An Aside: Mobile Gaming

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

They had hit a lull and Mob was fussing.

Of course it didn’t look like fussing to anyone else, but Reigen was fine-tuned to Mob’s nearly-invisible displays of emotion. A tiny line on his forehead or by his mouth conveyed deep befuddlement, and all of it was aimed at his phone which he hadn’t put down for the last fifteen minutes.

Reigen would have ordinarily been inclined to have him do something more useful with himself, but this was unusual enough that he gave it a few more minutes of observation, glancing up from behind his screen, before saying something.

“Is your phone on the fritz or something?” ’Please say no.’

Comments

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Well, not even I have powers of telepathy. It’s important we know how to reach each other. I’m committed to being an accessible teacher.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"I guess it makes me more accessible too. You'll be able to reach me whenever you need me."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

'Whenever I need you, huh?' Reigen wasn't sure how he felt about an 11-year old telling him that so earnestly...even if it was true.

"Finish your tea. Hopefully the clothes will be dry by the time we're done."

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Are you able to help me wash them before I go home?" Mob took a sip of his tea. "My mom's going to be really upset if I go home with them this dirty."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“O-of course…” He wasn’t about to squander how weirdly permissive the Kageyama’s were. There was a laundromat not far from the office. He wondered if he claim it as a business expense on his taxes.

When they finished their tea, Reigen rose to check his things hanging on the coat rack—dry enough. He peered out the front door and held his breath. “…Ah! The rain’s stopped.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"I guess that means we'll be going soon." Mob eyed the yokai; though his expression remained neutral, he felt a strong sympathy for them. They really were all trying their best.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen followed Mob's gaze, but as he looked closer, he was struck by what he saw--or, rather, what he didn't see. In place of the yokai were perfectly ordinary, if aged, household objects. Not a stray eye or flailing hand to be seen.

Huh. He had thought things had gotten rather quiet as they had been drinking their tea, but he had been so occupied with conversation and a nice drink that he hadn't noticed. Of course...that was how things were meant to be in a tea room, right?

"Looks like they've been soothed."

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"I'm glad we were able to help them," Mob said, though his face betrayed no sign of that emotion. "I hope the new owners take good care of them." Or at least the items that the yokai once inhabited.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"R-Right..." Reigen remembered - there were no plans for them to be preserved. But their only task was exorcising the place. Whatever happened after was beyond the scope of their contract. He would have mentioned it, but...

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob stood up. He would have dusted off his pants, but the mud had dried; there was no getting it off easily.

"Thank you all for the hospitality." Mob bowed at the once-youkai. Their job was finished, just as the youkai's were as well.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen followed his student's example with a humble bow - it bought him just enough time to decide he would figure something out. A few sharp recommendations certainly weren't outside the boundaries of the contract.

"...Let's get some soba while our clothes are being washed. What do you say?"

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Sure, but do you have any clothes that will fit me?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“As a matter of fact, I do.” He had packed some childhood clothes into his suitcase by accident on his most recent visit back - his drinking habit that kicked in whenever he was home came in clutch. “Let’s get going.”