PROLOGUE
It was dark. She was famished. Little by little, she was finding it quite hard to breathe. She felt like all four corners of where she was in was closing into her. The only thing she could hear was her rapid heartbeat, but she doubted that it would be the case in the coming hours.
"Help me."
If only someone could come and hear her. If only…
18:30
Tokyo, Dogenzaka in Shibuya
Taniyama Mai cheerfully entered the Shibuya Psychic Research office and hummed along to a fun tune she overheard from a café. October was getting chillier as days went on, and Mai wondered if it was high time they buy a new portable heater. The one in their storage room seemed like it was going to die if moved.
"Mai?" called out a cool voice from one of the rooms. It was her boss, Naru.
"Yes, reporting for duty!" she answered. Mai dropped her bag on her chair and proceeded to the office's kitchenette.
"You're late," she heard Naru say.
She frowned. It would be better if Naru would learn to say something nice first things first. Also, it was not like it was her fault she was late—well, partly. Aside from finishing an afterschool task a little later than she should have, she had just come across Hirota Seigi as she was going to work. At the memory of the older man, Mai shook her head.
Hirota was definitely hopeless when it came to women. Mai noticed this during the case in Agawa Midori's house. She just didn't know it was really bad until she talked with him tonight. She hoped Nakai Saki would be his saving grace.
"I came across Hirota-san inside the train, and we chatted for a while," said Mai a little loudly. She had grown accustomed to talking to Naru while she was in the kitchenette and him in his office. "Remember when Agawa-san consulted us if she could sell the house? It turns out they ended up moving out. Hirota-san confirmed this, and it appears that Agawa-san and her mother are back to renting once again."
She carefully poured water into the brewer.
"By the way, I was thinking about getting a new portable heater, of course with your permission. It's getting colder. It would be better to be prepared sooner than later, don't you think?" There was no reply. "Naru?"
The tea was starting to brew, and Mai hadn't received a response from Naru yet. Curious, she went out and checked him in his room. As usual, her dark-haired boss sat behind his desk with his prized laptop in front of him but on the visitor's chair sat a middle-aged woman. Across the woman was the broody Lin Koujo, who was also taking notes on his own laptop.
"Oh, I didn't know we have a visitor," Mai managed to say. She grinned apologetically. "I'm preparing tea. I'll be back in a jiffy."
When she returned to the kitchenette, she found Yasuhara Osamu, her fellow part-time office clerk, tending to the tea. He looked at her in surprise.
"Hey, Taniyama-san!" he greeted. "This is a first—you arrived earlier than me today."
Mai proudly raised her chin and looked at Yasuhara under her nose. "Well, that's because I'm a model part-timer. You should learn from me, Yasuhara-san."
Yasuhara smiled and adjusted his thin-framed glasses. "You're one to talk, aren't you, Taniyama-san? I doubt Boss would agree given your record of tardiness and overall incompetency."
The smile on Mai's face faltered. She bet Naru would no doubt call her a tardy and an idiot. She hated how Yasuhara could push this much on her face, so she settled on swatting him lightly on the arm.
"I hate you!" she grumbled. She started pouring tea in the chinaware Yasuhara had set up while she was briefly away. "Just help me serve these to Naru, Lin-san, and the client."
Yasuhara laughed heartily and did as he was told.
When they arrived in Naru's office, it seemed that the interview had just concluded. The client smiled to them in thanks as she received her cup of tea from Mai.
"Again, I apologize for coming to your office this late," said the woman. "Thank you for accommodating me, and I appreciate the tea."
"That's black tea," said Mai. She smiled at the woman. "Let me know if you want additional milk and sugar."
The woman shook her head and smiled at her serenely. "I'm OK," she said. The woman paused and timidly added, "I guess the rumors are true. Not only is the boss of this group so young, even the employees are."
Mai snuck a look at Naru's direction, but he was busy reading his notes. She timidly regarded the woman. "We always get that. But rest assured that we do our job well. By the way, as our boss does not seem inclined to do so, allow me to introduce ourselves."
The woman looked embarrassed. "Oh, my bad. I haven't introduced myself, too. I'm Watanabe Emiko. I'm a dormitory manager, and I am probably what you'd call your new client."
Dormitory manager? thought Mai.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Taniyama Mai, a part-time investigator for SPR"—at this, Watanabe looked surprised—"while this one here is my fellow part-timer, Yasuhara Osamu-san. We also call him our resident Shounen Tanteidan."
"The title's a bit too much, but it encapsulates my role in the team—sort of the detective… researcher at best," said Yasuhara. He grinned and bowed slightly. "At any rate, it's nice to meet you, Watanabe-san."
Watanabe, although still a little surprised, gave them a respecting bow. "It is nice to meet you all. I will be in your care."
Mai looked at Naru. "That means we'll take this case?"
Whatever the case was about, it must be of interest to Naru. In Mai's experience with working with him, Naru was incredibly picky. In fact, it appeared that the only reason he decided to come back to Japan after going home to England was the lack of interesting spiritual cases in his home country.
During the short time Naru and Lin had been away, the office and overall operations were left to Madoka Mori. Mai remained as a part-time worker and Yasuhara soon joined officially. They had taken a couple of cases even in the absence of the two men.
It was Lin who answered. "Yes. At which regard I hope you and Yasuhara-san could brief Watanabe-san with our requirements."
Yasuhara did a quick salute. "Yes, Boss!" He regarded the older woman. "If you'll follow me please, Watanabe-san."
Mai was about to join Yasuhara who was guiding Watanabe to the lobby when Naru finally called out to her. He was regarding her with the usual blank face she hoped would smile once in a while.
At the thought of a smiling Naru, Mai's heart fluttered, and a certain name appeared in her mind.
"Give the others a call and see if they can join us in this case. Call time would be tomorrow, 9 in the morning." Naru narrowed his eyes at her. "Regardless if they can join us, do not be late."
"What about the details?" she asked curiously. "I don't even know what the case will be about."
Naru sighed. "For your sake, let me explain in a way even a five-year-old would understand."
Mai glared and huffed in incredulity. Why, youuuu! she thought. This guy was incorrigible.
Lin made a suspicious curt sound that Mai could almost imagine was his own version of laughter.
"Why do you think I'm calling for a meeting tomorrow at 9?" To Mai's opinion, Naru hadn't looked this exasperated in a long while. "I intend to brief everyone of the details before we leave for the case's location. And I repeat, do not be late."
"Fine, I'm a simpleton, all right!" She pouted and rolled her eyes. She was already by the door when she looked back and narrowed her eyes to Naru. "And don't worry, I won't be late!"
Notes:
The story is set right after the epilogue of Akumu no Sumu Ie. There are details in the novels (both Ghost Hunt and Akumu no Sumu Ie) that may or may not be in the anime or manga. I might use these details as the story progresses, so if you're interested to read the novels in English, you can search for them in the novelupdates website.
This story might take only a few chapters, but even I am not sure. I will have to write religiously to know for sure. Rest assured, though, that the plot has already been laid out. :) Thank you, and let me know your thoughts!