Baby Steps - Kusuo Saiki x Reader

24. Kusuke

I woke up feeling even worse than I had before. Even though Saiki had come over to try to help, and yes, it did help temporarily, I ruined it just like I always do.

I hated myself for keeping so many secrets from him, but how could I possibly tell him the truth? I could barely accept it myself.

I sighed deeply as I dragged myself out of bed, every movement feeling more sluggish than the last. As I got ready for school, my mind was foggy, and everything felt ten times harder without my powers.

It was ridiculous how long it took to do basic things like brushing my teeth or finding my shoes. No telekinesis to speed things up, no clairvoyance to help me see where I left my stuff. I was just... normal.

I skipped breakfast, not feeling up to it, and immediately headed out the door.

Stepping outside, I noticed the weather was perfect—warm, sunny, with just a slight breeze. Normally, I'd appreciate something like this. But today, the warmth of the sun on my face only felt like an insult.

I didn't deserve to enjoy the weather when I was lying to the one person who cared about me the most.

I made my way to the spot where I usually met Saiki in the mornings, but when I got there, he was nowhere to be found. That in itself wasn't unusual, but something about his absence today felt different.

I checked the time on my phone, and it was still a few minutes early. I decided to sit on the nearby bench and wait for him—just five minutes. Maybe then I could clear my head.

Sitting on the bench, I stared blankly at the street, my mind racing. I kept replaying the moment he came over, how he'd looked at me with concern. And I lied. Again.

The words twisted in my gut, and I could feel the weight of them pressing down on my chest. How could I look him in the eye now?

As I sat there spiraling deeper into my own thoughts, I heard the faint rustling of leaves behind me. My senses snapped into high alert. I stood up abruptly, heart pounding, and turned around.

A man, dressed in what looked like a secret service uniform, approached me with an iPad in his hands. He looked out of place, but more than that, something about his presence unnerved me. The iPad screen lit up, revealing the image of a man sitting in a dimly lit room. His blonde hair and sharp features made him stand out instantly.

"Good morning, Y/N," the man on the screen spoke in a calm, collected voice. "I'm Kusuke Saiki—Kusuo's brother."

Saiki had a brother? I blinked, my mind racing. Saiki had never mentioned a brother, and something about this whole situation felt off.

"I'm sure you're confused," Kusuke continued, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I don't usually interfere, but this is urgent. Kusuo has been injured, and he's been moved to London so I can take care of him."

"Injured?" My heart skipped a beat. "What happened? Why didn't he tell me—?"

Kusuke raised a hand to cut me off. "It wasn't a major injury, but it was enough that he needed immediate attention. My parents and I have taken him to London for treatment. We didn't want to worry you."

There was something about his voice that felt rehearsed, and calculated, but at that moment, all I could think about was Saiki. "Is he okay now?"

"Yes," Kusuke answered smoothly, "but if you want to see him, I suggest you follow the man standing next to you."

I glanced at the man in the suit. He had been standing quietly this entire time, watching me with no expression. My instincts screamed at me not to trust him, but at the same time, I felt... nothing dangerous. Normally, my powers would've told me if something was wrong, even if they weren't working at full capacity.