disclaimer: I do not own assassination classroom
"Nagisa-kun?"
"Yeah?"
They were completing homework and even though Karma was a remarkable student, (when he wanted to be) he had problems understanding Japanese sometimes. Such as now with the honorifics. Nagisa was happy to help him out in any way he could though since the red headed demon excelled at everything else.
"Why doesn't most of the class use honorifics for you?" Glaring at the textbook, Karma obviously hated this subject and Nagisa wasn't going to get him into an even worse mood although he could see why he was.
"Because I told them not to. You don't use it if you're close to someone." Nagisa paused as he contemplated his next sentence. "Don't you have something you call your brothers? Terms of endearment maybe?"
Karma laughed.
"Why would I when 'hey asshole' is more appropriate when it comes to them? Seriously though, there's no honorifics in Hell except you don't talk back to Satan if you want to live."
Nagisa nodded.
"Why do you ask? Demons are a whole different playing field and if you want to be the best to fight against them, then you have to know what makes their minds tick."
Nagisa sighed.
"I don't even know what makes you tick as you say except that you really hate Japanese studies and P.E so much that you'd rather skip than have to sit through them."
"Too bad. Guess you don't get to be a demon hunter than right?"
"I'm gonna be the best there is," Nagisa corrected him receiving a snort from the red head. "Only then could I devise a way to make it more peaceful between demons and humans. The top demon hunter is actually appointed to only so many people and the best amongst them calls the shots. Not all demons are bad but they slaughter innocent ones that only exist everyday. Just imagine how much better it would be if there was a more peaceful balance."
"Hey idiot, you may not realize this but demons kill and they don't show mercy when they do," the red head warned him.
"But would they if they didn't have to live in their own shadow worried if they were being picked off for being who they are? My mom thinks all demons are nasty insects and there's many that would agree with her but demons aren't so bad."
"I don't like speaking about your sorry excuse for a mother and insects really? Have you seen me?"
Nagisa looked up from his book and did just that but sighed when he realized that it wasn't necessarily what he saw. He didn't know what level this demon was and for all he knew, he was possessing something or someone. It really did put a damper in his goals when he realized that demons couldn't really come into being without possessing, with the exception of that one son of Satan but nobody knew what to categorize him as.
"Am I really seeing you though? I don't know what level you are and for all intense purpose you could be possessing somebody right?"
Karma rolled his eyes.
"You see what you get. Besides demons aren't all bad isn't that what you said?"
Nagisa was about to reply to that when Hiromi opened the door. She was wearing her business attire and if Nagisa hadn't been sitting facing the doorway, he wouldn't have seen her right away. Despite Karma's sudden disdain for everything the woman did, Nagisa still held respect for her and knew that she would get better eventually. These things just took time.
"Hey mom what's up?"
The woman didn't notice Karma like usual because the demon kept himself hidden from her but it always got onto Nagisa's nerves the possibility that such a chance could exist. His mother didn't say anything as she plunked herself in front of him and sighed.
"Nagisa, mommy has to go on a business trip which is rather unfortunate but to be expected. You are expected to still behave and if I hear of you misbehaving you will be punished severely."
"That means she's going to push you out of a window onto some rusty forks then," Karma mumbled under his breath, glaring daggers at her.
Nagisa wasn't stupid. Karma was probably hoping he'd reply to him in front of her and he wasn't rising to the bait.
Instead he asked, "Would I be able to have friends over to study?"
Hiromi sighed like this was a hard choice but she finally nodded.
"Remember the rules though. No boys past eleven and no goofing off. You work hard and keep those grades from falling. Maybe if we're both lucky, you can be put back into D class come May."
His mother never forgot.
She always got her hopes up that he would eventually join the main campus in the near future although if Nagisa had it his way, it was never going to happen. He wisely kept his mouth shut about it though, excited that his mom was going to be away on a business trip for a few days.
"No pigging out either. I don't want you ordering junk food so I made several dishes that will last you for several days until I get back. One as young as you shouldn't be gaining so much weight." she sighed like that was the biggest issue that he'd have to face. "Oh and before I forget your father wanted to say that he'll see you in two weeks. Apparently he wants you to get acquainted with Kiseki now that the baby has been born. I don't get why he thought he had to get a new wife and have a new kid to become so happy when he had a nice family before."
"He just couldn't stand the wife he had before," Karma mumbled making Nagisa roll his eyes.
"Quiet," he whispered but froze when he realize he said that.
Luckily Hiromi, not having heard him, asked, "What was that Nagisa?"
"I guess," he hesitantly replied making her smile.
"I know it's gonna be rough. Maybe we can have some more mother child time when I get back. Be good."
When the door closed behind her, Nagisa put his ear to the door until he heard the front door shut and then turned to Karma and glared.
"I'm sorry should I be calling you Nagisa-san instead? That's what your mother would like wouldn't she? I've seen her make you try on dresses and I can see why the child support stopped. There hasn't been any new ones since he stopped paying her hasn't there?"
"I don't know about that," Nagisa muttered before plopping himself down at his seat. "And stop making me respond to you. I'm just lucky she didn't hear me this time. And it's definitely Nagisa-KUN!"
"If you say so," was Karma's only reply.
"I hate the dresses, I hate the long hair, but I do it because I know it makes her happy. Hopefully now that dad has a son, she may find that she wants a son herself rather than a daughter-"
"You hate that he has a son too though," Karma said, voicing Nagisa's silent insecurity. "It's why you haven't been answering him all week and he finally went through your mother just to relay the message."
"Of course I'm mad," Nagisa finally said after a pause. "He had nine months to tell me and he waited until the little guy almost arrived. What was I, chopped liver? There's literally hundreds of ways he could of told me-"
"And to have your mom throw it in your face like that was just plain rude too. It's not like she uses the fact that he left her to make you feel bad too already right? She has to make you think that he left you too."
"He did leave me though," Nagisa corrected hiding his face in his hands. "He just took off one night without a word, no message or anything. I didn't know what was going on between my parents and I only found out when he seen me months later to tell me he was filing for divorce and to apologize for not being there for me."
"He didn't have tact I'd admit but-"
"But nothing Karma-kun. He didn't want me and shown his true colors. Now all of a sudden he wants to play dad because he has the family he always wanted. He has to pretend to care about me for his new son's sake. I get it and he doesn't have to pretend anymore. I'm so done with him and his empty promises."
Karma just sighs then and Nagisa looks up in time to see him giving him a look. What was that supposed to mean?
"Whatever makes you happy."
Okay then, so now Karma wanted him to be happy.
He didn't mean to but he smiled just then. His own parents made him unhappy but simple words from a demon made him smile. It should have been weird but Nagisa just felt grateful.
Assembly.
Koro sensei announced it at the start of the day when they had passed their homework to the front but it still made Nagisa on edge. It was always the other grades making fun of them and saying how much they've failed. Nagisa always pretended not to care when in reality he cared a lot.
So during lunch they made the slow trek down the mountain to the main campus building. They made it without any major injuries but the short cut rather sucked and with Okajima taking the brunt of it all, it was a wonder how they even got there on time but they did.
It wasn't until they were standing in line already that Sugaya asked the most obvious question.
"Where's Karma?"
"Skipping," Nagisa replied almost immediately. "I guess I don't mind as much because Karma-kun really should be keeping a low profile. The less the main campus douches see him the better really."
"You know I haven't really thought of that."
"Why do you add the 'kun' at the end of his name?" Sugino thought to ask.
"I was showing him the difference in cultures the other day and it just stuck. Oh and my mom's on a business trip right now so we can study at my place after school if that's alright with you."
"Well since she's not there but will Karma-kun really be a problem?"
Nagisa laughed.
"I have no problems with him. He listens to what I say. Well most of the time anyways. He did pig out during last night's dinner when I told him not to but he's probably still growing-"
"Message sent. Just don't let him give me that look alright."
That stopped Nagisa in his tracks. Karma gave a look now? One that Sugino couldn't stand.
"He gives several looks and by the looks of things you are oblivious to them. I'm surprised bullies still want to pick on you with him nearby."
"What looks does he give?"
"Man how oblivious could you be?" Rio asked joining in. "He's a mischief maker sure and a smarty pants to boot but anyone that looks at you the wrong way gets the stare."
"The stare?"
"The stare," Rio repeated. "And I think he sometimes doesn't realize he's doing it either. You two sure came a long way Nagisa-kun."
That really got got Nagisa thinking.
"I'm sure we have but we still have a long way to go. He still wants my soul so maybe he's just playing nice-"
"I'm sure it may seem that way but you sure are cute Nagisa-kun. I don't think Karma-kun realizes it himself."
"Really I think you're just speculating Nakamura-san. Karma-kun doesn't care, he just doesn't want to miss out on-"
"Whatever you say Nagisa-kun."
It annoyed him greatly that the others weren't listening to him anymore. Sure he is nice to him but all demons are tricksters. He forgot about it soon after the assembly started and they had worst problems to deal with. Nothing too much though and things appeared better when Koro sensei shown up but the rough start was enough.
Promising Kayano he'd catch up with her, he went to get juice and after a second's hesitation, he decided he'd get one for Karma too since he has been pretty good lately. He was about to go join up with his classmates when he was pulled by the shirt.
"Getting strangely ignorant. It pisses me off the fact that you E class jerk wads think you could get away with this behavior."
It was Tanaka and Takada.
What was up with them? He knew that they used to be his friends before he was punted out of the class but really, did they not care about that at all?
"What?"
"See that's the type of behavior that an E class member shouldn't have. Do we need to have a whole lesson on why you are beneath us?"
First thing he wanted them to do was get their hands off of his shirt. He wasn't that much of a weakling that he'd take this and the school thing wasn't much to have to cause them to be assholes this much, did it? He glared at them and they seemed to slacken their grip a bit before gaining courage.
"We can always get our friends that deal with the lessons part. Ever gotten a head swirly Mr. attitude?"
"We can just kill you-"
"As if you can kill me," Nagisa breathed, not liking the idea of someone sticking his head into a toilet.
They let go but still glared at the blunette. Just as he was about to go between them, a hand stopped him and he looked up to see Karma. Snap, he wasn't supposed to be seen by these people.
"Is there a problem Nagisa-kun? I really don't want there to be because if I foresee a problem I'd gut it like a fish."
The two ran off and Nagisa sighed. It wasn't like it was unwarranted but Karma sure had a temper.
"Put that switchblade away before I take it," Nagisa mumbled, handing him his juice.
Karma smiled and did as he asked, though he acted like he hadn't just threatened to gut someone. This was all surreal though. He was dealing with the bullies just fine and he would've walked away fine too without any help. Why did Karma feel the need to be there?
"Sorry, I saw Karma-kun and you were taking a little longer than I thought so he said he'd find you. Hope he didn't do anything drastic," Kayano said apologetically.
Nagisa shook his head.
What's done was done and Nagisa couldn't help but smile. Maybe he didn't have a real bully problem right this moment but it was still considerate of Karma to act like that for once. He was always teasing him and hating on his mother that he forgot the demon had friendlier moments too.
"You won't do that again will you?" he asked for the sake of asking.
"No promises. Besides Kayano-san was telling me how it was one of your better assemblies."
"You can't be seen a whole lot. I don't want them to even suspect at what you are okay? You have to be more careful-"
"Yeah, yeah. Lunch was forever ago and I guess I'll sit through Japanese if you will."
"If you insist."
But Nagisa belayed that sentence by smiling.
Was it really bad that he considered Karma coming into his life a good thing?
"So Y=3X+9?"
It was good that he had Sugino and Kayano at his house to help him study. He was okay at math but really hated science. They were working on the math problems that they received for homework and so far there wasn't an issue. This problem though was getting to them and Karma rolled his eyes seeing them struggle.
"Can I get something to drink at least. Your two friends look at me in freight every time I make a sudden movement so?"
Nagisa glared at him for a second before nodding his head and continuing as though Karma just didn't ask him a question. It was fine by him. What could three junior high students do that would cause trouble when Nagisa's mom wasn't even under the same roof at the time? Nothing was the answer and knowing that, Karma easily took the back stage as they fought to finish those problems before starting in on the science portion of their homework.
This is going to take a while, he thought grabbing a juice box from the fridge. Did Nagisa's mother ever treat her child the age he actually was? It was like she was determined to control every aspect of his life that included what he ate and drank too and Karma thought of ways he was going to stop that. Despite his looks, Nagisa didn't need to diet and would benefit from a full plate every once in a while. With that in mind, he headed back to the bedroom before one of them panicked and knowing the two friends, they would panic just by looking at him.
"Karma you're good at math, help me with these problems," Nagisa whined and Karma sighed.
"What is the problem anyways? You were doing soooo good," Karma teased watching the other two shrink from the corner of his eyes. Apparently they haven't gotten used to the him being a demon part and still feared him.
Good, he thought. Nagisa was apparently too trusting because he grabbed him by the arm and pointed out the problems that he was having difficulty with. If only my brothers could see me now, he thought grumpily. They would laugh themselves silly just by knowing that Karma had gone and got himself into a contract with a human in the first place. Now that he was looking over the problems, he could see where Nagisa kept screwing up and sighed. Was one human really enough to make him do things he wouldn't normally do? My brothers would kill him if they saw him, he thought. Lilith would laugh a thousand times over at the fact that he was actually teaching the humans math.
"You keep skipping an extra step Nagisa-kun. It's rather simple."
"Really? I didn't realize I was doing that. Show me the step process again so I understand better."
Karma was pretty sure he was going to be run ragged if he did this every time Nagisa had people over. He knew the blunette didn't care and really trusted in the good of demons like an idiot but he was glad there were others that seen reason. Maybe they could stop Nagisa before he really does something stupid.
"There, you get it?" He shown him anyways and seeing the nod confirmed it for him. Backing up, he watched as he shown Sugino and Kayano what they missed as they continued to solve the problems without any problems. He opened the juice box and took a sip wondering when his life became this simple.
"Wow, it must be handy having a demon around that knows this stuff," Kayano called out catching Karma's eyes before turning them back to Nagisa. "In two weeks' time I'll have a demon to look over too. Hopefully they would know their subjects like yours does."
"Wow, so Koro sensei is letting you guys demon summon in class," Karma said in amusement. The others were clearly not. "I want a front row seat when Teresaka-kun summons his. It's going to be hilarious."
"We don't call people dumb or stupid Karma-kun," Nagisa chastised before turning to Sugino. "Will you partake in it too?"
"Of course," Sugino replied. "We all gotta deal with demons sometime right? Just please make sure the demon I summon is not as scary."
"Scary?" Nagisa asked. "Karma-kun isn't scary unless you do something he doesn't like."
"Like when he put those bullies in their place?" Kayano reminded him. "How does a demon get a switchblade in the first place?"
"Talk about me like I'm not here. It's not like I care or anything," Karma mumbled and watched in amusement as all conversation stopped for a moment. He really knew how to scare people and it did good although Nagisa just gave him a glare before turning back to Sugino.
"Are you both wanting to get to good demon hunting colleges in the future?"
"Well I'm gonna be a demon tamer," Kayano corrected. "It's much better working with demons than killing them right? Karma-kun doesn't seem all bad and you are in a contract with him too so maybe I can do something like that and make lots of friends."
"Stupid idea," Karma warned. "Like I keep warning Nagisa, not every demon is out to be your friend and they will trick, lie, and steal to get what they want. Are you really that ignorant?"
"Well apparently Nagisa-kun is doing something right because everyone that looks at him funny gets you on their back," Kayano threw back.
Sugino quickly coughed and changed the subject before the demon got angry.
"It's a good thing your mom isn't around, she sure sucks the energy out of the place," Sugino commented making Karma laugh.
He didn't realize that others would think the same way he did but he wasn't wrong in the assumption that Sugino apparently didn't like her. Of course he didn't know that she also shoved Nagisa in dresses and would shove him down the stairs the same instance in the blink of an eye. Thankfully Nagisa had no new bruises yet and the ones he had received already healed up nicely.
"Yeah, she can be a little too much," Kayano agreed further bringing Karma's point forward.
"Please stop talking about my mom," Nagisa complained. "I get enough ribbing about her from Karma-kun and he despises her something fierce."
"Why?"
"Why I despise her?"
Karma just winked causing Sugino to frown but that was all he was going to get unless Nagisa opened up with the truth. What a fun day that would be too. Nagisa really needed to tell someone but he was bent on believing that it would only get better from here and didn't realize it was going to be worse before it got better. If it got better that is and nothing Karma would say would get Nagisa to see reason because despite all the times she hurt him, he still loved her once again proving how much love really sucked.
"You think we'll get into the demon hunting high school if we kept working hard?" Kayano asked breaking the silence. "Everyone applies but not everybody gets in and it'll probably be more likely that none of E class will have the privilege-"
"We just have to work hard Kayano-san," Nagisa interrupted. "The social class structure doesn't matter as long as we place well enough and Koro sensei is always saying we can do it as long as we work hard."
"I want to know why he looks like an octopus," Karma said causing them all to burst out in laughter to Karma's confusion.
"He isn't telling us but we know he's not an alien," Nagisa said in a good natured tone. "Karusama sensei is there because the government wants Koro sensei retired. Not sure why but there's the promise that anyone who does it will most certainly get a chance at becoming the real deal along with cold hard cash. I wonder why they want him dead if he killed so many demons in his day. Probably, he pissed off the wrong people."
"So the government wants you to kill your teacher?" Karma asked not entirely understanding. At their nods, Karma sighs once again. "I just don't get you people. He's the one that put away a lot of demons, why would he suddenly have to be retired."
"We don't know but we have until March-"Nagisa interrupted Kayano by covering her mouth but it was too late.
"March you say?" Karma smirked now. "You have until March to live too Nagisa because that's when I'll devour you. You still remember don't you?"
"I do, you told me a billion times already but I didn't want them to know!"
"Too bad," Karma continued watching the faces of Nagisa's friends turn to ones of horror. "You be a good little boy and kill your teacher but once you do that you won't have to worry about anything else. I'm going to devour your soul."
"You can't do that, why would you want to kill Nagisa-kun?" Kayano asked sharply.
Karma pretended to think about it and then shown his fangs.
"Maybe because I always keep my promises. Besides you'll have almost a whole year to say good bye to him. Good thing I'm telling you now aren't I?"
"Nagisa-kun we thought what you told us was a joke," Sugino said looking down right scared now. "We have to tell Koro sensei and find a way to break the contract that ends with him vanquished or something-"
"No don't tell him," Nagisa pleaded. "Karma-kun doesn't look like it but he's still learning. He says this now but next year is gonna be completely different. I promise you that I'm not going to let him win. I'm gonna be the number one demon hunter for sure."
"And what if you fail?" Kayano asked with Sugino nodding in agreement. "What if he actually finds a way to break it and steals your soul?"
"Well then I would be dead but I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen because it can't. You know how these things go. Besides if we don't retire Koro sensei, we don't have much of a future anyways."
Karma was sure they were going to tell and just didn't want Nagisa to know. Seeing them depart, he expected his pesky master to yell at him and do something to punish him but Nagisa only smiled.
"Let's learn a lot this year then. Don't want the year to go to waste huh?"
"You just told them that you won't let me devour your soul. Was that a lie?"
Nagisa paused for a moment just before opening the fridge and he could tell this was really on his mind because after a few moments, he let out a long sigh.
"I don't know what's going to happen next March. Maybe you devour my soul, maybe my mom accidentally kills me, or maybe I get hit by a bus. Life is too short though to think about all the bad things that will happen in life. Minus well enjoy it one moment at a time huh? So if you do end up eating my soul or if I really do die then my life will have meaning. That's what I want anyways. It would suck to die and not do anything so I could only take this one day at a time and hope by the time I go I'm happy with what I done."
It was at that moment that Karma realized he didn't get humans.