Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.

After they finished their ride on the riverboat, Mai decided it was time to leave. She never would have thought a day at an amusement park could be so exhausting, but today proved her wrong. Nevertheless, she mostly enjoyed it. It was definitely memorable.

They walked towards the exit more or less as a group, but on their way out, Naru stopped Lin.

"You'd better not waste your chance," Naru told him quietly.

Lin looked towards Mai. She hadn't noticed that he and Naru had stopped, and she continued to walk. Lin returned his gaze to Naru.

"Why'd you sabotage yourself?" he asked.

Naru softly exhaled.

"I didn't do it intentionally," he answered. "I realized I was losing. That kiss was a last ditch effort to win her over, but I never would've guessed she was going stop me."

"And she hurt your pride," Lin guessed.

"I think she enjoys doing that," Naru grumbled. "I probably couldn't put up with it, but you, you're in love with her, aren't you?"

"Yes," Lin confirmed.

"I'm not in love with Mai," Naru admitted, "and she's definitely not in love with me. She prefers people like you and Gene."

Lin was silent as he thought about being compared to Gene by Naru. After a moment, Naru gestured towards Mai with his head.

"She's waiting for you," he noted. "Take her out somewhere. Talk your relationship over. I want results."

Lin glanced at Mai to see her patiently waiting some distance away. He looked back to Naru.

"You'll be alright?" he asked.

"Don't ask stupid questions," Naru replied.

"Of course," Lin laughed. "You're an adult now."

Naru looked away.

"Get out of here already," he muttered.

Lin gently smiled before turning to walk towards Mai. He knew Naru would be fine. He had plenty of admirers to boost his ego.

"Pleasant conversation?" Mai asked as Lin approached.

Lin nodded.

"His heart is mending," he commented. "But he'd like to be alone."

"Well, that's good," she replied. "What about you?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go out for a snack," he answered, "hot cocoa maybe?"

Mai smiled. He knew she loved hot cocoa. She nodded happily.

"I can't refuse cocoa," she confessed.

~oOo~

Lin and Mai took the train back to Tokyo and Mai decided on a cafe for them. After ordering drinks, they found seats that offered them some privacy.

"Well," Mai began, "is there anything you want to talk about?"

Lin swallowed nervously, but tried to remain calm. He was a bit anxious about having this talk with Mai, but it was essential. He didn't want this all to be for naught.

"I believe we should discuss the next phase in our relationship," he answered somewhat stiffly.

"Levelheaded as always," Mai remarked. "Alright, where does our relationship go from here?"

He was disappointed to note her slight tone of exasperation at his seriousness. He paused briefly before speaking.

"Marriage," he stated expressionlessly.

Mai was visibly shocked by his reply.

"You want to get married!?" she blurted.

Lin effortlessly maintained a straight face.

"Well, if you insist," he quipped.

Almost immediately, Mai realized he was joking. She shook her head and smiled a little.

"Not after one date," she gently bantered.

"Alright, three dates, then marriage," Lin deadpanned.

Mai tilted her head slightly as she stared at him. Was he still joking? He looked completely serious.

"Oh my gosh, Lin-san," she laughed, "I can't even tell if you're joking right now."

Lin gently frowned.

"Do you think I am?" he asked.

Mai immediately stopped laughing. Her heart was suddenly racing.

"You are, right?" she asked nervously.

Lin's expression remained serious for a moment before he started laughing.

"Yes, mostly," he admitted. "Did I take that too far?"

Mai released a heavy sigh.

"You did have me worried for a moment," she confessed.

Lin smiled slightly.

"I'm in love with you," he stated, "but I haven't taken complete leave of my senses."

Mai felt her heart flutter. They way he said he loved her with that smile was breathtaking. She realized he had a really nice smile and she wished she could see it more often. She couldn't help smiling in return.

"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you did," she said softly. "A girl likes feeling wanted every now and then."

His gentle smile widened almost imperceptibly.

"Taniyama-san, I'd really like to continue seeing you romantically," he admitted. "And I can understand if your feelings aren't as strong as mine, but hopefully in time they will be."

Mai smiled even more. She felt incredibly happy right now.

"I'd like that, too," she agreed. "And I'm really glad you're not in love with Naru."

Lin laughed lightly as he remembered the event that caused him to confess his love for her.

"I'm really glad you're not either," he admitted.

Mai couldn't help feeling a little guilty about how things ended with Naru.

"Yeah, but I probably wounded his ego," she noted.

"With his ridiculously high amount of pride, it won't stay bruised for long," Lin reassured. "Besides, he needs to be put in his place every now and then. As do I."

Mai laughed a little.

"The number of times I've had to put you in your place is nothing compared to Naru," she replied. "It gets a little tiresome actually."

"Then I'll endeavor to be on my best behavior," he assured her.

"It's too late for that now, Lin-san," she informed him. "I already know your worst traits."

"I'd like to think I've grown up a lot over the years since I first met you," he responded. "You've played a large part in that."

"Yes, you've blossomed into a beautiful flower," Mai playfully teased.

"That more aptly describes you, I think," Lin pointed out.

"Yes, I'm a girl who out blooms even a flower," she agreed.

"Most definitely," he added.

A/N: I never planned for this story to go beyond this point, so I think I'm going to end it here b/c I don't have anything else. Beyond this would just be them dating and I'm already currently in the midst of writing another Lin/Mai dating story that I've dedicated all my love to. I hope you've enjoyed this. Please let me know what you thought of the story as a whole. Thanks for reading.