Chapter 2: Awkward Encounters

Friday afternoon,  Anteiku Internet Cafe, Tokyo

Okuda was in the middle of playing Gun Gale Online  since she was getting bored of S.A.O and played as Sinon; her favourite character.

A waiter in very casual clothes was in the hallway with a tray of food Okuda had ordered 20 minutes before hand had arrived

"Okuda Manami, pepperoni pizza with bottled water?" he called out, she opened her curtains in the booth she was in and raised her arms from her keyboard "thats me,thank you." so with the tray he passed  into the booth she stopped battling a guy named Klein and ate her pizza slowly.                 

Watching as another guy approach Klein and his bar name was Kirito, they were probably friends or something she thought.

She was feeling bored again, so decided to turn off the computer completely and lay in the tiny, uncomfortable bed, she couldn't sleep though. To her best effort of shutting her eyes and pillow over ears she kept thinking about Karma.

We aren't compatible. Why would he run away with me of all people, He's so strong and a better assassin than me.

10 minutes later

Just then she was about to sob but then heard the same deep voice of the waiter "Akabane Karma, margarita pizza and 2 bottles of water?" "yeah, thats me" a familiar voice replied.

He was there. Karma was in  Anteiku Internet Cafe. He was in a booth. He just ordered a pizza and 2 bottles of water. Probably playing a violent game. He was in the same place as she was.

Okuda quickly put her hand through her curtain to take a peep to where he was. She saw the waiter sloppily bring over a tray with his order and a card that said Akabane Karma on it, he was approaching to Okuda.

Wait, was he bringing that to her? he was slowly making his way over to her booth while she was panicking before he passed the tray to her left and then realised that Karma's booth was next to hers.

Karma's booth was next to hers .

                        *******************************Okuda's  Thoughts*************************

What am I supposed to do?

He's next to me and I was about to cry!

How long has he been here?

Did he hear my name being called earlier?

Why does he have to be here?

Should I just leave?

Yes, I think thats the best idea!

Don't want him to see me here

i will do that in 20 minutes, so it doesn't look too suspicious

                         *********************************************************************

She was laying in the small bed, trying to think of the strategy for Karma not to find out that she was there.

She was a regular there and they know her face and name, what if they call it out and Karma happens to hear? It will be too embarrassing if he saw me,especially here!

30 minutes later, Anteiku Internet Cafe

Okuda was playing another game to see if she could get her mind off him again and try not to cry about it. When she thought it was the right time she logged off her computer and wanted to use a technique of tip toeing quietly and as quickly as her small feet could take her.

Ready to leave silently picked her bags in the locker section where people put their belongings. she had sat down to lace up her brown shoes to see black shoes stand beside her,she knew who's shoes they were!

"Hey Manami, i was wondering when you were getting out of your booth." Karma was there and approached her

Okuda looked up to find a staring Karma Akabane.

HE KNEW I WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME!

"I thought something was up with you after the train ride, so i followed you" a smirk appearing on his pale face. "If you wait a minute, we can walk together, Manami"

"We are leaving now" Karma said to Sadie; the receptionist Okuda knew very well and had many consersations with.

"Okay and your name,  Okuda (of course)and you are?"                                                

"You know each other?  Wow, I guess you're a regular eh. Its Akabane Karma" 

"Okuda is one of my favourite customers here" with a smile coming across her face "But she never told me she had a boyfriend!"

"Okay we will be going now, thank you Sadie" she said in a rush as she pushes Karma out the door and gives Sadie a mad  look, while Sadie mouths with thumbs up and smiling deviously.

It is nearly the end of the day and the sun is setting fast

"its getting dark, all of the monsters will come out now!"

"What!"

Just then, Okuda felt droplets of water fall on her head. before it started to rain heavier and heavier, they were in the middle of the street and soaking wet with no idea what to do.

Karma took off his black blazer and put it over his red hair, Okuda on the over hand had no cover. "what are you waiting for? Get under here Manami!"

It took her 2 minutes until she snapped out of a day dream state to go under his blazer he was holding up over his head. She was so close to him and she can see under his shirt for the rain made the white shirt transparent and stick to his skinny body.

            **************************On the other side of the street***************************

Unbeknownst to them, on the opposite pathway walking the other direction Kayano with Kanzaki was  there under a black umbrella.

Just then when she heard a familiar dark voice and Kanzaki turned to see Karma and Okuda under his blazer together!

"Hey Kayano is that Karma and Okuda together?" nudging her in the arm.

"Hey! what was that for... omg is that! "

"so it isn't just me"

" Kanzaki, where do you think they are going together?"

"Where else ... His house!"

"to do what?"

by that comment Kanzaki gave her a devilish smile and whispered "What else than..." and then a hand over Kayano's ear "s*x"

                                       *****************************************************

"where are we going?" Okuda  asked as they make their way through the now dark paths of Tokyo.

"to my house, its the closest unless you know your house is close by?"

"No, actually its 40 minute walk there, but I take the bus"

"ok, then my house it is"

After 14 minutes of walking they reached a newly built flat complex and as they walked through the reception which was newly redecorated; since there was a sign that said 'Redecoration in process' but was probably not taken down, she was amazed by the beauty of it and how new it smelt

                                       *****Looking through the windows of the complex****

"What are we gonna do now Kanzaki?"

"Is this where he lives? Nice!"

"This is quite creepy Kanzaki, can we go home?"

"Are you joking, what if something juicy happens!?"

"Are you sure you're not a pervert?"

                                          *****************************************************

"G'd evening Mr Akabane," the male receptionist said with the most jolly voice

Karma ignored him and kept walking to the elevator and pressed 5. Okuda however bowed her head to the receptionist and said "i hope you have a good evening sir"

The middle age man bowed to her and with a grin from side to side of his face said "well thank you ma'm , Mr Akabane you have a kind women with you tonight sir"

Before she could respond, the elevator doors opened and Karma rushed in grabbing her and vigorously pressed the door closing button to avoid the conversation altogether.

Tonight... she thought... does he bring other girls to his home any other night?

They were in the elevator together

Karma pressed the button 5 and said "Manami, it's raining hard, you can stay at my apartment tonight!" 

Okuda couldn't look up at him, she was blushing really hard that her face was nearly as red as Karma's hair. "um it's okay, i can walk home" " nonsense, it's not like I'm busy here, theres no-one to play with!"

Just then the doors opened up to see a beautiful large apartment glossy and fancy from the top chandelier which spirals down to the grand shiny piano to the marble floor below.

"Take your shoes off, I don't want another shouting from the maid who cleans the house! She's so annoying, Hey! Maybe you can be my new maid?"

"What?" Surprised he said that so suddenly.

" Yh, only if you want to and you will get payed, but you have to wear a maid costume and you can come home with me everyday, so Manami what do you say?"

"Um, i don't think your parents would be impressed if you fired your maid and replaced her with me"

"Oh don't worry, we are rich so they travel a lot while i go school to that octopus head, so i practically live by myself"

"oh, you can say i technically live by myself too, my parents work a lot, i can't help but feel guilty and i understand how lonely it is"

"Well then its perfect, you work for me and come round my apartment and we both won't feel lonely"

"Karma, I don't think you're thinking straight, I can't possibly work for you, what would everyone else say?"

" Whatever, the offers always there, the shower  is an ensuite in my bedroom so you can go take a shower in there and i'll give you some of my clothes to borrow, i don't want my new maid catching a cold"

Not processing what he said before about working for him as a maid and going in Karma's home every day, Okuda followed Karma into his room.

He opened the door to reveal a massive room with a kingsize bed, it was messy (no wonder he needs a maid) but surprisingly smelled like cinnamon. They entered the room and he opened another door on which was on the right side next to his untidy bed.

"so you can go first" he threw some shorts and a cotton baseball shirt to her "here, if you need me just shout but ill be in the kitchen, do you have any allergies?"

"What, no please, i don't want to be a bother!"

"No you're not, Anyway I'm hungry so i wanted to know if you are allergic to anything that you would put in curry?"

"Um no I'm not allergic to anything"

" Good!  I'm a really good cook, i prefer my cooking to anything else"

'Um Um... Ok"

15 minutes later- Okuda finished her shower and Karma has prepared curry for two. They have now sat down in his dining room.

"Hope you enjoy!" Karma exclaimed

Okuda didn't know what to expect and with half curry paste with chicken half rice on her spoon, cooled it down to finally eat it!

"Well?"

a hand on her cheek she surprisingly said "its delicious, Karma how did you become such a good cook?"

"i learnt myself, i told you Manami i don't have anyone to play with; so i just cook instead"

"You really are amazing Karma! I wish i was as strong as you, or maybe spend more time with you and become strong" Okuda complimented

"What?"

She suddenly blushed and looked straight down. What did she just say? was that a half confession of how she felt to him?!

She stood up and without bringing her head up; quickly went out to where her shoes were

"i'm sorry but i have to go now" as she heard Karma walk there

"Why? I was having a lot of fun with you around, don't go Manami"

As she was finding her shoes and kneeled down to pick them up, Karma suddenly pinned her down to the ground.

"Manami, play some more?"

"Karma stop!"

"Please stick around some more Manami!" and just then, staring eyes on hers he leaned in and...

ruffled her head.

"I mean Manami it's still raining hard outside and your head is wet, i don't want you to catch a cold!"

Okuda was embarrassed by what she just thought was going to happen; i mean she did think that he was gonna NO not possible

She was 'glad' that he hadn't made that type of contact with her or how would she of felt but deep down inside she was dying 'what the hell was i thinking he was gonna do!'

"Well Manami, i thought i told you that you will be staying at mine for the night, that was not a discussion it was an order, did you seriously think i would let you go out like that!"

Why was he so concerned for her, she blushed thinking that maybe someone could stay with her and not leave her. She heard sniggers from the red head and turned back to his gaze "Look what your wearing, and you thought you could go outside in shorts and a t-shirt"

She realised then that she didn't consider any of that and acted out of a rash decision because of her feelings.

"You know Manami, you said that you thought i was strong, if you want help with that i have a lot of free time so i can help you if you want, i mean it will help get that octopus's bounty and i like spending time with you Manami"

She blushed *******small P.O.V *********

that would mean s sp spending more time together alone! Just me and Karma at his place

Should i trust him

*****************************

"B But Karma, I don't want to burden you so I'm really sorr..."

"It won't burden me since, you have something i want Manami"

"But then i don't have a lot of money, so i can't repay you"

"Lets just say that if you reconsider that maid offer  for me then i don't need any money"

"What! You're joking right?"

"I joke a lot but not about this, Im serious!" His orange eyes glaring "Well then ill give you till tomorrow to decide, kay" and went to a sofa and turned the tv on

Automatically on a channel and relaxed his arms on top of the sofa "Join me Manami, this program is good, only pay a little extra and you get all the gory stuff" his psychotic smile into play

"hehe no thank you" blank eyes she quickly said "Im gonna dry my hair" and ran to Karma's room

15 minutes later

Okuda was on her phone, since when she was in the shower and the whole Karma debacle she had 8 text messages from Kayano 1 from Sadie and 4 from Kanzaki

Sadie asked about her 'boyfriend' referring to Karma and the others from Kayano and Kanzaki were  the same and 'where r u Okuda???'  'hey??' 'r u all right??'

Okuda was very confused why they had been so concerned where she was but simply replied 'Im fine thanks, at home'

Karma entered the room and tossed a small object at Okuda "here its a tooth brush"

"she didn't catch it and had to pick it clumsily from the floor "has this been u u used?"

"Maybe!" he then had a little laughing fit

"Course not! You think I'm gonna give you a used brush, and maybe some poisoned tooth paste with it if you want?"

"Whatever" and playfully pushed Karma out the way to the ensuite, to which he grabbed her arm and said "I will get pay back for that" devil smiling after.

After brushing teeth and other essential (Sleepy time)

As Okuda said goodnight to Karma who was in his room she was about to walk out and he quickly stopped her

"Where are you going Manami?"

"Um in the spare room"

"Its so much work to prepare the bed i haven't done it soz (sorry) Manami"

"What! So what were you doing when i took a shower?"

"Cooking"

"So w w where am i gonna sleep?"

Karma jumped on his bed, under the sheets and patted the spot next to him on his left "whats wrong here"

She blushed "Well you know, isn't it weird if we sleep in the same bed?"

"What cause we are boy and girl?" putting his arms on behind his head

"Well yeah!"

"Who cares just come here!"

"B But ..."

"What?"

"The right is my side of the bed!"

"Okay then" Karma shifted to the left and signalled Okuda to join him in his bed. She couldn't just walk out on him now i mean he just sacrificed his side of the bed.

Nervously she walked over to the enormous bed and went under the sheets and suddenly felt hot

**************Okuda P.O.V**************

what is happening, I'm on the same bed as Karma

How do i explain this- that i was eeeeeeeee sleeping with him

I can't go sleep

What do i do if i can't go sleep

Karma turned off the light by clapping his hands twice

turned in the direction to Okuda's side and fell asleep in 7 minutes.

Wow he looks kinda peaceful and not an assassin, i like this Karma better

wow now I'm blushing

i could just stare at him if i can't sleep but ...

****************************************

At that moment he was twisting and turning so Okuda switched to face the opposite of Karma and then he finally settled on Okuda.

She was a frozen log and Karma was now sleeping in the side position but right next to Okuda and his right hand was on hugging her stomach while the left on top the pillow.  She was awake and burning up but still as a rock and not ready to move and afraid to cause a disturbance to his sleep.

She was like that (a frozen log) until after carefully checking her phone in the dead of night said 4.00am .

She had been awake all that time without a blink of sleep and then...

******************8.36am**********************

Karma had woken up, arm around Okuda and jumped off forgetting that she was there and jumped back on top to wake her.

Poke Poke Poke... he was poking her face ... 5 more minutes kay?... Okuda mummer quietly to who she thought was herself.

"Whatever, well Manami when you do wake up, I'm in the bathroom"

7 minutes later...

Okuda finally woke up, looked around and realise she was in Karma's bed and going back into the sheets blushing so hard it was red like his hair.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

What she wasn't aware of was the deal she was going to make later that day, that would change her boring life at home to a Karma filled apartment and a maid costume 😮

To Be Continued in ---- Chapter 3: Under two conditions

Thanks for reading xx

**The Chapter name may change, I'm considering others as chapters are always a work in progress**

i got my idea from Charlotte and when Yū stayed in an internet cafe. (episode 7- yes i actually took 5 minutes to search which episode that was 😅)

I'm also very sorry this chapter came out months later; i am a perfectionist so i checked this story like a thousand times ( And thinking the links between other chapters I'm working on) I promise the next chapter will go out earlier... i will set a schedule (news year resolution🎋) 

Arigatō for the nice comments