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A Not-So-Disastrous Romance (Book 1) Chapter Five

Kusuo Saiki x Reader

Chapter Five: Ramen Shops

Summary: Saiki goes to a ramen shop (he is dragged there by a bunch of bothers)

“We still aren’t there yet?” asked Kaidou.

He, Nendou, (Y/N), and Saiki were heading to a ramen shop that Nendou had heard about. Saiki had gotten roped in as usual. He wanted to get coffee jelly with (Y/N), but he instead was stuck with Nendou and Kaidou, too. He thought it couldn’t get worse than being with two of his bothers and missing out on coffee jelly, but he was proved wrong. (The world hated him and wanted to prove everything could always be worse).

“Oh, Saiki? What’re you doing here?”

There stood Teruhashi, glowing and sparkling as usual.

“Oh!” squeaked Kaidou.

“T-Teruhashi!” stammered Nendou.

The boys blushed profusely as they looked at the perfect pretty girl.

(Y/N) gave a friendly wave.

“What’re you guys doing out together?” asked Teruhashi.

“Well, Nendou said he knows a good ramen shop, so he’s taking us there,” said Kaidou, rushing through the sentences nervously.

“That’s right! We’re headed there to pig ou—I mean, eat!” said Nendou.

“It’s our first time checking it out,” added (Y/N).

“Oh, ramen, huh?” remarked Teruhashi. She glanced over at Saiki. “If you don’t mind, can I come with you? Am I being a bit pushy?” She winked cutely.

“W-Well, I don’t mind!” squeaked Kaidou.

“It’d be great if you came!” said Nendou.

“The more the merrier!” chirped (Y/N).

Seriously? You, too? Saiki sighed.

This is the perfect chance to get Saiki to say “Oh, wow” and stop paying so much attention to (L/N)! Sure, they’re not ugly, but I’m the person he should be paying attention to! I’m the perfect pretty girl! thought Teruhashi as they walked through the streets, gaining attention from passersby.

“Is the shop this way?” she asked angelically, completely at odds with her aggressively competitive thoughts.

“Ah, yes,” said Nendou rather formally.

(Y/N) was laughing at their friends’ sudden transformations (excepting Saiki, of course).

At least they’re enjoying themself. Saiki supposed one person enjoying themself was better than none, and although he’d rather be the one enjoying himself, he preferred when (Y/N) was happy. It was what they always should be.

“Why, I didn’t expect you to eat ramen, Teruhashi,” said Nendou, a strangely gentlemanlike face on his face.

Saiki was glad Nendou’s strange face could distract him from his own new thoughts.

Teruhashi giggled. “Say, Kaidou.” She turned to the suddenly shy boy.

“Y-Yes?!” he squeaked nervously.

“Why do you always have bandages on your hands?” asked Teruhashi.

“Oh, I do it so my powers won’t go out of control!” stammered Kaidou.

“Powers…?” questioned Teruhashi. “Sorry, I can’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

“Well, it just got like this! I don’t even know why!” Kaidou began unwinding his bandages while blushing heavily. “I’ll take them off!”

(Y/N) caught the gauze, rolled it up, and put it in their pocket. “He’s probably gonna regret that once she’s gone,” they whispered to Saiki.

So they notice that people act odd around Teruhashi. That means they probably are being genuinely nice to Teruhashi, not just being affected like everyone else. (Y/N)’s just a nice person. Saiki wasn’t surprised by that thought. (Y/N) was a genuinely good person. It was a reason he liked to be around them. Tolerated them. Put up with them. It all meant the same thing. (it did not).

They’re so excited! But that’s just natural since they can have a meal with me, the prettiest girl in the world! thought Teruhashi. So why are they acting so calm?! Kunio Kunio! Why aren’t you saying “Oh, wow”? That should always be your reaction when you see me! And (L/N) (Wrong Name)! You don’t act differently at all! And Saiki always pays attention to you, even when I’m the perfect pretty girl! What could you possibly have that you don’t?!

Yare yare. (Y/N) doesn’t bring attention to me or try to make me act differently. Saiki could just be himself.

What makes so that a cool, mysterious guy like him that has a gaze who could look right through you… Teruhashi became lost in her fantasy.

Saiki made a face.

(Y/N) laughed. “That’s the most you’ve ever changed your expression!”

Saiki schooled his expression. They were unfortunately quite observant, still.

Oh, no! I take it all back! Even in her own mind, Teruhashi couldn’t allow herself to obsess over a boy. It all had to be about making him obsess over her. At any rate, I’ll use my charm to make him look at me instead of them and say “Oh, wow” today for sure!

I’m attracting her attention. Saiki hadn’t gotten away from her at all.

“Ah, we have arrived,” said Nendou. He pointed at a small restaurant. “This is the ramen shop.”

“Wow, I’m hungry,” chirped Teruhashi. “Oh, wow.” She turned blank uncomfortably.

“Whoa…” muttered (Y/N), making a face as they looked at the rundown shop.

“I heard their ramen is crazy good,” said Nendou. “A relative of one of my friends’ dog walkers said so. It’ll be fine.”

“So it’s a rumor…” said (Y/N). That’s never good.

“Hey, don’t be stupid!” cried Kaidou. “There’s no way Teruhashi woulg go in a place like that! You don’t want to eat in a nasty restaurant like this, right, Teruhashi?!”

“W-Well, I’m okay with it,” said Teruhashi blankly and begrudgingly.

“A-Are you sure you’re okay with it?!” asked Kaidou.

“Yeah, I’m fine with it,” lied Teruhashi.

(Y/N) leaned over to Saiki and whispered, “Do you want to pretend we’re not hungry and go to Café Mami after this?”

“Yes, but let’s go along with this for now,” said Saiki, but he was happy to acquiesce to (Y/N)’s idea. Sweet treats with someone he…fine, someone he enjoyed being around, sounded nice. Hopefully, this will dampen Teruhashi’s interest in me if she gets disgusted by where she thinks I hang out.

(Y/N) grinned (slightly devilishly). “You’re enjoying this.”

Saiki just looked at them. Yare yare. Too observant.

“Well, a little bad luck builds character in people,” chirped (Y/N). “Besides…I trust you, Saiki. You’re not exactly going to revel in somebody being miserable. Anyways.” They waved their hand. “Teruhashi will probably head home afterwards and get offered some fancy food to make up for this. The others will be fine.” They turned away.

Saiki blinked. Huh.

The group walked into the shop. It was even grosser inside and completely empty.

“What is this place?! This is beyond terrible!” said Kaidou. He looked at Teruhashi. “Hey, seriously, you don’t have to push yourself.”

“I’ll be fine,” lied Teruhashi expertly, “What’s important is the taste.” She smiled angelically.

They all sat down at a table.

“Manager!” called Nendou. “Five ramens, please!”

“Oh, no, thank you,” said (Y/N).

“Oh, you’re not going to eat here?” asked Teruhashi.

“I had a snack earlier today!” lied (Y/N), smiling brightly. “Plus, I forgot to bring money with me, and I don’t want to bother anyone today!”

If they can lie this well, maybe I should worry about not being able to read their thoughts. Immediately after, Saiki dismissed that worry. (Y/N) had a good heart and was earnest as far as he knew. He could trust them.

Not that that mattered in any way. It was just a thought.

“Oh, alright, pinky, next time, then!” said Nendou.

That’s how easy it is?! Maybe I should lie about having to leave… considered Teruhashi.

Yes, please.

No! I am the perfect pretty girl, not an average girl! I will persevere!

The manager walked out. “Alright, four ramens coming up then.” He was extremely sweaty, balding, and unhealthily overweight. After fixing their dishes, he walked back over. “Here ya go.” He set the bowls down.

The ramen smelled terrible and was spilling from cracks in the bowls. All in all, it looked uneatable. (Y/N) became even more glad that they made up an excuse. Their companions, who had not done anything to avoid this, all had rather nauseated faces.

Teruhashi began to eat the ramen robotically. Clearly, she was forcing herself through this. Kaidou and Nendou watched in shock (neither saw that she was making herself do it).

“I-I don’t think you should eat it,” stuttered Kaidou warningly.

Teruhashi blinked.

(Y/N) nodded. “That might be unsafe.” Sure, they were fine with some things not going Teruhashi’s way; it was something people had to learn to deal with in life (even perfect pretty girls). However, (Y/N) wasn’t mean. They wouldn’t willingly endanger someone’s health.

“Hey, pops! Even pigs wouldn’t eat this stuff!” yelled Nendou.

“Shut up! Then beat it!” shouted the manager.

Quickly, the teenagers cleared out of the disgusting restaurant. As they walked away, poor Teruhashi clutched her stomach. Nendou and Kaidou tended to her sympathetically.

The perfect girl, huh? Hmm…If she can go that far in order to play the perfect girl, maybe she already is perfect. Saiki’s eyes trailed over to (Y/N). Well, perfect for eight billion people. Other people are better for me.

To spend time with, anyway.

(Y/N) looked at Saiki. “Still want to go get coffee jelly?”

“Yes.” Saiki didn’t even need to think about that answer.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Grinning, (Y/N) grabbed his wrist and pulled him behind them as they ran into an alley that led to another street. They left Nendou, Kaidou, and Teruhashi far behind.

The perfect person. To hang out with. To just be with.

Saiki was glad to smell Café Mami’s sweet treats baking as his thoughts spiraled.

Finally, the pair stopped outside Café Mami. (Y/N) was panting but laughing. Saiki just watched them, slightly amused in his own way.

“Let’s go in! I’m starving,” said (Y/N).

In response, Saiki nodded. They grabbed a table in a corner so that anyone passing by wouldn’t notice them. (Y/N) knew he’d prefer the privacy. They ordered and quickly received coffee jelly. They both sighed contentedly as they took their first bite.

After a time, (Y/N) looked up at Saiki. “So, what was that whole thing with Teruhashi earlier?” When they got no response, they sighed. “Come on, I know something was going on. You clearly didn’t like the look of that restaurant, and you admitted to testing her in a way. So, what was it all about?”

“She brings attention to me when she hangs around. I think she wants me to say ‘Oh, wow’ since I don’t.” Saiki ensured his explanation was phrased as a theory. Otherwise, he risked outing himself as a psychic. (Y/N) was pretty happy-go-lucky but could make a connection from observations pretty easily. Saiki had to be careful. They showed common sense at all the wrong times.

“So it’s the Teruhashi version of interest in a guy?” (Y/N) laughed. “I guess people always want what they can’t have.” Somehow, that statement made their heart clench, and they almost frowned but focused on Saiki again.

Once again, their insight is correct. I want normalcy, something I can’t have. And I want… Saiki watched as (Y/N) happily continued to eat their coffee jelly. He felt comfortable and normal with them. He felt like he could be himself without fear of judgement (minus psychic abilities). You’re the only one I can admit is my friend, (Y/N).

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