Mai had been right about her prediction. She had sat at her desk looking out of the window until her two friends had arrived and took their seats nearby.

"Hey Mai how is Kazuya?" Her friend whispered.

The mention of his name made her cheeks turn bright red and she was sporting a big smile.

"Heyyyyyy, did something happen?"

"Mai's blushing. SOMETHING TOTALLY DID HAPPEN SPILL IT MAI!"

"SHHHHH keep it down everyone's staring at us."

The three girls looked around the room to find that the other students had gone silent and were looking at them. Mai buried her head under her arms in an attempt to make herself smaller. Her attempt to make herself disappear was interrupted by the occasional poke of her friend trying to get the juicy details of this new development in the love life of one Mai Taniyama. She had talked about it during lunch out in the courtyard this time where no one would really be able to eavesdropping.

Later that day Mai had left school and rode the bus to the big shopping center. She had never replaced the Naru's scarf due to his insistence that she stay at the hospital. The bus had arrived at her stop and she had made her way to the doors and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The shopping center was only up the next street so she flipped the collar of her wool lined coat up. The wind had picked up since this morning and her ears had started to burn from the cold. At the corner she waited for the light to change eagerly. She wanted to be inside the warm mall and away from the cold chills that ran through her body. For a split second she turned her head and caught a glimpse of something she hadn't expected to see. There was Lin behind the wheel of the SPR van driving up the street with its newly replaced windshield. Naru sitting in the passenger seat.

"What the? Where are they going?"

Once the light changed she walked with the crowed across the street. She picked up her pace to keep up with the van, ducking behind some parked cars as she looked. She couldn't figure out why Naru had told her not to come into work today when he said he and Lin would be in the office all day sending old case work back to the England branch. She understood that she wasn't all that Tec savvy so her being there would have been pointless. But now seeing Naru and Lin she couldn't help but wonder what they could be doing halfway across town. She hadn't noticed the curious stares from people on the street. Their thought asking why a school girl would be following a van so secretively. The Van drove away up the street leaving Mai who stood up and went to the mall. She walked in and took the escalator to one of the upper floors. She'd never been in one of the men stores before and found it intimidating when a tall man approached her asking if she needed help. She was then directed to the part of the store where the outer wear was and the associate had recommended a particular scarf to her. The fabric had been incredibly soft and it felt like it would keep Naru warm during the winter.

"What do you think of it?" The associate had asked.

"It's very nice what is it made of?"

"Cashmere. It's a very high end quality and super soft don't you think?"

"High end? Uhm how much is this?" Mai had asked warily.

"23,543 yen." He said excusing himself for a moment to help another customer.

Mai slumped forward and leaned her weight on the metal rack. She was sure she must have been having heart palpitations.

"Yeah no problem don't you know sir that I'm the CEO of Taniyama psychic research. Yup it's a nonexistent company. 23,543 yen no problem, I don't need to eat for three weeks. Come on I'm not Naru, he's been in the business for god knows how long and he's a year older than me too. If Naru hadn't been lying about the camera I'm sure I'd be paying it off forever."

She got herself together and carefully hung the scarf back up making sure not to crimp it for fear the thing might disintegrate. She went around the rack looking at all the black scarfs checking the price and then the softness of the material. She found one that was reasonably priced and made her way to the check out.

SPR a day later midafternoon

Naru was sitting behind his desk a stack of papers sitting before him. He had gone through all of them but nothing seemed all that relevant to him. Lin and his own findings gave possible explanations yet they weren't concrete enough for Naru's liking. Lin was busy typing all of yesterday's findings. Naru heard the creak of the front door open along with footsteps. He got out of his chair and exited his office finding Miss Hara sitting on one of the couches. When she saw him she immediately stood up and walked over to him.

"Good afternoon Naru."

"What can I help you with Miss Hara?"

"Oh nothing really It's just I haven't seen you since you were in the hospital. I wanted to know how you've been." She asked giving a soft smile.

"I'm fine. If that's the reason you come here, then I guess your purpose for being here has been accomplished." Naru said dismissively.

"Naru I've been so worried about you." Masako said as she stepped forward and put her arms around his neck.

Outside

Mai was walking next to John whose arm was in a cast and was held in a sling. Ayako was walking up ahead with Monk and Yasu. They had all meet up and decided to go with Mai to the office since they hadn't been around each other for a little over a week.

"So John when does your cast come off?" Mai asked.

"Not for some time I'm afraid. But my doctor did say it looks to be healing nicely. Ayako agreed, she was kind enough to take a look at my x-rays."

"That's great news."

"I only want the best care for my friends." Ayako called from ahead.

"Best care you say? I thought it was only because you got to see me with my shirt off." Takigawa commented with a chuckle.

"Ha like anyone would want to see that." Ayako retorted.

"Oh is it just me or is there love in the air?" Yasu said smiling.

Takigawa and Ayako glared back at him as if disgusted. Mai and John could only shake their heads. They were sure this would start another fight.

"Him? Are you joking?"

"Hey like you a great catch."

"I am."

"Yeah right all a guy could catch from you is a cold shoulder."

"It's unthinkable to ever believe me and Hosho would date."

"ooooo so its Hosho now is it." Yasu said with a heavy implication.

"Yeah like I'd want to date you. Unfathomable."

"Do you even know what unfathomable means?" Ayako asked sarcastically.

"Yes I do, it means incapable of being understood." Monk smiled smugly.

"Oh would you look at that. Takigawa is using big words to make himself look smart."

"SHUT UP!"

"NO YOU SHUT UP!"

Yasu slowed his walking speed until he was with both John and Mai. Now safe of the ensuing argument Mai and John just looked at Yasu and shook their heads at him. He smiled sheepishly at their disapproval. An elderly couple that looked to be in there 70's walked by taking notice on Takigawa and Ayako. The elderly man made a comment to his wife that they were acting as they had in their youth and smile at one another.

"STOP TELLING ME TO SHUT UP!"

"WELL IF YOU'D STOP TALKING I WOULDN'T HAVE TO TELL YOU TO SHUT UP. THAT'S IT I'M LEAVING!"

"It doesn't matter if you walk faster, we're all still going to the same place." Ayako said victoriously.

"SHUT UP ALREADY! YOU'RE SO ANNOYING!"

"YOU'RE ANNOYING!"

"YOU'RE BOTH ANNOYING!" Mai, Yasu and John said together.

Takigawa and Ayako turned to stare then Ayako turned her head back with a huff. Monk was the first one up the stairs and opened the door.

"No freaking way, two timer!" Monk said shocked.

Mai ran up the stairs to see what was going on. Once she reached the landing and looked into the open door she stopped mid step with her mouth hanging open. There stood Masako embracing Naru whose hand was on her hip.

"WE'RE OUT OF TEA!" Being unable to come up with a better excuse to leave she shouted and then ran back down the stairs.

"What Lin's two timing?" Ayako asked rushing up the rest of the way only to be surprised at what she saw.

Yasu and John made it to the landing not long after Ayako did. They too stood there surprised at the sight. Monk told Yasu to follow after Mai which he did but lost her once he got to the corner of the next block.

"Masako would you mind kindly unhanding me." Naru said.

Masako let go reluctantly. Once released Naru headed in the direction of his office but before Naru could escape the bombardment of accusations Takigawa started to lecture him on his treatment of Mai. John couldn't help but side with Monk though he didn't voice is opinion. That one event at the hot spring had given them both the impression that Naru had taken a liking to Mai.

"You do that after what you said at the hot spring Naru? You shouldn't play with a girls feelings like that. I thought you were a better guy then that."

Naru didn't say anything in response but went in to his office and shut the door. He couldn't believe how much poor timing he was dealing with. What they saw wasn't what it looked like at all.

"Masako? Really Naru? You could have done better." Ayako frowned.

"And what is that supposed to mean Miss Matsuzaki?" Masako asked irritated.

"Just what I said, Naru could do way better."

"Hey so what was this thing about Naru saying something anyway?" Yasu asked silencing the room.

Masako and Ayako both stopped their bickering and looked at Monk. He took a step back feeling the intensity of their stare. He knew he had messed up, now they wouldn't leave him alone until he tells them. Seeing no way out of this Monk blurted out what happened and then grabbed John and left the office. The two girls followed after them feeling as they hadn't been given a sufficient answer and wanted more details. Yasu went along with them not wanting to miss out on the next explanation. He was somewhat amused by the incident since Ayako claimed that Naru had picked second best and hadn't settled for Masako.

Naru sat at his desk rubbing his temples in a circular motion trying to stop the headache that was starting to grow. The noise in the office had died down and the he heard the door slam shut.

Two hours later

After storming out of the office Mai had found herself sitting on a park bench with her knees tucked up to her chest. She had sat there for a long time, the pain in her chest was still there and she had to take deep breaths to get her thoughts back together. It was far too cold out to stay there any longer so she walked to the nearest store and bought a box of tea. Taking her time she then walked back to the office.

Naru heard the front door open but didn't leave his office to see who it was, he already knew. He could hear Mai's footsteps go from the kitchen to the receptions desk. Then the sound of the chair being pulled back. A few hours had gone by once He had felt the need to request some tea. He listened to the chair move, followed by heavy dragged out footsteps and after a while the whistling of the tea kettle. Mai stepped in to his office without knocking and set the cup of tea down with a thump. Before Naru could open his mouth to speak she was already out the door which she slammed behind her. He exhaled deeply as the frustration started to grow once again.

"Why is this happening now? Of all the times it had to be now? I wasn't in the hospital so long ago and I even gave everyone time off. Well except for Lin that is." Naru thought as he leaned back in his chair.

6 pm

It was already starting to get dark outside when Naru requested his last cup of tea. This time he was standing in front of his desk when Mai came into the room. She didn't look and him but kept her head down and her eyes focused on the part of the desk where she always left Naru his tea. When she put the tray down Naru saw his chance and took it.

"Mai we need to talk."

"No need, really it's fine." She wanted to sound as if nothing was wrong but her tone sounded harsher than she had thought.

"Mai. You're mad, so we should talk abou…."

"NO! Naru I get it its fine. I just read too much into to what happened on the case."

"What? That's not…"

"I know you only kissed me to make me feel better or take my mind off of what happened because I was freaking out and I thank you for that."

"Mai"

"No let me finish, I just want to say thanks."

"What?"

"Thank you. There probably weren't any feelings behind that kiss but I'm happy I could share my first kiss with someone important to me. So thanks." Mai said somewhat choked up.

Naru stood there for a while after Mai left the room. He had every intention of explaining what happened earlier but every time he tried to speak Mai cut him off. Then to hear Mai say that she thought there were no feelings on his part was just unexpected.

Mai went to her locker and got her coat and bag, she then packed up her school books and left the office. It was only after the door shut that Naru snapped out of it. He walked out of his office only to find the reception area was empty. Lin had heard most of the conversation that was going on next door. He hadn't ease dropped on purpose, in fact it was only do to the lack of having the rest of the group around that it had been quiet enough for him to hear through the wall. He saved what he was working on and stood up from his chair to talk to Naru. His charge was standing by the windows peering down at the street below.

"You should try to sort this out as soon as possible." Lin said.

"I know that Lin. I don't think you should be involving yourself in this matter."

"I'm not trying to get involved, I only wanted to give you some advice. The longer you hold off fixing this the worse it'll get."

"I know that already."

"So why don't you go after her?"

"It won't do any good talking to her right now. She won't be receptive to anything I try to say since she's already come up with her own conclusions. I'll wait until tomorrow at least then she might be calm enough to hear me out." Naru said as he leaned against the windowsill.

"Very well, but do make sure you tell her everything." Lin said with a knowing look.

Naru could tell by the look on Lin's face what he meant. He had been the only one to see his behavior when they had returned to England all those many months ago.

Mai's house

Mai walked down the street of her block, waving to her neighbor who had just pulled into their driveway. She pulled her keys from her pocked and slipped it into the lock and pushed her door open. She locked it and let the strap of her bag slid to the floor with the thud. Mai kicked off her shoes and hung up her coat. Then walked to her room pushing open the door and belly flopping on to the bed. She pulled her pillow closer to herself and buried her face in it. It was only then that the pain in her chest became unbearable and the tears started to form in her eyes. She rolled on to her side curling up as she cried.

"Masako was always Naru's type right? She knows way more about the paranormal then me and her abilities are more useful than mine."

The thoughts in her head only made her feel worse. All she could think of was why? Why had Naru been so nice to her? Why had he tried to protect her at his own risk? And why had he kissed her the way he did? There were so many questions but it just made her more confused.