OBLINE, KUSUO SAIKI.

Ψ. kikufuku on three.

Ψ . . . YOU SWUNG THE CHAIR IN front of Saiki's desk around and sat backwards in it. "Kusuo, I need a favour. Well, one favour leading to another favour."

Do I even want to know?

You slapped a flyer on Saiki's desk. On it was a trio of adorably dumpy, flour-dusted mochi, one of them cut open to reveal two layers of green bean paste and cream.

What are those?

"The culinary masterpiece known as kikufuku," you said. "I've only ever tried them once, but it was enough to bring me to tears. This bakery makes the best in Tokyo, but they only make around fifty a day and they're selective about who they sell them to. Just getting there early won't guarantee you get one. You have to impress the owner and prove your worthiness."

Saiki shot you a look. All of that for a few mochi?

"All of that for kikufuku," you said. "It is worth it. I swear on the Six Eyes."

What does impressing the owner mean, exactly?

"Who knows? It's all up to the cantankerous old guy who owns the place. I think we could make it with your telepathy, and ... oh, I don't know, a certain blue-haired someone?"

You want Teruhashi to come with us?

"Do you think she would? I just know she'd charm the socks off of the owner. We might even be able to get a second order."

Saiki raised an eyebrow. You still feel bad about calling her Takahashi all this time, don't you?

You slumped over the chair. "Since we didn't get to hang out at the aquarium, I thought this would be a nice way to make it up to her."

It's not like you to be nervous.

"I'm not nervous. It's just that if I ask her on my own, people might get the wrong idea. You know how they talk."

Saiki rolled his eyes and began putting his things in his bag. You are ridiculously full of yourself.

"Oh, there she is now." You glanced toward the doorway where Teruhashi was coming in with Yumehara. You stood from their seat, one hand slightly raised.

"Hey, Teru—"

"Gojo's asking Teruhashi out!" someone shouted. They might as well have rolled a grenade across the floor. All activity in the classroom ceased. There was a clatter as the broom Kaido had been holding dropped to the floor.

"Oh!" Teruhashi brought a hand to her mouth. Your hand curled into itself.

You turned around to glare at the classroom. "Who said that?"

No one came forward. Probably because Teruhashi's face was turning a pretty shade of pink and you were ready for murder.

"Honestly," you huffed. You strode forward, grabbed Teruhashi's hand, and pulled her out of the classroom and down the hall. Someone let out a hoot and then tentative applause broke out.

"Gojo, I'm sorry to say this, but if you are asking me out—" Teruhashi said.

"No, no, it's nothing like that." You brought Teruhashi to the empty hallways off the restrooms and waited for Kusuo to join the two of you. "Kusuo and I were just hoping to ask you for a favour. There's a bakery that makes fantastic kikufuku, but the owner only makes fifty of them a day. We need your help impressing the owner so we can get some."

Teruhashi's eyes lit up. "Is that the mochi? I've always wanted to try some!"

"Then we should go! You haven't really lived until you've had some kikufuku."