Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

11:49 P.M

        It was like any other day, a terrible inability to sleep but that doesn't mean a certain someone wouldn't have a desperate mental plead for it to change some day, at this point, anyday would be spectacular for him.  As long it changed, that'd be far more than enough to please a certain yellow-eyed redhead.  That was Karma Akabane's everyday night life for about a little less than half a decade of facing the power of insomnia.  Since 2 months after turning 8 years old, the vibrant redhead could never be able to sleep when he wanted to.  Even with reasons he even gained it were unknown, Karma accepted the fact he got it one way or another.  Maybe not fully in acceptance because if he had, there'd be no reason for him to go in a bed and give an attempt to rest those mercury eyes of his.  Karma recognizes the helplessness of ending the insomnia and decided to be productive with his time of unwillful awareness.

12:07 A.M 

        "It's been what?  Two weeks?  I haven't slept since 2 days after my suspension days were over.  When I get my favorite pass out session, I am going to enjoy every part of it down to the last milliseconds.  I know that I'm about to lose my mind from this dumb-  Well there's still not an inkling worth of sleep to my name.  What was I expecting, of course I couldn't go to sleep.  Insomnia is truly, such a troublesome pain in the ass." 

        Reluctantly, he got out of his bed's comfortable, dark purple blanket and went to his clearly not as comfortable study desk to be productive.  The only reasons he even owns that nice bed was to be able to keep the image he sleeps when someone comes over and, to simply lay in it to read the assassination classroom's messages and and for praying that one day, he'd fall asleep of his own will.  For now, Karma would read and study the various books he found in the three contagiously different libraries worth rollerblading off to.  Tonight, he decided to start the day off with what feels like an unreasonably long book despite being completely uninterested in it.  The redhead only grabbed it since he saw some group of teenagers that people could only assume were around his age grab it as well.

3:21 A.M

        "I can't believe I decided to spend all that time on this stupid book.  Half the stuff I already knew from the other books I read on the same dumb subject.  I should've grabbed a book on a new language.  Like German.  Can't hurt to add a language among the 13 other languages I know.  If not another language, maybe I could've just played some random video game?  I heard the store added a new big shot.  Hopefully it'll live up to its hype.  Sounds like I actually have a plan for the next midnight session."

        With the amount of books he read out of boredom from the endlessly supplied energy, Karma always found it in him to draw himself to books on all sorts of cultures or learn languages of other lands.  As a kid, becoming an anthropologist wasn't a bad idea in his mind.  While looking back at his childhood dreams, it really wasn't a horrendous thought he stored since he became a natural at it.  Nowadays, most of him wants to work on being a bureaucrat to be able to help the citizens in need of support.  Being a person that could be relied on is his current dream even though he shows his ways of helping out in every way violent.

6:51 A.M

         "Wow.  Guess I should get ready though-  maybe being late wouldn't such a bad idea.  My eyebags probably look at big as this empty house.  Well- there is no way, that I, Karma Akabane, would actually let myself be seen with such a depressing look.  I'll just cover it up one way or another.  Everyone in this world is too blind to see them even if I did nothing about it.  Nobody pries into these kind of things."

        Karma got up anyway since he felt like being a civil student for once in his life.  It was also to see if he was able to steal something from Korosensei since the teacher's lounge practically always contained something of the octopus'.  If there is something to steal, the redhead would either flail it in Korosensei's face, eat if when nobody is around, or leave it alone because he couldn't find anything useful of the usually snack item.

7:01 A.M

        "Should I get something I to eat?  Well.. actually- no.  I haven't eaten in 6 days just to speed up the process of passing out.  Why should I eat to ruin my plans?  I'll just go to school as usual.  Who cares if they see me looking like a ghoul?"

        On time periods like this, Karma starts to starve himself until he passes out since he thinks it slightly speeds up the process to faint.  Being able to pass out was also the reason Karma dared to challenge so many tormenting bullies.  If they win, at least the random person getting bullied could have a chance to escape and the bullies would beat Karma up until he passed out.  It was a complete win-win in the redhead's mind.  Even if others believed that Karma was not gaining anything, he'd do anything to pass out. 

        However, the problem with fighting is that the opponent had to win against him.  Karma has only lost two fights and both times, he had to face a gang of grown-ups with all sorts of weapons like baseball bats, metal pipes, and even knifes.  His mercury eyes could tell when he was going to lose a fight, and when it just looks like putting bullies into their place out of some sort of sense to serve justice.  Well, that was if Kunugigaoka had a reality check and cared to figure out who was right or wrong instead of going off the words of the student in a higher status.

7:10 A.M

        "Time to get to school-  I guess.  I wonder when somebody will actually catch me rollerblading to the mountain.  Maybe nobody goes from the side I do to get to the front.  Or maybe they're just too blind to see I actually have wheels on my shoes before I change them out.  Whatever the case is- it's not my business.  Besides, who cares if I can rollerblade?  Most people think and know, it looks elementary as hell."

        And thus, he got his violet rollerblades on and went to school.  There was yellow-orange ones looked better on him but, who cares?  To the redhead it's barely seen so colors wouldn't matter.  Well, he has like 3 different pairs being the violet ones he decided to use, ivory white ones that just looked beautiful alone, and black ones that Karma would use the most purely for the fact nobody actually sees dirt on them.  Again, who is looking?

Chapter Text

        It was about time Karma reached halfway up the mountain to the classroom, that two friends of his, Nakamura Rio and Nagisa Shiota, snuck up behind him.

        "Hah!  See, Nagisa?  I told you I'd get him off guard one day one way or another!" Nakamura just wanted to catch him, great.  Nagisa smiled in approval of her achievements.  "So, my dear devious friend, you actually decided to arrive a little early?  I knew it!  You actually care about us!"  Karma never looked back at them as he was probably too tired to make an attempt of continuing the conversation.

        "..Karma?" the blueberry haired boy probably wanted to hear the redhead make some snarky remark or something.  Silence just didn't fit right with someone of that unruly bold sassiness.

       "Yeah?" Karma sounded like a dying person speaking their final words with every ounce of strength they had left in them.

        "Holy shit.  Dude no offense, but you sound like total garbage right now.  The fuck happened?"

        "We're not trying to be rude right now but, Nakamura is right, you sound pretty bad.  Are you sick?  You could've stayed home like how you skip a lot of the classes," Nagisa paused waiting for the answer he knew would never come and continued, "Why would you come now, when you're sick or something that is bad?"

        "I'm fi-" Karma was cut off.

        "No, you aren't!  Just go home and get in bed.  We'll have Korosensei informed so turn back and rest."

Bed.  Rest.

        "I'll sleep in the classroom then.  My house is too far to travel back."  That was a bold lie.  Karma's house is no more than ten minutes walking pace and it goes faster when he is on his rollerblades.  

Sleep.

        That's just plain impossible.  What sleep is there to get with insomnia?

        "If you say so but, don't think you'll get away with coming to school sick twice!" Nakamura wanted to berate Karma because for once, he does something stupid that she knows of.  No way she'll find out about the cliff suicide assassination jump.

        "Hey Karma, do you want us to walk with you home?  I'm sure Korosensei would-"

        "No."

        "Okay then."

        "I want to die right now so badly.  Why the fuck do they talk so much when the answer is right in front of their faces?  Utterly ridiculous.  Why couldn't the cliff dive actually work?  Eternally asleep.  That's an ideal situation I thought never existed but since I did it when Korosensei was there, I'll never have another chance this school year.  I hate my life."

        Everyone could see Karma's heavily deteriorated state but spoke nothing of it.  Concern was etched all over their faces.  Except for Terasaka being the dumb bastard he truly was.

        "Oi Karma!  Finally realized how much of a pain in the ass you are and decided to stop?  Those bags under your eyes are showing it."

        "Shut the fuck up, Terasaka.  There's a reason I got tired.  It's because I couldn't get your ugly face out of my vision and sleep peacefully."  Karma still adored being a total ass to Terasaka no matter what state he was in.

        "Hah, can't be as ugly as you right now." Terasaka still bit back with most of the classroom laughing at him.

        "I mean, Karma has a poi-"

        "Shut up!"

        "Wow Terasaka, you're so rude to others.  Ugly and rude in one person?  Ugh, I can't wish for another person like you!"

        "I wasn't talking to you, blondie!" Terasaka's comebacks were getting worse one after the other.

        "Oh shit.. is it right now?  Well, nobody will notice.  They're too busy going at each other.  Finally, I needed some rest."

        The rambling on the topic of how stupid, rude, and ugly Terasaka truly was got cut off abruptly.  Korosensei's speed got the wind strong enough to get everyone's attention.  Well, mostly everyone.  Karma was hardly focused after all the talking in the classroom with his tired expression hidden by his arms.

        "Good morning class," everyone got up and raised their guns to have their daily dose of shooting a hail of bullets at the teacher until roll was complete.  "I will be taking roll," the bullets never stopped.  "Karma Akabane!"

...

        The hail of bullets stopped immediately when they realized the redhead didn't respond.  All of class E only saw his hair with his head down, pressed on the desk.

        "Korosensei, I think he's asleep.  Nakamura and I told him to rest since Karma looked like he was in a terrible shape and his voice was really bad."

        "I see.. Terasaka, please wake him up."

        "Seriously?  Why me?  Get Yoshida to do it or someone else.  Just not me, knowing that freaky kid, he's probably going to reflexively punch me in the face the second he looks at me!"

        "Hey man, I know you hate Karma, but why did you say I have to wake him up!  There's o-"

        "Okuda, may you please wake him up?" Korosensei looked like his tentacles would explode out of the 'pick anyone but me!' game.

        "Y-yessir!"  Okuda got out of her seat and approached the sleeping Akabane.  She poked him on the shoulder to see if he'd wake up.

        No response.

        "Karma?  P-please wake up!  Class has started!"

        He remained as still as a statue.

        "..Karma?" Okuda didn't really see the bad side of him and genuinely thought he was a good person.  It made her worried with every second.  Well, everyone looked at him with concern but, none matched Okuda.

        "Yo, I think we found the Sleeping Beauty of the class."  It was time for random yap time to start.

        "How does someone like him get into so many fights unscathed?  I mean, if he's sleeping, it'll take like three punches before he realizes he's getting hit."

        "You're right, that is concerning."

        "Oo!  Someone draw on his face, see how he'll react!"

        After enough time, Okuda gained the courage to start shaking Karma's shoulder.  It was then she noticed, something was terribly wrong.  At first, it looked so unreal to the science girl so of course, she checked again.  "Korosensei!  I don't think Karma is asleep because he fell asleep!  He looks malnourished and sleep deprived!  He's passed ou-" Okuda was cut off at the last word.

        "Class!  Be quiet!"  Their teacher instantly took Karma out of the classroom and into the teacher's lounge where Karasuma and Irina were working.

        "Mind if I ask why you're here?"  Karasuma didn't look towards the Karma in Korosensei's tentacles.  With no response, he looked.  His face showed the most emotion he ever gave this entire year but, it wasn't of joy.  It was shock.  "What happened?!"

        Irina glanced after hearing Karasuma give such a reaction.  "The hell happened to the devil!?  Wasn't he fine on Friday?"

        "I don't know what happened," Korosensei started to explain, "Karma fell asleep in class so I, as the teacher, requested someone to wake him up.  He was unresponsive and Okuda realized he was passed out from some sort of circumstance.  May I request you two to contact his parents while I search for answers out of my students?"

        "Irina can take care of him for now, I'll contact his parents."

        "Huh?!  Why do I have to look after him?"

        "Because if no one does, we won't know if he'll wake up anytime soon."

        "Thank you," Korosensei sped back into the assassination classroom with an angry expression.  "Why did nobody care to check on their classmate?  As a class, everyone that comes must be ready to learn, not come prepared to pass out!  Nagisa, you said he came in a rough condition.  You didn't state it was this bad!"

        "That's because when me and Nagisa saw him, he didn't look as bad!  Well, now that you say it.. we're sorry, we should've informed you on the way up the mountain by phone or something."  Nakamura defended Nagisa in case their teacher thought the bluenette was at fault.

        "I'll let it slide this once.  Now, does anyone recall any signs of him that'd cause him being this sick after the span of two days?"

        The class was dead silent.  Why would any of them know what's wrong with the class devil?  If there was really something wrong, he put up a perfect mask.  Dead silence got cut after thirty seconds of it by Isogai.

        As the class president got up from his chair, all eyes were pinned on him like needles but that didn't faze him.  "May I have everyone's attention, please?" Isogai could probably tell that he already had it and started to continue, "If I remember correctly, Karma is never seen at lunch and I've never seen him bring food to school.  Is there a chance that he's been starving himself?  We all know that the school never provides cafeteria lunch for us in E class and there is no time for him to go up and down the mountain while getting food."

        "Isn't he rich?  Well, I don't mean to assume but, Karma doesn't look like a guy struggling finance."

        "Cheeky boy thought he could slip through the class prez's observational eyes.  We solved the mystery!"

        "I bet he thought that he was skinny enough to slip out.  That red hair of his us far to noticeable!"

        "Wait." Korosensei started talking again.  "Kayano, what do you mean 'skinny enough'?  As far as I'm aware when we first saw him, he looked quite normal."

        "Oh- uhh.. I don't know if it is just my opinion, but Karma looks skinnier than anyone else here."

        "I'm sorry, I just remembered that the second day to school, I told him he looks like he skipped breakfast.  I've failed as a teacher to realize how much our class' youngest student truly hurts himself."

        "Wait- youngest?!"

        "Your saying, our smartest classmate is also the youngest?  I've getting teased by someone younger than me?!"  Terasaka forgot about the seriousness of this conversation.  Along with his bantering on how he'll use his age as a trump card, the entire class went all jolly happy like nothing was happening.  Everyone except for Isogai, Nakamura, Nagisa, Kataoka, and of course, Korosensei.

        "As much as I'd love to join in the laughter of this conversation, we need to get back on track, please."

        "Yessir," everyone laughing said it in unison, their smiles suddenly washed away.

Chapter Text

        Karasuma stepped into the room after a few minutes of the class discussing the Karma situation.  "Everyone, please give me your attention," the whole class stared at the phys ed teacher.  "I would like to talk about my new foundings regarding why Karma ended up like this."

        "Did you figure out why he doesn't eat?"

        "Maybe he knows why Karma looks like a ghost!"

        "I bet he found out both.  He's a government agent after all."

        Karasuma sighed.  "May I continue?"

        "Yessir."

        "Well, I have identified that his parents don't look after him far enough.  We will likely have to send child support because not only does he live alone, his parents forgot who he was when I called."

        "..You're joking right?  Karma, the most devious of everyone here, abandoned?  His parents deserve hell."

        "I-I agree with Nakamura!  His parents are terrible.  Who forgets their child's existence?"

        "Maybe that's why he's so mean!  Child neglect!  Nobody to look after him, it has to be a coping mechanism!"

        "Now now children, before we make any more assumptions, please let Karasuma finish."  Class 3-E turned back to their teachers.  Answers are in Karasuma's hands, why wouldn't they want to hear it?

        "Anyway, Irina went to a store to give him the things he needs like food for when he wakes up.  Judging by his complexion, she guessed he hasn't eaten for about a week."  The class stared in disbelief for how ignorant they were.  "Who here is Karma's closest friend?"

        Nagisa raised his hand, "I have been friends with him since the first year.  Nakamura also got to know him so maybe one of us could go?"

        Okuda also wanted to speak.  "I hang out with Karma a lot and uhm.. I'm not sure but, I might have talked with him the most this year."

        "I think Karma goes up to Okuda the most.  Probably should send her."

        "Don't they usually sit at the same table for every science period?"

        "Alright then, let's have a vote!"  Maehara decided to make this.  "Excluding Nagisa, Nakamura, and Okuda, raise your hand if you think Nagisa should go!"  Five hands were raised for him.

        "I mean, he said he's known Karma since first year.  I didn't dare go up to him back then."

        "Okay, five for Nagisa.  Now who thinks Nakamura should go!"  This time, four people put their hands up.

        "Well, they're called the devil duo for a reason."

        "Does that mean everyone else thinks Okuda should go?  That'd be majority vote."  Maehara looked confused, thinking most would vote for Nakamura since he himself, believed she should be chosen.

        All of Terasaka's gang raised their hands for Okuda.  "If I know one thing about that guy, he definitely likes Okuda the most.  I sit next to him here, trust it."

        Okuda looked surprised, "Me?  I'll definitely go if it helps him!"

        "Alright it has been decided.  Okuda, would you prefer to stay here and wait for a Karasuma or Irina to tell you to come out or sit in the teacher's lounge?"

        "I-I'll go to the teacher's lounge!  I might be able to find out what's wrong with him while I am there!"

        "You're excused then."

        Okuda followed Karasuma to the lounge and waited for the redhead to wake up from his slumber.

        "We've decided on who will be keeping watch.  Now let's solve the main mystery, the reason we started this case."

Board Notes:  What do we know so far?

• Karma looks sleep deprived and malnourished 
• Abandoned by parents 

        Connection: Karma isn't being cared for and disregards his health.

        "Hey, what if he's so smart because he spent all that time studying instead of sleeping!"

        "The only time we see him having something is when he's having some sort of drink like strawberry milk or water.  Maybe he only drinks and couldn't care to eat?"

        Connection (improved): Karma isn't looked after and only eats to his ideal taste and decides to study instead of sleep.

        Korosensei looked over the board and waited for more add ons before continuing.  "We've got this much down.  Now, let's get the next questions out of the way."

Board Notes:  Karma usually arrived to school why did this attitude suddenly slip?

1. He was so out of it, he didn't realize
2. He was leading us on to learning
3. He couldn't keep it up anymore

        "Wait!  I think he was unable to keep it up for much longer.  Karma doesn't look like the type of person to simply let a mask slip and his pride and ego boosted it."

        "That makes sense, Okano!"

        "Where'd you get such deduction skills?  I'm somewhat jealous.  Not really."

Board Notes 

1. He was so out of it, he didn't realize

        Connection (improved): Karma has been keeping his bad habits up for so long, he passed out and let everything he hid slip out

        "Great job, everyone!  Full marks!  It is an important skill to be able to deduce something about your opponent.  Now, Nagisa, please tell Okuda our findings and ask her to confirm with Karma when he wakes up.

        "Yes, Korosensei."  Nagisa got up and off to see Okuda.  A part of him also wanted to find how Karma was for his current condition.

        "Fuck me, honestly.  Why did I have to pass out during cl-"

        Karma's thoughts were put to a stop.

        "K-Karma!  Your awake!"

        "Seems like sleeping be- no, the insomniac maniac woke up.  What the fuck was going through your head to not eat for like a week?"

        "Wha-"

        "Irina, I don't think Karma knows what's happening right now.  Just- ..fill him in."

        "Ugh fine, only because you said so, Karasuma.  Anyway, pipsqueak, you passed out, we need answers.  Also, we're going to contact child support for you so, don't worry."

        "Child support?  Oh.. fuck no.  I can't go with them!  They've failed thousands of people and, I don't need to live with someone!  Shit..  why are they so nosy?!  I thought I could be a shadow to them and sleep all I wanted!  Dammit..  think Karma!  Think!"

        "Karma, before you get mad, I just want you to know, child support isn't the only option."

Chapter Text

        Karasuma had an idea that would get Karma out of the child support system.  He'd need to get the child in question's permission first.  This kid just clicked something inside of him that nobody else could.  That's why he just had to ask.

        "I'll do anything!  Anything to get out of the system!  I-I was fine alone!  Please!  I don't want nor need to be sent ther-"

        "Karma, I can try to adopt you, if that's okay?"  Karasuma knew this was a dumb decision that the redhead would never accept.  A twenty-eight year old agent, adopting someone that existed since he was around sixteen.

        "H-huh?"  Knew it.  There's no way Karma would say yes.

        "Sorry for suggesting, I know you wouldn't want to live with-"  Karasuma believed he heard wrong after Karma's next words got out.

        "N-no!  I'm fine with living with you, that's not the problem!"  Everyone in the room lit up in surprise.  This kid, only twelve years old, deciding who should be his new parent on a whim?

        "Karma, you do realize that getting adopted by him would mean you have to live under the same roof as him until adulthood?"  Irina was shocked that he was so willing to be adopted by his teacher that she had to retell him what the deal is.

        "It's just-  I-I'm a.. can Okuda and Bitch-sensei leave the room?  I have nothing against Okuda but I just want to discuss this with one person."  Karma looked down as if to be ashamed of something.

        "It's fine, Karma!  I don't take any offense!"  Okuda exited from the lounge first with Irina giving a final glance before following.

        "So I'm guessing you want to discuss the 'thing' with me?"  Karma nodded his head.  "Before you say anything, you'll need to eat," he grabbed the soup from the microwave and handed it to the redhead, "Like right now.  I- we are not taking no for an answer.  Not me, Korosensei, or anyone part of the class."

        "Oh.. okay."

        Korosensei went to actually teaching and the students didn't discuss the situation before.  "Now, who can tell me what happened when-"

        "E-everyone!  Karma is awake but, please don't go to him right now.  He's talking with Karasuma sensei."  Okuda posed like kids making snow angels in front of the door to make sure nobody stepped out.  Her puffed up cheeks made her look pretty funny.

        "What?!  After everything that happened, I think we all deserve a visit, including Terasaka!"

        "I don't even want to see the man anyway!"

        "You sound like you wouldn't mind if he died!  We're going the second he's done with Karasuma sensei!"  Deep down, they were just anxious to see Karma and demand answers.  I mean, who wouldn't?

        "Okuda, please return to your seat.  I'll make sure nobody leaves."  Korosensei wriggled his tentacles to show his method to hold the gates or in this case, door.  "I think he wants the alone time anyway."

        "Yes, Korosensei."

        "Well.. technically I already passed out.  I guess eating the soup is fine.  Ugh.. why does eating have to give me energy?"

        Karasuma had to watch his student that is now a soon-to-be son if everything goes smoothly, reluctantly eat with each and every sip of the soup.  He was concerned and curious so of course, the question was asked, "Do you not like it?  I don't really know what Irina put in there but, it should be healthy.  Actually no, cut that, are you allergic to something in there and you don't want to tell me?"

        "It's not that.. it's about the 'thing'.. it relates to this.."  Karma took another bite but this time, he tried to seem like he wanted it.  Maybe he only had it since Karasuma's feelings would be hurt.

        "If you don't want the soup, just say so.  I didn't make it and I'm sure you've had enough for now.  Do you want to start discussing the actual problem?"

        "Uhm.. yes."  His mercury eyes started shooting off in all directions.  All except for Karasuma's.  "The reason I looked like whatever you saw.. it wasn't because I wanted to do it.  Honestly!"  The redhead's eyes still looked to the door, like it would disappear if he stopped looking.

        "You didn't want to do it?  Were you forced by so-"

        "No!  That's not it! ...I'm sorry for yelling..  I've never told anyone so.."

        "It's alright, talking about personal things is always difficult.  I've seen many other kids become hesitant in front of help."

        "I'm not being forced by someone.. and I'm not doing this because I want to.  I want to make that clear."  Karasuma nodded when Karma took a glance and continued, "I've had.. insomnia since I was around eight.  It's just so hard to not crave the sleep I should have and.. I tend to disregard my health since it helps speed up the process to passing out."

        "Wait, have you never tried therapy, or a better sleeping schedule?"  Karma started to look eye to eye with him.

        "My parents tried, they really did.  It didn't work.  I guess they got sick of me, and left."  Karasuma wanted the redhead to hug him.  Squeeze all of his anger out onto him.  The thought of being abandoned by your parents over something you couldn't control made him feel rotten sick.  "It's okay though, they taught me many things before the two of them left like how to cook with a wok, take care of a garden, and how to forge a signature.  When they found Kunugigaoka Junior High, they sent me to Japan with a house already bought and expected me to live without them."

        "Hold on, are you not from Japan?  You're pretty fluent in Japanese."

        "Well, I read books on all sorts of languages and cultures because at night, I couldn't sleep and made myself productive.  Japanese just happened to be one of the languages I learned before being sent here."

        "Your parents didn't know that you were learning all sorts of languages?  Actually, what was your first, if I may know."

        "Well my dad is Indian and my mom is Russian so, I learned those two first.  Russian was the first since I was born there."

        "I wouldn't have ever guessed that combination, you just look nothing like it."

        "Oh.  I can't remember which side of the family but, I do know my grandfather was Japanese so, maybe those genes just carried over?  I have no clue."

        "That'd be very rare, but not impossible.  Maybe somebody knew your grandfather."

        "Nah, don't ask.  I only saw him in pictures.  It'd be awkward to meet him now, especially if he's dead."

        "I also have to ask, most of your classmates are fourteen turning fifteen or are already fifteen.  Why are you here when you're just twelve years old?"

        "My parents put me in an advanced school when I was young.  I think they also lied about my age when enrolling me there.  Kunugigaoka probably thinks I skipped a few years and let me in."  The man was far too stunned to speak.  "I bet they only wanted to have me for money and looks.  A kid with insomnia just would not fit well on their image."

        "I can assure you this, if you do indeed want for me to adopt you, it won't be for appearances, and you can have way more than just reading for hours on end in the morning."

        "Oh no, the reading was of my choice.  I've loved reading about all sorts of cultures since their history's are all so different!  My parents took me on a few of their business trips and I got to speak with people with their own past.  I'm still grateful for that."

        "That brings me to another question.  Is the child neglect what caused you to beat up people?"

        ...Wrong move.  Wrong question.

        "Karma?"  Karma's expression towards talking about his interests suddenly became dark the moment fighting was mentioned.  "...Do you want to swit-"

        "Yes."  Karma held his legs up to his face.

        "Is it time to tell him?  What if when he finds out he'll leave me to child support..  He has that power in his hands..  Telling him that I only beat up people that are in the wrong not out of a sense of justice, but just looking for people to beat me up instead?  He's going to tell me that there's something wrong with me, I know it!  Well.. there technically is something wrong with me..  I'm an insomniac maniac."

        Karma's thoughts made his breathing pattern go wilder.  All the different possibilities that could go down truly frightened him.  Karasuma could tell this wasn't the topic switch the redhead wanted.  "Hey, it's alright, if you don't want to discuss it, we'll talk about something more pleasant.  Screw that, want to go on a walk and take a break?"  Looking up to him, he nodded, and they got up and left.

        It took about half an hour of walking around the mountain and talking about more of Karma's trips with his parents until Karasuma checked the time.  They were so focused on each other that he forgot he was still the phys ed teacher.  "Oh.  PE is starting in ten minutes.  I suggest you lay back today.  Think of it like when you skip a period, you leave for one or two periods and come back after."

        "But PE is actually for the assassination classroom's training.  The rest of it is just us being teached by some grimy octopus."  Karma only had three periods that he would basically guaranteed to pop up in being math, history, and PE.

        "Well, I'm dismissing you for the period.  Unlike all the other times, you left periods like English out of boredom that other periods could soothe.  You'll be leaving since you passed out in class."

        "Fine."  Karma headed off the mountain and to his favorite vending machine.  Karasuma wanted to stop his student's sweet tooth from taking over once again and make his eat something healthy.  Like that soup Irina made.  Despite knowing he could catch up, he went to the area of next period, and started.  "Today we'll be-"

        "Where's Karma?!"

        "He's always at this period!  Did something happen to him that got him couch ridden?!"

        "He wanted to talk to you!  What did you talk about?  Did you get answers?!"

        "Karma was dismissed from this period, please stop making questions and wait to ask them when he is back in the class."  Karasuma forgot that he wasn't the only one concerned.  E class were all awaiting the redhead's awakening and the answers.

        "I can't say I'm completely annoyed by him making me skip the period.  I like PE!  A free period is a free period so, strawberry milk it is!"

        Just because Karma his facade get away with Karasuma, doesn't mean he'd let the whole world know.  The arrogant redhead known to pick fights still needed to be seen by the majority of people.  That also meant that people would recognize him for the fights he had with their mates.

        A trio of three contagiously ugly gangsters stopped by Karma at the vending machine to have a nice chat, "Oi!  Guys looks!  It's the red bastard!  Finally stopped hiding at the mountain?  You've never been here since suspension."  Not true, he was never here at this period.

        "I bet he's been hiding in shame ever since he got booted down!"

        "Hey, what if we teach this bony brat a lesson?  Come on!  Let's fuck him up!"

        That final sentence caught Karma's attention, "Eh?  You really think you three can beat me?"  The gang's scowl grew in anger.  "Well then, allow me, the greatest 'bony brat', teach you a lesson."  Karma chugged the strawberry milk carton before tossing it up in the air.  That distracted all the boys as he jump kicked the guy to his right.

        "Agh!  What the fu-" out cold after one final punch into the ground.

        "Oh shit.  The leader was right when he said this kid was strong despite his appearance."  Karma went for him next.  He took him by the face and slammed him to the wall.  Another down.  The final guy fainted in fear. 

        "What a weakling.  Looks like that's another gang taken down without any outcome."  Karma took another carton and left the three a note.

        Hey, maybe next time, don't trigger this so called red bastard.  He'll fuck you up again and again!

-Karasuma Karma

        Of course, he wrote it in Korean.  It'd be funny if there was a way without stalking, to watch them try to decipher the note.  Maybe they'd hire a translator for something as simple as a note.

        "Hmm.. maybe writing down my future last name is a bad idea.  Well.. if he actually meant what he said.  Honestly, does he know what he's saying?  Someone as unwanted as me, to have a better life?  Besides that, they might relate it to me being the class teacher.  I'll fix it.  I guess.  Should I scribble over the name or just erase it.  Wait-  I wrote it with the pen they dropped.  There are no options."

-Karasuma Karma,

Chapter Text

        "Well shit.  Two periods are done and I know damn well I'm going to be dragged into that class by Karasuma.  What the fuck am I supposed to say other than the fact I have insomnia and I starve myself to pass out.  They're gonna send my pitiful ass to the corner at this point."

       Karma walked into the hallway of the building and went into the office where Karasuma was.  "I'm back.  Do I have to go tell them now?"

       "Well, yes.  You know what they want is answers that only you have.  Just tell them about the insomnia and answer any questions you're fully comfortable with asking.  If they ask something you don't want to say then decline it and move on to the next."  Karasuma gave a once in a blue moon smile to try to reassure the kid.  It genuinely surprised him how the mercury eyes went wide in shock like he got stunned by a jumpscare from a video game.  As for who was more surprised by the other, nobody would be able to tell.

        "A-anyway uhh-  when does the adoption process have to start?  If it actually works, I'll still need time to pack up the things I need to bring."

        "I got my lawyer on it.  He said if everything goes smoothly, it will take a few days before your officially under my care.  Do you want to get familiar with my house in the time before your adopted?"

        "Yeah, I'll pack up and take the guest room."

        "Guest room?  The guest room is too small for you to live in and besides, why would you be a guest?  You're staying meaning I'll have to make that one empty storage room into yours.  It's bigger and by empty, I mean it has like one or two boxes of things gifted to me that I never touched.  I'm positive that room was meant to be a bedroom since there was a bathroom door connected but, I just didn't care to make another guest bedroom."

        "B-but-  I don't have much to bring.  Just my clothes, books, and study materials.  You know I won't need a bed so, why go through all that?"  Karma knew the conversation was going to last longer than expected since he mentioned the guest room so, he took a seat and properly started to talk.

        "Because you're going to be my son.  Why wouldn't I go through all of that?  Also, you don't need to bring only essential items.  Don't you have stuffed animals or pictures?"  Karma shook his head.

        "My parents never had me play with things since they deemed it childish and a waste of time."  That got the man's fist to clench.  Resist the urge to put the redhead in his arms.  "I learned way too many things for me to list.  The walls were soundproof so I even got to learn a wide assortment of instruments.  I liked drums, piano, cello, and violin the best.  No idea why."

        "Regardless, you'll still get a bed with things to lay in.  I need you to be comfortable and you can also bring your instruments to your room.  I'm not sure if my house was as soundproof as yours but, if it makes you happy, then I'll allow it.  Getting the piano and drums to fit should be no problem.  In fact, I you can play the piano in the main living room.  I have too much silence in my house so I want to hear you play."

        "The piano is pretty loud, you sure?  What if I mess up?  It'll only be gross to your ears."

        "Gross to my ears?  One, it will always be better than nothing and two, why should I expect every piece you play to be perfectly done each and every time?"  That got Karma to stare and stop.  "Anyway, you've procrastinated the talk with your class for too long now, off you go."

        "Alright then, Karasuma sensei."

        "Hey, how about this, once you've become my son, let's drop the sensei thing.  Just call me dad or whatever nickname suits you.  I want you to know that appealing to formalities is not something you'll need to live up to."  Karma nodded and walked to his actual class.

        "Terasaka, can you an-"  Karma walked into the room and was about to head to his seat like nothing ever happened until, "Nuyah!  Karma!  We were so worried!  Are you alright?  Do you need medicine?  Did the talk with Karasuma go smoothly?  Can yo-"  Of course Korosensei wasn't the only one listing questions.

        "What happened, man?"

        "How old really are you?  Korosensei said you were the youngest!"

        "What in the world was the pass out session you had earlier?!"

        Who in the world actually thinks he'd answer a single question like this, "If all of you don't shut the fuck up, I'm leaving for the rest of the day and not giving a rat's ass about any of your questions until Friday, got it?  So shut up.  In fact, another out of the blue question and I'll break the dress code for the rest of the week by wearing the comfiest of clothes I have in my closet."  Karma gave an innocent glare and smile that scream, 'I'll turn you into my next meal if you don't be a decent, civilized puppy and follow my orders.'  It worked and everyone looked like they were facing a demon from another land.

        Korosensei broke the lump in everyone's throat and said, "Karma, how about we ask the main questions that you must answer and then, let them ask any questions that relate to the topic?"

        "That's what I planned to do until you hooligans decided to be as rambunctious at people throwing tomatoes at a comedian."  Karma looked towards Korosensei, "Especially you."

        "Wh-wha- I'm just a concerned teacher!  That's all there was to it!"

        "Really?  You asked questions like if you didn't say anything for a second, I'd get dragged by the clouds to a speed your mach 20 couldn't match."

        "M-moving on..  I'll start the first question, the one I'm one hundred percent sure that everyone wants and technically needs to know, why did you pass out?  We had an idea of why, but we need to confirm with you, the Answer Key!"

        "Answer Key?  Korosensei, you hurt me!"  Karma went back to his dramatic shenanigans, "Do I mean as little to you of an answer key!  If anything, I told Karasuma all the answers so, does that make him the Answer Key Holder?"  He started faking tears to set the mood back its regular one.

        "Nuyah!  I'm sorry Karma!  Need a tissue?  The whole box?  I'll ge-"

        "Jeez, even I don't take overreacting to that extreme.  I don't want your tentacles on anything I touch with my face anyway!"  Korosensei's face shriveled like a deflated balloon.

        "How mean, Karma!  I was only trying to help!  My tentacles aren't grimy anyway though!"

        "I'll answer the first question but, show me the conclusion all of you arrived to earlier."  Korosensei speeded through writing the once erased idea.

Board Notes

Connection (improved): Karma has been keeping his bad habits up for so long, he passed out and let everything he hid slip out

        "Huh.. not bad.  Not bad at all.  You didn't pinpoint it but, you're not far off.  I'll explain the real truth."  All eyes met with the mercury ones.  "The truth is, yes, it was a bad habit but, a habit I can't technically fix.  I'll put this short.  I have insomnia.  To 'cope' with it, I tend to skip my meals.  I pass out quicker this way meaning I get sleep more often.  If I am being perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting for me to black out in the morning but, I had a gut feeling it'd be today so, I arrived without much attention.  I also wasn't prepared for Nakamura and Nagisa to go up to me so that dead voice of mine also slipped out.  One thing I was genuinely surprised about, was the fact you decided to check up on me."

       "We're not heartless, you meanie!"

       "Calling him a meanie doesn't really help your case.  Besides that, of course we'd check.  We want to make sure that even if you're the smartest of us, you get the material given properly to you!"  Isogai told that like he needed to reassure him of care.  Well, he needed that reassurance anyway.

        "I'm not sure about Terasaka, but caring for each other is part of our assassination.  What would we do if we tried to kill Korosensei while leaving others out because we didn't realize?"  Nagisa added the next part of the reassurance chain.  Then the rest came on.

        "Karma, as kind as we are, why didn't you tell us of your insomnia, we would've made attempts to help you!  In addition, why wouldn't you expect others to care about your health?"

        "..."  Karma didn't know what to say.  "Uhm..  I didn't tell you because- well- I don't tell anyone in general."  Korosensei's face turned into a purple cross,  disapproving of the thoughts Karma had.  "I uhh.. I didn't expect you to care because.. uhm.."

        "Well go on, why do you keep stuttering?  This is nothing like the cheeky rat we always see!"

        "Shut up!  Terasaka, you need to learn some manners."  Nakamura's statement got a bunch of nods from everyone.  "He probably needs to figure out his true answer.  Karma, is believing people will disregard you, an autopilot thought?"

        "...Yes.."  Karma looked away from all the sad looks in everyone's face.  Well, except for the monkey lizard brained Terasaka.  "Especially since we've known each other for less than a month, why wouldn't I?"

        "You've known Nagisa for years!  Doesn't that mean you'd tell him?"  Kayano pointed to Nagisa, as if he was proof that the time spent with each other, wasn't actually a factor.

        "Kayano.. I mean, he never slipped the mask.  In addition, who would want to see their true self, revealed to such a big group?"  Nagisa looked at everyone before continuing, "Not everyone has a clean plate on their record.  Kayano, don't you have embarrassing or personal memories not meant to be shared?  I'm sure everyone here does!"

        "I know I do.. way.. way too many.."

        "I feel like my life would end if all my hidden moments were revealed."

        "See?  Nobody would tell them this kind of thing not expecting a bad ending."  Nagisa truly deserved a round of applause after that one.

        "Nagisa..  that's not the only reason I hid it, I'm not even sure if I should tell any of you the other one."  Karma's face met with theirs once again.  It terribly concerned everyone how different he acted compared to what- no.  Who they once knew.

        "I believe you don't have to.  In fact, let's call off this session of depression.  May I inquire one last question before I induce a topic?"

        "Yes Korosensei, you may."

        "Going off of you saying you have insomnia, did you do anything in that time?  Did you study, go out and do something in the middle of the night though, I wouldn't recommend it.  You could get kidn-"

        "Whatever, anyway, I studied a wide arrangement of cultures in that time.  I know thirteen language because of it."  Karma was going to continue on the other things he learned but that one point alone, got everyone chattering.

        "Thirteen?!  What are you, a translator?!"

        "Do you know as many languages as your age?  How does your brain memorize that many?!"

        "Damn-  I wish I had that capacity of memory to learn all that."

        Before any other comments continued, he got their focus back on him, "May I continue?"  Everyone nodded in approval.  "Besides culture and languages, I did instruments since the walls are pretty soundproof.  I went into the garden a few times and learned to rollerblade.  Honestly, I'm surprised nobody noticed I always rollerbladed from my home to the mountain.  I have three different pairs of rollerblades.  I came in today with my violet ones so, don't say you thought it was me gliding on my shoes.  That'd be impossible."

        "Oh.. so that's what it was?"  Okuda was actually talking for once.  "I saw you go to the mountain really quick once.  You changed shoes I'm guessing was what I saw after now.  Since you had no safety gear, I assumed you were running and brushed off your shoes for a different pair."

        "Well, when your such an expert like me, you don't need to use helmets or whatever.  I'll be honest, I never did even when I started.  One time, I fell near the tree and got a permanent scar on my leg."  He pulled his pants far up enough to reveal a long cat claw-like scratch.  "Guess you can call that Karma for not wearing gear."

        "Please, no puns with your name."

        "Seriously, who names their kid Karma?  We're they expecting you to be a fifty-fifty of good or bad karma for your existence?"

        "I mean, half the time he is pretty devious.  They either predicted his personality or he's living up to his name.  Literally."

        "I guess in my parents' eyes, I ended up as bad Karma.  If I was good Karma, they'd remember me.  Actually love and care for me.  I bet wasn't providing enough from since the time I spent nine months in the womb"

        "That's all I have to say 'bout the thing, right?  I'm free to go to my seat, yes?"  The look he gave Korosensei told him that he didn't want to discuss this further.  His teacher being the damn prick he is, didn't allow that.

        "Actually, I want you to explain any home ec. skills you developed!  Maybe something like cultural dishes?  You said it yourself that you studied all sorts of cultures."

        "Stupid perverted octobitch.  I don't want to explain culinary arts!  Last time I checked, last period goes to science!  Now leave me alone before I actually come to school with the biggest dress code rule breaking outfit you'll ever see!"

        "What's it with you and the dress code!?  You don't even follow the code!  You wear a black blazer, not the swe-"

        "I mean I'll break it even more!  Now that I think about it, I might make the octopus show his true, perverted colors if I wear some decent clothes."  The whole class looked at Korosensei in disgust.

        "What's that supposed to mean?!  I care about my students' privacy, thank you very much!"

        "You?  Privacy?  Am I in an alternate dimension?  That pair would never fit you in any way you look at it!  I mean, I saw your porn stashed desk and the other porn stack you have in the lounge!"  Their teacher was caught dead after that one.  His porn stashes, so easily found, by the youngest?  That kid deserved more time to stay pure.