Chapter Text
Karma stands, at the edge of the tree that grows sideways off of the cliff (It won't fall and it is strong, you will, so what does that say?), frowning. Nagisa is behind him, he knows this (Would he be hurt, would he cry, would he follow you dow-). The whoosh of wind means that Korosensei has finally arrived, good. Swiveling on his heel, he plasters on a grin (Actor, now aren't you?) as he faces him. The gun in his pocket itches his skin from where it is positioned (Or are you imagining it?), and he wants, quite desperately to take it out already (Is Korosensei talking? He can't tell, can't think past the way his heart thrums in his chest).
"I'd just like to confirm it, but Korosensei, you're a teacher, right?" He forces his voice to be calm, to hide the way he feels like screaming, or crying (Or fallin-). He stands, and forces himself to watch the expression on his face (Wants to see what he looks like when he lies, seconds before he di-). The adrenaline that pumps in his veins makes it hard to think, is Nagisa looking at him (Can't tell, won't need to once you jum-).
"Yes." The confusion that plays on Korosensei's face is so visible (Doesn't he know that you can't show how you feel, can't be weak or they'll tear you down?) you could see it a mile away. In the edges of his vision, Nagisa seems to look the same, but it mixes with enough concern that Karma wants to step forward and never take a step back (Liar, the voice in his head hisses.).
"So would a teacher put his life on the line to protect his students?" The timing between the response is perfectly calculated, not too fast and not too soon, nothing conspicuous (Can't afford to be caught yet, now can you?). The phrasing is something he has practiced in his mind on repeat the whole day, nothing that would hint too much at his true feelings (The need to fall is building, the urge to just jump without responding grows in the frantic corners of his mind.).
"Of course. A teacher's a teacher, after all." It is everything Karma needs, (Ignore the concern on their expressions, the confused tilt in Korosensei's voice, the way Nagisa is taking a step closer.) to whip the gun out of his pocket, stop the itching in his skin, and fall.