Before Oliver could receive a reply from Mai, his phone began to ring.

"Noll, I need to see you in my office right now." Martin said once Oliver had picked up.

"I'm on my way." Oliver hung up and headed to his father's office.

He knocked before entering to find his father looking rather concerned.

"I would like you to explain to me why I have just had the head of catering on the phone regarding one of the canteen workers. Apparently, you had them in tears." Martin said.

Oliver frowned. He hadn't been nasty to any of them.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"According to the head of catering, you not only smiled at this woman, but you also thanked her and told her to 'have a good day'."

"I am failing to see why there is a problem."

"According to the head of catering, the last time you smiled in the canteen, one of their workers was sacked. It seems your smiles have a reputation." Oliver was annoyed to see that his father looked somewhat amused. "I will reassure the head of catering that there is no issue, but I would love to know what's made you so happy."

"Nothing."

"Is it Mai?" His father correctly guessed. Oliver did not see any point in lying and so nodded. "What did she do?"

"We have been emailing and I enjoy her conversation."

Oliver watched as his father appraised him a little.

"I'm happy for you Noll; I look forward to meeting this girl properly."

"Can I return to my office now? Mai will be going to bed soon."

"Of course."

Oliver walked to the door before turning back to face his father.

"Mai's English isn't so great so if she says something daft to you, please don't think badly of her."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Martin smiled as he watched his son leave. "He really is smitten with her…" He muttered to himself.

Once back in his office, Oliver checked for a reply.

Dear Naru,

Well most people I've seen just seem to fall for your looks, so you need to pick a difficult target in order to really prove your abilities.

I'm off to bed now!

From Mai xxx

Oliver smirked and began typing.

Dear Mai,

As you have already seen through my charming fake smiles, I believe you will be a suitably challenging target.

Sweet dreams,

From Naru xxx

But Oliver did not receive a response until just past 10pm that night, when he was alone in his room.

Dear Naru,

I think you might have your work cut out for you then!

I'm got to go and shower now before Ayako turns up! Talk later!

From Mai xxx

So that's what she thought huh?

Dear Mai,

I am confident enough in my abilities that I am sure I will succeed.

From Naru xxx

After sending his reply, Oliver got ready to sleep and climbed into bed. He flicked off the lamp beside his and lay back. Once again, he was thinking about Mai.

He couldn't help but think that the whole situation was slightly ridiculous. He liked her. She, from all accounts and evidence, liked him back. Yet both of them were continuing as if this was not the case. Both flirting closer and closer to the subject without actually saying the words.

But not for much longer… He would rectify this daft behaviour once Mai had arrived.

The following morning, Oliver woke to find his inbox empty. Mai must still be out with Ayako.

Oliver spent most of his Saturday morning moving around the house and clearing things up. Every ten minutes or so, he would return to his room to check for a reply.

Luella had set up the bedroom next to Oliver's for Mai. She had decked the room out with new bedsheets in a baby blue colour. But despite his mother's obvious efforts, the room felt cold and empty; like a hotel room.

Opposite Oliver's room was Gene's old room. The family had not really touched it since Gene's death as some sort of odd memento. Oliver did not often visit his brother's room, but he now opened the door and walked in.

There were old shoes lying on the ground and books still open on his desk. The shirt with which Oliver had seen Gene's death was still lying on the bed.

But Oliver was not there to think about such depressing matters.

Instead, he scooped up the photo frame that was propped on the window sill. It was a photo of their family, taken about a year after Luella and Martin had adopted the twins.

The couple were standing, Martin's arm around Luella's waist. In front of them were two nine year old boys, one grinning manically with his arm around the shoulders of his scowling brother.

"I'm going to borrow this, Gene." Oliver muttered and took the photo back to his room.

He then trawled through his hard drive and found the picture Mai had sent him. He sent the image to the printer in his father office.

Oliver ran down the stairs and loaded the empty printer with the photo paper. The printer spewed out the photo and Oliver began searching for a frame for it.

It took him about ten minutes to find a suitable photo frame. Once the image was mounted, Oliver returned to his room, collected the other photo and took them to what would be Mai's room.

He propped up two the photos on the dresser by the bed. It wasn't much, but it helped reduce the feeling of the room being in a hotel.

Pleased with his work, Oliver returned to his room. As he shut the door behind him, he heard a soft 'ping'. Smiling, he opened up the web browser.

Dear Naru,

I don't think I have ever seen you not confidence in your abilities.

Actually, that's not right. The first case we took, you were annoyed at yourself after it turned out to be more than just land subsidence.

Anyway, I am going to bed now as I am shattered from a long day of shopping! I bought an eBook like you recommended! I plan on filling it tomorrow! I need to finish packing tomorrow as well and then the rest of the SPR gang and I are meeting for a late lunch so they see me before I leave!

Goodnight!

From Mai xxx

While disappointed that he would not get further conversation, he was pleased Mai had emailed.

Dear Mai,

Even I am allowed moments of weakness.

And he planned on having a very big moment of so-called weakness when Mai arrived.

Please enjoy your last day in Japan, don't worry about emailing if you don't have time. And ensure you take down everyone's addresses as I am sure they will want a postcard.

Sweet dreams,

From Naru, xxx

But the following day, Sunday, Oliver only received one email.

Dear Naru,

I will do!

Don't bother replying as I am packing away my laptop now! I'm almost all ready to go! I've been grinning all day! I'm so excited!

Oliver could not have guessed that from the number of exclamation marks.

I'm still nervous about the flight, but the thought of you being there at the end eases my worries.

See you soon!

From Mai xxx

Oliver smiled. He too was excited. He had not felt like this in a long time.

However at work the next day, he realised how stupid he had been. Mai may have been flying out on Monday, but due to the length of the flight, she would not arrive in England until Tuesday.

Of course this fact had been pointed out to him when he had booked the flight, but somehow this piece of information had escaped his memory until this moment.

10am the following day would not come soon enough.

Author's note: Dear Readers, I fear this story is coming to a close... I have downgraded this to a T, as I think M just for language was a bit overcautious! Please review :)