Kageyama Shigeko, also known as Mob, was thinking. She was thinking mostly about the cost of incense. Why was it so expensive? Well, Master Reigen seemed to be more worried than she was. It still costed a lot for something that you burnt. There were some spirits in front of her. Neutral ones. Maybe they knew.
"How can incense be so incredibly, expensive? Honestly, at this point we should just start making our own. Spirit's and Such brand incense, 100 yean a box. No, a stick. It'll be gold mine. But wait, no, we need to be the ones to be removing spirits. This could undercut our business. People need to depend on us. What do you think Mob?" asked Reigen, turning around and waving his hands in their air for emphasis. He was met with silence.
"Mob?" asked Reigen again. His assistant, his devoted student, was seemingly staring blankly at the air as if it was more interesting than Reigen himself and all of the wisdom he had to impart upon her. Impossible.
"Hey, Mob. Anybody home?" Said Reigen again, this time snapping his fingers in front of his young assistant's, devoted student's, secret weapons, and occasional tea maker's face.
"Kageyama Shigeko? Hello? Earth to Shigeko?" asked Reigen waving a hand in front of her face. She blinked and sat back suddenly. Oh. She had been thinking too hard. She hoped that Master Reigen wasn't mad at her or anything.
"Sorry, Master, but the spirits over there were arguing." Said Mob, motioning to the corner of the room where two neutral spirits were arguing over the meaning of the afterlife. She wouldn't ask them about the cost of incense, it would be rude to interrupt, and she hated being rude. It was really fascinating, too, each one having their own position on their new existence.
"Spirits?!" Asked Reigen, alarmed, before composing himself. Right. If they were evil they would have attacked. Besides, Mob didn't seem bothered at all. Then again nothing really seemed to ever bother Mob.
"Yes. Over there. Can't you sense them, Master?" asked Mob. Master Reigen was a psychic, not an esper, so his powers worked differently than hers. Not that she fully knew how her powers worked either.
"Well you see, Mob, they're so weak that they didn't even register. I suppose my aura must have cancelled them out." Said Reigen. Mob looked up at him. She couldn't see his aura at all. Besides, her aura had never cancelled out the aura of s spirit before. His powers were different. Yes. That was it.
"But I thought you were hiding your aura." Said Mob, still as deadpanned as always. Master looked a little startled. Had she said something wrong? She was always saying the wrong thing. She could never, ever, get a clue, could she?
"Well, sometimes it becomes too much for even me to handle." Said Reigen with all the confidence he could muster. He watched her face. Flat as always. He stared at her for a while. Her eyes were really the only expressive part of her.
"Are you alright, Master?" asked Mob holding eye contact with him. He had really pretty eyes. Blue. Hers were brown. Some people had green eyes but she had never seen green eyes before in person.
"I'm fine, just a little…tired. Yes! It's been a long day, Mob, lots of shoulder and back curses to remove! How about you take over exorcising these spirits? Show me what you've learned." Said Reigen motioning in the general direction of where Mob had seen the spirits. She smiled a little. She liked it that he trusted her. She couldn't do it, though. These spirits weren't bothering anyone. It would have been rude to exorcise them.
"But Master, they aren't evil." Said Mob simply. Reigen shrugged. He just didn't like the idea of spirits hanging around.
"So? They aren't supposed to be here." Said Reigen with a tone that Mob couldn't read. Tones were hard, sometimes. Well, all the time. Faces and tones were the layers of conversation that she just couldn't get through.
"But they aren't hurting us or anyone." Said Mob making eye contact. Reigen was about to say something else but stopped himself. Darn. She was giving those puppy eyes. He was a sucker for her puppy dog eyes. Well, any of her eyes. Her face seemed to be incapable of expression but her eyes told her whole story.
"Well, hmm. Mob, would you just let yourself into someone else's home?" asked Reigen pulling some wisdom out of the air as he spoke. Mob shook her head.
"No, that wouldn't be polite." Said Mob. She wasn't an RPG character. She couldn't just let herself in and loot other people's houses. She didn't even like doing that in game. Ritsu did. They had a fight about it. She didn't care if it was just a game it wasn't nice at all.
"Exactly, these spirits can't just go waltzing into our home like this." Said Reigen. He just didn't like the idea of the unseen world right there in his office where he worked and ate and occasionally slept.
"But this is an office." Said Mob. Reigen thought for a moment and then pointed to the no loitering sign he had hung up in the TV area. That was mostly to keep people from overstaying after he gave them massages.
"Just tell them that they don't have to go home but they can't stay here, especially when we're trying to work." Said Reigen moving back to his desk. Mob nodded. She got up, smoothed down her school skirt, and walked over to the spirits. She tried to smile but caught sight of her reflection in the window. It didn't look natural. It never looked natural when she smiled.
"Hello. My Master, Master Reigen, says that you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. I'm sorry to make you go but he's the Master and I'm the student so I have to do whatever he says when he says it." Said Mob, a little sadly, because she had been enjoying their conversation. It was wrong to eavesdrop though. She felt a little ashamed. She should be a nicer person. The truth of her charm was in her kindness after all.
The spirits debated amongst themselves for a moment before sliding through the walls and out of the office. Mob was a little sad, she didn't think that they had to chase those spirits out but Master Reigen knew what was best. He was the twenty first century's greatest psychic after all.
"Did they leave?" asked Reigen. Mob nodded. Reigen walked over and gave Mob a reassuring head rub and hair tug. He knew that he was pushing the line with her and he didn't like to. Reigen wasn't the sort of man who liked upsetting 14 year old girls. If she didn't want to exorcise the spirits then he wouldn't force her too. He wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable like that.
"Yes Master Reigen, they left. They're still hanging around the building, though. You said that they couldn't stay here and this room counts as here." Said Mob fixing her hair back to its half bowl cut. The other half was taken up by a pair of braids which reached her shoulders. He hadn't disturbed those too badly, though. Sometimes they came unbraided and mom said that she looked sloppy and embarrassed the family.
"Well that's OK then. You did great Mob." Said Reigen messing up her hair again. She used her power to fix it that time. Mom said that it was important to keep up neat appearance now that she was getting older, and she had to set a good example for Ritsu. Not that Ritsu needed her to set an example. He was just a naturally good person. He was good at everything even if his ideas about what the end of Evangelion meant were utterly insane. Of course instrumentality wasn't death. What, he had not been watching the same movie that she was?
"Thank you, Master Reigen." Said Mob, still deadpanned and still staring, to Reigen at least. Mob didn't really look around that much. She just sort of picked a spot and looked at it. He had his hand on her shoulder, now. He felt so warm. She could feel something warm bubbling up within her and squashed it down. She had to stay in control or something bad could happen, like the time when those bullies were picking on her and Ritsu so she sent everyone to the hospital on accident and hadn't even realized it. It wasn't a bad feeling she was getting right then but it was a big feeling, and those could also cause trouble.
"You're welcome, student! Soon you'll be the greatest psychic the world has ever known, just lie me! But first….I sense someone has entered the building." Said Reigen staying in character. He liked being this person, the Reigen Arataka in her mind. He could make her eyes light up like this. There was no better sight than her eyes lit up with joy. He had heard the door to the outside open, but Mob didn't need to know that. She needed to believe that he really was the Great Reigen Arataka, for both of their sakes.
"It doesn't feel like a spirit, just a regular person. No curses either." Said Mob, smoothing her skirt as she sat back down at her box/desk. She expanded her perceptions, her aura. She thought it felt like just a normal person, no curses or anything, but Master Reigen knew better. He knew everything and she was lucky that he was teaching her.
"I'll be the judge of that. Watch and learn, Mob, and maybe one day you can get on my level." Said Reigen. Secretly he was grateful. This was most likely a massage situation. Grate some rock salt, rub some shoulders, and get paid. Maybe get some takoyaki or ramen afterwards. All in a day's work for the great Reigen Arataka.
Mob went back to doing her homework, well trying to do her homework. Math was hard, EVEN Master had a hard time with it. He helped her, though, sometimes. He leaned over her when he helped her. She could smell him then. After shave, cigarettes, incense, and something she could only describe as him. She could close her eyes and lean back into his chest. She could have, but she didn't. That would have been weird. She could still think about it, though, right? Mob was so absorbed in her work she didn't notice the office door opening.
"Arataka, are you around?" called a voice as the door opened. Mob clutched her pencil. That was very familiar. Too familiar. Nobody ever called Master Reigen by his first name. She had never even called Master Reigen by his first name. Reigen spun around on his chair, dramatically.
"Oh, you're back." Said Reigen. He had a whole spiel planned but it was just a repeat customer. Not that he minded, he didn't, no, this actually made his job easier. He knew this woman, sort of, well her body anyway. If his intuition was right then maybe he would get to know her more intimately. Not that he set out to end up with customers like that. No. That would be sleazy.
"Oh Reigen, I think I'm cursed again. I've got the worst tightness in my shoulders and the pain in my back is just UNBEARABLE! Oh you've just got to help me." The woman, dramatically. Mob glared down at her work. She didn't know why she was so annoyed. It was just a client. They had plenty of clients. She didn't have so show up so near to closing, though. Yes, that was what was so upsetting about this.
Progress towards Mob's Explosion 15%
"Well don't you worry, removing curses is my specialty." Said Reigen, not noticing the dark glare the Mob was giving her homework. She took a deep breath to try and squish down her emotions again. Unfortunately this drew the woman's attention.
"Oh hello there! You weren't around last time I was here, I would have noticed you. Aren't you just the cutest little thing?" said the woman. Mob looked up and tried to look polite. She had to be polite and sweet and nice and kind.
"Yours?" asked the women. Reigen shook his head. He was twenty eight, there was no way that he could have a kid Mob's age.
"No, this is just my dedicated student. Mob, say hi, introduce yourself." Said Reigen. C'mon Mob, be nice to the customer. We have rent to pay. That went through his mind quickly. She was a nice person once you got past that cool exterior, it was just a hard exterior to get around.
"Hello. My name is Kagayema Shigeko. Everyone calls me Mob. It's nice to meet you." Said Mob standing up and giving a bow. The woman didn't bow back but instead clasped her hand and shook it.
Progress towards Mob's explosion 25%
"Oh you're just so polite too. I'm Yuno. Oh I just can't get over how cute you are!" She said, not noticing the beads of sweat that formed on Mob's forehead. Reigen did and decided to save his poor, socially awkward student. Mob didn't much like being unexpectedly touched. Sometimes her powers could be felt, sort of like static electricity. She had hurt Ritsu a few times like that when he tried shaking her awake.
"So, you were saying someone cursed you?" said Reigen. Mob smiled, grateful to have been saved, and returned to her work. Well, returned to staring at her work anyway. She wasn't staring because the math problems were hard, which they were, why did they have to add letters to math anyway? It was hard enough just working with plain numbers. Mob wasn't staring because the machinations of this new form of math eluded her, no, it was because she…she didn't like that woman. She didn't hate her but this woman just, what was the phrase? Rubbed her the wrong way. Not physically but emotionally. She was too close to Master Reigen, too familiar with him.
She was too familiar and impolite. It was important to try to read the atmosphere and that woman seemed to have no idea that there even was an atmosphere in the first place. Now she was back there in the massage room with Master Reigen. Getting her back rubbed.
Progress towards Mob's explosion 30%
The pencil in her hand twisted itself into a knot like it was made of rubber. She needed to calm down. This wasn't good. What was she even so upset about? Master gave massages to people all the time. Her head hurt now, and things around the office began to float through the air. A potted plant almost hit her in the head before she got s grip and put everything down.
A loud laugh came from the massage room and Master Reigen stuck his head out.
"Hey, uh, Mob why don't you-" he glanced at the clock. Too early to send her home, they might get an actual customer later and then he's have to call her and wait for her to show up. Plus it bothered her when he called her on short notice, even though she didn't really do much on her own anyway.
"Master?" asked Mob looking up, her stare as long as ever. Emotions kept down where they should have been in the first place. He thought her eyes looked duller for a moment. They looked like that, sometimes, too.
"Takoyaki! Go and get us some takoyaki! And…um…go get something to drink, too. From the convenience store. The one that's far away and has a good selection." Said Reigen quickly. That should have bought him about half an hour, maybe even forty five minutes depending on if Mob get distracted or not. She could end up stopping to pet some cats, or to just watch the world go by.
"Why do I have to go to the store that's far away? There's a store a block away." Said Mob. It wasn't super hot out, the seasons were changing, but she didn't feel like walking that much. The selection wasn't really that much better there. Reigen ran his hands through his hair and thought. What was he supposed to tell her? Hey Mob, go away while I use this massage table for a purpose it was never intended to be used for? No, that would be awful for her. She was just a kid, she didn't need to know about what he got up to.
"Spirits! Go and check for spirits. I was getting a weird feeling from that place. You should check it out." Said Reigen. Mob nodded. Well, if Master Reigen felt spirits then of course she would go check it out. This was her job after all and maybe, just maybe, he'd tug on her braid and tell her something nice and then she'd smile.
"Yes Master Reigen." Said Mob. She got up, got some money from the office cash coffee can, and set off on her way. She waved to the spirits on her way out, they were still debating and Mob was curious to see what conclusion they would come too.
Mob walked alone, looking out for any evil spirits. There were none on the way to the store or the takoyaki vendor. Just the neutral ones just existing and not bothering anyone. They weren't bothering anyone so she wouldn't bother them. When she made it back to the office the woman was gone, thankfully, though Mob didn't know why she was thankful.
"They gave us one extra again." Said Mob as she put the food down on the little table she and her master shared meals on occasionally.
"You did good again, Mob, making me proud as always." Said Reigen messing up her hair again. She fixed it using her powers, slightly angry at her Master. Why? Why was she upset? She didn't like this feeling at all. It was new and gross and she just wanted it to go away.
"I just went to the store, Master, that's all." Said Mob quietly as she began to eat. Reigen sat down to join her but in his enthusiasm accidentally set the food flying towards the floor. Mob caught it and spun it around a few times to cool it down enough for her Master to eat. She didn't feel burning like other people. She felt ambient heat like on a hot day but it took things like fire a while to bother her.
"Thank you, Mob. Thoughtful as always." Said Reigen as he began to eat like he had never seen food before. Mob looked her Master up and down. His shirt was buttoned wrong, and his tie was skewed. She didn't know why this bothered her either. Maybe because that's not how Master Reigen was supposed to look. No, he was always impeccably dressed even when he was covered in salt or running for his life. He always looked so cool. She had seen other people in suits before but nobody wore a suit like Master Reigen.
"I try to be, Master, like you taught me." Said Mob. Master Reigen had taught her that the truth of her charm was in her kindness. She took everything he said to heart.
"Nice to know you're listening." Said Reigen as he got soy sauce and mayonnaise on his face. Mob passed him over a napkin with her powers. He always ate so messily. She didn't get why but it was kind of…nice. Funny.
"I always listen to you, Master." Said Mob. She always listened to Master Reigen when he told her things. He was so wise. He knew everything and he so graciously imparted his wisdom onto her. It was nice, spending time with him. She didn't come in every day, though. Sometimes he didn't need her. She was so sad and alone on those days. Ritsu was busy with student council all the time these days. He was the only first year there so it was an accomplishment but she missed how they used to be friends. They used to watch anime together and play videogames and board games like go and they'd go to the arcade and the candy store and lots of other stuff. Maybe she needed to branch out more. Maybe she should….maybe she could join a club. Some club must have been willing to take her. She was weird and awkward and couldn't get a clue for the life of her but she…there was a place for everyone, right?
"You're smart like that, Mob. Stick with me and I'll make sure you learn everything you need to know." Said Reigen still with his mouthful. Mob didn't mind. She never minded anything about him. It was nice, being able to be some version of himself around her. Even in character he could be more…just more Arataka, really. Loud and messy and dramatic.
"Master…I've been thinking." Said Mob. Reigen felt his heart jump into his throat but didn't let it show. What was it? She found out he was a fraud? She wanted a raise? Mob was always thinking but she hardly ever voiced her thoughts. What did go on in that head of hers, anyway? What was she always staring at?
"That's new, you don't usually start conversations." Said Reigen as calmly as he could. Mob looked up at him and then looked back down. She had been thinking lately that she should do more, that she was wasting her youth, that she needed to do what her mom said and "make some friends and try to be normal, Shigeko" but now she was also…upset. She was upset because…because she didn't want to lose Master Reigen? Actually everything had been annoying her lately. Maybe she needed to join a club and make some other friends. She needed more friends than just her brother and Master Reigen, right?
"I've been thinking that maybe I should do more outside of work." Said Mob, not wanting to get into it about why she was upset. She wasn't great at reading the atmosphere but she knew that if she brought up how she was feeling it would be making things awkward. She knew that it had something to do with that woman and how she had been so familiar with Master Reigen. She had never seen a woman be that familiar with him. Well, she had, sometimes. Little touches, tones and looks she couldn't read, but his first name seemed like a little too much.
"Oh…that's great!" said Reigen. It really wasn't, from a business perspective, but he wasn't going to say that. He could spare for a few hours in the afternoon, he thought. She was young and she deserved to have a nice time while she could. Hopefully her youth would be better than his was.
"Really?" asked Mob, her little eyes filling up with hope in that way that made Reigen, and anyone else around, want to squeeze her like a tube of toothpaste because she was just so incredibly adorable, even with the unfortunate bowl cut.
"Of course! So what are you going to do? Take up music? Art? Hitchhike around the country?" asked Reigen, hoping that it was something small like a school club. He had no idea what he would do if she were ever to quite. He wasn't exactly drowning in espers. Actually, he wasn't even sure if there were any espers out there other than Mob. There had been Mogami back when he was a kid but he had no idea if Mogami was the real deal or just a really good actor.
"I was thinking of joining a club. So I might not be able to make it to work right after school anymore." Said Mob quietly. She wanted to spend time with Master Reigen but she wanted friends, too. She wanted to be like everyone else and make good memories and have good times. She could maybe even be popular. She envied the popular girls like Tsubomi a little. They always had people who wanted to hang out with them and everyone wanted to be friends with them.
"But you'll still come in, right?" asked Reigen. He'd be out of business without her. Also, who would hang on his every word if she was gone? He wasn't exactly drowning in people trying to be his students. Mob nodded quickly. She would always come back to Master Reigen. He was her Master.
"Of course, Master Reigen." Said Mob. She smiled a little, feeling kind of warm. It was…nice…yes that was the feeling. It was nice that Master wanted her around, that he liked having her around. He wanted to be with her. Nobody had ever really wanted to spend time with her but Ritsu but he was her little brother so he was obligated to be her friend. That was how it worked with siblings. She would have been his friend either way, though.
"Great! Have fun in this new life endeavor and tell me how it goes." Said Reigen, slapping her on the back this time. Not meanly, and it was nice. She felt her face heating up. Her takoyaki flew off the toothpick and she barely caught it in time. To hide her smile she ate it quickly. What was wrong with her?