Chapter four: A Sakura Kiss
A/N: So it begins. This chapter turned out so very weird. Not at all what I had written or planned. Originally, it was a lot fluffier, except that doesn't work quite so well with that lovely lust spell floating around now does it? Oh, well. It all starts with this chapter. No CLAMP in this chapter guys, sorry! And yes, Sakura Kiss is the opening song to Ouran High School Host Club; I'm borrowing it.
I present to you another chapter of Shades of Lust. As always, please leave many, many sweets to thank my wonderful beta-reader: TitanWren. Without her, this chapter would be so full of mistakes its disheartening to think about.
Don't forget to feed the authoress when you're done reading. Reviews make her think faster.
………
I've heard that she went to her bosses and told them what's been going on.
Do you know something of them?
Very little—they were at our school about a year ago. The principal brought them in to investigate the old building that was supposedly haunted.
Was it?
They exorcized the spirits, they said.
What do they do, this company that she works for? It groped for words. What do they specialize in?
Ghost hunting and other psychic phenomena. Is there something to worry about?
Maybe, but not for now.
What about her?
Arms draped around her shoulders comfortingly. Let it sit and stew for now. She's being rattled something fierce with each new day. Isn't that enough for now?
I suppose you're right.
I am; I'm always right.
………
Mai's bottle of antihistamines was nearly depleted. She hadn't realized how much she'd consumed in the past couple of days until poor Lin-san had arrived. Despite the fact that the Chinese man wasn't allergic to flowers, the pollen was so overwhelming that he had no choice but to take more allergy medicine two and a half hours later. When her young boss showed up with Bou-san and more medicine from the local drug store, she nearly kissed him. Instead, she settled for giving him a quick hug to show her gratitude before going to the kitchen, pulling out the makings for tea, and filling a tea kettle.
Grinning at Naru, Takigawa elbowed him in the ribs and waggled his eyebrows. Returning the grin with a glare, the young president of SPR stalked over to Lin who was typing away on his laptop with several of the notes spread out around him and a box of tissues behind the computer.
The former monk looked around at the flowers and chocolates crowding the small space. Man, what a mess. Why did she wait so long to go to Naru for help? He looked at the kid that hired him to perform exorcisms and help out with cases. She probably thought he'd reject her case and tell her that she should get her head examined. He looked at Mai, who had left the small kitchen, joining Lin and Naru so she could answer more questions. Though she kept up her sunny disposition, she couldn't fool him. Her eyes were pinched and her skin was paler than normal; she looked like she might start crying at any time—one wrong word would set her off. In the year and couple of months that he'd known her, she'd always been an emotional creature prone to tears one minute and smiles the next. He rather thought that she was worse than a pregnant woman and pitied her future husband if and when she got pregnant. Our kids would be cute, he thought absentmindedly, not really registering what his mind had just hinted at.
Mai was easy to scare and easy to anger, but her heart was stout—and for a sixteen-year-old kid, she was brave—brave enough to endure some of the worst things the paranormal threw her way. He didn't know very many people who would come running to warn him of a malicious spirit he couldn't see. But this case… this problem was happening at her school… it was already starting to have an effect on her. According to Mai herself, she wasn't overly popular at school—she had a few friends that she hung out with, but that was about it. And suddenly, almost over night, she'd gone from being a non-entity to the school slut. She really looked like she needed some comfort. He grinned; he could do that. He walked behind her and reached around to tug on her cheeks.
"Mai-chan!" he said, smiling widely. "You're frowning. Your face is going to freeze like that if you keep it up."
"Bou-san," she cried, exasperated. She swatted at his hands, resulting in a few smacks before he released her.
"Whew," he said, looking around at all the bouquets. "That's a lot of flowers, Mai-chan. Does this mean we're breaking up?" he asked.
The other two men looked up just in time to see her elbow the ex-monk in the side, hard.
"Oww! Hey! That was my side!" he cried, clutching the throbbing spot that she'd hit.
"You deserved it," she replied, crossing her arms and turning her nose up. "Be thankful," she continued, glancing at him, "I was aiming for your head; I'm just too short to reach it with my elbow."
Takigawa heaved an exaggerated sigh and flicked her cheek.
"Ouch! Bou-san!"
He laughed. "I told you, you need to learn to be more docile. How will you ever find a husband when you're so violent?" he asked woefully.
"Bou-san…" she growled, clenching a fist and brandishing it threateningly at the grinning monk. It didn't take long for Mai's fist to connect with Takigawa's cheek. The older man was soon rubbing it and scowling at the school girl, who glared right back.
Lin watched the exchange with interest and decided that if he ever comforted Mai again, Takigawa's methods were out. She looked like she packed a mean punch. Naru, Lin noticed, was staring out the window with his arms crossed; he was probably pretending he didn't know any of them.
"Ah…Mai-chan, is now not a good time?"
Naru came to attention immediately and looked towards the door when he heard someone besides the former monk refer to Mai so affectionately. Lin and Takigawa also turned to see a young man from Mai's school poking his head inside and looking at Mai questioningly.
"Ah, Akira-kun! Michiru-chan!" She shifted to see the other people standing just in the hallway. "John, Ayako, Masako. Now's fine, Akira-kun. Come on in, everyone."
Hesitantly, the tall third-year walked into the apartment, carrying one of two boxes that held all the flowers that she'd received that day alone. John came in carrying the second box and stopped, gazing around the room wonderingly. Michiru pushed past him holding a large bag of chocolates.
"Mai-san, where should we put these?" he asked, gesturing with the box.
"The dumpster outside," she said darkly.
"Mai-chan!"
"Unless you want them, Michiru-chan," she said, looking at her friend, who had her hands on her hips and glared at Mai reprovingly.
John smiled nervously. "I'll just put them right here for now," he told her, setting the box in the corner near the door.
Mai shrugged, clearly disappointed that the dumpster would not be receiving an offering of unwanted flowers and chocolates. Akira followed John's example and then went over to Mai and began to fill her in on what she'd missed after leaving school.
"Three simultaneous fights! One in your class, one in mine, and the last one in class 3-B. The principal almost had a heart attack."
"All over who Mai would go out with, correct?" Naru asked.
"Yes, that's right," the third year replied, peering at Naru with faint surprise. "How did you know?"
"Ah, Akira-kun, meet my boss, Shibuya Kazuya, president and owner of Shibuya Psychic Research; we call him Naru, for short. This is Lin-san," she said, gesturing to the tall gentleman typing away on the laptop. Said man nodded his head once in greeting, not looking away from the computer screen. "And this guy here," Mai continued, gesturing to the ex-monk, "is Houshou Takigawa, a monk from Koya Mountain. Have you met the other three?"
"Well, I only know one of them and that's by television only."
Mai nodded. "Masako Hara. She's a medium. Without her, we wouldn't know where the spirits are to exorcize. The other lady is Matsuzaki Ayako, a Shrine Maiden. And last but not least, Brown John—an exorcist."
"It's very nice to meet the people that Mai-chan works with," he replied. His sister bowed and murmured a hello and her brother turned his attentions back to Mai.
It didn't escape the notice of the SPR team that Akira was sweet on Mai. His request that she date him might indeed have been genuine; it was clear that he no longer saw her as a little sister. They didn't miss his sister rolling her eyes in disgust at her brother. It also didn't escape Naru, Takigawa, or Lin that Mai was growing increasingly agitated with all the attention that he was paying her. Takigawa's attention was one thing; he was past the hormonal high school teenager. But Akira's attention was another—he was still in high school and it was obvious to the three men that the young man was making her uncomfortable. Naru had a feeling that Mai was perfectly happy with little-sister attention, not girlfriend-to-be attention.
"Is that all that happened earlier today, Akira-san?" Naru asked, crossing his arms, attempting to divert his attention away from Mai. The last thing any of them needed was for her to flip out again.
"Pretty much; it was a tame day today," he replied. Smiling at Mai again, he wandered over to the bag full of chocolate and took it into her kitchen, looking for a place to put the boxes.
"Definitely stagnation," Naru said to Lin. "But why? Why now?"
"I wonder if it's anything like Yuasa High School?" Mai asked. "You told Ubusuna-sensei that it took mental and physical energy to perform zuso. Isn't this the same thing almost? This all began on Monday—so wouldn't this spell have had to be cast sometime on Sunday? And it's Friday right now— things came to a halt around Thursday and have remained the same, pretty much. Wouldn't casting and upholding this spell take just about the same amount of energy as the zuso we dealt with at Yuasa High?"
"She's got a good point, Naru-chan," the former monk said thoughtfully.
"That she does. Good thinking, Mai. It seems you've learned something after all."
For a moment, the silence at the table was deafening.
"What was that?" Mai asked, threateningly.
Takigawa grabbed her before she could inflict serious harm on her boss. "That was uncalled for, Naru! Don't you think she's been through enough today? Are you that low that you have to add to it?" he asked, struggling to restrain the enraged girl—no small feat right then.
The former monk's words had quite an effect on the seventeen-year-old. If Takigawa were later asked to describe his expression, he would have said the young man looked stricken; Naru turned to look out the window again.
Lin sighed mentally. One of these days, he told himself, that boy is going to find himself on the receiving end of a very hard slap and I'm not going to help him when that happens; I don't care what his parents say.
Naru sighed. "Let's forget about that, shall we? Mai's definitely right, with one exception: casting is the easy part; it's upholding the spell that takes energy. So it's stagnant for now. The question is why?"
"Why what, Shibuya-san?" John asked, approaching the table.
"Why was it cast in the first place? What's the missing link?"
There was no answer from anyone in the apartment. That's the mystery, Mai thought, having calmed down. Not just who, but why.
"Ah, well, as much as I'd love to give you an answer, Shibuya-san, I unfortunately don't have one, and it's about time my sister and I got home. Our mother will kill us if we're late for dinner, right, Michi-chan?"
"Yes."
"Mai, do you and your co-workers want to join us? Streaker would love to see you, you know."
"Streaker?" Ayako asked.
"Ah, sorry, our baby brother. His real name is Takumi, but we call him Streaker," Akira said, smiling.
Takigawa didn't bother to ask; he had a feeling he knew why.
"So, Mai-chan? Are you coming?"
"Uh…"
"I'm sorry Akira-san, but we can't join you and your family tonight—we still have work to do. Mai, if you want to, go ahead; we'll see you tomorrow after class."
"Well, then! Are you coming, Mai-chan?"
"Umm…" She looked back and forth between her boss and her friend's brother. "I'd love to, Akira-kun, Michiru-chan. But we're still working and I can't leave just yet; SPR just started a new case. Besides, it would be bad manners to leave them. But I'll make a deal with you," she said, when she saw a depressed air overtake him. "How about this: when this case is over, we'll join you and your family for dinner—all of us."
The third year smiled, grabbed her hands, and squeezed them warmly. "Good idea, Mai-chan! I'm going to hold you to that! I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner that you'd started a new case."
"Don't worry about it," she said, trying to surreptitiously ease her hands out of his hold.
Her smile was strained, Takigawa noticed. "Hey, young man," the former monk began, "you're really sweet on her, aren't you?" He'd asked it in hopes of embarrassing the kid—after all, they couldn't all be bold like Yasuhara-kun.
Akira just smiled at the taller man. "Well, I did ask her out in hopes of her becoming my girlfriend, you know."
On the other hand, Takigawa decided—this young man is the Osamu Yasuhara-kun of Mai's high school.
Mai flinched and tugged her hands out of his as fast as she could. Naru looked up sharply, his eyes darkening to black. This is the guy that asked her out…of course he is! Why didn't I make that connection sooner? How dare he embarrass her like that! He blinked. Calm down, he admonished himself. Ayako, John, Masako, and Takigawa were all gawking at the boy, unable to believe what he'd just said, and in front of strangers no less.
Damn, Takigawa thought. Naru-bou looks like he's about to have a fit. What's with this kid? Looking to his right, he realized that even Lin was staring at the third year like he'd lost his mind.
"By the way, Mai, you haven't given it any thought, have you?"
Mai was saved from answering by her friend, who chose that exact moment to slug her brother hard in the back of the head.
"Ouch! Michiru! What was that for?" he demanded, rounding on his sister, who seethed with anger.
"For being an insensitive jerk, that's what! You just embarrassed Mai in front of the people she works with! You did the same thing at school! Honestly! This isn't like you at all! What's gotten into you all of the sudden?" She turned to the SPR group and bowed. "I'm sorry about that," she said apologetically. "Mai, I'll see you in class tomorrow. Hopefully, someone will have answered that bio question, besides Masaharu-kun. The gods know I can't afford to pay him for the answer. If I get it before you, I'll tell you," she said, winking at her friend.
"Same here. If I get it before you, you're the first to know."
Michiru turned back to Naru and bowed. "Again, I'm really sorry about my brother. But if we can be of any help to you during your investigation, please let us know."
"If there's anything you can do, I will inform you," he said nodding brusquely.
Michiru turned again and without a backward glance, pulled her brother out of Mai's apartment. In the hall, they could hear her berate him for being a callous idiot. Mai collapsed in one of the chairs and buried her burning face in her arms. Sympathetically, Takigawa ran a comforting hand through her hair. They were all silent—what could they say? There were no words of comfort to offer her that wouldn't further her embarrassment. The whistling of the tea kettle pulled Mai from her funk. Getting up, she asked, "Would anyone care for some tea and allergy medicine?"
There was agreement all around and Mai made her way back to the kitchen and pulled out seven tea mugs. She added the boiling water to the tea leaves and allowed them to steep before pouring fragrant green tea into the waiting mugs. Grabbing one of the antihistamine bottles from its pack, she brought it out, set it on the table and began to distribute the tea around.
Takigawa took his with thanks and looked at the clock, noticing that it was well after six o'clock in the evening. With all the excitement of today, Mai had to be starving. The others were probably hungry, as well. Who knew how long Lin-san had been here. "Mai, let's order a pizza or two—our treat," he said, casting his eyes around the table at the other members of SPR.
"Huh?" she asked, looking at him.
"Pizza," he said, gently clonking her on the head with his knuckles. "You do know what pizza is, don't you?"
Her cheeks puffed out angrily. "Of course I do!" she huffed. "But, I don't know of any good places for take out. The ones I've tried have been pretty bad—I usually end up making my own if I'm in the mood for it."
"You haven't tried the right places, then," he said winking at her. "I have a good friend who owns a pizza parlor." He looked at her teasingly. "Let me guess—you're one of those wimps who usually likes only cheese, right?"
She glared at him wondering if she could get away with 'accidentally' spilling his tea on him. Probably not, she decided. Too many witnesses. "For your information, I happen to be fond of supreme."
"Really?" he asked, cradling his chin with long fingers and scrutinizing her. "You surprise me, Mai-chan. Everyone else okay with supreme pizza?"
"Do what you want," Naru said, leaving Lin's side and making his way to the newest bouquets and chocolates.
"I'll take that as a yes. Lin-san?"
"I don't care either way," the Chinese man replied.
"Works for me," Ayako said.
"Same here," John said.
"I will not be joining," Masako said.
"Eh? Why not, Masako?" Mai asked.
Masako looked down at the floor. "I have no desire to. Besides, my father will be wondering where I am."
"We'll see you tomorrow then, Hara-san," Naru said looking at one of the notes that he'd gathered.
"Yes. Will you see me out, Naru?"
Sighing, the young man put down what he was reading and approached the door. Smiling into her kimono sleeve, the young medium followed him. "I'll be back momentarily," he said to no one in particular, although his gaze seemed to linger on Mai. Masako took his arm and he turned out the door.
Damn you, Masako! Mai thought angrily. And why does Naru always give in? Why, why!
"I guess she doesn't like pizza," Takigawa said, making his way over to Mai's phone to call his friend. Soon, a one-sided, animated conversation could be heard throughout the apartment.
"Taniyama-san, that biology question that you and your friend Michiru-san were talking about—is it the same one you mentioned to us earlier?" Lin asked.
"Unfortunately," she commented. "That rotten teacher of ours told us to find the answer any which way we can; she knew it wouldn't be in our texts."
"And this classmate of yours is the only one who has the answer…why?"
"Masaharu-kun's father is a doctor," she replied absently, watching the door for Naru's return.
That made sense. "I see. What' s the question?"
Mai looked at him strangely. What's he up to, she wondered. She shrugged mentally. Perhaps he just wanted to help. "I'll be right back," she said, going down the short hallway to her bedroom—the only place besides the bathroom that wasn't crowded with flowers and chocolates. Retrieving her biology notebook, she returned to the table and opened it to the question that had everyone, except for one person, stumped. "Here," she said, handing it to him.
What is fibrinogen? It was the only unanswered question; the rest were done and from the looks of it, they were correct. But this question… it wasn't a question found within a normal sophomore level biology class. It was maybe an advanced placement question; certainly it was college level. There was no hint at all and it seemed random, seeing that the other questions were all about the respiratory system. Perhaps the teacher intends to teach about blood and the cardiovascular system next, he mused. "Your teacher doesn't like teaching sophomore biology, does she?" he asked her.
Mai shrugged.
He handed the notebook back to her. "Fibrinogen is a clotting factor. More specifically, it's a protein found in the blood plasma-- fibrinogen is converted by thrombin into fibrin—which forms a net and traps red blood cells. It's that which forms a clot when you get a cut."
"Is there a simpler way to say that?" she asked.
He smirked at her confused face. "Just know that it's a protein in the blood plasma that becomes fibrin. The question isn't asking for what it does, just what it is. And that's all it is, a protein in the blood plasma."
Jotting that down, she smiled exuberantly, and to Lin's utter dismay, threw her arms around his neck in a jubilant hug as she squealed her thanks. Letting him go, she made her way over to the phone that Takigawa had just hung up. Startled, the Chinese man simply sat there, trying to comprehend what had just happened. I answered a biology question and I got a hug in return. I don't understand her at all. He looked up to see Takigawa snickering at him. "May I help you, Takigawa-san?"
"Wish I had a camera," he said, thumping the Chinese man on the back. "Too bad Naru-bou didn't see that; I'd have loved to see his face. Don't try to rationalize it, just accept it with a smile. It's probably the only good thing that's happened to her today," the ex-monk said, watching her chat with a vibrant smile.
"She's not possessed again, is she?" he asked, straightening his posture.
"Nah, just happy that she doesn't have to pay for an answer."
"A 'thank you' would have sufficed just as well."
"Tell her that, why don't you."
Lin's gaze settled on Mai, who was still talking on the phone excitedly. She looked so happy and had such a sunny smile on her face that he felt his heart melt and a soft smile tug its way free. There was no way he could tell her that a hug had been unnecessary. The ex-monk was probably right—having that question answered probably was the only highlight of her day. To keep that smile, he'd endure any hug she gave him, possibly more, if it came—What the hell, he thought, shaking himself from his reverie. He massaged his forehead, trying to figure out just what he'd been thinking. Where in the world did that come from? No, he thought when he realized, it can't be…don't tell me I'm being affected, too?
"Lin-san?" Takigawa asked. "Are you all right? Do you need more allergy medicine?"
"Ah, no, thank you for your concern—I think I just need to splash some water on my face. Perhaps I'm being affected by sinuses after all," he said. "Taniyama-san, may I use your bathroom?"
"Of course you can," she said, hanging up the phone. "Down the hall, first door on your right."
"Thank you. Excuse me, then Takigawa-san," he said, standing and making his way down the short hallway.
Her bathroom was small. The sink was on his left when he first stepped in; the toilet was about three feet from the sink, and right next to it, the shower. Over the sink hung a standard rectangular mirror and on the wall above the light switch was a medicine cabinet. Serviceable as it was, the bathroom was anything but bare. Pink and purple seemed to be her theme. The bath towel that hung neatly on the towel bar was a rich, dark purple. At the foot of the tub sat a bright pink bathmat; her shower curtain was white and splattered with pink and purple flowers. The hand towels that hung next to the bath towel were pink and purple respectively. If this is the color scheme of the bathroom, what's her room like, he wondered. Perhaps I could peek in… No! he told himself firmly. Don't go there, Koujo.
He focused on his face in the mirror; it had gotten to him, just as he'd suspected. He raised a hand to the mirror and began to chant softly. His Shiki floated around him and began to glow as he invoked a protective shield that he hadn't used in quite a while. The fact that he had to resort to this was very telling. There hadn't been a need for this even when they'd been at the haunted house belonging to the former Prime Minister. The caster of this spell was no amateur if it could affect him. The handprint glowed brightly for a few seconds before disappearing; his Shiki returned to their normal, invisible selves, although he felt one brush up against him plaintively and whimper. He smiled faintly. "It's all right, I promise," he told it.
It seemed to accept that and went to join its four brothers. Turning on the sink, he quickly washed his hands and splashed some cold water on his face. He borrowed the purple hand towel (it was the lesser of the evils in color) and made sure it looked just as neat when he put it back—whether Mai was persnickety about everything being in its proper place or not, he didn't know, but no sense in finding out the hard way. Opening the bathroom door, he found Naru leaning against the wall waiting for him. Ah, he thought.
"'Sinuses'?" the young researcher asked. "You've never once suffered from them for as long as I've known you. What's really going on, Lin?"
"I've been here the longest."
"I'm well aware of that. What's that got to do with—" Naru broke off and stared at his assistant with astonishment. "It's affecting you?"
"Started to," Lin corrected. "Remember, according to Mai-san, there's a five mile radius that this spell encompasses. Naturally it would also include her apartment, wouldn't it?"
Naru compressed his lips into a grimace. "That means we're all at risk, except Matsuzaki-san and Hara-san. I'll ask Matsuzaki-san to draw up some protective charms for us when we're at the school. Also, it probably wouldn't hurt to have a barrier placed around Mai's apartment, either— just in case some of the boys find out where she lives. I don't think Bou-san will mind drawing up some wards for her." He turned his attention back to Lin. "Did you find any patterns in the notes?"
"One thing," Lin replied. John's startled cry in the living room however, interrupted him. Both men hurried back to the common area.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Naru asked tersely.
John had found one of the notes and was horrified. "Mai-san, what's going on? Who gave this to you? It's disgusting!"
Naru sighed and crossed his arms. "Why don't we fill the rest of you in on the details of the case? Matsuzaki-san, will you relate what you hear to Hara-san?"
"Sure," she said, nodding her acquiescence to his request.
Before he could continue, there was another interruption—this time, a knock at the door and several chimes of the doorbell. Naru turned a glare towards the entrance to Mai's apartment.
"Pizza's here!" Takigawa crowed. "Y'all can pay me back later," he said, throwing the door open. "Gavin-kun!" he said, grinning jubilantly at his friend. "How's it going, man?"
Takigawa's friend was tall and lean, and had bright red hair that was mostly hidden by a black hat sporting a logo advertising his business; it contrasted sharply with his pale, freckled skin; his eyes were wide and a strange green-gray color that Mai had never seen before, but his smile was friendly and infectious as he bantered with Takigawa. Mai liked him immediately.
"Houshou-kun! Things are just fine. One thousand, five hundred and thirty-two yen, please," he said, his voice carrying an odd, lilting accent.
Eh? Mai thought. He's Scottish isn't he? He's a long way from home. I wonder where in Scotland he's from.
Takigawa's face lost it joviality and was replaced with a confused look. "Eh? But… I ordered two extra-large pizzas, Gavin-kun. Shouldn't the total be more?"
"Not for you, no."
"No way, Gavin."
"Yes way," the other man said resolutely. "I don't forget the people who made my business possible. You owe me fifteen hundred yen—pay up."
"Gavin…"
"Pay him, Bou-san," Naru said. "You can argue with him later."
Reluctantly, Takigawa dragged his wallet out of his pocket and forked over the named price. Taking the pizzas, he handed them to Mai, who took them into the kitchen. Gavin stared after her. "That the young lass you've told me about?" he asked, an odd look in his eyes.
"Yep. That's Mai."
"She's a cutie—is she single?"
There was a collective gasp from those in Mai's apartment and Takigawa scowled. "Goodbye, Gavin-kun. Thanks for delivering the pizza. I'll call you later, okay?" he said, starting to shut the door.
Gavin caught the door before it closed in his face. "Seriously, man."
"You're engaged, Gavin. Did you suddenly forget about Yuka, the absolute love of your life? She's the reason you left Scotland!"
Gavin gasped. "Yuu-chan," he whispered. "Houshou-kun, what's going on? How could I…" he trailed off and glared at Mai who stood just at the entrance to the living room. "How did she replace Yuka in my mind?" he spat, pointing at her accusingly. "What are you, lass? A Green Woman from the Highlands come to devour me? Answer me!" he cried. "What are you?"
Mai flinched and backed away. He's… he's mad, she thought, trying to repress a shiver and failing.
"She's nothing of the sort, Gavin-san," Naru said.
Takigawa nodded. "Don't blame Mai. This isn't her fault. I can assure you, she's as human as you or I."
Lin stepped forward. "We're sorry for the inconvenience. Currently, we are trying to understand just what's happening, as you're not the only one affected. However, I guarantee that when you're five miles away from this apartment complex, you will have forgotten about Taniyama-san completely."
"Seriously?" he asked, looking at Lin with hope.
"Yes. You're Catholic, are you not?"
The man blinked and looked at him strangely. It was awfully rude to ask someone their religion. "Yes, I am."
"Brown-san, will you escort him down to his car?"
"Ah, yes" John replied. He stepped forward. "I'll be back momentarily, then. Gavin-san," he said, walking out the door with the Scotsman in tow, "where in Scotland are you from?"
"Glasgow," they heard him reply.
Knowing that his friend was in good hands with John, Takigawa shut the door. "That was fast thinking," he complimented Lin.
………
Naru looked around the base room that the school provided, trying to decide just what equipment was supposed to fit in such a small space. There was also the atmosphere to think about: it was freezing in this room. He looked up to the ceiling, wondering if the vent could be shut. Not, he thought. There's paint frozen all over it. Was it those two upper-classmen that chased Mai yesterday, he wondered. He sighed.
Lin walked in with one of the boxes and looked around. "Do you think they're trying to tell us something?" he asked, setting the box down on one of the small tables. Walking around the room, he picked up a few more tables and brought them back to where the box rested. Quickly, he pushed them together, forming a bigger space. That done, he began to unpack a computer.
Naru nodded. "Solve this quick and get out," he said.
"Right," Lin replied, setting up the PC with ease.
"When did the others say they'd be arriving?" the younger man asked, checking his watch.
"Brown-san said that he would arrive shortly. He was just about to perform an exorcism when I contacted him. Matsuzaki-san went to pick up more spell-paper from a local shrine. She said she'd pick up Hara-san right after and estimated arriving within the hour. Takigawa-san said that he would come over as soon as his band finished their recording."
"And Mai?"
Lin glanced at his watch. "Her classes should be finished for the day."
"Which means she should be here; she should have been here before us, even." So where is she, he wondered, checking his watch again. It was a little after three-thirty. Naru had specifically told the school that he wouldn't be arriving until after classes. After all, his team also had lives and duties outside of SPR, contrary to popular belief. And he wanted to be certain that Mai was here; he'd told her to contact him and then come to the office if she was sent home early. Seeing as he'd received no such call, all he could do was wait. He settled for reviewing the file of his latest case.
She probably had to talk to one of her teachers about something. She's missed a lot of school this past week alone. Logical as that explanation was, however, it didn't quell the steadily rising worry in his gut. He checked his watch again—ten minutes to four. He snapped the folder shut. She was later than usual and when that happened, something was wrong.
"Lin," he said, "I'm going to find Mai. You stay here in case she comes in after I'm gone." With that, he left the room quickly, intent on finding his assistant. He didn't hear Lin call out to him.
"Wait! Naru, don't forget…" he trailed off when he realized his young charge wasn't listening and was in his own little world. Stubborn little fool, he thought, annoyed. "I'm sorry, Mai," he said softly. If I'm lucky, he'll get that slap he's been deserving.
The logical place to look first was Mai's classroom. Opening the door, Naru poked his head in. It was empty, save for two students serving detention and a teacher supervising them. When he inquired if they'd seen Mai recently, he received a negative response. On a whim, he tried the cafeteria. Perhaps her friends had dragged her there—although why they would, he couldn't imagine. It was empty. Audio Visual Room? Perhaps she and her friends were telling ghost stories again. It was empty, except for one couple—Naru didn't bother turning on the lights; he didn't need the image of two teens necking imbedded in his mind. It occurred to him as he traveled to the library, that Mai might have been the girl in there. He nixed the idea; Mai would have struggled something fierce like she'd done just yesterday and the school wasn't empty—someone would have heard her. Entering the library, he inquired if the librarian had seen Mai. As it turned out, she'd been in there until the bell. After that, the librarian had no clue.
By now, he was fairly worried. Where could she have gone? He took out his cell phone and called her apartment. He hung up when he got her answering machine. Was she outside, perhaps? She had mentioned that she and her friends liked to eat underneath a big sakura tree. Was she there perhaps? Outside, he started to look around for the tree when a small group of girls near the gates caught his attention. He made his way over to them, noticing that their postures radiated a killing intent. He didn't need to hear what they were saying; Naru could see their expressions—and they were livid. The closer he got, the more he could see—surrounded by the others was yet another girl; Naru had a feeling that Mai was the one in the center. Sure enough… there she was, trying to get away without success. And now he could hear what they were saying.
"Whatever you're doing needs to stop! Give us back our boyfriends! What's the matter with you, all of the sudden?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't done anything. I don't know what's going on, I swear it."
"Stop lying to us, Taniyama. You got a spell from one of the freaks you work with and cast it."
"I can't do magic! I don't know anyone alive who can!"
"'Alive?'" one of the girls standing on the outer perimeter of the group said, mimicking Mai's voice. "Does this mean you know dead people?" There was a smattering of mocking laughter and the girls in the center pushed Mai back when she tried to get away.
"I know quite a few dead people," she snarled. "Want to meet them?" she asked maliciously.
This was out of hand. "Mai!" Naru called.
"Eh? Naru?" she asked, trying to spy him from the throng of bodies surrounding her. "Where are you?" she asked.
"Right in front of you. You're late," he told her.
She muttered something under her breath, but stuck her hand out. Sighing, he grabbed it and dragged her to his side.
"Thank you!" she cried.
"Let's go. We have work to do," he said, keeping her hand. Turning, he started to walk off with her in tow.
"Taniyama!"
Mai came to a halt and half-turned to see the girls glaring at her.
"We aren't finished! Whatever you've done, we want you to undo it! Are you so bitter about the fact that you can't get a boyfriend that you have to take ours? What's wrong with Akira-kun? Can't you just be happy and take him? Huh?"
Mai flinched and tightened her hold on Naru's hand. "It's not my fault," she said. "I didn't do this; how could I? I don't know the first thing about magic or spells! I know about curses; I've seen a couple, but I've never encountered something like this! SPR's never encountered something like this, either!"
"Well who else could it be?"
"That's what we're here to find out," Naru said. "And I'm afraid that Taniyama-san is on the clock right now, so she'll have to catch up with you ladies later. If you have anything to share with SPR that might be beneficial to our case, feel free to come by our base room and talk to either Lin or myself. Thank you for your cooperation," he said, turning and tugging on her hand. Startled, she started to trail behind him.
"Him, too, Taniyama?" one girl cried.
"Well, what do you expect from the school slut?" another girl asked.
Naru didn't answer. He tightened his hand over her own and continued walking back to the main building.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Stop apologizing," he admonished her. "This isn't your fault, no matter what they say or think."
Naru, she thought. She looked at their joined hands and smiled faintly. His hand was so much bigger than hers and it was warm and comforting. I guess he can be reassuring—when he wants to. Spying the big sakura tree not far from their current position, she tugged on his hand and pulled him over to it.
"What the… Mai, we have work to do."
"Look," she said. "Isn't it pretty? I love this time best of all, when the sakura trees are in bloom." She took a deep breath and gazed up at the pale-pink blossoms.
Deciding to humor her, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and gazed up at the delicate flowers. They were pretty he mused. Perhaps he'd take her to the next Cherry Blossom Viewing when the time came. Perhaps he could kiss her then, too. Or, I could just kiss her now, he thought, watching her from the corner of his eye. Right here under the cherry blossoms. A sakura kiss—there's no better spot. Will it be her first, he wondered. Or has her 'Akira-kun' taken that already?
Why is he so close, Mai wondered, slightly alarmed at the look in his eye. He moved in closer still and didn't seem to realize that he was even doing so. A pinprick of fear snaked down her spine like lightning; she really didn't like that look; it was almost the same look that Kichiro and Takahiro had had when they waited for her. She smiled nervously and backed away towards the tree. "Naru, what are you—"
She didn't get the chance to finish that question. Reaching out, he cupped the back of her neck, pulled her the remaining distance between them, and pressed his lips to hers. Her body went rigid with surprise. He can't… oh, no! Not you too! Naru! Naru!
So it is her first, just as I surmised. Well, then. At least that boy will never have it. He pressed her back against the tree, imprisoning her body with his; his knee nestled itself between her legs as he deepened the kiss. His free hand inched its way under her top and settled on the small of her back.
Mai couldn't move. She couldn't think… she couldn't even muster the strength to try and push him away. Not that she'd be able to. He'd shielded her body with his own not so long ago—she knew how heavy he was. She was also wedged in between him and an immobile tree. He pressed closer still and she felt the rough tree bark imprint itself into her skin. A tear slipped down her cheek, more started to follow. Naru, she thought sadly, I don't want you to kiss me because of a stupid spell! Tears were coursing down her face in rivulets. Please wake up, she thought desperately. Please come back to your narcissistic self!