chirp chirp thats the birds telling me i forgot to post this last week oops. sorry!


Monday, October 27

"A man is staying in a hotel for the week during a business trip. On his way to his room, he notices a closed door with no number on it. When he asks about it, he is told that no one is allowed in that room. Curiously, he stops to peer in the keyhole on the next night, and sees a normal hotel room, with a very pale woman lying on the bed. He goes on his way. But the next night, he's just too curious and looks through the keyhole again: this time, all he can see is red. Just red. He goes to ask the woman at the front desk about the room again, and she finally tells him the truth: a woman was murdered in that room years ago. An albino woman, with white skin… and red eyes," Mai tried to use her scariest voice to try and get a reaction out of the two in front of her. Keiko, Michiru, and Mai were telling ghost stories in the AV room as they did every other Monday. Both Keiko and Michiru's had been turned off since they told their spooky story. The room was pitch black except for the flashlight Mai held under her face to get a dramatic effect. Keiko and Michiru clutched onto one another.

"The man went back to look through the keyhole once more. This time, he saw a normal hotel room, but no person inside. At night, he was awakened by a loud noise. He opened his eyes, and all he could see was red. Just red. The maid came in the man's room the next morning to clean and all over the bed was – "

The once dark room was illuminated unexpectedly by the flick of a switch.

"Covered in blood but there was no body," the person in the doorway finished the story. Keiko and Michiru shrieked and held each other tight from the sudden turn of events. Mai turned around to the door and saw the black clad narcissist standing in the doorway. She sighed in relief.

"Why do you have to take the best part of the story! It's not fair," Mai complained to him and crossed her arms.

"Pick a less predictable story next time then," He smirked, knowing he was going to get a reaction from the girl.

"Oh, Kazuya!" Keiko perked up after realizing the identity of the perpetrator. The two girls popped out of their seats and made their way over to him, looking up at him with dreamy eyes. Mai sighed and shook her head.

"What brings you here?" Michiru asked sweetly.

"Are you looking to join our club?" Keiko seemed hopeful.

"This is a club? There doesn't seem to be enough members here to be considered one."

"Ah, we are more of an underground club! The school would never approve of it anyways," Keiko let out a small giggle.

"Maybe I'll join you next time," he smiled superficially to the girls in front of him.

"Is there something you actually need?" Mai stood from her seat and turned to face the group with arms crossed. She was definitely not thrilled like Keiko and Michiru were.

"Actually, yes. I need to talk with you," He still had a smug look on his face.

"Great. Let's get this over with," She huffed and walked over past him and out into the hallway.

The two walked down the empty hallway, orange sunlight seeped in through the open windows. Mai walked a few steps behind Naru, who strode with his hands in his pockets.

"Your friend, Brown-san," Naru stopped in his path and turned around, "I need his contact information." Mai looked at him suspiciously.

"John's? What do you need to talk to him about?" She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to figure out his motive.

"If you do not wish to give it to me, I will find it else where," he turned around to continue walking down the hall. Mai would have normally let it go, but something inside her told her that she should be curious about this.

"You won't find his number in a phone book!" Mai spat out quickly in hopes of gaining his attention again. He paused in his tracks.

"Since he just moved recently, it's not in any of the records. And I'll tell Ayako and Bou-san not to tell you, so you won't be able to ask them," Mai stood with a smirk, thinking she had him cornered. He turned around and looked at her. He sighed lightly in defeat.

"I need an exorcist."

"An exorcist? Is your house haunted or something?" Mai tilted her head and took a step towards him. He turned to look out the window.

"The girl we saw in the forest has been bothering Gene," his gaze was far off, "he wants investigate it."

"Investigate? What are you guys, ghost hunters or something?" Mai laughed at the idea, but Naru looked at her with a smirk. Mai's laughing stopped.

"Yes. We are a team ghost hunters from Shibuya Psychic Research, and we are in need of an exorcist," Mai stared at him a bit confused. He was so full of secrets.

"I want to help," she seemed genuine.

"Unless you are an exorcist, no," he turned back to the window.

"I'll tell you John's number if you let me!"

"I gave you my answer."

"Oh please, Naru! It's been bothering me, too! I keep seeing her face in my dreams, and it won't go away!"

"I said no."

"I'll just stand in the back and won't be a bother, I swear!" Mai walked right next to him and clasped her hands in a pleading gesture. He rubbed his temples and shook his head. An intense moment of silence passed between the two.

"If you get hurt again this time, we are not liable," her eyes lit up.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Mai sprung up and down on the pads of her feet and grabbed the fabric of his sleeve, pulling it with every bounce. Then she stopped.

"Wait, when is this happening anyways?"

"Friday."

"Oh, that's Halloween," she looked out the window at the setting sun.

"Is that a problem?"

"No, no! Just going for that extra spook factor or what?"

"There's nothing frightful about Halloween, it was only created to reduce mischievous activities in small towns," he blandly.

"You sure know how to take the magic out of things, don't you," she huffed and leaned on the window frame.

"Well, I need to get going for work. Thanks again!" She waved as she hurried pased him down the hall to collect her things.

He watched her make her way down the hall, turn the corner, and go out of view. He sighed and turned from the window but then stopped upon realizing that she hadn't told him the contact information of the exorcist.

She bounced down the sidewalk to the café. She was excited to help the little girl she felt so inexplicably drawn to. She wondered about what she was doing now, if she was in pain, why she couldn't move on, how long she had been there. Questions plagued her mind so much so that she almost walked right past her place of employment. The building was two stories, but the top was rented separately from the café. An escalator led up to the second floor. Mai never actually knew the business up there, but she was familiar with one of the employees, Takiyota. He came by the cafe after most of his shifts, but lately he hadn't been around as much.

"Yo, Mai," Takiyota smiled to her as he descended from the escalator.

"Taki! Long time no see," she walked over to the end of the escalator to greet him, "Are you stopping in today?"

"For a little, of course," he patted the top of her head.

"Why haven't you been around as much?" Mai rocked back and forth on her feet as she stood next to him.

"Ah, our company is closing. A shame, really. They've let everyone work from home for the past few days now. I just had to come back to grab some of my things," he motioned to the box he had been holding in his hands. Mai made an "o" shape with her mouth.

"Mai." Mai whipped around to see who called her.

"Oh, Naru," Mai stepped to the side as he made his way over.

"That's Naru?" Taki whispered to her with a small grin. She elbowed him in the side.

"Naru, this is my friend Takiyota. He's a regular here since he works upstairs. Well, did work upstairs. Taki, this is Kazuya," a sad smile graced her face.

"Did?" Naru questioned and looked up at the second floor.

"Yeah, my company is closing this week," Takiyota bowed slightly, "It's nice to meet you." Naru returned the gesture.

"Is it a large office?" Naru asked, gazing at the building with a hint of something hidden in his eyes.

"Well that's a strange question," Mai narrowed her eyes are the boy, trying to figure out if he had an ulterior motive or if he just really enjoyed the amount of floor space in offices. Taken slightly off guard by his strange question, Takiyota answered, "Uh, decent size. We had about ten people working there from day to day. It has a nice grand room that the previous clients used for interviews, but we converted it into a desk area," he seemed to be reminiscing on his times working in the office. Naru stood gazing up, seemingly analyzing something.

"I'll meet you inside Mai. You too, Kazuya, if you stop in," Takiyota made is way inside the café, the bell rang as he opened the door.

"What are you doing here?" Mai inquired.

"In all your infinite wisdom, you didn't give me Brown-san's contact information," Naru took his eyes off the building and moved them to the girl, crossing his arms. Mai let out a strained laugh.

"Ah, well... about that," Naru's face did not look amused.

"It's quite funny actually, you might actually crack a smile at this one," still not amused.

"Well, you see, I actually don't have it," Naru rolled his eyes.

"But! He should be coming tonight so I'll get it then, promise!" Mai held out her pinky finger in hopes her promise would be matched.

"I will wait here and get it for myself," he turned around and walked through the doors of the café. Mai stood there still, pinky extended but a bitter look on her face.

"Maybe once he will trust me, just once!" she mumbled to herself and pushed open the door. Takiyota sat in his normal spot, a table for two by the window. Naru also sat in his usual seat, a stool at the counter, fourth from the left. Mai tied her apron, pushed her hair back, and went on her way to serve and chat with the customers. She was in the middle of making Takiyota's black coffee and Naru's earl grey tea when the door chimed open.

"Welcome!" Mai called from behind the counter, "Oh, John!" Mai smiled widely upon seeing him.

"Hi, Mai. Oh, Kazuya, nice to see you again," John sat a stool away from Naru. Mai placed down Naru's tea and went over to give Takiyota his cup.

"Brown-san," Naru began. Mai tired her best to eavesdrop on the conversation, but was whisked away by an ordering customer.

By the time the man was done deliberating his order, Naru was finished with his conversation with John and continued reading his book. She noticed his cup was empty, so she went to make another.

"What cha reading?" Mai lend her elbows on the counter in front of the high schooler.

"It's too advance for you to comprehend," a small smirk graced his lips. Mai bit her tongue and decided that work was probably not the most appropriate place to begin an argument.

The kettle screamed and Mai turned to pour John and Naru a fresh cup of tea. She placed the cups in front of the two, but only one thanked her.

"With all of the cups I have served you, not for one have you thanked me," she placed her hands on her hips.

"Why would I thank you for something I could do myself?" he looked at her with a straight face.

"Well, if you can do it, why don't you then?" She motioned to the equipment behind her.

"Because I'm not being paid to do so," Mai's frustration mounted, but was thankfully calmed down once John started telling her about his day in the church.

About 30 minutes before her shift ended, she found herself sitting and chatting with Takiyota. Most of the customers had left, so she had time to kill before someone needed her.

"Will you still come here sometimes even though you don't work upstairs anymore?" Mai's eyes looked concerned.

"As often as I can, promise," he stuck out his pinky, making Mai giggle a bit.

"I never noticed before, but he's actually kinda cute.." Mai thought to herself. She accepted his pinky and the promise was made.

"If you break it, I get to chop off your pinky!" Mai reminded him with a smile.

"I don't think you should be so happy about that," he spoke in a laugh.

"You know… Mai," Takiyota started, looking down at his fidgeting fingers.

"What's up, Taki?"

"Well… I was thinking, out of all the time's I've been here, you've always been the one serving me," he took a moment to take a breath, "so maybe, one day," he looked up into her eyes, "would you like to go to dinner with m-"

"Mai, tea!" Naru barked out his order.

"Yeah, yeah. Hold that thought, Taki," she said with a smile before making her way behind the counter to make the narcissist his cup.

"Your cup is still half full!" she brought the cup to his face.

"It's cold," he complained.

"Then drink it quicker next time," she shook her head at his wastefulness.

"Spoiled brat," she mumbled under her breath as she set the water to boil.

"What was that?" He spoke and took his eyes off his book.

"Oh, nothing. Just saying what a beautiful human being you are," she turned around to face him with the most obvious superficial smile.

"Hm, you don't have bad taste," he smirked. She clenched her fists.

"And to think, I almost forgot how narcissistic you were."

"How could you ever manage to forget," he deadpanned and went back to reading his book. Mai looked at him confused for a second.

"I said that out loud?" she furrowed her brows, and assumed she had. She shrugged it off and returned to Taki and took the seat across from him.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" she looked at him with a grin.

"Oh, uh, just that… you guys should serve dinner! Yeah, serve dinner. Since so many people are here late, might bring in some more money."

"Dinner, huh?" Mai held her chin in a pondering position.

"I better get going, it's getting late," Takiyota smiled with a hint of sadness and grabbed his things. Mai walked him to the door and gave him a small hug before he left. She watched him walk down the sidewalk and out of sight before returning to behind the counter to clean up and take her apron off. Her shift was over.

"Are you hungry?" Mai turned around, not suspecting a sudden question.

"What?" Naru ran his finger around the ring of the cup.

"I asked if you were hungry," Mai touched her stomach.

"Uh, yeah, I guess. I haven't eaten since earlier so…"

"Let's go get something then," he stood up and slipped on his jacket then grabbed his bag. Mai folded her apron neatly and placed it under the counter for whoever would need it next. She grabbed her things then walked out the door with Naru. The air was crisp and the street lights and car headlights illuminated the pathway ahead of them. They began to walk in the direction of Mai's apartment.

"What do you want?"

"Hmmmmm," Mai pondered deeply for a moment, "ice cream!" she declared with a smile.

"You do realize it is 15°C right now, correct?" she nodded her head.

"Maybe you are dumber then you look," he smirked. She jabbed him lightly in the side.

"Well, we are in the same class, so what does that say about you, huh?"

"You got placed in it because no other class wanted you," she huffed and crossed her arms.

"There's this cute ice cream stand near my apartment that sells taiyaki! I've been wanting to try, too," she looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"I never said we couldn't go."

Mai led the way for a couple of minutes until they rounded the corner that the ice cream stand sat on.

Mai ordered a matcha taiyaki from the cute old man who was running the stand. She went to pull out her wallet but noticed Naru was already handing money across the counter.

"What are you doing?" She questioned him.

"This is for the tea and muffin you brought when I was sick," he replied nonchalantly.

"Oh… thanks," taken back a bit, she smiled gratefully at him. He nodded, and the man handed her the fish shaped ice cream. She took a bite and was pleased greatly by the taste.

"You're not getting anything?" she spoke with her mouth stuffed with ice cream.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," he watched the cars go by on the street. With each passing car, the headlights illuminated the side of his face. She gulped down the lump of matcha ice cream in her mouth.

"You should have said you didn't want ice cream! We could have gotten something else."

"I never said I was planning on getting anything."

"Oh." A moment of silence passed between the two while Mai munched on her taiyaki.

"You said your home was near," Naru surveyed his surroundings. She nodded.

"It's at the end of the block," Mai pointed towards a block of apartment buildings. Naru began to walk in the direction.

"Where are you going?" Mai followed a step behind him.

"Isn't it obvious? Your home," he walked nonchalantly.

"You don't have to do that," she ran to catch up with him and shook her hands in front of her.

"The cold reduces decision making, chances are you would get lost." She shot him a menacing glare, but he didn't seem to care.

They walked up to the gates of the apartment complex.

"Thanks for walking me. It's always kinda unsettling walking in the dark alone, no matter how many car lights are around," she looked down at her feet and smiled.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" he looked down at her inquisitively.

"I wouldn't say afraid, but I think everyone has a small fear of the dark," she shrugged, "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," she began to walk away and waved to the boy behind her. He nodded, "Good night." After she climbed up the stairs, she looked out and saw him walking down the street, hands in pockets, towards home.

"Good night," she whispered to herself with a smile as she watched him walk out of vision.


Thank you for reading!

The reviews recently have been so so so sweet, they make my heart melt! Thank you so much to everyone reviewing!

I've been really busy lately, and all my notes for upcoming chapters got deleted ;_; so future chapters might be coming out a bit slow for the next month and I'm extremely sorry about that. To make up for that, I will try my absolute hardest to get the next chapter (which I have written already) up by the end of next week!

Please review and let me know if you have any ideas of what you would like to see in future chapters!

Have a lovely night/day!