Akari

"There, there," says Rio sympathetically as she pats my head. "You needa get some rest you know. Being sick and all."

I glare at her. "This is all your fault!" I retort. "If you hadn't suggested that we eat ice cream after school, we wouldn't get soaked in the rain and I wouldn't get a cold right now!"

Rio shrugs. "I'm perfectly well."

"That's because your house is just nearby!"

Today is the day of the Interclass Ball Sports Competition. 3E boys are to have a baseball duel with the school's baseball team. Meanwhile, 3E girls will face the girls' school basketball team. Technically, it wouldn't be called a duel because the board chairman uses this as the opportunity to further degrade us and to increase the contempt of the main campus students against 3E. Megu is leading the girls and I am so happy to see her in lead. I'm excited to play with them even though I'm not good in basketball. Unfortunately, I fell sick yesterday night and here I am now, lying on my sofa, cuddled in my warm blanket, face pale white, body temp burning a few degrees higher.

Rio came by to visit me before she heads out to school. She apologizes to me but I'm still angry at her.

She sighs. Then her eyes lit up. "I know what can ease you up." She pulls out her cellphone. Grinning evilly, I have a hunch what she is trying to do. "Why don't I give a call to Karma to visit you? Maybe he can lift your moo-"

I throw a pillow at her face. "Say that again I'll strangle you." She laughs.

Ever since they found out Karma was in my apartment, Rio and Megu have been pestering me about it. The entire class actually buys most of Karma's lies. However, Megu isn't pleased. She hates the idea that Karma is in my apartment. I'm dubious she suspects Karma is there for another reason. I hope she never finds out. These days she's been grilling me with warnings. She chides me for letting a boy enter my place without any self-awareness. I know she worries a lot so I promised her never ever let a boy enter my place again. She's a stern mother and I like her that way.

Rio is the opposite. She keeps on asking about embarrassing questions, trying hard to peel the secrets off me one by one. I too suspects she knows there is more to Karma's 'story'. She asks about our relationship and if we did anything extremely intimate with each other. For every query she throws at me, I try to hide the blush in my cheeks whenever I recall that night. I wonder how she can think of questions like that. For example, "did you hold hands" and "did you touch each other" and "did you explore each other physically". Of course, I refuse to answer them. I can't let both of them know what happened that night. I'll be damned to let them find out.

Karma seems to be very proud of himself since that night. He looks like he has accomplished a difficult mission. Lately, his teases kicked up a notch. He finds any possibility to tease me. Somehow, he didn't mention about a certain subject.

"I want you to be my girlfriend."

The words reverberate in my skull whenever I see him. My cheeks become hot and I have to cool them down with my water bottle. With his keen perception, Karma probably noticed it already but never said a word about it.

I have been cracking my skull to figure him out ever since. I steel my guts to ask him but fail to do so every day because whenever I see him, I'll remember his words and I end up stuttering. He would laugh like I've said a very funny joke.

Damn him.

Because of him, I end up having insomnia because I am too preoccupied in putting the puzzle pieces together. Almost every night I think of him, recalling his actions and behaviour towards me. I hope I can find out some clues or hints from his daily activities but he sure knows how to use it against me. He probably knows I'm watching him so he acts nonchalantly around me to avoid me digging his deepest darkest secrets. But I'm determined. I'm gonna dissect him and discover his secrets.

Isogai, however, changed a little lately. He becomes more eager to be around me. He offers himself to teach me if I encounter any difficulties in my studies. He often invites me to lunch, which I accept joyfully. We would always eat at the ramen shop near my house. Seira-san is glad to see us there. We would chat over any interesting subjects such as Korosensei's antics. Sometimes he would tell jokes that crack me up.

But I am not that dense to not notice the minimal changes on his face whenever he interacts with me. He seems to be most cheerful talking to me compared to when he speaks to other people. I have taken heed of Karma's words when he says there are people who like me more than just a friend, albeit the validity hasn't been authenticated yet. I notice he has a pink blush on his face when he sees me. At first I thought it was because of the heat but the pink never dyes his face any other time of the day. I begin to wonder. Does he do that only when he sees me? I also used to dismiss the fact of his enthusiasm towards me is because he is a nice and helpful person. But now I think otherwise.

Does Isogai like me?

The wild thoughts ingrain in my mind, its roots grips tightly to my brain, refusing to let go. I begin to think that the thoughts aren't just my wild imagination; they are true facts.

Wonderful, Okumura Akari, you just stepped into the land of teenage puppy love romance. Your feet are deep in the mud and you can never pull it out anymore.

Thanks to Akabane Karma, I'm going to suffer through nights of insomnia because I can't get the fact people like me out of my head.

Rio has left after realizing she's going be late for the match. Ritsu appears in my phone under Megu's orders to take care of me during her absence. I lie on my sofa, coughing. After 5 minutes, I get bored.

"Why don't I go see them play?" I say. I'm complacent with my excellent idea.

My phone rings. "Akari-chan, you have a message," Ritsu chirps joyfully. "Shall I read it for you?" I nod. " 'Akari-chan, if you show up here instead of resting at home, I'll skin you. With love, Megu.' "

We stay silent for a while. "Megu's scary," both of us comment. She just blackmailed me right after I thought up the idea. So now she read minds too.

The phone rings again. "It's from Isogai-kun," Ritsu says. " 'Akari-chan, I hope you get well soon. Rest well and drink lots of water. Do you want me to come over with some food later?' Isogai-kun's so sweet."

Hmm... he is kinda sweet.

I reply him. 'It's ok. I can handle food on my own. I'll take good care of myself. Don't worry. Just focus on the match and beat them up! You can do it! I look forward to your victory!'

Ritsu blushes. "It's such a sweet reply."

"Is it?" I ask myself. I'm just being polite to cheer him up and not to let him worry me.

The phone rings again. I expect it to be Isogai but it belongs to a certain devilish redhead. Ritsu reads it out. " 'Take care Akari-chan. I'll come over tonight to cook for you. Karma.' "

My cough worsens. It sounds like a frog is stuck in my throat. "What? Is he making a demand?" I want to reply him but another message comes in.

" 'You can't say no. Will be there with ingredients right after the match. Don't miss me, Akari-chan.' " Ritsu blushes at the last sentence. "Karma-kun is so nice. He's just as sweet as Isogai-kun."

Ritsu, you're too innocent. Karma is not nice. He's trying to torment me by making demands that he would never take 'no' for an answer and finds every chance to tease me.

I'll just have to lock the door. There's no way he can come in. It's not like he can fly.

Ritsu giggles. "I didn't know Akari-chan is so popular with boys. It must feel good."

No Ritsu, it doesn't feel good especially if a certain redhead is on you 24/7.

"Don't tell anyone," I warn her. Her innocence is likely to be exploited by people who harbor malicious intentions-for example, Rio.

Ritsu stares at me blankly. She quickly averts her eyes from me. "Umm..."

I know something is up. "Ritsu," I call her name with a tone that hints anger. She shudders. "Are you hiding something from me?"

She shudders even more. Sheepishly, she replies, "N-no! O-of course not! They told me not to tell yo-" she immediately clamps her big mouth.

I glare at her. Only one way then.

I feign crying. I squeeze tears from my eyes. Plus the mucus that drips from my nostrils further convinces my act. "Ritsu~ How could you keep secrets from me~~ I'm so huuuuuurt~" I know it's wrong to deceive her but I need to know. My gut tells me someone is stalking me using Ritsu.

Ritsu flusters when she sees me cry. "D-don't cry! I'll tell!" My eyes light up. "It's Nakamura-chan and Nagisa-kun. They ask me to keep track of you if involves unusual relationship with boys, especially Karma-kun and Isogai-kun."

I knew it! Rio you little scoundrel! I know you will do whatever it takes to discover my secrets! But how did Nagisa fit into all these?

Maybe Nagisa and I should have a little chat. I snicker. Ritsu shivers at my evil look.

I warn Ritsu once more. "Don't tell anyone I found out. Pleeeeeaaaase~" I beg. She couldn't take my begging and nods. Thankfully she's on my side now.

Drowsiness hits me. My eyelids become heavy. I fluff my pillow and pull the blanket up to my chest. I hug my doll. I ask Ritsu to wake me up if anything happens. Once again, I drift into dreamland, hoping that when I wake up I'll feel better.

In dreamland, I see Karma and Isogai. Karma transforms into a tiger and Isogai morphs into a wolf. Both tiger and wolf bare their fangs. And they launch themselves at each other. I can't remember the outcome of the fight when I wake up.

*****

Karma

The baseball match ended pretty well. He and his classmates managed to humiliate the chairman once more by breaking the stereotypical loser image of 3E. They won the match against the school baseball team.

As soon as it is done, Karma doesn't stay for any congratulatory party. He goes straight home. His parents aren't back from work yet. Quickly, he bathes and gathers the necessary ingredients from his kitchen.

Karma intends to cook dinner for the poor sick maiden, Akari.

He messages his parents he is not coming back for dinner tonight. Fortunately they are not very strict and allow their son to do whatever he is pleased as long as they don't violate morality or laws.

Karma packs two cans of chicken soup, a few potatoes and some essential ingredients. He's going to make chicken soup and mashed potatoes, food that Akari can easily swallow even if she is sick. He even throws in some oranges because they are packed with Vitamin-C juice. After packing, he heads to Akari's place.

On the way, he recalls the incident where he indirectly confessed to her-he wanted her to be his girlfriend. He didn't plan for it to happen. Akari's denseness pissed him off so badly he wanted to just shout word by word at her face. Yet he wondered how she would look like when she receives a confession. So he lied that he lied.

Akari was astonished, stunned, surprised. Her face became as red as a tomato. Her mouth gaped, unable to speak a word to retort him. She even slapped her cheeks, thinking that it will ease the blushing. He intentionally closed in on her so that he could see how red her blushing can go. It was by far the most amusing emotion on her face he had ever seen.

She looks so adorable I want to kiss her.

He reaches Akari's apartment. Karma takes out a key and inserts it into the keyhole. The door clicks open and he silently enters because Ritsu told him Akari is still sleeping. He puts the food on the kitchen island. Akari is on her sofa, soundly asleep. He approaches her, strokes her hair and touches her forehead. It's not burning as when Ritsu told him this morning. She coughs and snuggles in her blanket.

Karma can tell she is deprived of warmth. He takes off his outer coat and covers her. His head gently rests on hers when he sits beside her. She is still asleep, oblivious of his presence. He likes seeing her sleep because she is peaceful and in bliss. This is probably the only chance where he can get so close to her without her fighting back. Slowly, he too falls asleep. He is exhausted.

His head still rests on hers when he wakes up an hour later. The setting sun dyes the apartment orange. Akari still hasn't woken up. Karma looks at her and enters a state of bliss. He loves her peaceful look and refuses to leave her even though he needs to make dinner now.

He stands and walks to the kitchen. He opens the soup cans and boils them in a pot. He cuts some mushrooms into cubes and puts them into the soup. He makes mashed potatoes while waiting for the soup to boil. Then he makes juice out of the oranges. He is almost done with the dinner when he hears Akari awake.

"Oh, Ritsu," she says in a weak, sleepy voice. Her eyes scan the room but she has yet to realize his presence. He stifles a laugh. How oblivious. "What time is it?"

"It's 5.48 pm," Ritsu chirps. Akari yawns and stretches her limbs.

She looks so funny when she is still drowsy from the long nap. Yet she still doesn't know I'm here.

"Hey Akari," Karma speaks up from the kitchen.

"Oh hey Karma," she replies nonchalantly.

Wait for it.

He can feel her staring at his back for a while. He can imagine her eyes widen in shock and her face appalled.

"KAAAAARMAAA?!"

"Took you long enough to realize." Karma switches off the stove. Both mashed potatoes and soup are ready.

"W-w-what a-a-are you d-doing here?!" she stutters. He turns to look at her. She is pointing at him, mouth gaped open. Disbelief is written over her face. "This must be a dream. This must be a dream," she repeats.

"Nope. Not a dream," he corrects her.

"How the hell did you get in here?!"

Karma feigns innocence as he touches his chin. "Hmm... I found a certain interesting key lying around so I took a photo and asked Ritsu to duplicate it. Then I wondered which keyhole it will fit. So I tried yours. And it worked! The key opens your door." He smirks triumphantly.

Akari is speechless. Her face is pale ashen. She glares at him. Then she glares at Ritsu, who is sheepishly avoiding her gaze in her phone. "Ritsu! You let a wolf in my apartment?!"

"I didn't know!" Ritsu replies, visibly shaken by the truth behind Karma's request. "I thought it was Karma-kun's house key so I duplicated some."

"Some?!"

Karma snickers. "I was afraid I might lose this key so I asked Ritsu to duplicate a few more. One in my drawer, one in my cupboard, one in my school bag, one in my pillow and one in my pocket."

Akari continues to be speechless. Ritsu bows down. She rubs her hands together. "I'm sorrrrrry! I didn't know I end up becoming Karma-kun's accomplice." She looks like she is about to cry. Tears brim in her eyes.

"Akabane Karma! Look what you did!" Akari shouts. "You made Ritsu cry!"

Karma is bewildered Akari reprimands him for tricking Ritsu, instead of duplicating her key. "Sorry, Ritsu. I have to do this or else Akari will never let me in."

"It's ok, Karma-kun," Ritsu replies. She wipes the tears from her eyes. "Akari-chan, Karma-kun is just worried about you. Don't blame him."

Akari rolls her eyes. "That's not the main point, Ritsu~~" now she is going to cry. "Karma isn't worried of me. He wants to stalk me and pester me for the rest of my life for the sake of his entertainment. And now you have granted him access. I'm never going to live peacefully anymore. Goodbye, peace..."

Karma laughs. "That's just cold, Akari-chan. I'm really, really worried of you living alone so I need to grant myself access. Considering how sick you are, it means I did the right thing." He means it though he doubts she will take it seriously.

Akari plants her face into her pillow. "Damn you, jerk," she says in a muffled voice.

Karma scoops some soup into a bowl and brings it to Akari, who refuses to look at him with her face planted in a pillow. He nudges her with his feet. "Your soup is done."

"I don't want any. You probably drugged it." Her face sinks into the pillow. He wonders how long she can keep at it without breathing.

He sits on the floor. "If I want to drug you, I would have done it a long time ago. You're too open. I can drug your water and your lunch without you noticing. But I'll need Okuda-san's help in this..." He wonders if Okuda can whip up any drugs that are able to make Akari obey to his every demand.

"Do not drag Manami-chan in this!" she shouts, finally lifting her face from the pillow. Their eyes meet for a second and her face returns to the pillow's embrace.

Manami-chan? You guys have been close, huh?

Karma sighs helplessly at Akari. "I know you're hungry. Sick people needa eat."

She doesn't reply.

"You needa keep your keys in more secluded places next time. So that no stalker can ever duplicate them again."

She still doesn't reply.

Karma begins to think whether if Akari suffocated to death.

"Akari-chan~~" he calls. She lifts her face-finally-and glares at him.

"What?"

"If you don't comply, I'll shove them down your throat whether you like it or not." He shows her his most threatening evil glare. His demonic horns emerge on his head.

She sighs. Grunting, she sits up from her position, but still refuses to look at him. She stretches her hand to take the soup from him but he retracts. Instead, he sits beside her on the sofa.

"You're sick. Let me feed you. Spoon-feed or mouth-feed? I prefer the latter," he teases. She blushes and snatches the soup from him.

"Shut up! I'll eat on my own!"

Karma watches silently as she blows her food and eats the soup carefully. Her face reddens from the heat. He smiles at how cute she looks. When she is done, he gets her a bowl of mashed potatoes. This time, he eats with her. When they finish, they drink the juice Karma prepared.

"I'll wash the dishe-" Akari stands but Karma pulls her down to the sofa. He takes the glass from her and puts the dishes into the sink. Akari pouts on her sofa, mumbling about something. He returns to her yet she still doesn't look at him in the eye.

Karma doesn't care how she would react. He touches her forehead with his hand. She stiffens. Her face dyed red. "You still got a little fever though. But I think it'll get better in the morning."

She slaps his hand away. "What are you doing?"

"Taking care of you. Duh."

"I can fare well on my own. You can go back now."

"And risk having you getting sick even more when you have no one to tend to you? Nope."

"I have Ritsu!"

"Ritsu's not a doctor."

"You're not a doctor too."

He sighs. "Let's stop bickering for now, okay?" He softens his voice. It's like coaxing a big baby. "Akari, just let me take of you for the night. I'll leave when you sleep. Ritsu can inform me if anything happens, ok?"

She lowers her head. "Fine," she mutters unwillingly. Until now, she doesn't look him in the eye.

Karma squats down in front of her before she can react. Their eyes meet. Her eyes are still a pretty shade of blue. She tries to avert her eyes but he clamps her head to put it in place. She stares at him, the rosiness of her cheeks becomes more visible.

"You're shy after I confessed to you that day?" Karma says. "Even though I said I lied about it."

"N-n-no!" she stammers. "W-w-why would I pay heed to your petty lies?"

"Because you believe it is real," he blurts out the fact. He knows well that Akari would take it seriously, even if Karma has stated that it was a lie.

"No I don't!"

He smirks. "We'll find out sooner enough." He lets go of her head and stands. "Time for bed!" Before she can realize what is happening, he scoops her up into his arms.

"Karma!" she shrieks. She thumps against his chest. The attacks are weak and barely itch. He laughs.

"You gotta do better than that!"

"P-p-put me down! I can go to my bed on my own!" Her face is now as red as a tomato.

He puts her down gently on her bed. Akari glares at him. He throws her blanket over her. "Nite, Akari-chan. Don't worry. You'll see me in your dreams anyway."

"I'm not seeing you in my dreams. Even if I do, it'll be a nightmare."

For a sick girl, she still quite energetic with that mouth of hers. Debater, huh? Let me try shutting that mouth of hers.

Karma stares at her with such malicious intent it prompts her to shut up. He closes in. She backs up and reaches the edge of the bed. Immediately he pounces onto her, pinning her to the bed. His face is mere inches from hers. He can smell her lavender scent. He can hear her heavy breathing. He can feel his heart thrashing around within him with rage, prompted by the proximity. He wonders if she feels the same.

"Akari-chan~~" he whispers. The air she exhaled tickles his face. "I need to tell you something important."

"W-what?" her voice comes out feeble as expected.

"You... forgot to take your medicine just now."

Her face freezes with astonishment. "A-A-Akabane Karma!" she shouts as he laughs at her amusing face. She struggles to break free from his clutch but he doesn't let go. Instead his lips linger over hers, so close they can almost touch.

At that very moment, he really wants to kiss her. He desires to feel how her lips taste like. Will they be sweet like peaches or will they taste otherwise? He can too feel his cheeks redden with heat.

But Karma has decided to tease her. He retracts from her lips and kisses her forehead instead. She stiffens. When he lifts his head to see her face, it is red. Very, very red. Like the colour of his hair.

"Good night, Akari-chan. Rest well. I'll be outside if you have nightmares." He exits the room. Akari is still on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. She is probably still pondering on what just happened.

As soon as he plops onto the sofa, he regrets. I should have kissed her when I have the chance.

*****

Akari

KAAAAAARMAAAAAA!

I lie on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. My face is still beet red.

H-h-h-h-h-h-he k-k-k-kissed my forehead!

What is he trying to do? Is this a new kind of teasing trick to torment me?

I touch my forehead. His kiss still lingers on it. I can still feel the warmth of his lips when it touches my forehead. I can still see him pinning me onto the bed, his lips so close to mine I almost though he is going to kiss me. My heartbeat races, thumping loudly in my ears.

I'm outraged that he tries to kiss me. And yet, I'm actually happy. I'm happy that he wants to kiss me, sad that he didn't but glad that he kissed my forehead instead. I know, it's complicated. The cocktail of my emotions tastes wrong but I enjoy it. I actually enjoy it.

What is wrong with me?

I cover my face with my pillow. The heat in my cheeks does not ebb.

Does this mean I have feelings for him? Most importantly, does this mean he likes me too?

I scream in my pillow. I hope he doesn't hear it because he is probably on the sofa doing his stuff.

I try to sleep. But to no avail. My mind is filled with him and only him. Since sleeping won't do, I'll just have to do something else. I contemplate. I think of what his actions means. It took me a while and I got the conclusion.

Karma likes me likes me likes me likes me.

My face is now fuming with heat. The kiss is more than enough to validate that his previous confession isn't a lie. It's real. I don't know what his motives to lie are.

I don't know when I drifted to sleep. When I wake up, he is long gone. A note on the kitchen island writes 'Your breakfast is in the fridge. Mashed potatoes. Heat it up with a microwave. If you're still feeling sick, don't bother to go to school. Karma.'.

I can't help to think that despite being a notorious delinquent, Karma is actually sweet.

I blush at that thought. Oh god. If I blush only by thinking of him, how will I cope when I see him later?

I need something to hide my blush so that he won't notice. So that the whole class won't notice. A very good distraction.

My eyes dart to a blue object in my cupboard. It is something that Fuwa and I have been working on lately because of our passion in anime and manga.

That's it!

*****

I can hear Korosensei has just entered the classroom when I arrive at school. Quickly I open the door to the room, where everyone has just finished their daily greetings. Everyone in the class have their eyes focused on me. They look astonished and surprised.

They should be. I'm not wearing my usual school uniform. Instead, I don a loose one-piece blue suit with a white circle around my chest. A blue tail droops lifelessly behind me. The suit comes with a pair of matching gloves and shoes that resemble cat paws. My head is covered with a blue hoodie that has a pair of car ears. I drew whiskers on my cheeks.

"Aye! I'm Happy the blue cat!" I say. "Good morning!"

The class is silent. Then... "EH?!"

"Nuya?!" Korosensei gasps. "Akari-chan, why are you cosplaying?"

"I'm not Akari-chan. I'm Happy. Aye!" I reply, sounding as cheerful as I can.

"Happy!" Fuwa shouts as she rushes to me. She scans my entire figure and touches my ears and tail. "Perfection! The suit is perfect!" She gives me a thumbs-up. "I know you will look good in it. Looks like our efforts aren't wasted after all!"

Fuwa and I have been making this costume for days. It took us a while to get the measurements right and also the perfect materials. She said I should be the one to try it out first. First mission of two anime fanatics, accomplished!

"Maybe we should do Chopper from that famous pirate anime as well!" Fuwa exclaims. She is getting hyped. I nod.

"What about Hinata from that ninja anime?" I add.

Okajima snickers. "Please." His face is distorted with perversion. "You don't have Hinata's bust-" A pile of books smashes into his head. He rubs his nose in pain. "What the hell?!"

Fuwa and I glare at him. In fact, almost every girl in class glares at him. He has just broken the taboo. Immediately he shuts up and looks away sheepishly.

People begin to cluster around me to marvel at the cosplay costume. Kaede awes at how cute I look. Rio takes photos of me with her phone. Megu can't contain herself and squeezes me. Maehara tugs my tail and Hinata hits him so that he won't pull it off. Nagisa touches my ears and compliments how soft it is. Sugaya scrutinizes at the costume's details and gives us advice in improving it. Kurahashi asks if we can make a beetle costume for her. Manami shyly requests to try on my gloves and I lend her. Isogai, however, stares at me blankly-I swear I saw that familiar pink dyed his cheeks. I glance at Karma. He doesn't steps forward. Instead, he smirks at his seat.

Korosensei becomes flustered. His tentacles flail in the air to gain attention. Probably he felt shunned when the class is attentive on me instead of him. "Everyone! I can cosplay too!" His face turns blue. His tentacles fake cat ears on his head. He tries his best but overall, his look is very...

"Disgusting!" The class disses him. The shunned, emotional octopus hides himself in the corner, mumbling.

The class returns to the lessons after Korosensei finishes moping. During recess, Fuwa and I discuss about how to improve the costume with Sugaya's advice. He suggests we tighten the waist part so that the costume doesn't sag loosely. Fuwa says she'll make adjustments so I need to give her the costume tomorrow.

After school Isogai approaches me. The class, as usual, buzzes with people who still refuse to return home. Isogai sheepishly stares at me. He rubs his head; words fail to form from his mouth. He takes a deep breath as if to give himself courage. The pink blush on his face is apparent. He looks into my eyes. "Akari-chan... y-y-you l-look cute in that," he stammers.

I giggle. I've never seen him so nervous before. "You look cute too. I've never seen you stutter like that. You've always been the confident one."There's no special meaning behind it. I blurt it out to tease him. After all, he doesn't look like the kind who would get offended or would tease back-unlike a certain redhead I know.

His eyes widen. "Really?" his blush reddens but it fades away later. "Well... thanks."

"It isn't really a compliment though. I rarely saw you that nervous."

He smiles. "But my compliment is true. You really do look cute in that."

I grin. "Thanks."

"Do you wanna have lunch together?"

I'm about to say yes when Karma suddenly intervenes. He tugs my hoodie until it covers my vision. "Sorry, Isogai. But I'm having lunch with her today."

I slap his hand away. I want to shout at him but the moment I see him I blush. I see him pinning me to the bed. I see him kissing my forehead. I walk away to avoid him but he grabs my hoodie to prevent my escape.

I begin to wonder how ridiculous I am. I blush whenever I see him. This weakness of mine is bound to be the death of me. My impression of a tough, romance-devoid debater is shattering. Huge cracks are appearing. I cannot let anyone know that I'm an easy blusher. Not especially him. Karma is going to tease me about it. For sure.

However, I'm finally putting all the puzzle pieces in place. His intimate interactions with me, the agitation when he thinks he almost loses me, the stalking, the intervention whenever I interact too closely with boys-especially Isogai, the kiss he gave me... all leads to one truth.

Karma likes me.

I'm sure of this. But I just want to hear it from him. I want that big egoistic mouth of his admit.

Just because he did those things to me, I am beginning to see him in a different way. In a more romantic way. Karma aroused those feelings that long hidden, or rather, never existed within me. I'm in a stage where I'm starting to explore my sentiments. I've never had a crush on anyone. I've never had anyone who likes me. However, I cannot confirm my feelings for him. Every girl would have blushed whenever a boy interacts with her in such way. I believe I too am in the same condition. I need more time to find out whether if I feel the same about him. I don't want to rush into things.

Love takes time. Just because someone likes you, it doesn't mean you have to reciprocate their feelings. Let time flow. Time can prove whether if I like him. Whether if our feelings are mutual.

Karma drags me along with him when he leaves the class. I struggle against his grasp. Isogai stands there, watching us. He doesn't look pleased, though. When we are far enough from the class, he lets go. I glare at him. Thankfully I don't blush after I clear up my mind.

"I'm not having lunch with you," I say. "I rather eat alone."

He says nothing but steps towards me. He places his hand over my forehead. His hand feels warm against my skin.

I realize my cheeks redden. Crap! I just figured things out yet the blushing comes back!

"Thank god," he murmurs as he removes his hand. "Your fever's probably gone. But you better finish the juice I left in the fridge. Vitamin C is good for you." He turns and walks away.

I stare at him. That's it? "I-I thought you say you wanna have lunch?" I say. Usually he's a persistent pest that doesn't take no for an answer. But now, Karma is acting out of his behaviour.

He doesn't look back. "You said you don't want to. So I'll go home."

Whaaaaaaaaaat?! You're actually obeying me?

Karma stops abruptly. He turns around. Then with a smile on his face-not a smirk, not a snicker, but a genuine, sincere smile-he says the unbelievable.

"You look so cute in that outfit. I love it."

Y-y-y-you l-l-love-

My face is fuming. In fact, my entire brain is steaming. I swear if I have a mirror now, I can see my head is a red tomato. My reaction is outrageous. So outrageous it's incredulous. Yet indisputable.

This is not just some reaction when a boy acts too intimately to a girl. It's the kind of reaction where a girl receives a confession from the boy she likes.

Do I...

I don't know what to think. I need to calm down. I need to...

But my mind keeps repeating his words like a chant.