Chapter 39

"Higher daddy!" Mai screamed and giggled feeling the wind flying through her hair.

"Alright baby, hold on!" He said and pushed her higher and Mai began to laugh and squeal like a mad woman.

She was faintly aware that this was a memory.

One of her fondest of her father.

It was the day he got fired he pulled Mai out of school and took her to the park. They played together all day, and they'd gotten all her favorite candy. Afterward, they'd even got ice cream together and he held her.

"Daddy, I had so much fun today!" Mai cheered nearly spilling her ice cream all over herself. Luckily, he was ready with a napkin and wiped away the runaway sprinkles from her skirt.

"I'm glad to hear that, Mai. I had lots of fun too." He responded and smiled at her, but only with his mouth. His eyes remained dull and Mai could feel her stomach do a flip at the sight of it.

It didn't feel right.

"Daddy, are you okay?" Mai asked licking her cone. At this, his smile fell and he sighed eating his own ice cream pensively.

"I lost my job today. Your mom is going to be upset. Things might be hard for us for a little while, but don't worry. Daddy is going to do his best to make it right." He responded and Mai could feel how much he meant those words.

"Alright. She will forgive you because she loves you. I know you can do it Daddy." Mai responded and stood up on the bench and kissed his forehead. He smiled genuinely this time and Mai could feel he felt better now. Mai could hear heels clicking loudly, running toward them was a woman with brown hair.

At this Mai's father stood to meet her.

"Why did you storm out? You know the boss was just being a hardass. If you fight for that spot, he will, at worst, suspend you with pay." The woman explained her breath ragged and wild.

"Do you even know why he fired me?" Her father asked coldly.

The woman turned her head in confusion and said nothing.

"He found out about us. He knew everything. He said he didn't want an immoral man like me working for him. Self-righteous bastard." He explained. The woman's eyes widened in surprise and tears welled up knowing that she was the cause of all the chaos in this man's life.

"Come home with me and Kasai. We will make this right. Explain to him you are unhappy. Forget about that woman and show our boss that you'll make an honest woman of me. If we could just do that then I know he'll reconsider!" She suggested hopefully.

Her hands reached for his slowly and placed them over her heart.

"Daddy. Who is this lady?" Mai called getting up from the bench and walking over to them. Suddenly her father slapped the woman's hand away like it was poison. He turned to Mai and lifted her into his arms. He turned to grab her backpack from the bench behind them.

"Well, Daddy. Who is she? "Mai asked again, not liking the fact she was being ignored. Finally, her father turned back to the lady with a look of disdain in his eyes.

"She's no one Mai. Just a woman from my old job. I don't think I'll see her again." He said and turned away toward the exit of the park. Mai's eyes never left the woman as tears ran from her eyes, and she fell to her knees. A little boy ran up to her and held her tight. He then turned to Mai and gave her a cruel glare.

Mai looked away and nestled into her father's neck.

Mai's eyes fluttered open and a single tear flew from her eyelids.

She didn't know why but she could feel a deep-rooted sadness within herself, and she couldn't place the origin. She only knew that the dream was trying to tell her something.

But what.

It was a faint memory, but the eyes of that boy stayed with her.

His hurt. His anger.

So raw.

She suddenly sensed a figure near on the side of her bed, and she let her eyes adjust to it.

"I didn't mean to wake you. Lin is here and we're heading out early to meet the others at the school." Naru said as he got closer and sat next to her on the bed.

"The school?" Mai responded groggily rubbing her eyes and sitting up a bit.

"Yes, the location of our case. I just wanted to say I'm departing." He responded and noted that the bear from their date was nestled next to her in bed.

"Oh." Mai said sadly previous emotions arising.

"It's clear to me I won't be missed since you've got that eyesore of a bear next to you." Naru commented and Mai looked over and pulled it into her arms.

"Don't call him that. He has a name. He reminds me of someone I know so I thought of the perfect thing." Mai replied childishly.

"Fine. Enlighten me." Naru briefly entertained. Mai hugged him tight and held him up in the air like her pride and joy.

"His name is jackass. Maybe just Jack for short." Mai recited proudly and Naru smirked.

"On that note, I won't keep Lin waiting anymore. I'll call you this evening when I get the chance. Try not to be a complete dummy and get your work done. Also, I need some paperwork sorted out at the office before I get back. See if Nigel can give us another restock of tea. Finally, don't fall behind in your English class otherwise you'll never graduate and I'll have to dock your pay." He replied and kissed her on the forehead and sat up.

"Yeah yeah yeah, there's already a jackass in the room. Don't need two. Tell the others I said hello." Mai replied and snuggled back into her comforter. Suddenly, she remembered her promise to her teacher and leapt up from her bed. She jogged out to the den to see the door closing, and she ran over to reopen it.

"Naru!" Mai called down the hall and the two stoic figures turned to her.

His eyes met hers and suddenly she lost her nerve.

'What if he doesn't believe me? What if it's all in my head?' Mai doubted and could feel herself deflate.

"Have a safe trip you two." Mai said quietly and waved. Naru nodded slowly and waved his hand carelessly.

Mai closed the door.

"Your final exam will be this Thursday. I know you're all thinking this is a bit early, but this period will be used for guidance on college and career choices for the final month. Is that clear? Any questions?" The professor asked but the bell rang dismissing them all to lunch.

"Please come to speak to me before the next period if you have any questions!" The professor called over the bustling students.

It was nice and warm today so Mai and her usual group of friends figured it would be nice to eat outside under the cherry blossom trees. They were due to bloom any day now.

"There's a new bakery that opened just a few blocks down near the train station. We should totally go there after school today. The weather is so nice. "Sota suggested.

"You've always got food on the brain." Hojo joked and they all laughed.

"Ain't that the truth." Michiru agreed and Sota scratched the back of his head.

"Hey, I'm a growing boy! "He argued.

"I've got a few things to take care of today. I can't." Mai said and the three of them deflated.

"I thought your boss was out of town? You still have to work?" Michiru whined and Mai laughed.

"Well, my old teacher who took care of me for a while was in town because somebody gave my boss her number!" Mai accused and Michiru just looked away and started whistling.

"Anyway, She's leaving today and I'm seeing her off at the airport. Then I've got to restock supplies at the office and do some paperwork. There's also the test to study for and some of the colleges I applied to need some additional information." Mai rattled off.

"Wow, you're always so busy." Hojo replied sadly clearly moping since they hadn't spent much time together lately.

"Well... if I get all that stuff done today, I can be totally free tomorrow." Mai suggested.

"It's settled then, we'll go tomorrow instead." Michiru cheered.

"Aw… I have to wait another day?" Sota whined again. And they all rolled their eyes at that. Mai could suddenly feel eyes watching her and a chill ran up her spine.

She immediately turned around to spot the source.

"Uh-oh. Psycho at five o' clock." Sota whispered and Hojo elbowed him. Mai's eyes followed Sota to see a familiar blonde. Mai stood and brushed herself off.

"Uh… Mai, wait! Don't do anything reckless!" Michiru called frantically, but Mai waved her off.

"Hey Gigi." Mai called and the girl backed away two steps. She noticed that her little posse wasn't flanking her today.

"What do you want?" She asked harshly folding her arms and narrowing her eyes.

"I can tell you want to sit with us. Why don't you join us? Maybe if you're not a brat I'll put in a good word for you with Hojo." Mai offered and Gigi's face lit up only to fall back into a frown.

"You're not being serious, are you? You're just trying to set me up." She accused incredulously.

"No, I promise I'm not. I already told you I'm not interested in Hojo, but that head of yours is like a bucket with holes. Besides, why would I when I have a sugar daddy anyway." Mai joked and Gigi peered over Mai's shoulder. She saw Hojo smiling and laughing with the other two and her heart fluttered.

"Fine, but try anything and I'm ready for round two." Gigi threatened and Mai sighed.

"Yeah yeah. Stop being a baby already." Mai said and grabbed her hand and dragged her over to sit on their blanket.

"Gigi and I were just talking about that new dessert place too. What's your favorite dessert?" Mai asked her as she took her seat next to Michiru who let her sit next to Hojo.

"Well…" Gigi started suddenly nervous.

"It's strawberry short cake. She could eat it for hours." Hojo responded and Gigi blushed. Mai rolled her eyes.

'Too easy.' She thought sipping from her juice box loudly.

"Alright, do you have your boarding pass? Mai questioned.

"Yup. Did you tell Shibuya?" Sango asked and Mai folded her teacher's sweater onto her suitcase.

"Hmm… don't forget to check your sword in at the front desk. That definitely can't go on a plane." Mai commented looking at the time.

"I know that dummy. Did you tell your boss about what happened?" Sango asked again.

"You're the second person to call me a dummy today. Anyway, I hear they have great French fries at this stall by the international flights! I know how you love those." Mai maintained pulling a map off of a stand and peering into it to find the place.

"Mai, did you…" Sango tried again trying to look at her around the large paper.

"Ohhhh! Look a coupon for neck pillows! Monk got me one that's in the shape of a-"Mai started but was caught off guard by the sudden stinging sensation in her butt cheeks.

"OWWWWW! Did you just spank me? In public? AGAIN!" Mai asked incredulously dropping the map and massaging her wounded buns.

"You didn't tell him. Otherwise, you would have said so. Punishment was in order. I mean it Mai; you have until the end of the day tomorrow. Then I'll be calling himself, now that I have his number." Sango warned wagging her finger just like Mai remembered her to doing when she was younger.

"Alright, we had a busy weekend and I didn't want to ruin it. I'll definitely tell him though." Mai reassured walking forward into the waiting arms of her teacher. Sango kissed her forehead, then her cheek, and tightened her hold on her.

"I take it the date went well then. I want details next time I call you kid. And you'd better tell him because unfortunately for you he also seems like the spanking type." Sango left and winked skipping off into the security. Mai's face grew flush at the mental imagery and shook it out of her head. She prayed away her dirty thoughts as she watched as her teacher disappeared behind security.

'Hopefully John left some holy water in the supply closet. I'm going to need some after that mental image.' Mai thought as she turned to follow the signs back to the subway.

Luckily, the rush hour traffic wasn't as much of a factor coming back into the city as it was for going out. Mai was able to get back to the office without too much trouble. The sun had already begun it's decent, leaving most of the city painted with hues of pink and orange.

'Normally, I'd be in no rush to get all my office work done, but I haven't had the chance to hang out like a high school student since… the last night I saw Keiko. I'll be graduating soon so I have to make these memories while I can.' Mai thought to herself not wanting her nostalgia of her senior year to be only of loss.

When Mai finally arrived to the office she was of course alone, and the supply closet was empty of the investigation equipment. She went right to the work that she was assigned. She didn't want to dwell on the fact of how alone she was.

'Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever been in the office alone before. I wonder if…' Mai let her thoughts trail to the two closed doors on either side of her desk. First, she waltzed over to Lin's door only to discovered it was locked. She wasn't too surprised at that, but was taken aback when she realized that Naru's was also locked.

'They must have known I would have tried it if left to my own devices. Oh well then, I guess it's not meant to be.' Mai concluded and went back to her original task of paperwork.

The sun had set long before Mai completely finished her work load.

Even though spring was around the corner the short days of winter still lingered. Mai picked up her phone and noted the time, surprised that it was past nine already. Knowing that she still had homework to complete and to pack her lunch for the next day Mai; decided to get herself together quickly.

Knowing that the lion's share of the work was done; Mai didn't feel too bad going out with her friends.

Suddenly Mai's phone began to vibrate and sing its usual soft lullaby. Mai couldn't help the fluttering in her chest when her caller ID read Naru. She picked up after the third ring to pretend she wasn't excited as she was.

"Mai." He said plainly and Mai rolled her eyes at the lack luster greeting.

"Hey Naru. How's the case going so far?" Mai asked knowing he could talk about work endlessly.

"As you recall working with students can have its disadvantages. It's difficult to get information with the pervasive nature of prejudice and rumors harbored in these types of places." He responded verbosely.

"Rumors making life difficult. Wish I could relate. How was setting up and temperature readings?" Mai commented sarcastically while tidying up her work station.

"Cameras are a bit more labor intensive since most of them require a ceiling mount to prevent tampering. Temperature readings have come back normal and the history of the property isn't terribly dramatic either. To begin we'll have to rely on the firsthand accounts and investigate those areas." Naru explained thoroughly and Mai smiled at how enthralled he could be in his work.

"I see. What has Masako said?" Mai wondered aloud shutting off the lights in the office.

"She does sense a spirit, but its more mischievous than evil. Although, she did also say it could be trying to fool her into thinking it's harmless." He divulged.

"Hmm… sounds interesting. I wonder if I can dream when I'm not onsite. Perhaps I'll give it a try to see if I can rustle up some clues." Mai pondered as she pulled in the door and began to lock the dead bolt as the keys sang.

"Where are you?" Naru sudden asked catching Mai off guard momentarily.

"Um… Well I stayed late at the office tonight to finish up the work you gave me. I wanted to hang out with my friends tomorrow so I wanted to get most of it done today. I called Nigel too and he should be around about Wednesday to make a delivery for us." Mai informed tossing her keys into her bag.

"Are you an idiot? You're leaving this late alone in the middle of Shibuya?" Naru questioned incredulously.

"Well, I also saw off sensei at the airport today. Normally, it wouldn't have taken me this long, but taking the train there w-"Mai started but was cut off by him.

"You should have gone to our apartment afterwards. I won't be back for some time so you didn't have to try and finish all that work in a day. It's unrealistic for your usual work pattern anyway. I bet you haven't even done your homework yet." Naru scolded and Mai could feel herself becoming deflated.

"Well, it's too late for that now, besides, I'm on my way to the station to get the train. How is everyone doing?" Mai responded hoping to redirect the conversation into smoother territory.

"They're fine, but Yasuhara has been endlessly commenting about your absence. He's clearly aiming for me to react." Naru returned his tone sounding even more irate if at all possible.

"He does enjoy getting reactions out of people I think you've endured worse. I'm glad to hear everyone is doing okay though." Mai sighed dearly missing them more than she was willing to admit.

"Indeed." Was all he said and there was a bit of an awkward silence afterward.

"Well I don't want to keep you away from things any longer than necessary. I'll talk- "Mai began but was cut off for a second time by Naru.

"Do not hang up this phone until you've boarded the train." He commanded harshly and Mai was a bit taken a back. She was glad he wasn't there to see the surprise she was wearing now.

"Oh…Okay. My bad Naru." Mai said still processing his change in tone.

"Good. Have you had anymore issues at your school?" Naru asked astonishing her even more.

'Naru actually asked me about school. He's more… protective now. And I think I like it.' Mai blushed.

"No. Quite the opposite actually. That girl who punched me, Gigi, actually came and ate lunch with my friends and I today. I'm trying to get her and her ex-boyfriend back together so I can get her off my case permanently. Not that I need to since Ayako basically threatened to thrust her family into exile." Mai explained and sighed.

"Hmm… It seems suspicious don't you think? She clearly had ulterior motives." Naru commented slowly.

"Duh… she was leering at us and I invited her over. Besides I clearly told her I didn't want to make Hojo my boyfriend. He was the one who kissed m-" Mai started but then realized her error.

"I…uh. Mean… he was the one who kissed his chances of a baseball scholarship away. Hehehe…" Mai laughed nervously hoping he didn't catch her slip.

"That boy kissed you." Naru responded shortly his tone unreadable, but his voice inflected toward the end of his sentence in a curious manner.

"Umm.. it was before….wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy before. I was trying to tell him I didn't want to date him. But…uh…" Mai began to get flustered.

"Where?" Was his responded which confused Mai.

"Where what?" Mai echoed dumbly.

"Where did he kiss you?" He finished bluntly causing Mai's face to go full tomato and she scoffed at his lude statement.

"Naru, what the heck do you take me for? What kind of question is that?" Mai inquired in disbelief.

"It was clearly scandalous by your reaction. Don't tell me he saw your underwear too." Naru probed and Mai made a frustrated noise.

"Stop bringing that up! And for your information it was just on the cheek. I'm not kissing and flashing every guy on the street!" Mai clarified angrily.

"Good. Keep your virtues. At least until I get back." He said and Mai had to double check the caller ID to make sure this was still Naru on the other line. She couldn't have imagined him to be the flirtatious type.

"Yeah yeah. Don't try to smooth this over by flirting with me." She huffed as the train station came into view.

"As if you could resist." Naru said showing his colors as the one and only narcissist.

"I should tell your big brother about your bad behavior, and make him scold you." Mai threatened as she entered the platform.

"Unless you want him to tease the both of us mercilessly, I wouldn't advise it." Naru counseled.

"It would serve you right pervert. Well, I'm at the station and the train is approaching so I'll talk to you tomorrow Mr. Davis." Mai announced.

"Fine. Text me when you have arrived in our apartment." He ordered and hung up. Mai looked at the phone strangely and shook her head.

'I can't keep up with this guy. So hot and cold. In more ways than one.' Mai thought noted the expansion in her bosses' emotional range. She quickly boarded the train and joined a small crowd to her destination. She couldn't have been happier when she finally was able to file into the lobby and ride the elevator.

The door opened and an unsettling feeling hit her. It only grew as she approached the apartment door.

'Am I that nervous to be alone… is that why I worked all day today.' Mai reflected as she put her keys into the door only to realize it was unlocked.

'Crap. Did I forget to lock the door this morning?' Mai berated herself as she flicked on the lights and removed her shoes in the doorway. She threw her school bag onto the couch and whipped out her phone again.

Home

Mai sent the text and rested her phone on the kitchen counter. She retreated toward the back of the apartment to change out of her uniform after a long day. It was then something strange caught her eye.

The curtains in her room were moving.

They were almost dancing.

Trying to lure her in.

Mai could feel her nerves rising up again and her hands slowly went up to hold the key around her neck. She debated taking her necklace off.

'That... is strange. It's still too cold. Why would I leave the window open?' She immediately thought and wasn't all together convinced anymore that it was merely her own loneliness sending her warning flares. She turned on the lights in her room and nothing looked amiss as she approached the window. Quickly closing it and cutting off the frigid night air from entering. She sighed heavily before running a hand through her hair.

No matter how much she tried to relax she couldn't shake a sinking feeling.

Finally, she resigned herself and took off her necklace.

Then influx of extrasensory information made her grip the window sill tightly. Just as suddenly as she felt her senses clear she could sense an aura.

Directly behind her.

She gasped and turned around to feel cold steel on the center of her forehead.

Kasai removed the safety from the gun.

In his other hand was the manila folder she received from Yasu.

"Hmm… seems like someone has been doing research. Should have guessed you had an in at the Shibuya police department. I had a feeling ever since you suddenly got so dazed at the funeral that something was strange. It was even more noticeable when you were so cold at the café. Glad I decided to pop in. Though… you were supposed to be away." Kasai said mischievously and Mai could feel her heart leaping out of her chest.

She could barely breathe as panic set in.

She just stared back dumbly.

"Don't worry. I don't plan on spilling your silly little brain quite yet. Your little friend was messy enough for my liking. No. My designs for you are much more…elaborate. Now turn around." Kasai spoke smoothly. Mai could feel another emotion filling her now.

Pure rage.

'How could I have doubted myself. I knew deep down it was him. Here he is mocking her murder right in front of me.' Mai's expression grew hard. Suddenly her face was struck with the back of the pistol, and she fell to the floor.

"I detest insubordination. Now make this easy on yourself. And-" Mai grabbed the base of her lamp stand and swung it as hard as she could. Luckily for her it made contact. Mai didn't dare assess the damage as she dashed out into the hall.

Just before she was able to reached the door her legs gave out underneath her.

"Ugh! Get off me!" Mai screamed and a large hand went over her mouth.

"Scream again and I'll make sure you never speak again." He relayed his eyes serious. Now Mai could see the blood slipping down his face from somewhere in his scalp.

He looked absolutely insane. His eyes were unrestrained and wild.

'I don't think I can get away with something like that again.' Mai thought and tried to brainstorm what else to do. He stood up and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"I've lost my patience with you." He said righting his gun towards her again. Mai froze and didn't dare rise from the ground, unsure of what was going to happen next.

"Don't worry, it won't be this easy." Kasai said and laughed a bit before stomping violently onto her ankle making a sickening crack. Mai was about to cry out, but he knelt down again swiftly and placed his hand over a mouth again.

"Now, you won't be going much of anywhere. Not with your foot turned that way. Now, go to sleep." He said and pinched a nerve in her neck and she blacked out. The last thing she felt before darkness over took was his warm blood falling onto her face.

Hey guys, here is the lastest! Hope you enjoyed... can wait for you to see what's next!