Chapter 1- What's up with Karma?

Thursday, February 2nd

“Hey, good work today guys,” our sensei said blankly although I swear I heard a hint of pride in his voice. I swear his only tone is ‘work’. He's still the best teacher we have. Well the best human teacher we have, other than professor bitch, but she yells at us all the time.

“Hey, has anyone seen Karma today, like I know he skips out on training sometimes; but he also didn’t go to lessons today either. You guys think he’s sick or something,” Isogai pipes up. He looks at the rest of us.

“Oh yeah you’re totally right, he was supposed to help me with some baseball pitches today ‘cause he ‘still wants to kick their asses’ even though we basically lost and the only reason we won was because Karma and Isogai are psycho. Oh and have the reflexes of gods,” He said, rolling his eyes. I thought back about that moment. It was absolutely great seeing the look on all of the classes' faces as the literal ‘worst’ class winning against the best of the best.

“Oh yeah and like half of normal class too. Like I wish I could do that and still pass. I’m here everyday and I’m pretty much still failing,” Terasaka sighed, putting his hands behind his head.

“That’s ‘cause you’re a dumbass,” Nakamura said in a sweet tone that held only venom in the words.

“Ok before you guys continue,” I butted in because although listening to them argue is quite the sight at times, I would like to go home, do my homework, and then go to sleep, "his parents are home and he is spending time with them before they go on another trip. Remember how they are like never home? I assume that’s what he’s doing," I sighed knowing that none of our friends really knew because it never came up other than once or twice.

“Nagisa coming with the solution! What would we do without you man!” Teresaka slung his arm around my shoulder making me and the whole class laugh.

“I have to go home now, see you guys later. I'll see if I can get a hold of Karma. He’s pretty good at answering me,” with that I walked away, waving as I did so. I put my earbuds in as I did so. Karma showed me this really good song. It doesn’t seem like something to be on his playlist, but Karma always seems to surprise me; whether it was training or school work because he is unfairly good at math. It was ‘The Moon Will Sing' by The Crane Wives. He said it kind of reminded him of our friendship used to be. I personally don't see it, but oh well. It's still a great song; it's kind of sad though.

~~~~~~

I came home to an empty house which I was very thankful for. I walked to my room and slid off my backpack, letting it fall to the floor. I flopped on my bed thinking if I should text Karma or not. I decided I had nothing to lose and the likelihood of him being mad at me was slim; he almost never got mad at me and when he was, he was great at voicing it. Most of the time it was just competitive stuff, but that's just Karma being Karma.

I take out my phone and start typing.

Nagisa: Hey karma, just wanted to text and say hi cuz you have missed a lot of school.

I went over to grab my homework and start on it. After about an hour and a math paper later, I check my phone. There were 0 messages. Okay well so much for being good at texting me back. He’s probably, he’s definitely just busy. His parents are home, I should, need to stop bugging him. He is probably with his family. I shook my head to get any negative thought out of my head. I sighed. Yeah this was not gonna work. I pull out my phone again. I swear it's just one more text.

Nagisa: Hey Karma, its me again, I was just like ‘woah karma is usually really good at texting back I wonder what he is doing’ yeah that’s all I hope your family is well and you’re well um see you at school tomorrow well hopefully lol

Oh my god. I can’t believe I just put 'lol' at the end of that. I’m so cringe. I go to the kitchen and throw together some ‘dinner’ and then go to bed because Karma isn’t texting back, so what else do I have to do?

~~~~~~

Friday, February 3rd

I wake up to my annoying alarm. I smack ‘snooze’. All it gave me was 5 minutes, but oh well I guess. I stretch trying to at least halfway wake myself up. I grab my uniform and head to the bathroom. When I got out of the shower my mother had already left. I make myself toast. While it is in the toaster I look at my phone because I just HAVE to know if Karma at least opened it. He did. He left me on open. Not gonna lie that gave me a pang of hurt in my heart. I shook it off. He probably is gonna be at school today, so he didn’t feel the need to. I grabbed my toast and rushed to the station because now I am officially late.

When I get to class I see Karma. I was too late to say anything to him before class since, well, class just started. I’ll just talk to him at lunch.

Not so easy apparently. Where did he go, he was literally JUST here. Okay we have one more class then training; I’ll just have to catch him then. I’m pretty sure this is going to be the longest hour of my life.

After an hour of listening to Korosensei talk about math. I practically ran out of my seat; it did cause me to almost trip which gained me a few stares, but oh well.

“Karma!” I yelled his name as I saw him limping down the hill. Wait, why is he limping?

“Yes Nagi-chan?” he said as more of a question.

“I uhh.. tried texting you; you’ve-” he cut me off before I could even finish.

“I’ve been absent?” he asked, trying to guess what I was going to say. I mean he wasn’t wrong. Actually he was spot on. I didn’t even realize I was staring until he said something.

“You texted me about it, Nagi-chan. I’ve been with family. Did you really miss me that much?” he looked at me with that signature smirk of his.

I chose to ignore his comment because, yes, I did miss him, was that such a crime? I gasped, “that’s great! I’m so happy for you! Your parents are rarely home!” I'm pretty sure I looked happier than he did which led my face into a frown almost instantly.

“Hey, what’s up you don’t look too happy about it,” I nudged his side. I know Karma usually calls their visits ‘bittersweet’ since they don’t stay long, but I know part of him still likes them at least seeing him.

“Yeah well this time they will stay for a few weeks or hell maybe a month or two,” he gives out a bitter laugh, “dunno where they are goin’ after that though,” he shrugged, turning around and starting to leave.

“Hey Karma, why are you limping?" I asked softly and grabbed his wrist before he could fully leave.

“I just fell down coming up the hill. I tripped over a branch and then bam! Down I went,” he said laughing as if it was no big deal. That really doesn’t seem like something that would happen. Hell we are literally becoming assassins. Out of all people Karma seems the least likely to trip.

“Anyway, thanks Nagi-chan for checking in, I- FUCKING OUCH!” He yelled, grabbing his leg. I immediately ran over and started asking a million questions. They were mostly: ‘are you ok,’ ‘what can I do?’ ‘want me to get one of the teachers?’

“Nagisa, if you don’t be quiet right now I’m going to absolutely murder you,” he groaned, rolling his eyes. Ok phew he is still ok. Well he’s obviously not ok, but he is ok enough to threaten me which I think is good.

“Um ok…” I trailed off, trying to think of a solution, “oh my gosh! We have to get you to the teachers now!” I yelled loud enough I’m pretty sure the entire neighborhood could hear. All he did was shake his head and sigh.

“Nagi-chan I just want to go home, k?” he said as he got up to leave. I signed and this time I just let him go this time with no arguing. God, I’m pretty sure he was going to be the death of me. Or well at least my undying love for him was going to kill me whichever makes it to me first. That’s not quite his fault, but maybe if he wasn’t the best person I know then I wouldn’t be so in love. He loves my favorite show and he would do anything to protect his friends; granted I can never tell if it's for his ego or us, but that obviously doesn’t matter because he is still one of the smartest people I know. Oh! And he is like the best when it comes to planning for missions or stuff, a true master at minipluatuon. I would love it if he and Nakamura would stop dressing me up for their evil plans though.

I wandered back to the group and was immediately asked where I had been by Kayano. I’m surprised Karasuma didn’t say anything. I just kind of ran off and left.

“So, I went to find Karma ‘cause he has been gone more, and I was right he is spending time with his family because they leave a lot. He said they were gonna spend more time here than usual, like weeks, maybe even a month or two when they only stay here for like a few days and then leave,” I said recalling the talk I had with Karma I left the part where he almost fell.

“Oh you’ve GOT to be kidding me,” Nakamura groaned, “I just got an idea for this great prank he was supposed to help me pull off,” the class laughed and Nakamura was about to say something, but Kanzaki beat her to it.

“Maybe it’s a sign that you should stop pranking people; my shirt is still ruined,” although she rolled her eyes, she was still smiling.

“That was all Karma! It was his idea!” The whole class burst out laughing.

“Wait, do you guys take turns or something? What the hell?” Terasaka asked between bursts of laughter. Geez I knew they hung out sometimes, but not this much. Well, if that counts as hanging out.

“No we don’t, I’ll have you know. If one of us has an idea we make it happen. Although for some things we do have to ask a third party. It's usually Nagi-chan,” smirked as she mocked Karma's nickname for me. I didn’t even say anything, so I don’t know why I’m getting picked on.

“I- well- look,” oh wow Nagisa you’re so smooth, I internally facepalmed. I looked at her. I swear she has the female version of Karma’s smirk and it terrifies me because they are both equally evil apart, as they are together. But sometimes Karma will direct the attention to something else to get the social pressure off of me, as of right now though, I am at her mercy.

I sighed, “look I told Karma to stop with that nickname, like a lot, but he just ignores me. He has a mind of his own. And that is just a nickname. What's that got to do with this?” I said pleading my case which I think I did great at.

“Oh so like you wouldn’t care at all if he just stopped one day?” she asked with the most evil smirk on her face. I’m pretty sure she is the female version of Karma and I fell into her trap, face first too. But no one was nice enough to save. I will remember this when someone else is being chewed up and spit out by her.

“Ok- well it would just be weird- or strange. Like I wouldn’t be mad. I mean it’s not like I’m mad right now ‘cause I’m not,” she just stared at me blankly for a few moments, probably trying to figure out that word vomit I just created. I wish I could crawl in a hole right now. I could feel my face getting bright red. Maybe Korosensei could explode the earth right now to save me from this embarrassment.

“Yeah ok, whatever,” she cackles like a witch (okay, that might have been an exaggeration, but I just can’t believe the whole class saw that.)

"Hey, why do you let him call you that anyway? Don't you like hate being referred to as feminine things?" Maehara asked. He has a point. If anyone but Karma were to say that, I would probably get a little hurt or offended at least, but it's just a nickname he gave me, and I know he means nothing mean by it, so I let it pass.

"I mean it's just a nickname, and it's not like he means anything mean when he says it, so I guess that's why I let it pass," I shrug.

"Huh makes sense," Maehara shrugs.

We then felt a looming figure above us.

“Ok can we get back to training now?” Karasuma signed, staring us down. The whole class looked at each other. And yelled a quick ‘yes sir’.

~~~~~~

Since we ‘messed around’ during practice we had to do extra workouts and they were harder. At least it was the weekend though. I grab my bag and take my phone out. I see a text from Karma. And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a tad bit excited he texted me.

Since it's the weekend wanna watch the new sonic ninja movie with me? It's at the theater tomorrow. You can invite the rest of the class too. I'm sure they miss me just as much as you did ;)

I would be lying if I said my face didn’t start to burn up after just that text. There was also a tinge of jealousy because he invited the whole class. But I’m his best friend, so it makes sense that I would be a little jealous right? I shook my head. This should so not be my main priority right now.

I ran outside fast enough to see the class 3-E students laughing as they headed down the hill.

“Hey guys, wait!” I ran after them, almost tripping and falling on my face. It is in times like these I wonder how I’m still allowed to train as an assassin. The whole class looked at me with confusion. Kayano was the first to say something.

“Yes Nagisa?” she asked, turning her head to the side.

I regained my composure enough to ask, “Karma asked me if I wanted to go to the new Sonic Ninja movie that's showing tomorrow. Then he said to also ask you guys,” I said smiling at the thought of hanging out with my friends without trying to kill our teacher for at least ONE day.

“Wait how come you guys forgot to invite your favorite otherworldly, octopus teacher,” Korosensei popped up behind us crying and whining; dang, speak of the devil I guess.

“You’re our teacher not our classmate wouldn’t that be weird!?” Nakamura yelled at him. If I was being honest nothing about being a student in classroom 3-E was normal, so I don’t even know why she questions things anymore.

“You’re such a bully,” he said as he kept weeping. Nakamura was about to say something else but was interrupted by Isogai.

“Look I’m sure Karma wouldn’t mind, and if doesn’t want you there he’ll tell you to go away. I mean Karma loves to speak his mind, especially when it hurts others,” he said with a kind smile that was until he realized how rude and backhanded that sounded. “Wait, I mean like that in a good way?” he said although it was more of a question. He wasn’t wrong, but I could see why he wanted to reword it.

Nakamura sighed and rolled her eyes. I could feel her gaze shift to me; I don’t like where this is going. I saw an evil smile creep onto her face. The last time she looked at me that way she almost killed me from embarrassment, “whatever. I say Nagisa chooses. I mean it is his date and all.” I could feel my face explode into a deep shade of red. I turn away from everyone else. I am going to get her back. I don't know when or how, but someday.

“It-it’s not a date. I mean obviously. Like he invited you guys like so obviously it's a friend hangout. L-like movie night b-but with friends,” OH MY GOD Nagisa what was that? Maybe if I mentally yell at myself more I’ll learn. I love it when the class just watches Nakamura bully me. Is every one too scared to just say ‘hey you shouldn’t do that to poor Nagisa.’ But no, I swear people just love to mess with me.

“Yeah ok whatever,” she snickered. “Is the octopus going or not?”

“Yes, he can go,” I mumbled quietly before turning around and heading to my house.

~~~~~~

I pulled out my phone on the train and sent a text to the group chat.

Nagisa: No one even answered me when I asked if you wanna go

Okuda: Not me sorry

Nakamura: Of course y’know if the love birds don’t mind ;)

Karma: Don’t worry I’ll always leave some room just for you Rio-chan ;)

Huh, I never knew that those guys got so close I guess it makes sense they spend almost all their free time at school scheming. I might feel just a tinge of jealousy, but I know I have no right. I’m just Karma’s friend.

Isogai: Omg I’ll never understand what is wrong with you two. I’m sure there's a name for it but anyway I’m in

Sugino: It's called they’re both crazy and have spent way too much time together pranking us that they now have an everlasting love of being the worst when in the same room.

Karma: You’re just jealous

Sugino: No

Nakamura: I agree since me and him are in rooms very far away from each other

Sugino: Fine being the worst when being able to communicate. Better? :)

Nagisa: Shush and let everyone else answer about the movie please

Nakamura: Fine, but first of all, Nagisa is a stick in the mud. And not the fun ones you can throw at people. And second of all this isn’t over Sugino.

Terasaka: I’d be down to go even though movies like that aren’t my favorite

Kayano: Sure :)

Korosensei: I’d love to go ^-^ I love spending time with my students

Karma: Sure I would love to try to kill you. It would be so much more special if it got to blow your head off then watch what will probably be my new favorite movie

Korosensei: See Karma, that's the attitude I love to see! I love seeing my students try their best!

Karma: I’m sure you’ll regret that later

Karma: Anyway I’ll send you guys the address

He sent the address like he said he would. After that the chat was pretty much dead. The rest of the class didn’t say if they wanted to go, so I assume they don’t wanna go, and if they do they’ll probably say something. I put my phone down. I sigh. What am I going to do? It’s not like we’ve never hung outside of school before, so why am being weird? Maybe it's from what happened yesterday. Or maybe I’m imagining it. I could ask Kayano. I mean she is like my second best friend, and she’s a girl. Girls are good at this, at least I’m pretty sure. Or I could ask Nakamura, she hangs out with Karma second most or maybe THE most. I don’t even know anymore. Or I’m blowing this out of proportion. I shook my head. I am 100% overthinking this. It shouldn’t matter who he hangs out with because he is still my best friend. I think I’ll ask her. I mean she knows him and me both so then it will be fine.

Nagisa: Hey um I was wondering if I could ask you something

Nakamura: Is it about Karma cuz if it is just say you like him already and save us all the pain we have to enduring watching you two pine over each over

I have nothing to say. She is EVIL. Like the devil has more sympathy. Okay fine I’ll just ask her if she’s noticed anything weird about Karma. After yesterday, it couldn't be just me.

Nagisa: You’re insane, you need mental help. It is karma tho but its not that. Have you noticed anything different or off about him cuz something happened yesterday. And I just thought that since you hang around him you would know.

Nakamura: Nope sorry gotta go tho bye

That was weird. If anyone would’ve known I thought it would’ve been her. Oh man, maybe I am imagining it. Maybe he was having an off day or he really DID fall off the hill. I groan and roll over stuffing my face in my pillow. Ugh! Why does life have to be so confusing? Like where is the cheat code? I sighed and went out to the kitchen.

My mom was finally home. She was sitting at the table eating dinner.

“Food is on the counter,” she said, not looking up. Don’t get me wrong I love my mom; I just wished that she would like me for me and not for who she wished I was. I grab my food and sit across from her.

“So um my friends are going to the new Sonic Ninja movie tomorrow. Can I go?” I ask her. I am praying that she says yes because her saying no would absolutely kill me.

“Sure, I have some work to get done anyway,” she said with a small smile. I wish she was like this all the time. I was about to say something else, but I was too late since she already got up to go put her dish in the sink.

“Do the dishes before bed please,” and with that she walks away. Well looks like I’m on dish duty. I finish my food and get up to wash the dishes. While washing them I couldn’t help but wonder why Nakamura ended the conversation so fast. I didn’t even get to tell her the thing that happened yesterday. Isn’t she curious? I mean I would be. I mean I could just ask Karma, but what would I even say? ‘Oh hey I was just stuck on the fact that Nakamura basically told me to leave through text. Oh and yeah I was talking about you because I couldn’t decide if I like you or I’m crazy. Oh I was also wondering about why you almost fell over. You know the usual.’ I sighed, as I put the last dish away. I think I'll settle for not saying anything at all honestly. I wandered back to my bedroom and flopped on my bed.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t super excited, but also super nervous about tomorrow. I think at this point I should just ignore it and get to bed, so I get up and throw on pajamas. I undo my hair and lay my head on the pillow, falling asleep almost immediately.

~~~~~~

Saturday, February 4th

I wake up to my phone going off.

Terasaka: Hey guys when is the movie?

Karma: Like 5ish we can meet earlier there is an arcade around there so if we meet early we can go there.

Kayano: Ooo that sounds fun!

Nakamura: How about we meet at 3 play at the arcade for an hour and then we can eat and we’ll probably be done by like 4:30ish

Kayano: But the best part of the movies is the snacks :((

Sugino: You can still get snacks

Karma: I like Rio-chan’s idea, plus we can spend more time together. And don’t worry it's on me just cuz I feel bad for you peasants ;)

Isogai: Thank you for paying but just for that I am buying so many expensive things

Terasaka: I agree

Nagisa: I like Nakamura’s idea too. I think it's the best way we can spend the most time together and still have time for the movie :)

Korosensei: Look at my students working together I’m so proud ;-;

Karma: I already regret letting you come

Korosensei: I’ll just ignore that very hurtful jab at my heart

I shut off my phone and get ready to go.

0805e0803b62f46176f5b3031094559bI'm serializing this work on Webnovel. Head over to Webnovel for the other chapter updates! https://www.webnovel.com