Everyone thinks it was only a matter of time. And yet it is not happening.
Written for: @crazydcchick
Written by: @dreams-of-kalopsia
Prompt: Romance, Fluff, Supernatural, Mystery. Anything related to Mai and Naru in a relationship will make me happy.
Note: Hi, crazydcchick! :) I mostly focused on romance, but supernatural will come at later chapters, and well, mystery is (vaguely) sort of the premise. I’m not very good at writing, but I do love it and I really did try to incorporate fluff. Hope you like your fic! :3
———-
I: Obscurity – Everyone can see the elephant in the room.
Mai says their relationship is at its best. Naru is her dear friend, (harsh) adviser, boss, benefactor, protector. To her, he is many, many things. But he is not a love interest. Not anymore and, she has told herself, never again. She believes that romantically loving someone makes a person blind, and she has long since learned that that is not the right way to love a man like Naru. He needs companionship without the intimacy of a lover. She is happy to give that. His happiness, for her, is enough.
And yet.
And yet, Ayako Matsuzaki thinks to herself, watching Mai look at Naru like he plastered the sun onto the sky, like he held her future in his hands, like he could put meaning in “u”, “n”, “i” in “ghost hunting”. Screw what that girl says. She is in love with the boy, and not in that naïve innocent crush she had at sixteen.
It is only a matter of time before it sinks in.
—–
John Brown knows that four years of friendship can bring intimacy to any two friends who have gone through so much together. He even acknowledges that such is only to be expected. That is why he thinks nothing of the way Oliver-san holds Mai-san’s face in both hands, forehead to forehead, as she recovers from what seems like a vision.
“Was it the same vision, Mai?”
“I-I think so.”
“—Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
That is why John smiles sweetly from the half-opened door to their base, his heart warming further when Oliver-san visibly relaxes and sighs in relief. And that is why he turns to leave the two alone and undisturbed, absently noting the extremely rare instance of physical contact initiated by his boss and friend.
Because Oliver Davis is a powerful psychometrist comes to John with the full force of a flush much later, much after the fact.
—–
Mai thinks that their years-long rivalry for Naru’s affection (if it even existed) is still in play. Masako Hara realizes this when her frenemy raises the white flag and practically offers Naru to her. Needless to say, it dumbfounds her. For a short moment she wonders if she should despise her rival for giving up after all these years, or for not realizing that Mai herself has already won Naru over.
But Masako ends up deciding on neither, choosing her friendship with Mai over the unintentional insult of the latter’s surrender. After all, she reasons, no one is perfect just as some idiots remain idiots forever. She must accept that as imperfect as Mai is, Mai perfectly falls under the “some idiots” category.
Masako congratulates herself for being such a non-judgmental friend as she gracefully takes her friend’s folly in stride.
—–
Osamu Yasuhara may not sense spirits or foretell imminent danger, but he sees things most people do not. He sees shared glances, lingering touches, unspoken understanding. He senses absolute trust, open friendship, unresolved sexual tension. He cannot say for sure if it will rain tomorrow, but when it comes to Mai and Big Boss’s blurred relationship, he is a professional forecaster.
For example, if he comments on Mai’s immaculate getup as Ayako-san and Houshou-san’s maid of honor, he is sure to get a cold glare from Naru.
“Look at Mai, Naru. Just look at her. When did our dear little Mai grow up to be such a beauty?”
No response. But of course; Osamu is only warming up.
“Maybe it’s time I asked her out.” Osamu steals a glance at Naru, trying to gauge his reaction. The younger man’s eyes are closed, his posture the epitome of nonchalance. Soon. “What do you think, Naru?”
Finally, Naru opens his eyes to level a heated glare at the bespectacled man, saying “No.” with resounding certainty.
A heated glare? That is not within the predicted range of reactions.
Slightly taken aback but not one to back off, Osamu persists to press his former boss further.
“‘No’?”
“Need I repeat myself, Yasuhara?”
“But why?” Naru looks away, stubbornly refusing to respond again, and Osamu chuckles. “What,” he drawls jokingly, “Don’t tell me you’re in love with Mai and you want her for yourself.”
When his former boss freezes, his grin widens. But when all around their table cutlery start tinkling and plates begin shuddering, all his mirth vanishes. Never has Osamu erred in his forecasts, and never has he seen Naru lose composure. Until now.
Staring nervously at his friend and slightly shaking with the tableware, Osamu witnesses the moment Oliver Davis discovers that he has fallen in love with Mai Taniyama.
Everyone thinks it was only a matter of time. And yet it is not happening.
Written for: @crazydcchick
Written by: @dreams-of-kalopsia
Prompt: Romance, Fluff, Supernatural, Mystery. Anything related to Mai and Naru in a relationship will make me happy.
Note: Reconnecting… please wait.
V: Limpidity, Part 2 – They reach the crossroads and follow separate paths.
“I chose you, Dr. Oliver Davis. I choose, you, so you must come back to me. Please, Naru!”
When his awareness returns to him, Oliver Davis sees nothing, but a familiar presence gradually makes itself known. For the first time in years, the sensation of completeness is restored. He knows this sensation very, very well.
‘Gene.’ He tries their telepathic link.
‘Hi, Noll.’
‘Is this the astral plane?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Why can’t I see you?’
‘You have no sensory psychic power.’
‘I see. Then my astral body hasn’t permanently separated from its physical body. I’m not dead yet.’
‘But… you almost died.’
Oliver recalls his last waking moments. The old bedroom. The dresser. The vision. He gets the impression that someone was speaking to him, but as he cannot remember the person’s words, he shrugs it off.
‘It’s a work hazard.’
He senses impatience float to the surface of Gene’s consciousness.
‘As I thought, you don’t understand at all.’
‘I’m confident I understand many things.’
‘If they aren’t related to emotions.’
His twin is right, so he stays silent.
‘Idiot scientist.’
‘I apologize for being an idiot.’
Smugness. ‘I forgive you. I’m a good older brother, after all.’
He wonders briefly if living astral bodies can sigh in the astral plane.
‘—Why am I here?’
‘I already said it. You almost died.’
‘How do I get back?’
Gene does not reply at first.
‘You must remember your physical body and fill your mind with the desire to go back.’
Oliver considers his twin’s words.
If he returns, he can continue his research.
But if he stays, there will be no need for all of that—the answers will all be here. Perhaps he can reproduce and improve Myers’ failed cross-correspondences, test if it is possible to conduct experiments after death and share the findings with the living. Lin could contact him and compile his findings, for sure, Masako-san and John, Mai—
Mai.
An amalgam of emotions surge with the name: admiration, acceptance, amusement, and so many others he has no capacity to identify.
Would she be able to do it, the way she perceived Gene’s existence after death? He thinks it likely that she could, if she gets over the blow of his death. He is Gene’s twin, after all; it is almost as if Gene died twice. He picks up his brother’s impatience again but ignores it. He keeps thinking. Would she still take her PhD as planned and continue the scientific research he started? Would she cry for me the way she did for Gene? Doubt spreads throughout his mind. He disregards it and forces himself to move on to more sensible questions.
‘She’d be devastated, Noll,’ Gene answers with great annoyance now, which he returns with equal force.
‘Thank you for the baseless input.’
‘It’s not baseless.’
‘It’s unnecessary.’
‘It’s not that, either. Noll—’
‘I’ll stay.’
‘—What?’ Shock and dismay.
‘Staying will give me the answers I’ve been seeking.’
‘Noll. You can’t do that. Not to Mai, not to Luella and Marti—’
‘You did it first.’
Hurt.
Pain so intense that Oliver felt his own chest tighten. He has gone out of line.
‘…You should stop using me as an excuse to be unhappy.’
‘What are you talking about? I’m content—’
‘No. You’re an idiot who turns his older brother’s death into a barrier that prevents him from connecting with anyone else.’
Gene must have sensed that all thoughts, for the first time, leave Oliver blank, because the former continues, ‘It’s been ten years, Noll. You should let me go—and as a result, let yourself go. It’s no use blaming yourself for not going with me. No use blaming the woman who killed me. No use blaming me for being careless.’
‘I don’t—’
‘Maybe you don’t, consciously, but can you control your unconscious mind?’ His twin cuts him off again and chuckles as his vexation carries through their link. ‘I love you too, Noll.’
He feels the urge to sigh again. Then all of a sudden, calm washes over him.
‘And so does Luella, who learned how to cook vegetarian meals just for you. And Martin, who supports your causes no matter how outrageous and risky to yourself they are. Madoka, who taught you everything she could about paranormal research. Lin, who watched over you for years and still does, probably…’
Oliver must admit that he does not know what his twin’s intention is, but light, positive feelings begin to flood him together with Gene’s gentle thoughts.
‘Your subordinates in BSPR, who admire and fear you so much they don’t know how to conduct any research other than scientifically, as you taught them. Your friends in Japan, who worked with and took care of you despite being ignorant of your real identity for years. You matter.
‘And of course, there’s Mai, who left her life and friends in Japan and moved to an unfamiliar, completely different country so she could stay with you. You, Oliver Davis, who loves her back but thinks she’s in love with someone long dead.’
His mind is in an uncharacteristic jumble of thoughts, but one rises to the surface of his consciousness: ‘She loves me?’
Gene laughs, and Oliver unusually shares in his twin’s buoyant, tranquil mood.
‘You’ll have to confirm with her when you wake up. Then you’ll finally find someone who can understand you as much as I do and more than I ever will.’
He feels something warm dab his cheek. A memory resurfaces, of Gene kissing his cheek, during the days when they could still swap places in school. He freezes.
‘It’s time for you to be happy, Noll,’ Gene cheerfully says through their link. And then the link severs, plunging Oliver in another state of unconsciousness interspersed with erratic dreams.
In his last dream, he sees Gene standing in a pitch-black space. Before his brother is a tunnel-shaped light, and he watches as Gene uncertainly reaches out. His twin’s hand disappears through it. As if seeing him, Gene turns to him with a peaceful smile before stepping through.
Mai sat in the library, researching the different paranormal cases Dr. Matsuzaki gave the class for the upcoming project. Kazuya and herself need to chose a case to study by the end of the week. Sure, it’s only Monday and they’re yet to go to Dr. Matsuzaki’s class, but Mai wanted to be prepared. She wanted to know exactly which case she wanted and guarantee getting it before anyone else in the class.
Little did she know that the reading for the cases were quite extensive.
After all, the majority of cases were from BSRP and written by Dr. Martin Davis himself.
“Lucky for me, I know his sons,” Mai mumbled to herself as she continued reading the case files. Each one was intriguing, but Mai had yet to find THE ONE, even after sitting in the library reading them for three hours.
Mai reached her hands over her head to stretch and was about to stand when she heard a voice behind her.
“You really should refrain from saying things like that out loud.”
Mai turned towards the voice, not surprised that it was Kazuya.
“Saying what?”
He pulled the chair next to Mai out, sat down and began to pull out his laptop. “You wouldn’t want to break a promise now, would you?”
Mai looked at the raven haired man next to her. “What would happen if I did? Besides, I only ever remembering promising to keep quiet about it as long as your brother doesn’t hurt Michiru.”
“Why not decide your punishment now, then?” Kazuya said as he logged into his computer.
“Like what?”
Kazuya’s hands paused over the keyboard as an idea entered his mind.
“You will go on a date. With me.” His hands resumed their earlier motions as Mai froze.
‘Another date? WITH HIM? Is he serious right now?’ Her mind ran as she processed what he just said. ‘Wait…. That’s if I break my promise of not telling anyone about the Davis’ being Kazuya and Gene’s parents…”
“Alright, Kazuya, you have a deal. If I break my promise of not telling anyone, I agree to go on a date with you. But, if I can go all semester without spilling, YOU have to do something nice for me.”
Kazuya chuckled under his breath. “Wouldn’t allowing you to go on another date with me be doing something nice for you?”
Mai scoffed. “And I thought those rumors weren’t true.”
“Rumors?” Kazuya’s interest was peaked.
“You haven’t heard? Wow…” Mai rolled her eyes and sighed as she continued, “I’ve heard from a few of your past partners that you are very narcissistic. Some believe you either rival Narcissus or are the reincarnation of him.”
“Considering Narcissus is just a greek myth, I highly doubt I could be the reincarnation of him. But,” Kazuya paused and looked into the dark monitor of the library computer in front of him, “I could definitely give him a run for his money.”
“Obviously,” Mai scoffed. “Anyway, if I make it to the end of the semester without telling, you have to do something nice for me. And that does not include going on a date with you.”
Mai extended her hand. “Deal?”
Kazuya smirked as he looked at Mai. “Deal,” he said as he took her hand and shook it.
“Now, let’s get to work shall we?” Kazuya said. “I’d like to have a case chosen by class time.”
…
“You did what?!” Michiru exclaimed as she shot out of her seat at the dinner table. Keiko shot her a look since the sudden motion almost made her spill the drink in her hand all over her shirt.
“I made a bet with Kazuya,” Mai said again as she dipped her sushi roll in soy sauce. “If I didn’t tell a soul about who his parents are the rest of the semester, he has to do something nice for me. If I accidentally told someone, I have to go on a date with him.”
“Why’d you agree to this?” Michiru asked.
“Because I have no reason to tell anyone who his parents are, nor have any intention on telling anyone.”
“She’s confident she’ll win,” Keiko chimed in. “Mai wouldn’t make this bet if she knew that she had a chance of losing.”
Mai smiled at her roommates. “Besides, I have a great opportunity here! I have a chance of impressing Kazuya enough that he could put a good word in for me! This is my chance, Michiru!”
Michiru reached a hand out and placed it on Mai’s resting hand. “Just make sure that you don’t end up falling for Kazuya.”
Mai laughed a little. “Me? Fall in love with that narcissist? I can guarantee you that won’t happen.”
…
“You really made a bet with her?” Gene asked.
“You act as if this is surprising for me to do,” Kazuya said as he took a bite of his dinner. “Besides, it’ll be interesting to see how long Mai will hold out before she tells someone.”
“You just love messing with people, don’t you…” Gene sighed.
“Only certain people,” Kazuya corrected him, “and Mai is quite clever. I’ll have to step up my game with her.”
Gene stood up with his dinner plate and walked past Kazuya. On his way to the kitchen, he put a hand on the younger twin’s shoulder. “Just don’t push this too far to where either one of you get hurt or fall for the other. I know how much you disdain the thought of relationships, but you don’t know if Mai has the same mindset or not. Be careful with this one. For both our sakes.”
Kazuya simply nodded as he finished his dinner as Gene started cleaning the kitchen. He knew this game he was about to start would be a challenge, but Kazuya welcomed it. But, one thing he could assure himself is that he won’t fall in love with Mai.
A/N: A bit shorter chapter this time around. This is honestly turning a different way than I expected, and I do hope nothing is feeling out of place or awkward for characters. This will be a while when it’s done and with school AND work, but I will write whenever I can! So hopefully I can get quite a bit done at work, but we’ll see!
Until next chapter! (Which hopefully will be soon!)
Everyone thinks it was only a matter of time. And yet it is not happening.
Written for: @crazydcchick
Written by: @dreams-of-kalopsia
Prompt: Romance, Fluff, Supernatural, Mystery. Anything related to Mai and Naru in a relationship will make me happy.
Note: Hi again, crazydcchick! :) I couldn’t help myself; I hope you’re in for a six-chapter fic? XD
———-
II: Turbidity – And so they venture, wading through muddy waters.
In Koujo Lin’s opinion, Mai is a refreshing existence in Noll’s life, like the first gasp after drowning for years in a grief he cannot comprehend: shocking, once familiar, and much needed. She is redolent of everything he has lost. She has pushed and pushed him until he learned how to breathe again. Now, he can. And that, for him, should have been enough.
But how could one deprive himself of something so essential, so natural, so abundant and giving?
That is right; Noll could not. And he would not admit it, however perceptible his intentions are becoming.
“Having dinner together again?” Koujo calls out just as Mai is closing the office door, a small smile on his face.
“Oh, no, Lin-san—er, Lin. Naru asked me to bring him some ingredients for his dinner,” the young woman replies offhandedly.
Koujo raises his brows. He is sure he had safely stored Noll’s dinner in the refrigerator before they left this morning. “You know…” he begins. Mai steps back into the office to listen. The words You know Noll does not know how to cook burns at the tip of his tongue, but he holds it and shakes his head. “Never mind. Take care of yourself and Noll. I will take care of the rest here.” With a nod and a wave, she is gone.
He sighs. How masterfully those two dance on such a fine line.
—–
Luella Davis would be lying if she says she is not remotely shocked when Noll comes home with a young woman one summer day. She has always pegged bringing girls home as something Gene—not Noll—would do. But in a tragic twist of fate, her girl-loving Gene is dead and her impassive Noll stands with his fidgeting assistant at the doorstep. So she smiles a bit dazedly and welcomes them. Whatever is happening, whatever relationship those two have, the young woman must be very special to have Noll take her halfway across the planet.
Luella resolves to find out just what sets her apart.
“Welcome to Cambridge, Mai,” Luella greets again with a cuppa after Noll retires to his room. “Well then,” she starts genially, “What excuse did my son give, for you to let him introduce you to his parents?” She finishes with a wink.
Mai turns a lovely red as she splutters something that sounds like “I-It’s not like that, Mrs. Davis.”
Luella laughs, the first genuine one in a while. “Just call me Luella, please. It gives the impression of being as young as you are, no?” Mai finally relaxes, shyly laughing with her.
It really does not take long to see why Mai is so different a young woman. After her initial fidgeting and awkwardness, she begins to talk about everything and nothing. She says she is a psychology major with a minor in English. Apparently, she is visiting the country to check her prospects for a graduate studies fellowship. She intends to work at SPR and conduct research on the psychological aspect of paranormal phenomena: how they are perceived by humans, how they affect humans, and how humans affect or effect them.
“Don’t you get scared, dealing with things you can’t understand?” Luella worriedly asks at one point.
“I am, in all honesty,” Mai replies with a sheepish chuckle. “But I want to understand. We never really understand all the things and people around us—even the ones nearest us—and I think that’s where the fear comes from.” She smiles as her eyes seem to momentarily glaze over. “I want to understand…” After a while, she looks up and continues to talk.
Luella examines the young woman sitting before her. Mai has the vitality, empathy, and kindheartedness that can set anyone at ease. And she has the talent of sharing lots of information without disclosing the pieces that truly matter.
But it is what she neglects to say that Luella hears. Every expressed intention of pursuing graduate studies specifically within the vicinity of Cambridge, every enthusiastic mention of SPR, and every little detail of her planned future is underlain by one thing.
By one person.
Luella’s eyes well with tears. “You’re in love with Noll.” A breathy whisper the other woman fails to catch. When Mai asks for her to repeat it, she surreptitiously wipes at her eyes and smiles a little more warmly, a little more like she used to years ago. “It’s nothing, dear. Should you get your desired MS program after college, you’re very welcome to stay here.” She reaches for Mai’s hand to gently squeeze it.
She can’t say it again. She can’t point it out. Mai has to realize it herself, and Luella prays for it to be just a matter of time.
—–
It is an established office rumor that the Master’s student Mai Taniyama is dating the Dr. Oliver Davis, and Madoka Mori may have had a hand in starting it.
Scratch that.
She definitely started it. In her defense, though, she did it for her darling former student’s sake. And, perhaps, sanity.
Travelling to a different country to freely pursue her passions has done Mai-chan good. Too much good, if Madoka may say so. While Mai-chan had bloomed into a beautiful young woman during her college days, she can now enchant almost anyone she meets without trying or even knowing. All thanks to Ayako-san and Osamu-kun’s intensive crash course on how to “properly interact with colleagues”. Now, Madoka will not deny that watching the unintentional and utterly oblivious femme fatale is downright entertaining—if the daily video calls with Mai-chan’s “life coaches” are any indication—but she admits that she grows more and more worried about Noll.
Because based on her acute observation skills and the reports of friends from way back in Japan, Noll loves Mai-chan.
But that is just where the problem starts.
Noll is an incredibly intelligent and chillingly logical man. His brain is wired that way. What happens, then, if a new, unprocessed, undissected, and very potent emotion overcomes him? How does he deal with it? Madoka unfortunately finds out just how.
Hint: It involves the Pratt Laboratory’s investigation of a nineteenth century hospital.
Hint: A brand new intern blatantly makes a pass at Mai-chan, and Noll witnesses it.
Another hint for good measure: The temperature drops by ten degrees Celsius and poltergeist activities shake the whole building, messing with the intern’s nerves, Noll’s body, as well as the recorded data.
In short, disaster happens.
Only Madoka knows the truth of that incident, having kept an eye out for two of her favorite researchers. And she vows to keep that secret to herself for future blackma—for the sake of her darling former student’s reputation and overall health.
Hence, the rumor.
From then on, no one attempts to openly or even indirectly pursue Mai-chan for fear of incurring a renowned researcher’s cold wrath. Madoka is proud to say that all is back to normal: safe from a scientist who can cause unexplained phenomena.
And then Mai-chan provides great insight on one of their group discussions. And then Noll gives her a small smile only those close to him could ever recognize. And then she flushes.
Madoka groans. Of course. Of course Mai-chan loves Noll, too.
Everyone thinks it was only a matter of time. And yet it is not happening.
Written for: @crazydcchick
Written by: @dreams-of-kalopsia
Prompt: Romance, Fluff, Supernatural, Mystery. Anything related to Mai and Naru in a relationship will make me happy.
Note: This is the last chapter of TAL. Thanks for the prompt, crazydcchick! And thank you to everyone who read this fic! :)
VI: Limpidity, Part 3 – With the shedding of light, they move forward.
Mai’s eyes begin to water with happiness, anger, worry, but most of all, relief. He came back. He tries to get up, and she helps him sit upright. Sitting on the side of his bed and facing him, she asks, “How are you feeling?”
“As I usually do.”
The nonchalance of his response, as if he had not almost completely synchronized with a lingering soul, as if his heart and respiratory system had not failed him, as if he had not just come out of coma, irks her tears away. This guy. “You’re always so reckless,” she huffs.
Oliver focuses on the blue-and-white pattern on the hospital curtain and the gradations of white, gray, brown, and orange of the robin on the windowsill. He reaches for the pillow behind him, noting its softness. He brushes his hand against the starchy white linen of his bed. Lastly, he listens to her voice and angry puffs.
He is back.
Wanting to be sure, wanting to hear more, he gives her a winning smile before saying, “It’s one of my many talents.”
“You!” She flicks his forehead. He glares. “You almost died!” She glares back.
“Nothing that hasn’t happened before, I’m sure.”
Mai sighs. Nine years. They have known each other for nine years, and yet he still does not understand. “You don’t have to understand it, but you have to remember: no matter how many times you’ve defied death before, those who care for you will worry about you every time this happens. Remember that, at least.”
Oliver studies her. He has managed to stop her from crying, and she seems to be at the end of her anger phase. She must be on the verge of cheering up again. He decides to expedite the transition. “Very well.” And as expected, her face brightens with a smile. Now that he has regained his bearings and she has gone through her cycle of moods, he heads straight back to work. “What happened with the investigation?”
“It’s over.”
“In just a few hours?”
“‘Few hours’? You’ve been out cold for days, you idiot.” He smiles cynically, and Mai gets the message: ‘Me, an idiot?’ She laughs lightly. “I mean to say, you’ve been comatose for almost a week and we’ve all been very worried.”
His expression returns to its customary blankness. “Tell me the details.”
Her mood falters. “We determined the identity of the woman in the vision by searching for murder cases that occurred in the area up to ten years before the first recorded deaths in the house. There were no records of a death before then; presumably her family covered up the suicide to save face. We first found the woman’s—Eleanor’s—fiancé, Alexander. He stayed in prison for the rest of his life. He died twenty years ago, twelve years into his sentence.
“Eleanor’s sister, Layla, must’ve been envious of the two’s relationship and set out to take Alexander from her older sister. Despite this, he remained faithful to Eleanor. But she doesn’t know that; she’s blinded by the little gestures that Layla had showed her. That’s how she lost her heart, mind, everything.” She takes a deep breath.
“I cleansed her by relaying everything Alexander would’ve told her if she had just asked him. I corrected her belief that he had shifted his affections to her sister, and I made his choice clear to her, that she was the only one he loved. That was the source of her bitterness and motive for murdering all the couples that lived in the house. But they’ve all passed on safely.
“Anyway, I should call Martin and Luella so they know you’re awake and all right.” She moves to stand, but a hand grabs hers, keeping her in place. She turns to its owner with surprise.
“How do you know?”
“What a—?”
“He’s been dead for twenty years, and his soul had not stayed with her; it’s impossible for you to have asked him. How do you know?” He gazes intensely at her.
A tender smile softens her face.
“It’s really easy, Naru. He wouldn’t take the punishment for her crime if he didn’t care for her freedom.
“He wouldn’t willingly leave his life behind if he didn’t love her.
“And he’s been waiting all this time for her.” Mai lets her words hang in the air, waiting patiently for their underlying meaning to finally reach him. In the meantime, she returns his gaze with a clear, sincere one. They stay that way for a few, long moments, hand in hand, eyes conversing in silence.
Then, he looks away.
Still, silence.
“—I have a terrible personality.”
She laughs. “You think I haven’t figured that out since we first met?”
“I can’t comprehend your feelings all the time.”
“I’ll just make it so you do.”
“I won’t be able to touch you as much.”
“Just like this is fine.”
“…I’m not Gene.”
“That was never an issue.”
Oliver looks back at her. He stretches his free hand tentatively towards her. When she does not move away, he rests it lightly on her face. He feels her shiver beneath his touch. “I’m bad at recognizing my feelings.”
“Don’t worry. I’m great at understanding you.”
He moves his other hand to her waist. Her breath hitches.
Is this really okay?
Am I allowed?
How much further?
He pauses for a split second as he wonders. But, as he is a reckless man, he sheds all hesitation, disregards all logic, ignores all caution against visions, and pulls her into an embrace. He nuzzles against her neck as he takes in her scent: vanilla, black tea, and something he could not name but must be something akin to home.
“Then listen well, Taniyama Mai, because I won’t say it again.” He utters the words in the language she would understand best, so there can be no room for mistakes. Not this time. Not anymore.
“I’ll make you,” Mai replies defiantly despite her breathlessness. She feels rather than sees him smile, and it infects her.
“I love you.”
Her eyes fill with tears. Finally, he chooses her just as she chose him. Finally, their stories are on the same page. Finally, they walk the same path.
“I love you, too.“ Even through her tears she can see the rest of her future, falling into place right before her.
Everyone thinks it was only a matter of time. And yet it is not happening.
Written for: @crazydcchick
Written by: @dreams-of-kalopsia
Prompt: Romance, Fluff, Supernatural, Mystery. Anything related to Mai and Naru in a relationship will make me happy.
Note: Hi, crazydcchick! I know you don’t want main character death, but I hope you’re okay with the occurrence of a character dead. Haha! (I’m sorry, that was lame! Just had to. XD)
———-
IV: Limpidity, Part 1 – The storm razes the walls they had built.
Eugene Davis stirs. His consciousness drifts from sleep to a state that is almost but not quite wakefulness. This is his favorite state, the limbo where the past, present, and future coexist in that infinite moment before he opens his eyes. Where he can reminisce the past, contemplate the present, and forget the unstable future he should not have but has anyway.
He accesses his memories, and he imagines the plush couch of their living room, the tinkling of Luella’s laughter, the gentle smile that Martin makes, the smell of Noll’s tea, and the taste of his own. Then, he proceeds to think about his heartbroken but recovering adoptive parents, the brother he left behind, and the woman his brother does not allow himself to love.
Because Noll thinks Mai loves Eugene, and she knows it but does nothing.
Eugene could not help but feel at fault for causing this conundrum. If only he had told Mai the truth on her first case with Noll. If only he could cross over.
Alas, the former is forever impossible while the latter is as of yet impossible, too. Now, all he can do is watch those two blindly tiptoe along the line separating friendship and love, not knowing that they have already crossed it, and try to help remove the blindfolds they themselves have donned. It is the most he—and, given Noll and Mai’s stubbornness, anyone else—can do at this point.
Eugene opens his eyes. He may be helpless in regard to those two’s relationship, but he is definitely not useless in regard to their research. He already has the basics down, having witnessed the early stages of the current case in the form of a dream: old house, believed to be haunted, eight people allegedly died within—all couples. He concentrates. Indeed, there are eight harmlessly wandering souls that call out to their partners, trying to find each other. But he senses a lone soul. A woman filled with cold murderous intent. She seems to keep the couples trapped in permanent separation. He must warn Noll.
He finds his now-older twin in a bedroom-turned storeroom, lightly touching the excess furniture the previous owners had stowed in there. He searches for a reflective surface, but before he could find one he sees Noll collapse by the dresser. The flitting frames of memories barrage him as the beginnings of a psychometric vision are transmitted through their link.
‘Noll!’ he calls in vain. Too late. The vision is taking over him.
Eugene does the only thing he could do: share the vision with the only person who can help his brother.
—–
She sits at her dresser and gazes at the reflection she can barely recognize as hers. Every part of her seems to have wasted away: her eyes are too hollow, her skin too sallow, her body too thin, her smile too ghastly, her heart too devoid of emotion. Nothing left of the woman who was getting ready to marry the love of her life.
Why did everything have to end this way?
Because she had been the quiet one, the shadow that merely followed her stellar sister.
She remembers her sister who basked and thrived in the limelight, so different from her even though they were barely a year apart, even though they looked so eerily alike. She remembers the boys who could not resist doubting their choice upon seeing the brighter, younger, better version of her. She remembers convincing herself how logical their actions were in spite of the chips that formed in her heart.
Because despite being the invisible one he saw her and chose her.
She feels the flush of her face when he professes his love for her. She feels the skips in her heartbeat when he holds her. She feels the cold metal ring he slips on her finger as fireworks burst in the night sky.
Because her sister wanted her happiness, too.
She sees the furtive glances, the hands that accidentally brush against each other, the victorious gleam of her sister’s eyes. She sees the guilt and at the same time loyalty in his actions as he gets into the passenger seat.
‘Mai!’
She sees the headlights race through the asphalt…
—No. I don’t want to see this!
‘Mai! You have to disconnect from the vision! Help Noll! Hurry!’
…until they illuminate the pale green dress of her sister and…
—Stop!
…the absolute fear in her sister’s eyes.
—STOP IT!!
Mai Taniyama shoots out of the settee she was napping on. Despite her blurred eyesight and ensuing nausea, she careens out of the living room door and to the room where she last saw Naru.
Naru.
He should not have seen that. They should not have taken the case even if it came from a sponsor of the Lab.
But who is she kidding? This is all her fault. She should not have ignored her growing unease and left him alone. All these degrees, and she is as stupid as ever. Tears prick her eyes.
“Rory! Amy!” She calls the first people she lays her eyes on without stopping in her tracks. “Come with me!” The two interns cast confused glances at her and each other but follow obediently. She runs faster.
The sight of the room strikes them. Every piece of furniture levitates. Only one figure remains on the floor.
“Naru!” Leaving the interns rooted to their spots, Mai drops to her knees and scrambles to where Naru lays. She grabs his shoulder to shake him, but the onslaught of thoughts and borrowed memories make her reel. The vision is still continuing.
—It’s better this way. Stop yourself.
…but he loves her sister.
—She loves Gene.
“As a friend and spirit guide!” She fights the vision by rebutting in Japanese. She has to ground Naru. She pulls him upright and forcibly opens his eyes. Then, she holds his hand and shakes him.
She hears him admit to the lies she uttered in the witness stand and his confession to the crime she committed.
“Naru!” Mai tries again. No response. But his thoughts and the vision keep on pouring out. Naru’s psyche is collapsing.
She hears the judge sentence him to twenty-five years in prison.
He has chosen.
—She has chosen.
“Yeah, I have.” She tearfully envelopes him in her arms. “I chose you, Dr. Oliver Davis. I choose you, so you must come back to me. Please, Naru!” she cries desperately.
—Don’t interfere with her feelings.
She has chosen as well. She reaches for the gun on her dresser.
“No! No no no no—Naru, wake up!” She shakes him more frantically now, occasionally slapping his cheek. “Naru!”
She rests the cool barrel against her temple…
“NO! NARU!!”
…and pulls the trigger.
BANG.
The furniture all drop at the same time. From the corner of her eye, she sees the interns jolt as if waking from a dream.
She checks for Naru’s vital signs with trembling hands. Body temperature is dropping. No pulse. He’s not breathing.
Mai stood outside her apartment complex, waiting for Michiru to come out so they could walk to the predetermined meetup spot for the double date.
It had been a long week since Michiru told her, which made class quite awkward.
Well, at least for Mai.
Knowing she was practically forced to go on a date with THE Kazuya Shibuya made her stomach knot up, and not in a good way. She never actually met the man, but his reputation precedes him.
Workaholic.
Tea-addicted.
Know-it-all personality.
But, the most defining characteristic of all: Narcissistic.
Mai heard that it wasn’t the usual kind of narcissism that most people have. Oh no. She’s heard that Kazuya’s narcissism could put Narcissus to shame. Or that he was Narcissus reincarnated, but Mai just found that theory ridiculous.
Having to spend time with THAT did not excite her in the slightest. But, she was doing this for Michiru.
During the week, Michiru had Mai met with the other man in this equation, whom she found out was Kazuya’s twin brother, Toshiaki Shibuya, and was surprised that he was the complete opposite of Kazuya.
Toshiaki was kind, fun-loving and never once talked about himself in the ten-minute conversation Mai had with him. Mai was perfectly fine with Michiru dating Toshiaki, but she was completely against having to go on this double date with Kazuya.
Especially after the email, her parapsychology teacher sent out that day.
…
The email from their professor, Dr. Ayako Matsuzaki, could not have come at a better time for Kazuya. He usually never enjoyed doing case research in pairs, but knowing that he was partnered with Mai and her track record for getting work done, Kazuya believed that this research won’t be as bad this time around.
He watched the older twin as he ran around their apartment, trying in a frantic manner to get ready for the date. Kazuya didn’t want to admit it, but he was actually somewhat looking forward to the date. If for nothing else to learn a little bit more about his case partner. Usually, he wouldn’t care about ‘getting to know’ his partner, but he was intrigued by Mai through the little knowledge he already knew of her.
Spirited.
Caring.
Intentional.
But, he was told she was quite the danger magnet.
Kazuya heard of a few times when out on field work, Mai would get injured or hurt in some way. Especially when shadowing parapsychology detectives. It made him wonder if she had any psychic power like Gene and himself did.
Just one more reason why he was actually looking forward to formally meeting Mai.
…
Mai and Michiru stood at the fountain near the edge of campus. It was only a five-minute walk from their apartment, and both knew that Kazuya and Toshiaki didn’t live far from them.
After waiting and tapping her foot for a good few minutes, Mai exhaled loudly as she leaned against the back of the bench.
“They’re late.”
Michiru placed a hand on Mai’s. “We did show up a little early, Mai.”
Mai looked at the time on her phone.
18:10
“We got here just before 6. It’s 6:10 now.”
Mai stood up and turned towards Michiru.
“Now, I get that you like Toshiaki-san. He’s a great guy Michiru, but if he’s not on time for a first date…”
“We are not late.”
Mai froze. She recognized that voice from class.
Mai turned her head and saw Kazuya and Toshiaki standing behind her. She immediately knew which twin was who.
Toshiaki had a gentle smile on his face while Kazuya had an indifferent look on his face. He didn’t seem excited nor dreaded being there like Mai did.
“Hi, Toshiaki-kun!” Michiru said as she practically jumped from her seat to stand in front of him.
“Hello Michiru-chan, you look lovely,” Toshiaki said as he extended his hand towards Michiru. She took the extended hand and stood next to Toshiaki, a gentle blush dusting her cheeks.
“Kazuya, this is Michiru-chan,” Toshiaki said as he brought their joined hands up to his chest.
“Hello Kazuya-san,” Michiru said cheerfully. Kazuya nodded at her.
He looked towards Mai as Toshiaki continued, “and I believe you know Mai-san.”
Kazuya nodded towards Mai as she eyed him. She noticed a little glint in Kazuya’s eyes, but as quick as it appeared, it was gone. Mai blinked a few times before turning her attention back to the group. Though, Toshiaki recognized that look in his younger brother and he knew tonight was going to be quite interesting.
…
Mai sat next to Kazuya as Michiru and Toshiaki sat across from them. They were only at the restaurant for three minutes before Mai started feeling a little uncomfortable. Even now, the thought that she has to interact with Kazuya made her nervous and want to run out of there, cursing Michiru’s name for pulling her into this situation.
Mai sat there silently as she looked at the menu in front of her, though she wasn’t actually reading the menu. She knew what she was going to have, but needed something to occupy her from the person sitting next to her.
On the walk over, not once did Kazuya speak to her. Michiru and Toshiaki walked in front of them and were quite the chattery pair. Mai quickly learned that Kazuya is not the talkative type.
She let out a small sigh, which didn’t go unnoticed by Michiru.
“So, Kazuya,” Michiru said as she leaned against the table, “what’s your major?”
“Parapsychology,” he said dryly as he continued to look at the menu.
“Interesting, so you share quite a few classes with Mai, right?”
“Only one.” Kazuya closed his menu and looked at Michiru with a blank expression. He was clearly annoyed with the random interrogation, but it didn’t phase Michiru at all.
“Why’s that? You are in your third year, right?”
“I’ve taken similar classes at my university back home before transferring here. The majority of remaining classes are mostly university requirements.”
“Back home?” This got Mai’s attention and the question left her lips before she even realized that she spoke.
Kazuya glanced at her after her sudden interest. “Both Toshiaki and myself are from Britain.”
This really got Mai’s attention as she turned to face both Kazuya and Toshiaki. Michiru did the same.
“So you’re not from Japan?” Mai asked.
“No, we are,” Toshiaki answered. “We were born in Japan, but were quite young when our birth parents moved to America.”
“They passed away when we were almost 5 years old,” Kazuya continued. “After being in the foster system for a year, our adoptive parents found us, adopted us and we moved to London.”
“Martin and Luella have been supportive of our want to learn about our birth country for years,” Toshiaki said, gushing over his parents. “When we decided to go to a university in Japan, they did everything they could to make sure we would have everything we needed while here.”
“You decided you wanted to go to a university here, then convinced me to come along once you found out I could continue my parapsychology studies.”
Toshiaki just smiled at the younger twin. “And you’re enjoying it much more here, aren’t you?”
Kazuya just stared at his brother while Michiru giggled. Mai sat there in silence, surprised by this new knowledge about the Shibuya twins. But, one question remained in her mind.
“So, I take it Kazuya and Toshiaki are your birth names?”
Kazuya nodded to her question while still maintaining eye contact with his brother.
“What’re your adoptive names?” Mai asked.
Toshiaki broke eye contact and smiled as he answered. “My name is Eugene Davis, though everyone calls me Gene. My brother’s name is Oliver Davis. Only certain people are allowed to call him by his nickname.”
“Which is?” Michiru asked as she leaned closer to the man sitting next to her.
“Noll,” Kazuya said as he took a sip of his drink.
Mai and Michiru looked towards the younger twin before looking at the older twin, who was quite baffled that his brother up and said his name out loud.
“Neither of you are allowed to call me that,” Kazuya said as he put his drink back down. “And Gene, please refrain from saying our adoptive names out loud. You know the reason why mother and father suggested we use our birth names.”
“Like anyone here would know the…” Gene started, but Mai spoke up.
“Martin and Luella Davis. Two of the most successful minds in parapsychology who own BSPR and whose research has impacted the industry so much that an unpaid internship at BSPR is one of the most valued positions in the field.”
It was Kazuya and Gene’s turn to be surprised.
“What?” Mai asked as she looked at the twins. “Anyone who wants to be something in parapsychology always looks towards the Davis family and aspired to work with them. I heard that they adopted kids who have quite the psychic abilities. I never in a million years would have thought I’d meet them.”
Kazuya forced himself to keep from rolling his eyes. He knew this speech. Next, he expected Mai to either show off their powers or help her get a position at BSPR. Or worse…
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul who you two are. On one condition.”
Kazuya was about to respond, thinking she would demand something from them, but Mai stared at Gene instead of them both. The intensity Mai’s eyes made Gene a little nervous.
“You better treat Michiru right. The moment I hear her crying because of you, you’ll regret the day you crossed me.”
Gene sighed internally before sitting up straight and returning a confident, yet caring smile to Mai before looking at Michiru.
“I promise I’ll treat Michiru-chan right.” He took one of her hands into his and turned back to Mai. “I give you full permission to come after me if I break this promise.”
Mai smiled to herself as she leaned back in her seat. “Good.”
A/N: Oh wow… did not know where this chapter wanted to go! And I do apologize if you got confused at any time in this chapter with the different names for Naru and Gene popping up, especially for Gene. I could not for the life of me find anywhere Gene’s Japanese name. So, I went and found one to use.
“Toshiaki” has three different meanings.
“bright and alert”
“bright and clever”
“bright and happy”
I always think that Gene was quite the bright and happy person. Knowing everything he and Naru did together with their powers, Gene had to be alert. His cleverness, in my opinion, is not just from his intelligence, but from being able to read people and a situation.
That’s how I decided on Gene’s name. And this’ll probably be the only chapter it comes up! But if it does pop up later, just remember that Toshiaki is Gene.
And if Naru seems a bit OOC at the moment, just remember that his brother is alive and he interacting with him, so I would imagine Naru is a little different in this situation.
Soon I’ll be getting to the Maru (MaixNaru) goodness, so just hang in there! Gotta get there first before we can enjoy the impending fluff.
A/N: This is going to be quite a few chapters long. It’s definitely a slow burn with eventual MaixNaru (or as I refer to them, Maru). I never really like starting a story with them together, so this just follows along with that!
This story is a part of the Ghost Hunt Exchange on Tumblr and is written for taemakesmewoozi! Hope you enjoy this slow burn. And trust me, when I’m asked to do fluff, you’ll know. So expect there to be fluffy moments down the line.
Also, possible spoilers for the show if you’ve only seen the show. (Throwing that out there just in case.)
Please enjoy “It’s Complicated”. :)
Chapter 1: A What!?
Mai had her mind made up. After the last guy broke her heart, she decided that love just wasn’t for her. Romantic love was forever lost to her after Shiro dumped her on their one-year anniversary.
‘Who even does that?’ she had asked herself weeks after. ‘Who breaks up with someone on the one year anniversary?’
Mai decided, after a few tubs of ice cream and some bad movie watching with Keiko and Michiru, that she was forever off the market. She’d die alone with thirty dogs by her side.
Keiko and Michiru thought otherwise.
“Mai, it’s only senior year!” Michiru said.
“Just wait until university,” Keiko said with a smile. “I mean, just imagine all those cute college guys! You’d really give up like that?”
Mai just nodded. “I’ve been through too much already. Maybe dating and being in love is just not for me.”
…
Three Years Later
“MAI!”
She turned around to see Michiru running towards her. Mai couldn’t help but smile a little.
“What’s up, Michiru?”
Michiru stopped to catch her breath. “You’d never guess what I just did.”
Mai placed her forefinger on her chin and thought for a moment before saying, “You decided to switch majors and join me in the science program.”
Michiru laughed.
“No, silly!” Michiru grabbed Mai’s hands and smiled. “I found you a guy to go out with!”
Mai rolled her eyes as she slipped her hands from Michiru’s grasp.
“Michiru, I already told you. I don’t want to date.”
“Please? Just this once.”
Mai eyed Michiru. “Why?”
She sighed. “Because I just got asked out and I didn’t want to go alone, so I only agreed on one condition.
“And that was?”
Michiru smile was borderline mischievous.
“A double date.”
“…A what!?”
Michiru smiled. “A double date!”
Mai glared at her best friend. “A double date. Really, Michiru!”
“I’ve only met the guy like once before! I only even considered it because he’s cute…”
Mai rolled her eyes. “Why can’t Keiko go with you?”
“Because she already has a boyfriend and wouldn’t agree to a double date. You know those two.”
Mai nodded. Keiko met her boyfriend, Yūsuke, their first year at university. She’s been head over heels ever since. Mai liked Yūsuke. He treated Keiko well and he knew what would happen if he broke Keiko’s heart. Mai and Michiru made sure of that the first time they met him. Almost scared the poor guy away.
“Sometimes they’re too private…” Mai said. “But you should still ask her before me. At least she would already have someone to go with.”
“But I promised him that I had a friend that his friend could go with! So that means Keiko is out of the question. You’re the only one that doesn’t have a boyfriend or someone trying to catch your attention.” Michiru clapped her hands together in a praying manner and bowed her head. “Please, Mai? Just this once?”
Mai sighed as she placed a hand on her forehead. “Fine. But just this once.”
Michiru jumped up and cheered before giving Mai a massive hug.
Why did Mai have the feeling that she would regret this?
…
Kazuya tugged the keys from his pocket, almost anxious to open the door. He couldn’t wait to get inside, make himself a cup of tea and lock himself in his room. He still couldn’t believe that he let his brother talk him into coming back to Japan to go to university. Kazuya had no need to go. He already had a bachelor’s, masters and two Ph.D.’s. At the age of 22, Kazuya didn’t see the need for another degree.
But his brother was adamant about it.
“Haven’t you ever wondered what school would be like in our homeland?”
“No. I have no need for it, Gene.”
“Noll….. Just come with me. You don’t have to enroll if you don’t want to.”
But enroll he did. Once he found out that the university his brother chose had a degree program in the paranormal, he couldn’t stay away. And he knew Gene knew that too.
Kazuya opened the door and walked into their apartment, headed straight for the kitchen. After a few moments, he had his tea in hand when he felt someone’s presence in the room with him.
“Welcome home brother!”
Kazuya turned around to see his older brother smiling at him. Kazuya knew that smile anywhere. And he didn’t like what it implied.
“Soooo….”
“No,” Kazuya said as he walked around elder brother towards his room.
“Awwww come on Noll!” Gene said as he turned around, watching his brother walk away. “I hadn’t even said anything yet.”
Kazuya stopped in his tracks to look at Gene. “You don’t have to say anything when that smile you had was enough to know that…”
“We have a double date!”
Kazuya rolled his eyes as he held in a groan. He hated when Gene did this.
“Come on Noll, you’ve been nothing but school, school, school for the past three months! You need a break and this little date would be perfect for that!”
“Gene, you know I don’t date.”
Gene nudged his brother’s shoulder. “That’s only because you haven’t met the right girl yet. Come on, just this once. Please?”
Gene shot his brother his infamous puppy dog eyes.
Kazuya looked at him for a moment before turning back towards his room.
“No.”
Gene sighed as the door practically slammed shut. He was determined to get his younger brother to let loose for once and go on this date. He thought for a minute what he could do before a light bulb went off in his head. Gene grabbed his phone and sent a text to his date.
…
Mai was sitting at the desk in her room when she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in!”
The door opened to reveal Michiru and Keiko. Mai groaned as she turned her attention back to her homework. She did not need them distracting her from her research paper. It was hard enough considering that her access to actual parapsychology cases was limited to begin with.
“Maaaaaiiiiiii….” Keiko said, drawing out her name. Before Mai knew it, she was turned around in her chair, looking at Keiko with Michiru behind her. She heard a quick click of Keiko’s phone, and just as fast as they entered, her best friends and roommates had left her.
Mai groaned as she stood up and went to the living room to confront them.
“Why’d you take a picture of me?”
“My date asked for one,” Michiru said in a matter-of-fact tone like it was obvious that’s why they rushed into her room and disrupted her studies.
“Why?”
“So his friend knows what you look like, silly!” Michiru said. “Apparently he’s having a hard time convincing his friend to go on this double date.”
“He’s not the only one…” Mai grumbled.
“Do you wanna know what he looks like?” Michiru said as she and Keiko snaked to Mai’s side.
She sighed. “It probably won’t change my mind either way… and you’re probably going to get his picture whether I ask for it or not.”
..
Gene knocked on Noll’s door and opened it before his brother had a chance to deny him entry.
“It’s not polite to come into someone’s room without permission.”
Gene shrugged. “At least I knocked this time.”
He made his way over to his brother’s desk. Gene gently, but quickly, turned Kazuya’s chair away from his desk before quickly taking a selfie of the two and left the room.
Kazuya rolled his eyes at his brother’s action.
‘He act’s like the younger brother….’ Kazuya thought before returning to his studies.
Gene would do this stunt quite a bit. Noll never wants to take a picture with Gene, so the oldest brother has found quite the sneaky ways to get a picture with Noll.
He went to take another sip of tea to only find it gone. Kazuya sighed before saving his paper and going out to the kitchen to make another cup.
…
Mai sat in the living room, sandwiched between Keiko and Michiru. She did not like this one bit. She was against the whole double date and quite frankly couldn’t care less who the other person was. Apparently, he wasn’t excited about being dragged on a date as well. She could at least sympathize with him.
Michiru’s phone on the coffee table buzzed, notifying them that she received a text. No doubt from her date.
She quickly picked up the phone and opened the text message.
Michiru’s eyes went wide. First with shock, then with excitement. “Maaii….” she said almost in a sing-song voice. “I think you’ll be ok with this date…”
…
Gene saw Noll walk out of his room and decided that he would put his little plan into action now. He was grateful for his date being able to get a picture so quickly. He recognized the girl with his date in the photo and had a strong feeling his brother would too.
Gene followed him into the kitchen.
“Sooo…. Wanna see what your date looks like?” He said leaning into his brother’s personal space.
Noll slightly rolled his eyes at his brother’s antics. “If I must,” he sighed.
…
“Just show me!” Mai almost yelled. She was getting tired of Michiru and her excitement about this. Mai just wanted to go back and write her paper.
Michiru turned her phone towards Mai and smiled.
Mai leaned in and her eyes went wide.
‘Not him. Anyone BUT him!’
…
Noll’s eyes widened just a little.
“Her?”
Gene nodded.
Noll rolled his eye as he finished with his tea and walked back to his room.
“You excited now, Noll?”
He looked at his brother before turning back to his room and shut the door behind him. A small smirk made its way on his face. He knew of Mai Taniyama.
Quite well, actually.
She was dedicated to parapsychology and the class they shared. He knew that she was fun to mess with from overhearing conversations from classmates about her, but he never had the opportunity to do it himself. And if there was one thing besides parapsychology that Kazuya liked, it was messing with people.
Maybe this double date wouldn’t be so bad.
…
Mai looked at the picture of the broody student from her parapsychology class. His eyes were the same as they usually are when she sees him in class. Dull and irritated.
Next to him was almost the exact copy of him. The only difference was the other guy was smiling while her classmate had a blank expression on his face.
