Chapter 2: The Date

Mai stood outside her apartment complex, waiting for Michiru to come out so they could walk to the predetermined meetup spot for the double date.

It had been a long week since Michiru told her, which made class quite awkward.

Well, at least for Mai.

Knowing she was practically forced to go on a date with THE Kazuya Shibuya made her stomach knot up, and not in a good way. She never actually met the man, but his reputation precedes him.

Workaholic.

Tea-addicted.

Know-it-all personality.

But, the most defining characteristic of all: Narcissistic.

Mai heard that it wasn't the usual kind of narcissism that most people have. Oh no. She's heard that Kazuya's narcissism could put Narcissus to shame. Or that he was Narcissus reincarnated, but Mai just found that theory ridiculous.

Having to spend time with THAT did not excite her in the slightest. But, she was doing this for Michiru.

During the week, Michiru had Mai met with the other man in this equation, whom she found out was Kazuya's twin brother, Toshiaki Shibuya, and was surprised that he was the complete opposite of Kazuya.

Toshiaki was kind, fun-loving and never once talked about himself in the ten-minute conversation Mai had with him. Mai was perfectly fine with Michiru dating Toshiaki, but she was completely against having to go on this double date with Kazuya.

Especially after the email, her parapsychology teacher sent out that day.

The email from their professor, Dr. Ayako Matsuzaki, could not have come at a better time for Kazuya. He usually never enjoyed doing case research in pairs, but knowing that he was partnered with Mai and her track record for getting work done, Kazuya believed that this research won't be as bad this time around.

He watched the older twin as he ran around their apartment, trying in a frantic manner to get ready for the date. Kazuya didn't want to admit it, but he was actually somewhat looking forward to the date. If for nothing else to learn a little bit more about his case partner. Usually, he wouldn't care about 'getting to know' his partner, but he was intrigued by Mai through the little knowledge he already knew of her.

Spirited.

Caring.

Intentional.

But, he was told she was quite the danger magnet.

Kazuya heard of a few times when out on field work, Mai would get injured or hurt in some way. Especially when shadowing parapsychology detectives. It made him wonder if she had any psychic power like Gene and himself did.

Just one more reason why he was actually looking forward to formally meeting Mai.

Mai and Michiru stood at the fountain near the edge of campus. It was only a five-minute walk from their apartment, and both knew that Kazuya and Toshiaki didn't live far from them.

After waiting and tapping her foot for a good few minutes, Mai exhaled loudly as she leaned against the back of the bench.

"They're late."

Michiru placed a hand on Mai's. "We did show up a little early, Mai."

Mai looked at the time on her phone.

18:10

"We got here just before 6. It's 6:10 now."

Mai stood up and turned towards Michiru.

"Now, I get that you like Toshiaki-san. He's a great guy Michiru, but if he's not on time for a first date..."

"We are not late."

Mai froze. She recognized that voice from class.

Mai turned her head and saw Kazuya and Toshiaki standing behind her. She immediately knew which twin was who.

Toshiaki had a gentle smile on his face while Kazuya had an indifferent look on his face. He didn't seem excited nor dreaded being there like Mai did.

"Hi, Toshiaki-kun!" Michiru said as she practically jumped from her seat to stand in front of him.

"Hello Michiru-chan, you look lovely," Toshiaki said as he extended his hand towards Michiru. She took the extended hand and stood next to Toshiaki, a gentle blush dusting her cheeks.

"Kazuya, this is Michiru-chan," Toshiaki said as he brought their joined hands up to his chest.

"Hello Kazuya-san," Michiru said cheerfully. Kazuya nodded at her.

He looked towards Mai as Toshiaki continued, "and I believe you know Mai-san."

Kazuya nodded towards Mai as she eyed him. She noticed a little glint in Kazuya's eyes, but as quick as it appeared, it was gone. Mai blinked a few times before turning her attention back to the group. Though, Toshiaki recognized that look in his younger brother and he knew tonight was going to be quite interesting.

Mai sat next to Kazuya as Michiru and Toshiaki sat across from them. They were only at the restaurant for three minutes before Mai started feeling a little uncomfortable. Even now, the thought that she has to interact with Kazuya made her nervous and want to run out of there, cursing Michiru's name for pulling her into this situation.

Mai sat there silently as she looked at the menu in front of her, though she wasn't actually reading the menu. She knew what she was going to have, but needed something to occupy her from the person sitting next to her.

On the walk over, not once did Kazuya speak to her. Michiru and Toshiaki walked in front of them and were quite the chattery pair. Mai quickly learned that Kazuya is not the talkative type.

She let out a small sigh, which didn't go unnoticed by Michiru.

"So, Kazuya," Michiru said as she leaned against the table, "what's your major?"

"Parapsychology," he said dryly as he continued to look at the menu.

"Interesting, so you share quite a few classes with Mai, right?"

"Only one." Kazuya closed his menu and looked at Michiru with a blank expression. He was clearly annoyed with the random interrogation, but it didn't phase Michiru at all.

"Why's that? You are in your third year, right?"

"I've taken similar classes at my university back home before transferring here. The majority of remaining classes are mostly university requirements."

"Back home?" This got Mai's attention and the question left her lips before she even realized that she spoke.

Kazuya glanced at her after her sudden interest. "Both Toshiaki and myself are from Britain."

This really got Mai's attention as she turned to face both Kazuya and Toshiaki. Michiru did the same.

"So you're not from Japan?" Mai asked.

"No, we are," Toshiaki answered. "We were born in Japan, but were quite young when our birth parents moved to America."

"They passed away when we were almost 5 years old," Kazuya continued. "After being in the foster system for a year, our adoptive parents found us, adopted us and we moved to London."

"Martin and Luella have been supportive of our want to learn about our birth country for years," Toshiaki said, gushing over his parents. "When we decided to go to a university in Japan, they did everything they could to make sure we would have everything we needed while here."

"You decided you wanted to go to a university here, then convinced me to come along once you found out I could continue my parapsychology studies."

Toshiaki just smiled at the younger twin. "And you're enjoying it much more here, aren't you?"

Kazuya just stared at his brother while Michiru giggled. Mai sat there in silence, surprised by this new knowledge about the Shibuya twins. But, one question remained in her mind.

"So, I take it Kazuya and Toshiaki are your birth names?"

Kazuya nodded to her question while still maintaining eye contact with his brother.

"What're your adoptive names?" Mai asked.

Toshiaki broke eye contact and smiled as he answered. "My name is Eugene Davis, though everyone calls me Gene. My brother's name is Oliver Davis. Only certain people are allowed to call him by his nickname."

"Which is?" Michiru asked as she leaned closer to the man sitting next to her.

"Noll," Kazuya said as he took a sip of his drink.

Mai and Michiru looked towards the younger twin before looking at the older twin, who was quite baffled that his brother up and said his name out loud.

"Neither of you are allowed to call me that," Kazuya said as he put his drink back down. "And Gene, please refrain from saying our adoptive names out loud. You know the reason why mother and father suggested we use our birth names."

"Like anyone here would know the…" Gene started, but Mai spoke up.

"Martin and Luella Davis. Two of the most successful minds in parapsychology who own BSPR and whose research has impacted the industry so much that an unpaid internship at BSPR is one of the most valued positions in the field."

It was Kazuya and Gene's turn to be surprised.

"What?" Mai asked as she looked at the twins. "Anyone who wants to be something in parapsychology always looks towards the Davis family and aspired to work with them. I heard that they adopted kids who have quite the psychic abilities. I never in a million years would have thought I'd meet them."

Kazuya forced himself to keep from rolling his eyes. He knew this speech. Next, he expected Mai to either show off their powers or help her get a position at BSPR. Or worse...

"Don't worry, I won't tell a soul who you two are. On one condition."

Kazuya was about to respond, thinking she would demand something from them, but Mai stared at Gene instead of them both. The intensity Mai's eyes made Gene a little nervous.

"You better treat Michiru right. The moment I hear her crying because of you, you'll regret the day you crossed me."

Gene sighed internally before sitting up straight and returning a confident, yet caring smile to Mai before looking at Michiru.

"I promise I'll treat Michiru-chan right." He took one of her hands into his and turned back to Mai. "I give you full permission to come after me if I break this promise."

Mai smiled to herself as she leaned back in her seat. "Good."

A/N: Oh wow… did not know where this chapter wanted to go! And I do apologize if you got confused at any time in this chapter with the different names for Naru and Gene popping up, especially for Gene. I could not for the life of me find anywhere Gene's Japanese name. So, I went and found one to use.

"Toshiaki" has three different meanings.

"bright and alert"

"bright and clever"

"bright and happy"

I always think that Gene was quite the bright and happy person. Knowing everything he and Naru did together with their powers, Gene had to be alert. His cleverness, in my opinion, is not just from his intelligence, but from being able to read people and a situation.

That's how I decided on Gene's name. And this'll probably be the only chapter it comes up! But if it does pop up later, just remember that Toshiaki is Gene.

And if Naru seems a bit OOC at the moment, just remember that his brother is alive and he interacting with him, so I would imagine Naru is a little different in this situation.

Soon I'll be getting to the Maru (MaixNaru) goodness, so just hang in there! Gotta get there first before we can enjoy the impending fluff.

Until next chapter!