And now, Ayako! I really like her character, she's tough, always stands her ground (to the limit of stubbornness) and her acting like a diva is kinda funny. And she's really caring when it comes to Mai.
Allons-y!
Special shoutout to ArchangelBBQ, thanks for your lovely reviews!
Ghost Hunt isn't mine. I just play in the sandbox.
"Ayako, you're late!" I cried anxiously while opening the door to let the priestess enter my room.
"Of course I am, she replied without any trace of remorse. A fashionable woman always is."
Ayako was indeed the epitome of fashionable. Her western purple dress was fitting her curves perfectly, and her hair and manicure were impeccable as usual. But as elegant as she was, I couldn't forgive her diva-like antics. Not on this day. My eyebrow twitched in exasperation.
"Couldn't you forget this rule if only for today? What if I'm not on time because of you?"
Ayako sighed dramatically, shaking her head, and threw nonchalantly her purse on my couch. "Mai dear, you worry too much."
The nerve of this woman! I had a sudden impulse to strangle her.
"And you don't worry nearly enough! I don't want to be late for my own graduation ceremony!"
It had been a mistake to ask Ayako to be my chauffeur. Why had I even relied on her?
"I knew I should have asked Lin-san to drive me there," I sulked.
The older woman shot me a doubtful glance.
"Lin, really? Oh yes, it would have been sooo charming to be caught between him and Naru, the two broodiest persons around…You should be grateful that I spare you this torture!"
Urrgh, said like that…I shivered at the thought of a solemn and silent drive with the laconic men. Ayako wasn't so bad of an option, after all.
"OK, you win," I surrendered, "but please hurry up so that we can leave on time!"
"You won't be late," she soothed. "Now, let's get to business!"
She hold me at arms' length and scrutinized my hairdo and clothing with a super-serious expression. "Mmmm" she just said, frowning.
What did that mean, mmmm? Was I so bad-looking? After all, I was simply wearing my uniform, it couldn't be THAT awful, right?
Totally ignoring my obviously worried gaze, she opened her ever-present purse to retrieve a small pocket. She finally noticed my apoplectic face and raised an eyebrow.
"What? Don't look at me like that!"
"Then don't act like I'm a lost cause! I know I'm not the prettiest, but still…"
I stopped there, conflicting emotions suddenly overwhelming me. I felt my eyes prickling a little. I generally didn't care about my physical appearance, but today…I just didn't want to make a fool of myself.
Ayako laughed loudly and her features softened. She gently patted my cheek in a motherly manner.
"I get that you're nervous, Mai. It is an important day, after all. But geez, don't stress yourself out like that. Just a little make-up will do, you're super cute."
A let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding. And immediately regretted my harshness. Ayako came here to help me, and I wasn't really showing how grateful I was.
"Thanks. And…sorry for being moody today," I mumbled reluctantly.
She waved dismissively, unfazed. "It's OK. Now shut up and stay still," she warned, lipstick and powder in hand.
After a few minutes of anxious silence on my part she finally exclaimed a loud and satisfied "perfect".
She motioned for me to check the outcome in the mirror of my tiny bathroom. I stared in disbelief at my own reflection, bewildered. The make-up was vey lightly applied, the result felt exceptionally natural but managed to enhance my only redeeming features that were my eyes.
"Wow, you're really skilled at this," I whispered in awe.
"Of course, she replied smugly. A woman's look is her best weapon."
"Really? I thought it was her purse," I mocked.
"It comes close second," she replied loftily, not missing a beat.
This little banter helped me release some of the pressure I was under, and I let a heartfelt laugh out.
The priestess smiled at me. "Feeling better?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'm a little worked up by all this, it seems."
"That's only natural. You're saying goodbye to your school days and friends. By the way, are you sure you don't regret not going to university?"
I shook my head. I had decided months ago that I wouldn't apply for university. Naru had offered me a full-time investigator position in his team, and I had been more than happy to accept it immediately. This was what I wanted to do as a living. I voiced my thoughts for Ayako.
"No, not at all," I shrugged. "I've never been the type for studies anyway. Moreover, I like my job, especially now that Naru is giving me more responsibility."
Ayako sighed softly. "I know that, but…if Naru were to close the office for whatever reason…not that he will," she added reassuringly, "but still, having a university degree would be a safety net. I just wanted to make sure you considered all the options."
So she was worried about my future! She really sounded like a mother sometimes. This made my heart swell a little.
"I did Ayako, I did. I can apply for any office-related work if it happens. Remember, I'm good at making tea," I grinned playfully.
The older woman threw her arms in the air in exasperation. "I am serious Mai! Well, whatever, if you ever happen to lose your job, remember that you can always become my assistant. The pay wouldn't be that good, but…"
She couldn't finish her sentence because I wrapped her in a tight hug. I heard her clear her throat.
"Do..don't get all emotional on me!" she said while disengaging herself gently. "And don't ruin my hard work on your hair!"
Her words were a little harsh, but her tone was incredibly soft. I knew for a fact that she was, in reality, a bit overwhelmed herself. I couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks. For worrying about me like that. I'm glad you're here."
Yes, I was really glad she had proposed to help me get prepared for my graduation. I was also extremely thankful that the whole SPR team agreed to come to support me, but deep down, something still felt...empty. It was when I realized the reason behind my edgy behavior. It wasn't only the changes awaiting me, the parting with my classmates or my working full-time. In fact, I was simply missing my parent's presence in this important milestone of my life. I just felt their absence more cruelly than usual.
The priestess must have sensed my bout of sadness, because she adverted her flustered face and and patted my head in an awkward manner, trying to imitate Monk's comforting gesture.
"Of course I'd be there. We are all caring about you, just so you know. Even Masako and Lin are coming for you! Imagine, Lin! And Mai," she added seriously, "I am sure that your parents are proud of you, too, wherever they are. You did well."
It was my turn to try to conceal my misty eyes. Things were getting far too emotional to our liking, so we tried to orientate the conversation on safer grounds.
"Hum, well, I'll refresh myself a little before we go."
"Of course, an old priestess like you has to hide her wrinkles, haha," I replied in a very lame attempt to joke.
Monk would have done a better job for sure. Teasing her was as natural as breathing air for the guy: I wasn't half as skilled as him on that matter. Said priestess just rolled her eyes and muttered something about the stupid old monk rubbing off on me before disappearing in the bathroom.
A few minutes later she exited the room, fresh as always.
I gathered my belongings, ready to leave. On time, I noticed with relief.
"Wait a minute girl."
I stopped dead in my tracks. "What, is something wrong with my attire?" I asked worriedly.
"No, but it is not complete."
Before I could ask what was missing, Ayako was closing the clasp of a necklace around my collar.
I gaped at the item, stunned. It was a very pretty piece of jewelry, a gold chain with a tiny sapphire pendant.
"Here, now you're ready," she said, satisfied.
I stood there a bit stupidly, mouth and eyes wide open.
"Ayako, you're…you're not giving this to me, are you?"
She looked at her nails, behaving like she had offered me nothing more valuable than a handkerchief.
"Of course I am, silly! I wore this during my own graduation ceremony. Take it as a good luck charm for what's awaiting you in the future."
I was rendered speechless. This was too beautiful, too expensive and too personal for me to accept. The fact that she thought of giving me such an item was enough. I couldn't take it. It was too much.
"I can't…I can't accept it. I am grateful, really, but…"
I took a deep breath to steady my voice. "I think you should keep it for your own children."
The woman crossed her arms, a fiery glow in her eyes, the very image of determination.
"Don't sprout nonsense! I don't even know if I'll have children, and I don't care. But right now, I have you, and I want YOU to have this!"
The sweetness of her gesture touched me more than any words could have done. My throat was so tight I couldn't utter a word. So I just stared at the lovely priestess with humid eyes, failing at trying to stop my lips from quivering.
Her scowl immediately disappeared, replaced by an unusual tender expression and a somewhat sad gaze. "Don't you dare say no. I do not intend to give it to anyone else."
I nodded, clutching the precious necklace in my trembling hand, trying hard not to let any tear leak from my eyes. It would be a miracle if I managed to hold till the end of the day without crying.
Then she chuckled awkwardly, suddenly embarrassed, saying with an altered voice "and what did I say about ruining your makeup? It's not waterproof you know!"
You're one to talk, I thought affectionately. Her own eyes were suspiciously shiny, and the red tinge on her cheeks was proof that she was emotional herself. She was really bad at dealing with her emotions. Well, so was I.
"Thank you, I managed somehow. I'll treasure it."
"Good," she rasped.
Ayako sniffled a little, looking at everything but me. Suddenly, she turned to face me, a look of pure horror on her features.
"Mai…"
"What?"
"If we don't go NOW we're going to be late!"
"Oh no!"
Without further ado, we dashed toward the door.
Well, I got a bit emotional myself writing it. My own father died before I got to graduate my engineering school, and before the ceremony my mother gave me the same necklace. It was the first present my father offered her then they met. I wore it for my graduation ceremony, my Ph.D defense and my wedding. Let's say it has become my good luck charm. I figured that Ayako would want to give such a memento to Mai on this important occasion.