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Daffodils

Part two

9am - Naru was certain he had told Mai to be at the office exactly at 9am. It was nearing 10 already and he was not surprised to see the girl racing towards the van in an explainable hurry. She was nearly an hour late.

"I'm sorry," she panted, coming to a stop in front of the strict man. "I.."

"Save the excuses," he waved it off. "I'm docking your pay. Get in the car."

Mai sighed and went to join Ayako, who said she couldn't join them just this once. Masako's words about the mansion's prestige had made her pack far too many clothes, but Mai couldn't mind. There was little she herself would not have taken along.

She got in the car and took her usual seat, wondering if the case would change something between her team mates. Who would the ghost target? For once, she wished she would be one. It was selfish of her and she shook the thoughts out of her mind.

The weather was awful. The never-ending rain was lulling and soon, she found herself drifting into the dream world again.

"Gene?" she called, when the darkness set in.

"Mai," came from behind her and she turned, smile evident on her face.

"What is going on?" she asked quickly. "Is there anything you know about this case? Is it dangerous?"

"Be careful," he smirked like Naru. "And good luck!" With that, the image shifted. Mai turned and took a few steps forward.

It was the same place she had been before. The indescribable warmth enchanted her. Ghosts who were stuck between life and afterlife were not supposed to be so comforting. This time, she took a moment longer to survey the surroundings.

It was a small house. There were no decorations on the plain walls and the porch was empty, if it weren't for a rocking chair. It was of simple design and covered in dust. No one seemed to have used it for a while.

Mai turned again. Now, she was facing the garden. Eugene Smith, younger than Mai had seen him first, was playing in the sandbox. Next to him knelt a young woman. Her hair was tied in a bun and she was smiling softly. "Eugene," she spoke quietly. "What's wrong?" The raven-haired boy was pouting.

"Nothing," he muttered. He stood up without a warning, dropping his plastic bucket into the sand. He stared lifelessly at it and picked it up, resuming to build a sandcastle.

"Eugene, I know you're lying," the woman teased him. "You know you can trust Mayumi-neesan." The boy stayed quiet.

"Mayumi-neesan should keep her nose out of others' business," he said snootily. He stood up again and this time, he trotted away from the sandbox. Mai watched him go, but not before hearing him add almost inaudibly: "I'm afraid the goblins will get to you too."

Mai awoke with a jolt. She was alone in the car and when she looked out of the window, she noticed the monk carrying equipment. They had arrived quicker than she had thought they would. She unbuckled the seat belt and exited, the warmth from the dream still filling her.

In front of them stood the famous Pandora's Box, the dream mansion of many literates. There was nothing outstanding about it: three floors, an enormous stairway and a number of Victorian windows. She grinned at the western-style castle and was ready to go explore it, when Ayako noticed her slacking off.

"Mai!" she called. "Come help us set up the base. Naru's orders."

The girl grunted, but followed the red-hair. She was happy to see most of the equipment had been already carried inside, but there was still a number of cameras waiting to be taken from the van. She sighed and got to work, hoping the tea-addict would get her away from the tedious job soon.

No such luck. A sigh of relief escaped her mouth when all was done. She had barely had the time to enjoy the interior of the mansion. However, now that Naru was talking to Lin and Ayako and Monk were loudly arguing, she decided to take her chance. She carefully made sure no one noticed her sneaking out of the door and to her surprise, she managed to get away from the base.

The hallway was empty. Pictures of historic figures were hanging on the wall, each of them looking like they were judging her act. She started walking quicker, keen to get out of the place. They had three bedrooms: one for girls, two for the boys. Ayako had found it incredibly unfair, considering there were equally many on both sides, but Naru's decision was final.

On the last painting of the hallway, there was a vase with a bouquet of daffodils. She smiled. At least this one didn't frighten her.

"Mai?" The girl turned on the spot. Masako had exited the girls' bedroom. She looked confused to see her love rival, but at the same time, she was glad.

"Shh, Masako!" Mai put her finger to lips. She pointed at the closed door of their base. "They might hear you." The medium nodded knowingly and started leading them towards the spiral staircase hidden from their sight. She led them down and Mai wondered if she'd been there before.

"I can't sense any spirits," the raven-haired lady said softly. "But I feel like here is something." She didn't ask, if Mai's extra sense told anything, but the girl felt her need to share.

"Me neither," she replied tersely. "I've had two dreams, but I'm not sure they are related to the case. Maybe they're just some weird fan-made stories my brain produces!" She let out a laugh and Masako smiled sternly.

"Have you told Naru?" she asked. Mai shook her head no. "You should." She said no more and Mai was too busy trying to look everywhere at the same time. Wherever she looked, something felt out of place. Like they were being watched, evaluated and judged by a force they could not decipher.