Mischievous Meetings | Akabane Karma X OC

CHAPTER 6

It was the end of the day on a Friday, marking the close of Emi's first week in Class 3-E. It was also the day she was supposed to go on another "date" with Karma. Unlike when she was in class A, she didn't need to wait for Karma by the gate as they are classmates now.

As Emi was packing her things, Karma stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and sauntered over to her.

"Well, Princess. Ready to go?" he asked with his usual cocky grin.

A few curious classmates overheard him and couldn't resist prying.

"And where do you think you two are going?" Nakamura chimed in, her eyebrow raised.

Karma, ever so casual, draped an arm over Emi's shoulders. "Ah, you know. Just a date."

This piqued Nakamura's interest, but before she could get a word in to tease them, Emi slipped out from under Karma's arm.

"Not anymore," Emi said coolly.

Karma raised an eyebrow, giving her a curious look, waiting for an explanation. Their classmates went quiet, sensing the tension and also eager to hear what she'd say.

"Well, as you might not know," Emi began, crossing her arms, "this genius and I have been fake dating to throw off my entourage in the main building. I figured if I spent time with him, they'd stop bothering me. And it worked—until it got me here."

She glanced around the room, making sure her explanation was clear to their curious classmates.

"And?" Karma pressed, still waiting for the real reason behind her change of heart.

"And since we're not in the main building anymore," Emi said, directing her words at Karma now, "I don't see any reason to keep up the act."

Silence fell over the room.

They were fake dating? That was the thought running through everyone's mind. Whatever had been happening to Emi in the main building must have been serious for her to resort to dating—albeit pretending to date—someone like Akabane Karma of all people.

"Looks like Karma just got dumped," Nakamura suddenly quipped, shattering the silence.

A few of their classmates sweatdropped at her remark.

Karma, unfazed, smirked and leaned in closer to Emi. "C'mon, Princess. Not even one last date before you leave me all alone?" he teased, clutching his chest dramatically as if heartbroken.

"I unfortunately don't have time to entertain your antics, genius." Emi said as she slung her bag on her shoulder. "I have plans for this afternoon."

Karma's grin faltered for just a second before he quickly recovered, his curiosity piqued. He raised an eyebrow, stepping aside as Emi slung her bag over her shoulder.

"Oh? Plans that don't involve me?" he mused, his tone light but with an edge of intrigue. "Now I have to know what's more important than spending time with me."

He leaned in slightly, daring her to spill her secret.

Emi shoved him back, shooting him a glare. "You don't need to know," she snapped.

Without another word, she swung her bag over her shoulder and turned toward the door, her steps brisk. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the room as the tension hung in the air.

Karma watched her go, his smirk still lingering. "Guess I'll find out sooner or later," he muttered to himself, just loud enough for her to hear as the door slid shut behind her.

The room remained silent for a moment longer, until Nakamura broke the tension with a low whistle. "Well, that was something."

The rest of their classmates exchanged looks, unsure whether to laugh or stay quiet, while Karma just stood there, his eyes lingering on the door where Emi had disappeared.