I am late. This chapter killed me. Seriously. I changed idea for this one two times. And once that done, re-writed it three times because I didn't liked it. (plus all the personnal matter that came between me and this chapter!)
Well, right now, I don't dislike it. So here we go !:D
My thanks for the reviews to : Nich31, Slvrphoenx, AmbertheCat, Nannaly and Rosaji !
My thanks for adding this story to favorite at each person who did it !
My thanks for simply reading it also !
7
Sad tears
SPR office was a place usually filled with three things. First, when you were entering the place, you were welcomed by the smell of tea. A good one, were you feel warm and calm. Then by the smile of Mai, one of the investigators. She was generous with a lot of empathy, giving the impression to want to hear you out and help. Third, you were hitted by the coldness and professionalism of the young director. It was as if everything in first and second were made to equilibrate with the harshness of the boss.
The key word being « usually », one ignorant client was lucky enought to be welcomed differently.
When Mrs. Sato entered the office, three people were already here. There was two men, the taller one bowed his head in silence, the second one politely welcomed her, taking place on the sofa, ready to take notes. He didn't smile. The third person was a young woman completly different. She smiled at the second she saw her, welcomed her warmly and swiftly proposed her some tea.
It was important, the order with wich things were done. The impression it was giving was totally different.
And so Mrs. Sato wasn't all that nervous the moment she had to relate the reason behind her visit. She did briefly wondered if it was a good idea seeing as the men were so silent and cold but just at the same time, feeling the empathy from the young woman calmed her instantly. That and her tea was excellent.
« So, , how about telling us your reason for being here today ? »
It was surprising. She was waiting for a cold tone, why not even a bit harsh. Insteed it was a polite voice, neutral. The woman took a sip of her beverage and started.
« Thank you for receiving me today. I am the Director of a kindergarten not so far from here. Some month ago, four to be precise, some strange things started to happen at the school... »
The woman was now talking while looking at her tea. She seemed a bit tired, around fifty years old and was exhuding calm and gentleness.
« When we opened the doors in the morning, there was toys everywhere. We assure you that we did arranged everything the previous day. At first,we thinked that someone was coming in at night and then called the police. We do are a place entrusted with young children. Nobody should be entering the place without autorisation. »
There was a short pause.
« The police didn't find anything, worst, they stayed two nights before the school to watch and they saw nothing. But in the morning every toy was out of place again. »
« I know that there is no disappearance, nothing violent. But I am in charge of children. I can't have something like that happening without knowing if it can climb and harm the children ».
« And it is only toys ? Not the furnitures ? No problem in day time ? Any child who would claim seeing something ? »
« None of that. Just the toys everywhere, like if some children had came to play at night. »
At this point the woman was certain that those persons wouldn't come. She was observing the young man. He was at least considering it but didn't say a thing for some times before stating calmly.
« We will be there tonight. We will need a room with electricity. If you say it is not far away from here, then we won't need sleeping arrangment. Mai ? »
Naru looked her way.
« Try calling miss Hara. This should be in her field »
Their habit was usually to arrive on site in the morning, to make all the preparations in the day. But this time, considering that the place full of children would be an hindrance to be able to work correctly, it was decided to come in the evening and do the installation then.
The SPR van was parked outside not long after the end of the working hours. Lin, Naru and Mai were there and Masako was planned to come the day after in the afternoon. The place, designed for kids, was as Mrs Sato told them after children went home : clean. All the toys were at their place.
After bringing in the equipment, each member started his routine. Mai put up the shelf, Lin took care of the material and when Mai finished, she went directly to « camera setting ».
« Naru, do we place a camera in every room or are we just placing them in the playing rooms ? »
« Considering were the toys has been found, we will put camera and microphone in playing rooms, corridors, in the entrance and the cafeteria. Try putting them out of reach. If a hight schooler already broke one, I dont want to try with such small children. »
Mai looked at him blankly. He probably would never forget this incident. Hell, the great Oliver Davis never forget anything, being the genius he is...
« You're still on that, but you have to admit that I wouln't work for you right now without that particular incident ! »
And with that she didn't wait for the come-back. She knew he would send her way something like «a team like us would have still be perfect without you».
Lin and Naru looked at each other.
« She ran away... »
« Well, try saying you didn't have some charming reply... »
« I am only stating the truth. »
« We have to admit that she became quit efficient »
« I would be worried if she didn't evolved even a little over time... »
« True... »
« I told you so. I am only stating the truth »
Mai was taking temperature,what was her routine after camera setting. It was strange to see this place empty. From her memory, kindergarten were always full of life and fun to be at. Well, her memory was from when she was a child going there at the time. There was no pressure and she still had at least her mother. Good time. So the young woman was doing her duty while arboring a gentle smile.
Absorbed in her thougts, she didn't saw come to her and so was startled when the woman talked.
« You seems to be in a good mood »
She seemed so gentle that Mai didn't even doubt that the woman was good with children.
« Yes. Places like this always bring back memory of fun times, isn't it ? »
« It's tue. Or at least, I hope. It would mean that we are doing a good job. »
Some light appeared in Mrs Sato's eyes.
« So, young woman... I suppose that you are the girlfriend of the young man in black ? »
Mai turned bright red. Where did that was coming from ?
« Wha... ! Absolutly not ! »
The woman seemed genuinely surprised.
« No ? You mean that the two of you, of the same age, are working together and none of you tried ? »
Should she said that she indeed tried ? Well, it sure wasn't the place to bring that up. She should stay professionnal.
« Hm, Shibuya-san is very serious and professionnal. It wouldn't cross his mind to think about romance during work »
« But outside work ? »
« His work take all of his time, even out of the office »
« You talk about him, meaning that it wouldn't bother you ? That it did cross your mind ?»
« Wha... »
« Haha sorry miss. I see that I bother you. It's just, you know, it lack some gossip in this workplace. And talking about romance here mean one child being shy with another one... It's exciting and cute the first ten years... and then you wish to find something a little more... spicy ? »
« … spicy you say... I don't think you will find anything spicy in our office madam... »
Lin was smiling. didn't see she was questionning Mai just under the microphone. But judging by his coworkers answers, she did remember it being here. Still, she was managing well to stay professionnal about the subject.
But the woman sure didn't let it go so easily... The next question made him cought »
« Yes... what would be spicy would be you being interested in that tall and silent man. That would be interesting ! »
« Madam ! Lin-san would never b.. »
« I said YOU being interested young woman. And I should point to you that you didn't rectify me on that one ! »
« … ! »
So there, it was embarasting. Mai was an emotional girl. Pushed like that she was bound to make a mistake somewhere. Well, Mai was also an honest girl who didn't really know how to lie. Did that mean that she was indeed interested by him ? He had some difficulty to buy that. Even if things where better, he did was bad to her for a long time.
Well, if he was serious with himself, what was annoying him was that she seemed perfectly sure that he would never be interested.
… was he ?
No, not possible. She was way too young. Eleven years appart even.
… That woman sure knew how to embarasse people. He heard Mai excuse herself, choosing not to respond to Mrs. Sato.
« Naru ! Here are the temperatures. Everything seems correct for now. »
« ... »
« Say, you said that there wasn't a need for sleeping arrangement. Meaning that we won't stay tonight ? »
« We will adjust differently for this case. We will all be here and work at night and take turn in the day so everyone can go home. »
« I don't picture you going home in day time while your equipment is here with children... »
« I won't for long. You and Hara-san will, we won't need the two of you at the same time during the day»
« Oh... ok. »
When Mai made eyes contact with Lin unententionaly, she became embarassed, cheeks red and turned her head. She never saw Lin as a love interest and what suggested never crossed her mind. But now that she did had to imagine it, Mai was having some problems looking at him. Plus, she knew that, at that time, they were under camera and microphone and that Lin had the headphone on. He must have heard, definitly.
This night, nothing happened. And it surprised no one in the team. If it was a spirit, it was being shy.
That night, all the toys stayed at their rightful place. There was nothing on camera, nothing was heard and the temperature was normal.
Mai yawned in the corner of the room. She just came back with some tea after her tour of the camera and was currently sipping at hers while sitting on the couch.
This case was somewhat different. There would be no interrogation as it seemed nobody experienced anything except seeing the state of the place in the morning. Soon, the children would take possession of the place and the SPR team would made themself distant so as to not disturb the kindergarten life in day time. It would be mostly monitoring, researching history and « feeling » the place. Masako would be arriving in the afternoon, what would allow Mai to go to her appartment to take a shower and some rest before coming back in the evening.
The room was quiet as always. Lin was monitoring. His tall self absorded in his task. Mai looked his way nonchalantly. The feeling of safety she felt not so long ago while in his arms came back. It was strange as the young woman would have never imagined that happening. She knew full well even before, that even if he was disliking her, he would protect her from harm. He wasn't the type of man to let someone be hurt, even a japanese person. Even so, this was disturbing her. Why Mrs. Sato had to talk about romance between them ? It was making her think of strange like why he would come to her appartment just for the sake of wishing her a happy birthday ? Or the reason he accepted so easily to stay eating with her that day ? When she was all but thinking that his serious self would not allow such a thing. She was a bit lost.
In the early afternoon was the right time to go and take care of the camera and temperatures. All the children were sleeping. Mai did just that. Just as she was starting to get bored. It was a good opportunity to distract herself, to actually do some work and to come back with tea and something to eat.
Well, the difficult part was actually to come back with tea AND food. In the kitchen, before the three cups of tea and the three set of sandwich she just made, Mai was just guessing she would have to come back another time and take the two separatly. She was starting with taking tea when she heard a masculine voice.
« Taniyama-san, do you need any help ? »
In base while Mai was cooking sandwich.
Silence was ruling the place. Naru was reading newspapers dated from approximativly four to six month before hand.
Lin was starting to be tired. Nothing was to be heard, and nothing was moving on camera except for the employees of the place. So his mind was taking liberty all on his own. He sensed it before, Mai's gaze on him. It was disturbing. The man knew it. Mrs Sato's words were running in both of their minds. He absolutly never ever thinked about Mai that way. She was definitly too young for him. But he did understood that hearing the woman had their mind imagining things. Still, there was some things he genuinely wondered. First he didn't know why Mai seemed so happy to see him the evening of her birthday. And even, what encouraged her to invite him after that ? Is she thinking it is safe to invit any man like that ? Well, no, he knew it wasn't the case. She was like that, she did had socia skills and it was her style to invit friends. But him ?
After a while of having this turning in his head, he decided he would be more usefull helping her with the meal. He droped the hearphone.
« Noll, I'll go help Taniyama-san bringing back everything. »
Naru looked at him without a word. He was starting to get used to the little things Lin was starting to do. It was interesting from his point of view. He practicaly wanted to take note of eveything to be able to see the eventual evolution...
… practicaly.
He returned to his notes, putting aside every thought who didn't involved the matter at hand.
« Lin-san ! I don't want to bother you ! I can do it ! »
« It doesn't bother me and you can't take everything alone... »
Without adding anything, they each took their share and started to go back to base slowly and in silence.
The silence was confortable. Talking was not really needed. The best instant being when they crossed path with Mrs Sato and her very big smile. Lin kept his calm and Mai wanted to disappear.
Masako entered the place in the middle of the afternoon, which granted Mai until evening to go to her appartment to take a rest.
Evening came fast and with it, the time for SPR to be full attentive. When Mai came back, Naru explained the results of his research.
« What we know is that whatever is acting here is active at night only. That it never hurted anyone and that no one had ever been seeing anything directly. Also, last night was the first time in four month that nothing happened. There hasn't be any incident the last six month.»
As everyone now was knowing his rôle, Masako gived her feeling before being asked to.
« I don't feel anything malicious but I did feel that a spirit is here. Sadly he seems to be shy and I can't seem to be able to talk to it yet. Also, I think it is important to say that the presence is not so strong »
« Can it be interpreted as eventualy a child presence ? »
« It definitly can. I wouldn't be surprised. »
« Hara-san, you will be making tour every hour. Mai, go to sleep. Lin and I will be focusing on every possible sign of activity »
Sometimes, Mai really thinked that she had it easy. True enought, Masako was walking around, Naru and Lin were focusing on the material and there she was, being asked to sleep... The young woman didn't doubt being able to fall asleep. She had a cover and the sofa was great. Mai would be out fast. But it was always a strange feeling to be asked to sleep at work.
« Hiro ! »
« Hiro ! »
« Hiiii rooooo ! »
« Are you searching for your friend ? »
Mai reconized the place. It was the corridor just behind the classroom. And she knew that it was Mrs Sato that she heard, with her gentle voice. Just at her side were two children, two boys. They seemed sad.
« Hiro is still hiding... we wanted him to come and play ! »
« Aah... we talked about it already didn't we ? Hiro can't come and play with you at times... He must sleep and gain force... »
« But he is always sleeping ! Did he not want to play with us ? »
« Oh no children... Hiro want to play with you with all of his heart... but he don't feel good today... »
Not know from the teacher, a little boy was looking at the scene, sad.
Lin looked back to the sofa. It was amazing how fast Mai was able to fall asleep. Even him, practicing meditation, always needed longer to fall asleep. Was she dreaming? And if it was the case, was it a usefull one ?
The man saw Naru stare and came back to the matter at hand. The young man was looking at him strangely enougth lately without giving him a reason to.
When facing the screen, an alert caugth his sight.
« Naru, the temperature is droping slowly. »
« Where ? »
Oliver was on alert. It was the first manifestation since they came. He took his radio and kept ready to contact Masako.
« The playing room »
« Hara-san. »
They waited a bit.
« Yes Naru ? »
« Where are you rigth now ? »
« In the corridor next to the cafetaria »
« The temperature is droping in the playing area. Do you feel anything from where you are ? »
They waited again, letting the medium feel the place.
« It's light. But it's there. I had to concentrate to feel it. There is no hard feeling... »
It's then that Mai talked, surprising both men. Her expression was sad. She had some tears rolling down her face.
« It is a small boy... Hiro... »
In the playing room, Masako felt sad. It was this feeling, extreme sadness. She knew the child was toys were moving by themself, impersonating a little boy playing all by himself. He didn't want to talk. The boy named Hiro was just here, alone, not caring really that the medium was trying to talk to him.
When he disappeared again and Masako came back to base, the medium was crying silently, hidden mostly by her kimono.
« So, »
Naru started, wanted to regroup informations.
« We can say that what is here is not dangerous, want no harm. Didn't interact with anyone. He just moved toys at night. Hara-san in affirmative about a child filled with sadness, who don't want to talk. Mai, tell us about your dream »
Mai's eyes were lost, trying to recall pecisely what she saw.
« There was... Mrs. Sato in the hallway and... two little boys calling for another one called « Hiro ». They were searching for him everywhere... wanted to play. was telling them that he needed to rest, that he wasn't able to play... that gave the idea that the boy was sick but from what they said, that it happened all the time... »
« I will need to talk with Mrs. Sato about him ».
In the morning, the camera didn't get much of activity, except the playing toys from the encounter with Masako. In the early hours of the day the medium went back home to take a rest. Slowly the children were filling the place, letting hear cry, laught and fun times.
They got to talk with Mrs. Sato one hour before and she started to cry hearing the name « Hiro ».
« Hiro was a smart boy, really gentle. He was from a broken family. Parents were divorced, the mother was not very stable, he was living with his father who was working most of the time. The boy had a weak health, always sick, so often, here, he wasn't able to play with the others. One time, he fell sick more than usual and never came back ».
A sad story. A sad spirit. One for whom the only regret was that he never really got the chance to play normally with the other children.
« As I were thinking, it is particularly adapted for Hara-san. We will wait for tonight and try to help him cross over »
This morning, Mai was unable to smile. She was thinking a lot about Hiro. She didn't knew what it was like to be so sick that you couln't play with the other, but she do knew what it was not to be able to be with other. When younger, she had to work while other were having fun with friends. Well, comparison was still impossible thougt because this poor child died in the end.
Naru was reading material. The case was figured out but like usual, he wasn't letting go until the very end.
Bored and not quit pleased with her depressed state, Mai decided to move.
« Hey, Naru ? The spirit not being dangerous, can I go walk a bit ? Children must be in playing area and all, I would like to go walk a bit outside... »
The young man looked at her. She sure had no need to stay right now and looked far from herself. He nodded, letting her go. He knew she wold not disturb the children activity.
The young woman never got to the garden. She was starting to think that being stopped on track by Mrs. Sato right under microphone was becoming an habit.
« Hello dear... »
« Good Morning Mrs. Sato »
« You look sad... »
« Well... it is indeed a sad story »
« True enought. And I will forever remember young Hiro. But, dear... being sad was not what Hiro wanted. He wanted fun. And even dead, he want to play... so why the long face... ? »
Lin smiled while thinking that hearing this talks between those two should not be too often. But this probably will do good to Mai.
« Plus, should I say, you have there such an opportunity to have fun, dear... »
« What do you mean ? »
« Well, a sad woman is always forgiven if she were to need some confort in the arms of someone... and, oh my, you only have right now, males coworkers... »
Mai choked.
« Mrs Sato ! I told you it's not like that with any of them ! »
« Oh dear... It is not like that, yet, just because you never imagined it before... but thoses red cheeks of yours tell me that right now, you at least imagined it with one of them... it open so much opportunity... »
Mrs. Sato went away, singing lightly her last question...
« Sooo dear, the clad in black one or the tall one ? »
Naru looked at his chinese assistant strangely. Why was he taking his head in his hands ?
Solving the case afterward went smootly. The spirit of Hiro was overjoyed when Masako took her times to play with him. Mai was often amazed and captivated by the sweetness of theses instants were Masako send over spirit calmly. It wouldn't be surprising if everyone remember for a lifetime the laught they heard escaping Hiro when he crossed over.
This time, the tears were not sad ones.