Mai was early that day as well.
Noll had been surprised upon his arrival to find his assistant sitting on the sofa, sipping a cup of tea. It was four in the morning, after all.
"Mai?" Noll asked.
The young woman jolted, obviously startled. She snapped her head back.
"Naru... ? What are you doing here at this time?!"
Noll raised a brow, "I could ask you the same."
Sighing, Mai explained lamely, "I couldn't sleep."
"I see."
"What about you?" Mai asked.
"I had difficulty sleeping as well," Noll admitted. He pivoted back to Mai, "What was keeping you awake?"
Mai groaned, not really wanting to share, "Weird dreams..."
That had Noll's attention.
"Care to elaborate?"
Mai frowned as she shook her head.
Stepping towards her, Noll guessed, "Was it about the others?"
Looking away, Mai sighed, "I don't want to talk about it."
So Noll's guess had been right. It appeared he was not the only one receiving such… bothersome visitors.
"I got a call from Takigawa," Noll admitted casually. "Many, actually. My phone wouldn't stop ringing, even after disconnecting it."
Mai furrowed her brows and faced Noll again, "You better not be-"
Noll held up his hand, "I'm not joking, Mai."
"...What did he say…?"
Noll sighed as he effortlessly spun a lie, "That you need protection. From what, I can not say."
Mai's eyes began to water. She bit down on her lip to keep from letting out an audible sob.
Allowing Mai a moment to compose herself, Noll moved to sit by her side. He could hear her desperately trying to even her breaths as she wiped away the clear streaks on her cheeks.
"They… came to me…" Mai whispered. "Warning me that I'm… I'm next…"
Noll asked in a concerned tone, "Next for what…?"
She shook her head, "It wasn't clear… But… Whatever happened to them."
Hand resting on her shoulder, Noll turned. He then pulled Mai against his chest and wrapped his arm around her. A slight smirk tugged at his lips.
"I won't let anyone, or anything, harm you."