his bottom lip.

Chapter 29

Sakaki had walked in around noon, finding Nagisa's futon perfectly made and her hairpin laid out on the dresser, but the boy was nowhere to be found. Marching into Karma's room to inquire, she found the two asleep in each other's arms, holding each other tight.

Later in the afternoon, Karma woke up to the feeling of Nagisa squirming in his sleep, prompting him to slowly run his fingers through his hair. Stretching out his arm, patting at the carpet until he felt the familiar cold screen of his cellphone, he pulled it to his face and checked the class group chat. He had removed his SIM card a long time ago, but the kids were still communicating on LINE. He didn't have to start typing, his status had already given him away, prompting a message from both Isogai and Kayano.

Yuma Isogai: Hey! Is everything alright over there? You've been offline all day!

The exclamation points were enough to tire Karma out, just reading them made him yawn. He looked up at the time, it was 2:47 PM. He wanted to groan, but Nagisa was still sleeping close to him.

Yuma Isogai: I can see that you read my message you know.

Karma Akabane: yeah, yeah, I'm up. We're fine, we're safe.

Yuma Isogai: ok Mr. grouch ;P

Karma wanted to complain about the poor emoji taste, but he knew Isogai couldn't help it with his old phone model. He opened Kayano's message.

Kaede Kayano: hey!!! ur on!!!

More exclamation points. Karma left out an exasperated huff, but it was enough to wake Nagisa up. He heard Nagisa make a bit of a strained yawn, stretching his legs and letting his eyes adjust to the gentle light in the room. Karma was a bit disappointed at him waking up, he kind of wanted to take a picture of him.

Karma Akabane: ya

Karma Akabane: Hi Kayano!!! It's been so long since we talked!! This is Nagisa, I'm sorry I can't give you back that manga you lent me (〃＞＿＜;〃)

Karma groaned over Nagisa stealing his phone, he was guilty of all the exclamation points now too. Nagisa had turned his back toward Karma, wanting to talk to his friend. Karma could understand Nagisa wanting to have contact with literally anyone his age that wasn't Karma, but he was still naturally wary of someone having his phone, even when he had nothing to hide.

Kaede Kayano: hi nagisa! i can't believe you remember the manga!! dont worry abt it, i had fuwa lend me hers so i could finish it. How r things over there?

Karma Akabane: Things are good! I just woke up... I haven't slept on a futon since the school trip to Kyoto ('｡• ᵕ •｡')

Karma could feel himself cringe over the emojis Nagisa was using, especially since his own name was hanging next to them.

Kaede Kayano: omg a futon... gahhh i wish i was in bed rn... damn relatives...

Karma Akabane: Oh god that sucks... good luck!! (⇀‸↼‶)

Kaede Kayano: i gtg but it was nice talking to u for a bit!! tell karmz to give u the phone more often

Karma Akabane: what the hell kind of nickname is karmz

Kaede Kayano: Read 2:54 PM

Nagisa giggled a bit at Karma frustrated by being left on read by the girl, only for his eyes to settle on the timestamp next to the message.

"Karma, look! It's this late already!"

He shot up straight, so fast that it even made him dizzy. Karma watched him jump to his feet and pace a bit, not understanding why Nagisa was so nervous. Considering what had happened, this was actually kind of early. Karma begrudgingly got out from under his covers, the cold January air tickled at his feet.