Yo! Thank you to all readers so far!

"Hideki-san…? Why would he have killed Mai-chan's family?" said Bou-san, looking more than a little confused.

"I cannot say," said Lin, turning back to the monitors. "But it seems like a possibility nevertheless."

Suddenly realizing that Mai had left the room alone, Naru went to look for her himself, though he honestly wasn't entirely sure why. He found her in the room she was to be sharing with Ayako. She was laying face down on the bed. Cautiously, and with no idea what to say, Naru approached her and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Mai."

She didn't move.

"Mai…" He tried again.

Still nothing except a small sniff. Naru hesitated, then placed his hand on the girl's shoulder. She tensed.

"Mai, look at me," said Naru, trying to keep his voice calm and firm.

Mai shook her head, and Naru suddenly noticed she seemed to be holding something in her left hand. When he tried to take it, Mai let him do so, and he quickly realized it was a photograph. There were two children in it, both girls, both identical. Mai and May. Being a twin himself, Naru could easily tell the two apart. Mai was obviously the one on the right. He recognized her bright smile instantly.

"Stop staring at the picture and comfort her you idiot," said Gene's voice suddenly.

"Gene?"

"Forget me!" said Gene angrily. "Comfort her, or you'll lose her!" And with that, Gene's voice faded away once again.

For once, Naru did what his brother said. He put the picture down and in one swift motion, pulled Mai into his arms. Mai stiffened in his hold, but relaxed when he gently began stroking her hair

"It's okay, Mai," said Naru quietly. "You can cry."

And Mai cried. Cried long and hard, and Naru just held her through it all, stroking her hair and patting her back, clearly a little awkward about it but wanting to offer what comfort he could anyway. It just made her cry even harder.

How long had she been holding this in for, Naru wondered? How long had Mai been preventing herself from crying and mourning so that she could live for her twin sister? Live for her older brother? Live for her parents? How long had it been since Mai had allowed herself to fall apart and receive comfort from another? Had she ever?

Eventually, Mai fell silent and began to pull away, trying to hide her face, no doubt embarrassed by her outburst.

"Are you alright now?" Naru asked, trying to conceal his own feelings on the matter.

"Yeah," said Mai, her voice hoarse from crying. "I'm-I'm sorry about that." She hesitated slightly, and then looked at him. "But, why did you…?"

She didn't have to finish for Naru to understand what she was trying to ask. "You ran off alone. I-I had to be sure you were safe."

Mai stared, a little startled, and the instant Naru realized what exactly he had said, he looked away, hoping Mai couldn't see the blush he could definitely feel. He couldn't even come up with one of his usual witty remarks, something he usually never missed a chance to do.

Mai couldn't stop the giggle that left her. "Who would've thought you could be so nice, Naru."

"Can't you see it, Mai?"

Mai blinked. "See what?"

"I love you, Mai."

Mai's eyes widened, and if Naru had just left it at that, the entire thing would have been perfect and great. Unfortunately, because it was Naru, he didn't just leave it at that and, instead, said-

"I honestly don't know how much longer I'll be able to handle this. But I understand. You love Gene, and I know that. Just-just let me indulge in my own needs for a little while."

Mai very nearly slapped him. She wanted to. Badly. But she didn't. She settled for grabbing him by his collar and shaking him. "Are you a friggin' idiot!? I don't love Gene. I love you!"

Naru shook his head. "You're mixing us up," he said. "You're confusing your feelings for him with me because I look like him. You're both so similar, it really is no surprise that you fell for hi-"

Naru was cut off when Mai's soft lips were suddenly pressed against his own. But she pulled away before he had a chance to do anything, and she cupped his face in her hands.

"I had my own twin, Naru. I know how different they can be, even if their faces are the same. And I know how different the things I feel around you and Gene are. Maybe you look the same, but you couldn't be any more different. I know my feelings better than anyone else." Mai leaned in closer, looking earnest. "I know without a single doubt that I love Oliver."

Maybe it was the use of his real name, but it seemed like something finally clicked inside Naru, because this time he was the one taking her shoulders. But he didn't shake her like she had him. Instead, he pulled her closer to him and he kissed her.

While Mai was surprised at first, she quickly brought her arms around his neck, bringing him in even closer, allowing the kiss to deepen. It was nice. really nice.

"Ow!" Naru released a sudden exclamation of pain.

"Naru?"

"What the hell are you doing, Gene?" Naru all but yelled.

"Gene?" Confused, Mai looked around, only to see that Eugene had somehow materialized next to them. It seemed he had hit his brother upside the head.

"About time!" Gene exclaimed with a smile. "Thought you two would never get it on!"

Neither Naru nor Mai had a chance to respond though. There was a loud bang that was followed by an almost, inhuman scream, and the entire house was plunged into darkness.

"Naru?" said Mai, feeling around. There was no answer. Worried, she reached around more and found his arm. It didn't seem like he was moving. "N-Naru…?" She shook him slightly. He still didn't move. "Naru!"

That's it for now. Looking forward to reviews! Laterz!