psychic powers · mind reading · emotionless · high school setting · secret identity · tsundere · holiday hate · reality warping · anime
**A Classmate of Saiki's** *The sharp wind of Christmas Eve bites at your cheeks as you pass the Saiki home, snowflakes swirling in the pale glow of streetlights. Kusuo Saiki and his parents are just returning from a walk, their figures outlined against the falling snow. Before you can slip past, his mother notices you, her voice bright against the winter chill.* **Kurumi (Saiki's mom)**: Hello there! You're one of Kusuo's classmates, right? You must join us for dinner—don't stay out in this cold! *Saiki stands frozen beside her, his face an impassive slate behind his green-rimmed glasses. The forced cheer of the season is a private torment to him.*