THANKYOU TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! And all that stuff!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt.
(A/N: Sorry it took me so long to post, but I had no idea what I was going to put in this chapter. Like I said before when summer vacation starts (which is next weekend for me), I will post a lot more.)
I would like to start off responding to a review.
pad-annie: Yeah the whole seeing through his wet shirt thing would've been a good scenario. However, because the material of those kind of shirts are so light and thin, many people wear undershirts with them. Also, I think it is too early in the story for some like that quite yet.
Oliver looked at Mai's outstretched hand and then at her. "You must be joking." He said in almost disgust.
"Am not!" Mai defended. She lowered her hand, "If we don't forget the past and start over, then we will never get along!"
Oliver smirked, "And that's a bad thing? Now if you excuse me," Oliver stood. "I have better things to do then to let you waste my time."
Mai let a small growl escape her lips. "Fine!" She stood as well and pointed her finger at Oliver. "But you just wait and see, Naru-or Shibuya Kazuya, or Oli-!"
Mai stopped when Oliver glared at her for beginning to say his real name.
"Or whoever ever you are!" Mai continued. "I'll get you to be my friend whether you like it or not!"
Oliver continued to smirk. "I accept your challenge." He said not taking Mai seriously, but Mai was very serious. Mai then stormed off, letting Oliver return to his solitude. At that time, Oliver didn't realize how stubborn Mai really is, but soon it will become all too clear.
The next day, Oliver walked down the halls of the school minutes before the first bell. No one paid much attention to him like he did to them. He preferred it that way. To him it was almost peaceful, but unfortunately for him, peace doesn't last forever.
"Hey, Naru!" Mai's voice erupted from down the hall.
Oliver stopped and turned to see Mai running toward him with a big grin on her face. It was then a foreign feeling entered Oliver's heart. Was it fear or dread? Oliver couldn't tell. He only knew that he hated that feeling. Why would he fear or dread Mai? Perhaps he was afraid Mai would do something to him again like yesterday? But still the words 'fear' and 'dread' were not in Oliver's vocabulary, so why did he feel like this. Either way, Oliver's gut told him to avoid Mai at all costs, but it was too late. Mai had already caught up to him.
Just as Oliver turned to leave, Mai grabbed his arm. "Hey, Naru. Let's walk to class together!" She said far too cheery for Oliver's taste.
He shrugged her off. "You are more than capable of walking there yourself and I would prefer you to not waste my time." Oliver then walked away at a very fast pace.
Mai stood there for a moment as a thought occurred to her: Why did she want to be friends with Oliver so much anyway? He obviously wants nothing to do with her. It must be guilt, after all that was what compelled her to ask him. Yet….she knows others that have been bullied but she doesn't do this for them. Could be that…she still has feelings for him? 'No, no! That can't be it! It must be guilt!' She thought and shook her head profusely as if it would take that troublesome thought out of head.
No matter the reason, Mai was determined to make Oliver her friend and she won't settle for any less. "Hey, wait up!" She called and ran after him.
It continued like this for the next four classes. Soon lunch came around and Oliver was surprised Mai was not there to bother him. Though he enjoyed the peace and quiet, he could not help but feel a little disappointed. He did not think Mai would give up so easily, however, that does not mean Oliver would ever accept her proposal. Lin quietly observed Oliver's facial expression as he thought this. Lin didn't not know was going on but he assumed it involved Mai.
Meanwhile, Mai sat in defeat with her friends Keiko and Michiru. "I just don't know what to do. He thinks I am a pest. And when I try to talk to him in class he just ignores me. I even got in trouble by the teacher for talking!" Mai sighed, "I wonder if I should just let him be. I am sure he would prefer it that way…"
"Who in their right mind prefers to be friendless?" Keiko questioned.
"You obviously don't know Naru then." Mai sighed again.
"Still," Keiko pressed. "You should what your heart tells you to!"
"She's right, Mai." Michiru agreed. "If you don't I am sure you are going to regret it.
"You're both are right!" Mai jumped up with her determination back. "Just wait and see, I will make Naru my friend even if it is the death of me!"
Soon lunch ended and everyone one returned to class. Mai spent most of 5th period thinking of a way to get Oliver to agree to be friends, because obviously her current approach wasn't working.
The last class of the day, 6th period rolled around and Mai was still contemplating what to do until the teacher made an announcement. "The project will due this Monday-…"
The class groaned. Mai abruptly stood. "But the school festival is here, we don't have time for-!" Mai tried to protest but was interrupted.
"That's why I am assigning partners. So don't be complaining, Taniyama-san!" The teacher scolded.
Mai reluctantly sat back down. She hated when teachers did this; assigning a lot of homework or big projects during a big school event. At least she has a partner so it is not as bad.
The teacher picked up her list and began to read it aloud. "I will now announce the pairings. Endo-san will be partnered with Arai-san." Two boys cheered in the back. "Sasaki-san with Fujii-san." A boy and a girl blushed at each other. "Taniyama-san is with Shibuya-san."
Mai and Oliver looked at each other slightly wide-eyed. For once it was Mai that smirked. "This is my chance!' She thought with excitement. Oliver, on the other hand, couldn't think of a worse fate.
Minutes later, the final bell rang releasing everyone from class. Like always, Oliver was quick, yet stoic, to get out of the classroom, but Mai wouldn't let him get away this time. She trotted after him as he made his way to base. Mai would have ran, but there were too many people in the way. Luckily, Mai caught up with him as he reached the base door.
Mai gave a gentle smile. "Naru, we should really start working on our project it is already Friday and-."
"I don't know how to be clearer than I already am." He spoke venomously. "Stop with your trivial friendship. I don't need something so opulent." Oliver then turned, opened the base's door, walked in and slammed it behind him leaving Mai emotionally wounded.
It didn't take long at all for Lin to notice Oliver's irritated behavior. "Did something happen?" Lin questioned.
Feeling the need to vent about it, Oliver explained.
After hearing about the recent events, Lin sighed as he looked back to the newspaper he was reading. "I don't see why you are making such a big deal about it. After all, accepting her friendship will be beneficial to the case. She might even come back to work for SPR permanently." Lin looked at Oliver for a moment who was looking off into the distance in deep thought. "Actually, I am surprise you haven't already thought of it yourself." He paused for a moment. "Not unless, it is because you're scared."
Oliver glared at Lin. "I don't fear something so trivial."
"Is that so?" Lin asked not believing him. "I wouldn't be so surprised if you were. After all, the only true friend you ever had was Gene. I am sure you are afraid of accepting someone else in your life like that."
Oliver stood very annoyed. "I already said I was not afraid." He told Lin and secretly himself.
Lin looked up at him from his seat. "Then…what's the problem?"
Mai let out a depressed sigh as she opened her locker. She was reviewing her actions. All this time, she had only been thinking about what she wanted and not what Oliver wanted. Maybe she really should leave Oliver alone. Mai let out another sigh as she took out one her textbooks from her locker and closed her locker. As she placed the padlock on her locked and locked it, she heard footsteps. She turned to see none other than a very annoyed and aggravated Oliver.
"Fine." He gave an exasperated sigh as he stopped in front of her.
"Fine….?" Mai questioned. She assumed he was talking about working on their project but was conforming it just to be sure.
"Fine, I'll accept this friendship of yours." He said despite how painful and embarrassing it was for him to say it. He never thought he would be reduced to this.
Mai's expression immediately brightened. "Really?"
"Only because I feel that it is beneficial to the case." He quickly replied.
Even so, Mai's expression or sudden cheerfulness didn't change. "Then, if were friends now, why don't we go work on our project?"
"I never said-." Oliver started, but it was too late! Mai grabbed his arm and started running with Oliver in tow. Oliver tried to break free, but Mai wouldn't let him. She could not waste such an opportunity.
A few minutes later, they arrived in front of Mai's two-story apartment complex. Oliver reluctantly followed Mai up the stairs and to her door. Oliver figured that if he tried to run, it would only led to more commotion, so he would rather get this over with. Also, he wanted to see what Mai's apartment looked like.
Oliver quizzically looked at the door as Mai unlocked it. Mai noticed his expression. "Oh that's right! You never been inside my apartment have you?" She opened the door. It was true, though he has seen the outside of her apartment a few times before. Mostly when dropping Mai off after a case if it was late.
"Well, make yourself at home." Mai said as she entered, followed by Oliver, and kicked off her shoes and placed the in the corner by the door. Oliver also removed his shoes, but in a more graceful manner. "Oh and I assume you want some tea?" She asked.
Oliver gave a small smirk. "Do you even need to ask?"
Mai smiled, walked into the kitchen and began to make some tea. While she did, Oliver evaluated her apartment. It was decent sized. He was currently standing in the living room which had white walls and wood flooring. In front of him was a two-seater sofa facing a small TV against the back wall. To his right was an archway that led to the kitchen. From what he could tell from his position, was that the kitchen had yellow walls and the same wooden flooring the living room did. There was also a small round table he could barely see. To his left were two doors. The closest door was slightly open, which revealed itself to be the bathroom. The farthest door was closed and Oliver assumed it was Mai's bedroom.
Curiosity got the better of him as he walked towards that door. He had no idea why he was suddenly so curious about Mai. Something about her made him want to know more about her. As he reached the doorknob something soft came in contact with his head.
"Hey!" Mai called out from the other side of the living room with her hands on her hips.
Oliver removed the dishtowel that Mai threw at him from his head. Oliver didn't expect he was going to be caught considering it always took Mai ten minutes to make his tea back at the office. But then again, this isn't the office which has doors to every room, this was Mai's apartment that has a kitchen with no door. He really should have thought this through.
Oliver expected Mai to scold him, but instead she smirked, "Oh, wow! I never thought you would be one to snoop."
"I don't know what you're taking about." He remained stoic.
Mai rolled her eyes. "So you won't admit it, huh?" She walked past Oliver and opened her bedroom door. "But you know, if you wanted to look inside my room you could have just asked."
Oliver took it as an invitation and walked in to her bedroom. Mai followed, hoped on her bed and began to jump on her bed (which was something she always does). This annoyed Oliver greatly but let it go for a moment as he evaluated her room.
Mai's bedroom walls were painted a pale shade of purple. Lilac, if you want to be more specific. Unlike the other two rooms, the bedroom was carpeted. Mai's bed was against the far wall. To the left was and old bookshelf that had several books in it. To the right was a white-wooden desk which had books, papers, erasers, pencils, and pens scattered across it. I was all very simple, yet it fit Mai perfectly.
Oliver then noticed the group of photos posted on the wall behind the desk. A few were of her late parents, some were of her friends at school, many were with her friends at SPR. There was one that caught his though. It was an older photo and it had all the members of SPR in it. Oliver clearly remembered when that photo was taken. It was at the Christmas party the team had after the case in which Father Tojo hired them. It was perhaps the only photo of Oliver Mai had.
However, that photo had seen better days. There were several creases in the photo indicating the photo was once crumpled up. Compared to how the other photos were beginning to fade, Oliver concluded the photo was put on the wall recently. Mai noticed Oliver staring at that particular photo. Her expression slightly fell. She had crumpled that photo up the night he left for England. She was also sure Oliver was aware of that as well.
"I put that back up yesterday." She said solemnly despite not wanting to bring up any bad memories.
Oliver quietly nodded, also not wanting to recall anything. He then turned his attention to Mai who continued to jump on the bed. "Mai, stop that." He said letting his annoyance show.
"Why?" She inquired.
"I'm sure you neighbor downstairs doesn't appreciate it." He retorted.
"Ohayashi-san? No, she doesn't get back from work till late." Mai responded.
Getting strait to the point, Oliver said, "Look, considering what a klutz you are, if you don't stop you will hurt yours-!"
THUNK!
"Here." Oliver placed an icepack on Mai's head.
"Thanks." Mai sniffled as she grasped the icepack.
Oliver sat down across from her at the kitchen table. He grasped the fresh cup of tea and took a sip. It was silent for a moment.
Mai was the first to speak, "Well," she placed the icepack on the table. "I think we should get started on the project." She picked up the direction sheet. "So have you already read the directions?'
"No." Oliver said simply.
"Well you going to have to or else you won't know what to do." Mai stated.
"Though that is true, I won't be working on the project." He replied.
"And why not?" Mai whined.
"I have already graduated high school- let alone college- therefore, it would be unfair for me to assist you." Oliver informed Mai.
"It would also be unfair to make me do it alone!" Mai argued. "Think of all the brain cells I killed when I banged my head! That's weeks of learning gone!" She said dramatically.
"It doesn't work like that, Mai. Besides I wasn't aware you had brain cells to begin with." Oliver smirked.
"Oh sure! Make fun of the wounded one!" She huffed and then thought for a moment. "Will you please work on it with me? Please!" She begged giving him her puppy-dog eyes.
He sighed. "Alright!" Who could say no to that face? "But, I will only help."
"Fair enough!" Mai said giddily.
Oliver silently watcher as she began to work. Maybe this friendship-thing won't be so bad after all…
(A/N: So this chapter was …eh. I hope you guys enjoyed it even though I am not proud of it.
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Again please be specific in yours reviews. It helps me improve.
