So this chapter almost ended up being as long as the previous two put together. Whether this is because I'm getting better at writing or just a in the moment thing is yet to be seen.

For those of you who that came on Mizutanitony's recommendation, I hope that you enjoy the fic, and to Mizutanitony himself, thanks for the Shout Out.

The characters in this story don't belong to me, but to atlus.

EDIT: This chapter has been updated since 9/9/18. Thanks again to Chessicfayth for all your help.

Chapter 2

Last night's encounter had left Sadayo feeling mentally exhausted. For the rest of the night she had worried about what Kurusu-kun would do. Even though he had promised not to say anything (and she had made sure to explain that him saying anything would be detrimental to both of them), she wasn't completely sure he wouldn't risk it just to spite her. It had caused her precious few hours sleep to be reduced even further, and for most of the school day she had a hard time focusing. She did manage to take a small nap in the teacher's lounge during her break, but was woken up all too soon by another faculty member so she could get back to teaching.

As school ended, she was more than ready to leave and get some desperately needed rest before her busy evening. So of course, on her way out of the main hall, she ran into a determined Ms. Chouno.

"Leaving already?" the English teacher asked, an eyebrow raised, implications hanging in the air.

"Hey… sorry, but I'm feeling tired today. Is it okay if we do this another time?" Sadayo was not in the mood nor coherent enough to deal with her nosy co-worker right now, and wanted to get out of the conversation as soon as possible.

"You know what position we're in, right?" Ms. Chouno said putting the pressure on as she leaned in closer to Sadayo. "We already had a number of scandals. All of us are going to be questioned, and that includes you!"

"The thing is..." Sadayo turned her head, trying to avoid eye contact. "I have other business to attend to, and I need some time to rest. So, if you'll excuse me..."

"We aren't done here!" Ms. Chouno did not let up, moving even closer while pointing her finger at her. "You are always the first to leave, and you barely show up to the Faculty meetings! So tell me, what is this "business" that you have to deal with?"

"That's…. Um" Sadayo backed away. She was too tired to keep thinking up new excuses, and Ms Chouno's constant questioning was putting her in a corner.

While all of this was happening Akira and Morgana were eavesdropping on the conversation. He had been planning to head out and meet up with Ryuji, Ann and Yusuke at the hideout, but was curious about what the two teachers were arguing about. Especially after what he had learned the night before.

"Wow, she wasn't kidding about Ms. Chouno grilling the other teachers." Morgana remarked as he popped his head out of Akira's bag. "What are you thinking?"

"We have enough on our plate to deal with as it is Mona. Sad as it is, whatever problem those teachers have is none of our concern. They let it get to this point, so they should deal with it." Akira turned to walk away from the scene. " Besides, she's always telling me about how I shouldn't be such an inconvenience to her. I thinks it's only fair that she should do the same herself."

"If you say so Joker." Morgana replied as he slipped back into his bag.

Akira proceeded to head out the gate, but couldn't help looking back one more time. What he saw caused him to pause. Sadayo looked nervous, frightened, and alone. Akira was always someone who couldn't leave people in trouble. It was a character flaw. It was what had gotten him into this mess when he had tried to help that lady from the drunkard, but it was also what had allowed him to give Ann someone to talk to and become good friends. That same desire to help other was ringing in his head.

With a sigh Akira turned around and walked up to the two teachers. "Ms. Kawakami, I have another question, if you can help me?"

"Another question?!" both teachers responded in confusion, though for different reasons.

"Oh, Ms. Chouno, my apologies if I interrupted something" Akira said with what looked like honest expression on his face.

"Ms. Kawakami, what is he talking about?" Chouno turned to Sadayo, momentarily deterred from her questioning.

"I-I..." Sadayo was just as confused, and didn't know how to respond. Fortunately for her, Akira quickly took control of the situation

"I was having difficulty getting used to classes, since it has been quite different from my last school. Ms. Kawakami has been helping me by answering some of my questions after class. It's been a big help." Akira said with a polite smile.

"Th-That's right!" Sadayo, having finally caught up. "Kurusu-kun's questions are very complicated, so I take time at night to help him..."

Ms. Chouno seemed to contemplate what Akira and Sadayo had told her as she looked at both of them. "It is true that you've been doing quite well in classes." as she turns turns to Sadayo with a curious look. "So you've been giving extra lessons outside school hours, hmm?"

"She's been a big help, I owe her a lot." Akira added, his smile widening slightly.

Ms. Chouno nods at Akira's confirmation "I'm always happy to see students dedicated to their studies." As she turns to Sadayo, her stern expression morphs into a wide smile. "It seems you have a lot more passion for teaching than I realized. That's great to hear! A passionate teacher is what we need in this school right now. Excelente!" Ms. Chouno gives an apologetic bow to Sadayo "I'm sorry I suspected you. Well then, keep up the good work you two." and with that she turns to leave.

As she does Akira waves goodbye, his innocent smile transforming into his signature cocky grin. "Well, that went better than I expected.?"

Sadayo just looked in disbelief as his face quickly went from the quiet, absent minded student to the mischievous person she had run into the night before and sighed. "You have a twisted personality don't you? It is kind of scary how easily you can hide it."

"I come all the way back up here to help you out, and this is what I get?" Akira questioned with a nonchalant shrug as he shook his head. "Anyway, if you're done with your observations I'll be heading out now."

"Hold on!" Sadayo exclaimed, stopping Akira from leaving. She took a deep breath before continuing. "You're right, I'm sorry for my comment, and you helped me out a lot, so-" She was interrupted by Akira raising his hand in front of her, cutting her off as he looked around.

Akira had noticed the Student Council president had recently taken to following him around every once in a while. Wanting to make sure anything discussed didn't find her ears, he made sure that she wasn't hiding around the corner. As he turned, he saw Sadayo writing in a piece of paper some information.

"You seem worried about someone hearing us, so we can't talk here." She said in a quiet voice as she handed him the piece of paper. "Here is the address and number to my night job. Please call and request me next Friday and we can continue talking at a later point."

"So it will cost me for our talk to continue?" Akira was a bit annoyed at the prospect of having to pay.

"It can't be avoided. If you wish this discussion to continue request me, we'll have talk then." She paused, unsure of herself for a moment. "Anyway guess I should head out, get home safely Kurusu-kun."

As Sadayo took her leave Akira stood there considering his options. When he heard a familiar chuckle coming from his bag.

"I thought you said it was none of your business. You really are a softy, aren't you?" Morgana teased as he popped his head out of the bag once again.

"Oh, will you still think that if I lock you out of Leblanc tonight?" Akira responded with a hint of playfulness.

"You know I could pick the doors lock and let myself in easily. So... are you going to call her?"

"I have until next Friday right? I'll think it over." Akira pocketed the note and proceeded to leave the school. "I'm curious about what exactly she wants to talk about."

"What a week..." Sadayo fell on her couch, exhausted as she looked out the window.

It had been a couple of days since she gave Akira her work information, and tonight would be the night if he was going to call. Since then they really hadn't had contact outside of their regular interactions in class, with her asking and him answering the occasional study-related question. Not a hint of that devious personality showed during those days, only the quiet transfer student that caused a wave of rumors to swirl about him as he walked the halls. Much to Sadayo's confusion.

'They really gave me a problem student didn't they...'

Sadayo gave a deep sigh as she wondered what's going to happen during the rest of the school year. For the past few days she had been observing him, worried that he would be plotting something. In the process she noticed how Ryuji, Mishima and even Ann all seemed to have gathered around him. 'I told him to avoid Sakamoto-kun, but by the looks of it the two seem to get along very well. Akira even seems to be calming him down a bit. That was a wonder in and of itself. Actually, now that I think about it, I remember seeing them in the courtyard that one evening. Sakamoto-kun looked like he'd been beaten up, but he and Kurusu-kun seemed to be happily laughing together. For just a moment, he looked just like he used to when he was still in the track team. Not only that, but he and Takamaki-chan seem to getting along as well. She smiles a lot more around him, and she seems to be handling things well.' Thinking of Takamaki inevitably brought her thoughts back to the school's recent scandal. 'It's honestly kind of surprising, especially after what she went through with….'

"WAIT!"

With that, she sat up from her couch as a sudden realization came to her, pieces that she had either forgotten or ignored started fitting into place. "The track team was disbanded after Kamoshida said that Sakamoto-kun had attacked him." Sadayo spoke aloud to herself, trying to keep her thoughts in order. "But now that I think about it, Sakamoto-kun was badly beaten, while Kamoshida seemed unharmed. Didn't they say something about his leg being broken? Wouldn't breaking his leg be going too far, even for self defense? Why didn't any of us question that sooner? Why didn't the others say anything?! And the things he said about Takamaki-chan and Suzui-chan..." Sadayo eyes widened at this realization. "Didn't Kamoshida say that he was expelling Kurusu-kun and the other because they tried to strike at him? But when he confessed everything he even admitted to doing so just cause they confronted him." Sadayo ran her hand through her hair trying to make sense of what seemed to be wildly opposite behaviors from her new transfer.

All this information just caused Sadayo to fall on the couch once more with her hand covering her face as she groaned in frustration "Argh, seriously?! Did he even do anything wrong? So all he did was confront him, probably cause of what had happened to his friends and he almost got expelled! Everyone at school says his this violent person that would snap at any moment, but the person I saw that night acted much too relaxed and conniving to be so short-fused, but if he is so conniving then why did he put himself at risk of getting expelled? Which is the really him?!" As the frustration dwindled Sadayo was left with the realization on how little she knew about him. "I wonder… He's a problem, but he still doesn't seem like the kind of kid that would be violent."

It wasn't just him though. While remembering past events, it truly became apparent to her just how little she knew. About the happenings at school, or the student. "If all of that is true, then it's no wonder Sakamoto-kun is the way he is. Who would listen to a teacher that simply yelled at him when he was in trouble. And I'm sure Takamaki-chan and Suzui-chan will feel the same way…" The weight of those failures only piled on top of her existing ones, a reminder of her past mistakes and more confirmation about what she already knew.

"I… really am a failure of a teacher aren't I…?" It was just one more thing...

Her thoughts were broken up as her phone rang. She looked at the number and saw it was her night job, they always transferred any customer that requested her to her phone, it made it safer since it meant none of them knew her personal number. As she prepared herself mentally she picked up the phone, forcing a smile and cheerful tone.

"Hiiii, this is Becky-"

"Are you available to continue our talk…? Becky?" She could hear the mocking smirk in the way he said her maid name.

"…. Oh, it's you." That tone on the other end could belong only to the person she was just thinking about. With that realization, her chipper tone was replaced with her usual voice. "Just so you know the call and request fee will add up to 5,000 yen. Are you sure you really want to do this?" Part of her was hoping that the cost would persuade him from continuing this further. It was bad enough that he had found out about her, but being requested by a student definitely didn't help her situation either. Sadly, she still didn't have enough for this week's payment, so she was willing to meet up with her problem student if it meant getting the money.

"Sure thing, I'll make the payment then."

She was taken back at how easily he was okay with spending that much, but she was the one that gave him the note and told him request her. "Very well, I'll be there as soon as I can..." Sadayo responded after taking a deep breath.

"Very well, See you then."

And with that the phone hung up. As she checked and saw the payment being confirmed. She just laid there and realized the absurdity of her situation. A student of hers had just requested her at her night job…. "Arggh! Seriously, what is with that kid?!"

Sadayo arrived what seemed to be his living location. She was quite surprised that the address turned out to be a coffee shop and not Sakura-san's house. She was also surprised to find that it wasn't that far off from her apartment complex. She knocked at the door and was greeted by Akira.

"Come in."

As Sadayo entered the coffee shop she took in her surroundings. The shop was very old fashioned, from the stools near the counter with the coffee siphons, to the shelves filled with many different kinds of coffee beans, letting their aroma filled the store. It seemed like a nice place to relax, though relaxing would mean having free time…

"So, this is where you live?"

Akira close the door and turned to the maid in front of him "Well, my room is actually upstairs." he moved past her, waving her to follow him. "This way."

As they went up, Sadayo saw where her student has been staying since he came here. It looked like an attic. In the corner was a twin size mattress with just an old sheet placed on top like a tablecloth. While there was a lot of space, it just felt empty. Most of the shelves were filled with seemingly discarded objects; only the one next to the bed seemed organized, but it too was mostly empty, with nothing but a ramen bowl on display. Akira proceed to sit on what seemed to be an extra bench like the ones downstairs.

"So this is your room..." Sadayo wasn't expecting this to be his living arrangement and was honestly shocked. "How do I put this…"

Akira chuckled as his teacher hesitated to comment at the state of his room and shrugged. "I know it's not much, but I make do, and I'm used to it by now. With this much space I'm able to customize things a bit and make it my own. I was even able to get a TV and DVD player from the second hand store on the corner recently." as he pointed to an insanely old television by the table next to the bench.

She didn't understand why he would be taking all of this so easily. She'd would have expected him to be upset, hating his living arrangement, and yet here he was making light of his situation. All she could do is look at her curious student and ask. "What kind of kid are you…? Really?"

"What do you mean by that?" looked at her with a puzzled look.

"When you're in school, you just keep your head down. You're not the most attentive in class, but you seem to be smart enough to answer correctly and pass your tests. You don't cause a disruption in class, and honestly, besides the incident with Kamoshida, I haven't heard anything about you causing any real problems with the other teachers." Her lips twitched slightly as she remembered a comment from one of her co-workers. "Though Mr. Ushimaru certainly wishes you'd pay more obvious attention." She'd heard about the dodge that had been the talk of several students that day.

Akira eyes narrowed, facing downward as she mentioned Kamoshida. He leaned forward placing his head on top of his hands with his fingers intertwined. "I had my reasons..."

"You did it because of what he was doing to your friends didn't you?" she asked softly.

Akira looked up at her, a surprised look in his face. During his time in Shujin he'd gotten used to people attributing the worst to him, and he figured that it would be the same when he, Ryuji, and Mishima confronted Kamoshida.

"The incident with the track team and Sakamoto-kun's injury... The rumors about Takamaki-chan, Mishima-kun's physical state and even what happened to Suzui-chan..." Sadayo took a deep breath as the feeling of guilt crept around her, once more having to confirm the kind of situation the students at school had to suffer through. A situation she had no knowledge of, mostly because of her own actions. "You saw how those you were becoming close were being treated, and wanted to do something. That takes courage, even if it was reckless, considering you're already on thin ice. It shows you're loyal to those you care about, and that you are willing to put yourself on the line for them. It's quite admirable, your willingness to do the right thing."

Akira could only chuckle at what he was hearing. "I never expected to be given a compliment by my teacher while she wore a maid outfit."

"But.." As Sadayo raised her finger at him to show her disapproval. "That still doesn't change the fact that you guys called a maid service, and you even requested me tonight." She crossed her arms as she continued. "Not to mention that you clearly are a troublemaker with a cocky attitude, considering how you behaved when you found out about me. And how easily you were able to lie to Ms. Chouno. Seriously, the way you normally act at school is completely different!"

Akira could only shake his head as he heard her complaint. "Sadly, I have to keep that appearance at school. It's bad enough with rumors about me spreading like wildfire since the first day. Any sign of frustration and people escalate it to absurd degrees. Some people still think me and Ryuji threatened Kamoshida into confessing, after all. The staff aren't any better either." Sadayo looked down as he took off his glasses and showed them to Sadayo. "These aren't even prescription, they're just fakes. I wear them so I look more like a model student." Akira seem cool headed, but his tone of voice dripped with venom as he remembered how he was treated, and everything he had to deal with since the first few days of arriving in Tokyo.

"All of that because of the criminal record you have on you." Sadayo responded with a sad look on her face. "Was that situation also because you did the right thing?"

Akira's frustration dissipated. He was flabbergasted to hear Sadayo not mention his record with annoyance as she usually did at school, but with sadness and wanting to hear his side of things."Oh, uhm...I guess," he answered, as he scratched the back of his neck. "Not like it would matter."

"It must be hard not having a place where you belong…Hey..." Akira turned as Sadayo called for his attention, her word sounding like they came from experience."I said I would return the favor if you helped me out right. So how about I let you skip class from time to time? Would that help you out?"

Akira was a bit surprised at her offer. "Are you sure that's okay for a teacher to do?" he responded while he messed with his hair.

"But-" Sadayo pointed her finger at him as she continue. "I reserve the option of changing my mind if your grades begin to suffer, got it?" Sadayo for the first time gave him a smirk of her own "After all, I can't have you failing if I'm helping you with your questions, right? And in return, you won't tell anyone about me moonlighting as a maid. Do we have a deal?"

Akira chuckled at her remark. "So you're going to use the lie I made up Ms. Chouno to your advantage? And I'm the sly one?"

"You're the one that put me in that position. If you don't keep it up, suspicions is going to come my way again." Sadayo said acting as a teacher scolding her student who made a terrible excuse for not handing out his homework, only to follow with a wink and a pose fitting of someone dressed like a maid. "So you better not slack off on your studies, Master. 3"

Akira could only laugh as Sadayo once again surprised him. He was quite impressed that she was able to keep up with him, and even throw him for a loop at times. She was definitely smart, he'd give her that. "With reasons like that how can I argue." Akira replied as he shrugged nonchalantly, before nodding. "Okay, It's a promise."

Sadayo returned his nod one one of her own "Then it's a deal." With that out of the way Sadayo gave deep sigh and a look of shame as her hands grabbed both her her arms, realizing the situation she ended up getting herself into 'Still... What am I doing with one of my students like this...'

"Everything alright…?" Akira asked with a perplexed look in his face as he saw his teacher's appearance change from someone with such confidence to one full of regret.

Sadayo shook her head, trying to not think of the situation to hard. "It's fine… Anyway I should be heading out now." She looked around the room, while wasn't littered with trash or clothing, it was definitely filled with dust and wasn't maintained that much. 'He says he's used to it, but I'm guessing he doesn't spend much time here.' Sadayo turned her gaze back to Akira. "One more thing. Feel free to request me if you need any help with housework, okay?"

"Why…?" Akira raised and eyebrow at Sadayo's additional offer.

"I mean... we both know each other's secret, and after seeing your place it would put my mind at ease… and my place isn't that far off so it wouldn't take me long."

Akira shook his head at her belief that she knew his secret. 'Sorry, but you're nowhere close to knowing the kind of secrets I have. I'd probably be in much bigger trouble if you did.' What Sadayo said seemed sincere, that after seeing Akira's state of housing, it was hard for her to ignore the situation he was in. But she wasn't telling the whole truth, and Akira knew it, so he inquired a bit more.

"I thought it would be bad for a high school student to call a maid service?" He retorted as he, leaned forward with elbows against his legs and head resting on his forearms. "What brought this change?"

"Well… I'm uh..." Sadayo grabbed hold of both arms as she looked away, ashamed that she had to admit this. "The truth is… I'm considered over the hill for this kind of job, so I don't get requested that often..."

Akira was surprised by this. While the straight pigtails were an odd choice considering how her hair usually was, she was still quite attractive. "Very well, I'll take it into consideration." He said with a smile as he crossed his arms, leaning back once more. "I tend to be very busy, so the help would be appreciated."

Sadayo returned his smile with one of her own, grateful that he had humored her request. "Thanks… And I'll show my appreciation by making it easier for you to slack off in class. Anyway I should head out for now. Thank you for using our service." Sadayo gave a curtsy and with that left for the night.

Akira got ready to call it a night when Morgana came from the window. His feline friend had gone for a stroll while he and Sadayo talked and had just returned. Akira finished up getting ready and sat on the bed, Morgana taking a seat next to him.

"So how did it go?" Morgana asked, curious to why Akira had decided to call her.

Akira leaned to his side, resting his head on one of his left hand as he faced Morgana. "We made a deal... I don't mention anything about her being a maid, and she will let me get some free time during class."

"That could definitely help us out. We could use some extra prep time." Morgana said with perked ear.

"Or I can use it to study a bit more. She gave the condition that if I start failing, then the deal is off."

"Well it's probably for the best if you keep the image of a good student… Either way it will open us up a bit more."

Akira slumped down the bed as he look toward the ceiling. While the prospect of slacking off in class was inviting, he was more intrigued by the fact that she had asked him to request her again. He had to admit that had enjoyed their talk tonight. He kept finding himself surprised by her, surprised that he wanted to continue talking with her. Especially after tonight... He wasn't expecting to her to be sympathetic, particularly after those looks of disdain she had kept giving him. He found it odd. She seemed smart enough to understand and connect the dots about what had happened between him and Kamoshida, but then why didn't she notice it before, or notice when Ryuji got injured? He was surprised to admit it, but he seemed to find his teacher a very mysterious individual and was quite intrigued by her.

"Is there something on your mind?" Morgana asked as he walked on top of Akira, looking at him face to face.

Akira turned his head to avert Mona's gaze. "Nothing much, just thinking that this place could use some cleaning."