Disclaimer: As I've said in the previous chapter, neither Assassination Classroom, nor the Devils' Carnival belong to me, but to their respective owners. 

Previous Chapter: The last bit of steps were in her sight, prompting Hiriko to hasten her pace, and make for the door on the landing. She was completely out of breath, but used her remaining energy to push her way through the door,and right into something hard making her stumble backwards and lose herbearings for a minute. A voice that she was unfamiliar to her until she gathered herself and looked at the person in front of her.

 Now: Eshima Hagiwara. Also best in her classes and a knockout beauty much like Hiriko, with shoulder length midnight black hair, and clear hazel eyes. But for some unknown reason, Eshima's elusive nature made it hard to keep track of her during school hours.

Even with her great looks and outstanding grades, no one could keep up with her; it was always here one minute, and gone the next. Hiriko found this strange having distinctly remembered having conversations with Eshima and even working on a project together. She was as friendly and sweet as they came, even when she was silent and unmoving during classes. But like Karma it was also a very well-known fact that Eshima had a violent streak of her own.

If Karma were to have a female counterpart, it would be her. This was made known when one of the more arrogant and single minded guys decided he would grab Eshima's attention by playing with her hair and blowing air into her ear during one class that the two girls shared. The day ended with him having a pen stabbed through his bleeding hand, and him crying all the way to the ER. As for Eshima, she claimed that it was an act of self defense against sexual harassment and was given a slap on the wrist due to her good behavior.

One the outside, it seemed like she really was the victim, but when the incident occurred, Hiriko managed to take notice of the glint that shone in Eshima's eyes as she drove the pen into the boy's hand repeatedly. The barely concealed excitement that was coupled with her stormy gaze. Eshima sustained this look even as she looked into the terrified and helpless eyes of her offender. Drinking in the utter despair, and pain that was all over his face. As if she enjoyed it and was on the verge of cracking a smile. It only took that one incident to solidify Eshima's reputation as a sadist equal to Karma. Sure, she was a secret one, but a sadist none the less. Hiriko tried not to let this though sink in as she took in the worried look on Eshima's face.

"Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?" She asked. Hiriko shook her head and began to fix herself up as best as possible; as if she hadn't just been trying to get away from an infamous psychotic redhead. She even plastered on a half smile for the full affect.

"Yeah, I'm just running late to class is all". She said. But her half smile was quickly turned into a sour frown as Hiriko observed something that was behind Eshima. Karma's face in the small window of the door. The smirk that she'd been trying to avoid for the day was back with a vengeance as Karma moved to open the door separating the three of them, plus Eshima who seemed confused as to what was occurring.

"What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." She asked. Hiriko felt her words die on her lips as she locked eyes with the red headed devil who stood discreetly behind Eshima. Every fiber of her body screamed at her to walk back down the stairs and find another way to her class. But somehow her heart triumphed over the matter, wanting this to be over and dealt with as quickly as possible, she stood her ground and returned his smirk with an unimpressed frown.

It didn't take long for Eshima to catch her stare and looked behind herself to see Karma leaning against the door, eyes locked on Hiriko, but glancing at Eshima. Her previously concerned and confused expression melted away until it was completely neutral at the sight of Karma. As if all of her emotions melted away and left behind complete apathy. Karma payed no mind to her, and centered his focus on Hiriko as he leaned his head to the side, almost gesturing for her to speak first. And so she did.

              She blushed as she walked by the water, having known him the evening before

"Is there a reason why you've decided to stalk me so much this week, Akabane? If I tell the teachers, it'll be one more thing to add to your list of accomplishments before you're shipped off to the E class". She said. As confident as Hiriko thought she sounded, she was proven wrong when Karma regarded her statement with a mere chuckle, and take a small step towards her. Eshima saw this and moved away from Hiriko, not to leave her side, but be on standby incase Karma decided to overstep his boundaries. His signature smirk never left his face while he stood glowing with confidence.

"Oh yeah. My list of accomplishments. Let's count them out, shall we? Highest G.P.A behind Gakushuu, most infractions throughout the year, more fights and misdemeanors than any student on record, and let's not forget hopelessly captivated by the school sweetheart Hiriko Akiyama". He said. The saliva that Hiriko was going to swallow was caught in her throat, threatening to put her in a coughing fit, upon hearing those last words.