Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.


Lin finalized all the travel arrangements, ensuring John would be at the Yamazaki house within the next two hours. Now that he had some time, Lin wanted to take the opportunity to speak with Mai in privacy. He turned towards Naru, hoping to grab his attention. The young man was keeping an eye on Yamazaki-san's son Ichirou, watching the video feed of the hall outside of his bedroom.

Sensing Lin's movement in his peripheral vision, Naru glanced in his direction. He could tell that Lin was asking for permission to leave his post. Naru glanced towards Mai, who was sitting on the couch looking absolutely bored. Returning his attention to Lin, Naru nodded his consent. Lin returned a nod in gratitude.

As Lin stood, he grabbed a radio and headset just in case anything out of the ordinary occurred. According to Yamazaki-san, it would be weeks before Ichirou exhibited the worst symptoms, so he didn't have any worries about the demon at present, but it was always best to be cautious.

"Taniyama-san," Lin spoke up.

Mai quickly looked up at him, the beat of her heart picking up slightly.

"Yes?" she replied.

"Will you take a walk with me please?" he requested.

"Of course," Mai agreed, standing.

Lin nodded in thanks, however, he didn't immediately move. Instead, he stood nervously in place, his outward appearance calm and emotionless. Mai laughed anxiously after a few moments.

"Lin-san," she said, "I thought we were going for a walk..."

"We are," Lin responded, trying to calm his nerves. Even so, he still remained unmoving, unable to lift his feet.

Naru pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation.

"Leave before I change my mind," he ordered.

That was enough to get Lin moving. He was at Mai's side in two long strides, grabbing her hand.

"We should get moving," he suggested as though he had never hesitated.

Mai giggled at his awkward behavior.

"Alright, Lin-san," she agreed happily.

~oOo~

Keeping his fingers entwined with Mai's, Lin slowly walked along the cliffside. Not that long ago, he had poured his heart out to Mai along this same cliffside and he was getting ready to do it again. He just hoped that the results would be different this time.

Stopping, Lin turned to face Mai.

"...Taniyama-san," he spoke up.

He paused, needing to take a deep breath to calm himself. He felt more nervous than before.

"Mai," he tried again, "I'd like to make my intentions perfectly clear."

Mai's heart began racing. She attempted to feign a peace of mind she didn't feel in the slightest.

"Is that so, Koujo?" she responded evenly.

"Yes," Lin breathed out lightly.

He desperately wanted to hold her, but he had to get his thoughts out.

"It's my greatest hope that you'll accompany me back to England," Lin confessed, "so that I may introduce you to my family… as my betrothed."

Mai's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"...Koujo, is this a proposal?" she questioned.

"It is," Lin confirmed.

He brought both of Mai's hands to rest in his, bracing them firmly.

"I know we've only just come to an understanding on our mutual feelings," he admitted, "however, I have no doubt in my mind that I want you to be my wife."

His confession caused Mai to feel a little unsteady. She honestly hadn't been expecting it. Beginning to hyperventilate, she quickly removed her hands from Lin's, placing them above her head. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself.

"Mai, are you alright?" Lin questioned in worry. "Is it too soon?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Mai laughed, trying to stop tears from spilling out. "And no, it's not too soon."

Lin blinked slightly in confusion as she continued laughing.

"Mai," he lightly chastised, "you had me worried."

Mai couldn't help herself. She just couldn't stop laughing.

"What's so funny?" Lin questioned.

Slowly sobering, Mai apologized.

"I'm sorry, Koujo," she offered. "I don't know what came over me. It's just, from this morning to now, suddenly we're engaged. You have to admit that's a little funny."

Lin couldn't help feeling a tendril of excitement run up his spine at Mai's confirmation that they were indeed engaged. He surprised her by pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I'm never going to let you go," he promised.

"Koujo," Mai laughed, pushing him away, "you're so clingy."

Lin looked at her seriously.

"You'd rather I was more distant?" he asked expressionlessly.

Mai giggled. "It's what I'm used to at least."

Lin gave her a small smile.

"In all seriousness," he said, "will you marry me, Mai?"

"Yes," Mai nodded, "I can agree to that."

Lin raised an eyebrow. "Only if you want to."

"Of course I want to," Mai insisted. "But if we're talking seriously... do you think your family will approve of me?"

"Well," Lin replied, "we'll have to put a little more faith in fate."

"What do you mean?" Mai asked.

"Have you ever heard of the red string of fate?" he inquired.

Mai held up her hand, wiggling her little finger.

"The invisible red string tied around the little finger?" she responded.

Lin smiled fondly at her behavior.

"Something like that," he agreed. "But in Chinese folklore, it's attached to the ankle. According to legend, the god Yue Xia Laoren ties an invisible red cord around the ankles of those destined to become lovers. Once the cord is tied, nothing can prevent their union. There's no amount of time or space that can keep them apart and nothing can break the cord. Regardless of how it's actually made, there are those in my family with the ability to see it. Once it's confirmed, they won't object to our marriage."

Mai worried her bottom lip. "Do you think..."

"I don't have any doubts," Lin declared.

Mai smiled at his confidence in their relationship. She only wished it hadn't taken her so long to realize the same.

"Then how long before we go to England?" she asked.

"I'll arrange everything as soon as we get back to Tokyo," Lin decided, "but it will also depend on our colleagues in Cambridge. It wouldn't be good to leave Naru on his own."

"Will we be gone for long?" Mai wondered.

"Well, yes," he admitted. "There will be the ceremony and then..."

Lin hesitated for a moment. In his excitement, he had completely forgotten about his family tradition.

"Well, I'm sure we can postpone that," he concluded.

"What's that?" Mai questioned.

Lin looked away in embarrassment. He wasn't sure how Mai would react.

"...producing an heir," he mumbled.

"What!?" Mai exclaimed.

Lin quickly turned back to look at Mai.

"We can postpone it for as long as you want," he reassured. "But when we decide to, my family will insist we remain in England for the duration of your pregnancy."

Mai scratched her head in bewilderment.

"This has got to be the weirdest day of my life," she muttered.

"Have you changed your mind?" Lin worried.

"Of course not," Mai insisted. "It's just a lot to take in."

"We can take it slow if that's what you want," Lin offered. "We can even put off the marriage for another year."

"No," Mai asserted. "I want to start a life with you as soon as possible. If that's what you want, of course."

Lin gave her a gentle smile.

"Of course," he agreed, pulling Mai into his embrace. "I want nothing more."

~oOo~

"That didn't take long," Naru commented as Lin and Mai returned to base.

"I think we've taken long enough," Lin responded, returning to his place in front of the computer.

"So you proposed then," Naru stated.

Mai looked at Naru in surprise.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"I don't think something so obvious deserves a proper answer," Naru replied nonchalantly.

"Still as conceited as the day we met," Mai grumbled.

Naru smiled smugly. "My self-confidence has only grown since then."

Mai shook her head.

"He really is the world's biggest narcissist," she commented to no one in particular.

Even so, Mai decided Naru wouldn't be able to ruin her good mood.