An Assassin's Respite

Train Hard Study Harder

It was a hot day in May and the midterm exams were closely approaching the students of GA. Ms. Saugoma had walked in and was about to start class.

"Alright class, as you all know, midterms will be next week." She says warranty a groan from the class.

"There's no need to respond like that. All of you knew that they were coming up. Anyway, there will obviously be a potion that tests your abilities and how much you've improved, but you can't forget to keep up with your in-class studies." She notes.

"Not only do I have to worry about the training portion, but the study portion too." Matt moans.

"It's your fault for not keeping up with either one." Kagura points out.

Matt melts into his desk out of despair.

"I kind of agree with Matt, I've been struggling with schoolwork recently," Shiba says.

"Even though I haven't been slacking with my training, I feel it will be hard to properly judge me on my improvement and that that will affect my grade," Ayame notes.

"I'm not very smart so I'm a little worried too." Emiko pipes in.

"I'm right there with you," Chiyo says.

"Since so many of you are struggling with your studies, why don't we have a group study session?" Kagura suggests.

"Really!?" Matt exclaims.

"Yes as long as other people are up for it." She replies.

Matt looks at his classmates with a desperate look in his eyes.

"I could use the help," Shiba says.

"I'm up for a little extra studying," Chiyo notes.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Emiko says with a smile.

"Well that settles it then, But it'll be hard to tutor you all since we'll have to split time between studying and training so if anyone would like to help me out that would be great," Kagura says.

"I wouldn't mind lending a hand," Akeno says.

"Thanks," Kagura says with a smile.

"Kazuna! Can you help too?" Matt pleads.

"You won't need me, you've got both Akeno and Kagura." He replies.

"But I need help with my training too." Matt cries in response.

"I would also like your help with training," Ayame adds.

"I think you would be a big help if you joined, especially with English being your main language." Kagura points out.

"Fine." Kazuna concedes.

"Nice!" Matt exclaims.

"Since you all have your study group together, let's get started with class." Ms. Saugoma says as she begins their lesson for the day.

They decided to talk about their study session in more detail at lunch later that day.

"We should do it this weekend before the exams start so we can cover what Ms. Saugoma teaches these last couple of days," Kagura suggests.

"Sounds good to me," Emiko says cheerfully.

"Ah, but I had plans this weekend," Matt complains.

"What kind of plans?" Ria asks.

"S-Stuff," Matt replies while slumping down.

"Well if you want to pass then I suggest you cancel those plans," Kagura says.

"Okay." Matt mumbles.

"Anyway, why don't we get together around 2 pm for both Saturday and Sunday. That way we can study for a couple of hours and then train after." Kagura suggests.

"That works for me," Kazuna says followed by nods of agreement from the rest of the attendees.

"Do you mind if I join?" Yua asks.

"Sure, the more the merrier," Kagura replies with a smile.

"So, who's house are we going to gather at?" Emiko asks.

Everyone turns their head towards Kazuna for obvious reasons.

"Don't look at me. I was already forced to house you all once before." He says.

Everyone groans but Kazuna ignores them.

"Well, since Kazuna wants to be a party pooper, we can go to my house." Yua offers.

"Are you sure? Won't your dad have something to say about that?" Kagura questions.

"It's for studying so I'm sure he'll be fine with it. Also, my dad has a little training area built into our house so we can train at my house too," Yua says.

"As long as he's okay with it then I guess we'll go to Yua's place," Kagura says.

With their study session planned out, the students of 1-A paid close attention in class in order to prepare for their mid-term exams.

"I've never paid so much attention in class in my life." Matt moans.

"That's probably why you're so worried about the exams." Kagura points out.

"All of you worry about such frivolous things," Ria notes.

"I just think that you're too stiff." Kagura points out.

"I'm not stiff, you all are just idiots," Ria says in defense.

"Even though Kazuna always calls us idiots, hearing it from you seems to hurt way more," Matt says with a slouch.

"Not all of us are assassins that have been educated 24/7," Kagura points out.

"Whatever." Ria scoffs.

The next day, Kazuna, Kagura, and Ria arrive at Yua's a little after 3. Kazuna had bought Kari along to study since her midterms were coming up as well. They ring the doorbell and Yua promptly answers.

"Just the people I've been waiting for," Yua says with a smile mostly speaking to Kazuna and Kari.

"You look cute as ever!" Yua says while leaning towards Kari.

"Th-thank you, "She whispers shyly.

"Anyway, come on in," She says while waving them in.

They head to the living room where Yua had snacks and drinks prepared.

"You seem to be ready for everyone," Kagura notes.

"Of course! A hostess must be ready to cater to their guests." Yua says with a proud smile.

As she says this, her doorbell rings again and Haruna, Haruka, Shiba, and Chiyo enter behind Yua.

"Of course Kazuna gets here first," Shiba notes as he takes a seat. 

"So punctual." Chiyo states.

The doorbell rang again and Akeno, Emiko, Ayame, and Matt walked in next.

"Don't worry everyone, your entertainment for the day has arrived." Matt proclaims.

"I didn't know you were getting a clown," Ria says.

Everyone laughs as Matt sits with a defeated look on his face. Now that everyone was there, they began studying right away. Kazuna helped with English but spent most of his time helping Kari. Ria also helped a bit although she often followed up her aid with an insult. Ayame helped with math and Kagura help[ed with history. Akeno helped with everything since her power was intellect. About halfway through their study session, Yua leans over and whispers something into Kazuna's ear. He sighs as he excuses himself to use the bathroom. Instead of actually going to the bathroom, he heads for Yuu's study where Yuu was waiting for him.

"I would appreciate it if you made this quick, I'm kind of in the middle of something," Kazuna says.

"Yeah, yeah," Yuu says while waving him in.

Kazuna takes a seat, his senses on edge since despite this being Yua's house, it was still enemy territory to him.

"You don't have to be so defensive. I won't try anything with my daughter and so many kids here." Yuu states.

The statement allowed Kazuna to ease up a bit but not completely.

"So what is it that you want with me?" He asks.

"It seems like Zer is going to make his move soon. We've recently seen some movement from people we think are connected to him." Yuu says.

Kazuna's eyebrows flare-up before he quickly calms himself.

"Do you have any leads as to what he's going to go after?" He asks.

"None yet, but we're sure it won't be good." Yuu answers.

"I wonder if it has something to do with what Ken said?" Kazuna thinks to himself.

His hand was on his chin as he was silent and deep in thought. He remembered where he was and snaps back to reality.

"I think it's safe to assume that he's after me whether he comes himself or sends someone although it is very possible that his real objective is something else." He theorizes.

"That does seem likely especially since the only leads we've gotten have come from you in various ways," Yuu adds.

"Well, I"m going to head back to the study group. I've been here to the point where calling it a bathroom trip is a stretch." Kazuna says while getting up.

"Kazuna, before you go, I want to say one more thing," Yuu says as Kazuna was reaching for the door.

"And what's that?" He asks.

"You should stop living in the past, maybe then you'll be at least a little bearable." He says.

"I could say the same for you." He replies as he leaves.

He rejoins his friends as they continue their study session. Once they finished studying, they headed to the training area that Yuu had installed in Yua's house for some training. Kazuna gave pointers on how to better show how they have improved as well as pointing out areas they improved in if they haven't noticed it themselves. All the while he was still thinking about Yuu's parting words.