Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt and the song included in this story.

Synemyoa: Well, this is chapter ten of the story. After this, only two more chapters two go and it's finished! Thank you to those who continue giving me reviews! Take care…

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CHAPTER 10: AFRAID TO BE MYSELF…

Naru and Lin entered the SPR building and in the receiving area they saw Mai and John talking and laughing together. They looked so happy and contented. Naru felt a strike of jealousy hit his chest. That was the first time John went there that early in the morning. He wondered why. Naru went in his office and was still busy thinking about the two, when Mai came in to hand him his tea.

"Mai, did you ask John to go this early here? You shouldn't be bothering him by asking him to come this early." Naru said instead of a thank you, as Mai was about to leave.

"Well, for your information, I was also surprised to see him here. Actually, he arrived earlier than I did." Mai said trying to suppress her anger.

"Fine… Just leave now." Naru said coldly.

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'I can't believe he came this early here. Did he just want to be the one to see Mai first?' Naru asked himself.

'Well, why are you being bothered? Are you by any chance, jealous?' the pestering voice of his twin brother said in his head.

"No I am not!" Naru shouted, not wanting to let his brother know that he did feel jealous.

'Fine, if you still want to be in denial. Then, that's okay with me. Just…' Gene said but decided to stir Naru's curiosity by not finishing his sentence.

"Just what?" Naru asked impatiently.

"Hah! I manage to piss you off again, like always! But brother, remember this, just don't blame me if someone else steals Mai away from you. And in the end you'll be left blaming yourself because you're so in denial of your feelings or maybe you're just really dense." Gene said and his voice disappeared right away.

"I am not in denial. I'm not denying anything. I'm not jealous and I'm definitely not dense! I'm just concerned to what will happen to my business if the ones around me to help are busy mixing business with pleasure. That is not a good sign! That's why… I'm not jealous or dense…" Naru said aloud to himself as if trying to convince himself.

'Not jealous or dense… Or are you?' said a pestering voice again in his head. But this time it was no longer his brother. It was his own mind, asking if he was sure of his feelings.

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I'm trying to remember

Why I was afraid…

Naru was busy doing work in his office. There were so many calls lately from different clients. But none of them seem to interest him. He was still thinking about Mai and John. He knows it was not a good sign. Yes, he was falling in love with his assistant. And he was afraid. Afraid to come any closer to her than he already is… Afraid to let his feelings show… And afraid to be rejected knowing that all those time he has been a complete idiot around the girl. Gene was the one who handles this stuff before. His twin was friendly and lively. If Gene were in his place right now, his twin would have known what to do. But Naru was different. He has always thought that love would never come to him anyway, so why bother. But now, he was scared. He had never felt like that before. He used to be always sure of himself. But now things were different. 'Cause Mai came… And Mai was different than everyone else.

"What am I going to do?" Naru said aloud and placed both his hands in his head while thinking deeply.

'Relax, dear brother!' Gene's voice said in his head.

Naru didn't answer back. He stayed quiet, still thinking.

'Shibuya Kazuya! This is really a surprise! I've never seen you so bothered before. Especially by a girl! This is something new!' Gene said in a teasing manner and laughed.

"Shut up, Gene! Don't laugh at my expense!" Naru said angrily.

'Will you please calm down? I'm not an enemy. I'm here to help you.' Gene said in his serious voice.

"Fine. Tell me what to do."

'First of all, you should let her know how you feel. Don't be a coward. If you really love her, you must be ready to face the pain and hurt.'

"I… I…" Naru seemed to be lost for words. For the first time, he didn't know what to say.

'And Naru, you should start showing her your positive side. Your other side. Yes, your other self is an idiotic scientist. But everyone has their good side. And surely you have yours. I've known you all my life, Naru, and I know you're a caring person deep down. You're just… afraid to show it. You're too scared to get hurt… But what if doing nothing is hurting Mai in the process? Do you want to make her suffer?'

"No, I don't want to make her suffer. But still… I need to get use to showing my other self. I'm not even sure if she would believe me…"

'Well, the decision is in your hands. I've given you my advice. Please take it and use it wisely…' Gene said just before his presence and his voice disappeared.

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To be myself…

And let the covers fall away…

Naru knows that Gene is right. He should trust his twin on this one because he was good on this kind of thing. But now, the question is: Why has he always been afraid to be himself, his other self?

'Maybe because I didn't want others to step on me… Usually, people who are soft on the inside get stepped on by those powerful than them. And I don't want to experience being a weak person. I had to mask myself. I had to be cold and intimidating so people won't be able to do whatever they want to me.' Naru thought.

"But now, I don't even know how to be that part of me who also has a soft spot in his heart. I don't know myself anymore." Naru said aloud.

I guess I never had someone like you

To help me…

To help me fit in my skin…

'Of course you do! Don't you remember? Ever since she came in your life, you've been doing things you've never done before. Like saving her when she's in danger, caring for her and the others although secretly and you can't deny the fact that you finally admit it… You love her! So you see, that part of you, is your soft spot. It was all her! Because she was there, you can be whoever you want to be. She helped you fit in your skin again… She revealed your other self to you…' his heart whispered to him.

"I guess… you're right…" Naru said and smiled, as his brain finally admitted defeat to his heart.