Project: Karma

79 | Entangled

<Nagisa>
We ended up leaving Aguri's place around one in the afternoon. Apparently Namari refused to leave and insisted on staying with Ichiro. It hit me hard when I realized why Karma was so passionate about tearing those two apart.

I turned while I️ was in the passenger seat and saw that Mari had been pouting nonstop since then. Luckily we had Naki to comfort her on the side.

"Told you so." Karma spoke.

"Ohh, be quite." I pinched his arm while he was driving, but at the same time I couldn't help but to smile at the turn of events.

"Mommy? When can we see Ichiro again?" She asked.

Both Karma and I quickly glanced at each other and I stuttered as I tried to talk.

"W-well you see. Um. Ichiro will be going to school again soon. I don't know when." I answered.

"Don't worry Mari, you still have me." Naki wrapped his arms around her however, Mari wasn't completely okay with that.

"Ichiro is not your older brother, Naki is." I pointed out. though it sounded rather harsh when it came out of my mouth.

"What Mommy is trying to say is that if you want to play, you have Naki. Don't you love your big brother?" Karma looked through the rearview mirror at her.

Mari frowned and bit the bottom of her lip. She's usually never like this. Why is she so suddenly caught up with Ichiro? Could it be.

"Yes I love big brother!" She exclaimed. "B-but with Ichiro it is a different kind." She blurted and Karma automatically hit the brakes and we jerked forward and back.

"Karma, don't-"

"Excuse me? Mari, what did you say?" Karma looked like he was about to lose it. Not in aggression, he was in the process of breaking out in sobs.

"Papa, just keep driving." Naki sighed.

"I feel betrayed by my own daughter." Karma proceeded to drive but he was muttering to himself pitifully.

But in all, I'm glad Karma is here to be able to experience this kind of father-daughter situation. Even if this all doesn't seem appropriate.
But wait. Today is actually Mari's first day officially meeting Ichiro, other than her infant days.

As a person who directly fell in love with an artificial machine. I️ can understand Mari's sense of love at first sight.

<Karma>
First of all Naki hasn't spoken of any girls he's interested in school. How can I️ suddenly deal with the idea of Mari already in love?!
D-did I️ do something wrong? Have I've been doting on her so much that she has moved onto another man?

"Naki don't tell me that you're also in love-"

"Papa, I️ can assure you that I'm not interested in any of the girls at my school. I️ have priorities you know. School first." He explained.

"That's not healthy either..." I️ complained.

"What do you want me to do? Date girls?" Naki crossed his arms and angrily looked out the window.

"I️ think it's responsible of Naki to decide that school comes first and relationships second." Nagisa agreed, "we don't have to rush things. Isn't that what we did?"

<Nagisa>
Karma finally submitted and took my hand into his. He kissed the surface of hand, despite still driving. Embarrassment flushed through me, but I️ instantly fell in love all over agin. I'm so glad that Karma came into my life.

Oh yeah, the kids are watching.
I️ turned my head and saw that Mari was blushing and Naki was covering his eyes.

"I️ didn't see anything." He said, but I️ could tell that he did cause his ears were burning red.

This is going to be a long ride back.
••••••
<Shizuka>
All day Daichi has been keeping Nozomi company since Haruki shut himself in his room to study. It came out of know where I️ guess, but it could of been bottled up and dismissed all this time.

Usually Daichi would distract Haruki from his studies and Haruki would give in. For once I️ bet Haruki wanted to leave a day designated for studying. He's quite serious about his grades and ranking, more than Daichi. Though, it surprised me when Haruki decided to join the school's soccer team.

Essentially, the great thing about this is that Daichi is spending quality time with Nozomi. When he was younger, he used to detest her and chose Haruki instead.
It's happening too fast, the kids are growing up. Before we know it they'll leave and have families of their own. Am I️ ready for that?

My phone suddenly rang and brought me out of my dazed state. I️ fumbled to pick up my phone and saw that the caller was Nagisa.

I️ answered it, "hello?"
"Shi, I️ have someone urgent to tell you." Nagisa's voice sounded worrisome.

"Did something happen?" I️ questioned.

"I️-it's Ritsu." She replied.

"Ritsu? I️ haven't heard from her in years! How has she been doing?"

"She's doing fine I️ think. We stayed in contact but rarely, she called me while I️ was at Aguri's."

"And..?"

Nagisa fell silent and I️ couldn't hear anything on the other end.

"Nagisa? You still there?"

"Shi. Ritsu wants us to take out her chip."

"C-chip? Why would she want that? That will shut her down for good!"

"Maybe there is a reason why that after the incident, Ritsu never let herself settle down and have a family." Nagisa went on. "Maybe, maybe she has been thinking about this for a long time."

"Nagisa."

I️ heard light laughter on the other line, but it was obvious that it was disguising the agony and mollified cries.
Someone's heart was beating loudly. Is it Nagisa's or is it mine, because I️ was nervous to continue this conversation.

"Hey Shi. Even if it's been years since the both of us have stepped into the world of science and creation, would you join me and enter that world again? I️ don't think I️ can confidently take on these responsibilities by myself." Nagisa spoke calmingly again.

"Just like old times?" I️ asked.

"Just like old times." She repeated, " Just like those times when we both stood before the glass wall."

Chills sent me remembering the past and I️ couldn't help but to say yes. I️ don't know what I'm initially signing myself up for but I️ know that we'll be able to do this.

Nagisa knows it too but for us to strip away a life, is not something so easily done. Will I️ be mentally prepared? I️ had grown more sympathetic after the birth of my kids, Nagisa must feel restricted on many levels as well.

Things happen for a reason. And I️ know it's time to give Ichiro his dad back.