The sun was just barely up as Ryuji stretched his legs. The cool air felt good against his body, and he relished the thought of his upcoming run. He was here before even the most zealous of the track team, which is how he liked it. No distractions, no one telling him what a loser he was. Just pure freedom.

Well, he thought he was here before everyone else. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone walking up the steps to the school. He turned, squinting and trying to get a good look at the interloper. If it was a track team member, he decided, he'd leave. He liked his peace and quiet, but not enough to pick a fight with people he used to consider friends.

But it was the school council president ascending the steps, not any of his old track team buddies. What on earth...? Surely there weren't any clubs she needed to look after this early. And even the principal didn't come in this early. So how did she get in?

She appeared to pull something from her pocket, and considering that she opened the door to the school with it, Ryuji figured she must have a key. What the hell? Why would the school council president have a key? Ryuji rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. The question nagged at him so much that he half assed his stretching. This came back to bite him after his five kilometer run, as his muscles were tight and aching so bad that he might've been strung with piano wire inside. But in spite of his aches, the question still nagged at him.

What was a student council president doing at school before anyone, even the principal had come to open it up?

The question eventually faded from Ryuji's mind as the school day wore on and he had to force himself to pay attention in class. It wasn't as though he wanted to fail, it was just that being cooped up behind a desk and being forced to listen made him feel...anxious. His leg bounced constantly, annoying the kid in front of him with the constant, slight jiggling of the desk. He tapped his pencil, chewed his eraser, and drummed his fingers against his desk trying to purge the nervous energy that filled him so he could listen.

Kawakami frowned at him as he left the classroom to go eat lunch. "Hey, Sakamoto. I need a word with you," she said, her voice thick with exasperation. Ryuji slumped slightly, knowing that disappointed tone of hers was only reserved for the more dire situations. "Yes...?" he asked, trying not to sound as guilty as he felt. He had actually thought he was doing okay in her class. He hadn't really been good at math, but he had thought his Japanese was doing better.

"I've heard from the other teachers that your grades are slipping," she said without preamble. "Though you're treading water in my class, you're really going to have to hit the books if you want to make it through exams this year," said Kawakami, attempting a stern look at him. Ryuji jammed his hands into his pockets.

"I...I try," he said, hating how his voice sounded. He sounded like he was making excuses. "But I just...I go two ways about it, y'know? Sometimes I'll be able to focus an' I'll get really into it and I'll spend hours studying something. I'll just get completely absorbed...and then I won't study for any of my other classes cause I got all wrapped up," he explained, trying to make his voice sound a little stronger. "Mostly though, when I try to sit down with the books...it's like it's in one ear and out the other. I can't focus long enough to learn anything, even if I sit down for hours..." he trailed off, feeling uncomfortable.

Kawakami shook her head and sighed. "Well...do you have a study partner? Someone who can help keep you focused while you read and work on homework?" she asked, sounding less irritated. Maybe it was just him, but he detected a touch of sympathy in her face.

"I don't. Not since the incident with Kamoshida an' all..." replied Ryuji, chewing his lip. That damn bastard. He'd ruined everything! Just thinking about the past had him clenching his fists. A dull ache throbbed in his leg at the memory.

A pang flashed in Kawakami's eyes, and she nodded almost imperceptibly. A thoughtful expression crossed her face and Ryuji cocked his head. "Uhh...Ms. Kawakami?" he asked, wondering what she could be up to.

Kawakami's face broke into a sly smile. "Oh don't worry Sakamoto. You might not have a partner now, but I know just the person who'd be willing to tutor you," said Kawakami, looking very pleased with herself. Where before Ryuji had been feeling a mixture of guilt, shame and anxiety, now there was just anxiety. Kawakami looking like that NEVER meant that something good was going to happen.

"Sensei, please, if this is another one of your plans, please just let me study on my own," pleaded Ryuji. "I'll stay in the library all effin' Saturday and Sunday if you want, just leave me out of whatever you're plannin'."

Kawakami didn't waver for an instant. "Sakamoto, I know this is going to be just the thing for you. And if everything goes well, your tutor is going to get something out of this as well," she said with, still grinning her sly grin. "Now go on and get to lunch, I need to speak with the principal about my plan."

Hearing he was dismissed, Ryuji sighed and headed off to the rooftop. Well whatever. Even if Kawakami's plan was bad, it was better to deal with her than have to go to the Disciplinary Committee and face Kamoshida again. As Ryuji unpacked his lunch, he figured he'd just have to trust Kawakami on this.