Tied Together [Book 2]

Chapter 39.5: A Good Push

Nagisa's POV

I closed my door shut, the shouting from my mom now muffled.

As her bickering went on, I walked towards my bed and sat down while touching my bruised cheek.

Well, all I can do now is treat it.

Despite the fact that my own mom had formed a bruise on my left cheek and her words were harsh as ever, no tears were shed.

I learned long ago that crying wouldn't do anything.

Ever since I was little, my mom has put all of her strict rules weighing on my shoulders. Wether it was teaching me to cook, to play music instruments, or telling me to wear skirts anytime and anywhere.

Defying her words would only make it worse.

"Nagisa, wear this."

"You still remember how to make it, right? The recipe should still be in your head."

"I'm signing you up for piano class!"

...and so on.

She would never let me cut my hair, saying that I should keep it long. Therefore, my lock of hair has reached my waist.

I had a few friends growing up, but my mom always wanted me home right away after school ended.

Sometimes, when I'm laying on my bed at night, I hear shouting from downstairs.

When I go down and peek into a slightly ajar door, I see mom and dad bickering about something.

Even though I was a young grade schooler then, I knew they weren't on good terms.

Not long after that, they told me that they were gonna have a divorce. They didn't really tell me the reason why, since they probably thought I was too young to understand.

When I asked, dad just said they "fell out of love".

He left saying that he loved me, which gave me a feeling of warmth. I was then left alone with mom in the house.

And just like that, time passed.

I didn't want to think that I had a bad life. I was very grateful with what I had, and never complained.

Because of my mom's ridiculously high standards, she wanted me to go to Kunugigaoka Junior High, a very prestigious school. It was so prestigious that it seemed way out of my league.

I started studying so that I can live up to her orders. And somehow, I got accepted and put into Class D.

There, I met someone.

Someone that unexpectedly changed my whole life.

He had blazing red hair, mercury eyes, along with an innocent smile always plastered on his face.

"Karma" was his name.

"Whoa, is that the new Sonic Ninja movie!? Let's watch it, Shiota!"

Thus, I made my first best friend.

Our personalities were completely different. He was a violent delinquent and a complete devil. But that didn't stop us from being friends.

He showered me with words of comfort, which always eased my heart. I saw him as a dear friend.

I admired him.

When we reunited in 3-E, I began to feel something different. My heart would race, I get nervous around him, my cheeks would heat up...

It was the first time I fell in love.

At first glance, you may think he's a very attractive-looking boy, with that innocent smile on his face.

But as you get to know him, you'll find out that he's not what he looks like at all. He loves playing tricks, teasing people, and plays pranks with that sly mind of his.

And as you get to know him even more, you realize that there's something else about him. A caring, kind, and loving boy.

I couldn't help but fall in love.

I snapped in realization, bringing me out of my thoughts. I silently chuckled, "Geez, what made me think of you in a time like this?"

I'm grateful that I met Karma.

He helped me through my darkest times in my life.

*Knock, knock*

The sudden knocks from my window snapped me from my deep thoughts.

I got up and walked to my window, seeing a smiling Karma wave at me. After opening the window, he jumped into my room. "Yo."

I looked at the boy. A smile formed on my lips. "You appear just when you came into my mind..."

"I was about to go to the park, wanna come with?" He asked me with a smile. "I heard there'll be—"

He was cut off by me putting both my arms around his body.

Even with my face buried in his chest, I could tell he was caught a bit off guard. "Nagisa? What's wrong?"

"...Nothing," I smiled. "I'm just glad to see you." I hugged him tighter.

"I see." He wrapped his arms around me, engulfing me with his warmth that I love so much.

I faced the red-haired boy. "I'm grateful to you, Karma, that's all."

We flopped onto the ground, still embracing each other.

"Hey," He noticed my cheek and held it with one of his hands. "Your cheek."

"Don't worry about it, it'll heal soon."

Karma has always disliked my mom. He didn't like the fact that my mom was injuring her own daughter.

He leaned closer and softly kissed my cheek.

With a smile, he said, "There. Now it'll heal faster."

I blushed at his words. He can be such a sap sometimes. "Thanks."

I rested my head on his shoulder.

"You know what, forget the park. Let's stay here." He said. "Is there anything you want to do? Tell me."

I replied, "No. I just want to be held by you right now..."

"Then I'll hold you tighter."

"I like it when you rub my head back and forth..." I blushed.

He started gently rubbing my head.

"And when you call my name, I feel all frazzled inside."

"Nagisa. It's okay, Nagisa." He softly called my name. "I'm here."

I closed my eyes, listening to his calming voice. This boy that has captured my heart completely.

Karma has given me everything. I don't know if I even deserve a lover as wonderful and kind as himself...

At times like these, people always say "My life is the worst" or "I'm all alone".

But I know that's not true. I'm not alone at all.

Karma's always there for me.

So is Kaede, Rio-chan, Sugino-kun, and the others.

Now there's Arisa-chan, Chiyuki-chan, and Sasahara-kun, too.

The boy smiled at me, "I've got your back, Nagisa. I'll always be there to give you a good push!"

His kind words gave me strength. I can feel everybody behind me, too.

I gave Karma a smile, "Thank you. For everything..."
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Huh. This turned out really, really weird. I apologize.

It turned out to be longer than Karma's one, whoops.

Thanks for reading this extra chapter~