Heart vs Mind (Saiki K x Reader)

11. The Medium

(Saiki's POV)

"You're an idiot. Try thinking before you speak!"

Saiki has hunted down the medium at school the next day and cornered him immediately. The feeble boy in front of him quivered under his relentless stare. "I-I guess it didn't occur to me that-"
"That what?!" Kusuo's voice was harsh, heavy, and thick with frustration, "Honestly, Turitsuka, are you that dense?"
"Now-now hold on, Saiki you said so yourself— with my gift, I can bring closure to people. If her father's death really bothers her as much as you say it does, wouldn't it make more sense if I told her that her guardian spirit is her dad?"
"I already thought about it," Saiki admitted, "but I came to the conclusion that it's a terrible idea." Toritsuka gave Saiki a slight frown, "But... it's not really your choice is it? It's kind of sort of hers." He was right. Saiki knew you, and he knew that you, more than anything, wanted to tell your father how proud you were to call him your dad. But he was worried that it might cause you to grieve all over again. I suppose I could be there to comfort her... "I just don't think it's the brightest idea."
"Why? Normally you wouldn't care about it either way.... unless..."
Oh boy.
"Unless you've got a crush on her that is!" The psychic sprung forward abruptly and clamped a hand over the medium's mouth. "Not so loud! Keep your voice down! I don't have feelings for her. Okay? Now shut the hell up!" That nearly confirmed it for Toritsuka, but he was terrified to get overly excited and show it again what with the look he was receiving from Saiki. "This is very useful information... but back to what we were saying before... She has a right to know who her guardian spirit is! And you can't stop me from telling her!"
"First of all it's not 'useful information' because it isn't true! And anyway... are you willing to bet your life on that? That I can't stop you from telling (l/n)?"

It was the precious chime of your perfect voice that made both males freeze instantly.

"What's going on?" You asked from behind the psychic.

(Your POV)

"What's going on?" Saiki didn't turn his head to face you, but Toritsuka looked at you over the male's shoulder. "Oh," he started, "hey, (l/n)! Good to see you again." Oh yes, the medium. You were still curious about your guardian spirit. Why was it such a big deal? Why wouldn't Saiki let you ask, and why wouldn't he give you an answer? It's not like he cared about anything. So why now? Why this question?

"You too," you said slowly. You walked up behind Saiki and tapped his shoulder gently, "Anyone home?" Saiki finally turned around. You raised a slim brow and leaned close to him, but he didn't shuffle away or flinch. He stayed perfectly still. "Hi, handsome," you teased, and were sure that you saw his face tint pink. The was clearly trying to hide a smile though, and it filled you with joy. So much, that you almost forgot what you were curious about.
Toritsuka waved to you, and you gave him a friendly smile. "What are you boys up to?"
"Not much," he said, "just chatting about..." he seemed hesitant, and Saiki's eyes had fallen dark. Did Saiki threaten him?
"About?~"  You were tempted to make a bold move and flirt the answers out of Toritsuka. You asked around and heard he was pretty much a huge pervert, a flirt, a scumbag. You pushed past Saiki and approached Toritsuka. Saiki grabbed your arm and looked at you with what appeared to be desperation in his eyes. What was it he didn't want you to know that he was willing to beg you? Saiki wasn't a beggar. He also wasn't understanding. You pulled your arm away from his grasp. Toritsuka was... not quite afraid... apprehensive? Yes; and also intrigued. You fluttered your eyelashes and touched a finger to your bottom lip, then stood on your tiptoes and leaned closer to the medium. You sensed a bitter feeling from Saiki, but ignored it nonetheless.
"I was wondering..." you started, "if you could tell me more about my guardian spirit? I would be ever so grateful."

(Saiki's POV)

This is jealousy. It's the same way I feel when I see her walking with Hairo. Only it's stronger this time... like when I found out they were going out on a date. Truth is, Saiki could read Toritsuka's mind. And now, his jealousy was fueled by rage. The medium was thinking about taking you out for dinner, then taking you home and doing unlawful things to you. Once again, Saiki reached for your arm. Only this time, instead of grabbing it, he gently touched it, and let his fingers linger against the soft fabric of your school uniform. You stopped flirting and looked at Saiki. How about a little forced shared telepathy?

"Saiki, quit it man, you're ruining my chances to get a hot date!" Perfect. The male saw your eyes widen, and you quickly looked to Toritsuka who was still smiling innocently at you. "I guess I could tell you about him. What do you want to know?" "Once I tell her about her spirit she'll owe me, and then I can take her out for dinner..." The Medium's mind started wandering. "And then after that I'll charm her some more, and finally (censored. . .)."

You moved your hand swiftly, then brought it down against Toritsuka's face. He yelped in shock and pain, and you growled at him, "You jerk! You're nothing but a pervert!" This works, Saiki thought to himself, now not only will she just give up on learning about her guardian spirit, I got to watch her beat up this scum-stain. Of course, Saiki didn't feel all that honorable considering he himself had quite vivid dreams two nights in a row now. But he didn't go around trying to tempt you into fulfilling his fantasies.

He looked at you and watched anger burn in your usually soft eyes. He had to admit, this side of you was kind of interesting when your anger wasn't directed towards him. The pinkette looked at Toritsuka with disapproval clear on his expressionless face. "Forced shared telepathy." Saiki said telepathically to his fellow psychic, and you. "Really? That's cold, even for you. I really don't get you, master—"
"Stop calling me that."
"—you wouldn't have done that for anyone else. Why are you so protective of (L/n) if you don't have a-" The pinkette tensed up and threw himself at Toritsuka and covered his mouth with a sweating hand. He watched you turn to face him, your once again soft eyes tracing over him slowly. "What is this creep going on about? Saiki isn't protective of me— he's not."

I am.

"Uh... you know what? Forget it. I'm not sure I want to know about my guardian spirit. I'm going to head to class."
"But isn't it your lunch period?"
"Yeah."

And so you left. Saiki was overwhelmed by your racing thoughts, so this time he was glad you left.
"If you think I'm going to let you touch one hair on her head with vile intentions, you've got another thing coming."

Toritsuka rossed his arms. "Oh yeah, you can read minds. Stop ruining my chances with girls!"
"I'm only ruining your chances with my girl. You ruin your chances all on your own anyway; I don't have to do anything." Kusuo was flaring menacingly at the medium, his gaze weighing down on him like forceful gravity. Toritsuka spoke two words, a question. His feeble voice cracked.
"Your girl?"
". . ."
"So you do have a crush on her! You can't deny it now!"
"That's obscene."
"It's the truth! That's what it is. Please master, let me help you!"
The last thing Saiki wanted was help from the most perverted boy in school. But for some reason he felt like he wasn't being given a choice. So he said nothing, and just as he suspected, his nonexistent response registered to Turitsuka as a "yes."
"Great!" He cheered, "Meet with me after school and we'll come up with a plan."

"Hell no."
"See you then!" With that, the medium left. Saiki sighed and started walking back to class. He moved quickly so he could catch up with you.

He wasn't going to meet up with him.

"Sorry about him. He really is the world's biggest scumbag."
"Heheh, yeah. I'll admit he's kind of cute, but... you know... some things are major turnoffs."
Thank goodness. He looked straight ahead and didn't bother glancing at you once. Although now it's in her head, lingering, that I'm protective. Whether she realizes its there or not. You gave him a soft smile, "Thanks for that shared telepathy thing—or whatever it's called. You saved my ass." Happy to help. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble. Might as well be me since I've got nothing better to do anyway."

You giggled, and Saiki's heart began soaring again. How could I not protect her? Although I'm not sure I'm the right person for the job. Sure I can keep her away from truly disgusting men; but I can't deny that I myself  have some rotten daydreams about her. One of these days I should just kiss her and get rejection over with. Saiki's memories flashed back to the box. Dammit, oh why didn't he kiss you then? Sure you were pissed but at least rejection would be quick and easy—not painless though.