"...When it comes to social interaction, I admit I'm not as good as you. And your actions have proven that my previous approach was wrong..." Kusuo said to Kûsuke.
After more than a year, Kusuo had finally realized his own issues.
Initially, to hide his psychic abilities, he avoided interacting with others. Even when people were in trouble, he rarely helped.
But over time, troubles kept piling up, and even Kusuo couldn't avoid them.
The more he avoided, the more problems came his way.
This made Kusuo understand why Kûsuke had enrolled him in this school—perhaps to help him realize his flaws.
He smiled at Kûsuke, thinking how this seemingly bizarre guy actually had a human side.
Maybe it was time to reevaluate Kûsuke.
Kûsuke wore a device blocking telepathy, so Kusuo couldn't read his thoughts.
At that moment, Kûsuke looked completely baffled.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
Kusuo's face also showed confusion.
"I just wanted to challenge you for fun."
"Eh?"
"After all, you're the only one in this world who can beat me, Kusuo!"
Kûsuke grinned, his expression slightly unhinged.
"Everyone else is just an ant, a cockroach, or a pest! They're not worthy of being compared to you!"
Kusuo was speechless for a moment.
He had completely misunderstood Kûsuke's intentions.
Kusuo thought Kûsuke had carefully planned everything, but it turned out he was just bored and wanted a challenge.
Kûsuke always lost to Kusuo—
And he enjoyed being defeated by him.
In Kûsuke's eyes, no other student was worthy of being compared to his brother.
"Never mind," Kusuo sighed, then teleported away from Kûsuke's lab.
Kûsuke's face still wore that creepy smile.
...
Back in his room, Kusuo lay on his bed, reflecting on the past year.
He'd just wanted a quiet high school life, but things had spiraled out of control.
Initially, he'd even resisted this school.
But now, he'd grown accustomed to it.
In a way, it wasn't so bad.
After all, he could enjoy desserts here that others couldn't.
*Yare yare.*
Closing his eyes, Kusuo realized it was late. Time to rest.
"Wait, I almost forgot something important."
...
The next morning, the cultural festival was about to begin.
According to the schedule, it would start at 9 AM.
But by 6 AM, the school building was already open, allowing students to prepare.
Kusuo and his classmates arrived early at the special classroom to make final preparations.
Suzune had commissioned a large sign, placed at the entrance, visible to everyone entering.
With two classrooms rented, the café was divided into two areas, doubling its capacity.
Kusuo also set up a partition as his kitchen, giving him freedom to use his powers without being seen.
After all, with no one around, he could work as efficiently as a whole kitchen staff.
Once Suzune confirmed everything was ready, Aiura arrived in a truck.
"What's this...?" Suzune was stunned.
Aiura smiled and waved. "I brought all the essentials—tea, coffee, and various food packs!"
She'd gotten help from the school supermarket manager.
"I know... but this is overkill," Suzune admitted. The supplies were far more than she'd expected.
It was more than they could buy with their school points.
"Still, with so much, we can't let it go to waste! Let's do our best!" Suzune encouraged everyone.
The boys helped unload the supplies and finish setting up.
Some students handled barbecue and trivia games—even Kōenji joined in.
As a wealthy heir, he attracted many female customers.
At 9 AM, with the school-wide announcement, they prepared to welcome guests in the maid café.
Through the screens, they saw crowds entering the campus.
*Yare yare, Tsukishiro's motives were questionable, but he's made this school feel more like a school,* Kusuo thought.
[So nervous... Haven't interacted with outsiders in ages...]
[Are there any VIPs here?]
[So tense...]
Maya, in her maid outfit, nervously clasped her hands, then slapped her cheeks for confidence.
"I can do this!"
"Maya's got this! We're with you!" Kei encouraged.
Though technically rivals, they were united for the event.
Airi smiled, but inside, she was panicking, her body trembling. Still, she forced herself to channel her inner Shion.
Suzune remained expressionless, staring seriously at the entrance.
Soon, the first guest arrived.
"Welcome!" Maya's voice was cheerful.
The guest, a man in his forties, entered.
The maids, including Maya, greeted him as trained.
"Let me show you to your seat!" Maya's voice was energetic, but her movements were stiff.
[So nervous... My first time as a maid...]
Thanks to yesterday's rehearsal, she made no major mistakes. She placed the menu and water on the table.
"Master, what would you like?"
"A cappuccino, please."
Guests began pouring in—young and old alike.
Kusuo's class had the closest classroom to the entrance, so their sign and maids were the first thing visitors saw.
The maids, including Suzune, greeted guests.
Though expressionless, Suzune's style oddly appealed to some guests, who struck up conversations.
Airi, initially nervous, smoothly switched to her energetic Shion persona.
"Master, what would you like?"
"Wait, are you Shion?"
"It's definitely her!"
"Can I get a photo?"
As a popular idol, Airi was quickly recognized, and guests asked for photos.
Just then, Kiyotaka appeared.
"Photos cost extra."
Though Kusuo initially disagreed, Kiyotaka's idea was adopted. Kusuo didn't mind—it wasn't a big deal.
Meanwhile, Aiura effortlessly played her role, and the others got into the swing of things. The café was bustling.
After taking orders, the maids delivered menus to Kusuo's kitchen partition.
But Kusuo had already prepared most orders using telepathy.
He waved his hand, and glasses appeared, perfectly arranged.
Coffee beans and tea leaves floated into the cups with precision.
He snapped his fingers, and flames ignited, boiling water that poured into the cups.
"Done."
In moments, Kusuo completed over ten orders.
"Amazing!" Maya exclaimed, delivering the drinks.
[Kusuo must've used subtle cues and the menu to prepare ahead. Impressive.] Suzune thought, ensuring his powers remained undetected.
The morning went smoothly, and both classrooms were packed.
Kusuo noticed one table with peculiar guests.
"As the Black Wing, I sense a power calling me. My right arm's power awakens!" A slim boy with a bandaged arm declared.
Kusuo was briefly surprised, thinking another psychic was among the guests.
But he soon realized the boy was just a chuunibyou.
"Is this a ramen shop? I want ramen." A tall boy with a square jaw said.
Kusuo felt uneasy around him—his telepathy didn't work on him.
For a moment, Kusuo thought he might be a psychic.
But when the boy tried to stuff a glass into his mouth, Kusuo realized he was just an idiot.
Kusuo couldn't read insects or single-celled organisms.
This guy was likely a single-celled organism.
"This school's so different from ours! It must be so exciting!"
"You commoners, watch your words! Without me, you wouldn't be here. Everyone here is a VIP, got it?"
"I'm so hungry!"
"Ah, I wonder if Karen's lost..."
The group, from another school, chatted loudly.
"Kusuo, take a break. I'll handle the kitchen," Aiura said.
Though Kusuo hadn't done much, using his powers was effortless. Still, with mandatory breaks, he decided to eat and explore.
As he left the café, he brushed past a girl.
He didn't notice her, but she turned, surprised.
"That guy... didn't react to me?"