Chapter Text
Asano comes back for PE. They're in the changing rooms when it happens. Asano could have worn a vest beneath his shirt, but he was so tired. Too tired. And, he would be lying if he said that he didn't want to see there reaction to him. Karma was getting changed peacefully when curiosity and concern got the better of him. He just needed to see if Asano had any scars from when the principal tossed him through a glass wall. So he looked. A part of him wished he didn't. There were old and new scars all across his back. There in a place where Asano couldn't have done it himself. Someone else had to have do it. There were bruises and burns and scars and too much. It was too much. He's not the only one staring. They all turn away when Asano turns around and leaves, the first one changed. Karma punches the wall so hard it shakes. "Karma." Nagisa warns him. "You okay?" No answer. "Karma."
"I'm okay." Karma breathes.
They're paired up for PE. Sparring. Karma is paired with Asano. Because of course he is. "Don't you dare hold back. Don't pity me." Asano warns him.
"I won't."
Despite that, Karma is hesitant to throw Asano onto his back. He aims punches at him and tries to swipe his feet out from under him, but can't bring it in himself to push him onto his back. He just can't. "If Takaoka or Shiro attacks, they won't be holding back." Asano quips.
Karma doesn't bother asking how he knows their names. So, he does his best to not hold back.
-
Karma is struggling to get out of a headlock Asano put him in with his arms when Karasuma says that training is over for the day. Asano pushes Karma up and gets up himself. They get changed. Karma sneaks another glance at Asano's back, but he has a feeling that Asano knows that he's watching.
-
It's after school in the main campuses hallway when Karma sees him. Him, being the principal. He's smiling, talking to another teacher, as if he weren't a child-abusing blackmailing bitch. Karma seethes, but has the decency to wait until after the teacher left to run and tackle the surprised-looking bastard. "What are you doing?" The principal snaps as Karma throws them both to the floor. The principal gets up first, because of course he does. Karma gets up, and tries to punch the principal in his face. He says tried, because the principal grabs his wrist in a tight, threatening hold. Then Gakushuu turns the corner. Shit. He looks at them. They look back. He walks up to Karma, removes the principal's hand from Karma's wrist, and replaces it with his own. Then they walk away, together.
"Don't ever try to hurt the principal again." Asano orders him.
"He-"
"I'm not saying that he doesn't deserve it, but you absolutely cannot hurt him. In a fight, he would beat you. Every time."
"Okay."
"Good."
-
"Korosenei." Karma calls.
"Yes, Akabane?"
"Did you really not realise that the principal was an abuser?" There's anger in his voice.
"I understand if you are angry, but is it really me that you are angry at?"
Karma snaps his jaw shut. He'd not angry at Korosensei. He's not even angry at the principal. He hates him, but he's not angry at him. At least not right now. He's angry at himself. For not noticing. For attacking the principal. What if the principal takes his anger out on Gakushuu? All he's done is make it worse for him. He walks away.
"Akabane." Korosensei calls, but he keeps on walking.