Chapter 4: Daily Grind

Disclaimer: This story is for entertainment purposes only. Digimon is owned by Saban Brands and Toei Animation. Also the story is based around The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel So it may sound familiar if you know the game but don't worry. I'll be sure to keep it fresh.

April 20, 2030

Location: Rainbow Bridge Academy

A few weeks had passed ever since their first trip to the Digital World, and the students of Class D haven't gone back since. They've been adjusting to the amount of schoolwork the Academy had been giving them, and it was no cake walk. The students were given a similar schedule to those in Class A, so it put them right in direct classes with them on occasion.

It was currently early in the morning, meaning classes had yet to start and students had been preparing. A multi floored building that looked a little too outdated for the modern times had been erected some ways from the Academy. However, this was the only vacant building available that could house numerous amounts of people. Since Class D was also a new class in the school system they needed a dorm building for themselves. Thus they were saddled with the less advanced building that didn't come with the pleasantries the other three dorms did. Granted they were a small group, getting the short end of the stick seemed a little cruel and unjust in the beginning. Luckily over time the students adjusted to their considerable distance from the school and lackluster luxuries the building had to offer. To add insult to injury they really couldn't file a complaint or request for a relocation simply because they were going to the school for free.

The Academy's tuition rates are rather sadistic to the wallets of families that send their children there. As expected, the wealthy send their children since the upper crust didn't have monetary issues. However most students in classes B and C were of middle class background and it was financial torture to some of the unlucky students. So they turned their heads to scholarships in hope of affording all five to six years. And transfer students are another mess entirely as they run the risk of retaking classes and repeating grades.

Class D seemed to function differently from their peers. First and foremost, most of their required academics such as arithmetic, reading and writing, English and other foreign languages, etc. all seemed to coincide with Class A students. They were also handed the exact same schedule so they had the same level classes at the same time everyday. Some prospered, others... not so much. Since they were small it made sense. Another thing was their size. Class A, B, and C all have approximately 20-30 students per classroom and each classroom is divided into another three sections that don't mean anything other than to keep class sizes small and manageable. Class D is only one class. It definitely took time to adjust to this unique scheduling but the nine guys and gals in red seemed to start becoming comfortable with their school life.

School politics and hierarchy aside, it was still early in the morning. Thomas had just finished getting dressed into his uniform inside of his dorm on the second floor. He adjusted his tie one final time before feeling satisfied with his appearance. "There we go, all ready." Thomas said.

Gumdramon, who had been sitting on the bed side, said "Most normal people spend time on their hair, not their clothes."

Thomas let out a huff of annoyance. "And yet, you can sit here sleeping all day. Honestly, you have no right to judge me..." Gumdramon seemed to shut up with frustration and let out a huff of his own and turned his head away from his partner. Relieved that he shut the mini dragon up, he went to grab his school bag by his desk. As he did, he looked to a photograph sitting on his desk. It was a picture of himself, his father, his mother, and his sister all smiling for a family photo. Thomas wasn't in the mood for sentimentality so he looked away from the picture and went out the door. "Be back later. Don't stay too bored."

"Right..." Gumdramon sighed, still fuming over being snapped at.

As Thomas stepped outside, Jeremiah noticed him leave his room. "Oh, Thomas." He said as he approached. "You heading out now too?"

"Yep." Thomas replied. "Never been much of an early riser like everyone else is, but you're normally up early too. So why are you still here?"

"I... might have overslept..." He muttered sheepishly.

Thomas laughed. "Well, how about we walk together? I think everyone else is already on their way."

"Sure." Jeremiah grinned.

"Oh, you guys are still here?" Kathy asked, coming down the stairs with Tori in accompaniment. "I figured you'd all would be gone by now."

"I might've overslept..." Jeremiah reiterated.

"What was it this time?" Tori asked, "Another boss in that game you always play or were you talking with your friends in America?"

"Both..." He laughed. "Anyway, how about we-" Jeremiah was going to suggest they all walk together.

"We were just leaving." Thomas said, turning away from the girls and cutting off Jeremiah. "Come on, we're going." With that, he marched down the stairs.

"Um... sorry guys. We'll see you later then." Jeremiah said before catching up with Thomas.

Kathy just sighed in frustration as she let a perfect opportunity slip through her fingers. "What's his problem? I'm only trying to be nice..." She grumbled in defeat.

"Don't feel bad, Kathy." Tori said, "He's probably just shy around you."

"That doesn't make me feel better..." Kathy whined.

Meanwhile, on the road to school, Thomas had started at a rather rapid pace. Jeremiah was practically running to keep up. "Could you just... slow down please?" Jeremiah half panted, half begged. Thomas stopped to let the shorter boy catch his breath. "Thanks..." He breathed.

"Sorry, just had my mind focused somewhere else." Thomas replied.

Jeremiah sighed in annoyance. "When are you gonna stop ignoring her!?" He snapped.

"Who, Tori?" Thomas asked, purposefully playing coy at the situation. Being around Kathy made him feel awkward because of what happened back in March after falling into the Digital World. Thomas shook the thought from his head and decided to change the subject. "Speaking of getting along, what are we going to do about our two 'prideful warriors'?" Thomas made sure to put emphasis on the term.

"Oh..." Jeremiah said, acknowledging the fact that Elijah and Deseree have more bad blood between them than anyone else in their class. Despite Elijah's claims to not get drawn into Deseree's arguments, he seems to instigate her more often than not. Deseree also seems to be easy to goad into an argument. "I don't know what we could do..."

"From what I've seen, their hatred towards each other isn't necessarily on a personal level." Thomas pointed out. "It seems more like they have prejudices they aren't willing to look past."

"Everyone knows that." Jeremiah sighed. "Deseree, a girl who grew up with the beliefs of someone who believes in equality for all students. And then there's Elijah, someone we... know nothing about."

"If only we knew more about them, maybe we could do something to get them to get along. At least enough so they're not yelling at each other every day." The taller boy said. "But no use complaining about it I guess."

Jeremiah nodded and the two continued their walk. "So, about this Class D business..."

"I wasn't expecting us to be put directly with students in Class A-1. And the workload for our own classes is another thing that is extremely hard."

"Yeah. Though Justin, Tori and Chidori seem to have no problem since they're supposed to be in that class anyway."

"Even though they'd hate to admit it, Elijah and Deseree seem to be on par with each other too." Thomas acknowledged. "Though I wish I could be as calm as Seiya. I'd be able to sleep in class easier."

Jeremiah laughed a bit. "Yeah. But, I guess we have to just grin and bear it then..."

The two have walked a bit further and made it in front of the other three dorm buildings for the other classes. "Oh. The other dorms..." Thomas pointed out.

"I heard rumors that the other dorms have housekeepers to provide meals and keep everything in tact." Jeremiah said.

"I believe it." Thomas said. "I doubt the students could clean after themselves all the time and since they have more students, it makes sense to have staff on hand." It seemed unfair, but they couldn't do much beyond complaining about it. The argument against them was probably there was only nine of them, and it's technically more manageable. That, or the fact that this was a new class and they have yet to find someone willing to work there. They were standing there for quite some time pondering and admiring the buildings, allowing for a brief moment of brevity from their busy school schedules. Until...

"You're standing in our way." A very pompous voice scoffed. The two Class D students snapped to attention as three boys in white uniforms approached them, or more accurately were trying to saunter past them. The one that spoke up had chin length brown hair, combed neatly into two halves. His pale skin was evidence he didn't spend much time outside and his cold glare from behind rectangular spectacles showed a disdain towards the two boys.

"O-oh. You're from Class A, right?" Jeremiah asked.

"And you're talented at pointing out the obvious." The boy scoffed.

"It isn't worth your talent, Hachiro." One of the other boys said.

"He's right. We'll be late." The other added. The haughty boy only scoffed and strutted off with his two companions.

"Hafu trash..." He muttered under his breath, though neither two heard him.

"He looks... familiar." Thomas stated when the Class A boys were far enough.

"Is he in one of our classes?" The other student asked curiously.

"Probably. Anyway, we should follow suit or we're going to be late." Thomas said.

"Right... Oh hey, have you been looking into clubs? I heard that most are starting recruitment yesterday and today."

Around noon

Individual Class studies: Class D

It was that time of day when classes broke off into individual studies. These were mostly history lessons or an extracurricular. Class D was sitting through a history lesson. Since Showa Day was so close their instructor decided to talk about that. "Every day since April 29, 1926 we as a nation have celebrated Showa Day. It's been ingrained into our culture that turning it down simply seems too unorthodox. But can anyone tell my why? Haruki, would you mind answering who it was we were initially celebrating and their year of passing?"

Kathy's eyes widened in shock as she stood up next to her desk and pondered nervously. "Um... it was..." She averted her gaze from the teacher's and noticed something. "Oh, right." She looked back to the teacher and replied with "It was to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Showa and he died in 1988. In fact, to this day we celebrate it in memorial of Japan's efforts to rebuild the country after its toll on us after World War I."

"Excellent. I see you've been doing your homework..." The teacher motioned for Kathy to sit back down and she did, breathing a sigh of relief all the while.

"Yes, I got it!" She cheered to herself. Thomas looked at her with a sense of satisfaction since he sat right next to her. Inscribed on the side of his notebook were Showa and 1988.

3:15 P.M.

Classes are finished for the day

It was still weird for Class D to have BanchoLeomon stand in their classroom. Something they weren't entirely comfortable with was his ability to change his appearance to that of an ash blond male. It was unsettling as the voice and attitude (along with the wit and humor) were still that lionoid they met in the ruins. He dressed in a simple collared shirt and black pants while like this. "...And before I forget, this Wednesday coming up you all have your Practical Exam coming up."

"'Practical Exam'?" Chidori repeated as a question.

"That's right. It's all about an important part of Class D's curriculum that I have yet to tell any of you." Mr. B (A sobriquet of sorts) said "So use this Free day to study or unwind or maybe wander around town with your friends. Or do what I prefer to do: sit back in my room having a nap after having a cold one every so often."

Everyone was exasperated by their homeroom teacher's disregard for a filter. "Honestly, is it your religious belief to encourage underage drinking?" Deseree asked, her usual irritation bogged down by the vexation she had.

"You do know they could still fire you if they hear you saying that, right?" Elijah pointed out.

Mr. B laughed. "Most of the teachers here are my drinking buddies from time to time. Believe me, if they were going to fire me I'd have to show up drunk on numerous occasions."

"And your total disregard for any rules go out the window... again." Seiya sighed.

"Lighten up. I'm only joking." Mr. B said. "More importantly, after the test I have information for you all to hear. So make sure your partners come to since this pertains to them too."

"Ah..." Kathy gaped, wanting to ask a question but decided against it.

"I-It won't be a repeat of the Orienteering Exercise... will it?" Thomas asked nervously

"If you're lucky... Class President, if you'd be so kind..."

"Of course, Instructor." Justin said. "All rise... bow."

After closing classes for the day, the students of Class D left to go and do their own thing. Most likely they went to find a club. Meanwhile Jeremiah and Justin were hanging back with Thomas and just talking. "I can't believe he's giving us a practical exam..." Justin sighed.

"Hey, what is that exactly?" Jeremiah asked, "I never heard about it before."

"Well, almost all practical exams rely on applying knowledge you gained in class to a real world situation. Though this one seems a bit more... complex." The bespectacled boy explained. "I have no idea what Mr. B is planning, but I do think it relates to the Digital World since we haven't gone back ever since March."

"Y-yeah..." Thomas said, still flustered about what happened.

"Are you still thinking about when you fell on Kathy?" Justin asked. "Seriously, I think it'd be best for everyone if you let it go."

"Easy for you to say..." Thomas muttered. "Anyway, no doubt in my mind this is about the Digital World."

"But, you could be speculating all day or get something done and wait until Wednesday." Mr. B said, suddenly standing between Jeremiah and Justin.

"H-how'd you do that!?" Jeremiah asked in shock, nearly jumping as their homeroom teacher apparently slipped into their circle with little detection.

"Practice. I hope this year allows my skills to rub off on you somehow~." He replied with a smile.

"Being able to down pint after pint of alcohol and still being somewhat sober isn't one of them, is it?" Thomas asked, half jokingly, half seriously.

Mr. B gave a scornful look to the three boys. "Is THIS how you're going to remember me when you graduate?"

"To be fair most of your activities consist of consumption of large amounts of alcohol." Justin stated while adjusting his glasses.

Mr. B growled under his breath and didn't say anything further on the matter. "I didn't come here so we can discuss how I conduct my private time, I came here to ask a favor. Can one of you go and get something from the student council. It's kinda... benign to your studies."

"What?"

"Just do me this favor please? You won't regret it." Mr. B pleaded.

"Alright, I'll go." Thomas said, causing the other two boys to look in surprise.

"You?" Jeremiah said. "Don't you have a club meeting you need to go to?"

"Not today. Art club only meets Mondays and Fridays. So I have plenty of free time on my hands the rest of the week." Thomas said.

"Thank you. You're a life saver." Mr B. sighed with joy before going back to his desk.

"Are you sure you don't want us to come with?" Justin asked.

"No, you guys have club meets today. You're first one's too." Thomas explained. That seemed to get the other two boys to back off and eventually leave the classroom. "Mr. B, you're still here?" "It just feels weird calling him that..."

"Oh, yeah. Don't tell anyone, but I may have misplaced the written attendance log somewhere on my desk..." Mr. B laughed.

Thomas sighed. "Maybe that alcohol is starting to mess with your brain after all."

"O-of course not." The teacher tried laughing it off. "It's only my second year as a teacher here and I just have a bad habit of putting too much into one drawer. Anyway, you should head to the student council's room on the first floor. Leave me to my clutter please."

"He says as he gracefully admits defeat to a fourteen year old." Thomas remarked in his head. The student eventually left the classroom and wandered a bit, still getting used to the way the Main Building's halls twisted and turned. Still being unable to comprehend the sheer amount of classrooms the building could house on one floor for all grades. The school was restricted to three floors and a roof. Of course it came with conveniences like elevators, but it didn't help much when students are constantly trafficking in and out of it until the odder hours of the night. So he took the stairs, and not because its good cardio.

When he finally made it to the first floor, he went down the west wing and found the conference room where the student council conducts business. He knocked on the door and a voice called out to him. "It's open!"

"Pardon the intrusion." Thomas said as he opened the door. He opened the door to find what looked to be the president. She was wearing a Class C uniform and- "Hey, aren't you...?"

"Oh, it's you." She said, trying to maintain professionalism. It was the girl that locked them in the computer room on their first day of school. "I wasn't expecting to see a student from Class D in here anytime soon. Were you looking to join the Student Council or-"

"Nothing like that." Thomas said, "I'm here because Mr. B sent me here to pick up something for our class."

"Oh, right. He mentioned he couldn't get it himself." She said. "Well, they were finished today and we got them right here." She said as she pulled out a cardboard box. She uncovered the flaps and showed Thomas nine red books, each imprinted with the Academy's logo.

"These are...?"

"Student handbooks. They were made specifically for your class. They contain all the information the normal handbooks come with, but extra pages were added to explain the functionality of your D-Resonances."

Thomas was surprised. "You know about that?"

"Of course I do. I'm the Council President. Nothing gets by me." She gleamed with a deviant look in her eyes. "Oh right. My name is Makoto Takeo, by the way."

"O-oh. I'm Thomas Nakano..." He said.

"I figured as much. To be honest, your class is the most diverse since most of you come from different ethnic groups. So I wasn't expecting traditional names."

"Interesting." Thomas said. "My mom is Japanese, but my dad's from America."

Makoto nodded. "I know. We also keep records the Academy keeps. I'm not just any President."

Thomas began growing nervous as he was handed the box. "T-thanks." He said shakily as he began inching towards the way out.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Makoto sighed. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I just take my job seriously, especially since I'm in 11th grade now. And I want to apologize about what I did back in March too. Mr. B put us up to it."

"Say no more." Thomas said.

"Well, before you go. How about I get us something to eat for all the grievances I caused you and your class earlier?" She offered.

"I don't mind..." Thomas nodded.

7:00 PM

After Dinner with Makoto

Thomas stretched and yawned as he walked back to the dorms, lugging the handbooks all the way to the dorms. It wasn't particularly heavy but it was a bit of a formidable walk. His D-Resonance began to ring and vibrate in his pocket. He held the box under one arm and fished through his pocket until he pulled it out. "Hello, Nakano speaking."

"You're very formal for a fourteen year old, you know?" Mr. B teased from the other line.

"Why do you keep harassing me?" Thomas sighed.

"Just calling to make sure you got those handbooks from the student council." Mr. B replied. "Honestly, you have a short fuse."

"I'm not necessarily short tempered. But more, it's you just striking my nerves. I suspect it's on purpose..."

"Haha, always skeptical." Mr B teased over the call. "Anyway, that's not why I'm calling you now. I remember, I have a favor to ask of you..."

"A favor?" Thomas asked. "Like what?"

Meanwhile, at the dorms Gumdramon was growing impatient. "Where the heck is he...?" He was thinking about Thomas. This morning's little exchange left him feeling dour all day. Gumdramon couldn't concentrate on anything other than what they said to each other. Everyone else seemed to fit together perfectly. Jeremiah and Veemon may seem like polar opposites in terms of standing out but they had a lot in common; Tori and Lunamon enjoyed each others company; Renamon was contempt with having Elijah as a partner; Chidori and Ryudamon were almost like carbon copies of each other; Dorumon appreciated the fact Seiya preferred to nap rather than talk; Deseree seemed to always be calm around Patamon; Justin might get teased by Terriermon but they made it into their "thing"; even Kotemon wasn't so harsh on Kathy when she did something one wouldn't be afraid to call ditsy. Gumdramon sighed and actually took a moment to reflect. All he and Thomas did was argue on a daily basis, though it was never technically out of hand or off the walls like some people he dare not say.

He slumped on the shared bed and sighed into the pillow. Was Gumdramon just not cut out to be a partner? They haven't seen action in the Digital World so he wasn't sure. Gumdramon huffed in frustration as he laid there.

"What's got you so depressed?" Thomas asked, walking into the room.

Gumdramon was shocked, however quickly covered up his embarrassment with a callous tone. "Nothing you should be thinking about. What's with the box?" Gumdramon asked, quickly changing subjects.

"Bah, boring school stuff." Thomas replied, not noticing the cover up. "These are books for us that I have to take to the others. So I'm just stepping out for another minute. I should be back before long."

"O-oh." Gumdramon choked.

"Hmm?"

'Shit, I blew my cover!' Gumdramon thought. "I-it's nothing. I'm just thirsty! You go do whatever chores you gotta."

"Alright." Thomas nodded and left his room. The boys' rooms were located on the second floor of the building and the girls' were located on the third. Thomas had the box with him as he went room to room. He first went to an easy room: Justin. He was probably studying or something like that. Thomas knocked on his door and he answered within a few seconds.

Justin opened his door and saw Thomas standing in the doorway. "Thomas, what brings you here?"

"I'm just here to give you this." Thomas replied, handing Justin his Student Handbook.

"Oh, this is the handbooks for our class? They finally came in I see." Justin said, a bit distracted by something.

"Yeah... Is something going around?" The younger boy asked.

"Whaddya mean?" The bespectacled boy answered with a question.

"First Gumdramon, now you. It seems like you're sick or something."

"I can't speak for Gumdramon, but I was just thinking about the club I joined. We have another meeting tomorrow." The older boy said.

"Oh, what club is it?"

"Chess. Admittedly not the most amazing club out there, but I love the game so..." He seemed sheepish.

"Say no more. I'm into art so I can kinda get what you mean." Thomas replied. "Anyway, I don't want to keep you here all night so I'll just be on my way delivering the rest of these books."

"Alright, have a good night then." Justin said, closing the door.

Thomas, now a delivery boy, wandered over to the next easy room: Jeremiah's room. Thomas knocked and got a swift response. "Thomas?"

"Hey, Jeremiah. I've got something here for you." He said as he handed Jeremiah the handbook.

"A handbook? What for?" Jeremiah asked.

"They're for our class. Everyone got theirs already but ours had to be made separately since we're an entirely different class." Thomas answered. "You know, I was talking with Justin about his club and I was curious: which club did you join exactly?"

"Me? I joined Literature with Tori." Jeremiah replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah... let's just say I really like reading and writing..." Jeremiah blushed as he answered.

"Oh. Well, at least you have a passion for it." Thomas replied.

"Yeah, but I bet it takes a whole other level of passion to be in art." Jeremiah laughed.

Thomas nodded. "Alright, I need to deliver the rest of these books. Have a good night."

"Right." Jeremiah said. He then closed the door and Thomas went to the room next door which belonged to Seiya. He knocked and waited for a minute before wondering if Seiya was awake. He knocked on the door again and finally heard a voice.

"Seiya, someone's here." Thomas heard Dorumon say with a bit of caution. Seiya opened the door with tired eyes and a yawn.

"It's only you." He said coolly.

"Y-yeah." 'What was he expecting?' "I've got something for you." Thomas said, handing the book to Seiya.

"Thanks." Seiya said before turning and closing the door on Thomas's face.

The boy with the box sighed. Looks like Seiya isn't as sociable as he was hoping. And the last room on the second floor was Elijah's room. Mustering up courage, Thomas knocked on the door. Elijah opened it rather swiftly. "What do you want?" Elijah asked, being very cutthroat on the situation.

"W-well I-"

"If you're just going to be a babbling buffoon, take your business elsewhere." Elijah grumbled, ready to shut the door.

"Wait, your handbook!" Thomas managed to blurt out while holding out Elijah's handbook to him.

The brunette sighed and took the book from Thomas. "Much obliged. You can go if that's it..." The older boy said. "...and be careful who you donate your time to."

"What?"

"I imagine our instructor asked you to do this because he's probably gallivanting somewhere. All I'm saying is don't be too trusting. Pleasant dreams I suppose." Elijah stated and shut his door.

'Was he... looking out for me? Nah. I'm probably reading too much into things.' Thomas shook his head while muttering to himself as he walked up the stairs to the third floor where the girls' rooms were located. He just had four more books to deliver and he'd be done. He stopped right in front of Deseree's room and knocked.

"Coming." She shouted through the door. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Thomas. "It's you. Did you need something?"

"Sorta. Here." Thomas handed her a handbook.

"The handbooks. 'Bout time honestly." She chuckled. "I was starting to think these would never come to begin with."

"Same here. Apparently they took longer to make since we have an entirely new curriculum for us."

"I can only shudder to hazard a guess..." Deseree mumbled. "Anyway, I have to get back to studying. Have a good night." She shut the door after giving a grin and Thomas felt somehow relaxed. She's definitely an entirely different person when not raving on about Class A or anyone related to the matter.

The next room was Tori's. Thomas knocked on the door and Tori answered within a respectable time. "Oh, evening Thomas. Did you need to get something?" She greeted with a gentle smile.

"Yeah." Thomas nodded. The boy handed her the handbook and she accepted it with glee. "I'm glad we finally have these..." He sighed.

Tori confirmed with a 'Mm-hmm' of her own. "Thanks for bringing this to me. You must've gone through a lot to be able to get them."

"Not exactly..."

"Still, going out of your way to bring this to me... It's very sweet." Tori complimented.

"I-I guess..." Thomas scratched the back of his head nervously as he answered sheepishly.

Tori took a moment to think while Thomas was trying to overcome his flustered state. "... You know she only wants to be friends." Tori suddenly said, catching Thomas off guard. "She's not even holding a grudge or anything. The only one stopping you guys from talking is you..." With that, Tori closed her door calmly. She was clearly trying to maintain a calm disposition as she told Thomas what Justin and Jeremiah have been saying for the past few weeks now. Though Tori somehow brought into perspective. Maybe it's because she hangs out with Kathy more often than not.

Regardless, Thomas moved onto Chidori's room. He knocked. No response. He knocked again. Still no response. Thomas began to wonder if Chidori was in her room at all. To be 100% certain he banged on the door a little harder this time and a sudden thud made his heart almost skip a beat. Chidori eventually opened the door and she was rubbing her side. "Thomas? Did you just bang on my door like that?"

"Y-yeah... Did I wake you up by accident?" He asked, out of concern.

"Nothing like that. I just fell out of bed when you knocked. It wasn't that nasty of a fall so I should be fine..." Chidori replied. "So, what brings you here?" Thomas handed her the handbook and explained what he's been doing all night. "I see. Thanks for all your efforts. I imagine it's been no easy task."

"That's one way to put it..." Thomas exhaled in exasperation. "But, just out of curiosity, what exactly were you doing?"

"Practicing for my club meet tomorrow." She replied with a casual smile.

"Wait, what club was that again?"

"Swimming, of course." Chidori answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Don't you need... water to practice swimming?" Thomas inquired while also giving a bit of a sweatdrop to express his confusion.

"True, but I was focusing on controlling my breathing." Chidori said. "In fact, Ryudamon was helping me practice. He was raised learning to find his 'inner zen'. He says controlled breaths help people calm down."

"Are you nervous?"

"Well, one could argue that... but we'll just have to wait and see. Have a good evening now." With that, Chidori went back into her room. Thomas admired her motivation to work. Maybe that's why she got such good grades.

And finally Thomas stood in front of Kathy's door. He trembled for a moment, hesitating on actually going through with knocking on her door. He felt dirty about what happened, regardless if it was an accident. He should've done something about it... He finally worked up the courage and knocked twice. Kathy called from the other side of the door "Coming!" She opened it and was astonished to find Thomas standing there. "You-"

"I have this for you!" He blurted out, holding out the book while flinching.

"Ah..." She gaped. "Thanks?"

"H-have a good night!" Thomas stammered out before rushing off.

"Wait-" She didn't even get a word in before being cut off. She grunted and closed her door in frustration.

"Was that Thomas just now?" Kotemon asked her.

"Yeah..."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll turn around eventually. It just takes some time." The reptile tried to reassure her.

"I hope you're right..."

A.N.: Alright, that wraps up this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed seeing absolutely nothing intense happen. This was more to establish characters rather than move the plot along too much. Next chapter should do something a little... different. *Evil chuckle*