It's been two years since Naru left for England. In those two years so many things have happened to me. My name is Taniyama Mai and i am a very gifted PK user.
I breathed calmly in through my nose, pulling the strong and stiff string of the bow. I breathed out through my mouth, sending a wooden arrow flying towards the bull's eye. It hits dead Centre. I smile at my accomplishment, even though i have hit the small red circle countless times, the glow of achievement still gets to me every time. Then my smile fades as i recall way i am taking archery lessons. To survive.
I pulled my now long hair out of its hair band, i am taller and my eye color (the use to be mud brown) is richer. For two years it's not just my physical appearance that's changed, everything has.
I remember the day i found out the secrets about myself all too clearly.
FLASHBACK
Tears leaked down the younger Mai's cheeks as she held he dying mother's hand.
"Mai..." Her mother's weak, rasping voice whispered, it was just loud enough for both (the younger and older me) of us to hear. "I'm sorry, I'm leaving you."
The tears fell heavier than before. "No mommy, you can't leave me."
"Shush, sweetie. I have to tell you something important..." Younger Mai nodded, blurry eyed at our mother, her face was pail and narrow. "You are very powerful Mai, and very special. Find... find my diary... it will explain everything." My mother closed her eyes and the steady hum of the hospitals machine told me she was dead.
I woke up sobbing at 7:00am. How could i have forgotten my mother's final wish? How? I didn't know the answer but there was one thing on my mind. The dairy. My mother wanted me to have it so i will find it.
END OF FLASHBACK
I found the diary a few days later barried in the garden of our old house in Tokyo.
I sighed, gathering my things, and walked out into the evening July heat. I found out just how 'special' i really was after reading mom's diary. I also found out that the power i have isn't a blessing (even though i saw it that way at first because it brought me to Naru), it was a curse.
Along with my mom's diary, there was even a data base of all the different types of spirits my mother and my family came across. The data base went all the way back to the 1500's.
I wondered back to my apartment, and as i opened the door a flicker of sorrow licked its way into my heart. When Naru left, everyone in SPR (aka Shibuya Psychic Research) just went off in their own directions. Leaving me, once again, completely and utterly alone.
The next day.
I moaned as i saw the once again i had over slept. I didn't have any school but i did have work at 8:30am till 4:00pm and then archery practice at 5:00pm till 6:00pm. It was routine. It was repetitive. It paid the bills. After Naru left me jobless, what else could i do but get another job.
It was a restaurant that paid well enough, not as much as Naru but enough. Waiting tables and surviving tea and coffee was at first difficult especially since i was extremely clumsy, but now i have developed more grace and better balance.
10 hours later.
I was walking out of the archery changing rooms with my bow clutched in my hand and my quiver slung over my left shoulder. I walked, careful to avoid any stray arrows, across the large practice hall and towards an empty target. I hooked the arrow, breathed in , pulling the arrow back and...
"Hey Mai! There's some people here for you." The deep voice of Toyama-san called. Rolling my eyes i focused back on the target.
"What have i told you Toyama-san! Don't interrupt me." I shouted then released the arrow. Again it strikes the heart of the target board.
I heard a whistle of approval followed by a "Wow, Mai, you're really good." The familiar voice of Monk hit my ears and i spun around in shock. There in front of me was SPR, my friends, my second family, and the people who abandoned me.
My happiness outweighed my anger and sorrow. Well, at least they came back. I told myself but another part of me snorted, yeah shame they didn't come when you needed them. I shook myself mentally, don't go there.
My smile was the happiest i had made in two years and Monk returned it, grabbing me into a bear hug. "Monk, stop! Mai can't breath." Scolded Ayako. When he released me, my eyes scanned over my family: Masako Hara, Ayako Matsuzaki, Osamu Yasuhara, John Brown, Kazuya Shibuya (aka Oliver Davis, aka Naru) and Lin Koujo.
Naru, with his raven black hair and indigo eye, still wore black clothing. I imagined that if i saw him again that he would wear more color since Gene's body was found in the lake... Gene, my spirit guide and good friend, was no longer in my dreams. I missed him.
When my eyes locked with Naru's i knew they darkened with emotion but no one noticed and Naru display any acknowledgement that he cared about my reaction. Of course he wouldn't care, he rejected you, he doesn't love you. Yet you still love him.
I winced at the memory of Naru asking whether i loved him or Gene. Then brushed it off.
"What are you doing hear?" I asked trying to seem indifferent their their sudden appearance.
"I am re-opening SPR. Do you want to come back and work for me." I know it was a question but Naru's cold demeanor made it seen like a statement or an order.
Why is he doing thing to me? It hurts to be be around him, knowing that he doesn't love me ...but i will keep loving him because, if you could love someone, and keep loving them, without being loved back... then that love had to be real. It hurts too much to be anything else. "Okay." I grinned and Monk and Ayako ran over to hug me.
Naru's POV
The plane landed in the Shibuya airport. I smirked think of Mai's reaction when she see's that i am back. I wouldn't admit it but i missed my team, i missed Mai. During my two years of being in London i realised just how stupid i was being when Mai confessed her feelings to me. I now know that i was jealous. I liked knowing that whenever Mai dreamt, she was dreaming of me but when i found out it was Gene she was dreaming about i was infuriated. And i didn't know why.
The first thing i did was called the team, everyone answered their phone except Mai, who's number was 'not in use at the momemt'. I mentally frowned but kepted my facial expression smooth and impassive. Then texted Takigawa to bring Mai. I didn't get a reply.
Everyone was at the office waiting for me and Lin to arrive. When i heard Takigawa and Maksuzaki arguing i had to surpress my grin. People never change. I looked at my co-workers and a frown escaped my emotionless mask: Mai wasn't here. Where was she?
I glared at the unsuspecting Takigawa, "Where's Mai?" I saw the sadness in very ones expressions and before my frown could deepen, i hide my expression.
"Well you see, we all went our separate ways after you left. I saw some of the gang every now and then but now of us has seen Mai in two years." Takigawa looked worried, upset and guilty. I couldn't help feel a twing of guilt myself. Mai had started to think of us as her second family and then we left her.
"So no one knows where she is?" I questioned. On the outside i looked unfazed, maybe a little ennoyed but on the inside i was desperate to find her.
"We went to her apartment but no one has lived there for over a year. I know that two years ago she found a job as a waitress at Amami resturant. I'm not sure if she's still there..."
"Let's go." I ordered.
We got to Amami just as a member of staff was leaving. "Excuse me, miss?" I called. The middle aged women turned toward me.
"Yes." Her voice was kind, she seemed like a good person, at least Mai had someone to look after her. That's if she's even working here, they might have fired her for being clumsy. I smirked at the thought.
"We are looking of Taniyama Mai, i was wondering if you could help me." I inquired.
Suddenly her eyes burned with anger, "What do you want with Mai? I sware if you are another creep who thinks you can treat her like i piece of meat i'll kill you here and now." What? Did many guys ask about Mai?
"No, Miss. I am no a 'creep' as you put it. We are friends and we wanted to get into contact with her since her phone number isn't working." The waitress seem to relax at those words and her eyes scanned the faces of my co-workers behind me.
Then her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "But you're not Kato-kun? And i've never seen you before..." She shook her head. "Okay i'll tell you where Mai is. But be worned if you aren't who you say you are then you will sufferat Mai's hands." After giving me an evil smirk, she told us the address we should go to. I soon found out it was a training hall. What was Mai doing here?
I looked around and saw a man that looked about my age, when i asked him if he new where Mai was, he told us to follow him. We walk into a cool and very large hall. On the wall opposite us, lined 28 archery targets, 15 of which were being useds.
Suddenly my attention shifted toward the girl, who's long brown hair brushed her shoulder even though it was tide in a high ponytail. Her body had curves in all the right places and she held a bow lightly yet securely in her right hand.
She walked over the an empty target and turned so her back was facing us. She hooked an arrow and drew it back...
I hadn't realised i was staring until the amn that had shown us in shouted, "Hey Mai! Tere's some people here for you." Mai? That was Mai. No, it couldn't be.
But i was wrong, the girl-Mai- proved me wrong when she answered, "What have i told you Toyama-kun! Don't interrupt me." I was shocked Mai had only shouted like that at me. Why did this Toyama guy call her Mai? Jealousy budded in me and it took all my control not to let it show on my face.
I watched as Mai shot as arrow straight into the heart of the target and i felt pride swell in my heart. Takigawa whistled and then beamed, "Wow, Mai you're really good."
Mai spun around and the pure shock on her face made me smirk outwardly, a little. After a hug from Takigawa and Ayako pulling him away, Mai scanned over all of SPR's faces. Lastly scanning me and Lin. I stared into her eyes and saw them darken with anger, sorrow, and pain. I felt my stomach not and i wanted nothing more than to ran over to her. My Mai.
I saw her wince at the pain and i winced mentally with her. Then i saw her face go blank of emotions, just like i did with mine, as she asked, "What are you doing here?" Everyone except me and Lin were shocked at the calm, indifference in Mai's voice.
"I am re-opening SPR. Do you want to come back and work for me." I didn't make it a question. I wanted... I needed Mai to be with me. I tried to read her expressions but i saw nothing, not even a trace of emotion shone in her eyes. I was sure that she would turn around the order and began, desperately, to come up with ways of convincing her.
"Okay." That shock me. I looked at Mai and saw her grinning the same idiotic grin she always did before. However there was something else there. Something that i couldn't read.
After that there were lot's of hugs and 'see you tomorrow' (not from Lin and Naru). The gang all split up, going home preparing for tomorrows opening day. Me and Lin went straight to our hotel rooms which we conjoined. Even though i was no longer underage, Lin insisted on coming. He said that he was going to make sure i didn't screw this up for a second time.
But was there going to be a second time?
The pain i saw Mai in when she just looked at me, hurt even from a distance. "Me or Gene?" The words echoed around my head, how could i hurt my Mai so much and not realise it?
I was wrong earlier, people do change. Mai has changed. And i might be part of the reason why she changed.