Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt or MaixNaru :(
Chapter 21: Picture?
Naru pov
The sense of Deja'vu hung deeply in me, not sure why but everything feels familiar to me, as though I already lived through this, I couldn't believe this at all. All I can say, it drove me crazy, that sleep is becoming impossible as time ticked.
The fact that I'm married to Mai, and we settled the marriage papers on the same day is insane to me. I needed one more day to prepare, to make sure this made sense. Luckily Madoka had time to drop by to get the marriage certificate sign, but Mai missed her by a few minutes since she was in the bathroom, and Madoka had to leave in a hurry. She didn't say anything but said something odd.
'Early huh Noll?' She laughs walking away without any words, leaving me confused by her words.
All I know Mai rushed to my office, excited, and sign the papers after I did, and she somehow knew about my wedding ring which I have no clue I had with me in the first place. So I place her wedding ring on her and she did mine, and when she did, she was giving me a hopeful look, waiting for something to happen, but nothing happened. Disappointed by this, she came with me to give in the papers, making official our matrimony. Then we parted ways since I wanted to be alone to think over everything. Mai was surprisingly understanding and left me be, so now I here trying to sort my mind out.
"Love me? Does she mean it?" my mind is on turmoil, trying to progress her words as I lay on my bed with my arm behind my head staring blankly at the ceiling that night.
Here I come with no hope and she just jumps me, saying she wants to marry me and she loves me. It has to be a prank or something.
I closed my eyes finally to sleep when I heard the doorbell ring. I opened my eyes not believing this at all.
I finally could go to sleep and someone interrupts it.
"Well, there goes my sleep, this has to be one good reason for the interruption," I grumble as I move my body to grab my phone to swipe to see who is in the door. I activate the camera and to my shock, I see Mai waiting for me, causing me to raise a brow.
"Seriously? Does she even creep at this time? Is she crazy?" What time is it?" I looked at the time on my phone and it was one in the morning.
I move away from my bed and rushed downstairs and reach the front door to open the door. The cold breeze made me shiver as Mai looks up at me with a tender smile while her cheeks and nose are red due to the autumn cold. Yet she wears a warm white jacket, earmuffs, and scarf.
"You have to have a valid reason to be here at one in the morning," I told her.
"I do, can I come in? It's cold." she shivers, causing me to take a step back and let her in, but to my surprise, she has her luggage in hand, and rolls it in.
Okay? Does she just bring her things and not ask me? What in the world is she thinking?
I locked the door and turn to see Mai removing her jacket, earmuff, and scarf hanging them on the coat hanger. Then she removes her boots and takes the extra blue slippers I have in hand next to the door. Then I watch her go to the living room as though she knows and turn on the lights.
Wait, how does she know about that?
"I came to see if you got your memories back. I couldn't contain myself anymore," she said, as she goes to the couch and removes the sheets from my couch.
Coughing due to the dust, she rolls up the sheets and places them on the dusty wooden floor.
"We have to clean this place again, I wonder how can we change things?" Mai spoke to herself, looking around the living room.
"Can I ask what my assistant is doing in my living room at one in the morning?" I asked crossing my arms and going up to her. She turns to look at me and gave me a strange look.
"First of all, I'm officially your wife, see," she lifts her hand to show me her golden ring to me.
"Alright then I correct myself, why is my wife doing at my house at one? Plus is dangerous Mai, anything could have happened to you at this late hour," I scolded now realizing how dangerous it is for a girl to be out late this hour, Mai walks up to me.
"You don't live that far from me, but can you hear me out?" she asks, placing her hand on my arm, pleading with me.
"Well, you scared off my sleep, I'll get the tea, this has to be a good story," I grumble, turning to head for the kitchen.
Mai follows me, and I went to get the kettle ready which is on top of the counter. I pour water into it from a prepared jug I have in the fridge. Mai went to the back door and press her hand on it. I turn and knit my brows in the confusion at her sudden act.
"I was just here not even a day ago," I heard her say as I flip the switch on the kettle to begin it to boil.
"What do you mean?" I question her placing the jug next to the kettle. Mai turns and walks up to me grabbing my hands, she runs her palms on mine.
What in the world is she doing?
"What I'm about to tell you may not make any sense to you, and knowing you, you'll probably find plot holes and not progress it as I did. Yet all I ask of you is to listen to me and trust me. Also, I wanted to tell you two truths." She licks her lips, as she took a breath.
"What is it?" I asked.
"That I love you, I trust you, and you make me feel so safe, I never felt this way until I met you," she said honestly causing me to look at her in shock, not expecting this at all.
Am I dreaming this? This has to be a dream.
I felt my heart hammering hard as I let go of her hands.
"I'm listening," I said when we heard the kettle whistle indicating that the water is boiling. I turned to turn off the switch and Mai began to explain to me.
My face pales when Mai explains to me about her accident, about her bullying, about this being the third time repeating the time. I turn to grab my cup trying to calm myself but I didn't notice my hand shaking when I took a hold of the cup of tea which I prepared while listening to her, the tea began to spill, burning me.
I feel like my heart is being pierced by something sharp it hurts more than being stabbed.
"Naru!" Mai goes up to me to grab the tea away from my hands, places it near the sink, and turns on the cold tap water, to place my hand inside. I cover my face with my free hand as I leaned against the counter trying to compose myself.
My heart hurts too much, I can't imagine that would happen to Mai.
"Are you okay?" She asks worriedly, coming up to me, checking if I was hurt or something, as I pull my other hand away from the sink. I lowered my hand to stare at her.
"Naru, you're pale." She said concerned, pressing her hand on my cheek to check if I was okay.
I grab her hand and look straight into her eyes.
"Third timeline?" I asked her. Mai nods at me but looks so worried about my condition.
"Yes, if you don't believe me, in three days from now, it's going to rain, not a lot since we aren't near the mountains, but there's going to be an orange kitten stuck in the tree. Your parents didn't come on the first timeline, but did on the last. You got mad at me because you thought I don't trust you enough, but I do."
She takes a breath as she wraps her arms around me. I was in shock, trying to comprehend her words, but somewhere in me knows she was telling me the truth.
"I know you don't believe me, but give it a few days, please, tomorrow I have an appointment, I'm having therapy for my lower back, but I don't want to go, it's too painful and I keep repeating that. In the last timeline, you didn't do much because you wanted to make sure it was true about repeating the days. I don't know why, but the second timeline felt shorter than the first. I am hoping is not going to be the same and tomorrow we jump back. I can't stand it." she said all in one breath, shaking.
"Mai, breath," I told her noticing how red she was becoming. She pulls back and takes a deep breath as I cup her cheeks to soothe them.
"Do you believe me? If you don't then I can tell you who killed Erita-chan, the new case you accepted with Mr. Arata cause he is your father's friend. She killed herself and Emica was brutally raped and killed by an unknown person. Yet I'm not sure about the facts, but we are thinking it was the boyfriend of Erita. It was scary Naru, I felt her last moments on earth. She dragged me out of the hut we were renting. You even hurt your hand." She said as she lifts my right hand and press it against her cheek after she gave it a tender kiss.
"You have to believe me, or at least feel it, just like I did when you told me everything in the last timeline and I couldn't remember. I'm not sure why the ring didn't work this time around." she frowns, as she looks at my ring.
"What triggered your memory?" I asked her, causing her to look back at me.
"I'm not sure, I began to remember after I saw you in the rain saving the orange kitten. Then after I confess to you, my brain was fussy, but I remember everything after I fell asleep. Um, we kissed, and then the ghost lady came and got mad at us. Oh, and I gain new memories," she said to me as I let her words settle in.
Interesting? Kiss? Do we kiss? Ghost lady?
"Has this ghost lady come to the first timeline?" I asked.
"Yes, twice, and the first timeline, I remember you telling me you saw a memory, but you couldn't remember in the second timeline, but either way, she would appear the timeline would restart. I never met a ghost that can manipulate time like this." She said, feeling her fingers trace my skin, causing me to shiver that I swallowed hard.
She then looks up at me as though something had dawned on her. I cleared my throat, forgetting about my tea since I'm getting a headache, I bend down and place my arm under her legs and lift her in my arms surprising her. With that, I began to head upstairs, and she looks at me surprised.
I need some medication, tea isn't going to cut it. What in the world is going on here?
"Wait, if you're asking me this, does that mean you believe me?" I finally reach the last step and turned to head for the guest room. Yet I stopped in front of my room, and for some odd reason ached to place her in my room.
"There has to be a logical explanation, I don't particularly don't believe you, but something is itching on the back of my head. I know something doesn't feel right." I admit to her as I push my desire and went toward the guest room.
"Exactly what doesn't feel right?" she questions me after she extends her arm to help me open the door. Then I entered, after adjusting her since she was slipping.
"I have no clue, but It's annoying the hell out of me," I admit to her as I bend down and place her gently on the bed. Mai looks up at me when I straighten myself.
"Sleep Mai, it's late and we'll figure this out tomorrow, and if you have an appointment, then you shouldn't miss it," I assured her. Mai grabs my hand and tucks it under her cheek.
"So you're going with me?" she asks me.
"If what you said is true, then regardless if I don't want to, I would go," I assured her. Mai kisses my palm and smiles at me as her eyes become teary.
"I want to know what's going on. I hate that one of us keeps forgetting everything." she groans, covering her eyes with my palm.
I just kept looking at her feeling my heart tighten from her sadness, and somewhere deep down I feel the same, which makes no sense.
"It has to have a good explanation to all of this Mai," I told her. She shakes her head, letting out a yawn.
"I can't sleep without you next to me, so can you stay until I fall to sleep?" she questions me. I nodded at her, not sure why I accepted it.
"If that makes you comfortable," I told her as I sat on the edge of the bed, and Mai surprised me as she lifts her head and place her head on top of my lap, wrapping her arm around my leg.
I look down at her, studying her, while I lift my hand, aching to trace her hair, but hesitated so I balled up my hands.
Everything she told me sounded all made up, but why in my heart it feels real? Mai if everything sounds made up, why am I aching to lay down with her and take her in my arms?
…..
…
….
I ended up sleeping uncomfortably sitting up against the board of the bed, while Mai slept on my leg. When I awoke, she has moved away so I took the opportunity to sneak out to get ready for the day. It was past nine in the morning, which I was surprised by, normally I don't wake up that late.
"I'm not going to the therapy," Mai complains as I headed down the stairs adjusting my shirt as she follows me down an hour later since I had to wake her up.
"Then you're lying Mai," I told her as we reach the bottom, and I turned around only to be startled, as Mai stopped in the second last step, but got startled that she lands her hands on my chest, to catch herself and looks at me with a gasp. I felt my heart jump, and I took a step closer to her.
"Then you're lying about everything," I whispered, looking for any hints of hesitation, but Mai gets closer to me feeling her hands run up to my shoulders.
"I'm not, it just so painful to take, I hate it," she said truthfully with no hesitation, but with pleading eyes, looking at each other eyes, and I knew deep down she was telling the truth.
"Do you trust me then?" I question her.
"Yes, I trust you blindly and only you." she cups my cheek and leans forward to kiss my forehead making my heart beat like crazy.
"Then give me the phone number of the hospital," I told her. She nods and I help her get down. She takes out her phone from her pink bag and began to look for the phone number.
"What are you planning?" Mai questions me as she hands me her phone, I sat down on the couch and she joins me.
"You'll see, also Lin will be over soon, he called me up half an hour ago to let me know," I told her making Mai raise a brow.
"That's new, why?" she asks me. I turn to look at her.
"New?"
"Yes, just like parents coming over in the last timeline. I took notice every time we make different decisions things change. Isn't Lin going to the village?" she asks me as she looks over her wedding ring as though she's thinking about something.
So endless possibilities regarding our decisions, what would have happened if we don't get married? No, no, don't think of that.
"You'll be the one explain everything to him…" Mai lift her gaze at me startled as I added.
"I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this. My mission is to figure out who is doing this to us and who is trying to harm you. We'll review everything after we take care of your back first." I said as I press call and press the phone on my ear.
Mai nods, scooting closer to me, just watching me with innocent eyes which I felt so drawn to, hard to look away from her.
I heard someone pick up the phone and it was a female voice and I began to talk while I stood up since I couldn't contrate seeing Mai staring at me with those eyes.
"Yes, I'm calling on behalf of Mai Taniyama," I began.
"May I ask who are you and why are you calling on behalf of her?" a woman asks me.
"I'm her husband, Kazuya Shibuya, we recently became married," I told her as Mai stands up and pats my shoulder causing me to turn to look at her.
"Oh tell her that your name is on the documents, you have permission to know as Kazuya Shibuya, " Mai said making the woman overhear her.
"That's Miss. Taniyama, okay, I'll go and check, give me a moment please," she said placing me on hold. Mai smiles and suddenly she becomes playful, almost over joy.
I arched a brow as she puckers her lips up and wraps her arms around me, and tiptoes to kiss my neck lovingly, trailing up, under my chin. I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to close my eyes.
I couldn't believe this, but I couldn't push her, since I was enjoying this a little too much.
I lowered the phone and cover the speaker.
"Mai!" I said through my teeth causing her to shrug at me. So with my free arm, I wrap it around her small waist causing her to giggle. She used the front of her hair and place it on top of her upper lip to pretend she has a mustache, not sure why, but began to blow kisses towards me.
I couldn't help but bend down and kiss her cheek in multiple kisses causing her to burst out in giggles enjoying this too much. I had no idea what was going on, but this felt right, having her this playful towards me and she's letting me kiss her.
"I apologize for the long wait, and yes, your name does show up in the papers, you're her guardian, so how may I help you?" she asks me causing me to raise myself and clear my throat.
Did she trust me that much? I look at Mai surprised.
"She has an appointment with Doctor Yung, I would like to know if I can change the appointment to an earlier time, as I want to speak to him about her medication as well. I have great concern about the side effects that she's receiving, it doesn't only make her loopy, but very emotional and she barely remembers anything the next day." I told her not helping, but leaning down, leaning my head against her, causing her to lean on me. Yet I felt her grow still as my words dawned on her.
"Give me a moment to check on his schedule," she tells me. Then she placed me on hold once again. Mai turns to look at me.
"How do you know about my medication?" she asks me.
"You said it made you loopy, and…." I went silent not understanding this myself.
"Naru, I never said those parts to you last night, you have seen me in the last two timelines how I react. No one knows about it besides you, and I think Lin-san saw me but that was in the first timeline. Also, how do you know Dr. Yung's name? I never said it." She said making me freeze.
Then how did I know that?
"Maybe your heart does know," she sounded almost too happy, laying her head on my chest as I couldn't help but rub her back.
"Yes, Mr. Shibuya? Once again, I apologize for the long wait, but yes, we have an opening this afternoon at one, but her therapy should be suspended, as Dr. Yung is booked. I do recommend her originality…." but I cut off the woman.
"I'll take it, and don't worry about her therapy, I will take care of it," I simply told her, the lady didn't sound too happy about this as she tells me.
"Is up to you then, I'll see Mai-chan soon, and finally meet someone that will join her. Between you and I, I never recommend a patient to come alone, it's already hard on them as it is. She needs all the support and love she can get, what she went through is not easy. Mai-chan has suffered so much by herself." My heart broke at her words as I held Mai closer to me.
"Alright then, see you soon," I said as I hung up the phone and wrap my other arm around her as this overwhelming feeling overcame me, as though I can almost hear the same conversation from before entering my head.
"Naru?" she asks worriedly from my sudden hug.
"Mai," I said as she pulls back looking at me with concern.
"Yes?"
"You're not alone Mai," I told her. Mai smiles tenderly at me and nods at me.
"As you, you're not alone either, I'm with you Naru, even if hell wants us to separate it will never be. I love you so much," she said. My heart jumps feeling my love for her just grow so much, mixing with some other strange emotions, which I never felt before, so I couldn't help it and leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss, causing Mai's eyes to widen and I pull back to look at her.
Had I just kissed her? I blinked, confused by this as she just hiccuped, but let a goofy laugh, holding me tight.
"Even in this timeline, you can't help but kiss me," she said to me as I look at her, she was just smiling as though I just gave her the greatest news in the world, her cheeks so pink and lively. I couldn't help but be mystified by her beauty.
"So this isn't our first kiss?" I question her. She shook his head,
"Well on this timeline, yes, but we kissed many times, we had many first kisses," she admits blushing hard. I swallowed hard and lowered my head and she close her eyes, as our lips touched, giving each other a soft kiss, which made me a little dizzy, loving this too much. It felt right on so many levels, I slip my arm around her small waist, to hold her.
I can feel her just kissing me in such sweetness, loving the taste of her lips on mine and her reaction. Slowly pulling away, I move my hand to brush her hair, as I licked my lips, feeling flustered. She flutters her eyes open, looking at me with such deep and loving eyes, making my heart skip a beat.
Then we heard a clear of the throat. We turn to see Lin holding his keys, (Which I gave him a copy of long ago, so he can enter whenever he wants,) looking at us a bit strangely.
"Err, should I come back later?" he asks us pointing over his shoulder. Mai smiles at Lin while holding me tight, instead of jumping away.
"No, it's fine, I'm about to do lunch what do you want to eat Lin-san?" she asks him as I had no idea how to handle this, feeling awkward at the situation.
"I already had breakfast so I'm not that hungry yet, um, is there something you two aren't telling me?" he points at us, as he removes his shoes to put on the slippers that he has in hand.
"Ah, you know we are married right?" Mai asks him.
"I know, Madoka and I sign it," he explains as he enters the room.
"Oh yes, Naru told me about it, but she left before I could see her, I never get to see her no matter what timeline, even if we got married a day earlier this time." Mai knits her brows in confusion as I look down at her.
"Maybe some things can't be changed?" I suggested, but she shakes her head.
"No, a lot of things change, like right now, Lin-san isn't supposed to be here, he is supposed to be heading to the village to meet with Mr. Arata," she said as Lin came up to me looking confused with our conversation.
"Am I missing something?" he asks as I turn to look at him.
"I'm as somewhat lost as you Lin," I admit to him letting go of Mai. Mai looks at me. I suggest Lin to sit down. He nods, goes up to the couch, and sits.
"Mai, it's about to be twelve, we'll grab something on the go, just begin to explain to Lin about the case," I told her. Mai thins out her lips and looks at Lin.
"Lin-san, I have a question for you," Mai sat down next to him.
"Yes?" He asks, turning to look at her.
"While Naru was back in London, did you two pick up a case or anything that hasn't been solved?" She questions him. Lin went into deep thinking for a few minutes trying to think back as I did the same.
"Noll has picked up a few cases, minor cases, normal haunting, but nothing big, as his health wasn't in top shape. After he left here, he became ill," Lin told him causing me to turn to him and give him a death glare.
What are you doing? Don't tell her that.
"Ill? Naru was ill?" she sounded so worried and Lin nods at her.
So that means I haven't told her that?
"Before coming back, he became low-key depressed and he even buried himself in work, and studying the supernatural, something similar after his brother passed away. He even spent more time in the grave of his brother than half of the time. His parents were very worried." Lin explained my hellish year.
"Naru never told me that, why?" Mai asks him. Lin turns to look at me and rose a brow as I shook my head, not sure what to tell him to be honest.
"That is up to him to tell you why, I'm just here to give him my support to him. Also… Noll told me that you know about the case, can you elaborate on it?" he asks her.
Mai turns to look at me giving me a strange look, making me clear my throat and look away.
"I'm not sure if there's going to be another time loop, even if I tell you about the situation," Mai said frowning at me, turning back to Lin.
"Time loop?" Lin asks confused.
"Naru?" she turns to me once again, now grabbing my attention from her change of tone.
"Yes?" I went to sit next to her, and Mai scoots closer to me.
"I think we should tell Lin about it. In the last timeline, you didn't want to tell him because he would not believe us. I know he won't, but it wouldn't hurt. He can even help us." She said looking at me, as I stare at her not sure myself.
"Even I'm having a hard time believing this," I told her. Mai pouts but then shakes her head.
"It won't hurt, maybe we'll have a time loop and he'll forget, and one of us. So it won't hurt, right? Also, we can get Austin Watson to help us, since last time he was busy, so he won't be able to reach us until a week later, now that I remember correctly." she said as Lin and I look at her not believing she knows this person.
"How do you know about Austin?" Lin asks as she turns to look at him.
"Well, are you ready to hear a fantasy story that is based on real-life events?" Mai asks causing Lin to look very confused.
"Noll?" he tilts around Mai to look at me as I just wave my hand nonchalantly.
"Don't ask me, I'm as lost as you." I simply reply as Mai smiles and turns to look at me.
"So can I?" she asks me.
"You know better than me Mai, whatever you wish." Mai nods and began to tell Lin the same situation as she told me last night.
All I can say Lin was in the shock of his life.
…
…
….
Everything Mai told me was true, even her back, there's no explanation for her chronic pain, and there's no issue with her bones or anything.
"I can do that, but the new medication will work but is less potent, but it won't make you loopy." Dr. Yung said as Mai and I sat across him.
"Thank you," I told him, watching him write on a prescription paper, while Mai kept looking at her ring.
"About her therapy, I'm booked for the rest of the day, so I can't do it since she change her appointment hour. So I would recommend that she can come in tomorrow, I have time in the morning," he said, lifting his gaze.
"I was thinking, can I help her with the therapy? Is there something more simple for her to do? I have time today to do it since some of my work has been pushed back." I suggested to the doctor.
"Oh, alright, Since her bones are healthy, I don't see a problem with that. There's some therapy she can take with you. Give me a moment," he turns to type on his computer. Mai reaches out with her hand and grabs my hand, timidly smiling at me as we lock eyes.
Thank you,
You're welcome, can't stand seeing you in pain.
I told her with my eyes, as the doctor turns back at me. Mai lets go of my hand to my disappointment and brush the back of her head as the doctor stands up, hearing the printer.
"I printed some information you can do with her, and what can help her to relieve some pain. Also, I printed out information on how you can deal with her when you two are intimate, some positions that will help her not hurt her." He said, causing my cheeks to flare up and Mai's eyes to widen.
"I forgot about that." Mai covers her cheeks causing me to clear my throat.
"Thanks," I stood up and grab the papers from his hands.
"Can she be in a pool?" I question him.
"Yes, that would be good therapy for her back due to the pressure of the water, but she has to be in the mildest part of the pool, and don't push her if her back can't take it. It's easy, just follow her behind, and be her guide. Ah, as well you two can dance, that will help her stretch her back. Rubbing her lower back helps her ease the pain. Anything that can help her. Yet I do not recommend she stop her therapy here, she needs it. Make an appointment for this week so she can get it. For today, I leave it in your hands." he pats my shoulder.
"Thank you," I bow causing him to smile and turn to look at Mai.
"Now you don't have an excuse, again, congratulations," he said to Mai causing her to nod.
"Thank you," she said as I went to her to help her stand up.
"If anything happens, do hesitate to call me," he said as we both bow and turn to head out. As we went to get her new medication, I couldn't help but shyly grab her hand and held it tight as Mai smiles looking up at me.
"We dance in the first timeline, I want to do that again," she said causing me to blink rapidly.
"Dance?" I asked her. She nods, resting her head on my arm and smiling dreamily.
"Yes, I loved it. I want to dance with you for the rest of my life."
….
…..
…
After getting her new medication and pondering over the fact that I dance with Mai, the thought itself didn't seem bad.
Mai even confessed to me this is the first time we go an appointment a few hours earlier than the last two timelines.
Mai and I walk out of the hospital, and I held a bag with her medication and some food I bought. Now half walking out the glass doors of the hospital, I shivered from the sudden temperature drop. Mai shivers, causing me to wrap my arm around her shoulders. She smiles timidly at my gesture.
"To be honest, this is new to me, so I have no…." but her words are cut off when she heard someone call out for her. I let go of Mai's shoulders since I felt her go rigid.
Okay? Something is not right here.
"Mai-chan!" Mai turns around and I did the same to see a young woman coming up to us. She was about our age, eighteen, long glossy dark hair, with big brown eyes, fair skin and thin, and taller than Mai. She looks almost like a model type.
Well, then.
Mai went rigid but clears her throat.
"Amy-chan," Mai said nervously as she lifts her gaze at me, and then back at Mai.
"I wasn't expecting you to see you here,"
"Me…. Me either," Mai said nervously taking a step back, closer to me. I frowned as the girl smiled at her as though she was oblivious to Mai's sudden change of attitude.
"May I know who is this handsome guy? Wait, why are you here? At the hospital?" she questions her, then she gave her a strange look and then gasps.
"Are you pregnant?" she jumps to conclusions. I blinked, confused by this situation as Mai's face blasted up.
"Huh? No….I had an appointment with my doctor for my broken leg, um this is Shibuya, my boss from my part-time work," she explains.
"Oh yes, this is your boss? Isn't he a little too young? Never mind, I have forgotten about your broken leg. So you're not seeing Sota-san anymore?" Mai's face paled out.
Isn't she friendly?
I took a step forward, almost death glaring at this girl.
"No, Amy-chan, you know we aren't going out, I told you many times already. May I ask why are you doing over here?"
Sota? Is that the bastard that tried to force himself on my wife? I fist my hand.
I want to kill him. Yet, those words echo in my head as though I told have said that before.
"Oh, I was just passing by and spotted you here with this handsome guy you sure you're not two-timing?" she pushed.
"If I was, then it wouldn't be none of your business Amy-chan, now have a good day," Mai growls, and I didn't miss the dark look of hatred towards Mai this girl gave her. I dug my nails inside my skin, trying hard, so hard to not snap at this girl.
I need to put her in her place, she can't hurt Mai.
"You sure talk a lot," I darkly told her, causing her to look at me and flinch with a tiny bit of fear. Mai looks at me and notices my dark glare, and her eyes narrow. She grabs my arm and with her eyes said.
It's fine Naru, she didn't hurt me.
I didn't say anything to her, but I calmed down a little as the girl giggled, capturing our attention.
"Your boss sure is scary good to know that you have men eating from the palm of your hand. Then I can't wait to see you at school, enjoy," and with that, she turns to head down the street. I was about to go after her when Mai pulls my arm back.
"Naru, it's fine, let her be." she pleads to me as I turn to look at her.
"Is she the girl you told me about?" I took a guess causing Mai to grab my cheeks.
"Naru, calm down please, you have that look again. Please calm down." Mai rubs my cheeks, trying to calm me down.
Look? What Look?
"Mai, answer me the question," I order, now feeling my anger subdue since Mai tip toes and kisses my cheek down to my jaw.
"Yes, maybe she's behind everything? " She asks me to pull back and I took a breath, feeling better, and cross my arms.
"Most likely, so do you wish to keep our relationship a secret?" I asked her causing her to shake her head.
"No, but for now let's keep it down low. School is school, they don't need to know anything, we are about to graduate and I don't want any rumors spreading, but I'm sure she will somehow spin on what she saw today." Mai gets closer to me and adds.
"Naru, I'm yours, but I don't want rumors to be spreading about being a two-timer sleeping around or whatever. It's hard enough with the whole animal blood thing and getting hit by a car and the other thing, but as I said earlier, she might do something." She lowers her head as I came and cup her cheek, causing her to lean into my touch, closing her eyes and making my heart flutter.
"If it's your wish Mai, I respect it, but killing that bastard, I can't promise you that, and getting justice for you either," I said, causing her to open her eyes and look at me with disbelief look.
"Not again, no, I told you before, you can't kill anyone. Let's go and do my therapy." Mai said as she uses the back of her hand to caress my cheek, then tiptoes to kiss my lips lovingly. I couldn't help it and kiss her back, with such tenderness.
"So I did the same thing?" I question her, as we held each other hands.
"Yes, in the last timeline, you had the same look, but this time is worse."
…
….
….
"It's warm," Mai dips her feet in the pool after she came in wearing a white towel around her. We are in a private pool area that I rented before heading back home to distress myself. I would come to swim once in a while. Luckily my membership hasn't expired, since it's a four-year membership fee.
The pool area is huge, about forty meters ten feet, and twenty feet long. The floors are almost made out of marble, and the smell of chlorine is strong.
"Yes, this place is quite luxurious," I admit as I came up to her and sat down, dipping my feet in the warm water.
"You came here often?" she asks turning to me.
"Once in a while, to burnout stress. If you don't like it, we can go somewhere else?" I asked her.
"It's fine, um… I'm not a good swimmer, I mean I can swim, but not a strong swimmer," she explains.
"We aren't here to swim Mai, remember that," I said as I jump into the four feet of water since I'm already with my swimming trunks. I turned to Mai and extend my arms out so she can grab them. I watch as she gets rid of her towel.
To my surprise, she's wearing a two-piece bathing suit. Well short pants, but with a pink bathing suit bra.
She's going to be the death of me.
I cleared my throat, as she grabs my hand and jump down.
"Ouch," Mai complains causing me to move closer to her, and held her just in case she doesn't hurt herself. She grabs my arm for support.
"That strained my back, didn't mean to alarm you. Um, is the swimsuit too much? I don't normally wear this, but this is the only one left in the shop upstairs. No one piece, at least it has pants." she blushes. I clear my throat.
"Fine Mai, it's fine," I reassured her while walking behind her.
Maybe I won't be too tempted if I stay behind her.
"Begin to walk, if you can't endure it, then tell me," I told her. Mai nods, and I press my hand against her stomach, she began to walk slowly forward, each step seems to be painful to Mai feeling her nails dig into my skin. I didn't complain, but her breathing becomes heavy.
"Mai?"
"I'm fine….a few… more steps." she gasped out in pain, but kept her composure.
Who in the world wants to hurt you? My heart hurts so much for you Mai. You don't deserve this at all.
"You…. Think Lin-san…. Is okay?" Mai asks breathlessly.
"He just has to wrap his mind around it as I do, but after all you gave him, I'm sure he'll find the clues. If the first timeline that woman found you in the hotel… but in the second timeline, time repeated before that happens. That means there has to be a trigger." I told her as Mai stops, gasping hard, and turns towards me, and leans her head on my shoulder.
"Give me a moment." she heaves hard.
"How many times did you go through therapy?"
"Too many to count…. I hate it. It's so painful. I have no clue why I'm like this." she rose her gaze.
"Can you tell me the new memory you received? That's the only one that you have been kept from me." I asked her trying to change the subject. Mai seems to hesitate, I move my wet hand and brush her cheek.
"I need to know, to add the pieces together, if not, then it's fine, you can tell me another time," I suggested. Mai licks her lips and nods.
"Alright, well..." she begins to explain to me about the child and how she went to grab him and everything. I listened to every word, but with every word she told me, my heart broke even more.
Okay, take a breath, this is a lot.
"Mai, I know this is out of the blue, but maybe if we don't get married if we repeat the timeline, do you think it will change things?" I asked while I look down at her after she stopped explaining. She looks at me in shock, taking a step back, she loses her balance and dips down on the water.
"Mai!" I called out in shock, as I reach down and grabbed her arms to lift her. Mai gasped out, spitting out water as I hoist her up. Mai's hands land on my shoulders as I look up at her. Her eyes look straight at mine, and our hearts beat wildly in unison as though time has stopped for us.
"You okay?"
Before I could progress anything, Mai bends down and captures my lips with hers, and gives me a passionate kiss, leaving me breathless as my brows shot up. Yet, I couldn't resist, so weak that I closed my eyes, kissing her the same way.
She pulls back, and wraps her arms around my shoulders, ignoring her pain, holding me tight as though I would disappear.
"I think there's something else to this, not our marriage, that ghost would have stopped us from marrying if that was the case. We work so hard to get to this point, I don't want it to go to waste, as you said, it would have been a waste of time."
I felt fear at the thought, clenching my heart. I wrap my arms around her.
"That's something I would say. Then no matter how many timelines, we'll continue to marry." I told her, causing her to nod at me.
"I love you," Mai said, causing me to smile, holding her tighter.
I love you as well Mai.
...
...
...
"Oh, I got something to give you, I didn't get the chance in the second timeline, but I did in the first," Mai said.
"You do?" I asked while I place a plate in front of her. We returned from her therapy, which helped her greatly, but she's sore, so I have to help her move around.
"Yes, it's upstairs. Yum, I'm starving," Mai looks down at her food, (Just instant noodles,) grabs her chopsticks, and gives thanks.
"Did I like it in the first timeline?" I asked when I let out a yawn, shaking my head.
Mai turns to look at me and frowns.
"Yes, but you won't use it just yet. Um, you should go and sleep soon, you didn't sleep well last night. I'm sorry, I was very anxious, I should have waited." She looks apologetic as I shook my head.
"I'll go after you fall asleep," I said.
"You know, it's funny, you don't have no memories of us, but twenty-four hours later, we act as normal. Do you feel forced to do this?" Mai questions me.
"Forced? No, even if I don't remember, this feels natural, as though we've been doing it for years. Maybe you're right, we came from the future. I don't know, but not having your around is like having no air." I admit covering my mouth not believe I just said that. Mai smiles tenderly at me and leans forward to kiss my cheek.
"Same here," she admits to me.
"So what else did we do in the first timeline?" I changed the subject since my cheeks were getting warm.
"Hmm? You wanted a date, and..." Mai went silent as though she remembered something and her face turns scarlet red.
"Mai?" I question her as she turns to look at me with a strange look.
"Later, I will tell you later," she smirks, looking away timidly, and then began to eat her noodles.
"Alright?" I arched a brow as I took out my phone when I heard a notification. Swiping, it was Lin's text.
"It's Lin," I said as Mai slurped her noodles, and chews while tilting to the side to look over at my text.
"I'll be over tomorrow morning to work on the time loop. I have some theory and Mr. Arata will gather that diary, so Mai is right. See you tomorrow." he wrote.
I wrote back saying, okay.
"Great," Mai smiles as I nodded, and she returns to her noodles. I couldn't help but stare at her with tender eyes, just watching her small movements and enjoying her noodles. My heart beats hard against my ribs, not believing that in a day of coming back from England, we became this intimate so fast, even though there's more to us.
She's cute.
I lift my phone to activate my camera, and then lowered the sound of the camera. I took a few pictures, I move away to press the photo gallery just to make sure her picture wasn't blurry.
"You should eat as well Naru," Mai said capturing my attention. I cleared my throat and lift my gaze.
"I will in a minute," I said, as I swipe, to be satisfied that my pictures of her aren't blurry. Yet, as I swiped more, there was a picture that I never took before.
"What the?" I swiped again, and again another picture, then another. I was at a loss for words as Mai pans over and sees the pictures. She freezes as she takes the phone away from my hand.
"Mai?" I turn to look at her, she lifts her gaze not believing what she's seeing either.
"Naru, why does your phone still have the pictures you secretly took of me in the first timeline and second? Well, I didn't know you took them in the second timeline, but I remember that outfit, it was yesterday for me, and we were headed to go to lunch."
Thank you for the reviews... :)... I hope the timelines aren't confusing and not boring. I try to use different ways to keep it exciting and not repeated. Thank you for reading my fanfic... to all. :)