It is so relaxing to write light things such as this! Well, I am supposed to do something else right now, but I felt I needed a break. So, here I am!
This second part is about Masako. I think she is an interesting character who doesn't deserve all the hate it gets in fanfics. She sure is a bit bratty, but well, she's only a 16 year old dealing very clumsily with her crush, not a scheming demon! I hope I do her justice in this ficlet.
I tried my best in self-proofreading this time, to avoid any stupid mistake. Anyway, if you spot any, feel free to tell me!
Disclaimer: as usual, Ghost Hunt isn't mine (there would have been much more romance in it if it were!)
I groaned in pain, clutching my head in a futile attempt to alleviate the pounding headache that was plaguing me since morning. I really wanted to convince myself that I was alright, but there was little doubt about it: glossy eyes, splitting headache, flushed cheeks, rough raspy voice, dry itchy throat, everything was screaming that I was sick.
I had tried to pass it as a simple cold, so as not to worry my coworkers, but it came to the point were I felt worse and worse every passing hour. Finally, my unusual quietness and, I hated to admit, obvious inefficiency in working on the case, combined with the sudden emitting of a louder groan, managed to catch Naru's attention.
"Mai?"
His tone was cold and clipped, as usual, but I thought I heard some hint of concern in it. Or my fever was making me delusional, which was sadly more probable.
"Yes?" I croaked.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. I was busted.
"As I thought. You're unwell. Matsuzaki-san?"
Even though Ayako was no doctor, because her parents owned a hospital she was always the one designated to take care of health matters. Said priestess, who was laying lazily on a couch while admiring her perfect manicure, immediately shot up to bring a cool hand to my forehead.
Her eyebrows rose when she touched the hot skin. She gave me a disapproving glare, then turned to the boss to give her not-so-professional opinion.
"Naru! She's burning!"
That was the exact moment Bou-san and Masako chose to re-enter the room acting as our base. Apparently they were finished touring the building to sense spirits.
"Who's burning?" asked the monk while shooting me a worried glance.
"Mai!" cried Ayako in exasperation. "This idiot is sick and said nothing! Really, be a bit more aware of your health," she added in a more gentler tone.
Masako didn't utter a word, but set intense prying eyes on me. Her expression was unreadable, hidden behind her kimono sleeve. She wasn't thinking I was faking it to gain Naru's attention, was her?
"Mai, go home immediately to rest. Takigawa-san, please drive her back."
That said, Naru turned his back to us and absorbed himself into his beloved files and data again. "Idiot scientist", I thought.
Then I began to protest meekly. "But I was supposed to help Lin-san with the temperatures and…"
Lin, who hadn't given any sign that he was listening to our conversation until that moment, replied without losing sight of the monitors he was always glued to. "It's alright, Taniyama-san."
Shoot. I had no more excuses to stay. In fact, the case was nothing dangerous. For the sake of his next paper (or something among those lines), Naru had decided that he needed comparative data about residual haunting, and had therefore accepted the request of a tenant complaining about a harmless (but empty, thus non-profitable) haunted building. Masako had been called to confirm the presence of spirits, while Ayako and Bou-san's stay had been justified as a precaution. Naru was always very adamant concerning safety. Now that the recording devices were set up throughout le building, there was nothing to do except waiting. And ghosts were shy. So, my being here wasn't really necessary for the next few days…
"Well, Jou-chan, grab your bag, I will escort you safely!" said Monk while ruffling my hair. "You really should have told us you weren't well," he added with a concerned and somewhat hurt gaze.
I dragged my feet unhappily to gather my things. It was true that I wasn't feeling well at all, and that Ayako and Bou-san's ever present banter was bound to worsen my headache. But the prospective of feeling sick in a cold deserted home wasn't very appealing either.
A poised and clear voice rose above the ambient noise.
"Please, wait a moment. I don't think this is a very wise course of action."
Everybody in the room stopped what they were doing to stare at Masako. Even Lin's typing came momentarily to a halt before resuming.
"Uh?" I asked rather stupidly.
Masako never went against Naru's decisions. What exactly did she had in mind? Another scheme to hog Naru all to herself? Said medium, superbly ignoring our questioning and astonished expressions, turned to our handsome boss and said cooly:
"Mai lives alone. What if her state deteriorates? Someone should stay with her."
A flicker of what resembled remorse appeared on Naru's features, almost immediately replaced by his trademark somber expression.
Wait, wait wait…was Naru sorry? And was Masako worried about me? No, that was it, the fever must had made me hallucinating.
The kimono-wearing teenager drove her point further, seeking the approval of our makeshift doctor.
"Don't you agree, Matsuzaki-san?"
Ayako seemed ashamed not to had thought about a possible worsening of my condition. She immediately voiced her agreement.
"Absolutely. I was about to say so myself," she added hastily.
"Moreover, she's so clumsy even when healthy," Masako stated dryly, "that I am almost afraid to imagine what catastrophe she could lead to in her current state."
I winced at the jab and glared non-convincingly at the medium through heavy eyelids. Well, that was definitely the bratty Masako I knew. No hallucination, then.
Bou-san, practical as ever, intervened :
"OK, so, who goes with Mai to play the nurse?"
A deafening silence ensued.
Thank you guys, I'm happy to see you're all so keen on keeping me company…
The answer came unexpectedly from Masako, accompanied with an overly dramatical and resigned sigh.
"I've finished my part already. Since I am not indispensable here anymore, I guess I should take the role."
The corners of her mouth made a somewhat displeased scowl. But her eyes were soft, with a spark of…concern? So she really was worried! I couldn't help but give her a happy grin. She was…so cute!
Catching my smile, she swiftly hid her flustered face behind her sleeve and turned rather abruptly once again to Naru, who simply nodded in agreement. The matter was settled.
I woke up slowly from my slumber, listening to the soft voice of Masako speaking to someone through the phone. She had been a surprisingly patient and caring companion during the previous day, ensuring that I took my medication correctly, and that I was comfortably settled to sleep and recover. The girl really had a soft side. It was a shame she didn't show it more often.
Laying still, eyelids closed, I strained my ears to hear what she was saying. I didn't want to be impolite, but I was too tired to move and boredom was getting the better of me.
"Yes, in a day or two. Just send the car to that address when I call back. Yes, a sick friend," I heard.
A friend, uh? Masako, really, you're so cute and honest and when you think no one's here to hear nor see.
I should tell her that she was an important friend to me, too.
A few silent minutes went by, and I felt sleep take over me. I vaguely heard the soft creaking of the bedroom door. A soft and cool hand brushed my forehead in a soothing motion.
"Mmm, seems better," I heard murmured.
Warmth spread over my shoulders when another hand lifted the quilt nearly up to my nose. I semi-consciously snuggled deeper into it.
A quiet chuckle came out Masako's mouth. "Don't aggravate your cold, idiot."
The last thing I caught before succumbing to slumber was a low whispering: "really, now I think I know what it means to look after a troublesome sibling."