Chapter Text
Shigeo slowly opened his eyes. It didn't register in his mind that he wasn't in his room, or that he was literally lying on the ground. When he finally realized this, he tried sitting up, but he felt weird when he suddenly had a longer neck than he was used to. He tried checking his hands, only to see stubby, black, furry paws. He tried screaming, but it came out as a bark.
He had concluded that he had become a dog.
Or, at least, his spirit had migrated into a dog. He can still feel the aura of his psychic powers. Hopefully, his body is still at home. Even if he had his powers safe in his grasp, he felt completely helpless. He should be just having a normal semester break in the mountains. He should be with his parents, Ritsu, and his Oba-san, Kageyama Tome. He should be sleeping on his futon in the comfort of their summer home right now. He doesn’t know what to do. He felt like crying.
Shigeo stood up with a wobble, still getting used to having four legs. When he felt he was balanced enough, he trotted away from where he had come. He is in some kind of secluded alleyway that no other people would pass through, maybe even suspicious people wouldn't go through here. It was cold, and dark, save for the blinking street light, and somehow humid. When he got out, he realized that he was near Reigen's apartment complex. He started to sprint towards the building, relieved that he knew someone from the area to ask for help. He already knew where Reigen's room was located, for he somehow miraculously remembered seeing the number on his house keys on his desk.
He climbed up to the second floor, subconsciously sniffing the ground for Reigen's cigarette and cheap ramen scent, and there he knew that he was inside. Shigeo softly clawed the door and waited with bated breath. A few seconds passed, and he clawed again, but this time with vigor. Heavy footsteps were finally heard, along with a resounding, "Who is it?"
When the door opened, Shigeo looked up at Reigen, his person in gray sweatpants. If he could smile, he would, but he could express his happiness with a wag of his bushy tail and his tongue hanging out. Reigen was unresponsive for a good five seconds when his eyes suddenly widened, and his knees collapsed onto the floor.
"A... NEWFOUNDLAND!"
Reigen's hands fondled through the dog's thick fur, vigorously petting him with all the affection he could muster, and his voice cooing in the highest pitch Shigeo has ever heard from him. Mob realized that he was almost the same size as Reigen, his head taller than Reigen's when they were both seated on the ground.
“Aww! Where’d you come from, buddy? What a big boy! Or girl… I’ll figure that out later. You’re so fluffy!”
Reigen hugged and buried his face in Shigeo’s furry neck. If he had been human, this would be incredibly awkward for both of them. But Reigen doesn’t know that Mob is residing as the dog’s conscience. He is entirely oblivious to Mob’s dilemma.
“Your fur’s so soft, but you also stink.”
Mob ducks his head in embarrassment. He had taken a bath, just with his own body, before going to bed.
“How about we take a bath first? Whaddya say? Lemme just grab my shampoo, and we’ll go to the back of the building.”
Reigen disappeared inside the room to retrieve his cheap yet decently-scented shampoo and, just like he said, prompted the dog to follow him downstairs and to the back. There’s a sink, moderately clean, and a designated faucet to wash dirty feet beside a green hose hanging on a semi-rusty hook. Reigen connected the hose to the faucet and proceeded to turn it on.
“Come here, buddy. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Shigeo doesn’t remember the last time he was bathed by his mom. He had forgotten how soothing it was when gentle hands lathered through his thick hair. Reigen continued to scrub Shigeo’s fur when he had reached the part where Reigen had been curious about the dog’s-
“Oh, so you’re a boy then.”
Shigeo started, barking and whining from pure embarrassment. Reigen only laughed.
“Sorry, buddy, I had to know!”
Reigen finally rinsed off the bubbles, and as soon as the hose was turned away from him, Shigeo eagerly shook the water off his body. Reigen was wet from top to bottom.
Once they were inside the apartment, Shigeo politely waited by the entryway where Reigen’s almost worn-out black leather shoes were haphazardly placed. Reigen took notice of the lack of movement, and so he beckoned Shigeo.
“Come here, buddy. It’s okay.”
Once Shigeo was given permission, he approached Reigen and sat on his hind legs.
“Hmm… I can’t keep calling you ‘buddy’ all the time. I’m sure you don’t have a previous owner, seeing that you don’t have a collar on you. So… what should I call you?”
Reigen stroked his stubbled chin, his eyes closed. Shigeo, on the other hand, was thinking whether he should let his master know that he is Mob, though he doesn’t know how to express it. Maybe showing off his psychic powers?
Before coming to a decision, Reigen slapped his knee and pointed at Shigeo’s wet nose.
“Tako! That’s perfect. When I was a kid, I had a dog named Takoyaki. He just loved stealing mine whenever my mom cooks it for afternoon snacks. I… I miss him so much…”
For a split second, Shigeo could see grief in Reigen’s eyes, before it instantly vanished.
“You’ll be like his younger brother. Tako-touto. Ba dum tss. ”
Shigeo was not amused.
“Anyway, welcome to the Reigen residence, Tako! It seems you are trained and very behaved, so I won’t have to worry about stuff being ruined. You also seem to understand every word I say. Very good boy.” Reigen pats the dog’s head. “For now, you can sleep beside my futon. I’ll buy you your own bed and food bowl tomorrow. And probably close the office. Yeah. Maybe I’ll take the day off tomorrow. Business has been slow recently anyway.”
Reigen never changed his clothes, making Shigeo worried that he might get cold during the night and catch the flu. He slightly felt guilty for making him wet.
Just slightly.
While Reigen always knew how to take care of others, he often forgot to take care of himself. Shigeo had finally seen it clearly. In a meek attempt to get his message through, he nudged Reigen with his snout. Reigen smiled at the concerned gesture.
“Let’s go to sleep, Tako.”
Though Shigeo couldn’t sleep at all. He still wanted to know how this weird occurrence had happened. He still wanted to get help. How he had wished Ritsu… or even Ekubo were here right now. He’s… getting tired.
And so, he finally got comfortable beside Reigen’s futon and slept, not before feeling a hand softly petting his ears.
The next morning, Shigeo was the first to wake up. The sun’s rays had seeped through the curtains and illuminated the room in a beautiful and hazy golden hue. Wanting to see more, Shigeo got up and pulled back the curtains with his snout. If his beady eyes could get any bigger, they would.
The city was bathed by the glowing, heavenly summer sunrise. He had never once watched any sunrise or sunset, and he felt he had missed out.
Reigen-shishou sure does have a wonderful view from up here.
Shigeo continued to bask in the sunlight when suddenly-
“ Achoo! ”
Reigen had caught a cold.