Chapter III
The New Roommate
Mai returned to the common-room where everyone was situated, carrying a tray stacked high with tea-cups filled with Earl Grey tea, honey, sugar and spoons gallore. She handed a cup to everyone, saving a certain someone's for last. Lin, who stood right behind his charge, nodded in thanks to Mai as she handed him the second last tea on the tray; she had already set hers on the table before daring to get close to her boss. When she finally approached Naru, she glared at him, turning her face away and lowering the tray so he could retrieve the cup himself. Raising an eyebrow in question but ignoring her, Naru took the cup and closed his eyes, taking a sip. Mai stood still for another moment, praying that the pale man clad in black would have learned some form of manners after being away in England and returning not long ago. But to her disappointment, the man said nothing, and she huffed, muttering "Naru-narushisuto" under her breath. While she did happen to mutter her words, it was still audible to everyone, but never-the-less, undeterred Naru as he simply glanced at her before placing his tea on the table and picking up a file.
"We have a case," Naru announced, and everyone bobbed their heads in acknowldgement, looking at him. Mai dropped the tea-tray onto the table with a loud BANG, causing most of the throng to jump, startled. Mai felt a little guiltyat her action, but she shook it away and just crossed her arms over her chest indignantly.
Yasuhara whistled, "Oi, Mai-Chan! You don't happen to be on your-"
Ayako gave a stern glare at the four-eyed joker, silencing him mid-sentence. Mai was still acting unlike herself whenever Naru was around, but nobody knew the reason why. Bou-san reckoned that Naru had done something 'unforgivable' to Mai, and perverted assumptions were mentioned that swiftly followed with an immediate hand-bag to the head. Others thought that she just had enough of Naru's personality and rude comments directed towards her. Ayako presumed that Mai was rejected and hurt from the abrupt abandonment when Naru returned to England. Unbeknownst to Ayako, she had the most accurate a guess.
Watching Mai's sudden display of attitude toward him almost made Naru want to smile. She had certainly changed while he'd been gone, and it had taken quite a lot of persuading on everyone's part to get her to join the re-opened SPR. It was... a nice change; she was getting more determined and less reckless, in his opinion. And, possibly, smarter. If that were possible, Naru chuckled inside. However, his thoughts traveled from Mai's intelligence to her cold facade towards him. Every-so often, he'd feel a slight ache in his chest whenever Mai would look away from him, or purposely avoid him. After what had happened that day two years ago, before he left for England, he wondered if her feelings were still the same. Surely not, with this attitude, Naru concluded to assure himself, though he didn't quite know what he was assuring himself for, why am I even thinking about this? It was not me; she was simply confused between our identities, since we were... are twins. He wasn't quite sure how to regard his brother yet— he had no knowledge of him passing on or not. That worried him to a degree. This is childish; I have more important matters. He chided himself, rubbing his temples to relieve himself of his inane thinking. He needed to focus and not get distracted with these silly emotions, they never had done him any good anyway.
Now, on to business.
Clearing his throat and opening the file, Naru began to elucidate the available information, "Last evening at eleven twenty-seven, after Mai had left, a man by the name of Mr. Otsu Hisashi came to us with a case regarding a run-down tunnel that is on his property. According to him," Naru had memorized the events mentioned by Mr. Otsu before hand, "several men had been attacked down in the tunnel. The first account was recorded a decade ago, where he had a team of demolition contractors sent into the tunnel to salvage any machinery and inspect the area before any further plans for demolishing the site. One man, who's name Mr. Otsu would not give due to the family of the victim's request, had been attacked and killed by something inhuman, according to the survivors of the team, which had alerted the rest of said group, making them flee the area. They hadn't a clue wither the culprit was a machine gone haywire at the time or a spirit; however, I assuming the latter."
Ayako, Bou-san and Yasuhara nodded, hard expressions evident on their faces. Masako unceasingly kept the lower half of her face concealed from view with her sleeve, while John frowned intently, his attention patently on Naru. Mai looked at him from the corner of her eye, listening to the case history and waited for him to continue, a feeling something tickling the back of her mind from the beginning of the description of the case.
"The second account occurred seven years ago; a trespassing scavenger, identified to be Shuuru Fugashi, based on dental records, was found at the foot of the stairs inside the tunnel. They didn't know the situation that took place, but based on the state of his corpse, it was clear that something inhuman had torn the man apart. There are photos of the crime scene for you to all observe, if you need to."
Naru placed a series of photos out on the table, and multiple gasps rang throughout the room as everyone surveyed the damaged corpses. Mai turned her head to look herself, only to cover her mouth in shock. Whilst there were only three they looked to be more like piles of flesh and entrails than supposed bodies. In one picture was a close up on a pile of red goo-like substance with flesh-daubed bones, and chunks of hair. More bones were scattered all around it, and blood was splattered everywhere on the ground. The next photo was a little more clean, but just as revolting. The man's face was in a permanent expression of pure terror, his eyes and mouth wide as blood expelled from the hollow holes in the skull. His eyes had been gagged out, lying on both side of his head, the irises facing up towards the sky. His stomach had been torn open, his intestines ripped out and dispersed around his body like a gruesome display of art. His clothes were shredded and most of the mans hair had been torn out of his head, leaving fleshy bald patches that made the skull visible beneath. They were nightmare inducing scenes to behold.
At the thought of nightmares, Mai recounted her dream of the girl entering a tunnel, the tickling evanescing. Her eyes broadened as things began to click the pieces together. Tearing her eyes away from the photos, Mai turned towards Naru, "Naru? Has there been a recent attack?" She asked innocently, her sudden interest capturing Naru's attention. If she was right, then she had a few answers to the millions of questions invading her brain.
Naru gave her a knowing look but nodded, "Yes, there has. Just last night, a security guard by the name of Harumi Uchida was attacked, but has survived. He was—"
"He was patrolling the grounds and got dragged down into the tunnel? Then an anonymous call came in shortly after and the authorities came in time to save the day? Or so they claim to have." Mai interrupted him, her statement sounding of a question, but Naru knew she wasn't asking anything except for clarification. The SPR irregulars gazes landed on Mai, shock clear on their faces. Regardless of the fact that they knew of Mai's powers, they still were surprised by the way Mai interrupted the narcissistic boss. Naru nodded slowly, ignoring the others reactions.
"That is correct. Fortunately, you seem to already understand the situation, Mai. I'm sure that I will have to explain everything for you now," Naru commented, receiving a loud 'humph' from said brunette. Mai crossed her arms defensively over her chest, which was larger than it was before he had left. Crossing her arms together while wearing a 'V' cut neckline t-shirt emphasized her 'assets' as she pouted, making Naru glance away, another odd, uncomfortable sensation bubbling up— this time on his face. This one had appeared the more he tended to look at his assistant, and it was impossible to stop it. Well, for now.
This time, it was Bou-san who spoke up, "Anyways... I'm assuming you have already agreed to taking this case, right?" he asked, his chin resting in his hand as he looked at his young 'boss'.
Naru nodded and began gathering up the photos laid out on the table, "We will leave tomorrow by nine o'clock in the morning; you are all required to be there on time. Mai, I will have Lin come and pick you up. You should be ready by then, yes?" He asked, his voice smug. Mai spun her head towards him for the first time that day and narrowed her eyes at him in offense, "Of course I will be," she stated, her cheeks coloring slightly. Regardless of how she acted, she could never get rid of her feelings for Naru. Unfortunately for her, it could most certainly be her demise; it almost had been, too. But now, Mai had to focus on proving her words to her boss. With that thought, she started making a plan.
I need to make sure I have my clothes prepared... As well as packing my things. I might as well prepare food so I can eat quickly and go to bed early tonight... I might have more dreams too. She blinked in realization and nearly palmed herself in the face.
All of my things are packed up already—
"Ah, Naru," Mai said, her voice just barely stuttering, "I— I forgot to mention, I'm moving into the shared-apartment today—"
"Shared-apartment?" Bou-san and Ayako exclaimed in sync, standing up and looking down at Mai, who sat across from them. Mai opened and closed her mouth, then gave a small, cringing smile, "Y—yup..."
Bou-san placed his hands on his hips and narrowed his gaze at the brunette, just who was she rooming with? As he opened his mouth to ask that exact question, Ayako beat him to it, "And just who are you rooming with?"
Mai visibly gulped. Masako and John were staring at Mai now, dumbstruck at the small girl's words. Even Naru, who had gotten up to leave into his office, turned back to watch the minor dispute. Lin had already retreated to his office, but had peeked his head out the door to watch as well. Yasuhara, on the other hand, covered his mouth his hands, attempting to keep his laughter in check. He didn't want the red-headed demon to smack him with her bag, or worse; her heel.
As everyone's gazes landed on Mai, she began to fidget, looking at the ground as though she were being scolded by her parents for sneaking out and staying out late or lying about where she was going. She knew they had good intentions, but this was a little much, "Of course I know who it is," she replied in a low tone. They all continued to stare at her until she continued, "She's one of my senpai's from high school. She graduated a year before I did and happens to be entering to the same University I am, so while I was searching for an apartment that was near both school and work, she came along and offered to share her apartment with me while hanging little 'room-for-rent' posters. I will be paying half the rent, it's a decent size, and it also fits the criteria I was looking for. She's a good person, really," Mai explained, sighing.
Ayako pursed her lips together and nodded, letting put a breath of relief. Bou-san visibly relaxed when he heard 'she', as did Naru, who didn't even realize it until he did so. Yasuhara calmed down his giggling and nodded; John and Masako both just sat there staring at Mai. Lin, however, had again retreated into his office.
"Why is she just entering Uni now?" Yasuhara asked, calling everyone's question out loud. Mai looked thoughtfully at Yasuhara, rolling her eyes, "Because~, she decided to take a year off school to work and save money for an apartment, kind of like how I worked plenty during my early high school years, instead of using only scholarships."
What she said made sense, and seemed to ease the others doubts faintly. But only that much.
"Either way... I want to meet your 'senpai' before you move," Bou-san declared, using his big-brother voice. Ayako elbowed him in the ribs, glaring at him, " Don't you mean so that you can meet a possibly pretty girl, you pedophile?"
"No way! How could you say such a thing? I'm no pedophile, right Mai? I just want to meet the woman she's going to be rooming with in her apartment. And it wouldn't be considered being a pedophile if she's a legal adult..." Yasuhara blew out a breath of laughter at that, "though I wouldn't be surprised if she's prettier than you, you old ha—" Bou-san received a heel to the crotch for that.
Nobody reacted, as this was a normal occurrence with those two specifically. After about ten minutes of their constant bickering, Mai got up and stood between the two adults, "Would you two please stop? I need to get going so I can get my things moved into the apartment. Would you like to help, Bou-san? And Ayako, I'm sure you would like to help out too, right?" Mai asked, trying to distract them. It worked; they couldn't say no to Mai, after all.
"I'll help!" Yasuhara waved his arm around enthusiastically, beaming. Masako huffed and looked away from the group, leaving John to decide if he wanted to tag along or not. John nodded and stood up himself, smiling, "Alright, I'll come and help too, Mai-chan."
Mai smiled at his efforts and nodded gratefully, turning towards the door and calling out, "I'm leaving, Naru!" before grabbing her things and exiting. Naru stood by his office door and shook his head, walking towards his assistants door and opening it. Lin was already hard at work, typing on his computer. The young boss walked up to his old guardian, "Lin, escort Mai to her new apartment and return after she has settled in enough to be ready for tomorrow," he inquired to the tall Chinese man. Lin simply nodded in answer to his charge and stood up, grabbing his coat quickly to catch up with the group. Naru stayed behind and exhaled slowly, before returning to his study.
xXx
"So, what's this senpai of yours like, Mai-san?" Yasuhara asked eagerly. Mai just shrugged, earning a few dubious glances from her group members who were all sitting in the vehicle with her. They were driving to her new apartment building, where the movers truck would most likely already be. She had brought everything but the furniture in her old apartment, other than her bed, nightstand and dressers. Considering the load, it was enough to involve a moving company to aid in bringing her things to the new building. And although they would be helping her move her things, she simply wanted her group members as support while she relocated.
"I'm not all that sure; I mean, she's nice. She's pretty too, of course. Pretty laid back for what I've seen, although she has been through a lot, from what I've observed. We had talked only a few times when I was in high-school, but we're friendly enough, I think. She transferred into my school near the end of my first year, so she only attended the two years," Mai responded, gazing out the window. Everyone nodded coolly and hoped for the best as they neared their destination.
"Where would you like to put these items, ma'am?" one of the movers asked, holding a cardboard box. The silvery-white-mained woman to whom he was speaking to motioned her hand towards an open door in the apartment, "In there is perfect," she replied, her accent evident in her voice. It wasn't heavy, but it was noticeable, and seemed to make the working mover do a double-take back at her before heading off into the room as directed. It took two hours before everything was placed in the bedroom and the bed, nightstand and dressers were re-built and ready to dress or fill. The two movers nodded towards the young woman as they left after having written the companies number down on a sheet of paper for her to call if 'she needed anything at all', and they would come.
However, there were two numbers on the paper, and neither of them resembled the companies dial set at all.
The white haired girl sighed and crumpled the paper in her hand before tossing it into the recycle-bin. She walked into the kitchen and began making a cup of coffee for herself, her energy still somewhat depleted due to the events the night prior. She was thankful her sensei had found her and brought her back to his shrine, taking care for her overnight. Although, she could have done without the long lectures on using to much power and energy and exerting herself. But he was right, after all; she had used to much last night. The woman's spirit was fierce and took quite a bit to hold back, let alone exorcise properly without any other help and with less preparation and essentials, even though she never had anybody's help other than sensei's. Adding the Banshee and her shrieks to the mix and she had exhausted a lot more energy than she expected, as well as the willow-the-wisp energy blasts she aimed at the creature to exorcise and remove it. She was still recovering, even at mid-day.
As the white-haired girl sat herself down, she heard a knock on the door. Groaning, her knees buckled for a moment as she regained her balance, and trotted towards the door, albeit a little slowly. As she drew closer, she could feel more than a single soul on the other side of the door. It must be her, and possibly a few friends... This'll be interesting. She thought, gulping in mild anxiety. Nervousness gripped her throat as she reached for the doorknob and twisted it, throwing the door open to greet the throng of new faces.
Boy, was she ever right about that.
Mai knocked on the apartment door and waited with her friends in the hallway.
"Mai, don't you have a key to the apartment yet?" Bou-san asked her, frowning. Mai nodded.
"I'm not going to barge in there with my friends after having my things just moved in, you know," Mai chided, raising an eyebrow at him.
When they had arrived minutes before, they all noticed the lack of mover trucks at the building, so they had assumed everything had already been attended to by the new 'roommate' of Mai's. Being respectful to her seemed justified enough.
Lin stood at the back of the group, eyeing the door suspiciously. It was not that he had any negative inklings concerning who was beyond the door, but he did have... a feeling, one that seems powerful yet soothing, and furthermore, it made him all the more curious.
He would relay this information to Noll, he decided. He knew his charge was in goods hands as he had left two of his five Shiki behind to guard him in his absence. Coming back from his thoughts due to a chorus of low growls, Lin noticed that his remaining Shiki, however, reacted in an unusual manner to the individual residing in the complex; it was none threatening, yet cautious. The tension in his body made his arm twitch in frustration and confusion as he waited with the group, sending his Shiki to guard and enter the suite to investigate.
There was a seal as well as a Ward of which prevented unwanted spirits and creatures from entering the apartment, he noted, after witnessing two of his Shiki practically bouncing back when in close contact with the door, unable to penetrate the simple-made wood door and walls to scope out the renter on the other side. How could he not have sened to wards? This individual was a magic user, he mused in wonder. Questions piled up as the suspense raised in his muscles, and he clenched his fist, allowing only his hands to betray any type emotional expressed on his normally stoic and bland figure.
The sound of a lock turning alerted whole gang and they all straightened up, awaiting the door to open and see the stranger Mai would be living with. Lin in particular narrowed his eyes in waiting.
It didn't take long for that to happen.
As the door opened wide, a young girl just below average height stood before them, leaning against the door-jamb with her shoulder. She wore a black, long-sleeved sweater and black yoga pants that left almost nothing to the imagination with her curvacious figure, and grey moccasins covered her feet. Her light-tanned skin clashed well with her nearly pure-silvery white hair that was cut short in many angles, at her chin, the free-styled cut fringe-like bangs covering half of her face. Her large, violet-doe eyes danced over them, examining each of the group-members as they all stared in awe at her.
Lin's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the girl. It wasn't her appearance that left him in stunned, although it did aid a slight bit— but it was the uncanny resemblance she had to the woman he had seen the night before.
Was it possible? Coincidence? No, no coincidence's have ever existed; it's fate. And Lin knew that they had all met this woman for a reason, though he hadn't the clue what that particular reason was. How he had not noticed her aura before with his first encounter with the girl the previous night, he couldn't explain. He needed answers, and the only way to get them we're through the young lady who leaned causally observing the faces before her.
As for Mai, as she smiled at her senpai, blinking and squinting her eyes until she recognized her senpai's similar features to the ones from her dream the night before. Her violet eyes glowed just like the dream-girls had. It was her after all... It was enough to leave Mai in an abrupt state of shock. What had she been doing last night of all things...?
"Hello there, thank you all for bringing Mai-chan on over. It's nice to meet you all," the girl said with an obvious accent. It didn't hinder her pronunciation with her Japanese, though, "I'm Rinsaki. Mei Rinsaki."
Rebecca: Ooooooooohoooooooh! Thank you for yet another review! (Very unexpected, and so soon... AGAIN) Well, I was eager to update after I saw your comment, and I do hope you enjoyed reading it so far, so thank you very much for that! And trust me, That girl will certainly appear more than a few times in this story... *wink* *wink*... I'm excited to write so many parts.. AHHHHH! Also, if you are reading this Rebecca, I suggest making an account so we can PM!
If anyone else wants to, that perfectly fine with me too.
If anyone else is reading this story, I'm glad you bothered to.
If anyone else... Eh, you know.
Before I forget; I had found a manga earlier online where the MC's name was also Kazuya Shibuya, does anyone know the title of it? If so, let me know! Especially if it's good or not.. I was skeptical. BUT, I do recommend the manga 'Sekai Oni', it was ADORABLE... Well, the MC was; it is basically a thriller, action, drama, fantasy, mystery, mature, shounen, and psychological story. But it made me feel so many FEELS, I loved it so much. I read all 101 chapters in one day! So let me know your thoughts! If you red it and see 'Cherokee' in the comments on Kissmanga, feel free to say... whatever!