"...Akabane?"

___________________________

The familiar chuckle you love listening to escape the boy's lips as he smirked. "Hello, (cute nickname)-chan. Glad to finally meet you in person!" A vein popped on your forehead as you smacked his arm. "I said not to call me that, Bakabane." He pouted playfully. "Awww... (nickname)-chan is being mean after I've just rescued her~"

That was then you only noticed you both were in the same position when he saved you, making you both look like a couple. You felt blood rushing to your face as you wiggled out of his grip. Karma, seeing your reaction, snickered secretly as he put his hands into his pockets and strutted off. You followed behind him, head down.

You peeked up at him and studied him. He was tall- around 175cm and had a slim but muscular body. He had canine teeth and pale face. His golden irises glimmered with mischief and had crimson hair. A smirk was plastered on his face, giving vibes that he was not to mess with. He was wearing a red jacket and white shirt inside with jeans and sport shoes, which complimented his figure. In conclusion, he was handsome.

Your blush deepened when you thought about the crush you had on him. He was the right guy- you chose correctly. He was the perfect one for you to crush on.

"Heh~ is (cute nickname)-chan checking me out~?"

Or not.

You snapped of your thoughts and immediately scowled at him. "Don't be so conceited to think so, Bakabane," you replied casually and strolled past him. "Hey!" You heard footsteps pounding behind you and saw that he was running to catch you. With a scream, you ran for your dear life, laughing while Karma chased you all around the park, catching you soon. Screams of laughter erupted from the both of you as Karma tickled your weak sides. You begged for him to stop but he only intensified it. Finally, after a full minute of torture, he let you go and you slumped on the bench, panting for air.

When you regained breath, you turned and glared at the redhead who only had an innocent smile on his face. "Why did you do that? How do you even know where I'm ticklish?" you whined. "I just guessed," he simply replied and walked away. You immediately got up and followed him. "Hey! Akabane! Answer my question properly!" "It's just Karma, and I already answered it: I guessed. Now let's go around town and check out some game stores. Got money on you?" You huffed. "Of course I do. Let's go." Karma smirked and side by side, you both walked along the city pavement, catching up on each other's life.

Throughout the whole evening, you both have been to a café, an electronics store, arcade, a game store and a bookshop. You both even passed by an anime shop, which you released your inner otaku and practically dragged Karma to go inside and buy some anime merchandise.

"Oh my GODDDDD! IT'S THE SUPER LIMITED ADDITION (FAVE ANIME MERCHANDISE) ONLY FOUND IN JAPAN!!! LOOKLOOKLOOKKARMA IT HAS (FAVE CHARACTER) ON IT TOO!! HE'S SO HAWTTT!!!" you screamed, shoving the merchandise up Karma's face. He couldn't even take a good look about it before you hugged it tightly to your chest and started smooching on (favourite character).

Karma took a peek over your shoulder. "Heh~? Are you sure? I think I'm better looking than him~" You compared both of them and blushed a little. Maybe Karma was a slight bit better looking. You mentally kicked yourself at that thought. No, (Y/N). You must stay loyal to (favourite character). He won't be easily beaten by a tomato head. At that thought, you snickered to yourself, imagining Karma as a tomato and grabbed the stuff you wanted to purchase to the counter. Karma's sharp senses caught your snickering. He frowned at you while the smirk still plastered on his face. "What are you laughing at?" he asked you threateningly. You snickered a little louder. "I was just comparing a tomato with you, that's all. In fact, the tomato seemed like it's winning." A vein popped on Karma's forehead as he secretly swore to get you back later.

After making your purchases, you both left the store and it was already around 7 at night that time. "Where should we go for dinner?" you asked Karma. He hummed, thinking. "I know a restaurant nearby, but it's even shorter if we use the alleyway." "T-the alleyway?" you squeaked, your demeanour in the anime shop gone. Karma noticed and smirked. Perfect time to get you back from the insult previously.

"Oh? Is the great (Y/N) scared of a little ol' alley?" he teased. You blushed, embarrassed and frowned and smacked his arm. "I'm not! I'm just a little worried...about thugs and stuff...maybe we should...use the main road which is safer instead?" you tried to make up an excuse. In truth, you were just paranormal about these type of roads. Karma smirked. "That ain't no problem. I can just beat them all up. Come on now~!" he sang and strolled into the alleyway. You gulped and followed after him.

"Ne~ (Y/N)-chan~ Have you heard about the rumours that a girl committed suicide and that her soul still wanders around here, searching for teenagers to join her?" Karma spoke up, enjoying the way you paled up. "O-oh? Is that true? I-I didn't know..." you stammered nervously, eyes darting around the alley and unconsciously neared Karma. "Yeah. And usually the victims are girls who walk here after 6." Goosebumps formed on your skin when you heard Karma's serious tone. "A-and then? What h-happens to them...?"

"Who knows? But I heard that those who made out alive described that you will feel a pair of cold hands running on your back-" You swore you felt fingers lightly running themselves on your back. "and slowly crawling up to your neck... and...BOO!" A blood curling scream was let out from your throat as a pair of cold hands closed around your neck all a sudden.

Karma was laughing so hard he had to release his hands from your neck and clutched his stomach. "Oh my god...your reaction...too priceless..." Karma struggled to gasp out before erupting into another fit of laughter. Your heart was palpilating as you trembled, still in shock of what had happened. When you finally got it right, tears were welled up in your eyes.

"KARMA!!! What the hell?! You jerk!! You cannot scare me like that!!" You screamed at him and turned away to prevent him from seeing you wipe your tears away. He noticed and the laughing subsided, going to a chuckle as you felt him ruffled your hair gently. "All right, all right, I won't do it again~ No stop crying, you cry baby~" You felt your face go red.

"I'm not crying, just that there was dust and-" you tried to mumble, but was cut off by Karma's snickering. "Yeah right~"

You opened your mouth to retort when a hand smacked itself on your mouth while another locked you and you were dragged backwards, making you dropped your stuff. Karma tried to pull you back but two person grabbed his arms from behind and pinned him down. A figure stepped in front of the two of you, followed by many others.

"Well, not so tough now, are we?" A familiar voice said. You immediately recognised him as the 'Karma' from before. Karma's eyes burned with anger. "You-" "Shush shush shush~ No time for words now. You assaulting me is enough evidence to get you beaten within an inch of your life. This is what you get for messing with me, Hayato, the leader of the gang!" He sneered and commanded his group to attack.

You watched, wide eyed as a few people pounced on Karma at once. They hold him down even firmer. Hayato chuckled darkly and headed towards you, a penknife in hand. "And while that happens, you will watch me and your girlfriend making out~" He put his hand underneath your clothes and started carressing your skin, slowly trailing up.

That was when Karma snapped, broke free and beated them up. He was surprisingly strong, and based on the way he fought, his actions showed that he was experience, proving the delinquent he was and told you about. He forced his way through and got hold of Hayato, elbowing him in the face. Hayato grunted and let go. He beated up the one locking you.

You, being the smart one, didn't waste anytime taking out your penknife and attacked the ones who came up to Karma while he was dealing with the others. With your teamwork, both of you took down the whole gang of twenty people, including Hayato.

You two looked at each other, a grin spreaded across both of your faces and you both high-fived. You picked up your things as you both chatted happily about the fight, continuing your way in the alley to the restaurant.

The dinner ended up with Karma treating you and the cashier ended up taking you both as a couple, which lead to a discount. Karma also seemed a little flustered but hid it expertly, saying that a little discount was also good.

The small meeting came to an end with Karma chasing you halfway on the journey back to your house. Turns out, Karma lived just a few streets down from your house. Needless to say you enjoyed your time with Karma.

You both reached the gate of your house soon. You felt a little sad to leave the redhead whom you crushed on even harder after today's outing. "Well, this is my house. Chat with you again soon, Karma. And thanks for the dinner." You said and waved your hand as the other reached out to unlock the gate.

No reply came out off him. Instead, hands forced you to turn around so you were facing Karma. You looked up at Karma, confused as he leaned in and you felt something on your forehead for a few seconds before Karma let go of you, smirking and waving his hand as he walked off into the night.

You were still in total paralysis of what had happened when you heard your overprotective father screamed: "(FULL NAME), YOUNG LADY, COME INSIDE THE HOUSE AND EXPLAIN WHY DID A BOY KISS YOU ON THE FOREHEAD WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT WITH A GIRL THIS EVENING!!!!"