Unseen Connection

(Continuation) Shifting Tensions

The days that followed felt heavier,
a weight in the air you couldn't quite shake. Ren's presence had thrown something off balance—something you hadn't realized was so fragile until now. Every time he walked into the room with that confident grin, you felt a knot in your chest tighten, and your mind always drifted to Saiki. You couldn't help but wonder what he was really thinking.

Because Saiki, for all his extraordinary abilities, was impossible to read.

It was during one of your usual rooftop lunches that you finally decided to break the silence. The breeze was soft, and the faint chatter of students echoed below. Saiki was sitting next to you, quietly eating his coffee jelly as usual, his expression as calm and indifferent as ever. But beneath the calm, there was something off about him. He'd been even quieter than usual lately, his eyes lingering on you whenever Ren was around, his reactions slower, more measured.

You glanced at him from the corner of your eye. "Saiki," you began carefully, "about Ren..."

He didn't look at you, but you noticed his hand pause ever so slightly before taking another bite. He was listening, even if he wasn't going to respond right away.

"I just—" You sighed, searching for the right words. "I don't know what to do. He's nice, but I don't want to encourage him. I just feel like I should say something to clear things up."

Saiki remained quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, almost too quiet for the wind to carry. "Do you like him?"

The question caught you off guard. It wasn't like Saiki to ask something so direct, and for a second, you could swear there was an edge to his tone. Not anger, but something close to frustration—maybe even uncertainty. You stared at him, trying to read his expression, but as usual, his face betrayed nothing.

"I don't," you admitted, your heart pounding in your chest. "I mean, he's nice, but... no. I don't feel that way about him."

Saiki said nothing, but you noticed the way his shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, as though the tension he'd been holding onto for days was beginning to ease. The silence between you stretched on, but it felt different now—less awkward, more open, like something unspoken had finally been acknowledged.

"I don't need you to explain anything to him," Saiki said after a while, his voice calm, though there was a subtle firmness beneath his words. "You don't owe him that."

You blinked, surprised by the conviction in his tone. "But what if he keeps asking?"

Saiki's eyes met yours for the first time since the conversation began, and though his expression was still neutral, you could see something deeper flickering in his gaze—something protective. "I'll handle it."

The simplicity of his words sent a warmth spreading through you. Saiki wasn't the type to make grand declarations or fight for attention. That wasn't his style. But this—this quiet confidence, this promise that he'd be there for you, even in the face of someone like Ren—was more powerful than any dramatic gesture could ever be.

Later that day, Ren approached you again, this time between classes. He flashed his usual charming smile, leaning against the lockers as he waited for you to gather your things. "Hey, [Your Name]. I was wondering if you were free after school today."

You were about to respond when you felt a familiar presence beside you. Saiki appeared as if from nowhere, standing silently at your side. Ren's smile faltered for the briefest second, but he recovered quickly.

"Saiki," Ren greeted, his tone light but with an underlying tension. "Nice of you to join us."

Saiki didn't respond, his gaze focused intently on Ren. It was a rare thing to see Saiki so outwardly confrontational. Normally, he avoided unnecessary interactions, but today, there was a distinct shift in his behavior. He was standing closer to you than usual, his body language protective, even though his face remained as unreadable as ever.

"I don't think [Your Name] is free today," Saiki said, his tone even but with a subtle sharpness that you hadn't heard from him before. "We have plans."

Ren's eyebrows shot up, but his smile never wavered. "Oh, really? Well, I didn't know you two were that close."

There it was—the challenge you had been waiting for, hanging in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. Ren's eyes flicked between you and Saiki, his smile still plastered on, but you could see the competitive gleam behind it. He was testing the waters, trying to figure out exactly where you and Saiki stood.

You opened your mouth to speak, but Saiki was quicker.

"We are," Saiki said, his voice steady and leaving no room for doubt. There was no hesitation in his answer, no uncertainty. It was the clearest declaration he'd ever made in front of someone else, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still around you.

Ren's smile faltered again, this time more noticeably. He stood up straight, giving you a knowing look. "Well then, I guess I'll back off for now." He turned to Saiki, his smile now thin and forced. "But I'll be around if you change your mind, [Your Name]."

With that, Ren walked away, and you let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding. You turned to Saiki, your heart pounding in your chest, a mix of gratitude and confusion swirling inside you.

"Saiki," you started, but he shook his head slightly.

"You don't need to say anything," he said softly, though there was a hint of something more in his eyes now—something vulnerable. "I just didn't want him to keep bothering you."

You smiled, feeling a warmth bloom in your chest. "Thanks, Saiki. Really."

He didn't respond, but the smallest, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

And as you walked away together, the distance between you and Saiki felt a little smaller, the connection a little stronger. You still didn't know what the future held, but for now, you were content just to stand by his side, knowing that he was there—and that maybe, just maybe, his feelings for you ran deeper than either of you had realized.

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Hi how have you guys been been you see saiki made Ren back off maybe he likes you more then you think

But I was meaning to ask you guys something how did Ren look in your mind I just wanted to know