Chapter 11

Mai sat in the back corner of her classroom, her eyes scanned the scenes of a chilling spring afternoon through the window. She was currently seated in her ancient civilization class, and couldn't shake her daze. Luckily, she was ahead in her readings so she could afford to daydream all week and still be all caught up on the material.

'No matter how far ahead I am, Naru would still frown at my absent mindedness.' Mai thought to herself and smiled. She let out a deep sighed at refocused her view to the front of the classroom. She figured she could at least have the decency to pretend she was paying attention to her professor.

Stifling a yawn, she took more notes while letting her eyes scan over her classmates. All the intense learning Mai was doing was positively improving her psychic abilities, and Naru even asked her about her inclinations toward upcoming cases as a test of sorts. Mai was proud of her progress and adamant that no creature of ill will could ever come in her unconscious mind without her permission again.

However, she was just so tired from the monotonous new routine. The free day with Masako and the rare chance to play hooky with her friends from time to time wasn't enough. What she needed was a new case.

After all, what good are theories without practical experience.

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Mai was snapped out of her daze by the school bell, as she gathered her things. Thankful that this school day was over.

'I hope it isn't too rude if I just leave without saying goodbye to Michiru and Keiko. Today is just too exhausting.' Mai put her shoes on and left the building. She stretched her arms over her head and moved toward the school's front entrance. Suddenly, her eyes recognized a dark figure standing at the school gates and groaned.

Naru stood in front of her school building leaning against his car nonchalant as ever.

'Here we go again.' Mai thought to herself prepping the inevitable argument.

"Naru, what did I say about picking me up from school! People are starting to talk about you being my sugar daddy or something crazy like that." Mai whispered and stomped up angrily.

"As if I would care about the musings of teenage gossip Mai, and neither should you. It's a distasteful form of entertainment that would only annoy an idiot. Besides, I wouldn't have to pick you up, if you'd arrive on time. Now stop dawdling and get in. We have a client coming soon, we've already wasted enough time." Naru slipped off the side of the car and into the driver's seat.

The verbal assault was totally unwarranted, but not entirely out of his character.

If it weren't for the fact that she was extremely excited about the prospect of a new case, she would have given Naru a piece of her mind. She threw her bag into the back seat and proceeded to the passenger's side. Mai could still recall the first time Naru had picked her up from school, and she was forced to drive with him. Awkward couldn't begin to sum up how Mai felt being in such close quarters with her longtime crush. He must have noticed how nervous she was because he turned on the radio.

Not to any music channel, of course, only the local news station.

Hopefully, he takes the case.' Mai mused as she let her gaze drift to the passing scenes of students. As the car came to a stop Mai saw a group of girls chatting and laughing loud together, and reminisced.

'It's been a while since I've done something consistent with being a teenage girl. Even John jokes with me that if I keep studying so much, I'll turn into Naru.' Mai laughed to herself as she looked over at Naru and rolled her eyes. The young man was very aware of the school girl's longing gaze out the window and could read her like a book.

He never 'hung out' with his classmates because they were so much older than him, and he didn't think he needed anymore company than his brother's. At the time that was enough, but more recently he felt a tug in his chest. When the office or the apartment was empty it felt different now. He was starting to become accustomed to the rhythmic typing of Lin and the idle sounds of Mai buzzing around him all the time. If both were missing, he could feel the odd sensation of what he assumed to be loneliness.

When Gene was alive, he could always feel him, even if they weren't together. The vacuum left behind was filled with doctoral pursuits, case studies, desperate clients, and any text that remotely interested him. Lately, these things didn't feel like they were enough.

He wondered if Mai knew this sensation, but kept his focus on the roads of Shibuya.

Once the two entered the lounge Lin and Yasu were standing and introducing themselves to a man who was very dapper. The two latecomers took their cues, one entering the introductions, and the other to make tea.

"Ah, so this is them, much younger than what I pegged him." The stranger said as Yasu laughed nervously and showed him to his seat.

'Hopefully, it's too early in the introductions for Big Boss to commit verbal annihilation.' Yasuhara silently prayed.

"My name is Kyouya Tachibana. I'm in no mood to mix words so I'll be blunt with you all I am a curator for Tokyo's National Museum. I'm here on behalf of their board of representatives, to inform you that there have been…odd happenings afoot in the establishment." Naru sent the man an icy stare still cross from his previous comments. He sat down and pinched his nose bridge, and sighed deeply. Yasuhara saw this familiar gesture and could hear his bosses 'mental rifle' remove it's the gun safety.

"Mr. Tachibana, in this line of work that much is evident otherwise we wouldn't be having this meeting right now. So please elaborate on your situation and I will consider your request." The narcissist said offering him a dry look.

'Good old Naru…' Yasu thought to himself as he sweatdropped. Taken aback by the young man's attitude Tachibana merely nodded and continued.

"Well, we've had poor luck when it comes to night guards as of late. We can't get anyone to keep the jobs because of complaints of 'ghosts'. I assure you that I am a man of science and discovery, so when I first heard this nonsense, I dismissed it right away. I merely put it up to man-made mischief and bulked up the security forces and systems. Unfortunately, the length of time we can keep people on the job has become shorter and shorter. The last few sets of guards haven't even stayed a single night before quitting," their guest loosened his tie and exhaled loudly before continuing."... this job, no, this place is very precious to me. I hate to see one of Tokyo's treasures find itself in ruin due to a flimsy night staff." Tachibana responded humbling himself for his cause.

Mai exited the kitchen just as he'd finished speaking, and noticed the change in the man's entire aura. When Mai first eyed him, he was a very tall proud, sharp looking individual, but now his posture was almost slumped and his eyes seemed warn and tired. Ignoring her usual routine of attending to Naru first, she walked over to their guest.

"Excuse me, may I interest you in some hot tea?" Mai asked softly and kindly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. The man returned a sad smile and nodded. Mai placed down a cup and poured him some green tea. Mai could feel Naru glaring daggers her way, but she brushed him off with Madoka- like skill.

"Thank you, young lady." He said and Mai bowed in return and gave Naru a haughty look as she slammed down his teacup before serving Lin and Yasu their own.

'I'm still upset with him for earlier, he better not think that I'm going to let him get away with it this time.' Mai thought to herself and took her seat next to Yasu who was tutting his finger her way. She pressed her lips together to prevent herself from smiling in return.

"Do have any evidence other than frightened guards that this is related to the paranormal?" Naru said his expression still very much bored.

'I don't know if the boss will take this one. He seems so uninterested.' Yasuhara thought to himself watching it all unfold.

"Our cameras have picked up on some film of a black mist moving about the museum. Doors have been broken off their hinges with an amount of force that isn't humanly possible. We picked up on strange noises and even had reports of people being touched, violently pushed, and even punched. Night staff guards have had some serious injuries. The museum has paid thousands in medical bills and potential lawsuits turned settlements. Please, Mr. Shibuya, I beg you, consider my case." Tachibana finished again and looked Naru in the eye, no longer ashamed of his vulnerability.

'I feel for the guy.' Mai thought to herself. The silence became louder and louder, but Mr. Tachibana did not let up his gaze. Lin even stopped typing and skirted his gaze to Naru, whose eyes looked far away and distant. Mai could almost hear the gears turning in that massively intelligent head of his.

"Mai." Mai jumped a bit surprised when his beautiful blue eyes met her own.

"Call Hara, Matsuzaki, and Takigawa and let them know we have a case. Let me know who is available." Mai nearly jumped for joy as she nodded excitedly and went over to the phone right away.

"Yasuhara, take down this man's information, and inform him of our terms and conditions." The college student nodded and went straight to business.

"Yes, boss, right away boss." Yasu mocked but was very polite with the guest and led him over to the corner desk. Naru and Lin were quick to retreat to their respected areas, as Mai and Yasu completed their respected jobs, and bowed as the man exited.

"Thank the Gods! I didn't think I'd be able to go through another week of Naru bootcamp. Will you be able to make this case Yasu?" Mai asked as she slumped onto the couch in pure bliss.

"Probably not. Exams are coming up for me, and I can't afford the leisure. I'm sure I'll be able to help here and there if Naru needs it though. If not, who knows, Madoka might get called in. " Yasu said as he took his respective seat next to his companion.

"Wow, it's been so long since I've seen Madoka I wonder how she's doing." Mai said letting her imagination wander to the ongoings of the pink haired woman.

"I'm sure you'll find out soon, anyway. How's your training going? John told me the twins are putting you through the ringer." Yasu hummed knowingly.

"Ugh… Well, Gene is really encouraging and says I'm doing very well, even though I struggle a lot with applying the training. On the other hand, Naru says I have a long way to go and is always pushing me. Between the two of them, I honestly can't gauge my progress, but I at least feel like I'm getting better. I'm sure this case will be my best chance to test it out." Mai released a frustrated sigh while Yasu only laughed in return.

The rest of the day was unusually uneventful but isn't that how the calm before the storm is.

Kasai sat on his bed and contemplated his next move. He'd never thought the day would come that he'd ever see Mai again, but by chance, he's spotted her at an amusement park when he was out with some friends. He'd told his mother and ever since she'd been riddled with grief. At first, he regretted it, but upon further thought, he'd rather hurt her with the truth than spoil her with a lie.

'Even though she's grown I could never forget that face.' Kasai thought as their chance encounter ran through his mind over and over again. When he saw her, she looked so happy it hurt him. How dare she continue her life in happiness while he lived through his own, hollow and broken. He'd have to take action, but he'd needed to plan first. He wanted his revenge to be cold. Accurate. Devastating.

'Enjoy it while you can because soon it'll all be a beautiful memory.' Kasai let his hand curl into a fists and let his wicked mind dream of catastrophic ends.

Boy oh boy has it been a while. RATE and REVIEW lots, and I promise to get you a new chapter soon.