Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was an incredibly and irritatingly cliche to be stuck in if he was perfectly honest. One that could only occur because of one person on the planet.

"Ah! Sorry I just--"

He cut her off by shifting again.

"Thank you." She murmured quietly.

The thing was, what wasn't part of the cliche, is that she didn't actually want to be in the situation either.

He always assumed mutually assured destruction would involve hatred, not the universe getting so tired of her pleas that it decided to intervene.

"I'm sure Chiyo will find someone soon."

He didn't bother holding in his sigh this time and she didn't bother hiding her grimace. Though, in her mind, he couldn't see her.

Unfortunately, as also went with the cliche, he could and she was blushing like a madwoman.

Anyone else would be swooning. He was just. . . Irritated. Which was putting it lightly.

If he actually let himself analyze his emotions, he was angry, but he couldn't sit on that one too long. Not with his powers glitching like they were.

A nasty side effect of trying to get rid of his powers or a cruel joke by the universe to make him play nice? Dealer's choice.

He let his head fall back against the metal as he tried to reach for his powers.

Like the last 20 times. It didn't work.

"Um," he glanced down at her since he had nothing better to do, "are you," he watched her try to fidget before remembering their situation and deciding against it, "ah, um, okay?"

I'd be better if we weren't in this mess, but that seems obvious.

"Barring the obvious problem of course."

Stop talking like that! You're being weird. This situation doesn't have to be weird!

Truly, the only saving grace is that they were on the same page about this whole thing.

Urgh! Honestly, how long does it take to find someone to fix this! Of all the ways I envisioned spending more time with Saiki, some cheesy bad romance cliche like this wasn't even on the list! How do people even consider this romantic?!

That was his question too. But then again, he supposed the reason was something he was choosing to ignore.

"My leg is cramping."

Teruhashi startled at his words, forgetting she even asked a question.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I can try and give you some more--"

"It's fine. Moving will only make this worse."

Heh, maybe for anyone other than a perfect pretty girl like me!

Good grief. Please--

Teruhashi tried to shift to give him more space, but the tiny closet wasn't bolted to the floor, so when she moved, the whole thing rocked. Acting quickly, Saiki settled the small closet before it could tip and possibly make the situation worse.

He pushed up his glasses to rub at his eyes.

He could almost feel the steam coming off of her.

aaaaaaaaAAAAAAAHHH! "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry. I didn't think that would happen! I thought that the closest would stay still, but I guess since you're heavier than me I didn't, I'm." She covered her face with her hands, thoroughly embarrassed.

This is ridiculous! Things always work out for me! What are you doing up there, God? It's time to stop messing around and get us out of here!

"It's fine. Did anything fall on you?" Something he had to be genuinely concerned about, because if she came out of this situation with any mysterious bruises, he'd be done for. Forget social suicide, he'd end up on Japan's most wanted list.

"No, I'm fine. I think. I can't really see, so."

That would have to be good enough for the moment. It didn't actually help him though.

He's so warm.

Don't go there. It's pyrokinesis. Don't fall for this stupid plot device.

I shouldn't have moved. He's probably even less comfortable now. And he had been so kind before! He was squeezing himself in a corner so I didn't feel uncomfortable in here with him. Plenty of other guys would have taken advantage of this.

Teenagers are hormonal and another H word I'm going to ignore. Though Toritsukia comes to mind.

Why isn't Saiki taking advantage of this?

What.

I know he doesn't see my beauty for whatever reason, but he is still a guy.

Again. What.

Before she could even think about shifting to test the steadily brewing theory he wasn't a fan of, he put his hands on her shoulders.

"Saiki?"

He hoped his deeply disapproving glare could be felt even through the darkness.

Her shoulders slumped under his hold and he removed his hands to return them awkwardly at his side. Where they were before.

He tried to reach beyond the closet to see how Chiyo was doing telepathically, but honed in on some guy 200 meters away eating ramen instead. He tried crossing his eyes to see her location and saw a woman sorting files in her home, with similar hair and build to Chiyo, instead. Now he has a headache too.

"Saiki?"

He focused back on the girl in front of him, having to look down as she had more or less pinned him when she tried to move. Usually it was the other way around in these situations, but anything that broke from the norm would be appreciated.

"Can I ask you a question?"

If there was anything better to do, I wouldn't be saying yes to this. I want that to go on record.

"Yes."

He's always so deadpan! Ugh! It'd be nice if I could fluster him for a change.

Over my dea. . . Actually. Let's not jinx that one.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Most of his life is a secret.

"Yes."

This probably won't work either, knowing him! Maybe he's immune to this sort of thing?

Bad romance tropes? Yes. I'm allergic.

"Promise?"

Good grief. "Do you want me to pinky swear?"

She giggled and. . . Okay, it was a little, not really, more like in the sense of a cat yawning or a dog rolling over and showing you its belly, it was sort of like that kind of. . . Cute. If you were into that sort of thing.

"I'm holding you to that." She murmured.

Why?

He could feel her shift again and was about to put his hands on her shoulders to stop her, when soft warm lips brushed against his.

He jumped at the contact and she pulled back quickly.

"Saiki? Are you okay?"

His first reaction, other than extreme surprise, was, well, he didn't actually know. But his second feeling was that he was angry. Angrier.

But she was smirking. Teruhashi Kokomi had kissed him in the darkness of the closest they were in, swearing him to secrecy and kissed him.

Surely that got him flustered! Why else would he jump like that?

"Your hands are cold."

Which wasn't technically a lie since he always ran hot.

Grrr! Fine. "Oh. So what I did was okay then? You can say no."

The annoying part is, if he said no, he knew she would back off. Probably get him a coffee jelly for an advancement that made him uncomfortable. But if he said that, he would be lying. Because he didn't care for kissing. Period. But not because it made him uncomfortable. It just. . . it. . .

Not that it mattered. He had lied countless times. But this lie had connotations he didn't like. That she harassed him in some way that wasn't psychological and partially his own fault. That wasn't allowed.

"You probably shouldn't go around doing that."

Kokomi gave an offended gasp. "I would never! And if I made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. It's just, you always see this in the shows and movies, you know? I just wanted to see, but now I see how deeply wrong that was and--" oh my gosh. He probably hates me now. Why did I do that? He's going to report me when I get out of this closet. Why wouldn't he? I would report me!

Which is exactly why I can't lie. That's not this type of fic. This time.

"It's fine." He was saying that a lot today. "Like I said. Your hands were just cold.”

He could see Kokomi short circuit. "You're not upset?"

About the kiss? No. Indifferent maybe. The fact you're forcing me to play this game of chicken? Yes. That I'm very upset about.

Because he hated losing. Which is why he never played a game of chicken. And with how unreliable his powers were being, he'd have to get her to back down naturally.

"So. . ." She paused, searching eyes she couldn't see, "so I can do it again?"

"If you want." Vague and blasè was the way to go.

He doesn't care at all!? I just kissed him! He should feel something about it.

"Well, like I said, I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Stop and think Kokomi. Maybe he feels like he can't tell you the truth?

"You'd know if I was uncomfortable. I would have stopped you from talking again."

That's. . . A fair point.

She swallowed, determination returning.

"Okay."

She got up on her tip toes and kissed him again. Unlike the first time, he was prepared, so no jumping. However, Teruhashi seemed to anticipate this, so the second kiss wasn't nearly as chaste as the first one.

When she leaned in his time, the hand on his neck was urging him down to meet her halfway and her other arm came to rest on his shoulder too.

Fine.

Matching her, he let his hands come away from the wall and put them on her hips, going with her as she urged him down.

Their height difference was negligible for just about anything else, but he supposed kissing would make it apparent.

She arched up into him as he started kissing back.

She gasped at the reciprocated contact and he pulled her ever so slightly closer.

She broke the kiss, eyes still honed on where she knew his lips to be and squeezed his shoulder.

Surely this time.

"Are you okay?" She whispered and he could feel the heat against his lips. Feel the way her lips briefly brushed against his from how close they were.

"I'm fine. Are you?"

It was a subtle challenge, but it made her bristle with anger.

"Perfectly.”

Great. So this can stop now.

She pulled him into another kiss, left hand sliding up the hair at his nape.

Guess not.

He could feel her determination coming off her in waves and it only invigorated him to make sure she lost.

Experimentally, he gently bit her lower lip.

The faster he made her flustered to the point of backing off, the faster he would win and they would put this situation behind them.

She gasped again, grip on his hair going from loose to, apparent.

Curious, he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

Ah! I didn't anticipate him being such a good kisser!

She responded eagerly to his curiosity, chasing him as he pulled away to let her breathe.

Damnit!

She was panting just barely, chest rising and falling much faster than it had been just moments before the impromptu make out.

His breathing hasn't even changed. What's it going to take?!

He smirked. Nothing you can do. Holding my breath is easy. I don't need to breathe while kissing either. . .

His brows furrowed at the thought.

Am I enjoying--

She pushed back against him, going in for another kiss before he could finish the thought.

Time to change tactics then!

Except she didn't go for his lips, instead brushing her lips against the small portion of his neck that was exposed, making him shiver.

Damnit.

Yes!

It doesn't mean anything.

She brought her fingers down to the front of his uniform to expose more of his neck.

Honestly, isn't this all going too far?

He titled his head back as she kissed every inch of skin available.

Her lips are so soft. What?

Now he'll be flustered! No way he won't be!

She pulled back, letting herself fall back onto the balls of her feet, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of any outward reaction. Especially since there wasn't even an inward one. Her lips are soft. That's not a reaction, that's a comment. A fact.

He let his hand trail up her sides and felt her shiver.

He's still not affected?!

He dipped down slightly to kiss at the underside of her chin, undoing the top button on her uniform too.

The only thing this is doing is making me flustered. It's not fair!

Something between a whimper and a squeak tried to escape her throat, but she swallowed it down by holding onto his shoulder.

If you're getting flustered, you could always give up.

Her breathing increased in pace as he pulled back to stare.

"Saiki, I--"

I took so long, I wonder if anything happened? You're so lucky you have an awesome wingman Kokomi! I hope you didn't waste this opportunity.

That's not good.

Come on Kokomi, just tell him. "Saiki, I'm,"

Going to have to wait. Yes. And also, don't tell me at all, preferably.

He fixed her uniform quickly, as well as her somewhat frazzled hair and started to fix his own uniform.

Huh? What's wrong? Why's he?

"I'm here! I'm here! Sorry it took so long! You wouldn't think exploring a three story school all on your own would be that difficult, but it is."

Ah! That's why!

Teruhashi rapidly started fixing her own hair and clothes before turning on him and fixing his as well.

I had already fixed them. I can see in the dark.

He looked down at his uniform to see if she'd ruined his work only to find it looked better than when he did it himself.

Guess God is back on her side now.

Gentle fingers brushed against his hair and he almost moved away on instinct. But the fingers were deft and quick, avoiding his limiters and putting the barely noticeable out of place hairs back to where they belonged.

I didn't even notice that.

Ugh, I hope that's good enough. I hate not being able to see!

Saiki spun her around, making her let out a small eep as the closet door finally opened.

Something scandalous?! "Are you two, perfectly normal?! Huh! You didn't do anything? You were trapped in there for over an hour!"

So it was intentional.

Saiki rolled his eyes and stepped to the side as Chiyo pulled Kokomi out of the closet.

"You took that long on purpose? Chiyo!"

The brunette had the decency to look chastised, but only just.

She glanced at him and then brought her voice down to a whisper. "I was trying to help!"

Teruhashi looked exasperated and he took that as his cue to leave.

Admittedly, he was aware he should stick around to make sure that him and the self proclaimed perfect pretty girl were on the same page about this not getting out, but he really didn't want to. If anything, on Monday, she would corner him and tell him that nothing happened in the closet. Or that the closest never happened at all. Because it would be "undignified" for a perfect pretty girl like herself to be stuck in a closet like that. Especially how long she was stuck in it for.

In the worst case scenario, she tried to confront him on the weekend. Either way, he would deal with it as the situation arose.

Not that it would be one. She was trying to get him flustered and she failed. It was no different than her trying to get him to say "oh wow". It was the same game, just with a different look.

"Welcome home, dear!" His mother called from the kitchen.

He stepped out of his shoes as he made his way to go up the stairs.

"You're home later than usual, are you okay?"

He paused on the steps to look at her.

"Something irritating happened at school that I had to deal with and I couldn't use my powers."

His mother frowned with sympathy. "Are your powers still misbehaving?"

He didn't have to say anything in answer to that.

"Well, it couldn't have been too terrible."

He frowned at his mother's words.

"Oh it's nothing bad, Ku. You're just," she brought a finger to her chin, "well I don't know how to put it, but you seem like you're glowing."

"Glowing?" He echoed accusingly.

His mother laughed. "Oh don't mind me, I'm probably imagining things. Dinner will be ready in an hour."

He entered the bathroom instead of the bedroom to look at his face. He didn't seem to be glowing as far as he could tell.

He took off his glasses, just to be sure. But there was nothing. He looked just like he usually did.

He clenched his fists and then undid the first button on his uniform.

Still nothing.

His reflection had furrowed brows and a frown. He glared at it.

Mom's seeing things. I'll have to keep an eye on that.

And so he went through his weekend without issue and when Monday came, nothing happened then either. She didn't chase him down, didn't try and corner him, she didn't do anything. She was her usual, normal, self absorbed, arrogant, vain self.

Finally, Chiyo has stopped pestering me about what happened in the closet.

He glanced over at her and she smiled, but he could tell inwardly that she was grimacing.

But what the heck was that! What came over me? That's not how perfect pretty girls behave. I just, I kissed him! No, no that would be fine. I made out with him.

It was impressive that her face didn't change.

I made out with Saiki. Oh my god. Oh. My. God. Oh my god.

It really was annoying how good of an actor she was. To the outside world, she wasn't having a crisis. Internally, she was falling apart.

It really doesn't have to be a big deal. It was just a game of chicken.

That's why he remained mostly unaffected.

Mostly? I am unaffected.

The bell rang and the school day ended.

Kokomi was only a second late to acknowledge the school day was now over, but no one else noticed. Hell, the only reason he did was because he was watching her.

And yet, even here, she still didn't do anything.

She's really going to just let this go?

He was relieved and a little skeptical and some third thing he couldn't name.

He ignored the third thing resolutely. He put it in a box in his brain and shoved it way down.

-

It was Friday again a week later when their combined luck ran out once more. At least, he was assuming it was, because how else could Kokomi forget an umbrella. Similarly, how else could it be that he just happened to have one on the day she wouldn't.

Hasn't this already been done before? It was cliche then too.

Except last time, he had used his powers to get rid of the rain and last time, she had been holding the umbrella.

This time, she had been trying to avoid not being in this situation and this time, he was the one with the umbrella.

She held her bookbag over her head as she glanced around for any other way to get out of the rain. Resigned, she made her way over to him with a sheepish smile.

"Hi Saiki, mind if we share?" Not that you'll say no to a perfect pretty girl.

He would have actually, but her arrival finally freed him from why he was stuck in the first place.

Too many bugs came out in the rain and he was paralyzed as a few littered his path home. He would have simply teleported but, once again, his powers decided to stop obeying him.

The insects seemed to part for God's favorite and so they started walking.

Unnamed forces aside, this isn't romantic. Maybe if Teruhashi was forcing it, but she seems just as adamant as me to not let this happen.

I can't believe this. We're walking under the same umbrella, it's raining, I could ask him to walk me home. This has all the perfect hallmarks for a confession!

Nevermind. I forgot God hates me.

Except this isn't how I want this to go! We need to address the make out session and a confession on some random street isn't nearly as romantic as TV shows depict. On top of all that, I'm cold!

I'm getting mixed signals.

"I'm glad I stumbled upon you, Saiki. I would have been soaked to the bone otherwise. Who would have thought this downpour would have come out of nowhere?"

Seriously! Who?! I always get some kind of sign to bring an umbrella on days like today. Or there's always someone who conveniently has an umbrella I can use. Why didn't that happen today?

The juxtaposition between her thoughts and her words were jarring, but they always were. He just didn't usually have such a hard time not laughing.

"If you don't mind, can we go to my house?" Any other guy would have asked if he could walk me home by now. Maybe Saiki is just shy? She glanced at him with a smile that would have most men on their knees.

He nodded.

No way he's shy. He's not quiet because he's nervous at all! I just can't get a read on him. No, don't do this again. That's how you got in that situation last time.

The fact you're aware of it is good.

"Thank you. I'll make it up to you next time."

Don't do that.

The walk continued, now with a destination of her house instead of his.

At least there's no way for this to suddenly become romantic.

He almost slapped his hand over her mouth before the thought could finish, but it would be useless for multiple reasons even if he had.

Damnit all to hell.

He braced himself for something to happen. For something to force them into another situation like the closest.

But the rain only fell a little harder in response to her thoughts.

She really is lucky.

As they turned down a street, a car came barreling at them. He didn't have his speed, but he did still have his reflexes.

He cradled her body against his and cushioned her head as they pressed against a brick wall.

He pulled away and looked at his shaking hand with a frown.

Is that blood?

He sighed.

Well. Shit.

That truck almost hit us. Oh my god. I didn't see it coming at all. Oh my god. Calm down. It wasn't intentional. It could happen to anyone. Calm down.

Saiki focused on her body, glad he has x-ray vision today at least.

She was physically fine, just psychologically rattled. Not that he could blame her. Thoughts of his last run in with a truck had him grimacing.

What a terrible thing to recall.

"Oh god!" The truck driver clambered out of the car and rushed over to them. "Are you kids okay? Oh geez, tell me I didn't hit you!"

Saiki opened his mouth to speak, but Kokomi stepped to the side and smiled at the man.

"No, we're okay. You didn't hit us."

"Oh wow. I mean! I'm so glad. I would have never been able to forgive myself if I hit you two. The rain was coming down so hard and my windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. Can I make it up to you? Can I take you kids home?"

Teruhashi shook her head genially. "Oh, no thank you." She looked back at him. "We're okay, right Saiki?"

I am, other than my hand, but are you?

He nodded.

"See? We're okay. Please don't worry."

The man bowed several times and then made his way back towards his truck. "Alright, if you're sure. So sorry. Please be careful. Try to stick to the side of the road more right now."

He looked at them one more time before getting in his truck and driving much slower than before.

For someone who was literally shaken up, you'd never be able to tell.

Teruhashi picked up the umbrella from where it had flown out of his hand in his rush to stop them from getting hit.

"You got wet, I'm sorry."

He took back the umbrella and pushed his bangs up and out of his face. The way they had started sticking was making him mad.

"It's not your fault."

Teruhashi made a noise of disagreement as her eyes caught on his hand.

"Did you scrape your hand against the wall?"

He flexed his injured hand and nodded.

"It doesn't hurt."

"Would you like a bandaid anyway?"

This is such a weird atmosphere. I suppose I can't blame her. We did almost get hit by a truck.

She pulled out a bandage from her bag and then placed it over the back of his hand carefully.

"There."

She kept staring at his hand long after she'd put the bandage on.

He adjusted his bag and then took a few steps to indicate they should start walking again.

It took her a moment to catch on, but she did and stayed closer to his side this time.

He guided them to a vending machine.

This isn't the way to my house. Why did he detour to a vending machine?

He gave her the umbrella as he punched in the desired drink, paid and handed her the bottle.

Jasmine tea?

He got himself a latte. Coffee itself wasn't nearly as good as coffee jelly, but it was nice sometimes.

"Why?"

There was none of her usual veneer in the simple question.

"We almost got hit by a truck."

Teruhashi looked at the drink in her hand, rubbing her hand over the label.

He's trying to help me calm down?

She looked up at him and then raised the umbrella up so that he could comfortably stand.

He took back the umbrella to do so.

Stop racing heart! It's not a big deal. "Let me pay you back for my drink."

Good grief. "It's just change. It's fine."

Teruhashi swallowed and then nodded, taking a sip of her drink as he did.

He looks so handsome with his hair pushed back like that. No! That's not the right direction. Even if it is true. Pay him back somehow. What can I do?

Nothing preferably.

She closed the short distance that remained between them and he turned his head with the intention of making sure she kissed his cheek this time, but she had been aiming for that in the first place, so when he turned. . .

I missed!

Is this how it's going to be every time?

She pulled back at her realization that she missed, but her eyes searched his face before landing back on his lips.

He didn't react again.

She maintained eye contact with him as she leaned forward for another kiss.

He kissed her back gently this time.

Her left hand raised to his cheek and he tilted his head into the touch.

She smiled just enough for him to feel it against his own lips as she brushed her thumb over his cheek.

He pulled her a little closer, purely to match the touch on his cheek and relaxed into the kiss.

The sound of thunder and rain falling harder had her pulling away.

"Um," she cleared her throat, trying to will away the blush on her face, "I should probably get home. And you should too."

He stood back to his proper height and nodded.

Wait, are his pupils dilated?

No. You're imagining things. Why would they be dilated?

I could swear they are.

Saiki turned away to start walking and Teruhashi stumbled to catch up.

She needs her eyes checked too.

-

The rest of the walk home was uneventful, which he was grateful for since he actually had to walk home after dropping her off. Something he had forgotten about as he would usually just teleport.

By the time he made it home, his father was already there.

Instead of engaging with his parents, he went straight up the stairs to go to the bathroom and take a hot shower.

Teruhashi's hands had been cold again, but for some reason his mind kept insisting they were warm. That the hand on his cheek had been warm.

The truck almost hitting them must have just crossed the wires in his brain. It reminded him of a bad memory where he had to turn off his brain to save everyone. Now it was just trying to fill in the pieces.

He got out of the shower and brushed his bangs out of his face, just like he always did until he was ready to deal with his hair. Only this time, when he caught his reflection in the mirror before he went to fix his hair, Teruhashi's words came back to him.

Handsome is a strong word.

He shook his head to rid himself of the thought and then fixed his hair.

Tomorrow he would sleep, Sunday he would sleep and Monday he'd probably arrive to find money in his locker, or a drink with his name sitting on top of it. Either way, he would once again deal with the situation when the time called for it.

It shouldn't have been altogether too surprising then, when Saturday led to restless sleep and Sunday led to insomnia. Passively he was beginning to wonder if there was something bigger being put in motion with these minor nuisances, but he couldn't be certain.

"Saiki! I'm glad you're alright, the forces of dark reunion were strong the other day."

Because of the rain or because I almost got hit by a truck?

"We should be on our guard and check out this haunted hospital I found. It could be one of their hideouts!"

Or a huge waste of time.

"Buddy! Hey!"

Nendou swung an arm over his shoulder and he had to resist elbowing him in the gut to release him.

"Hi Nendou, me and Saiki were just talking about the haunted hospital we're going to check out after school." Kaidou spread his left hand over his face as if they were in a dramatic shounen. "I have a feeling an epic showdown will happen if we go."

"What? Nah. Me and buddy were going to go to that new ramen place!"

First of all, I didn't agree to the hospital. Second of all, you just got here so you definitely didn't ask me about ramen.

"Ugh, Nendou, you idiot. Is all you can think about, ramen?"

"No! Soba's good too. Oh, and so is udon. Hey, buddy, let's go get some udon right now."

We have class. You can be truant if you want to.

"Saiki would never do something like that! Plus, ramen is way better than udon anyway."

Nendou gasped and finally released Saiki from his hold. "You take that back, pipsqueak!"

"You're both idiots."

"Wha-- Saiki! He started it!"

What?

"I'm not an idiot. I got 4 right on our last quiz."

Did I say that to them?

"Nendou, that was out of 20." Kaidou gave the taller boy a look of pity.

"Yeah! I got 3 right last time."

That's technically improvement.

"Hey, you guys talking about the test?"

3 sets of eyes turned on the ex-gang member.

"Test?" Kaidou repeated quietly.

"Yeah? The test next Monday? We have the mock one today that we're supposed to use to study."

It was a shame Saiki didn't have Toritsukia's powers because he was sure he saw the ghost of Shun Kaidou leave its human container.

Wait. My powers are still acting up.

Saiki nearly felt very similar to the blue haired boy. He was screwed, though for an opposite reason.

Going so far as to call himself a genius was a partial truth. Most of the time he used his powers to unwillingly find the answer and then used his powers to willingly do badly. With his powers acting up though, it was anyone's guess as to how well he would actually do.

He nearly crushed his locker in his hand as he realized he would actually have to. . . Study.

The rest of the class was in varying states of disquiet about the test as well. Something he could finally sympathize with, now that his powers were on the fritz. Because it was one thing to not have his powers at all and have to behave as a normal person would, and another thing to have them but not be allowed to use them for stupid reasons. His current predicament made him fall in the latter.

Kuboyasu bumped shoulders with him as they left the room where they had just taken the mock exam.

"Hey man, it'll be alright. Even if we fail, we can just take makeup! Not that you're worried, you always place pretty well. I'm kinda jealous." The purple haired boy shook him good-naturedly.

"Yeah Saiki, you'll do great."

He turned to look at the remains of Shun Kaidou. He seemed to be withering away with each step taken.

"Jeez dude, you'll be okay too." Kuboyasu walked backward to help Kaidou stand on his own two feet, but it didn't seem to help much.

"Heh, what's the big deal? If you really need a hand, just use my tried and true method."

"Your stupid pencil doesn't work, Nendou! This is serious."

Nendou gasped loud enough for the people in the halls to look at them.

"You take that back."

Kaidou found his strength to stand on his own two feet again. "You got a 4 on the last exam!"

"I didn't have my pencil with me!"

Kaidou deflated to the floor and Kuboyasu rushed to catch him. "It's no use. I'm going to do worse than Nendou."

That would be impressive.

"Come on, Shun. Don't say that. I'm sure you'll do great!"

We're famous last words. Ones that only partially held true.

"I passed!" Kaidou fell to the floor in tears. "I actually passed."

Because the exam was pushed to two weeks later after how badly everyone did on the mock test.

"So did I!"

Saiki looked at Nendou's grade to find he did indeed pass, by one point.

Cutting it close.

"Phew,” Kuboyasu gently shook Kaidou, “all that studying really paid off."

This is starting to feel like the ending to a sports anime I didn't sign up to be a part of.

Kaidou wiped at his eyes. "Yeah. With the power of team work we-- hey! Saiki, where are you going?!"

Get Hairo to do this with you. I'm exhausted.

With the fear of his powers possibly leaving him at any point during the exam, he studied way harder than he had in a long time.

The studying paid off though, as his powers did fluctuate and become unreliable during the exam. He scored much higher than he would have liked to as a result, but spikes happened every once in a while. It was human nature. He'd recover.

Though instead of being able to enjoy his well earned coffee jelly like he planned, he found himself ignoring a sense of foreboding.

I don't run into her when my powers are acting up and suddenly I'm paranoid?

He shook his head and laid down on his bed, arms crossed behind his head as he stared at the ceiling.

I'm more tired than I thought if I'm letting her get to me even now. She was the picture of innocence these past 3 weeks. She didn't even pay me back for the drink.

He took off his glasses and looked out the window, the sunset painted his room a warm gold.

It'd be nice if she finally backed off and this was her way of showing it.

He let himself relax back into the sheets.

Good grief, I really am tired.

He could feel himself nodding off, but he didn't fight it. With how bad his insomnia had gotten, he wasn't surprised his body was finally demanding compensation.

He didn't expect to wake up so soon though.

He looked out the window to find it was the early afternoon.

Did I fall asleep for real? Why didn't Mom wake me for dinner? Or breakfast for that matter?

He flexed his hands to see if he had powers, disappointed to find out he did. Though admittedly, a little relieved.

Was I so tired I didn't even respond to her trying to wake me?

"Kusuo dear, Kokomi is here!"

He slipped on his glasses and prepared to rush down the stairs to stop his mom from letting the girl in, but he could tell it was already too late. He deflated and sat back on his bed.

She knocked twice and then opened his door, sticking a hand with a plastic bag in first. When that didn't get a response, she poked her head in.

"Are you sleeping or just pretending to sleep so you can rest a little longer?"

He stared at her and she huffed.

"Very rude." She opened the door fully before closing it softly behind her. "Must you be like this?"

Yes, but why do you seem familiar with this?

She set the bag down on his desk and walked over to him with her hands on her hips.

"You're just going to sit there?"

He stared up at her from his spot on the bed.

"You know the silent treatment doesn't work on me."

She pushed his legs aside to stand between them and she tilted his head up.

"You're still being rude, to me of all people no less."

Why wouldn't I?

"Fine." She dipped down and he could feel her warm breath on his lips. "You don't like talking much anyway and this is always more fun."

He was barely processing what any of that meant before she took his lips in a kiss.

It was way more confident than the past kisses they shared. It had none of the determination to get him to respond, nor did it have any anxiety that she wasn't doing a good job.

She slipped her hand to the nape of his neck and encouraged him to sit up straight so that she could kiss him better.

He followed just like he always did in these situations and she smiled against his lips.

When she pitched forward to set her knee on the bed, he scooted backwards on reflex and Kokomi pulled away.

"Are you done ignoring me then?"

He blinked at her and she huffed.

"Fine, fine, be that way. Talking is overrated."

She leaned down for another kiss, bolder this time with how she sucked on his bottom lip to get him to open his mouth.

She slipped her tongue inside and he placed his hands on her hips to steady her.

She hummed appreciatively as she trailed a finger down the side of his neck and to his collar bone.

It was just light enough to make him shiver.

He turned away from her to try and reason with her. Ask her why she was here. Anything, but she dipped her head down to his neck instead when he turned. She teased the skin there and he couldn't help the way he lifted his head.

He knew how stubborn she was and he didn't want to risk her getting hurt because he refused to budge.

And then she did something that made him jolt so badly at the sensation he ended up gripping her hips tighter than he meant to.

She giggled. "I haven't gotten you to react like that in a while."

He looked down at her to respond, only to be surprised that his button down was fully open.

When did she do that? How did she do that without me noticing. Wait, hold on.

"Wait--" he's not sure what compels him to use his actual voice, but he doesn't think about it too long.

She looked up at him from where she was unbuttoning her own shirt.

"Yes?"

He stared at her dumbly, confused and concerned.

She stared back, just as much if not more so and then something seemed to click behind her eyes.

"Oh. Oh my god."

She groaned and then slid down to the floor resting her back against his bed.

"You're not my boyfriend."

Is this a premonition? Or, no, did I slip into the future?

He really looked at Kokomi now. Tried to spot anything that would give something away.

"You have a tiny scar on the back of your neck."

She turned to look at him, pulling her hair aside as she traced it.

"I take it your Kokomi doesn't?"

He didn't like the implications of that.

"When did you get it?"

Kokomi went back to staring at nothing. "A while ago. I was trying to be the perfect daughter and help my father in the kitchen. The knife slipped. He didn't fully pull me away in time. The knife got me good, but the doctor that did my stitches was better. Most people don't notice it unless they get really close." She sighed.

The mental image of his Kokomi, in the sense that it was the Kokomi from the world he was familiar with, came to mind. He'd gotten a good look at her neck recently. She didn't have any scars.

This isn't my timeline.

"I think you just need to go back to sleep."

His attention refocused on the girl below him. He considered her for a while quietly.

"I'm fine. I'm just embarrassed and trying not to focus on it so my boyfriend doesn't tease me."

He frowned. "Why are you so convinced--"

"Your blush."

He lowered his body temperature quickly.

"My Kusuo only gets the faintest pinks on his cheeks now when we make out. You were blushing to your ears. And you were surprised I had managed to unbutton your shirt so fast. We usually make it a game where one of us ends up on our back. I should have recognized sooner. This happens sometimes."

"You know about my powers?"

She looks back at him with a soft smile and then holds up a necklace with a geranium ring pendant.

The instinct to speak out loud makes sense now.

He watches it fall gently back to her neck and he can see her squirm.

"Why are you embarrassed?"

She laughs exasperatedly. "That's way too complicated to get into. I should be asking why you were okay with kissing me? Whenever you're dating me in a different timeline, you can always tell immed. .  . Iate. . . Ly. Unless you're not dating me."

She stands up and holds his face. "Are you not dating me?"

It's odd to see her so comfortable in such a disheveled state.

"No. I'm not romantically interested in you."

"You're just about the sex then?"

He feels his face contort in distaste.

"Oh, you're an idiot." She shakes his head for him and then lets go.

"I would disagree."

"No, you're an idiot." She crosses her arms and then sighs again. "Look, I'm apparently not supposed to say anything, but God loves me. I'm sure everything will work out."

Just as arrogant.

"I need you to consider why you let me get away with kissing you."

You're incredibly lucky and you always seem to get what you want.

"And you've probably reasoned this in a million different ways, but you can let someone kiss you and not kiss back. And if you feel like that would be weird, I'm telling you, that's the normal response."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm just supposed to stand there?"

"That's what normal people do when they don't want to be kissed."

Something shifted in his chest at the words.

"Anyway, um, I kinda want to spend time with my boyfriend, so. . ."

He rolls his eyes but lays back down anyway.

"Seriously though," he hears the words like he's underwater, "you don't kiss back unless you want it too."

He jolts up and looks to where Kokomi had just been to argue, but he's alone in his room. It's evening now and his glasses are off.

He's back in his own timeline.

Good grief.

He drags a hand down his face.

That Kokomi doesn't know what she's talking about. I don't have a choice in the matter. I never do when it comes to her.

He stares out his window into the dark.

Not that she's forcing herself on me. I could pull away and tell her to stop easily. I just don't because I know there will be consequences.

"And you've probably reasoned this in a million different ways, but you can let someone kiss you and not kiss back."

That's just weird. You have to kiss back.

"And if you feel like that would be weird, I'm telling you, that's the normal response."

He clenches his jaw.

What does she know about being normal? She stands out like a neon sign in the dark. She couldn't fit in if she tried.

He ignores the voice that disagrees with the statement and puts his glasses back on.

None of this matters. It won't happen again, but if it does, I'll just pull away and prove it. Then when something horrible happens, it'll show why this timeline and that one were so different.

He pushes himself up and off his bed to go downstairs. He doesn't like how much of a hard time he's having taking his eyes off where the other Kokomi had been.

-

Kokomi is going to get this right. She's going to apologize for having kissed him twice now and then she's going to take a break on trying to get him to fall in love with her.

She's going to invite him to her house, they're going to study, she's going to apologize, they'll study some more and this time, nothing is going to happen. And one day, in the far far future, she'll look back on this and laugh.

It'll be a fun thing to talk about with her friends. She's sure of it.

God loves me, so some part of me must have been asking for this. Now that I'm not, everything will go my way!

It had officially been a month and a week since the first kiss. She couldn't let the guilt eat at her any more, and though she feared it would be difficult to get him to agree to come to her house, it hadn't been an issue.

This only further proved that God was officially and unequivocally back on her side. The fact that none of her family was home proved it even more.

When Saiki knocked on the door to her house, she greeted him with a smile and a pep in her step.

This time, everything will go the way I planned it!

"Hi Saiki, I'm glad you could make it."

He nodded and she stepped aside to let him enter.

He took off his shoes and set them to the side. He glanced at the living room before looking back at her.

"We'll be studying in my room if that's alright with you?"

"Is your brother home?"

"No." A small part of her wanted to ask what prompted the question, but she wouldn't be surprised if her brother managed to gain the dislike of the pink haired boy.

Saiki nodded and Kokomi took it as her cue.

She had cleaned and re-cleaned her room just for this moment.

She let him enter first and then promptly sat down across from him, making sure that no part of their bodies could feasibly touch.

Saiki settled himself and then started pulling out his homework. Kokomi mirrored him and got to work without saying a word.

The less talking, the better! Once we're at a good stopping point I'll broach the topic and then the air will really be cleared. After all, a perfect pretty girl doesn't have problems like this!

Kokomi tucks her hair behind her ear with a smile. It feels like she's finally untouchable again.

Glancing up at the boy across from her, she finds him just as focused.

Yes!

Time slips by with one hour turning into two, the only noise other than breathing being the scratch of pencils on paper.

As Kokomi finishes her last assignment of the day, she glances over to Saiki. She frowns as one of the answers to his questions catches her eye.

Oh dear.

"Saiki," the boy glances up at her, "that question is wrong."

She points at the question she's referring to and he just nods.

Hmph! It's okay Saiki, no need to be embarrassed. A perfect pretty girl like me can help. I'm not just beautiful, I'm smart too.

She gets up onto her knees and then crawls over to him so she can demonstrate.

"I know sometimes it's easier to get the question wrong and relearn from the teacher, but it's really a little mistake you made that led you to get the answer wrong. I'll help you fix it and then you won't have to worry about it!"

She beams at him. Her 100 kilowatt smile having been known to put grown men into cardiac arrest.

"It's fine."

Kokomi's smile shatters. "Fine?"

"I don't mind. I've probably gotten a lot wrong."

Kokomi inwardly huffs.

That's not the right kind of mentality to have! What's wrong with him? Oh! He must feel like he can't bring his grades back since he's always been middle of the group. Not to worry Saiki!

"Then we can go over everything together." Kokomi gently takes the paper away from him. "Then you'll definitely get an A!"

Just you wait, Saiki. This study session is going to be so good, you'll forget about all that irrelevant stuff.

She gets to work on flipping through the mini packet and marking everything he got wrong.

Out of 20 questions he missed 6.

"These are all simple mistakes, Saiki. It looks like you have the fundamentals down, so we'll get this fixed in no time!"

She starts walking him through each question, making carefully sure that he truly understands and only changes the answers once he does.

"And, there! That was the last question. Now we're--" she had turned to look at him and smile, but her breath catches as she realizes how close they had gotten. "Done." She swallows heavily.

So close. Oh my gosh. When did that happen? I should go back around the other side. But he's so close.

"Um, I knew you could do it." She says quietly, scanning his face.

He gives one nod in response.

She can feel her heart pounding as she unintentionally leans in.

I could just lean forward and--

She forces herself up and away from him. He follows her movements with his eyes.

"Excuse me for a moment."

She hurries out of the room and to the bathroom.

"What was that!" She whisper yells at her mirror reflection. "You were supposed to apologize for what happened twice and then make sure it didn't happen again. Going in for another kiss was not anywhere on that list!"

Kokomi pulls on her hair and tries not to scream.

He's not interested like that. You've kissed twice! The only reason he kissed back had to be because he felt too uncomfortable to pull away. It was just awkward is all.

She searches her own face for comfort.

He just kissed back and did all that other stuff because. . . Because. . .

She bites her lip.

"Doesn't matter. You're going to march in there, apologize to clear the air and then stop pursuing him. This will work."

She runs a hand through her hair.

It has to.

With a deep breath, she returns to her bedroom where Saiki hadn't moved.

The only acknowledgement he gives her is following her with his eyes once more.

Being stared at wasn't something she was unfamiliar with. She had grown up being the center of attention and admired by all, but it felt different when Saiki did it. It felt like green glassed irises didn't look at her, or through her for that matter, it was like they looked at something she herself refused to acknowledge. It deeply unsettled her and set her off kilter.

She brushed the anxiety off like she would dirt and smiled at him.

"Saiki," she started, "I need to be honest with you." She took a deep breath and straightened her already perfect posture. "I brought you here for another reason other than to study."

He blinked at her.

He's so hard to read sometimes! His face always reads like he knows what everyone in the room is going to say before they even say it! Impassive and bored! I bet if I marched over and pulled him up by his lapels and kissed him that would wipe that disinterested look off his face. His eyes would probably go all wide. Ugh! NOT THE POINT!

Kokomi restrains herself from grinding her teeth or clenching her jaw.

"I know this may be a surprise to you," he blinks at her again and she has half a mind to break her pencil just to get a reaction out of the unresponsive boy, "but I feel as though we need to clear the air."

Maybe I should confess? That might help the situation.

Her eyes fall to the floor.

If I tell him how I feel and explain that's why I've been so awkward about the kisses, maybe he'll understand. Maybe the reason he's been so blasè is because he thought I wasn't interested in him romantically!

Her cheeks burn as she risks a peek at him from behind her bangs.

His relaxed posture has changed and he's staring at her with purpose now. It makes her flinch and her eyes dart back to the floor.

Ah! He looks so serious now. Maybe I've made him nervous? That's not what a perfect pretty girl is supposed to do!

She lifts her head and moves away from the doorway to sit down next to him.

She curls her hands into her skirt and searches his face. "The real reason I brought you here is because--"

"It's not a big deal."

Kokomi feels like she just tripped and fell over air.

"Hormones or something."

1. . . Hormones?!

"N-no. I mean, technically yes, but that's not what--"

"It is. It's fine. We don't need to talk about it." He starts putting away his papers and Kokomi puts a hand over top of them.

"It's not hormones, even if hormones have something to do with it, stop interrupting me and if you didn't have feelings about it you wouldn't be trying to avoid it, would you?"

The silence that falls in the room makes Kokomi want to run out of the house and throw herself into the nearest volcano.

"I, um, I mean."

It's brief, there longer than most of his emotions appear, but still gone faster than the average person would have processed something.

"It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable." He looks at her now, turning his body and bowing his head. "I'm sorry."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

"NO I ENJOYED IT!"

God has left her. She is on her own once more and lady luck has given her the kiss of misfortune.

Her usually pristine hair is frizzed and sticking up at odd angles. Her blue eyes keep darting from him, the table and the floor. But perhaps most importantly, there's enough blood in her cheeks that she's pretty sure she's going to pass out, that is, if holding her breath doesn't do her in first.

"Then it's fine."

He says for the umpteenth time after an eternity.

I'm going to wipe that word off the face of the Earth.

The embarrassment turns into frustration without an outlet.

"We kissed each other twice." She applauds herself for not stumbling over the words. "You. . . You didn't seem interested, which is why I'm trying to clear the air. You're right. We don't have to talk about it again after today. I got carried away and I'm sorry. You didn't make me uncomfortable and, even though you said you would tell me, I clearly made you uncomfortable."

Kokomi inches backwards to properly bow. She's only bent in half when a hand comes to rest on her forehead to stop her from touching the floor. She tries to continue the movement anyway, but the hand remains steadfast.

She glances up to find irritation on the boy's face, but by the time she manages to sit up, his face is neutral once more.

"I wasn't uncomfortable. The first time was giving into petty tropes and the second was an adrenaline induced action. It's fine."

"And today?" She whispers.

It's not exactly like he pulled away when I went in for the kiss without thinking.

"Nothing happened today."

Did he not see it? Did he not notice that I almost kissed him again?

Her shoulders slump and she goes back to sitting next to him.

"So we're on the same page?"

Her heart is racing.

"It seems that way."

Her palms are sweaty.

"I'm happy to hear that, I was worried I'd made you uncomfortable and you didn't know how to tell me."

She feels lightheaded.

He nods.

She's always loathed butterflies in every capacity.

"Saiki?"

He looks at her and she closes the gap completely to kiss him.

The angle is awkward and she's using the table to balance herself because she's too afraid to touch him, but she's kissing him all the same.

They're not trapped in a closet. It's not after a near death experience. And she's not day dreaming. She's kissing the boy in front of her for no other reason than she wanted to.

But

But

She pulls away, fidgeting.

He didn't kiss me back.

She can feel a fracture in her pride, no. She feels a fracture in her heart.

She hopes it's a case of him being too stunned to react, but his face is still neutral.

Kokomi feels her eyes begin to burn for the first time in a long time with real tears. The pain clings to her throat and makes her look away.

"Right um. Like I said." She wipes at her face with her sleeve and then smiles. "We can just forget about it."

She pulls her hand off of the packet so he can fold it away as well. She stands so she can escort him to the door, just as a perfect host should.

Maybe Chiyo will be down for an impromptu movie night and I can blame my crying on whatever we watch.

"Well, I won't keep you anymore, so."

He hasn't moved. He hasn't grabbed his stuff, he hasn't taken his left hand off the floor where he used it to balance himself after her surprise attack. He hasn't done anything.

Oh. Great. Now you have made him uncomfortable.

"I'm not uncomfortable."

She startles.

"I'm stubborn, easily irritated, uncompassionate, lazy, antisocial and have a tendency to be touch averse."

Huh?

"I don't like crowds, I tolerate children and I'll use any excuse just to not hangout with someone because I would rather be alone."

What is he talking about?

He gets up from the floor and glares at her.

It's a real glare too. It lasts longer than a second, longer than two. She blinks and he's still glaring at her.

"I've been arrogant, aloof, distant, weird and occasionally downright mean to you on all the dates we've been on and it hasn't deterred you."

Wait, he was acting like that on purpose?!

Her face flushes from embarrassment again.

He knew those were dates?!

"You've had a crush on me for some unfathomable reason for the better part of the past year and several months, despite numerous attempts on my end to stop it."

So, he's not interested. Come one Kokomi, you literally just learned that.

"I won't bother you anymore."

A perfect pretty girl isn't obsessive.

"You are the only person more stubborn, arrogant and determined I've ever met who isn't me."

There's no need to insult me.

He pinches his thumb and forefinger on his nose while taking a deep breath.

"You've kissed me twice and each time I rationalized it to hell and back because you winning pissed me off more than I wanted to acknowledge."

I'm getting a lot of mixed signals.

Kokomi tilts her head and stops fidgeting.

His eyes open and he walks over to her. She straightens up to look at him in the eye as much as she can.

"You're insufferable and the only consistent thorn in my side that I can't seem to get rid of."

I'm on an emotional rollercoaster here. Is he rejecting me or not?

"You're stupidly lucky and annoyingly admirable."

Maybe I've fallen asleep and this is some weird nightmare? Saiki never speaks like this. He's quiet and generally neutral on most things.

Saiki rolls his eyes and Kokomi pouts.

Dream Saiki is mean.

"You kissed me just now."

She nods, still unsure of where all of this is going.

"I didn't kiss you back."

I was there . . .

"I didn't think I would want to. I was certain if I was put in this situation that I wouldn't want to."

But? It sounds like there's a but. "But?"

"Good grief, for someone who claims to be so smart you can be uncharacteristically dense."

Again with the insults! Where is this coming from? I'm amazing!

"I'm just a little," her breath hitches as a gentle hand tilts her head up, "um,"

"I'm going to kiss you now."

She nods soundlessly, heart beating loud enough to send blood rushing in her ears. "Okay."

His confidence is enough to rival her own. She supposes it's not technically fair to assume that she was his first kiss like he was for her, but she just had a hunch.

They should be bad at this all things considered.

But he kisses her like they've done it a thousand times before. Like this is a goodbye kiss, or a hello kiss, or a just because kiss.

He pulls away and she stands on the tip of her toes to steal another one. He keeps her steady with one hand on her waist and it makes her head swim.

The pads of her feet land back on the floor and she feels like she could faint, or squeal or some combination of the two.

"Your annoying persistence is a trait I unfortunately seem to find attractive."

The only word that fully registers in her brain when his hand is still on the small of her back and his thumb seems to be absentmindedly stroking her cheek, is the word attractive.

"You like me?"

"Apparently."

Kokomi feels her face twitch and she feels guilty because she knows he can see it up close.

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"

He shrugs.

What the hell kind of reaction is that?!

"I didn't consider this something I wanted to have. Not until I realized that I was lying to myself for so long I started to believe it."

"You weren't interested in love?"

"Not particularly. I didn't get the appeal."

"So I'm just mildly interesting then? You don't actually like me that way?"

She can feel her heart breaking again.

"My parents put enough words in my mouth."

The unexpected sentence gets her to giggle.

He glances away from her. "I'm pretty sure I've been interested in you for a while."

"But?"

He sighs. "I'm a chronic liar and I'll always choose the path of least resistance if it means I don't have to acknowledge my own emotions."

"But I made that path hard to choose?"

"Impossible actually. Yes."

He's being so candid. I think this is the most I've ever heard him talk.

"I would still like to try dating you."

He looks mildly irritated at the words.. "I figured as much."

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

"Your body language isn't exactly expressing that. Neither is your tone of voice?"

Seriously, the prettiest girl in the world wants to date him and the most he can muster up is a sigh!?

"I told you I prefer solitude."

What does that have to do with this?

"You can imagine how odd it is then that I wouldn't mind your company."

Wait a minute. Wait a minute! "You're. You haven't. You're a tsundere aren't you?"

He doesn't answer.

"You really want to be in a relationship with me then? We can date? You like me like that?"

He's blushing.

Kokomi can't blush anymore. She'll melt if she does.

"Saiki Kusuo," her voice wavers and she clears it, "I would like you to be my boyfriend."

"Okay."

"I would also like to kiss you again."

"I thought you wanted me to leave?"

Kokomi kisses him quick. "I changed my mind."

Saiki rolls his eyes.

"Will you stay for dinner?"

He nods.

"Will you call me your girlfriend?"

"Can I kiss you instead?"

Kokomi beams, it's a smile so wide it hurts her face. "You can do both!"

"Good grief." He spins her, causing her to close her eyes and stretch her hands out to balance herself. He steadies her with another kiss before she can even process it.

The next thing she knows, he's back on the ground in front of the table.

"You're my girlfriend and I'm staying for dinner at your house."

Kokomi can't decide if she's the happiest she's ever been, or if this is just the beginning.

He likes me back!

"Yes."

He really likes me back! I can't believe it!

"You always get what you want in the end."

Hold on.

"I'm psychic by the way. But that's a plot point for another day."

"What?!"

"It's one of the reasons I fell in love with you."

The word love is all Kokomi's fried brain needs.

"You love me."

Saiki groans and Kokomi decries that this is going to be the first of many happiest days of her life.