Red Yarn (Oshi No Ko > Aqua X Kana)

Karma Apartment

A month had passed after the incident Kana came to the agency. Mem still often contacts Kana asking for her help to provide advice and input about her love story. Meanwhile, because of Ruby's busy life, so no time to contact Kana. So did Aqua who never called her again and asked Karma about Kana. Although Karma and Aqua are still somewhat familiar, but not with Cana and Aqua.

Knowing the cold war was back on Aqua and Kana, Karma as the younger brother of Kana could only see the two people in astonishment.

"I work part time at this cafe" said Karma when he arrived at the cafe special coffee and dessert.

"I thought you were just focused on studying like any other medical student." Aqua sat in the corner of the room with Karma.

"It should be, but I can't. Medical college is expensive, so I have to save up from now on. Despite the scholarship, but just in case there's no harm, right?" Karma goes into a special room for employees to change clothes.

Aqua's gaze now turned out the window, spring was coming to an end, the events within the agency last month made Aqua feel extremely miserable.

He who asked Kana not to contact her anymore, did not see her either. And Kana was right to do what she asked. Painful, because Kana easily said "yes" to her request.

"Drinks..." Karma put the ice americano on the table. "You're having a cold war again, aren't you?"

"What's that designation?" Aqua replied with a soft throb. His gaze only focused on the ice on the table. "That's just the end of our story."

"The end?" Karma repeated the word which made her quite shocked. "Did you do what I said at the hospital?"

"Yes, and he took me across his memory." Aqua replied in a soft voice. "A startling excuse, and hard to accept by me."

"I will not force you, for Cana is a fool. I know he likes you, but he always says hurtful things." Karma tried not to defend or blame Aqua or Kana, but she was anxious about these two people.

"Do you know why, too?" ask Aqua. "Just because of the blue thread, it pisses me off and hurts."

"The two threads are abnormal. Moreover, the color of your thread is not red but blue." Karma now turned her gaze to Aqua. "Fight or stop is your choice. But, don't leave Kana alone."

...****************...

Summer evenings, the sounds of night animals are increasingly heard boisterously. Akino looked at Kana who was busy writing some food recipes while listening to the radio. After meeting her friends, Kana asks to buy a cell phone, but her habit of always taking notes on the notebook seems to be impossible to lose. 

"Dad, is my cooking better than ever?" ask Kana seriously. "Honestly, if I lie, I won't increase!"

"More improvements! But Kana you have to be confident to put in the seasoning." Akino answered with confidence. "You always look hesitant when you put salt or other spices."

Kana wrote in her notebook. "All right, I'm gonna start to be confident."

"Where, lately your martial arts training has improved a lot Taiga-san said." Akino looked at Kana, sitting in front of her daughter. "Is there a problem you're hiding?" ask Akino.

Kana thought for a moment. "This one month, every time I come home from the farm late in the evening, there's always a guy following me. I don't know what the motive is, but it scares me enough and always locks the door until dad gets home."

"How many people?" ask Akino who is starting to worry.

"Every day there is one turn. If you remember about 7 different people every day following me." 

"Are they after you?" ask Akino again.

"Once, but I ran and got away. Every day I practice martial arts so I can fight those stalkers like that."

"It doesn't seem safe here, you can stay in Tokyo with Karma." Akino gave me advice. "It's been a month, hasn't it? If it's true that seven people isn't it very dangerous for you here?" ask Akino to worry. "Dad will often go to Tokyo and work to many places during this month, so for security you stay with Karma."

"But, father.I can live alone, I've mastered some martial arts. I'm not a teenager either, so I guess I'll stay safe" Kana said.

Akino sat beside Kana. "Where, your face and body make people misunderstand. Maybe those who know you know you're two-headed, but not those who only see you at a glance."

Akino stroked Kana's head gently. "Listen to my father, this is for your safety as well. I don't want you to get hurt again. In Tokyo I will feel safe because there is Karma to take care of you." Akino stared softly at Kana. "If you don't want to get out of Karma's apartment, it doesn't matter. You just have to tell Karma. I'm gonna ask Aunt Kisaki to take care of this house."

Kana looked into Akino's eyes. Afraid that he met Aqua who had asked him to leave, he was really afraid that he would have to see Aqua, who was like throwing her away.

"All right…"

...****************...

"Karma!" call Kana while pulling Karma's apartment door knob. "Well! The clean!" peekik Cana's.

Karma looked at Akino and Kana alternately. "today? Not tomorrow?" 

"Tomorrow it's time for the official father. So today Kana's here." Akino replied, his hand was busy putting down some of Cana's belongings. "Wide as well yes, fortunately at that time we were looking for an apartment instead of your campus dorm."

Karma was sitting on the dining table chair, her eyes looking at Kana who was busy going here and there, looking at her apartment. "It's not big, there's also only one room. So you sleep inside, and I sleep in the living room."

Kana runs towards Karma. "I bought you a folding mattress! So, you don't sleep on the couch but stay in bed. The futon you brought is ugly too. So, I bought him a new one."

"Dad bought me a folding mattress?" asked Karma, looking at Akino in disbelief. Akino just nodded her head slowly. "Worse, I asked not to be bought, Kana's turn directly deal!" Karma is upset.

Kana laughed with a triumphant face. "But the mattress is for you. I'm wearing that in your room! Unless you're sick, I'll give you your room!"

"How long are you gonna be here?" ask Karma.

"Ask dad!"

Akino looked at her two children and smiled. "As long as I finish my service. Because there is plenty of service for summer and autumn. So there's a possibility until winter."

"Seriously?" ask Kana and Karma together. "Got long!" continue them resigned.

"Yes, instead of you there being followed by people it's not clear continue to be better here, if you want to go home must be with Karma." Akino explained.

"But, I must have missed Yunyun.." Kana sat down on the chair next to Karma. 

"Your activities here are also free you determine. If you want to get out of the apartment send a message to me and Karma." Akino stared at the clock on his arm. "It's late in the afternoon, I have to leave, because the flight schedule will be tonight." Akino approached Kana peeping her daughter's forehead after hugging her warmly. He also hugged Karma and punched Karma slowly. "Take care of yourself!"

"Be careful dad! Don't forget to eat and rest!" exclaiming Kana.

"Of course, you eat a lot. Don't keep eating instant noodles!" reply Akino with a gentle smile. He hugged his two children again, soaking in the warmth he felt again, after seeing his little daughter who had become a mature woman. And his crybaby son who was already taller than his father.

"Dad, just calm down. I'll eat well." Kana looked at Akino, tidying up the coat and scarf on Akino's neck. "Don't forget to text me every day, Dad!"

"Of course!" retorting Akino, he stepped closer to Karma. "Karma, take care of Kana as long as I'm gone" whispered Akino beside Karma's ear.

"Be careful Dad.." Reply Karma.

The brief farewell ended with Karma's apartment door closed leaving Kana and Karma alone in it.

"Let's eat." Kana's voice swallowed, after a few minutes they looked at the door in silence.

...****************...