This is a Naru/Mai fanfic. But moreover, this is a horror/mystery fanfic. Please enjoy.

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File #1

Forbidden Spell

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November

Friday

6:00 P.M

Hello, my name's Taniyama Mai, and I work for Shibuya Psychic Research. We're technically three-man (well I'm a woman!) organization that deals with cases involving ghosts, spirits, demons, curses… whatever paranormal, supernatural, or just anything bizarre you can think about. That is, of course, if my boss thinks it's anything worthwhile.

About my boss: his name is Shibuya Kazuya, in short, Naru (for Narcissistic). He turned eighteen sometime this year—which, I'm now reminded, we were never told when. We only found out after our most recent case, when the client decided to ask for his age. He answered in his as-a-matter-of-fact tone, as usual, that he was eighteen. Everyone (of course including me) except Lin-san and Masako were surprised; but now that I look back on it, I can't understand why. We all have known him for a year after all. He was bound to age sometime or other.

I remember feeling a fleeting anger towards…well I don't really know exactly to whom it was directed at. Was I mad at Naru for not telling us on the day of his birthday, that it was his birthday? Or was I mad at myself for not inquiring about it so that I could have given him something as a present? Madoka-san did say he wasn't particularly secretive about himself. But what made it worse was that he actually got me a present for my birthday, even though I never told him when it was. Damn that Naru and his elite investigation skills!

Anyway, it's been a little over a month since we've had a case to do. It wasn't as if no one came to us for help, though. There have been a couple—of which I had honestly thought to be interesting, but Naru always had simple answers for every "paranormal" events they threw at us. To the old couple whose things always ended up disappearing, he said their memories were only failing them. To the man who said his furniture always move when he wasn't awake, he said was a case of his house sinking a little during the night when it was colder, and suggested he move out as soon as he can. To the poor old teacher who claimed most of her students had all of a sudden become afraid of ghosts in the classroom, he said her students were merely playing the old ditching game.

I thought he was only being rude, but as none of them ever came back, I figured Naru must've been right on his mark. Either that or they were put-down by his I'm-better-than-you attitude, and that they decided to take their case somewhere else. Not that I could blame them for it; he really could grate on your nerves.

I don't get him at all. Why shouldn't we take cases such as those, especially since we really haven't anything else to do? If the clients truly believe they were being haunted, shouldn't we go there and run tests? Then it would seem more reliable and believable, when we show them the results that there was nothing paranormal happening, rather than just simply considering the case null without even trying. Plus we'll get paid for it as well. It's not as if we're a particularly rich business after all. But that's his problem, not mine. He runs the show. And boy does he love being in charge.

"Mai, tea."

I sigh, half in annoyance, half in relief. Annoyance in that he always orders me around to do petty stuff such as making him tea, and relief in that I finally have something to do. "Would you like some tea too, Lin-san?"

"No, I'm alright." Although it was a curt answer, there was definitely a bit of warmth in his words that Naru never had. Ever since the Urado case and that little bit of exchange happened between us, I felt as if Lin-san was actually starting to warm up to me. I smile and head off to the kitchen to rummage through tea cups and different kinds of tea, looking for a particular set. I had found out that Naru preferred the high grade Sencha tea, and actually even had a favorite tea cup he liked to drink out from. Man, talk about being too classy for his own good.

Why am I even bothering to do these things perfectly? Ah, it must be because I'm bored out of my mind.

I finished boiling the tea leaves as it was directed on the instructions, and head off towards his office. I grumble since he always closes the door, so I had to free up one of my hands just to turn the knob. Why does he need the door closed anyway? What does he do there that has to be so secretive?

All I can do is blush at my stupidity for coming up with such a stupid question as that.

"Here, Naru, your tea is ready." I set it down on his table and stare at him for a few seconds.

"I know it's grown to be a habit of yours to stare at me whenever you bring me tea, but I've never found out why."

Eek! He caught me again! And what's up with him being so forward!

I caught myself laughing nervously, telling him such a lame excuse that I don't even recall what I just said. "Is there anything else you need?" Out of nowhere, a yawn got too irresistible to resist. I really should have slept earlier last night, but my mind just wanders on its own sometimes.

"Go home. We're done for the day."

You jerk. It wouldn't hurt to say it nicely.

"Hahaha… ok then, I'll…see you tomorrow." I turn around and was walking halfway out of his office door, when I thought I heard him tell me to take care going home and to go get some sleep. I swing my head back to see if I was just hearing things, but I was caught by surprise at seeing Naru looking straight at me. It was his usual glare, but at least I knew he was really talking to me. "I… I will."

"Good. You're already useless with your concentration at its fullest."

I grit my teeth in anger. Of course he was going to say something stupid like that. My face was twitching when I said "I'm so sorry, for being useless," but he was already back to reading his book. Gah! It's times like these when I wish I could just claw his eyes out. And so I left and slammed his door without even so much as a goodbye.

"Taniyama-san."

"A-ah Lin-san! What is it?"

He smiled at me. He has been doing that often, but only when the others weren't around. "Take care going home. And do get some rest."

I smile contently. "I will."

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Saturday

10:20 A.M

I've been running ever since I got off from the bus, ten minutes ago. I hate how there was no nearest bus stops around the office, except for the one twenty minutes away by walking. Plus when I got to the office, I found out the elevator was out of order, so I had to race up the stairs. I was already wiped out for the day by the time I reached the office.

I freeze as I see Naru in the kitchen, boiling his own tea.

"N-Naru! I'll do that!"

"No need. It's almost done."

I felt the coldness in his voice. Oh boy, I'm really in trouble now. Guess that'll come off my paycheck for this month.

I forgot that I was out of breath. I close the door behind me and trudge towards the sofa, slumping down and letting my poor aching legs to rest for a bit. I close my eyes and relax, listening to the clinking of porcelain tea cups as Naru fiddled with them, wondering if that man even knew how to boil tea?

Then all of a sudden, there was something warm and sweet-smelling aroma that tickled my nose. I open them and see Naru holding a cup of tea in front of me, with a slight look of disapproval in his eyes. Did his eyes ever betray anything other than disapproval and coldness? I smile and take it, thanking him kindly.

"I thought I told you to go home and get some rest? You're as stubborn as you are brainless."

Just that once, I figured I'll let that remark slip. Only because the tea he made me was actually very delicious.