Peeping from behind a building Reigen felt as sweat poured down his face. No, he wasn't hot by any means—nor nervous—for god's sakes Mob was eighteen years old already wasn't he? Yet exactly for the same reason Arataka found himself following after his disciple once he's got his first solo job the very next day.

There went his hope he wouldn't regret hiring the boy... Yep.

Backtracking to the morning though, he found out that Shigeo was a heavy sleeper—aka he crashed in late—which shouldn't really surprise him given all the times he's had to drag the boy around once he'd get knocked out cold. Sudden thought of trying to drag eighteen years old Mob around struck him silly, now if Shigeo by any means accidentally lost consciousness that would be simply bad.

For both Reigen's back and business.

Well as it happened this morning after Arataka opened office and sat behind desk for entirety of two hours he tried to shake away weird feeling that he forgotten something quite important. Nonetheless said important thing or rather "person" quite kindly strolled into office, tripping himself over his own feet and face-planting into sofa.

Thank god for that seat, if not for it he swore he could've imagined Mob's face squared flat. However that was exactly—ironically—what Reigen needed to remind himself that from the day before he's got himself a new employee at Spirits&Such Consultation Office.

That shy kid—Mob who jumped back onto his feet as if nothing happened, shoulders squared and face as impasse as always. The only thing out of place was Shigeo's hair that stuck out on one side from sheer power of impact.

Thinking back on that, if Mob ever wanted a hairstyle change he'd do good going with Ritsu's one but then again boys would be almost unrecognizable then as for past few years Shigeo had an occasion to catch up to his brother's build.

If not for Ritsu's foul personality and different shade of black boys could easily go by as twins.

Somehow that thought made a chill go down Reigen's spine or maybe it was just his sweat. Either way, he kept on creeping behind Mob—hiding in bushes, behind signs, under parked cars, inside rubbish bins—just so he could keep an eye on the teen.

Shigeo was walking completely unaware of being followed and Arataka couldn't tell if he should be happy about that or simply worried. Yes, boy was an esper so what? He still could easily be targeted by any other evil esper or a robber—anyone, really. Besides their pay was literally in Mob's hands so to speak—and Reigen known how strong was his disciple's moral compass.

Something that could get in the way of finishing the damned job.

Sighing Reigen lowered the newspaper he was hiding behind and watched as Mob stood before one of the more shady hotels glancing around before he'd steel himself and walk inside.

Okay, so Arataka was worried. A lot. It's not as if he didn't trust Shigeo's instincts when it came to the worst—like with Mogami or Shou's father—but right there teen was supposed to keep it tame. Also de facto Reigen never truly noticed if Mob actually ever managed to really grasp and contain entirety of his emotions.

He couldn't miscalculate on that. The last thing he needed was to pay for repairing goddamn city if he could help it. Yet this morning Mob kept on being particularly passively-aggressively pushy upon going on this case alone.

"It's okay master, I can do it. You take care of things in the office."

Little brat was making moves on him now. Esper powers and all that jazz, ye old Reigen stay back in the office and find more cases—Arataka's eyebrow ticked. As if, Mob would never do that to him—or would he?

…

Shigeo heard his own heartbeat in ears, how his hot blood pumped through veins when he slowly made a way to receptionist. Something must've been in the air as he felt slightly faint too but he really didn't have enough time to think more about it.

Right now he's had a job to do.

His first solo case.

Gulping slowly he found himself stopping by the reception counter, face hopefully collected. So he's been in two predicaments at the moment. For one—he was excited to be on his first solo case, for second—he was muffin' terrified.

Why nobody told him he'd have to talk with so many people and—and smile and everything else included? It was tiring. Instead of sighing loudly however he cleared his throat meeting eyes of a pretty, young looking reception lady. She smiled back, all attention on him now.

Shigeo smiled—or hoped he did—and that's when he felt himself trembling and sweating. In one second everything became overwhelming to the point of walking into haze. Maybe it was his childish overreaction taking over, something that still happened occasionally or maybe he wasn't as mature as he thought yet.

Of course Dimple scat once he's been done with asking Reigen about work. If only that green fart was around now—

"Hello? How can I help you?"

Lady's voice was high pitched and sweet, she also seemed nice enough. That thankfully put a bit of a damp upon sudden panic attack that was rearing it's head at Shigeo at the moment.

"U—uh, hi" he responded, hoping his voice cords would work properly. "I—I'm from Spirits&Such Consultation Office—"

With a slight twinge lady leaned over reception, whispering. "You're the guy they're sending in?" she commented giving him once over. "How old are you even?"

Mob almost went beet red at such prosperous question. "Old enough..? I'm an esper."

She didn't seem convinced though and that was when Mob figured he'd need something to become trustworthy in her eyes. Without beating an eyelash he let his powers tickle random objects that were behind counter. Pen started to roll back and forth, calendar flip over and over, pc screen glitching out. It was more than enough to convince receptionist as her eyes were wide as saucers now.

"Room 42" she muttered, pointing finger at nearby elevator. "You can take elevator or stairs."

Mob nodded politely at that with slight smile on his face. "Thank you, I'll be back soon."

Without another word off he went taking first elevator and pressing appropriate button inside. Once heavy doors closed he rummaged through his gakuran's pockets and took out a small black notepad. His eyes gazed over every known info about the case.

He could say he was ready to face the evil spirit on his own. If the suspicions were correct (which they almost always were) then he'd be done under a minute. Elevator dinged and Mob found himself stepping into shady corridor. Even though outside sun shone bright, in here he could barely notice that. It was as if the place itself kept on swallowing up the light, on top of a every sense of spirit energy.

Place seemed to pulse with it, no wonder a lot of occupants seemed sick to their stomach and disoriented. The main culprit was inside room 42 which oozed with evil shtick. Of course that was nothing for Mob as he just started to casually stroll into corridor. The closer he got to room 42, miasma seemed to thicken.

Thinking more about the case, Shigeo briefly wondered if they made a mistake in recognizing the level of threat but nonetheless he was going to take care of it. Slowly he raised his hand to knock on the door.

Once. Twice.

Answered him nothing besides eerie silence and stillness around him.

"Ah, so it's empty?" he pondered to himself, letting his powers open the lock. "Here we go."

Spiritual energy was almost soul crushing when he opened the doors and stepped inside, door closing behind him with a soft click. Place was dark and windows seemed to be non-existent. Frowning a bit he turned around to find that exit also was gone.

"No light-switch?"

He was still frowning, turning around in place. Miasma felt as if it was becoming thicker, trying it's luck by pressing on his psychic barrier. Sighing, Mob looked—really looked—around and found that he could see faint edges of furniture that was stashed in the room but no actual source of the miasma.

Tricky first case.

Place felt different to every other he's been to with his master. Usually their cases were as simple as walking into place and pinpointing the spirit and erasing it. This place though felt funny, as if there wasn't one single source of evil energy.

Maybe that was the case?

Shigeo wouldn't know though which was worrisome. He couldn't fail his first job though, right? He sweatdropped. Oh god, he was going to fail—Reigen would kick his sorry ass out and he'd never save any money for his studies. So yes, he needed money, desperately so even. But if anything, to his defence, he'd let Ritsu study first any day.

His younger brother had what it takes to become someone great as it was. His school grades were at the top of classes, his physical abilities were still way above Shigeo's and—he was just better than him in every little aspect.

There was a poke on his shoulder and Shigeo turned on his heel.

Before him—stood Mob, in all his hellish glory. Black silhouette with shining holes instead of eyes. Shigeo swore that he was over him for years now but—there he was, intact.

Instead a single crack appeared on his own face. Or so it felt like it. Mind reeling Shigeo gulped none-too-subtly, sweat sliding down his face. He'd never in million years think he's gonna stand face-to-face with one person he didn't want to yet again.

"You're not real" he spoke finally, gazing at the black shadow. In response he's got a very ominous smile back.

"I am as real as you are. Did you forget already?"

"Forget what?"

"That we'll always be one."

"T—true but if so, why are you here?"

Shadow dared to smirk at him, empty sockets hollowing out in macabre smile. "Because you're here too. This is my realm, not yours, Shigeo."

He couldn't understand. Where was here. Why he felt himself trembling ever so slightly?

"No."

Loud bark of a laughter send chills down his spine and esper barrier sprung back to life. Or so he thought until he felt—nothing. There was no psychic barrier around him.

Shadow smiled, toothily. "Oh no, you forgot that these powers never were yours, did you? They were always mine. Every little bit. But you, you used them without my permission for so long—that you forgot."

"They never were needed in the first place. One can live without being an esper" he tried to reason instead. "That's what I've been taught—"

"—by master, right? That conman of ours" shadow continued. "Yet deep down we both know that he became interested in us only because of my powers. Where does that leave you?"

Chills went down Shigeo's spine but he was unyielding. "He's a good man. I stand by what I've said before, years ago. It doesn't matter what he's done or not, he's one of the best people I've met—I'm glad to call him my master."

Shadow tsked at that, unimpressed. "Should we try then? I wonder how much it takes to break your spirit Shigeo? Let's see if your master's lessons were true!"

"Of course they ar—!"

Swirling chair went flying by Shigeo's head and he almost hissed. Instead he grind his teeth, eyes pinpricks—almost angry—at Mob.

—?%—

"Let's play, winner takes it all."

Shigeo's emotions were a perfect mixture for disaster yet there wasn't familiar tug of his powers, nor tell-tale swaying of hair in the air. There was just him—a very human, non-esper Shigeo against everything else that was him—Mob.

Said Mob spread his arms then and Shigeo seen as every object that was in the room became animated, floating with high speeds around them. Was that how it felt when one was in the eye of the storm? If so, he despised that feeling.

Feeling of being scared. Like a child. Like a ten years old child that almost killed his own brother.

Clock and chair swished by him and Shigeo barely managed to get out of theirs way. He wasn't as physically able to dodge things as Ritsu was.

"Esper powers are not everyt—!"

There was a huge wardrobe flying around, it's doors smacking loudly. Shigeo was so concentrated on the biggest danger that he didn't notice even more deadly, small things. Spoon etched itself in his left shoulder and he wailed as it went clean through. Black and white spots were flying behind his closed eyelids, pain was unmistakable.

Promptly, nearby astray hit him square in the forehead—and Shigeo's eyes rolled back into his head. For awhile he felt as his body was trashed, moved, swung—before he noticed a streak of light.

What happened next, it was instantaneous. Once the doors reappeared and Reigen's persona moved inside, Shigeo felt as if everything—even Mob—was sucked right back where it belonged.

Room looked exactly like every other hotel room, very plain and without anything too eccentric. He blinked twice, numbly. He was as winded as he felt just mere seconds ago and his shoulder still stung but—what just happened?

Reigen strolled casually, smiling at him sheepishly. "Ah, Mob, how's the case going?"

Mob blinked again.

"You look awfully winded up—is that a bruise on your cheek?" mentioned off-handely Arataka, looking closely at Shigeo's cheek. Upon poking at it teen winced painfully. "Holy hell—what happened to you? You need an ice on that."

He opened his mouth to respond but then he finally felt the source of the miasma which reared it's head at Reigen. Mob was quicker though. Once he could be careless, twice no such luck. Using psychic power he erected barrier around both of them. Take that evil spirits!

"Why are you even here?" he bit back at his mentor instead, slightly annoyed. "Weren't you supposed to find more jobs for us?"

Arataka chuckled under nose, it was as fake as snow in summer. "Ah you know, I was in the area and I figured I'll drop by and check on your progress."

Evil spirit multiplied beyond Mob's barrier, it kept on pressing and pushing to no avail.

"You didn't trust me, did you?" he grumbled under nose, his hair a mess. He swore that he probably looked properly trashed. Oh, he's even had a hole in his trousers now too, nice. "That's why you're here."

Blond shrugged. "I can't say I didn't trust you. I was just worried if you manage to speak with clients" Reigen responded, matter-of-factly. "We both know you're not really used to being a people's person."

"You were worried I'll lose my temper" Shigeo shot back, staring blankly at his master.

"No, of course I wasn't" lied Reigen, shrugging that off. "Don't you have that behind you since you were fourteen?"

Shigeo felt himself going stiff, slightly sweating. "Y—yes."

Nodding in agreement Arataka crossed his arms. "That's what I thought, I've taught you well. But that leaves me with one question—"

Without said question nor even looking at the colourful spirits that tried to tear into them Mob raised his hand and erased every single of them, in entirety of five seconds. Old, worn out cap fell down on the floor—as spirits were exorcised from it.

Reigen cleared his throat.

"—question of what happened to you, you look as if someone dragged you through mud pits and back. When you walked inside hotel—"

"You've been following me?" it wasn't even a question any more, just a plain statement. Shigeo grumbled. "You think I am that bad that you had to follow me?"

Reigen waved that away. "Oh, no, no, no. Nothing of sorts—just been worried if you manage on your own, that's all" he looked around, nodding in approval. "I see though everything was under your control, so congrats are in place" with a slap on Mob's left shoulder Arataka smiled cheekily.

Mob winced inwardly keeping straight face. God, that shoulder felt like somebody was digging into his muscles, through bones even.

"Sure" he grit through teeth, smiling blankly. "Thanks."

Patting Shigeo's shoulder twice more Reigen finally yielded. "You're welcome. I can now officially welcome you as my new work partner. Let's go grab something to eat, you earned it."

Sighing Mob nodded. "Sure" he replied even though eating was the last thing on his mind. He wouldn't mind a nap. A long, nice nap.

He felt his master's eyes on his persona and looked back at him, straight faced. They glanced at each other for a minute or so before Arataka scratched chin, clearly thinking about something.

"Mob, are you sure you're okay?" Reigen asked finally, still searching for something. "If you're not feeling to it we can grab a bite another time."

Nodding slightly, he actually agreed. "Actually, I feel pretty tired. Hope you don't mind, master."

Slow smile spread over Arataka's face then and he waved it off nonchalantly as he started for the door. "I would never. Let's go, you seem pretty out of it."

Smiling to himself Mob watched his master's retreating back. It always seemed like this nowadays, always watching Reigen Arataka leave him behind to follow in his tracks. Maybe it was silly of him but Shigeo hoped that one day they could step right next to each other, as equals.

"Oi, Mob, are you coming or do you plan on renting this smelly room?"

Shaking his messy hair he moved ahead. Mob, Shigeo—they were both same person. No matter if the power belonged to one if the other was still around. He just hoped he'd never awaken the other again. He just didn't have the heart to tell his master that monster was still inside, just sleeping.

With closing doors to room 42 Mob briefly mused that yes, this case indeed was a tricky one.