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Guilt sometimes rises in his chest when he catches some of the self-deprecating thoughts that swirl around Kaidou’s mind. Especially at the end of the school day as the fake superhero stays seated at his desk watching his classmates leave with their friends, either to hang out at each other’s houses or to have fun elsewhere. He knows that it is partly his fault, he wasn’t one to show his emotions explicitly, nor was he one to actually allow himself to befriend other people so easily. Though it wasn’t his fault explicitly as it was Kaidou’s; the boy had no friends. No true friends at the very least, he was always walking home with Nendo and Saiki when he was invited by the idiot. He went along with it even though he knew that Nendo and Saiki didn’t think of him as a friend. They probably only let him tag along because they felt sorry for him. Saiki didn’t like the immeasurable guilt that rose in his chest when he caught some of these thoughts.
In recent days, more so than ever before, Kaidou’s thoughts were spiraling downwards all the more and sometimes at an alarming rate. His usual spiels about Dark Reunion and the Knights of Thunder had majorly decreased over the past week and he had stopped crowding around Saiki’s desk whenever he had a free moment like the rest of his daily annoyances. Not that he had minded much at first, it had been a welcome reprieve from the disastrous life he had come accustomed to.
Then it had struck him out of the blue one day; how much he missed listening to Kaidou chattering away throughout the day. Whether it was about his imaginary battles against the forces of evil or whether it was about the latest game his Mother had let him buy. Guilt racked his mind then, a feeling he hadn’t become all that familiar with, but he couldn’t deny the clenching of his chest whenever he listened in on Kaidou’s thoughts. He just didn’t really know how to go about making the younger boy feel better. He wasn’t known for his emotions and feels.
Saiki knows, without using his telepathy or his other powers, that Kaidou still wore the necklace he received from that fake fortune teller. His heart still clutching at the small ray of hope that it could still be magical. That it would somehow help him to make friends or at the very least a friend. He also knew that Kaidou was incredibly lonely. The boy would sometimes sit daydreaming during their classes of outings he would take with these new friends; his own face making an appearance more often than not. And, although, Saiki wasn’t all too sure what the appeal was with Kaidou wishing to become one of his best friends, he couldn’t deny the small burst of affection he felt for the white-haired boy. It was an odd sensation.
The guilt clenches his chest. Guilt rises through him as an image of Kaidou sitting alone in the classroom, his messy hair falling forward to cover his eyes as he waits for someone, anyone to invite him to walk home with him. The emotion becomes too strong for him to bear and without a second thought, Saiki teleports from his place behind Nendo back into the corridor just outside his classroom. He wasn’t too worried about Nendo suspecting his powers, as the older boy was too much of an idiot to notice much of anything.
Taking a deep inhale, Saiki briefly wonders why he was even contemplating what he is doing.
‘…such an idiot. Of course, Saiki wouldn’t invite me to walk with him. Why would he? He is so cool, always so calm. He probably finds someone like me annoying. Just like everyone else. Of course, he wouldn't want to be friends with someone like me.’
Negative thoughts assault his mind and before Saiki can ponder his next course of action, he has thrown open the door of the classroom. Eyes widening at the heart-wrenching sight laid out before him. Kaidou sits at his desk, not having moved since the bell had signified the end of the day, his bag lay haphazardly on the floor, his books and pencil case spilling across the floor.
Kaidou startles, shoulders tensing as he glances towards the classroom door with wide, red-rimmed eyes. Heart rate increasing at the thought of being caught by a teacher on patrol. Though he calms slightly when he catches sight of his pink-haired classmate.
‘Saiki?! What is he doing back here? Did he come back for me? No, of course, he wouldn’t. What am I even thinking? I wonder if he forgot something.’
Saiki rolls his eyes inwardly. When has Kaidou ever known him to forget something? Taking a closer look at the tears balancing on the rim of Kaidou’s eyes, Saiki shakes his head at himself. He honestly didn’t think the whole situation was affecting the other so much that it would resort to him crying alone in an abandoned classroom.
Kaidou? What’s wrong?
Kaidou quickly tries to wipe his eyes on his sleeve, hoping to hide the evidence of his brief emotional lapse at the sound of his classmate’s voice. He glances down at his desk, cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
“Saiki! Nothing is wrong. I am fine.”
Saiki raises his eyebrow, lips thinning as nervous laughter echoes around the room. Shaking his head, he quickly makes his way across the classroom wondering how he always found himself in these types of situations.
‘What is he doing? He couldn’t actually be worried about me, could he? No, Of course not. He just forgot something, and I just happen to be in his way. He doesn’t care about me.’
The Psychic bends down and begins to pick up Kaidou’s dropped belongings. Placing everything back in his bag before standing up from the floor. He offers the bag to Kaidou who glances from the item up to Saiki for a moment. His hand slowly reached out to take to proffered things.
“Thank you.”
What’s wrong, Kaidou?
“Nothing, I promise, I am alright, Saiki.”
You are not alright, otherwise, you would not be sitting in a classroom alone crying. Nor would you have been avoiding me all week. Have I done something to upset you?
Saiki knew he hadn’t, as far as he could tell anyhow, but that didn’t stop him from asking. Maybe it was a little underhanded of him to manipulate Kaidou in this manner; he knew the younger boy wouldn’t stand to see his classmates think they had hurt him when they hadn’t. Maybe, just maybe it would be enough to get Kaidou to verbalise what was bothering him.
“No, Saiki! You haven’t done anything. You haven’t done anything to upset me, I promise… I just…”
‘I can’t believe Saiki is really worried about me and he noticed I wasn’t hanging around him all week! That shouldn’t make me happy, but it does. Maybe we are friends, or rather, I don’t annoy him as much as I thought.’
Saiki smiles a little at Kaidou’s thoughts, pleased that they were cheering up a little bit. He reaches a hand out in silent offering to the boy.
‘Oh my gosh, Saiki is smiling. It is faint, but he is smiling at me. Gosh, that makes him look cute. No, Kaidou don’t… wait, is he… does he… does he want me to take his hand?’
Kaidou grips his school bag in a tight grip, his other hand reaching out slowly, haltingly before slipping into Saiki’s waiting appendage. His cheeks light up in a faint blush at the initial contact, a shy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He allows Saiki to pull him from his seat.
You just what…?
Saiki questions as he guides the boy from the classroom, grip firm around Kaidou’s. He didn’t want the other to try and get away from him now he was about to unroot the issue. Sliding the door closed behind them, Saiki glances down at Kaidou and feels his smile growing minutely at the blush which coats the younger's cheeks before it turns back to flesh and bones.
“I just… Are we friends, Saiki?”
Saiki pauses for a moment, he hadn’t expected Kaidou to outright ask him something like that, though he shouldn’t be all that surprised. The more frantic Kaidou’s thoughts were, the more erratic his speech tended to be, it was a rather endearing aspect of Kaidou’s personality.
‘Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I just asked Saiki that, he is going to think I am so pathetic. He is going to ha-‘
Kaidou cuts himself off when he feels the hand holding his tighten. Glancing up with faintly red-rimmed eyes, Kaidou stutters at the gentle smile shaping Saiki’s lips. An expression he doesn’t normally see outside the other indulging his sweet tooth. His heart rate increases a little.
We are, do you not think so?
His response sends Kaidou into a mini panic. The hand holding his school bags waves frantically in front of them, the one gripping Saiki’s tightens a little. His eyes widen as he tries to force words out of his throat.
“No, I mean, Yes. I mean… I want to be friends with you, Saiki. I just didn’t know if you felt the same way about me… I know that I annoy people with my tales of Dark Reunion and that I can be childish. I can be loud and am not good at expressing myself very well. I don’t know why you would want to be friends with someone like me.”
‘He isn’t going to want to be friends with me now. I mean how whiny can you sound.’
“I mean, I am so erratic and weird that not even Kuboyasu, Nendo, or Hairo want to spend time with me anymore. They all race off as soon as the bell rings.”
Saiki couldn’t help the small pang in his chest when his name isn’t mentioned, but then logic dictates that he wouldn’t be. He wasn’t one who invited people to hang out at all if he could help it, preferring to spend his time alone. He didn’t like being surrounded by large groups of people, especially when those people were eccentric, weird, and completely disastrous in everything they tried to do. Though for some reason he didn’t mind if it were Kaidou.
‘Kaidou, why would you want to be friends with me?’
“What do you mean, Saiki? You are the coolest person I know? Why wouldn’t I want to be friends with you?”
‘I have trouble showing my emotions. I don’t talk much, and I don’t like to hang out with people. I prefer to spend time alone.’
“Why would any of that bother me, Saiki. That is who you are. You don’t show your emotions outwardly, but I know that you care about your Mum and Dad just by how you act around them, and although you don’t like to show you care, you have gone out of your way to help most of us before. You don’t like to hang out in large groups or go to places that are really crowded but that is okay. I get really anxious and nervous in big crowds as well. It isn’t a bad thing, these things make you, you, and I think that it is pretty cool how you don’t let anyone dictate how you act.”
‘I can’t believe I just said all of that to Saiki, he probably thinks I am such a weirdo now, but it is kinda nice to know that even someone as amazing as Saiki feels insecure sometimes. It is kinda cute.’
Saiki smirks inwardly, it wasn’t that he was insecure. Not in the way, Kaidou was thinking anyhow but he knew that people didn’t tend to befriend people like him. It wasn’t typical for other people to want to hang out with someone as gloomy looking, anti-social, and closed off as himself. But if letting Kaidou think that makes him feel better then Saiki supposes he can let it slide just this once.
I like Kaidou, for Kaidou. Yes, you can be a little loud but that is when you are passionate about something. It is nice that you have something you are so passionate about, even if it is something which I know, you know isn’t real, but just because it isn’t real, why does that make it a bad thing. You have a rather vivid imagination which is admirable.
Kaidou flushes at Saiki’s words. Of course, he knew everything he spouted about Dark Reunion and his powers weren’t real and of course, someone as smart as Saiki would know this, but it was nice not to be made fun of for his wild stories. His mother certainly didn’t approve of his overactive imagination. Not after she had found his Dark Reunion notebook and reprimanded him for wasting his time on silly little hobbies instead of studying. Maybe Saiki would like to hear more about his adventures as one of the Knights of Thunder later.
Saiki smiles once more down at Kaidou, pleased that he had managed to distract the other from his depressing thoughts so thoroughly. He hadn’t known if what he was doing would work out for the best, or if he would later come to regret giving up so much of his free time to hang out with Kaidou, but so long as he didn’t have to hear those self-deprecating thoughts again, he would cope. He pushes open the door of Café Mama, dragging Kaidou in behind him.
“Saiki?”
‘Is he still feeling sorry for me? I hope he isn’t forcing himself to hang out with me.’
We haven’t walked home together for a while, I thought you wouldn’t mind spending some time together?
‘Oh my gosh, Saiki really wants to hang out with me? This is the best day.’
“I would love to!”
Saiki smiles, leading Kaidou through the empty café to his usual table. His hand slips from Kaidou’s as they take their seats just in time for Mera to come over to take their orders.
“Mera? I didn’t know you worked here?”
“Hmmm? Yes, this is one of my favourite jobs. I work here and at six other cafes around the area. What can I get you?”
“May I have a piece of Coffee cake and a latte please, Mera.”
“Coming right up!”
Mera calls, glancing down at Saiki who merely nods his head silently smiling when Mera grins back down at him before scurrying off to place their orders with the manager. He turns back just in time to see Kaidou’s smile drop into a frown.
“She didn’t take your order…”
I am a regular here. Mera knows what I get.
‘Wow. I didn’t know Saiki liked places like this. Then again, it is quiet, there aren’t a lot of people around and they sell a lot of sweet things here. Now, that I think about it, this place fits Saiki perfectly.’
Kaidou? If you are lonely and want to hang out with people, why have you never tried to ask them to hang out before?
Kaidou shuffles in his seat, face paling slightly as he drops his hands to his lap, eyes following their movement. He refuses to glance up at his friend.
“I just… I know people don’t like me and probably wouldn’t like to hang out with me. If I never ask them, then I can’t be turned away. It hurts less that way I suppose.”
Saiki sighs inwardly, he doesn’t like how Kaidou tried to rely on other people so much, he thought that if he waited long enough then someone would feel sorry for him and invite him to hang out, he didn’t like to take the initiative. Then again, Saiki could relate to Kaidou that much more. He knew what it felt like to not have friends and to feel as if they wouldn’t accept you if you were to act like yourself around them.
I know how that feels, Kaidou. I have always been an outcast. No one has really wanted to be friends with me before because I was always too gloomy, too socially awkward. I never spoke much and didn’t understand much of what other people were feeling. I find it hard to trust people and it is hard for me to let down my guard enough to express my emotions like most people.
Saiki reaches across the table, offering his hand once more to Kaidou who hesitates for a moment before he grips hold of Saiki’s hand. He doesn’t look all that convinced with Saiki’s confession but the small, shy smile he offers in return is more than Saiki could have hoped for at the moment. He knew it was going to take a while for Kaidou to truly believe him, but he doesn’t mind. For some reason, the thought of hanging out with Kaidou more didn’t phase him as much as it did with the others.
“I don’t understand how people wouldn’t like you, Saiki. You are the coolest, calmest person I know. No matter what situation we always manage to get ourselves in you are always perfectly collected. I wish I could be more like that, Saiki. Maybe, if I could be a little more like you then others wouldn’t find me annoying.”
Kaidou tightens his grip on Saiki’s hand for a moment before he pulls away just as Mera walks back over with their tray of food and drinks. Kaidou grins when his coffee cake and latte are placed in front of him, a small pile of sugar packets sitting on the tray for him to use. He could admit that he had a bit of a sweet tooth as well. Though his was adding copious amounts of sugar to any hot drink he divulged in.
He stirs his latte, eyes dragging up to watch as Saiki adds a bit of milk and sugar into his own coffee before taking a deep sip. His eyes widen, heartbeat picking up as his palms begin to sweat when Saiki takes the first small mouthful of his Coffee Jelly. His cheeks flush, matching Saiki’s blush of pleasure at the taste of the coffee flavoured dessert, the tiny smile on his face makes Kaidou’s stomach flip before butterflies explode. He didn’t know the other boy could look so adorable.
Have you ever thought of writing them down?
“Huh?”
Saiki’s voice pulls Kaidou out of his blissful admiration with a deep flush staining his cheeks and ears, he pretends to not see the small smirk tugging the corner of Saiki’s lips at him having been caught staring.
Your Adventures of the Jet-Black Wings? Have you ever thought of writing them all down as a story or a compilation of short stories? I am sure you would be good at it.
“You mean like a proper book?”
You could do that. Or you could just write them for your own pleasure. Though I am sure they would make a great collection for children to read.
Kaidou sinks down in his seat, a small smile stretching across his face at the thought of children all over the country reading his work, of looking up to the Jet-Black Wings and wishing to be just like him when they grew up. He could publish them, or try to get them published at least. Maybe that is what he could do when he graduates. If Saiki thought he would be good at it, then it was worth a shot, right?
“Alright, I think I will give it a go. Would you mind reading some of them when I am done?”
Kaidou takes a sip from his latte, eyes gazing down into the liquid as he waits for Saiki to turn him down.
I would like that, but I have a condition.
‘What could Saiki want from me? Does he want me to leave him alone in school? I mean he probably wouldn’t want people to see me hanging out with him too much.’
“Name it.”
I want you to come to me if you ever feel lonely again. If you want to hang out then come to me and I will have time for you. Don’t ever try to avoid me again.
“Oh. Yes, of course. I can do that. You don’t mind me hanging around you all the time?”
‘I can’t believe that is his only condition. I wonder what I can do for Saiki in return?’
I don’t mind. I like you Kaidou. You are my best friend. I like having you around.
It doesn’t take long for the two to finish their treats off after that. Kaidou’s mood rapidly lightened after his trying day much to Saiki’s relief. They leave the café with large smiles on their faces and Kaidou’s widens even further when he slips his hand back into Saiki’s giggling when his touch isn’t rejected. He feels the hand around his tightening a little as they walk together back to Kaidou’s house.
“I will see you tomorrow, Saiki. Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun.”
Me too, Kaidou and call me Kusuo.
“Only if you call me, Shun.”
I will see you at school tomorrow, Shun.
“Bye, Kusuo.”
Kaidou grins, bouncing over to his best friend. He leans up with little hesitation and places a grateful kiss on Saiki’s cheeks before he giggles and runs into the house with one final wave over his shoulder at a stunned Saiki.
-----
Saiki walks into his classroom at his usual time smiling gently when he sees Kaidou sitting on his desk waiting for him to turn up. It had been a good morning so far, none of his usual annoyances had turned up to bother him on his short walk from his house. Walking over to Shun, Saiki grins when the other boy almost falls over as he jumps up from Saiki’s table, rubbing the back of his neck embarrassed.
Good morning, Shun.
“Ah. Morning, Kusuo. How was your morning?”
Now, Saiki wasn’t a big fan of small talk, he usually found it pointless, but he supposes he can deal with it if it came from Shun. He lets a tiny smile show as he gestures for the other to sit back down on his desk as he reaches into his bag for something.
It was uneventful, though I did get you something.
Saiki hands the package over, watching as a bright flush overs Kaidou’s face as he takes the present from his friend. Slowly pulling back the paper, he is surprised to find two leather-bound notebooks lying in his lap. He flicks through the notebooks, eyes widening in delight as he sees small symbols for the Dark Reunion and Jet-Black Wings printed on each page. Turning the book over so he can see the front he gasps when he reads the title print into the leather: The Adventures of the Jet-Black Wings.
“Kusuo, this is… how did you… I mean… thank you so much… this is amazing…”
Well, you did say you wanted to write down your stories, so I thought you needed somewhere special to keep them.
“This is so thoughtful. Thank you so much!”
Kaidou places the notebooks down on the desk behind him before he jumps to his feet, his cheek exploding in a bright flush as he dives forward to give Saiki a hug. He giggles when hesitant arms come to wrap around his back in return.
For Kaidou, it was a very good start to his day indeed. He places a kiss on Saiki’s cheek, ignoring their classmate’s gasps of surprise when Saiki drops onto his forehead in return before he grabs his presents and skips over to his own desk before the teacher walks through the door. It doesn’t phase him how no one comments on the lack of bandages covering his arms at all, nor does it matter that no one brings up his lack of mention of the Jet-Black Wings, the Knights of Thunder, or the Dark Reunion. NO one but Saiki anyway, but that is how he likes it.