The bell rang, and Class E filtered out slowly, Koro-sensei zipping around the room grading papers faster than anyone could blink. You lingered at the doorway, waiting for Karma — you always did.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, the faint yellow stamp on the board behind him reminding both of you of the mission you could never escape. You and Karma had been close long before Class E, long before assassination training, but everything felt heavier now — sharper.

You noticed the bruise forming on his jaw as you walked down the secluded mountain hallway, alone except for the sound of leaves and far-off laughter from the main building students. You asked him what happend. He shrugged like it meant nothing. “Got into a disagreement.”