Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt.

Comments: Ugh, I wish I can just write in third person, cause it's just hard to show how everyone's feeling… especially that idiot, Naru!!! Oh come on, why don't you just be honest and admit everything you feel =[

[[HOUSE OF EVERGREEN]]

Episode 4: The Attic and the Affections

The room I saw before my eyes was exactly the room I saw in my dreams. As soon as the SPR crews saw that, they all look at me. I scratch my head, embarrassed.

"I… I guess it was real."

I glance over at Naru, but he doesn't even look at me. He just enters the room, and approaches towards the rocking chair. He briefly lays his hands on it while closing his eyes, like he is communicating with the chair. I turn my eyes away from him. After all – he wouldn't even look at me. Why is he so angry? I just didn't tell about my dream earlier. Is it something to be so mad of?

Meanwhile, everyone is observing the room. "It's very small and dusty", they say, or "The sky looks very beautiful here". I nod slightly, agreeing them. Yes, it matches the room in my dreams. Everything about it. And most of all, this room has the familiar scent – suffocating – full of loneliness and helplessness. I feel a little nauseous. Kayako-san, who opened the room for us, stands behind us, silent. She asks anxiously.

"Is this the room that's haunted?"

Naru opens his eyes.

"I think it has a connection in solving the mystery, but I don't think it is."

"Is it so…"

She is quiet for a moment, disappointed, I guess. Naru calls her.

"Iwazaki-san,"

"Yes?"

"Was this chair originally yours, or did it belong to the house?"

"I think it was in the house before we moved in. We only went to the attic once our whole time here, and we didn't move anything in… Yes."

She assures us. Ayako interferes, asking her a question.

"Why didn't you use this room? It has a beautiful view."

"Ah… it's because Sawako – excuse me, Muramoto-san – didn't like the room. She said she just

didn't like it and locked it up, keeping the key to herself. She was really obstinate about it."

###

Our investigation was totally fruitless that morning, apart from the remark Naru made about the attic having some connection to this mystery. I told them about Saiko-chan I met that morning, and they were very curious about it.

I was enjoying the little free time I had, when I met Muramoto-san in the corridor. I greet her politely.

"Hello, how are you Muramoto-san?"

"Yes… I'm fine. I just feel a little tired."

She holds her head between her hands. Maybe she has a headache, I think. I ask her.

"Umm… is there anything I can do? Should I get some medicine?"

"No, no, it's fine."

She waves her left hand gently in the air, like she is telling off to a servant. Then she let her hands fall aside gracefully in curvatures, smiling for the first time while looking at me.

"See?"

"Ah… yes."

I stare in amazement. She is like… like… A NOBLEWOMAN! Wow…

"Taniyama-san,"

She calls me. I gasp, then answer at once, quickly grasping the situation.

"Ye… yes?"

"Do you know there is a small graveyard?"

What?!

I look at her, open-mouthed, completely astonished.

"It's just outside the biggest tree in the house – I believe it's a mulberry – and it's right next to it. Our family hasn't used it, but it was there for a long time. Maybe it'll help solving your mystery?"

She smiles knowingly.

"Thank you very much, Muramoto-san!"

I yell, then rush back to the second floor to tell all SPR members.

###

The SPR members have decided that they will visit the graveyard after John and Masako arrive, just to insure our safety. And anyways, it is lunchtime by now.

"Hey, it's lunchtime! Everyone, come down!"

Ayako yells again. It's quite funny how she is always the one who yells out for meals; it's like she is a mother of the family or something. Lin-san and Bou-san walks past me, then down the stairs. Bou-san stands next to Ayako and grins.

"Mai-chan, you too. You must be hungry! Didn't you miss out on breakfast? Hurry up and come down!"

But…

"Umm… I don't… want any."

"Eh?"

Bou-san and Ayako looks at me, surprised. Even Lin-san turns around from on his way to the dining hall. Oopsy, am I making them worry about me again?

"It's nothing. Don't worry. I'm just… just tired."

I smile as brightly as I can manage. Bou-san and Ayako smile back to me, however, nudges each other and argue under their breaths when I don't look at them. I return to my room. I lie down on my bed. I feel depressed.

Why was Naru so angry at me like that?

A sigh escapes my mouth. Maybe I should get some sleep. I didn't get much last night because of that nightmare. When I was about to go to sleep, Ayako knocks on the door.

"Mai, can I come in?"

Why would she knock? After all, this is her room too.

"Uh-huh."

I reply, then go back to my thoughts. Ayako comes in.

I still can't believe it though… Naru snapping at me like that. Normally, he wouldn't say such thing… No, normally, he wouldn't snap at anything! Did I do something that would hurt his stupid pride? Or ruin this investigation?

"Mai, you fine?"

Ayako interrupts me from my thoughts. I reply.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Told you. I'm just tired."

She sighs, and closes her eyes.

"You know, we spent the whole morning looking for you. Gosh, you totally scared me to hell! Everyone was so worried – you have no idea."

Oh… was it that bad?

"I'm… I'm really sorry, Ayako. I wouldn't do something like that again. Okay? I promise."

"Yeah, it's fine by me as long as you don't scare us like that anymore, but…"

Ayako suddenly draws herself towards me and whispers in my ear.

"…Naru was actually so worried. I think he was more worried than any of us."

Huh…? Naru?!

"I guess that's why he snapped at you; I don't think it was really because of the case. He was trying to hold back his anger the whole time in the morning, you know. And then… just,"

Ayako clicks her finger. It makes a clear, loud snappy noise. She smiles at me, and turns away from me, heading towards the door. Opening the door, she asks.

"Now, you coming for lunch?"

I beam.

"Of course!"

To be continued =]