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For all his abilities, there’s still something that confuses Saiki.
It’s the nuisances, of course. There’s no other group of misfits quite so odd as the one that constantly surround him like an annoying bunch of flies he can never swat away. But let’s get something straight: Saiki has absolutely no interest in romance or the likes of it.
When his father thought it time and stuttered and stammered awkwardly about the birds and the bees with a deep red flush on his face, there were vivid images that Saiki’s young mind did not need to know of. Listening to Tortitsuka rave poetically about the lusciousness of the female body was enough to tempt him to tear out either his eardrums or his fellow psychic’s vocal cords. The latter being the preferable choice, obviously.
It isn’t just that he doesn’t like it, it’s that in all honesty he can’t really understand it. The urge to be intimate like that. He couldn’t imagine his mouth on anyone else's for the life of him, though he isn’t strictly complaining. He had many questions, like why date multiple people if you’re going to break up anyway? What’s the difference between attraction and love? The answers were beyond Saiki.
Despite his deep distaste for the subject, however, it isn’t common knowledge. Society treats it as something normal, something everyone should indulge in. Brainwashing and re-altering society to exclude such notions was too much trouble, and stopping human reproduction as a whole was a step too far even for him. So like many other things about himself, Saiki had just assumed it to be a personal problem and begrudgingly left it at that.
---
The problem with the nuisances was that this personal issue of his isn’t a problem whatsoever. Though they usually had the annoying tendency to include him of all sorts of conversation, whenever the topic of romance or relationships was brought up they left him alone. It was clearly an action done on purpose, but for all of them to collectively do so without revealing the reason why both mentally and out loud was strange to say the least.
Teruhashi in particular, was the oddest. After their first encounter, she seemed hellbent on getting a reaction out of Saiki. Over time however, those thoughts seemed to subside. She seemed to accept that Saiki wouldn’t gasp at her like the other boys, and reluctantly moved on. She would still do something on occasion, like the time she spent an entire night baking cookies for him, but they were comparatively much tamer to her other attempts.
Saiki doesn’t know what brought on this change in behavior. It wasn’t something explicitly stated, just a transition most people went through the more they stuck with him. Ultimately, he’s perfectly satisfied with this odd behavior, so he leaves it alone and decides it’s isn’t worth the trouble to question it.
---
When Saiki and Teruhashi were randomly paired together for a research project, Saiki didn’t think too much of it. It was Teruhashi’s ‘perfect girl luck’ that granted her whatever she wanted whenever she wanted.
He doesn’t exactly despise Teruhashi, but that wasn't to say he particularly enjoys her presence. Teruhashi always had a crowd around her, gasps trailing wherever she went, which Saiki found incredibly irritating. Her mental dialogue wasn’t as taxing as most, but listening to her constantly preen about and thrive in her role as ‘the perfect, pretty girl’ while forcing herself to act like one was enough to sour his mood immensely.
Aside from that, there were far worse people to be paired with. Teruhashi had a decent intelligence, at the very least. Once when one of their classmates Akito was paired with her, he was jumped 4 times by the Kokomins and was promptly questioned and interrogated for the experience. Since they’ve been classmates long enough that they could be considered more than acquaintances (And Saiki had already been kidnapped), being paired with Teruhashi didn’t cause a total outrage among their class, which Saiki was grateful for.
---
“Alright Saiki, all we need to do for the first week of the project is research. Shouldn’t be too difficult right?” Teruhashi smiles at him. Saiki just nods.
It was a peaceful enough research session in the library. Teruhashi focused on the massive book in front of her and didn’t bother him as much as he expected despite the occasional passerby. Saiki in turn, picked up relevant history books and touched them without his gloves, pretending to read while he journeyed through the various histories of the book itself rather than its content.
And that was that.
---
The next day was similar, though Saiki quickly became aware of Teruhashi's growing boredom.
Eventually, she sighs to herself, but smiles at Saiki. "Don't you think the library's a bit too quiet?" The library is supposed to be quiet. "How about we go somewhere else instead. Where do you want to go? We could go to your house..." Absolutely not. "A nearby mall..." How is that relevant to our project? "Or maybe a coffee shop..."
Okay, maybe a coffee shop wasn't so bad. Teruhashi meets Saiki's gaze and perks up. "Coffee shop?"
"Fine."
---
That's how he ended up sitting across from his classmate in a quiet little cafe Kuboyasu had recommended.
"Well anywhere you go won't guarantee you the peace to study. I say you go to this shop near the parking lot of the mall across from school. Barely anyone goes there, and the food's decent enough." He had told Teruhashi with a knowing grin when he noticed them leaving. “And don’t worry about publicity or anything, I’ll talk to their manager for you.”
The food was decent. Not bad per se, but not exactly fantastic. However, the quiet atmosphere made it worth it, as it was just the two of them and one other table in the cafe.
Teruhashi had finished eating her dessert, and was currently flipping through a history book. She was, however, not as focused as she portrayed herself to be.
Just Saiki and I in this shop...it feels nice. His company is strangely comforting, knowing he's there with a bored look on his face. Isn't that weird...
For once, Saiki doesn't comment. Instead, he bites into his chocolate cake.
---
"So, how should we present our project? Slideshow, poster, a video..." Teruhashi lists the following week, once they've collected all their research. I personally think posters would be good, but people would love whatever I do anyway. I should let Saiki choose instead.
To be honest, I think I care less than you do, Saiki thinks to himself. "Slideshow." He said, just because it was the most common form of presentation.
Teruhashi doesn't frown, but Saiki knows she is just a little bit disappointed as she nods at him. "Alright, slideshow it is then."
To his own surprise, Saiki finds himself wishing he said 'poster' instead.
---
It's been a day since we presented our research...but I still miss hanging out with Saiki. Why? I never cared much for him aside from trying to get him to react to me... Saiki hears Teruhashi muse to herself.
Odd indeed. Saiki doesn't know why she would want to spend more time with him either. Unfortunately it seems he's caught himself planning on spending time at a quiet hole-in-a-wall cafe with a certain someone. Perhaps it was just the side effects of coming out of a routine. They were there every other day for the past week and a half, doing nothing but work, save for Teruhashi's awkward attempts at forming conversation.
Saiki goes back to the cafe by himself after school that day. He orders his usual - he found that their raspberry jam pie was in fact, better than decent - and for the sake of habit, sits at the same spot he and Teruhashi typically sat at - the corner of the cafe, partially obscured by plants.
Saiki munches on his pie and sips on his drink, feeling that something was missing.
It's probably because I'm here for enjoyment, not for studying, he thinks, and ignores the feeling tugging at his mind.
---
"Teruhashi! why don't you join us for ramen?" Nendou says cheerfully at the end of school. Both Kaidou and Kuboyasu internally cringe. Oh God.
"You don't need to go if you don't want to, Teruhashi." Kuboyasu tells her. "Not after last time."
There's a brief moment of silence where they all collectively recall the horrible experience the last time they ate ramen.
Ah, I'm scared this time will end up like last time, but how can a perfect girl reject such a kind invitation? Teruhashi laughs and smiles at them. "It's alright, I'll come along. Besides, I'm sure this time will be better."
No one's forcing you to go but yourself, Saiki rolls his eyes, grimacing slightly as Nendou wraps his arm around him and drags him along without asking for his opinion. Why am I being forced to go?
The food this time is thankfully not infested in gunk or a hunting ground for flies. Saiki only has a small bowl of miso soup, watching Teruhashi. The food wasn't exactly to her taste, but she was still stomaching it down determinedly for the sake of perfection. In fact, she was eating as quick as Nendou, who was basically inhaling his ramen.
Your dedication to your role is something else, Saiki thinks. The miso tastes sweeter than normal. This restaurant doesn't seem to be very good either.
---
They're assigned as lab partners, Saiki and Teruhashi.
She really is God's favorite, Saiki sighs as Teruhashi beams happily at him.
Originally I thought this activity would be horrible, but I think it'd be better with Saiki here to dissect this frog with me. Teruhashi thinks as she very pointedly ignores the dead frog in front of her.
Frogs are just slightly better than bugs for Saiki. Slightly. Tiny poison dart frogs were horrible but it wasn't as if he would find one in his house, so frogs were bearable. Just barely. That didn't mean dissecting a dead one was enjoyable.
In the background, Kuboyasu, Kaidou, and Yumehara were cackling over bad frog jokes, though they often mixed up 'frog' with 'toad'.
"That was horrible, Aren." Kaidou wheezed, though Saiki knew he was partially laughing to cover up his disgust at seeing the insides of a dead amphibian.
"Toadally." Yumehara nodded solemnly before she fell into a fit of giggles. Good grief, Saiki thinks, cringing ever so slightly. Saiko, who was Kuboyasu's lab partner, just stared at them with a combination of exasperation and disdain, but he couldn't quite manage to hide the smile on his face.
Teruhashi was gazing at them, a soft smile on her face. They look so happy. Even Saiko looks happy. Is this what having real friends feels like? I enjoy their presence and happiness, even if it doesn't include me?
She turned to look at Saiki, her smile growing wider. Well, I guess that explains why I enjoy your company, whether or not I'm in love with you, I'll still find your unique indifference endearing.
The sincerity in the words causes Saiki's breath catch in his throat. Yumehara had quickly moved on from her crush on him, though he thinks she's coming to see him as a friend. But something about Teruhashi's continuous affection contradicts his belief that people's hearts could easily bounce from one person to another. This dedication...something about it made Saiki feel weird on the inside, an unfamiliar feeling he couldn't place.
After a beat, Teruhashi falters ever so slightly. Ignoring the weird sensation, Saiki blinked at her, and they both looked at the frog.
Ugh.
---
Gah! I still can't get the feeling of frog juice off my hands. Teruhashi grimaces internally. I think I'll go shopping to get my mind off of it. Ooh! I should invite Saiki with me, I wonder what he likes to shop for?
"Saiki, why don't you join me for a shopping trip?" Teruhashi asks Saiki with wide, expectant eyes. Saiki had been planning on going back to the cafe, before he remembered the insistent feeling he got whenever he went and decided against it.
I guess I was running low on coffee jelly anyway. What Saiki was refusing to admit to himself was that spending more time with Teruhashi would give him the chance to investigate the strange feeling he was experiencing. Saiki gives Teruhashi a curt nod and to both of their surprise, she cheers.
---
"Is there anything else you want to get?" Teruhashi says, staring at the huge bag of coffee jelly in Saiki's hand. Saiki just shakes his head. "Well, I have some clothes I want to buy; would you accompany me?" Please say yes, please say yes, please say-
Saiki gives her a mental grunt. Teruhashi grins. Yes!
---
If you do wear that you're going to blind me, Saiki thought, watching as Teruhashi compared several outfits in front of a mirror, one of which was a particular shade of pastel yellow dress with floral patterns. It seemed to make her constant glow even brighter.
Your hair is blue enough, why are you wearing more? Saiki grimaced as she held a dark blue shirt before the mirror.
After a heated mental debate, Teruhashi frowns slightly, her hands dropping to her side and she whirls around to face Saiki. "Saiki, what do you think? None of these suit me, right?" Saiki gives her one slow nod, much to Teruhashi's satisfaction.
A mischievous look grows on her face and she gazes at him curiously. "Well, since we can't find anything for me, why don't we get something for you?"
Wait what-
---
"I think it suits you." Teruhashi giggles at Saiki, who's wearing a thick, oversized sweater with strawberry patterns on it. Human creativity knows no bounds, he thought wryly.
"Should we get more? These big sweaters seem to fit you well." Teruhashi says, glancing at their various options.
Aren't we here so you could shop? Why am I buying clothes all of a sudden? Saiki wonders. He pulls the sweater off and folds it on his lap. It was pretty comfortable, now that he thought of it. And much better than whatever his parents would have him buy.
He's not objecting to my idea, so maybe I could find some more- Oh! There's a matching pair of sweaters over there. Teruhashi plucks two light grey sweaters off the rack and holds them up.
"How about these?" She asks, then stuffs it over his head without waiting for an answer. Teruhashi pulls the sweater over her and maneuvers them in front of the mirror. Standing side-by-side, the little animals on their sweaters face each other.
Teruhashi glances up at him. "What do think? Should we get them?" She then turns to look at their reflection. We look pretty good together! I hope Saiki thinks so too, would he agree to both of us getting this though...?
Saiki finds he is unable to tear away his eyes from their reflection. Against his better judgement, he tells her, "I guess we could get them."
Something in Saiki's chest squeezes as Teruhashi's grins happily at him, and he thinks he said the right thing.
---
They are paired once again, this time in history class, much to Teruhashi's delight.
Saiki knew Teruhashi liked him, but to continue liking him was not something Saiki was expecting. Then again, he supposes he shouldn't be all that surprised. She was God's favorite, after all, and his attempts at distancing himself from her failed even with his powers. Even after coming to the conclusion Saiki wouldn't gasp at her, she still endeavors to spend time with him because she enjoys his company.
Love. A thing he believed to be both fickle and stubborn. Something he couldn't completely make sense of for the life of him.
Teruhashi loved him. And from what Saiki could tell, it wasn't the same way his parents loved each other, or how Yumehara 'loved' him. It was affectionate in a way separate from the usual concepts of romance, yet different from just a basic love for friends.
"Saiki! How about we go to that cafe again to do our research?" Teruhashi chirped excitedly.
He supposes there's nothing he can do but accept it. Still, he's not complaining. It’s...nice. Saiki hides his smile when he nods in response to her suggestion.
---
"You know, I think I have an idea." Teruhashi was saying the next day when they're at the cafe again. I do know, but go on, Saiki thinks. "We could visit one of these shrines this weekend if you're free. It's only a 40 minute drive from here. I think the teacher would like that." It'll also give me the opportunity to get away from Makoto and spend some alone time with you.
Saiki's mouth twitches downward at the mention of Teruhashi's brother.
"I'm free." He tells her.
---
That Saturday Saiki and Teruhashi find themselves climbing up the stairs to a historical shrine more than a thousand feet in the air.
It's a lot colder than I expected...I forgot to bring my gloves and hat when I realized Makoto was already awake. Teruhashi yawns as she hugs her jacket against herself, and Saiki feels his mouth twitch. And I was up late studying last night...I can't have my grades dropping after all. Ugh, but a perfect girl shouldn't be making silly mistakes like this! Now I'll have to pretend like I'm not worried my fingers are going to freeze off...
A security guard walking down the stairs spots Teruhashi and gasps. “Oh! Are you tired dear? Why don’t you take a seat here.” He gestures to the gazebo a few steps ahead. I am feeling a bit tired, this is a good excuse to use to get some rest...Teruhashi has a polite smile on her face when she turns to the guard. “I think I will, thank you for the kind offer.” She turns to Saiki and gestures for him to follow.
You know the gazebo is a public space, right? You don’t need an offer to sit there, Saiki thinks as he trails behind her. The security guard’s eyes narrow at him. What’s an ordinary boy doing accompanying this gorgeous girl? There’s no way a person of her status would be friends with such an unassuming person.
Teruhashi beckons for Saiki to sit next to him, and he reluctantly does so, feeling a tingling sensation dancing on his skin when their arms brush.
“Pardon me for asking, but is this kid your boyfriend?” The security guard asks, tone drenched in false niceties. Teruhashi, caught off guard by the question, immediately flusters. “A-ah? No, no we’re not a couple. He’s my classmate and friend, we’re here for our history project.”
Saiki finds it curious, that despite her love for him she insists they aren’t a couple. He supposes it goes along with the idea that her particular brand of love was detached from the concept of romance as a whole.
The guard’s smile widens, “Ah, sorry for making assumptions. How about I help you with your project and take you on a tour of the shrine?”
Teruhashi’s eye twitched imperceptibly. “There’s no need, kind sir. I’m sure we can manage on our own. Thank you for the offer, though.”
A fake chuckle. “Of course. Still, I insist. I’ll even do it for free.” After all, spending time with such a beautiful girl is much more worth it. Now it was Saiki’s turn to glare at the man as he takes a step towards Teruhashi. Using telepathy, he sends an extreme sense of foreboding to the guard’s mind. The man’s freezes mid-step, eyes widening. Teruhashi blinks at the odd behavior.
“Uhm, are you okay sir?”
The man shakes his head, a wobbly grin on his face. “Quite so. Now how about that tour, hm?” He inches forward and reaches to grab Teruhashi’s arm. Saiki narrows his eyes at the man, frown hidden by his scarf.
Lay a finger on her and you’ll be lucky to live to regret it.
The man yelps, a high-pitched noise escaping his throat. “Never mind, heh, I forgot I had something planned. I hope you enjoy your trip.” The words are spilling out his mouth before the man scurries off. Some security guard, Saiki thinks dryly.
“Eh? What a weird man...” Teruhashi wonders aloud. She rubs her bare hands together in an attempt to generate heat. It’s still so cold...
Saiki stares at her pale palms, then looks down at his gloved hands.
---
“Huh?” Teruhashi gives Saiki a bewildered stare when he silently offers his gloves.
There’s a pink spreading on her cheeks that Saiki is sure isn’t coming from the cold. “Ah, that’s kind of you Saiki, but don’t you need it as well?”
Ever the perfect girl, will never willingly accept help, Saiki thinks as he shakes his head. “I don’t need them.” He tells her.
There’s a moment of silence where neither of them says anything. Teruhashi’s eyes look Saiki over, searching for signs of cold. Saiki knows she won’t find any. When Teruhashi comes to the same conclusion, she gives him a soft smile, and takes the gloves.
“Thank you, Saiki.”
---
“So, how was your trip out of Hidari Wakibara? Enjoy yourselves?” Is the first thing Kuboyasu says after greeting Teruhashi and Saiki in class.
Teruhashi blinks at him. “Eh? How did you know we left?”
“Social media.” Kaidou says simply, holding up his phone. “A couple people posted a few images of you near some shrine. The photo quality sucks but obviously since Teruhashi’s in it, it still became viral.” He squints at the image, then double taps on the photo.
“Teruhashi, Saiki! Did you enjoy your trip out?” Hairo greets them as he approaches.
“Ah, I did, thanks for asking.” Teruhashi replies politely, and Saiki notes her smile is a lot less insincere compared to her other ones.
“Oi! Give me back my phone you big oaf!” Kaidou yells. They all turn to see Nendou staring at the images on Kaidou’s phone.
“Teruhashi and my buddy almost look like a couple in these photos...weird.” He says, before tossing the phone back to Kaidou.
Saiki then becomes aware of several eyes glaring at him. Kuboyasu and Hairo notice them too because they glare right back. Well, Kuboyasu does. Hairo just raises his brow at the onlookers, which works just as well.
Teruhashi blushes. Kaidou just snorts, looking amused.
---
Teruhashi is swarmed by boys, asking her about going out because if Saiki of all people could go on a ‘date’ with her, then surely they could too.
Teruhashi dismisses them with practiced ease, rejecting them one-by-one despite the onslaught of requests. Saiki keeps waiting for the moment she finally snaps, but it never comes.
By the end of the school day, however, it’s clear she’s a lot wearier since the morning. Saiki finds himself approaching her before they leave the school gates.
“Cafe?”
Teruhashi’s answering smile is grateful, and Saiki can see some of the weariness leave her face.
“Gladly.”
---
There have a few followers on their way to the cafe, but Saiki easily gets rid of them. The bell on the door chimes as they enter, taking their usual spots in the corner of the shop. A waiter stops by and pours them tea.
Teruhashi nurses the teacup with both hands and sighs pleasantly. This is a nice change of pace, maybe I should be more careful to avoid a situation like that again though...
Some things just can’t be helped even if your God’s favorite, shouldn’t you know that by now? Saiki rolls his eyes, but he hides a smile behind his teacup.
A nice change of pace indeed.
---
When Teruhashi arrives at school a couple days later Saiki can immediately tell something is wrong. For one, her skin is much paler than normal, a sickly greyish-complexion rather than a glistening shade of pearl white. There are dark circles under her eyes that she haphazardly covered up with makeup, and her eyes keep drooping downward. Not to mention her hair was a little frazzled in some spots.
Still, she arrives to class as if nothing was wrong, greeting anyone who had the courage to approach her and prancing about like the perfect girl she was meant to be. It’s telling that only her friends feel something was off with her.
“Teruhashi, I don’t mean to be rude, but are you alright?” Kaidou asks, worriedly scanning her over.
Teruhashi blinks at him. “Of course I am. Thank you for your concern, Kaidou.” Ack! Did I do such a bad job of covering up how late I slept at night that he could immediately tell something was off?
Anyone who cares could see it, Saiki thinks, frowning as he watches Teruhashi stifle a yawn. Nendou enters the room, spots Teruhashi, and immediately asks the same question as Kaidou. Hairo notices and quickly joins them.
Mera passes by, takes one look at Teruhashi and declares, “Something’s off about you.”
How did so many people notice! Still, it’s nice to know that I have friends who care. Teruhashi thinks as Kuboyasu looks her over.
“Guys, I’m really fine. I just...slept a little later than usual.”
Saiki can’t help a small scoff. I wouldn’t call three hours of sleep ‘a little later than usual’.
Kuboyasu doesn’t look convinced. “Sure you did. And why did you sleep later than normal?” he asks, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.
Teruhashi looks sheepish. “Er, I was studying for this Friday's test.” And was rememorizing the names of the boys in the other grades because I almost forgot one yesterday.
At that, Saiki’s frown deepens. Kuboyasu tsks but drops the subject as class starts.
---
“Kokomi you look awful. No offense, I just you mean you look more tired. What’s wrong?” Yumehara asks near the end of lunch. She had taken the first half of the day off.
Teruhashi just shakes her head. “Just slept a little later than normal.”
Saiki was still munching on the lunch his mom made for him and insisted he take to school when Teruhashi got up to return her lunch tray. It seemed half the school was waiting for her to do so, because a sudden crowd of boys materialized around her, either begging for an acknowledgement or wanting to talk about some obscure topic with her.
Hairo tries futilely to disperse the crowd, but even he gets overwhelmed by the sheer number of people. Instead, he turns his attention to prevent Kuboyasu from committing a murder, though he isn’t trying all that hard. Kaidou almost gets dragged into and trampled by the stampede of teenage boys. Luckily for him, Nendou grabs his arm and jerks him away from being squashed by two high schoolers a head taller than him.
Saiko is just about ready to call his security detail when Saiki becomes aware that Teruhashi had tripped over someone’s foot as she was backing away from enormous crowd. It’s a mistake Saiki knows she's trained herself not to make, but her exhaustion combined with her continuous efforts to answer whatever conversation she could keep up with caused her to misstep. Some boys notice her imminent fall and greedily reach out to catch her.
---
Of course, that’s when Saiki feels the need to intervene. He teleports right behind Teruhashi’s falling form and catches her, her head thumping against his shoulder as his arms instinctively wrap around her so she doesn’t slip.
Huh, it’s warm...Teruhashi thinks vaguely before she drifts off to sleep. Good grief, you really do try too hard, Saiki sighs internally, ignoring how the crowd collectively goes silent and gawks at them.
“Out of the way ya bastards!” Kuboyasu snarls, prying people apart as he makes a path for himself. Nendou is doing something similar, yelling “Move, move, I wanna see what’s going on!” and pushing people away. Kaidou is right behind him, squeaking out apologies. Hairo is politely telling people to move and go to class, but there’s an uncharacteristically dangerous undertone to his voice.
How did Saiki get here so fast? It was like he teleported or something! Anyway, doesn’t matter since he managed to catch her... Kuboyasu thinks as he finally makes his way to Saiki and Teruhashi.
“Is Kokomi okay?” Yumehara asks frantically as she and Mera scurry over, right on Kuboyasu’s heels.
“I could get a doctor.” Saiko offers immediately.
Hairo takes a moment to observe Teruhashi’s sleeping form before declaring, “She’s fine guys. I think she’s just exhausted and needs sleep. Saiki you should carry her to the nurse's office.”
Mr. Matzusaki comes storming in, yelling some intense running punishment if people didn’t get to their classes within the next few minutes, which has most people hurrying off to their respective lessons.
“Let’s go.” Kuboyasu nods at Saiki, and they all walk to the nurse's office with Teruhashi dozing in Saiki’s arms.
---
The nurse tells them that Teruhashi was merely exhausted, as she had been running on a few hours of sleep the past couple of days. It also didn’t help that she was eating less, and recommends that once Teruhashi wakes up, she should go home to get proper rest.
Saiki feels something akin to guilt in his stomach when he hears that, feeling as if he should’ve done something about it because he had known about her exhaustion.
“There’s no use in taking classes with her mind so tired.” The nurse concluded, nodding sympathetically at Teruhashi. Hairo nods and clasps his hands together, bowing.
“Thank you, Nurse Shimizu.”
Their class president then turns to Saiki. “Saiki, I’ll tell Mr. Hatakeyama you’re taking Teruhashi home so you’ll be absent, is that alright?”
Saiki blinks at him. He wasn’t exactly complaining about sending Teruhashi home but it was odd that Hairo – who always insisted on doing things for others - chose him specifically. And why did everyone else seem alright with it? Did they really think they were a couple?
Kuboyasu must’ve sensed Saiki’s confusion, because he expels the most exasperated sigh Saiki has ever heard. He also sighs internally, a mental oh boy, here we go that’s just as resigned as its verbal counterpart.
“Saiki, I think there’s something we should tell you.” Kuboyasu ushers Saiki into a chair and faces him.
“Here’s the thing Saiki. I’m not sure you know this, but you’re aroace.” Kuboyasu tells him bluntly. Saiko chokes. Kaidou coughs awkwardly. Why are we doing Saiki’s coming out for Saiki?
...What.
---
For the first time in his life, Saiki is completely and utterly lost.
Kuboyasu sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. Hairo places a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and Yumehara continues for him. “It means you don’t experience romantic or sexual attraction like most people.”
Saiki can’t help but grimace.
“So that’s why my buddy always frowns whenever romance is mentioned. Huh.” Nendou thinks aloud.
Kaidou snorts. “Not just that. He always makes a face when we talk about theoretical relationships or anything romance related. And he looks like he could keel over and die whenever someone asks him if he plans on getting a girlfriend.”
...Does he do that? Now it was Saiki’s turn to cringe internally, suddenly knowing how Teruhashi felt when everyone pointed something seemingly obvious about him.
So that explains the reason why they all collectively avoided including him in discussions regarding relationships and such. It was because they all knew about this problem, of which he had previously thought had been a personal and private issue. Apparently, this knowledge was so innate and natural to them their line of thought skipped it completely, rendering Saiki oblivious to their awareness.
Saiki glances at Teruhashi. Now it made sense why Teruhashi insisted they were friends. She knew despite what they looked like, they would never be an actual couple because Saiki would never see her like that.
But why did they still insist Saiki to be the one to take care of Teruhashi?
His confusion must’ve been evident again because Kuboyasu thinks I did not sign up for this, and clears his throat. “You’re probably wondering why we’re having you of all people look after Teruhashi.”
Saiki briefly wonders if he really was the only psychic in the room.
“Saiki, I don't know how to explain this, but you’re kind of dating her?” Kuboyasu makes a face, thinking, is that right? “Actually, I’m not sure. But you’re definitely more than friends.”
Kaidou squeaks and buries his face in his hands.
It’s rare that Saiki feels shock, but he thinks this takes the cake for the most bewildered he’s ever felt.
Saiko gawks at him. “You didn’t know?”
Saiki feels the childish urge to defend himself. “How was I supposed to know?”
“Didn’t you guys go on several dates in some coffee shop?” Mera asks nonchalantly, munching on someone’s abandoned bag of chips.
“They were research sessions.”
“You guys went to a shrine together.” Kaidou points out.
“It was for history class.”
“Saiki, you somehow managed to catch her fall in the middle of a crowd of teenagers when she fainted from exhaustion.”
“...I was being a good friend?”
The gang collectively pauses to look at him. Someone’s in denial.
Hairo smiles at Saiki, rubbing his neck sheepishly. “Ah, I think you guys can cut him some slack. This isn’t really his thing.”
Kuboyasu sighs again, finding a counter to sit on. “I doubt it’s most of ours.” he mutters.
Yumehara clears her throat. “I think we need to clarify something. Saiki, we’ve established you’re in a relationship with Teruhashi.” She looks pointedly at him, as if waiting for him to protest. “But since you don’t experience attraction, it isn’t your typical relationship. You’re basically friends in a relationship with the same commitment any other couple would have without all that romantic stuff.”
“A non-romantic relationship...sounds interesting.” Kaidou muses to himself.
“I think it makes sense. It’s a friendship with more, but it’s not less than a ‘relationship’. They love each other, just not like how most couples do.” Nendou shrugs, before grinning at Saiki. “Congrats pal! I knew you could do it!”
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Nendou, but yeah.” Kuboyasu slumps, but there’s a smirk on his face. “It’s kinda hard to describe but it’s basically that.”
Silence descends over the group. Saiki’s brow furrows slightly. Friends categorized as more than friends, yet not as a couple? The idea sounded oddly pleasing to Saiki.
Maybe it’s time to accept that pleasant tightening in his chest whenever he sees Teruhashi happy. Because deep down he knew that when Teruhashi started to enjoy and seek his presence, Saiki wanted to spend time with her just as much as she did.
Teruhashi stirs in her sleep, and Saiki glances at her. In the end, all he sees is still is her skeletal and muscular form, but now there’s memories accompanying his thoughts when looks at her. Enjoyable memories, warm and inviting in a way he’s never felt before.
Someone’s in love, Hairo thinks, watching Saiki gaze at Teruhashi.
Someone is, Saiki admits, and it isn’t as terrifying as he thought it’d be. It’s relieving, even.
Saiki lets a hesitant smile show on his face, looking up at curious and expectant faces.
“Thank you, everyone.”
+++
Nearly an hour later, Teruhashi wakes with a yawn.
I think that was some of the best sleep I’ve had yet. I don’t feel tired at all- wait, this isn’t my room! Teruhashi pauses mid-yawn and blinks, swinging her headaround to look at her surroundings. She spots Saiki to her left, sitting in a chair pressed against the wall and watching her.
“Saiki?” Teruhashi murmurs, “Why I am in the nurses office?”
“You passed out during lunch.” Saiki tells her with that indifferent expression of his, though Teruhashi caught the downward twitch of his lips.
“How did I get here if I passed out?” Teruhash frowns slightly.
“I carried you here.” Saiki says simply, as if that was something Saiki just- does. Teruhashi can only blink wordlessly, but she finds a genuine smile stretch across her face. Saiki saw I fainted and brought me to the nurse's office? “Oh, that’s nice of you. Thank you, Saiki.”
Saik only huffs in response. “The nurse said you should go home.”
Teruhashi gently rubs at her eyes and combs her hair with her fingers. That didn’t sound like a bad idea. “What are you still doing here then?” In a show of uncharacteristic behavior, Saiki seems to avoid looking at her directly.
“I’m...accompanying you.”
Before Teruhashi can think too hard about the implications behind that, her stomach chooses that moment to let her hunger be known. Loudly. Teruhashi feels herself blush and buries her face in her hands. Ack! How embarrassing. Lucky it’s only Saiki, I don’t really feel like the perfect girl around him anyway.
She peeks out from behind her hands, seeing Saiki give her a vaguely amused look.
“Do you think we could go eat something first?”
---
“Do you actually like coffee, or is it just coffee jelly that you like?” Teruhashi asks, stirring her straw around her drink. She’s sitting across from Saiki in a shop they passed by advertising coffee jelly. Teruhashi wonders if he will ever get sick of it.
“If I don’t like coffee, why would I eat coffee jelly?” Saiki snorts, poking at his now empty bowl. Teruhashi shrugs.
“Chiyo loves mango ice cream but would never willingly eat an actual mango.”
Saiki raises a brow at her. “Then she just likes ice cream.”
“But what if you like pickles but not cucumber? Does that mean you just like the vinegar?”
Saiki didn’t respond, but Teruhashi can tell he’s somewhat amused by the way he partially covers his face with his hand and the way his eyebrows raise slightly. Teruhashi allows herself a smug smile, pride fluttering in her gut.
---
“Don’t you have to go back to school?” Teruhashi inquires as they come up to her house. Honestly speaking, she would be disappointed if Saiki had to leave, but she definitely wouldn’t want to hold him back from class.
“No.” Saiki replies, and as usual doesn’t elaborate. “Your brother?”
Teruhashi feels that instinctive twist in her gut at the mention of Makoto. “He’s out of Japan for the week filming in America.”
Saiki nods, and if Teruhashi didn’t know better, she would say he practically ushered her into her house. “Does that mean you’re staying?” Teruhashi can’t quite keep the hope from her voice as she removes her shoes and turns on the light.
Saiki grunts in that way of his that Teruhashi learns to take as a ‘yes’. It’s strange how endearing she finds it.
“I usually study or practice the piano so I don’t have much for us to do here besides watching TV.” Teruhashi says, making her way to the couch. “Unless you still want more sweets?” She gives Saiki a knowing smile, who only rolls in his eyes in return.
“It’s fine.” He makes his way to the other end of the sofa.
“Well, I have a wide selection of media so you can choose what to watch.” It was a bit of an understatement. She had every possible movie or show available, even the ones that stopped airing years ago. The only thing she doesn’t have were any of Makoto’s shows.
Teruhashi hands the remote to Saiki before whipping out her phone and scrolling through her contacts. There are several messages from her friends, all wishing her well. Suddenly, a text from Kuboyasu pops up.
Kuboyasu
hey u feeling better?
Teruhashi
Yeah, thanks for asking.
Kuboyasu
is Saiki w/ you?
Teruhashi
He’s with me at my house now.
Kuboyasu
ok good
Teruhashi
...
I think he’s figured it out.
Kuboyasu
nah, we had to tell him
istg it was so fuckin awkward
Shun couldve burst on the spot
Teruhashi
Well, better later than never.
But I’m glad. Thanks. :)
Kuboyasu
np
You two are good for each other
Teruhashi
<3
Teruhashi lowers her phone onto her lap, turning to look at Saiki who’s diligently scrolling through her movie selections.
Something sparks in her gut, a boldness she doesn’t remember acquiring and Teruhashi flops onto her side with her head resting in Saiki’s lap, which tenses slightly. She looks up at his confused face and smiles broadly.
“You can be very, very oblivious, you know?”
Saiki scoffs and turns his focus back to the TV, but Teruhashi can see some pink on his cheeks and she can’t help but giggle. She can feel the moment Saiki becomes relaxed with her presence, tension seeping out of him. Her head lulls to the side to face the screen and Teruhashi sighs pleasantly.
This was nice.
+++
“Teruhashi, I hate to tell you this, but Saiki’s a gold digger.” Kaidou says to Teruhashi with an exaggerated frown, looking pointedly at the several plates of cake she had gotten Saiki for an 80% discount. Nendou and Mera were both trying to bargain for some.
At that, Teruhashi giggles uncontrollably, burying her face in Saiki’s shoulder, who rolls his eyes and half-heartedly swats Mera’s greedy hands away.
Yumehara snorts. “Sweet digger, you mean.” She couldn’t quite hide the hungry look in her eyes though. Saiki narrows his eyes at her. Teruhashi’s your best friend, you can get cheap food too you know.
Saiko takes a bite of his own dessert and his eyes widen. I can’t exactly blame him, “It is pretty good...” He murmurs to himself.
“If you want more, I know this place where couples get a buy 1 get 1 free deal” Kuboyasu smirks, easily ignoring Saiki’s glare.
“You guys act as if my entire personality consists of sweets and desserts.”
Hairo shrugs. “We barely know anything about you, except that you’re a massive sweet tooth.”
Kuboyasu grins deviously. “Yeah, I mean, aside from those and Teruhashi, what else do you like?”
Teruhashi just laughs harder and Saiki can’t find it in himself to protest.
---
Saiki had never saw himself willingly spend his time sitting next to someone and doing nothing but looking at stars, but here he was, huddled closely against one Teruhashi Kokomi.
It’s just past midnight, a time where most people have already gotten off to bed. Their only source of light is the moon and a dimly lit street lamp that keeps flickering. All Saiki needs to do is make the stray passerby turn the other way if they were walking towards their direction and they would have space for themselves.
Teruhashi’s head rests lightly on one of his shoulders, arm entwining with his. Her pink scarf wrapped around her neck and obscured part of her face. She’s wearing the sweater that matches Saiki’s that they bought nearly two months ago, a hat that Saiki had personally bought for her sitting comfortably on her head. She gazes at the dark sky above them, mentally gushing over the constellation she spotted despite her serene exterior. Saiki finds that he likes that balance of calm yet excited, silence but not really, a happy equilibrium.
Saiki sips at their shared smoothie, reveling in the comforting warmth of another person close to him. The mutually shared pleasure of each other’s company. It’s strange to think back on how quickly he became comfortable getting into this unnamed relationship with Teruhashi. Spending time with her, buying her things, sharing food with her, things he would vehemently protest against doing yet with Teruhashi it came easy to him. It feels natural and it feels right.
Saiki doesn’t gaze up at the sky. He doesn't need to, after all he has his brightest star sitting right beside him.