Chapter 26: Summer Tales Pt. 3

6.

Karma

The irritated boy lies on his bed and watches the ceiling fan whirls slowly. He is bored. Usually he would pester the brunette but she isn't here right now. She has gone to Osaka with her friends.

Thus, leaving poor, lonely Karma behind at the empty household.

"GAH!"

He buries his face in a pillow. What am I supposed to do without her?

His stomach grumbles. He needs to feed it so that he can live for the next three days till Akari returns. Lazily he dresses himself casually and brings his heavy laden legs to a ramen shop near his house. Akari brought him there last time and he admits it is quite good.

A very familiar looking man stands by the entrance of the store with his back facing Karma. He has seen that bulky tall figure before yet he couldn't recall when and where.

As the man turns around after waving goodbye to the ramen chef, Karma catches the graying hair on top of the man's skull. He has a bright smile and despite the graying hair, wrinkles barely dwell on his face, indicating he isn't really that old. Muscles protrude from under his beige-coloured shirt.

"I'll see you later, Himura-san!" shouts the chef from within the shop.

Himura.

Ah. He knows who this guy is now.

The man stops before leaving, glancing at Karma after sensing he has been watched. With the smallest of smiles, the man approaches Karma. "Hmm... Are you Akari-chan's classmate?"

Karma blinks. "Umm yes... H-himura-san." He is Akari's uncle. They met briefly that day when Akari disappeared.

Himura chuckles. "Ahh you're that red-haired boy who ran off after Akari and knew where she is when no one else does." He flashes an innocent smile. "I wonder how you'd know..."

As Karma would interpret it, it is never an innocent smile. He knows that this man probably knew more about him than he expected. The man is teasing him.

Let's just hope he doesn't try to do something to me after I teased Akari so many times. Karma instinctively glances at the man's muscles. He has a skinny, lanky figure, that albeit he excels in fighting, the chances of him winning over muscled Himura are slim. The man must have went through vigorous training to earn those muscles and judging from his deep eyes of wisdom, Himura is certainly observing Karma right now and is much more experienced in fighting.

Not to mention that Himura is Akari's guardian - someone he should not mess with considering if he wants to be with Akari.

"It's just luck," Karma replies, trying to mask his jittery nerves. His heart thunders in his ears.

This must be how Akari feels when she meets Karma's parents.

"So... You're that special person of hers..." Himura cups his chin as he scans the boy from head to toe.

Special? Aww... Karma will be teasing her for this.

"Physically, you look good with that red hair. She must really like red... Umm..."

"My name is Akabane Karma, sir."

He lets out a hearty laugh. "This is the first time someone called me 'sir'! You're good, kid. Just call me Himura-san." He pauses. "By the way, no offense, you're a little bit too... lanky for my taste. Do you..."

Karma gulps.

"...do you have what it takes to be with Akari-chan and protect her at all costs?"

Karma slowly digests the question. He has to think of a very suitable answer for that tricky question.

And that question instigates doubts about himself.

Am I good enough for Akari?

Can I protect her?

"You know..." Himura's voice drifts into Karma's thoughts. "Akari-chan is my only relative left on Earth. I love her so much. I cannot bear to see her get hurt by anything or anyone. Her wisdom is shallow in choosing a boyfriend. So I hope that whoever she chooses that boy must have the capability to protect her, physically, mentally, emotionally. So Karma-kun, I ask you this serious question: are you capable of protecting Akari-chan?"

For once, Karma has never thought of such question. In his mind eye, Akari is never the type to lean on someone for help. She is never the damsel in distress - more to a tough, strong warrioress, advancing forward with her own capabilities, never to fall back or concede against any tall wall she meets. If she wants to, she could scale any wall easily, with or without his help. Her only flaws: food, airheaded-ness and carelessness.

But he knows, no matter how strong a girl is, she'll always need someone to stay by her side, silently protecting her, supporting her and give her help whenever she needs.

Karma wants to be that person of Akari's.

Can I do that?

Can I protect her?

Can I catch up to her, no matter how fast she advances?

"Karma-kun, what's your answer to that?"

He takes in a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "Yes. I am." Confidently, he replies.

I will protect that idiot I call mine.

Himura grins widely. He pats Karma's shoulder, reassuring the latter. "Then good, kid. I hope you take good care of her. She's such a bold, airheaded idiot. She thought she didn't need protection but as long as you're by her side, I'm relieved." He releases a stifled chuckle. "I wonder if this is called fate… since you two had met each other a few years back. Is this predestined?"

Karma coughs. He couldn't quite get the last sentence. "Himura-san?"

"Ignore an old man's rants!" Himura laughs loudly. "Anyway, Akari-chan is so mean… she tends to hide you from me. Now I get a good look at you, Karma-kun, I must say you are definitely a dependable young man. But you look like a delinquent…"

Karma gulps at the word 'delinquent'. Should he be honest with Himura that he is a renowned notorious delinquent?

"No worries kid!" Himura slaps Karma's back. "As long as you don't commit any bad deeds and treat Akari-chan well, I'm okay with a juvenile delinquent. I believe wasabi is something useful against your opponents?"

A cold shudder spreads down his spine. Karma knows, at that instant, Himura isn't an ignoramus. The man probably did a full background check on him before letting his niece gets any closer to Karma.

Stalker? This must be karma – must be how Akari felt when Karma stalked her.

"However…" A serious glint in Himura's eyes, he says the next few words meticulously. "Banter aside, if I catch wind of my dear niece crying because someone did something bad to her, I won't forgive him." Himura's knuckles cracked loudly.

This… is definitely a death threat.

"I…I won't forgive that person too…" Karma says with the understanding that the 'someone' could most likely be him.

"GOOD!" roars Himura.

Karma lets out a sigh of relief.

"Anyway, Karma-kun, do you miss Akari-chan?"

Karma blinks. "Umm… yeah I guess…" his voice is tiny. It seems to be an embarrassing question. "She went to Osaka for a few days."

Himura snickers. Karma doesn't know the man has the capability of snickering evilly.

"So… do you want to see her then?"

"Eh?"


Akari

After arriving at Osaka, we check in at a traditional inn recommended by Megu. The entourage consists of Megu, Rio, Hinata, Kaede, Rinka, Manami, Kanzaki, and I – girls only. 3 days and 2 nights without Karma? I'll miss him but I don't miss his stalking.

For lunch, Hinata brought us to a nearby food street where there are countless types of food sold. My mouth has begun to water with the scent of delicious food wafting in the air. Greedily I ate anything in sight. If not for Megu holding me back I would probably use up my allowance. After lunch we head for a shopping district nearby to shop till we drop.

At night, after dinner, we head back to the inn. And this is where Rio begins her favourite event of the day – interrogation for gossip.

I didn't know I am walking into a trap after a soothing bath with Megu. By the time I realize something is up as the girls had their hungry glares train on me, Hinata has shut the door tight. Then the girls usher me to the centre of the room, where they huddle around me to cut off my escape route.

The instigator – Rio, shines her flashlight at my face. I see black spots in my vision as I cover my eyes from the stunning glare.

"Talk, Okumura," demands the blonde. "What is the status of your relationship with…" she exchanges a glance with the rest of the girls. They snicker evilly. "… Karma?"

I blink. "Who?"

Hinata bites her lip. "You know who!"

I glare at her. "Don't let me start on a certain playboy." She flinches.

"Akarin… I'm curious. Please, tell us," Rinka requests with the slightest emotion on her face.

"Poor Akari…" sighs Kanzaki.

I roll my eyes and frown. "Can't we change another topic?"

Kaede wags her finger. "There's nothing more excited than you and Karma!"

I sigh. I glance at Megu who smirks in return. Megu smirking? Oh god no.

She pats my shoulder. "Just spare a thing or two then they'll stop." Her eyes twinkle with anticipation.

Not you too!

I give in reluctantly. "Fine. One question. Go ahead."

Kaede clears her throat. "So so… do you love Karma?" she snickers.

Their focused stares are like lasers burning me alive.

Before I can answer that extremely easy question without giving away too much information, Manami speaks up. "Kaede-chan, that question is irrelevant. I believe we need to ask something that delves in deeper into Akari-chan's secrets."

I gape at the innocent science nerd and horrified at her speech. Since when you have been polluted by Rio's craftiness? And I thought you like Karma so you must want to know the answer to that question instead?!

"So you know the answer?" Hinata asks, staring at Manami questioningly.

Manami nods, to my surprise. "I err…" she glances at Rio, who flashes thumbs-up to give her courage. "I overheard Akari-chan rejecting Isogai-kun because she likes Karma-kun!"

Her outburst catches almost everyone in the room – including me – except for Rio who smirks as if she has known it long ago, and Megu who nods understandingly.

What the heck you three?! So there are four of you stalkers right now?!

The rest gapes for a while then smirk as evil as they can at me. A dark, threatening aura takes over the room. I shudder. The capability of the four notorious stalkers sends chills down my spine. I feel naked to my bones. My secrets are being exposed to the world and there's nothing I can do about it.

I clench my fist. "Manami don't tell me you stalked me back at the island huh?"

Suddenly I recall something important. If Manami has overheard – correction, eavesdropped the entire conversation between me and Yuuma, then it also means…

My face fumes red.

Kaede grasps my arm and blinks. "Akari… I change the question. So are you two… together now?"

Megu stifles a chuckle. "That's not a very good question either." It earns a moan from Kaede, who has a very hard time in thinking another question. The perfect female class rep smiles like an angel on the outside but a devil within. "Can someone think of a better question?"

Kanzaki tentatively raises her arm. "Umm…" she smiles innocently. "What about this? Did Karma…" the pause brings anxiety to us all. "…kiss you?"

A direct hit at the core. I choke as all of the air in my lungs is forced out.

Bold question, Kanzaki. Very bold.

The girls gasp in astonishment. Pink shade dusts their faces. Their eyes widen as they stare at me. Even the stalker trio is stunned.

Kiss.

A very sensitive issue. I recall the indirect kiss, the peck, the not-so-official kiss… all of them. My face heats up to another level and I wonder if my face is the reddest for all 15 years of my life.

Plus, the very high possibility of Karma has eavesdropped my rejection to Yuuma – the indirect confession of where I said 'I like Karma'.

Both issues are extremely embarrassing.

I knew it. Coming to Osaka for the second time was never a good idea. Osaka is definitely not my lucky number.

This will be the place where I would die from embarrassment; where all my secrets will be dug out and I'll never live on this Earth again. Korosensei, just blow up the world, will you?

"Did he kiss you?!" the girls roar. Megu nods in approval.

"The truth, Aka-chan, or they won't let you go!" Rio implores. "I won't let you go either!"

"Tell us!"

"We want the answer!"

"The truth!"

I cover my ears from their roaring. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I fish it out. It's my Uncle. I purposely set it to loudspeaker so that the girls can give me some quiet time, albeit just awhile. They instantly become silent after some shushing.

"Akari-chan!" roars my uncle from the other side of the phone.

"Hi, Uncle." Thank god. Saved by the call.

"How's Osaka?"

"Good…" Thankfully no one recognizes me so I'll be fine.

"Didn't anyone show up saying they're interested in you?"

"I swear uncle, do not remind me of that. EVER."

He chuckles. "Okay! I have some good news for you!"

A bad premonition lurks in the shadows. It might be bad news for me. "What is it?"

"I've set you up on a date!"

I cough badly. Megu pats my back to soothe me. I barely had the voice to speak now due to shock. "Nooooo…." I groan.

"It's settled then!" He ignores my protests. "He'll be at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan tomorrow morning at 10!"

"But uncle!"

He snickers. "Trust me. You'll like him. Bye!"

The phone beeps as Uncle ends the call. Silently I slump to the floor with my face planted onto the cold marble. It takes plenty of courage not to jump off the second floor to my death right now.

I've completely lost my will. I will never survive this trip back home. The girls pat my shoulder understandingly, mourning in silence for my horrible fate. Without my will, my brain has malfunctioned. I began to rant unnecessary things such as my secrets.

"Yes. He kissed me."

The girls stare at me, dumbfounded.

"…after my birthday celebration. He also pecked my lips before. It's not an official kiss so yeah…"

I didn't even bother to clamp my mouth.

I drown in their screams for a few seconds and silence resumes its reign over the room. With my will lost, the mood in the room died to nonexistent.

Rio tries to pull me up from the floor. "Uhh why don't we get something to eat? Supper anyone?" She hefts my arm to her shoulders. The rest of me cling to her lifelessly.

Megu hefts another of my arms to her shoulders. "Let's get her some chocolate."

"Chocolate's a mood fixer!" cheers Kaede as she leads the way.

Rinka nods while Hinata grabs enough money to buy as much chocolate as they need to fix me.

"Let's get all the chocolates available at the store then!" Manami suggests.

"I'll get her some hot chocolate as well," adds Kanzaki.

Chocolate…

… sounds nice.

Thank you girls…


"Since Akari has a date at the Kaiyukan, let's go there as well," the female class rep announces. The suggestion earns cheers from the girls.

"I didn't say I'm going to the date," I retort. I lean against Kanzaki, who pats my shoulder reassuringly.

Hinata giggles. "We know you belong to Karma."

"But it's your uncle. At least pretend you're going for it," Kaede chimes in.

Megu nods. "No worries. We're there too. If he looks ok we'll consider letting him date you."

"The problem is I don't want to go on a blind date! I don't care if that guy is super handsome or anything!" I retort loudly.

A light bulb pops up over Rio's head as she smirks mischievously. "Well then, why don't I go on your behalf? I'll just claim that I'm Akari. It's a blind date right?"

Touched, I almost hug the girl for her sacrifice. She would actually do something like this for me? How sweet. "Ri-chan…"

Rio pumps her hand in the air. "For the sake of Akarma!"

The other girls holler along. "For the sake of Akarma!"

I clench my teeth and take back what I thought about her.


Rio waves goodbye at us and she strolls casually towards the entrance of the Kaiyukan. If not for her ulterior motive I would probably be grateful for her sacrifice. Uncle has stated that my blind date would be waiting by the entrance with a special object for me to recognize him. I just hope that Uncle hasn't shown him any pictures of me.

"Are you sure we should let her go on her own?" Kaede asks, seemingly worried at the carefree blonde.

"Rio will be fine on her own, I guess…" remarks Hinata. "She's Karma's evil doppelganger. She can handle things on her own." She glances at me. "At least Rio would be a better choice then…someone who'd punched a ghost into submission…"

I frown at the talkative tomboy as the girls nod unanimously.

"And besides…" Megu clears her throat. "This is a good chance for Rio to know boys other than her classmates. She's been dying for a boyfriend."

"I thought she wanted to look for a super handsome European so she brushed up her English," I say.

"One of the countless reasons she has, I heard," Kanzaki adds.

My phone rings. It is Rio. "Ri-chan?"

"OMG YOU CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!" Rio screams from the other end of the phone. My eardrums almost exploded. I set it on loudspeaker.

"No way!" Hinata gasps. "Is he really a super duper handsome guy?!"

Rinka blushes as she mutters to herself. "Super duper handsome guy…"

"EEEEEK!" Kaede shrieks. "I gotta see him!"

"Calm down Kaede-chan," Manami pats the zealous green-haired girl. "Remember Nagisa-kun."

"Well…" Rio's tone is hesitant. "Hmm I guess he has the good looks, but…"

"Oh. You can have him, Ri-chan," I blurt. I am particularly not that interested in any boys even if he is super duper handsome, probably more handsome than Karma…

"That's… impossible. I can't have him. He's… reserved."

We blink.

Megu furrows her brows. "What kind of a person goes to a blind date if he is reserved?"

"Just… I can't go on with this date. Seriously no. You might want to check him out yourself… But…" She dramatically pauses. I hear her snicker.

"No one's more important than…" Megu glances at me. "-*cough* Karma *cough*- I mean, food."

"I guarantee you'll like him."

Hinata moans. "Not you too Rio! Only Karma for Akari! AKARMA!"

Rinka remarks nonchalantly. "Looks like Karma's about to be dumped. Poor him…" If not for her character, she would be smirking.

"I cannot agree more," Kanzaki chimes in.

"Akarma!" cheers Manami cheerfully.

You girls should really stop talking like I don't exist here.

"I DON'T CARE YOU IDIOT! GET YOUR ASS TO THE ENTRANCE AND FIND THE ONE HOLDING A RED ROSE!" The phone call ends without waiting for my reply.

Damn you Rio. I thought you support Akarma the most yet you are forcing me to go on this blind date? You better not let Karma find out.

Sluggishly I walk to the designated location with the girls by my tail. Rio's prominent flowing golden hair stands out amidst the crowd. However, my heart almost lurches to a pit-less bottom when I catch another more prominent colour than her golden hair.

It is red – the colour of crimson fire burning brilliantly, making everything around it looking inferior. It is the red that I am familiar with, that I love, that I miss, that I yearn to be with.

His mercuric golden eyes lock with mine. A small smile spreads across his face. The red rose he holds in his hand, even though blooming beautifully its colour can never triumph over his red.

"Hey," says the ginger as he hands me the rose. "Surprise."

Giggles arouse around me as I stare at the boy blankly, trying hard to comprehend what is going on. Am I dreaming? Is this an illusion? Have I been in the dessert of missing him so much that a delusion pops up to feign as an oasis?

"See?" Rio smirks evilly as she watches I take the rose with my numb hand. "He's reserved." She repeats the word with more emphasizing in her tone.

I gape at Karma, with horror gnawing from within that I could find no words to say anything. "W-what a-are y-you d-doing here?"

He smiles. "Hmm… coincidence? A man is searching a date for his niece desperately so I figured I should try out… since you refused to admit your love for me."

Coincidence is never the simple word to describe the conspiracy between Karma and my Uncle. More like they are partners-in-crime right now.

With the girls giggling and blushing at the not-very-coincidental-but-very-romantic event unfolding before their eyes like a movie coming to real-life, Megu takes the initiative with a smile plastered on her face. She pushes me and I stumble into Karma. "Well, we'll leave you two to your own devices."

Rinka stares at Karma intently. "So I assume you're the real Karma and not some clone or secret twin who will probably have a better personality than the real one." She clicks her tongue.

Karma chuckles as he holds me tight. "That's mean Hayami-san. I'm the real Karma and the only Karma for Akari-chan."

I pry his hands off me. "You planned this didn't you?" I glare at Karma venomously. His sudden presence and my Uncle's stupid blind date infuriate me.

"No," he replies innocently. "It is a blind date. I wouldn't know who my date is beforehand."

Never that innocent, Karma. You never were.

"So you two can go wherever you want. We'll just do our stuff without interfering you!" Kaede says. "Let's get our tickets for the Aquarium!"

Karma nudges me. "So, where would you wanna go?"

I pout. "It's much cheaper if we buy in bulk so…"

Kanzaki clasps her hands together. "Then we'll buy both your shares as well and then we'll go on our way so that we won't end up as third wheels between you two."

I am utterly speechless.

"OKAY THEN LET'S GO!" roars Rio.


Stupid Uncle. Stupid clingy Karma.

I glare at the rose in my hand. If only it has sharper thorns on the stalk and I can hurt Karma with it because I am very pissed off at him. Although I am a little bit happy to see him but with him here means he'll cling to me and the entire trip will be like a date instead of hanging out with the girls. Of course, the girls will give us some free time together – correction, all the free time. Then this trip would be completely meaningless. I intend to spend time with my friends and put aside Karma for once. For once. Can't you grant me that wish, Karma?

As if he knows I'm in a bad mood since I barely speak to him for the next 10 minutes after we reconvene, he tries his best to lift up my mood and to redeem himself. Karma tugs on my sleeve gently to draw my attention. I ignore him.

"I'm sorry…" he mutters. For an intelligent delinquent, he senses my anger and its reasons very quickly. I am probably an open book to him – but a difficult problem to tackle. "Don't get mad…"

I refuse to look at him. "How could I not get mad? My Uncle is crazy doesn't mean you have to join in his crazy plans!"

He continues to tug on my sleeve. "Then… should I leave to make you better?"

"No…" My heart softens at his offer. "You can stay with me for the day but…" I stare at him. "You will not cling to me when I want to hang out with the girls."

"Okay. I'll be protecting you girls from the back by then."

Just let me stay… I finish his unspoken sentence in my mind.

I pout, trying hard not to give in to him under any circumstances. "Hmm… I… I'm glad to see you here."

He freezes. Then with a smirk, he teases. "So you miss me? Aww."

"No… not really. I just miss red. Your hair has such a nice red." I make up a stupid explanation.

He stifles laughter. "Okay then… not me but my hair colour. At least it's better than none. You are such a cute tsundere."

"Shut up!"

The girls have long ditched the both of us and. Karma and I stroll slowly through the corridors. I awe at the magnificent view of marine life.

Large sting rays flap around above me, soaring in the water like free birds. Their shadows cast on me, making me feel diminished compared to those large wings. White, semi-permeable jellyfishes changes into a rainbow-riot of colours under the artificial lights. The moray eel sticks its dotted head out from its nest, scanning for any anomalies and hides back into the nest cowardly. A school of colourful rainbow fishes swim past the tiny reef sharks as if they pose no threat. The sharks rest by the sand, checking out the humans curiously. Huge spider crabs with their long spidery legs rest on the artificial corals.

Maybe I can ditch Karma into the great white sharks tank.

Karma eyes a great white shark as his evil mind begins to shape evil plans to use the shark in it. If only Karma knows that it could eat him up in a bite instead of letting him using it.

"Akari-chan, let's bail."

I stare at the boy with bewilderment. "But I'm not done here yet."

"We got plenty of places to go today. I don't want to use up too much time in the Aquarium." He grabs my hand, ignores my protests and we race through the exhibitions to the exit.

I huff. "You planned this beforehand again didn't you?"

He shrugs as he continues to drag me to a place he has in mind. I try to yank my hand off his vice-like grip but knowing his persistence he would carry me bridal-style instead.

"You're not particularly afraid of heights right?" He asks.

I wince. It reminds of that fearful ride of the cable car to the top of the hill. It would be totally a lie if I say heights don't scare me.

"Well… if… if it's with you I think I'll fare well…" I stutter. I admit, this redhead knows how to make me feel safe with his diversion tactics, though he doesn't admit his doing.

He smiles. "Aww that's just sweet. So I'm vital for your survival?"

"Don't make me slap you, narcissist."

Karma laughs. He comes to a full stop before a huge, towering architecture. I crane my neck and cover my eyes from the sun's glare. It is a huge Ferris Wheel with white metal rims and multiple red cars bobbing with the breeze.

Bobbing with the breeze.

I gulp.

With a reassuring pat on my head, his grip on my arm slides down to my hand and squeezes it. If not for the fear striking at my brain I would have punched him for taking advantage. However his warmth on my hand is irrefutably comforting. It begins to melt away my fear. I feel like I am able to do anything as long as he is by my side.

This is probably the magic of love.

"No worries, I'm here."

I risk a peek at him. He is staring at me intently, a warm smile across his face.

Inadvertently I blush.

We wait for awhile at the line till it's our turn. I step into the red car tentatively. The car shifts a little under my weight. I almost retract my feet if not for Karma thrusting me into the car. I sit at one side while he sits across from me.

17 minutes of…torture? I gulp as sweat drenches my neck. I fan myself to get rid of the heat.

"Just look at the view… or at me," Karma suggests.

I spit my tongue at him. He smirks. "Tsundere," he remarks.

The Ferris Wheel gradually turns in such motion it's hard to feel that it is moving at all. I stare intently at the roof of the Kaiyukan, watching as it turns smaller by every second.

"Are you so scared to death you can barely speak?" Karma asks.

"No. This is not as scary as the – "

A wind blows past us. The car sways slightly. I tremble, trying to keep myself together.

Karma's feet shuffle as he tries to move over to my side. I raise my hand in the air to stop him. "It will lose balance!" I shriek in terror.

He chuckles. "No it won't idiot. Calm down."

"But but!"

He successfully scoots over to my side and pulls me into his embrace. His hand caresses my back gently. His heartbeat creates a harmonious melody in my ears.

Badump badump.

My heart beats in resonance with his.

Badump badump.

I suddenly become addicted with the music he created. I've feel relaxed and calm. His presence makes me feel safe no matter how scary and life-threatening my fears are.

"Feel better?" He hums.

I nod weakly.

"Good." And he presses a kiss onto my head.

I blush furiously. He must like seeing the redness of my face.


I didn't know we can go to a beach from Osaka city till Karma forcefully drags me along. I have no idea where the girls are by then.

The beach is crowded with people bathing under the cloudy sky. With the sun hiding behind the marshmallow-like cloud cover, a mass crowd gathers by the white sandy beach even in the afternoon. Children scoot around here and there while the adults lazily lie on the sand having a time of their lives. People play in water, splashing drops of the sea into each other's faces. Tiny grains of sand poke at the under of my feet.

I stare at the teenagers around my age, wearing trunks and bikinis of all sorts. I realize I came to this place unprepared.

"We're not going to the water, right?" I ask.

"We are," Karma replies nonchalantly.

Shocked, I concede.

"Relax. We won't get wet." Karma lowers down and rolls up his trousers to his knees. "We'll just walk in the sea."

"No splashing," I warn.

"But that wouldn't be fun…"

"Karma," I hiss. He grins and walks to the sea.

Luckily I am wearing a pair of shorts. I step into the cooling water and wade towards Karma. He is looking at something he picked up from the water. I peer into his palm. The object glitters with its shades of brown colouring the shell. Then it shifts as a few tiny legs pops out from the mouth of the shell. Karma tilts his hand to the right and the tiny creature slides back into the water.

I pick up a white conch near my feet. It is thin and long. "I bet there are plenty of shells lying around."

"Let's play a game and see who picks up the most shells. Then the winner gets to make the loser do whatever he/she wants for the rest of the day." With a smug Karma suggests.

I nod. "I will win you and make you obey me."

"Hahahaha! We'll see!"

I manage to gather as many I can find – scallops, conches, clams and stuff them into my pockets as many as possible. Karma is a few meters away deeper into the sea, plunging his arm into the sea whenever he catches one shell through the clear water. His rolled-up trunks are already soaked at its bottom. I become more eager to win him in his own game.

"How many you got?" I shout at him.

"Definitely more than you!" he shouts back, focusing on his task at hand.

Determination burns within me. I reach into the shallow waters and pick up another one. As I glance up at Karma, he has mysteriously disappeared. When I thought where he could be, he reemerged from the water, soaked from head to toe and stares with awe at another shell he collected. I sigh. He'll probably get a cold after this. The thought of making me obey his every word must be very tempting to him – a complete nightmare to me. I really have to win this or he'll make me wear a maid costume for sure.

Karma plunges into the water once more. I count in my heart silently for three seconds and he reemerges. He spits the water from his mouth and combs his dripping hair to the back of his head. A smile creeps up onto my face.

And then I realize how handsome he is, standing in the sea, soaking wet.

I blush, hoping he doesn't notice my stare.

He plunges into the water again as if he has been addicted to it. I count for another three seconds.

But my counting has reached four yet he still doesn't show up.

Five. Six. Seven.

"Karma?" I croak. My heart races so quickly it begins to hurt.

A shriek from a group of teenagers near me. I could barely make clear of what they are screaming about when I recognize one hazardous, telltale word.

Jellyfish.

No. No. No.

"KARMA!" I scream as I trudge through the waters to where he has disappeared. Frantically I search through the waters for that telltale sign of red.

I cannot feel my heart beating. I am suffocating. Jittery nerves begin to kill me bit by bit. Please let me find him, please!

Please be alright, Karma!

Don't do this to me…

And then,

I find him,

his red hair drifting in the water,

his limbs floating on the water surface, face down to the water.

Everything around me turns black and white, screaming silently in horror.

My hands try to pull him up. Then something stings my legs and arms painfully. Tiny creatures in hordes swim around me and Karma. The more I stay there the more painful the stings are.

I put every ounce of strength into my arms and pull Karma from the water. I heft his lifeless arm across my shoulders and try to move towards the shore. But my legs tremble as they slowly give in. I slap Karma's cheek to wake him up. He doesn't but I feel his subtle breathing on my neck. Red welts form on his neck across his chest to his limbs. The shells he carries in his hands drop into the water.

I have to…

My legs sting as they take another baby step forward.

I have to take Karma back…

Black spots cloud my vision.

back to shore…

I carry on and on until I cannot feel the water by my legs and I collapse to the sand, with Karma beside me. Lifeguards come running to us, helping us out as much as they can. I am glad that I didn't pass out so that I can keep my eye on Karma. My eyes train on the ginger as the men carries his lifeless body onto a stretcher.

After the panic, the adrenaline rush, I realize tears have been flowing down my cheeks all the time.


CLIFFHANGER!

Will Karma survive?!

This part is based on Wrayth-Pariah (fanfic), smoothielifu (fanfic), brie72201 (fanfic), storyfreak0614 (wattpad)'s ideas all combined into one! Thanks guys!

I've never been to Osaka before so I did some research on the internet. The Kaiyukan and the Ferris Wheel and also the beach. Though I am not sure if there are beaches very close to Osaka. The jellyfishes are because it is stated online that they appear around late Summer in large masses.

Thus, the inspiration for this part.

Question 1: what do you guys think would happen if Akari chose Isogai Yuuma instead? Will he be the sweet caring kind? Will he tease Akari like Karma does?(expand your imagination peeps!)

Question 2: Should I continue the Facebook part? LOL

Thank you for reading! REVIEWS ARE LOVE~

Review:

Animeandmangafangirl: It's so obviously a dream~ poor Karma

I12Bfree: Thaaaaaaaaaaank you love you!

PhoenixFireBlade: Maybe I AM a psychic mind reader… lol.

ReimDneir: Thanks!

Gees: Thanks for the review!