The troublesome thoughts crested the horizon earlier than he had wished they would. He had certainly cared for her when he had disposed of the models from the mixer and been nervous around her during the 2 person projects. Now that he was faced with the prospect of actually interacting with her more, he didn't know if he had the guts to actually form anything close to a normal relationship.
He reflected back on the conversation he and Teruhashi had that morning. Wanting to be friends with him still after all the trouble he subjected her to was outside of any of his models. Her attempts to disguise her thoughts were amateurish, especially against someone who had spent their entire life reading thoughts, but he gave her a pass for trying so hard. It was only right because she had given him a second chance as well. He did not like to be indebted after all. Of course she would try to put on a mask; it was the only thing she'd ever really known. She was very brave considering the fact that the only safe haven she ever had had been breached.
Once again, her work ethic and ironically her genuineness had won him over. He had expected her to spiral out of control once she knew the truth, but she just kept coming back. She certainly was frightened, but most of her reaction had been one of relief. It seemed like her act was more of a weight on her shoulders, a defense mechanism brought about by her circumstances rather than something she wanted to be. They really weren't very different after all. It was unlikely that her conceit would change very soon, but he was no better. It had been a half-joke, but there was some truth behind, "I do not bow down to mortals." He had always separated himself from others as if he was a different species from them and above it all.
Perhaps the first step to being ordinary is believing that you are. Otherwise known to normal people as "fake it 'til you make it."
He shuddered at the thought that such a facile maxim could even come close to applying to someone such as himself, but small, measured steps were his only option moving forward. All of his other efforts to become an ordinary psychic had failed catastrophically. Doing the same thing over and over would not yield better results.
He wondered when the next time she would come around was. He didn't particularly care if she did because the status quo was just fine to him as well. He had already accepted that he would be a psychic forever. What was the point of putting effort into something that would very likely never bear fruit? The question wracked his brain to the point of mental exhaustion. He had thought about it for what seemed like hours with no resolution. He had never been any good at understanding let alone changing the future when it came to people's interactions with him. He twinged again.
What am I saying? I can't get close to her. I want to become normal at my pace, not someone else's. I can't forget my obligations. Both the world and I could be ruined.
A nameless fear forced his way into his mind, but he was just barely able to get it under control before it consumed him. He had heard that school was starting tomorrow from reading Kaidou's thoughts, so he really needed a pick me up for all of the anguish he had been subjected to and would be subjected to tomorrow. He remembered he hadn't eaten any coffee jelly this whole story and was suffering some serious withdrawals. It was now late afternoon, so he would have to settle for convenience store coffee jelly.
There were a few barriers to his enjoyment of the heavenly delicacy. He had no money and he would not use teleport to prevent any more nasty surprises like the one yesterday. It was 183 yen for 3 of the cheaper variety so all he would have to do is make 200 yen to be able to afford a pack. But wait, if he bought 3 of the packs, he would save himself trips but have more on standby in case something like this happened again. However, he didn't want anyone getting in the way of his enjoyment and the more of it he had, the more likely someone would be to filch it from him.
Ahahaha Kusuo, can't you spare some coffee jelly for me and your mother? We've had such looong days and since we spent so much time and care raising you, wouldn't you mind just parting with a few of them pretty please?
Kusuo ground his teeth at the prospect of that idiot's emotional manipulation forcing him to give up his precious dessert. He was more than prepared to ignore his father, but once his mother got involved it was curtains. Still, he had a feeling that in the coming days he would need some extra coffee jelly to take the edge off so 3 it was. They were pretty cheap so all he needed was 600 yen to buy 3.
"Oh nooo, I stubbed my toe and got a splinter in it while trying to move a display case, and I knocked over and broke 3 of my action figures while doing it! However could I remedy this situation, but with a psychic who also happens to be my son?"
Suddenly, Saiki Kusuo disappeared and was replaced by 100 Yen Man. 100 Yen Man whisked himself to the location of the noise to find none other than Kuniharu Saiki whistling as he waited for his psychic butler to arrive.
"Oh, Kusuo! You're finally here! Can't you spare a hand for your dear old dad as he's just too old to move this dresser by himself?" Kuniharu said brightly.
100 Yen Man pointed to his eponymous glasses.
"On second thought, I've had a burst of energy so I think I'll do it myself," Kuniharu mumbled as he scurried over to the case.
As Kuniharu tried to move the display case again, 100 Yen Man raised his hand and for some reason the display case felt much heavier than it did before.
"Kusuo, that's a dirty trick. Are you trying to get money by some underhanded means?" Kuniharu scrunched his face in an attempt to look angry and menacing, but ended up looking more like an upset child after its toy was taken away.
Kusuo is not here right now, only 100 Yen Man is and as far as 100 Yen Man is concerned, you have insulted him by calling him and then refusing service. 100 Yen man crossed his arms and flashed a face that would have made a Yakuza boss think twice.
"Ugh, fine just do as you must. I'll remember this. What are you planning to do with this money anyway?" Kuniharu relented. He had seen that face so many times he had become numb to it.
"None of your business," 100 Yen Man curtly responded.
100 Yen Man healed Kuniharu's foot, moved the display case, and fixed the 3 action figures. He then stuck out his hand to collect his compensation. He was very unhappy when he received 500 yen instead of 600. He shoved his hand out again like a cash register that refused to close.
"All you needed to do to remove the stub and the splinter was restore my toe, so in my mind that's 1 act. You only get 500 yen," Kuniharu said with an upturned nose and thinned lips.
100 Yen Man glowered at him and then telekinetically grabbed the display case and brought it down very close to the toe in question.
"Nonononono, ok 100 Yen Man, I give up, I give up!" Kuniharu pathetically pleaded.
"Thank you for your gracious help, 100 Yen Man," Kuniharu grumbled as he forked over his money.
100 Yen Man tipped his glasses. Pleasure doing business.
100 Yen Man disappeared as quickly as he came, and Saiki Kusuo took his place.
I'm going out for a bit. Make sure not to break anything while I'm gone unless you would like me to call 100 Yen Man again.
"Yeah, sure Kusuo. By the way, your mom told me that Kokomi-chan discovered your powers. Does that mean..."
No.
Saiki interrupted his father before he said something stupid. No time to waste, it was of grave importance that he gets his true best girl. Saiki hurried down the street, as any encounter with the nuisances could end up with him coming home empty handed. The streets were moderately crowded as most people were coming home from work around this time. First contact, 150 meters, northwest.
"This is a rather odd looking gorilla, maybe I should take it back to the zoo for research!"
Target isolated. He couldn't locate Nendou by his own thoughts, but he tended to make an impression. As long as there were people around, he could be triangulated with reasonable accuracy. Why was he even out? His pal radar might make it harder to lose him so Saiki would use a longer way around. Second and third contact located. 50 meters south.
"I'm investigating the dark portents of a murder carried out in the back alley with a pipe by none other than Dark Reunion!"
He combined both of his fantasies. I won't spare any further thought about what it will evolve into next.
"Well, I don't really understand what's going on with these games, but hanging out with Shun is never boring so I'll see how it plays out. He needs protection anyhow."
As usual, Kuboyasu is with Kaidou. For his sake, I hope Kaidou doesn't lead him into a situation that will break the peace by coercion he enforces.
Contact 4, 200 meters, Northeast.
"Almost dying two days ago gave me a great idea: Porno Magazine Tournament Armageddon Edition!"
Nobody needs dialogue tags to tell who these thoughts belong to. You are probably the only person on Earth who would think this makes any sense.
No further threats detected. Saiki did notice a suspicious lack of his most dangerous threat, but given his high alert it was unlikely she would catch him again. Saiki quickly formulated a route and successfully avoided the nuisances without interference. Just another day in the life of a psychic. He finally made it home and sat down to enjoy his decadent desire. He could feel all of his trouble melt away as the delicious treat in his mouth did. God was in his heaven. All was right with the world. He slept soundly that night.