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.

Comments

[mp_simplyacommoner]

how are the yutakas? Send.

comfy? Send.

you should try out a mirror selfie in one Send.

if you feel like it Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob supposed he should be grateful to that spirit.

Yeah they're pretty comfortable. Send.

But I haven't worn a yukata since I was a little kid Send.

Give me a moment and I'll take a pic Send.

Mob pushed himself off the futon, wondering why Teru wanted to see a picture of him. The only person he could think of that would be interested in seeing a photo of him in a yukata was his mom.

Maybe he should send a photo of himself to her, too.

Mob stood in front of his mirror stiffly and attempted a smile, then tapped the shutter button. Just as he did, his phone vibrated, alerting him to a new message.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

(*ﾟ◯ﾟ*) Send

THAT KOI PATTERN Send.

IT’S SO FRESH Send.

it really complements your hair (◍ ´꒳` ◍) Send.

the warmth and the linework really leaps and it makes your straight cut look really refined Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob was sure he'd never be able to text as quickly as Teru. He settled back down on his futon.

Thanks. Send.

Do you ever wear yukata? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru hopped over the back of his couch while the evening news played. His eyes scanned the headlines before returning to his phone.

during festivals and stuff Send.

festival dates are fun because you can wear matching robes Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I've never had a festival date before Send.

I usually just go with Ritsu Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

well Send.

if you did Send.

go in one like that Send.

your charm is unbeatable (>ᴗ•) ! Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

I will Send.

Though I don't think it'll happen soon Send.

I still need to work on myself more before Tsubomi-chan will notice me Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Teru stared at that last message.

what kind of person is Tsubomi-san?

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob paused to think about it.

Well Send.

She's pretty and smart and everyone admires her. She's the most popular girl at school. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you said you were childhood friends, right? Send.

so you must know her pretty well already Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

well, not really that well Send.

we're not as close as we used to be Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

oh Send.

well she must be pretty great to still have your attention Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Yeah she really is Send.

If you come by school sometime I'll point her out to you. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

sure Send.

and I'll stay out of your way this time :(⁄ ⁄ᵒ̶̶̷́⁄⚰⁄ᵒ̶̶̷̀⁄ ⁄): Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

you didn't get in the way before Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

I mean Send.

I didn't get it right from the start (҂ ꒦ິヮ꒦ິ) Send.

besides Send.

you're more than good enough on your own Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

a lot of good things came out of helping Tome Send.

So don't feel bad about it. Send.

You're not in the way and you don't make trouble for me Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

don't worry Send.

I don't feel bad anymore Send.

I had fun Send. He did. Even Tome was a pretty fun person to be around. Whatever she thought or felt came straight out of her mouth, no matter how bizarre. It was an earnestness he could respect.

just promise me something Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

sure Send.

What do I need to promise? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

maybe you're not more special than anyone else Send.

but you're also not less special than anyone else Send.

promise me you know that Send.

Tsubomi-san would be lucky to have you Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Thanks Teru Send.

You're really a nice guy Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

I don't think so but Send.

you deserve to have someone tell it to you Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

even if you don't think so, i do Send.

and you deserve to have someone tell you THAT too Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

you’re sweet Send.

He hadn’t even begun to do enough to even out the scales, as it were, but it was a start…

At least, he hoped.

He still was nothing like Mob, though, whose kindness poured out of him and had done so for likely all his life. And, because of his work, he got to share that with so many people.

hey, by the way Send.

was that your Master in one of your photos? Send.

I couldn’t see well Send.

but I figured it must have been Send.