I'm so sorry for this long update. I got a holiday fever…no…a real fever… That's why I apologize. The good news is: I had finished two chapters and update them for you. And by mistake, I've deleted my previous chapter. Hics! I must repair it again... Okay, chapter 2 is here…
Disclaimer: Of course I don't own ghost Hunt. Do I have to repeat it every time I write this? Sigh….
Chapter 2
It's been two months after Mai moved back to Tokyo. She was a field assistant at the magazine. That meant that most of her work was about gathering information, rather than staying in the office. One day, the fate brought her back to the place where she once belonged. She and the team were asked to collect information from high school girls about the latest model of bags, so they would rank the bags model from the designers in their 'youth spring' edition. Much from her hope, she was not placed in Shinjuku, but of any other place in Tokyo, Shibuya. To put her stressed on top, her team was choosing Dogenzaka as it had malls on it, and the 'fashion observer' girls would definitely gathered there.
The autumn October sky was really clear and bright. Although it just a little cold, but Mai wore a jacket, hat and put a scarf on her shoulder. Her friend, Yuki Nagano, laughed to see her.
"Hoi Mai, it's not that cold outside. Come on, we used to work in a fashion magazine. Don't look like a weirdo. Take it off…" She said and pulled Mai's hat away. Mai tried to hide herself by wearing those things, but also realized that she would like a weird lady that would draw more attention to her.
Mai sighed in defeat. She just hoped that she would not meet her acquaintances. They waited until the school time over, and tried to ask every girl they met about the newest model of bags that they liked. As usual, Mai found it very boring. She talked to the girl, showed them the picture of the bags, and asked their opinion. Mai remembered her school years. She had to admit that she didn't have time to do that window-shopping activity with her friends. She was very busy to work and saved her money for her live.
Two days had already passed. They already collected two third from their target number. With nothing happened so far, Mai became much more relaxed. She worked loosely than before
It was still afternoon when Mai still talked to two high school girls whom were on the way to go home from their part time job. Those two girls still chose the picture of bags that they like the most. Mai was ready with her question form, when a familiar voice was heard.
"Aaa, Mai…! You are Mai, right…?!"
Mai raised her head and looked at the person whom stood not far from her. Her body became tensed, she knew that person. He's Houshou Takigawa, the ex-monk, her colleague in the past.
That man approached her and smiled widely, "Oh, Mai-chan… I can't believe it. I meet you here, "He pinched her cheeks and rested his head on top of Mai's head. "We've been searching for you. Where have you been?"
"Bou-san…" she protested and struggled to release herself. The two school girls giggled to watch them, but Takigawa ignored them.
"Ow…ow…, Mai…you're still cute as always. Let me see, oh, you look thinner," Takigawa rapped her head like she was a five years old girl, "Do you eat properly, eh?"
"Bou-san…" Mai whispered, felt embarrassing already, "I'm still working…"
"Hee…?!?" Takigawa looked at her side, and his eyes met her co-workers whom watched at them in astonishment. He bowed and apologized for interrupting Mai's work. He grabbed her phone that was put inside her jacket's pocket, "I'll borrow your phone, okay?"
Takigawa pushed some number of his own, and checked his phone. After Mai's number showed up on the screen, he grinned and returned Mai's phone. "I've already have your number. Listen, I have a meeting at the SPR office, "he smiled weakly to see the dark shadow that was formed on her face, "I'll call you and we'll have some tea, okay! Ack! I'm late, have to go, bye Mai…!
Takigawa run and waved his hand so eagerly. Mai stared at him, speechless. Despite the fact that it was a big city, it was still useless to prevent this from not happening. Mai sighed and turned her body to her previous work, but her other co-worker had already replaced her and asked the girls instead. She eyed the girls who walked out from a café but Nagano approached her with a big grin plastered on her face.
"Oi Mai…who's that? Your boyfriend?"
"No, he's just my colleagues from my previous work. By the way, have we reached our target?" Mai tried to avoid the conversation about the monk. That unwanted meeting made Mai little uncomfortable.
Nagano checked her note, "Well, it seems that we have twenty two more girls to go. Heh, this job is boring, right?"
Mai laughed and tapped her back, "So, to end this boring situation, let's finish this quickly."
Nagano groaned and backed away. Mai was about to stopped three school girls when she suddenly remembered something. She took her phone and started to write an email to Takigawa: 'Bou-san, please don't tell the others that you've met me. Please…please…please…… I'm not ready to meet them right now.' She hoped that Takigawa will read the message on time.
Time passed by, Mai and the team was already finished their job. They still organized their data in a small teahouse before returned to the office. Mai's worry was bigger as Takigawa did not reply her email.
"Mai, you don't have to return to office. I'll bring them by myself. You've worked overnight yesterday. So, it's my turn today. Beside, you'll meet again with your friend, right?"
Mai was about to say something when her phone rang. She got a reply from Takigawa: 'Aw, Mai. I'm sorry; I was kind of late to read your email. But it's okay, soon or later you'll have to meet us anyway. I bring Ayako and John. Let's meet in the place where we met before, okay? Don't say no or Ayako will track you down and skin you alive. And don't underestimate her ability, or the earth spirit will haunt you till death.'
Mai put her hand on her forehead. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. She was about to mail Takigawa that she could not meet him because she had to return to the office, but remembered suddenly that Takigawa had already knew where she worked. The probability of them stormed to her office was great, so she decided to mail him back and said 'yes'. After she and her team parted to their own destination, Mai stood in front of a DVD store, waiting.
It didn't take long until Mai saw that group of trio. She could see Takigawa's hand waved high in the air, the smiling John and the running Matsuzaki. Yes, that miko run and hugged her tightly. She still just the same, except that her hair isn't red anymore, but return to its black normal colour.
"Mai…you really are mean, you know. You vanished just like that and left us without a word. I miss you so much. I've been searching for you, everywhere."
Mai hugged her back. She realized that somehow, she missed them too. One and two of her tears dribbled to her cheeks.
"Now…now, don't cry here, you two. Everyone is staring at us." Takigawa whispered.
Matsuzaki released Mai and wiped her eyes. John patted Mai's shoulder and smiled widely. He seemed very happy to see her again. Takigawa led them to the nearest café. After they sat properly and ordered their drink, John was the one to speak first.
"Mai-san, I'm so glad we meet again."
Mai bowed her head and grinned apologetically.
"Where have you been?" asked Matsuzaki impatiently, "I always think that it was my fault that made you left. If only I didn't tell you about Naru and Masako…"
"Don't worry Ayako, it's not your fault. That was about time that I would know about them. And I wasn't leaving just because of that matter. I had other thing to do." She wouldn't tell them.
"I was looking for you. Your teacher guardian didn't tell me anything. I also searched you at Todai but you didn't register back. We lost your track. Where have you been living all these years?"
Mai stirred her juice slowly, "I met this kind woman, Hamada-san, and she became my guardian. She asked me to live in Chiba. So, there was the place where I've been living. I have a job here in Tokyo, so I must move back." Mai answered them in short explanation. She was afraid that if she talked too much, her biggest secret would reveal.
"Why didn't you register for your university acceptance? If that's because of what Naru had done, you're so silly, you know. You've worked really hard for that exam."
"Hmm, I'm afraid that would be the reason. I didn't want to see him anymore, so I needed to run away as far as I could. Don't blame me. That was my decision. And till now, I'm not regretting that. But Bou-san, does everyone know that you've met me?"
Takigawa ruffled his hair, smiling broadly. "Err…about that, I'm afraid so. You know, I was so excited so I blurted it out as soon as I entered the office. And I just read your email a couple minute later. What do you think should I do? Should I say: 'Well guys, I'm afraid I've mistaken something. That's not Mai, this girl just sent me an email and said that she was completely different person who looked like her although I've already hugged her and pinched her cheeks.'?
Mai raised her eyebrows and frowned. "I think, it can't be helped, then. So, what about you guys?"
Takigawa pointed his finger to Matsuzaki, "Be prepare, Mai. I know it's a miracle but she's already engaged to someone. Poor man..."
Matsuzaki punched his shoulder. Mai stared at Matsuzaki in surprised, "Wow, congratulation, Ayako… I'm happy for you. Who is this guy?"
Matsuzaki blushed slightly, "His family is an old acquaintance of mine. He is our hospital's new lawyer. That's where we met."
Mai clapped her hands after Matsuzaki showed her engage ring. "What about you, Bou-san? John?"
Takigawa shrugged, "My band just released our third album. Let's hope it will be a big hit."
"Any Mrs. Takigawa yet?"
Matsuzaki was the one to answer, "Oh, he's such a big idiot. His family planned several dates for him. And he screwed those…"
"Hey…! What's the fun of woman from a monk family too?" Takigawa snarled, "My father just did that so I would return to the mountain."
Mai laughed whole heartedly. It always fun to be with them. She glanced at John.
"I'm still a priest. There's nothing new about me." John answered her silent question.
"Well, if you want to know about the others, Yasuhara almost finished from University, I think... He wanted to come with us, too. But he couldn't, he had to prepare our next case." Takigawa explained, "Lin is just the same, so is Naru. Masako is busy with her university things."
Mai took a deep breath, "How are they? Naru and Masako? Are they still together?"
Matsuzaki nodded gloomily. Mai smiled again to reassure them that she was okay to hear about that, "So, you have a case. What's this about?"
"It's about a new restaurant in Osaka. We don't have much to tell, because we must wait for further observation. I guess we'll go there in the next five days."
"Oh, how I miss the investigation, "said Mai, reminiscently.
The conversation continued for another hour. They interrogated her about her new work, her life in Chiba and her guardian. It's almost dinner time when the conversation ended. Mai insisted to go home, didn't want to make her guardian waited for a longer time. They parted at the bus station.
"Well, why didn't you tell her that Naru and Masako had just engaged last month?" Takigawa asked Matsuzaki after they saw her off.
"Really, I can't believe you're asking that. You don't understand a girl's heart! Mai still love Naru, I can see it in her eyes. Let's keep her heart for another pain a bit longer, okay?"
"I think Mai-san also hide something from us." John added, "She didn't tell us where her house is. Although, I guess she agreed to meet us only because Takigawa-san met her by accident. I mean, she's been here for two months and not even trying to contact one of us."
Takigawa and Matsuzaki nodded.
To be continued…
Todai = short for Tokyo University.
Ouwww…thank to all the reviewers. I love you all. You make my world so wonderful.
And…about the errors… ehehe… please bear and forgive that sin. Oh, how irresponsible of me…
Is this a 'happy ending' story? Who knows… There's so much happy ending story here. Maybe I'll kill one of the main characters later. Perhaps Naru will be killed after he reunites with Mai? Ack! Ouch!! Things are thrown at me..!!! Whose slippers are these? Both are left!!!