Day and Night (An Assassination Classroom fanfic)

Chapter 1: Midterms Exam Time

"So, your midterms are coming up?" Mizuno Hana asked as she handed me my medicine. Her warm hazelnut eyes grazed upon mine with its usual kindness. She was the only nurse that I wanted to look after me, but when her shift was over, I would usually be looked after by her friends. They were nice and fun to be with, but it just wasn't the same if it wasn't Hana.

I took the medicine and immediately drank it. "Yeah, I don't really think it's that important, though." I mumbled, looking down at the glass I was holding. The tests were too much of a pain to do. I don't even get why we need to get high marks or anything. Grades don't size up a person's worth. For me, experience is what's more important.

The nurse just smiled at me. "I'm sure if it's you, you'll pass those tests without a problem!" She grinned, giving me a thumbs up. It's true though. I could pass this test in a hitch. I always found it difficult when I'm not reading anything on my spare times. Though the tests are easy, I don't make an effort to perfect them. I never did.

"Well, thanks for keeping me company this past week, Hana-chan, but I have to go to school if I want to make it in time for the midterms!" I winked at her and stood up from my bed. I readied my things before leaving the hospital.

Hana walked up to me with a genuine smile. "Do your best, Akane-chan! Be sure to always take those pills when you're going to school... even though it might have a bad effect in the end..." At the end of her sentence, she looked glum, as though she was debating whether the pills I take were safe for me.

I slapped her on the back, hard, and gave her a reassuring grin. "I'll be fine! It's nothing the great Akane can't handle!" With that, she laughed and waved me goodbye as I left the building, but not before reminding me that I have to return for a quick check-up.

~~~~~~~~~~Nurufufufu~~~~~~~~~~

As the students of Class 3-E made their way to the designated classroom for their mid-term exams, a cheerful voice cuts through their tense atmosphere. "Oi, minna-san!" They all turn towards the owner of the voice. To their surprise, they see a white-headed girl running towards them with a huge grin. The former atmosphere was replaced with a shocked and relieved one.

"Akane-chan!" They all stopped as Akane caught up to them. They all greeted her with warm smiles as they asked if she was alright. If they weren't so glad that she was fine, they would've questioned her about the cheerful greeting. It was rare for them to see her so cheerful--Especially now that they're about to have their midterm exams.

"I'm fine, guys. It was hard to think with that high fever, but now that it's gone, I'm perfectly fine." She reassured her classmates with a carefree smile. She could still remember the pain she felt while in the hospital, but now wasn't the time to be grimacing about it. She best be getting her head straight or they'll notice her slight discomfort.

"You were lucky it was in time for the exams, though." Maehara laughed, slinging his arm on Akane's shoulders.

Akane laughed uneasily as she removed his arm. "Well, even if I wasn't feeling good, I would still take the test." She smirked as she gave Maehara an "It's-me-we're-talking-about" look.

Though they found Akane's behaviour a bit strange from her level-headed one, they pushed it aside thinking that it's best not to question it. After all, this was the only time they saw her this loose and a bit care-free. They can't say that they've seen her with such a huge grin inside the classroom. They'd often see a small smile, but it was only when she'd seen something that caught her interest. Say she was reading a novel, a ghost of a smile would sometimes appear, but of course, the second they'd react, it'll be gone.

"As expected of Akane." They laughed as they continued their way to the classroom. Their nerves now calmer than before thanks to their encounter with Akane. Somehow, her smile and cheerfulness unnerved them. They silently thanked Akane as they walked.