Oarai has another training match, with Hippo Team having gotten a hit on Rabbit Team due to the former setting an ambush and the latter's mistake of proceeding into the open without knowing where the enemy was. Miho praises the former and gently give advice to the latter. Saori notes that Miho is getting better at leading, and Miho downplays the compliment, saying that everyone else is getting better.
Saori points out that it hasn't been long since the St. Gloriana match (which means it's a bit surprising that they fit it into the brief Time Skip near the end of Episode 4), and Mako concurs, surprised that they found an opponent so quickly. Saori asks Miho about Maginot, and Miho gives the description of the "old" Maginot. Saori worries about being forced to do something like the Anglerfish dance again, but Yukari's simply glad to do tankery. It's interesting looking at various people's attitudes toward tankery prior to the tournament taking on much higher stakes.
From the top of a hill, the student council watches, with Momo saying that they will have to get stronger, concurring with Miho's assessment that they lack experience, and saying that their efforts against St. Gloriana were far from satisfactory. She then goes into a Heroic BSoD when Anzu reminds her about her poor accuracy, an effectiv way of humbling Momo (one has to wonder whether, if Momo hadn't spoiled the initial ambush, Oarai might have won). Anzu brushes it off with "C'est la vie," (an appropriately French phrase), and has Turtle Team join the training. After telling Momo to cheer up, Yuzu ponders how Maginot changed its commander (which, if true, makes it one more commonality they have with Oarai; recall that Momo was originally commander).
Back at Maginot, Fondue brings Eclair information on Oarai's match with St. Gloriana, promising that she will be surprised. Eclair is surprised by the presence of Miho on the team, knowing that she was the former vice-captain of Black Forest. Eclair is apparently an avid admirer of the Nishizumi style (I have to wonder why she isn't at the Nishizumi-dominated Black Forest or a Nishizumi student, but that may be answered later), and in particular admires Shiho's strength and beauty, as commander of Black Forest. It's good to point out that Shiho, while almost universally reviled among the Western fanbase of Girls und Panzer, is highly respected in-universe.
To a lesser extent (the point at which she refers to her as -san rather than -sama), Eclair looks up to Maho, saying that she doesn't compare to her mother at her age, but possesses Nishizumi virtues. Eclair's stomach starts hurting at the prospect of fighting another Nishizumi style practitioner, but Fondue reminds her that Miho is no Shiho, and Oarai lost against St. Gloriana. Reassured, Eclair starts the strategy meeting, and begins by reminding everyone that Oarai is no Black Forest, even if it has the latter's former vice captain. They also bring up Oarai's defeat against St. Gloriana once again; perhaps it's the girls' first time hearing this, but it certainly isn't the readers'.
Eclair concludes that Oarai has the determination to challenge St. Gloriana, but not the combat strength. On Eclair's prompt, Fondue ranks the tanks from strongest to weakest; the former is the Panzer IV, and the latter is, obviously, the Type 89, but the middle three are not mentioned. The two of them, however, point out that Miho's skill as commander turned what would have been a hopeless battle into a near victory, and Eclair promises to show them their new style. Galette seems to be about to make a roundabout point in favor of sticking with what they know, but backs down when Fondue politely disagrees. They then decide to hold a training match.
Maginot begins training. One of their tanks, Clubs Bull, scores a kill on another, but makes the mistake of being taken out while they're loading. A collision occurs between Eclair's tank (which seems to have a spade on it) and Diamond Bull, but no one is badly hurt. Eclair scolds Diamond Bull's crew for their negligence, and they apologize, with Fondue saying that the commander has to do everything except drive. Gallette seizes the opportunity to argue about the difficulties of the new style. Unpleasant as she may be, she does seem to be on to something, although Eclair may be correct in that their old style is getting them nowhere and they need to be open to change (albeit an odd sentiment from a Nishizumi admirer).
After assigning the Diamond and Club commanders reports on what happened, Eclair ponders what Gallette had said, and realizes that good communication will be key to this, wondering if she should rethink their lineup. The chapter ends with Eclair determined to live up to the trust her predecessor placed in her, and her thoughts going back to the event of months ago.
Incidentally, this now has more installments than any of my other liveblogs, even if it's one of the newer ones.
Next Installment: In an effort to effect change at Maginot, Eclair duels her friend and commander.
