Saiki Kusuo returned to the theater, but he couldn't bear to watch the movie anymore.
*'Once you know the ending, the whole thing loses its charm.'*
Saiki sighed inwardly. The time in the cinema felt like an eternity, and he couldn't focus on the next half hour of the film.
He didn't bother putting his ring back on. With it off, the thoughts of those around him flooded his mind, and it was overwhelming.
[What should I do after the movie ends?]
[Hurry up and finish already.]
[What should I eat with her tonight?]
The theater wasn't large, but it was packed with couples, making the voices in Saiki's head noisy. Most weren't even thinking about the movie.
Take the four girls to his left, especially Sato Maya and Karuizawa Kei.
[Damn it, I didn't get to sit next to Saiki! Karuizawa beat me to it!]
[If this were a horror movie, I could pretend to be scared and get closer to Kusuo!]
Saiki sighed. Apart from himself, the only one who seemed to care about the movie was Ibuki Mio—
[I can't focus at all... With that guy sitting next to me... I have no idea what he's thinking... It's so annoying...]
*'Huh? She's blaming me?'*
Saiki sighed again.
...
After what felt like the longest half hour of his life, the movie finally ended.
At last, as the credits rolled, Saiki and the others could leave the theater.
*'Finally over. This movie could've been better in my book, but... whatever. Let's just get out of here.'*
Saiki thought, leading the group out of the theater and into the lobby.
*'We've seen the movie, and after dinner, today's plans should be done.'*
But as Saiki was thinking, Ibuki Mio rushed over to him.
"Wait, Saiki!"
"What is it?"
Saiki sighed inwardly. He knew nothing good would come from this.
"Saiki, I need to talk to you. Can I have a moment of your time?"
Ibuki's expression was serious as she asked.
[This is bothering me so much... What happened on the rooftop can't just be left alone... And now this... I need to settle things with Saiki Kusuo once and for all.]
*'Wait, what did I do just now?'*
Saiki looked confused.
Karuizawa Kei frowned, wary of Ibuki from Class D.
Though Karuizawa knew Ibuki and Manabe Shiori weren't on the same side during the special exam, Ibuki was still aligned with Ryuuen Kakeru.
To Sato Maya, Ibuki approaching Saiki meant something else entirely.
[What!? Why is she talking to Saiki-kun?]
*'Probably to challenge me to a fight.'*
Saiki thought.
[Earlier, I noticed her looking at Saiki strangely. During the movie, she kept glancing at him...]
*'So, you weren't watching the movie either?'*
[Karuizawa seems odd too, like she's wary of Ibuki. She must know something... Could it be...]
*'Huh? Did Sato figure something out?'*
Saiki grew slightly tense. While Ibuki wouldn't reveal the truth, if Sato or others noticed something from her behavior, it could be trouble.
Saiki focused on Sato, trying to gauge her thoughts.
[Could it be... she likes Saiki and wants to confess?]
*'...'*
Saiki quickly realized he was overthinking.
Sato couldn't possibly think that deeply.
"Say what you need to say here!"
Sato blurted out, her expression serious.
[With so many people around, is she trying to use Christmas to her advantage?]
[I doubt Saiki would agree... but you never know. A Christmas confession would be special for a guy! I missed my chance, so I can't let her take it!]
[No way I'm letting her succeed!]
"This is between me and Saiki. It's important."
Ibuki glared at Sato, not recognizing her.
[Saiki wouldn't tell others about what happened earlier, right?]
[Only Karuizawa knows about the rooftop incident.]
[Saiki wouldn't want this to blow up, but I need to save face... She acts like I'm some insignificant sidekick. During the movie, I could tell he didn't care about me at all.]
*'I did make things tough for you earlier, but that was your fault. And I didn't do anything just now, right?'*
Saiki felt helpless. With so many bystanders, he didn't want to expose too much.
*'Ibuki won't reveal much here, but I need to end this quickly.'*
Saiki sighed, then spoke up.
"You guys go ahead to the restaurant. I'll join you later."
As he spoke, Saiki used his telepathy.
*'Aiura, help me get them away from here.'*
Only Aiura knew his secret, so he called for her help.
[You owe me another favor, you know.]
*'Fine, fine. Just do it.'*
"Let's go ahead!"
Without waiting for Sato, Aiura pulled the group away. Saiki nodded to Karuizawa, who left without a word.
"Do any of them know your secret?"
Ibuki asked, watching the others leave.
"One of them does."
Saiki replied.
[Karuizawa? So the others don't know about Saiki's powers. Why does he hide his strength?]
*'If you knew I had powers, it'd be chaos.'*
Saiki thought, then asked,
"What do you want?"
Before he finished, Ibuki kicked at his head—
But Saiki had read her mind and dodged easily.
"You dodged that? Are you a psychic?"
Ibuki asked, annoyed.
Her words made Saiki's heart skip a beat, though she didn't know it.
"Your attack... was too obvious. Easy to react to."
Saiki replied casually.
"Since fighting you, Ryuuen's changed. He's lost his drive, and I hate that. But you, not even a classmate, influenced him so much. I can't forgive that."
Ibuki frowned.
*'Did I overload him with fear? Anyone would break if they thought a creepy middle-aged man was kicking their head.'*
Saiki tried to change the subject.
"But you hate Ryuuen, right?"
"I do, but he's strong. Class D needs him. I can't let him fall like this."
Ibuki's expression hardened.
"Fight me again."
"What?"
Saiki raised an eyebrow.
*'Didn't I fight you already?'*
"I mean a real fight. Let me go all out this time!"
*'Didn't you go all out last time?'*
Saiki sighed.
"And last time, I was defending myself. If I didn't fight back, I'd be the one hurt, right?"
"..."
Ibuki struggled to respond.
"Forget it. I need to settle the rooftop incident. It's bothering me."
She stepped into a fighting stance at the theater entrance, drawing stares from passersby.
*'Has she lost her mind? With so many people watching? Does she not care about her reputation?'*
Saiki heard whispers from the crowd.
He had one goal: end this quickly.
"Does it have to be today?"
"Yes. If you refuse, I'll keep bothering you next semester."
"Does it have to be here?"
"If it's inconvenient, we can move somewhere else."
"Sigh."
Saiki sighed. Ibuki wasn't a threat, but her constant harassment would be annoying.
And causing a scene like this would draw too much attention.
He needed to stop her.
"Fine, I'll fight you. But one condition."
After a moment's thought, Saiki spoke.
"What is it?"
Ibuki nodded.
"If we settle this today, you'll never bother me again."
"Deal."
Ibuki agreed without hesitation.
Saiki used his telepathy to confirm her sincerity, then nodded.
"Let's find another spot."
Saiki led Ibuki away, using his clairvoyance to find a suitable location: a pharmacy warehouse in a mall.
The staff hadn't arrived yet, so Saiki needed to end this quickly.
The warehouse was empty, with only a few boxes around. It was perfect for their fight.
"What are the rules? Fight until someone gives up or loses consciousness?"
Ibuki asked.
Saiki had an idea.
"Whoever declares defeat loses."
*'I'll just surrender right away.'*
Saiki smirked.
"...Wait, if that's the rule, you'd surrender immediately."
Ibuki realized his plan.
*'Damn, she caught on.'*
"If that's the case, you'd lose before the fight starts."
"No, I'll decide when the fight ends. We'll keep going until there's a clear winner."
Ibuki said firmly.
"Sigh, fine."
Saiki had no choice but to agree.
*'Can't let this drag on or the others will get suspicious.'*
"Then let's begin!"
Ibuki shouted, focusing on Saiki.
In the next moment, she charged, spinning in mid-air and kicking at him.
*'No products here, but too much damage could still cause trouble.'*
Saiki waved his hand, swatting her away like a fly.