The birthday party, overall, was a success.
Except for Kushida Kikyō and Yamauchi Haruki, everyone seemed genuinely intent on surprising Saiki.
"Um, Saiki, we're heading out now."
Hirata Yōsuke stood at the door, addressing Saiki.
Sudō Ken and Ike Kanji had already left, but Hirata and Sakura Airi stayed behind to help Saiki clean up the room.
"Mm."
"Saiki, if you ever have any troubles, please let me know."
Hirata patted Saiki's shoulder, his eyes filled with concern.
Maybe Saiki was bullied in the past, which is why he's so quiet. But even so, he still contributes to the class in his own way. I really admire that...
Stop overthinking.
Saiki felt a bit helpless inside.
"Is Sakura leaving too?"
"Um... I... I'm just helping clean up..."
Sakura stammered, barely managing to express her desire to stay.
"Then I'll be going."
Hirata flashed a meaningful smile and left the room.
"Um..."
After Hirata left, Sakura quickly approached Saiki, rummaged through her bag, and pulled out a small instant camera.
Though small, it was intricately designed, and Sakura had spent a lot of points on it.
"I... I don't know what you like, so... I just got this..."
This was Sakura's first time giving a gift, especially to a boy, and she was incredibly nervous.
It feels like... my gift should be given alone... I don't know why... but it just feels right... I wonder if he'll like it... What if he doesn't?
Sakura's mind raced, but all she managed to say was, "Happy birthday."
"Thanks."
Saiki accepted the gift and nodded.
"Um... Saiki... in a few days..."
Saiki, are you free these days? Can we go on a date...?
Sakura almost blurted it out, but at that moment, a frantic knock on the door interrupted her. She rushed to open it.
It was Karuizawa Kei.
"Karuizawa?"
"Sakura?"
Both were surprised to see each other. Clearly, neither expected the other to be there.
What's Karuizawa doing here now? Does she...?
Why is Sakura here? Everyone knows she likes Saiki, but why is she still here alone?
"Um... Saiki... I... I have to go now..."
Sakura dashed out of the room as if running away.
"What was Sakura doing here? Did she say something to you?"
Karuizawa leaned forward, her tone serious, almost like a girlfriend checking in.
Mind your own business. And why are you so interested?
Saiki thought, but said,
"She just gave me a gift and wished me a happy birthday."
"Really? Sakura seems pretty interested in you."
"I don't feel that way."
"I wonder if you're just dense or pretending not to notice."
Karuizawa pursed her lips and pulled out a small, delicate box from her bag.
"Here, this is for you!"
Saiki took the gift—a custom-made bracelet.
It's not made of germanium, just a regular accessory, but it's probably expensive.
He thought.
"If you're grateful, you'll have to return the favor a hundredfold!" Karuizawa smirked.
Since their relationship had grown closer—at least from her side—Karuizawa's attitude toward Saiki had changed significantly.
I'm not doing that.
"Mm."
Though he disagreed, Saiki nodded absentmindedly. He used his powers to check Karuizawa's phone for her birthday—it was next year.
"Are you free in a few days? I heard there's a new fortune-telling shop in school, and it's supposed to be very accurate!"
"Probably not."
Saiki replied without hesitation.
"I promised Sudō and Ike to go swimming at the pool, so I won't have time."
This excuse should work and shift the blame to them.
During the party, Sudō and Ike mentioned going to the pool during the break. The pool was open to students during summer vacation, and they planned to go together, even inviting Sotomura Hideo.
Saiki knew their real intention was to film girls changing, but their mini-camera hadn't arrived yet, so they'd have to wait.
Saiki had no intention of joining, but it was a good excuse to decline Karuizawa's invitation.
"Oh, Ike already asked me about the pool."
Karuizawa replied instantly.
"Huh?"
"Ike said it's at the end of the month. We're definitely free these days!"
Karuizawa smiled, as if everything was under her control.
I didn't mean to, but I've been outmaneuvered.
Saiki felt helpless but had no choice but to agree.
"Fine."
"Great! I'll call you then!"
Karuizawa nodded enthusiastically.
"Happy birthday! Wear the bracelet I gave you!"
"Mm, thanks."
...
Days passed unnoticed.
Saiki mostly stayed in his dorm, passing time alone, occasionally teleporting home for different food.
He noticed more and more people in the class group chat discussing the fortune-telling shop.
Kushida: There's a new fortune-telling shop in school. It's super popular and can predict love and career!
Ike: It's supposed to be very accurate!
Of course Ike replies instantly whenever Kushida speaks.
Saiki lay in bed, scrolling through his phone.
Sudō: Fortune-telling? I'm kind of interested.
Even you're interested?
Saiki frowned. Several girls in the class had already visited the shop and said it was accurate.
Saiki didn't believe it. He had fortune-telling abilities too—predicting the future—but they were uncontrollable and only gave vague directions without details.
"Fortune-tellers usually say ambiguous things to make people feel validated. I didn't expect this school to have such a shop."
Saiki muttered.
Just then, his phone buzzed. Two messages arrived almost simultaneously.
Sakura: Saiki, are you free? I want to go to the school's fortune-telling shop, but it requires two people... I don't know who to invite, so I'm asking you. It's fine if you're busy...
Shiina: Saiki, are you interested in fortune-telling?
Is this world really this coincidental? As long as they're not here right now.
Ayanokōji thought.
At that moment, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka had just stepped out of his room.
Karuizawa and Saiki? Looks like Karuizawa's completely under Saiki's control now.
The other day, Sudō asked me to invite Horikita to the fortune-telling shop, but she refused outright. I'm slightly interested in fortune-telling.
But the line was too long, and I ran into Ibuki. Since it requires pairs, and she didn't seem interested in teaming up, I left.
I thought I'd try my luck today, but I didn't expect to see Saiki. I wonder if it was his idea or Karuizawa's?
You're interested in fortune-telling? And you've been once already? Your character's changing.
Saiki thought.
"We are too!"
Karuizawa announced loudly, as if declaring something.
"Then let's go together."
...
Soon, they arrived at the school mall. As they reached the floor with the fortune-telling shop, they saw a long line stretching down the corridor, crowded with people.
This school shouldn't have this many students, right?
And it's just fortune-telling. Do they really need to bring so many people?
Saiki thought.
He hated crowded places because the noise overwhelmed his mind, making it hard to focus.
"There are too many people..."
Saiki planned to use this as an excuse to dissuade Karuizawa, who wasn't known for her patience.
"It's fine, we'll just wait!"
Karuizawa smiled and led Saiki into the line.
Meanwhile, Ayanokōji ran into Ibuki Mio again—a strange coincidence. This time, they managed to team up.
I heard this place requires pairs. Me and Saiki together... It's like we're a couple.
Sigh.
Saiki sighed inwardly. He didn't want to be here, but since he had no excuse left, he had no choice.
Just then, his phone vibrated twice.
He checked—two messages had arrived almost simultaneously.
Sakura: Saiki, are you free? I want to go to the school's fortune-telling shop, but it requires two people... I don't know who to invite, so I'm asking you. It's fine if you're busy...
Shiina: Saiki, are you interested in fortune-telling?
Is this world really this coincidental? As long as they're not here right now.
Ayanokōji thought.