Day Two
6:45am
Koku Inn
Soft light filtered through the murky window and passed across Mai's face. The young woman stirred, murmuring something in her sleep,
Naru...
A small bird perched it's self on her windowsill and let out a few hopeful chirps. Mai rolled onto her back, her hair lying around her head like an amber halo. The room was still, an open suitcase was pushed into a corner, a jacket, tank-top, and skirt lay in heaps about the room. Just then two knocks broke the silence. Mai frowned in her sleep and shifted to her side.
"Hey, Mai? You awake?"
Mai groaned as her mind flitted back to the conscious world,
"Leave me alone..."
"Mai. It's almost seven, time to get up," the voice persisted. Mai grabbed her pillow and covered her head,
"Bou-san, just give me a minute," she complained.
"You don't have a minute, they're serving breakfast now and Mrs. Koku has informed me that if you're not down there to give your order-"
"I'm not hungry."
"Mai!" Bou-san protested, "I'm risking my breakfast here, if you don't come out here right now, I'm going to have to leave you and-"
"Bou-san, I appreciate this, but I'm not hungry."
Bou-san crossed his arms and frowned stubbornly at the door as if Mai could see him through it; ironically she could in her head as she laid there.
"Fine, fine..." Bou-san said, making to walk away, "I guess I'll just eat and watch Masako take your seat next to Naru and talk to him all morning about Mr. Sachi's house and how lonely she was without out him and-"
Mai's door flew open. The young woman looked flustered, she was running a brush through her hair as she pulled on a sock. Bou-san smiled back at the glare she was giving him,
"Good morning sunshine."
"Shut up."
The two reached the dining room just as Mr. Koku was about to shut the doors.
"WELL WHO DO WE HAVE HERE? LATE ARE YOU? YOU SHOULD KNOW AT THIS INN WE DO NOT TOLERATE TARTYNESS," the old man shouted.
The din of breakfast was utterly drowned out and thirty sets of eyes were now on them. At the back of the room sat SPR. Ayako was smirking amusedly, as was Masako (who to Mai's horror was already seated cozily next to Naru). Bou-san also noticed this and gave her an unsympathetic, I-told-you-so look. Mai glared up at him because he was right, and she didn't want him to be.
"IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I WAS HERE ON TIME, BUT SHE WOULDN'T GET OUT OF BED," Bou-san yelled back, trying to redirect the blame.
Oh, nice Monk, Mai thought grumpily.
Mai tried to catch Naru's eye, but he was acting like he didn't know her, as was Lin. John stood and waved them over, immediately buckling as a sharp kick to the shin was administrated by Ayako. Mai smiled brightly at John (who was now rubbing his leg and wincing) and sent daggers at Ayako.
Marching over to their table, Mai took a seat next to Masako, who pretended not to care, and continued her rapt conversation with Naru,
"As I was saying..."
Bou-san took a seat next to Ayako, each sharing a glare as a greeting.
Seemingly invisible to the rest of the SPR team, Mai sat back and took in her surroundings. The dining hall was spacious, holding many tables, almost every one of them filled. The far wall was made up entirely of windows and let the morning light stream in. So far, Mai liked this room the best. At the table nearest them an older couple sat smiling and drinking tea, through the hum of the room, Mai caught bits of conversation:
"...I always loved Miyuki..."
"...just a couple more days now..."
"...I can't wait to see what it will be like this year?"
Interested, Mai found herself almost leaning out of her seat. Just then Mrs. Koku walked up, a large tray balanced on her hand. With a steadiness that was unexpected of her, the old woman began to set out different bowls of food. Smiles lit the hungry faces of the SPR group, thanks were murmured and they began to eat, that was...everyone except Bou-san and Mai. The two looked up at Mrs. Koku inquiringly and the old woman looked down at them smugly,
"LAST TO ARRIVE, LAST TO EAT."
Mai glared after the hunched figure retreating from their table, her stomach letting out a forlorn growl. Across from her, Bou-san didn't look any happier, eyeing Ayako's food desirously. In spite of him, the priestess ate every bite with obvious satisfaction.
"We'll set up at the theater after this," Naru spoke, bringing Mai's attention from her hunger,
"I would like to question Miss Miyuki further, Lin were you able to obtain her address from Mrs. Koku?"
Masako looked up from her bowl; Mai also fixed her gaze on Naru,
"Would you like some company?" the medium asked, jumping at her chance. Mai gritted her teeth; she blamed her empty stomach on her slow reaction,
That Masako.
Naru set down his chopsticks across his bowl, dabbed at his mouth, and then took a sip of tea,
"No thank you Hara-san, Lin will be there to take notes."
Masako's cheeks flushed and she returned to her breakfast. Mai smiled to herself, but her rumbling stomach prevented her from feeling entirely victorious.
Ten minutes later, everything was finished but the tea. Finally, a shuffling sound. Mrs. Koku approached. In her hands rested a small tray, with a clank she set two bowls in front of Mai and Bou-san. Rice, plain and cold stared up at them. The old woman kept a straight face, but her eyes twinkled maliciously,
"ENJOY."
Mai hadn't the energy to protest; she stuck her chopsticks into the sticky rice and swallowed a lumpy bite. Masako watched her eat with amusement and Mai stared harder at her breakfast, determined to look like she was enjoying it. Bou-san had no such intention,
"Bah! What kind of dish is this?" he exclaimed, snatching up Ayako's bowl and pouring whatever was left into his bowl. Ayako opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it when she saw the look Bou-san sent her.
Naru finished his tea and stood, "It's getting late. Lin and I are going to pay a visit to Miss Miyuki, the rest of you can set up base, we'll meet later."
And with that he and Lin excused themselves from the table. Mai's cold rice stuck in her throat, having been given no tea of her own, she stole Masako's. The medium made a face, but gave up and left the table too,
"I'll be at the theater."
Ayako sat back in her chair, glaring at Mai and Bou-san as they ate,
"Come on John," she said finally, "we're not waiting for them to finish."
"We're not?" John said, being bodily dragged from his seat. Mai watched them all go with little interest; Bou-san stole some of John's food next,
"Want any?" he offered half-heartedly.
Mai shook her head slowly, her eyes sliding over to Naru's bowl. Innocently she drew it over to herself. Bou-san watched her in-between bites with a raised eyebrow. Mai pretended to ignore his look and peered into Naru's bowl: cold rice. Mai pushed it away rather hard and rested her chin in her hands with a sigh,
"Hurry up Bou-san; they'll need to help setting up base..."
Bou-san frowned at her,
"I'll take all the time I need thank you, remember you're the reason this happened."
Mai glanced at the table next to her, it was empty, in fact many of the tables now only held dirty dishes.
"Bou-san," she said in a lowered voice, "why do you think this place is so full? I mean it's, well-"
"A dump?"
Mai sent a guilty look around, "...yeah."
Bou-san shrugged, "I don't know, maybe there's some kind of festival going on nearby?"
Mai nodded thoughtfully, running her finger over the grains of wood in the table,
"Maybe..."
Just then the dining hall doors opened. A young man about Mai's age walked in. He looked surprised to see them, but then smiled and made a slight bow. Mai and Bou-san smiled back and politely nodded their heads towards him. The young man then set to work, with a tub and dish towel in hand he began to collect the dishes and wipe off the tables. Bou-san watched Mai watch the young man and tutted under his breath,
"...no loyalty..."
Mai's head snapped around and her cheeks colored,
"Eh? What was that Bou-san?"
"If only Naru was here to see how quickly-"
Mai, doing a good impression of Ayako, stomped on Bou-san's foot. Bou-san choked on his rice and cried out,
"Ow, what did you do that for? It's the truth-"
Mai made to stomp on his other foot, but then caught the young man's eye and laughed nervously,
"Hey- you okay?" she said patting Bou-san's back rather hard. The young man returned to his work. Mai narrowed her eyes at the monk across from her,
"Are you done yet?"
Bou-san narrowed his eyes back at her, "I am now."
"Good."
Mai stood and brushed herself off and the young man approached their table,
"I hope you enjoyed your breakfast," he said brightly.
Bou-san stood and the two of them faked a pair large smiles, "Oh, yes."
This satisfied the young man,
"I'm glad to hear it, I'm Niko Koku, my grandparents own this Inn."
With Bou-san's gaze burning a hole in her face, Mai smiled stiffly,
"Nice to meet you, I'm Mai Taniyama, and this is-"
"Houshou Takigawa," Bou-san cut in. Niko smiled and bowed again,
"Well, Takigawa-san...Mai, I hope you enjoy your stay with us, maybe we'll run into each other another time?"
Both of them agreed, and left in the wake of more bowing. Bou-san was rubbing his chin as they walked out the front door,
"Very old fashion this town..."
"Yeah," Mai replied blinking into the sunlight.
Outside, Nozomi was alive with activity, a large square ahead of them had what had to be half the town milling about, setting up what looked like stalls, little girls ran around laughing with bouquets of flowers. Men carried pieces of wood and piled them near a group who were all busy discussing something. A scattering of people had gathered to watch. Mai looked up at Bou-san questioningly.
"Maybe that festival we talked about?" he offered thoughtfully.
Then Mai caught sight of two people she recognized,
"Hey- that's Mr. Sachi and Masako."
"Huh?" Bou-san said, his eyes scanning the crowd.
"By the men with the boards," Mai persisted, tugging on his sleeve to get him to come with her. Squeezing past the throng, Mai and Bou-san came to stand behind the medium who Mr. Sachi was talking very animatedly to.
"So you see Masako, the stage will be built right here..."
Mai's eyes widened,
Masako?
Bou-san cleared his throat uncomfortably and Masako whirled around, actually looking relieved to see them. Eagerly she took Mai's arm like an old friend, a radiant smile turned on,
"Oh hello Mai, Takigawa-san- Mr. Sachi here was just explaining Nozomi's plans for a stage in their festival, do continue Mr. Sachi."
For a moment Mr. Sachi had trouble composing himself, he struggled not to look put out by their arrival,
"Ah, well- yes, we plan to build a stage," he managed feebly.
"Joji!" a sweet voice cried. Waving at him, Nari walked up. Mr. Sachi smiled lightly,
"Hello, Nari," he greeted. The woman clasped her hands together excitedly,
"Oh don't you just love the energy of this festival?"
Mai smiled despite herself, the actress seemed enchanted.
"Well yes, I was just telling Masako what some of our plans are," he explained, offering up a warm smile to the medium. Masako's kindly expression was strained.
Nari's smile fell, the enchantment draining from her eyes, "Oh."
"What is this festival?" Bou-san prompted, breaking the uncomfortable trend in conversation. Mr. Sachi drew himself up importantly,
"Only the most significant festival for miles. Its seven days of honoring our great Takuya Miyuki. At least eight neighboring towns come every year, and it's all driven by a love of theater."
And now Mr. Sachi looked enchanted. Bou-san crossed his arms and mulled this over in his head,
"A bit of bad timing calling us out here now, eh?"
Mr. Sachi blinked surprisedly, "You think? I wouldn't say so. You don't know the full story, but...now is not the time for that," he dismissed, lowering his voice.
"Where is John and Ayako?" Mai wondered to Masako.
The medium looked over to the theater, "I don't know I haven't seen them."
"Joji," Nari spoke up, her eyes landing briefly on Masako, "don't we need to go over some things?"
"Ah, yes. Masako would you like to join us? Some of this might interest you; I think I know a future actress when I see one..."
Masako's tight smile cracked; quickly her sleeve came to the rescue, covering her mouth in that flattering way Mai hated,
"Oh no, I would only be in the way, I'll go with Mai and Takigawa-san."
Mr. Sachi looked supremely disappointed, but then brightened,
"Very well, I'll be with you again shortly."
Mai exchanged a look with Bou-san. Masako looked flustered as they helped her away from their very forward client. As they made their way to the edge of the crowd, Masako reclaimed her arm and straightened her kimono.
"I hope you don't consider this a debt to you?" Masako spoke lowly, out of ear shot of Bou-san.
Mai raised an eyebrow at her rival, "Certainly not."
"Good," she said, composed again.
"I suppose we should join Ayako and John?" Bou-san suggested, not missing the exchange.
Mai, arms crossed against her chest, just glared silently at Masako. Masako simply stared ahead, pretending not to notice. Bou-san hung his head and sighed,
"Come on you two," he coaxed.
The three of them reached the theater doors. Mai stopped for a moment to focus. Next to her Masako did the same, an angelic hand rising to her throat. Mai found herself distracted, what a show off... Bou-san was a few steps ahead of them, ready to go in,
"Eh? You two feel something?"
Mai closed her eyes. She willed herself open to anything, any feeling, any pulse of energy...nothing. Mai shook her head and opened her eyes. Bou-san nodded, they looked to Masako. She was taking a bit longer to feel out her surroundings, but Mai knew what the end result would be. Masako bowed her head and sighed,
"Nothing," she murmured.
"Well- that's alright, let's find Ayako and John, maybe the equipment will pick up something?" Bou-san encouraged, pushing the doors open.
Mai and Masako passed through the entryway and froze. Mai's vision blurred, her head spun, her cold rice breakfast planning on making a quick exit. Mai clamped a hand over her mouth to prevent it. Beside her, Masako dropped to her knees.
"Mai! Masako!"
Bou-san's voice sounded fuzzy...distant. A strong hand seized her arm and pulled her along. Slowly, the sensation began to leave her- her vision sharpened, the floor steadied, her stomach stopped tossing around what little she had ate that morning. In a moment the only thing she still felt was a headache.
"Mai..?" Bou-san persisted. There were foot steps down the hall.
"What happened here?" Ayako's voice cried.
"Masako, Mai- are you alright?" came John's soft voice.
Mai looked up at all of them; Bou-san was hunched next to herself and Masako, "I'm fine..."
"I'm okay too..." Masako answered.
Just then Naru and Lin walked in, both staring in surprise at the sight of them on the floor, they hurried forward, "What's going on?"
"Naru!" Masako cried, throwing herself at him, "It was awful..."
Hands clenched, Mai stood up,
"Don't worry, I'm fine..."
"What happened here?" Naru questioned, standing stiffly while Masako clung to him.
"I don't know," Bou-san spoke, baffled, "We were just coming in, when suddenly..."
"I felt sick, it was like the room was spinning," Mai explained.
"My legs gave out...the world grew so dark..." Masako added, her voice muffled by Naru's shirt.
Mai's blood began to boil. How was it that they both experienced the same thing, yet only Masako got to fall into Naru while he stood there without so much as a concerned look thrown her way? Naru disentangled himself from Masako's helpless form and guided her over to the capable arms of Bou-san. Masako was suddenly much better, and resisted any support from the monk.
"You say you felt it when you walked in?" Naru said, already heading back down the hall.
"Yes," Mai and Masako called after him, glaring at each other afterward.
Lin joined him at the doors, looking them over.
"You didn't see anything, did you?" Naru asked, running his hand along the door frame.
"If you don't count blotchy spots, no," Mai answered dryly.
Naru sent her a look, then returned his gaze to the door, "And you...Hara-san?"
"Not that I recall," Masako answered.
Naru closed his eyes, "Lin, what do you sense?"
The Chinese man stood back and closed his eyes as well, "I feel pressure, there's a slight pounding in my head...but it's so light, I would have to stand here a while to even notice it."
Naru nodded, "I feel the same...it's odd. John, Bou-san, do you notice anything?"
Both men came forward, they stood for a moment. John frowned after a while, "I feel a bit of unease..."
"I feel slightly warmer, uncomfortable," Bou-san commented. Naru nodded again and then he addressed the miko,
"Matsuzaki-san, if you would please?" Ayako stood taller and walked confidently towards the doors- then she stopped. A sour expression came over her face,
"My head..." she managed. Bou-san guided her back into the hall. Naru lead the rest of them back as well, his eyes dark with thought,
"It's interesting; the women seem more affected by it."
There was the sound of laughter, two people turned the corner into the lobby. Mr. Sachi and Nari. Nari's laugh caught in her throat. A strange look came over her features. She brought a hand up, covering her nose. Her face was red in an instant. Her legs suddenly gave out.
"Nari!" Mr. Sachi cried, immediately at her side. Naru raced forward, pulling the actress along into the hall, a shocked Mr. Sachi following. Nari frantically grasped at her neck, Naru's eyes swept over her,
"Bou-san, water!"
Bou-san was gone in a flash, Mai had no idea how he knew where to find any, but he was back in the next instant with a cup full of it. Naru splashed it straight on her. Nari gasped and sputtered. Blinking the water out of her eyes, she breathed deeply. Tense moments past, her breathing slowed, her hand fell from her throat, she sat up better with Naru's assistance. Mr. Sachi leaned in close to her, he took her hand with concern blazing in his eyes, "Nari...are you- okay?"
"What in the world?"
Everyone looked to the end of the hall. There stood a tall woman; her blonde hair falling onto her shoulders.
"Ah, Miss Miyuki- perfect timing," Mr. Sachi's voice was brittle and strained.
Miss Miyuki frowned, a hard look in her eyes,
"Obviously not. Nari...is that you? Is she okay?"
"We think. Nari, how are you?" Mr. Sachi persisted. Miss Miyuki disappeared behind the corner, presumably to the ticket booth, then she appeared again with a bottle of water, she reached them and went to hand it off to Nari, who up until now, had just been staring around, eyes wide.
"Here." Ms. Miyuki offered. Slap. The bottle was knocked clear away. Nari's eyes burned,
"You- you did this!"
Miss Miyuki's mouth hung open, she drew back, "Excuse me?"
"You made him this way, you are the reason for his wrath!" Nari exclaimed, her voice cracking.
The shock subsided from Miss Miyuki's face,
"You can't possibly mean my father?"
"Of course she does!" Mr. Sachi stepped in, rallying behind his actress. Miss Miyuki regarded him with contempt,
"You're impossible! I come for papers, and then I try to help, and this is what I get?"
Her voice was venom. Mr. Sachi faltered,
"Well-" he said, attempting the firm tone that had suddenly left him, "leave. This matter doesn't concern you, you'll get your papers later."
Miss Miyuki's posture stiffened, she looked as though she were about to protest, but then abruptly turned on heel,
"I'll be back. Have what I need ready."
The front doors slammed. Mr. Sachi watched after her, speechless, "The nerve of that woman!" he spat. His strength seeming to have returned, he looked back to Nari, "Don't worry; I won't let this happen again."
Nari nodded, and pulling a Masako, threw her arms around his neck. Mr. Sachi patted her back lightly. Uncomfortable, Naru stood up and looked to the rest of his team, "Let's set up base."
Nari was helped into the room they had talked in the day before, given some tea, and left in the care of John.
"This base of yours, where were you thinking?" Mr. Sachi wondered as they walked the hall. Naru glanced over at him,
"I was thinking Nari's powder room."
Mr. Sachi looked a bit surprised, then bowed his head apologetically, "Ah, with the damages and the mess...I'm afraid the room isn't ready."
"Is that so?" Naru answered.
Mai winced at the tone her boss was using. Uncomfortable, Mr. Sachi cleared his throat. Hurriedly he gave his suggestion,
"But the parlor is available...?"
"Fine. Lead on."
They reached the parlor. It was the room Mr. Sachi had briefed them in that first day. A fairly large space, the seating area, with it's table, two couches, and armchairs, took up the center. To the left was a kitchenette for entertaining, and to the right- a polished wooden desk, recently cleared.
"Actually, I had them prepare the parlor for you yesterday...we even brought you extra tables," Mr. Sachi added. Naru looked back at his team,
"Okay, let's bring it in."
An hour later, ten camera screens glowed, throwing blue light over the walls. Mai stared at the screen watching the entryway, what was it that she had felt earlier? What had caused Nari's reaction? Naru adjusted a few dials on his computer,
"Lin, how are our generators working?"
Lin took a seat in front of a lap top, "Running, for now."
Naru nodded, "Mai-"
The young woman tore her gaze from the screens, "Eh?"
"Good work with the cameras."
Mai smiled, her eyes finding Masako, but the medium appeared to not have heard.
"Bou-san, Matsuzaki-san," Naru spoke, standing up from leaning over his computer, "I want you to get a feeling for this place."
The monk and the priestess nodded and left the room.
"Hara-san, go to John, I want you two to do some investigating for me, see what you can learn about Nari from the towns people."
A flicker of confusion crossed Masako's face before she nodded and left the room also. Mai now stood awkwardly again, what could she do? Naru looked over at her, his eyes softened,
"You look tired Mai, go back to the Inn and get some sleep."
Mai swallowed and nodded dumbly, so she was useful after all, he wanted her to dream...
