A/N: So here we go with chapter four. I ma sorry that the last chapter was so short but I needed to set something up for this chapter to be successful. I don't own PoT and I hope you enjoy.

"For fuck's sake, it's you that needs help?" Niou snipped at Akari.

"Yes, its me that needs help. Trust me I am not happy about the arrangement either, but I suppose we should get started because I need to pass math," Akari shot back. She didn't care that he was rude or didn't like her, she just needed to pass math.

She sat down and got out her notebook that had been through hell as well as her book and sat down next to Niou. She noticed that he tensed at this and scooted her chair a little farther over so she wasn't in his personal space.

"So whatcha need help with?" Niou huffed getting out his own notebook.

"Honestly. Everything. I've been trying to figure it out on my own but have not been successful and sensei says if I don't pass the midterm he will have to fail me," Akari explained.

"So where did you start this year? If ya need help with everything then we have ta to start from the beginnin of the year," Niou explained hoping that he could actually help Hoshimoto. It had been a long time since he had taken Algebra and he wasn't sure that his brain was still up for the task.

"We started with sets and that confused me a bit," Akari admitted blushing. She was ready for the outburst of Niou calling her an idiot and telling her that she would never pass math and to just give up. To her surprise though that was not what happened.

"Alright, not a problem. Lemme see your book for a second," Niou asked taking the book from Akari. He flipped to the beginning and found the examples on sets. He quickly scribbled something down in his notebook and turned it to face Akari.

"What is all this?" she asked looking at the numbers in front of her. She really had no idea what was going on.

"Sets. Hell, you really don't know what yer doin do ya? Lemme explain and then we can try some problems. So these numbers are sets of larger groups. 15 is part of whole numbers, integers, real numbers, rational numbers, and natural numbers. Positive whole numbers belong to these sets. So here is the example tell me what sets 13,27 and 6 belong to."

"The same sets that you just said," Akari replied with confidence.

"Girl, you gotta say em out loud. I dunno if you understand what I'm sayin if ya can't reason it yourself. You gotta apply this stuff later it's not enough ta say 'right back atcha'."

"Ok then, whole numbers, real numbers, integers, rational numbers and…natural numbers?" Akari questioned looking at Niou.

"Why you askin me? Do ya not know?" Niou asked eyebrow quirked. This girl really did need help and he had no idea how she was going to pass the midterm in a month.

"No I know the last one is natural numbers, for sure," she responded confidently.

"Ok we're gettin somewhere, that was right."

"Oh that's wonderful. I'm certain to pass my midterm. One question though," Akari asked waiting for Niou to respond.

"You got one question right. Ain't gonna pass your midterm with one right. And what's your other question?" Niou asked as he tiredly leaned back in his chair. He was getting sick of this girl already.

"What about negative numbers and imaginary numbers? Where do they come into play in all of this?"

"Ya don' needa worry about that shit yet. You won't see a lot of that stuff until later in the year. Imma let you do a few of these problems and then I'll check 'em."

"Alright I will try my best," Akari said picking up her pencil and crumpled notebook. She got to work writing the answers in her notebook for the five example problems that were in the textbook. It surprised her how fast she got through them. When she looked up she noticed that Niou was lost in thought waiting for her to be finished. He glanced over at her and seemed to put on pause whatever thought he was having.

"You done?" he asked putting his hand out for her notebook.

"Yes if you could check them over please."

Niou glanced over the page and compared it to the examples in the textbook. She had gotten all the examples right. 'Either I explained it better than her teacher or she actually does know some math.'

"Did I mess them up?" Akari asked embarrassed that she had probably failed right after he had explained the example to her.

"Nah, perfect score, actually. So it seems ya do know what ya doin some of the time," Niou mocked.

"Oh my god I got all the samples right? How did that even happen?" Akari looked at her notebook free of any sort of correction.

"Cause you ain't actually stupid. Ya just don't learn the same as everyone else," Niou informed her. It wasn't a lie either. He had seen and met plenty of actual idiots in his school career and Hoshimoto was not one of them. Math just took her a little longer to get the hang of.

"Oh, maybe. Should I redo the homework from this lesson to make sure I have solidified it in my mind and have not just memorized some words that go with certain numbers?"

"Sure, not a bad idea. I'll be workin on my stuff if it doesn't bother ya," Niou said pulling out his textbook.

"Not at all. I wouldn't want to be the reason that you fell behind in your studies."

"Full speed ahead then."

Akari got to work scribbling in her notebook for the homework that had been assigned to her ages ago. For some reason since Niou had explained it she understood what she was supposed to do. It wasn't super confusing she had just been overcomplicating everything. She stole a glance at the silver haired teen to see what he was working on. She saw the German textbook in front of him while he calmly wrote in his open notebook. She assumed that he was translating whatever text was in the book. She quickly refocused on her Algebra book to finish the remaining three problems that she had from the homework. Once done she put her pencil down and looked over her work to make sure that everything was legible. Once she decided it was she slid the paper and her book towards Niou.

"Ya all done? Give me a sec and I will take a look," Niou replied finishing his translation up. He slid the book and notebook closer to him so he could see the problems that Akari had done. They all looked good except the last one.

"Am I good?" she inquired looking at Niou.

"All but one. You forgot ta put real numbers for the last one. Teacher ain't gonna give you full marks for that one. Nice goin though for the first try since the beginning of the year," Niou said pushing the notebook back to her.

"Thank- you I will put that in my review notes to study carefully before the midterm," Akari responded. She decided to look at her watch and her eyes nearly popped out at the time. "I think we should get going it is almost 18:30 Niou."

"Yeah good call girl, I'm gettin hungry. Skipped lunch yesterday and today."

"You need to eat more and I do have a name. Stop calling me 'girl'," Akari quipped.

"Fine fine, I'll see ya here on Thursday Hoshimoto-san," Niou drawled sarcastically.

"Yes, I suppose I will," Akari said before putting her things in her bag and walking out with Niou. They separated at the main entrance with Akari heading towards the train station. 'For all the crap he gave me he really does know what he is talking about. I hope the next tutoring lesson goes as well as this one.'

A/N: That is all for that chapter of X is 3. As I have said this takes place in high school and it is going to be a lot slower than the last one I wrote. Please leave a review.