I Thought Strawberry Smells Sweet, So Why Does This One Smells Like Blood?

Chapter 23: Promise

🎓Karma🔪

I woke up from the sound of sniffles and....what is that squishing noise? I don't think Nagisa and I have---

There is an intruder!

I jolted up from the bed and tried to look at Nagisa. And again he wasn't by my side!

Don't tell me....those crying noises came from him?!

"NAGISA!---" Huh...? Why can't I...?

Something cold and hard pressed against my wrist, preventing me from moving out of the bed. I stared and tried to comprehend what just happened.

Why am I tied up? Who did this?

And where is Nagisa?

"Karma-kun." Immediately snapping my head to the side, I gaped as I recognized the voice and the smiling round yellow face a few steps away from me. He....no, it couldn't be. I know I did everything to leave no traces behind. It is impossible for him to find out about this!

"Korosensei." My teacher's name flowed out of my mouth in an audible whisper. This isn't good. His strength is something that I cannot face head on. Yet.

I have to get away from here. I have to run away again so no one can follow us. Now I just have to get Nagi---

Wait.

Where is Nagisa...?

I frantically looked around as I tried to locate my blueberry. He....he should be here somewhere. Maybe by the corner...or under the bed...or the blankets....or---oh.

Oh.

...So that was it.

Exhaling, calmness spread all over my tense muscles and frantic brain, giving me enough attention to slowly comprehend things infront of me.

Korosensei shouldn't have known anything about this. It was nearly impossible, I made sure he won't get suspicious of the events. So there was only one way that he got ahold of this.

Someone telling him.

And that someone was...

"...Nagisa..." Static sounds started to evade my senses, everything seemed to became monochrome and dull. As I turned my head towards my teacher's direction, I saw a mop of blue hair stepping out behind him.

Nagisa was bowing his head as he stood still, not even making eye contact with me. Why though?

Maybe he finally got tired of me?

Was he disgusted with me? Angry? Furious?

...Afraid..?

Despite of the destructive thoughts running in my mind, I remained calm and indifferent outside. I didn't call out to my lover(?) nor did I reach out to him. Nothing.

I just observed and stared, focusing all of my attention to him.

Who knew that of all people, he would be the one getting me?

This...is ridiculous.

🎓Nagisa🔪

It hurts.

I can feel Karma's hard stare on me that made me want to bury myself and hide from him.

'Do I fear him? Hate? Feel disgusted?'

No.

'Then why am I hiding away from his gaze?'

It is because I am ashamed.