At this moment, Kushida Kikyō was relentlessly kicking the railing in front of her, her mouth cursing Horikita Suzune nonstop. This was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.
Normally, Kushida Kikyō, despite her inner disdain for Horikita Suzune, would never let her emotions show on her face. Most people couldn't tell, and even someone as observant as Ayanokōji Kiyotaka wouldn't have noticed her true feelings at this point.
However, maintaining a facade for too long builds immense pressure, and now, with no one around, Kushida Kikyō wanted to let it all out.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! That cursed woman!"
Kushida Kikyō vented her frustration, kicking the railing with force, producing a sharp, clear sound.
Anyone who knew her would struggle to equate this hysterical girl with the usually friendly and warm Kushida Kikyō.
It was late, and few people were around, so Kushida Kikyō wasn't worried about being seen—
But in her emotional outburst, she didn't notice Saiki Kusuo standing behind a tree nearby.
'Yare yare, seems like the timing's off. I'll head back today.'
Saiki Kusuo didn't want unnecessary trouble and was about to leave.
Just then, his phone buzzed—someone had messaged Kushida Kikyō.
'Damn, who's messaging her now?'
Saiki Kusuo glanced at the screen: it was Ike Kanji.
Ike Kanji: Kushida-san, are you free tomorrow?
Ike Kanji: I accidentally bought an extra movie ticket. Want to come?
'...'
For a moment, Saiki Kusuo felt like making Ike Kanji disappear from existence.
"Who's there?!"
Kushida Kikyō, hearing the noise, stormed toward Saiki Kusuo's location, her aura menacing.
'Too late to use invisibility—it takes a minute to prepare.'
'Teleporting away isn't ideal either. No cameras here, but there are some on the streets. If she checks the footage later, it'd be troublesome.'
'Good thing I have a backup plan.'
Saiki Kusuo stepped out from behind the tree.
"Saiki?"
Kushida Kikyō frowned, her eyes filled with hostility, a stark contrast to her usual cute demeanor.
Why is Saiki Kusuo here? He must've heard everything, right? Right?!
"Did you… hear that?"
Kushida Kikyō's sharp gaze locked onto Saiki Kusuo's face, searching for any sign of recognition.
"No, what are you talking about?"
Saiki Kusuo remained expressionless, answering without hesitation. If he could bluff his way out, he would.
Hearing his response, Kushida Kikyō froze, stunned by his bold denial.
This jerk's pretending! At this distance, he had to hear it!
Kushida Kikyō's eyebrows twitched, her body leaning forward until her nose nearly touched Saiki Kusuo's, her eyes still fixed on him.
But she didn't expect Saiki Kusuo's face to remain completely unchanged.
"You really didn't hear anything?"
"No."
Impossible! He definitely heard it!
'If you don't believe me, why ask?'
Saiki Kusuo thought.
This guy's still pretending! I can't let this go! If he tells anyone, my image will be ruined!
Absolutely not! I must maintain a perfect image! Absolutely!
I'll make Saiki Kusuo keep quiet. I'll force his hand onto my chest, accuse him of harassment, and threaten him into silence. Later, I'll find a way to get him expelled!
'Seriously? You're just a high schooler planning this? Ridiculous.'
Saiki Kusuo's face remained blank, and he knew Kushida Kikyō's intentions.
'Provoking a psychic? Can't ignore this.'
"Saiki, stop pretending! I know you heard everything! Don't you dare tell anyone!"
Kushida Kikyō lunged forward, grabbing Saiki Kusuo's hand and trying to press it against her chest.
But despite her force, his arm didn't budge.
"What?!"
Kushida Kikyō gasped, shocked that the seemingly frail Saiki Kusuo was so strong.
How is this possible?! I used all my strength, yet he's unmoved! What's going on?!
Saiki Kusuo stood like a statue, unyielding.
'Yare yare, can't use mind control freely. Guess I'll use this instead.'
Saiki Kusuo confirmed no cameras were around and used telepathy to ensure no one else was nearby. He placed his hands behind his back, and a banana-shaped object appeared in his hand.
"Look, Horikita's over there."
"What?"
As Kushida Kikyō hesitated, Saiki Kusuo's peculiar object struck her face. She instantly lost consciousness and collapsed.
This was Saiki Kusuo's memory-erasing ability. The object, resembling a TV mascot, erased the last minute of her memory.
However, the erased content would be replaced by her brain, and Saiki Kusuo couldn't control what it would be.
'First, erase our accidental encounter.'
Saiki Kusuo muttered to himself.