Disclaimer: As we all know I don't own Ghost Hunt (and neither do you). If I did, then the light novel will continue until Mai and Naru established a relationship.

Chapter 2: 2 Years Later part 2

"Yasu?" she questioned. The said person slid himself off the wall and started walking towards her.

"The one and only." Yasuhara Osamu said with a sly smile adorning his face. The twenty year old halted when he was only a step away from the brunette and proceeded to open his arms seemingly waiting for something while wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

"Oh." was all Mai said when she realized what the young man in front of her wanted. She then closed the distance between them and enclosed her arms around his torso; she felt his arms close around her for a moment, as he too hugged her, before releasing her. Mai stepped back and gave him a smile.

"Good morning Yasu. Why were you waiting for me?" she asked still smiling

"Well, good morning to you too. I was afraid you'd get lost of course." said Yasu, his eyes sparkling with mischievousness as he answered her question.

Mai huffed, as her smile turned into a pout. "It's already my second term here, I'm not an idiot to get lost after all this time." Yasu then arched an eyebrow at this. When Mai saw that, she playfully punched him on the chest.

"What was that for?" he asked, as he cradled his chest in an attempt to ease the pain, seemingly angry except for that glint on his eyes told Mai otherwise.

Mai sighed. "Just tell me why you're waiting for me." she then glanced at her wristwatch that enclosed her left wrist and it told her that it was 6:45. "Or we'd be late if you continue on playing around."

Yasu grinned at Mai. "To protect you of course."

"From what?" Mai said, now she was really curious and suspicious at the same time.

"From the wolves that are circling around you waiting to attack." Yasuhara said, louder, as if he wanted to be heard by all of their fellow students currently occupying the hallway – some going to class and some chatting with their friends (like them) before they, too, went to class – which wasprobably his intention in the first place.

Mai blushed; she then dragged Yasuhara away from the people that are looking at them, as if they'd grown two heads. Some were even whispering, Mai glared at Yasu as she dragged him to the direction of their classroom.

"What was that for?!" Mai angrily whispered to Yasu, careful not to be overheard by their classmates as they made their way to take their seats. Although that was all in vain, because from the moment they entered, the class' eyes and ears are already on them. Some seemingly making theirselves look busy, as they proceeded to eavesdrop on Mai and Yasu's whispered argument. And some openly staring at the duo as they tried to listen in to what they were talking about. After all, it isn't every day that Mai Taniyama seemed genuinely angry at Yasuhara Osamu.

"Come on Mai, you're not that naïve that you don't notice the stolen glances by the guys at the university." Yasu whispered (too) turning serious.

"I know they glance at me from time to time, but that's just that." Mai said, as if trying to convince herself and not the boy beside her. Yasuhara then raised an eyebrow at that as if saying, 'You're not convincing even to yourself, so why should I believe what you are saying?'

"Okay, they also –" she got cut off by the sound of the door opening and the sight of their professor entering.

"We'll talk about this later." Mai hissed at Yasu as she opened her knapsack to get the things she needed for the class. Yasuhara just shrugged as he copied Mai's movements and opened his own knapsack to get his own things.

Once their classes for the day were finished Mai dragged him out of the campus and decided to interrogate him on their way to work. Thus, without risking anymore possible embarrassment that the interrogation would cause if the people that would overhear them knew them, it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus there's a possibility that they would be late if they talked about it in the campus, not to mention their boss is quite unnerving when angry.

"So, what was this morning about again?" Mai asked while walking and keeping a glare at Yasu. A quite impressive sight if you ask Yasuhara, if it weren't for the fact that Mai seemed really pissed at him, Yasu would've laughed already.

"You know what that was about." Yasu said as he stopped walking, fixing a steady eye contact with Mai.

Although puzzled as to why Yasu would stop when they are on the brink of being late for work, Mai stopped as well. "No I don't. And also, you didn't have to shout it out especially there were students that could hear you." Mai said firmly, not wanting to lose this argument. Unbeknownst to Mai, the reason that Yasuhara stopped is because they we're already at the front of the door of the office they were working at. She was too preoccupied at her anger towards Yasu that she didn't notice it at all.

"That was the point. I said it loud enough so that they could hear." Yasu said, also not wanting to lose this argument.

She sighed. "We're talking in circles here. Fine, I admit it. There were times when you aren't with me there would be random guys that would talk to me. Happy? But I still don't understand the reason you shouted something like that. It's embarrassing."

He too, sighed. "Mai," he put his hands on her shoulders "you may have matured at some point but you're still too naïve and oblivious to your surroundings. THIS is the reason why I said those things this morning." he then removed his hands off of her shoulders and stepped back so he could look her over. He then gazed at her from head to foot. .Thrice. Mai's eyes widened and she could feel her face redden at the realization of what he was talking about.

It was amazing what time could do to a person, and Mai Taniyama had a fair share of what time did to her. She had grown – about Yasu's ear – so no one could say she was still a child (Well maybe not literally but you get what I mean.). She lost her baby fats off of her face and all that was left were the delicate bone structure that framed her face, her lips had become fuller, her skin still has its porcelain like color. As for her eyes, she still have that childlike caramel orbs that still shines whenever she smiled. Her hair is still that brown color, though wavier because she had grew it until the middle of her back. Her chest had grown – much to Yasu's chagrin – and her hips had also became wider and rounder giving her an hour glass figure. All in all Mai matured beautifully – no scratch that, she had a face and body to die for that the people around her also (apparently) notice too.

The realization hit her like a rock. And Mai knew that Yasu knows that she had realized why they were talking about this in the first place. Yasu bobbed his head to something or rather someone behind her, so she readied herself and punched the said person:

Takigawa Housho.

"Ow, what was that for?!" Yasu snickered, that sentence seemed to be being repeated over and over today and now he was wondering who's going to be next, although another reason why he snickered is due to the fact that Mai had hit Bou-san square on the stomach.

Bou- san, who were on the floor clutching his stomach, seemed to get through the initial shock and pain of Mai's punch, was now standing up and made his way to the couch because he knew that there was a reason Mai did that and he knew that he had something to explain.

"Didn't we let this matter drop the other day?! I repeat. I can protect myself so I don't need you guys going to all of these trouble of doing it for me!" Mai controlled her voice as to not disturb her boss and his assistant from their work.

"Yes, you now made that point across, undoubtedly. Judging from the way Bou-san is still clutching his stomach." Yasu slyly said, although thankful that he wasn't on the receiving end of the brunette's rage. And thankful that her punch this morning was just playful, it did look as if that hurts (which it probably does) adding the fact that the playful punch that morning was quite painful too. Where did this girl even got that power from?

"Jou-chan you know that I'm just worried about you. We all are. And that's why we assigned Yasu to protect you." Mai actually snorted.

"Who's gonna protect me? Yasu? Hah, the world must be ending then. I'm way stronger than him, and I have a feeling that when the time comes that I really do need protection is that I'm the one who's going to protect him, not the other way around." Bou-san had to stop a snort from coming out of him so that Mai would know that he was serious about her needing protection.

Yasu glared. "May I remind you Mai-chan," he cooed and Mai flinched "that the reason why you're living a peaceful life right now is because of me. The rumors that we are already dating is circulating around the campus is the reason why all of your admirers are backing off. For now."

"And the fact that you two are both major on Folklore and Psychology." Bou-san added.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Mai asked now confused as to why that was brought up.

"Because it seems that we are inseparable due to the fact that we have the same hobbies –etc. etc. Or it can also be that people knows that students that major on BOTH Folklore and Psychology are paranormal freaks." Yasu added.

"Hey, we aren't freaks!" Mai shouted, now insulted.

"And also due to the fact that you seem so untouchable." Bou-san continued not minding Mai's outburst.

"Me? Why do I seem untouchable? I mingle enough; I have a lot of friends." Mai said, confused as to why she was untouchable.

"It isn't about that, you just seem surreal. No one in who has your looks and body would be so interested in the paranormal and to go as far as studying it. Not to mention you don't look geeky enough to be even interested in these kinds of things" Yasu said, now almost teasing.

Mai blushed. "But-but, what about Naru? Isn't he also good looking? Well even without knowing about his hobbies or in this case his job he is in every sense of the word untouchable." Mai said going as far as to mention her – their boss, to prove her point. Or had she proven it? Wait, why did it even swerved to that direction? It totally doesn't have anything to do with the important matter they were talking about. When Mai realized that Yasu is playing around her, again, she glared at him.

"Yasu you-" Mai was cut off from her rant by a cold monotone voice.

"Thank you for acknowledging my good looks. However, you two do have work to do I believe?" Naru said sarcastically.

Mai's hand went to her chest. "My God Naru, since when have you've been standing there?" she squeaked.

Naru didn't answer he just glared at them, "If you want to argue, do it outside. You are disturbing people who actually wants to work" at that statement Yasu scrambled off to his desk and sat to start his work, Bou-san just stayed on his place as he didn't technically worked in the office and Mai was still on her place just gawking at Naru.

"Mai, I know I'm handsome but if you keep staring at my face it might actually deteriorate from your intense gaze" Naru said smirking at her reaction. Mai flushed and removed her gaze from Naru's looking at her feet, she muttered inaudible words that seemed like "Narcissistic, egoistic jerk" before turning and going to her desk so that she (too) could start working.

"Mai," Naru said, when Mai stopped but didn't turn around to meet his gaze. "tea." she sighed as she changed her direction to go to the mini-kitchen of the office. "Nice punch by the way." Naru drawled. Bou-san reddened, embarrassed, as he remembered that he was (almost) knocked out by a girl. Never mind that that girl was Mai. No, much more the reason that it was Mai.

Mai quickened her footsteps to easily escape to the comforts of the mini-kitchen. Once she reached her destination she put her hands on her face to cover her blush even though no one could see anyways. That was so embarrassing, who cares if the great Oliver Davis had complimented her! What she did was totally barbaric!

Once Mai had successfully calmed herself down, she then went to her task on preparing tea. She bent down to get the kettle from the bottom cupboards; once she got the kettle she filled it with water and set it on the stove to boil. As she waited for the water to boil she reached for the upper cupboards; Mai opened the highest (she's now very thankful that she grew, now she doesn't need a chair to reach for it) cupboard in front of her to get the tin can that contained the tea leaves and then opened the cupboard on her left to get the number of teacups needed, she then heard the door open and the various voices that were too inaudible to understand – she smiled, she then added a couple more teacups for the newly arrived guests. Mai grabbed the tray that was already on the kitchen counter to put the tea cups and proceeded to add a teaspoon of tea leaves from the can. Turned off the stove as the water was now boiling judging from its shrill cry, she grabbed the kettle and poured water into the cups. She waited for the tea to steep before she lifted it up to bring it to the lounge where everyone was waiting.

True enough, when she arrived at the lounge everyone was sitting and talking with each other. Well almost everyone except Naru, he's sitting on the one seater couch totally engrossed with his black book and drowning the outside noise that was coming from his employees. John was the first to notice Mai, and tried to help her bring the tea, she (of course) declined his offer seeing as she were only a couple of steps away from the coffee table. Mai then placed the tray on the table and grabbed one cup to bring to Naru, as if smelling the tea looked up from his black book, and gave it to him. She then grabbed another one to give to Lin. She softly knocked on Lin's office, she heard a faint "Come in" before opening the door and going inside. Mai placed the tea cup at Lin's table, he then tore his eyes away from what he was typing and gave Mai small smile and a nod as he whispered thanks.

"You're welcome." Mai said to Lin. And a series of muttering that sounded like "At least someone here knows how to thank you." Lin chuckled by himself when Mai left his office.

When Mai got back from Lin's office everybody stopped whatever they were doing and talking about, and just stared at her as she settled herself in between of Masako and Ayako. The couch in front of them seated Bou-san, John and Yasu, accordingly.

"What?" Mai said, feeling her cheeks heating up from the stare and attention that they were giving her.

"I hear that you gave an amazing hit to that old monk that he even fell from the intensity of it." Ayako teased from Mai's right.

Mai reddened and fixed Yasuhara - that was seated directly in front of her - heated glare that could even rival their resident narcissist and give him a run for his money. However, Yasu didn't flinch, he just kept snickering and shrugged his shoulders as if to say 'I haven't done anything wrong. I just told them the truth.'

Meanwhile Bou-san was insulted by what Ayako said. "Do you want to try me? Here punch me." Takigawa challenged, as if to prove his point, he stood up and opened his arms wide. "Or you could just take a blow from Mai and see why the punch took the air out of me." He said slyly as he gestured Mai that was seated beside Ayako. "Or you could just give up, seeing you're too old to land a proper hit without your purse" Bou-san added, and the others just snickered (even Mai) "and take one yourself."

Ayako reddened in anger as she launched herself to Takigawa, totally forgetting about the coffee table (and the teacups that were still filled with tea). Ayako tripped against a leg of the table and she stumbled to Takigawa – who was shocked, but thanks to his fast reflex, he opened his arms wider, as if to catch the now falling Ayako (face first against Bou-san).

It was as if watching a slow motion film, everyone stood up as Ayako tripped (yes, I mean everyone, even Naru – who stood up to avoid Ayako tripping against him too). A series of 'be careful' and 'watch out' were said before the inevitable happened. Something that should've happened years ago, but no one ever thought that it would happen in this unconventional (not to mention very embarrassing) way.

Ayako landed on Bou-san, their lips locking, the two were shocked, and so was the people that were surrounding them - even Lin, who went out of his office to see what the commotion were all about and Naru, you could see it on the slight widening of his eyes. But the thing that shocked them even more was the closing of Takigawa's and Ayako's eyes. Takigawa then pulled Ayako closer to him as if to deepen the kiss.

After a few seconds of shock; John, Masako, Mai and Yasuhara (yes, even the pervy Yasu) had a blush on their cheeks. Lin and Naru's eyes, which widened a bit due to shock, were back to normal. Naru then pinched the bridge of his nose at the sight of spilt tea and looked at the two, judging at the way they're going they wouldn't stop if no one would interrupt them so he took it upon himself to break the two (seeing as the four that was with him were still frozen on their places, and Lin went back to his office muttering "It's about time.")

Naru coughed "This is not a motel, go get a room." he then retreated back to his office. Breaking from their kiss, they stood up. Ayako just looked at her feet, speechless. Takigawa too was speechless before, as if coming into a conclusion after an internal battle, he grabbed Ayako's wrist and dragged her out of the office. The strange thing was Ayako didn't even argue against Bou-san, she just let him drag her out of the office, forgetting about her purse.

"Do you thing they will really go and get themselves a room?" the ever innocent John asked after the two left.

The three who were speechless - and as it turned out innocent too - just stared wide eyed at John, who just blushed harder.