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]

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?"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"No, the one at the castle."

[mp_npc]

“Ah!” Misaki brightened knowingly. “The Crane Wife. Everyone in Kanimeshi knows that one.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Master said that there was something really important about it... but I don't really get good grades in literature, so I couldn't really figure it out."

[mp_npc]

Humming, Misaki tilted her head to one side, letting the weight of her bun jog her thoughts. “Everyone takes a different meaning from it, Kageyama-sama.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"What do you think?"

[mp_npc]

"I don't have as much to say about it as my big sister, but basically...I think it's a cautionary tale about miserable liars."

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"I don't like being lied to, but..." He really didn't like being lied to. "I think almost everyone does."

[mp_npc]

Misaki seemed to consider Mob's point. "Kageyamya-sama, do you think a crane could really marry a human?"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"There's people with psychic powers who exist in this world. It's not a thing that a lot of people believe, even though it's real. So, I guess I think it's possible."

[mp_npc]

"If a crane confessed it's love to you, would you accept with marriage in mind?"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"It would depend on whether or not I loved the crane."

[mp_npc]

Misaki's whole body lit up with a sudden realization.

"Kageyama-sama...you're in love with someone right now, aren't you??"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"What, me?!" Mob had been fairly reserved his entire time here, so this was easily the most animated Misaki had seen him. "I guess there's a girl I like."

[mp_npc]

Misaki kept a professional smile on but from the way it spread across her face it was clear she was thoroughly satisfied from being right.

“I see a lot of couples come through, and I’ve learned there are some things only people in love will say. Forgive me, Kageyama-sama, but even if you try to hide it, it’s clear you’re a die hard romantic.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"You think so?" Mob scratched his cheek as his face reddened even more.

[mp_npc]

She nodded confidently. “Yep! I can see the kind of person you’re in love with just by looking you in the eyes, too. That’s how much of a romantic you are.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"It's that obvious?" If he could have grown any redder, he would have.

[mp_npc]

Somehow, someway, Misaki maintained her business-like composure while going on like the schoolgirl she was. “I see that they’re…peerless. No, beyond that—they’re like a perfect dream to you. You’re a lover watching the beloved.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob gaped slightly.

He reached out again, trying to sense any power emanating from Misaki that he might have missed before. But he felt nothing.

"That's right! They're perfect."