America: 50☆Stars (Vol. 3)

Episode 44: Anti-Assassination Classroom

Welcome back to World Academy W—a multicultural school in an alternate universe where COVID-19 doesn't exist. Instead of worrying about a pandemic, the students at this prestigious academy worry about classes, clubs, and social interactions. Speaking of clubs, the Hero Club is having an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss something dire.

"D.C. had been shot this morning," Virginia informs everyone in the classroom, receiving gasps and shocked looks while remaining composed. "Do not panic. D.C. is fine. She has seen a nurse and is currently resting a sprained ankle back at the dorms."

"Whoa! Slow down! Pause!" Maryland stands up from her seat. "Something doesn't add up. You said she'd been shot, yes?"

"Yes, she'd been shot—by a paintball to be exact," she clarifies proceeding to go in-depth on how it happened. "D.C. recounted the incident to me privately at the nurse's office. She told me the incident happened this morning after she submitted something confidential to the Capital Student Council. She was heading downstairs when a paintball struck the side of her neck. She lost her balance and fell down the stairs, sustaining an ankle injury in the process."

"Did she see the person who shot her?" Indiana questions with a raised hand.

Virginia shakes her head. "Her attacker didn't show themself, nor could D.C. pursue them due to her injury. Even so," she spoke with a slight change in tone, "D.C. suspects her attacker is a student at the school, most likely a member of the Anti-American Club." 

"How come?" Mississippi awes.

"Moron, use your brain!" Alabama knocks her head. "It's obvious why they attacked D.C."

"It's common knowledge the Anti-American Club is at odds with Mr. America and the Hero Club," says Virginia. "They generally keep a low profile, maintaining itself as a social club that focuses on critiquing American culture. Although, there have been pranks on Mr. America involving Anti-American Club members. D.C. has been a leading proponent of revoking the club's status, so it's reasonable to suspect them for organizing the surprise attack on the American capital."

"T-That's horrible!" Vermont gasps.

"They've done some terrible things, but this takes the cake," New Hampshire scowls, shaking his head in disgust.

"I'm sick of their so-called pranks. They're not funny, nor are they harmless. It's fucking ridiculous how they continue to exist as a club." Massachusetts grits his teeth. "The Anti-American Club needs to be abolished, and the people involved in attacking D.C. need to be expelled."

"I'm afraid things aren't that simple," Virginia laments. "World Academy W has a mission and a reputation to uphold. What happened to D.C. has the potential to unravel the school's harmony and create antagonism among everyone. For that reason, D.C. has chosen to keep the incident under wraps with us being the exception."

"I see..." New York murmurs to himself. "That explains why I haven't heard anything about it from the Newspaper Club. Though to her credit, she has done well to keep it a secret so far."

"I don't believe this," Wyoming scoffs in contempt. "Are you telling us the people who attacked the capital are going to get away with it scot-free?"

"This isn't like D.C. to let this incident slide," Maryland frowns.

Virginia sighs, "I'll admit. While I understand her reasons are for the sake of the school, I'm worried her decision to keep silent will embolden the perpetrators to commit worse acts on others."

Delaware gulps nervously. "Does Mr. America know what's going on?"

"He knows to an extent. He doesn't know the true cause of D.C.'s injury, but he has been warned to be on the lookout for suspicious students. Of course, attempts to assassinate him aren't new to him. I doubt he took my warning seriously."