Work Text
Shigeo locked himself away after the incident, slowly isolating himself from people.He didn’t want to hurt anyone… ever again...But one person wouldn’t allow it.
“Is this about your psychic powers?”“Huh?”
Shigeo was sitting down and looked up at Tsubomi
“No…”“Is it about why you and your brother weren’t here for a few weeks?”
Shigeo looked away…But Tsubomi didn’t go away. She sat down next to Shigeo.
“What happened?”
Shigeo looked at Tsubomi… She wouldn’t go away.Shigeo sighed
“You’re not going to leave me alone are you?”
Tsubomi smiled, the smile being her answer.
“Our parents gave us some money during new years and when we were coming home that day… Some people took it and Ritsu tried to get it back…”
Shigeo looked down.
“I- I tried to stop them but they pushed me towards a wall and I blacked out. When I woke up I saw Ritsu injured and the bullies bleeding… I don’t wanna hurt anyone else again…”
Shigeo started tearing upTsubomi had listened to every single bit and hugged him.Shigeo froze, not wanting to accidentally hurt Tsubomi, but after a few seconds he hugged back.-Over the weeks Shigeo and Tsubomi had gotten closer.The most popular girl and the least popular boy in school, were friends.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Shigeo was walking with Tsubomi until they ran into Tsubomi's friends and Shigeo froze."So this is the guy you talk about?"Tsubomi hummed a yes to herThe girl held her hand out to Shigeo"It's nice to meet you! Tsubomi has told us a lot about you"Shigeo shook her hand visibly nervous"Huh, you weren't kidding.""Yep!""We'll take your time we're not gonna rush you"Shigeo relaxed after hearing that.They continued to walk with Tsbomi's friend group joining them and Shigeo slowly opening up to them.-Tsubomi was glad her friends were getting along with Shigeo.They were really nice to him. After being told of the incident and Shigeo trying to shut everyone out.Tsubomi was not letting Shigeo bottle up his emotions because of this.Shigeo eventually had to go to work."So how did you all like him?"Worst mistake Tsubomi made. But basically, they loved him.-Meanwhile with Reigen and Mob."Master?"Mob walked into the building.Mob sensed the spirit and saw there were cockroaches.He looked up to see Reigen scared.'Okay maybe Tsubomi's right I'm not paid enough for this'Mob looked at Reigen deadpanned.Then he remembered the couple that was scared of the spirit.Mob raised his hand and before the spirit could say anything he was gone from the world.Reigen ran out scared of the roaches."Scaredy cat."The couple paid Mob instead of Reigen and Mob goes after Reigen"Master? Why do you have me go after weak spirits when you could do it yourself?""Well, Mob! Because..."Reigen took a moment to think of an excuse."Because I'm far too powerful for a weak spirit as you called it!"Mob doubted Reigen but just noddedAfter giving some of the money the couple gave him to Reigen he went home.-"Mom, Dad, Ritsu, I'm home."Shigeo went in to be met by his brother"You're okay, right? The con artist didn't try and trick you?""Ritsu. You're acting like Bomi, I'm fine.""How could you!"Shigeo rolled his eyes and put his bag in his room and went to the dinner table.While eating he subconsciously bent a spoon“Sorry Mom…”She sighed but understood that at times Shigeo couldn’t control itShigeo was able to unbend the spoon“What’s on your mind honey?”“Oh, nothing, just Tsubomi introduced me to some of her friends today.”Ritsu nearly choked on his dinner‘That bastard!’Their mom smiled knowing how bad Shigeo was at social interactions“That’s great for you!”Then their dad said something completely surprising“So when are you two going to date?”Ritsu and Shigeo looked at each other and then at their dad“Dad, she’s only my friend and she doesn’t like guys like that.”“How do you know?”Shigeo had a deadpan face then Ritsu took control of the conversation“Dad she’s had bunches of boys at our school ask her out and she always rejects them, plus Shige doesn’t like her like this”“Yeah, strictly best friends.”The two didn’t have enough willpower to just tell their dad that Tsubomi was a lesbian and that Shigeo didn’t like girls like that.-Mob saw the tension which was surprising but he’s felt this tension too many times to count.Tsubomi, his best friend, and Ritsu, his younger brother.It was always like this the two glaring at each other‘At this point, they’ll be arguing more than walking to school…’“Can you two please stop arguing, we're not even half there and it’s almost time for class to start.”But unfortunately, he was ignored…‘Why… I have a math and physics test today…’He rubbed his eyes as the two kept arguing.Fortunately, it was lucky he wasn’t late and luckily he studied while the two were fighting-It was after school and Reigen called him while he was walking with Ritsu and Tsubomi“Sorry did I interrupt-““No, no, the perfect time actually…”Mob was at the tunnel with Reigen“People keep disappearing-““But… The tunnel’s closed?”“Yes, but people can be stupidly foolish Mob! And so can people like us be if we’re not careful”“Understood master!”“Now there was a biker gang that a few years ago died here, I believe their hatred made them into evil spirits, and why people have been disappearing from this tunnel”Mob nodded as Reigen went into the tunnel and quickly out“W-Why didn’t you go in?”Reigen tried to play it cool but…“I thought you had it under control.”‘Damn you the consequences of my actions!’“And I also sense something coming from inside.”With that being said they walked in again“The spirits. They’re all around us, we’re surrounded.”“Good, Mob you take care of the weak spirits”Mob hummed and started exercising the spirits as Reigen went on ahead.Reigen confronted the boss spirit.
“You must be the big wrestler huh?”“No, I'm the boss of a biker gang. I… Slipped on a banana peel while driving my bike and crashed resulting in the rest of my whole gang dying too. But that doesn’t matter now”The spirit was about to attack Reigen until a shield appeared around Reigen courtesy of Mob, fortunately.Reigen then hit the spirit with salt“What was that supposed to do…??”Then Mob raised his hand and the spirit started melting.“WHA- PLEASE! STOP WE WERE FORCED TO ATTACK PEOPLE WE SWEAR! HE’S KILL US IF WE DIDN’T!”Mob stopped when the spirit was very small“T-There’s a hundreds year old spirit d-down the tunnel he made us do it! He’s responsible for all the deaths I swear!”“Don’t believe him Mob!”‘The aura’s still here though… It’s not coming from him…’Mob went ahead deeper into the tunnel“Mob!?”Mob found the real spirit in charge“Are you why my meals are gone? In that case, I’ll take YOU as my meal!”The spirit tried to eat Mob.Key word tried.“I don’t like spirits or people like you, Bomi says people like you are selfish and entitled.”Mob started melting him from the inside“And Ritsu says people like you aren’t worth anything to anyone.”Mob kept going until the spirit was gone.Mob looked down to see a photo and picked it up‘It must belong to the biker gang leader… He must be missing the picture. He was alone without his friends.’Mob went back to the Biker gang leader spirit and Reigen“It wasn’t that powerful. But this is yours right?”Mob showed the spirit the photo and the spirit teared up and took the photo.“Thank you…”The spirit cried, finally moving on peacefully.Mob liked that day more because he helped someone move on peacefully.While heading home he looked at Reigen“Master, I know you said to leave all the weak ones to me but what if there’s a spirit I can’t defeat?”“Then I’ll defeat the spirit.”Reigen ruffled Mob’s hair while Mob gave a small smile to Reigen.-After Shigeo was home and in his pajamas lying in bed he called Tsubomi to tell her what happened.