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]

Teru nearly threw his phone across the bathroom to drown himself in the sink.

(∗∕ ∕•̥̥̥̥∕ω∕•̥̥̥̥∕) Send.

i mean Send.

if you really wanted to see something like that Send.

i want to be the one to show you Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Teru wasn't mad, was he? It was difficult for Mob to gauge how people were feeling in person. It was even harder to tell when texting. Even though Teru was very expressive with his emoticons.

I wasn't looking for it. Send.

It just happened to be there. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

I know Send.

I just wasn't expecting that Send.

I haven't even seen my own childhood pictures since I was 10 Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

You don't have any?

[mp_simplyacommoner]

at my apartment? no

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

You don't want any?

[mp_simplyacommoner]

why would I? Send.

they'd probably just get damaged in an ambush Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

What about a copy?

[mp_simplyacommoner]

nah Send.

if I'm keeping pictures around Send.

I prefer selfies Send.

let's take some together Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I don't really take selfies Send.

But I'd take one with you Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you'd like it! Send.

you're so handsome! Send.

the camera would love you Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Handsome? No one had ever called Mob that before, except maybe his mom. Did Teru really think he was handsome? He didn't have any reason to distrust Teru, so...

Let's take a selfie the next time we see one another

He was sure his mom and brother would be shocked, but... maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. His mom seemed really happy that he had a good friend. Maybe she'd be happy he had a good friend he took selfies with, too.

Oh Send.

I just remembered something I wanted to ask you. Send.

What are your likes and dislikes? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

✩⃛∗·⁽⁽◞(˃◟̵◞̵˂⁎=͟͟͞͞ ⁎˃◟̵◞̵˂)◟⁾⁾·∗✩⃛

like...in food? Send.

people? Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob was not sure what that emoticon meant, but hopefully with all of the stars it was something good.

Everything, I think

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you're not trying to set me up with someone as payback, right?

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

No, I just talked to someone here and they said they always introduce themselves with their likes and dislikes Send.

And that she always shares those things so other people feel comfortable sharing with her too. Send.

So I thought we should tell each other our likes and dislikes. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru huffed with flattered laughter as he read Mob's text. He tugged a pair of shorts and a t-shirt on and meandered to his kitchen, phone in hand.

Well! My favorite food is steak Send.

Medium rare. There's no other way to eat it Send.

I like rock music. The era from the 70's to the 80's was the best Send.

In my opinion Send.

There's no music I hate Send.

I can't do oyster though Send.

Fried is fine, just not raw Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

What about the things you dislike?

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru deliberated the coupons on his fridge and elected to just pan fry some leftovers from the night before into some rice.

I guess...if we're talking about people... Send.

I hate liars. Send.

I hate people who prey on the weak. Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I don't like liars, too Send.

Or violence Send.

I don't like fighting, especially with my powers. Send.

Mob was pretty sure that Teru knew all of that, though. Or at least most of it. What else could he say?

I don't like shiokara or cilantro (it tastes like soap to me) Send.

But I really like milk and takoyaki and ramen Send.

Master and I usually get takoyaki and ramen after a big job Send.

I also really like looking at the sky. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Do you like the sky better at daytime or nighttime?

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I like the sky at all times

[mp_simplyacommoner]

The day sky is pretty Send.

But my favorite is the night sky Send.

I used to go stargazing with my family when I was really little Send.

I could do it all night Send.

I'm glad we have something in common Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Maybe we can do that too sometime Send.

Again since we did it already Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Non non non non, Shige. That was hardly stargazing at all! Send.

When it's nice and warm out Send.

When it's a new moon Send.

We find somewhere far enough away from the city Send.

We bring a blanket big enough for both of us Send.

We get our favorite snacks Send.

And we get comfortable Send.

And it's just us and the stars. All night. Send.