That night Okuda received a call from one of her classmates from last year. It was a shock to see his name pop up on her screen, much less him asking her for another favour yet again, even after last year. "Karma-kun? Do you need something?" Her heart warmed to the fact that even after last, Karma was still asking for her help.

"Okuda-san! I'm glad we're still in partnership," came the person on the other end. His tone was preppy and dripping with mischievousness, just like Okuda remembered.

"Partnership?" she asked with a laugh.

"Yes! Partners in crime, remember? Anyway, I have yet another favour to ask of you. I need a truth serum. I recall you having made a certain version of it? Get it to me by... This Saturday. By the way, I'll bring a friend with me - her name is Sakusa," Karma said. His voice had a hint of urgency that somewhat surprised Okuda.

"This isn't for a prank, is it?" she asked carefully. Usually it was. But with a truth serum? That was too harsh, even for Karma.

"No. Don't worry. It isn't."

Part of her wanted to pry, but she knew it wasn't exactly polite. Her body automatically agreed to do the former. "So what is it then?"

There was a slight pause. "Let's just say I'm completing my last homework given by Koro Sensei."

Okuda widened her eyes. "Oh no! Is it something I've missed? I haven't checked our group chat in a few days - did they send something there that I've forgotten?" She asked in panic, fretfully trying to think through what she might have missed.

"No. It's nothing like that. Just don't worry about it, Okuda-san. And don't tell anybody either."

-3-

Sakusa eyed the girl spitefully. After they harsh and manipulative way she'd treated her, it was hard to approach her and forgive her. Sakusa had always know one thing: they were either enemy or they weren't. Right now, Horiki Hana sat on the enemy's side. And in order to get her to trust Sakusa enough that she will follow her to Karma, she'd have to set aside emotions. And it sucked.

With all the bravery she could summon, Sakusa marched over to Horiki Hana where a mob of girls surrounded her. "Ah, Horiki-san. I need to talk to your for a second," Sakusa said with a deep breath. She felt every girl in the corridor speculate her entire being. She'd never been so pressured. "Please," she added forcefully. The more polite, the better.

"Sure." Hana waved her hand briefly and the girls around her, scattered. "What is it?" She asked tentatively. Both girls were careful around each other.

Sakusa felt her heart thump against her chest. "I'm sorry about the other day. I know you like Kar- Akabane-kun, but I can't force him to like you. I am sorry. But I don't want to be at fault here." All her words were measure and careful, trying not to show too much expression.

"It's not your fault," Hana said stiffly. "I guess I have to apologise too. Sorry." It felt like a burden had been lifted off both, but Hana felt ashamed in a way. She'd never had to apologise for anything so petty before.

"At least we're even now," Sakusa murmured before speaking up louder, "I have to go - see you around?" It was the nicest way she could think of, to leave the awkward tension.

"Yeah, see you around."

-3-

"Where are we going?" Sakusa demanded. "I don't particularly like being dragged out about while not knowing where I'm going."

Karma patted her hear which caused her to flinch a little. "We are going to pick up the serum from my friend!" He said cheerfully, "Don't worry, she doesn't bite."

Sakusa had no choice but to follow the quick stride of the teenage boy as he walked past the bustling crowds of the weekend city. It was a lot more crowded now than on a school afternoon. They passed the street they would usually pass by everyday as both seemed to come from the same direction more often. The trees in the afternoon swayed in the mild wind. Rain seemed close too.

Soon, they had arrived at a small tea shop selling tea leaves and access. Bewildered by the selection of such a meeting place, Sakusa stared at everything around her as she nervously ambled in.

"Hi, I'm looking for Okuda Hanami? Is she here?" Karma asked in a friendly tone as he smiled at the older girl. Her raven hair was in a loose ponytail at the back of her neck and her hoop earrings glittered in the sunlight.

"Yes. Hang on," the older girl, presumably Hanami-san's older sister shouted to the back of the shop. "Imouto! There some guy here to see you! Is he your boyfriend?!" Sakusa found herself drifting next to Karma in amusement as she watched the elegant, older girl. Karma blushed slightly and the comment and chuckled.

"Nee-chan! He's not my boyfriend!" She hissed frantically as she emerged from the back of the shop. "Ahaha... Gomen Karma-kun. And you must be Sakusa-san. Sorry, come in! I have the serum here." They followed her to the back and Sakusa caught the older sister smirking as the walked past her. Karma spotted it as well.

The back of the shop was a bright room with bottles and small messes everywhere. Okuda led them to the corner where a small desk stood. There was a few books and a phone, but apart from that, there was only a small bottle of black liquid. The truth serum was in a plastic bottle and didn't fizz like Sakusa thought potions would.

"Here it is. It only works for about a minute for the person who drinks it and they will answer whatever you say in that time period. Afterwards, they may or may not have memory of it. You can also mix it into other liquids if you need. It's safe because I have done testing and this isn't the first time I've made it." Sakusa wondered about her victims and shuddered. "Also, don't give the person anymore than one spoonful. An overdose could cause brain damage. Anything else?"

Karma grinned at her proudly, "Nope. Thanks a lot, Okuda-san! I believe it will work. Whatever you make usually does."

"Wow," Sakusa said blinking. "That's amazing - you're so smart."

Okuda blushed beetroot red. "Thank you," she squeaked. She'd never received such an outright praise. Most people thought of her as a weird nerd who shouldn't be considered as a normal student at all. Quickly she thrust the plastic bottle in Karma's hands. "Use it well. I don't know what it's for, but I believe in you."

The pair thanked her with profound gratitude before walking out of the shop. Okuda Sakami watched them as they shared a few words and turned around the corner. They were an interesting pair and perhaps... Even a cute couple. She giggled quietly. Wouldn't that be interesting.

-3-

"This is what we have to do," Karma started as he unrolled a piece of paper he had stashed underneath his laptop. Sakusa, on the other hand, couldn't stop staring at his room. It was like something out of a dream. It was so big - at least four times her own room at the inn.

The bed was a king size and felt like clouds, but firmer and more comfortable. She couldn't explain it. It was a challenge to stay awake while sitting on the bed. His desk was huge with paper, books, laptops, yes - plural, and many more. It was made of expensive glass and it shone like nothing under the broad daylight coming from the polished French window.

His bookshelf was nothing short of massive and was filled with books, figurines, stationery and more. There were gems decorating his window sill and it created a kaleidoscope of light around the room. Lastly, there was a whole rack of guns, knives, and samurai stuff. It was amazing.

"... And then we just chug the serum into their throats. Maybe it's better if we do it separately," Karma ended as he scribbled all over the rough paper on his bed with a black marker. He looked up when he finished. He gazed at Sakusa's dreaming face, she looked so absorbed. Karma gave a small smile. "Sakusa-san~! Were you even listening?"

"Ah! Ye-, serum. No. What? Yes," Sakusa babbled. She stopped. "Sorry. Say it again - I wasn't listening."

Karma sighed. "I understand. My room is not as charming as me, but close. Enough to keep you occupied. Honestly, the question here is: why don't you stare at me like that? I'm charming!" He flashed a beaming grin.

"Your room has gems. You, on the other hand, do not have gems anywhere near you," Sakusa pointed out.

"So you're attracted to the gems? What are you, a thief?" Karma speculated, "I didn't invite you here to steal, excuse me. So listen up, this is important to me."

"Sorry, sorry. You're right. I came here to do what you said. Okay, start again," she apologised.

Karma nodded, clearing his own thoughts as well. "As I was saying. We each have to befriend them first. Mine is easy. Hana Sensei is my advanced chemical science teacher and I think she's possibly one of your teachers as well, but I'll take care of her. You have to, firstly, make up with Horiki-san, two, get into her inner friend group. Then, separately, we will have to get them into a private room and force the drink on them. Then we time our seconds and get them to speak up. We will have to drop them out just as the serum wears off. As Okuda said, they may or may not have memories of it. We'll just hope they don't. Even if they do, it won't affect us much. And if they do ask questions after, we'll just deny it. Ok?"

Sakusa nodded, then paused. "How, exactly, do I get into the inner circle of Horiki-san's friend group?" She squeaked. Sakusa had never done anything like this before. Run away from captors, survive, live, find food - that she could do. Not anything like this.

"I don't know! I'm not a girl, am I? Figure it out yourself." Sakusa pursed her lips and scowled. Yes, she was a girl. But she'd never had much of a chance to be one before.