Baby Steps - Kusuo Saiki x Reader

10. Okinawa

It was that time of year when everyone in school was beyond excited, and this shared excitement was due to the school trip. Next week, our class will be going on a three-day trip to Okinawa. I could barely contain my excitement; my hands trembled just thinking about it. Despite having the ability to travel to Okinawa whenever I wanted, there was something uniquely thrilling about experiencing it with my friends.

The day was filled with chatter about the trip. Hairo announced that the groups would consist of three girls and three boys. It seemed like a simple enough arrangement, but it quickly turned into a strategic game of alliances and preferences.

Teruhashi, Yumehara, and I formed a group almost immediately, with Teruhashi practically dragging us out of the classroom to discuss it. "We should definitely be in a group together," she said, her eyes sparkling with determination. Yumehara and I agreed without hesitation.

As we peeked into the classroom, Yumehara pointed out that Kaido, Nendo, and Saiki were forming a group as well. This sight made Yumehara and Teruhashi exchange knowing glances.

Both Teruhashi and Yumehara had a crush on Saiki, although each believed the other liked someone else, thanks to Saiki's brainwashing on my first day of school. Teruhashi still believed that Yumehara liked Kaido, while Yumehara thought Teruhashi had a thing for Nendo.

I was just along for the ride, trying not to laugh at the mix-up.

"Now, the only thing we have to figure out is how we're going to join up with their group," Teruhashi mused, a finger on her chin. Her eyes glinted with a cunning plan, and both she and Yumehara looked at me expectantly.

I blinked, taken aback. "Wait, you want me to ask Saiki?" I asked, already shaking my head. "He probably won't even listen to me."

"But you're the bravest among us!" Teruhashi and Yumehara begged, their eyes wide with desperation. They pleaded, insisting that I was the only one who could make it happen.

Despite their praise, I declined. I knew Saiki well enough to understand that he wouldn't want to be grouped with two girls crushing on him.

Seeing my resolve, Yumehara took the initiative and decided to ask Kaido herself. This move surprised Teruhashi, who still believed Yumehara had feelings for Kaido.

However, as Yumehara looked around the classroom, she couldn't find Kaido anywhere. Not wanting to waste time, Teruhashi took it upon herself to ask Nendo, which shocked Yumehara, who believed Teruhashi liked Nendo.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the misunderstanding between them. Just as she approached Nendo, a crowd of her fans surrounded her, asking her to join their groups. I glanced around, spotting Saiki with a suspiciously satisfied expression. He likely called the crowd over using his telepathy to avoid any possibility of Teruhashi joining his group.

Hairo, noticing the commotion in the hallway, stepped in with a solution. He gathered everyone back to their seats and stood at the front of the class, explaining that we would draw names to see which groups would pair up.

Teruhashi went first, silently praying to be paired with Saiki's group. Using my X-ray vision, I saw that she had picked Saiki's name.

However, just before she drew the card, Saiki used his abilities to switch the names. Instead of being paired with Saiki's group, Teruhashi, Yumehara, and I found ourselves grouped with Takahashi and his friends.

Takahashi's group seemed thrilled by this turn of events, but the rest of the class booed them, disappointed at not being paired with Teruhashi.

I glanced at Teruhashi and Yumehara, who sat beside me, looking utterly dejected. Their excitement for the trip had visibly drained away.