Chapter Text
It was very difficult to make Saiki K feel complicated. He isn’t sure if he’s ever felt that way about anyone in his life - as a result of both mind-reading and general psychic ability. It took a whole lot to genuinely surprise him in any way. He’s still a person technically, so he feels emotions in basic senses. But, again - he could read the thoughts of the every person in the world. He’s learned to be neutral about it, but it can put a sour taste in his mouth on the general consensus of humanity. You’d probably also feel numb to the people around you if you heard the shit that went on in their minds. It was what it was though. He didn’t mind mostly.
He also understands that people can be good despite what thoughts go through their head. His friends, even though he’s more than ready to dismiss them at all times were great examples of good people with flawed thoughts. Kaido was delusional but thoughtful, Nendo was unaware but kindhearted to a fault, Kuboyasu was aggressive but loyal - each of them was flawed in their own way but ultimately good. Did they get on his nerves extremely often? Absolutely, but deep deep down he cares for them a lot. They’re a bunch of jackasses, but they’re his jackasses.
Still - no amount of their bullshit really surprises him because he’s hyper aware of their intentions before anyone can really get to saying anything at all. No matter how ridiculous or plot breaking it seemed to be - nothing made him feel genuine surprise.
When he hears that his class has another new transfer student he rolls his eyes. He thinks that this many transfers must be typical of gag animes but nonetheless. He just does what he normally does, quietly observing and listening around the room for people’s reactions.
“Ahhh, I heard the transfer was a girl,” A male voice in the classroom of people whose names he should know.
“I hope she’s cute,” another voice of equal irrelevance replies. The boys of the class are kinda typical, he doesn’t really know what he expects so he sighs and tunes into the other half of the classroom. The girls are relatively the same - but there’s an odd sense of bitterness and sarcasm that surrounds their comments. Saiki shrugs as the classroom settles, the door sliding open to reveal a teacher and a student behind her whose face he can’t quite see.
“Okay, everyone - say hello to your new classmate,” your teacher introduces. Saikis eyes rake over you. He immediately goes to read your thoughts as you bow and introduce yourself politely . You’re objectively pretty but you seemed disinterested in your appearance completely.
‘Fuck, this is already awkward,’ the though contradicts your smiling expression. You take a look around the classroom, quietly observing everyone as you take a seat. The seat right next to Saiki is open, and this is fanfiction so where else could you sit. He sighs. You look over and give him a small smile before your class
‘Ah, he’s cute,’ you look away but you’re not embarrassed which he’s refreshed by. Still, Saiki couldn’t make any judgments about you just yet. He sees Kaido come up to talk to you, slowly followed by the rest of his harem.
“Ah, a new student. I’m Jet Black Wings, the savior of the -,” his speech is quickly cut off by the sound of Teruhashi. Perfect girl life is difficult and it’d be rude if she didn’t greet her.
Saiki stares as you interact with, reading your thoughts as you look at her. Your eyes widen as you stare at her.
“She’s beautiful,” you think to yourself. Saiki nods, though is only natural but you continue in your head “but she seems...fake? ah, I shouldn’t think like that I barely know her. It’s just a gut feeling, we’ll have to see,” you think to yourself nodding.
“Ah, you must be Y/N, right? It’s so nice to meet you, I hope we can make you feel welcome,” she say softly. Saiki is intrigued.
‘I can’t shake the feeling she doesn’t really care. Still it’s nice - at least it’s not fucking awkward, but everyone’s weird stares are making me kinda uncomfortable,’
“Yes. Thank you! That’s very kind. I’m happy to be here,” you respond rather politely but much like Saiki himself you don’t really... care? You don’t do any little gasps that most people do and this frustrates Teruhashi. Saiki isn’t comfortable narrating her thoughts, they’re oddly brutally so he just ignores them. He’s more interested in you.
‘Everyone seems nice. That’s good to know. I hope the guy sitting next to me is cool since I’m probably gonna be seated next him all year. Why do I feel like I’m being cursed suddenly,’ your thoughts are interesting to read for Saiki. He’s genuinely intrigued by how... nice they are? There aren’t many people known in this universe for being nice and self-aware. Normally it’s one or the other, though sometimes both, on the rare occasion. You didn’t seem to have any major character flaws, and you didn’t really stand out but you were still unique. This is fascinating to Saiki.
The cursing is coming from Teruhashi whose being bitter about the fact Saiki is sitting next to you and that you aren’t compelled by her looks. Class starts soon after that, but Saiki stays tuned out of your thoughts. His friends hadn't introduced him yet, so he had a chance to listen to them objectively.
‘None of this is new. I guess it won’t kill me to be distracted. I should finish rewatching Shippuden - well, really I should finish all the other anime I’ve been meaning to watch but it’s okay. I wanna watch Shippuden,’ most of your thoughts are about anime or eating and your cat that you rescued. You flashback to the cat often, all of the flashbacks involved with you being doting. One scene catches his interest as you play the memories back in your head.
The matted fur catches your concern as you run over to the box. The water damaged the sides as you see the small black mass laying in the center of some blankets. A notes attached, it had “I need a home,” on the side of it as the cat shivers in the pouring rain.
“Ah, somebody left you all in the cold huh? That’s terrible,” you lean down to the box, taking your jacket off. Your soaked under the water but you were going to be home anyways. You leave your hand out for the cat to sniff, they quickly lean into your hand. They trust you quickly, apparently.
‘ She seems so nice. I hope she takes me home ,’ the cats thoughts, which Saiki can read even in memory form.
‘’Mom might be mad at first but it’s okay. Everyone needs a home,” you say softly. You pick the box up, your jacket cover the cats body up, their face just peeking out from underneath. There’s some papers tucked into the side about said kitty.
‘ Ah, she’s a girl. If she’s pregnant she’ll have kittens we’ll have to give away. That makes me sad to think about. It’s okay - I hope she likes her new home ,’ you say softly. Though the cat can’t hear your thought she meows at you warmly.
Jeez, what is this a romance anime? Saiki feels a blush on his face and stops reading his thoughts immediately. He doesn’t like that he’s compelled by anything that happened, but it’s normal to be compelled by cats with tragic backstories. That must be it.
You look over to Saiki for a moment. He pretends he doesn’t know you’re looking.
‘I haven’t introduced myself yet. I hope he doesn’t think I’m rude,’ you think. You’re worried about that of all things.
‘He’s pretty,’ you think mindlessly. Saiki nearly chokes, never in his life has been described that way. You shake your head as you look away.
‘I’ll say hi during our break,’ you repeat softly. After that he backs up from your thoughts, watching your hands doodle in your notebook. You draw some random things in the sides of your notebook and sing commercial jingles in your head when you do. It’s surprising how normal you seem.
Your thoughts are so pure - thus far you’ve had few negatives other than determining that some of the people here are a little strange. Everytime you have one thats needlessly mean, you’d correct yourself. You’d always tell yourself to relax, and make a joke at your own expense as if to balance the universe out a little bit.
Saiki is surprised. You’re genuinely just that nice - he didn’t even know that that was possible. He was in a gag anime, and also he was a fucking pyschic. He knew the minor details of every person's life because he was inside their head - he naturally had judgments of their true character. Your head was wholesome though, but you didn’t perceive yourself like Teruhashi. You were a regular person, with a genuinely good heart. Even your subconscious was kind. Few things in this world really surprised him, but you were certainly one. Saiki continues to listen in on you but not once do you show a negative side to your character. If anything you were rather harsh on yourself, which made Saiki feel kinda bad. He was oddly fascinated - in a way he finds himself waiting to get punked but the moment doesn’t come. When break comes and you introduce yourself to him - he's oddly elated. He gives you a very, very minor smile that you probably missed. He tried.
“Ah - I’m Y/N. It’s nice to meet you,” you say quietly. He uses his telepathy to talk to you, happy that you seem to be able to hear him.
“Saiki Kusuo,” is all he replies. You give a genuine smile, noticing he’s stiff when he talks to you.
‘He seems tense. I hope he’s okay,’ you think to yourself. Saiki wants to reply and say he’s fine but he can’t. He speaks to you telepathically regardless, but he almost feels bad to use his ability on you. He has no clue how to make conversation but the break is over before he has too. His mixture of disappointment and relief are strange but nonetheless.
___
Class is over soon after that. Afterwards, the regular group of friends surround Saiki to go home but they all seem to take interest in you. You’re pretty after all so Saiki isn’t that surprised. You’re not Teruhashi though, so the interest is a little short lived. You get properly introduced to everyone, and you seem to fit in really well. You were quickly becoming part of the Saiki harem.
“We should hangout at Saikis house afterschool,” Kaido suggests, Nendo agreeing. Saiki huffs because he has a video game he wanted to play alone.
“You’re not invited,” he’s about to say but before then he hears your thoughts once more. You’re looking down kinda awkwardly but not enough that anyone takes notice.
‘Ah, this is already awkward. I feel bad for being here but they’re all nice. Weird, but nice. Saiki doesn’t seem like he wants them over though,’ you observe carefully. He hides the surprise on his face before you notice - he’s curious as to how the hell you know that.
“Y/N, you should come too!,” Kaido is quick to invite you. Saiki actually looks at you, nodding approvingly making Teruhashi almost go into cardiac arrest. You shake your head violently.
“I wouldn’t wanna intrude. Plus, I don’t wanna make Saiki uncomfortable,” you say thoughtfully.
“That wouldn’t make it uncomfortable,” the words slip out faster than he can understand and you look at him curiously.
‘Damn, everyone is so nice. I still don’t know - I just got here. I guess if he;s okay with it, that’s fine. He’s relaxed a lot,’ you notice. You’re not wrong, but he’s curious to you’re kindness. You’re so strange, it’s really starting to get to him.
“I guess it’s okay then, if he’s okay with it. Thanks for being so nice,” you say softly. Everyone looks at you oddly touched except Teruhashi who is still fuming. Saiki just keeps staring at you and you try not to be uncomfortable.
____
You leave before everyone else - telling them you’d meet up with them again before they left which no one seemed to mind. They waited for you outside patiently, seeing you run up with a bunch of bags in your hands. You gave them all small smiles as you took some popsicles out of one of the bags, handing everyone one.
“I wanted to say thank you to everyone and I didn’t wanna turn up to Saikis house empty handed so I bought some sweets for everyone. I hope that’s alright,” you explain carefully. Nendo gives you an empty but sincere smile. Kuboyasu and Kaido both look at you very longily, while Teruhashi gives you her own kind version of side-eye. She was the perfect girl, so she couldn’t cuss you out like she wanted too. Chiyo is surprised but delighted by the gift. Saikis reaction is probably the most surprising to you, as you watch his face light up. It’s extremely subtle, but you can sense that he’s excited about the sweets. You look at him carefully.
“Saiki you must really like sweets,” you say aloud. Saiki looks at you neutrally.
“He does! How could you tell, Y/N?,” Kaido asks politely. You shrug.
“He looks really happy with his ice cream,” you say observing him silently. Saiki looks startled but gives you a small small smile. You return that to him with ease. Teruhashi has never once gotten a smile from Saiki, and you get one from him on your first day here? Fuming.
“How could she tell after just once interaction? I guess she’s not all that bad,” Saiki thinks to himself. He reads your thoughts once more.
‘It’s cute that he likes sweets. I hope he likes coffee jelly, or at least one of the type of jellies I brought for his house. I have biscuits and stuff too, so maybe he likes those,’’ you think to yourself. Saiki blushes very faintly at the thought of coffe jelly, as he prevents himself from replying to you.
“What else did you buy, Y/N?,” Nendo asks, wholeheartedly curious. Kuboyasu sends him a look, but it’s not like he notices.
“Jellies, Biscuits, and Some Candy - just what they had at the store. Normally I’d bake something, but it was last minute,” you reply, scratching the back of your neck.
“Oh you can bake, Y/N?,” Chiyo asks. You nod, as she grabs your hands with excitement.
“You should come bake with me and Teruhashi-san,” she says excited. You nod your head.
“Ah, I’d love too!!,” as you look at Teruhashi who also has a sense of delight. You can’t help but shake the feeling that it’s forced as she does so.
“We should get going to Saikis house,” Kuboyasu asks. Everyone seems to agree, walking ahead in a pair of the two girls, then the three boys, leaving you and Saiki alone in the back. Everyone was talking amongst themselves, apparently he lived close by. You look over to him and give him a small smile.
“Sorry to come over to today,” you say sincerely, bowing slightly. He looks at you confused.
“Why’re you apologizing?,” Saiki asks you. You just shrug at him, staring at the ground as you walk.
“You don’t seem like you want company too much. I get that though, some people care from afar and all that. I just feel bad to intrude on your alone time,” you say softly.
“It’s not like it was your idea. I’m used to them being like this, anyhow,” he says exasperated. You giggle at his comment, and Saiki is oddly moved by the sound. God he hates the romance genre.
“You must really care for them,” you say smiling at him.
“What gives you that impression?,” Saiki asks
“If you didn’t, I don’t think you’d let them over at your house at all - no matter how much they pester you; I didn’t take you for the sentimental type Saiki,” you give him a small smile, a cheeky look on your face. He would never admit that you managed to see right through him, because that was just not apart of his character. It was strange, that his coldness and downright irritation didn’t pester you or scare you away. Most of his friends were only friends because they kept bothering Saiki, not the other way around. Still though, it took a long time before they started to understand him. You did it within seconds. Saiki must’ve been staring at you, as you place a hand on his shoulder. He looks into your thoughts as the two of you walk in comfortable silence.
‘He seems so complicated but he’s actually just nice. He really is cute too, but that’s embarrassing. I shouldn’t think about stuff like that, plus Chiyo mentioned that Teruhashi has a crush on him and she’s stunning. I’m sure they’ll date eventually, so I shouldn’t intrude,’
Saiki wonders when Chiyo had the time to tell you that but he wants to correct - since he has literally 0 interest in Teruhashi. He doesn’t hate her (he does think she’s extremely irritating,) but he’s also not interested in her. It’s only natural that you’d feel that way, but at the same time he wants to tell you it’s not important. He doesn’t like how much he admires you - but it’s hard for him to reject you since you are so sincere. You’re not like Nendo, or Hairo either, you’re quiet and unassuming and genuinely nice. You’re also fairly competent, which is not something he can’t say for most people. You’re normal but extremely kind to him. Saiki enjoys your quiet company, but he doesn’t know how to express that yet. He’s sure he’ll figure it out at sometime, just not quite yet. He just walks next to you silently.
____
“Ah, Kusuo!! You brought over your friends but ah - whose this?,” Saikis mom seems like a real sweetheart. You can’t help but smile at her warmly, bowing at her politely before speaking to her.
“Nice to meet you, miss. I’m Y/N - I just transferred to PK academy but everyone was kind enough to invite me to your lovely home. I didn’t want to come home empty-handed so I brought some snacks - pardon the intrusion,” you say kindly. Saikis mom looks like shes about to burst with happiness as she looks at you.
“Kusuo is making so many friends these days, even friends as pretty as you!! I’m so happy I think I could cry,” Saikis mom gives you the softest look, you can’t help but smile and blush at her compliment. She looks like she’s gonna cry which concerns you but no one else seems to be bothered. She pulls you into a tight hug, which you return gracefully. She’s clearly sweet, but the total opposite of Saiki which is fascinating to you.
“Thank you for having me over, Miss,” you say politely. She just shakes her head.
“It’s no problem at all. I’ll set out some snacks for you all, and i'll be out of your hair!!,” She says kindly. You try to assure her it’s fine, but she refuses. You look at Saiki who seems embarrassed but you think his mom is adorable.
____
Everyone hangs out at Saikis until dinner time, which his mom wants everyone to stay for but parents are expecting them home. Except yours of course, your parents both work full time so you sorta raise yourself. You’ll think up an excuse to head out, you’re sure.
“What about you, Y/N? Do you have to be home too?,” his mom asks you softly. Everyone’s made their way out of the door other than you. You don’t need to be at the station for another hour but you were planning on leaving anyhow. The look on Saikis moms face is too much to lie to so you don’t.
“Ah, not really but I don’t wanna intrude. I’m normally alone at dinner time anyways - my parents both work full time so I don’t mind. Don’t worry about me,” you say softly. Saiki wants to roll his eyes at you, because he knows his mother is going to make you her personal responsibility. She looks at you with a soft gaze as the sound of the door calls your attention. Saiki looks at you apologetically. His mom rushes over to it as you and Saiki stand in the living room.
“You don’t have to stay even if she guilts you,” he expresses solemnly.
“I don’t mind staying, your parents seem really nice. I just don’t want it to be awkward,” you explain carefully. Saiki shakes his head.
“You’re doing fine with them right now,” he says honestly. You laugh at his comment.
“I mostly meant with you, Saiki,” you say softly. He understands your point.
“I don’t mind if you stay. What time do you have to be at the station? You said earlier you take the train,” Saiki remembers. You nod.
“Not for a little over an hour,” you reply. Saiki just nods.
“It’s fine if you stay. My parents are… the way they are so please be mindful of your choice,” Saiki warns. You don’t mind. You hear shuffling footsteps and are greeted by a man with brown hair and glasses.
“Ahh!! You must be Y/N, I’m Saikis dad - it’s so nice to meet you!!,” the conversation is cut short by Saikis father. He seems like a kind man, but once again worlds different from Saiki. You bow and shake his hand politely.
“Y/N-Chan is staying for dinner, isn’t that right?,” Saikis mom asks kindly. You scratch the back of your neck, the set table and their longing glances don’t give you much of a choice to say no. You shrug, it’s fine right? Saiki feels uneasy immediately. He apolgizes to you, but you assure him it’s okay.
“That’s fine. Thank you for having me, I’ll go wash up,” you say to them politely. They look at you with teary eyes again but you’ve learned that that’s average, so you make your way upstairs.
Their bathroom is well lit, you take careful observation of your face. Your bag is still at your hip, so you wash your face with some water and readjust your makeup. You brush your hair up neatly, using some butterfly clips to hold some stray pieces from falling into your face. You happened to have them and they matched you. You looked like a person, finally. You return down the stairs to see everyone at the dinner table, where you take a seat next to Saiki. He looks at you solemnly which makes you want to laugh but you don’t. His parents are at the table expectantly, their eyes full of an estranged joy.
You say your thanks before eating, before everyone starts to eat. It's a comfortable silence but it’s broken by Saikis mom. She looks at you gently.
“Tell us about yourself, Y/N,”
You look at her as you finish your bite, her eyes expectant.
“Ah there’s not much to know. We only just moved here since my parents' company transferred them both. I’ve never moved before but everyone here seems nice,” you say softly.
They both work full-time?,” his dad asks. You nod as Saiki listens intently.
“Yeah, they always have. I was an independent kid, so I learned to cook and clean when I was little,” you say solemnly. It’s a pretty average story, at least to Saiki but his parents are in shambles at the news. You continue to eat your dinner as if you sense more questions coming.
“Do you have any siblings?,” they both ask at the same time. You look up at them startled, your expression must’ve been very obvious since Saiki nearly laughs at you. You shake your head no and you could swear they’re going to break out into a full sob in front of you. It wasn’t a big deal to you, never has been. You didn’t mind being alone all that much, and it wasn’t like you didn’t have friends back home. You didn’t think it was a big deal.
“I have a cat, now though. Her name is Smokey, I found her on the sidewalk coming home from school one day. So it’s a little bit less lonely with her around. She loves people, so I’d love to bring her around some time,” you reminisce of your cat warmly. They both look at you incredbily fondly, and though Saiki isn’t really a fan of cats he doesn’t seem to mind either.
“You’re welcome to be over any time, really!! We love having over guests!!!,” they both speak in unison more times than your really comfortable with. You give them a genuine laugh as Saiki goes to read your thoughts again.
‘They’re so different from Saiki, heh. It’s fine though - I don’t mind them. I was probably gonna go home and make some ramen, so this is better kinda. I’ll have to bring them something I made if I ever come over again,’
If? Saiki doesn’t want to admit that he’d be fine to have you over again. That doesn’t fit his Tsundere persona at all, but he feels oddly disappointed by the thought of you never being over. You also seem to click unfortunately well with his parents, and you make conversation with them casually. He feels like he’s getting played by some sick joke in the universe, but you just seem to have some glow around you that draws people to you once they get to know you.
___
Once dinner is over, and you’re done helping his mom clean up - Saiki goes to greet you at the door of his house. He watches you as you put your jacket and shoes on, your shirt riding up as you do. He pretends he doesn’t notice. You look at him, and normally you’d give him a hug but he doesn’t seem like the type so you just give him a small smile.
“Thanks for having me over today, Saiki. I’ll see you at school tommorrow! You should bring a sweater, it’s supposed to be cold,” you say warmly. You wave him a goodbye, as he watches you leave out the door. You put some headphones in and he uses his clairvoyance to make sure you’re okay - you know, since it’s late and all. You’re quietly humming to some music you seem to like and walking to the station. You get on the train just fine, and no one seems to be harassing you, otherwise Saiki would intervene. That’s too much trouble from this distance, so next time he’d have to walk you home. It’s just to make sure you’re safe.
Saiki really hated the romance genre.
____