Akari

Tension hangs in the air as exams loom over us like a formidable enemy. There is a possibility that the Board Chairman will use this examination to cripple us for good.

Isogai has invited me to join him at the school library for revision with Nagisa, Kaede, Manami, Rio and Kanzaki. Right now, I'm looking for the library as I got lost in labyrinth-like main compound. I wasn't here for a year thus its paths are alien to me.

Speaking about Isogai.... Since I found out I like Karma, I haven't give him a clear-cut response. But now is not the right time. I don't want my rejection to be the factor of him failing his exams. I don't want to see him depressed. And I don't want him to keep on waiting for love that could never be reciprocated. I will tell him when the exams are over even if it pains me to do so.

Karma, however, has been too caution of his actions lately. I guess when he knew I got jealous he avoided interaction with the opposite gender as much as possible. Idiot. I don't want him to cut ties with the girls in class. They are all his friends and I know he treasures them. I just... I just wanted to be the only cutest one for him. Though, somehow I get a vibe that he is complacent with my jealousy. Probably it is a hint for him that his plan to make me admit I love him is working smoothly.

I look at the watch on my wrist. "Seriously, why didn't I follow Isogai in the first place?"

I notice people around me; the corridors are buzzing with students after school. Most of them ignore my presence, while a few speak in hushed whispers, giving me disgusted looks. I roll my eyes. They don't even worth my time.

Despite my instinct nagging me not to do it, I have no choice-if I want to get to the library in time, I have to ask someone for directions. They'll probably throw me looks of contempt, glaring at me and shouting offensively with vulgarity.

Standing outside of the class 3A is a guy with strawberry-blond hair. On the right sleeve of his shirt are two red stripes, which I assume to be someone who upholds an important position in the Student Council. I take a deep breath and steel my guts to defend myself from any imminent verbal onslaught.

"Excuse me," I ask politely. The boy, who is roughly Karma's height, turns around. He has purple orbs and a handsome look. I sense a strong vibe of leadership and domination from his proud figure. And I don't like him at first sight.

"How can I help you?" he replies. Thankfully he doesn't initiate the verbal onslaught. Yet.

"I'm wondering where the library is. Could you tell me where it is?"

He smiles-not the cheerful kind but the kind which has his true evil intentions concealed behind it. "It's at-"

"Asano!"

Four boys march towards him; rage seething from their faces. They pale in comparison with the boy named Asano because they look like his lackeys to me. Asano emanates an aura of dominating leadership while the four looks like a bunch of weirdos.

"Can you believe this!" says the boy with contemptuous squinty eyes. "Those scums!"

A boy with a hairstyle similar to a mohawk sways his hair with a subtle movement of his head. "Ahh... they are a bunch of idiots after all."

Another with messy shoulder-length hair, wearing a pair of rectangular spectacles and looks like a middle-aged sadistic villain, grits his teeth. "Don't worry. We'll kick their asses!"

The only composed one, a boy with oval spectacles and neatly cut hair crosses his arms over his chest. "We are after all, the Five Virtuosos. They don't stand a chance."

"Please. What just happened?" asks Asano in a composed manner. He is not fazed.

I stare at them with amusement as the four continues to ignore my presence.

"Those 3E scums didn't know their place! They should be following our orders! We are 3A. They are nothing! Taking up the bet like they can actually beat us at it! Pathetic!" says the first boy.

"I have to agree with you, Tomoya. They should have known their place. We were just joking around and they took it too seriously like a bunch of idiots," snickers the middle-aged sadistic villain.

"Using stationery to intimidate us? W-we're not afraid!" says the boy with oval spectacles, slightly trembling. "And that no good Isogai whatsoever his name was, he thinks a finger can s-scare me? G-get real!"

"We have to win this bet. Then I'll make that pretty Kanzaki girl to be my servant," says the mohawk guy.

Asano chuckles. "You challenged 3E?"

"Well, they were being insolent! They needed to be taught a lesson!"

"Let's show those 3E scums who's boss-" says Tomoya but his sentence is cut.

Why, you ask?

Because my feet is inches away from his filthy mouth.

It only takes a second for me to lift my feet aloft, then in a swift move I made a taekwondo kicking action right at his gaping mouth. If I hadn't hold back, his teeth probably are broken by now. I'm wearing a skirt but I had safety pants under it so I don't have to constrain myself.

After all, they are the ones who needed to be taught a lesson.

Utter silence. The buzzing in the corridor dies abruptly. The five boys before me stare, eyes widen in surprise and shock etched on their faces. Especially that Tomoya guy. He didn't expect someone to kick him in the face. Beads of sweat drip down his ashen face.

"I'm sorry," I say innocently as I put my leg down. "I saw a very annoying mosquito buzzing around so I have to kill it. But damn, I missed."

They gape, gritting their teeth as I dye their face with blood-red humiliation. "Who do you think you are? We are 3A's Five Virtuosos!" says the sadistic villain in a loud voice, in attempt to intimidate me. "You're messing with fire, girl!

Please. Intimidation? That's my arsenal. Not yours. I laugh.

"Why you-" his hands reach out to grab me but I move forward in a large stride. He is stunned by my movement and I slap him in the face. The sound echoes in the corridor. There is a red handprint on his middle-aged face.

"Ah! I missed that mosquito again!" I feign. "Dang. It's so annoying with its buzzing noise."

"You little-"

Asano, however, steps forward like a gentlemen and holds out his hand to his lackeys, signaling them to be quiet. "I'm sorry for them being rude. Please forgive their rudeness."

I raise my eyebrows. Wow, he's really good at acting.

"As if I can forgive them for badmouthing my classmates," I say, glaring at the two boys who I just showed my fury. They tremble slightly, but it seems Asano's presence gives them courage to continue standing.

"You're from 3E?" Asano asks.

"Another lovely one from 3E. Not as lovely as Kanzaki, but you fare well too," says the Mohawk who fails at flirting.

"I KNOW YOU!" shouts the old villain. "I remember now! You're that murderer two years ago!"

Whispers arouse around me.

"You mean the girl who killed a man and transferred later?" asks the boy with oval spectacles. "You actually came back. That's stupid."

Asano clears his throat. "Pointing out someone's miserable past is rude. Please guys, stop making it so hard for her."

I laugh. They look at me. "Poking at people's past is not cool. And I'm not a murderer. Nor it is a miserable past. Don't give me that pitiful look. It will only make your ugly faces even uglier."

"Wha-"

I am not finished. "I don't give a damn who you guys are. I don't care if you are the Five Bitches or whatsoever. Don't insult my class again. Or it wouldn't just be a slap on the face."

"Are you threatening us, bitch?!" shouts Tomoya.

I smirk. "Duh. Isn't it obvious?" I step forward and he backs away automatically. "You're afraid I'd kick your ass for real?"

"You are unbelievably feisty," says Asano. I turn to him, glaring daggers. He doesn't falter. "I believe we can work this out-"

"I don't need to call truce with a bunch of insolent, snot-nosed brats who thinks they are the cream of the crop while their personalities stink like hell." I glare at Asano. "I don't care who you are, Asano. Your mask makes me sick. Rein in your lackeys or else I'll rein them for you. And make sure their mouths stay shut. Insult my classmates again, I can't guarantee their safety."

Asano glares at me silently. I see murder intent in his eyes.

"Are you blackmailing me?" he asks, seething internally.

I smirk. "Isn't it obvious? I'm protecting my friends. I don't care who I'm blackmailing. Enrage me, face my fury."

He snickers. "You are an interesting girl."

That irks me. I grab his tie and pull it hard until he chokes. "This interesting girl can punch you into submission if you're not careful." I let go of his tie. He touches his neck where a red welt is forming. Before he can retort, I leave.

Because if I stay any longer near them, I cannot guarantee they will end up in one piece.

*****

The commotion spreads throughout the school like wildfire. It has even become the hot topic in 3E. I only realize it when I come to class the next day.

"Aka-chan, have you heard?" Rio asks me excitingly. "Someone blackmailed the board chairman's son yesterday!"

I raise my eyebrows as I sit by my desk. "Board Chairman's son?"

"Yeah. It was a girl. A very tough and feisty one they said," Kaede joins in. "If she hadn't left, it would be a massacre."

"I heard from Ritsu the Five Bitches challenged our class to see who can score the best for each subject?" I say.

"Five Bitches?"

"Five Virtuosos or something. 'Bitches' simplify things."

Rio snickers. "I'm gonna show them who's boss in English!"

Megu approaches. "Though I am curious who blackmailed Asano Gakushuu. I mean, not much people have the guts to blackmail the Student Council President and Board Chairman's sole son. Only someone reckless and crazy would do that..." she trails off and stares at me.

I can't comprehend her blank stare and her gaping mouth. Then I recall the name she mentioned.

Asano Gakushuu.

Asano.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Megu's mouth twitches involuntarily. "No freaking way. Akari, don't tell me you-"

"GUYS!" Okajima shouts as he rushes into the class, drawing everyone's attention. "You wouldn't believe this. I heard that the girl who blackmailed Asano Gakushuu is from this class!"

"Eh?" the class looks shocked.

Isogai sighs. "But who would actually do it? If you're saying she's from our clas-" Isogai stops. Then he turns to me with the same stare Kataoka is giving me. As if on cue, everyone else in class stares at me, mouths gaping.

Reckless, straightforward, arsenal of poisonous words, blackmailing and intimidation specialty...

Oh.

Me.

"What?" I find it hard to believe.

The class continues to stay silent.

No way no way no way. I blackmailed the-

"Does this Asano guy have strawberry-blond hair?"

They nod.

"Purple eyes?"

They nod.

No waaaaaaaaaaay.

"I b-blackmailed the Board Chairman's s-son?"

Megu slaps her forehead. Rio sighs.

"Maybe there are two Asanos in this school!"

"Nope, only one. Asano Gakushuu," Sugino replies.

"What did you do?" Megu sighs.

"Those bitches were insulting our class! I was mad and I intimidated them and blackmailed that Asano guy! I-I didn't know he was related to the Chairman! I thought their names were a coincidence!"

The entire class lets out a sigh of exasperation.

"You are more troublesome than Akabane, you know that right? Or you're probably Akabane's long lost twin," Terasaka says, rolling his eyes. "Why are you as reckless as that idiot?"

Karma laughs. "She's not my twin. She's my disciple. I taught her well." He smirks.

Now is not the time for jokes!

"Seriously maybe you should do your homework before you blackmail someone?" Kaede says.

I want to cry. "He is an asshole. People like him don't need compassion. I just rub it in his face with words!" I try to calm myself. "He's just the Board Chairman's son. So what? I don't care! Hahaha..." it comes out as a weak laugh.

"You know he could complain to his father and get you expelled, right?" Okajima says nonchalantly.

But it is an atomic bomb dropped onto the class.

"EH?!"

Okajima immediately slams his mouth shut after realizing his words made a mass panic.

My fingers tremble. "I-I might get e-expelled?" I paralyze. Shocked.

What did my big mouth got me into?!

"Okajima!" Megu slaps his head. He yelps in pain.

Kanzaki and Fuwa try to console me. "He's just fooling around!" Fuwa says. Kanzaki nods in agreement.

"Yeah! Verbal assault won't result in such consequences." Nagisa reassures me.

"I... err... didn't just verbally assault him..." I confess. "I pulled his tie until he choked."

Silence in the entire class.

"You're gonna get expelled," Okajima comments but Megu and Rio slap his head.

"OKAJIMA!"

I weep. Despair wells up in my chest. "I-I'm... gonna... get expeeeeelled..."

"Idiot..." Megu mutters.

"What should we do?!" "We can't let her kicked out of school!" "That evil son of the ultimate villain!" "We have to protect Akari!"

"Class!" Korosensei enters the class, not knowing the gravity of the situation. "It's time to star-Nuya! What's going on?"

"Korosensei! Akari blackmailed the Chairman's son!" Hinano exclaims. "What should we do?"

Korosensei's tentacles rub his big round head. "Akari-chan, have you been reckless again?"

Tears and mucus mix on my face. "I..."

"There's not much we can do. It's not like Akari-chan would actually apologize. Even if she does, Sensei doubts they would write it off. And besides, Sensei believes Akari-chan did it for a good purpose. Akari-chan doesn't prank like Karma-kun does." His face is covered with green stripes.

Isogai stands. "Korosensei, you do realize... the main concern of the situation is not why Akari did it. It is about the possibility that she might get expelled for it?"

Korosensei's face instantly pales. He flusters. "E-Expelled?!" His tentacles fling in the air frantically. "Sensei can't let Akari-chan expelled! Sensei wants to see everyone in 3E graduate!"

"Now he realizes the gravity of the situation...." comments someone.

"What should we do?!" Korosensei asks. Panic is written over his face.

"You're the adult here! You're supposed to have better ideas than us!"

"Everyone," Karasuma-sensei steps in, rolling his eyes at the pandemonium. "We have a guest. It's the Chairman's son, Asano Gakushuu."

"THAT'S FAST!"

I collapse to the floor, rocking my body back and forth. "I'm doomed..." I weep.

"Nuuuuuyaaa! We have to... we have to hide Akari-chan!" Korosensei suggests. "We'll tell him Akari-chan never existed in this class!"

Karma snickers. He looks at me then at Korosensei. "Shouldn't you be more concerned of yourself, Korosensei? After all, you are a national secret."

The class stares at him. Pointing fingers, they shout. "You should be the one hiding as well! You can't let anyone find out of your existence!"

"Nuuuuyaaa! Sensei... Sensei will be going to China for a while! Sensei will be back when this is over!" A yellow flash flies out of the window and disappears.

You should have taken me with you, Korosensei~~

Karasuma-sensei sighs as chaos ensued in the class. "Someone please cover Ritsu with a cloth. Ritsu, stay offline for now. The others, blurt no word about that octopus." He looks at me. "Akari, divert Asano Gakushuu's attention. He's asking for you so you can use this as a chance to make sure he doesn't find out our secrets. And you can also hone your verbal skills. Do what you are best in. Please don't aggravate the situation and please don't be too reckless. We don't want him coming up here again."

So I have to face him because it's now my mission not to let him find out anything?

I stand, shoulders slumped. "I understand."

Karasuma-sensei adds. "And class, try not to kill him."

I look at Karma, who doesn't seem to like the idea of Asano coming up all the way just to find me. He is tensed up. I mouth the words 'I'll be fine' and he shrugs.

After a moment, Karasuma-sensei leads the strawberry-blond into the class. Everyone stays silent at their seats but anxiety and horror churn in their stomachs. Asano Gakushuu enters with pride like the first time I met him. I remember the sarcastic words he throws at me. It irks me to see his face again. But I have to hold back or else I'll really get kicked out for sure.

"What do you want?" Karma stands, glaring at him. "For such an important person to come all the way up to 3E, I commend you."

God, Karma, what are you doing? We are not here to intimidate him!

Asano smirks. Karma isn't afraid to intimidate anyone, even if he is Asano. After all, Karma is not the kind who would be afraid of authorities.

But I'm the one at stake here, not you!

"I'm here to see Okumura Akari-san. I have to discuss with her regarding about yesterday's incident. Apparently there's a possibility she has broken school rules so I'm here to prove herinnocence."

Do my ears fool me? Did he just say 'innocence' instead of 'guilty'?

Asano's mean and dull purple eyes scan the room until he finds me sitting next to Karma. His face lights up an evil smile. He walks toward me. I feel uneasy as anxiety surges within me. "Okumura-san, I believe the rumours swarming in the school are getting restless. They claim that I have been blackmailed by you. But I believe yesterday's just a friendly conversation. So I'm here today, hoping we can reach a mutual understanding and clarify things to the rest of the school."

Sugar-coating? Seriously? Why don't you just spit it directly in my face? I rather get stabbed by your verbal daggers than to crack my head and figure out your true intentions.

"Shall we take this conversation outside privately?" he asks and extends his hand.

Annoying jerk. Fake gentleman. If you're not the Chairman's son, I'd punch you.

I see Karma feeling uneasy than me. His feet shift in attempt to come closer, possibly to punch Asano in the face and to protect me from imminent terror. He glares at him with hostility. I understand the hints in his glare.

She's mine. Back off.

Karma is being possessive. Internally I want to shriek for no apparent reasons but I keep my composure.

Asano's eyes fixate on me. But then they shift to the right, staring curiously at something on my left. It is a large rectangular box covered in a dusty cloth the class rummaged.

Ritsu.

Oh crap no.

Asano's eyebrows rose curiously. "What is that?"

His question is left unanswered as I take his hand and drag him along with me out of the classroom.

"We'll talk OUTSIDE!" I shout. He cannot find out about Ritsu.

When we are outside, where everyone else can see us through the windows, I let go of his hand. I regain my composure, trying to conceal the anxiety on my face. Asano stares at me blankly, as if he wants to ask something. But I immediately initiate the conversation.

"So what do you want to discuss about?" I ask.

Asano tidies his messed-up hair. "About yesterday's incident, I want to propose you a deal."

That escalated quickly.

"What deal?"

"You do realize the rumours are saying that since you blackmailed me, there's a chance you might be expelled for it, yes?"

Oh the horror. He predicted the panic my class is having.

"Yes, I am aware of that." Not really. "So about this deal thing, it has something to do with me not getting expelled?"

"Of course. Your class's reputation has never been delightful to ears. Making it worse would be a girl from 3E blackmailed the Chairman's son and nearly assaulted him. I know you probably wouldn't care about reputation. But I doubt my father would be pleased to hear that his son was blackmailed by a girl, let alone she is from 3E."

Bringing your father out to intimidate me? That's very nice of you.

"I believe he will kill the rumours at its roots by expelling you as a necessity. After all, letting a 3E student doing as she pleases and blackmailing the top student in school contradicts his education system. 3E is supposed to be the inferior while 3A is the superior. Your actions reflect an indirect counterattack at him. I know him. He wouldn't let anyone cripple his education system. He'll make sure 3E remains at the bottom, striped of their rights as the oppressed."

Your way of speaking of my class infuriates me. But I must hold back, like Karasuma-sensei instructed.

"If you're here just to throw more dirt at my class you might as well leave," I say. Words are the only thing I can use to attack him. If not, my punch would be connected to his jaw.

Asano smirks. "I'm getting to the main point now. I'm here to fix your problems. I assume you like staying in this class and they like you back as well. So here's my offer. I'll make a clarification to my father, saying it was all a misunderstanding. There was no blackmail. Just some friendly talk. You asked for the library; I showed you there. That's all."

I raise my eyebrows. "Go on. What's in it for you?"

The smirk on his face irks me. "Of course." He steps closer to me. I want to back away but stand unwavering. He is so close to me now that if I give him a punch in his face he wouldn't have time to dodge.

"My end of the bargain is that... you tell me the secrets of your class."

My eyes widen in surprise. Oh hell no.

How did he figure out our class is hiding something? Well, he is the Chairman's son. Cunning and evil. But if he is using it as a deal that means possibly he hasn't found out everything. Like a certain yellow octopus.

"Secrets?" I make it sound nonchalant.

"Yes. I've been hearing urban legends of a weirdly large yellow creature wandering around in town and I believe it is related to this class."

You believe? So it means you are not 100% sure?

I smirk. I can use this as an advantage.

But the fact that our Korosensei has become an urban legend and Asano knows about it isn't going to please Karasuma-sensei. I bet he'll be pissed off at Korosensei for being careless.

"Fine. I'll take the deal. Clarify things and make sure I don't get expelled," I say.

As if he has won, Asano wears a triumphant smile. "I keep my end of the bargain; now it's your turn."

Step one: denial and deception.

I take a step forward, close enough to feel his breath on my face. Gently, I whisper. "Our class's secret is... there is no secret at all."

I see his body tensed up. He takes a step back, glaring at me. "What does that supposed to mean?"

I feign innocence. "Look around you." I spread my arms. "This place is a run-down. It's obvious that we can't be hiding anything. Let alone an urban legend? Legends are legends. They are not real. They are fragments of the fictional created as a ruse to fool innocent folks. I thought since you're the top of the school, you should have understood such a simple fact. I can't believe you were so easily fooled. I pity you."

He grits his teeth. Anger seething, he clenches his fists. "Are you trying to deceive me?"

I laugh. "I'm telling the truth. Even if the so-called creature existed, you'd really think something like that would be dumb enough to hide here in plain sight? Get real. Snap out of your fantasies."

Step two: diversion.

I continue. "Or is the reason behind your desperation is to use it against your father?"

His eyes widen in surprise like he hasn't expected that. That emotion on his face proves I'm right. His father obviously didn't tell his precious son everything.

"After all, you are your father's son. I've seen how tyrannical and cruel he is. It's no surprise if some of those domination genes got into you. And since you already dominated the academics in this school, it's time to scale a higher mountain-your father. Correct me if I'm wrong."

He doesn't.

"I bet you want to dominate your father just as how he dominates you. You want to turn the tables. I don't know what kind of childhood you have but right now, using cheap tricks seems uncool. Using me as your stepping stone is a big mistake. Using my class is another big mistake. If you want to dominate your father, join the election. Become the Prime Minister. Then you'll be the most powerful man in Japan. That is a much more effective way."

Poisonous words are my arsenal.

"I pity you to be living under your father's shadows. Even though he is dominating, doesn't mean you have to be one. Maybe it's your character. I don't know."

Verbal assault is what I do best.

"But desperation makes people think your mentality is of a 5-year-old."

I'll pin you down before you even realize what is going on.

"Do me a favour. Stop being an idiot. If I were you, I'd stop killing myself with plans how to dominate my father."

He doesn't retort me. Either he is too angry to chain words together or I struck him at his core with too much truth.

"Since I told you our secret is having no secret at all, I hope you'll carry your end of the bargain and tell your father the 'truth' you wish to tell him."

Asano glares at me. "Since you kept your end, I'll keep mine. Rest assured." As if he has discovered my weakness, he smirks. "You are one interesting girl, aren't you?"

What does that supposed to mean you jerk? Do you want me to smack that damn smirk off your face and you go crying to your father? You're hungry for some kicking, huh?!

That... is me on the inside. Outside, I barely move and return his glare with a sarcastic smile. "Well then. I believe that is not much to continue our conversation. Your exit is down the hill. Good day." I turn around, but stop to throw him more sarcasm. "Oh yeah. Don't ever come back. We wouldn't want your superior shoes to get dirty and our idiocy to infect you and ruin your bright future."

When I return to the class, everyone stare at me with gaping mouths.

"Akari... you're..."

"YOU'RE SO COOL!" They gasp, taking me by surprise. They cheer and high-five each other. I look at them, bewildered.

"That's my disciple. Good go with the words. And you managed to divert his attention from our octopus," Karma praises, a triumphant smile on his face.

"How did you guys hear everything?" I ask.

Nagisa shows me his phone. "Ritsu broadcasted the whole thing live from your phone."

"We watched from the windows. That Asano's look was priceless!" Maehara says.

Isogai sighs. "Akari is probably the only one in class so good with words. Nice job."

"You made him speechless!" Rio gives me a thumbs-up.

"Definitely Akabane's long lost twin," Terasaka comments. "Or even worse."

"At least she doesn't pull pranks like he does," adds Mimura.

"You two are just so perfect with each other..." Okajima trails off. "Wait... wouldn't that be horrifying?"

Karma smirks. "Aww... someone finally acknowledge us as a couple."

I roll my eyes. I notice Isogai biting his lips, feeling uneasy.

Oh Isogai...

*****

After that, I didn't hear any news of expelling me. Looks like Asano kept his promise. But I still want to punch him in the face.

The entire class puts extra effort in studying because neither of us wanted to lose to 3A. Besides, Korosensei has given us another valid reason to do our best-a very special deal for 3A when they lose. On the plus side, those who score the highest get to destroy one of Korosensei's tentacles for the next assassination. Such a tempting deal has motivated the class to go beyond their limits.

Since we are aiming for the highest number of students from each class scoring the best for each subject, our high hopes are on Isogai for Social Studies, Rio for English, Manami for Science, Kanzaki for Japanese and Karma for Math. As long as we can score 3 out 5, we win.

Though, I am not sure about Karma in this. He is smart, especially in Math, but he isn't putting much effort in it. Judging from his looks, he is being arrogant again, thinking he doesn't need to work hard to score. Sometimes I just wish he would receive a lesson for such thoughts.

When the exams ended and the results are out, I am nervous. I panic on the way to class. I had insomnia the night before. Now, sitting in class, my fingers tremble.

Korosensei dramatically reveal our results to us. And it is good news to us.

Congratulations to Isogai, Manami and Rio for getting first for the whole grade in Social Studies, Science, and English!

Thus, this means our wager against 3A wins. We get to ask them for the one special thing they can never refuse-3 days 2 nights trip to Okinawa Resort Island! An island trip with the class is going to be something awesome and exciting. Everyone is happy for it.

Except a certain redhead.

Through the windows I see his fiery redhead under a tree, accompanied by a very annoying octopus. From afar Korosensei's face is apparent with green stripes. He is mocking Karma with the peculiar smug on his face.

Karma must be pretty upset, considering he didn't score the best for Math. But I have to admit, he asked for it. He should have stopped fooling around. He should have kept his arrogance. I told him once but he failed to listen. So this is the sour fruit Karma tastes.

I approach him. He is walking towards the shed after Korosensei mocked him for his own good. When he notices me, he stops dead in his tracks, turning his head the other way. I adjust my body just to see his face. But he keeps on avoiding my gaze. Fed up, I clamp his cheeks and force him to look at me. His face is extremely red; blushing from the embarrassment Korosensei gave him.

Even though he deserved it, I want to cheer him up and divert his attention. I want him to retort me and tease me back because that's Karma. I want to see that smirk on his face as he annoys me to no end.

"Aww... you're blushing," I tease. I give him my version of his signature smirk.

His blush deepens. I feel the warmth from his cheeks surging into my hands. "S-shut up!"

So this is how it feels to tease Karma. Nice. It's like our roles inverted. Usually he'll be the one teasing and I'll be the one yelling him to shut up.

I giggle. "Looks like our dear Karma has fallen off ranks, hasn't he?"

He grits his teeth. His face is as red as his hair.

Blushing Karma is so cute.

"This ought to teach you a lesson," I say. He remains silent, averting his eyes from my gaze. Usually, if someone teases him when he is in a bad mood, he'll snap. But I don't care if he'll snap at me.

Besides, I think the odds are he is embarrassed to face me rather than getting mad.

"Shut up..." he mutters. He lost his bravado. "Just... leave me alone."

"If I leave you alone, you'll be in such a bad mood. I want to cheer you up."

Yes, I want to see that playful smirk of his.

His eyes widen. Then somehow, his cheeks sear my hands. I let go, observing his amusing emotions unfold because it is rare to see him blush furiously. His blush obviously is redder than before. I wonder how red it can go.

"I'm like coaxing a big baby," I comment.

"I'm... not a big baby." He pouts. Cute.

"Your face is as red as your hair. You look like a tomato. Maybe I can call you 'Aka-chan'. Considering how red your face is, pouting like a baby plus your name is Akabane. Aka-chan fits soooo well."

He bites his lips. "Annoying."

"This is how I feel when you do the same. Now get a taste of it," I reply with sarcasm. "Do you want me to dowse your cheeks with lots of water, Aka-chan? It's so hot right now. Your fuming cheeks make it worse."

He lowers his head. "I know arrogance got the better of me. Stop rubbing it in my face."

I sigh. "It's just one failure. The awesome Akabane Karma can't be crippled by just one failure. Get up. Learn your lesson. Stop moping. You can do better next time. I know you can." I lower my body to meet with his lowered face. "I got you. Don't worry. No matter how many times you fail, I got you. I'll kick your ass and get you moving before you know it."

I grin. He stares at me blankly. "Idiot."

"You finally admitted you're one? Thank god." I smirk.

"I'm... talking about you."

"Yeah, the blush on your face is very convincing."

He sighs. "You're gonna use this against me forever?"

I nod. "Yes. The next time you act cocky again, I'll remind you of this extreme blushing incident." I fish out my phone and take a picture of his blushing face.

"Forever... So does this means you're gonna stay with me forever?"

I am absorbed into the photo of his cute blushing face. "Yes."

He smirks. "Well, if failing this exam means getting you to stay with me forever, it ain't that bad."

Then it dawns on me.

Oh crap.

I fell into a trap again.

"W-what forever?! I didn't say I'm g-gonna stay with you f-forever!" I retort, realizing my mistake.

"You just did. Don't try to deny it."

"Did not!"

He smiles. Leaning his forehead against mine, he whispers. "Thanks for cheering me up. I promise not to get too arrogant anymore."

God. It is my turn to blush. I nod. "Y-you better keep it."

"No worries. I won't end up as your personal maid."

"Shut up..."

"Aww.... Ain't you cute, Aka-chan?"

"Shut up, Karma!"

He laughs. The nicest melody to my ears.

*****

Here's blushing Karma!!!!!!!

Akari: My cute Karma~

Karma: S-shut up! J-just spam or vote or do whatever you want.... Thanks for supporting and reading. Please i-ignore my face on the c-cover.

Akari: Aww ain't you cute~

As Karma has just spoken, thank you so muuuuuuuuuuuuch~