EXTRA: Valentines Day

Bai Ying stood in front of the refrigerated section of a high-end convenience store, arms crossed as he stared at the neatly arranged rows of coffee jelly.

His plan was simple. Step one: Get Saiki the perfect coffee jelly. Step two: make Saiki fall in love with him. Step three: get married.

Maybe not step three, they are still in Highschool after all.

[Mission Objective: Deliver the coffee jelly to Saiki Kusuo.]

[Optional Bonus: Increase Affection Points through romantic gestures.]

"The system makes it sound so easy," Bai Ying muttered.

[Statistically, food-based gifts have a 78% chance of improving interpersonal relationships.]

"Yeah, yeah." Bai Ying crouched down, scanning the labels. He couldn't just get any coffee jelly. It had to be the best.

His fingers hovered over a premium brand—imported beans, hand-whipped cream, a ridiculously high price tag for something so small. Perfect.

As he grabbed it, he hesitated.

Should he get two?

Not because he wanted one. Definitely not because he was curious about what Saiki's mouth would taste like after eating the coffee jelly. This was purely for Saiki.

…God, he was starting to sound like a creep.

[User's internal reasoning suggests otherwise.]

Bai Ying scoffed, grabbing a second one out of sheer defiance. "Shut up."

By the time he stepped out of the store, supplies in hand, his plan was officially in motion.

PK Academy was already buzzing with Valentine's Day energy. The hallways were lined with students clutching chocolates and love letters, whispering about crushes and confessions.

But Bai Ying barely paid attention. His real target was somewhere inside.

Saiki Kusuo.

His heartbeat picked up at the thought of him—not from nerves, no, but from something deeper, something he wasn't quite ready to name. He had played this game before, teasing and prodding, but today… today was different.

Because for once, this wasn't about the mission.

This was about Saiki.

Bai Ying exhaled slowly, cracking his knuckles as he spotted a flash of pink hair ahead. "Let's see you escape this one."

[Alert: Target located. Probability of avoidance: 94%.]

Bai Ying smirked. "Not on my watch."

He took one step forward—

And Saiki disappeared.

"Oh, hell no."

[System Adjustment in Progress.]

A second later, Saiki reappeared just a few feet ahead, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

Bai Ying grinned, heart thrumming in anticipation. "Oh? Running from me, Saiki?"

Saiki's glare was legendary.

"…No."

[User's Affection Level with Saiki Kusuo: -0.1]

Bai Ying ignored that. He wasn't about to let Saiki slip away this time.

"Relax," he murmured, letting the playful edge in his voice soften just slightly. "I just have a little gift for you."

Saiki's frown deepened.

Bai Ying pulled out the limited-edition coffee jelly, waggling it between his fingers. "Come on, Saiki. Don't you trust me?"

Saiki stared.

And yet—

[User's Affection Level with Saiki Kusuo: +5]

Bingo.

He wasn't sure if it was the gift itself or the fact that he was offering it, but either way, Saiki hadn't immediately vanished again. That was progress.

Still, he didn't move. He just stared at the coffee jelly like it was a trap.

Makoto leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to something just a little more intimate. "What's wrong, Saiki? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too flustered?"

Saiki's eye twitched. "No."

Makoto chuckled, lazily spinning the jelly cup between his fingers. He shouldn't be enjoying this as much as he was, but something about teasing Saiki—seeing the cracks in his perfect composure—made his chest feel strangely warm.

"Then why are you hesitating?" he murmured. "It's just a little gift."

Saiki still didn't take it.

Makoto hummed, letting his gaze linger on Saiki's face. "Don't tell me… this is your first Valentine's gift?" His tone was light, teasing—but underneath it, something real. Something that made his pulse quicken.

Saiki exhaled sharply through his nose, unimpressed as ever. "I've received gifts before."

"Oh?" Makoto's smirk widened, but his heart beat just a little faster. "But not from someone as charming as me, I bet."

Saiki stared at him. Hard.

[User's Affection Level with Saiki Kusuo: +0.2]

Makoto nearly laughed.

This wasn't just fun anymore. It was personal.

"You do realize Valentine's gifts are supposed to be chocolate, right?" Saiki finally said, like he was trying to steer the conversation back to something rational.

"Sure, but I'm not like other people," Makoto purred, stepping close enough that their fingers brushed as he placed the jelly directly in Saiki's hand. "Besides, this is way better than chocolate. A limited edition, specially imported, luxury coffee jelly. Just for you."

Saiki's fingers twitched.

Makoto knew he had him.

[User's Affection Level with Saiki Kusuo: +3]

Victory.

Saiki sighed, clearly resigning himself, and muttered, "Fine." He kept the jelly.

Makoto leaned in just a little closer, voice dropping to something softer, something sincere. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Before Saiki could retaliate, a loud, earth-shaking voice interrupted them.

"MAKOTO, BUDDY! THERE YOU ARE!"

Makoto didn't even need to look. He barely had time to brace himself before a heavy hand slammed onto his shoulder.

"GAH—"

"HAHA! I'VE BEEN LOOKIN' ALL OVER FOR YA, BUDDY!" Nendou beamed, completely oblivious to the fact that he had just ruined Makoto's moment.

Makoto shot Saiki a quick look. The psychic looked about two seconds away from teleporting to another dimension.

Makoto snorted. "Wow, Nendou. So early in the morning, and you're already this excited to see us?"

"Hah?! OF COURSE! YOU'RE MY BUDDY AND SAIKI'S ALSO MY BUDDY!" Nendou bellowed, slapping Makoto on the back hard enough to rattle his bones before also slapping Saiki on the back.

Saiki sighed. "Can you not shout first thing in the morning?"

Makoto chuckled, shaking off the impact. "Alright, alright. Let's get to class before we cause another scene."

Nendou grinned. "GOOD IDEA! LET'S GO, BUDDY!"

Saiki muttered something under his breath that Makoto was pretty sure was a complaint about his life choices, but he ignored it as the three of them headed toward the classroom—unaware of the chaos waiting for them inside.

Makoto knew the moment the class caught on.

Whispers spread like wildfire, fueled by the unmistakable sight of Saiki Kusuo holding a Valentine's gift.

"Wait… Makoto-san gave something to Saiki?"

"No way. No way."

"I thought he ignored Valentine's Day like he always does??"

Makoto barely held back a smirk. Oh, this was too good.

Kokomi, however, didn't seem nearly as amused. Her smile was still perfectly in place, but Makoto felt her eyes analyzing him.

"Makoto," she said, voice deceptively sweet, "why did you pick Saiki-kun to give a gift to?"

Makoto turned to her, keeping his expression light and playful. "Why not?"

Kokomi's brow twitched. "You could have given it to anyone." Her voice was even, carefully measured. "But you gave it to him."

The words were casual, but Makoto knew his sister too well. Beneath that practiced grace was sharp-edged suspicion.

Makoto only smiled, utterly unbothered. "It's Valentine's Day, right? It was about time I confessed."

The whispers exploded around them.

"Wait, did he just say confessed?"

"Did he really choose Saiki on purpose?!"

Makoto turned to Saiki, voice lowering just enough for only him to hear. "Besides… I think he deserves a little appreciation."

Saiki didn't blink. Didn't react. Just stared at him with the same unreadable expression.

Makoto met his gaze, steady and unshaken, the corner of his mouth curling up just slightly. He didn't back down. Didn't let it turn into a joke.

The class collectively held their breath.

Kokomi's eyes narrowed, flickering between them. Suspicion rising.

Then—

A loud gasp shattered the tension.

"HUH?! MAKOTO, YOU GAVE SAIKI A PRESENT?!"

Makoto turned just in time to see Kaidou Shun staring at them, horrified.

Oh.

Oh, this was gonna be good.

Kaidou marched over, dramatically serious. "Makoto! You have to be careful! If you give gifts on a day like this, people will get the wrong idea!"

Makoto tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "The wrong idea?"

Kaidou nodded, arms crossed. "Yes! This is how love rivalries start! First, a small, seemingly innocent gesture! Next thing you know, secret organizations will be targeting you, all because of your feelings for Saiki—"

Makoto leaned forward slightly. Deliberately. "And what if I do have feelings for him?"

Silence.

Kaidou. Short-circuited.

The entire class. Exploded.

"WAIT, WHAT?!?!"

Makoto turned his gaze back to Saiki, slow and deliberate, a small, knowing smile curling at his lips.

Saiki's eyebrow twitched.

Makoto grinned.

Then Aren stepped into the chaos. "Wait… So Makoto actually—?"

Makoto flashed his most charming look. "What, jealous?"

Aren visibly short-circuited.

"WH—?! NO! WHAT?!"

Makoto leaned in slightly. "Because if you wanted something, you could've just asked."

Aren made a strangled noise and turned bright red.

Makoto felt the system ping.

[Target Affection Levels—]

Before it could finish, a new voice shattered the moment.

"MAKOTO-KUN! THIS IS AMAZING!"

Makoto barely had time to react before Hairo bounded over, positively beaming.

"This is the kind of Valentine's spirit I believe in! Giving a gift to a friend purely out of appreciation?! That's the ideal!"

Makoto blinked.

Hairo gripped his shoulders, eyes shining. "THIS is what I'm talking about! Passion! Goodwill! The bonds of camaraderie!"

Makoto struggled not to laugh. "Uh, it's not for friendship-"

Hairo nodded, fist clenched. "We should all follow your example, Teruhashi-kun! Let's make this a school-wide movement! VALENTINE'S FOR EVERYONE!"

The class erupted into cheers.

Makoto barely managed to suppress a choked laugh. Well. This was… unexpected.

Meanwhile, Saiki rubbed his temples, looking like he wanted to die.

Makoto wiped away a fake tear, still chuckling, then turned to Saiki with the biggest, smuggest grin.

"See, Saiki? I'm not the only one making dramatic Valentine's gestures."

Saiki shot him a look of pure suffering, and in return? Makoto winked at him.

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

Makoto didn't waste a second.

He bolted out of the classroom, weaving through the crowd of students in the hallway. He knew Saiki—knew how he worked. The moment school ended, he'd either vanish instantly or try to slip away unnoticed. And Makoto wasn't going to let that happen.

[System Alert: Target detected exiting school premises.]

Makoto smirked. Not this time.

He sprinted through the halls, ignoring the way students gawked at him.

"Oi! Makoto, where are you going?!" Kaidou called after him, looking scandalized.

"CHASE YOUR DREAMS, MAKOTO!" Hairo shouted encouragingly.

Makoto didn't slow down. He made it outside, just in time to see Saiki heading down the street.

"Saiki!" he yelled.

Saiki froze mid-step.

Makoto caught up, slightly out of breath but grinning. "Wow. You really tried to ditch me again."

Saiki turned his head, expression unreadable. "I was simply walking home."

Makoto smirked. "Mhm. Sure. And I'm secretly the Emperor of Japan."

Saiki sighed, exasperated. "What do you want?"

Makoto took a deep breath, stepping closer.

"Look, I'll make this simple," he said, voice lowering slightly. "I like you, Saiki."

Silence.

Saiki stared at him.

Makoto's heartbeat pounded in his ears, but he kept his cool. "I've been chasing you all day, you know? I'm persistent like that."

Still, Saiki didn't move. Didn't even blink.

Makoto let out a short laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I know you're probably about to teleport away or something, but I figured I should at least say it properly."

Saiki exhaled sharply, closing his eyes for a moment.

Makoto had no idea what he was thinking. But instead of running, Saiki stayed.

[System Alert: Critical Affection Event Triggered.]

For once, Bai Ying didn't care about the mission—he genuinely wanted to confess to Saiki.

Saiki stared at him, silent.

Makoto knew this was a big deal—Saiki wasn't the type to get flustered, but he also wasn't running away. That was progress.

He took a step closer.

"So?" Makoto said, tilting his head with a smirk. "What do you think?"

Saiki's gaze flickered, his fingers twitching slightly at his sides. "You do realize this is pointless, right?"

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"

Saiki exhaled. "I don't do relationships."

Makoto grinned. "Lucky for you, I'm persistent."

Saiki looked vaguely exasperated, but Makoto saw the way his ears were just the slightest bit pink. He was getting somewhere.

[System Alert: Saiki Kusuo's emotional response detected. High probability of reciprocation.]

Makoto barely had time to process that before—

Saiki turned to leave.

Oh, hell no.

Makoto reacted instantly, grabbing Saiki's wrist before he could disappear.

Saiki froze.

"I knew you were gonna run," Makoto laughed breathlessly, tightening his grip. "You always do."

Saiki didn't pull away, but he glanced at Makoto's hand, expression unreadable.

"Let me go," he said flatly.

Makoto leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Make me."

Saiki's fingers twitched again, like he was debating something.

Then—

He moved.

Makoto barely had time to react before Saiki closed the distance, tilting his head just slightly—

And kissed him.

It was brief, barely a second—like Saiki was testing the waters before he could change his mind. But Makoto felt it.

The press of lips, the flicker of warmth—

Then it was gone.

Makoto stared, stunned. His system was going crazy in the background, but he barely registered it.

Saiki looked calm—too calm, but his ears were definitely pinker now.

"…There," Saiki muttered, glancing away. "Happy?"

Makoto blinked.

Then, he laughed.

Loud, delighted, completely thrilled.

Saiki frowned. "Why are you laughing?"

Makoto wiped at his eyes, grinning like an idiot. "Because, Saiki," he said, stepping forward again—closer this time. "You kissed me."

Saiki's expression didn't change. "It was the easiest way to get you to shut up."

Makoto smirked. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."

Saiki sighed, looking completely done. "You're insufferable."

Makoto beamed. "And you like me anyway."

Saiki didn't answer. But he also didn't deny it.

Makoto would count that as a win.

[System Alert: Mission Progress—Significant Increase in Affection!]

Yeah.

Best Valentine's Day ever.