"I'm disappointed, very disappointed in you young lady. Violence is never the answer no matter what. You should've walked away and made a report to your teacher so that the matter could be handled appropriately. Look Taniyama-san, just this once I'll let you off with a warning considering the unique circumstances. You'll still need to formally apologize to Kuroda-san, and I'll have the teachers keep a very close eye on the both of you. You'll also have to apologize to our special guests for having them witness such behavior. Don't let this happen again, you're dismissed!"
Mai stood and bowed to her principle, "Yes sir!" Then she promptly turned on her heel and left his office, passing by his secretary who gave her a sympathetic look. All she had to do was apologize, but that didn't mean she wouldn't do it again. Just who does Kuroda think she is? She stood by the window and leaned her forehead against the cool glass, which felt amazing against her flushed skin. She heard footsteps come up behind her, and opening her left eye she could make out a black figure in the reflection.
"Are you here to lecture me too?"
"Even if I did, I doubt you'd actually listen to me."
Mai chuckled, "Well I guess I owe you an apology? Sorry you had to help break us apart considering your hand is cut up and whatnot."
Naru came to stand next to her, "I'm not surprised that someone as hot headed as you got into a fight."
She stuck her tongue out at him, "I'll have you know I have a very good reason! Someone should tell Kuroda-san to learn when to keep her mouth shut! I mean, why'd she have to come out and say all that stuff to me? Of course she'd pick the very moment when the building is falling apart and the paramedics and cops are all around us." She sighed, "Although, I didn't expect Your Highness to come and break up a silly girl fight. You're pretty strong considering how slim you look… not that that's a bad thing either! Hehe… I'll just be quiet now." Mai caught the look he gave her, unable to decipher if he was confused or annoyed by her rambling.
He looked out the window towards the old school building. Unable to help herself she continued, "How's your hand doing?"
"Like I said before, it's fine."
Mai beamed, "Thanks to me for tending to your wounds mister!," she leaned against the window, "what do you suppose caused the building to fall like that? I know everyone said there is a spirit, but Masako is adamant that there are none! I might not be strong like you guys, but I feel like Masako is right. I mean how can there be spirits when the building sounds like any old house settling into the ground?"
Naru snapped his head towards her, his eyes curious and large. He muttered something under his breath before turning and rushing down the hall out of sight. She let out a sigh and cradled her head in her hands. Getting the sense that Naru was about to solve the case, Mai rushed off in search of Kuroda.
A little out of breath, she steadied herself against the wall. Some of her classmates had seen Kuroda head to the roof of all places. The metal door creaked as she opened it, but Kuroda remained still. Her figure was illuminated by the soft glow of the sun, and her uniform fluttered in the wind.
"Do you know anything at all?" Mai was startled by the soft tone of her voice. Her heart gave a tiny squeeze upon seeing the sorrow marring Kuroda's face. "While I sat in the nurse's office, I realized… you probably don't know anything."
"Eh?" Mai blinked rapidly, "I came to apologize but you're saying weird things already."
Kuroda gave her a blank look, "If you don't know, then there must be a reason. I won't say much otherwise I might get in trouble. I will say this though… You're probably undergoing some changes that you don't understand, and you're going to feel alone because of it since it'll be dangerous to let others know the truth. However, we're lucky enough that people don't believe in the supernatural, and will probably think you're crazy. I'm not the right person to tell you the truth, or to help you."
"Wha-? I- Why even say anything if you can't even tell me the whole truth? I don't have time for your dramatic riddles! I don't understand what you want, not to mention how you appeared right when Masako got hurt! That must mean you did something right?"
Her short rant was met with a sigh, "That girl is nothing more than a spoiled nuisance. What happened to her was nothing more than an accident."
"I don't believe you. You must've done something, I know it! Otherwise, why were you even here? Better yet, why are you even like this? You're… you're.. You're horrible and mean. There's no point in apologizing to you when I'm glad I got to shut you up for being so cruel. You used to be so nice in middle school, and now you're just a bully."
Kuroda began to turn away from Mai, "Hn.. You know you're right.. But you've changed too. We used to be friends, you know? That's ancient history now." A small painful smile appeared on Kuroda's face. "Let's agree that we both apologized and made up like sappy teen girls. I'm not interested in getting lectured again by the principal."
"You haven't even given me a proper answer!" Mai felt so close to stamping her foot like a little girl, her frustration bubbling up inside.
"FINE! You want some answers?! I don't even know why I said anything! Or maybe I'm just sick of watching you prance around with your stupid little friends doing stupid little things and acting so carefree and ignorant about the world around you! Have you ever stopped to think that maybe it's not the world against you, but you against the world?! I know you and everyone else make fun of me for seeing spirits, and yet here you are working with those fake psychics eating up everything they say. Not to mention your own stupid psychic self!" Kuroda scoffed, "Don't even give me that look. Of course I know about you! I can't- I don't-" Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut, and her hand clutched desperately to her skirt. "I can't stand the sight of you anymore… It's not fair that I know so much and you don't and yet I'm the one suffering for it.. And you're not ready for any of it… The only thing I can really say is to go find the truth for yourself. I'm sure you can figure it out, but I'm not here to be your guide or your friend."
Mai felt the intensity of her words settle in the silence afterwards, her heart beating so fast, her head spinning to understand the bits of information that Kuroda had clearly been holding in. She wanted to say something but no words came out. Their eyes were locked on to each other and in the next moment, Kuroda shoved past Mai and ran down the stairs. Mai was only able to stare after her in a bewildered state.
The next day Naru came back to announce that the case had been solved. It was a simple case of land subsidence, no spirits whatsoever, to which the principal almost fainted in relief. The makeshift gang had stuck around afterwards and exchanged contact information for future cases. Naru basically ordered Mai to break down the base, while Lin who had arrived with Naru shot her a glare before she could make a snarky comeback. As she carried the last box of equipment to the van, she looked up to her school and tightened her grip. As surprising as it was for Naru to have solved the case, Mai was further perplexed by a new development.
Kuroda's desk had remained empty today, and it was only at the end of the day that her classmates had informed her that they overheard some faculty members gossiping about Kuroda's parents suddenly pulling her out of school.