Nagisa and Sakuragi were talking together, eating their lunch, when Karma put an arm on their shoulders.

“You guys wanna sleep over today?”

Sakuragi gave him a look. “Really?”

“Why not?”

“I feel like you have an ulterior motive.” Nagisa sweatdropped. “Hanako…”

“What?! It’s Karma, what do you expect?”

“Weeeeeellll…” Karma said. Sakuragi sighed. “Called it.”

“We need to talk.”

Sakuragi crossed her arms, lunch forgotten. “Why?”

Karma was about to answer, when Nagisa noticed all the students gathered around a large man carrying many sweets. The conversation forgotten, the three went over to investigate. “Who are you?” Nagisa asked. The man laughed.

“The name’s Takaoka! I’m your new gym teacher. Come have some sweets.”

Karma, seeing strawberry cupcakes, discreetly grabbed some and faded into the forest. Sakuragi laughed quietly.

Nagisa walked over to her and handed her an éclair, her favorite pastry.

“Thanks.” She murmured. Nagisa smiled.

...

“Okay everyone!” Takaoka clapped his hands. “Here’s the weekly schedule.” He held up a piece of paper.

Nagisa’s eyes widened as the other students cried out in shock. The schedule was filled with mostly training, with very small, rare increments of school and rest.

“This is too much!” Maehara exclaimed.

“Too much?” Takaoka asked curiously.

“We’re just kids! We can’t handle only doing training! We need rest-“ Maehara broke off as Takaoka walked toward him with a bright smile and rested a hand on his head.

Then immediately kneed him in the stomach.

Cries of horror rung out. Maehara doubled over, retching. Takaoka stepped back, still smiling. “Remember? We’re a family. Children must listen to their ‘father’.” Then he stopped smiling. “300 squats. Now.”

Terrified, the students did as they were told. However, the students eventually to get tired, and Fuwa collapsed. Takaoka walked over and stomped on her back. Fuwa screamed. Kanzaki ran over and stood in front of her.

“Please, Takaoka-sensei, can we please have Karasuma-sensei back? I’m sure you have much better things to do.” She smiled politely. Takaoka smiled back, and slapped her across the face. Kanzaki stumbled back, holding her cheek. He raised his hand to slap her again, when he heard a voice say, “Stop it.”

“Hm?” He turned to Sakuragi, who was staring at him with barely restrained fury. “And who are you?”

“Twilight.” She adjusted her stance.

Takaoka grinned widely. “Ahhh…the infamous Twilight-san! I didn’t believe that Twilight was an actual middle schooler, but these days you never know. You even have that limp!”

Hanako has a limp? Nagisa studied his friend, and sure enough, Sakuragi favored her left leg as she walked.

“Leave them alone.”

Takaoka played innocent. “How am I supposed to teach them?” Sakuragi stayed silent. Takaoka sighed dramatically. “Why do you even care? They don’t even like you.”

Sakuragi smiled softly, a genuine smile. “How am I supposed to change that if I don’t do anything to protect them? I care even if they don’t reciprocate.”

Takaoka rolled his eyes, the fake smile frozen on his face. “Fine. I’ll make you a deal. Each time your classmates mess up, you’ll receive their punishment in double. And if you fight back it’ll double again.” Sakuragi nodded. “I accept.”

Takaoka ruffled Sakuragi’s hair. “Good girl.” He then addressed the rest of the class. “Continue.”

When Kayano passed out, Takaoka gestured for Sakuragi to come over. She walked over and stood passively. Takaoka punched her shoulder, causing a cracking sound, and punched her in the face. Sakuragi stumbled back, a blank look on her face as blood gushed from her nose. She popped her shoulder back in place since it was dislocated. Nagisa was horrified. Does she not feel anything?

Class went on again, punishments happening sporadically. When it was time to go home, Sakuragi stumbled away. Nagisa followed her and found her sitting, eyes closed, breathing slowly.

“Hanako…”  Sakuragi looked up.

“Nagi-kun…” she opened her eyes slowly, getting off the wall and stood up, hissing in pain.

“How badly were you injured?” Nagisa grabbed onto her arm to keep her from falling.

“Dislocated shoulder, and the rest was just bruises and sprains.”

Nagisa was horrified. “You need to get to a hospital!”

“No, no, I’m fine,” Sakuragi shrugged off his arm and limped off into the woods.

Nagisa watched her go sadly, wishing he could help somehow.

...

Sakuragi saw Maehara collapse, worn out from the ordeal yesterday and today. She walked over and stood in front of Takaoka. He backhanded her across the face, and kicked her down. She didn’t get back up, and Takaoka stomped on her stomach. “Get up.”

“Listen to your father.”  Crack went a rib. He kicked her shoulder and it was forced out of place. Sakuragi screamed.

 Takaoka kept beating her down, until Karasuma caught his arm. “If you have a problem, don’t take it out on any of my students.”

“Karasuma..sensei…”

“Take her to the hospital.” Karasuma ordered Korosensei.

Gently, Korosensei picked Sakuragi up. “Is..is everyone okay? I..I can’t tell..”

“Yes, Hanako-“ she interrupted him with a sob.

“I’m scared. Don’t let him hurt them, I haven’t been able to apologize-“

“They’ll be fine Hanako. Rest for now.” Unwillingly, Sakuragi closed her eyes.