Mob, real name Shigeo Kageyama, is a 14-year-old boy and a naturally powerful esper. Being inherently kind-hearted, he constantly suppresses his emotions to weaken his psychic powers, fearing the destruction they might cause.
Darkrai, who had accompanied him into the depths of the tunnel, sensed this suppression. It was remarkably similar to how Darkrai once had to restrain its own Dark Pulse. Seeing its own shadow in the boy, Darkrai felt a rare sense of empathy. It had been lucky enough to meet Aomori and find the right path, but would this boy be as fortunate?
Darkrai suddenly spoke: "It is alright. If you do not wish to fight, you do not have to."
"Huh?" It took several seconds for Mob to realize Darkrai was speaking to him. Socially anxious as ever, Mob replied softly, "It's okay. Even though I don't like fighting, if it's something Sensei asks me to do, I'll work hard to do it well. Master is a good person; the things he asks me to do are always for the best."
Because of that belief, he was able to use his powers without reservation.
The Sensei... he means that man, Darkrai thought.
Darkrai gave a slight nod. "If you dislike destruction, then seek to protect. Use your power to guard those you cherish. Sometimes protecting does not require destroying others, though doing so is many times harder than simple destruction."
"Protecting?" Mob nodded, only half-comprehending. "I'll protect my family and friends... and Sensei, of course."
"Monster-san, you're a good person too."
"My name is Darkrai." It handed Mob a business card. On it was the address and contact information for the Mori Paranormal Detective Agency. "If you encounter a problem you cannot solve, you can find help here."
After a pause, Darkrai added, "You walk too slowly. I shall handle the evil spirits here." With that, it dissolved into a shadow and moved rapidly toward the other side of the tunnel.
"Ah... that was supposed to be Sensei's test for me." Mob scratched his head. He could move quite fast using his psychic powers, but he felt there was no need. "Darkrai-san is so kind."
He looked at the card and tucked it into his pocket.
Soon, Darkrai had completely cleared the "mini-dungeon."
When Mob and Darkrai returned to the group, they found Miko still holding the unconscious Hana. Arataka Reigen was chatting with Yulia, or rather, Reigen was talking while Yulia listened with wide-eyed admiration.
"Mob, you're too slow! I've already talked my way from being 18 to the ghost-slaying incidents of my 25th year!"
"Sorry, Sensei, I..."
"Is everything taken care of?"
"The presence of the evil spirits is gone, but..."
"As long as they're cleared out, that's all that matters. Job's done!" Reigen interrupted Mob again, turning back to Yulia. "Apologies, I have many other requests waiting. I'll tell you about my 888th exorcism experience next time."
"I understand. Your 'Spirits and Such Consultation Office,' right? I'll come visit when I can!" Yulia was disappointed; she wanted to hear more. It was rare to meet such an experienced yet approachable esper. She hoped to learn exorcism methods from him.
"That's right! The Spirits and Such Consultation Office! If you ever face a difficult problem, remember to look me up. Bye-bye! Until we meet again!" Reigen waved.
"Goodbye," Mob said, bowing to them.
"Mob, let's go."
"Yes, Sensei!"
Aside from the Godmother, this expert was the only one who had treated her so kindly. Yulia couldn't help but sigh, "What a wonderful person."
Turning back, she caught Miko's strange expression, and her face went pale.
Crap! I forgot they're rival espers! Will Miko be mad that I got too close to him? Remembering the near-suffocation experience in the gym, Yulia quickly explained, "It's not what you think! We were just having a normal conversation. As old acquaintances, I'm definitely on your side!"
That doesn't matter at all... Miko felt like they were never on the same wavelength. Sighing softly, she said, "Yulia, can you help me carry Hana?"
"Oh, right! Of course!" Yulia felt as if she'd been granted a pardon and rushed forward to support Hana with her small shoulders.
"S-she's so heavy..."
"We can't just stay here until she wakes up. Let's move her to a better spot. How much further to that place you mentioned?"
"Very close now."
"Then let's go there."
Seeing them struggle with Hana's weight, Darkrai silently helped from behind.
"Eh? Why did she suddenly get lighter?"
"Because I'm using all my strength. Stop talking and focus on the path so we don't trip."
"Oh, okay."
They easily carried Hana up a small hill, where she finally rubbed her eyes and woke up with a long stretch.
"Good morning, Miko." Hana was so dazed she thought it was the start of the day.
"Good morning, Hana," Miko said with a smile.
"Listen, I had a dream that I saw an evil spirit. It was terrifying!"
"Yeah, terrifying. It's okay now. Let's take some photos and enjoy the view."
"Huh? How did I get here?" Hana looked around, confused, but before Miko could answer, she continued, "Whatever, doesn't matter. What matters is the photos!" She jumped up and started snapping away. Then, unsatisfied, she pulled Miko in for a selfie. "Yulia, you come too!"
"Ah! Don't squish me, I can't breathe!"
"Come on! One, two, three… Cheese!"
Click!
Three young girls were frozen in a moment of youth on the photo.
...
After a long, tiring day, the three headed home. Yulia returned to her house, showered, and flopped onto her rug in her pajamas to scroll through her phone. Looking at the photos they took, she found herself smiling. "Being with them is actually quite fun."
"But..." She sighed, thinking of the heart-pounding experience that morning. "When will I become that strong?" If she stayed at this amateur level, Miko and the others would surely distance themselves from her. To stay friends, she had to work hard. "No, no! That's not it! I want to be a great esper to achieve my dream. I don't care about having friends!" After muttering to herself with a red face, she finally calmed down. "Keep it up, Yulia! Tomorrow I'll check on the Godmother. If she's not there, I'll find that Master Reigen. I will become strong!"
...
At the same time, Miko was lying in bed, chatting with Hana on her phone.
Hana: Miko, Miko, look! Do these look good?
Miko smiled and typed: "They look great, really great!"
Hana: Right? I think so too. I've added them all to my album. These are our precious memories.
"Once we graduate, you should hold a photography exhibition and show these to everyone. Except my photos, of course, that would be embarrassing."
Hana: That's a great idea! Miko, you're so cute, it'll be a hit! I'll have to take way more photos of you from now on.
"NO!!!" Miko typed, puffing out her cheeks. "I regret giving you that idea. Can I take it back?"
Hana: Hehe, nope! Great Photographer Hana has already adopted it. Just wait for graduation day!
"..."
Hana: Miko, what if I become a photographer in the future? I could travel everywhere and take beautiful pictures.
"I think you could do it. But maybe you should join the school's photography club first."
Hana: Oh! Why didn't I think of that? Miko, you're the best! Love you!
"Silly Hana."
Hana: Hehehe.
After chatting a bit longer, Miko felt sleepy and ended the conversation, yawning as she snuggled into her blankets. "Today was Saturday, so tomorrow is Sunday. Finally, it's almost Sunday."
Soon she would see Kami-sama again. She wondered if she could do a good job as a shrine maiden, and how he would teach her to exorcise spirits tomorrow. Seeing the exorcisms this morning had piqued her interest in learning spiritual powers. "Can I really become that strong too?"
After daydreaming for a bit, Miko realized she hadn't made plans with Hana to visit the shrine tomorrow. She hesitated but decided against it. "Forget it. I'll check things out on my own first. If there are too many 'strange things' there, I can't let Hana go." Having fainted this morning, Hana's resistance to paranormal things was just too low.
Yawning again, she couldn't resist the sleepiness. She turned off the light and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Kami-sama the Nightmare."
Once Miko was fast asleep, Darkrai emerged from the shadows, gave her a look, and flew out the window. Under the cover of night, Darkrai flew swiftly to a house where it met Aomori and a Ditto transformed into Kogoro Mori.
Aomori smiled and waved. "Good evening, Darkrai."
Every night at this time, Darkrai would come here to use Aomori's power to suppress its Dark Pulse. "Good evening, Aomori," Darkrai replied, moving to his side and lowering its body. Aomori placed a hand on its head, stroking it gently, causing Darkrai to squint comfortably.
"Hard work again today. Encounter anything strange?"
"Yes." Darkrai recounted everything that had happened in the abandoned tunnel.
"Arataka Reigen? And Mob?" Aomori frowned upon hearing the names. Both were main characters from Mob Psycho 100.
The former was a fake exorcist who was an expert in everything except spiritual power, hardly a concern. The latter, however, was absurd. His strength was potentially on par with Tatsumaki's, a terrifying individual capable of world-shattering power if he went out of control. His presence proved that the power ceiling of this world was not low at all; there was now a real possibility of a threat to Aomori's life.
Thinking of the countless powerful villains in Mob Psycho 100, even Aomori felt a bit of pressure. The only silver lining was that Mob, the power ceiling himself, was on the side of justice, just like him.
"However, high risk means high reward. The members of the 'Claw' organization should be worth quite a few Points."
Darkrai also mentioned Mob's situation and the fact it had given him a business card. Aomori nodded in approval. "You did well. We'll wait for him to come to us for help. No need to rush into things, but we might have to stay in this world a bit longer than planned." At least until they could farm more Points.
"Wait, I seem to recall a religious organization called 'LOL' in that world..." Aomori rubbed his chin, a plan forming in his mind.
...
The next day, Aomori returned to the shrine. As soon as he landed, he was intercepted by Nyanko-sensei.
"I smell meat! Give it to me! Give it to me now!"
"Is that a cat nose or a dog nose? I wrapped it in divine power and you can still smell it?" Aomori had indeed brought a lot of food, mostly fearing Miko would have nothing to eat when she arrived.
"Hmph! Never underestimate the instincts of a foodie."
"You can eat, but you know my rules—there are conditions." Aomori pulled a large chicken leg from his bag and waved it around.
"What conditions?" Nyanko-sensei became wary, but soon started drooling at the sight of the chicken leg, his voice wavering.
"Haven't thought of them yet. But don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything too difficult."
"Well... since we're so close, I guess I'll reluctantly agree." As he spoke, Nyanko-sensei leaped up and bit right into the chicken leg. Aomori let go, letting him take it.
"Mmm! Delicious!" Nyanko-sensei hugged the leg, his face covered in grease, looking blissfully happy.
Aomori shook his head and tossed half of the food to him, keeping the rest for Miko. Suddenly, Aomori activated his Mind's Eye and looked down the mountain. He saw the two girls from yesterday bringing a large group of people up.
"Ready so soon?" With a wave of his hand, he lowered the barrier and waited for them.
Before long, Kotoha and Kai led the crowd to the summit. Everyone was carrying various supplies.
"Put the things down and head back down the mountain for now."
"Yes!"
Once the crowd had left, Kotoha bowed to Aomori. "These are gifts for Kami-sama and Nyanko-sensei. Just some food and daily necessities, a small token of our respect."
"Thank you," Aomori nodded, his expression calm.
Nyanko-sensei, however, was far from calm. He tossed aside the bone he had been gnawing on and pounced on the gifts, his eyes shining. "Are these all mine?"
"Yes."
"Not bad, not bad." Compared to these gifts, Natsume seemed quite stingy. Nyanko-sensei felt completely justified now—if Natsume didn't come to apologize, he simply wouldn't go back!
"Also, transportation here is inconvenient. Large-scale construction would be difficult," Kotoha said, unaware of why Aomori had set up a barrier. "So, I would like to build a road directly to this spot. Would that be acceptable?"
"It is." If there are too many people, he would just strengthen the barrier for screening.
"Wonderful." Kotoha smiled elegantly. "Then a construction crew will arrive tomorrow to help rebuild your shrine."
"I appreciate the trouble."
"Anything that can be solved with money is no trouble at all."
"I see." Aomori nodded in deep agreement.