Obsessive Karma Akabane x Yumi [y/n]

The summer of their fourth grade was uncommonly hot, with the sun blazing in the sky and the sound of cicadas buzzing like a steady hum. Karma Akabane sat under the shade of an old oak tree, eyes darting between the other kids as they laughed and played. He wasn’t usually one to linger in groups, preferring solitude and the thrill of plotting his next mischievous act. But today was different. Today, Yumi was here. Yumi’s laughter cut through the air, clear and bright, like the wind chimes that hung on the porch of his house. He felt a tightness in his chest, a strange, aching sensation that made him restless. It was something he couldn’t name, something that gnawed at him whenever she was near. “Hey, Karma! Come on!” Yumi’s voice, warm and teasing, called out. Her hair swung as she spun around, a playful grin lighting her face. The kids in the circle burst out laughing as she reached for his hand, tugging him into the game. “Nah,” Karma muttered, shifting uncomfortably. He didn’t like being in the spotlight, but when Yumi’s eyes widened in mock disappointment, he found himself smirking and standing up. “Alright, alright,” he said, his voice gruff but with a hint of amusement. The group erupted into cheers as Karma joined in. Nagisa Shiota, the youngest of the bunch, with his wide, trusting eyes, watched them with a smile. He stood close to Yumi, tugging at the hem of her shirt, and she ruffled his hair affectionately. The sight made Karma’s jaw tighten, though he managed to pass it off as annoyance. “You’re acting weird,” Yumi said, giving him a sideways glance. “What’s going on with you?” Karma’s eyes met hers, and for a split second, he hesitated. “Just thinking,” he replied, feigning indifference. “About what I’d do if someone tried to take you away.” The kids around them burst into laughter, but Yumi’s eyes softened, a glint of understanding in them. “No one can take me away from you, silly,” she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. Her voice, gentle and reassuring, sent a shiver down his spine. For a moment, the noise of the other kids⁹ faded, and it was just the two of them. He felt the sudden urge to pull her close, to shield her from everything. But instead, he shrugged, hiding the sudden ache with a forced chuckle. “We’re all friends, right?” Yumi’s smile widened, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes as she nodded. “Yeah, friends. . . . . . . . . . As the summer days turned into weeks, Karma felt the pull toward Yumi deepen. It was more than just the childish crush he’d tried to convince himself it was. She was the only one who made the chaos inside him feel quieter, the only one who made him feel... needed. He didn’t know how to explain it, and he didn’t want to. All he knew was that when Yumi was around, he felt whole. But when school started, he noticed changes. Yumi had to sit next to a new boy in class, a quiet, unassuming kid named Hiroshi. The sight of them talking, her laughter dancing as she listened, made something sour twist in Karma’s gut. He found himself watching her more, studying every smile, every movement. “Hey, Karma, you okay?” Nagisa’s voice broke through his thoughts as he sat under the cherry blossom tree. The petals fluttered around them, gentle and soft. Karma’s eyes were fixed on Yumi, who was playing tag with Hiroshi and the others. “I’m fine,” Karma said, but it didn’t come out right. His voice was too tight, almost clipped. Nagisa tilted his head, eyes narrowing in concern. “You keep staring at her. Do you like her?” Karma’s gaze snapped to Nagisa’s, eyes sharp and calculating. The younger boy’s innocent question carried an unintended weight. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Karma said, his voice hardening as he turned away, fingers twitching with a restless energy. But in his chest, the truth was already simmering, a storm that refused to be ignored. When Yumi’s laughter floated back to him, he felt the need to rush over, to claim her attention, to remind everyone that she was his friend-beestfriend-or-or even that thing called lover,in the future. The unintended possessiveness took root, dark and relentless inside the mind and heart of the child. Later that night, as the moon hung low in the sky and shadows stretched across the sleepy town, Karma sat at his window, eyes locked on Yumi’s house. The glow from her room cast a pale light, and he traced her silhouette through the glass. He wanted to keep her with HIM from anything and anyone that might pull her away. He whispered into the night, words that only he could hear: “Yumi....” The wind whispered back, and he swore he could feel her presence as if she were right there beside him. The intended hurt in his voice was clear, silent but deadly: he would guard her, no matter what it took. And one day, she would understand just how deep their bond ran—and how far he would go to keep it that. The summer sun blazed overhead, casting long shadows across the dusty playground as children gathered in groups to play their games. The air hummed with laughter and excited chatter, but for Karma Akabane, the noise faded into the background. His sharp gaze was fixed solely on Yumi, whose bright laughter carried over the din like a melody only he could hear. Yumi was playing tag with a group of neighborhood kids, her indigo eyes sparkling with delight as she darted and weaved between the others. A boy from their class, Riku, had joined the game today. He was taller, with a mop of messy black hair and a confidence that seemed to draw everyone in. Karma watched from the sidelines, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as Riku leaned closer to Yumi, laughing at something she had said. "Hey, Karma! Why don’t you join us?" Yumi called out, her smile as radiant as the summer sun. Karma’s lips twitched into a grin, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m good right here. Someone needs to keep an eye on things,” he replied, his tone light but edged with something unspoken. Riku turned to Yumi, smirking. “What’s he even watching for? Afraid a bird will steal the ball?” The other kids laughed, but Karma’s expression didn’t waver. Instead, he tilted his head, his pale eyes gleaming with a challenge. “Better than being afraid to take a break. Don’t trip trying to impress her, Riku.” Yumi’s laughter chimed, though she shot Karma a pointed look. “Play nice, you two. It’s just a game.” But it wasn’t just a game to Karma. Not when Yumi’s attention lingered on Riku longer than he could stand. Each smile she gave the boy felt like a small betrayal, even though he knew it was irrational. Still, the tightness in his chest refused to ease. --- Later that afternoon, the group decided to build a fort by the riverbank. Everyone scrambled to collect sticks and stones, chattering excitedly about their plans. Yumi and Riku worked together, arranging the foundation with meticulous care. Karma, standing a few feet away, picked up a thick branch and gripped it tightly. His knuckles turned white as he watched Riku reach over to brush a stray leaf from Yumi’s hair. The casual intimacy of the gesture made something snap inside him. “Yumi,” Karma called, his voice sharper than usual. “Come here for a second.” She glanced up, blinking at his tone. “What is it, Karma?” she asked, walking over to him. He leaned in, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “Why are you spending so much time with Riku? We’re supposed to be building this thing together.” Yumi frowned, her indigo eyes narrowing slightly. “I’m helping everyone, not just him. What’s the big deal?” Before he could respond, Riku’s voice interrupted them. “Yumi, come on! We need more stones over here!” Karma’s jaw tightened as Yumi hesitated, giving him an apologetic smile before turning back to Riku. That smile, meant to reassure him, only fueled the storm brewing inside. --- The fort was nearly complete when Riku suggested a game to celebrate their hard work. “Let’s play knights and dragons! I’ll be the knight, and Yumi can be the princess I rescue!” he declared, puffing out his chest. The other kids cheered, but Karma’s stomach churned. “Who said you get to decide?” he shot back, stepping forward. “Maybe I’ll be the knight.” Riku smirked. “Why? You don’t look like much of a hero.” The words were meant as a joke, but they hit Karma like a slap. His pale eyes darkened, and before anyone could react, he lunged at Riku, shoving him to the ground. The other kids gasped as the two boys wrestled in the dirt, their shouts echoing through the air. “Karma, stop it!” Yumi’s voice cut through the chaos, but he barely heard her. All he could think about was the way Riku had looked at her, the way she had laughed at his jokes. It made his blood boil. Finally, Nagisa and another boy managed to pull Karma off Riku. His shirt was smeared with dirt, and a faint scratch marred his cheek, but his expression was eerily calm as he stood there, glaring at Riku. “Stay away from her,” Karma said, his voice low and steady. “Or next time, it won’t just be a shove.” Riku scrambled to his feet, his face pale. He didn’t say a word, just backed away slowly before running off. The other kids murmured among themselves, unsure of what to do. Only Yumi stepped forward, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and concern. “What’s wrong with you?” she demanded, her hands on her hips. “Why would you do that?” Karma’s gaze softened as he looked at her, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he brushed the dirt off his clothes and muttered, “Let’s just go home.” --- That evening, Yumi found him sitting by the riverbank, his knees drawn to his chest as he stared at the water. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting long shadows across his face. “Karma,” she said softly, sitting down beside him. “You scared everyone today. You scared me.” He didn’t look at her, his eyes fixed on the rippling water. “I’m sorry,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I didn’t like the way he was acting. Like he had a right to you.” Yumi sighed, her expression softening. “No one has a right to me, Karma. Not him, not you. We’re friends, and that’s all that matters.” Her words stung, but he nodded, knowing she was right. Still, the thought of losing her—even just her attention—felt like an unbearable weight pressing down on him. “I’ll try to be better,” he said after a long silence. “For you.” Yumi smiled faintly, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Good. Because I don’t want to lose my best friend.” As the sun dipped below the horizon, they sat together in silence, the bond between them unspoken but unbreakable. For now, that was enough.