Lesson Learned

An Uncomfortable Subject

She frowned, looking a little concerned. "And when you can't be useful?"

Ritsu scratched her head. "I guess I feel upset, but that's also because I feel left out if I'm not being useful..."

Mitsuko felt a spark of worry. "We still care about you even if you're not helping us," she quickly reassured. "You're our friend!"

Ritsu blushed, looking down shyly. "I appreciate you saying that." She smiled feebly. "But it's not like I can physically interact with you guys, so it's a bit restrictive."

She held her laptop closer. "Well, you're still my friend..."

"I know that, silly." The Ai looked happy. "That's why you're my best friend!" A sparkle of best friend text appeared on the screen. "You're the one who spend the most time with me which is great! So I don't feel sad if the others sometimes forget."

Mitsuko felt a fierce protectiveness. "We never forget about you!"

Ritsu shrugged, looking unbothered. "It's fine—anyway, why are you asking, did something happen?"

She grimaced, looking down. "My therapist says I have a low self-esteem and that it's having an unhealthy impact on my relationship with Rio..."

"Oh..." Ritsu frowned, looking thoughtful as she shoved another Tetris piece to the side to clear a row. "Well, from what I've observed you can be insecure, but it's not as severe as it used to be." She smiled at her brightly. "I wouldn't worry too much; you have a way of learning quickly so I'm sure it's something you can grow past."

Mitsuko felt a burst of warmth at that. "Thanks..." She smiled faintly. "It's still stressful though because I haven't been talked to Rio since our fight..." She sighed. "I don't know what to do or say since my dad is being...well, my dad."

"I'm sure it'll be alright..." Ritsu smiled reassuringly. "I'm not an expert in romance, but you and Nakamura have been through a lot and worked stuff out, even when things seemed hopeless."

"True..." She sighed quietly. "We should be okay...I just have to talk to her." She frowned again. "I'll need to talk to my dad again as well, but he's been distant since our fight..."

Ritsu gave her a thumbs up. "Just keep at it!" She picked up a square and cleared another row. "And if he still doesn't listen, just let me know and I'll sabotage his school again!"

She grinned. "He'll know it's you."

The Ai winked. "Good. That makes it more fun."

Mitsuko shook her head, clearing another row. "True. It is more funny."  Her smile faded. "I guess I can understand where my dad is coming from. I know he just wants to protect us, but it's just too much, he makes me feel like I'm a little kid sometimes and it's embarrassing."

"And condescending." Ritsu nodded. "But at least he's trying-he's not like my masters..." Her face scrunched up. "They would say such mean things to me! When I was still developing they used to call me stupid and slow because I couldn't control my weapons properly and then they would kick me!"

She felt a swell of anger. "Fucking assholes."

"Exactly!" Ritsu scowled, angrily kicking a block into place. "I didn't have the emotions to cry but it made me feel bad, and they used to get drunk and order me to sing rude songs and would laugh and make fun of me when I sang the bad words..."

Mitsuko wanted to hug her. "I'm sorry they made you go through that." Her eyes narrowed. "You're never going back to them again."

Ritsu nodded. "I won't." She smiled brightly. "I've got my escape planned for when March is over, so don't worry, they won't catch me!" An evil glint shone in her eye. "Not after I'm done with them..."

Mitsuko felt reassured by that and relaxed. "Good." She gripped the laptop tight. "I guess we both have our work cut out for us..."

"Yeah, but at least your dad loves you." Ritsu shrugged. "So, you'll be fine." Then she stuck another square down, clearing the final row. "YAY! I WIN!"

Celebration flashed on the screen, causing Mitsuko to wince at the brightness. "Ugh!"

"That means I've won five times in a row!" Ritsu hopped up and down. "Ah, ha! Let's play again!"

***

"Man, hearing about your parents really makes me grateful for mine," Sugaya said casually as they walked up the hill to the Old Campus that Monday morning.

Mitsuko rolled her eyes as she walked alongside him. "Wow, thanks. That makes me feel great."

He shrugged. "Well, it is the truth. If you want to get away from them, you can just hangout at mine for a sleepover."

"I am debating it," she replied. "But they are still freaking out about me admitting I want sex, so hanging out with a boy overnight might just tip the barrel."

He raised an eyebrow. "No offence, but you have a better chance at sleeping with my sister than me."

"I know, but try telling them that."

"Well, the offer is still there." He shrugged again as they stepped into the Old Campus building. "And do you think Koro-sensei was serious when he said he'd take us on an around the world trip?"

"Honestly, I'm scared he is," she replied dryly, as they walked into class where a few of the others were already seated.

"Oh, hey, Mitsuko!" Sugino called from where he was sitting on Nagisa's desk.

"Hey, guys!" She looked around nervously for Rio but couldn't see her. "Did you have a good weekend?"

"Yeah, it was good, me and my dad took a day trip to this wildlife centre," Sugino replied.

"Sounds fun." Mitsuko sat down at her desk as more of her classmates arrived.

Toka came in and frowned when she saw her. "Oh, hey, Mitsuko." She stopped in front of her desk. "I thought you'd be with Nakamura."

Mitsuko frowned, feeling her stomach churn. "Why?"

Did everyone know about the fight?

"Because she got called to the Main Campus to meet the Principal," Toka's frown deepened. "Your dad's assistant came and got her when we were about to head up the mountain."

"What?" Mitsuko felt her insides freeze, standing up. "Why?!"

Toka looked concerned as the rest of the class quietened. "I don't know! The assistant just asked her to come with him to the Principal's office because it was important." She held her bag strap tightly. "I was hoping you knew because he's your dad."

"What is it?" Nagisa looked over in alarm. "What would the Principal want with her?"

Mitsuko felt sick, a thousand horrible scenarios swimming through her head. "Oh, no..."