Memories Of Us (Karma x Okuda Fanfiction)

Chapter Four

Karma's P.O.V.

"Aren't you supposed to be at that other school? In that other state? Didn't you say you were studying abroad because of some scholarship you received?" I asked Asano, trying to hide the bitterness in my voice. Asano and I had been rivals since we were Juniors and stayed that way until after highschool when he got a scholarship to some other place. We'd planned on going yo this college together and I guess it kinda feels like he just dropped out of it.

Asano nodded. "I was. That's why it's such a big deal that I'm here. So, do you mind being a gentleman for once and letting me inside? I've had a long trip." He replied.

I rolled my eyes but stepped aside so he could come in. "How do you even know where I live? I don't believe I ever gave you that information." I said, closing the door behind me and turning to face him.

He waved my question aside. "Unimportant. We have other matters to discuss. Do you remember you're old junior pals from class 3-E named Manami Okuda and Kotaro Takebayashi?" He inquired.

My body seemed to jolt at the sound of her name. Sure, I had a small crush on her when we were juniors and admitted that I thought she was the best girl in class 3-E, but it had just been because of her skills. I thought they'd do good with my mischievous self. But it should have been over by now, right? It's not like I loved her or anything. Maybe the names of my former classmates just surprised me because I hadn't seen them in awhile.

But when Asano added an 'and somebody' after her name, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy go through me. They both had the same love of science, the same passion for it. What if they turned that passion for science into passion for each other? No. Karma don't think like that, and even if they do love each other it's got nothing to do with me. But why would Asano tell me about them?

"From your reaction, I'm assuming you do?" He wondered out loud, eyeing me skeptically. I gave a nod. He continued, "Do you know how they've been studying Rh null blood? It's a very rare type of blood. Well, I overheard some people talking in some cavern near my school. Their voices had been low but I kept catching a few words. Plus, they were acting suspicious about what they were doing. I decided to do some research and investigate what they're up to. With some friend's help, I was able to discover that they're trying to steal Okuda and Takebayashi's research. They've sent somebody to act as an agent or specialized researcher to hire them 'after' college. They say their trying to gather it for their boss, but none seem to know why their boss needs it. I have reason to believe that their going to kill them, or perhaps enslave them to work for them. Or maybe they'll brainwash them. They say that the boss will do anything to get what they want." He paused, giving me time to process what he told me. "I'm also pretty sure their collecting all your old classmates from Class 3-E because as I've done research I've seen that people have gone missing, and they were mostly from class 3-E."

"You're joking, right? That sounds like something that would have happened when we were juniors, and my class was assassins. Did one of them put you up to this for jokes? Haha, very funny." I replied, giving a light laugh.

"Karma, you idiot, this isn't a joke! You and your classmates are in danger! You-"

"Their not my classmates anymore." I retorted. "Why are you telling me this anyway? Why not any of the others?"

"You're not going to the reunion. The rest of them are. But you're not, meaning it would be easy to get you. Or it could be easy to get them." He said so matter-of-factly that I wanted to punch him.

I hadn't even admitted to myself that I wasn't going, so how could he possibly know I wasn't planning on going? I hadn't given it much thought, hadn't planned anything for it. I hadn't been planning on going all along.

My phone choose that moment to ring. I ignored it. "Okay, so what do you want me to do?" I questioned, a small amount of annoyance clear in my voice.

"Don't tell them that people are after them because the people who are after them will find out that they know, and then because it's no longer a secret that they exist they would try to do more unexpected things." Asano informed me. "I need you to destroy Okuda's and Takebayashi's research. Nothing left of it can exist. You'll also have to protect them both. They're in more danger than the rest of you." He glanced at his watch. "I have to go if I'm going to make my flight back. I'll keep in touch. Goodbye, Karma." He walked to the door and let himself out before I could process anything to say.

My phone rang again. I walked over to the counter where it was and picked it up. Nakamura was calling. I sighed before answering.

"Hello, Gal English." I said, amusingly.

There was a single laugh, and then she hung up. I started to look through my missed calls to see if the call from before had been Nakamura or someone else. It was an unknown number.

I called it back. After two rings it was answered. "Hello?" I said in a questioning tone.

"H-hi, Karma." A timid female voice spoke back.

"Uh, who is this?" I asked because the voice had been so quiet. I thought I could hear someone else talking to her in the background. I could hear a long sigh.

"Oh. Right. Sorry!" The girl said at last. "It's Manami Okuda."

I was surprised at how much I was able to stay calm despite feeling anything but calm. "Hey, Okuda. What's up?" I replied.

"I'm getting ready to go do some research stuff, but I hadn't talked to you in awhile and I... I wanted to. Nakamura gave me your number, in case you were wondering." Okuda told me.

"Ah, right. Of course she did. It's fine. Can you remind me what college it is that you go to?"

"Yeah. I go to Sakuba University. And you, you go to Togyo University, don't you?"

"Correct. Wow, you have really good memory!" I enthused.

"Yeah, haha. It's very handy too!" She laughed.

I felt a smile grow on my face. "So how have you been?" I asked.
"To be honest, I haven't been all that great lately. I've been feeling so tired and yet so restless, and when I do manage to sleep I dream of things that happened in the past." She told me. "I know that those dreams usually mean I'm stuck in the past. But I don't think I'm stuck in the past. I'm doing things in the present to help my future self, but everything I do feels... I don't know, incomplete I guess. Does that make sense? Oh, sorry for rambling."

"It's fine, I-"

"Oh, look at the time. I've got to go! I'm so sorry! It seems like even in dreams we must be apart. I love you! Maybe I'll actually call you in reality instead of a dream tomorrow!" She hung up.

What just happened, I wondered. Was she actually dreaming? Was I dreaming? Am I still dreaming?

No. What just happened was real. I held my phone in my hand and made my way to the door, taking my jacket off the hook. I was going to see Okuda.