Chapter Text
"Mob seriously, you don't need to walk me home everyday."
Everyday for the last month or so Mob refused to let walk home alone. For the first couple of days it was sort of cute, his former student getting all protective over him was endearing in a way. But now… Reigen was over it.
This all started because of a recent string of omega kidnapping. It's not like this was the first time something like this happened, it was a big city after all. One too many omegas go missing and a bunch of people start spreading rumors, saying that there must be some criminal syndicate that's trafficking omegas for money. He's heard it time and time again. Most of the time it turns out to be nothing more than coincidence rather than a mysterious group behind the scenes pulling the strings.
However… This time seems more than just a coincidence. There were too many disappearances, and the whole city was on edge. Many of his omega clients came in with a friend instead of alone, their scents were all anxious and uneasy. Some would say they were jealous, wishing they had psychic powers to protect themselves like he does. If only they knew he was in the same boat as them, but that would be terrible for business. So, he kept his mouth shut.
Reigen wishes he could say more to quell their worries about the situation, but as it is right now it showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. He hopes one of these mornings he'll wake up to the news saying they found the missing omegas and it'll turn out to be a happy ending. That was the sort of optimism he fed himself to keep that gnawing feeling away.
Reigen sighs, crossing his arms. "You should be studying for your finals, I can't believe I still have to scold you like this when you're 17."
"I'm just worried, Shishou." Mob says, his feline ears flattening to the sides, giving him a guilty look that pulls his heart strings.
"I've taken care of myself for this long." Reigen looks back to shoot a stern look at Mob. "Even before you were around. This isn't the first time I've seen this happen."
Reigen wasn't mad at Mob, he just always had issues with being needed to be protected. Finding out he was an omega when he was younger was a struggle. He remembered how everything just… changed. His classmates treated him differently, like someone flipped a switch. Reigen wasn't close to anyone anyways, but it didn't help his growing resentment.
His family wasn't any better. His beta sister was supportive of him, but his parents were less so. They wanted an alpha son, because of course they did. It always felt like they had some standards they wanted him to meet but never could. So when he turned out not to be an alpha, but instead an omega… Well to say they were disappointed was an understatement.
His relationship with his parents never fully healed.
Reigen didn't resent his status as an omega as much as he did when he was younger. He'd already proven to himself and any naysayers that even if he was an omega, he could still accomplish what he wanted in life. He's running a successful business, a place of his own and can afford most things for his day to day life.
He just… still couldn't get past this one hang up about being an omega, or rather what society expected from one. How they needed to be protected by alphas. Sure there were other problems he had but this one bothered him the most. It felt belittling, to be treated like he was some delicate fragile thing. He didn't blame alphas for wanting to protect, it was just part of their instincts. Nor did he blame omegas for following those same instincts to hide behind their alpha when trouble arises.
Reigen couldn't count the amount of time some alpha thought he needed 'protecting', puffing their chests out and trying to do their best to be the ideal alpha. He couldn't stand it. He wasn't some prize to be won or some damsel in distress.
"Shishou…"
"Hmm?" Reigen hums, fishing his keys out of his slacks.
"Your tail…" Mob murmurs, focused behind him.
Reigen raises an eyebrow at Mob, glancing over his shoulder to see his fluffy white tipped tail flicking around, obviously agitated. He had become rather good at masking his emotions on his face and posture, but his damn ears and tail always betrayed him when he let his guard down.
"I'm sorry Shishou I just—" Mob starts.
"Mob, I'm not mad at you." Reigen cuts him off. "I just remembered I still have a ton of stuff to do this week that I've been putting off. I should have done them last week but things kept piling up." It wasn't the truth, but it wasn't exactly a lie either. Reigen couldn't deny that he was a little annoyed with the way Mob was acting, but he could never be mad at him for something so small. Mob was just following his instincts like any other alpha, albeit less annoying than some of the ones he's dealt with.
"So," Reigen continues. "I'll probably be busy with things after work for the week. You need to be studying anyway, your finals are soon."
Mob looks as if he were about to protest, but then he backs down, giving Reigen a small nod. "Okay… Shishou."
"Good, now go home and study. I'll be fine for the next couple of days. I promise." Reigen steps into the doorway of his apartment, turning to see Mob still standing there. Mob’s gaze lingers on him for a beat. He wasn't sure what exactly Mob was looking for, his eyes didn't seem to fall or linger in just one place. Eventually he looks away, hiding behind the curtain of his bangs. "Um… Goodnight, Shishou."
"Goodnight Mob." Reigen watches Mob walk down the street and disappear into the night. He slips his shoes off and steps into his room, shoulders relaxing. He was actually going to have to do quite a few things this week. All those little errands started to pile up over the weeks and now he had to get them done.
Reigen got ready for bed, taking a nice long shower and slipping into his sweat shirt and pants. Usually he was tired by now. He could see his alarm clock from here, red numbers burning into his eyes. He needed something mindless to watch, so he curled up on the couch and turned on the TV.
A terrifying continuation to the ongoing omega kidnapping, tonight we're reporting on the disappearance of two young women.
It was just his luck that when he turned on the TV he was greeted with the news hammering in how grim things were looking. He didn't need a reminder of why all the alphas he knew wouldn't give him any fucking breathing room. How have the police not figured out who was behind all this? A picture of two girls appeared onto the screen as the news anchor continues.
A miss Kobayashi Hibiki and a miss Ishikawa Ichigo have seemingly disappeared before they made it back home. The two university students went out drinking at a local bar—
Reigen flicks off the TV and slumps back onto the couch, closing his eyes and letting his head hit the backboard. The image of those girls burned into the inside of his eyelids. It bothered him more than he was willing to admit to himself. That there was a shred of worry that bubbles to the surface every time he sees the news.
What if his name pops up on the news just like those girls?
Reigen knew he didn't fit the demographic for the type of omegas getting kidnapped. Most of them were young, in their early 20s. Unmarked by an alpha and still in their prime. He was over 30 now, so it was unlikely that he'd ever be targeted.
It wasn't even worth worrying about, that part of his omega instincts were loud and distracting. Reigen slips off the couch and flops onto his bed. He's stayed up late enough already, and tomorrow will be busy. He doesn't need to stay up all night worrying about the what ifs.
…
Morning came faster than Reigen would have liked. He was tired and rushed to get to the office for a rather busy day, thankfully none of his clients were the type that he wouldn't be able to handle by himself.
He spends most of the day doing his spiritual massages or hooking his clients up with charms and ofudas. Reigen couldn't remember the last time his hands started to ache like this. Thankfully he only had one more client for the day and than he could go do some errands before going home.
Reigen hears the door open and close and he comes out from behind his desk assuming it was his client. "Welcome Oku—" He cut his greeting off, salesmen mask falling off.
Ritsu was staring back at him, that slight judging glare that seems to only be reserved for him. His cat tail lightly flicked back and forth to match his scowl.
"Ritsu?" Reigen says, obvious confusion blanketing his expression. Why was Ritsu here? Ritsu was one of the last people he expected to be dropping by the office on a whim.
"Hey." Ritsu says, moving past him to the couch and plopping down, setting his school bag next to him. He takes out a school book and casually flips it open, starting to read. Ritsu was acting as if he was supposed to be here right now, with how casually he came walking in and made himself comfortable. Did he miss something?
Reigen froze in place, trying to understand that was even happening. "Why are you here Ritsu?" He finally manages to ask after a moment.
"You aren’t even going to offer me tea? So much for hospitality." Ritsu says, not even looking up from his book.
"Ritsu I'm serious—" Before Reigen could get another word in, the door opened behind him, his client walking in. He wanted to press Ritsu but he didn't have the time to right now. So he let the mask slip back on and greets the older woman with his best business smile.
"Ah, welcome Okumura-san!"
"Good evening Reigen-san… Thank you for seeing me last minute." She replies softly.
Okumura was here for a recurring ache in her shoulders that she believed to be a vengeful spirit. As far as Reigen was concerned, it seems like she just made an excuse to come here and get a massage from him. She wasn't the only one, and they were still paying so he couldn't complain.
"Oh? And who is your young alpha friend here?" Okumura asks, turning her attention to Ritsu. "Ah! You must be here to escort Reigen-san home after work!" She says with a delighted look. Okumura was a traditionalist, so of course she was going to see it that way.
"T-Thats not—" Reigen tries to protest, but Okumura continues before he could get another word in.
"How sweet, everyone is worried with all these omegas going missing." Okumura makes a pained face for a moment. "I hope you will keep Reigen-san safe until things are resolved."
Reigen has to suppress a groan threatening to escape his throat. He doesn't know if he should be annoyed or down right embarrassed. All he felt like doing was arguing that, no he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. That he didn't need some 16 year old to come watch over him after he already chased off his older brother.
That or disappearing completely, both seemed compelling at the moment.
Ritsu regarded the woman, looking up from his school text book for the first time since he entered the office to meet her gaze. "I'll do my best."
Reigen wasn't sure what Ritsu was going to say, but it definitely wasn't that. At first he thought Ritsu might say something snide. But even Ritsu wasn't as crass as to insult him in front of a client. Even complete silence made more sense than the answer Ritsu gave.
It threw him completely off guard. "Aha… Yes Ritsu is a good kid," Reigen brushes past the topic. "I know that spirit must be bugging you! Let's take care of it so you can feel that weight off your shoulders."
Okumura blinks. "O-Oh yes of course! This pesky little nuance won't seem to leave me alone." She grumbles, walking into the massage room.
Reigen sighs, taking everything out of his pockets, setting his wallet, keys, and phone on the desk. Giving someone a massage with things in his pockets always bothers him so he opts to empty his pockets when he gives one. He gives Ritsu a suspicious glance before heading into the massage room.
After 30 minutes Okumura paid and left for the evening. That was his last appointment today. Reigen made sure to wait until Okumura left to turn his attention back to Ritsu.
"Don't tell me Mob told you to come in his place to walk me home." Reigen couldn't think of any other reason for Ritsu to just suddenly show up unannounced. Most of the time he shows up with Mob. The times Ritsu didn't show up with Mob were few and far between. Those times he came alone were usually followed by heated arguments.
Ritsu looks up from his book, setting it down in his lap. "Okumura-san is right, you know. You should be more careful." Ritsu might not have answered his question directly but he got an answer.
"I can't believe this." Reigen scoffs. He can't believe Mob asked Ritsu to go in his stead. It has even been a day and Mob needed to drag Ritsu into doing the job for him. "You can go home and tell Mob I'm fine and you walked me home. I still have to stop by a few places and I don't have time for this." Reigen snatches his phone and keys off his desk.
"You're being reckless Reigen, and Nii-san didn't tell me to come here." Ritsu gets to his feet, following Reigen to the door of the office.
Reigen pauses a moment, looking back at him with apprehension, his fox ears pinning back. "One, I'm not being reckless! I've lived just fine without needing any protection from any alpha, especially one who isn't even out of high-school yet." He turns back to the door, jamming the key inside quickly before turning his attention back to Ritsu. "And two, I have a hard time believing Mob didn't put you up to this."
Ritsu steps out of the office as Reigen starts to lock up for the night. "Nii-san did tell that you told him to stop walking you home, and how he was worried,"
"See I was—"
"But," Ritsu cuts him off, his voice getting more heated by the word. "Nii-san didn't tell me to come. I came of my own volition because you are being incredibly stubborn about such a simple thing!" Ritsu was obviously frustrated with him, Reigen could smell it leaking off him, filling the hallway. That agitated scent that made his nose scrunch up. "He's worried about you, Reigen."
Reigen was fighting to maintain composure, that scent that makes him want to back down and roll over. To submit because that's what he was hardwired to do. "I'm not I'm danger, I'm an older omega so the likelihood of me being a target is slim."
"You're unclaimed Reigen. Just because most of the victims are in their early 20s doesn't mean you can ignore that fact that every single one of them was also unclaimed, and the last kidnapping wasn't even that far from the office!"
Reigen rolls his eyes. "I don't have time for this, I have to go get more ink for the printer and more massage oil. If you want to be bored out of your mind I suggest going home, Ritsu." He starts down the stairs to leave.
Reigen expected that to be it, Ritsu would leave him be and he could go about the rest of his night. Ritsu probably had tests just like Mob soon, but something tells him that Ritsu wasn't going to need any extra studying. Even if Ritsu had more time on his hands, that didn't mean he wanted to spend that time with him of all people.
"Let's get going then." Ritsu replies coolly, following after him down the stairs.
Reigen doesn't have any more fire in his gut to tell Ritsu off. "Fine, don't say I didn't warn you." He sighs, shoulders slumping.
Thankfully for Ritsu, Reigen knew exactly which stores to hit on the way home from the office. He had a favorite type of massage oil and it was only sold in one location. It was a tiny little shop run by an older woman who used to be a masseuse in her younger years. Cute, quaint and full of flowery smells. Reigen was able to restock on a variety of scents while chit-chatting.
After restocking the oil he stopped by a larger store to get some cheap ink, and a few other things. It was a quick in and out. By the time they were done it had only taken about 40 minutes. Reigen was surprised that Ritsu stuck around with him that long.
"Just one last stop." Reigen says, walking up to a kobini on the corner. "After this I'm going home." Ritsu didn't follow him inside, opting to wait out front. He was thankful that Ritsu didn't seem to hover around him as much as Mob did. He couldn't hate Mob for acting like that, he was just worried… even if it was a bit too suffocating at times.
Reigen grabs a few discounted 5 piece sushi boxes and something to drink. It was far too late to be going out for the night, or rather, far too late for him to be comfortable going alone. He didn't intend to hold Ritsu hostage for ramen either.
There was a feeling of being watched, as he moved through the aisles. Reigen looks over his shoulder, the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, his tail puffing out. No one in the store was looking at him, they were all shopping like regular customers, paying him no mind at all.
Is he having a panic attack? Why? He hasn't had one in what feels like forever.
The kobini was by no means large, but right now it feels as if the aisles are unending. Every moment he spent in the store was raising his pulse. It didn't even feel like a kobini anymore, it felt much more dark and cold. Reigen felt a hand come down on his shoulder, startling him out wherever he had been.
"Um… are you okay? You are smelling really anxious right now." Hair stark white and eyes that remind him of snow, of ice, of winter. A tall wolf alpha was looking down at him, his eyes flicking over him in what should feel like concern, and yet…
Reigen stumbles back, away from his grasp. "Yep, yep! I'm just fine, I just— I just forgot something at work." He quickly lies, composing himself.
The man's eyes linger on him even after he pulls his hand away. He was looking at his unclaimed neck, at his flicking ears and tail… at his lips, his smaller frame, his hips. Hungry in the way only an alpha could look.
Reigen was being sized up like a meal. This wasn't anything new by any means, this song and dance between an alpha and an omega. He wasn't much of a dancer, though. "I have to go." Reigen says, brushing past the man as he put some distance between them. Thankfully the man didn't pursue him, just watched before returning to shopping. He bought his dinner quickly and rushed back outside.
"That was fast." Ritsu says, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong? You look pale." Ritsu looks over to the kobini, eyeing it suspiciously.
"I'm fine." Reigen says, prepping another lie to feed to Ritsu. The last thing he needed today was Ritsu making a scene. Not that he would, not for him at least. "I just haven't eaten much today, too busy."
Ritsu gives him a doubtful look, but he doesn't push the issue any further. They walk the rest of the way home in relative silence. It was nice, just being able to not have to do the walk and talk. He knew Ritsu could care less about what he has to say, so they didn't need to bother with the formalities.
Reigen unlocks the door to his apartment, stepping into the genkan. "Are we good now?" He says, finding it hard to just say thank you like any normal person would in his shoes. But he shouldn't be a totally ungrateful prick. "I… appreciate it. You didn't have to go out of your way to do this."
Ritsu crosses his arms, giving him an indiscernible look. "I'll be busy tomorrow, but after that I can walk you home any day." Ritsu looks away, a light blush on his cheeks. "If you want. Just text me or something."
Reigen blinks, looking at Ritsu. He opens and closes his mouth a few times before managing to say something. "Um… sure Ritsu. I'll let you know if I uh— if I need that."
Ritsu gives him a firm nod. "Good, Nii-san will be busy for a bit with finals, and if something were to happen I know he would… drop everything to find you." He coughs into his hand, avoiding direct eye contact. "So let's not ruin his final by getting into trouble."
Reigen scoffs lightly, Ritsu was trying to say he was worried in his own way. Using his brother as a convenient excuse as to why he needs to walk him home. He couldn't really be mad at that, though he wishes that Ritsu would be more honest with him. Maybe not now, but in the future. Maybe the kid doesn't hate him as much as he thinks, or at all.
"I get it." Reigen says, leaning against the door frame. "I'll try to 'keep myself out of trouble' until Mob is done with his finals." He rolls his eyes, but keeps his tone playful. "Not like I don't have a bunch of appointments lined up for the rest of the week."
Ritsu sighs softly before turning away. "I'm sure most of those appointments won't have you leaving this office." Ritsu remarks on his way down the stairs. He turns to Reigen before he fully disappears down the flight of stairs. "Goodnight, Reigen."
"Goodnight, Ritsu." Reigen says, but he wasn't even sure if Ritsu heard him. He had already disappeared down the stairs. That damn brat got on his nerves sometimes, but his head was in the right place.
…
Two weeks came and went in the blink of an eye.
The office was quiet today, early in the morning he and Serizawa took care of a spirit who was haunting a bakery. Thankfully Serizawa was able to shield them from getting absolutely covered in flour and buried in bread. The owner even gave them some nice sandwiches they could have for lunch along with their payment as an extra thank you.
The day came and went rather slowly after that. Mostly boring due to having a few back to back cancellations which he hadn't accounted for. All Reigen had today was the chance of walk-ins, and only two people had come in without an appointment.
Reigen let Serizawa leave early despite his protests. There was any point in keeping him here if nothing was going on. Serizawa eventually left, and the office was plunged into silence.
Reigen tries to work on his website for a little bit, adding some extra flair here and there, moving some things around to make the page look more clean. But his mind starts to wander, back to Mob, back to Ritsu, back to the missing omegas.
Mob had asked him to at least check in with him when he had gotten home for the night with a text. It wasn't as invasive or degrading as having to be walked home, so Reigen agreed to it for the time being as long as it didn't get in the way of his studies. Usually he shot Mob a text after he got home and into something comfortable, usually in the middle of brushing his teeth for the night.
Mob and him had been texting more often as of late anyways. Mob wasn't able to spend time in the office like he used to be able to in middle school, and Reigen wouldn't want that for him either. A part of him felt a bit empty not having Mob around as often, and he couldn't just go back to how it was before having Mob around.
Mob was growing up fast, and eventually they would grow more distant. Thinking about it hurt, but that was just the way of life. All he could do is cherish the time he still has left with Mob before he's off to university.
Ritsu on the other hand he hadn't heard a word from since that day. Maybe Mob was keeping him up to date every day. While he had Ritsu's number, the amount of times they've spoken through texting or calls he could count on one hand. Most of the time if Ritsu had something to say to him, it was usually in person.
There were a few times where Reigen had thought to call Ritsu over the past weeks. He never did, though. The last thing he wants to do was let his ever-growing worry make him out to be weak, needing protection.
Every bad feeling or thought he shoves down deep inside until it passes. It was working for the most part. What he wouldn't give for this kidnapping situation to just be over already. To not have to hear on the news about how the days have gone by and the police still haven't found them.
Reigen knows everyday that went past without the police finding them meant it became more and more unlikely they'd ever be found. And honestly, that scares him more than he was willing to admit.
Eventually Reigen gives up on trying to do anything with his web page and calls it quits for the night. It was a little early but the likelihood of someone coming in now was slim. His extra suits were at the dry cleaner and he needed to pick them up, which happens to be very convenient.
Reigen closes up just like every night and slips onto the street outside. It was still afternoon, though the sun was making it approach to bring them into evening not too far out from now. He starts down the street to the dry cleaners, enjoying the nice crisp air and the sun on his back. A faint wind blew through his hair and caressed his ears, causing them to flick back and forth.
It doesn't take long for him to arrive at the dry cleaners and pick up his clean suits. While the suits were on the cheaper end, he takes care of them as if they were lined with gold. He doesn't have an iron back at home, and even if he did he wasn't confident on not burning the delicate fabric of the suit. Best left up to someone who knows what they are doing so he can look his best.
Reigen manages to get home with his freshly clean suits without any incident. He was happy that his suits hadn't gotten dirty on his way home like last time. He hangs them up and slouches onto the couch a few moments later.
This would be about the time he went to get some food. Something cheap and filling, usually ramen because ramen shops are everywhere. Tonight he could do the normal, but if he was being honest with himself… He wants to cook for himself tonight.
Reigen rarely had the time to cook for himself anymore. It had just become easier to eat out instead of buying groceries every week to make meals in his tiny kitchen. It's a shame really, because he loves cooking. For himself, for others. He was a pretty good cook too, at least that's what he thought.
Reigen slips his shoes back on, feeling motivated to actually make himself a meal tonight. Once he got back outside and back onto the street the sun had barely set under the mountains in the distance, casting the city in a shade of deep reds and purples. The streetlight next to him flickers on, its bright yellow contrasting with the deeper shades of the night.
He sets off for a little shop that was one of his favorites. They had amazing prices even if it was a bit out of the way. It was always well worth it. So many times he was about to find some interesting products and spices that he's never seen anywhere else. Surely imported from some other country.
Reigen got to the point in his journey where he had to take some alleyways and quiet streets to get to his destination. He stands on the busy street, looking down that dark alley. Should he be doing this right now? The thought of going down there, a place where no one was around. It was putting that part of his omega brain on edge.
He stares for a while, weighing the options as the city life passes behind him. Was he really about to tuck his tail between his legs and run away? Letting this terrible incident make him stop doing things he loves?
Hell. No.
His stupid omega instincts be damned tonight. He was going to have a home-cooked meal if it was the last thing he could do. Reigen strides into the alleyway, a confidence in his steps as he makes his way through the twists and turns.
What to make… Curry was simple but it was always good, plus it made for good leftovers. A pork cutlet would probably be out of the question in that tiny kitchen, frying something seems like a recipe for disaster. Pondering as he walks, suddenly and rather abruptly his face meets someone's back, followed by a grunt. Reigen stumbles back rubbing his nose, he really should have been paying more attention to where he was going.
The tall man turns to him, eyes as cold as ice. It seems like he had run face first or rather nose first into an alpha. An alpha whose scent was just as intimidating as his glare. He had short black hair with dark eyes. His tail and ears belonged to that of a wolf. The man didn't speak, but his gaze was enough to put him on edge.
"Oi what's the hold up Kouga? Satoshi said we needed another omega tonight for—" A shorter wolf alpha that he didn't see before peaks around the taller alpha. This man had stuffy brown hair and was much more scrawny than the alpha he had run face first into.
The three stared at each other for a beat. Reigen could feel his veins turning to ice, his heart rate elevating. He must be overthinking this. Surely there was something he missed in their conversation and his imagination was just trying to fill in the blanks with the worst possible scenario.
"My apologies," Reigen starts, trying to move past the two, out of the cramped dark alley and into the light. His tail was grabbed, causing him to gasp out in surprise. He turns, eyes snapping between the two men and his puffed out tail.
"Say…" The small alpha says, cool and slow. "I swear I've seen you on TV before. I can't put my finger on it!"
Reigen tries to pull his poor tail away, but the man's grip only tightens. He let out a small hiss of pain, his ears pinning back.
"You know what I mean, Kouga? Surely this guy looks familiar."
The alpha known as Kouga looks him up and down. "Isn't this the psychic guy who was on TV a couple of years ago? I didn't catch much of the story but you didn't shut the fuck up about it for a week straight." Kouga says flatly, crossing his arms. "But you never shut the fuck up about anything, Riku."
Riku inspects him again before giving him a toothy grin. "Ooooh yeah! That's right! The 21st century's greatest psychic or whatever. I didn't think you'd be an omega of all things." Finally letting go of Reigen's tail, he circles so that Reigen is sandwiched between the two of them. "Guess I should have known, you got a pretty face and all. What was your name again?"
Reigen wants nothing but to try and rush past either of them. If he wants to get back to the street he just came from, he'd have to run past the big guy. Who knows how far he'd get even if he didn't decide to run.
"It's on the tip of my tongue, Reigen… something."
Reigen watches the grinning alpha take a step closer. This wasn't a situation he was going to be able to run from. He was going to have to fight, even if the odds were stacked against him. "Reigen Arataka, the 21st century's greatest psychic." He says, narrowing his eyes and bearing his teeth. "At your service."
Reigen doesn't wait for them to make the first move. He lunges at the shorter alpha, ready to fight until he has no more fight left in him. A flurry of teeth, nails, and screams echoing into the night.
…
Mob can hear his brother calling his name down the hallway, the footfalls of his feet as he approaches his room. He doesn't move though. Too focused on his phone, sitting on his desk. He checks his text messages again. Hoping, expecting there to be a text from Reigen saying he got home safely.
"Nii-san?" Ritsu's voice chimes behind him. When Mob doesn't move or acknowledge him Ritsu steps into his room, coming over to the desk. "Nii-san…? What's wrong?"
Mob turns, looking back to Ritsu. "He hasn't texted me back." He looks back to his phone, staring at the text messages he had with Reigen the night before. It was brief yesterday, Reigen had mentioned a few things about the jobs he had done and asked how his tests were going. Even on days where Reigen was busy, he at least told him he was home.
"What?" Ritsu says confused. "Who?"
"Shishou." Mob sighs. "He was supposed to text me over an hour ago. That's usually when he gets home."
"Are you sure he just didn't forget? Or maybe he's just fed up with having to check in." Ritsu says with a hint of skepticism. He couldn't blame Ritsu for thinking that way. Reigen had made it more than clear that he didn't want or need to be protected. In the time he's known Reigen, he's been more than capable of handling almost any situation on his own. The only time he has to take over for Reigen is when dealing with spirits.
Mob should trust in his shishou more, but his instincts were getting in the way. As a kid even before he presented as an alpha, Reigen did everything in his power to make sure he was okay. Gave him advice and tried his very best to not let a single hair on his head come to harm. Was I really that bad, now that he was older to want to do the same for his Shishou? To pay him back for everything, to show Reigen how much he really means to him.
He so desperately wanted to hold Reigen close, sheltering him away from any danger. To breathe in his beautiful scent and melt into his warmth. To get to see him every day, talk with him every night… Among other things. He loves Reigen, it wasn't a secret. The type of love Mob felt for him slowly shifted over the years, from loving him like a mentor and a friend, to realizing he was in love with him.
Either Reigen knew how he felt and pretended to keep things normal or was completely oblivious. Mob didn't know which was worse. He looks away from Ritsu, his heart tightening up just from the thought. "I… I don't know. I don't think Shishou would do that."
Ritsu considers him for a moment, frowning. "Let's give him time, maybe something came up. If he doesn't respond by tomorrow we can check in." Ritsu lays a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Let's not… get ahead of ourselves and expect the worst."
Mob nods, looking back to his school textbook laying on the desk. He should be studying, but all he could think of was Reigen.
…
The next morning came and still there was radio silence from Reigen, not a text or a missed call, not even an email. Sleep didn't come easy for him that night, tossing and turning, worry and anxiety keeping him restless. Mob checks his phone through the haze of his restless night. Seeing his last message from yesterday sitting there, unanswered, not even read… All he wants to do was jump out of bed and rush over to Reigen's apartment.
If he rushes out to Reigen's with nothing but his sneakers and pajamas on he'd feel embarrassed if Reigen was actually fine. He'd rather have his shishou laugh at him, or scold him then find out he was missing.
By the time it was around 7am he has gotten ready for the day, dressed in his gakuren and made himself something simple to eat. School was soon, but a part of him wants to completely ditch today. Who cares about school if Reigen was in trouble.
Mob sits at the dining room table, eating his breakfast slowly. If he doesn't go to school today he's going to miss out on an important test. Reigen would surely be mad at him for even considering it, knowing his shishou. He would take whatever scolding Reigen gave him, he just needed to know he was okay. He shoots off another string of quick texts to Reigen, before Ritsu joins him at the table.
"Still nothing?" Ritsu asks, setting his plate down across the table from him.
"No…" Mob meekly responds, pushing the eggs around on his plate mindlessly with his fork. "I'm going to go to the office after I'm done eating. If Shishou isn't there I'll… go to his apartment."
Ritsu raises an eyebrow. "Nii-san, don't you have an important test today? The one you were studying for all week? Surely you can—"Ritsu gives him a look of concern.
"Waiting as long as I have could be putting Shishou in even more danger if something happened, Ritsu!" Mob cuts Ritsu off, quickly rising from his seat. He didn't mean to raise his voice at Ritsu, but his anxiety was bleeding through every word. He wasn't feeling hungry anymore anyways it would be better to just leave now.
"Nii-san I understand so—"
"Don't try to talk me out of this Ritsu… please… I-I can just take a make up test, but I can't replace Shishou." Mob's gaze falls to his feet. He can't even look Ritsu in the eyes and tell him he'd throw his education away for the sake of Reigen. "If something happens to him because I wasn't there I'll never be able to forgive myself…"
"Nii-san… I'm not… trying to stop you." Ritsu steps around the table so he could place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But what do you plan to do if Reigen isn't home? or at the office? Do you have a plan to find him."
"I…" Mob stares at Ritsu, words failing to come to him. He has been so focused on making sure he drops everything to try and find Reigen that he didn't have a plan for if he couldn't find him. He wasn't some hound dog who could home in on Reigen's scent for miles, even if he couldn't mistake it for any other scent. Besides the office and Reigen's apartment he had no idea where he could be.
Mob couldn't help but feel foolish that he hadn't even thought that far ahead. A part of him knows that he'd search every inch of Seasoning City until he found Reigen if given the chance. It was unrealistic to think that he would be able to find Reigen if he went missing with how large the city was. But nothing could stop him from searching every waking hour.
Ritsu sighs softly next to him. "Look, if you want I have a suggestion on how to make this faster. Which would you like to go to, the office or his apartment? I'll go to the one you don't choose so we can cover more ground."
Mob stares at Ritsu in surprise. For a while he was at a loss for words. Not because of what Ritsu suggested, but because Ritsu was willing to ditch school with him to look for Reigen. At first he thought Ritsu might try talk him out of all of this. But it seems he was completely wrong.
"I'll go to his apartment." Mob says after taking a moment to consider. It didn't really matter which one he went to. He wanted to go to his apartment for selfish reasons however. It wasn't often he had the chance to actually go to Reigen's apartment. Aside from the recent month or so of him walking him home it was a rare occasion.
"Alright, I'll head to the office then." Ritsu says, turning to grab his untouched breakfast and Mob's half eaten one. "I'll be 5 minutes at most. Don't wait up for me." Ritsu slips into the kitchen and starts to clean his plate off in the sink.
"Ritsu?" Mob says, peeking into the kitchen.
"Yeah?" Ritsu looks over his shoulder, hands dripping with soap from the sink.
"What if… Shishou is really missing. How are we going to find him? Seasoning City is huge…" Ritsu was smart, so if his brother didn't have a good answer how did he expect to do this by himself? He should text Teru, Serizawa, Tome and call back Dimple if the worst outcome comes to be. The more people the better.
Ritsu turns the water off from the sink. "Do you trust me?" He asks, wiping off his hands.
The question was a simple one, but obvious to Mob. He trusted Ritsu like no other, his one and only brother. The brother that he hurt but still forgave him, accepted him. His brother who stood with him through thick and thin. "Yes."
Ritsu gives him a small assuring smile. "We'll find him Nii-san. I promise."