Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt

Day 3: Questioning Encourage

He saw her yesterday. He saw her again today. Yesterday was the same as the day before yesterday. He never tried to say hi nor hello. He wasn't that friendly enough. And even the Japanese would find it weird if a stranger suddenly walks up and talk to you. Despite that fact, Lin kept an eye out for her.

Today, as he saw her stepped in to the station, was a bit different. Today, she was with a friend. Lin observed that her fired was the complete opposite of her –having quite a long, red hair and she seemed a bit older than her. By the looks of it, both of them are professionals just like him, more so the red-haired girl. Though both of them are clad in usual casual clothes, the way they carry themselves in public made Lin conclude that both are players in the business world like him. But as the old saying goes, 'Looks can be deceiving,' and Lin knew that assumptions and conclusions based merely by observations and without facts shouldn't be done hastily.

Lin stealthily chose the seat behind them. As bad as it sounds, he was eavesdropping. Lin knew better than to do that, but his desire to get to know the girl spurred him on. Taking the seat behind them, he overheard their conversation.

"So have you thought about my offer?" the red-haired girl asked.

"Ayako, I'm really glad for your offer, but I can't be putting this burden to you. You already did a lot of things and I am more than thankful for those. But living with you? That would be me pushing my boundaries already," the brown-haired girl replied back.

"Mai, you know that's not true," Ayako began. "There's not a single day that I thought you are being a burden to me. You are my friend and friends help each other. I never complained about it and I'm not complaining now nor in the future. I know you'll do the same for me if our situations were reversed. And no more buts, please," she slightly teased, letting out a long and exasperated but sarcastic sigh.

"Thanks so much for the offer, Ayako, but really – " Mai was cut off before she can even continue.

"There you go again with your buts. I told you already, right? Besides, how can you pick up where you left if that place reminds you of the past? I don't mean to be harsh, but I want you to move on, Mai. I know moving on can be really painful, and you don't want to forget about him… But you see, moving on doesn't really mean that you are forgetting that person. It's just simply going to a next chapter of your life with him in your heart. Besides, I know it's painful and the loss is great, but he wouldn't ever want you to be like this," Ayako continued, waving her hand in front of him, referring to Mai's state. "I know he wants you to be happy too,"

"Okay. Fine. You're making me feel guilty so much, Ayako. You know when you mean it, you can really be pushy sometimes," Mai replied. "I know where you're coming from and I do understand what you mean. I'll agree to live with you, but with only one condition."

"Sure, what is it?"

"You will let me pay the rent, or maybe at least half of your bills," Mai replied, looking out the train's window. The scenery outside served as her distraction.

"Okay. Deal," Ayako replied.

Tsugi ha Sannomiya. Sannomiya desu. (Next station is Sannomiya. Sannomiya.)

"Next station's our stop. We'd better go near the entrance or we wouldn't be able to go out of the train again," Ayako joked. "Just like what happened last time,"

"Hey! It wasn't my fault you were blocking my view. And those other people were bigger than me. I didn't stand any chance at all," Mai hedged.

Over hearing their conversations made Lin surmise that the brown-haired girl (whom he finally learned the name – Mai) has also lost a beloved person. Her other friend obviously is trying to help her move on. Funny how their predicaments are the same – both of them trying to move on from the death of a loved one – and miserably failing at it. 'Miserably. Why did I even think of that word? She doesn't look like in misery, but maybe I do,' he added mentally.

If not for his friends, Lin wouldn't even know how to bounce back. He might have had followed his late wife to the grave.

Lin watched them as both the ladies alighted the train and blended in with the other people.

-oOo-

A/N: 30 days here don't really mean 30 days. Some events occur in random number/order of days. What do you guys think? Thanks!