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Everything’s going to be okay, you can do this! Shigeo encouraged himself, Once you get to school you’ll make your boundaries clear! …What even were his boundaries? He hasn’t put too much thought into it… He planned to be light about it but still get the point across, but what if he doesn’t? He’s gonna get questions no matter what but he’d prefer to keep it at a minimum. Mezato-chan might be able to help! The most social person he knows other than Tsubomi, and the easiest to talk to, Shigeo thought. He can ask her how to socialize with people! She might not give the most helpful advice, but it’ll be something! And throughout the day he can think about boundaries he can put up, and make some kind of agreement with his classmate, and then he’ll find some time to talk with Mezato-chan. Maybe even Tsubomi-chan, she’s more educated about this sort of stuff– she’s practically lived her whole life in it. Surely, she can help.
It was 9:35 AM, and Shigeo was found to be walking in a hallway, like any normal student. However, someone stopped him, an effective roadblock from his next class. This student was plenty taller than Shigeo, he was bald too, and he had this undone button on his uniform which exposed a blue undershirt. He’ll admit, they truly were intimidating, and certainly didn’t seem all too friendly. This uncivilized teenager took one look- a glance even down Shigeo and didn’t seem all that impressed. Shigeo froze, he never got in a situation like this! He didn’t know what to say, nor did he know to stand, what is he supposed to do?
“Shigeo, right?” The person says. Shigeo prefers the uneasy silence more than their voice. It didn’t sound too deep and menacing, neither an amateurish tone, just an average teenage boy’s voice. He isn’t exactly sure why he expected anything more or less though. Besides, he’s more focused on what’s going to happen to him over anything else. Though what was also peculiar is that this teenager asked who he was, maybe everyone hasn’t gotten to hear about his popularity just yet? Then again, it might’ve been said just for clarification. Is this a normal thing for popular people? It probably is, people coming up to you– people who have only just heard about you and were unaware of your existence until now. Maybe that’s just the case with this guy, but Shigeo thinks otherwise… In all honesty, he thinks they’re judging him.
“Did you hear me?” Impatient now, Shigeo panicked, “Y-yes!” The person nodded and held their bag up higher, it seemed to be damaged. A zipper was missing, the thread was loosening in some parts, and the nametag “Yamazaki” was barely falling off the bag. “You have powers, right? Could you fix this?” Yamazaki asked. Oh, so that’s what this is about. Shigeo realized. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was expecting, but he wasn’t expecting to be some kind of repairman this morning. Why him too? He remembers there being a sewing club or something of the sort, surely they could do a better job than he could, just because he has powers doesn’t make him any better. Shigeo has never fixed a bag either– sure, he knows some sewing thanks to his mother, but that’s only to repair some scratches in clothing, and she would usually insist on doing it herself. Maybe she’s worried that he and his brother would get cut or he would bend something- but he’s never fixed a zipper! Maybe it could work though… Maybe he can use his powers just this one, it’s only a minuscule thing.
“Okay,” Is all he says as he raised his hand to the bag, a blue light illuminated from his touch, the thread hanging returning to its compact self, the zipper easily clipping back on once again, and Yamazaki’s nametag stitching back onto the bag. It doesn’t look any better than how it would before all the damage, but it certainly wasn’t horrible. Decent is the best way Shigeo will describe it. “Thanks,” The student said as he walked off. I’ll admit, that certainly was different, Shigeo thought. He can’t help but feel like he disappointed though. This student probably didn’t go to the club because they were hoping his skills would surpass, but those skills didn’t and looked basic. Should he have made it more extravagant? He probably wasted a lot of their time– AND HIS TIME TOO! He needs to get to his next class, he can worry about how much he messed up later.
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12:28 PM, just a few more hours until school is dismissed, it is currently Lunch Time. It’s usually at this time Mezato would show up, Shigeo doesn’t feel like wandering around the school, he doesn’t wanna risk looking weird or getting too much attention on himself. Hopefully, she’ll find him and he won’t need to do any work, she did want to talk to him about something yesterday. Rest assured, Mezato-chan will show up. Surely! …Probably.
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Shigeo scanned the cafetorium, looking for any familiar beige hair in the crowd, but to no avail. Even if she was here there was no way Shigeo would see, it’s too crowded and noisy, so it’s doubtful he’d spot her. Mentioning noise; just reminds him how he needs a pair of earbuds or something, it’s becoming unbearable, and he’s just going to get more thanks to his popularity. He doesn’t understand why his younger self thought it’d be so neat, it’s rather inconvenient nowadays. He’s clouded in his thoughts now, he’s supposed to be looking for Mezato-chan but it seems that’s left his mind.
“Boo!” Mezato exclaims, leading Shigeo to jump out of fear. “What was that for?” His voice sounds constricted before exhaling a huff of air, probably a way of resisting to scream. “You seemed to be deep in thought so I took advantage of the moment,” She answered, acting like Shigeo didn’t almost experience a heart attack. Shigeo sighed, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something– I just need advice!” He felt the need to clarify at the end, wanting to avoid leaving a bad impression. “Right, and I still have questions for you!” Mezato-chan said, and Shigeo nodded, “Though, I am curious, what kind of advice do you need?” “Oh! Well, I just need help voicing my boundaries to people,” Shigeo responded. “Has it already gotten that bad?” Mezato-chan tilted her head, almost a mix of amused yet boredom on her expression. It could get worse? Was Shigeo’s immediate thought. He doesn’t know how Tsubomi does it… “I don’t think so, but I would like to avoid that,” Shigeo says, he is nowhere near prepared for this, he needs assistance, “I have a good idea what my boundaries are, I just don’t know to formulate it into words, so that’s why I need your help.” “So, you’re socially impaired is the problem,” Mezato blurts out, definitely on purpose. Way to make it obvious… He thought, a bit annoyed now… 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%... “I’m sure I can get you an audience or something!” Mezato-chan continued, “I’ll also write out what you’ll say since you’re kind of hopeless.” HOPELESS, he experienced utter disbelief and denial. “You should also talk to Tsubomi! You two are buddies, right?” Mezato-chan suggested, and Shigeo looks down and shook his head. Despite their good relationship, he's too scared to say anything about it, just typical social anxiety. Mezato-chan sighed, raising her hand behind her head, it was the first time Shigeo saw her be nervous or anything remotely close to it, “She might give you some better advice than I could, but I’ll still help! I just think you should talk to her, too.” She’s probably- she is right. He admitted, I’ll talk to her another time, though.
2:59 PM, almost the end of the school day, and just 16 more minutes until dismissal. Unfortunately, Shigeo couldn’t leave just yet, Mezato organized a small group of people to meet outside and wait for him. He doesn’t know how she did it but Mezato-chan managed to do it. 54%, 55%, 56%... Why does this have to be so stressful… Shigeo thought, at this point he wants to disappear with everyone knowing his boundaries without even saying anything, wouldn’t that be the dream? Well, he can prepare himself in these remaining minutes, or try to. Who is he kidding? There’s no way he’s prepared for this, he doesn’t even know who he’s going to meet up with! The least Mezato-chan could’ve done is give him some closure and insight, that way he can muster up the perfect responses. He’ll just have to wing it.
Dismissal, time to deal with this whole mess of popularity, if he can succeed then that’s a boost in social skills! And hopefully an esteem and confidence boost! “Nii-san, are you going somewhere?” Ritsu asked, stopping Shigeo in his tracks, “Uh, y-yeah. It’s just an afterschool activity,” the other answered. “You got into a club?” Ritsu lightened up. Shigeo waved to him, “Yeah! I’ll, uh, tell you about it some other time!” and so, he ran off while Ritsu walked home. That was a clear lie. Shigeo would much rather go home and stay there instead of dealing with this ‘activity’ but a club does sound fun. Maybe Shigeo should apply for one, that way he doesn’t have to lie to Ritsu any longer. He feels bad for doing that. Maybe, if there’s enough time he can apply for one today, but there probably won’t be. So, where were they supposed to meet up anyhow? Just behind or side of the school, right? Mezato-chan should be there too, so that’s helpful to know.
“Over here, Mob-kun!” Mezato said, sneaking up on him once again. “You need to stop doing that,” Shigeo huffed, “Where is this group of people?” “Over there,” She pointed towards four students, they all seem to be making up some kind of conversation. Shigeo doesn’t move for a second, it seems that he is not prepared whatsoever. “Come on, Mob-kun! We already went over what you’ll say, just say it!” Mezato-chan encouraged. “What if I can’t find a good segway?” Shigeo said, anxiety coursing through him. “I’ll just give you a nudge!” Mezato-chan said, and instead of it being some kind of figurative thing, she did nudge him over. I guess I have to walk over there now! He groaned, not too confident in himself.
The group happened to notice him earlier than he would’ve liked, so Shigeo fastened his pace and made it over to the group. Who are these people? Shigeo thought, not recognizing any of them. Uh, right! Do something! He told himself as he rose his hand and did a small, janky wave.
“Hi,” He musters out, everything he memorized had disappeared, it’s all gone. “W-What were you, uh, just talking about?” He asks, trying his best to initiate a conversation. He is so out of his element. “Just small talk, we were talking about the weather not long ago,” A boy said, he’s a brunette with middle-parted hair. “Hm,” Shigeo hummed, “If you don’t mind me asking, what are your names?” Please don’t hate me for not knowing your names! “Oh! R-right, I’m Momozo Takenaka, There’s Emi, Mariko, and Inukawa who decided to join us,” Takenaka-kun introduced, which saves a lot of time for himself. “I didn’t decide to join, Ichi-chan told us to come over here,” Inukawa defended, “She said you wanted to speak to us?” “Oh! Yes– Not you people specifically, but uhm…” How can Shigeo say this politely? “This probably sounds a little weird– I just need to voice my concerns and boundaries, being popular and all… It’s what everybody has advised me to do.” Hopefully, that sounds good? Shigeo hoped.
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“Oh! So, that’s what this is about,” Emi-chan exclaimed, “We’re all decently social, we can probably spread the word if it’s really bothering you!” Shigeo let out a gasp of air, lifting the dread off him. Perhaps he was too worried, he truly is at ease. “That was a big exhale,” Mariko-chan pointed out, “You okay?” “Yes! I was just a bit nervous before, I’m relieved now,” Shigeo admitted, shifting his head away from the group. He can’t help but feel like he’s being rude somehow, he was expecting this group to be more intimidating, like earlier today with Yamazaki, but they’re the opposite. Perhaps Shigeo was being too judgemental… Way to go me. He criticized. “Say! What are your boundaries, Kageyama?” Takenaka-kun asked, raising his volume a bit too high, startling Shigeo in the process. “HUH? O-oh,” Shigeo yelped, a flush of embarrassment flicked on his face, “For starters, don’t be so loud…” Takenaka’s eyes widen, “Oh! Oh.. Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” “It’s fine,” Shigeo said, “I’m not a big fan of being touched either, that’s especially applied to people I don’t know well,” In all honesty, that should be common sense. Apparently, a decent amount of students are too touchy and noisy. “Anything else?” Emi-chan asked. “Nothing else I can think of or name… Just don’t be uncomfortable or anything?” Shigeo answers, he didn’t exactly expect this whole ‘meeting’ to go so well, “Thank you, though.” Takenaka smiled, “Totally!” Shigeo hummed, “I think it’s time I go home now, my brother is probably waiting.” “Dah, me too, I didn’t say much but this was nice!” Mariko-chan said, already leaving the group and making her way home, same with Emi and Takenaka. There was just two of them now, Inukawa and Shigeo. “I guess I should go too- WAIT! Tome told me to offer you an invitation to the Telepathy club! We’re still looking for more members and since you’re a psychic…” Inukawa offered. That should’ve been another thing he said! Be light on the topic of his psychic powers! Shigeo realized, he still isn’t a fan of majority of the school knowing about his powers… I should at least give him an answer. “I have been meaning to join a club, but I’d like to join one that I’d really enjoy or however.” “Could you at least give it time to think about?” Inukawa insisted. “Sure,” Shigeo responded. And with that, Inukawa had left, and it was time Shigeo went home.