Project: Karma

77 | The Sound of Rain

<Nagisa>
When we drove back into town, it was about a thirty minute drive until we arrived at the cemetery. Nakaru and Namari stayed relatively quiet the entire ride, but Karma tried to lighten up the mood to the best of his abilities.

"Here we are." Karma parked the car in along side the curb and we all got out. Both he and Naki stretched out their arms in a unison. My sudden giggle threw them off guard and I shook my head when they asked why I was smiling so brightly.

Why wouldn't I be? We're going to see Koro-sensei. Wouldn't you be happy too? Karma?
I'm sorry we're late Koro-sensei. I guess I have no excuses for my delayed arrival. I stared into the sky in hopes to see a ray of light. The light he was able to give us to live on.

"Mommy, where is he sleeping?" Mari tugged my sleeve. I crouched down and patted her head gently.
"We'll have to climb some steps before we can make it over there. So let's go now." I reached out my hand and Mari grasped it.

I stood back up and Karma and Naki started walking ahead of us. Despite those two always clashing, I know that Nakaru is seeking attention. He may not show it directly, but I can see it and a mother knows best, doesn't she?

<Karma>
"I'm surprised that you remembered his favorite flowers." I pinched Nakaru's cheek.
"I'm not a kid anymore, please stop that." He inched away.

"What are you talking about? You haven't turned 16 yet. Not to mention you haven't hit puberty-"

"Okay, okay I get it. I'm still a kid." Nakaru stuck out his tongue and ran ahead. In that faint second, I saw him with a light smile.

"Mommy! Daddy is bullying Naki again!" Mari spooked me from behind with her loud voice.

"Now now, you'll wake up the dead if you scream." I placed my index finger on my lips and hushed.

Mari got scared and silenced herself right away. Nagisa frowned at me I mouthed the word, sorry.

Anyhow, the weather today is quite dreary. There was no rain, but it was grey and cloudy. The chirping of birds breezed with the wind and branches touching upon one another. Whenever we visited Koro-sensei's grave, it was always like this. This time during this season.

"Huh?" Nakaru stopped short at the top of the steps and waited there.

"Something the matter?" I made my way up, standing next to him. I followed where his gaze went and saw that someone was standing before Koro-sensei's grave.

"I wonder who that could be?" I scratched my head.

"I think it's-." Nakaru didn't waste a second and raced down the path to the family grave.

"What's wrong?" Nagisa tapped my shoulder.

"Mommy?" Mari spoke.

"Oh my, could that be Ichiro?" Nagisa pointed out. "He's visiting as well. Lucky that we bumped into him."

"Yeah..."

That kid is Ichiro? Whoa, I haven't seen him in awhile! He sure has grown as tall as Koro-sensei and it's almost blinding. The young splitting image of him. Really now, I wonder how he has been doing.

<Nakaru>
"Ichiro!" I shouted out his name as I bolted over to him. My loudness startled him and he looked in my direction. When I made it to the front of the grave's fence, I leaned over to grasp my breath.

"Nakaru?" He confusingly walked over.

"H-hey, what's up?" I peered up to meet his gaze. "Didn't think you would be here."