Chapter 5

"I don't think Mai should come."

Naru ignored Takigawa-san's comment and simply walked over to the place where Mai had sat. He picked up her notebook and retraced his steps, sitting back down on the edge of Mai's table. He opened it and frowned. Her hand writing was atrocious and her notes were sparse and awful. Takigawa insisted, "Really, this place sounds like bad news and Jou-chan will just be put in unnecessary danger."

"Although Mai may not be capable enough, the rest of us will be there and I hope that at least one of you professionals will be useful enough to protect her. This case will be difficult and we need all the help we can get."

Takigawa clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Naru-chan, you know Mai-chan hasn't been able to rely much on her latent ESP ever since you left, right? There really is no point in having her around."

Although this was a complete surprise to him, he didn't show it on his face. Perhaps Gene's absence has made her powers regress. Nonetheless, he challenged, "Go ahead and tell her that then. See if she'll like being told she's not needed." That immediately silenced the monk.

This time it was John who continued on. "University entrance exams are also coming up soon, right? Perhaps we can suggest for Mai-san to stay in and just study for her exams; I agree with Takigawa-san. This is no ordinary case and even I feel a bit hesitant to have her and Yasuhara-san coming along." His voice was kind, but a bit more severe than usual.

Ayako looked at the blonde man beside her and drawled, "Ah, so the Australian priest is actually aware of Japan's school system, huh? Surprising."

"Yes," he answered, "Lately our parishioners have been coming to ask us to help pray for their children during this stressful times." Ayako's lips curved down as she hummed, signifying that what he said made sense.

"That's right! Man, has Mai-chan even had any chance to study for that? Her future is very important! Going to school everyday then coming straight here to file some paperwork, even on weekends... It doesn't give her time to sign herself up for cram school or anything."

"Oh, if you're worried about that, don't worry," Yasuhara suddenly said sprightly to Takigawa. "Mai is actually working very hard to make sure she's prepared for the exams."

Naru was in the middle of thumbing through the folder that Sugiyama-san handed to him when Yasuhara's words pricked his ears, although he did not look up. "Mai? Without honorifics?" he thought.

"And how do you know that, shounen*?"

Yasuhara replied casually, "Oh I tutor her for hours every Sundays."

Bou-san raised his eyebrow in disbelief. "Every Sundays? You guys diligently go to the library every Sundays?"

"No, we do it at my place. It's more convenient that way because we can converse without worry and she can be free to ask me any questions."

"Then today when she was late...?" Takigawa looked at the boy before him but he didn't finish his sentence. He gripped Yasuhara by his shoulders and brought his face closer to him, asking slyly, "Ne, shounen, are you perhaps trying to rekindle old romance?" This sentence definitely perked Naru's interest and even his pride couldn't stop him from glancing up with the corner of his eye.

Yasuhara laughed his easy laugh and airily said, "Well, who knows?"

"Well, well," Masako had replied, with a glint in her eyes, obviously quite excited by the idea. "Perhaps things might work out this time around?"

Matsuzaki was also smiling and mused, "You guys were dating for about five months, weren't you? But unfortunately you broke up several weeks ago. I'm surprised you guys are still getting along on good terms. That's actually quite mature of both of you."

"Well, we did split on amicable terms after all."

With a mischevious glint in his eye, Takigawa grabbed Yasuhara by the shoulders again and sneered, "So come on, tell this old man... how far have you two gotten?"

At this question, everyone around the coffee table exclaimed in protest. Masako blushed deeply and covered her face with her kimono, John sunk himself smaller into the sofa, even Naru's breath hitched (but was thankfully for him, undetected by the others), while Ayako hit Takigawa in the head, exclaiming, "Houshou! What a lewd question! Stop that!"

But Takigawa merely laughed and said, "Aw come on, it's not like these young people have done anything. I mean, come on, right?" he turned to Yasuhara, but immediately gulped when he met his impish grin.

Yasuhara shrugged and stated, "One must never kiss and tell, Bou-san."

If everyone were shocked by Takigawa's question, everyone practically fell over their seats at this highly provocative answer. The monk took him by the collar and stuttered, "S-so you mean to tell me that y-you and Mai have-have-!" His eyes were aflame, no doubt feeling like he needed to protect the sanctity of Mai's body as an older brother.

Although he was enjoying seeing everybody so flustered, Yasuhara eventually relented. "I never said anything of the sort. In fact, I neither confirmed nor refuted your statement. I have managed to keep Mai's modesty intact and my masculinity unchallenged." He gently but firmly pushed Takigawa away and laughed again. "In other words: what we've done or not done is none of your business. Come on, Bou-san, no more teasing. Besides I suddenly feel a sudden dread; does it feel like a sudden draft came in? Or has the heating suddenly turned off?"

Takigawa eventually loosened his grip on Yasuhara's shirt and his face calmed down. He sat down and sighed, muttering, "You should really stop playing with people like that."

Just then, the door opened and Mai stepped in. She was smiling and happily announced that she managed to get the entire week off and a few more days if necessary. The monk stood up again and went up to her.

"Mai-chan, are you sure you want to come to this case? It's dangerous."

She bit her lip and looked away, but then made up her mind. She explained, "Well I was a bit hesitant because I'm scared, but definitely I will go and support everyone. I need to go and earn my pay too, after all." She gently broke away from Takigawa's hold and smiled at him reassuringly.

Naru watched silently as she walked up to the coffee table and sat down back at her spot, by Yasuhara's side. He suddenly found himself very annoyed. "Mai, your note. Why did you scribble down 'hiding something' several times here?"

"Eh? Ah, that...well as Sugiyama-san was talking I just suddenly felt those words in my heart. I wasn't sure why so I just wrote it down."

Naru considered her answer and nodded. "I noticed his demeanor changed when we spoke of Yukina-san. You seem to have caught on as well." At this, both Bou-san and Mai beamed. Naru assumed Bou-san must have felt better now that Mai's latent ESP seem to be working again. Perhaps she wouldn't be so helpless after all.

When the conversation dissolved into other matters, Mai stood up and bent over to pick up the tea cups on the table. Her phone had slipped off and landed by Yasuhara's feet, who then picked it up and casually slid it back into her pocket by himself. She smiled and thanked him.

Naru shut his book loudly and told everyone that the meeting is over and that they should leave, saying tersely, "Meet back here tomorrow by 6 am." Everyone sighed. When it was clear the others would still be loitering around for a few more minutes, Naru pinched the bridge of his nose and headed toward his office. With one last sidelong glance at the group, he saw Mai and Yasuhara laughing together. His eyes narrowed and he snapped, "Mai. Tea," before opening his door and shutting it behind him. His head hurt.

A/N: Jou-chan* means young lady and Shounen* means young man/boy (Bou-san often calls Mai and Yasuhara that, respectively). Alright, finally the next chapter will be the beginning of Case #1. I hoped you all enjoyed this prologue of sorts! Thanks for reading!

P.S: I just absolutely love Yasuhara. Such snark.