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It was early morning, and class was yet to start for the day. Rio Nakamura was sitting at her desk, chin resting in her hand, staring over at Karma and Nagisa who were talking with each other at the back of the class.
They way those two are always by each other's side, walking to school together, studying over at each other's house, hanging out together outside of school.
Surely she isn't the only one who sees it, right?
“Honestly, can you believe those two?” She asked aloud as she heard Kayano walking past to get to her seat. “Kayano, please, please tell me I'm not the only one who sees it.”
“Can I believe who?” Kayano asked with a tilt of her head as she casually took a seat.
“Those two.” Nakamura answered, pointing lazily towards Karma and Nagisa, spinning her finger around in small circles. “Something has to be going on between the two of them, surely! I mean, just look at them. Nagisa is practically beaming! well, beaming for him, at least.”
She leaned back in her seat and looked over at Kayano. “Something is definitely up between those two. It's just a question of if they even know it. It's kind of frustrating, actually.”
“Are you sure you aren't just imagining things? They've known each other for a few years, after all.” Kayano replied.
“Oh, don't give me that, Kayano.” Nakamura said, rolling her eyes. “Just look at the way Nagisa stares at him! And don't even get me started on Karma, he may actually be worse. Look at the grin on his face, he only gives Nagisa that look.”
“W-well, maybe it's just…” Kayano began, before giving up with a sigh. “Ok, ok, you're right. They're totally hopeless, it's actually kind of embarrassing to watch. For assassins-in-training, they sure lack subtlety. But what are we supposed to do about it?”
Nakamura shot Kayano a sly, scheming grin. “I'm glad you asked, Kayano. I'm glad you asked. I actually happen to have a plan.”
“Does your plan happen to involve meddling?” Kayano asked with a nervous smile, already well aware that the answer was a resounding yes.
“Oh, absolutely. I'd prefer to call it a public service, though. Those two may be oblivious idiots, but they’re our oblivious idiots. And I'll be damned if I don't mess with them– I mean give them a gentle nudge.” Nakamura replied.
“At least you're honest with your intentions.” Kayano replied, with a quiet laugh. “But are you sure you should do that?”
Nakamura shook her head. “Me? Oh no no no, we. Kayano, I'm calling in a favour. Come on, surely you're also sick of watching those two dance around their feelings! It's time someone does something about it.”
“I… well…” Kayano began, her voice trailing off.
There was a beat of silence, before Kayano suddenly leaned over towards Nakamura conspiratorially.
“ok you've got me. You're totally right. The world seriously might end before they figure out their feelings. I'm in. What's the plan?” She whispered.
“That's the spirit, Kayano. I'm thinking we lock them alone together. Could be in a classroom,” Nakamura paused, a salacious grin suddenly appearing on her face “Or maybe in the closet? That should speed things along.”
“Nope. Vetoed. Nuh uh. That's way too much!” Kayano whispered, flustered. “Let's just go with locking them in one of the classrooms together. That should be good enough, right?”
Nakamura clicked her tongue. “Buzzkill.”
“I-I’m not trying to be a buzzkill, Nakamura, I just think we should be… reasonable, you know?” Kayano replied, her eyes glanced over towards Karma and Nagisa with a soft hint of pity.
“Ok, ok, classroom it is.” Nakamura conceded. “I think the classroom just down the hall should be good. No one's going to be using it for the rest of the day at least. Now we just need a plan.”
Nakamura brought her hand up to her chin, deep in thought. After a few more seconds passed, she spoke back up.
“I think I've got it. We'll lure the both of them to the classroom, and then yank them in by surprise! Now, obviously if I went up to them, they'd immediately know something is up. That's where you come in.” She said, flicking her hand out and pointing towards Kayano.
“Me?” Kayano asked.
Nakamura gave a nod and sly grin. “Mhm. You'll go up there and ask them to meet you at the empty classroom after class. Sweet, innocent, Kayano. No way they'll suspect you of anything.”
“I guess that makes sense. Ok! I'll do it, you can count on me!” Kayano declared with a quiet whisper, nodding to herself as she enthusiastically rose from her seat.
Nakamura watched as Kayano marched her way over to Nagisa and Karma, sliding into their conversation with surprising ease.
“...Huh, she's surprisingly good at that.” Nakamura murmured quietly to herself in admiration.
A few moments later, Kayano was skipping back over towards her desk, casually taking a seat, and waiting a few more moments before turning her attention to Nakamura.
“Mission complete!” She whispered conspiratorially.
“Wow, it doesn't look like they suspected a thing! Impressive work, Kayano. I mean, I had faith you could do it, but I think I underestimated you a bit. You consider getting into acting?” Nakamura suggested with a laugh.
“H-huh?! Me? Becoming an actress? I know I did a good job, but aren't you exaggerating a bit much?” Kayano replied, flustered.
“I mean… all I did was leave out a teeny tiny bit of information.” She added scratching her cheek. “Other than that, I was just being totally honest!
“Aww, don't sell yourself so short, Kayano, I'm sure you'd make for a wonderful actress.” Nakamura cooed playfully.
Nakamura glanced down slightly, her eyes falling on Kayano's chest, a look of mock sympathy on her face.
“Well… it might be a bit of an... uphill battle getting your name out there, especially with your… ‘modest’ figure,” She teased with a playful grin. "But you'll have my support at least.”
“Eh? Modest… figure…?” Kayano repeated, tilting her head in confusion as she slowly glanced down at where Nakamura had been staring.
A moment later, Kayano's face went beet red.
“I-I’ll have you know I'm still growing!” She stammered in indignation.
Nakamura brought a finger to her lips. “Shh, quiet down, Kayano, class is about to start.”
“I- you- mghnm…!” Kayano grumbled, giving in as she turned to face the front of the class.
Class went by without issue.
Koro-sensei did an annoyingly good job delivering his lesson, Nakamura tried taking a pot shot at him. Koro-sensei caught the pellet between the pages of a book. Koro-sensei scolded her for not paying attention during class.
An annoyingly good job, as usual.
It wasn't long before the final class for the day was over.
Nakamura leaned back in her seat, sighing dramatically, before rolling her head to the side to look over at Kayano.
Nagisa had already left his seat to go talk with Karma, because of course he did.
“Can you believe it? Koro-sensei scolded me, again. Does he want us to kill him or not? He really should make up his mind already.” She said with a dry laugh.
“Well, you did interrupt him while he was in the middle of answering someone's question.” Kayano replied.
“Kayano! Whose side are you on here!” Nakamura said in mock outrage, bringing a hand to her chest.
“Putting that aside for the time being, we should get ready for you-know-what.” She added a moment later, leaning closer so that no one could overhear here.
“Oh, right! I almost totally forgot. Operation ambush is a go!” Kayano whispered back with a grin, her eyes sparkling.
She and Nakamura stood up from their desks, and as casually as they could, left the classroom to make their way to the empty classroom just next door.
“So, what's the plan?” Kayano asked, following behind Nakamura.
“Well, Karma and Nagisa aren't stupid… well, aren't stupid when it comes to stuff besides their feelings for each other, of course. They'll probably realise something's off once they're standing outside the classroom door.” Nakamura explained, while Kayano nodded, following along.
“So, that's when we strike! We swing open the doors, you'll grab Nagisa, I'll grab Karma, and we'll yank them in! While they're still confused, we'll maneuver around and shut the door on them, locking it from the outside.” She said with a confident grin, crossing her hands behind her head as she finished her explanation.
“Are you sure that'll work?” Kayano questioned, following Nakamura into the empty classroom as she slid open the door.
“Trust me, I'm sure this'll work… probably. Ok, I'm mostly certain. And besides, it's for the greater good. We’ve got love and justice on our side.” Nakamura replied unreassuringly as she closed the door behind them. “All we have to do now is wait.”
A few minutes passed, Nakamura and Kayano waiting in silence in the empty classroom. Eventually, they could hear the distinct sound of two sets of footsteps approaching.
Karma, and Nagisa.
“Oh, here they come!” Nakamura whispered eagerly.
“Shhh, they'll hear us!’ Kayano whispered back.
The footsteps got closer, and closer, until coming to a stop right in front of the door. Their gradual realisation evident in their sudden hesitation.
“Karma-kun… doesn't this feel a bit like a…” Nagisa began, trailing off.
“A trap? Yeah, I was actually thinking the same thi–”
Without wasting a second, Nakamura pushed the door open with full force.
“Now!” She shouted at Kayano, who quickly grabbed Nagisa by the wrist.
“I've got him!” Kayano yelled back, as she yanked Nagisa into the classroom.
“K-kayano!?” Nagisa stammered, almost toppling over as he was pulled inside.
Likewise, Nakamura went for Karma, grabbing him by his sleeve.
“So it was a trap. I gotta ask, though, what's the occasion? Should I be worried?” Karma asked, stumbling forward as Nakamura dragged him in.
“Worried? Please, this is an intervention. You should be thanking us.” Nakamura replied with a sly grin.
The two girls, working in unison, managed to quickly drag Nagisa and Karma into the empty classroom, confusion evident on their faces.
“Sorry, boys, but we think it's time you two have a little talk!” Nakamura said, shoving them further into the classroom.
“We’re really sorry for tricking you like this, but we think you two need to talk…. About each other.” Kayano added, bowing apologetically.
“About each other?” Nagisa repeated, confused.
“Mhm, don't act like we haven't noticed! You two clearly like each other, and frankly, I think I speak for all of the class when I say we are sick and tired of watching you two hopeless idiots dance around it.” Nakamura replied, crossing her arms.
“Oh? That's quite the accusation, Nakamura. Well, what do you think, Nagisa-kun? Is Nakamura right? Do you secretly have a crush on me?” Karma teased, turning his attention over to Nagisa.
“Oh, don't even start with that, Karma! You're even worse than Nagisa!” Nakamura interrupted before Nagisa could even reply.
“This is just you trying to deflect. Again.” She accused bluntly.
“Deflect?” Karma repeated. “Please, aren't you two reading into things a bit much? It's almost entertaining.”
“Yeah, I have to agree with Karma-kun on this. I think you two might just be… imagining things?” Nagisa added with an awkward smile.
“See? Nagisa agrees.”
Nakamura felt her eyebrow twitch.
Kayano stepped in before she could snap back at them.
“L-look! What we're trying to say here is that… we both think you two should have an honest conversation with each other about things. We're your friends, and we care about you, so it's a teeny bit frustrating watching you two act so… dense.” Kayano finished, shooting them a smile.
“...Thank you, Kayano.” Nakamura said, her tone measured, before turning her back to them.
“So, with that said, we are locking the two of you in here. A whole hour. Just the two of you, all alone, with nothing to do but talk… among other things.” She said with a sly smirk.
“Say, Nakamura, what's stopping us from just… breaking out through the window?” Karma asked casually.
“Oh? What an interesting question, Karma. What is stopping you from running away like a coward? Hmm.” Nakamura replied, bringing a finger up to her lip in mock thought.
After waiting a moment, Nakamura spoke back up. “I suppose there isn't anything stopping you. If you're that scared of being alone with Nagisa for an hour, then sure, go ahead. Run away.”
“You really thought this through, Nakamura. I'm impressed. I very well can't have people calling me a coward, especially over something as stupid as this.” Karma said, letting out an almost a fond sounding sigh of defeat.
“Fine, I'll play along. Just know that when I get payback, I will be collecting interest.” He added, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Um, sorry to interrupt, but, what's stopping me from leaving by breaking out the window?” Nagisa interrupted.
Nakamura turned her head to look over her shoulder towards Nagisa. “Hm? Well, Karma, obviously.”
“Karma?” Nagisa repeated.
If Karma’s not leaving, he’s not going to let you leave either. Right, Karma?” She said, now turning her attention over to Karma.
“Obviously. It’d be pretty hard to kill time if my only source of entertainment leaves on me.”
“Anyway, try to not have too much fun in there you two… or maybe do. Either way, me and Kayano will be back in an hour. And you two better have at least talked about your feelings while we're gone.” Nakamura said, turning to face away from them and walking out of the classroom.
“We aren't trying to mess with you, by the way. We really do think you two should talk things out. We'll let you both out in an hour.” Kayano added, turning around and following Nakamura out of the classroom.
Once outside, they slid the door closed, and used a chair to stop it from opening.
“That should hold it.” Nakamura said, dramatically wiping her brow.
“Do you think this'll work?” Kayano asked.
“Hm? The chair? Honestly, probably not. But Karma’s not going to try to escape now, not with his reputation on the line.” Nakamura replied.
“...I was talking about trapping them in a room together.” Kayano clarified with a small giggle.
“Ah, no clue. But if this doesn't work, I'm revisiting the closet idea.” Nakamura replied.
“Then, for their sake, I really hope this works.” Kayano said, smiling sympathetically.
Nakamura stretched her arms overhead. “Well, looks like we've got an hour to kill. How’re doing with English?”
“...Could be better, if I'm honest.” Kayano answered.
“Guess we could study for a bit. Not like there's much else to do up here after hours.” Nakamura suggested, leading the way back to the main classroom. “I'm sure Koro-sensei wouldn't mind a little bit of trespassing if it's in the name of education.”
“And we do have to stay back anyways to let Karma and Nagisa out later.” Kayano added with a soft giggle.
Silence followed as they made their way into the main classroom.
“You did a seriously good job luring them over, by the way.” Nakamura said, breaking the silence. “I could totally see you pulling off being an actress in the future.”
Kayano let out a soft laugh. “It really wasn't all that impressive, Nakamura. Me? An actress? That's just ridiculous.”
“I don’t know… you did manage to trick Karma and Nagisa, that’s pretty impressive. I bet you could trick just about anyone.” Nakamura added with a lighthearted laugh.
Kayano giggled softly, before speaking back up a moment later. “Still, I hope they’re going alright down there.”
“Who? Karma and Nagisa? I’m sure they’ll be fine. I’ll be seriously disappointed if they don’t make at least some progress, though.”
“Yeah… I hope they figure it out, too.” Kayano said with a smile.
Nakamura leaned back in her chair with a grin. “For their sake, they better.”