Lesson Learned

There was a mutated yellow octopus standing in front of the room.

"How do you do?" the octopus in a teacher's robe said.

There was a freaking mutated yellow octopus standing in front of the room!

Mitsuko's jaw dropped.

"I'm the one who tore that chunk out of your moon," the...the thing said oh so calmly. "I plan to do the same to the Earth next year. But until then, I'll be your teacher. Nice to meet you!"

The whole of E Class could do nothing but watch on in horror.

Mitsuko squeaked, with wide violet eyes unable to look away from the thing.

What was happening!?

The suddenly a dark, spiky, haired man stepped forward. "I'm Karasuma," he introduced himself. "From the Ministry of Defence. First, please understand what I'm about to say is classified information." His composer slipped for a second when he sighed wearily. "Let me be blunt/clear: I want you to kill this creature."

Mitsuko found her voice in the form of one important word.

"WHAT?!"

***

"How could you agree to this?" Mitsuko snapped when it was just her and her father in the limo; her brother was still overseeing a student council meeting.

Her father raised an eyebrow. "I was only thinking of our country's best interests at heart," he replied insincerely with an equally fake smile to match. "The...Target, was very determined to teach at this specific school, so their hands were tied." He looked out of the tinted windows, crossing his legs. "I've been assured that no harm will befall yourself and your classmates."

Mitsuko narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, sure..." She dug her nails into her palms.

Because that would just eat you up inside, right?

Her father smiled pleasantly. "Of course, this is all top secret, so your brother and mother aren't to be made aware of any of it."

A bad taste was in her mouth. "I don't like keeping secrets from him..." She glared at the floor. "...He'll find out eventually."

His smile tightened, with dark shadows underneath his eyes. "But, he won't hear a word of it from you," he said, as his smile faded when his gaze narrowed. "Do I make myself clear?"

She shivered, swallowing a thick lump in her throat. "...Yes, sir."

The bright smile was back in an instant. "Wonderful! I'm so glad you understand." His smile grew crooked at the edges. "Perhaps if you play your cards right, you'll be out of E Class before the end of the term."

Mitsuko's gaze lit up. "What?"

Her father clasped his hands on his knee. "Score in the top ten and I might just consider bringing you back to A Class..."

He dangled the offer like a golden apple, just out of reach.

An ugly feeling twisted in her gut.

Her mouth was dry when she swallowed, looking up. "Really?"

He tilted his head, scrutinising her like she was a fly in his web. "As failure should be punished, success should be rewarded." The Principal reasoned, smiling to himself. "After all, Gakushuu seemed so displeased by your transfer..."

Mitsuko dug her fingers into her thighs, trying to keep composer. "I know..."

***