How can one single thought change your whole perspective? How can one misunderstanding, one painful heart, or one mislead decision change everything you do, say, or think?

I've always thought that I'd be the only person who'd have to open my eyes and my heart. Now I've learned that a single action can turn even the most joyful person into someone ordinary and heart-buried.

I decided to return to Japan's SPR after four years. Some people might think it's because I believe I have more opportunities of ghost hunting in Japan, others assure it's because I want to stay away from the press. None of them were correct.

I felt free in Japan's SPR. I had what in my own way could be called friends. I had more opportunities to lead, not to follow instructions. In Japan, I could be myself without my companions making a big deal out of it. Most of all, I left that one person who saw me for who I really am.

I broke her heart all those years ago. Now, even if my assumptions were correct and she loves my twin brother, I will try to amend things. I want everything to be as they were before. Is that too selfish to ask for?

My brother is alive, and now Mai has all the opportunities to be with him. That is if he loves her back. 'Who wouldn't?'

As Lin, Gene and I board the plane that will lead me to my other home, I start remembering all those amusing moments when I teased Mai, those relaxing moments as I drank her tea and those terrifying memories as I saw myself running towards Mai's location to save her from the trouble she was always in. I also started to remember all the personalities from SPR that, although they annoyed me, I would never trade for the monotonous and distanced people I used to work with back at BSPR.

I fell into an uncommonly heavy sleep for the next hours.

"oll- Noll!" I woke up fast after the voice almost shouted in my ear.

Glaring at my brother I said "Gene what is so important? Let me be."

Gene looked at me with amusement. "Alright, if you wish to stay in this airplane after everybody is gone then suit yourself."

'You will be the one that will make us be late. Plus, the more you wait, the later you'll see your love.' Gene winked at me after his telepathic message.

He turned around and left the airplane. He was right. Everybody left.

We made our trip towards SPR, obviously not affected by jetlag. I was told we were to be greeted by someone second in charge of the office. Madoka currently led this office, but who was the second in charge? When did this new position arise?

We stood in front of the office door, but I couldn't move an inch. I thought about the changes that could await me. Deciding that it was time to get over such nonsense, I took a deep breath.

'This is it.'

I opened the door.

Looking around, the place itself had been improved. It felt more… modern and inviting, as much as inviting would be for a ghost hunting company.

"Hey, Naru!" I turned towards the couches to find Monk being scolded by Ayako for being too loud.

"Sorry." He stood up and walked towards me. He stopped in front of me with a serious look. I stared back evenly. After a minute, he grinned and patted my back. "I see you're still stone-faced as ever. No reactions, and no normal-people greetings. It's nice to have you back."

"Now we'll have two of those." Ayako muttered, but we all heard her perfectly.

Monk immediately looked at the three of us. "Why is there two of you, Naru? And yo, Lin. Long time no see." Lin nodded as a greeting.

"I thought you would have known what a twin is, Takigawa." I answered.

He grinned. "Yeah, I know what a twin is. I didn't expect him to actually be here, though. You have some explaining to do, mister."

I ignored him, as I didn't want to engage in a big explanation as to why Gene is alive. It was at that moment when I really took in Monk's and Ayako's appearances. How could I miss it?

Monk was dressed in nice jeans, but instead of his usual rock star-casual look, he had a smart- casual outfit. His hair was as long as before, but it was tied neatly.

Ayako also dressed semi- casual. She looked more conservative in the way she was dressed. Instead of the heavy make-up she always wore, she had natural colors. Even her usual red lipstick color was gone.

"May I ask, why are you dressed like that?" I raised an eyebrow.

They looked at each other. Ayako answered. "Mai asked us to."

"Not that it's not beneficial for the company to have well-dressed employees, but why would you follow Mai's advice? It's not like she-"

"Because I believe I have the right to do so, Dr. Davis."

Was that… Mai? It sounds like her voice, but not in a way I was used to.

At our right stood an almost completely different Mai. She wore complete formal attire, suitable for her twenty- one-year-old self. Her hair was mid-back length with two strands neatly pinned against each side of her head. Her attire was a white blouse, beige pants and a navy-blue woman suit jacket. It was everything she never wore before.

"Staring is rude, Dr. Davis, Mr. Davis and Lin-san." She stared at each of us and gave a small smile. I couldn't help but feel that her smile was between forced and genuine. It felt like she was debating on completely showing her emotions.

"What happened to 'Naru'? Is it that you finally learned my name?" I smirked, ignoring her statement. She didn't seem affected by my teasing.

"Which of all your names? Besides, it's only proper to address your boss by their title. That is, unless the boss asks for a different type of addressing. Would you like it if I call you Naru instead?" All her face showed no emotion and all business. When she finished by making her question, I saw real confusion by the way she furrowed her eyebrows. It seemed like we never knew each other.

'Was all of this happening because of the way I treated her before? I couldn't have made such a big negative impact for her to behave this way.'

I wanted nothing more than for things to return to normal.

"Call me Naru." I knew I let my emotions show a little, but that was the point. I wanted to show her that her change affected me.

She half smiled. "Alright, Naru."

"May I just call you Mai?" If I wanted to make things go back to normal, I'd have to start somewhere.

"You're the boss. You decide." Her permission made me feel more at ease, but not completely. Her eyes widened like she remembered something and bowed. "What an unprofessional greeting from my part. Welcome, Naru, Eugene and Lin (if I may call you like that)."

I could sense that Gene was uncomfortable. After all, he was excited to see Mai in person for the first time. I would have expected that he hugged her, if it were under different circumstances.

Gene and Lin bowed. For the first time in this encounter, they spoke.

"Thanks for receiving us." They said in unison.

I stared at her for longer than I should have. "I was told that the second in charge of the office would greet us. You shouldn't worry to receive us in such a manner."

"But I should, because I am the second in charge."

If our eyes widened a bit more, our eyeballs would have popped out.

I looked at Ayako and Monk for confirmation, which in return just laughed awkwardly.

My stare returned to Mai.

"Madoka gave me permission to use the main office until she returned, but later she said that you were coming back and ordered me to get your office ready. I apologize. I've had my priorities on work and I didn't clear the office completely. In an hour I shall have it ready."

Every time she talked, I felt a headache. She talked like a robot. She was all business and no emotions. She reminded me of myself.

"Eugene, please come to the main office for a moment." She looked at Gene.

Gene looked confused, but followed her anyways.

Gene's POV

I had no idea why Mai called me here, but here I am. I waited for her to inform me of some business. Instead, she took a small box out of the desk's drawer and put it in my hand.

"What is this?"

"Open it." She smiled.

I did as I was told. It was a small silver and black compass that hung on a necklace. I looked at it even closer, and found a way to open it. In a locket was a drawing of Noll and I, like a picture that was taken of the both of us. Noll told me that he gave her a picture of both of us before he left, so this must be it.

"It represents the memories of the times when you guided me in my dreams. Take it as a thank you. I'll give Naru and Lin their presents when it's time."

I stared at her as some tears threatened to fall. She smiled and hugged me.

"I don't bite, Gene. I may act different now, but all of you guys can still count on me."

I let my tears fall as I hugged her back. Three minutes passed.

"Why are you so different now?"

"I'll tell you in time, I promise." Mai let go of me and retuned to her 'normal' self. She tried giving me a reassuring smile.

"Will you and Noll be the same as before?" I asked.

Her smile faltered. "I know you're worried that Naru might be the cause of my behavior, but he's not. Still, I don't believe things will be the same as before. I'm not the same as I was three years ago."

Something clicked in my mind. "Three years? Noll has been gone for four years…"

"As I said before, I'm not who I am now because of Naru."

I let the subject drop. 'Something must have happened after Noll left.'

Naru's POV

After Mai left with Gene, I confronted the situation with Monk and Ayako.

"What happened with Mai?"

Sad looks crossed both their faces. "Something happened three years ago. She hasn't been the same since that incident." Monk answered me.

"What incident?"

"We… can't tell. She doesn't want anyone pitying her, and she told us to never mention it. It's her decision to tell you or not." Ayako had a grim look as she answered.

I nodded. 'What could have happened to make her change like this?'

After minutes of silence, Mai reappeared with Gene behind her.

"It's already late, you should all leave. Your office will be ready soon, Naru." 'Naru' didn't sound correct the monotonous way she was saying it.

"You should leave too, Mai. Don't overwork yourself."

She snorted. "With all respect, I believe you're in the same position as I am. I will leave once I finish."

She turned to leave, but my voice stopped her. "You've changed, Mai."

She turned a little to face me. "I did not change, I merely adjusted to my life's circumstances." She turned to leave again for her office, but I interrupted her one last time.

"Why are you like this?"

The air around us turned colder than normal, such as her eyes did.

"As a graduated psychologist, I can tell you that after an accident your body may heal and you may recover from some psychological trauma, after a heartbreak your heart can be amended by the love of a better caring person, a person can become more applied to studying after failing an exam, and a person may continue fighting for their self- worth after the mistreating of others but I failed to understand and solve a simple yet complicated question: can the lost mind return to its original state?"

I felt afraid. The Mai I knew never had thoughts like this. I knew her question had a deep meaning. Although she didn't expect an answer, I had to give her one.

"While there's life and will, there is hope."

She turned around, facing my soon-to-be private office.

We all jumped when a cup in the coffee table exploded into tiny pieces.

I turned to look back at Mai, but she had disappeared into the office.

I know… I used Stephen Hawking's quote. I even added the will part. :P

So, this is the first chapter of my second fan fiction. I tried using a different way of writing… sort of. Constructive suggestions are welcome. Let me know what you think. It will get better, so don't worry. Haha. I know this chapter was kind of boring, but the next ones will be better. I wanted this long chapter as an introduction as how everything changed so you have an idea as to what might be coming. There will be Mai's POV also. IT WONT BE A SAD STORY.. Love shall be involved too. Please Review. 'Till next chapter!