Third Person View

The bar was playing gentle jazz music. It was pleasant in Karma's ears as he took another sip.

"So that dream scared you reeal bad, huh?" Maehara half said and half muttered, leaning on his hand.

"Yeah, I guess," Karma said before taking another sip of his drink. He was careful on days like this.

Karma was very selective when it came to people he would share his woes to. Besides Nagisa, he didn't feel at ease opening up to people, knowing they would be aware of his problems, his weaknessess.

It was a strategy of some sort that Karma often used to vent. He would make his drinking buddy so drunk that the next day, they wouldn't remember what they talked about. It was a favorable situation for Karma, as he gets to say what he wants, and his drinking buddy wouldn't remember it the following day. He can't say it's the same for the other party though, since all they do is get wasted whenever they drink with him.

Today, the unlucky person that was chosen was Maehara. Well, there was also Isogai, but he was already knocked out on the table after two glasses. Maehara was drunk enough already, has been for the past half hour.

"I can't believe this." Maehara straightened up and grabbed Karma by his shoulders, shaking him wobbly. "This is a sign, Karma! A sign! You saw what a life without Nagisa would be like, and you didn't like it. Rather than a nightmare, it's more like a blessing, right?"

Karma eyed him, his brow raising. "A blessing?"

Well. To say that a life without Nagisa would be a miserable one is an understatement. If he could spend forever with her, he would surely take it. Perhaps Maehara was right about that dream being a blessing.

His friend went back to leaning on his hand. "Besides, didn't you say that she wanted to get married? This is the perfect chance to ask her."

"She didn't exactly say it, but she did hint at it. And, well, asking her now isn't really..." Karma looked to the side. They were both busy with work, and Nagisa was still settling in her new teaching job. He himself was already getting income, but he would prefer it if he got a promotion first.

"Karma. Karma, Karma..." Maehara shook his head. "Believe me when I say that when girls hint at stuff like that, they want it. You've been together for seven years! You should have no fear of her saying-" He let out a burp. "-no..."

Although the reassurance was nice, Karma sighed at his misinterpretation. "It's less of being afraid of rejection, and more of timing. And plus, there's also her mother."

Nagisa's mother was never too keen on their relationship, thinking that he would be a bad influence on her. Her mother has tolerated them throughout the years, most likely assuming that they would split up sooner or later. How he would laugh at the thought of her reaction if he suddenly showed up and asked her daughter's hand in marriage.

"Who cares about that manipulative witch?" Maehara waved him off. "It is important to get the parent's blessing, but if she's unwilling to let go of Nagisa even after all the abuse she put her through, you're better off eloping." He aggressively took his glass and drank.

Karma didn't reprimand him of his choice of words, because in all honesty, it was true.

Maehara leaned on his hand again. "Besides, didn't her parents get back together? Her dad must agree, at least."

"Her father is more accepting than her mother," Karma agreed. "He's told me to take care of her once."

"Then that's great. All you need to think about now is when you two are ready, I guess." He let out a sigh. "Marriage, huh? To think that we're at the age to get married... I'm never going to get married like this..."

"Karma!" While Maehara was sulking, Isogai suddenly shot up, wide awake. Karma didn't know how much of the conversation he heard, or if he was ever asleep at all.

His face was red, evidence of the alcohol. "When you get married, make sure you make Nagisa happy, okay!? Cherish every moment you have with her... It's not easy being poor... Having to live with three sets of outfits, searching for *hic* sales in the market, eating gross, cheap, food..." Karma could see the tears falling from his eyes.

"That's a given, Isogai," Karma replied coolly. "I would never forgive myself if I made her unhappy."

"What are you talking about, Yuuma?" Maehara said. "Have you seen Karma's house? His family? His job? That's the thing he has to worry about the least!"

"But still... Getting sick from cheap food, drying and reusing tea bags, sewing holes in shirts... *hic*" Isogai went on and on, laying his head back on the table while crying silently.

"But he's right about one thing, Karma..." Maehara crossed his arms. "Well, I've never gotten married, but... I heard it can be tiring and annoying at times, but once you take the time to nurture it, the happiness is unlike any other. Sort of like making the perfect soft-boiled egg for your instant ramen."

Weird analogy and oddly specific, but sure.

"So you better make her so happy that she cries tears of joy everytime she thinks of you..."

Maehara finished the last of his drink and slammed the glass on the table loudly. He raised his hand and called the waitress. "S'cuse me, another refill, please!"

Karma should probably stop him now, or else he's going to have a major hangover tomorrow morning. He paid the tab that night and drove them home, telling them it was the least he could do after he took advantage of them.

Well, it's not like they would remember.

-Time skip-

"So, we're all in agreement here?" Tsudawari's gaze was upon the group.

Fujinaga nodded, crossing her arms. "No objections."

Sonohara smiled. "So, plan is set for tomorrow. Don't forget to conceal your guns and rubber knives. We all know how that ended last time. Yes, I'm looking at you, Suga."

"Oh, shut it."

Minako clapped her hands. "Then it's settled! We'll go back and brief the girls about the details." She hooked her arm with the girl beside her.

"Make sure to practice well. It'll be our first official attempt, after all," Mikami added.

"Of course we would. Rather, I'm more worried about you lot." Fujinaga's eyes narrowed at Ogata who was lazing around playing on his DS, Fusauemon having a heated debate about food with Enomoto, and Aoba who was already curled up in his blanket asleep, no doubt missing the whole conversation.

"Yeah, well... I kind of agree." Sonohara looked at the bunch.

"You guys don't wanna hang around for snacks?" Taniguchi asked while grabbing another potato chip.

Fujinaga shook her head. "No thanks, the girls already bought a lot of snacks on the way back earlier, so we're good."

"Ooh, but doesn't mean that I won't have one or five!" Minako reached out for the bag of chips and grabbed a handful. After she ate one, she stood up and nodded. "Okay, we're going back for real."

Just as they were about to leave, Tsudawari shouted at them. "Tell Yamazaki that Sonohara asked if she's eaten!"

"Sh-shut up! What the hell, man?" Sonohara looked like he was about to strangle him.

"Will do." Fujinaga nodded stoically before sliding the door close.

Once they left, Tsudawari was being shook by Sonohara when he noticed his classmate on the side, playing on his phone. "Ah, Mizuguchi! Don't be like that and c'mere! The thought of a free meat buffet sounds good, right?"

Mizuguchi let out a huff. "You can do whatever you want. I'll go somewhere else tomorrow."

Mikami laid his arm around the boy's shoulders. "Oh, come now, don't tell me you're going to abandon your dear classmates tomorrow and go brood alone somewhere? You're not getting your share of meat, that way."

"I don't have a care for that."

"Hm. Or could it be that you're not confident your skills would be able to help us?"

"It ain't that!" He sighed and shrugged off Mikami's arm. "Fine, I'll come along. But don't expect me to be useful."

"Sure you will. You'll just have to stand there while holding a sign that says 'I like it whenever I get scolded' and that'll surely grab Shiota-sensei's attention."

Mizuguchi smacked his face away. "I'm not a masochist unlike you, Mikami."

The green haired boy smiled. "Well, I prefer the term 'sadist', but..."

As they continued bickering, Nakao was staring at Mikami, impressed that he got Mizuguchi to join the assassination tomorrow. Mikami always came out as the lousy, uncaring type, but it seems that he has a sense of responsibility beneath all the weirdness.

In the hallway, the pair of girls made their way to Fujinaga's room downstairs. Since going to the opposite gender's room is strictly prohibited, they hoped that none of the teachers would be around to lecture them. Although they did get a few glances from roaming students, they weren't too bothered by it. They were used to it, after all. Plus, other students were also used to the sight of class 3-5 not being mindful of the rules.

When they arrived at Fujinaga's room, they found all the girls hanging around.

"Welcome back." Izumi looked up from her UNO cards.

"Heyya!" Shinohara who was also playing beamed at them.

"We'll start the briefing soon," Fujinaga said as she walked closer, glancing at Shintani who was playing the Switch with Sakurai and Ueno with Mizuno watching (and who had brought that console that was definitely not allowed, anyway?). "Oh and Yamazaki, Sonohara asked if you've eaten or not."

The ponytailed girl looked up from her cards with a blush. "Wh-what!?"

Minako let out a giggle. "I know, right? He should've told you that himself."

"Isn't that good, Yamazaki-san? And all this time you thought he had no interest in you." Izumi nudged her friend with her elbow.

"Th-th-that's clearly what is still happening-oh... I got a message from him." Her voice got smaller.

"Mm-hmm, you were saying?" Minako sat down near the circle.

"O-okay wait, I need a moment," she blurted before putting down her playing cards and started typing in her phone.

"Ah, what!? I clearly had you!" Sakurai was heard as she pressed the buttons on her controller.

"Oh my, it seems I got another powerup."

"I think Pancakes is gonna win over you this time, Foreigner."

Amongst all the chatter, Ito quietly put down her card in the center. "Uno."

Elsewhere...

Somewhere in a tall building, a group of men were conversing amongst themselves.

"So. That Mizuguchi is here?" One man said, sitting comfortably in his seat.

"Yes, sir. He's on a school trip right now," another one replied. "They're going to the mountain tomorrow. They were talking about it quite loudly in town..."

"I see." He wore a menacing smile. "Poor boy. He has no idea what has happened to his home and he's over here having a field trip. Well, since the boy is here, might as well have some fun, eh?"

He looked out the window. "He needs to be taught a lesson for messing with me."
___________________

Long time no see! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will be the assassination attempt on Nagisa!

Character of the Day:
Tsudawari Kenta

Gender: Male
Birthday: March 17th
Height: 173 cm
Blood type: O

Apearance: A brown haired boy, always with an easy smile. He likes to keep his uniform unbuttoned while exposing the shirt he wears underneath.

Personality: He is an easygoing guy that is always trying to find the best ways to lighten up a mood. Although goofy most of the time, it seems he tends to get serious when a situation gets out of hand.

Fun fact: Thinks the school has the best melon bread, despite everyone disagreeing.

See you in the next chapter~