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]

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.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

hmmm Send.

I'm not really good at schoolwork Send.

And the only food I can make is onigir Send.

Ritsu always beats me in video games too Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

I’ve never made onigiri Send.

So there we go! Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

What kind of onigiri do you want to make? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

salted salmon! Send.

can we try yaki onigiri? Send.

with unagi sauce Send.

and extra nori （’┓`*） Send.

I have a really good pan Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I've never made it before Send.

But we can try Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

oooooooh Send.

then let's start with you teaching me the basics Send.

Shige-Sensei ｍ（＿　＿）ｍ Send.

"Kageyamya-sama!" Misaki's voice called from the other side of Mob's door. "Pardon. May I enter?"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Yeah, just one minute."

Mob wasn't a very fast typist on his phone. Teru definitely was. Mob was sure he'd be halfway through his first line before Teru would respond with four more messages. Maybe he would have to work at that, too. Was messaging Teru like this practice, then?

I have to go Send.

But I'll text again later. Send.

"It's okay. Come in."

[mp_npc]

Misaki slid the door open. She was in an entirely different kimono from before with her long braids now bound in buns at the sides of her head. She crossed into Mob's room and quickly lowered herself to her knees in a deep bow.

"I've come to tell you dinner will be ready at 7:30." It was 40 minutes until then. "Please enjoy our mineral-rich baths until then, Kageyama-sama! The water will purify your energy and ease your woes."

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Should he say something to her about Reigen? An awkwardly long silence fell between the two as Mob decided that it wouldn't be a good idea to worry the client. He could almost hear Reigen say it in his own voice.

Mob was unphased by the silence. There was something else he wanted to ask about.

"Today we found a story about a Crane, back in the tea house. Do you know about it?"

[mp_npc]

Misaki finally sat up--having been locked into her deep bow during the entire duration of the silence. She was, as always, quick to move on though.

"Tea house? The ryokan's tea house?"