Karma and Kiyotaka stare at the running female while Suzune didn't bother to look anywhere else. Karma's eyes glint.

Kiyotaka has his own thoughts as well. ' Anthropologist Edward Hall divided personal space into four zones. One of those is ' intimate space ' zone, with the ' close phase ' therein. The distance close enough to embrace someone else, and many resist intrusion into it. However, there are exceptions. For instance, Kushida. Even if she approaches them, she is not able to trigger their personal space reaction. And yet, Sakura resisted her. She's afraid of connecting her heart. That's why, she keeps her eyes down. '

' I know that kind of person. Even if your meeker than Okuda, I understand, I know that very well.. ' Karma close his eyes in satisfaction.

__________________________

Sakura bows down infront of Kikyo, Karma and Kiyotaka, gripping her bag, head lowering down deeper with sincerity. " I'm sorry to have you involved in this. "

Kikyo smiled reassuringly at the girl. " I'm the one who should apologize. I'm the one who broke your digital camera. "

" N-No, I should have been more careful.. "

The four students decided to rest near the cafe underneath the sun where each tables are covered by umbrellas over them. They then ordered their preferred drinks as they continue their conversation

" Your going to the electronics store in the mall to fix your digital camera. " Kiyotaka said. " I understand that much.. But do you really need me? "

Kikyo giggled while Karma furrow his eyebrows. His 'friend' seemed to develop a case of a harem if girls keep flooding and asking Kiyotaka's help.

Sakuro nervously raise her head to the two boys. " Actually.. "

They then decided to go to the store called SIVCAMERA to repair Sakura's camera. Karma whistled as he silently compliment the inside of the mall. It was sure flooded with students in Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School together with the other civilians. The students then walk towards the counter where a male who wore the same uniform stands.

Sakura explains and nervously place her camers to the male. The students then inspect it before looking back at the four. " Oh boy. This is bad. I see. It's a power issue. Yeah. This is bad.. "

Karma focus his attention to the male. The student's eyes roam everywhere when he moves the camera and his voice doesn't sound concerning or sincere.

" Hmm.. Do you have your warranty? Your warranty.. "

Sakura's breath hitch and Karma move his head to see the female cowar over something, was it the student?

Kikyo looked the same as she tilt her head to Sakura. " Did you bring your warranty with you? "

Sakura let out a weak nod.

The student recieve the paper from Sakura before peering at it. " Oh, it's within the warranty period. " He let out a fake laugh making Karma see through the male. Slowly the student's image started to melt and crack. The obviousness was too much.

" You could have the broken part.. replaced.. free of charge. " The Male then raise his head towards Sakura with a sickening dark face. Karma can see it as dirty lust.

Sakura gasp at the contact with the male. Kiyotaka notice it but stayed silent as usual. ' Indeed, this person would be hard for Sakura, who's afraid of strangers, to deal with. I guess she wanted strength in numbers. '

Kikyo took a step forward. " Can you tell us how long it will take? "

" Two or three days. Yeah, two or three. " The male anwered. He then took out a paper and place it on the desk near Sakura, it said Receipt of Item for Repair. " Could you fill out this form? We need your address, name and... "

The male pick up a pen and lean near her. " Cell phone number. "

Karma quickly covers his mouth and noise at the disgusting act. Almost as if the rotten smell reached towards him. The male clearly wants nothing to repair anything but break every last shed of Sakura's confidence to dust. Sakura's body began to shake as she let out a choked gasp. She take the pen but as soon as the led reaches the name area of the paper, her hand stuck with a hesitant shake.

Kikyo turn to her. " Sakura-san? "

Sakura blink from her daze. " R-Right.. "

Her whole atmosphere change as her eyes focus on the paper. Sakura grip her hold of the pen as she fight herself to just sign her name and get on with it. Kiyotaka and Karma look at eachother before the boys walk towards the quivering female.

Kiyotaka grap the pen from Sakura's grasp. " May I? "

Sakura blink as she turn her head to Kiyotaka. Karma place his hand on Sakura's shoulder to stop her from breathing unevenly.

" When the repairs are finished, please contact me instead. " Kiyotaka then scribble down on the paper which it was supposed to be for Sakura.

The student looked taken back. " H-Hey, you.. The camera belongs to her, doesn't it? I'm not sure we can.. "

Kiyotaka didn't listen as he hand out the paper. " The manufacturer's warranty confirms the location and date of purchase. You confirmed that warranty a few seconds ago. I don't see any legal issues here. "

" A-Are you sure. " Seems like the male won't back out. As he recieve the paper, Kiyotaka and Karma gave each of their glare making the student flinch. He nervously turn his pupils to Sakura who jolted in response.

" Well, I guess we'll do that then. "

Karma let out a nod before patting Sakura's back. " Let's go~! "

He carefully led Sakura away. Kikyo and Kiyotaka bow before following on.

The four then return to the cafe place, Sakura stayed seated immedietly as she bow her head. " Thank you for your help today. "

Kikyo wave her hand. " No problem. It was my own fault anyway. "

" And Karma's. " Kiyotaka add earning a protest.

Karma shake his head with a sigh. " Besides, Sakura-chan, just talk with us normally if you can, after all, we're classmates. "

Kiyotaka nod. " Hm, you've been going all formal in speaking. "

" U-Um.. I.. S-Sure. I'll try. " Sakura stuttered out.

Kikyo smile. " No need to to force it though. "

" I-I'm okay. "

" Sure! " Kikyo then stands up. " Sorry, but.. I need to wash my hands. "

The three goes silent as Kikyo walk away. Karma turn around and see none of the two talk. As if they don't know what to start as a conversation.

' Awkward. ' The two boys thought. They then see Sakura sigh.

" What's the matter Sakura-chan? " Karma ask. " Is there something you wanted to- "

" Um.. " Sakura kept her head low so none would see her expression. " What do you think would be the best thing to do? "

" Regarding Sudo? " Kiyotaka trailed. " You should do whatever you want to do. "

" Whatever I.. "

Karma nod. " Hm. "

" If I keep quiet, I think I'll regret it. "

Karma raise a brow. " What's the purpose of telling us this? "

" Because your eyes weren't scary. " Sakura stuttered out.

Kiyotaka blink. " Eyes. "

" Sorry. It's hard to explain to the both of you.. "

Karma frown. Why is he included? He's scary wasn't he? " If you want advice, wouldn't you want to go to Kikyo-chan? She's more easy to talk to and can sympathize with your situation. "

Sakura didn't say anything as she continued to look down shamefully. Kiyotaka stared at her. ' Is it intuition? She feels obligued to her, but for some reason, she can't fully trust Kushida. Seems like it. '

" You said you would regret it if you keep quiet. "

" Yes. " Sakura shortly replied.

" Well, there's only one anwer then. "

Sakura perked up. " Eh? "

" ' For Sudo. ' ' For Kushida.' ' For my classmates.' Throw away all those thoughts. "

" Throw them all.. away? "

Karma tap his fingers on the table. " Don't burden yourself with all that pressure. Testify in your own choice for your own sake. "

Sakura look at the two boys as her pupils began to shine suddenly. " For my.. sake? "

Kiyotaka shrug. " That's more than enough. "

Karma can see the recognition in Sakura's reflection and smiled.

" Sorry to keep you waiting. " Kikyo then pop out making Sakura squeak.

" Welcome back Kikyo-chan! " Karma wave at Kikyo. " We'll call it a day hm? It's getting a bit late. "

Kiyotaka stands up from his seat. " I agree. "

Kikyo then walk towards Karma's ear. " Can we drop by Ayanokoji-kun's dorm, all three of us? "

Kiyotaka heard and let out a small sigh.

________________________

Kikyo hop in the room as she's about to sit on the bed making it a trampoline. " Coming in! "

Karma scoot away a bit as he spot her fiddling in her bag. " Why your here for Kikyo-chan? "

" I was actually looking some things up on the internet earlier. " Kikyo replied as she grab her phone. She then show it to the boys. " Does this girl look similar to you? "

The picture on her phone shows a girl wearing a bikini posing erotically. Several pictures of the same girl is shown, wearing small dresses that covers half her breasts. Karma's eyes widen at the familiarity of the girl's eyes and hair color. Kiyotaka began to scroll showing more pictures of the girl.

" Is this Sakura? " Kiyotaka ask.

Karma smiled at the pictures, not that he's turned on, just because it reminded him a lot from the past, who's the classmate? Yukiko Kanzaki? There are so many deja vu happening in this drama. The fact Kanzaki secretly hangs out in public arcades, pub, changing her whole character when she's just the same.

" It's hard to say just from the face and build, but.. " Kiyotaka trailed off before giving it to Kikyo a specific photo of 'Sakura'. " That one picture was in one of our dorms. "

Kikyo beamed. " So it is her! "

It actually suprises Karma that the meek girl he met earlier can have so much confidence to do that. It really changes his perspective of her. Karma frown a little. ' Is it just me or everyone in my class has the opposite personality of their appearances in public? '

Kiyotaka continued. " And I thought it was strange that Sakura wore fake eyeglasses too. "

" They're fake? " Kikyo ask. Karma was suprised that Kiyotaka caught on quickly. Too quickly.

" I thought it was me, but her glasses doesn't have a disortion behind the lenses. " Karma nod with a bit of glee.

" So she's trying to hide her face. Is that why she wouldn't testify? " Kikyo murmured.

Suddenly her phone let out a sound. Kikyo take a look at it. " It's from Sakura. Um.. "

Karma lean towards Kikyo's phone. Kikyo then smiled and look up at Kiyotaka. " She says she might be able to help with Sudo! "

Karma nod and move away. " Guess hanging out with her is worth it, ne Ayano-kun? "

Kiyotaka nod.

" I'm glad she decided to trust us but I wonder why.. "

It's been a while Kikyo has been staying with Karma and Kiyotaka in Kiyotaka's room. As a minute of rest, Kikyo decided to speak up. " Hey. "

The two boys perk up. " Ayanokoji-kun, Akabane-kun, isn't there anything you two are trying to hide? "

Karma furrow his eyebrows. ' To think she didn't notice me but consider me as a mystery too? '

______________________

Karma turn around. " Eh? "

Suzune stared at Karma, specifically both him and Kiyotaka with a stern expression.

" What is it? "

" Did you two spend your day off with Kushida? " Suzune ask.

Kiyotaka turn to Suzune. " Yeah, because of the thing with Sakura. Although we couldn't get her word that she would share what she knows. "

" I see. " Suzune trailed.

" What's the matter? " Kiyotaka ask.

" Why do you ask? " Suzune ask back.

" Well, you have quite the expression on your face. " Kiyotaka replied.

Karma hesitate to slap himself, is it just him or Suzune gets jealous by the mention of Kikyo-chan.

" Really? Well I disagree. " Suzune argued. " This is my usual look. Although I'm impressed by how you two could move around on your own. "

Karma jolt as he point himself. Why is he included?!

" Ayanokoji, you hesitate when I ask you for a favor, but when Kushida asks, you comply immediately. Akabane, you follow continuously everywhere with Ayanokoji and reply the same. " Suzune stares at them with slight suspicion. " I'm attempting to analyze, rationally and carefully, the factors that account for the difference. "

Suzune can see both the boys are staring down at her to find what she's truly on about. But the sickening feeling always come back. Those eyes of theirs, are almost the same, sharp, piercing, deadly. She shake that off.

" Oh, well. " Suzune turns away.

" Really? " Kiyotaka ask.

" Anyway, the student council had decided the date, for Sudo's hearing. " Suzune told them.

Karma sat down. " When is it? "

" Today after class. "

________________________

The people who is related to the situation went in the room and take a seat. Karma took a seat between Kiyotaka and Suzune. It was between the Class 1-D and Class 1-C but the tension was high. Karma can see several beat up wounds covered in the bandages on the students, they wore hatred written there but it was silly to Karma.

" We will now hold deliberations regarding the violent incident, that occured last Tuesday. " Akana Tachibana said between the thick atmosphere. " As Student Council Secretary. I, Tachibana, will preside. "

Miss Chibashira smirked. " To think that the student council president would come in over a little brawl like this. Once in a blue moon, eh? "

Manabu Horikita didn't look faze as he close his eyes. " Due to my busy schedule, there are some agendas I'm forced to miss participating in. "

He then show his smile that didn't reach his eyes as he eyed at the Class D teacher. " As a rule though, I do attend. "

" So, it's just a coincidence, is it? " Chibashira ask.

" Yes. " Manabu replied.

Karma tilt his head and smiled before turning to Suzune who looked like a captured rabbit. The fact of the history between the siblings, he's definitely interested.

However, Kiyotaka didn't have to look at Suzune to sense the awkward tensity coming from the girl. ' She wasn't expecting the president to be here. Horikita can't bring out her full potential. '

Akane then continued. " To both sides: I wish to ascertain which version of the events is the truth. Is that acceptable? " She turn to Manabu.

" Begin. "

Akane open her book. " Komiya and the other two, you insist you were called to the special annex by Sudo and then attacked by him. Sudo denies this. He insists that Komiya was the one who called him there. Your versions of the events are contradictory. There is only one fact we can be afraid of: that the aggressor, Sudo injured Koyima, Kondo and Ishizaki. Those three are victims. "

Sudo slammed the table and stands up. " I'll admit that I hit them! But they're the one's who started it! "

Sudo's yelling continues as Karma yawned boredly. ' Of course, to think I don't remember where the male- what's he called? Ryuen warned something to Sudo, I'm sure their in the same class as him. '

Kiyotaka silently watch. ' Having the main discussion be about the injuries, and giving Sudo free reign are both bad for us. ' " Horikita. "

" Your jealous because I'm on the list of potential regulars! " Sudo continued ranting. " And at basketball practice, you always get my- "

" Silence, please. " Akane cut through. " Without the testimony or evidence, we will proceed under these assumptions. Is this acceptable? "

Silence loomed across the room. Kiyotaka and Karma turn to Suzune, who looked eager to stand up and speak but hinder herself from doing it.

Manabu then started speaking. " It seems there was no need for discussion. "

" It's clear from the state of their injuries that the violence was one-sided. I believe I should base my decision on that. Class D's insistence that it was self-defense is contradicted, by Sudo's lack of injuries, "

Kiyotaka let out a sigh and nudge to Karma who nod and pinch Suzune's side. By response of the hold Suzune felt an uncomfortable urge forge inside her as she squirm. It causes her to fiddle around. Karma snickers, he won't stop until she stands up. Suzune finally did.

" Karm- Nani? Ahh- !! "

Several people turn to look at her with silence.

" S-Stop it! What are you- "

Kiyotaka turn to Karma. " That's enough, Karma kun. "

" She's so spaced out, doesn't a physical interaction help? " Karma ask Kiyotaka with an innocent look, hold still on Suzune.

Kiyotaka gave a look. Karma sighed before letting go of Suzune. Suzune rub her sides as she glare at Karma. Karma glare back with a smirk.

" Nani Suzu-chan? If you don't speak we'll lost both Sudo and pride~. " Karma tease.

Suzune blink with a thoughtful look before she cast a glare at Karma. " Hentai. " Karma glare back harder. Kiyotaka got tired of their silent battle. After all, the battle is connected with Sudo to Class 1-C.

Before Karma can continue with his useless bicker, he felt the same pinch coming from the side of his body.

" Kya-! " Karma squeal suddenly. He quickly turn to see Kiytoka's hold on his body, face still impassive.

' Calm down both of you. ' kiyotaka looked indifferent but he's grip on Karma seem to tell. Karma turn to a deep shade of red in embarrassment.

' Screw you Ayanokoji.. '

Kiyotaka turn to Suzune. " Karma's right. If you don't fight, we'll lose. "

Suzune helplessly nod before turning infront of her. " I beg your pardon. If I may, it would be possible if I.. " She grab something from her pocket. " Ask a few questions? "

Akane scrolls her eyes to Manabu. " President? "

" Granted. "

Suzune took a deep breath before beginning. Her face back to the usual Suzune Karma knows and 'love'. " What were the circumstances under which Sudo called you out? Answer me. "

" After practice ended, he said he wanted to talk to me. " Komiya answer.

" And what was Ishizaki doing in the special annex with you? He is not in the basketball club. There was no reason for him to be here. " Suzune said.

" I.. wanted insurance. "

" Insurance? "

Komiya lean in. " Everyone knows what a violent guy Sudo is. He's a big guy too! "

Sudo seeth at his comment. Suzune continued. " You thought he might hit you, is that it? "

" That's right! "

' Such a fake response. ' Karma lay his head on his palm. ' It would be so stupid to think just that if you add aid. There's so many chances to avoid that danger if you think he's big and wild. Plus, the choices of it might be the number Sudo fought with to add more proof on Sudo's violence. But it would also have an advantage of the number of people acts on towards the one enemy. So it's pretty obvious who's lying. '