Adventures In Solitude

by Jdphobe

Fifteen years after Assclass, Nagisa, now 30, has done a pretty bang-up-job of becoming a teacher. Happily married, he's ready to move onto his eighth year of teaching, now at the renovated E-Class building. Life is good. But will everything he believes be tossed upon its head when he meets a strange student he quickly becomes convinced is the reincarnation of Korosensei?

29. Interlude Time

Even as the days grow colder and the nights grow darker, Makoto's life seems to be so warm.

He's always been a bit of an optimist. He knows that! But each morning, when the sun rises later and later than the day before, and he spots his friends' faces waiting for him over the crest of the hill, he decides he finally has a reason to be.

Needless to say, school is better than ever before.

He's working on getting back into P.E. It's still a little weird after all the harm he did, but he doesn't wanna worry Nagisa. It's just a game, after all. No-one's in any real danger. And they're never gonna be ever again. He's not an assassin anymore. He doesn't need to be. And when they're all parched and exhausted from trying to fake-kill each other, Nagisa offers them hot cocoa... and Makoto decides gritting and bearing it might have been worth it just this once.

He still thinks about it sometimes. What it was like to hurt people. A blade in his hand and blood cascading behind him. But just as soon, he shakes it off.

...At the very least, he feels better now that he can talk about it. And thinking that if some of the harm he did has been undone in Fumiko, then maybe all of it is undone somewhere else. It doesn't make him feel completely better, but when he catches the self-loathing creeping up on him, he glances her way and decides to compartmentalize that guilt for another day.

It's the Holidays, after all! He's supposed to be happy. And he is! After all, he's spending them with the one person he thought he'd never see again.

She hands him a coat one day, saying he can keep it.

"My parents won't notice. I haven't worn this thing in years. I'm surprised we haven't thrown it out."

Makoto slips it on and asks "Why the gift?"

Fumiko shrugs. "I noticed you didn't have a winter coat that was anything more than a ratty menace. And I couldn't let that stand. We need to look out for each other, after all, don't we?"

Something tells Makoto Nagisa and the others were going to buy him a winter coat before things got much colder outside, but he doesn't complain. Instead, he merely focuses on how fluffy it feels, and the way the fur collar tickles his nose. It's plain beige, and a little too small for him.

He declares that he loves it, and wraps Fumiko in another hug. This time she doesn't resist.

The flowers outside of the school building are beginning to die. They have been since October now, but it's still sad to see them wilt. The day Makoto walks into school and can't see them for the first time because they're buried in snow, he thinks he sheds a tear. It's stupid and sentimental, but they remind him of the past.

He still thinks about Damien. A lot. Wonders where he is... wonders if he hates him. He'd get it if he did. Sure, Fumiko was happy to see him, but that's a bit different. They were friends. Like… good ones. Damien and he... weren't. Maybe Damien's out there somewhere, cursing his name.

'That's okay,' Makoto decides. It makes him feel like crap, but he can't fault the boy. Nor is it fair to put words in his mouth. What does he know? Maybe Damien misses him too. He'd like to see him again one day if possible. Just once. For… closure, or whatever. Apologies that should have been said a long time ago.

He hopes Damien would like that, too.

Nagisa tells Makoto they'll replant the flowers in March. As a class. Makoto nods, snug in his winter coat, and asks Nagisa if they can plant thyme. Nagisa thinks it over, and shrugs, with an "I don't see why not. It'd look awfully nice with some roses."

Makoto agrees, and the pain eases just a little. He's not sure it'll ever stop hurting completely, but it's nice to think that everything will bloom again in the spring.

"I believe in you," he whispers one morning, passing by the now-dead flower bed. "We're gonna do better this time. I promise."

Fumiko helps a little when he dreams about his sins. Of dying screams and mistreated little boys. She doesn't get it. Not really. Aguri never did anything wrong in her entire life. But at the very least when Makoto awakes in a cold sweat, her dying face still fresh in his mind, he can text her and receive an, "I'm right here," in response.

He's spending more and more time at Nagisa's place. As second-trimester finals come up, he says he's doing it to study, but he knows that's not the truth. He's doing it because it's somehow more of a home than home's ever been. And even that's okay. They play games and exchange stories. Miss Nao catches a mouse and Kiyoshi falls asleep on the couch one late November day. Fumiko and Makoto try to carry him home, but end up waking him up halfway to the Karasumas' because they're laughing too loud at their own conversation.

Makoto not sure what's gonna happen from here on out. From how good things feel right now. He's not even sure how the rest of the year is gonna go, honestly, and that ends in, like, two months. But he's not too bothered. Not even two months ago, he felt hopeless. Felt like he didn't deserve to live. And now everything... everyone around him seems to scream 'you were wrong.'

A learning experience at it's finest. He loves it. What is life, if not for being wrong?

He lets Fumiko borrow her own coat one day when she forgets to bring a jacket. And when she hands it back to him after P.E, whispering a barely audible "Thanks, Reaper," he grins from ear to ear. Then and there, he decides that life is for being overjoyed, too.

---

Kayano's always had pretty good birthdays. At least, for the past eight years. But she's gotta say… This one takes the cake.

There's a lot of things that suck about an early November birthday. For one, it's cold outside, but not the pretty sort of cold. If you're lucky, there's slush. If you're significantly less lucky, you'll probably end up slipping on said slush and breaking your hip two days before your birthday. Now that was an interesting year.

For two, extended family members and friends love the assumption that just because your birthday is relatively close to Christmas (And not even THAT close, let's be real. It's NOVEMBER 9TH, people) they can skip out on getting you a gift for each, and just sort of send you a mildly worse amalgamation gift. She's not, like, a materially obsessed person, so she doesn't really care, but at that rate, she'd just rather not get a gift at all.

For three, November birthdays suck because every year they remind you of what family used to feel like.

That's not always a bad thing. Sometimes, it's a reminder that family is better. That when she was a little girl, her father didn't show up to her birthdays. And that even now, she's lucky to get a card. Which, needless to say, is a stark contrast to the family she's surrounded herself with.

But other times it's a reminder of the things she's lost. And that wonder she hasn't held since she was a child. Long gone hours of binging her favorite cartoon, before skipping into the kitchen and blowing out the candles on a cake she doesn't even like the taste of. But devouring it anyway, because her big sister spent hours making it, and it's awfully cute, even if she tends to hate sweet things.

She supposes that isn't innately a November thing. Or even innately a birthday thing. Sometimes, her entire life feels like a series of being reminded of things she doesn't want to think about. But something about the 'Holidays are quickly approaching' atmosphere serves as an ample reminder that half of her biological family is dead, and the other half may as well be, at least in her eyes.

...Not to seem ungrateful. Like she said: Even though November birthdays aren't exactly an ideal time, the people around her have always done their best to make it worth her while. She has good birthdays. She has great birthdays, even. Because she has a new family now. And they love her more than anything.

She'd say on her birthday Nagisa treats her like a queen, but that would seem to imply he treats her as anything else on an average day. (Hint: He doesn't.) And for once in their lives, Karma and Gakushuu try their best to behave. In stark contrast to their usual behavior as goddamn circus animals, they tend to spend the day in a bake-off, competing to see who can bake Kayano the most impressive dessert. Even Nagisa participates, sitting awkwardly on a dining room chair, and making sure they don't light the house on fire.

...It's nice. It makes her feel appreciated. And for the past eight years, it's almost been enough to make her forget entirely that there had been a time when she'd turn her head up at layer cake and pudding. A time before her sensei's blood and pure, cold, vengeance ran through her veins.

That said, this year is different. While those seven years on her own she spent battling her grief, and the past eight she's spent surrounded by people who almost made her forget it existed, this year, she thinks it finally fades away entirely.

How could she be sad for a minute more when Fumiko is right there?

There's this weird, giddy, anxious feeling in Kayano's gut as her birthday fast approaches. And she decides she's rather relieved that Fumiko let her know about the Aguri thing before it came. As sweet of a birthday surprise as it would have made, she thinks she may have started outright crying watching Makoto crowd around the table and try to blow out her birthday candles for her. Without her.

Surely she'd have felt something other than this relief.

Yes. Relief. That's what it is. That's what she feels on her birthday. Even above weird, and even above giddy, Kayano just feels relieved.

It falls on a Friday this year, and Karma takes a rain check on work. Tells his boss he's handling 'important business,' and tells his family he just wants to get a head start on the baking competition. Kayano, however, is just pretty sure he's catching a cold, and full-well lets him know that if he gets her sick she will kill him. If he doesn't, however, she appreciates the effort!

Now that has Gakushuu bitching the whole morning. About how he has to do important work, and it's unfair that Karma gets an advantage. About how Karma's a cheat, and he should be disqualified. At least until Kayano reminds him this isn't an official competition by any stretch of the means, but rather something they themselves entirely formulated.

"I'm not going to pick favorites," she says. "I'll appreciate whatever the both of you make me."

Karma pouts. "Why not?"

Nagisa perks his head up, and comments "Because she's not willing to give either of you the satisfaction of 'winning.'"

Kayano nods sagely. "Because I'm not willing to give either of you the satisfaction of 'winning.'"

Now that shuts them up.

Gakushuu heads out soon after. And Nagisa, after him. He hugs Kayano in the doorway and tells her to have a good day.

"I will," she promises.

And when he returns, eight hours later, that's what she's really been looking forward to... because he brings the kids with him.

Makoto rushes to tackle hug her, shouting, "Happy birthday!" And his friends are soon behind him. Fumiko stands with a present wrapped ever-so-delicately in her hands, and a tin under her arm. Kiyoshi, on the other hand, holds out a massive stuffed rabbit, and says he told her he wouldn't forget.

"I - I mean… I'm not sure it's a very cool gift, but I had to get something. and… and I didn't just get this because of our conversation! I was - I was planning something before. I mean, what sort of nephew would I be if I wasn't? A - Uh - Bad one. That's what. Anyways. I… I hope you like it."

She smiles, and crouches down to pull him into a hug.

"Kiyoshi, I love it."

Fumiko, in true Fumiko fashion, ends up feeling the need to show him up. And as such, she gives Kayano two gifts. The first an authentic emerald necklace that looks like it cost an arm and a leg, and the second, somehow even more priceless: a batch of sloppy, homemade sugar cookies.

"I… er… baked them myself," she admits, staring at the floor. "I've been learning how to cook, you know. To fend for myself. But that's a rather sad reason. And so I supposed I could put those skills to some good use."

They're far from gourmet. They're homemade, and they're misshapen... and it shows. But when she reaches up to take a bite, somehow they're sweeter than anything else she's ever had.

The boys go all out. Gakushuu makes her homemade fudge, and Karma bakes her a blueberry-banana pie. It's enough dessert to last a girl a month. Well, most girls. Kayano's pretty sure this will last her approximately three days, but that's 'just how it be' when it comes to her. And she knows if she really wants more, the family will be down for sitting down and making it together. After all, she'd do the same for them.

...The dessert she thinks she's really gonna miss the most when they're gone are the cookies.

Even as the boys unveil their creations, she keeps finding herself drifting back to them. Flaky and burnt and full of love. A declaration of not only 'I'm back,' but 'I can fend for myself now. And I'm going to make the most of that.'

It's almost enough to make her cry.

The dumbass duo stumbles over themselves, demanding to know who made the superior dish. And she reminds them she 'isn't giving either of them the satisfaction.'

"Besides," she admits. "Fumiko's is my favorite by far, anyways."

Their jaws drop, and they demand "Seriously!?", but she doesn't budge. She knows what she said. And she meant it.

Fumiko pumps her fist and grins. But not long before Karma places a hand on her head and ruffles her hair.

"God damn it, kid. I hope you realize this makes you an opponent from now on. Next year I am not going easy on you. Welcome to the rat's race, you little bastard. You better start watching your back."

Fumiko snorts, hardly sending him even an aside glance. "I'd say the same to you, Akabane."

She later admits to Kayano that she genuinely considered leaving a tack on his seat, but didn't want to risk putting anyone else through that. Or, like, ruin Kayano's idea of her as a perfect, all-loving big sister, but mostly the not putting anyone else through that thing. It'd really suck to accidentally skewer Makoto with a rusty tack.

"Aguri," Kayano says in a low voice. "If you think that would be enough to ruin my idea of you, then you're out of your mind. I consider leaving a rusty tack on Karma's seat every single day."

That makes Fumiko burst into delighted laughter. And deciding it's the best sound she's heard in a long, long time, Kayano laughs too.

The rest of the evening flies by. They spend it splitting the desserts and blatantly neglecting the need to have an actual dinner, alongside making fun of someone for forgetting to grab a gift. Now that makes Makoto scream.

"I thought it was in January!" he cries, covering his face with his hands. "I don't know whyyyyy!"

"Some sensei you are," Karma says, barely stifling a laugh. But needless to say all of them, him included, let up, when Makoto actually starts to cry.

"Hey. Hey. It's okay," Kayano reassures, awkwardly patting his back. "I don't mind. I don't need anything from you. And if it's really still bothering you by then, you can just grab me something in January, alright? Does that sound good?"

Makoto nods, eyes watery, and face red. "...Sounds good."

Soon enough it's time for Fumiko to head out. The moment Kayano's been dreading. And before she goes, she asks for a moment alone. Of course, Kayano obliges.

"Sorry I couldn't do more," she says, awkwardly scratching her arm. "To celebrate. Like we used to."

But Kayano wraps her in a hug and shakes her head. "Fumiko, this was more than enough. You being here with me at all is the best birthday gift I could have possibly asked for."

Try as she might, Fumiko is unable to hide the way tears prick at her eyes.

"Well… next year will be even better. I swear," she says, staring intently at the floor.

"Even better than perfect?" Kayano asks with a smile. "...I can't wait."

With that, she shoos her on her way. She'd hate to be the reason why Fumiko's late. But not before exchanging one last hug with her in the doorway, and reflecting on just how lucky she's become.

Her happiness must shine through. Because later that evening... long after Kiyoshi and Makoto have headed home, Karma catches her digging through her cookie tin with a goofy, delighted look on her face. And he asks her if something special had happened.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I dunno. You just seem... even happier than usual."

"Can't a girl just be happy on her birthday?" Kayano asks. "You people make it hard not to be, after all."

Karma shrugs, nabbing a cookie for himself. And taking a bite, he says, "Touche. We're a motley little crew, ain't we?"

Kayano nods, and with that, he drops it. But she knows he's not wrong. That this birthday was even better than the last, and that that's saying a lot.

But that's her little secret, and somehow… It feels delightful to keep it.

---

For the first year in what feels like forever, Gakushuu doesn't get a Christmas card from his family. And that comes as an odd relief

It's been months now since Nagisa blocked Gakuho. And to Gakushuu's surprise, Gakuho hasn't made another attempt to get in contact. Seeing as how for the past four years he's mailed out corny Christmas and Birthday cards Gakushuu's had to reply to with "I'm getting a fucking restraining order," that genuinely comes as a shock. He hadn't expected it to be… so easy.

('So easy.' So easy? He's been trying to cut the man off for years now. He had to scream at him from across the phone unti l his lungs gave out. How hard does it need to be for him to be satisfied?)

He knows deep down why Gakuho hasn't called... hasn't sent a gift, or even a tacky sweater... and that's because Gakushuu finally broke him. Not because Nagisa blocked him, and not because he did it nicely. Not in a world with burner phones and throwaway numbers and shitty in-laws willing to send his mail for him. The reason he hasn't attempted to bother his son this year is because Gakushuu finally helped him run out of reasons to keep trying.

His mind keeps wandering back to it. Their last conversation. If it actually made him feel any better. And it didn't. It doesn't. He's ashamed to say it, but it doesn't. It makes him feel like shit. And it makes him feel bitter. And it makes him feel overdramatic. But even still, he doesn't regret it. Because he thinks about what it would have felt like to continue to have his father in his life, and somehow that's even worse.

...There's no way he could have won. Nagisa told him that himself. But it still hurts to admit. That no matter what he said - no matter what he did this was going to haunt him. If he said nothing, he would have always regretted not getting in the last word. And having gotten it in, he can't help but feel haunted by how little it fixed. How little it always has. How he'll always be this person.

This person who needs to throw the last punch. This person who always needs to win. When will he learn? That in this life... with these people...

...There really are things he can't win.

He hates it. He was raised to be a winner. That's why he's so screwed up in the first place, isn't it? He was raised to hold victory above all else in a world where there are more loss/loss situations than he can count. And he will never forgive his father for that.

(Or himself. And that's why when he doesn't get a Christmas card this year he pumps his fist, and he says "good riddance," but then sits down and asks himself if there was some way he could have gone about that better.)

...Some better way to cut him off. Some better way to have changed his mind. A way to have saved himself before so much damage had been done. Every day, he wishes he could go back in time and instruct his teen self on just what to do. Just what to say.

But he knows deep down that even if he were given the chance, he still wouldn't find the perfect solution. All these years later - 15 after his father dared to strike him across the face - At almost age 31, he doesn't think he ever will.

...He'd like to, though. And he knows that more than anything each time Fumiko stops by.

The more he hears of her story, the more he sees himself in her. The standards she's held to are the same as the standards he holds himself to to this day.

Of course... they're different in some ways. Fumiko's parents have never laid a finger on her, even if she admits she's terrified of it happening one day. And Gakushuu knew how to bake the best damn meal you could have laid your eyes upon at the tender age of 13, even if he was scared that would still never be satisfying enough.

Gakushuu learnt his lessons growing up not only through psychological warfare, but through a clenched fist as well. Fumiko doesn't know how to cook, or to clean, or how to mail a package. But when he looks in her eyes as she stops by each day over winter break, he knows the technicalities don't matter. And that they feel the same.

...It's almost like he got his wish.

And just like he's always been - Like he's always supposed to be - He was right. He doesn't know what to say. None of them do. Not Kayano, or Karma, or any combination of them. They pretend they do to her face, but behind closed doors, they talk and they talk and they talk.

"She can't technically get legal emancipation until 20," Karma notes, pacing in circles. "That's when they can't do anything else to her. But that's too long of a wait."

"We are not leaving her in that situation until 20," Kayano snaps, breath heavy. "We need to do something. And we need to do it soon. You're into politics, can't you do something?"

"I'm a bureaucrat, Kayano, not a lawyer," Karma says. "This is way out of my area of expertise. I wouldn't ask you to shoot a film, now would I?"

"No," Kayano admits with a groan. "I just wish we had something to base our case on. If we could get at least one of her parents to agree, she could have her own property, but-"

"They won't," Gakushuu says. "There's no way they're going to agree."

"Exactly."

As fucked as they were sometimes, at least Nagisa and he had had that luxury. When Nagisa had gathered up the courage to go out on his own, his (Marginally more reasonable) father had been willing to sign off on his apartment. And… Gakushuu's significantly less reasonable father had as well.

"Very well," he'd said, with that amused smile Gakusuu still can't wipe from his mind. "If that is truly what you want… Then I am intrigued to see what you are capable of accomplishing out on your own. Just give your father a call now and again, won't you?"

(He won't.)

"Even if we can make an abuse case," Karma says "Which I sincerely doubt we can do without any evidence of physical harm, she'd be taken away. We're not getting custody of the kid, as nice of a world to live in that'd be."

"They can't take her away," Kayano says, near instantly. "We don't know her situation would be any better. She needs this support system. If… if she didn't have Constellate, or her friends… I'm not willing to imagine what would happen."

"Something bad," Gakushuu says simply. "Something very bad."

He still doesn't know what would have become of him without a support system. If he ever would have been able to break out of that mindset. If he would have ended up just like his father without some sort of guidance. But he knows he has people like the Virtuosos, Nagisa, and even (Ugh. This feels disgusting to admit) Karma to thank for the person he is today. And he knows, watching Fumiko wrestle with Makoto in the backyard and, like, hit him with sticks or whatever it is that kids do nowadays, that she'll have people like him to thank for who she becomes in the future. He is not going to be the person to put a stop to that.

He refuses to be a bystander, however, either.

He clicks his tongue and sighs.

"I don't know how Nagisa does it," Kayano admits. "Deals with this, like, all the time. They're such huge choices to make."

"To be honest, I think he's hardly managing to deal with it," Karma says. "He's stressed out of his mind. Even long after he gives those kids a support system and as many resources as he can, he still tells himself it's not enough."

"Because it's not!" Kayano hisses, flopping on the bed and covering her face with her pillow. "And that sucks. When there is literally nothing more you can do, but as the adult here, you're supposed to be able to!"

She's right. When you're a kid, you believe that adults are supposed to be able to do anything. That they're just choosing not to. But it's not that simple. He's thought about it a lot.

Wondering if there were any adults who wanted to protect him, but couldn't. Wondering if Korosensei had wanted to do more for Nagisa, but just couldn't. Or, even worse, if he just decided he wouldn't.

...At least he tried. (Or... pretended to?) But no-one - No adult - had ever even attempted to help Gakushuu until he decided to help himself.

He could have used a sign. That would have made his life a lot easier a lot earlier. It wouldn't have had to be grand. A simple "This isn't okay," would have been enough. But he never got that. Not from an adult. From other kids and students, sure, but never from a teacher.

Sometimes he wonders if the adults had resented him. Korosensei included. What had they seen him as? After all, wasn't he the one piling onto the E-Class's abuse? Engaging in the mockery of what Korosensei considered closest to his heart, and the one beating down on what most of the world already knew was vulnerable? Is that why no-one tried to help him? Because he was the bad guy? Because he was fourteen, and he was cruel? Because he was an Asano, and he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth? Having everything and nothing at once?

...Whatever. He's gotten off track.

They talk it over and talk it over. What to do with Fumiko. For hours. Over the course of days. But as these things are, they come to no concrete conclusion. And looking back… looking back, Gakushuu still doesn't know what he'd say to himself all those years ago.

Late during Winter break, Fumiko declares herself what she'd say, however, if given the chance.

"I think I have a plan," she declares, slamming her little palm on the table. She's gathered the three of them in a circle, somewhere in the lounge. And she's looking up at them with these determined, unwavering eyes.

"A plan?" Kayano asks, her tone hopeful. "For what? Your future?"

Fumiko nods. "It'll take a few years to set into motion, so it's not perfect, but…" She pauses. "I think I came up with something. What I want to do. But before I act on any of it, I want to get through middle school."

Karma raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure? That sounds..." He pauses, glancing at the others.

"Risky," Gakushuu finishes for him. A few years can be the difference between life and death in a situation like this.

"I'm certain," Fumiko says. "My plan involves… disobeying my parents. Bigtime. And to their faces, at that. I know this may sound inane… and fully unprofessional, at least at first, but please hear me out. I am going to get them to disown me."

Gakushuu sputters.

"P-pardon!?"

Fumiko holds up a finger, 'uh-uh-uh'ing him with an unamused look. "I told you to hear me out, Asano-san," she says.

Gakushuu's baffled, but stands down. Why is he being scolded by a middle schooler again!?

"I've come to the realization that there is very little my parents can actually threaten me with," Fumiko explains. "My entire life… I have been told 'do this, or you will be a failure.' 'Do this if you want to live up to the Hisakawa name.' But I don't care about that any more. So much of their manipulation has relied on mere words. On pressure that no longer affects me. If I'm no longer scared of disappointing them, then the biggest weapon is gone from their arsenal."

"That is why I intend to act out. And I intend to strike back with a worldly weapon of my own. A preposition. That they are to disown me or else. If they do not do so, I will continue to act out as loudly as possible, under the Hisakawa name. Suddenly the legacy they're obsessed with protecting will become their weakness. I know very well by now that they care about their status more than me. They'll be willing to give me up to protect it. And it'll become their only option."

"Their words are useless, and any other way they can possibly fight back will end up just as inefficient. If they attempt to take away material goods from me, I simply won't care, seeing as how those things can be replaced. And if they dare to lay a hand on me, which I sincerely doubt they even will, for the record, there's our case right there."

She grins proudly, eyes closed and hands clasped. Although her gaze quickly flits between the three of them, as if searching for approval.

"What do you think?"

"Well… It has some kinks that'd need to be worked out," Kayano admits, scratching her shoulder. "And I'd be pretty worried for you, but…"

"I know I, for one, would be willing to help you stir up trouble," Karma says. "'Acting out?' I'm an expert at that!"

"You're very correct when you say that it's far from perfect…" Gakushuu muses. "But…it's nice to hear what you want to do."

"The two biggest flaws I can think of are the risk of being cut off from Constellate, and finding a place to stay after I get kicked out. But I believe I have those under control. The former is why I will wait a few years, which will additionally give me more time to think this over, and the latter… well…" She pauses, glancing at her feet.

"I was wondering… Would you all be willing to give me a place to stay for just a little while? I know I will no longer be Shiota-sensei's student at this point, but I promise it will not be permanent. Just a year or two while I take the time to get myself off of the ground."

The three of them exchange a unanimous glance.

"Fumiko," Kayano says, reaching over to hug her. "You can stay with us as long as you need."

Tentatively… they settle on it. There's still a few things they'd like to fix up before they go through with the plan, but they have the next two years for that. In the meantime, they can continue to help Fumiko on her life skills. On becoming an adult that will truly thrive on her own.

As they agree, a weight seems to lift from her shoulders. She whispers "thank yous," hugging Kayano back, before leaping to her feet, and slowly embracing the others.

"I can't thank you enough," she says. "For everything the three of you have done for me. I don't know how to express just how much it means."

And when she stops to hug Gakushuu, he almost feels ready to cry.

She's come so far. She's already growing up. She's doing so, so much better already than he ever had. And it brings goddamn tears to his eyes.

He still doesn't know what to say. What he wants to say to a younger Gakushuu, or would have wanted to hear all those years ago. It's too complex a riddle in a life with far too few answers. But even then, there is one solution he can deduce. One answer he can infer. And that is what he would have wanted someone to do for him all those years ago.

As such, he leans down and hugs Fumiko as tight as he possibly can. Squeezes her, as if saying 'everything is going to be okay soon. Just you wait,' and smiles.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispers. "You're doing great."

Later that day, when the two of them are alone, he admits he doesn't know what he's doing. That this is his first time dealing with anything like this, at least on this side of the story. And Fumiko raises her eyebrows at him.

But he admits it. And he admits it without shame. Because he'd rather admit he's not perfect… That he's downright clueless, and adults can be at a loss sometimes than let her think years down the line that he'd just wanted to stand by. That he'd just wanted to let her come up with that plan on her own. That he'd somehow thought she didn't deserve help.

He will not let her lie awake in bed at night thinking about that.

"...It's okay," Fumiko says. "We're all just trying to get by, aren't we? I'm glad you're trying your best to help, even if you don't always know how."

"Yeah," Gakushuu says. "I'm glad we could at least figure something out."

"And if you ask me…" Fumiko says, voice quiet. "You're already doing plenty. For me. Even if you don't exactly always have it mapped out." She sighs and gives him a tired smile. "Just supporting me… Helping me figure it out is more than I thought I'd ever get. Please don't apologize."

And even in a life without victories... without 100%s and easy answers… Seeing her smile feels like just a bit of a win after all.

"I won't," he says, shaking his head.

And quietly... Carefully, he simply thanks her instead.

---

Okay, so obviously all of them are doing some hard work, but watching Nagisa toil over lesson plans at 1 AM one wintry night, Karma wonders if he's pushing himself too far.

He's wondered about it for a while. Years, even. But this year has been worse than usual. Ever since he'd become a teacher, Nagisa has worked himself to the brink for his students. It's a fundamental part of who he is. And his family has grown used to it. Grown around it. And learned to remind him when to take a break. But with the whole Makoto thing looming over his shoulder these past few months, Karma is beginning to wonder if Nagisa's now not just pushing himself far, but to his breaking point.

It's a ridiculous thought, but a ridiculously likely one, too. It's a miracle Nagisa hasn't already burned himself out at some point or another. Sooner or later, he's gonna collapse.

Karma and the others have talked it over a thousand times. They all agree Nagisa needs some assistance if he's ever gonna keep the school running the way he is, much less work on expanding it. But god damn if Nagisa can't be stubborn when he feels strongly about something... and this is his life's work!

Karma can't blame him for getting defensive, but he wishes Nagisa would listen to them for at least five seconds and get (at the very least) a teacher's aide. It would make his life so much easier.

...Sometimes he wonders if Nagisa doesn't want things to be easy. He's... a self-deprecating person. If things are too easy, that means he's not doing his job. That he's not helping enough people. And if things aren't hard, that means he needs to make them.

The thought makes Karma want to punch a wall. Needless to say, however, he doesn't. They pay way too much for this house, and also that would scare the shit out of his husband. He misses the days when they weren't adults. When they were in what may as well have been a tween fight club, and beating the piss out of each other in the forest was an acceptable way to resolve their differences.

But it's not anymore. And as such, Karma simply settles on chucking a blanket at Nagisa's head.

He lets out a yelp, tossing it aside on the couch as he flails. Head whipping around, he turns to stare at Karma.

...Karma supposes he hadn't noticed him before. That's hyperfocus for you.

"Hey," he says, already crouching down to grab another blanket.

"Don't," Nagisa groans. "Can't you see I'm doing work?"

"Clear as day."

Nagisa sighs. "Why are you up, anyways? It's late."

"I could be saying the same thing to you, young man," Karma replies, to which Nagisa only groans louder. But Karma, never to be dissuaded, marches over to the couch. "If you really want an answer, I'm worrying about you. Again."

Nagisa's brow furrows, and he scratches the back of his neck with this all-too-familiar concerned look on his face. "Don't," he says. "I'm fine. I swear."

"You keep saying that," Karma replies, plopping down next to him "But this is? What? The fourth night in a row you've stayed up like this?"

"Fifth, actually," Nagisa just has to specify, although he quickly realizes he's not exactly helping his case. His shoulders sink. "Listen. It's not permanent. Work's just been… busy lately."

"Yeah, right," Karma says. "Busy. In the middle of winter break."

"I need to prepare for third trimester. It'll be up on me before I even know it. I need to plan out a unit on Geometry, I still haven't picked a pair of class representatives, and if I don't find a way to convince them that writing an essay on Catcher In The Rye is somehow worth it even though the book is like that, either the school board or the kids are gonna have my head. Maybe both!"

Karma snorts. "They're 13. Are you kidding me? The kids are going to love The Catcher In The Rye. They're still all angsty and Chuunibyou, aren't they? It's going to 'vibe' with them big time."

Nagisa snorts back. "Bold words coming from 'Delinquent Type,' but I do see your point."

Karma, never a fan of being reminded just how edgy he was in middle school, does his best to hide a humiliated blush, and grumpily mumbles something about how 'Yeah. Sure. It vibed with me as well. But that's besides the point.'

"What we really need to be talking about is you," he says, tapping Nagisa's chest. "I'm not letting you distract me. You gotta give yourself some time to breathe, man. We've talked about this so many times."

"I know-"

"When are we gonna see some change?"

"...Listen. I know it's not fair to you guys-"

"No. It's not about us. It's not like you're not spending time with us. You're spending plenty. You're just not being fair to yourself. When's the last time you got a full eight hours of sleep?"

Nagisa's silence seems to imply that he doesn't quite remember, either.

"One of these days you're gonna pass out. In class. And you're gonna embarrass yourself. Or even worse, you're just gonna have a real-ass heart attack. What are your kids gonna do if you're hospitalized? What are we gonna do if you're hospitalized? We need you, man. You don't want me crying, do you? Because if you give yourself an aneurysm, I will cry."

"...Is it a heart attack or an aneurysm?"

"Does it even matter!? It could be Influenza and I'd cry. All gross and vulnerable. All over you. Is that what you want? Weepy, tender, Karma? Boo-hooing? Cussing up a storm? Getting into fistfights ripe with misdirected anger towards doctors because visiting hours are for the weak?"

Nagisa gives him a glance. "...You wouldn't actually do that."

"Or would I? Either way, my point still stands. Do you want to make me sad?"

Now that gets Nagisa to relent. He sighs, shaking his head. "No," he admits. "I hate it when you cry."

"I'd hope so," Karma says. "If you answered 'yes,' I was gonna be a little bit concerned." He pauses. "Though, actually, I'm already pretty concerned. Y'know. The whole 'you haven't had a good night's sleep in six years' thing. Seriously, dude. Is it really asking you too much to ask you to take just a little bit better care of yourself?"

"No," Nagisa admits. "Listen. I'll try, okay? I'm sorry. I don't wanna freak you out."

"You swear?" Karma says.

"I swear."

"Good," Karma replies. And he doesn't believe it for a moment, but it's still nice to hear out of Nagisa's mouth. "I'll be enforcing that, you know. Hauling you into bed if it's the death of me."

Nagisa groans. "Why are you like this?" he asks. "What happened to being 'rebellious' and 'a delinquent?' Don't tell me all that spunk's faded from you. Are you seriously going to tuck me into bed?"

"Hey! When everyone around you's a fucking idiot, it turns out that going to bed at 10 PM is 'counterculture' and 'unheard of.'" Karma refutes, conveniently ignoring the fact that this is in no way a recent development and that he has gone to bed at 10 PM since he was 14 because, despite all his talk and his many, many fistfights, grades are important!

He snakes his arms around Nagisa and leans over on him with his full weight. "If you haven't gotten the memo, for the record," he clarifies, "You're one of the aforementioned 'fucking idiots.' Time to get into bed, big boy!"

"Hey! Hey! Not right now!" Nagisa insists, attempting to wiggle out of his grasp. "At least let me finish this!"

"Mmmmm… I'd consider it," Karma says, leaning further on Nagisa. "But last I'd checked, you had no concept of time. And 'finishing this' could take thirteen hours. Sorry, bub! Request vetoed!"

Before Nagisa can even protest, Karma's buried his face in his shoulder. And shaking his head wildly… planting kisses on his neck, he hauls him up into the air and steps away from the couch. Nagisa lets out an embarrassed shriek, kicking at his stomach and flailing with all his might.

"God damn it, Karma!" he hisses.

"Don't you 'god damn' me. You've got literally all of tomorrow to deal with the rest of this. I'm just looking out for you. Trust me when I say you'll thank me in the morning."

Nagisa falls limp. "I suppose," he admits. I have been rather exhausted lately. Maybe you're right, Karma."

…

"Or maybe you're just a little bitch!"

And in an instant, he's on Karma, pressing back with his own weight. Which is, admittedly, very little weight, but it seems he's banking on the element of surprise, and for once, his faith isn't misplaced. Karma stumbles back, surprised, but not about to go down. At least until Nagisa wraps his own arms, backwards, around his neck, and with a precision only a boy who genuinely considered becoming an assassin at age 15 could muster, he squeezes tight and sends them both tumbling onto the couch.

Karma hisses in through his teeth, shocked. But Nagisa succeeds in his goal and successfully breaks from his grip. Rolling over, he attempts to reclaim his rightful spot on the couch.

Karma rubs his elbow, which he's pretty sure he hit on Nagisa's something, and groans. "I should have known better than to trust the words 'Maybe you're right, Karma,' shouldn't've I?"

Nagisa nods. "Without a doubt."

He says it with snark, but there's a smile on his face. Karma hopes he'd managed to ease his tension, even a little.

"...Listen. I'll hear you out. But only because you bested me in battle. And because I love you or whatever. But mostly the first thing. What do I look like? A sap? No. I have a warrior's spirit." A claim neither he or Nagisa believes. "I'll give you… five more minutes. To finish this up. Then, after that, you go to bed."

Nagisa thinks it over.

"Fifteen."

"You know, we make fun of Gakushuu for always needing to get in the last word, but you're the one who really always needs to have it exactly how you want it, aren't you?" Karma muses. "I'll meet you at ten. But I'm not budging any further than that. And only if you cuddle me."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Nagisa replies, rolling over on the couch. "Ten minutes it is. Then we go to bed." He pauses. "I hope the others aren't too mad at us for causing a commotion."

Karma shakes his head. "Are you kidding me? They're used to it by now. Now get to work. The timer begins on one… Two…-"

"Okay! Okay!" Nagisa relents, scrambling to grab his pencil. And Karma chuckles, watching him close as he works, and pulling him into a snuggle.

….He ends up going a few minutes over ten. But that's okay. Karma just can't say no to that face. And hey, before they hit the fifteen-minute mark, or before Nagisa even manages to finish his lesson plan, for that matter, he dozes off, snoring gently on Karma's shoulder.

Karma watches him sleep and smiles at just how peaceful he looks. He sighs and places his hands behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling. He supposes this is where he'll be spending the night, huh? He doesn't have the heart to wake the dumb bastard up. Not after how much work it took to get him to fall asleep in the first place.

"Night, you big dumb moron," he says, his voice a whisper. "...I'm putting my faith in you. Please don't let me down. Just… be careful, okay?"

...Nagisa doesn't answer. Instead, he simply snores. But that's okay, because his stubborn, slumbering face still manages to offer up an answer.

"I won't," it says as he drools on Karma's shoulder. "I won't."

Karma sighs, and shifts slightly. Prepares himself for a night on the couch, and listens to the gentle sound of Nagisa's breathing. Shutting his eyes before he can get the chance to roll them, he leans back on Nagisa and shakes his head.

That's his dumbass.

---

Nagisa doesn't get what Karma's going on about. He's fine. He's fine!

Yeah, sure, he's doing a lot of work, but he knew what he'd be in for when he signed up to be a teacher. And besides, his work's rewarding. In fact, it's been more rewarding than ever as of late! Winter has been awesome!

For one, the kids have been off a ton. And snow days are always a delight. Sure, it's a little stressful falling behind on his lesson plans, but hey! No-one can control the weather. And not only has he gotten to watch Makoto and co have snowball fights in his backyard, but he's also getting some of that 'much-needed sleep' Karma's so worried about. It's a win-win!

Once or twice, he and the others even go outside to join them in their little competitions. Which is fun until Karma inevitably pegs Kiyoshi straight in the face with a half-frozen snowball. Now that sends him tumbling over on his ass... and is gonna make for a delightful story to have to explain to his parents! It takes him thirty minutes to stop crying, and even longer for Karma to stop freaking out. Turns out he is capable of feeling guilt once in a blue moon!

"What?" Gakushuu snarks. "I thought you enjoyed winning?"

"I enjoy besting those who deserve it! Delivering recompense upon the evil, you know!? Karma! Giving a thirteen-year-old a concussion is hardly my proudest feat!"

From there on out, Karma is banned from snowball fights, which he's only mildly bitter about. He hates to be excluded, but Nagisa, who sorta sucks at snowball fights anyways, joins him on the porch with a mug of hot cocoa and jokes that his power simply needed to be contained.

Thankfully for the both of them, Karma's stupidity doesn't seem to leave a bruise. And Kiyoshi is back his cheerful, carefree self in no time. (Or… at least, as carefree as Kiyoshi can get.)

Miss Nao quickly starts to become a menace. Which in and of itself is a phrase that is a huge oxymoron, seeing as how she's already... like that, but she gets worse. It seems like every other day she's trying to bust out of the house through windows or slightly ajar doors. He knows she used to be an outdoor cat, but it's 20 degrees outside! Does she want to freeze to death?

(...Probably, actually, knowing Miss Nao. But...)

Nagisa won't allow it! He brings her back, kicking and screaming, with every attempt she makes. She may be atrocious to look at, but she is a part of the family and Makoto loves her!

Ultimately, they settle for putting a bell on her. It both fits with the festive atmosphere, and gives them an idea of where the menace is at all times. She hates it, but sometimes we just have to deal with things we hate, now don't we? Besides, there's no way in hell she can possibly hate it as much as the fact that Makoto later attempts to put a Christmas sweater on her, so Nagisa hopes she's reconsidering her priorities.

(For the record... (And don't let anyone hear he said this, but) she almost manages to look cute in a sweater. Almost.)

As Karma's birthday, and, like… Christmas or whatever quickly approaches, the seven of them decide they want to celebrate. They make a bit of a weird group, but they've spent a lot of time around each other over the past year. Makoto's the first to declare they should do something in honor of that. Luckily for him, Nagisa and co already have an idea brewing: Something they've been celebrating between just the four of them for the past several years.

Fumiko looks at him like he's a crazy person when he explains.

"The hell's Secret Santa?"

(And when did her vocabulary become so vulgar!? He's happy she's finding new ways to express herself, but could she maybe use nicer words!?)

"Allow me to explain," Gakushuu says, stepping forward with poise and grace . He may as well have had a goddamn Powerpoint prepared, because Fumiko's expression shifts from that of skepticism to pure respect the moment he begins his explanation. God damn fancy, overprepared, bastard.

"As you may be aware, I worked overseas for many years. I went to college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and I got my business off the ground in Silicon Valley. During my time there, I picked up several foreign traditions. One of them being Secret Santa. Although at the time we did it over mail because we were not living in the same house... or even in the same country for that matter."

"Most simply put, Secret Santa is a process where everyone involved is to get a gift for another person involved. The most fascinating aspect, however, is that no-one is to know who they're obtaining a gift from in advance. Nor is the gift giver allowed to ask what they believe the recipient would most want. Instead, they simply draw a name from a hat, bucket, or other such instrument, and follow their gut instinct when it comes to getting a gift for their beneficiary."

"Hat, bucket, or 'other such instrument,'" Karma repeats under his breath, stifling a snicker.

"I don't want to hear it from you, Mister 'Delivering recompense upon the evil.'"

"...Touche."

Nevertheless, the kids seem to agree that it's a fun idea. Kayano's quick to write names and toss them into a shoebox. (...'Other such instrument' it is!) She gives it a firm shake, just for good measure, then holds it out and invites the others to pick a name.

Makoto elbows his way to the front. Never one to be bested, he demands to be the first to draw the name of one of his friends. And when he receives it, swiftly cupping it between his hands so no-one else can see, he mischievously grins from ear to ear.

"I have the perfect idea!"

In due time the rest of them draw. And Nagisa reminds them that whatever they get doesn't have to be expensive. Or even bought, at all. It can be homemade. The price isn't what matters. What matters is showing how they care about each other.

...Needless to say, he's excited to have drawn Kayano's name.

They agree to exchange gifts on the 23rd. The 24th and 25th are somewhat family-oriented days, and they'd hate to rob Kiyoshi of spending time with his. They may love him as much of a pack of weird aunts, besties, and uncles can, but he ultimately has a mom and a dad to come home to. Besides, Karma's birthday is the 25th anyways, and lord knows he's gonna want the attention all to himself.

Makoto is the first to show off his gift. They scoot into a circle on Christmas Eve-Eve, and before Nagisa can even finish asking "Who wants to go first?" his hand shoots in the air. Grinning proudly, he holds up a carefully wrapped box.

Without a moment's hesitation, he slides it Kiyoshi's way. And excitedly mumbling something about how he hopes he likes it, he encourages him to tear into the gift wrapping.

Kiyoshi's unwrapping could more aptly be described as a gentle removal, but the point still stands. He places the wrapping paper aside, as if he'll actually manage to find some use for it later, and then cracks open the box!

Inside it a hand-knitted winter hat. Snow white and with adorable ears attached, just for good measure. It takes a minute, but when everyone seems to simultaneously realize they're Taro-shaped, a 'd'awwww' overtakes the room.

Makoto shyly twiddles his fingers, giving Kiyoshi a smile. "...I couldn't afford a whole lot, so I thought I'd make you something! I have my winter coat, and Fumiko has her scarf, but I realized you don't really have anything to keep you warm. I handmade it and everything! I really hope you like it-"

Before he can finish, Kiyoshi's got him in a bear hug. Shaking his head back and forth, he lets Makoto know he loves it. And, of course, he's quick to try it on. It's a little big for him, and falls over his eyes when he tilts his head forward. But that's okay. He reiterates that he's still got a lot of growing to do. Being a! Karasuma and all! He's sure he'll grow into it.

Karma suggests they may as well go in a circle. Easier than waiting for volunteers in this family of introverts. Why doesn't Kiyoshi go next?

He's a little nervous about it, but he agrees. He lifts his box up from off his lap and passes it Nagisa's way.

Nagisa doesn't even need to open it to start crying. The thought of simply receiving a gift from sweet little Kiyoshi, who's grown so much over the past year, is more than enough to bring him to tears. Dabbing at his eyes, and mumbling something about how he swears he's not crying for real, he unwraps the box.

Inside, is not one, but two gifts. First and foremost, a carefully folded, baby blue blanket. And underneath it, a beautiful, snake-skinned journal/planner combination.

"It's. Uh. Artificial," Kiyoshi's quick to clarify. "I would. Not get you. An actual snakeskin journal. When you own a pet snake. That would just be cruel. But - Uh - I did get you a journal!" He gives Nagisa a nervous smile. "I heard from Mom and Dad that you used to keep a journal on Korosensei back in the day. So… you're at least sort of a writer, yeah? I figured maybe you could outline lesson plans, or write about what's worrying about you or whatever in there. It could be stress-relieving!"

"I keep a diary!" he adds on. "It's really helpful! And I got you a blanket, too. In case you didn't like the journal. It's really soft! Feel it!"

Nagisa runs his fingers over the blanket. And true to Kiyoshi's word, it's velvety soft. Nagisa's expression melts into a sappy smile as he meets Kiyoshi's eyes.

"...It's wonderful, Kiyoshi. Thank you so much. I'll make sure to use them both."

He's mildly concerned by the fact that everyone in his life seems to think he desperately needs some organization, but appreciative nonetheless.

He, too, pulls Kiyoshi into a hug. Something tells him there are gonna be a lot of those exchanged tonight. Then, awkwardly, he fumbles for his own gift, hiding behind his back.

"So - Uh - For the record - I do want to put it out there that I got two gifts as well. Namely because this first gift is going to make you want to kill m-"

"None of you know the definition of 'one,' do you?" Karma asks, deadpan.

"Namely because this first gift is going to make you want to kill me," he turns towards Kayano and sweats. "Akari?"

Kayano gives him an amused glance. "Oh boy," she says. "What am I in for?"

Sheepishly, Nagisa slides the box her way.

The first of his gifts for his beloved wife, and the gift he genuinely believes will entice her to remove his kneecaps, is a mint green shirt labeled "SHORTY SQUAD: OPPRESSING TALL PEOPLE SINCE 2014" in all capital letters. Before Kayano can burst into laughter, Nagisa hurries to explain.

"I just! Figured since we had so many inside jokes, I could get us something to celebrate one of them. And… I mean, what do we hate more than tall people? I pretty much instantly regretted it the moment I ordered it, but it was too late to cancel. I got myself a matching one... if it makes you feel any better."

Kayano's laughing so hard she's crying. But shaking her head with disbelief, she asks "Why did you think I'd hate this? If anything, it's those two you should be afraid of." She points a thumb towards Gakushuu and Karma, stifling another laugh. "Remember? They're the enemy."

"Okay, you two," Karma snaps. "You've really crossed the line, now. This is all-out war."

"Can we please continue with Secret Santa?" Fumiko asks. "I have no interest in your strange and petty feuds."

His second gift for Kayano, however, is far more genuine. A pair of crimson and gold earrings he'd gone and handpicked. Shaped like roses, he'd thought they were rather cute.

"...Just like you," he clarifies. "I thought they fit you well."

She takes surprisingly better to both his gifts than he'd thought she would. Pulling him in to give him a kiss on the cheek, she thanks him with a genuine delight to her voice. And as soon as she's pulled away, she's already got her hands on her own gift.

"You guys have no idea how excited I was to draw this name. Without further ado, I present Fumiko Hisakawa her gift!"

She takes a mock bow and slides the box Fumiko's way.

...Strangely enough, Fumiko already looks halfway to tears herself.

She hurries to unwrap her gift, tearing at the paper with an ecstatic messiness Nagisa never would have thought he'd ever get to see in her just a few months ago.

...He's really proud of her.

"I had a lot of trouble picking something out for you," Kayano admits. "Over this past year… you've become a very important person to me and my family. You're a bright, beautiful, and kind young lady. And almost every day we find another reason to be proud of you. I wasn't sure what sort of gift could surmise that type of pride, if any at all. But nevertheless, I hope you like it. And needless to say, I grabbed you several things as well."

Quietly, Fumiko leans on her side.

"Y… ukimura-san," she says, voice quivering. "There's no gift I could ask for more than to hear those words. I'm beyond lucky to have your family, and I'm beyond lucky to have you. Whatever it is, I'll love it."

Inside is not one, and not even two, but true to Kayano's word , three gifts. Fumiko lunges for them and races to proudly hold each up.

"Okay. Seriously. I was joking earlier, but none of you know what 'one' means, do you?" Karma asks.

Unanimously, he's ignored. Instead, everyone's attention is glued to Fumiko's prizes. And what prizes they are.

A pristine, hardcover book, dedicated to the strangest, most fascinating. and funniest facts about history, a miniature sewing machine, and a small, colorful pair of socks.

"I know you're a bit of a history buff, so I figured you would appreciate learning some facts you maybe hadn't heard about yet. Sorta useless in the age of the internet, but who knows? Did you know that during World War II, a Liechtenstein army went out with 58 men, and returned with 59 because they made a friend?"

"I did in fact," Fumiko admits. "But I'm curious to see what I don't know."

"...As for the sewing machine, Makoto actually pitched it to me while he was making his hat for Kiyoshi. I expressed that I thought you'd appreciate a creative outlet, and he said you should join him! I dunno if it'll be up your alley, but it's worth a try."

Fumiko nods! "Who knows? I do appreciate the idea of being able to stab things."

Nagisa feels that on a spiritual level.

"...And the socks," Kayano laughs. "You're a weird kid to pick things out for. I mean… It's not your fault, but you can't really have a stuffed animal or anything. You can't even bring your scarf home. You're in an environment where that sort of thing is hard. So I figured maybe I'd go for something subtle. Something you could take with you everywhere, that seemed unassuming, but served as a reminder that you have people rooting you on."

"Just colorful enough to remind you that you have some light in your life, but 'normal' enough that they won't get confiscated or anything. Plus, if you ask me, they're rather fashionable."

Now that m akes Fumiko roll her eyes. She kicks gently at Kayano's ankle, but never once makes the attempt to lean away from her. At least… until she realizes it's just about time for her to go reaching for her own gift.

"...Thank you, Yukimura-san," she says, in a voice still touched. "I'll treasure them. Does that… make it my turn?"

Nagisa nods! "I think so."

Carefully, Fumiko retrieves a large box from behind her. And she slides it Gakushuu's way!

"There's a card attached," she specifies. "Please read it before opening your gift."

Gakushuu blinks, but nods affirmatively. Careful not to tear it, he removes the card and gives it a read.

It takes him a minute, but as he closes the card he blinks back tears. Turning his head to Fumiko, he mumbles a quiet "...Thank you. Sincerely. I'm… flattered you believe in me to that degree."

He tries to be subtle about it, but there's no hiding the way he dabs at his eyes.

Oh, now Nagisa's curious. "Do you mind if we give it a read as well? Or do you want this to stay between the two of you?" He asks Fumiko.

"I suppose I don't particularly mind," Fumiko says. "Just give it back to Asano-san when you're finished."

Gakushuu hands the letter over to Nagisa. Written is the following:

"Dear Asano-san,

I was quite surprised when I received you as my Secret Santa recipient. I've always seen us as rather similar people. And as such, I suppose I had about as much difficulty picking out a gift for you as I would myself. Which is, needless to say, much.

I had to make sure it was something good. Over these past few months, you and your family have been an immeasurable help to my happiness, and wellbeing. In many ways, I have you four to thank for helping me grow up. But that is not just some group statement. You are not just some collective. You specifically have helped me in your own ways.

Your progress. Your pride, and your happiness. The family you surround yourself with. You've given me hope for my future in a world where I had very little before. Because if you can do it… if you can succeed despite your upbringing, perhaps so can I.

But I believe we are not to be defined by our pasts. By that horror that makes us one in the same. The people who have hurt us, and the families we were raised by. I did not want to get you something reflective of our shared wealth. As sweet as the concept of a freshly-pressed "#1 Teacher's-Husband" tie is, we are defined by so much more than fancy outfits and business meetings. We are survivors.

As such, I decided to go with something else we share, instead. We are surrounded by a rather eccentric cast of characters, after all. I hope this will manage to assist some with the migraines our friends and family are inevitably to give us.

Yours truly, Fumiko."

Just reading that, close to crying himself. And by the time he's glanced up to pass the card onto Kayano, Gakushuu's already got his gift unwrapped.

Sitting proudly on his lap is a coffee maker. And with 80-something different flavors, to boot.

"I figured since you drink a lot of coffee, you could use some assistance with that. That thing you have in your kitchen is positively ramshackle," Fumiko says, as if she didn't just pour her heart out. Awkwardly scratching her shoulder, she gives him a nervous smile.

Gakushuu pulls her into a hug and laughs. "Good thinking. I'll make sure to give it use."

...Scratch 'proud of her.' Nagisa's proud of the both of them!

"I suppose that makes it my turn," Gakushuu says, stretching as he pulls away. "It turns out I was rather surprised to receive my recipient, as well. Although where Fumiko perhaps experienced delight, I experienced abject horror." Slowly, he turns his head. "Akabane?"

Karma snorts. "Ohhhh boy. Here we go."

"I don't mean to give a monologue, but truly, I had no idea what to think when I received my husband's name as my assignment. Sure, in the past eight years, I have received the one and only red menace before, but each time it remains a monumental task. A delirious enigma of pleasing a man I have the most complicated relationship on the planet with."

"As every person in this room knows, Akabane is a truly bothersome person. But to boil him down to just that would be such an erasure of his true… complexities. Despite his mind-numbingly irritating personali-"

"Is this my gift?" Karma interjects. "Is this my gift? Are you giving a speech where you drag me through the dirt as my gift? Don't get me wrong - I don't mind one bit. But if this is my gift, I think I'd like to record it."

"Please let me finish my monologue. No, it is not your gift."

"I thought you said you didn't want to give a monologue."

"This is why I need to give a precursory speech to this gift in the first place," Gakushuu grumbles, motioning towards Karma. "As I was saying: Despite his mind-numbingly irritating personality, Karma somehow still remains a diamond in the rough. If all I saw to him - If all we saw to him was his attitude, then I'm sure none of us would be here listening to him blab his mouth today. And yet… here we are."

"Fifteen years ago, I never would have thought I'd be on speaking terms with him, much less wed to him under the court of law. If we'd had things my way - Or at least fifteen-year-old me's way - Karma would be dead in a ditch. But as we can all see, he's not. And… in fact, Karma has had a monumental impact on my life. One that I would never take back, even if given the chance."

"We… all give him slack, myself included. But I'll be the first to say I would not be where I am today if not for his occasional kindness, and, yes: his blatant disrespect. He gave me something to strive for, and has not let up on that once in the almost sixteen years I've known him. He never ceases pushing me out of my comfort zone, oftentimes in irritating and downright humiliating ways. And while, usually, the average person would find this to be irksome… I know I certainly have at times… Since his birthday is coming upon us, I suppose I can drop the facade for one moment and say what I truly feel in my heart."

"...Despite his attitude, Karma is one of the people who has had the most monumental impact on my life. Every day he makes me strive to be a better person, in a way that doesn't make me feel bad about myself. And I'd like to hope I've done the same for him."

He falls silent, watching Karma's expression. And when Karma gives a flattered laugh, mumbling something along the lines of, "Shit, dude. I didn't expect you to get sappy. Now I'm gonna cry," he smiles.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is: Although this is perhaps the rudest gift I have ever allocated to the red menace, it's a rudeness drenched in love. The same sort of rudeness he's always shown me. Here's to our rivalry, and please don't divorce me for this."

Karma laughs louder as Gakushuu shoves the box his way.

"You're gonna have to try harder than that to get rid of me. Whatever it is, I can handle it."

Nagisa and Kayano, on the other hand, cannot. When Karma unveils his newfound mug spelling out 'CUNT' in all capital letters, (Yes, the handle included as an oversized and overinsulting 'C,') they burst into laughter.

"It's certainly- fitting-" Kayano admits between snickers, covering her mouth with her hands.

"I'm glad you agree. I'd hate to be alone in this assessment," Gakushuu replies.

Nagisa, on the other hand, instantly regrets his laughter. Glancing from the kids to Gakushuu and back to the kids, he hisses, "Come on! Why couldn't we have kept it appropriate!?"

"Learn to live a little, Nagisa!" Karma replies. "I, for one, love it. And I'm sure the kids already know their English swears."

"No! No! I don't!" Makoto says, leaning forward. "What's it say? What's it say!? I want in on the joke!"

"...I must admit that is a word I'm not acquainted with, either," Fumiko muses.

Kiyoshi, on the other hand, remains eerily silent.

"Who do you think I am!?" Nagisa asks. "Why do you think I've taught them that!? What sort of teacher teaches their students English slurs!?"

"Bitch-sensei," Karma answers. "We learned wayyy worse stuff at their age, and we turned out fine. Next question."

He's not sure about 'fine,' but that shuts up Nagisa for now. Kiyoshi, on the other hand, covers his face with his hands and flops back onto the couch with utter embarrassment.

"I can't believe my mom," he whispers, shaking his head. "She's the worst. She's the worst-"

A bold claim to make in a room full of people with actual bad parents, but one Nagisa will let slide for now. He'd be pretty upset too if his mom had (In detail) explained what 'a cunt' was to a room full of middle schoolers.

Needless to say, however, Nagisa and co do not follow in her lead and explain to this set of middle schoolers. That would be wholly inappropriate, and also they're pretty sure Kiyoshi is going to explain the joke to the two of them later anyways. All's well that ends well.

...Meaning Karma is the last one with a gift to hand over, and wha t a pair of gifts it is.

"What happened to you complaining about us giving too many gifts?" Kayano asks as he hands the boxes over to Makoto.

"Well, the plan was for me to be the only one who was ~thoughtful enough~ to give multiple gifts. Then the six of you were supposed to lavish me in praise for being so considerate. Good job stealing my thunder, Yukimura."

"Just putting you in your place," Kayano retorts.

"There is a card attached, by the way," Karma says. "Not nearly as sweet as Fumiko's card, but I hope it makes ya laugh."

Sure enough, attached to one of the pristinely wrapped boxes is a card. And printed on the front, in bold, 72pt Impact font is the following.

"THANK YOU FOR STABBING ME"

Everyone else stares at Karma with utter disbelief, but at the very least Makoto appreciates it. He proudly sets it aside, before unboxing his two true gifts.

The first is a Korosensei kigurumi. One which no-one has any idea where he fucking got it from. When questioned, however, Karma simply shrugs and says that people on Etsy will do anything "If paid in enough heaps of fat cash."

"Of course," Gakushuu says. "Of course."

...Well! Always good to know how the government is spending their hard-earned money!

Makoto wants to put it on right away, but everyone insists he'll overheat. At the very least he should open his other gift before he slides it on and passes out on the couch.

...A suggestion they soon regret when they see the other gift is a box chock to the brim with party poppers.

"You seemed to really enjoy these at your own party, yeah? So I figured I'd get you some more. And you know what the coolest part is?" he asks, leaning in with a grin.

"It's my birthday. And that means I'm in charge. No-one can tell you to stop. Go hogwild, kiddo."

Makoto lets out a delighted laugh.

"Not for two days it's not-" Kayano insists.

But Karma isn't to be stopped. He shakes his head and asks "Awww. And so you have the heart to rain on his parade?"

Makoto gives his best set of puppy dog eyes. And somehow, Karma's right. They just don't have the heart.

...Needless to say, the rest of the night is very… loud.

And somehow, despite that, it's still the memory that sticks out the most to Nagisa about the end of the year. Karma's birthday is perfect, and Gakushuu's does everything to outclass it (Because… of course it does,) but he thinks the Secret Santa ends up being his favorite.

...Seeing those kids thrive… hearing his family laugh. It reminds him of what he's doing this all for. And late one night… two days after Gakushuu's birthday, and unable to sleep, he decides to give the journal Kiyoshi bought for him a try. He brews himself a cup of coffee from Gakushuu's brand new machine, glances outside at the moon, and tries to surmise his thoughts.

It takes a little thinking, but half a cup of coffee later, and he thinks he knows what he wants to say.

"I think 2031 is going to be a good year," he writes. "I'm excited for the third trimester, and the kids are doing great."

He smiles, writes one last thing, and tucks his journal away, ready to go back to bed.

"The future looks bright."

---

Kiyoshi's future is over.

The holidays are perfect. Maybe a little too perfect. He should know not to accept perfect by now. That something always goes wrong. But he just has to get his hopes up, doesn't he? And LOOK WHERE IT GETS HIM!

Three days after Christmas, his parents share the bad news.

...At first, he doesn't believe his ears. He thinks it's making it up. He tends to do that when he's worried about something. But when they reiterate, he feels his heart sink.

"Mom's going to Ukraine."

No. No. Nononono. He hates it when his parents go overseas. He hates it when they go to deal with foreign warfare. And he hates it when they put themselves in danger. It makes him anxious! It makes him upset! It makes him…-

"It won't even be a whole three months," Mom reassures, crouching down to his level. "I'll be back by March. I promise. Just in time for your birthday."

More than anything, Kiyoshi wants to express that he doesn't give a shit about his birthday. She can miss a thousand birthdays for all he cares! All he cares about is that she comes home safe. That is not the issue here!

Instead, he simply shuffles awkwardly and nods.

...He doesn't like talking about how much it upsets him. He doesn't like talking about how much anything upsets him, but this is the epitome of that. All his life he's been told how important the work his parents' do is. He's not going to put a stop to that just because he's scared. That's the most selfish thing he can possibly fathom. They're saving lives. They're protecting the peace. They're serving their duty as heroes. And that's far more important than he could ever be.

"I'm sorry I'm leaving so soon after the holidays," Mom says. "But there was nothing we could do about it. Your father was insistent." She puts on a mock-deep voice, placing her hands on her hips. "'It's become an emergency, honey! So now I'm relying on my very hot and brave wife to go and knock some sense into them. You need to go as soon as possible.'"

"...You are not to be 'knocking sense' into anyone," Dad reiterates. "Nor did I… use those words, but that's besides the point-"

"You don't think I'm hot?" Mom interjects.

"That is not - that's not what I'm- that was not the point of my sentence," Dad replies. "I'm simply saying-"

Mom drapes herself over Dad, moaning. "Kiyoshi! Your dad doesn't think I'm hot!"

Mumbling under his breath and rubbing at his temples, Karasuma groans. "...I think you're plenty hot, but I am going to cease doing so if you don't quiet down right this instant and let me please communicate with our son."

...That shuts Mom up real quick. She's nothing if not predictable.

Karasuma doesn't bother to crouch. Instead, he simply sighs and meets Kiyoshi's eyes.

"She is right about one thing, however. And it's that this is urgent. I hope you can understand."

"Of… of course," Kiyoshi replies. "There's no need to apologize. I know it's just work." He shifts slightly, forcing a smile. "...What time will she be heading out?"

"Shortly after New Years," Karasuma says. "She'll be gone for roughly two and a half months. It's a routine investigation. There's nothing for you to worry about."

"I'm not worried," Kiyoshi swears. "So- you don't need to worry. About me - I mean. I… know everything will be fine."

He doesn't. But he doesn't dare voice that. He fears the moment he voices his paranoia is the moment it will bleed into reality. And surely - inevitably - something horrible will happen.

"Fine?" Irina asks. "Pah! You two are giving me too little credit. Things will be more than fine. I've got this in the bag." She flops down on the couch and wraps an arm around Kiyoshi's shoulder. "Besides, it'll give you two boys some much needed father-son time. 'Men's bonding,' or whatever. You can go fishing! Get in a fistfight! Shoot something!" She pauses. "...What is it exactly boys do for fun again?"

"...Not that," Kiyoshi assures. "I am… I am not shooting anything. I can promise you that much, at least."

"Pooie," Mom replies. "All that training for nothing."

Karasuma, seemingly deciding not to comment on the fact that his wife has very little knowledge of what men enjoy for a person who spent the first twenty-five years of her life seducing them, places himself down on the other side of Kiyoshi.

"Ignore her. You know she's just teasing you," he says. "I do look forward to getting to spend some time with you, however, Kiyoshi."

...He says it so straight-faced, but Kiyoshi knows neither of them believe it. Mom has gone away a thousand times before. And nothing has ever changed between him and dad. It'll be just the two of them. Again. The two of them and that horrible, suffocating silence.

"Excited to get to spend some time with you, too," he says, pretending for just one moment that his father's telling the truth.

...He almost manages to muster a smile.

They spend the rest of the night checking up on him. Making sure he's really prepared for this, and that everything will be fine. Mom, of course, pinches his cheek and tells him she doesn't know what she'd do if anything happened to her little man.

He doesn't have the words to tell her that he doesn't know what he'd do if anything happened to her, either. So instead he just says "Love you, too."

Later that night he hears them talking about him. Behind closed doors. He knows he shouldn't listen in, but he does anyways. Because there's something seriously wrong with him, and he just can't shake the weight of what others think about him.

...They're worried. They say it themselves. He can hear Mom pacing in circles. Raising her voice and asking if he's really going to be okay.

"Of course he is," Dad replies. "He's a strong boy. And this is an important mission. He'll understand."

"...I'm just scared maybe he's getting worse instead of better."

Mom says it, and he feels his breath hitch in his throat.

He covers his mouth with his hands and blinks back tears. Not because he's offended. Not because it's untrue. Not even because he's scared of that being a possibility.

...He covers his mouth because he knows it's already the truth.

He just wishes they wouldn't see the way he falls apart. They already have so much on their plate. The last thing they need is some sniveling, whiny brat stressing them out. But here he is, causing them worry no matter what he does. Because worrying is just his nature. And because he can't be like them. It's not their fault he's like this. They shouldn't blame themselves! They shouldn't be stressed! They should just… They should just…

...Give up on him and wish they'd never had him like they should have a long time ago?

He knows it's a ridiculous notion. Mom says he's the light of her life every day. But he just can't shake it. That maybe they really would have been happier without him. They certainly could have followed their dreams with a lot less strife.

By the time Mom and Dad open the door, he's gone: Marched up to his bedroom, and buried his face in Taro's fur. He's an expert at not getting caught eavesdropping. After all: you know: the whole 'doesn't wanna make them more stressed thing.'

Mom comes in to wish him goodnight. Kisses his forehead, and ruffles his hair. Tells him she's proud of him, and that she'll come home no matter what.

...Kiyoshi wonders which of those is a bigger lie.

He doesn't let his worry show, however. At least… he tries not to let it. Instead, he simply smiles and holds onto her hand for one moment more before she goes.

Dad watches all the while, standing in the doorway with those blank eyes. But he doesn't speak. And when Mom turns to exit the room, he soon follows after.

Kiyoshi's not sure how long it takes him to fall asleep that night.

The next few days are a blur. They always are with this sort of thing. Makoto must catch him worried one day, because when it's just the two of them… trailing off towards Nagisa's house... he pokes him in the back and asks him what's wrong.

"...Mom's- she's-" Kiyoshi pauses. Does he really feel comfortable talking about this? He could trust Makoto with pretty much anything, but he's pretty sure if he says it now he's going to burst out crying. Instead, he shakes his head and asks "...Can I ask you a few questions about my mom?"

Makoto cocks his head, but shrugs. "Sure," he says. "What is it?"

"My mom… do you think she's strong?"

"How so?" Makoto asks. "Physically? Emotionally? Or-? I mean, either way it's a hell yes, but-"

"Like… if she was in a dangerous situation. Do you think she could manage to keep herself safe? Or… do you think there's a chance something terrible could happen?"

Makoto stops, standing there on the sidewalk, and brings his hand to his chin.

"...You say that like she hasn't been in all sorts of dangerous situations before. I'm sure danger is nothing new to her," he muses. "...I mean, after all, she grew up in a place like that. And she dealt with me. And she was a professional assassin. And now she's a secret agent! She's used to that kind of thing, I'm sure. I mean - I'd say she knows how to protect herself."

"Mmm," Kiyoshi says. "...I guess I'm just scared one day she'll slip up and get hurt."

"You should have more faith in her than that," Makoto replies as he resumes walking. "She's a really cool lady! Besides, I don't think she'd let anything stop her from coming home to her family. She's super stubborn like that! I know she did some crazy stuff just to keep the class safe. And they were only her students. I bet she'd do anything to make sure you're happy."

"Mmm."

"Don't you keep 'mmm'ing me!" Makoto huffs, hands on his hips. "I'm telling the truth."

"...I guess I just have trouble believing those sorts of things," Kiyoshi awkwardly admits.

"I know you do. That's why it's my job to remind you when you're being a big dummy."

"I have another question about my mom, then." Kiyoshi pauses. "Or… about both my parents, really, I suppose. Though I know this one is really gonna make you yell at me."

"I'm not gonna yell at you," Makoto replies. "What is it?"

"...Do you think I'm…" Kiyoshi pauses. How is he supposed to word this? "Back then. When you knew my parents. Do you think I'm the sort of son they would have wanted? Like… when they first got together. Did you ever imagine their child turning out like this? Or… them wanting him to? Or do you think I'm… I dunno. Not what they expected?"

Makoto's quiet for a long moment, thinking it over. Kiyoshi almost thinks he's mad him as he continues to march along, but finally, he speaks.

"You can't 'expect' anything from kids," he decides. "When you become a parent… you don't know what you're gonna get. And that's okay! It's not like it's some roulette wheel. It's family. You should be prepared to be happy for whatever sort of person you raise."

He places one hand in his pocket, and the other on Kiyoshi's shoulder. "I know I got to raise all sorts of different kids in the E-Class. Of course… I wasn't their father, but it's the closest situation I can relate to." He shrugs! "I had no idea what to expect walking into that classroom at first. But as I got to know everyone, different as they were… I think I loved them all equally!"

"...Terasaka was super loud, and Okuda was super not. Sugaya loved to draw, and Yada was a bit more sporty. Some of them warmed up to me right away, like Kurahashi! And for some of them, I don't think they really even liked me at all until the very end of the year. But, I mean… that didn't make any of them 'worse' or 'better' than each other. That just made them people! And that's what was so cool about it!"

He smiles at the fond memory. "You want my real, honest take?"

"Of course," Kiyoshi replies.

"All those years ago, your parents didn't really strike me as the child-having type at all! Your dad was soooo awkward, and your mom was supe r bad with kids! I didn't think they'd ever have a son. But it turns out they're a little unpredictable, too." He laughs. "Who knows? Maybe… they also learned something from the E-Class. How good it feels to teach a kid. And maybe because of that… they decided they needed you. And, well… if that's true, that means you could have been anything, too, doesn't it? Because the first kids they raised were already allowed to be so different."

"...I suppose."

"But that's just what I think! I'm no mind reader. You gotta talk to them, Kiyoshi. If you're not feeling good enough… well, I think they're the sort of parents you can talk to about that. They'll get it. I promise. And they love you. I know that much."

"I know," Kiyoshi replies. "Or… well, I know, but I don't… know? It's weird." He shakes his head. "...Anyways. I can't do that now. My mom's about to head off to Ukraine. I'm not giving her another thing to worry about."

"Ukraine?" Makoto asks. "Is that what you're worried about? Ukraine!? She grew up in Serbia! In the middle of a war! And killed a bunch of dudes! She faced off against me: The ultimate monster! Once she betrayed us all for a terrorist, got crushed by a wall, and still found the energy to stand up and fawn over your dad. And you're worried about Ukraine!?"

"I know- I know," Kiyoshi admits. "It's silly-"

"If anything, you should be worried for Ukraine! She's gonna destroy the entire country with her boundless horndog energies!"

"Please don't say that."

"She's gonna start an orgy and kill everyone!"

"PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT."

"What!?" Makoto asks, his voice a shrill laugh. "It's true!"

Kiyoshi's this close to tripping him and letting him eat shit on the concrete. But when he sticks his leg out to blockade Makoto, he just barely steps out of the way.

"Hey! Now what's this for!?" he demands.

"For consistently talking about my mother this way!" Kiyoshi roars in response.

"No fair! I thought she was hot before you were even born! You can't take away my freedom of speech now!"

"Oh yes I can! And I am!"

"No fair! No fair!"

They spend the rest of the way to Nagisa's house chasing each other. And slowly but surely, as the topic drifts from Kiyoshi's mom, he laughs. He doesn't even realize he's gotten his mind off of it until later when Makoto asks him if he's feeling any better.

...He doesn't know. As soon as Makoto says it, there's this pit in his stomach again. Like his whole world's in danger, and there's nothing he can do about it.

But he'd managed to distract himself for just a little while. And… hey, he's never done that before. So he'll give himself this little victory, and decide maybe some things can be perfect after all.

"...Yeah," he admits. "Just a little."

---

Fumiko doesn't get to spend the new years with her friends. At least… not in person. In spirit, they never seem to leave her.

She's used to the feeling by now. Of feeling backed up no matter where she goes. It's a new sensation, and an unexpected one at that, but it's far from unwelcome. And with its help, somehow even through a barrage of formal events and family gatherings she survives.

No - more than that. She thrives. Even through barely disguised jeers and their scorn she thrives. She texts her friends underneath the table, and holds her head high as she imagines where she'll be three years from now.

Certainly, it won't be sitting around this table.

It's reassuring to know that she has a plan. A ramshackle plan, built on desperation and foolishness, but a plan nonetheless. She knows what she's going to do. She has the upper hand: The element of surprise. And there is no way in hell she's going to let herself lose. Three years from now, she'll be happy. And she'll be free. And she will live to see it.

But that leaves the question of what to do in the meantime.

She knows she'll burn herself out if she spends all her time looking towards the future. She'll only get to be young once. (...Er… twice?) As beautiful as the idea of an independent future is, she also needs to ask herself what will bring her happiness in the upcoming year.

...Well, her friends and her family are the obvious ones. They're the reason she's waiting three years at all! (That, and the fact that no-one in their right mind would let a thirteen year old live alone.) But that can't be all. She's learned by now there's no happiness to be found in only seeking your self-worth through others. She'll bring herself happiness, too. She'll do what she loves, and she'll discover more about herself. She swears it!

Yes. It's a plan.

When she's expected to display her New Year's resolution, she's not sure what to put. The easiest answer would be to say something simply acceptable. Something that would raise no suspicion from her family. But that feels like the easy way out. And as such, she mulls it over in-depth in the days leading up to the end of the year.

Ultimately, she writes 'To be successful.'

It's innocuous enough. To be successful in work, in school. To be a successful daughter, and a successful businesswoman one day. But she knows that's not what it really means. It means she will be successful in breaking away from her family many years from now, and that she will be successful in being kind to herself in the meantime.

Her mother stares, apprehensive. And her father nods, placing a hand on her shoulder.

...Fumiko jumps.

"I'll be holding you to that," he says in a voice almost like a threat.

But Fumiko soon steadies herself. And she stares back with her own resolute gaze.

"I fully intend to follow through."

...Little does he know, her words can be a threat, too.

When they return to class for third trimester, it comes as a relief. And when Nagisa implores them to share their New Years resolutions in front of the class, Fumiko steps forward proudly.

"I'm going to try to be a little more confident in myself," one classmate declares.

"I'm going to get straight A's!" proclaims another.

"I'm going to make the people I love laugh." From Makoto.

"...I think I'm going to get some things figured out with my family." From Kiyoshi.

And "I'm going to be successful in all I set out to accomplish." From Fumiko Hisakawa.

...Nagisa seems proud of her as she walks back to her seat.

And watching him smile… feeling the own smile creep up her face, she decides this might just be the start of one of the best damn years of her life.