OBLINE, KUSUO SAIKI.

✶. isn't that a girl's name?

✶ . . . SO, SAIKI, WHEN ARE YOU going to introduce me to the rest of your friends?"

You leaned against his locker as Saiki exchanged his indoor shoes for his outdoor ones. You smiled winningly at him, and the pink-haired psychic had the gall to slam his locker shut and leave. You huffed a sigh and ran to catch up to him.

Now that you and Saiki were allies, you felt like you could understand why so many people liked him. In your case, at least, it was the highlight of your day to piss him off. He was just so serious and uptight about everything. You could only do so much with your abilities without vapourizing half the planet, but Saiki seemed to have no shortage of cool powers. Why didn't he do more with them? What kind of sap just wanted to live an average life when they were a psychic?

If you were being honest yourself, Saiki's frankness was refreshing. He wasn't afraid of you or in awe of your Six Eyes. You had a healthy ego, but it was nice to talk to someone and feel at least a little normal. It made sense that the only person you could do that with was with someone whose powers rivalled your own.

"Well I guess I already met Toritsuka and Aiura, but it'd be nice to meet them officially. I can't figure out if Akechi is part of your group or not. I guess it wouldn't hurt to talk to him either. I was kind of rude to him the last time—"

What do you want? Saiki snapped in your head. I might actually avoid Nendo and the others for once, and I don't have any intention of getting caught up with you instead.

"Caught up?" you repeated coyly, smirking. "I didn't take you for that kind of guy, Saiki."

Please leave me alone. You torment me enough during class.

"That is impressive how you do that. You sound so pissed, but your face is completely blank. Do you play poker?"

No, because I can tell what everyone's cards are. What do you want?

"I think they call themselves the Psychickers? Or the Psychic Kids or something? I want to meet them! They sound cool!"

Then go find them. I'm not affiliated with them whatsoever.

You slung an arm over Saiki's shoulders and he was unable to hide his grimace. "Saiki. Your friends are my friends. They managed to figure out you're psychic, right? I need to know whether they pose a threat to me."

If you're "The Strongest", how could anyone pose a threat to you?

"Do you want me to use Blue on you again, Saiki?"

Do you want me to turn you into a statue?

"... Can you do that?"

Saiki only stared at you. Alright then. Noted.

"Please, Saiki?" you said. Six Eyes worked well as an ability, but it worked doubly well for puppy-dog eyes. "Just tell me where I can find them and I'll get out of your hair. I won't even tell them that you helped me."

Saiki sighed. He stopped walking. You waited for him to say something, but he only pinched the bridge of his nose and then crossed his eyes.

You bit back a laugh. Enough time passed by that you started to wonder if this wasn't one of Saiki's abilities and he was just making fun of you.

You were about to poke Saiki's cheek when his eyes snapped back into focus.

"You weren't just making a face at me, were you—"

Saiki shoved past you and dove with the grace of an Olympic athlete into the hedges behind you. You didn't have time to shout after him before two people nearly bowled you over. You leapt out of the way, turning off Limitless in the same instant.