I kept my promise to update today! And guys, I know you all hate me now for not updating for two weeks and two days, but here I present you with another chapter. Extremely sorry, I know no excuse will suffice and no apologies can make up for my delay. It won't do anything to explain what's going on in the real world because hey, I'm sure you're more interested in the book than my excuses and problems. So, if you don't mind please accept my apology, and let's get on with the story. Oh, and sorry for any ooc-ness that appears from now on... really I sometimes can't seem to control it. Soz guys.

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I thought tampering or injuring students weren't allowed...? Looking at the taped up Autonomously thinking fixed artillery, I walk into our assassination classroom. There's duck tape all around the Autonomously... such a long name... I'll just call it the box. Well, it is a box. Still. The tape all around the box practically stops it from moving even an inch, but I'm not even slightly interested in that or how it happened.

All that's going on in my mind revolves around Karma.

Damn him. He is as annoying as hell, but my mind is a huge mess when there is anything associated to him. For once, I just can't think properly. Starting from when I got here, so much has happened. But, why did he do all those things? Why did he save me when I fell from the tree, why did he block for me when I was about to be injured by that brick, why did he comfort me the last night of the school trip, why did he rush in without thinking yesterday when I was attacked, why was he so angry...? And that present... should I even take it seriously?

I can't think of an answer. It's not like usual, when I can decipher people's intentions from their expressions, actions, words... This time, I can't tell anything at all.

Karma's POV

For once, I just can't think properly. Karma walked into the classroom a few minutes after class started, and plopped down onto his seat carelessly. He did so many things without thinking lately. Not that he is a cautious person, but he doesn't even have an explanation of why he did what he did after it happened. He just couldn't prevent himself from jumping in and interfering when that stubborn, reckless girl rushed into things she should avoid.

Karma glanced over to Leiko, who has her head on the table and is looking at the black board half heartedly, her cute little faced scrunched up in a look of fierce concentration. Wait. Did I call her cute? The red head shook his head violently a few times, still lost in thought. Why do I think this way? What is this? I... don't want to think about her now. Karma slammed his hand down as he decided, drawing everyone's attention to him as he just grinned at them and waved. Leiko turned her head questioningly at him and cocked an eyebrow.

Karma cocked an eyebrow in return along with a smirk, and as the girl let out a " Tch." and turned away to look at Korosensei teaching, Karma looked away himself and stared at his desk. Now his head is filled with thoughts evolving around Leiko again. Great. Just after he resolved to keep his mind away from that subject, it wanders back. Infuriating and pleasant at the same time, for a reason Karma just can't figure out. His logical and clever brain ticked and turned for quite a long time while he listened to the lesson with one ear, then all the information going out the other.

The end of the day drags itself near, and Karma and Leiko both gave up on their thinking. Maybe sometimes having such logical and academic smart brains aren't so good after all.

Karma's POV

"What a wonderful day it is!" the Autonomously Fixed Thinking Artillery has become larger over night, and now, complete with a 3D screen, the machine is now in the form of a cute animated girl. "The plants outside have become a deeper shade of green! And the scent of the approaching summer is in the air!" Also, now she is overly cheerful.

Karma thought until his head hurt yesterday, but no logical nor sensible answer will come for him. Every time he now touches the subject 'Ayame Leiko', his brain shuts down. If... never mind. Karma rested his head on his desk and let out a long sigh, looking at the people crowding around the improved version of the Autonomously Thinking Fixed Artillery.

Leiko

Wow... he seems so peaceful it's like he's another person altogether. Who will know that-

"Quit staring you idiot!" Rio slapped me on the back, regaining my attention to the real world. "What are you looking so surprised at anyways?"

"Nothing..." I turn my head away from the sleeping Karma who's planted his face onto his desk and is breathing softly, his crimson hair all mussed and messy. So back to the problem that is harder than any math question I've ever encountered, why did Karma do all those things for me...? Or am I just over thinking it? I'm probably overthinking it. It's not like there's really anything that special anyways... he probably just enjoys annoying me. Just before I'm about to turn away, as if sensing my stare, a golden orb opens up and stares right back at me. Karma blinked, and lifted his head off the table, while stretching his arms.

"Whatcha doing? Oh, are you checking me out? Go ahead, I don't mind." The red head smirked arrogantly, cocking his head at me as if inviting a punch to the face. How does he react so fast after just waking up?!

"I-I'm not checking you out you insufferable idiot!" I growl. I decide he just likes annoying me. "I was thinking of the best way to murder you in your sleep."

"Really? Have you figured something out yet? Or should I go back to sleep so you have an excuse to stare at my figure?" Propping his head on one hand, Karma winks in an infuriating, superior and god damned annoying manner. He's really asking me to punch him, isn't he?

Karma's POV

Looking at Leiko's anger plastered face, Karma shook off all previous thoughts. Whatever the reason was, it's not important. Not like I care either way. The red haired boy grinned at the still furious raven again and looked away to see what's actually going on in the class.

The last bell of the day rang, and everyone rushed outside, eager to get back home. Now after another day, they have gained another companion, Ritsu. The name that was given to the previous Autonomously Fixed Thinking Artillery. But all in all, she is a machine, only like who is she is now because of a program, not able to have a will of it's own. Karma thought as he walked down the path down the mountains. Reaching the bottom of the path, a flourish of short black hair catches his eyes. Looking to the left, Ayame Leiko walked unhurriedly towards the way of her house. Follow her? Why not. Karma shrugged, who knows if that girl gets into something reckless again? It's just for fun anyways, not like there's some other reason... Karma thought. Then why do you feel compelled to go with her? His subconscious questioned, and the boy's mercury gold eyes widened slightly at his brain's suggestion. I don't feel compelled. It's simply boredom driving me. Karma retorted, pushing against what his hidden part of his mind. Is it really? After all those things you did just to protect her? Karma stayed silent at that question. He never thought that he was just protecting her, it just happened on a reflex. Now, his eyes following the raven haired girl, they widened in slight surprise and growing anger as he saw her turn a corner and into another back alley short cut. Does this girl want to get kidnapped? Does she ever learn? Karma stood staring at her, rigid with a mixed feeling of frustration, anger, exasperation and a little hint of... protectiveness?

I told you. His subconscious smiled victoriously as Karma set off after Leiko into the alley.

Leiko

I know I'm going to go through another short cut, but this is the fastest and most efficient way to get home. Besides, I look like a boy again, so there shouldn't be any problems at all. I turned a corner, and stepped into the dim and narrow back alley. Thank god Karma isn't here today, or else I'd have to go all the way around the other side. I smiled at myself. But it's kinda quiet without someone to talk, or to argue with. I shrug the thought off and quickened my pace.

A slight rustle sounded behind me, and I tilted my head slightly to see what it was. Suddenly, two hand shot out from behind. One clamping my mouth and the other secured around my waist, dragging me backwards towards a dark branch of the already dark street.

Author's note-

Hi, I'm sorry for this short chapter... take your anger out on Korosensei, kay? His unkillable so far so I'll chillax hiding behind him with an ice-cream... Now, I'm sorry for the delay and short chap once again, but I'll update another one as soon as possible.

I personally hate cliff hangers and love cliff hangers at the same time, but when I try to created a chapter with one it always seems to suck for some reason or another. Well, here's my chapter with my-best-attempt-cliff-hanger-ever, hope it was up to your expectations, and look forward to the next one!

-Raven