It was a perfect day today. The sun is shining, bringing a comfortable warmth to the people underneath. Cherry blossoms are still blooming which made this day look more perfect.
"Karma-kun!"
A voice yelled, making the person with that unique name turn his head around to find it.
Once he looked at his side, he was greeted of the sight of her panting while holding both her knees.
She looked up and decided to tell him something but because she was out of breath, she had a hard time.
When she finally caught her breath, she stood from her slouching position. And told him what she wanted to say.
"I'm sorry that I kept you waiting, Karma-kun."
She bowed to him as an apology. The latter just chuckled at her actions.
"No you didn't. Actually, Okuda-san was right on time. I just arrived a little bit early."
The bespectacled girl felt relieved upon hearing what he said.
The two started walking to the big gates blending in with the massive crowd.
"I'm still a bit curious why you asked me out."
Karma said out loud. And Manami sweat drop, remembering the reason why they are entering an amusement park.
...
"Gomen Okuda-chan! I already have plans with Sugino this Saturday, and with my parents this Sunday!" Kanzaki apologized through the phone call.
With a sigh and slumping of her shoulders, she responded to Kanzaki feeling a bit sad at the outcome.
"I-its okay, Kanzaki-san! I'll just ask Kayano-chan if she's free. Oh, have a fun weekend!"
The call between then ended. The raven headed girl sat down on her bed and started to dial another number.
She raised her phone up to her ears and waited for an answer. After three rings, she was greeted with a cheerful voice.
"Ohayo Okuda-chan~ What is it that you want to talk about?" Kayano asked cheerfully.
"W-well you see, I won two tickets for this new amusement park, and I was just wondering if you're free this weekend?"
Scratching the back of her neck, her voice kept on stuttering, anxiously waiting for her friend's answer.
"Gomen Okuda-chan... I'm busy with the tons of projects that are being laid out for me. Being an actress is pretty tough..."
Manami's mood fell down. She was really looking forward to going to this amusement park. But it couldn't be helped. Her friends had their own lives and are busy with it ever since starting high school.
She understood them well, but the hint of sadness in her voice alarmed Kayano.
"I really do want to hang out with you Okuda-chan. But I- I'm sorry..."
"I-its okay! I understand your situation."
Noticing that Kayano got affected by her sadness, Manami assured her that she completely understood her situation.
"I guess I kind of got too hyped up with the amusement park thingy. Its been a while so... I just thought that spending my time there with a friend would be nice."
Reasoning out her thoughts, Kayano's eyes softened upon hearing it. Kayano giggled, which made Manami confused.
"Well, I do know someone who isn't busy...And that person is also a friend of yours."
...
"Okuda-san! Hey Okuda-san~"
The second call came out as a whisper. With his breath brushing against her ears, down to her neck. A sudden deep shade of red consumed her face.
Realizing that Karma's face was only inches away from hers. She abruptly stepped back, not used to these feelings.
"Did I really surprised you that much? Anyways, you were spacing out-are you okay Okuda-san?"
Concerned, the red headed boy walked to her. His features softening at her troubled state.
Mustering all the voice that's left in her, she somehow let out a meek reply and but toovmuch stuttering.
"Y-y-yeah! I-i'm fine. E-everything is f-fine!"
Mentally face palming herself, her face became redder every second.
"Well...if you say so... Where do you wanna go first?"
Since Manami couldn't muster to say another word. She communicated with Karma using hand signals, telling him where does he want to go first.
As if on cue, a sadistic aura loomed around him. Smiling devilishly, he pointed at an attraction that was obviously better if they were to go there at night,
-the haunted house.
Karma first assured if Manami were scared of ghosts, or gruesome things. After gaining her voice, she balled her hands to fists and raised it unto the level of her shoulder, and she proudly replies with this;
"Ghost do not exist and those are just staffs that has scary make-up on."
The two then brought two tickets at the said attraction.
The line was quite long even though it was daylight. Each step they took made Manami hesitate. She should've not lied about her being not scared. Well technically, she's really not scared of ghosts. But she gets surprised easily, and haunted houses surprises you. And she was never good at dealing those.
"Next!"
The person responsible for getting the tickets shouted monotonously, reaching out his hand for the duo.
Karma gave the tickets to the guy and started to walk inside. Manami was behind him looking carefully at her surroundings. As soon as the door closed behind them, nothing was visible other than darkness. But lights were then turned on but were too dim.
"Boo..."
Someone whispered from behind her. Cold breath making contact on her nape. She shivered before squeaking.
"Eeeep!"
That was all she could say, she hugged the first thing she could grab tightly not planning on letting go.
"I thought you said you weren't scared of ghosts?"
Someone chuckled in front of her. The lights were too dim but it was enough to make her recognize the owner of the voice. Of course it's none other than Karma.
She was thankful that the room was a bit dark, because Karma will not notice the red tint on her cheeks. She realized that the thing she hugged was actually a he.
She apologized to him numerous times until Karma got fed up and decided to make her stop.
"We can't go back now. Just hold my hand and close your eyes, okay Okuda-san?"
Reaching out for his hand, the moment she held it tightly, she nodded shyly with her eyes closed.
She could feel her heart beat faster every second. The warmth of his hands etched on her. She bit her lower lip suppressing the urge to smile.
Occasionally, when someone would surprise them, Manami would get startled. But it wasn't enough to make her squeal. While Karma would laugh or compliment the staff's make up.
Once they were out, sweats kept running down their faces. The haunted house was a bit cramped and the heat was not enjoyable.
The two wiped themselves up and decided to seat on a bench.
"I got thirsty with all the laughing that I did. How 'bout you Okuda-san?"
"Just a little."
The two laughed at their current state. They were sweaty but it doesn't matter as long as you're having fun.
"Let's grab some drinks." Karma offered, standing up.
Manami oblique and followed Karma from behind. Not long after, they found a vending machine. She lowered her head remembering the time she accidentally hugged Karma back at the haunted house.
She let out a sigh erasing her train of thoughts. A cold sensation touched her cheeks, she was surprised once again, to find Karma's face near hers. But the difference is that a bottle of cold water separated their faces.
Blood came rushing to her face, she stepped back distancing herself from him.
"Geez, you get too surprised Okuda-san."
He commented, pulling her hand and spreading her fingers. He made her hold the bottle.
Karma motioned her to drink so she wouldn't get dehydrated. She turned the cap and placed the mouth of the bottle up to her lips. She drank the water not long after but she didn't drank all of it.
Karma smiled at her, making her blush once more. Manami averted her gaze by turning her head to the side. She then realized something along the way.
"Wait. Before I drank the water...the bottle wasn't full... Which means-"
"Indirect kiss?"
Her hold on the bottle tighten while her other free hand made its way up to her lips.
Her breathing hitched while her heart beats faster than before. Her cheeks took in the same color like his hair.
She bit her lower lip not wanting to let a single syllable of his name slip out her mouth.
She wore a troubled expression, controlling her emotions, making sure he doesn't find out...
These weird feeling she harbored for him.