A/N: Dedicated to my friend (who shall remain unnamed, coz she said so) who pushed me to write this because I won't be able to anymore once I get back to reviewing lol

"But you all should be proud of yourselves. Even the world's soldiers couldn't force me into such a situation. This shows how outstanding your plan is." Koro-sensei's default smile widened with pride for his students.

Unfortunately, no one could share in his delight. To the rest of the class, they had failed. Two weeks of meticulous planning and plotting had been for naught. Despite giving their all, they were unable to assassinate their target.

As the disheartened students made their way back to the dock, Karma watched one particular person in the distance. She had the same dejected look everyone else had. He couldn't blame her. After all, she had been one of the few who'd worked extra hard to earn her right to shoot off one of Koro-sensei's tentacles.

Unlike him.

He'd slacked off, too arrogant to believe he could top the exams without even trying. This was why he'd decided to lay low. Those who persevered deserved their spotlight.

Like her.

"Okuda-san," he called out. She looked over at him. He waved her over. Nodding back, she began to swim towards the docks where he waited.

Okuda took the hand he offered, letting him help her up. Collapsing onto the floor, she let out a breath of exhaustion. She removed her glasses, shaking off the water that stuck to the lenses. A blue handkerchief appeared in her line of vision. Looking up at the owner, she saw his eyes brimming with uncharacteristic gentleness.

He gave her a small smile, reaching out his handkerchief to her. "Here, use it."

She lowered her gaze back to her glasses, timidly taking the piece of cloth after mumbling her thanks.

As she wiped the lenses, she felt a hand pat the small of her back. However disappointed she was at the outcome of their recent assassination attempt, she smiled to herself. This side of his was one he rarely showed, so she decided to make the most of it while they were alone.

"Chin up, Okuda-san. There's always next time."

"Yes. We'll get him next time." She glanced up at him. "Thank you, Karma-kun."

"Okajima-kun!"

Karma abruptly stood as his classmates collapsed one by one. Kayano and Nagisa were immediately by Nakamura's side. He'd already noticed her flushed face when she had bumped into Nagisa a moment ago. Something was very wrong here.

He scanned the rest of the area, his eyes landing on the raven-haired girl who'd taken Kanzaki by the shoulders. She didn't look pale nor flushed like the others. Sighing in relief, he turned his head to where Karasuma-sensei stood, holding his phone to his ear. He watched the exchange between him and the anonymous caller.

"Kurahashi-san!" He heard Okuda's hushed voice. Diverting his gaze once again, he saw her on the floor, attempting to help both Kurahashi and Kanzaki. Okano was wiping Maehara's forehead. Sugaya and Yada were beside Okajima, whose nose continued to drip with blood. Karma clenched his fist. What the hell was going on?

As the phone call ended, some of the hotel staff had brought out futons. Another one brought out buckets of ice. Once the ill students were settled, Kayano, Nagisa and Terasaka gathered by the table where Koro-sensei was placed. Karma opted to lean against one of the wooden poles, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Koro-sensei," Ritsu's voice echoed, her image suddenly appearing on their phone screens. "I've looked it up," she said with a wink.

"Ritsu has done some investigation upon my request. Those who are still healthy, come with me." Koro-sensei's eyes narrowed, his smile widening in excitement.

"Wear something that can withstand dirt."

Okuda watched as Karasuma-sensei barked out orders to his agents. They were preparing to leave for the hotel on the other side of the island. She turned back to the table where the ice buckets were placed. Taking a plastic bag, she began to fill it up with ice cubes.

"You're not coming?"

She turned her head only slightly, catching a glimpse of Karma leaning against the metal railing of the veranda with his arms crossed. She was wearing a face mask, so he couldn't see her sad smile. After tying the bag and placing it into a black bucket, she began to fill up another bag.

"I'll stay here and help Takebayashi-kun. I feel I'm more needed here. Besides," she looked at him. "I'd only slow you guys down. You have roughly an hour left to get the vaccine."

"That's not true."

"Eh? Did I get the time wrong?" She quickly glanced at the wall clock.

"I meant you wouldn't slow us down. You don't give yourself enough credit, Okuda-san."

"Probably. But I have a feeling what you guys are about to do will involve a lot of physical combat. Something we both know I'm terrible at," she chuckled to herself.

He scoffed. "Not everything can be solved with fighting. Sometimes you just have to outsmart your opponent."

He sounded like he was sulking. Using a finger to pull down her mask, she gave him a smile of reassurance. "I'll be fine here, Karma-kun. I want to be here. Our classmates need our help. This for me is the best way to extend that help."

He stared at her for a moment, then sighed. Relenting, he uncrossed his arms and moved away from the railing. "Alright, if you say so. You know, this'd be more fun if you brought your chloroform."

She giggled. "I must have left it in my other luggage, sorry."

He smirked, finally glad she wasn't so sullen anymore. She was even making jokes now. He walked towards her, then tugged at one of her braids. "I'll see you when we get back, Okuda-san."

"I'll be here. Don't hurt yourself, Karma-kun."

He gave absent wave, heading for the lobby where the rest of their classmates assembled.

Okuda jumped when she felt her phone vibrate. After replacing the cold compress on Maehara's forehead, she brought the bucket of melted ice bags to the table where Takebayashi continued to tie newly filled bags. Pulling out her phone to check the message, she was grateful for the face mask that covered her smile.

Akabane Karma: Made it to the hotel. We had to literally climb our way up and in. You're right. You would've slowed us down.

She chuckled, not feeling the slightest bit offended at the statement. She blinked as another message came in.

Akabane Karma: But it's fine. I would've offered to carry you on my back if that were the case. Coz that's what Karasuma-sensei did to Bitch-sensei. We're inside now. Just walked past the guards in the lobby thanks to Bitch-sensei. We have to blend in with the guests now. Koro-sensei told us to just strut around like snobs.

She bit her lip to keep from grinning and started to type.

Okuda Manami: That shouldn't be too hard for you, right? XD

She began to fill up the bucket with ice bags when her phone pinged again.

Akabane Karma: Wow, is that how you think of me, Okuda-san? I'm hurt（◞‸◟）Okay, gotta go. In the meantime, use this time to contemplate how you've been a bad friend and think of a way to make it up to me. I'll look forward to your response when we get back~

Shaking her head, she hid her phone in her pocket before taking the bucket of newly filled ice bags to her classmates.

"An expert in poison? And he knows how to apply it too," Koro-sensei commented.

Karma stared intently at the man who'd sprayed poison gas at Karasuma-sensei. He also knew someone who was an expert in poison. One whom he was glad wasn't here with them right now. An image of her and her braids flashed through his mind. Though he initially wanted her to come with them, he was thankful she chose to stay behind. The last thing he wanted was to put her in imminent danger.

After Karasuma-sensei kicked the living daylights out of the man, he watched Terasaka and Yoshida finish tying him up. When they'd finally hidden him and placed the coffee table over his body, Karma lingered a while longer, waiting until everyone had cleared the room.

He looked down at the unconscious man, feeling the rage bubble up inside him. This was the culprit behind the illness his classmates had contracted. Such a shame Okuda hadn't brought any of her signature chemicals. How ironic and amazing would it have been if he'd made this man ingest a toxin created by another poison expert.

As he was about to leave and follow behind his companions, Karma noticed a bulge in one of the pockets of the man's shorts. Taking out a familiar-looking cannister, he examined it quickly.

He smirked. This could be useful.

Okuda felt her phone vibrate again. She and Takebayashi had decided to switch roles, with her filling up new ice bags while he made rounds replacing them on their classmates. Fishing out her phone, she glanced at the screen, which indicated she received a photo from Karma.

She tapped on the image icon, blinking at the picture of a purple bag with a skull and a text that said "Be Prepared." Underneath the picture was a caption: Finally got to use these!

Okuda Manami: Eh? How? What's in that bag?

Akabane Karma: I'll tell you all about it later ψ(｀∇´)ψ

Okuda Manami: That's not a very reassuring emoji, Karma-kun.

Akabane Karma: It wasn't meant to be, Okuda-san.

She could practically hear his evil laugh, imagining his devil horns sticking out and canine teeth bared. Hearing a groan from a pale-looking Okajima, Okuda hid her phone once again and returned to her task.

She was in the middle of replacing Nakamura's ice compress when she received another message. Taking out her phone, she noted another picture message from Karma. Opening it, she gasped.

"Hey, Okuda-chan. Is that a picture of Nagisa?"

Her eyes widened, surprised that someone had seen the photo. She looked down at Nakamura, who forced a smile despite her condition.

"H-How did you know, Nakamura-san?" Okuda proceeded to wipe the sweat at Nakamura's temple with a towel.

"I caught a glimpse of it through the reflection in your glasses," she replied, briefly closing her eyes. After a moment she opened them again. "Can I see it?"

"Um, I dunno. It looks kinda scandalous…"

"Oh, I'm counting on it. It's from Karma, after all. Come on, Okuda-chan. Please?" She gave her best puppy dog impression.

Okuda blinked. "H-How did you know it was from Karma-kun?"

"No one else would take a picture like that. Don't you agree?"

She laughed. Maybe she had a point there. At least her classmate was trying her best to overcome the effects of the infection. Such was the good-naturedness of Nakamura.

"Alright then. Although I don't think Nagisa-kun would like it if he found out that – "

"He won't know, don't worry. You'd be the last person he'd suspect anyway," Nakamura said, smirking at her. She had the same aura Karma had when mischief was brewing.

Conceding, Okuda handed over her phone to Nakamura.

She immediately looked up the moment she heard the helicopter. From a distance she could see they were about to descend. With a sigh of relief, she smiled down at Kanzaki.

"They're back, Kanzaki-san."

Her friend smiled back, reaching for her hand and patting it. "I'm glad. Thank you for taking good care of us, Okuda-san."

"It's my pleasure! I'm just happy it's not a deadly virus after all." She gave her hand a small squeeze in return.

When they heard the helicopter finally shut down its engines, she stood just as Takebayashi stepped into the veranda. The moment they saw their classmates step out, they dashed towards them.

"Okuda-san!" Kayano rushed to her and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.

"Welcome back, Kayano-san!" She returned the hug, patting her friend on the back.

She looked up right at the exact moment when Karma stepped out of the helicopter. His eyes immediately met hers. He grinned, then gave a two-finger salute in greeting. She beamed back at him, although her face mask was still on.

When Kayano released her to run towards their classmates, she remained standing where she was. As Karma approached her, she pulled down her mask. He smirked at her.

"Hey, Okuda-san."

She laughed, feeling relief wash over her. From a quick once over she couldn't see any injuries. That was a good sign. "Hello, Karma-kun."

He tucked his hands in his pockets, tilting his head to the side. "Missed me?"

She assumed her default position and clasped her hands in front of her. "Maybe. You're not injured, are you?"

"I'm fine. Just tired. It was a long night."

"I agree. Let's head back to where everyone is. The staff prepared midnight snacks for all of us."

"Sounds good." They walked back to the veranda in comfortable silence, letting the noise of the reunited class resonate through the night.

"Ah, which reminds me, Karma-kun."

"Hmm?" He turned his head to her, stretching out his arms and deciding to rest his hands behind his head.

"You have a lot of explaining to do. From the bag of tricks you brought with you to that picture of Nagisa-kun in a skirt," she rebuked him, though he could see she was trying not to smile.

He snickered. "Don't worry, I'll tell you everything later."

She paused, leading him to abruptly stop walking as well. Looking up at him, she smiled, her happiness apparent. "I'm glad you're back, Karma-kun."

His grin softened. "Glad to be back, Okuda-san."