Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Dear diary

Hi there

Hello, 

It's me, Shige. I actually found this book in one of my old boxes while Mum and Dad were clearing out. It's a journal Ritsu gifted to me when I was 10. It wasn't so long ago, and I was still bending spoons back then. Ritsu's books were full of games we used to play, like naughts and crosses. I decided to fill mine up with all of my emotions, kind of like keeping a record of all the things I experience up to 100%. I don't have work today; I don't usually get days off but I'm not being paid either. I think Master forgets that I don't really do it for the money..

Regardless, I want to report something really important that happened today - I increased my dumbbell weight to 2kg each. The body improvement club were really happy and pumped for me. I think at that moment, I shot up to 25% Pride? I'm not sure, but it's the first time I felt it. It was a very large and bright growth in my chest, spreading out to every corner of my four limbs like an invisible force or power. Ah, wait, Ritsu is cooking dinner so I have to head off really soon. 

I'm also noticing that my acknowledgement of Tsubomi is...fading? I find myself paying less and less attention to her. Teruki says that it's a good thing; maybe I would do well to listen to him. One thing I really like about life right now is that being an Esper isn't everything and I'm able to breathe a little. I'm experiencing the world through a new set of eyes now and really...it's kind of relieving. I don't know what I want out of my future, I suppose I'll get through school and continue helping my Master and learning more on the world from him. I'll most likely have to leave soon since I have a project to start on; I recently got myself a brand new cellphone with my savings so my classmates will hound me if I don't get it completed. 

Ritsu's calling now - I guess I have to go. 

- Shige, 4:11pm 

Chapter Text

It's Shige, again. 

Oh right, I need to go and pick out a shirt and pants. I'll get back to you.

Right, so I'm back. 

Ritsu helped me pick out a white shirt with small, printed patterns that are repeated across the length of it. He said it would look best with shorts, so I chose the ones that Ritsu bought recently for me. It's a little like the denim colour of jeans but it's a soft and comfortable material. After digging, I found a nice, smart pair of simple loafers to wear with it. I actually didn't realize how many clothes I had until I began sorting through it. 

Teruki asked me to go with him to a new mall complex in the city. It's Saturday, so the weekend has started. Ritsu's going to spend the day at home since he gets a lot of attention outside, from girls especially. There was even this one time where a modelling agency tried to recruit him; that was strange but not very surprising. I'm quite plain-looking so I don't have that worry of excessive attention. If you hadn't noticed, besides work, I don't really go out. I mean, the body improvement club members live quite far out compared to me and I don't have what you call friends unless you count Ritsu. Dimple tries to insist he is, but anyone would do better than to trust him. 

Even Master Reigen is busy in the weekends with his massage specials; I still don't understand why we have that service when we deal with spirits..

At the shop where I bought my cellphone, Teruki was coincidentally there, buying some charms for his phone. He spotted me and that's when we exchanged numbers. We have been emailing back and forth and then he invited me to go to the mall with him. I'm not quite sure of it yet, but I'm experiencing an emotion at a high frequency - I think it's appreciation?

I want to tell Teruki when I see him, but I have to figure out how first.

If I'm not tired when I'm back, I'll let you know how it went.

I'm meeting him beside the nearby sumo stable.

- Shige, 10:22am  

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Shige reporting in.

The shopping trip was a success? Yes, it definitely was because I found myself smiling on the way back. It’s not very often that I do that, especially amongst people. Teruki was being very nice to me today; he said I looked great and told me I should smile more. He says a smile makes a man more handsome.

I forget sometimes that I’m growing up as I lose the grip of time now and then.

As the seasons go past, I’m growing old but my setting stays the same. When I met Teruki, he shifted my thoughts on change. I used to think that change was dishonest or artificial, so I decided that just being content was okay. At some point, I got uncomfortable with this idea and then I met Teruki.

He bought me a lot of hair gel at the mall today. I insisted that one was enough but he went and bought four, saying I’d work through them quickly.

He’s at my house right now, styling my hair in strange ways. We’re sitting on the floor and it’s weird to have a friend visiting. I don’t know, but I think Ritsu is a little protective, and perhaps a little jealous too. I really hope he doesn’t mind too much.

Teruki mentioned something about visiting him on one of his modelling sets. I quickly refused but he insisted. He was always so good with his insisting. That, and he wants to take me to the salon tomorrow. I have some money left over from today’s shopping so I guess I’ll go with him.

I think…it’ll be fun.

- Shige, 5:24pm