Hello everyone! I simply wanted to thank all of you who are following this story and reviewing, it really means a lot to me! I also wanted to warn you that, unfortunately, I won't be able to post any new chapter for the next two weeks or so, since I'm going on a trip... to Japan! I still can't believe it's happenning, but it is, but that means I simply won't have the time or the means to post anything. Sine I wanted to make sure everyone would see this message, I simply put it up there instead of at the end of the chapter.
So, until next time! Ja'ne!
.
.
"Niryufufufu! Everyone, you got the basics down cold in the first semester. At this rate, I expect your finals scores to shoot right up!" exclaimed their teacher.
Ame was barely paying him attention, too focused on the math problem in her hands. Determined, she was working through every variable with a rarely shown passion, knowing she could do it, now. She had ended up dead last the first time but, for the finals, she'd aim much higher. She knew trying to get in the top fifty still was too large a stretch, but she could at least score in the first hundred, right?
"Korosensei, do you want us all to make it to the top fifty this time, too?" wondered Nagisa.
"No—I was too focused on your total scores for midterms," replied the octopus. "I've come to believe that each student should have a goal better suited to him or her. And, that's why I've come up with the perfect target for our assassination classroom!"
All at once, all of his afterimages vanished, leaving the real Korosensei standing still in the middle of the clearing the students were studying in.
"Now, as Shiro-san stated two weeks ago, when I lose a tentacle, I also lose speed." Without hesitation, he shot his own tentacle, which fell on the ground. "As you can see, one fewer tentacle and the difference is already there." He started moving again, but his afterimages where somewhat blurrier. "See? I can't keep up the quality of my clones, and now there are a few child clones in the mix! Lose one more—" He shot yet another tentacle. "—and you get more child clones with the parent clones fretting to make ends meets!"
"This is getting a little weird," mumbled Rio, making Ame snort.
"Lose yet another—" He shot a third tentacle. "—and now the father clone has vanished, leaving the mother clone to raise the children on her own!"
"This is ridiculous!" finally snapped Ame, hoping to get back to work soon enough. "Where are you going with this?"
"Each tentacle lost is a ten percent reduction in my movements," resumed Korosensei. "So, here's the deal: the students who get the best overall score and/or the best score in each subject will each have the right to destroy one tentacle."
That got Ame's attention. She snapped her eyes to her teacher, surprised. She knew he wouldn't say that sort of thing just for the hell of it, which meant…
He's serious? He's really gonna go through with it?
"This is the final exam for our assassination classroom!" he claimed. "Can you get any closer to that billion-yen prize? That, students, is up to you."
Unable to help it, a small smile stretched Ame's lips. Now that her injuries were all healed, she could train and participate in assassination attempts again. And, with what their teacher was offering now…
I'm back in shape and he's leaving an extremely big opening. He really knows how to motivate us, doesn't he? But… I don't think he's actually ready to face us with such a handicap. Her smile twisted into a smirk. Korosensei won't know what hits him.
"One tentacle for each top score…"
"Yeah! We can do this!" assured Okuda, smiling a little.
"Ooh? Since when are you this motivated, Okuda-san?" mused Karma.
"Well, since science is my one strong suit, I might finally be able to help everyone out!" replied cheerfully the purple-haired girl.
"We have our share of fair-scoring students, here," pointed out Kaede. "Acing one subject each isn't that far-fetched!"
"Korosensei's been careful to cover everything we'd need," added Ame, leaning back into her seat. "And Karasuma-sensei and Bitch-sensei went to see the Principal in person to make sure he wouldn't resort to barely-legal petty tricks this time around. We'll be fine!"
At that same moment, Sugino's phone started ringing. Surprised, the boy picked up.
"Shindo?" he greeted. "What's up? I haven't seen you since the tournament."
"Yes—a hell of a game," recalled his friendly rival. "I said I'd get you back in high school, but now I'm worried you won't make it there, to be frank."
"Ah! Still as condescending as ever, uh?" chuckled the baseball player.
"Yeah, well… Anyway, listen to this: right now, the entire accelerated A-Class is in a conference room for an independent study session," informed Shindo. "Their leaders are the pride of Kunugigaoka, geniuses known as the Big Five."
"Wow. How creative," mumbled Ame.
Rio elbowed her with a shushing sound, wanting to listen.
"Coming in at second place in midterms! The socially aware mass-media hopeful who crushes the competition: Media Club president Araki Teppei! And in third place: dominator of competition in the humanities, the perspicacious poet and student council secretary, Sakakibara Ren!"
Sakakibara Ren? Mused internally the orange-haired teen. Isn't that the annoying flirt?
"In fifth place: the memorization monster burning with a grudge against Akabane, Biology Club president Koyama Natsuhiko! And in sixth place: the man whose sharp tongue and English abilities are light-years beyond the rest thanks to him living in LA for a few years, the student council meeting leader Tomoya Seo!"
"… Is that you doing the introductions?" dared to ask Sugino.
"Ah—err, well, I've always wanted to try my hand at announcing, so… Anyway! Reigning over all these, from the very top! In the first place, coming in first at the national mock exams and with perfect scores in all subjects, the man with leadership in his genes: student council president Asano Gakushu! Otherwise said… the Principal's only son."
"Oh," blinked Ame, easily remembering him. "That pain in the ass."
"They've all got high hopes and top scores. The combined charisma of the proud A-Class go-getters along with their leadership qualities… Asano with perfect scores in every subject and the others with their specialization make up the Big Five. They're looking to keep you from returning to the main campus. If this keeps up…"
"Thank you, Shindo," nodded Sugino, grateful. "But it's all right. Right now, our goal isn't to get out of the E-Class. Though still, to meet the goal we do have, we will need to beat the A-Class on points. Watch us, okay? We'll put up a real fight!"
"Knock yourself out, then. The E-Class's fight isn't my problem. Ja'."
On which the boy hung up. The rest of the students, who had ended up listening in on the conversation, started talking animatedly about the competition. It would seem the Big Five would be the greatest obstacle they'd have to overcome, but all of them were pretty confident they could manage if they gave it their all.
Though if I remember correctly, that Gakushu guy is pretty tricky. Ame started gathering her things since class was over. We'll have to watch out for him.
.
.
Ame was now studying in the café, in her usual place. She knew to stay out in the open like that wasn't the smartest move for someone with a target on their back, but she couldn't help it. She liked the café, and she didn't want to stop living just because it was a tad bit risky. She was a member of the Zodiac still—she could handle herself.
"Ame-san?"
She lifted her eyes and offered a small smile to Isogai. "Hey. I thought you didn't have a shift tonight?"
"Ah, I'm actually replacing someone," answered the boy with a chuckle. "Though, what are you doing here? Isn't it… you know, dangerous?"
"Pff, my middle name is danger," she scoffed, waving her hand. "It's always been a part of my life, so it's nothing I can't handle. Plus, I can't just run and hide for the rest of my life either, you know?"
"I guess so…" He stared at her for a few seconds. "You're taking this pretty well, aren't you?"
"I'm trying. To be honest, I'm pretty freaked out," she admitted, leaning back in her seat. "But I have many friends watching my back, including our teachers and… well, you and everyone else, too. So, while it's far from being a fun situation, I know I don't have to deal with it on my own, so I guess it's kind of reassuring."
"I see," he nodded in understanding. He then seemed to remember something. "Ame-san? I was actually wondering if you were doing anything tomorrow, after school?"
"Other than trying not to get killed by random assassins?" she replied in a dry tone. He offered a sheepish smile at that, and she could only laugh. "Nan, I've got nothing. Why? Need my help or something?"
"Or something. You see, I reserved a place in the main campus's library so that we could study for the finals," he explained. "I was wondering if you wanted to join us?"
She blinked a few times, truly taken aback by the invitation. When was the last time she went to hang out with other people? She rarely went out with Rio, since she was always busy with missions, and she had never had many friends, to begin with… Of course, it was to study, but it was still the first time someone actually invited her to tag along for such an activity.
"… I'd like that." She smiled once again, though it was much more genuine this time around. "Thanks, Isogai-kun."
"Y- you're welcome!" He was apparently startled by the honorific, but he didn't linger on it. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. I have to get back to work, so…"
"Sure thing. I should probably go too, else my escort will grow agitated," chuckled the girl, quickly gathering her books. She then slung her back on her shoulder. "Have a nice evening, Isogai-kun."
"You too!"
The girl waved, before heading out, though she didn't forget to say goodbye to the rest of the workers. She was a regular now, after all, and everyone enjoyed the energy she brought into the café whenever she ran in with trouble hot on her heels.
"So… who's the cute kid?"
"Uma, no."
.
.
The following day came and went in a flash. Frankly, Ame was looking forward to the studying time, for once. Not only would they be able to enjoy the fresh air of the library, but she would also be able to escape the annoying routine of overbearing protection that was starting to take place. So, when the bell announcing the end of the day finally rang, needless to say that she was the first one outside, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the others.
Rio laughed when seeing her. "I think it's the first time I see you genuinely happy about studying, of all things!"
"Yeah, well, whatever helps me get out, you know?" shrugged the black-haired teen. "Because of… well, the whole target situation, I can barely go out without someone watching me. Frankly, it's starting to get on my nerves."
"Knowing you, it isn't hard to believe," chuckled the blonde. "You've always been pretty carefree after all, so to be forced to follow the rules like that… Well, you know I'm always happy to help if you need anything, right?"
"Unless it's three in the morning. Then, you'll curse at me in English, then try to throw your pillow at me before remembering we're on the phone and it doesn't work that way—"
"That was one time!"
Unable to help it, Ame started laughing. Rio really was one of a kind, and she was glad to be able to count her as her friend.
The little group was composed of Isogai, Nagisa, Kaede, Rio, Kanzaki, Okuda and Ame. They had found their spot in the library, and had been studying for almost half-an-hour now—
"Well, if it isn't the E-Class crew!"
At the new voice, all the assassins-in-training lifted their heads. Ame groaned a little when recognizing the four students as the ones from that Big Five little squad. There was the ugly one with the glasses, the arrogant one, the plain-looking guy and the damn flirt. Thankfully, the Principal's son wasn't amongst them, so she counted that as a small blessing.
"Can we help you with something?" kindly asked Kanzaki.
"Help? I seriously doubt it," Araki snorted derisively. "No, I was merely thinking that the library truly is wasted on the likes of you. Pearls before swine, am I right?"
Ame rolled her eyes a little, deciding not to bother with an answer. She wanted to focus on her studies while she still could—she'd pick a fight later.
"Move it, scrubs. Those are our seats. Get lost!" suddenly barked Tomoya.
"These seats are ours," instantly protested Isogai. "We reserved them!"
"Yeah, and being able to study in air conditioning like this is simply heavenly!" added Rio.
"Have you forgotten?" sneered Koyama, spit flying around as he talked. "The bad-grad E-Class can't defy the A-Class—not at this school."
"We- we can too!" Okuda assured as firmly as she could.
"Aa?"
"We- we're aiming for the top final scores in every subject!" she announced proudly. "Let's see you try to boss us around then!"
"Woo, go Okuda," cheered Ame, weakly pumping her fist in the air. She wasn't paying much attention to what was happening, to be frank. "You tell them, girl."
"D- don't you talk back to me, you cheeky bitch!" snapped Koyama, his sneer widening. "And those glasses make you look like a hick!"
Ignore them, just ignore them and focus on what's happening—
"In all your criticism, you've overlooked something." Ame stiffened. When had Sakakibara snuck up behind her and Kanzaki? "See? Here we have pearls among the swine."
Unable to hold it in any longer, Ame snapped her book shut, drawing everyone's attention. Clicking her tongue, she shoved the flirt's hand off her shoulder, before standing up, her chair scraping loudly on the floor.
"All right, I've got enough of this," she informed, her eye twitching somewhat. "We reserved those spots in the library, meaning they are ours until it closes. So, you either make yourself scarce right now or I'll escort you out myself, got it?"
"What kind of tone is that, girl?" grunted Tomoya, walking up to her. "You sure talk big for someone who ended up dead last at the midterms."
There was a moment of silence as both gauged each other.
Then, a smirk appeared on her lips.
"Yes, I did end up dead last, didn't I?" she mused in English, making the A-Class students stiffen somewhat. "I must admit, it wasn't exactly what I was planning on. However, you must understand something very important: the only reason I didn't get a better grade… is because I wasn't really trying." She then switched back to Japanese with a feral smile. "I'm fluent in English and, if I remember correctly, my score in that particular exam was higher than yours. But now? Now, I've actually decided to put some effort into it. My friends and I are particularly… motivated, you see. We have a goal, and we will reach it. No one, not even you, will be able to stand in our way. Understood?"
He gaped at her, obviously not having expected that. Satisfied, the girl sat back down and picked up her book, intending to go back to studying at once. Koyama was now looking at the group with a calculating eye, though.
Kanzaki Yukiko, ranked 23rd in Japanese; Nakamura Rio, ranked 11th in English; Isogai Yuma, ranked 14th in social studies; Okuda Manami, ranked 17th in Science; Naoki Ame, ranked second in English. Had it not been for Gakushu's fairer knowledge of the grammar rules, she would have been first.
"I get it!" he finally let out, snickering a little. "So you're not entirely without academic skill—in one subject, anyway."
"Then, how about this?" then said Araki, walking up to the table. "Whichever of our two classes snags the most top spots overall five subjects gets to make the loser do anything they want. How about that?"
Ame narrowed her eyes at him, before glancing around them. The rest of the students in the library were watching and listening, waiting for what would happen next. Whatever they decided to do next, they wouldn't be able to get out of it, and Araki knew that well.
Clever, I guess. His arrogance will be his downfall, though.
"What's wrong? Chicken? You're all bark and no bite!" taunted Tomoya, leaning on Ame. "We're perfectly willing to put our lives on the line, you know."
The students of the E-Class stiffened at those words, their eyes narrowing. Then, too fast for anyone else to realize what was happening, they all reacted. Kanzaki placed her sharp pencil before Sakakibara's eye, almost stabbing it. Rio had jumped to her feet and placed her finger under Koyama's chin, near his neck, like the barrel of a gun. Isogai had done the same to Araki, not even moving out of his seat. Finally, Ame had pulled out one of the needles in her hair and placed it against Tomoya's temple, the sharp end close enough to prick the skin, but not enough to pierce through and draw blood.
There was a moment of stillness as none dared to move, still under shock.
"You know, you shouldn't be so quick to put your lives on the line," then mused calmly Nagisa. "Or to bet on them."
"Though why not?" then mused Ame, pulling her weapon away and slipping it back in her bun. "I say go for it. You want to challenge the E-Class? Fine, let's do this. We accept the deal!"
"All- all right, then we've got a deal!" snapped Tomoya, quickly backing away.
"We'll make you do something worse than death!" warned Koyama.
"You can't run!" added Sakakibara.
"You'll regret this!" concluded Araki.
And then the four of them bravely bolted out of the library, not daring to look back. The E-Class students stared at the now closed doors for a few seconds, torn between amusement and disbelief. Then, Rio walked back to the table and leaned over it, slapping Ame behind the head.
"Ow!" The orange-eyed girl turned to her. "What was that for?"
"Why'd you have to go and accept!?"
"Because we're gonna wipe the floor with them, obviously," snorted the teen, unapologetic. "And they would have taken our reactions as an agreement anyway, so I haven't really done anything other than making it official."
"I guess…" She then folded her arms over her chest. "But you're the one who's telling the whole class tomorrow."
"… fair enough."
.
.
They passed the following week studying even more, if possible. The bet had gone around the campus in less time than it took to say it, so there was no backing down, but none of the class actually minded. After all, it was a great opportunity.
"We can ask them anything we want, right?" sighed happily Kurahashi. "I'd like them to let use the cafeteria!"
"Or maybe ask them to install air conditioning in our class!" proposed Rio.
"To install a bathroom inside instead of out into the woods!" exclaimed Yoshida.
As the rest of the class started chiming in, Korosensei chuckled.
"I have an idea about that," he then announced. He appeared before the class. "What if we make them hand this over?"
Ame raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "The school pamphlet?"
"You've already been at the bottom of the heap," replied the octopus. "That's why I'd like you to experience a lively battle for the top. An assassin must aim for the top—and take it down."
"… I still don't get it."
The rest of the students apparently did, though, if their startled faces and their gaping mouths were anything to go by.
"How can you not know what he's talking about, Ame?" protested Rio.
"I just don't, so what's going on exactly?" huffed the orange-eyed teen.
"Each year, the A-Class goes on a very expensive trip after the finals, during the summer break," answered Isogai, taking pity on her. "I believe that what Korosensei is suggesting is that we ask for the trip as our favor."
"Ooh, I see. Eh, I didn't even know there was something like that here," mused Ame.
"And this is your third year in Kunugigaoka?" sweatdropped Maehara. "How is that even possible?"
She simply shrugged. She had been more busy keeping up with the Zodiac than paying attention to measly school trips. However, said trip could actually become a great opportunity in their current situation. After all, a new environment meant a whole new variety of plans they could use in their assassination schemes.
Who knows? Maybe this bet will actually be of some use after all.
.
.
It was finally the day of the finals. For once, Ame actually looked forward to it. She honestly had never felt so prepared for exams before, and… well, it didn't feel all that bad. For once, she felt like she had the necessary tools to achieve her goal.
"So, you ready for this?" mused Rio.
"Of course," scoffed Ame, crossing her arms behind her head. "Now that I actually bothered to learn the grammar rules, this English exam will be a breeze."
"Think you can beat that guy from A-Class?" mused the blonde.
"Of course I can," chuckled the teen. "The guy might be brilliant, but there's simply no way he can have studied everything to perfection. Ace of all trades, master of none, right?"
"So you doubt my abilities?"
Both girls stiffened at the new voice, stopping in their tracks. Turning around, they found none other than Asano Gakushu walking up to them, a bland smirk on his lips. Behind him was Tomoya, who was openly glaring at the black-haired girl.
"Oh, Asano junior," she greeted, her own smirk growing. "I meant no offense by it. I'm merely confident in my own abilities, is all."
"Maybe too much, wouldn't you say?" he retorted, stopping before her. "You did end up in the End Class for a reason."
"More because of my lack of interest than anything else," shrugged Ame, unperturbed by the barely veiled insult. "But I can assure you, my English skills are on point."
"Ooh? Then how about a bet of our own, Naoki-san?" he then proposed without missing a beat.
She narrowed her eyes a little. What was he planning now? He was obviously convinced the A-Class would win the first one, so what was he trying to do when betting with her? She seriously doubted it was mere curiosity or boredom. No, Asano Gakushu definitely had a plan… and she decided to play along.
"Sure," she agreed, switching back to Japanese so that the others could witness the deal. "How about this? Whoever scores higher than the other in English is owed one personal favor. Let's keep it fair and simple, right?"
"Of course. Tomoya and Nakamura-san can both bear witness to this agreement, right?" he agreed, extending his hand to her. "Let's call it a deal, then."
She grabbed his hand and shook it firmly. The boy then let go, taking a step back.
"Then I shall wish you good luck," he concluded. "You'll surely need it."
"The feeling is reciprocated," she simply replied.
On which the Principal's son walked away, his ever-so-loyal servant dutifully following behind him. After a few seconds, Rio whacked Ame's arm.
"Ow! Stop hurting me already!"
"Why'd you have to go and make another bet?" protested the blonde. "Do you have a death wish or something?"
"So you don't believe I can win?" mused the orange-eyed teen.
"I'm saying that now, he has even more of a motivation to win," pointed out her friend.
"Yeah? Well, so do I. So, let's get going and kick their asses, should we?"
Rio stared at her for a moment, before letting out a disbelief chuckle and nodding. "Fine. You do you, I guess. Though if you get stuck in a mess because of this, don't come begging for my help, got it?"
"Aye, aye. Now move it, else we're gonna be late!"
Everyone was taking the exams separately. However, Ame wasn't worried. She knew all of her friends were in the same boat and, even in different classrooms, they were all still held together thanks to the bonds they shared as fellow assassins. The midterms had been a harsh wake-up call for the teen, but that was why she was as prepared today.
Ame rarely made the same mistake twice, after all.
Getting first place in English not only means pushing the class one step forward in our bet against the A-Class, but it also means me winning my own bet with Gakushu. I will not lose!
The girl didn't even see the time pass. Focused as she had rarely been in school, she was moving from one problem to the other without any difficulties. Reading had never been a problem for her, since Uma always made her read entire English books to make sure she'd learn the right way, and the only reason she hadn't made it first the last time around was that she didn't bother with learning actual grammar rules. She always merely acted on instinct, which was all well and good in everyday life, but less so in an exam.
Now, though, she was ready.
Here's the final question!
She quickly read it over, before looking at her options. Soon enough, she spotted the right one.
"Honestly, I wanted to give that cook a hundred slaps in the face."
That was the answer, she knew it. She had easily noticed how the questions were much, much harder than the ones from the midterms, but not in a complicated sense. It was more due to the fact that the questions took root in famous literary works and the students were thus expected to answer in the same colloquial style as the source text.
Thanks to Uma's persistence and Korosensei's reading suggestions, though, she was more than ready when it came to that kind of tests.
I'm done! Exhaling deeply, Ame quickly re-read her answers to check. That was not something she usually did but, this time, she couldn't afford a single mistake. Everything seems good… What time is it anyway?
Curious, she looked up at the clock, and couldn't stop a small grin from stretching her face. She finally allowed herself to relax somewhat as she put down her pen.
I finished in a little over forty minutes or, otherwise said, with more or less another forty minutes to spare. Am I badass or what?
"Oi, Naoki!" barked the teacher at the front of the class. "Get back to work! Do you think you have the time to mess around?"
"I'm actually done, sensei," drawled the teen, getting up. She grabbed her papers and slowly walked up to him, before handing it over. "There you go."
"Tche. Overconfident, aren't you?" scoffed the man, however taking it.
Despite the ticking clock, many students stopped what they were doing to look up and watch what was happening. The grand majority were expecting the girl to fail on the spot, but Rio and the few others from the E-Class that were present knew better than that.
::
"How about that, Ame-chan?"
Ame leaned over Kurahashi's desk, reading the few lines the girl had written.
"It's good!" then smiled the teen, making the orange-haired girl exhale in relief. "Though you should be careful with word-written numbers. I know it can be easy to forget, but it goes 'first, second, third' and then you can add 'th' at the end, like fourth, fifth, sixth, etc."
"Ooh, right!" Chuckling a little, Kurahashi erased her mistake and quickly corrected it. "Like that?"
"Exactly! Other than that, you're doing great. Just don't forget to insert a quotation too, alright?"
"Right! Thanks, Ame-chan!"
"Any time."
::
Ame had been helping many people in the E-Class when it came to English. Not only did it help her classmates, it also allowed her to review all of what she was learning herself. It was a good way to study and make sure she remembered the basics too. So no, none in the E-Class was really worried about her.
Ame stared at her teacher while he quickly read over her exam. If, at first, he had been ready to dismiss her with a sneer, he was now slowly losing his cool. Because, from what he could see… Naoki Ame probably had a perfect score.
"So, mind if I get going, sensei?" mused the black-haired girl. "I do have other exams for which I could use some last-minute studying."
"R- right…" Because what more could he say, really?
A smug grin stretched her lips at that. She went back to her desk to quickly grab her things, before heading out without another look for the defeated teacher. The poor sap was surely going to hear from the Principal if the E-Class girl scored first place, after all. Ame didn't really care, though. They had tried to challenge her, and she had simply answered in kind.
Now, I think I have Science coming up next…
.
.
"So… how'd it go?"
"Ugh…"
The two days of finals were finally over and done with… and Ame was utterly exhausted. She had never actually worked so hard for something like that before and, at the moment, the only thing keeping her awake was the stress. As soon as she handed over her last exam, anxiety had settled in—yet another thing she had never felt so intensely before. She knew she had aced English and social studies, she believed she had done fairly well in Japanese and even Science, and she was fairly convinced she at least hadn't failed Math like last time.
It didn't stop her from worrying, though.
"Come on, Ame, I'm sure it's not that bad," snorted Usagi, quickly typing on his computer.
"You can't know that…" moaned miserably the teen. "I probably got overconfident and messed everything up! What if I failed again? What if I end up dead-last again!?"
"I could hack into the school's scores records and change your grades," he suggested.
"No," she protested, pouting a little. "I don't want to cheat either. If I win, it'll be thanks to my own efforts!"
At that, Isana, who was sitting next to her, patted her head. "It's cute to see you so motivated, Ame. You shouldn't worry so much, though. I'm sure you did fine."
"I guess…"
"Come on!" The white-haired woman suddenly jumped on her feet, startling the girl. "Since you're obviously going to wallow in your misery if you stay here, let's go out and have a girl night out!"
"But—"
"Ame, the results won't be out 'til tomorrow," pointed out Usagi, finally looking up from his work. "And frankly, your pity-party is getting annoying. If you want so badly to be miserable, then at least have a good reason to be."
"Does having random assassins trying to kill me for money because of an unfair situation counts?" drawled the girl.
"No."
The teen rolled her eyes at that but decided not to insist any longer. And, in a way, Isana was right. It had been a long while since they hung out together, and she could do nothing more about the finals.
"All right, fine," she finally agreed. "Though, where do you want to go?"
"How about the mall? I—"
"Did I just hear you were going to the mall?" Uma suddenly exclaimed, literally appearing out of nowhere. He walked in with a grin. "Are we going to find some outfits for Ame-chan?"
"Haven't you heard the rest of the conversation?" sighed Karasu, coming in after him. "It's a girls night out, which means you are not invited."
"But—"
"Plus, we have work to do," added his partner. "So stop trying to find a way out and come help me with our job already."
"Aw, you're no fun," pouted Uma.
"And you're a useless idiot, yet do you see me complaining?"
At that, Ame grinned cheekily. "About Uma's stupidity? All the time, actually."
Karasu walked up to her and, without warning, harshly poked her forehead.
"Ow!"
"I have him as my partner-I think I have a right to complain," he deadpanned, jabbing his thumb at Uma.
The girl looked back at the flirt, only to find him making weird faces at Isana while the woman laughed.
"Fair enough," she admitted. "What are you guys doing anyway?"
"Trying to find the right gang to infiltrate," he sighed. "The drug sample you got put us on the right lead, but it seems to have spread to most of the gangs in the area, so it's getting harder to find the source."
"I see. If you need any help breaking into somewhere, you know who to ask, though," she proposed with a small smile.
At that, he smiled back. "We know. We'll call if we need anything. In the meantime, though, you should go out and enjoy yourself a little. We all know you've been a little stressed out with the incoming exams, after all."
"Ain't that the truth," snorted Usagi, returning to his work. "Can't all of you just get lost already? It's not that I hate you guys, but I'm kind of trying to stop Buru from making an entire building explode right now, so…"
"Right, right, we're going," chuckled Isana. "Come on, Ame."
"Aa. I'll see you guys later, then—gah!"
"I'll drop by later and hug you to my heart's content, promise!" exclaimed Uma, twirling her around in his arms.
"P- please d- don't feel o- obligated…!" she choked out.
He released her at last and she stumbled back toward Isana, somewhat dizzy. Uma blew her a kiss before walking away, an exasperated Karasu just behind him.
The spy grinned. "So, ready to go?"
Ame could only grin back.
.
.
"Well, class…" Korosensei dropped a stack of files onto his desk. "Your scores in all subjects have arrived."
All of the students tensed a little. Fuwa took out a paper, ready to mark down the scores and to see who, between the A-Class and the E-Class, had won the bet. Ame clenched her fists, her heart beating a little faster. It wasn't the same kind of adrenaline she felt whenever she was on a mission, and she honestly didn't know if she liked it or not.
Come on, just tell us already!
"Here goes. Starting with English…" He pulled out a paper from the first file. "First in the E-Class and first in the grade... Nakamura Rio AND Naoki-san!"
There was a moment of silence.
"Wait, what?" Ame blinked a few times. "Rio and me? We're both first place?"
"Yes. You have both scored a hundred in the exam," confirmed Korosensei. "Congratulations."
Ame gaped for a few more seconds.
I'm… first?
I win…?
"Woo! Go, Ame! Go Rio!" suddenly exclaimed Kaede.
Instantly, the rest of the class started cheering, while Fuwa marked down one point for the E-Class. Ame let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, the weight on her chest lifting greatly.
I win. It's… She was struggling to find the right words to describe what she was feeling. Pride? Joy? Relief? Probably all of them and more.
"Great job, Ame!" grinned Rio, extending her fist to her friend.
The teen smiled back, and they bumped fists. "You too, Rio."
"Once again, congratulations," repeated Korosensei. "For two of my students to score first place… I'm so proud!"
"Though, what are we going to do about the tentacle on the line?" then wondered Sugino.
"Rio can take it," suggested Ame without missing a beat.
"You sure?" blinked the blonde, surprised.
"Of course. I've already got something else out of this victory anyway," pointed out the teen.
The two girls exchanged a knowing grin at that. Asano Gakushu wouldn't know what hit him, that was for sure.
The teacher then passed on everyone's papers in a flash. Ame could only grin proudly at her perfect score, at the bright, red "A" written at the top of her copy. For once, she actually had good news to bring back to her grandmother.
Though now I have to see if I actually passed the other exams.
"Next up is Japanese," then announced Korosensei, picking up a second file. "First in the E-Class… Kanzaki Yukiko! However, first in the grade goes to Asano Gakushu of the A-Class!"
Kanzaki still got second place, though, and that really was something to be proud of, even if she didn't get a tentacle, in the end. On her side, Fuwa marked down one point for the A-Class.
"Man, that Asano guy can really nab these points, uh?" huffed Maehara.
"That's the top of the nation for you," pointed out Isogai. "No chinks—not in any subject. They're collectively known as the Big Five, but it really comes down to Asano. You've got to take him down, else you'll never get to the top."
Ame stared at her score. She had ended up in thirteenth place, with an 87. Frankly, she couldn't find it in herself to be disappointed. After all, she had bet almost everything on the English exam—quite literally.
"Let's move on," pursued the octopus. "In social studies, first in the E-Class goes to Isogai Yuma. As for first in the grade? Congratulations! You beat out Asano to take the top spot!"
That's yet another point for us in our bet, realized Ame, eyes widening a little. One more point and we win! And that's another tentacle too!
"An excellent job, especially considering all the fiendish questions you had to deal with!"
This time around, Ame had gotten fifth place, with a ninety. She wasn't all that surprised, though. After all, being part of a group of info-brokers had helped out a lot with learning about what made the world go round and things as such.
"Now, for Science…" Korosensei picked up the fourth file. "First in E-Class is Okuda Manami! And…" His face turned orange once again. "Marvelous! First in the grade is also Okuda Manami!"
There was a moment of stillness. Then, all of the students started cheering loudly when realizing what had just happened: they had three first places on five, which meant they beat the A-Class and thus won the bet.
"We don't even need to see the Math score!" pointed out Sugino. "The E-Class won this!"
"Great work, Okuda!"
"That tentacle is yours!"
That makes us three tentacles, then. Did Karma win a fourth one with Math? I wonder if he managed to beat Asano. He was pretty intent on not studying more than he had to, after all.
Ame herself had gotten forty-first place, with a seventy. She wasn't disappointed, however. At least this time around, she hadn't failed.
"And last but not least, Math!" announced Korosensei. "First in E-Class is Akabane Karma! As for first in the grade… is Asano Gakushu!"
The black-haired girl instantly snapped her eyes at Karma, who had stiffened. He had obviously been expecting a different result, but she couldn't really find it in herself to be surprised. After all, he had acted exactly the way she had been acting before: he hadn't done anything and still expected things to go his way.
But it doesn't work like that.
At the same time, she got her exam back.
I've always struggled with Math, but I managed to pass this time around thanks to my efforts, she realized, smiling a little when seeing she had ended up in sixty-seventh place, with a score of 61. I've learned my lesson thanks to my failure, and I can only hope Karma has now learned his the same way.
Naoki Ame
Overall score: 408
Ranked 91st of 185
Ame's heart swelled with pride. This time around, she hadn't let anyone down. This time around, she had managed to be both an assassin and a student. This time around, she had managed to use her second blade. She was amongst the last in her class, but it was still much, much better than being dead last.
Next time around, though, she'd do even better.
"All right, class, you had a fine showing at the finals, taking the top spot in three of five subjects. So, shall we get started with the assassination?" proposed Korosensei. "The top three can choose any tentacle they like."
"Just wait a damn second now, octopus!" suddenly exclaimed Terasaka. "We got more than three in the top spots!"
"Ah? No, there are three, Terasaka," refuted their teacher, confused. "Over Japanese, English, social studies and—"
"Uh? Quite playin' dumb!" protested the boy. "You said all the subjects, right? Then Japanese, English, social studies, science, math… and home ec!"
"H- home ec!?"
At that, Terasaka grinned smugly, handing over some papers. "No one said what subjects to ace!"
Terasaka, Hazama, Muramatsu, and Yoshida had all scored a hundred in home ec, which actually meant… that they had just bagged four more tentacles in one go?
"Kekeke, nice that we all had a hand in this scheme," chuckled Hazama.
"W- wait a second! Home ec is just—"
"Just what?" asked Karma, smirking a little. He had been silent ever since receiving his grade, but he seemed to have finally gotten back to normal. "Isn't that a little rude, Korosensei? Why, home ec is the toughest subject of them all."
"Yeah!"
"Don't break your promise!"
"Four of us scored highest in the most important subject: home ec!"
"Wait, doesn't that mean Ame gets a tentacle too after all?" then pointed out Maehara, grinning. "We hadn't thought about it before, but Korosensei never said that there was a limit to the number of students who could get top scores!"
"Then that means we have eight tentacles in all!" exclaimed happily Kurahashi.
"Eight! Eight! Eight!" started chanting the students.
"E- eight!?" panicked Korosensei. "Eh!?"
Isogai raised his hand, making everyone quiet down somewhat. "Korosensei? We've also been talking about it for a while, and… we've decided to use our prize from the A-Class wager with this assassination."
"… eh?"
Ame smiled a little at that. So she had a tentacle after all, uh? Korosensei really was in a pinch, then. After all, that meant he would only possess twenty percent of his speed if they planned everything right—
"You said all the subjects, right?"
All… of them?
Faster than the eyes could follow, Ame pulled out all of her papers and quickly started reading through them. She hadn't really paid attention to it earlier, but now that Terasaka had mentioned it…
There it is!
"Hey, everyone!" she called, a wolfish grin slowly stretching her lips. "Would now be a good time to tell you I've scored first place in P.E. as well?"
…
…
…
All eyes widened at the announcement while Korosensei stiffened visibly, sweating heavily. Her grin only widened, if possible, as she waved her paper for everyone to see.
"I've got a hundred in P.E. and the best overall score," she repeated. "And Terasaka's right—you said all subjects. So, that means I've got another tentacle, right, Korosensei?"
"So- so you're saying…"
"We've got nine tentacles!?"
"Wow!"
"Awesome!"
"N- n- n- n- n- nine tentacles…?" miserably squeaked out Korosensei.
That sent the rest of the class into yet another cheering fit, while their teacher slumped over his desk, obviously not having expected to lose ninety percent of his speed all at once. But what could Ame say? He had given them the right incentive, thus digging up his own grave. And, now that they had the stage for the assassination, all they had to do was set everything up. They hadn't planned an assassination on such a big scale before, and never in such circumstances, so it was a chance they simply couldn't afford to let pass.
Who knows? Maybe this time will be the right one.
A few minutes later, the chaos finally died down somewhat. Most students simply couldn't believe their luck, though. Nine tentacles? That was much, much more than what they had been expecting, and it was a great opportunity.
"Ne, Ame! What—" Rio blinked a few times, startled. "Ame…?"
The black-haired girl didn't answer, though. Slumped over her desk, her papers scattered all around her… she was now snoring lightly. Her exhaustion apparently catching up to her, she had finally given in and fallen asleep.
"She really gave it her all, didn't she?" mused Maehara.
"I don't remember ever seeing Ame work so hard for exams before," admitted the blonde, smiling a little. "I guess she's just mentally exhausted."
"Let her rest for now," proposed Isogai. "The assembly is only in two hours, so let's not bother her. She did get us two tentacles—we owe this much."
The other students could only agree.
.
.
"Ooh, here he comes, Mr. Student Council President!"
At Terasaka's exclamation, Ame looked up from the book she was reading. After her sudden nap in class, she had followed everyone back to the main campus for the ceremony. The entire class had decided to come early so as to find Asano as quickly as possible and clear things up.
They had won the bet, after all.
"I don't have the time for the E-Class right now," replied the orange-haired boy.
"Oi, not so fast!" Terasaka grabbed his shoulder, making him stop. "Aren't you forgettin' something?"
The Principal's son stiffened at that, averting his gaze somewhat. They, however, landed on the entire E-Class, who had been waiting for his arrival.
"We had a bet, Asano, where the winner could make any one demand," announced Isogai, crossing his arms over his chest. "We sent our demand via e-mail. I trust you have no complaints?"
"And don't you even try pretendin' it was all just a joke!" added Terasaka smugly. "We could always throw home ec into those five subjects! And P.E.!"
Ame smirked a little at that. While Terasaka let his victory get to his head a little bit, she couldn't help but feel the same. Getting one over the A-Class truly was a gratifying feeling.
"… we know," finally let out Asano through his teeth. He was obviously trying his best not to lose his cool. "As per our agreement, the favor is thus accorded."
The entire E-for-End class could only grin at that. Satisfied with the outcome, and greatly enjoying the disbelieving looks the rest of the students were throwing them, they quickly went to form the ranks for the assembly. Ame lazily rose to her feet, exchanging a small smirk with Rio, before walking up to the Big Five.
"What? Here to rub it in our faces some more?" spat Tomoya as soon as he spotted her.
"I could," she shrugged, not bothering with hiding her smugness. "But I only came here to remind Asano here that he now owes me one. Isn't that so?"
The boy's eyes sharpened. "You wish to make good of that favor now?"
"No, I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't forget," replied simply the girl. "Though I guess I can respect your sense of honor, if nothing else."
"Oi, oi, don't talk to him like that, you—"
"Enough, Koyama," Asano cut him off. "We're going."
"R- right…"
Glad he would honor his word, the teen bowed her head slightly, before heading back to her friends. The five boys of the A-Class watched her go before Ren smirked slightly.
"As fiery as the first time we met, isn't she?"
"I underestimated her," admitted Asano, eyes narrowed on the black-haired girl. "It is not a mistake I shall make twice."
On which he walked away without another look for the E-Class. The four other boys exchanged unsure glances at that, before following after him.
The assembly was going to start in a minute or so when someone suddenly took the place usually left for Ritsu's copycat. Everyone startled a bit… when they all saw a purple-haired girl looking exactly like their robotic classmate.
"Ri- Ritsu?"
"What happened?"
"You have a body now?"
"This is so weird…"
"Hi, everyone!" beamed the purple-haired girl. "It's so nice to finally meet you all properly!"
"How did that even happen?" gaped Sugaya.
"A friend helped me out and created this body for me," answered the Artificial Intelligence, beaming brightly. "The fake skin is actually composed of multiple sensors allowing me to notice when someone or something comes in contact with me, in plus of making me look human!"
"Had I not known you were a program to begin with, I seriously would have thought you were an actual person," mused Rio, lightly poking the girl's cheek. "This is weird and awesome at the same time."
As the rest of the students awed over the new form of their classmate, Karasuma narrowed his eyes. He had not heard anything regarding the evolution of Ritsu, so it led him to believe an outside hand was at work here.
Ritsu said a friend helped her, but where could she have possibly found a friend who'd create such a body for her? And one possessing such advanced technology, at that…
His eyes landed on Naoki, and he instantly noticed how she didn't look all that surprised by her classmate's new appearance. He refrained from groaning at that.
Of course she knows what's going on. Why wouldn't she? I honestly don't know what to make of that girl anymore.
He could ask Ritsu later on, but something told him she wouldn't say anything more than she already did. Shaking his head, he decided to simply drop it. After all, it was probably better this way. At least now, he wouldn't have to deal with his supervisor's daughter.
.
.
"Now, it may be summer vacation, but don't slack off. You, err…" The man wasn't really sure what to say, glancing nervously at the E-Class. "You- you don't want to end up like the E-Class…"
Even those remarks couldn't affect the assassins in training, though. For the first time in a long, long time, they could stand straight with their chins held high. They weren't afraid of any of the students around them, because they had proved to everyone they weren't the failures they were believed to be.
They were the E-Class.
The End Class.
But most of all… they were training to kill their teacher and save the world. Grades were nothing compared to what they were working for, working toward. It was only another blade to add to their arsenal, another means to reach their goal… and they would stop at nothing to achieve it.
No matter what.