Karmanami: Intertwined.....

Chapter XX

It was the 7th of November 12:01 am and Manami is sleeping soundly when she hears footsteps, scared and concerned she slowly gets out of her bed and takes the closest thing to her she could use as a weapon, which was a torch. She hears the footsteps closing up on her and she could see that the person was holding something that was glowing. She waits for the perfect moment and swings the torch and the person barely dodges her deadly attack.

"Woah Manami it's me." Exclaimed a startled Karma.

"Karma kun? What are you doing up at this time and what is this?"

Manami makes Karma turn to her and sees him holding a small piece of cake with a candle on it.

"Happy Birthday, my love."

Manami had forgotten it was her birthday. It completely slipped off her mind but a smile instantly appears on her face as she sees Karma bring the cake for her.

"Thank you so much Karma kun." Says Manami as she places a kiss on his cheeks.

"Let's cut the cake then."

Manami blows the candle as Karma sings the birthday song.

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It was 7 am in the morning. Karma opens Manami's door with the apartment with the key Manami had given Karma. He steps inside and sees that Manami was already out of her bed and hears the shower open and figures out that Manami was inside.

"Ma~na~mi." Hums Karma seductively startling Manami.

"Karma kun? Is everything fine."

"Hmmm.... I wanted to take a shower too." Whined Karma.

"I'll be done in a just a few minutes."

"Pfft... I want to take a shower with you." Smirked Karma.

Manami blushes as red as an apple. Karma showering with her? I mean the most intimate she's been with Karma was when the pot burning incident happened and now she's possibly going to see him fully naked? Manami was frozen and her heart raced.

"K-K-Karma kun, p-please don't joke at such a time." Protested a shy Manami.

Karma laughs off, he knew that Manami needs some more time to be ready to strengthen their relationship further, he just loves teasing her.

"I'm just joking Manami. I'll wait whenever you're ready."  Manami steps out of the shower still flustered and blushing.

Manami dials her brother's number to wish him birthday but the call wasn't connecting leaving her a little confused and it was a normal day at school too, nothing special happened. The trio walked back to their apartment and before Manami would enter her apartment, Karma holds her hand and brushes it gently.

"Karma kun?"

"Manami if you don't mind, I would like to take you out somewhere today. I want to give you the best birthday of your life."

Manami smiles and agrees to his invitation.

After around an hour Manami steps out in a beautiful yellow dress and this time she has opened her hair. She  notices Karma who was already waiting for her. The driver drives the two to a small cottage. Manami and Karma step inside and she's immediately greeted a surprise by her closest friends which included Kayano, Kanzaki, Sugino, Nagisa and Asano.

"Happy birthday Okuda san." They shouted simultaneously.

"Oh you guys, thank you so much." Answered a teary Manami.

"We've got something special for you." Says Karma.

Asano brings a beautifully decorated and expensive looking pot and Manami opens it and finds her favorite food honeycomb toffee.

"It's my favorite food. Thank you so much guys." Manami takes a bite of the toffee and her eyes stare at Karma and the others in confusion.

"This toffee is just like how Riku makes it." Exclaims Manami.

"That's right Nee-san. I made them." Came out a very familiar voice from behind Kayano and Nagisa.

Manami knew the voice and rushes to it, tears filled her eyes as she sees her twin brother Riku smiling. She hugs her little brother who hugs her back.

"Happy birthday Nee san." Wished Riku.

"Happy birthday to you too." Manami wished her brother.

"Now come on. You're being the cry baby here." Teases Riku.

"But when did you even come here? Where did you get the money."

"Oh come on, this is not the time to ask questions but to enjoy your party." Insisted Karma as he pulls Manami and Riku to the dance floor.

The rest of the party goes well and according to plan, it really was the best birthday party Manami had in years. Kayano stayed with Manami for the night, Nagisa stayed with Karma and Riku stayed at Asano's place.

A few days had passed by and it was time for Riku to go back to the states, Manami drops Riku to the airport.

"Have a safe journey Riku."

"Thank you nee-san and please don't worry about me too much. I'll set things right as soon as possible." Says Riku with a concerned voice.

"Did Karma kun tell you that?" Manami chuckles.

Riku smiles assuring her that he's not angry at her at all.

"Karma san is a really nice person, nee san, you're really lucky to have him."

Manami blushes a little causing Riku to chuckle.

"Anyways it's time for my flight but I'll visit you soon again nee san and take you out of all the troubles in your life."

"Thank you so much brother. I hope to see you soon."

They share a hug before they parted their way.

To be continued......