On late March, just before the spring break, the head and members of the journalism club gathered to make the end of school year issuance.

The leader informed them on the topic to write and who will write them. After the discussion, she asked: "Any questions?"

Maya raised her hand, "On the sports section, we're reporting the football team, baseball team, volleyball team. Why aren't we writing about our basketball team?"

"Uhm, you know that."

"No, I dont."

"Because they lost."

"Yes. One game. Out of all their games last year."

"Yes, but it was the most important game."

"But they were champions during the interhigh. We didn't give an issue."

"That was a year ago. Local papers covered them already."

"But-"

"Drop it and focus on your year-end poetry entry. I don't even know why you'd be so concerned about the basketball team. Word is out you cursed them."

"What?"

"Sorry. Just do your portion. Let Jacob do the sports."

Maya can't let it rest. How could they do that to the basketball team. It was bad enough that at the final game, everyone was cheering for Seirin. She admits, that everyone includes her, not until something changed in Akashi. It was weird but somehow, she felt like her heart broke a little when the opponent got a buzzer beater.

So she did what she could do, write a poem about the basketball team. But make it look like it's for everyone to relate to, seeing the school year is ending.**

When the paper got out, she got high praises for her poem. Of course the senior editor took a bite for the credit saying "It was my idea. Our basketball team brought us honors and we should learn that there is grace in defeat, if not more than victory."

Of course, Akashi and the rest of the basketball team read it. Kotaro also did and teased Maya on their classroom saying, "Thank you so much for your support!" and "So that's why you wanted us to lose. So you could write something like this. I admit it's beautiful" and "Are you inlove with one of us?". That's when Maya flicked him and that made Kotaro laugh so hard.

When Akashi and Maya saw each other in the cafeteria, they greeted each other and seemed very civil. There is still an awkward air but it was overthrown by apologetic and grateful feeling for each other. For Maya, she was forever grateful that Akashi came for her during the earthquake but sorry she has not withdrawan her complaint. For Akashi, he's still apologetic for what happened last school festival, but grateful she supports their team as evidenced by the poem she wrote. Even though he attended her 16th birthday and got her a gift, it seems like they cannot move past being acquiantances due to their history.

During the school break, the Generation of Miracles team defeated the Jabberwocks.

Maya attended the game, cheered for Vorpal Swords. Cheered for Akashi. She couldnt control her emotions when Akashi fell on the floor. She got mad like the rest of fans. When the game was over, she was still shouting words of despise to the other team, like many others do.

Then the break was over and the students return.

Now in their sophomore year, Akashi and Maya became classmates. They sat 2 seats apart from each other on the same row by the window.

On the 3rd day of the school year, Maya was called to the principal's office.

She was shocked to find Akashi there already.

"Sit down, Hyuga." She sat on the seat in front of the principal's table opposite Akashi and suddenly knew what this was all about.

"I called you both here regarding the incident last November. At the school festival. Hyuga you reported Akashi for violence, foul and threatening words."

Maya's eyes widened. She thought, 'Wow. You're acting on this just now? It's been 5 months' but what she said is "Yes, I reported last November."

"Sorry we took long to revisit this. There just have been so many things that were more... urgent." Maya narrowed her eyes at the principal. "We would call your parents but since it has been 5 months and you're in the same class now, I want to ask, have you settled this between yourselves?"

Maya and Akashi glanced at each other for 2 seconds, the Maya dropped her head and Akashi looked at the principal. Maya then answered

"We have. You don't need to call our parents"

"Good."

"But I'm still taking punishment for what I'be done." Akashi quickely added.

"Of course you will, Akashi. we don't take violence lightly in this school."

"Yes, you shouldn't"

"And we don't want anyone thinking that this school protects the 'rich and the powerful' when they do something wrong", She said this while looking at Maya, implying that it was in her complaint letter.

"As this is your first offense, you will only have to perform community service for 4 weeks."

"4 weeks? That might be too long" Maya whispered.

"And you cannot be the student council president anymore. You are not to run for the next term"

"What? No! Don't do that."

"Hyuga. It's okay." Akashi said in gentle voice.

"Ma'am, we have settled this between us. Community service is enough." Maya pleaded.

"Hyuga..."

"I cursed their game!" Maya surprised herself when she heard her own voice rising but she continued "I cursed them to lose. I don't know how but... what I mean is... I may have done something bad too so I'm not comfortable for the stern punishment for him. Also, it was an accident because Im the one carrying the plaque when it slipped and the chess piece he hurled was way off to my direction. It couldn't have hit me"

"But he threatened to kill you."

"Well not in an active way, he just said I'll... die" tone dropped at the last wor. She carefully thought of her next words. "But he couldn't have meant it, I know he doesnt." She shyly and quickly glanced at him.

Silence followed as they both recall the events the night before Maya's birthday.

"Curious you did not say that in your 20-pages long complaint."

"Well there have been some changes since I wrote that. Hearts could change. I've forgiven him."

"But that doesnt erase the sins I've committed. In that case, it would be best to shoulder the burden of my sins." Then he added, "Ma'am, I accept. When do I start."

"Tomorrow. Be aware that 2nd offense lead to suspension and 3rd offense to expulsion."

"I understand."

"Maya, you agree with his punishment?"

"I already said I don't." Maya answered.

"Doesn't matter." Akashi commented.

"I think it's too much."

"It's not." Akashi countered.

"Too much."

"It's not."

"Too much."

"Not."

"Why did you suddenly turn into a martyr?" This time Maya faces him.

"I'm the one who's confused. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Community service is enough. You don't need to be kicked out of the student council"

"I am not yet elected."

"Are you really gonna act like you don't know you're gonna win? And they say you predict the future."

"I predicted I will have to step down to answer for my crimes."

Maya was stunned for a second but then quipped "And who will answer when they ask why you're not The President? Me! They will take it out on me!"

"Who will?"

"Just...people!"

"Enough! Both of you! Akashi, go to General Admin Services for your schedule. Maya, you stay. You got your own incident to answer to."

"What incident?" Maya said, confused.

"What?" Akashi said, just as confused.

"Well, you said it earlier. You've done something bad too. But this has nothing to do with curses. Even though some people reported you did some magic to the Jabberwocks during their match with the generation of Miracles."

"Only an idiot would believe in such a thing. Why are there people always discrediting the efforts of the players and think winning or losing is a result of magic." Akashi meant people including Maya, who mentioned about cursing their team earlier, though he knows she doesnt believe in it. He knows she's a woman of science.

Maya did not contradict him this time because she agrees, though she did say something earlier that contradicted her beliefs. "Who's been spreading that nonsense. Kotaro?" she gave Akashi a sharp look. " Also, that was not a highschool event. I just watched the game to support Japan. Why was I being monitored?"

"You are wearing your Rakuzan jacket. And yes, you showed support to Japanese basketball. But you did more than that didn't you." The principal answered.

Maya felt her face becoming a little heated as she recalled her actions while cheering on during the game. She started to feel concious of her surroundings and of Akashi. For some reason, she didn't want him to find out what she did that night-dropping the n-word at Jason Silver, calling Nash as Akashi's low budget ripoff, yelling for them to get the hell out of Japan. She also almost threw a plastic bottle when they were exiting to their dugout. She didn't want him to find out, lest he lost all respect he has for her, if there are any to start with. So she turned to him and said "Why are you still here? Principal told you to leave."

"I was a player at that game. I was interested at what you did to support us that may have tarnished our reputation.

"Tarnished your reputation? I don't think you need my help there" Maya was getting more irritated than she could handle. "Ma'am, you told him to go out right?"

The principal sighed.

"Akashi, go." Akashi reluctantly followed the instruction and went out. The principal continued.

"A video of you and some of your other schoolmates shows how you were booing and swearing at the foreigners. It also shows that you were like "saying some oration" for them to lose." Maya reacted but bit her tongue. "Some people threw plastic bottles at them. A bottle with your name was seen at the exit to their dugout."

"That, I did not throw."

"But why was it there?"

"I named it because I dont want it to get mixed up with someone elses bottle. It fell and landed on someone elses feet and threw it at the Jabberwocks. I wasnt the one"

"Well, granted the video did not show you throw the bottle, but it did show you lift it up like you were going to"

"But I did not do it."

"The evidence would argue otherwise. And what's worse is you were wearing a Rakuzan uniform."

"May I know where the video is from?"

"Some kids from our competing high school."

"That damn international high school?"

"Watch your language, Hyuga. But yes, that damn international high school."

"Those jerks. They were the same as the Jabberwocks!"

"Hyuga." Then Maya's attention was back to the principal.

"May I see it?"

The principal showed the video on her phone. It showed her and some other Rakuzan students booing the foreigners everytime they show on screen. Maya said curse word. She remembers that because that is when Murasakibara got injured. She is seen lifting up her bottle like she's going to throw it.

Maya inhaled and exhaled loudly to calm herself. "It's unfair. We were watching a basketball game like a regular citizen. We got emotional when they insult our country and the way we play basketball."

"I know that. But our competing high schools are always on their toes to ruin us. Because we've been the top Kyoto School for so long. They want to destroy our reputation as the most prestigious school. This is how they're playing now. Fault finding at the students.

"It's not only you that will receive punishment. All those Rakuzan students in the video who were caught in a bad behavior contrary to what our school upholds will be held accountable. But it would be worse for you since you were wearing our uniform."

"I didnt mean to do that. I just have - no other clean jackets at that time." Maya lets out a deep sigh.

"Ready for your punishment?"

"10 weeks community service."

"10- weeks?!"

"The others were given 5 weeks"

"Why double mine? Oh, right, the uniform"

"Maya, you are a scholar and an honor student. This will be on your records. You have to work hard to set your records straight again. That's if you still want to be a Rakuzan student"

Maya's head raised at that last sentence. In her thoughts, she was thinking how it took 5 months for them to act on what she reported, but weeks when it was about her "bad behavior". But she did not say it, she knows it would make any difference, if it won't make things worse.

"I understand. I'll go to Admin for my schedule?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. I'll go now."

Akashi was still by the door when she went out of the principal's office.

Maya did not acknowledge his presence and went back straight to their classroom. Akashi followed.

Maya sat at her chair quietly by the window. There are still 2 periods. Akashi sat at his chair and stares at her back for a minute. He heard she was given 10 weeks penalty while he got only 4 weeks. Although it's not his fault, he still feels like it is. He never really thought about it before, injustice. But now that he could be benefitting from it, he can't help but feel guilty.

"Yo, Akashi. Why did the principal call you?" Kotaro asked.

"To give me notice that I am to serve 4 weeks community service. Dont worry, I won't compromise our practices." He said straightly, still looking at Maya's back.

"Community service?! Why?"

He looked at Kotaro this time, "The chess competition incident. You know that right?" then glanced straight again at Maya's direction.

Kotaro's jaw dropped on the floor.

"I have free time in my schedule anyway. I wont be running for Student Council this year"

"What?!" and his jaw dropped further then followed Akashi's gaze.

That's when Kotaro loudly said,

"Wow, Maya!" while slow clapping. "You're even gonna make Akashi Seijuro pick up trash. Your magic is really powerful. After our team and the Jabberwocks... Wow!"

Maya did not look or say anything back to him. She just plopped her head to her desk as if sleeping.

"I can't believe her complaint came through. She really as a way with words."

"Her complaint had merit. I had to pay for my sins."

"You're Akashi Seijuro, you don't pay, you buy!"

Akashi didn't even want to start to think about what he meant by that.

During the last 2 periods, he can't help glancing every now and then to her direction. He wanted to know how she's taking her punishment and if there's any hint she's mad at him or if they're still civil. Afterall, she pleaded for him at the principal's office, even though they also fought a little on that matter.

Maya was really pissed. At the principal. At those jerks from the international high school. At the Jabberwocks. At the injustice in this school. At this school. At Akashi. She acknowledges he had nothing to with this but he is benefiting from the unjust system. But she knows it's not his fault that he's rich and the school gives much consideration to him. Afterall, he gracefully accepted his punishment. Unlike her.

When the class ended, their homeroom teacher asked a couple of students to stay. These were the ones receiving punishment for the next couple of weeks. There were five of them in their class, including Maya and Akashi. For the following weeks on a rotating assignment, they'll be fixing up the library, cleaning windows, picking up trash around the vicinity of the school, cleaning the pool, pulling weeds in the garden and tutoring elementary students.

Quietly, Maya prays that she won't be assigned to any job with Akashi. She acknowledges she has a temper and she didn't want to lash out on him when she's still so thankful he saved her life. On the other hand, Akashi, still looking at her back, was weighing whether what he did to her that day was forgiven or not.