Work Text:
You’re surprised, when you get a call from a new couple asking you to watch their kids for the weekend. It’s not often you get new clients, especially ones who want you to watch their children for such a long time. Still, the Kageyama’s offer to pay extra for calling you on short notice, and assure you that both children are extremely well behaved.
They’re both old enough to not need your constant supervision, and having extra cash is never a bad thing, so you accept the offer. The couple is extremely thankful, and both of them thank you several times.
—-
The train ride there is longer than you expected, but you enjoy the quiet before the chaos that babysitting always inevitably is. It’s the middle of the day, and nobody is around to bother you either.
Though once you step off you have the hot sun beating down on you. It’s still a long walk to their home, and you wish you had a car or bike. You’ve resorted to babysitting because your job barely pays you enough to cover your rent, and if you wanted to buy yourself any sort of transportation you’d have to make double your current wage.
Now that you’ve finally come up to the Kageyama’s house, you knock without hesitation. Watching two older children will be much easier than the smaller, wild toddlers you usually have to take care of. Hopefully they will be at least, considering that you’re already sweaty from the hot sun.
Instead of one of the parents opening the door, you’re greeted by a short boy. He’s short with a classic bowl cut, making him look younger than you think he should be. He just gazes up at you for a moment while you wait for any kind of response.
He just keeps in staring for much too long, and you finally decide to smile at him. “Hi, are you one of the Kageyama children? I’m here to talk to your parents.” The boy is older, you don’t speak in a childish tone, but you still try to keep your voice bright.
“Oh, I’ll go get them.” His voice is impossibly soft, and you have to lean in to hear it. After answering you in that quiet tone, he turns around and runs down the hall.
Left alone, you step inside uncertainly. Closing the door behind you, you slip your shoes off and wait by the entrance. You’re forced to fiddle with your purse and rock back on the balls of your feet.
“I’m sorry dear, did Shige not introduce himself properly?” An older woman rounds the corner, prompting you to stand up slightly straighter. Mrs. Kageyama’s lips are pressed into a thin line, but her eyes aren’t unkind. After you bow she shakes one of your hands and guides you into the kitchen.
Shige, which you think is just a nickname for the boy, eats lunch alongside another boy. Mr. Kageyama stands near the counter, putting together the last of the couple’s items.
While the rest of the family hardly spares you a glance, Mrs. Kageyama explains what you’re expected to do. Shigeo, which is his full name, and his brother Ritsu won’t need too much supervision. They’re just in middle school, but both seem like the responsible type. “Shige sometimes has a little job he goes to after school. Try to make sure he doesn’t get home too late.” She slips in the phrase innocuously, though it gives you pause. The kid is barely 13 years old, though the Kageyama’s don’t seem stupid, so you suppose it’s harmless.
You’re given a few more instructions. Once again assured that the children are very responsible and shouldn’t need too much of your energy. Before both parents rushing out the door.
—-
You’re only watching them for three and a half days, and the rest of the evening goes off without a hitch. Ritsu offers to clean dishes, while Shigeo wipes off the table. You can’t offer much help, and both brothers seem solitary anyways.
The only problem you face with the older ones is that you have no idea how to keep them entertained. Shigeo tells you that he goes to a body building club after school, a fact which is not obvious by his appearance. Other than that he mentions his job, and nothing else.
Ritsu seems too be in the same camp, simply stating that he’s often busy with the student council, or his students.
Neither is enough to give you any idea of what they actually like. A movie, or some sort of outing for dinner is your best bet for something to do. Tomorrow will be the worst to get through, but as Monday and Tuesday come both of your wards will be stuck at school for the better part of the day.
Still, you haven’t made it past a few hours of the first day, so you resolve to just make dinner and not think too hard. The fridge is well stocked and you have an arsenal of easy recipes inside your head.
Both Shigeo and Ritsu tell you their not picky eaters, and you have basically free reign over what you can make.
Shigeo, in his sweet and quiet voice, asks if you’d like any help. He may be the oldest, but his nervous figure and soft tone make him seem much younger. It squeezes at your heart and makes you want to pinch his pudgy cheeks. Still, you’re not doing anything too complicated and the whole process shouldn’t take you more than an hour. So reassuring him that you’re ok, you usher the boy back to his room.
—-
After a quick dinner, in which you mostly make conversation with Ritsu since Shigeo doesn’t seem as eager to talk, both children retreat back to their rooms.
You do a bit of cleaning, then finally move your bags into the Kageyama couple’s room. It’s spacious, though your duffle bag only needs a corner to sit in. Flopping down onto the giant bed, you roll around in the soft sheets. It smells a bit too much like perfume and dust, but your own bedroom reeks of mold, so this is much more preferable.
It’s not very late, but sweat from your walk still clings to your clothes. Neither boy has much interest in doing anything, so you also wander into the conjoined bathroom. Babysitting not only offers a nice extra flow of cash, but also some amenities you always welcome yourself too.
So while the kids study in their rooms, you move into the large bath. The kageyama’s don’t seem particularly wealthy, but they have a wide variety of products lined against the baths wall. The sweet smelling soaps are scrubs are a welcome break from your meager supply of two in one shampoo.
The only thing that gets you to leave is the water eventually growing stale and cold. You still linger for a moment, until you’re shivering in the frigid cold. The moment you drag yourself out you wrap yourself in a large fluffy blanket.
Though the bed is practically begging you to dive into it, you have enough sense to dry your hair, and pull on a pair of clean pajamas. As you slowly move towards the bed, you marvel in the soft fabric of the sheets.
Falling into the warm blankets you fall asleep nearly right away.
—-
As the boys head off to school, you’re left alone in the home. You spend most of the morning cleaning what you can find. The house is surprisingly spotless, and other than cleaning up the dishes from breakfast, you have to work hard to find things to shine.
Even as you peek into Ritsu and Shigeo’s rooms, you find yourself wondering if the boys are real teens. The spaces are neat, with made beds and clothes nowhere in sight. They’re cleaner than you are with your own apartment.
So instead you watch a bit of television and complete some of your homework. Despite being given some simple and loose interactions, you don’t want to leave the home unattended.
It doesn’t matter much anyways. You’re unfamiliar with the area and though there’s a car tucked inside the garage you haven’t driven in a few months. Instead you sometimes sit at the nearby small park, or get delivery that eats into your wallet.
You do make some quick after school snacks, hoping that any food that’s well stocked is food they like. It’s a simple plate of vegetable skewers, grilled slightly. Not a very impressive plate, but they seemed satisfied with dinner last night and your not inclined to try too hard.
Luckily, they seem to enjoy it well enough, scampering off to their rooms. Though you check on them a few times throughout the afternoon, neither asks for anything of you. They don’t seem bothered, just indifferent. That fact nearly bothers you more, usually teen boys aren’t this unreadable.
Still, you’re not inclined to dig any deeper, instead just settling down yourself.
—-
The next two days pass in a very similar fashion. Though you make feeble attempts throughout your stay the children don’t offer much information about themselves. The most you gather is that Shigeo is shy and kind, with a much stricter and straight faced younger brother.
Ritsu seems eager to hide inside his room the moment he gets home from school. Shigeo returns from his job right before dinner, which is the only time you can hold a conversation with the two.
Afterwards they insist on helping you clean up, before once again disappearing. While you don’t particularly mind the silence, it doesn’t help you feel any more comfortable inside the home.
You try not to linger on the feeling for too long. Soon enough you can be on your way hone with a check in your pocket and a new client.
—-
Getting ready for bed, on the last day of your stay, there’s a quiet knock on your door.
“Excuse me.” Mob barely peeks into the room, face a subtle pink. When you open it fully, the boy remains just outside the room. He’s dressed not in his pajamas, but a pair of jeans along with a hoodie. “My master says there’s an emergency going on, and he really needs my help.”
As he talks he points to the phone, which is illuminated with a call. You frown, knowing how late it is at night. “It’s rather late, are you sure it’s a real emergency? I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to go out.”
“Master sounds very worried. You can talk to him if you’d like.” He lifts the phone to your year, from which you take it.
The man on the other end of the phone is babbling nonsensically, and you have to wait several minutes for him to stop. “Excuse me, um this is Shigeo-kun’s… babysitter. Are you sure he needs to leave right now?” Your eyes flicker towards the child uncertainty.
“What? Yes! This is an emergency. I really need some help over here. Can you tell Mob to hurry?” The man, Reigen as identified from his contact name, sounds frantic and wild.
You sigh, picking at your shirt nervously. “It really is? He’s just a kid you know. I don’t think it’s safe for him to be out so late.”
“You can come too! We’re gonna need all the help we can get.” The phone goes all static, then cuts out completely. As you look down at the phone, the line goes dead and a very frightened Shigeo snatches it back from your hand.
His tears are wide, lip trembling as he looks at you. It’s undeniably one of the saddest sights you’ve seen. You know you’ll regret this, but you give Shigeo a gentle look. “Will you go get your brother? I’ll get changed into my street clothes and we’ll make sure everything’s alright.”
Running off, the boy moves with an energy that you hadn’t realized he had. As you close the door, you turn around and sort through your duffle bag. Other than a fresh pair of clothes, you also grab the pepper spray and pocket knife tucked into the very bottom.
As you pull on the rough clothes, you put the small weapons into your bag, along with your phone. Stepping out into the hall, you’re welcomed by a serious look Ritsu, and a still scared Shigeo. “Do you know where we’re supposed to go Shigeo-kun?”
He nods and hands you his phone once more. On the screen in a simple pin dropped into the middle of the map. It’s too far away, a near 40 minute ride by train. “Shigeo-kun, I don’t know if we can make it there in a timely manner. Do you still want to try?”
“My mom’s car is still here, and she keeps the keys hung up by the door.” Ritsu sounds deathly serious, standing in front of his brother.
You want to protest, but again both boys look at you for help. As you usher them downstairs, you grab the key off the wall, stepping into the garage.
The small cube of a car seems easy enough to drive. Hesitantly you step into the drivers seat, turning the car on. Ritsu sits next to you in the front, while Shigeo curls up in the backseat. “Buckle up please, I don’t drive very often.”
—-
The empty night roads give you space to speed, moving quickly around corners and over bridges. You break much too hard and miss several stop signs, but ultimately you make it to a decrepit looking building in just under 15 minutes.
Crashing into a parking space, you pray that you haven’t damaged Mrs. Kageyama’s car too much.
Stepping out you look at the apartment building. It looks worn down, but nothing about it sticks out to you. “Shigeo-kun, what do you do for work?” You have to grab onto his sleeve to keep him from charging forward.
“He works at an exorcism place.” Once again Ritsu speaks for his older brother. You look at him incredulously, but his serious look doesn’t waver a bit.
Frightened further you grab the pepper spray out of your bad, holding it firm. “Ok ok, just slow down. I want you boys to stay behind me.” Still holding Shigeo’s phone, you slowly make your way closer to the glowing red dot on it.
The front doors of the apartment creak open, leading you into a dusty welcoming room. Turning the phone’s flashlight on, you illuminate the dark area. It looks mildly abandoned, but other than the smell of must and some gross looking furniture. Though you’ve arrived at the location, Shigeo’s tracking app doesn’t offer much more information. Shutting it off you pass it to the boy behind you, giving him firm instructions to keep the light on.
Moving through the long hallway, you look carefully at each door. All of them look exactly the same to you, so after some hesitance you come to the elevator and stairs.
“I don’t know if the elevator would be safe maybe we should-“ As you turn to the steps, the metal doors glow a sparkly chrome color, opening up smoothly. You gape in amazement, standing in front of the door. Perhaps you look stupid, because Shigeo eventually has to grab your hand and pull you inside.
Dust clouds around you as the elevator moves upwards much faster than it’s supposed to, coming to a rough halt at each floor. You don’t pay too much attention, too busy holding onto the wall behind you.
The only thing that grabs your attention is when you arrive at a floor completely lit up. It’s decorated grandly, and both boys step onto the fine red carpet.
On shaking legs you move back in front. There’s an open door at the end of the hall, clearly meant for you to enter. It’s a scene straight out of a horror movie. At least if you die you won’t have to pay anymore bills.
Again the pepper spray is held firmly in front of your face, ready to attack. You listen for any sounds of ghosts, though you’re not sure what that would entail. As you inch closer and closer to the open door fear begins to take hold. Neither of the children behind you make any sort of expression, not even one of interest. Both make you feel like the immature one here.
Still, you finally push the door fully open, peeking around the corner. You can’t see anything, but you enter with caution.
The room is curiously bland and empty. Gray carpet and beige walls welcome you. There’s several dark hallways, you can’t see differences in any of them.
You stand in front of them for a brief moment. A chill blows through the room, leading you to look at the hall at the very end. You creep down it, one hand tracing the wall. Shigeo and Ritsu’s presence remains strong behind you.
Eventually the space opens up into a bedroom. In the middle of it, there’s a man tied to a chair, which Shigeo immediately runs towards. You pull out your pocketknife from your pocket, slicing through the bind while the boy removes the gag. Ritsu stays back, watching with dark eyes.
“Hey, hey, watch the skin please it’s very sensitive,” The man, Reigen, complains once he’s no longer gagged. You hum in annoying, sawing through the rope as fast as you can.
Once his wrists are released, his hands fly through the air, moving to comfort Shigeo. It’s kind of cute, but you’re too busy cutting the rope around his waist and ankles to watch.
As he stands, and subsequently stretches, you stand up and pocket the knife. Turning around Reigen bows in front of you, then moving to shake your hand. He spews out several flattering comments, one after the other. Though your cheeks warm slightly, you’re not very impressed. “I’m very curious as to how you got in this situation Reigen-san.”
He makes a nearly indecipherable face. “Oh that?” His voice cracks nervously. “It really isn’t that big of a deal.” As he defends himself Reigen’s hands twitch with anxious movements. He keeps rambling, one excuse leaving his lips after another.
In the middle of his rant, Ritsu creeps up behind you. As he tugs on your sleeve you’re happy to tune out Reigen’s voice. Turning around, and then following his pointed finger, you’re met with a newcomer.
The woman, who doesn’t look friendly at all, is holding a small knife in her hand. What’s worse is that she’s nearly naked, mostly clothed in lacey lingerie. You’re immediately pulling Ritsu close, pasting a hand over his face. Ignoring Reigen still you yell at Shigeo to cover his eyes. The boy perks up, face going a tomato red as he sees why you’re scolding him. As he buries his face into his sleeves Reigen is left dumbstruck.
“What the fuck are you doing?” The woman is dripping with venom, hands tightening around the weapon. She waves the knife in front of her, pointing it at your face. “Sit back down!” The girl turns to hiss at Reigen. Slowly inching closer she twists the weapon around.
The moment she’s within reach, you whip out the pepper spray, releasing it right into her face. You’ve let go of Ritsu, but the boy is smart enough to keep his eyes covered, especially when you flash him a furious look. The woman’s eyes are clouded with tears as she coughs and wheezes. Everytime she looks back up, you spray her again. It’s probably overkill, and maybe a little cruel at this point. Either way you don’t relent until she’s crumpled on the floor and you’ve kicked the knife underneath some piece of furniture.
It’s silent after for a brief moment while Reigen stares at the seizing body. Mob is tucked into the man’s side, hands shaking. Ritsu is peeking through his fingers, though you don’t scold him again.
Everyone stands there for a brief moment, until you nudge them backwards and towards the door. The silence is unbearable as you retrace your steps. Even sitting in the elevator is awkward and still. Reigen’s eyes stay focused on you, but you’re staring straight ahead. Holding Ritsu’s hand, you carry your pepper spray in the other still. Your hands are sore from your grip on the small tube.
Shigeo sniffles softly, wiping his barely wet eyes. Making your way back to the parking lot your shoulders relax imperceptibly. The night air punches you in the face, blowing through your thin clothes.
You usher both boys into the car, frowning at their exhausted state. The whole time Reigen shuffles on the sidewalk. As Shigeo and Ritsu settle into place, you push past Reigen. Turning around the corner, walking at a brisk place, you pause to throw up in a bush. Sweat crawls up your neck and down your throat. You grip your knees, legs shaking as you struggle to calm down. Even once your breakfast, lunch, and dinner has been dumped onto the dirt you continue to dry heave.
At some point Reigen pulled up behind you, pulling up your hair and petting your back. His hands are a little clammy and sticky, but they feel nice nonetheless. It takes only a few moments of him standing next to you until you can finally stand up.
Wiping the back of your mouth, you cringe at your dry voice. “Call the police please.” You hand him your cellphone, moving to sit on the edge on the sidewalk. You rest your head against your knees, hoping that neither Shigeo, nor his brother, can see you through the car windows.
You don’t move, not even when Reigen puts a soft hand on your shoulder, until you can hear a car pulling around the corner. The sirens are quiet, but flashing blue and red lights still manage to blind you.
”I can’t believe you called a kid because you got kidnapped by a hooker.” The police isn’t within earshot quite yet. Reigen is however and he flinches slightly.
”It was a first date.” He says it like it changes the situation whatsoever. “I don’t think I’ll get a second one though.” His words manage to make you smile slightly. Reigen is awkward in a way that’s hard to pull off, but the night air warms slightly.
When the policeman approaches you, you’re frowning again. Mood offset in an instant.
—-
The police officer is nice enough, even though he makes you hand your pepper spray over. You and Reigen both give reports, and he gives you his jacket while you shiver on the sidewalk.
It’s only a moment before he’s waved off, and it’s your turn to talk. The police offer seems almost bored as he writes down your words. Occasionally your voice shakes and quivers, sounding weak.
All of that disappears as you finally step into the car, hands tightening around the steering wheel, exhaustion finally overcomes you. Reigen opens his mouth several times, but your silence and stormy look keep him from speaking. As you buckle up you hands shake slightly. You force his worn suit jacket back into his lap, mumbling a soft, “Thank you.” He perks up for a moment, but you’re too tired to show him any kind of real gratitude or anything less than annoyance.
The drive home is nothing less than awkward. Both boys are asleep in the back seat, and the only time Reigen dares to speak are when he’s giving you directions. Your knuckles are turning white from your intense grip. With shoulders hunched over and tensed up your a more reckless driver than what is typical for even your low standards.
Reigen makes his terror obvious as he grips the seatbelt. His back is stiff and you turn sharply and blow through yellow lights. The apartment he lives in isn’t too far from the Kageyama’s house, and as you get nearer the area grows more familiar. Though the winding roads of the suburbs are harder to navigate, they’re much quieter than the streets closer to the city.
You don’t bother to park, coming to a sudden stop in front of the apartment’s doors. Waiting for Reigen to get out you stare aimlessly at the dashboard.
“Sorry if I seem rude-“ Your voice comes out a bit hollow. “I’m just…”
“Tired? Don’t worry about it kid. Perhaps I was lacking some judgement.” He ducks his head to the side, giving you a strained smile as he steps out of the car.
“Have a good night Reigen-san.” You manage to sound less like a ghost as you sneak a small smile into your words.
He beams back with surprising intensity. “You too kid.” Reigen shuts the door loudly, and you watch him walk into the, hopefully safe, apartment building. He nearly trips over a crack in the sidewalk, drawing a huff of laughter out of you.
When he disappears behind the tall doors, you hit the gas and speed the rest of the way home.
—-
You want to collapse inside, but you’re not offered any rest quite yet. You have to struggle to lift up Ritsu, grunting as you somehow manage to make it inside his room. His dead weight nearly topples you over multiple times, until you dump him inside his bed. You peel off his jacket and shoes, but leave his jeans on. As uncomfortable as you’re sure they are, you don’t like putting too much effort into things.
You have to go through the entire process once more with Shigeo anyways. He’s a few pounds heavier, and you have to pause several times to gasp for breath.
By the time you’re finished you can barely crawl back into bed. Pulling out your phone you make one last quick call.
“Mrs. Kageyama? I’m sorry, I know it’s late. The boys were just so excited to see you return that they were wondering if they could stay back from school tomorrow to wait for you.” It’s a clumsy lie, but you’re not going to wake up early tomorrow and it’s likely that neither child will either.
She makes a concerned noise. “Have they been keeping you up?” Your tiredness must be obvious, her worried tone growing soft. “Don’t worry dear, you can let them stay home. They haven’t been bossing you around, have they?”
“Oh it’s fine, they’ve been lovely. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Alright, but call me if they keep giving you trouble.” Her tone is teasing and light, but you can hardly smile before hanging up and plunging your face into the pillow.
—-
You wake up to see Shigeo once again hovering at the edge of the bed. You’re sure that you look like a mess, brushing stray hair out of your face. He’s in a similar state, still dressed in the crumpled clothes from last night.
“I-I’m very sorry. I think I slept through my alarm and-“ He stutters, messing with the hem of his shirt.
“It’s fine.” Your voice is dry and slightly slurred. “I called your mom and she said you guys could stay home for the day.” The relief on his face is obvious, posture relaxing immediately. You chuckle lightly, trying to look slightly alive.
“Thank you.” He mutters the words before awkwardly nodding his head and rushing out of the room.
The second Shigeo is gone you have to stop yourself from falling back asleep. The large bed is begging you to climb back into it, your separation eminent as the Kageyama’s return grows closer.
It’s nearly impossible for you to go through the motions of getting ready, dragging your body upwards. You take your time getting ready, washing off the grime from yesterday’s events. Afterwards you must peel the sheets off to be washed. There’s clear smudges from the outside grime you’ve tracked in.
Wandering downstairs you carry the heavy blankets and sheets in your hands. Ritsu greets you as you nearly trip down the stairs. You squeeze the comforter into the washing machine, cramming everything into one wash.
Nothing else is too dirty, but you clean everything just to make sure. Ritsu helps along the way, and Shigeo comes down at the very end, still looks horribly tired.
You usher them both onto the couch, telling them to relax. You’re probably equally as tired, but you don’t want to look lazy at all.
—-
You’re still scrubbing the table when both Kageyama parents return. Their entrance is announced by loud clamoring and chatter. You decide to keep cleaning instead of standing awkwardly while the family exchanges hugs.
It makes you look better when Mrs. Kageyama walks in and ushers you to sit. She gives you several thanks while you wave awkwardly. “It was really no problem!” You hope she doesn’t notice the bags under your eyes.
Really you try to leave as quick as possible, not completely absorbing everything that’s going on. You’re showered with a few more compliments, cash pressed into your hands, and slowly walk towards the door.
Ritsu says goodbye without any semblance of emotion. The boy stares from behind everyone, scaring you slightly.
Mob is almost the complete opposite. He bows and can hardly look you in the eyes. You’re a but disappointed that he still seems so shy, even if you only spent a few days barely supervising him.
Still you’re glad for the thanks (and mostly the pay as well) and even with the hot sun beating down on you- leaving you more tired- you’re left in a good mood.
—-
On the train ride home your phone buzzes.
This is Arataka Reigen
Mob gave me your numbet
number**
If you ever want to get into exorcisms give me a call. You were very helpful last night :)
or if you’re being haunted
Attached below is a image advertising 50% off exorcism counseling and practice.
For a moment your finger hovers over the block button.
Instead you punch his information into your phone.