Chapter Seven: One less; three and counting…
I find it interesting that we know very little about John except that he's from Australia and as of manga volume five is twenty years old. So I've taken artistic license and made up a semi-past for John. Whether or not it's true, I have no clue. I'm going to assume it's not; it'd be a hell of a coincidence if it were; don't hold your breaths.
I would like to reinforce that I don't own the song "Hungry Eyes," sung by Eric Carmen. Please tell me you guys know what Dirty Dancing is. ::sigh:: If you don't, google it. Don't review asking me.
Also, I do not recall ever saying that Shades of Lust will end up as NaruxMai. There are no definite pairings. What I can tell you is that it's looking like this will end up as a triangle pairing. I leave the two guys up to your guesses, even though its pretty much decided. XD
Just who is Hotaru Yukimura-san? Some of you have hazarded guesses. Y'all know the saying however, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." Sapph, be quiet.
Warning! Just to let everyone know: the next two chapters following this one will be heavy LinxMai—of the lime variety, not lemon—and a sprinkle of GenexMai in chapter nine. If you don't like these pairings, I'm very sorry; please wait until chapter ten to continue reading. I will post this warning in both chapters, just so you guys know.
Anyways—on we go, yes? A very big thank you to TitianWren my awesome beta reader. I would also like to hand out big thank you's to the following people: Lady Nightshade, Azamiko, thejenx, honeysempai, and Runesque for their help. Trust me, without them, this chapter would not have been possible and it would have been full of mistakes. Thank you all for your contributions on how confession works in Roman Catholicism; you guys have no idea how appreciative I am that you guys were willing to answer my questions, seeing as it's very rude by society's standards to ask questions dealing with religion. Yes, Kyia is old school—what? And of course, thanks to all my readers both on LiveJournal and Fanfiction Network.
And, a fabulous quote! "Actually, it just isn't mice."—thejenx. Being ordered to write, I will tell you all right now, is a pet peeve of mine. Please don't do it, it's not mice—sorry, nice.
………
I never thought the priest would give in so easily! she crowed watching him as he pressed Mai roughly into the shelves without breaking the kiss.
Why?
Because he's a priest, she said lamely.
He's also very young. Nineteen or twenty—barely old enough to be called an adult, came the sardonic reply.
I guess that's true.
You seem worried.
I am, she admitted.
Why?
Because they're getting close, aren't they? I swear that man whose been watching over Mai looked at me with suspicion—like he knew, or had an inkling.
He doesn't.
But maybe he does!
He has his hands full trying to protect the girl. Notice that he hasn't exactly been successful where it counts: his own group mates. I'm not targeting the insignificant boys of this school; they're the added bonus to make her squirm. I'm targeting those closest to her to maximize the damage.
But it's not working! That man guarding her hasn't given in yet! Staying with her all the time, he should have tried to ravish her by now! Why hasn't he?
Because he's protected by something. I can't yet put my finger on what. When we were there in that… how do you say it?
Base room?
Yes, that. When we were there, I thought I sensed Shikigami, but I couldn't find them, or pinpoint whom they belonged to. Still, the more kisses that are stolen, the weaker his protections will grow. Don't worry; he'll give in sooner or later too. And that one in her dreams will too.
You're right. She grinned. Three kisses stolen, she said, smiling exuberantly at her reflection.
Her reflection smirked back. Four more to go, and then curtains for Taniyama Mai.
With that smile on her face, she left the bathroom with a spring in her step.
………
"I want to do something meaningful with this gift of mine! All my life I've been able to sense spirits; if they're strong enough, I can even see them! What's law going to bring me except misery? I want to attend Seminary and become an exorcist. I want to put tormented souls to rest! Why can't he see that!" John raged, taking a healthy swallow of beer. His tone turned bitter, "My father says: 'You're going to study Business Law, John, just like I did and my father before me. I've built a fine business here and you're going to take over my company when you've become a lawyer.' I'm supposed to serve your father and other clients the same way my father has. Does what I want mean nothing?"
"How many times are we going to rehash this, John? Besides, mate, you defied your family and went to Seminary, didn't you? Aren't you a representative of the Roman Catholic Church?"
John said nothing for a long while. "This… isn't how this happened. You made the comment that I was coming of age soon and I could do whatever I wanted, regardless of what my father said."
"Yeah, mate; that's true. And when we're done talking, we start to make our way back to civilization—some ten miles away because your old man sure made you mad—when I walk right into a Mulga that had eggs. She sure wasn't happy with me."
"You weren't drunk, Kerry. It was only one bottle of beer. I've seen you consume more than that in one sitting."
"Back at ya, mate."
John gripped the beer bottle and stared at the ground. "It shouldn't have happened in the first place," he muttered.
"Mate, what's done is done. I walked right into it—I should have been more careful. You're not to blame."
"It doesn't change the fact that I feel like I am."
Kerry shook his head, sending his shaggy brown hair flying around his face. "I worry about you, mate."
"Still?" John asked.
"We never stop worrying about the people we love."
"How very true," John replied with a gentle smile. "I wonder if you're happy," he said musingly, looking out at the horizon.
"I'm not in any pain, if that's what you're wondering."
"That's something, then."
"So," Kerry said cheerfully, "since you're a priest and all—are you allowed to kiss girls?"
John looked at Kerry with exasperation. "You know I'm not, and don't try to tempt me, either."
"Who's tempting who, man? I'd say that curse has you wrapped around its proverbial finger. You're doing a good job devouring that girl's mouth. Not that I blame you—she's very cute."
John looked around, clueless. "What girl?" he asked blankly. "We're ten miles from civilization and it's just the two of us."
"Oh, man," Kerry moaned, burying his face in his hands. "John, you're my best mate, but sometimes, you make me fret. This is a memory. It's already happened. You're not really here, either. I'll bet the other two didn't have this much trouble," he groused.
Other two? Something clicked. Shibuya-san and Takigawa-san—they were the other two who'd stolen a kiss from Mai. "You're right, I'm not here. I'm in the back of Shibuya-san's van, kissing Mai-san like there's no tomorrow." He smiled bitterly. "I really did give in, didn't I?"
"You didn't put up much of a fight," Kerry said kindly.
"I suppose I didn't. Jealousy and want," he said. "They consumed my thoughts." John looked at the beer bottle thoughtfully and tipped it back, finishing the contents. The cold, Australian lager ran down his parched throat. "Old times sake." Gripping the bottle by its neck he smiled at his best friend. "Thank you for helping me today. I still miss you, Kerry, every day."
"I know. But at some point, you'll have to move on." Standing, Kerry held out his hand to his blond friend—his gray eyes sparkled with warmth, but held just a hint of sadness. "It was good to see you again, mate," he said quietly. "I was actually hoping you'd stay clueless a little longer so we could talk and catch up. You always did figure things out quickly—just my luck." He looked towards the horizon and nodded once.
"We'll talk another time, friend," John replied, gripping Kerry's hand and giving it a firm shake. Letting go, he stepped back and turned to face the direction where Kerry was looking. "I'll be seeing you," he said, hurtling the bottle as hard as he could towards the line where the sky and the ground met.
The dream shattered. John tore himself away from Mai and scrambled as far away as he could, watching her with wide eyes. She blinked and stared back at him in shock.
"John?" she asked. "Are you back?"
"Yes, Mai-san. I'm so very sorry about that."
A suspicious look entered her eyes. "John, are you going to give into it again? Do I need run back to the base?"
The young exorcist smiled at her weakly. "No, Mai-san; I promise I'm not going to be over-taken by the spell again. You won't need to dash back like the last two times. I'll escort you back to the base room as soon as we pick up these papers. After all, Lin-san's counting on us to have them, isn't he?" That said, he started to gather them, not caring if there was a particular order that they belonged in.
Hesitantly, Mai began to help him, keeping an eye on him just in case. Giving Mai a strained smile, he handed her the papers and climbed out of the van, waiting for her to exit. Giving herself a few minutes to compose herself, she smoothed the papers and stuffed them back into the envelope they came from. Lin-san would just have to sort them back out, she decided. Taking a deep breath, Mai crawled out of the van, trying to ignore how sore her back was from being shoved against the shelves. She certainly hoped no one saw the imprints—especially the SPR group. Poor John didn't need that embarrassment; he would have enough to deal with, she was sure of it.
She found him staring with vexation at the spell-paper that he'd gotten from Ayako; a ferocious frown was emblazoned on his lips and it seemed out of place on his normally peaceful face. Turning her gaze back to the spell paper, she felt her eyes widen: it was completely black. She gasped and John smiled at her grimly.
"You just got that," Mai said quietly. She checked her watch. "You've only had it for twenty minutes. How could it degrade that fast?"
"I have a suspicion, but no more than that," the exorcist said, returning his attention to it.
"Is it because I've had three kisses stolen now?"
"That probably plays a part, yes," John said. "After all, the spell's gotten just a bit stronger with each kiss. However, I hesitate to name that as the only reason."
"Then what?" Mai asked, as they started to walk back to the base.
"I recall Shibuya-san telling me that Matsuzaki-san had cleansed the base room."
"Yeah, she did. And both she and Bou-san made the charms that keep the room from being affected by the spell."
"I thought as much. I think that's why the charms are degrading so fast, once they're out of the room. I've been in that room all day; you saw what the charm I had previously looked like. This one, on the other hand," John said, waving it in the air, "lasted only twenty minutes, if that. It might have degraded in less time and I think it's safe to assume that it did. Mai-san," he said, stopping her just outside the base room. "Please let me tell the others on my own," he said.
Surprised, Mai nodded.
A relieved smile spread across John's face. "Thank you," he said, opening the door and following her inside.
………
Lin watched the scene with frustration. She'd had another kiss stolen from her—and from the one person that they thought they wouldn't have to worry about. If Naru weren't so adamant about the counter-curse, this might not have happened and they might have wrapped up the case already. He turned his attention back to the exorcist when Naru asked him a question.
"What were you thinking just before you kissed Mai?"
John frowned. "I found myself jealous," he confessed.
Naru turned to the ex-monk. "Bou-san? How about you?"
"Same here. I found myself envious that after all I've saved her from and all the treats I've treated her to, I haven't gotten a kiss in return."
Mai looked at him with disbelief and he shrugged at her. "Believe it or not, I couldn't help myself. That's part of the spell, I think."
"What about you, Naru?" Lin asked.
"Me? What about me?"
"What were you thinking just before you kissed Taniyama-san?"
Naru frowned. "We were standing under that big sakura tree and I was thinking about kissing her; then I started wondering if that would be her first kiss, or had Akira-san already taken that from her." Naru paused, looking at Lin steadily. "You're asking me if I was jealous," he stated. "Perhaps I was."
Mai stared at him with exasperation and stamped her foot in frustration.
"In our defense, Mai, it's not our fault," Naru said, looking at her calmly.
"Lin-san, what part does jealousy play in a lust spell?" Takigawa asked.
"A big one, I'm afraid." He looked at the rest of the group. "We know that this spell is being used for punishment. What caused this I don't yet know. Here's what I can tell you, based on what you all have said. This curse is feeding off the negative aspects of lust; I don't need to tell you what happens if it continues to feed. What I do need to tell you is that it's building up to something. Currently, it's using three emotions; the most obvious ones are anger and jealousy. More may manifest, but for now, those two seem to be the primary."
"Anger?"
Lin nodded. "Naru, you were jealous that Akira-san might have taken Taniyama-san's first kiss; this probably angered you as well."
Naru looked thoughtful. "That could be; I don't quite remember what I felt before I kissed her."
"Takigawa-san, you were jealous that Naru had taken Taniyama-san's first kiss. You were also upset because despite all that you've done for her, you've received nothing close to a kiss in return. Brown-san, you were jealous that she'd been kissed by the other two and you were upset that you weren't allowed to do the same. Am I right, thus far?" Lin asked.
"Yes," John said, without hesitation.
"Yeah, right on, Lin-san," the former monk said, nodding.
Lin looked at Naru expectantly. Frowning, the younger man nodded grudgingly.
"There you have it."
"You said three emotions. What's the third?" Naru asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the table.
"You surprise me," Lin said. "Can't you tell me?"
They all stared at the Chinese man, puzzled. What's he going on about, Yasuhara wondered. They admitted to being jealous and angry. What more could they… his thought process trailed off as he looked at the other three in turn and noticed something odd. And then he had it. "Want," he said quietly.
Lin nodded at him. "That's correct, Yasuhara-san."
"And we're still dealing with it, aren't we, Lin-san?" Takigawa asked.
"Indeed," the Chinese man said.
"Can we expect more negative emotions to manifest as time goes by?"
"More than likely, yes. Greed, perhaps; it would depend on the spell used. I have various acquaintances who have dealt with lust spells before and they've reported different emotions that were targeted. I, myself, can't say. Just as I've never encountered a Kodoku until recently, nor have I ever encountered a lust spell."
Naru nodded and crossed his arms. "Very well, there's nothing we can do for now, seeing as it varies from spell to spell. Matsuzaki-san," he said, turning to her, "is it possible that John is right about why the charms have failed?"
She frowned, thinking. "I would guess so," she admitted after a few seconds.
"Is there anything that can be done?"
"This is unfamiliar ground for me," she said honestly. "I've never drawn up charms to protect people from lust. Lin-san," the priestess said, turning to him, "what charm did you give Mai?"
"That was a charm to render her invisible, if you will," he answered.
"And she had one of your Shiki with her," Bou-san said, thoughtfully. "So it wouldn't help the rest of us."
"Not at all."
"Do you know of any charms that could be useful?" Naru asked. When Lin hesitated, Naru said, "This isn't the time for reticence. This is a serious problem. If you could teach Matsuzaki-san what charms you know of to protect us, it would be most helpful."
I have the feeling that much of this is going to be dumped into my lap, Lin thought, frowning. "Yes, sir," he said. "Matsuzaki-san, you have blank spell-paper with you, I presume?"
She nodded.
"If you would?" Lin said.
Grabbing a blank piece of paper and her ink set, she joined him over at the computer. Mai watched Lin pick up the brush and rub it across the ink-stone several times and then lean over and draw a strange design onto the paper. Ayako watched him, a thoughtful look on her face. When Lin looked at her, she nodded her understanding, took the brush from him and turned the spell-paper over to repeat what he'd done. Lin nodded at her to show that she had correctly replicated the sigil he'd shown her.
Leaving Lin's side, she rejoined the group. "I'll need more spell-paper. So long as everyone stays in here, there shouldn't be any problems. I can guarantee that the room is still clean of the spell's influence. If anyone needs to leave, then one of the unused charms in the box should be able to stave off the effects for at least a bit. I'll be back soon," the priestess said, exiting the room.
"That's one problem down. Hara-san," Naru said, turning to the doll-like medium.
"Yes, Naru?" she asked softly.
"You said that you've been sensing the presence of two ghosts, correct?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation.
"Do you still sense them?"
Frowning, she looked around. "Yes," she said, finally. "But one's constantly on the move. All I can tell you about that one is that I sense it most strongly in one of the corridors leading to the base room. The other, it's trapped and I don't know where, precisely."
"Thank you, Hara-san. Mai," he said, turning to her.
"What?"
"How many hallways lead to this room?"
Mai put her fingertip against her bottom lip and looked at the ceiling. It was a cute gesture that he liked to see. Originally, he thought it was annoying: what use was there for such dramatics? Now, he would ask her questions just to see her do that. Tearing his eyes away from her petite form, he glanced at Bou-san and saw plain regret in the former monk's eyes. He looked over at John and found the priest staring at the floor. Poor John—this was hardest on him, Naru knew. Yasuhara was watching Mai with mild interest in her forthcoming answer and Lin wasn't paying any attention at all—although if any of them tried to do something to Mai, Naru knew the Chinese man would be there in half a second. Turning his attention back to Mai, he resisted the urge to look at his watch. Sometime today would be nice, he thought waspishly.
"Four," she said finally.
Took her long enough, Naru thought. Doesn't she know her way around her own school? In reality, however, Naru knew that less than a minute had passed. "Take eight night cameras and set up two in each of the four corridors leading to the base room. I want to see if the ghost that Hara-san is sensing moves around at all. John," he said, turning to the young priest, "will you help Yasuhara-san with the research project I gave him?"
John looked up from the floor. "Actually, Shibuya-san, I was wondering if you'd excuse me from this case entirely."
A stunned silence fell over the occupants of the room and all eyes turned to the blond-haired young man.
"May I ask why?" Naru inquired, breaking the uncomfortable quiet that had fallen.
John clasped his hands together and met Naru's gaze. "I failed you, I failed Lin-san; I failed Mai-san. My resolve was weak and I broke my vows," he said steadily.
"John!" Mai said. "That wasn't your fault! You didn't fail me at all!"
John smiled at her weakly. "But I did. Lin-san trusted me to keep you safe and look what happened. More importantly, I broke my vows when I gave in. That act alone calls for atonement." He turned back to Naru and pinned him with his gaze. "Please Shibuya-san; I'm asking you to respect me and my faith."
Well said, Lin thought.
For a scant second, it looked like Naru would refuse. However, he merely nodded. Standing up straight, he uncrossed his arms and held out one hand to the Australian priest. "Very well. Until our next case then, John. I thank you for your assistance and I apologize for what's happened. Take care."
Relieved, John gripped Naru's hand and gave it a firm shake. "I'm truly sorry. There's just no helping it. Thank you for understanding."
Naru nodded and released John's hand. The priest smiled. "Peace to you, then, and good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers." Turning from Naru, he approached Mai and bowed deeply to the teenaged-girl. "I'm truly sorry, Mai-san. I've only added to your burdens. I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me."
"John," she began weakly—what could she say to him? How could she forgive him when she didn't blame him in the first place? "John," she tried again. Dammit! Say something, she told herself angrily. When he merely bowed again to her, her throat closed up and tears ran down her cheeks; she brought her hands to her mouth to hold the sobs in.
Turning, John walked out of the room without looking back. Mai stared at the closed door sadly.
"Mai," Naru said.
She looked at him. "Tea. And then get those cameras up."
Her tears were instantly forgotten. You jerk! she thought. Have you never heard the word 'please,' before? Fuming, Mai stomped off to get the narcissistic young man his "requested" tea. Bou-san looked at him knowingly.
"Yes?" he asked with disinterest. "Did you need something?"
"Way to go, Naru-chan," the monk said, grinning at him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure," he drawled.
"Bou-san, perhaps you'd be good enough to assist Yasuhara-san with his research?"
"Anything you say, Naru-chan. Good job at taking Mai's mind off of John."
………
Mai was still fuming as she and Lin-san set up the cameras in the first corridor leading to the base room. Pressing the switch to turn one on, she smiled and waved at the lens. She turned and watched Lin-san check the settings on the camera he'd set up. Satisfied with them, he walked over to the one she'd set up and began checking it. Mai watched him as he configured the camera. If she were sure that she wouldn't invade his personal space, Mai would have watched the settings so she could set them up correctly the next case. As it was, she set them up and Lin or Naru went back and configured the settings. Lin-san's movements, she noticed, were graceful and precise—economical; he didn't waste actions on pointless flailing the way she did.
Come to think of it, he's always been that way, hasn't he? Mai wondered, thinking back to the first time she'd met him. Even after I injured him, his movements were still so very refined. I can't really remember a time that he didn't do something without that precision. She gasped and felt her face flame up. She put one hand on her burning cheek. Ju…just when did you start noticing, Taniyama? Bad, bad! What are you thinking?
"Mai?" he asked.
She looked up at Lin-san, who watched her with concern, and felt her face flame even more. She smiled at him nervously. "Nothing, Lin-san. Just…"
He waited patiently.
Well I can't tell him that I've suddenly noticed how elegant his movements are! Actually, I could, but that wouldn't go over very well. "My stomach started complaining," she said, putting her hand on the aforementioned organ—her smile became strained; it wasn't true, but she needed some sort of cover.
"You should have woken up earlier and eaten breakfast, instead of sleeping late," Lin said pragmatically.
She glared at him. "You're not helping."
He shrugged and moved over to the other six cameras. She watched him pick up four of the remaining cameras. He turned to her. "Shall we?"
"Okay," she said. Mai didn't get very far before she heard her family name called out by a familiar voice. Pausing, she turned to the principal. "Principal?" she asked, setting down the one box she'd picked up. "Is everything all right?"
"Fine, fine," the older man replied, smiling congenially. He looked at the cameras. "Taniyama, what's this?" he asked, gesturing to the machines.
"Ah, Naru told us to set them up."
"Naru?"
"Shibuya-san," Mai said. "Ah… Hara-san has been sensing a ghost or two and she said it's been in the corridors leading to the base room. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
"What? A ghost, here? Hmmm…I've never heard anything. I honestly thought that nonsense was over when the other classroom building fell, but I'll look into it, if you'd like."
"Oh, yes please!" she replied smiling brightly. "That would be a big help!"
"Not at all, not at all. Now tell me, Taniyama-chan," the old man began sidling closer to his student. "Have you given any thoughts to dating my grandson? I know he's a bit younger than you, but really, the children the two of you would have would be just darling. And I'd so love to have great-grandchildren to spoil. You'd make a wonderful mother!" the old man gushed.
"Principal-san." Lin's baritone cut through Mai's shock.
"Hmm? Yes?" he asked, turning his attention to the Chinese man.
"May I see your charm?" he asked, crossing over to the man and holding out his hand.
"Why certainly," he said, removing it from his suit pocket and handing it to the stoic man standing before him.
Lin brought it up to eye-level and frowned. It didn't look too badly degraded. All the same… He looked over at Mai and found her watching him. Sending a quick wink in her direction, he blew on the spell-paper and watched the degradation disappear. At least… that's what the principal saw. What Mai saw, however, was different. Her face heated a bit at the wink, but as she watched Lin-san exhale on the paper, she saw a purple tongue dart out and wipe it clean.
One of his Shiki, she told herself. She wondered what they could do individually.
He handed the charm back to the now-amazed principal. "I would appreciate it if you don't tell too many people about that. I can't do it very often; it's bad for me."
"You have my word," the awed man said, taking the charm and slipping it back into his pocket. "I'll get started looking into another ghost. Hmm… I may have heard something back in the mid '90's," he muttered to himself.
"Please bring whatever you find to the base room," Lin told him. "I would stop by the base in about an hour and pick up a new charm were I you; that one will degrade quite fast."
The principal nodded.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Taniyama-san," he called, striding away.
Mai bowed to the principal, picked up the other two cameras, and scurried after Lin.
"How old is his grandson?" Lin asked abruptly.
"Huh?" Mai asked, as they came to the next corridor. "How old... oh, twelve," she said, setting down the camera and beginning to take it out of its case.
Absurd! Lin thought. That old man should be ashamed of himself! Poor girl, he thought, starting to set up one of the cameras.
When she was finished, Mai looked over at Lin and voiced what she was thinking. "I never pegged you as the type to deceive," she said, watching him configure the camera he'd just finished setting up.
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"One of your Shiki took the degradation off the spell paper, not you."
"That's certainly true. But the principal can't see that. You did," he said, glancing at her. "The difference is that little by little, your power is growing and you're able to see more and more. The principal, on the other hand, can't see my Shiki and there are things that ordinary people certainly don't want to know. And someone having demons bound to them is one such example."
Mai wrinkled her nose. "I thought they were cool," she said, remembering how they'd saved her from Urado.
"And I thank you for that. You're hardly normal, though—you've said so yourself. Working with us has desensitized you; learning that I have demons tied to me doesn't surprise you. Would your friends think the same as you?"
"Probably not."
Straightening, he went to the other camera. "There you have it," he said simply. He beckoned to her. She approached his side warily. "Watch," he said, showing her what he'd put the settings at.
………
Last hallway, she thought. Finally! Her shoulders were starting to ache from all that lugging. She set to work quickly setting up the camera. That was a cakewalk for her; it was configuring it the way Lin had shown her that was a bit more complicated. The settings it had to be on for what Naru wanted—mainly for the camera to record in all directions—were a bit more involved, and while Lin-san had waited patiently for her, she still felt embarrassed that she wasn't faster at it. She'd just hit the 'function' button on the camera's control panel when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. Pausing what she was doing, Mai looked up to see Keiko coming towards her.
"Mai-chan, Mai-chan!" she called, waving frantically.
"Eh? Keiko? What's wrong?" she asked waiting for her friend to reach her.
"Your homework, dummy," Keiko said, thrusting it at her.
"Oh. Thanks, Keiko," Mai said, smiling at her friend.
Keiko looked at the camera. "What're you doing, Mai-chan?"
"Naru wants to see if we have a ghost in the school," she responded brightly. "Heard any stories? I know your brother went here, too."
Keiko rolled her eyes at Mai. "His interest was Kendo and necking with his girlfriend, not ghost stories."
"Oh."
"Speaking of necking…"
"Eh?"
Keiko lowered her voice and brought her mouth close to Mai's ear. "Where on earth has he been hiding?" she asked, looking at Lin. "To think, you've found the sexiest man on the planet, Mai-chan!"
Unfortunately, Lin heard that. He glanced over at the two of them and then turned back to the camera he was working on. For her part, Mai didn't think her face could get any redder. "Keiko!" she hissed, glaring at her friend. Soon to be ex-friend, she thought, absolutely mortified.
"What? Aren't you going to introduce me?" she asked grinning.
With a long-suffering sigh and quick prayer to the gods that Lin-san didn't snap at her, Mai escorted her friend to where he was. Lin straightened when he saw her approaching and she smiled at him apologetically. "Lin-san, this is my friend, Keiko. Keiko," she said gesturing towards Lin, "This is Lin-san, Naru's assistant."
"I thought you were Shibuya-san's assistant," Keiko said, giving her a puzzled look.
"No, I'm his tea-maker. Naru just calls me his assistant because he's a workaholic and can't remember anything but work and tea."
Unseen by either of them, Lin smirked at that. That's not far off the mark, he thought.
Keiko blinked. "Oh." She turned to Lin. "Nice to meet you," she said, bowing.
"And you, Keiko-san," Lin replied, giving a short bow in return.
"Thanks for dropping off my homework, Keiko. I'll catch up with you later, okay?"
"Sure," Keiko said. She bowed again to Lin. "Bye!" With that, she winked at Mai and waggled her eyebrows suggestively before taking off.
Mai groaned. "Lin-san," she said, looking up at him, "I'm so very sorry."
"It happens," he said diplomatically. "This is high school, after all, and I've heard worse, believe you me."
"But—"
"The sooner we finish with the cameras, the sooner you can get started on your homework," he said.
She looked at it dejectedly and sighed.
"I'll help you," he told her.
"Really?" she asked, looking up at him with hope.
"Yes. Now, back to work. You wouldn't want Naru to find out that you were slacking off, would you? Think of all the filing you'd have to do."
Thoughts of all the alphabetical filing, filing by year, and the paper cuts she'd undoubtedly get while doing so had her sprinting frantically back to her camera.
………
The school was miles behind him. Mai was miles behind at the school, probably setting up cameras or fetching Shibuya-san some tea. With no clear path in mind, John found himself pulling into the parking lot of Toujo-san's church. Perhaps the older priest could help? Killing the motor of the car, John vacated the driver's seat and walked up the path to the steps leading to the church. Father Toujo must have been inside—he didn't hear the laughter or shrieks of children outside. Inside it was, then. He felt nervous and his steps faltered; the urge to run was almost too strong to resist. Taking a deep breath and looking towards the heavens, he prayed for strength, and climbed the steps up to the church proper.
Pulling open the door, he stepped inside the house of worship and looked around the dim sanctuary. Silently, he moved to sit in one of the pews at the very back and clasped his hands together. He looked up at the large, stained-glass window depicting Christ and said quietly, "What do I do? Just what can I do? I've failed."
"Brown-kun?"
John turned to face Father Toujo. The old priest looked down at him. "What brings you here, Brown-kun?" the older priest asked kindly.
"Ah…" What to say? What to do? The urge to simply blurt everything out was almost overwhelming. John's eyes fell on the Confessional Box and he realized what he could do. He turned back to the older priest. "Do you have time for a confession, Toujo-san?"
"For whom?" the priest queried. "Is someone with you?" he asked, looking around, but seeing no one else in the sanctuary.
"No, it's just me, I'm afraid," John said, smiling slightly.
The older priest looked at John with gentle scrutiny. "I'll meet you there," he said, turning and walking towards his office.
Taking a few minutes, John closed his eyes and allowed himself to calm down. He intoned a silent prayer of thanks and made his way over to the confessional box, slipped inside, and sat down. A few seconds later, the other side opened and Father Toujo joined him, sitting parallel to him and training his eyes on the wall. John took a deep breath and crossed himself.
"Bless me father for I have sinned. It's been…" Here he faltered. How long had it been since he'd been to confession? Three months, at least, he recalled. "It's been three months since my last confession."
"Continue," Father Toujo said, remotely.
"I have failed myself and the Church by giving in to the lust spell and kissing Taniyama Mai-san. I have failed Shibuya-san by succumbing to the spell and Lin-san when he trusted me to accompany Mai-san to the SPR van to look for some documents. I allowed jealousy, anger, and want to cloud my judgment and weaken my will."
"What is this spell you deal with?"
Taking a deep breath, John recounted the case thus far. "A spell was cast to punish Mai-san for reasons unknown yet. It is a spell to invoke the negative feelings of lust; we do not know who cast it; nor do we know their reasons for doing so. Currently, Mai-san has had three kisses taken from her, the first starting with her boss, Shibuya Kazuya-san and the third ending with me."
"What were you feeling just before you kissed her?"
"I was upset that I couldn't do the same, that my vow of celibacy prohibited me from kissing an attractive woman. I…" Here, John hesitated. Steeling himself, he continued. "My mind was cyclical on the subject of Mai-san having two kisses stolen from her. I couldn't stop thinking about it; nor could I stop thinking about how I wanted to kiss her, too. My will should have been stronger to resist the spell, but it was not. Those are my sins," John finished and waited.
"What did you tell Shibuya-san when he asked you for an account?"
"That I failed him and Mai-san. I asked to be excused from the case."
"Is that the extent of your sins, my son?"
"Yes."
"I see. You are twenty years old, my son. And you're dealing with what seems to be quite an insidious spell. Add hormones into the mix and it could only have been a matter of time before you did give in. What you should focus on is helping to make things right. What does being excused from the case give you, but more guilt?"
"If I go back, it could happen again!"
"Calm yourself, my son. What you've said is true. That is something you will have to face. It is your penance to go back, however, and see this through to the end. After all, you have a contract with Shibuya-san. Every time he calls you for help, you've created an agreement between you two when you say 'yes.' Backing out now does not add credit to you—in both the eyes of the Church and the eyes of the Lord. Finish the case, my son. Make peace between you and Shibuya-san. Set young Taniyama-san's conscience at ease and let her forgive you. This is how you will make up for your sins."
John bowed his head. "I will complete my penance then." Quickly, he recited the Act of Contrition and waited for Toujo-san to say the one phrase that would let him go.
"I absolve you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Go, and sin no more."
Bowing his head and crossing himself one last time, John left the Confession Box. Father Toujo joined him a few seconds later.
"My door is always open, Brown-kun," he said, putting a friendly hand on John's shoulder.
"Thank you, Toujo-san." With that, John left the church and returned to his apartment.
Friday, day seven
The next morning found John's stomach full of butterflies. He'd decided last night that he would simply show up instead of contacting Shibuya-san and letting him know. Approaching his dresser he opened a very long rectangular box and drew out the one thing that sat inside it with reverence. Holding it up to eye level, John remembered the bishop that had presented the rosary to him when he'd been appointed an exorcist at the young age of eighteen. He remembered the bishop handing it to him and telling him that the Pope had blessed it. If anything could help him with this case, it was this. Slipping it over his head, he felt a peace fall over him. Yes, he decided, this will be able to help me. He took one last look in the mirror and smiled before heading out the door.
Mai had just stepped through the doors of the base room when she stopped suddenly and stared. Lin came to a halt behind her and frowned. Gently, he steered her into the room and caught sight of what had brought her to a stand-still. John stood in the room sandwiched between Naru and Bou-san. Seeing Mai, he stepped away from the other two and approached her.
"Good morning, Mai-san," he said.
"John!" she said giving him a tentative smile. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd asked to be dismissed from the rest of the case."
John smiled at her. "I did. But it's my penance to see the case to the end and do what I can to help. I still hope that you'll forgive me, one day."
"Of course I do! You came back, after all."
John gave her a radiant smile. "Thank you, Mai-san. I'll be sure to keep a better eye on the charm and my surroundings."
"Welcome back, Brown-san," Lin said.
"Thank you, Lin-san. It's good to be back."
"John," Mai said, "why are you wearing your rosary? Are you going to perform an exorcism?"
"No. I'm wearing it to help me with the spell." At her confused look, he said, "This was presented to me by the Bishop who appointed me as an exorcist; it was blessed by the Pope himself. There's nothing better that I can think of to help me along with the charm."
"Then it will," she told him positively.
"I agree. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to pick up where Yasuhara-san left off."
"Okay," Mai said, depositing her stuff on the table and turning to Lin. She grimaced. "I guess I need to go get my assignments now."
"You make it sound like it's such a horrible thing," he said, setting his own stuff down and hanging his coat.
"Flowers, chocolates, and boys trying to shove their tongues down my throat, here I come."
Sadly, Lin thought, she's not being facetious. Saying nothing, he followed the petite girl out of the room.
John turned to Naru and Bou-san for an explanation. He knew Lin had been sitting in her classes with her… what was this about getting her assignments?
"It got worse," Takigawa said with apparent frustration. "When Mai went to her last class, they kicked her out for good because a fight between just about all the boys in the class broke out the minute she stepped foot inside the classroom. The teacher had no choice but to kick her out. Now she has to get her assignments before the class assembles."
John blanched.
"It wasn't entirely your fault," Naru told him.
"Thank you for that, Shibuya-san," the priest said, giving him a slight smile.
"Say, Naru-chan, Lin-san's mentioned a counter-spell; what does it entail?" the former monk asked.
"It's a spell that's out of the question!" Naru snapped.
"Whoa, whoa," Bou-san said, waving his hands to show his innocence. "You don't need to take my head off! It was just a question."
"You two have a project to do."
"Yes, oh mighty one," the bassist said, bowing theatrically to Naru. "May I have my head back, oh mighty one?" he asked sarcastically.
"No," Naru said, with a chilling smile. "I think I'll keep it just a little while longer."
"You little—"
"Now, now," John said, holding the former monk back.
………
Mai dreamed. The darkness and inverted building surrounded her, letting her know that it was one of those dreams, the kind of dream where the kinder version of Naru would appear and help her; she waited for him to appear eagerly. If the sequence he wanted to show her was anything like the last one, she wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible.
"You seem antsy."
Mai turned to him. "Not at all," she said archly.
The look he gave conveyed how much he believed her. "Well, then…shall we?" he asked, holding out his hand and offering her a smile.
Steeling herself, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to escort her—back to another party. Now where am I, Mai wondered. She was back at another masquerade. My husband likes these parties. I'm starting to get bored with them. She spied the pale girl who he was supposed to marry. And just how did you sneak in? She started to make her way over to her when a hand grasped her elbow gently. Annoyed at the interruption, she turned and found herself looking into a stranger's eyes. "Yes, my lord?" she asked politely. Lin-san? Mai wondered, feeling her face flame. She was glad this was only a dream. But what is his role in all of this?
"Your spell is growing weak, my lady," the stranger said, bowing to her. "Will you honor me with a dance?" he asked, when she gasped.
Mai wasn't sure how the two in her dream (the dream she was experiencing—she was going to kill Naru for this) ended up as lovers. The transition from the party to the bedroom/bed had been confusing and fast. If there had been any progression relationship-wise, she certainly wasn't privy to it.
"Will you help me make it stronger?" she heard herself ask.
He propped his chin on one hand. "That depends."
"On what?" she asked sharply.
"You have what you wanted, don't you?" he asked. "You've taken the prince from the princess and you're in her place. Why does she need to be punished?"
"Because even now she tries! If you won't help me, then I will strengthen it without you."
"He's besotted with you. I don't think that she's going to gain any ground." He leaned down and kissed her hard. "Remember this my lady: in magic, as in life, what goes around comes around," he told her, trailing his mouth down her body.
She was the spectator now; Mai found herself relieved. Her feelings of Lin-san being her lover in these dreams were ambivalent. Surely wondering a few times hadn't produced this—had it? The man whom Lin-san was impersonating in her dreams was now sitting relaxed in a plush red chair. He smiled arrogantly at the woman standing in front of him. Masako? Mai wondered. It was odd seeing the young medium in something other than a kimono or yukata. But she couldn't exactly place the time period of the dress she wore.
"What brings you to me, then, my lady?" he asked and Mai snapped to attention.
"There is a spell on me, is there not?" she asked.
"Yes, there is," he confirmed. "A curse, to be more precise."
So this has happened before?
"I've had five kisses stolen now and from my own guards and personal retainer, no less."
"Two more, then," he murmured.
"That's what I thought. That woman who stole my husband-to-be from me thinks I can do naught but sit and titter with other women."
"Is she wrong?" he asked.
She matched his smile. "I'm not as fragile or delicate as I look. I've been doing my own research. There is a solution."
"You have no magic, my lady," he told her. "No power whatsoever to counter a spell of this magnitude."
"That's true, I don't. But you do. You have power aplenty. Enough to break her spell."
"And you know this how?" he asked.
"You're famous, you know. Or infamous, I should say." She studied him for a few seconds. "May I be frank, instead of this verbal parley?" she asked.
"But of course. May I also offer you something to drink? A chair?"
Now he asks? Mai thought annoyed. How rude. Those shoes can't be comfortable.
"Thank you, but no."
Moron, Mai thought, take the offer for the stupid chair, at least.
"I've come to offer you something in return for you getting rid of the curse that she wrought."
The man looked surprised.
Eh?
"What could you possibly have that would give me enough motivation and power to break this curse?" he asked.
Yes, what?
"There is power in virginity, is there not?" At his absolute shock, she smiled. "I told you that I had done my own research, did I not? Your people especially used to place a very big emphasis on virginity and the power that lay with it and the taking of it, did they not? Would that not give you enough? My body has never known a man. I am willing to trade that in exchange for you breaking the curse."
He sucked in a sharp breath. "I think you need to leave," he said. "Leave and think about this. You have no idea what you're offering."
At that, she grew angry. "Don't I?" she challenged. "What is maidenhood, except the difference between a woman and a girl?"
"It's your most precious possession," he said softly.
"No, my lord—you're quite mistaken. My life is my most precious possession. Not my virginity."
"And what will you do, once you've lost your maidenhood?" he asked carefully.
"I've corresponded with my mother and father. They are not happy with it, but they also agree that this is the best solution. I have another suitor in England who also proposed to me during my first season. He is willing to marry me, virgin or not; I fancy he believes that my former groom has already stripped me of my maidenhood. So long as I am alive, my lord, I can bear him sons and daughters. I am more than willing to give that aspect of me to you, so that I can live. If I am raped, I could die. If I die, I cannot have children."
He let out a soft sigh and stood, holding out his hand to her. "Come then. I promise I'll be gentle."
"Yes, you'd better be," she said, allowing him to lead her to the bed.
She was back at her school, watching yet another black phantasm sail straight to the center of the red cloud. Before she woke up, she felt a gentle pressure on her forehead. Sunlight flooded her vision.
………
"Mai! Mai! Mai!" A hand shook her shoulder roughly, causing her to wake up. Moaning at the light, she closed her eyes and buried her head in her arms. A gentle hand swept past her bangs and settled on her forehead for a few seconds.
"She doesn't have a fever," she heard Lin say. "It must have been a very bad dream," he told whomever had asked. "Matsuzaki-san, please close the blinds."
When she could no longer see the sunlight, she opened her eye and peered around hesitantly at the concerned faces of the SPR members.
"You were making noises," Bou-san said, peering at her face. "And you look a bit red. Was it a nightmare... or were you dreaming of something else?" he asked, flashing a cheeky smile at her.
Mai felt her face flush several different shades of red. "Bou-san!" she cried in embarrassment.
"What did you see?" Naru asked, sitting down next to her. "Can you remember anything at all?"
She turned to him. "The spells been cast before," she said, yawning. "That's all I really recall, except the cloud turning darker."
Resisting the urge to heave a frustrated sigh, Naru nodded. "Go home, Mai. See if you can't remember anything more. Unfortunately, we're going to have to start relying on your dreams quite heavily, so please do your best."
Nodding, she stood and took her backpack from Yasuhara. Smiling at her, he said, "I'll accompany you and help you with your homework; Lin-san said he'd be very busy with correspondents so I'll tutor you instead. I have one of the newer charms and Lin-san will be there, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Mai nodded and followed Yasuhara out of the room.
Lin kept the radio low, keeping half an ear out for the news when it came on. Naru wanted to know what the media was saying about what was happening at Mai's high school. If it turned into a media frenzy like Yasuhara's school had, then SPR would need to do some damage control. Mai and Yasuhara were chatting about various subjects: school, home, work—the usual conversation topics for kids their age. Lin ignored them. When a familiar song began to play, Yasuhara suddenly stopped talking and leaned over, turning it up, earning him a frosty glance from the Chinese man.
"That was not a good idea, Yasuhara-san. Please don't do it again."
Looking abashed, Yasuhara smiled. "I'm sorry, Lin-san, but this song sounds familiar. I know I've heard it before."
"You have? What is it?" Mai asked, listening to the unfamiliar lyrics. English—not her best language or subject, but not her worst, either.
"It's from a movie," Lin told her, absentmindedly; he had no trouble with the lyrics.
"Really? Which one?" she asked.
"Dirty Dancing, if memory serves me right. From the '80's. It still holds a niche with popularity even now," Yasuhara told Mai. "Have you seen the movie, Lin-san?"
"Many years ago. I don't remember it very well."
"I need you to see, this love was meant to be!"
"I think this song played when the two main characters made love for the first time," Yasuhara told Mai, when the instrumental took over with a piercing note from the trumpet.
Lin choked. "No, it didn't," he finally managed. "It took place early on when the main female character was learning how to dance."
"So you do remember it!" Yasuhara crowed.
It was then that Lin realized he'd been had. Meeting Yasuhara's eyes in the rearview mirror and holding out one long-fingered hand, he said, "Yasuhara-san, show me your charm."
Smiling, the bespectacled boy drew the charm out of his pocket and pressed it into the Chinese man's waiting palm. Bringing it to eye-level, he glanced at it very quickly and then grudgingly handed it back.
"It's okay, isn't it, Lin-san?" the bespectacled boy asked, smiling widely.
"Yes," he said shortly. Reaching out, he turned the radio down. "It's been a good ten years since I've seen that movie, Yasuhara-san. If you're curious as to where all the songs are in the film, you might consider either renting or buying the movie."
"I'll take that under advisement," the boy said, still grinning.
"I'm not doing this right, am I?" Lin heard while he was at the table in her breakfast nook looking through an esoteric collection online. Yasuhara and Mai were in her living room at the coffee table. Lin looked up and gave a fleeting smile at how cozy they looked. Oh, and the frustrated look on Mai's face was a source of amusement, too.
Yasuhara looked at her work and then the problem. "Yes, you are… actually, no, you're not," he said, when he got a better look at the problem. "You need the quadratic equation for this problem."
Mai frowned. "That's this one, right?" she asked. Lin heard the scratching of a pencil.
"Yep."
"Okay…"
"You have to substitute for the symbols. Here," Yasuhara said, taking the pencil from her and showing her. Mai scooted closer to watch as he worked out the problem that she was having a difficult time with. He makes it look so easy, she groused.
"And that's all there is to it," he said, looking down at her and noticing for the first time how close she was. "Did you understand, Taniyama-san?"
Mai tilted her head to the side. "I think so," she said, reaching over and reclaiming her pencil. Yasuhara's throat went dry when her fingers made contact with his hand. They lyrics from the movie's song, 'Hungry Eyes,' he reminded himself absently—started to roll through his mind. Odd, he thought. Why am I thinking about that song?
"I think I did it," she said, hesitantly.
He peered at her workbook. "You did," he said, smiling at her. "Very good."
She smiled at him, but it was strained, he noticed. This was taking a very big toll on her.
"I need you to see, this love was meant to be!" The last lines before the chorus soared through Yasuhara's mind, making him wince. He looked over at Mai again. She really was cute; he'd noticed that when he first stepped into the office of SPR to deliver the petition signed by the students. She'd been a valuable asset to them—not only at his school, but during their case in Suwa, as well. From the time he'd spent as her so-called apprentice and on the case in Suwa, he'd come to regard her with true affection. He looked forward to seeing her, to being greeted by her smile, to hearing her voice. Yasuhara would willingly abandon his pacifist ways if she were in danger from normal foes.
I'm attracted to her, he thought. Badly. This spell… no, curse, he reminded himself, is only going to complicate matters. All the same… I can't help myself or stop myself from trying! He smiled sardonically. "Taniyama-san…" he began.
She looked at him. "Am I not doing this problem right? I'm doing it wrong, aren't I?" she asked. "Why? Why am I so bad at math?" Mai snarled, tossing her pencil down and pouting.
Yasuhara found himself chuckling at her antics. "I wasn't even thinking that," he told her, smiling at her.
She tilted her head to the side. What perfect timing, he thought. Snaking his arms around her, he closed the distance between them and kissed her. He broke away a few seconds later and looked into her shocked eyes. "You should stop pretending all the time," he said. "This is affecting you—badly. You've shed so many tears over what's been happening, I know you have, and it's not your fault, Mai. I don't like it when you cry." He smiled. "I wish your heart didn't belong to someone else. I'd love to be the one to watch over you," he finished, kissing her again and tumbling them both to the ground.
He felt a hand on his shoulder literally a second later. "Yasuhara-san."
Lin-san, he thought, with a jolt. Oh, no! He looked down at Mai's dazed expression. What have I done?
Gently, but with a strength that couldn't be ignored, Lin pulled Yasuhara away from Mai and assisted the college freshman to his feet. Keeping one hand on the young man's shoulder should he try again, he offered his other hand to Mai. She grabbed it and he hauled her to her feet; he could feel the fine tremors wracking her body as she held onto him for support. Removing his hand from Yasuhara's shoulder, he held it out to him. "Your charm, please," he commanded quietly.
Quickly, Yasuhara produced it from his pocket. Black, Lin noted with a frown. Dammit, this one should have lasted longer! Why didn't it? Did Matsuzaki-san make a mistake when she made the new ones? No, she didn't. I went through them to make certain they were correct. So why? His eyes narrowed. Because the base room is still clean and free of the spell and it's influence—that's the only thing I can think of.
Sighing, he looked again at the piece of paper and flicked his wrist sharply, watching it burst into flame. Letting go, he watched it float to the ground, only to have one Shiki gobble it up. He looked at Yasuhara who stared at that space where the paper had drifted with amazement. "What do you feel like doing this very moment?" he asked.
"Honestly?"
Lin nodded.
Yasuhara smiled sadly but with a hint of cynicism. "I feel like crying," he said, looking miserable.
"Good. You're fine for now. Skip class and be at the base tomorrow morning. This needs to be recounted. If your professor says anything, tell him or her to get in contact with Shibuya Psychic Research. Good day to you, Yasuhara-san."
Nodding at the abrupt dismissal, the college freshman gathered his things, bowed to Mai, and left without looking back.
Lin turned to Mai, who clutched at him like a lifeline; her tremors had increased and tears trailed down her cheeks. It hit Lin right then that he really was doing a horrible job of protecting her. Before he could apologize for this error, she said, "Lin-san, help me."
He blinked. "How?" he asked, curious.
She let go of him and scrubbed her tears away fiercely. Resolutely, she marched into her kitchen and pulled out two heavy-duty garbage bags from under the sink. Shaking one open she held it out to him. Bemused, he walked over to her and took the bag wondering just what she was going to do. She started to empty the vases of their contents—fresh or dying, she didn't care.
"I'm getting rid of these—it's high time I did," she told him placing the vases on the counter. "As for the chocolates, I want to donate them to the church where we had to find Kenji-kun; I think the children will enjoy them and there's plenty for all of them. Will you help me with that?" she asked.
The children—orphans, just like her. She's not exactly giving me a choice, he thought. "Yes," he said simply. "I will."
It took an hour and a half to empty the vases of their contents. He suggested double-bagging the bulging bag so that it didn't burst when they took it downstairs. For some reason, her independence surprised him—it shouldn't have, he knew; she was an orphan and had no choice, but he still found himself amazed. To his amusement, he got into a slight argument with her about one of the gifts of chocolates she'd received.
"Keep that one," he told her, tapping the package. "They're not so easy to come by and they're very tasty."
"I don't want it," she told him irritably, trying to put it back in the box.
He took it out again. "These are from China—and this company doesn't ship to Japan: only to Europe and America." He placed them back on her counter. "Keep them for me, then; I'll eat them."
"Be my guest," she said, scooping up that last of the chocolates and stuffing them in the cardboard box. She looked around her tiny apartment critically. "That's the last of it," she told him. "Shall we?"
Father Toujo was delighted to see Mai and Lin again, especially since Mai wasn't possessed by the ghost of a former orphan. He was equally happy for Mai's donation of sweets for the children. Currently, the high school sophomore was indulging the children with a game of hide-and-go-seek, while Lin and Father Toujo sat on the bench keeping watch.
"It's not all the way out here, is it?" the priest asked.
Lin turned to him. "It's not."
"That's good, then; she can relax here."
"Brown-san told you."
"He came here after he'd kissed poor Mai-chan. Was she very upset?" he asked.
"She was more upset that he blamed himself. And she was very distraught that he'd asked her to forgive him one day. But he returned, mentioning that finishing the case was his penance—as you well know," Lin said, leaving it at that. He knew that Father Toujo was not allowed to talk to him about whatever he'd discussed with John. If the exorcist wanted to talk, he could do so, but the priest who'd heard the confession and offered advice could not.
"Did she forgive him?"
"She never blamed him in the first place."
"That boy," Father Toujo said, shaking his head. "Is there nothing that can be done?"
"This is a lust curse. Unfortunately, there are many variations of this particular spell. If I knew exactly which one had been used, I could return it or break it."
"But you don't and it's grown stronger with every stolen kiss."
Lin nodded.
"Is there no temporary solution that will give you time?"
"There is," Lin told him.
"But?"
"It's not an option, according to Naru."
"I see." The old priest fell silent and looked over at Mai burying her face in her arms and beginning to count. Squealing and laughing and shushing each other, the children scrambled off to hide from the older girl in an attempt to fool her. "May I offer you some advice?"
Surprised, Lin nodded.
"There are times when one must make a decision that countermands what those in charge say, for the greater good. But only if that person is certain should that decision be made and acted upon."
"Interesting words; I'll think about them."
Think about them, Lin thought as he drove back to Mai's apartment. He looked over at the girl who dozed in the passenger seat. There's nothing to think about. It has to be done—we need that time. Four kisses already. How many more until it completes itself? If we have the extra time, we may be able to piece everything together before anything worse happens. I seem to have made my decision, Lin thought, with a cynical smirk.
A/N: If anyone is curious: a Mulga is also known as a King Brown Snake. Diamond-back rattlers are native to North America it seems, not Australia.