Finder's Keepers

This is the second time Natsume has received mail from him.


Since residing with the Fujiwara over the years, Natsume has made a habit of retrieving the mail. He shifts through the envelopes, separating by name, until he reaches one stamped and addressed to: Natsume Takashi. Furrowing his brows, confused that an envelope is addressed to him, Natsume flips it over to find the addressor.

Matoba Seiji.

Coldness prickles his skin. Already…?

Nyanko-sensei inquires about the teen's stiffness. Without a reply, he hops onto Natsume's shoulder to see what has him in shock. The cat-youkai tuts. "Rip it up!" he spits, paw reaching to swat the envelope out of hand.

Natsume pulls his hand away, turning the envelope again. It's not like the first time he had received a surprise letter from the exorcist. There is, thankfully, a stamp. Natsume's sigh is careful, yet exasperated. "At least it was mailed this time."

"You're going to read it?" Nyanko shrieks as Natsume makes way to his room upstairs.

Natsume carefully rips the lip of the envelope. Inside is a blue and yellow card with a floral design and the front titled "Greetings" in English cursive. Brows furrowed and lips pursed, Natsume opens the thick card, finding there to be writing inside.

It is, as the card claims on the front, to be a long-termed greeting.

Dear Natsume Takashi,

I hope you are finally able to read a letter from me. It has been a while since we have last met. I am sure both school and youkai have kept you busy these past few months...

The writing continues on like so in a friendly and interested manner. It holds the exorcist's business-like tone, but when reaching the end, beneath Matoba's signature, is a post note.

P.S. I know you took the spell book I showed you that day. Please return in one piece when you're finished. I will do the same. Take care.

It was a matter of time before Matoba noticed. He may have even known that day and waited so long as an excuse to personally write him. But—

I will do the same.

Natsume scrunches his face and frowns. "Did he…?" he starts, before noticing a shadow inside of the envelope. Looking inside, there's a small square photograph. He takes it out to examine.

Natsume wants to both curse and laugh at this man.

In the photo is Matoba wearing Natsume's too-snug pale red and beige pullover, hand posed in a V-sign.

"Rip it up," comes Nyanko-sensei's close, seething voice.

Natsume laughs.


May 15 - Greetings/Goodbyes

Here's more MatoNatsu content. Surprise! ...or not. Courdelle has been a great inspiration along with tamacha's work on pixiv for these shenanigans. This is for natsumeweek, but these scenarios can easily play into the Cherry Blossoms collection. Enjoy!