"Anyways Nyx… I think now would be best to explain what mid-terms are," I sighed. This is not going to be one of those good days is it? I can feel it. But then again, those kinds of feelings have been happening a lot recently. I have no idea why, but… there's just something about these days that makes me think as if I have a whole lot of shenanigans that I don't know about going on behind my back.

"Alright," Nyx said nonchalantly as she sipped her melon soda. I still can't believe I had to teach her how to use a straw of all things. This bodes well indeed…

"So mid-terms are simply… tests that basically test how much information you've retained over the course of the term," I explained succinctly.

Nyx looked at me with a deadpan before sighing, "Why do these sound even more pointless than I thought they were in the first place?" Sip.

"Unfortunately Nyx… they are," I replied. "But we students actually kinda need to pass them in order to have a better chance at getting a job and stuff like that. Planning for the future and stuff."

Nyx looked at me, seemingly with a plan in mind. Nyx. That look. It's scaring me. What are you thinking? "…So you're saying that since I'm a goddess, and am leaving at the end of the year regardless, I don't need to study or succeed at this?"

…well. Shit. "Just… don't fail completely. Otherwise, bad things could happen… like getting stuck in detention. And buying cake. And lastly… repeated bad grades can get you kicked out of school. Stuff like that."

"Oh, I won't. I'm not going to put any effort into this though, you know that?" Nyx said.

…yeah, kinda figured. "Good enough for me. But…"

"But what?" Nyx asked.

"I dunno, I would just feel better about all this if you got better marks," I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.

Nyx's eyes widened a little before they went back to normal. "Well… unfortunately for you, Minato… I'm not here to please you."

Shot down.

"However…" she started.

"However?" I asked with a curious expression.

"However, if you can get that message of yours through to me a little more, I might try harder on the exams just for you," she smirked.

…scratch deadpans being scary, that smirk is horrifying. But still, I think that's a decent deal.

"Alright then. Good enough for me," I nodded with a slight smile.

I don't think it's just me, but I really think that Nyx is seemingly… she seems nicer than she was before. Not as callous. I wonder why? Is it because of me and my friends spending time with her? Hm… something to figure out later…

"Good," Nyx replied.

… I might as well shoot now. Now's as good a time as any. "Um Nyx, I've been wondering something…"

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's just… this might be my imagination, and I'm not quite sure…" I started. "But you seem somewhat more polite and… nicer than usual."

"Oh really?" she asked. I thought I heard her say, 'I must be losing my touch.' Geez. Serious? "…Your friend is rubbing off on me."

"Who?"

"Kanashi," she answered simply.

…I have no idea what to say to that. I think I'll leave her to her own shenanigans on the internet, because that is simply not my place to intrude. I should give her my email later though.

"I see…" I nodded.

My eyes widened as I heard a loud 'smash' like sound in the distance, and it seemed to be coming from the alleys. "You heard that?" I asked absentmindedly as I walked closer to the alley from where I could hear it.

"Yes…" Nyx sighed. "But aren't we supposed to avoid getting into conflict?" she asked.

"Well, I will if it's nothing but…" I mumbled before another 'crack' sound echoed in the area. That sounded… painful.

"Fuck off, you freaking Goth!" I heard… Kanashi say. Kanashi?

I walked down, trying to get a better look at the situation. Kanashi seemed to be beating up on a Goth that tried to attack him. Geez… from what I heard, Kanashi was winning. By a mile. Because I almost didn't recognise the person that was being beat up. And nope, I don't anymore. He's too bruised for me to care.

"Uh… are you okay down there?" I asked cautiously.

"Hell to the yeah, I'm fine," Kanashi folded his arms after dropping the… unconscious Goth to the ground. Why don't I just refer to it as corpse in the future? That's basically what it is. "Fucking…"

…intense glares. He must really not like them.

Figures. "Anyways… I think it would be best not to get charged for assault. Come on," I sighed.

Kanashi raised an eyebrow before he shrugged. "Fine, whatever," he replied.

"Cool," I smiled slightly.

Before long, Kanashi, Nyx and I were out of the alley and… probably free of any charges? I guess. I dunno. "So, what were you doing there?" I asked.

"I was just minding my own business when one of them Goths tried to convert me," he huffed. Well, no shit that he hates Goths. I'm glad I'm so observant. "And well… I don't like them."

…how eloquent. "I see."

"What about you? You don't look like you'd be hanging around the more slummy places," Kanashi asked.

"I came there because your punches are loud. And hard from what I could tell," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in near irritation. "And I was wondering what was going on."

"Oh," Kanashi finally replied. "Well, I'm fine. But uh… why's Nyx also with ya?"

"I was discussing mid-terms with her…" I muttered.

I thought I heard her say something like 'where's the nearest bin' before she got up and walked off. I hope she doesn't get lost or something.

"Mid-terms?"

"Yeah, mid-terms…" I replied slowly, unsure of where Kanashi was going with his… question.

"Well, damn," he muttered.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Well, fuck. I'm probably gonna fail pretty hard," he grimaced. "I haven't studied one bit," Kanashi laughed mirthfully. Why is he laughing about this? The only other person I know who would do that is Junpei… and this time he actually studied a little bit. Amazing huh?

"Oh. Well… good luck," I sighed, patting him on the shoulder.

"I'll just have to tough it out I guess!" he smiled, though… it was those ones that kinda implied that he was gonna be fucked no matter what he did. That's a wonderful feeling. Not.

"Yeah," I laughed nervously.

"Well, that took longer than I thought it would," Nyx sighed.

"Oh hi. How do you think you're gonna go for the mid-terms?" Kanashi chuckled a little.

"Mid-terms?" Nyx asked with an emotionless expression. "Well, I don't really have any plans to succeed. In short, I am likely to only barely pass."

Kanashi blinked before he said, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes, yes, I'll be fine," she replied with a tired tone. "Mid-terms are basically pointless anyways."

"I see… well then I guess I don't have to wish you luck?" Kanashi laughed a little.

"No, preferably not. If I really wanted to, these tests would actually have some effort put into them," Nyx replied. "But the sentiment is appreciated," she added. Kanashi IS influencing her. Geez. Not something I would've expected from him but… looks like he did. I think it's a good thing that Nyx is a bit nicer though, so I think it might be okay. Besides, Kanashi's a good guy.

"Well… if you say so," Kanashi sighed. "Well, I'm probably gonna fail, so you at least do better than me."

"Alright, alright…" Nyx replied absentmindedly.

"Anyways I gotta go. I've gotta… shave I guess," Kanashi said with a frustrated tone. Why'd he get angry again? Also… shave? Is that an excuse or…

"Hey guys, whatcha doing?" Junpei asked with a cheerful tone, as always.

Kanashi's eye twitched as he kept staring at Junpei's goatee. "Um… I was just going to go home…" Kanashi mumbled before he took off running. I wonder why he was so jumpy. I have to think that it was because Kanashi had a goatee like Junpei, but I have no idea what's so bad about that.

"What's got him worked up?" Junpei asked.

"I think it's just you Junpei," Nyx sighed.

Junpei paled considerably before saying, "Aw come on, give me some slack!"

"…I don't think it's an exaggeration this time," I said, biting my lip. "Remember that both of you have goatees, right?"

Junpei looked kinda offended as I said that, and he folded his arms. "But, goatees are awesome," he insisted.

I'm sure they are, but in a different context. "Well, I think that we shouldn't worry about it too much. Let's go back to the dorm," I sighed.

"I think that would be best," Nyx agreed. "Junpei?"

"Wassup Nyx-chan?" he asked.

Nyx's eyebrow twitched but it seemed that she managed to keep herself under control from lashing out at Junpei. "How do you think you're going to go for mid-terms?" she asked.

"Well, I'll have you know that I actually studied a bit this time, so I don't think I'll fail," Junpei grinned triumphantly. But… that was kinda broken when I heard him mutter 'well, as much.'

Reassuring Junpei, very reassuring.

"What about you, Nyx-chan?" Junpei asked.

Nyx looked towards him before sighing, "I'm not really planning to succeed at all, since there wouldn't be much of a point to me studying if I'm not going to be here the next year."

…that's a bit more optimistic than saying that she'll destroy the world next year. She really is changing, little by little.

"Aw, really?" Junpei said with an incredulous tone.

"Yes, really," Nyx replied, clearly exasperated by Junpei's questions.

It continued all the way until we got to the dorm.

My ears hurt.

AN: Haaaai, another chapter coming your way.

Anyways, dun have much to say this time, so… say what you want in your reviews! Box me your thoughts plz.

Imma see ya guys later.

Nights: Haha, why do I find it ironic that you say that? Meh.
Yeah, old idea, but since I'm doing this… I thought it would be a good idea to implement.
Yay, thanks. I dunno. Good thing I'm definitely not planning on getting a self-insert in here, otherwise that OC would get chewed out for sure.
Thanks Nights.

Yoshikunitsu: Oh wow, I'm… flattered.
Of course! I could never make him any other way. Unless I make him overly emo, which I'm not planning to. Ever in this story.
Hahaha… now that's for me to know and you guys to find out. (for once I know what I'm going with the story)
CD's ALWAYS good.
No problem, I try my best! Whoa, thanks!

Decode: Well… now THAT is a question. Haha.
Haha, glad you do! This one was really fun to write.
And yes, I did. For once!

Raidou: Yeah, it happened before in a separate fic, but… it didn't have as much relevance.
Good. I'm trying to aim for that.

Anakin: Well… uh, later? There isn't much of a reason to yet. Yet. (I'm hinting at something… Mwahaha.)

rickyp01: Yeah, I guess? But who they are… that is something for you to find out.
Ah, well… no, Kanashi's a normal guy. Mostly normal guy.