Project: Karma

86 | Spring Warmth

<Nagisa>
I am confident to say that all our progress so far will better us in the future. I couldn't be more proud of how far we've gone, through failures and learning from our mistakes. It made me realize that we couldn't afford to make too many flaws to the Project, or we'll prolong it.

But I don't think I have ever wanted happiness for someone else like this in so long, other than my family and friends at the moment.
I hope he can understand this appreciation. A gift for Aguri for inspiring me at such a ripe age. And a thanks for Ichirō, for accepting matters and dealing with it.

"Nagisa, you're crying again?"

Again we spent the night at the laboratory, with everyone except Karasuma.
Shi walked over with her hands in her pocket and Karma's head poked up from behind the boxes.

"Oh no, it seems that I am aren't I?" I wiped them away.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Karma questioned in concern and came over to my side.

"I'm just happy that's all. Just thinking about everything we've done so far. It's very overwhelming." I confessed.

Shi started bending down in laugher.

"Out of all things! Haha, just save those tears for when we actually bring him back. Don't want to waste them now." Shi comforted me.

Karma wrapped his arms around my back and kissed the side of my cheek, right as Irina came strutting in with a coffee for all of us.

"I missed something great didn't I?" She handed the coffee to each one of us and sipped her own.

"Nagisa was having a moment." Shi teased.

"A moment?" Irina blankly stared at both Karma and I and nodded her head slowly. "Yeah, I don't want to know. Plus, hurry with your drinks. Karasuma said that he'll be sending over the next codes in a couple of minutes."

Irina reveals the message on her phone.
"So let's get going." She took the coffee back and walked over to the long gray table to set them down.

"Hey, I barely took a sip." Shi complained.

When Irina came back, she folded her arms.
"If we give Nagisa anymore down time, she's going to get emotional again." She added.

"Of course! Hahaha, great one." Shi agreed with Irina, patting her shoulder.

"You've been really full of energy as well." Karma spoke. You've been laughing more often. It's not really like you."

"Ah, it's the age. I'm getting more crazy." Shi giggled in response. "My boy Haruki is coming back home next week. I can't wait to see him." She explained.

All of us reacted and with our eyes wide open.
"He's coming back! It's been so long!" I hugged Shi as tightly as I could. "I thought you said we wouldn't see him until next month."

"Yes, but he decided to take his studies home. That's why he's coming back earlier. He said he misses everyone and doesn't mind falling behind temporarily." Shi went on.

The talk about our kids was our cup of tea. Especially for Haruki who's been gone for 3 months without a single visit. He really wanted to broaden his education, getting accepted into a prestigious school in the cities.

We rarely did talk about Irina's kids, as one was the same age as Haruki and the other was Ichiro's age. Every now and then Irina would show us pictures of them, but too bad that they're studying in America and rarely come home.

"Hey, that's great and I'm happy for you. Woo, but remember the task at hand." Irina shoves the clips boards in each of our hands. "Let's start."

"Someone is stingy." Karma shrugged his shoulders and went off on his own to a computer.

Shi smiled at me and pushed me along.
"Come on, come on."
••••
<Namari>
After school I decided not to head home first, because I knew there wouldn't anyone there waiting. I made sure to tell Momma in advance that I was staying out just a little longer than usual, as I would be back before 5pm.

I kicked my legs to and fro on the swings a little. Just enough to make a simple movement, not like the kids beside me who were way in the air.
I was at the park near my elementary school. I used to go here all the time with everyone, but not anymore.

Over by the money bars, some girls from my school were here, hanging out. Boys were running around playing tag on the grass. By the obvious green stains in their pants from pushing each other.
Voices of laughter and kids echoed. Something that vanished within my life a couple years back.

I liked coming here. The boisterous noise can be irritating, but I didn't feel lonely and that comforted me.
I stared along the fence, the yellow flowers growing in the grass like unwanted weeds. They were covered my shadows, as the butterflies landed on them, then flew away.
It made me think that if I don't hurry and do something about the issues that I have at school, nothing will change.

B-but do I want to?
I felt a nervous gush that paralyzed me for a second. What if they say no? So I nod my head like a fool and walk away why? I have to try, or I won't know.
I got up from the swing and walked over to the group of boys and girls that playing tag together near the clump of tall thick trees. They were all together to start a new game, and I quickly went over before they began.

They all looked at me as I approached them.

"H-hey, can I play with you guys too?" I shyly asked, hiding my hands behind my back.

They all said nothing, glancing over at each other.

"That's Akabane Namari, the one in my class." A girl quietly whispered, still managed to make out her words.

The taller boy out of all of them stepped forward and shook his head.

"Sorry, it's full." He rejected.

The boys behind him smirked and turned away to laugh. The girls just oddly stared at me and whispered even more.

"Oh, okay. I get it." I answered, wanting to take myself out of that kind of situation. I knew I shouldn't have asked.
I would of saved myself the embarrassment.

"Sorry." He apologized again.

"No, it's fine." I assured once more and I went on my way. I got out of there with a tingling sensation in my leg. Felt like lead later on that wouldn't allow me to run away. Like it wanted me to suffer, weighing me down. Unable to get away from it.

I decided to head back to the swing, but it was occupied by another kid from my school. There was no point in confrontation to say hello, there was no point.

I headed over to the large sakura tree that sat east of the entire park. It was in front of the dark green bushes and across from the mini pond.

I leaned my back against the tree and brought my knees to my chest, holding myself in like a ball. I laid my head down on my knees that were elevated and closed my eyes.

I wanted to escape.
I wanted Naki to be here. I wanted someone.

"Mari?"

A voice had called for me and I looked up to see a tall man, his face covered by the shadows of the tree. His white t-shirt and black sneakers. His hair neatly combed but the slight curls that got the best of him. He squatted down to my level and I knew him right away.

My heart clenched.