~ Bookends ~
Halloween Edition
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Ghost Hunt
2. The Big Day (I)
"A mongoose."
Mai stared as the bespectacled librarian flitted around the children's section distributing chocolate pumpkins.
"But why a mongoose?"
Madoka nodded approvingly. "Isn't Yasu-chan just cute?" she gushed, her purple witch's hat threatening to fall off in the process.
Mai went back to observing the young man, no giant mongoose who waved solemnly at them.
"I suppose so," she said dubiously.
Halloween had dawned bright and clear and although it was not even lunch yet, the library was crowded with people, and especially children eager to indulge in the festivities and free food. A cowboy in sunglasses tapped her on the shoulder.
"Oi, get me a glass of ice coffee won't you?"
When Mai stared blankly back, he sighed deeply.
"Honestly, can't you recognize me?" Takigawa complained as he removed his opaque eyewear.
To his annoyance, Mai broke out laughing hysterically. "
No, it's just that you look so funny!" she giggled.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What about yourself? What're you supposed to be? A World War veteran? What's with that trench coat?"
He prodded the fluffy black things sticking out of her coat pocket suspiciously. Mai stopped laughing.
"Er, yeah… something like that," she said evasively, her face tomato red. Takigawa smirked.
"What're you hiding under that? Are those what I think they are?"
"They are not!" she said furiously.
"A long coat and heels? I hardly call that fashionable," Masako remarked coolly as she sailed in accompanied by Lin who looked dour in a butler's suit with long tails.
"Masako," Mai gritted her teeth into a forced smile. The petite girl inclined her head in acknowledgement.
"Mai." They both glared each other. Masako was the first to turn away. "I am not so immature as to indulge in childish games," she sniffed, a kimono sleeve raised delicately. "If you don't mind, have tea sent up to Ayako's room," she said as she wandered away again.
"Why that little… if she weren't the mayor's daughter…" Mai growled as she stomped off to the pantry.
"I'm a volunteer, not her maid. Who does she think she is anyway…" Mai grumbled as she climbed up the carpeted stairs to Ayako's office. Then, she noticed that she had forgotten the milk jug. Resisting the urge to groan, Mai turned back round carefully to go back down only to bump straight into Naru who had been going up as well. As she attempted to steady herself, Naru caught her dangerously wobbling tray.
"I'll take that," he said as he eyed her coat curiously. "Is that your costume?"
Mai blanched. "Umm… well…" she laughed nervously.
Naru raised an eyebrow, intrigued at her sudden onset of blushing.
The tea set clinked as he adjusted the tray single-handedly. They were still standing too close together and Mai eyed the arm that was burshing her coat pocket with discomfort. If he guessed...
"It's not lingerie is it?"
"Of-of-of course not!" she huffed and snatched the tray back. "If you don't mind, I've to get these to Masako and Ayako," she said stiffly before rushing the rest of the way up.
Author notes: Thanks to Amu Tsukiyomi, show. me. the. stars (sorry for the spaces, but your name wouldn't appear when I lumped them together), Ariana Taniyama, xxxAngelicDreams, Flamegirl5500 for the reviews!