Hello! Ah, look, it's a new chapter—finally! XD

But before you start reading, I wanna say; thanks for all the reviews! They make my day. And over 100 favorites and follows?! Man, that's a lot. I never expected that at all. I'm so glad to know you're all liking this story! :D

"You're gonna what?!"

Yuuma flinches a little, but stands his ground. "I'm gonna start working during the summer, but I'll probably continue while we're back at school, too. There's this café I applied to, and the pay's pretty good, so…"

"But… isn't that…" Hiroto looks genuinely worried, glancing around as if there could be anyone of their school overhearing. There shouldn't be, since it's a Sunday and they're in a café far away from school, but Yuuma still appreciates his best friend's concern. "Isn't that against the school's policy? A stupid one, yeah, but a policy nonetheless. Wouldn't you get into a lot of shit if you're found out?"

"I would." Yuuma nods. He's thought about this for a long time. "I know that it's breaking the school rules, and I could get into a lot of trouble, but… the situation at home is getting worse. We're in a really tight spot, and we need the money. My siblings are too young, and Mom's health isn't the best, so... I figured I should work as well."

"No, I get that! I think it's super responsible of you, that you're worrying about your family like that. I support you, Yuuma! I'm just…" Hiroto pauses, sighs, "worried, about what could happen if you're found out. I heard that those who break rules are sent to…"

Class 3-E.

The nightmare of all students who attend Kunugigaoka. The one class no-one wanted to end up in.

Being in Class E meant your life was over. You were sent off to a satellite campus in the middle of the mountain. Everyone looked down on you; you were seen as worthless. Getting out of there was incredibly hard as well. He's heard the E Class teacher was a nice, cheerful woman—that no-one really seemed to dislike—but she was a newbie and despite her good intentions, she couldn't really teach everything perfectly by herself. It was practically impossible to score Top 50 under those circumstances. Not to mention you needed the approval of your former teacher as well.

Usually, most of Class 3-E—if not all of it—was expelled by the end of the second semester.

"I know," Yuuma sighs. "I thought about that, too. But it's a risk that I gotta take. And anyway! It's not like I'll be working all school year. I start during summer break, and then it'll be just a month or two, until I make enough. So if everything goes well, I won't be found out at all!" he says cheerfully, trying to be as positive as possible. Law of attraction: positive thoughts bring positive experiences.

"Well, that's good!" Hiroto grins at him widely, seemingly less worried than before, and he's glad. He doesn't want Hiroto to worry too much over him. But he does notice the wobble of Hiroto's smile, and now he's getting worried about something else. After all, Hiroto being sent to Class E was something Yuuma has worried about ever since first year. But usually, whenever he mentions the possibility, Hiroto just smiles, says he'll take care of it, and changes the subject. Yuuma won't push. That doesn't mean he doesn't care. "So, when exactly do you start?"

Yuuma notices the change of topic, steering them away from the whole Class 3-E deal, but he doesn't comment on it. He knows Hiroto. Once he is ready, he'll talk. Besides, if the situation was that bad, he probably would have talked already. They are just finishing their first semester, after all. So he just continues the conversation.

Hiroto's getting worried.

He knows he's not the best student, but the end of term is just proof of how bad he's doing. His teacher has already warned him that he's gonna go straight into Class E unless he gets his shit together and start doing better during the second semester. And he's actually trying—harder than he was last year, anyway. But this year is so much harder than the last one.

And now Yuuma is gonna work, which is forbidden at their school. Yuuma's the last person Hiroto wants to end in the E Class. The Ikemen doesn't deserve going there since he's trying to help out his family, but in this school people are hardasses about rules. Unless you have good grades; then, maybe, you might get some leeway. And, yes, Yumma has those—he's a fantastic student—but he's no Class A student. He's no Akabane, he's no Asano. There's a chance that it won't be enough.

Hiroto just hopes for the best, really. He decides that he'll have all the fun he can possibly have during the summer, since in the second semester he's gonna bust ass trying to get himself marks decent enough so he won't be sent to the E Class. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan! He'll do that. If he's lucky, it'll work out. Hopefully.

He's aware he's not the smartest around, but he really doesn't want to go to the E Class. No-one does.

But, he'll leave that for the second semester. Right now, he'll enjoy his summer and will have no worries at all. If he's lucky, he'll score dates with hot girls. He'll play football. He'll hang out with Yuuma when he's not working. He's gonna take his mind off of all this E Class thing and worry about it when the time comes. After all, it's not like he's officially there just yet. He has time to turn this around and save himself. So it's okay. It'll all be okay. Yuuma won't get caught, and he'll get better grades; neither of them will be sent to Class E.

Right?

Hiroto buries that question and the anxiety that comes with it in the back of his mind, willing it to disappear. Maybe he should ask Ishikawa Satsuki out next time. She's pretty hot, and seems pretty fun. Hopefully she'll say yes!

I imagine Class 3-E is the biggest nightmare of every student in Kunugigaoka, especially those who aren't doing so well. That's gotta be a lot of pressure.

Thanks for reading! Until next chapter! :)