Inevitability
Chapter 6:
Maaya stared up at him, dumbfounded at his words. She hadn't known the narcissist for very long, but she had a feeling that it was probably the kindest thing that he was likely to say. Ayako had her mouth wide open which confirmed her suspicions.
"...Thank you, Naru," she said and bowed her head respectfully, making him realise the weight of what he had said.
"It's what we do for all of our clients," he said and turned away to analyse the reading as well as avoid seeing her.
Maaya pouted and Ayako sighed deeply, wondering when Naru was actually going to say something nice to her without going back on it seconds later.
The amnesiac switched her attention to her son who was studiously reading a picture book about ghosts.
"He's very quiet for a one year old," the priestess commented. "Most of the one year olds that I have met don't stop babbling and stumbling around everywhere."
"He has always been very quiet," Maaya agreed. "He hasn't cried since he was six months old and even then, it wasn't very often. He is a quick leaner, I think he must take after his father since I'm pretty slow."
Naru felt a fragment of warmth for a moment as he overheard Mai talking about her son's father which was him, of course. He reminded himself that there was a case to solve and he had to solve it before it was too late and Mai became seriously. The feeling of warmth evaporated immediately. He had to retain his impervious persona and solve the case.
Lin entered the base carrying an electric kettle and a small tin of loose tea.
"Maaya, tea," Naru ordered and a feeling of normalcy returned to him. He was on a case and Mai was making tea for him.
"What's with the dropping of honorifics?" Maaya muttered before accepting the kettle from Lin.
"You're using a nickname for me, in return I'm dropping honorifics," Naru explained. "It makes it fair."
Lin sighed. Some things never changed. A case of drunken debauchery and amnesia was never going to stop the bickering between Naru and Mai.
Five minutes later Maaya placed a teacup down on top of the table that Naru was using with more force than was necessary.
"Here's your tea, Naru-sama," she said sarcastically before handing Ayako and Lin their cups with a smile.
"I'm glad that you have seen the light and are being respectful to me," Naru retorted, unable to help himself.
Fortunately for the other three people the room Yasuhara came in carrying his notebook before the argument could escalate.
"I have gained some information from Hana Kudou-san."
The narcissist nodded. "Was there anything useful?"
"Not really. She bought the ryokan seven years ago and she isn't from this area so she doesn't know any local folklore. Apparently the previous owner never mentioned anything about ghosts so she was surprised by the attacks when they first occurred."
The scientist frowned, yet again there was something wrong with the case. In his experience, ghosts occupied buildings that they had a connection to and did so for a number of years and didn't suddenly crop up and focus on attacking one person. Unless, that person had done something to where they were buried.
"Maaya, have you desecrated any graves or shrines recently?"
Unsurprisingly the brunette took offence at the accusation. "What are you implying!? I'm not the type of person that would do that!"
"Just answer the question."
"I definitely haven't been to any cemeteries since I came here two years ago and I haven't been disrespectful to anyone's shrines when I have visited other places."
"So that washes out that theory," Yasuhara summarised. "The only unusual thing that Kudou-san told me was that this ryokan is made up of two buildings, one is the original and the other is an extension built in the 1970s, but designed to look the same as the other part."
"That's right," Maaya confirmed. "If you take the stairs on the left of the reception you are in the old building, but take the ones on the right, it's the new building. The two parts are only connected by the reception so on the first and second floors, there is no way to go between them. It often confuses guests."
"How many guests are here at present?" Naru questioned thoughtfully.
"Just three, but after my scream earlier one is definitely on the brink of leaving. I think the other two were in the onsen at the time."
"Ooh, has anyone been interested in purchasing the ryokan recently?" Yasuhara asked excitedly. "Someone may be rigging the attacks to make you go out of business."
At the same time that Naru retorted with "This isn't a detective story," Masako entered the base, hiding her face behind her sleeve and announced:
"It's definitely real."
"Anything further that you would like to add, Hara-san?"
"I sensed a great feeling of malevolence... directed at her," Masako pointed at Maaya. "But I could not sense why."
Naru frowned. "We still haven't worked that out yet. I think we are missing some vital information. Yasuhara-san and Hara-san, go to the local library and find out everything you can about the history of the ryokan and the surrounding area. Ask Hana Kudou-san for directions."
"Understood," Yasuhara said. "Come on, Masako-chan."
"Please don't call me that, we don't know each other than well. In any case I thought you preferred the monk," Masako retorted as they left the room together.
Whilst this was going on, Yakumo yawned and put his picture book down before laying his head down on his mother's legs. Maaya winced before patting his head and adjusting his position so he wasn't putting pressure on the place where the shard had been.
"Is there anything you want me to do?" Ayako asked, feeling slightly maligned as everyone else seemed to be busy.
"Help Takigawa-san exorcise all the locations. When you are done, set up another futon in your room."
"Why?"
"Because Maaya will be sharing with you. We can't leave her unprotected."
"That makes sense," Ayako admitted, feeling nostalgic about sharing a room with Mai and Masako again. "But what about Yakumo-kun? Has he been attacked yet, Maaya-chan?"
Maaya shook her head. "It's only been me and a few other guests, Hana hasn't been targeted either."
"In any case, we should protect him as he is a young child. He can share a room with Brown-san or Takigawa-san..." Naru paused. "He could also shared with Lin and I."
The priestess' eyes nearly boggled out of her head. Continuing on from his vein earlier by holding hands with his son and saying he would protect Mai, he was now offering to share a room with his son...
"...I'll let Yakumo decide later, " the amnesiac said with a smile. "Thank you for the offer."
"I just don't want to end up with a court case if he gets hurt," Naru answered and turned away.
In the background Ayako rolled her eyes before leaving to change her clothes and Lin sighed whilst typing.
The next hour passed slowly for everyone in the base. Lin spent his time typing and Naru frowned over his notes and dug out one of his books on ghosts for help. Maaya spent her time staring into space and trying to avoid glancing at the narcissist. Eventually she picked up the stack of Yakumo's picture books and started reading.
As she finished the first book she became aware that her son's head had cut of blood circulation to both her legs which was becoming uncomfortable.
The onmouji noticed the discomfort on her face in the reflection of his laptop screen and nudged Naru and gestured for him to look at Mai.
The narcissist glanced at her and turned back. "What about her?" he whispered.
"Go help her," was the reply.
He stood up and walked over to her. When he got closer he understood the problem so he bent down and gently moved him so his head was no longer on Maaya's legs.
Instantly Maaya felt the blood flow return to her legs along with a case of pins and needles.
"Thank you, Naru," she said, expecting him to go back to the book he was reading.
Instead he sat down next to her and asked a question.
"Do you think I'm handsome?"
2 weeks into A2 levels and I've already burnt a hole in my skin with some conc. Sulphuric Acid. It seems that corrosive warning labels should be taken literally...