#karakuda

"You don't have to apologise," he replied, chuckling. But he admired that particular aspect of hers, always wary of how others would feel in any circumstances.

She looked up and gave him a smile. "Thanks for waiting."

They headed down the path that winded the mountain, leading away from the school. Beams of the fluorescent sunlight glistened upon the dirt trail, baking it to a warm shade of orange. The sky was a bright blue vast of vividness, brilliantly dazzling and hopeful. Towering trees that canopied the road gleamed beneath the sun in all its magnificence, its leaves bursting in lush colours.

"Ooh, the weather is nice today!" Okuda commented, her head shifted up to face the sky and trees that loomed above them.

"Right? It's such a beautiful day that it makes me not want to waste it." Karma looked over at her, his lips quirking slightly. "Should we hang out?"

Okuda's face lit up instantly into a smile. Karma could not help but beam, a small tingle creeping into his cheeks. He loved seeing her smile blossoming, never failing to express when she was overcome with excitement, and her eyes illuminating with a rosy glint.

But her expression quickly turned into disappointment, her face washing over with realisation. "There's a lot of homework I have to work on today," she sighed. "And I want to study as well, for the entrance exams. I'm really sorry, I wish I could."

He nodded, but could not hide his solemn expression. It was an effect that Okuda had on him. When they were together, he felt trusted, safe to release whatever burdens he had attempted to barricade. No matter how vulnerable he'd be, Okuda never judged. His futile endeavours may beat him up until he was left with only a weak fragment of himself, but Okuda would still stay. There was no such thing as weakness, only emotions to be valued. "That's alright. Let's take our sweet time walking home then."

Okuda laughed. "Thanks for understanding, Karma."

They walked in silence, the silhouttes of birds transcending swiftly in the sky as they flew their way back home, just like the students were. Okuda spoke up again. "To be honest, I'm more than anxious for the entrance exams. I'm trying my best to study as much as I could."

"Is there anything in particular you're worried about?" Karma tilted his head. The traces of enthusiasm on Okuda were now replaced with an apprehensive look.

"I don't know... all of a sudden, the confidence that I'd built up are all gone. It's harder to trust myself because I'm not good enough and my hope is dwindling, then there's the pressure of the assassination and..." she paused, taking in a deep breath.

Karma slid his hand into Okuda's. A subtle gesture that was not foreign to the two. He relished the comfort, appreciative that she also shared the trust to lay bare her vulnerabilities to him.

"You're working hard, Manami."

Okuda looked into his eyes, and although hers still brimmed with worries and doubt she was now smiling.

"It's hard for you to see yourself the way I do, but you have to trust me. You trust me, right? Then trust me that you're amazing and that makes me confident that you'll do well."