Okay, so I've been busy with schools and whatnots. I won't be abandoning any of my stories, really. Hopefully, I'll be updating Rainbow Drops, then My Dignified Imouto. No promises there. This chapter is rather short, and mostly interactions between the characters, but the next chapter will finally be the test results, which is a one-week skip. Then it's let's go Gakuensai~!

Pairings : Undecided

Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.

Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.


Chapter 17 - An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Know yourself, know your enemy, and fear not the result of a hundred battles; is a notion truer to Momoi Satsuki than any other (except perhaps a certain redhead).

Statistics don't lie, and combined with what she believes to be a woman's intuition, Momoi can predict things to come and follow through properly.

This time, the pinkette's target is Miyazawa Ayumi, who has made contact with her beloved bestfriend in what she perceived to be an unfriendly meeting.

The news and rumours surrounding the long black-haired first year aren't exactly the best. There are certainly some nice rumours coupled with the bad ones, but it's why this situation is the worst.

It's easy to determine the truth when only one type of rumours is spreading, but when it's all jumbled up, it's hard to tell the fact from the lies. To further back up her suspicion, Momoi has Akashi's warning. And that speaks for the whole idea.

'This Miyazawa Ayumi... I, Momoi Satsuki, will personally research you in and out!' The pinkette's eyes burned with silent resolution. 'When I'm done with you I will have you 100% scanned!'

Aomine raised his brows at his childhood friend's antic. He is often the weird one, but even Momoi has times when she is out of sort. What was she even doing that early in the morning anyway? It's not like that the well-spoken Yume got in trouble. Or did she really?

"Speaking of which." Midorima began with a flick of his glasses. "I remember witnessing a commotion at the school gate this morning."

Under the greenhead's scrutinising stare, Momoi and Yume stilled involuntarily. Midorima frowned.

"Was it you two?" he asked in finality.

As everyone is aware, the prized shooter of the team is a punctual, strict-kind of person who believes that rules are there to be upheld. Tardiness is unacceptable, and thus he makes it a point to arrive at school 15 minutes before class started.

However, it doesn't take a genius to sidetrack the greenhead. Especially considering his competitive nature and unwillingness to admit his feelings to public.

"O-Oh, h-how's your studies going, Midorima-kun?" Yume stuttered slightly, her smile shaken but persuasive. She hopes to divert the flow of the conversation, before it reaches a certain President's ears, and it'll be too late by then.

Midorima don't disappoint. His eyes glinted with determination, reflected by the cylindrical glass he wears. "You are saying, Manai. I'm always prepared, and with Oha Asa's lucky item with me, I have nothing to fear." he flashed his - World Globe, proudly.

"That is to say, I won't lose to you, Manai." He stated with confidence, accompanied by Murasakibara's munching sounds in the background.

Yume sweatdropped. "A-Ahaha... I will do my best.." she managed a weak laugh. The day Midorima forgets his lucky item by his own volition is likely the day the world ends, and it's not even a joke.

On the side note, the brunette realised she hasn't been doing more self-studies other then her daily reviews. If she hopes to defeat Midorima's 2nd rank, she has more books to read.

"Are you going to challenge me again this time, Midorima?" Akashi slipped into the conversation smoothly, earning a heated glare from the superstitious librarian.

"Certainly, Akashi. I won't lose." Midorima replied with a bite. He meant every words he said. His rivalry with Yume momentarily thrown to the side as he gazed at his number one rival.

Akashi chuckled, seemingly amused. "You said the same thing last time, Midorima." he watched in satisfaction as the greenhead's brows twitched uncontrollably.

"Hmph." Midorima ended the conversation to preserve what pride he had left, knowing the more he barks, the less he has.

Amidst this, Yume can't help but wonder why the bet can't remain between Akashi and Midorima alone. The two certainly seem to be perfectly-matched in their competitive natures and are toe-to-toe with their intellects.

Why did Aomine have to insist to participate in this whole thing, then dragged her in with him, when the tanned boy already have troubles just to escape extra classes? It's only natural to sigh.

"I'm interested on how well, or how worse you will do on the tests based on your horrible aptitude test scores, if you can even call it that." The smart remarks were directed to the acknowledged-idiot of the group, and was successfully received.

Aomine waved his hand nonchalantly. "I'll pass." he assured. "..barely. But a pass is a pass. Enough for me." he yawned in boredom.

Although having foreseen this development, Momoi still sighed deeply. The boy is hopeless. The best she can do is making sure he didn't have to attend those extra classes.

"Mine-chin is right.. Studying is just troublesome.." a sounded agreement came from the childish giant. Murasakibara is stuffing his cheeks like squirrels for the upcoming winter.

"Well, Mu-kkun is different! You can still get decent grades!" Momoi puffed her reddened cheeks. She sighed. "..if Dai-chan has even a tiny fraction of your brain... how glad would I be...?" she muttered under her breath.

The trouble-hating giant doesn't study on regular basis, nor does he really pay attention to class lectures. That just goes to show that people learn at a different rate. Because Murasakibara stays in the top 50.

"I expect you'll not disappoint me, Murasakibara." Akashi stared meaningfully at the first year boy nearly twice his size, and managed to make the other party appears smaller instead.

The purplehead doesn't look happy, but complied with a quiet nod. A wise man doesn't court danger, unlike born idiots.

Yume smiled amiably. "Please try hard, Murasakibara-kun. I will put more orders for the maiubou and nerunerunerune candy you love so much." she tried to appeal to the sweets-loving giant.

Pure joy. Murasakibara's purple eyes lit up with pure joy, and it's in full-blast, not the usual half-lidded, disinterested and dull gaze. He even drools. "For real, Cashier-chin? Twenty boxes?" he affirmed.

'T-Twenty...' Yume sweatdropped internally. In normal circumstances, disaster would hit her paycheck if those twenty boxes goes unsold, but having secured a (certain) potential buyer, she wouldn't have to worry.

"M-Mm.. T-Twenty of them.." The girl confirmed with a slight smile, masking her bewilderment. Now to time the delivery date so the storage wouldn't be piled with those many boxes of sweets.

Midorima tried hard to restrain showing disgust on his face. What nutritions did the boy gain from junk treats such as that and grow his height? The world of DNA is deep.

"Okay. Then I will try hard! Anything for maiubou and nerunerunerune candies!" Murasakibara almost-sang, his eyes shone with determination.

'Hmm... Maybe I should do the same thing for Dai-chan? But the things he likes...' Momoi put on a sour expression, before glaring at her unsuspecting childhood friend. 'How am I supposed to promise something like that?!' she roared internally.

Akashi blinked with slight surprise. "You have quite a way with Murasakibara, Manai-san. I'm surprised." he sounded impressed.

Yume flinched slightly. "A-Ah.. It's nothing, really.." she paused as she stole a glance at the now-enthusiastic boy. "...I hope Murasakibara-kun learns my name soon..."

First impression lasts a lifetime, but Yume wouldn't want to be remembered as a cashier girl who helped a boy vying for his sweets. Cashier girl. That sounds so wrong.


Sounds of stacked papers hitting the smooth table surface before a staple locked them in place echoed in the room belonging to the Student Council members.

"Is this all? I will submit the documents to Satou-sensei." Midorima brought the papers to his arms as he headed to the door.

"Please take care." Yume smiled as she see the male off while Akashi only nodded.

The brunette returned to her budgets reports from the clubs, as well as some budget proposals for upcoming clubs' and school's events. It's going to be busy, seeing as the Cultural Festival comes after the exams, then various sports clubs held their training camps following that.

With so many events on the queue, it's no wonder her desk is so packed with papers. It's a good thing that the one about the Cultural Festival is the Student Council's responsibilities as a whole, and not just hers.

"Did you meet Miyazawa Ayumi yesterday?" the sudden question stopped the girl's train of thoughts. Akashi smirked ever slightly.

Yume really had to wonder just how Momoi and Akashi got their informations, seeing how Kuroko was the only witness she is aware of. And he's unlikely to speak about it.

"U-Uh, yes.. I did.." she confirmed hesitantly. Yume can picture that smirk on his face without turning her head to look.

Akashi took a moment to reply. "Is that so." he sounded amused. "I wish you good luck, Manai-san. I expect the best solution you could offer the Choir Club as a member of the Student Council."

Translation: You will have troubles from now on, so make sure to get it done before it reached my ears.

"I will expect no less from you. As matters concerning budgets are your jobs, Manai-san." Akashi continued, ignoring Yume's still form.

Translation: Do it right. I won't hear complains.

Despite the fact that Akashi is seated in his and Yume in hers, it feels like he is way closer and just inches away from her face. Maybe it's how he carries his tone? And those translations above are merely Yume's imaginations.

"Y-Yes.. I understand, Akashi-kun.." Yume replied weakly, lifting her gaze to meet the President's intimidating presence.

Akashi seems satisfied, he nodded. "For now, let's focus on the exams. I'm interested on this time's results." he ended the conversation, returning to his part of works.

First thing first, Yume will have to hit the books and submerged herself in them so she can prevail in her studies. It won't be difficult considering it's what she normally does before exams.

Before joining Student Council, she would never have to worry about not having time to study. Just how in the name of Heavens, do Akashi managed his 1st rank, Student Council President's works, while still active in the basketball club?

Teikō did have the 'No Clubs' rules for a period before exams, but that would mean all of the works associated with said clubs are to be done before the resting period begins.

Moreover, Midorima is no pushover. How in the world is Yume supposed to win against his nearly perfect scores? Especially in Chemistry and Biology he excelled at?

Seems like what she normally does wouldn't be enough if she is to defeat the guy. What is a girl to do?


"A way to beat Midorin?" Momoi repeated the words she just heard from her bestfriend.

The two girls, plus a boy on the back, are walking home together since there's no club for the whole week before exams. Today's Student Council meeting is also last before exams had finished.

"Mm.. I don't think studying like usual is enough, Sat-chan.. Do you have any good idea?" Yume asked with a hopeful tone.

Momoi took a while to think, and on the cue of Aomine yawning, an idea dawned on her. She grins widely. "Ne, Yuu-chan. Wouldn't it be easier if you know what questions to expect on the exams?" she winked suggestively.

"Eh..? Well, yes, but.." Yume backed away, thinking negatively. "...You aren't thinking what I'm thinking, right, Sat-chan...?"

The pinkette only grinned wider. "Of course not! I know you're not one to cheat, Yuu-chan!" she then glanced backwards. "Dai-chan is a different case, though.."

Momoi sighed. "Anyway.. This is not cheating or anything like that." she explained, looking at the girl's limegreen orbs directly. "It's skill."

"Skill..?" Yume echoed in a murmur.

After countless trials and errors to ensure a certain childhood friend of her to successfully graduate primary, Momoi gained an ability to predict questions coming out on the exams based on the quizzes the teacher gave, with a certain degree of success rates. Call it a survival instinct.

"Mm! The baka there," she pointed at the tanned teen. "said it'll be lot easier if he can just study the questions in the exams. So, in some desperate situations, I pull this card out!" Momoi smiled proudly.

The brunette looks cautious. "...and you're telling me I should do this? I'm not exactly desperate.."

"I know! I won't tell you straight out, Yuu-chan." Momoi assured the girl. "I never did, not even to Dai-chan."

Yume is confused now. "Then how..?"

To answer her question, Momoi smirked before she pulled out a peach-coloured notebook, with a huge title headlining the cover, 'Satsuki's Notes' and 'TOP SECRET' label below it.

This note will later be known as Momoi Satsuki's secret weapon, and Aomine's effective method to avoid remedial and safely graduate middle school. And it will be a story for latter date.


Author's note:

So yeah, how is it?

Read and Reviews~