audiblesmirking

[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats ~chapter 6: you gotta love them over-affectionate characters~

Legend: "English unless stated otherwise" --- 'Thoughts' --- "Telepathically speaking" --- [Authors' Note]

"what are you saying, mother...?" Azumi's eyes glistened with the tears she's been suppressing. "you had other intentions...?"

Akina sighed exasperatingly, raising a hand to rub her temple, trying to ease the growing headache. "... This wasn't the right time to tell you."

"Well, when were you planning to tell me?! Years later after I've mastered my psychic abilities?!"

"Yes." Aiken answered bluntly, looking straight at his daughter's eyes as it darts from his to his wife's. The look of betrayal was prominent on Azumi's face; with eyes the widest they have ever been since she was a child, and eyebrows furrowed in denial. She refused to comment on her father's brutally honest reply. Not like she could anyway; a lump had already formed in her throat, preventing her from speaking clearly without her voice cracking midsentence. As if a rope of thorns are wrapped around her neck, occasional sharp pains pricked her throat.

"There was no other options to choose from so quickly. We feared your powers would be too much too soon, so we went with the best decision we thought." Aiken explained, maintaining eye contact as Azumi takes unconscious small steps back until her calves bumped the sofa. At the unexpected impact, she almost lost balance and, fortunately, didn't fall on her butt on the couch. It would have been embarrassing to argue after just falling.

"This issue involves me! Why didn't you consult to me first?!" She was now yelling, the dam in her tear ducts breaking and sending rivers down her cheeks. "If you thought lying to save you the trouble of talking to me would be best, you were wrong!"

"But I suppose you're too busy with other things to care about—" Azumi cut her sentence short went she silently choked on her saliva. Usually, she'd be embarrassed, but she was too deep in emotion to be feeling only a specific one for a moderate amount of time.

"What does that supposed to imply?!" Akina joined her daughter in standing, seemingly understanding her words despite it being abruptly cut. "We're doing this for you! For when you've given up all your powers you've had your whole life to your child! When you turn into an ordinary person, atleast you'll live in comfort. In luxury!" Azumi was irritated at her mother's assumption of procreating. How dare she, she doesn't get to decide on that. Whether she decides on an offspring is up to Azumi.

"I don't need luxury if it means I have to be neglected by my own parents! Parents who could always spare time for their lonely daughter, who spent all her life trying to achieve all her parents' expectations hoping to be rewarded with praise and attention." Azumi tried not to sniffle too loud, not bothering to wipe her tears. "and receiving nothing after all those years." Azumi walked away, the first time she's done that to her parents, and she felt a new sense of freedom by doing so.

"Azumi—!" Aiken was already by his wife's side, shutting her up.

"It's fine. Let her be alone for the remainder of the evening. We'll discuss about this again some other time..." He looked at his wife in the eyes as he held her in place, knowing she'll follow their daughter to her room demanding an explanation for her deplorable behavior. "We're also at fault here, Akina."

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The next day, Azumi woke up all puffy and blotchy after crying so hard last night. She intended to wake up just after Aiken and Akina left for work, so she could prevent running into them in breakfast and in departing. Not like they ever encounter everyday in the morning, anyway.

.

.

.

Azumi arrived at school early, so she decided to take a detour from her usual walk straight to her classroom. She headed to the side of the school, where very few people would choose to walk through, and sat down on the concrete bench surrounding one of the trees. It was a windy morning, mild gusts of air blowing from the east, providing Azumi with the coolness she needs to feel as comfortable as possible. She was content on simply watching the leaves sway and fall from the wind until the morning bell chimes, but she was interrupted.

"Huh? Little buddy?"

Azumi turned to see Nendou approaching her. 'I didn't pin Nendou to be one of the early birds.' She gave a small wave, before redirecting her attention to the sky. 'But maybe it's just for today that he arrived here early, I do remember him mentioning about some early morning try-outs.'

"What are you doing here? Let's go to our classroom!" He beamed, before shifting his expressions to a more playful one. "Or did you forget where to go? Don't worry, little buddy, I'll show you the way!"

Azumi smiled at this. "No, I didn't forget. I just thought of clearing my head before school starts." She watched as he walked closer to her to listen more clearly to what she was saying, before another gust of wind blew the trees and drew her attention back to them.

Nendou decided to sit down next to her, planting each of his palms on the concrete beside his thighs and leaning back, using his arms for support. "Eh? Clear your head? Where will your brain go then?"

She lightly laughed, sparing her friend a glance. "It's not that type of clearing. I just want to forget about what happened to me last night."

"Huh, something happened to you last night?"

"Say, Nendou, how is your relationship with your parents?" Azumi realized her confession, and attempted to change the subject before her companion pries too much.

"I only have my mom. My dad died before I was born..."

"I–I'm sorry to have brought it up." Azumi felt bad for being so insensitive, she intertwined her fingers together and broke eye contact with Nendou. "How is your relationship with your mom, then?"

"Oh, we're doing fine!" His drastic change in expressions is questionable. "She got a new job at this company that she says pays more. I'm really happy about that, because my mom says she can buy me new shoes now! Though, last night she made me clean my room because I came home late and made her worry... Oh yeah! What happend to you last night? You hadn't told me that yet"

'To think that he came back to the topic after my distraction.'

"A–Ah, that..." Azumi hesitated, 'I guess telling him would be fine. I mean, he's not one to judge the lives of his friends, right? I'll just leave out the whole psychic powers thing.' She sighed.

"... I had a fight with my parents..."

•°●•°●•°●

"I feel like a kid who got beat up by a delinquent on their first day at a new school."

Azumi wanted to talk to Saiki about what she found out from her parents last night. She wished to tell him, most likely out of spite from being lied to, but also because it involves him as well. Just after she rounded a corner, she was surprised to see an unfamiliar student walking next to Saiki as she was heading to her classroom. She raised a hand to fiddle with her ear cuff, curious to know what his relationship was with the new student.

"I don't get why you want to hide it. Psychic powers would get you all sorts of attention." The new student was being too loud with his words in their sort of environment.

Azumi raised her eyebrows at the thoughts incoming behind her and hid in an empty classroom. She felt Teruhashi about to walk by and pass the two boys walking ahead of her.

"That's what I don't want."

A few seconds and a gasp later... 'Looks like the new transfer student fell for me, too.' Kokomi cheered in her head as she leaves the hallway, bringing Azumi out of her hiding spot. She furrowed her brows at what Teruhashi had done, confused on why she would actively search through the school looking for the transfer student only to receive a mere gasp for her efforts. She can always wait for him to hear about her and watch as he finds her. Atleast in that way, she can just sit pretty.

"Wh–Who is that beautiful girl?!"

"That's Teruhashi-san. She passed by us on purpose. You should be thankful."

Toritsuka Reita reacted loudly, shaking the shoulders of Saiki, before quickly being flocked by girls. All of which are curious about the news that spread about his psychic abilities.

"Saiki-san..." Toritsuka began, seemingly shocked by the crowd, but easily recovering. He smiled and gave a thumbs up in Saiki's direction. "Maybe I can settle for this."

'It'll die down, soon enough' Azumi thought, taking the chance to stand beside Saiki as if she had just arrived. She kept her hands in her pockets as the two psychics witness Toritsuka do his job in impressing the girls before him. "Who is he?" Azumi feigned ignorance of the situation, turning her head to look at the friend beside her.

Saiki shortly glanced at her in masked skepticism, before looking back at the gathering people around the spirit medium. "Toritsuka Reita." Azumi nodded in response, turning as well to watch the commotion in front of her.

Takahashi and his friends insisted Toritsuka tell their spirit guardians after initially being ignored, which inconvenienced the spirit medium in his quest to woo every girl that are around him. "Okay, let's see..." Toritsuka deadpanned, sparing them only a quick look. "Geezer, hag, hag, and hag. Okay, it's done."

Azumi got overwhelmed by the growing number of people gathered in the hallway, she sought solitude. In her attempt to walk away, she drew the attention of Toritsuka. "W–Wait—! You there, don't you want to know your guardian spirit?!" He gaped as she ignored him and left to go to her classroom. Toritsuka turned to the psychic he knows. "Saiki-san, do you know her?!"

"Ah, that was Kanasawa-san. She was new here on the first day."

"She's got a crazy powerful guardian spirit. Maybe even a psychic...?" He whispered to Saiki, to which his words piqued his interest.

He was about to repsond, when Kaidou came and interjected. "Guardian spirits? What nonsense." He acted uninterested, despite his thoughts telling otherwise. "Still, I'd suppose it would be rude not to hear you out. So tell me what my guardian spirit, or whatever, is."

Toritsuka was about to deadpan at him as well, but his guardian spirit was too interesting to not comment on. "Huh? Your guardian spirit is quite abnormal."

'Seriously?! 'Quite abnormal'?! Is it a demon?! A sealed monster?! A dark spirit?!'  "I-I see. So what is it? Tell me." Kaidou had an obvious blush on his face, but despite his excitement, he lowered his voice to maintain his appearance of uninterest.

"It's a chihuahua."

"Ch-Chihuahua?!" Kaidou exclaimed as the students around started laughing. Looking down on his clenched fist, he started mumbling to himself. "How dare he?! I bet he's a fraud!"

Toritsuka faced Saiki. "Introduce me to her so I can tell her about her guardian spirit." His favor sounded friendly, but adding in his expressions and his true thoughts, it became too friendly and borderline perversion. 'Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute, cute, cute. She looked so cute...' Not like he wasn't a pervert, anyway.

"What was that about, Kanasawa-sensei? Are you feeling alright?"

"Quit repeating 'cute' in your head...!"  Saiki directed his thoughts to only the spirit medium, irritated at his noisy mind.

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Aiken looked up from his desk, seeing the faces of two of his co-workers. "Hmm? What do you mean, Kinji-san?" He addressed the hospital resident who was with him in the OR, lowering the pen he was holding.

"In the surgery a while ago..." Kinji started.

"Why, what about it? Did I cut something wrong in any way?" Aiken knit his eyebrows, worry bubbling within him.

"No, it's not that. You did everything perfectly."

"So what's the problem here?"

"The problem is, you did everything. It was as if there was no one there to assist you in the surgery." The other doctor, Taiji, replied. He was there to confront Aiken after having been approached by Kinji. 'I appointed a number of residents under Kanasawa-san, because he was the best of the best, but how can they learn from him if he doesn't give them a chance?'

"Yes, is there something bothering you? This normally isn't the case." Kinji held on the backrest of the chair on the other side of Kanasawa's desk, contemplating if he should sit down or not.

Aiken sighed, leaning back on his chair. "It's a family issue. I apologize. I promise it will be ameliorated by tomorrow."

.

.

.

"Kanasawa-sama, the new managers of the marketing department have arrived. We are waiting for you to teach them the ropes." A petite young woman entered Akina's office after notifying her presence with a knock.

Akina looked up from her documents, she had finished little in the span of the morning, and the executive secretary took notice of this. "Is that so?" She turned back to the papers on her desk, lifting her pen to scribble in her signature. "Call in one of the presidents to lead on the managers. Whoever you choose that best fit the role will be my substitute." She spoke after a moment of silence.

"Are you not feeling well, Kanasawa-sama?"

"Yes, and so I entrust the decision to you, May-san." Akina looked at the young psychic in the eyes, an aura of superiority radiating off of the CEO. "Good luck."

"Come on, Saiki-san..." Toritsuka pestered Kusuo after he followed him around the whole day, through lunch and even now as they were walking out of the campus.

"As you wish, Kanasawa-sama" She bowed before leaving the room. May heard the sigh coming from her supervisor right before she fully shut the door.

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Toritsuka mistakenly thought Nendou was a ghost a while ago, having swung his bag at him, and were now on their way to his home at the temple to explain his reason for assault.

"Just tell me more about Kanasawa-san!" He whined like a child that was denied from eating candy. "The ghosts avoid me like the plague when I ask about her from them."

"They do?" The new information grabbed Saiki's attention, but he didn't turn to look at his companion. "Well, they should."

"Is she a psychic like you? Because I think her guardian spirit might be an ancestor of hers. They look alike..." Toritsuka gave up on his begging, knowing that Saiki will not let out information even if he cried all night. Toritsuka leaned his head back on his interlocked fingers, before his saliva was practically drooling from the corner of his mouth. "But if she is someone with psychic powers, then I should've come to her instead."

Saiki smacked the back of his head with his psychokinesis, glaring at him from the corners of his eyes. "Hey! Don't go changing your mind after annoying me last night."

"Ow—! That hurt you kno—" Toritsuka cut off his own sentence when something in him clicked, as if the slap urged the gears in his brain to work. "Kanasawa... Does Kanasawa-san live next to you?!" He held the shoulders of the psychic beside him.

Saiki frowned at his personal question and invasion of personal space. "Why would you want to know?"

"Last night, while I was walking to your house, I passed by this huge house that was beside yours. It had 'Kanasawa' written in the gate's plaque." Saiki raised an eyebrow, having already known the information, but Toritsuka continued. "It was strange, because there were no ghosts hanging around and in the lot. There are a lot of ghosts that prefer to hang out in mansions, so it came as a surprise when I saw absolute zero ghosts when I passed by."

Saiki hummed in response, before throwing off Reita's hands from his shoulders using his powers. He contemplated with the new information he received, continuing with his walk. 'Her family is a mystery, even with the help of ghosts. As I thought, there is no other way to figure them out without getting close to them.'

"We're here. Okay, could you touch me while using your psychometry?" Toritsuka said after they stopped infront of his house, making Saiki push the topic of the Kanasawa's some other time. "I think you'll know why I made the mistake I made a while ago."

As Saiki stared at him suspiciously, he held his shoulders and activated his psychometry. "This is..."

Kusuo trailed off as he saw a Nendou lookalike sleeping on the ground while leaning on the stairs "Let me introduce you. This is my guardian spirit" Toritsuka looked ashamed, and didn't even look at Saiki in the eyes when he talked.

"You really do have it tough"

•°●•°●•°●

Azumi dreaded to enter her house, standing in front of the double doors and contemplating whether to enter or to retreat to a nearby park. 'No, I shouldn't postpone this any longer. It is bound to happen, anyway.'  With gathered confidence, she pushed opened the door and walked in.

'They're either waiting in the main living room, my room, or the dining room.' Azumi hoped they were in the dining room, but the call she heard after being halfway in walking past the main living room, proved otherwise. 'Living room it is...'

She silently entered and sat in the exact spot she was the other night, feeling the gazes of Akina and Aiken as she does.

A heavy silence hanged in their air, each member of the family waiting for the other to speak up. Aiken chose to start. "It has come to our attention that you have been feeling neglected and ignored by your mother and I... and, we wish to amend the mistake we made and be given another chance to become proper parents to you." He spoke slowly, thinking over his words before it would be said, so as not to offend anyone. "I hope our talk today will enlighten all three of us of the hardships we each have encountered, and discuss a proper solution to help."

"There should be no raising of voices. We are here to talk and to listen." Aiken finished, looking at the expressions of his wife and daughter to see if they understand and agree or not. The two nodded, making Aiken nod as well.

The Kanasawa couple met gazes, and Aiken prompted his wife to talk. "I... have come to realize that I oftentimes cut you off... Zumi-chan. I didn't know it would have a greater effect on you than waiting for you to finish what you're saying. I'm sorry. This is more on a problem of self, so I don't wish for you to change because of what I've done."

Azumi stared at her mother, harboring mixed feelings on the apology she received. She looked down, thinking over of what to say. "An apology is the first step to redemption... and so, I accept your apology." She took notice of the wistful look on her father. 'Ah, I guess he has nothing to talk about, because we almost never talk—or do anything, really—alone.' Despite Azumi thinking her father had nothing to share, she was surprised to hear his voice.

"I apologize for not spending any of my time with you, Zumi-chan." He looked down, with his eyebrows low, he refused to look at his daughter. "I will make it up to you over time. We'll be bonding together atleast once a week, now."

Azumi furrowed her eyebrows at his words. "But your work..."

"I can always have a number of leaves a month. Since I'm a talented volunteer, they treasure me enough to let me manage my own schedule."

"And I can always reschedule." Akina added in. "You were right. No amount of money can ever replace the love from your parents." Akina genuinely smiled at Azumi, who slowly returned the smile. "I'm sorry it took so long for us to realize."

"it's okay, as long as you both won't forget." Azumi weakly said, afraid to hear her voice crack as a lump formed in her throat just as what happened last time.

"Ah, before I forget. About what you said of being well-rounded yesterday." Aiken raised his head.

"A–Ah, that. You can just put it off as me blabbering because of anger. I wasn't thinking straight last night."

"No, what you say matters." Azumi locked eyes with her mother. Her eyes widened by a fraction at the words she never expected to hear from Akina. "I cared too much about you being powerless, I pushed you to be perfect in every aspect. I hoped that even without psychic abilities, you can live your life whatever you wish, and pursue your dream job, as if you had them. I was obviously wrong."

"I'm sorry, as well, that I made you master various martial arts. I was simply concerned for when you encounter immoral people, and had no other way to protect yourself. By the time your powers awakened, you've already achieved all the highest honor of belts." It was Aiken's turn to lock eyes with his daughter. "I'm very proud of you."

"I pushed you to perfect every instrument, sport and hobby I give you. And I truly am sorry for everything I have put you through." Akina said after her husband finished. "I am very proud of you as well, Zumi."

Everything was going too fast and is overlapping with each other in Azumi's mind. She heard an apology and words of praise from both her mother and her father, so why isn't she satisfied? Was she too stuck up to genuinely accept their words? If so, she's feeling very horrible right now. Nevertheless, she forced a smile and wordlessly nodded. She didn't know what to think of right now, and ought to think it through the night.

"We'll be holding something similar to this every week, so we can improve our communication with each other." Aiken concluded, standing up from his seat, his family following suit. "Now, let's have dinner. I'm famished."

——————————

It was Saturday, and Azumi woke up pretty early; that is, if you can count 10:15 am as early. She had a sports lesson with Furushima Yumi, the volleyball captain she met during 'chapter iii.', and ought to prepare before their agreed time of 11:30 am.

She finished everything, from changing into her sports attire to packing water and towels in one of her bags, after almost an hour. 'Alright, 15 minutes is probably enough time for me to arrive at the school. But only if I run... Should I take the car?' While she was contemplating whilst headed for the stairs that lead down to the ground floor, she saw, from the corner of her eye, a frantic boy in front of her gate. 'Toritsuka-san?'

Azumi watched as he shouted at seemingly nothing, elaborating huge gestures as he does. 'What in the world is he going on about?'  She was curious to know what has gotten him so worked up. 'Kusuo-san's house is over there, anyway.' With her heightened hearing, without touching her power limiter, she listened in on what the spirit medium has been talking about with the air.

"Come on, it'll only take a few seconds to peek inside..." Toritsuka dragged on, slouching his back and hanging his arms, slowly getting tired of all the ruckus he's been creating. "What's so terrifying about that mansion, anyway...?"

He stayed silent for a moment, most likely listening to the ghost he's conversing's explanation. "Eh? Is that so?" He looked at the front door of Azumi's house, before sighing. "I guess I'll wait for Kanasawa-san to come out. Oh, I bet she'll be super cute today, too~!"

Azumi grimaced in disgust at his last words. 'Yeah, I should take the car.'

.

.

.

"Azumi-san—!" Furushima took notice of the approaching figure of Kanasawa, placing down her water bottle and excitedly jogging towards the girl. "You're here!" She beamed, eyes creasing in delight and arms open to hug.

Azumi slowed her walking at the gesture the volleyball captain was showing, hesitating on whether or not she was comfortable enough to accept the hug.

In the end, she awkwardly wrapped her arms around Furushima, choosing to be polite and accept the gesture of affection.

After the first few volleyball lessons that happened between the two, Azumi thought they were close enough to be called by each other's names. "ah-hah... Did I make you wait, Yumi-senpai?" She let out a short nervous laugh before stating her question.

Furushima released herself from the hug, but let her hands rest on Azumi's forearms, smile unfaltering. "Not at all. But I have missed you since our last meeting." Before the psychic could respond, the volleyball captain was already ushering her towards the court, a hand gently guiding her back. "I thought you were ready to play with a team, so I invited a few of my friends, if you don't mind."

"No, it's fine. It's a fundamental part of playing volleyball, after all."

As if Furushima's smile couldn't possibly get any bigger, it just did. "You look pretty as usual today, Azumi-san..." Once again, Kanasawa was unable to reply when one of Yumi's friends yelled their greeting once they saw them walking towards the court.

==========

A/N

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[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats ~chapter 5: she sells seashells by the sea—ohmygod SHE'S DROWNING~

⚠️Minor Swearing⚠️

Legend: "English unless stated otherwise" --- 'Thoughts' --- "Telepathically speaking" --- [Authors' Note]

——————————

'Ah, the beach... I would've enjoyed your sand today if it weren't for my parents forcing me to go out' Azumi sits on her beach mat, an umbrella implanted behind her and shielding her from having heatstroke. 'A shame, Atsumi-san reported me for being closed in my room all summer. They never really did like me, I suppose.'

The psychic let out a sigh, her hand moving to shut all the thoughts around her up and wrap her arms around her knees. 'I don't understand how people can be so sociable.' Azumi commented, turning her head at the party going on near her. '... and loud.'

She thought the noise was getting louder, so she decided to pack and move to a different, and quiter spot on the beach. Wearing her sunglasses, she began her search for a new place to sit. The sound of the party slowly fades as she walks away from her previous position. 'Atleast they're having fun.'

The wind felt nice on her skin as it gently blows against her. Azumi was watching the swaying palm trees as she saunters on the cemented sidewalk, when a stray pebble made its way into her footwear. Cringing, she raised her foot to shake off the small stone, successfully relieving it from its discomfort. However, due to her movements, she accidentally stabs the back of someone with the end of her umbrella, earning a yelp from the aforementioned someone.

"SHIT. I'm so so sorry—" The situation surprised Azumi, as well as the poor person who was hurt from her carelessness. She extended her free hand to help support the boy—who looked oddly familiar to her—as he stands up.

"It's fine. Just be careful next time—"

"Hairo-san?" Azumi finally recognized the person in front of her once he turned around to face her, she lifted her sunglasses and laid them on top of her head. Hairo had a hand stretched behind him to sooth the spot in his back that had been jabbed, when he saw the familiar face of his classmate. Before he could greet her though, she already started talking. "I'm sorry for stabbing you with my umbrella. I was distracted because there was a pebble in my slipper; and I didn't see you because I was making sure the pebble was out and not providing discomfort to my foot. I should've looked at where I was going. I—" Azumi shut herself up by covering her own mouth after realizing she was rambling. "Again, I'm so sorry, Hairo-san."

Kineshi laughed at her reactions, successfully lightening the atmosphere. "It's alright, Kanasawa-san. It's good to see you."

His words brought a smile on Azumi's face. She liked his presence, because he always seems to bring her out of her shell at the right times, plus he's the kindest to everyone he meets. Atleast, that's what Azumi sees in him. "You too. By the way, what brings you here?" She gestured at the whistle he picked up from the ground after dropping it out of shock from their encounter.

"Ah, well, I volunteered as a lifeguard—" Hairo was cut off by a yell followed by splashing, a tell-tale sign of someone slipping into the water. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" He was already sprinting down to the shore.

'Kusuo-san, Kaidou-san and Nendou-san? Surprise to see them here.' Azumi thought, walking astray from the sidewalk and following Hairo.

He dived into the shallow waters, the force pulling down his pants, as he lifts the seemingly unconscious Kaidou. 'Hairo-san does have a knack of not wearing underwear.' Azumi sweat dropped, at his partial nudity. She layed her things on the sand close to Saiki and sat down, having decided that this spot was suitable.

"Oh, it's you Hairo!" Nendou greeted as Hairo stood up, holding Kaidou as he lay limp in his arms.

As Kineshi took notice of Nendou and Saiki's presence, Azumi is left puzzled. 'How did he pull up his pants while holding Kaidou?'

Hairo walks out of the water and places Kaidou on the sand in front of Azumi's mat, as if nonverbally saying 'look after him' and moving on to answer Nendou. 'It's a mystery to me how you don't see Kusuo-san as capable for this.' Azumi was about to turn off her power limiter to see how much water her friend inhaled, when the boy in front of her stirred, halting her hand mid-air. Saiki, who has been silently watching, squinted his eyes at this. "Kaidou-san, are you okay?" Azumi loomed over his head, with some of her hair that failed to be pushed back by her hand falling down and tickling his face.

She was too late to gather the ones that hanged, sitting back and expecting the sneeze Kaidou let out. Azumi grimaced, eyebrows knitted and looking apologetic, "eesh... sorry." moving to kneel beside him as he sat up. She hesitated to hold his shoulder as he coughed out the water that entered from his nose and mouth, instead she gave pats on his back, attempting to help get rid of any excess sea water.

Once Kaidou settled down, he took notice of Azumi's presence, having been the first face he saw after regaining consciousness. "Ka–Kana–Kanasawa-san?! Wh–What–HI."

His response relieved her, Azumi let out a sigh before smiling at him. "Hi to you too, Kaidou-san."

——————————

"Ugh... who's at the door this early in the morning..." Azumi groaned, dragging herself out of her room and in the hallway in front of her door that overlooks the front yard and gate. She had a hand on her ear cuff, sluggishly twisting and turning, in order to deactivate it. "And on the day Atsumi-san isn't here."

Atsumi was hired only for the duration of the summer break to maintain the lavish look of the Kanasawa manor, with a weekly day off for them to refresh themselves. Yesterday was their last work day before the next term starts.

Azumi squinted her eyes at the person in front of their gate, wanting to confirm herself despite the person's thoughts distinctly confirming almost her every doubt. "Hairo-san?"

'Hmm... Kanasawa-san isn't answering the intercom. Maybe she's not home.'

'What kind of teenager is up and about at 7 am on the last day of summer?' Azumi sighs, wanting to go back to bed, but her drowsiness has already left the moment she used her powers. 'Apparently, people like Hairo-san'

'I came here to return Kanasawa-san's beach mat and umbrella that she left yesterday...' He looked down on the bag he was holding.

Realization hit Azumi like a wreaking ball, as her mouth dropped, her hand raising to cover it. 'Oh yeah... That's what I forgot...' No wonder the feeling of having forgotten something never left her until she went to bed.

'Well then, I'll just give this to her at school tomorrow.' Hairo turned and was about to leave.

'No way, I'm not carrying those at school.' Azumi already teleported behind her home's front doors, creaking one open and successfully halting Hairo from his departure.

"Ah, Kanasawa-san! Sorry to bother you, but you left your beach mat and umbrella yesterday" He exclaimed once he saw the figure of Azumi walking towards the gate.

"No, I'm sorry to bother you, Hairo-san. You came all this way to bring me back my things" She opened gate and took the bag from Hairo's extended hand. "Thank you..." Azumi smiled at him.

'Oh My, My Dear, forgetful as you are, you're so rude. Invite him in. Invite the guest in. Invite him in.' She froze. She thought she heard the voice of her mother, but remembered she was at work. "... in...?" She hadn't realized she spoke before it was too late.

"In?" Hairo repeated, confused at the dazed look his classmate was showing. "Ah! Are you asking me to come in, Kanasawa-san?"

Azumi felt embarrassed for spacing out in front of him, she answered in confirmation. "yes...?" It sounded unsure and more like a question, but Hairo laughed it off and thought it was her usual shyness that was preventing her from speaking clearly. "I–Come in, Hairo-san." Azumi opened the gate wider for her classmate to enter.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm sorry, Kanasawa-san. Today's my last day as a volunteer lifeguard. I have to do my best until the end!" Hairo was determined; he almost always is.

"oh thank god" She felt relieved he declined, wanting to be alone for the rest of the day to prepare for school tomorrow.

"Hm? Did you say anything, Kanasawa-san?" Hairo was distracted at his self-motivating thoughts. He turned to Azumi, who simply shook her head as a reply, a tight smile displayed on her face.

"Good luck, Hairo-san" She closed the gate before letting out a sigh.

'Even without her physically being here, I can feel my mother's criticism on everything I do' Azumi agonized, comical tears streaming down her face as she clenches her fist in frustration.

Teleporting to her room, a weird clinking sound came from the bag Hairo gave to Azumi. 'Hm?' She peeked inside, there was her umbrella sticking out, her mat neatly folded in and... are those seashells?

They were pretty, Azumi confesses, and had unique shapes, but she doesn't remember picking them up yesterday. She may be quite forgetful, but she knows she isn't one to get everything that catches her eye. No, that would be her mother.

'Why did Hairo-san give me seashells? Strange.'

——————————

A new semester starts at PK Academy. Some classmates were complimenting Hairo on his new tan, while most of them were flocking around Teruhashi, surprised to find out she had an eye on someone special.

Azumi was sitting in her designated chair, observing around her classroom, when she cringed at Teruhashi's sly excuse after she accidentally yelled and broke her perfect figure. 'Who in the world is Yurwei Offidjot?' She facepalmed, feeling vicarious embarrassment on Teruhashi's act.

Though, Kaidou, who was standing behind Saiki, misunderstood Azumi's actions. "Hey, Saiki, Kanasa—huh? Are you okay, Kanasawa-san?" Azumi lowered her hand, turning her head to face Kaidou.

"huh...? Ah, yes." She absentmindedly nodded. He looked weird today, with his hair styled strangely and sporting an eyepatch over his eye.

"Really? Well, if you're not feeling well, just tell me—us! Just tell us—! We're you're friends, right?!—"

"Get to the point, Kaidou" Saiki cut him off before he spiraled.

"O–Oh, right. Don't you think Nendou is acting strange today?" Kaidou stuttered, before glancing at the mentioned guy sighing and shifting his hand all over his face. "Normally, he'd be bugging us to get ramen or something"

"True. He is acting a little strange."

Kaidou and Saiki planned to stalk Nendou after suspecting him to be hiding something, and invite Azumi with them. However, "Azumi-san! Please help me!" Yumehara appeared next to her and dragged her out of the classroom, leaving the two boys to spy by themselves.

She dragged the psychic into a more secluded place, behind the school. "I don't know anyone to talk to about this, but please hear me out, Kanasawa-san!" Yumehara started, her voice cracking at the end. "My boyfriend, Takeru, and I haven't been getting along, and I think we're growing apart..." She sobbed, holding onto Azumi's forearms for support.

Azumi sweat dropped, not knowing what to do or how to comfort her. "Ah, I thought you liked Kusuo-san. When did you get a boyfriend?" At her words, Yumehara raised her head, showing the tears that were trailing down her cheeks.

"That's another problem! I think my crush on him is resurfacing..." She weeped, wiping her cheek. "Takeru used to be so romantic..."

"here we go..."

"He loves to say this phrase, but he's so repetitive at it. It's getting a bit tiring. And when he finally says something different..." Yumehara cringed at her memories, earning furrowed eyebrows from Azumi. "... it made no sense and turned me off."

Azumi nervously laughed, grabbing Yumehara's hands and holding it in hers. "I see. I appreciate you telling me all this, Chiyo-san, but I'm not the best choice to ask for love ad—"

"That's not all. Takeru's feet stink, he makes lots of noise when he eats, and he holds chopsticks weird, too. He's very condescending to store clerks, he's got terrible fashion sense, and he kills the mood at get-togethers all the time by dislocating his jaw..." Yumehara cut her friend off, enumerating all of her boyfriend's flaws. "These days, all I can see are his faults"

'Good grief. I normally couldn't care less about other people's relationships, but she might go after me again if they break up.' Azumi resisted the urge to look up and at the watching Saiki.

"okay, alright... What do you want me to do, Chiyo-san?"

"I predict that Takeru would bring me on a date later, before he walks me home. I want you to follow behind us, and if anything goes wrong, (like if we break up), atleast I have someone to be there for me." Yumehara turned away mid-sentence, whispering something inaudible—for an ordinary person—before continuing.

Azumi's features softened at her words. 'She just needs a friend.' She nodded, earning her a hug from Chiyo.

"Thank you, Azumi-san!"

.

.

.

'That's Chiyo-san's boyfriend?' Azumi thought, standing by the gate while holding open a book.

"Sorry to make you wait. Now that I'm here, the rain in your heart is—"

"Oh, it's fine. I just got here too." Yumehara didn't even let him finished, as she deadpanned at him.

'I'm guessing he was about to repeat his usual phrase Chiyo-san got tired of.' Azumi raised her eyebrows at the sight of Saiki behind one of the pillars of the entrance. 'Ah, he did say to himself that he wanted to salvage their relationship.'

"Wanna do something? Go somewhere?" Takeru started, walking beside Yumehara as they leave campus.

"Either is fine." Chiyo boredly replied.

"Then let's go somewhere."

"I can't go too far."

As the couple conversed, Azumi pretended to be busy reading her book as she follows behind. 'It'll be awkward to walk behind them with Kusuo-kun.' She resisted the urge to sigh, instead, she placed her free hand in her pocket. 'The two are heading to the town center... Maybe I can just stop by one place and wait until something bad happens to Chiyo-san.'

Azumi already turned a corner, opting for a shortcut to the town center and get ahead of the couple and Saiki. 'It beats having to act like I'm reading. And besides, Kusuo-san will be there to make sure everything goes perfectly.'

•°●•°●•°●

Azumi found a quiet café to rest and wait, having ordered a slice of cake to not raise suspicion. Her power limiter was turned off for her to listen to the thoughts of the people around her, primarily Saiki's, so as to keep track of Chiyo's actions.

Yumehara and Takeru's date was going smoothly, thanks to Saiki and his powers. 'I wonder when can I control mine like how Kusuo-san can control his.' Azumi sighed, lightly envying Saiki's ability to use his varying psychic powers at will.

'Her favorability meter is at ♡95♡. There's no way they can break up now, right?' Azumi had a bad feeling, suspecting that Saiki likely jinxed everything after thinking that. She stood up, grabbed her bag and dashed out of the shop.

'Good thing I paid after ordering.' Azumi headed to the direction of the Okonomiyaki place that Yumehara entered with her boyfriend. 'What is this 'favorability meter' anyway...?'

.

.

.

Saiki was about to turn and go home, having done so much for Yumehara's relationship, when he heard a yell from inside the Okonomiyaki shop. A voice belonging to a condescending, insensitive young man.

♡67♡

Takeru removed his shoes, his stinky feet fumes invading the air. "Man, I'm starving!"

♡49♡

He held up his hand that had his fingers weirdly tangled in his chopsticks. "Time to eat!"

♡31♡

He began chewing with his mouth open.

♡00♡

"... I can't take this anymore!" Yumehara ran out of the restaurant, crying as she leaves. "Goodbye!"

"Huh? Hey..." Takeru tried following after her, but he stopped at the restaurant's entrance, still chewing his food with his mouth open. "What's her problem?"

Azumi arrived just as Yumehara was about to bump into her. "Woah, hey. Are you alright, Chiyo-san?" She held the crying girl's shoulders to keep her upright, eyebrows furrowing in worry.

Yumehara peeked through the space between her fingers, immediately wrapping her arms around Azumi's neck once she saw it was her friend in front of her. "Wahh, Azumi!" The sudden physical contact distressed the psychic, she froze. "I broke up with my boyfriend!"

"... Um... There, there...?" Azumi hesitated, trying to choose her words right. She panicked when Yumehara cried louder, earning a few stares from the people passing by. "fuck, wrong words... um... ice–Ice... cream...?"

Yumehara sniffled, wiping her tears after withdrawing her arms from Azumi. "Ice cream?" She repeated, before brightening up a bit. "Yeah, ice cream will probably cheer me up after all that."

Azumi sighed in relief at her response. "Alright, I'll treat you to some ice cream."

——————————

"Kanasawa-san...!" Kaidou called out to Azumi as she walks along the school's hallways. She turned at the call of her name, just as Kaidou reached her. "I, the Jet Black Wings, will be holding a meeting later after school."

Kaidou had his hair covering one of his eyes, a serious look plastered in his face. "I have assembled formidable seni—no, allies in our quest to defeat Dark Renunion and stop their human seperation plan. We'll gather behind the school and discuss our plans." He turned and walked the opposite way Azumi was heading.

'Oh? He made friends, good for him.'

.

.

.

Azumi was fiddling with her ear cuff as she walks to the back of the school. Kaidou has always been talking to her about the secret organization of Dark Reunion, how overpowered he is despite the initial impression, and the reason behind his bandaged limb. She asked once about the torn hems of his shirt, pants and blazer, and was met with,

"I go through difficult battles everyday before school. Dark Reunion has been sending assassins after me, and I don't want to get the school involved, so I defeat them all before the morning bell rings."

Even though his thoughts reveal otherwise,

'I cut the hems of all of my uniforms, because it makes me, the Jet Black Wings, look cool.'

Azumi keeps hearing from others, even from Saiki, about how Kaidou has eight-grader syndrome. She searched about it, since it was the first time she heard about the syndrome, and was intrigued.

"Ah, Kanasawa-san, you're here." Azumi reached their meeting spot. There was Kaidou, but no sign of any one else. "The others are probably running late." He seemed to know what Azumi was thinking.

She nodded, walking towards him and laying her bag down on the bench. "How many are the 'others' we waiting for?" She knows Saiki was one of the others, having felt his presence nearby as he silently watches.

"There are four more, counting Saiki" Kaidou crosses his arms, trying to act tough and collected, but his thoughts were panicking. 'What if they don't show up?! That just means I wasted Kanasawa-san's time...! No Shun, they will come! The fate of the world rests on our hands! We have to be ready for Dark Reunion's next attack!'

•°●•°●•°●

'... they didn't come...' Kaidou sulked on the opposite end of the bench they were sitting. About 2 hours have passed, and the sun was shining just over the horizon. He hung his head low, his bangs covering most of his face. '... I wasted Kanasawa-san's time...'

Azumi hid her frown, head turned to her sad companion.

"Is he still there?" She piqued at the laughters her heightened hearing heard. She subtly looked up and saw the peeping heads of three seniors. "Yeah, dude, he's still there." They continue to fail to stifle their laughter.

Azumi faced front, trying to act like she was patiently waiting with Kaidou and ignorant of the three seniors' set up. She sensed the seniors peer over the window, leaning each of their elbows on the window frame, thinking he wouldn't look up and call them out. "What a loser. You were right when you said he had eight grader syndrome so bad." The three made fun of what Kaidou said to them when they first approached him, disparagingly mimicking his words.

"Haha, right?!—Hey, who's that chick with him?" One of them pointed out, the rest looking down in curiosity. "This is the first I've seen her. Is she a freshman?"

"I don't know."

Kaidou stood up, drawing Azumi's attention as she turned her head. The seniors ducked under the window. "I'm sorry I brought you here for nothing, Kanasawa-san." He grabbed his things and walked away with a half-hearted wave. He didn't bother to turn and look at her, he was too ashamed to. "I'll see you tomorrow."

This time, Azumi openly knit her eyebrows, worried of the effects of this prank to his mental state, before her expressions turned terrifyingly blank. An eerie and powerful aura surrounds her as her ear cuff lit up like a strobe light, indicating that it was trying to control the haywire burst of power coming from within the psychic.

"Ah, that was fun. Let's go."

"Hey, are we still on with our maze run?"

'Maze run... ?! They still have the nerve to go and have fun after fooling the poor heart of Kaidou?!'

"Heck yeah, come on."

'You all will pay for what you did to Kaidou...'

Azumi properly dealt with the three pieces of trash.

But she did not kill them. unfortunately

.

.

.

'Is she... really a psychic like me?'

——————————

Azumi was worried for Kaidou after yesterday, but he reassured her today by acting like usual. "I feel a great disturbance in the air today. What is Dark Reunion planning?"

"Let's go eat ramen!" Nendou exclaimed, as he walks home with Kaidou, Azumi and Saiki.

Azumi tried to walk behind them, but Nendou and Kaidou insisted she walks first, next to Saiki. So there she was, nervous out of her mind and mindful of her gait and expressions.

"Huh...?" She turned to see what grabbed Nendou's attention, stopping the other two in their tracks. "They installed a new playground over there... And there are no kids playing on them!"

"W–Wait—! Nendou!" Kaidou tried to stop him, but he was already running towards the monkey bars that seem too high for a small child to climb. "Hey, you can't play on those!"

Kaidou ran after him. 'Good grief. Those guys have the minds of preschoolers.' Saiki peeked at Azumi beside him. She had such an ignorant expression, with her eyebrows raised and mouth opened slightly, curiosity dancing in her eyes. 'Her expression right now is such a far cry from the one she made yesterday.' His eyes followed Azumi as she walks to sit on one of the swings.

Saiki observed the scene for a few seconds. Kaidou and Nendou were shouting at each other over the slide, while Azumi sits and watches them argue. 'This is probably the best time for me to go home now.' Saiki thought and turned to walk away.

"Hey Saiki...!" Kusuo clicked his tongue and faced Kaidou. "Come over here and tell Nendou that this is a jungle gym and not a prison for little kids!"

"I'm not the only one here. Ask Kanasawa." Despite the uninterested façade, Saiki walked over and sat on the other swing next to Azumi.

"See?! He said it's a jungle gym!"

"I said no such thing"

"Huh?! I thought it's a jail for children..."

"Idiot! Why would they add a jail for children in a park?!"

Saiki peeked once more at Azumi as Kaidou and Nendou continue to yell. 'She's awfully quiet today' He commented, assuming she knows that he knows about her previous usage of psychic powers.

Just after he finished his thought though, the girl spoke up, pointing at one of the playground equipment. "What's that called?" She asked, like a child.

Nendou and Kaidou ceased their argument, turning their heads at where she was pointing. "Merry-go-round?" Kaidou whispered the answer.

"Ah, that! It's a round-and-round-and-round!" Nendou gave Azumi a thumbs up while walking towards it.

"No, it's a merry-go-round! A. Merry. Go. Round!" Kaidou ran in front of the jock, and stepped up on the merry-go-round in efforts to seem taller.

Nendou took the opportunity to spin the playground equipment, causing his friend, who went ahead and climbed aboard it, to scream from the top of his lungs.

"NENDOU...! THAT'S ENOUGH, PLEASE!"

•°●•°●•°●

The street lights were already on by the time Azumi and Saiki were walking towards their houses, the sun having set minutes ago. They just came from having a ramen dinner with Kaidou and Nendou, and were now heading home.

The two grew used to the silence that falls on their atmosphere whenever they walk together. It was one of the rare quiet times Saiki gets after dealing with nuisances everyday, and he appreciates it. While in Azumi's case, she grew tired of the constant nervousness she feels at these times, so she gave up in filling the silence.

"See you tomorrow, Kusuo-san."

Azumi entered the gates of her house, still feeling the happiness from the afternoon's activities. And, oh, how she wished she knew what was coming for her once she entered the doors of her home.

"You're home late, Zumi-chan..."

Azumi froze in her steps, the small—almost nonexistent—smile on her face dropping. She was just about to walk past the open doors of the main living room, when she heard the voice of her father. She turned her head, hoping she was mistaken and was just hallucinating. She immediately regrets.

"Come here, my dear. Sit down." Akina, her mother beckons, as she was seated on one of the single seats. Aiken, her father, was seated on the other, opposite of his wife. A coffee table was laid in front of their diagonally-positioned seats, then a camelback sofa facing them.

Azumi didn't want to, but it would seem rude or even disrespectful to ignore her parents. Her legs shook, but with every step she takes, it would become almost unnoticeable. She was nervous, because this was the first in such a long time where they would talk face-to-face and was not over dinner. Atleast when conversing over food, she could avoid the discussion under the guise of eating. But right now, there are no distractions.

Once Azumi sat down in front of her parents, she stayed silent to let one of them start the conversation.

"Now, why were you late to go home?" Akina was the first to talk.

The young Kanasawa felt like she was in an interrogation room. The pressure she feels over the two pairs of eyes staring at her is overwhelming. "I... was out with friends... mom, dad." She tried to speak coherently, drawing out false confidence by raising her chin to meet her parents' eyes. "... We... stopped by the park and ate dinner at—"

"Who are these friends of yours?" Aiken cut her off.

"Kaidou Shun, Nendou Riki, and—"

"What did your group do for you to be home at this time?" Aiken continued.

"... We stopped by the park and ate dinner at Hayanari's ramen shop—"

"You had ramen for dinner?" The tone Akina used to state her words were heart-racing, and not in the good way.

"uh—Yes... mom."

"Hm, is that so?" The mother leaned back in her seat, meeting her spouse's stare for a moment before redirecting her gaze at her child in front of her. "Tell me, about your friends... Are they psychics?"

"..." Azumi hesitated at this, but tried to quickly recover. "No but–"

"If that's so, then why are you still hanging out with them?" Azumi's façade almost slipped at her mother's comment.

'She didn't let me finish.'

"You should be training your powers before it gets out of hand." Aiken spoke up. "Because of how late your powers awakened, you don't have much control over it than if you had them sooner."

'Ah, we're back at it with my powers again.' Azumi lowered her eyebrows and turned to look at the roaring fire in the fireplace, a little upset at the shift in conversation. Big mistake.

"Kanasawa Azumi. Look at us when we're talking to you." Her mother pronounced her full name, indicating that the topic has turned serious. "I don't remember teaching you such disrespectful manners."

'That's because you didn't. You and dad are gone most of the day, all week, every month.' She frowned this time, angry to the point of tears. She hid her gritted teeth and resisted the urge to glare at them.

"What's this...? You're talking back now?" Aiken stood up when his wife did. She was surprised, but soon that shock turned into irritation and disapproval.

'fuck' Azumi made the mistake of not shutting her mouth, because of her tendency to speak what's on her mind becoming a more common plot tool of the author to cause drama.

"What has gotten into you, Azumi?" Aiken tried to make sense of their daughter's sudden attitude. "Ever since you've started attending traditional school, you've been more recluse and irritable."

"Yes, you avoid us at dinner. And I suppose those friends of yours may also have an impact." Akina huffed, crossing her arms before sitting back down, her husband slowly following suit.

"what... what are you saying?" Azumi mumbled, suspicious of her parents' next words.

"I guess you'll have to go back to homeschooling if PK Academy has that much of an effect on you." At her mother's words, Azumi feels like she was electrocuted by lightning.

In her surprise, she jolted up on her feet. "That... That won't do, mot—mom... Wasn't the reason you've placed me in a traditional school was to well-round me? To cover the 'social skills' I lack?!" Azumi tried to reason, giving up on masking her emotions. "Mom, it's about time I meet people who can give me perspective into the life I wasn't able to live...!"

"Enough with this attitide! The whole reason we ever enrolled you here was to expose you to a more experienced esper...!" Akina didn't realize her slip-up until Aiken called her name.

"I—You... what?"

——————————

|A/N|

discuss the plot holes of "erratic heartbeats" with us! @ the link in my bio.

[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats ~chapter 4: coffee jelly~

⚠Minor Swearing⚠

Legend: "English unless stated otherwise" --- 'Thoughts' --- "Telepathically speaking" --- [Authors' Note]

==========

'Kusuo-san's relationship with Kaidou-san and Nendou-san is quite a peculiar one.' Azumi thought, watching through the gates of the school. She stopped her walk when she heard the voices of Kaidou and Nendou from the commotion they were creating. The duo was like a hurricane of noise, with the unfortunate Saiki caught in their gusts. The amount of uninterest on Saiki made Azumi question how he became close with the two.

His expressions almost brought her to be sympathetic of him–if it weren't for the fact his distress was caused by two of the people who offered to be her friend. She just met them a few days ago, so she wasn't in the position to fully judge the males' characteristics. Azumi isn't one to jump into conclusions about one's personality.

Saiki looked up and met Azumi's gaze, prompting the latter to send a polite wave, not wishing to come off as rude. She opt to turn and leave as soon as she was caught staring, but Saiki speedwalked to catch up to the psychic girl, leaving behind Kaidou and Nendou to question his urgent leave. He decided to use Azumi as an excuse for his getaway.

The abandoned two dismissed their friend's leave, an act which they rarely do because of how persistent they are, and resumed their light banter.

Once Saiki was pacing in line with Azumi, an awkward silence hanged in their air. 'Not this again.' Azumi internally groaned and complained while her companion was unfazed by the dull ambience. The girl took a peek at Saiki's usual stoic expression, stuffing her hands in the sewn-in hidden pockets she altered. Strangely, she found some comfort in his ease–or atleast, in the ease she think he's radiating. The way he doesn't mind Azumi's staring, or the barking of a dog nearby, or the wind brought about by the car that just drove by... now that she thinks of it... 'How nice.' Azumi felt warm. She was touched by the little act Saiki was making, walking next to her in a position nearer to the road.

Azumi smiled, but as she over analyzed her reaction, it gradually dropped. 'Oh dear, I didn't think I'd be this starved of affection.' She let out a petty laugh, accidentally. Saiki looked over at the mildly flustered female, who had a hand over her mouth, curious of the reason behind her sudden laughter. He stared at her, as if asking 'what she found funny'.

Azumi shook her head to show her companion the matter was trivial, and thought to change the subject. She racked her brain as they continue to walk towards their neighbourhood for any ideas. Coincidentally, the modest building of a convenience store came in view. 'It sure lives up to its name.' Azumi hid her smile, turning to the boy beside her. "I, uh, guess I'll see you tomorrow." 'Elaborate, Azumi.' "I'll just... go and buy something... in that store over there." She pointed and inched away towards the convenience store.

Saiki stopped when Azumi did, and watched as she stuttered on her words. He looked at where she was shyly gesturing. It was nothing out of the ordinary, a moderate-looking 7/11, until he read a sign put up on the glass. 'New arrival... 50% off on coffee jelly?!' His eyes subtly lit up and he walked past a cofused Azumi.

"Um.... okay, I guess... Atleast we changed the subject" She mumbled to herself, shrugging before following Saiki in.

'Coffee jelly, huh?' She heard her companion's thoughts, and she was intrigued. 'I've never tried that before. Kusuo-san seems to like it so much' Azumi tailed behind Saiki, until she froze and redirected her route. She walked through the aisles until she saw the coolers for beverages and ice cream. After grabbing her item, she searched for Saiki and found him in front of a shelf that was almost empty, save for a handful number of what Azumi assumes is coffee jelly.

'Ah, there are only two left.' Saiki thought, grabbing both. Just as he withdrew his hands, Azumi stopped beside him. She watched curiously as he looked over the label, making sure it is, indeed, coffee jelly. Saiki took note of her expressions. 'Either she doesn't have a preference over coffee jelly, or she's never tried it. It's more likely she hasn't had a taste of this because of how naïve she is to most of what Kaidou is bringing, but I'm only assuming.' He let out a silent sigh, before offering the second coffee jelly cup to Azumi.

The ends of her lips stretched upward, taking the cup from his bent hand. 'How considerate of you. Despite how much you love your coffee jelly and how scarce the stock is right now, you'd give me one, thinking spot on that this might be my first time trying coffee jelly.' Azumi looked at Saiki, her smile evident on her face. "Thanks."

•°●•°●•°●

'Chin, up... posture, straight... walk, dainty... and smile, pretty.' Teruhashi thinks, giving occasional waves to a few people she walks past. 'Perfect, Kokomi. You're the most perfect pretty girl in Japan–no, in the whole world!' The thought made her smile wider. She saw the 7/11 store she heard from one of her classmates, well, partially heard, she was too distracted with her own thoughts. Teruhashi heard about a sale, and decided to stop by on the way home.

She saw the sign for coffee jelly, but her eyes refocused on the scene behind the glass. 'Saiki Kunio?!' She didn't expect to see the only boy who hasn't reacted to her beauty–yet–in the same store she was heading to. 'This is great! I can finally make him say 'Oh'!–wait... who is...?' Teruhashi rejoiced, before lightly squinted her eyes, making sure to verify the identity of the person next to Saiki before jumping into conclusions.

'K-Kanasawa-san?!' Her eyes widened at the sight of Azumi beside Saiki, smiling at him while taking the last cup of coffee jelly from his hand. 'What–What are they doing together?! Are they on a date?!' So much for not jumping into conclusions.

Teruhashi felt a foreign emotion within her, locating vaguely in her stomach–or was it in her heart...? 'What is this? Am I hungry? Jealous? Or am I having a heart attack?' She was confused, wanting to put a label on this feeling so she can go home and search for ways to relieve it. It feels... weird... weird in a way she doesn't like. It makes her feel insecure, something that she's heard of but never experienced before–or atleast, not from her prior knowledge. Insecurity, to her, feels heavy around her chest, hinting the source to be at the heart. 'I'm jealous.' Teruhashi concluded, looking up and eyes following Saiki and Azumi as they walk towards the cashier.

'I'm jealous of Azumi... I can't believe it... ' Teruhashi snapped out, she was beginning to drown from the negative emotion. She hurriedly entered the store and went to grab a random item from the shelves in the room.

•°●•°●•°●

"Good afternoon, ma'am. Is this everything today?" Azumi filled her lungs with an inhale, ready to say out the words she recited over and over in her mind. "Are you using any coupons for today?"

...

'That... wasn't in the script' The panic lagged longer than usual, dread taking its place within Azumi as it waits to catch up. 'What am I supposed to respond to that again?'

"hah hah, what coupons?" She whispered idiotically, her mouth running faster than her mind.

The cashier looked at the girl in front of them as if they were witnessing a proposal in a public bathroom, eyebrow quirking at an angle. "I'll take that as a 'yes' to the first and a 'no' to the second, ma'am." Despite that, the cashier seemed friendly–or maybe they were just composed because they were still on the job–to continue to put up their smile. 'Ah, another one of those shy teenagers. Makes me wonder about that group of introverts early this afternoon.'

Azumi is ashamed at herself, wanting to be gobbled up by the very floor she is stepping on. She felt the eyes of both the cashier and her companion, and possibly another customer. 'Oh dear, just get this over with. I wanna go home.' From the corner of her eye, she saw Saiki slowly inching away. Azumi felt her chest drop before hearing another set of thoughts near her. 'Oh, so it was Teruhashi-san.' She thought Saiki was avoiding her because she just embarrassed herself a moment ago.

"Oh wow, what a coincidence!" Azumi was too distracted with her thoughts to have heard Teruhashi's, so it came as a slight surprise to see the attention-attracting girl in the same store as her. "What are you doing here, Saiki-kun?" Teruhashi tilted her head a bit to the side, wanting to add pretty points to her interaction with the boy.

The cashier bagged everything and Azumi gave the exact amount of money needed to pay. She turned to her companion, who was looking at her instead of the person who was currently talking to him. 'Come on, I know you don't like her presence, but atleast just say something.' Azumi walked over to Saiki, who was now next to the exit by how much he was subtly walking to get away from any more interactions.

Teruhashi felt Azumi approaching, but was too disheartened at Saiki's reaction to care much–however, she masked her expressions well. Instead, she faced Azumi, giving her a forced smile. "You're here too, Kanasawa-san?" 'No 'Oh'?! I can't believe it! Am I losing my charm?! No, no, that's not possible. But just in case, I should try it on the cashier. Yes... it's because of Saiki-kun, not me.'

"It's a surprise to see you as well, Kokomi-san." Azumi mentally reprimanded Saiki for making her groupmate doubt herself. Teruhashi realized Azumi was talking, snapping out from her thoughts only to catch the words '–well, Kokomi-san'. In response, Teruhashi simply forced out a small laugh. "Anyway, we'll be going now. See you tomorrow." Azumi waved and left together with Saiki.

Teruhashi internally panicked and hurriedly went to the cashier.

...

"What was that about Kusuo-san?" Azumi waited until they were in quite a distance from the store. "You completely ignored her. That was rude, in case you didn't know."

Surprised at her sudden switch of casualty from before entering the store, Saiki took a second to respond. "It's nothing." Simple as that. Azumi shrugged, understanding that he doesn't want to talk about it, and decided to switch the topic, although being a bit skeptical at his relationship with the popular girl.

"You don't really like talking much, do you?" The girl added, having only remembered enough times she heard him talk to count with one hand. "A shame, you have a nice voice." Azumi paid no mind to her sudden compliment, having accidentally said out loud her thoughts.

"Saiki-kun, wait for me!" They heard the exclaim of Teruhashi from a few meters behind them, leaving no room for Saiki to comment on his companion's words. The two stopped walking, but only Azumi turned to see Teruhashi jogging towards them. "It was a real coincidence to have seen you back there" She attempted to initiate conversation, deciding to temporarily ignore Azumi in hopes of getting a response from Saiki.

He ignored her, again, and turned to continue walking. Azumi deadpanned at the male's response. She trailed behind him, encouraging Teruhashi to follow suit. "Yeah, we were just on our way home, when we decided to stop by that convenience store" Azumi said once the pretty girl caught up beside her.

Her words pierced through Teruhashi's mind. "You two live near each other?" She wanted a confirmation to the new information, to which she received a nod. Teruhashi gave a contemplating and slow nod in return.

Saiki glanced behind him to subtly observe Azumi while she talks to Teruhashi. 'If she has powers similar to mine like telepathy, that explains why I've never seen her get startled even once, because she can hear other people's thoughts... including mine...' He returned his gaze to the path in front of him, partially ignoring the conversation happening behind him. 'But if she could hear my thoughts this whole time, why doesn't she respond whenever I try to telepathically talk to her. She isn't someone to ignore people she knows–atleast, from my perspective. There's also the case of her parents, the whole reason why I got intrigued in the first place.'

'Maybe she doesn't want other people to know.'

'Ah, getting suspicious now, Kusuo-san? I guess it's fine, we are both psychics after all.' Azumi smiled when Teruhashi reacted gleefully at her joke, giggling with a hand over her mouth. 'I'd probably tell him in time...  when I don't forget, that is'

==========

It's the first week of summer break, and usually people would go out on a vacation or enjoy the sun outside. However, contrary to what is accustomed by ordinary people, Azumi is seen inside her room. Her fingers are skillfully maneuvering the buttons and joysticks of her controller, playing one of the many games she brought with her from London. Driven by adrenaline, she slowly stands up, eyes glued on the screen.

'Come on...' She was alone in her home, a common situation she has grown used to. Her father was attending to an important patient of his, and her mother was holding an interview for new employees under their new branch here in Japan. Azumi's brother missed her call when she tried a while ago, most likely completing his thesis, as he was on his last year of completing his masterals. 'And... done.'

She sighed, placing her controller down next to the monitor, and raising her fingers to comb her hair. The screen displayed the words, 'Level Complete' in big and bold letters, with confetti sprinkled across the screen to congratulate the player.

Azumi was stretching her arms and back when a bang erupted from within the neighborhood, specifically in direction of the Saiki household. She hadn't expected the noise, having turned on her power-limiter, so she jolted. "what the fuck" She said under her breath, drawing the curtains and looking down on the house next door. Azumi fiddled with her ear cuff, the interior of Saiki's house coming in view, just as she witnessed Kusuo threaten to flick his finger at his father in a sort of joking way–atleast, she hopes it is. 'There's no way Kusuo-san would lead to such murderous ways.'

She continued to watch Kuniharu demand and complain, and Kusuo work to please. Azumi stayed quiet, leaning in her hand as it was propped on her windowsill, letting them solve the problem on their own, until Kurumi found out they were working with the wrong room. 'I stand corrected, Kusuo-san may have already lead to murder when he was at his lowest.' Azumi commented when Kusuo gave such a scary expression, the first she's seen of it coming from him.

'He should take a break.' Kusuo fixed the wall and left the two to deal with the same situation before he was ordered around. Azumi turned around after fiddling with her earring, the sight of her television and controller giving her an idea. 'That's it...'

•°●•°●•°●

"This is my room. There's the shelf for my books and there's the shelf for my video games." Azumi gestured around her room, letting Saiki familiarize himself. She didn't bother showing him around the house except for the bathroom, becasue she thought he wasn't interested in a tour, after all, she invited him for a couple rounds of 2v2 games. 'Hold on... does Kusuo-san even like playing video games?' She faltered on her walk to her monitor, turning to her guest.

"Do you play?" Azumi motioned her head to her console. "I was hoping to refresh my multiplaying skills." She didn't wait for his response before moving to plug in a second controller, having already read his thoughts.

Saiki approached the shelf for games and pulled one from one of the rows. This grabbed Azumi's attention, as she turned to read the title of the game he picked. "You want us to play that?" She asked for confirmation, turning on the screen and consoles. Saiki nodded and handed the case to Azumi. "It's been a while since I last played this, so you just might have a chance to have a win on our first game." She smirked at her words, excited to play with her neighbor.

Her reactions brought a small smile to Saiki's face, he liked the aura she gives off, a change from the two chaotic ones that hang around him. "I guess we'll see" He sat next to Azumi and the opening screen shone from the television.

==========

'If I can get closer to Azumi-san, I can hang out more with Saiki-kun! Then, I can finally hear him say 'Oh' to me.' Teruhashi schemed, walking towards the Kanasawa estate. She held an umbrella, the same one she was using when she first approached Saiki on the sidewalk, to shield her fair skin from the sun.

'Okay, just ring the intercom, Kokomi...' She hesitated, and she wondered why. 'We've been through the plan, just push that button' Teruhashi huffed when her body won't move. She looked around her to see if anyone's watching, and jabbed the handle of her umbrella on the intercom as quickly as she could to avoid any more postponing.

"what the fuck, Teruhashi" Azumi saw everything from the hallway in front of her room, having been from the kitchen to grab one of the coffee jellies she prepared last night.

She loved her first taste of the dessert, so much so that she bought the recipe from the restaurant who used to sell the most delicious of them, having also hired the same chef who created it to tutor her in the making of the decadent dessert. It was one of the times she decided to revel in her parent's riches.

Azumi placed down her cup in her room, before teleporting behind the double doors leading outside. She creaked open one of them, before walking to the gates where she could see Teruhashi smiling through and at her.

Teruhashi waited until she opened the gate to talk. "Good afternoon, Azumi-san! Since I happened to pass by, I was thinking we could hang out today." She beamed, closing her eyes and already expecting what the answer to be.

'By that I guess you mean worrying outside the gate to the point of slamming your umbrella on the intercom'

"H-Huh, um-umbrella? What do you mean, Azumi-san?" Teruhashi nervously asked, a finger scratching her cheek as if it suddenly became itchy.

'Oops, I guess I said it out loud' Azumi resisted the urge to sigh, and to slam the gate and go back to her awaiting coffee jelly, but that's not the issue here. "I guess I kind of saw you in front of my house while I was walking to my room." She pointed at the right side of the highest floor of her house, where her room was generally located. "But it's okay to be nervous, it's natural–"

"I wasn't nervous!" Teruhashi accidentally cut Azumi's sentence, her hand raised to join the other in holding the handle of her umbrella. "I mean—! Azumi-san, you seem more snarky than usual, are you doing okay today?" It was quick of her to change the subject.

The psychic shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "I'm sorry if I seem that way, Kokomi-san. I'm not really in the mood right now." Azumi furrowed her brows, feeling a little apologetic at Teruhashi's efforts, but she doesn't like her intentions at all. "Maybe next time I could accompany you somewhere." She waits for Teruhashi's response before she can close the gate.

"What if we were to go to a café in town?" Teruhashi knew she liked sweets, so she hoped the idea of cake would convince Azumi out of her home. "I know a nice place."

Azumi almost sighed out loud. 'Knowing Teruhashi-san, she won't stop until I hang out with her.'

...

She wishes to be alone in her room, wearing loose and baggy clothes while playing her video games. Instead, she was sitting in a booth, looking out the window while Teruhashi states their order to the waitress. 'It would have been fine if you invited me because you actually like my presence, and not because I'm standing in your way of wooing Kusuo-san.' Azumi knew it would be suspicious to voice out her complaints, so she made sure to keep her thoughts to herself this time.

Once the waitress left to go get their food, Teruhashi faced Azumi. "You look great today, Azumi-san!" She suddenly beamed, trying to start their conversation. When Azumi was about to thank her, Teruhashi continued. "Say, when did you move into your neighbourhood? You haven't talked about that to me yet."

'Might as well just go with it.' Azumi exhaled through her nose. "A few days before our first day of school, our new house renovation finished and we flew here from London after hearing the news." Teruhashi nodded, wanting to indicate that she was listening. "My parents hit it off with Kusuo-san's parents on the same day we moved in. I didn't know he'd be my classmate when school started. It was such a coincidence."

'She's already on first name basis...' Kokomi noted, and just as Azumi finished her talk, the waitress came in with their cake. 'I cant believe they're already this close.' The two of them thanked their server, before continuing. "I see... So, how's your summer break going? Have you gone to somewhere for vacation?"

At the sight of the cake, Azumi seemed to have blurred everything except for the sweet in front of her. She ate her first bite, then her second immediately after. For someone who has a sweet tooth, this is Azumi's first time to have a taste of strawberry shortcake. She was so indulged in her cake, that she hadn't heard of her companion's words.

'She looks kind of cute when she eats sweets...' Teruhashi mentally commented, before realizing her thoughts. 'What–What am I talking about?! She does not–' Azumi saw Kokomi's unmoving form, and grew conscious if her staring.

'Is there something on my face?' She subtly wiped the surroundings of her mouth, nervously smiling at her. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"A-Ah, it's nothing important." Teruhashi waved her hands to add emphasis, before grabbing her own fork. "I was just curious on how Kanasawa Azumi's life goes." She smiled down on her cake, poking a little before slicing.

Azumi looked at Teruhashi, mixed emotions bubbling within her at what to think of the pretty girl. 'She just needs someone to truly call a friend. She needs someone to help her discover new feelings and reactions, which is why she found it hard to cope with Kusuo-san's reaction.'

Azumi returned Kokomi's smile. 'And I guess that's where we are alike; our ignorance, specifically towards unfamiliar emotions and interactions.'

'And I hope we can help each other fix that.'

==========

"Haaah... not again."

Atsuhiro sighed, grabbing the attention of his friend. "Hmm? What's got you down so suddenly?" Kusuke shifted his gaze from one document to another, not bothering to turn and look at his companion.

The two young geniuses sat in swivel chairs in front of their respective desks that enables them to sit back to back. They had their own laboratory that serves as their office as well. Rich enough to afford their own spacious rooms, they decided to share one that is as wide as a whole floor of their building, because as they reason, 'to maximize intellectual cooperation and to minimize little mistakes'.

They may be friends, but their pursuit of technology and intelligence always goes first for them, which is why Kusuke asked 'what was wrong' in light of caution more than concern.

"I missed another one of Azumi's calls." The mention of the girl's name grabbed the attention of Kusuke, who placed down the papers in his hands and turned to watch his friend's reactions. "I guess she called while I was in the Botany department." Atsuhiro had his brows furrowed, guilty of having let down his sister again.

"I mean, she knows we're normally this busy. She's grown used to it by now." Kusuke is never one for sentiment, he lacks empathy for it, but he tried to to comfort his friend, nevertheless. "Azumi knows you're occupied with your research and thesis."

"I appreciate your efforts at consoling me, but this is more than a missed call for me." Atsuhiro placed his phone down, turning but not fully to face Kusuke. "I'm afraid she's gotten used to being alone." He was about to talk more, but stopped. The thought of oversharing plaguing his mind.

"Well, how about you hack into her monitor and talk to her there? You know she's likely to be playing."

Atsuhiro faced Kusuke, looking at him as if he has mutated to grow another head. "Are you crazy?!" Kusuke was about to open his mouth to speak when his friend shut him up. "Don't answer that." He glared. "She might kill me. You know how engrossed she becomes when playing video games."

Atsuhiro turned his back at Kusuke, attempting to get back to work. "You should worry about your own little psychic." He changed the topic. "Your design for his power limiter is horrible. Change it."

Kusuke laughed at this. "What, you don't like his antennas?"

"They were so hideous, he went as far as mind-controlling people to think it's normal."

"Oh well"

==========

"Ah, Kuu-chan. Azumi-chan stopped by a while ago and wanted me to give you this."

Kusuo walked towards his mother as she holds up a colorful paper bag. He furrowed his eyebrows lightly, taking it from his mother's hands. For some reason, he couldn't see through the material of the paper, but soon remembered it was from Azumi. "Thanks." He opened the bag after untying the ribbon.

'Hmm?' Kusuo's eyes widened, he raised the clear container than encased the most lavish-looking coffee jelly he has ever seen to make sure he wasn't imagining anything. The plastic had lightly fogged, most likely because the dessert was straight from a refrigerator. There were two more of the coffee jelly in the paper bag, together with a note. Kusuo placed the dessert he was holding down to read the letter.

'to make up for the coffee jelly you gave me last time...

not to brag or anything, but I made these myself B-)'

He appreciated her efforts greatly, smiling to himself as he scooped a spoonful of his coffee jelly, and Kusuo was in bliss.

'Delicious.'

----------

|A/N|

a long chapter after a long wait. however, if you want updates a day early, I draft my work at ao3, then follow-up with the rest of the platforms I post this story.

my humor cannot match up to the anime's because it's filled with angst and sadness, but I'll do my best :)))

discuss plot holes of "erratic heartbeats" with me! @ the link in my bio.

[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats ~chapter 3: arts project? more like stress wreaked~

⚠Minor Swearing⚠

Legend: "English unless stated otherwise" --- 'Thoughts' --- "Telepathically speaking" --- [Authors' Note]

==========

The moment Azumi's subject teacher dismissed her students, greeting everyone a pleasant lunch, the girl was already out and about the room. It was odd behavior considering Azumi is usually someone who takes her time, but she wished to spend her lunch alone for once since the start of the school year.

Kaidou, Saiki and Nendou were pleasant company for Azumi, however she never feels like she is giving in the same amount of effort as her group does when it comes to their friendship. And it has been on her mind since the three became her friends. She appreciates them and the things they do for her, but there is always the lingering feeling of guilt, as if she is intruding in their friend group.

Azumi walked through the side of the school's courtyard, stopping under a tree to watch a game of dodgeball. She was intrigued at the sport, having only been taught and learned to play games that required at least 1 or 2 people to play. Her eyes followed the red rubber ball as it traveled to and from the opposite sides of the court, hitting a number of players while being thrown across.

Despite concentrating almost fully on the game of dodgeball, Azumi reacted reflexively when the ball from the volleyball court close to where she stood deviated from their target. She blinked in surprise, shifting her gaze from the ball in her hands to the equally surprised volleyball players. A few had their mouths ajar after shouting words variating from "Watch out!". A player approached Azumi, eyebrows knitted and eyes still wide, half from surprise and half from amazement.

"I'm so so sorry. On behalf of the team, we deeply apologize. You almost got hurt..." She gave a bow, showing her sincerity even though Azumi found the situation as not much of an issue. Some other volleyball players jogged over and repeated apologies of their own.

"It's fine. It's fine" Azumi unnecessarily repeated herself, shifting the ball from one hand to another before throwing the ball to the player standing near the net. She unconsciously used it as a fiddle. "I didn't get hurt and I think that's what matters"

"And thank goodness for that" The same player who first approached her heaved a sigh of relief, before meeting Azumi's gaze, eyes shining in admiration at the girl. "Anyway, you've got amazing reflexes! Do you play volleyball? I think I speak for everyone when I say I would love to see you play"

"I... I don't... I don't play volleyball," Azumi stuttered, entangling her fingers together and shaking her head–no. She tried to resist the urge to rock on her heels. "but... I've always wanted to try it."

"That's perfect! With your capabilities, you'll surely be one of the best players here after a few weeks" The other players got sick of waiting for their friends, they walked over to hear what they were conversing. "You should come sometime after school, I'll gladly teach you the ropes" The captain, Azumi assumes with the thoughts of the volleyball players, offered, a bright smile adorning her face.

Azumi blinked in slight surprise, half-expecting the captain to openly invite her, a stranger. She slowly raised the corners of her lips, showcasing a small smile. "That sounds nice"

A beat of silence, then within a flip of a switch, the other players started shouting invites of their own. Their voices mixed horribly with each other, leaving no word understandable. Azumi is left shocked at the sudden outburst, her mind lagging a few seconds.

'Oh dear...'

°●•°●•°●

'What am I being so nervous about? She's just another classmate'  Teruhashi walked through the halls. Consecutive "Oh"s fill the hallways and blushes adorn the faces of the boys she pass. She convinces herself with her thoughts, 'That's right! She's just new here. No one is more perfect than me. Just ask these students here gawking at me.'

The farther she walks from her classroom the more her thoughts become unheard. Her internal dialogues become muffled because of the commotion going about outside the building. She resisted the urge to click her tongue, her smile twitching and threatening to drop. Teruhashi looked through the window to find the source of the racket that disrupted her thoughts. A class was having their PE, some students who formerly were playing volleyball huddled under a tree in the school courtyard. Teruhashi's semi-permanent smile dropped at the sight of Azumi in the middle, distress flashing through the introvert’s expressions for a split second. Something in Teruhashi clicked, and she leaned on the nearest open window. "Kanasawa-san! Let's have lunch together!" She didn't know what had gotten into her, but she convinced herself that she was helping Azumi out by getting her out of her situation. 'Yes, that's right. I'm just so kind, aren't I?'

Azumi, together with the rest of the students in the quad, whipped their heads at the exclaim of the school's proclaimed pretty girl. A chorus of "Oh"s resonated, successfully creating a distraction for Azumi to round the tree she was cornered in and enter one of the school's buildings. Teruhashi's mood internally deflated at the girl's reaction, closing the window and speed-walking to the cafeteria. 'She ignored me? Not even a polite smile? Nothing?! No one can possibly ignore me! Except maybe Saiki Kunio, but he just can't get over how I approached him first!'  The pretty girl realized how disheartened she was at what happened, slowing down her pace to a stop. 'Am I sad because she didn't want to have lunch with me? No, that's not it. Why would I? I'm just embarrassed because I was ignored.'

She shook her head, as if it would repel her thoughts from her head.

Teruhashi stood in front of the doors that lead to the cafeteria, contemplating if she should enter since she didn't have Azumi with her after openly inviting her a while ago. She turned and walked away, only to return a minute later. She swiftly caught her hand from pushing open the double doors and froze, deciding on her following actions. If she enters without the girl, people would assume she was stood up, 'Because, I mean, who would ditch me??'  But if she searches for Azumi, people would assume she was being avoided. Teruhashi needs to weigh her options well, because her reputation is on the line.

"... Hey, Teruhashi-san" An arm wrapped around Teruhashi's shoulders, causing her to flinch at the sudden contact. "Sorry to scare you. Shall we go?" Azumi gestured calmly at the cafeteria doors while her companion tried her best not to fuss out loud at their proximity. Despite holding up a collected expression, Azumi's façade was a far cry from her anxious thoughts that was wreaking chaos around her mind.

In truth, while Teruhashi was mulling over whether to enter the cafeteria or not, Azumi was pacing next to the vending machine located not that far from the double doors. She was equally conflicted as Teruhashi, her thoughts running miles as she constructed a plausible dialogue to say. She did rehearsals in her head, before nodding to herself. Her words a while ago was not what Azumi had prepared in her head, but it was good enough to not be roasted in her mind or become a potential face-palming moment in the future.

"A-Ah, Kanasawa-san, yes-yes let's go" Kokomi's voice shook as she tried to collect herself. Azumi noticed Teruhashi's not-so-discreet staring directed at her arm, so she dropped it from her shoulders. She understood her companion's uncomfortability, because Azumi knows it would be her reaction as well when a similar situation arises. She cleared her throat before giving Teruhashi an awkward smile, pushing open the cafeteria doors.

°●•°●•°●

"Are you sure you're alright, Yumehara-san?"

Startled at the call of her name, Yumehara almost fell forward at the loss of support from her prompted palm. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry about that, Kanasawa-san. Where were we?" She sat upright, grabbed her book and began flipping pages.

"You actually missed the page. It's page 10, and you're… already on 34… Say, what's bothering you, Yumehara-san?" Azumi laid her hand on Yumehara's, successfully halting it from flipping the book over. She knitted her brows as she stared at her absentminded companion. "I think I'm reliable enough to help you if... it's possible."

Yumehara stared back at Azumi, contemplating. The former looked down, before her mouth slowly inched up to form a smile. Yumehara let out a soft sigh. "Have you ever been in love, Kanasawa-san?" She reconnected her gaze with her partner.

Azumi's look of concern contorted into one of confusion. Her once knitted eyebrows were now loose and raised at an angle. "Love?... Do you have a crush?" Yumehara partially covered her face with her hands, a slight blush creeping in before she nodded in affirmation.

"He's so dreamy~ Oh, my prince, always looking so handsome," The girl swooned, letting out another soft sigh. "I just can't seem to stop thinking about him these days" Yumehara glanced past her partner and stared at the pink-haired psychic. He sat up straight, his constant blank face portrayed for everyone to see. However, in the eyes of the brunette, there were sparkles around him and his lips stretched up into a wide smile. Two distinct point of views.

Azumi followed her gaze and whispered more to herself than to her companion, "Saiki Kusuo?" Alarmed, Yumehara's hand flew and covered Azumi's mouth despite her saying his name in a hushed voice and their other classmates staying at a reasonable distance from where they were. The blush grew on Yumehara's face, embarrassed at the fact she had made it obvious.

"Please don't tell anybody, Kanasawa-san!"

Azumi stared at Yumehara for a moment, her mind lagging a few seconds, before she lowered the hand from her mouth. "Of course I won't, Yumehara-san. I'll keep your secret. I actually appreciate you telling me" She displayed a little smile for Yumehara to prove her sincerity. At a loss of words, Yumehara stuttered, slowly drawing back her hand. The brunette glanced away, shifting her gaze constantly and only looking at Azumi's eyes a few times.

"U-Uh… How about–How about you, Kanasawa-san? Do you have someone you like?"

"... mhm, no, not really. Love doesn't cross my mind very often" Azumi turned to her notebook, lifting her pencil and scribbling more details to the rough draft of their project. Curious, Chiyo watched as her partner draws. "... But now that I think about it, my crushes have mostly been comprised of 2D people."

Her words left Yumehara gaping in shock, but before she could let out a comment, the teacher ordered for the students to return to their original seating as she concludes the subject. Azumi gathered her things, standing up after she tucked her pencil in her notebook. "I'll contact you to discuss our project later tonight. Is that alright?"

"O-Oh, sure, yeah. S-See you around, Kanasawa-san." The latter gave a little wave before turning to walk back to her seat.

——————————

Classes went by quickly, and Azumi and Yumehara walk towards the shoe lockers side by side on the hallways. "Okay, so… I thought we could add a little curtain that could open and close. To, you know, add a little suspense before the audience can see the inside of our diorama." Yumehara gestured, shifting her gaze from the halls to her partner's eyes.

Azumi nodded, considering her suggestion. "You mean the curtains during plays?"

"Yes! That one! Can we do it?"

"I don't see why not"

"Yay! Okay, for materials... I know the owner of this store—" Chiyo was cut off when someone called their names. The two turned to see Teruhashi, beaming as she walks towards them. "Hiragi-sensei is looking for you two. He says it's about your Arts project for the semester." She explained as Azumi and Yumehara glanced at each other, both equally confused at the suddenty.

The three walked together to the teachers' office, engaging in mild conversation as they go. "What do you think Hiragi-sensei called us for, Kokomi-san?" Yumehara asked a bit hesitantly because, from what Azumi could hear from her mind, Chiyo was confused about the level of closeness she has with Teruhashi. 'Are we even close enough for me to be calling her with her first name?'  She masked her dilemma well.

"He didn't tell me much about it, just something about the diorama-making project," Teruhashi said. 'Maybe Hiragi-sensei will finally switch my partner. She wasn't very cooperative since we've been assigned together. I hope I can group with Kanasawa-san'

'There is a high probability of that happening.'

"Good afternoon. Is Hiragi-sensei here?"

“Ah, thank you Teruhashi-san. Kanasawa-san, Yumehara-san, regarding your project this semester," Kokomi nodded and was about to leave (not really because she was hoping to be called back to discuss about her project), but their subject teacher stopped her. "This involves you too, Teruhashi-san… As I was saying, Teruhashi-san's partner is absent today because she was sick, correct? Well, she apparently was injured while out in the night rollerblading. I assumed she lied about her situation. She suffered a few major fractures and is in the hospital at the moment. She may not be able to attend school for the following month, and unfortunately, that leaves Teruhashi-san to burden herself with carrying the project by herself, so I will assign her to your group. Is that alright with you three?"

"--Yes, Hiragi-sensei"

"--Yes, HIragi-sensei"

"Very well, sorry for the trouble. You are dismissed."

Azumi closed the door behind her just as Teruhashi let out a little squeal. 'The universe is always in my favor~'

"Looks like we're groupmates now, Kokomi-san." Yumehara said, snapping the glowing lamp for moth boys girl out from her little surge of joy. Teruhashi cleared her throat and grinned at her new partners, trying her best to surpress her excitement.

"Yes, please treat me well."

——————————

'What is time?

because I sure know nothing about managing it.'

Azumi bolted out of her bed the moment her mind woke up and began listing the objectives for the day. She was supposed to meet with Yumehara and Kokomi at 10 am to buy the rest of their materials. After which, they will go to the Kanasawa residence to begin the making of their project.

It is 9:50. And their meeting place is a 30-minute walk from Azumi's home.

'They probably will think horribly of me if I don't show up on time'  Panic is not a foreign feeling for the girl, but she never learns how to deal with it despite how common she experiences it. Azumi's mind goes blank and silent at the time she needs it to run. She paces around her room, absentmindedly packing objects she thinks she might need in her bag, hoping to make her brain work with the stimulation.

This is one of the times the psychic hopes she has the power to manipulate time, to stop it for even a little while.

Powers... Azumi remembers she has them, and she freezes to cuss herself for a second. Because there's always time for that.

She uses her abilities to her advantage as she selects a hoodie and jeans. As she changes and finalizes her look, Azumi grabs her phone and attempts to dial her mother, hoping for parental assistance because she couldn't think for herself at the moment. When she didn't pick up, she tried her father, but he couldn't answer the phone. She didn't try again. Both are likely busy with their occupations. She stared at her mobile, a wave of melancholy washed over her, before she snapped out of her trance and to the situation at hand.

'Fuuuuck, I can't teleport to the meeting place because it's too public'  Azumi rubs her temple as if it will help her come up with ideas. She glanced at the clock and sighed in frustration.

Azumi doesn't know if it's because she just woke up or because she's normally that self-deprecatingly stupid and only realizes it now, but the only thought that occupies her empty mind is, 'Invincibility. Invincibility. Invincibility. Invincibility'

So she gave up on the stress and tried cloaking herself but to no avail. Azumi repeatedly tried, growing increasingly troubled at every failed attempt. She rubbed her face and combed her hair with her fingers, her hand grazing metal. Her mind buffered for a second before Azumi let out a growl of irritation. She aggressively twiddled with her ear cuff, so much so that it began to hurt. She ignored the pain and proceeded to turn herself invisible. Azumi teleported behind a tree. She surveyed the area before uncloaking herself and stealthily walking to an entrance of the park. She casually re-enters the place as if her mind wasn't just hit with overwhelming stress so suddenly and was spotted by Yumehara.

"Oh, Kokomi-san, I see Azumi-san over there!" Yumehara gently held her companion's elbow in hopes of drawing her attention away from the group of people that gathered around. It did, and Teruhashi watched with Yumehara as Azumi walked over to where they sat, smiles plastered on their faces.

'The people are staring. I KNOW they are. Fuck. They're judging you. Cover your ear; they can see your ear cuff. They'll think you're a freak'  Azumi walked stiffly and awkwardly towards her groupmates, mindful of the eyes that follow her every move. She stood in front of her classmates, untucking her hair. 'Greet them, damn it. You have a mouth for a reason.'

"Hi, sorry I'm late..." Azumi hid her hands in her pockets. "Did you two wait long?"

"No, not at all, you're just in time. Let's go?" Chiyo bent her wrist dismissively at Azumi's words before facing Teruhashi. The bluenette politely bid goodbye to the cohort that formed, and greeted Azumi. Silence consumed the three's ambiance as they walked out of the park. "You're very popular, Kokomi-san," Yumehara decided to speak, attempting to start a conversation. She hoped Azumi would join in and not be left out, but the girl silently lagged behind the two, providing space for other pedestrians to walk by.

Teruhashi followed Yumehara's gaze, and the idea clicked in her mind. "I don't think I'm that popular." She outwardly humbles herself to respond, a far cry from her self-centered thoughts, before moving on to a different topic. "I kinda want to see where you live, Kanasawa-san."

Azumi ripped her gaze from a nearby tree and focused on the eyes of her companions. "Ah, my... my house...? Uhm, you will see after we buy the rest of our materials. We will make our project there, right?" She alternated between Yumehara's honey brown eyes and Teruhashi's dark blue ones, confused and searching for confirmation. 'Did they change plans while they were waiting for me?'

"O-Oh yeah" Teruhashi awkwardly laughed in response, embarrassed at the fact she forgot about their plans. "Yeah, we'll go after buying the rest of our materials" Azumi nodded, pursing her lips before averting her eyes to the trees.

Yumehara led the two to a small bookstore after having walked through a few streets. "Here we are!" The brunette grabbed her friends' hands without warning and burst through the doors. They encountered a few problems while searching the isles, like how they found out the store sold out of red cloth that they planned to use as curtains. But Teruhashi suggested a possible plan for the issue and they continued on without another problem.

Except...

'Shit my wallet'

Color drained from Azumi's face after confirming the absence of her money thrice. 'This is why I'm horrible under pressure' She resisted the urge to sigh before tapping on the shoulder of Yumehara. "Hey... uhm... I... think I forgot my wallet at home. Is it possible for me to postpone my contribution? At-At least until we arrive at my house...?" She was nervous as she awaits Yumehara's response, fiddling with the strap of her bag.

"Yes, of course" Relief washed over Azumi. She never pictured Yumehara as someone rude, so she half-expected a polite answer, but her mind would have none of it and still influenced her otherwise.

"Thank you, I promise to pay my contribution"

°●•°●•°●

"This..." Two pairs of eyes widened, their sizes comparable to saucers. The two unconsciously raised their voices, their words coming out in sync. "This is where you live?!"

Azumi got anxious at their reaction, not used to inviting people into her home. "... yeah...?" It sounded more like a question than a statement because of how unsure Azumi is to respond. She stuffed her hands in her pockets.

Yumehara noticed her friend's response, moving to hold Azumi's hands in her own. "It's the most elegant house I've ever seen!" She hoped to minimize her companion's hesitation.

"I agree!" Teruhashi beamed, joining their hands with her own to add her support. The two nodded their heads rapidly, smiling the widest Azumi has seen them sport.

Her groupmates' efforts reassured Azumi. She gave a small but genuine smile before opening the gates for them to enter.

Being homeschooled her whole life, Azumi never felt the experience of having friends to invite or tour her home. She never learned how to grow or even start her social life without her mother forcing other children to make their acquaintance with her. She wanted to do things without being told to, to make decisions on her own accord.

Azumi holds expectations for PK Academy. Expectations that are not even close to the level her parents had for her.

[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats ~disclaimer~

Greetings and salutations, before we begin with the book, there are a few things we would like to clear up. It would be appreciated if you read this to the end.

First and foremost,

We, my fellow author and I, do not claim ownership on the characters and main plot of "Saiki Kusuo no Sai-nan" that was made as basis for this fanfiction. We do, however, own the original characters and dialogue, created with the power of our combined imagination and wavering focus.

All rights reserved.

Second,

If the names of my co-author’s OCs are those of someone you know, this is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction and your acquaintances influenced no part of her original characters.

Third,

If you spot any typos or grammatical errors within the chapters, feel free to message me in my account. Constructive criticism is accepted, however, kindly filter your words and observe proper netiquette before doing so. Please don't be so harsh.

And last,

If there are any queries or questions regarding the book, or if you would like to have a little conversation, my links are in my bio. Feel free to reach out. I will try my best to answer your questions or clear any confusions. Spoilers, though, I will not tell.

Thank you very much and we hope you'll stick to the end ❤

[audiblesmirking]

Masterlist [erratic heartbeats]

disclaimer

chapter 1: who???

chapter 2: you got a friend in me

chapter 3: arts project? more like stress wreaked

chapter 4: coffee jelly

chapter 5: she sells seashells by the sea—ohmygod SHE'S DROWNING

chapter 6: you gotta love them over-affectionate characters (NEW CHAPTER)

other chapters coming soon

[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats ~chapter 2: you got a friend in me~

⚠Minor Swearing⚠

Legend: "English unless stated otherwise" --- 'Thoughts' --- "Telepathically speaking" --- [Authors' Note]

==========

'Japan's quiet,'  Azumi commented, her gait slow in order to appreciate the peace and observe her new neighborhood. A bag containing PK uniforms hangs on her fingers. There would be light breezes from time to time, blowing through her hair and rustling the leaves of the trees around. Compared to London, there were less cars driving by, despite the day being a weekend. 'School starts tomorrow and yet I still haven't finished the last level of "Dynasty and Descent". Seriously, what was wrong with homeschooling?' Azumi's mind wanders, stopping herself once she reached a tall metal gate that stood out from the rest of the houses. The meticulously twists, turns, and engravements of the metal is able to have anyone gawk.

She stood in front of her new home, raising a brow at the lock that secures the gate shut 'They both left?' Azumi questioned herself before fishing out her keys in the bag she held, unlocking the padlock and a few gate latches that pegs the metals to the ground and to each other. She made sure to secure the latches back, before proceeding to unlock the front door 'They probably went to greet the neighbors'

The walk to Azumi's room is tiring. The grandiose house's entirety was what her flamboyant mother envisioned, Akina was the one who took charge in the renovation of their new property since the beginning stages of planning. The conglomerate CEO is often one who basks in her success, hence the lavish abode. Azumi passed a few flights of stairs before freezing, slapping a palm on her forehead, 'I could just fucking teleport' Azumi cursed at her forgetfulness, having been used to the life before her powers came. Within no time, she arrived in the comforts of her own room. Placing the uniforms in the wardrobe, she lay plump on the bed.

——————————

"What the fUCK, YOU DICKHEADS," Azumi was seething with rage as her brother and his friend ran as fast as they could away from the infuriated, soaking wet girl, stifling their laughter as they dashed. Her reaction was more than what they had expected, and turned out to be funnier than they thought. They sprinted around the campus of the boys' college, running through stairs and empty hallways, desperate to arrive at their laboratory to successfully separate themselves from Azumi until she could either burn out from exhaustion or cool down from her anger "COME BACK HERE. I WILL FUCKING OBLITERATE YOUR FACES, DASTARDLY HEIFERS"

Atsuhiro huffed a breath of annoyance, the sound not going undetected by his companion despite the wind whipping at their faces as they ran as fast as they could "I fucking told you so, Kusuke"

"Well, wouldn't you know it, she's mad. Who's idea was this again?" Kusuke panted, sounding quite proud of Azumi's reaction despite the consequences they were facing.

"This was all your idea, jackass"

Kusuke simply laughed as they ran out of the building and are now crossing the field to their laboratory "Have you seen your face when she looked at us? It was a mixture of repressed laughter and instant regret"

"I swear, I WILL trip you if you won't shut up" Atsuhiro threatened, now was not the time to be distracted when the she-devil was chasing them. His friends' laughter immediately was cut short when a shiver went up their spines at the voice that whispered behind them "You both run like hookers"

——————————

The memory was when Azumi first met her brother's friend. The girl blinked a few times, confused at why she thought of the memory, before her hand reached up to her ear and fidgets her ear cuff. Gradually, voices start to flood in her mind. She laid unmoving, concentrated on trying to locate thoughts involving her family or their recent moving. She succeeded. The Saiki's, what a coincidence, were hosting Azumi's parents. 'Kusuke's family. They would likely talk for another hour or two, seeing as Kusuke' s mother is just as chatty as mine'

Azumi sat up, her beautiful hair swaying at the sudden movement. Whilst fidgeting her ear cuff, the girl walked over to her monitor. The screen lit up after she plugged it in and pushed the button, the fantasy game "Dynasty and Descent" placed in to be played. 'I'd probably finish this before they come back' Azumi challenged herself.

•°●•°●•°●

‘Saiki Kusuo, huh?' Azumi laid on her belly as she eavesdrops on his thoughts regarding her parents. She finished the game and cleaned up the room twice before she thought of listening in on her neighbors. 'A curious one, aren't you? But I can't blame him, he must have been lonely growing up being the only psychic he knows' She empathized with the boy, swinging her legs absentmindedly.

After some time, Azumi sighed, before teleporting to their kitchen. She opened and closed cabinets and cupboards in search of something to appeal to her boredom-driven hunger. She grabbed her favorite snack and a drink, immediately digging in. Because her teleportation required some time before she can use it again, she walked back to her room. Azumi had most of her attention on her phone while her food levitated around her, following as she walks. Her mind flitted to the topic of cellphones in Japan, 'I haven't seen anyone with their phones since we arrived. Is it some kind of unspoken rule or something?' The girl contemplated over whether or not she should use her device in public so as to fit in.

Azumi walks through one of the hallways that overlook the front yard, the sun’s setting rays casting an orange tinge on everything not under a shadow. She took a moment away from her phone and glanced at the road in front of their residence, there she saw her parents and the rest of the Saiki family. Akina and Aiken pushed open the gates lavishly for the guests, earning a sigh from their daughter as she continued her walk 'They'll likely call on me as soon as they enter', Azumi groaned as nervousness bubbled in her at the thought of greeting their guests 'I don't want to though'

She arrived in her room, throwing away her litter in the trash can at the corner, before proceeding to clean her room for the third time. Aiken knocked on the door the moment she laid down her bed after sweeping the area under it, "Come on down, Zumi, meet Kusuke's family" She walked next to her father in silence until they arrived in the living room.

==========

Azumi secured the gate latch, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She was surprised to see Kusuo standing in front of his house, seemingly waiting for her. Azumi tried to make sense of the situation, she walked to him and gave a small wave, before continuing passed him 'Maybe he's waiting for his dad' She thought, before shooting down the idea the moment Saiki moved to walk with her. The familiar feeling of nervousness rose from within her, her thoughts crowding her mind 'Should I say something? Or is the silence okay for him? It's certainly okay for me. Why is he walking with me though, I thought we agreed—' She cut her own thought when she remembered the events of last night 'Nevermind, he didn't say anything then. Is this about what my mother said? Did she bribe him without my knowledge? But, mom won't stoop that low. Maybe if I look into his mind—no, he'll suspect my fidgeting and he'll know I'm uncomfortable or he'll think something's wrong with my ear and ask about it, and I would not want to be in either situations'

"... So," Azumi started—at the protest of her brain—dragging out the 'o' "You don't need to walk me to school, you know, I can do it on my own. I appreciate the thought though" She gave a tight-lipped smile, hoping she did not sound too rude. Kusuo just looked at her and then back in front, Azumi felt awkward at the lack of response and returned her gaze to the road as well.

Just as he expected, at the reaction of his companion, he deduced that Azumi could not hear his voice when he was speaking telepathically. He mentally took note "It's fine" Kusuo spoke, not only mildly surprising the girl beside him because of how late he responded, but also confusing her.

' 'It's fine'? How do I respond to that?' She just nodded her head, mentally facepalming at her response. 'I guess I have to get used to this'

•°●•°●•°●

'This is some next level coincidence shit' Azumi thought, sitting next to her assigned seatmate, Saiki 'I was just fine with how we were classmates, but seatmates? You have got to be joking'

"Open your textbooks to page 3. An introduction for our lesson this week" The teacher started, writing on the chalkboard the lesson title "Kindly answer the practice questions, 'What You Know', numbers 1-5. I will give you ten minutes to answer"

'This seems easy enough,' Azumi searched for her writing tool in her bag. Confused, she knit her eyebrows 'I left it at home? Great, first day and I'm already failing this'

The boy in front of her took notice of her furrowed brows when he turned to get his pencil case. He stretched a bandaged arm at her, offering to lend his pencil "H-Here, " He said, "you can borrow mine" Azumi blinked at him, then at his outstretched arm, before smiling softly at him.

"Thank you, I'll make sure to give it back to you after class," Azumi wrapped her fingers on the writing tool, watching as her classmate withdrew his hand meekly "May I know your name?"

"Ka-Kaidou Shun" His stuttering reminded Azumi of herself before. Kaidou awkwardly lets out his hand again, seemingly to shake with hers. Azumi's soft smile turned tight at how she responded with stretching the wrong hand to shake. She shuffled to replace her hand, clasping it with his.

"Um, Kanasawa Azumi" She mentally kicked herself, he already knows her name because she just introduced herself to the class. "Nice to meet you, Kaidou-san" They shook hands shortly before the teacher reprimanded the two to start with the activity.

•°●•°●•°●

A slow and pitched tune, that reminded Azumi of the announcements in a mall, rang through the hallways, signaling the end of the first class and break for their class. Some students leapt out of their classrooms, their friends in tow, ready to be the firsts to arrive in the cafeteria, while the rest took their time in arranging their things. "Thanks again, for, you know, lending your pencil" Azumi had stood up in unison with Saiki, her wrist in view as she gave back the pencil she borrowed.

Kaidou added the pencil in his case, placing it in his bag. "Are you sure? I, uh, mean, we still have classes after break"

Azumi let the corners of her lips tilt up a bit at the thoughtfulness of the boy "Yeah, I'll go buy my own"

"I don't mind if you borrow my pencil for the rest of the day," Kaidou lightly frowned, not wanting his classmate to spend money when he was fine with lending. He went to dig through his bag for the pencil case, but Azumi stopped him with a hand on his.

"It's okay, really-" She was cut off with a booming voice next to her, in her peripherals, a tall blonde hooks an arm around Saiki's shoulders. "Hey pal, the nurse wanted to ask about the thermano-something that the guy used this morning" He wasn't yelling, but his voice was loud enough to resonate around the half-empty classroom. Azumi turned her head at the two beside her, attention fading from Kaidou as she withdrew her hand. During the intensively long speech of their principal, one of their classmates fainted and a teacher ordered Nendou and Saiki to assist the student to the nurse's office. When they've been gone too long, the same teacher instructed Azumi to check on the two, and just before Nendou witnessed Saiki burn a thermometer to ashes, she came in and distracted the brute, feigning confusion on the dust on Saiki's palm. It was a coincidence, and if she weren't there Nendou would most likely find out about Saiki's powers. Is what Azumi initially thought, but looking back, her first impression with the blonde was idiotic, so maybe it would have gone differently.

Azumi grabbed her wallet and turned back to Kaidou "I'll be going first" She went to walk out the door but felt a presence following her, before the voice of Nendou reached her again.

"Where're you going, pal?" Azumi turned and, as she thought, Saiki will be following her around school. She resisted a sigh when the aforementioned raised a hand, moved his finger and pointed at her twice. "You're gonna show her around? I wanna come with!" He strode towards the two, and Azumi swore she saw the facial expression of the boy beside her contort into that of displeasure.

"I-I-I w-wanna come too" She barely heard Kaidou as he stood up and trailed behind Nendou, fiddling with his finger as he do.

Azumi just wanted to buy a pencil, alone, and now she felt awkward as she walked next to Saiki, Kaidou and Nendou following right behind them. She slowly reached a hand to her ear, but laid her arm back on her side after a while. Perplexed at the silence from Nendou, she turned back to look at him. He was teasing Kaidou, bickering as they filled the hallway with noise. Azumi tried to look for answers in Saiki's mind, staring at the boy before turning her head back in front. 'Never thought that being too dumb would be a reason for a silent mind, but okay'

'WhatshouldIsaywhatshouldIsay [What should I say what should I say]. Hello-no, that's too formal. Would "hi" be fine? Let's go with "hi". Hi, I'm Teruha-wait, no, she would see me as too eager if I introduce myself that quickly. Hi, you must be the new transfer student-OH MY GOD SHE'S HERE' The frantic thoughts of a blue-haired girl filled Azumi's mind. She was standing beside a vending machine outside of the cafeteria as the four walked passed her. Being too engrossed in her mental rehearsal, she did not notice the group since they appeared from the corner of the hallway. Teruhashi sulked when Azumi entered the cafeteria, but immediately fixed her façade when she remembered there may be people watching her.

'It must be tough to be that popular' Susurrus reached Azumi's ears and the students in the room turned to look at the people who recently came in. She felt self-conscious and turned to walk to the first stall in the row, the stall that sells school materials. After she purchased her pencil, she tried to convince her companions to spend their recess with what they want to do instead of following her around. She failed, and so they ended up touring the whole campus, conversations being held up by Nendou as he told story after story about anything that relates to whatever Azumi said.

"Kanasawa-san, you're from London, right?" Kaidou asked, they were sitting under one of the trees after the latter announced a break from the walking. At his words, the other two turned to look at Azumi, and now she was on the spotlight. "What was it like? Do you miss your friends?"

"Ah, that... I was homeschooled, so... I didn't have any friends until recently," Azumi paused "I have a brother, he's in London right now, and he was my only playmate until he left for college... My tutors change every year, and they mostly just teach me then leave after our sessions... Add into that how unapproachable they are, and they're just like robots, stiff and straightforward"

"Homeschooled?" Confused, Nendou asked, and Kaidou silently answered him. Azumi waited until all was clarified, fidgeting with her thumbs.

"Although, now that I think about it. I... think I had a friend around my age...? But he was just visiting London at that time... a few years ago... so I don't think we're close anymore." Azumi caught the short time when Saiki knit his brows, before remaining stoic. She knew from reading his mind that he wanted to know more about her connection with Kusuke and his involvement with her family. Azumi was about to open her mouth, when a nagging voice in her mind scolded at her for having already talked too much.

When Azumi looked like she was to stay silent, Kaidou spoke up "Th-then... I'll be your friend" His voice gradually softened, but she heard him nevertheless.

Nendou hooked his arm around Saiki's shoulder, to the surprise of the psychic "We'll be your friends too, right pal?" Kusuo looked annoyed at the arm pushing him closer to Nendou, but he didn't deny what he said. Azumi gave them a soft smile, her eyebrows low.

'I guess it won't hurt to have friends'

[audiblesmirking]

erratic heartbeats [a Saiki Kusuo no Psi nan fanfic] ~chapter 1: who???~

Saiki Kusuo deemed himself as the most powerful person in the whole world, supernatural power-wise.

That was, before he met someone whose smile can topple down walls and turn people into immobile statues, both literally and figuratively.

==========

Psychic powers make the impossible possible.

When two natural espers procreate, a fraction—most the the times all—of their powers get distributed to their offspring/s. In rare scenarios, a child may be unable to use their given abilities, rendering the power distribution a waste.

==========

Saiki Kuniharu and Saiki Kusuo were watching the regular weekend drama scheduled that afternoon in their living room, while Saiki Kurumi attended to her chores in the kitchen. All was tranquil, save for the sounds being omitted by the TV and occasional clacks of plates from the kitchen. The afternoon sunlight shone through the window, providing enough lighting to illuminate the room.

"The culprit seems to have used a Mizuno branded bat, season 3 edition. A limited edition bat that is impossible to simply say they bought it from the store. And I know just the person who would own one--" The show cut shortly within a blink of an eye, replaced with the grinning genius of the Saiki family "Hi~" Hacking is something Kusuke could easily do, so managing to project his call to their TV needed minimal effort to do.

When Kurumi heard the voice of greeting of her firstborn, she rushed to the living room whilst hastily wiping her hands on her apron "Oh, Kuu-kun!"

"Hello mom, little brother" Kusuke purposefully left out the greeting towards his father, but nevertheless, Kuniharu looked just as delightfully surprised as his wife upon seeing their son from the TV screen. Kusuo was not at the very least gruntled at the interruption, and he showed his displeasure through the glare he sent towards his sibling, knowing full well Kusuke could see it.

"It's nice to see you too, Kusuo" Kusuke beamed, completely ignoring his brother's exasperated stares.

"What brought you to call, Kusuke?" Kuniharu asked the bottomline question, Kurumi moving to sit next to him on the couch.

"My friend is moving there with her family. I didn't want her to, but the decision was already set. They already left the airport by now" Kusuke gave a downcasted look, catching Kusuo by surprise as his glare faltered. The mad scientist wasn't one for being attached to someone other than his family. Who is this 'friend' that Kusuke is so fond of, going as far as wanting her to stay with him? "I planned to visit every weekend, but school is taking up most of my time. So I'm entrusting her well-being to you mom, Kusuo"

Kurumi had a hand raised in front of her mouth, brows knitted as she absentmindedly let her next words roll out of her tongue "You mean the friend you're always talking about on the phone?" Everyone shifted their attention to the mother, looks of confusion aiming at her.

"–-You talk together often?"

"--You talk together often?"

Kurumi hesitated for a moment, having just realized she spoke out loud and in the presence of her other son and husband, before nodding at the two. The smile that once adorned Kusuke's face came back, "Yes, her" He confirmed.

If the psychic was intrigued, he didn't show it. But despite the lack of emotion and enthusiasm Kusuo was displaying, Kusuke knew he was curious. He knew all of them were "You would meet her soon, little brother. Don't get too excited"

And the glare was back.

•°●•°●•°●

"Why do I only know now about your frequent phone calls with Kusuke?" Kuniharu asked his beloved right after Kusuke ended the call. The sly scientist left with a smile that annoyed Kusuo to no end, and he knows his brother knows this. Kusuke even went to the trouble of prolonging the call until he left behind the end credits of the show his father and brother were watching. Kuniharu shifted his attention to Kusuo, an accusing undertone lying on his stare.

"Don't look at me like that. I don't know anything about this" Kusuo said, making his father look back on Kurumi, who was avoiding their gazes. The psychic tried to find any answers from the thoughts of his mother, but her head was overcrowded and disorganized, he couldn't understand. He didn't know if his mother was purposefully overcrowding her thoughts or simply too panicked to think straight.

"I thought we weren't supposed to keep secrets from each other, Kurumi?" Kuniharu continues with his questions, stating his wife's name to show how serious he was at the topic. Overwhelmed, Kurumi began to get emotional, words to answer her family's questions were slipping and untamed to form coherent sentences. She tried to keep calm, failing ultimately when her voice cracked the moment she had a word out.

"I'm so sorry! I promised Kuu-kun I would keep the fact of his friend a secret until he wants to tell you two! Kusuke just seemed so happy whenever we talked about his friend that I agreed. I didn't mean to keep secrets!" Kurumi cried, immediately being encased in the arms of her husband as the couple recited apologies to each other over and over.

Kusuo was confused, he knew his mother would have fussed over Kusuke's friend mentally, if not out loud, this is the first time he had a friend to call since forever. But since the topic involves Kusuke, he must have schemed in order for their mother to not spoil the secret. Kusuo waited until the cries settled down "Since when did you start talking to each other?"

Kurumi sniffed and wiped her tears. She slowly tapped a finger on her chin, taking a moment to recall "It was only recently, just last month"

Last month? No, impossible, no one could tear down Kusuke's walls that quickly and easily. He must have kept it to himself for years and only ought to tell his family now.

'Good grief, another nuisance'

==========

"Ah, coming!" Kurumi rushed to the door, leaving behind her broom and passing by Kusuo, who was busy watching TV on the couch. Kuniharu trailed after his wife, curious to see who was at the door after the intercom rang.

"Good afternoon, we just moved in the neighborhood. My name is Kanasawa Akina, and this is my husband, Kanasawa Aiken" Standing on their porch was a couple, each sporting a dazzling smile and semi-casual wear "I'm assuming you're Saiki Kurumi and Saiki Kuniharu? It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Kusuke-kun told me a lot about you, Kurumi-san"

Kurumi gasped, "Oh, you're the parents of Kusuke's friend! Come in, come in!" She opened the door wider for the two to enter. Kuniharu ignored the fact that his son did not tell much about him to Akina and Aiken, and moved beside his wife to let them in. Akina and Aiken bowed their heads a bit, apologizing for the intrusion, as they went to the living room. The Saiki couple followed suit after closing the door. By now, the TV was already turned off and the abandoned broom was kept.

'Thank you Kuu-chan!'  Knowing her son could read minds, Kurumi mentally exclaimed

'Good grief'

"You must be Saiki Kusuo. Your brother seems fond of you, he always mentions you whenever we talk" Aiken pat Kusuo's shoulder, giving him a nod before walking past him and sitting next to his wife.

"Thank you SO much for looking after of Kuu-kun" Kurumi started once they were all seated, leaning her cheek on her palm "He left for college early, so we were worried he wouldn't know how to take care of himself properly"

Kusuo paid no mind to the conversation, he was perplexed at the silence coming from the Kanasawa couple's heads. There was only one person whom he cannot read the mind of, and that person was an idiot who had no use for thoughts. It is unlikely that Aiken and Akina are witless as well, so what was blocking him from listening to their thoughts? They also said they just moved in the neighborhood, so why didn't Kusuo know earlier? "Don't mention it Kurumi-san. My children have made quite a bond with Kusuke-kun" Akina smiled, glancing for a moment at Kusuo before returning her attention to Kurumi and her husband.

‘That seemed too suspicious. Are they maybe psychics like me?’ Kusuo commented while trying his best to not crease his brows. He opted to keep his blank facade to not worry his mother and disrupt their conversation.

"Children? Kusuke is friends with more than one person?!" Kuniharu's voice raised to a tone of disbelief, the meaning of his words sounding ruder than he intentioned. Kurumi concealed a gasp, elation beginning to flood her feelings. She tried to suppress the urge to cry tears of joy, instead, she displayed the widest grin she has ever made.

"Yes, my son initially befriended him since they were of close age in the college, before he introduced him to my daughter" Aiken explained, sighing a bit, "They are a handful whenever the three of them are together"

"Azumi is actually the same age as Kusuo-kun!" Akina added, clasping her hands together "We're planning on enrolling her to PK Academy. Since she's been homeschooled her whole life, I was hoping Kusuo-kun would help her cope with her new school, even if they're not schoolmates"

"Oh, of course! Kusuo attends PK Academy, too, so it wouldn't be much of a bother. Would that be alright for you, Kuu-chan?" Kusuo absentmindedly nodded, his attention focused on his attempt to see through Aiken and Akina's muscle and bones. Unlike towards the rest of the population, he does not need to blink after 3 seconds in order to not see through the bodies of the anomalous duo. He has been staring at them for more than 3 seconds and the sight of their bones have not yet been seen. Curioser and curioser.

•°●•°●•°●

As the sun set partially on the horizon, casting a soft orange glow on the landscape, the parents of the two families realized the time passed. "My, what time is it? How long have we been chatting?" Kurumi was the first to speak on the topic. Her son had long retreated to his room, during the midst of their conversation, but he could still hear them because of how his parents repeat whatever their guests were talking about.

With the information he gathered, this 'friend' that Kusuke wanted by his side, had an older brother. The older brother had a similar situation as Kusuo's brother; they both started college early. There, Kanasawa Atsuhiro met Saiki Kusuke, the latter being younger than the other. A year from then, they had Kanasawa Azumi join the two, and Kusuke became more attached to her overtime.

"Oh dear, there were a lot more stories I could have told" Akina frowned lightly.

"How about we invite them for dinner?" Aiken suggested, looking intently at the eyes of his wife "It's the least we could do for keeping them until dusk. Besides, you can talk more about the children that way"

To the words of her husband, Akina's eyes seemingly twinkled. She whipped her head to face Kurumi and Kuniharu "How about it? Would you like to have dinner at our house? I assume Azumi is home by now, you could meet her"

"Really?!" Kuniharu is now comparable to a child promised candy at the thought of free food. I mean, who doesn't want free dinner? "Then please wait for a moment while I go get Kusuo"

Kuniharu stood and dashed walked up the stairs, and the three in the living room continued their conversation until Kusuo came in with his father "Alright, let's go" Aiken said, standing up together with Akina and Kurumi.

The sun was quick to sink under the horizon. A few street lights flickered on to provide light for the few people walking and driving by, a gentle breeze blowing through the hairs of the Saiki's and Kanasawa couple.

"Do you have any preferences for dinner?" Akina asked once they were out of the Saiki residence and walking "Or perhaps do any of you have any allergies to anything?"

"Anything would be fine, we don't have any allergies that we know of" Kuniharu commented, passing by a tall and intricately designed metal gate.

"Where are you going Kuniharu-san?" Akina asked as she had a hand on the aforementioned gate, intending to push it open if she had not called out to Kuniharu. The aforementioned scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, walking back in front of the gate.

"This is our home" She pushed together with her husband to let in their visitors, a little flourish adding to the invite "Welcome to the Kanasawa residence"

•°●•°●•°●

"You have a lovely home, Aiken-san" Kurumi commented once they all sat down in the living room. Akina left for the kitchen to prepare dinner. "I still can't believe you live so close to us"

"It was actually Kusuke who suggested the land, we just renovated the house to our taste" Aiken said, placing down his glass of water before standing up  "Right, you must meet my daughter, I will go and call her"

"To think they would be this well-off" Kurumi commented, whipping her head around to take in the interior design of the living room. It was spacious and fully-furnished, not what you expect from a recently moved in house. Kusuo took note of the modern style mixed with slight Japanese themes. An intricate and luxurious chandelier was pegged securely on the celing, and there were small framed photos on top of the mantelpiece not that far form where the Saiki family sat. Kusuo saw a portrait of his brother together with, whom he assumes were, Atsuhiro and Azumi. The girl was between the other two, an arm hooked around each of their shoulders as they bent down a little to accommodate the smaller stature of Azumi. Kuniharu leaned in close to Kusuo, his intent in mind. But before he could say anything, Kusuo cut him off with a glare. He planned to have Kusuo mooch off of their neighbor's daughter, but the psychic was not one for social interaction. He intends on just helping Azumi adjust to traditional schooling, because he promised his mother he would.

"Alright, everyone," They heard Aiken speak from the door, so they turned to face him "Meet my daughter, Azumi. Azumi, these are the family of Kusuke, Kuniharu-san, Kurumi-san, and Kusuo-kun" There stood beside Aiken, a girl with long hair the same color as her mother's, and eyes that are copies of her father's; turquoise and bluish-purple respectively. She dressed more casually than her parents, sporting a hoodie and leggings.

'I can't read her thoughts, too. Seriously, are they psychics?'

Azumi gave a tight-lipped smile, "It's nice to meet you Mr. Ku-" She cut herself off, clearing her throat before continuing "Kuniharu-san, Kurumi-san, and Kusuo-kun"

"Oh my, you're so pretty, Azumi-chan! You look just like your mother" Kurumi smiled, standing up and laid a hand on the girl's arm after she walked closer. A small 'thank you' left the mouth of the girl. "Kuu-chan here will be helping you with school, so I hope you two get along!"

The father and daughter walked to the other couch and sat, Azumi took a second before responding "Please treat me well, Kusuo-kun" She nodded her head courteously, and Kusuo caught a glimpse of something shiny on her ear when her hair softly swayed with her movements. He lightly squinted his eyes.

'An ear cuff? Is that what's blocking me from hearing her thoughts? Are the parents wearing similar jewelry?' Kusuo was intrigued, yes, but he noticed he seems so desperate to the point of suspecting a single piece of jewelry. He realized he was making a big fuss over the topic, and contemplated if he should just let it be. It may not be worth it to spend his thoughts so hard on something that seems so trivial. But it isn't. Kusuo's inner-self retaliated, no one else could block his powers like the Kanasawa's do. His powers, the ones that make him the most powerful in the world, could be neutralized without special technology like his limiters by a family of secrets. He wanted to know if there was a way to block everyone's thoughts, so he could finally reach his desired mental peace. He wanted to know if he is able to do it. However, In order to do that, he needs to get closer to Azumi to uncover the mysteries her family hides. He dislikes the idea of socializing, but if it would lead to the tranquility he’s been desperately wanting, he’d go as far as invite the other person over after school.

•°●•°●•°●

"Hey, about the whole 'helping with school' thing," Azumi approached Kusuo as the Saiki's were by the porch, ready to leave and go back to their home. Akina and Aiken exchanging farewell formalities "I get it if you don't want to accompany someone you just met everywhere starting tomorrow. I mean, I can take care of myself, so you can just do your own thing while I do mine. Don't wanna bother you too much." As much as Kusuo appreciated her intentions, he won't be backing down now that he's promised his mom and took interest in her family. If it were the previous him, he would gladly stay as acquaintances. Kusuo paused to form a proper response, but his parents were already calling for him a few steps away. He awkwardly shook his head—no, then walked away to trail behind his mother. His response, or lack thereof, perplexed Azumi to freeze and knit her brows.

"... What does that mean?"

==========

A/N

This was originally posted in Archive of our Own (Ao3), before my co-author and I decided to post this here in Tumblr, as well as in Wattpad and Quotev. Check my links in my bio for an easier access to my profiles.

[audiblesmirking]

The boys in their human world attire! 💕

[audiblesmirking]

Thanks

@utfransshipper Here’s some frisk for ya

((I tried to draw sans but I couldn’t- I just can’t–))