EDITED
"Mai— "
The moment Mai stepped into the building the next day, Keiko rushed up to her.
"...What is it?" Mai asked. "You're a bit too energetic to just greet me."
"Good morning. Hey, what did Shibuya-san say to you?
"Ha ha. So that's why you're ambushing me over here?"
"Right. Hey, exactly what did you guys talk about?"
Mai burst out laughing. Keiko had a startled look on her face.
"Can it be—"
"Don't worry. He just asked me to help with his work as an assistant."
"...Whaaaat..." Keiko let out a deep breath.
Michiru finally spoke out.
"Then, Shibuya-san... Isn't a transfer student?"
"Nope. I said so yesterday, didn't I? Naru-chan is a ghost hunter."
"So that's how it is..." Keiko mumbled listlessly.
Michiru waved her hand in dismissal.
"Don't be so disheartened. Since he's not a student at our school, that means..."
Keiko finished off.
"..No love rivals!"
"Right!"
Mai snorted. "Your biggest rival is his mirror."
"Taniyama-san."
"Good morning Karuda-san," Mai answered, "Is something up?"
"That person... Is he a psychic?"
"He's a ghost hunter."
"But didn't you just say he came here to investigate the old school building?"
"You don't need to be a psychic to be a ghost hunter."
"Ghost hunter?"
When Kuroda raised her eyebrows, Keiko and Michiru pulled Mai off to the side and asked:
"Hey, what does that mean?"
"It means he brings in lots of expensive equipment, like video cameras and whatnot to investigate suspected hauntings."
"Oh—," Kuroda interjected, considering her idea, "Taniyama-san, can you introduce me to that guy?"
"Why?"
"I have psychic powers, so I might be able to help him with his work."
Mai replied, "But... Kuroda-san, didn't you already meet him? A formal introduction isn't necessary. You can see him after school at the old school building."
"I know that, but..."
"But it's best if you don't get involved with that guy at all."
"Oh, but why?" Kuroda-san asked, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"Naru-chan dislikes talking to amateurs."
"I'm not an amateur like you."
"I have three years of experience in the parapsychology field, Karuda-san. You haven't even been proved to have ESP yet. Causing a poltergeist does not make you a medium."
"Mai." Michiru interjected, pinching Mai's neck. "Calling him Naru-chan already... How affectionate of you."
"Narcisstic Naru-chan. You guys, stop fantasizing about him. He has a rotten personality."
"But he's still *that* handsome?"
"Whatever rocks your boat."
"Really.."
Mai could tell from Keiko's reaction that she'd just get hurt if she got close to him. By this time Karuda had already sat down at her desk with her books open.
"That's just the kind of person she is." Michiru quietly whispered to Mai.
"Didn't Kuroda-san go to the same middle school as you?"
"Right. She was quite famous in middle school, always going on about her psychic powers, her warnings 'oh~this is dangerous', her sensitivity to ghosts, and always wanting us to do this and that."
"Oh..."
"Man, she just likes to be the center of attention. No doubt she likes all the flattery she gets."
"... Well, she is a latent psychic, just not with ESP."
Kuroda shot Mai a hateful look which she ignored.
...
When school ended, Mai's friends commented on how 'sly' she was before she headed out towards the old school building.
After Mai went to the back of the old school building, she noted that the silver van was in the same parking space as yesterday. Oliver and Lin were seated in the back looking over data.
"Hello" Mai greeted them.
Hearing Mai's voice, they lifted their heads, shifting their attention from the equipment to Mai.
"What're you doing?" Mai asked.
"Looking over yesterday's recording." Oliver responded.
"Anything interesting?"
Oliver glanced at the shelf overflowing with televisions. "Nothing unusual."
"Only to be expected. We're going to have company soon."
"Company?" Lin asked.
"Mitsuzaki Ayako, self-styled shrine maiden. Takagawa Housho, apostate monk. Brown John, Australian exorcist, and Hara Masoko. I'm sure you know who that is. Oh, and Karuda-san, of course." Mai responded with an eye roll. Lin and Oliver looked at each other.
"Uh... Is the equipment working?"
A voice came from behind Mai. Neatly turning around, Mai saw a woman wearing gaudy clothes and a man with a dumb look on his face.
"These are expensive toys for a kid. Well except for maybe Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome over there." The woman let out a scornful laugh. Lin ignored her.
Oliver stared at them but Mai interrupted before he could speak.
"You'll get used them, Ayako. Takigawa."
Their jaws dropped in surprise.
"How did you know our names?" Ayako asked.
"That's what we'd all like to know." Oliver cut in sarcastically. "She won't tell you either."
"How arrogant, but you're definitely a handsome young man."
"Thank you."
Ayako crossed her arms.
"Forget it. Even if you become more handsome, it won't be of any help. You can't exorcise ghosts with your face anyway."
Oliver's gaze lifted up. "Are we in the same industry?"
"Pretty much... I'm a miko."
But then, Oliver retorted. "I was under the impression that miko were young, pure maidens."
Mai couldn't help but laugh. Takigawa beside her, also let out a burst of laughter.
Ayako was furious as she sent deathly glares to Oliver. She chose the wrong opponent.
Oliver continued, "If you want to say you're young, I think you are really too old."
He smirked. Mai sighed. Ayako's lips distorted.
Takigawa proudly added. "She also puts on heavy makeup."
Ayako glared angrily at that man.
"Well, I'm just naturally beautiful. That's why it looks like I'm wearing lots of makeup." Ayako forced on a stiff smile.
"To sum it up... Your little show is over, kid. Just leave the rest to me."
And with her jeering voice, she laughed at Oliver.
"The school principal said that you're unreliable. No matter how you look at it, a sixteen year old just isn't skilled enough."
Oliver smiled slightly. "Then please teach me, senior."
Ayako's scowl widened.
Oliver disdainfully glanced at her profile before shifting his line of sight onto the other man.
"...So you're the apostate monk?"
"I'm a monk from Kouya Mountain. My name is Takigawa Houshou."
Oliver and Lin continued to look at the television screens, then Oliver said in a bored tone.
"Kouya Mountain allows long hair now?"
Ayako scoffed.
"Law-breaking monk."
"...But I really did stay at Kouya Mountain. Even though I'm not there right now..."
Takigawa mumbled, his voice carrying a hint of shame. Mai couldn't help but laugh at his pitiful appearance. Their eyes met.
"And who's the giggling girl with the big mouth?"
"I'm Taniyama Mai. I'm just helping out. Not that there is any ghosts for you to exorcise. But feel free to have at it."
"Because you know everything right? And what about you, little boy?"
Without averting his gaze, he looked at the television set. His body language seemed to say 'I have no interest in you guys'.
"You guys should go to the principal to find out. Seems like you at least know my age." Oliver replied.
"Man, we did ask already. He said you're from a paranormal investigation office on the prestigious Shibuya Street."
"I have nothing else to add to that."
Takigawa laughed coldly. "...The principal also mentioned that he thought he could trust this office because of its prestigious location. He never thought that the head of the investigation would be a little kid. Boy, does he feel duped."
"Really, now." Oliver said in his cold tone.
Leaning on the car, Ayako added. "The principal... Is quite a worrywart..."
"That's right." Takgawa agreed.
"An evil spirit or whatnot is something I can easily exorcise… So, the kid can just leave it up to me."
Ayako said, laughing at Oliver.
"If you could help, then that would be fine." Oliver said indifferently.
Even Takigawa decided to join in on the sarcastic remarks. "Man, how regrettable, the kid can't help at all. That principal is also overdoing it. He called in all these people just for a little old school building."
"Right. A ghost hunter, me, and you..." A small smile spread on Ayako's face.
"One would obviously be enough."
"Right, he should've just called on me."
Takigawa laughed too. "What's all this about anyway? Oh right, little boy, what's your name?"
"Shibuya Kazuya."
"Shibuya Kazuya? ...Never heard of it." Takagawa commented.
"But, I never heard of your name either. Must be third-class." Ayako added.
"That's because you don't keep up with your studies. And actually, I've never heard of Matsuzaki either." Takigawa retorted.
"Get a room already, you two. Karuda-san is coming Naru-chan." Mai interrupted their argument.
The moment Kuroda-san saw Mai, she waved.
"Taniyama-san."
"Karuda-san."
Kuroda-san glanced at the car, seeing Ayako and Takigawa. "Who are those two people?"
"They came here to investigate the old school building. They're a priestess and a monk."
"Really..."
When those two noticed the raven-haired girl, Kuroda bowed in assent.
"Are you guys here to exorcise the ghosts in the old school building?"
Ayako examined her for a moment. "Yes, that's the case."
Then Karuda's face cracked into a smile. "Ah, thank goodness. I've always had a feeling of unease towards this ghost-nest of an old school building."
Ayako shot Kuroda an intense stare. "You... How is that possible?"
"I have strong psychic powers... So it's been very annoying for me..."
"Attention lover. You like attention, don't you? Do you want to be noticed that much?" Ayako pressed.
"True. She... Does not have any psychic powers," Takigawa added.
"You'll be surprised." Mai calmly stated.
"I can tell she doesn't by looking," Ayako responded coolly.
"She just wants to get everyone's attention. She's been tricking everyone." Ayako shot a scornful look at the girl before turning around.
"I really do have psychic powers," Kuroda insisted, "I'm going to summon a spirit into my body."
"Enough Kuroda-san. Just ignore Ayako. Unless there's a tree around, she's pretty much useless." Mai intercepted.
"...My psychic powers really are strong..." the Karuda said, her eyes hard and resolute. A deadly look hovered in her eyes. "Fake miko, you'll regret this."
"...I'm waiting for it then." Ayako shot her one last glance.
All of a sudden, Kuroda dashed back towards the playground.
"You're an idiot." Mai said to Ayako before turning back to Oliver and ignoring her.
The whole situation was so chaotic.
"John will be here any minute now, Naru-chan. That's the exorcist."
Oliver looked at Mai and nodded.
"Why do you call him Naru?" Takigawa asked.
"Originally it was for Naru the narcissist. But the real reason is a secret."
Oliver glared at Mai who smiled sweetly back. "Don't worry, Naru-chan, I won't blackmail you about it like Masako will."
Oliver wore an indescribable expression.
"Which classroom did Mai's senior see the shadow?"
"You mean Michiru's senior's friend. It's on the second floor in the far west wing. It's the classroom that's practically stripped of everything.
"Got it. Go install the equipment there. It would be good if paranormal activity is found there."
Oliver said as he rose and jumped off the van. When he started walking towards the old school building, a silhouette started coming this way.
"Here comes John-san and the principal." Mai stated as she picked up the requested equipment.
The principal advanced towards us. An indistinct figure walked beside him.
"Hold on a moment, who's that person by the principal?" Ayako whispered. "It can't be... Is it another psychic..."
"John-san is an exorcist." Mai responded.
As the principal noticed them, he wiped off his tanuki-like smile. "Ah, everyone is together."
He quickly stepped this way. "Here's the other guest. Let me introduce you guys."
The principal smiled warmly. "This is John Brown-san. Please welcome him, everybody."
John gave them a deep bow. "How y'all doin?"
Ayako, Takigawa, Lin and even Oliver became dumbstruck.
"I be Brown. Glad ta meet y'all."
The principal forced a smile onto his inevitable expression. "Um... Brown-san learned Japanese in the Kansai area..."
Takigawa bust out laughing, followed by Ayako.
Brown seemed a bit lost. His confused look, his blonde hair, his blue eyes, and the fact that he's a foreigner just made him look even more ridiculous.
"Don't worry John-san. You're doing very well for a non-Japanese person. You're from Australia, right?" Mai smiled at John kindly.
"Yeah, I am, how'd you guess?" John asked.
"I have my ways."
The principal gave them a puzzled look, then said, "W-Well then, I'll just leave it at that," before running off.
John turned towards the principal's figure, then said, "Thank ya."
When he said it that way, Takigawa and Ayako burst out laughing again.
Instead of laughing, Oliver and Lin wore a stiff expression on their faces.
Brown looked at the other who were laughing in bewilderment.
"Is my Jabanese really strange?"
Oliver smiled wryly.
"It's pretty strange."
Brown took a deep breath. "Jabanese be so dif'cult!"
"Hey, kiddo!" Takigawa shouted aloud. "I'm begging you, please don't speak in that weird Kyoto accent."
"Still, there ain't no other talk thaz mo' polite than this here Kansai-ben talk."
"Who?! Who taught this guy Japanese!" Takigawa exclaimed, his breathing becoming more and more difficult. "Listen carefully. Kansai-ben is a dialect. I suggest you not speak it anymore, got it? Otherwise it'll seem like you're speaking comic-talk."
"Ah," John nodded, "If I don' speak, then ever'body can jus' get 'long. Y'all are psychics?"
Oliver responded, "Well, more or less. She's Matsuzaki-san, a miko. And he's Takigawa-san, a former monk on Kouya Mountain."
"An' you?"
"I'm a ghost hunter."
"Oh, then this here equipment in da car is all yors? Impressive."
"What about you?"
"Ah, I be an exorcist."
"Exorcist?"
In an instant, Ayako and Takigawa stopped laughing and started staring at John and then Mai, with gazes that suggested they were looking at a powerful enemy.
"About that, I thought in Catholicism you can't be an exorcist unless you're ranked higher than a priest... You seem really young to even be a priest." Oliver stated.
"Thas' right. You, my fella, is very knowledgable. Howeva', I'm 19 already. I jus' look like a young 'un."
"It's best if you don't say 'wate'."
Oliver advised, smiling wryly again.
"If you say boku or watashi, you shouldn't say 'ansan'; otherwise, you'd be changing the meaning to 'you.'"
John nodded his head. "Okay, thanks. What be ya name?"
"Shibuya Kazuya."
"Shibuya-san, hope ya don' min' takin' me aroun' the place first."
Oliver nodded slightly, then turned towards Mai.
"Mai, time to work."
"Okay."
When Oliver headed towards the old school building, Mai noted ironically that everyone else followed.
The equipment in the lab room had recordings. The sound of the machinery echoed throughout the classroom.
"These are..." Takigawa mumbled, apparently at a loss for words, "I can't believe you brought in this much equipment."
Oliver ignored him.
Ayako snorted in contempt. "This is all useless. Little boy, your little show is finished. It's time to pack all your things up."
Oliver ignored Ayako.
"Bringing all this equipment in is such a waste. That must've been exhausting for you," she taunted.
Takigawa said, "That's rude. Ah— I have high hopes in you. Since you have this much equipment, you must be very capable."
His tone was ironic, mocking.
Oliver turned around, a hint of coldness behind his eyes. "...What about you two? Did you come here to exorcise spirits? Or did you come here to play?"
Embarrassed, Ayako instantly turned around. "That's why I said I hate kids. Well, it must be an earth spirit, as it seems to be showing off a lot," she purposely ranted aloud, then left.
Takigawa followed, his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"Now what are you going to do?" Oliver asked, facing John.
John looked embarrassed. "...Do you want me to help you?"
"I don't care."
"Um... I, I don't really know what to do in this situation. Is it alright if I stay here an' help ya out as much as possible?"
"That's fine. Just do what you want," Oliver answered calmly, his eyes still glued to his computer.
"Come on, John-san, you can help me set up this stuff in the classroom upstairs." Mai led him out of the room.
After nearly ten television sets were stacked on top of each shelf, the TV screens changed. Now they were showing a view of the corridors. Digital numbers and letters flashed incessantly on the screens. A view of the first and second floor could be seen from the TV placed in the entrance hall. All the screens were immersed in blue and green speckles.
"Anything interesting?" Mai asked Oliver and Lin, who were in front of the monitors when they got back.
"Not particularly." Oliver responded.
Mai shrugged and turned to John. "Thanks for helping me, John-san."
John blushed. "It's nothing... That's right, I didn't ask you what your name was. Are you Shibuya-san's assistant?"
"Yeah, one of them. I'm Taniyama Mai. The other one is Lin Koujo." Mai waved in Lin's direction.
"You can jus' call me John"
"Then call me Mai please."
Mai nodded before turning back yo the screens. She saw Takigawa in the middle of the TV screen. While examining his surroundings, Takigawa walked into the depths of the hallway. Ayako was in another screen.
And in the other screen...
Mai could see the dim classroom deep in the entrance hall. Inside, the shoe cabinet cast off a shadow. And in the middle of the shoe cabinet was Hara Masako.
"Masako has arrived, Naru-chan." She stated, pointing at the TV screen of the entrance hall.
Right in front of the shoe cabinet was a doll-like girl wearing a pink sakura kimono, trying to see what was above the shoe shelf.
She looked just like a living human, with that jet-black hair of hers. She was also about the same age as me.
The girl looked at another direction, then turned and left. She was no longer in the screen.
Not acknowledging Mai's statement, Oliver rose and headed towards the door. His expression didn't change at all.
The door opened.
The doll-like girl stood in the middle of the darkness,
"Oh, look, a ghost."
John softly patted my shoulder.
"It's okay, Mai-san. She's not a ghost."
"Oh, I know, John. That was a joke." Mai responded with a smile.
Oliver forced a smile on..
"The principal must really want us to finish the job quickly since he went as far as inviting you..."
Her expression didn't change.
"Do you two know each other?" Mai asked.
"No. I only recognize her face because she's very popular," Oliver replied.
"If you're talking about me, then I'll introduce myself. I'm Hara Masako."
Oliver sighed. "She's a very famous psychic medium. She's great at summoning spirits, probably the best in Japan."
Mai sighed. "I know who she is, Naru-chan, and she's only the best of the well known mediums."
Oliver looked at the spirit medium. "What is your evaluation of this building, Hara-san?"
Masako cocked her head. "I'm not sure... Who are you? You don't seem to be a psychic..."
"I'm a ghost hunter, Shibuya."
Masako looked at Oliver with a surprised expression.
"Have we... Met before?"
"I think this is the first time we met."
"...Really...?" She said, turning around to face the pile of equipment "...I don't think there're ghosts here. Even though the principal was in a panic over it, there's nothing here. I also don't feel the presence of any spirits."
"Really..." Oliver said, contemplating her words. "Another one for you Mai."
"You counting them now? Then here's another. Ayako is about to get trapped."
It happened at that time.
A loud, knocking sound and a woman's scream echoed through the building.
"Is that Matsuzaki-san's voice?" John asked.
Oliver rushed out of the room and the others apart from Mai and Lin followed. She plonked herself down next to Lin. "Well, at least Karuda-san can't delete the footage this time."
"This time?" Lin queried.
Mai sighed. "Nevermind Lin-san, just watch."
"That sound just now..!" Takagawa exclaimed through the microphone.
"I'm not sure, but it seems to be on the first floor," John replied.
Matsuzaki-san's scream echoed through the hallway from the west side of the first floor on the other side of the lab room.
"What happened?!" Oliver was the first to reach the door, but he couldn't open it no matter how hard he pulled.
Ayako banged on the door from inside. "Open the door! Hey, open the door!"
Both Oliver and Takigawa pulled with all their strength. The door started to bend, but it still wouldn't budge.
"Let's kick it open," Takigawa suggested as he faced the door. "Ayako! Move away!"
"What! Don't just call me by my first name like that!"
"You could just remove the nail in the floor." Mai muttered sarcastically. Lin glanced at her.
Takigawa kicked the door, causing the door to emit a snapping sound. He kicked the door again, this time knocking it down.
Ayako's face looked blue.
"What happened?" Oliver asked calmly.
"I don't know... After I came in, the door shut by itself. I couldn't open it."
"You didn't lock it then?"
"No!"
Right when they were about to argue again, Masako intercepted. "How embarrassing."
Ayako stared at Masako. "What do you mean?"
"How can you say you're a psychic? You start hollering like crazy when the door locks on you. Don't you think that's sort of embarrassing?" Masako taunted, her tone cold like the wind.
Takigawa whistled softly, then turned towards the raven-haired girl. "You there... Are you Hara Masako-san?"
"Yes."
"You're prettier in person."
Masako looked at Takigawa as if he were something dirty, then turned around.
Oliver picked up something off the floor and tucked it into his pocket.
...
"Well then, we must find out exactly what's in this old school building," Ayako arrogantly declared.
Everyone took a break in the lab room, drinking the canned coffee that John brought.
"Aren't you being oversensitive?" Masako commented coldly.
"Shut up little girl. I'm not the same as a fake psychic who got popular just because of her looks."
A small smile brushed through Masako's face. "Thank you for complimenting my good looks."
Ayako disregarded Masako. "I believe it's an earth spirit."
"It's not." responded Mai, spinning in her chair. She was pretty glad Lin had brought them from the office. So much more comfortable than the wooden chairs she normally sat in.
Ayako looked fed up with Mai.
"I think it's a Jibakurei," Takigawa intercepted, "Didn't something happen at this old school building? A spirit must live here. It had to disrupt the workers' progress because it was scared of losing its home."
"Not that either." Mai said, still spinning around.
"What do you think, John?" Oliver turned around to look at the foreigner.
"I'm not sure. Aren't haunted houses usually caused by *spirits turning into *ghosts?"
Oliver looked at the nail in his hand, then nodded. "*Spirit...seirei, *ghost is yuurei. Are you listening, Mai?"
"It's not that either." Mai said in a sing song voice, spinning in her chair.
"If it's 'cause of a ghost, then that means the person who died in the house is a Jibakurei," John continued.
"You guys don't believe it's an earth spirit?" Ayako asked as she stood up.
"I don't think so. It's Jibakurei," Takigawa said as he rose and stood beside John.
John's sky-blue eyes mirrored his confusion. "It's early, an' we still can't agree on a conclusion."
Ayako stood up. "To sum it up, everything will be fine as long as it's exorcised. I'll get rid of it tomorrow."
She announced, "I don't have time to waste on this insignificant case. I'll go home as soon as I'm done with the exorcism."
Ayako laughed, then waved as she left the lab room.
Takigawa saw her off, then inquired about everyone's opinions. "What do you guys think?"
Masako replied, "It's no use. I already said there aren't any spirits here."
"I've been saying that from day one." Mai snarked.
"You didn't see anything bad happen, did you? A building this old will always have one or two rumors. It's like the school's Seven Wonders."
"Only that which involves human intervention." Mai stated.
The dark, crimson glow of the sunset shined through the windows, leaving a rosy shine on the glass windows.
"Naru-chan, it's getting dark."
Oliver lifted his head towards the window.
"Ah... We'll go home after the preparations are done," he said, rising from his chair.
"Move the equipment into the classroom on the west side of the second floor."
"Yes, Boss."
Takigawa wondered aloud. "Oh yeah, boy, you're not staying here, are you?"
"Not today... But we might stay tomorrow." Oliver looked at Mai. "Come here after school tomorrow."
"Sure."
Before, she left, Mai whispered in Oliver's ear, "FYI, Masako has seen the video. She knows who you are. I hope she doesn't bore you too much on your little 'dates'."
Oliver's face darkened. "When, and how do you know?"
Mai placed a finger on her cheek as she thought back. "If I remember correctly she claims that you went on several dates by the time we do our next case which takes place in.. Oh.. Around three or four months?"
"Any idea on how to prevent it?"
"Tell her to grown up and stop butting her nose into other people's business? I'm not exactly sure who she's threatening to tell however. I never knew how she held it over your head. Just that she did and you resented her for it. Honestly, most of us just assumed that her parents were financial backers for SPR though I know better now."
"Well... Thanks for the warning I guess. Though I'm still curious as to how."
"Would you believe me, if I told you I made a dying wish to turn back time to the beginning?"
Oliver looked at her sceptically.
"Yeah, I didn't think so. By the way, keep in mind that besides the obvious non-paranormal answer to this building, there is another issue to deal with regarding my classmate. While she doesn't have ESP she does have enough latent psychic ability to cause a poltergeist and our adament refusal of the existence of ghosts here will set her off. Although that's a Sunday issue. Let's just get through tomorrow first."
"Non-paranomal?"
"Just pay attention to what's happening underground OK, Oliver?"
Mai patted Oliver's shoulder, gave him a smile and left for the night. Oliver stood lost in thought with one hand holding his shoulder where hers had been.