Project: Karma

61 | Love Found in the Dead

<Nagisa>
Later that night, I soaked in the bath longer than I usually did. Maybe it was because of my encounter with Ritsu. I just couldn't shake off the fact that my existence, made her grieve.
At first, I wanted to invite her back to our home and treat her to dinner but, she refused. It looked like she content with everything at the moment and didn't want bring up old matters.

Before she left us at the grocery store, she complemented Nakaru. It was quite a long, wordless half smile. I don't know what she said to Nakaru but, I didn't want to ask about it. I didn't have the right to listen to it anyways, especially when she hates me for being alive.

Despite all of that, Naoko was right. Koro-sensei made it possible for the projects to grow up. Ritsu looked like time in the facility's labs, never stole away her life to live. Even if she does detest me, I couldn't find it in my heart to hate her.

"Momma, are you okay?" Nakaru poked his head through the cracks of the door.

"Yes, sorry Naki. I'll be out soon." I sat up straight and he walked over, handing me a towel.

"Momma, are you and Ritsu best friends? Like how you and Kae are?" Nakaru asked.

"Hm? No, Naki. I don't think so." I sighed.

"Huh? But Ritsu and Momma are friends." Nakaru shook his head.

"Naki, I only know Ritsu because her older brother was a good friend of mine." I explained. "Why do you think so?"

I didn't want to lie to Nakaru about our relationship because, then I would be lying to myself. Ritsu wouldn't like that either.

"Ritsu told me that she's worried about Momma." He spoke.

"Huh?"

"She said that her brother is gone because his heart was not strong. Not because of Momma it was not Momma's fault." Nakaru hands started to tremble.

"N-Naki? That's what she said?"
Nakaru nodded his head.

"Momma, please don't be sad." He started to tear up.

"N-Naki, don't cry, please don't cry..." I myself started to get emotional. All this time I suspected that Ritsu had a grudge against me but it was me who misunderstood.

Naoko. I wish you were here so you could see how much of a woman your little sister grew up to be. She's amazing, flawless, and full of life. She beats the heart that your's can no longer.

"Hey Nakaru, after I'm done. Want me to tell you about my friend Naoko? And how Zuzu named her daughter Nozomi?" I ran my fingers through his hair.

Nakaru gleamed and nodded his head.
"Yes Momma."

Shi is incredible really, I would of done the same. And maybe I will if the time ever comes. Naoko gave us hope to look forward to the future. The name Nozomi means hope.
•••••
<Koro-sensei>
To my surprise this very morning, I was greeted by Nagisa and Nakaru at my front door. Nakaru was behind Nagisa, as he was pushing her wheelchair.

"Come in, come in." Aguri popped her head out of the door and helped Nagisa in.

"Koro-sensei!" Nakaru leapt into my arms and I stumbled back a little.

"Whoa, you're awfully getting big aren't you?" I lifted him up from the ground and carried him into the house.

"Papa..?"

"Hmm?" I stared at Nakaru as his eyes kept wandering around the house. Each door we passed, it seemed like he was interested in going in. What was it that he just said?

Once we made it to the living room. Nagisa presented us with a box of freshly made chocolate chip cookies.

"I made them this morning. Nakaru insisted to come bring some to you guys." She explained.

"Awe Nakaru, you're so kind! I bet Ichiro would love them." Aguri spoiled him. "Did you help your mom bake them?"

Nakaru nodded his head.

"Nagisa, how are you're legs? Getting better I presume?" I knelt down and placed hand on her knee cap. "I'll be done with the medicine soon and you'll walk in no time. Just keep on doing what you do." I instructed.

"You don't have to go out of your way to do that. I'll eventually get the hang of walking completely again." Nagisa assured.

I stood back up and signed. How can you say something like that when I've been working on a cure to fix your legs? Geeze, stop being selfless and take my good deed.

"Besides your legs, is everything else alright?" Aguri placed her hand on Nagisa's shoulder.

"Yes, I've been doing better." Nagisa spoke.

"What about Nakaru?" I questioned.

"He's fine, I'd just wished he would be more friendly with the other kids at school. He only hangs out with the kids in our circle." Nagisa explained.

"That's because he knows that you can trust them. If I didn't know any better, Nakaru has trust issues with people he doesn't know upon first meeting." I looked down at Nakaru and he did give off the shy vibe. Maybe it has to do with the stories of Karma and that has burdened Nakaru because he thinks Karma left Nagisa.

Nagisa bit her lip and nodded her head.
"I'm afraid so." She agreed.

"While you guys talk, I'll make refreshments." Aguri excused herself and walked into the kitchen. As she left, I found a seat next to Nagisa.

"'Momma, I'm going to the bathroom." Nakaru pulled on her sleeve.

"Haha, don't fall in." I pinched his cheek.

"I won't..." Nakaru pouted and then went down the hallway, his shadow carrying him away from the living room.
•••••
<Nakaru>
I have to find that sound. I looked near and far, up and down to locate that sound. I placed my hand on my chest. It wasn't my heart beating. It was someone else's and its echoing in my ears. Who's could that be?

I placed my hand on the walls and guided myself down the empty halls of the house. The thumping and pounding increased. I followed the sound. Why couldn't Momma hear it? Did the others hear it?
I finally made it to where the noise grew heavy. Behind this door, it's here! At first, I didn't want to go in because Momma said that entering a room of someone else's home,  without telling someone was bad. I waited.

I couldn't hold it, I want to know what's on the other side of this door! But Momma said I couldn't and Koro-sensei and Agi would not like me anymore.
I turned the knob and it clicked open. My own heart skipped and grew very nervous. I peered through the door. What I saw was a fragment of my own imagination because, I couldn't believe what I saw sitting on the black desk. It was incased in a big glass jar, drowned in some kind of water.

I inched closer to it and saw what it really was. I'm not dreaming. It's not fake, it's a heart.