Question: How do you celebrate your favorite character's birthday?

Answer: By publishing a story centering around them of course! Even if you already have another longfic you should be updating, nope! Your fave comes first!

This fic is pretty long, and the first three chapters will set the stage and introduce the characters. Chapter 4 is when the story starts moving. So, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't Assassination Classroom, but if I did, I would've given Kanzaki more spotlight. (Or made her a main character)

"Kanzaki-san, please stand up."

The raven-haired girl obeyed without a fraction of hesitance. She stood with a perfect posture and calm demeanor so that her classmates wouldn't sense her struggle with the colossal wave of self-consciousness that came with suddenly being put in the spotlight.

She never liked the spotlight.

"Kanzaki-san got the highest grade in Japanese. Everyone, clap."

The other students did so, but only because the teacher told them, and not because they were really happy for their classmate. None of them were surprised that the best student in Japanese got the highest grade in Japanese again.

"Congratulations, Kanzaki-san." The teacher smiled and handed her student the test.

She smiled at her teacher and accepted her test before going back to her seat. Her smile was still present, but her eyes showed sadness as she stared at her mark.

93….that wasn't something to be proud of and very soon, she would be reminded of that at home.

"This is unacceptable, Yukiko!" the man held up the paper for her to see. "Japanese is your best subject; you should have gotten higher than a 93!"

Yukiko kept her head down as her father kept lecturing her for once again failing to reach his expectations.

"Most of your mistakes are juvenile. Were you even concentrating? Did you read the questions properly?"

Yes, she was, and she did her best, but Yukiko knew that if she said so, her father would just ask why she didn't do well then. Experience had taught her that staying silent and enduring his lecture was the best course of action.

"Ryuuto isn't as good in Japanese as you are, yet he got a higher mark. His year handles harder material." He glared down at the girl. "Why can't you be like brother?"

Here it was: The comparison, the painful reminder that she wasn't as capable as her older brother. There was no greater anguish than having your parents, the people meant to love you the most, express their displeasure in you and wish you were someone else.

"You're a smart girl, so I expect a higher grade next time." The man said, "The same goes for the other subjects. I expect a grade higher than 78 on your next English quiz, and you are not allowed to get lower than 86 on your next math exam. Is that clear?"

Yukiko nodded. "Yes."

"Good, you can go now."

Yukiko did not permit a single tear to fall until she got to her room. She made certain her weeping was quiet-barely audible to the ears of the other residents of this household, especially to the ears of her father.

Yukiko was well-aware it was childish. After all, her father wouldn't have gotten angry at her if she had done better on her exam; what right did she have to cry over something that was entirely her fault?

Yukiko also knew that there was no point in crying over spilled milk, so once the final tear was shed; the girl sat on her desk and began studying.

Next time, she was getting a higher grade. She will not disappoint her father again.

"You know, 93 is a good grade."

"Not for her, it isn't."

It was times like these Kanzaki Megumi found difficulty in restraining herself from slapping her son. She wasn't a violent person, and firmly believed that violence was never the answer, but oh how she wished she could just slap the man right now.

"You could have said something nicer, Kazuto." Megumi crossed her arms. "Yukiko is just a child, and a very sensitive one might I add."

"What exactly did I say that was so wrong, mother?" Kazuto lifted Yukiko's exam paper up. "Have a look, these mistakes are inexcusable!"

"Children make mistakes."

"Yukiko's linguistic skills surpass even those of her older brother; there's no excuse."

"There's also no excuse to be so harsh on her and Ryuuto." Megumi glared at her son. "They're both kids, let them be kids."

"They're my kids. Let me raise them as I see fit."

"Well, they're my grandkids, and you're my son, listen to me and don't be so harsh on them."

The intense glare she received from the man told her that wasn't the right response, but it was too late to take back her words, not that she wanted to take them back for Megumi meant them wholeheartedly.

"Do you think I enjoy yelling at them? Because I don't! But I have to because it's what's best for them." He then gestured to the exam paper. "If I let this slide, Yukiko will think it's perfectly alright to let her grades slip even slightly. It's not; grades are what will determine her future. How is she supposed to get into the University of Tokyo if her grades are average?"

"She's eight. It's too early to be thinking about university!"

"That kind of thinking is why you never made it in life."

The elder stared at her son in shock, not at all expecting him to bring that up.

Kazuto knew it was a heavy topic for his mother to bear, and he'd be lying if he said part of him didn't feel guilty for bringing up the past, but he needed his mother to understand the reasoning behind his methods, even if it meant crossing a certain line.

"If you love your grandchildren, then you wouldn't want them to end up making the same mistakes you did." The man continued, "They're both gifted, and I want them to succeed in life," He then pulled out a disk from his pocket and held it up for his mother to see. "Which is why I want to discuss this with you."

Megumi's eyes widened once she saw the object in Kazuto's hand.

"I caught Yukiko playing this game last week. No wonder she didn't get a higher mark on her test." He glared at his mother accusingly. "I believe I told you not to buy these things for her."

Megumi returned the glare. "She likes video games."

"Yes, thanks to you and that ridiculous game you got her on her birthday."

"It's popular among kids her age."

"I don't care; it's a waste of time." Kazuto said, "And it's unsuitable for a girl of her status anyway."

Megumi rolled her eyes. "It's just a game."

"Mother," The man's stern gaze made it seem like the roles of parent and child were reversed. "I'm serious. Stop buying her these things. If I find another video game in her room, I'm confiscating it."

Now it was Megumi's turn to glare. "Then don't be surprised if Yukiko starts to hate you." She retorted coldly before finally leaving her son's study and putting an end to their pointless conversation.

Kazuto sighed and placed the useless CD on his desk. He had considered just throwing it into the nearby trash bin—where it truly belonged, but that would just be a waste of his mother's money. He would return it to her later, so long as she didn't give it Yukiko that is.

As usual, she found Yukiko studying in her room, no doubt to "do better" next time. Megumi mentally cursed her idiotic son before kneeling down to her granddaughter's eye level and giving her a warm smile.

"I saw your grade, Yukiko, and I'm very proud of you."

"It's not that good." Yukiko looked down sadly.

Megumi mentally cursed her son again, this time using much more colorful terms.

"I think it's a good grade." 'And so should your father.' "Do you know what I also think?" She lifted Yukiko's head up so that their eyes could meet again. "I think you deserve a reward."

Yukiko perked up, eyes shining with excitement and delight. It was such a beautiful sight; sadness never suited Yukiko anyway.

"Just tell me if you have a video game in mind, and I'll buy it for you."

Shockingly, the radiance swimming in Yukiko's eyes dimmed into non-existence.

"No." Yukiko said quietly, "I don't want video games anymore, grandma."

"You don't?" Megumi asked with genuine confusion coating her voice.

"Papa said I should stop playing because they're a waste of time, and they're not for girls anyway."

Just like that, Megumi was mentally cursing her son for the third time today.

"Video games are for everyone. Suzuki-san's niece plays video games."

Yukiko shook her head. "No, it's wrong. I don't want papa to yell at me again, he's scary when he yells."

Megumi sighed. She was about to give up and ask what else her granddaughter would like as a reward, when an idea popped into her head.

She smiled again at the girl. "How about the arcades?"

"Hm?" Yukiko titled her head to the side in confusion.

"You're father doesn't want you to have video games, but he never said a thing about going to arcades?" Megumi wiggles her eyebrows mischievously, proud of herself for finding and exploiting a loophole in that idiot's demands.

Yukiko was silent for a few moments. "…He probably meant that as well."

Just like that, the smile was gone. Megumi huffed and crossed her arms. "Well, he should have said so, then. People aren't mind readers, you know."

The little girl hummed uncertainly. "I guess…"

Megumi smiled again and pulled out her purse. "How about I give you some money to spend at the arcade tomorrow after school?"

"But I have to study."

"Okay then, how about on Saturday?" the elder suggested. "After your parents leave for work? Just play a few games and come back."

Truthfully, Yukiko really liked the idea; she had been really devastated when her father had taken away that game he had caught her playing, and his words that day upset her.

"These games are a waste of time, Yukiko!" She remembered her father's words from last week. "You are not allowed to have these things. I'll be speaking with your grandmother on this matter as well."

He was right, time was of the essence. She had to think of her future. 'How am I going to be a lawyer like papa if I keep wasting time?'

Yet, at the same time, she really wanted to have fun. Yukiko understood the importance of excelling at school, but studying was boring! Especially when she was expected to study all day! And if not studying, then memorizing everything covered at school, even if there wasn't any upcoming test or pop quiz.

Yukiko smiled at her grandmother; if she wasn't allowed to have fun at home, she can have fun elsewhere, right?

What was just another reward for her hard work turned into a weekly trip to the arcade.

Her parents never knew about these visits; Yukiko always made sure to wait until her their car was out of site, and then wait some more in case her parents had forgotten something and suddenly came back.

Yukiko would then depart from home, where she would suffocate from the endless demands and schoolwork, and to the arcades, where she felt happy and free.

Today was a rather bright and sunny day, so Yukiko chose her cute sunflower dress; it was a perfect.

She happily skipped to the nearby game center, where the attendant, a friendly man named Shin, greeted her.

It was like any other Saturday, with one exception.

Yukiko was happily playing a racing game. It was her first time, so naturally, she didn't get a high score. That didn't matter, though; she was just here to have fun.

However, her fun ended when the girl heard snickering from behind. Curious, she turned around and found three boys close by, laughing at her.

Yukiko grew nervous, she never liked boys; they were scary and violent, but why were these three laughing at her?

She decided to just ignore them and went to another machine, a football game.

Before she could even insert the required amount of coins, she heard more snickering and turned to see that the boys were still behind her, and once again laughing at her!

Now Yukiko was even more nervous, but she was also very confused. What's their deal? She knew it was best to just continue ignoring them, but curiosity got the better of her, so she fully turned around to face them.

"What?"

One of the boys smirked. "You can't play that."

Now she was even more confused. "Why not?"

"It's not for girls."

"These video games aren't for girls, Yukiko." She remembered her father's words.

Yukiko ducked her head in embarrassment and walked away to find a girlier game, but her search proved to be tedious because most games were sports games, fighting games— boy games.

Finally, she settled on Pac-Man. Everybody played Pac-Man, so girls were allowed to play it, right?The girl grinned joyously and went to the yellow game machine.

"You can't play that."

Yukiko gritted her teeth when she heard the familiar, irritating voice. The three jerks were right behind her again!

"Why are you following me?" She finally asked, narrowing her eyes at them.

One boy snickered. "We're wondering if you're lost."

"I'm not!"

"Then why are you here?" Another laughed. "Shouldn't you be at some tea party or something?"

"No!" She huffed. "I come here every weekend!"

The supposed leader burst into laughter. "Dressed like that?"

"Hm?" Yukiko glanced at her sunflower dress for a moment and turned back to the boy. "What's wrong with it?"

"It's stupid!"

She glared at him. "No, it's not! It's cute!"

"It's stupid!"

"You're stupid!"

It was spoken out of anger, no thinking beforehand. Nevertheless, the damage was done, and Yukiko found herself growing fearful because the boy looked like he was ready to punch her.

"Who're you calling stupid?!" The kid snapped.

Yukiko was unsure of what to do at this point. She should probably apologize, even if she really thought the boy was stupid, but it was the right thing to do.

"You're stupid!" The boy yelled again. "You can't even play video games!"

Forget apologizing, this guy was getting on her nerves!

"Yes, I can!"

"No, you can't!" He argued. "I saw your score, you can't play!"

Just like that, her anger faded and was replaced by shame and embarrassment.

"Yes, I can." She said, though not as firmly as before. It was clear she was doubting herself.

"She's a girl; she doesn't know how to play." Another boy snickered.

"Girls shouldn't play video games." The third boy told her condescendingly. "Why don't you go home and play with your barbies?"

"Yeah, go play dress up somewhere else!" The leader sneered.

Yukiko held back a sob and dashed toward the door, the laughter from behind only prompted her legs to move faster.

Yukiko did not let her tears fall until she was finally out of the arcade, and she would never go back ever again, she didn't belong in there.

She should've listened to her father, he was always right, so if he said that video games weren't for girls, than that was it. 'No more video games.'

And that's what she told her grandmother as soon as she got home and cried into her arms.

"Don't listen to them, Yuki-chan." Megumi said, rubbing her granddaughter's back soothingly. "I told you, video games are for everyone."

"No!" The girl wailed as more tears cascaded down her cheeks. "No, they're not! All the games there were for boys, and girls can't play video games, and I don't wanna play video games anymore and…"

Every word uttered brought the woman nothing but sadness. 'Yuki-chan…'

To Megumi, Yukiko was perfect just the way she is, and she always made sure to remind the girl of that

But in times such as these, she wished her granddaughter wasn't this sensitive and…pitiful. The world wasn't kind to such people, and unless Yukiko grew a backbone, she would suffer later in life.

But what do you expect from a child who's scared of her own father? Megumi mentally cursed her son.

"I'll be right back." Megumi stood up and walked upstairs to her room.

Yukiko sniffed and grabbed a tissue from the table to wipe her face. Moments later, Megumi walked back down, holding a brochure.

"See this?" She opened the brochure to show Yukiko an ad of a pink Gameboy Advance. "I was thinking of getting this for you on your birthday."

"I don't want it." The girl mumbled sadly.

Megumi frowned. "It's pink, Yuki-chan, so that means it's for girls."

Yukiko remained silent.

"Video games are for everyone." Megumi repeated firmly. "I wouldn't have gotten you that Mario game if they weren't." She wrapped an arm around her granddaughter. "Don't stop playing video games just because of what some stupid boys said, you probably won't see them ever again anyway."

"What about papa?" Yukiko looked up sadly.

"I'll hide it from him." Megumi answered. "I'll hide it in my room and if he finds it, I'll tell him it's mine."

"But he doesn't want me to play video games."

Megumi smiled slyly. "He never said a thing about Gameboys, did he?"

Yukiko giggled slightly, feeling her spirits lift. "No."

Contrary to what a certain Kanzaki Kazuto probably thinks, Megumi did not buy her granddaughter video games just to annoy him; the universe did not revolve around him after all.

The real reason Megumi got Yukiko her first game was because she knew how bored and tired the girl was.

The expectations had begun on the day Yukiko started primary school; her father had never stopped stressing of the importance of excelling at school, not even when the girl would come home with the highest grade in her class.

Yukiko was a gifted girl, yet the idiot man demanded more of her and her brother, forgetting—or rather, ignoring the fact that they were very young children. As such, there was almost no time for fun. In fact, it could be said that having even a bit of fun was banned in this house.

Yes, Kazuto, excelling at school was important, but do you what was also important? Letting your kids enjoy their childhood!

"No."

"Excuse me?"

Mother and son were locked into a glaring contest, with neither willing to back down.

Ayako watched the two from the sofa, praying they wouldn't get into another argument, but knowing them and their strained relationship that only seemed to worsen, it was inevitable. She just hoped she wouldn't get dragged in simply because she had the misfortune of being present.

"You can't keep rewarding Yukiko for her terrible grades." Kazuto said, glaring at the stuffed panda in his mother's arms.

"Are you seriously calling 97 a terrible grade?"

"It is by her standards."

"You mean by yours."

Ayako could tell her husband was growing irritated with each passing second. She briefly glanced at the doorway, wondering if she could discreetly leave the room.

"Yukiko's too old to play with toys anyway!" Kazuto stated.

Megumi's eye twitched, her glare intensifying. "I know lots of older girls who play with toys."

"Maybe they've been spoiled too much."

"Maybe they're fortunate enough to have loving parents."

Ayako's eyes widened and warily glanced at the man. She could tell from the clenched fist, her husband's anger was quickly rising. 'Kazuto, please calm down.'

"Why don't you give it to them then?" The man asked coldly, "I'm sure they'd appreciate it."

"I bought this for Yukiko and I'm giving it to Yukiko." Megumi answered firmly.

Kazuto gritted his teeth, his anger sky-rocketing. He had long been done with his mother's constant critiquing of his parenting methods, and wanted nothing more than to throw her out of this damn house! The only reason he was holding himself back was because of society's judgment and assumptions. He wasn't going to tarnish this family's good name because of one, irritating woman.

"Listen to me very carefully because I will not be repeating myself," He said with barely contained anger, "Yukiko is my daughter and I will decide what she gets and doesn't get! The same thing applies to Ryuuto!" His voice rose slightly. "They are both my children, I will raise them as I see fit, and you have no right to interfere!"

"Yukiko once asked me if you hated her." Megumi said, surprising the couple, "Ryuuto asked me the same question two years ago."

Ayako pressed her lips and glanced again at her husband, who remained silent.

"They're both scared of you now." Megumi continued, frowning sadly. "They don't study because it's important for their future, they study because they don't want to get yelled at by their father." She glared at her son. "Are you happy about this, Kazuto?"

The man returned the glare. "I'm doing what's best for them."

"What's best for them is to fear their father, right?"

"I don't care!" Kazuto snapped, startling both women. "They can fear me! The can hate me! All I care about is them getting into university and having successful careers! If I have to scare them for that, I will!"

Ayako gasped at her husband's words. Megumi on the other hand, shook her head in disapproval and left without saying anything else. She wasn't going to waste her breath on this man any longer, she didn't have to anyway.

Kazuto growled and was about to follow his mother, snatch that stupid toy from her and tear it in half! Maybe that'll show that thick-headed woman who was in charge around here! She had no right to ignore him like this and he will surely—

"Honey."

He felt his wife's arms wrap around one of his own and turned to meet Ayako's warm gaze. Instantly, some of his anger dispersed.

"It's alright for now." She said gently as she led him back to the sofa. "Let her give Yukiko the toy since she already bought it."

"She'll feel encouraged to buy more!" He protested, but still sat down. "She's spoiling them too much!"

"It's alright." Ayako repeated and sat down next to him. "Children stop playing with toys on their own eventually."

"It's not just that!" The man said. "She's rewarding them for bad grades! Doesn't she care about their future?"

The woman let her slender fingers brush across his cheek, knowing that simple action always calmed him down.

"I'll talk to her." She promised.

The man let out a frustrated sigh and let his wife continue soothing him with her touch. Soon, his anger was no more, but Kazuto was still upset at what had happened.

"I don't care if they hate me." He said stubbornly, but quietly.

Ayako knew it was a lie; no parent would want their children to hate them. She knew how much Kazuto loved their children, and he would do anything to ensure they succeeded in life. It was why he was so strict with them after all.

She will admit though, there were times he was…too harsh in all honesty, but it was all in good faith. However, seeing as they would think their own father hated them, maybe it was concerning.

"They would never hate you." She assured him. "They know you love them and you're doing what's best for them."

Kazuto remained silent, still not meeting her gaze. Ayako smiled and gently rubbed her thumb on top of his hand.

"You always buy Yukiko new books to read." She chuckled, "I remember she finished the last one in two days, and it was over 400 pages long!"

The man's lips curled into a proud smile. "I was also surprised. I didn't believe her until she narrated the entire story to me."

"Maybe you should buy her two books from now on." Ayako joked.

"I'd love to, but she has studies to attend to." Kazuto sighed, "I don't want her to get distracted."

"She's a smart girl." The woman said. "She understands how important grades are."

"She should have gotten higher than a 97 on her science test. She lost three points over a juvenile mistake."

The woman suppressed a sigh. She agreed with her mother-in-law that Kazuto could be too demanding, often to unrealistic lengths. However, the man was very stubborn and changing his mind was difficult if not impossible.

"She'll learn from her mistakes." Ayako said gently, "She's a smart girl, and I'm sure she'll grow up to be a great lawyer." She tapped his cheek with her index finger. "Just like her papa!"

Kazuto chuckled, "Yes."

They sat together in silence for a while, before Kazuto spoke again.

"It's been a while since I've gotten her a new book, hasn't it?"

"Hm?" Ayako smiled and cocked her head to the side curiously.

"Maybe I could take her to the bookstore on Sunday." He glanced at his wife. "I don't have any work to attend to."

Ayako smiled warmly. "That'd be very nice of you."

Kazuto was a good man, but if his anger was great enough to spark fear into the hearts of their two, young children, then Ayako will be there to quell that anger and remind the kids that their father loved them. The last thing she wanted was for this family to fall apart.

The seemingly endless rows of books were a beautiful sight, which is why she couldn't make a choice.

"Yukiko." Kazuto said, standing beside her, "You can't keep staring all day, pick one."

This is why he stopped taking her to the bookstore—she always stared at them for so long like they had nothing but time on their hands, which they absolutely didn't by the way.

Yukiko hummed and looked down thoughtfully. After a few moments, she looked back up at her father.

"Will you pick one for me, papa?"

The man frowned. "Are you sure?"

Yukiko nodded, smiling brightly. "You always get me the best books."

Kazuto returned the smile and turned to bookshelf to choose. He really wasn't taking her to the bookstore anymore. What was the point if he always ended up picking out the book?

"This one is an interesting read." He picked out the book Dragon Sword and Wind Child. If memory serves well, it was by the same author who wrote the Good Witch of the West series that his daughter loved so much.

Yukiko nodded and eagerly accepted the book. The man couldn't help but smile fondly at such an endearing sight.

From behind his desk, Ito smiled warmly at his two frequent and favorite customers. He still remembered the first time they walked into his bookstore. Ito had greeted them like he did with any other customer and answered any questions they had.

Then, the girl proceeded to drag her father around, pointing at various books and blabbering non-stop. So energetic she was that her father had to pick her up and calm her down. He then apologized to Ito for the trouble, but the clerk had assured him it was fine and that he wasn't at all bothered by the little girl's enthusiasm.

"Maybe you should buy your daughter a library, Kanzaki-san." Ito joked.

"I've considered it." Kazuto said as he purchased the book.

"Really?" The girl beamed, eyes sparkling with delight.

Kazuto smiled and handed his daughter her new book. "Yes, but then you'd never come out, would you?"

Yukiko pouted. "That's not true!"

"It is, actually." Ito chuckled slightly, making the girl huff. "How long did it take for her to finish the last one?"

"Two days." Kazuto answered, "Over 400 pages were finished in just two days."

"No surprise there." Ito smiled at the girl. "You must be very proud to have such a gifted daughter."

"Of course I am." Kazuto patted his daughter's head.

Yukiko smiled. Those four, simple words meant everything to her. She always loved making her father proud.

They walked out of the bookstore and began their journey home.

"You should be more decisive, Yukiko." Kazuto said.

"Decisive?"

"It means making quick decisions."

The girl nodded. "Decisive."

"Lawyers need to be decisive." Kazuto continued, "They have to make a clear decision, and oftentimes, they reach that decision with little, or incomplete information. How can you do that when you can't even decide which book to choose?"

Yukiko looked down in shame. 'I have to be more decisive.'

"What's the opposite of decisive, papa?"

"Indecisive."

"Decisive, indecisive." Yukiko said, "Decisive, indecisive."

Kazuto nodded. "And you need to be decisive, not indecisive."

"I need to be decisive." She repeated.

Always use the new words you've learned; it was one of the many effective methods her father had taught her so that she could expand her vocabulary, and he would occasionally quiz her to see if she still remembered the meanings.

Yukiko smiled when she got an idea.

"Lawyers also need to be punctual."

Punctual meant to always be on time; Yukiko memorized this particular word by using on a daily basis.

"Papa!" She called as she ran into the dining room and took a seat next to her father. "I came down right on time! I'm punctual!"

The child beamed when she saw her father smile proudly.

"Correct." He nodded, "What else?"

Yukiko hummed, trying to remember any more words she had learned.

"They should also be confidential?"

"Yes."

The little girl grinned at the pride in his voice, prompting her to remember more words.

"And...dedicated! And critical! And...and level-headed! And imperative! And...discreet! And..."

She was just spurring random words at this point, but Kazuto didn't care. He was pleased that Yukiko still remembered all these terms, that's why he didn't stop her.

"And advanced! And...spacious! And…And...And imperial!"

By now, it was difficult to not laugh. 'Yes, Lawyers have to be advanced, spacious, and imperial.'

Yukiko smiled as a warm feeling engulfed her heart. She made her father happy; that in turn, made her happy.

"And fragrant, and varicolored, and sturdy…"

The man chuckled again. "Lawyers aren't flowers, princess."

Yukiko giggled. "Can princess be lawyers?"

"Of course." He said. "However, if you want to be a lawyer, you have to be diligent at school, Yukiko."

"Diligent?"

"Meaning you have to take your studies very seriously." The man explained, "If you want to be a lawyer, you have to work very hard and never waste time."

Yukiko nodded sadly, her father's words putting a damper on her mood.

She had to work hard to be a lawyer like her father and please him. No more wasting time; it's a good thing she decided to stop going to the arcade then, maybe she should also tell her grandmother not to buy her that Gameboy anymore. Video games were a waste of time after all.

But she liked video games; they were fun, and it made her grandmother happy to see her play.

'I won't play too much.' She decided. 'I'll only play when I finish studying! That way I won't be wasting time!'

Yukiko smiled brightly. 'I made a quick decision; now I'm decisive!'