"Why aren't you dressed yet young man?" My mother asked me with an easy going smile. But I wasn't fooled , that smile was a warning to me. "For what exactly? Mama dearest?" I asked her with a sarcastic grin

She furrowed her brows, her lip twitched, but she remained smiling sweetly. Well, I should probably prepare to take cover soon, because when she finally loses her composure and start blowing up on me...my room will soon become a warzone.

"For prom, honeypie" she reminded, stepping into my room. Uh oh, this is bad, this is really bad, nothing good ever comes out of your angry mother entering your room smiling at you.

Well not like I'm scared or anything, but I value my life, I'm too handsome to die and have so much unfinished business to do.

Akabane Karma is going to die ruling over the world as a tyrannical demon lord, or I'm never dying(yes I'm that ambitious)

"Prom?" I pretended to think about it, setting down my video game. "Oh right! Prom.." I exclaimed with a 'eureka' expression. "I'm not going" I dropped the bomb on her

Mom was still smiling. Very eerily.

She tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes "Why not?" She inquired.

"Because I've got nothing to wear" I told her, barely hiding my smug tone. "I'm like...the male version of Cinderella, except I've got no fairy godmother or friendly rodents to help me out" I added dramatically just to annoy my mom further.

"Ohhh..is that right?" She gave me a sadistic smile that was the exact copy of the one I usually wear.

I really am my mother's son. Which is scary enough itself. I watched my mom take several steps back until she was out of my room.

I thought for one sweet moment I had won and she'd given up. But nope, I was so wrong, because ten minutes later she returned holding a fancy black and white formal outfit in one hand, and a pair of shiny black shoes in the other.

She held them up. "Luckily for you Karma dear, mommy thought ahead, I wouldn't want you missing out on a fairy tale like experience and regret it for the rest of your life-"

"Fat chance! I never liked fairytales or parties in the first place so why?!"

"And you're right, you're like the male Cinderella but without friendly mice or fairy godmothers around to help" she pouted mockingly. I rolled my eyes at her. "So...mommy's going to be your fairy gosh mom!"

"Please God, no"

"How does that sound?" Mom tilted her head and smirked at me, her eyes expressed sadistic enjoyment at my defeat.

"Yep, definitely my mom"

_____________________________

A little while later, I was standing outside our house, wearing an expensive suit for prom, my hair gelled back, and my mother waving good bye at me from the window.

"Have fun at prom darling! Don't worry about curfew because you don't have any! so feel free to stay out past midnight!" She encouraged me.

I forced out a smile. An obviously fake smile. "Sure, thanks mom" I told her.

"Oh and don't even think about just going to prom, signing your name on the attendance list, and then leaving soon after! Trust me baby, I would know " she added loudly. "I would also know if you run into some trouble and never make it to the school, trust mommy when she says she'll be there in a flash to help you get to prom faster"

My mother is a scary woman. Which makes sense because of who I am as a person.

"Bye" I muttered. But I know she knows what I said. I called for an Uber and told the driver to take me to Kunogigaoka

_____________________________

I have a great view of the gym from where I'm standing. Everyone seem to be having a great time. Some are dancing or socializing, some are eating with friends or alone.

The music wasn't bad either. Whoever selected the soundtrack had great taste

Usually at events like these I would stir up trouble by mixing wasabi in the drinks or food, or causing a fight to break out between two people which would then lead to an all out brawl with more.

But I wasn't in the mood

I spotted two students laughing together. One of them had light blue hair, which reminded me of Nagisa, one of my best friends.

Most(if not all) of my close friends have moved to new schools to have a fresh start after everything that happened to us last year.

I'm still dejected over the death of Korosensei. Sometimes I would think I saw him from the corner of my eye but when I would turn to get a better look it would turn out to be something or someone else.

He was the best teacher ever. And I kinda regret never telling him I appreciated him. But mourning over him forever isn't gonna bring him back, and knowing him, he'd much rather I be having fun.

I took another look around, before heading to the food table.

I grabbed a plate of chicken and sandwiches, plus a cup of juice. Mom would know if I left the school, but if I stay within school property that shouldn't be a problem for her.

I was about to headed for the exit

__________________________

"Peace and quiet" I sighed, sitting on the bench in the conservatory.

The place was still new, just added a few months ago. The principal, Gakuho, started building the place a month into the new school year.

I always wanted to visit the place but never found the time. I think one of my classmates would have loved this, maybe Isogai, or Rio, or Okuda....

I chewed on my chicken leg, my head tilted up at the glass ceiling. The forever crescent moon was half covered by clouds, it reminded me of Korosensei's grin, If I tilt my head a bit I would see his smile.

"Since when was I a sentimental sap? Rio would tease the hell out of me" but I'd appreciate it anyway.

"I knew you would be here"

My sight of the moon was blocked by a familiar face.

I smirked. "Mr President, what a surprise" I greeted, raising my chicken leg to take another bite.

Asano Gakushū, the principal's son, a pain in my and E-class's ass during junior high, also my academic rival.

And basically the only friend I have in this school because he's the only one who bothers talking long conversations with me and hanging out with me.

"Awwwe were you looking for me prez?" I teased. He walked around the bench and sat beside me.

He was wearing a similar formal attire to mine. Except his is in all white, and he ditched the jacket. He rolled his sleeves all the way to his elbow, and his bow tie was now hanging loosely around his neck.

(Author: Karma's formal and clean cut while Gakushū's outfit is informal and slightly messy...you know, a swap in the sense? 😚✨)

"I thought if Akabane Karma would show up to prom he'd liven the place up and I'd find myself having fun all night" he said, also looking up. "But no. When he showed up all he did was stand in a corner like some loser and scare away every girl..and guy, who plucked up the courage to approach him"

He looked at me with raised brows. "What's his deal?"

"I didn't even wanna come here" I uttered.

"Mm...same" Gakushū expressed.

"Mom forced me"

"So did my dad"

"Sucks right?"

"I know the feeling"

Silence.

Not uncomfortable, but slightly awkward. We both wanted to say more but didn't know what words to use. Then he got up and stood in front of me, holding out his hand

"Ah?"

"Have you forgotten our parents forced us to take ballroom dancing together?" He smiled invitingly at me. "Come on, let's see if you kept practicing"

In the distance we could hear the music changing

End of part 1