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Chapter Text

Y/n's world outside of her parent's car was a blur of unfamiliar faces and buildings as they pulled into the driveway of her new family home. She was slumped in the backseat, her heart sinking with every passing moment. This wasn't her first move, and she doubted it would be the last with her family's track record of always wanting a change of scenery. She'd quickly grow tired of the boxes, the new schools, and the awkward introductions. 

Her dad turned off the engine, and the sudden silence was so thick you could slice it with a butter knife. Her mother popped open the truck with a cheerful "Alright, everyone out!" that almost echoed in the stillness of the neighborhood. Reluctantly, she grabbed her backpack, feeling its weight, along with her constant worries, pressed down on her shoulders as she stepped out of the car. The house loomed before her, a fresh coat of white paint that gleamed under the setting sun, mocking her with its pristine, unblemished facade.

Her mother's voice floated back to her as she began the trek up the sidewalk. "Y/n, sweetie, make sure you check out your room!" Y/n nodded half-heartedly, her eyes already scanning the unpacked boxes that littered the front lawn. The house was larger than their last, sure, but that meant more space for her to feel lost. She stepped through the door, her eyes adjusting to the dim interior lighting, and took in the sight of the unexplored territory. It smelled faintly of new paint and carpet cleaner.

Her room, she had to admit, was a welcome surprise. Larger than her last, it had a spacious feel to it, with windows that offered a view of the quiet street beyond. There was something comforting about the sight of untouched space, a canvas waiting to be filled with memories. She sighed, dropping her backpack to the floor. The ache of excitement she used to feel with every new place had been replaced with a dull acceptance. She'd make friends again; she always did. But the thrill of the unknown had worn thin.

Her mother's footsteps grew louder as she approached, a smile on her face that reached almost above her eyes. "What do you think, Y/n?" she asked, hopeful. Y/n forced a smile, nodding as she took in the room. 

"It's nice," she said, trying to infuse some genuine enthusiasm into her voice. "Really nice." Her mother's smile grew, and Y/n felt a pang of guilt for not being more excited. It wasn't her mother's fault she had to move again. Well actually-- it kinda was.

With a heavy sigh, Y/n began to unpack her things. Each item she pulled out of the box seemed to hold a memory from her old life, a tangible piece of her past that she could hold onto. She placed her books neatly on the shelves, her collection of star-shaped sticky notes standing out against the stark whiteness of the bookcase. Her favorite pillow, with its black cover, found its place on the new bed, and her posters of distant planets and constellations adorned the walls. As she worked, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad.

The sound of her mother's voice grew closer, and Y/n braced herself for another round of cheerful encouragement. "Alright, honey," her mother called from the doorway, "we're going to head over to the Saikis' to introduce ourselves. They're our new neighbors, and I'm sure they'd love to meet you." Y/n nodded, trying to muster some enthusiasm. New friends could be nice, she thought. She grabbed the plate of warm cookies she'd made earlier, hoping that a small gesture of kindness might help break the ice.

The walk next door was short but felt like an eternity. The Saikis' house was a mirror image of their own, the only difference being the slightly overgrown garden and the flicker of a TV through the living room window. Y/n took a deep breath and rang the bell. It was Kurumi Saiki who answered, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the cookies. 

"Oh, what a lovely surprise!" she exclaimed, taking the plate with a grateful smile. "Please, come in." Y/n stepped into a house that smelled faintly of incense and old books. The walls were lined with shelves that groaned under the weight of what looked like ancient tomes, and a strange energy buzzed through the air, making the hairs on her arms stand on end.

Mr. Saiki appeared from the hallway, a man with a wild mop of brown hair and spectacles that slid down his nose. "Ah, the new neighbors!" he said, pumping Y/n 's hand with surprising strength. "My wife's been dying to meet you. She's been worried about our son Kusuo not making friends." Y/n 's heart sank. "He's a bit... unique," Mr. Saiki said with a knowing look. Y/n nodded politely, trying not to let her nervousness show.

Kurumi, bustling into the room, overheard the last part of the conversation. "Oh, don't you worry about Kusuo," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "He's just a little shy, that's all. He'll come around." Y/n felt a sudden rush of empathy for the boy next door. 

Maybe he was more like her than she thought. "So, about dinner tomorrow night," she said, turning to Y/n with a hopeful expression. "Would you and your parents like to come? We'll make it a proper welcome party for your whole family."

Y/n couldn't bring herself to refuse the warm invitation, despite the niggling feeling in her stomach. "That sounds great," she said with a smile she hoped didn't look too forced. "But, I should probably get back to unpacking. I don't want to leave my mom with all the work." Kurumi nodded understandingly. "Of course, dear. We'll see you tomorrow at seven." Y/n said her goodbyes and stepped back out into the evening light, the sound of the door closing behind her like a gentle nudge towards the next chapter of her life.

Her mind racing with thoughts of Kusuo, Y/n returned to her house, feeling a spark of hope flicker within her. Maybe she could be the one to crack his shell? As she walked back home, her thoughts drifted to the coffee jelly she'd been dying to make. It was a recipe she'd found in an old cookbook at the last place they lived, and she'd been practicing it, eager to find someone who'd appreciate the sweet jiggle of the gelatinous dessert. Her mother had always liked it, but Y/n hadn't had the chance to share it with friends. Maybe Kusuo would be the first. Does he even like coffee jelly?

After sharing the news of the dinner invitation with her parents, they all agreed to make an effort to get to know the Saikis better. Her father suggested bringing a bottle of wine, and her mother spoke excitedly about cooking something special. Y/n felt a warmth spread through her chest; it had been a while since her family had done something like this together. 

As she climbed the stairs to her new room, her eyes fell upon the constellation posters she'd painstakingly placed earlier.

Her nightly routine was simple but comforting—a warm shower, a spritz of her favorite lavender spray on her pillow, and a quick scroll through her phone before setting it aside. As she lay down, her thoughts swirled with nerves about the upcoming dinner and her first day at P.K. Academy. 

She had read about the school's reputation for academic excellence and diverse extracurriculars. Y/n had always been a good student, but gaining the courage of making new friends would always be a challenge. 

The soft glow of the moon-shaped night light she'd plugged in by her bed cast a comforting pattern across the ceiling. She stared up at the posters she'd arranged meticulously, tracing the lines of her favorite constellations with her eyes. As she drifted off to sleep, her mind played out scenarios of the next day. Would Kusuo be at school? Does he already know about her? Would the other students be welcoming? Her dreams were filled with swirling nebulae and the distant whispers of stars.

_________________________

The first day of school dawned bright and early, the sun's rays piercing through the gaps in her blinds. Y/n groaned, rolling out of bed and stretching her sore muscles. She'd barely slept, her mind racing a marathon of "what ifs."

Her school uniform was crisp and unblemished, and the white shirt and navy skirt felt surprisingly comfortable. Y/n threw on her shoes and grabbed her backpack, her heart racing as she stepped out of the house. The morning air was cool, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of her nerves. She walked to P.K. Academy, her breath misting in the crisp air. 

The path to the school was lined with students, their chatter and laughter a clamor of unfamiliar voices. The students around her moved with a grace she hadn't seen in her previous schools, as if they were all part of some secret ballet she hadn't been taught. Y/n clutched her bag tightly, her knuckles turning white. Then, without warning, she collided with a force she hadn't anticipated, almost sending her sprawling.

The force was a girl with hair as blue as the heart of a nebula, and she looked as if she'd been born to electrify a room. The blue-haired girl caught her balance and turned to face Y/n, a flash of annoyance on her face that was immediately replaced by a plastic smile. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" she asked. Y/n nodded, her own smile tight, as the whispers of curiosity grew around them. She could feel the eyes on her, like the gravitational pull of a black hole.

Walking away, she continued towards her classroom, the encounter with the blue-haired girl lingered in her mind like a pesky gnat. It wasn't the best first impression, but Y/n had had worse. Much worse. 

When she finally found the classroom, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. The room was a kaleidoscope of unfamiliar faces, and she felt like a comet streaking through the social solar system. The bell rang as she settled into an empty seat, the sound echoing through her chest like a gong.

Her heart racing, Y/n felt the eyes of the class turn to her as the teacher, a stern-looking woman with a sharp bob and a penchant for red lipstick, nodded towards her. "Class, this is Y/n (L/n)," she announced. "Your new neighbor. She's just moved here and will be joining us from today." Y/n 's cheeks burned as she stood, her voice quivering slightly. "Hi everyone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "My name is Y/n, and I'm super interested in baking and astrology." The words came out in a rush, as if they were escaping the gravitational pull of her nerves.

The room remained silent for a moment, the only sound the rustling of notebooks and the occasional cough. Then, like stars appearing in the night sky, smiles began to spread among the students. Some nodded, while others offered quiet hellos. Y/n sat down, her legs shaking as the whispers grew louder. She tried to ignore them, focusing instead on the teacher's instructions, but the words blurred on the board, a cluster of numbers and symbols that made no sense to her currently frazzled brain.

The math lesson began, and Y/n found herself lost in the sea of equations. Her mind kept wandering to the blue-haired girl and the dinner she'd be attending that night. What would Kusuo be like? Would he laugh at her love for space, or would he share it? She hoped it was the latter. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt something hit her elbow. She looked down to see a pencil rolling away, and she realized it was hers. Panic set in as she reached for it, only to have it snatched away by a pink-haired boy sitting next to her.

(Y/n's) eyes followed his hand as he held out the pencil to her, and she took it, their fingertips brushing. The moment was electric, and she felt a strange sensation—like her heart had just been shot into the atmosphere. She looked up into the pink-haired boy's eyes, which were as cold as a distant star, and she saw something she didn't expect. There was a hint of warmth behind the emotionless gaze, a hint of curiosity that made her pulse race. His hair was unstyled, and the hairpins on his head looked like two small moons orbiting a planet she hadn't discovered yet.

"Thank you," she murmured, taking the pencil. He nodded, his expression unchanged, and went back to his work. But Y/n didn't. All she could think about was the way his hand had felt in hers, the sudden jolt of energy that had shot through her body. It was unlike anything she'd ever felt before.

The boy didn't look up again, but Y/n found her gaze drawn to him. His pink hair was a stark contrast to the other colors she'd seen around campus. She'd never seen anyone with hair quite like that before—it was like a neon sign in the night sky. His clothes were simple but well-tailored, and he had an air about him that was both untouchable and utterly fascinating. His name tag read "Saiki Kusuo" It had to be him. 

'Is this love?'

Chapter Text

The rest of the day passed in a blur, with Y/n's mind reflecting the brief moment of contact on a loop. The way his eyes had studied her for a split second, the warmth of his touch, the way his hair had brushed against his cheek as he leaned in—it was as if the universe had aligned perfectly for a millisecond. 

Y/n barely heard the lessons, her thoughts too preoccupied with the boy sitting next to her. She wondered if he had any friends or liked the same things she did. Was he into astronomy, too? Did he enjoy the quiet solitude that came with stargazing?

When the final bell rang, Y/n gathered her things, her heart racing. She had to get home and have dinner, and she couldn't wait to tell her parents about Kusuo and how her heart had swelled when she'd looked into his cold, indifferent eyes. Kusuo was already gone, his desk chair pushed back slightly as if he'd teleported away.

The walk home was a blur, her thoughts racing. What if he felt it, too? What if their fingertips had sparked a cosmic connection that would lead them to a love story written in the stars? Or maybe she was overreacting...

Once home, Y/n couldn't resist digging into her favorite astrology book. She flipped through the pages, her eyes searching for any clue that might unlock the mystery of Saiki K. She'd have to find out his birthday, somehow. It was a small detail, but to her, it was the key to understanding him, to knowing if their paths were truly aligned.

Her mind played scenarios of how she could ask him, but they all ended with the same cold shoulder she'd felt in the classroom. She was a romantic, yes, but not naive. She could tell he wasn't the type to share personal details easily. Y/n sighed, setting the book down on her desk. Maybe she was reading too much into a simple touch. Maybe he was just being polite. But the electricity that had zipped through her, the way her heart had stumbled in her chest—it had to mean something, right?

For the time being, she had to focus on dinner. Her mom's spaghetti was simmering on the stove, filling the house with the comforting aroma of garlic and tomato sauce. Y/n peeked into the kitchen, watching as her mother stirred the pot with a look of intense focus. "Need any help?" she offered, hoping to distract herself from her swirling thoughts. Her mother looked up, a smile spreading across her face. "Actually, yes," she said, handing Y/n a knife. "Could you chop up the salad?"

The simple task was a welcome reprieve from the chaos in her mind. The crunch of the vegetables was soothing as she worked, her thoughts occasionally drifting back to the pink-haired boy. She wondered what he liked to eat and if he had any allergies. She hoped her mom's cooking would be a hit, though she knew she couldn't control the outcome. All she could do was be herself and hope that was enough.

Her mother looked at her, a knowing smile on her lips. "You're thinking about that boy, aren't you?" she asked without looking up from the pot of bubbling spaghetti. Y/n felt her cheeks flush, but she couldn't lie. "Maybe," she murmured, focusing on the task at hand. Her mother chuckled, a warm, comforting sound. "Well, I hope you two get along. It's always nice to have a friend next door."

With the coffee jellies carefully packaged and the salad chopped, Y/n felt a glimmer of satisfaction. The door opened, and her dad walked in. "How's the unpacking going?" he asked, loosening his tie.

"Almost done," Y/n said, waving her hand dismissively. "But dinner's what's really on my mind." Her mother looked up from the stove, a knowing smile on her lips. "I've got everything under control," she assured Y/n. "Why don't you go get ready? We're leaving in half an hour." Y/n nodded, her heart racing as she rushed upstairs. In the bathroom, the steam from the shower enveloped her, the scent of lavender filling the air. She took her time, letting the hot water wash away the day's stress. When she emerged, she felt renewed, like a star reborn in the cosmos of her new life.

Standing in front of her closet, Y/n was a storm of indecision. She'd seen how the other girls at school had dressed—polished, put-together as if they'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. Finally, she settled on a simple but elegant dress she'd bought on a whim at their last stop.

Her hair was another matter entirely. She'd spent hours watching tutorials, her fingers fumbling with hairpins and bobby clips, trying to recreate the intricate styles she'd seen. But in the end, she opted for something simpler, a soft wave that cascaded over her shoulders. She decided it was pretty and didn't scream, "I'm trying too hard." Satisfied, she grabbed the Tupperware of coffee jelly, her secret weapon for the night, and headed downstairs.

The walk to the Saikis' house was a blur of nerves and anticipation. Her dad's attempt to ease the tension with a joke about the coffee jelly made Y/n's stomach churn even more. "You're dressed like you're going to woo the boy next door," her mom teased, nudging her gently. Y/n felt the heat rise in her cheeks, and she was about to protest when her dad interrupted. "Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves," he said, a stern look crossing his face. The air grew thick with the sudden tension, and Y/n's nerves felt like they were about to implode.

As they approached the Saikis' house, she took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. The door swung open, revealing a warm, welcoming space like their home. Kurumi's smile was as bright as the sun, and Y/n felt a small weight lift off her shoulders. 

"Welcome, welcome!" she said, ushering them inside. Y/n's eyes searched the room, finally landing on Kusuo, who sat at the dining table, his pink hair standing out like a nebula in a sea of darkness. His eyes met hers briefly, and she felt a strange pull, like gravity had decided to trick her heart.  She tried to calm her rushing thoughts. 'Oh my god, Kusuo is right there! Calm down Y/n, act cool,' she tried to calm herself down as she walked up and sat in front of Kusuo at the table.

The dinner was a blur of pleasantries and small talk. The adults chatted about the weather and the neighborhood while the children remained mostly silent. Y/n's eyes kept straying to Kusuo, and his expression was unreadable. 

Her mom said, "Y/n, why don't you show them what you brought?" She presented the coffee jelly with trembling hands.

Kurumi's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together. "Oh, how lovely! You made dessert for us?" she exclaimed. Y/n's cheeks flushed as Kusuo took a piece, his gaze locking onto hers. He took a bite, the room holding its breath. His eyes widened, and he chewed slowly as if savoring every moment. Y/n felt like she was floating in zero gravity, waiting for his verdict. "it's good." he murmured, and the room erupted in laughter. Y/n's heart soared.

The conversation turned towards their hobbies, and Y/n eagerly shared her love for stargazing. Kusuo remained quiet, his eyes never leaving hers. Y/n felt the urge to ask him about his interests, but she didn't want to push too hard. "So, Saiki," she began tentatively, "do you have any hobbies?"

He sipped his tea, the steam rising like a halo above his head. "Not really," he replied.

"What about your birthday?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "August 16th," he said, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.

The conversation at the dinner table continued, but Y/n's mind was a swirl of constellations, connecting the dots of their discussion. Her mom's laughter snapped her back to reality, and she realized she'd been silent for a full minute. She excused herself to the bathroom, her legs shaking like a rocket launching into orbit.

Once the door clicked shut, Y/n leaned against it. "We're compatible!!!" she whisper-yelled to her reflection in the mirror.

Chapter Text

Over the next few weeks, Y/n broke into her new kitchen, transforming it into practically a bakery. After the success of 'Dinner with the Saiki's' ™, Y/n assumed that sweets would be the easiest and fastest way to win Kusuo Saiki's heart. She'd stay up late, mixing and kneading dough to the point where her arms stung. She put her all into each treat she baked, almost like a declaration of her feelings for the nonchalant boy. Y/n knew that she was incredibly overbearing when she had crushes in the past. But she couldn't help it– this boy could be her soulmate! She had to make things count. 

And although the girl was incredibly all up in Saiki's business, he didn't seem to mind her company– it was…different. With every offering Y/n brought to school, the gravity of his indifference started to lessen, even the slightest. His blinks of acknowledgment transformed into nods, his nods grew into barely noticeable twitches of the mouth, and eventually, regular conversations that were more than just "Hey, do you have a pencil," or "What was the answer to question 5?"

Then, weeks turned into a couple of months. Y/n and Saiki found themselves as regular study buddies, his bedroom walls lined with bookshelves that seemed to stretch forever. (She was exaggerating; there were like 2 of them) 

Whenever she got caught off track, Y/n would ramble on about her dreams in astrophysics. And surprisingly, Saiki listened. His face still held that typical indifference, but with a slight shine lighting itself behind his eyes– suspiciously looking like interest. 

Their dynamic to the naked eye was…peculiar, to say the least. Saiki was practically mute, and Y/n couldn't stop talking, even if her mouth were sewn shut. It somehow worked perfectly. Y/n learned that Saiki had a soft spot for their quiet moments. While she loved to talk on and on about different constellations whenever they looked towards the night sky, it was peaceful to be near him, even in silence.

On one particular evening, as they sat together nearing the end of their study session, Y/n felt the tension in the air. Saiki was unusually restless. While he was quiet about it, Y/n noticed the way his eyes darted around the room, his hand twitching ever so slightly.

After watching him for the past few minutes, Y/n called it quits and asked the distressed boy what was wrong. "Is everything alright?" she asked, setting down her textbook.

Saiki's eyes darted to hers, looking at her for a moment. "It's Nendo," he muttered, his voice tight. "He won't stop pestering me to go to the movies with him."

Y/n tilted her head slightly, trying to read the boy's emotions, but alas, she hadn't known him long enough to master the art of reading Saiki Kusuo's emotions. "What's wrong with that?"

"He's...," Saiki replied, his eyes flicking to the door where his parent's laughter echoed down the hall. "He doesn't understand the concept of personal space." Y/n couldn't help but laugh a little at that, imagining the burly boy with overbearing enthusiasm. 

Saiki looked at her, and she felt like he'd seen straight through her, into the very core of her amusement. It was eerie but also...comforting. Sometimes, he knew her better than she knew herself. She wouldn't be surprised if the boy could read her mind– actually, better not, or else he'd know about her feelings for him. 'Embarassing!'

The next day, Y/n saw Nendo in the hallway, his beefy arms slung around Kaido's shoulders. They looked like two comets hurtling through space together, heading straight towards the unsuspecting planet that was Saiki. Y/n felt a twinge of pity for Kusuo, who had to deal with Nendo's incessant invitations. But she also felt a strange thrill at the idea of the three—no, the four—going to the movies together.

As she approached them, Nendo spotted her, and his eyes lit up. "Hey, space girl!" he boomed, waving her over. Kusuo's gaze remained on the floor, but Y/n saw his shoulders tense. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was about to happen. "What's up?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Nendo didn't miss a beat. "Wanna come to the movies with us tonight?" He looked at her with a hopefulness that was hard to resist. Y/n's mind raced—how could she say no? "I'd love to," she said with a smile that was only slightly forced. Saiki's eyes shot up to meet hers, and she saw the surprise in them, followed by something else she couldn't quite decipher.

"Great," Nendo boomed. "We'll all go together. It'll be a blast, right?" Kaido nodded, his light hair bobbing up and down in agreement. Y/n felt a bubble of excitement course through her. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't thrilled at the chance to spend more time with Saiki, even if it meant being the fourth wheel.

Kusuo's expression remained unreadable as he looked up at her. "Fine," he said, his voice a resigned sigh.

As they started walking down the hall, enraptured whispers echoed through the hallways like a shockwave. There, Teruhashi appeared, her smile so bright it could outshine the sun. "Oh, you're all going to the movies tonight?" she cooed, her eyes flicking from Nendo to Saiki.

Y/n felt a knot in her stomach, and the gravity of the situation suddenly became heavier than a black hole. "Yes, we are," she said, her voice a little too high. "Would you like to join us?" Teruhashi's gaze slid over to Y/n, a subtle challenge in the curve of her lips.

"Oh, Hey, Teruhashi!" Nendo said, oblivious to the tension. "The more the merrier!" 

Saiki's eyes remained on the floor, his expression unreadable, but a slight twitch in his eyebrows showed annoyance. Y/n felt a pang of regret for letting him get dragged into this. 

'Welp– too late now!'

___________________

They all agreed to meet in front of the theater at 6 pm. As they returned home, the sun setting like a fiery supernova in the sky, Saiki was sandwiched between Y/n's bright rambling and Teruhashi's forced cheerfulness. The pink-haired boy looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else, his shoulders tense, his eyes focused straight forward. 

Teruhashi chattered away, her voice a symphony of sweet nothings that seemed to be directed primarily at himself.

' Good grief, what did I deserve to get caught in the middle of some lame love triangle? ' he sighed. The original plan from the get-go was to avoid Nendou like the plague, teleporting away if he had to. Still, since he couldn't read his mind, the boy had snuck up behind Saiki before he even got the chance to think. He wasn't about to let the meathead duo Nendo and Kaido bring Y/n to the movies with them without his supervision– but now, with the addition of Teruhashi, he considered maybe death would've been better.

And he couldn't forget his other issue– dealing with the borderline obsessive crush the star-lover girl had for him. There was simply nothing he could do to avoid her, even if he wanted to, considering they were neighbors. Their parents had become best friends overnight. But strangely, Saiki didn't mind her presence. –he still didn't feel comfortable mentioning her apparent feelings for him. Still, he didn't want her to stop being around him constantly, either. 

' This is confusing. What a pain. '

As the three reached a fork in the road, Teruhashi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh, Y/n! Are you still headed this way?" she asked, her voice almost wavering slightly under her sugary, sweet tone. 

Y/n couldn't help the smug smile that curled on her lips as she revealed their neighborly secret. "Oh, Kusuo and I are neighbors," she said, looping her arm through his. He stiffened, "We're going to the same place."

Teruhashi's eyes widened, and Y/n felt a thrill of satisfaction at the surprise on her face as they continued without her.

' Oh Brother... '

___________________

When it was time to leave for the movies, Y/n felt a peculiar mix of butterflies in her stomach and the weight of a black hole on her shoulders. She didn't know what to expect from the evening but knew she didn't want it to end in disaster. As they approached the theater, the neon lights glinted off the puddles from the recent rain, casting a rainbow of colors across their path. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of popcorn.

They managed to snag the last six seats in the back row, and Y/n watched as Nendo and Teruhashi claimed the middle seats, leaving her to sit between Kaido and Yumehara, Teruhashi's friend whom she brought along with her. She felt a twinge of disappointment from not getting to sit next to Saiki but shrugged it off.

Saiki took the aisle, his arms folded across his chest, looking as thrilled as a man about to watch paint dry. But when Y/n mentioned a film that had just hit the theaters, she saw a flicker of interest in his eyes. "I guess that one's okay," he said, and she couldn't help but feel like she'd scored a small victory.

The movie began, the lights dimming like a fading star. Y/n was immediately drawn into the story, her heart racing with the on-screen action. But it was the conversation between Kaido and herself that stole the show. They talked in hushed tones about the plot through the darkness. 

Y/n had always been fascinated by the supernatural. Kaido's tales of his battles against the Dark Reunion had her eyes wide with wonder. The night sky outside the theater grew darker as the movie unfolded.

Just as Kaido leaned in closer, perhaps to ask for her number, a hand clamped down on her arm. Saiki stood up, his eyes ablaze with an intensity that could outshine the brightest quasar. "It's time to go," he said, his voice a low rumble. Y/n's heart skipped a beat as she was tugged from her seat.

The cool night air starkly contrasted with the warmth of the theater, and Y/n shivered as they walked in silence. She could feel Saiki's tension radiating like the heat from a star; his grip on her wrist was not quite painful but definitely firm. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice a gentle whisper.

He didn't answer, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the last sliver of the setting sun clung to the world. Y/n's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of his sudden need to leave. Then she saw it—the slight twitch of his eyebrow, the tightness around his eyes. It was so subtle she almost missed it, like spotting a shooting star in the polluted city sky. 

"Aw, are you jealous, Ku~?" she teased, her voice filled with the sweetness of a new crush.

Saiki scoffed, finally looking at her, his gaze piercing like the light from a distant star. "Don't be ridiculous," he said, his voice a cool breeze that did nothing to hide the warmth in his eyes. "It's just..." 

He paused, his expression unreadable. Y/n's heart skipped a beat, the silence stretching out like the vastness of space.

"Your curfew is getting closer, and I don't want you to get in trouble," he finally admitted, his voice barely louder than the rustle of leaves. Y/n's smile grew, understanding flooding her like the tide of a nebula. 

"Oh," she said, though she could see right through his cover-up. "That's okay. Maybe we could do something else next time?"

He looked at her, his eyes finally meeting hers, and she felt like she'd just discovered a new star in her personal galaxy. "Maybe," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. "But no rom-coms or hallmark movies. I have my limits." Y/n laughed, the sound as light as a feather.

When they reached her house, the porch light flickered like a distant sun. "Thank you for walking me," Y/n said, her voice a soft echo. Kusuo nodded, his gaze finally breaking away from hers. He turned to leave, but she reached out and hugged him, her arms wrapping around his stiff form.

For a moment, he remained rigid, his arms at his sides, unsure of what to do. Then, as if pulled by some invisible cosmic force, he patted her back twice, the gesture as awkward as a first date. Y/n pulled away, her smile so wide it could have split the universe in two. "Goodnight, Kusuo," she called after him. He nodded again, his back retreating into the night.

Inside, her mother's knowing smile was as warm as the sun. "You had a good time?" she asked, her voice a gentle caress of curiosity. Y/n could feel the heat in her cheeks, the same shade as a supernova's glow. 

"It was... interesting," she replied, trying to play it cool. Her father's eye roll was so pronounced that she knew she wasn't fooling either of them.

Skipping up the stairs, Y/n sighed at the sight of her room. She flopped onto her bed, the comforter pulling her in like a black hole. The encounter with Kusuo replayed in her mind. His slight smile, so rare and fleeting, had been like witnessing the birth of a new star. Y/n sighed contentedly, her heart racing like the expansion of the universe.

Giggling into her pillow, Y/n recalled how his eyes had followed her throughout the evening and how his hand had tightened slightly around her wrist when she'd teased him about being jealous of Kaido. She rolled over, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars adorned her ceiling. 

"He's totally into me," she whispered to the darkness, her voice filled with a joyous certainty that made the stars twinkle in agreement.

Chapter Text

"Alright, everyone," Hairo's voice echoed through the classroom, "I hope you're all ready for some amazing news." Y/n looked up from her textbook, her heart fluttering with anticipation. The class chatter died down to a murmur as everyone leaned in closer to their class representative. Hairo's eyes scanned the room, a wide smile playing on his lips. "We're going on a three-day trip to Okinawa!"

The room erupted in cheers. The walls practically vibrated with the excitement. Y/n felt like she could fly. Okinawa! The sun, the sea, the new memories she would make—it was all too much to handle. She turned to Saiki, her excitement spilling over like a shaken bottle of soda. "Oh my gosh, Kusuo, can you believe it?!" Her voice was a squeal of pure glee.

But Kusuo's expression was unchanged, his eyes still glued to his book. He barely glanced up, his voice a monotone. "It's just a trip."

Y/n's smile didn't waver. "Come on, Kusuo, it'll be so much fun! We can sunbathe on the beach, build sand castles, maybe even swim with dolphins!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she listed the activities, her grip on his arm tightening slightly.

Kusuo looked up from his book, raising an eyebrow. "Swim with dolphins?" He sounded skeptical.

"Yes! Ah, I can't wait!" Y/n squealed, and even Kusuo had to stop himself from smiling at her unbridled enthusiasm. It was infectious.

Hairo's announcement continued, bringing the class back to order. "Now, for the group assignments. You'll be in groups of six, three boys and three girls. Choose wisely, as you'll be together for the entire trip." The students immediately began whispering among themselves, forming alliances and making plans. Y/n's mind raced as she glanced around the room, trying to decide who would be the perfect addition to their group.

But her gaze kept returning to Kusuo. His eyes were on Hairo's clipboard, and she noticed his eyebrow twitch—just once. That was all it took for her to know something was off.

"Saiki, the only two guys left are Nendo and Kaido, so I'll jot you down for their group, okay?"

Kusuo sighed internally, his face giving nothing away. Y/n could almost see the cogs in his brain turning, calculating the social dynamics that came with being paired with Nendo and Kaido. She felt a twinge of pity for him, but her excitement for the trip overpowered any concern. She leaned in closer, whispering, "Don't worry, I'll make sure you survive the horrors of social interaction."

"As if I need you to babysit me," he muttered under his breath, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eye.

Hairo looked surprised but nodded, scribbling Y/n's name next to Kusuo's. "Alright, Y/n, you're with Saiki's group," he said with a smile, unsure what to make of their friendship. Y/n beamed back, not missing the opportunity to stick close to Kusuo. She had always enjoyed their dynamic, and his deadpan responses perfectly countered her unbridled energy.

The class eventually settled down, and Hairo finished reading the rest of the groups. When he called Teruhashi and Yumehara's names, Y/n felt her excitement waver momentarily. She liked Yumehara—really, she did. The girl was sweet and kind, always ready to lend a hand or listen to her problems. But the way Yumehara's eyes had lingered on Kusuo during the announcement, the way her cheeks had flushed when their names were paired together made Y/n's stomach clench with an unpleasant feeling she couldn't quite name.

But she pushed it aside, telling herself she was being ridiculous. She had no reason to be jealous. Kusuo had never given her any indication that he liked anyone in that way, much less someone like Teruhashi, who was practically the queen bee of the school. Y/n took a deep breath and focused on the practicalities of the trip. They had to start packing, figure out who was bringing what, and maybe even have a pre-trip meeting to plan their activities.

______________

Y/n sat at the dining table across from her parents, nervously watching as they read over the permission slip for Okinawa.

Her mother's eyebrows furrowed. "Three days, Y/n? That's quite a long time to be away from home."

Her father nodded in agreement. "What if something happens? What if you need us?"

Y/n leaned forward, her voice earnest. "Don't worry, Kusuo's gonna be there with me. If anything happens, you can text his mom, right?"

Her parents exchanged a look, weighing the risks of letting their daughter go on the trip against the joy they knew it would bring her. After a tense moment, her mother sighed, setting the paper down. "Alright, Y/n. But you have to promise to text us every night before you go to sleep."

Her father nodded. "And if anything goes wrong, you tell us immediately. No hiding anything."

"I promise, I promise!" Y/n's excitement bubbled over, and she shot up from her chair, giving each of her parents a quick hug before bounding up the stairs. She could feel their worried gazes on her back, but she was too elated to let it dampen her spirits.

Once in her room, she dragged her suitcase out from the depths of her closet and flung it open on the bed. She grabbed handfuls of clothes, tossing them into the case without much thought. But when she got to her swimsuit drawer, she paused, her heart skipping a beat. What should she wear? Something cute, obviously, but also something that didn't scream, 'I'm trying too hard.' She pulled out a few options, laying them out on the bed. A red polka-dotted bikini, a blue one-piece with a bow, and a simple black swimsuit that she had worn last summer. As she debated, she heard the distant sound of raised voices.

Her curiosity piqued, Y/n peeked out the window. The noise grew clearer as she approached—it was coming from the Saikis' house next door. The sight of Mokoto, Teruhashi's brother, a head taller than anyone else and with a scowl that could curdle milk, arguing with a familiar pink blob of hair.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, bringing her back to the present. With a start, she realized Kusuo's name lit up the screen. She swiped to read the message.

xxx-xxx-xxxx

Kusuo

Teruhashi's brother is at my house and won't leave me alone

The guy is such a creep

Y/n

I can hear him yelling outside…is he alright?

Kusuo

Mentally? I doubt it

Y/n

Be nice.

Do you want me to save you?

Kusuo

No, save yourself.

I found a solution

Y/n

Really? That was quick

What is it?

Kusuo

I'll kms.

Y/n

WAIT NO-

Read at 11:25 pm

______________

The beginning of the trip had been a disaster, with the threat of the typhoon almost canceling their flight to the chaos of the plane almost crashing, leaving them stranded in the middle of the ocean.

By this point, Y/N was exhausted; all she wanted to do was go to bed, but the moment they got on that boat and made their way to the hotel, it was like a switch flipped.

The second the boat left the dock, she practically bounced off the walls. Her eyes sparkled as she darted around the cabin, taking in every detail of their transportation. The salt air filled her lungs, the boat's gentle rocking a soothing lullaby. She had to see the ocean and feel the spray on her face. So she pushed her way through the chattering groups of her classmates and bolted to the back railing.

The sea spread out before her like a canvas. It was endless and utterly mesmerizing. Y/n leaned over the rail, her eyes searching the water's surface, her heart racing excitedly. Any moment now, she'd see the first hint of a dorsal fin, the first leap of a playful dolphin.

"What are you doing?" A voice interrupted her daydream, and she spun around, her ponytail swiping through the air.

Kusuo stood a few feet away, arms crossed and an eyebrow quirked. Y/n grinned. "Looking for dolphins! Like in the movies, they always swim alongside the boat."

"Y/n," Kusuo said with a sigh, "dolphins don't do that in real life. That's just for tourists."

Her face fell, the light in her eyes dimming. "But what about all the videos online? And the postcards?"

"Those are edited, Y/n," Kusuo said, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice. "It's all for the tourists."

Y/n pouted, her eyes so sad they almost had tears in them. "But, Kusuo…" she murmured, her voice quivering.

Kusuo felt his own heart sink at the sight of her crestfallen expression. He had never seen her so disappointed. And just like that, the world around them seemed to change. The sun broke through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the ocean, and the sea grew calm as if it had been waiting for this moment. Y/n's eyes widened as she spotted the first dorsal fin slicing through the waves.

"Dolphins!" she gasped, pointing frantically. "Oh my gosh, Kusuo, they're here!"

Kusuo followed her gaze, and sure enough, a pod of dolphins had appeared, leaping and playing in the boat's wake. Y/n's eyes shone with the sun's brightness reflecting off the water. She leaned over the rail, her hand reaching out as if she could touch them. And then, as if by magic, one of the dolphins swam closer, allowing Y/n to run her hand along its sleek back.

Her joy was palpable, and Kusuo felt a warmth he hadn't expected in his chest. He watched as she laughed and squealed, her hair flying in the wind. For a moment, he forgot about the headache he'd been nursing since the trip was first announced.

Y/n turned to him, her eyes wide and sparkling with delight. "This is so awesome!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.

Kusuo's smile grew despite himself. He couldn't help but be happy when she was. He had used his powers to manipulate the dolphins' behavior, a small act of rebellion against the tedium of the universe. But seeing Y/n's dream come true was worth the slight drain on his psyche. He patted her back--a little more affectionately.

'Good Greif'

Chapter Text

The boat ride felt unfairly short after the dolphins arrived. Just as Y/n was about to offer one of the dolphins a few of her goldfish crackers, the captain of the boat announced that they had arrived at their destination.

Each student slowly filed out one by one, but Kusuo practically had to drag Y/n off the boat.

"Kusuo!~ I don't want to leave the dolphins!" she whined, her eyes still glued to the pod that was now swimming away from the boat.

"Y/n," he said, firm but gentle tugging on her wrist, "we have to go. The others are waiting for us."

Reluctantly, she turned away from the receding pod of dolphins, her eyes lingering on the horizon as if she could somehow keep them there. "But, Kusuo," she whined, "I want to stay with them."

He rolled his eyes. "You can't stay on the boat forever, Y/n," he said, his grip tightening slightly. "Come on, let's go."

Y/n pouted but allowed herself to be led off the boat. She looked around the island, taking in the lush vegetation and the gleaming white sand that seemed to stretch on forever. The hotel loomed in the distance, a modern structure that seemed out of place in such a serene environment.

As they approached the hotel, their classmates' excitement washed over them. The beach was already packed with tourists setting up beach towels and unpacking snacks. The sound of laughter and the smell of sunscreen filled the air. Saiki already felt a headache building behind his eyes, but he pushed it down. He could deal with it later.

"Look, Kusuo, they're playing beach volleyball!" Y/n said, her voice filled with excitement as she pointed toward a group of people playing on the sand.

"Y/n, we can look at that later; we need to put our stuff away first," Saiki said, trying to steer her toward the hotel. Her enthusiasm was contagious, but he had a limited amount of tolerance for crowded spaces and noise.

Y/n's shoulders drooped slightly, but she nodded. "Promise that we'll play together, okay?" she begged, her eyes hopeful.

"Yeah, yeah, let's at least make it to the hotel first," Saiki said, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement. He couldn't help but find her excitement endearing.

________________________

The hotel room assignments had been handed out, and Y/n shared a room with a few girls from their class, including Yumehara and Teruhashi. The room was neat and spacious, with two bunk beds and a balcony offering a stunning ocean view. As they all began to unpack their bags, the chatter grew louder, everyone eager to make the most of their beach vacation.

Yumehara looked up from her spot on the bed, where she was most likely texting the others. "Hey, Y/n, are you ready to go out with everyone?" she asked, her eyes sparkling excitedly.

Y/n nodded, a smile playing on her lips. She grabbed her swimsuit from her bag and headed for the bathroom. She pushed the door open to find Teruhashi had already changed, looking like a poster child for beach perfection.

The girl was in a baby-blue bikini that complemented her pale skin, with a matching cover skirt that fluttered around her legs as she moved. Y/n felt a twinge of something—not quite jealousy, but certainly a hint of self-consciousness.

Teruhashi looked up, her eyes lighting up when she saw Y/n. "Oh, you're coming to the beach too!" she said, her voice cheerful. "You should hurry up and change; everyone else is already down there."

Y/n nodded, trying to ignore the slight inadequacy that hit her. Teruhashi was the kind of girl who could easily pull off any outfit, and it was clear that she had put effort into her beach look. "Yeah, I'll be out in a bit," she mumbled, stepping into the bathroom. She quickly changed into her own swimsuit—a simple, black two-piece with a cute pattern of stars scattered across it. It was one of her favorites-- and not to brag, but she thought she looked pretty damn good in it too.

As she applied sunscreen, she took a deep breath and reminded herself that she had nothing to worry about. Kusuo had been by her side the whole boat ride, hadn't he? Surely, that meant something. She gave herself a confident smile with one final glance in the mirror. "Operation Flirt with Saiki," she murmured to her reflection, "is a go."

Slipping out onto the balcony, Y/n felt the warm embrace of the sun and the gentle kiss of the salty breeze. She squinted against the brightness, searching the beach for any sign of him. Spotting his bright pink hair, she went down to the beach with the other girls, her flip-flops slapping against the wooden walkway.

The whispers grew louder as they approached the sand, and the atmosphere changed. It was like a wave of hormones had crashed onto the shore, and the boys of their class had transformed into a pack of hungry wolves. Teruhashi strutted ahead, her confidence a beacon that only seemed to amplify their ogling.

"Oh wow!" One boy yelled, his voice cracking with excitement.

Y/n couldn't help but flinch as the whispers grew into a cacophony of awe-stricken voices. All eyes were glued to Teruhashi, who strutted towards the water like a model on a runway. "She's perfect!" Another boy exclaimed, and the crowd erupted into applause. Y/n felt a strange mix of admiration and annoyance. How did Teruhashi manage to bask in such attention without a care?

Turning her head, Y/n spotted Yumehara standing a few feet away, practically shaking like a leaf. Her usually vibrant friend looked pale and overwhelmed, her eyes darting nervously around the crowd. "Hey, Yumehara, are you okay?" she asked, raising her voice over the din.

Yumehara's head snapped towards her, and she let out a squeak. "Oh, Y/n!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "This is a total disaster!"

"What's wrong?" Y/n asked, her eyebrows furrowing with concern.

Yumehara took a deep breath and forced a smile. "It's just... Teruhashi. She always makes me feel so... plain,” she admitted, her eyes trailing after the popular girl.

"You just gotta fake your confidence then," Y/n said, her voice a mix of kindness and mischief. "Don't think too much about Teruhashi. Just be yourself and have fun. We’re are the beach!!"

Yumehara nodded, but she didn't look convinced. Y/n knew her friend had a crush on one of the guys in their class, but she was painfully shy and had never had the guts to talk to him. Teruhashi's presence always made her feel like she was invisible.

"Yeah, but how will I get him to notice me?" Yumehara looked away, her eyes longing as she thought about the boy she had a crush on.

"Who do you want to notice you? I'm sure any guy would be lucky to have you," Y/n pressed.

Yumehara looked down at her feet, her cheeks flushing pink. "It's... it's no one," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Y/n gave her a knowing smile. "Come on, you can tell me," she said, giving her friend's shoulder a gentle nudge. "I won't laugh, I promise." Yumehara just shook her head and started walking to one of the few empty spots on the sand.

Squinting her eyes at the sulking girl, Y/n started to have one of those moments where someone realized something, and it felt like they were just struck by lightning.

"Yumehara," she began tentatively, "are you...are you talking about...?" But her words were left unheard as the girl was already too far away.

Y/n sighed, her thoughts racing. If her suspicion was correct, Yumehara had her heart set on a boy in their little group. A boy who was, unfortunately, currently being ogled by their high school's prettiest girl. A boy who was also the subject of Y/n's own not-so-secret crush.

Taking a deep breath, she scanned the beach again. Teruhashi was walking away from Saiki and the others, her hips swaying gently in that way that always seemed to command attention. Nendo and Kaido were blinking rapidly as if her beauty had temporarily blinded them. On the other hand, Saiki remained unbothered, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses as he leaned against the palm tree.

Y/n took a step forward, her heart racing. This was her chance. She had to act fast. She didn't know how long Teruhashi would be gone and couldn't let the opportunity slip away. She confidently approached Saiki, her sandals sinking into the warm sand with each step.

Operation Saiki; Phase 1: Get his attention!

"Kusuo!" she called out, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. "It's volleyball time!"

He looked up from his spot under the palm tree, his eyes hidden behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses, and she couldn't tell if he was amused or annoyed. But she didn't let it deter her. She bounced over to him, her bare feet leaving tiny prints in the sand. She grabbed his arm and tugged him towards the open net as she went. "Come on, we can't miss this!"

The boys' eyes followed them, and she could feel their gazes like a weight on her skin. She knew they were talking about her. But she didn't care. All she cared about was spending the day with Saiki.

"Come on, Kusuo, let's go show them how it's done!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

Saiki rolled his eyes but allowed himself to be dragged along. He knew that Y/n was oblivious to the whispers and less-than-family-friendly looks, but he couldn't help but feel a smidge of protectiveness for her. He had seen the way some of the guys looked at her, and it was clear they had less-than-pure intentions.

As they approached the volleyball net, Y/n let go of his arm and sprinted the last few steps, her bare feet kicking up sand as she went. She set down her bag and pulled out a bright pink volleyball that practically screamed 'Look at me!' from across the beach.

"Where did you get a hot pink volleyball from?" Saiki asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Y/n beamed, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she held the neon sphere aloft. "I ordered it online!" she exclaimed, her voice excitedly. "It's so much better than a boring old white one, don't you think?"

Saiki couldn't help but sigh. "Why would you waste your money on a pink volleyball?" he questioned, his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Why not just borrow one?"

Y/n shrugged her shoulders, her ponytail swinging. "Because everything is better in pink," she said, her voice sweet as cotton candy. She rolled her eyes and playfully poked at his hair. "Especially on you."

Kusuo felt a strange warmth spread through his chest as he watched her walk to the other side of the net.

Was she... flirting with him? The very thought made him feel like he was in a trance. He hadn't noticed how she'd moved before, but now it was all he could focus on. Her hips swayed gently with each step, and she looked back at him with a playful smirk that made his heart stutter in his chest.

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the beach, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore seemed to sync with the rhythm of his pulse. The sand was hot beneath his feet as he reluctantly made his way to the other side of the net. He was a psychic, for crying out loud; he shouldn't be getting flustered by a simple smirk from a girl.

But it wasn't just any girl. It was Y/n. The one person who didn't seem to realize or care that he could hear her thoughts, which was both a relief and a torment. The way she moved and the sound of her laughter was all so... distracting. And now she was standing across from him, looking like she'd been plucked straight from one of those cheesy romance movies he secretly enjoyed. He couldn't help but feel like he was in over his head.

He didn't even acknowledge the faint voice of her thoughts in his head, as all he could think about was her. and only her.

Chapter Text

Y/n was having the time of her life at the beach. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for our favorite pink-haired psychic.

It felt as if Saiki had to brew up a spontaneous plan to get these human-sized leeches away from Y/n everywhere they went. He didn't want to ruin the obvious fun that the girl was having, but gosh– 

"Kusuo!" Y/n squealed, her eyes wide with excitement, "Look over there!"

He followed her gaze to where a beachside vendor had set up a small stand with a giant, colorful umbrella. The smell of freshly cut pineapple filled the air, and the sound of a blender whirring to life was music to her ears. "Look, they have those fancy pineapple drinks!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word.

Without missing a beat, Saiki sighed internally, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. "Alright, fine," he said, hiding his grin as he took in her excitement.

"WOOOOO!" she yelled, bouncing on her toes as they approached the vendor.

Saiki's hand froze in his pocket as he listened to the vendor's thoughts. 'Wow, this girl is smoking hot. I bet she'd love one of my special drinks. Maybe I can slip her my number too-'

Saiki was careful to contain his temper as he watched Y/n talk to the vendor about their order. The vendor's thoughts were loud and obnoxious, and he couldn't help but feel annoyed. Who did this guy think he was? Sure, he and Y/n weren't a couple, but they were obviously together, weren't they? They had been inseparable since they first stepped onto the beach!

But before he could let his irritation get the better of him, Y/n's voice cut through the noise. "Kusuo, do you want to share one with me?" she asked, her eyes wide with hope. "I don't think I'll be able to finish all that by myself!"

He sighed and nodded, handing over the money. "Fine, one for the two of us," he said, his voice firm but the corner of his mouth quirking slightly.

The vendor looked surprised, and his thoughts grew more...persistent. 'Maybe if I flirt with her more, I can get her to drop the pink-haired loser.' –Saiki's eye twitched.

Y/n didn't notice the tension as she took the drink, her eyes sparkling excitedly. The drink's coolness was heavenly against the sun's heat, and the pineapple's sweetness was the perfect complement to the salty beach air. She licked her lips, savoring the taste.

The vendor's eyes lingered on her a moment longer before Saiki stepped in front of her, blocking his view. "Let's go," he said firmly, his voice a low rumble.

Y/n nodded and reached for his hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she led him away from the little drink shack. She didn't stop walking until they approached a cluster of palm trees.

As they approached, she let go of his hand and spread out their towel, her eyes searching for a shady spot under one of the palm trees. "Ah, perfect," Y/n said, laying out a large towel and plopping down on the sand.

As Saiki finally sat himself down next to her, he looked to see Y/n tilting the pineapple in his direction. "Want a sip?" she asked, tilting the straw towards him– eyes glinting slightly as if she was plotting something. 'There's no way he's actually going to take a sip since there's only one straw–'

Saiki's eyes rolled at her thoughts– although this definitely was out of his comfort zone, he wasn't about to let her get the best of him. Taking a deep breath, he leaned in, sipping from the straw as the pineapple stayed in Y/n's hands. The taste of pineapple and the drink's coolness hit him, and for a brief moment, he felt like he could handle the chaos of the beach.

"It's good," he said, leaning back to look at her. The girl's face was visibly flustered, but she hid it well as she turned back to take another sip. 'Oh my god, that was kinda hot–'

He watched as she tilted her head to the side, the sun casting a warm glow on her skin. Her smile was so wide and genuine that it made his chest feel tight.

Y/n leaned into the shade, feeling the coolness of the tree's shadow against her skin. The heat was intense, but she didn't want to leave her claimed spot. It was the perfect place to watch the ocean and enjoy the company of her not-so-secret crush. "You know, I've never been to the beach before," she said, her voice quiet.

Saiki's eyes snapped to her; surprise etched on his features. "Really?"

Y/n nodded, her cheeks a gentle shade of pink. "Yeah..." her voice trailed off as she took another sip of the pineapple smoothie. "I think this is my new favorite place-- especially after spending most of my time with you today, Kusuo."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, the only sound was the crash of waves and the occasional laughter from their classmates. Kusuo felt his heart jump in his chest. Did she just say what he thought she said? He took a deep breath, his mind racing.

"Yeah, me too," he finally managed to say, his voice sounding strangled to his own ears– but he let the grin on his face show as he looked back at Y/n. It was rare, and when it did appear, it was like the sun had finally broken through the clouds after a storm.

Y/n's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Saiki's smile. Her thoughts grew louder in his mind, a jumble of happiness and awe at his expression.

'Wow– his smile is so pretty!' she thought, her eyes unconsciously growing wide. He had to fight the urge to laugh out loud at the sheer innocence of her thoughts. He took another sip of the pineapple smoothie, his eyes never leaving hers.

'--Oh, the things I'd do to have those lips on me.' Saiki's eyes widened at Y/n's thought, and he turned around. A persistent cough from behind his hand interrupted the moment's warmth. Y/n looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Saiki cleared his throat, his eyes anywhere but on hers. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice gruff. "Just... sand in my throat." He coughed again, trying to cover the blush that was spreading like wildfire across his cheeks. He wanted to take things slow before he asked Y/n out-- but at this rate, he'd drop down and ask the girl out right then and there. 'She really isn't making this easy for me.'

Y/n nodded reluctantly, her eyes never leaving his. "Well, anyway, I was thinking—we should go take a walk later when it gets dark. I'm sure the ocean is just as beautiful at night."

Saiki nodded. "Yeah, that sounds nice," he said, his voice a little too low for his liking.

Y/n's eyes lit up, and she took one last gulp of the pineapple smoothie. "Great, it's a date!" she exclaimed, setting the empty cup down in the sand. The word "date" hung in the air, and for a moment, the sound of the waves seemed to crash a little louder.

"A date it is," Saiki agreed, his voice a bit more steady than before. "We'll meet back here at eight, then."

Y/n's smile grew even wider, and she nodded eagerly. "It's a promise!" she said, her eyes sparkling.

________________________________________

The sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting a warm glow over the beach, making the water look like liquid gold. As the shadows grew longer, the temperature cooled down, and the beachgoers slowly started to clear out.

Y/n found herself in the bathhouse with the rest of the girls, her skin feeling tight from the sun and the saltwater. She sighed with relief as she sank into the warm embrace of the hot spring, the tension in her muscles melting away. Teruhashi and Yumehara were already there, their skin looking equally flushed from the heat.

The atmosphere was relaxed, the sound of the water bubbling and the occasional giggle from the other girls filling the air. Yet, whenever Y/n looked over at them, she couldn't help but feel the weight of their unspoken competition. It was like a game of silent chicken, their eyes meeting briefly before darting away again.

Teruhashi was lounging elegantly, her long hair piled up in a bun with a few loose strands framing her face. She had a serene look on her features, but Y/n knew better. That calm exterior was just a mask for the calculating mind that was always at work. Yumehara, on the other hand, was more obviously nervous. She kept glancing over, her eyes darting away whenever Y/n caught her gaze.

The tension grew as the three sat silently, the steam rising around them like a misty battlefield. Y/n took a deep breath, trying to ease her nerves. This wasn't a battle she wanted to fight, not today. She just wanted to enjoy the rest of the beach trip.

Her thoughts were interrupted by splashing from the other side of the bamboo wall. The boys' laughter and shouts grew louder, and she couldn't help but wonder what was happening. Y/n leaned back, letting the warm water support her weight as she tried to tune them out. –But failed miserably as their yells grew until it was nearly impossible to ignore them.

"What do you think they're doing?" Teruhashi asked, her voice light and casual, but her eyes were sharp as she glanced at Y/n.

Y/n tried to listen in on their conversation but couldn't hear much. Yumehara just shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows? They're probably just playing around," she said with a nonchalant smile. She didn't want to admit that she was dying to know what Saiki was up to.

Picking up her phone lying on a nearby rock, Y/n swiped over to her messages.

________________________________________

Y/n

A lot of yelling is going on in the boy's hot spring. 

I kinda wanna know what all the hoopla is about....

Kusuo <3

What? You're in the hot spring?

Y/n

Uh yeah? Why?

Kusuo <3

One second.

Y/n

Ok?

Read at 6:30pm

________________________________________

Y/n looked curiously at her phone, waiting for a text back until she —along with the other two girl, flinched at the sound of a boy that they assumed was one of their classmates yelling (in distress).

"I don't understand why it isn't working!" the voice was frustrated– and close, much to the girls' surprise.

She recognized the voice as a guy from their class, she didn't bother to remember his name. The sound of splashing grew more frantic, and the argument grew louder.

"Let me try!" another voice yelled, exasperated and embarrassed.

Y/n and the other girls leaned closer, straining to hear past the wall. The muffled sounds of struggle and splashes grew clearer as they recognized Nendo's voice and the two guys fighting over something. They couldn't make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable.

"What could they be arguing about?" Teruhashi whispered, her curiosity piqued.

Y/n just shrugged. "Probably just a game or something," she said, trying to keep her voice casual. But inside, she was just as intrigued as the other girls. Splashing grew fainter as the two unidentified voices moved away from the bamboo barrier.

The tension in the air was thick, and Y/n felt the need to change the subject. She turned to Teruhashi and Yumehara. "So, what do you guys think of the beach?" she asked, her voice a little too loud.

Teruhashi looked at her for a moment before smiling sweetly. "It's lovely," she said, her eyes never leaving Y/n's face. "But I can't wait to see the stars tonight."

Yumehara nodded in agreement, her gaze drifting to the sky outside the open bathhouse windows. "Me too. They're always so much clearer at the beach."

The conversation lulled momentarily, and Y/n took this as her cue to get out of there. Taking a deep breath and standing up, the water dripped slowly off her body. She grabbed her towel and began to wrap it around herself. "I think I've had enough of the hot spring," she announced, her voice a little too loud. "I'm going to head back to the room."

The other two girls nodded– not understanding her need to be alone, and followed her out of the bathhouse.

On the way to their hotel room, Y/n decided to check in with Kusuo before she started getting ready for their date. She took her phone out one last time and swiped open to their messages.

________________________________________

Y/n

We're still gonna meet up at the beach, right?

Kusuo <3

Yeah of course

I promised, didn't I?

Y/n

Yeah, but idk I just had a weird feeling that you wouldn't show up

I'm so excited, tho!

Kusuo <3

Do you really want to see an empty beach that badly?

Y/n

Yes, of course! There's supposed to be a full moon tonight too!

But apparently, this specific moon has been rumored to make strange things happen!

Kusuo <3

Where did you get that from…

Y/n

…

My Reddit group…

Kusuo <3

…

Y/n

…

Y/n

Anyway, that's not the point! 

I want to look at the stars

 while you're there. You can take my pictures for my picture wall!

Kusuo <3

So you're using me as your photographer…

Y/n

…

Kusuo <3

…

Y/n

We'll still take a little romantic walk on the beach, too!

Right??

Kusuo <3

Whatever makes you happy

Y/n

You

this message has been unsent

YAYAY!

delivered

________________________________________

It was 11:30 pm.

The wind felt especially cold against her skin as she let the icy water lap against her feet. She had been waiting for Kusuo for hours—so long that the gentle waves of the ocean had started to numb her feet.

She kept telling herself that he was just running late, that maybe something came up and he needed to take a detour. But he had completely blown her off. Was he not interested in her? But if so, then why did he say yes to the date in the first place? Why did he spend the whole beach day by her side, scaring away all those boys who tried to flirt with her as if she didn't notice?

Y/n was tired, but more importantly, she felt as if her heart was getting crushed into a million pieces.

"He promised."

Chapter Text

Saiki Kusuo had faced world-ending catastrophes, supernatural oddities, and his own overwhelmingly powerful abilities without breaking a sweat. And yet, standing in front of Y/n’s door with a carefully curated gift basket in his hands, he felt the unfamiliar sensation of anxiety creeping up his spine.

Two weeks.

That was how long she had ignored him. Two painfully long weeks filled with awkward silences, sidelong glances that never met his own, and the constant echo of her self-deprecating thoughts lingering in his mind.

He had tried—really tried—to talk to her. Messages, subtle gestures, even planting their favorite café coupons in her locker. None of it worked. She shut him out completely , and for the first time in his life, Saiki didn’t know what to do.

He never should have forgotten their date.

The night before, he’d been frantic, searching every corner of that damned island for his hairpin—the one thing keeping his powers in check. The panic had made his thoughts fuzzy. Then, as if the universe wasn’t already mocking him, Teruhashi had latched onto him like a barnacle, refusing to give him a second of peace. By the time he finally shook her off and returned to his hotel room, exhaustion consumed him. He barely made it to the bed before crashing.

When he woke the next day, the sun had been high in the sky, and Y/n had been left alone the entire night.

He’d expected her to be mad–respectfully so. But he hadn’t expected her to think so little of herself because of it.

“I should’ve known better.”
“It was just a stupid fantasy.”
“I must’ve looked so desperate, standing there like a fool.”

Each thought had cut into him deeper than he liked to admit. He’d never cared much for what people thought of him—but Y/n? Her thoughts mattered . And the fact that she truly believed he didn’t care at all made his chest ache in a way that was entirely too human.

So now, here he was.

Standing stiffly in front of her house, dressed a little nicer than usual (thanks to his mom’s relentless meddling), holding a wellness basket filled with everything he knew she liked—flowers, face masks, a makeup set she had been eyeing, and the limited edition Moonology book she’d been talking about months ago.

The door creaks open.

===

You almost didn’t even bother to answer the door. When you looked through the peep hole and saw the bright pink hair– looking surprisingly anxious in front of your doorstep, you nearly wanted to run away.

Part of you had embarrassingly hoped you’d never see him again– Not because you hated him– not even close. You weren’t even angry…just…hurt.

It hurt to be wrong.
It hurt to feel like you’d built something in your head that had never existed.
It hurt to realize that you might’ve only ever been a passing curiosity to someone like him .

You tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Told yourself maybe there was a reason. But the days passed in silence. Your phone stayed quiet. And Kusuo—who once used to linger in your orbit like a satellite—just walked past you in the halls like nothing had happened.

“Maybe he just didn’t want to go.”
“Maybe he saw how excited I was and got weirded out.”
“Maybe I made it all up in my head.”

You hated how small it made you feel. How stupid .

You couldn’t stop replaying that night in your head—sitting under the moonlight in your blue sundress, nerves bundled up tight in your hands as you waited, and waited, and waited. Every rustle of footsteps made your heart lurch, only to leave you disappointed all over again.

And now here he was. On your doorstep. Looking every bit as unsure as you felt.

Your heart braced for another letdown.

===

When the door opened, Y/n froze. For a moment, she simply stared at him as if he weren’t real.

Then, without a word, her eyes welled up, and she covered her face with trembling hands.

"I—" Saiki started, but the words caught in his throat.

He hadn’t expected this .

What was he supposed to say? What would help?

He panicked—his version of it, anyway (which was just a rapid back and forth movement of his eyes and a slight twitch in his brow)—and hesitantly raised the basket in his hands, nudging it toward her.

"This is for you," he muttered, his usual monotone softer than usual, almost unsure.

Y/n peeked through her fingers, confused, before slowly taking the basket from him. She wiped at her eyes and scanned its contents, her breath hitching when her gaze landed on the book.

"You got me the book?" sh e whispered.

He nodded. "You mentioned it back in March."

Her bottom lip trembled again, and she hugged the basket to her chest. " Why are you doing this? " Her voice cracked—so full of pain it made his fingers twitch.

Saiki exhaled, slowly. He had rehearsed this next part, but standing here in front of her tear-streaked face, everything felt harder. He wished he could just show her what he felt. Maybe then she’d understand.

"Because I’m sorry," he said at last. "I should have been there. I should have told you why I wasn’t. And I should have never made you feel like you weren’t important to me."

She looked up at him, gaze searching—digging for a lie, a loophole, a way to protect herself if this turned out to be another mistake. But Saiki Kusuo never lied. Especially not to her.

"You could’ve said something," she murmured. "I thought you ghosted me."

"I didn’t know how to fix it." His fingers clenched. "I’ve never… had to fix something like this before."

A pause.

Then—quietly, almost too softly to hear: "I thought I was being stupid. That maybe I made the whole thing up in my head. That you never really saw me like that."

"You weren’t stupid," he said firmly, eyes sharp. "And I did. I do. I should’ve come up to you in person in the first place instead of texting you like we didn’t see eachother every morning"

Y/n blinked at him– Her brows furrowed as she looked down at her phone and absently unlocked it.

No messages.... Wait .

She blinked again and tapped her settings. Airplane mode was still on .

“…Oh.” She stared at the tiny icon, then slowly looked up at him. "I think I just ghosted you without realizing it."

He raised an eyebrow.

“I, uh. My phone’s been on airplane mode for two weeks,” she admitted, cheeks burning. “So if you tried to text me…? whoopsie!”

His sigh was barely audible, but the look he gave her was somewhere between deadpan and mildly judgmental.

"You got the café coupons, right?" he asked, despite already knowing the answer.

Y/n winced. “No. I cleaned out my locker while I was crying my eyes out and didn’t bother to check anything.”

A pause.

“…I recycled them!”

He blinked slowly. "Great."

A beat of silence. And then—Y/n laughed. A watery, breathless sound that escaped her before she could stop it.

She wiped her eyes and looked at him again, softer now. "You’re forgiven–but don’t ever break a promise again. Not with me. "

He nodded again. He meant it. Whatever effort it took, whatever awkwardness he had to work through— And maybe he wasn’t good with emotions. Maybe he didn’t know the right words or how to hold someone without overthinking the pressure of his arms.

But he would try.

For her, he would try his hardest.

Chapter Text

"A cultural festival exhibit… of rocks ," you muttered, standing in the overgrown backfield with your hands on your hips. "Truly the pinnacle of educational innovation– right Kusuo?" You turned to look at Saiki, who stood silently behind you. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere else– space, the bottom of the ocean, probably even a volcano.

You weren't expecting a response from him. The poor boy looked miserable but insisted he come with you on your hunt for the "Perfect rock."

"Maybe–," you said, bending down to inspect a lump of granite, "--this is a sign! After all, Venus just moved into Pisces. It's the perfect time to discover hidden beauty in the mundane."

You turned back dramatically, hand over your heart. "What if this rock changes my life?"

Saiki once again looked at you in silence… tough crowd.

Sighing, you looked down at the ground, sifting through the dry dirt. Most of the rocks looked like… well, rocks . Lumpy, gray, tragically uninspired. Not exactly the "celestial muse" energy you were hoping for.

Not until an arm-shaped shadow fell over you. Looking up, Saiki towered over you, his arm extended down with a smooth rock nestled in his palm. A rock that just so happened to be heart-shaped.

Your brain is short-circuited.

'A heart? A HEART?! Is this an offering?? A CONFESSION?? Could this be my destined moment?!' Your eyes shifted back and forth multiple times– looking at the rock, up at him, and back at the rock. You didn't know what to say, but you already reached out to accept his gift.

"…Thanks," you said, voice a little too high-pitched as you took it from his hand like it was made of diamonds. ' Okay okay, okay be chill Y/n. '

You were everything BUT chill. However, now was not the time to be wedding planning; you still hadn't had Christmas with the in-laws yet! Now is not the time to start being weird–

The rock itself was beautiful. It shimmered in the light as if crafted from stardust, making your breath catch. There was no way that you were giving this up for some dumb class exhibit. Still flustered, you bent down and picked up a different rock, shaped close enough like a star.

You stood back up, forcing a laugh. "Haha… this one's more display-worthy anyway. Y'know, since it's symbolic of cosmic alignment… and sparkly."

Saiki blinked. "You're…gonna use that one?"

"Yeah! I feel like this is much more my style, ya know!" You shoved the heart-shaped rock deep into your pocket (for sentimental reasons) and began your hike back toward the school. "This is Totally going on my bookshelf with the other stuff Kusuo got me.'

===

You would've laughed if someone had told you two weeks ago that you'd be wearing a tiara and holding a sparkly "1st Place" sash across your chest. Nervously. Loudly. Probably while hiding behind a vending machine.

But here you were—on the main stage of the PK Festival, crown slightly crooked on your head, waving like an awkward pageant queen as applause echoed from the crowd.

You didn't mean to win. Honestly.

You only entered the "Miss PK" pageant because your horoscope told you to "embrace spontaneous glamour," and Kaidou double-dared you. (Also, you heard there were free snacks in the green room.) But mostly the horoscope thing.

So when they announced your name over the loudspeakers and handed you a glittery plastic tiara, your first thought was: ' Do I wave? Am I supposed to wave??'

You settled for a stiff half-salute and the most awkward smile known to humankind. The host gently draped a satin sash across your torso—"MISS PK 1st PLACE"—and handed you a bouquet of fake roses that smelled like an industrial cleaner.

Flashbulbs went off. Cheers and claps rippled across the stage. Nendou was hollering your name somewhere in the crowd like he was front row at a concert. Off to the side, Saiki stood among the crowd, sipping a juice box.

Huh, he thought, eyeing you. Didn't expect that.

You stumbled down the steps, and Tiara was slightly askew, still in shock. You didn't even see Saiki until you nearly bumped into him.

"Oh," you said, breathless. "Hey. I—uh— won. Apparently."

Saiki sipped his juice box slowly, noticing your glittery sash and crown and the stunned look on your face. "I noticed."

"Is it really that bad?" you asked, gesturing vaguely to your tiara.

He blinked. "It definitely…something."

Someone tapped you on the shoulder before you could hide your face behind the fake bouquet.

"Hey," said a tall guy you vaguely recognized from Class 2-B, "I just wanted to say congrats. You, uh… looked amazing up there."

You blinked. "Oh! Uh—thanks!"

Another boy appeared beside him, this one even taller and wearing what was clearly his cool guy festival outfit. "Yeah. You've got this whole ethereal vibe going on. Totally hot"

"That's… oddly specific, but I'll take it." You laughed nervously, expecting them to leave finally, but when has anything gone your way? They lingered for another few minutes, making awkward small talk, complimenting your speech (why?? ), and asking what booth you'd be at next.

You glanced at Saiki– noticing how he was suddenly very close—closer than he'd been a moment ago. Not touching you, not saying a word, but unmistakably standing between you and the boys.

His expression was blank—practically stone-faced, so it was hard for even you to read what exact emotion he was currently feeling.

"I think her class needs her for the rock display," he said, voice calm but firm enough to shut the conversation down instantly.

The boys faltered. "Oh—uh—right. Got it. Well… see you around?"

"Maybe," you said weakly, already being gently ushered away by Saiki.

"Okay, wow," you whispered once they were out of earshot. "Did I just get flirted with? Multiple times?? Was that real?"

"You were wearing a glitter crown and standing on a stage with roses and a sash," Saiki deadpanned. "Of course they noticed you."

"Wow," you said again, voice dreamy. "This must be what Leo's risings feel like all the time."

Saiki side-eyed you, a slight twitch in his brow giving him away.

You leaned in, voice dripping with fake innocence. "Wait. Were you… jealous?"

"No." His answer was too fast—and way too defensive.

You tilted your head. "Protective?"

"No," he said again, a little sharper and less convincing.

"Mildly inconvenienced?"

"Extremely," he deadpanned, but you caught the tiny hesitation this time.

Grinning, you bumped your shoulder against his. "Well, thanks for stepping in, my valiant knight."

"I wasn't stepping in, " he grumbled, glancing away like he could physically dodge the conversation. "I was… maintaining the peace."

"Aww," you cooed, holding up your crumpled bouquet and fluttering your lashes. "So noble. Like a prince saving his princess from the clutches of danger."

Saiki made a sound that was suspiciously close to a scoff, quickening his pace—but not before you noticed the telltale flush creeping up the back of his neck.

You chased after him, crown still crooked atop your head, heart hopelessly slipping further into his hands.

===

The rest of the afternoon blurred into a mix of festival smells, overheard class booths shouting about discounts, and you constantly had to re-straighten your crown because someone ( Nendou ) kept bumping into you.

"So," Kaidou said, hands on hips as your group stood before the infamous Class 1-C haunted house, "I've read the class reviews. They say this place is cursed. "

"I'm more worried about the upperclassmen who fainted in the spider hallway," Aren added, already cracking his knuckles in anticipation. "Let's see if it's really that scary."

You were already side-eyeing the entrance, which was ominously draped in black curtains and cobwebs. A fake skeleton grinned at you with judgment.

Saiki, unsurprisingly, looked unbothered. It's probably because he could literally blast the ghosts away if he wanted to.

"I call walking with the princess!" Nendou shouted, immediately wrapping a thick arm around your shoulders. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"Please don't," you said through a strained smile, already maneuvering out of his grip.

"I'll go second," Kaidou said seriously. "If I perish, avenge me."

Eventually, the group sorted itself out. You somehow ended up between Saiki and Aren, which—let's be honest—was probably the best outcome.

Aren gave you a slight grin as the lights dimmed around you. "So… you into scary stuff?"

You opened your mouth to answer, but a ghost on a string swooped down from the ceiling, and you yelped. Loudly. Immediately clinging to the nearest arm, which happened to be…

"Oh," you muttered, looking down. "Hi, Kusuo."

You were now latched to him as your life depended on it, fingers digging into the sleeve of his sweater. He didn't look at you or say anything, but he didn't pull away either.

Which, in Saiki-language,meant that you could do whatever you pleased.

"You okay?" Aren asked behind you, concern edging his voice.

"Yup!" you squeaked. "Doing great! Just appreciating Kusuos…solid presence."

"...Right," Aren said, clearly unconvinced. You didn't see it, but his gaze lingered on your hand clutching Saiki's arm.

The rest of the haunted house was a blur of flickering lights, fake blood, rubber bats, and you making the occasional whimpering noise while Saiki continued walking like he was on a grocery run.

By the time you reached the exit, you were breathless and mildly embarrassed. You pulled away from Saiki with a sheepish smile. "Sorry," you said. "I didn't mean to cling to you the whole way through. I just—well. Ya know …ghosts ."

He blinked at you. "You screamed at a mannequin holding a mop."

"...It looked like a dead lunch lady, okay?"

Outside, the rest of the group was still laughing and recapping the horror house horrors. You were fixing your hair when you noticed Saiki off to the side, lifting his glasses slightly to rub at his eyes.

The light hit his face just right—and you got a glimpse of his uncovered eyes for the first time.

You froze. For a second, everything else went quiet. Even the chaos of Nendou trying to scare Kaidou with a rubber spider.

"...Whoa," you breathed.

Saiki looked up sharply, locking eyes with you. His glasses weren't fully on yet—and you braced for the worst, some magical death beam or instant transformation into stone or—

Nothing happened.

Except, you found yourself giggling like a lovesick teenager– which technically you were . "You're handsome without the glasses," you said.

His hand froze halfway through adjusting the frame.

You tilted your head. "Didn't expect that, huh?"

"...Put your crown back on," he muttered, quickly turning away. "It's falling off again."

You laughed, heart pounding in your chest. "You're blushing."

"No, I'm not."

"You're definitely blushing."

"Do you want me to drag you back into the haunted house?"

You grinned and skipped after him. "You like me."

"I tolerate you."

"In Saiki-language that basically means you're in love with me."

He didn't reply, but his ears were still faintly pink.

===

Chapter Text

The second you get home, you beeline to your room, kicking off your shoes and tossing your bag onto the floor without a second thought. It lands with a heavy thud, contents half-spilling out—but you barely notice. Your mind’s still reeling, caught in a loop of what you saw in the hallway.

You sit cross-legged on your rug, back hunched, heart thudding as you shuffle your favorite tarot deck with clumsy, determined hands. The cards stick slightly to your palms—sweaty, anxious, desperate for answers.

"Okay... just a quick reading," you murmur, more to yourself than anyone else. The words feel flimsy, like trying to hold back a flood with a paper dam. “No big deal. Totally normal to consult mystical forces when you see your crush and possible love of your life walking with the prettiest girl in school. Totally sane.”

You huff a breath, forcing yourself to focus. You steady your hands—somewhat—and concentrate on the question pressing against your chest like a weight:

"How is Kusuo feeling right now?"

You draw the first card.

The Tower.

You blink at it, stomach dropping. “Oh no.”

The Tower screams chaos. Disaster. Upheaval.

You swallow, heart speeding up. “Okay, okay, maybe it’s a fluke,” you whisper. “Maybe it's just dramatic. Maybe the rest will balance it out…”

You pull a second card.

Ten of Swords.

You gape. A figure lies flat on the ground, ten swords stabbed clean into their back. The artwork almost mocks you: Total defeat. Rock bottom. Burnout and betrayal all at once.

Your hands tremble as you reach for one more, like you already know the answer but can’t stop yourself from looking anyway.

Five of Cups.

Spilled cups. A cloaked figure hunched in sorrow, turned away from what remains. Regret. Grief. Emotional devastation.

You stare at the spread for a long moment, mind completely still—then shoot upright like you’ve been electrocuted.

"HE’S HAVING THE WORST DAY OF HIS LIFE!!"

There’s no time to waste.

Operation: Cheer-Up-Kusuo! is officially underway.

===

You start with cleaning—scrubbing your room into something that practically glows. You vacuum, dust, organize every surface with the precision of someone trying to regain control of the universe. Pillows are fluffed. Blankets are tucked. Candles are lit in every corner (fire safety? who??). Your room starts to feel less like a panic chamber and more like a cozy little sanctuary of emotional triage.

Next: the kitchen.

“He loves coffee jelly, right?” you mutter, already rifling through drawers and grabbing ingredients. “That’s like... his entire personality.”

You pull up a recipe on your phone, tossing things into bowls like a sugar-fueled maniac. Soon it turns into a full-blown dessert frenzy—coffee jelly, cookies, cupcakes—your apron dusted with flour, the counters a warzone of chocolate chips and cocoa powder. You mix and whisk and hum nervously to yourself, spinning between tasks with frantic energy.

Your parents peek into the kitchen at one point, eyebrows raised, like they’ve walked into a sitcom.

“What’s going on in here?” your mom asks, eyeing the mess and your wild-eyed expression as you spoon batter into cupcake liners like it holds the answer to world peace.

“I think Kusuo’s sad and he NEEDS ME,” you say with full dramatic flair, flour on your nose and spatula in hand like a sword.

Your dad exchanges a knowing smile with your mom. “Alright, kiddo. We’ll make some curry rice to go with it. You stick to the sweets.”

“You guys are actual angels.”

===

By the time the coffee jelly sets and the entire house smells like a bakery wrapped in a warm hug, you’re buzzing with anticipation. You wipe your hands on your apron, fingers trembling slightly as you reach for your phone.

‘Keep it casual,’ you think. ‘Normal. Cool. Effortless.’

You: Hey! You should come over later if you’re free! :) 🍮🍪🎬

You stare at the message. The smiley face. The dessert emojis. You immediately regret every decision, but it’s already sent.

And then—almost instantly—he replies.

Kusuo: Ok. I’ll come by.

You blink. Then scream into your hands. Then do a victory spin. Then scream again.

With new energy surging through your limbs, you race back to the living room, arranging the desserts into the most aesthetically pleasing layout humanly possible. Soft lighting glows from the candles. A blanket nest waits on the couch. Your heart pounds like a drum.

Everything is perfect.

===

When the doorbell finally rings, you float.

Kusuo stands there, looking… well, awful. His posture slumps. His eyes are rimmed with exhaustion. His aura—normally unreadable—is unmistakably gray. Like a cloud clinging to him that he hasn’t bothered to shake off.

Your heart squeezes tight.

“Hi,” you say gently, stepping aside so he can come in. The scent of curry, vanilla, and coffee jelly hits him all at once, and his eyes flutter briefly, like even that sensory warmth is a shock.

Wordlessly, he steps inside, following you to the couch and dropping onto it like gravity finally won. He sinks in with a quiet sigh, head tilted back, gaze vacant.

You settle beside him, practically bouncing. “I made coffee jelly for you!” you say brightly, offering the little cup like it’s a peace offering to a god.

He stares at it for a beat. Then slowly takes the spoon, scooping up a bite and tasting it with cautious reverence.

You wait, holding your breath.

Then—you see it.

The tiniest shift. His entire body subtly relaxes. Shoulders fall. Eyes soften. His color returns, like someone breathing life back into a hollow shell.

You actually gasp.

He blinks at you, slow and blank as ever—but not quite so faded now.

“...Good?” you whisper.

Kusuo nods. Once. “Good.”

You beam so hard it’s a wonder your face doesn’t crack in two.

===

You end up curled under the same blanket twenty minutes later, a cheesy old movie playing on low volume, more background than entertainment. The desserts sit half-eaten on the coffee table, and the house is cloaked in a warm, flickering glow.

At some point, Kusuo’s head gently tips against your shoulder.

You freeze.

And then, you let it happen.

You don’t move. Don’t breathe. Just stay still, letting the closeness settle deep into your bones like a secret only the two of you understand.

‘Best. Night. Ever.’

===

A few hours passed in a haze of flickering light and soft sound. The movie had long since ended, the TV screen glowing with the gentle lull of the streaming service’s idle screen. Somewhere between the second and third rewatch of the same baking commercial, Kusuo stirred.

His lashes fluttered open slowly. It took him a moment to realize where he was — the couch, the warm weight settled against him, the scent of sugar and vanilla lingering faintly in the air. You were curled into his side, your face tucked gently against his chest, arms wrapped loosely around his middle. A soft, content sigh escaped your lips as you shifted, nuzzling a little closer.

He froze, barely daring to breathe.

You were asleep. And you were holding him close like he was something precious.

Kusuo stared at the ceiling for a moment, trying to piece together how he'd gotten so comfortable. The last thing he remembered was you talking about your favorite childhood cartoon characters, your voice a soft buzz in the background while he ate the third helping of coffee jelly you insisted he take.

Then — nothing. He must’ve dozed off.

His gaze dropped to you again. You looked peaceful. Radiant, even, in the warm candlelight still flickering nearby. Your hand twitched slightly in your sleep, fingers brushing the hem of his shirt as if anchoring yourself to him.

And that was when it hit him — the baking, the cleaning, the messages, the coffee jelly, the blanket cocoon.

You did all of it.

Because of a hunch. Because some part of you, even with the help of those weird card you told him about , knew he was having a rough day. And instead of asking questions or trying to pry, you just… showed up.

A quiet, unfamiliar ache bloomed in his chest. Possessive and protective and stupidly warm all at once.

‘She did all this for me.’ The thought looped in his head, overwhelming and grounding all at once. His arms moved on their own, wrapping around your smaller frame, pulling you gently — but firmly — against his chest.

You stirred slightly, letting out a sleepy hum, but didn’t wake. Just tucked yourself deeper into his embrace.

Kusuo buried his face in your hair, exhaling slowly as his grip tightened, as if the world might try to take this moment from him if he let go for even a second.

"...Thank you," he whispered, so quiet it could've been mistaken for a breath.

Chapter Text

Snow scattered like powdered sugar across your backyard, blanketing everything in a soft white hush. The early morning air nipped at your cheeks, but you didn’t care. You were out in your pajamas, arms flung wide, breath visible as you tossed a handful of snow into the sky and watched it sparkle in the pale winter light. The world was quiet except for the crunch of your boots and the occasional snort of frustration as you tried, for the third time, to get your snowman’s head to stay upright.

Still, your mind was somewhere else entirely.

You sighed, brushing snow from your sleeves. "What the hell do I get someone like Kusuo?" you muttered aloud. It wasn’t like you could bake him something special—coffee jelly was already your default way of showing love. Money felt impersonal. And Kusuo wasn’t exactly the kind of guy to gush over something flashy or trendy. For once, you were genuinely stumped.

Across the yard, a second-floor window creaked open, a nd you looked up, startled, to see a familiar figure leaning out into the cold.

“Are you seriously outside in pajamas right now?” Kusuo’s voice floated over, tired and mildly exasperated. His pink hair was slightly tousled, and you could see the shadow of a blanket still clinging to his shoulders.

You beamed up at him. “It’s not that cold! It’s invigorating!”

“You’re going to get sick.”

You shrugged, brushing snow off your fingertips. “Worth it.”

He sighed. “You have the worst logic.”

You grinned. “Anyway, are you free later tonight? I wanted to hang out. Watch movies. Maybe… give you your gift.”

Kusuo raised an eyebrow. “The gift you haven’t bought yet?”

You laughed sheepishly, tugging your sleeves over your hands. “Okay, no. Not yet . But I will. Tonight. Just be ready for something amazing.”

He blinked at you, then said, quieter, “Fine. Just go inside before you catch a cold.”

You gave him a mock salute before trudging back toward the house, snow clinging to your pajama pants and a thousand thoughts buzzing behind your eyes.

A hot shower and a change of clothes later, you were stomping through slush in your boots, bundled up and on a mission. The shopping center buzzed with people, each one seemingly locked in their own desperate search for the perfect Christmas gift. You weren’t the only one muttering to themselves with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows.

Somewhere behind you, you overheard someone sighing, “I just don’t know what to get my boyfriend. I want it to be meaningful, you know?”

You winced. That hit close to home.

But Kusuo wasn’t your boyfriend. Right now he was just… your crush. You didn’t know how he felt about labels ( you hoped and prayed that he was the type to commit or this would be a BIG waste of time… ) Or… maybe he just didn’t like you that way.

You shook the thought from your head as fast as it came, teeth grit. ‘ No. There’s no way he doesn’t feel something .’ The way he looked at you sometimes, the way he showed up when you needed him, the way he let you in —even just a little—it had to mean something. But the longer he kept quiet, the easier it became to start questioning everything. And honestly? You didn’t like that. You didn’t like the idea of only being Kusuo Saiki’s “friend.”

You turned a corner, more determined than ever to find something that could show him just how much he meant to you—even if he couldn’t find the words yet.

That’s when you saw it.

Inside the jewelry shop window, glinting beneath soft golden light, sat a pair of matching rings. One shaped like a crescent moon. The other, a small shining star. They weren’t oversized or gaudy– they were elegant, and quietly symbolic. They looked like… well, you and Kusuo. Separate, but somehow part of the same sky. ( They also reminded you of wedding rings– not that you needed to tell Kusuo that. )

Your breath hitched. ‘This is it.’

You rushed inside, barely giving the store clerk a chance to greet you before pointing at the display. “Can I see those rings?”

The weight of them in your palm was perfect. You didn’t hesitate—not even when the price tag made your stomach lurch a little. You pooled together what you had, even dug into your emergency stash, and had the rings tucked into a small velvet box, navy blue with gold trim. It looked like something out of a storybook.

Cradling the little box in your hands, you stepped back into the snow.

Your fingers trembled slightly from the cold, but your heart beat with a warmth that had nothing to do with weather.

You were ready.

===

Dressed in your own little Christmas outfit—red plaid skirt, cream sweater, and fuzzy white earmuffs—you walked beside your parents through the snowy streets, the ring box tucked safely in your coat pocket. Tiny flakes swirled through the air like confetti, catching on your lashes and in your scarf. Your mom hummed beside you, carefully balancing a steaming dish of baked macaroni that made your stomach rumble every time the lid shifted. Your dad, ever the enthusiast, held a handwritten card and a small gift bag with a Santa sticker on the front, already chatting about how nice it was for the Saikis to invite your family over again this year.

Tonight wasn’t just about dinner though. Not for you. Not with the gift you carried close to your heart.

The Saiki residence—even though just a few steps away—was impossible to miss. Their house lit up the entire block with a chaotic explosion of gaudy Christmas lights: blinking reindeer, dancing snowmen, a glowing inflatable Santa bobbing slightly in the wind. There was even a flashing “Merry Christmas!!” sign in rainbow letters above the garage, which you were almost positive wasn’t legal. Still… if you were being honest, it suited the family. Loud, a little unhinged, and yet somehow full of love. You couldn’t help but grin as you stepped up to the door, heart thudding in your chest at the thought of seeing Kusuo again—especially knowing what sat hidden in your coat pocket.

Before you could even knock, the front door swung open—like Kusuo had known you were already there. He stood there in a large cream-colored sweater and dark jeans, his hair slightly tousled, a faint look of exhaustion still clinging to his features. But all you could focus on was the fact that you were matching. Unintentionally. Perfectly. Your own Christmas outfit—a cream sweater tucked into a red plaid skirt—made the moment feel like fate had gently nudged you both into sync.

Kusuo blinked at you, then glanced at your parents, stepping aside politely. “Come in.”

Your mom barely got two steps inside before she launched into warm greetings, handing over the macaroni with a glowing smile. Your dad followed suit, offering Kusuo’s father a firm handshake and a cheery “Merry Christmas!” In moments, both families were chatting like old friends, laughter drifting toward the kitchen as coats were hung and gifts were exchanged. Meanwhile, you remained by the doorway, heart fluttering like it always did when Kusuo looked at you for just a beat longer than necessary.

You didn’t waste any time, stepping forward to give Kusuo a quick but warm hug. He stiffened for just a second—like he always did when you surprised him with affection—but then relaxed, letting out a soft sigh as you whispered, “Merry Christmas, Kusuo,” into his shoulder. His quiet “You too,” was almost drowned out by the noise coming from the living room, but you caught it, and that was enough to make your heart flutter again.

The night carried on in a gentle blur of food, laughter, and easy conversation. Your parents got along far too well with Kusuo’s, and you were more than happy to let them keep the energy high while you stuck by Kusuo’s side. That was until the front door opened again, and a tall, sharp-looking man stepped in, carrying a wrapped box and a very smug expression. You blinked, unfamiliar with his face—but the moment he locked eyes with Kusuo and grinned like a fox who’d just found a henhouse, it clicked.

“That’s Kusuke,” Kusuo said flatly, voice laced with annoyance as his older brother made his way over, clearly thrilled to make himself known. “My older brother. Don’t… encourage him– or make eyecontact.”

===

You tried—really, really tried—not to label Kusuo’s brother as an annoying brat, but unfortunately, that was the only descriptor that fit him like a glove. He was too smug, too loud, and far too pleased with himself for someone who had only just walked in. And the way he ruffled Kusuo’s hair while calling him “little bro” in a singsong voice? Yeah. Brat.

Kusuo didn’t say anything outright, but you didn’t need to be a psychic to read the look on his face. The exasperation in his eyes, the tense set of his jaw, and the way he subtly moved to stand slightly behind you—as if shielding himself from Kusuke’s chaos—told you everything. Silently, Kusuo’s gaze flicked to you and then back to his brother. You raised a brow in return. Was this his way of asking for backup?

You gave the tiniest of nods. Message received. Kusuke was now your enemy too.

You paid no mind to Kusuke after a while—he wasn’t why you were here. You were here to hang out with Kusuo, give him your gift, maybe watch a movie or two and steal a few quiet moments together amidst the chaos. Kusuo was the one you wanted to be around. Kusuo was the one who mattered.

Still, Kusuke had clearly made it his mission to push every boundary he could. He threw out a few playful, flirty comments your way—complimenting your outfit, asking if you needed a tour guide for the house, even offering to help you “find the mistletoe.” It was exhausting, and you were two seconds away from telling him off politely when you caught Kusuo’s expression.

He wasn’t amused in the slightest.

His death glare was so intense, it could’ve shattered glass. You didn’t even know Kusuo could look that murderous. And judging by the way Kusuke slowly backed off and raised his hands like he was innocent, he understood the message loud and clear. You bit back a grin. Maybe Kusuo wasn’t as subtle as he thought.

The tension finally passed when your parents called everyone into the living room to start opening and exchanging gifts. You gratefully excused yourself from Kusuke’s vicinity and joined the circle that had formed around the small, sparkling tree in the corner. Wrapping paper rustled, bows flew, and the cozy chaos of holiday cheer filled the room.

Kusuo’s parents handed you a festively wrapped box, and you opened it to find a sleek, fancy-looking CD player nestled inside. Your eyes widened. ‘ How did they know you’d been wanting one?’ You hadn’t even told your parents about it yet. A smaller envelope accompanied the gift, and inside was a generous gift card to the shopping center. You looked up, speechless for a second, before turning toward Kusuo with a soft smile and a teasing glint in your eyes.

“Hey,” you said quietly, nudging his arm. “Go with me to the shopping center on New Year’s? I’ll use the card then.”

Kusuo blinked, surprised for just a moment, but then gave a tiny nod, his usual neutral expression softening just slightly. “Okay,” he said. “If you’re planning to freeze to death again, though, I’m bringing an extra jacket.”

You teased him back with a confident grin, claiming, “I’m basically invincible to the elements. Snow, cold, whatever — nothing gets to me.” Kusuo gave a half-smile, clearly not convinced, but said nothing as you both prepared to exchange gifts.

Your heart started to race as you pulled out the little ring box, hoping he’d like the matching gold rings. You tried your best to stay calm, but the weight of both your parents’ and Kusuo’s parents’ eyes on you made it nearly impossible to focus.

Kusuo, surprisingly, seemed just as nervous as you, his fingers fumbling slightly as he reached into his own gift bag. He opened your gift first, eyes widening as he carefully lifted the velvet box’s lid to reveal the two delicate gold rings—the moon and star pair gleaming softly in the warm light. For a long moment, you couldn’t read his expression, but you could see a whirlwind of thoughts flashing behind his eyes.

Then, he looked up at you with a small, teasing smile and asked, “Is this supposed to be a proposal?”

You sat there stunned, cheeks flushing bright red as your heart skipped a beat, caught completely off guard by his playful comment.

You hadn’t expected this kind of reaction from Kusuo—his teasing smile had your heart pounding so hard you felt like you might pass out right then and there. But before you could even entertain the idea of collapsing dramatically to the floor, Kusuo gently took your hand in his and slid the delicate golden star ring onto your ring finger.

Your mind screamed in chaos, a wild mix of “Calm down!” and “This can’t be happening!” and “ I think i’m in love! ” 

And as if that weren’t enough, the steady click-click-click of your parents’ camera shutter echoed around the room, capturing every heartbeat of the moment like an unrelenting soundtrack.

You could hear Kusuke gasp dramatically in the background as Kusuo absentmindedly slid the thick moon-carved band over his own ring finger—then another gasp– this time of pain followed when Kusuo smacked him across the head.

“Stop being so dramatic and open your own presents,” Kusuo said with a tired tone, shaking his head at his older brother’s theatrics.

You were still in dreamland as you slowly unwrapped the gift Kusuo had given you, and when the small gold necklace with a coincidentally matching star pendant revealed itself, you couldn’t hold back any longer. Before Kusuo even had the chance to ask if you liked it, you threw yourself at him, wrapping your arms around his neck with a squeal of joy. Of course, you loved it — you were on cloud nine, sparkling so brightly that everyone in the room could practically see it radiating from you.

You were SO much in dreamland that you didn’t even care about the watching eyes as you planted a soft kiss against Kusuo’s cheek—nor did you notice the quiet click of a Polaroid camera capturing the moment just seconds later. Already buzzing with happiness, you bounced your way back to your parents, eager to show off the necklace Kusuo had given you. ‘ Best. Christmas. Ever.’

===

Kusuo was still sitting on the ground where you two had just been frozen in that moment. His cheeks burned an unimaginable shade of dark red, and his lips hung slightly parted as he watched you excitedly chatter with your parents, showing off the necklace. His mind, usually sharp, felt disjointed and oddly static, like a radio stuck between stations.

A quiet, almost breathless, “Oh wow,” escaped him, though it wasn’t clear if he was reacting to you, the kiss, or the sudden, disorienting realization that his heart had skipped—no, leapt —when your lips touched his cheek.

He gripped the floor lightly with his fingers, trying to ground himself, but his thoughts were a chaotic mess– spilling over in a way he couldn’t control.

Your laughter, bright and free, echoed in his ears, and he felt utterly helpless, trapped between his tightly held composure and the familiar warmth blooming uncontrollably in his chest that always seemed to return when he was with you.

“Oh wow” indeed.

Chapter Text

Christmas with the Saikis had to have been the most fun you'd had in years. Usually, you'd say the best part of the night was spending time with family and friends. But if you were being honest?

The highlight was when you and Kusuo got "engaged."

Okay—so maybe he didn't officially propose. Maybe he just slipped a ring on your finger to shut you up, or because who else was going to wear it? Teruhashi? Hell no. Over your dead body.

Still, he didn't complain once when you clung to him like a koala for the rest of the night. He let it happen. Even walked you and your family home. So, that was basically a yes.

It's official: you were basically betrothed now.

...Or at least you would run with that idea, if you could even move.

The weather outside was near-blizzard-level cold, but your body felt like it was being slow-roasted. You kept peeling off sweat-soaked layers until you gave up, stretched out on top of your sheets in just a sports bra and shorts, and glared at the ceiling in betrayal.

"Why the hell is it so hot in here?" you muttered, immediately wincing as your voice cracked into a deep, sickly groan. Your nose was stuffed, your head was pounding, and it sounded like puberty had hit you all over again.

Kusuo had been right. Ugh. You were sick.

===

Kusuo didn't particularly enjoy hearing everything within a several-mile radius. And when it came to people's thoughts? He'd rather not know, thank you.

But your mental screaming was… hard to ignore.

At first, he only picked up on some groaning and rustling. Enough to make him think maybe he was eavesdropping on something… private . Turns out, it was just you loudly complaining to yourself.

With the second wave of complaints, he was bundling up to leave the house—and double-checking the weather because why the hell were you hot? It was practically snowstorming outside.

By the time you started mentally cursing him out in every known (and unknown) language, he was already halfway to the store for medicine.

'Stupid Kusuo, always being right... What a smug little smartass.'

'Sigh… but he's MY smartass.'

'NO, Y/n. You're supposed to be mad at him—he actually predicted you'd get sick! What if he cursed us!'

'Well, you were outside in the snow in your pajamas…'

Kusuo didn't even knock. He teleported inside and figured he'd think of an excuse later. Right now, your fever-fried logic was more concerning.

He crept up the stairs, careful not to wake your parents, and pushed open your door. What he saw made him freeze mid-step.

You were sprawled dramatically on top of your sheets, flushed and delirious, wearing...not much. He averted his eyes quickly, both flustered and deeply concerned. You looked like you were melting. No way could he leave you like this.

He dropped the bag of medicine and snacks onto your desk with a quiet thud, already pulling out a digital thermometer before you could greet him—or worse, say something fever-drunken and deranged.

Without waiting for permission, he shuffled over. He stuck the thermometer under your tongue, silencing you with one mildly exasperated glance before you could mumble so much as a syllable. You blinked up at him like a dazed puppy, sweat sticking your bangs to your forehead, and Kusuo had to stop himself from sighing out loud. You really did look pitiful.

While waiting for the beep, he carefully unpacked the rest of the supplies: cold medicine, throat lozenges, that one brand of strawberry electrolyte drink you liked (because of course he knew) , and a thermos of soup he teleported from home because you'd probably fall over trying to microwave anything in your current state. When the thermometer finally beeped, he squinted at the number, eyebrows tightening just slightly. High. Uncomfortably high.

"Idiot," he muttered under his breath, unscrewing the thermos lid and pouring a bit of soup into a bowl he'd borrowed from your kitchen earlier. He positioned himself at the edge of your bed, ignoring your sluggish attempts to sit up on your own, and began feeding you spoonfuls like you were five years old.

You didn't make it easy.

Between mouthfuls, you kept mumbling the kind of feverish nonsense that made Kusuo's ears burn. "You're so pretty up close," you slurred once, eyes glassy.

And again. "I think this is the part where you propose…wait, but you already did, didn't you? Wait—is our honeymoon?" He didn't bother trying to respond. Just fed you soup like he was caring for a particularly talkative goldfish.

"Kusuo? Are you real?"

"Obviously. Who else would it be? Are you not even going to question how I got in?"

"Maybe this is what being engaged feels like," you sighed. We really need to start wedding planning. Teruhashi is on the 'DO NOT INVITE' though– or maybe we should let her see our union so she can finally back off–"

You were still talking, but eventually, he got the medicine down your throat and coaxed you into lying back. Then came the next problem…you wouldn't let go of his arm.

"Kusuo~~ stay with your sick wife. What if I die? " you whined, tugging weakly as he tried to pull away. "You're literally sick. And since when were you my wife? " he deadpanned.

But then you looked up at him with those pitiful, misty eyes. "So… you don't want to be married?" He sighed. Fine . Just for a few minutes.

"Go to sleep."

"I'm siiiiick," you pouted. "Cuddle me!" Who knew you were such a menace when you had a fever? Somehow, you managed to drag him down beside you and mold him into the optimal cuddling position. ( He let it happen, not his proudest moment.)

"My bad, your highness . Clearly, I should've been nursing you back to health like this from the start." You blinked at him with misty eyes, then leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. 

"My hero…" You were asleep not long after, curled into his chest.

Kusuo sighed but didn't move. After all, leaving his "wife" unattended? That would just be rude.

Chapter Text

Teruhashi arrived at the Saiki residence with the confidence of someone who’d already won.

She stood at the doorstep in what she deemed her most irresistible ensemble—a pastel pink skirt that swayed just right when she walked, a white blouse with embroidered edges that fluttered softly in the breeze, and a touch of blush on her cheeks that looked “natural,” even though she’d spent twenty careful minutes getting it just right. Her reflection in the hallway mirror had said it all: ‘Oh! That girl is clearly the most perfect girl in the world!’ And surely, Saiki—stoic, unreadable Saiki—wouldn’t be able to resist her charms this time.

The door swung open to reveal Kurumi Saiki, a vision of warmth and sunshine, who welcomed Teruhashi with a delighted smile. “Oh, Teruhashi-chan! You look so lovely today. Come in, come in—I just started prepping the ingredients!”

Teruhashi bowed slightly, thanking her with the kind of poise that would make any mother want her as a daughter-in-law. Which she would be, eventually. Obviously .

But as she stepped inside, her attention was immediately snagged—not just by the silent, pink-haired psychic standing in the hallway like he wished to disappear ( because he absolutely did )—but by the small figure clinging to him like a barnacle. 

Teruhashi blinked. ‘ A child?’

A little boy—big eyes, messy hair, pouty lips, and an oversized hoodie that looked like it had been pulled over him mid-tantrum—stood half-hiding behind Saiki’s legs. His small hands clutched a well-loved toy figure that looked like it had been through several battles. But it wasn’t the cuteness that threw her off. It was his expression.

Yuuta glared at her the way a cat might look at a dog on its couch. His tiny brows furrowed, his mouth puckering into a stubborn line. He looked like he was one inch away from hissing.

“Um…hello?” she said, lowering herself to his eye level with a practiced, gentle smile. “You must be Yuuta, right? I’m Teruhashi.”

Yuuta tilted his head… and then turned it sharply in the opposite direction with a dramatic hmph. He squeezed closer to Saiki, who hadn’t moved an inch—though the slight twitch of his eyebrow suggested he was counting down the seconds to his escape.

Oh . So that’s how it was.

Undeterred, Teruhashi reached into the hidden pocket of her skirt and pulled out a colorful, shiny-wrapped candy. She held it out like a peace offering. “Want a treat?”

Yuuta didn’t even flinch. His eyes moved from the candy to her face, narrowing with calculated suspicion. “No, thank you,” he replied, each word carefully enunciated, as if he had practiced being unimpressed.

‘He’s unimpressed? With me? How could he not like me?! I’m literally perfect! Children love me!’ Teruhashi forced her face to remain calm, no matter how hard her eye was trying to twitch..

Kurumi peeked in from the kitchen with a light laugh. “Don’t take it personally, Teruhashi-chan. He gets nervous around strangers—and especially around pretty girls.”

Yuuta, still hugging Saiki’s le g, made a noise like he was trying very hard not to gag.

Teruhashi bit the inside of her cheek to keep smiling. “Oh, no worries at all! I think he’s adorable.”

Meanwhile, Saiki stood in the middle of it all, the very picture of resigned suffering. To the untrained eye, he looked indifferent. But if you looked at him closely enough, you’d notice the subtle sag in his shoulders, the way his fingers twitched slightly at his sides, the quiet defeat in his gaze. You could practically hear his telepathic monologue screaming for divine intervention.

And that divine intervention came almost immediately– in the form of you.

The door clicked open again, and in you walked, juggling grocery bags that were clearly too heavy for one person. Saiki’s head lifted slightly, a breath of relief escaping him so subtly that Teruhashi almost missed it. But she didn’t.

He was moving— actually moving. Toward you . “Here,” he murmured, stepping in quickly to take the heavier bags from your arms like it was second nature.

Teruhashi stood frozen as she watched the moment unfold. You brushed hair out of your face with a soft, grateful smile. “Thanks, Kusuo.”

Kurumi’s face lit up the moment she saw you. “Oh! There’s my daughter-in-law!” She rushed over to embrace you in the kind of warm, familial hug that didn’t leave any room for confusion.

‘Daughter-in-law?’ Teruhashi’s brain stuttered. That couldn’t be right. It had to be a joke. A slip of the tongue.

But then came Yuuta, beaming like the sun, running straight past her as if she were just a bug on the ground, launching himself into your arms with the enthusiasm of a rocket.

You caught him with a practiced ease and spun him around once, earning a delighted shriek of laughter from the boy who had, moments ago, rejected Teruhashi with the gravity of a chess master declining a poor move.

Yuuta clung to you like you were his favorite superhero. Saiki stood beside you, calm, quiet—but unmistakably more at ease.

And Kurumi, standing a few feet away, sighed with a smile. “You know… the three of you standing there like that really do look like a little family. It’s precious.”

To Teruhashi, the words might as well have been grenades.

She could feel the cracks forming behind her smile. Her throat felt tight, her fingers twitching at her sides. But she wouldn’t— couldn’t —break.

This wasn’t over.

They were just friends. They had to be. Just close, comfortable friends with… with a little more than necessary mutual affection and some sort of confusing love child in the mix—

No. No , she wouldn’t spiral.

She took a slow, quiet breath, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles in her skirt. Then she turned to Kurumi with her sweetest voice. “I’m really excited to learn those recipes you mentioned. I hope I can help!”

Kurumi grinned and beckoned her into the kitchen.

And as Teruhashi followed, she let her eyes flick back once more to the trio in the hallway. Saiki standing beside you, Yuuta resting his head on your shoulder, your hand brushing against Kusuo’s as you passed him a small snack from the groceries without even needing to ask.

Teruhashi turned away with a sunny smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

You and him will never be anything more than just friends, she told herself one more time.

And maybe—if she said it enough times—she’d start to believe it.

Chapter Text

He should’ve known something was up.

You and Kusuo had been… “together,” for lack of a better term. Not dating, exactly. At least, not in the traditional, labeled, flowers-and-dinner kind of way. It was more like the two of you had skipped right over the awkward getting-to-know-you stage and landed in a strange, comfortable domesticity that teetered dangerously close to marriage. The line between friendship and relationship had long since blurred. Whatever it was—it worked. Mostly.

Because the truth was: Kusuo knew you. And you knew him .

Not in the “I know your birthday and your favorite color” sort of way, but in the rare, terrifying way that made him feel... seen. Too seen. Yes, he was a psychic—he could learn everything about someone in seconds if he wanted to. Their fears, their secrets, their favorite childhood memory. But it was different with you. You understood him. Not from what he didn’t say—but from what he didn’t have to say.

And you had the audacity to be good at it, too.

He hated how predictable he’d become to you—but not in a way that made him pull away. No, it was endearing. Irritatingly so. He was attached . Dangerously attached. God forbid his parents loved you more than him (and they absolutely did) . They’d been pestering him for months— months —to “make it official,” constantly dropping not-so-subtle hints about what a wonderful daughter-in-law you’d be.

He had no comment on the matter.

What he did have a comment on, however, was the current situation: Kusuo was standing in front of a shady-looking gas station surrounded by an even sketchier stretch of forest road that didn’t even have streetlights. The sun was dipping low enough to cast long shadows across the overgrown gravel, and the fluorescent lights from the station flickered like they’d seen things.

And you were there. Alone.

His brain still buzzed with the sheer panic from the messages you’d sent:

You:
KUSUO.
HELP ME
PLEASE I-

And that was it. You’d cut yourself off . Who does that in the middle of a text begging for help?! It was practically a horror movie in message form.

Kusuo didn’t even waste time trying to make sense of it. One glimpse through clairvoyance showed your exact location and a disconcerting image of your anxious face—and he teleported immediately. Didn’t even look ahead to double-check the situation, just went .

And now here he was, breathless, heart pounding, fully expecting to find you tied up in the trunk of someone’s car.

Instead, he found you leaning against your parents' vehicle, looking on the verge of tears.

Your eyes were glossy, lips trembling, and your hands were clutched into trembling fists by your sides. He strode toward you so quickly it startled you. His hand found your shoulder as he gently turned you to face him.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?” he asked, the words coming out sharper than he intended.

You hesitated, then inhaled shakily. “I… I…”

Your voice cracked and you looked down, biting your lip like you were trying not to cry. Kusuo immediately ran a hand up and down your arm, soft and reassuring, trying to soothe you with his touch alone.

“Yeah?” he said, bending slightly to catch your voice.

“I need help…pumping gas.” You whispered it so low he almost thought you said something else entirely.

“…What?” He blinked, thrown completely off his axis.

You cleared your throat and looked away, cheeks burning in humiliation. “I don’t know how the pumps work…I panicked.”

There was a long beat of silence.

Kusuo closed his eyes. He inhaled. He exhaled. He pinched the bridge of his nose like he’d just aged three decades.

“So let me get this straight,” he said, moving mechanically toward the pump. “You sent me a distress text—looked like it was straight out of a kidnapping—and you just need gas ?”

You nodded, meekly. “I thought I could figure it out, but I panicked and it started beeping and then I thought I broke it—”

“You didn’t break it,” he said, sliding the card into the reader with practiced ease. “Why are you even in this part of town? This place looks like the start of a true crime podcast.”

You shrugged and kicked at the gravel. “I read about this trail online that was supposed to be reaalllly scenic, like the perfect spot for a picnic date. So I thought I’d surprise you. But I didn’t check how much gas was in the car before I left and, well...here we are.”

A long pause.

“I was going to claim it as part of my sacred duty as Kusuo’s wife,” you added, trying to joke.

Kusuo stared at the gas meter as it filled the tank. He refused to look at you for a solid thirty seconds. Not because he was angry, but because if he did look at you, he might actually laugh. Or sigh. Or both.

“You know we could’ve just gone to the park,” he muttered finally. “You really shouldn’t go to unknown places like this by yourself.”

You perked up, recognizing the shift in his voice. He wasn’t mad—just worried. Really worried.

“Aww, Ku~ were you worried about little ole me?” you teased, wrapping your arms around him in an exaggerated bear hug.

He sighed and let you hug him, resting his chin lightly on your head.

“…Obviously I was,” he mumbled into your hair, so soft you almost didn’t catch it.

You smiled.

“C’mon,” he said after a moment. “Let’s head back. We’ll do snacks and movies instead. Somewhere with…functioning electricity and zero murder vibes.”

“YAY! AIR CONDITIONING! ,” you cheered, practically bouncing to the driver's side of the car.

Kusuo shook his head as he followed behind you, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. You might have scared ten years off his life– but at least you had a full tank now.

Chapter Text

There was nothing Saiki hated more in the world than attention.

And unfortunately for him, the shiny matching rings on both your fingers were basically attention magnets.

He was a loner by nature—preferred to keep to himself, avoiding anything that might disrupt his carefully crafted, almost invisible presence. Years of effort had gone into making sure people looked right past him in a crowd. He could stand in the middle of the hallway and somehow nobody would notice. It was bliss.

Or… it had been bliss until you.

Not that he was blaming you. You were the only person (excluding his family) that he actually liked spending time with. You weren’t an annoyance, or an obligation—you were the one person who didn’t make his head throb within five minutes. (Kusuke didn’t count. He couldn’t stand that guy.)

But after you won the Ms. PK pageant, your popularity had skyrocketed. Your likeability meter had shot right through the roof and was now lodged somewhere in the upper atmosphere. Which meant there were eyes on you…and, by association, on him.

God forbid rumors start about the two of you. Just thinking about it made his temples ache.

So, when the two of you reached the school gates, he slowed his steps until you sighed knowingly and went on ahead. Reluctantly, you let him hang back to slink in ten minutes later. You didn’t take it personally—at least, you told yourself you didn’t—but there was still a knot in your chest at the idea that maybe he didn’t want to be seen with you.

Inside the classroom, you slid into your seat and tried to shake it off. Absentmindedly, your fingers fiddled with the cool metal of your ring as you half-listened to the chatter around you.

By the desk next to you, Nendō and Kaidō were already hovering over Saiki like an overeager golden retriever and a hyperactive chihuahua. The expression on Saiki’s face was… priceless. You had to bite your cheek to keep from laughing outright, but a tiny giggle still escaped.

Nendō’s head shot up immediately. “Hey, buddy’s buddy! How was your break?”

You waved, smiling politely. “Pretty quiet. Spent time with my family, went shopping, nothing exciting.”

Nendō’s eyes narrowed like he was studying a particularly difficult crossword puzzle. He looked at you… then down at Saiki… then back at you again.

Saiki’s brow furrowed. You mirrored it. Even Kaidō tilted his head. ‘Was Nendō… thinking?’

Finally, Nendō’s face lit up in sudden revelation, a smile stretching ear to ear. “When did you and Buddy get engaged? Can I come to the wedding?”

.

.

.

.

.

Every conversation died instantly. Heads turned. One by one, classmates stood, drifted over, and peered down at your hands.

“Wait… are those matching rings?”

“They’re totally matching rings!”

“When did this happen?”

“I knew you two were close, but—”

“Congrats, you guys! That’s huge!”

“Saiki, you sly dog. I didn’t know you had it in you!”

“Unreal… how’d you manage to bag someone like that?”

“Man, I’m so jealous right now.”

It was a swarm—hands clapping Saiki’s shoulder, people trying to get a better look at the rings, whispers bouncing around like static. Saiki stood frozen, his neutral expression doing little to hide the faint twitch in his jaw.

From the corner of your eye, you saw a sudden movement—followed by a loud thud.

You turned. Teruhashi was sprawled on the floor like a fallen doll. “Uh… she must’ve fainted. Is she okay?”

Saiki didn’t answer aloud.

      - (Of course she’s fine. She just realized her perfect-girl act wasn’t enough to compete with you. Now she’s having some melodramatic inner monologue about ‘losing to you’ and ‘never giving up on my love.’)

He mentally tuned in to her thoughts for a moment and immediately regretted it. ‘This isn’t over… I won’t lose to her! Saiki will see that I’m the only one worthy of standing by his side…’

      - (Great. Now she’s planning her next “accidental” run-in with me. I’m going to have to dodge three fake emergencies and at least one strategically dropped handkerchief by lunch.)

Meanwhile, Kaidō was squawking something about “bonded soul rings” being a sign of eternal fate, and Nendō was trying to measure your ring size with a ruler he found in his bag.

Saiki dropped into the seat beside you like a man walking into his own execution. His posture was rigid, one arm crossed, the other dragging his bag up onto his desk as a makeshift barrier. He angled his body away from the nearest cluster of classmates, but that didn’t stop the questions, comments, and very loud congratulations from ricocheting off every wall.

      - (I can’t believe this. I’m not even in the psychic disaster top ten this week, and somehow this still feels like the worst day of my life.)

You, of course, were enjoying yourself. Not the chaos exactly, but… maybe a little payback for him ditching you at the gate this morning.

He gave you the faintest side glance, and his eyes were practically begging you to do something.

You tilted your head like you were considering it. Then—slowly—you leaned closer. The space between you shrank until you could see the faintest pink flush at the tips of his ears and the almost imperceptible twitch in his jaw.

Before he could react, you pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

His eyes widened a fraction. He froze.

“Thanks, everyone, for your support!” you said brightly, loud enough for the whole class to hear. You reached over and slid your fingers between his, lacing them together like it was the most natural thing in the world. “We really appreciate it.”

The room exploded.

“No way—did you see that?!”

“She just kissed him!”

“They’re actually holding hands—look! Look at them!”

“Oh my god, they’re perfect together.”

Saiki’s expression didn’t change, but his mental voice practically cracked in half.
      - (You’re evil. Pure evil. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?)

From across the room, Hairo slammed his desk in excitement. “This is the perfect opportunity! We should give them a wedding! Right here during free period—think about it! The whole class can come!”

The suggestion was met with gasps, cheers, and an immediate shuffling of desks. Kaidō leapt onto a chair like a self-appointed herald. “Fear not, for I, the Jet-Black Wings, shall officiate this sacred union as a hero of justice!”

Nendō, already rummaging through his backpack, pulled out a crumpled napkin. “I can make you a bouquet!”

“Someone find a whiteboard marker so we can draw a banner!”

“We’ll need flower petals!” Two girls in the back started folding notebook paper into makeshift roses while another group debated the seating arrangement. Someone grabbed the broom and pretended it was a ceremonial staff. The classroom was transforming into a chaotic chapel by the second.

Saiki sat motionless beside you, his pupils slightly dilated like his soul had just evacuated his body.
      -  (I’m never coming back to school again. This is it. I’ll transfer. I’ll fake my own death. I’ll… dig a hole under the gym and live there until graduation.)

Your hand tightened slightly around his. He glanced down at the connection, then back up at you. Despite everything—the noise, the absurdity, the fact that Kaidō was now writing “The Great Saiki Wedding” on the blackboard in giant block letters—he kept holding on.

      - (Good Greif)

Chapter Text

In your defense, you honestly thought the whole “let’s plan the great Saiki wedding!” was a joke. A funny, passing comment that your classmates would giggle about and then move on from. But apparently, you’d underestimated both their enthusiasm and their free time, because by the end of the day, the entire school seemed to be in on it.

The arts and crafts club had thrown themselves into designing decorations like it was their final project, hot glue guns and glitter at the ready. The student council got involved too, handing out flyers that your classmates had printed during lunch—flyers advertising your wedding. It was chaos in the most bizarre, school festival sort of way.

You tried to calm Kusuo down whenever you caught sight of him across the classroom, but it was obvious his patience was wearing thinner by the hour. His blank expression never changed, but the twitch of his brow and the faint slump of his shoulders gave him away. Not that you could do much once you were separated—apparently there was some tradition involved.

“You can’t see each other until the ceremony!” Yumehara had squealed, dragging you by the wrist down the hall. You didn’t even get the chance to protest before you were shoved into the music room, the door locking with a decisive click behind you.

The morning slipped away in a blur of planning. Between classes, you were scribbling out color schemes and looking over sketches of decorations that Yumehara and the others pushed into your hands. You tried to keep Kusuo in mind, knowing he’d probably hate anything too loud or flashy, so you steered everyone toward soft colors and simple designs. 

By the time free period rolled around and you were finally allowed outside, your jaw nearly dropped. Somehow, in the span of a few hours, they’d transformed the courtyard into something that looked like a genuine wedding venue.

White streamers fluttered overhead, and light pink accents—clearly chosen in honor of Kusuo’s hair—were tied to chairs and posts. It was pretty, delicate even, though you worried he might find it a little too girly. That thought didn’t linger long, though, because your own appearance quickly became the bigger issue.

Your stomach twisted as you paced in the hallway just off the courtyard. How had you not thought about what you were supposed to wear? Sure, this wasn’t a real wedding, but everyone else had gone above and beyond to set the scene, and there you were, still in your basic school uniform. The idea of walking out there in it made your palms sweat.

It wasn’t that you expected Kusuo to care too much–but you did. Even if this was all pretend, you couldn’t help but want to match the moment. Especially when, through a quick peek, you saw him waiting at the makeshift altar… in an actual suit. Your heart skipped. He looked unfairly good in it.

Panicking, you darted toward the bathroom in search of a mirror, hoping you could at least fix your hair, maybe smooth your uniform into something less sloppy. But the sight that greeted you in the reflection made you freeze.

You weren’t in your uniform anymore.

Staring back at you was a version of yourself wearing a simple white dress. Nothing extravagant, nothing heavy—it flowed lightly around your frame, modest but pretty, and it made you look like you had actually planned to be here. You blinked rapidly, turning side to side as if the fabric might vanish any second. But it didn’t. It was real.

You gave a twirl before you could stop yourself, watching the hem flutter around your legs. For a second, you considered overthinking it, asking how in the world you’d changed without realizing it—but you decided against it. ‘It must be my lucky day…I really should’ve checked my daily horoscope.’ 

With your heart still racing, you hurried back outside just as the music began to play, the faint notes carrying through the courtyard like the opening to some dreamy, absurd fairytale.

The chatter around you swelled the moment you stepped outside, every head turning toward you.

“Where’d she get that dress?”

“She looks so pretty!”

“No way, did someone rent that for her?!”

Heat crawled up your neck, and you kept your eyes fixed ahead, trying not to stumble as the whispers trailed behind you. Nendō was already sniffling obnoxiously from his spot, his massive frame quivering like he was watching the most heart-wrenching drama of his life.

“My best buddy’s finally growing up!” he wailed, blowing his nose into a handkerchief.

Meanwhile, Kaidō was planted front and center, his chest puffed out with all the self-importance of someone who had been waiting for this moment his whole life.

“Ladies and gentlemen, comrades of PK Academy! We are gathered here today—not by fate alone, but by the interwoven threads of destiny—to witness a union unlike any other.”

He threw one arm dramatically toward you, then swung it toward Saiki. “Here stands our comrade Kusuo Saiki, possessor of powers beyond mortal comprehension, and beside him… a shining beacon of courage, beauty, and unwavering spirit!”

The crowd clapped politely; Nendō was already bawling, sniffling into a tissue.

Kaido pressed on, voice growing louder. “Though countless trials await them—demons lurking in the shadows, the dark organization that forever schemes, perhaps even the end of the world as we know it—they choose to face these battles together, hand in hand! Truly, this is a pact stronger than steel, greater than any binding contract the darkness could conceive!”

You shifted awkwardly in place, the heat creeping up your neck as students whispered things like “Wait, is he serious right now?”

Kaido adjusted his glasses and jabbed a finger toward the sky. “Let these vows echo through the heavens! Let their love be a radiant shield against despair, a flame to light the path through the abyss! And when future generations speak of today, they will know—”

“Kaido,” you cut in, giving him a calm but dangerous glare.

He froze mid-sentence, coughed into his fist, and immediately toned it down. “…Right. Uh. By the power vested in me by, uh… student council, I now declare you two ready to exchange rings.”

You blinked. ‘The rings?’

Sure enough, two perfectly fitted wedding bands were suddenly being passed forward—where they came from was anyone’s guess.

Your hands trembled only slightly as you slid the ring onto Kusuo’s finger, then he returned the gesture with quiet precision, his face impassive as ever. Kaidō cleared his throat dramatically.

“And now…you may…kiss the bride.”

The world seemed to freeze. You and Kusuo stood there, silent. You could feel your cheeks burning as you ducked your head, too shy to meet his gaze. You told yourself not to expect too much—not here at least.

But Kusuo never fails to surprise you.

Without warning, a hand gripped your waist firmly. You let out a startled gasp as he pulled you close, dipped you low, and kissed you.

Your lips parted against his, the roar of cheers and whistles from your classmates muffling into a blur as all you could register was the steady pressure of his mouth and the shocking certainty that he wasn’t holding back.

When he finally straightened and set you back on your feet, his expression was only slightly embarrassed, a faint pink dusting across his cheeks. You, on the other hand, were breathless, blinking rapidly as if you had just stepped out of a dream.

And judging by the chaos erupting around you, the entire school was going to be talking about that kiss for weeks.

Your head was still spinning when you looked up at him, heart hammering against your ribs like it was trying to break free. Saiki stood there calm as ever, but now that you were close enough, you could see the faint flush on his cheeks, the tiniest twitch of his lips betraying just how much that kiss had rattled him too.

You couldn’t help it—you grinned, practically glowing. Stars might as well have been sparkling in your eyes as you leaned in a little closer.

“Guess that means we’re together forever, huh, handsome?” you teased, your voice light and airy, more playful than serious. You expected him to roll his eyes, maybe stay stubbornly silent like he usually did when you pushed your luck.

Instead, his gaze flicked down at you, steady and unreadable. For a moment, you swore he was just going to let the question hang in the air—until his lips curved into the faintest, rarest smile.

“I guess so, pretty girl.”

.

.

.

You blinked. ‘I think I might pass out.’

Chapter Text

The stew on the stove bubbled gently, filling the kitchen with the rich, savory scent of soy and simmered vegetables. You hummed absently under your breath, a little tune without rhythm, swaying as you set plates onto the dining table, each one neatly paired with chopsticks that clinked faintly against porcelain. Behind you came the thunder of small feet, a scatter of laughter and squeals as two little boys raced across the kitchen, toy cars clenched tight in their hands. You turned just in time to see them nearly crash into the oven.

“Careful, you two!” you called out, voice caught between a scold and a laugh. They slowed only slightly, tossing a rushed “Sorry, mom!” over their shoulders before tearing off again. Both of them had inherited their father’s pink hair, though the shade was just a touch softer, paired perfectly with your own eyes staring back at you from their mischievous little faces.

A gentle weight pressed against your back, grounding you in the moment. You reached down automatically to adjust the strap of the baby carrier, feeling the smallest member of your family stir with a sleepy sigh. Her tiny hand slipped free, fingers curling in the air until you brushed your thumb across them. The warmth of her skin made your chest tighten with that familiar ache—too much love for one heart to hold.

Your gaze drifted to the wall, where a collage of framed photos was lined up neatly across it. Birthdays, school events, summer vacations. Kusuo had a rare, unguarded half-smile as he balanced the twins on his shoulders. You were cradling the baby at the beach while the boys ran along the sand. All five of you squished together on the couch, laughing at some forgotten joke. The images painted a story you knew by heart: years together, a home stitched from love and chaos, and a comfort you would never trade for anything. You sighed softly, the kind of sigh that carried both exhaustion and the purest, simplest happiness. This was your life. Your family. Your dream come true. And then—

“Why are you smiling like that? You look crazy.”

Kusuo’s voice snapped you back to reality, flat and unimpressed, as if he’d been standing there for longer than he’d like to admit, watching your far-off expression. 

You blinked, and the kitchen fell away. No little feet scurrying across the floor. No baby pressed to your back. No framed photographs fill the wall. Just you and Kusuo, standing in the empty courtyard, the air heavy with silence.

Kusuo was still in the suit they’d forced him into earlier, you half-expected him to ditch it the second he had the chance. He hadn’t changed back, and honestly, you weren’t about to complain. The clean lines of the jacket, the way it framed his shoulders, how he somehow made an ordinary tie look criminally unfair—your heart skipped embarrassingly fast.

You caught yourself staring, too openly, and silently thanked the universe that no one was able to hear the thoughts sprinting through your head. ‘God, he’s so hot. Like, unfairly hot. And technically we’re married now, so doesn’t that mean I can jump his bones and—’

Kusuo shifted his gaze away before you could finish the thought, ears faintly pink as he muttered something under his breath. Without another word, he started walking ahead, hands shoved into his pockets, already expecting you to follow. He didn’t dare look back at you, not when your thoughts were that loud, not when his own pulse was betraying him.

Have you always been this bold? Whatever the case, it wasn’t good for Kusuo’s heart, and he needed to cool down asap.

You, oblivious to his internal battle, tilted your head with a bright smile. “Am I still coming over for dinner? The earlier we tell your parents about us, the easier it’ll probably be in the long run.”

He shot you a side-eye, his expression unreadable. “Tell them what exactly? That we had a fake wedding at school? Too much work.”

Your eyebrows furrowed, the brightness of your smile dimming as you slowed your pace. “About our…relationship? We’re dating, aren’t we?”

That one word—dating—hit Kusuo like a thrown rock. He froze mid-step, caught between disbelief and the pounding in his chest. It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested, far from it. If he hadn’t liked you, there was no way he would’ve kissed you in front of the entire school, knowing it’d be a hot topic for the next few months. But still… the way you said it so casually, like it was already a fact, made him feel like an idiot for not seeing this coming sooner.

‘Wouldn’t it make more sense if he asked you properly?’

His feet rooted themselves to the ground, and you nearly bumped into him when he stopped. Slowly, he turned toward you, face coloring deeper with every second. He could feel the heat creeping across his cheeks, but he forced himself to hold your gaze.

“Do you—” his voice caught, and he cleared his throat, trying again, “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

The world seemed to go silent. You blinked at him once. Twice. Thrice.  Your expression was blank for a moment, and Kusuo’s heart sank—until a bright, unstoppable grin bloomed across your face.

“OBVIOUSLY I DO—WE JUST GOT MARRIED, KUSUO! ARE YOU DENSE?”

Before he could react, you launched yourself at him, arms winding tight around his neck. He caught you with ease, stumbling back half a step before finding his balance, your laughter bubbling against his shoulder.

You clung to him like he’d just given you the greatest gift in the world, legs kicking slightly as you squealed with excitement. “This means we can go on real dates, right? Like coffee shops! And movie nights! And maybe a trip to the aquarium—oh! We could even—”

Kusuo sighed, pretending to be exasperated, though his grip around your waist tightened ever so slightly as he carried you with ease down the sidewalk.

He didn’t say anything in reply, but the small, rare smile tugging faintly at the corners of his mouth gave him away.

Chapter Text

Maybe Kusuo was being ridiculous.
Then again, wasn’t he always?

Being around you so much lately had obviously made him more comfortable. And you, in turn, had gotten far too comfortable with him.

Hell, Kusuo could literally read your mind, for goodness’ sake. As embarrassing as it was, he found it… slightly endearing. The way your brain seemed permanently set to “him” — thinking about his hair, or his coffee jelly addiction, or worse, the daydreams about your future together. At first, it freaked him out. Who wouldn’t be freaked out when their neighbor was secretly in love with them and imagining your wedding vows during math class while keeping a totally straight face?

But eventually, your thoughts became a crutch. Not that Kusuo was insecure — he was a superpowered psychic, what was there not to envy? Still… After getting a taste of the love you projected at him every second of the day, he realized he liked it more than he wanted to admit.

It reminded him of his parents. Loud, clingy, hopelessly in love with each other. And now you were like that with him — except somehow even louder. Your brain was practically a neon sign flashing “I love Kusuo” at all hours. You loved being around him, doing anything with him, and for once, Kusuo didn’t doubt someone’s feelings for him. Not even a little.

But that still didn’t help with this new problem.

He wanted to ask you on a date.
An actual date.
And he had no idea how.

Did he bring Flowers? Too generic. They’d wilt in a week and you’d probably get sad the moment they die.

He could try Jewelry? That might be too extravagant though… That necklace he got you for Christmas already seemed to have satisfied you for the next millennium.

There was always chocolates! But considering one of your hobbies was literally baking, maybe that’d offend you in some way…you were always the one shoving sweets into his hands. (Not that he was complaining.)

So what did he actually bring to this relationship that had you so wrapped around his finger? Psychic abilities didn’t count. You haven’t even seemed to pick up that particular quirk of his…

Maybe he was overthinking it. You’d probably be fine with another movie night on the couch. Or a picnic, maybe? …Except it was too cold for a picnic. He pictured you shivering under a blanket while he pretended not to notice, and his soul cringed. No. Terrible idea.

He briefly entertained the thought of just giving up. Let the idea drift away into nothingness. But Kusuo refused to be the short end of the stick. If you were going to keep daydreaming about him in that tuxedo from your “wedding”, then the least he could do was take you somewhere that wasn’t his couch.

A restaurant was the smart answer.

Of course, that meant step one: smooth-talking his parents into giving him more allowance money — just in case you ordered something expensive. Step two: figure out which restaurant. Nothing too fancy (you were just high schoolers), but nothing too cheap either. The last thing he wanted was for you to get… what was it called? “The ick.” He’d picked that term out of your thoughts once and honestly wished he hadn’t.

Maybe he should get flowers too. Safe backup option. He could always psychically keep them alive longer so they wouldn’t die in three days. Genius.

He sank into his chair, planning. He had time. Plenty of time–

“Kusuo! I locked my keys in the car! HELP!”

…Or not…

Kusuo pinched the bridge of his nose as his father’s panicked thoughts bombarded his brain.

Still, even as he teleported outside to rescue his dad (again), his mind wandered back to you. Imagining your reaction if he actually showed up at your door with flowers. Imagining the way you’d smile, the way your thoughts would immediately spiral into a rom-com scenario. (He didn’t need telepathy to know exactly how dramatic it’d be.)

Kusuo sighed. He was doomed.