Chapter 31

Karma was surprisingly handsy, Gakushuu noted, happy despite himself.

Gakushuu could, in fact, had gotten bold on occasion, but it was planned.

Karma tended to just casually touch Gakushuu in ways he wasn't used to. He would tug at his hair when Gakushuu got too busy with the cat, or he'd cup Gakushuu's face to hold him still and watch while Gakushuu slowly turned red.

Or they'd knock at each other's feet while they are Karma's food.

Well, in a single evening, Gakushuu had gotten flustered enough times to outdo every single time before that evening, combined.

Karma didn't even have to do much. He could blow air over Gakushuu's ear or lean in a little too close and Gakushuu would shut up mid conversation and turn red.

Gakushuu could see how much fun Karma was having from his reactions, but what made him happiest was that Karma was having his own reactions too.

Gakushuu leaned on an elbow by the kitchen counter while Karma cooked. He took his eyes off for half a second to raise an eyebrow at Gakushuu only for his eyes to fall on the red choker Gakushuu had been wearing.

But this time, it was Gakushuu . Very very male, and just as pretty.

The red was lit up by the kitchen lights in Karma's house, and Gakushuu had actually unbuttoned the first one to show him a very clear view of both the choker and Gakushuu's very prominent clavicle.

Karma almost upturned the utensil on the stove over himself, and only his quick reflexes managed to save it with only a burnt hand to show for it.

Gakushuu laughed the whole time while shoving Karma's hand down the ice box.

Karma was not impressed, but he was too red to put up a proper protest. Especially when Karma pulled out his hand to show the burn to Gakushuu and he leaned down to quickly brush his lips over the delicate skin.

"There, there," he whispered teasingly, then he looked up to see Karma turn as red as his hair, staring at Gakushuu with wide eyes.

Impulsively, Gakushuu leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. Karma made a sound like a dying whale and shoved his hand into the ice box again.

Gakushuu laughed through the pink of blush, pleased at the reaction.

When they finally managed to eat, they ended up playing footsie, Gakushuu managing to hold a steady upper hand though Karma's sudden tricks threw him off at times.

Finally when Gakushuu was leaving, Karma hooked his finger with Gakushuu's, and they stared at their interlinked finger. Gakushuu tugged Karma's hand closer, and Karma uncurled his fingers, and they reached out towards the other at the same time, linking their fingers together.

Their fingers slid between the other's until finally, their palms pressed against each other.

Gakushuu swallowed.

Karma's palm was warm, almost damp.

He looked at Karma.

They dropped their hand, still together, and Karma took a step closer, his burnt hand brushing Gakushuu's hair back. He leaned up, and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Gakushuu stared, surprised. Karma gave him a soft but mischievous smile, his finger poking Gakushuu's cheek.

"Come back here, okay?"

And Gakushuu heard a million unheard words in that.

Come here when you want to run away

Come back here like this is your home

Come back to me .

Gakushuu blinked a few times, and tried to convince himself that this was supposed to be a crush.

He didn't even make it past the first time.

"Mm," he made a noise at the back of his throat, and Karma's expression softened further.

"Okay, yeah," he breathed out. His heartbeat was far too fast to casually brush it off.

"See you later," Karma gave him a teasing wave, his expression at odds with the regular action.

"Later," Gakushuu repeated, then made his feet turn away and walk towards his own house.

An icy silence filled his house. 

Gakushuu wasn't called for dinner.

He didn't go down to eat it either.

"Did you hurt your hand, Karma?" Nagisa noticed first. More people joined in the show of concern, including Koro-sensei, who got him a super effective burn cream from Germany.

Only a few noticed him bite back a smile as he showed off his burn.

Two days later, all of Kunugigaoka had a picture of Karma on a date with a mysterious blonde girl.

Karma was looking at the girl, a smile on his lips, and the girl was holding onto Karma's arm. Her long hair reaching down her back could be seen, while Karma's whole face was caught.

They were leaning into each other almost provocatively, outside what seemed to be a normal restaurant but was actually the maid cafe.

The streets were slightly blurred out, either due to sudden movement or deliberately.

Class E collectively shat bricks.

Then they jumped on Karma like hounds on food.

Karma was flustered. Gakushuu was, subtly, flustered.

Class A was displeased.

Neither could provide an appropriate explanation.

And with that perfect timing, the inter class baseball match was about to begin.