Chapter 4: Cutting Algae Part One

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Texting was a pretty neat function. It was widely adopted by every teenager except the one he, Reigen, had so generously gifted a phone to do it with. Mob was diligent to a fault about picking up his calls, but texting? Still a work in progress. Mob was getting better, though. After all, how else was Reigen supposed to give him a heads up about big jobs before the end of the school day? Excepting the occasional friendly lunch break chat.

That was of course assuming the phone was still intact. After their chat last night, Reigen wasn't so sure. It wasn't like Mob made a habit of texting him first.

Reigen squinted at the clock on his second-hand laptop he'd just replaced the shattered one with. 12:05PM. He had found a decent deal on one in a flea market but there was something off about the graphics. Parts of the screen were always slightly out of frame and most of his day had been spent trying to uselessly dink with the display options until it was righted, but instead he just ended up with a resolution that was too small.

'Ugh. New laptop, and if we're really unlucky, a new phone? I'll just garnish it...' Reigen pulled out his phone and fired off a text to his pupil. You didn't get washed away, did you? Your phone's still working, right?

Comments

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Even if Mob was so reserved, the sheer belief radiated from the text alone. Teru smiled, then frowned, then smiled again.

Maybe there's something personal going on

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Should I ask him about it? Send.

I'm not sure he'd tell me even if something troubled him Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Adults have their own troubles, you know? Send.

Stuff they'd never tell us about Send.

That's just the way it is Send.

As long as you trust he's not gonna put you in any danger Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I don't think he would Send.

Not intentionally, anyway Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru shifted on his couch, kicking one leg over the arm of it restlessly.

You should listen to your gut Send.

Never ignore your instincts Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I'll do that Send. Mob was trying to be more assertive, but there were times where he was relieved to have someone else tell him what to do. This was one of those times.

Thanks, Teru Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

No problem. Send.

I know how it is. Send.

It'll work out though Send.

I'm sure of it Send.

(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob smiled slightly as he read Teru's messages. He really did feel assured by them.

We should do something when I get back Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru rolled onto his stomach, still restless but in a different way now.

really? Send.

we have a lot of things planned already Send.

you haven't changed your mind right? ¬‿¬ Send.

or Send.

are you saying you wanna do even more? Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Well Send.

Is it a lot? Send.

Mob wasn't sure what a lot was for normal people.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru couldn't help but think that was a good point as he kicked his legs eagerly. For a boy like Shigeo it certainly felt like a lot, but...it wasn't nearly enough for Teru. He couldn't just say that, though.

I was just teasing you y（^ヮ^）y Send.

I can think of a lot of things we can do together Send.

Pause.

But you go first Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

There is a new cat cafe that just opened by the station Send.

But I didn't really want to go alone Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Le Paw Palette, right? Send.

I had plans to go there with someone when it finally opened Send.

but those kinda fell through Send.

so I haven't been there yet Send.

l wanna try their cocoa! Send.

THEY HAVE CAT-SHAPED MARSHMALLOWS Send.



LOOK Send.

they're soooooooooooooo cute Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Wow Send.

Do you like cats too? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

they're super cute Send.

they're smart Send.

they're elegant Send.

they've got minds of their own Send.

who could resist? Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I really like cats too Send.

They're really independent Send.

I want to be more independent too Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Oh? Send.

I think you're pretty catlike Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Really? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you walk quietly Send.

you‘ve got those soft triangle eyes Send.

you’re thoughtful Send.

you’re cute ^ↀᴥↀ^ Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob felt his face flush.

I think you're more like a cat than I am Send.

You're independent and cool Send.

And your hair is always in the right place Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you’re making me blush Send.

you’re capable of doing plenty of things on your own already you know? Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Not as good as other people Send.

But I'm trying my best to get better at it Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

You will Send.

And you are Send.

I’ve seen you do hard things on your own Send.

Honestly Send.

Being independent isn’t everything Send.

Being cool isn’t everything either Send.

Even cats want to be held when they cry out Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob read the texts with a perplexed expression. He felt like he understood this only slightly more than the scroll he read earlier.

Do you want to be held, Teru? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru’s kicking feet froze in place. The glass of water he was telekinetically filling himself in the kitchen cracked.

haha Send.

no that’s not what I meant Send.

maybe my metaphor got a little lost there（；^ω^） Send.

I mean looking cool and actually being cool are different Send.