Chapter Text
“C'mon, Saiki, please?”
“For the last time, no.”
Toritsuka deflated at the rejection, but like a true degenerate, pursued on. "But this is the perfect opportunity!" he yelled, holding up a flyer with the words "MIXER" written in bold letters. "The event guaranteed only hot girls! I’m already a senior but I still don’t have a girlfriend. This might be my last chance bagging one before graduation, okay?" He pleaded as he repeatedly pointed to the piece of paper as if that would change his master's mind.
“Maybe if you weren't so disgusting,” Saiki snapped, “You’d have one by now.” He was getting tired of this. Saiki was used to the germ asking him for favors, but today he was being extra stubborn. It was getting old. Fast.
Stepping closer, he was thinking of giving him one of his signature “accidental dropkicks” when he felt Toritsuka's hand grab onto his shoulder. “Just imagine it. I get possessed by a super charming ghost, you use your mind control powers to make the girls only interested in me, I take a few of them home, and pretty soon I’ll be seeing more than ghosts if you know what I mean.” He raved, waggling his eyebrows.
“Let's see if any girl would want to date you after they hear you say that.” Saiki said, suddenly feeling bad for all those imaginary girls. Narrowing his eyes, an idea popped into his mind. “Maybe I’ll do them a favor and make you go away instead.”
"Hey! Wait! Saikiiiii!"
Just when Saiki was about to pick up the hand on his shoulder and throw it into the sun, a shrill voice cut through the empty hallway where the two boys were having their discussion.
"Oi, Kusuo~ wanna go to Cafe Mami?" The two boys turned their heads to see a tan-skinned gyaru running up to them.
So loud.
Once the girl was able to reach them, she proceeded to hunch over and take a few seconds to catch her breath, holding up a hand to the two boys as a gesture to wait.
As soon as she got her bearings, she righted herself. "I was looking all over for you! Come on, don't you wanna get a coffee jelly with me?" The girl said, instantly latching herself onto the pink-haired psychic and batting her eyelashes at him. Acting like she wasn't breathing like a gorilla a few seconds ago.
Now, unlike the spirit medium, the fortune-teller's presence is a welcome one to Saiki. Their relationship is at that tricky point where people couldn't tell if they were dating or not if they didn't know them personally. And while Saiki could have easily prevented things from turning out this way, he wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he's not sure if he even wanted to stop it.
Yeah. It's complicated.
He looked back at her to see bright green eyes facing his tinted ones. She tilted her head. "So?"
Saiki pretended to think about his answer by putting his hand under his chin and resting it there for a few seconds.
"Hmm... only if you're paying." he replied, not moving a single muscle on his face.
"Pfft, wouldn't be asking if I wasn't." Aiura laughed. He's so easy♡
Saiki decided to let that comment slide with nothing more than a side-eye, to which she realized he heard her and just laughed harder. Good grief. This is what happens when you let people know your weakness. Their conversation was then interrupted by a bandana-wearing teenager, (that was apparently still there), with his hands on his hips.
"What the hell? Did I become invisible now too?! Hello, where’s my invite?" Toritsuka said, tapping his foot with irritation all over his face.
The pink and blond-haired psychics stared flatly at the upset high schooler. "Huh? You hear anything, Kusuo?" one said, flipping her hair. "No." the other replied. Both not breaking eye contact with the medium.
The boy’s irritated face was replaced by a hurt one. "The more you two go out by yourselves the more I think you guys don't want to hang out with me!"
“.....”
"Aren’t you gonna say something?!"
The following silence was enough to break the pervert’s spirit, so with an arm over his teary eyes, he cried, "UGH, Fine! Have fun. I'm gonna go to the courtyard and see if the girls have tennis practice today. Waaahh!"
Toritsuka dramatically ran away from the two other psychics with tears streaming down his face but not without breaking into a blush for a split second as he turned the corner and passed by a beautiful blue-haired student.
"Waaahhhhh— Oh, wow! —aaahhhhh!"
The beauty in question could only react in confusion as she looked back at whatever the heck just passed by her.
Was that Toritsuka? what in the— oh, Saiki! Teruhashi's bewilderment soon turned into delighted surprise as she turned her head and saw the boy she's been infatuated with for a while now.
Putting her hands over her chest to calm the tingling, she grinned. Maybe I should grace him with my presence and say h- Teruhashi’s thoughts were quickly halted when she noticed the other individual currently talking to said boy. Her arm securely wrapped in his.
"He's with Aiura again?" Teruhashi whispered to herself as the fluttering in her heart was slowly replaced with a deep dread in her gut.
Why is it that when he's not with Nendou or Kaidou he's always with her?
Teruhashi swiftly concealed herself by hiding behind the wall leading up to the hallway where the two were. "I thought Saiki liked girls who were true to themselves. Miko-chan's nice and all, but I hardly think she really likes Saiki as I do...." She continued to whisper to herself. Trailing off as her eyes directed themselves over to her “rival”.
"Hmm, maybe I should bust out the tissues again after all.." Teruhashi blushed, staring at the girl's chest, distracted.
The girl realized what her thoughts were slowly shifting into and madly shook her head.
"No! maybe Saiki's just hesitant because he still thinks I'm not interested. He's settling for less when secretly he's waiting for confirmation from me.” She nodded to herself. “Uhuh, that's obviously it. Once he sees he has a chance with me he'd come kneeling for my hand." the beauty said to console— or rather, delude herself.
Teruhashi stopped her daydreaming just in time to come up with a new idea. "Yes, that's exactly it. I'll just give him another hint!" She internally cheered as she briefly adjusted herself and walked over to the two.
Unfortunately for her, hiding behind a wall and whispering to herself did nothing to hide her plan from the teenager who had almost every power imaginable.
Aiura paused her rant when she noticed the look on Saiki’s face becoming darker and darker. "Hm? What's up, Kusuo?"
"Hello, Saiki, Aiura."
"Whoa, Terukoko!"
Saiki internally scoffed at Aiura who was temporarily stunned by Teruhashi's sudden appearance. Though at least she was able to regain her senses quick enough to drop her arm from still being hooked through his.
Teruhashi faltered a bit after seeing the brief exchange but was still determined to push through. "Right. What are you guys still doing here after school?"
The mind-reader didn't have to look to know that Aiura was blushing. Ohmigosh, she's so frickin' cute! "Like, we were just about to go home. What about you?"
Teruhashi beamed. "Ah, me too! But actually, I was thinking of asking Saiki to go with me to a store I know on the way home. I hope it’s not too sudden?" Teruhashi asked with a perfectly innocent smile. She was pulling out all the stops, leaning forward to look more endearing, hands behind her back that somehow made her more charming, and hair flawlessly curtaining around her adorable face.
While Aiura was completely transfixed by the beauty’s gaze, Saiki knew better as Teruhashi's thoughts exposed her true intentions. It’s working! Even she’s amazed. I mean, duh, of course, she is. Now all I need is for Saiki to come with me. I’m not even gonna let them walk out of the school together.
Snapping out of her daze, Aiura blinked. "Oh, Uh..." Her vibe just got hella serious, this is bad....and kinda awkward.
Saiki was about to create a getaway for the two of them by distracting the bluenette with his powers when he felt a mental tap from Aiura. Y’know what, Kusuo, forget about mine, we can, like, go next time.
Not sure what to do all of a sudden, the three ended up standing there saying nothing. After about 15 painful seconds, the awkward silence became too unbearable, so Teruhashi, who was still smiling, acted first.
Like hell am I gonna let this put me off. "What do you say, Saiki?" She pushed.
"I can't."
"Eh?"
Teruhashi was so busy psyching herself up with fantasies of Saiki saying yes that she wasn't able to prepare herself for when he said no.
Eh? EH?? Wait, don't tell me....have they been together all this time and I just made a fool of myself asking out a taken man?? She didn't show it on the outside but Teruhashi was about ready to faint.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind if you believed that. "I have to do something at home today." Saiki followed as a way to hopefully calm her down.
Sadly, it didn't seem to help much as Saiki could still see the crooked swirls going around in Teruhashi’s head. No, I doubt they’re together. But then, what other reason did he have to reject me?? Can't Saiki see that angels like me are much more suited as dating material than messy girls like— before she could rant any more in her head long enough to make it weird and ruin her perfect image to the other two with her, she smoothly replied. "Aw, maybe next time then?"
"Hm." Saiki shrugged then nodded.
It took a lot of Teruhashi's willpower to stop her eye from twitching. "Well, okay then! See you tomorrow..."
Even though Teruhashi was already walking away, he could still hear her thoughts loud and clear. He's totally ditching me for her! That's it, now I'm definitely getting the pads.
As the two psychics watched her disappear, Aiura was twiddling her pointer fingers together, no doubt uncomfortable from how the exchange ended. Saiki sighed. It was rare for her to become so uneasy in school aside from situations where the death mark was involved. So it was ironic that the only person that could make her feel this way naturally was also the only other person (aside from him) that could make her heart pound from admiration.
She looked at him. "Kusuo..."
"Let me walk you home."
"Okay."
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In the end, the two decided to not go through with the not-date they had planned and walked the route that went straight to the gyaru’s home.
Aiura put her hands behind her head and chuckled. "Aw man, talk about bad timing, right?"
Saiki subtly looked at her. She doesn't seem to be that disappointed. He thought with an almost bitter tone.
As if Aiura suddenly had mind-reading powers of her own, she winked at him. "I know you're bummed you couldn't have coffee jelly with me today, but maybe next week hm?" Putting her hands down to swing her bag back and forth. Saiki rolled his eyes but said nothing.
As they strolled along the street, Aiura can be heard humming a song she heard on the radio. They walked home together enough times for Saiki to not think much of it. So instead, he let his thoughts drift back to what he heard earlier.
“Can't Saiki see that angels like me are much more suited as dating material than messy girls like—” He knew he didn't need to read her mind to find out the rest of that sentence.
Saiki sighed internally. It wasn't his place to tell Aiura what Teruhashi really thought about her, nor did he think Aiura would actually care. But it was a little irritating to hear Teruhashi’s thoughts towards the fortune-teller become harsher and harsher the more she saw them hang out. Especially since it was the complete opposite the other way around. With the blonde only having good things to say about her.
Why am I even letting this bother me? Saiki grumbled to himself. People think unfairly of everyone all the time, I just happened to know because of my powers.
Then a thought appeared in his head. But Aiura’s psychic too. Maybe she knew all along and just didn’t give a shit? He took another glance at her.
"Aiura."
"Yo."
"What can you tell me of Teruhashi’s aura?"
Surprised by the sudden question, she stopped walking for a second to give him a confused look. Her aura? Like, what’s up with the random-ass question?
The teenager put a manicured finger to her chin as she thought about what to say. "Well, like I said before, she has an insane one. It's like this super bright light and hella awesome angel wings, like-" to give an idea of what she was talking about, the girl spread her arms out to imitate said wings. But to the boy’s slight amusement, she ended up looking more like a chicken than an angel. She then twirled before stopping in front of him. "It totally looked like she was a goddess waiting for you at the gates of heaven!"
Just when Saiki thought she was done with her animated explanation, she returned her finger to her chin. "Although..."
Saiki raised a brow.
"There were always a few black feathers floating around which is, like, super weird." Aiura pouted.
While he probably already knew the reason for said feathers, Saiki still gestured for her to keep going. Continuing their walk, the girl just shrugged. "Idunno, Kusuo. It's hardly noticeable with everything else going on anyways." she dismissed with a wave of a hand, bangles clinking in the process. "Probably just means a secret side to her persona, but who doesn't have that, right? You out of everyone should know." She giggled at Saiki, giving him another wink and a peace sign.
She’s right, it’s not that big a deal. Saiki thought with furrowed brows. (Figuratively, of course. He would never show his turmoil in public.)
Seeing that her home was only a block away, Aiura sighed. And with a tired smile, said, "Y’know, if I didn’t know we were soulmates, I'd be like, totally losing it knowing that I’m rivals with her.” She chuckled. "Sometimes it's like I'm nothing compared to her even WITH my powers! She's just that cute." Aiura said with a shake of her head.
Maybe to you. And everyone else.
Saiki rolled his eyes again. "Good grief. You're not nothing. At least you're more bearable to hang out with."
That might not have been one of the most flattering compliments, but for someone like Saiki, that might as well be him admitting his true feelings. The psychic blushed. He’s been having a hard time keeping these comments to himself for a while now.
"Kyahaha. Aww, that's like, really sweet of you~" Aiura cooed, latching herself onto him again. Saiki gave her an annoyed look but the pink in his cheeks didn't go away. "Whatever."
There were pretty much already at Aiura's house, but Saiki wondered if he could still get that free coffee jelly. He turned his head back from where they came, then towards her, "Hey, do you still wanna...?"
Aiura stopped her cuddling from Saiki's side and gave him a sly look. Pfft. But straightened herself before squeezing his arm. "Nah it's fine, I'll just have extra time getting ready for work later." He’s so cute♡
"Besides," Aiura noted as she closed her eyes and concentrated. "I can see Terukoko going to the boutique across the street in about…two and a half minutes. Even if we did go she'd defo see us and it'll be a mess trying to explain it all." She ended with a shrug. Saiki made sure to make his face look as unaffected as possible. Damn her accuracy.
As they stopped in front of her apartment, Aiura reached for Saiki’s hand and gave it a squeeze. "Okayy, thanks for walking me home, Kusuo."
Aiura waited until Saiki gave a squeeze back before letting go with a giggle and waving goodbye as she went inside. He stood there until her door was fully closed.
Yup. Still complicated.
"Good grief." Saiki immediately went into an empty alleyway and teleported to his room.
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Laying on his bed, the pink-haired teenager couldn't help but think about the girl he's been spending more and more time with this year. The girl who liked using her powers for good, the girl who helped him save Japan, and the girl who was able to put certain feelings in what he thought was his cold, romantic-less heart. Widening his eyes, the boy groaned and rolled over. Why did I even think that? That was so cringy.
Rolling over to face the ceiling again, Saiki was thankful no one was there to see him blush a nice, bright red. He was usually so stone-cold to everyone, especially to girls like Aiura, but goddamnit, she was so confident with the soulmate thing that he was starting to believe it himself. Damn. I shouldn't have accepted all those coffee jellies.
They were all seniors now, (for good this time). And Saiki wondered if Aiura was secretly hoping they'd get together before graduation. She's been patient with me so far. Saiki thought as he used his clairvoyance to check up on her. The girl in question was currently curling her hair and getting ready for her part-time job.
Saiki uncrossed his eyes. He hated that It was all up to him.
He then wondered what everyone else would think of his relationship. He figured his parents would be supportive as usual, Nendou too. Kaido would probably blush and stammer, and Kuboyaso and Hairo would congratulate him.
Good grief, so basically they're all gonna be annoying. Saiki huffed.
As Saiki continued to imagine how his friends would react, there was one reaction he couldn't quite pin down.
He wasn't really sure what Teruhashi's reaction would be like. He could see her getting over it right away, but he could also see her sending her Kokomins after him for breaking her heart. Well, maybe she wouldn't go that far, maybe she'll just hold a grudge and let the universe make him pay. The gods do love her after all, who knows what might happen to him as the person who played with her feelings.
Saiki scowled. Ridiculous. It's not like I was leading her on. suddenly mad at his imagination for even implying he did. But as he thought about it more, he realized with a start that maybe he WAS leading her on, or at least kinda. He wasn't exactly accepting her with open arms, but he wasn't outright telling her to stop pursuing him either.
The silence of his room was soon shattered as a brief *ding* was heard coming from his nightstand. He looked at the glow coming from the screen of his smartphone then levitated it in front of him to see that he had three texts from Aiura,
hey, just checked crystal b and saw teru asking you out again tom 😥
whatever ur gonna say to her, dont give her a hard time ok? 😠😤
off 2 work. c u soon <3 Miko
Putting his phone down, Saiki closed his eyes with a bored yawn. Easier said than done. He knew Teruhashi was always anxious around him which always made it difficult for the both of them. He also knew that if he so much as causes a single tear to come out of her eye, then there’s a chance the rest of his school year would become very, very, VERY.....inconvenient.
Saiki grinned to himself. As if the wrath of her brother, the Kokomins, and the gods themselves would be enough to beat me.
In a more serious manner, he thought of the different ways he could tell Teruhashi his feelings, to tell her the truth in a way she'd understand but at the same time wouldn't get completely crushed over. He knew that was the least he could do for her because after all, she was still a good person. And it was because of both of their stubbornness that they were like this anyway.
Having made up his mind. Saiki opened his eyes and sighed for the hundredth time that day. A plan already formulating itself in his head
Good grief. Fine. I'll do it.