The sound of the last bell rang out and Itsuki frowned as their teacher finished up the last of the lesson. She had been seated in the back of the room, and while she didn't mind wearing her glasses she would have much preferred a seat closer to the front of the room. Not only that, she had struggled to follow along with the lesson itself. She had already been struggling before transferring to Asahiyama High School, but now it felt like she was an entire year behind the rest of the class. Everyone around her seemed to follow along well enough with the teachers lesson, everyone but her at least. She knew that she and her sisters were getting a tutor, but would it really be enough? Asahi High was a really prestigious school with college acceptance rates higher than even Kurobara Girl's High Private school. No doubt her sisters were struggling just as much, if not more.

She had honestly reached out to her delinquent lunch buddy, because it seemed like he was actually completely different to how he looked and his grades were leagues ahead of hers. She never would have expected such a delinquent looking student to have such good grades. She had really judged him on his appearance alone. Sure he had tried to scare her, which honestly still had her thinking she might have made a mistake in asking for his help. But, he had also encouraged her not to give in, to keep working at it and do her best. None of her tutors she had before had done so. She was honestly surprised that he had agreed to study with her, he probably had no idea how bad her grades actually were. But she would still strive to do her best and keep up and graduate with a passing grade, it might even be helpful to have him explain lessons she didn't understand.

She and her sisters have had tutors before, but most didn't have the patience to deal with all five of them at once. Most didn't even take the time to break down and explain their lessons properly, just expecting them to know what had been said and considering her sisters attitudes towards studying, it's not like they put in the effort either. She'd be honest with Ichigo and tell him what she did and did not understand so he could properly help her. Maybe if things went well and her sisters were interested, Ichigo might be willing to help them too.

"Itsuki, would you like to come hang out with us?" A girl spoke making Itsuki look up in slight surprise at the invite. She had been the focus of the class considering she had just transferred in today, but she hadn't expected the sudden invitation.

"I'm sorry, I already have plans already this afternoon." Itsuki apologised. "Please think of me next time though." She encouraged, she didn't want to be rude but she had already made plans with Ichigo to study so she couldn't just up an abandon him when she had been the one to ask for help. Quickly packing up her books into her book bag, making sure she had everything she tucked her glasses in it's case and placed them inside before closing it and hurrying from her desk to the exit of the room. The moment she did, her phone rang. Fumbling for a moment with it she answered and brought it up to her ear. "Hello?"

"Itsuki, this school is a frigging maze, where's the entrance again?" It was Nino. "Meet me somewhere and let's find the others and head home, I'm exhausted after being lectured by the teachers already." Itsuki could just imagine her sister pouting.

"I'm sorry Nino, I'm going to the library to study for a bit." Itsuki told her. "I'll be home later, tell the others for me okay."

"Study? Can't you just do that at home like usual?" Nino asked.

"I'm actually studying with someone I met." Itsuki admitted.

"Oh... well, bring them home, maybe we can... geh, study together and it might get Dad to back off about having a tutor all the time." Itsuki smiled, she knew how much Nino disliked studying to the point that it was strange enough for her to even suggest it, she would have weaseled her way out of it anyway. But their father had been in lecture mode lately and wanted them to get their grades up, hence their new tutor starting tomorrow.

"I did suggest that but he said he would rather not..." Itsuki began recalling that Ichigo didn't want to start any weird rumors and she could see where he was coming from, maybe he had been subject to such rumors before? It did seem like he was all alone here at school considering he was eating alone.

"A boy! You're studying with a boy! Tell me everything! What Grade is he in!? Ours!? A Freshman!? A senior!? I'll take his initials here, just tell me!"

Itsuki had to remove her phone from her ear at the excited shouting coming through the speaker. She winced again, maybe she shouldn't have told Nino out of anybody that it was a boy she was studying with, she was bound to be hounded when she got home. Her sister let her imagination run wild when it came to such things and Itsuki had only just met Ichigo, there was no sort of relationship or anything that Nino was probably imagining right now.

"Just go home with the others and I'll see you when I get back." With that Itsuki ended the call and placed her phone back on silent, not wanting to be distracted further by it when she was studying. Hurrying, she headed through the school for the library. Coming to the library she knocked and slid the door open, it was rather empty but it wasn't that big of a surprise, most students would either be heading home or to club activities.

Looking around in only took a few moments to locate Ichigo, he was already seated at a table writing in a notebook. She was still nervous but approached anyway, placing her bag down by the chair opposite him.

"Sorry to make you wait, I'm still getting to know the school." Itsuki explained as she sat down.

"It's fine." Ichigo told her as he finished writing up in his notebook. "Did you bring your last tests?" He asked.

"Y-Yeah." Itsuki nodded searching through her bag." Just don't judge too harshly okay." Ichigo nodded as she handed over her old test sheets, he didn't even look at them before he flipped his notebook over and slid it across the table.

"Do these questions while I look over them." Itsuki was surprised to find that's what he had been doing, writing up several questions for her to answer. Looking over the questions written down she had to say he had nice handwriting.

Pulling out her pencil case and her glasses, Itsuki got to work on the questions. Ichigo meanwhile was slightly floored by the appalling grades that lay out before him. None of the test were even remotely close to a pass, if she handed these as her real tests answers she would no doubt be called up for counseling with a teacher and talk of being held back a year would surely arise. Even with him being so absent from classes due to his duties as a Shinigami, his grades hadn't fallen this low. Just how had she managed to transfer to Asahiyama High School, even he had to take the transfer exam.

Sure she had said she wasn't good at studying but it was clear she wasn't understanding the fundamentals of her lessons. This would hold her back the most, causing her frustration as the classes only became more difficult as time went on and the circle would only get larger and repeat with each new lesson. Which in a way wasn't just her fault, it was the teachers lack of guidance to their student. Looking over the test papers to where Itsuki was already struggling with the questions he had written down for her to attempt.

Turning his attention back to her tests, it was clear that her best subject was science but even then, she still didn't get a passing mark. Sighing gently to himself he placed her test sheets to the side and glanced out the window, waiting for Itsuki to finish as he tried to think up a strategy to go about helping her improve. This was going to be way more work then he thought that it would.

"D-Done, sorry it took me so long." Itsuki apologised, slightly flustered at realizing just how long it had taken her to finish the few questions had had written up for her. Itsuki quickly turned the notebook around and slid it back towards him. Ichigo didn't even glance at it as he closed it and stared at her from across the table. Itsuki blinked in surprise, wasn't he going to see how she went? Or was he going to look at them later and show her tomorrow? However the longer he stayed quiet, the more nervous she got, fidgeting in her chair. Of course he was rethinking helping her, her grades were horrible.

"Right." Ichigo began as he ran a hand through his hair. "We start from square one."

"Eh." Itsuki blinked in surprise. He wasn't giving up on her?

"You're clearly not understanding the basics, so that's where we go back to. Learning something from an advanced level when you're not getting the basics won't help. It'll take a little longer, but I'm sure I can at least help you before the next set of exams. I can't guarantee a great grade but it'll be enough to pass and you don't get your ass thrown out of school." He added as he sat back folding his arms and looking up at the ceiling thinking before he sat forward again. "When did you start to notice your grades dropping, if we know when we can move from there?"

"Uh well..." She thought for a moment. "Probably, ah..." A frown came to her face, she was no genius as a child but there had always been a large shock to not only her, but her sisters as well that had completely disrupted their lives. "Five years ago, first year of middle school." She admitted, it was when her mother had passed and their lives had been shaken to the core. Ichigo noted her change in demeanor and frowned himself it was clear something had happened, but it wasn't his place to pry on the subject.

"Like I said, I start tutoring another student tomorrow so I'll fix up some starters for you tonight and I'll find you tomorrow and pass them on. It'll be quick because you already know some of it, we just have to drill the basics in, get you to fully understand them and incorporate the advanced stuff you would have learned later on in middle school and your first year of high school." He told her. "As long as you stick with it, we can probably make it before exam time." He admitted.

Itsuki was astonished, he had already put that much thought into it? All her tutors before hand had simply chastised her and her sisters for not understanding. It drove Nino to hate studying altogether, Ichika and Miku had just gained and indifference and stopped caring while Yotsuba tried her best but even for her upbeat personality, it was weighing and considering that Yotsuba was the one struggling the most, and was always smiling. If someone, anyone of their tutors had put the slightest bit of thought that Ichigo had, maybe they wouldn't be in such a predicament.

"Ichigo." Itsuki truly smiled. "Thank you, for not giving up on me."

"Don't mention it." Ichigo added awkwardly, unsure what to do by the sudden genuine thanks. "Keep taking notes in classes, if you don't understand it ask questions. If you don't want to ask during class, seek the teacher out between classes and ask for help."

"Right." Itsuki nodded. "Then... about my last class, can I ask some questions?" Ichigo blinked but nodded. "Sure, we got time before the library closes."

Itsuki had her head down hiding her flushing face as the orange haired teen walked beside her, scowl etched on his face as the two stood before the P.E teacher Sugisaki-sensei.

The two had been in the library long after they were supposed to, to far gone in their studying to realize the that the time was to the point that Sugisaki-sensei was roaming the halls looking for anyone still on campus, which led him to finding the duo in the library and coming to the conclusion that they were up to no good. Despite the protests given by the two, Sugisaki-sensei was adamant the two were fooling around and had marched them right to the front gate, lecturing them all the while.

"Look Kurosaki, for what you did with the baseball team I'll let this one slide but don't let it happen again, got me." Ichigo scoffed, no matter what he said the teacher didn't believe a word of it. "And you miss, don't be dragged into such things, Kurosaki walk her home." Itsuki was about to pipe up however Sugisaki-sensei was already locking the gate from the inside leaving the two on the outside.

"God damn it." Ichigo muttered, at least there were no other students about, but he just knew that this was going to get out somehow. "Come on, I'll walk you." He added turning and walking down the street, Itsuki was too embarrassed to even say anything. They really hadn't been doing anything other than studying. It was a few minutes later of walking when Ichigo glanced over his shoulder. "What's your address?"

"Oh, you don't have to walk me home." Itsuki, finally gaining her bearings told him. "It's not far, I should be fine from here." Ichigo frowned slightly but it seemed she was intent on getting home alone. Ichigo scratched at his cheek, he probably should walk her home, it was partly his fault that they left school so late. "It's not that far, really I'll be fine." She smiled. "I'll... see you tomorrow?" She suggested.

"Yeah, I'll get some study aids ready for you like I said." Ichigo told her and she nodded.

"Looking forward to it, bye." She hurried off down the street. Ichigo sighed as he watched her go before disappearing from sight, turning he headed for his own place. It wasn't a long walk so he was home before it got dark and he even stopped off at a convenience store to grab something quick and easy for dinner, he probably should have at least gotten her contact information so that he could make sure she got home alright but she had run off before he could suggest it. Plus it would have been a bother anyway.

Entering into his apartment, slipping out of his shoes he entered into his room, dumping his book bag down and flicking the light on. He had gotten a cheap desk and chair so he could do his studying at least. Before he could get comfortable however, his phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket he saw that it was an unknown caller. Hitting the accept he raised it to his ear.

"Hello."

"Kurosaki Ichigo." The voice spoke on the other end of the phone. "This is Nakano Maruo, please head to the Pentagon High Rise Apartments after school tomorrow for your tutoring duties, floor thirty. Nakano is on the nameplate." The man continued. "I expect your best." Before Ichigo could say anything in return, the phone call was terminated causing Ichigo to scowl, what the hell was that? No proper introduction or anything, just get to work and do you your best? Shaking his head Ichigo ate his meal before having a shower. Sitting down at his desk he pulled his phone out and went through his contacts before finding the one he was looking for.

"Ichigo! How are you!? Are you eating well! You better not just be eating convenience store meals!?"

"Hey Yuzu." Ichigo smiled as he rested back in his chair. "I'm doing fine." He told her guiltily looking at the convenience store bought packing in the trash can that he had eaten prior. Shaking his head he got back to what he was calling for. "Listen Yuzu, would you mind sending me through some of your middle school exams that you've taken this year?"

"Huh, my test exams? What for?" She asked slightly confused.

"It's a long story, just helping out someone is all. They're a bit behind so I wanted to help them catch up is all."

"Oh, sure I'll send them through for you. Don't push yourself too hard Ichigo and come back home when you're on holiday okay."

"I'll do my best." Ichigo smiled. "Say hi to Karin for me, and thanks Yuzu." It wasn't long before Yuzu had sent through pictures of her exams, taking care to include her answers and the questions along with the last photo showing that she had a passing grade. Ichigo smiled as he sat back in his chair as he recalled his phone call with who he presumed to be his employer. What he kept coming back to was the name, his being Nakano Maruo, and the one he was supposed to be tutoring was also Nakano... just where had he heard that name before?

"I'm sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Nakano Itsuki!" It hit him, it was Itsuki. He should have figured it out, she was in desperate need of tutoring, that was for sure, she was a transfer student into Asahiyama High School by her uniform. He should have figured it out sooner. But regardless, this was better, now he could focus more time to Itsuki and getting her grades up instead of just off handedly tutoring her on the side. He already had an idea on where to start so that was even better and now that he could focus more time to Itsuki, he could definitely get her to pass by the next exam.

"If she was getting a tutor anyway, why did she ask me for help?"