Getting Pulled Over and Bundled into the Trunk

Everything is fine

"So, you and the rest of 3-E really aren't going to kill Koro-sensei anymore?" Ren asked curiously.

Gakushuu sighed, exchanging a look with Itona. "I'll respect Nagisa's decision and the rest of 3-E's," he said, frowning. "Though, I still doubt Koro-sensei will be able to survive."

Itona grimaced, moving his piece four places on the board and landing on an empty lot. "Especially if Shiro is involved..."

Gakushuu hummed, feeling his skin prickle when he thought about it. "Or the government." His frown grew, holding his hand out expectantly when Seo landed on his lot which had three hotels. "We still don't know the exact details of their master plan..."

"Maybe the Principal knows?" Koyama suggested.

"He's unlikely to know the specific details," Gakushuu replied. "But I suppose I could ask." His thoughts drifted to this weekend. "I'll be seeing him this weekend so I'll ask him then."

Ren's brow furrowed. "You mean you're staying over?"

"Yes." Gakushuu counted the fake money. "We made an agreement."

There was a pause as the others shared blatantly cautious looks.

"Uh, are you sure that's a good idea?" Araki asked.

Gakushuu sighed. "It'll be fine."

Ren looked at Itona. "You're sure?"

Itona grimaced. "I said it was a bad idea."

"Yeah, I agree." Ren nodded warily.

Oh, great, more meddling.

Gakushuu sighed. "I have it handled." He tidied his money in a pile. "It'll be fine – the principal is different now. He's changed."

"...It's only been two months," Itona replied, frowning.

"A lot can happen in two months," Gakushuu's tone bordered on defensive. "I'll have to go back there eventually, there's no point avoiding it." He gripped the dice too tight. "If he tries to hit me again or trap me, then I'll just leave."

He felt a little nauseous when everyone else stayed silent.

Gakushuu tried to ignore them and rolled the dice, going ahead of the spaces. "Here." He handed over the toll when he landed on Koyama's hotel. "Your turn."

Itona frowned a little, taking the dice. "Ok."

Gakushuu shifted as the silence continued. "...I'll be fine," he repeated, looking at them in annoyance when they cast him doubtful looks.

"...You know how my sister got married last year?" Araki said warily, frowning.

Seo scoffed. "Yeah, Koyama nearly got thrown in the pool, I remember."

"You were the one who pushed me!" Koyama snapped.

Araki sighed. "Yeah, well. My older sister's husband is...he's a little bit like your dad." He took a deep breath while they all looked at him curiously. "He's really charming when he wants to be, he earns a lot of money, but...he's not a nice guy." He grimaced, while Gakushuu's brow furrowed. "My sister used to run away from him – he never hit her, but he still hurt her feelings a lot and made her feel upset and insecure." He fiddled with the small metal car figurine in his hand. "But she kept going back to him all the time because he said he'd changed."

Gakushuu shifted uncomfortably. "That's a very different situation, Araki."

His father was changing, it wasn't like it was a lie.