New Neighbors - It Must be Fate

"...What did she just say?"

"I know you're psychic."

"How did she?"

Lotus let a little nervous chuckle as she poked her forefingers together, "Weeeelllll you kind of told me."

"Told her? I haven't spoken to her except for when Nendou introduced us. How could she have found out? I'm always so careful. One slip up from a new girl I talked to once and the whole school could find out about my powers. I could wipe her mind but I'd probably have to wipe the whole day and I've never done that before, it might leave her brain like a baked potato."

"No not my brain!" Lotus cried holding her head.

"Calm down. It was just a passing thought-wait?...How could she have heard that? I'm not saying anything. I'm just thinking."

"I don't know how I'm doing it! It just happened once I met you! I can't hear anyone else's thought but yours!" Lotus blurted out.

"She can hear my thoughts? Wait…" Saiki stared hard at Lotus making her nervous again. "I can't believe I just realized it. The whole day I haven't been able to read her thoughts, even right now concentrating solely on her I can't read her mind. I'm so used to trying to drown out everyone else's thoughts that I didn't even notice hers weren't coming in! Maybe she's like Nendou."

"Man comparing me to Nendou, that's just cruel Saiki."

"She's right comparing her to Nendou is a little too far-wait!? She did it again! How is she doing that! Could she also be psychic?"

"No, I'm not psychic!" Lotus shouted

"If she's not psychic then how is she reading my mind?"

"I don't know! You're the one with the powers. Please make it stop." Lotus pleaded

"I have no idea how to fix this."

This caused Lotus to let out a sorrowful groan before sulking to the ground.

In the end, neither Lotus nor Saiki knew what was happening. Since it was already out in the open Saiki gave her a short rundown of his physic background.

"Ahh, I see. You must be unhappy a lot."

"Huh?"

"Having psychic powers may seem fun but if you really think about it, they can seem like a burden. Always knowing what's going to happen. Never being surprised. Always having to hear others thoughts. It must be a heavy load to carry."

Saiki was surprised. "Does she…?"

"I can't even imagine what would happen if people found out about your powers. People always wanting something from you, not knowing who was your friend and who was just using you. From what you said you sound pretty powerful it must be hard trying to control your powers just doing simple stuff. You just wanna live a normal life like everyone else, so that's why you hide your powers right."

"It's kind of scary how right she is."

What Lotus did next really surprised Saiki. She grasped one of his hands in between both of hers. A soft happy smile came upon her face, it looked like the background turned pink and bubbly.

"Whhhaat is going on?"

"As your new acquaintance, I promise to keep your secret hidden and if you ever need anything you can come to me. I want to get to know the real Saiki not just because he has powers but because I'd like to be friends. I may not seem like not much and I'm far from perfect but I hope that someday you and I could become good friends." Lotus ended her declaration with a warm bright smile. It wasn't big or flashy but a small simple smile that held such warmth in it that it glowed brighter than the sun.

Saiki's his eyes were wide his mouth open and as he stared at Lotus. He could feel his heartbeat speed up. Then he was gone.

"Uh….? Saiki?" Lotus looked confused staring at the empty spot where Saiki once stood.

"That girl…."

Saiki had teleported himself home. His thoughts drifted off thinking back to Lotus and the bizarre feeling he got when she smiled at him came back. It was weird to meet someone with clear intelligence whose mind Saiki couldn't read. It was weird for someone to fully understand Saiki's situation. It was weird that someone could read his mind. Lotus was weird, she now was on the very short list of things that shook Saiki's nerves.

"Its decided. I'm just gonna avoid her from now on until the end of time or at least until we graduate high school."

"Oh, Kusuo honey your home how wonderful!" Kusuo's mother appeared in his doorway. "We have company over. We've got new neighbors. Come downstairs."

"Do I really have to?"

Not being able to say no to his mother Saiki found himself downstairs looking at a rather tall purple haired young woman.

"Ku this is our new neighbor Violet. She just moved in across the street with her little sister and finance."

"Oh, my Mrs. Saiki this is your son?" Violet beamed

"Yes, that right! My Kusuo!" Mrs. Saiki said gushed

"He is adorable just like you said," Violet gushed back.

"What have you been telling her?"

"Your little Kusuo is indeed cute!" Violet chatted

"Little Kusuo?"

"But I know something that is even cuter," Violet exclaimed with a dramatic pose.

"What's with that pose? It's like she's in a manga or something."

Violet reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture. "Behold the cutest thing that has ever walked this earth, my little sister." Violet gleamed brighter than the sun as she showed the picture to Saiki and his mother.

"Seriously."

"Oh, my she is just beautiful." Kusuo's Mother complimented.

"Seriously? Why me?"

Violet and Kusuo's Mother continued to chat as Saiki looked down at the picture Violet had pulled out. Familiar pink eyes sparkled brightly in the picture along with a glowing warm smile.

"It's gonna be hard to avoid her now."

Lotus was busy finishing her housework. After getting home from school she found a note from her sister saying she was going to greet the neighbors. Lotus decided to take this time to unpack some boxes and tidy up the place. Lotus was currently wearing a frilly pink apron, courtesy of her sister, as she worked. She opened a box pulling out some books and putting them away.

All was calm and quiet that is until the front door burst open and a young man with two-toned hair flew in. "My lovely Violet! I have come home to be showered with your loving embrace!"

"She's not home yet," Lotus commented still stacking books.

The man fell to the floor sliding on his face.

"Get off the floor Ethan it's not clean."

Ethan got on his hands and knees tears falling down his cheeks. "How cruel this world is separating me from my lovely Violet."

Lotus let out a sigh patting the man's back," She's just meeting the new neighbors. Stop being so melodramatic. Now get off of the floor I haven't swept it yet."

Ethan let out a small sniffle looking up at Lotus. "Oh Lotus….the world can't be so cruel-" Then he launched himself at Lotus "-if I've got my little Lotus with me!"

Lotus ducked out the way and Ethan slammed face first into the wall.

"How is it you have a sister complex and were not even related." Lotus deadpanned

This man is Ethan Campbell, he's from Scotland. He's got two-toned hair, the top being red and the undercut being orange sort of like a sunset. He's also got nice hazel eyes. Ethan is my sister's fiancee. They met eight years ago when my sister was studying abroad. They plan on getting married once my sister finishes all of her schooling. As you can tell Ethan's a little over the top….what am I saying he's as loud as his hair. My sister and Ethan are great together and share a lot of the same interest, that also includes their sister complex. Before I even met the guy he developed a little sister complex courtesy of my sister gushing about me being her perfect little angel of a sister. He made our first meeting really weird. He called me the little wish he'd always wanted granted. At first I thought he was a perv, but I discovered he just meant that he always wanted a little sister of his own. He should really learn to word his sentences better.

"Lotus! The love of a family doesn't stop with blood. I see you as my adorable little sister and I will protect you just like I do my lovely Violet!" Ethan proclaimed

"Grrreaat…."

"Knock knock. I'm home."

"Violet!"

Ethan rushed to the front door and picked Violet up in his arms lifting the woman up and spinning her around. "My darling Violet! You've finally returned to me! I missed you so much!"

Violet giggled into her hand, "I was only gone for a few hours."

"Yes but every second away from you is like an eternity," Ethan responded

"How cheesy."

Lotus watched Ethan shower Violet with love.

"It's almost sickening how lovely dovey he is, but he's a nice guy always wearing his heart on his sleeve. And he treats my sister nice and makes her happy."

"What a joyous day this is. I have my loving Violet once again with me and my adorable little Lotus too."

"Lotus is home."

"Oh no."

In an instant Lotus was sandwiched between her sister and Ethan. The two younger adults rubbed their cheeks on top of Lotus's soft pink hair.

"My cute delightful little Lotus, I missed you! How was your first day of school? Did you make lots of new friends?" Violet cooed

"Of course she made friends! You'd have to be a brain dead idiot for not wanting to befriend our lovely little Lotus." Ethan stated

"You two act like I'm your love child or something."

"Your right Ethan! There's no one cuter than our little Lotus." Violet squealed

"I hope that one day when we have our own little ones there as splendid and sweet as our little Lotus!" Ethan exclaimed

Violet gazed up at the ceiling as if she was staring up at the heavens. "To have our child take after our little Lotus. That would truly be a blessing from the heavens. I shall pray for it every night."

"Me too love!" Ethan chorused

"Now this is just getting creepy."

"Isn't it about time for dinner," Lotus interrupted

"Lotus is right," Violet said

"What should we have? All of the kitchenware is still packed. I could call for take out." Ethan said

"There's no need for that." Lotus walked over to the dining room doors. "I unpacked and cooked dinner." She opens the doors revealing a delicious spread. Various vegetable and rice dishes along with a hot pot. "Think of it as a celebrity moving in dinner. Its also a thank you dinner for all that you've two have done for me. I'm truly grateful for you guys allowing me to live with you. Thank you, Violet. Thank you, Ethan."

By the time Lotus was finished talking Violet and Ethan were in tears.

"Oh, Lotus!"

The two cried grabbing the girl bringing her back into a bone-crushing hug.

"How blessed we are to have you!"

"Our little Lotus is truly an angel!"

"Will you two calm down. Dinner's getting cold."

Ethan, Lotus, and Violet were sitting around the table eating the delicious meal Lotus had prepared.

"How were the neighbors?" Ethan asked

"They were wonderful. It's a lovely family of three. I wasn't able to meet the father but I did meet the mother and son. Their son was a cutie, but not as cute as my lovely little Lotus. Maybe they'll become friends." Violet said

Ethan was looking down at his plate his bangs casting a shadow over his eyes, "A boy you say…."

"Oh boy…"

"No boy is getting near our little Lotus! Boys are nothing but monsters that just want to steal away our Lotus!" Ethan ranted

"You're being overdramatic again."

Violet just smiled, "I don't think this boy seemed like that type. He seemed very nice."

"At least Violet can stay rational."

That's when Violet's smile warped into a sinister grin. "And even if he did try anything with my precious little sister I'll gladly rearrange his organs for him."

"Spoke too soon."

"But Mrs. Saiki was so nice and smart I'm sure she raised a respectful son," Violet said switching back to her normal self.

Hearing the name Saiki, Lotus paused mid-chew.

"Did she just say, Saiki?!"

"Violet, did you just say Saiki?" Lotus asked

Violet nodded her head. "Yes. Why?"

"Mrs. Saiki's son? Does he have pink hair and wear these little pink hair ornaments that look like antenna? With this impassive look on his face?" Lotus questioned

"That's him exactly!" Violet confirmed

"No way!"

"Excuse me!" Lotus quickly stood up from the table and ran out the room.

"Huh? Where is she going?" Ethan questioned

"Well, Lotus has always wanted a pink haired friend. Maybe she's going over to the neighbor's house to see the boy." Violet explained

"WHAT!?" Ethan jumped up knocking his food over. "Lotus doesn't need any friends who are boys! She's too innocent for that!"

"She is in high school. Boys are always going to be around her and little Lotus is so cute she attracts so much attention. I wouldn't be surprised if she already has a fan club starting up." The more Violet talked the more depressed Ethan got. "Who knows she might even find a boyfriend soon."

"NOOOOOO!" Ethan was screaming holding his ears. "I don't wanna hear anymore! Violet, how can you talk so calmly about this!"

"Oh, that's simple." A dark aura appeared around Violet, "If a single boy even thinks an indecent thought about my little Lotus I'll disembowel them and send their souls to burn in the core of the earth."

"Violet….I love you."

Lotus peeked out her front window, the pink haired girl was crouched behind the window peeping through the small opening of the curtains. She tried to squint and see the last name written on the mailbox across the street but she couldn't read anything from the distance she was at.

"If I really wanna confirm this I need to go outside. Saiki seemed like he wanted to be alone and I kinda feel weird hearing all his thoughts. I'll just run outside and take a quick look at the mailbox. I mean what are the odds that I'll actually run into Saiki if it is his house."

Lotus made her way to the front door and looked around. When the coast was clear she quickly sped walked over to the house across the street her sights set on the mailbox.

Lotus was doing fine until her foot touched the sidewalk.

"Your an idiot."

"Saiki!"

Lotus jumped startled and she nearly broke her neck with how fast she whipped it around looking for the pink haired psychic. Yet she saw no one around her.

"Now I know I heard him."

"Move it yourself."

Lotus quickly whipped her head to the house she was standing before. If she was hearing Saiki….

Lotus took a few steps back stepping off the sidewalk. She stood there for a minute or two and not once did she hear Saiki's thoughts. She then took a step back onto the sidewalk.

"I don't care."

There was Saiki's voice. Lotus stepped on and off of the sidewalk multiple times. Every time she stepped on she could hear Saiki, but when she stepped off she could no longer hear him.

"Soooooo….this is defiantly Saiki's house and it seems like if I come in within a certain distance I can hear his thoughts. How….wonderful."