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‘I wish I could fly…’
Such was a thought that stood out particularly loud among the teacher’s voice blended in with the students’ thoughts inside Saiki’s head during biology class at PK Academy.
Usually, Saiki Kusuo wouldn’t think much of it. Telepathy, a power of great benefits and even greater troubles, allowed him to read people’s minds – willingly or unwillingly. He’d long stopped caring about every single thing he heard or saw. It was either that or going insane.
However, the thought that caught his attention differed from the norm.
Frowning, Saiki glanced to the side.
At the desk next to him sat his friend—no, his classmate, L/N Y/N, chin resting on her palm, staring at the sky with a dreamy gaze. Obviously, with an ability to peek into her thoughts, Saiki had already guessed what was on her mind. She was trying to imagine the feeling of flying. The closest she got to was a trip to Europe when she was 12, watching the clouds aboard a plane. Now, with her textbook displaying all kinds of birds and other volant creatures, she couldn’t seem to break out of her daze, sighing endlessly.
Good grief, what an airhead.
Then the class then came to an end and before he could realise, Y/N had left the classroom. With that, Saiki decided he would spend a peaceful break. No antics by any of his friends, no ends of the world. He left the classroom, too, and walked down the corridor. On his way to the restroom, he passed by Y/N, who was gazing outside the window.
Among the many voices in his head, a dreamy one kept resounding loud and clear.
Saiki stopped in his tracks.
And he turned around.
“Oh, hi, Kusuo.” Y/N blinked in surprise when Saiki stopped before her, expression stern. She looked as if someone just forced her awake.
Without a warning, Saiki grabbed her hand.
“Come.”
“Eh? Kusuo? What are you—”
Not bothering to explain, Saiki dragged her outside the school building, to the backyard, where the risk of getting interrupted by third parties was minimal. Y/N stopped protesting, at least until they arrived. It was only then that she looked at Saiki with something akin to reproach.
“Kusuo, could you please explain the reason for dragging me all the way down here?”
He didn’t. There was no need – soon enough, she would get it.
“Close your eyes.”
For a second, doubt flickered in Y/N’s eyes, only to be replaced by – he guessed – acceptance. Well, for starters, she knew about his powers. Even confused, she knew she could trust him with anything.
When she followed the instruction and closed her eyes, Saiki adjusted grip on her hands.
And then they floated.
His powers defied the gravity as he and Y/N rose high above the ground, above the school roof and above the city. At first, with her eyes closed, Y/N had no way of knowing what had changed – and then a different gust of wind swept her hair off her face, and she opened her eyes.
“…!”
A yelp escaped her lips. Eyes wide open, Y/N curled her warm fingers around Saiki’s hands as if her life depended on it.
Ah, I shouldn’t have done this after all.
Naturally, finding herself standing in thin air must have caused quite a shock. Exasperated, Saiki expected Y/N to start panicking any second now.
What caught his attention, however, was that she didn’t even glance in his direction. Her eyes glued to the world beneath them, were filled with a new kind of light, one that he’d never seen before.
What was she thinking at that moment?
Now, this problem could easily be dismissed by his psychic abilities. Less than a heartbeat and Saiki’s curiosity would be fulfilled. But for some reason, he didn’t feel like using his powers now. Not like that.
Then Y/N looked up with those starry eyes of hers.
Delight.
Even against his will, radiant thoughts made their way into Saiki’s mind.
Not only Y/N’s face, but also her thoughts expressed nothing else than delight.
“This is… amazing,” she uttered, emotions getting the better of her.
Saiki didn’t lower his guard. “You’re not scared?”
“How could I be scared if you’re there for me?”
Hmmm.
Perhaps his original assumption was wrong. She wasn’t panicking – she simply couldn’t believe her own senses.
Afterwards, Saiki himself lost track of time. They floated for an indefinite amount of time, perhaps the class break had already ended, but it didn’t matter. Suffice it to say that once their feet touched the ground again, not only Y/N, but also Saiki felt a little airheaded.
Gee, what on Earth had gotten into him to pull a stunt like this?
Not letting go of Y/N’s hand yet, almost as if to ensure she wouldn’t faint on him or something, Saiki raised his gaze to have a good look at her. Flushed cheeks and gleaming eyes, she grinned in a most idiotic way.
Saiki grimaced. “What’s with that face.”
“S-sorry, it’s just…” Y/N’s smile widened even more, though Saiki had doubted that was even possible. “You knew.”
Saiki deadpanned.
“I mean—yeah, of course you’d know. You always do. But still—”
“Still what?”
Y/N tilted her head to the side.
“Don’t you keep saying you never use your powers for trivial matters?”
“That’s correct.”
“So? How was this an emergency?”
At that, Saiki bit his lip.
Sure, she had a point. Back then Saiki swore he’d only use his powers during emergencies. Even if he tried to cover that up now, Y/N wouldn’t fall for it.
“Your thoughts have been particularly distracting. And depressing, let me add.”
“…Really?” Y/N seemed embarrassed. “Were they that obvious?”
“Well, I expect them to stop harassing me now. That’s all.”
Judging by Y/N’s expression (and her thoughts), she didn’t quite buy it. At least not in the way that Saiki would find favourable.
Tch, she’s clearly about to say something troublesome.
Now visibly relaxed, Y/N raised her eyebrow. “That’s really sweet of you, Kusuo.”
Knew it.
“Whatever. It has been your dream for the longest time, has it not?”
“Yeah, it has.” And then, a smile found its way back to Y/N’s lips. She reached out to briefly squeeze Saiki’s palm – a quick expression of gratitude, perhaps of something else, too. “Thank you, Kusuo.”
Good grief…
“The classes have started. Let’s go already.”
As he turned around to leave, Saiki recalled Y/N’s starry eyes.
Behind him resounded her light footsteps.
Saiki concluded it might have been worth it.