Ghost Hunt

Shibuya Psychic Research

Case Number (#): 7

Case Name: The Bloodstained Labyrinth

He'd seen her cry before. Her tears weren't unfamiliar to him. She was too emotional for her own damn good.

But twice already he'd been the cause of those watery eyes.

The first was in the church with Kenji. Although she'd been possessed at that time and it technically wasn't her feelings which were hurt but the little boy's, it was her face which crumpled with heartbreaking sadness. Sienna eyes brimming with unshed tears, pink lips turning down into a frown, cheeks flush with emotions.

That face haunted him, even long after the case, and Lin swore to himself that he would never ever make her cry again.

"I simply do not wish to be friends with Japanese people who have neither knowledge nor awareness of such things."

He observed her expression: eyes wide with shock at his statement, mouth slightly agape, eyebrows furrowed in confusion; her breathing ragged. At his peripheral vision, he caught one of her hands ball into a fist while the other clenched at the fabric of her khaki shorts.

Then her face changed as her eyes narrowed and filled with tears, her mouth morphing into a small frown, biting her lower lip momentarily before she released it to take in a shaky breath. In his mind's eye flashed the face—her face—which haunted him even in his waking moments and Lin knew that he had just broken his own promise.

But this time was slightly different.

Her eyes weren't just sad but a bit angry as well. Hurt and disbelieving. As if his words had caused her physical pain. But it seemed like he was hurting more of himself rather than her. As he watched her tremble with emotion, he could feel a little bit of his heart break along with her own. Despite his intimidating demeanor, Lin disliked hurting people, whether physically or emotionally.

Twice already he had made the same girl cry, in the short period of time he'd known Mai Taniyama. She was usually a good sport but making her cry would not only rouse her surrogate family but evoke later feelings of regret.

Very much like he was feeling now.

He watched as her eyes shone with shattered innocence. Lin couldn't help but scoff to himself. She was so naïve, it was almost ridiculous!

"It's not like I don't know."

Her voice was shaky and her breaths were uneven in between. Her fingers clench tighter on her shorts but she continued on to speak, "It's true that Japan did some awful things, but holding grudges from the past like that… something's not right about it!"

It's not like she wasn't aware. She was. Painfully. Despite her positive outlook on life and cheerful demeanor, Mai had seen and experienced things no young girl her age are even supposed to dwell upon.

She was an orphan. Parents both dead and left without any known living relative.

She supported herself. She had to grow up pretty fast in order to make sure that she would be alright and most teenagers didn't really think about having a job. Well, most teenagers don't have to worry about paying bills or tuition fees.

Her education depended on scholarships. Despite Naru's belittling of her mental capabilities, Mai was clever and quick to think. Her deeper thinking had led to the solution of many cases before and Naru was just too damn stubborn to praise her properly!

So it wasn't like she didn't know.

She didn't turn a blind eye on such issues but rather, looked past the prejudices and the hatred and the grudges, seeing with fresh eyes that judged not only upon history but on the present as well…

"If you did that… it means that the entire world would have to hate one another for all eternity. That's just weird and I don't like it at all!" Mai continued to speak and she was growing bolder and bolder with every word.

Lin quietly admired her for her courage and insight but he had a point to make clear, both to himself and to her. But he patiently waited for her to finish, knowing that it'd be best if she got the weight off her chest. She was rather impatient, as well.

"I can't help it if you hate me, but I don't want to be hated just because I'm Japanese!"

"Don't hate me because I'm Japanese!"

Her voice melded with his' and Lin couldn't help but come onto startling terms on how alike they were. Maybe, why a part of him didn't like her very much was because she was reminiscent to him. They haven't found him yet and being with her almost every day was like a painful reminder on what he and Naru lost…

Unable to stop himself, Lin doubled over slightly, a deep chuckle escaping his lips.

Mai's face fell and an expression of slight exasperation took place. It only made Lin's smirk grow wider and he failed to cover it with his fist and a cough. When he explained his reason, he found himself graced with her smile. Her eyes were no longer brimming with tears and she was looking at him with so much tenderness, it felt as if a weight had been lifted over his shoulders and his heart rate increased slightly.

"I don't hate you," he said, more kindness in his tone. No, not at all. Far from it.

"However, automatic responses like that aren't easy to eliminate." But I'll try. For you, I'll try to be better.

He stood from his seat and bowed, "I spoke rudely." Please forgive me. "I apologize." Please, please, please forgive me.

From his bangs, he saw her bow down as well, "Likewise, I'm sorry." You hardly have anything to be sorry for. I know it's not your fault but I can be too narrow-minded for my own good. I'm so sorry…

They both straightened at the same time and her eyes met his'. They were shining with newfound joy and she offered him her winning smile. He couldn't help but offer a small one in return, his heart beating rapidly against his chest. As they looked at each other, Lin felt something form and settle between them. Something that went deep and held strong.

A bond; a promise. One they formed and only they shared.

It was intimate in ways only for them to understand.

Then the door to the base opened and their eye contact broke as they both turned to face their arriving team mates.

But the bond was still there. Between them, almost palpable, Lin felt as if he could reach out and touch it.

As strong and as deep as if they were still staring into each other's eyes.