Lesson Learned

You've learned so much

Mitsuko rubbed her eyes and listened carefully.

He talked about society and how it would withhold them from getting the results they needed.

Her father's constant teaching of it came back and mingled into her thoughts.

The world was a hard and judgemental place that crushed weakness.

Mitsuko grimaced and closed her eyes, feeling like a little kid again and being told by her dad how the world would crush her and spit her out again.

"Do not reject society," Koro-sensei said firmly, causing her to look up as they all listened. "To put it bluntly, that is simply a waste of time." He rested a tentacle on her head. "When such a time arises, tell yourselves, that's just life." He made a dopey face and shrugged. "This is what you must drill into your heads in order to overcome such negativity."

Her brow furrowed hen he continued and talked about navigating through society like a current to find a way to not get dragged down with each failure and problem. That navigating through society meant not always facing their problems head-on, and to analyse and adapt like the assassins he'd spent a whole year training them to be.

"Don't panic," he said softly, patting her head as she clung on. "And stay persistent with a dying will to succeed. There is no doubt this kind of logical thinking will eventually yield great results. I know that you all..." His smile was warm. "Are first-class assassins capable of doing so."

Mitsuko felt a small smile tug onto her lips as they all grew quiet again.

"Keh." Terasaka broke the silence. "You're still trying to school us! In a situation like this?!"

Her smile grew while Koro-sensei chuckled. "I teach because we are in this situation!"

Mitsuko sighed and gently eased her hold on his robes, wiping her eyes when Sugaya placed a hand on her shoulder. "Stupid octopus..." she mumbled, taking a step back as she let go of his robe. "he always has to turn everything in a lesson."

Sugaya smiled while Koro-sensei kept talking. "It is his speciality." His smile was reassuring. "It's okay to be sad."

She scowled, blushing as she wiped her eyes. "I know that, idiot." She crossed her arms it was just an emotional moment. I'm over it now."

He raised an eyebrow. "Right, sure." He looked amused. "You're such a softy."

Mitsuko blushed and stepped on his foot hard. "Shut up."

"Hey!" He snapped.

Koro-sensei patted each one of them on the head as he finished.

Mitsuko's smile returned, taking a deep breath as she tried to focus on what he had said, finding it calming.

Then Rio stepped forward and removed the bag from her waist. "If I remember correctly, Professor Yukimura made today your Birthday."

Mitsuko laughed when Koro-sensei's entire expression lit up with wonder when he saw the luxury cake that had been carefully transported.

"CAKE!! He bent down like he was worshipping the dessert, panting over it while Rio was proudly recounting how she had gotten the cake.

"In fact," Rio spoke smugly. "I'd appreciate a little gratitude for taking care to—"

"Uh, Rio...." Mitsuko tapped her on the shoulder and pointed at Koro-sensei who was salivating over the cake. "Not sure he's paying attention."

Rio looked livid at their teacher. "Hey! I'M TALKING HERE!" She yelled at Koro-sensei who was lost in a world of his own.

"Yeah, pretty sure he tuned out the minute he saw the cake," Mitsuko remarked dryly.

"More like the minute he smelt it," Maehara commented as they watched their teacher drool.

Rio let out a frustrated cry and lit a match. "Let's just hurry and get the song over with already!!"

Mitsuko laughed, while Ro grumbled and lit the candle on the cake. "Okay, everyone start singing!"

They all gathered around and started to sing happy birthday, harmonising while Koro-sensei watched them silently.

Mitsuko felt a warm glow in her chest when she saw his expression. "Happy birthday, Koro-sensei!" They smiled. "Happy birthday, to you!"

For a second their teacher just stared at the candle on the cake, the flame lighting up his face in a warm glow of light.

"Hurry up and blow it out!" Okajima said. "We only brought one candle so you only get one shot."

Koro-sensei chuckled softly and then breathed in deeply to—

A coal-black tentacle smashed into the cake before he ever got the chance to make a final wish.