Hello, everyone! Long Gap... sorry for that... I was thinking of putting the history on hiatus until I finish my other one but that would be too long. So, here I am, enjoy reading!.. Or ..At least try to!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt.
Chapter: 7 A Memorable Day
Mai's birthday or half of her birthday was spent enjoying every moment of it. Then, Ryo dropped her in front of her office. She imagined the rest of her day, filing and doing the 'urgent' work Naru called her for. She can't believe Naru actually forgot her birthday...no, actually she can... anyways, she got off the car.
"I will come to pick you up, just give me call, bye!" Ryo said as he drove off.
Mai was hyper, if that was not usual, it was her birthday and she doesn't care if no one remembered . She opened the office door hoping to be greeted by 'You're Late' but met with complete darkness.
She was dumbfounded for the moment and didn't move waiting for something to happen and it did.
"Happy Birthday!" Still dumbfounded state, as for Mai. The light was turned on, someone jumped like a monkey in front of her as other more sober people surrounded her and wished her.
She looked at them one by one. Everyone was there: Yashuhara, his girlfriend, Kaname, Ayako, of course, Bou-san (the one jumping) John, Lin, Madoka, and even Masako. Oh wait the main person is there too: Naru. Her eyes finally stopped at him. He was standing by the window staring at her with his emotionless mysterious face making her look away and begin to respond to others.
The first logical response was crying. She was happy that they remembered her birthday. Ayako tightly hugged her, followed by Masako, and then Bou-san causing her to suffocate and stop crying.
"You guys knew." Mai asked wiping her tears away as everyone got seated. Naru still leaning toward the window frame.
"This year we didn't miss, how could we?.. last year a certain someone knew about it but didn't inform us and got to spend the day with you." Bou-san answered glaring at Naru who didn't even look up from his book. Last year, that was unexpected but it was fun, Mai thought as she remembered her last birthday.
Flashback (setting: before the last case)
Mai didn't have work today. Her friends took her to a new cake shop. They ate cakes, window shopped all day till evening. She was taking a walk at the evening swinging her gift bags back and forth. The park was full of families walking, playing and most of all having fun.
Suddenly, Mai's bright brown eyes became down casted and she sat down at one of the benches. She remembered her families and how much fun it used to be when they were around and she wasn't alone. She was happy for her parent's sake but today sad overwhelmed her.
"Do I need to be happy?" She asked herself
"Yes" She jumped a little at the sudden voice.
"N-Naru?" Naru always had to appear when she was helpless.
"Don't act like you just saw some serial killer." He answered as he sat down.
"Well, you startled me." She was not feeling like fighting with him.
"It's going to rain, and looking at you, it seems you didn't bring any umbrella...whats with these bags? Didn't know you were so rich?" He smirked at her. Suddenly, she wanted to hit him... what did he mean by that? She was poor?... well she was, but saying that to her face was plain rude... but wait she got the perfect answer. She gathered her bags which was scattered on the other side of the bench and followed Naru absentmindedly.
"I am not rich, but seems like you are, so why do you have only those black sets... of same clothes?" She asked smirking back as Naru's face turned more serious, if that was possible. But this made Mai regret what she said, especially when he cheered her up.
"Sorry, these were my birthday presents from my friends." She mumbled and his eyes widened just a tiny bit, which she realized. What she didn't realize, until now, was that they entered a coffee shop.
"Naru...what-" She began asking but Naru already started ordering and then faced her. "Order"
"But-" The shop was expensive looking and if she bought without knowing the price, she could get into serious trouble and embarrassment.
"My treat" He said going to the chairs at the corner of the shop. Mai quickly decided what she wanted and went to sit opposite him.
"Thank You"
"I knew you didn't have money to pay... and I need an assistant." Naru explained, but seeing her confused expression continued, "If you couldn't pay, they would probably ask you to work to pay and you have to quit. Or they would ask me to pay seeing I am with you. Either way is my loss."
Mai was angry to say the least and was ready to bite him but the arrival of the strawberry cake changed her mood. It had an awesome flavor that she never tasted before. She was smiling like a little kid in a wonderland.
There wasn't much said as Naru walked her to her home for the first time. She was happy that her birthday was really different. They stopped in front of her apartment.
"Thank You...and before you say anything, it doesn't matter why you did it." She smiled widely.
"Well...it was your birthday." He said before turning around and walking the other way. The words slowly faded as Mai stared at his retreating figure. It didn't rain that day.
-OO-
"Mai, Mai" Ayako was waving her fingers in front of the brunette who was looking distant with a smile. She snapped back to reality.
"You are fine? You just looked like someone crazy... smiling for no reason," Ayako explained worriedly.
"I am fine. But thank you guys for remembering, it meant a lot." She said to everyone, as they smiled.
"This party just started, we are going to this karaoke place and have fun till it ends, okay kiddo! My treat" Bou-san ruffled her hair as they dragged her out of the office. She noticed from the corner of her eye that Naru was coming too, which made her more excited than anything.
As they stood on the elevator, her new phone rang. Every looked at her, as she frantically searched for her phone in her purse. "Moshi, Moshi"
"No!...they know...we are going to this karaoke place...umm...I don't think they would mind...I will ask them" She stopped talking on her phone and asked everyone.
"Can my friends Lina and Ryo join in.." She asked everyone.
"Yeah, of course, Ryo is that handsome guy right? Why not?" Madoka answered for everyone, much to someone's annoyance.
"You guys could come... Bou-san will give you the address... oh you know... bye" She put the phone back in her purse.
"Ne, Mai? Where did you get the cell phone." Ayako brought up the question.
"Ryo gave it as a present to me," she answered rather shyly and informed everyone that the no. is the same as before.
The ride was short as they climbed down from the van and entered the place. They were seated and ordered as Ryo and Lina came in too. They were friendly and easily befriended the others. They ate a little snack and decided to give the presents.
They were going around the round table as everyone gave their presents and Mai opened it. Going in the seating order, first was Lin and Madoka, who gave her a beautiful blue dress, Masako gave her a make-up kit, which looked expensive, John gave her a cross pendant, Yashuhara and his girlfriend gave her a white snow jacket, Ayako gave a set of perfumes and finally Bou-san, took out a huge wrapped box.
She opened the box and there was another box, and in this way there were six boxes until the smallest one which was empty... this made Mai really angry... and she glared at him as the other laughed like maniacs. Then he gave her the actual present, a charm bracelate, which looked simple and probably didn't cost much, but he was the one who was paying for the food.
The next in line was Ryo, who was sitting beside Mai; everyone already knew that he gave her a present and was about to move on. But he also got something from his pocket and gave to Mai, "Happy Birthday! May all your wishes come true!"
"Thanks, but-"
"Just open it"
"Oh My God" Mai's eyes widened and she looked really excited.
"I-I got accepted in ETU (a.n: sorry for the weird name)...How did you?"
"My mom's friend is a teacher in there and their recommendation was enough..."
"Thank you so much" Mai hugged Ryo out of excitement and read the letter again.
"Congrats, Mai" Everyone said in unison, except Naru and Lin, who was observing Naru.
Everyone talked about the university Mai would be going to next year, and how this was one of her top choices of collages. Although the SPR members were a little sad, they tried to be happy for Mai's sake.
On the other hand, the girl in question was not aware of the whole moving away from this city situation. She was happy for the moment. Everyone went to the dance floor and had fun. Naru was observing her all the time trying to figure what should he be, sad or happy or anything at all.
"So, she is going away... just an assistant, get another one...right?" Gene asked in his head.
"No, she makes good tea." Naru shook his head but no one was around to see it, including Lin, who was dragged by Madoka to dance.
"Anyone can make good tea." Gene continued with his mission of making Naru realize he-really-loves-his-assistant-who-makes-good-tea and when with other guys make him jealous.
"No, Mai is Mai." Naru answered.
"You know, you say no too much."
"N-...Forget it."
"Why not stop her? Tell her not to go."
"Why?"
"You already know the answer."
"Whatever."
"At least give her what you bought. You are loosing to Ryo." Gene insisted.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ryo gave Mai two presents, and you didn't even give one. Shame on you, little brother." He could see Gene smirking at him. But he ignored it and shifted his gaze from the ice in his glass to the said boy.
They were dancing too close for his comfort causing him to glare at the 'couple'. Then he saw Mai coming towards him, so, he got back to the glass as she took a seat beside him.
"Thanks for coming, I know it was just a waste of time for you, probably you were dragged or blackmailed by Madoka right?" That was rhetoric question. She talked as she drank her juice.
"hn"
"That meant a lot to me. Ryo's wait-" She smiled at Naru and was about to go back as-
"Mai, Come with me." Naru abruptly stood up and took Mai's hand as he walked towards the main door.
"N-Naru wait...everyone-"
"Just. Follow." His voice was dark causing Mai to shut up and follow, she didn't have a choice anyways, he was still dragging her. After coming out, he let go of her hand.
She found herself walking in the parking lot towards his car. They stopped at the driver's door as Naru opened and took out something while Mai stood there staring at him.
"Here." He gave it to him.
"..." Mai took the bag but still stared at him with blank expression.
"Don't stare at me. Open it." This made her snap back and focus on the thing currently she was holding. Naru gave me a present... A PRESENT. Her mind was doing some sort of happy dance as she couldn't stop blushing.
She slowly tore the wrapping paper and opened the box, only to find another slightly smaller box. "Don't tell me there is another box inside?" Mai asked disbelievingly.
"No, I am not an idiot." He answered in monotone.
Opening that she found a round turquoise and golden music box. She opened it and the tune was very beautiful in the quiet night. As the music played, she looked at the designs curved on the box. There were glassy surface over the designs and was sparkling. It was marvelous and exquisite and... expensive.
As she looked up and found Naru staring at her with... much gentler eyes? Maybe she is dreaming. She blushed lightly and opened her mouth to say something, but he was already walking towards the entrance.
"Wait! Naru!" He stopped midway.
"Tha-" She continued.
"I don't want to be tagged as a cheap boss." Naru turned around to face his assistant.
"I will pretend I didn't hear that..." she muttered and forced herself to smile. "Thank you, it's beautiful."
"You are welcome." He smiled...actually smiled...like last time. She wanted to faint really bad... this isn't a dream right?... By the time, she was done being very very happy, he was already inside the door and she had to run to catch up.
It seemed like no one recognized their little rendezvous, for which both were thankful, not that it was their secret, it was only awkward. But everyone recognized that Mai's mood went up double notch after something.
After marathon dancing, they all insisted Mai to sing as they heard about her singing talent before and was very curious to listen. After denying thousand times, she finally agreed. So, after her song, they will cut the cake.
Ryo got on stage and announced on the microphone. "So, now will be a song from Mai, our very own birthday girl."
Mai blushed at the way he said it and 'ow' was heard all over the restaurant. Everyone clapped. While deciding which song to sing, someone shouted, "Sing from your heart"
Someone else shouted, "What you wish for"
Suddenly Naru popped in her head, she shook her and blushed lightly but it was not that visible from the little stage. She, finally, decided which song she wanted to sing.
-OO-
So, how was it? Good...bad...very bad (hopefully not)... Review. If there are any spelling errors or such just pm me and I will revise it asap. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time.
I am planning to make the next chapter a song fic, my first one ever... I am almost done with it.
As for me, I thought it was not that good and Naru was a bit OC but I went with it because that much change was needed for the story. I updated after a long time, so it might be a little... umm... dragging?.. or boring?.. i don't know... what do you guyz think? By the way, now my tests are over, temporarily, so I am gonna try to post every week... bye
-OO-
The questions from this chapters:
Will Mai go to the University and leave everyone behind?
Is Naru going to stop her...at all? Or even confess his feelings? Or Ryo is going to confess first? ;)
