Lesson Learned

Time's Up

Mitsuko sighed, trying to focus on her revision during lunch. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to stay calm.

What was dad even doing to Class A right now?

Her stomach twisted when she thought of a shy Juba, outspoken Hashizume, quiet Aoi, and a far too naive Kondo being subjected to an unstable Principal.

She'd tried to get some answers from Ren to see how things were, but he hadn't returned any of her texts or even calls. Not even an obnoxious flirt emoji or the weird Horoscope links he sent her sometimes; granted she had told him the next time he sent her one she'd put a virus on his phone, but it wasn't like he ever listened!

Mitsuko rubbed her neck as the tension built up and made her muscles ache.

"Hey!" Rio came up from behind and hugged her.

Mitsuko nearly jumped out of her skin. "Ah!"

Rio quickly let go. "Oh." She looked confused. "Sorry." She smiled teasingly. "Didn't mean to traumatise you there."

"What?" Mitsuko blushed when she realised the others were looking over in amusement. "Oh, no it's fine. Sorry..."

Rio's smile faded. "Hey, everything okay?"

"Yeah..." Mitsuko sighed. "I'm just really focussed on winning finals." She looked at her classmates who had peered over curiously. "We can't let A Class Monopolise the top spots, guys. It's kill or be killed!"

"Uh..." Sugaya and a number of the rest stared at her warily.

Koro-sensei chuckled. "Yes! The pressure certainly is on." He slithered over to her desk. "But remember, fear of losing is not the right motivator we should have." He patted her on the head with his tentacle. "Remember, we're tackling this with the fierce determination of a professional. To try our best with the acceptance that any failure will make us stronger."

Mitsuko took a deep breath, nodding as she thought it over. "Right. Sorry." She smiled feebly. "I think my nerves are just getting the best of me."

Koro-sensei hummed, looking down at her curiously. "That's fine, Mitsuko. My door is always open if you want to chat." Then he gave her head one last pat before walking back over to the front of the desk.

Rio lightly punched her arm. "Yeah, don't worry." She smiled warmly. "We're all fighting this together."

"And we gotta show those nerds just what we're made off," Karma chimed in, smirking as he leaned back in his chair. "We're going all in, guys."

Mitsuko felt a smile slide onto her face. "Right."

****

Mitsuko clutched her bag close as she stayed behind after class. "Um, sir?"

Koro-sensei looked up from where he was tidying his desk. "Oh, is there something I can help you with, Mitsuko?"

She grimaced, glancing over at the door when Fuwa and Nagisa were the last ones out with the others.

"Yeah..." She sighed and crossed her arms. "It's about my dad..."

Koro-sensei paused, slipping the roll call book under the desk. "I see." He came from around the desk and gestured for her to sit down. "What's the problem...besides the usual."

Mitsuko grimaced, sitting down. "He's...it's like he's turning delusional!" she burst out, trying to think of how to explain it. "This morning he was talking about things going back to normal like he could just magically make us be the people we used to be."