Chapter 11: Mother?

[Flashback: "When can i kiss you...Manami?" Karma spoke softly to the sleeping beauty and kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams"]

*********4 am********

The apartment was ghost-silent, Karma snuggled peacefully next to Okuda until something startled him; waking him from his slumber.

Something was off to Karma as he listened warily taking a school gun from his bedside draw. He looked at Okuda who was smiling peacefully in her sleep.

'I got to keep her safe' he thought and moved like a snake to the empty hallway. 

Karma's eyes shot to the kitchen as he heard the small rattle of cups. 

He approached behind the kitchen door frame and switched the light on quickly before pointing the gun at....

"You?" Karma looked surprised 

She got a fright and screamed "AHHHH" dropping the cup she was holding and letting it smack the table.

"K..Karma?" she asked still shocked a little shook form the ordeal

Karma relaxed and put the gun down looking to the side in annoyance in presence of his mother.

" What is my son doing with a gun! Where did you get this Karma?" she barked angrily 

"What are you doing here?"

Karma's mother had a youthful glow, her hair was glossy red just the same as Karma's and her skin was fair and her hazel eyes gleamed yet she was in her mid-40's. Her and her husband's demanding jobs prevented any bonding time with Karma and so this was their first face to face conversation in 2 years. 

After a short pause she answered " Well this is my house too right? I pay for your luxury Karma. Is it a sin to see my son?" pointing at him sternly

"then what everybody says is true...I'm a son of a B*tch" He hissed at the woman

She was hurt by his mean remarks " K..Karma how could you say that about your mother! I might not have raised you but I provide you with the means of everything you need!" she defended herself 

"Yeah so. Just leave already, I don't need you! I have another woman in my life" He turned his way back to his room and before he traced back to his room he said this to the woman 

"You should go before the sun goes up...don't want Manami finding out...you're my mother!" 

The last thing he said stung her hard and so she was left to collect her thoughts 

"Manami?" she asked in confusion to herself

******Repeat Okuda perspective*******

Okuda Awoke to the sound of the woman screaming and hid under the duvet.

'What was that?' her eyes searching around the room to see Karma disappeared 

"Karma?" she whispered but no saw no reply 

faint murmurs outside could be heard and so Okuda tiptoed to the door and opened it quietly. 

She saw the light disperse from the kitchen and Karma was standing near the doorway 

'He's up?' she thought 'talking to a woman?' many ideas floated around in her head but she didn't want to interrupt. 

She saw Karma turn into the hallway and nearly closed the door leaving only a small crack to hear the rest. 

"You should go before the sun goes up...don't want Manami finding out...you're my mother!"

'Huh' she was shocked 'Mother?' 

Before she could move anymore the door opened wide and revealed Karma, Okuda couldn't say anything and they stared at each other for 5 minutes

"Manami, Don't ask any questions...please" he shifted his eyes away

"ok" she said her head was down feeling bad for eaves dropping.

He ruffled her bed hair and sat quietly on the bed's edge. 

"Karma?" she asked quietly and he moaned as a response 

"I'm thirsty" she said touching her throat 

He sat up and looked at her "What do you mean thirsty? Like water or .......?"

She understood now the double meaning of it and her cheeks reddened 

"I...I mean water Karma!" 

he smirked "just kidding, get some then!" 

"But your...um" Okuda didn't want to say mother in case it made him angry. Karma forgot she was there and thought about it for a few minutes before responding.

"I'll go with you so don't be startled if you meet her" He stood up and grabbed her hand dragging her to the kitchen. 

Fortunately for Karma, the woman left the kitchen and he poured Okuda a glass of cold water from the fridge. 

"Want an early snack?" He asked her but Okuda shook her head "No thank you"

He walked closer to her and ran his fingers through her purple strands

"Manami, can I hug you?" he asked suddenly 

"o...okay" Okuda went into his open arms, her small hands gripping onto his back shoulders. 

"You're too cute for this world Manami" the words surprised her  'why was he being this nice to her?' she thought. Okuda really liked the side to Karma. 

They didn't know the woman saw them and had been watching them since they got into the kitchen. She had her luggage ready to leave before stumbling in on them, intrigued by the girl hugging her son so tightly. 

Karma turned his head to face hers with a glare. 

When Okuda looked up at Karma she glanced his direction and finally saw the woman. 

Her eyes widen in startle and she let go Karma and immediately bowed 

The red head woman reciprocated and bowed "Manami-san?"  she was surprised to know where name "uh...my name is Manami Okuda. Nice to meet you"  

" Nice to meet you. My name is Satomi Akabane, Karma's...mother." 

"Cut the crap, stop calling yourself my mother" Karma turned angry once more and his blood boiled when he heard the word. 

Okuda grabbed his arm, he looked as if he was going to hit her. 

Satomi tried to ignore Karma's burst of anger and continued her conversation with Okuda 

"I see you live here. I don't have a problem with it because I see Karma's not lonely. Please treat him well" She bowed respectfully

"I shall go now, I don't want to be troublesome for you two" 

Okuda being nice responded " But Mrs Akabane, where will you go at this hour?" 

"To hell" Karma responded but was ignored again.  

"Oh honey, don't worry about me. I went back to Japan to do some paper work but when I'm done I will go. Just like you asked Karma-kun" she smiled lightly however it faded almost immediately. 

"He's right, you're really cute Okuda-san" Satomi had a bright smile now. She was happy her son at least accepted someone into his lonesome life and that she was a cute pretty person.  

"Will...will you at least join us for breakfast?" Okuda asked politely however at the expense of making Karma the hulk. 

"WHAT! No" Karma refused 

"C'mon Karma. Mrs Akabane came all this way!" she tugged his arm 

" daughter in law?" Mrs Akabane couldn't hide her delight  

"I approve of you being my daughter in law, Such a sweet girl. I've never been treated with so much respect." Satomi made her way to hug Okuda catching her by surprise. Her face had happy tears running down. Another side of Karma's mother appeared. 

"um...thank you Mrs Akabane" Okuda didn't know what to say 

Satomi got onto her knees "Okuda-san, please be my daughter in law! Take care of my son diligently and make sure you make a lot of grandchildren" 

Okuda looked at Karma who was cringing...cringing hard. 

"Please get up Mrs Akabane" she offered a hand for her which made Satomi feel grateful and puppy eyes appeared from joy. 

"Karma...just breakfast" Okuda pleaded 

"You two can have breakfast...i'm not spending anymore time with her" Karma left them in the kitchen and went to bed. 

"Stay the night Mrs Akabane. I can set you up the blanket for the spare room" Okuda offered 

"Thank you, Can I use -kun?" 

"um...ok" she nodded 

"Okuda-kun, I like it"

********20 min*******

After Okuda set out the bed for Mrs Akabane, she went back to Karma's room.

When she closed the door she made sure to do it as silently as possible but Karma was still awake. 

"Manami" she shot a look at him. He was sitting on the bed staring back at her thinking deeply 

"Why are you doing this? I don't want to see her again!" 

"I'm sorry Karma that you don't like this. And you might hate me for saying this but, Why do you despise her so much?" 

Karma sighed " I don't have parents! There is no reason to even go to Japan for them unless it's business. Do you not realise? I'm worthless to them. They don't care about anyone but themselves. I have nothing to say to them"

The tension was high in the room and the silence over bearing for Okuda.

Okuda felt upset and was teary eyed "I'm sorry Karma, forgive me I was trying to be nice" she went into his arms "I didn't know you hated them that much"

"well I didn't tell anyone anyway" Karma reassured her 

"We can send her off after breakfast Karma" hoping he would accept 

After a long pause he responded "Fine, i'm doing it for you Manami. But I can't promise you anything" 

"No that's fine. Thank you Karma" she hugged him, making him land on the bed.

"Let's go to sleep now I'm tired" Karma yawned. 

*******8am*******

"Where are we going for breakfast Okuda-kun?" Satomi asked eagerly 

"well we could go to a small diner or somewhere. Karma?" 

"I don't care just choose anywhere" he sighed impatiently 

"I think we should try something new" Okuda smiled 

"Great idea" Satomi clapped her hands in excitement "Day out with my daughter in law and son"  

Karma and Okuda looked at each other, Okuda confused and blushing while Karma's look was to just ignore it. 

After asking the kind taxi driver, he took the three 15 minutes away to a  small street. It was an unknown pancake cafe which he quoted "was the only food to make him cry it was that good" 

The location was a little odd for Satori's liking, being squished between a tattoo parlour and  tool repair shop. 

The cafe inside however, was very spacious and had a homely interior. 

Satori ordered honey and sugar glazed triple pancakes with a cappuccino while Okuda ordered triple pancake with whipped cream layering and a mixed berry side with honey sauce (mouth water) which she would share with Karma but he also ordered caffe mocha. 

They sat at a flower patterned couch which had velvet pillows.

"Don't you just love cafes? <3" Satori asked taking in the fresh coffee scent eluding around the room.  

" Yes, I love sitting in cafes" Okuda laughed sweetly which made Karma break a small smile. Satori saw the smile and she gleamed, she had thought he once forgotten to smile with her.

******Flashback 10 years ago*******

Satori had just gotten back from the airport, bags under her eyes from not getting a wink of sleep on the 3 hour jet flight. 

She made her way home miserably, looking out into dark grey clouds ready to pop with rain. Rain always made her feel miserable. 

When she finally made it to the Akabane Apartment, it had already been 8pm and she was starving yet exhausted. When the elevator door opened, a very young 5 year old Karma sat peacefully asleep near the shoe area. 

He had been waiting for his mother to arrive home from her trip and had drawn a family picture on a half scrupled piece of paper. It was tightly held in hands and was addressed: To Mum

He had just woken up and the red headed boy smiled brightly "Mum" 

She welcomed him with a warm embrace - a memory she thinks of frequently when alone.

Oh how she wished he was as happy as back then, but his young innocence she thought he had lost came back the the was with Okuda-san.

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

They had a delicious breakfast in which both Satori and Okuda enjoyed and promised to come back next time she was back in Japan. 

15 minutes later... Town centre 

"Well thank you Okuda-kun, I had a lovely time, I hope to see you again honey and you Karma; I hope...we could talk more. I'll send you both beautiful gifts ok" she bowed politely 

"I hope you can visit more often Mrs Akabane, Farewell" Okuda bowed respectfully 

They looked at Karma who was straight faced and only said this "Thank you for approving Manami, If you do come back...at least send a notice" he looked away after that.

Satori was touched and touched his face, he didn't react but she still felt warm hearted. 

"See you later" and so Mrs Akabane left the couple, she occasionally wave at them as they stood there. 

After finishing up with some business, she would have to fly to Philippines. She refused to burden them on a Saturday with going to the airport and they parted ways until she was out of sight, hidden by the crowd passing her by. 

"Are you ok Karma?" Okuda looked up, she couldn't read Karma's expression. 

"Manami, I'm not glad you did this but...you handled my mother well, she likes you enough to give her blessings" 

"mother?" she asked shocked 

Karma only noticed now 

" you called her mother?" 

He realised and Okuda swear she saw his eyes pop for a second or two 

"forget everything you heard" he panicked 

Okuda only laughed at him "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone" she put a finger to her lips 

Karma swung his arm around her shoulders and they began to walk on "Better not" 

They walked around shopping for a few hours letting the day pass them by happily.  

They walked around shopping for a few hours letting the day pass them by happily.

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

Hey guys,

Fact: I had no clue about coffee or what coffee things you buy so I had to google that - well...except Chai tea which I got to say is the sh*t like bruhhh it smell so beautiful

I'm up for any anime references I like to put in the fanfic so please suggest something you might like to appear ;)

To Be Continued in: A Warning!

See you soon xx