3rd Person, Limited, Eugene Davis

"Still having trouble getting Noll out of his beauty sleep?" Eugene asked, hand on the back of his head, "I was having trouble too. But after my third try, I decided to just wait down on the first floor, he won't be late either way. That's just how he is."

"Well, I'm still waiting at the front door for him." Madoka responded, hands on her hips, "He complains when we aren't on time, so it's about time he gets the same treatment back."

With a nervous smile, the twin let out an unnerved chuckle. "I see he's gotten on your bad side again. I'll leave you to it then, Madoka." After all, he could wait downstairs for them, and perhaps get to know the layout of the main floor of the building. He had moreso been focusing on the move, and not so much on the lobby floor. Perhaps there was more he could learn about his new palace of living.

Going on ahead and making his leave, he presses the elevator button and waits for it to arrive. Watching Madoka the entire time, and even when Lin leaves their apartment in an attempt to coax Madoka away from his brother's door. Already aware that it's a losing game, however, it seemed that he gave in after the first attempt, and was prompted to just wait with her at the door.

This left him on his own as the elevator door opened. Excited that he got to explore a bit on his own, he entered the elevator and clicked the button for the first floor. Taking ahold of the railing within the small-like box, he allowed himself to think over what he could find.

He wasn't told much about the building complex, nor was Noll. Madoka wanted it to be a surprise and Lin decided to amuse her by obeying the request. There was sadly nothing that could be done to convince either one of them to offer them details. However, while they couldn't find information from their guardians, Gene was more than aware that there was another option for them. He knew that was likely what Noll had already been doing since he was settled into his apartment. After all, he wasn't one to leave any stones unturned.

But that left him without anything to go off. Noll wasn't likely to give the information he has so easily, so he was certain he was on his own. But he didn't have the researching expertise that his brother had, so he was aware that the best way to get information was the way he was better at. This was, of course, conversing and interacting with the other members of the complex. While it was obvious that most of them have only recently moved in themselves, the owners could be the start to the information gathering that he needed.

Hearing the ding of the elevator, indicating the end of the descent to the first floor, Eugene forced himself out of his thinking and moved his attention to the door. Once it opened to reveal the main floor of the building, he could hear the voices of other people within the open space. Curiously, he poked his head out, only to see a handful of people in the lobby.

"It sounds as if it could be a number of things, from what you've described, Takigawa-san." A blonde teenager spoke, one who was sitting on one of the lobby seats and taking notes. "To be quite fair, though… Would it be wise to accept a case like that? I feel as if it may be too much on your own."

"She has a point, you know." A black-haired boy responded, moving his glasses up amidst keeping himself up by leaning on the same chair that the previously speaking female was sitting in. "Sure, you got me and Mai to help you do research, but from previous experiences, maybe it'd be best to let John join you, at the very least."

"Hey, why wasn't there any mention of me?!" The redhead woman within the group snapped, standing up from her seat. "Lemme at em, they'll be good as gone by the time I'm through with cleansing the place."

"If they say I can't do it on my own, then there's no way you can, either. Dianne and Yasu are right, I'm going to have to bring in more people to take care of this problem." The man facing away from Eugene responded, "Maybe John and Masako would be best. If needed, we could always bring more people in over time, too…"

"As much as I would like to join you immediately," An accent-bearing blonde boy announced himself, causing the others within the group to jump in surprise, "Unfortunately, the church has asked me to help them with something tonight. If you plan on starting it tonight, sadly I would have to come myself the next day. Would that be alright?"

Hand on his chest, the ponytailed man took a deep breath before responding. "Y-yeah, that'd be fine. Do you got a ride if I brought Ayako along with me?"

"I could find myself one, but what of the others should they need to come as well?"

"Ah, good point…" The blonde girl spoke up, straightening herself up. "Myself, Mai, and Yasu all wouldn't have rides if Ayako were to come along, She's the only other one here that can drive."

"That is true, isn't it?" The ponytail-bearing male quietly muttered, a hand going up to his chin. "In that case, I don't know what to do… Yasu does have a point of not going alone, but if it isn't done by the weekend, anyone that's in school would be missing classes…"

Over the time of the conversation, Gene had been doing his best to make his way to the front door without being noticed, but also while keeping an ear on the conversation. It seemed as if something was going on, and while he had no idea what it was, perhaps he could gain some information on what the others in the complex were like. So far, however, given how discreet they've been about the subject, he wasn't too sure if he could trust them.

There was silence for a few long moments between the group.

"Even if that is the case," The short-haired brunette, the very same one that came to his door the night previous, finally spoke up, "What if something bad happened when someone could've been there? What if someone gets hurt? W-what if someone-..."

Quickly, as if instinct, the redhead went to the other and gently wrapped her arms around her, in an attempt to comfort her. "Nothing like that is going to happen, Mai. We'll figure something out, we just need to find the best solution that'll protect everyone involved."

Finally, Gene couldn't take not taking part in the conversation anymore and brought his presence to the attention of everyone. "Is there something going on?"

Each member's attention snapped towards him. He made sure that he was straight in posture, yet gentle in his aura. After all, who knew what they were thinking at that moment. "Perhaps I could give my input. It might not be much, but the more people to think about it, the better, I'd think."

This made them all look at one another. Some seemed suspicious of the idea, such as the two older ones in the group, while others looked to be more willing to the idea, like Mai and the blonde male.

"I mean… What would be the worst that could happen?" The blonde girl asked, seemingly unsure herself.

"I guess that's true…" The elder male of the group muttered, before gazing over towards Eugene. "Why don't we start by introducing ourselves, at least?"

"I would like that," Gene replied before even thinking, allowing himself to make a small bow, "I'm Ichiru Shibuya, one of the recently moved-in tenants of the second floor. It's nice to meet all of you."

"I see," The blonde female spoke, standing up and doing a small bow herself, "I am Dianne Simmon, it is indeed a pleasure."

Where had Gene heard that name before-

"Hey now, no stealing the spotlight, Dia!", The boy that had been using her seat to keep up whined, winking and using his thumb to point to himself, "I'm Yasuhara Osamu, but feel free to call me Yasu if you want to."

"And as you know, I'm your floormate, Taniyama Mai." Mai smiled, shrugging all the while.

"And I'm Matsuzaki Ayako, the one and only-" The redhead started to speak, but was interrupted by the elder male.

"We know, we know, there's no need to go on about it." He huffed, causing her to snap her gaze over towards him and quietly grumble. "I'm Takigawa Houshou. And the one that hasn't introduced himself is John Brown."

"T-takigawa-san, I could've introduced myself, you know." John quietly spoke, a nervous smile on his face.

"Yeah, that is true, isn't it?..." Houshou rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry about that, John."

"It's quite alright, don't worry about it," John responded, moving his gaze back towards 'Ichiru'. "But shouldn't we propose our concern to Shibuya-san?"

"We should, yes." Dianne nodded in agreement, "If I shall?"

There was a nod from all the members of the group.

"Very well. Takigawa-san was contacted by a potential client in regards to a spiritual haunting within their property. From the information gathered, the likelihood of it indeed being of at least paranormal properties is high, and the situation has grown rather dangerous as of recently. It would be best for at least one member to attend along with Takigawa-san, however, Brown-san is preoccupied attending previously made plans, and if Matsuzaki were to attend, then if anyone else were to need to attend, they would be left without a reasonable way to do so. Everyone else is unable to drive and has school as well. What would you believe to be best to do in this situation, Shibuya-san?"

Gene blinked in surprise the moment that spirits were mentioned. It made him stare at the group, shocked moreso than anything else. These people worked on paranormal cases? He wasn't quite sure if he could believe them to be the real deal or not. However, that was him being unaware of what capabilities they had, if they had any. For the time being, he was willing to offer the benefit of the doubt.

"Well… If the situation is as dire as you say it is, which member of the group among the students would be most able to risk a few days off school? If none are able to do that, then I'd recommend taking a student only until the end of the day, and swap out with someone else, more than like Brown-san, during the end of the evening, or early the next morning. That way, no one is missing out on previous obligations."

The rest of the group blinked, looking at one another before Yasuhara started to analyze the suggestion. "To be quite fair, it isn't too far off. It is an entire day being on a case, and it'd still be an experience for whoever goes with Takigawa-san. As much as I'd like to go along, I feel like I'd only be a burden, and I'd be better off doing what I do best, which requires that I stay behind until I can get more details."

"And Taniyama-san can't quite attend either, unfortunately…" Dianne muttered, averting her gaze, "I suppose out of all of us, I would be the most available to attend to this case for the beginning portion. The school does allow me to take days off due to my high grades and on and off lifestyle job-wise. And I could be of assistance, as well."

"That settles that, then." Takigawa grinned, leaning back into the seat. "You'll join me, Dianne. That'll give John the time to attend to his business, and you've wanted to stay for an entire case for a while anyway. It's a win-win situation."

"That is true, isn't it?" Dianne smiled and let out a quiet chuckle, before gazing over towards the twin. "Thank you, Shibuya-san. I am rather certain it would have taken us longer to come to that conclusion had you not offered your input."

"Of course, it was no problem-"

"Ichiru."

Gene felt himself freeze up, recognizing the voice that called his name and slowly turning around. Seeing his brother, he let out a small, nervous chuckle. "Hey there, brother. Took you long enough, didn't it?"

Outright ignoring that fact, Kazuya moved to leave the building, Madoka and Lin following behind him.

"Come on, Ichiru, we got work to do!" Madoka looked back with a grin, "If you don't hurry up, we'll leave you behind."

"I know, I'm coming." With a sigh, he looked back towards the others, "I'd stay, but if there's work to do, then what can I do?"

"That's understandable, go ahead and catch up to them. We can always talk another time." Ayako smiled, waving back.

"Yeah, don't worry too much about it, feel free to just stop by around here if you see us around." Yasu agreed with a grin on his face.

This made Gene offer a small smile. "I think I will. See you all later."

Hearing the group of goodbyes and seeyas, Gene turned around and hurried to catch up to the others of his group.

He wondered what this work they got was, though...

So sorry about this taking so long to update! I've had the idea for the next chapter for a while, and it manages to flow right into the one I have planned after this, so I hope everyone enjoys it! I have plans to update this fic when I can, so no worries about that. But I'll be flipping between different fanfictions in order to be able to give variety to my content. For now though, I hope everyone reading has a lovely day! ^^