Chapter 5

Karma

Karma can't comprehend what is going on. When the boys chattered about Isogai's crush on Akari, he thought it is weird. The girl is clumsy, indelicate, dense and a complete airhead who doesn't watch her way when she walks. How come someone like Isogai would have a crush on her?

Karma knows Akari isn't the very pretty kind like Kanzaki. Nor she has the bust like Yada. Or the delicacy like Kayano. Akari has plain dark brown hair that does not glimmer under the sun. Her hair is tied in a ponytail on the right side of her head. Her eyes are as blue as the sky. She is nothing but a typical brunette.

However, Akari emanates a personal charisma that only belongs to her. Throughout his training with her, he always sees a completely different person. She became a person with sheer determination and confidence. Her movements are fluid and swift, like fish swimming in the water. Her punches and kicks hurt when they land on him. He is trying his best to catch up with her improvement too. He knows that when she improves, he too makes some progress in training. When Akari gets faster and swifter in her attacks, he has to dodge even quicker to avoid getting hurt. He become much agile than he used to be. Their relationship with each other is mutual. She is his disciple and vice versa.

When Karma's group was surrounded by the high-schoolers, he thought he gave Akari an impossible task, seeing that the large build men outnumbered them. But Akari didn't back up. She marched forward bravely, unlike the previous incident when she was surrounded by 3 other high-schoolers. He didn't have to save her butt. A few times in battle he would take a glance at her, to make sure she didn't get hurt. However, she outperformed his expectations. The girl single-handedly tackled the man who almost escaped with Kanzaki. Only for once he lent a hand by throwing a man at the guy who she failed to defeat.

But when the man with slicked black hair threatened to kill her with a dagger, something overwhelmed Karma. It flipped on a hidden switch within the redhead. Now, as he reminisces the moment, he realizes it was ire. He was furious and outraged. How dare he lay a hand on her?! Anger coursed through his veins and served as adrenaline for him to lurch to the man and punch him in the face with the full force of his ire. Karma had never felt that way before. Not even when his teacher betrayed him. Not even when his countless murder attempts on Korosensei failed.

Karma believes that he hates seeing his disciple beaten up and crushed by other people. That's all. Nothing more.

But when he knows Isogai likes Akari, a new feeling overwhelmed him. It was something similar to anger yet it felt otherwise. He wanted to leave the place. He didn't want to hear anymore of how much Isogai likes her. The air suddenly became stuffy and he couldn't breathe. His heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible fist. Something in him was stirring and he hated the feeling. He wanted to throw it away like the empty drink box in his hand. But all he could do was stare at the empty drink box in his hand. His consciousness ordered him to do it but his heart nagged, don't do it.

What the hell is wrong with me? Why is this happening to me?

Then he told himself to stop being so irrational and illogical. He was probably tired from the commotion, that's all. He immediately threw the empty drink box in his hand into the dustbin.

Whatever these feelings are, I don't need it. It'll weaken me.

Somehow, deep in his mind, a tiny part of him says otherwise.

*****

The next day, a new assassin joins their class as a transfer student.

Karma has expected one or two of them to show up sooner or later. But their appearances perk up his attention less than it should be. He realizes when he walks to school in the morning he is expecting something-or someone-else instead. But his mind couldn't quite grasp the entire idea.

The new transfer student is a box-correction, an Artificial Intelligence called Autonomously Thinking Fixed Artillery. Her entire figure is a big black box with a tiny screen on one surface. Her personification is a young female teenager with beautiful purple hair and large blue orbs. When she speaks, her entire face is expressionless. The muscles on her face do not move as it should be to speak. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish breathing in water.

Karma couldn't care less about her. Sometimes his eyes would drift to a certain girl who sits next to him. He does not comprehend why. Maybe something about Akari looks different today. But she has the same hairstyle and the same uniform. In fact, she looks the same every day.

Wonder how she looks like when she wears casually.

Wait why am I thinking about this?

The AI transfer student begins her greeting to Korosensei on the first day with a barrage of pellets every single period. Her arsenal of weaponry is hidden in the black box-like body of hers. For just only once she is able to shoot off Korosensei's right fingertip because she hides one pellet behind the trail of another. The entire class is shaken by her immense ability and enthusiasm to learn.

When school ends that day, Akari comes up to him.

"Karma, I'm sorry that I can't make up for training today. I have another arrangement today," she says apologetically.

"Fine," he says nonchalantly. It bothers him none. At least he can have some free time today. "With who?"

"Oh. Isogai says he's gonna take me to the nearest public library for a small tour."

He regrets asking her. His heartstrings felt like it is tugged by some invisible force. Uneasiness floods over his entire system. Before he could reply something sarcastic to wash away the mixed feelings in him, Akari has left, dragging Isogai with her.

"Hurry up! I wanna go home early!" she yells.

"Ok, ok, slow down!" Isogai says, trying to keep up with her pace. Watching them are Maehara and Okajima, who are snickering.

The redhead feels all energy has been drained from him. He plants his face on top of the desk. He is tired. Not physically but mentally. Yet he does not know why. At the edge of his sight he sees Nagisa jotting something down in his notebook, sometimes peeking up from it to look at him. It intrigues him of what Nagisa is writing but he has no mood to tease the blue-haired boy. Instead, he grabs his bag and leaves for home, dragging his heavy lead legs with him.

The following day begins with Terasaka having the AI transfer student tied up with tape. Because of that, she cannot attack Korosensei the entire day and the class can resume their peaceful learning. Akari doesn't train with him today-again-because something came up. When Karma wonders if it is about Isogai again she explains that Nakamura intends to try out a new dessert place after school.

"You wanna join us?" Akari asks.

"Nope. I will enjoy my free time alone. Thank you," he replies. But, he regrets his words once again.

Akari walks up to Nagisa. "Nagisa, you wanna join us? Ri-chan, Megu, Kaede, Isogai and I are going to try out a new dessert shop."

Karma didn't hear Nagisa's reply. He is too focused on what Akari has said. Isogai is going with her. Maybe he should join them. But he couldn't bring up his guts to tell her. He has such pride and ego that he didn't want them to be crushed by eating his own words. Now his entire mood has gone rotten.

The third day, the AI transfer student has taken a 180 degree change. Korosensei made modifications on her and left nothing but a measly 5 yen in his purse. She has now a full-body LCD screen, showcasing her entire figure in uniform. Her impassiveness is replaced by over-cheerfulness. The background of her screen is filled with a garden with blossoming flowers and verdant plants. She looks more human than an AI now.

"Good morning everyone!" she greets the class with a big smile on her face. The class stares at her, taken aback by her sudden change. Throughout the lessons, she has kept her weapons away and studies like the rest of the class. During free time, she plays chess with Chiba and creates multiple objects from the 3D printer within her. Akari becomes very excited as she asks the AI girl about animes and mangas with Fuwa.

"Say, why don't we give her a new name?" someone suggests. And so, the AI girl is given the name 'Ritsu', derived from Autonomously Thinking Fixed Artillery. She became part of 3E now, the 28th student to join in the assassination.

On the day when Ritsu officially became one of them, training finally resume for Karma and Akari. Karma couldn't help but thinking that at least Akari isn't spending time with Isogai, be it only the two of them or with a group of friends.

The training began with Akari's fury of attacks. She aims his head with her punch and he dodges. Her leg swings in for a kick in his gut but he stops it with both of his hands. His feet are pushed off balance from the momentum he didn't expect and nearly topples over. Akari lurches forward and takes the opportunity to punch him in the face. Pain surges in the bridge of his nose but he quickly regains balance. He rubs the blood dripping from his nose and smirks.

"Nice job," he says, feeling proud of Akari's improvement. Now he has to catch up more to her so that he doesn't get punched again. "Again."

Akari nods. She rarely speaks in a battle. Unlike him, who mocks his opponents to annoy them to his amusement, Akari's eyes are always focused on the battle like an eagle, analyzing the situation and take countermeasures against any disadvantages.

Before Akari can make a move, Karma has swiftly moved behind her and grabs both of her hands. She struggles to break free but gives up because his strength overpowers her. "If someone captures you from behind, stop struggling. They are probably stronger than you so use another countermeasure. Struggling only wastes your energy," Karma says. His grip tightens. "Immediately launch a counterattack at your attacker before he tries to knock you out."

Right after he finishes his sentence, Akari's head crashes into his chin. The pain forces him to let go and his entire body sways. Akari grabs his collar and with all her might throws him to the ground. Before he falls he managed to grab Akari's arm with him and they both tumble to the hard ground. His back hurts from the impact. This is the first time he actually felt such pain from the training. Silently he swears to get back at his 'disciple'.

His mind is foggy from the pain. It slowly subsides and he takes in the current situation. He feels something heavy is weighting on his torso and he lifts his head to examine the object, only to look into a pair of cerulean blue eyes.

Okumura Akari has landed on top of him when he pulled her down with him. Beads of sweats drip down her flushed face. Strands of loose hair stick to her face and neck. Her unbuttoned collar reveals soft pale-colour skin and prominent collarbone. Lavender fragrance gushes into his noses every time he breathes. Her body feels warm against his.

"Sorry, I-I should get up," she stammers and lifts herself up. She sits on the ground beside him, fixing her hair into a tidier state.

No. Don't get up. Realizing what he has just internally spoke to himself, warmth rushes to his cheeks. Wait what?!

He stares at the ground, confused at what the heck he is doing. Why does he have such perverted thoughts against her? He unconsciously bites his fingertips.

"Karma," Akari calls and he looks at her. Her disfigured hair has been let down and she uses her fingers to comb through them. Karma has never seen her let her hair down before. She looks different than when she has her hair tied up.

Completely fixated at her current appearance, he only snaps back to reality when Akari yells his name again even louder. Akari glares at him, discontented that he fades in and out from his thoughts when she calls him. "Did you get hurt?" she asks. "Maybe I was too rough on you." Her eyes show concern.

He stands. "I'm fine." His back doesn't ache like just now. "Let's call it a day, shall we?"

"But we only started like 30 minutes ago. I thought you said an hour a day or something."

"You almost broke my back. I need some rest."

She pouts. Apparently what he said has affected her. Guilt is written over her face. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all. But the pouting on her face makes him feel that it is worth it. This is the first time he sees her pout. And she looks so cute.

He grits his teeth. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I thinking that she is cute?

"I'll go get you an ice pack!" she says, and runs towards the direction of the classroom but he catches her hand. She stops and looks back at him.

"I'm ok," he murmurs. Her eyes question him: 'are you sure?' He sighs and reconfirms firmly. "I'm positively, absolutely fine."

She sighs. "I'll get something to eat before I go home. You wanna come?" her stomach growls silently but he can hear it.

"Nope," he watches as she walks back to the classroom. When he is about to depart for home, his mouth opens without his brain's permission and calls her name. She stops and looks back, bewildered.

And then his mouth commits betrayal against himself. "I like it when you let your hair down. You look pretty that way."

She stares at him with utter disbelief. Her cheeks are dyed with a deep shade of red. "W-what?"

Immediately, his hand clamps over his mouth. He couldn't believe what he has just said. Heat floods his cheeks and he walks away, refraining himself from looking back. He keeps on walking until he reaches the bottom of the mountain. The heat lingers in his cheeks.

What the hell just happened? Why did I just say that? What is wrong with me?!

No one can answer those questions for him. Not even his logical and rational brain.

*****

Isogai

Isogai is there when Karma and Akari train that day after school. He watches them from the classroom entrance. His eyes are constantly focused on Akari. Her swift and fluid movements impress him. Just like the time when she ate the whole tube of wasabi. From that time onward, he can't avert his eyes from her. He often keeps tabs on her, helping her in her studies and she helps him back with his. He is always near her, like he is attracted to a magnetic field she emanates unconsciously. She doesn't stand out in class, but his attention is always on her.

When he has just figured out that the attraction is something romantic, Maehara already has a clear view about what is going on with his best friend.

"Hey, Isogai," Maehara approached him a few days before the school trip to Kyoto. The male class rep looked up from his homework. From the look on his face, Isogai knew Maehara was up to something. "Akari... you like her don't you?"

His heart faltered when he said that. "W-what are you talking about?" he stuttered.

Maehara grinned evilly. "Oh so it is true."

"Like I just said, I don't know what you are talking abo-"

"Oh come on," Maehara crossed his arms over her chests. His voice was now a low whisper. "I've known you for a long time. You think I don't know what kind of signs you have when you areinterested in someone?"

Isogai sighed. "Well..."

"She is a good choice. If you like her, make your move before-" Maehara pointed at Akari. Isogai turned around. She was arguing with Karma about something related to the trip. Somehow Karma had dragged her into his group. "Before someone else steals her heart away. You're an ikemen. You can get any girl you want. But Akari is an airhead. She doesn't know about love unless someone takes the initiative."

Maehara was right. He really likes Akari. If he wants to be with her, he has to take the initiative.

So, Isogai offers himself to take Akari to the public library the other day. It is the first alone time they have with each other and Isogai is very nervous. He nearly trips on their way. He stutters whenever he speaks. He sweats like a cow. He prays to God that nothing goes wrong and that Akari does not find out.

When they reach the library, Akari has this expression on her face that made Isogai fall for her even more. Her eyes glint with happiness as she marvels at the shelves of books welcoming her presence. She looks very happy and excited like a kid. She wows at any book she sees that perks her attention. Her hair sways in such elegant way when she moves around. She calls his name whenever she finds an interesting book so that she can share it with him.

He is so glad that he gets to see this part of her.

The following day they go to a new dessert shop. He has hoped that he can go alone with her this time, but nonetheless disappointed. The others come along with them: Nakamura, Kataoka, Nagisa and Kayano. At least he gets to spend time with her, no matter how big their entourage is. He blushes whenever he thinks that she is cute as he watches her enjoy the desserts. Thankfully no one notices him because they are also focused on their food. Sometimes he sees Nagisa jotting down something in his notebook even when he eats and often glances at him and Akari's direction. But Isogai is too attentive on Akari to even ask what Nagisa is writing.

Things are going smoothly for Isogai. Even though he likes Akari, he still doesn't have the guts to confess his feelings for her. He is afraid that she might reject him and their friendship will be broken beyond repair. He rather stay silent than destroying whatever relationship they have with each other. The strong feelings are buried deep in his heart, waiting for one day that he can dig them up and show it to the rest of the world.

What Isogai fears most becomes true the next day.

There is an interlude during Karma and Akari's training that confirms his doubts. Karma falls when Akari throws him off ground and he drags her with him. She lands on him instead. The situation is like that for a moment. Akari doesn't stand up immediately and Karma doesn't push her away. They are just looking at each other, both casted away into a place unbeknownst to Isogai.

Isogai feels pain. Someone has stabbed him in his heart. It hurts.

No way. This can't be happening. Karma doesn't like her the way I do, right? He has stated clearly he likes Okuda-san. Akari doesn't like him too... right?

Later they finally recover themselves, like what just happened has never happen before. Isogai is relieved because Karma has showed no signs that he likes her. He doesn't mention anything of it. There is no apparent blush on his face. Akari is the same thing. She doesn't blush, aside the fact that her face is red from exhaustion.

But what Karma says in the end hits Isogai hard. "I like it when you let your hair down. You look pretty that way."

His heart is now pierced and torn apart. An invisible force has its hands over his throat and suffocating him.

So... Karma really likes her too? But Karma has never shown any hints of liking her. Does he just say that to compliment her or does Karma like her more than anyone can see it? If he does, the redhead does a good job in hiding it.

He prays hard in his heart that Akari does not feel the same way.