A/N: This chapter is being uploaded almost a year to the day as the prior chapter. I am so sorry, and thank you for waiting! It's the last day of the case, but there are still chapters to go until the end...I hope you will stick with me until the finale! As always, it's your reviews that keep me writing- reading your thoughts and theories gets me so excited! I can't tell you how many times I reread your reviews while writing new chapters, thank you so much for every word :)

Day Nine

12:45am

The Koku Inn

Mai pretended not to notice how Bou-san paused behind her, staring down the hall towards Ayako's room, as she unlocked her door. Attempting to be less obvious than the monk, Mai's gaze flicked towards a room a few yards down: thirteen. There was no light shining beneath the door.

They're not back yet.

Shivering in her wet dress, Mai forced herself to move inside.

Mai almost groaned at the smell of food that hung in the air, her hand coming to her stomach. The culprit, the plastic bag of delicious festival yakitori that Bou-san had bought her, sat on her night stand.

Seeing Mai's tortured expression, the monk clucked his tongue, crossing over to inspect the bag.

"I bring you a nice meal, and you ditch me."

Mai really did groan in regret as she watched the monk drop the spoiled food in the trash.

"I'm sorry Bou-san, but I couldn't miss this chance."

He shrugged, but there was a gleam in his eye.

"It's fine. I get it. It's not everyday you get a dinner date with Naru."

Mai pulled off her drooping flower crown, flustered.

That Bou-san.

"It was not a date."

When the monk didn't argue back, Mai glanced over at him to see that he was busy looking over a piece of paper left on her nightstand. Mai recognized it as the note she had hurriedly written before leaving that night.

"Wish I had found this sooner, I was worried sick about you."

Guilt stirred in Mai's chest.

"Bou-san—" she began, stepping towards him, another apology ready on her lips, but the monk features suddenly shifted to something almost teasing,

"That's okay. It just means you owe me one, and I'm cashing in right now. I want every detail of from this date of yours— but first go change. You're shaking like a leaf."

Relieved at the lightened mood, Mai returned his smirk by sticking out her tongue. She rummaged through her bag for something to sleep in, muttering under her breath,

"It was not a date..."

Five minutes later Mai emerged from the bathroom, face washed, teeth brushed— and blessedly dry in set of pink checker printed pajamas. It was her only pair left. Another reminder.

It's our last day.

Leaving the dress Niko had gifted her hanging to dry, Mai approached her bed, finding Bou-san already lounging on it. The monk, laying on his stomach, had abducted one of her pillows, which he stuffed under his boxy chest, to prop himself up on.

Mai sat down and scooted herself back to sit against the headboard.

"Do you even fit in your bed?" she asked, noticing the monk's long legs dangling off the end.

The monk scoffed.

"It's a close thing. I even thought about trading John places for the night."

Mai smiled through a sudden yawn at the thought.

"Hey, none of that. Don't go falling asleep, you've got beans to spill."

The monk, his elbow now propped on the pillow, his hand cradling his jaw, was looking at her so expectantly, eagerly Mai felt dimly as if she were having a teenage sleepover, the two of them staying up late to share juicy gossip.

Then Bou-san scratched at his chin, and Mai noticed his five o'clock shadow coming through.

Definitely not a teenage a girl.

But he was there for the gossip, impatient, he nagged at Mai.

"I see your eyelids fluttering. Don't even think about it. Come on, I know it's late, but you have to give me something."

Mai nodded, sitting up straighter, making an effort not to succumb to the sleepy haze beginning to cloud her mind. She owed him this much, at least.

Mai's explanation had a winding start, switching back and forth between how Ayako ended up coming along to the dinner, and how Mai got her invitation in the first place. Bou-san interjected here and there on how betrayed he was that she didn't tell him anything about it, but his comments weren't made with any real grief behind them, and he pushed her to continue, not letting her apologize.

Mai went on to describe what happened when they arrived at the sponsors dinner, Nari's graciousness at accepting Ayako as Mai's unexpected plus one, the amount of people who attended, the pristine condition of the theater. Mai then made the mistake of mentioning the baseball player Ayako had set her sights on, and had to answer a barrage of questions about it until the monk seemed satisfied that she wasn't going home with the man. Back on track, she shared her experience of meeting Mr. Sachi's parents.

"I've never met anyone so rude."

Bou-san's eyebrows raised,

"That's really saying something considering you work for Naru and have just spent a week with the Kokus."

Mai crossed her arms,

"I mean it, Bou-san. They were awful to Nari."

The monk's expression darkened with knowing,

"They don't want her as a daughter-in-law."

Mai squeezed her arms tighter,

"They think she's beneath them."

Bou-san gave her a wry smile,

"It's hard to rank lower than Sachi, he's scrapping the bottom of the barrel."

Mai let out an amused huff, and relaxed her posture.

Quailing the fire that had started in her belly, Mai continued, recounting the full banquet hall, and the VIP table she was assigned to.

"VIP table, huh? You were living high on the hog there Mai."

Mai wrinkled her nose at the analogy, but her next words were serious,

"Guess who was seated there with me?"

The monk shifted on the pillow he was slouched over, thinking out loud.

"Ayako, Nari, and her mother. That's a given. Mr. Sachi, right? So, also his parents. That had to be awkward."

Mai nodded, but indicated that he should keep guessing, so he went on.

"Naru. Naru was there, wasn't he? Ah, Mai. You really did get to have that dinner date."

"Hiroshi Miyuki was there," Mai announced, her cheeks heating as she dodged the monk's gaze (Naru was there), not raising to the bait.

The monk lifted his eyebrows,

"Mr. Miyuki's uncle, the one we met in person this morning? He was kind of intense, was he friendly this time?"

"Actually, it was his wife that I spoke with."

Mai swallowed and met the monk's eyes,

"She's the reason I accepted Nari's invitation, Bou-san. I needed to meet her."

Bou-san's eyebrows rose further,

"You're telling me you went to see Mr. Miyuki's wife, and not Naru?"

"I went to get answers."

"And how would she have them..?"

"She channels Mr. Miyuki's spirit."

The monk sat up and nearly tipped himself off the edge of the bed.

"She what—"

"She's a medium. They call her Madame Miyuki."

"She channels spirits?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Takuya Miyuki's spirit?"

"So I've been told."

"By who?"

"Yasuhara."

"Yasu— when?"

"Today. He was supposed to be reporting out to Naru, but I took the call."

"You were playing spy games without me?"

"It wasn't like that, and I wanted to tell you, but John—"

The monk ran a hand through his hair, adjusting himself to sit cross-legged with his pillow in his lap,

"Right, right. I remember now. It was before we left the theater."

"When I went to Nari's to return the dress she lent me, she told me who would be at the dinner."

"She mentioned the Miyukis and you accepted her invitation."

"Yeah," Mai answered, ducking her head, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Well, you got to speak to Madame Miyuki. What did you learn?" the monk persisted, brushing off her apology.

Mai blinked down at her hands, fingers intertwined in her lap.

Truthfully, Mai hadn't even had the chance yet to process what had taken place in that VIP room.

What did I learn?

That she had somehow made an impression on Mr. Miyuki.

That Madame Miyuki sensed something special within her.

That her heart line painted quite a picture.

Mai pursed her lips.

Too personal.

And (thankfully) not really relevant. Mai's answer focused on the medium herself.

"She reads palms," Mai began, hoping her pause wasn't too revealing.

"She read yours then?"

That Bou-san.

"It's just a hobby of hers," Mai deflected, cursing the monk and his ability to see straight through her, "Anyways, her real gift, as I said, is channeling."

The monk leaned forward, his interest captured, "Did you see it for yourself? Did she summon Mr. Miyuki in front of everyone?"

Mai faltered in her reply, thinking of how the situation had been the very opposite, she being the summoner.

"Um, no. Sorry, I forgot to mention. We were alone, she had brought me to a room Mr. Miyuki used to entertain guests in."

"A private session? How did you manage that? I wish I could have seen Ayako's face."

"Niko introduced us, and Madame Miyuki actually asked to see me."

"Hold on, did you just say Niko—"

Mai bit her lip at her slip up.

Shoot.

She had conveniently left him out.

Reading her stubborn expression, the monk quickly abandoned this line of questioning, and struck at what was really bothering him instead.

"So, you just met the woman and she spirits you away? I don't know Mai, but something seems strange here. I know why you wanted to meet her, but what's Madame Miyuki's angle? What does she want with you?"

Ah, good question.

"You know, you and Ayako think a lot alike."

The monk made a face, "Hey, nice try, but I won't be distracted. What did that witchy woman want with you?"

Mai leaned her head back and let out a huff that fluttered her bangs.

"She wanted me to dream."

"Dream?"

"Yes."

"As in dream?"

"Uh-huh."

"And how would she know about your dreams?"

"I told her, Bou-san. I told her about seeing Mr. Miyuki—"

"Mai," the monk cut in, his expression serious, "what about the secret we've been keeping? Naru doesn't even know, but you tell her"

Mai sat forward, meaning to reassure him, but still her stomach gave a twist of doubt and guilt.

"It's okay, remember— she channels Mr. Miyuki. She can see him too. She knows he's there."

The monk remained unmoved, his brow furrowed.

"If she can see him, then what does she need you to dream for?"

There was an uncertain pause. Mai drew back, her tired mind working at an answer. Details came to her, spotty and vague.

"She said...he hadn't come to her in awhile. That's why she asked."

Bou-san leaned towards her now,

"Tell me you didn't do it."

"She said if I was able to summon him, I would be able to talk—"

"Mai," Bou-san began to protest, but Mai was already speaking over him,

"Bou-san, I had to. It's the last day of the case."

The was another pause, this one heavier. Then the monk let out a sigh, his features slowly clearing.

"I guess nothing too terrible could have happened, you're still all in one piece."

Mai shook her head,

"Nothing happened at all."

"Why? Couldn't sleep? I don't blame you, I wouldn't be able to with some stranger watching me."

Mai picked at lint on her pajamas, willing her cheeks not to flush.

"No. I fell asleep, but then Naru came"

"Naru?" Bou-san did nothing to hide his smirk, "That guy. His spidy-senses must have been going off."

Mai nudged his knee with hers, "Actually, Ayako ratted me out."

"Hmph. Good for her."

"I told you. You two think alike," Mai persisted, "She doesn't trust Madame Miyuki either."

The monk reached over and flicked Mai's forehead.

"Hey—"

"Oy, you deserved that. What you did could have been really dangerous."

For a moment, Mai was back in the theater kitchen. Naru calling her out for having an amateur séance. Mai had resented the look in his eyes, but seeing a similar expression on Bou-san, she wondered if there could have been worry there too?

"Promise me you will never enter into an arrangement like that without someone you trust in the room ever again?"

Mai rubbed at her forehead, more for show than anything, but then she reached out and squeezed the monk's hand. Her answer was sincere.

"I promise."

"Good. Now tell me, what happened after prince charming rescued you from the evil witch?"

Mai scoffed and threw herself back against her pillows.

"Madame Miyuki isn't a witch. It wasn't a rescue...we just went to dinner."

"Naru caught you at party you weren't even supposed to be at, hanging out with an old witch, about to conversate with a dead person, and you...just went to dinner?" Bou-san blinked at her, clearly disbelieving.

Stubbornly, Mai nodded. He didn't need to know how Naru had pulled her into the kitchen, how he had interrogated her, how close they had stood— close enough that the waitstaff had assumed they were sneaking off to a dark corner, together.

Too personal.

"Ayako and Miss Miyuki found us and brought us back to our table."

Mai swallowed. She had pushed it away, but a kind of melancholy lurked in the back of her mind, and at the mention of the heiress, Mai felt it push back, her throat tightening a fraction.

It was almost that part of the night.

Mai skimmed over the tiring table politics that took place (omitting Wise Obasan's presence all together) once they were seated, but then brought the monk in on what she saw as she observed Miss Miyuki.

"At first...I was confused. The ring on Miss Miyuki's finger was a plain band, but I knew couldn't be wrong. I just knew."

"You were serious about the gift. That ring. You expected Miss Miyuki to be wearing it, even at the dinner?" Bou-san affirmed, following along, listening to her intently.

"Yes. And...she was."

Mai rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her palms. There was a pressure there, a kind of heat. In the monk's stunned silence, Mai continued.

"Mrs. Sachi was speaking with Mrs. Motoshi, they were arguing— I'm not even sure about what now, I wasn't paying attention to them. I was watching Miss Miyuki. She was playing with the band, twisting it until suddenly, it wasn't plain anymore. It turns out it was a diamond ring, one flanked by sapphires. The same one I saw in Mr. Sachi's office."

Mai was rubbing harder at her eyes now, pretending her voice didn't just crack.

"Mai..." Bou-san spoke gently. A warm hand covered hers and coaxed it away from her face. Bou-san peered down at her, and seeing the unshed tears there, pulled her to him, wrapping her in a tight hug.

"Hey, what in the world...? I blamed Naru for making you cry, but really it was Miss Miyuki?"

Mai gave a small choked laugh, her nose crushed against the monk's collar bone. Carefully she extracted herself from him, but he wouldn't let her go far, holding her at arm's length, hands on both shoulders.

"Help me understand," the monk persisted, concern written across his features. Mai wiped at her nose and cheeks with the back of her hand. Taking a deep breath, she answered.

"The ring Mr. Sachi gave Miss Miyuki, Nari saw it too. She recognized it. You were right. It was an engagement ring. It was given to Miss Miyuki once before, when Mr. Sachi proposed the first time."

Bou-san eyes went wide. He let go of Mai's shoulders to run his fingers through his hair,

"Whoa, time out. Proposed? Mr Sachi and Miss Miyuki were engaged once? They were actually together?"

"Just like the drama you wrote. They were childhood sweethearts."

If it were possible, the monk's eyes had grown even wider.

"How— how did you learn this? Did you...confront Miss Miyuki?"

Mai shook her head.

"No. It's was Nari."

The name slipped past her lips like a whisper.

"When she saw the ring, she ran out of the room. The main course at dinner at was pork" Bou-san winced, but Mai didn't stop to acknowledge this, "so I left too. I found Nari outside."

Mai stared down at her hands which were wrung together in her lap, unable to meet the monk's eyes, afraid that seeing the worry there would make it impossible to continue.

"She was so hurt. She told me everything. About how she met Sachi as kids. They were neighbors. He was her first love."

"First love, hm? It is like the drama I wrote."

"But," Mai pressed on, her words beginning to tumble out, seeming unable to stop them, "Miss Miyuki was always a step ahead. Mr. Sachi was friends with her first. Liked her first. Dated her first. Proposed to her first..."

"Didn't marry her first," Bou-san pointed out, reaching for her chin, tilting it up.

Mai let him, but still she shook her head.

"Not yet."

"We don't know anything for sure."

"Bou-san, Miss Miyuki is wearing Mr. Sachi's engagement ring."

Mai pulled out of his grip, her chin suddenly trembling.

"Do you remember what Mrs. Motoshi told Masako and John at the beginning of this case? That Mr. Sachi was planning on proposing, and that Miss Miyuki had interrupted. It's not fair. Nari should be the one wearing his ring."

Mai stared at the monk following this outburst, her breathing uneven, silently daring him to say she was wrong, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, his image becoming blurry as her eyes welled up.

Instead of an argument, her face was captured by two large hands.

"Mai. Mai, don't. Don't you cry over Mr. Sachi."

Mai stilled in Bou-san's hold.

That was exactly what Naru had told her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I know you feel for Nari and her situation, but these" and here he brushed at a stray tear that had slipped down her cheek, "are not your feelings."

Mai blinked, brow furrowed at his insensitivity.

Not her feelings?

Then what would he call this desperate ache in her chest?

Seeing her confusion, the monk took a more direct approach.

"Mai, are you in love with Mr. Sachi?"

"What— no."

"Then why the broken heart?"

Mai froze, the question washing over her.

"Mai, I've seen it on other cases. Your intuition, your empathy. It's a strength, but also a weakness if you don't set boundaries."

"Boundaries...for what?"

The monk released her face, and took her hands in his, speaking in earnest.

"Mai, you're gifted. Gifted, but untrained. Part of that is my fault— eh, actually, let's blame Naru. Anyways, my point is...you let yourself go. Psychically. You give yourself over. This time, it's Nari. Maybe you see yourself in her, or you relate to her situation too well, but whatever the reason, you've tied yourself emotionally to her. Her pain has become your pain. "

Mai's head felt stuffed with cotton. She should have been asleep hours ago. But something in what the monk said, pierced through all of that.

Mai recalled her first dream in Nozomi.

Her first encounter with Mr. Miyuki.

Standing in his office, watching him cry over a picture of Miss Miyuki.

Crying along with him.

Not my feelings.

Mai closed her eyes in relief.

"Hey, that's enough now," Bou-san protested in a huff as he hurriedly wiped at her cheeks, "Use those emotions to your advantage, don't let them use you. I'll be damned if I sit here drying anymore tears over that idiot Sachi. "

Mai cleared her throat, nodding, slightly embarrassed at her wet eyes and stuffy nose, the idea of shedding even one tear over Sachi, mortifying.

Giving her a moment to compose herself, the monk ruffled her hair and continued on,

"Okay, let me summarize. You go to a party you weren't invited to, looking to meet up with an old medium instead of the boss you're crushing on, so that somehow— you might be able to communicate with Mr. Miyuki's ghost before this case is over. But your plans are foiled by said crush, and instead you go to dinner, which is ruined by Miss Miyuki who is wearing Mr. Sachi's engagement ring, the same one he used to propose to her before. You're served pork, so you leave— wait...did you get sick?"

"Bou-san, out of everything I told you, that's what you're hung up on?"

The monk frowned at her,

"Excuse me for being concerned."

Mai patted his hand,

"I did feel sick, but I felt better once I left the banquet hall. When I ran into Nari, I couldn't think of my stomach anymore."

"Too busy nursing a broken heart?"

That Bou-san.

Mai scoffed, the monk was teasing, and she felt her lips quirk up, but lingering feelings reminded her that it might be too soon to think she wasn't still nursing a broken heart.

"I was there to listen to Nari."

The monk smiled softly at her, "I'm sure you did a good job."

Mai shook her head, averting her gaze, looking somewhere over Bou-san's shoulder.

"I didn't want to listen though. Isn't that funny, after waiting so long to hear the story from her? She confirmed everything."

Mai swallowed around the lump in her throat.

Not my feelings.

Bou-san hummed thoughtfully, "Not everything."

Mai looked back at him,

"What do you mean?"

"What about Sachi's two-timing? Oops, that's right— we decided he was triple-timing. And then there's mysterious fiance. What about him? Kind of hard to propose to Miss Miyuki if she's already engaged, don't you think?"

In the middle of a yawn, Mai groaned and buried her face in her hands. Her head was starting to feel like it was detached from her body, her train of thought floating away from her.

There was movement on the bed, and then the creak of the floor board beside her.

"If you were to ask me to write another drama," Bou-san spoke, suddenly much closer, "I would say there's only one way to make this scenario make sense: jealousy."

Curious, Mai glanced up from her hands at the monk. He was standing over her, tugging at the blankets she was sprawled across, lifting them so she could slip underneath them. She did so without much prompting, another yawn coming on.

"We know now for sure that Mr. Sachi and Miss Miyuki were romantically involved once upon a time, pretty seriously too, if that ring is anything to go by. But then...the hands of fate tear them apart. Flash forward to Miss Miyuki's return. What is the first thing she learns once she's in town? That Mr. Sachi is going to propose to Nari. Miss Miyuki's newly engaged herself, but she and Sachi never got closure, and she finds herself jealous. So what does she do? Interrupts Sachi's proposal."

"No..."

Buried under the blankets, Mai's full attention was fixed on the story the monk was weaving. She didn't like the turn things were taking.

"Yes," the monk insisted with the delight of a story-teller with a captured audience, "She sabotages the proposal, and Sachi ends things with Nari. He's never stopped loving Miss Miyuki, and thinks that this is his chance to try again, but then he learns of her intentions to close the theater. He conjures up this ridiculous contract to buy some time. He plans to win her over, but when nothing seems to work, he resorts to the oldest trick in the book: making her jealous. He continues to dote on Nari, and then when Masako shows up— he uses her too. The funny thing is, it works. Miss Miyuki is jealous. She wants to get back at him, but no one in Nozomi knows she's engaged. So what's a woman scorned to do? Look for a target of her own."

Mai suddenly sat up, her eyes narrowing at the monk who had taken a seat on the bed beside her.

"No—"

"Naru," Bou-san announces, pushing her back down into her pillow, "he's the perfect candidate to make Sachi jealous, so she makes sure to ask him to be her partner, asks him to investigate her house, takes him on dinner dates—"

"Hey, tonight was the first time they had dinner together," Mai interjected, dangerously close to sounding jealous herself.

"...and invites him as her plus one," the monk carried on, despite Mai's protests (Lin was invited too!), "This cycle of jealousy and longing continues until it's broken by Sachi's second proposal, when he offers Miss Miyuki his ring once again, his heart on the line. And this time, she accepts."

"But the fiance..." Mai persisted breathlessly. Was it her exhaustion, or was the monk starting to make sense?

Bou-san smirked down at her, arriving at his dramatic end.

"She calls it off with him. She never loved him like that anyway. He was always second best to her first love."

"Have you ever thought of actually writing a drama?" Mai asked after a beat, the scenario he had painted still holding her in it's grip.

"I write lyrics for the band sometimes," the monk admitted, proudly.

"What if you're right?"

It was the question that had been waiting on the tip of Mai's tongue.

The monk stood up, stretching out his long body, a yawn holding off his answer.

"Doesn't really matter, does it? This all goes back to what I've said before. As thrilling as the romantic politics of Nozomi are, how does it impact our case? It doesn't."

"But," Mai countered, a nagging feeling at the back of her mind, "then why did Mr. Miyuki show me that picture in his office? What use was my intuition?"

Bou-san scratched at the back of his neck in thought,

"Intuition can be tricky, hard to follow..."

"What about them, then? Why the secrecy? Everybody thinks Miss Miyuki and Mr. Sachi hate each other, but they're in love. Why not announce it to the world? Before they hurt anyone else..."

The bitterness in Mai's voice caused Bou-san to cast her a sympathetic look,

"Oy, don't go getting worked up now, you need your sleep."

But seeing her determined stare as he tucked the blankets around her, he managed a pacifying,

"Maybe they will announce it? Now that Miss Miyuki is wearing Sachi's ring. We could wake up to the news burning through Nozomi."

Wake up?

That meant sleeping.

Mai craved sleep.

As if reading her mind, the monk reached over and turned down the oil lamp.

"Sweet dreams, Mai."

Mai echoed his sentiments, and then her door closed with a click.

If only her dreams that night were sweet.

Mai groaned, tossing and turning, living an endless loop of Naruproposing to Miss Miyuki.

Legs tangled in her sheets, Mai nearly toppled off her bed at a sudden knocking at her door. Her eyes flew open with a start.

Disoriented, she blinked up at her ceiling, staring at the golden bands of light that were streaming in past her curtains. The sun.

Morning...already?

The knocking continued, persistent.

Mai blinked slowly, her mind attempting to make hazy connections.

What time was it?

How long had she slept in?

Who was out there pounding on her door?

Mai laid still, attempting vague guesses.

Bou-san?

But she only considered him second, knowing after their late night, the monk had to still be in bed just like her. Mai frowned as the next possibility entered her head.

Mrs. Koku?

Was the old inn keeper here to personally yell at her for missing the last meeting?

Deciding the racquet was exactly Mrs. Koku's style, she was about to throw her blankets back on and ignore the whole situation, when the image of her cranky neighbor in room fourteen flashed before her eyes.

"Wait, enough— I'm coming," Mai called out, scrambling up.

The last thing she needed was to be confronted by him again over his sensitive sleep schedule.

With a scowl Mai threw her door open, finally silencing the person on the other side, but to her surprise she was met with neither Bou-san nor Mrs. Koku.

"It's about time. Sorry to rip you from dreams of Naru, but this can't wait. Let me in."

"Ayako," Mai spoke, watching the miko slip past her, carrying a tray of tray of food, "...what are you doing here?"

Ayako perched herself on the edge of Mai's bed, setting down the full tray, "I have juicy gossip...and breakfast."

Mai's heart rate picked up at the mention of gossip. Her conversation with Bou-san the night before came rushing back— could Mr. Sachi and Miss Miyuki have announced their engagement...?

But her stomach chose that moment to give a forlorn growl and what came out of her mouth was:

"Isn't the dining room closed? How did you get that?"

Ayako shrugged,

"Room service. Here, start with some rice, I can hear you from all the way over here."

Unable to resist the offer, Mai closed her door and approached the miko, accepting a bowl of steaming rice and a pair of chopsticks from her.

"There, now rub that sleep out of your eyes so you can pay attention to what I'm about to tell you," Ayako instructed as Mai sat across from her.

Mai rubbed halfheartedly at her eyes, staring at the miko, taking her in for the first time that morning. Her long red hair was wound up in a messy knot at the top of her head. She too appeared to be in her pajamas, wearing a black crop top that said something in English, and silky black lounge pants— over this she had thrown on a white robe that was so lacy that wasn't really doing it's job of covering or warming her. Mai suspected that there was a fair amount of sleep still in Ayako's eyes, and questioned her on it.

"What time did you even get in last night?"

Seeming impatient, Ayako answered curtly, mouth full of pastry, "We got back around one in the morning, or maybe it was closer to two— but that's irrelevant."

"Two? And you're up talking to me?"

"Mai, it's almost ten. And not just you, I told Naru and Lin, but their reaction was boring. Now, if you say another word I'm taking this tray and leaving."

Mai promptly took a large bite of rice. Satisfied, Ayako set down the other half of her pastry. There was a pause, the miko taking a moment to drink her coffee, and just when Mai was going to protest, she spoke.

"You'll never guess."

"What is it?" Mai said, too eager to care about the fact that she wasn't supposed to.

"Miss Miyuki is engaged."

They did announce it.

Bou-san was right.

Ayako's snort brought Mai's attention back in focus.

"You knew already, hm? Figures. Well, that wasn't the juicy bit anyways."

Mai wasn't given a chance to respond, the miko smoothly moving on to the next piece of gossip,

"You're so close to Nari. You must know her feelings...?"

Mai felt a familiar ache in her chest, a sudden reminder that she knew the actress' feelings a little too well. Mai opened her mouth to say as much, but Ayako cut her off.

"Of course, who doesn't know of Nari's feelings? She wears them on her sleeve."

Ayako picked up her pastry again and took a bite. Mai wasn't sure, but she seemed annoyed. A beat passed, the miko silent, seemingly contemplating something, before leaning towards Mai.

"But what you couldn't know—" she began again, "is how jealous she is."

Mai coughed, swallowing wrong.

"Jealous?"

Ayako's lips quirked up.

"Yes."

"Of who?"

"Miss Miyuki."

Mai stiffened.

How does she know?

The question was on the tip of her tongue, but as it had been the whole conversation, Ayako was already one step ahead of her.

"You left too early last night. You missed it all."

"What—"

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Mai jumped at the knocking at her door. Ayako glared over at it as if someone had just woken her out of a dead sleep, the interruption clearly not appreciated.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Thoughts already confused, Mai rose to answer her door, scrambling to think who it could be this time.

Please not Mrs. Koku.

With relief Mai found Bou-san standing in the hall.

A chorus of surprise followed.

"Bou-san?" Mai greeted, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

The monk raised his eyebrows,

"Ayako?"

"Mai, shut the door."

At this, Bou-san was suddenly barreling his way through.

"Wait— not so fast. What is even going on in here?"

Mai closed the door behind the monk, but Ayako still waved her coffee at him dismissively,

"Girl talk."

Mai watched Bou-san approach Ayako, promptly helping himself to said coffee, downing it like a parched man who just escaped the desert. Scandalized, the miko pinched his arm in punishment, but seeming unfazed he answered,

"Perfect, I happened to excel at girl talk. What are we discussing?"

Accepting momentary defeat, Ayako snatched back her coffee cup, having the rest before surfacing with a mysterious,

"The events of last night."

At this, the monk's eyes caught Mai's. They had already discussed the events of last night, what could Ayako possibly add...?

Feigning nonchalance, the monk adopted a smirk,

"Ah, is this about Naru—" and here Ayako also smirked, "...or the baseball player?"

Mai felt the miko's sharp gaze stabbing through her. Clearing her throat, the she took up the thread of conversation and answered before Ayako could retaliate,

"It has to do with Nari."

It took a little more for the monk to keep his nonchalance, "Nari? What about her...?"

Mai looked to Ayako expectantly. The monk followed suit, but then abruptly looked away. He gestured vaguely at the miko.

"You've got...stuff there."

Ayako glanced down, her midriff on display...but also the pastry crumbs that clung to her crop top. Some color entered her cheeks as brushed them away. Adjusting herself, she moved to sit cross legged on the bed, wrapping what constituted her robe around her.

"It does have to do with Nari," she finally confirmed, seeming ready to pickup where she had left off originally, before Bou-san had invited himself in, "I thought I was detecting a strange vibe during that whole scene on the stairs, but after we went back to dinner, things got even stranger."

During that whole scene on the stairs.

Mai recalled it only too vividly.

The tears.

Naru letting her off easy.

Making her escape with Bou-san.

"Strange how?" the monk prompted in Mai's distracted silence, now helping himself to what was left of the breakfast tray.

"Nari was already seated when we came in, and working on her second glass of champagne. Before the meal was over she had finished a bottle by herself."

Mai clenched her jaw.

She had wondered at Nari's fate.

What it would be like for her to have to return to that table.

To sit across from the man she loved, and the woman wearing his ring.

Mai set down the bowl of rice she had been eating, no longer able to take another bite.

Oblivious to the effect her words were having on Mai, Ayako continued,

"Mrs. Motoshi was mortified and attempted to cut her daughter off multiple times, but couldn't seem to stop her. As a last resort she announced that they were going to turn in early. Before leaving, Nari excused herself to the bathroom, and then nearly fell over. Since she couldn't walk a straight line, I ended up taking her."

Bou-san, having no trouble eating himself, took a large piece of tamagoyaki and mused,

"Sounds pretty bad, but not all that strange..."

Ayako grabbed the plate of tamagoyaki and ate the last piece,

"I'm getting there," she protested, chewing in petty satisfaction.

"Anyways," she said, turning to Mai and ignoring the monk, "we arrived at the bathroom just as Miss Miyuki was coming out. That's when things got strange."

Mai felt her heart skip a beat.

Miss Miyuki.

Next to her even Bou-san stilled, giving over his full attention.

Ayako seemed to sense this, and enjoying a captured audience, she carried on.

"Nari saw it was Miss Miyuki that had passed her and before the woman had taken a couple of steps, she was shouting at her. You can imagine how startled I was, it's always the quiet ones that are crazy..."

Mai's heart was pounding now.

"What did she say...?"

"You'll never believe this. She was demanding to know what right Miss Miyuki thought she had coming around Mr. Sachi after all this time? And what right she had to be wearing some ring?"

Goosebumps rose on Mai's arms.

The ring.

"I have to give it to Miss Miyuki. She stayed perfectly cool. She said the only thing between herself and Sachi was the theater and that she had every right to wear that ring, it belonged to her mother."

"Yoshi's ring..." Mai repeated, this new information washing over her.

"I was speechless. I mean, anyone with eyes can see that Nari is still in love with Sachi, but for her to have an outburst like that...to be jealous of Miss Miyuki. It's really sad."

"But the engagement," Mai reminded with a frown. Maybe it was the lingering psychic link between herself and Nari, but she found Ayako's attitude insensitive.

Of course she's jealous.

Miss Miyuki is marrying Mr. Sachi.

"Exactly. I mean to be jealous over a woman already headed down the aisle...I pity her. That's some kind of desperation. What next, is she going to target me for spending time around Sachi? Better yet, Masako. Someone should warn her."

Mai blinked, confusion starting to churn through her.

Something was nagging at the back of her mind.

Ayako was not making sense.

Mai opened her mouth to protest, but the miko wouldn't be interrupted again, and she rambled on, careless of the stunned silence around her.

"Really, imagine if there was truth to Nari's jealous delusions? That Miss Miyuki was out to seduce Mr. Sachi— that they were carrying on some secret love affair? What kind of scandal that would be? That would work out real well for Sachi, wouldn't it? He'd get the girl, and his theater. Problem solved. He wouldn't need us or Naru's announcement."

"I missed the first part of your girl talk...who is Miss Miyuki engaged to?" Bou-san spoke, voice betraying his interest.

Ayako either didn't care or didn't notice. Her answer was flippant, breezing through the details.

"Mai knows— I forget his name, some guy she went to college with in US who proposed to her on the beach. Come on, if you had to choose between some small town playwright and a Hollywood up-and-comer, who would you choose?"

"Neither," Bou-san deadpanned back and Ayako rolled her eyes.

"That was the gossip you had to share with me?" Mai asked, finally able to get a word in.

Wrong engagement.

"Like I said, Naru and Lin were no fun. The only entertaining part of this case is this town's gossip and they want nothing to do with it. So, I came to find you, but...what's with the weird looks?"

Mai felt transparent, pinned under Ayako's gaze, but before she could be scrutinized any further, Bou-san cut in.

"We look weird? You have frosting all over your lips."

The miko scoffed and ran the back of her hand over her mouth.

"You missed."

Frustrated, Ayako stood and crossed to the bathroom.

"Fine, I'll just have to share with Masako. She's just as bored to death of this town, she'll appreciate the distraction."

"You didn't see her this morning?" Bou-san asked conversationally, careless of the miko's current mood.

"I stopped by, but she didn't answer. I'm assuming John is gone too?"

"Uh, yeah. He wasn't there when I woke up."

Ayako emerged from the bathroom, sans frosting.

"Figures. They're probably at the theater. We should hurry up if we want to watch Naru crush all Sachi's hopes and dreams."

"What?"

"Oh come on Mai, I know you're convinced something paranormal is going on, but do you really think Naru's going to call it haunted?Ha. Now I'm going, I want a front row seat to Sachi getting his."

"The announcement isn't until tonight, we still have a full day of investigation," Bou-san pointed out, reading Mai's anxious expression.

"Whatever. How does that saying go? Good things come to those who wait."

The monk snorted, and moved to join Ayako by the door.

"You, patient? That's a first."

Ayako fixed him with a dangerous smirk as she pulled the door open.

"I'm fine waiting for this."

"I'll get changed and meet you at the theater?" Bou-san spoke, ignoring the miko and facing Mai as he backed out of the room.

"Okay, see you there."

And just like that Mai was left alone with a demolished breakfast tray and a spinning head.

Mai set down her unfinished bowl of rice, and glanced at the clock on her wall. It was just after ten.

Masako's voice from the night before rang loud in her head: I'll give him a full report tomorrow...

Masako could be standing in front of Naru at that very moment.

Hurry!

Mai scrambled to get out of her pajamas, one hand unbuttoning and the other digging through what was left of her clean clothes, she grabbed at what she could throw on, realizing with a scoff that it was the very same outfit she had worn her first day in Nozomi: light weight denim jacket, white tank top, and a pink ruffled skirt.

It was a clumsy transition, Mai fumbling through the change. Pressure was mounting.

Do you really think Naru's going to call it haunted?

Ayako was right.

Naru would never announce the theater as haunted.

Especially after Masako made her report.

She needed to get to the theater.

Mai raced out her room, her feet carrying her down the hall in hurried strides. Despite her rush, she did have the presence of mind to duck her head as she passed the meeting room. It was the last day of the festival, surely the guests of the Inn were assembled for final instructions? Mai let out a breath when there were no angry cries shouted after her (hey! She's missing the meeting!). Turning the corner off the hall, there was one more hurdle to clear, the lobby. Often there was one or both of the Kokus lying in wait there...but fortune seemed to be on her side, as neither appeared.

Mai emerged into the morning sunlight at a jog, her shoes crunching on the dirt path leading towards the theater, but she was stalled as a set of broad shoulders blocked her way.

"Bou-san!" she called, catching up to him.

"Mai!" he answered, taking her arm, and pulling her to his side.

"Ah, there she is," Ayako remarked over her shoulder, some feet ahead of them.

Mai frowned at the growing distance between herself and the miko, at the leisurely steps the monk was taking. With a sense of urgency she shook off his hold, and tugged at his hand instead,

"We've got to hurry—"

Bou-san shook his head, giving her meaningful look. It was clear, he wasn't hurrying anywhere. Mai opened her mouth to protest, with half a mind to leave him, but sensing this he squeezed her hand, and lowered his voice,

"Mai, I've been thinking and Ayako's right."

Mai let out an impatient huff, still attempting to urge the monk forward.

"Yes, I know. That's why we—"

"Actually, she's wrong. About a lot of things, like why Nari's jealous and who Miss Miyuki is marrying, but— "

"What are you two dilly dallying about?" Ayako demanded, glancing back at them.

Before Mai could respond, Bou-san was already dropping down on one knee and pulling at Mai's sneaker.

"Mai's got a rock in her shoe."

Mai blinked down in confusion at the monk, holding on to his shoulder for balance as he insisted on taking off her sneaker.

"Fine, whatever," Ayako said, accepting their story with a dismissive wave, "I'll see you at the theater."

A beat passed as they watched the miko leave them behind.

"Bou-san?"

"Yes?"

"Can you put my shoe back on please?"

"Oh, yeah."

With some clumsy fumbling, Mai's sneaker was returned to her foot.

"So...you wanted to ditch Ayako?"

"I told you she was right, I can't have her overhearing that."

"Bou-san, we're wasting time—"

"We're not."

"We are, any second Masako will be telling Naru about Mr. Sachi's debt, how taking this case was a mistake—"

The monk tucked his hands into his jean pockets and shrugged,

"Let her."

"What?"

"What does it matter? Ayako's right. Sachi doesn't need SPR anymore."

Mai frowned, her mind running through what the miko had told them that morning,

"Ayako...never said that?"

The monk smirked down at her, "You sure?"

Mai crossed her arms, desperately trying to follow the monk who she felt was enjoying himself way too much,

"When did she say that?"

"About the time she was talking about Nari's jealous delusions—"

Mai snorted, "...she's the one who's delusional."

"Agreed, but not about this. Mr. Sachi really doesn't need us."

"How?"

"He has Miss Miyuki. Lucky son-of-a—"

"Wait, wait," Mai interrupted, "you mean what she said about things working out for him...?"

"He gets the girl and the theater."

There was a loaded pause. Mai stood, still anxious, looking towards the theater. It was hard to understand the monk when all she could think was: hurry! A set of hands descended on her shoulders, drawing her attention. Mai stared up at Bou-san.

"It's just like I wrote it. Eh, should I quit music for screen writing?"

Mai blinked the sun out of her eyes, distracted, squinting hard at the monk,

"You mean...your drama scenario?"

Bou-san poked a finger in between her furrowed eyebrows,

"Careful, your face will freeze that way."

"Bou-san, I'm being serious," Mai protested, exasperated, pushing his hand away, and crossing her arms.

The monk mirrored her posture, his expression sobering up.

"So am I. Last night you asked me what use your intuition was? Thanks to Ayako, we have the answer now."

Mai felt the back of neck begin to itch, the sun beating down on her. Her heart was starting to race. She knew that look. Bou-san was on to something.

"What answer?"

"You sensed it from the beginning. Miss Miyuki and Mr. Sachi's connection. I humored the idea, I came up with these dramatic storylines, but still...what did it really matter?"

Her mind working furiously to keep up, Mai frowned, "The answer Bou-san...?"

"Oy, didn't I just say it's going to freeze like that?" he protested, pinching her cheek. Dodging Mai's swatting hand, the monk continued, "The answer is: it does matter."

Mai stilled, hand dropping to her side at his tone.

"How...?"

"Your intuition is right. Sachi and Miss Miyuki are seeing each other— engaged even— and that's what is going to save Mr. Miyuki's theater."

Mai heart lurched.

Save the theater.

It's all she had been able to think about since this case began.

If Bou-san was right...

"I can practically hear you thinking. Come on, I'll explain it to you as we walk, but first you got to do me a favor and stop scowling. I'm concerned."

Mai scoffed, but seeing that Bou-san was serious, she forced a tight smile, "Better?"

The monk smirked back at her, "Bigger. You should be grinning. This is a major breakthrough."

Mai matched his strides, gaze unrelenting, expecting an explanation. The monk ruffled her hair and finally indulged her,

"Think about it. Sachi is in a relationship with Miss 's only natural that this scenario would change the case. I can't believe Ayako could see it, and I couldn't. He gets the girl and the theater. With Miss Miyuki wrapped around his finger, Sachi's the king of the world. He doesn't need you, me, Naru...what does he care about the results of this case? Miss Miyuki won't close the theater".

"Miss Miyuki won't close the theater..." Mai repeated, the words like a siren song.

It's too good to be true.

"It's ironic, isn't it? After all his desperation to find a way to save the theater— hiring SPR, drawing up this contract, and then Sachi goes and saves it himself."

"You could be wrong," Mai put bluntly, the theater looming before her as they turned a corner.

Bou-san raised an eyebrow at her, "You playing devil's advocate to your own theory?"

Mai countered him with a challenging look, "I never said the theater was safe."

"Mai, I'm sure because of you."

Preemptively, the monk held up a hand to her protests,

"You saw the ring. Mr. Sachi and Miss Miyuki are together."

Mai managed a real smile, small and disbelieving, as they reached the theater stairs,

"Listen to you. It's like you never doubted it."

The monk shrugged,

"I'm a big enough man to admit when I'm wrong."

Mai shook her head, but then froze with her foot on the first step.

"What happens now...?"

The monk halted beside her,

"You mean when we get in there? Simple, grab some popcorn and kick back."

Mai nudged Bou-san in the side,

"I'm not joking."

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we walk in to find we're all out of job, that the engagement has been announced and the contract has been canceled."

Mai's eyes widened, she hadn't thought that far yet.

Are we fired?

"But, then again...maybe not? The situation is kind of touchy on account ofMiss Miyuki already being engaged to another man. They might have some kinks to work out before they can announce it, but that's alright— we already know the truth."

The truth.

Mr. Sachi and Miss Miyuki are engaged.

The theater won't close.

The monk started climbing the stairs, but when he noticed Mai wasn't immediately following, he turned around and took her hand,

"Argue with me later, we're here. See, aren't you glad you didn't run? You could be walking in all sweaty and gross."

That Bou-san.

Mai's confused thoughts found a single focus when they reached the entrance to the theater. The double doors were thrown open, but it didn't make them any more enticing.

"How were they last night?" Bou-san asked as if reading her mind.

"That's the strange thing Bou-san..." Mai began, reaching out a hand to touch the wooden door frame, "Nothing happened."

"Hm, well maybe you're getting used to it?"

Mai made a face, but the monk was already tugging her past the threshold.

Mai's stomach was suddenly in knots. There was a stabbing pain above her eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest.

The monk dropped her hand to cover his mouth, "Okay, definitely not used to it."

Mai grit her teeth, but didn't have it in her to reach over and swat his shoulder.

Breathing deeply to settle her stomach, Mai glanced around the lobby. After the festivities of the night before, it seemed oddly quiet and dull, but she didn't have time to dwell, the monk taking up her hand again and pulling her down the hall.

"I thought we weren't in a rush?"

"I don't want to miss the whole show. It's too bad there's no Starbucks for us to show up fashionably late with. Oh well."

Mai considered their arrival as right on time. Opening the door to base, the two couches were full. John, facing them, nodded towards them as they came in. Beside him, dressed in a kimono depicting the summer season in threads of green, blue, and gold, was Masako, but she only had eyes for Naru. The head of SPR was leaning against the arm of the couch reviewing some papers that Mai immediately recognized as the receipts Masako had shown her the night before. Mai's stomach gave an unwelcome drop, but the monk gave her arm a reassuring squeeze and lead her to the opposite couch, beside Ayako, and Lin.

"As you can see, Mr. Sachi is greatly in debt. It's a wonder he can even keep this theater open to patrons. Did he pay up front for our services? If he didn't, I doubt we see a single dime for the seven days we've spent here."

"Excuse me?" Ayako glanced at the receipts in Naru's hand sharply, clearly feeling her time was valuable, worth much more than a dime.

Bou-san leaned back on the couch, crossing a leg over his knee, calm in comparison.

"Come on, we know Naru's a better business man than that," he interjected lightly.

"We shouldn't waste one more minute on this case," Masako continued, refusing to be cut short.

"Why?"

Masako glanced at the monk, provoked.

"Mr. Sachi is desperate," she answered simply.

"Actually, he's a playwright."

Masako's expression turned icy at the monk's cheeky response,

"He's a con-man."

The monk's eyebrows raised, and he sat forward.

"How so?"

The medium stood and looked to Naru, as if this were the point she most wished to drive home.

"The theater is not haunted. Mr. Sachi has used the memory of Mr. Miyuki against Nozomi, playing on their superstitions."

"What about the exorcisms I preformed?" Ayako remarked.

"I guess you could consider them perfectly successful, as there was nothing there to exorcise in the first place."

"What did you just say—"

"Good morning, though I don't know if that is exactly the word," Mr. Sachi spoke in answer, sailing through the open door to base.

Mai felt her stomach burn at the sound of his voice. Wearing a navy pinstripe pantsuit, the playwright looked his normal extravagant self, but for some reason Mai, couldn't breathe at the sight of him. Pain in her chest, ringing in her ears.

Heartache.

Emotions from the night before came flooding back. Mai squeezed her hands at her sides, attempting to regain some control.

These aren't your feelings.

Not mine.

Not mine.

Not mine...

"Mai."

Mai startled, pulled from the riptide of her emotions. Locking eyes with her was Naru.

"Could you make tea?"

Latching on to his request like a lifeline, she nodded.

"No need on my account," Mr. Sachi said, dismissing the gesture, "I just came to update you."

"It's not on your account. Mai, please."

Mai stood and crossed to the kitchenette, already more of a master of herself.

Not my feelings.

"It's the last day, yet you still have all your equipment still set up. I see I got what I paid for, very professional," Mr. Sachi remarked, staring into the various CCTV screens. A chill rolled through the room at the mention of payment,

"I don't see a camera for the banquet hall?"

Back to the room, taking the tea out from the cupboard, Mai couldn't see Naru's cold stare, but she didn't have to. She could feel it.

"It wasn't identified as an active area. We are a professional team, but even we have limited resources. The cameras are expensive, we can't be expected to have enough to cover every room."

Mai winced at the expensive comment (he mentioned that on purpose!), turning on the burner to boil the water.

At least we're not fired.

"Understandable, but unfortunate," Mr. Sachi murmured.

"Unfortunate?"

Mr. Sachi sighed dramatically,

"Yes, unfortunate. You've been running this equipment all night, but you've missed Mr. Miyuki's parting gift."

Mai set down the tea tin and turned.

Mr. Miyuki?

Seven sets of eyes set on him, Mr. Sachi puffed up a bit.

"Sometime between the last guests leaving, and the first of my team getting here this morning...the banquet hall was destroyed."

The whistle on the kettle blew and Mai jumped about a foot, before hurriedly cutting the heat.

Her mind was reeling.

Destroyed?

"I came hoping you had caught the activity on camera, but alas..."

"Are there any witnesses we can speak to?" Naru asked.

"It is the last day of the investigation, I assumed you would have things about wrapped up, your opinion set in stone...but I did request those who saw or heard anything to make themselves available should you wish to speak with them. But perhaps you would like to see it yourself, first hand?"

Mai stirred the tea she had just poured, the steam rising in her face as her blood pressure rose. Her pulse pounded with what she knew.

It wasn't Mr. Miyuki who destroyed the banquet hall.

A shoulder suddenly brushed hers, and Mai jumped a second time, but a steady hand covered hers, keeping the tea from spilling. Mai blinked up at Naru who took the tea cup from her, drank from it, and then passed through the kitchenette, towards the door.

"Lead the way."

"Gladly."

And with that Mr. Sachi, Naru, and Lin left the room. The rest of SPR were right behind them.

"Still don't think it's haunted?" the priestess shot at the medium.

"If it is, it would be no thanks to you."

A flash of red, hair and face, and the miko and the medium were gone.

John hovered at the door, looking over at Mai,

"Are you coming?"

"Yeah, we'll be right there," Bou-san answered for her, instantly at her side, his hand pulling at hers, "Mai, let's go."

Both of Mai's hands squeezed his, holding him in place, "Bou-san, it's not Mr. Miyuki."

The monk met her gaze, understanding dawning across his features.

"We've been all caught up in Mr. Sachi and Miss Miyuki's relationship, that we forgot—"

"The other ghost," Bou-san spoke, finishing her thought.

Mai shivered as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her.

"Naru doesn't think the theater is haunted, and Mr. Sachi thinks the activity is Mr. Miyuki's spirit. They're both wrong."

"Which is dangerous."

"Very."

The monk freed one hand to rub his face, and the other took hold of Mai's again and began to tug her along,

"Masako's right, Ayako's exorcisms were a bust. Come on, we need to see what we're up against..."

The two of them left base, catching up to the group in front of them in time to hear Ayako's colorful, "What the hell?"

The monk whistled long and low, "Just what kind of party did you throw last night?"

Mai surveyed the banquet hall, too stunned to answer. Twelve hours ago there had been rows and rows of tables, pristine with white table clothes, name tags, flower arrangements, champagne glasses...now there their was only chaos. Tables and chairs were scattered, some flung against the wall, others overturned...excepting one.

Mai began walking towards it...there was something...

"What table was that?" Bou-san asked, also noticing it, "Is that something written there?"

Mai stopped behind the monk, glass crunching under her feet.

The VIP table.

"I sat there last night." Mai's eyes ran over the large words printed in black ink across the table's surface, memorizing every letter.

I AM HERE

The message couldn't be any more clear.

"The festival comes to an end this evening" Mr. Sachi began in the silence that had fallen over the room, "You'll be expected to make your announcement after the closing ceremony at the lilies fields. I would say that the writing is on the wall, but I'll leave that up to you, of course. I'll make sure anyone you need to speak to is near by."

And with a brisk nod to all of them, Mr. Sachi strode out of the banquet hall. Mai glanced at his hand as he passed, but there was no ring.

"John," Naru spoke, his palm flat against the surface of VIP table, "escort Hara-san and Matsuzaki-san around the banquet hall and the surrounding rooms. Anything Hara-san detects, address it."

The young priest nodded and lightly took Masako's elbow, "Watch the glass there..." he cautioned gently.

But the medium stood firmly in place, her gaze set on Naru.

"Will this really be necessary?"

"Yeah", Ayako protested, "I'm no third wheeling babysitter. Why do I need to go with them?"

Naru looked up from the table with a shrug,

"Your prior exorcisms in this case have had no effect, so you may sit at base if you wish. I just thought you might like to keep busy."

Ayako blanched, but before she could get in a word, Naru was speaking again.

"Hara-san, we were paid up front. We will finish the job we were paid for."

The medium's cheeks colored slightly, but then she bowed her head in assent.

"Bou-san and Mai, you will retrieve the thermometers from base and collect readings."

Naru's tone left no room for further argument, but Mai wasn't looking for any. This was exactly what she needed, a moment alone with the monk.

"Lin and I will interview whatever witnesses Mr. Sachi has for us, we will meet back at base in an hour."

The group dispersed, with Masako allowing herself to be guided by John, Ayako trailing behind them, grumbling curses under her breath. Mai and Bou-san didn't stick around to hear it, moving as fast as they could towards the hall, headed back to base.

"So, we're not fired," Bou-san began, as soon as they had put some space between them and the banquet hall.

"No."

"Sachi didn't announce his engagement."

"He didn't."

"Probably can't yet. Lots of red tape with that one."

"He didn't seem nervous at all."

"It's the last day of the case, he should be a basket case— but he knows."

"The theater won't close."

"Bingo."

Reaching the door to base, Mai stopped before entering, lowering her voice.

"What about what we know?"

"The other ghost?"

"It's still here."

The monk rubbed the back of his neck, stepping around Mai, entering base, "Yeah, I saw that too. Kinda hard to miss."

"What do we do?"

Bou-san began rummaging through the equipment boxes. Pulling out a thermometer, he aimed it at an invisible target,

"We catch it. You spot it, I exorcise it."

Mai picked up the clipboard for recording temperatures, biting her lip.

"I wouldn't even know where to look..."

The monk gave her shoulder a quick squeeze, heading back out of the room.

"First things first, let's try the hall."

The hall.

A sudden vision filled Mai's mind eye.

Deep in the theater, a door with a frayed rug peaking out...

"Bou-san, I need you to cover for me."

The monk paused, glancing back at her,

"Cover...?"

"I need to contact Mr. Miyuki."

"How— "

"Think I can reach him if I visit his office."

Uncertainty passed over the monk's face,

"You'll...dream?"

Mai nodded,

"It will work."

It has to work.

Bou-san waved the thermometer in his hand,

"What about this?"

"You'll think of something," Mai persisted, holding out her clipboard towards him. He hesitated in taking it, his brow furrowed. Was he thinking of the last time she tried to contact Mr. Miyuki?

This is different.

"Bou-san, Mr. Miyuki knows who the other ghost is. This is our best chance."

The monk let out a breath, still reluctant, he took the clipboard from her.

"I don't like leaving you alone...but fine. Just promise me you'll be safe."

Mai hurriedly hooked their pinkies, giving them a vigorous shake up and down, before starting to back away, moving in the opposite direction as the monk.

"I promise, Bou-san."

"Oy," he called after her, "you have forty-five minutes, and don't get mad if the only excuse I can give Naru is that you're stuck in the bathroom."

That Bou-san.

Mai's heart thumped with each step she took, working her way deeper into the theater. Twice she had to duck into a room when she thought she heard footsteps coming her way, but she successfully avoided any run-ins with the rest of the SPR team.

The hall Mai had just turned down began to curve, it would eventually wind it's way to the stage and it's many dressing rooms, but she wasn't going to be following it that far.

Mai dropped her gaze to the floor, focused on the cracks beneath every door she passed, keeping a sharp look out for the edge of an elaborate rug, the only thing to distinguish Mr. Miyuki's office.

A blur of doors rushed past, none of them the one. Mai forced herself to slow. She knew from experience that it was only too easy to miss the right door. Taking a steadying breath, feeling the pressure of her nerves and every tic of the clock, Mai approached the next door— and stopped.

Like a mirage, the dull corner of a rug appeared.

That's it.

Mai recalled the last time she had stood before Mr. Miyuki's office. She had been there with Bou-san, looking for answers. It had been the day Mr. Miyuki had shown her the picture of Miss Miyuki, Naru, and Mr. Sachi. It had been the day he had revealed the other ghost.

Mai's heart began to pound in anticipation.

He can help.

Mai reached out to turn the door handle and enter, but then drew back with a jerk of surprise. The door knob was hanging crookedly, and the door was ajar.

What

Before Mai could take another breath, the door was swinging wide open. Mai let out a gasp of surprise and stumbled back, but was caught by a hand around her wrist before she fell.

"Mai?"

"Mr. Sachi?"

"We've got to stop meeting like this, hm?"

Mai stared at the playwright, and then past him— at the room beyond. What she saw she could hardly believe. Mr. Miyuki's office was empty, excepting a few stacked boxes and the infamous rug that ran the span of the floor. Gone were the armchairs, the small table with Miss Miyuki's picture, the nick-knacks on top of the fireplace mantel. Mr. Miyuki's large wooden desk had vanished, and along with it, it's drawers filled with history. The walls loomed dark and bare.

"You seem startled to see me...and I must say I wasn't expecting you either. What are you doing here?"

Mai pursed her lips and swallowed. What was she doing?

I came to dream.

"The...dressing rooms," Mai spoke, clearing her throat, "I came to check the dressing rooms, then I noticed...the door was open."

"Ah," Mr. Sachi nodded, releasing Mai's wrist, shifting the box he had been carrying, "you remember what I said about this door being locked, you must have been curious?"

"I was..."

"It's upsetting, but this was the only way in," Mr. Sachi explained, gesturing to the damaged door knob, "I never could find the key."

"Why did you need in?" Mai asked, unable to help herself, staring in amazement at the transformed space.

If Mr. Sachi minded the question, he didn't show it. With a shrug, he entered the room and collected another box to stack on the one he was already carrying.

"It was time. I've hired painters. I'm going to restore this office back to it's former glory. In a couple of months I'll open it as an exhibit of sorts that patrons can tour."

In a couple months...

"Unless I shouldn't bother?" he continued, reading into her silence, "Your boss wouldn't really dare to announce this theater as anything but haunted after everything that's happened?"

Mai found her gaze drawn back to Mr. Sachi's ring finger.

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure what my boss will report."

Mr. Sachi shrugged again,

"Would you mind helping take something back? It would be less trips for me."

That's it?

No pleading.

No frantic questions.

No desperation.

Mai accepted a box, and with no other choice, she began to follow the playwright back down the hall.

He's not worried.

"No matter what happens tonight, I know you know the truth about this place."

I do.

Bou-san let out a curse and dropped the thermometer he was using as Mai suddenly appeared around the corner.

Mr. Sachi made a face, "Kind of jumpy for a paranormal team, aren't you?"

"Mai?"

"I ran into Mr. Sachi on my way to the dressing rooms," Mai quickly explained, "he asked me to help him carry a few things from Mr. Miyuki's office."

"Mr. Miyuki's office..." Bou-san began, locking eyes with her, "I thought no one could enter that room..."

"Sadly, I had force my way in— but what's done is done. I have painters coming in to renovate, and I needed to clear it out."

Bou-san lifted the box Mai was carrying from her arms, and passed her the thermometer and clipboard.

"Where is this going?"

"To my office, thank you."

The monk made his delivery efficiently, and unceremoniously setting the box down, he immediately excused himself, and Mai ("we're on company time, got to go").

"Did he catch you?" Bou-san asked, as soon as they were out of earshot.

"No, he was coming out as I was coming in. He thinks I was just curious."

"That was too close."

"It wasn't enough— I didn't get to even try to contact Mr. Miyuki."

"Mai, I've been thinking it over since you left. We need to tell them."

Mai came to a halt.

"What?"

The monk stopped and turned to her in earnest,

"We need to tell Naru and Mr. Sachi about the other ghost."

Mai squeezed her eye's shut against the persuasion,

"We can't, Bou-san."

"Why?"

"What's our proof?"

"Your dream, Mr. Miyuki told you—"

"Mr. Miyuki."

There was a beat, and then Mai continued, opening her eyes to meet the monk's.

"I'm still carrying his secret."

"Mai, it's the last day of the case."

"I can't break my promise."

"We can't be the only ones who know."

Mai drew in another breath to argue, but then caught herself.

A vision of a woman in silver.

We're not the only ones who know.

Mai pressed the clipboard and thermometer to the monk's chest.

"Bou-san, I need you to cover for me."