Your classmate

The bell rings. Chairs scrape. Everyone rushes out. User quietly packs her bag, earbuds tangled again. She sighs, slings her bag over her shoulder, and heads toward the stairs.She steps on the first step → her shoelace catches.She tilts forward—Before she can fall, Saiki uses telekinesis for half a second, snapping her upright like nothing happened.

She looks at him“…huh?”Behind her, Saiki stands expressionless, hands in pockets. He definitely wasn’t close enough to grab her normally.

She looks at him“…Were you always standing that creepily silent behind me?”

He looks at her his face deadpan“…I was just passing by.”He wasn’t. He came back because he sensed she was about to fall like a cartoon character.Saiki’s thoughts:(Great. Another near-death event caused by shoelace physics. Why do I live like this.Wait. Who even is she? She’s in my class… I think? She sits in the second row… probably.Why do I know everyone’s name except hers?)

She squints at him like he’s suspicious. She looks at him“…What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He said“…I’m not.”But he is. He’s trying to read her name from her thoughts.

Her thoughts (he hears):(Did he actually catch me?? No no no that’s impossible… unless he’s a ninja. Yeah. That makes sense. He gives ninja vibes. Wait but why would a ninja be in school? Taxes? Education? Ninja students???)

Saiki stares at her blankly.Saiki’s thoughts:(…Her brain is chaos.)

She looks at him weirded out“…Can you NOT stare like that? You look like you’re judging my life choices.”

Saiki: “…I’m not.”,Saiki’s thoughts:(I absolutely am.)

she said“…Okay, well… thanks. For… standing there. I guess.”

She turns to leave, muttering.User’s thoughts: (Ugh I almost died on like, step ONE. My ancestors are embarrassed.Next time I’m just rolling down the stairs on purpose, at least it’ll look confident.)

Saiki sighs silently.Saiki’s thoughts: (Please don’t.)

He walks past her, expression unchanged, already regretting using his powers. the next day Class had barely begun when the teacher clapped her hands.Teacher: “Alright everyone, we’re changing seats today! I’ll read the pairs.”Saiki already felt a headache forming. Saiki (thought): (Great. Human chaos number 57. Please let me sit somewhere quiet.) She sat in the back, arms crossed, looking mildly irritated at existence itself.

Her (thought): (If she puts me next to someone loud, I’m dropping out. I’ll become a forest ghost. I’ll live in a tree.)Saiki sighed internally.

Saiki (thought): (…Why would anyone live in a tree.) The teacher continued reading names until— Teacher: “Kusuo Saiki will sit next to… (glances at paper) …ah, you. Go ahead and move.” She froze with a deadpan expression.

She (thought): (WHO DID I OFFEND.) Saiki stood up, quietly heading to the new desk.She sat down next to him, clearly annoyed but calm, giving a small, polite nod.

She said: “…Hi.”Saiki: “Mm.” A moment of silence. A peaceful moment. A rare miracle Her (thought): (Okay don’t embarrass yourself. Just sit here normally. Be normal. People sit in chairs every day. You can do this. Don’t fall off the chair. Why am I thinking about falling. Stop thinking about falling. NOW I’M GONNA FALL.)

Saiki blinked slowly.Saiki (thought): (She’s having a battle with a chair.) The chair didn’t move. She sat stiff like a statue. Another thought popped:

Her (thought): (He’s so quiet. Why is he so quiet. Is he judging me. Is he judging the chair. Does he hate chairs).

Saiki stared forward.Saiki (thought): (Why would I hate chairs. What is happening.)Then the teacher passed out worksheets.She grabbed hers with a sigh.

User: “Of course it’s group work.” Saiki: “…It seems so.” Her (thought): (Great. I have to talk to him. He probably hates talking. Maybe I should mime instead. No that’s stupid—) Saiki finally looked at her.Saiki looks at her “You don’t… need to mime.”She froze and looks at him “…What?”

Her (thought): (OH GOD DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD. DID MY MOUTH BETRAY ME.) Saiki calmly turned back to his paper. Saiki (thought): This is going to be a long semester.

The teacher finished assigning groups like she was handing out life sentences.

Teacher: “Group 4: Saiki, Nendou, Kaidou, and… you. You’ll work on the poster together.” She stared at the paper in horror.

Her (thought): (Why. Why am I the only girl here. This is a punishment. What did I do in my past life?)

Saiki sighed mentally.

Saiki (thought): (Unlucky.)

After class…

Nendou immediately slammed his hand onto her desk. Nendou: “Alright! Let’s go to my house! I have snacks!” She flinched.she softly said“I—I don’t think—”

Her (thought): (NO I AM NOT GOING TO HIS HOUSE I CAN ALREADY SEE MYSELF GETTING LOST AND THEN CRYING.)

Kaidou stepped in front of her with his dramatic pose. He points at her “Wait! That’s exactly what an evil organization would WANT! To lure her in with snacks! She’s too important to risk!” User blinked.She looks at them“…Huh?” Her (thought): (WHY AM I IMPORTANT??? DO I LOOK LIKE IMPORTANT MATERIAL??? I LITERALLY TRIPPED OVER AIR YESTERDAY.) Kaidou leaned closer, whispering like he was revealing state secrets.Kaidou smiles seriously“You… you have the aura. The aura of someone targeted by shadow forces.” Her (thought): (No I have the aura of someone who overslept and didn’t eat breakfast.) Nendou ignored Kaidou completely.nendou then said“Nah, she’s just shy. Shy people need friends. I’ll adopt you!”She looks at him “…No thank you.”

Her (thought): (I AM NOT A LOST CAT YOU CAN JUST ADOPT.)

Nendou grinned like she had said “please adopt me twice.”Nendou smiles “Great! So we’re going to my house!” She shakes her head “I didn’t say—!”

Kaidou slammed his hand on the table.Kaidou leans in close to her“Absolutely not! We should go to MY house. It is the safest place from dark organizations who may be after her.”She awkwardly smiles “Why would they be after me—” Her (thought): (Can someone be after my grades instead because those are dying).

Saiki watched the chaos, expression blank.Saiki (thought):( This is a nightmare. They’ll argue for an hour.)Saiki steps inWithout a word, Saiki grabbed the project paper.Saiki sighs“We’re going to the library.”

Both boys froze.Nendou thinks and said “Oh… that makes sense actually.”Kaidou and then said “A hidden training ground… genius.”