*Thanks for the thoughtful comments, it just makes me want to update faster, even though I can't sometimes.
Gene POV
It took a while to actually settle down and get down to business. Monk finally told us a little bit about the case. He said that a woman came to the library the day before asking for his help because she believed her house was haunted. He then explained that since her family and her moved in their new house, the maids would end up with scratches on their arms after they slept. And recently, the word leave was scratched onto the walls of the kitchen. To me the case didn't seem like it would be tough to handle.
After Monk finished explaining everything, we then proceeded to argue about how who would go with who. Ayako had her own car and Monk and Yasu were going to ride with her but they also wanted Mai to go with them. However, Madoka wanted Mai to come with her since she brought her own car and didn't want to go alone. On the other hand, Naru also wanted Mai to ride with us though there was only space for three, which meant that I would have to go with Madoka. He used the excuse of wanting to know why she was coming on the case as his reason to why he wanted her to come with him in the van. However, Mai ignored him and went with Madoka, which annoyed Naru but he didn't say anything.
It just took fifteen minutes to get to the house even though it was in the nicer section of town. We arrived to a nice two-story white house and the doors and windows were black and trees and marigolds surrounded the house. In front of the house there was a small lake, which was also surrounded by marigolds. We parked in front of the house where the family was waiting for us. As soon as we all got out of the car, the family descended from the stairs to come and greet us. A woman with long light brown hair was the one to greet us first, followed by a man with dark brown hair and a boy around Naru's and my age, who also had dark brown hair.
"Hello, my name is Naomi and I am pleased to meet you despite the circumstances. This is my husband Hiroshi and this is my son Shin. Thank-you so much for coming today, it really means a lot to us."
"No problem," answered Monk. "Let me introduce everyone before we get started." He then proceeded to introduce everyone and when he introduced Mai last, Shin spoke up.
"Mai is that really you?" he asked as he stepped closer to her. Mai looked at him as if contemplating something and was caught off guard when Shin hugged her. Realization finally registered on Mai's face and she returned Shin's hug. I turned to look at Naru's reaction and I could tell he was not pleased.
"It has been a while, Shin," Mai giggled.
"Mai who is this boy?" Monk asked, eyeing Shin suspiciously.
Mai stepped away from Shin's embrace when Monk asked her who he was. "I know Shin from school. We were in the same class for many years," Mai replied.
"Oh Shin, so this is the girl you would constantly talk about for years." Hiroshi said.
"Father, please don't embarrass me," Shin said.
"It has been a while since I have heard that name in this house though," Naomi commented.
"Well, I haven't seen Mai in over a year now," Shin grumbled.
"Surely you must see each other at school?" Madoka commented.
"Well no because I don't go to school anymore," Mai said.
Shock registered on all of our faces except for Shin's, Yasu's, Monk's, and Ayako's faces.
"What do you mean you don't go to school?" Madoka asked.
Sensing Mai being uncomfortable with the topic at hand Shin asked, "Can we get started with trying to get rid of whatever sprit or whatever is haunting our house?"
"Sorry. You are right, son" Naomi said. "Please follow us inside," she gestured towards the house.
"I don't mean to interrupt but do you have a spare room where we can set up some equipment," I ask.
"Of course, we have two rooms that are available to your choosing," Hiroshi answered. Then Hiroshi and Naomi led part of the group inside the house. Naru, Lin and I were then left to bring in our equipment. As we start to unload the van, Mai suddenly reappears.
"Do you need any help?" Mai asked.
"No, I don't need you breaking anything," Naru said.
"Geez, I was just offering some help," Mai huffed.
"You can take my laptop and…" I started.
"I am not weak!" she asserted, as she picked up two moniters and quickly walked away with them into the house.
"Mai!" Naru yelled.
"Just leave her alone Naru, There is nothing we can do now." We finished gathering everything and we made our way towards the house.
Eventually, the gang ended up placing cameras around the house, after Naru asked permission to set up cameras in all the rooms except the bathrooms. Somehow, Naru ended up manipulating his way to leading this case, not that anyone was arguing about it.
After everyone finished setting up the cameras and speaker, they came back to the living room where base was set up and Naru asked who was going to stay the night. Everyone replied that they were all able to stay. Naru had already asked Naomi if they were able to stay the night and she had said yes. She had already set apart two rooms, one for the males and the other for the females. Naru then asked if he could interview everyone in the household and Naomi gave her permission and then asked who would be first. Naru asked if he could interview her first and she readily agreed.
Naru POV
Everyone sat on some nearby couches while Lin sat by the monitors, taking notes on his laptop as I began the interview.
"How long have you been living in this house?"
" We have been living in the house for about two weeks."
"When was the first time you became aware of the scratches on the maids?"
"Well one of the maids noticed the second day we moved in but didn't think too much of it.
From what Naomi told us, the spirit was only harming the maids and had only ruined the kitchen with the writings on the walls. The same story was retold from the rest of the family and maids. After interviewing everyone, I put Yasu and Madoka to do some research. I sent Monk, Ayako, and Gene to go put charms around the house and get a sense of any sprit around while Lin and I were left to watch the monitors. I didn't realize that I forgot to assign Mai a job until she spoke up.
"Jerk! You probably think that I can't do anything!" Mai exclaimed and just when I was about to answer her, Shin appeared.
"Hey Mai can I talk to you?" he asked.
"Yeah sure," Mai replied.
"Mai, you have to stay here," I said, my eyes narrowing at the sight of Shin.
"Actually, I don't have to," Mai said before leaving with Shin.
"Seriously?" I say to myself, though I didn't intend to say it aloud.
"She does have point," Lin said, a smirk forming on his face. I just glared at him before looking at the monitors, searching for Mai.
* I apologize for this really bleh and sucky chapter, but I am fighting writers block. Just can't seem to get the ideas on paper *sighs*. I will try to make up for it on the next chapter, which may come out on Monday, hopefully.