Sorry for the delay in posting this new chapter! Life has been super crazy these past few weeks. I moved out of my apartment and I've been applying to jobs like crazy, and I finally managed to snag a minimum wage job - not much, but it helps and gives me hope. Thanks for the positive vibes and comments you've sent my way!

Here is the latest chapter! Enjoy~

I woke up to the sound of rain hitting my window. My head felt heavy and my eyes felt strained as I cracked them open. I reached for my phone and blinked as the bright light assaulted my eyes. 6:21am.

I had fallen asleep early last night after crying. I have no idea what time Naru came back, or if he even came back at all.

My gut clenched and tears pricked my eyes again. I can't face him just yet. I'll just leave before he gets up. With that in mind I got up and quietly got dressed. Most of my purchases had arrived by 1 day delivery So i had more clothing options to choose from. I threw on a pair of my new black jeans and a shirt, wishing I had also had the forethought to order a rain jacket or at least an umbrella. I grabbed my phone, keys and my new backpack, filling it with what I might need for the day. I left my room as quietly as possible and left the apartment. The place had been silent and I was unsure if Naru was there and if he heard me. Just in case he did and came after me, I used the staircase to go to a lower floor, and I took the elevator from there. I felt ridiculous, but I really didn't want to run into him...

After I left the building I quickly walked to the nearest convenience store and purchased an umbrella and a rice ball to eat. It was just past 7am so I thought about where I could go and spend my time. Thinking about how I could be productive today, I decided to go to the university and use the public computers in the library. With that decided I headed towards the train station and I made my way to school. On the way I shot Yasu a quick text asking him if he and Masako wanted to meet for lunch.

I made it to the library about an hour later, and found a computer in a quiet corner. Fortunately since classes didn't start until Monday, it was relatively empty on campus. A few students had moved back into the dorms already so there were already a few students about.

Hmm… maybe I should stop by the residential office and see if there are any rooms left…

Now that I think about it, living with my boss was kind of weird. Naru said I could stay as long as necessary, but there would be no separation of work life and home life. I still had feelings for him so that added another layer of complexity. And if yesterday was any indication of how living together would be, it was going to be a long road…

Thinking about Naru and our fight made my heart heavy, so I put the thought of dorm housing on the back burner for now. I opened up my school email and started reading through my new messages. A few emails from some friends and classmates. I noticed a new email from my friend Fuyumi.

Hey Mai! I just heard about the fire and the bakery! I stopped by yesterday and I was so shocked. I'm so sorry! Let me know if you need anything at all, I'm here for you.

Fuyumi was one of the nicest people I've ever met. We were both seniors in the same psych program and we often matched our schedules so we had classes together. I suddenly felt guilty for not texting or calling all summer. My coma had pretty much taken a majority of the break.

I was also wondering if you could read my responses to Makoto's assignments for me? I'd be happy to review yours as well! Let me know! (U.U)

Professor Makoto already gave an assignment? I heard from the seniors that his classes were no joke but an assignment before the semester even started? I looked through my inbox and saw nothing. I checked my spam folder as an afterthought and noticed an email from him. I opened it and felt my stomach drop.

Read chapters 1-5 and answer the 10 attached short essay questions, providing examples and cited sources. Due on the first day of class upon arrival.

I let my head fall and bang on the edge of the desk. The first day!? The first class was Monday so I only had 3 days to do all of the work. I had printed a list of textbooks, but I forgot to purchase them because Madoka had pulled me away from Naru's computer and I never got back to it. Why couldn't life just cut me a break!?

I responded to Fuyumi's email and decided to go to the bookstore across campus and replace my textbooks. It hurt to spend the money on something I already bought, but the situation was unavoidable. After that, I bought a coffee from the campus Starbucks and headed back to the library. I did a quick metal meditation to relieve some of my stress, then I spent the next few hours immersed in my textbooks.

Around 1:30 I took a break and stretched. I checked my phone and noticed a few missed texts and calls from Masako and Yasu.

I completely forgot that I asked them out for lunch!

I called Yasu and waited as the phone rang.

"Well it's about time!"

"Sorry Yasu, I got caught up in school work. One of my professors assigned us work due on the first day and the email had gone to my spam folder. I've been buried in my textbooks all morning." I sighed into the phone and heard his laughter.

"Well senior year is already turning into a bitch!"

I rolled my eyes, "You have no idea. Anyways, sorry about lunch. Would you guys want to meet up for coffee or dinner? I'm at the campus library working."

"Sure, we have nothing planned for today. Since you have homework to finish, do you have a preference for one or the other?"

"Hmm, well I'm currently taking a break so if you guys are free now, do you want to grab some coffee? I could use some more caffeine before I get back to work."

"Sure thing. How about the Starbucks on campus? Meet there in half an hour?"

"Sounds good, I'll see you guys then."

I packed up my books and started making my way towards the Starbucks once again. Fortunately the rain had stopped, but the air was humid and sticky. I was drenched in sweat by the time I made it to the coffee shop, and I marveled how the air conditioning hit my face as soon as I walked through the doors. I snagged one of the high top tables and ordered a cafe vanilla frappe. Vanilla bean and coffee. Yum!

Another 5 minutes later Yasu and Masako walked in. I couldn't help but smile as they walked over holding hands. I got up and hugged both of them.

"Hi guys! I missed you. How was the shoot?"

Masako sat down and waved her hand. "Honestly it was probably one of the most boring shoots I've done in a while. It'll probably end up being scrapped. The location had so many claims and it was a minor residual haunting. Most of the stories about the location could be attributed to local pranksters and age of the structure. My agent thought it had potential, so he was very disappointed." She shrugged her shoulders.

Yasu smiled, "But it was still interesting. The ghost passed on willingly and it ended up being a fairly short stay. Masako, I'm going to grab some drinks. Your usual?" She nodded in response and Yasu went over to the counter. She watched him leave but then turned her attention to me with a sorrowful look.

"I'm very sorry to hear about your apartment Mai, and the bakery. But I'm glad you are okay."

"Thanks Masako."

"If you need anything at all, you just need to ask. We want to support you."

"That means a lot. I'm doing okay though. I still have my SPR job and I didn't own a lot, so it's nothing to cry over."

She gave me a skeptical look but I decided to change the subject.

"So how is it, living with your boyfriend?" Masako blushed.

"I'm very happy. I never thanked you for talking to him during the case. Whatever you said must have really impacted him because he suddenly opened his heart and we talked it out. Thank you."

I smiled warmly at her. I could tell how happy she was; how happy they made each other. "I'm glad I could help. Boys are stupid, and sometimes they just need a nudge."

Suddenly Yasu appeared with drinks. He sat down and tried to look dramatically offended.

"Mai-chan! What a horrible thing to say! We aren't stupid, just blind to the realization that we are loveable creatures. But fortuantely Masako has set me straight!" He took a sip of his coffee then peered over at me.

"You still never answered my question from yesterday."

I looked at him, unsure as to what he was talking about. He rolled his eyes and smirked. "I asked if Naru slept naked or in pajamas. Come on Mai! !e need details!"

I started to laugh but the sound suddenly came out strangled as the mention of Naru brought back memories and emotions of our fight.

I looked down at my drink and took a small sip.

Masako gave me a concerned look. "Mai? Did something happen?" They both sat at attention, all joking aside. Their looks were full of concern, and suddenly I found myself telling them all about our fight and what he said. Yasu looked stoic, but Masako was angry.

"I agree about you not testing your powers, that was a pretty stupid thing to say, but for him to say those things to you! That was low, even for him. He of all people should be able to relate to spiritual training and the potential of death due to spiritual abilities." She looked angrily at her drink.

Yasu patted her on the shoulder. "I'm sure Naru had the best intentions. You know how much tact he has when it comes to other people's emotions. Whether you believe it or not Mai, he cares. None of us want you testing your powers in a dangerous setting, and the fact that you suggested it is a little unsettling."

"But how am I going to learn how to control this ability if I can't test it? My intuition tells me that this ability is linked to spirits who have strong anger and hate. Like I told Naru, I could come across a hateful or demonic spirit just by walking down the street and I would be absolutely powerless against it. It's terrifying! If Naru truly cared he would help me, not hide me away in an office, keeping me from helping others. I'm literally pursuing a degree that is all about helping people, and could be used to help spirits. It makes me feel so useless and limited, not to mention I can't go on cases until I can control my abilities. If I can't learn to control them Naru will never let me go on another case ever again. What would be the point if I can't help people?"

Yasu sighed, "Mai, we all would be devastated if anything happened to you, even Naru. He spent just as much time as any of us at your bedside when you were in a coma. And when he wasn't there he was researching and reaching out to people in the field looking for answers. Lin actually called us at one point to tell him to rest because Naru wasn't sleeping." Masako nodded in agreement at this.

"You and Naru are opposites when it comes to your emotions. You feel too much and he feels too little. You express your emotions and he suppresses his own. I think you two need to learn to compromise. Maybe some more research and time will lead to answers. I think you just need to give Naru some time and you two need to voice your thoughts so you can understand one another. What you see as punishment is what he sees as protection."

"Well look at you. You move in with your girlfriend and suddenly you have all the wisdom in the universe."

I sighed and took a sip of my drink. Yasu just knew how to blow apart all of my arguments.

"Well yes. Masako and I have both had our disagreements but we've compromised and learned from them. Besides," Yasu said, "Learning to compromise now will only be more beneficial for your future marriage."

I started choking on my drink and could feel it coming up my nose. I coughed and tried to clear my throat.

"Yasu! You did that on purpose!"

"I only spoke the truth Mai." Once I had my coughing under control I fixed him with a glare.

"Naru does not like me like that."

"Mai." Masako fixed me with an exasperated look. "The man moved back to Japan and restarted his business so he could be near you. If that isn't love, then what is?"

"Naru did not restart SPR for me. He came back because he found Japan to be a hot spot of spiritual activity and a great place for research."

Yasu wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, "And here is, researching your powers and helping you."

I blushed and looked at my drink. "I just happen to have abilities that aren't documented. I'm just a research project."

Masako smirked, "And yet he won't let you test them. Funny. I thought his research was heavily based on tests and experiments."

I had nothing to say in response. She wasn't wrong, except for the fact that Naru had any feelings for me. He made that clear a long time ago.

Masako looked at me gently. "You can stay with us for a few days if you need to. Our couch is always open." I smiled at the kind offer.

"Thanks guys, I appreciate it. But I don't have anything with me and I think it would only make Naru more upset if I left. I'm sure we'll work it out, we always do. It's just a matter of when. And if not, I can just get my own place again."

With that we moved onto lighter subjects such as school. Yasu and I both started our classes on Monday, so we compared schedules and made a plan to meet up between classes. We talked about school and Masako's show for a bit then we decided to go get some food as well. We stopped by a small ramen shop and ate an early dinner.

Around 6 we said our goodbyes and I headed back to the library so I could continue my school work. I arrived home around midnight and the apartment was quiet. I showered quickly and quietly, hoping that I wouldn't have to confront Naru just yet.

I wasn't ready to talk to him on Friday yet, either.

Once again I found myself back at the library working on my assignment at 8am. With a coffee in hand, I plowed through my work and typed up my essays. I read Fuyumi's work and offered critiques, but by 3 pm, I found myself done with my assignments and braindead from work. I pulled out my phone and saw I had a few text messages.

Madoka asked if I wanted to come over for dinner tonight. I felt guilty but I decided to tell her I was working on homework for class next week and that I would be out late tonight. Monk and Ayako also texted me, saying that they would be home next weekend. I texted them back and felt excited that I would finally get to see them again. I could really use a hug from both of them and some words of wisdom.

I was about to put my phone away when another text buzzed in.

We need to talk.

The text was from Naru.

I felt my stomach drop and I felt nervous. I wasn't ready to talk yet. I wanted to think some things over and pull my thoughts together beforehand. Deciding that he reached out first and I couldn't ignore it anymore, I texted him back.

I'm working on homework. We'll talk tomorrow.

With that done, I decided to spend the rest of my afternoon making an outline of my thoughts and feelings about the fight we had in my notebook.

I'll look into another apartment - life and work balance won't work if we are testing my abilities and living together

I am an adult and I can make my own decisions. I understand the risk, and I don't want to die from a hateful spirit

I am scared by this ability and I want to feel in control

I know everyone cares about me and I don't want to hurt anyone by hurting myself

I don't want to find myself in the darkness again

I crossed out the last line and closed my notebook with frustration. I don't want to tell Naru about the darkness. But if it's related to my ability I should tell him, shouldn't I?

I felt my frustration grow further and I decided I would make the decision during the conversation. If Naru was as rude as he was last time, I would end the conversation. I wasn't going to pour out my concerns and deepest fears to him if he was only going to dismiss them and make me feel insignificant.

After packing up my things, I decided to go see a movie to kill some more time. It was a cute romantic comedy. It took my mind off of everything for a little while and I felt more relaxed afterwards. I arrived back at the apartment after 11pm. It was dark and quiet so I made as little noise as possible and went to my room. I pulled out my list of thoughts again and looked it over. After adding a few more details I ripped it out and stuck it in my little box on the nightstand. I pulled up the blanket and suddenly felt the exhaustion from homework and waking up early take its toll, and quickly fell asleep, thinking about Naru and what tomorrow would bring.

I sat in the front window of the bakery, the strong afternoon sun streaming in the large window. Dust particles lazily floated in the air, with no particular direction in mind. I was seated at a little table with a kettle of hot tea, a cup sitting in front of me, and an additional cup sitting at the empty seat across from me. I looked at it quizzically, but instantly smelled the aroma of the black tea I always made.

I looked around the rest of the bakery. Everything was absolutely silent, and there were no people to be seen. I looked back out the window and noticed that not a single person or car existed. Everything was silent and still.

I must be having a dream. The bakery was gone and this was no memory of mine. The bakery was always alive and the street outside always full of cars and pedestrians. I looked down at the tea pot. I wanted to pour myself a cup, but I had the funny feeling that I was waiting for someone.

No sooner had I thought that, the little bell above the door chimed as someone walked in. The sun reflected off the window and I had to shield my eyes from the bright flash, disabling my ability to see who just walked in. I called out hesitantly, "Hello?"

"Hello Mai."

I lowered my hand from my eyes slowly, and took in the person standing before me. "Mr. Satori?" He nodded and smiled sadly. "Yes dear, it's me."

I stared at him in silence, but my mind was panicking. He's here? In my dream? But my dreams are always filled with spirits…

My face must have shown my thoughts. He nodded and opened his arms. I numbly stood, walked over to him, and fell into his arms. Tears immediately started to fall as I held onto him. He hugged me tightly and allowed me a few moments to cry before he gently pulled away.

"Hush, don't be sad. We've been granted one last meeting. Let's not waste it on sadness and regrets." He wiped my tears gently with a smile. Casually he looped his arm through mine and we walked back to the table. With an exaggerated gesture, he pulled out my chair for me to sit. I couldn't help but chuckle.

After we both sat down I poured the tea, which was still mysteriously hot.

"Ah I see my final wish was granted." I sent him a questioning look.

"I get to drink your tea one last time." He sent me a wink and a smile, and this time I laughed outright.

"Of all the final wishes to ask for, that was it?" We both laughed, then settled into a comfortable silence, sipping our tea.

A few minutes of silence passed before we spoke. We discussed anything and everything; family, friends, dreams, and simple joys in life. We poured tea until the pot was empty. We watched the sun sink closer and closer to the earth, and the colors of a sunset began to paint the sky.

"Was it… was dying painful?" He stared out the window and pondered my question.

"I remember having a heart attack after I had put some muffins in the oven to bake. That was an… uncomfortable… experience. But after that it felt like I was watching as a spectator. I didn't feel anything afterwards up until the point of passing. It was warm and gentle; just like sitting in this sun. But was it painful? No."

He took another sip of tea before speaking again. "What is painful, is watching those I'm leaving behind. I'm very sorry about burning down the apartment. But I'm glad to see someone has offered you a place to stay. I've seen glimpses of you all since the incident and if there was something I could do to brighten your spirits I would."

I assured him that I was fine and that the apartment was no big deal. We sat in a few moments of silence drinking tea. He looked at the sky which was filled with the beautiful reds and oranges.

"It looks like our time is coming to a close." I looked between him and the sky, afraid that once the sun had disappeared he would as well.

"Mai, I want you to do 3 favors for me. Would you?" I nodded my head slowly, unsure of where this was going.

"First of all, I have a safety deposit box under my name at the Tenjou Bank in Shibuya. Your name is also on the account because I made it for the bakery. You were assistant manager at the time so I put your name on the account just in case. I want you to go to the bank and get the contents of the box. There is a cookbook in there full of my recipes that I've collected and created over the years. Inside the book is a letter for Ryuu. I would like you to give him the cookbook and letter. Tell him I love him."

I nodded my head in understanding. "Second, there is an envelope in there for you as well. I want you to have what is in there." I looked at him, ready to ask what it was but he cut me off.

"I won't tell you now because I know you will fight me on it, and I absolutely will not spend my last moments with you fighting." I nodded, not wanting to waste our final moments with arguments.

He smiled sadly and put his hand face up on the table. I reached my hand up and grasped his tightly. I could tell we were short on time. The setting sun had left half of the bakery in shadows, and they reached for us as the sun lowered.

"The last thing I need you to do for me, dear sweet Mai, is to live. I want you to live your life as if everyday is your last day on God's earth. Don't let arguments or grudges hold you down. Remember that one bad day or week does not make a bad life. Lean on your friends in times of trouble and remember that people care about you. Make memories, friends, find someone you love, and hold onto all of those beautiful things. Remember when I said I hired you for your smile?"

I nodded, trying to keep my tears at bay, but it was becoming more difficult.

"Remember that a smile is all it takes to convey so many emotions. Smile often; you have so much to contribute to the world."

Now my tears did spill over and there was no way to stop them.

Mr. Satori stood and pulled me up into a tight hug. "Do these things for me, Mai. Find happiness, because you deserve it." I nodded into his chest and held each other for another moment.

The sun was on it's last threads of light as Mr. Satori pulled away. He wiped my tears and softly kissed my forehead. He walked back to the front door of the bakery and pulled it open. The little bell above the door seemed to jingle too cheerfully in these final moments.

"Good bye, Mai. I love you."

With another gentle smile and a wave, Mr. Satori walked out the door, gently closing it behind him. The bell jingled in the silence, and the remaining tendrils of light disappeared. The warmth of the sun no longer filled the quiet bakery, and the shadows slowly consumed it until there was nothing but darkness left.

I cried while writing this chapter - I mean, if you could have one last moment with someone you cared for deeply, wouldn't you take it? Poor Mai, but at least she had one last goodbye!

Leave a note or comment! Hopefully the next chapter won't take so long to upload! Be safe and healthy, and enjoy the warmer weather we are having. Thanks all!

-Jen