A year. I didn't think I was coming back to this story but here I am! A lot has happened but I won't bore you guys! But before we start, I really want to thank everyone for staying patient with me and this story and reminding me that it was worth writing!

Chapter 7

When people are alone

She fisted the grass beneath her fingers, her gaze fixed on the boy in front of her. Her other hand lies over her skirt with the grace she was known to have as she sat a little farther away from the practice grounds, on the slope, in the care of safety nets to protect any bystander from stray balls. His teammates chattered among themselves, occasionally giving her a look or two before slinging their bags over their shoulders, wishing him goodbye and running off. He waved at them too, casually, but his eyes never leave the practice dummy. She has to admit that she is impressed how almost all of his balls hit the intended target and but she cannot help but think, maybe that accuracy and precision comes from the times they practiced throwing rubber knives at someone unimaginably faster than his opponents were ever going to be.

A corner of her mind reminded her that the energy drink she had brought for him would get warm soon. But something rooted her to the place. Maybe it was his controlled form, the swing of his arm in a practiced arc or the light in his eyes that kept her unmoving. He might have been practicing the same routine for hours now, but she didn't know. She hasn't yet seen the glanced on her wrist.

Or maybe they were her own insecurities threatening to swallow her whole. Watching him act with so much direction in his life stirred something in her heart. He had a purpose, a goal that he wanted to achieve.

To become the best pitcher out there! Whom the world would remember.

That was his dream. But...what did she have?

A desire to break through the perfect doll persona her parents had forced upon her. A desire to not end up as a trophy wife to some rich businessman with no accomplishment for herself. But these were vague dreams, Something so far away in the future that she didn't know how to reach towards them.

What would Korosensei think if he sees her now? Would he be disappointed? Angry? Sad?

She didn't know the answers. Maybe did not even want to.

Suddenly his gaze flicked up to her, dark eyes widening a little when he realised that he has been the object of her observations. He blushed, averted his gaze and then stalked to his sports bag. It took him only a few seconds to gather up his things and then rush to her.

"You didn't need to cut short your training for me." Kanzaki said, looking up at him.

"No! I was done anyway, Kanzaki-san." He blurted out, bending down a little and offering his hand for her to take.

She smiled, gathered her things, stuffed them into her bag and took his hand to pull herself up. She noted how he is careful with his strength. She stood, dusted the grass off her skirt and rummaged through her bag.

"Here." She offered him the energy drink she bought and he looked delighted.

"Thank you!" He exclaimed, "I was honestly beat!" He took the can from her, opened the lid, a happy smile on his face and Kanzaki was unable to hold back her's in return. Together they walked down the sunset, talking about everything and anything, close enough to touch but tentative enough not to. And the way he looks at her with wide innocent eyes, thinking the world of her makes her wonder if she can actually drag herself out of these mess of feelings she's drowning in. Being with him gives her hope and honestly, she cherishes every moment of it.

…

Manami glared at the test result lying in front of her. How could she have written Nucleophilic substitution reaction wrong?But, here was the paper lying in front of her - a plain evidence of her failure. She stared at the paper some more before folding it and stuffing it in her bag a little violently.

"My, my...Manami-chan? What's with all that rage?" Izumi. Who had noticed her out of character behaviour didn't hesitate to make a remark.

Manami pouted a little. "I got the seventh question wrong."

"Huh?" Her eyes furrowed in confusion before she peeked on her own test paper and then laughed. "Girl, this wasn't even supposed to be included in the test syllabus! Aizawa-sensei did say it later. And you even attempted and got it halfway right? That's incredible! You just need to learn to give yourself a little credit Manami!"

Even though she was tempted to argue that she had just studied the topic...like two days ago, it somehow never went inside her head and hence never came out on the paper. Maybe something was wrong with her brain? What was the possibility of her suffering from some kind of brain disorder?

"Manami-chan, stop fretting over it!" Akira's voice was so close that it made her jump. Her friend laughed, standing over her desk, and even Izumi was smirking, "You were looking somewhat lost in there." She commented.

"Um, yeah...I mean, I've been a little distracted lately." She admitted and suddenly it made sense.

She had been a little uneasy about about Karma's past involvement with her senior Kanari. Karma liked messing up with people but she cannot imagine him bullying an innocent person. Although...Kanari looked anything but that . And two days ago when she had asked him about this, and he had been fiercely protective over her. Whatever happened between them was not pretty at all. And her guilt over making Karma worry about her was consuming her sanity at a rapid rate.

Maybe I should talk to Kayano-chan about it.

The thought approached when she entered the seemingly empty toilets. She entered the washroom without checking and gosh, big mistake . Of all the toilets in the large school, Mitsuba Kanari was in there. Standing in front of the large mirror, she was reapplying her makeup. Her eyes immediately flew up at the sound of the door and Manami inwardly gulped at the moment their eyes met. She abruptly averted her gaze and bolted inside the nearest open stall.

Okuda-san, please be careful. She is not a person I want you to deal with.

Karma's words rang through her mind again and again and she bit her lip angrily, a little frustrated with herself for pushing herself inside, in this situation. She stayed in the stall listening carefully, trying to know if the girl had left already. It was only two minutes left for the next class, she knew - she had been seeing her watch, when she decided to open the door.

And of course, Kanari was standing directly across from her stall, a snide smirk on her face. "Thought you were going to stay holed up in there forever."

"A-ah, good afternoon senpai." Manami stuttered, fisting her skirt desperately, trying not to instigate any type of confrontation. But her timidness seemed to encourage Kanari even more because the smirk grew in length. She stepped closer to Manami, arms crossed over her chest. All smug. "Hm...a little birdie told me that Akabane visits you here often?"

Manami did not lie. "S-Sometimes."

"Do you think you are special to him?" She questioned, preening down at her. "-Or did it ever occur to you that probably he is just using you? That little bastard."

Kanari's insinuation that Karma was disloyal made something rage in her heart. Heck, betrayal was the one thing Karma hated more than anything and to think that this girl believed that he was capable of this despicable act made her blood boil.

And 'special to him?' Oh yes she was! She is sure that she is not delusional when she thinks of herself being important to him. Everyone in class E was important to him. And nobody can change that fact! Let alone a person like her!

The courage that seemingly came out of nowhere at the wrongful accusations made on Karma's character made her reckless enough to blurt out angrily, "You don't know him! So don't talk about Karma-kun like that!"

Her sudden outburst surprised Kanari, made her flinch. And Manami simply realised that fighting for Karma is easier than fighting for before she could utter a single syllable, the gate to the toilets was slammed open. Both of them whirled around to see Akira entering the washroom with look saying 'there you are! I've been searching for you too long' which slowly morphed into confusion at the scene in front of her. Kanari gave her a cool look before shuffling out of the room.

"Manami-chan?" she questioned, watching the retreating form of Kanari, "-who was that? An acquaintance?"

"Sort of…" Manami whispered unsurely, "but we don't get along."

"Oooh. So apparently Okuda Manami is capable of disliking people!" Akira grinned.

"Stop it, Akira-chan!" Manami laughed, pushing her friend out of the room, "We are already late for class."

…

Unable to stop frowning, Manami walked towards the lab of the third years. The school was over and a lot of people were moving around. Some heading for home and some trudging towards their labs to work on their own projects. Her work with Yamaguchi senpai was kept safe in the confines of the amazing third year lab. And she was granted with the special permission to visit and use that lab by the principal himself. Normally, she would be delighted to work any time she could but after her extensive research, she realised that they had been foolish with their assumptions. Hitman was probably not a cancer suppressing substance, but rather an antibiotic.

She knew that discovering a new antibiotic was no ordinary feat but felt a slight prick of disappointment lodging itself in some corner of her heart. They did not conquer the disease that was proving itself to be one of the biggest threats to mankind. Wanting to share this news with her fellow colleague she stalked towards the lab with urgency when he appeared on the turn of steps with his friends, his bag slinging over his shoulder.

"Senpai?" she questioned, curiously looking at the bag.

"Uh, hi Manami-chan." He replied, looking at her with a sheepish smile, "I don't think I'll be able to work at the lab today. I've got an arrangement. Sorry!"

"O-oh! It's okay Senpai, I understand. Please enjoy yourself." She waved off his apology with a smile.

At her words he gave her a wry, knowing smile. "I doubt I will."

"Eh?" she exclaimed, "are you visiting your doctor? Or is it something else?"

"Oh, no, no. It's not a bad thing. Don't fret about it. I'll see you tomorrow and of course feel free to use the lab even when I'm not there, okay?"

He rubbed her head as if she was kicked puppy and Manami cringed a little after he left. Something about that hand was missing. A certain warmth. A certain gentleness and something firm.

…

Karma sipped his strawberry shake through the straw, cheek resting on his palm as he watched the people around with a detached interest. Even though at the moment he was appearing to be in a state that is the epitome of boredom, but he really wasn't. Watching people interact in a cacophony of complaints, demands, questions and facts was fascinating. Everyone was the protagonist of their own lives, twisting and turning through a complex maze of systems called life.

He felt a smirk quirk upon his lips when the couple sitting behind him began bickering.

"I saw you with that girl on a date yesterday!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Don't play innocent! You know who I'm talking about!"

"Osaka-san?"

"Yes! That girl."

A sigh. "Osaka-san is my team mate for the school project. We were not on a date. We were buying materials needed for the model."

Silence. "Y-You are lying!"

"Think what you want. I'm tired. And I'm leaving."

Karma watched the boy leave from the corner of his eye. He took a few steps, almost standing in level with Karma's table and then turned to look behind.

"You know what? You're annoying."

That was all he said before twisting on his heel and leaving the flabbergasted girl there. She looked horrified and confused at the same time. As the implications of the entire scene slowly sinked in her brain, she grew tearful, viciously grabbed her purse and left the cafe. And Karma had the hardest time of his life trying to hold back laughter.

Drama!

"Whoa there! Careful!"

Someone walked in as the girl stomped away, almost slamming open the glass door on his face. Karma almost fell off the chair laughing because that someone was none other than Yamaguchi Hitoshi.

….

Walking alone down the road was boring. Most days she didn't have to though. Because sometimes she was accompanied by Akira and Izumi, and sometimes it was Yamaguchi senpai. But more often than not, it was Karma. So in the rare twist of fate, she had to travel to the station alone today.

The crowd was overwhelming for someone small like her. When she is suddenly pushed to a side recklessly by someone, gasped and stumbled, shuffling to a side to take a breath. Things can get especially uncomfortable when people are alone, she thought. Then her eyes fall on the small vending machine on her other side and the first thing she noticed, were the small and several packs of strawberry milk on the topmost shelf. And an abrupt realisation of how thirsty she was dawned upon her. A few seconds later, she was sipping away the milk merrily.

...

She was sitting on the grass slope, knees pulled back as she gazed longingly at the water bottle in her hand. Kurahashi-san had looked so exhausted after today's gruelling training that she had willingly, in an act of benevolence, offered the last few gulps of water to the parched girl. Even though she was extremely thirsty, she decided that she couldn't let her friend suffer. Sadly, almost all of the girls were out of water and she didn't want to trouble them. And their building never had a water cooler installed. If she wanted water, then she should ask Korosensei to help or either go to the main building all by herself.

Before she could fret over further, a sudden cool and wet sensation met her cheeks and she almost jumped.

There he was, Karma Akabane, sipping on a tetra pack of strawberry milk, pressing another similar pack to her face. He had a hand slipped in the pocket of his lowers, and golden eyes staring at her, urging her to take the offered treat. She blinked twice before taking the small pack with reverence and smiled when he settled beside her with a look of utter nonchalance.

She unwrapped the cover eagerly and poked a hole on the top with her straw before remembering something called manners.

"U-uh! Karma-kun! Thank you very much."

He waved her off with a side smile.

"You looked thirsty."

Manami nodded, blushing a little because of how easily he could read her. Taking a small sip in, she let out a moan of relief at the sugary, cold liquid wetting her throat. She whipped her head around to thank him again only to find him gazing at her intently. Confused and a little unnerved by his stare, she asked, "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head and turned towards the sight of Terasaka sailing over their heads into the woods after Korosensei had flipped him, a little...strongly. He spoke then, eyes still straight ahead.

"Okuda-san did well today."

Astonished, she looked at him with wide eyes. "Really? Y-You think?"

"Yeah, like Karasuma-sensei said, using the smoke bomb to distract and stun your opponent is a very smart strategy. I'm impressed!"

The grin he offered her could be best described as feral but she found nothing but genuine excitement in it. And suddenly she couldn't hold back a happy smile.

Every time he appreciated her, either for her rank in science tests, or improvements in other subjects or for some new innovative inventions and creations, it made her gratified in ways she couldn't express. It felt as if she was someone important, who was worth praising, who was worth accepting.

With him by her side, she felt she could achieve something worth remembering.

"Oh! Why milk though?"

"Cause you need to grow taller."

"Karma-kun!"

…

After his almost bump with the furious girl stomping away, Yamaguchi examined the small cafe, his gaze sweeping over the customers before coming to rest on a head of red hair. Karma watched him twist through the tables and approach him. He offered a curt nod to his invitee which was returned likewise. Yamaguchi seated himself before turning to Karma.

"Hope I did not make you wait for too long."

Karma leaned back into his chair coolly, "Nope. Just arrived here fifteen minutes ago."

Yamaguchi gave him an apologetic smile. Just then a waiter arrived to receive their order.

"Cappuccino and a slice of coffee cake."

He gave the waiter a smile and then turned to Karma. "How have your studies been going?"

"Alright, I guess." Karma answered nonchalantly, observing him with sharp golden eyes. He was dressed in school uniform of Oku-Tokyo, his tie was hanging a little low and his blazer was probably stuffed in his bag. His brown hair looked slightly disheveled. They made a general small talk, mostly the older boy asking questions and Karma answering them all, but with disinterest. In a few minutes, his order arrived. He thanked the waiter with a smile and a nod and took the spoon, gently mixing up his hot beverage. "So. What do we have here?"

Karma sipped his own drink. "Like I said, it is about Okuda-san."

"And Kanari Mitsuba."

Yamaguchi continued, a smirk settled on his face at Karma's intriguing look.

"You're quite intuitive." Karma had to comment.

"Thanks, I guess." Yamaguchi sighed, "But her hatred for Manami-chan wasn't exactly hard to miss."

Karma nodded. And they proceeded to take a moment to enjoy their beverages and cakes. The silence between them was not exactly comfortable but it was not threatening either. But a part of Karma longed for a familiar warm company. Okuda talked less, but her bright eyes and gentle presence always made him lower his guard. If it was for her, he could not hesitate, so he spoke,"I have a request to make."

"Oh?" Yamaguchi looked intrigued and set his cup down, "And what may that be?"

Karma appreciated his straightforwardness and decided to be the same.

"I'll be direct. I want you to keep an eye for me on Kanari. And, to make sure that Okuda-san stays safe."

"Hmm... that is not a hard request." He nodded thoughtfully, "I can do that. But…" He leaned in,"What benefit will I get from it?"

Karma raised his brows, he was weirded out that he kind of that be both expected and not expected it.

"It was a request. Not a deal." He stated and slowly eased back a little "But, what can I offer you?"

Yamaguchi smiled, as if he has been waiting for this question alone.

"Nothing much. Just stop with your visits on Thursdays."

Karma felt his eyes go wide.

"What?"

Yamaguchi tilted his head to a side.

"I've heard, you're among the topmost of your class. You do good with your grades and other extracurricular activities." He paused, taking a sip of his coffee. "But people like Manami-chan are not like you. She is amazing at her work but she cannot focus on multiple things at a time."

"What exactly are you trying to come at?" Karma asked, hint of ire seeping in his voice. He didn't like where this was going. Not at all.

"Every Thursday, she is the first to exit out her class. Unlike every other day when she is eager to work in labs, Thursdays are the days when she shows genuine displeasure at being held back for any reason. No matter how important or exciting the work that she is doing. Why? Because she doesn't want 'Karma-kun' to wait. I'm not saying that she should slave over her work. But she has so much potential that I'm left in awe." He looked at Karma straight in the eyes, with strong conviction. "She can achieve so much, if she is allowed to focus."

"So you're saying that I am hindering her?"

The implications were clear and Karma was not stupid or dense enough to not understand them.

Yamaguchi gave a satisfied sigh and a wry smile.

"You're as smart as rumours say Akabane. I'm glad that I didn't have to spell it out for you."

Karma was stunned, a state of mind which he barely ever had experienced. Thousands of thoughts were flying across his head but he could not make sense of even a single one.

"You know? Today, I had to leave her in the lab alone cause you invited me here. And it's not only about her ambitions and dreams. It's about her safety too. Had she not been your friend, she would have been safe from Kanari."

His words churned something dark inside Karma's stomach. Why did his talk feel so wrong and yet, he couldn't find a single excuse to refute him? Was he compromising hers and his dream by visiting her? Deliberately limiting his and her potential? And was he...actually putting her in danger ?

Yamaguchi's words opened a tunnel of doubt and twisted feelings that Karma could not seem to pull himself out of. The older teenager stood up from his seat, placed a few yen on the table, enough for both his and Karma's order before offering him a smile.

"I trust you to know the best for yourself and Manami-chan, kid. I know you'll make a wise decision."

That was he said before collecting his things and leaving.

And Karma sat there all by himself, contemplating and wondering, going down an endless spiral of thoughts about all that occurred today.

Am I really that? An obstacle in your path, Okuda-san?

Probably not my best chapter, but, hopefully you all enjoyed it? Things are getting serious now! What do you all think, will Karma try to pull himself away from Manami? Ohh, and Yamaguchi's true colours are showing?
AHAHAHAHA
Not sure when the next chapter will come out, but I'll try my best to start on it as soon as I can.
Thank you for reading! Have a good day!