Isanari was walking home alone deep in thought. Without realizing it, there were multiple people following him. In this crowd, there were many of the previous students Isanari had beaten up in the past, looking to enact revenge. They ran past him and got in front to intimidate him.

"Why don't you stop right there? We'd like to have a nice, long chat with you!"

As all of them chuckle, Isanari just passes by them without even noticing them.

Isanari:[What is this feeling?]

Confused, all the students look at each other. They try again in the exact same way, worried that Isanari didn't hear them the first time. After the third time, he finally stopped.

Isanari:[Man, why am I thinking so hard about this?]

"H-Hey, why are you ignoring us!?"

Isanari finally noticed the gang before him.

"Hehe, so you're finally in the moo-"

Isanari:"You're annoying."

The gang got scared as Isanari stared at them with a look that could kill. All of them began to run away as the source of the fear kept walking along trying to figure out his feelings.

Isanari:"You're asking me to tutor you?"

Kotoha:"Is that bad?"

Isanari:"I don't even know what my most recent grades are, but I doubt they're anything positive."

Kotoha:"I-I see."

Isanari:"I'm more surprised you're having trouble. I always see you studying when I come by."

Kotoha:"W-Well, I didn't start taking my studies seriously until I quit being the gang leader. So I can't say I have too much experience when it comes to the subjects I'm supposed to be taking. I tried studying alone but I have no clear direction. Looking through every page in the book isn't going to help me if I don't understand what I'm looking for. I also feel bad about asking students and teachers seeing as I used to act in a pretty bad way in front of them. I know most have forgiven me, but I can't say I've forgiven myself just yet."

Isanari:"...What you're saying is you just need some guidance, huh? Why don't you come to my school?"

Kotoha:"Your school?"

Isanari:"I may not be a genius, but I do know someone that can help you. I wish I could say I knew people, but I doubt that bookworm will actually help."

Kotoha:"Are you sure about this?"

Isanari:"Hell yeah! After all, you've played along with my requests all this time, so I want to pay you back in a way. Not to mention, all my challenges must have taken time away from you to study, so this is partly my fault."

Kotoha smiles.

Kotoha:"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Isanari turns away.

Isanari:"Don't mention it…" [That was a direct attack.] "W-Well, see you then!"

Kotoha:"Ah! That's right, he didn't challenge me today...Huh? When did I start looking forward to those?"

Rena:"You'd like for me to help you?"

It was after school, Isanari and Kotoha were standing in front of one of the most popular teachers at his school, Ms. Nakano.

Isanari:"I know I'm not in the position to ask this of you, but you're the most reliable teacher I know. Besides, even if I didn't know that, If a stoic party pooper like Maruo likes you, then that must mean you're an incredible person."

Rena:"Oh my, I seem to have built a certain reputation."

Rena turns to Kotoha.

Rena:"But perhaps not quite as much as this lady."

Kotoha:"F-Forgive my rudeness. My name is Kotoha Shiraishi, as you've been told, I seem to have, um, a discrepan...cy? In my ability to ensure that, uh, my.."

Kotoha turns around and takes out a Thesaurus.

Kotoha:"My, uh, prowess in these standardized tests that will improve my, uh, knowledge on my future career path."

She took a deep breath and turned to see Rena with puffed up cheeks, holding in her laughter. As Kotoha developed a massive blush, Rena couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

Kotoha:"I'm terribly sorry! It seems I messed up in my, uh, ordering of words?"

Rena:"it's not that, silly."

Rena puts her hand on Kotoha's head.

Isanari:[I feel like I'm watching something that Maruo would pay money to see. Maybe I should take pictures and sell them to him. Although I don't know about her.]

Isanari turns to see a certain blonde girl munching on the corner of the wall with what looked to be shark teeth, brimming with jealousy. It was a girl known as Shimoda. Isanari waves with a grin but only received a hand waved insult in return before storming off.

Isanari:[Well, that was rude.]

Kotoha:"W-What did I do wrong?"

Rena:"You don't have to act that way around me. As long as you're interested in learning, that's more than enough for me."

Kotoha:"O-Ok…"

Kotoha looks down.

Rena:"Really, none of the rumors do you justice. I could just hug you and squeeze you."

Isanari:"Lucky…"

Isanari flinches at the look of hatred given to him by Kotoha.

Isanari:"W-What's that look for?"

She looks away.

Kotoha:"Nothing…"

Rena:[Wow, this is even cuter than I could have anticipated.]

Rena gets up and sets up the desks.

Rena:"Let's get ready to study!"

Kotoha:"R-Right!"

Rena:"I'll see you tomorrow, Uesugi-kun."

Isanari:"Oh, uh, is it alright if I stay here and study as well?"

Rena:"Oh my, what could have brought this on?"

Before Isanari could answer the question, Rena looked at Kotoha with a grin as if already knowing what he was going to say.

Isanari:"Call it a change of heart, haha. I even brought my backpack with me for the first time for a long while."

Rena:"Very well, you're welcome to study with us, of course. Just give me a moment."

Rena walked out of the classroom and shut the door. As Isanari and Kotoha sat down and got their utensils out, Isanari could have sworn he heard a soft "Kya~", but he wasn't quite sure where it came from. Once she came back inside, it was time to give it their all.

After a little while of studying, Rena proposed a break.

Rena:"So do you have any hobbies or interests?"

Kotoha:"Not really…"

Rena:"Aww, come on. Here, I'll tell you mine. I love magicians! Their tricks are always so mesmerizing to see!"

Kotoha fidgets.

Kotoha:"W-Well...I didn't really have anything besides fighting. But recently, there's been something I really liked doing…"

Rena:"Oh?"

Kotoha goes to Rena and whispers something in her ear.

Rena:"That's wonderful!"

Isanari:"What is it?"

Kotoha:"You don't get to hear."

Isanari:"Eh?"

Kotoha chuckles to Isanari's dismay. But before long, Isanari developed a smile as well.

{Isanari:[Maybe it was at that moment...No, perhaps before, but I simply ignored or couldn't understand it...that I realized I had fallen for her.]}

End of Chapter 43