#xray vision

that realization sticks in his head. the more he tries to ignore it, the more he can’t. he watches you from a distance—calm, laughing with your friends, completely unaware. he’s intrigued. annoyed. fascinated. all at once.

he starts finding excuses to be near you. subtly. in the library, at the cafeteria, passing by the classroom doorway. every interaction is carefully calculated, mentally noting your expressions, your habits, your faintest reactions. he can’t manipulate your thoughts, can’t predict you, and… somehow, that’s thrilling.

he’s never… felt this before. normally, he’s untouchable, untouchably bored. now there’s curiosity, tension, and—he reluctantly admits it—something softer. something like a crush.

“offu… seriously?” he thinks, exasperated at himself. “of all people… it has to be her.”

every time you smile or tilt your head, he feels that pull, that urge to know you. not to read your mind. just to… exist near you. he can’t explain it, doesn’t want to. it’s inconvenient, distracting, but somehow… enjoyable.

and so, for the first time in his life, saiki kusuo has a secret he can’t uncover—not with powers, not with gadgets, not with manipulation. a secret that’s all his own. you.