**A Rusty Problem**

Prompt: Girl und panzer fanfiction kay while working on her Sherman’s 50 cal notices that the swivel mechanism is rusting

Kay wiped her brow, taking a moment to step back and admire her Sherman tank. The gleaming metal surface caught the sunlight, making the vehicle sparkle in a way that reminded her of the moments she had spent watching "Girls und Panzer." The sheer power and beauty of the tanks captured her heart, and she had made it her mission to restore this World War II classic to its former glory. With a gentle smile, she ran her fingers along the tank's body, feeling a connection to the decades of history it represented. Today’s task had been to inspect the 50 caliber machine gun mounted on the tank. As she adjusted her tools around her, her thoughts drifted to the battles that her favorite characters would face. "If only they could see me now," Kay mused, imagining how Miho or Erwin would handle the quirks and challenges of tank maintenance. Kay turned her focus back to her work, squatting low to inspect the gun’s mounted mechanism. It was then that she noticed a problem, one that sent a shiver down her spine. The swivel mechanism of the 50 caliber was rusty, the metal dull and pocked with corrosion. Her heart sank. She had spent countless hours ensuring every component of this tank was functional, and rust was an enemy she couldn’t afford. A tank was more than a collection of metal parts; it was an embodiment of teamwork, strategy, and resilience, much like the girls of Anko. "Alright," she said to herself, rallying her determination. “Let’s tackle this head-on.” She grabbed her tools and got to work, carefully disassembling the mechanism. She handled each piece with care, her mind racing with thoughts of how these rusty bits could hinder her pride and joy. As she twisted one of the bolts free, memories of her friends came flooding back. They had all laughed and cheered when she got the Sherman, a dream she had pursued even before she knew what a “tankery” competition was. They would often watch replays of the show together, she'd feel as if she were part of Team Anko. Well, now it was real for her—even if it wasn’t quite the same without the glamour and drama. Kay flipped the mechanism over and examined it closely. Sure enough, the rust had been festering for far too long. She grimaced. “It won’t be as simple as a quick wipe,” she thought. Grabbing a fine-grade sandpaper, she began to work on the rust, patiently sanding away the corrosion while thinking of all the memorable tank battles she had watched. “What would Erwin do?” she pondered. A brief chuckle escaped her lips at the thought of the heroine’s explosive personality contrasted against her own quieter resolve. It was in that moment Kay realized how much she had grown, taking inspiration from those strong, fictional characters to face the very real challenges she had committed to. As the rust commenced to yield to her determined scrubbing, she felt a swell of pride. She was confronting her own adversities within the tanking world, just like Miho and her friends. But a small part of her wondered, could she have been as courageous as Miho, taking on all those formidable opponents? Or was she merely a background character in her own life story? “Focus,” she instructed herself, shaking off the mental detours. She returned to her task with renewed fervor, channeling the energies of her beloved characters into each stroke against the rust. With every pass of the sandpaper, her resolve grew, and soon enough, the metal gleamed again, revealing the strength beneath the taint of time. After she finished sanding, she wiped down the mechanism with a clean cloth, exposing a solid metal base underneath the rust. “Now, time to protect you from future offenses,” she said while inspecting a can of preservation grease, a somewhat modern approach that those tankery girls probably didn’t have the luxury of back in their day. She began applying a generous amount of the grease to the mechanism, ensuring that it would not only function smoothly but be shielded from the elements that had previously wrought damage. Satisfied with her progress, she soon reassembled the gun, the clinks and clanks of the machinery resonating with the sense of triumph she longed for. As she stood back to admire her work, she realized how much love and dedication she had poured into this tank—her very own sanctuary. The sunlight began to dip low on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the tank’s surface, and she felt a familiar excitement fluttering in her stomach. There was a parallel to be drawn—like a tank battalion preparing for another combat mission, she too was suited for the challenges that lay ahead. Kay's phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was a message from her friends inviting her to a viewing party of the latest "Girls und Panzer" episode. She chuckled at how synchronicity often crept into her life, noticing the parallels between her own experiences and the girls' adventures onscreen. “Perfect timing,” she declared, brushing off her hands and walking away from the Sherman. She didn’t mind the rust she had found today; it wasn’t just about fixing a problem. It was about forging her path and making sure that no matter what challenges arose, she was capable of rising to meet them—just like the girls she admired. With laughter and smiles echoing in the back of her mind, she left the garage, her heart lighter and her spirit invigorated. It was just another detail in the never-ending story of her life. Even mundane tasks had become moments of courage and self-discovery, reminding her that sometimes, it’s not about the battles fought in tanks, but the battles fought within oneself. And for that, she was more than ready.