Masako realized she had halted her step in front of the window. She stole another glance at the garden below, only to find it empty.
She involuntarily put her sleeve in front of her face to hide her troubled expression.
“Did you sense something?” Mai inquired with this annoying, everlasting concern of hers. That only served to worsen Masako’s mood.
“No.”
The answer was as cold and confident as it needed to be, but Mai didn’t seem convinced. “Eh? Why did you stop so suddenly then?” she asked with a frown. “Are you sure there’s nothing?”
Masako hesitated a second. The dark silhouette she had seen in passing, she was almost certain it was him, but… no, especially because it was him, she wouldn’t tell her.
“Yes. Nothing.” she replied curtly. “Let’s continue.”
Mai looked irritated by her icy tone, but shrugged nonetheless. “Okay then. Let’s go.”
Masako laid still on her makeshift bed, replaying the scene again and again in her head.
After that they had gone straight to base, where Naru was sat, watching the monitors with his usual stern expression. She had had a hard time hiding her confusion at seeing him here, when she had been so sure she had seen him in the garden not a minute before.
This could have been an honest misunderstanding, a minor incident, and could be easily overlooked if it had happened only once. However Masako couldn’t deny that she regularly caught a glimpse of what she thought was Naru, only to find later that it hadn’t been him.
But the details of her memories were so vivid, so accurate, that she could only accept her brain had forged them. The way his black vest clung on his frame, the soft way his hair caught the light, even the particular angle he held his head…
Hallucinations?
She forced a deep breath through her nose. It wasn’t the first time she had questioned her sanity. With an ability like hers, it had to be expected.
But it scared her all the same.
The image of her own parents whispering the dreaded question, as they argued about her over the kitchen table, still haunted her to this day. Hallucinations, her father was saying, his face grim and his eyes tired behind his spectacles. An imaginative child’s delusions, her mother was reassuring, her tone hopeful despite the worry in her gaze.
Then there was the guilty look they harboured when they noticed her venturing sleepily in the kitchen for a glass of water or a last goodnight kiss.
The feeling of being inadequate hadn’t left her after that.
Still, she had proven to herself, and to rest of the world, that she wasn’t crazy but gifted. She had even become famous, her talents recognized by her peers. Of course ghosts were real, she was reminded of the fact everyday in her field of work! She had shown them!!But what if, was the nagging thought at the back of her mind, what if, amidst real ghosts, there was something else?
Could she even trust herself?
Masako closed her eyes tightly in a futile attempt to push an onslaught of bitter memories away. The voices of her former classmates were ringing in her ears.
She’s a liar. She’s weird. My mom told me not to play with her. She only wants attention. She’s not normal. She’s scary.
She’s crazy.
Masako’s heart was hammering savagely in her ribcage, threatening to burst out of it, as doubt seeped deeper into her mind.
Was everything she’d seen so far a product of her imagination?
Was I truly crazy all along?
The shadows playing on the pale ceiling in the obscurity of the room, the dark, still forms of her coworkers sleeping next to her, now everything felt like an illusion. Uncertain. Oppressive. Masako found she had a hard time breathing.
I am not insane, she repeated in her mind like a mantra, trying to stop her anxiety spiralling out of control.
I am not insane!
She wanted to scream.
Mai suddenly mumbled something in her sleep and rolled in her bed, shattering the overwhelming stillness of the room and breaking Masako from the endless circle of her thoughts.
Relief washed over her like a soothing wave.
Heart still thumping loudly, she focused on Mai’s slow and steady breathing and tried to match it. After a while, her taut muscles started to unwind, and the hazy fog of fear clouding her mind started to dissipate.
The situation now appeared before her eyes with evident clarity.
Masako let a wry smile twist her lips. She was not insane.
But she was probably crazy.
Crazy enough to fight a losing battle to get Naru. Crazy enough to stoop so low as to use a secret of his to get closer, only to earn his contempt in the process.
So crazy that she was seeing him everywhere.
She had lost her senses indeed. It seemed she was desperately in love.
A cynical chuckle passed Masako’s lips. Who would have thought being crazy could be so perfectly logical?
She sighed and looked at her rival’s quiet form with an ambivalent mixture of camaraderie and jealousy. She wondered if Mai was suffering from a similar ailment. Was she dreaming about Naru? Was she also obsessed with him to the point of having her brain play tricks on her?
Probably not, Masako thought sourly. Mai didn’t have to resort to illusions, after all.
Masako closed her eyes and wished for sleep to claim her. In her dreams, at least, she was able to forget about Naru, or to have him all to herself.
But once she woke up, she knew the harsh reality wouldn’t let her forget the truth.
This woman is one of my very favorite people in the Ghost Hunt fandom. She’s such a talented writer too, and I feel motivated every time I visit her blog! I’m so lucky to count her as one of my long-time readers <33
Finally! I am able to post some fan art! This is for @frenchcirce, and her amazing fic, Pride, Narcissism, and Prejudice! My phone continues to anger me and won't let me link anything, so i reblogged the review/link before it posted this.
The lovely Sam asked for something fun and fluffy, if possible about minor characters. I hope I won’t disappoint with this little story about a blooming friendship (or more hehehe). I’m rusty and it shows, but I did my best!
“Welcome to Shibuya Psychic Research… Oh Masako! What a surprise, we were not expecting you!”
Masako watched with hidden amusement Mai’s expression change from her perfunctory professional smile to wide, surprised eyes to a happy welcoming grin in less than two seconds.
The girl really was an open book.
“Good evening,” she greeted back in cool politeness, eyeing intently the door Mai was still holding half-closed. “May I come in?”
“Ah sorry, of course!”
Mai had the decency to look ashamed while opening the door in full and making way for Masako to step in.
“But what brings you here exactly?” Mai asked with furrowed brows. “Because if you’re here to see Naru–”
Masako shot her an annoyed glance. Was that a proper way to welcome visitors?
“What do you think I came for?” she interrupted, determined to mirror Mai’s level of rudeness. “Work of course.”
“Ah, but–”
Masako ignored Mai to greet Yasuhara, who was coming back to his desk with several folders in hand. He stopped and saluted politely, and Masako shot Mai a significant glance. At least someone here had manners.
“Yasuhara-san. Good evening.”
“Hara-san,” the young man answered.
“Hara-san,” echoed a sharp voice behind her.
Naru.
Masako smiled despite herself. She turned to greet him back, but Naru passed her without stopping, his features set in this focused look he only sported when he was absorbed with this work.
“Mai, get ready, we should be on our way already.”
The smile on her lips fell as suddenly as it had appeared, and Masako thought it wiser to hide her treacherous mouth behind her kimono sleeve.
She regretted stopping by the office already. It was obvious Naru had other plans and would only see her presence as a bother.
“Geez Naru, we’re not even a minute late!” Mai scolded.
Naru put his coat on with a little more determination than necessary and glared at his assistant. Mai didn’t flinch, too used to being the aim of his death stares.
“Plus Masako is here for a case, it may be important, you know?”
That made Naru pause.
Mai let out a triumphant huff and Masako tried to ignore the pang of disappointment in her stomach.
Work. Of course. She only existed in his eyes through work..
“Is it an urgent matter, Hara-san?”
Even the way he was addressing her was ever mindful of putting a respectable distance between them. The very professional Hara-san.
She despised the honorifics in his mouth.
Masako bit her lip, tempted to lie and say the case needed his immediate attention. But the bitter reminder that deceiving Naru had proven to be a poor choice, always, made her reconsider.
She shook her head. “No, it can wait.”
The flicker of interest in Naru’s gaze died immediately and Masako could only watch him forget her presence altogether. He went back to glaring at Mai who took too long to get ready, and Mai, of course, was glaring right back at him while haphazardly throwing things into her purse and berating him for his lack of manners.
The situation was nothing out of the ordinary, really. If anything it should have been comical, the way those two were arguing. But Masako caught herself clenching her jaw.
Surprised by the surge of jealousy she forced her muscles to relax, grateful for the secrecy her sleeve was providing.
She had thought she was over it, over him.
Yet the intimate, almost fond way Naru called Mai, just Mai, had made her yearn for the level of closeness those two were sharing.
Why couldn’t she just be Masako?
Masako willed herself to smother the embers of longing in her heart. It was just a stupid name, it was no reason to feel inadequate and lonely. She knew where Naru’s affections lay, and she had made peace with the situation a long time ago.
She couldn’t let herself get troubled over this.
She schooled her features and allowed her sleeve to drop, revealing her best neutral expression. Thankfully Mai and Naru were too busy bickering to notice her discomfort.
She took a steadying breath, her mind racing to find a dignified way to make her exit. Whatever she had to say about her case could wait until she recovered.
“I see my timing is most inconvenient,” she started, satisfied by the firmness of her voice. “Maybe–”
“On the contrary, your timing is perfect Hara-san.”
Masako bristled, startled. Yasuhara. She had almost forgotten his presence.
“I was about to have a cup of tea and some company would be appreciated, if you don’t mind staying.”
Masako turned her head slowly to face him, slightly panicking.
Did he notice her little display of jealousy?
She found him smiling politely like usual, his penetrative gaze unreadable behind his spectacles.She narrowed her eyes, trying to gauge his intentions.
His intervention did spare her the embarrassment of leaving like the unwanted guest she was, but Yasuhara was known for having his own agenda. What exactly did he want her for?
She hesitated a moment, but the option he was offering was less mortifying than being shooed out so she gave her assent with a graceful nod.
“That would be my pleasure,” she muttered
Yasuhara grinned widely, his gaze leaving her for Mai. Who had stopped putting her coat on to look between Yasuhara and Masako, an insufferable knowing smirk blooming onto her lips. Masako refrained an exasperated roll of her eyes. For someone supposedly so instinctive her friend could be quite oblivious.
“I’ll let you enjoy some quality time together, you lucky ones–” Mai smiled, the teasing light in her eyes soon disappearing as she remembered the actual reason why she was heading out “–while I do Naru’s biding. Can you believe it? He is using me as his henchman to carry his heavy stuff!”
“And I pay you for it, so you have no ground for complaining,” the young man tersely countered, his hand tapping the door handle impatiently.
Mai stuck out her tongue at him but obediently followed nonetheless when he kept the door open for her.
“Yeah, yeah I know. See you later guys! ” she waved.
“Yasuhara, you can close the office when you’re finished, I won’t come back.”
“Understood boss. See you tomorrow, Taniyama-san!”
After a brief nod en lieu of a goodbye Naru shut the door, leaving Masako alone with Yasuhara in a silent office.
Masako realized with a start it was the first time she had to deal with Yasuhara without Mai or the SPR extras around. It was somehow unnerving.
The awkward atmosphere drew for a few moments before Yasuhara dispelled it with a practiced host smile.
“Please take a seat Hara-san. I’ll be back immediately.”
He then disappeared in the little kitchen, the sound of of clattering cups soon filling the void Mai’s chatter had left.
Masako let herself drop on the nearest sofa with a tired sigh.
She shouldn’t have come.
It had been a mistake using this case as an excuse to see Naru. She should have just called, but she had been looking forward to chatting with Mai, too.
Mai. If only she hadn’t shown this stupidly genuine smile when she had recognized her at the door. If only she could hate Mai and blame her for the heartache.
Of course she couldn’t.
Because of the happy way she called her Masako. That was what had started their friendship, the unaffected way Mai was treating her, calling her by her first name. Like she had done with Naru.
“If only she wasn’t so familiar,” she sighed out loud.
“I suppose you’re talking about Taniyama-san?”
Masako almost gasped. How come she hadn’t heard Yasuhara approaching? She was starting to believe he was making a point catching her off guard.
The young man was standing right in front of her, a tray in hand and a slightly amused smile on the lips. He didn’t wait for her to confirm and carefully put their two mugs on the table.
“Speaking of whom, she’s the one who made the tea, so it is safe drinking.”
Masako took the cup wordlessly, trying to hide her blush with the motion. She hoped he hadn’t hear the resentment in her voice.
“She does act too familiar,” she defended meekly.
Yasuhara sat on the couch, putting the empty tray next to him.
“It is what makes her so easy to befriend–”
Or to love, Masako thought wryly. But didn’t dare say it out loud.
“–Let’s say that’s part of her charm.”
Yasuhara’s voice was even and light, but Masako could swear there was something in the undertone. Something deeper and darker.
It was as if…
Oh. Oh.
She put her cup back on the table, her full attention now on him. It was time to ask about something that had bothered her for quite some time, and to confirm her little theory.
“Is that why you keep calling her by her family name? To avoid falling pry to her charm?”
The question was asked in a mundane manner, but the atmosphere shifted as soon as the words left her mouth.
She watched Yasuhara’s reaction closely. His easy going smile tightened and his back straightened imperceptibly in a rare display of discomfort.
Touché.
He recovered at an impressive speed though, flashing a playful grin.
“Would you believe it if I told you it is out of pure politeness?”
Masako arched doubtful eyebrows.
“No.”
The unexpected bluntness of the answer had Yasuhara laughing out loud. He sighed in mock defeat and looked at Masako with something akin to appreciation.
“I figured.”
Masako should have felt relieved. She had the upper hand in their conversation since she had confirmed what she suspected about Yasuhara’s inclinations. However it was sympathy instead of triumph that was creeping into her chest.
Funny how sharing a similar pain could make you feel closer to someone.
In the meanwhile Yasuhara had engrossed himself in the thoughtful contemplation of his mug. It was the one Mai, Ayako and Masako had bought him right before Naru had left.
“You know,” he mused with a half-smile, “you’re the first one to ever ask.”
His gaze was unexpectedly honest behind his glasses, and Masako’s scruples about having wrangled this secret out of him vanished at the sight. How lonely must he have been, bearing the weight of his feelings by himself?
“That doesn’t surprise me,” she said softly, ‘they’re all idiots.”
That earned a chuckle from Yasuhara, and his lips turned into a boyish grin which spoke of mischief.
“How dare you call big boss an idiot!”
Masako couldn’t help a laugh at the mock offence. If felt good to make fun of Naru after this disastrous evening.
“He deserves it,” she huffed. “He and Mai are two peas in a pod in that regard.”
The memory of Mai teasing them about having tea together had Masako wrinkle her nose in distaste. There should be a limit to obliviousness! Poor Yasuhara.
“And the rest of them are no better,” she resumed after a thoughtful pause, “You never denied you liked Mai but you never made any fuss about it, so people just assumed your feelings weren’t deep. That was actually a really clever way to hide it, provided you didn’t give her special treatment calling her Taniyama-san, of course.”
Yasuhara raised falsely scandalized eyebrows.
“That’s a flawed argument, I call you Hara-san too.”
Masako pressed her lips together in displeasure. Everyone was putting her at a distance with these stupid honorifics. It made her feel left out somehow.
“You do,” she admitted, ignoring the sting of the comment. “You give almost everyone else a nickname though, even your elders. As you junior and your closest colleague it would be normal you called Mai by her given name. Especially since everyone but you does.”
Yasuhara put his hands up in surrender.
“I can’t hide anything from you, Hara-san. You’re far too observant.”
Masako shook her head, a wry smile on her mouth.
“No, I’m just another victim of Mai’s familiarity. I tried to keep my distance from her the same way. And now I call her Mai and can’t help thinking of her as a friend,” she grumbled. “How am I supposed to compete against someone like her?”
Yasuhara took a sip from his mug and leaned into the couch.
“You think you have it bad?” he asked in a joking tone. “I was doomed from the start! Having big boss as an opponent was terrible, he put my good looks and intellect to shame!”
Masako put her finger on her chin, falsely pensive.
“You’re right, I can at least console myself thinking I’m the more beautiful of the two. You don’t have such a luxury I’m afraid…”
Yasuhara made a face and clutched his heart as if mortally wounded.
“Hara-san, have some mercy!”
Masako couldn’t help but laugh at the theatrics. It reminded her of the Yoshimi’s case, when Yasuhara had raised everyone’s spirit just by joking with Bou-san. Making fun of himself for the sake of others.
“It’s better to admit the hard truth,” she deadpanned. “By the way,” her tone softened, “I owe you some thanks for today.”
A flash of understanding passed in Yasuhara’s gaze. Masako wondered if today’s scene had been painful for him, too.
The man really had a good heart, it was a shame he got it broken.
Did Mai even know what she was missing?
“Not at all. Actually, I’ve wanted to talk with you for quite a while. I never got the chance to ask before today, I figured it was now or never.”
“I-Is that so?”
Masako couldn’t determine if Yasuhara was trying to spare her feelings or if he was sincere, but she appreciated he made it look like he really wanted to get know her better. She had had enough of feeling unwanted for the day.
“Thank you for asking then.” She let a sincere, grateful smile brighten her lips. “I’m glad I stayed.”
Yasuhara’s eyes widened like he just realized something, and his own mouth split into a hearty grin before letting a hearty laugh out.
“I’m grateful you accepted my invitation,” he said. “I should have done this a lot earlier. It really cheered me up and I feel up to some competition after all,” he muttered.
He ignored Masako’s questioning stare and flashed his best charming smile.
“What about we do this again some other time Hara-san…”
He hesitated a second.
“Or do you mind if I call you Masako?”
Masako nodded wordlessly, ignoring the blush the use of her name was putting on her cheeks.
Masako.
A word that started a friendship.
And for some reason she didn’t mind the familiarity in his mouth.
My part of the GHFE2019! I got @frenchcirce , and had perhaps too much fun with this. I was given some pretty free reign with this, so I went with a supernatural bit of mystery writing! Added in a dash of romance as well. Hope you enjoy it! From: @theroyalprussianarmy
This was written for Mai’s and GHHQ’s birthday. Happy birthday guys, it’s been a pleasure working with you during these two years! Also, a huge thanks to Snavej for beta-reading this, her helpful suggestions are what made this oneshot sound decent.
Rays of sunshine gently tickled her eyelids and woke Mai up from her slumber. She moaned and stretched lazily under her covers, eager to enjoy another minute of sleep. But her alarm clock decided otherwise and ringed loudly, depriving her from any additional moment of rest.
She got up with a sigh, dragging her tired limbs toward the bathroom. Her morning routine got her washed, dressed and ready to go to work. Before leaving she took a look at the calendar with drowsy eyes.
July, the third.
A day like any other.
She closed the door and left.
The pale sunlight filtering through the curtains told Mai it was finally morning. With all the energy of her young age she bolted up, eyes wide open in delight. She left her bed at the speed of light, rushing to get dressed. A few moments later she was in the kitchen, her uniform slightly askew and her hair vaguely arranged, grinning happily.
Today was the day, her day!
On the table breakfast was ready and Mai wasted no time to dig in. She ate alone, her mother having already left for work, but Mai didn’t dwell on her absence. In front of her were her favourite dishes, that had been prepared just for her, and in the evening they would get some time together. Her mother even promised her a present!
Mai sighed contentedly, her stomach full and the plates almost empty. She cleaned the table and before leaving took a look at the calendar.
July, the third.
Her favorite day.
She closed the door and left, a gleeful smile on her face.
Mai put the last video tape in the box, watching with satisfaction the stack of perfectly labelled evidence she had just compiled, all in chronological order. She got up from her desk to file it in the storage room and glanced at the clock.
Almost six.
A few more minutes and she would be able to go home.
She came back and began packing her things under the watchful stare of her coworker.
“Are you leaving Mai-chan?” Yasuhara asked, frowning at the clock on the wall. “It’s not even six!”
Mai laughed.
“Where does that come from? Are you Naru’s spy or something? Don’t worry, I won’t leave a second sooner than I’m allowed.”
Yasuhara squinted at her. “You’ve blown my cover. You know that means I can’t let you live now.”
Mai rolled her eyes at his poor impersonation of a mob boss, but couldn’t help a giggle.
“However I’m not insensitive to corruption,” he whispered in a conspiratory manner, “if you offer me more than Naru, I may work for you instead.”
“How much for your loyalty?”
“A really small price for the efficient agent that I am, really. Let’s say a cup of tea?”
“Isn’t that too good of a deal?” Mai mocked a frown. “It feels like I am being played.”
Yasuhara put a hand on his heart, the very image of innocence.“Not at all Mai-chan. I’m just in a generous mood.”
“Let’s call it a deal then. But you better earn it!”
Yasuhara offered a blinding, sly smile, in response. The gesture, which usually spoke of mischief, made Mai shoot him a wary look but, finding nothing dubious in his request, she got up to busy herself in the kitchen.
When she came back with the tea poured and ready to be delivered she found Yasuhara wasn’t alone at his desk anymore. Around him were standing all the SPR irregulars.
“Mai-chan!” Takigawa cried before she could even express her surprise to see everyone gathered at the same time. “Take your things and let’s go! We’re going out to eat, my treat!”
Mai blinked a few times. “Uh? But—” she started.
“Hurry up before he changes his mind,” Ayako advised, picking Mai’s tray while John and Masako politely greeted her.
“I’m treating Jou-chan, not you!”
“But, why—” Mai tried again, confused.
“Like we wouldn’t celebrate your birthday,” Takigawa laughed, putting an heavy arm on the girl’s shoulder.
“How do you even know it’s my birthday?” Mai asked with a frown, swatting his arm away. “I’m pretty sure I never told you!”
Yasuhara’s suspicious smile and his insistence she stayed a few more minutes suddenly made sense.
“Yasuhara! You didn’t!” she cried in betrayal.
“I plead guilty!” He grinned, not even trying to deny it.
“I have no idea why you’re so secretive about this, you’re too young to be bothered by your age increasing by a year,” the priestess grumbled, silencing Monk’s upcoming comment about her own waning youth with a menacing glare.
Mai shrugged. “It’s not that I mind you knowing, really. I just lost the habit to celebrate.”
Takigawa shot her an equally scandalized and pitying stare.
“That’s a shame! Good thing we came to remind you how to properly party!”
“And of course you had to do this here. May I remind you this is not your hangout?”
Mai almost jumped when she heard Naru’s stern voice, and hastily turned around to apologize on the others’ behalf for making a ruckus and disturbing his precious peace. But to her surprise he grabbed the cup on the tray and downed the tea in one gulp, before putting it back with a resounding thud.
“Now let’s go.”
Takigawa nugged Mai in the ribs.“You heard the boss!”
Mai stared at Naru with huge, bewildered eyes. Had he just said he was coming? To eat out with his noisy team? For her birthday?
“Naru, you… You agreed to this?”
“They would have done it without my consent anyway,” he answered stoically. “And I wanted to try this restaurant.”
“That’s the spirit!” Takigawa cheered while Mai just stood there gawking.
The team headed out as loudly as it came, dragging a dazed Mai in its wake.
They were all so annoying and noisy, she thought.
But she couldn’t help a smile.
Mai waited. And waited, eyes glued to the clock. The minutes were ticking by but the door stayed resolutely shut.
It wasn’t an odd occurrence to find herself alone at this hour, her mother often had to work long shifts, but on this special day Mai had hoped they could spend the evening together. It was almost midnight now, and Mai knew she would probably fall asleep soon. She rarely managed to resist sleep.
She sighed forlornly, ready to leave the living room and go to bed when the unmistakable sound of the key in the lock stopped her.
The next second her mother appeared in the doorframe, looking apologetic and short of breath, probably from running.
“I’m home,” she managed between heavy breaths.
Mai’s annoyance was immediately forgotten. “Mum, welcome home!”
Her mother got rid of her shoes tiredly and came to join her daughter. “You’re still awake, what a relief! I am really sorry, my boss gave me an extra load of work and I couldn’t leave until it was finished.”
The girl nodded in understanding. This happened too often for her to be surprised.
“However,” her mother added, “I did not forget my promise. I do have something for you.”
A pretty white box with pink polka dots appeared in front of Mai, who took it hesitantly.
“Open it,” her mother prompted. “My colleague assured me this is the best you can find in Tokyo.”
Mai opened the box with careful movements to reveal the most fancy, delicious-looking strawberry cake she had ever seen.
Her eyes widen in delight. It was her favorite delicacy, and something they couldn’t generally afford due to their tight budget.
“Happy birthday Mai,” her mother whispered. “And—” she teared up a little, “— I hope you’ll forgive me for offering it to you so late.”
The young girl shook her head, a sincere smile on her lips.
“It’s okay. It’s like having two birthdays!”
When her mother hugged her tightly Mai knew she had given the right answer.
It didn’t matter when she celebrated, or what she got. What was important was with who she was. And she couldn’t wish better company than her beloved mother.
“Aaaah I’m full, that was delicious,” Takigawa sighed contentedly, patting his belly as they exited the restaurant.
“It really was,” Masako approved. “I am surprised you knew of such a nice place.”
“And what *exactly* does that mean, young lady?”
“Just that you’re the type to dine in run-down, shady places,” Ayako deadpanned. “Shall I remind you about the one and only time I agreed to drink with you and your band?”
Takigawa’s pout had Masako, Yasuhara and Mai laughing out loud.
“You wound me, especially you, Jou-chan!” he sulked.
“Don’t you worry, you still have my love,” Yasuhara cried, launching himself at the monk and earning a few curious stares from the passersby of animated streets of Shibuya.
Takigawa just ducked his head and started walking faster, making the trio laugh even more.
The dinner had been surprisingly pleasant. The food had been excellent, and her friends had insisted she tried the most expensive dishes on the menu. Which Mai did, touched by their insistence she had a good time. Ayako and Takigawa behaved and limited their bickering to good-humoured teasing, Naru and Lin had made an effort to join in the conversation instead of keeping to themselves, and even the shy John had shared some personal anecdotes about his childhood. Yasuhara and Masako had mostly stayed in their corner speaking animatedly about who knew what, the young medium blushing occasionally.
Mai grinned at the memory. She was so going to tease her for this later!
The SPR building finally came into view. It was time for goodbyes.
“Ah Mai, let me drive you home,” the monk proposed, pointing to his car on the parking lot. “You won’t be able to take the subway, it’s past midnight already.”
Mai opened her mouth to accept his offer but Naru interrupted before she could even utter a word.
“No.”
Everyone except for Lin gaped at Naru, then at Mai, surprised by the outburst. Her cheeks turned a rosy hue under their stares. That didn’t mean he wanted to escort her home *himself*, did it?
“Uh?” was all the monk could ask while a sly grin crept on Yasuhara’s face.
“Oh my, that is incredibly forward of you boss.”
Naru glared cooly in response. “Takigawa has drunk too much. I won’t risk the safety of my underage employee.”
Mai visibly deflated while a collective, disappointed ‘oh’ followed the statement.
“It’s true I drank a lot,” the monk admitted. “John?”
The priest scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “I am afraid the same goes for me.”
Mai shook her head at John’s embarrassment. Takigawa and Ayako had kept filling his glass, and the poor man had been too polite to dare refuse.
Lin’s baritone voice settled the matter. “I will drive Taniyama-san and Yasuhara-san home. I am perfectly sober.”
“At least someone here is thinking of me!” Yasuhara cried in mock offense. “Lin-san you are my knight in shining armor, thank you. Boss totally forgot about me.”
“We’ll share a taxi,” Ayako decided, taking Takigawa by the arm and leaving him no chance to disagree. “John? Do you want to come with us?”
“Yes that would be helpful, thank you,” the young priest smiled.
Masako bowed.
“My chauffeur will arrive soon. I bid you all a good night. Mai, it was a pleasure celebrating your birthday.”
Mai bowed deeply to thank her coworkers for spending the evening with her and treating her to dinner. After several hugs and reassurance that it was their pleasure they were gone.
There were only three people left bar herself, and to her astonishment Mai felt the sudden silence suffocating.
She missed the noise and ruckus her coworkers usually made. She missed their presence.
That reminded her of why she didn’t celebrate her birthday anymore. The feeling of loneliness that came the day after was a little too much to bear.
“Lin,” Naru said when he was certain the rest of the crew was gone, “you drive Yasuhara first. Mai, follow me inside.”
Yasuhara’s mouth broke into an impish grin, but Naru didn’t stay to hear his comment. The teenager headed straight toward the office door, not even looking back to see if his orders were properly followed.
Mai hastily bowed to her two remaining coworkers, muttered a good night and run to catch up with her boss.
“Naru, wait!” she protested, rushing in the office. “I’m sure whatever you need me for could—”
She stopped dead in her tracks.
A pretty white cardboard box with pink polka dots was waiting on her desk.
Her vision blurred. The ticking of the clock, the particular color of their house door, her mother smiling giving her a similar box, she could recall them vividly. A strawberry cake, and promises of better days.
It had been the last birthday spent with her mother. The last she had looked forward to.
“How—” she tried, but found out she had lost her ability to speak.
Naru stood next to her desk, watching her reaction closely. She turned to him, trying to smile, but the gesture got lost in her state of shock.
Naru’s aloof expression faltered.
“The idea actually comes from Madoka,” he explained, on the defensive. “She said this would make an acceptable gift.”
Madoka. Yes, that was her style. Mai wanted to laugh but a whimper came out instead.
“Is this,” she rasped, “is this by chance a strawberry cake?”
“I know for a fact you like those,” Naru said, sounding like he was daring her to deny the fact.
“I do,” she whispered, “they are my favorites.”
“Will you not open it? It doesn’t bite.”
“I will.”
Mai opened the box with shaky hands, her heart beating fast.
A fancy, beautifully decorated cake appeared before her eyes. She sighed, torn between conflicting emotions.
It wasn’t the one from her memory.
She laughed at her foolishness. Of course, after ten years it couldn’t be the same cake, what else had she expected? It wasn’t even a present from her mother this time!
No, it was a present from Naru.
And it made it all the more precious.
Realization dawned upon her that all these years she had wasted time yearning for what was lost, instead of what was to come. The cake could never be the same. Her mother wouldn’t miraculously come back. Things would forever be different. But different didn’t mean they couldn’t be good.
“Thank you Naru,” she smiled as brightly as she could this time. “It looks really delicious.”
The rare uncertainty that had been clouding his gaze disappeared, replaced by something akin to relief.
“The shop is supposed to be Tokyo’s best,” he muttered.
Had he been worried she wouldn’t like his present? The very idea made Mai’s heart swell.
“Let’s share,” she proposed, fetching two forks in their kitchen.“You wouldn’t let me eat alone for my birthday, would you?” she insisted before Naru’s reluctance.
He took the fork and they ate in companionable silence for a while.
“It was really delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Naru glanced at the clock. “And although it’s a bit late, happy birthday Mai,” he added softly.
“Thank you Naru.”
“You know,” she smiled, “I used to do this with my mother, eating my cake after midnight. It felt like having two birthdays. Maybe I should make this a tradition!”
Naru’s lips made a timid upturn at her joke, and Mai felt content.
From now on she would to look forward to her anniversary.
Unedited and un-beta-ed, so I apologize in advance for any glaring mistake. Also, I lack sleep. Forgive me.
4 days prior- 6:00 PM
“Why is it not looking like it should?” Mai cried, exasperated.
The mirror she was kneeling in front of was showing a rather disappointing reflection. The obi she had tried to tie by herself wasn’t sitting on her back and hips properly, thus doing a poor job at keeping the kimono in place.
Masako, kneeling beside her in her own perfectly fitted kimono, chuckled wholeheartedly.
“There there, I’ll help you,” she offered placatingly, the corner of her mouth still twitching under Mai’s indignant glare. “Get up,” she ordered.
Mai complied, grumbling.
“How can you wear this every day? Not only it is hard to put on by yourself, but it is kind of uncomfortable!”
“Tying the obi is an art, you know,” Masako remarked, not without pride, while rearranging the silken belt. “If not worn properly it may be bothersome indeed. Thankfully for you I had more than enough time to practice.”
The last part had been added with a hint of bitterness, and Mai could only wonder how much of a choice Masako’s clothing style was.
“Done,” Masako announced after a minute, letting her friend admire her work in the mirror.
“Thank you Masako,” Mai smiled gratefully. “You really saved me there. I had no idea we would need formal clothes.”
“You are welcome. You lend me your clothes during the Yoshimi case, we are now even,” the medium stated, eyeing her friends’ attire critically before giving an approving nod.
The team had been invited by Miss Akiyama in the ryokan’s restaurant for dinner, and considering the high standing of the place, Mai was pretty sure they were expected to come dressed up accordingly. Except her poor, part-timer and still in high-school self didn’t have anything suitable to wear. Thankfully she was almost Masako’s size, and the latter, having packed several of her kimonos, had been kind enough to lend her one of her spare.
Ayako, looking dashing in a deep burgundy dress, entered the room to tell them it was time to go.
“The boys are waiting for us outside, but we can make them wait if you need more time,” she offered.
“There is no need to, we are ready,” Masako replied, and headed toward the shoji door with her usual poise.
Mai flattened her hair, making sure for the last time there were no stray locks, and followed her roomates, praying she would make no faux-pas tonight.
The men were standing outside the building wearing their regular clothes. Of course, Mai thought with annoyed envy, their outfits were classical enough to suit the place. Hers on the other hand… She glanced subrepticely at Naru, clad in his usual dark outfit, and tried to ignore how disappointed she was of not seeing him in his yukata. Though it was probably a blessing he wasn’t wearing it, she wasn’t sure she could handle a whole evening with him dressed like that without having a nosebleed.
“Woah Mai, you look great!” Takigawa whistled when she appeared.
She blushed, half-embarrassed and half-pleased by the compliment, waiting with anticipation Naru’s reaction. She immediately berated herself for doing so. Since when had she become so vain?
Naru turned toward her and she held her breath nonetheless. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed her outfit, but the telltale of his surprise immediately turned into something darker, a confusing mixture of annoyance and guilt. She deflated. This was not what she had expected.
Ayako’s voice behind her was complaining. “And what about us, you ill-mannered monk?” she shouted, an irked eyebrow arched. “There are two other women here, shall I remind you? It is rude to play favorites.”
“Rude?” Takigawa repeated, outraged. “Because fishing for compliments isn’t? ”
“I would ask you to refrain to cause a commotion,” Naru’s cold voice commanded.
That effectively quieted the bickering pair, temporarily at least. Even Mai recoiled, still troubled by the strange reaction he had shown. Then she realized her boss had ordered her to rest earlier in the morning, and that she hadn’t given him a report of whatever dream she could have had. Maybe that was the reason of his displeasure.
She walked toward him in small, careful steps, unused to the way her kimono was entraving her legs.
“Ah, Naru,” she spoke, scratching the back of her head nervously, “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you. I, uh, I tried to sleep like you suggested but I didn’t have any significant dream. Sorry.”
He frowned imperceptibly.
“I didn’t expect you to have one so soon. We haven’t monitored any activity either.”
“Oh.” That was surprising. He wasn’t mad at her then? “Well, it was worth a shot, I guess.”
Hesitation flickered on his features before he opened his mouth.
“Mai–” he started.
“Shibuya-san, Taniyama-san,” the manager of the ryokan greeted, before realizing the two of them had been talking. “Oh,” she gasped, putting a hand on her mouth. “I am really sorry I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“No no, it is okay,” Mai smiled politely to the middle-aged lady. “We were about to head to the restaurant. Thank you for your invitation,” she bowed.
“My pleasure. Your table has been prepared, please let me lead the way.”
Naru nodded and the team followed their host. Thankfully their pacing was slow enough for Mai to walk without tripping.
In the restaurant they were led to a separate area, where a table filled with food was waiting for them. Mai took place on the sitting cushion gingerly, afraid to stain Masako’s kimono.
“The drink will be served soon,” the manager bowed. “We have taken your special diet in consideration,” she addressed Lin and Naru. “Enjoy your meal, with the thanks of the Akiyama family.”
Monk stared at the food with hungry eyes while Ayako glanced at it appraisingly.
“Did I already told you I love this case?” she smirked.
“You did,” Masako confirmed. “I am starting to greatly appreciate it myself,” she admitted.
“As long as whatever is haunting the place doesn’t choose this moment to bother us,” Yasuhara joked. “You haven’t sensed anything yet, am I right?” he asked Masako, seated next to him.
Masako hid her mouth with her sleeve reflexively. “No I haven’t, the spirit may be hiding still,” she defended.
“Of course,” he placated with a sincere smile, “I am just glad you haven’t been importuned. Cases are often hard on you.”
Masako blushed slightly, and Mai made a mental note to tease her for that later.
“I haven’t sensed anything either,” she mused. “But ghosts are shy, the activity will more likely increase in the next days.”
“The later, the better,” Ayako shrugged.
“The shinkan is almost entirely covered, if anything moves an inch or if a breeze passes through the room Lin will know it,” Takigawa exclaimed.
Lin nodded graciously in confirmation, and the manager choose this moment to reappear with tea, beer and a bottle of sake.
“May I ask if you are satisfied with your accommodation?” she addressed Naru while pouring the drinks. “We encourage our guests to enjoy the hot springs in the most traditional way, so to stay true to the atmosphere we did not add any electronic device. The room we prepared for your equipment was the only one with enough power outlets.”
Naru assured her that they were perfectly content and that everything had been done for the best.
“I am relieved to hear it,” the lady smiled. “I scheduled the interview you requested with my mother for tomorrow.”
Mai’s eyes widened. Naru had requested an interview? Wait, without telling her? She had been promoted to investigator, yet Naru didn’t trust her to interview their client. She frowned, feeling betrayed, somehow.
“I would ask you to be extremely tactful, she had been bedridden since my father’s passing away,” Akiyama-san added, sorrow maring her features. “They had spent a lifetime together, parting with him has been quite the shock.”
“Naturally,” Naru offered his best business smile. “Rest assured we will take her grief into consideration.”
The whole table looked at him dubiously. Mai perked up. This meant she should be the one in charge, it was a well-known fact that their boss was terrible at handling people’s emotions.
“Thank you,” the lady bowed.
As soon as she left, Mai leaned toward Naru, who was seated across the table.
“Naru, when are we interviewing Akiyama-san?” she asked eagerly.
He raised an eyebrow.
“We?”
Mai was struck speechless for a second, disappointment washing over her. She felt dejected that Naru didn’t rely upon her. Maybe he was really mad at her after all.
“Well, I am your assistant, so I figured you would need my help. For, uh, taking notes,” she suggested meekly, hating that it sounded like a question.
“Lin will take care of it. Tomorrow I expect you to tour the facilities with miss Hara and miss Matsuzaki.”
Mai nodded wordlessly, her throat tight and her eyes stinging. She wanted to ask for explanations, to complain, to have a shouting fight with Naru if needed. But everyone was having fun, eating and laughing, and she couldn’t bring herself to ruin the mood.
So she stayed quiet and looked forlornly at a food that had lost all of its appeal.
If only she had spoken up, she would think later. But then, she didn’t know how much she would regret it.
