Author's Note:
Hello guys! After four excruciating years of not touching this fanfic, I'm finally back to finish this one. I've been through a lot in the past few years and going back to SPR Series is making me tear up right now. I missed writing the SPR characters. I am hoping that you would still like this one though it's not perfect. Thank you for reading!
Chapter 2
The next day, everyone came on time at the office for the meeting except for Madoka who already has an errand to do and Yasuhara who has a morning class but they will both join them later. Yes, Mai was not late because Naru woke her up really early. However, Naru decided to have the meeting at the restaurant instead so they just packed the equipment first. Everyone was quite confused about this decision but it does not matter. They actually prefer it so that they can relax on the way.
While the other members were busy packing the equipment, Sakuro approached Mai who was looking at her list and started a conversation right after Lin and Naru put down the last box in the back of the other van.
"WHAT?" Mai exclaimed loudly that made the other members eavesdrop to the conversation. Naru, who knew what they were talking about just simply listened.
Sakuro expected this kind of reaction from Mai since she already has a lot of things on her plate right now but he will still try to convince her. "Mai, you should be happy! You are going to represent our school into one of the country's biggest pageant of the year." Sakuro replied incredulously. "You should know how many female students in Shirouko want to be in your position right now."
Mai is not happy to hear this. "I appreciate that you are considering me but I am politely declining it. As you remember, you already made me your personal assistant in the council and I already joined the stage design and costume committee on our class' school play. I have to go to my part-time jobs. I can't train for a pageant right now." She turned back to checking her list. "If other girls want it, let them join. Give them a chance. "
"But the teachers specifically said that they would like you to represent our school."
Mai stopped what she's doing and she put down the list on the van's floor. "Sakuro, I understand that the teachers sent you to convince me but as your good friend, I would personally go to let them know that I don't want it." She patted his shoulder. "That will take the burden off you, my dear friend. You owe me one now." She picked up the list and checked it again. "Besides, if I do one mistake, it would be a big embarrassment. I don't even know anything about pageants."
But Sakuro believes in the power of persuasion so he kept on convincing Mai. "But you should have some idea by now. You are a model. Some people have seen you in magazines also."
Mai sighed. "Pageants are not just about walking like a model. There's a question and answer segment and you know I'm not skilled in the art of public speaking." Upon hearing this, the other members snickered while Lin coughed and Naru smirked.
Sakuro is still persistent. "You could learn how to do that. Mai, come on. You are the only one I know who could compete evenly with the other contestants there. You know that contest. It's full of cheaters. You know very well that the last year's winner paid the judges even though she does not deserve it." he sighed dramatically before he continued, "She was… not very deserving that everyone was so shocked. If you will join the pageant and do not win in any categories at least, then the public would appeal to stop having this contest. You could really make a change."
But Mai just looked at him like he came from another world. "Your reasons are not convincing. You sound desperate that you are just blurting out everything that comes to your mind." She said very seriously which made Sakuro looked hurt but guilty. "Besides, how can we be so sure that last year's winner really did that? And me being a catalyst of change? Please. Anyone can do that."
Sakuro is now giving him the puppy eyes but Mai is not having it. "Oh stop that, funky monkey. You can only use the 'puppy eyes effect' once. You already did that when you convinced me to be your assistant. By the way, you have a meeting with the council on Monday about the school festival. Don't even dare to forget." Mai finished checking the list and she called out to Naru. "Naru, the equipment here is complete." Naru nodded as an acknowledgment.
"It's time to give up, Sakuro-chan." Bou-san called out. He was arranging the other set of equipment in the other van together with John and Ayako. Masako returned her attention to the list. "Once she said no, she won't change her mind anymore."
Sakuro sighed. "Mai, I'll give you time to think."
Mai smiled sweetly. "You heard Bou-san, Sakuro-sama. A no is a no."
Sakuro pouted. "It can boost your modeling career."
Mai still maintained her sweet smile. "You know that I don't care about that."
With a heavy sigh, Sakuro put his hands up and finally gave up on the topic. "Okay, I understand." He turned with slumped shoulders and started to walk towards Bou-san.
Mai felt quite bad for refusing Sakuro repeatedly so she thought of something to ease his pain. "But if you like, I can coach the students that you will pick for the pageant."
He turned back quickly, crossed the small gap between them and took her hands. "And you will help them pick their outfits. You will do their makeup too."
Mai rolled her eyes but was amused with Sakuro's response. "That's too much. But okay, I will."
He looked like he was going to cry. "Thank you, Mai-chan!"
Mai laughed heartily at this. "It's a deal. But look for other people in charge with question and answer." On the corner of her eyes, she saw Naru's amused look. "Now, take your hands off. Naru is still amused now but we don't know when he will emit the death glare."
With a giggle, Sakuro released her hands and ran towards Bou-san and clung to him like he is some tree. Bou-san looked so grossed out. "Are you a monkey? Let go of me!" he exclaimed. Ayako and Masako laughed at this while John was trying to stop himself from laughing. Mai walked towards them, laughing as well.
As she reached them, Masako spoke to her. "I think you did the right thing. Between the two of us, I still want to be the more famous one." Masako put his kimono sleeve up and snickered.
Bou-san who was still prying Sakuro's body away from him also joined in. "Hey, my band is getting famous, too. In no time, I will be more famous than you, Masako-chan."
Masako gave snickered more. "Come back to me when you have done that already."
Mai and John laughed at this but Ayako just smiled… bitterly. "Yeah, you better do that Houshou," she said quite sarcastically. Everyone turned to look at her because of her tone, even Sakuro unattached himself from Bou-san.
"Ayako-san, what's wrong?" Mai asked worriedly. Ayako realized that everyone is looking at her. Bou-san just looked down. "Is something wrong between the two of you?" Mai asked to the two of them.
Ayako gave out a smile that did not reach her eyes and pulled Mai into a hug. "There's nothing to be worried about Mai-chan!" she chirped. "We're okay!" she added too loudly. "She turned to look at Naru and Lin. "Hey, Naru-chan, we're finished here. Can we go now?"
Naru and Lin were listening to the conversation as well. They may not look worried but they are deep inside. However, they have a case to solve at the moment. The "talk" can be done later. "Yes. Let's go now." Naru answered. "Mai and John-san," he called out and gestured to the van.
Bou-san cleared his throat. "You heard Naru-bou. Let's go." He turned and walked towards the front of the van because he was assigned to drive the second van. Sakuro did the same and climbed on the passenger seat.
Ayako released Mai from her hug. Masako has a worried look in her eyes. "Let's talk later, okay?" Ayako said.
Masako smiled and put a hand on her arm. Mai did the same and nodded.
The two vans made their way to the restaurant. There's a lot of tension in Takigawa's van. Ayako sat behind with Masako rather than sit beside the driver's seat. Masako and Sakuro just looked at each other through the rear view mirror as a form of communication. Meanwhile on the other group's van…
"I'm pretty sure that something happened between those two," Mai mumbled. She turned to John. "Are you sure you did not see them fight this morning?"
John shook his head. "They were acting normally towards each other. Or maybe I was not just paying attention." He and Mai both sighed heavily.
Lin looked at the two people behind them. It's been months since the whole team got together like this and he is sure that a lot of things happened. Despite acting nonchalantly awhile ago, he has an idea of the problem between those two. Ayako has been calling Madoka for the past few days and she sounded distraught based on what Madoka had told him so far. But he does not like to gossip so he will just let things unfold, hehe.
From his peripheral view, he can see that Noll is busy looking at the case file. He already filled him in about the case as soon as they finished packing the equipment. Naru wants to know if there are any reports or gossip that can be found online. He agreed when Naru said that the rumors might have spread fast enough through it that's why even the delivery service option was not welcomed by the residents. Everyone is too superstitious about the situation.
"Mai-san, we just passed your apartment." John pointed out to Mai.
"Ah yes," Mai answered. "The restaurant is just a few meters away from my house. I remembered when it first opened. That was the first time I saw so many expensive cars." Her eyes were shining because of the memory. "I also saw a limousine once and a super pretty woman came out from it! She was wearing this sequined long gown! She just needs a tiara to look like a princess. Can you believe that? She was just going to eat dinner!"
John laughed at this. "Maybe she was meeting with important people. They usually do their meetings at expensive places like a five-star restaurant. Right, Naru-san?"
Naru grunted in agreement. Mai is still not having it. "It still sounds ridiculous to me."
John chuckled. "Anyway, what were you doing in the area during that time?"
"Oh, I went to the park in front that is in front of the restaurant." She pouted. "After Naru went back to England, I went there whenever I miss him." She gave Naru a knowing glance but she smiled after. " Anyway, it's very pretty and relaxing there. A lot of families went there, especially during weekends. There's a playground for children to enjoy. There's also a big castle-like playhouse with a balcony. It's very pretty! You'll see when we get there. "
John nodded and smiled. "That's good! Maybe I could bring the children from the orphanage there later."
Mai pouted again. "Oh! You can't bring them there anymore. The park was closed to the public just last week. I don't know what happened but my neighbors said that there were several incident reports filed against the owner of the park since it opened last year. Some kids got injured when they were playing in the playhouse or playground. There are rumors also that one kid claimed that he heard a woman's cry in the balcony of the playhouse."
Lin noticed that Naru's focus on the file shifted to the conversation between Mai and John.
John looked shocked. "Really? Does that mean the playgrounds are not safe?"
Mai shrugged. "I guess so. I don't really know because I haven't witnessed a situation like that when I am there. Or maybe I was just too preoccupied that's why I did not feel anything also if there was really a ghost there."
John nodded in agreement. "At least you were not involved in any accidents when you were staying there." He chuckled a bit, so was Lin.
Mai rolled her eyes. "I know, I know. I have this danger magnet sign somewhere in my face."
Naru smirked. "I agree with you, Mai." Mai glared at him and was about to give him a long talk when the van stopped. "We're here."
Mai huffed. "Just you wait. I'll give you a beating later, narcissist," she said to Naru while giving him a deadly stare that just made Naru smirk more.
"Oh I can't wait for that," he replied, amusement clear in his eyes, as he opened his door to get out of the van. John and Lin chuckled again and got out of the van as well.
But even though Mai appeared annoyed, she feels warm inside. "Naru's really back," she thought as she went out after John.
Behind them, the other members also got out of the second van. Naru told them to go ahead inside. "Madoka-san said that Ms. Charters is out of the office at this hour but the manager would let us inside. We can bring the equipment later." Everyone nodded and started to walk towards the door of the restaurant. True enough, a man was waiting there for them.
Naru turned to Lin and asked him to stay outside for awhile. "Lin, call Madoka. I have something to add to their errands." Lin nodded and took out his phone.
Sakuro looked back at the two people they left behind."What do you think those two were talking about?"
Takigawa also looked at the same direction and shrugged. "Ah, that's probably about the case." He returned his attention to the restaurant. "Wow, this one really looked expensive."
Ayako gave a dead-pan reply. "Of course, that's why it's called a five-star restaurant, baka."
They reached the front door and the man welcomed them right away. "Welcome, sir, madam." He bowed and they did the same in return. The group also introduced themselves to the man.
He thanked them for coming. "We also closed the restaurant for this morning so you could check the whole property without any disturbance. Just please be careful on walking around so as not damage any of our decorations and equipment."
Mai smiled and nodded. "We understand, uhm, what's your name, sir?"
The man returned her smile. "Kawasaki Takao, I am the manager of Charter's. But please call me Takao. I will give you a tour around the restaurant." He opened the door to let them get inside.
The group went in and was awed by how big and elegant the place is, except for Masako and Ayako. "I am so grateful that I worked for SPR," Sakuro whispered to Mai, "this is the first time I've been to a place like this."
Takigawa's jaw was about to reach the floor by now so Ayako held his chin. "Houshou, you might want to close your mouth now. This maybe a five-star restaurant but mosquitoes are not very picky on the place they want to infest in." Takigawa instantly closed his mouth and fixed his composure.
Mai noticed the two and laughed at them. "They may have a problem right now but one thing's for sure, they are not letting that affect their relationship so much."
Masako nodded to agree. They both smiled and continued following Takao. For some reasons, Mai suddenly felt that the atmosphere became heavy. She looked at Masako and the girl gave her a knowing look confirming that what she's feeling right now is right. As they walked further, the room feels heavier.
Meanwhile, the Takao was explaining that they are in the dining area and were telling them to watch where they walk because they might knock down the utensils in the tables. Right after he said it, a crashing glass was heard and they all looked at the direction of the sound. A goblet glass fell down from the table that they just passed… then another glass, then another, until all the glasses in that table all fell. Mai and Masako shared a knowing look again.
The manager was horrified, maybe because of this eerie situation but also because those were expensive drinking glasses. He turned to the group. "That always happens every day but this is the first time that all glasses in one table crashed down. How would I explain this to Madam Charters?"
The group was confused. "What do you mean, Takao-san?" Sakuro asked. "Doesn't she already know what's happening here?"
Takao-san bowed his head. "She knows it but she doesn't believe it. She's not here most of the time and she doesn't believe that this place is haunted, even after we gave her the CCTV footages. Because when she is here, nothing happens."
They all shared a look. Mai asked Takao further. "Maybe she doesn't acknowledge it because she doesn't believe in ghosts. Am I right?" She unconsciously wrapped her arms around her as she now feels a bit cold.
Takao nodded. "Yes. She also thinks that we are the ones who are staging those haunting footage because we hate her."
Mai was shocked. "Really? So why-"
Everyone looked at her worriedly. Takigawa touched her shoulder. "What's wrong, Mai?"
Mai looked confused. I can't speak.
