Another day, another chapter.

Big thanks to...

- review section removed after the story ended for better view -

Again this here is more interaction then fluff - but I want to watch the timeline properly as well. So you can look forward to a fluffy chapter tomorrow. I know you're dying as well to read some Karen.

Thank you for all the favorites, follows and reviews! Bear with my slow pace, please.

TWENTY NINE

The past week went by in a blur. The nights had been filled with studying and trying to memorize as much as her brain could muster. Her mornings were filled with lack of energy and sleep as she dragged herself towards the school.

On Wednesday, Momoi Satsuki went out of her way to step into the last compartment of the train in the morning. Her lazy classmate was right behind her who looked just as tired as Mia felt; the girl still couldn't imagine him passing the exams easily - not with his attitude and endless demands to copy her homework instead of doing it on his own anyway.

The pink haired girl was rather optimistic on the other hand, confident that they all would do fine. If only Mia had such a bright view on life, then maybe she wouldn't feel like approaching her death sentence day after day.

Now, however.

After the whole week filled with agony was over, peace and happiness slowly returned to their class. It didn't matter what the results were, all of them could sleep again without worrying what the next day brought them. Although, Mia would lie if she said, she wasn't nervous as their homeroom teacher stepped into the class. His hands filled with many, many papers.

The orange-head bit her lip; the quiet snoring of Aomine at her side wasn't soothing. It was a miracle that he really found a way to fall asleep even though a single piece of paper could decide whether he had to take classes over summer break or not. Not to forget the possibility that he could be banned from his club activities.

The tension in their classroom rose as the older man started to hand out the documents, the whispers, shrieks and sighs of relief were coming from every corner. Mia couldn't help but crane her neck as the older man passed Nanami, she nearly stood up as she pushed herself upwards. It took a bit effort before she finally caught the familiar black hair in between the other heads and after a few seconds her friend turned around.

Her expression was as calm as ever, but her eyes weren't. The pale soft violet in her orbs twinkled in delight as she threw a thumbs-up into the air. Mia couldn't help but grin, gesturing a sign of victory with her right hand. All those hours and afternoons in the library weren't for nothing! Nanami had been able to pass English!

"Thank god." The orange-head breathed, falling back into her chair.

Now only her own misery awaited her...

"Nidori." The teacher said quietly in acknowledgment, putting her result on her table before his gaze landed on her neighbor.

"Aomine." He frowned, quickly forgetting the girl as he turned to the basketball player. "Aomine Daiki."

As fearless as ever the grown up rolled up a paper in his hand, hitting the blue haired teenager with such force that he awoke with a jump. Mia flinched at that, sliding quickly towards her right as she and Sakurai watched in fear what their classmate would do. Sure, the girl had made her way on his good side somehow, but damn, she was certain that he'd kill a teacher if he wanted to.

"The hell?" Aomine hissed, blinking away the sleep in his eyes. His frown deepened as he glared at their homeroom teacher, a man who now earned a lot of respect for his courage by the other students.

"You should sleep at home and not in my classes, Aomine." Grudgingly he handed the boy the rolled up paper, his eyes narrowing at the still stubborn grimace of the basketball player. "You barely passed."

He passed!?

Mia gaped open mouthed at her table neighbor who grumbled a few - certainly rude - words to himself as their teacher moved on, still busy to hand out the last few results in his hands. The tall teen rubbed the back of his head, his gaze scanning the words on the paper half-hearted while Mia barely registered her own result. She passed it anyway, with her average grades like always.

But him, how was it possible that he made it!

"No way." She mumbled, her body leaning on its own accord towards him. "That's just not possible."

Aomine's eyes flickered towards her; he fell back into his chair as his lips formed a lopsided smug grin. "Surprised?"

"You never learn." Mia replied immediately. "Never - how did you pass?"

"I didn't skip classes anymore." He drawled, one eyebrow rising. "Ya told me not to."

"I, I did...but..."

There was no way that this alone would help him. He slept nearly all the time, he didn't do his homework. Could it be that he actually could learn to some degree? No, her mind whispered, that was not even possible when hell froze over. Hell, even if the universe exploded - if there was one thing she had learned in her life then it was that this guy at her side was too lazy for his own good.

"Whatever." Mia breathed in the end.

Maybe there were things she just wasn't meant to understand in this world?

"...but if you can pass the exams then you should do your own homework as well..."

"Aah?" Aomine stretched out his legs, his feet bumping into Sakurai's chair as he fixated his whole attention on the girl next to him. Mia however quickly turned to face the blackboard in front of them instead; she maybe wasn't as scared of him anymore...but that didn't mean she wasn't afraid of losing her life anyway.

As the basketball player realized she wasn't going to answer he started to grin.

"Maybe if ya win in a basketball match against me."

At that comment Mia was forced to look at him again. Her dark eyes narrowing at the smug expression he suddenly wore. "Come on, that is impossible!"

Aomine shrugged with his broad shoulders. "Ain't my problem."

Scowling at her classmate, she crossed her arms, leaning onto her table for support. If only he could have stayed as quiet as he did the past week...it was strange how talkative he could be...even if that only consisted of rude remarks and excuses. Damn, stupid basketball player who was too good for his own good at the sport...

"I could beat you if I practiced..." Mia argued weakly. "...maybe."

Never.

"Really?" The tall teenager drawled, the word ending in a weak chuckle.

If only the orange-head could stop her stubborn tongue! Instead of that the blush creeped into her face, her gaze holding up with his to not falter beneath the intimidate vibe he gave off. Why had she even tried to argue with him? It was a battle she had lost before it even started.

"...sure. Just...just need practice...I made a shot last time."

Aomine really did laugh quietly as she mentioned that. The sound did nothing but make her face burn more. Just where was the damn ringing from the bell which signaled that the lesson was over? She could need that. Like, right now.

"I wanna see that." He replied.

"Yeah...me too." Mia agreed with a sigh.

And finally the bell had rung, saving her from further embarrassment.