Bitter Sweet Rivalry chapter 7 Jealous and Denial
The bell chimed signaling the end of the english class. Karma sat in his desk nonchalantly, without a care in the world.
At least that's what it looked like.
He swung his feet off his desk standing up, as he walked towards the strawberry blonde he took the pencil eraser out from his mouth, twirling it lazily between his fingers.
"Hey second place-kun" His voice flowed with it's usual smug tone.
A/N: Yes I know this is probably someone else's idea but I've just seen so many people use this nickname in other Karma X Asano fanfictions, how could I resist following the trend?
His mercury eyes sparkled with anticipation as he leaned his hip against the boys desk his arms crossed, that ever so growing smile present on the redheads lips. His eyes fixated on the strawberry blonde under him. The spitting image of the X-chairmen.
When Asano ignored the other boy he became a little annoyed.
"Second place-kun, don't ignore me~ that's not very nice. Aren't you supposed to show kindness to all your A-class members? Heh?" He poked the boys arm with his finger, repetitively.
Asano's face shifted, from it's usual calm and collected expression to flat out annoyed. His eyebrows lowered, he growled under his breath, showing his teeth. It was only when Karma had poked him for the fifthteen-maybe twentieth-time that he shoved his hand away.
"What do you want Akabane." He said standing up not looking at the amused redhead. He pulled his bag strap up onto his shoulder. Karma raised an eyebrow, pleased that he finally had the boys attention.
"Watch out, I hear tables are dangerous~ Wouldn't want another accident." At the mention of that Asano's head shot up. His eyes met Karma's. His violet orbs practically screamed rage, rage not bloodlust. Karma was sure the boy didn't even know the feeling of bloodlust.
Lingering students began to murmur when they saw the two rivals having what looked like a normal conversation. Karma didn't seem to notice while it was the first thing Asano did notice. His shoulders stiffened,
(Did you hear about the rumor)
(Do you think it's true..)
(They seem pretty close..)
(Yeah..)
Asano scowled at the grinning redhead with burning violet eyes. He was ready to throw him out the nearest window. If only they were alone he could fulfill that dream. People were starting to suspect things, things that weren't true. Asano knew it, being second place to a former E-class member tarnished his reputation enough...but being seen with Akabane, being accused of being associated with him or having him as a friend….
That would kill it.
Power was nothing without respect, and even if Asano took his rightful place back which was first place, if the entire school was convinced that he spent his free time hanging with a delinquent it wouldn't matter. They would be to busy looking down on him to care about how intelligent he is.
People were still looking down on Akabane even if he was considered the smartest in A-class.
After considering all this Asano knew it was best to separate himself from Akabane. Yes he was grateful for his help with the head pain, (although he'd never admit it) but he needed to do what was best for himself, and that was keeping his distance from the devious redhead.
"What? Nothing to say? Is that head still-"
"Why don't you crawl back to E-class where you belong!" Asano blurted out, he blinked when he saw the look on the boys face. He…...he hadn't expected it.
He only saw it for a brief second, like a flash of light.
Shocked, taken aback, maybe even a little hurt. But it only took Karma a second before regaining his composer. Flashing that smug grin that Asano was now thinking wasn't entirely genuine.
"Heh?" The boy held his chin, "I don't know if you forgot but I'm in A-class now. And it's because I beat you. Second. Place. Kun." He dragged the last syllables, out slowly, as if dragging Asano against the floor itself.
Normally his taunting would irritate Asano but, after the look he just saw, ( and he was sure he was the only one who saw it, ) he was pretty sure those remarks where just to cover something else up. Something….
That Asano wanted to see again.
"Alright, you kids should clear out." The teacher warned, some of the kids began leaving, dragging their feet. "Akabane, Asano, please stay after. I need to discuss something with the two of you."
The two boys exchanged looks, neither looking particularly smug. More curious than anything.
"What did you do…." Asano warned under his breath, his tone sharp and dangerous.
Of course the action was getting a rise of out Karma. Always happy to see his rival in a bitter mood. Especially if he was the cause.
"Nothing...yet." He said grinning,
"Hey Asano-Kun.." The girl was at his side once more. Karma was frankly getting annoyed of her. Perhaps he should do something to get rid of her..have Ritsu book her a flight to the other side of the world.
Asano being the model student he is, of course, turns his attention away from Karma without a second thought and to the girl at his side.
"Oh, hello again." He said, his charming smile, soft violet eyes fixated on her. He wasn't entranced by her, not like before. If anything he was using her to not look at Karma.
Who, was currently biting his tongue fighting the urge to go off.
"So um...d-did you think about my question?" She acted shy, like she didn't know how to talk to people. But Karma knew better, knew about her underhanded tactics. Now that he thought about it, she was similar to Asano in a way…..manipulative.
The strawberry blonde scratched the back of his neck acting as if the question held any real weight or concern to him.
He paused, looking over his shoulder. Looking at Karma, who flashed his conniving grin as usual. He turned his attention back to the girl,
I need to seperate myself from Akabane, I can't let him tarnish my name.
He gave the girl the sweetest smile he could form on his face. A smile that to any fool, held not a hint of any underhanded scream.
"I would very much enjoy that. How about this weekend?" And just like that Karma felt his heart sank. His hands ran cold, he felt….a burning irritated feeling in his chest. Like someone had just lit a fire.
Asano felt something was wrong, he looked back at Karma who had his eyes on the floor under him. There was that look again, that hurt look, mixed with some pain.
"R-really? I'm so happy! I'll see you saturday then!" She threw her arms around the boy's neck happily.
This little-
"Karasu-chan, please go to your next class. I need to speak to these two alone." The girl looked at the teacher, still having her arms around Asano.
Karma couldn't tell if he was uncomfortable or if he didn't mind it. He wasn't hugging her back but his body didn't appear to be stiff, he seemed relaxed.
"R-right sir." She gave Asano another tight squeeze, putting her chin on his shoulder, while his head was turned the other way, her eyes met Karma's.
A dangerous look in her scarlet eyes, but Karma looked like he was ready to murder her. That or throw her off the nearest cliff.
She finally let go of Asano and made her way of out the class, not risking the chance to throw Karma another glare.
Karma stood there for a moment, a bitter taste was left in his mouth, he felt something in his chest that had grown tight...he didn't exactly know how to describe the feeling.
"Boys, I need to speak with you before you leave." That brought Karma back to reality, he looked up from the floor just in time to see Asano's head jerk the other way.
Was he staring at me?
Karma decided to shrug it off as he walked up to the teachers desk where Asano already was. Putting on his usual smug and confident face despite feeling….weird.
The two boys looked at their teacher, a tall man with neatly combed down blonde hair and a small goteak. He was fixing a stack of papers before looking up at the two boys in front of him.
"I've done some thinking and I've decided." The man paused, the two teens exchanged looks clueless as to what he was talking about.
"We'll be doing a presentation on the book, and everyone in the class is divided into groups or pairs that I've assassinated. You two, will be a pair for this assignment."
Hearing that Asano and Karma both glared sharply at the other, their usal dark aura emitted from them, so much so that even the teacher noticed it. He found himself trembling a little…
After a moment of a sta-glaring contest Asano cocked his head away from the smug redhead.
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid Akabane's stupidity would simply carrupt me if I were to work with him." Asano scoffed but at the same time he seemed serious.
Karma chuckled, finding this funny and secretly enjoying the attention he was receiving from Asano, being his smug and teasing self he shot back with,
"Says the guy who came in second place~ Last time I checked I was first." Karma said with his usual grin. That caused Asano to twitch slightly. His expression darkened, he looked like he was ready to chuck Karma out the nearest window.
"The gods merely blessed an insignificant fool such as yourself with luck."
Karma raised his eyebrow the corners of his mouth twitching up into a smile.
"Oh? Is secondplace-kun a sore loser?" The redhead leaned in closer a teasing glint in his eyes. Asano bit his lip showing his teeth.
"You won't be so smug once I take my rightful place back.."
"I'd like to see you try.."
"I assure you I won't need to try to take you out."
"Oh is that a challenge?"
"Gentlemen!" The boys heads snapped towards the teacher who was shaking in his shoes. Although he was trying to remain calm.
Asano and Karma looked back at one another suddenly realizing just how closer their faces where, they both simultaneously turned their heads away from the other stepped back. The tips of their ears were red.
After the awkward silence settled in their teacher cleared his throat speaking again.
"Because you were absent Asano I found it best to pair the two of you up. That and you two are the two with the best scores in the school afterall. You boys will make a fine team." The man paused checking their expressions…
Needless to say they didn't look pleased, not in the slightest.
"Having said that, if you should refuse to work together I have no choice but to give you both an F." That caught Asano's attention. Karma however didn't seem to mind.
I'm already behind Akabane….if I don't do this I'll have little chance of catching up at all...But at the same time I need to keep my distance from him….what's the best solution here..
"Heh-It's fine teach, looks like secondplace-kun has decided to relinquish his 'throne' to who it rightfully belongs to." Karma chimed cheerfully walking to the door smugly.
Asano's fists trembled at his side, desperately trying to contain the rage he was feeling right now.
"Fine! I'll do this stupid project!"
