(A normal school day. Saiki sits at his desk, quietly reading his book while his classmates chat around him. He's nearly perfected the art of blending into the background—until the teacher ruins everything.)
Teacher: Alright, class, let's open up a discussion today. And to start us off… Saiki, why don't you begin?
(The room goes silent. All eyes shift toward Saiki. He doesn't move.)
Saiki (thinking): Great. Just great. I knew speaking too little would backfire eventually.
(He looks up at the teacher with his usual blank expression, waiting. Maybe if he doesn't respond, the teacher will just move on. A long pause follows.)
Kaidou (whispering): Whoa… the silent treatment. Classic Saiki move.
Nendou (grinning): Oi, buddy, you gonna say somethin' or what?
(Saiki ignores them, keeping his strategy of complete stillness. But the teacher isn't giving up so easily.)
Teacher: Hmm… Well, since Saiki is so quiet, how about we make this interesting? Instead of him opening the topic, why don't the girls ask him some questions? Let's get to know him!
(Saiki freezes. This just got worse.)
Saiki (thinking): No. No. No. I refuse to let this happen.
(Before anyone can react, he suddenly speaks up, his voice calm and clear.)
Saiki: Sensei, I actually have a question for you.
(The class gasps. This is rare. This is history. Saiki is actually engaging?)
Teruhashi (thinking): Oh my…! He spoke…? This is incredible! Wait, wait—calm down, Kokomi! You can't look too excited! But still… Saiki-kun speaking is such a rare event… I must witness more!
Chiyo (whispering to Teruhashi): This is kind of amazing, right? I never thought I'd see the day.
Saiko (smirking): Hah! What a lowly peasant move. Speaking in class? I do that all the time! Typical commoner excitement over nothing.
(Ignoring the reactions, the teacher nods.)
Teacher: Oh? Go ahead, Saiki. What's your question?
(Saiki stays expressionless but internally, he's relieved. If he directs attention back to the teacher, then he doesn't have to deal with any personal questions.)
Saiki: Sensei, do you believe that history is truly objective, or is it shaped by those who write it?
(A pause. The class stares. The teacher blinks, caught off guard by the sudden deep question.)
Teacher: Well… that's an interesting topic, Saiki. There are many perspectives on—
(And just like that, the attention is off of him.)
Saiki (thinking): Perfect. Now they'll forget about me.
(But of course, not everyone is so easily distracted.)
Teruhashi (raising her hand): Sensei, after this, can we go back to asking Saiki-kun more questions?
(Saiki sighs. Of course she wouldn't let it go that easily.)
Saiki (thinking): I can never win, can I?
(Meanwhile, Nendou leans over, whispering loudly.)
Nendou (squinting at Saiki): OOH! I got a question! Saiki, what's your favorite food? Is it ramen? No, wait—meat? No, no, I got it! It's… uh… air? 'Cause you don't eat in front of us! That's gotta be it!
Kaidou (nodding seriously): That was a true masterclass in strategic deflection. I'll have to remember that for when the Dark Reunion interrogates me.
Aren (laughing): Man, I kinda respect that. Smooth move, Saiki.
(Saiki sighs again, pretending to focus on his book as the teacher starts discussing his question. He may have avoided the worst of it, but knowing his luck… this probably isn't over yet.)
Saiki (thinking): I should've just stayed home today.