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“What did you do this weekend?” Kaidou asked Kuboyasu as the two leaned back in their seats between class periods. I really missed hanging out…
“Oh, yeah. I was totally absorbed in tinkering on my bike all weekend,” Kuboyasu replied casually. I really missed you, though, Shun.
Suddenly Aiura popped into the conversation, seemingly out of nowhere, putting her hands down on Kuboyasu’s desk with force. “You have a bike?” she asked. “That’s totally awesome!” I’ve always wanted to ride on a motorcycle.
Kuboyasu’s cheeks became pink. He was usually pretty chill around girls, but Aiura was a lot more forward than anyone else, so it was hard to stay “chill” around her. He cleared his throat. “I’ve had a bike forever, but last summer--” or was it two summers ago? But that’s not possible, I just transferred last year “--Shun, Saiki and I all got our licenses!”
(Don’t drag my name into this, Saiki thought, his eyes trained forward on the chalkboard, even though class hadn’t started yet.)
“Whoa!” Aiura said. Saiki and the little guy too? I never knew that Saiki was so cool. And the little guy, who knew he had that in him! Aiura leaned closer to Kuboyasu, her chest nearing his face. Kuboyasu glanced, but tried not to stare. “I’ve always wanted to ride a motorcycle! You should take me!”
Kuboyasu’s face was becoming redder by the minute. He was already imagining the feeling of Aiura’s body pressed against him as they sped down the highway. It would be pretty exciting in many ways. He put a finger to his chin. “Well, I guess I could take you sometime, if you really wanted.”
Kaidou was a little jealous for some reason, but he shook it off. Whatever, I guess I can just hang out with Nendou and Saiki.
“Okay, well how about we go on Friday!” Aiura said, wanting to make the plans official.
Suddenly, a headache came over Saiki as he half-listened to the conversation. An image flashed in his mind: Aiura and Kuboyasu flipping end over end through the air with a motorcycle skidding on its side over the blacktop beneath them. A precognitive vision.
Saiki turned around to face the conversation. “I’ll take you,” he said abruptly.
Kuboyasu experienced a brief flash of frustration and Aiura cocked an eyebrow. What’s with him? they both thought, though with different tones.
(Meanwhile, Kaidou was just happy that his Friday night plans might include his best pal Aren again.)
“I haven’t gotten the chance to use my license yet,” Saiki said, knowing the excuse was lame, but unable to come up with anything better.
“You don’t have a bike,” Kuboyasu pointed out. This isn’t like Saiki. He basically never wants to do anything on a Friday night.
“I’ll borrow yours,” Saiki said, ignoring Kuboyasu's thoughts. He wasn’t even asking at this point. I have to keep those two off a bike together. I won’t even give her a chance to see the death mark on her face...
Kuboyasu scrunched his eyebrows up. “You’re not even going to ask permission!? You’re just going to demand I hand my bike over?”
Wow! Aiura thought as she watched the conversation unfold in front of her. Are they, like fighting over me? She was only joking with herself, though. She knew that Saiki must have some ulterior motive for wanting to spend any time with her.
Saiki didn’t need to use a psychic power for his persuasion. He simply poked his lower lip out at Kuboyasu, as if he were begging. But not too much, because that would be embarrassing. His facial expressions were rare, and therefore impactful.
Kuboyasu almost fell out of his chair at the minute change in Saiki’s face. Saiki’s in rare form today. I wonder… Does he like Aiura? Well, I won’t get in his way. He’s my bro, after all.
Good grief, Saiki thought, already regretting this.
Kuboyasu chuckled lowly. “Tch. I can respect a man who goes for what he wants. You can borrow my bike.” But then Kuboyasu’s face suddenly morphed to a rather grim expression, shadows cast over his features, deforming him into some kind of deranged beast. “But if any harm comes to my bike, you’ll pay,” he said ominously.
Saiki could hear Kaidou squeak from his seat, but Saiki was obviously unmoved. He just nodded in affirmation.
Kuboyasu almost gave Kaidou whiplash from his rapidly changing emotions. He grinned broadly. “Alright, bro, I’ll ride my bike to school Friday and hand over the keys then!” Kuboyasu said cheerfully.
“Sounds fun!” Aiura agreed, skipping over to Saiki’s desk and putting her hands on his shoulders, giving them a minute squeeze. “I’m totally looking forward to it!”
The week passed with Aiura reminding Saiki on a daily basis of their plans. She wasn’t doing it purposely of course, but her thoughts couldn’t control themselves. She spent class period after class period oscillating between gossiping with other girls via note passing and daydreaming about what their motorcycle “date” would be like. She imagined Saiki surprising her with a picnic, taking her to a meadow of pink and yellow flowers, and carefully pushing a strand of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. The scene played out over and over again in her mind, and therefore in Saiki’s. She knew that the fantasy was just that, understanding that for Saiki, this wasn’t some romantic outing, but some kind of obligation that he hadn’t yet explained. But she couldn’t help herself. Saiki tried to tune it out, but it was mildly more entertaining than the class lecture, so he watched himself in her mind’s eye as he winked, smiled, and did all kinds of things that he never normally did.
When Friday finally arrived, Kuboyasu tossed the motorcycle key into Saiki’s hand first thing in the morning. “Remember what we talked about,” he warned Saiki, his voice more coarse than usual.
Saiki once again responded with nothing more than a nod.
“I trust you, bro. Have fun!” Kuboyasu said, his demeanor once again changing on a dime.
Yeah, sure you do, Saiki thought skeptically.
Kaidou sauntered in the classroom next, immediately jabbering to Kuboyasu and Nendou about their Friday night plans, ensuring to sprinkle in a few references to shady organizations and the duties of battle.
Then Aiura entered the classroom with a familiar cloud of cotton-candy scented perfume surrounding her and a pink helmet tucked under her arm. “Looking forward to tonight,” she said to Saiki with a wink.
Teruhashi heard the comment and was mentally fuming. It’s always that girl, isn’t it? I thought Saiki liked a girl who is true to herself! So why doesn’t he like me? “Aiura, you have plans with Saiki tonight?” she asked innocently, flashing her big blue eyes at Aiura with casual curiosity as she passed by her desk.
Saiki would have laughed if it wasn’t so pitiful.
Aiura waved her hand at Teruhashi as she continued to her seat. “No big deal,” she lied, simultaneously not wanting to hurt Teruhashi’s feelings and not wanting to cause a big stir for Saiki’s sake. “We’re just going for a bike ride. I, like, always wanted to ride one and Saiki needed an excuse to use his license.”
“Oh,” Teruhashi said, sounding slightly assuaged. “Well, have fun!” I have no interest in motorcycles, so they can go right ahead!
Aiura took her seat and resumed her usual unrealistic daydreams until the final bell rang at the end of the day.
Saiki spun the keyring around his finger as he waited by the motorcycle for Aiura to show up in the school parking lot. He really just wanted to get this over with so he could go home.
Aiura finally came bounding out of the school. She had changed clothes, which is what was taking her so long, having changed into pants, which was probably a smart choice, and a cropped moto jacket. Was she trying to look the part? Or was this just how she dressed on a mild spring day? “Thanks for waiting, Saiki!” she said jumping onto his arm for a sort of side-hug,
“Whatever, let’s go,” Saiki said, shaking her off. He was already bored with it. He could walk faster than the bike could go. Hell, he could even fly. But for the average person, this was supposed to be thrilling. He threw his leg over the bike and gestured for Aiura to join him.
Other kids watched on as Aiura got on the bike behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Quite tightly at that.
“You don’t have to hold on like that,” Saiki told her as he turned the bike over and revved the engine once. “I can keep you on with telekinesis. You’re not going anywhere.” Plus, people are staring.
“Sorry, Saiki,” she said, gripping him even closer. “I’m a little nervous.” Even though I know it’s basically impossible to get hurt with you.
Saiki groaned inwardly as he lifted his feet and the bike moved forward. They pulled out on the street and Saiki began driving toward a highway so they could get some speed. He wanted to make sure that Aiura got the experience she was looking for, and that she wouldn’t ask again.
Her cheek was pressed against his back as they made it to the first stoplight. She seemed to relax slightly as they came to a stop. “If you’re scared, we don’t have to keep going,” he said, noting that her heart rate was elevated.
“No!” she shouted. “I’m having fun!”
Saiki knew she was lying as her pink fingernails dug into the skin on his abdomen. But if she didn’t want to stop, he wouldn’t. When the light turned, he drove to the ramp and pulled onto the highway and finally let loose. The bike lurched forward as the speedometer rose.
Omigosh, she thought with her eyes clamped shut. I can’t believe I’m doing this!
“Open your eyes or it’s not worth it,” Saiki scolded her. He didn’t have to see her face to know that she wasn’t looking.
Slowly she complied as she opened her eyes. Wow! she thought as the scenery blurred past them. Her hands relaxed a little bit, which Saiki was grateful for. It’s not like she was hurting him, but it still wasn’t pleasant to be poked by her pointy nails. Now, it was almost kind of nice. Her soft body was still pressed against his back and it would be a lie to say it didn’t feel cozy.
I want to ride on country roads, she thought.
Saiki complied with the request and found an exit from the highway and wound his way through neighborhoods until they faded away into the countryside. They zoomed through tree-shaded roads, which were rough from years of use and little maintenance. Up hills that became mountains, alongside flower fields and pastures.
I’m so happy to be doing this! she thought. It’s amazing out here.
Saiki couldn’t help but crack a smile, knowing how much she was enjoying herself.
Even better that I got to come with Saiki, Aiura continued. Not that there’s anything wrong with Mr. Mullet-aura, but Saiki makes me feel totally safe!
Saiki could just barely hear her humming as she leaned into him again, but now it wasn’t for fear, but instead affection. Oh well, he thought. It’s not a big deal. We’re alone out here and it’s not that bad.
By now his thoughts were totally absorbed by hers and the feeling of her arms wrapped around him. He was actually kind of distracted, so he didn’t notice the paved road giving way to slippery gravel. Saiki registered the feeling a moment too late as the bike lost grip on the road. That was no big problem, really, but there was a rather large rock in the way and the front tire of the bike hit it, disrupting the moment and sending the two of them in the air.
Good grief, Saiki thought. I’m bring shame to Mr. Manabe Baiku. Saiki’s eyes landed on Aiura, who was moving through the air behind him in slow motion, her facial expression shifting from peaceful adoration to fear as her feet were suddenly above her head.
Saiki sighed, pulling her body back into his with telekinesis. He held her to his chest as they fell softly on the ground, levitation preventing any harsh landing. So their bodies were totally fine, not a scratch on either of them. (Even if they would have gotten hurt, it didn’t matter too much since Aiura hadn’t mentioned any death marks and Saiki could have healed her anyway.)
Aiura was still shaking as Saiki sat up. Her eyes were clamped shut again, and it took a moment for her brain to catch up and realize that they were fine and that she was currently sitting on the side of the road in Saiki’s lap with his hands on her waist.
What happened? she thought, her mouth still incapable of forming the words.
Saiki saw that her wispy bangs had fallen loose from the Virgo hair clip that she always wore. He brushed the hair from her face before he could notice what he was doing. It was like a scene from her obnoxious fantasy. Except they were both still wearing their helmets and sitting on the gravelly ground. Saiki pulled them both to stand up before she could think anything of it.
Aiura looked into the road.“Kuboyasu’s bike!” she shouted, seeing it scratched and dinged in the shoulder.
Saiki walked over to it and pulled it back up. With the flick of his wrist it was totally restored.
“Oh, right,” Aiura said, joining Saiki by the motorcycle. He can fix stuff.
“Are you okay to get back on?” Saiki asked, knowing that her nerves were probably still a little rattled from their almost accident.
Aiura blinked as she composed herself. She opted not to answer Saiki’s question. “What was that all about?” Aiura asked instead, regaining her usual attitude. “You’re supposed to be an all-powerful psychic! Why did we crash?”
Saiki just stared at her. He didn’t want to admit that she had distracted him with her thoughts and warm, soft body. Instead he just pointed at the rock that had upended them.
“A rock?” Aiura said rather unimpressed. Seriously? A psychic beaten by a frickin’ rock?
“If you had been with Kuboyasu you would have actually gotten hurt,” Saiki argued back, ignoring the real question at hand and changing the subject.
“So that’s why you wanted to take me?” Aiura asked, placing a hand on her chest like she was really touched. “You didn’t want me to get hurt?” Aw, he cares about me.
Saiki just climbed back on the motorcycle without saying anything else. His pride was still mostly in tact at this point.
“Alright, I’m coming, just don’t crash again,” Aiura teased as she settled onto the bike behind him.
I better not, or Kuboyasu will want to fight me, Saiki said, knowing that his restoration power limited him to one use in a twenty-four hour period per item. Saiki checked the street in front of Aiura’s house, saw that it was clear, and teleported themselves and the bike there. He wouldn’t risk any more distractions or accidents.
“Wh-what?” she said, taking in their sudden change in scenery and finally her house. “You brought me home already?” she complained. “I was just starting to have fun!”
“Next time you want a thrill, I’ll just fly you around,” Saiki said. “Now go home.”
Ah, so there’s going to be a next time, huh? she thought as she tugged her pink helmet off and flipped her hair around. “Thanks for the ride, Saiki.” She got off the bike and gave Saiki a one-handed hug before he could start the bike and ride off again to return it to Kuboyasu.
“Whatever,” he said. But he found as he pulled away, he already missed the feeling of her riding behind him.