EDITED

A few days later, Oliver finally worked out what Mai had been so angry about after talking to Lin while she was still at school.

"You mean, other than the fact you blantonly ignored her advise and clues, resulting in numerous failed attempts at exorcisms and her constantly getting hurt protecting everyone? I wonder..."

Lin's tone was sarcastic. He felt protective of the girl. She was like a little sister or a niece that needed to be cared for. It had annoyed him that Mai's supposedly intelligent boyfriend couldn't work that out for himself. Oliver was lucky that Mai had already forgiven him.

When Mai arrived to work that afternoon and made their first cups of tea, she was surprised to find Oliver standing by her desk. He took the tray she was carrying, putting on her desk and pulled her into his arms.

"What's wrong, Naru?"

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry? About what?"

"About not listening to you in the last case."

"Baka. I've already forgiven for it this time." Mai kissed his cheek. "Better listen next time though. We'll be getting into some rather dangerous cases soon enough."

Oliver nodded. Mai hoped he'd learnt his lesson but only time would tell.

Oliver looked hesitant for a moment before asking, "Mai can we talk? About the fake dating thing?"

Mai froze. She had practically forgotten that their relationship was supposed to be fake.

"What about it?" She asked uncertain.

"Can we skip the fake part and make it real? Please? It should be obvious from the sharing of feelings that we feel whenever we touch, how much we love each other. I want to be with you for real."

Mai cried in relief. "Oh, thank goodness! I was so scared that you wanted to break up. Yes, let's make it real. I don't want to pretend."

Their kiss was even more heated than it usually was and only stopped when Lin opened his office door.

...

A week later Mai found some time to talk to Lin about his shiki and her abilities that seem to be growing faster than previously.

"This never happened before. I only ever saw them briefly a couple of times during a much later case and that was only because you were actively using them. So just seeing them hang around like they are now is strange."

Mai explained while sitting in Lin's office. She was currently holding one of Lin's shiki in her hands as she spoke. Just the fact that she could touch it was surprising to the normally stoic man. Nevermind actually seeing them.

"Are there any other changes that you've noticed to be of concern?"

"The bruise imprints from the spirits that I received in the last case didn't occur until much, much later in the past. My abilities are almost developing too fast now."

"Would you consider doing some training exercises with me? Maybe see if we can get control of your abilities a little better?"

Lin asked. He was just a little distracted to see his other shiki settling over Mai. One of them had decided they liked Mai's hair and was constantly playing with it.

"I'd like that. Training was kind of neglected last time. So I'd like it better if we did. Thanks Lin.

And so began a strict training schedule in the mornings before school or before work in the weekends. Oliver often joined them, offering the occasional suggestion based on what he remembered from things his brother did.

...

A month later Mai was organizing tapes. 'The Case of Morishita'. She was translating English into Kanji and writing both onto a label before pasting it on the specified tape.

She was glad her English had improved near the end of her last life. It helped so much now. Especially since she also had to prepare reports to back to BSPR.

The door opened.

Mai quickly put on a smile and stood up, before she realised who it was.

"Yo."

Takigawa carefreely waved hello. He had been coming over a lot since the last case.

"It's so hot. Mai-chan, give me some tea."

"Why do I have to pour tea to someone who's not a client? Or maybe, Bou-san, you have a request?"

Takigawa sighed in response. "Why is everyone being so cold lately?"

"This is our business policy."

"Business policy, what's that? Hey, I have a request: tea. Next time I'll take you out to a movie."

"No thanks, I already have a boyfriend. He takes me anywhere I want to go."

The door opened again.

"Mai, I want black tea."

"You too, Ayako!"

"Bou-san, what are you doing around here?"

"I wanted to ask you the same thing."

"This isn't a coffee shop."

"Where's Naru?" Ayako asked.

"The director is in his office, thinking over things," Mai replied in a serious tone.

"Huh?"

"What is he doing?"

"Research."

"Oh—"

"Plus, if you bother him at a time like this, he'll get furious. So, forget about Naru, drink your tea, and go back home."

Ayako pouted. "Come on, I want Earl Gray."

Mai groaned in defeat.

When she was about to go to the kitchen, the door opened again.

"Ah, hello everybody."

"Ah— John," Mai murmured to herself. "I guess they're all coming in today."

"Yo," Takigawa greeted.

Mai asked, "John, is something up?"

"I was near the area, so I decided to drop by and say hi."

"Do you want anything to drink?"

"...I'm sorry. Anything's fine. Don't mind me."

Mai took out a pot and began to boil the tea.

At that moment, the director's door opened, and Oliver came out.

"Mai, tea..." Oliver said, and as he looked around the room, his eyes widened. "...Do you have some business here?"

"When you put it that way—"

"Kind of—"

Oliver impatiently listened to their excuses.

"...Mai, what's going on here?"

"They're freeloading. What else would they be doing here? What kind of tea do you want?"

"Any is fine," Oliver replied, taking another glance at the crowd. "This isn't a coffee shop."

"Well, well," Takigawa said, clapping his hands. "Come on, don't be so mean— I heard you're doing research?"

"What of it?"

"What are you researching?

Oliver sighed and sat by John. "What industry am I in? What else would I be researching?"

The conversation quickly changed direction. Now they were talking about the latest books and thesis, psychic phenomena, and generally other things that only a specialist would know about.

"So much for not being a coffee shop." Shaking her head, Mai began to pour tea.

After she arranged the teacups onto the plate, she was about to leave the coffee room. At that time, the door opened again.

"So it's just Masako. Is something up?" Ayako coldly greeted her.

"Well now, Matsuzaki-san, do you have any business here?"

"I just happened to be nearby, so..."

"Same here. Hello everybody."

Masako smiled at Oliver who ignored her.

Oliver stood up in a flash. "...Mai, let's go out for a while."

"Ara, you're going out then?" Ayako asked.

"Yes... Mai and I have some business to take care of."

"I can go with you. I'm sure Mai has too much to do here." Masako suggested.

"There's no need. Mai is all I need."

Oliver's gaze landed on Masako and Ayako before turning and grabbing Mai's hand and dragging her out the door.

"Looks like your attempt for a date failed, Masako. You should give up. He's already happy with Mai." Ayako smirked at the rejected girl.

"Hmph..." Masako turned away, ignoring the woman. She looked out the window where she could see Oliver and Mai walking down the street. He had his arm around her waist. For a moment he stopped to kiss Mai in the lips before they continued on their way. Not once did either of them look back at the office.

"How about we lighten up our mood? Want to go on a date with me?" Takigawa offered to Masako.

"I refuse. Who wants to go on a date with you."

"Okay, okay. Well, Ayako, what about you?"

"...Bou-san, are you treating me?"

"Of course. I just got my payment from the previous case, so now I'm rich."

"I'll go."

John and Masako looked at them in surprise.

"Let's go, then." Ayako said.

Ayako dragged Takigawa out the door.

John and Masako were left in the office to finish their cups of tea before leaving. Lin stayed in his office and ignored them.

...

Another month or two passed. Mai walked into the office one July afternoon, to find two small boxes wrapped with bows and a small chocolate cake waiting for her on her desk. Reading the attached cards she smiled before opening the presents. No one had bothered with her birthday in her last life, so it was a nice surprise.

Lin had given her a silver charm bracelet. The charms were full of protection spells. Mai carefully put it on her left wrist.

Oliver gave her an antique style silver promise ring along with a matching necklace and earring set with a heart-shaped ruby pendant. The necklace and earring set was obviously new. The ring had a worn look to it that made Mai think it might be a family heirloom. Mai placed the ring on her right ring finger and put the necklace and earrings on.

She took the cake into the kitchen and boiled the kettle for tea. Cutting three slices of cake she placed them on small plates and added a dessert fork each next it. Then she made three cups of tea before placing it all on a tray.

She stopped at Lin's door first, knocking softly before entering his office. Quietly she placed a cup of tea and plate of cake on his desk next to him before leaning down to kiss his cheek. Lin's shiki brushed against her cheek greeting her.

"Thank you for my bracelet. It's beautiful."

Lin froze in shock before smiling warmly at the girl. "You're very welcome. Happy birthday Mai."

Mai smiled back before quietly leaving his office and shutting his door. She moved to Oliver's door next, knocking on it politely before opening it. He was on the phone, when she entered, talking in English. From the sounds of it, he was talking to his mother.

Quietly she placed his tea and cake on his desk next to him. He waved her into the chair in front of his desk, indicating for her to have her own there with him. Mai did as requested, standing the tray on the floor against the desk out of the way.

"Yes Mother. No Mother. I didn't forget Mother, Mai's wearing her present right now... Yes, she just walked into the office, just now... No, I don't know if she likes it yet. I haven't had a chance to ask her!"

"I love them, Oliver, thank you. Thank you as well, Luella." Mai interrupted in English so his mother could hear her. Oliver nodded with a smile before turning back to his mother.

"There, you see, she loved them. No I don't know what anyone else got her yet."

Mai lifted her left wrist to show the bracelet before pointing to Lin's office.

"Oh, Lin apparently got her a charm bracelet. It looks like he's imbued it with protection spells."

Mai nodded.

"OK Mother. I need to go. My tea is getting cold and Mai is waiting. All right. I will. I love you too. Say hi to Dad. Bye!"

Oliver finally put the phone down and sighed. "Mother says Happy birthday."

Mai smiled. "I gathered that. She's quite talkative, isn't she?"

"God, yes." He replied as he stood up and rounded his desk to greet her properly. After their kiss, Mai placed another one on his cheek. "Thank you for my present. I love them. Is the ring an heirloom?"

"Happy birthday, Mai. Yes, it was Mother's grandmother's. Mother wanted you to have it."

Oliver sat back down at his desk and picked up his tea.

"It's beautiful and I can feel the love it contains from it's past wearers. Please tell Luella, thank you, for me."

"I will. Did you have a good day?"

"Hmmm, it was pleasant enough. Keiko, Michiru and Yuuri gave me some chocolates and biscuits. We shared them at lunch. And my neighbour left a gift basket full of groceries outside my door this morning. I found it as I was leaving for school. I'll have to thank her tonight when I get home." Mai sipped at her tea before picking up her plate to eat her cake.

"Are we expecting any of the others to turn up and today?" Oliver asked as he began eating his own slice of cake.

"Hmmm, not that I know of. I doubt they even know that it's my birthday. But then, this is the first time you and Lin ever paid attention to it as well. You never even noticed it in my first life."

"I'm sorry about that."

"It's OK, Oliver. It's in the past and a different you."

They continued chatting until they'd finished their tea and cake, before Mai placed the used dishes onto her tray and began to leave the room. Oliver kissed her thoroughly at the door before she exited. Stopping to collect Lin's empty dishes, she took them into the kitchen to wash. It wasn't long before she was seated at her desk getting on with her work.

...

Two months later it was Oliver's turn for a birthday. Mai came into the office carrying a gift in one hand and a lemon cake in the other. She dropped the gift and her bag at her desk.

She paused briefly to use her growing senses to check on the status of her co-workers before heading into the kitchen with the cake. Oliver was hard at work studying his latest thesis. Lin was in the middle of a report of some kind. His Shiki settled over his desk out of the way. He looked like he could do with a coffee, rather than a cup of tea.

It was a part of her ability training with Lin and Oliver. They'd began her training with meditation. When they'd realized her potential in sensing what Mai thinks might be auras, how to expand her senses to search for information. Her aura sensing was why she could see Lin's shiki.

Like on her own birthday, she prepared three cups. Two of tea, one of coffee, and cut three slices of the lemon cake. Putting them on the tray she stopped at Lin's office to drop off his share receiving a grateful 'thanks' in return. Then she picked up the present from her desk and took it into Oliver's office.

His desk was covered in research. Since there was no need to go on trips to search every lake he could find in this life, he spent his spare time either conducting his Cambridge University studies through the online courses or researching data for his next book. Mai sometimes helped with that part. Her research skills were even better in this life.

Looking up at Mai as she entered he cleared his desk to make room for the cups of tea and cake that she was carrying, surprised to find she also carried a present. Placing his tea and cake to the side and his present in front of him, Mai bent down to kiss his cheek. "Happy birthday, Oliver."

Opening his present, Oliver found a white gold man's ring. It was wrapped in a large men's navy silk handkerchief with his initials hand embroidered in one corner. Underneath was a parapsychology book that Mai knew he didn't have but wanted.

"The ring was my father's. You might need to get it resized but I think he'd have wanted you to have it. I embroidered the handkerchief myself."

Oliver pulled Mai from where she was standing next to his desk into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her deeply. Reaching around Mai as she sat in his lap, he picked up the ring and put it on his right ring finger. To both their surprise, it fit perfectly as if made for him. He kissed her cheek as the ring sent him visions of its previous owner. "Your father loved you and your mother very much."

Mai smiled. "I know. I only have happy memories of him and Mum."

She went to get up and move around his desk to her usual seat but Oliver refused to let her move. Instead he pulled her cup and plate across the desk towards them from where she had placed it and bade her to eat where she was. He was content with her seated where she was.