Chapter 24

"Hey Nagisa! How are you?" Kayano said excitedly as she sat down in her seat. Nagisa gave her a small smile. "I'm fine. I'm not sick anymore."

Lies.

"Oh good! You were gone for a while, Koro-sensei had half the mind to show up at your house and teach you there!" Nagisa gulped inwardly. I'm glad he didn't.

As if on que, the jelly-like octopus made his way to the blunette. "You've joined class again, and so has Karma-kun." The small boy let out a small laugh. "Coincidence?"

Finally, the crowd settled down, slumping in their seats and tapping desks with their finger tips.

"Okay, turn your text-"

"Nagisa, would you come to the teachers lounge please?"

Nagisa's head snapped to the doorway. Karasuma stood there, an emotionless mask hiding his features. Nagisa smiled, nodded as he jumped from his seat and grabbed his things.

They finally found my dad!

Karma stared at Nagisa's silhouette from the back of the class, sitting up straighter to actually see him walk out. What did Karasuma want?

Karma continued to stare, not paying attention to anything Koro-sensei was saying. It wasn't until his textbook was lifted to his eye sight, making him focus on the words instead.

"Not paying attention, Karma-kun?" Koro-sensei said, narrowing his small eyes and his permanent grin seemed to stop being so peppy.

Karma gave his signature smirk, swiping back the book. "What does it look like to you?"

Koro-sensei only set his book to the right page. "Punishment only comes your way. What do you want me to assign you?"

He slithered back to his podium. Karma gritted his teeth, taking out a anti-sensei knife and skillfully throwing it to land directly in his squishy head.

It almost looked like it was going to hit, if it weren't for his 20 mach speed. Once second it's almost there, then the next a yellow tentacle with a handkerchief has it in its grasp.

"How rude, Karma-kun."

The red head scowled, directing his attention to the old textbook.

~~~

"Did you find it?" Nagisa said, seating himself in a chair in front of Karasuma's desk. He hesitated before sitting down, a small smile playing at his lips. "Of course I did. It was a bit hard, but I think I have what you're looking for."

Nagisa grinned widely. Finally! "Thanks again, Karasuma-sensei! You're the best!"

Karasuma's smile faltered a bit. If only he knew... he would know in a minute.

Karasuma glanced at the small file by his hand. Here it goes.

He picked it up, reaching his arm out to Nagisa, until he stopped. "Um. Nagisa-kun, I understand if you want to take the rest of the week off. To, um, visit him, perhaps. And to just, stay home and, collect yourself."

Nagisa felt a little uneasy by his choice of words. Like there was a deeper meaning to them. But right now, he would find out where his dad was! He smiled, grateful to Karasuma. "Thank you. I will take the opportunity to visit him."

Karasuma sighed. He was still being dense. Not that he was very specific. The agent shoved the folder into Nagisa's hands, turning his back and dismissing him.

Nagisa left excitedly, yelling back another thank you and walked to the classroom. I can't wait! I have to know now!

He ripped open the folder, turning over the piece of paper. He was just a few steps away from the classroom, he could hear his classmates talking around since it was already lunch.

He scanned the paper.

Name: G. Shiota
Serial Number: 4672
Sex: Male
Relationship: Married and Father
Birthday: February 17, 19XX
Status: Deceased
Causes: Stab in the stomach, bled to death
Weapon: Kitchen Knife
Killer: Unknown
Buried: Unknown
Case: Dropped

More Information: Found dead a few days after leaving his wife and son. Police and investigators searched for 2 years. Case was dropped April 8. Unidetified killer and no new information were found in this crime.

Shock was written across his features.

This can't be right.

No.

This is a mistake.

Yeah, a mistake.

A lie.

This is a lie.

Right?

Right?

Nagisa felt hollow. He couldn't move. He dropped the paper, looking at the one picture of him and his dad. Together, they were by a red bicycle. Nagisa had a toothy grin and his father was smiling proudly.

"You're joking... right?" Nagisa whispered out finally, his body shaking.

"This is a joke. A prank. A lie."

He fell to his knees, the thud echoing across the hallway.

He grabbed his head, smiling. "This is really funny. What a great joke."

He had half the mind to rush over to Karasuma and beg this to be a lie. But he stopped himself. Why would an agent from the government feed him false information?

It only took him seconds until he collected the papers and file and ran.

He ran far. He opened the front doors wildly, catching the attention of the rest of the End Class. They poked their heads out of the doorways and the windows, whispering constantly as they saw a blurred blue run into the forest.

"What was that?"

"Was that Nagisa?"

"But isn't he with Karasuma-sensei?"

"I wonder what's wrong..."

Nagisa screamed. He screamed as he ran, swiping through the branches and leaves. Some left scratches, some left cuts, some left blood.

It only got worse and worse the more he ran.

Karma recognized that as his blunette. He grew worried as he heard him yell out. Without hesitation, he jumped gracefully out the class window, grabbing everyone's attention as he ran straight into the forest.

Right after Nagisa.