Akari

It is all a blur to me.

Fragments of my memories will find it hard to string together with some pieces of the puzzle missing. But I would remember the pressure on my lips, moist and tastes like strawberry. I feel Asano's hand tickling as it wraps around my waist, grasping me tight to prevent my struggle. His other hand drops from my chin to my nape and cups the back of my head while thrusting me gently to the wall, locking me within his arms. My face, fumes with red embarrassment and rage, eyes glaring at him, the time flow ever so slowly even if it is just minutes. My heart races and threatens to explode.

No no no no no.

I struggle to break free but my energy bar empty. Asano is like a vampire, draining my energy from the kiss. I want to think of countermeasures to untangle myself from this unruly mess. But my mind, an uncontrollable beast, thinks of Karma instead.

If Karma knows, he'll hate me. He'll leave me.

Karma...

Karma, where are you?

Asano pushes me to the brink by pressing on with the kiss, his tongue licking my lips to grant permission to enter. But that is when I finally break into a rampage.

My energy abruptly returns and I stomp Asano's feet. He jerks away from me and I grab his tie to pull him into range of my punch. My fist of fury smashes into his distasteful jaw and as I raise my other fist aloft to pummel it into Asano's face he stops it mid-air. We remain a standstill; I glare furiously while the heat on my cheeks makes me giddy; Asano wipes the smudge of blood from his mouth and returns a smile—the smile of victory accomplished by his evil ways.

"Do you enjoy it?" Asano speaks up in a satisfied yet contemptuous tone. "I surely did." He smirks victoriously to show me how easily he can defeat me without even lifting a finger.

They are words of contempt, the speech of the victor. It is poisonous enough to make tears flow from my eyes. Kisses are meant to show affections, but his is disgusting and defiling. It hurts as bad as when Takaoka hit me—by then I didn't even cry. Asano, a devil, showed me how weak I am. I am disgraced to let him triumph over me with that cheap trick. A shellacking at the hands of an even better player at the field of deception and tricks makes me realize how naïve of me to think that I can beat him again.

I cannot breathe. The air is suffocating. Karma was right all along. I should have listened to him. I should have. It's feels like I betrayed my love for Karma by letting Asano kiss me. I can't face him anymore.

The tears sting my eyes when I also realize that was my first kiss. I won't make a big deal out of it but...

... I wanted to give it to Karma. Just him.

Tears continue to flow. I yank my hand free. "I hate you." I hiss at Asano and run off.

*****

When I stop running, I find myself in the neighbourhood I live. My legs have brought me to Karma's house, where its dweller probably suffering from a panic attack due to my long absence. I stare at the gate while tears pour down. I want to stop crying but I couldn't. The kiss, my defeat, my naivety, Asano's contemptuous look are experiences of pain that hurt so badly I want to bury myself in the dirt.

I need Karma. But I can't face him. I imagine his look of disappointment when he finds out how idiotic I am. I slide down the wall that surrounds Karma's house and hug my knees. I bury into my knees and cry, until those tears are willing to stop.

Will Karma hate me for this? Will he leave me because of my stupidity and naivety? Unanswered questions make the tears flow heavily without any signs of stopping.

Rushed footsteps nearby scrape the ground noisily. The gate is rudely flung open where its hinges creak in pain. The footsteps approach me and by instinct I know who it is.

Don't look up, Akari. Don't.

But I still do.

I see his burning crown, the ever so pleasant image calming my nerves. Karma's face a state of panic, heavy breathing indicates he has been flustering. His mercury-gold orbs gawk with concern. His presence, I realize, is something I yearn so much to have right now. I don't want to tell him what happened. But my tears have already given me away. My mouth blurts out the words I forbid. "Karma... Asano... Asano... forced his kiss on me... He... he stole my first kiss... I meant it for you..."

The expression on his face is unfathomable. I expect it to be disgust, disappointment, hatred, anger but it is neither. Instead, he kneels down before me and pulls me into an embrace. Gently, he caresses my hair and tightens his arms around me. His sweet alluring scent soothes me and his warmth comforts me. I clutch his shirt, holding back my tears but to no avail. Unendingly they pour like there is an unlimited supply of tears from my tear ducts.

I finally realize they are tears of joy to be able to see him again, to be in his arms, to feel safe from the dangers lurking around because I know he will protect me.

*****

Karma places the cup of hot chocolate before me. My hands tentatively reach for the cup, the heat of the freshly made drink sears my fingers. Sip by sip I drink, letting its warmth to heal me. Karma silently watches me as he sits next to me.

"You want anything else?" he asks when I finish. I shake my head but my stomach protests with growling. He sighs and rises from his seat, goes to the kitchen after patting my head. Minutes later he whips up a bowl of ramen. Its fragrance makes me realize how hungry I am. I gobble it up.

"You wanna talk about it?" He says.

Should I tell him the whole thing? What if he'll leave me? What if he hates me? Or maybe he won't. But telling him the truth will irk him. Karma will ensure retribution falls upon Asano, just like his name 'karma'. Then he might get expelled for it. No. I can't let this happen. I will have to lie to him. I need to swallow all of my feelings and let myself suffer the depression alone. It takes time for me to get over it, but it is the best way to ensure this ginger idiot doesn't get into trouble.

For Karma's sake, I will bottle up my feelings and fight depression on my own.

I look at him and only smile. "I'm fine. I just got humiliated. It was my mistake to underestimate him. I admit I am defeated." I laugh, but it comes out as a croak. The defeat is more than just a mistake. It hurts so badly. It causes the emotions within me turmoil.

"You were crying," Karma states flatly. It is obvious he is outraged because there is no way he would be calm after seeing me cry.

"I'm just upset I was defeated, that's all."

"So you're crying because he defeated you? Do you really expect me to take that as the reason?" Karma presses on relentlessly.

I avert my eyes from him.

He scowls. "He didn't just defeat you. You were upset he stole your first kiss from you. And you didn't know how to explain to me because you thought I might hate you for it. You were so worried that I might leave you that you cried. In conclusion, he made you feel guilty for something that was never your mistake."

Karma has read my mind. Emotions that I try to conceal are crystal clear to him. He knows me too well that I suddenly wish he doesn't.

"Karma," I start. "I'm fine." He frowns. "I'm sleepy now." I find excuses to elude this topic. "I'll head to bed. Night, Karma."

He doesn't reply. After a while he does. "...Night."

I reach my room and realize how drained I am, physically and mentally. I feel like bawling again because I am not honest of my feelings to Karma. Maybe if I told him everything I will be better. But I doubt it. I don't want Karma to know how depressed I am. Depression is infectious. If I'm upset, he'll be.

I sit by the bed for some time, contemplating on how I am going to face him tomorrow. Will I continue be myself after a good night's sleep? Or will I conceal myself behind a cheerful mask, pretending everything is ok? Clearly Asano has deeply scarred me. If I don't get over this depression, how am I going to face Karma when everything coming out my mouth could be lies so that he doesn't have to be worried about me?

I hate you, Asano, for doing this to me. For causing me unable to face Karma. For forcing me to tell lies. Whatever his revenge plan is—to get between me and Karma, he has succeeded. Congratulations. I hate you for the rest of your life.

The main concern now is that will Karma and I be just as the same if I will be lying to him from now on?

I don't want to lie. But I don't want him to worry. Who knows what that knucklehead can do if he finds out.

I clean myself and prepare to sleep. I cover myself with a blanket and bury my face into the pillow to cut off the problems I have. But my mind becomes hyperactive as the questions continue to plague me.

The door clicks open. It is definitely Karma. I pretend I'm sleeping so that he doesn't become suspicious. I keep my breathing steady and my eyelids shut.

Please leave, Karma. Please.

"I know you're not asleep."

His voice sends chills down my spine as I realize I can't hide anything from him. My eyes remain closed to continue my act. Suddenly he shoves my body to the inner part of the bed near the wall and squeezes himself onto it which barely fits two. My eyes jolt open at his actions and I meet his mercury-gold eyes silently staring. He moves his body closer to me and I retreat but my back touches the wall. There is no escaping.

I stare, realizing the heat on my face burns. He continues staring, inching his head closer to mine, foreheads touching. The heat from his breathing tickles my face.

"Why won't you tell me the truth?" he asks gently. I remain silent. He sighs. "You didn't want me to worry?" A smirk plays across his face. "Fine. Then I will use measures to make you tell me."

Measures?

His arms wrap around my waist and hold me tight to his body. I blush furiously. "K-karma!" My legs kick his legs but they don't do much harm.

"Tell me." His face is so close to mine he can kiss me and I would have nowhere to run.

"N-no!" I croak. His arms tighten their grip on me.

"So does this mean I will have to take extreme measures instead?"

Extreme?!

Karma smirks. Judging from that smirk it isn't something good. I need to escape.

But Karma is faster. Immediately his lips become closer to mine and he pecks them.

A second. My heart stops beating that second. I stop breathing that second. That second stretches longer than I have ever known. On contact, my face explodes from excessive blushing to its limit. A warm giddiness fills my chest; a sweet and tempting taste, addictive yet irresistible.

When his lips leave mine, I realize I want more. I am dumbfounded by his erratic actions. I am more puzzled by my peculiar behaviour. I am falling deeper into his trap even though I'm determined. I should stand firmly to my beliefs but that moment of contact cripples my entire brain system. My brain malfunctions. I don't want to lie to him anymore. I just want him.

"Does this assure you that I won't be leaving you even if Asano stands between us? He can play all his tricks but there is no way he will make me leave you. You're an idiot. A naïve yet stupid idiot. But you're cute. And you're mine. You're my idiot so I will protect you forever. If you try to push me away I'll still find ways to get you back to me," he says and stares right into my eyes. His eyes sparkle like stars in the night. They do not gleam with spirit but they emanate a special charisma that sucks me deeper the longer I see them. They glitter beautifully, just as beautiful as he is. I dare to say his eyes are what make him beautiful. Mercuric gold suddenly becomes my second favourite colour, first being red.

I fussed too much that my brain malfunctioned. Why would I even suspect that Karma would leave me? How stupid I was.

"I won't leave you. Ever. I promise."

Those words resonate in my skull on cue. It is him. Karma said it.

I am such an idiot.

But I am his idiot.

"Your silence means I stand correct on my assumptions," Karma presses on. "Then you must be the universe's idiot to believe in such things. Asano must have gotten into your head."

I nod.

"I need you to promise me. If you cry, don't cry alone. I'll be there for you. I'll wait till you're willing to tell me the reasons. Look for me when you cry, okay? I want to be there when you cry so that I will be the one who brings back the smile on your face."

"Okay." I mutter. He smiles and presses his forehead against mine. "But..."

His eyes widen a fraction.

"You have to promise me you won't be looking for Asano for revenge. You won't kick his ass."

He stares sternly at me. The kindness on his face is replaced by solemnity. His eyes questions silently: why?

"Because I don't want you to get expelled."

He sighs. "Akari—"

"Promise me!" I shout. "Or I'll ignore you for the rest of your life!"

He is startled by my ultimatum. Clicking his tongue, he mutters unwillingly. "Fine."

"PROMISE!"

"I promise!"

"No wasabi tricks. No kicking his ass physically."

"...fine."

I glare. "Keep it or I'll leave."

He sighs in defeat.

You better be. I must have spoiled his revenge plans which definitely include an intense amount of wasabi but I can't let him get expelled for it. I am too hungry for revenge but Karma is much more important than some stupid revenge.

I must really love Karma to do this.

Who cares about Asano and his vengeance? He can throw as many of his cheap tricks to tear us apart. He can play all his cards to torment me and make me suffer. But Karma will be always there for me.

I realize something more important is at hand. I glare at Karma. "You can leave now." I push his chest away from me but he doesn't budge.

Karma chuckles at my futile attempt. "I decided to sleep here for the night." He hugs me tighter and rests his chin above my head. My furiously crimson face touches the nape of his neck. "Wow, this is comfy."

"Karma!"

He giggles. My head moves with rise and fall of his chest. "Good night Akari-chan."

"Get off!"

"Good night!"

I huff. "Possessive much."

Chuckling, he wiggles his body for his face to reach my eye-level. "Yes, I am the possessive redhead. And I have already marked you as mine with that kiss."

I refuse to look at him as it would only deteriorate the blushing. "That... that's not a kiss. That's a peck."

Karma raises his eyebrow, flabbergasted. "I seriously did not expect that you would complain. Oh well..." he moves his lips closer to mine. "So you want a kiss now like what Bitch-sensei taught?"

"Ye—Noooooo!" I clamp my traitorous mouth. Here commences my internal dilemma.

The corner of his mouth curves up with curiosity. "Yes or no?"

"No—Yes!"

What the hell is wrong with me? I bury my face into my palms.

Maybe I really want a kiss.

No you can't, Akari! You'll end up confessing to him! Boys supposed to make the move, not girls!

But I want to experiment it with Karma.

Oh what the heck am I thinking?! Why would I even want to experiment? Curse my curiosity and Karma's alluring peck!

Karma must be watching the emotions playing across my face too obviously because he tries to stifle laughter. Dilemmas are what I need least as they serve as top 2 of Karma's self-entertainment list, with wasabi-feeding as first. "Oh well here goes!" His lips station just before mine. Another subtle movement and they will connect.

"KARMA!" I shout. The blushing makes me giddy. I really have to think of countermeasures to make myself immune to his teases.

He laughs. "Just kidding. Still waiting for your confession." His arms wrap me tighter as he pulls me closer. His heart thunders and slowly calms down. My heart resonates with it. "Good night."

Unwillingly, I mutter as I rest my forehead against the nape of his neck. "Night. I hate you."

"I love you too, Akari."

*****

Day 6

My eyes jolt open when light pierces through my thin eyelids. The first image I perceive is the angelic face of a demon, sleeping peacefully, his crown of flames a mess. His breathing is even as he inhales and exhales steadily. Gently I trace my fingers over his strong jaw, feeling the smoothness of his flawless skin. My fingers tiptoe around his lips where I can feel pointy stubbles protruding. I want to caress his face with my palm but fear it would wake him. I like sleeping Karma because I can watch him as long as I want without him teasing. I have never seen this look before. He looks cute and vulnerable. I am tempted to kiss him.

Karma's eyes begin to move under his eyelids. I want to rise from the bed then I realize his arms latch around my waist.

This is such a compromising position it makes me blush.

Slowly he opens his eyelids to show the world the beauty of his mercuric golden eyes. Ok... maybe it's just me and not the world.

As a sharp perceptive devil his eyes scan the area around him before noticing me. When our eyes lock on, his first reaction isn't teasing but blushing shades of red. He is still unexpectedly shy like the time where we fell asleep on the 40th floor of the building with his hand held mine.

But Karma switches from shy mode to teasing mode in mere seconds. I begin to miss his scant blushing moments.

"Mornin' Akari-chan. You look beautiful." He grins mischievously.

"Get off," is my stern reply. "You had enough of hugging me last night."

He cocks his eyebrow. "Not quite."

"OFF KARMA!"

Laughing, he complies.

*****

"Why are we here?" I ask as I raise my eyebrow.

Karma pushes the shopping cart and stops next to me. "Because I need to replenish food supply to feed you."

I sigh. "There's another supermarket near your house. Why did we have to take the train for this one instead? That one is nearer and has everything you need."

Karma checks the cereal on the aisle. "I'd like a change of view."

Suspicious. He's hiding something for sure.

I walk to another aisle. I pick up some biscuits and snacks according to the shopping list. I strike out the chosen items and go for the next.

"Akari, you want fruits for dessert?" Karma calls as he examines the peaches neatly arranged at a corner. Stacked perfectly thanks to meticulous workers, Karma takes no time to dismantle the pyramid of peaches as he picks for perfect ones. He lifts one up in the air for me and smiles immediately when he sees the glitter of joy in my eyes.

Peaches! They'd taste so good! I will be drooling anytime soon so I should divert my attention from them.

I pick up more snacks because Karma has a penchant for nuts, crackers and chips. He finished them in one go when he was studying. He'd prefer crunchy peanuts and US made potato chips. His habit wore off on me a day after staying at his house because the snacks really tasted good. He surely has a good taste in food.

"Oranges?" He calls again and I nod.

I step into another aisle filled with noodles. Karma plans to cook me creamy carbonara seafood pasta for dinner tonight. I can barely wait. I choose a box of fusilli and a jar of white cheesy cream. But the jar of red-licious tomato sauce tempts me. I wonder if Karma can do both sauces at once.

"Hmm... where's the baking ingredients aisle?" says a gentle voice near me.

I heard that voice before. I look up and see the familiar short raven hair I'd seen in my class. Okano Hinata has a short statute which is easily recognizable especially with her tomboyish hair.

"Hinata?" I call. She stiffens as if she is a busted thief.

"A-Akari?" Looking surprised, she squeaks.

I blink. "You seem startled."

"Umm... well, I didn't expect to see you here..." Hinata blurts. Sheepishly she avoids eye contact and hides her basket behind her.

I cock an eyebrow. "You look suspicious."

"S-suspicious? No!" She denies furiously. "It's not like I'm buying stuff to bake something for Mae—" Then she clamps her mouth shut.

I stifle laughter. "You're baking something for Maehara? Why be so furtive about it?"

Red dyes her pretty face. "Am not! I didn't mention Maehara! I meant my mom!"

Maehara and 'my mom' don't even sound the same. I sigh and stare, forcing her to give up her futile attempts. She lowers her head in defeat. "Fine... It's for Maehara." I stare to press her on. Outraged, she huffs. "That stupid Maehara! He said he wanted to try some fruit cupcakes and asked me to make some for him! How dare him! He can just make some on his own!" I continue my staring. "He non-stop nagging me and I have no choice but to do it for him. He has so many girlfriends so why can't he ask them to do it? Why me?!"

I point at her basket filled with oranges, apples and grapes. "You still did it," I point out flatly.

Defeated, she pouts. "I... I didn't make it for him on purpose. I was just thinking of eating fruit cupcakes as well. Since he asked for it I might as well make some for him too."

I bob my head. "Uh-huh..."

"I-it's not like I care for him or something!" She denies again.

Maehara that twerp. If you disappoint Hinata you'll face my wrath. I look at her, who fiddles with her fingers nervously. She wears a pink sleeveless shirt with a matching white skirt. I smile at how pretty she looks and how cute she is to bake for Maehara.

Hmm... maybe I should do the same for Karma?

"You're here alone?" Hinata asks.

I shake my head. "I'm here with Kar—" I turn around but realize Karma has disappeared.

"Karma?" Hinata gasps. "Are you dating?"

I slap my forehead. "No. Don't try to change the subject." Hinata clicks her tongue at her failure. "Where is that idiot? He was here minutes ago."

"Maybe he went off to other aisles?"

I read the long shopping list in my hand. There is nothing left to buy. I have specifically picked up everything on the list. Karma's only job is to pick up food for dessert. Can't he accomplish such a simple job?

"Karma that idiot... did he just ditched me?" I mutter under my breath. Hinata suggests I track him down with Ritsu and I do. Ritsu is fast and efficient in stalking people. The map on my phone shows the area from here within a 10km radius. A green dot blinks steadily north from my position. Karma has left the mall and left me behind.

You are so dead when I find you.

"So you're going to look for him?" Hinata asks as she continues to check the aisle for suitable flour.

I shrug. "Hmph! Not going to since he ditched me. He'll come back." I think. "Anyway, you live here?"

Hinata focuses on checking the labels of the flour she chose. "Yeah. There are plenty of students from our school living here as well. It's such a popular area. But mostly I still hate seeing the main campus students. Especially Asano. I was quite shocked to actually see him strolling in here with the Principal. Though they looked less interactive."

Asano.

Hell no Karma. You did not just do what I told you not to.

*****

Karma

It's simple for Ritsu to hack into Asano's phone and track down where he lives. And Karma does it right under Akari's nose. When she is occupied by Hinata's coincidental appearance in the supermarket, it's his chance.

Akari should have been dubious about his reason of 'a change of view' to come to this supermarket far from his house. It takes a 10 minutes ride of the train but thankfully Akari doesn't pry too much. She is too distracted by the food around her—example, peaches.

Even if he made the promise to Akari, there is no way he will let that prick slip off. Karma vows vengeance upon Asano, as his name suggested, he will make sure karma descends on the strawberry blond for what he did.

He made Akari cry. My Akari. Karma will not let him go that easily.

Akari would be pissed when she finds out Karma ditched her. She would be even more outraged when she finds out he broke the promise. But Karma has it planned perfectly. As long as he comes back with a good reason—without her finding out his motive—Akari would forgive him. Well, he hoped.

Asano's house isn't a mansion Karma expected, considering his father is a rich tyrant who built the entire school. It is a simple bungalow, twice the size of his house but nonetheless looks plain and simple on the outside. It has a tiny garden teeming with colourful flowers outside to balance out the dull theme of the house's exterior. The flowers are so beautiful it hardly matches the cruelty exhibited by the principal and the cold arrogance of his son. Karma imagines Asano being a studious gardener, tending to the flowers with zeal, completely opposite of his character and discards that image because it disgusts him.

The steel frame of the gate shines under the hot sun. With his skills, Karma can easily climb over and sneak into the house. There are no security cameras around. It would be under challenging to 'assassinate' the prick in such conditions but he couldn't ask for more.

Karma tentatively kicks the steel gate and it sways ever so slightly. Confident it will withhold his weight, his foot steps onto the lower grill of the frame and lifts himself up. If he doesn't want to be noticed, he has to be quick. As soon as he steps onto the next grill, he hears the most spiteful voice coming from the garden. How much Karma wants to mute that voice forever.

"These plants aren't growing well. Shit," says Asano and he clicks his tongue. "I wasn't careful in watering. What is wrong with me lately?"

Oh wonderful. Here you are, you little prick. Just right where I wanted you to.

Karma adeptly climbs over the gate and lands onto the ground with a quiet thud. Asano's head jerks up and spins, eyes widened with astonishment at Karma's sudden appearance. He stands with pride, undaunted by how he got into the compound and pats off the soil from his clothes nonchalantly.

"Akabane. I wouldn't ask how you got in here. But I assume you're here because of Akari?" Asano asks, looking down at the ginger with contempt.

Irked, Karma spits. "Do not call her name like it's something normal to you."

Asano snickers. Karma assumes Asano has expected him to show up anytime and seeing how angered he is ensures victory for Asano. "Please. I'll call her whatever I want."

Karma's mouth twitches. He hisses. "Akari is mine. You have no rights to neither call her nor touch her in any other way."

Asano gives out a hearty chuckle. "I see you are outraged that I kissed her. You're absolutely predictable in a way."

Calm down, idiot. You are giving him the satisfaction. Your rage could be your downfall. "I bet you didn't predict I would show up and assassinate you in your own little garden."

"Assassinate?" Asano questions. "That's a funny word you use."

It would be funnier if I beat the crap out of you. "Cut the crap and let me kick your ass."

"Because I made her cry?" Asano smirks. "I'd expect she would be overjoyed to have me kissing her. Alas, she didn't. I intended to seduce her and break you two apart but it failed. Apparently she holds you in high regards. I mean, girls are too vulnerable in love. If boys are merciful enough to give them a smidgen of affection they would go heads over heels for them. I admit it is my failure to be unable to perform such a feat on dear Akari. She looks so adorable when I pin her to the wall."

Karma cannot hold back anymore. He is speaking of his Akari like she's a plaything. His fists balled with anger. "Shut. Up. I'll rip your head off."

As if Asano has won this showdown, he snickers victoriously with his innocent-looking face. On the battle of words, it is evident that Asano has the upper hand with his calmness. "Do you want me to divulge my plans? I wanted to seduce her. I wanted to make her my slave, collared by her affection for me, kneeling on the ground, begging for me to give her more love. That kiss was the first move. I hardly expected her affection for you was that strong enough to withstand my onslaught."

How could Asano, being so perfect from the outside, be so twisted from within? Karma is a renowned devil, but Asano is a devil hidden under countless masks, luring his prey into his trap without vigilance and snaps them hold like a Venus-Flytrap. "You're speaking like love is nothing but a tool for you."

He laughs. "Yes it is."

The ginger is absolutely disgusted, but nonetheless pities him. Asano's father, famous for his cruelty and dominance, lacks compassion towards his students as an educator should. His own son is not an exception. He imagines Asano's childhood, lacking of love as his father would use dominance to carve the boy into another replica of the principal, filled of tyrannical traits. If only Asano has the conscience not to follow his father's footsteps. Then he could be a free man, freed of his father's shackles, to live the life of a normal person, to interact with friends without the thought of dominating them, but has kindness and compassion.

Karma wonders how blessed he is, to have his parents love him despite their constant absence. To have fallen into 3E and meet a crazy octopus teacher and his friends. To have fall for the airheaded brunette.

"Love means nothing to me. It is a tool for domination," Asano continues relentlessly. "Love is what tyrants give to people so that they will continue to follow them. Love is trivial. It doesn't live long. Only domination will. I'll give love to people so that they will follow me obediently."

"You're sick," Karma comments.

"These are the ideals my father carved into me since I was young. You want someone to blame, blame him. He taught me all this. So I'll return him the favour."

"To reign over him as repay?"

"Of course," replies Asano. "That's what he wanted anyway. Cast love away as the sacrifice in the road of domination. I don't need love. Ever. Love makes people weak. It is such a fragile little thing that means nothing."

Laughter echoes in the garden. But it isn't from Karma. Nor it is from Asano.

Karma barely recognizes that laughter. It is less of joy but full of mocking. Asano's eyes widen at the sight behind Karma and he spins to watch as the steel gate rudely kicked open. It stands no chance against a raging beast.

Okumura Akari strides in as the gate creaks in pain. She drops the groceries to the ground on the way and approaches the two. Karma stiffens. He does not expect her to show up, let only intrude the compound openly. She walks past him without even looking at him. But the redhead glimpses the emotion on her face. It is a cold fury of disappointment. He couldn't comprehend if it is anger. But it looks more like sympathy.

Oh no she will kill me after this I am so sure about it. Anxiety gnaws him from within.

Akari stops before Asano, staring at him. Asano, dumbfounded, words stuck at his throat. Then, a red hot slap across his pretty face.

It would be so easy to assume that she slapped him out of revenge. But from her eyes vengeance is nonexistent except a cold anger of sympathy.

"So you're saying you don't have love in your life?" Akari asks the boy who is stunned from the slap. "So you mean you don't love your parents even though they brought you to this world out of love?"

Asano doesn't reply. He freezes.

"I expected you to be less of an idiot to even comprehend such a simple matter. I don't expect you to love everything around you. But at least, what kind of a human are you to say that love is nothing? If you despise love, why don't you be a machine instead? Why become a human? You're becoming too low, Asano, to even use love as a tool. I see you as a worthy opponent but now I don't anymore. People have the right to choose their own path. Even you. Don't let your father's shackles bind you. You can live your own life! So why let him dominate you to live a life he planned for you? You are such an idiot!"

She grabs his collar. "You decide your own life, damn it! I thought you'd be better than following his footsteps! I thought you're smart enough to realize how corrupted his ideals are! I thought having such a smart brain means you'll understand how much love means to people! Love is not a tool! It's not weak! It's never fragile! IT'S WHAT MAKES PEOPLE STRONGER! If you think you don't need love, go bury yourself in the dirt. You don't deserve to live as a human. Without love, I'd be a soulless corpse. I would have never known how much my class means to me!"

"I hate you, Asano. I really do. But I can't bear to see you fall so deeply into hell. So I'll extend my hand to you. Whether you decide to grab it, it's up to you. After all, it will decide how much humanity you still have left in that empty shell of yours." After that, Akari leaves him without even looking back. She walks past Karma as if he is invisible, picks up the groceries and walks away.

That was unexpected.

She ignored me. Meaning: she is damn pissed.

Karma wants to continue his plan in beating up Asano, but he looks sullen and crestfallen. Akari has struck him as his core. It wasn't the sort of revenge Karma hoped for, and he loved to pay Asano back physically but Akari is his top priority.

Without looking back Karma sets his feet into motion as he chases the brunette.

*****

Akari

Karma doesn't bother to hide his footsteps as he chases up to me. I heard him from afar. I refuse to look at him.

"Akari," he calls gently.

"Shut up," I growl.

But he presses on. "I'm sorry. I broke the promise."

I stop in my tracks. "I don't care anymore."

He visibly stiffens. "Akari—"

"Why wouldn't you listen?!" I shout, frustrated. "First you ditched me, and then you broke the promise! You are such an idiot! What's going to happen to the class if you got expelled?! Haven't you considered that? I thought you would put killing Korosensei as the priority but no! Your feelings got the better of you! I didn't even ask for revenge but hell, you still did it anyway!"

He remains silent.

"Thank god I got there quick to prevent anything worse happen! Asano irks me, but you made me even angrier!"

"I'm sorry," he mutters as he lowers his head.

I am so frustrated I want to punch something. "Do that one more time, just one more, I'll ignore you forever!" Somehow, tears cascade down my face. "I was so worried. I thought you might be expelled. I thought... I..."

I don't want him to notice the tears on my face thus I continue walking ahead. Karma follows behind like a sad puppy, sulking. We remain silent throughout the walk back to the train station. Then I realize the groceries with me wouldn't be enough for dinner because the rest is supposed to be with Karma but he isn't holding any bags right now. My stomach, growls selfishly when I am not in the mood for anything.

"Let's eat," Karma suddenly speaks up. He tugs my shirt. "My treat." Unwillingly I nod. We head to the nearest restaurant which is a sushi restaurant. From its atmosphere it would be expensive. I retreat but Karma grabs my hand and moves forward. He looks at me apologetically. "I said my treat. I know you like sushi. We'll eat here." We enter the restaurant and sit before the sushi bar where the chef is preparing sashimi for another couple sitting a few chairs from us. Karma lets the chef to decide our meal.

I still refuse to look at him. Karma pokes my arm and I shift my head where I can't see him. He continues poking till I am annoyed. I glare at him. He pouts and attacks me with puppy-eyes. He looks too cute I find it hilarious. I stifle my laughter and continue glaring at him, unyielding.

"What's gonna make you forgive me?" he asks.

"If you finish a whole plate of wasabi," I blurt, pointing to the stack of plates on the kitchen counter. They are the size of my palms combined. "Not like you'll do it any—"

"Mr Chef, can you give me a plate of wasabi? Like she requested?" Karma speaks to the busy chef, who cocked his eyebrow with amusement as he overheard our conversation. I peer at Karma who is actually serious about this. My mouth opens to stop him but words don't come out because I want to see him do it. Take it as karma for him.

The chef empties two tubes of wasabi to fill the plate. But Karma shakes his head. "Not enough. I want a mountain of it."

"You what?!" I gasp. "Are you kidding?!" I gape at the plate where it is at least 2 inches thick of wasabi.

Karma blinks. "I'm not. I'll eat a mountain of wasabi as long as you forgive me."

I slap my forehead. It sounds ridiculous but sweet warmth fills my chest. His will is unwavering. He means it. To him, he rather suffers wasabi than letting me leave him because it would be too painful. My heart is crushed. My will wobbles over a tall precipice.

The chef presents the mountain of wasabi on a plate. He turns to me. "You really have to forgive your boyfriend for this."

First of all, he is not my boyfriend—yet.

Second, I...

Karma stares blankly at the wasabi, horror finally sinks in as his face turns plain white. I wonder if tasting so much wasabi would stop him from pranking people with it but I doubt it. He takes a spoonful of the green wasabi which its terrifying torment looms over him. Valiantly he eats it and his face twists in pain. Then he takes the whole plate and forcefully sweeps half of the wasabi down his throat in one go. Immediately he clamps his full mouth shut, smoke billows from his nose and ears. Tears brim in his eyes as he thumps his chest. He coughs and chokes, his stomach threatening to throw up but he forces the contents down his throat. One of his hands cradles his neck while his other thumps the counter where with every thump vibrations raise the hairs on my arms.

Tears pool in my eyes. I want to cry.

...I already forgave him because I love him too much.

It takes Karma moments to swallow the scorching hell in his mouth. He reaches for the rest but I snatch the plate from him. Then I pour the rest—which is half a plate—down my throat. Karma tries to snatch it back but it is already in my mouth, doing what wasabi does best—spicy choking torture. The same reaction happened to Karma happens on me: I choke and cough and thump my chest and the table. My mouth is about to explode.

Karma continues to gape, unable to react. When I succeed swallowing I wipe the tears from my eyes.

"I think she forgave you, kid," the chef comments as he pats Karma's shoulder. He returns to his job.

"I believe in second chances, not third chances," I say to Karma while recuperating from the wasabi hell, quoting from a show I am recently obsessed. "Please please please please please please PLEASE don't do something stupid again and make me worry. Please."

"There won't be a next time, I promise," Karma replies. "I will keep my promise and hold back. But I won't if you cried."

"Kar—"

"I don't care, Akari. No one makes you cry. No one. Whoever does it—Asano that prick or even the principal, I'll ensure their doom. That, is a promise, I can never keep. I won't stand by and watch you cry and do nothing about it. You know damn well I won't. No one," he repeats. "...can make my Akari cry. If it's me to blame I will punish my own self."

Taken aback by his speech, I utter. "Idiot."

"You're my idiot, I'm yours. Same thing."

I pout. "Am not."

He smirks. "If we weren't in public I'll continue my measures on you to make you admit."

"Shameless idiot." I blush. He chuckles. Fiddling with my fingers, I steel myself. "I'm sorry too. None of this would have happened if I listened to you in the first place. If I wasn't self-complacent to think that I can win against Asano the second time I—"

Karma pats my head and cuts me off. "Lesson learnt. I understand. So we're even because we're both stubborn idiots."

The chef serves us a plate of thick slabs of fish. We start eating with my face still fuming red. I enjoy the thick juicy salmon sashimi as it melts in my mouth. It is so damn good.

Food is love food is life. If Karma can make such good dishes I'd stay by him forever.

"Judging from your look you seemed to enjoy it," Karma comments as he picks another piece of sashimi. "So good food is your weakness."

I nod. "As long as there's good food, I'll be there."

"I never knew good food would be such a temptation. So you'll like, I don't know, make random people your husband as long as they can cook well? Hmm... looks like I have to keep out for any good cooks out there so that they don't try to lure you with food."

I blurt unconsciously. "You're not some random person."

The chef chuckles as he continues to overhear—or eavesdrop?—the conversation. "She just confessed to you, kid. You're in luck."

I sheepishly glance at Karma, whose face is in shades of red. He suddenly develops an interest at his food and tries to grab hold of a piece of fish but it slips out from his chopsticks. He tries again and accidentally tips over the tiny jar of shoyu. He fumbles for tissue to clean up the mess. Such a cute klutz.

I giggle. Despite being a smart ass, Karma's brain turns sluggish whenever I indirectly confessed to him. This is going to be so much fun. He can do all his teases, but I have indirect confessions as retaliation.

*****

Day 7

My eyes bolt open when I hear voices coming from downstairs. I thought I was dreaming so I reenter my dreams because foreign yet somehow familiar warmth lures me back into its embrace. It's sweet, irresistible...

...and smells like Karma.

I snap my eyes open and an image of red comes into my mind. Strands of his red hair tickle my nose and I sneeze. Karma, with his head rested next to my neck, tightens his vice-like grip over my waist. The intimacy makes me blush ever so furiously.

When did we sleep like this?! I internally scream.

I scan the area. We're in his room. On his bed. In a very compromising position.

I want to kick him off. But Karma is soundly asleep with his angelic face. The intimacy is awkward but nonetheless tempting. I want to be close to him yet it is inappropriate. Curse my dilemma. I try to recall what happened last night. Probably we were both exhausted and fell asleep the moment we got home. But why am I on his bed? I guess Karma dragged me along?

I bury my face into his burning crown. He smells good, a sweet natural scent of his. I kiss his head gently as I cradle his head in my arms like a baby. I wish we can stay like this forever as long as no one finds out.

"Karma-kun, we're home!"

I hear voices again. I must be daydreaming. There's no one home except me and Kar—

"Karma-kun, are you awake yet?"

The voice becomes louder as they echo in the hallway outside.

"Karma!"

Hell no. No way.

As reality hits me in waves, I realize those voices are real and not figments of my imagination. I remind myself again that I am in a compromising position with Karma.

And whoever those voices belong to, can only be the real owners of this house—Karma's parents. They can burst through the door anytime and find their sweet son hugging a girl on bed, countless obscene possibilities race through their heads.

Worst situation ever would be the first time you meet your future boyfriend's parents with him hugging you on a bed and leave a very bad first impression.

I violently shake Karma awake. He blinks and rubs his eyes, sluggishly looks at me. "Mornin' Akari."

"Your parents are back!" I almost shriek.

"Oh" is his monosyllabic reply as he yawns.

"What are we going to do?" I fluster.

He sits up and scratches his head. "I'll just introduce you to them."

"As what?! I'm in your room, on your bed for god's sake!" I look down at my unruly clothes and quickly tidy them.

"As my girlfriend, duh. Probably they'd be thinking of having grandchildren later."

"Karma!" I hiss.

"Karma-kun, get up already!" A raspy voice rings from the door, followed by a series of knocks.

My panic deteriorates. Beads of sweat roll down my neck. "S-should I hide in the closet?!"

Karma sighs. He reaches out for the doorknob but I stop him. I mouth, "what are you doing?" He shrugs. I scream soundlessly in horror. He rolls his eyes and pats my head. The moment the door opens I scurry behind him, hoping he can cover me. I sneak a peek and see a tall man with piercing gold eyes, a mirror image of Karma in his forties, with the exception of black hair. He lights up a bright smile and messes Karma's already messy hair.

"Karma-kun! Rise and shine! We're back!" says the man. Unbefitting to be Karma's father, since Karma is a demon and his father looks like an angel, he flashes a toothy grin.

"Hey dad. I thought you guys are due tomorrow," Karma mutters. He hasn't got rid of his drowsiness.

A woman in her forties pops up behind the man. She looks beautiful with her glowing snow white skin and long flaming red hair. She gives a motherly and sweet smile. "Karma, it's been so long." She squeezes her dear son. I nearly squeak when she almost sees me.

"Hi mom. How's Korea?" Karma yawns.

"Fine. We bought so many stuff home!" His mom explodes with joy.

I pray that they never notice me.

"Hey Karma-kun..." the man says. "I noticed extra shoes at the entrance. Nagisa-kun came?"

Oh heavens! I jinxed myself!

Karma stifles laughter. Judging from how prankish Karma is and how much he wants to make sure everyone knows I'm his, especially his parents, I need to be 'sacrificed'. My father in heaven, please protect me from this!

Karma's hand stretches to me and grabs my arm, lifting me to stand. Then he pulls me next to him, his arm drapes over my shoulders. "She's not Nagisa-kun. She's Akari-chan, my future girlfriend."

White spots in my vision. The world spins around me. My legs wobble as panic takes over. I can die now. Thank you Karma, for murdering me.

Total silence. His parents gape, unable to hide the look of astonishment on their faces. I stare back, unable to croak a word. Karma smirks.

"Akari-chan?" the beautiful woman breaks the silence. "Umm... nice meeting you."

The man, somehow panicking, pulls his son close to him and speaks in hushed whispers. "Karma-kun, you have a girlfriend and I don't know about it? Don't tell me she's—"

"Yeah, she slept on my bed with me."

For once, Karma, for once, can't you stop being honest?!

The adults have their eyes widen. Their faces ashen as the same panic attack I had hits them.

"Relaaaax," Karma yawns. "We didn't do anything we aren't supposed to."

The man sighs in relief. The woman rubs her temples. "Karma, seriously," she chides. "We have a guest. Behave." She smiles at me warmly. It is an assuring smile that eases my nerves. I see Karma's smile in it. "Hello, Akari-chan."

"Umm... hi, Mr and Mrs Akabane..." I squeak. I lost my voice from the panic.

"But..." Karma continues. "We kinda stayed with each other for the whole we—"

I clamp his mouth before he can divulge too much information. It seems rude when his parents are around but really, Karma has to shut up. "I'm so sorry to intrude your house so suddenly. I'll leave right away!"

"Oh no!" Mrs Akabane waves her hands in dismissal. "You mustn't. Karma hasn't really brought friends home, except Nagisa-kun. Would you like to stay with us for breakfast?"

"Ahh... young love... Way a go to score, Karma-kun, you hit the jackpot," Mr Akabane nudges his son. My face turns beet red.

"Kira!" Mrs Akabane reprimands. He grins while rubbing his head sheepishly. She smiles at me again. "Come, let's have some breakfast after you clean up."

*****

Because of the panic, I didn't have a chance to scrutinize Karma's parents. Both of them look beautiful with their distinctive features—the red hair and the golden eyes. Their good traits are imprinted in their son's genes. If only Karma behaves better, he would be as ikemen as Isogai is.

Mrs Akabane lights up a smile as she initiates the conversation. Karma and his father are in another corner, chatting about something while sneaking glances at us. "Akari-chan, has Karma been nice to you? You can tell me. I know he's a little demon at school."

I am so grateful his parents actually realize their son is a real devil.

"SCORE!"Mr Akabane shouts gleefully. He smirks at me while Karma blushes and I realize they are talking about me.

"Well... he's... pretty good. The girls in our class acknowledge him as the most handsome guy in class. Too bad he's devillish."

She claps her hand. "So... you think he can be your boyfriend?"

I choke. "W-what?!"

"Score again!" I hear Mr Akabane shouts but shuts up when his wife glares at him.

Her motherly brown eyes glow. She giggles. "I see Karma treasures you a lot. He's a troublemaker in school so he barely had friends. The only one I know of is Nagisa-kun. Even so, he seldom brings him home. Karma's like a loner. People avoid him because they didn't want trouble. But he actually brought you home, and you're a girl. I believe he's very fond of you." She glances at Karma. "I don't want to pressure you but... I hope you feel the same about him. He's pretty shy about love. I'd never expect him to harbour feelings for a girl as pretty as you. He's blessed."

I blush at the comment. "I wouldn't say I'd be good enough for him..."

"Of course you are. A mother's instincts tell me you like him a lot too. You two would be such a perfect couple."

My blush worsens.

"Did he confess?"

I shake my head.

"That rude son. Boys should be the one confessing. Don't budge an inch, okay?"

I blink. His mother is on my side?

"How dare Karma to make you confess instead. No worries. Girls are on girls' side. Boys are so ridiculous."

I bet she speaks from experience.

"He maybe a clumsy devil but he has a good heart. I really hope you can stay with him. He rarely speaks of girls. But for him to bring you home is such a bold move. He must really care for you. So, don't let him go okay, sweetheart?"

"I won't. Ever."

She smiles gratefully. "But if he bullies you, don't hesitate to complain. You... you can treat us like family. If you want, you can treat as your mother. Though, it wouldn't be as good as your real mother but..." she trails off. There's something glinting in her eyes I couldn't comprehend. Something similar to sympathy but closer to adoration.

Akari-chan.

My mother's voice I yearn so much resonates. Mrs Akabane's motherly figure reminds me of her. They look so similar: both caring mothers who love their children more than anything else in the world.

With tears in my eyes, I nod. "Yes, Mrs Akabane."

Smiling, she hugs me. "It's so good to finally know you, Akari-chan. My son is blessed to have known you."

I smile back. "I'm glad I know him too."

*****

Asano

The slap hurts. Her words sting.

Why? He asks himself. Why do her words sting so badly? Is it because they are the truth?

Asano stays dumbfounded. He stares at the gate, where Akabane and the girl have disappeared.

Why is he hesitating? Why didn't he retort?

Because they are the truth.

His father has created him—a monster, lust for domination, devoid of love.

"Love is not a tool! It's not weak! It's never fragile! IT'S WHAT MAKES PEOPLE STRONGER!"

For a girl to teach him love, Asano must really be some total idiot as she predicted.

"I don't need love," Asano mutters to himself. "I don't care what she said." He walks back to his house.

"If you think you don't need love, go bury yourself in the dirt. You don't deserve to live as a human. "

He stops dead in his tracks.

"But I can't bear to see you fall so deeply into hell. So I'll extend my hand to you. Whether you decide to grab it, it's up to you. After all, it will decide how much humanity you still have left in that empty shell of yours."

Her words are invisible daggers, stabbing him, pain coursing through his veins.

"I hate you, Asano."

That did it. His legs give away as he collapses to the stone-cold ground.

The ghost of her tender lips haunts him. The moments he smashed his lips on to hers, he realized how tender they were. They were damp, warm and alluringly sweet. Why? How could a pair of lips had him spellbound? How could they mesmerize him to the point where all he sees in his dreams was her? He couldn't get her off his mind. He was nothing but a walking corpse, doing things absentmindedly as he could only think about her.

Asano isn't dumb enough to realize what is this weird phenomenon happening to him.

It's what the lowlife humans call love.

He, falling in love for some erratic girl? Nonsense. Absolutely nonsense. There is no way he would fall for her.

Love is a tool. Love means nothing! Domination is the only air he breathes in. He'd die to be in love with a peasant girl.

"You're becoming too low, Asano, to even use love as a tool."

"Don't let your father's shackles bind you. You can live your own life!"

"I hate you, Asano."

That last sentence, repeats itself like a broken tape, haunts him. Her voices overlap as they echo. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

"No..." Asano mutters. "Don't... Don't hate me. It's not my fault. I... I don't know about... love. I... didn't mean to hurt you. I..."

"I hate you."

When he thought he triumphed over her with that kiss, an utter defeat of humiliation bestowed upon her, she muttered those three words—I hate you. Like a curse, they haunt him. They made him realize, no matter how complacent he was, he was the one defeated. Like spears. Like daggers. Pierced him agonizingly. He couldn't breathe. But to hear them once more, he senses the hatred, the loathing she felt towards him. Now he is suffocating.

"I don't know anymore... I..." He buries his face in his palms as he remembers his mother. Her motherly figure. Her beautiful smile. Her warm hug. Her love for him—her lovely son.

His father loved him too, once. Not too long ago. Only years ago. Before he changed. Before he turned into that monster of domination. And his change carved what becomes of Asano today, robbing him of the remains of love within him.

Tears are unrelenting as they stream down his face. It is unbelievable. How painful those words are to make him cry. The pain. The sadness. The sorrow.

"Don't hate me, please..." Asano begs.

Teach me... teach me what love really means, Akari.

*****

So the Asano part is.... Weird?

QUESTION 1: Asano didn't get a kicking from Karma but a good ol' chiding from Akari. Is that good enough for the ending? Hmm....Should the chapter be where Asano got his butt kicked damn good?

QUESTION 2: do I need to improve on my vocab and sentence phrasing? Are my descriptions too childish because they lack depth and they need to mature? PLS ANSWER IN THE REVIEWS (I am desperate to know)

Currently I am self-degrading at my writing style because I have been reading articles online about Game of Thrones season 5 (and yeah, the quote Akari quoted is from this TV show and it is so AWESOME). I noticed how nice the articles are written, full of depth and insight and then I compared mine with theirs, which is rather insignificant. So I need some good advice from my dearly beloved readers because I know you guys are probably better in English than me. (English is not my mother tongue.)

Please give advice if possible. Thanks.

This is the longest chapter yet. Sorry for the previous delay because it was such a hectic week with work and I got sick. And err... 12 June was my birthday so I took a rest that day XD

I just found out about Wattys2015 and decided to join it!!! (Though I am unsure if i am eligible......) if you like my story go ahead and scream it to everyone else! (Is there a voting system for readers for Wattys?)