Special Friends

10

Nendou and the rest of Saiki's friends were completely oblivious to what was going on between Saiki and Akechi. All that could've ever tipped them off, is that once in conversation, Saiki called Akechi by his first name for a split second before changing it back. He got a few odd looks, but everyone ultimately ignored it.

Except for Teruhashi, of course.

Her true danger was the fact that everything she said about herself was true. She was pretty, and she was kind, at least on the outside, but she was also smart. That's what eventually led her to find out about their relationship.

Saiki had heard Teruhashi's thoughts, and found out she was looking for Akechi. He crossed his eyes to see how close she was. He groaned when he saw her talking to the Kokomins asking to find him. They tracked him down almost immediately.

Saiki couldn't get to him in time.

He saw Teruhashi greeting Akechi and decided to just listen. There was no natural way to stop the conversation from happening. He could, of course, pull Akechi away, but that would seem suspicious. So would teleportation. There was nothing he could do.

Teruhashi waved away her fans and continued talking.

"Akechi, do you think we can talk in private?"

'I don't think she knows. Keep it that way. Go along with it so you won't seem defensive.'

"Y-yeah, sure."

He followed her to the roof.

"So, what did you want to talk about? I don't usually talk to you other than a casual hello, so forgive me if I was a bit startled when you called me up here. I can't think of anything that we need to talk about, but I'm sure- "

"I saw you kiss Saiki!" She blurted out.

Akechi felt his face get warm.

"Y-you did? W-when? I didn't see you, I-I could've sworn no one saw us... We were in Kusuo-kun's room..."

He looked up at her.

"D-did you spy on us?"

She felt a wave of guilt wash over her.

"Yes! Yes, I'm sorry! I had to know. I came here to confirm."

Akechi's face turned a bright red as he looked down at his feet.

Saiki, who was watching the whole thing, was just as surprised as him. He had his ring on that day, so he didn't know she had seen them. He groaned, knowing that she would be upset about it and cause a big argument.

"You truly love him, don't you?"

"Y-yes."

"Well, then I'm happy for you guys."

...

"What!?"

What!?

"R-really? Thank you."

She smiled.

"That was all. I wanted to know."

"Okay then!"

She went back inside while Akechi waited on the roof. After only a few seconds, Saiki teleported in front of him. Akechi ran up to hug him. He looked up at him.

"You heard that, right?"

'Yes. I was just as surprised as you were.'

***************************************************************

Now that Teruhashi knew, there was nothing to worry about.

Akechi liked that he could be with him at school.

Unfortunately for Saiki, his other friends didn't know. And Akechi didn't know that they didn't know. And Saiki didn't know that Akechi didn't know that they didn't know.

It was Tuesday.

Saiki's friends were crowded around him as usual.

Akechi placed his bag at his desk and walked up to them.

"Good morning, Kusuo!"

He held Saiki's hand and kissed him on the cheek.

Saiki didn't have time to stop him.

What?!

Did he...? Why?

Why did he...?

He kissed Saiki!

I can't believe it!

I never would have guessed...

Kuboyasu was the first to speak.

"So! Since when were you two an item?"

'We're not an item.'

Kaidou chimed in.

"But... He kissed you... And you let him."

Nendou patted Saiki on the back.

"Good for you guys! I never knew you guys were dating! You can bring your boyfriend to get some ramen with us!"

'You see what you did?'

'He's not my boyfriend.'

Kuboyasu tried to suppress a smile. Nendou didn't care. Kaidou almost laughed.

Teruhashi was unfazed by all this. She had already known after all. She sighed and looked at the group.

"Guys, they're just friends."

"Very special friends."

Kaidou and Kuboyasu looked at each other. Kuboyasu shrugged.

"Alright then."

Akechi smiled and hugged Saiki. He knew he couldn't stay mad at him.

And he was right.

***************************************************************

School had ended. Saiki received the usual invitation to get ramen, but this time, his friends understood when he declined.

Akechi followed him to his house, clinging to him as they walked.

'Touma-'

"Kusuo-kun! I'm so sorry for what happened! I honestly thought that they knew. If I had known I wouldn't have... I wouldn't have kissed you."

Saiki ruffled his hair.

'It's fine. I... Didn't like having to be apart from you during school.'

"Neither did I. I'm happy to know you felt the same way. I do have a question, though."

Saiki raised his eyebrow.

"Why do you always deny that we're dating? I mean, they're right, we're not exactly friends anymore..."

"Are you..."

"Are you ashamed of me?"

Akechi looked like he was about to cry.

Saiki pulled him into a hug.

'Of course not.'

"Then... Why do you always say we're not? We kind of are..."

Saiki smiled.

'We can't break up if we're not dating, right?'

Akechi giggled.

"Right."

Saiki leaned foward, put his hands on Akechi's face, and kissed him.