Author's Note: There was little bit more romance that I expected with this Chapter 3. It was originally going to be all about Sena and Kobato studying, but I found that the chapter was too short to upload.

This chapter also sets up some elements that will be central to the rest of the story. I am still working on the gradual detachment of Kobato for this fanfic.

I've also decided to remove Wario from the story.

Published 4/10/2014

Chapter 3:

Linked to Kashiwazaki

It has been a week since the entire school took the final exams. The results are now posted on the wall. Kodaka, along with many other students, carefully observe the scores and ranks of everyone else. Most of the students are crowded around the top end looking at all of the students who earned the highest scores. Many students have angry faces and make negative remarks about the people in the top 10. After looking down the list of names, Kodaka finds his name… ranked 67/250 for his year. His score: 705/900

"I guess I did a little better than last term. That was a difficult exam to be quite honest. I know I missed many questions on Japanese History. Maybe Yozora can help me out."

Suddenly, one of the homeroom teachers walks up behind Kodaka and greets him. "Greetings, Hasegawa-san, the man with the dirty blond hair."

"Hey! Don't scare me like that. I'm not a delinquent that causes violent uproars in school."

"Ha Ha Ha… Just kidding. I came here to congratulate you Hasegawa-san. Out of everyone in this academy, you were the only student that moved up in ranks. You went from 91 to 67."

"Yeah, but I didn't do much better compared to last year."

"Look on the bright side Hasegawa-san. Even I thought these exams were challenging when I was grading them. Take a look at the top end. Even your class leader dropped a few points too." The teacher points at the top end. As expected, the person in the number 1 spot is none other than Sena. This time, she only made 882/900. However, it was high enough to give her a comfortable margin. Aoi, 2nd place, improved to 865/900. Yozora stayed in 7th with 834/900.

"I guess Kashiwazaki-san has been helping you out a lot."

"Huh?" Kodaka questions the statement and then remembers Kate's words about how all the sisters and teachers know about his engagement with Sena.

"Yeah, I guess so." Kodaka then makes more thoughts. "I kind of appreciate Sena for inviting me to study with her multiple times. However, she still needs to work on her teaching methods. She still has a bad habit of popping out answers without any explanation."

"Sigh, if only your sister got some of the benefits too." the teacher continues.

"Why? What happened?" The teacher points to another bulletin board. It has the name and scores of some junior high school students. On top of the bulletin board is a notice.

"The students on this list are currently under probation. These students are required to take remedial classes and must pass the makeup exam. Students who score too low on the makeup exam may be held back for another year or get expelled from the St. Chronica Academy.

Kobato Hasegawa

Sona Michibi

Tomoko Senkurai"

"Perhaps you and Kashiwazaki-san can help your poor little sister."

"Yeah, I guess…"

As the homeroom teacher leaves, Kodaka wonders how much Sena can help Kobato. On top of Sena's poor tutoring skills, Kobato is getting more resistant at studying. She frequently does her homework assignments at the last minute and Kodaka usually has to help her out. There was one time when Kodaka had the entire Neighbor's Club generate answer sheets for Kobato to copy from. Kodaka was later scolded after Kobato performed poorly on the test, giving suspicions that someone else did Kobato's homework.

The following afternoon, Kodaka arrives home from shopping. As he unloads his groceries into the refrigerator, he finds Kobato playing through another video game. Next to her are a couple of Blu-Ray discs she was watching earlier. Kodaka is disappointed about Kobato's solution to her low test scores and probation.

"Kobato… Are you playing video games? What did you get on your exams?"

"Ku Ku Ku… As the darkness of the night, such so-called exams are worthless compared to my powers."

"Kobato, I only asked for one simple thing. What did you get?"

Kobato changes her attitude. "Umm… I don't wanna tell you."

"Let me see it." Kobato tries to pull the bag away from Kodaka, but some of her exams flew out from her bag. Kodaka could easily see the scores.

Japanese Literature and Language: 7/100

Japanese History: 11/100

Ethics and Culture: 3/100

Rank: School Probation

As Kodaka examines Kobato's scores, he yells at Kobato. "Kobato, the administrators talked to me today about your probation. If you don't study hard, you will be held back for another year or get expelled."

Kobato gives Kodaka a blank stare and tries to get back to her game.

"Listen, I don't want to do this, but education is very important. You won't succeed unless you have learned all the basic knowledge from school. I am sure father won't be happy if you get expelled."

"Fuu… I don't care about education. It's stupid. I get nothing from it at all. It's just homework, tests, and reports."

"Kobato, let's play together sometime later. If you get off the probation list, we can play games together. Is that a deal?"

Kobato quietly nods his head. She turns off her game and goes into her room with her books and papers. Kodaka returns to his room as well. Since it is the start of a new year and there is not much homework to do, Kodaka picks up a light novel and starts reading through it. As he flips another page through his novel, his cellphone rings.

"HELLO! Is Kodaka here?" Kodaka instantly recognizes Sena's voice.

"Calm down Sena… There's no need to scream. What is wrong?"

"Umm… Nothing, I am just lonely. I want to visit you again, Are you free tonight?"

"I'm free. You can come if you want to. I'm sure Kobato might need your help."

"Kobato-chan? Really? I'll be right over." Hearing the word "Kobato" expedites Sena's trip to Kodaka's house. In a matter of minutes, Sena is inside Kodaka's house.

"You didn't have to be this fast, Sena."

"It's too boring to be at home. No one ever comes to my place and playing games alone isn't fun. Stella and papa aren't gamers either."

"So, you want to come here and play games with us?"

"Uhh… Well, I want to play with Kobato-chan… Is that OK? You did mention that Kobato-chan needed some help."

Hearing the word 'Kobato' gives Kodaka an idea. "That's right. Sena gets the highest grades. Maybe she can help Kobato out much better than me since everything will seem relatively easy for her."

Kodaka continues. "Sena, I don't think it's appropriate to play games with Kobato right now. She got on probation again for low grades. Look at her exams. She needs to take another round of remedial classes and do make-up exams. Can you help her out? I am sure you will be very helpful to Kobato."

Sena's brightens up. "Leave it all to me Kodaka; as the perfect student, I, the almighty Sena, shall help out a poor soul. Kobato-chan! Let big sister make you happy." Sena turns her head over to Kobato, who is showing tears in her eyes.

"An-chan! Get me away from this monster."

"Kobato, she's very smart. She will be a much better tutor than me. Plus, you can also play with her when you are done."

"NO!" Kobato hides behind Kodaka.

"Umm… Sena. Please treat Kobato gently. I think she is not used to you visiting us so often."

"OK! Then… Let's go Kobato-chan." Sena happily drags Kobato into her bedroom. Kobato looks at Kodaka, pleading for help, but Kodaka only smiles at her. Inside Kobato's room, Sena quickly looks through Kobato's study material and begins helping Kobato.

"Fu Fu Fu… Kobato-chan! Are you sad about your grades? Don't worry. Let your perfect sister help you out!"

"Umm… I am OK without you."

Sena shows Kobato a math workbook. "Hey, I just corrected your first answer. See?"

"It doesn't matter. Math is stupid."

"Oh! What is this Kobato-chan? This looks so cute. A language written by you? What an interesting talent. Let me keep this as a souvenir."

"Get out of here you monster. I want to be left alone."

"Oh no! Kobato-chan doesn't want to do anything with me. How can I reload and try again? Hey Kobato-chan! How about we move onto science? Here…"

"An-chan! Help me!"

Kodaka hears the sounds through Kobato's door and makes a reply. "Man, I wish Sena was livelier when I was studying with her." Despite hearing more screams and praises, he leaves Kobato to Sena. As he returns to his room, he encounters another unexpected surprise. Stella and another contractor are here with cameras and clipboards.

"Good evening Kodaka-sama."

"Hello Stella. What brings you here? What is with that man and the cameras?"

"Madam and master are working on a special project for your home Kodaka-sama."

The man greets Kodaka. "Your name is Kodaka correct? Nice to meet you, my name is Stan Moro, the lead contractor. In other words, Stella-san is trying to say that Pegasus Kashiwazaki is giving your home an entire makeover."

"A makeover? I think the house is fine the way it is. Plus, I can't afford such project."

"Your father Hayato Hasegawa also admits that the house is due for a renovation." Stan points to the cracks along the ceiling. There are also places where water damage is relevant. To the left are signs of rust along the walls.

"I guess you are right. I never thought this house is in such condition. After all, it is pretty old." Kodaka Kodaka lived in this house with Kobato and his dad 10+ years ago. Even though they moved elsewhere between those 10 years, Kodaka has chosen to stay in Japan with Kobato when their dad decided to move to America to continue his archeological research. While most of the appliances including the stove, television, and the washer are in working condition, the house overall has gradually deteriorated. Although Hayato can sense that the house was due for renovation, he is unable to hire a contractor and fill out all the paper due to him being in America. Also, Hayato and Kodaka cannot afford the costs of rebuilding the house. Luckily, as a friend, Pegasus is happy to finance the renovation bill. To express gratitude for Pegasus's donation and to give Kodaka a surprise, Sena and Stella are tasked with the interior design.

"You do not have to worry about anything. Your father and the Kashiwazaki's have covered you completely. All you need to do is sit back and relax."

"Milady and I will ensure that the completed product of this renovation will leave you satisfied."

"I doubt anything from the Kashiwazaki's will come out well," Kodaka thinks in his head. Kodaka is still uncomfortable with Sena and her family. Pegasus, Sena's father, constantly acts unpredictably, especially during his visits to their mansion. Stella also acts unpredictably by making adult jokes at Kodaka.

"Please sit tight Kodaka. My designs have always been admired. Don't worry too much. I can tone down the colors and styling if you want."

"Please do."

"Yes sir, Kodaka. Now, please let us collect all the data we need." Stella and Stan both take pictures and take notes of the architecture and floor plan. As Kodaka walks back into his room, he hears loud screams and multiple thuds.

"Kobato-chan! You look very sweaty. I bet you are too nervous. Why don't we relieve some stress and take a bath together."

"Noo! I can do it myself."

"Oh don't say that. For helping Kodaka out, I must repay him somehow. Therefore, I will help him by showering you. Isn't it nice Kobato-chan?"

"An-chan!" Kobato runs out of the door and down the hallway. Sena tries to chase after Kobato.

"Kobato-chan! Wait for me."

Kobato hides behind Kodaka, hoping that Kodaka will hide her from Sena. However, Sena accidentally crashes into Kodaka and pushes him down; creating a loud thud that catches Stella's attention. Stella quickly runs to the hallway to see the cause and finds Sena right on top of Kodaka. Kodaka and Sena are both shocked from the impact.

"My, you two. It looks like some progress is made," Stella smirks at Kodaka and Sena.

"No! It's not what you are seeing."

Sena, now all red, runs out of the house in embarrassment. "UNIVERSE!"

"My, my Kodaka-sama. It looks like everything is progressing well."

"It… was… just… an… accident," Kodaka tries to cover up.

"I understand. I am sure Master will be happy to know this."

Kodaka ends the discussion and returns to his room. "Let me take a rest from this. Just finish up doing what you need to do."

"As you wish Kodaka-sama." Stella and Stan finish their work and leave. Stan has collected enough data to start making blueprints for the remodeling. Kodaka also tries to shake off what just happened with Sena but fails.

"Sena… I can't believe it happened... right in front of Stella. I have to apologize to her or I'll be seen as a molester. The Neighbor's Club will never see me the same ever again. My wishes for having many friends have just shattered into pieces…"

The next day, Kodaka is surprised to find Sena waiting for him by the street lamp. Sena somehow seems to have recovered.

"Kodaka… did you remember what happened last night?"

"Umm… I was busy talking to Stella and Stan about the renovation."

"You're bad at lying… Let's walk to school together anyways." Sena winks at Kodaka.

"OK."

However, Kobato is still unhappy and thinks in her mind. "I hate that monster. I wish she just disappears."