Love Kiyohiko Azuma for creating Azumanga Daioh.


Her English teacher was moodier than usual that day, Yomi noticed. However, while bad-tempered and excitable, Yukari was most definitely not out to get her, unlike the knuckleheads seemed to be. Those three could tick her off without even trying. Still, Yukari seemed to insist on calling on her for all the difficult questions, much to the smart girl's dismay. Indeed, Yomi prided herself on her intelligence, but that was no reason to pick on her for all the hard ones, especially when Chiyo was practically hopping out of her seat to try to save her.

It was like the teacher got sadistic pleasure from watching her squirm and struggle for the answer. While she glowered down at Yomi, the girl could have sworn she saw a smirk playing on her face, effectively causing her to lose her train of thought. "Don't know? Maybe you should have concentrated harder on your homework."

Chiyo continued to bounce in her seat to help Yomi, waving her arm at Yukari, who apparently took no notice. Tomo did nothing helpful. "Yeah, Yomi, you should study instead of listening to your own diet-" The taller girl's face turned red as she screamed at the top of her lungs (to drown Tomo out), "SHUT UP, YOU GOD DAMNED MORON!"

Thankfully, the bell rang before Yukari could do anything to punish either of them, and she leaned forward onto her desk in relief (partially that the torturous class was over, and partially that no one seemed to hear what Tomo said). Done. "Koyomi Mizuhara." All too used to being called "Yomi", it took a moment for the girl to realize that Yukari was calling her.

She looked up, and the first thing she noticed was the funny glint in the teacher's eyes. Somewhat alarmed, she sat up straight. "W-what is it?" Was she in trouble for earlier?

"I want you to stay behind after class. Alone." And then Yukari walked off, without an explanation. As soon as the woman left the room, Tomo dutifully announced as loudly as possible, "YOMI GOT DETENTION." The taller girl sighed and gave her so-called friend a swift whack on the head- the only language Tomo understood.

Well, at least the day couldn't possibly get any worse.


"You wanted to see me?"

It was her first detention- Yomi blamed Tomo completely. If she hadn't insisted on sleeping over and distracting her, perhaps she would have been able to figure out and remember her English properly. That did it- no more sleepovers when she had too much homework.

Yeah, right. Tomo would probably stop listening at "no".


"What? Yomi in trouble? U-unbelievable!" Nyamo seemed shocked that the lazy Yukari was giving out detention- and to Yomi, of all people! Yukari nodded. "Unfortunately, she decided to interrupt class, and failed to do her homework properly," she exaggerated, staring Nyamo straight in the eye for effect. "I couldn't believe what had gotten into her." At this, the other teacher looked like she became suspicious- maybe Yukari had accidentally overdone her acting. However, she didn't object, and at least she had a reason not to listen to Yukari's constant complaints about her driving.

It had taken a long time for everyone to clear out- as an extra precaution, Yukari had even checked that Nyamo was outside. However relieved she was at not having to give Yukari a ride, she seemed to feel guilty about leaving her behind, and stayed to wait, cleaning out the gym equipment with some of her students (and Tomo, who wanted to wait for Yomi).

The teacher nodded, standing up from her desk and beginning to walk toward Yomi, who stood there as if she had done nothing wrong. The little bitch- there were too many things she was doing wrong, even without realizing it.

It was like staring at a young Nyamo. That nervous, even a little frightened expression was one that she had seen before- both inside her dreams and out. Yomi- she was a good girl, always did what she was told, even when she knew that she was right. Always relied on and looked up to by her classmates, but never resisted authority. Just like her. It was all too easy.

Yukari's steps carried her behind Yomi, and there, she stopped.