Autor's note :
Hi there ! It's me again:)
I took a bit longer to write this one ! But I like it now so I can give it to you !
Thank you for following, liking and to give me review !
I hope you like this one too !
Nannaly :
Hi, et merci d'avoir pris le temps de commenter !
Je ne sais pas ce que tu en penses de manière générale, mais surtout quand on veut travailler deux personnages en particulier, avoir un groupe trop nombreux peut être problématique. Puis en fait je me suis aperçu, surtout dans la sequel qui avait été faite au manga, que c'était leur mode opératoire : ils y vont à trois et appellent si ils ont besoin et seulement la personne dont ils ont besoin. Je pensais donc partir sur le même principe.
J'espère ne pas aller trop vite sur la suite. Mais j'essaie de me fixer un « progrès » par chapitre. Pour ce qui est du cas, je crois les doigts pour que ce ne soit pas du trop « déjà vu ».
Je crois que je comprend parfaitement ton avis sur les points de vue. Souvent la fiction est excellente et on fait la grimace lorsque l'on arrive sur le POV parce que l'on ne reconnaît plus le personnage. Merci pour le compliment, j'espère ne pas dévier plus loin. J'ai relu plusieurs fois le texte pour essayer de m'imaginer Lin parler. Ça me semblait cohérent avec son caractère.
J'apprécie beaucoup tes reviews constructives ! Au plaisir de te lire !
Disclaimer : Of course, I don't own anything other thant new characters.
Summary : Slow burn story about the relationship between Lin and Mai through life at the office and on cases. From co-workers to lovers with all the in-between.
Pairing : Lin x Mai
Hated or not ?
2
The Cabin's case
Challengers
Prefecture of Nagano – Nagano - The Cabin - six o-clock.
« Noll ! There is a drop of temperature.»
Naru came quickly near the screens. It was six in the morning and only Lin and himself were awake. The first thing he had in mind was that there was ninety percent chance that the drop of temperature were in Mai's bedroom. If it was that, they should hurry and get her out of there.
« Where ? »
« In base, it still go down »
And sure enought, Naru started to feel colder.
« 0°C »
Suddenly, everything shut down. The lights vent off, the screens becamed black and the room dived in silence. They didn't have the confirmation but surely the temperature were below O°C now. The men stayed still, waiting for what would come next. Silently, the two of them were glad that, for once, Mai wasn't targeted. A long time passed without anything happening.
Suddenly the room began to tremble so much that they needed to find a way to stay up. Lin tried to open the door but it was impossible. Then the pressure in the room started weight on their shoulders, as if something wanted to crush them on the ground. They heard in the room some equipment fall and it was then, when it became obvious that it wouldn't stop without them being injured that Lin called his shiki. He wasn't one to use them all the time, just when the situation were becoming dangerous. And it was the case. Even if he wasn't employed anymore to observe Naru, he still felt responsible of his well being.
In seconds everythings stoped. The lights came back to reveal bloody writings on the walls. It was as if it was screaming « GET OUT » to them.
It was then that Mai entered the room, worry written all over her face. The situation seemed strange to the three of them. Since when was it Mai who were asking if everything was all right ? Most of the time, it was the other way around.
The damages on the equipments were major. It was the screens who didn't liked to fall down. On the six they had, only two survived. They had to choose carefully what to do with them. They had one disponible in the van. So they decided to have one screen connected to the camera of the living room, one to the one of Mai's bedroom and one to check the instruments.
« One thing we know is that the thing that is causing the disturbances isn't friendly. »
Naru looked at his phone. He would have liked to call Yasuhara to send him do the researchs. The spirit -he was fairly sure about that, seeing that it wasn't possible to be caused by a human being- wasn't one to go slowly as – and it was a surprise- he attacked directly the strongest people in the house.
« I wonder if one of us should take the car and go to the city to do the researchs... »
« It can't be Mai, she don't have a driving licence. »
« Yes. »
« And it can't be me as I refuse to let you here without someone to fight this spirit. »
True enougt, the spirit, if it continued to attack stronger people, would push Naru to use his PK, what was out of the question.
« This should be me then. »
There had been a moment of silence in the room.
« Lin, Mai, you stay here and monitor everything, without putting yourself in danger. »
At this statement, Naru looked straight to Mai who answered with a nod.
« You should stay together. I don't doubt that Lin can protect himself without Mai, but, should the spirit change his tactic and start to go for Mai, it would be more safe that way. »
Only nods of agreement answered him. To go away from the site of investigation and let other people do the main work wasn't to his liking, but there was no choice in this case.
« Lin, will you be ok on your own ? There is a risk for the spirit to attack only you and you shouln't expect me back before tomorrow at best. Plus, Mai won't be able to help you much. »
« It will be alright. »
Lin was calm, like if he were doing that on a regular basis. Right this moment, Mai throught he seemed really class. She always had seen him like someone so strong that she never witnessed his full capacity. So on this moment, his calm demeanor just pushed her to respect him more than ever. She always liked the side of him that seemed so full of strench.
On another note, being alone with Lin for something like two days will be some sort of challenge. She was pretty sure that at the end of the two days, she will practically jump on Naru's neck to have someone to talk to… Plus, Lin wasn't one to give her things to do. Usually, Naru was the one to give tasks.
Yes… it will indeed be a challenge.
One hour later, Naru was on the car, ready to go. He eyed warrily his two assistants. He himself had some worry to let this particular duet together… Not that he feared they killed each other without the help of some spirit -that, it was for Takigawa and Matsuzaki-san, or Mai and Hara-san- but with the level of interaction they had, he was able to see in his head how Mai was going to become crazy from boredom and Lin completely closed to the word from Mai crazyness.
Well, it could also be that they solved this problem that they had to not talking to each other at all, every single day…
Maybe the result could be an improvment for SPR… or not.
Wait and see.
With this, he started the engine and took off.
The two assistants looked to one another in silence before going back to the house. They stoped themself in the entrance. The feeling in the house was some kind of emptyness. But in the same time, they felt an heavy atmosphere. It was stange and, adding their silence on top of that was kind of terrible. Even Lin felt it, but it was Mai who tried to alleviate it.
« So… Lin-san, what should we do ? Should I go take temperature ? »
She looked up to him. It was visible that, even if he was fully capable of giving direction, he didn't have the habit to do that with her. She could practically see him think about it.
« Noll was right. We should not separate. I propose that we take temperature together as to respect his wish. It would be more reasonable.»
« Alright ! »
It was eight in the morning and they calmly started the « taking temperature » routine. The only strange thing was that Mai never did it with Lin. She was usually alone or with either Bou-san or John. And it never had been so silent… ever.
On Lin side it was the same sort of feeling. Since Mai started to work for SPR, he didn't have to take temperature anymore, and before that, he was doing it alone. Working with Mai was in fact rare. And even if he did notice now his behavior with her all this time was wrong, he still was wondering how to change that. She surely would think it was off character if suddenly, he was to talk to her as friends were doing.
Two days were going to be hard on them.
Ten o'clock
It started with raping sounds. It was loud and as if it started from the entrance way until base, slowly making his way announcing danger. When it reached base, the remaining screens exploded, making Lin stand up and take a step back.
« Taniyama-san, come behind me »
Lin's voice was calm and paused but firm. It wasn't time to talk back but Mai wouldn't have done that. She knew better than to discuss an order at a time like this. And well, why would she discuss an order who was logical and made to ensure her security ? Behind him like that, she felt safe. Maybe it was the fact that the spirit, or whatever that thing was, seemed to ignore her, too.
Lin standed still for a while when suddenly, he felt himself propelled against the wall. It had been hard and he needed some seconds to clear his mind and to whistle his shiki for help. Somewhere in the background he heard Mai calling him. Knowing her, she must have been chocked when she saw him fly to the wall and now the young girl was probably worried about him.
The danger disapeared an instant after the shiki came. He wasn't strong enought again them. Mai ran fast to the other assistant to see if he was injured. It had been impressing to see him being threw like that.
« Lin-san ! Are you alright ?! »
« I am alright Taniyama-san. »
Always this calm in his voice, like if he had been lightly pushed by a little wind. In his mind throught, it wasn't the same thing. He felt the impact follow his spine until it reach his head. It resonated in the entirety of his body and now was coming the headache he knew would come. But it was out of the question to allow this to show on his face. Not only it wasn't professional, not very like him either but it was his role right now to protect the young woman, and it means that he should not demonstrate any weakness. In no time he was up on his legs again, taking a mental note that this time, they really losted the equipment.
A bit before noon
Even the medicine, taken silently without Mai noticing it, had a hard time fighting the headache. But now that it was done, he felt a bit tired. Supporting the dull pain was tiring. But not enought to have him defeated. So when Mai asked if she should make something to eat, Lin was glad.
To be safe, they went together to the kitchen, and while Mai busied herself to cook something for them, Lin was reading some researchs he did before coming. It wasn't much and didn't give any idea of who was doing this but it was keeping him busy. The phone still wasn't working and he wasn't going to try summoning a spirit with only the two of them present, it would put the young woman in danger.
Mai finished cooking pretty quick and Lin didn't understood why she seemed apologetic.
« I'm sorry Lin-san, the kitchen isn't furnished completly, I did what I can… Plus, I'm not an amazing cook to begin with... »
The Chinese man took a look at his plate, a simple omelette and some rice. He was actually glad that everything seemed edible and was not burned. He wasn't one to complain, even if in some part of his head he knew he would be hungry soon afterward, but decided not to say anything. It wasn't her fault. SPR did asked the client to furnish the kitchen for them, knowing it was an empty house, and seeing that there wasn't much, Mai surely took the right decision not to use everything in one go. After all, who know how many days they will have to stay… and their only car was actually gone.
« Everything is fine Taniyama-san. »
They started to eat slowly and in silence. But to Mai's surprise, Lin started the conversation.
« Taniyama-san… about what you said this morning... »
« What I said... »
He was able to read confusion on her face.
« That you seems to think that I dislike you... »
Mai blushed furiously. Like many things she was saying, it was going unleashed and, if she was effectivly thinking it, she was forgetting it fast too. Or at least, it wasn't monopolising her thoughts. But she didn't knew he actually heard that one. To finish it all, Lin wasn't a man to be embarassed by this sort of things so he just kept looking at her in the eyes.
« … you… heard that... »
« Yes. Is it really what you are thinking ? »
« Well... »
Embarassed, Mai was fumbling with words.
« It's just that… well, I mean, you did said a long time ago that you didn't hate me but… you seemed to ignore me so much that I keep wondering... »
« ... »
« But it's nothing ! Really ! If you don't like me, it's ok ! I can't do much about it anyway ! »
She was frantic now, agitated even, like if she really didn't want for what she said to become a problem in the already tensed relationship they had. And seeing that, Lin felt sad.
« Taniyama-san... »
She stopped to look at him, clearly showing in her eyes that she feared doing something wrong. It pained him.
« I am truly sorry if what I did made you think that I was disliking you »
He saw surprise in her eyes.
« I failed to notice the way I was acting toward you... »
« Lin-san ! You didn't do an... »
He lifted his hand to notify her to let him finish and so she did.
«It wasn't correct of me. I won't try to find an excuse. I do still dislike Japaneses, but I learned to know you as yourself and I appreciate you for who you are. I didn't mean to act like that with you. So I would like to apologise. »
He saw her completely taken aback. And what had him shocked was the radiant smile that appared on her face when she realised what he said and what it was meaning.
« I'm so happy Lin-san ! So it wasn't a way to tell me that I was an hindrance... »
And there again, she did it. Talking her mind without filter. She put her hands before her mouth quickly as if it was able to catch the words still flying out… but without any success. And there was when Lin took really conscience of what he was communicating, really, with his behavior. It was to say, he wasn't really pleased with himself at this point.
« You are not an hindrance Taniyama-san. You have your weak and strongs points, and it is complementary on our team… after all... »
And he did a very little smile while taking his time finishing his sentence.
« … who would put up with Naru's wants for tea if not yourself ? »
At this moment, the room started to shake. Hard.
« Put yourself under the table ! »
Mai got under the table as ordered and Lin standed up, trying to keep that stance, on alert. Knocking sounds started and objects started to fly around the room, never going Mai's way. Lin was the target once again. Plates, cutlery… everything disponible was flying toward him. When a chair got his back and got him on his knee, he got his shiki to help. It was only a few hours ago that the ghost targeted him the last time, at this pace, waiting Noll would be a hard thing to do. The only good thing was that it was completely ignoring Mai.
Things calmed again fast after the shiki entered the dance.
When time to go to bed came, Lin calculated that he got attacked seven times, once every two hours. If things was continuing like that, in about one hour, at midnight, the spirit would be at it again. Lin was strong. As proof, he was still there standing strong on his two feets. But he was starting to tire out and if the spirit attacked him even at night, he would not be able no get any sleep either. He didn't told anything about that to the young woman who seemed to be worrying enought as it was.
« Taniyama-san, you should go to sleep. »
« But... »
« It don't attack you, and at least one of us should be well rested »
« If you say so… but are you sure ? »
« I am. But I am sorry to say that it would be better for you to sleep in base. We still shouldn't separate, even if it don't attack you. It could as well wait for you to be alone... »
« I don't mind sleeping here, it's ok »
And good to her habit of sleeping everywhere, Mai was asleep in base in no time. Sadly, if an attack was to come their way, she would wake up soon…
Mai opened her eyes to see her dream world. There was no Gene, and in fact, no one around. She reconized the place as being the cabin. It looked almost exactly as in the present time. It was calm, silent and empty but there was this oppressive feeling in the air.
The entrance door opened behind her and so she turned around. There was a really big man. He was tall, large and was emitting something feral. Upong seeing him better, she saw him covered by blood and insanely smiling.
She felt goosebump all over her body. Every cell in her was telling her that this man was, had been, dangerous.
He was carying a bag that he emptyed in the living room.
It was bones.
She woke up in hurry when she heard something crash on the ground. Looking the way it came from, she saw Lin there, under a chair who've been preventing him from moving head and hands and so, to call his shiki.
Mai jumped on her feet in a few seconds and came to place herself between him and a flying computer. She heard Lin protest but didn't mind. She did her chant, the only ont she knew and the computer felt on the ground. She knew she wasn't as strong as the shiki and that the spirit would come back faster, but for now, they were safe.
The young woman heard Lin getting up, putting the chair away. She ran his way, worried.
« Lin-san ! Are you ok ?! »
« Yes, I am fine, thank you Taniyama-san »
He looked very much tired, he was nothing like the one he use to be. The two of them knew that it would comme back before long. And if the spirit was that man from her dream, it had her scared.
« Lin-san… I had a dream... »
« What did you saw ? »
« I saw a man coming in the cabin, covered in blood and carrying human bones... he was smiling as if he was coming back from a super great day... »
They should do something soon… Lin was sure that they wouldn't be able to keep this up any longer...