Chapter 11
Ici vous etes mes cheris!
Mai sat in the back corner of her classroom, her eyes scanned the scenes of a chilling spring afternoon. She was currently seated in her ancient civilization class, and couldn't shake her daze. Luckily, she was ahead in her readings so she could afford to daydream all week and still be all caught up on the material.
'No matter how far ahead I was Naru would still frown at my absent mindedness.' Mai thought to herself and giggled a bit. She let out a deep sighed at refocused her view to the front of the classroom. She figured she could at least have the decency to pretend she was paying attention to her professor. Mai stifled a yawn as she took more notes. All the intense learning Mai was doing was definitely positively affecting her ability to look at potential cases, as well as problem solving in their classroom. Though, she was proud of her progress, and was happy with the fact that no one could ever come in her unconscious mind without her permission again; she was just so damn tired from the monotonous new routine her life had gone through. Mai did play hooky with her friends from time to time, but what Mai really wanted was a new case. She was ready to prove herself.
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Mai was snapped out of her daze by the school bell, as she gathered her things. Thankful that this school day was over.
'I hope it wouldn't be too rude if I just left without saying farewell to the Michiru and Keiko. Today is just too exhausting.' Mai put her shoes on and left the building to find her one and only boss in front of her school building leaning against his car nonchalant as ever.
'Here we go again.' Mai thought to herself prepping the inevitable argument.
"Naru, what did I say about picking me up from school! People are starting to talk about you being my sugar daddy or something crazy like that." Mai stomped up angrily.
"As if I would care about the musings of teenage gossip Mai, and neither should you. It's a distasteful form of entertainment that would only annoy an idiot. Besides, I wouldn't have to pick you up, if you'd arrive on time instead of playing hooky. Now stop dawdling and get in. We have a client coming soon, we've already wasted enough time."
If it weren't for the fact that she was extremely excited about the prospect of a new case, she would have given Naru a piece of her mind. She threw her bag into the back seat and proceed to the passenger's side. Mai could still recall the first time Naru had picked her up from school, and she was forced to drive with him. Awkward couldn't begin to sum up how Mai felt being in such a close quarters with her longtime crush. He must have noticed how nervous she was because he turned on the radio, but not to the music, of course, only the local news station.
'Finally a case. I hope Naru takes it because I can't take this monotonous routine much longer.' Mai mused as she let her gaze drift to the passing scenes of students. As the car came to a stop Mai saw a group of girls chatting and laughing loud together, and reminisced.
'Its been a while since I've done something consistent with a being a teenage girl. Even John jokes with me that if I keep studying so much I'll turn into Naru.' Mai laughed to herself as she looked over at Naru and rolled her eyes. The young man was very aware of the school girl's actions but kept his focus on the roads of Shibuya.
Once the two entered the lounge Lin and Yasu were standing and introducing themselves to a man who was very sharply dressed. The two took their cues, one entering the introductions, and the other to make tea they got to work.
"Ah, so this is them, much younger than what I pegged him." The stranger said as Yasu laughed nervously and showed him to his seat.
"My name is Kyouya Tachibana. I'm in no mood to mix words so I'll be blunt with you all I am a curator for Tokyo's National Museum. I'm here on behalf of their board of representatives, to inform you that there have been…odd happenings afoot in the establishment." Naru sent the man an icy stare still cross from his previous comments. He sat down and pinched his nose bridge, and sighed deeply.
"Mr. Tachibana, understand that in this line of work that much is evident otherwise we wouldn't be having this meeting right now, so please elaborate on your situation and I will consider your request." The narcissist said offering him a dry look.
'Good old Naru…' Yasu thought to himself as he sweatdropped. Taken aback by the young man's attitude Tachibana merely nodded on continued.
"Well, we've had poor luck when it comes to night guards as of late. We can't get anyone to keep the jobs because of complaints of 'ghosts'. I assure you that I am a man of science and discovery, so when I first heard this nonsense I dismissed it right away. I merely put it up to man-made mischief and bulked up the security forces and systems. Unfortunately, as time has gone on the length of time we can keep people on the job has become shorter and shorter. The last few sets of guards haven't even stayed a single night before quitting," loosen his tie and exhaled loudly before continuing."... this job, no, this place is very precious to me. I hate to see one of Tokyo's treasures find itself in ruin due to a flimsy night staff." Tachibana responded humbling himself for his cause.
Mai exited the kitchen just as he'd finished speaking, and noticed the change in the man's entire aura. When Mai first eyed him he was a very tall proud, sharp looking individual, but now his posture was almost slumped and his eyes seemed warn and tired. Ignoring her usual routine of attending to Naru first, she walked over to their guest.
"Excuse me, may I interest you in some hot tea?" Mai asked softly and kindly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. The man returned a sad smile and nodded. Mai placed down a cup and poured him some green tea. Mai could feel Naru glaring daggers her way, but she brushed him off with Madoka- like skill and reveled in her small victory over him.
"Thank you, young lady." He said and Mai bowed in return and gave Naru a haughty look as she slammed down his teacup and hand Lin and Yasu their own.
'I'm still upset with him for early, he better not think that I'm going to let him get away with it this time.' Mai thought to herself and took her set next to Yasu who was tutting his finger her way, and she tried not to smile in return.
"Do have any evidence other than frightened guards that this related to the paranormal?" Naru said his expression still very much bored.
'I don't know if the boss will take this one. He seems so uninterested.' Yasuhara thought to himself watching it all unfold.
"Our cameras have picked up on some film of a black mist moving about the museum. Also, some of the doors have been broken off their hinges. We picked up on strange noises and even had reports of people being touched or even violent pushed and punched. Some guards have been had some serious injuries, and the museum has paid some money even out of pocket money and was about to engage in some pretty intense lawsuits before the settlements. Please, Mr. Shibuya, I beg you, consider my case." Tachibana finished again and looked Naru in the eye, no longer ashamed of his vulnerability.
'I feel for the guy, I hope Naru takes the case.' Mai thought to herself as she waited as the silence became louder and louder. She let her eyes move from Lin, who had even stopped typing, to Naru whose eyes looked far away and distant. Mai could almost hear the gears turning and that disgustingly intelligent head of his.
"Mai." Mai jumped a bit surprised when his beautiful blue eyes met his own.
"Call Hara, Matsuzaki, and Takigawa and let them know we have a case." Mai nearly jumped for joy as she nodded excitedly and went over to the phone right away.
"Yasuhara, take down this man's information, and inform him of our terms and conditions."
"Yes, boss, right away boss." Yasu mocked but was very polite with the guest and led him over to the corner desk. Naru and Lin were quick to retreat to their respected areas, as Mai and Yasu completed their respected jobs, and bowed as the man exited.
"Thank the Gods! I didn't think I'd be able to go another week of my repetitive schedule. Will you be able to make this case Yasu?" Mai asked as she slumped onto the couch in pure bliss.
"Probably not. Exams are coming up for me, and I can't afford the leisure. I'm sure I'll be able to help here and there if Naru needs it though. If not, who knows, Madoka might get called in. " Yasu said as he took his respective seat next to his companion.
"Wow, it's been so long since I've seen Madoka I wonder how she's doing." Mai said letting her imagination wander to the ongoings of the pink haired woman.
"I'm sure you'll find out soon, anyway. How's your training going? John told me the twins are putting you through the ringer."
"Ugh… Well, Gene is really encouraging and says I'm doing very well, even though I struggle a lot with applying the training. On the other hand, Naru says I have a long way to go and is always pushing me. Between the two of them, I honestly can't gauge how I'm doing." Mai released a frustrated sigh while Yasu only laughed in return. Mai spared him an exasperating look and merely looking at nothing in particular. The rest of the day was unusually uneventful but isn't that how the calm before the storm is.
Kasai sat on his bed and contemplated his next move. He'd never thought the day would come that he'd ever see Mai again, but by chance, he's spotted her at an amusement park when he was out with some friends. He'd told his mother and ever since she'd be riddled with grief. At first, he regretted it, but upon further thought, he'd rather hurt her with the truth than spoil her with a lie.
'Even though she's grown I could never forget that face.' Kasai thought as their chance encounter ran through his mind over and over again. When he saw her she looked so happy it hurt him. How dare she continue her life in happiness while he lived his own hollow and broken. He'd have to take action, but he'd needed to plan first. He wanted his revenge to be to be cold, accurate, and devastating.
'Enjoy it while you can because soon it'll all be a beautiful memory.' Kasai let his hand curl into fists as he ran to his desk and began to scheme.
Boy oh boy has it been a while. RATE and REVIEW lots, and I promise to get you a new chapter soon.
