Episode 80: Cross-dressing
『 The scene shifts. Mob, hiding behind his workbench, was engrossed in a manga.
Meanwhile, Reigen Arataka was fuming, slamming his fist on the table and roaring at the client in front of him:
"The problem lies with this website!!"
The client, a somewhat sleazy-looking, disheveled middle-aged man, looked embarrassed and confused upon hearing Reigen's words.
"You mean… this S-website…?"
Reigen continued his serious bluff. "Exactly! The curse on your shoulder is none other than the infamous 'one-click-and-you're-cursed' curse!"
The man was dumbfounded. "You mean the 'one-click-and-you're-cursed' curse from those shady S-websites??"
Reigen nodded solemnly. "Those illegal 18+ websites put this curse on your shoulder just to make you shell out money! Nowadays, even curses have jumped on the internet bandwagon!"
The man's mouth twitched, then he waved his hand dismissively. "No way! That sounds like total nonsense, who would believe that?!" 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Exactly, who would believe such an obviously fake excuse?!" ]
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Unless that person is an idiot." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "That's right, that's exactly it!" ]
[ Utaha Kasumigaoka (Saekano): "Even that blonde girl wouldn't believe this; this excuse really won't do." ]
[ Eriri Spencer Sawamura (Saekano): "???" ]
[ Eriri Spencer Sawamura (Saekano): "You, you're talking about me again!!!" ]
[ .....]
『 Suddenly! Reigen Arataka appeared behind the man, shouting, "Listen to me! Don't move! I'll lift that curse immediately!"
The man's heart tightened. Reigen's posture didn't look like a legitimate one at all. He quickly waved his hands, "No… no need, really!"
But Reigen paid no mind, and without another word, his hand was already on the man's shoulder.
"Your right shoulder is as hard as a rock; it seems the curse on the right side is quite stubborn!!"
Hearing this, the man grew even more anxious, frantically yelling, "Wait! I don't have any money to give! Stop! Your! Hand! Ah~~~"
The man's voice gradually became strange.
As Reigen massaged and patted him vigorously, the man felt an indescribable pleasure welling up from within, as if he were floating, soaring with happiness.
His facial expression began to contort!
"Oh my~~ That feels so good~~~"
Before long, the man was pulled by Reigen onto the bed, lying face down. Reigen's hands moved up and down, striking the man's back!
"Evil spirits, begone!!!"
Reigen's fists rained down!
Hitting every inch of the man's back.
The man felt as if he were floating on clouds, his expression both sleazy and intoxicated!
At the bottom of the screen, a line of text floated past.
" This is one of Reigen's special moves, designed to reduce physical fatigue, alleviate stiff shoulders, lower back pain, and other symptoms! " 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "This special move…" ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Isn't this just a normal massage technique?" ]
[ Genos (One Punch Man): "Sensei, why do his skills feel… useless?" ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Hehe, but a correctly performed massage technique can be very useful~" ]
[ Xiangling (Genshin Impact): "That's right~" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "A massage, so expensive…" ]
[ Bang (One Punch Man): "Hahahaha, come to my place, it's on me!" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "Really?!!" ]
[ Bang (One Punch Man): "Hahahaha!" ]
[ .....]
『 Reigen Arataka, beads of sweat on his forehead, shook his hair slightly and looked at the listless client lying on the bed. A confident smile bloomed on his face as he said:
"I think that curse has probably been driven away! Do your shoulders still feel heavy?"
The man suddenly sat up, his face gleaming with oil after the massage, making him look even greasier!
He looked at Reigen with adoration, shouting, "I'm so sorry! I should never have doubted you even a little! I feel so much lighter now! Can I come back to you next time?!"
Reigen's mouth curved upwards as he heard the man's words. He gave a thumbs-up and nodded, "Absolutely!!"
At this moment, the customer walked up to Mob, who was in charge of collecting money.
Mob, seeing the customer, immediately put down his manga and pulled out a price list, saying seriously, "Hmm… a forty-minute massage costs three thousand eight hundred yuan."
Reigen's expression instantly became a sight to behold when he heard Mob's words!
His disciple certainly had considerable abilities!
But he was just a bit dense!!
"Hey! Don't mention the massage fee! It should be the reward for lifting the curse!!!"
However, Mob completely missed Reigen's inner cry. He took the four thousand yuan from the client, then counted out two hundred-yuan coins from the drawer and handed them over.
"Here's your twenty yuan change." 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Um, is it really appropriate to say it so directly?" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "Faithfully executing one's contract, that's very good." ]
[ Topaz (Honkai: Star Rail): "However, saying this here is clearly undermining this gentleman, isn't it?" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "But, it's not necessarily undermining him." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "It's possible that both sides know this is fake, isn't it?" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Is that so? Alright…" ]
[ .....]
『 After the client left, Reigen Arataka and Mob sat down in the lounge area.
Reigen brought out a plate of steaming hot takoyaki and said, "Here, Mob, want to try some?"
"Then I won't refuse!" Mob's face showed no smile, as calm as ever. He speared a takoyaki with a toothpick and was about to put it in his mouth.
But he suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "Master Reigen, your massage skills are really improving."
Reigen nodded at this. "I suppose so. I've studied many books on bone-setting massage; hard work always pays off."
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something else and blurted out, "Oh, but of course, it only works with psychic power!"
No sooner had he spoken than Reigen himself picked up a takoyaki ball and popped it into his mouth!
However…
It was so hot!!!!
The scorching heat made him break into a "breakdance" on the spot!
Finally, he had to open his mouth wide and spit out the ball!
Strangely,
The ball didn't fall to the ground; instead, it hovered in mid-air!
A strange power gripped the ball, making it spin rapidly!
It was Mob!
He was "cooling down" the ball!
Using psychic powers!?? 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Tatsumaki (One Punch Man): "Another world's, telekinesis?" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "How nice, psychic powers." ]
[ Boros (One Punch Man): "You, do you still need this psychic power?" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "It's fun." ]
[ Zeno (Dragon Ball): "So interesting!!!" ]
[ .....]
『 Mob said while cooling down the takoyaki, "Master, I've been thinking about something…"
Reigen looked surprised that Mob initiated a conversation, "Oh, that's rare, you initiating a conversation with me?"
"It's like this, I have a small psychic ability, different from others, which is why I came to Master Reigen, wanting to be your disciple, right?"
"At that time, I couldn't find anyone to talk to, and I was quite panicked. I'm really grateful to you."
As Mob spoke, the takoyaki above his head spun wildly.
"You taught me a lot and even paid me. But… is this really appropriate????"
With that, Mob flicked the now-cool takoyaki into Reigen's mouth.
Mob's seemingly ordinary words stirred up waves in Reigen's heart!
Especially coming from Mob's emotionless face, Reigen felt cold sweat trickle down his back.
"Is he complaining about the low hourly wage? Or has he already seen through my true identity? (Fraud, swindler, self-proclaimed psychic)."
While thinking this,
Reigen swallowed the takoyaki and forced a smile, asking, "What do you mean by that…?"
Mob seemed oblivious to Reigen's unease and calmly continued, "How should I put it? It feels like, besides just working after school, there might be other… things I can only do now."
Upon hearing Mob's words, Reigen's mouth dropped open in surprise. He quickly waved his hands and said, "Ah~~ So that's what you meant!"
At this moment, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't those two things, he had just been overthinking…
He relaxed and continued, "Oh, I see, it's because you're in your rebellious phase~~ Mob."
"Is there anything you want to do? For example… start a band? Dance? Or hitchhike and wander?"
Mob thought for a moment after his master asked, then shook his head. "No, there's nothing in particular I want to do."
Reigen felt even more at ease upon hearing this! He immediately stood up and said, "Listen, Mob! You don't have to rush to do anything. I think going straight home after school is the best thing to do!!"
"Now is the most leisurely time of your life. Living a carefree life every day, you're already a winner in life!!"
Reigen completely relaxed, spreading his hands, and said, "So, why not just easily earn some money here with me~ How about it??" 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Topaz (Honkai: Star Rail): "This job is quite worthwhile." ]
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "…" ]
[ Hikigaya Hachiman (Oregairu): "The outside world is too dangerous; it's better to be a household husband." ]
[ .....]
『 The video continued to play.
The scene rapidly changed.
When the screen lit up again.
Bang!
A door suddenly opened!
"President!!! I brought him!"
An orange-haired guy dragged Mob into a classroom and said, "He's not in any clubs, nor is he in the student council! He doesn't seem to have any friends, let alone a girlfriend!"
"He's just a Salt Middle School slacker who goes straight home after school!!"
"Kageyama Shigeo of Class 2- 1!!"
Mob glanced at the person next to him and calmly replied, "Hmm, what he said is mostly correct."
But why…
Did he feel a little uneasy?
At this moment, the female club president jumped into the frame, excitedly saying, "Inukawa! Good job!!! Kageyama, let me introduce you to our club members!"
With that, she pointed to the green-haired boy behind her: "This is Haruto!"
Then she pointed to another flat-headed man with a rounded chin: "This is Saruta!"
Afterward, the girl introduced herself: "And I am from Class 3- 5!! The club president, Kurata Tome!!! You can call me Tome-chan, chu~"
Hmm…
If a stunningly beautiful girl made that gesture, it would definitely be super cute, but this girl…
She looked a bit strange, no matter how you looked at her.
At this moment, Mob once again displayed his "high" emotional intelligence.
He softly repeated "Tome-chan," a hint of pleasure appearing on his face: "It's the same name as my grandma!"
Tome-chan: "…"
She was speechless. When did she get promoted to grandma status?
But recruiting new members was the most important thing now, so she didn't bother to dwell on it. She quickly shouted, "This is also a kind of fate!!!"
"So! Please… join our Telepathy Club!!!" 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream~
The entire audience fell silent again.
The Telepathy Club…
What kind of organization was this???
~Chat Room~
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Sounds so mysterious?" ]
[ Nakano Nino (5-toubun No Hanayome): "Is this also some kind of psychic club?" ]
[ .....]
『 And Mob displayed his "gentlemanly" side.
"Not today!"
This straightforward refusal almost made Tome-chan collapse.
The boy who brought him quickly asked, "Wait, Mob! Do you have plans today?"
Mob nodded. "Yes, I have an exorcism job to do next."
At these words, the others fell silent again.
"Exorcism? What's an exorcism?"
At this moment, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on the boy's face, as if he had suddenly remembered something. He quickly shouted, "President!! Speaking of which, this guy was quite famous among a small number of people in elementary school!!!"
"He could bend spoons and make erasers move by themselves!"
"In other words…"
"He's a psychic!!!"
However, this made Tome-chan even more unsure how to respond…
Her mouth twitched slightly. "Stop talking about these strange things, just join the club…"
"Those exorcism jobs, can't they just wait a moment…?"
However…
How could Tome-chan be a match for Reigen Arataka?!
After calling Reigen for his opinion, Reigen easily persuaded Mob in a few words, making him subtly refuse Tome-chan's request to join the club!
Afterward…
Reigen Arataka turned around under Tome-chan's disappointed gaze and headed straight for the exorcism location without looking back!!
When it came to bluffing, who could out-bluff Reigen Arataka?
The scene then shifted again…
Revealing two figures.
But these two figures…
They were truly an eyesore.
Because…
They were actually two women!!
No, no…
More precisely, they were two effeminate men dressed as women!!!
That's right, these two cross-dressing masters were Reigen Arataka and Mob, on another mission!
At this very moment…
Wearing wigs and dressed in female school uniforms, they were heading to their mission destination!
And this time's destination.
Was that a legendary place?
St. High-Class Girls' Academy!!
It was precisely because it was an all-girls school that, out of necessity, the two had to dress as women, intending to simply blend in! 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto): "ASDQ!@#— My eyes! What, what is this?!" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "So ugly." ]
[ Zeno (Dragon Ball): "Really, so ugly." ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "These two guys, they're trying to infiltrate a girls' academy using this method, huh…" ]
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "I wonder if they'll succeed?" ]
[ .....]
『 "This is a private aristocratic girls' school. I've arranged to meet the client on the rooftop." Reigen Arataka said, leading the way to the school gate.
Just as they were about to step inside…
"Stop!!!! What are you doing!!!"
The security guard at the gate suddenly rushed out, pointing directly at Reigen Arataka and shouting loudly.
Facing this scene…
Reigen Arataka smiled!
He had anticipated this situation long ago!
He was prepared!!
This was his trump card!!
"What do you mean?"
Reigen Arataka's trump card was to speak in a high-pitched voice, looking confusedly at the security guard.
"I'm talking about you!! Don't pretend!"
The security guard was not fooled by Reigen Arataka's act at all and angrily pointed at Reigen Arataka.
He had seen too many tricks of men disguised as women trying to sneak into the school! 』
『 .....』