A/N: This chapter is mostly a filler chapter. So my apologies if you find it boring. Most likely I'll be updating the next chapter during the weekend. Thank you for reading/reviewing/favoriting/following. I appreciate it.

Chapter 4

The month of April was giving way to May and each day was agonizing for the young woman. Oliver had announced at the seminar nearly three weeks ago that he would open up Japan's SPR in the next month and here May would be arriving in two days. The anxiety felt for seeing the young man again, if he even wanted to employ her, was nerve wracking. She had also not seen Madako since the seminar. For the mentor decided to stay in England for a few weeks.

Pacing in nothing but a long shirt that came to her thighs, and shorts that barely passed the shirt, she aimlessly cleaned her already clean apartment. The only lighting in the house came from the drawn windows. Mai preferred sunlight rather than turning on a lamp. The bright spring sun was giving her small living room the perfect glow all while music from her favorite pop station played. However she droned out the sound and soon enough she realized she was only sweeping dust in an exact circle. Sighing loudly she threw the broom down.

Mai wasn't tolerable to patience. Often she was known for her impatience from peers and close friends. As soon as she arrived back in Japan she had met up with majority of SPR. Bou-San, John Brown, Yasuhara and Ayako whom arranged it all. They had all met at the same ramen shop they often went to three years previous and the reunion was filled with John's kind smile, Yasuhara's endless flirting, Ayako's trademark remarks and Bou-San's ruffling of her much longer hair.

Much had not changed between them but their lives had been extremely busy since. Mai was reminded again with their present circumstances that three years, in fact, was a very long time.

John Brown had physically changed into quite the handsome man. No longer did his face hold the boyish charm that always gave her that pleasing smile. Instead was a man with sculpted hard features and impossibly greener eyes. He traveled more and planned on opening a Catholic Church in the vicinity.

Yasuhara had not changed much physically but he impressively had gotten a few of his essays published into the school books for certain courses. Which he gloated about arrogantly. He was a junior now in university and was studying in international business, which was no surprise to everyone. Yasuhara was still as much as a smooth talker as he was three years previously.

Ayako was still a part time doctor at her parents hospital. She still cleansed earth bound spirits, that hardly existed, and still wore lots of flattering makeup.

Takigawa had just ended his band's final tour. Two of his band mates were beginning to raise families and found the band distracting. Takigawa certainly held reserves about the abrupt breakup, especially in their prime. So he claimed. But he was determined to start another group. Ayako, of course, told him he should quit while he was ahead saying he'll never top the 140 album sales he made. This comment caused an abrupt argument that had Yasuhara instigating merrily and leaving John Brown rather uncomfortable. Mai only laughed. So deliriously happy she cried at the end of the night not wanting their reunion to end. But she was promised nothing further would come between them not even in death, as Yasuhara so kindly put into joking words.

Mai smiled leaned against the back of her couch. The ring of her cellphone had her clumsily stumbling backward in quite the awkward landing. Her legs were above her head and her back was twisted to the right on the brown cushion. She blew hairs out of her face before righting herself and grabbing her cellphone from the coffee table.

"You would think being a psychic I would have known the phone would ring." She stated in an agitated tone before answering the phone.

"Konichiwa!" She excited spoke into the receiver.

"'Ello Mai! What took you so damn long to answer the phone?!"

Mai could only name one person more impatient than herself. That person was Madoka.

"Sorry was spring cleaning."

"On a Saturday?"

The statement was clearly laced with concern about her not getting out enough for her age. However two things were of no substance to this concern. One, Mai was normally working a dead end job so she hadn't the time to go out. And secondly...

"It's Sunday morning, Madoka."

"Hahaha! That's right! I forgot the time difference. It's rather late here."

Madoka was still in England and forgot the time difference clearly. Things like this always seemed to slip past the strawberry blonde haired woman's mind. Mai only smiled in humor at the situation but wondered why she was receiving such a late call. It was certainly past midnight where Madako was.

"I called to inform you that I'll be arriving in Japan on May 1st."

That wasn't the news Mai was expecting. And a small part of her admitted it wasn't the news she wanted to hear. But still she smiled kindly.

"I'm glad. I wish you safe travels!"

"Hopefully Lin and Oliver arrive safely tomorrow as well."

Mai nearly dropped her phone but luckily after the second attempt to catch the falling phone she caught it. She held it with a much more tighter grip.

"Naru is coming back?" She asked innocently.

A laugh on the other end of the phone could be heard.

"Of course! You think he was bluffing at the seminar? He also plans on opening SPR and employing the same employees from three years ago if willing."

Mai had to catch her breath. She was grateful she was sitting down because her wild heart beat was causing her to be faint.

"He would like to employ you again, Taniyama."

Mai gasped into the phone and silently cursed herself for that careless display of emotion. She was feeling so much at that moment. She was certain though of one thing. She didn't want to feel happy about this.

Before she spoke into the phone she thought much clearer about the situation. Questions began to form rapidly. Had everyone been informed already? Why hadn't Oliver contact her about the job himself? And would she be given her old position as an assistant? His assistant.

Anger started to form in the pit of her stomach. If he thought she would become his assistant again he was dead wrong. And for him to not even ask her himself but have Madako do his bidding was just so...rude.

"Why are you informing me, Madako?"

"Thought I should tell you first before the email got to you. Also that I've been mentoring you for two difficult years. Now is your time to shine!"

Mai had caught the innocent slight and rolled her eyes at the older woman's antics. But she knew it was kindness and anticipation on the other end of the line.

"If Naru thinks I'll be making his tea he's got another thing coming!" She declared annoyingly.

"Noll doesn't drink tea. So nothing to worry about."

The statement had the young woman frozen in her spot. When had he stopped drinking tea? She knew him to be an complete tea addict. Had he gone to some rehabilitation center and done a 12 step program. She giggled at the thought of Naru sitting in a circle with other addicts and introducing himself.

"Hello, I am Oliver."

"Hello Oliver."

"I'm here because I'm a tea addict."

"Helloooooo!" Madako cooed into the phone.

"Sorry sorry!" Mai ,once again, cursed herself for her careless behavior.

"No problem! Aha. I'm sure this is a lot to take in."

She sighed in response. It certainly was. In more ways than one.

"Well, I'm bidding you a good day as I will retire for the rest of this late evening. See ya soon, Mai!"

"Sleep well, Madako!" Mai smiled into the response. A resounding click was heard and the call was at an end.

Oliver was returning. Naru was coming back.

The sentences were repeated multiple times in her head and the emotion that followed multiplied. She was fearful. Dreadfully scared of what would come with his arrival, including the feelings that would arise. Deep in the back of her mind she wanted to see him. She wanted to interact with him, have him notice her and her changes. She would not be his love sick tea maiden as she once was. She would be someone to rival, someone of power... A woman. So often had he and everyone else treated her as a child and she would no longer stand for it. She was different. Her heartbreak had ensured this difference.

A ping came from her laptop. Walking over to the small dining room table she noticed a new email. Noticing the email address was from Oliver Davis. She had a mini panic then opened the email.

Mai Taniyama,

The month of May will be the official opening of SPR in the Shibuya district of Japan.

I am contacting for your previous employment three years prior. No longer will you be serviced as an assistant but an investigator. Your compensation will have increased as well as your benefits for this promotion.

On May 1st there will be a grand opening with a selection of food, drinks and getting reacquainted with the rest of the employees.

The time this begins will be at 9am sharp. Be prompt.

Dr. Oliver Davis,
Parapsychologist

How dare he?! Assuming she would take the position already was just like the narcissist. He hadn't even asked her if she would take the position as his investigator. Nor did he ask her if she would come to the grand opening. Instead his jeering words, "be prompt" could be heard in her mind.

From reading the email she could assume that the rest of the old gang would be there. As he stated that it would be an opportunity to be reacquainted again. She wondered if they had received emails as well. Picking up her cellphone from her coffee table she scrolled down her limited contacts and dialed Bou-San's number. After two dials he answered.

"Hey hey Jou-Chan! What's up?"

She smiled at how familiar and welcoming Monk's voice was.

"Hello Bou-San! I had a question..."

"Is this a boy question? Because Mai you're never too young to date." Mai sighed in good humor at Monk's classic commentary on the male specimen. He hadn't changed a bit.

"Give it some time and leave the boys alone. They're all up to no good!" Monk said with such vigor.

Her cheeks had become quite red from his declaration. She had become flustered.

"No no that's not it at all!"

"Well then what could it..." A pause could be heard than a strange noise was heard. Mai raised an eyebrow with confusion.

"This isn't about Naru by any chance is it?" She immediately recognized Monk's leering tone.

"Not exactly..."

"Oh Jou-Chan! Are you still in love with Naru?!" He gawked.

"Absolutely not! I can't stand him!" She had gotten so riled up she breathes heavily.

Silence passed and then an awkward cough came from the other line.

"Oh um... I'm sorry, Mai. It's so strange to hear you be so upset with someone." She was going to reply to his apology but his last added statement made her come to a complete stop. "It's not like you."

The words were spoken so softly she almost missed them. It wasn't like her. The girl monk knew three years ago didn't have the heart to hate. Who she was presently had three years of question, loss, sorrow, loneliness, anger and rejection festered within her spirit. She knew it weren't healthy to feel this way but she just did. And it hurt knowing others found her incapable of emotions other than joy.

Every person was a factor of light and darkness. No matter how much more one possessed the other still existed. And she were no exception. She was hurt by Oliver and she had a right to feel these emotions that were suppressed not by her own doing but another.

Deciding not to reply to previous statement she decided to be direct.

"Tell me if you're coming back to SPR, please?" The exhaustion was clear in her voice, that much the Monk gathered.

"Yes. Naru called myself and Ayako. I haven't checked on the others yet but I'm sure they're all coming back."

Just as she thought. He hadn't even the decency to call her. She deserved so much more from him. She wanted respect and to not be treated as a child that needed to be walked around egg shells. How she weren't good enough for a phone call was beyond her understanding. All she could assume was that Oliver still had something against her. Maybe he did find her stupid, obnoxious and childish afterall. Great sadness overcame her but she washed it down with ease. She expected nothing less from him. Three years had built up from his prior behavior towards her. She could only believe that the no contact was a reflection of how he always felt for her. If anything the anger she felt at the moment was against herself for feeling susceptible to hope.

"Hm."

"Are you alright?" Bou-San asked so dearly.

She wanted to tell him but it were futile. She was the one in the way of her own feelings. It was a one way street and involving others whom she just got reacquainted with was not what she wanted.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Bou-San." She said with as much ease as possible.

"No problem no problem!" Bou-San's enthusiastic voice was back. She had a small smile appear on her face.

"Would you like to get together later for icecream?" He spoke with a bargaining tone.

"I'm not sure.."

"My treat!" He added in quickly.

He knew she enjoyed summer mango passion icecream around this time. He also knew whenever she was down from Naru or school related things that icecream was the cure. Especially if he purchased her cone. So he wasn't surprised when he heard her give a heavy sigh.

"What time?"

"I'll be over to pick you up at 2!"

She imagined Monk was doing a small victory dance at the moment. She giggled to herself and remembered he needed her address.

"I'll give you my address."

"No need. I remember." He said without hesitation.

"It's been three years!" She stuttered out.

Monk's memory was good as she remembered but he had only taken her home a matter of five times. How he could possibly remember with that duration of time was astounding.

A soft sigh was heard and she straightened her stance knowing Monk's tone was turning serious.

"I couldn't stay away from you exactly, Mai." He confessed. "Sometimes I would drive by and look up at your window to see your light on. It gave me some comfort that you were alright."

Tears welled up in Mai's eyes. Never did she imagine a declaration such as that one. He hadn't forgotten her. He wanted to know she was alright and for those three years she wondered the same. It was so so bittersweet to know that he longed to see her just as much as she longed to see him. Takigawa had always been one of her dearest friends even against gender and age. She knew that the duration of time hadn't effected a thing. Love always remained. It seemed to be a repetitive lesson in the past weeks. But a pleasant one.

"I'll be ready at 2." Mai said with a new attitude.

Slowly but surely she was finding herself again.

Late at night, after spending the day with Takigawa, Mai lay in bed wondering if she should go to the grand opening of SPR. Heck, she even wondered if she should work for SPR again.

SPR wasn't necessarily the problem. She loved the line of work. Helping families, the poor souls trapped by resentment and emotions and being around her paranormal family. But Naru would be there. And Mai wasn't certain she was ready to see him daily. Especially with the feelings that were surfacing as if they never left.

But Madako's words were ringing in her head constantly.

She didn't want to harbor hate. She didn't want to feel this anger and sadness control her. She wanted to do what she loved most. And she loved SPR. She loved feeling like she were herself. Naru wouldn't be the reason for her turning down the opportunity. It would be her own fault.

She would go.

And she would apologize to Naru for her behavior the night of the convention. He seemed to have forgiven her with his asking her to be an employee again. But still.

There was much Mai had to ponder but she would think through things once she got there. For now, she would sleep.