at her with a steady expression as he began to speak.

"Look, I know you don't like the idea of me spending time with your daughter. I know you think I'm a bad influence and that she should stay away from guys all together..." Paul started, taking a slight pause.

(Michael in head) "Where's the 'but'?! You're not selling yourself very well here..."

"But in the short time I've known her I felt something between us. I... I feel at ease whenever I'm with her and I thoroughly enjoy her company. I know I can't speak as to whether or not she feels the same but-"