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The following week, Saiki was finally back from his family trip. He had gotten back before the next school week, on a Friday, so he decided to give himself some time to relax before he had to go back to his noisy lifestyle. He didn't tell anyone of his arrival. However, his efforts weren't worth much, seeing as Toritsuka gave him a visit that same weekend.

When Monday came around, Saiki was on his way to school. The pinkette neglected the messages he received from Asher that morning, not in the mood to deal with his strange personality so early.

'Although I feel a bit bad, I don't need to burden myself by speaking to him so early.'

Somehow, Toritsuka met him in the school building. The two of them don't even share the same class, so he wondered why the purple haired male insisted on following him. Saiki just had to drain out the annoying boy's rambles.

"... so, basically, you should just help me look up a few girls' skirts! Just help a friend out!"

"Never."

"Seriously, Saiki..?"

"Saiki!?"

'My suffering never ends, does it?'

A strong, brunette male came running to the pink haired boy, disregarding the other standing next to him. "You didn't tell me you were coming back so soon!"

"It's been a week."

"You should've fuckin' answered my messages this morning! I was getting worried..."

"Do I ever answer your messages in the morning..?"

"Yes! Yes, you do! Like that one time, and... that other time."

"Don't strain yourself, pea-brain."

"Gahh, shut the hell up!"

Toritsuka looked between the two guys as they talked, both of them acting as if he didn't eve exist. That gave the boy time to analyze their relationship with each other.

'Saiki seems close with this guy. I wouldn't have thought he would have friends– at least, not with a gangster.' Toritsuka stroked the bottom of his chin. 'Could they... be dating? Is Saiki gay..? Is that guy gay!? What is happening!?'

'I hate you.'

'More ladies for me, then!! Score!'

"Saiki!" The purple haired boy shouted. "Who's this guy? I didn't think you'd like the strong type."

Asher rose an eyebrow, turning his attention to the boy who spoke. "The fuck does that mean? Are you also a new guy?"

Saiki ignored Asher. "He's just someone I know—"

"Don't be shy, Saiki," Asher chuckled, pulling the pinkette into a tight side-hug. "We're best friends. You can just call me Asher, bud."

"Let me go."

Saiki's words went unnoticed, Toritsuka smiling with a wide grin. "Best friends!? Wow, Saiki! You've got a super hot dude clinging to you. Teach me your ways."

"'Super hot,' huh? Attracted to me?" The brunette gave a small smirk. "Sorry, but I'm not into guys like you."

"I- I did not mean it like that!!"

• ——— •

All throughout classtime, Asher was bugging Saiki. He would try whispering to Saiki, or tossing paperballs at him. The brunette had even tried to throw a paper airplane at him, with the most random questions on them. Saiki felt as if he was going to pop a blood vessel.

When their free period came, he tried leaving the classroom as quickly as possible. But God was never on his side, and there was always obstacles that blocked him from his freedom. Quite literally, in this case.

'Oh, that guy can see guardian spirits? That's actually cool.'

All the pinkette could do was groan. He walked into the hallway to see Toritsuka surrounded by several students, asking him for descriptions of their guardian spirits. Many were girls, which Toritsuka was glad to see, but there were also a few guys hanging around.

"Hey!" Kaidou had a smug look on his face. "What's my guardian spirit?"

'It's probably some fierce, mythical creature from years ago, like a dragon! Something strong, and cool, just like me..!' The blue haired boy's eyes sparkled just at the thought of it.

'Yeah, right.'

"Mhm... so, who wants to know their spirit next!?" Toritsuka completely disregarded Kaidou, turning to a few girls who was beside him instead.

'Is he an asshole, or shameless..?' Asher couldn't help but wonder.

'It's both.'

"Hey! Me, do me!!" Kaidou was persistent, wanting to catch the attention of the psychic.

"Sheesh..." Reluctantly, Toritsuka took a good look at Kaidou. "Your spirit reminds me of you... a chihuahua."

There was a brief silence in the hallway. It was a big shocking to hear that a chihuahua was a guardian spirit. However, it was Kaidou's guardian.

A certain brunette released a hearty laugh, almost scaring everyone around him. "Wow..! I can totally see that!"

'Is it really that funny?'

"Shut up, Asher!" Kaidou glared at Toritsuka. "It can't be true! Y- you're lying!"

"Nope. One hundred percent sure it's a chihuahua."

"A... a chihuahua..!" Asher had tears rolling down his face from how hard he laughed.

"Ugh.. well, lets see your guardian spirit, Asher! Mine is probably way better than yours." Kaidou tried to keep up his confident act. "Nobody can beat the Jet-Black Wings..!"

Toritsuka side-stepped Kaidou to look to Asher, his squinted eyes looking between the brunette and the open space near him. "Huh..."

"What? What is it?"

"Well, he looks almost exactly like you. As if you were twins..." Toritsuka hummed. "He's sorta young, but older than us. Black hair, green eyes, strong build. Very intimidating, like a mafia member– woah, I'm kidding..!" Toritsuka rose his hands up in defense.

"Strong build, mafia..." Asher smirked, satisfied with the results. "Looks like I win, chihuahua." He stuck his tongue out to Kaidou in a playful manner.

"Whatever!"

• ——— •

Later within the day, you could find class 2-1 in Home Economics. Asher was actually rather excited for this class. He enjoyed cooking at home, and there was always room for improvement. He was hoping to be partnered with Saiki for their assignment, so he could impress the pinkette with his above-average skills. However, luck wasn't on his side today and he was paired with Teruhashi and Yumehara.

'Damn. Just my luck.'

'I think we both have bad partners. Good luck.'

They were instructed to whip up a batch of crepes and cook them, and they would be graded based on how well it was put together. Asher thought it would be rather simple to make, since it's literally just thin pancakes. There was no way they could mess this up.

"Alright, ladies," he used a black and white bandana to tie his hair back, "Are you ready?"

'Ugh!! Does he think he's better than me because he's also attractive!?' Teruhashi's cheeks went pink. 'No way will I allow myself to fall for his looks! I will make him say 'oh wow' today!!'

'Her persistence will be the death of her.'

"Wow...' In contrast, Yumehara was already head-over-heels for the brunette's seductive figure. 'We have so many hot people in our class!'

'Ugh..'

"Y- yeah! I'm ready, Asher-kun!"

"Oh, no need for honorifics. It makes me feel a bit shy."

'More annoyed than shy, but whatever.'

"Oh, okay!"

The three of them worked together to make their crepes. They decided to make a classic style, the filling consisting of berries and whipped cream. It was suggested by Asher, but the three of them were all pleased with the idea they settled with. He had hoped for the process to be quick and easy because of the straightforward recipe, but some things never go as planned.

"Look, Asher!" Teruhashi had one of her enchanting smiles that she always had, presenting a cutting board layered with fruits. "I've cut up the strawberries like you asked~"

"Wow..."

'He said it. I win—!'

"I'm sorry, but these are.. terrible." Asher sighed, taking the board from her hands. "Did your bandana fall over your eyes? Shit, man... it's too late to restart now, I guess."

'W- WHAT!?'

'I suppose the perfect Teruhashi isn't so perfect after all.'

After half an hour, all of the groups were finished with their crepes. Asher was a huge control-freak when it came to cooking, so he did most of the work for his group. However, he didn't mind. The last thing he wanted was to present half-assed food.

The tall male groaned, pushing the cloth on his head back further. "Why do they look so bad?"

Yumehara and Teruhashi looked at him in confusion. To them, they looked great. It was hard to believe they put together something so great. They both took a small plate to taste it, and it didn't taste all that bad either. Did the brunette had bad eyes..?

"Asher, what's so wrong with them. They aren't that bad." Yumehara timidly questioned. She wasn't sure if it was because he was picky, or he was in a bad mood.

Th brunette shook his head. "The coloring of the crepes are off, and the strawberries aren't cut evenly. The cream could've been smoother, too. It kinda just throws it off." He sighed heavily.

'Is he some sorta of professional chef?'

"It's fine. Thank you for helping me, you two." He smiled to the two girls before taking his plate and leaving them to themselves.

'He's so hot..!'

Asher approached Saiki with his plate.

'Maybe he can eat my... crepes.'

'What was with that weird pause?'

The brunette noticed the crepes Saiki made and pat his shoulder. "Those look pretty fuckin' good, Saiki! I didn't know you were such a pro cook."

"I'm not, I just enjoy making things I like."

"Of course, of course... Well, try mine."

"Why? Did you poison it?"

"I could never do such a thing!" Asher gasped in faux-shock.

Saiki took the plate that was forced into his hands. "Okay... but what about you?"

"Huh?" Asher chuckled. "I made it for you. So, eat it."

Saiki only scoffed in response. He didn't take in notice the redness and burning heat of his fingers or ears as he took a bite of the sweet treat. It was hard not to make a face of delight as he chewed and swallowed the crepe.

'I hate him. Why is it so good?' The pinkette's eyebrows twitched from frustration.

Asher only observed his friend as he ate. He watched to see if he could read Saiki's expressions.

'Does he not like it? I mean, I guess I could've done better. Maybe I should've done something less simplistic.'

"It's good. So stop staring at me while I eat, it's weird."

The brunette jumped back in surprise. "Seriously? You mean it!?"

"Yes, idiot. Now, let me eat in peace."

Asher grinned widely, bowing quickly before leaving the classroom in a hurry. He happily muttered to himself, glad that he was able to please Saiki. He wasn't entirely sure why his goal was to get onto the pinkette's good side, but he knew his plan was working!

'He liked my food! What should I do for him next..?'

'What's with him...?'

• ——— •

Asher had planned on asking Saiki to eat lunch with him and Kuboyasu. However, as soon as they were dismissed, he was long gone. The brunette had went off to search for him, but he was yet to be seen.

He walked around the halls for a while, a brown bag in one hand whie the other was hanging onto his belt loop. As he explored the halls, he saw a door that was cracked open. Upon approaching it, he heard clearly there were people inside.

"... we are the Kokomins! And we will do anything for the sake of our Kokomi!!"

'Teruhashi? I feel bad that she's even attracting a group of creeps...'

'Agreed.'

The group went on and on about their attraction towards the blue haired female, but the brunette wasn't too focused on that. He already knew how much the entire school liked his classmate. Asher was trying out who they could've been talking to. Or was this always how they started their meetings?

Since the door was left open, Asher didn't think it would hurt to walk in. So, after excusing himself, he walked into the classroom to find several people inside. He was also able to find Saiki, he was tied up with rope in the center of the room.

'What the fuck?'

"What are you doing here, peasant?" One of the students inside questioned Asher

"I dunno who you people think you are," Asher rolled his sleeves up, a glare present on his face, "but if you do this to my friend again, I'll murder you all myself."

Shivers ran down their spines from the threat. Even Saiki had bullets of sweat streaming down his face. So much for not being a delinquent.

"O- okay, we're sorry! Please forgive us! We won't do it again!!" A few of the men plead at Asher's feet before they all left the room in a hurry. The brunette was much more intimidating than he thought he was.

"What a bunch of goofs." Asher knelt near Saiki to take off the binds.

"I could've handled that myself."

"Yeah, right," The taller male scoffed. "These ropes are tied tight, and there was more than a dozen of them."

'If I were an average person, you would be right.'

"But... you're okay, right? They didn't do anything to you?"

"Don't worry so much. I'm fine."

'Just depend on me a bit more, dammit.' Asher let out a small grunt, his eyebrows pinching together. He walked out of the classroom with Saiki.

"Why were you here in the first place?"

"Uhm... oh! I wanted to have lunch with you, but class is starting soon. Lets just go out later. My treat."

"Sure."

The brunette hummed happily, "Alright. Lets go back to class, then."

'Yeah..'

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