The next day started out rather late. The kids were a bit late in getting up and then all had to get ready, which was was hard considering that Nan and Bess's bathroom was still getting done. Because of all this, the table was set late and breakfast was served late. Afterwards, the kids went to class and were surprised to see the room empty.
"Yeah, no school!" Jinta said. Karin and Dan looked confused.
"Well, cool, I guess," Nan said, wondering what had happened. "So now what?"
"Hello," Ikkaku said suddenly, entering from behind.
"Damn, there;s school after all," Karin said angrily.
"No swearing, Karin," Ikkaku reprimanded.
"Where were you?" Nat asked.
"Training with a few students. Sorry I'm late."
"That's ok, we were late getting up anyways." Bess said honestly, and Nan nudged her slightly before sitting down at their desks. First, Ikkaku asked the kids to make a list of what they wanted to learn about this year. At the end, the extensive list included swordfighting, dancing, the samurais, kings and queens of the Seireitei, chemistry, long division, algebra, and French.
After he had finished transferring these activities to the board, Ikkaku faced the class. "I promise we will get a chance to learn all this. However, I do have to add that we will focus on geography, wars, and bettering our handwriting," he said, looking a bit annoyed. The kids shifted guiltily in their seats; they had slacked off at the end of last year.
"So, I am introducing our first literature assignment: I want you all to write a two-page paper on your favorite hero or heroine."
The rest of the morning flew by rather quickly, and Ikkaku was glad the first assignment had brought up such excitement.
"So, who do you think you will choose to write about, Bess?" Nan asked.
"I don't know. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"I think I'm going to write about Jo March," Nan said excitedly.
"Well, I think I will write about Jane Eyre," Ururu said shyly. Over the past year, she had started coming out of her shell and mingling a little more with the rest of the kids.
"I want to write about Anne Shirley," Yuzu said happily.
"I already chose Sherlock Holmes," Nat said as he came up to the group. He and Nan were always solving adventures and getting into trouble.
"I'm doing Oliver Twist, because he's almost exactly like me," Dan said.
"Children, please sit down and eat." After a clatter of furniture, everyone was settled and started talking again.
"Well, Ameil?" Nan asked, spearing a potato with her fork.
"I haven't decided yet."
"I think I may write about Becky from Huckleberry Finn," Bess said.
"I'm doing Laura Ingalls for sure. She was such a cool tomboy!" Karin said indistinctly.
"Karin, please don't talk with your mouth full," Ikkaku said.
"Ikkaku, who is your favorite hero?" Bess asked curiously.
"Well," Ikkaku said thoughtfully. "In real life, Kenpachi Zaraki is my favorite. In literature, well now, let me see. I think I like Yamatotakeru."
"Can we do one page on a fictional hero and the other on a real hero?" Ameil asked in sudden inspiration.
"I think that's a great idea. Kids?" Everyone excitedly agreed.
The afternoon was filled with math, a French test to see what they all remembered from last year and a brief overview of an upcoming unit of history. Ikkaku always had the kids act out history instead of tests and reports. His theory was that it would get them intrigued in history, and have them remember it better as well.
"All right, class is dismissed!" Ikkaku finally said, leaning back and stretching.
"Are you going to teach fighting now?" Nan asked.
"I was planning to, why?"
"Can we watch?" Ameil asked.
Ikkaku thought for a moment, then asked loudly, "Who wants to go watch?"
Everyone but Yuzu and Ururu raised their hands eagerly.