It's been days since Karma's family returned. Days since the reunion party that Karma couldn't be bothered to stick around for and so he kept hiding in the attic or basement

Gakushū is still dating Sakoto

And the twins are still meddling around for their own amusement. Well, Takuya was. Takuma meanwhile hasn't schemed anything much, which confused Takuya.

"Are going to visit Karma and Gakushū?" Takuya asked once day when he saw his brother about to leave the house.

Takuma laughed. "No! I'm just gonna take a walk, my life doesn't revolve around those two you know"

Takuya just nodded. "I see"

The green haired boy left their shabby house. He pulled up his hood and went up the hill rode, walking without any real destination in mind, just as long as he made some distance between him and the place where he lives. Which is the bad area of town

_________________________

Gakushū for some reason suddenly had a flashback of the time he barged into Karma's how, dropped to his knees dramatically, and asked for his help in asking Sakoto out. He bursted out laughing at the memory, which surprised himself. Why wasn't he cringing in shame at that memory? Must be because he remembered Karma's expression that day

A combination of surprise and hope. His eyes shining with happiness. He was adorable.

"Adorable? No" Gakushū shook his head.

He has no idea why but all of a sudden his mind started churning up images of events and scenes that happened during the first months of the new school year.

From meeting Karma again after the summer break, getting partnered up, Ren's party, him and Karma meeting the twins and Etsuko, eventually becoming closer. Those were not memories of shame, they were memories of happiness.

Even that time he and Karma got locked up in that small room at the haunted house and Karma having a breakdown because of his claustrophobia, he's happy he is the one who managed to calm the boy down.

Akabane Karma, his good friend, his best friend. A person who brings out a side of him he always preferred to keep locked away.

His thoughts about Karma was temporarily interrupted by a call.

It was his girlfriend. Gakushū wanted to just let the phone ring for longer and leave her to voice mail, but he felt that would be rude and besides

He has ignored her long enough.

"Hello" he greeted, answering her call after letting it ring for five more seconds.

"Hello! Are you busy?" Came Sakoto's sweet voice. "No" he answered.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go on a movie date with me?" She said. "I bought a new dress I want to show you"

"Alright" he said, hoping he didn't sound bored.

"Okay! You can pick me up at 8 tonight!"

He heard the excitement in her voice. Now he feels guilty for ignoring her. In all honesty he doesn't really know why he asked her out, it was just something he did on impulse. His body just moved on it's own. But he does like her as a friend, perhaps if he waits a bit more he'll eventually grow his feelings for her.

Gakushū left his house to take a walk, hoping to clear his mind.

_________________________

Karma was jogging at the park. He wanted to get away home. He's really uncomfortable with his parents there, why weren't they leaving yet? And worse of all, that woman was there, her room was in the same hall as his.

He growled angrily as he remembered the awkward dinner they had last night. She kept flirting with his father, while his mother sat in silence. Although she was quiet, her fury was loud, it sent shivers down his spine.

Their argument that morning ruined any hope for him having a good morning with his mother, father, and his father's girlfriend there. He just wanted the three of them gone.

"Karma?" He stopped in his tracks and was met with vibrant emerald green eyes. Takuma stood infront of him, holding two plastic bags in his hand.

"Oi, Takuma! It's been a while" he said, raising a hand. Takuma grinned before walking towards him "It's only been a couple of days though" the green haired boy corrected. He sat on a stone bench and patted the spot next to him

Karma sat down beside him.

"What do you have there?" Karma asked, gesturing to the plastic bags. "Orange juice, Clover and Nova chips, Yakisoba bread" Takuma took them out as he named them. "Aaaand-" he flashed Karma something shiny "Stickers! I got them for 10 yen at the Convenient store!" He showed Karma the childish stickers. "Eh? Eh?" He grinned at the red head.

Karma just stared at him, before bursting out laughing. "Grow up will ya?" He said, laughing heartily.

Takuma stared at Karma, smiling to himself as he listened to Karma's laughter.

"Grow up will you"

If anyone else said it, Takuma would have been upset, but for the red head, it was different.

"Hahaha--Eh?" Karma blinked when Takuma placed a sticker on his forehead. It was a sticker of an apple. "Don't remove it!" Takuma explained when he saw the red head's hand lift to scratch off the sticker.

"Karma looks so cute...what if-", he then placed more stickers all over Karma's face.

"Cute, cute!" Takuma had to stop himself from gushing all over the sticker covered Karma.

The red head took out his phone and looked at his reflection. Then, he laughed again.

Takuma bit his lip as he watched Karma laughing. "His laughter is like music to my ears" he thought. "Wait...why am I thinking like this?" He frowned, not liking his thoughts.

"Oi! Karma! Takuma!" They heard Gakushū calling for them. Takuma watched Karma's eyes widened when he heard Gakushū's voice. "Hey second place!" He stood up, waving at Gakushū who stopped in his tracks when he saw Karma's face.

Takuma watched their interactions. Gakushū telling Karma he looked ridiculous, and Karma teasing Gakushū "Come on admit it! Ya find me cute"

"Akabane Karma and cute? Hell no" Gakushū smirked

"Yes because I'm hot as hell", Karma grinned

"I'm serious you look weird with you face covered in children's stickers!"

Takuma didn't understand this weird feeling. Why does he feel hurt all of a sudden?

(Author: Happy 2022!)