April, the season of new life and new beginnings. New opportunities to achieve better grades, make new friends, and overall have a great time. The sun shone down bathing everything in warm light, it wasn't too hot nor too cold, just the right temperature for this lovely spring day. Small delicate flowers had begun to show their shoots, pushing their way out from the rich soil that once covered them. The vast green stalks stood out adding a splash of colour, ending the dull winter days.
Smooth small cherry blossom petals had covered most of the trees, adding different hues of pink and the odd dash of white. The small flowers danced in the calm breeze which flew past, and every so often the wind would pluck a petal from the branch and take it away. It was like it had snowed, however instead of the white specks of crystal, pink petals littered the pathways and roads, no doubt they'll be cleaned up soon. The flowers symbolised a new start, students basked under the petals and chatted merrily with their friends. While younger first years excitedly danced around as the petals fell.
It was a wonderful and happy start to the new school year.
However, one such student didn't feel the same way. She was not cheerful, nor happy to see the start of the new school year. A dark gloomy aura basically surrounded her as she took step by step into the school gates. She was later than usual; however she didn't seem to mind, no one else would care if she was late and neither did she. Her two friends had already gone on ahead, bright smiles adorned their faces as they raced off to school, she didn't know how they could be so happy it was just school. Nothing about school struck her as happy, it was a hellish hole where students went to learn under the rule of a monster, a.k.a the Chairman.
The moment Akiko walked through the school gates whispers filled her ears. They were talking about her again. She decided this time around she didn't care, clutching her bag tighter she moved away from the large crowd of perfect students. Finally gazing away from the ground her green eyes layed perfectly on the mountain in front of her. Sucking in a deep breath she mentally prepared herself for the hike up to her new classroom.
She wasn't even at the top yet, her breaths were coming out in short pants, and a few beads of sweat rolled down the side of her face. Brown hair stuck to her sweaty neck; it suddenly felt a lot like summer. Taking a few more steps Akiko wanted to collapse her body was giving off a vast amount of heat, she could already smell the gross stench of body order sticking to her body and clothes, she wanted a bath bad. She knew it was a bad idea having a shower this morning, but she brushed the thought aside thinking this trip would be like a walk in the part, clearly not. She had already been at this for at least five minutes, did walking up a mountainside really take that long?
She answered her own question after spending another five minutes carrying her body up the final half of the mountain. When she finally reached the top the terrain sort of levelled out in front of her and Akiko could finally collapse to her knees. You would think doing gymnastics every day would make her fit, obviously not if a mere walk up a mountain could basically kill her. After a short break she stood once again on shaky legs, seriously they felt like jelly. Akiko moved towards the small run-down building, it looked seriously old and like it could collapse any second. Akiko wondered for a second if it could even take the weight off everyone inside, knowing her luck she'd walk across floorboards and it would break underneath her. Not far behind her, she could hear the desperate pants and gasps from two other students, two boys.
The first was a boy roughly a little taller than herself, his light brown hair was clearly sticking to his forehead as he bent over gasping for air. Behind him another boy, he however was sprawled out across the ground looking half-dead from the walk. Akiko could just about see the small beads of sweat dropping off the ends of his silvery-grey hair. It was harsh but at least she wasn't the only one suffering this crawl fate.
Turning away she stepped into the building, the evil floorboards squeaked under every step she took making Akiko nervous in case they decided to swallow her up. Applying some spray she refused to smell for her first day, she slowly began her way down the short corridor to the very end where her new class was. Looking up at the dark coloured door she could hear a few students chatting and making noise, it seemed some of them had already been acquainted with each other.
Akiko was beginning to feel nervous now, what if she couldn't make any new friends? She hadn't realised it until now but Minako and Hayato had literally been the only two friends she hung around with during school, everyone else just seemed like a blur to her. Plucking up the courage from deep within the pit of her stomach Akiko slid the door open and stepped inside the classroom.
It was similar in style to those classrooms on the main campus, however instead of clean shiny desks and chairs, they had old wooden ones. The blackboard in the front was adorned in many colours and weird scribbles which seem to be some strange looking pictures. A single word was written clear on the board, welcome. She didn't know if this was really a place to feel welcomed in after all this was the end class, where the students came to fade away from those on the main campus.
Looking around a few pairs of eyes lingered on the new arrival which was Akiko. Seconds later a few of the students resumed what they were doing, some were chatting with new friends they'd made, while others were feebly attempting to study. A single guy walked up to Akiko a welcoming smile adorned his handsome face. A mop of dark brown hair covered his head and two small antennae stuck up, was this guy trying to someone aliens or something?
"Welcome." He held a hand out for Akiko to shake. She looked between his hand and his bright pale gold eyes. "I'm Isogai Yuma. It's nice to meet you." Akiko noticed his antennas bob as he spoke, and she couldn't help herself.
"Are you trying to summon aliens?" She blurted out the sentence, while pointing up at the two antennas. His eyes widened in surprise and he retracted his hand.
Realising what she'd done Akiko widened her eyes in shock, it was like her mouth just spoke words without her braining thinking. Good going Akiko, scaring off your classmates before school even started. She bitterly thought to herself.
A loud laugh came from another guy sat at one of the desks nearby. His light brown eyes shone in amusement. The guy known as Isogai gave the orange-haired boy a small pout. "She's right, I've always wondered what they do." A large smirk overtook his whole face as he once again broke into laughter.
"I'm so sorry." Akiko quickly said. "I didn't mean to offend you." She gave a small bow and rubbed the back off her head nervously. Isogai decided to ignore the other guy.
"No worries." He laughed lightly he to rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Just ignore Maehara." He added seeing Akiko looking between the two worry clear on her face.
Upon hearing his name and knowing they were talking about him, Maehara stopped his laughter and looked up at Akiko and Isogai. "I'm Maehara Hiroto, what's your name." Unlike Isogai he didn't hold out his hand for her to shake, he only gave her a small smirk.
Akiko ignored him; it was clear he was clearly checking her out. She caught his eyes a few time and gave the guy a small frown, she could tell he was definitely some kind of playboy. Restraining herself from punching him, she turned back to the charming Isogai, at least he didn't seem like some weird perverted guy.
"I'm Kaiga Akiko. Please call me by my first name though, I'm not too fond of my last name." She gave them a sheepish wave and a small smile.
She knew before even starting the end class she didn't want anyone to call her by her family name. It reminded her too much of her dear parents another two people she doesn't exactly get along with, her mother was a little more bearable than her father, but they were both as bad as each other. Akiko never really saw eye to eye with them.
A good few minutes went by as Akiko got acquainted with the two of her classmates, surprisingly Maehara seemed like a nice guy despite the constant looks he gave some of the girls around. Isogai on the other hand seemed like a very kind person, it was like she couldn't fault a single thing. The door was pulled open again as more students filled the classroom, there was a long pause as the door finally closed again, the sound of wood hitting the frame could be heard.
"Akiko is that really you?" a sudden gasp caught the attention of the brunette girl. Averting her eyes from the two guys, Akiko was glad for the interruption she was seriously considering kicking Maehara in the shin for ogling her. Spotting the student who called her name she couldn't help but break into a massive grin, Hinata Okano one of her good friends from the gymnastics club was stood with a shocked look across her face.
"Hey, Hinata! What's brings you here?" Akiko already knew the answer to her question, but she wanted to hear it from her too.
"I kinda flunked my exams." She sheepishly laughed coming over to Akiko. The brunette couldn't help but feel relief at least she'd know someone in this class. "What about you? You were one of the top students during midterm last year, what's happened?"
"Seriously." Maehara gasped listening into the girl conversation.
Hinata glared down at the boy who randomly butted into their conversation, Maehara, on the other hand, failed to miss the glare and begun checking Hinata out. Right away Akiko knew she wouldn't stand for that after all she's rather self-conscious about the way she looks. As if on cue Hinata found no problem with kicking Maehara in his shin even though the two had never met before. This was definitely the start of a wonderful relationship.
"So you had high grades?" Isogai asked. He glanced at Hinata who was now throwing abuse at Maehara. She was ranting about how its rude to but in on other people conversation and check girls out who he didn't know.
"Yeah, kinda got side-track with other things and my grades ended up suffering the consequences." She laughed nervously.
"That sucks." He gave her a warm smile.
"How come you're here? If u don't mind me asking that is." She asked hoping he didn't take any offence to her asking. She didn't want him to have to feel the need to tell her, it was only if he wanted too.
"My family is poor, and I got caught having a part-time job. I was just trying to help my mother out." He chuckled lightly.
Shock was written over Akiko's face she was not expecting to hear that. Even though he was trying to help his family the stupid Chairman moved him down to E class. It wasn't his fault he had to help his family, Akiko suddenly felt really annoyed with the Chairman, how could he do something like that? She silently wondered for a moment if he'd still do the same thing if his own son was in the same position, then again she doubt they would ever be in a situation like that.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled out. She didn't know why she was suddenly apologising it wasn't her fault, however, she sort of felt obligated since she personally knew the cunning father and son.
"No need to apologise." He laughed. "I don't mind."
Akiko flashed a small smile at him he sounded like a good person and she couldn't wait to get to know him and everyone else in her new class. Taking a glance around she found most of the students were doing the same thing she was, they were all in small groups chatting and smiling with one another. It was like none of them was stuck in the dreaded E class, just a normal class on campus.
All of a sudden the door was slammed open, Akiko glanced up and spotted a young woman possibly in her twenties. She had short black hair which barely reached her shoulders, long smooth strands of hair framed around her pale face. Dark brown eyes wide with horror, it was clear why the clock hung on the wall nearby showed it was way past the first period, she was late, and it didn't seem to sit well with her. Akiko couldn't help but notice her strange taste in shirts, it was colourful with some strange image and writing on it. Like herself many other students were also staring at her weird taste in clothes, some looked as if they wanted to say something but refrained from doing so incase they offended the woman. However, Akiko did notice that a few of the guys seemed to be looking at something else, and that was the rather large mounds on her chest.
"Ok class please take your seats so we can begin." She grinned happily at them all.
Akiko could tell right away that this was going to be an extremely long year, not only are there weird perverted idiots in her class, but her teacher seems a little airheaded and ditzy. Not that she was trying to sound rude. She wondered if this woman had any experience in teaching junior high kids or not, hopefully, she had, and she hadn't just ben hired right off the street. Then again it sounds like something the Chairman would do, anything to keep Class E from getting their grades back up and returning to campus.
"Awww, come on Akiko! You need to come to class. I'm sure you'll find it easy once you try! We'll just work together, and your maths grades will be soaring high in no time." Miss Yukimura was currently begging Akiko whose arms were crossed firmly over her chest; she wasn't budging at all.
It had been a few days since the start of her life in class E and so far she hadn't successfully turned up to a whole day off class. She still found science a boring epically physics, she hated that more so. Then she found maths hard work, the number and symbols all just jumbled up in her head making her brain ache as she tried solving problems. All in all, Akiko sucked at maths and refused to go. It wasn't like she was learning anything; she gave her teacher a few days and after the fourth she'd given up going all together, it was just too hard. All hopes of her getting better grades soon drifted away with the dying cherry blossoms.
Yukimura knelt in front of the stubbing girl who was peacefully sat under one of the many trees in the mountainous area. Hands clasped together she kept repeating the same words over and over again annoying Akiko.
"Please!" The long drawn out words irked Akiko.
"No way, maths sucks I refuse to be a part of it. Besides it's not like I have to get my grades back up, that's why I'm in 3-E after all. Plus I'm not the only one who skips all your lessons, that guy Terasaka and his buddies hardly come to class. So why should I?" Akiko made her point valid by pointing towards the group of four students lounging around at the side of the school building. If Miss Yukimura wasn't getting them to come back to class then she wouldn't go either.
A massive pout formed its way onto her face and her shoulder slumped. Akiko suddenly felt a wave of guilt overcome her body; she hadn't meant to make Miss Yukimura sad. She was no better than Okajima who constantly made her nervous and self-conscious by trying to take all the pictures he could of her. Groaning internally Akiko knew she'd gotten the better of her and hated herself for it.
"Fine." She sighed.
Miss Yukimura suddenly jumped up cheering, the new weird shirt she was wearing hid nothing to the eye, and as she jumped as did her large assets. She was lucky Okajima wasn't around to perv on her, god this woman needed some kind of sports bar. Akiko rose to her legs dusting her skirt from any mud and dust which had collected during her time spent outside. She didn't mind, Akiko loved spending time outside, unlike most girls she didn't care if she got mucky it wasn't like she had anyone to impress. Slowly she followed after Miss Yukimura heading back inside to the hellish world of maths and science.
Letting a loud sigh escape from her mouth Akiko's head quickly found the harsh wood of her desk. She knew coming back inside to class was a terrible idea, she just felt bad making Miss Yukimura upset she was trying her best after all. It's not every day a young teacher takes up the opportunity to teach a bunch of rejects. Turning her head to the side, oxygen was needed to breathe, Akiko saw Nagisa and Sugino chatting to one another.
It wasn't the first time she'd seen the small bluenette boy, back during their first few years she'd saw him all the time. It took her a while to figure out he was actually a guy and not a girl, the long hair confused Akiko and she couldn't help but think he was a girl. He'd look good as a girl.
They were in different classes back then, but she'd always notice him hanging around with Karma before his sudden disappearance from school. She did find herself wondering how the two became friends their personalities were at different ends of the spectrum. At times she found herself wanting to ask Nagisa about the red-haired boy but found herself unable to do it, it wasn't like they were close friends anymore.
Picking herself up she grabbed her bag and suddenly head off after Nagisa and Sugino. Might as well go home, she didn't want to spend all her time in this building, plus her bed was calling and she could not ignore the call of sleep. "Hey Nagisa, Sugino wait up." She called after them.
Both boys stopped and waited for her to catch up, it didn't take her long to catch up with them and when she finally stood between the two Nagisa offered her a kind smile. He was cute, but he still looked like a girl to her. "Hey Akiko, everything alright?"
"Yeah, just thought we could walk home together. If that's fine with the pair of you." She hopped they wouldn't reject her offer to head home together, the three of them usually went in the same direction after school. Plus she thought it would be nice to walk home with her new friends.
"Sure, no objections from my end." Sugino held up a thumb grinning, his other hand clutched a baseball which he owned. Akiko had learned from Sugino that he was once apart of the baseball team, until he was put into the end class. Turning back to Nagisa she saw him bob his head in agreement.
The three headed on down the mountain, Akiko really didn't want to return to the main campus she couldn't stand the looks the other students gave herself and her new friends. They looked down on them like a predator about to pounce on its prey.
"So you enjoying E class," Akiko asked looking between the two. She saw Sugino's smile somewhat falter, she knew like most he probably hated being stuck in the end class.
"It's ok," Nagisa spoke up Akiko glance at the blue-haired boy. Studying him she couldn't make out any expression on his pale face, she couldn't tell if he liked or hated E class. "Miss Yukimura is nice, and it's nice getting to know new people." He said.
Akiko nodded agreeing. "I know since being in E class I've made a tone of friends. It was hard back in the main campus, people were always so two-faced in my class I didn't know who I could trust or not." Akiko said thinking back to the time many of her friendships had failed because she found others telling their friends about her secrets.
The mood between the three was a pleasant one, they were laughing and chatting about their first few days in class E. The pleasant mood was soon spoiled like rotten eggs, they had made their way into the main campus territory and many students were still milling about. Upon seeing the three the students set to staring them down and whispering to their friends, Akiko quickly noticed that both Sugino's and Nagisa's heads were ducked down trying to avoiding the looks and the whispers.
Akiko knew exactly how they felt she hated the looks too. However, she kept her head held high as they passed a few of the students. Two boys suddenly caught her attention they were laughing and pointing at the three as they passed, and she couldn't help but glare dangerously at them. If they wanted to make fun of her and her friends, at least do it to their faces, where they were in close contact to be punched square in the face.
The torcher was finally over as they passed out of the school gates, and the conversations once again resumed. This time however it was a little more depressing, they ended up talking about life before 3-E and what it would be like if they hadn't gotten put in the end class.
Later that night Akiko fell back onto her bed. She landed with a loud thump and bounced a few centimes from the bed before sinking into the soft covers. Sleep was slowly invading every one of her senses, however something at the back of her mind nagged her, she couldn't get the looks from the main campus students out of her mind. It was like they were set to plague her for the rest of junior high.
Sighing she rolled to her side and draped some covers around her small body, 3-E was definitely different from what she was use to. She liked it though, a lot more than being in the main campus. While being in E class she had managed to make quite a few new friends, something she avoided doing in the main campus, people just couldn't be trusted there. In E class however, she seemed comfortable around everyone and her trust in her new classmates was a lot higher than her former classes, she suspected it was due to them all being in the same boat.
One thing did make her stop and think hard for a second. She didn't know how she was going to get her grades back up, her teacher was sorta air-headed and often went off topic especially when the class teased her about her fashion sense. Often at times Akiko also found herself blocking out Miss Yukimura as she taught, it seemed to be a bad habit she acquired over a short space of time.
Frowning at the wall in front of her she knew it was going to be a long and painful trip trying to bring her grades back up once again, but she knew with her new friends around her, supporting her and each other it wouldn't be long until they were allowed back to the main campus. She couldn't wait to see all those smirks fade of those cocky main campus students when she made her amazing come back to the campus, maybe she should do it nice and dramatically. Or maybe something will keep her in 3-E for the rest of junior high, she highly doubt anything could her where she was she needed her high grades after all since that was the only way to make her parents proud of her again.
So second chapter is finally here, Akiko's first day in E class plus a few characters we all love to see. Don't worry next chapter will get to see the lovely Korosensei! and the proper story arc will begin, if you haven't seen Assassination Classroom I suggest either go watch it or read the Manga otherwise it will all seem confusing, plus spoilers.
Anyway many thanks for reading again! don't forget to leave any reviews I'd love to hear from you all!
Winter out.