AN: I was spending a wonderful and relaxing vacation in Roma with my husband when I found my muse again. What I didn't planned was to be welcomed back by violence, death and murder. Hopefully my friends and family living in Paris are all safe and sound, but I know it isn't the case for many others. I was horrified by the news, but saw a ray of hope in the solidarity shown all over the world. Well, that explains my motives for this story: I want to write about nice things, love and people who care for each other. In case it was unclear, these stories are centered around Mai and her relationship with the other members of the crew. Shameless fluff everywhere. This first chapter is about John, who is an adorable character deserving more of our attention.

If you spot any mistake, inconsistency or whatnot, feel free to tell me. I am in a quite emotional state, and it leads me to lose sight of proper grammar and, worse, of the storyline. Leave a review if anything bothers you.

Edit: Thanks Aoi for very rightfully stating a mistake. It is corrected now. Moreover, I really should do more thorough proofreading when I post a chapter, I spotted a few typos, which don't exist anymore...

Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt. But I like toying with it.

I hated Sundays.

For one, they were the days I had to catch up with my studies and my homework. And I wasn't really fond of studying.

Second, they were the days I was all alone. I had friends, nice schoolmates, comprehensive teachers, and wonderful co-workers, who were great company during the week. But when I had to spend an entire day into my empty home, it struck.

Loneliness.

Well, when you are an orphan, living by yourself, it is somehow unavoidable. But I hated it nonetheless.

That is why, I was quite surprised to hear a light rasping on my door this Sunday morning. I never had any visit planned on this day, and I was quite sure I wasn't supposed to be on case…was I?

I couldn't recall if Madoka had finally agreed to the last request we received at the office. If she had…it could only mean one thing: that I had forgotten a work-related appointment!

I began to panic. If Naru ever heard that I had skipped work (even though unintentionally), I was doomed to a painful death after his return. And that would only leave me a few weeks to enjoy being alive. Yeah, Sundays did definitely suck.

Another light knock reminded me that, while I was frantically racking my brain about a potentially forgotten appointment, someone was still waiting outside my flat. After stumbling a few times in my haste to answer the door, I finally opened it to face blond hair and gentle azure blue eyes.

John.

My worry rose significantly: no possible doubt, I HAD messed up, and John was here to pick me up before going to another haunted place. I. Was. So. Dead.

John simply smiled and greeted me with his usual politeness.

"Good Morning, Mai."

I replied with a voice that was far too high to be natural while fidgeting nervously.

"Good morning, John! Ahaha, I…hum, I haven't packed anything yet, I am really sorry, but it seems I have forgotten about the case…"

John's face scrunched down in confusion, obviously surprised by my attitude.

"The case? I wasn't aware there was one. This must be a misunderstanding."

I stood there, gaping stupidly at him. Misunderstanding, what did he mean? He wasn't here for work? Since I couldn't form any coherent sentence, he went on.

"I am sorry, obviously I am bothering you, if you are busy right now I could…"

Realization finally dawned upon me: there wasn't any case, Naru wouldn't have to kill me, or worse, have Lin-san give me a scolding. I was saved! I was so relieved that I fell dramatically on my knees, laughing at my foolishness. That earned me a very concerned gaze from John, who apparently was wondering if I was mentally or physically ill, or both. Well, I couldn't blame him, I probably looked like a total loon.

In a stride, he was beside me, helping me getting on my feet and asking me worriedly if I was OK. I hastily reassured him, quite ashamed of my erratic behavior.

"Yes, yes I am. I'm really sorry, I thought you were here because I missed an appointment at the office. I'm just so glad it's not that!"

Nodding his understanding, even though sporting a very incredulous air, John began to laugh softly.

"Mai, I don't think even you could possibly be so absent-minded. Besides, we're Sunday, there's no work!"

I felt like a fool. I really should have had more confidence in my memory. Thinking of how I had been panicking for nothing, I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

"I know, I said miserably, but when I imagined what Naru would do to me if I happened to skip a day of work, I couldn't think rationally anymore."

And I wasn't lying, barely exaggerating. My explanation seemed to be valid enough, since John gave me a very sympathetic smile.

"It is true that Shibuya-san wouldn't be too thrilled, he probably wouldn't let you live down with it. But no worries, I am not here for work, but for personal matters."

While I motioned for him to go inside, I began to wonder. Personal matters, he said? That was unexpected to say the least. Well, I was always glad to see John, his calm demeanor, his gentleness, his slightly timid smile, and even his funny Kansai accent managed to put me at ease without fail. Truth to be told, he was one of the kindest person I have ever met. But he also was, intentionally or not, a secretive one.

Thinking of it, all of my co-workers were.

When Naru had announced he was closing the office and leaving the country, I had realized that I didn't know much about them all. Nor their address, neither their phone number. Case after case, I had grown accustomed to their presence, and had come to love them very dearly. I generally tried not to rely to much on people, since I was very aware of the fact that they could disappear from my life anytime. Still, I thought of my colleagues as family.

But, well, it was kinda one-sided. What tied us together was working with Naru. Without it, there was fat chance that we were to see each other again. They had promised to keep in touch, but I knew the truth: we were no family, and had no real bonds, even though they seemed to genuinely like me, too. Finally, the office hadn't closed, and there had been no need to part ways. I would see everyone regularly during our ghost-hunting jobs. Nevertheless, I couldn't totally forget my primary fear: they could still disappear from my life. Would they miss me, too, if our companionship came to a stop?

Loneliness' ugly head was looming above me once again.

I shook off any depressing thought. Everyone was still there, there was no need to worry about it. I headed to the kitchen to prepare some tea, and invited John to find a comfortable spot to sit down. Redirecting my attention to my guest, I found him seating on the sofa, seeming totally apologetic, concerned eyes trained on me.

"I am really sorry to have worried you, Mai, it wasn't my intention at all. I wanted to give you a call before coming, but it seems I couldn't get through…"

Of course it hasn't been his intention, I knew that for sure. There was no need for him to make such a guilty face. I simply nodded, stating that my phone was an old and quite capricious one. One of the drawbacks of being a poor highschooler.

"Are you sure my presence isn't a bother? You seemed troubled a second ago. Is everything alright?"

I smiled reassuringly at him.

"Yes, John, everything is fine, and my friends can't possibly be a bother to me."

He blushed a little, obviously touched to have earned the tittle. It was one of the lovable things about John: his modesty. If only Naru could take a few lessons from him…

The tea was finally ready. I had prepared my best blend to honor my unexpected guest, who accepted it with a grateful smile, and began to tell me the motive of his visit.

"Well, I am sorry to barge in like that. It's just that today I'll manage the Sunday school at father's Toudou's church. And…I was thinking that maybe you would want to accompany me".

I simply…gaped at him. He shifted a little uncomfortably under my astonished stare, and went on to justify himself.

"I mean, it's nothing really exciting but I thought you might like it. We're going to read biblical stories, and then play with the children. Of course, you can skip the first part if you are uncomfortable with it. You seemed to have a good time with the children last time, well before being possessed that is…"

His eyes were quite imploring, clearly asking me to voice my thoughts on the matter, and silently praying that he hadn't done anything uncalled for. Of course, the humble John misunderstood. I wasn't being silent because I was annoyed. No, in fact it was quite the opposite: I was rendered speechless because I was incredibly grateful.

I was grateful that he remembered. His words when Naru told us he was leaving, the day Gene's body was found. John proposed then that I came to the Sunday class, so that we could keep in touch. Finally, since Naru finally decided that his leave would only be temporary, there was no need to fulfill this promise. But John did it nonetheless.

He cared.

I finally managed to utter some words in spite of my constricted throat. My voice sounded a bit too raspy to my liking, though.

"Of course I would love to go! Thank you John, for going out of your way for me…"

I stopped there, unable to say more. Who knew I could be so emotional, for such a small thing? I was really pathetic on Sundays.

John didn't seem to think so, though. His eyes softened while he gently patted my hand in a comforting manner.

"Going out of my way? Mai, remember, friends couldn't possibly be a bother, right?"

Oh God, If he didn't stop being so nice I was surely bound to cry. What was he, an angel? I cleared my throat, and tried to alleviate the mood with some humour.

"Sooo, in other words you need Mai-Oneechan to help you manage a bunch of unruly children. You can count on me for sure!"

John laughed softly, scratching the back of his head in a sheepish manner.

"Well, they sure are full of energy. But they're not unruly, just lonely."

His gaze, while saying the last sentence, held a hint sadness, and was unmistakably focused on me. He knew. He knew how I felt. And cared enough to came across Tokyo to offer me company.

I sipped my tea to hide my misty eyes. John's kindness really knew no boundaries. I just hoped I could repay him, one day, by being a good friend. Or, if needed, family.

That was when his situation struck me: John was a young priest speaking a foreign langage in a foreign country where being catholic was very unusual. He was there for me, but, on the other hand, who could he rely upon? Could it be...

I asked him in a quiet voice:

"John, do you happen to be lonely, too?"

My question seemed to surprise him for a moment, but after a short while he answered, with a warmth that could have equaled the sun:

"That happens, sometimes. But then I remember that God is walking with me, and I don't feel lonely anymore."

I was almost blinded by his radiance. It was at time like these that I wish I had faith, like him. If the solace he found in his God was half as warm as the smile it gave him, it was maybe worth giving it a try.

After a solemn silence on both parts, John's sweet voice rose again.

"Moreover, God was kind enough to make me meet wonderful people to become my friends. I think we did cross path for a reason, Mai. And I am grateful for that."

I couldn't help but think that it was a nice picture. God providing us what we needed. Giving friends to John. Giving me...a family. Before I could stop myself, I muttered aloud:

"Your god gave me a brother, then."

I froze. Oh no, what on earth possessed me to say that? It was too late to take it back! John would probably think that I was getting ahead of myself, that I was a rude person, assuming such things…

John's eyes widen, then began to shine with genuine happiness, and a seriousness I rarely had seen him show. His features suddenly bloomed into something that I could only describe like angelic.

"Thank you, Mai. It means a lot to me. I'll do my best to live to His expectations. And yours."

On that day, I gained a brother. I also learned that the love you give to people can sometimes come back to you tenfolds.

Sunday wasn't a lonely day anymore. It became my favorite moment of the week.