" YEAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! "

Every students celebrates as their scores are between 90 or more.

" It's all thanks to you, Kushida!! " One boy cheers.

" Arigato Akabane-kun!! " Two girls bow to Karma who wave. " For real, your our lifesavers!! "

Kikyo bowed her head sheepishly. " It's not like that.. I didn't do anything. Karma helped me with it! "

" Angel.. " Ike was crying as he hug himself. " You two are angels!! "

" Akabane-kun! You may be a devil to other classes but your a saint to Class D!! " Yamauchi hug Karma's shoulder.

" O-Oi!! Your ruining my uniform. " Karma sighed as he push away the idiot. Damn they really deserve to be called idiots.

It's pretty much sure it's very impossible that they gained 90 points or up that much. Karma leaned to the side of his palm with a bored look but inside he was smirking but died down as Suzune focuses her eyes on Karma.

" Ayanokoji. " Suzune look at Kiyotaka with the same expression as Karma. " What did you guys do? "

____________________________

Ayanokoji together with Karma were walking out to the school yard passing the area where girls are playing tennis and to which of Karma's misery, they are all wearing short skirts for that type of sport.

* Pang

The sound of the tennis ball flew high to the other side. Karma stare at the area where the girls are playing. ' Where are the boys at? ' He wonder as he sip on his milk.

" That's great! Bring it on! " The voice boomed making the boys turn to where the sound is headed. They turn their head to their left and spot Sudo being outnumbered by three seniors.

One of the guys raise his brow as he keep his hand in his pockets. " That's some outdated thug act, eh? So lame. "

The middle with long maroon hair speak next. " You are a pathetically ugly creature. "

Saying those words made Sudo loose his cool. " What did you say?! " He was about to reach his arm to the middle guy but was manhandled by the two thugs.

Kiyotaka stared at the four people hidden from the sunlight. ' Kushida ask us to invite him to her study group, but.. '

Karma look unimpressed. ' He's too of an idiot to listen, that will be much a problem. '

The leader slowly walk to Sudo who struggled to get out of the thug's grasps. " Let me go!! "

" I can't wait to see how many of you will be expelled after the upcoming test. " The leader said as Sudo's face became terrified.

Karma can't see as their looking at the students' backs but he can tell the tight situation Sudo's in, he scroll his eyes to Kiyotaka.

" You will be the first... " The leader smirk before slowly raising his index finger to the location of Sudo's left eye.

The two boys silently watch what will happen.

Sudo's breathing hitch before closing his eyes until he felt a poke on his forehead. Silence came after that. Kiyotaka and Karma still stare intensely as the maroon haired didn't dare move his eyes to other directions, smirk still remains on his face before he open his mouth. " I hope your prepared for this. "

That's the last straw before Sudo uses force to push the boys out of their grasp, he snarled as he run to attack the maroon haired male.

" All of you, stop right there! "

Sudo turn to where the voice is. " What do you want! Stay out of this! "

The two boys turn as well, Karma blink, it's the girl from the other class, Ishinose Honami was it? The same long pinkish-yellow hair he seen that day from the time people were oblivious of the school system, she doesn't look mad about the situation, rather interested.

Ishinose cross her arms still putting the smile on her face. " As a student of this school, I cannot allow violence to slip away. " She then add. " If you still insist on fighting, I'm going to call security. "

Karma can hear Sudo tched. The maroon haired boy didn't look a bit fazed. " Ichinose, this isn't a fight. We're the victims here. "

Karma tried his best not to roll his eyes.

" Are you sure? " The girl ask. " It looked to me like you provoked him into it, Ryuen. If you keep this up, I'll report this to the school. "

The male, Ryuen pause his stance before letting out a small sigh. He then walk pass Sudo. " Hey, Monkey. "

" Why you- "

" I think you'll make a nice toy. " He said before he and the two boys walk away.

" Hey! " Sudo lift his fist on pure anger. " You running away?! Hey, you! "

Karma and Kiyotaka walk towards to the fumed male. Kiyotaka locked eyes on Ryuen before placing his hand on Sudo's shoulder to stop his ranting. " Sudo. "

Karma smiled and turn to Ichinose.

Ichinose walk towards the three male ignoring the passing students walking away from the drama. " Listen, don't let him provoke you, okay? "

Sudo scrunch his brows. " Shut up, will ya? "

Ichinose turn to the girls who were playing tennis. " Sorry for the scare! It's okay now! "

The girls wave back. " Ichinose-san, thanks! "

' Ah, the social friendly type, nothing really like Kikyo I suppose. ' Karma mentally shrug, the students here do have mysterious ways to pique his interest and he will need to keep it that way.

Ichinose turn to the males. " Please refrain from causing troubles to others, okay? See ya! " She said cheerily before walking to the opposite direction.

Kiyotaka and Karma both stared at the retreating female.

" Damn! " Sudo shrug off the males walking towards the wall to get his bag.

Kiyotaka began to speak up. " Sudo, are you free now? Kushida's studying in the- "

" Sorry. " Sudo said. " I've got club to attend. " He then walk away.

Karma tilt his head with the male's stubborn behavior.

" Ike and Yamauchi are already surrending to study for the upcoming test now. " Karma then cup his hands as Sudo's figure became smaller. " Will you be okay by yourself? "

" I'm not going anywhere if I started studying from now. " Those were the last words before Sudo disappeared from their vision.

______________________________

In the court, both boys and girls were cut into two groups, it's already the end of class, but plenty of students come and play with eachother.

" Sudo! "

Sudo blink out of his faze before the basketball hit his arm, the ball then bounce to the ground.

" What are you doing? "

" Sorry! "

Susune stand at the entrance observing the tall distracted male.

As the sun set outside, Sudo walked out of the school building with hands in his pockets. " Sudo. " A female voice called.

He turn to see Suzune standing beside him with hands firmly on her hips. " Can I talk to you for a bit? Are you planning to leave school for good? "

Sudo turn away. " Geez, your persistent. "

" You don't mind not playing basketball anymore? " Suzune watch as Sudo walks.

The male stopped walking making Suzune catch up to him, she hand out a blue book. " I've summerized the main topics from class in this notebook. "

Sudo stare at the notebook now on his hands before looking at the girl beside him.

" I'm teaching you for my sake. You should study yours. That way, you can continue playing basketball at this school. " Suzune stared expectedly as Sudo hesitantly stares back.

_________________________

It's lunch break to which Karma can't get enough of the restaurant buffet displayed around the area. He wish he would stare at it forever.

Kikyo smiled as she grip Kiyotaka and Karma's arms with her own. " I think this is the first time you guys ever invited me for a lunch! "

Kikyo then frown. " You must have a reason, right? "

Karma nod. " Keep this between us Kikyo-chan. "

" Of course! " The girl squeeze her grip.

Karma turn to Kiyotaka who stands up, motioning for Kikyo to follow.

The three then carefully lean their head from the wall to spy on a boy who's standing on the line. As the boy recieve his lunch tray he slumped, arch back finding for a table to eat alone.

As the boy walk away, Karma lay a hand on the other two. " Let's go. "

Kikyo nod and gleedily run to catch up to the two boys.

The student sighed as he sat down staring at his cheap display of food.

" Excuse me. Your an upperclassman, right? " The student perk to see three other students sitting down on the same table as him.

" I'm Ayanokoji from Class 1-D. Your in D too, right? " Kiyotaka ask as he sit beside the student while Kikyo and Karma sit beside eachother at the other side of the table.

The student look down. " Yeah.. "

karma tilt his head to see a normal meal but he can also see the sourness of the soup and the bitterness of the vegetables sitting on the tray, basically the cultural meal for a farmer.

" That's a nasty meal despite being a free lunch huh? " Karma ask.

The student looked wary. " What do you want? "

" We want to consult with you about something. " Kiyotaka answered. " Of course, I'll make it worth your while. "

" Consult? "

" Do you have the questions from your first midterm two years ago? "

Karma hum as he sip on his milk. Letting Ayano-kun handle it all, he got some nice flash cards hidden under that brain of his.

" Huh? " The student looked taken back.

" I want you to give them to me. " Kiyotaka plainly said.

" Why are you speaking to me about this? "

Karma speak up as he lean forward. " It's simple. These low of points would give us more chance to secure a deal with. And seeing you eat that foul-looking wild vegetable lunch set.. it's a pretty fair deal to me. "

The student look hesitantly at the two boys. " How much will you pay? "

" Ten thousand- " " Fifteen thousand points. "

Kiyotaka turn to face at Karma who lean his head on his palm looking away. He's catching up on what he's doing.

The student shake his head. " These risks cost me a lot, how about two times the 15,000 and make it 30,000 points at the very least. "

Before Karma speaks again, Kiyotaka cut him. " I'm afraid that's not possible. "

" No deal then. " The student answered firmly.

" Wait a minute! " Kikyo stands up as she slam the table.

* Slam

The student jolt and look at her. Then in a flash, on his vision is a girl who looked as determined with her sparkling pleading eyes and her squeaky angelic voice. " A friend of ours might get expelled! Please! "

Suddenly an arrow shot the guy's heart as his cheeks glow red.

" Ten thousand. " Kiyotaka said ignoring Karma's refute.

" Twenty-five thousand. " The guy said unwilling to give up.

" Ten thousand. "

" Twenty thousand.. "

" Ten thousand. "

Karma's brow twitch. " Just say fifteen thousand. "

The student close his eyes. " Fine, fifteen thousand! I can't get any lower than that. "

Karma smirk a little. ' Who knew Ayano kun is smart enough to bring in kikyo for this situation. '

Kiyotaka sighed. " Very well. It's a deal. In exchange, please include your quizzes from the first term. "

" Okay.. "

Kikyo beamed. " Thank you so much! "

Karma pick up his phone, as he look up he frown. " Eh! I should give him my points! "

Kiyotaka raise his head. " You have lesser than me. "

" Don't care, I thought out that fifteen thousand points first! "

" No. "

" You- "

__________________________

The two boys and girl sat down on one of the benches. Kikyo sat between them looking a bit nerv wracked as she place both her hands on her lap. " But do you think it'll be okay? "

" Fear not. It's within school rules. " Kiyotaka said.

" I think so.. " Kikyo turn to Kiyotaka with a worried look. " But using test questions feels like cheating to me. "

Karma raise his hand. " I strongly disagree. By the look on that student's face has confirmed both me and Ayano-kun's hunches. "

" What is it? "

" That trading test questions is the norm between the students in this school. "

Kikyo didn't look convinced. " But they're still just old questions. There's a chance that they're not related to this year's test. "

Kiyotaka turn to her. " It may not contain the exact same questions, but I don't think they'll be entirely different. "

" .. Really? "

" Don't worry. " Karma chuckled heartedly. " You want to save Sudo and the others from expulsion hm? Then that's the only way. After all, we're not the best teachers to teach anyone. "

* Ring

Kiyotaka pick up his phone to find a photo of a test score.

" They're here. Starting with a quiz.. " Kiyotaka started. He then pick up his paper to check. " It's the same. Exactly like ours. "

Both Karma and Kikyo lean to look. Kikyo then clap her hands. " Sugoi! What about the midterm then? "

Karma shrug before leaning on his own bench seat. " It's most likely to have the same questions. "

" Let's show it to everyone, not just Sudo and the others! " Kikyo cheered.

Kiyotaka shake his head. " No, we won't show it to them yet. "

" Why not? "

" Say we reveal the questions the day before the test. What will our classmates do then? " Kiyotaka ask.

Kikyo blink before smiling. " They'll work desperately to memorize the questions! "

Karma nod as he lift his arms at the back of his head. " Exactly. "

Kikyo look left and right. " You two.. Are you two sharper than you look Ayanakoji kun and Akabane kun? "

" We're just cunning, that's all. " Kiyotaka plainly answered.

Kikyo hummed before nodding.

Inside Karma felt like it's an improvement. Kiyotaka said ' we're ' instead of ' I'm '. He's taken quite an interest on Karma that's for sure.

" Hey, I'd like you to do me a favor. "

Kikyo tilt her head curiously.

" Could you tell them your the one who got them the questions? " Kiyotaka said.

" Sure, but are you okay with that? " Kikyo hesitantly ask.

" I don't want to stand out unnecessarily. And I think our classmates trust you more. "

Kikyo smiled. " Okay, if that's what you want. "

Kiyotaka nod. " Thanks a lot. "

Suddenly Karma raise his hand making Kikyo turn to him. " I would like to be a part of what your doing Kikyo chan. "

The girl looked suprised. " Really?! N-Not that it's bad.. "

Karma smiled. " Hmhm, it's alright, I hardly knew anyone and some rumors won't rest of having my ears get cleaned off. It would be for the best. "

Kikyo clasp her hands to his. " That would be a great idea for them to know you better! Sure! "

Kiyotaka blink. " I won't be suprised if you want to show off yourself but I didn't think you would be interested in this type of stuff Karma. "

" When I said I raise my heads up to the interesting people I mean it. But I only stay with you because your the first to pique my interest. " Karma then stands up. " Then, we'll get going neh? "

kikyo nod. " Hm! See you tomorrow Karma-kun, I can't wait! "

Karma nod and smile back but innerly smirked. ' Damn Ayano-kun, guess I have to think of something else to show off your talent. '

" I guess this will be our little secret then. " Kikyo said.

_____________________________

It was a busy day in school. The students in class 1-D still convered to eachother cheerfully but inside their heart skip a beat. It all stopped when the door open revealing two people.

" Sorry everyone. " Kikyo said. " There's something me and Akabane-kun want to give you before you go. "

Karma came in with papers on his hand with a smile. " I got extras Kikyo chan~. "

As the students get their hands on the papers they instantly got amazed.

The blonde hair girl, Kei stare at the test sheet. " Did you two make this? "

" Actually, they're questions from an earlier test. "

" Past questions? " Ike ask as he look up from the sheet he's holding.

Kikyo nod. " A third-year student gave them to us last night. He said pretty much the same questions have appeared on the test the last two years. "

Karma then walk beside her with a raised hand, he add. " Hm, we bet they'll be useful on our test tomorrow. "

Ike stands up with an hopeful look as he hugged the paper. " Are you kidding me?! "

Yamauchi flip through the papers with the same relieved look. " Heck, I didn't have to run myself ragged studying all this time. "

Sudo even smiled. " This is great! "

Kikyo turn to the bonde male who is going to leave. " Koenji, here. " She said as she hand out the paper.

Koenji cockily raise his chin. " Unfortunately, I don't need that kind of thing. "

Karma's eyes focus on the blonde male with slight interest. ' Your quite confident this past month, I would really like to analyse you the next time I see you. '

" I have a date to get to. Now, if you'll excuse me. " Koenji said as he wave walking out of the classroom making Kikyo a bit dazed.

Suzune stands up from her seat and walk to Kikyo. " Kushida-san. "

Kikyo turn to Suzune and beamed. " I know you might not need it, but.. "

Suzune stared at the test paper before looking up. " May I ask you two a question? "

The boy knew. Suzune isn't that far behind on realizing situations like this. But before Kikyo can speak, Ike, Yamauchi and other boys jump in.

" Kushida-san arigato!! " Ike piped up happily as he grip his paper.

" I shall live forever in your debt! "

The other boys then began to flood around Kikyo making Suzune loose sight because of the crowd. Karma can feel himself twitch. ' You thank Kikyo-chan but not me? '

" Arigato Akabane-kun! "

Karma perked up in suprise as he turn around seeing the girls infront of him. Kei who was close grasp Karma's hand in thanks. " I knew your somewhat of a daredevil, but I guess it's alright being friends with you! "

Karma blink at the compliment before smiling. Then after a while he turn around to see Suzune staring at the both of them, mostly at Kikyo.

As everyone finalize on keeping the test paper, they then agreed to hang out with eachother or stay in their room. Suzune is the last one in the classroom. Noticeably by Karma he went in. " Suzu-chan, long time no see. "

" Don't call me that. "

Karma blink.

But suzune just stands up and pack her bag. " I don't know why you reffered to me by that name but stop it. "

She then place the bag on her shoulder before passing Karma. " Call me what everyone calls me, Horikita. "