"Rat-tat-tat… rat-tat-tat"
[Yare yare, so troublesome. It's taking forever.]
Saiki touched the mascot pajama outfit. At this pace, Umaru would have a hard time finishing it today.
Saiki glanced toward the door. He had already been pedaling the sewing machine for half an hour, and Umaru still hadn't returned.
[Fine, time for a different method.]
Saiki tossed the mascot outfit into the air, pointed with one finger — countless threads aligned themselves and automatically sewed onto the outfit.
"Swish swish…"
...
One minute later, the perfectly completed mascot outfit floated back into Saiki's hand. He casually placed it on the table beside him, sat down, and opened a book to wait.
[Sure enough, this way is the easiest.]
"Rat-tat-tat… rat-tat"
Just as Saiki was timing it and preparing to bolt the moment the one-hour promise ended, footsteps came from outside the door.
[Finally here? She timed it perfectly — only two minutes left until the hour.]
Saiki picked up the mascot outfit again, checked it left and right to make sure nothing was wrong.
The door opened — but the person who entered wasn't Umaru. It was a gyaru with long blonde hair down to her waist.
When she came in and saw Saiki sitting at the sewing machine holding the mascot outfit, she froze instinctively.
Saiki on the other side remained calm and said nothing. The two simply looked at each other.
(Why is Kitagawa-san here?!)
Although Saiki was a little surprised that Kitagawa Marin would come here, he had no intention of explaining anything — he didn't know what to say anyway, and there was nothing worth saying.
But Saiki noticed something off about Kitagawa Marin across from him.
Because Kitagawa Marin was slowly walking closer step by step, her face flushed, breathing heavily, staring in his direction with an excited expression — like a total creep.
(What is this? Has she never seen someone use a sewing machine before?)
Looking at the clearly abnormal state of Kitagawa Marin, Saiki instinctively wanted to run.
"Saiki-kun, you can actually use a sewing machine!"
[Ha?]
Saiki looked at Kitagawa Marin, who had snapped out of her "creep" mode, completely confused.
"I mean, it's so surprising that you can use a sewing machine! The school hasn't taught it, right!"
[No, they haven't, but…]
"Exactly! You're really amazing!"
(Even the Handicraft Club was just created this semester on a whim by some upperclassmen. The school hasn't started teaching it yet — at least not for first-years.)
Kitagawa Marin [If it's Saiki-kun, maybe he could…]
(What is she thinking now? Definitely some kind of hassle again.)
"Saiki…"
"Bam!"
The door opened once more — this time Umaru had returned.
"Saiki-shishou, sorry! I got really busy, but I made it back just within the hour. How did the clothes you helped me with turn out?"
When Umaru came in and saw it wasn't just Saiki, she instantly switched to her gentle mode and gave a sweet smile.
"Saiki-kun, thank you for taking over and helping make the clothes. I'm back now."
(Your face-switching speed is still as fast as ever. As expected from someone who's been "acting" for over ten years.)
"Kitagawa-san, you're here again today!"
Only now did Umaru clearly see who it was.
"Ah, sorry Umaru. I was planning to borrow your handicraft room again today to make some things."
(Oh, looks like they know each other. Whatever, not my problem.)
Saiki took the finished clothes, handed them to Umaru, and headed for the door.
[The clothes are done. I'm leaving first.]
With that, Saiki closed the door and left.
"Saiki-kun!"
Kitagawa Marin watched Saiki move so quickly. She tried to chase after him, but when she opened the door, his figure was already gone from the hallway.
Kitagawa Marin: "So fast!"
"Wow, Saiki-shishou is amazing! He finished it so quickly for me."
Umaru looked at the hamster pajamas in amazement. She had originally planned to stay several extra hours at school today to finish early — and she hadn't even been that confident. She never expected Saiki to complete it in one go.
" Umaru, Saiki-kun made this outfit for you today?"
Kitagawa Marin had only met Umaru this semester. She didn't know about the Handicraft Club either — she had only discovered the sewing room a few days ago when she came. She wanted to join too, but she was already in the Literature Club.
So she had no choice but to ask the Handicraft Club members to borrow the sewing machine after school — that's how she met Umaru.
Umaru: "I…"
...
The spring sun shone brightly. Saiki was walking leisurely across campus.
(I am Saiki Kusuo, a psychic. For these past ten-plus years, I've hidden my powers and lived a peaceful life. Due to family reasons, I transferred to a school far from home to spend my days quietly.)
(But…)
(It seems I've been targeted.)
From the corner, Kitagawa Marin watched Saiki heading toward the classroom and thought to herself.
Kitagawa Marin [Yesterday I heard from Umaru that Saiki-kun only helped her make clothes yesterday, and even then it was just one hour. I've seen Umaru's outfit — it wasn't at the level that could be finished in one hour. Yet he completed it instantly. I originally thought it would take at least two or three more days!
If I could ask him to help me make some simple clothes, that would be great… but how should I bring it up? Would he really help me? Uuugh~ so conflicted.]
(Yare yare, sure enough, more trouble. Things like this should be left to professionals — not me.)
In the end, Kitagawa Marin decided to follow him for now and see if there would be a good moment to speak up.
After first period ended.
"Ah~"
Hiratsuka Shizuka yawned lazily. "Right, Saiki, come with me to the staff room. Help pass out everyone's homework."
(Geez, here we go again. Why didn't she bring it before class started? She definitely forgot again. What a delinquent teacher.)
A glint flashed in Kitagawa Marin's eyes. [Perfect chance.]
"Saiki-kun, it looks like a hassle. Let me help you!"
Kitagawa Marin said with a smile.
Before Saiki could refuse, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had already reached the door, spoke first. "Kitagawa, you don't need to help him. It's just a little bit — it'll be quick. And Saiki has other things to do."
Saiki turned to look at Hiratsuka Shizuka.
She gave him a gentle smile in return.
Hiratsuka Shizuka [This time there's still some homework I need to correct. Come alone — I don't want other students seeing this and ruining my image as a teacher in their minds.]
(Your image disappeared long ago.)
"…"