Lesson Learned

You need help

Mitsuko sighed, wondering if this was a good idea...

But information was useful.

"Ok, fine." She looked down, grimacing. "For the record, I don't really hate my father, okay." She let out a deep breath. "Everything he does is his way of teaching me to be strong." Her stomach twisted. "And he's a horrible person but...he's still my dad, you know?"

Koro-sensei nodded, offering her a Pocky stick while he munched on three. "I understand."

"I know he probably loves me in his own way, I mean at least he calls me by my first name. He just wants me and my brother to be successful." Mitsuko took a bite of the snack, slouching in her seat. "I guess I wish things were different sometimes, but it's fine. I have Gakushuu."

"You two are close aren't you?"

"Yeah, we are." She smiled faintly. "He tries to act all professional but he's a real dork when it comes down to it." Her smile grew fond. "And I'm proud to be his sister." Then her gaze sharpened. "Now you."

Koro-sensei chuckled. "Fair enough, fire away."

Mitsuko narrowed her eyes. "...What was your childhood like?"

His happy-go-lucky domineer faded ever so slightly. "Ah, starting with the big guns I see. Very well." He placed the box of Pockys down. "I don't have many fond memories of my childhood I'm afraid. I grew up in a very bad place with very little money."

Mitsuko frowned, feeling a stab of sympathy. "What about your parents?"

He hesitated. "They died when I was very young, but I do have some fond memories with them."

She nodded slowly. "...How did they—?"

"Ah, information for information, Mitsu-chan!" Koro-sensei wagged his tentacle, making her scowl.

"Fine." She sighed. "If you want more dirt then..." She tried to think of something less personal. "When I was ten I tried to skip school so my dad locked me outside the house in the rain during a thunderstorm."

Koro-sensei's beady-eyes widened. "For how long?"

"Four hours." She shrugged stiffly, avoiding his gaze. "Gakushuu snuck me back inside," she added, shifting in her seat. "Then sometimes he used to lock me and my brother in the closet if we misbehaved." She shrugged again and hastily stuffed the Pocky in her mouth. "You know, typical parent stuff."

"I wouldn't quite call that typical," Koro-sensei said evenly.

"Okay! You now!" She changed the subject, picking up his box of Pockys to take one out. "What was the worst thing about growing up dirt poor?"

Koro-sensei hesitated again. "Always being hungry."

Mitsuko paused from eating her Pocky, staring at him for a moment. "Okay..." She slid the box back to him. "That makes sense."

Koro-sensei ate a tentacle full of Pockys in one go. "I do overindulge." He gave a small laugh. "I'm just grateful I can afford to buy enough food now."

Her brow furrowed, looking down. "Yeah..." She looked outside the window. "My mom says my brother and I are ungrateful," she said quietly, staring at the horizon. "That we're lucky we get to go to such a nice school and never worry about money, but I am grateful." Mitsuko grimaced. "My father provides everything we need, so it makes sense that he'd expect something back, you know with us getting good grades and behaving, or whatever...at least that's what my mom says."

"While it's true that your father has provided for you, you don't owe him control over your life as payment," Koro-sensei replied lightly. "And it doesn't mean he is allowed to mistreat you."

Mitsuko sighed, keeping her gaze low. "He doesn't...it's not like he hits us or anything," she said warily, fidgeting. "He doesn't believe in that type of thing." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, it's your turn so..." She tried to think of a good question. "What was...what was the worst moment of your life?"

Koro-sensei stared at her for a long time. "The worst moment?" he repeated.

She nodded, regretting the question. "We made a deal. You have to answer."

He didn't answer right away, turning his head to the side like he was thinking it over still, but then he looked at her and answered,

"Watching the person I love die in my arms."

There was a heavy silence as Mitsuko felt cold like ice had been scraped along her back.

She looked down, swallowing a bad taste. "...Okay. I think...I think that's enough questions."

"I think so as well." Koro-sensei nodded. "Thank you for agreeing to talk."

"I hope we made progress." Her hands shook as she stuffed her notebook and pencil case in her bag. "I need to go home." She hastily stood up and flung the school bag over her shoulder. "Thank you for sharing."

She forced herself to look him in the eye.

Koro-sensei nodded, moving to the side. "I'll see you tomorrow in class."

"Yes, Bye." Mitsuko lowered her gaze and practically ran out of the classroom.