Mai opened the package she received from the police station. It was not so big but it's heavy. The police uncles laugh at her when she tried to pick it up. She was friends with the policemen in the area for years now. She moved here when she was 12 years old and was a bit of a headache to them at the beginning but they become friends when Mai reported that she saw a body in the old schoolhouse.
The police was reluctant at first but let her join the police investigation secretly. They had solved the case and also located the kidnapper. The kidnapper was just the gambling addict who lived a few blocks away from the victim's house. It seems that he was under so much debt and used the child to collect ransom. But he didn't expect the child to escape and strangled her while preventing her to escape.
There was also the truck incident in the school that happened just a few months after the kidnapping case. She was just turned 13 and was with his dad when they witnessed that happened. Her dad, being a soldier, run to help and calm down the people and let Mai call the ambulance and the police. The drunk driver, sobered up after the event and was about to run away when her dad tackled him easily.
The case was finalized easily but the school had to close for a few days. Since that incident, Mai's dad too, become friends with the police and they almost go there thrice a week to bond with them. Of course, when her dad's away, they will take the initiative to feed Mai and play with her. So that's the story of how she became close to the police department and how she always go there and stay for a period of time.
This is also where the rumours started. But instead of being in detention like the rumours said, she and the police play mind games like chess and puzzles for hours! Their chief is a bit strict and solemn but she lets Mai stay and entertain the boring department. She would even cook for them on special occasions.
Because they knew she is smart, the police would take her on cases secretly and let her solve it with them. She is really helpful on murder kidnapping cases. She can information and they always rescued the victim's before the kidnapper lay a hand on the victim. She can also solved murder cases even if she have limited clues. her theories are always on the spot! When asked, Mai always told them that it was her intuition that helps her.
That is where the police game, 'Which One is the Joker' started. There are 20 cards on the table, all faced down and Mai would guess where is the Joker among the cards. They were amazed when she got it all right and even blindfolded her while shuffling the cards. They would okay dirty sometimes and add more cards or one more Joker but Mai would always guess it. They also maintain a neutral faces to avoid showing clues but Mai is still the victor.
They had now believed in Mai's intuition and made her their department's consultant. Mai didn't know it but she had become a darling of the city's police department.
But unlike the police, the military where she grew up until 12 knew of her abilities. They were the ones who guided her and teach her so many tricks to maintain a calm mind and to image her power in control. They had no prior experience in dealing with a special child like her and they almost blew up the barracks when Mai's controling her PK but they still didn't give her to any psychic research facility.
After rescuing her from that crazy scientist who is obsessed with psychic power, they didn't have the heart to surrender their darling Mai to them. And yes, Mai isn't really her military dad's biological daughter but he is really good and treats her like one. He was the head of the rescue mission in the underground research center and he really rescued Mai and the other three children who are still alive after the incidents.
Among the survivors, Mai is the only one who have no family. They had learned that her mother passed away from illness and they couldn't find a trace of her father. They let her live in the barracks and there was an argument on who to take her. The soldiers almost fought among themselves to snatch the cute little Mai but being the commander and the strongest of them all, Mai's current dad won and got the largest living quarters for him and Mai.
They discovered her abilities months after being adopted by the commander. Little Mai was so scared that they will abandon her after learning if her abilities but she was relieved when they still hugged her despite being abnormal. They were shocked but still love her.
They had collect books about these psychic abilities to better understand Mai and would even take a flight overseas to fight over limited edition books about these kind of topics. They taught her qigong to help her control her PK. They even snatched a famous martial artist to teach her. They decorated one hospital room cutely for her to reside after being injured or being out of control. They would discipline her, dote on her and always letting her feel loved.
Mai don't have a mother but she had a lot of grandpas, fathers, uncles, and big brothers. She couldn't ask for more! The military was chaotic and they would use force and violence to settle things out but they are fun to be with. They would laugh together even when they're being punished.
Mai laughed while reminiscing the past. After getting rid of the tape on the box, she opened the lid and saw what is inside. She suddenly wanna flipped the table when she saw a lot of imported foods inside the box.
That stupid foodie...
Mai found a letter on top and began to read it. Her dad didn't bother to have it in envelop and he even used an intermediate pad to write on. This made Mai even more furious at him, stopping herself from crumpling the paper.
"Dear Mai,
I knew you are going to be angry after seeing this crude paper but I'm so poor right now! I will write decently next time!"
"That idiot! If he is so poor that he couldn't even buy a decent paper for a letter, why the snacks?!"
"I received a mission and is probably on our mission while you're reading this. I promised to come back after a few months. If you're bored,you can always contact your uncles in the police department or in the army. Remember to take your medications and go to the doctor as scheduled. Don't cause troubles for your teachers. I don't want to be bombarded by your educators just after I returned home! I have deposited money on your account and be sure to live well while I am gone. I miss you already and still miss you. Your uncles here says hi! We love you, my daughter. Take care okay? If your condition worsen or went out of control, contact your Uncle Kio. He will take care of you.
Love,
Dad"
"Love you too, dad." Mai answered with a smile and out away the letter on a special box. Mai took out a special paper and and wrote two letters— one for her dad and one for her uncles.
She said hi to her uncles and filled five pages of paper just to asked how are they and how she would anticipate their return. But when writing a letter to her dad, she only used one paper and wrote one sentence cruelly.
"Dear Dad,
I will find a suitable woman for your incoming blind date.
Love,
Mai"
She smirked as she imagine her dad's reaction to this letter. She then put the letters in separate envelopes and sealed them. Mai look at the goods inside the box and frown again. She was sure that this isn't even the half of what her dad bought for himself.
Her dad is a foodie and would lash out on food. His stomach is like a bottomless pit and would gobble up everything served in the table. This is one of the reason why she gave up cooking for him and prayed that his future wife would be a good cook and is very patient to cook over and over again just to fill that foodie's tummy.
She sighed and stood up to take a shower. After changing, she went to work on her assignments while having her favourite green tea. She took out her phone and checked her bank account to see how much he deposited. But she almost destroyed her phone when she saw 500 yen being added to her account. She wanted to strangle that man! She knew that he spent the money on these food and this petty money is the last of it.
You idiot and irresponsible of a father... How am I supposed to live for months with with 500 yen?! Wait until you arrived, I will kill you!!!
At the same time in the SPR office, the irregulars talk about what happened and about Mai. They were loud and this made the boss a bit irritated.
"But about Mai... I don't know if it's a coincidence but she had guessed your real nickname on your first meeting! You sure you didn't introduced yourself using your real name?" Bou-san teased him as they laugh.
"Yeah! And that genius brain even came up with a 'Naru, the Narcissist'! It totally suits him! Let's call him that way from now on." Ayako agreed while laughing.
A young man with glasses and black hair came in and handed them their tea. His name is Yasuhara Osamu. He is an assistant of Shibuya Kazuya and a third year highschool. He was busy with exams during the investigation so he couldn't join them and he knew he missed something interesting during his absence.
"Naru, huh? You're right it totally suits him. I suddenly want to meet this Mai girl. She sounds interesting." Yasuhara said with a smirk, noticing his boss' annoyed look.
"You totally missed the fun! Mai and Naru would argue sometimes but when it comes to some things, their brain would be in sync! We were reviewing all the footages a while ago and they found out the reason why the first chair moved in the West wing. It turns out that the wing sank that made the chair moved."
"Yeah and not a poltergeist event. Mai also had the guts to tease Naru until he was fuming mad!"
Naru's face is livid—very livid while they're talking about him. The room suddenly went cold but the others didn't mind him and continued talking despite the cold atmosphere. They were thankful they didn't took off their jackets.
"Oh, we have Mai's number right? How about we invite her to dinner next Sunday?" Bou-san proposed.
"Good idea! Lin, Naru, you coming?" Ayako asked but the tall stoic man just ignored them meaning he's not going and the attention was out on Naru.
"Okay." Naru answered with a helpless sigh and shut his notebook down and stood up to go to his office.
"You're really going?!" They asked, stunned. Naru rarely accompany them to dinner and this is one of the rare situation. Previously, they would drag him to dinner or ask for Madoka's help to make him agree but now he agreed willingly?
"Lin, prepare Mai's salary before Sunday!" Naru told the tall man and shut his office with a loung 'bang!'.
The SPR irregulars was still stunned while Yasuhara checked the weather forecast to see if it will be raining cats and dogs tomorrow. They didn't know what to say.
He's possessed.
It's Sunday and Mai just left the church after a one-hour mass when she suddenly heard a voice she had been wanting to avoid. This voice irritates the hell out of her every Sunday after the mass. Her footsteps accelerates and crosses the road but that person's eyes is really sharp that she spotted her every time she takes a detour.
What does she want now?!
"Mai-chan! Wait up! Mai-chan!!!"
"What do you want?!" Mai roared at the woman who is smiling and chasing after her like a pervert.
That woman grinned even wider when she saw the girl stopped for her. Well, it isn't easy for Mai not to stop when she had been yelling for her name and getting the attention of the passerby. It's embarrassing!
"Mai-chan!! I am so glad I saw you!! Do you miss me?! I miss you so much!!!" That woman, wearing a sexy clothing and heavy makeup, coquettishly exclaim and tried to hug her but Mai pressed a palm to her face to stop her.
"Cut the chase! I am very busy now and I need to go!"
"Mai-chan, don't be like that. I just miss you!" The woman answered and slap the plan out of her face. Mai almost puked as the make-up that stains her small palm. She can almost see the outline of that woman's face on it.
This pervert looking woman is called Akito Hanako. She is a part-time vocalist in a band. Her real job is modelling. And the reason why this woman would chase after her like a crazy stalker is probably because of stuffs related to her modelling company and that she needed a back up model.
"Now that you said how you miss me, I'm gonna go." Mai cold-heartedly answered and walk away but was held tightly by the arm.
"Mai-chan, don't go! Don't go! Why are you so hot-headed early in the morning?!"
Are you that insensitive to not noticed how you polluted my good mood? It's Sunday and was supposed to be a sacred and happy day until you showed up!
"I just want to ask some favour, you know? You see, this band of mine. They will be having a concert and —"
"And you want me to proxy you in your shooting like you previously asked me to do? Akito-san, you knew my father forbid me to appear in public right? And I still want my private life! You don't know how much trouble Dad and your father had to go trough in order to take the media's attention off of me the last time you asked a favour!" Mai retorted cutting off the older woman and tries to escape but as usual, she couldn't shake off the octopus' hands off her.
Akito Hanako is the daughter of Mai's dad's comrade. She was a few years older than ther but acts like a child all the time. As you can tell, she is a headache. A year ago, she forced Mai to do a modelling of clothes in a magazine but they didn't expect Mai to be famous after the release of the magazine. Many media sought after her and it would be dangerous for Mai to be a public figure so Akito's father and her's did everything they can to shut it down for Mai to have a good normal life. Mai almost didn't went out of the military barracks at that point of time.
"No! No! It is the concert! I want you to sing! Substitute me and sing in the concert. You don't have to worry about people recognising you, my band wore masks. Please, Mai-chan. The shoot is a really really big and I can't miss it but I also cannot disappoint my band. Please! "
"NO! Let go!"
"Mai-chaaaaan!!!!!"
"Look, I have an appointment today and exams coming so cannot do your job! Let's go!" Mai used a bit forced while telling her a lie and ran as fast as she can.
She didn't underestimate the woman and ran to without being aware where she is going.Like her, Akito-san is also a military daughter, for sure she had some trainings as well. She moved to the crowd and blended in but she can still hear that irritating voice that is calling her name. She even entered a mall to change clothes to shake her off. She didn't even noticed that she look like a clown while running so fast.
She didn't know how far she ran off to when she noticed that she is in center of Shibuya now. Mai felt a sweat as she look around. Mai usually need to ride a train to get here but today she just ran for a few hours because of that woman! Looking at her comical clothes that she had wore in a whim, she sighed and look around to find a boutique to buy some new clothes. Again.
She didn't hear Akito-san's voice and cannot sense her presence anymore so she took time looking around the area. Also, she didn't forget to wear her disguise; a cap, a mask and a pair of fake eyeglasses. She really needs to earn more money. She spent a lot on these clothes!
It's that woman's fault!!
Her phone suddenly rang and Bou-san invited her for dinner with the other SPR irregulars. He agreed and they send her the address of the restaurant they are in. She took the bag where she put that 'clown' costume she wore while running and walked to the location of the diner.
She saw the resto and entered while looking around for a familiars group of people. Mai spotted them at the very corner of the resto and went to them. She took off her mask and waved at them.
"Hello, guys! It's been a few weeks!"
The people sitting around the table look at the newcomer and immediately took noticed to her black and white outfit. She wore a simple black blouse, white miniskirt, black-coloured tights and white sneakers. Her head is also adorned with a baseball cap and fake eyeglasses. She looks so stylish except for how she handled the bag on her hands and her boyish posture.
"You're earlier than expected, Mai! Are you just around the area?" Bou-san is the first one to react and quickly pulled the girl to sit beside him.
"Yeah. I was currently running from a blue-eyed rabid dog." Mai answered in a sarcastic voice while the others took it as a joke. Bou-san gave her the menu and they started ordering their dinner.
She saw Naru and Lin sitting across her and was a bit surprised to see them here. She didn't take them as a socially active person. A young man wearing glasses smiled at her and reached out his hand.
"I am Yasuhara Osamu, Taniyama-san. Call me Yasu! I am one of Kazuya or Naru's assistant. Nice to meet you!"
"I am Taniyama Mai. Nice to meet you too. Just me Mai like the others." Mai quickly took his hands and shake it. Of course, she didn't forget to glare at Naru who is sitting across her.
"So you're Naru's assistant. How come I didn't see you during the last case a few weeks ago?" Mai asked, showing the smile she always show when she's brewing trouble.
"Ah. I have exams coming so I couldn't come. By the way I heard some interesting stories about you and was dying to meet you. It's seems that all my friends stories about you are true! You are an amazing person!"
"Haha. You're flattering me, Yasu. If there is an 'amazing' person here, it should be Naru. He had an excellent way of getting himself a temporary assistant." Mai voiced out in an uncanny tone while emphasizing the word 'amazing'.
"Thank you for the appreciation. I will make sure I'll do it again." Naru intercepted hike letting out a smirk.
"Be careful though. You might sentence d to jail for fraud."
The others watched them with interested gazes. They didn't dare to stop this amusing scene happening right in front of them.
"Don't worry. They wouldn't bear to let this face go to waste in jail."
"..."
"..."
The others his their laugh as Mai boiled in anger and Naru smug smirk even infuriated her more.
"Ah. Your narcissism is really scarier than ghosts, I really have some goosebumps! I suddenly wanna be the judge that will indict you."
"Then I'm sure I will win the case since I'm smarter than you!"
Mai reddened at the response. She's so angry that her brain couldn't even give a response.
"I hate you, Naru!"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"I really hate you." Mai whimpered and slumped on top of the table, looking so pitiful.
The dishes came in after their bickering. They are peacefully while talking about random stuffs and it was fun. They ordered tea after finishing their meal and that is where the business talk begins.
"Mai." Naru said grabbing her attention.
"What is it."
"Your pay."
"Eh?" Mai asked, complete clueless on what Naru had said. She forgot that Naru was paying her for the service she had done during the case in the old school building.
"Your assistant fee. If you don't want it, I can always give to charity." Naru answered taking out a small rectangular envelope from the notebook he always carry. Mai realized what is it and quickly snatched the envelope out if his hands.
"I didn't say that! Thank you, Naru!" Her voice was ferocious at her first sentence but was so mellow when thanking him. She immediately put the envelope in her bag, worried that Naru may get it back.
"Do your school allow you to have part-time job?"
"They do." Mai answered carelessly and took a sip on her favourite bubble tea. But she almost choked when Naru's sentence was heard.
"How about you come work for me?"
Even the others were a bit surprised at his proposal. Lin, whose sitting beside him, remained silent. Naru took a long time convincing him to agree and only consented on the condition of having one shiki following the girl around and doing what he says he would do to protect his identity and wellbeing. Naru reluctantly agreed to his conditions and called the main office in regards to this change in the branch office.
"Naru, are you serious?!" Bou-san asked him while the one in question didn't answer.
"Well, I admit Mai is smart and observant. She will truly help in some of our cases." John gave his opinions and smiled at the coughing teenager.
"Agreed. She's not that bad." Ayako.
Mai coughed and wiped her mouth using the wipes Bou-san handed her. She glared at Naru and calm herself seconds after.
"Work as your assistant?"
"Yes. You will have the same work as Yasuhara-san and will be payed accordingly. You will come to cases with us and do the same work you did in the previous case."
"We-well, to be honest, I currently need a job." Mai answered making the others elated but...
"But I am only looking for a one-time job! I cannot work for you for a long time. My schedule is really messy and if I accepted your offer, I may have to take a leave for a few days or so. It will only be hassle to you." Mai explained to them while making an apologetic smile.
"Tell me more about schedule. I may think of a solution." Naru answered making Mai looked at him with a complicated gaze.
"I have sleeping disorders and I need to visit my doctor once a week. And I sometimes help the police on their cases as their consultant." Mai answered with hesitation.
"A consultant? On what cases?" Bou-san asked with doubt.
"Typical cases. Murders, kidnapping or robbery."
"What?! At your age?" They simultaneously asked her.
"Yes?"
"How long have you been working for them?"
"For years now. My father would sometimes take me to investigate when I was a child so a gruesome scene of murder or robbery is not new to me." Mai explained to them.
She was a bit hesitant to tell them but seeing how pure their energies and intentions are, she told them a bit about her.
"That's cool. But is it really alright to take a little girl and an unauthorized person like you to cases like these?" Ayako asked her.
"No. We only do it secretly. If the higher ups discovered me helping the police, our chief department will be in trouble. That is why I am on standby and will only be called if necessary." Mai answered them and drink her bubble tea to ease some awkwardness.
"That's incredible but you're currently in need of money right? Accept Naru's offer. I'm sure Naru will excuse you when they called for your service." Bou-san smiled at her and rub her head like he usually do.
"Yes! Right, Naru?" Yasu asked his boss with expectant eyes.
"Right." The boss answered with a nod making the others cheer in joy.
"Is the pay high?"
"Yes. I will also pay some compensation if ever you are injured or something bad happened to you during the case "
"Lovely! But I can only work under you for 8 months. Before I move to my third year in highschool."
"Why only 8 months?" John asked her.
"I plan to graduate early in my third year and study hard for my college. I want to be accepted in one of the universities abroad."
"Okay." Naru answered and hand her a draft of the contract. Mai smirked and read it carefully.
"You really came prepared, huh? I agree to the terms here but include the topic we had just talked about."
"Will do. I will finalized the contract tomorrow. You can start working right after you signed it. Are you free a day after tomorrow for the contract signing?"
"I will clear my schedule for that day! Happy cooperation, boss!" Mai smiled and starches her hand for a handshake.
"Hmm." Naru answered taking the girl's fair and tender hands.
"Yes! Cheers for our new member of SPR!" Yasu took his glass and offer a toast.
"Cheers!"
And that is how Mai entered the paranormal industry. Lin tensed when she talked about her background however he couldn't do a thing but to heightened his guard around the newcomer.
