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Sakamoto's shop smelled of fresh mochi and gunpowder, a strangely comforting combination. TP, who worked there a few hours a week to fund expensive JCC supplies, was mopping the snack aisle. TP's quiet demeanor was legendary. In the store's constant chaos, (tp) was a pillar of calm, often lost in her own thoughts.
That was precisely the problem, especially for a certain clairvoyant...
Shin, sitting on a stool trying (and failing) to repair an old walkie-talkie, could no longer concentrate on the circuit boards. He was bombarded with an affectionate and intense white noise.
“My God, the way his hair falls when he tilts his head. I’d love to… no, I can’t think about it. I’m supposed to be professional. Oh, but his hands. I bet he has warm hands.”
Shin was coughing. No, he wasn't sick, but his face was burning. TP hadn't even looked at him. Outwardly, TP was swinging the mop with meticulous concentration. Inwardly, it was a riot ofcrush.
Shin could read intentions, fear, anger. But love, especially the kind that took the form of elaborate scenarios involving a picnic by the river and compliments on dark circles under her eyes, was entirely new territory. He was supposed to read deadly threats, not sweet, embarrassing desires.
He ran his hand over his forehead. Even though TP never spoke to him directly, TP's mind was the loudest and most flattering place in the whole district.
Shin stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over the stool.
"I, uh... I'm going to do a patrol," he announced, which was ridiculous considering Sakamoto was sleeping behind the till and they were just a grocery store.
"A patrol?" asked Lu, looking at him with her intrigued expression.
"Yes! Mental patrol. To clear away the bad vibes," Shin muttered as he fled into the storeroom, his face crimson.
Lu rolled his eyes; it was official, Shin had lost his mind…
“He’s acting so strange right now.”
“It’s just Shin,” he retorted before sitting down in Shin’s seat; he had left his phone there, which was unusual…
In the days that followed, Shin tried to avoid TP, but it was impossible. Every time TP was within ten meters, he picked up the signal.
"I hope he slept well. He looks tired. I could offer him a little coffee. But if I offer him coffee, he'll think I'm weird. I'm already weird."
TP's thoughts were an adorable mix of panic and genuine affection. Shin, who always wondered if he was normal, found the purity of these thoughts disarming. Usually, when he read people, he perceived greed or murderous intent. With TP, he perceived only kindness.
One afternoon, Shin trained in Sakamoto's dilapidated gym, trying to channel his energy to block telepathy.
"You should concentrate, Shin," commented Lu, who was doing one-handed push-ups.
"I'm trying! But there's a noise... a sort of... constant background noise," replied Shin, trying to hit a sandbag.
"Ah, TP is here. Yes, their presence is very... stable."
Stable. Shin sighed. Stable was the understatement of the century. TP had just had a very specific thought about how Shin deserved to be praised for every little victory.
That night, Shin couldn't sleep. He realized it wasn't the thoughts that bothered him anymore, but the silence that reigned when he was too far from TP. He had become addicted to this gentle flow of admiration. He decided he was tired of being the secret listener. He wanted to be the open recipient.
The next day, Shin found TP at the store entrance, checking the magazine inventory. TP was wearing a comfortable hoodie and was focused
"Oh, this sweater is way too big. I look ridiculous. I wonder what Shin would think. Stop thinking about him!"
Shin approached, his heart beating with the rhythm of an assassin before an S-rank target.
"Hey, TP," he said, his voice surprisingly steady.
TP jumped, knocking over a pile of cooking magazines.
"Shin! Hello. Sorry! I'm so clumsy!" apologized TP, her face red.
"It's okay," said Shin, helping him pick up the magazines. He saw a fleeting thought:"My God, he's so close. I can smell coffee and leather."
Shin cleared his throat. "I noticed that... you were thinking about that new cafe that opened near the school. The one with the strawberry and matcha parfait?"
TP blinked. "Uh... yes. I was just thinking about that. Why?"
Shin smiled gently. It was the first time he had used his power for such a frivolous and personal reason.
"I was thinking... if you're free after your day here... I'd love to go. With you."
TP's face was a study in shock and delighted confusion. His mind, however, was the clearest Shin had ever heard:"NO! Wait, is this a joke? NO! Accept it! Act cool!"
"Yes," replied TP, his voice a little too high-pitched. "I'd love to!"
"Perfect," said Shin, suddenly feeling lighter. "I'll be waiting for you at 6 p.m. in front of the bus stop."
The date was simple and perfect. The perfect was delicious, the conversation flowed easily, and Shin had never been so happy to have to speak to express his thoughts.
As they walked through the park at dusk, a comfortable silence settled in. Shin broke it.
"TP, I need to tell you something..."
TP stopped, fearing the worst.
"Is he going to say he wants us to just be friends? Oh no, don't cry, don't cry. Be strong."
Shin smiled, feeling incredibly guilty for reading about this despair.
“No, that’s not it,” he said quickly, using his voice. Then he lowered his tone, moving closer. “It’s just… I feel like I really know you well. Better than I should know anyone after just a few weeks of working together.”
There was a moment of silence as TP looked at him, trying to decipher that honest look.
"And I like that," Shin murmured. He reached out hesitantly and took TP's hand. "I like everything I... perceive from you. And I'd like it to continue."
TP's spirit exploded with joy, a wave of affection so strong it almost made Shin recoil. But this time, he remained grounded. He looked at TP, not for the telepathic meaning, but for the genuine reaction.
TP said nothing. Instead, TP leaned slightly toward him, and there were no more thoughts, plots, or daydreams. There was only the warmth of the moment when Shin's lips met his. It was the most pleasant silence Shin had ever known. A silence that needed no mind-reading.
When they parted ways, TP had a bright smile.
"I'm glad you read... that you thought about going to that cafe," whispered TP.
Shin smiled back, genuine embarrassment replacing panic. He lightly squeezed TP's hand.
"Me too." And for once, it wasn't telepathy that told her the truth, but the softness of TP's hand in hers.