Bai Ying had a theory.
It was a simple one, really.
Saiki Kusuo was testing him.
Not testing his patience, though Bai Ying was certain he did that too, but actually testing him.
Seeing if Bai Ying knew something he wasn't supposed to.
It started small.
A too-casual prediction here, a conveniently timed movement there. Saiki would "accidentally" move away just before something fell near him or glance at the door a second before the teacher arrived.
He dropped hints the way a person might if they wanted to see whether someone was paying attention.
And Bai Ying was definitely paying attention.
The problem was, Bai Ying couldn't say that.
Because if Saiki was testing whether he knew the truth, then it meant Saiki wasn't sure if he did. If Bai Ying played his cards right, he could keep that uncertainty going.
He leaned back in his chair, pretending to watch the classroom lazily while his mind raced.
Alright, Bai Ying, act natural.
[System: Host, you are not acting natural.]
Bai Ying didn't react outwardly, keeping his easy smile as he propped his chin on his hand. What do you mean?
[System: You have been watching Saiki Kusuo for approximately three minutes and forty-two seconds without looking away. This is not standard behavior.]
...Okay, maybe he was staring a little.
He forced himself to look toward the front, where the teacher was droning on about something Bai Ying hadn't bothered to process.
Saiki, meanwhile, was completely ignoring the lesson.
Bai Ying could feel the attention on him, subtle but unmistakable. Saiki was watching him in the same way a scientist might observe an animal in an experiment—calculating, methodical, and mildly exasperated.
Bai Ying, being Bai Ying, grinned at him.
Saiki's eyes narrowed slightly.
Bai Ying turned back to the front of the class, completely satisfied with himself.
The lesson continued, but Bai Ying barely paid attention. His system, unfortunately, did.
[System: Host, you should be focusing on your studies.]
Yeah, yeah. Later.
[System: It is later.]
Bai Ying resisted the urge to sigh. His system was useful, but sometimes it was like having an annoying manager in his head.
Instead of responding, he subtly shifted his gaze toward Saiki again. The pink-haired psychic wasn't looking at him, but Bai Ying had the distinct feeling that Saiki knew he was watching.
...He should probably dial it back a little.
Right as he thought that, a shadow loomed over him.
"Oi, Bro! What's up?"
Bai Ying blinked.
Then, slowly, he turned to find Nendou grinning down at him, radiating his usual mix of enthusiasm and general cluelessness.
Several students turned to look. A few whispers started up.
Bai Ying sighed. Here we go.
At first, he hadn't thought much of Nendou's presence. The guy was simple, easy to read, and fun in a way that most people weren't.
The issue was that Nendou had apparently decided they were best friends.
And Bai Ying—despite himself—didn't mind.
Which was probably the most shocking thing about all of this.
"Whatcha doin', huh?" Nendou asked, pulling a chair over and sitting backward on it, arms draped over the backrest.
Bai Ying smirked. "Oh, you know. Plotting my next move."
"Woah, cool! Like a strategy thing?"
"Something like that."
Nendou nodded sagely, as if this made perfect sense. "I getcha, Bro."
Bai Ying couldn't help it. He laughed.
It was genuine, and that was the weirdest part. He wasn't faking it, wasn't putting on a show.
...Huh.
Saiki, from his desk, looked utterly disgusted.
Bai Ying, of course, made direct eye contact with him and grinned.
Saiki turned away.
Bai Ying had never been prouder.
The whispers didn't stop, though.
It started with people wondering why Nendou was still hovering around Bai Ying.
Then it escalated into something worse.
"Hey, do you think Nendou and Makoto are—"
"No way."
"But look at them! They're practically glued together."
"I thought Saiki was the one getting closer to Makoto."
"Is this some kind of battle for his heart?"
Bai Ying barely kept himself from laughing.
A battle? For me?
Ridiculous.
He wasn't going to stop it, though.
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and smirked.
This was about to get very interesting.
By lunchtime, the rumors had evolved into something even more absurd.
"I heard Nendou saved Makoto from a gang fight, and that's why they're close now."
"No, no, no. You've got it all wrong! Makoto saw Nendou's 'true self' and realized he was actually a secret genius."
"I think Nendou challenged Saiki to a duel over Makoto's heart and won."
Bai Ying almost choked on his drink. A duel? What was this, an anime?
"Man," he said, looking at Nendou, "do you ever get tired of being a legend?"
Nendou, mid-bite of his sandwich, blinked. "Huh?"
Bai Ying shook his head, amused. He was about to say something else when he noticed a familiar blue-haired figure lurking nearby, eyes shadowed, aura way too intense for a normal school setting.
"…Kaidou?"
The self-proclaimed hero flinched at the mention of his name, but instead of running, he took a step forward, hands clenched into fists.
"Makoto," Kaidou said, voice dramatic, "are you under duress?"
Bai Ying blinked. "What?"
Kaidou shot a pointed look at Nendou. "You don't have to answer! If this guy is forcing you into some kind of hostage situation, just blink twice."
Bai Ying stared. "Huh."
Nendou scratched his head. "Eh? Why would I do that?"
Kaidou scoffed. "You think I haven't noticed?! First, you get close to Makoto, and suddenly everyone thinks you two are dating. Then, rumors start flying about secret duels and alliances! It's all too convenient!"
Bai Ying was trying very hard not to laugh. "So… what exactly is your theory here?"
Kaidou crossed his arms. "It's obvious. Nendou is part of an underground syndicate and has roped you into his schemes! You're only acting friendly because you don't want to put us in danger, right?"
There was a long silence.
Nendou looked at Bai Ying. Bai Ying looked at Nendou.
Then Bai Ying smirked.
"Oh no," he said, voice entirely too serious. "You got me."
Kaidou gasped.
"Dude," Aren muttered from behind them, "don't encourage him."
"But it's funny," Bai Ying whispered back.
Saiki, sitting a few seats away, didn't even bother looking up from his lunch. "You're insufferable."
Bai Ying grinned. "You love it."
Saiki's chopsticks snapped in half.
Nendou, blissfully unaware of the chaos he had caused, laughed loudly. "Man, you guys are weird."
Kaidou still looked skeptical, but Aren was already dragging him away, shaking his head.
As they left, Bai Ying turned back to his food, still grinning.
He'd never had this much fun in school before.
The chaos didn't end there.
By the time the last period rolled around, Bai Ying had accepted that the entire school had lost its mind.
Apparently, the so-called "battle for his love" had escalated to the point where people were picking sides.
There were students debating in the hallways.
"I think Saiki is the better choice."
"No way! Nendou has a stronger presence."
"I dunno… Kaidou seems pretty invested too…"
Oh my god, Bai Ying thought, rubbing his temples.
When did this turn into a ship war?
[System: Host, your actions have caused unnecessary chaos.]
I know. Isn't it great?
[System: No.]
Bai Ying chuckled to himself.
Honestly, he could probably fix all this. One clarification, one simple explanation, and the rumors would die down.
…But where was the fun in that?
He glanced at Saiki, who was reading a book like he hadn't been forcefully dragged into this situation.
"Hey, Kusuo"
Saiki didn't react, but Bai Ying knew he was listening.
"So, what's your take on all this? Think I should start selling pictures of us?"
Saiki sighed audibly. "You are the worst"
Bai Ying smirked. "You're still hanging around me, thoughx
Saiki turned a page in his book, but Bai Ying caught the very slight twitch in his eyebrow.
He was so easy to mess with.
And Bai Ying had every intention of continuing to do just that.