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]

no no I meant Send.

that place is suuuuuuuper haunted Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Oh. So I guess that means there are spirits, then.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

I visited that place with my grandpa as a kid Send.

I was like 3? Send.

I saw some weird stuff. I was really scared Send.

but I tried to act like I wasn’t Send.

I don’t remember a lot after that Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Thanks for the warning. Send.

If it's anything that we can't handle, I'll let Master Reigen know. Send.

But Master Reigen's so strong that I think we'll be fine. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

It’s definitely nothing you couldn’t handle! Send.

Have confidence, Shige Send.

If I were to visit that place again I’d be totally at ease with you there Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Thanks, I feel the same. Send.

Hopefully we'll be able to do something fun while we're there. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

(୨୧•͈ᴗ•͈)◞ᵗʱᵃᵑᵏઽ* Send.

the Volga Rice is sooooooooo good Send.

the sauce it’s seeped in is like a demi-glace Send.

you’re gonna be smiling for days after eating it Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

People take pictures of their food, right? Send.

I think I've seen it online. Send.

Did you want me to take a picture of what I eat too? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

of course! ( ˘▽˘)っ♨ Send.

you get up to really cool stuff! Send.

but even if it wasn’t cool Send.

I’d still like to hear all about it. Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

By the way Send.

What movie do you want to watch when I get back? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

There’s an animated movie I do want to see Send.

It’s called Wolf Children Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Yeah I think I saw an ad for it. Send.

We should watch it, then. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

It’s a date! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I should be able to pay for our popcorn, too.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

are you sure? I’m the one who invited you

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Yeah, I haven't been able to use my spending money on anyone other than my family in a long time

[mp_simplyacommoner]

How gentlemanly! I accept. Send.

Of course I’ll return the gesture. Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

You don't have to if you don't want to Send.

But maybe you can grab some candy? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Preferences? (￣▽￣)

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

How about Kit Kats? I'll let you choose the flavor.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

(｀∇´ゞ Send.

Have fun this weekend Shige!!!! Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Speak with you tomorrow Send.

Good night Send.

Mob snapped his phone shut and crawled under his futon. He'd have to be up early tomorrow for their trip, so it was probably for the best that he tried to fall asleep as soon as he could. He usually had a hard time sleeping when he traveled.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

~~

They had gotten a really early start that day. After all, in order to get to the ryokan by early afternoon with time to conduct their on-site investigation they had to catch the train that ran at first sun. Not only that, but Reigen was up even earlier for one very good reason: food.

Not just any food, either. No, there was a little something extra he hadn't told Mob about.

They had been on the train for a good hour or so. That hour hadn't been filled with much chit-chat, which was rare for them, if only because talking was one of Reigen's favorite things to do. No, truthfully, he was content to admire the beauty of the landscape once they were past the bounds of Seasoning City. The Ponzu Marsh wetlands were flush with water and greenery from all the Spring rain. Even if Reigen had been out this way once before for the inital consultation, it had been rainy then. Today the clouds had broken and he could see them reflected in the water.

He glanced at Mob, who had also been staring out the window. And then Reigen suddenly wondered if Mob was enjoying the view just like him. His face was as impassive as ever even as he nibbled on one of the many snacks they had gotten while they were out shopping.

"Ah!" Reigen bent over to his angular bag. It was the only other bag he had brought with him other than his suitcase. It was about that time to break it out the contents before they could sit for too long. "I think it's about time for a proper breakfast. What about you?"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Breakfast?" Mob thought that the snacks were breakfast. The offer wasn't unwelcome, though, and the slight change in Mob's intonation from his usual neutral pattern of speech signaled Mob's version of surprise and anticipation.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"You think I would make my pupil vanquish evil on rice crackers and ramune alone?" Reigen produced a bento neatly wrapped in a green patterned cloth and extended it to Mob.