Behind The Scenes

Day 15, Endearment

I can't help but sigh as the morning sun wakes me up extremely early. I stare at the ceiling waiting for the time to pass. I think back on last night and the conversation I had with karma. I remember he once said he wouldn't do anything to risk the chance of him being able to kill a teacher, so if I tell him about the letter I wonder if he really would go too far. I mean, he may be thinking he's going to protect me by acting as my bodyguard and taking me everywhere i go. He may be thinking of just scaring them a bit without crossing the line. When it comes to my mother though, i'm not sure what he would do, he may try to report her, which i can't really risk, but he did respect my wishes last night to stop asking me about the letter, so maybe if i ask him to stay out of the drama with mom he will. But still, i can't afford them to spread my secret because they found out that i told karma, and i cant afford karma doing something stupid that could land him in the police station.

The sky's color changes as it rises further. The seconds on my digital clock click by. Soon I hear my mother stir and make her way to the kitchen and the clinking of pans reach my ears. Eventually it comes to the time when I would normally wake up, so I go through my daily routine. I get everything together and walk downstairs for breakfast.

"Morning nagisa."

"Morning mom." Guess mom made eggs this morning.

There's a plate stacked with eggs on it. I look over to mom and see her cooking up some sausage as well. I take a plate down from the cupboard and pile some eggs onto it. We exchange a few words here and there, not really having a conversation.

"Hey nagisa dear, is everything alright? You seem a bit out of it?"

"Yea I'm fine."

"..now I think we can both agree thats not true. Talk to me, what happened."

Should I tell her about our argument yesterday? She might dig for more information if I mention it. I look to the clock and see that there's about ten minutes before either of us leave. "...me and a friend had an argument yesterday."

"Oh no, who with?"

"..karma."

An odd smile spreads across her face. "Well if it's him I'm sure you two will figure it out."

"What do you mean?"

"Arguing just means you love each other right? And from what you told me he seems nice. I doubt he would stay mad forever, and the same goes for you. Just talk with him and you'll sort it out."

"Yea I guess so." I look down at my plate and fiddle my hands. I forgot that she thinks I like him. "Hey mom?"

"Hmm?"

"How do you know for sure if you love someone and it's not just an infatuation or crush?"

Shes quiet, was that a bad question to ask? "Well that's hard to answer, it's something only you can answer or figure out. A crush is short and an infatuation is more or an obsession, keep that in mind while you figure it out."

"Okay"

It's moments like this when I feel I can actually connect with mom, when I feel like she's a mother rather than a dictator.

"Ah, look at the time, I gotta get going. Sorry nagisa we can talk more later if you want to."

And with that she leaves.

I finish my meal, grab my bag, and make my way to school

...

The air feels nice in my lungs on mornings like this. The air is still nice and cool. I walk through the trees up the usual path, but I see someone standing still up ahead. I squint my eyes to try and make out the person. As I get closer I'm able to make out the familiar shade of red hair. They wave to me and start walking down the mountain towards me.