Chapter 5: Cutting Algae Part Two

[mp_simplyacommoner]

It was 7:50PM. Teru had gotten bored of studying and broke it up with his nightly stretches—he had decided it was going to be an early night to bed. He had already decided he was going to sign up for the next basketball roster and it was offseason practice time.

As it turned out, he couldn’t tolerate a lack of things to do after school for long.

Cooling down from his trunk rotations with some Kamizawa Water, he checked his phone and paused mid-sip. There were a few notifications from Mob that he opened right away. There were a few pictures of what was undoubtedly the long-awaited kaiseki meal…though they were a bit blurry. Oh, one was actually decent in quality. There was also a blurred person in the background of one without much food—even with the lack of clarity it looked like they weren’t expecting to be caught on camera. Had he meant to send that one, let alone take it? Oh well, didn’t matter.

that mukōzuke Send.

( ੭ ˘ ³˘)੭‎°｡⋆♡‧₊˚ Send.

divine looking Send.

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[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Cutting algae. We’re gonna help with the last wakame harvest of the season! Since the forecast took such a pleasant turn and all, there’s a bounty waiting for us.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Do you think we'll be able to take some home?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Your family’s gonna be swimming in the stuff from the sounds of it.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob did his best to suppress a yawn. He wondered if Teru would like some wakame, too.

"Just as long as we can get some sleep first."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“That’s our first priority.” Now safely out of earshot of their clients, Reigen yawned freely as he lead the way back to their rooms.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

--

Mob was surrounded on all sides. One after another, they each cried out.

"Nya!"

If it had been just one or two, Mob wouldn't have felt so intimidated, but the cats were mobbing him. One cat dug its nails into his pants as it leveraged the tension to stretch; Mob could feel another one climbing up the back of his other leg. Another one batted at his shoelaces, while two tumbled together at his side, tussling over the same spot at Mob's side. And still, there were even more just staring up at him, seemingly entranced.

"M-Misaki-san...!"

[mp_npc]

"You're awfully popular!" Mrs. Sumitada laughed as she peeled one cat off of Mob's back, but another quickly took it's place.

"Hey! I know he's leaving, but we need to respect our guest's boundaries!" Misaki tried to disperse the crowd, but one of the kittens just used her as a springboard to land with a soft plop! right onto Mob's head.

[mp_npc]

Asa smiled as Mob panickily attempted to look at the kitten atop his head. The kitten's foot slipped and hung over the front of Mob's eyes.

Her eyes caught Reigen's and she offered him a smile, too. "Reigen-san... do you mind chatting a little before you leave?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

In spite of himself, Reigen's heart still sped a bit at the ask.

"Of course." It's not like he was much help with Mob's dilemma. He straightened his cuffs and stepped a small ways away with her under the shade of one of the maples that welcomed the guests.

[mp_npc]

"I have to thank you... for everything." She turned to look at Reigen and felt embarrassed, though she didn't know the reason why. "For the last year, it's been like I was in a fog... and suddenly, I've emerged from it. And when I woke up, you were the first thing I saw."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

So, Asa didn't remember.

Reigen didn't have to think long about it. He concluded it was for the best.

"I'm glad. But, the truth is, you don't need to be grateful to me at all. Coming out on the other side...that was all you."

[mp_npc]

"I'm going to be hosting an art show in the fall. I'd be pleased if you and Mob-kun could stay here again and see it. We'd waive the stay for you if you could."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Consider us there. But first..." Reigen reached into his interior breast pocket for a business card--he had this one specially readied for Asa. He extended it to her. "I'll be looking forward to your official invitation in the mail."

When Mob was finally free of his second kitty skin, they departed. When it was just the two of them, Reigen sighed and said it was for no reason in particular.

He'd have to reach into his own pocket for Mob's pay. ...Well. That's just how nice of a guy he was, right?

[mp_npc]

Asa watched as the train left, letting her gaze linger for a long time as it disappeared behind the horizon. She looked down at the card and turned it around.

“Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to Heaven” was scribbled on the back.

When Asa looked up again, she smiled.