Day Five

6:15pm

Nozomi Town Square

See what I'm saying now? Naru likes you…

Arms crossed, Mai watched absently as the dance floor became emptied of all its spinning couples. The musicians put down their instruments. With that, there was no longer any music to drown out the words ringing in her ears. Bou-san spoke them so confidently, so easily, as if it were so obvious…as if it made sense. This only frustrated Mai further.

According to the monk she was enough to drive the collected Naru to distraction. In Wise Obasan's opinion she was apparently solitary Naru's soul mate. If the dance she had just finished with him was anything to go by, they were both wrong…and yet, he had told Bou-san to take care of her.

Mai winced and frowned. Naru was a contradiction her tired mind couldn't even begin to sort at that moment.

Knowing that her partner was waiting for a reaction to his last statement, Mai cleared her throat and shifted under the reassuring touch of his hand on her shoulder. She decided then that it was hopeless to argue. Whether she'd be any good as a distraction or not, it was her assignment now. Operation Miyuki had to work, this was their only lead. Miyuki. Miss Miyuki, had Bou-san already spoken with her? Mai glanced at the monk standing beside her, just about to question him on this, when a small pretty voice spoke from behind them,

"Takigawa-san? I must be leaving now, but I wanted to thank you for the dance."

Mai blinked and turned in the same instance as her partner. There, standing just off to the left of them, was Nari. She gave a bob of her head and a kind smile to Mai, which was returned good-naturedly. With pleasant exchanges happily given and received, a nagging thought shouting for attention caused Mai to shift her gaze to the object of the actress' gratitude,

Wait, he danced with Nari…when? What about-

"No, thank you," Bou-san answered graciously, with a slight bow. The easy charm oozing out of him was enough to make Mai smirk despite the urge to roll her eyes, and it elicited a small blush from Nari.

"Oh- you're very welcome," she murmured, all pink lips and cheeks, "And I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse me now, I should find Niko. See you soon."

With smiles and much waving the two of them saw the actress off, her petite form quickly swallowed by the swarm of people clearing the area. After a beat, a few distracted people jostling into them, the monk made to move along as well,

"Come on Mai, it's time we joined the others," he began, reaching for her elbow, but Mai's thoughts and temperament had already moved on-- with purpose she dodged his hand and pulled on his sleeve instead, halting him in his tracks.

"You danced with Nari?"

Her partner's momentary surprise morphed into amused taunting, "Jealous?"

"As if," Mai snorted.

"Liar," Bou-san grinned.

Not to be so easily diverted, Mai drove her point home:

"What about Miss Miyuki?"

"Oh, I said hello-"

Mai gripped the monk's sleeve tighter, her eyes widening,

"You said hello? What about the interrogation? You had me dance with Naru for nothing?"

"Nothing? Don't let him hear you say that, he won't wash that hand for a week I'll bet-"

"Bou-san!" Mai gave her infuriating partner's shoulder a good swack, but given there was no real reaction, it must have been the wrong one, or it was finally healing…

Ignoring her incredulity, the monk took up both of her shoulders, "Mai, relax. This kind of thing takes time. I can't just start my interrogation cold, we'll never get any answers. I have to build trust, a relationship. I'll spend tonight cozying up to her, and when the moment's right, and you have Naru wrapped around your finger- then I'll strike."

That. Bou-san.

Wrestling with the desire to pull her partner back out on the dance floor and step all over his feet, Mai fixed the unapologetic monk with a disbelieving look,

"There was no point in having me dance with him."

"Sure there was. I established contact, learned a little more about my target- and you built mood. I'd call phase one a success. "

The sour frown Mai's mouth had twisted into at the monk's logic and his mention of mood, lifted in sudden interest:

"You learned something? About Miss Miyuki?"

The monk nodded and put a guiding arm around her, he began to move away from the dance floor, lowering his voice as he spoke,

"Like all skilled operatives know, finding common ground is key. Our conversation wasn't really going anywhere, so on a whim, I brought up the fact that I'm in a band out of Tokyo."

Mai's face skewed up in confusion, "You thought there was a chance she's a groupie?"

It was Bou-san's turn to look down at her exasperatedly,

"No, I didn't think she was a groupie, Mai. I was just hoping she liked the city. Common ground, remember? Which, I'll have you know was the perfect instinct. It turns out that's where she lives. She works at an up-and-coming fashion house."

Mai blinked, her feet shuffling automatically through the crowd, as she considered this. It made perfect sense: Miss Miyuki's immaculate looks, her clothes. Mai had even thought of her as having come straight off a runway, or stepped out of magazine when she first meet her…an uncomfortable thought sprung up in Mai's mind before she could stop it,

I'm supposed to be distracting Naru from a model tonight?

"Interesting, huh?" Bou-san continued, oblivious to his partner's despairing thoughts, "She was plenty eager to talk of Tokyo, I don't think Nozomi's really her speed. It's something I can build on, bring us closer."

The monk's tone was certain, he smirked in satisfaction. Mai looked away from him with a small sigh,

I'm glad one of us is confident that this will work…

With slow progress the two of them wound their way through the thick mass of people, eyes darting face to face.

Where are the others?

Naru had left with Miss Miyuki, and presumably Lin…but everyone else?

Mai twisted, craning her neck to get a better look at the profile of a young man who reminded her of John, but then he turned. Mai blew out her cheeks,

Not him.

Wondering if Bou-san was having any better luck with his height advantage, Mai made to tilt her head questioningly at him, but the gesture was cut short as in the next instant, she was forced to practically duck- just narrowly avoiding an elbow to the face, courtesy of a woman to her right who had launched exuberantly into the arms of her lover.

"Whoa, passionate bunch. Better be careful," the monk remarked, gripping her shoulders tighter as he whisked her a healthy distance away, "Don't need you getting more injuries, do we?"

"Where is everyone?" Mai asked brushing at her sticky bangs, still a bit flustered from the near miss.

Her partner shrugged and opened his mouth, but just then the flow of the crowd came to an abrupt stop and the answer became clear.

Wise Obasan stood across from them in a small break from the throng, and a few feet from her, the rest of their missing SPR team. Mai's eyes meet John's and he gave a little start, a warm smile lighting his features at the sight of her, but her attention was torn away almost immediately as the ancient matchmaker spoke,

"Well, thank all of you for attending my little pre-festival ceremony. It is quite the turn out this year…" the old woman grinned as if she had just spoken some secret joke, "You've all been delightful to watch, but as you know, only a single pair of you will be deemed my chosen and thus selected as Mr. and Mrs. Miyuki."

There was an excited murmur among the crowd, several young women near Mai giggled and tugged on their partner's arms.

"I have narrowed down the candidates through this dance, but I can't believe there can be much suspense in the matter this year. I think I have made my choice perfectly clear--"

The murmur went up a frenzied octave; Mai sensed the heads nearest her turn in her direction. Not missing the implication, Mai felt herself growing uncomfortable; she shifted, hoping to slip behind Bou-san…

"What are you doing? This is good for our mission. It's the perfect cover for you being near Naru and not me tonight," the monk whispered, resisting his partner's attempts at slinking away.

Agitatedly, Mai pulled at his hands, which held her shoulders firmly,

"Bou-san, I am not being Wise Obasan's chosen-- that's ridiculous…"

A cackle of laughter halted Mai's struggles; Wise Obasan was talking again,

"Ah, there can be no doubt, but still- it's been wonderful to see you all. We shall meet again tonight when I make the official announcement."

There was a smattering of applause, low mutters were shared as the audience watched the ancient woman turn and hobble away, surprisingly light on her feet. Pointedly ignoring the departing I'm-up-to-something glint in the matchmaker's eyes, Mai hurriedly shrugged her partner's hands from her shoulders. Free from the crowd's interest and the monk's grasp, Mai stepped forward. Bouncing on her toes, she attempted to spot John again through the newly moving sea of people.

Where are they now?

"That's getting off easy."

Mai dropped down, her focus broken, "Hm?"

"Wise Obasan," Bou-san spoke, a slight confused frown pulling at his features, his gaze still lingering where the ancient woman had stood, "Don't you think it's a bit weird the way she just left?"

"Weird?" Mai repeated absently, distracted by a couple shamelessly intertwined right in front of her.

Catching sight of the look on her face, the monk snorted, then took up his partner's hand and pulled her along,

"Yes, weird. She didn't call on you or Naru, even though she mentioned her chosen. She didn't even bring up your passionate dance…nothing. Something's not right."

Watching the oblivious couple disappear behind them, the grimace Mai was making changed into an uncertain frown,

"What are you saying Bou-san?"

"What I'm saying is, you saw that glint in her eyes-" the monk shuddered here (perhaps remembering his close encounters with the woman…), "I'd be on high alert tonight if I were you."

At this, Mai's frown deepened. She wanted nothing more than to turn to her partner and firmly dismiss his worries- you're just being paranoid Bou-san…but she faltered. A feeling of unease grew within her. In successive flashes, she recalled the scene at the theater that very morning. The threat of fire, the panic, the rescue…

The words of caution Nari and Mr. Sachi (Wise Obasan's previous chosen) had shared filled her head with haunting clarity:

"…you're not familiar with this woman but let me tell you...if you've been chosen there is no escape..."

"…she will try everything to get you to agree to be her chosen. She made Joji believe I was drowning..."

Heart beginning to race, Mai shook her head as if she could shake off the validity of the monk's concerns, but unbidden a final memory surfaced in her mind and sealed her newly formed doubts: the ancient matchmaker outside the Inn, her selecting Naru and Mai as soul mates, Naru disregarding the idea, her vowing against him:

"You know nothing of my demonstrations. You are a match. The best match and everyone will know as much tonight..."

And now the time had come. This was tonight. Mai swallowed with some difficulty, her palms had become clammy.

That Wise Obasan.

"Hey," a voice belonging to neither Nari, Mr. Sachi, nor Wise Obasan, prompted.

Pulled from her troubled thoughts, Mai looked up at her partner. He gave her shoulder a light squeeze, concern still laced his features, but she found for a new reason other than the tyrant matchmaker,

"You've gone a bit pale there, you okay?"

"Oh," Mai responded, blinking any lingering revere away, "I'm fine, just thinking…"

"About…what? About Wise Obasan?"

Mai nodded silently, lips pursed, but then she tilted her head in curiosity as a new idea occurred to her,

Does he remember her threat? He was there.

Jumping on her chance, Mai went to open her mouth, but the monk was already speaking again, a smirk forming on his lips,

"I knew it couldn't have been about Naru, you weren't blushing."

Mai elbowed her partner and then fixed him with a stern look,

"You're right about it being weird. The more I think on it, I can't be the distraction. I should perform the interrogation. It's just too risky otherwise-"

Not even halfway through, Mai could already see the protests forming on the monk's lips. Hurriedly she added, "You know, considering Wise Obasan's agenda and my health. She could try something really dangerous this time…"

This point had some effect: the monk's gaze turned grim and thoughtful, he clenched his jaw as if mulling over his defeat, his brow furrowing…but in the next moment his face suddenly cleared,

"Hm, good argument, but there's a flaw," he whispered leaning down towards her.

Mai glanced at him, confused by his hushed tone, but then she noticed the small group of people they were approaching: Ayako, Masako, and John.

Finally!

Nearly upon them now, Bou-san spoke quickly, his voice low,

"If you're concerned about the risk, where is it safer than next to Naru? If you get into any trouble at all, he'll just save you again, and you'll have a nice new memory to blush over."

That Bou-san.

Ready to counter his weak logic, glaring at the monk's grin, she was seconds away from extracting sweet revenge, her fingers finding his shoulder…but there was no time for retaliation- they were within earshot of the group and Masako had stepped forward to intercept them,

"Unbelievable," she began, an angry glint in her dark eyes.

Mai was surprised at her tone before she realized that the events of that evening could not have been very pleasant for her rival. It had apparently touched a jealous nerve with the usually unflappable medium.

If you only knew Masako…

Tired, and not particularly up for a fight, Mai opened her mouth to try and say something soothing, like she had been forced to dance with Naru (which was, sadly true…), but in the next instant she swallowed those words as the medium raised an elegant hand to her,

What-

Mai flinched, thinking that the worst has happened and the famous psychic had lost it in an envious fit (she knew it would have to happen someday!)- when rather than a slap, she felt a firm, but gentle, pressure on her forehead.

Still tense, Mai slowly opened her eyes and blinked uncertainly at her rival. Masako stared back, observing her with her lips pursed thoughtfully. There was still a hardness to her gaze, but it confusingly didn't seem directed at Mai…

"Well, a bit warm- but who knows how it'll be later when you've gone and exerted yourself like this? Really, you'd think someone of that age would have more common sense."

"Huh?" Mai mumbled, her confusion lingering. She didn't know whether to be insulted or not…

Masako's hand dropped away and she tucked it tightly into her other arm against her chest, her disgust quite apparent,

"Wise Obasan," the medium finally clarified, noting Mai's puzzled look, "You had no business out on that dance floor. You can't dance as it is, and then she's got you paired with Naru of all people, trying to manage a two-step while half dead on your feet."

That Masako.

Mai felt herself grow hot at her rival's obvious jabs, she now had a strong urge to recount the dance she had apparently butchered, relishing over the fact that it took place in Naru's arms-- but something in Masako's manner stopped her.

It was subtle, and the medium was doing her best to hide it, but Mai suspected she sensed genuine concern somewhere under all of that mock interest in her health.

"And who let her go out there like that?" Ayako suddenly chimed in, coming up to inspect Mai herself.

Mai just had time to see her partner raise an eyebrow, before her face was captured in the miko's hands, and her attention was turned over to the woman's nursing ministrations.

Great, here they go again…

"Wise Obasan said her chosen had to dance together."

"Please, you're her partner. The only person she had to dance with is you."

"You heard Mr. Sachi, the old biddy was going to burn down his theater or worse if they didn't!"

"You care about his theater?"

"Mai wanted to dance!"

Ayako's only response was a derisive snort. Her careful eyes still focused on her patient, she commented,

"You're the picture of fatigue."

There was a lingering implication left hanging in the air: because Bou-san had you dance…

"Oy," the monk protested, casting a glance at Mai's pale face before glaring at the back of Ayako's head, "you're not really trying to place blame on-"

The miko released Mai's chin, and pointedly ignoring Bou-san's angry objections, spoke over him,

"John, can you give Mai your arm? We need to be heading back to the Inn."

Standing out of the line of fire, avoiding the daggers both monk and priestess where throwing at each other with their gazes, John nodded and came forward,

"Of course," he agreed, offering her a supportive hand.

Mai took it with a grateful smile, "Thanks John."

"Shall we?"

Ayako turned on heel, the crowd nearly cleared from the town square around them. It was time to get ready for the festival. Satisfied that her partner had Mai in his care, Masako nodded and swiftly followed after. That left the three of them: Mai, John, and Bou-san, to trail along...the latter leering dangerously after the priestess.

Thinking things were settling down, Mai relaxed her shoulders a bit, and leaned against John's support. The group managed three more feet before Ayako jerked to a stop and snapped her head around. As if still silently fuming, and compulsively needing the last word, she spoke to the monk directly,

"By the way, I know exactly what happened. Mai needed to dance with Naru, because you needed to put the moves on his partner. That's right, I saw you chatting Miss Miyuki up. Disgusting."

With this, she took several long strides in her heels and marched ahead. Mai's eyes widened.

Uh-oh.

That wasn't it at all…but their plan, they couldn't reveal it-

Mai threw a helpless look back at her partner; surely this would provoke something out of him. But his expression was neutral. He subtly shook his head, as if to say don't worry about it.

Mai crinkled her brow, but- her eyes shouted at him. I don't care, he mouthed under her probing stare, dismissing her concern- but his crossed arms and tense posture seemed to tell a different story.

Mai bit her lip and turned away,

Great.

There was a guilty twinge to her stomach. This misunderstanding was because of her, because of Mr. Miyuki, because of the secret…

Unintentionally, it seemed the mystery surrounding the ghostly playwright was now driving a wedge between Ayako and Bou-san, just as it had between herself and Naru. This wasn't what she wanted.

It'll be okay, I'll clear everything up. We just need a little more time- a chance to find out what Miss Miyuki knows…

It was the thick scent of lilies wafting on the air that drew Mai from her worries. That, and the voice accompanying it,

"There are so many. I wonder if they grow them locally?"

Mai blinked away the consuming images of Mr. Miyuki, Naru, and Bou-san from her focus, to pay proper attention to John's question. They were halfway back to the Inn now, and passing under the strands and strands of lilies the townspeople of Nozomi had strung up. Mai was also stuck by the sheer number of them, they were integral part of the festival and used for most of the proceedings. She had not considered how they were able to gather so many.

"Locally? Do you think?" Mai wondered in reply, grateful for the distraction. It stopped her from dwelling.

Holding his arm, she managed a small smile in a surge of affection for the young priest. Whether he realized her anxious state or not, it was just like him to give relief from whatever was bothering her.

"I remember at one of the festival meetings, Mrs. Koku said that the moon lily is native to Nozomi. Maybe they grow this variety here too?"

Moon lily.

Mai had opened her mouth to agree that they must…but at the mention of the significant flower, the words stalled in her throat.

She kept forgetting.

She had been given one.

It was back in her room, under her pillow, unthought-of in the chaos of the day. Swallowing harder than she intended, Mai shook her head, attempting to keep up with the conversation,

"That's right," she nodded, hoping John didn't notice the pause, "There must be lily fields somewhere near here…"

Genuinely interested, Mai gazed out through the gathering dark, but the trees surrounding Nozomi were dense. There was no obvious cleared land.

"We should ask Mr. Sachi," the young priest suggested, his curiosity matching Mai's, "He would probably know something about it."

"Good idea," Mai nodded.

"If it's true, let's go see the fields together," John suggested with an encouraging smile.

"Definitely. I'll hold you to it. You still owe me a dance you know…" Mai reminded, nudging him gently, thinking on other plans they had made.

"You always seem to be partnered up," John pointed out, careful to avoid mentioning her most recent one.

Mai snorted and pulled a face, "You have my permission to cut in whenever you'd like."

John raised his eyebrows, silently wondering (not for the first time) what he must have missed earlier that day- but gave a ready nod, "Alright then, my next dance is all yours."

Put at ease by her friend's company, Mai found herself feeling much less agitated by the time the group reached the Inn.

I can handle this. We'll get the answers we need tonight.

Having lead them (and hurriedly at that), Masako and Ayako were already waiting at the front door of the Koku's when they shuffled up. Through her growing exhaustion, Mai still had a sense enough to detect something odd as she glanced over at the two. They were standing close, their heads bent together... as if they had been talking.

Hmph. What could they have to say to each other..?

Mai felt the weight of their eyes, and then the answer struck her.

They're still worried.

Mai frowned and messed self-consciously with her bangs, thinking how terrible she must look to make them stare.

And I'm supposed to distract Naru tonight, right

Masako came away from the door, with purpose, and peered into her rival's face,

"You should really sit this one out, Taniyama. That old woman is out of her mind, making up ridiculous relationships. Who knows what she'll get up to tonight? You're better off in bed."

Mai blinked back at the medium, trying not to be too suspicious, uncertain what to do with the friendly concern she was being offered. The bonus Naru jabs certainly weren't helping...and as if determined to put Mai off any good will- the psychic continued smoothly,

"Rest, and think nothing of that chosen business. I'll be sure to keep Naru close. Wise Obasan won't have a leg to stand on with me around."

"It's not a leg that she needs…" Bou-san muttered, listening in from somewhere behind Mai.

That Masako.

Her frayed nerves prickling, Mai opened her mouth to say thank you, but no thank you, at Masako's obvious attempts to lock her away- but with a flash return of genuineness, the medium pulled back and turned a set of serious eyes on the young man standing beside Mai.

"I have to be going to Mr. Sachi's now, I'm already late, but I'll meet up with you later. Keep an eye on her."

Still acting as Mai's crutch, John gave his friend a quick look and squeeze to the hand,

"I'll make sure she's taken care of," he agreed, attention returning to the medium.

"We'll all make sure," Bou-san assured, his hand coming to rest on top of Mai's head affectionately.

"Some are better at that than others it seems…"

The monk's head swung in the direction of the front door, but Ayako had already turned around, her red hair swishing behind her as she disappeared into the Inn.

"Never mind her," Mai murmured, "I know you'll look out for me. She knows it too- it's just…"

Mai broke off awkwardly here, noticing both Masako and John looking on with interest.

"She doesn't bother me," Bou-san dismissed promptly with a shrug and ruffle to her hair, "Are we going to head in?"

But Mai caught the low tone to his words and frowned to herself.

Sure you're not bothered…

The sky was indigo over the low structure of the Koku Inn, everyone murmured that they were ready and Masako parted from them, with one last long look at Mai.

Fidgety with all the concerned stares and appraisals, Mai walked at a faster pace than before, with John at her arm. She wanted to be at her room as soon as possible. Bou-san followed in their wake in a thoughtful silence.

They reached her door without incident, the halls sparse with most people busy getting dressed up for the festival. That would be a different story in a matter of an hour, when dinner would be served. Mai planned on a quick change. She had no intention of being late this time.

Thanking John for his assistance (she hadn't realized how tired she had become…), Mai stepped into her room and shut the door behind her, catching Bou-san's significant look through the crack as it closed and he passed by, on the way to his own room. It clearly said: I'll be over soon.

They had talking to do. But not now. For the first time in what felt like ages Mai had a moment to herself. Coming to stand at the edge of her bed, she heaved a sigh. The covers were thrown back, left undone in her hurry to leave that morning. She had been running to-

Him.

Mai blinked, and brought a tired hand to her forehead. Had it really just been that morning when they settled on partners? It hadn't been a total failing though; she had fended off Masako, but…

Miss Miyuki.

She would have her turn facing her that night it seemed. She was supposed to distract Naru from a model. A model. Mai fell sideways into her bed with a grunt. She closed her eyes and was lost in a moment of dizzying relief. Sleep was a welcome thing at this point; she could probably stay curled up this way for a whole week. Maybe Masako was right? Maybe she was better off in bed…

Mai frowned as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. She threw herself over, and opened her eyes.

No. I'm doing this. Masako and Miss Miyuki are going to have to deal with me tonight.

Staring at the ceiling, it was as if her mind was a tape and someone had pressed rewind. The events of the day all rush in on her:

The Kioko dream…

The mad dash for partners…

Wise Obasan…

The theater fire…

The rescue…

Operation Kioko…

Lin's interrogation…

Operation Miyuki…

A second dream…

Ayako closing in…

The dance with Naru…

Her assignment now…

The festival. That was next.

Mai frowned, her head throbbing. Restlessly she threw an arm out- and made contact with something other than her sheets…something delicate

Curious, she lifted her head a fraction- but she knew before her gaze settled on the object. Its perfume scented the air, its pollen dusted her hand, the discovery of it in her room the night before danced through her memory,

A moon lily.

Mai's fingers closed around the stem. Captivated, she held it before her nose, studying its petals. Someone given her this. Someone.

Who?

Mai groaned. She had had enough with mysteries. Since stepping foot in Nozomi she had been up to her neck in them. It was in that moment that she remembered the greatest one of them all: Mr. Miyuki. Her recollection of the last ten hours had left out one key point, she had told his secret. In the next second, startling her, there was a knock at her door, followed by-

"Mai?"

Recognizing Bou-san's voice, she sat up. It was time to talk.