A/N: Hey everyone, I hope that you would enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.
Edited: November 28, 2017
-oOo-
Flashback...
"Hello, Lin". He recognized the voice immediately and he started to pale…
...Flashback
-oOo-
"Hello, Lin. How's everyone doing? I heard about your adoption of Noll's younger assistant." A woman's voice said through the phone.
Lin composed him and calmed down before answering, "Hello, as well Mrs. Davis. Yes, it is true that I have adopted Noll's assistant."
The person on the other end of the line paused for a minute, organizing her thoughts then asked, "Does she know the truth about Noll's identity? Or why Noll is even in Japan?"
"No, she doesn't know of it. Noll and I already had a conversation, though he gave me permission to do so. I'm still going to let Noll inform her about it, since it would be better if it came from him." Lin answered the woman.
"I see." A pause then she spoke again, "How is Noll doing?" Lin relaxed a bit knowing that the conversation is no longer that personal.
He answered. "He's doing fine, although the others had already gotten used to calling him Naru."
"Naru, what do you mean by that Koujo?" the woman asked.
Lin smiled and answered, "I know that Madoka had already informed you on how Naru and Mai met. It started from there, I believe it might be due to Noll's actions. Which in turn made Mai reach a conclusion, of him being a narcissist and ended up giving him the nickname, "Naru." The others soon followed as well in calling him that."
Lin then heard laughing from the other end of the line, "From what I'm hearing from you and Madoka, Mai has a great effect on Naru."
Lin chuckled and said, "If you mean Noll starting to lighten up then you are correct Luella. He's been going out of his way to tease her just to get a reaction. Noll doesn't say it but I'm sure that he cares for her as much as he cared for Gene."
"Koujo, do you think she is the right person for him?" Luella asked with a hint of worry and hope in her voice.
"Luella, I'm very sure that Mai would be the one who would be able to get Noll out of his shell. I'm not the only one thinking of this, I'm sure that the others are planning something to make Noll and Mai confess to each other and become a couple." Lin answered with sincerity in his voice.
"I'm glad. I just hope that if the time comes and they will finally know of the truth they would be able to forgive Noll." Luella said back, worried that her son would lose his bond with everyong because of this.
Lin comforted her and said, "You don't have to worry Luella. Mai told me something when we were having a conversation. It gave me hope that when they do find out the truth they would still forgive and accept Noll for who he is.
"What do you mean?" the Luella asked with curiosity, having heard from Madoka that Mai was a very sensitive and sensible girl.
"While I was talking to Mai she told me that no matter what Noll's secret is, he would still be Noll at the end of the day." Lin answered, remembering his conversation with my earlier.
-oOo-
Flashback...
"Mai, there's something I've been wanting to ask of you." Lin began a little hesitant since he didn't know how to word his question.
Mai looked at him in curiosity, "What would you like to know Koujo-san?" She asked the man, who was now her guardian.
Lin looked at his cup before answering, "I was actually expecting for you to start asking things about Naru since I've been with him a lot longer than you. Why haven't you?"
Mai looked outside the café's window, "I didn't ask you about Naru because I want to find out for my own who he is. I guess out of selfishness as well, I want him to come to me and tell or show me in person who he really is on his own and not from anybody else."
Why do you say so?" Lin asked her curiously.
"When I first met Naru I already sensed that there was something he was hiding, even you Koujo-san. But I know that the both of you are good people so I wasn't worried or anything." Mai sighed then took a sip from her cup, "That's why, I will wait until the both of you are ready to share what it is to me."
Lin looked at her and asked, "Won't you be angry once you find out the truth?"
She smiled then said, "Of course I would be angry. But not at you rather at myself, because I wasn't able to prove myself as someone you could trust to confide in." She looked at Lin directly in the eyes, "I value trust more than anything else. I want to know that when I give my trust to a person, he or she won't break it. Don't you think it would be better if you can trust someone to protect your back knowing that person won't stab in you in turn? After all, it is quite hard to do things if we are constantly doubting someone are with."
She then closed her eyes, placing her hand above her heart. "There is something inside of me, telling me that I could trust you guys." Opening her eyes, she gave Lin a gentle look, "That's why, even if I do not know everything about you and you have secret you can't tell me at the moment, then it is just fine. Because I know that I trust you to watch over my back and be there for me when it truly matters."
Lin was shocked at Mai's answer. He then smiled at the girl, "Thank you for being patient.I promise you when the both of us are ready we will tell you the truth. All of it."
Mai smiled at him then said, "Just take your time Koujo-san. I'll wait as long as you need, we still have a long time ahead of us."
...Flashback
-oOo-
"Is that so, she is a lot more sensitive than what Madoka had informed me. Though I could see what you mean about her being perfect for Noll. Her gentleness would soften the rough edges of Noll." Luella said, happiness evident in her voice though it was replaced by worry again, "What of the others? I fear what their reactions would be once they find out the truth as well."
Lin smiled, "Actually I asked Mai the same question. Do you know what she said?" He asked Luella, though he himself is still in awe on how much depth Mai as person has.
Luella asked, "What did she say?" Curious again on what Mai's answer would be.
"She said the others would get angry as well but they will get over it. They also care for the both of you, there anger is not for being lied to but because they care for you and would want to know what is troubling both you and Naru." Lin stated pride in his voice for his young ward.
"I'm glad that there are a lot of people who cares for Noll." Luella said with her heart feeling at ease that her son was in safe hands. "Oh my, look at the time. I sorry for calling you so late I'd better hang-up now so that you could get some rest. I'll call you another time. Goodbye, Koujo." Luella said apologetically only realizing what time it was in Japan.
"It's alright Luella, I was still up anyway. Don't worry so much I'll watch over Noll and I won't be alone in doing so. Goodbye, Luella. Please send my regards to the professor." Lin said with Luella finally ending the call.
Lin sat down remembering the other things, both he and Mai talked about in the cafe.
-oOo-
Flashback...
"You knew from the beginning that we were both hiding something yet you did not try to force it out from us." Lin curiously asked.
"I wanted to know about you were hiding but I also know that I didn't have any right to just march into your lives and demand answers. I respect your right to have your own secrets." Mai paused shrugging, "It's not as though you're the only ones with secrets or keeping something about yourselves. Look at Monk we didn't know that he was actually in a band, as well as Ayako who is actually a doctor. The both of you are not at fault if you decided to keep something from us. All of us have something we keep to ourselves."
Lin asked, "What do you mean?"
Mai just smiled, "Wanting to keep something as a secret from us is a different thing to lying."
"What will you do if you find out that we were actually lying?" Lin asked, hoping beyond hope that Mai and the others would forgive them at the end.
"I might be contradicting myself with what I said a while ago but if you were really lying my reaction would depend on your answers. If you lied to protect someone." Lin flinched at this but it was unnoticeable. "Or that it won't cause harm to others then I can live with that, but if your lie would harm others in the end that's something that I won't let slide and I'll do everything to find out the truth. All of use have lied in one point of our lives."
Lin was about to speak when Mai cut him off, "I told you already Koujo-san, I trust both you and Naru. I've been a good judge of character since I was young, only knowing now that it sas because of my abilities. I could sense as well if someone is lying or not and that both you and Naru aren't lying just telling half-truths which is different." Mai answered with a gentle smile on her face.
Lin just shook his head, "Just from our discussion since a while ago, I've already deduced that you are quite smart Mai-san. But I feel that there is more to you than you let on."
Mai started giggling, "As I said before Koujo-san, everyone has a secret they want to keep." Lin's expression made Mai reach her breaking point, she then started laughing no longer able to keep it at bay. She stopped laughing, breathing hard from the force of her laugh. "Come on Koujo-san, what school do you know off that would let anyone take a leave of absence for work just like that? Mai asked with an innocent expression, though their was a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"You're telling me that now, but you've always asked Naru for a day off for school purposes." Lin answered still shocked from Mai's admission.
"It's true that I normally ask Naru for school purposes. But I never exactly specified that it was for me to catch up with my lessons, you know. You do remember the reason why we were in a predicament to find a guardian for me." Mai said with a Cheshire grin on her face.
Lin's eyes widened at that, placing a hand to cover his face, "Of course, because of the scholarship to be granted to you. It was the reason why your lack of a guardian was dug up and resulted in the scholarship being pulled as well as not being able to continue your education." Lin stated feeling like an idiot.
Mai gave Lin a sheepish look, "Well the scholarship was supposed to be given to me due to me passing all the qualifications. But now that I have a guardian, I didn't meet one of the qualifications to be granted the scholarship."
Lin narrowed his eyes, "Mai-san, what exactly are the qualifications for the scholarship?"
"The requirements are that the student applying for it should meet the required grade point average, three referrals from teachers with regards to conduct and character and the last well..." Mai trailed off.
Lin realized what it was, without Mai having to tell him. Remembering what qualifications are needed to be granted a scholarship, there are variations on these but there was one qualification that Mai wouldn't meet. "The third would be dependent on the financial status of the recipient. As it is, you weren't able to be granted the scholarship because of I, as your guardian, am fully capable of providing for you and see through your education." Lin continued for Mai.
Mai's look told him that he was right on track, "You don't have to worry about that Koujo-san. I'm still in first year high school, so I still have enough time to save for college."
"That is not an option Mai-san. I would gladly finance your studies and I won't have any objections from you. As I have said, I would do everything I can to provide for you. When I submitted and agreed to be your guardian, I made a decision to perform all my duties and responsibilities to you whole heartedly." Lin told the girl with finality. Mai couldn't do anything but tear up.
Lin wiped Mai's tears, "Do not worry about your future Mai-san, I would be here to support you any way I can. Whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally or financially. Now then since our line of conversation took a turn for this. What courses are you planning on taking?" Lin asked the girl.
Mai was quiet for a while trying to organize her thoughts, "I haven't really thought about it yet. I was still unsure if I would be able to go University once I graduate from high school."
Lin placed his hand on Mai's head and said, "You said it yourself, you're only in first year. You still have time to think about what your interests. This time you have all the resources that you will need, so just enjoy for now and when the time comes will both sit down and have a talk of what you want to do in life."
Mai looked at Lin and gave him a small smile, "Thank you, Koujo-san." Lin returned her smile with one of his own. Thinking to himself that he's going to be smiling a lot more with Mai in his life.
...Flashback
-oOo-
Lin was then woken up by someone was shaking his shoulders and calling his name. Opening his eyes groggily, he saw that it was Mai who was waking him up. It was then that he realized that with all the things on his mind last night, he had fallen asleep in the living room.
"Koujo-san, did you sleep here all night?" Mai inquired with worry on her face.
Lin answered sitting up, his muscles sore from the position he slept in. "I might have dosed off last night and had not realize how tired I was from yesterday's events. Don't worry, I'm alright." He reassured the girl.
"Alright then, why don't you go and freshen up. I'll go and start making breakfast." Mai said in her usual cheery self.
Lin nodded his head and stood up, "I'll go get ready and I'll help you in the kitchen." He then headed to the bathroom to freshen him up, then to his room to change.
The both of them enjoyed cooking breakfast together. They chatter about different things as they ate breakfast. When they finished Mai presented to wash the dishes with Lin trying to protest. Mai turned down his offer to help and told him that she'll bring the tea once she's finished with the dishes.
Lin decided to finish the report Naru asked from him while he was waiting for Mai in the living room. He was actually surprised at Mai's strength despite her small frame, after she shoved him towards the living room. He was snapped out of his thoughts when his phone began to ring, not bothering to look at the caller id, he answered. "Hello, Lin Koujo speaking."
"Koujo, we had word from one of our associates that you adopted someone. When were you going to inform us? I along with your siblings want to meet her. After all she is my adopted granddaughter." A woman's voice said with Lin paling upon hearing the voice.
"Forgive me mother, with everything else going on I haven't found time to inform you or the others. As for meeting her, we'll head on Friday. I will just be finalizing some of the paper works for Mai's passport and change of surname." Lin informed his mother.
Lin's father was names Lin Shuhei. He was the former clan head of the Lin Clan. Upon his death, his wife Lin and Lin's mother, Lin Houki took over as clan head until his older brother would be ready to take on the clan head position.
Once the call with his mother ended, Lin remembered the talk that he and Mai both had regarding her name change.
-oOo-
Flashback...
"Mai-san, I almost forgot have you made a decision on whether you would keep your last name or for it to be changed to Lin." Lin asked Mai, wondering what her answer would be.
Mai looked at him in thought. "If it's alright with you, I would like to have my name be changed to Lin. I've wanted for so long to have a family to call my own again." Mai shyly said.
Lin's eyes widened, "Are you sure that's what you want? I don't mind if you don't take on my last name. We'll still be a family even if you don't."
"Yes, I'm sure of my decision. I could feel it in my heart that my parents would have wanted this for me. Only if it's alright with you that I would take on your name Koujo-san." Mai answered.
"I do not mind if you will have my last name. I'm honored that you would choose to have my name." Lin said with a smile on his face.
...Flashback
-oOo-
"Koujo-san who was on the phone." Mai asked the man since she heard her name being spoken by Lin.
Lin looked at Mai, "It was my mother. She was inquiring about when she and my siblings could meet you." He answered while accepting the cup of tea she offered.
Mai looked as if though she was going to be sick from hearing his explanation. Lin went to her then placed his hands on her shoulder in comfort, "Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright, I would be there with you as well. I'm perfectly sure that they would accept and like you."
"Your saying that now but what if they don't accept or like me. I don't want to cause problems for you." Mai said to Lin in worry.
"Mai-san there is nothing to worry about because I believe in you. Just be yourself and in doing so I'm sure they you will be able to get my family's acceptance." Lin said to the girl, hugging her. He knows that with Mai's personality she'll gain the acceptance of his family as well as their love.
He then looked down at the girl, "Come on, we better go and file the necessary paper works for your passport and name change." Lin said Mai with a smile.
Once all necessary documents were submitted and approved. Taniyama Mai now became Lin Mai and to celebrate they headed towards an Chinese Restaurant to eat lunch. As they were waiting for the food, Mai remembered the talk she had with Lin regarding his family. She knew that his father was already dead and his mother took over as clan head. Lin also had an older brother and sister.
As Mai was thinking about Lin's family she remembered that they were going to visit them, "Koujo-san, when are we going to visit your family?"
Lin looked at her and realized he hadn't informed her of the plans, "I've already book a flight for us on Friday. If everything goes well we might be able to get back here on Monday." Mai nodded her head in understanding.
As they were returning back to the apartment, Mai asked Lin if he has informed the others. Lin shook his head, "We will head to the office tomorrow to inform Naru and the others where we will be going so as not to worry them." He said to Mai.
It was the day of their flight to Hong Kong, to visit Lin's family. The team were in airport to see both Lin and Mai off. Ayako and Bou-san telling Mai to be careful and not get into any accidents, they also told Lin to keep her safe at all times.
Masako made a comment "The two of you act as if your Mai's parents when it is actually Lin-san." This made the both of them to stop with blushes on their face. Mai laughed along with the others well except for Lin and Naru, though Lin had an amused look on his face. Mai smiled at the others and said, "Don't worry Ayako, Bou-san. I'll take care of myself and I'm with Koujo-san."
Lin and Mai finally boarded the plane heading for Hong Kong. Mai dosed of with one single thing in her mind and it was for everything to be fine when she meets Lin's family.
