Author's note: Hi, guys! I'm really happy to all the reviews you gave me! They keep me inspired. I was a little shocked to see that you didn't know whom Naru chose. Anyways, that'll be revealed in later chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt.
"Doc, how's my wife?" Naru asked looking at Mai who was lying on bed suffering from a fever since last night. Maybe not through his expressionless face, but people can see all traces of Naru's qualms for Mai in his deep blue eyes.
"There's nothing to worry about. Her fever will go down soon. She might not be physically stressed, but emotionally… yes. Your wife should relax and have a peace of mind," the doctor advised relaying on the medical tests Mai took. She was unconsciously traumatized by several emotional distresses; if it was not cured as early as possible, it may lead to a serious mental defect. "Anyways, these are the medicines she needs to take," she handed him the prescription and exited their room after.
He grabbed a chair and sat beside the bed where he can reach and hold Mai's hand tightly. They say when you hold a sick person's hand, he or she will feel better; the raven-haired narcissist didn't know where the hell that belief came from, but he was undeniably believing it. As he gazes upon the brunette's angelic sleeping face, he thought of how he made Mai cry so much. There hasn't been any moment when Naru sees her burst into real loud laughter; as if she was never happy to be with him.
Come to think of it, he has been cheating on her for almost a month. He even laid a couple of times with Madoka on bed and slept with her leaving Mai all alone. But wait, could that be called "cheating" or "betrayal"? In the very first place, they did not marry each other for love or commitment, yet because of some stupid reward, good publicity and respected leverage. They were bonded together through papers, but not with their hearts. Could it be possible for two people to live together first and then, falling in love rather than the other way around? In the end, only Naru and Mai can answer that question.
"Mai, do you think I'm evil?" he asked softly though Mai was fast asleep. "Do you hate me? Do you want to return to your old life where you and smile and laugh freely?" he felt crazy for talking to a sleeping person. It was like speaking to himself. But then, he thought this must be the best way to let Mai at least know his true feelings that were always hidden from anyone else. "The truth is I married you in order to help her, the woman both me and Gene fell for. I lied to you for so many times just to be with her. Do I love her?" he momentarily paused and searched for the right words to answer the question. "Yes, I love her but…" yeah, there was a big "but"! "Every time I see you, I feel different. It's so complicated and I can't understand it. Guess, my mind's getting dull; this has to be your fault. You've influenced me with that naïve way of thinking you have," he let out a short small laugh. This was the very first time he got affected by such lame joke. Naru leaned towards Mai and kissed her forehead. "For now, let's try to be together until I realize what I really want. Please bear with me, Mai. Stay by my side unless I let go of you. Promise. I'll fix all things between us and make you happy. I know I haven't said this for quite some time, but… thank you, Mai," Naru was now relieved. Even though he told everything to her indirectly, his words must have reached her heart.
--ooo000ooo--
The sky has gotten dark when Mai woke up from her long slumber. Naru was there sitting on the couch with eyes closed. He seemed to have fallen asleep while waiting for her to wake up. Feeling better, Mai stood up and covered her husband with a blanket. "Thank you for taking care of me," she whispered. "You must be tired."
By the time Mai was about to go out the room to get some food, Naru was woken up. "Mai, how do you feel?"
"I'm fine now. Sorry for making you worried," she said.
"You should rest," he insisted and walked towards her.
"For some reasons, the heavy feeling in my heart has faded away," Mai placed a hand on her chest feeling her heart beat. Then, Naru pulled the brunette into a warm hug.
--ooo000ooo--
After lunch, the couple spent their time in the room where the grand piano was. It hasn't changed since Mai last went there like nobody was visiting that palce.
"Is this place a sort of "off limits" for people here? I've never seen a maid or anybody else here," she asked while Naru opens the piano keyboard's cover.
"This is my place. I prohibit other people from going here without my permission," he said with a serious look.
"This room's really big. I think you should put more things here," Mai suggested when she saw a wide dusty old wooden chest. It was like of those ancient ones where gold coins and bars kept. "What's this? I didn't notice this before."
"Mom placed all her valuables there. I also don't know what's inside there," he answered simply. Mai wanted to take a look, but she can't just touch other people's things without their permission. "Wanna see?"
She nodded and Naru opened its lock. Inside were several precious things for his mother such as jewelries. There were tons of them all in complete sets of necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets! Next was their family photo album. A bunch of Naru and his siblings' pictures were pasted there. Mai thought her husband was cute during his childhood. They also found her wedding dress which was still white because it was packed properly in a plastic. Then, two rectangular yellowish boxes caught their attention. They were surprised to see a note attached at on of them saying "To Noll's future wife" and the other one with a "To Gene's future wife" message. No doubt she wrote those even before Naru's brother dies. Naru didn't waste time and brought them outside the chest. He first opened the one for his wife; it was a music box with a beautifully carved swan on top of it. "This is for you," he gave it to Mai and she turned its key. As the music was playing, Mai thought about the other gift. Now that Gene has passed away, who will have it?
"How about that?" she inquired pointing at the other box.
"I'll take care of this," he replied simply and went out the room together with the gift for Gene's future wife.
--ooo000ooo--
Mai felt a little bored in waiting for Naru thus, she decided to play the piano. She hasn't practice for a very long time, but she was taught to play it during grade school so she gave it a try. "This should be the right key," she pressed it, but it was wrong. No matter how hard she tried to read the notes, she can't just get them right. "Why is this so hard?" she sighed but still determined to finish the song. She continued committing mistakes until a hand guided her to the right keys his hand on top of hers. "Eh? Naru?" she didn't even took notice of him coming back.
"Concentrate, Mai. I'll teach you," he said and sat beside her. As the two play the piano together. Not to mention, Mai was flushing the whole time. It was like they were holding hands. Perhaps… it was about time for love to bloom, wasn't it?
--ooo000ooo--
Naru looked at the midnight city through the window of his hotel room in Hokkaido. He went there with Lin to sign a contract with a foreign investor their company will do business with so Mai was left alone in the manor.
The next morning, Naru was preparing the necessary papers he'll need during the meeting with the said investor when someone knocked at the door. He quickly opened it much to his surprise…
"Good morning, Noll!" she greeted cheerfully placing her arms around his neck.
His eyes widened, "Madoka?!"
Author's note: Thank you for reading and please submit reviews!