CHAPTER 6: FIRST DATE
It was Saturday and Yuuki woke up as early as she could to prepare for the day. It was her first date with Karma. They planned to go see the blooming cherry blossoms. She wanted to pack some lunch for him. He had already texted her.
"Rice balls would be nice…" she mumbled to herself.
As she was about ready to head out. Karma popped in in front of her house.
"Yo!" he greeted her.
She smiled as a reply. He helped her with the picnic basket. They started their walk to the park. Karma observed her from head to toe. Yuuki was wearing a dress with a mix color of green and white. She tied her hair into a tight ponytail. In his eyes, she needs to be protected.
"It's getting warmer. How's school?" he asked her.
"Great. I'm in the same class as Midori again," she replied with a smile.
"Good to hear that…" Karma smiled. "I'll be starting my school around next week."
Yuuki instantly looked at him. "Really?" she asked.
He nodded. "I just have to wait for the Board to inform me…" he explained.
She smiled, faintly blushing. He took her hand in his as they reached the park. A few couples and families were seen, already setting up their mats to eat. Karma and Yuuki started looking for a spot. They soon found one under a large sakura tree, far from the others. Karma spread the mat. Yuuki took of her sandals and took a seat. She started to take out the food she made. Karma laid back on his arms, taking a deep breath.
"It sure is peaceful…" he sighed.
"Yeah…" Yuuki looked around.
Cherry blossom petals were flying about in the calm breeze. Yuuki poured some tea for the two of them. Karma took out his phone.
"Let me take some photos of you," he offered.
Yuuki blinked before nodding. She sat on the mat as Karma put on his shoes. He started taking some photos of her under the large tree.
"Let's eat now…" Yuuki suddenly said when she noticed that people were looking at her.
Karma put away his phone, nodding to her. He sat down beside her. Yuuki took out a lunch box for him. Then, she took out hers. She waited for him to have a taste. He munched on a tuna rice ball.
"This is pretty good~!" he chirped.
"Really?" she asked, excited.
He nodded, munching on his food. He took another one.
"I'm glad!" Yuuki exclaimed, munching on hers.
Karma took a selfie with her. He sent it to Nagisa to make him jealous. It was evening when they decided to pack up and leave. Most of the families had gone back already. Karma kept his eyes on her as she put away the lunchboxes. She caught him staring.
"Is there...something on my face?" she asked, blushing.
Shaking his head, Karma reached out to touch her cheeks, stopped halfway and patted her head instead. Yuuki tilted her head and blinked in confusion. Karma walked her home that day. A man was waiting in front of her front door when they got there. He was wearing a blazer and his hair looked a bit messy. Karma looked at him full of suspicions. Yuuki gulped nervously.
"There you are! I've been trying to call you a few times already!" the man said.
He stopped when he saw Karma. He coughed, fixing his tie. He handed Yuuki a note and rushed out of the building, bumping Karma's shoulder on the way. Yuuki bit her lower lip, looking away from the boy.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"Someone who works closely with my father…" Yuuki sighed.
"Why is he here?" he asked more.
"Because father wants me home…" she replied, she crumpled the note in her hand.
Karma noticed her change of behaviour. He decided not to ask anymore. She opened the door and invited him into her flat again. He didn't refuse. Yuuki made some lemon juice to cool him down. Karma looked around the place once again. The girl sat on the sofa but she didn't speak of the man. Karma took a sip of his drink.
He suddenly had the urge to ask, "Do you need me here?"
Yuuki looked up at him. Their eyes met and she could feel how serious he was. She clenched her fists together, nervous. She shook her head after a few seconds.
"I'll call you if I need you. I'll be fine as long as I lock the doors," she replied.
She forced a smile. The redhead nodded. He reached out to pat her head but stopped halfway. Yuuki gazed into his eyes, concerned. Karma could feel her hesitance. He finished his drink and excused himself. Yuuki promised to call him after dinner. She did, just so she could fall asleep.
"Yuuki, I need help with this question," Asahi called her as he walked up to her desk.
She looked at him with a smile. He showed her an English question he didn't understand. Yuuki took out her dictionary to help him out. Midori watched the two full of curiosity.
"Here, you can borrow my notes to understand it better," Yuuki offered.
"Whoa, thanks! I'll read through them," Asahi exclaimed.
He went back to his seat. Midori pulled her chair close to Yuuki. The shorter girl glanced up at her best friend, continued reading her Science notes.
"You sure are nice to him…" she whispered.
"Of course, he agreed not to bother me anymore when he found out about me and Karma…" Yuuki explained.
"I see…" Midori muttered.
Yuuki giggled, nudging her best friend. They started to laugh. The next came in and class started as usual. When lunch time came, Yuuki received a text from her cousin, telling her that Karma was already back in school. Her lips curved into a smile. Lunch time came and Yuuki rushed out of her class to head somewhere.
"Where is she going?" Asahi asked Midori.
"I have no idea…" the girl shrugged.
Yuuki reached the back gate of the school. She looked around and saw that no one followed her. She heaved a sigh, opening the gate and running off into the forest. As she walked around, she was caught by surprise. A snake lurked closer to her. She gulped, backing away. Her legs shook and her body trembled in fear. Suddenly an arm wrapped around her neck. She wanted to scream.
"Don't move…" a familiar voice whispered into her ear.
Yuuki abided. The snake kept on staring at her. She held a breath a few minutes. The snake deemed her dead so it crawled away. Yuuki turned around with a smile to see her favourite person. Karma sighed dreadfully.
"Boy, was I right to come here…" he muttered.
"I wanted to eat lunch with you…" Yuuki muttered.
"But, it's dangerous to come here alone!" he held in his anger.
Yuuki was taken aback by his sudden shout. She looked down. Karma tsk-ed, scratching the back of his head. He reached out to pat her head.
"I'm sorry…" she spoke up, locking her eyes with his, "I won't do it again. I'll wait patiently next time…"
The redhead heaved a sigh again. He nodded to her promise. He offered to help her with the lunch boxes. She followed him up into the mountains. Nagisa was surprised to see his cousin with Karma.
"You were so right, Nagisa-kun. She was climbing the mountains alone…" Karma sighed.
"Nagisa!" Yuuki ran up to her cousin.
She hugged him tightly and purred. Nagisa smiled, holding her shoulders. A blonde girl suddenly popped beside him.
"Ah~who is this cutie pie~" she cooed.
Yuuki blinked confusedly at her. She giggled at the shorter girl. Karma blocked the blonde's view from looking at Yuuki. The shorter girl stared at Karma.
"Let's go eat and then, I'll send you back…" he said to her.
"O-Okay…" Yuuki replied.
She bowed to the blonde and rushed to follow Karma. Karma brought her to the field. He was glad that nobody was around, not even his teacher. They ate quietly.
"Karma…" the girl suddenly called.
"Hmm?" Karma turned to her.
"Am I...a nuisance?" she asked.
"Huh? Why are you asking me that?" he asked her.
"After we talked that one night, you never contacted me. Even when you've returned to school, you didn't say anything. I'm just worried that I'm dragging you down or something…" she blurted.
Karma held her hands to stop her from talking. "Hey, hey...I never said that. Nobody ever said that. You don't have to feel that way…"
"Really?" she asked for confirmation.
The redhead nodded a few times to convince her. Yuuki let out a smile. Karma's gaze landed on her lips. He wondered how her lips felt. Nagisa abruptly appeared, freezing Karma out of embarrassment.
"Sorry to bother you two lovebirds, but lunch time is almost over…" he drawled.
"Right! Let's send you back now…" Karma said, looking away from the girl beside him.
She nodded in agreement. Nagisa decided to come with them. Yuuki held Nagisa's arm on her right and Karma's arm on her left. She hummed happily. Nagisa gave out a sheepish smile to the calm Karma. A few of their classmates were watching, making them even more curious as to who Yuuki is.
"We'll stop here…" Karma said.
"Yeah. See you after school," Nagisa said.
Yuuki nodded. "Okay…"
She and Karma locked stares for a few minutes. Nagisa chuckled at the sight.
"Ah! There you are!" Midori suddenly called
The three were surprised to hear her voice. She ran up to them. Yuuki faintly blushed as Midori formed a teasing smirk. The girls said goodbye to the two boys. They ran back to their classroom.