The next morning Mai, Lin, Shibuya and Masako left the house to head to the nearby lakes. There was no way to drive to the first two, so it was decided they would head to those ones first, while it was still light out.

Mai lead the way, dressed in her oversized green hoodie, jean shorts and tights. She looked rather cute, not that Shibuya would admit it. Even Masako had to ditch her normal shoes for trainers, since they were not appropriate for trudging in the mud. She kept on her kimono, and Mai had to wonder if she ever wore normal clothes.

"I don't see why I needed to come too" Masako complained, already annoyed with the heat and the walking.

"Miss Hara, we would need you to sense any spiritual energy near the lakes" Shibuya sighed, not really caring for her company.

"Sorry to make you walk in the woods Masako" Mai bowed her head, trying to smile reassuringly. "If it helps, I brought food and tea for lunch" she assured, showing everyone the oversized chilled picnic bag on her back.

"We will still be walking at noon?" Masako looked a little appalled, since it was only 9am. Mai felt bad but also didn't feel like Masako was the one who should be complaining. Shibuya had been awake till the early hours, and so had to be tired.

"From what Yasuhara has told me, the lakes are not that far" Lin sighed. "However, we would need to thoroughly survey each one to make sure they are not the cause"

Masako had noticed the backpack Lin and Shibuya wore, and she wondered just how heavy they were. She was the only one not carrying anything. For fear of being compared to Ayako, she stooped complaining after that.

~o0o~

It took about twenty minutes to get to the first lake, but Masako was already sure this lake was not the right one. It was not a huge lake and spanned for at most ten feet.

"There is no spiritual energy here" She stated confidently.

"Maybe we should take a small break anyway and have tea, those bags look heavy" Mai suggested shyly, getting a huge tea flask that was strapped to the side of the bag and a few takeaway cups. There were a few picnic benches nearby, and so Mai set out assembling everything. She made sure to save enough tea for lunch too.

No one complained, but instead joined Mai at the table. The bags were heavy, and this was the closest lake by far. Either way, they would need to at least look around and observe the lake a while. Just in case the spirits did originate here but were just not around at that moment.

"Yasuhara also mentioned a shrine was nearby" Lin hinted, also thinking it wise to check there. If there was a connection to the haunting and the shrine, it could be keeping the spirits of the lake from resting.

"Yes, we should go there next" Mai smiled, secretly enjoying the walk. It was nice out, and it felt a little like an adventure. She knew it was just work, but it had been awhile since she had enjoyed others company or did anything sociable. Besides, they had a picnic and were seeing the grounds where she grew up. It was kind of nice.

Mai handed out cups of tea, watching Shibuya seem to visibly relax. Something about a cup of tea really calmed him down. She had to imagine he had an assistant at work who made him tea on the hour.

After ten minutes, they headed around the lake, dropped off the bags and headed up a small hill to the shrine. It looked very old and decrepit, there was even a rotting tree leaning against the front steps.

"When was the last time you came here?" Shibuya asked, looking at the stand where a relic was once stashed. It was stolen.

"Not since I was ten" Mai shook her head at the memory of stumbling across it years prior. "It was already like this back then"

"I don't sense anything" Masako admitted, not even needing to be asked.

"We should move on to the next lake"

~o0o~

They walked nearly an hour to the next lake. Sadly, none of the lakes were near each other. They ended up walking most of the way home before veering off west till they were met with a much bigger lake.

Mai looked at the sweat forming on Masako's brow and started to feel bad. "At least the trees are shady?" She tried, but Masako just sighed and took a seat at another picnic bench that was nearby. She wasn't angry with Mai, just tired and not in the mood for small talk.

"How about lunch?" Mai suggested, opening her chilled picnic bag, and pulling out a couple wrapped cheese sandwiches and some bottles of water.

"Tea" Shibuya stated plainly, and Mai tilted her head apologetically and made him a cup of tea.

"You should have water too, for hydration!" Mai suggested, handing him the bottle of water first. Shibuya sighed, but did as she asked. Mai then went on to set up the food. She had also gotten some sushi, rice balls and a few small chocolates.

"Thank you" Masako had to say it. It was quite a spread for a work lunch. With the gentle breeze rolling in and the view, it was a pretty good picnic.

Everyone ate in silence, taking in the view and regaining their energy.

"Sense anything?" Shibuya asked, looking at Masako. She in tern shook her head no and finished the small chocolate she had snagged.

"We should get going soon, it is due to rain" Lin informed, and Mai wondered how he would know it was meant to rain. She had checked the weather broadcast and it said it was due to be clear all day. Also, it was sunny with almost no clouds in the shy.

~o0o~

Evidentially, Lin had been correct. No sooner had they reached the house had the heavens opened up. They made it inside almost completely dry, but had they left any later, they would have certainly been entirely soaked.

Mai had quickly made a fresh batch of tea for everyone, before starting on dinner. The gang had decided since it had started to thunder, they would explore the last lake tomorrow.

"Let me help with that" John offered, finding the pink apron, and also handing one to Yasu when he waved at him to do so.

"What are we making today?" Yasu asked, watching Mai pull out tofu, chicken, and some vegetables from the fridge, as well as rice, herbs, and spices from her cupboard. "Curry?"

"Chinese styled curry" Mai corrected with a grin. Both John and Yasu shared a look of adoration for their friend. It was so sweet that Mai was cooking something especially for Lin.

It took nearly an hour, but soon they were done. Mai set up the table, placing two pots of curry on the table, one with chicken and one with tofu. She then set about placing rice, noodles, broccoli, spring rolls, and a small bowl of homemade sweet chilli sauce. It was enough to feed the table twice over.

"I will let everyone know dinner is ready" John offered, making his way up the stairs as Mai and Yasu took seats at the table.

"Did you make this because Lin had to save you from the bathroom spirit?" Yasu asked, resisting digging in.

"Not just that" Mai admitted, shrugging. "But I did read a little about Shiki in Dr Davis book, and I am pretty sure that is what Lin uses"

"You are worried that controlling them takes a toll on him?" Yasu asked seriously, genuinely worried.

"Well yes" Mai admitted. "But also, because according to Dr Oliver Davis, spiritualists should avoid eating meat as it can also effect their control"

Before they could continue, the entire SPR gang joined them at the table. They all looked a little bewildered by the shear amount of food and how amazing it smelled. Shibuya sat next to Mai at the head of the table, and Lin sat across from him.

"Chinese curry?" Lin asked, a little shocked. "You three made this?"

"It was mostly Mai" John smiled sheepishly, and Yasu nodded in agreement.

"Those two are so modest, they helped a lot" Mai blushed slightly at the attention. Even Shibuya softened at the exchanged. "But as you have managed to help me on many occasions, I wanted to make it up to you a little"

"Thank you Taniyama, that is very kind" Lin bowed his head. "Also, thank you Yasuhara and Father Brown"

"No worries mate" John smiled, and Yasu just waved his had dismissively.

"It was actually really fun to cook" Yasu assured, watching as Monk started dishing himself up some rice and noodles.

"Hey which one is chicken?" Monk asked, and Mai pointed to the one furthest from Lin.

"No restraint" Ayako sighed, rolling her eyes but also grabbing the large pot of rice and dishing herself some, before passing it to Masako who sat next to her.

"How could I have restraint; can you smell this?!" Monk gushed, taking his chopsticks, and trying it. "So good!"

Mai watched as Lin tried his, and he really seemed to be enjoying it. She let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding and turned to Shibuya. Everyone else was chatting away and making fun of Monk for his table manners.

"Is it any good?" Mai asked Shibuya quietly, and he nodded in approval.

"And you haven't made this before?" He asked, a little disbelieving.

"I've made curry before, but this one is new to me" Mai smiled, taking his shock as a compliment.

"And you can read in English?" Shibuya asked, referring to her reading his books late at night.

"I can also speak English" Mai smiled, no trace of an accent as she spoke.

"When did you learn to speak English?" Shibuya was now very curious about Mai.

"When I was younger, I started to teach myself, but soon me and Yasu took it seriously and kept encouraging the other to improve"

"Is this because you still want to go to England?"

"More than anything" Mai smiled sadly, biting her lip. "Ne-Shibuya, what is England like?"

Shibuya considered her question for a moment. "I guess that depends on where you go"

Mai smiled, happy that he was entertaining her questions at all. "What about London? Is it as beautiful as everyone says?"

Shibuya could not ignore the pure hopefulness in her voice. "It is very beautiful" He assured, reverting back to Japanese, and looking her in her big chocolate brown eyes.

~o0o~