A/N: Whew... Another chapter... I just started school again and whew they are already piling us with stuff. Anyway enough about me, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Satomi quickly settled into the routine of class 3E in the weeks that followed. Start the day with a quick chat with the gris, followed by perhaps a small bicker with Terasaka if he decides to pick on her, try to prevent Karma from disturbing her during lessons, make sure she doesn't collapse out of exhaustion during physical education. All in all, she would say that she was enjoying class 3E a lot more than she ever did in her previous school.

It also did help that her class was a lot more encouraging than that of her previous school. Although they probably had no idea, they were actually helping her gain confidence in herself, with their encouraging ways, and she found it easier to simply be herself in the class. She could definitely understand why Karma seemed to enjoy this class much more, as she found herself feeling the same way.

Which meant that she got really irritated fast when she had to endure one hour of the main campus mocking class 3E.

Nagisa had explained on the hike up that school assemblies, held monthly, were depressing events, especially for the class 3E. They were used as platforms for the school to remind the main campus of the failures known as class 3E, and to scare the students into working hard so that they would not end up in the same plight. Knowing that her class would face some level of abuse, she had braced herself emotionally, ready to brush off any comment that would be thrown her away.

What awaited them was even worse than what she ever expected. The taunts were relentless, and she felt anger burn within her as she saw how her usually cheerful classmates took those insults without complaint, allowing themselves to be beaten down. Where was the fighting spirit that they encouraged in her only a few weeks back?

Glaring at the principal now delivering a 'oh-so-beautiful' speech about why they should be grateful that they were not in E class, and should strive to stay out of it, she clenched her fists angrily. Thanks to Korosensei, she had found the will to stand up again. And that meant she was sick and tired of being bullied around.

"Where's Karma-kun?" She heard Sugino whisper from behind her.

She looked around, not seeing the red-head in sight. She shrugged her shoulder, and sighed "Probably skipping."

Sugino nodded and whispered enviously, "Wish I had the guts to do that. Anything is better than this trash."

Satomi found herself nodding in agreement, although she usually did not condone Karma's flippant behaviour. Anything was better than listening to an hour of insults, to be honest. And though her parents were probably going to be subjected to another hour of complains, it wasn't as if anyone could do anything about it, which just made her even more upset.

Well, someone better hope that they didn't cross her anytime soon or they were sure going to get it from her. She was damn irritated right now.


She stalked around the campus, trying to find Nagisa who had disappeared off to buy a drink. Thank goodness for her teachers. The only highlight of the assembly was when each of her teachers had appeared, causing the rest of the school to look on enviously at how great their teachers were. As well as when they tried to make class 3E look bad by forgetting to print a copy of the note for them and Korosensei had gave each of them a hand copied piece each.

What a bunch of jerks. She couldn't help but think as she caught a bunch of main campus students staring at her classmates, whispering nasty things about them. She was getting real sick of playing victim so someone please help her before she did something she would regret.

"Oi you! Class 3E junk!" Satomi turned around to see a few boys surrounding Maehara, who was laughing nervously at them.

"Hello Kobayashi-kun, Ito-kun, Sato-kun. So sorry about bumping into you, didn't see you there. How's life by the way?"

"Shut up you useless piece of shit!" One of the boys spat in Maehara's face. "You class 3E brats need a lesson on respect. What makes you think you can waltz around in the main campus like you own it?"

His burly friend - Satomi decided to call him Meaty 1 - grabbed Maehara's shirt and lifted the struggling playboy up from the ground. "Uh… Gentlemen, could we perhaps talk this out in a civil manner?" Maehara tried to keep a cool tone but panic had already started to slip in.

"Oh yes, we are going to be extremely civil, when we punch the lights out of you." Meaty 2 cracked his knuckles . Was it just her, or did Spit have a problem keeping his saliva in his mouth.

Angrily, Satomi noted that the teacher that was standing not far away from the scene had quietly slipped away, not willing to stop this blatant act of bullying. Clenching her fist, she stormed up to the group of bullies.

"Oi you, what do you think you are doing?" She shouted. "Put him down!"

The group of boys turned around to see a furious girl standing before them. Lazily, Spit studied her up and down, "Hello there tiny. Aren't you one of the class 3E brats?"

Satomi stared at him condescendingly, tilting her chin upwards, "Great to see you still have some brain cells. I was wondering since you didn't seem to understand my previous sentence — Put him down!"

Meaty 1 released Maehara, who landed with a panful thud. "Why you little… Do you want me to punch your pretty little face?"

Unfazed, Satomi replied dryly, "Thanks for the compliment. Now is that all you have, because I have faced worse. You guys are kids when it comes to bullying."

Meaty 2 obviously couldn't withstand the insult to his pride and reached out to grab her. Maehara scrambled up from the floor and tried to stop him, only to be flung backwards like a fly. Satomi readied herself as the three goons started to move towards her; it seems like she may have have no choice but to fight herself out of this mess.

"What's going on here?" A sharp but familiar voice rang throughout the courtyard. The courtyard broke out in awed whispers as a strawberry red head stalked towards them.

Spit immediately turned towards the figure and bowed respectfully, "Asano-kun, we were just teaching some class 3E brats a lesson on respect. It seems like their time away from the main campus has eroded their sense of decorum and respect. Nothing you should worry about."

"You know Gakushu, I didn't expect such discourteous behaviour in this school. Allowing boys to hit defenceless girls, you should be ashamed of yourself. What have you been doing as council president?" Satomi commented cheekily, watching Asano expression change ever so subtly from shock to confusion as he finally noticed her.

"Why you.." Meaty 1 immediately grabbed her, "Show some respect for your betters."

Asano's eyes immediately flashed red, "I suggest you let go of her this instance. Barbaric behaviour is not tolerated in this school."

"But this disrespectful whore needs to be taught a lesson!" Meaty 1 protested,

"The disrespectful whore you are talking about happens to be my cousin!" Asano replied coldly. "Would you like to repeat your objections?"

The courtyard fell deadly silent and Meaty 1's grip slackened. Pushing off his hand, Satomi stepped out of the goons' reaches, and smoothened her uniform. "Thank you Gakushu. It was getting just a bit uncomfortable there."

Asano ran a hand down his face tiredly, "What are you doing here, Mi-chan? Are you not supposed to be in Kyoto?"

"I transferred here as of last week. Did your father not inform you?" She replied cheerfully.

Asano shook his head annoyed, "No, sounds like something he would do. But why here? And why class 3E? I'm pretty sure it would have been easy for you to enter my class with your grades?"

Satomi laughed and replied cryptically, "The same as you, we are all trapped in our fathers' crazy schemes."

"But unlike me, your father probably gave you a choice." Asano retorted quickly with a wry smile.

"You have a choice too." Satomi commented quietly, the smile dropping from her face.

Asano pressed his lips together and shook his head, "Mi-chan, I'm not having that same conversation here."

Schooling his features back to the impassive mask he always wore, he turned around to leave, "Take care of yourself, Mi-chan. It won't be easy here." He called out nonchalantly.

Giving in to her impulse, Satomi took 2 long strides to catch up with Asano and grabbed his hand. Standing on her tiptoes, she embraced him in a hug as he turned around and pecked his cheek softly, "And to you too, Ni-chan."

Asano's features softened and he returned the hug, before quickly letting go. "Go," his tone remained neutral as he turned around once again to leave, "it's a long hike back to your class."

She gave herself a few seconds to stare wistfully at her cousin's retreating back before turning around to walk past the dumbstruck bullies. Helping the gaping Maehara back up, she reverted to her normal cheerful self, saying, "Come on, Maehara-kun! We don't want to be late for class, don't we?"

A/N: And done! Like it, hate it? Please review!