Chapter 22

"I didn't expect him to actually bow down sincerely and request our class like that," Y/N said.

"It felt really good to see him like that," Karma sighed leaning back on his chair, "Oh, should've taken a picture of that face he made."

"Just like he should've taken one of yours when you came 10th right?"

"Why are you getting defensive?" Karma said, "I'm just saying..."

"Uh, you expect me to be quiet when you're back bitching my friend? We don't have much time left for the final exam," Y/N said, "I'll leave you alone if I'm a distraction."

"....you are not," Karma sighed and looked at her cheeks moving like a chipmunk as she chewed on her sandwich. She concentrated on her food and flipped her head to the right, trying to move the locks of hair coming on her face. He smiled and slowly moved her hair to the back of her ears and squeezed her cheeks. "I just...don't like how close both of you are."

She sighed and looked at him, ready with a sarcastic comment but stopped. He was still smiling looking at her.

And his eyes.

Those eyes on her, eyes full of....adoration. She looked around the class and noticed the few students giggling among themselves, occasionally looking at her. She blushed and looked at the empty seat in front of her. Y/N cleared her throat and said, "We are just friends. Besides it was just...a one time thing."

"But it was your first. It's annoying. No matter what I do, he's always gonna be your first. Can't beat him there, can I?"

"Oh my god, stop staring. Aren't you embarrassed or something?"

He smiled looking at her dreamily and said, "You're beautiful."

She quickly stuffed in the rest of her sandwich and took her water bottle. She looked at him and shook her empty bottle, and walked out of the class. Karma usually spent his time outside during the tiffin period, but recently he started staying in. Ofcourse he had books open in front of him and Y/N tried her best not to disturb him.

But she couldn't help it when he was the one initiating the conversation.

She quietly started filling up her bottle when Rio approached. "Dude please tell me he said it," she said.

"Said what?"

"Those three magical words ofcourse!" Rio took a deep breath and said, "You think I'm spending time away from both of you so you can study? Either that man's gonna do something or I'm taking you away from the next day. Tell him that." She took off to the ground yelling at Nagisa, probably teasing him again.

Y/N sighed. Yes, she did expect something more from him after that day but...all he did was flirt with her. Nothing more.

He stopped teasing her too. Her patience was running low. Like she really gathered up her courage and kissed him, and what did he do?

F L I R T? That's it?

It did put her in a sour mood. But she wanted to wait it out. Y/N didn't want to ruin it all by forcing him to speed it up and make him do something out of his comfort zone.

Just a little longer.

_________________________________________

The results were out. Class 3-E were rejoicing their victory on landing on the top 50. It was hard, especially math, but Karma managed to be on the first position once again. Y/N landed on 13th. They decided to spend the rest of the last day of their highschool life doing what they wanted. Everyone planned to meet up at a restaurant at the end of the day.

But, not everything was going well. She heard the word going around about Gakushu getting hit by the principal.

By his father.

She heard from him about how Mr. Asano took down four buffy men, so it was definitely worrying her. Sure, their relationship was as bad as the gutter. But she didn't expect it to be actually this bad.

"God, okay I can't do this. We can visit him if you want to, like right now," Karma said, trying to look unbothered. He pulled her up and they started walking back from the swimming pool Koro once made for their class.

"...you too?" Y/N asked, "I mean...are you sure? You don't have to-"

"And leave you two unsupervised? No way," he said and chuckled, "I'm just kidding. You're worried about him. I get it. But..I can't take any chances." He stopped by his tracks and held onto her wrist. Sliding his hand down, he gently crossed their fingers and pulled her close.

Yes, there it was. He started smiling, staring at her face.

Yes, it's back. The expression he was starving for so many days. She looked at him curiously, cheeks turning red at their closeness. He didn't give her time to speak.

He leaned in and grazed his nose lightly on her cheeks, in an endearing manner and closed the gap. He pressed his lips softly at first and then a bit harder, hands sliding down her back to her waist and pulling her close. Y/N closed her eyes, as a shiver went down her spine and slid her hands on his shoulder.

Karma's eyes were open. He was relishing the moment.

This moment of their first kiss in the middle of the forest. He pulled back and leaned his head to the left and went in again. She felt his tongue slowly entering and exploring her mouth. He sucked on her lips, biting at times and then pulled back, a string of saliva connecting their lips. Y/N licked her lips and looked down, too shy to look up at him.

Karma on the other hand was loving this. This sight of her flushed face, how she gripped his shirt tightly without realizing.

Her trembling lips. Her rosy cheeks.

Karma now slowly leaned down her neck, lips grazing across her skin. He pressed a small kiss and sucked on her soft skin. Y/N's left hand glided up his hair as she gripped it tightly, leaning her head to the left, giving him more access.

He placed a soft kiss at the same spot, which was stinging now. Moving back, he looked at her and smiled, "You don't know how long I've been waiting to do that."

Y/N, who was still in a daze stared at him and muttered, "Really?"

He leaned in close and said, "Do you have any idea how tempting you are?"

Y/N's ears reddened and she replied, "No...I'm not."

He smirked, "I had to control myself everyday Y/N. But...I couldn't any longer. I mean, how do you expect me to react when you look at me like that."

"You...knew?"

"I do but I didn't want to distract you..." he said and looked down at the ground, "I didn't give you a proper apology, did I?"

Y/N smiled as he said looking up at her face, "I'm sorry. I didn't know how much it would hurt you. I...you don't have any idea how much I wanted you to talk back to me. But...you weren't and it was scary. I...I am really sorry."

Y/N's smile widened, "Better late than never. But, now we should really visit him before he leaves."

Karma smiled, "Okay, but we are going out to eat after that."

"Your treat?"

"Yes," he smirked and brushed her hair back, hand softly sliding up her neck and touching the part he marked, "as long as you keep your hair tied up."