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Daffodils

Part three

The duo stopped in front of a portrait.

"I wanted to show you this, before Naru could have the cameras set up here," the black-haired girl told Mai. "It's her."

Mai looked at the painting with approval. The painting depicted a young woman in her twenties. Her honey blond hair fell in elegant curls and she was smiling. Her warm eyes reminded the girl about the feeling she was getting while unconscious.

"Ilazki," she smiled. "It's beautiful."

"They say she based the character on herself," a voice said from behind them. Masako turned, surprised to hear someone other than themselves. Mai simply looked over her shoulder.

"I'm Shinji Kiriyama," the young man introduced himself. He was smiling at the girls, expecting an answer.

"Masako Hara," the brunette said. "And this is Mai Taniyama. We're with the SPR."

The handsome man nodded. Although he looked completely Asian, there were notable traits of his Caucasian relatives. He looked slightly like the woman on the painting.

"Nice to meet you," he said. "I heard some ruckus up there. They might be looking for you." Mai blanched, but Masako remained the same.

"Thank you," she said politely and took her companion's hand. "We'll be on our way then."

"See you around," Shinji replied absentmindedly and took a seat on the red chair, his eyes never leaving the painting.

The girls returned to their room, where Ayako was going bonkers. "Where have you been?" She exclaimed. Masako shrugged.

"We were just exploring the mansion," Mai said. "We were just..."

"Naru is close to madness," Ayako interrupted her. "You better get him tea now or you'll get an earful." She ruffled the girl's hair like the monk would do and hurried her off.

"Mai," as soon as she was out of the room, she was faced with the narcissist. She cursed her luck and blamed it on him. "Tea." She groaned, but followed him to the base.

"I don't know where the kitchen is," she pointed out.

"John," Naru turned to the blond. "Help Takigawa set up the cameras." It was said in a tone that took no objections. The priest who had hoped to join Mai, sighed and motioned the girl to follow.

Mai stopped in the middle of the hallway, because something was gripping her hair. "N-Naru," she said nervously. "I think there's something.." The being tugged her hair and she fell on her bottom. The young man turned and raised an eyebrow.

"I think you should stop fooling around," he said sternly. "First, you go off on her own - "

"I was with Masako!" she interrupted. "And I swear, something pulled me."

Naru offered Mai a hand and pulled her up. His dark eyes were looking into her soul and she remembered Masako's words about her dreams.

"I had a dream in the car," she said suddenly, gripping the man's hand tighter. "There was a woman and this little boy. I think his name was Eugene Smith.. and the woman's name was Mayumi." She grinned, when she was able to recall both names perfectly.

However, their invisible companion didn't like the sound of it and it took hold of Mai's free hand. It was cold and the flickering lights were a warning enough. Naru pulled her forward just in time to save her from staying under the collapsing ceiling. As soon as it started, it came to an end. There was a rumbling above them and soon, a head poked through the broken floor.

"Hey there, you okay?" It was Takigawa. "You better not be doing what I'm thinking you're doing, Naru!" He exclaimed, seeing the two in an embrace. Naru's hands were wrapped around the wide-eyed girl. He was looking as still as ever.

"I'm okay!" Mai called, pushing Naru away. The awkwardness of the situation didn't suit her tastes and although she would have loved to be hugged by her boss, it also hurt her the chances were most likely too little. "Naru pulled me out of the way," she looked at him in appreciation. "Thank you, Naru."

His only reply was: "Mai, tea." The girl stomped towards the direction they were going, the man close behind.

Mai loved being in the kitchen, even if it was for her boss. She worked quickly, but attentively and let Naru look at her while she prepared the drink. His constant gaze felt uncomfortable. Yet still, she wanted him to continue. At least he was in his attention sphere now!

"Here you go," she said, as she finished pouring the drink into the cup. She pushed it towards Naru, who took it wordlessly and sipped it. Mai looked at him with anticipation. There was no thanks. Not that it was something she wasn't already used to.

She reminded him of the manners, earning another scolding for leaving without telling anyone. It riled her up, but when she exited the kitchen in her fury, she couldn't help but smile. Naru was never going to change, was he?

She kept walking until she bumped into someone.

"Mai-san?" she heard a familiar voice. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Shinji there. "Can we talk?" The girl nodded and turned, praying in her mind that Naru had left the kitchen.

She opened the door hesitatingly. Being sure her boss wasn't there, she opened the door wide and entered, pouring herself and Shinji a cup of tea.

"I'm sorry, but I happened to overhear your conversation." He apologized. "It's about my mother," he added as soon as they had sat down. "She absolutely loved daffodils."

"Daffodils?" Mai frowned.

"Yes, daffodils," he repeated. "Or as she called them, the Narcissus flowers."