It was nearly time for the one thing that almost all of the DWMA students were dreading: The Super Written Exam. Yes, almost all of the students were dreading it; Kami, Azusa, and Stein were the only exceptions.

Kami was extremely smart and at the top of her class, so she was actually looking forward to taking the test. It was practically a guarantee that Kami would come out on top, and that was exciting for her, as it was said that whoever ranked number one was destined to create or become a death scythe.

Azusa wasn't dreading the test because she was quite intelligent as well and knew she would do well; she was near the top of her class as well. She wasn't nervous at all.

Stein was more or less just looking forward to taking the test and getting it over with. He wasn't nervous about the test at all. He wasn't one to worry, and he had an excellent grasp on everything he had learned. Also it was getting annoying having Spirit complain about the test every day.

Now someone who was worried about the test was Marie. She had missed the past few class sessions because she kept getting lost on the way to class. Curse her sense of direction.

"Marie, you should think about having somebody study with you. If you try and study by yourself, you're going to fail the test." Azusa said bluntly.

"You make it sound like I'm stupid! That's mean Azusa!" Marie complained.

"You really aren't very bright Marie. Find a study partner." said Azusa.

"Then you study with me!" Marie whined.

"I don't have the patience to study with you. I need to focus on my own work. If I try to teach you, I'll never have time to focus on my own studies." Azusa replied.

"Azusa…you meanie!" Marie shouted, punching her friend.

Azusa flew across the room with a bloody nose while Marie stomped off.

"Stupid Azusa. Stupid, mean Azusa!" Marie grumbled. "Find a study partner huh? I'll never find one…everyone is busy already…I'M GONNA FAIL!" Marie cried dramatically.

"What has you so upset this time Marie? That worried about the test?" a low tone said out of the blue.

"Ah Stein!" Marie cried in surprise. After collecting herself, she spoke up again. "Um…yeah I am worried. I've missed at least five classes…and now I'm gonna fail because nobody will help me study!" Marie practically sobbed.

Stein sighed at Marie's over emotional behavior and stepping forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"If it makes you feel better, I'll study with you." Stein said, trying to calm Marie.

Marie stood there not saying a word. She dropped the book she was holding and her eye widened.

"Stein…THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD FRIEND!" Marie cried, jumping on him and hugging him almost strangulating tight. "AWWWWW THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!" Marie cried in pure concentrated joy. However once she realized the last line she had said…those magic three words….she released him stiffly with beet red cheeks.

"Um…s-so yeah…thanks…" Marie said awkwardly, rubbing her arm.

"Yeah…" Stein said blandly.

"So where do you want to meet?...where would be the best place to concentrate?" Marie asked kindly.

"My house. My room." Stein replied.

Marie, being the teenager she was, immediately blushed at what Stein had just said.

H-his room….? Stein's b-bedroom? His room….his room…his room! I'm going to be in Stein's bedroom! Wh-what am I going to do? Oh my gosh! I'M GOING TO BE ALONE IN STEIN'S BEDROOM!

"Uh Marie? Is that going to work? You there?" Stein asked nudging her slightly.

"Oh! Yes! Th-that's fine! When should I come over?" Marie blurted loudly with nervousness.

"You can come home with me now. Spirit is studying over at Kami's…I feel for her…" Stein said as he began walking.

"Um…o-ok!" Marie said following after Stein.

When they reached Stein home Marie's blush and nervousness went crazy….and when they got to his room….oh my…she practically fainted.

"Alright, get comfortable and we'll get started." Stein said.

Marie's head felt light….get started? Oh my….

After studying for some time, Marie felt much more confident.

"Thank you so much Stein. I actually think I can pass now!" Marie said happily.

"It's no problem." Stein replied coolly.

"Um…I think I'll make us some tea, if that's alright." Marie said suggested with a smile.

"That's fine." Stein said.

Marie made the tea with a tender smile, as she swayed about the kitchen; she was a natural housewife. After making the tea, Marie returned upstairs to see Stein resting on his bed looking at a small notebook.

"Um…I have the tea. What do you have there?" Marie said tilting her head to the side curiously.

"Nothing really." Stein said, attempting to place the small booklet inside his pocket, but Marie caught his hand before he could hide it.

She quickly pulled the small booklet from his hand and opened it up. Photos?

Marie paged through it gently and examined each photo carefully.

A silver haired boy in every picture…so young…lovely green eyes…this was.

"This little boy…is…" Marie began quietly.

"Yeah. These are the only pictures I have of myself." Stein answered lacking emotion.

"But there's only like ten pictures here…" Marie said slowly.

"Yeah, my parents weren't fond of me." Stein explained.

Marie didn't reply…his parents didn't like him? Marie couldn't imagine…

I can't imagine having parents that didn't love me….parents that only took ten pictures of me…

Marie paged through it more slowly, starting from the beginning. In the first picture Stein was just a baby.

"I was just born." Stein said.

He really was an adorable baby…such big green eyes and smooth pale skin…big curious eyes. Eyes that were ready to explore the word and see what it had to offer…even as just a baby…ready to experiment.

The next picture, he was more toddler age. He sat in front of a small cupcake with a loose leaf paper 2 sticking up in the frosting. His birthday….he wasn't smiling…

The next six photos were of Stein ranging from what appeared to be ages 4 to 10. He was so adorable…what a cute little boy. How could a parent not feel blessed to have such a wonderful son?

The last two pictures made Marie tear up. Stein was about five years old in one and being held around his shoulders by a very young man.

"That's father. He's so young because he was only 17 when I was born." Stein explained.

Marie paged to the last picture and finally began crying. Stein was with a young woman that looked very much like him; silver hair, pale skin, and green eyes. She was so lovely but her face looked so hateful…so angry that she even had to be with Stein…

"I'm so…I'm so…" Marie said, trying to find the right words.

"Sorry?" Stein supplied. "Don't be. It's all fine now."

Marie began to cry even more though and wrapped her arms around him desperately but tenderly as well. She buried her head in his shoulder and cried.

"Stein…that's not fair! I'm so sorry…it's so unfair…so unfair…" Marie sobbed. "What reason did they have for treating you like that?"

Stein placed his hand on top of Marie's head comfortingly, but eventually pulled her away.

"Marie…you shouldn't cry for me but…thank you. Nobody…nobody…has ever done something like that for me…" Stein said pulling her back into his arms gently.

"I care for you Stein…and it's about time somebody starts caring for you. From now on, if something is bothering you, come to me first. I will always listen to you." Marie comforted.

Stein…I love you…

…..

"I passed! I passed!" Marie cried jumping up and down.

"I faaaaaaaiiiled!" Spirit sobbed.

Marie laughed at Spirit's spazzing while Kami sighed and shook her head.

"Thank you Stein; I couldn't have done it without you." Marie said happily.

"It's fine." Stein said turning away and walking away, but he stopped right before exiting the room.

"Thank you too…Marie." He said walking away.

Stein…you really are sweet on the inside…aren't you?