Modern Dating: A Practical Guide

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Ding.

Nagisa's head is spinning. Where even is he? Last thing he solidly remembers, he was playing never have I ever at Okajima's party. The spinning suddenly morphs into a pounding pain and nausea, so he decides to ignore that for a moment and try and focus on the relative comfort of the pillow he's lying on. Well... it feels like he's propped up almost in a sitting position, actually. Whatever.

Ding.

A groan, and then the shift of the mattress beside him. Karma? That makes sense, actually. His own bed isn't this comfortable. Right, yeah, he remembers being half carried across the doorway, plus a couple of flashes of stumbling down the hallway. How did he even get that drunk? Trying even harder to remember makes things worse, though.

Suddenly very awake, Nagisa stumbles his way out of bed, finding it far too bright despite the blinds being closed. For one, he really needs to pee, but he also needs to figure out what actually happened. His phone is on the nightstand at least. Not that he remembers putting it there... maybe Karma did it? If he did, he even put it on charge for him. Somehow he feels like he might owe him an apology.

There are... a number of messages on his phone. Nagisa hasn't felt this popular... ever. Which makes him concerned. It's a question of who he'd rather hear it from though. Karma? Well he'll probably just make fun of him. Then Nagisa shakes his head at the thought. No, that's unfair. Karma deserves to not be doubted at this point.

He still feels a little shaky as he makes it to the bathroom, which smells strongly of bleach. The next thing that comes to him is the memory of leaning with his head over the toilet bowl. He thinks Karma might have held his hair back. That's not exactly great. How's he going to look Karma in the eye? What should he even say at a time like this? Hey honey, thanks for cleaning up my puke?

Nagisa tries his best not to undo the work, despite his nausea being through the roof, and just focuses on peeing. After that, brushing his teeth helps remove the gross taste in his mouth a little. He's really glad he has that here now. But now what? Nagisa could check the messages on his phone properly... but maybe it would be better to hear from Karma. He must have been there for the worst of it.

The light of the hallway seems too bright to him. Ugh. This might be the worst hangover he's ever had. Maybe he should detour to Karma's fridge? All he wants are carbohydrates. Maybe Karma has something... Though, he actually cooks well. And if he eats at all, Nagisa kind of wants the junk food variety.

He doesn't get as far as the fridge, though, because there's obvious activity on the sofa. He blinks. Why is there a child's voice?

"-Did I do it right?"

"Yeah," that's Karma, "now you have to hide from the police... Hey I think Nagisa finally woke up."

Somehow he feels a sense of fight or flight take over him. Karasuma and Bitch Sensei's young daughter Nao, who Nagisa suddenly remembers he agreed to babysit, turns over the sofa and shoots him a toothy grin. Oh no.

"Nagisa san! Karma san said you were feeling yucky!"

All he has is his grimace. "Yeah, I was. But I feel a lot better now!"

"I'm not gonna catch it right?"

"Hey Naochan~" Karma says, "do you know what 'binge drinking' means?"

She shakes her head.

"Karma-"

Karma ignores him. "How about 'alcoholic'?"

"Isn't that when you drink a lot of wine and get sad?" She looks at Nagisa. "Why are you sad, Nagisa san?"

Karma doesn't even try to hide his laughter.