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

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob was already digging around for the pack of tissues his mom insisted he carry around after his last cold when Reigen suddenly jolted back to life. Mob nearly jumped in surprised at the exclamation.

"Huh?"

Mob didn't wait for an answer as he extended a hand to offer Reigen the newly-acquired pack of tissues.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Mildew. Really common in water-damaged places like this." Reigen groped the air for the tissue with a muttered work of thanks until his usually-clever fingers finally found it to blow his reddened nose. He coughed again, cleared his throat, and balled up the tissue and gave it a squeeze until he summoned his composure.

"Ahem. Mob."

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob tried (and failed) to hide how incredulous he felt.

"Master?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"You put in a good day's work. Let's hurry back." Reigen spun and tucked his flashlight away. "The hot springs await. After that, kaiseki."

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Once they were back at the ryokan, the two of them went their separate ways with plans to meet at the hot springs later. Mob made sure to dry himself off thoroughly; he knew his mom wouldn't be happy if he got sick again.

As he did, he thought thought hard about everything they went through today. Even though Reigen insisted he give it some thought, he still didn't really get the crane story at all. And Reigen was acting weird, just like Asa insisted Misaki was. It was just a hunch, but Mob was beginning to suspect that his master was under the same influence that his master was.

But Mob wasn't sure how to prove it. And he wasn't sure that Reigen knew it himself, so it was useless asking him about it.

Before he could fall too deep into contemplation, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He'd set it to silent while he was at work; he really wanted to focus. He probably should turn the sound back on, right? He didn't even feel the vibration from Teru's text earlier.

Mob flipped open his phone and opened his messages app, then started reading Teru's texts.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

There's a storm forecasted! But I'm sure you knew that. Teru had sent that before it had rolled in.

I hope you're keeping dry...except for the hot springs of course.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

We got really wet earlier Send.

But I'm all dried off now Send.

We're supposed to go to the hot springs later Send.

What did you do today? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

nothing special Send.

How was the castle?!?!? Send.

Scary?? /╲/( ͡⎚ ͜U ͡⎚)/\ Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I sensed a strong spiritual energy there Send.

I think there may be something influencing Master Reigen Send.

I'm not sure what to do about it Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

What do you mean?

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I don't know Send.

I've never dealt with something like this before Send.

It just feels like something might be influencing him Send.

He just hasn't been acting himself Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

What is he usually like?

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

He's very loud Send.

He doesn't really get sad Send.

But he's very confident and determined Send.

I think he could do almost anything Send.

[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.