Akari

Summer vacation started a week ago. The weather is hot and scorching. I often stay in my cool apartment because the heat is unbearable. Sometimes I would study or read books or do whatever I wanted. But I am actually getting bored without my friends' company.

And I haven't settled the problem with Isogai because I thought maybe I can postpone till after summer? When the assassination is done? I'm giving myself countless of excuses not to tell Isogai the truth because I don't want to hurt him. I'm an idiot. I need to do it quick. I can't make him wait. But I can't let him get hurt.

Internal conflicts are my issues now.

And also... I'm starting to miss someone.

"Why am I missing that annoying redhead?" I moan as I bury my face into the pillow. "GAAAH!"

Ok, so I haven't seen him a week. So what? I'm just lonely, that's all! I can't let him know that I miss him or he'll cling to me forever! My face will blush till it explodes for sure!

My phone rings. An incoming message. I open it and choked.

'Akari-chan, I'm coming over with some dinner. And I'll be studying there. See ya~~ Karma.'

That annoying redhead! It's like he has sensed my dilemma and comes to tease me about it.

I. Am. Not. Opening. The. Door. For. Him.

The doorbell rings a few moments later. I peek through the hole. Guess who it is?

"Akari-chan, open the door~~" Karma says in a chirpy voice. He sounds excited to see me. I'm not.

"Akari-chan~~" Karma's voice penetrates my apartment and my skull. Goosebumps pop up on my arms.

Ok... maybe a little.

My rationality gives in to my heart's unearthly desires. I open the door, giving him a detesting glare. "What?"

"Long time no see, Akari-chan," he says with a smug. He must be bored for not calling that name for some time. "I know you miss me. So I came."

Yeah, like you're some clairvoyant.

"Am not."

He smirks. "Really? Too bad." He strides in with pride, closing the door with one foot, and closes in on me. Strong arms shove me to the wall. We're so close I can hear his rhythmic breathing. Then, he leans his forehead on mine, noses nearly touching. "I miss you, you know? And your cute blushing face. Oh, there it is."

Damn it! My 'cute' blushing face betrays me!

"Akari-chan, ain't that cute," he whispers. "So you did miss me."

"J-just because I'm b-blushing doesn't mean a-anything!" Stop stuttering, you idiot! You're giving him the satisfaction!

He chuckles. "Yeah. Keep on lying to yourself. I got more than enough proof. Jealousy is a very big element."

"S-shut up!"

Karma laughs. I haven't heard it for a while and realize with horror that I actually miss it. "Time to study!" He says and leaves me standing.

I haven't recovered. My heart is racing. The sight of his face gives me an indescribable joy.

Fine! I miss him! I'm happy that I finally get to see his cute face and hear his charming voice!

I pout. My stomach grumbles. It orders to be fed. "Where's dinner?"

He turns to me. Smirking, he replies, "Dinner? I'm here with dinner recipes in my head. I'm gonna cook here. Since you loved my cooking."

I narrow my eyes at him. He always has tricks under his sleeve. I'm a fool to always fall for it. "Don't mess up my kitchen."

"No worries. I'll make the best dinner you have ever eaten and you'll be begging for me to stay with you forever."

I grit my teeth and comment absentmindedly. "Clingy boyfriend." Then I clamp my mouth shut after registering the sensitive word and the disaster it has summon forth.

"What was that~" Karma asks in a chirpy voice again. He sounds content and pleased. He must have heard it.

"NOTHING! Now cook!"

D-did I just acknowledge him as my BOYFRIEND?!

Love really poisons my intelligence.

*****

This situation goes on for days until the island trip arrives. It has become an unspoken agreement among us and a habit for Karma coming to my apartment, cooking dinner and studying. I tried to kick him off when he was being too much but he was too strong for me to throw him off the balcony.

At least I get to see him. I slowly accepted the fact I miss him and yearn to see him. His presence gratifies me as I enjoy seeing him every day.

But this is just the prelude to imminent annoyance.

Karma has been telling hundreds of excuses to stay longer even when it is already late. For example:

"I'm tired. I'll stay for the night."

Or...

"It's too late for me to walk home alone. I don't want to get mugged on the way."

Or...

"Ah damn, my parents probably locked the door by now. I forgot my key. I'll just stay here for the night~"

Excuses excuses! Seriously, Karma, you really think I'd fall for petty tricks like that?

I swear he is probably making plans to dwell here permanently. He even packed his bag with clothes and toiletries. Maybe I should collect rental from him. But well, he's doing it just to stay with me longer. I do want to stay with him longer. I'm actually contradicting my thoughts by making excuses for him. Oh, love.

See, internal conflicts are my issues.

Karma cooks every night he is here. I need to restock my fridge with supplies just so he can cook sumptuous dinners to fill my insatiable hunger. Aside from cooking, he is more diligent in studying since that last defeat. Sometimes I would steal glances at him when he studies, watching the solemnity on his face as he ponders on questions or digesting the vast information from books. Occasionally he would catch me glancing and teases: "Aww, Akari-chan, I know I look handsome all the time. You can stare at me all you want. Don't be so furtive about it. Express your love openly~~"

Oh damn you, Akabane Karma.

And yeah, damn myself, Okumura Akari. Why do you keep staring at him?

I asked him once. "Since when you're so hardworking?"

"Because I didn't want to be embarrassed by that octopus again. Plus... you told me to. I'd listen to you. I don't want to disappoint you again." He replied.

"Aww... but I will miss that blushing face of yours."

"You know, if you miss my blushing face, you can do lots of stuff to make me blush. For example, a maid-"

"Shut up and study, you ass."

That's pretty much the conversation. He said he listens to me. Now I'm on cloud nine, gleefully grinning like a weirdo.

Snap out of it, Okumura! What is wrong with you? Romance is getting too much into my head.

But I confess. I like having him listening to me. After all...

I do like Karma.

*****

"I see it!" Kurahashi shouts gleefully. The sun shines brightly over her fair complexion. Her gleeful personality makes her shine brighter.

"We're here, the island!"

It takes us hours to reach the all-expenses-paid private island resort. The sun is scorching, but our passion burns stronger.

We can finally assassinate Korosensei here!

This is 3E's main objective. We've been preparing for the entire week just for this eventful day. Lovro has been personally giving us tips and training us with his invaluable expertise. To receive such a nice training experience from an expert in killing, we are blessed. With his experience and our adaptability, we might be able to pin Korosensei down for sure.

3E has been separated into different groups. Three groups led by Isogai, Terasaka and Kanzaki serve as distractions for Korosensei by sightseeing. The others with Hayami, Okajima and Karma as leaders are to carry out the assassination planning furtively. I'm assigned to be the coordinator. My job is to coordinate the progress among all three prep teams and report any needs or problems they face. My first team is Karma's underwater team.

"Why aren't you wearing a two-piece!" Rio screams when she sees me wearing a plain green shirt with brown shorts. She scowls at my poor fashion choice. The beautiful blonde dons a purple two-piece bikini, exposing her good figure.

I sigh in defeat. "I'm the coordinator. Why would I need a swimsuit?"

Her glare sends a cold chill down my spine. "We're at an island. With sandy beaches and the blue sea. And you're telling me you don't associate skin-ship with these?"

"No."

She tugs at my shirt, threatening to rip it off. "Put on a swimsuit or else I'll make you go naked."

"NO!"

"Come on! Show me some skin!"

"You perverted blonde! I'm telling Megu!"

"She's not here~~ And besides, I bet Karma wants to see some too!"

"What does he has to do with this!"

"I WANT SKIN!"

"STOP TOUCHING ME YOU PERV!"

Kaede watches with exasperation as we are thrown into a futile struggle. "You know... the guys could hear you, right?"

*****

Rio gave up on me because I managed to grab a pair scissors hovering over her pretty hair. She treasures her hair more than my skin-ship.

The boys look at us with weird emotions on their faces. Sugino has a red hue on his cheeks. Nagisa sighs in defeat. Karma is... well, he isn't looking at me in the eye. Instead, his head tilts to a side, pink roses blossom on his face. I have a hunch they overheard me and Rio's loud awkward bickering.

"Let's get started!" I shout, changing the atmosphere. They nod sheepishly. Sunlight bounces off their half-naked bodies. They don't bother me much.

Except Karma.

My gaze rests on his too long once more. His sharp intuition catches me and gives me a victorious smirk. He is itching to tease me but he knows now isn't the right moment. Now is business time.

Nagisa, Sugino, Karma and Rio are assigned to check the underwater situation for any anomalies. Kaede serves as a lookout. I'm to coordinate the commands and needs between the three teams to make sure our plan will work flawlessly. I have to report to Megu later. After 10 minutes of scuba-diving, Nagisa gives me thumbs-up while still submerged under water. It means for now the underwater part has no problems. They will make adjustments later but I have to move to Hayami's group. By now, they are probably hiking the mountain for a perfect sniping spot.

I take off, waving goodbye at Kaede. Isogai's team is still in charge of distracting Korosensei as they fly throughout the sky with gliders. One of them acts abnormally by making impossible sharp turns and moving in high speed so I guess that is Korosensei. As usual, a show-off octopus.

The hike towards the designated spot Ritsu just pinpointed in my mobile phone takes me 20 minutes. The scorching sun barely penetrated through the thick canopies so it is a blessing not to get sunburn. Everything around me is lush tropical trees, some blooming with colourful flowers while some bear delicious edible fruits. Birds sing occasionally in a harmonious melody. The forest reminds me of the hill where our class is situated. I just hope I don't get the pleasure of meeting any undesirable animals-snakes.

"She's here," I hear Takebayashi's voice. My heavy footsteps crushing the dead leaves on the ground alarmed them. Takebayashi looks at me, pushing up his glasses with a finger. "You are punctual."

I pant, greedily gasp for air. I didn't make too long stops on the way here. "How's everything?"

Sugaya perches on a nearby tree branch. "Looks like Korosensei is stuck with Group 3 now. They are touring the deep sea caves. We'll take our time." He turns to me. "So far, no problems here. We'll set up once Hayami and Chiba give the orders."

I look deeper into the forest, where Hayami and Chiba are wordlessly checking the perimeter. Chiba waves at me when he notices me. Hayami is engrossed in her work that she doesn't realize my presence.

I watch them silently, in awe with their solemnity. "Professionals." I mutter. Sugaya nods in agreement.

Hayami finally notices me as her eyes widen in surprise. "Sorry. I didn't see you there."

I wave in dismissal. "I didn't want to disturb you."

She lowers her head, looking at her shirt which is drenched with sweat. She sniffs and her face slight twists with disgust. The changes of emotions on her face are minimal as she wears a cool impassive mask. "These clothes are drenched with sweat. I'll change it."

The boys nod, heads bobbing. I sigh. Taking the large cloth Sugaya handed me, I shoo the boys away. I tie the cloth between two trees, which is just enough to cover the gap between them. It would serve as a makeshift changing room. Hayami changes behind the cloth while I lookout for any perverted boys as I lean against a tree.

"Akari-san," Hayami starts. But she pauses.

"You're done?" I ask.

"No. I just wanted to kill the silence." I can hear tautness in her voice, as if she is about to ask something that goes against her principles. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

Her feet fidget as they make crunching noises on the ground carpeted by dead leaves. "I want to enquire about your relationship with Karma."

I cough. That caught me off guard.

"It's not like I'm asking about the romantic stuff." Her voice is squeaky this time. She sounds bashful.

I sigh. "Go on." Romance is the main object between me and Karma. It must be obvious now. If she is not asking about it, I wonder what else intrigues her.

"Umm... are you two really friends or just more than that? I'm just curious. I don't mean to pry." She hangs her red spaghetti-strap blouse onto a branch nearby.

"If you're just curious about the romance thing, you can just say it. You don't have to be so shy," I say as I ponder on the accurate word to describe her. "You're a tsundere, aren't you?"

"No!" she exclaims loudly. "Of course not!"

A tsundere.

More people are realizing the chemistry between me and Karma is not something platonic. The chemical reaction between us reacts vigorously, as if Manami is behind it and doing her magic. I scratch my head. "Well..."

"You... you like him?"

I nod. "Y-yeah."

Her face pops up from behind the cloth, face blushing and eyes sparkling with intrigue. Realizing the emotions on her face contradicts her cool character, she immediately hides and returns nicely dressed, sternness on her face. The blush on face disappears and the gleaming intrigue in her eyes is concealed.

"You don't have to conceal yourself, Hayami-san," I comment. "It's ok if you're interested in love."

Her eyes widen in surprise, not expecting I would discover her hidden shy personality. She lowers her head. "I am not." Her voice sounds unconvincing. Hayami fiddles with her fingers. "You two... you two look good with each other. Can you tell me more about you and him later?"

I blink. "Sure. Well, there's not much to tell anyway."

She gives the smallest of smiles and nods. "And also, 'Hayami-san' sounds distant."

"So you want a cuter nickname?"

She blushes. "No. It's not like I care if it's cute. 'Hayami-san' is too formal."

Yup, you do care. And you are such an adorable tsundere.

I tap my chin. "Then I'll call you 'Rin-chan'!"

She looks genuinely startled. Her mouth opens to form an objection.

Sugaya's voice rings in the forest. "Ooi! Are you guys done?"

"Yeah!" I shout back. I untie the cloth from the trees and gather Hayami's sweaty clothes for further use.

" 'Rin-chan'... sounds cute," Hayami-Rinka finally agrees in a tiny, bashful voice.

I smile. Definitely a tsundere.

*****

Sugaya says Megu is looking for me. So I start down the mountain before Rinka's team finish their job. I dial Megu's phone number. She picks up after the first tone.

"What's up?"

"How's your job?"

"I checked Rin-chan and Karma's teams. They're faring well. No problems so far. I'll go for Okajima's next."

"So Karma's team is free?"

"I think so?"

"Good."

I wait for her to continue, questions forming in my mind.

"Kanzaki's group's dolphin watching is due to end in 30 minutes. And Korosensei is swimming with the fishes. Literally. Why can't he just swim with them forever?"

"That's a nice pun but it's not hilarious enough. And?" I press on.

"Well... dinner is due at 6pm. Assassination starts at 7.30pm. There's one more hour till 6. So we need more distractions. I want you and Karma's team work something up in the next 30 minutes and I'll send Korosensei there."

"You're kidding me right?"

"I don't kid."

I reach where Karma's team is resting near the beach. Their gazes rest upon me as they hear my voice. Rio raises her eyebrows and mouths 'what is going on'. I shrug, unable to reply her. "What are we supposed to do with Korosensei? We can't let him go underwater!"

"Figure it out. You have two best brains in that team-you and that prankster. Korosensei will be there in 30." And she hangs up.

Sugino floats on the water. "What's up?" I explain thoroughly our dilemma and our new mission. Groans fill the air.

"And I thought I can try some of the pudding here." Kaede pouts.

Rio rolls her eyes. "We definitely can't let that octopus go underwater. Any suggestions?"

"I have an idea," Nagisa starts. "We're going to distract him, right? I believe gossip can do the magic."

"Gossip?" Sugino questions. "We're on an island. How can we find some juicy gossip for him?"

Karma abruptly erupts into laughter. We stare at him, urging him to voice out his ideas. Though I have qualms about it. "Korosensei's main subject of gossip is always about his students' romance. So we can play the roles of pretend boyfriend and girlfriend. Then Korosensei will definitely get sucked in."

Rio smirks. "Nice. But who will play those roles?" Her gaze rests on me. Her smirk becomes wider and gets more evil by the minute. I shudder.

As if on cue, Karma drapes his right arm over my shoulders and leans against me. "You're looking at the most potential candidates up for the job."

I gape. This is not happening. This is NOT happening. "We are not playing boyfriend and girlfriend!"

"You don't want to pretend? We can make it real too you know." He snickers.

DAMN IT!

My mind is a mess as the suggestion begins to cloud it with weird fantasies like holding hands and kissi-

"WE ARE NOT KISSING!" I object furiously. Kaede and Rio blush at my outburst.

"I never mentioned it. But since you reminded me of it, we can try it too~"

I push him off me. "No way am I going with this. NO WAY!"

"Aww... but I wanted to play pretend with you, Akari-chan." Karma grins. His teasing kicks up a notch. It annoys me even more. I glare at Nagisa, who started this mess. He sheepishly avoids my glare.

I weigh the sake of Earth and the sake of my insanity together. Obviously, Earth matters much more than my insanity and Karma knows I will place Earth before my own. That's probably one of the reasons why he made a bold suggestion. Another reason is that he wants to get close to me and make me admit I love him.

Karma's an open book as he can barely hide his hidden intentions from me. I know that dirty little prankster too well. Yet I still fall for his petty tricks. I begin to suspect if he and Megu cooperated in secret.

And yeah, another solid reason is that he wants to see my cute blushing face. Obviously.

Oh damn you, Akabane. I will find a way and get back at you for sure!

"FINE!" I shout. I point at Karma. "We will play pretend. But if you have any dirty tricks in mind, I'll kill you. NO KISSING."

"Aww... but that's the essence of this entire pretend ploy." Rio pouts, joining Karma's forces to gang up on me. I'm infuriated. Karma only smirks, letting his female blonde co-conspirator doing his job for him.

Why me?

But my inner self is actually shrieking with joy. I get to play pretend with him? This sounds awesome! Oh god what would happen? Will we actually k-kiss?

Hold up! I'm not supposed to give him any satisfaction!

But I like him. And it sounds nice to actually be his girlfriend even though it is just pretend.

I can't admit I like him. He's supposed to admit first!

Curse my internal dilemma.

*****

Karma

He has never expected something like this to come up. It is a lifetime opportunity.

Karma and Akari sit by a table under the red beach umbrella. They are close to each other, arms touching because they have to let Korosensei buy this scheme. Akari has her head lowered from the beginning. Karma imagines her face blushing and wishes to see how cute would it be.

His phone vibrates in his pocket; an indication that Korosensei has arrived and Nagisa and the others are luring him into their ploy.

Finally.

"Are you ready?" Karma asks. Akari slowly nods. He smirks. "Good."

Certain that Korosensei's gaze is on them because he can hear his voice shrieking in joy in the distant, Karma grabs Akari's hand. She stiffens. Her body tenses up.

Relax, he eyes her. She blushes fervently.

There it is. There is her cute blushing face.

Karma keeps his voice low and gentle. Korosensei could hear their conversation using his mobile phone, with Ritsu as the intermediate. "There's something I want to tell you."

Akari's eyes widen in surprise. She looks dazed, contemplating on the validity of the words he will spew.

"Be it the truth or a lie as you wished to believe, I will tell you. Because to me, it is the truth," Karma says. Akari senses the solemnity in his tone as she stares at him with anticipation.

He is not fooling around.

This won't just be a ploy anymore. He is serious about this. Karma means business. This ploy is just an excuse to tell her about his feelings.

He is going to confess.

And then get away with it by lying that it is all just a ruse to trick Korosensei.

Karma doesn't mean to perplex the girl. He really did want to confess to her, to tell her how much he loves her. But he has sworn that he won't make a formal confession until she does, so this ploy is a good excuse. Firstly, to witness the fazed emotion on her face and how cute it would be. Secondly, to release his emotions that have been caged up for too long he thought they might rot. Thirdly, to impel the dense girl forward to make her confession.

After the jealousy incident-and yes, he found out it was all a ruse and forced wasabi and chili down the foursome's throat-he is certain that Akari loves him. But it is the annoying foursome's accomplishment that caused the truth to finally dawn on him. He'd thank them but his only 'gratitude' for them would still be wasabi and chili.

Karma's true objective is to make her admit her love for him. So here they are now.

The redhead, despite being a reckless and ruthless prankish mastermind, he finds his feet sinking deep in the mud called 'love'. Love is something awkward and extremely bashful subject even for him. He now realizes despite his constant teasing and flirting, confession is on a whole new difficulty level. The first is like the pranks he always does-simple and effortless. It's the gentler way of intimidation; he just needed to modify his tone and words. The latter, well, it's like he is one of the warriors in the Roman ages being sent to a fight to the death at the Coliseum. A mistake could mean death as punishment-of course, death is just an implication of how serious he thinks the consequence would be for any minor flaw.

Or maybe it isn't just an example. Maybe I could really 'die' if I make a mistake in this.

Karma wants to laugh. This is the first time he felt so weak and vulnerable at something. He can't terminate the problem with brute or intimidation. His only option is to face it head on. It feels like he is being sent into war naked and unarmored. How will his trickster mind tackle this problem?

Karma takes in a vast amount of air, mustering enough courage to open his mouth. He has to muster even more strength to say the words. His face heats up and it is clear that he is blushing. His grip on her hand tightens.

There is nothing surrounding them. No spying Korosensei, no assassination... just him and her, on a sandy beach, alone.

"Akari, I... I love yo-"

"I love you, Karma!"

He couldn't comprehend at first, why that voice resembled hers so much. No wait, it is hers.

It is Akari's voice. It is her voice.

I love you, Karma!

Oh hell.

Did she just confess? Did my ears fool me?

His heart races in its ribcage, thrashing around like a wild horse needed to be freed. His face heats up as much as the day of his first defeat-no, it is definitely redder than that day. His blushing attains a whole new level, becoming flames that scorch his face.

Her confession actually made such intriguing reactions happening to him. An indescribable joy that cannot be refuted burns in his heart.

She loves me.

Karma is caught off guard. This unbelievably dense girl actually made her first move. He doesn't know how to react. Should he tell her he loves her too? Should he say 'yeah, I know'? He wants to tell her so badly now. Her face is also blushing fervently; his cutest thing on Earth. He wants to kiss her now. He wants to-

Akari leans in, and for a moment he thought she is about to kiss him. But her lips go the wrong direction as they station next to his ear. She whispers gently.

"I lied. Don't take it serious. It's just a ploy."

The reason she made up sounds so smoothly he barely recognizes her voice. Usually, this girl would be all stuttering and blushing and yelling him to shut up. But now, she is different. She is him in the past, when he told her he lied about wanting her to be his girlfriend. She is his doppelganger.

Karma's eyes widen in surprise. He tries to stifle his laughter at his idiocy. His blushing gets worse as her breath tickled his ear. Then it dawns on him.

I just got duped.

She has executed his plan perfectly, as if she has read his mind and decided to counterattack him using his own plan. Or it's just a coincidence for both of them to think of the similar plan at the same time. Her revenge to get back at him for everything he did really fooled him. What a perfect couple they would be! They are so similar as if they are really carved from the same mold.

She is definitely my soul mate.

Akari is the missing piece of his life. They could become the most feared and lovely couple everyone knows. But the fact that he got duped makes him acknowledge that this girl's force is not something to be reckoned with.

Oh the fun is just beginning, my love. I'll still have plenty of ways to make you admit for real. You got me this time. I'll get you the next. Just you wait.

Karma smiles-the sincerest one he had ever given anyone. The blush is still apparent on his face, he knows. Akari's pupils dilate in surprise, wondering why he isn't fazed by her attack. But the red hue always finds its way to her cheeks no matter how hard she tries to put on an impassive mask.

Whether it is the truth or a lie, those four words had him bewitched.

I love you, Karma!

"Yeah, I love you too, Akari."

This time, he means it from the depths of his heart.

*****

Akari

Take that, you annoying jerk trying to make me confess! This is what you get-

Hold up.

D-d-d-d-did he just said he loves me?

OH YOU HAD GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

Korosensei's squeal of joy is in the distance. I imagine his face turning into a big pink ball, his tentacles scribbling furiously onto his Students' Data Notebook, demanding 'I want more' and 'I want to see kissing'. Our pretend ploy works seamlessly.

But that's not the point anymore! The main concern is that Karma just confessed he loves me? After I told him I lied?

Is it the truth? Or is it some ruse to counterattack me instead? But I could hear sincerity in his tone. I could see the blushing on his face that didn't ebb. The playful gleam in his eyes has disappeared. There is no telltale mischievous smirk.

He means it. Every word.

My face fumes. It scorches. The flames of joy in my heart burn passionately, responding to his words.

I'm the one duping him, but why am I reacting in such peculiar way? My confession is a ruse, to get back at him for what he is dragging me into. I've just thought of it the moment we sat by the table. I wanted revenge so here it is. But why am I feeling restless just because of those words? I shouldn't feel this way.

Stop blushing you idiot! You're duping him! You're not convincing enough!

I admit: panic was churning in my stomach the moment I decided to execute my plan. It actually worked well in the beginning until he gave me that smile which lit up my heart. It was as if he had discovered the confession wasn't a ruse; it was the truth concealed under one.

No. It wasn't a ruse. A part of me meant it when I said those words.

Then came the shocking confession. But were the words he said the truth?

Yes you dummy. It's one hell of a truth.

I have known for some time that he likes me a lot. It's plain obvious in his actions. And he even made an informal confession before. Thus, I thought I am well prepared for any confession attack he throws at me. But I'm witnessing the defense around my heart cripples into dust with those mere words.

"Yeah, I love you too, Akari."

The creature in my ribcage pumps blood faster than usual. The entire situation is nerve-racking. I don't know how to respond. Should I continue my act? Or should I give in to him?

No, you idiot! Don't give in! Stay strong! You're supposed to make him admit first!

But he said he loves me! And it sounds so sweet and sincere!

It's a trap!

It doesn't look like one!

Someone kill me please.

I cover my blushing face with my hands. But Karma gently peels them off my face. He clamps my mouth with his right hand....

...and kisses right above my lips. If it weren't for his hand in the way, his lips would be touching mine.

It is a brief 2 seconds, but it feels like ages for me. Time stops flowing. The moment his lips touches, even indirectly, it sends jolts of electric pulses throughout my body. I paralyze. Stunned. Shocked. Happy. Gratified. Embarrassed...

I am out of words to describe my feelings now.

When he removes his hand, I gape and stare at him blankly because I don't know how to respond. My brain malfunctions. My face threatens to explode. I can hear Korosensei's squealing like some fangirl now, along with some loud gasps from the other audience.

Karma smiles triumphantly. He got me good. He got me damn good. I thought I'm the one pulling the strings but it turns out he has just regained control of the situation. He leans in and he is going to tease me like I just did. His mouth rests near my ear and whispers.

"I mean it. Every word. But I'm still waiting."

Translation: He really means all of it when he said those three nerve-racking words. But he is still waiting for my confession.

Karma stands and approaches the octopus, not waiting to see the emotions playing over my face. "Korosensei, it isn't nice to be eavesdropping!" he shouts.

"Nuya!" Korosensei gasps. "S-sensei isn't eavesdropping!"

"You're spoiling the mood~"

"Sensei is just concerned!"

I zone out their voices because all I can think of now is Karma. His confession. His indirect kiss.

In the end, I am the one duped.

In the end, I am the one falling deeper for him.

My brain spins. Butterflies flutter in my stomach. My heart thumps loudly. My breathing becomes heavy. My face burns.

"Korosensei, I need to kill you to keep our little secret~" says Karma. He flashes a dagger before the octopus.

"Nurufufufufu~ You really think your secret is a secret anymore? Finally some juicy gossip!" Korosensei dodges the dagger thrown at him. "I need to see more love! Show me more, Karma-kun!"

"I'll show you when you're dead."

I approach them. Sugino and Nagisa stay silent, staring at me with widened eyes. Rio and Kaede look at me with blushing faces, mouths gaping. I try to conceal mine but to no avail so I give up. Karma is silenced when he sees me.

"Korosensei, it ain't nice you know," I sniffle. "We wanted to keep our love a secret. Why do you have to poke your nose in it?" I squeeze tears from my eyes. "Love can't be showed off like a parade."

"Nuya! Don't cry, Akari-chan!" He flusters. As expected, he falls for it again. "Sensei promises not to tell anyone, ok?" He points at everyone else. "You guys can't tell anyone too!" They bob their heads up and down, trying hard to stifle their laughter.

I tap the watch on my wrist. "Time for dinner, sensei. We prepared it special on the boat for you."

Korosensei lights up a wide grin. "Sensei will enjoy it to my fullest. And... sensei will keep the secret for you. Just tell sensei some juicy gossip from time to time."

Yeah, if you lived through this.

And with a flash, he flies to the luxury boat parked near the jetty, where the others are waiting for him. We walk our way to the boat. Rio gives me a playful look and flashes a thumbs-up. Kaede smiles but her blush is still apparent. Nagisa and Sugino walk ahead to give me and Karma some space. Rio and Kaede do the same. They pick up their pace and Karma and I are left behind, strolling by the shoreline. The waves crash onto the sand. The setting sun paints the sky orange. We stay silent throughout the walk. I refuse to look at him; the blush has left some heat residue on my face. I feel his gaze penetrating my body. The silence is awkward and he is eager to initiate a conversation. He coughs but I continue to ignore him.

"Hey."

Ignoring you, Karma.

"Akari, I..."

Still ignoring you.

"I'm sorry."

I stop dead in my tracks. He stops next to me.

"If you're angry for what I did and didn't want to talk to me, I'm sorry." Karma lowers his voice. It is gentle and kind.

I grit my teeth.

"Maybe I rushed things. I got sucked into this ploy as well."

My hands tremble.

"Akari, I-"

"You don't have to apologize," I speak. He remains silent. "It's just for the sake of the ploy."

His eyes widen in surprise. His mouth opens to retort but I cut him.

"But err..." I fidget. Words come out from my mouth before I know it. "I expect it to be more than just some indirect kiss next time."

Karma paralyzes, not expecting those words. He's not the only one.

What the hell am I trying to imply? Am I implying I want a real kiss next time? Why is there even a next time? God, shut up if you don't know the words to respond, Akari!

The Karma I'm familiar with returns. "You'll get a real kiss when I get your confession. I think I can make at least 20 hits."

Stubborn oaf. Why do you keep clinging to my confession?

Oh wait.

"I-I don't want a real kiss by then! A-as if it'll e-ever happen!" I retort loudly.

"So you want a real kiss now?"

"No!" I flail my arms in the air. He laughs.

Okay...

Maybe a little?

*****

And here's chapter 18!!!!

When I finish this chapter, I then realize part of the canon storyline is wrong. 3E is not separated into prep teams and distraction teams. There are fewer teams than I mentioned in the story. One team distracts and the others do the preps. And they circulate the distraction job among the teams, buying time for each team to finish their preps.... But I can't rewrite the whole chapter... and the part of the romantic ploy is such a good idea..... So heads up, guys. Sorry for the mistake.

So far I have no good ideas of implying romance to Asano and Akari. Akari still hates him a lot. Love-square progress? Not certain. Wait till I finish this Island Arc first. It'll probably take a few chapters.

The next chapter will be delayed because I'm busy next week~

Akari: So please wait patiently!!!

Karma:.... why am I not the cover for this chapter? I'm the star here....

Akari: Don't get jealous of Rin-chan, Aka-chan~

Karma: Oh shut up. Thanks for shipping me and my Aka-chan~

Akari: S-shut up!

Karma: Aww there's your cute blushing face~