Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

____________________

{ PROLOGUE }

[…0…]

“What? A new foreign student?”

The class of 12- ⨌ was buzzing with excitement on the fact that yet another student was transferring to PK Academy. Rumors were that the student was a girl, so the majority of the boys in the class were crossing their fingers on the girl to be hot.

A certain pink-haired boy with antennas—wait; pins on his head—couldn’t care less.

Every single transfer student who came to PK Academy had only brought more troubles to him. First, the purple-headed pervert, then the delinquent Kuboyasu.

So what if a new foreign student came this time? Even though the student may not be from the same country, it wouldn’t change the fact that the person may just be a delinquent like Kuboyasu, or a straight-up pervert like Toritsuka. Who knows? All the other transfer students ended up like that. Saiki didn’t care, so he just sat at his place, pondering over those thoughts, when he heard Kaidou coming to him.

“Hey, Saiki!” He said, practically screaming in his ears. God, why does everyone yell when they talk? “I heard that a new foreign exchange student is coming, and she’s a girl. People are also theorizing on where she’ll be from.” He shrugged. “I just hope she isn’t a secret agent of the Dark Reunion…” He started posing in stupid ways.

‘I don’t care,” Saiki said telepathically.

“About the girl or his Reunion?” Kuboyasu asked.

‘Both.’

“Hey buddy!” Ah great, here comes Nendou. “Do you think this new student will be hot?” he asked stupidly.

“Don’t say obvious stuff, Nendou! We aren’t sure if the student is a girl or boy!” Kaidou scolded.

“Oh, my bad,” He replied.

‘Silence, class,” said the teacher as she entered the classroom. The boys quickly moved back to their places, giving Saiki peace from his troublesome, so-called ‘friends’. “Uhh…Okay, good,” continued the teacher, surprised that the students were so disciplined today. ‘They’re not. They just want to see the new girl.’ thought Saiki.

“We have a new foreign exchange student today. She’s from London, so she only knows basic Japanese, and is still learning our language. Please welcome her nicely.”

The boys already started murmuring with each other, irking Saiki as they kept on thinking if the girl would be hot, or cute, or sexy, or…anyways, Hairo stood up suddenly.

“CLASS! WELCOME THE STUDENT NICELY! DON’T EMBARRASS YOURSELVES!” He yelled.

Due to Hairo’s fire-like personality—and due to his classmates’ respect— the chatter immediately died down.

Saiki, absentmindedly putting a hand to his head, thought, ‘ Seriously, why does everyone have to yell today? It’s irritating.’

You all may be thinking, why is Saiki such a mood today?

Well, this morning, when he woke up—he had a headache. What does that mean? A premonition for our favourite sadist pink-haired protagonist.

But what pisses him off right now is not the headache. It’s that he didn’t get a premonition yet. That means the headache’s too early, and he’ll have to tolerate with it until he gets the premonition.

This has made him extremely pissed off...Because due to that, he has a headache the entire day. His parents thought he’d be able to handle it. And he is.

The only thing was that all the boys were so jumpy and excited on the foreign student, even when they saw the past transfer students not being all that great. Well, it was probably due to the fact that this one was going to be a girl, and she was an outsider, so she’d be ‘beautiful’, quoting the disturbances Saiki heard talking.

‘I’ll just not concern myself with the student for today, not with this headache,’ Saiki thought.

But troubles never seem to leave Saiki alone, do they?

Five seconds later, a girl came in.

The first noticeable thing was the colour of her eyes. Her right eye was a dark violet, the other was a dark, ocean blue. Those heterochromiac orbs moved left to right, scanning the class in a second, before stopping her stride and standing straight.

She had short, black hair, with bangs slipping to her forehead in a curved manner. Small, spherical earrings were pierced in her earlobes, both a peculiar blue and purple; matching the glimmering orbs in the front of her head. Those eyes and earrings of hers were the only colourful thing on her body.

Saiki could see the black turtleneck t-shirt under her uniform, with the usual black shirt and bow, along with the dark green skirt. But they seemed to have a gloomy feeling on them. She had a childish face. Her skin was pale. Long, black skin-tight nylon stockings stretched till her knees, with standard brown shoes.

All the excited boys—who were thinking for the girl to meet their expectations—were let down. But some boys weren’t, thinking the girl looked pretty and cute . But not Teruhashi -level pretty.

Speaking of the blue haired girl, she was gawking at the new girl. ‘ Gosh, she looks pretty…but not as pretty as me! I’m sure she won’t steal my thunder! Her eyes look weird, so probably no one will come near her. Even if someone does, I’ll make sure they won’t!’ she thought. Saiki sighed. “ Arrogant and selfish as always… ” thought Saiki.

The girl, peered at her classmates. With silent steps, she turned around, swiftly picked up a piece of chalk with her pale hand, and started writing on the board.

こんにちは、私の名前はムオン・セイシンです。イギリスのロンドン出身です.

She wrote.

私は日本語で話すことはできませんが、日本語の書き取りと聞き取りには精通しています。私は日本語を理解します。私を同じクラスメートとして受け入れてください

( Translation: HELLO, MY NAME IS MUON SEISHIN, AND I AM FROM LONDON, BRITAIN. I AM UNABLE TO SPEAK IN JAPANESE, BUT I AM WELL-VERSED IN WRITING AND HEARING THE LANGUAGE. I UNDERSTAND JAPANESE. PLEASE ACCEPT ME AS A FELLOW CLASSMATE.)

When she was done, she turned around and bowed.

The teacher continued, “Please help with her studies everyone,” and she left the class.

{ Well, at least the school is nice…. }

_______________

Chapter Text

Cover:

Description:

Muon Seishin. A british transfer student with mysterious traits and a scary aura that makes almost everyone want to stay away from her. With her doll-like stature and silent mood, every student in class three is convinced that she's the most mysterious person they've ever met.

Muon Seishin. A girl who used to be ordinary but had the unfortunate luck to be blessed/cursed by psychic powers. She's intrigued by Saiki Kusuo, another psychic like her; except he was naturally born with them.

Another natural born psychic in 1000 years. Is it a coincidence, or yet another fluke?

Notes:

● Hi! I'm Serina Black, the author of this fanfic. 

●  Be warned for some mystery; the description gives a vague idea of the actual plot. I published this as an idea I can continue anytime I want. It's been with me for one year, and I've finally got the guts to write it!

● The Oc is (obviously) female.

● The OC is not specifically shipped with any character. Currently, the OC is just a part of the fanfiction without any 'romance' or things like that.

● Here is a character description along with her design:

● It was such a coincidence that I actually found some anime girl that matches my character the most. I changed a few things from the original art though. The girl on the cover is from google, with some editing done by yours truly; whereas I've done this concept art of Muon for you to get a better understanding of her.

● It's been a hella long time since I've watched Saiki k, so I'm rewatching the series. If I get any grammer of name error, plz don't slander me! Normal suggestions in the comments are alright.

● this does no follow the plot of Saiki k fully; most chapters are going to be total fillers. But I still recommend to read them; they may or may not hold some significance to the actual plot at times.

●There's a playlist of songs by which I've been inspired to write this fanfic. It's in the chapter next to this one. I'll also put it on spotify for yall to view (I'll share the spotify code, obvi).

● The OC is heavily inspired by Wednesday Addams from the Netflix series 'Wednesday', and Komi-san from 'Komi can't communicate' anime.

● I'll update this thing when I get the time, sooooo...yep, start reading!

But first, here are the songs...

{ Now Playing⚠️... Inspired Playlist}

⏩🎵00:09••>••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1:45 🎵⏯️

▶️

➡️'Lovely'

➡️'Feel Something'

➡️'Royalty'

➡️'Astronaut in the ocean'

➡️'Idontwannabeyouanymore'

➡️'Tourner dans le vide'

➡️'Bloody Mary'

➡️'Fashion Week'

...........................

Chapter Text

____________________

{ BOREDOM. }

[…1…]

Hello.

My name is Muon Seishin.

And...I’m an ordinary girl.

Well… as ordinary as ‘being half-possessed by a ghost’ is.

I’m half-Asian, half-British. I was born on October 31^st, in a small house off the countryside in England. Later, my parents moved to an apartment somewhere in the urban area of London.

I was born an ordinary girl. A simple girl with a brain much smarter then her seniors, and with greater wisdom than jocks who steal lunch-money from nerds. My sister calls me a goth, a nerd, a freak, among many other things. However, I do not pay heed to such nonsense words as they do not describe me as a whole. They only belittle my personality compared to my sister’s particularly ‘cheery’ mood.

You see, my older sister considers herself a ‘normal’ person. She didn’t skip grades, she got average grades, she had average hobbies, average skills in most sports and liked ice-skating (a normal hobby). I’d skipped two grades, got top-notch marks , didn’t have any hobby except reading and (rarely) music and had higher-than-average ice-skating.

Yes, that was one trait we both share. Due to our short heights yet slim bodies, we sisters are equally able to rival national level skaters easily. However, neither of us want to work with the other, so our potential is sadly wasted.

Enough about my family now. Let’s talk about why I’m here.

When I was eight, I was walking home from the park. The park was about a kilometer away from my home, so walking there was no big deal. However, that day was when my entire life changed.

So I was walking home. I looked no different than I am now; same pale skin, same short black hair. Except then, my eyes were a much lighter blue. Both of them.

I don’t remember the incident clearly. Someone told me that I’d gotten hit by a car. The thing had came from nowhere, swerving from a corner to my small body. It hadn’t got time to break, and everything went dark for me.

Next, I was saved. And please don’t laugh when I tell you by who.

A spirit. Yes. I’m not kidding.

A spirit with special powers possessed my unconscious body, pulled myself out of the wreckage and healed myself. Then I went home as if nothing happened.

When I came to, I realized a ghost was standing above me. I freaked out liked a normal person (obviously). Then I calmed down in a record time of two seconds without making my family think I’m going crazy while eating dinner. After dinner, I’d went to my room and the ghost gave me and entire explanation of the series of events that happened while I was unconscious.

Apparently, the spirit introduced herself as ‘Saya’. Weird name. She told about how she was a 1000 or something old year ghost, with ’psychic’ powers. Some ‘holy’ christian people had burned her for the false beliefs of being a witch. But she didn’t die die; her mortal body remained intact, but her soul remained on Earth. She’d been wandering the world for more than 1000 years in total and complete boredom. I wasn’t the first person who died in front of her eyes. However, I was the first child who almost died without even doing anything. It reminded her of how she’d died, and didn’t want me to face the same fate as her.

So yes, since she was a psychic, I also inherited her psychic powers. Now here comes the interesting bit.

Saya had never, in her entire ghost-time, possessed someone before. I was the first. And the unfortunate. She couldn’t pull out her entire essence out of me, leaving me with all of me and half of Saya. The other half of her couldn’t go too far from me, otherwise she’d be pulled like a magnet back into my body. My body was too small to hold two spirits in one body, so half would have to do.

The half of Saya in my body gave me a violet-pink eye and most of her psychic powers. They weren’t as powerful as they should’ve been as Saya was literally cut in half. The other half of her body (the one that followed me around like a guardian spirit) was also having half her powers.

I didn’t really care about my powers. My family eventually found out (how can an eight-year old hide one eye being a completely different color with a reasonable excuse?), and my sister somehow found these earrings that controlled my powers to a strong extent. It was a relief to not wake up to voices of the people in my vicinity in my mind.

Saya guided me on how to control these powers. She literally had 1000 and more years of experience with the powers, and sixteen living years with hiding them.

My personality turned more...emo, as my sister says. I didn’t talk to many people, didn’t associate much, didn’t talk a lot in fear that they'd find out about me and think I’m weird. I don’t want that. I’d like it much more if they stay a fool to my ‘special’ quirks.

Coming back to me right now, at age fifteen, going to Japan as a transfer student. Yes, this is about my present age.

How is a fifteen year old going to a twelfth grade class, you wonder?

Actually, I didn’t bother hiding my intelligence. I held back an appropriate amount, but I still skipped third and fourth grade. Leave it to me to pass high school before turning sixteen…

So here I am right now, sitting at a desk in the back corner of the room, fiddling with a pen. I was in such boredom, I actually felt I was going to fall asleep. There was no need to listen to the class. I’d already read the entirety of the textbook the teacher was teaching with with my photographic memory during the flight here.

One thing I noticed pretty easily...almost everyone here has bizarre hair.

I mean, people here have pink, blue, silver, lime and I saw some guy in another class having purple hair. It’s gotten normal for people to have different hair colors, but Japan has...too many hair colors. It makes me slightly uneasy to have normal, plain jet-black hair in such a colorful haired country.

Then again, I have a literal pink eye, so can’t be called totally normal...

Class ends (finally) and I need to go to the cafeteria to eat. Except...I don’t know where the cafeteria is…

Wait, we can eat in the class too, right?

Won’t risk it...besides, I don’t have a bento-

“Hey, you’re Seishin-san, right?” A girl came up to me. I raised her head from her table to see a girl with dark blue hair and pretty blue eyes, hopefully looking at me. “It looks like you need help in getting to the cafeteria, can I help?”

I stared at her for a second. A glowing aura was somehow enveloping her, and boys all around her were saying ‘Oh!’ as they passed by. I didn’t dwell on that. I really wanted to deny her request and see her deadpanned face to expose her, but I also did need to go to the cafeteria to eat.

In the end, I chose food over pleasure.

I nodded, got up and started walking with the girl to the cafeteria via the hallway. She was talking to me about the school, the classes and the people in her class that she should meet, along with her friends and the many other people she droned on about. I only half-listened and nodded. I was too busy in memorizing the routes of the school and potential alone spots when we finally entered the cafeteria.

The girl’s apparently Teruhashi Kokomi. The entire boys section in the school were total simps for her. A few girls even admired her. I understand why she has many friends…

Timeskip to me peacefully eating with Teruhashi’s school friends. They’re all girls. A brown-haired foodie introduced herself as Mera and a short light brown-haired girl as Chiyo. The three kept on droning on about school, pretending as if I were the wind. I’m used to this kind of treatment, so I’m not offended. I actually prefer it more.

As I munched on some shrimp, I saw the pink-haired guy from earlier and stared at him peculiarly. ‘Does that guy have antenna and green glasses? Is this a new fashion or something? ’ I thought. Seriously, how many times in your day do you pass by a guy wearing antennae on his or her head??

{Well...A t least it’s not something weird like wires...}

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ PECULIAR . }

[…2…]

Last time on SEISHIN...

As I munched on some shrimp, I saw the pink-haired guy from earlier and stared at him peculiarly. ‘Does that guy have antenna and green glasses? Is this a new fashion or something?’ I thought. Seriously, how many times in your day do you pass by a guy wearing antennae on his or her head??

Well...At least it’s not something weird like wires...

...

I have now been introduced to some men.

A very hyperactive red-haired man named Hairo persisted for me to meet some boys in the class. He introduced me to Nendo, his ‘rival’, who looked like an idiot and a punk. Seriously, Japan has such weird people...

The I met Kaidou, a boy with sky-blue hair and orange bandages wrapped round his arms. He told me about some Dark Reunion, and how I was the supposed ‘secret agent’ working for them. He said that when he’d seen my face, he’d recognized me as the princess of some whatchamacaillit kingdom and he was my protector. By the time he was done, I’d zoned out so completely that I almost lost my balance. Fortunately, I was leaning on the wall.

Then Kaidou, in turn, introduced me to a few more people. I couldn’t talk much, just nod or shake my head. At last, I was introduced to the antennae pink-haired boy I’d seen earlier in the cafeteria. Kaidou told me his name was Saiki Kusuo. I could tell he’s an introvert like me, and probably didn’t appreciate the company of me, nor wanted to associate with me. This was probably the last thought he was having right now.

When Kaidou left us, neither of us spoke. We just stared at each other with mismatched eyes in similar bored expressions. I guessed he’d sensed the tension was getting awkward, so he started talking.

‘So, you’re a foreign student?’ He said.

I nodded.

Before realizing...this guy spoke in my bloody head.

He didn’t even move his lips; just a simple telepathic transmission. Without panicking, I slightly bowed, mumbled ‘Sayonara (Bye)’ , and walked away without incident. Narrow escape too, since thw purple haired pervert I’d seen earlier almost ambushed me.

“Note to self: Stay away from a purple haired guy with a headband.” I whispered to myself. I made a quick beeline for the nearest girls’ restroom, went into a stall and made sure to lock it. I then had a very quick 5-second contemplation of what I’d just witnessed, planning a course of action.

‘All my life...I thought I was the only psychic. Now coincidentally, I find another one with similar powers to mine right in my new school. How ironic. I’’ll have to ask him about that later...first need to confirm my suspicions...it’d make sense about his antenna-looking pins...probably could be some restrictors...Ok, my aim: try make him reveal his abilities to me before he figures out about me.”

I walked out of the stall, flushing the toilet behind me. Then I made a decision, before fishing something out from my pocket.

It was a tiny box, easily fitting the palm of my hand. I opened it to reveal the small circular earrings. They were a smaller version of the current earrings I was wearing, giving me more lease for telepathy and mind-reading. There wasn’t much size difference, so no one would notice I switched earrings.

I quickly switched the earrings in front of the restroom mirror, before coming out of there. I made it back to class without incident.

However, the slight murmur of several thoughts at once hindered my focus in the class. This was the one of the problems I had with wearing such earrings. Where my radius with my previous earrings was zero, it had now levelled up to 100 meters. Shutting those voices out was no simple task.

However, I eventually was able to do it.

Now came a simpler task...going home.

School had ended with no other incidents, and so I was walking home alone. I made my way through the streets of the city, eventually reaching the door of a ten-storey building. Using the stairs, I walked till I reached the sixth floor. At the third door in the hallway, I fished out my keys from my school bag’s pocket, and unlocked the door to my apartment.

It was pretty bland. I hadn’t unpacked anything yet, so half of the room was filled with cardboard boxes. On the other side of the room was my bed, untouched by no one.

I’d actually moved in last night. The boxes and bed reached yesterday, but my plane had got me to my destination last night. I have currently been awake for 28 hours now. I was ready to fall asleep any moment. However, it was imperative to unpack before rest. It would’ve been a nightmare for exhausted people, but for me it was just another chore I needed to do.

With a flick of my hand, all my belongings were unpacked from the bubblewrapping and cardboard, so now all that was necessary was arrangements. That wasn’t very hard, since there was only one room in the apartment. The chore had easily been completed in two minutes. I disposed of all the boxes by teleporting them into the garbage truck that’d just came in near the garbage disposal.

Psychokinesis and telekinesis are very efficient abilities to have.

Anyway, after simple chores, I proceeded to change into more sensible clothing for rest. I changed into a black cotton t-shirt and black pyjamas. I drawed the curtains, locked all doors, washed my face, and got knocked out as soon as my head hit my pillow on the bed at four in the evening.

{Finally, some rest...}

...

Saiki was now utterly intrigued with the new student.

The raven haired girl had politely respected the silence he needed and ushered herself out of his personal space without causing a commotion. She’d acted weird when Sa iki had spoken, but otherwise, she acted in a much more respectful manner than his ‘friends’.

‘The girl simply must have turned out more normal than I’d thought...and more polite...foreign people are different after all...’ thought Saiki. No one had ever respected his silence-- not even the author-- and everyone in his entire life had made sure that he had a disastrous one.

So it was quite surprising when the girl hadn’t spoken a word when she saw him, had a completely silent mind, bowed and rushed somewhere else. Truly strange.

One question arises inside him. Why? And for whatever reason, why now?

Saiki knew she wasn’t normal. For some reason, the girl’s mind was as silent as a rock, as if he couldn’t hear her thoughts. As if...she were Nendou. And he knew that the girl wasn’t a total idiot either. He’d noticed how she’d barely paid attention the classes going on in the school. However, when she was asked to answer a question, she’d get up, write her answer on the class board, and go back to her seat and continue passing time. It was as if she’d already known everything that was being taught in the class.

Either that, or she was just lazy. ‘Yes, that’s much more likely...’ thought Saiki as he ate his dinner. ‘There’s no way she could be that smart...

{ ...right?’ }

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ SPIRITS. }

[…3…]

Last time on SEISHIN...

Either that, or she was just lazy. ‘Yes, that’s much more likely...’ thought Saiki as he ate his dinner. ‘There’s no way she could be that smart...

...right?’

...

Hi again. This is getting old already.

It’s me, your favorite British transfer-student, Muon Seishin. Let’s pick up from where we left off, eh?

So as you know, I fell asleep after doing those chores. Here’s what happened after that.

When I woke up, it was pitch black. In the room, and outside. I hadn’t switched on the lights earlier, leaving me spooked in the nothingness. I’d directly woken at night than evening. My mistake.

I must’ve been that tired then.

So here I was, scrambling in the darkness when a voice said, “Let me help you with that.”

The light came, and with it came a startling brightness that temporarily blinded me for a second. I blinked a few times to get the black spots dancing round my eyes to fade and glared at the figure near the lights. “I was going to ask you anyway, Saya.”

I have talked about Saya, right? Allow me to reintroduce her.

I’m not a natural-born psychic. Saya was a so-called ‘witch’ more than 1000 years ago who’d possessed psychic powers. When the villagers tried burning her, only her spirit stayed intact while her body crumbled to ashes. Her psychic powers had protected her, but they also doomed her for roaming the Earth for all eternity. That is, until I came along.

Long story short, I now have her powers. I won’t explain the first chapter again.

Over the years, Saya had become my one and only friend. Partly because she could relate with being an outcast, and because I had half her powers. She was the only one I could confine in, as I knew she didn’t haveany ghostly friends who she could share secrets with. After all, I was the only one who could see her.

Don’t confuse ghosts and spirits with each other. They’re NOT the same. Ghosts are simple apparations of the dead. They do not remember nor wish to remember their past. They have the capability to hold simple conversations, but they do not have memories. They may get attached by a certain object if they had fond memories of it in the past, but it wouldn’t trigger their memory loss. They can be used at will and exist almost everywhere.

Spirits, however, are different. They are spectral, like ghosts; but they contain a person’s characters, feelings and memories in a semi-transparent body of themselves. They are an embodiment of a person’s emotions when they survive.

Now recall that Saya purposefully turned herself into a spirit while the villagers burned her actual body. Therefore, she got stuck as an astral projection. This means she has all the characteristics of a spirit, total recall of her 1000 years on Earth and psychic powers to top it all off. She’d probably been playing endless pranks on people in the world 24/7 to entertain her endless eternity of damnation.

No one else can see her because she is neither ghost nor human. That has made her an outcast for literally her entire lifetime.

So yes, I relate with her too.

Saya’s appearance is quite peculiar for a girl in her sixteens. She has long white braided hair that came till her chest, large pink eyes that had a dullness and shine at the same time, and a small pale face. Her clothing was something an 1800’s child would’ve worn; a white billowed frock with a bowl-like shape and layers, a dark brown vest, puffed-up sleeves and black boots. If anything, she looked like a very young granny with white hair than a witch.

I get why the villagers must’ve been suspicious. White hair and definitely not normal. Pink eyes even less so.

Coming back to present, Saya whines, “Why do you act so tough, Muon? Can’t you say thanks once in a while and not pretend to be cool? I swear, Puberty has made you more brooding than usual!”

Actually, something else has made me this distrustful and selfish, but I think it’s better off staying quiet about that.

I huff. “Fine. My deepest regards for luminating my vision by flicking the switch, Saya.”

“Aaaand now you’re using heavy english words,” Saya deadpanned. “I may be old, but I do understand improper grammer, you know?”

I sighed out, “I rather prefer ‘heavy’ words. They seem much more efficient and improve my range of vocabulary. Besides, talking is for refining verbal and speaking skills. I already have trouble speaking the Japanese Language.”

“What are you muttering about? I just heard you speaking fluent Japanese with your sister on the plane! AND it’s your mother-tongue! Also a question I wanted to ask; why’d you lie that you can’t speak japanese?” Saya enquired.

For context: I do speak Japanese. My dad was Japanese, so he’d made sure I’d known two languages before I was four.

“I...wouldn’t be able to speak in my ‘refined’ way then. I’d have to settle for simpler words. Longer words are harder to pronounce.” I lied. In reality, I just didn’t want to talk much with people, neither wanted to be prompted for it. But I didn’t want to be labelled a ‘mute’ either. So this white lie works both ways.

“I know you’re lying, Muon.” Saya said. “I can read your mind.’

“Then you know why I’m lying then,” I retorted, “So I’ve no need to plead my case. Now let’s stop this squabbling, and get some rest.”

“REST?!” Saya exclaimed. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY HOURS YOU’VE SLEPT?! IT’S TEN! T E N. TEN IN If anything, you need something to make you tired! Don’t rest right now though, else you’ll wake up late. And you know how you are when tired!”

“Don’t be bothersome, Saya,” I cluctched my head with one hand. “Your screams are giving me a headache.”

“Fine! Alright! But you can’t sleep right now!” Saya said. “You’re still human, Muon. You need sleep, but sleep at a sufficient amount and sufficient time. You’ll have to tire yourself out somehow if you wanna sleep well later in the night.” Saya rambled.

She’s right though. I hate agreeing with her.

“Alright. So what should I do?” I asked.

I regretted asking her that.

Saya smirked with an almost devilish grin as neon pink sparks danced round her fingers. She teleported me to an ice-rink. Coincidentally, it was the one I’d passed by earlier this afternoon. I’d remembered passing by a new ice-skating rink that’d just opened next to the apartments. And this rink was a 24/7 one.

So in short terms, I’ve just won my equivalence of the lottery.

Recollect in the first chapter, one of my favorite sports is ice-skating. Why? Honestly...no clue. Is it because of how natural I seem to be on the ice? How I and the cold surface relate so much? Is it the fact that I don’t need to nor use my powers at this area? Is it that I was inspired by my own sister? Is it that it was the only sport I played, so I didn’t have many options for favorites?

There are many reasons for me to like the sport. However, I cannot recall the time I’d begun to call it my ‘favorite’.

Now as I walk over the solid ice, I cannot help but feel as if I’ve got a sort of...nostalgia.

There was no way I’d pass up such a chance.

A chance...where I felt normal…

{No...a chance where I didn’t have to act normal...}

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ CAFÉ. }

[…4…]

It’s a normal day. I’d decided to give my surroundings more attention after the ice rink. According to my classmates, the area I reside in is a very lively one. I could get myself occupied easily.

I’m coming back from my peculiarly normal school when I notice a café on my way.

Just the thing I need.

I may have never mentioned this, but I have a craving for a specific food item. It’s one of my favorite things to eat, and I easily become joyful when having it. Its rich flavor, delicious, creamy, and extravagant, makes my mouth water with pleasure.

It’s... chocolate .

I do not care for what the food item is. Chocolate, cake, ice cream, butter, cream, coffee, tea, toffee, basically  any  dessert with a chocolate flavor. If it has  chocolate , I’ll love it. And no matter if it's dark or white chocolate. I like those flavors too. But I still feel milk chocolate is more supreme than both.

So it was only typical of my curiosity to see the condition of the tiny café and see if it was worthwhile my time. I haven’t tried chocolate in Japan before. I expect it to be similar to my standards, like a normal country.

I walked into the ‘Café Mami’ (strange name) and was greeted by the aroma of coffee and cinnamon. There were a few dining areas and the café had an overall quaint look. It seemed pretty ordinary, like any other café I’ve been to. 

I scanned the café for anyone. In my vision, I could only see a customer seated at the other end of the café, and a girl, probably the waitress.

After having a short chat with the customer, she came to my table. To her dismay, Mera Chisato recognized me as the new foreign transfer student. I, however, was far more than surprised to see her working a part-time job. I’d read her elaborate sad past and present of how she needs to work to feed her siblings, go to school, and buy necessary items. Ironic, since I know what it’s like to be in her shoes. 

“Seishin?! What are you doing here?!” Mera Chisato exclaimed. I flinched at her sudden volume and used the sudden adrenaline to quickly take out a notebook, open a page, and write a message.

I can transmit my message to her through my mind, but I do not want to risk the discovery of my far-than-ordinary ESP powers. It would be strange for people to hear my voice echo in their heads, even without my mouth moving. I’m no ventriloquist, and I’d rather prefer it if people didn’t think so. This incident happened once in sixth grade, and it ended with the principal calling my parents about my so-called ‘talent’.

This is also one of the reasons I’m intrigued By Saiki Kusuo, a boy in my class with hot-pink hair and strange antennae. I wonder how his peers hadn’t noticed his voice echoing in their heads, nor didn’t notice how his lips never moved.

I wrote, “ I am here as a customer, Chisato-san. What are YOU doing here? ”

Mera sighed. “This is one of my part-time jobs. I have sib-”

“ Nevermind . I just asked to see if you would reply honestly, ” I interrupted her with my message. “ Now, please show me the menu?”

Mera sighed again in relief. “Sure, here’s the menu! Order whatever you like!”

I simply opened the menu, checked the desserts page, and closed it in a record time of two seconds. I nodded to signal I was done.

“Eh? Already?!” Mera exclaimed in surprise. I nodded again. I opened to menu again and pointed at the ‘chocolate cake’ option. I raised two fingers.

“You want two cakes??” She asked. I shook my head and showed her two fingers again. “Oh, you want two slices?” I nodded in the affirmative.

“Also, the customer you were talking to is a student of our school. I won’t tell a soul, but I cannot guarantee you for him.” I said and pointed at the customer at the back of the café. I’d noticed the green men's uniform easily.

“You mean Saiki?” Mera questioned. “No, he’s a good friend! He’s a regular at this café, so he’s known about my job for quite a while. Not many people come here, and they prefer the silence over the loud food courts. He’s one of them. He’s a very good friend of mine! Saiki’s even shared his food with me sometimes!” Mera squealed. “Alright, enough talk about him right now; two slices of chocolate cake coming up!”

Mera left, leaving me alone yet engrossed with this new information. Just who is this ‘Saiki ‘ that makes him so famous among friends and foes without much hindrance? This boy seems to be in the center of many friend groups yet has not once been caught using his abilities. How? Did he erase their minds? Does he have such less integrity to give amnesia to his allies and obtain no guilt from his actions? No wonder he seems lonely.

I get the difference between being lonely and being alone. When alone, it means you are currently having no people around you, or being on your own. Lonely means when you have n one that understands you at a very personal level. I am lonely; Saya is the only one who knows me best but she’s dead. I have no friends. Saiki may be surrounded by abnormal people, but he must’ve never met someone of his type if he were so somber.

This is just a simple analysis of guesses judged from his overall behavior and personality. And from the fact he never speaks to anyone with his real voice. 

It’s almost as if he’s... insecure .

I’m no one to judge him though. After all, I’m just like him. But very different.

Time passes, and Mera finally comes back with my slices of chocolate cake. I eat one slice of cake with a small spoon and take my time to savour the sweet, creamy taste; before offering the second slice to Mera. She was drooling on the table anyway; I did both of us a large favor.

I then pay and leave the café. I walked to my apartment without further incident. I closed the door, changed my clothing to a t-shirt and shorts, and sat on my bed to complete my homework.

By the time I was done, the sun had begun to set. I really had nothing else to do, so I reviewed my lessons and learned a few of them. By 10:00 pm, I was ready to go to bed.

“Saiki Kusuo. I know you need no more company, so I’ll watch you from afar. You leave me no choice; drawing me with your personality appeals to my intellect. It’s only fair if I respond to it.” I sigh out in English as Saya switches off the lights. “Don’t worry; you’ll wish you knew me before after meeting me.”

“SLEEP, MUON!” Saya spoke in an amplified voice. “YOU HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW!”

“NO NEED TO USE THE VOICE THAT LOUD, SAYA. I’M TAKING REST.” I spoke back in my normal voice, making sure to emphasize every word I said.

{Let’s see who’ll reveal their identities first...the game has begun. }

______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ MARATHON }

[…5…]

Last time on SEISHIN...

“Saiki Kusuo. I know you need no more company, so I’ll watch you from afar. You leave me no choice; drawing me with your personality appeals to my intellect. It’s only fair if I respond to it.” I sigh out in English.“Don’t worry; you’ll wish you knew me before after meeting me.”

“Let’s see who’ll reveal their identities first...the game has begun.”

...

It’s been three weeks since I’ve been in this school.

I admit, the few friends Kaidou introduced me to are ...amusing. They all are somehow connected to that Saiki boy in many things. Saiki consoles Kaidou for his ‘fantasy’, Nendou is...Nendou, Kuboyasu has made friends with him since he was a former delinquent and finds that Saiki can increase his social status, Teruhashi has a crush on Saiki, Chiyo has a slight crush on him, and Hairo has involved him in a few sports, which were probably dominated by the pink-haired by due to his powers. Hairo, being competitive, must have misinterpreted him as a potential rival.

I find it laughable that Saiki attracts people weird like him and hates it, even though half of his friend group has found consolation in him through his powers. I easily found proof of his psychic powers since I’m immune to almost all of them. Like when I’d once found him teleporting to his home, going invisible to escape his pestering friends, and him in art class using his powers to draw Teruhashi’s face, but failing miserably since all his attempts looked too realistic.

Kay, they all were very obvious giveaways; I don’t know how this boy’s so careless yet always seems to get away from using his ESP. 

When Saiki speaks to me, he always tries to use telepathy to hear my thoughts. I send out fake ones to replace my real ones beyond his range, so he doesn’t become suspicious of my silent mind. I do this as I’ve tested this hypothesis already. I was unable to read Saiki’s mind, even when I removed my limiters. 

Therefore, It is only natural that he would be unable to hear mine too. Saya, my ghostly friend, sends the fake thoughts out for me since half her soul is embedded in me. I can do the real thinking, while Saiki is fooled by my make-believe thinking.

I have no guilt for my doings; it is his doing to be so independent on his ESP and being so reckless. If anything, he deserves such treatment. A small price to pay for my privacy.

Anyway, today we have gym tests. Fitness exams test the capabilities of our human bodies. The boys had theirs first yesterday, ending in a long marathon. We girls have ours today. I am not nervous. After all, why should I be? I do not care about my results or my fitness. I am aware of my flexibility since I ice-skate every day in the morning and evening. Ice skating is no easy task for the old and feeble. Actual  skill  and  control  over the body are required to perform complex tricks like pirouettes and turns in the air. 

First, the girls’ heights were measured. My height comes as 5’4’. Taller than average, but some girls are significantly taller and my mother’s genes aid in such.

After that, long jumps. I jumped two meters without my powers. 

Then pushups, I counted to 100 with ease.

Then short 100-meter sprints and I passed in four and .21 seconds.

More tests passed.

At last came the infamous Marathon. When I’d previously peeked into the boy’s minds, I’d seen that the marathon was fairly long and was a stamina test more than speed. Saiki Kusuo came nearly to an exact position between the many boys, but due to a slip-up from his side he’d somehow miscalculated and messed up; I don’t know all the details.

Anyway, Teruhashi Kokomi is screaming in her head about how perfect she is and how she needs to come first in this marathon to showcase her ‘perfection’. This egoism of hers; this picture she’s made of herself that she’s utterly ‘perfect’ is surely going to cost her one day. It doesn’t matter how much you try, human beings always make errs. It’s in a person’s nature to do so.

Chiyo just wants to get this over with so that she can prolong her attempts at fawning with Saiki Kusuo. Pretty pathetic.

Mera just wants food.

These are the only people I know from the large bunch of girls. All others are strangers. 

Mr.Matsazuki gives the signal to start without my realization and all the girls start with a sprint, leaving me bewildered. I still wasn’t used to the new environment, so I hadn’t noticed the teacher had already told us to start.

Nevertheless, I sprinted as fast as I could and caught up with the girls freely. I then slow down to a normal jog and continue with the marathon.

I was correct about it being very long. The route passed through somewhere in the city, passing by several landmarks bus stops, and shops. Few people gave up in between and were resting on the road included in the route. They served as natural minor obstacles for me; I hopped and utilized my long jumps to get over the tired bodies of the girls. Some girls tried to cheat but were somehow caught by Mr.Matsazuki. He seemed to be at every checkpoint somehow before any of the girls would reach there. Hats off to that teacher to run to each checkpoint faster than the other students without collapsing from exhaustion. His speed made me disgusted by my teleportation.

I may haven’t mentioned this yet, so I shall proceed now. I do not use my powers in my present life at all. Never, even in emergencies. At least never for my gain. I try my hardest in every test, sport, and event without the assistance of my ESP so that I needn’t be dependent on my abilities. If that happened, I would never be able to handle problems myself and would utterly shatter if Saya were to ever escape my body. I do so as I’m aware that these aren’t  my  abilities to use. This neglect of using ESP fairly differentiates me from Saiki Kusuo.

Nearing the end of the Marathon, I use part of my saved-up stamina to zip through the straggling girls remaining. I encountered Teruhashi Kokomi-- The perfection who amusingly was able to keep her first position in this match. I’d passed Chiyoo and Mera earlier; Chiyo had collapsed in daydreams of Saiki and exhaustion, whereas Mera gave up and went to a nearby food shop to eat. 

Teruhashi Kokomi is—unsurprisingly-- struggling to run now. I imagine her legs must be tired from exhaustion. She looks at me bemused, wondering how my stamina must be to take me so far ahead. I just make out a peace sign with my hands and proceed to slow down to conserve stamina.

Kokomi is now overthinking in her head, imagining how my interference may besmirch her perfection. “How is she running so fast?! At this rate, she’ll pass by me!! Then my image with be ruined! Worst of all, what if Saiki-kun takes notice of her?! She’ll steal him away from me!!”

In my opinion, I do not desire the first position, nor would I want to ‘steal’ Kokomi’s crush away from her; she’s doing a good job doing it herself. It is one of the reasons why I slowed down; I am satisfied with the second position to save Teruhashi’s ‘perfect’ reputation. I’m doing this so that she doesn’t mark me as an enemy. However, if she  dares  to rub it in my face, I’ll destroy her in the next upcoming event without mercy. I won’t care about her reputation by then.

I’ve never admitted this, but when worst comes to worst, I keep pretty dangerous grudges.

So the Marathon ended with me in second and Teruhashi coming first. The boys who’d skipped class to see the blue-haired girl whined over how Teruhashi comes perfect in everything. Kokomi must’ve caught my drift because she consoled their disbelief by saying how hard the race was. It’s good that she’s smart and not dumb from the ‘perfection’.

Anyway, I and the others got their results back, and I’m not surprised. I did well in the sprints, long jumps, push-ups, and marathons. My pull-ups needed improvement (curse my noodle arms) and I was a bit on the short side so I couldn’t jump high. Then again, I’m short in Britain but average height in Japan. Overall, I did well.

After tests, I went to the last class for the day; Math. Yet another simple but tedious subject.

The girls and I had come to class in between teaching, and only attended about 15 minutes of class before the bell rang, signaling the time to go home.

I maneuvered my way through my many classmates who’d each strategically placed themselves at each exit of the school, in hopes of finding Saiki for one task or another. I do not mind them, nor acknowledge them by words when they greet me goodbye with smiling faces. I only wave.

This was the day I didn’t have to find proof of Saiki’s powers. It was quite ridiculous of him to have revealed himself so easily.

I’d gotten to the lockers and was switching my school shoes for my home ones when I noticed from the corner of my eye, a pair of shoes floating away from a certain shoe section. I pretended not to notice and instead looked for my friendly spirit friend Saya to see if she was still near me. Fortunately, her apparition was right beside me. 

Then something weird happened. A larger locker that was on the far end of the room hit the ground with a loud  thump!  And I heard the high-pitched scream of a friend I very well knew, Kaidou Shun.

And lo and behold, the man himself tumbles out of the locker, dazed and terrified. Most of my classmates asked the sky-blue-haired boy what happened, t all of which he answered in screams, something along the lines of, “THE LOCKER IS POSSESSED!!” or “SOMETHING SHOOK ME!!!!”. I imagine he was hiding in there to catch Saiki. Which reminds me, where is he…

...and I turned around, removing my gaze from the crowd, to behind me, Toritsuka putting a hand in mid-air as if touching someone.

Saiki reappears from the invisibility ability he was using, which had turned ineffective due to Toritsuka.

I widened my eyes in slight surprise. I had a small feeling that Saiki would’ve misused his abilities to escape his friends, but  invisibility?  Really? I was even more surprised that I hadn’t noticed the guy just walking, doing his thing and easily sneaking away. I should’ve been on guard.

All my classmates turn around to find Saiki and Toritsuka, and they all bombard the pink-headed boy with many tasks. 

I just stood there, dumbfounded. 

I don’t know; maybe it was the shock that my theories were proven correct with real proof, and the fact that I’d found out that Toritsuka could see invisible beings, or it was that my senses were feebly fooled, that I stood there, processing what I’d seen. Saiki and Toritsuka hadn’t seen me seeing them, since Saiki was in the other direction and Toritsuka was looking at Saiki, not me.

But this had proven…

...that I’m not the only psychic. 

{How could I have been in doubt when it was right in front of me?}

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ EYELINER. }

[…6…]

Last time on SEISHIN...

I don’t know; maybe it was the shock that my theories were proven correct with real proof, and the fact that I’d found out that Toritsuka could see invisible beings, or it was that my senses were feebly fooled.

But this had proven…

...that I’m not the only psychic.

...

Today is Sunday. A holiday. 

This realization hit me as I woke up early in the morning while getting my bearings.

I get up, wash up, clothe myself, eat breakfast, pick up a bag, and head outside…

...to the nearest mart open.

I just realized that I didn’t have any food to eat in my fridge. I’d rolled my eyes at my wisdom of noticing this just now. 

I could easily teleport and get the desired products I need and teleport back. I instead walk a quarter-mile to the supermarket for the sake of hiding my powers. Saya accompanies me (not that she has much choice), floating in the empty area beside me. She cheerfully chirps about the astounding things she’d seen at night when I’m asleep and at day when my attention is somewhere else. While she talked, an idea suddenly sparked in my head.

‘ Hey, Saya?’  I ask mentally. I use telepathy to talk to her in public since a girl talking to empty air sounds weird. At least I can form an excuse for looking sideways (possibly glancing at the billboards and shops lining the street).

‘ Quick question. Should I reveal my powers to somebody? ’ I continue. I glance sideways as Saya’s eyes slightly widen. “Uh...sure, I guess? Depends on whom you intend to reveal your powers to. Why you ask?”

‘ Well, I feel I should reveal them to that pink-haired kid, Saiki Kusuo. I’ve gathered enough proof for him to reveal them to me, however, I cannot show the proof to him without exposing my own. I intend to do this sometime later, but I can change my plan if you’re against it. ’ I say telepathically.

“Hm...yeah, do it,” Saya says after a moment of silence. “But waaayyy later. Just because he’s a psychic, doesn’t mean you need to rush yourself. He doesn’t enjoy company; you know it yourself. Give him time to warm up to you. He barely knows you—and he’ll try his hardest to make it stay that way. You’ll have to subtly alter his opinion of you for you to warm up to him. Try spending time with him, alright?”

“Hm,” I mumble, reaching the super-mart. I grab some vegetables, fruits, chocolate cake, and other fast food, along with some necessities. Along the way, I spot the pink-headed telepath himself, staring at an assortment of coffee jellies. Those antennae make him stand out like a sore thumb; I wonder how he’d hypnotized people so well they’d all thought they were hair-pins.

But really,  hair-pins???  That’s the best logic he could make the others think? Really?

I roll my eyes as I pay the cashier the bill, and walk out the mart.

{I still cannot get over the hairpin thing...}

…

“Seishin-san! Want to have Ramen with us? We have Teruhashi with us!” Kaidou asks. He’d come to me at the end of school. I couldn’t bring myself to decline; I didn’t have much to do in the day anyway.

So, here I am. Walking with Kaidou, Nendou, Teruhashi, and Saiki. I think Teruhashi seems most uncomfortable in the large crowd; being a ‘babe magnet’ and attracting many men to the young beauty. Nendou and Kaidou were talking about the ramen shop, whereas Teruhashi was wondering whether the shop was a good one or not. 

My instincts say it’s not.

And lo and behold, I was correct. The Ramen shop wasn’t a restaurant, but rather a tiny and unkept shop that looked like an earthquake wrecked it. I was amused at Teruhashi’s face falling to despair, yet I was amazed at her quick plan of leaving us without besmirching herself.

“Uh- Nendou-kun-” She started, but her plans were foiled by Kaidou. 

“NENDOU!! ARE YOU AN IDIOT?! ANGELS LIKE TERUHASHI-SAN AND SEISHIN-SAN CAN’T EAT AT A PLACE LIKE THIS!! 

“Oh? Why not?” Asked Nendou intelligently. 

“They’re ANGELS! They don’t deserve to eat at a run-down place like this!!” Kaidou explained. Teruhashi, now trapped in her own so-called ‘perfection’, had no choice but to eat at Nendou’s ramen shop since any other choice taken would slightly butcher her ‘perfect’ reputation.

See, this is the reason I behave how I normally would at home or with myself. Acting ‘perfect’ or embellishing a trait is just tedious work. Being yourself is much easier. It’s also one of the reasons I don’t cheat using telepathy in my examinations. 

You must be curious as to how I do that, right?

Telepathy is an annoying yet efficient ability. I cannot switch it on or off; Saya never could either. So about two years ago, my sister gifted me a silver ring with an etched jewel matching my neon pink eye. Turns out, the material it is made of contains a metal called germanium, which renders my telepathy useless. 

I was tempted to use the ring 24/7, but I only use it on examination days, or special days when I don’t want to be disturbed by the cacophony of noises in my head (regulated by Saya). I only have one ring; it’s in my best interest if I do not misplace it. 

Back to the present; Teruhashi is convincing herself to not base her opinions on looks. 

‘ The Shop itself may look ruined from the outside, but the inside may look good, right?’  Teruhashi tried. Alas, the interior looked as bad as the exterior, maybe worse.

‘ Okay, but the chef may- ’ Teruhashi’s thought was interrupted by the ramen shop’s owner, who looked rather horrible by Teruhashi’s standards.

‘ B-but the food-! ” One last attempt at trying to make the best out of the experience, ruined by the unaesthetic ramen bowl handed over to her.

Wordlessly, she eats every morsel of ramen provided to her by the cook. 

This impressed me. Even now—with her mind screaming not to eat the food—she munches on the noodles, ignoring her stomach’s protests. I’m amused that she can go to such great lengths to protect her reputation.

‘ Astounding ,’ I communicated telepathically with Saya. ‘’ She can consume such produce while exalting herself on the likable scale. Impressive indeed.’

Saya giggled at my remark. “Well, at least you appreciated that girl. Her pretend perfection is making me pity for her.” She ethereally sighed. “I’m gonna mess with the people outside for a sec, brb!” And off she went, floating towards the exit to take her position.

I watched in amusement as she scared off passers-by with flying mud and random trinkets disappearing from their pockets, only for them to rain on top of their heads in a mixed combination. This trick appalled a few people around, only for them to be scared off with shots of sand, keychains, and coins. By the time we were out of the shop, the surroundings were littered with small mud hills and people running off in terror. 

All of my companions were confused; Teruhashi and Saiki were shocked, Nendou didn’t react much and Kaidou started posing while mumbling about how the Dark Reunion had terrorized the people here while they were inside. I was terribly ludicrous at Saiki’s perplexed expression. He must be trying to think of a logical explanation for such strange happenings.

I left the clueless guild alone and started a short trek to my apartment. I held in my giggles as I took out my keys and opened the door.

Only when I’d locked my door again—now safe in my room’s confinements—did I burst into loud laughter. Saya, surprised, appeared next to me with a look of bewilderment. 

I spoke between laughs in English, “I owe you one Saya, the look on their faces was utterly  priceless ! That shock, that perplexing! Oh, what fools they looked like!” 

However, my outburst didn’t last long. I quickly regained my bland composure, chuckling at the facetious memory. 

“Hmm...that was a nice memory.”

{“I wonder how many more are to come...”}

...

“EH?! SEISHIN-SAN, IS THAT  EYELINER ?!” Kaidou exclaimed.

Almost a majority of the boys in the class came over to my desk to look at me after Kaidou’s exclaim. I do not blame him though; it must be pretty surprising to see me wearing makeup.

I do wear makeup, but only a very light dust of black eyeshadow over my eyelids. It’s barely noticeable and doesn’t violate the school rules of excessive makeup.

However, today I chose to adorn my eyes with eyeliner. And not just any eyeliner.

A bright pink eyeliner, nearly similar to Saiki’s hair.

It is just a coincidence; my father gave me this eyeliner in hopes that one day—I’d wear it. That day is today.

My sister’s birthday’s eve.

No matter how far apart and how different our ideologies are, I am in debt to my sister. She was the only one who’d helped me weaken my psychic powers with suitable accessories. I still wonder about the origins of these items, but I do not give much mind to it. Her birthday is the next day, but from tomorrow summer vacations start, so I won’t get a chance to try this make-up on. 

So here I am; staring with bored eyes at the many peering faces jutting from different sides to get a peek at my eyes. Sure enough; I had bright pink lines drawn at the edges of my eyelids with a steady hand (unmistakably mine). Boys drooled at the sight of my now-enhanced beauty. 

I do not understand why this is so. Such a bright color should look ugly and imperfect on my pale complexion. But somehow, the color matched my eyes and contrasted with my hair, highlighting my ethereal heterochromia even more. 

I do notice that people are most intrigued by my aesthetic eye color. Such beautiful colored eyes please almost any person who meets them. But my dark, emo-like personality downgrades my prettiness. I feel this is for the best; for I do not want to be pestered by men all the time like Teruhashi. To an introvert like me, that sounds like hell.

Anyway, back to school. I walked through the halls in silence as the students filed in the halls. My mind was silent as I zoned out, blocking out the thoughts being transmitted to mine.

Suddenly, someone crashes into me. I snap out of my trance as I stumble slightly from my initial position. I nearly fall but regain balance in the nick of time. I glared at the person who’d crashed into me. 

Unfortunately, I had to soften it for it was Teruhashi.

“Oh! Seishin-San! Good to see you here! Have you seen Saiki-san?” Teruhashi spoke in one breath. I shook my head in negative. I would’ve probably noticed the boy if it weren’t for her to have stumbled into me. Then again, I was the one who’d zoned out, so I should’ve noticed her too.

“Oh! I was hoping to give him these tickets!” She said as she pulled out a pair of amusement park tickets. “I wanted to ask him out on a  date !” I didn’t miss the added emphasis on the word  date .

I am aware that Teruhashi is jealous of my natural prettiness. I am also aware that she feels I’ll ‘steal’ Saiki away from her. Which doesn’t make sense, for one, Saiki’s not hers—and will make sure he’ll never be; and two, he’s not interested in dating. I’ve only been in his presence for short periods and I already gathered  that  much about him.

“I’ll help you with finding him,” I wrote quickly and showed her my message. She paled and tried retorting, “Oh no, no need, I can fi-”

“I insist.” I write back and underline the word  insist . I then go to the window. It would be likely for him to have teleported outside to escape Teruhashi’s fan club and the girl herself. 

My instincts were right. Just...not in the way I was hoping for.

I found the pink-haired boy with the antennae hanging onto the window sill with his bare fingertips. He must’ve been desperate to hide from Teruhashi if he risked getting caught like this.

I almost snorted in amusement, for such a situation seemed rather ludicrous to me. I –thankfully –held it back. I motioned for Teruhashi to come over to the window. She looked at me curiously as she stepped closer. “Eh? Did you find him already, Seishin-Sa- SAIKI-SAN?! WHY ARE YOU HANGING THERE?!” She exclaimed in shock as she registered his figure.

I chuckled under my breath as I helped Teruhashi pull Saiki up. It wasn’t very difficult, considering Saiki helping us with his telekinesis. Not that Teruhashi knew that.

Saiki was, in the end, forced to acknowledge Teruhashi’s presence. However, Teruhashi’s fan club ambushed us as she was about to ask Saiki out. He took that chance and rushed away from her in the confusion.

‘ Not so fast,’  I thought as I maneuvered through the crowd, easily getting through due to my short appearance. A few perverted boys tried touching me, but instead earned a high kick in their groins.

Yeah, don’t mess with me.

I finally caught up with the pink-haired boy. It was ridiculous of him to try hiding in the mass, for his bright pink hair made him stand out like a patch of blood on snow. I easily grabbed his green jacket with the bare tips of my fingers before he made eye contact with me.

His violet eyes met mine, tinted with green and surprise. He must’ve been caught off guard by my sudden appearance. I took the chance and pulled him back into the horde, using the force of Teruhashi’s fan club to power it. 

My mouth curved into a small smile as Saiki’s astounded expression came into view. He stared at my mismatched eyes, trying again to find a reason for my complicated behavior.

Then again, my methods often consist of absolute improvisation.

He tried freeing himself from the tight grasp of my fingers, failing to do so. I do not let go, for if I do, I’d let him go purposefully while using his powers. I wanted to see how he’d get out of such a situation without powers and under the watchful eye of an analytic teenager.

Someone pushed me, someone pushed him, and we both tumbled down to the ground, losing our balance. I would’ve used telekinesis to regain balance, alas, my identity would’ve been revealed to Saiki. He must’ve thought the same, for my grip was still on him, even as I’d fallen. When the horde (finally) moved away, I found myself on top of a body. I raised my head from his chest to meet the violet eyes of Saiki Kusuo, whose glasses fell off his face during the stampede.

“ Wow, her eyes are really pretty...is that eyeliner?”  I heard. I realized that these were the true thoughts of Saiki Kusuo, who could now be heard by me due to close physical contact. 

In surprise, I quickly got up, severing the connection. If I could read his mind at such contact, then he’d surely read mine too. My  true  thoughts, not the made-up ones Saya transmitted. I coughed a bit in my hand, and ruffled my hair slightly, before silently offering a hand to the boy below me. He stared at my hand, before picking up his glasses and accepting my hand. 

At the end of that fiasco, Saiki was now under the obligation of going with Teruhashi on a ‘date’ to the amusement park on the last day of the summer vacation. As I was walking home, a question popped in my head. “Hey, Saya?” She appeared beside me in her ghostly form, tilting her head in curiosity. “I wanted to ask you this,” I said as a breeze blew, “Do I look pretty? I seem to look the same…”

“NOT YOU’RE NOT!” She exclaimed. “Everyone appreciated that color, even that Saiki guy! He wouldn’t have noticed your eyes if you hadn’t put that today!” She huffed.

“Hmm...you’re right,” I said to the open air. I walked to my apartment as usual, signaling the start of summer vacation.

{Well, he wouldn’t have noticed them anyway if I hadn’t landed on his chest...}

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ SCHOOL TRIP, I. }

[…7…]

Last time on SEISHIN...

As I was walking home, a question popped in my head. “Hey, Saya?” She appeared beside me in her ghostly form, tilting her head in curiosity. “I wanted to ask you this,” I said as a breeze blew, “Do I look pretty? I seem to look the same…”

“NOT YOU’RE NOT!” She exclaimed. “Everyone appreciated that color, even that Saiki guy! He wouldn’t have noticed your eyes if you hadn’t put that today!” She huffed.

“Hmm...you’re right,” I said to the open air. I walked to my apartment as usual, signaling the start of summer vacation.

…

Hairo, the class representative, screamed for everyone to stay disciplined as everyone walked to the check-in point at the airport. We are going to Okinawa, a prefecture located on Japan's westernmost island. 

A few days ago, Hairo had offered us a slip from a box, which showed the group each person would room with. I grabbed the one that (luckily) had Chiyo and Teruhashi. I feel much more comfortable with the peace of mind that my roommates are all girls. It would’ve been utterly awkward if I were in a boys’ room.

When we’d passed through the check-in point, we all waited at the seating point reserved for us. Everyone was giddy with the excitement. Chiyo was boasting about the large assortment of snacks she’d brought just for the flight, and Teruhashi just fuelled the boys’ excitement. ‘ We’re going on a trip with Teruhashi-San! An Angel herself! ’ They all thought in chorus. 

All the other students were chatting about their reservations and plans for the trip. I just silently sat in my seat and pulled out my phone. I plugged in my earbuds, connected them, and played a random song. Music streamed through the earbuds as a heavy metal song started to play. In between the song an unknown announcement I didn’t hear had come in. When I’d paused the song to hear the rest of the announcement, it was too late. It had finished, and with it, the anticipation had disappeared.

I was clueless about the current situation until Saya whispered in my ears, “The flight’s delayed due to a typhoon. They may have to cancel the trip.” 

Ah . That explained the sudden mood swings. 

'Our school trip has suddenly reached its climax.'  I thought with a sigh.

A mere 10 minutes ago, the students were all so excited. But when the news of the typhoon came... their expectations diminished into blighted hope.

Earlier, Kaidou was extremely excited. However, the news affected him a lot (probably the most). He went from acting tough to curling up into a ball on the floor, having a mental breakdown. The dark circles of restlessness were visible in his eyes. Alas, his worked-up body’s limits had finally hit him now that the news came.

"Ahaha! It says suspended! Suspended! Like the planes' wearing suspenders! Pfft.” Yes, I don’t get the joke here either. Weird.

Instead of the bustling cheerfulness and expectations for a safe trip, it was now replaced by the blighted hopes. The bitter frustration everyone had was seemingly painful for me to watch. Chiyo was munching through the snacks in hopes of dulling the pain, and Teruhashi tried lifting the other’s mood with her charm, which promptly failed.

If Teruhashi’s charm isn’t working, then things must be  that  bad.

I won’t lie; I was excited for the trip as well. I’ve never gone on a trip with friends or classmates, and surely not far from my living area. 

I should’ve expected such disappointment. 

"If the flight is canceled, will the school trip be postponed?" One of the students asked Mr. Matsuzaki.

"No, it won't be postponed. If our flight gets canceled, the school trip will also be canceled," he answered dismally.

"W-WHAT?! THEN WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A SCHOOL TRIP!? QUIT JOKING AROUND!!" The random boy grabs Mr. Matsuzaki's collar and shouts at him, "MAYBE YOU DON'T CARE, SIR, BUT WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!"

The student was shaking him until a box of Uno cards fell from his PE jersey.

"I wanted you guys to be able to go too... But there's nothing we can do..." He spoke in a bleak voice. This was the last straw for all.

"WAAAHHH!!!" Everyone hysterically cried.

I closed my eyes in annoyance. This situation is not  that  dramatic. Sure—their hopes were crushed like a tin can, but life’s unfair. Things won’t magically become fine now.

Our class was about to leave the airport when another announcement came over the airport’s speakers. “ Due to an unexpected change in the weather, F light Hidariwakibara-cho to Okinawa is back on schedule. Passengers, please move to ga te … ” continued the speaker, but it was inaudible. All the students were now jumping in joy and excitement all over again. The sudden mood swings were making me slightly nauseous and dizzy. The whole class got excited and made the atmosphere lively again.

Great. Just...great.

{I hope nothing goes wrong in the flight…}

…

As I’d predicted, the typhoon had suddenly dissipated due to the acts of none other than Saiki Kusuo, the secret ESP user himself. When it was time to board the plane, he’d showed up wet and tired. Teruhashi worriedly pestered Saiki to give a reason for his drenched state. 

It would’ve been quite a feat if he’d stopped a typhoon with ease  and  wounded back time in his body by an hour to hide the exhaustion and water. 

Then again—as I mentioned—Saiki is more reckless than me.

We boarded the flight safely with no other mishappenings. As the plane started rolling on the runway, I took out my phone, set it on airplane mode, and played a downloaded heavy metal song. The noise acts as a distraction for me from the many amplified voices in the airplane. I’d switched my earrings for the larger ones but forgot my Germanium ring. I currently cannot teleport to get it. I cannot apport it from switching with different costed items as it would cause a disturbance in the flight and to the earth below.

When we were in the air, I excused myself to the plane’s lavatory. Ensuring the lock was shut tight, I quickly teleported back to my room in my tiny apartment. Everything was at its designated place and nothing was touched. I then looked in my desk’s drawers, under my bed, in my clothing closets, my small balcony,  everywhere . I was almost running out of time when I spotted the ring under a pile of socks.

Turns out, my ring had accidentally slipped into the socks while I was rummaging for them. I was relieved when I’d found my telepathy-restricting accessory. I teleported back to the plane’s lavatory. I unlocked the door and walked back to my seat beside Kaidou.

I somehow felt like I was forgetting an essential item, but couldn’t place a finger on what it exactly was.

I slipped the ring on and pressed the ‘play’ button on my phone. The heavy metal sounded more like a noise than music, with its irregular beats and a heavy grasp on the ‘instruments’. I’m not one to complain; the noise brings wonders to my focus power.

Then again, it doesn’t  completely  strengthen it. 

Kaidou's puking in a bucket beside me. He (apparently) has motion sickness and is trying not to puke. He stated that he forgot the pills at home. This made me remember that I  too  am easily motion-sick and should’ve brought the pills for my sake as well as for Kaidou’s.

I should’ve foreseen this. After all, I am possessing ESP.

So, for my sake (and Kaidou’s), I apported 10$ from my change to obtain my motion-sickness pills, which I conveniently popped into my mouth. I offered them to Kaidou, who thankfully accepted the medicine. 

“Ah-- Thanks Seishin-San-- I didn’t know you get motion sickness too…” Kaidou said shakily in the bucket. I nodded and shook my hand, gesturing a ‘no need for the thanks’ gesture. I’ve been using simple gestures to express my emotions. I still use my notebook to communicate, but this—at times—is faster and more efficient. 

"Huh, so you get motion sickness, chibi?" Nendou said suddenly, standing beside him. He scared both me and Kaidou (I was still wearing the Germanium ring) and Kaidou replied with an exasperated look, "It's just your face that makes me sick!"

"Just shut up."  Saiki Kusuo speaks telepathically as he leans his head on the armrest to take a nap. Stopping a typhoon while disguising yourself to not be seen is quite a feat. But it still exhausted his stamina. As a fellow psychic, I can respect that.

Suddenly, Takahashi got a stomach ache. I think he’s the green-haired guy with the puffed-up lips. His expression looked pained as the flight attendants worriedly surrounded him, trying to diagnose the root of this sudden pain. “There’s no doctor on the plane, we’ll have to land it!” One of them said.

Suddenly, Takahashi straightened up. “Huh? My stomach’s all okay now.” He then pacified the anxious surroundings by stating that he was all better and ready to continue the flight.

I hadn’t done anything, but Kusuo suddenly looked more tired than earlier.

Ah. Kusuo must’ve used restoration on him. A quick solution and much easier than finding the cause of his pain. Although he's cured, he'll have the same pain again and deal with it tomorrow. It’d be better then since the student would be on actual ground with actual students and doctors by then.

‘ Hm. Finally, some rest...’  I sighed internally as I played my music once more. I closed my eyes in boredom and serenity, relaxed by the silence in my mind. 

At some point, one of my earbuds fell. I raised my hand to pick them up when, "T-this is bad, Captain!!" I heard the pilot say. The sound was slightly muffled by the door, but my advanced hearing (courtesy of my ESP) allowed me to catch it. I sighed in irritation as I felt the airplane begin to slightly fall. 

Then miraculously, the falling stopped. 

I glanced again at the seat ahead of me to see it devoid of the familiar pink-haired antennae boy. ‘ So he must be holding the plane up ,’ I thought, impressed. ‘ But it won’t be enough. Not wholly, since any part of this plane may tip at any time. ’ 

So I reached out my one hand to feel the wall of the plane and channeled my telekinesis through it. All the while, I pretended to be asleep. It was a good ruse since no one disturbed me until the plane was about to land. 

I did such a deed as I understood how exhausted Saiki must be to use his psychic powers so diligently. He may be powerful, but he also has limits similar to mine. Therefore, it is pity and humanity that makes me help the likes of him.

Once the plane landed, I grabbed my handbags and made my way out of the plane with the girls. As we walked, I caught a glance at Saiki leaning at his friends tiredly, completely tired by the day’s antics. I cast an emotionless look when he met my eyes, and he looked away. 

I’d also cast an illusion in mid-air to convince the others that Saiki hadn’t suddenly vanished. It would’ve caught the attention of his friends if he were to vanish like that. So I did him a favor and cast the illusion, manipulating it to fit Saiki’s personality with the help of Saya. 

In other words, Saiki now owes me a huge favor.

That he does not know of.

Eh. I don’t care.

{I’ll cash it in when he knows...}

…

Okinawa. The prefecture is located on Japan's westernmost island. It’s full of beautiful and cultural heritage. I’ve heard Okinawa is scattered with tourist attractions. It's one of Japan's leading resort spots often visited by people on vacation and students on school trips.

And now, the school trip has officially begun.

The class is currently riding on a bus. Most of them didn't sleep on the plane due to pure excitement. Hm. Can’t blame them for being so excited about this new change of pace. After all, they’re finally going to spend some great memories with their friends.

"Hey, partner! Look at the ocean, it's green! Did they dump a bucket of paint or something?" Nendou looks more excited than usual, even though his remarks are still simple-minded.

"Bring it on, Okinawa!" Hairo was sweating like crazy. Then again, he always is, but let’s assume he’s sweating more than usual.

"It's truly a  chura   (beautiful) s ea... ah, it's  ippei achisan   (very hot)  outside.." said Kaidou, showing off his knowledge of the Okinawan dialect. Such simple words with not much fascination, yet they captured the attention of many people there. Especially a certain blue-haired beauty.

"Wow... you sure know a lot, Kaidou." Teruhashi praised him, "Can you teach me some?"

"Oh-- of course!" And now he’s carried away from the praise. Kaidou’s now spouting the dialect anywhere he can to further spread the fascination he initially received. Unfortunately, the other students are now irritated by his flaunts, and the glares he gets shut him up eventually.

The bus stopped at a local market for the students to grab some lunch. I ate some soba and riceballs...nothing special (although I did munch on some local confectionaries for dessert). After eating, we still had a lot of time, so we spent it buying some souvenirs. I bought a swimsuit, since my old one was smaller and didn’t fit me anymore. I also got some sweets called ‘Chiirunko’, which looked like simple pound cakes but had a slight taste of peanuts in it.

When we reached the hotel, it was already night, and the first day of the school trip was over. The teachers demonstrated the respective rooms to the students and requested them to take a rest for tomorrow. I ate dinner, then went to my room to rest.

Soon, the room was filled with the chatter of my three roommates. Chiyo and Teruhashi were talking about crushes, not associating me with the conversation and respecting my silence. Until Teruhashi asked, “Hey, Seishin-San?”

I turned in my bed and asked, “What?” in English. Teruhashi could (unfortunately) understand English. She’d taken some sort of English learning course and knew basic sentences. I do not know how much luck could befall me. Could be karma. But it does make communication more easy.

She asked, “Do you have a crush on someone? Any guy in our class? Don’t be shy; we won’t tell!” She squeaked. Chiyo nodded. I couldn’t read their minds since I was still wearing the Germanium ring. But I don’t have to worry. After all, I don’t have feelings for any-

As I’d thought that, a fleeting image of a pink haired boy flashed in my head, reminding me of those mesmerized purple orbs of his staring intently into my own, and I falter.

‘That...was nothing,’ I answered to my fast-beating heart. ‘Nothing more, nothing less.’ And that is the truth. For I am no romantic or high-school girl who crushes on the first guy she comes close to.

“No one. I haven’t gotten to know the others that well yet,” I replied out loud. My conscience wasn’t satisfied by that half-lie as it tugged on my heartstrings, begging me to say more. But that is all that comes from my mouth before I roll back to my sleeping position, in no mood to reply to the blue haired girl’s questions. Teruhashi translates my words to Chiyo, while I. with yet another sigh, get up from my bed and walk downstairs to the beach outside.

I walk the sandy coast, staring at the endless sea beyond. The moon looks lovely tonight, I notice. The stars and the moonlight combined made the sea below shine like sheets of glitter. The waves reached to my toes, clearing my mind immediately.

‘Ah...how relaxing. I can be here all night...’ I think as I sat on the sand. I hugged my knees to my chest and breathed in the fresh cold air.

I turn my heard a bit to fit my head through the crook between my knees when I noticed a beach chair out in the distance. It was right in front of the hotel, a bit far off from where I was sitting.

I guess God hates me. Because the person sitting there, sleeping like a log was the infamous Saiki Kusuo himself, who I’d originally escaped the ‘Crushes’ talk for.

‘Bloody hell,’ I think in frustuation. I get up, and try enjoying the cold air and the peace, but it was foiled due to my thoughts repeatedly broadcasing images, moments and snippets of Saiki Kusuo through my head. Ugh.

I simply walk in silence past the pink-headed boy, noticing his peaceful resting face. I wouldn’t ever disturb a person sleeping. However, I suspect he’ll not get a comfortable rest like that. Sitting out in the open is a dangerous thi-

“Wait a minute.” I mumble.

I stop my fast trek of the beach and look back at the psychic.

Sure, he’s sleeping, but where are his hair pins??

Then I notice another thing that made me widen my eyes in utter bewilderment.

{“Where’s the hotel??”}

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ SCHOOL TRIP, II. }

[…8…]

Last time on SEISHIN…

I stop my fast trek of the beach and look back at the psychic. 

Sure, he’s sleeping, but where are his hairpins??

Then I noticed another thing that made me widen my eyes in utter bewilderment.

“ Where’s the hotel??”

…

I look back at the place where the hotel should’ve been, and back at Saiki. ‘ How the hell is he sleeping at a time like this???’  I think. ‘ I was right about my hunch of his PSI powers, but I didn’t want to be proven correct like  this !’

I didn’t notice I’d fainted from shock until the world went black.

…

“Wake up, Saiki! We have a problem!" Saiki woke up to a familiar loud voice. He glared at the violet-haired pervert in irritation. He then noticed his previous state.

'Just great. It looks like I fell asleep.' The pink-haired psychic gently rubbed  his eyes, unaware of his current predicament. Fortunate for him, his fellow medium was trying his best to acquaint his master with what just happened...

"THIS ISN'T TIME TO BE SLEEPING!" Toritsuka screams.

...but not necessarily in the most enumerating way.

"Why are you yelling at me, Toritsuka? And what time is it? We have to return to the hotel now."

"YES, RETURN THE HOTEL!"

"You mean to return   to the hotel, right? What are you panicking about?"

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED THERE? THE HOTEL DISAPPEARED! WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?!" The monk pointed out at space behind them. Saiki, now aware of the situation, deadpanned in a livid manner.

'Hn. I woke up and the hotel was gone. It seems I’ve bed-psyched it.'

"SAIKI!! WHAT'S THE MEANING OF ALL THIS!?" Toritsuka continues to panic and shout at him.

"Shut up. I'm thinking."

He patted his head, only to find his one limiter missing. Ah, so someone must have removed it. Whoever it was, they and the hotel had been teleported to someplace random, with no clue as to where it could be.

Saiki spotted someone collapsed on the beach, somewhat away from his current seating. Could that be…

...Nope, it was just Muon Seishin, the infamous Emo-girl that now everyone was aware of.

She seemed to be asleep though, so it shouldn’t be a problem if he brought back the hotel and the stranger who removed his limiter back here before she woke up…

...scratch that, she’s already awake.

Muon abruptly woke up, as if she were splashed in the face with cold water. And she was, thanks to her spirit friend, Saya. She’d used telekinesis to form a small bubble of water and pop it right in Muon’s face in an attempt to wake her from her stupor.

And unfortunately for Saiki, it worked. She stared at Saiki, then Toritsuka, then at the vanished hotel, and lastly at Saya (whom only she could see). She scowled at the air for a split second before getting up and brushing off the sand from her skirt. She looked up at the two boys looking at her curiously and crossed her arms as if she were demanding an explanation.

Saiki glanced at Toritsuka, and the violet-haired medium glanced back.

‘ Are you going to tell her? ’ Toritsuka asked. Saiki responded, ‘ It seems I have no choice. Erasing her memory will only result in her gaining false memories most likely worse than the current situation. She isn’t a tattletale like you and will probably keep the secret safe. ’

‘ Alright .’ Toritsuka responded, then widened his eyes in the realization of what the ESP user just said. ‘ Hey !’

Saiki Kusuo sighed. He turned to Muon, who was still looking at him with clueless blue-pink eyes. Gosh, why were they so mesmerizing when in closer viewing? Saiki had no clue. He’d never thought much of the colors individually; in fact, he’d never paid much attention to them until that incident in the hallway.

Now, those blue-pink orbs that stared into his soul sparkled and glowed in the moonlight. Those eyes had annoyed Saiki that entire day; but now he wouldn’t be able to close his eyes without seeing those colors staring back at him.

He peeled his eyes off Muon’s eyes and instead paid attention to Muon’s face as a whole. Saiki prepared himself to tell his secret to a stranger  once again.  ‘ Alright, here’s a quick explanation… ’

…

I like playing the innocent one.

Sure, anyone on the receiving end may feel guilty and intimidated, but that hasn’t stopped me from getting my desired objective.

Saiki has confessed all his powers, from top to bottom, probably leaving no stones turned. I still have doubts, but the hotel’s proof is enough for me. I stared at Saiki in disbelief, as if he were out of his mind. As I should. No one in their right mind would have psychic powers, right?

Proving wrong, he simply levitates the sand from the beach and throws it on Toritsuka’s face. The grape-haired boy screams, “AHH! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!!”

I, pretending to be a young, naive foreign student who had no clue about social skills, did what would be appropriate in such a situation.

I passed out again.

Hey, this is a gag anime. You can imagine me fainting with foam coming from my mouth, come on. You’re reading this already, can’t you do that much either?

Anyway, now conscious, I stare at Toritsuka and Saiki. I glance between them back and forth, observing their actions. I then look over to the vanished hotel.

Of course, if Saiki has a similar range of powers to Saya’s, that would mean that the hotel was either apported, levitated, or teleported to another area. If it were destroyed, there probably would be more debris flying than people.

‘ Also, the edges were too clean for the hotel to have been destroyed. Only movement-based powers would probably do such a thing…’  I expressed to Saiki via writing on the wet sand on the beach. ‘ If you’ve apported the hotel, there must be something of equal value at the bottom of the hole. At least, that’s my theory. ’ Playing ingenuously doesn’t mean I can’t showcase my ideas. It’ll be fun to see Saiki depending on me for solutions. Or for approval of his solutions. 

Saiki decides to test the theory out. Therefore, he walks to the edge of the hole, and Toritsuka follows close behind.

Toritsuka runs to the edge of the hole, "Saiki!! There's something toward the bottom!! Is everyone safe?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. Probably, most likely, surely, in all probability." Saiki  used his telekinesis to lift the things on the bottom. Which—to our horror—were skeletons.

Wait, Skeletons??

Toritsuka screamed for both of us, "Y-YOU BASTARD! THEY'RE DEAD AREN'T THEY? Who cares about the guys, BUT WHY DID THE GIRLS HAVE TO DIEEE!!?" He shakes Saiki in fear. Seriously, did he have to be a pervert even in such crucial moments of danger?

Saiki once again lifted the things inside the hole. This time, it was a ship with treasure inside.

"It has the same value as the hotel. If this changed places with the hotel from using teleport, then that means right now the hotel is... out at sea." Saiki telepathically said.

Well, we’re doomed.

Time to bring matters into my own hands (as if it wasn’t already...)

…

Saiki went and apported the hotel back at my quick deduction as to where it may specifically be (which was not far from shore yet still in a dangerous area of the sea). That was one problem solved. Unfortunately, the next problem to be addressed was probably worse.

Saiki’s antenna.

I was correct about it being a limiter to Saiki’s powers. His dependency on them makes it harder for him to control his powers, making problems like this much more difficult than they should be.

‘ It is likely for Teruhashi-san to now possess Saiki’s antenna, given that she’d probably followed me out of the hotel and stumbled onto him sleeping. I guess she’d tried removing your...’ pins’ to give you comfort in rest, instead balancing your ESP and possibly either apporting or teleporting herself somewhere else.’  I wrote. ‘ I hope you haven’t exploded her, else this beach would be a lot more messier... ’

This wasn’t helping Toritsuka’s panic-stricken nerves. “EEH?!”

Saiki calmly concentrated. We all were suddenly enveloped in silence. Saiki was probably searching for Teruhashi’s frazzled thoughts in his telepathic range. It would be stronger than before, with this imbalance in power.

‘ I found her. ’ Saiki telepathically stated, then proceeded to leave both me and Toritsuka on the beach by teleporting himself to wherever Teruhashi was stranded. Not wanting to focus on Toritsuka’s whining or his suspicious thoughts, I simply turned away from the hole and walked towards the shore, sitting on the beach chair where Saiki was previously resting. I closed my eyes, ignoring Toritsuka, and opened my mind to the atmosphere.

It would simply look as if I were resting on the chair. In reality, I was using clairvoyance to eavesdrop on Saiki and Teruhashi’s predicament. I simply tracked Teruhashi by reading her erratic thoughts. Saiki just defeated a bear, Teruhashi thinks she’s in a dream, and Saiki has to reluctantly take her to an  actual  royal castle to continue Teruhashi’s fantasy without revealing his true identity. How chaotic.

Obviously, Teruhashi’s Fantasy needs to have an  impossible  element, since it’s merely a fantasy. 

Teruhashi wished to—and I was affronted by her strange wish—was for Saiki to say ‘Oh!’ to compliment her beauty. She had this obsession ever since Saiki refused to acknowledge her presence, much less her appearance. This must’ve flabbergasted her preppy self and has been behind him ever since.

And people think she’s an angel?

Wow. The standards of citizens these days have considerably reduced. Saya’s a better angel than Miss Gregarious Bluebell could ever become.

Anyway, Saiki, being the all-powerful psychic he is, teleported Toritsuka into his place, but I was unable to watch further. I had to open my eyes and pretend I was simply waiting for Saiki to return. I’ve never been more startled by someone tapping on my shoulder than today.

Later, Toritsuka and Saiki came back with a fainted Teruhashi in Saiki’s arms. Of course, since Toritsuka holding her would be pure evil to her. Saiki’s not that heartless.

Then again, I’m not denying the possibility. Who knows what lengths he can go to to rectify a mistake from his out-of-control powers?

Saiki then proceeded to bring the hotel back to its place and put Teruhashi in her room without anyone finding out, while I and Toritsuka was left outside on the beach.

We sat in complete silence, the only thing in earshot being the waves crashing the seashore.

“So, Seishin-san, I was wondering...would you like to know your spirit, now that you know I’m psychic too?” Toritsuka asked politely. He knows I can scream and people will simply degrade his popularity, especially if he attempted on a new girl younger than him. So, I nodded lightly.

Toritsuka continued with my consent, “Well, your spirit is kinda...unique.”

“It’s a young teenager with white hair and pink eyes, similar to your eyes...she has pretty old clothes too. She keeps on putting her hand on your face, but no need to worry about that,” Toritsuka rambled on. Indeed, Saya was trying to get my attention by waving her hand on my face. I’ve gotten used to ignoring her in public, but pointing out such a thing openly has now made me aware of her attempts.

But this also proves that he’s not a fake either...the guy’s weird too.

What a coincidence.

It tempts me to reveal myself too, but I’ve more restraint to myself. And patience.

“Hmm. Alright.” I say, then look out to the sea, patiently waiting for Saiki.

And then I realize my grave mistake.

Toritsuka screamed, “YOU SPEAK JAPA-” before I punched him in the face. I punched him once more for good measure, effectively tripping the boy and making him fall on the sand. I held his collar before he fell though, giving a sharp tug on it to get his attention.

I glared at him menacingly and quietly mouthed in Japanese, ‘ Tell anyone, and you’re dead to me.’ 

It seemed to have worked, for he nodded in panic and was struggling to get away from me. Once I let go, he ran with his tail between his legs to the newly restored hotel building. Right then, Saiki appeared with Teruhashi in his arms. “So you’ve returned,” I said in English.

‘ Where’s Toritsuka?’  Saiki asked in my head, slightly startling me. God, I’ve to get used to that soon enough.

‘ He went back to the hotel. Something about a beach and girls.’  I replied in my head. Sure I couldn’t talk to him telepathically, but I could respond in my head with him reading the thought. That was more difficult than said since I was thinking two different things at once while projecting one of the thought processes to Saiki. ‘ I’ll take her back to her room, you go to yours. To anyone else it concerns, this…’  I motioned to the area around us, implying the incident that currently took place, ‘ ...never happened. Your secret’s safe with me.’  And with one last look, I walked toward him to take the limp Teruhashi from his arms.

But in that split moment where my hands brushed with his, a cut-out thought reached my head, most likely from Saiki.

‘ She’s s tran- ’ Before I came back to reality, holding Teruhashi in my hands. I acted as if nothing happened, walking back to the hotel. Saiki also didn’t seem to notice the tiny slip-up and simply teleported to his room. Or rather, I assume he teleported to his room. He vanished out of sight in a blink of an eye.

Me? I was stuck walking. I, the powerful psychic with a ghostly friend, a limp beauty in my arms, and a plotting scheme. Perfect.

…

I  didn't get enough sleep because of that incident and woke up a little late. The black coffee this morning helped her a little, though.

Once we were done with breakfast, we got on the bus to continue the 2nd day of the school trip. We, the students of PK Academy, visited Pineapple Park, walked around the Churaumi Aquarium, and enjoyed our tour of Okinawa. I got more souvenirs for my sister, like these Ryukyu glasses that matched her eyes. I also found some brown sugar chocolates for a cheap price. I’ll munch on that later...

And finally, we reached the place our entire class was awaiting eagerly for.

"IT'S THE EMERALD BEACH!" Hairo exclaimed.

The students excitedly changed from their uniforms to swimsuits. I was wearing my swimsuit under my clothing, so I had to go change. In the shower room, I removed the plain striped shirt and the jeans. Under that, I revealed a full-sleeved mauve swimsuit, with a short skirt stitched with it. I usually don’t like skirts and opt to wear tights under them, but I can’t here since it is a swimsuit.

I then lather on some sunscreen.

Great, I’m ready.

I got out of the changing room and immediately dived into the water. Others would’ve probably seen a blur of purple diving into the ocean.

I directly went to the deeper part of the area to try to find some marine life. Luckily, I spotted some seahorses and corals. A fish was trying to swim out of a plastic bag but to no avail. I decided to give it a hand and removed the restricting item. People really shouldn’t pollute the ocean like this.

The fish swam swiftly away from me. At least it got out alive.

I caught the attention of a handful of classmates who were concerned for my well-being and feared my drowning. How nice. I decided to then, reach shore and rest for a while. Maybe apply some sunscreen too. Ever mentioned that I get sunburnt easily?

So yes, I did reach the shore. I glanced around for an empty seat to sit and found a beach chair beside...Kaidou Shun.

He’s an intriguing one. He believes he’s a superhero of some sort, whose destiny is to defeat some ‘Dark Reunion’. How original. Yet when someone asks him to show evidence, he scurries off faster than a rat.

I do not loathe him; his stories are momentous, albeit predictable. He does not fawn over me and usually keeps a distance. That is, in my book, considered a win.

I walk and go sit on the beach chair, opening my bag to find the sunscreen. I started to lather some on my hands when Kaidou asked, “Oh, Seishin-san? You came back?”

I nodded. I still depend on pen and paper for communication and hope to do so until I either slip or deceive them into thinking I’ve learned Japanese. I do use some words in Japanese, but not enough to get my classmates suspicious.

I slipped on a thin white shirt as Kaidou responded, “Ah.” He then turned his head to Yumehara beside him. She was wearing a yellow bikini swimsuit, yet was curled up and wrapped in a towel. “Aren’t you going to go into the water?” he asked Yumehara.

“No...I don’t feel well...” She responded with a deadpan. A quick glimpse in her mind told me her frustrations of absolutely no one complimenting her outfit, not even any boy found appeal in her swimsuit.

Kaidou tried consoling her, “Is it because you can’t swim? The truth is, I also...”

“No, I can swim.” Yumehara shot him down. “Aren’t you going to go, Kaidou?” 

She really is digging her own grave.

‘O-Of course! I can swim. However, I’m currently being afflicted by a curse from Poseidon, god of the sea...If I were to bathe in ocean water, it would feel like my body being dipped in acid-”

‘it’s alright. Just tell us you can’t swim.” Really, Yumehara?

“H-huh? No!” Kaidou’s not helping her case.

“So what you’re saying is...you can’t swim?” She raised her hand, allowing more of her body to be exposed. Kaidou easily flushed a deep red at the exposure, which made her confidence grow. Honestly, she shouldn’t have said those things about Kaidou, even if they were true; she would’ve gotten a bigger reaction.

And right on time, Teruhashi arrived on the scene, sporting her --- and easily gaining the affections of most of our male classmates. She asked Kaidou if a ball had rolled the other way, effectively stealing the spotlight. Her beauty made Kaidou roll backward three times in excitement. He denied having seen the ball, but the damage had been done...Yumehara curled up again, the small amount of confidence having diminished in jealousy of Teruhashi Kokomi.

And that, readers, is Cause and Effect.

I did feel a tiny sort of pity for Chiyo. But what could be done?

I would’ve gone and tried consoling the girl, but I’d then noticed two guys catcalling Teruhashi, and they did  not  look like our classmates.

“Hey there, cutie! Wanna go grab some shaved ice with us?” One of them said and started advancing. Kaidou was already there, attempting to intervene. “Hey! We’re in the middle of a class trip, so go find someone else! I’ll call a teacher if you keep harassing us!”

“Who’re you to talk back to us like that, pip-squeak?” The other guy teased and grabbed Kokomi’s wrist. “Besides, we’re talking about the girl, not you!” They laughed.

Seeing that exchange...made me remember something.

Something familiar.

“ She’s not your friend! Who’re you to stop me, freak?”

Something snapped in me at that moment, at how similar this was to something I’d seen before. It made my skin crawl and angered me to the point that with a burst of adrenaline, I got up from my spot and started to speed-walk. In fact, I reached out rather quickly.

“So anyway-”  Enough to punch the guy in the face.

I don’t lose my cool easily. But if I do, I do with good reason.

But here...it’s personal.

Such a situation hits closer to home than usual. I don’t know what made me more agitated than the past few times I’ve witnessed such an incident happen in front of me. Was it that Teruhashi was a friend? Was it the guys? Was it Kaidou, who attempted to save Teruhashi even though he knew he may not succeed in stopping them?

I...don’t know.

Or rather, I’m not sure.

It could be all of these reasons, it could be none of them, or it could be a handful of them.

I’d rather...not talk about it right now.

About my past.

...Maybe when I’m ready.

Maybe when I’ve finally...gotten over my mistakes.

Maybe when she forgives me.

I’m sure she already has.

Maybe...

...when I forgive myself.

Yeah.

Yeah, that seems right.

But none of this sentimental stuff right now.

Let’s get back to the main story.

So after I punched the first guy, I roundhouse-kicked the other simultaneously, rendering both paralyzed. That gave Kaidou time to call Mr. Matsuzaki, the nearest teacher at the current time. I then proceeded to punch both of them in the face once more, for good measure. I didn’t touch them after that, but glared at them both menacingly, daring them to move even a finger towards anyone.

Mr. Matsuzaki, Kaidou, and I apprehended the guys and Mr. Matsuzaki took them to the police station, where they were to be taken care of.

When we returned, I once again went to my beach chair and let out a sigh. Teruhashi thanked me for my help and thanked Kaidou for helping her. Flustered, Kaidou didn’t notice the growing admiration of Chiyo, who’d watched the entire thing and now perceived Kaidou as some sort of...hero? Her words, not mine.

“ Wah...Kaidou’s so amazing...”  Fawned Chiyo. To be fair, I’d expected him to run away when I arrived. At least I know he isn’t mental for girls like most boys ( Toritsuka Reita ).

Ad so, Yumehara’s affection for Kaidou...begins.

Last day of the school trip.

It wasn’t as eventful as all the other days, especially that beach day.

The teachers had allowed the classes to ‘window-shop’ —which is—to browse through the street shops for any last-minute purchases or to just look around the shops. I’d found some nice monotone shirts, as well as a few accessories like some bracelets and cheap jewelry. I bought a keychain for my bag and some hair accessories and decided to buy a few selected shirts.

At the end of that short shopping spree, I was hungry.

As I was walking by, I found a restaurant that served a food item called ‘Coffee Red Bean Anmitsu’. I would’ve tried some...if they weren’t all out. Just my luck. 

Then we returned to Japan.

And when I opened my apartment door, I was greeted with my small bedroom, my empty desk, and all my other belongings, placed where I’d left them.

It’s good to be home.

{ Or is it?}

_______________

Chapter Text

____________________

{ INTUITION. }

[…9…]

January 1^st. New year’s day.

Based on Japanese tradition, people go to the shrine to wish for their resolution of the New year to come true.

Of course, this is not Britain’s tradition.

Many people see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, and exchanging good wishes for a 'Happy New Year'. I simply just get a coffee from Starbucks, and watch a rom-com till it strikes midnight, then play some video games till I crash at five am.

However, this old tradition now seems bleak after being used to it like a routine. I too, wanted to experience the ‘Japanese’ tradition of New Year like my father had got to experience.

…

I haven’t told you much about my father, have I…?

...well, that’s a story for next time.

Currently, I saunter to the shrine, which is crowded with civilians. Saya simply follows me, twirling through strangers freely. She somehow pickpockets 100 yen from someone, for which I berated her until she put it back.

I fiddled with the checkered scarf around my neck, black gloves playing with the woolen ends. I was dressed warm in a mauve coat and casual pants, with my austere, black turtleneck underneath.

Wishes seem bland, since I can grant my own with my borrowed ESP. Only to pay respects (and adhere to the Japanese tradition), I bow and clap twice. Clasping my gloved hands, I closed my eyes and wished,

‘I wish for my relationships with my past and current acquaintences to improve by the end of the year, if possible. Thank you.’

Gosh, I sound polite.

I paced back to the gathering silently. Now that I’ve made this wish, I can go back home. Yay.

Before I could though, one of my classmates (I think it was Nendo) spotted me walking alone. “Oi, Bowl-cut girl!” He yelled in my direction.

I scoffed. ‘Bowl-cut girl? Really?’

I wished to follow my intuition and not reply, hoping he would forget me. However, I did have free time to spare, since I hadn’t planned much for this year’s New Year. So, I stopped in my tracks, and walked to Nendo with suspicion.

“Oh yeah! Meet Pal’s Parents! Pal’s parents, Meet Bowl-cut girl!” Nendo introduced me to a brunette man and black-haired lady, presumably Nendo’s ‘Pal’s’ parents.

“Seishin Muon. Nice to meet you.” I speak in Japanese and politely bow. I can speak simple sentences in Japanese now, to avoid suspicion. And, since it feels convenient. I cannot carry a notebook around everywhere, so this also feels simplistic for the others while communicating with me.

I look up to see the couple now fawning over me. ‘Ah!!! What a polite girl!!’ ‘She’s so lovely, has God already answered my prayers???’

I spotted the infamous Saiki Kusuo at a distance with his deadpan stare glaring at the two, possibly in embarrassment. ‘So these are his parents. Lovely.’ I thought.

“Kya!!! You’re a very lovely girl, Muon-kun!!” Said the woman, now known as Kurumi Saiki. “Happy New Year, Dear!”

“Same to you, Ma’am.” I say respectfully, adding the ‘ma’am’ in English.

“Ah, There’s Kuu-chan and your classmates. You can greet them there, dear!” Said the man, now known as Kuniharu Saiki. I politely bow and take my leave, pacing to where Saiki and the others stood.

I spotted Kaidou, Hairo and Nendo along with Saiki, a bit farther in the distance. I also found Teruhashi, failing to chat with said pinkette. Him gazing at me caused the others to also turn their heads in my direction.

“Seishin-san! Happy New Year!” Hairo greeted, fired up as always. He was not dressed warmly for the weather, yet he prespires as if he’d ran a couple kilometers. I nodded in acceptance, letting him know I wished the same for him as well.

“H-Hi, Seishin-san! H-Happy New Year!” Kaidou blushed profusely. I nodded.

“Hi, Seishin-San! Happy New Year!” Teruhashi said, earning a few ‘offu’s’ from the eavesdroppers nearby. I replied, “To you too, Teruhashi.” in English.

Finally, Saiki Kusuo just blankly stared at me. I narrowed my eyes, yet slightly bowed. He probably was communicating the same as everyone, but my germanium ring (recently sent to me by my sister) were receding his telepathic transmits. I could only make assumptions; I do not know what he actually spoke.

I chatted with Teruhashi for a while, talking about school and stuff. After a while, his parents invited me and my classmates to celebrate at their house. They’d said about sharing traditional New Year’s dishes...and who am I to refuse such a pleasant offer?

“Alright! Dig in! You all are growing children, so make sure you eat a lot!”

“Yes ma’am!” My classmates reply and I nod. We ‘dig into’ Mrs. Saiki’s delightful dishes. Kaidou chats with Nendo and Hairo while Teruhashi compliments Mrs. Saiki’s food, inquiring if she’d offer to teach her. She never does stop trying to pester Saiki, doesn’t she?

“Ah!!! Thank you for being such good friends with Kuu-chaann!!” She exclaims, flustered with Teruhashi’s praises. I still cannot get over Saiki’s nickname at home being...Kuu-chan. Then again, who am I to judge? I never had such an endearing name at home.

“No need for the thanks! We’re here because we want to be!” Hairo smiles, his enthusiasm burning like his soul.

I shouldn’t add the fact that I’m just here for the food, should I?

“Yeah...I’m just happy…” She suddenly looks down and I too, feel that something is about to happen.

“My Kuu-chann has always had very few friends because he’s a psychic…”

…

….

…..

...what?

…...

…….

I mean, I already knew...but that’s quite sudden, isn’t it??

The current pin-drop silence in the room would put a library to shame. Yes, it was that silent. Everyone was too stunned to react or respond to the sudden endorsement.

“M-Mama, you shouldn’t have said that…” Said Mr. Saiki. I was the first to recover, so I glance at Saiki to see his reaction. He seemed to already know that this event was inevitable and possibly prompted his parents so, as his dad attempted to change the subject.

“Hey guys! Did you all know ---?”

“Oh! It does!” Nendo remarks, and the subject successfully changes. It’s great that didn’t have to step-

“Oh yeah, what was that about Saki being a psychic again?” Annnnndd you just ruined it.

“….Did you know that ---” Mr.Saiki comments. Even Nendo can tell that was a desparate attempt to change the subject though.

Then Teruhashi’s glass of water spills onto the table, alarming everyone. This revealation was now out of sight, and out of mind for all of Saiki’s classmates...except mine, since I already knew.

If only Nendou had taken the bait for a longer amount of time, someone else would have changed the topic and the memory would be lost as a whimsical glance in an eventful night.

Now how would Saiki get out of this one…?

On cue, a glass of water fell on the table near Kaidou, spilling all over the table. And after that, to put it simply, everyone panicked.

I won’t give a deep description of all that happened during this disaster during the dinner. Let’s just say that I silently enjoyed my ‘free’ dinner, all my classmates temporarily forgot about Mrs. Saiki’s slipup, and Saiki saved himself from an awkward revealation of his...unnatural qualities.

“Thank you for having us, Mr. ans Mrs. Saiki!!!” Everyone bowed outside the Saikis’ Residence.

We all went on our separate ways; I going from the other side of the road since I live closer to the city.

I heard Saiki’s footsteps behind me, once I’d walked a certain distance after separating from all the others.

“Are you sure your parents raised you?” I asked lighheartedly. “Their personalities could not possibly clash with yours any more than they alre-.” I chuckled at the sight of Saiki’s scowling face.

“Shut up. You couldn’t help by changing the topic atleast?” I scoffed. “Ouch. Did my phrasing touch a nerve there? I’m sorry then,” I gazed at the twinkling sky above me, “But you obviously had it handled. I may have made it far worse for you to rectify.”

“...”Saiki stared. I did have a point there.

“Why did you follow me here anyways? You could’ve went home after doing...whatever you did for the others to forget. What did you do anyways?”

“Memory Replacement. Erased the memory and it got replaced by their imaginations. And I came to return this,” He handed me a woolen thing, which I recognized as my scarf. I’d removed it while I was eating since I didn’t feel as cold as I did in the morning. I must have left it there, by accident.

“Ah. Thanks,” I wrapped the checkered scarf around my neck. “Although, you could’ve given it back at school.”

“Good grief, and deal with the rumors at school? I already need to deal with the nuisances’ versions of that dinner; it’d be too much of a hassle.” Saiki deadpanned.

I nodded with tired eyes. “Fair point…I like your parents. Lively people. Probably smother you with love, huh?”

“Yep.” Saiki sighed. “They get into fights over who loves the other more.”

I smiled once more as a wave of nostalgia flooded via my memories. “Don’t take that for granted then. Many...don’t get that.” And my smile faded as quick as it’d came.

We both walked in calm silence for a moment or two, before I asked, ”...Do you consider me a friend, Saiki Kusuo?”

That took him aback, if the slight widening of his violet eyes told me anything. “...no. You’re just...much lesser of a nuisance than all the others. Why?”

“Well, you’ve been talking with me, willingly, for the past five minutes. If I knew otherwise, I’d have considered you to have taken an interest in my company.”

Saiki scoffed again. “Please. You don’t freak out everytime I use my powers, or treat me any differently. So you’re different from the others. I won’t lose a couple braincells talking with you. Your company is far better than theirs.”

“Funny you say that,” I say, looking at my shoes. “You know them far longer than I do, Saiki Kusuo. Yet I can tell you appreciate their company. It’s better than being alone, I can tell you that.”

“You don’t know that,” Saiki said, unconvinced. We were nearing the end of the neighbourhood and entering the main city.

“Whatever you say, Saiki Kusuo.” I glanced at his face. His eybrows were slightly furrowed, in total concentration. Probably trying to read my memories.

“I’ve never had a friend, anyways,” Saiki said. “At least not one so nonchalant about my powers as you are.”

“Makes sense. I mean, how many people would not freak out at their ‘friend’ being an all-powerful psychic who could destroy all of mankind with a sleight of hand? I’m guessing that’s why you erased your classmates’ memories?”

He stared for a second, “Kind of. People would either pester me like Toritsuka till my eardrums burst, or would slip up too easily like my mom. It’s simpler if no one except the people who get it, knew. Toritsuka’s psychic, and my parents are well, my parents. Other than that, no one else would keep it cool,” He glanced at me again. “Or so I thought.”

“Hmm.” I muttered. “I do agree with your reasoning. No sane person would simply take your...queerness at face value without a reaction…”

“Are you implying you’re insane??”

“...No. At least not mentally.”

“What does that mean????”

“Good luck deciphering that,” I teased. “...I don’t have many ‘good’ friends either...they either want to be near me or be me. It get tiring after a while. And Anyways...There’s a first time for everything, right? So... why not let’s have a go at this friendship thing?”

Saiki didn’t reply immediately, probably considering his options. “I mean you can dispose of me or something if I blabbed…?” I tried.

“Good grief, I’m not soulless, Seishin—I’d erase your memories even if you did blab...Just let me think about it for a while.”

“Alright, Pinky. Take all the time you need.” I muttered.

“Don’t call me that.”

We again fell into a comfortable silence, until I and he were nearing my apartment’s building. “Soooooo can I call you a friend, Saiki Kusuo? I think your time’s running out here….” I ask again.

He stares at my face once again. He thinks, for a second. “Good grief, fine. We’re friends. And don’t say my full name everytime; Just say Saiki... or Kusuo.”

I smiled. We both stopped at my building’s door. “Alright, Kusuo...Happy New Years’ to you. I hope you and I can start a nice friendship.”

“Ugh, don’t say it like that. You sound like you’re declaring us dating.” Saiki scowled. “Fine, you grinch. See you at school!” I called out, one last time.

He narrowed his eyes, and left without a word.

And with that, I walked up the stairs to my apartment.

With, surprisingly, a smile on my face.

One, that I’d believed, disappeared many years ago.

A genuine, happy one.

{My, Kusuo sure is a work of art, isn’t he?}

_______________

Chapter Text

Last time on SEISHIN…

We again fell into a comfortable silence, until I and he were nearing my apartment’s building. “Soooooo can I call you a friend, Saiki Kusuo? I think your time’s running out here….” I ask again.

He stares at my face once again. He thinks, for a second. “Good grief, fine. We’re friends. And don’t say my full name every time; Just say Saiki... or Kusuo.”

I smiled. We both stopped at my building’s door. “Alright, Kusuo...Happy New Years’ to you.

I hope you and I can start a nice friendship.”

…

____________________
{        FIRE DRILLS.        }
[…10…]

The School Festival is going to begin in a month.

This was the announcement our homeroom teacher had made yesterday.

She had also mentioned that a mock fire drill would happen today, and everyone must be prepared for it.

Honestly, there can never be a fire in a school where one almighty psychic and a ghost psychic reside. It is virtually impossible, as even the mere possibility of it happening would be snuffed out by Saiki’s premonitions.

He’d muttered about his head hurting the day before, and mentally filled me in on his future-sightings. Another psychic was going to come to their school and uncover Saiki’s secrets. Nothing happened yesterday, but that wouldn’t mean it was prevented. A likely possibility would be that the event is to happen at some later point in time.

Kusuo also briefed me on how his premonitions work. But I won’t tell you, since I presume you already know…

Anyways, back to the present day.

"Today, we will have an evacuation drill, as the teacher mentioned yesterday!" Hairo yelled in front of the whole class.

"Tch, boring. How many times do we have to do this.." Nendou muttered.

"Nendou, I suggest you shouldn't underestimate disasters! It's always best to know how to react to any trouble or accidents that might happen to you. If something big were to happen, your mental state could change and you could be in danger!

For example, a big fire! What if you were surrounded by hot flames with no way out?! You can't see anything in front of you thanks to the smoke!" Hairo went to his desk and slammed his hands on Nendou’s desk.

"SO, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?! IN THIS HOT AND DARK PLACE, YOU CAN'T ESCAPE! WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO REMAIN CALM AND LOGICAL IN THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION, HUH?! CAN YOU, NENDOU?! WITHOUT ANY PREPARATION IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THERE!"

Hairo has a point, no matter how exaggerated it may seem. Since Japan is prone to earthquakes, the students should be more trained in handling such situations easily. Therefore, these drills are beneficial…

...if you never lived in Japan before and haven’t encountered the routine amount of mock drills in such schools, of course….

...Especially for a certain girl who just came to Japan, like, a few months before this moment….

"Anyways," he went back to the front of the class again, "When the alarm goes off, follow the instructions and evacuate to the schoolyard."

"Okay..." everyone said in unison.

"This is a mnemonic created by using the initials for the important considerations during an evacuation."

He wrote three letters to the board.

SOS.

‘ Ah. In this case, it would mean Slowly, Orderly, and Silently. The mnemonic is also used for signaling help as Save Our Souls.'

Nendou lit up, "Oh, I got it! Save Our Selves!"

"Uhm.. that was close, but.."

"Then it must be Someone! Over here! Save me!"

‘ Ironically, that would serve the same purpose...’ I thought.

Kaidou let out a supposedly evil laugh, "You're as stupid as ever."

Nendou scoffed, "Do you know what is it, then?!"

Hmm. Kaidou would likely know; I’d seen him reading English books a few times in an attempt to learn basic English. SOS is a universal mnemonic for an internationally recognized distress signal. Kaidou should-

"Of course, I do. It's Scorching Oblivion Smackdown."

…

….

…..

‘ Kaidou, I honestly expected better-’

"Just kidding. It's Slowly, Orderly, and Silently, right?"

‘ ...Never mind, my opinions remain the same.’

"You're right. If you use SOS as your guideline.. you'd be able to pass any disaster and evacuate safe and sound-"

A sound similar to a siren ringed out of the speakers in the classroom, along with an announcement.

[ There's a big fire in the Science Room on the first floor . Please seek refuge and await instructions. ]

"Okay, guys! Stay calm! Open your bag in the locker and take your safety hood. Stand in line in order according to your student number!" Hairo showed his hood, as everyone searched for their own.

I first grabbed a spare notebook from my bag, and a pen. I then went to the locker-like things at the back of the class with all the other people. I searched for my locker, not surprised that it was in the last column. I took out the bright yellow hood from my bag amidst all the other students grappling for their own and joined the line.

Since I was a recent transfer student, I would have to stand at the back of the line. So, every time someone else joined the line, I would have to move to give them the space ahead. This also allowed me to continue watching the people taking out their hoods from their lockers.

"I think I don't have it with me--" one of the students mumbled under their breath, but Hairo caught the sound and rushed towards him.

"WHAT?!?! IF THIS WEREN’T A DRILL, YOU’D BE DEAD RIGHT NOW!!! YOUR HEAR ME???" He said or rather yelled at the poor boy.

"Oh no, I think I don't have it.." Teruhashi sighed a minute later, prompting all the boys in the vicinity—even a few in the other classrooms, somehow—to come rushing, offering their hoods to their... angel .

"What? What would you do without hoods?!" Hairo exclaimed.

"Don't worry about us, Hairo…” The students said with sheer confidence, “We'll Sacrifice Ourselves to Save her, and have no regrets!"

…

….

…..

‘ Ohhh. Now I get the pun.’ I thought as I adjusted the hood over my head. The hood was slightly oversized, fitting over my petite stature loosely.

' Saying nary a word, they'd Offer me theirs. They're my love Slaves!' Teruhashi’s thought reaches me as she comes closer to the line.

...

‘ That pun sounds familiar. ’

After everyone lined up, with Hairo at the front guiding us all, Takahashi had the brilliant idea to remember that he had forgotten his phone, so he broke the line and went inside the classroom again without Hairo’s permission.

Hairo caught him and again, yelled, " Stop, Takahashi! You're Out of line, Stay in place!"

"But I forgot my phone--"

"SO YOUR PHONE’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR LIFE?!"

"Sorry!" Takahashi replied, joining the line again without his phone. I, again, had to move to let him through.

‘ This is really getting annoying now...and what’s with all these puns????’

We continued along the line as Hairo led us to the exit. Or what I hope is the exit. I’d seen students from all the other classrooms go in the opposite direction we were heading in...that was not a good sign.

I’d recognized this floor on the first floor when I recalled something. ‘Isn’t there a fire on this floor?? Near the Science Room?’

" STOP! The path leading Outside has been Shuttered?!" Hairo exclaimed, halting the entire line.

Indeed, there was a shutter in front of the Science Room, blocking the path outside.

‘ Huh. I didn’t know this was also a path to get outside. But it’s blocked anyways due to the imaginary fire.’

"I heard nothing about this!"

"What do we do now?!"

" Seriously? Oh, come on! We'd be Screwed if this wasn't a drill!"

“We should walk back with the students then…” I said, before realizing I’d muttered this thought in English.

‘ I really need a better communication method with all the others….’

"We need to Stay calm... Obviously, there's gotta be a Solution." Hairo pondered deeply.

‘ Come on Hairo...think back to the announcement! Find the solution!’ I willed. Hairo is a nice person overall; he may be a bit hot-headed and instinctive, but he’s smart enough to care for others. He should be able to—

"I got it now! This is an obstacle! During a fire, Sometimes Obstacles Stand in your way! So we have to come together and break through the shutter by breaking it down!"

‘ ABSOLUTELY NOT!’

Never mind, forget all the nice things I said about him, he’s dumber than a pile of bricks.

I quietly backed away from the line as Hairo and some other fired-up boys began picking up the nearby furniture and chairs. I had a bad feeling about ‘breaking down’ the shutter and what it could result in in the future. I could tell them, but I wouldn’t be able to explain it to the right people before they had broken down the shutter already. I only other option I have now is to save my skin.

It’s called ‘Every Man for Himself’, my friend. Or would it be, ‘Every human for themselves’?

‘ Kusuo !’ I desperately thought. He would probably be reading everyone’s minds at this moment and would know what’s going on. ‘Are you going to just watch or what? Can’t you stop them???’

‘ I can.’ Saiki’s thoughts reverberated through my head. Honestly, how does no one notice that?

Anyway, he continued, ‘ Even if I did, Hairo would probably motivate me into helping him, thinking I’m paranoid. It’s a lost cause when Hairo gets fired up. There’s nothing you can do about it.’

‘ Well, can you not get out of line or something? Come with me to the front entrance instead of being held responsible with them?’

‘ I’d love to, but being in the middle of the line with people all around you doesn’t make that easy. I can’t use my powers either to simply turn invisible or teleport; too many people would notice. You’re on your own here.’ And with that, the shutter began to break, leading to cheers by the men and Hairo, and a tired sigh by Saiki; ‘ Go quick. They’re already halfway done.’

And with that, he cut the connection.

‘ Huh.’ I thought, uselessly.   ‘At least I won’t die in an actual fire, correct?’

I continued backing away quietly from the line until they were a fair distance away until I could turn around and rush towards the rest of the students heading towards the actual evacuation area.

That part was easy; I joined one of the lines going out from the center and then went to the evacuation area, where several teachers were already standing.

Each queue represented each class, and all the queues had already sat down on the ground outside. I spotted my class and year easily, as it was the only space without a single student yet. Even the later lines had a handful of students already seated in their respective spaces.

At last, my class-⨌ arrived, with all the boys (excluding Saiki) and Hairo cheering at their success.

Mr. Matsuzaki was confused as to why they had arrived so late and was going to inquire them as such until I nudged the teacher and gave him a paper. It read in Japanese: The boys tried exiting the school earlier by breaking the shutter to the Science Room. I couldn’t stop them, so I came here instead. Mr. Matsuzaki Sir, you may also listen to their explanation for further clarification.

Mr. Matsuzaki read the paper, glanced at me, and then kept the paper in his pocket without a word. By this time, the Class ⨌ line had halted in front of their space, awaiting further instructions. I could make out Saiki’s face of utter annoyance at the whole ordeal, already aware of how this would end.

Did I just throw my classmates under the rug? Yes, yes I did.

Do I regret it? No. They would’ve been punished with or without my interference.

Do I feel guilty for it?

Absolutely.

Mr. Matsuzaki listened to the boys’ explanation, as I’d stated in the note. Then, he told all the girls to sit down in the evacuation area, and the boys to sit in front of him. He began reprimanding them.

“So you took 30 minutes just to break through that shutter, I see... Are you Simpletons Out of your minds!? Do you know what it costs to repair a Shutter!?" Mr. Matsuzaki scolded the boys.

"WE JUST INSTALLED THE SHUTTER LAST WEEK! DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND THE TIME IT WILL TAKE TO FIX THE WRECKAGE OF THE SHUTTER?!"

"WE'RE SORRY!" The boys bowed down to Mr. Matsuzaki in apology.

'This was an eventful drill, was it not, Kusuo?’ I asked in my mind. ‘ Hopefully such a disaster never truly occurs...otherwise, we’re screwed.’

I was walking out the front entrance of the school towards home, with Saiki following not far from me.

‘ Well, this evacuation drill wouldn't happen because..' Saiki trailed off as a middle-aged man outside the school lit up a cigarette. He threw it away near a pile of newspapers when I’d passed. It lit up the paper, with the fire spreading in my peripheral view until Saiki passed and put the fire away using his ESP.

He continued, " So as long as I'm around, Ordeals such as fires Simply will not happen."

‘ Not you too.’

___________________________________

Chapter Text

____________________

{PAINS (AND CATS).}

[…12…]

Being a lady sucks .

Alright, not all the time, but in some instances, the gender has received the shorter end of the stick.

This is, of course, one of those instances.

As I lay curled up on my bed, panting and sweaty, my hands clutched over my stomach, I contemplated stripping my uniform away and simply sleeping in my underclothes.

...no, that would be too much freedom in my apartment now, wouldn’t it?

Menstruation is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. Menstruation is triggered by the falling progestin levels in the woman’s body. It occurs in every female, every 30 days, lasting 3-5 days. And currently, this cumbersome time is happening to my body.

Now this time of the month has never been worrisome for me. In all my time as an adolescent, I have been able to manage such an event every time of month. And I’ve been doing such for the past six years.

However, the pain resonating through my petite body has seemingly amplified over the course of this night. And to top it all off, I’d woken up with a fever of 39.5 Degrees Celsius two days ago. A troublesome value for the human body’s temperature.

Normally, I would’ve raised the temperature in my body to such an extent that all the germs causing such a fever in my body would die, and I would return to my normal state. I cannot do that while menstruating, so that idea goes out the window.

I cannot rewind time on my own body either. Even if I could, I would still menstruate and contract the fever a while later.

And since this is not an ability I can perform, that idea also cannot be executed.

I believed it would be unwise to attend school in such a pitiful state. My classmates would probably pester me to no end, and I’m not in the mood to attend to their remarks. I also cannot possibly focus on the teachings in class and convert their Japanese to English; it is an attempt to avoid getting a migraine on a sunny day in a school.

I try to avoid any opportunities to obtain migraines outside, in front of an audience. It...usually ends with me puking everywhere.

...I don’t want to puke everywhere.

As I’d stated, I obtained this fever two days ago. Since then, I have not attended school. No one has visited my apartment in this period yet, but any classmate could come to deliver homework to me. Both Teruhashi and Kusuo know this address. Anyone could also ask the homeroom teacher, and she would provide this address.

This is also part of the reason why I’m not stripping to my undergarments, even in the comfort of my apartment.

Notably, I had a fever of 40.5 degrees Celsius two days ago. This is also when my period started.

Yesterday, the reading on the thermometer was 39.9 degrees.

And today, the reading stated 38.7 degrees.

I’d begun drinking more water and using the cooling packs in the fridge. I’d also slept more than usual. So the value wasn’t surprising.

Luckily, today is not a school day; I can enjoy as much as I can in this sickness without worrying about missing out too much on schoolwork. Not that I’d miss much.

Of course, that feeling of relief evaporated when I woke up to burning pain in my stomach. I can tell it is simply the cramps, but my nervous system begs to direct my attention there and feel the miserable pain.

I groaned in exhaustion. I reached out to my bedside post’s top drawer, where most of my medicines are kept. I have the basics: paracetemol, a couple of epipens (in case my allergies act up), fever reducers, tablets for nausea and headaches, balms for headaches, pain killers-

...I’ve run out of painkillers.

After bashing my (already) throbbing head on my wall, I get up from my bed (and groan once more at the sudden lightheadedness). I make myself a cup of tea with hot water from the kettle and a chamomile-flavored teabag. Honestly, I prefer the tea with honey to soothe the bitter taste that hits my mouth in the first sip. Since I have no honey either, I persevere.

I go to my desk and flip to the last page of some random book, and begin writing with a pencil that Saya (conven ie ntly) handed me.

1. Painkillers (Needed)

2. Honey

3. Teabags

Hm...I’m also running low on paracetemol.

4. Paracetemol (Needed) and Fever reducing tablets

I’d also need to do my laundry today; the basket of clothes was in the washroom, as neatly placed in a pile as dirty laundry could be. It is also a necessity; my impromptu sneezes had to have spread the viruses effectively throughout the fibers of my cotton clothes.

5. Dirty Laundry (Needed)

I checked the time on my alarm clock: 8:03 a.m.

This means the drug store nearby should be open; it stays open from 8:00 to 5:00 every day, except on Mondays.

I drag my tired body across the room, choosing and wearing the appropriate clothes for the weather (and my health). I chose some simpler yet comfortable clothes: a grey turtleneck shirt, some casual jeans, and a black zipped-up hoodie. I switched out my round earrings for some smaller studs made of germanium to negate my telepathy, and asked Saya to control her powers today to the maximum.

I usually just wash my face and apply some eyeliner, but I’m too tired for that. Instead, I splash some water on my face to cool it down, then wipe it down with a towel.

I took out a face mask too, and I slipped the elastic strings around my ears. I wouldn’t want to contract some other illness nor pass on my unfortunate state to anyone else now, would I?

I took my apartment keys, locked the door, and slipped the keys in my jeans’ back pocket. I then, finally, headed out.

There was no wind in the air today, it seemed. The trees and the cracked leaves on the ground were at a standstill; there were no cool breezes in the air to bring relief to my high temperature. I sighed in exasperation (Though that sigh sounded more like a croak).

I first entered the supermarket.

The bright glare of the tiles reflecting the overhead LEDs burned my retinas. At least the place was quiet. Most people would probably be at school or at their jobs. The only stragglers that remained in the aisles were a few housewives, some with their children.

The first items I added to my cart were vegetable broth and a few cups of ramen. I also picked up some napkins and vegetables, which are staples in my daily grocery shopping. I got the honey and tea bags, and added some chocolate desserts from one aisle and a box of cookies from another.

I took my cart out towards the register. The guy on the register was a guy, probably in his twenties. He scanned all my items and packed them in a bag. I also got a complimentary hand sanitizer in the cloth bag, and was handed all my goods before the guy thanked me for shopping.

“Thank you for shopping with us; we hope to see you again!” He said, and bowed as I left the market.  That was surprisingly the least problematic part of this day out, since the market was less crowded than it usually was on a weekend.

Then came the medicine.

Unfortunately, my regular drug store had run out of the one medicine I needed. I took the shopkeeper’s suggestion and went to the drugstore he recommended. The man in this drug store looked shady, but he gave the painkillers, fever-reducers and paracetamol. I made sure to scan his thoughts for any vice.

This drugstore was much farther than the regular drug store; I felt lucky that I could remember the path and the way back in my fever-ridden haze.

The wind had also begun the pick up. The air, which was previously absent of any breeze, was now blowing cold air in my direction. Even with the warm clothing, I caught a slight shiver in my hands.

I still needed to do the laundry. The laundrymat was closer to my building, so I had planned to drop off my stuff at home and then get the clothes to the laundrymat.

Of course, my life is never easy.

The dizzyness was finally kicking in. I knew I was now lost, in some random japanese neighbourhood. All the houses looked the same, except for the different nameplates outside, none of them familiar.

I could teleport back to my apartment, but I’m too weak to even try detecting any people close enough to not see me vanish in mid-air. I also cannot guarantee that I will reach my apartment, and not some random location on the world. My ‘powers’ could go haywire, and I wouldn’t be able to control them at all.

It’s best that I try not using them while I still can. It’s far too risky to try any ESP when I don’t know who’s unknowingly watching me. It could even be some kid in one of the houses looking through the window...

Do I sound paranoid? Yes. Am I too delirious to care? Yep.

A few minutes after wandering this neighbourhood, still holding the small cloth bag with the groceries and medicine, I came across a cat. I’d accidentally bumped into it with my leg. The poor thing, surprised, rolled over at impact.

Now, if I were my sober self, I would’ve checked on the cat to see if it’s hurt or not, then continued my way. Unfortunately—in my incoherent thoughts—I picked up the startled cat from the low ground with the scruff of its neck, and examined its body for any injuries.

In hindsight, it was very obvious who this cat was. The antenna on the collar and the green-tinted glasses were too conspicious to miss. But I—being in over my head—began to wonder out loud about this stray cat’s owner.

“Hiya, cute kitty!” I slurred in English. “Mmmmm...are you lost??? That’s baaaaaaaaaadddd...where’s your owner, kitty-caaaaat?????”

Imagine the perspective of this ‘cat’. Minding its own mission, until some high school girl picks it up and starts questioning it in a foreign language. Some girl, with mismatched eyes, clothes that screamed ‘autumn’ rather than ‘spring’, and a white surgical mask that the girl was now taking down. And now you can see the girl’s face. Oh hey, she’s cute.

Wait, why’s she getting closer?

Oh.

OH. NO STOP-

The ‘cat’ is now getting smooched by said high schooler.

“ Awwweeeeeewww...What a cute kitty! It’s pouting!!!! ” I fawned. I placed the kitty back down. “ You know...I’m kinda lost too...i don’t even know where I aaaaaammm... ” I giggled. The heat and blood loss was getting to me.

Uptil this moment, every logical idea in my body was shutting down one by one—first my powers, then my emotions, my common sense, etc; my body was working on pure emotion. There were no rational thoughts behind this entire incident. My brain was probably going ‘ Head empty, just do you’ll regret later.’

Insight then struck me. Instead of continuing my fever-induced rant, I hastily opened the bag and popped open one of the fever reducing tablets out of the container. I took one in my mouth and swallowed it dry.

While doing all that, the white cat just...stood there.

On the side of the road.

Flabbergasted ...by what he’d come to witness.

His orange-and-brown tabby cat-acquaintence joined him a few seconds later, who’d just arrived. ‘ Whoa! Who is this hottie??? Lemme at her Saiki, I’ll make her cave in- ’

‘ Anp, d on’t even dare .’ the white cat hissed. It used its paw to block the tabby cat from coming near me.

“ hmmm... ” I murmured. Slowly, but surely, I regained a few of my senses. My head started to feel less like cotton, more like a half-frozen sludge. I turned around, now detecting the thoughts Saya was so desparately telling me to read.

“Oh...” It registered. “OH.”

“Uhhhh...I gotta go cats...” I half-spoke, half-slurred. “This...never happened, alright???” And then I just fast walked the HECK out of there to the closest alleyway I could find, and teleported to my apartment before the two cats could catch up.

‘Stupid, stupid, utterly stupid !’ I groaned as I banged my head against my bed in frustruation. ‘ What if someone saw me kissing a random cat??? What the heck???

At this rate, kill me already.”

I grabbed the basket of laundry I’d pre-arranged last night. I paced towards my building’s laundrymat—opening the locked door, wanting to do nothing but take the painkillers and sleep. The last thing I need is another nuisance that’ll embarrass me to shreds.

Huh.

I sound like Saiki now .

Hopefully that doesn’t last.

{Ehhh? Why are you blushing, human?????}