Project: Karma

36 | Hidden Secrets

<Nagisa>
It was 8:30pm when I woke up. I found myself in the facility's infirmary by myself on the bed. That dream I had. Wetness began to trickle down my cheeks, from my eyes and I tore at my chest where my heart laid. W-was that dream? Or was that a distant memory of mine? Was that Karma in my dreams?

The infirmary's door, suddenly slid open.

"Nagisa! Are you alright?!" Shi burst in pressing her palm against my cheeks. "H-huh?! Are you hurt?"
She saw the tears rolling down.
I shook my head.

"N-no, I'm alright." I smiled. "I was just thinking about something." I spoke.

She didn't look content at all.
"You worried me there. At the lab." Shi sat down in the chair. "And Karma too."

Karma! I forgot that he had malfunctioned and-
"Nagisa, calm down." Shi held my arm and restrained me. "He's fine, I patched him up and everything. He's fine." Shi assured.

"Right. Of course." I sighed. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize. It was unexpected." She patted my back. "Anyways, you should be heading home soon." She pointed out. "Want me to drive you?"

"I'll be fine." I slid off the bed and declined her offer.

"Are you sure?" Shi placed her hand on my shoulder. "I don't mind at all."

I shook my head.

"You're too kind. I'll be okay. Thanks."

I really hated how I treated the ones I care about. I had the urge to visit the archives again because of that dream. I just couldn't sweep in under the carpet like that. I must know now. Whether Karma and I have actually met before. A long time ago.

I looked over at Shi as she wore a worrisome expression. I'm sorry you have to deal with someone like me.

Before I left the infirmary, I embraced her.

"H-huh? What's this?" She asked returning the huge with her loving arms.

"I just want to thank you." I explained.

"You're scaring me." Shi slightly giggled, "just don't do anything you'll regret." She gave caution.

I smiled.

"I know, thank you."
•••••
Once the clock struck 10pm, all the lights in the facility had shut off. Security made their sweeps and were settling in the office.
I managed to crawl into blind spots and deceive the sensors in the building.
Just like how in high school, I snuck into the lab rooms, only to get caught by Miss Yukimura.

The archives were unguarded and I tapped into the wiring of the code box. To think that I was capable of all of this. If I'm caught I can't imagine the rough punishments that would corner me. This always ran through my head whenever I did this.

The door cracked open and I slipped in again. This time, it was cleaner and more organized than it ever was. Someone was here before me. The janitor? N-no that can't be, these are classified documents. Why would the janitors have access to these?

I glanced to my left and took the ladder up to where I had found Project Grim:Reaper. I displaced the books, only to notice that his series wasn't there anymore!
What? Did they clean it out? Nothing was there. Just a spotless shelf.
I climbed down and started searching the east side of the room. I have only spent most of my time on the west, that I don't know what books are held on the other side.

All this time, I couldn't find Project Karma's from the last time I had visited. Someone had been moving the documents around. It made it more difficult for me each time, however I was able to find the few books, as they hid behind another series.

I flipped through the pages of where I had left off and saw his picture again. The small little Karma within just a couple of books. I had read on and figured out where he went to grade school wait! This place sounds familiar! Could it be-

I looked on the opposite of the shelfs and wondered if they had removed Project Ritsu from her spot on the shelves. I ran over, tumbling over the books I had laid on the ground. Ugh, come on Nagisa!

Thankfully they didn't move the series. I hurried through the papers and all the files. I managed to get two paper cuts. There! Right here! I used my index finger and followed the words. Karma and Ritsu used to live in the same town, went to the same grade school!
Did they previous know each other?

Argh?! It's not rocket science Nagisa! Just put all the pieces together! Karma and Ritsu knew each other before they were brainwashed and experimented on! Now what you have to do is find those lost memories! Karma's memories.
W-where do I start?

CLICK CLICK
Someone opened the door!
I placed the book slowly on the table and with those same cautious movements, I turned around.

"You shouldn't be in here."

Koro-sensei had his hands in his lab coat but it wasn't normal. There was black fumes leaking out of his pockets. The red nonchalant look in his eyes. The hairs on my arm stuck out and I took one step back.

And he was already in front of me.
How did he move so fast?!
He grasped my right hand and crushed my wrist with a strong hold. Then he raised my arm up, exposing my ribs and the rest of the side of the body.

"K-koro-"

"Nagisa, I thought you were a good girl." He didn't break that cold expression of his.
I've never seen him like this! It's frightening!
His razor sharp teeth made me scream.

I collapsed on my knees and tried to crawl away from him. He walked closer approaching closer towards me.

"Nagisa, you know that you're not allowed entry here."

"Sorry I-."

"You can be stripped of your license, jailed as a federal threat. You knew that coming in here, right?" He eyed me carefully.

"Yes, I knew." I stuttered as I spoke.

"Then why?" He squatted down and titled his head. "Please explain why."

My hands shook and I tried to reply. Would he understand my reason why? I looked up at him and moved my mouth.

"I want to know Karma's past. Everything. All the secrets of the these projects." I confessed.
He raised a brow and seemed to have calmed down. To his usual state of mind.

"All for him huh? I never knew you took such a high interest in him." He sighed, lend his hand and I took it. He helped me up from the ground and patted my head. "Then shall I spill all the secrets?"

I slightly nodded my head.

"If you can." I said.
Koro-sensei gleamed.

"Well Nagisa, as a dedicated scientist to another. At least between us. I'll tell you."