Project: Karma

11 | New Bonds

<Nagisa>
Who knew that waking up to a blissful morning without the presence of adults would be so relaxing?
However, it all came to an end when I noticed that I didn't have any food in the fridge. Great, Nagisa. You were so busy arranging and moving in that you forgot about the groceries.

I don't have class until 9:30am and I have two hours to spare. Maybe I should just go out and get a quick bite. I did rack up on money and I can use it freely now, without mom stashing it away for her personal use.

My phone buzzed and I saw Sugino's number appear on the screen. The day before, he had given me his new number as he got a new phone long before.
Lucky as I was, he had invited me to his place for breakfast. How convenient!
••••••
When I showed up at his door and knocked, the aroma of a pleasant scent knocked me off guard.

"Doors open." He called out.

"Sorry for the intrusion." I pushed the door open as it wasn't aligned with the lock.

I walked down the hall and into the kitchen, the same interior as my apartment and saw Sugino cooking at the stove.

"You're really a life saver." I said, "thanks."

"No problem. I'm almost done-"

Sugino turned around and once he saw me, he swung the other way again. His ears burning red like the fire on the stove.

"S-something wrong?" I asked.

"N-no, I thought you would be changed when you arrived. It's no big deal if you want to eat comfortably." He spoke.

"Hmm?" I looked down at my attire and didn't think that it was wrong to show up in my sleepwear.

Cotton soft shorts and a black t-shirt. I wonder why he was affected by it? Unless I'm being inconsiderate and no where near polite!
I sat down and Sugino placed a few bowls and plates in front of me. Enough food for two.

"Eat up." He smiled.

"Thank you for the food." I took the chopsticks in my hand and began to eat.

"I figured that you would be engrossed in unpacking that you would forget to go shopping." Sugino pointed out.

"It works out doesn't it?" I laughed.

At first, I thought that leaving right after high school, cutting all my ties, without a proper concrete reasons, would make things between us very awkward. However, chance had pulled some strings for us and it's like nothing has changed since then.
Sugino still acts brotherly to me. I commend him for being so kind and caring.
•••••••
At work, scanning my ID at the lab door, I saw Koro-sensei waving at me from the inside.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Well, just inspecting how you guys are doing." He said, "just checking up on Karma."

"Anything that catches your eye?" I placed my bag on the desk and smiled at Shi who was typing on her computer.

"Did those emotions you installed not work?" Koro-sensei brought up.

"Huh? What are you talking about-"

I saw Shi shook her head and her eyes shouted at me with warning. Then she continued with her work.

I glanced over at Karma, the spitting image of day 1 when I first met him. Away at the bed, sitting there without awareness of Koro-sensei, Shi, and even me.

"Y-yeah. Didn't work out the way I wanted." I spoke trying to figure what happened to him.

"Well, it's for the best isn't it?" Koro-sensei placed his hands on my shoulder, "it wouldn't of been a war zone." He joked, "these artificial humans are more diligent without a free mind. Giving them that kind of ability and power, will only lead to destruction. We won't be able to control them if that was the case." He explained.

Those his words tangled me in even more guilt of what I've been doing secretly. Though, I guess it didn't last for long.
First Koro-sensei left, then Shi had to pack up her work and head to a meeting. I asked her what happened, anything that would clear up this confusion.

"I don't know, once I walked in this morning. He's been brain dead." She shrugged, "those alterations must of backfired and short circuited or something." She suspected.

Apart of me couldn't take this hit of bad news. All I did for him to have that kind of freedom, was gone. I will never be able to talk to him again. Nor see that smile of his.

"Like he said, it's for the best, right?" Shi lifted up my shin with high and content spirits.

"Right..." I willingly didn't want to agree, but I did.
Then she left afterwords.

"Argh?!" I banged my head against the glass wall and closed my eyes. This wasn't going to last as a dream. It wasn't one to beginning with. I couldn't make him human, it can't be done. It's impossible.

"Hahaha."

I opened my eyes and saw Karma laughing away. Why was he laughing? Why was he able to laugh? What?!

"Did you hurt yourself?" He came strolling over while joyfully tearing and continuing with his laughter.

"I-I thought that you-"

"Shhhh." He placed his index finger on his lips.

"Let's just keep it between us."

"Does Shi know? I questioned.

"Had to fool her first." He shook his head, "only you know what I'm capable of." Karma placed his hands on the glass wall and smiled.

Conflicted. Confused. Worried. However I was happy for some reason. Only I know about this secret of his. My hand slowly moved up and I placed my hands against the thick wall with his.

"You've become such a troublesome man." I giggled, "lying? What's next? Refusing to future alterations?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'll learn different kinds of emotions that I know I'm aware of." He replied, "are you willing to be at my side as I go?"

I nodded my head of course. If it's for the success of Karma. I'm willing to be at his side, helping him in the way. It's my job.

"As long as you stay by mine, swear?" I gleamed.
"I swear." Karma spoke.

For once, his eyes glistened with life. Overjoyed as I was, I couldn't take it all in at one. How alive he looked. More alive that I'll ever be.