Project: Karma

19 | Loveless

<Kaede>
From our last encounter, I didn't think that Sugino would text me about meeting up.
The only thing I could think of for the purpose of our meeting would be Nagisa.
At first I hesitated about going. Mainly because I had a photoshoot during the time he had planned.
Though I questioned why I would miss such an opportunity. Especially when Sugino wouldn't call me out just for the sake of us.

Finalizing my decision, I called in and postponed the photoshoot to the next day. Of course there was some controversy, but we compromised. The photographers reimbursed the beach scene and I gladly accepted, even if I had refused in the first place.

Unfortunately, the fashionista that I am, I struggled to find the perfect outfit. A dress? Or casual with jeans? My mind knew it wasn't a date, however my heart wished it was. Why was I trying too hard?
•••••••••
<Sugino>
It's was practical. First with lunch and then talking amongst ourselves when we had finished.

"So you want me to slightly and subtly persuade her into going on a date with you?" Kaede rested her hands on her lap. Delicate and still like a porcelain doll on display.

"I'm going to ask her once she gets back from work tonight." I said. "If she saids she'll think about it, I need you to step in."

Kaede nodded her head and took a sip from her cup of black coffee.

"Unless you find it a burden."

"No, I'll do it. I did say that I would help you. Even back in high school." Kaede brought up.

"Yeah, just like then." An arousal of nostalgia and fond memories put a smile on my face. "You've really been there for me." I said, "kind and gentle like now. Thanks."

She reacted with a broken smile and I questioned whether it was something I said. Did she not like it when I said that?

"Excuse me, will you be ordering anything else? Dessert possibly?" The waitress checked in on us.

"Uhh." I looked back at Kaede who still kept that timid aura with her. "Yes, well take a Carmel Flan." I said.

"Alright. I'll get that for you."

Then she went away.

Kaede looked dumbfounded for awhile.

"I thought you weren't a big fan of sweets?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong." I smiled, "I ordered it for you because I know that you have a liking to them." I teased.

Instantly I was able to break down the invisible walls that Kaede had built between us. At least for now, I think she's just having a bad day. I like it when she is laughed and enjoying herself.

"I can't believe you remember." She blushed to herself. Like a princess being pampered by a servant or a brother of sorts.

"How could I forget when you did a whole project senior year about making Flans without added sugar?" I chuckled along.

"I still can't believe I did that!" Kaede laughed. "Time flies doesn't it?"

I agree with her. However, time can stop too.
•••••••
<Nagisa>
Today all my classes were cancelled, so I called in to check if it was possible to come to work early. Of course, Koro-sensei couldn't say no.
When I got there, I saw him with these large yellow tentacles that replaced his arms.

"Oh Nagisa. Come here." He saw me from a distance. I oddly looked at him as others were staring as well.

"What's that?" I asked.

"My invention in progress. Cool huh?"

If you were to judge. It was practically a robotic sleeve that he wore. Though instead of something practical, it was octopus arms.

"And what is that for?" I folded my arms. Maybe that's why my paycheck last week had decreased. This is where the money went.

"Hm? Well..." Koro-sensei thought it over. Like he had a logical reason in the first place.

"You have fun with that." I couldn't help but to laugh at how childish he really was. For a crazy scientist like him. It's hard to know whether he's serious or not.
•••••••••
"Huh? You're here quite early." Shi glanced over at the wall clock. "5 hours early?"

"I didn't have classes today." I said.

"Huh? So instead of taking the morning off, you decided to come to work?" Shi looked pissed off for some reason.

"What? I didn't have anything else to do."

"A college kid like you? Don't you have friends?" She sighed.

I awkwardly tied my hands behind my back.

"Right, of course you don't." Shi face palmed. "Well, lucky for you. I have a meeting in 5 minutes. So have fun with Karma."

I nodded my head.

By the time Shi had grabbed her folders and left. I was alone in the deserted lab with Karma.

"What's up?" I greeted him.

"Nothing worth wild." He sighed. "Bored as always. Ah, but I heard from Shizuka earlier about me going out for testing soon."

"Nothing worth wild?! That's supposed to be great news!" I flailed my arms. "It means you're almost there!"

"There where?"

"Well, you see. It usually means that the MD can finally use your abilities for larger projects." I explained. "For instance, like Project Death. He's been in and out with the MD lately."

However, he's always detained here. I guess the MD doesn't have the safest and durable labs to contain him. I'm not surprised though.

"But if I were to become a great asset to the MD, that would mean I would leave. Wouldn't I?"

Karma's right. In most cases, Project Death is not always consistent. That is why he's held here most of the time. For Karma, it's different. If they knew how stable he was, they would take him away from me.

"Rough. Isn't it?"

It felt like Karma was luring me into a trap. Making me second guess my feelings. That's why he ignored my comment about the testing! Karma already thought about what might happen to us. He had it all out, everything that would happen if things continued successfully.

"I don't want to be separated from you." I blurted.

"Even if the MD manages to split us apart, I'll find a way somehow." I assured.

Karma nodded his head and chuckled.

"Those words, music to my ears." He teased. "Thank you Nagisa."

I nodded my head and saw his smile gradually fade away. I was mesmerized, utterly quiet. I could just watch him all day.