Hello, it's been a while! Life's been busy, hence the slow rate of updates (plus the fact that I hated writing this chapter for some reason), but do not fear! The next chapter is already written, I'm currently in the process of editing it. So keep an eye out for an update in the upcoming days :) This will be my thank you gift for your patience, since you are all lovely and really patient readers!
Also, all my thanks to Puff the Evil Dragon for editing this and giving me helpful English advice in the process ;)
I don't own Ghost Hunt, blah blah blah
Mai stopped in front of her sister's door, hesitating for a second. It was slightly ajar, a ray of dim light filtering through the gap. Masako was waiting for her, as promised.
The girl took a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves. Even if her immense frustration of being left out had subsided, she wasn't at peace. Now that her friend had finally opened up to her, Mai was realizing that she had been keeping secrets, too, and she felt remorseful for reproaching her sister for the exact thing she was also guilty of.
But Masako had offered her trust, and Mai was determined to do the same. That made her both nervous to share the tale of the most recent events with Shibuya and Takigawa, and eager to ask her sister for advice. She had felt so isolated recently that she hadn't even sought her closest friend's opinion. Now that her mind was clearer she felt foolish for not doing so sooner.
"Masako? May I come in?" she finally asked.
"Mai! Please do," responded a muffled voice.
Some shuffling occurred behind the thick wood and before Mai could make a move Masako opened the creaking door and took her sister by the arm, leading her inside. Mai followed obediently and they both sat heavily on the bed, smiling to each other.
"How did it go with Mother?"
"Astonishingly well. Our presence is not expected at the dinner table, and Jenkins will bring us some food later," announced the orphan smugly.
Mai had been indeed surprised by the celerity with which her foster mother had agreed to her request. When she had asked the permission for Masako and herself to rest upstairs Lady Hara had nodded her consent, commenting on her adopted daughter's awful complexion and had insisted that she got some beauty sleep. Mai had left without further ado, pleased that her wish had been granted, but she had wondered about the odd concern the older lady was showing toward her looks.
"Excellent," approved Masako. "It is timely that she wants you to be at your handsomest."
"Uh? Why would she concern herself about me?" asked the young lady, genuinely confused.
Her sister shot Mai a dubious look.
"Well, Takigawa's visit is drawing to an end."
"I know that, but how would it have an effect on…" Mai stopped short, the new piece of information about her cousin dawning in. Lady Hara's surreptitious look earlier in the afternoon or her keenness on letting her adoptive daughter tie bonds with her newfound relative, everything was taking on its full meaning. "Oh no!" she cried, eyes huge with worry. "Are you implying that he might… ask for my hand?"
This time it was Masako's turn to look surprised.
"Yes, that is what I was implying. I thought he made his intentions quite clear about taking care of your future, and mother did tell him to come back tomorrow morning specifically…"
Mai hid her face in her hands, moaning distressfully. Masako gently pried them open, a questioning look etched on her features.
"Mai, could it be that you are disapproving?"
"I do not know… I do not know anymore!" cried the young lady in despair.
"But...you were always speaking about your cousin so highly! I thought you were well aware of his intent, and welcoming it, even! Did something happened that changed your mind?"
Mai raised her head to reveal teary eyes to her sister.
"I feel so idiotic. Oh Masako, I had no idea he wanted to take me as his wife! He is a very nice gentleman, and I do like him, as a relative, but not even once have I ever considered him as a potential husband. This is all a misunderstanding! "
"You did not know?" exclaimed the lady incredulously. "How could you not? He has courted you blatantly! And your conduct certainly led him to think you were encouraging it!"
Mai's cheeks heated in shame. How foolish she had been! If only she had talked to Masako about it sooner, her friend would have warned her about her cousin's intent, and she wouldn't have misunderstood…
"I realise well how naive and pathetically stupid I have been. But what am I supposed to do now ?"
"Well, refuse him if you're not inclined to become his wife. Or accept his proposal if you find him agreeable enough." stated her sister sensibly. "I would advise the former, though," she added after a slight hesitation.
"Why?" asked the orphan immediately, eager to hear Masako's opinion. "Do you dislike him that much?"
"No, I do not," admitted the dark-haired girl reluctantly. "But if you were to marry him you would leave this place to settle down in Hertfordshire. And I do not think its climate would suit you well. It would do you a disservice to encourage you to live there."
Mai blinked in confusion a few times before her mouth slowly started to stretch in a happy grin. So, the reason behind her sister's cold and distant behaviour toward the clergyman wasn't a distaste for his outrageous flattery, but some good old jealousy! Masako would feel lonely if her closest friend were to settle in a faraway county! Mai felt unexpectedly inspirited by this mark of possessiveness, and laughed fondly at her friend's roundabout ways of expressing her affection.
"Masako, you are so adorable!"
"I am only concerned about your well-being," muttered the lady, her pink cheeks contradicting her words.
"Of course," Mai smirked teasingly.
How her heart felt lighter after speaking to her sister! The issue with her cousin appeared less daunting, and even if she naturally still felt awful about unknowingly giving Takigawa false hope, Masako's pragmatic piece of advice was appeasing her worries. She was the one to ultimately decide about her future, whatever flirting she might have seemed to partake in. Now she just had to hold her ground if the clergyman were to propose to her…
But what would her answer be ? Her cousin was rather handsome, wealthy enough, and extremely kind. He could appear slightly ridiculous at times, but Mai knew it was his way of attracting attention to shield others from it. Like herself, she thought, as she had seen him at work more than once, deflecting Lady Hara's displeasure to her own benefit.
Yes, she could live a happy life with Takigawa. He would be a good husband to her, she was certain of it. Saying yes would be a sensible reply. Nonetheless, did she love him?
To her embarrassment she recalled with a startling clarity the scene that had occurred earlier in the afternoon. Two gentlemen turning their heads in her direction. Her cousin, sending a warm smile her way, and Naru, gratifying her with a smoldering glare. One courting her, aiming for marriage. The other blowing hot and cold, perhaps flirting but in such a manner that she never knew what he really had in mind…
Mai shut her eyes tightly, trying to dispel the dizziness which was taking over her. Blue orbs were still burning in the back of her mind, full of something she couldn't quite understand… No, she wasn't being honest with herself. She understood. And already knew the answer.
She knew who she loved.
"Mai? Is something bothering you?" asked Masako, worried before her sister's sudden silence.
"Yes," she replied honestly, taking a deep breath. "Masako, I wish to confess some secret of mine."
She knew who she loved.
Unfortunately for her, it wasn't her cousin.
"I think I have fallen in love. No," she corrected, shaking her head, "that is inexact. I am certain I have fallen in love. I have been swayed more than once, even."
"May I ask with who?" prudently probed her sister, whose huge dark eyes were clouded with apprehension.
Mai steeled herself and spoke without any trace of hesitation.
"Shibuya."
The name rang out in the silence of the room, deafening. The candle's flame flickered once, like it was also flinching before the name. But soon the light was restored, and Masako finally broke the awkward quietness that had followed the revelation.
"I feared it was the case," she sighed. "Are you certain of the nature of your sentiments?" she inquired softly.
Mai nodded mutely. She had fought her inclination as hard as she could, but she had come to the realisation that she couldn't escape Naru. He was everywhere: in her worries, in her anger, in her hopes, invading her mind and even her dreams! She had tried to hate him after his awful conduct, but all he had to do was to come and tell a few words about misplaced pride to get her under his spell once again.
"Mai, I think it is my duty to warn you against him," commented her sister, preoccupied.
"Believe me, I am perfectly aware that being involved with him is unwise. Naru's character is difficult to handle, and his pride is..."
"Naru?"
"Oh, yes, 'narcissist' in short," explained Mai, her despair temporarily forgotten. "I unconsciously called Shibuya 'Naru' once, and the nickname apparently pleased Yasuhara and his sister, so I kept using it without noticing."
"Naru," repeated Masako pensively. "And he had not ripped you to shreds yet for the use of such a ridiculous sobriquet . Maybe I misjudged the gentleman, after all."
"No, he did not," admitted Mai. "However I am most certain we did not misjudged his character! Everything he does purposefully offends me!"
To be fair, everything she had done had managed to offend him, too.
"Something did happen between us..." started Mai, unsure about how to continue. "I have kept quiet about it until now, but I wish to confide in you."
"What did he do?" asked her sister, eyes dangerously narrowed. The question sounded more like a threat toward the gentleman.
Before Mai could answer Jenkins knocked on the door and entered the bedroom, a heavy tray in her hands.
"Your dinner is ready, young misses. Where would you like me to set the tray?"
Masako was the first to recover and swiftly gave Jenkins instructions, while Mai was trying to calm the erratic pounding of her heart. Relating the mortifying event that happened in the gardens was far more unnerving than expected. Her sister's courage for going through a similar confession was commendable.
"Leave the tray in front of the door when you're done," specified Jenkins before taking her leave. When the servant's heavy footsteps finally went down the stairs Masako wasted no time questioning her friend.
"Dinner will wait. Now, tell me. What exactly did this Shibuya do to you?"
Mai spared a last longing look to the steaming food on the tray and decided that, like removing a gauze from an injury, the faster she would confess, the less painful it would be. So took a deep breath and blurted everything out.
"He accosted me the gardens during the ball at the Matzusakis while I was alone. Not with any suspicious intent," she added hastily when she took in her friend's horrified expression. "I was waiting for Ayako who was fetching drinks indoors, she wanted to question me about my dance with Shibuya in the privacy of the yard." Mai's face burned at the memory. "Yasuhara and miss Madoka were also there, hum, quite close to us in fact, Miss Madoka fainted because she heard a beast in the back of the garden and then they spotted me, I was all alone and they thought there could be some danger so Shibuya came to make sure I was safe."
Mai stopped, short of breath after speaking so much without any pause.
"I see," began Masako, somehow relieved. "Well, it was probably the only acceptable course of action…"
"He gave me an amethyst," interrupted the orphan.
"What do you mean? He offered you jewellry?" The dangerous protective look was back.
"No, a raw one he had just found. When he gave it to me he was so close I thought…"
Mai inhaled and tried to clear her throat which was now painfully tight. She wanted to be completely honest with her sister, but some things were difficult to admit. The humiliation was still burning in her heart.
"I thought that he was going to kiss me."
"Did he?" cried Masako, scandalised.
"No he did not. And the worst part in this story is that I was disappointed he did not fulfill that fantasy. He was talking about the beauty of the starry sky, we were alone in such a romantic setting, I felt I was in a fairy tale. Except he was no prince, and that I acted like a wanton airhead," she joked bitterly.
"Oh Mai…" this time her sister's tone was soft and understanding, and the orphan was glad her closest friend hadn't turned her back to her after hearing what ludicrous behaviour she had exhibited that night.
"After that we went into a verbal fight. I thought he was playing with my feelings on purpose, but I do not know what to think of it anymore. He did choose me for the dance, and I know from Ayako that he had not partaken in the activity since that day. And he calls me by my first name. Not to mention he apologised earlier, well in his own way but…"
"Mai, Mai, I do not understand half of what you are saying right now!" exclaimed Masako, trying to stop her sister's rambling.
Mai blushed in embarrassment and apologized sheepishly.
"I am sorry, but to be honest it does not make more sense to me. Masako, I do not know what to think anymore! What would be the wisest thing to do? I cannot accept any proposal from my cousin, that would be unfair to him. But what should I expect from Shibuya?"
"I…" Masako hesitated, conflicted. "Mai, when I said I had to warn you about Shibuya, I was serious. There is something about him that you do not know, and that makes me extremely suspicious against him."
Mai stared at her sister, eyes wide. How could she have forgotten that Masako was prejudiced against Naru because of some secret she was likely to hold? She had been dying to know for weeks, but mired in her lovelife swamp she hadn't spared a thought about it. Now she was almost afraid to learn what Naru was hiding.
"Please tell me," she asked nonetheless.
Masako sighed, but complied to her demand.
"When I was at the Brown's cottage… I mean, the second time I went there," she specified, cheeks pink, "I found after leaving that I had forgotten a ribbon. I have not gone very far, so I went back to claim it. But once there…"
"Once there?" prompted Mai in a trembling voice.
"I saw Shibuya, well, someone who I did not know was Shibuya at the time. When I realised Brown was having a guest, I hid. My presence would have caused some scandal, I wanted to avoid it at all cost, naturally, so I tried to not be seen. I was certain I had succeeded, but the way he looked at me when we were introduced for the first time… I feared he was aware of my misconduct."
"Is this the reason why you wanted Brown to stay away from Shibuya?"
"It is," admitted Masako. "I was terrified Shibuya would question him about my presence at the cottage. For him to have been there means he partakes in the same activities. Or at least is interested in them. But the fact that Brown did not say a word to you, a family member, about this ability of ours comforts me about his discretion."
Mai nodded, agreeing about Brown. The gentleman surely wouldn't disclose such information to anyone.
"But," she frowned, "my cousin and John Brown are both knowledgeable about séances, and they are respectable gentlemen. You partake in similar activities, even! Why would such a pastime make you suspicious of Naru?"
"Because I heard him introducing himself to Brown." stated her sister, her gaze more serious than ever. "I was hidden behind the outer wall, near to an opened window. The name he gave… Mai, it was not 'Shibuya'."
Mai opened her mouth but no sound came out. She was left speechless by the enormity of the situation. Shibuya was not Shibuya. Who was he? Why was he hiding his identity? What were his intentions? Why did he seek Brown's talents? Did he really see Masako? Was her sister in any danger for knowing about his deception?
Mai's head was spinning, and her heart was aching in a curious manner. How ironic, the moment she accepted her feelings she had to learn that the man she thought she loved didn't exist. She knew Naru. But Shibuya was a lie.
Mai heard an hysteric laugh pass through her lips, but after a few seconds the laugh morphed into heavy sobs, and soon she felt rivulets of water falling down her face. A part of her was weeping her love, while the rest was still stupefied.
"I am so tired," was all she managed to say between hiccups.
Masako, a desolate look on her face, said nothing but took her sister in her arms and started smoothing her hair in long, soothing strokes.
"I am so sorry Mai. I hesitated for too long telling you about it, I see now I should have done it sooner. But you swore you were not interested in him, so I… Pardon me," she sighed dolorously.
"I should have admitted I was romantically inclined," sniffed the orphan. "You are not to blame, he is."
"I do not know about his motives, maybe he has a valid reason for doing so. That is why I kept this information for myself. But if he were to court you in any way, which he seems to have done, then it is my duty as your friend and sibling to intervene. Such deception is unacceptable."
"I fear it was all on my part. He may have marked some preference, but his behaviour was so ambiguous I am not certain he was courting me at all. Masako, I feel so stupid!" she cried. "I even dream about him almost every night. In my dreams," she added sorrowfully, "he wears the most beautiful smile. I only saw it once while awake."
"He does not deserve you," murmured her sister, still stroking her hair affectionately.
Mai hiccuped a few last times, her affliction slowly replaced by lassitude and acceptance.
"I am really glad you fell in love with Yasuhara," she whispered longingly, "he is a nice and genuine gentleman. Please be happy in my stead."
Suddenly Mai snapped her head, horrified wet eyes boring into Masako's ones.
"Oh no, do you believe Shibuya deceived the Yasuharas? And Mr. Lin? That would be terrible! Shall we inform them? We cannot let them in the dark!"
Her friend shook her head slowly.
"I think they already know. Has not Miss Madoka told you they knew each other from childhood? Moreover I tried to gather information from Yasuhara, and he managed to elude all my questions. The fact that they are all probably involved into this masquerade was my main motivation to keep silent about it. We should not judge their acts before knowing what their intentions are."
"Yes, you are probably right…"
"But Shibuya is unforgivable to pursue you while hiding his identity. That is ungentlemanly."
Mai sighed deeply and wiped her tears, leaving her sister's comforting embrace. The room felt cold and she shivered, her fatigue finally setting in. She was tired of Naru and his tricks. Maybe she should accept her cousin, after all.
"It does not matter anymore. As long it does not come between Yasuhara and you, we should not concern ourselves about it."
"There is nothing between this gentleman and myself," modestly corrected Masako.
"Nonsense! How can you affirm he is not interested in you after what he said this afternoon?"
Masako's face turned crimson, but the lady didn't depart from her prudent attitude.
"He did speak of me highly, but that does not imply that he has any romantic inclination towards me."
"You cannot be serious, of course he has!"
"I wish I were as confident as you, but…"
The dark-haired girl exhaled tiredly and shot a sad smile to her sister.
"He is such a nice and charming gentleman, I could have mistaken his cordiality for something else. Mother keeps lamenting about him not declaring himself, but I fear it was pure speculation on our part. Maybe he never had such an aim."
"No, I am most certain he has tender feelings for you!"
"But why had he not acted on them?" exclaimed Masako, voice slightly trembling.
"That I do not know," conceded Mai. "Do not lose faith in him, I am convinced he will propose to you soon," she affirmed, squeezing her friend's hand.
"I hope your are right," smiled her sister slightly. "We shall eat some of this dinner and have some of this beauty sleep Mother was recommending. Shall I help you undress?"
Mai nodded and both ladies got changed rapidly before eating without appetite their food, which had gone cold. The they slid under the covers and fell asleep, holding hands in comfort and support.
Mai didn't dream of Shibuya that night.
AN: This was bleh, I know (did I tell you I hated writing it?). Hopefully the next one will be better!