I DO NOT OWN GHOST HUNT.


Another conference, father had put me on the panel to do a lecture with Lin assisting. I didn't quite care for any of it and yet an odd part of me was curious and hoping to bump into Mai in Japan, since that is where it would take place. She would have the same short-length hair, the lack-luster tomboy body, and yet maintain her fiery temper that was bigger than her tiny body in comparison.

I miss her tea. I know that sounds stupid but English tea isn't quite the same to her Earl Grey mixture and I didn't know why. Did she buy a specific blend? I didn't know but I had the housemaid buy every possible blend at the stores just to try my luck. Maybe it wasn't the tea I missed but her instead? No, that couldn't be it, what did that trivial girl had that every other girl here didn't have?

The door to my room opened and Lin stepped in with a questioning expression, "What is it?" I asked.

"The housemaid came by and knocked on the door, she looked too scared to attempt coming in. She noticed me coming this way and asked if I could take in your tea. She looked so scared that I agreed" Lin explained with a smirk on his face.

"Stupid petulant woman, one simple task and she can't even do that" I commented.

"I've heard you told the kitchen staff to require every type of blend of Earl Grey. Is the tea not to your liking as of late?" Lin still had that stupid smirk on his face.

"None of these people don't know how to make a god damn good tea anymore. Is that my fault? It is not, I'll just settle with their inadequacy then" as I said this I pick up the tea and took a sip.

"You just can't admit that you miss Taniyama and now you are taking it out on everyone else. Martin even mentioned how you snap at BPR more than usual of late" he pointed out.

"If you are here to make up a fictitious story for your own personal amusement then you may leave. I do have to prepare for the upcoming lecture" my attempt at dismissing him did nothing.

"That's another oddity, normally you don't accept doing lectures and yet you accepted this one. Is it because you hope to see her while we are in Japan?" he asked casually.

At this point I ignore him and take a seat at my desk to work on the lecture. I don't know how long it was but he eventually left the room and I sighed. Who was I kidding? Not even myself but then that memory comes to mind of when she confessed to me. She told me of how she cared and loved me but when I pointed out she was in love with Gene and not me, she said nothing. I would not be Gene's replacement for her even if the thought very briefly crossed my mind.

~Nau Ma Ku San Man Da Bazara Dan Kan~

Soon enough we were in Japan checking into our hotel room. When mother mentioned being hungry, Lin suggested a restaurant that he knew was near Mai's complex. I made no vocal disproval but glares were sent his way. As we sat in that restaurant my eyes kept wandering to the windows whenever I saw someone walked past. I had to scold myself of my own behavior. I didn't like her nor did I love her and that was that.

As we made our way back to the hotel and mother said her goodnight, Lin and I went into our room. Lin smirked, "Didn't see her walking by in the view of the windows, Noll?" he asked with a smirk.

"You know Lin, I don't appreciate your assumptions. So kindly keep them to yourself and I will only say this once" I tell him letting his comments get to me.

"My assumptions nor my comments should bother you, Noll. That is if Taniyama meant nothing to you" he said before excusing himself to the bathroom to change.

The omnyoji did not know what he was talking about, I told myself as I gather bedding for the night. Although my shower did nothing to disperse my thoughts of Mai and I only wondered what she was doing now.

At the conference next day we arrived at 9AM even though knowing my lecture wouldn't be until later. There was some booths with different people and locations that either did paranormal research or were ghost hunters. Then there was the random people claiming to be psychic, willing to do card readings for a price. I knew those people were completely fake and didn't bother with them.

Mother seem to have made it a habit to stick to either father or myself. It was when the lectures began that we looked up to the stage. The first two lectures were reiterating facts that he already knew but then third lecture surprised him as it was Father John Brown, Yasuhara Osamu, and if my eyes weren't deceiving me, a more mature version of Mai.

Father Brown went on explaining there Ghost Hunt service titled Jaiya, I could only imagined who named it that. As they proceeded through their presentation, Father Brown reintroduced Mai, saying she would do a demonstration of PKLT. I couldn't believe it possible but my eyes were at attention on the stage. Father John had Yasuhara step forward and I took notice of Mai taking a breath before focusing on him.

Nothing could describe my amazement at how Mai levitated Yasuhara up, side-to-side, then back down. The conference hall went silent and then everyone was clapping, including my family except for Lin and myself. I think it was because of our surprise of how much Mai's powers had grown.

Before I knew it, Lin had split off from my side. I notice him approaching the group of three, I stayed my distance but then I decided buck up the courage to cross the room over to them.

"Yes, well with you and Mai bunking and locking the door on me that seems to be an easy feat" Yasuhara said directly at Father Brown.

"I'm sorry did I mishear but are you sleeping with Father Brown?" I asked without thinking first, Mai looked displeased on my arrival.

"Shibuya, nice to see you again. But yes, as Yasuhara just explained to Lin, I stepped away from priesthood but with the Pope's blessing I'm still allowed to practice exorcisms" John was blunt and to the point, it seemed he didn't appreciate my appearance either.

"I see, well Taniyama, I noticed you're still developing. As whoever your trainer is must be a saint" I wanted to rile this woman up, to see the Mai I once long ago would banter with.

"John, are you a saint? Are you telling me I could have sent up a favor on my Finals, dang I missed out" Yasuhara deflected by changing the conversation but it answered that John is the one that trains her.

"Brown trains you?" I ask in annoyance.

"Well John gives the right incentives for me to want to do better, honestly I don't think no one could have done as good as him. Plus, Yasuhara did enough research in assisting us" Mai spoke up, her voice was still the same, sweet and optimistic.

Before I could ask anymore questions I could hear my father calling out her name, "Miss Taniyama! Miss Taniyama! I am Martin Davis, father to Oliver as you just met him and this is my wife, Luella Davis" I could only imagine where this conversation could go from here, which is father asking her to join BPR.

"Father, she does not know English" hoping I was right I want to redirect us away.

"That is not true. Hello Mr. and Mrs. Davis, I'm sorry we have never had the pleasure. Oliver never did speak of his parents. At work it was just that, work! But I'm a bit more open, it allows us to build trust on our little team" she said that so well in English, her voice sounded so different but in a good way.

"Oh goodie! Someone else to speak English with besides these workaholic grumps. I love the I do but it's all business and no play. But dear do tell how you know our Oliver" Mother looked on expectantly while I was nervous on what she would tell her.

Yasuhara was the one who spoke up, "Madam, did the great Oliver Davis dare not speak our names? We all worked together at SPR once upon a time. Mai, the lowly assistant that he hired only to pay off a debt to him that she got fooled into. John, once a priest as well worked alongside, he still practices exorcism but left the priesthood for our dear Mai. Then I, the researcher who scarcely made any appearance and set to play Oliver's stand-in at one point. So, now you know everything" he gave mother a short tattle-tale synopsis of our previous work.

"Oliver, is this young man telling the truth?" mother demanded of me while wearing a look of disappointment.

I glared at Yasuhara who showed no sign of guilt, "I wasn't there to make friends mother, I didn't see any importance to mention my workers" I say as if it was obvious.

"Noll! How could you not inform us, especially someone as adorable as Mai" mother scolded in front of the others.

"What about not reporting her abilities, that PKLT was quite a demonstration young lady. I would like to offer you a position at British Psychic Research (BPR) if you are interested" father dismissed my predicament with mother and went straight-forward to offering her a position as I predicted.

"As much as I appreciate that offer Mr. Davis, I don't think I could accept. John and Yasuhara also work alongside me. Plus, Yasuhara and I are still taking courses at the college" she went for the polite letdown, if only she knew how father could get when he wants something.

"I would be willing to extend my invitation and set up a scholarship for you and Yasuhara at any British University of your choice" offering a scholarship to both Mai and Yasuhara was definitely very generous, bribery was now the key here for him.

"Mr. Davis, let me discuss this with my boyfriend and friend. This would be a big educational leap for us, so it has to be thought out, like living arrangements and income" now Mai was thinking about it.

Although I disliked how she referred to Brown as 'boyfriend' I was hopeful she would come, I could get closer if I wanted to. There was no way Brown could stand up to her and be the proper 'boyfriend' she needed.

"We will be here at least three more days; I will give two to make your decision. Also, BPR will setup housing for workers and offers quite the decent pay" father knew he had her now, so he took his leave.

"Oh Mai, please do consider, it is quite beautiful, and I would be more than happy to guide you around and have a fellow female who isn't quite all business. Madoka is good company but even she can get sucked in as well" Mother sure knew how to lay on the guilt before she went to follow father.

"Well Miss Taniyama, you have quite the decision. If you decide to join us, I would offer my input on your training, if you like" Lin offered his services as well and I eyed his behavior as odd.

Turning back to them I had quite a bit to say, "We'll be going now, bye Dr. Davis" Yasuhara escorted them away before I could comment any further. But I had to wonder and possibly hope that Mai would agree to join us.