A Disastrous Christmas

Chapter Two – Ramen, Again

I once again found myself in a ramen shop when I should be at home alone, surrounded by noise, yare yare, this secret Santa was becoming an inconvenience to me already. My head hurt from the excited bombardment of mental and physical chatter, Chiyo's thoughts were some of the loudest as she fantasised about Kaidou's reaction to her gift. We have not even picked names yet.

Aiura's thoughts were much more disturbing as she imagined buying lingerie to give me, which for some reason she thinks will sway me to be with her, she really doesn't know me well at all, that is a gift much better suited to someone like Toritsuka, maybe he could replace me, I could only wish. Since I can see no polite way out of this now all I can do is use my powers to ensure she does not pick my name, her soulmate prediction was increasingly frustrating for me, as she made her interest in me ever more apparent at school, which only drew further attention to me which is the opposite of what I want.

Thankfully Teruhashi's thoughts were much more subdued, she still hoped to pick me but she at least was not fantasising about revealing outfits and declarations of love, she instead was more focused on her friends around her and was engaged in a conversation with Hairo about his plans for the winter break, which included tennis training, no shock there.

Everyone around me discussed the details of the gift exchange whilst noisily eating their food, and in Saiko's case complaining about any small detail of the restaurant possible. It was decided that we would meet up on the last day of winter break to swap gifts to allow people time to get their presents and so people could spend time with their families for the rest of the break, that suited me fine I didn't want my break disturbed with this nonsense. Chiyo began to write down everyone's names on slips of paper she tore from her notebook.

"Who would like to pick first?" She asked whilst stuffing the names into her pencil case, the contents of which was strewn messily across the table "How about you Kaidou?" she shoved the pencil case towards him.

"Sure" he dipped his bandage covered hand into the pencil case and felt around, deciding on the slip with Chiyo's name on it, it appeared luck was on her side today. The case was then passed around the table and Nendou picked Mera, Kuboyasu picked Aiura, Hairo picked Nendou, Mera picked Kuboyasu, Aiura picked Saiko, Saiko picked Teruhashi much to his delight, the bag was then passed to Teruhashi.

I listened in, as she silently hoped to pick my name, she didn't realise how high of a chance she had as of the three names which remained in the case one was mine. Her fingers landed on my name, of course, God always seems to be on her side unfortunately for her I'm here, I altered the slip, so she instead has Kaidou, I do not want to encourage her infatuation. She opened her slip and I could feel the disappointment radiating from her mind, I am impressed she didn't show this disappointment to anyone and her smile stayed the same as she quietly folded the slip up and placed it in her bag.

Next to go was me, as there was only my name and Hairo's left in the bag I ended up with the red-haired sports enthusiast, thankfully he will be simple to buy for. Finally Chiyo selected my name, that is when I realised my mistake as I saw the beginning of a plan formulating in Teruhashi's mind, as I had switched her slip to Kaidou, she realised she could give this to Chiyo as she wanted to help the girl with her crush, meaning Teruhashi would end up with my name after all, I should have given her Hairo and took Kaidou for myself, it seems Teruhashi had won this round, even if she wasn't aware a game was being played.

Somehow the conversation around me seemed to increase in volume after everyone had picked their names, I really should have just walked home and not participated, I think I would have preferred Nendou, Kaidou and Kuboyasu's complaints instead of being seated with this raucous group.

I hope there is coffee jelly when I get home, this day has been disastrous.

Finally, everyone was finished eating and I could leave, outside the ramen shop everyone said their goodbyes as we were heading in different directions, I silently waited for Nendou and Kaidou as we walk in the same direction and they would only complain if I left without them.

"Goodbye Saiki, I hope you have a pleasant evening" Teruhashi spoke softly.

I was surprised it had been a while since she had directly spoken to me, I flashed over her thoughts, she wasn't saying goodbye in the hopes of shocking me into saying offu and instead was just being genuinely polite, I decided to return the courtesy "Thank you, goodbye" She smiled shyly before turning and wishing the group goodbye before Chiyo linked arms with the girl and they walked away.

Now that I think about it Teruhashi's thoughts had rarely been focused on finding a way for me to compliment her on her looks, she still wished for me to notice her, but there was no longer the running commentary to her thoughts on how lucky I was to be speaking with her, the change had been fairly gradual and because she had not been seeking me out as frequently I had not paid much attention to the change.

Now the focus of her thoughts was to apparently 'make me smile', she would furtively glance at me in class and ponder over my bored expression, she thought she was being conspicuous, and to most she would be, that doesn't work with a psychic like me though.

Either way I'm just glad for one less thing drawing attention to me, and Teruhashi speaking to me in school drew a whole load of attention.

We had only turned one corner when Nendou quickly blurted out "I picked Mera"

"Nendou! Its meant to be a secret! Tell him Saiki!" Kaidou shouted.

"I'm just excited"

"Well actually since you've already told us yours, I picked Chiyo and I could probably use your help when I go shopping"

"Sure, we'll help won't we buddy" Nendou answered on my behalf.

Great because these two cannot keep a simple secret my winter break is going to be even more disrupted; I really shouldn't have gone to that ramen shop.

Please remind me why I tolerate these people.