Day Five
5:45pm
Nozomi Town Square
Mai frowned, struggling against the hand that tugged her through the gathering inside the town square.
"Mr. Sachi- wait," she protested with a low voice, trying not to attract attention, but the pair of them were already drawing plenty of stares with the way she drug her feet and he marched on.
Without so much as glance back at her the playwright spoke soothingly,
"Almost there, yes- no theater of mine will burn down…"
Mai's eyes narrowed at the back of his head,
That Mr. Sachi!
Frustrated, Mai reverted back to fighting his grip which, though clammy, held fast- knowing with dread that every step she was forced to take was leading her to certain doom.
Her arm sore and her efforts in vain, Mai was just about to despair of breaking free, mentally cursing her captor, when she felt a new grip take hold of her. In a swift and unexpected motion she found herself yanked in the opposite direction of where she was being pulled.
In equal surprise Mr. Sachi lost his grasp and Mai lost her footing. Stumbling, Mai grabbed on to an arm, her face squashing into a chest which smelled vaguely of smoke…
Bou-san?
"Sorry Sachi, she owes me this one," was the monk's explanation, with a jerk of his head towards the dancing couples a few yards from them.
His mouth open in offense, the playwright worked at composing himself, smoothing down his shirt,
"Pardon me, but Mai has a very important appointment with Wise Obasan," he countered, reaching out to snatch Mai back, uninterested in what the monk's claim on her was.
Bou-san shifted Mai to stand on his left and looked to the disgruntled playwright with a shrug,
"Tell that crazy old biddy that she's here with her partner."
And with that Mai felt herself being led away yet again, the words, 'but my theater!' being shouted desperately after them.
Being pulled along willingly this time, Mai let her partner steer her through the throng of people towards the make-shift dance floor, a bit dizzy and more than a little tender from all the different directions she had been dragged recently.
It was as she bumped into various strangers, just squeezing by in some cases, that she caught sight of some familiar faces. A little off to the side, back where she had originally been taken captive by the distressed Mr. Sachi, was Ayako…with John and Masako.
Genuinely glad to see John, who she hadn't since she left him and the medium at the theater, she gave a shout and a wave, but the band was tuning up for the next set of music and her voice was drowned in a cacophony of notes.
All there was time for, when the sound died down, was a further glance at the small group, Ayako talking with them, perhaps explaining why they were here and not at the Miyuki Mansion or the theater.
"…and then of course Mai had to go faint again…"
This fragment of sentence somehow miraculously reached Mai's ears as she passed by unseen, Ayako's voice carrying across the murmur of people, and she made a face at the miko's blatant insinuation that she was just attention seeking. She had half a mind to stop right there and interrupt, but Bou-san didn't seem to notice them, and kept moving, tugging her after him.
That Ayako!
And then that was it. They were there, in the space designated for the dancing couples under Wise Obasan's watch. Not unlike the previous festival night, the two of them were once again out on a dance floor, each with burning questions to ask.
Mai recalled fleetingly that her questions then had been all of what had happened at the men's meeting. A flood of color washed over her face as she remembered Bou-san's answer, an answer she had been taunted with again just earlier:
Over my dead body…
"Uh- you okay there Mai? Your face is beet red-" the monk suddenly spoke, his voice invading her flustered memories. Mai started, her eyes meeting his in guilty consciousness, then she shook her head hurriedly, as if that could somehow shake off her embarrassment and confusion.
Stray hairs flung in her eyes, Mai let out a huff at her partner's plainly amused face, no doubt taking an educated guess at who was just occupying her thoughts.
"Wipe that smirk off your face monk, it's time to get serious. I need answers."
This statement was met with raised eyebrows and a scoff,
"You need answers, what about my answers? Hm? How much longer are you going to leave me in the dark here, another week?"
Mai stumbled over a step and was forced to hop until she caught up with the monk's feet again. Fortunate for her the pace of the dance was slow and the distraction gave her a chance to hide her expression. Mai winced and frowned. Despite his semi-chiding tone, his reproach stung. The two of them had always been a team, confidants, partners. She had told him as much as she thought she could, but she was sorry she hadn't been able to be completely honest with him. Until now, that was. The decision to reveal Mr. Miyuki was a hard one, made entirely by herself, but if she was ever going help him- she needed help too.
Please understand, Mai thought, silently appealing to both injured parties- the ghost and the monk.
"Hey Mai," Bou-san began when she didn't respond; his intent gaze focused on her, ignoring the blur of people spinning around them, "I'm not mad, if that's what you're worried about. I just want answers. I want to know what going on; I want to know what you're wrapped up in. I want to help. We're a team, right?" this last part was accompanied by a gentle half smile that would have had an effect even on Ayako in her worst mood.
Mai squeezed the hand that held hers as they danced and returned the smile with a firm nod,
"That's right."
Nothing more was said for the next few moments, the two of them just happy to be moving about the dance floor, grinning at each other like conspiring fools, but then out of the corner of Mai's eye- a flash of black, and a thought suddenly occurred to her that had not before: Naru.
He was here. How could she have forgotten? Was he dancing, weaving in and out of lovesick couples like she was?
Nervously her eyes darted to every face that whirled by,
Not him, not him, not him…
"So, you have something to share with the class Mai, let's hear it," Bou-san spoke, fixing her with an encouraging look, as oblivious to his partner's anxiety as she was to his words.
The only thing Mai could hear at that moment was her pulse pounding in her ears. Her heart had rate sped up, though she was helpless to define the exact trigger when it came to her boss- was it because she was angry with him, because at any moment she could turn around and he could be standing there…because Miss Miyuki would undoubtedly be wrapped in his arms?
That Naru.
The monk had just opened his mouth to question her again, when she shook her head much the same way she had moments before, her hair flying and skin flushed.
"Oh…am I interrupting thoughts of Naru again?"
Mai's head snapped around at the mention of his name, "Hm?"
Her partner let out a sigh as if disappointed, but the effect was ruined by the smug knowing smile spreading across his features,
"Mai, none of this mind wandering stuff- you gotta stay with me here, we've got important things to talk about…"
"Wait, no Bou-san-" Mai hurriedly tried to correct as she caught up with what he was saying.
"No? You weren't thinking about him?"
"Yes, I was but-"
The monk's eyebrows rose, "So, it's yes then?"
"Bou-san," Mai protested under her breath, fearing that even the mention of his name might summon him. Her hand was squeezing her partner's once again, but this time in desperation rather than affection, "He's here. Somewhere. We can't talk apples now or we'll be chicken."
There was a moment of consideration. Bou-san's locked eyes with her and then his gaze shifted to the blur of people spinning around them.
"Bou-san, I need to know what happened while I was dreaming," Mai continued, while her partner scanned the masses moving about them for a tall dark figure.
The monk blinked and looked back to her with an arched eyebrow,
"Oh, so you get to ask all the questions you want…"
Juggling her guilt and her responsibility to keep Mr. Miyuki's secret (in a crowd that included Naru…), Mai heaved a sigh,
"I know you've been waiting Bou-san, I'm sorry- but just not here. When he isn't around we'll talk. I promise."
There was a thoughtful pause as her partner seemed to be resigning himself to the fact that she was right. The risk of being chicken was too great. He began to nod, his gaze still fixed on the ever shifting pairs of couples, partners, that spun past them, when something like a wry smile crept its way across his lips,
"You're right, we'll talk later," he agreed and Mai's shoulders relaxed in relief, "…but I'm not sure when later will be though- since you'll be spending tonight with him."
Having leaned in towards the monk while discussing such classified topics as Mr. Miyuki, Mai suddenly drew back sharply,
"Hey, what do you mean by that?!"
"Oy, easy-" the monk protested, his foot nearly trod upon, "I mean you'll be spending it with him because of operation Miyuki, what did you think I meant?"
Ignoring Bou-san's mock incredulous tone, her face burning for the umpteenth time that evening, Mai concentrated firmly on her feet as she considered this,
Operation Miyuki, I forgot about that too…
All of her thoughts since waking up from that dream were of one thing: Mr. Miyuki's ghost. After a moment of contemplation Mai's head snapped back up,
"Wait," she objected, releasing her partner's shoulder so that she could wave a disapproving finger at him, "I never agreed to that part of the plan- I told you before Bou-san, it should be me interrogating Miss Miyuki."
"And I'm telling you that's not sound mission planning. This operation is critical Mai, you can't let your personal feelings get in the way. Do you want to help the old man, or not?"
Mai shot the monk a particularly hard look for mentioning Mr. Miyuki out loud, even in such a vague way,
"Bou-san, I'm the one he trusts. I'm the one keeping his promise. I should be the one who approaches Miss Miyuki-"
"Gee, that might be a persuasive point if I knew what the promise was--"
"Bou-san!"
"Mai," the monk countered with great patience, his tone reasonable. He spoke carefully, as if explaining a difficult concept, "the truth of the matter is this mission will fail if I'm the one babysitting Naru. I'm not the right person for the job."
Itching to wipe the expression of complete certainty from her partner's face, Mai worried at her lip in an agitated away- then pinned the monk with a challenging stare, "And that makes me the right person?"
Just then the tempo of the song they were dancing to slowed to an end. The final notes streaming out, the two of them came to an unknowing stop, matching each other stare for stare, one positive the other disbelieving.
"Yes," the monk answered as the music faded to nothing, "because Naru likes you."
Though his tone was conversational, it was as if the monk had shouted these words in the sudden hush of the dance floor. Mai's heart skipped a few beats in the space of that moment. Hearing those words spoken had strange effect upon her. She opened her mouth, needing to say something- oh, that's right, deny it!- but nothing would come at first. She blinked, swallowed, then let out a rather weak scoff.
"Please Bou-san, you're starting to sound like Wise Obasan."
Her partner blinked down at her, "You think I'm crazy?"
Mai glanced up at him, dropping her hold (the song having ended), and swatted him in the arm, "When you say things like that, yes. But we both know what you're trying to do here. Really Bou-san, siding with Wise Obasan just to make a point?"
It was the monk's turn to shake his head, "I'm not crazy, Mai. Today alone he's saved you from a smoking theater and from a bad fall down the cellar steps, not to mention he caressed your face in front of everyone when you fainted. He's put himself between you and another love interest, he's given you his moon lily-"
Mai stiffened in surprise, thoughts crashing into one another.
He did…what?
"Finally got your attention, hm?" Bou-san noted with a knowing smile, reading the surprise on her face expertly.
"I...you mean- what?"
Frowning at the monk standing across from her, Mai's flustered nerves were further distressed when strands of music began to play, signaling the next dance. She had precisely two seconds to decide what to do…
That Bou-san...and Naru.
Hurriedly she took up her partner's hand and they were off, just narrowly avoiding being swept up by the other couples.
Infuriatingly, Bou-san didn't seem fazed by her pulling him into a spontaneous second dance,
"Feeling spry this evening?" he wondered, though he knew exactly why he was being towed around the dance floor once again. She wanted answers…answers she couldn't get in the company of Ayako, Masako, and John.
Spry?
In all actuality nothing could have been farther from the truth. Fatigue had set in. Mai's legs felt heavy and tired. And then there was her thirst. Her throat felt as parched as the dusty grounds of Nozomi, but…
"Explain, Monk. Now," she ordered shortly, her feet fighting to keep up with the quick tempo of the new song.
Seeing her struggle, her partner steered her away from other dancers, easing their pace.
"You'll need to be paying attention to me, and not your footwork," he remarked at the relieved and grateful look on her face, "And heaven forbid you trip and fall because you were trying to listen and dance. That would be embarrassing. Coordination is not exactly your strong suit. Just looking out for you."
Mai's relief merged into anger in the form of a glare sent the monk's direction, but that was all she had energy for,
"Bou-san- spill."
Her partner drew in a deep breath, eyeing her carefully,
"Alright, but remember, you wanted to know. And absolutely no weak-in-the-knees business, you only get to collapse on me once a day."
Why is he speaking like that…
Mai felt her cheeks beginning to grow warm once more,
Just what happened in that garden?!
Noticing him staring at her expectantly, she gave a curt bob of the head, implying that she would do her best not to faint on him...again.
"Well, as you know we were just leaving the Miyuki Mansion, you had just agreed to distract Naru at the festival so I could question Miss Miyuki-"
"Hey, I never agreed to anything-" Mai suddenly interjected.
"Mai, I'm telling the story. Do you want to hear it or not?"
Mai pursed her lips, only a most desperate need of hearing the rest of what had happened keeping her silent.
Satisfied there would be no more interruptions, the monk continued,
"Anyways…we were all following Naru's lead out, I had just moved ahead of you as you'll remember, when he abruptly halted, and turned around. Confused, I did the same and that's when I saw you faint. Being the closest, I tried to catch you, but- ah…I might have softened the landing anyway-"
Mai fingered her head with a grimace, pondering damage done to her poor body since arriving in Nozomi…
The monk cleared his throat and patted the top of her head in a sort of consolatory way before proceeding,
"Naturally I was worried for you, it's not normal to just collapse. After a moment of shock, Ayako was the first one at your side. I will give her that, she cares about you. Thank goodness for her medical background, I don't know what she was thinking becoming a priestess, she instructed me to keep your feet elevated, so I did. Then Naru approached. Ayako announced that your vital signs seemed good, but to tell you the truth I don't think he was really listening. He just kept staring at you in this serious way. If I didn't know any better I'd say there was real concern in his eyes-"
Here her partner threw her a meaningful look, but it was lost on Mai who was still firmly rooted in the events unfolding, too focused on trying to make sense of what she was hearing to be baited.
"…then he knelt down next to you, with everyone looking on, and laid a hand across your forehead. He stayed just kneeling there with this... expression on his face. I can't explain it, I'd swear he was reading your mind if I knew it were possible. The highlight though, was the part where he trailed three fingers down your temple, along your cheek. Like this-"
And before Mai could protest, Bou-san was demonstrating, his large hand releasing hers to cover her forehead. He ran three fingers down the side of her face in something like a caress. His actions were fact-of-matter, but it was such an odd gesture for him, let alone Naru…Mai rubbed at that cheek in a self-conscious way.
"He really did that Bou-san?" she mumbled, her skin flushed scarlet.
"Yep," he answered, wrestling down a smirk. He was clearly enjoying this turn of events. It only stood to serve his point, "Naru likes you Mai. We can use that to our advantage. Keep him distracted tonight and I can get the information that we need from Miss Miyuki. You've got to trust me on this one."
Hand cradled against the side of her face, Mai blinked up at him in confusion,
"Wait- that can't be it. What happened next?"
The monk shrugged, "Well, then he pulled a Naru. But never mind that, we have a good angle going here-"
"Pulled a Naru?" Mai interrupted, forgetting that she had agreed not to.
Her partner sighed as though she was being unnecessarily difficult,
"You know what I mean, you've seen it. His mood changed, the concern vanished from his eyes just like that. He suddenly stood up and marched straight to Lin, not sparing a glance for any of us. The only thing he said was that you were 'fine', and then the two of them left. It was strange. But Naru is, no offense-"
Mai waved away his apology, thinking hard.
Naru really just left? But how could he know I was fine?
"Why were we alone when I woke up?" she asked, attempting to fill in the blanks.
"Ayako said you needed a doctor, and she enlisted the help of Miss Miyuki. Mr. Sachi then left after them, reassuring me that he would tell Wise Obasan why you were late." The snort that followed this showed Bou-san's disapproval of the playwright's priorities.
Mai was nodding silently,
"And then I woke up, with you- and we talked, and Ayako arrived with the doctor…" It all finally made sense.
"Thanks for staying with me," she murmured, looking up at her partner with a small smile. The monk returned it with a wink,
"What are friends for?"
It just so happened that Mai found a precise example in the next instant.
Friends are for keeping you out of trouble.
Mai let out a winded noise as she spun backwards into something solid and warm.
"Oh, excuse me, I-" she began, immediately apologizing to the dancer she had collided with, but as she turned around the words died on her lips.
"Are you really this clumsy, or just determined to injure yourself today?"
Reeling from her shock, Mai was grappling with just what to say or do, but at the comment- her stalled heart sputtered back to life. Her wide eyes narrowed.
"What? I was dancing. You bumped into me."
There were a thousand alarms going off in her head, chicken running through every thought- but his insult saved her. It gave her a reason to be angry with him, forgoing being flustered or anxious, and she held on to that anger like a life preserver.
When he didn't reply, Mai's eyes took a quick survey of him and found that he didn't seem to be dancing at all, he merely stood there, partner-less. Mai frowned and cast a glance around at the other couples,
"What are you doing? This is a dance floor. You're holding everyone up-"
"Uh, Mai-"
"Not now, Bou-san," Mai dismissed. The hot air that had built up in her over the course of the day had finally found an outlet in the form of the inconsiderate man standing before her and she had no patience for interruptions, "Some people are actually trying to enjoy themselves, try thinking of someone else for a change-"
"Mai-"
"Not now, Monk."
"But, uh-"
"Who exactly should I be thinking of?"
Mai felt her irritation spike,
"The other dancers."
"And what other dancers would that be?"
Mai's eyebrows flew up in amazement. She made to wave her arm at all the couples spinning past them, her lips parting to exclaim, 'these dancers!'- but there were no other dancers. The dance floor was half empty, and those that were left were dropping hold.
"That's what I was trying to tell you, the song ended…" Bou-san murmured behind her as she stared.
That. Naru.
Mai felt the prickly warm sensation of her skin flushing creep its way up her neck. She had been successfully disarmed by this announcement, and without her shield of righteous anger to hide behind, she was left vulnerable to other feelings.
Over my dead body.
Naru likes you.
"Right, well. Thank you for the dance, Bou-san."
Ignoring the weight of her boss' gaze, Mai turned towards her partner and gave a good yank to his arm, looking to pull him from the dance floor. At that moment, she would have carried him bodily away if she could.
Chicken.
But then, not for the first time that day, Mai felt an unexpected hand grasp her free arm, and she was drawn back…to face Naru again.
Her first instinct was to recoil. In a quick and panicked movement, she snatched her arm back from him. Her heart was pounding now. She could sense Naru's surprise, she was surprised herself- but in that instant she had felt some strange aversion to his touch…something was lingering at the back of her mind, some intuition that was too foggy to make out…
Bou-san, watching from behind her- made a strange noise, something between a snort and clearing his throat.
"Oh, what is this? Playing hard to get my dear?" a voice suddenly croaked.
A separate feeling of intuition struck Mai then. It was the sense that many interested pairs of eyes had turned on her, and one set of them belonged to Wise Obasan. Unfortunately, her psychic abilities did not fail her.
Daring to steal a glance away from Naru's hand, which she had been staring at since it had dropped from her arm, Mai looked in the direction of the voice- and regretted it.
Standing in a clearing of people, all peering with great curiosity at the awkward group assembled in the middle of the dance floor, Mai spotted the ancient matchmaker.
"Ah, there's no need for games dear. It's unnecessary when you're destined to be together," the old woman persisted, her knowing voice carrying loudly through the hushed town square.
"Seriously?" a protesting voice cut in.
Mai's gaze fell on Miss Miyuki and Masako standing near the front of the gathering- and by the looks on their faces, neither seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was a victorious instant where she wanted to shout, ha!- but her triumph over them was spoiled by the fact that she would have happily traded places. Being the center of Wise Obasan and Naru's attention wasn't all it cracked up to be…
Just then a voice all too familiar jumped in to take up the ancient woman's cause,
"Yes- yes, destined to be together- just like my theater is destined to stand for all of time. Now, aren't they supposed to be dancing? Where's the music?"
Encouraged by Mr. Sachi, Wise Obasan grinned and nodded towards the band. As if waiting for her cue the entire time, they hurriedly nodded and took up their instruments. Mai watched this exchange darkly, long drawn out notes of a slow song filling the evening air.
I wonder if she threatened to burn their sheet music if they didn't cooperate.
"I'll just leave you to it then," Bou-san suddenly announced, "and don't worry about your partner Naru, I'll make sure she doesn't feel neglected while you spin around the dance floor."
Mai startled at these words and whirled around on her partner, but she was too late. He had wisely slunk away from her vengeful reach. She could hear the hidden message in his voice clearly, this is your chance- distract him!
Mai opened her mouth to shout after the treacherous monk, but someone knocked into her shoulder just then, catching her off guard.
Hey-
When Mai looked back, her partner had gone. Pursing her lips, Mai glared in the direction he had disappeared.
Oh no you don't Bou-san! You think you can strand me out here with Naru while you question Miss Miyuki? That's my mission!
Mai made to storm after him but she was jostled again, this time from behind, as yet another spinning couple collided with her. She barely caught their departing, sorry!- before another pair of dancers breezed past.
Mai shrunk where she stood and crossed her arms over her chest protectively, seeing that now the dance floor was once again a moving sea of whirling bodies. And she was stuck in the middle.
"Now who's holding people up?"
Before Mai could register the words, she was being pulled to the left, narrowing missing another errant couple.
Mai murmured a small thanks and feeling strangely self-conscious she tired to put space between herself and her boss, but Naru turned towards her with purpose.
Dumbfounded, Mai stared at him.
Is he isn't really…going to dance with me?
But it turned out that was exactly what he intended to do. Without further remark or any real expression, he raised the wrist he had captured and his hand slid up to close around her fingers. Questions rushing through her head faster than the pairs of dancers brushing past them, Mai found herself in hold…with Naru.
The first thing Mai attempted to do was make sense of it all. She could feel the burning interest of the crowd they past. The two of them were Wise Obasan's chosen.
But he can't be doing this because of her, can he? There's no way!
This was Naru. He wasn't the type to crack under pressure, be bribed, tricked, threatened, or blackmailed…it just wasn't possible that the old match maker had managed to persuade him into dancing with her in front of so many gawking on lookers. She had no leverage with the head of SPR like she had with the town's people of Nozomi.
Firmly dismissing this thought as ridiculous, that left room for an idea far more alarming.
If he isn't doing Wise Obasan's bidding, that means he's doing this of his own free will…
Mai's heart raced, and her feet slowed. Bou-san's voice came back to her taunting and certain,
Naru likes you Mai.
Mai faltered. If she were Masako, she surely would have swooned. In the chaos of her mind, she did the very thing she didn't want to do- she looked him in the eye. And suddenly she was composed.
This isn't a dance of romance. Naru doesn't like me.
Mai recognized that expression- and it wasn't one of love. Naru's features were set in a look of quiet determination; she could practically hear the questions waiting on his lips. Unfortunately she couldn't relish in her victory over Wise Obasan and Bou-san's theories. Naru with an agenda was even worse than Naru enamored.
Mai swallowed and shifted in the stiff hold she found herself in. From this alone, she couldn't see how anyone interested in watching them could still think they were worthy of being selected as the chosen ones. There was so much room between their bodies that her real partner could have fit comfortably.
Bou-san, chicken! Who likes who? You just want Miss Miyuki to yourself!
"Mr. Miyuki."
"Hm?"
Just like that Mai was jolted from the thoughtful daze she had been moving around in since she entered the dance floor. She managed to keep the panic out of her eyes, by narrowing them. It was the perfect trap. Naru (who perhaps learned a thing or two from Lin?) was an expert, having waited for just the right moment, giving her a chance to let her guard down, letting her become entirely preoccupied with other things and then- he launched his attack. Mai made a face to cover her nerves at the sudden mention of the very man she wanted to hide from existence,
"Forget it. We're dancing," she admonished, "Everyone knows you don't mix work and pleasure. I'm not a workaholic."
Mai's casual dismissal came out more or less firm and final. That's it, her tone of voice said clearly, end of conversation. Disappointingly, this didn't seem to concern Naru in the slightest.
"In the theater you said Mr. Miyuki's name instead of mine. Why?"
Mai felt the momentary confidence she had in silencing Naru, drain away.
Oh sure he likes me Bou-san! That's why instead of enjoying the first dance we've ever had, he's interrogating me!
"Mai, answer the question."
In a burst of frazzled energy, Mai practically shouted back at him,
"I was desperate; I thought it was a real fire! I was reaching out to anyone that could save me- his name just came out!" His name. Not your name.
"You've seen him before."
"No."
"No? You mean you didn't see him in the hall with Masako and Sachi?"
"Wait, yes. You confused me! I saw him that time- but that was so quick, it doesn't really count-"
Her thoughts catching up, Mai then eyed him critically, "But you already knew that. What are you trying to get at exactly?"
In the next instant though, she deeply regretted the question as the force of his answer hit her,
"The truth."
Neither spoke after that. They each needed to regroup. Mai, breathing heavy looked away, frowning hard. The space between them crackled with tension and frustrated emotions.
No. He's not going to make me feelguilty.
She was going to keep her promise. Bou-san would help her, they would figure things out. While this reassuring thought eased some of the unexpected sting of Naru's words, something small and nagging still felt as though it was pitted in her stomach. Mai defiantly ignored it. Because if she didn't, she'd have to acknowledge that, even though she denied them at every turn, the words and ideas Bou-san and Wise Obasan shared- had actually got her hopes up...and that would mean the nameless thing she was feeling now was the sinking feeling of disappointment.
But right at that moment, most prominently of all, Mai was tired. She didn't have the stamina to dance with Naru any longer- physically or mentally. Sighing through her nose, she looked back to her boss- thinking that maybe she could bow out, but the look in his eyes when they met hers said that he was still clearly focused on the truth. Before he could speak again though, Mai changed the subject to something that put her on the attack.
"Not that you care, but I'm fine."
It was supposed to come out implicating, a barb, reproachful, but her voice betrayed her emotions.
Naru likes you.
Naru doesn't care.
Disregarding the way her throat tightened, Mai clenched her jaw and tried again,
"…well, you know- aside from what the doctor said. Something about smoke inhalation, fatigue, and dehydration."
Mai blinked. Did she just imagine it, or did Naru just squeeze her hand? Cautiously, she looked to him, but if she ever thought she could read his subtle expressions, this was one that she couldn't. Though the lantern light around them wasn't very strong, his face held an impenetrable shadowy quality.
"This dance is over," he suddenly spoke, the band still playing behind them.
They came to a stop and Naru released her. That's when she realized how close they had just been standing. At some point in those last few moments, he must have taken proper hold of her, for she sagged when she stood with the loss of his support.
She watched his progress through the crowded dance floor as the song officially ended, all the happy couples slowing their rapid steps. Her eyes followed him all the way to the edge- and straight to Miss Miyuki. But not before he encountered Bou-san. Mai started, and took a panicked step forward, but it was just a brief exchange of words and then the head of SPR continued on, taking the heiress with him.
Mai was halfway to her partner before she realized her feet had moved. Excusing herself through the throng of people, Mai reached the monk who looked to her with an expression she wasn't expecting. It was the same one he had given when he had left her and Naru alone together.
Bou-san, your theories are all wrong.
"What did he say? Are we chicken?" she questioned, refusing to acknowledge the knowing look he was directing at her.
"Chicken?" he repeated incredulously, "No, not after dancing with you."
"That dance, we're you even watching? You don't know the half of it…"
The monk smirked at her,
"You're right, I don't. I just know the part where he asked me to take care of you."
Mai looked away from her triumphant partner and stared at the emptying dance floor, frowning.
Not that you care. She had said that to him.
Mai felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Her partner had come to stand beside her.
"See what I'm saying now?" he prompted, his gaze following hers, "Naru likes you."
