Authors' note:

Twas on holiday and did not write much.

This chapter was conceived to be light and funny. As always, my inability to write humour led it to having some serious moments but hopefully enough fun as well.

Chapter 32: The Terror of Exams

Tuesday July 12, 20XX Night

"O, lamentable mistress, how cruel thine touch is! Of all desires in the world, mine is to lay mine head upon my true wife's breast and rest for eternity. Yet, like Circe you draw me back in. A bitter medicine for a poison I am forced fed! Ah, this ripping in my chest will be the end of mine body upon this despicable plane. Let my soul find shelter in the next world!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, DUDE!"

Yusuke paused momentarily and cocked his head. No, he eventually decided he had not imaged the booming voice coming clearly through the thin walls. Within the confines of his dormitory, Yusuke's solicitations could not help but disturb his roommate and doubtlessly the countless other students that attempted to sleep nearby. With exams coming with the dawn, Yusuke turned his blood-shot eyes back to the material sprawled on his desk. His eyes traced the shapes of the words, but his brain absorbed none of it.

"Truly of all great artists, my fate may be the worst. Did Van Gogh ever study for tests? I think not. Yes, their lives were blessed compared to mine. The sweet fields of Elysium whereas I am poor Tantalus. The succor of needs visible, but unable to be consumed. Woe… Woe is me…"

Yusuke's half-mad ramblings finally cut off as his eyes closed. Head slumping further until it almost touched the desk, the breathing of body became less harboured and began the even rhythm of sleep.

Such had been the boy's life for the past two days. Having completely forgotten about the exams in wake of saving Futaba, Yusuke had thrown himself into his materials without break for the last two days. For indeed, exams were something the young artist could not escape from. It was a painful reminder that the scholarship he held so dear was dependant upon his marks staying high enough for him to graduate from a traditional high school.

Gradually, Yusuke's body fell further forward until his head and shoulders were resting upon the desk. Exhaustion piled high; Yusuke would not stir for hours…

Wednesday July 13, 20XX Early Morning

"Uh, yeah, uppercut… sweet! That's another victory for me!" Flexing, Ryuji cursed himself silently for his loud voice. He did not want to wake his mother. She worked hard enough as it was that she should not get woken up at this late hour by his success.

Stretching, Ryuji grabbed his phone and then returned to the game. Skipping past some dialog boxes, he exited back to the main menu. He smiled thinking of how far through the game he had gotten. Man, he must be good to have done so much. All before his alarm went off to!

Bzzt!

"Ah, there it is." Grabbing his phone, Ryuji silenced his alarm. It indicated that it was time to get back to studying. "Though I am pretty beat, maybe I'll just go to bed…"

Ryuji reinforced his sentiment with a loud yawn. Then, he turned back to his phone and frowned. "6:30 alarm? The hell, that's my wake-up time? Is this thing really that screwed up?"

With an eerie premonition, Ryuji rose unsteadily and went to his window shaded with thick blinds. He pushed them aside with a hesitant hand dreading what he would fine. As early morning rays bathed his face with the energy of a new day, Ryuji paled and withered like a vampire.

"Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no! Shit! Shit! Shit! I played that game all night!?" Groaning, Ryuji grabbed his hair and stalked around his room, the exhaustion lessening as adrenaline coursed through him. This was not slightly bad. This was really bad. Ryuji had sworn to study tonight. After continually putting it off, he had missed his last chance. "Ah, Ren, Ann, my mom, and Makoto are all going to kill me, aren't they?"

Hanging his head, Ryuji began to prepare for his execution with languid movements. Hurrying would only make it come sooner.

Wednesday July 13, 20XX Early Morning

"Hee hee, You ready, Ren?" Morgana asked Ren on their daily commute, The cat was in a better mood today than he was usually.

"Of course. With your help and my preparation these tests will likely be almost easy."

"Hehe, almost easy!" Morgana yowled gaily. "I wonder how Ryuji is feeling right around now…"

"I wonder…" Ren mused. "For some reason I'm getting the feeling that there are multiple disasters lurking ahead, but I have no idea why. It is only an exam period. They will all be fine… right?"

"Yeah…" Morgana agreed. "They've done them before…"

Silence passed between the two as Ren continued to walk. Stopping at a red light, he confronted reality. "They're doomed, aren't they?"

"Yes, yes they are."

Ren could only close his eyes and sigh. He hoped the phantom thieves could survive the end of term exams. This may turn into their most dangerous mission yet.

Wednesday July 13, 20XX Early Morning

"Ah haha…Why yes Ms. Kawakami, I am a math quiz, how did you know?" Ann did not see the strange looks that her peers gave her as she disembarked the train and began the short walk to the school. She wore a soft, happy smile. One that implied a few screws were loose in the head. Still, that did not stop her from walking sharply with a gait that drew the gaze of every man and more than a few women.

"Hehe, after studying all night there is no way that I don't succeed! Like Kasumi crushed the other competitors at gymnastics, I will crush my fellow students academically. Muwahaha!"

"Umm, Ann-senpai?"

"AHH!" Yelling, Ann staggered to the side as someone spoke directly next to her. Panting, she leaned against a bench.

"Oh, umm, sorry. I was just a bit concerned when I heard that you were going to crush students…"

"Hmm?" Ann looked up and her eyes finally focusing on the world around her, discerned a very concerned looking Sumire gazing at her through those pointless glasses. "Ah, just an expression. What I mean is that I will get top scored on every exam!"

"Really!?" Sumire gasped at Ann. "I thought… Well never mind that. I'm impressed you have so much confidence. I am sure I heard you were despairing just the other day."

"Hehe, that was until Ryuji and I came up with a great idea to solve our exam woes."

"Ryuji-senpai, huh…"

"Yupp! We figured out that there is exactly enough material in one semester that we can review it all in one night!"

"Oh no…"

"Oh yes!" Ann continued, not noticing at all the pity clearly written on her junior's face. "So, I studied all night and have memorized the course material for the entire semester. With all the information in the front of my mind, every question is going to flow from pen with a grace that will leave every other student astonished!"

"Ann-senpai…"

Even in her state, Ann could not miss the tone of Sumire's voice. Blinking, Ann cocked her head and briefly frowned. Then, like the morning mist, it was replaced with her sunny smile. "Ah, jealousy will get you nowhere my dear Sumi. Don't worry, next set of exams I will teach you the method and you will beat everyone in first year."

"Oh Ann… You should have double-checked this Senpai…" Sumrie lamented, continuing the mournful walk to the school with her ecstatic, sleep deprived Senpai. "Well, if confidence was ever a factor though…"

"Oh, there's Ryuji!" Ann called out, noticing a distinctive, slumped figure before her that the crowds parted around. "Look at that, the weight of all that information in his head is dragging it lower toward the ground! He must have studied harder than I did!"

"I somehow doubt that…"

Once more ignorant to her junior's protests and misgivings, Ann rushed over to congratulate her co-conspirator. "Hey there! Ready to top the class?"

"Urgh…" Was Ryuji's poetic answer.

"Huh?" Ann blinked. "You sound sick. Oh, I get it. You consumed so much knowledge that it is waiting to burst from you!"

"Huh? The hell you babbling about? I got distracted with a game and ended up gaming all night instead… Didn't read a single page."

"W-What!?" Ann gaped. Then sighing, she remembered who she was talking to. "Ugh. Why did I think you could have pulled this off? We should have studied together, then you wouldn't have had time to play games."

"Yeah," Ryuji nodded. "Next time we will know better."

"It's a deal!" Ann nodded sagaciously. "For now… well, I am afraid you are doomed on these exams."

"Tell me something I don't know," Ryuji whined.

Sumire meanwhile, was gaping at the two of them openly, wondering if they had lost their senses. "The two of you just agreed… To spend all night together… In the same place!?"

Neither paid the blushing underclassman a single glance as they continued talking, making their way into their school which they had now reached.

Leaning against a post, Sumire rubbed her forehead with a hand. "Maybe I am still asleep. Maybe I am having a nightmare where my senpais turned into complete dolts. Yes, that must be it. That's why Kasumi isn't here. Or Ren-Senpai. If they—"

"You called?"

"Yo, Sumi!"

"…Uh oh."

"Worried about the exams?" Ren surmised quite logically from Sumire's depressed reply. It missed slightly on the truth.

"Not for me." Was all Sumire could say.

Following her gaze, the other two nodded. "Ann and Ryuji are not the most academically inclined students, are they?" Kasumi proffered a mild observation about her upperclassmen.

Shaking her head, Sumire repeated the conversation that she had had with Ann. Even repeating the fine points, it did not feel real. Ryuji not studying and playing video games all night. Ann thinking she would ace the exam because she did. Then the promise of them hanging out all night next time.

"Oh, they are dating then? I had not heard that—"

"WHAT did you say!?" A high-pitched voice screamed, causing Sumire to yelp and spin around. Morgana was halfway out of Ren's bag, clawing across his owner's head who was vainly trying to restrain the frantic cat.

"Whoa, you brought your cat to the exam Senpai? That's like… super risky isn't it? What if it acts out like this during the exam?"

Sumire gaped at her sister for a moment, wondering if she had lost her senses as well. Then, as it slowly dawned on her that Kasumi could not understand Morgana, her jaw snapped closed. Not before her sister noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"What is that look for?"

"N-Nothing! Just that I had not thought of that before. I'm sure Morgana will behave and never do anything to get Ren-Senpai in trouble."

Kasumi blinked in surprise and then shook her head. "I would swear you have gone just as crazy as those two, threatening a cat."

"T-Threatening a cat?" Sumire laughed weakly. "Only an idiot would do something like that!"

"Yeah, that's my point." Kasumi confirmed.

Sumire kept the fake smile on her face as Morgana slowly retreated back into Ren's bag. The abashed expression on his face only made up for a little bit of Sumire's shame at the hands of her sister.

"Now Kasumi, your sister is a smart girl. She knows that cats, especially this cat, do not understand words." Ren added with a soft smile.

"You did it as well!" Kasumi said disbelievingly. "Do you two even realize this!? I guess test stress gets to even those who do well on exams."

"Ahahaha, did I?" Ren laughed wildly.

Sumire thought it was less than impressive acting but as she was the one that had dropped them into hot water in the first place, she had no room to complain. "C-Come on Sis!" Sumire grabbed at Kasumi's hand, "come teach me a few last things before our exam."

"Fine, fine, stop pulling! Also we only have ten minutes, I'm not exactly sure what you think we will be able to cover in that time…"

Ren could only sigh as he watched them leave. When there was enough distance between them, he turned his gaze to the bag on his shoulder. "Morgana I swear—"

Ren cut off his tirade as he heard the muffled whimpering from the bag. "No, it isn't possible. Lady Ann would never choose that lousy ape over a refined gentleman like myself… It just isn't possible. They are mistaken. Yes, that's it. I'll get the truth from Lady Ann after exams are finished for the day. No, I can't wait that long… I'll sneak into her desk and… yes, that's it! If I help her with the test then she will definitely forget all about that idiot… Perfect, my plan is perfect…"

Sighing, Ren rubbed his eyes. He would not be getting any help with this exam.

Wednesday July 13, 20XX After school

"I'm so screwed…"

Ryuji's whining was barely acknowledged by the others. With exams over for the day, students were slowly finding the energy to stumble home. Some had the eyes of people expecting their imminent execution. Others looked fine with their lot of life, just another day. The last group were the most common. Those that were simply exhausted and dreading the remaining days of exams.

Ignoring the tradition of the rest of the students, Ren sat at his desk and listened to Ryuji and Ann whine while the others filed in. Mikoto and Haru were calmly discussing the exams as were Sumire and Kasumi. Ren had managed to reclaim Morgana from Ann, but the cat had completely exhausted itself with worry and had passed out in his bag.

"Why? Why did my studying strategy not work?" Ann was repeating. Her usual perfect looks were gone. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, hair frazzled, back bent. "I read the questions and felt like I should know them, but the words slipped from my mind. I would try to recall answers only to blink and find half a dozen minutes had passed. I… I don't understand."

"Ann-Senpai," Kasumi sighed. "Proper sleep is one of the most important things when preparing for anything. Ryuji at least should have known that."

"Yeah, but actually knowing the answers is more important!" He defended himself. "Not that playing games helped at all…"

"Yes, and now you will have to do remedial classes." Makoto's voice was deadly and sharp. "Instead of having time off during the summer you will be studying or retaking the grade."

"N-No way! That can't happen! It can't!" Ryuji held his head in his hands and lamented. "At least Ann will be there with me."

"Aha!" Kasumi jumped up and pointed a finger at him. "So you two really are dating!"

"We are?" Ryuji asked with blurry eyes.

"We are?" Ann blinked just as confused. "No way I said yes without a massive gift!"

Ryuji only sighed at that and went back to lamenting. "Yeah, impossible. No way am I spending my hard-earned allowance on miss rich model over here."

"Well that nicely kills that idea." Haru sighed. "But aren't they cute like this? Like little helpless shadows just begging to be tormented."

"Shadows?" Kasumi asked without broaching on the other alarming word.

"Haru!" Makoto gaped at her friend. "Why would say that? Actually, never mind. I should expect such comments from you by now."

"Wait, don't torture me further!" Ryuji wailed. "You have to save me! Teach me, please!"

"Me too!" Ann plead. "I can't remember what I studied last night, help me cram!"

"Err, isn't sleep the best thing for the two of you?" Ren had to ask before this went any further.

"No." Sumire and Kasumi said at the same time. Sharing a glance, Kasumi carried on the explanation. "After not sleeping or sleeping poorly, it is tempting to sleep as soon as possible. All that does is lock your sleep schedule in an incorrect state. Make sure you stay up to your regular bedtime and only get the standard eight hours."

"Is that right?" Makoto said impressed. "That's useful information."

"I'm sure someone like you will have no use for tactics like that." Kasumi said politely, her glance back to Ryuji and Ann making it clear exactly who she was talking about.

"Please don't abandon me!" Ann begged mournfully, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't repeat a grade, I can't!"

"W-Whoa!" Kasumi backed away, hiding behind an uncaring Sumire. "Where is this coming from!?"

"Please!" Ann continued to wail, moving in on Kasumi, the one least used to Ann theatrics. Even Ryuji looked like someone would just tell him he had already failed so he could leave.

"Y-You're in the grade ahead of me!" Kasumi continued to protest, "I would be learning the material with you!"

"Now what do we have here." Entering the room was the homeroom teacher, Ms. Kawakami. Having a rather… interesting relationship with her, Ren simply nodded his head as she approached. Those less privy to the intricacies—although the thieves all knew that Ms. Kawakami had given them a lot of help with Kaneshiro—bowed stiffly and murmured more polite apologies. All except Ryuji who still could not bring himself to care about anything but his impending doom.

"Ms. Kawakami." Makoto greeted her. "We were just discussing exams."

"I see…" She said with a pointed stare at Ryuji and Ann on the floor. Ann's face still slick with the last of her crocodile tears. "Mr. Sakamoto, Ms. Takamaki, have you decided to forsake civilization and return to the forests?"

"Ahaha, of course not!" Ann stood up. "Just trying to organize a study group."

"A study group? That should have been done last weekend." There was a moment of tension as Ms. Kawakami stared at them, hands on her hips. She managed tired and disappointed, but anger came harder for her.

"I know," Ann pled, "but I spent all night studying and don't remember any of it!"

"You… Ah. That's the kind of behaviour I expect from Ryuji. I thought you at least would have… No, never mind. Sit down at the desk. All of you."

With more prodding, Ren found himself seated at his desk properly with the other phantom thieves minus Yusuke plus Kasumi surrounding him. All of them had confused expressions, as if unsure why they are even listening to Kawakami during after school hours.

"Now, tomorrow you will all be writing math and Japanese history. As we have three grades present, we can't cover it all, but I expect that at the bare minimum Ms. Nijima and Ms. Okumura have at least prepared properly for their exams meaning they can help me out in this endeavour."

Ren watched bemused as the impromptu session that was formed and organized by Ms. Kawakami in moments got off to a flying start. Ryuji's and Ann's exhaustion seemed to fade instantly as they brought out their notepads and began writing furiously, questions interspersed. Just like that, the study session was in full bloom. There were even a few other students that poked heads in and before they could ask were waved in and directed to a desk. Word clearly spread and the classroom was full in under ten minutes, the pace of the questioning never interrupted.

"She's actually kind of amazing…" Morgana whispered to Ren.

"Yeah…" Ren was incredibly impressed. Three grades of subject material for two different classes. Two classes she did not even teach. To have such a solid grasp was very, very impressive. Not just knowledge though, application and the ability to explain it. Ms. Kawakami broke down the questions and dissected what they were really looking for.

At a certain point, Ren noticed that he as well was following along. It was hard not to. Ms. Kawakami directed and explained with unignorable authority and charisma. The lazy teacher that let her students slack off was nowhere to be found.

Ding! "All remaining students and staff, please exit the school. I said—"

"Well, that is everything today." Ms. Kawakami announced and began to erase the board. When that was done, she returned the eraser and left. It was three hours since the end of the last exam. It had felt half that.

Unable to leave it there, Ren stood up and bolted after his teacher. He caught up to her on the stairs heading to the parking lot. "Ms. Kawakami that was…"

"Oh, Ren. Err, I mean Mr. Amamiya. I'm glad it was useful. Just a spur of the moment decision. Think nothing of it."

"Think nothing of it!" Ren was unsure where the boldness came from, but he grabbed her by the shoulder and turned his teacher to face him. "You were a completely different person up there! You teach with a tenth of that energy during the day."

Kawakami blushed and moved away from Ren's hand that he hastily withdrew. "Manhandling me in public like that. What if someone had seen?"

"No one did. So?"

"Well… It was in public, and it wasn't like doing it would make things worse for the students and I had some time so… I just felt like it!"

With that Kawakami stalked away. It looked more like a girl fleeing something scary to Ren. Almost as if she was afraid of how much she had enjoyed doing the extra session. "She needs help…" Thinking it over, Ren stood there until the others arrived.

Wednesday July 13, 20XX Night

"Impossible…" Sumire stared at nothing as she laid on her bed. It was not a vision haunting her, but words. Words from two separate days now floated through her mind. One, earlier today, the other just this past weekend.

Manhandling me in public like that. What if someone had seen?

What about his homeroom teacher? I've heard they have an unusual bond.

It was impossible. Were Kasumi's mad ramblings trying to push Sumire to action actually worth something? Sumire wished she hadn't rushed out of the classroom after Ren. His expression of curiously had prompted the same emotion from her. Without thinking she had followed. Staying on the stairs, she had heard those fatal words before retreating.

There was no ambiguity to it. A simple statement with two obvious conclusions. One, that Ren had initiated the contact. Two, that contact between them was fine in private. A truly terrifying combination. It led Sumire to a final conjecture.

"Does Ren… Like older women?" It wasn't impossible. The way he eyed Ann's more mature curves. His often solemn, thoughtful way of speaking with an intelligence beyond his years. Yes, yes, it all added up. That was the only reason he never asked her out. Or if not her, Kasumi. Yes, surely he knew her emotions as sophisticated and wise as he is.

Ah, yes. It was as they say after all: the simplest answer is often the correct one. Accepting this, a goofy, half-insane smile spread across Sumire's face.

"He…Hehehe…" Breaking out into spurts of laughter, Sumire's wide, crazed eyes stared at the nothingness of the ceiling. All the while she continued to giggle at her own misfortune as the night continued with no sleep on the horizon.

Saturday July 16, 20XX Afterschool

"And done." Talking to himself quietly, Ren placed his pencil down and rolled his neck. Truthfully, he had finished the exam a long time ago. He had gotten into the zone and had been crushing out answers, finishing more than an hour early. Even then, it was expected for everyone to stay until the end and go over their test. Ren was glad he had, it had given him ample time to expand and elaborate on some of the long answer questions. Particularly a nasty one concerning the globalization of trade routes.

"Ah, finished." Ann muttered a mirror sentiment from behind Ren. Turning to face her, Ren gave her a smile.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?"

"No, not really." Ann actually smiled, giving some weight to the declaration. "I mean… after Kawakami's study hall on Wednesday, it just felt easier to study, like I had her in the back of my mind, explaining things!"

"That's good." Ren nodded. "I think with her help Ryuji should pass as well. I'll message Yusuke to see how things went for him, but it seems like everyone did perfectly with the end of term exams."

"Mhm!" Ann nodded with a happy smile.

Just as Ren was thinking everything was wrapped up, a ghostly voice invaded his thoughts. "Senpai…"

With the cold chill of death grabbing his spine, Ren shivered as he hesitantly turned to the door. Approaching was the spectre of death, cloaked in blood. Potentially, it could also be Sumire with frazzled red hair, but the minute differences could not be discerned.

"Yo, Sumi… Rough exams?"

"…" There was no instant response as the spectre approached with the uneven steps of one who was either already dead or only a few steps from it. "Senpai… I figured out your secret."

"My… secret?" Ren stammered, trying desperately to recall what that may be. Sumire knew all of the most damning ones about him. Besides some small things, there was really nothing for her to learn.

"That's right…" Sumire slammed a hand on his desk, leaning over him. The frenzied bloodshot eyes made Ren think that maybe she did die and get reanimated as a zombie. As she tried to lean in, her strength gave out and she toppled unto him.

"S-Sumire!?" Ren panicked. With his hands up in surrender, Sumire began to slide down his body. Terrifyingly certain what would happen, Ren watched as Sumire slid down until her knees were on the floor, head resting against his lap in a precarious placement.

"Senpai… Are you… hot for teacher?"

"Guh!?" Ren's gulped reply was not a sufficient answer in this situation.

"Ah! So we were right!" Ann said.

"You're abandoning my sister like that…" Was Kasumi's sad response. The girl had entered unnoticed on Sumire's heels.

Ren, still flailing for an answer was interrupted by a call. The name splashed across the front read YUSUKE. With an excuse dropped straight into his lap, Ren forced himself to speak. "Looks like I have to take this! Hey, Yusuke, how—"

"REN! I have seen the maker of heaven and earth and stared into her eye. With all the knowledge of the heavens she deemed me lacking and expelled me from paradise. Oh, fateful day, hateful gods. When shall I next know the succor of sweet nectar!?"

Beep, Beep, Beep!

As it started, the call ended. Ren was left with an unconscious Sumire in a compromising position and numerous people still glaring at him. In this situation, Ren could only see one possible option.

Not saying a word, he wrapped up Sumire and slowly deposited her on the floor. Then, grabbing his bag, he walked from the room.

"What!?"

"Not so fast!"

Even as the voices echoed behind him, Ren ran faster than he ever had before.

Saturday July 16th, 20XX, After school

"I would like to call this council to session."

"The co-head of this council agrees with the president's motion to begin today's session."

These odd, somewhat formal lines were delivered in perfect seriousness by Makoto and Haru. Gathering in the school's student council room were those two accompanied by a still dazed Sumire suspended by the help of Kasumi and Ann. The five girls had gathered together to discuss the improbable secret that Sumire had uncovered and brought to life.

"Err, can we hurry this along?" Kasumi yawned. "I'm tired, and honestly, even if it is true, isn't it my sister's fault anyway? I tried to warn her."

"You say that now but your face in the classroom sent a different message." Ann called her out.

Kasumi glared right back. "I was overreacting and thought Sumire was being abused. Not simply fainting because she's an over-thinking idiot."

Makoto coughed. "A-Anyway. R-Regardless of Sumire's feelings on this matter I think we ought to do something. Clearly there is something not normal happening between Ren and his homeroom teacher, Ms. Kawakami."

"Do you think she's a cougar that became a high school teacher to prey on and groom high school boys?" Haru added on breathlessly. For some reason, her eyes were wide with an odd tinge of excitement.

"D-Don't make wild accusations!" Makoto yelled. "With the term over, it is unlikely that we will see Ms. Kawakami until the Fall semester begins. As such, we will have to ask Ren and trust his answer. I would like to remind you all that Ren is not to blame. In such a relationship, he is still a child and is being manipulated. This is through no fault—"

Makoto was interrupted by a loud snort from Kasumi. The brown-haired gymnast had stuffed a fist into her mouth to stop the laughter. But it did not stop all noise as she continually expelled gusts of wind from her nose.

"W-What!? I'm trying to be serious about this! This could be a big deal if real!"

"Oh, come on, Makoto!" Kasumi gasped with laughter as she pulled her fist out. "Ren, a child? He's more mature than my father."

"Father is… a bit of an idiot." Sumire added unhelpfully for Makoto as she continued to slumber.

"I don't like to agree with them," Ann sighed. "But you have to agree Makoto, it does seem more likely that Ren is the one that started this. Ms. Kawakami probably has some tragic story which makes her sigh all the time and he is playing the hero."

"Urgh!"

"Why does the answer have to be so boring?" Haru said. "I was really hoping for some more excitement."

"But in that case why not tell us!?" Makoto burst out. "I mean, we're his friends!"

"Tell us all a teacher's private secrets?" Kasumi scoffed. "Come on, like Ren-Senpai would do something like that."

"Oh, so I don't get a senpai!?" Makoto whined, throwing her hands in the air.

"Well maybe you would if you started thinking instead of randomly accusing like my foolish sister." Kasumi replied harshly. "Anyway, why don't we just go to LeBlanc and get the truth? He can't run away there."

"You under-estimate him…" Sumire spoke dully but stood up as well. Destinations aligned, even if nothing else was, the girls departed for the den of their victim.

Saturday July 16th, 20XX, After school

"H-Hey Yusuke, isn't this a coincidence!" Ren called out to the blue-haired boy. As always, it took him a moment to jerk and then locate Ren.

Frowning, Yusuke answered in a puzzled tone. "Coincidence? I am sitting in my sketching bench just outside my dormitory which I have described for you before. As it is a place I frequent I can hardly say finding me here is a coincidence."

"Right… Anyway, you called. Did something bad happen on the exams?"

"The exams? Oh no, those were fine. I was simply referring to the fact that I will be locked out of the school and their art room during summer vacation. Alas, paradise shall reside on the other side of a fence from I…"

"Oh. So anyway, I wanted to ask a favor."

"A favor?" Yusuke looked interested. "I believe this is the first time you have desired something from me."

"I-Is that so?" Ren laughed. "Umm, so can I stay with you tonight? Just some things came up and I need a bed. Also, please don't mention this to anyone else."

"You want to sleep with me and to keep it a secret?"

"Yes. Wait, no. I just need a bed." Ren quickly corrected himself. Yusuke's face and tone had not shifted to imply he had been making sport of Ren.

"Well as there is only the one in my apartment and no other sleeping apparatus, we would be sleeping together. Fairly snuggly too given its small dimensions."

"That…" Is it worth it? "That is unfortunate…"

"Yes, to exacerbate the misfortune, I must decline this favor to you as the dorm rules state that outsiders may not stay in the rooms, even family."

"I see…" Giving up on the possibility, Ren knew he would have to confront reality. The problem, Ren was realizing, was that he had initially fled instead of holding his ground. He could have helped Sumire into an unoccupied chair and explained that there was nothing going on between Kawakami and himself. That would be ten times harder now. In fact, the only way out of it that Ren saw was admitting to what was going on.

I can't. I can't betray her trust.

That left Ren trapped between a hammer composed of at least three angry women, probably five when Ann told Makoto and Haru, and an anvil that was his inability to betray Kawakami. With the certainty that there was the prophesied hammer there, waiting to break his knees, Ren bid farewell to Yusuke and began to trek back to LeBlanc.

What should have been a relatively long ride home disappeared in moments. Ren's mind was a swirling sea of worries and budding excuses. Building under all of that was a growing guilt to Sumire. Why had the girl passed-out like that? It seemed like a deep exhaustion that surpassed anything he had seen before. Her appearance had been zombie-like. An insomniac unable to die and forced to endure their pitiful existence.

Throughout it all, Ren's phone twisted in his hand. Round again and again as he twirled it slowly. Not once did the screen light up with a notification or phone call. No messages in the group chat, nothing. That somehow made it infinitely worse.

Arriving back to LeBlanc, Ren heaved one last sigh before entering. One look at Sojiro told Ren that he had been correct. His guardian's eyes flicked to the stairs at the back that led up to Ren's room and then back to him. Ren met the raised eyebrow with a shake of his head. As the café was actually busy, Ren did not say anything as he stalked through the restaurant and climbed to his room.

As Ren suspected, it was filled with beautiful women. Unlike in his fantasies, they had pensive, disgruntled expressions and were not there for a good time. Three of them sat perched on his bed, stool, and couch. That was Makoto, Ann, Sumire respectively. "Y-Yo."

They had heard his footsteps and already were looking at him. Sumire's blurry eyes looked like she had been napping. Even the short time helping her to regain a bit of her colour. Ann did not reply but instead was typing on her phone.

"Ren." Makoto spoke. "I believe that we should speak. According to Sumire's information, I have reason to believe that you may have implicated yourself in something that you should not have."

"Implicated myself…?" Ren muttered to himself. Unable to meet Makoto's stare, he turned his gaze to the floorboards and put his bag down on its home. Without being bidden, Morgana jumped out and without a word went over to Ann and jumped unto her lap. Curling down there like a house cat, he began purring as Ann stroked his fur.

"Aye, that you did!" A happy voice spoke from behind Ren.

Whirling, he faced Kasumi and Haru who were climbing the stairs. They must have been the object of Ann's message when she saw him. "A trap I see…"

"You did run away last time." Despite the words, Kasumi's tone was light, and her smile had not condemnation. Of all of them, she seemed to trust him the most. "Now move further into the room, Haru and I don't want to stand here all night."

"Unn." Accepting with a grunt, Ren went and leaned against the wall by his plant. From here, he could barely put the five girls in his vision as Haru and Kasumi joined Sumire on the couch. The red-haired girl slumping and leaning her head against her sister's shoulder. In moments her soft breathing of sleep could just be heard.

"So, why is Sumire so tired?" Ren asked.

It was once again Kasumi who answered. "I just heard it from her today. Apparently she has been unable to sleep since Wednesday just thinking about your relationship with Kawakami."

"…What an idiot." Ren muttered. "Why does she…?" Shaking his head, Ren tried to banish his displeasure at Sumire. She could not control her emotions. Still, little reminders like this that she did not trust him always hurt.

Why should she trust me though?

Thankfully, Kasumi spoke, and Ren did not have time to argue with himself any longer. "Anyway, that culminated with her rather exuberant display today. Unfortunately, the classroom was not empty, and rumours may start spreading in the school. Makoto will try to help with those, but who can say what will happen."

"Great, more rumours." Ren bit out. Just as the repetitions of him being a delinquent were starting to die out, this happened.

"Well, out with it then." Kasumi said, chipper as ever. "What is the truth? Clearly my sister overheard something sensational enough that she took it as a fact."

Ren paused, but only for a moment. He was grateful for Kasumi believing in him. That would only make the difference when he lost her trust even worse. "Thank you for trusting me, Kasumi. However, I am unsure what Sumire overheard and I cannot tell you anything about Ms. Kawakami."

The smile slid somewhat. "Why can't you say anything."

"It is not my secret." Ren said eventually. Honestly, that was probably more than he should have, but it should at least indicate that it was not a relationship… hopefully.

Kasumi let out a giggling laugh and pointed at Makoto. "See! See!? I told you Ren was the one butting into Ms. Kawakami's business. Probably trying to help her with some embarrassing issue."

"It still is not right!" Makoto insisted. "It has clearly imbalanced their relationship as teacher and student!"

"As long as there is mutual respect, the relationship does not matter." Ren barked. That silenced the room. All four girls blinked in confusion and even traces of fear. Sumire did not stir from her nap.

The one who broke the silence was not any of them but Morgana. "Why not just call her? I'm sure she'll agree."

As the only one who could not understand the cat, Kasumi was once again left in the dark staring back and forth at the insane people who stared at the cat as if it had said something.

Hoping it was not too obvious, Ren spoke. "If you refuse to simply trust me, then I will ask Kawakami if she will come and explain things."

"Come?" Kasumi asked disbelievingly. "That has a practiced sound to it. Does your homeroom teacher often visit your home?"

"W-Well…" Unable to formulate a reply, Ren sent out a quick message. Hey, my friends have noticed that something odd is happening between us. Do you think you could come and explain? I'll pay the regular fare.

The reply came quickly. Your friends? Sorry, but I'd rather die than have Sakamoto gaping at me as Becky.

Ryuji is not here. Only Ann, Makoto, Haru, and the Yoshizawa sisters.

Ren waited with bated breath. Half a minute passed until the reply finally arrived. I don't mind. I'll be there in fifteen.

Only fifteen minutes? Ren thought. That was fast. Too fast. Unless… Groaning, Ren slid down the wall. "She will be here in a quarter of an hour."

The admission silenced the room and understanding started to filter into the faces of those present. Eve Kasumi who had been Ren's biggest supporter was looking doubtful. It was all Ren could do to not flee the room. His salvation would be granted in fifteen minutes.

After ten minutes or so of waiting in almost complete silence, Kasumi walked over to where Ren sat slumped against the wall and sat next to him. Even whispering it would be hard to prevent the others from hearing.

Just as Ren thought Kasumi was going to speak, she closed her mouth and remained silent. Instead, Ren had blinked as he felt a soft sensation pressing against his arm. Kasumi had closed the distance between them and sat in solidarity beside him. The simple action meant more to Ren than any words could of. Leaning into the contact, Ren closed his eyes and focused on her warmth as a lifeline.

When Ren's heart and emotions had settled, a pair of shoes began clacking up the stairs. Sojiro had never worn the high heels required for such noises. All the occupants sat up straighter. It was also not a shoe that Ms. Kawakami ever wore either. She preferred comfortable flats that did not put undo stress on feet that she spent all day walking on.

What emerged was exactly what Ren and Morgana expected but none of the others. Black hair tied up in twin tails, the woman in her late twenties waved happily in a maid outfit. "Hi there! Becky is here!"

One could almost see the stars and heart symbols from the bright voice that filled the room with vibrancy and teenage exuberance. Sadayo killed it instantly, scowling as she turned to Ren. Sticking out a hand she demanded in a grumpy voice, "payment."

"Fine." Ren dug out the ten thousand yen and handed it over. "Although this time you may actually need to do something,"

"I'd rather not." Walking over the bed that Makoto had been sitting on before she had shot up, Becky collapsed onto it. Then, as the room watched her breathing gradually grew softer as exhaustion overcame the overworked teacher.

"S-So… She is using you! But at the same time… AHH!" Makoto grabbed the hair and began pulling.

"Upset there is no clear answer?" Ren mocked, perhaps a little too harshly.

"It is odd…" Haru agreed, staring at the prone teacher. "I must say, she is quite lucky that you are a good person. You could abuse her quite easily."

"You don't have to say it so matter-of-factly!" Ann yelped pulling the contemplative Haru away from the sleeping maid.

"I-I don't understand." Sumire said in a weak voice. There were still large bags under her eyes, but she had the semblance of alertness, at least for the moment.

"Basically," Ren summarized, "Ms. Kawakami is being blackmailed and moonlights as a maid to make the money needed. My place is one of the few she can actually rest at and still get her money."

"Blackmail?" Kasumi asked in a harsh voice with narrowed eyes. The similarities to what she went through with Kobayakawa sparking her anger.

"Yes." As succinctly as possible, Ren summed up the issues that his teacher was facing. Basically, that if she stopped paying, she would lose her job. Based on the accusers' connections, it seemed unlikely that they could not manage to get it done. Especially with how thin the reputation of Shujin was right now, any hint of the truth would send her packing.

"I know the two of you butt heads…" Kasumi started slowly. "But what about Akechi? He is actually quite dependable once you get past his goofy exterior."

"Goro can't help." Ren snapped. "Even if the law worked for her, Sadayo would still be fired. Taking on a second job as a maid may not be illegal but…"

"I see what you mean." Makoto muttered. "After seeing it I think I'll struggle to see her as a teacher again…"

"Is that so?" Ren asked. Staring at the sleeping maid, a soft smile formed on his face. "After learning about her situation… I respect her more than any other teacher I've had."

Tuesday July 19th, 20XX, Morning

Sumire walked through the school doors side-by-side with Kasumi. She had recovered from her post-exam trauma, but her stomach was a knot of tension. She would finally learn exactly how badly her misunderstanding had cost her. Sumire could remember nothing from the exams. Barely even writing them. Just a few moments sitting at a desk, pencil in hand while her mind burned with images of Ren being seduced by older women. Older women whom he employed as maids.

No! Not again! Sumire forced the thoughts away. This was her fault. If Sumire had failed badly enough to be forced to retake exams then so be it. That was the consequence she had reaped.

"Loosen up." Kasumi poked her. "If it really went that poorly we will ask for a rewrite. I'm sure once you demonstrate competency in the subject material things will be fine."

"…Thanks." Sumire took another glance at her sister. Kasumi was confident as always, waving at students that funneled by. None approached directly but all seemed grateful to be acknowledged by her.

Like a march of death, or maybe more accurately a Greek maiden about to be scarified to a sea monster, so did Sumire approach the busy board that displayed the marks. The board doled out judgement clarifying the champions and losers of the exams. The heroes and the sacrifices. For the first time in her life, Sumire would find herself at the very bottom. The refuse that supported the foundation of nations. She was…

"Huh?"

"Why am I getting the odd sensation to hit you?" Kasumi mumbled to herself.

Sumire thought maybe they had put the names upside down, but no, that was impossible for Kasumi's name was right there as well. Not above hers, but below. On the first-grade column, Sumire's name stood at the very top. First of all students that had written the exams.

T-That can't be right…" Sumire mumbled, "I was on autopilot, I gave the exam no thought at all."

"Tsk, I should have known. "Kasumi grumbled peevishly. "You already knew the material but with your conscious thoughts distracted, your subconscious was able to accurately pull up the required information without interference or second-guessing."

"B-But…"

Kasumi raised a hand, cutting off Sumire's rambling. "You always are good at making me feel stupid. I spend all my time worrying about whether you will be alright and then you go and surpass me." Sighing heavily, Kasumi gently shook her head, her ponytail swaying opposite. "You may have won this time, don't think it will last!"

"K-Kas!?" Sumire raised a hand as her sister began to walk away.

Kasumi paused at that, shooting a mischievous smile back at her. "Congrats! For now though… good luck escaping."

"Kas?" Sumire said again. But she felt what her sister was mentioned. The bloodthirsty gaze of vicious animals intent on ripping her apart. Taking one, then a second slow step backwards, Sumire turned and fled.

Behind her, two shapes jumped forward and ran in pursuit. Ann and Ryuji hollered their cries into the air. "SUMIRE!"

"It isn't my fault!" She protested, the defense doing no good. For while she had managed to place first, her senpai's names drifted near the bottom. Saved from absolute disaster only by Kawakami's impromptu lesson.