Chapter Text
“Good work today!”
As the tennis club finished practice, Takenaka headed back to the locker room to pack up and go home. As he went inside, he shook off the February chill and swiftly went to his locker, packing his racquet away in his duffel bag.
“Say, Takenaka, did you get any love letters in your locker?” His teammate Akane asked. Oh yeah, it was Valentine’s Day. He had forgotten. He never thought of it as a day worth anticipating.
“Oh, yeah. A few.” That wasn't a lie. Takenaka wasn't surprised. Not out of conceitedness, mind you. Very little surprised him as a telepath. He knew he was fairly popular with girls, and a handful of boys as well, usually for one thing in particular.
“Knew it! You’ve got that handsome profile, you know.” There it was. “Sooo, whose are you gonna accept?”
“Don't know yet.” There was none he was particularly interested in dating at a glance. He had to know someone pretty well before he got to that point regardless. “I'd have to look over them again. And I don’t think I'm supposed to tell you before them.”
“Ah, yeah, makes sense.” Akane rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Anyway, I bet you and that telepathy club president would be a good match. I always see you heading for their meeting room after practice.”
“You think so?” Takenaka replied flatly. He had to admit he wouldn't mind going on a date with Kurata. They had gotten a lot closer since their alien excursion during the new year’s festivities, but if she had given a note to him today, it would have surprised him. That being said, he'd have considered it.
“Yeah, man, I know so!” Akane patted him on the shoulder, which made him jolt. “I'll be rooting for you! See ya!”
“Yeah, see ya later.” With that, Akane left, and Takenaka began rooting through his bag for his headphones. He preferred them over his earplugs, which only served as bandages rather than painkillers. When he couldn't feel them in the compartment he was searching, he moved to the next, each empty compartment increasing his panic. He'd left them at home, today of all days, when he'd otherwise be bombarded by the collective thoughts of happy couples and downtrodden loners alike with no protection. He'd just have to grin and bear it. Also, as much as he liked the solitude of his commute home, the mind reader felt he needed company. Sighing, he pulled out his phone.
Takenaka: Hey are you still at the club room?
Kurata: Yea why
Takenaka: I'm heading over
~~~
“Hey, you just missed everyone else.” Kurata greeted her friend as he slid the door open. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I'm fine,” he replied. “I just wanted to know if, uhh, you wanted to go home together.” Kurata's face took on a teasing expression, to Takenaka's annoyance.
“Ohhhh? Is this your idea of a Valentine's date? Well, if you insist~”
“No, no! I just…I-I'm not feeling good right now. I'd feel better if someone--if you came with me.”
“Oh.” Kurata's expression grew serious. “O-of course, Takenaka. I'd be glad to help you out like that.”
“Thanks, Kurata. I'm good to head now if you are.”
“Yeah, just gimme a sec to tidy up. Gotta keep this room clean and all even if we're not an official club.”
“I'll help.” He began clearing the table of books and junk food wrappers.
“Thanks!” Kurata said enthusiastically, and Takenaka nodded in response. They worked together in comfortable silence before heading to the train station.
~~~
Conversation had been sparse on their journey, so Kurata decided to initiate.
“So, how many stops do you have to go?”
“Five, then I'm transferring on the Paprika Line. After that, three stops.”
“Oh, that works for me, then! We transfer at the same station!” Takenaka breathed a sigh of relief. That was that much less of his commute to spend alone with other people's thoughts. He was usually able to tune everything out on the train, but stations were a different beast entirely.
Once their stop was announced, the two disembarked and stepped out into the station. Immediately, Takenaka's conscience was blasted with a cacophony.
Omg is he gonna propose?!
Why can't I find a girlfriend, dammit! I hate couples!
My lunch break is too short.
I wonder if she's into girls.
Takenaka clutched his temple and grit his teeth. He could feel his breathing getting faster, and before he knew it, he was doubled over on the floor of the station.
“Takenaka! What's wrong?!” Kurata urged as she reached for him. The mind reader felt tears prickle at his eyes. He looked at her reached back towards her arm, gripping it tightly.
Please, talk to me in here. Takenaka's voice rang out inside her skull, a desperate, tired sound.
Okay. Kurata nodded. About what?
Anything! Just something to block out this noise! He yelled.
Are you sure that's gonna help you?
I don't know, but it's worth a try. Please help me up. Kurata obliged, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulder.
Is it okay if I touch you? Kurata looked at him expectantly.
Yeah, I'll let you know if not. Takenaka nodded his approval.
Okay, let's get outside and get some fresh air. The club president began leading him to the exit.
No, no, I need to make my train! Just keep talking! The telepath gave Kurata a firm glance.
You're not looking good, Takenaka. Kurata suggested firmly yet gently. Let's get you calm before you head home, yeah?
Yeah, okay. Takenaka looked away, nodding rapidly. I just wanna go home.
You'll get home. Let's just find somewhere quiet. Um, I've been reading up on foreign alien sightings lately. When Takenaka didn't respond, she kept going. Did you know that there was a sighting in some mountain range in America? Something about the Flatwoods monster.
Mhm. Sounds cool. Good, she had gotten a response. It was working.
Skeptics say it's just an owl, but its presence is heralded by a foul smell, and it supposedly has a head like a spade!
Does it just. Live there? In the woods? Takenaka's internal words were coming out slowly. His breathing had returned to normal, but he was still shaking.
Yeah. Maybe it likes Earth and doesn't wanna go home. Who knows?
I'd assume it's less friendly than the aliens we met. Takenaka chimed in.
Yeah, you're probably right. Kurata reluctantly admitted. It sucks that most aliens are perceived as hostile, though. I like to think we could get along with most species.
That's optimistic, but…I like the way you think. And I don’t say that lightly.
Ha, there's that Takenaka snark. You seem to be doing better, she said as they emerged into the golden light of sunset. Suddenly and uncharacteristically, Takenaka pulled his friend into a hug.
“I am. Thank you,” his voice wavered as he embraced her tighter.
“Hey, it's alright,” Kurata patted him on the back. “That's what I'm here for. Is that why you invited me to come along with you?” He nodded, sniffling.
“I left my headphones at home,” he explained, breaking the hug. “Earplugs aren't good enough to block everything out during rush hour, so it was really overwhelming.”
“Yeah, I can imagine,” said Kurata sympathetically. “You're okay now, though.”
“Yeah. I think hearing your thoughts allowed me to drown out everyone else's,” he admitted. “I don't know why, but I'm glad it worked.”
“Maybe it's because you're so into aliens now, you nerd,” the club president playfully teased.
“Shut up.” A smile broke out in Takenaka’s face. “Can we find a park bench somewhere?”
“Yeah, sure,” Kurata smiled warmly at him.
~~~
“So, any new partner I should know about?” Now that Takenaka was feeling better, Kurata felt no shame at asking this question as they sat side by side on the bench.
“Nah. I got a few notes and chocolates, but none of them stuck out to me. You?”
“Nope, not a single letter either.” She made a circle with her fingers to represent a zero. “Figures. Not many go for the occult girl.” Takenaka found himself relieved that she hadn't gotten a new partner. Why was that?
“I gotta say, Takenaka, I'm surprised. You're all quiet and mysterious, and you're in a sports club. And you can read minds! How is it you're single after today?” Kurata sounded almost offended on his behalf.
“Well, I never said I was good at tennis. Also, most people would be put off by the mind reading,” he reminded her.
“How are you and Mob so clueless?” Kurata threw up her arms in exasperation. “Many people would kill to go out with an esper!”
“What makes you such an expert?” Takenaka smirked at her. “You got a thing for espers or something? You read too much manga, Kurata.”
“N-no! Well, maybe I do read too much manga,” she sighed, “but you really do have powers! That's my point! But okay, who would you even wanna date, anyway?”
“Well, I did wanna go out with Takane for a while,” he said bashfully.
“Whoa, me too! Normally I'm not a romantic, but she's just that pretty.” She blushed. “We could have been rivals, huh?” Takenaka burst out laughing.
“Well, I think you would have had the advantage. No powers,” the telepath shrugged. “But I'm not really into her anymore. She's pretty and all, but I couldn't really connect with her. I'd want someone I could be myself around.” Someone like Kurata, he realised, thanking the powers that be for making his brand of telepathy a one-way street. But when he thought about him and Kurata being something more, it just made sense, especially after the events of this afternoon.
“Yeah, I can respect that.” Kurata pondered. “You're a decent guy, though. You'll find someone.” Silence fell over them briefly before Kurata once again broke it. “Anyway, we should probably head home. You gonna be okay going back through the station?” Takenaka paused before answering.
“Yeah. I'll be okay.” He smiled warmly at his friend before they set off together. Now, he just had to figure out how to properly ask her out.