Chapter Text
Kokomi Teruhashi had always been the perfect pretty girl. If water freezing at 0°C was a fact of science, then Teruhashi's beauty and charisma was a fact of life—no, of existence. Since the day she was born, people constantly tripped over themselves to fulfill her every whim. No matter the fact that she was only 16; men of every age revered her.
To Teruhashi, this was simply the natural order of things. Since she was God's favourite, of course everyone adored her! Coddled her entire life, she never had to lift a finger.
That is, until the morning she woke up looking completely, horrifyingly ordinary.
Teruhashi beamed at herself in a window's reflection. Of course she looked flawless as ever—from head to toe, she was perfection incarnate. Her skin was glowing more than usual tod—
Her train of thought was interrupted by a thud against the window.
Oh dear. Was someone inside that shop? Now that I've blessed them with a smile, they'll come outside to thank me. It's a bit bothersome, but a perfect pretty girl like me wouldn't mind the delay!
She arranged her expression into a pleasant smile, stopping at the shop's door to greet them. A minute passed with no movement. Then another. Her face muscles began to ache. Another thirty seconds passed before she began to walk away, slightly nettled.
They must not have seen her after all. No one would ever make her wait an entire three minutes!
Teruhashi's annoyance quickly dissipated as she approached the gates of PK Academy.
I saw Sawakita-san walk into the barber shop yesterday, so I should compliment his haircut. That should give him another memory to hold onto for the rest of his life. Oh! There he is!
"Sawakita-san!" Teruhashi waved to him cheerfully as she walked past. "Your haircut suits you so well!"
Actually, it looks like a 5-year-old cut it with plastic safety scissors.
"Oh... right." Sawakita said awkwardly, averting his gaze. "Er, thanks?"
...
...
What!!? What kind of subpar reaction is that!? What's wrong with him? Did he suddenly lose his ability to see? D-Did I... say that thought out loud...? Oh no!!!
She glanced back at Sawakita, whose face seemed impassive. That can't be right, since men usually blushed by simply looking at her. Something was wrong... come to think of it, had she heard a single offu since walking into school?
Teruhashi steadied herself and continued towards the classroom. It was fine. One very strange reaction from Sawakita-san meant nothing. Everyone had bad days.
Still... not a single offu?
The hallway bustled with students changing shoes, chatting in groups, and hurrying to class. Normally, her arrival would cause the crowd to part, turning heads and stopping conversations. Today, the current of students flowed around her without disturbance.
Aha! They must be pranking me. Silly them, thinking I wouldn't notice. That makes a lot of sense.
She slid open the classroom door, the harsh sunlight stinging her eyes before they adjusted. A few students glanced towards the door as it opened. Then they looked away.
No one even straightened in their seat.
I get that it's a prank, but isn't this going too far?
Teruhashi remained standing in the doorway. Surely someone...? Oh well, I guess it was time for her to put an end to it.
"Oh, good morning!" she said brightly, stepping inside.
"Hey," a boy at the back said, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Where's Teruhashi-san?" he continued.
She froze mid-step.
"Huh," another replied. "You're right. Is she late today? I hope she's okay."
Teruhashi slowly turned towards them.
"I'm right here," she said.
One of the boys glanced at her briefly, then frowned. "Uh... sorry, who are you? A new transfer student?"
Before she could respond, he turned back to his friend.
H-how rude!
"Maybe she's sick."
"Should we check the nurse's office?"
"Man, the morning feels weird without Teruhashi's presence."
They were... discussing her disappearance. While she was standing right in front of them.
What... is going on?
Saiki had no choice but to put the germanium limiter ring on after carelessly sleeping through the final episode of his favourite anime. Luckily, they were rerunning it that night, but he would not tolerate spoilers in the meantime, even if it was unsettling not being able to read anyone's thoughts.
Oh, look at the time. Guess I have to teleport to school today.
After teleporting into an empty stall, Saiki walked out of the bathroom to an especially grim hallway.
"Someone said Teruhashi-sama isn't here today... damn it."
"How could fate be so cruel?"
"Oh God, I beseech you, bring the everlasting angel Kokomi Teruhashi back to us, even if it may demand my life in return!"
Hm... it seems everyone is in bad spirits because Teruhashi is absent. Not that it bothers me. She probably just has another cold... although I hope that creepy brother of hers isn't the one taking care of her this time.
Saiki slid open the classroom door. The atmosphere inside was even worse.
Several students sat slumped over their desks as if the collective will to live had left the room. He didn't even need to be able to read their minds because the despair was evident on their faces.
"I checked the nurse's office," Takahashi muttered. "She's not there."
"What if she transferred schools?" a girl whispered.
"Don't say something so horrifying!"
He stepped inside.
Honestly, people are being a bit dramatic. School hasn't even started yet.
He walked towards his desk.
"Saiki-kun!"
A girl hurried toward him.
Teruhashi? No, she's very evidently not here.
Saiki blinked rapidly in order to prevent his x-ray vision from activating. Neatly brushed blue hair, perfectly pressed uniform, and a radiant smile. It was Teruhashi. She must have just arrived. It's a lot harder to differentiate people when you can't hear their thoughts.
He took his seat.
"Good morning, Teruhashi-san."
Teruhashi nearly collapsed with relief. "Finally! Someone normal!"
Huh?
"Saiki-kun, something strange is happening!" she whispered urgently, leaning closer. "Everyone is acting like they can't see me! They keep asking where I am even though I'm standing right in front of them. Someone asked me if I was a transfer student!"
She must actually be sick. Why did she push herself and come here if she was going to imagine things?
"Hey pal!" Nendou called out from the other side of the classroom. "Who're you talking to?"
"This is Teruhashi-san," Saiki replied flatly. Nendou is an idiot, but forgetting Teruhashi is a bit shocking.
The room went silent.
"Eh? No it isn't," Nendou said. "Oh! I get it. That girl must have the same name as our Teruhashi-san."
"S-Saiki-kun..." Teruhashi's voice quivered.
Good grief. This is going to be annoying.