Episode 3:

Ghost Story in the Park

"...so that's pretty much it."

"She'll have better luck to the case to the police." Naru replies with a beat of silence in between. "If there is nothing else, would you mind making some tea?"

Six months have passed since the Afterschool Hexer case, nothing in particular from other cases have happened since, the last few have actually real reason, and nothing of supernatural means. All in all, it has been quite quiet.

"Yes, Sir!" Mai responds, turning and heading towards the kitchen. Humming to herself, as she was boiling tea, she stopped noticing one of the types of tea in the cupboard.

Peppermint. Her favorite. Mai thought, her slightly happy mood diminishing, Mei, what happened to you?

Turning around as the water started to boil, completely quiet now. Her mood slightly down, then she shook her head, slapping her cheeks lightly. No, no, no! I can't be like this. She wouldn't want me to be so down in the dumps! Mai thought, pouring the tea into a cup, and placing a sugar cube in it.

"Here's your tea, boss." Mai smiled, placing it in front of Naru.

"Thank you." Naru comments without lifting his eyes up from the book he read. "You can go now…" he stated breaking Mai from her daze.

Stepping out of the room, she stopped Lin, "Hey Lin?"

"Hm? What is it?" he asks.

"I was just wondering if you'd like some tea?" Mai asks before she could another word out. Lin turns back around and continues to walk forward.

"No, thank you."

Sighing, she shrugs suddenly, he really doesn't like me… Mai thought somberly, oh Mei, what do I do? Mai shook her head again. Not realizing her new habit of constantly asking for help from someone no longer around her.

The door suddenly opens, the one to enter the building into the office. "Good Afternoon." speaks a familiar voice. Hara Masako, famous psychic medium in Japan, a celebrity.

"Masako! Long time no see! How are you?" Mai greets happily, forgetting about her somber thoughts.

"Is Naru here?" Masako asks completely ignoring Mai's greetings, frowning on the inside, Nice to see you too! OH you make me so angry Hara Masako! She thought. "Sorry, I just decided to drop in, because there's a case I've come across that I think Naru might be interested in." Masako explains, raising the sleeve of her kimono to cover her mouth, hiding her sly smile.

Time Skip

"So what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Naru asks,

"A friend from the TV station has specifically requested for you aid. Apparently there has been a strange phenomenon that's been interfering with the production of a new show." Masako explains, sipping some tea.

"There have been hundreds of cases about spirits appearing inside film studios." He remarks without hesitation.

"That's just haven't filmed anything in the studio." Masako replies looking up to Naru across from her seat. "It's at this park, everytime they shoot there...without fail. The actors are suddenly doused in water without explanation."

"That sounds exactly like what happened to my friend, Matsuka." Mai comments from where she stands.

"So you've heard of it. There has been a number of reports dating back as far as six months ago." Masako informs.

"Sounds to me like kids having some fun." He slips out.

"I thought so too. However, there has been no evidence of anyone else being around causing such incidents." Masako reflects back to Naru. "Since the only evidence is the victims and their wet clothes, the case is a mystery."

"The culprit wouldn't have to be nearby."

"That's exactly what I told the director yesterday, but he replied with the water appearing directly from the sky out of nowhere." Masako interjects calmly. "That's everything I know, what do you think Naru?"

"I would recommend they either change locations or halt their shooting altogether."

"The script calls for that specific park, and halting the production would cost millions of dollars.."

"That's none of my concern."

"Look I owe the director a favor, so I would really like to work this out somehow. You can understand that, right Naru."

Mai smirks, Good luck, he only takes cases he wa-

"Which park is it?" Naru asks.

Say what?! Mai interjects on the inside, totally miffed.

Day Two

"So this is the location?" Monk asks.

Naru, Masako, Monk, Mai, John, and Lin all stood at one of the entryways of the park. A pretty wooded area leading to the sound sof children playing and romantic couples.

"This one seems a bit odd, don't you think?" John asks, looking around, blues eyes staring curiously.

"I know. Spiritually activity that attacks only couples." Monk replies.

Naru turning slightly, comments, "We have yet to determine if it's a spirit or not."

"I assume that's what we're about to investigate, right?" Monk asks, a cheeky grin on his face.

"Where's Matsuzaki?" Masako asks looking around.

"I called her, but I guess she isn't coming. Or she could be late." Mai answers, also looking around the area for the familiar tall woman.

"You know how she is!" Monk says, facing them. "She'll waltz in here and say something like "This is clearly the work of an earth spirit!" Monk mimics Ayako raising his hand in the air with his other hand on his hip.

Giggling, "Whoa, Monk that's almost exactly like Ayako." Mai states covering her mouth with her hand.

"This is clearly the work of an earth spirit." a familiar female voice spoke behind Monk and John. Staring at Ayako, most start laughing.

"Care to fill me in on what's so funny?" Ayako asks, a clear frown on her pretty features.

Naru, interrupting the fun, speaks up, "Now that we're all here, let's begin the investigation." Becoming serious, Mai looks to Naru. "This is a case about a phenomenon that only happens under specific circumstances. Which means that you all will have to-"

"Hah! We know, we'll have to go exercise the spirit, get to the point." Ayako interjects, sighing dramatically.

Monk looks around for a moment, a slight crease in his brow, "I'm not about to do my ritual in front of all these families…"

"For this case, exorcisms will not be necessary." Masako looks up, her words simple, but to the point.

"What exactly do you plan for us to do?" John asks lookignt o Masako for explanation. (Oh John...How I foolish…)

"The plan is for you all to act as live bait." She says simply. "The term sounds worse than what it actually is. It's the quickest way for us to draw out the spirit."

"I have a feeling this was your goal from the start, wasn't it Masako?" Ayako comments, a grin on lips just as Masako raises her hand to cover her face.

"Now, we just have to divide ourselves into three bait couples, and one of us will watch for any suspicious signs." Masako explains, ignoring Ayako.

Monk moves slightly over to Mai, "Hey, Mai. Here's your big chance to score a date with Naru." Monk whispers, slyly. (I can't help but squee at this, always the helper, but the last to receive everything besides John of course, poor Monk.)

"Okay, I'm in!" Mai calls happily.

"Alright, I think Naru and I would look good together. I'm the only one who doesn't look too odd next to him. Don't you think...Naru?" Ayako asks, looking up at him, gently touching his chin in a seductive way.

Mai internally screams, Ayako?!

"Unfortunately, Miss Hara and I are a team already, considering I am most familiar with her mediumship, I can be ready at any time she says there something here." Naru states as Masako steps forward, again her sleeve hiding the grin on her lips of scoring Naru.

As if degrading away, Mai slumps a little, sitting down at a bench. Oh, Mei...how does one handle competition? She thought to herself.

"It's not fair…" Ayako grumbles. "What's so great about her…"

"Have you considered the possibility that Masako has blackmailed him into this?" She leans over to Monk and Mai. "Clearly, she must have some dirt on him or else he would have chosen me."

In unison, Monk and Mai comment whilst shrugging, "Jeez, get over yourself.."

Smack!

"Not to change the subject, but aren't any of you surprised he even accept this kind of case?" John asks after Ayako whacks Monk and Mai on top of the head.

"Yeah, I found it a bit strange myself." Monk responds.

"He refused when I told him about it, but when Masako asked him, he changed his mind." Mai replies smartly, clearly miffed by the situation. Oh what can a young high school maiden do when she likes such a smart, but emotionally dense boy.

"I knew, she is blackmailing him." Ayako grumbles, not noticing Masako moving towards them.

"Everyone. If you don't take this more seriously, we'll never be able to draw out the spirit." Masako states, taking her anger out on them, rejected after speaking with Naru.

"Should we be making out or something?" Monk replies, clearly misunderstanding what he was supposed to do.

"What about you Masako, this is your big chance." Ayako crosses her arms. "You might as well kiss him."

Masako blushes violently, "Even the thought of that is totally unprofessional" Taking a deep breath before looking back at the four of them. "A-Anyway, we need to change some things. Split up into couples and act independently of each other." Masako orders before turning and leaving.

"If only I could team up with Lin, then I would have some actual motivation…" Ayako sighs, eyeing the tall, dark haired man sitting at a bench throwing bread to birds.

"So you like guys that quiet?" Mai asks curiously.

"Only the hot ones." Ayako replies.

"Of all the days you opt out of something over there, you lucky dog…" Monk comments to himself looking over at Lin.

Time Skip

Teaming up, Mai and Monk went to observe the birds keeping close to Lin whilst John and Ayako went to play frisbee, acting like a couple...kind of.

Observing the people in front of her, Masako's mind suddenly shifted to the time she was pushed down the stairs during the After School Hexer Case over six months ago.

She remembered the voice, and the hands of a spirit protecting her head from injury. The kind voice of a female, a woman, it was the spirit that had been around since the Dollhouse Case.

"Have you found anything on the spirit I asked about?" Naru spoke suddenly asking about the very thing she was thinking of.

"It seems the spirit is quite protective, it's a woman for sure, she certainly saved me when I was pushed down the stairs." Masako replied, lifting her sleeve up.

"Yes, you told me. Do you remember what the spirit said to you?"

"You'll be fine, little one."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing, it still seem to hide itse- Naru the spirit is here!" Masako states suddenly turning, and heading in a random direction.

Chasing after her, Naru spotted Masako heading straight for Mai and Monk where they were with the birds.

"Their so cute, look a that one Monk, it's eating right out of your hand, so chubby!" Mai comments.

"Yeah def-" Suddenly all the birds fly off.

"That was strange."

"Yeah. . . Why is it so quiet all of a sudden?" Monk asks looking around.

The area they stood in was eerily quiet, scooting a little closer to Monk, Mai looks around, the sound of bushes rustling frightens her. Jumping, she quick steps into Monk's chest clinging to him in fright.

"It's just a cat. No worries." Monk comments looking down at Mai.

"Oh, that's good." Mai replies, then flinches, looking up.

Water splashes on top of both of them suddenly. "Agh! You gotta be kidding me!" Monk comments, soaking wet.

"Miss Hara! Mai!" Naru calls, suddenly stopped by Masako.

"It's here, right behind Mai. It's a woman. She's young looks to be in her mid-twent-es…" Masako manages out before fainted suddenly.

"Miss Hara!" John calls out running forward with Ayako and Lin close behind.

"I don't know what happened, she just collaps-"

Giggles erupted from Masako, lifting herself up suddenly, "Serves you right!" she calls, everyone stares in shock.

"What's wrong with her? Did she hit her head when she fainted and turned into a crazy person?" Mai asks confused. "She's become possessed…" Naru replies, arm's crossed.

"The spirits taken over her body. " Ayako explains when Mai looked up confused at Naru. Giggling Masako continues to laugh hysterically.

Suddenly, Possessed Masako stops laughing, spotting Naru. "Ooooo, he's hot. I would have totally done anything to date him if I was still alive." she comments, holding Naru's hand and rubbing against wantonly.

"Well, she's not one to mince words."

"It's hilarious to hear that coming out of Masako's mouth."

Trembling in anger, Mai glared at the Possessed Masako. "Now tell me truthfully spirit. Are you the raining down water on couples?" Naru asks trying to ignore the way she rubbed herself against him, he needs to buy time for information.

"Yes, that's me. They can just die of pneumonia for all I care. "

"But why would you want that?"

"Because I hate them. I hate them coming here and flaunting their love in front of me. Why must they mock me when I hurt so much." She responded dramatically laying on the ground, Possessed Masako turns away from them as she explains.

"But what is it that's causing it?" Mai asks only to be grabbed by the hand by the Possessed Masako.

"Oh thank you, I'll tell you every detail." The Possessed Masako says, tears flooding down her face. "This very park is the place where I first set my eyes on him. We would often meet here on the most romantic of dates, everyone would become so jealous over how close we were. But then…" Possessed Masako turned a scary face on her feature, Mai flinched while Monk clutched onto her. "He cheated on me…I caught him on a date with another woman, he dumped water on me, and humiliated me in front of so many people."

"This guy must be the scum of the planet!" Mai comments, enraged by the audacity of some men.

"You can say that again." Possessed Masako glowers. "I was so lonely and depressed by what he had done, the humiliation was horrible when everyone spoke to me, they all made fun of me behind my back." Looking down, her shoulders slumped. "It was almost six months ago."

"Which is when the first occurrence happened?" Naru buts in.

"Now I'm stuck in this awful limbo." She replies completely ignoring Naru.

"So, why didn't you just go up to this guy and haunt him directly?" Mai asks.

"Now Mai, that wouldn't be a very good idea." John states.

Ayako glares, "Sounds to me like this creep needs to have a scare or two put in him." Completely ruining John's words.

"That's what I thought." Possessed Masako says from her slumped posture turning around. "I did try, but everytime I did something, he wouldn't notice. He was totally dense...I was a total failure."

"This guy seems pretty insensitive." Monk comments shaking his head, where have the men in this world gone.

"I couldn't bear going through this pain alone." Possessed Masako turns to Ayako and John, who were standing closest to each other. "So, I decided to haunt all the couples that came here and let them know how I feel." She waved her sleeved hand, water suddenly came crashing down on top of Ayako and John.

"Damnit.." Ayako grumbles.

"Was that really necessary." John asks slumping his shoulders, eyes shut as he stood there soaked in water next to Ayako.

"Hahaha! Serves you right!" Possessed Masako calls.

"Stop it!" Mai speaks up. "Attacking random people just because your mad at some jerk is just going to make everyone mad at you. Is that what you want?"

"What's with you Mai? Why're you so worked up?" Monk asks suddenly.

"Well, I...I just can't stand grudges...I had this older friend who was a mentor to me and she was cheated on by another friend, she couldn't let her grudge go to the point she started a huge fight. It was so sad." Mai explains looking down. "Life is too short." Mai speaks remembering something.

"Why do poeple do that, Mei-nee-chan?"

"Because people have emotions, and sometimes our emotions get in the way, you'll experience this too, Little Bird."

"But I don't get it, why Auntie leave then?"

"Life's too short, she wanted to forget and have something new to look forward to, keep that in mind. Alright, Mai?"

"Alright!"

The words of Mei floated into her head, memories, happy ones could be seen in her mind's eye. "You know, she's right. If you keep this up, you'll become what's known as a sitebound spirit." Ayako comments.

"Trust us, you'll be much happier crossing over now, than trying to get even with random couples." Monk sighs, scratching the back of his head.

"If you'd like that, there's still time." John puts his two sense in.

"Are you all in some nerdy ghost club?" Possessed Masako asks. Everyone groans simultaneously.

Naru steps forward, "So what do you think? I would imagine, residing in limbo like this gets old after a while."

Looking down in thought, "Maybe it is time I moved on…" she whispers.

"Wait, even though I don't believe in holding a grudge, crossing over now would be sweeping it under the rug." Mai, slumps a little in frustration. "Well, it's not fair for the guy to get away with it, and I think you deserve some closure." Mai spouts out.

"You shouldn't worry, what goes around, comes around." Monk tries to interject to stop the strange situation Mai was started.

"He'll get his just deserved soon enough." John speaks up, quickly understanding the situation at hand.

"It's all up to you." Mai says looking up at Possessed Masako.

Looking to Mai, Possessed Masako suddenly freezes, "It's him…" she points at a man in a light brown parka and jeans walking with a smile on his face.

"I wanna teach that dirtbag a lesson he'll never forget." Possessed Masako grumbles, trembling in anger.

"But you've already tried that before, how will it work this time?" Ayako asks.

Gasping in excitement, Mai smile deviously, "I have an idea."

Time Skip

Walking along, the man in the brown parka passes by a stranger, "Excuse me." the stranger in the green jacket says. "You recently did something extremely cruel to someone who cared about you very much."

"Huh?" He turns to the green jacket man. "I sense an evil aura surrounding him." another voice spoke.

"I can see it, the spirit of woman who was lead to suicide by you." a third voice spoke.

"Who are you people? I don't know what the hell your talking about!" the man in the brown parka yells at them.

"You practically killed her." the green jacketed stranger states.

"It's said a woman's curse lasts a hundred generations." a woman with long dark auburn hair speaks cryptically.

"You should have her exorcised as soon as possible" the third stranger in a brown jacked speaks up, his blue eyes dark in the mood.

"You must have me mistaken for someone else. I-I mean, why would I need someone for an exorcism." the man in the parka stutters just a woman in a kimono steps forward.

"Hey, your...you're from TV-" He stops speaking entirely, water pouring down on his head. He violently pushes the water away, "What the hell?"

Looking up a woman in the kimino, he recognizes the spirit. "AAh, please spare me! I didn't mean to hurt you I swear." He cowers on the ground in fright.

After everything the woman crossed over without hesitation, grateful for their help. Returning Masako back to normal.

"Mai you were awesome today" Monk compliments.

Grinning, "Aw, thank you, Monk." Mai replies.

Ayako smirks, "Let's not forget the hilarious performance Masako performed."

Masako looks up from sipping her tea, "What did I do?"

"You waltz up to Naru and started to hug him! Wantonly cuddling him!" Monk says imitating her actions when she was possessed.

"Then you topped it off with a big ol' smooch!" Ayako adds in.

Blushing frantically, Masako looks down, "I kissed him, seriously?" she asked, covering her face in embarrassment with her sleeve.

"No, she didn't, why would you lie to her face like that!" Mai butts in suddenly.

"Wait your lying to me?" Masako asks shocked.

"Well, you did hug him and paw him for awhile." Ayako responds.

Leaning back in relief, "But I didn't kiss him, is that right?" she asks, shutting her eyes, sighing.

Glaring at Masako, I would never let you near him like that! Mai thought.

Clack

"You're all still here?" Naru comments entering the lounge. "Is there nothing better to do?"

"We just love your company." Ayako snarks harshly. "Must we remind you why you finished your investigation early?"

Naru turns to Ayako, "While I do appreciate your aid, I do have to wonder how you have so much free time to laze around here after work." He remarks without hesitation.

Yelling at him in anger John and Monk hold Ayako back as Masako stands, "Naru I would like to buy dinner as thanks for accepting the case." She invites Naru.

"That sounds nice." He replies, Mai flinches in shock.

"You're going?"

"Why, of course, this isn't the first time we've gone out, Mai." Masako explains, the sly look clear in her eyes. "Just last week we went and saw a movie."

Turning they leave, Mai watches as Masako holds onto Naru's arms as they shut the door. Trembling, she blinks in frustration, Naru! Why don't you just reject her!

"Ayako may be right, I think she is blackmailing him." Monk comments, folding his arms.

"I always just assume they had a patron together." John replies, not realizing the other term for patron as everyone stares at him.

"It's actually quite common in the US, and Europe. Parapsychology is still a hard thing to pay for, so he probably had to find public or even private sponsors to help pay for everything. " John explains, everyone sighs. "What?" John asks staring at everyone.

"Patron means something else in Japan, having to do with Geisha's." Monk explains with a blush. "Although you might be right, Naru could have gotten Masako or her father to sponsor him. The cost for this place and the equipment must be ridiculous." Monk puts in.

Standing up, Mai walks up to the window, spotting Masako and Naru walking together. Must be nice, she thought. "Hey Mai, you wanna go catch a movie with me?" Monk asks, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, uh, sure." Mai looks up to Monk as he leans forward grabbing her cheeks and squishing them, "Then we have a date! Later we'll grab some food, anything you want!" Monk says with a big happy grin.

He must be trying to cheer me up, just like Mei used to do…

Smiling happily, Mai jumps forward hugging Monk, "I love you, Monk." She says while wrapping her arms around him happily. "That sounds like a great time!"

"You've got your own lolita now. " Ayako comments.

"It's better than a date lazing around on a couch like someone I know!" Monk retorts looking at Ayako.

"Oh, aren't you cute! I already have a date tonight." Ayako responds, standing up.

Mai tilts her head a little in confusion, "I think Lin's working late tonight."

"Oh it's not him…" Ayako grabs John's arm, he stares in shock. "Don't worry John, I'll play nice."

"Be careful John, she may try to stick you with the check." Monk snidely remarks, a smile on his.

Grabbing her bag and coat, Mai heads for the door to Lin's office, knocking before entering, as she entered she notices not at his seat writing something like usual.

"Hey, Lin." Mai calls, stepping closer into the office, noticing a letter at the desk.

Mai leans over a little, curiously, she sees a letter opened. Catching a glimpse of it.

Dear M,

It's been a while, I would love to meet you again. You were beautiful on the date, may I ask you for a bit of your time again? It's been…

"You called me?" a voice spoke startled Mai as she hears footsteps. Lin stepping out of a back room.

Smiling, Mai speaks up, "Would you mind closing up?"

"Yes." Lin responded, sitting down without another word, a sign of dismissal.

Nodding, Mai exited, closing the door. Thinking about the letter, she saw. I guess Lin has someone he likes.

"What's taking you so long?" Ayako calls.

"Oh, nothing." Mai looks back to the others, making her way to them.

A glimpse of Mei?

How is she connected to Mai?

Are they more than just family?

Who was in the letter Lin was sending out?

Did you notice the Naru looked at Mai?

Stay tuned for more in the next episode!

End of Ghost Story in the Park Episode