Project: Karma

45 | Frail Bones

<Nagisa>
This morning like any other days, I crawled out of bed and continue on with my research. Since then, it's all I've been doing in the morning. In my pink cotton soft shorts and black t-shirt, I sit cross legged on my bed. The silvery white laptop and papers that cover my white sheets. This was my morning routine.

Of course, you would suspect that something like this wouldn't take too long but, that's not the case. I want to get Karma's memories back through the restricted firewall they placed on my account. I don't just want to get his memories back, I want to get every single one of them back...and have it impossible to steal away again.

Why am I doing this when I can just move on? I ask myself that all the time, it's always the same answer in my head. I love Karma.
•••••
"Nagisa, hurry!" Kaede hooked her arm through mine and then hooked onto Sugino's. She playfully locked herself in the middle like a grade schooler.

"Sugino, don't be nervous." Kaede teased him.

"What? Is going shopping with two girls overwhelming for you?"

"Hahaha Kaede, leave him be." I laughed.

"Hey..." Sugino blushingly diverted.

If anything, I feel as if the relationship between Kaede and Sugino has improved. Those two often spend more time together than the three of us. I'm quite glad for them. They found their own happiness.

"Nagisa, let's get you a cute dress." Kaede pinched my cheek, "when was the last time you wore one?"

"Ah, not since high school I guess." I tried to think, "usually I just wear my lab coat-"

"That settles it! Me and Sugino will doll you up for once." Kaede giggled and gleamed.

"Huh? Why me?" Sugino questioned.

"We need opinions from a guy, duh." Kaede lightly punched his arm.

Sugino didn't look like he was content on keeping a straight face. He turn his head and again and I saw a smile.

"No really, you guys don't have to-" I trailed off as I witness the late bloom in what was a start of a new chapter for those two.

How could I deprive it from them just because I didn't want them to dress me up?

"Nagisa? Did you say something?" Sugino leaned forward, arcing his back.

I shook my head.
"No, nothing."
•••••
From store to store, Kaede had no mercy. From elegant dresses to cute ones, she had eyes for all of them. More and less, she had an expensive taste.

"We can match in these ones!" Kaede found two of the same kind of dresses but, with different colors. One was black and the other was a darker wine.

"Those are nice." I agreed. One I looked at the price tag, I nearly choked.

"Money shouldn't be an issue right?" Kaede asked. "With your salary."

"Yeah but, it's not like I use left over to spend it on myself." I replied.

I am fortunate enough to have a really good job. Money is not something I stress over, however I'm not one to use spend it senselessly. I usually send half of my leftovers to my parents. While I pay for apartment rent, food and other necessities. The money that is left after that, I save it for other occasions.

"Well? This is one of those cheat days okay?" Kaede gleamed.

"Yeah..." I said unsure.

I need to cut loose. Have fun. She was right. Kaede always knows how to break the limits on everything. Even Sugino agreed to her theory.

"It's not like you do this everyday." Sugino patted my back, "consider it present for yourself." He added.

"Alright." I gave in, "but let's try these on first, okay?" I took the black cocktail dress and giggled. Kaede followed me into the fitting room and Sugino waited outside.

It was beautiful. We were beautiful. Kaede laid her head on my shoulders as we looked into the mirrors.

"Happy, 24th Nagisa." She wrapped her loving arms around me, "happy birthday."
••••••
As we were leaving the store, a familiar presence spooked me. It felt too familiar that it scared me and gave me hope. I turned around and saw the crowd of people. For an illusion, a fragment of my imagination that I saw Karma waving at me.

My body didn't love from where I was and I wanted to stay there. Watch as my brain played tricks on me. I didn't really mind it because, it just shows how much I yearn for him.

<Kaede>
It wasn't long before I noticed that Nagisa wasn't along side us. Sugino looked back and pointed out Nagisa in the crowd. What was she doing just standing there?

"Nagisa!" I called out. She didn't reply, so I walked up to her. When I saw the side profile of her face and her eyes looking beyond. It reminded me of that time.

However, this time she wasn't looking at Sugino, she was looking at someone else. The vacant heart that's hungry to love. I tapped her shoulder.

"Nagisa, let's go okay?" With a mollified tone, she finally heard me. She smiled, just smiled.
"Come on you too! We have dinner reservations!" Sugino waved his arm and shouted.

I took Nagisa by her hand and tightly gripped it. She and I are both battling for love. We must win this fight together. Nagisa, I won't forgive you if you decide to retreat. I won't forgive you if you don't give it you're all. Besides, I can tell that you don't care about what might happen in the future, you just want to find him don't you?

"Sugino, why don't you tell Nagisa what you planned for tonight." I nudged his arm.

"Well Nagisa if you don't mind, I made dinner reservations. Those dresses are for the occasion. Happy birthday Nagisa."

At first I think I saw hesitation in Nagisa. She wanted to thank him by more than just words. I saw the struggle in her hands hiding behind her back. I whispered in her ears. It's alright.

"Nagisa, you have my permission. Don't worry about it." I assured.

Nagisa dropped her arms to her side and walked forward towards him. Sugino knew she was going to a hug and Nagisa with her small size, coiled her arms around him.
Nagisa looked over at me and motioned me to join the group hug. I did.

I noticed the blush and rosy cheeks that appeared on her face. She looked directly into my eyes and up towards Sugino at a quick glance.

"Thank you guys."