Kei Kamiya, the Cheater

I bet he’s going to use the coma as an excuse for average scores again.

The words struck me over the head. I know they aren’t meant for my ears, but I can tell that my mom meant them. Few things in this world are as stark as the disappointment of a parent. She sat across the table from me, sipping broth from a bowl. Noticing my staring, her brows scrunched together in a half-scowl.

“What? Want seconds or something?”

Mom’s expression didn’t betray her thoughts outright. In fact, they matched up eerily well. Like everyone, though, she wasn’t saying what she really meant.

“More importantly, you’re not going to pin low grades on your time in the hospital, are you?”

Actually, there were exceptions to that. My dad’s inner and outer voice always seemed to line up perfectly. No lie, no mask, no filter, he says what’s on his mind. Even if it isn’t what I want to hear.

“That wasn’t the plan, no.”

“You sure? You weren’t exactly a top student before. It makes your mom and I worried for your future.”

That’s an understatement, my mom snapped internally.

My brow twitched in a subconscious mockery of the way my mom furrowed her brows.

“Yes, yes. I, Kei Kamiya, will work earnestly to the standard of my school and bring success to this household.”

There he goes again. Smartass.

Wow, mom, you didn’t even stop yourself from clicking your tongue with that one. Well, maybe my sarcasm came off as a bit too obnoxious. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“If you could say that and actually mean it, I wouldn’t be on your case like this.” Dad let a sigh escape his lips. I shrug in response, stuffing food into my mouth to avoid talking as much as possible.

Last year you spent way too much time playing around with that girl of yours. Just spend more time focusing on your success and you won’t be so average, damn it.

My dad’s voice was heard loud and clear before he even opened his mouth. He might have been the only person so far who really means what they say, but that means I would have to hear it twice. To be reminded of her, twice. In moments, he’d be opening his mouth to chastise me for something that was already making me suffer.

“Last year you–”

–SLAM.

Sorry dad, but this was the only thing I could think of. My palm slaps the table as I stand up, glassware rattling to help interrupt my father. I force myself to swallow and gather up my dishes, stepping back from the table in record time.

“Don’t worry. This year, I’ll be spending a lot more time on my own success. In fact. I’m gonna go make sure my uniform still fits.”

It was a flimsy excuse, sure, but I couldn’t sit there and hear that without blowing up. By the time I’m halfway up the stairs towards my bedroom, I can already hear them talking about it.

Was it something I said?

Oh, he’s just at that age. It’ll pass.

Now that I’m actually in my room, I don’t know what to do.

“Might as well do as I said,” I mumble. Otherwise, I’m no better than the liars all around me.

I secure a navy blue tie around my neck, looking over my beige and blue school uniform in the mirror. My hair is a mess, and the bags under my eyes are pretty obvious. For the last week or so, I’ve been losing sleep to experiment with mind reading. Who wouldn't, if they woke up one day with psychic powers? Without concentrating, people’s thoughts flow into my mind within a certain range. The constant noise is honestly really annoying, but with some focus I can disconnect myself from it all rather easily. I can also go the other way with this, concentrating to extend my range or search for particular voices. When I first tried, I went too far and passed out, but with a little practice I’ve been able to hear into the neighbor’s houses without effort.

“Ugh…” Yes, that’s a groan, and no, I’m not happy with what I’ve gotten myself into. Honestly, I hate that I have this. No matter how you look at it, telepathy is the kind of power a villain has, right? It’s easy to see why.

In the time I was experimenting alone, I learned the neighbor girl’s three sizes, her parent’s social security numbers, and that they’re having an affair. Both of them, separately.

And that’s just one neighbor’s house! I have the potential to act like some type of manga villain, but all I wanted was to spend my youth going on dates and hoping my parents don’t disown me along the way. Is that too much to ask?

Her face, nervous and twitching as she lies, flashes in my mind. That girl, the one that showed me just how cruel my ability really is. I can ignore temptation, avoid taking advantage of what I hear, but the real reason I hate my power is because I can tell what people really think about me.

He says that, but when has he ever worked hard for anything?

Ah, that was my mom. They’re talking about me.

Now, now, he was just in his first relationship. It’s natural. I’m sure things will change once he gets used to it.

You saw his scores last year. Average doesn’t even do them justice. If you want a repeat, fine by me!

About how disappointing I am.

Even if he drops out, it’s not the end of the world.

About how little they expect of me.

Ahhh, we should have been more strict when he was young.

About their regrets.

I just… I wanted to give him the freedom to choose. He chose not to work hard. I’m sorry.

And their loss.

When did I end up on the floor? When I look towards the mirror and see myself hugging my knees, only one word comes to mind. Pathetic. Is this what everyone else sees when they look at me? The reflection reaches for the mirror’s frame and grabs on, smirking. That smirk turns into low, dry laughter.

“So, what?”

My knuckles turn white as I drown out all of the voices. In this silence, my voice feels louder. Forceful. Dripping with resolve.

“If they think I’m some waste of time, I’ll prove them wrong.”

I see my mom. A scowl. I see my dad. A sigh. Letters and numbers overflowing on an exam paper. I see my ex, cloaked in the halo of light. Withered, dried out flowers.

“All of them.”

Why not act like a villain? This ability has taken so much from me. I’ll just take back what I deserve. Self control? Expectations? Honesty? Screw that! I’m never failing a test again. Popularity? Sports? Clubs? Interviews? If I can read minds, It’ll all be easy. Average? Don’t make me laugh.

I, Kei Kamiya, will be cheating at life to climb to the top! In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. If anyone exists that can figure me out, I’d love to meet them.