Love in the Times of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 2

"Isogaikun?"
"Hm?"
"When I heard that being assigned to Class E was like a punishment, I expected to find the worst of the worst here, but I actually really like it."
Kit strolled with Isogai through the old school building on their way to gym class. After just a few days, her worries about the unfamiliar environment had all but vanished. She was never one to fear a fresh start - she had always had good experiences with them. But joining a class of rogue killers had painted a very different picture in her mind than what she'd found here. Yesterday, she'd already had tea with her seatmate Kayano, Okuda, and Kurahashi, and Isogai, too, seemed kind and grounded. He had a good, loyal heart, and she could already see why he'd been chosen as class representative.
"It's nice that we can surprise someone for once," Isogai replied with a crooked smile. "Doesn't it feel weird, having your own father as a teacher?"
"It's just gym class. He's been teaching me self-defense since I was little, so it's nothing new to me."
Yet, it still felt a little strange to stand before her father in her gym clothes as he handed her a small charm and asked her to step forward.
"Sugino-kun, you too," he called to Sugino. "I want you to try to take this charm from her."
Sugino hesitated, glancing around the group, then looked at Kit and stepped toward her. When he reached for the charm, she countered his move. He had expected resistance, but Kit applied the self-defense techniques her father had taught her so effortlessly that Sugino barely had time to react before she struck him in a way that left him immobilized on the ground. All eyes were on Kit, mouths agape.
"Well, that was to be expected," Karma commented lightly, brushing a red strand of hair from his face.
"Never underestimate your opponent," was all Karasumasensei said. "Next round. Terasaka-kun, Okajima-kun."

Later, Kit sat in the classroom, trying to catch up on the material she'd missed. A month away was a long time, especially with only one month left until the midterms.
"Is that enough for today?" Karma asked, eyeing her stack of notes, his arms relaxed behind his head. "To me, this stuff is trivial. I sometimes forget it doesn't come so easily for everyone."
Ignoring his smug tone, she skimmed her notes until she sighed.
"Yes, I think that's enough." Carefully, she organized her notes into a neat stack, then looked at Karma. "You know, I'm pretty smart. When I graduate, I'll become a doctor, and I'll need all the help I can get. So, thanks for taking the time to study with me—even if it's just to show off your superiority."
She gave him a friendly smile and left, joining Kanzaki, who was already waiting for her outside.
"So, do you think you'll pass the exams?"
Kit nodded thoughtfully. "I'll manage. Fortunately, studying comes easily for me. I'm a real bookworm." She grinned, though she suddenly felt the weight of exhaustion. Yes, she'd pass, but she dreaded keeping up this pace for much longer. She was smart, but unlike others, she still had to work for her grades. "Hey, Karmakun is a real prodigy, isn't he?"
"Oh, definitely," Kanzaki replied with a gentle smile. "Did he drive you crazy?"
"You bet!"
"Well, he's really bright, but I'm not sure he's much of a tutor. On the other hand," she added, "if you can keep up with him, the exams will be a breeze."
They laughed, sitting a while between two tall pine trees, letting the sun warm their bare legs. Kit closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the gentle breeze play through her bangs and listening to the soft rustling of the leaves. Everything was alive. Each winter, the world went to sleep, only to come alive again in spring. What would it be like next year? Would the world awaken again in March or remain forever in endless darkness?
"I feel so silly. I'm only thinking about exams, but I don't even know if I'll make it to graduation."
Kanzaki turned to Kit. "Well, I suppose that's just how people are. We don't like to think about the end. Plus, it's entirely possible that passing our exams will help decide whether the world survives. It really matters to Korosensei that we reach our full potential. He even shared one of his weaknesses with us."
"Oh, really?" Kit sprang up with newfound determination. "Then I'll work even harder."

The next day, Kit stayed after school to catch up in math. This was by far the most challenging task - not just because she wasn't particularly good at math, but mainly because the topics built on each other so much. After two hours, she felt like her head was literally going to explode.
"That's... correct," Karma praised her, but the way he said it nullified the compliment.
Kit leaned back and stretched. How could such an intelligent boy end up in Class E? She hadn't asked anyone yet, and it really wasn't her business, but she was curious all the same.
"Is something wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
For a moment, she thought about lying but then spontaneously chose the truth.
"I'm wondering why you're here."
"I'm wondering that too," he replied, gesturing dramatically. "I could be lying on my bed reading manga right now. Or killing Korosensei."
"That's not what I meant. I want to know why you're in Class E. It can't be because of your bad grades."
"Maybe I'm rebelling against my parents' ignorance with bad grades."
"Maybe."
"Maybe," he repeated, nodding. "You're not here because of your bad grades either."
"No, I'm here to spend what might be the last year of my life with the person I love the most."
"Not everyone can have such noble reasons. But you're the perfect daughter, aren't you?" Kit took a moment to realize that Karma had changed the subject, but she accepted it without comment. "You're apparently quite intelligent, want to be a doctor, and help people." He paused for effect. "And then you easily incapacitated Sugino. Daddy wanted to show us how great his genes are."
"He just wants to prepare you well. Korosensei certainly won't be killed alone, and the more you work on yourselves, the higher your chances will be. You all have your strengths, but it benefits you more if he shows you your weaknesses," she replied with a shrug.
"And? Where's your weakness?"
Kit thought for a moment, biting her lower lip. Then she nodded. "When it comes to being part of this Assassination Classroom, I have an extraordinarily big weakness, but you know what? You're probably the smartest student in this class. Figure it out. It's actually quite simple."
"Is this going to be a game?" he asked, and she saw a glimmer in his eyes that sent shivers down her arms.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
She nodded and narrowed her eyes. "And if you lose, you'll tell me why you really ended up here."
"That's a bad deal for you, but fine." He held out his hand to her. "You do realize that you just need to ask Nagisa - or your dad?"
"I want to hear your version." She shook his hand.
He just shrugged sympathetically. "That's not going to happen."