Dear [Name] [Last Name],

It is within my deepest regrets to inform you of your relegation to Class 3-E for the upcoming school year at Kunugigaoka Junior High, as reflected by your last report card filling the quota of the bottom 5%.

A map to the off-campus End Class is attached with this letter.

On behalf of the administration, we wish you luck in striving to reclaim your position in Class 3-C, if not higher.

May your marks rise to prosper forevermore.

Thank you,

Gakuhou Asano

---

Concluding your second year at Kunugigaoka with such a message from the Board Chairman was not what you had in mind. For an ephemeral moment, you were mortified. Trembling and cowering in fear as you curled up on your neatly-made bed, your hands shaking as they clutched and wrinkled the sides of the premium piece of paper, you stifled a cry.

It all began just minutes ago, when your loving parents called you over, announcing that a letter had arrived from the school. You hadn't a clue regarding its contents, though there were speculations circling your mind, both good and bad.

You thought that you should've expected it, seeing how your grades for the final term were deteriorating. Still, you had hope that your demotion wouldn't have transpired, belief that you weren't dropping into the End Class.

You wanted to remain in the main building, as a C Class student.

The system of the school was proven effective, the 'lazy' 5% facing discrimination from the hardworking 95%, and those in the 95% quota fearing to become the scum of the academy. Personally, you had never looked down on the E Class in previous years, as much as your peers would've done so. You were most afraid of experiencing bullying, kicked down and suppressed by those of a higher rank.

It wasn't long until shimmering tears streamed down your cheeks, splattering in rivulets on the page. You sniffled, biting down on your lip to prevent too loud of a ruckus. You wanted to carry the burden on your own.

"[Name]? Is everything alright up there? You've been in your room for a while, and we're growing concerned--"

The gentle, soft tone of pure kindness belonged to your mother. She was a housewife, while your father ran a business not too far from home. Looking back, she was always supportive of your decisions, and was a master of comforting you when in need. Regardless, this was the one thing you didn't want her to know about, already imagining the subtle disappointment in her countenance and words.

"It's-- I'm fine!" you croaked, voice cracking from your sobbing. It wasn't very believable, though you were never much of an actress, anyway. You mentally slapped yourself for your vulnerability. What happened to sheltering the encumbrance on your own?

Perpetual footsteps followed, the color wiping off your [shade] skin as nervousness swept by. Your heart pounded faster against your chest with higher frequency, the constant beating making you lightheaded.

You hid yourself under your favorite blanket, and although it was a cheap fabric tattered from repeated use, it held sentimental value. You wiped your tears, and scrunched up the letter into oblivion.

Promptly, the door swung open, your mother's eyebrows knitting together in confusion. Silently, she approached the little ball of fluff otherwise known as yourself. "[Name], dear, things can't possibly be 'fine' when you're crying. Come out and look at me, honey."

You froze in place, reluctantly squirming out of your concealment to meet your mother's gaze, misty-eyed from your previous tears.

A woman's intuition was usually accurate. With that being said, she cupped your cheeks and tucked a lock of [color] hair behind your ear. "Dear, you've been relegated to E Class, haven't you?"

You swallowed hard, slightly nodding in return. You weren't too sure what to expect, though surprisingly, there wasn't quite as much disappointment as you would've anticipated.

"[Name], it's not to say that I'm proud of you for achieving such a feat, but, I'll certainly expect for you to climb the ranks by the end of this year. Okay? Do your best, and don't fret about it too much. Besides, I'm sure the instructors at Kunugigaoka will ensure your success."

You nodded once more, murmuring a quiet, yet genuine thanks for her comfort. Just by having family with you, you'd felt remotely better about the entire situation.

"Try befriending others while you're there, alright? Study pals and peer-tutoring should be helpful."

---

Before you knew it, you had trekked up the rough, rocky path towards the small, rundown facility of Class 3-E. Gloomy clouds in arrangement with the mountain scenery adorned your view-- a great start for your third year. Your legs ached from the distance, sweat beading on your forehead, and your schoolbag providing heavyweight against your shoulders.

You were anxious about the term, some of the agony failing to cease from your feelings. You predicted a cruddy year of discrimination and tragedy, though nonetheless, kept a positive smile in hopes of the situation miraculously shaping out nicely.

What you hadn't foreseen, however, was a mess of a yellow tentacled monster, and a certain mischievous boy in attendance.