Disclaimer: I'm amazed at how many views this story is getting. Nonetheless, I appreciate it wholeheartedly. But I'd appreciate it even more if maybe a favorite, or even a comment was added to it. By the way, college has me up to my eyeballs in homework so I apologize in advance if this chapter seems rushed, or out of place. Also expect slow updates for a while. As in the previous chapter, Assassination Classroom does not belong to me, nor do the song lyrics in this chapter. P.S. I couldn't find a picture to accompany this chapter so instead, here's a link to the song that this story is based on.

Previously:"Oh yeah. My list of accomplishments. Let's count them out, shall we? Highest G.P.A behind Gakushuu, most infractions throughout the year, more fights and misdemeanors than any student on record, and let's not forget hopelessly captivated by the school sweetheart Hiriko Akiyama". He said. The saliva that Hiriko was going to swallow was caught in her throat, threatening to put her in a coughing fit, upon hearing those last words.

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Now: Even Eshima's distant nature seemed to shatter completely as she too looked at Karma with wide eyes, and a jaw that was prepared to drop. Hiriko looked to Eshima for some kind of support while she racked her brain trying to find a comeback to his snide remark; but still the raven haired girl stood silent, as unsure as Hiriko of what to do, as a blush began to heat up her face. And Karma being the person that he was, broke the awkward silence that he'd started.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or is it really so hard to believe that a guy like me could fall for a girl like you? Gossip be damned, Hiriko." He asked. As he said this, both girls observed the fact that his smirk had decreased ever so slightly, almost making so you'd have to squint to see it clearly. Of all the things that ran through Hiriko's mind, all the comebacks she could have come up with, she chose the one that for some odd reason pegged her as the most logical.

"What?" She asked.

She liked how he spoke, but aware of his poke

Prick

Prick

Prick goes the Scorpion's Tail

Karma's trademark smirk was back again as quickly as it had disappeared with his head still hanging to the side, dissipating the blush that had unknowingly formed on Hiriko's face, until all that remained was her previous frown. Meanwhile, Eshima looked back and forth between the two of them entranced by the boldness that each of them displayed but also fearing the possibility of a serious altercation breaking out. While Karma has never been known to hit girls, if Hiriko was angry enough to throw a punch, there would be nothing stopping him from retaliating.

The smirk that he upheld was threatening to tear down the frown on Hirikos' face just by it's presence alone, and it was only a matter of time before either Hiriko decided to punch it off of his face, or they'd be caught by a student, or staff member, seeing as how they were still in the school stair well. Whatever aloofness Eshima once felt about the situation had disappeared, and she was left with an urgent sense of anxiety to resolve the tension surrounding the three of them. She looked to Hiriko first and gently tugged on her arm.

"Look, Hiriko, let's just get out of here. There isn't a lot of time left, and we don't want to cause a scene before the day even begins." She said urgently. When Eshima looked to Karma, her next words were not as friendly.

"And you. Whatever childish bull shit you're trying to pull, knock it off okay? We're not interested." She said. With Hiriko in tow, Eshima shoved her way past a still smirking Karma and out the door. The red head let the girls go without a fuss, but being the sly devil that he was, refused to leave them without a few parting words in their direction.

"See you around, Hiriko. Let's do this again sometime. I can't think of anything better than staring at my crush all the live long day, which'll be coming up pretty soon". He said. The laughter in his tone was impossible to miss, and it only served to grind Hiriko's gears; Still Eshima kept a tight grip on Hiriko's arm, and followed Karma's words with a middle finger in his general direction. She didn't even look to see how he responded to it. Eshima turned corner after corner until she was sure that Karma hadn't been following them. Hiriko confirmed this when she took a brief glance back and saw that for the time being, they were alone.

Eshima stopped and glanced around to confirm Hirikos' statement, and sure enough she was right. She gently took Hiriko by the shoulders and observed the shocked expression that shone behind her eyes. Mixed in, was fear and confusion with a small dash of self doubt, completed by the frown that remained on her lips. While Hiriko appeared to have thick skin, it didn't take a lot to unravel it completely, especially in the face of a battle that was bigger than her. Not to mention where grades and appearances were concerned.

Being a student of Kunugigaoka meant adhering to standards that would make most people collapse from the pressure, competition, and seemingly ridiculous expectations. And those who manage to come out on top, must stay there until such time as someone else says so. A prime example of this would be Asano Gakushuu, while a twisted compromise to this would be Karma Akabane. His attitude and confidence alone oozed with a vibe that screamed "Fuck the world and all who inhabit it", yet somehow his grades remain on point and to this day it was unclear as to why.

Whether it was out of astonishment or morbid fascination, Eshima could see that Hiriko marveled at the caricature that Karma molded himself into, wishing that she could be that care free as a student of the prestigious junior high school. That he would choose to suddenly direct his attention to her, made her astonishment all the more palpable. Eshima gently shook the girl out of her stupor.

"Look, don't let that idiot get under your skin okay. He's just a stuck up punk kid with more balls than he knows what to do with them. She said with a reassuring smile. But Hiriko shook her head negatively.

"It's not just that. What he said earlier... about seeing me again." She said slowly. Eshima's smile faded as her eyebrows scrunched together in total confusion, until Hiriko said what she said next, her frown never leaving her lips.

"We share first and second period together." And just like that, the tension found it's way back again.