1 DAY BEFORE LIN & NARU'S DEPARTURE
LATE MORNING

Mai had spent the previous night unable to sleep, trying not to over analyse the conversation she had with Naru. She had known it wouldn't be fair to dump her feelings onto him and yet she had done so anyway.

She had received a short text message from Lin (Please come to the office for 10am. I need to make the announcement to everyone else.) and wondered what the different reactions would be. She didn't know how many of them had already discovered Naru's true purpose for having come to Japan in the first place and, more importantly, discovered his true name. As she began approaching the office she allowed herself a small laugh imagining Monk's face as he realised that the 'great Oliver Davis' that he had fanboyed over was actually Naru.

The rest of the team had already arrived by the time she walked into the office. Most of it had been packed up, with a few items still remaining - mainly files in the cabinets. Monk looked up and walked over to Mai, seemingly knowing the emotional hardship she was going through. It was moments like these that made her cherish her new-found family. Naru had once told her that she was like an open book. She had found it useful in times like this, knowing that she didn't have to explain what she was feeling or thinking.

Yasu was the first to speak and asked Lin, "Where's Big Boss?"

Lin looked at everyone in their small team, "Naru isn't able to be here today. As some of you may know" - he looked pointedly at Masako - "he isn't native to Japan. He came to Japan from England under the pretence of opening 'Shibuya Psychic Research'. The reality is that this has been functioning as the Japanese branch of the British Society of Psychic Research where we are both employed, as are his parents."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Due to personal reasons, he took up the alias of 'Shibuya Kazuya' while in Japan to hide his identity, and by extension, that of his brother. His real name is Oliver Davis, and his twin was Eugene Davis. He came to search for him after he disappeared. Eugene was found yesterday."

The group remained silent, none willing to break the heavy atmosphere at the implications of past-tense while Lin spoke about Naru's twin.

"So Eugene is dead…" Masako said softly.

The rest of the team, including Mai, rounded on her, all asking questions over each other. Masako looked directly at Mai and then looked down, placing her sleeve over her mouth, "I knew of his real identity. I had seen him a few years ago and recognised him when we met again. I didn't know why he was here in Japan or why he was using an alias, but it became clear that he didn't want anyone to find out. I'm ashamed to admit that I used that to my benefit, against his wishes."

Her true meaning, I blackmailed him in exchange for my silence and discretion, was clear to the group who each had different levels of anger on their faces. The exception was John who, despite trying to keep a neutral face, showed disappointment in his eyes.

Mai had been tempted to say many things but she knew that this was neither the time nor place. She also knew that it wouldn't change anything, including their past rivalry.

Lin cleared his throat which brought the attention of everyone back to him. "We are closing SPR. Naru and I are returning to England tomorrow."

Before Lin could continue, Monk asked the question that was on everyone's mind, "Will the closure be permanent?"

"I have spoken to the director of BSPR, along with Madoka, about this matter. It is currently undecided as it will need further discussion for funding. This may take some time as there are different bureaucratic aspects of it. Even if we do open the office again, I am unsure if Naru will return to Japan. It may depend on certain factors." His eyes briefly lingered on Mai. Yasu, who had been paying close attention, noticed this and raised an eyebrow.

He paused before continuing, " I share this with the rest of you in confidence, and it would do you well to not bring it up at all should you speak with him. He will need time to properly mourn his brother and spend time with his parents. I believe he is also going to be furthering some of his publications in the journals. Due to this short-notice closure, you will each receive a severance package. Understandably it will be different to Mai and Yasuhara's as they were officially employed by SPR."

Yasu, who had been sitting next to Mai, reached over to grasp Mai's hand. This was mirrored by Monk. The team knew this would affect Mai the most. She had been with SPR since their first case and had grown close to everyone.

She had spent the previous night listening to musical soundtracks on shuffle, and as luck would have it, landed on one of the songs from Wicked[1] "Don't wish, don't start. Wishing only wounds the heart…"

Mai appreciated what Yasu and Monk were attempting to do, but she was grateful that she had been given a forewarning of this. It still did nothing to reduce the ache she felt.

Lin looked at his watch, "I apologise but I need to get going. Mai, Yasu, I will be in touch with you both on the final steps for closing the office. I have left the keys for you in the office. On behalf of Naru, I would like to thank you all for the hard work you have put into the cases undertaken."

Masako was the first to stand up. She walked over to Lin and bowed formally while covering her mouth, "It has been a pleasure working with you. I apologise for the inconveniences caused by my behaviour." The rest followed, each taking a moment to shake Lin's hand. Ayako and Yasu opted for a final teasing by giving him a hug at the same time. Lin would have normally said something, but let it pass. As soon as they released him, he gave them all a slight bow before leaving.

After Lin left, Monk sat back down, exhaling loudly. "So, Naru isn't going to say goodbye then? I guess I'm not too surprised." Yasu looked at Mai, "You've already spoken to him, haven't you?".

She nodded, "We spoke last night on our way back from..the lake. I'll be going to the airport to see them off tomorrow. They have an early flight." She wasn't going to disclose the rest of the things she spoke about with Naru, nor the dream she had on the way back from the lake. She would keep those to herself.

The mood turned sombre after a while. Yasu, ever so helpful, tried to lighten the mood, "It is weird being here and not hearing the word 'tea' come from the office… What is he going to do without your tea? Monk! How do you feel about being such a fan of the great Oliver Davis? Has the glass shattered now that you know it's Naru?"

Monk grumbled incoherently under his breath while the rest of the group, excluding Masako who had excused herself, laughed awkwardly. They stopped when they saw Mai's crestfallen face which had clouded over as she looked away towards Naru's old office.

"Mai, let's lock up. Everyone - let's go see a movie! Is there anything good on?" Yasu said, jumping back up from where he had been sitting. As everyone grabbed their things and headed outside, he stopped Mai and gave her a tight hug and said, "Chin up. You'll still get to see him tomorrow. I don't think it'll be the last time you see him… call it man's intuition. It's almost as good as women's intuition!"

Authors Note:

[1] wiki/Wicked_(musical)" I'm Not That Girl" as preformed by Idina Menzel

Coming soon to a heartache near you!
Chapter 5: Is This Goodbye?