Dating Rumors

The morning after the festival was chaos.

Bai Ying had barely stepped onto school grounds before he felt the shift in the air—eyes following him, whispers hissing behind hands, phones subtly angled in his direction. At first, he chalked it up to the usual attention Makoto Teruhashi attracted. But something was different today. More charged. More personal.

He was halfway down the corridor when Kaidou skidded to a halt in front of him, looking more frantic than usual.

"Makoto! Is it true?! You and Saiki—at the festival—together?!"

Bai Ying blinked. "...Yes? We were at the festival. So was literally everyone else."

Kaido gasped like he'd been told the world was ending. "You don't understand. The internet knows!"

Before Bai Ying could ask what that meant, Kaidou shoved his phone in his face.

It was a photo—well, several photos, actually. One showed Bai Ying handing Saiki the pink alien plush. Another had them side-by-side at the balloon darts booth. The worst one was a blurry candid taken while they were walking away from the food stalls, Saiki holding the pink alien in one hand and a bottle of soda in the other. Bai Ying's face was turned toward him, grinning like an idiot.

They looked like they were on a date.

Bai Ying snatched the phone and scrolled. Sure enough, one popular fan account had posted a slideshow of photos with the caption: "Teruhashi Makoto and mystery classmate spotted on what seems to be a very cozy date at the PK Academy Festival! Who's the lucky guy???"

The "mystery classmate" label was laughable. Anyone from their school could recognize Saiki in two seconds flat—green antennas and all.

"Oh god," Bai Ying muttered, catching a glimpse of one of the magazine covers clutched in a classmate's hands.

The cover story of the magazine was bold and glittery: MYSTERY ROMANCE BLOOMS AT PK ACADEMY! National Treasure Makoto Teruhashi Spotted with Possible Boyfriend?!

He almost choked. "How did this even come out so fast—"

Kaido leaned in dramatically. "They're everywhere. Twitter, Insta, Line... There's even a fan edit with sparkles and background music."

Bai Ying read the the caption then sighed "System," he muttered under his breath, "you seeing all this?"

System Online. Host has increased social engagement by 210%. Saiki Kusuo Affection Level: 68/100. Public Curiosity Level: 9000.

"Yeah, that tracks."

"And you know what's worse?!" Kaidou exclaimed, practically screaming. "There are paparazzi shots in here! You were followed! Do you know what that means?!"

"Yes," Bai Ying said dryly, flipping through the magazine. "It means I need a lawyer."

"It means," kaido hissed, eyes wide with horror, "that the dark reunion was following you!"

There was a beat of silence where Bai Ying just stared at him.

And then, with great sincerity, he said, "You need help."

Kaidou looked personally offended.

"you don't understand! Right now they might just be following you but next- they'll clone you and take over the world!"

Bai Ying stared. "I don't think that's how it works"

Kaidou made a strangled noise and clutched his wrapped hand - muttering about the dark reunion and completely forgetting that Makoto and Saiki just got outed as a couple. Bai Ying let out a long breath.

This was going to be a long day.

And judging from the way Saiki was currently standing at his shoe locker, flanked by a group of curious classmates asking if he and Bai Ying were "official," he wasn't going to get out of this quietly either.

Saiki Kusuo was experiencing what could only be described as a personal nightmare.

The moment he walked into the building, he could feel the whispers. Thoughts flooded his mind like static—too many, too fast.

"Is it true?"

"They're so cute together!"

"He's dating Makoto Teruhashi?!"

"I didn't even know Saiki could date..."

He barely made it to his locker before a crowd formed around him. Not the kind of crowd that came with curiosity about his powers—no, this was worse. Romantic speculation.

"So, Saiki," one girl asked, twirling her hair, "what kind of dates do you two go on?"

"Did you confess first, or did he?"

"Are you into famous guys?"

"Will there be a press conference?!"

He stared at them flatly, saying nothing. That didn't stop them.

Behind the giggles and questions, he could hear their inner thoughts:

"He's cute in a mysterious way…"

"I didn't notice before, but he has nice hands…"

"I ship it so hard!"

Saiki clenched his jaw. This is why I don't go outside.

His eyes flicked down the hall, where Bai Ying was leaning against the wall like this was all some kind of comedy show. Their gazes met.

Bai Ying smiled and gave him a little wave.

Stop enjoying this, Saiki thought irritably, but Bai Ying just winked.

Eventually, the crowd dissipated, though whispers still lingered as he walked to class. When he stepped inside, the classroom erupted.

"Saiki! There you are!"

Kaido bounded over, gesturing wildly. "You've been outed, man! Don't worry, we'll protect your love from the dark reunion!"

Aren patted him on the back. "It's cool. I respect it."

Bai Ying strolled in a second later, unbothered by the stares and questions.

Students actually cheered when he stepped into the classroom. Someone even whistled. A girl from Class 2-B peeked through the door, eyes wide like she'd just seen a celebrity—which, to be fair, she had.

"So," he said brightly, "you holding up okay honey bear?"

The student cheered louder after hearing the endearment.

Saiki narrowed his eyes. "Don't call me that."

"Oh, come on. We're basically a tabloid couple now. Shouldn't we have nicknames?"

Saiki turned away, resting his chin on his hand and staring out the window.

Bai ying expected more chaos when he arrived—and he got it. Because only a few seconds later a loud, sudden slam echoed through the hall.

"MAKOTO!" Kokomi Teruhashi burst through the classroom door, her eyes wide and blazing.

Bai Ying blinked. "Good morning?"

"Don't you 'good morning' me!" she snapped, stomping over to his desk and slapping a pile of printed photos on it. "EXPLAIN THIS!"

He glanced down. The top image showed him and Saiki standing close by the ring toss booth, laughing. Another one had Saiki awkwardly holding the stuffed bear, and Bai Ying smiling beside him. The third… was just the two of them walking home, with their shoulders almost touching.

All of them looked painfully like a soft couple montage.

"Oh," Bai Ying said. "Yeah. That."

Kokomi leaned in. "Did you two… get together at the festival?"

The classroom fell into complete silence. Even Kaidou looked up. Hairo froze mid-stretch. Nendou blinked, confused.

Bai Ying raised a brow. "Would that upset you?"

"Yes!" she snapped—and then realized what she said. "I mean—! No! I mean—! You're my brother, and he's—!"

She turned to Saiki, who had just walked in behind her and was clearly regretting all his life decisions. She pointed accusingly. "You! What did you do to my brother?!"

Saiki sighed and walked past her like she wasn't even there.

"Don't ignore me! I know your type—mysterious, quiet, cool—and I admit, it's very attractive, but you're not allowed to date Makoto!"

Bai Ying snorted. "Kokomi."

"No! You don't understand! This is the worst possible scenario. You've been acting weird lately and now you're practically glued to Saiki and—he's my crush!"

There it was.

Bai Ying blinked. "Wait. What?"

Kokomi slapped a hand over her mouth. Too late.

The classroom collectively gasped. Kaidou dropped his manga. Hairo tripped over a desk. Saiki froze in place, his psychic aura flaring in pure, quiet horror.

"Kokomi…" Bai Ying said slowly, lips twitching. "You're in love with Saiki?"

"I—I didn't mean to say that!" she wailed.

"Well, I didn't mean to steal your crush," Bai Ying said with a dramatic sigh, "but here we are."

The teacher arrived a few minutes later, trying to regain control of the room, but the damage was already done. People kept sneaking glances at Saiki and Bai Ying and kokomi throughout the period. Notes were passed. Photos were taken. One girl even tried to hand Bai Ying a heart-shaped chocolate with "Congrats on the boyfriend!" scribbled across the wrapper in pink pen.

To his horror, Bai Ying accepted it.

"Thanks," he said sweetly. "He's pretty great, right?"

Saiki slammed his textbook shut just a little too hard.

Later, during lunch, they tried hiding on the rooftop. Bai Ying carried a lunchbox in one hand and the pink plush from last night tucked under his arm.

"This is the only place people aren't ambushing us," he muttered, flopping down onto the bench.

Saiki followed more slowly, pulling out a simple sandwich. He hadn't spoken since first period.

"Still mad at me?" Bai Ying asked, smiling over the rim of his juice box.

"I'm not mad."

"You're sulking."

"I'm avoiding attention."

"You're failing."

Saiki sighed.

Bai Ying turned toward him, a little more serious. "It'll die down. People always talk, especially when it's something juicy. I'll put out a statement or something."

"No," Saiki said suddenly.

Bai Ying blinked. "No?"

Saiki glanced at him, voice dry. "If you say we're not dating, they'll just think we're hiding it."

"…You're not wrong."

They sat in silence again, the wind brushing through their hair. Despite everything, it wasn't the worst lunch break.

Saiki glanced sideways. Bai Ying was cradling the pink plush on his lap, humming under his breath.

He still didn't get it.

Why was being with him so… easy?

By the time school ended, Bai Ying had gained five chocolate bars, three hand-folded letters, and an offer from a new drama director to "audition Saiki for your next romantic lead." He laughed his way through the attention, responding with just enough charm to keep people entertained but not enough to confirm anything. He was good at that. Years of experience.

Saiki, meanwhile, looked like he was plotting humanity's extinction.

As they exited the gates together—because separating only drew more attention—Bai Ying sighed, lifting his hoodie slightly to shield his face. "You'd think people would get bored after a few hours."

Saiki's glare could have shattered glass.

Unfortunately, things only got worse when they turned the corner and were met by a blinding camera flash.

"Makoto-kun! A quick comment, please!"

A group of paparazzi had parked near the entrance, clearly staking out the school. One of them leaned forward, mic in hand. "Is it true that you and your classmate are dating? Could you tell us his name?"

Saiki immediately turned, prepared to phase into invisibility if he had to, but Bai Ying reached out and caught his wrist.

"Let me handle this."

He stepped forward, tilting his head with a practiced smile. "We're just classmates," he said easily. "Very close classmates, but not officially dating. I hope that clears things up."

The reporter blinked. "So… not officially?"

"Not yet," Bai Ying added with a wink, before ushering Saiki away and down the street like they weren't being tailed.

Once they rounded another corner, Saiki yanked his arm free. "You're not helping."

"You'd rather I throw you under the bus? Let them swarm you? This way, we keep it vague and they lose interest faster."

"They're not going to lose interest."

"They will. Eventually. Maybe."

Saiki groaned, massaging his temples.

Bai Ying grinned, nudging his shoulder. "C'mon, it's not all bad. You're trending now. Look."

He held up his phone. A fan account had posted a photo of the two of them walking together after school, captioned: 'Makosaiki' Nation RISE! Look at these boyfriends!!!

Saiki stared at the screen in horror.

"You're going to get fan mail," Bai Ying said cheerfully. "Probably even art."

Saiki looked like he wanted to melt into the pavement.

"But hey," Bai Ying added, more gently this time, "if it's really bothering you… I'll talk to my agency. I can tell them to make a formal clarification, shut everything down."

He meant it. As much as he loved teasing Saiki, he knew the spotlight could burn if you weren't used to it. Bai Ying had lived under it for most of his life. Saiki hadn't. And it wasn't fair to keep dragging him along.

Saiki looked at him for a long moment, antennas twitching faintly.

"…No. Let it fade naturally."

Bai Ying blinked. "You sure?"

"If you say something now, it'll just fuel the fire. We say nothing, it gets boring."

He wasn't wrong, but Bai Ying still studied his face for a beat longer. "Alright," he said softly. "I'll follow your lead."

They kept walking, side by side under the lengthening shadows of the city.

And then, very casually, Saiki asked, "What's the name of that alien plush?"

Bai Ying blinked. "Huh?"

"The one I gave you. Pink. Weird ears."

"Oh. That's kuu-tan."

"…Ridiculous."