Title: Ghost Stories
Prompt 10: What hobbies or side interests are most important to her?
Word Count: 617
Michiru leaned over to Mai's desk. "What time do you start work, Mai?"
"Um, I have some paperwork to file, so I should be there by five."
"Great, you'll stay for a few ghost stories then?"
"I don't know…"
Michiru pouted. "You never tell ghost stories with us anymore." She straightened up when their teacher entered the classroom.
She's right, Mai thought, her mind drifting away from the lesson. She still did love ghost stories. After all, she couldn't tell them to the SPR group. Everyone would probably start jumping in with their own opinions on how it had actually happened…the thought made her smile, which she quickly hid. She was supposed to be studying.
*.*
"I'll stay," Mai told Michiru over lunch. "But just for a couple of stories."
Michiru grinned. "Great, I'll find Keiko and let her know."
*.*
Sitting in a dark classroom, Mai half-heartedly listened as Keiko told the story of the old haunted school, now complete with the war 'ghosts' that Kuroda had seen. In school, only Mai and Kuroda knew the truth. After living through it, the story didn't have the same effect on Mai anymore.
"Okay, your turn Mai," Keiko said.
Mai jumped. She had not realized the story had ended. "What time is it? I can't be late."
Her friends exchanged glances highlighted by their flashlights. Michiru had borrowed Mai one – Mai could not remember what had happened to hers. She had probably lost it on a case.
"Come on, I bet you have some awesome stories," Michiru said.
Mai bit her lip, but then smiled. "Well, as a matter of fact, I do. Haunted school? You wouldn't believe how common those are. We-"
She paused before she got caught up in storytelling. Naru would kill her if she was late. "Do one of you have a phone? I need to call my boss."
Keiko fished a cell from her purse. Mai held the phone for a moment, then quickly dialed the office before she chickened out.
"Shibuya Psychic Research," Lin answered.
Mai realized her friends had crowded around her by the circle of flashlights. She narrowed her eyes, but they just grinned, their teeth flashing.
"It's Mai. Can I talk to Naru for a second, Lin-san?"
The girls around her sighed in disappointment when he did not reply. The only response was the sound of the phone being put down.
"Gosh, he has a sexy voice," Michiru sighed, pressing the light to her heart.
"Yeah," Keiko said, "It's no wonder Mai wants to rush over there."
"Hello?" Naru said. Mai waved her hand to attempt to silence the giggles that started. She blushed, knowing there was no way Naru could not hear them.
"Hey, Naru? Could I take the day off?"
Her friends waited with bated breath.
"I could come in early tomorrow…" Mai said when he did not answer.
"That will be fine," he said finally.
Michiru elbowed Mai. "Ask him to join us," she hissed.
"What? Absolutely not," Mai said.
"…Join you for what?" Naru asked.
"Michiru wants you to join us for ghost stories," Mai blurted out.
"That is what you are skipping work for?"
"Yes," Mai said, sending a glare to Michiru.
"You would think you would get tired of ghost stories," Naru said.
"I guess so," Mai said. It had never crossed her mind.
"Tell her I'll pass this time," Naru said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Early."
He hung up.
Everyone sighed again, though Mai's was in relief that he did not change his mind about letting her off.
"All right," Mai said, handing the phone back to Keiko. "Do either of you like dolls? You won't after I tell you this story…"