It can't be!' Hiro's heart skips a beat. Rubbing his eyes to see if he was just hallucinating, he realizes that Zero Two was indeed standing right before the whole class!

'She's...we're classmates!' somehow, bubbling excitement seems to wash over him.

However, Hiro couldn't help but feel irked over how his other classmates were gawking at the pinkette, specifically, at her horns. Hell, even his childhood friends, Ichigo and Goro held a slight fear in their eyes.

'Just because she looks different, doesn't mean she isn't like anybody else.' thinking to himself, he can't help but feel sorry for Zero Two, who seemed to pay no attention to the people around her.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

'Ah, there it is.' Zero Two thinks while not bothering to conceal the frown growing on her face due to the murmurs coming from the class. She didn't even have to focus her eyes on them to know how hard they were staring at her.

Or her horns, rather.

It was no stranger to her how people would react when they see her horns for the first time; some would cower in fear, while some wouldn't even bother showing their disgust, as if she was something akin to a pesky vermin.

People would either stay away from her or resort to any kind of bullying, just to ruin her already tarnished reputation.

And at this point, she didn't care.

To be honest, after all these years, she couldn't give anyone two damns. She was completely used to this kind of treatment and she'd rather be alone than force herself to connect with others.

Still, she couldn't help but to admit how irritating and crappy it always makes her feel.

Recalling how her past self was far too weak in this kind of situation, flashbacks momentarily invade her mind. Zero Two remembers how she would tremble in fear over the harsh words being thrown at her every, single, goddamn, day. She remembers coming home to her gramps full of scratches and bruises caused by the older bullies who wanted to teach a 'freak' like her, a lesson.

She forgotten how hard she tried fighting back, but a young girl like her could easily be overpowered by a number of pre teens.

Hell, she couldn't even remember how her parents looked like; most likely they abandoned her and her older sister, who shared the same fate as her.

She remembers being so consumed with self loathing and hatred, almost driving her insane.

'You're a monster.'

It came to a point where at such a young age, she wanted to just kill herself.

'Why don't you.'

But right now, no matter how cruel the world was, Zero Two has decided to keep on living, all for the sake of-

"Alright Iota, you may now introduce yourself to the class." the teacher tells her. Zero Two cringes at the name.

Wanting to make things end real quick, since she was gaining some unwanted attention, Zero Two clears her throat and says in a nonchalant manner, "Don't bother calling me that stupid name. I'm Zero Two, and that's all you need to know."

Suddenly, one student raises their hand. Nana motions them to speak.

"Are those..real?" the student points at the two protruding bony structures that sit on top of her head. 'How tactless.' she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Yeah. Got a problem with that?"

The whispered murmurs grow louder.

Balling her hands into fists, sharp nails digging into her palm, Zero Two further explains her condition. "It's caused by Klaxxosis. If you don't know what that is, then google it."

"A-are you the Yankee Killer?"

'Yankee Killer? Haven't heard that in a while.'

Zero Two scoffs. "So what if I am?" Colliding her knuckles to her palm, a bone crunching sound echoes through the room.

"Now that you've mentioned it, I haven't had a good beating for weeks." She turns to the student who asked and gives him a smirk accompanied by an intimidating glare.

"Looks like I've got a warm up dummy for later…"

Feeling the atmosphere turn heavier, Nana immediately intervenes. "Okay class, that's enough questions. Io-" Zero Two raises a brow towards her. "-Zero Two," she corrects herself. "You may now take your seat."

Nana watches as the horned student flips her hair sassily before marching at the back part of the room, taking a sit with a loud thud.

'What a troublesome kid…' Nana notes wearily before giving the class some guidelines and reminders.

Meanwhile, watching the whole scene earlier with wide, aquamarine eyes, Hiro couldn't help but seem fascinated over Zero Two's defiant aura. Looking back at the girl who seemed to be minding her own business, Hiro wonders,

He knew how fixated he was towards Zero Two, the only question now was whether she had noticed or recognized him, even for just a fleeting moment; however, judging his sullen appearance and inability to stand out, he highly doubts it.

Looks like he'll have to try and approach her later when he has the chance.