Day Five

8:15pm

The Koku Inn

Mai's chopsticks scraped the bottom of her plate. She was nearly finished. Her stomach felt wonderfully full…but there was still an emptiness about her, she found she was now hungry for something else entirely: answers.

Trouble was…those answers could only come from Miss Miyuki. In secret. Away from a crowded dinner table that included Naru. Operation Miyuki was looming before her yet again. Mai set her chopsticks down; it was time to regroup.

The events of the last thirty minutes filtered through her mind like a slide show, resulting in a flush to her cheeks. The disastrous first impression at double doors, the table seating fiasco, Ayako and Bou-san's attention stealing antics, the forgotten tea, her rising fever, her bold attempt at a Masako impression, no dinner…

Wait. There was dinner.

Mai stared down at her empty plate, her shoulders tense with the urge to snap her head up and take a proper look at her boss, study his expression- she hadn't managed to since she had realized…

He fixed my order. He bought my dinner.

She recalled Miss Miyuki's strange words (referring to Naru as a gentlemen), and Bou-san's obvious significant looks, they had known what he was doing. And that it was for her. Mai frowned, her gaze still fixed to the table.

But was he really distracted by me...?

Inwardly groaning, she rubbed at her forehead. It was no use. She wasn't going to be able to sort out the situation or her feelings regarding it anytime soon, and certainly not sitting there as sick and foggy headed as she was...but then, as if by divine intervention, a snatch of conversation from the next table over caught her attention:

"…oh I didn't see that play"

"You must! Mr. Miyuki's original work is so much more than what's been put on during the festival…"

Mr. Miyuki. An image of a saddened man with a finger pressed to his lips surfaced in Mai's mind. She knew what she had to do. Fevered state or not, she had to try.

For the mission, for Mr. Miyuki…

Mai straightened up in her seat, blinking the playwright from her eyes. Discarding the words distracting and chosen, she decided she would focus on one thing only: facts.

The facts were that she had just finished a nice hot meal, courtesy of Naru. Figuring what this meant, in terms of her mission- fiercely blocking out a loud Bou-san sounding voice shouting: it's because he likes you!- she began to concentrate hard, determined to come up with some other conclusion that didn't match Wise Obasan's or her partner's.

If he doesn't like me, if I'm not distracting…what am I to him?

"Mai?"

Mai startled from her thoughts, "Hm?"

It was John, his blue eyes peered uncertainly at her, "Oh, well- you looked a little upset just now, I wondered if anything was the matter?"

Mai's hand moved to cover her mouth. She must have been frowning in her deep thought. Quickly, she smiled and picked up her cup of tea,

"Um, nothing really…I think I got sleepy is all, I'm so full and my meal was so good."

"Alright, if that's all…" John relented with a kind look, seemingly satisfied, and Mai shared an extra smile with him, touched by his concern. He was a good friend.

Friend.

The word lodged in Mai's mind. In that moment a groggy set of unexpected connections were made: Naru wasn't her destiny, he was her friend.

Of sorts…

Mai set her tea down firmly. No, she wouldn't get hung up on the details, this was her answer. The distracting theory tossed out the window, she clung to this new approach with all her might, boldly ignoring everything that didn't fit in with it (would a friend play footsie…?).

So what if Naru wasn't generally friendly? He was her friend. And what he did for her that night he would do for any friend. Her ideas building steam, Mai let out the anxious breath she had been holding ever since Bou-san had given her this assignment. She wasn't distracting, she wasn't Masako. Now she didn't have to be. She was going to keep Naru's attention- but as a friend…as a very bothersome, interfering, friend.

My specialty. He won't have moment's peace.

For the first time since dinner was served, Mai lifted her gaze with the intention catching Naru's eye. What eyes she did meet surprised her.

Her full lips curved a bit, Miss Miyuki nodded her head towards Mai, and then casually turned and answered something Ayako asked her.

Mai blinked and gave a delayed nod in return. It was odd, despite the woman's half smile, something about the exchange felt…

Unfriendly.

Her sluggish mind struggling to process this, Mai's attention shifted- traveling down the table to her partner. The monk had seemed to have perked up with dinner, and between bites he was interjecting into Ayako and Miss Miyuki's conversation with ease.

Sensing her stare, he gave a meaningful look, followed up with one of his most satisfied smirks. He clearly thought between his progress with the heiress, and her special dinner order, everything was going according to plan. Mai smiled back. It was going according to plan.

There's just a slight change, Monk...

She looked away from her partner, feeling that if she watched for too long he might be able to tell that she had gone rogue. But it didn't matter. The mission was still the same. She was going to distract Naru by any means necessary.

It was then that Mai realized that she was stalling. Her eyes were still avoiding Naru. Even though she was liberated from her awkward attempts at being a Masako impersonator, it wasn't going to be any easier to distract her boss. The friendly approach was a help, but the ties between them had been strained since arriving in Nozomi, they didn't talk much and if they did…it was an interrogation.

Be yourself Taniyama, and think fast!

"Thank you for dinner," she blurted, before her foggy mind could catch up to her mouth. Her gratitude was directed straight at Naru, and so was her gaze. There was a beat, his all too familiar stare fell on her. Somewhere in the background Ayako and Miss Miyuki ceased their murmuring.

"You're welcome," he began, laying down his own chopsticks.

Mai swallowed. She knew there was something different about this dinner. Her boss wasn't normally what you would call chatty, but this was the first time he had spoken to her since entering the dining room. Her heart did a weird clenching thing that she stubbornly ignored as the rest of his answer followed:

"…but there was really wasn't much of a choice. The wrath you've managed to incur from this Inn was going to make us late for the festival."

Mai's mouth opened, but she bit back her retort.

Remember, friendly.

Instead, her eyes defiantly held his, even though she knew her cheeks must have gone red. This was just like him. But it didn't matter. He had responded to her. She could build on this.

Miss Miyuki cleared her throat delicately, "Yes, we can't be late- and look at this, are we really one of the last tables? I think it must be close to time."

The staring contest was broken; Naru's attention captured by Miss Miyuki, and Mai's captured by the rest of the room, her face still flushed. She glanced about, there really were very few people left…

Miss Miyuki stood, her golden hair slipping alluringly over her shoulders, "If you'll wait a minute more, I just need to freshen up- and then we can head out?"

There was barely a chance to agree with this plan before Masako was also standing, announcing she was going to join the heiress in freshening up,

"That's sounds like a great idea, after you…"

In the next moment the two of them had swept away from the dining room, Masako's petite form trailing the heiress. Mai watched her rival until the double doors had closed, blocking out her powder blue kimono. She fought off a frown, but her suspicions were raised. What was going on? Why on this night of all nights, did Miss Miyuki have to be so popular?

Turning back around, Mai's eyes immediately darted to Bou-san, what did he think of his target getting so much attention…?

I hope he doesn't think he's going to add Masako and Ayako to his list of people I'm supposed to distract tonight. It's not happening.

But she didn't get a chance to share so much as a glance with her partner before-

"Shameless."

Ayako. Miss Miyuki no longer separating them, she was now free to openly glare at the monk a seat down.

"Hm? What was that?"

"I said you're shameless. Her partner's sitting right there."

Mai's eyes flicked to Naru. If possible, his expression had grown darker.

Bou-san shrugged nonchalantly, "So? Mine's sitting across the table and she's not bothered."

Mai didn't miss the small wink he threw at her.

"Well I should hope not!"

The monk leaned accusingly towards the miko, "I don't see the problem, you've been talking to her just as much-"

Ayako gave a derisive snort, "I'm not trying to date her. Come to find out, we have a lot in common. I'm getting to know her."

"And you can't do that some other time?"

"No."

Bou-san's mouth snapped back open, fighting words about spring out, but he was denied this by the reappearance of Miss Miyuki. She was ready to leave and so was the rest of the table. His protests dissolving into grumbled mutters, the monk stood from his chair. Ayako, with a small triumphant smirk on her red lips, stood also and then lead the group away from the dining room.

If Mai was hoping the seating politics would be left behind at the table, she was sorely disappointed. Their walking formation was just another variation. Masako clung to Naru like the scent of tea. Miss Miyuki was as much a captive of Ayako and Bou-san as ever. Mai, John, and Lin hovered in the back of group, winding their way through the Inn's halls.

Mai worried at her lip, a bit of a panic creeping up. Bou-san had managed to take Miss Miyuki's arm hostage, practically pulling her away from Ayako. But Mai, once more, found herself unable to capture even Naru's eye. She had to somehow get closer to him, to distract him before they reached the festival grounds. Time was running out.

Pressure and fatigue were not a good combination though. On her feet again, Mai realized just how tired her body was, just how much of a toll dinner had taken. Was she up to chasing Naru? Out maneuvering Masako? Mai pursed her lips,

I have to try.

She readied herself to leave John's side and march up to her boss, what she would say she hardly knew.

I have to try.

Mai drew in a breath, quickened her pace, she was coming up behind her partner when- a commotion. Ayako had bumped into someone while distractedly trying to steal Miss Miyuki's attention.

"Oh, sorry- excuse me."

"No problem- wait…"

Their group paused along with the miko, who was already a few paces past the person. She looked back over her shoulder, her keen eyes taking in the man's height, his round figure, balding head…

Mai's eyes widened at the same time as Ayako's.

The man from table tweleve!

"What luck huh, bumping into you here?" the man spoke, his mouth forming a delighted smile.

The miko's expression said clearly that she thought it was anything but lucky, but with more civility than Mai was used to her giving, Ayako did manage a tight smirk,

"Coincidence. Well, enjoy the festival."

She turned, and made to move on. But the man couldn't, apparently, take a hint.

"Ah- are you going then?"

Ayako stiffened, her patience shrinking with each passing second. Mai knew what a short fuse she had. Silently she slipped to the side of the hall, out of the line of fire. John followed. He knew too.

"Why yes, yes I am," the miko answered, her smile turning brittle. She was walking back towards the man, and he grinned wider, but she didn't stop at him.

"With my partner," she announced, and latched onto Lin's arm. The Chinese man's face was perfectly expressionless, but Mai swore she detected a mild flash of annoyance in his stare.

"Oh- I see," the man replied, and he did see. Lin, standing there and towering over him, looked like nothing he wanted to challenge. But in his retreat, as the group pushed forward, he caught sight of Bou-san.

"Hey, you- aren't you her partner though? You two danced the other night."

This remark was aimed at a passing Bou-san, whose eyebrows rose at being remembered.

"You're mistaken. He only likes blondes."

The words were thrown out crisply by Ayako as she stalked past the stalled group, tugging an impassive Lin after her. Everyone followed in her wake, leaving Mr. Table Twelve to stare dumbfounded.

Mai walked on through the front door to the Inn automatically. Conflicted thoughts raced through her mind. Her gaze fell on the back of her partner's head. This mission was tearing him and Ayako apart. She wanted to frown, but this wasn't exactly bad, was it? This mission was tearing him and Ayako apart. Separate. She would be at Lin's side the rest of the night. Ayako would no longer be an obstacle. Miss Miyuki would be left to Bou-san alone.

He only likes blondes.

Mai did frown. Her stomach dropped when she thought of the hurt look that had flickered across the monk's face.

Ayako, it's not what it seems. Don't hate him too much.

More determined than ever to complete her assignment, Mai drew in a deep breath and set her sights on Naru. Ahead, her boss weaved through scattered groups of people, stragglers like themselves, leading the way to the festival grounds. Stubbornly, Masako remained next to him, filling the space at his side.

That Masako.

Having Ayako out of the way wasn't going to be much of a help to Mai. The priestess wasn't her problem. The medium was. Mai needed to take action, she needed a strategy…but her tired mind and body needed a rest.

No. I can't quit now.

She gritted her teeth, ignoring the goose bumps running up and down her arms as the heat escaped from her skin into the damp air around her. Even through the growing dark, Mai could see clouds heavy with rain gathered, blotting out the first stars to emerge.

Patchy, half conjured ideas formed in answer to her desperate need of a Masako solution. A single thought struggled free from the rest: John. Masako was his partner.

I should say something…remind John that he has a partner…I'm not with mine because of the mission, John is not on a mission…is Masako's mission Naru? But John is her partner…

Mai's brow furrowed, all her ideas were running together. They hardly made sense. With effort, she attempted to focus. Her gaze slipped over to the person in question, who was considerately keeping pace with her small, slow steps.

Mai stopped suddenly. What was she thinking?

No. John is not the answer.

She would not drag him into this. He was not some asset.

"Mai?" he said, noticing that she had stopped. Mai shook her head, as if to shake off the ridiculous (fever deluded) idea and his worry. She started forward again, her hands taking his arm with an affectionate squeeze,

"It's nothing, let's get to this festival already- hm?"

The priest nodded and smiled, happily lending himself over to her.

They had not taken more than a few more steps though, when they paused again. The group had halted.

"What a relief, where have you been? I thought I had missed you!"

In front, just past Ayako's elbow, Mai made out a shock of color- a rich burgundy.

Mr. Sachi?

The playwright flashed them all a grin nearly as dazzling as the silk trimmed suit he was wearing. His entire ensemble shouted formal, or dapper…as he clearly thought he looked, adjusting his cuff links. Something occurred Mai to just then. Her gaze slipped over to John as she heard Mr. Sachi utter a curt,

"Fashionably late, aren't we Miss Miyuki?"

If Miss Miyuki bothered to respond, Mai didn't know. She was staring at the priest standing beside her. John was wearing one too. A suit. Or more accurately, a tux. She had noticed it fleetingly in the dining room, but what with her other problems she hadn't the time to consider…

Following a hunch, her eyes found Bou-san next. Sure enough, he was dressed just as sharply. There was no dinner jacket, but he was donning polished shoes (quickly becoming dusty walking the Nozomi streets), ironed slacks, and a dress shirt complete with a bow tie. His hair, while not oiled down like Mr. Sachi's, was pulled back in a low ponytail, tied by a black ribbon.

Just to confirm, she turned her head towards Lin. It was the same. While Lin's style was never what Mai would call casual, he was sporting a more classically styled suit. From Lin, her thoughts naturally progressed to…

Naru.

She had hardly glanced at him during dinner, what was he wearing?

The answer made her pulse jump a bit. His was a tailored, three piece: dress shirt, vest, jacket- black on black on black. Mai felt her face go hot. She blinked, swallowed, and above all fought to erase an initial, unbidden thought: that Naru was distracting.

Flustered and even warmer than she had been all night, Mai grappled for a distraction- fortunately, Mr. Sachi was happy to provide one.

"Well now, if we really don't hurry there won't be any festival for us to enjoy..."

Whatever conversation had gone on, it was obviously at an end. The playwright, reminding Mai of a living glass of wine in his colored suit, was gesturing Masako toward him.

For the past five days they had spent in Nozomi, for reasons Mai wasn't even sure of, whenever Mr. Sachi presented his arm to the medium- she would take it. And so it was that the playwright was ready to leave, and his arm was presented…but she did not take it.

There was a ripple of surprise spread throughout their group, but Mr. Sachi seemed to misinterpreted her refusal, and he made to come to her instead, a light chuckle at himself, murmuring, "Ah, not very gentlemanly of me my dear, here-"

But even as he was speaking, Masako spoke over him, "Mr. Sachi is right, we can't be late, can we John?"

At her side, Mai felt John startle- a moment later he was gently pulling himself free from her. Mai let her hands drop, her eyes met his and she saw her own wonder mirrored there, but quickly he masked it with a smile.

Mai watched John approach Masako, one part of her unable to believe her luck with her obstacle removed so easily, another part grimacing at how oblivious her rival was at her own luck.

That Masako.

Reunited as partners, Masako's arms assumed the same position as Mai's had, taking hold of John. With some difficulty, Mai tore her eyes away from the scene the medium was creating to spare a glance at Mr. Sachi.

Mai blinked, it could have been a trick of light, or her mind finally surrendering to her fever, but she swore she saw something odd flash across the playwright's face. A second later though, his expression was adjusted into perfect nonchalance, and he spoke- his tone airy,

"Partners, but of course. I quite forgot about that, been so busy with the play... well, you all come find me when you're done being match made, I'll save space in the front row for you."

And with that he bowed himself away from them, the trim of his suit gleaming in the swelling lantern light.

"He couldn't find himself a partner, hm? Shocker…" Ayako remarked, her keen eyes following Mr. Sachi's departing back through the thinning crowd.

"We're nearly there, let's go," Miss Miyuki spoke dismissively, the subject clearly irritating to her. Mai turned her head towards the heiress, but intercepted Bou-san's gaze instead. He gave her one look, but it spoke volumes.

Showtime.

There now was an empty space next her target. Mai was to fill it. But how…?

They entered the festival grounds, food stalls lined the street, vendors shouting their dishes. Partners, couples, packed in around them. Alone, Mai stuck out like Mr. Sachi in his colorful suit.

"…so interested, I think it was somewhere over this direction-"

Bou-san was working his magic, attempting to lead Miss Miyuki away. The heiress glanced at Naru, but the monk was persistent. Mai watched as she was tugged along.

"We'll be back, don't wait for us- we'll meet you by the stage!" the monk shouted over his shoulder.

Naru stared after his abducted partner with an expression Mai couldn't read. He let Miss Miyuki go.

Mai's lips parted, stunned. The tension in her body that had begun to build from the moment Bou-san had spoke- knowing that she was going to have to act, be a distraction- drained from her. She now felt shaky, all nerves and confusion.

No one is acting how their supposed to tonight.

Mai kept her guard up. The critical moment had passed, but not the danger.

Naru can still go after them.

Blinking uncertainly, Mai's attention turned to the rest of their group, but she found Bou-san and Miss Miyuki weren't the only ones to sneak away. Through the gaps between people hurrying by, Mai caught sight of Ayako doing an excellent impression of the monk, practically dragging Lin to a food stand hawking ice cream, "-come on, I need desert!"

Her gaze shifted from the Chinese man's grim expression, looking through the heads of the crowd for John and Masako. There- nearly out of sight, were the unlikely partners. Still arm and arm. Mai stared after them until a tall dark figure interrupted her view. Naru. He was moving on too. With a start, she followed.

I can't let him out of my sight-

Nerves frayed, Mai weaved through the people pressed in around her, attempting to catch her boss. Now more than ever, she wished her special abilities included reading minds.

What is he up to…?

She couldn't imagine Naru not having an agenda when he let his partner go so easily- whatever it was, she had to stop him from going anywhere near Bou-san.

Frowning, she trudged on after her target, her heels stirring up small pockets of dust from the dirty street. It wasn't immediately that she noticed, her focus being elsewhere after all, but after the third whistle she paused. Mai's turned just in time to see a departing smile and a cheeky nod from a man about Mr. Sachi's age. Mai's brow furrowed. Another man bumped into her shoulder just then- apologized…then took in what she was wearing.

Feeling herself being surveyed, Mai waved him off, and marched forward- panickedly realizing that she had let Naru get ahead of her again. Fortunately, he was easy to pick out, standing above the rest. Unfortunately in the space of time it took to reach him, Mai encountered many interested looks. Distraction crept in, and not the kind she had been thinking of so often that night. Her attention was now divided between her boss- her mission- and the eyes of the crowd. She felt exposed, vulnerable. It suddenly occurred to her that her dress length was too short. That her shoulders were too bare. Mai pulled absently at her hem and wrapped her free arm tightly around herself, her cheeks coloring.

As usual I get it wrong, distracting every man but him.

Mai shivered, all that skin meant she was cold now that the sun was down. And her fever just made this worse, rather than better. She wore goose bumps like an accessory. There was only one couple separating herself and Naru now, she glared at his back. If her boss was leading man material he would have stopped to wait for her, he would have noticed her shaking and placed his coat around her, he would have been the first distracted by her- told her how nice she looked…

Mai pushed past the pair in front of her, coming to walk side by side with her target. He wasn't leading man material though.

He wasn't distracted.

He didn't stop.

She was freezing.

Now was no time for feverish delusions- she had a mission to complete. Casting away the fantasy of him offering her coat, she settled on something more reasonable: acknowledgment.

"Where are we going?" Mai asked pointedly, her tired legs telling her that they had walked through half the festival grounds by now. Her suspicions were raised, was he wandering around like this looking for Bou-san and Miss Miyuki?

"To the stage, isn't the festival about to start?" he answered without looking at her.

Mai bit her lip, watching him with narrowed eyes.

To the stage then…

The two of them walked on. It was the opposite of what Mai had wanted. Between the ogling men she past, her legs that were screaming at her that the stage never seemed this far away, and her constant shivering- it was she who was feeling distracted. Every glance at Naru showed the same expressionless look, his gaze straight ahead. With relief Mai finally saw the stage up ahead. The crowd around them swelled, people filling the area from other entrances to the festival grounds. Due to the narrowing space, Mai pressed into closer to her boss. Their progress began to slow down.

It was then that an unexpected feeling stole over her. Suddenly she was back at the table- with him. Again she felt the contact, the comfort, the urge to rest…Mai's eyes slipped shut, and the world disappeared. And then she stumbled, her ankle betraying her for a second time. Heart pounding, her eyes snapped open on reality, she let out a cry, her arm waved around in blind desperation- she was falling…

Mai jerked to a halt, but it wasn't the harsh ground that met her. Her hand was full of sleeve, she was leaning against something solid. The light smell of tea met her senses.

Naru.

He had caught her. His arm was around her, his fingers splayed across her back, a few pressed against her skin. There was a beat of just staring. Mai's pulse pounded in her ears. A voice in the back of her mind was shouting something…distracting.

Abruptly, Mai stumbled a step back. Naru's hand fell away and a fresh shiver of cold traveled up her spine.

"Thanks, uh- I lost my balance…" she mumbled, her voice oddly tight.

Absently she rubbed at her back where his fingers had touched. It wasn't until his silence caused her to look up, that she saw he was still staring. Intently.

Mai leaned back further, her face flushing. What was wrong? Why was he…? But just like that, the look was gone followed with:

"What? No lessons when they gave you those?"

It took Mai a moment to realize that he was talking about her heels. And her apparent clumsiness in them.

That Naru.

Regaining her composure, Mai let out a huff, about to valiantly defend her weak ankles, when a set of shrill voices caught her attention.

Two young women, swarming in from the other entrance to the festival grounds, squeezed in behind them, whispering loudly:

"Did you see?"

"Of course, I was right next you- oh, what do you think…?

"What do you mean, it could only be one thing-"

"Ghosts?!"

Mai's headed snapped around,

Ghosts…?

"Excuse us, did we bump into you?" one of the girls behind her asked, thinking that was the reason Mai was staring.

Mai opened her mouth to question her further, but it was then that she noticed the rest of the crowd was buzzing with anxious murmuring.

"What was that?"

"I don't know, it looked like a light"

"There's no one in that house though!"

"Something paranormal? Where? Which way did you come?"

"The south entrance. I wish we hadn't, I'm never going to sleep tonight…"

Mai looked back to Naru, locking eyes with him.

What was happening here…?

"He- hey, wait…aren't you- aren't you guys apart of that ghost hunting team Mr. Sachi brought in?"

"Um- yes," Mai answered, now nearly pinned with her back against Naru as the young women behind them leaned towards her, eager through their fear.

"You must help then! It's going to ruin the festival, everyone will panic!"

Mai swallowed, thoroughly confused, trying to keep up with the rush of their words through her fever headed fog,

"Ruin…what will ruin, what's happen-"

"The ghost running around The Miyuki house!" one of the girls exclaimed, her voice pitching in her horror.

"The Miyuki house?" Naru repeated. Mai could feel his body tense with interest.

"Yes! We- we saw it as we were walking by, a glowing ball of light flashing, but we know nobody's in there…"

"You have to do something!" the girl's friend added, nearly hysteric.

Mai felt something course through her like an electric current. Suddenly everything was clear.

We haveto do something.

This was her chance. Her golden opportunity had just fallen into her lap. Quickly she nodded, and then turned to face Naru, who was standing as close as when he had caught her minutes before.

"You heard them, let's go!"

Mai didn't wait for his answer, she wasn't going give him a chance to tell her no.

"Where again, the Miyuki house? Which way did you come-"

With breathless directions, the girls waved past the uneasy couples continuing to stream in.

"Come on, we have to investigate," Mai threw over her shoulder at Naru, starting to fight against the human wall surrounding them.

There was no answer. Mai bit her lip, excusing herself as she attempted to break her way through,

This is it. This is my one chance…isn't he coming?

Suddenly the crowd parted. Naru came around her, leading the way. Mai's heart leaped.

"You're going to miss the festival. You sure you don't want to stay?" he remarked as he stalked forward.

Mai hurried after him (a bit awkward in her heels), with a smirk of certainty:

"I'll pass."

The two of them cut through the mass of people with ease, word having gone around that they were with the paranormal team. Mai's heart was racing as they passed through the south entrance, her whole body alive with the thrill of what they were going towards, and what she had mistakenly accomplished.

Tonight I'll let the ghosts do the distracting…