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 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.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Oh Send.

I think I get it now Send.

I think you look cool and are cool though Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

not as cool as you (･ω<)☆

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

You really think that? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you’re stronger than me Send.

but not because of your psychic power Send.

you’re a good person Send.

even when it’s not easy Send.

Especially when it’s not easy Send.

that’s a strength I truly admire about you Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Thanks Send.

I think you can do it too Send.

Maybe not now but if you keep working at it Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru read what he was sent once and started laughing until he cried a little. He wasn’t even sure why, his only thought was, ‘He’s incredible!’

I’ll catch up to you! =͟͟͞͞(๑•̀ㅁ•́ฅ✧ Send.

I’m your rival!! Send.

So keep working hard or I’ll pass you by! Send.

as soon as you’re back I’ll show you how far I’ve come in just a few days! Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I guess if we are rivals, I should work on styling my hair so we can compete Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru had to resist the urge to immediately remark upon how much he liked Mob’s pin straight hair. He liked a lot of things about Mob that Mob didn’t see himself, and that made him sad, but he didn’t want to scare him off with his compliments. Not everyone took them the same way he himself did, after all.

A little part would go a long way Send.

You’ve got a round face so a deeper side part would suit you Send.

I’ll break out my comb and texture spray next time you visit Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I need something to work on if we're going to be rivals Send.

It won't be fair if you're helping me, but I'm not helping you Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

So help me with something! Send.

I’m sure there’s plenty I can learn from you Send.