14AmyChan: Okay, a theory arises in the brilliant mind of Oliver Davis, but what does it take to achieve this?

Naru: Only the drama that everybody so thoroughly enjoys

14AmyChan: Indeed. I don't own Ghost Hunt! *^_^*

Theory (n): a coherent group of tested general propositions, commonly regarded as correct, that can be used as principles of explanation and prediction for a class of phenomena.

Oliver did not put much else thought into his hypothesis. He always gave it a second glance whenever Mai were in danger, arguing with him, or making too much noise in the office, but had not actually expanded upon it. He did not test it for several reasons. One was that it was simply not professional, but the other—vastly more important—reason was that he was not in Japan to create or expand upon these frivolous ideas.

He was here to find his brother. And then he would be going home.

In hindsight, even thinking of this hypothesis was not a smart way to keep his distance from all of Japan's SPR members. He was to do that if he were to go home with no regrets, or so he told himself.

Now, he was pacing through the forest, trying to sort through everything that had happened to him in the span of a few short hours. The divers were currently dredging the lake for Eugene, the combined efforts of Bou-san, Yasuhara-san, and Father Brown had unveiled his secret to the entire SPR, and his parents were coming in. Everything was happening so swiftly after a long time of absolutely nothing.

Good, he thought as he continued to walk, his scientific mind spurring to action. Many objectives were being completed at once. That was a good thing.

"…mean!" a familiar female voice complained from just ahead. Oliver looked up and realized that Mai was looking behind a tree with one of her angry faces. Usually the one she used whenever Oliver had insulted her in the office.

I suppose there won't be much of that anymore, he thought somewhat aimlessly before approaching the girl. He supposed if things were getting done rapidly about now, he himself could work on this hypothesis that had been drifting around in the back of his mind for about as long as he had worked with the girl.

The hypothesis that he perhaps cared for the girl.

However, as the conversation wore on, Oliver could tell. In her voice, in her mannerisms, in the way she refused to share information with him even though she were an open book. He could tell. She had met him, and he had met her. As she asked more about him, Oliver could feel himself close off more and more. To her.

To she who had been slowly opening him up since the day they met. And now he was beginning to shut her out. He had started talking with her to figure out an answer to his silent question, but now he was not so sure he wanted the answer. For either of their sakes.

"I like you," she finally said, and he felt as though a bombshell had just gone off. He tried to wave her off, but she simply insulted him and continued. "You're so slow…"

No, he thought sadly. I'm all too quick…

"I meant I like you in a very special way," she amended, a small smile on her face. It was hopeful, he was surprised for a moment. He looked away from her, taking a second to decide what to do. How should he handle this? What was the poor boy to do when it was evident that he was not the desired twin? How could he get an answer now?

Perhaps… perhaps with one question.

And so he asked. He kept a small smile on his face, his eyes holding a knowing look. He waited it out as Mai cried, and he knew that he had lost. The mere thought brought a frown to his face for multiple reasons. For one, he had lost Mai to his brother, and that was a huge blow, as his hypothesis was that he was beginning to care for the girl very much. For another, he had found his answer.

He cared for her, but knew he could do nothing about it.

He turned his head away and refused to look at her through the remainder of the conversation. He did try to make her feel better, though, if only that assuring her that she would see Eugene again. By telling her that he was used to being confused for his better twin brother so that she need not feel bad for him. By staying around while she cried, rather than leaving her to her tears. As their conversation abruptly ended, he knew one thing.

He had gotten an answer to the question of his own feelings. He definitely cared for the girl, and while he could make a few solid theories on Mai's feelings, he could not make an absolute statement. After all…

She had not given an answer. So it was still just a theory.

14AmyChan: I went back and read the manga to get this scene right, and I realized that the fandom kinda warped it. It was on a sunny day, and Oliver stayed there for the rest of the conversation and tried to comfort Mai in his Oliver-esque way.

Naru: I am offended by what these people think of me.

14AmyChan: It's a fandom, the vast majority kinda rules. XD

Naru: *glares* Review.

14AmyChan: ^^;