Chapter 37
"Wh-what?! Sango said loudly and was quickly shushed by Yasuhara kindly reminding her that they were still in a very exclusive library where the police conducted research.
"Is Kasai my brother?" Mai asked slowly suddenly feeling her heart rate speed up and her stomach twist.
"That has yet to be determined. It would depend on how long your father's infidelity lasted, but Kasai's mother and your father did work at the same law firm for years so it's possible." Yasu said and sighed.
"Then do you think he was trying to get back at me somehow, but Keiko got caught in the crossfire. Or… it could have been on purpose…" Mai felt the true reality of the situation hit her.
It burned in her making her feel rage and disgust stronger than she'd ever known.
"Well, that was why I started with your father's past to draw the connection. Keep in mind this could all be speculation on our part, and it could all be a large coincidence. There's no proof that he's your half-brother, or that he ever even knew your father or his own father that well for that matter. "Yasuhara said and sighed heavily and removed his glasses; pausing to clean them on his shirt.
"We've got to confront him and make him answer for himself!" Sango said firmly tightening her fists.
"Not a good idea. As of right now, he's innocent and the police have already got the information from him that they required. Confront him now and you'll just make him into the victim of this whole situation. I suggest for now you wait. If he really does hold ill will toward you, related or otherwise, he'll act on it. "Yasu reasoned readjusting his glasses and pushing back his hair.
'Hmm… but my vision. The way he treated her right before she died. I know this feeling is so wrong. I know something is off, but what can I do without solid proof?' Mai thought.
"You're right without proof I'd be flying right into whatever web is being woven behind the scenes. If he truly is plotting something, I'll find out soon." Mai voiced.
"I don't like this. If this boy really does hold a grudge against you, he could wait years before acting again. Who knows when he'll strike at you? So you live the rest of your life on edge hoping that this is all coincidence? There has to be another way." Sango explained hoping for a more action-packed response.
"We could lay a trap for him and see if he bites. Give him the perfect opportunity to get back at me scotch free and make it look like an accident. If he takes it, we've got him, but if not then we have nothing to worry about." Mai suggested but neither of her companions seemed too thrilled about it.
"I've got to agree with Sango- sensei on this one. If you are right and these are your instincts talking; he could wait for a long time while this whole thing blows over to act. With Keiko's death being so fresh doing anything now could be risky on his part. You might have to wait. Good thing you don't live alone anymore or I would have suggested you move to a safer location. I guess there isn't anywhere safer than with Lin and Naru at your beck and call." Yasu joked to lighten the mood. Mai managed a small smile before sighing heavily.
"On that note, can we keep this between the three of us? I'd hate for this to be blown out of proportion if it really isn't anything." Mai asked nervously.
"I don't know about that kiddo. While I'm here I could throat punch anyone who tries it, but when I'm back at my dojo I'm useless." Sango tried to persuade.
"Yasu?" Mai begged putting on her best pout.
'Crap. Why does she always put me in situations the others would skin me alive for?' Yasu thought while scratching the back of his head.
"I guess I can for now, but we'll have to tell them eventually. The more people that know the better, especially because your instincts are rarely wrong." Yasu said and sighed. He had to wipe his sweaty palms onto his jeans at the mere thought of what the others would do to him, let alone the Big Boss.
"Oh thank you for everything Yasu!" Mai said and hugged him tightly and he patted her back.
"Yeah yeah. You'll have to be the one to tell everyone then if you don't want me too. I'll be reminding you every time I see you as well. I'll make copies of these records for you to keep. I'll be right back you two." Yasu relayed and gathered all his data into a folder and retreated to the scanner.
"Hmm... it's good to see that you've got some dependable friends. I was worried when you told me you were ready to live on your own." Sango said placing a hand on her shoulders and Mai nodded.
"You have no idea. They're always there for me. What life has taken from me in a family it's given back with great friends." Mai said her eye distant and warm.
"I still can't get over how much you look like Kanako now with your hair long." Sango admitted running her hands through Mai's hair.
"I've been meaning to ask if my mother ever had any visions or psychic powers?" Mai questioned searching her teacher's eyes.
"Well, that's up for debate. She never outright told me, but your mother was very good at picking up other people's emotions. She always knew how you were feeling, and she was a great mediator thanks to that. Something that worked quite well for me since I was a rough kid like yourself. That's also why I believe her art and music were so great. You could always see the emotions transferred into her work so well ." Sango shared and Mai could feel her heart warm at the pleasant memories.
"Here you go! There is also a copy of all of the related interviews on a USB." Yasu said handing over the contents of the folder to which Mai took appreciatively.
"Thank you again Yasu, you're a great friend. Sorry about our little spat the other day." Mai apologized.
"It's cool Mai. As long as you send me those beach photos of Monk and Ayako so I can photoshop myself in, consider us even." Yasu said and smirked evilly making Mai roll her eyes.
"On that note see you around." Mai said and exited the library with Sango.
Though many of her questions were answered she still couldn't feel at ease. Sango offered to pay her respects to her mother as a way of relaxing for the remainder of the day. Mai agreed knowing the changing season would be a perfect time to attend to her mother's grave.
Mai laid her flowers down and lit the incense and began to pray. Sango sat beside her in mirrored gestured and respect for her old friend. Kanako, Mai's mother, had requested to be buried next to her late husband. Even after all that transpired between them, she was still loyal to him until the end. That was a part of her friend that Sango would never understand. She stole a glance at Mai who had a small smile on throughout her prayers.
'Father. Mother. I miss and love you both. Though our paths have diverged I pray we all find peace in the afterlife.' Mai thought and raised her head.
"I still love my father after all of that's happened. I can still remember the best things about him making me breakfast, taking me to a coy pond, teaching me to ride a bike, and us doing homework together. Even on days when my parents used to fight a lot, he would kiss me goodnight. Do I dishonor my mother by still loving him? "Mai wondered aloud.
Sango sat there a bit shocked.
She couldn't help but wonder if the girl had some ability to read minds. Then she recalled all the times she'd thought the same thing about her mother and her heart warmed.
"No Mai. It just shows how pure your heart is. You haven't been tainted by the wickedness of this world. Continue to love and put positive energy into this life, and it will come back to you." Sango wisely commented her hands still propped in prayer.
"But if Kasai really did plan this whole thing, I would hate him. If it came down to it, I don't know if I'd be able to forgive him." Mai spoke lowering her hands and hardening her eyes.
"That time hasn't come yet Mai, and you're stronger than you know. I'm sure if a troublesome situation were to occur, you'd make the right decision. Come on now, it's getting late and I have to teach kids tomorrow." Sango said lowering her hands and looking sadly onto her friend's grave.
"Alright. Thank you for coming here with me." Mai said and embraced her teacher.
They parted ways at the train station, and Mai was tempted to go see Keiko as well but decided to just head back.
'Do normal girls my age spend their Saturday nights like this? Running home to read a book or have an early night.' Mai thought listlessly looking toward the setting sun.
Around this time her boss would be on his way to their apartment. The train ride home wasn't very memorable since her thoughts weighed heavily on her situation. She held the folder afraid that she'd lose any of the important documents she held.
Upon entering the apartment, it was dark and quiet and Mai didn't bother to turn the lights on. She went straight to her room to put the folder somewhere safe and notice a light pouring from her roommate's door. After placing the things on her bed, she went over to knock on Naru's door and heard him mumble something from the other side.
"I'm home." Mai said softly. He was still in his usual work attire meaning he had gone to the office today and he was reviewing some paperwork most likely considering a case.
"I can see that." Was all he said not looking away from his papers.
"Would you like some tea?" Mai asked ignoring his sarcasm and he nodded. Mai left to boil the water and put together two cups of tea.
'Masako did mention a case at a private school. It's pretty unlikely that I'll be going then. This is the first case ever that I've missed out on.' Mai thought and was reminded how lonely she'd be here by herself. She was used to living alone and doing things on her own. However, she'd be lying if she told herself she hadn't grown accustomed to the company. Especially when she'd had nightmares and Naru would awake her and give her tea.
Mai waltzed back into her roommate's room and gingerly placed his cup onto his desk. Instead of leaving she sat on his bed and observed him working. It was a wonder he didn't need glasses yet since he was always reading in such low light.
"How was your day today?" Mai asked taking a sip of her tea. At first, he said nothing, but Mai refused to speak until he did.
"Busy." Was all he managed and Mai sighed and looked around the room. She was surprised to see he actually did have a few photos adorning his bookshelf, something she'd never noticed before.
"I wish you wouldn't bring work home. You should be relaxing when you're here, not ruining your eyes." Mai voiced getting up and making her way to his bookshelf.
On it was a photo of him and Gene when they were small. It was easy to tell which one was him since only one of them was frowning. They couldn't have been more than six or seven, but they already looked worn by life. There was another photo of a beautiful blonde-haired woman and a man with brown hair lined with grey streaks. The man was sitting on a desk and the woman stood behind his chair beaming.
"I never noticed you had photographs before." Mai started finding it uncharacteristic of him.
"Madoka brought those on her last visit." He remarked. Mai nodded understanding how they'd come to arrive in his room now. There was no way he'd put them in his office, or even in the living room.
"Naru, who are these people?" Mai asked looking at the photo with unbridled curiosity.
"Luella and Martin Davis." He responded boredly.
"Oh, are these the people who adopted you and Gene then. Your mother is very beautiful! If I remember correctly, they're both professors. What are their degrees in?" She questioned further entranced by the photo.
"Luella's is in Psychology and Martin has done History with a double minor in mythology and Japanese." He responded surprising Mai that he was actually engaging himself in the conversation.
"It must have been difficult to have a mother who was also a psychologist. Did they both study in England?" She asked.
"Yes. At the University of Cambridge. That's where they met, and also where they teach now." Naru said finally deciding that he wouldn't get much work done with Mai home. He tidied up his desk and began to sip his tea.
"Yasu actually made me apply to Cambridge, but I'm not sure if I'll get in. Apparently, their parapsychology program is the best." Mai said moving away from the photo and back onto Naru's bed to finish her tea.
"Your English needs more work if you wanted to go to school in England." He scoffed.
"It's not that bad. I understand and speak it. Maybe we should only speak English at home so I can get more better." Mai said in English and Naru shook his head.
"You mean so you can improve. Not a bad idea. Although, if you don't get accepted it will all be for not." He responded switching between the languages.
"True, but I could still visit Europe. I've always wanted to see Rome or France. Besides I don't mind embarrassing myself around you since I seem to do it all the time." Mai said finishing up her cup. She looked over at Naru he was still shifting his papers around.
"Tomorrow is Sunday. Will the office be closed?" Mai probed.
"I have all the documents here that I need to review, so I suppose it will be." Naru said plainly.
"Well sensei and I are going to have breakfast together at a restaurant she likes, but after I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tomorrow? I found an activity I think you'll enjoy." Mai asked looking down at her feet.
"And what would that be?" He responded dully.
"I was going to surprise you, but it's called an escape room. It's a time limit of a series of mental puzzles to solve one big one. I thought it would be fun to pit my instincts against your brain power to see who could solve more of the puzzles. It would be a great experiment and a lot of fun don't you think?" Mai relayed getting a bit excited explaining the concept.
"Sounds childish." He said boredly.
"You promised and it passed all my requirements for you." Mai affirmed and he only raised an eyebrow.
"What are my requirements exactly?" He quoted clearly interested in what she thought he'd consider acceptable.
"Easy. Something that you wouldn't find embarrassing because of your huge ego. Something that could keep you mentally stimulated so you don't get bored. Nothing that would be overly crowded or too far just in case you had a work emergency. The list goes on." Mai mumbled and Naru hummed in response.
"What time?" He chatted after a few moments of silence and Mai celebrated silently.
"W-well breakfast will be early, but I'll run a few errands after. I'll text you all the information and meet you there. I checked the times yesterday… how about the three o'clock and we can grab dinner after?" Mai offered still in awe he was agreeing to this.
"Fine." He said getting up from his desk and grabbing a towel. Mai collected his empty teacup and they both exited their separate ways.
"…and Naru?" Mai called before he was able to enter the bathroom. His eyes wandered back down the hall toward her voice.
"Please use this time to consider your feelings for me. I won't wait forever." Mai declared to him and met his gazed hopefully. After a brief moment, both parted ways.
After Naru exited the shower, he noticed Mai's door was closed and the light was off. Though he was supposed to be reviewing the files and letting the client know by Monday his verdict for the case. He already knew that the details interested him, but without Mai, it would be more difficult. Especially because the potential case was at a private school with students around Mai's age. She could have blended in well. Mai excelled in understanding and communicating with people.
Not to mention her dreams were indispensable.
Truthfully, he could barely focus on anything work-related because every time his mind wandered back to kissing Mai. Usually, he wouldn't open the office on a Saturday, but he was starting to fall behind and his focus was lacking. He placed his dirty clothes in the wood woven basket, and hung up his wet towel. His travel bag he brought along on cases sat half packed in the base of his closet, and his small black hand mirror sat staring back at him. He replaced the last one from the previous case where he'd cracked the glass with his PK.
'Why do I continue to give you ammunition?' Naru thought grabbing the mirror and sighing loudly. He concentrated on the image in his mind until he began to notice small inconsistencies in his reflection.
"I hope you don't walk around your apartment like that. You'll give Mai a heart attack. That's the last thing she needs right now. Trust me." Gene chided rolling his eyes at his brother's shirtless appearance.
"Was that your poor excuse for a greeting?" Naru responded dryly.
"See I can be moody and rude too. We really are twins." Gene said and laughed and Naru only pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Anyway, what's up Noll? You haven't started a case yet, have you? You do know I can just give Mai the details?" Gene continued.
"Well Mai is still on suspension from her previous behavior on a case. Either way I haven't decided on another case yet. There's another matter your council requires." Naru said grimly.
"Stop being so cryptic and get to the point already. Get on with it." Gene groaned.
"Do remember Eve?" He said finally and Gene's eyebrow rose at the name. A warm smile graced his lips, and soon he started to chuckle.
"Ha! Do I? Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Gene inquired.
"What do you remember about her?" Naru pressed.
"Well, she was one of the funniest girls in my class, and so very bright. Her accent was cute, and she was my first girlfriend. The first girl I ever kissed. She always talked about being one of the only foreigners at our school, and how the other kids made fun of her accent. I thought it was one of the best things about her. I'll never forget the time when this one girl called her a mutt because her mother was Nigerian and her father was Romanian. She just laughed and said that she loved herself so it didn't matter what the other girl had to say. Her hair was so curly and beautiful, but later she told me about it how badly people treated her because of it. Sometimes she would tell me how she wished to fit in and cry. I always told her I thought she was beautiful. Maybe if she didn't move away, I might still be alive and dating her." Gene reminisced sadly with his eyes closed as if watching a film behind his eyelids.
"I see. Did you love her?" He asked bluntly.
"Well, we were pretty young, so looking back I'm not sure if it was love. I'd definitely say it was a heavy like! I was always thinking about her. I remember once I ditched you to go meet her at the movies and you were so jealous!" Gene chuckled remembering his life fondly.
"I wasn't jealous. Mother told me to tutor you because your grades were slipping. I didn't want to get blamed for your stupidity." Naru quickly rebutted.
"Yeah yeah sure. Why do you ask about her? Oh… does this have to do with Mai?" He said in realization and Naru looked away from his reflection.
"Perhaps." Naru responded inconclusively.
"It does doesn't it! You're trying to compare me and Eve to how you may be feeling about her. Very slick Mr. Scientist. Did something happen between the two of you recently?" Gene interrogated suddenly excited for some juicy news.
"Yes and no." He said running a hand through his wet hair.
"You know; I can't help you if you just vaguely dance around all of my questions. Just rip off the bandaid Noll and I'll do my best to help you out little brother." Gene reassured. Noll paused and sighed again thinking of the best way to convey his troubles.
"I kissed her." He responded plainly.
"What! At-a-boy! I never thought you'd grow a pair, but you finally made a move. Did she not take it well?" Eugene cheered excitedly.
"She was a bit dazed at first, but didn't take it badly. Later she asked me why I did it, and she wasn't thrilled with my answer." He relayed. That was when Gene's expression fell knowing how bad his twin was at verbalizing emotions.
"Oh dear. Don't tell me you geeked out on her and talked about endorphins, did you? "Gene cringed as his brother paled.
"How could I give her a concrete answer when I'm unsure myself?" He evaded a bit taken about at the accuracy of Eugene's response.
"Well, what happened beforehand to make you kiss her in the first place?" Gene asked as his brother's situation became clearer and clearer to him.
'Noll really is an idiot scientist.' Gene thought briefly.
"I made arrangements for her teacher, who took care of her after her mother died to visit. She thanked me for always being there to help her and seemed very happy to see her. She was yelling at me for being so short with her while she was thanking me. Then I kissed her." He relayed the events and his brother nodded.
"Well Mai seems to be very sure about her feelings for you, and you clearly like her since I haven't known you to be so forthcoming with anyone…ever! So the issue is you don't know just how much you care about her? Well, if ask me you are at least in very deep like, if not love Noll. You invited her to live with you for God sakes! You wouldn't even share a room with me anymore after we turned ten." Eugene addressed.
"I had too because she's my assistant. No one else on the team had the means to do so." Noll rebutted.
"Ha! Isn't the priestess on your team from a wealthy family of doctors? That priest guy also has lodgings to offer at the orphanage he works with. Heck, even Lin has his own place. Try again brother. You didn't have to, but YOU wanted too." His twin emphasized. Naru let it all sink in what his brother was saying and it did seem odd he would so readily accept her into his home.
He wasn't sure how to counter the statement.
"Besides you kissed her first you idiot! True or false?" Gene ranted. Noll merely nodded dumbly as the gravity of his brother's responses began to dawn on him. He'd done so much for the girl that he truly didn't have too. The further he thought back, even as far back as when he made her work for him, he done so many unnecessary things even before he knew she had abilities.
"What are you going to do to fix this?" Gene spoke trying to bring his brother out of his daze.
"We're going out tomorrow and then having dinner." He responded.
"You mean a date? You accepted going out with her and it's not work related, is it?" Gene was utterly floored at how completely idiotic he could be for a boy genius.
"No, it isn't." Naru responded shortly.
"You basically agreed to go on a date without even considering the fact that it was a date? Unbelievable. Well then tell her tomorrow during dinner and see where it goes from there. I'm sure it'll go swimmingly since you already know how she feels about you. I feel bad for Mai. You've been stringing her along this entire time." Gene blurted.
"Fine." Was all Naru could muster.
"And don't say anything sarcastic you ass! Mai has been candid with you and I expect you to do the same. Also try not to be a nerd, okay? I'll totally possess her and punch you if you screw this up. Good luck lover boy." And just like that Naru was looking at his own dripping reflection. He tossed his hand mirror back into his bag, and grabbed a shirt before falling into bed.
'Tomorrow.' He thought before restlessly attempting to quiet his reeling mind.
He had been watching from across the street and noted Mr. Shibuya bringing an older woman into the office.
Kasai couldn't help but stalk.
He'd been on such a high these past two weeks and he was starting to get bored again. Kasai wanted to start planning. He was even bored enough to go back to work and school. He figured she was just another client for his freak show until Mai came back out holding and hugging her affectionately.
Seeing her smile made his blood burn.
It clearly had something to do with that woman.
He trailed behind the car they all rode in some distance behind until the woman was dropped off at a dojo. He decided to end his excursion there since he was due home soon. The last thing he needed was his mother blabbing about his activities to anyone.
Kasai decided to start fresh tomorrow since it would be a Saturday and he'd be free to roam. The next day he left his house very early and told his mother he was going for a run. Something he did often to keep up his strength. Today his route happened to end in an alley way across from the dojo where he waited again. It was risky to be hiding in such a busy place two days in row, but this was a place with much halted construction with plenty of scaffolding, fencing, and materials to conceal him.
Many children and teenagers had filtered in and out, and none of them even noticed him. The woman didn't leave until mid-day when a taxi pulled in front of the building. That's when he heard something quite curious.
Curious in a very bad way.
"Where are you headed ma'am?" The cab driver offered loudly.
"I'm meeting some friends at the police station." She replied as she leaned into the window of the cab waiting for confirmation as the door was then unlocked. That was all he could hear before the vehicle drove off.
'How…interesting. A woman he'd never seen before and knows Mai is going to the police station to meet some friends. Not exactly a place where people go to catch up. If Mai is the one, she's going to meet this could be trouble. Was it possible that she was on to him already? 'Kasai's thoughts raced so quickly his skin began to heat with anxiety.
He took several deep breaths to calm himself and began to deliberate again.
'Even if she were on to me there would be no way for her to prove it. I have plausible deniability from every angle, and she would just be a wild grieving girl. I've woven my dead girlfriend into every aspect of his life, even with mother. Even if she suspects something and is telling other people I would still be able to defend myself under the name of my crazed father. Although, this does have the potential to impede my progress. I'll have to handle this.' Kasai thought and smirked.
I hope you're all enjoying your holiday! I hope this chapter was to your liking. Please Follow and Review. That's what keep me motivated to write! Thank you all for your support as well.