Summary:
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. That if you truly love someone time nor distance matters. You weather the obstacles thrown in your path. Whether you want to or not. Mai and Oliver are no exception. They've grown and are successful in their careers. But there is always something missing. When they are thrown back together confusion and chaos follow. Can they figure out what they want while trying to stay alive? Every case pushes them closer as they navigate their feelings and the hauntings.
ATTN: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt or the Characters associated with it. If I did well... lets just say the story would have ended differently and Vol 12 would exist in English translation.
Anywho lets get started! NO Beta so sorry for any mistakes but focus on the story and enjoy! :)
IT WAS YOU
The next time he saw her was on the TV. He had been reviewing a case with his father in the study when he heard her voice. Whipping his head up from the papers in front of him, he looked to his fathers small flat screen on the shelf across from them. His father had an annoying habit of leaving it on as background noise. The screen flashed with two women smiling as they walked through a home. One was dressed traditionally with dark hair, whom he recognized but quickly dismissed, the other was who had caught his attention. He took note of the ways she had changed over the past 4 years. She'd grown and let her hair grow with her. He watched her hand tuck a piece behind her ear, watching as it swayed around her waist, as she talked and gestured around herself. She was always so animated. He could read her like a book. She always had her emotions so plainly out on display. It was one of the reasons he would tease her so much. Watching the rise and fall on her face was fascinating. He wasn't as emotionally inept as everyone believed him to be, he was just better at controlling them. Hearing his father next to him he broke away for just a moment before quickly looking back.
"Ah, yes the new show with two very talented young mediums. I believe their names are Masako Hara, who had a show previously before doing this one, and…"
Oliver cut him off," Mai… Mai Taniyama."
It was just barely spoken as his father stared at him incredulously, before he abruptly excused himself from the room, pinching the bridge of his nose due to the headache coming on, "I'm not well. I'm going to rest. Good night Father."
After that he began to watch the show when it aired. Like clockwork he'd sit in his living-room with a notebook and follow his old co-workers, yes just co-workers, cases taking notes and solving it with them. It was purely for informational purposes of course. Of which he told his Father and Lin one evening when they had come over to discuss an upcoming event and Oliver flipped it on out of habit. He hadn't realized it at first when Lin questioned,
"Is that Mai and Ms. Hara?"
He snapped to attention but before he could reply his father was responding.
"Yes, Do you know them Lin?" Martin spared a glance at his son, raising a brow at him before turning back to Lin.
Exchanging a look to Oliver as well Lin paused momentarily before responding shortly, "Yes, we were familiar with them in Japan. I was not aware they had took up a show together."
"Ah, Noll was not aware either until a month or so ago when it popped on the TV in my office." Turning to Oliver he continued, "I wasn't aware you had taken an interest. To be honest I thought it had irritated you that another 'ghost hunting' show was out when you left claiming to be ill." Oliver stiffened at the implication as Lin choked slightly on his coffee, hiding his laugh at Noll's expense. Oliver glared at Lin before clicking his tongue, relaxing back in his chair to show just how indifferent he was, before responding.
"As Lin said, we were familiar with them in Japan. That is all. I had eaten something earlier that day that made me feel unwell."
Lin purposely pulled out his laptop ignoring the glare from Oliver and questioning glance from Martin before getting them back on topic. "BSPR is hosting the International Parapsychology conference later this year…."
The next time she saw him again was on her computer screen. She'd been scrolling the Paranormal Journal, where all the latest information in the field was posted whether it be scientific discoveries or the latest gossip. The screen displayed an article about him. The headline read:
OLIVER DAVIS & CHARLETTE PARRY ENGAGED
She stared at that headline till it burned against her lids when closed. The image below was even worse; Nar-Oliver, she reminded herself, was walking down the side-walk with a woman next to him. They weren't touching but the blonde woman was smiling adoringly at him. They did seem a good match, the woman, Charlette, was dressed in a pretty white blouse and khaki skirt paired with a matching suit jacket, looking exactly his opposite. She felt her chest tighten at the sight of him. As handsome as ever with his dark hair and tall, lean form. It seemed he still preferred to wear black as well.. She realized she had started crying as she felt a tear run down her cheek. Slapping her cheeks and shaking her head, "It's been years Mai. Get over it." She looked back to the screen in front of her. Pushing the emotions she thought she had long gotten over down while taking a deep breath in and out she shakily reached back over to her mouse pad and scrolled down the page. Tucking an errant piece of hair behind her ear while scanning the article she realized it wasn't verified and was from a Cambridge rumor/gossip blog. The tension in her body releasing she leaned back into the couch, emotionally exhausted. Staring at the image of the man in front of her she felt conflicted. That day still clear in her head.
They had found Gene's body in the lake. Lin had informed them. She couldn't wrap it around her head that he had a brother let alone the fact that said brother was dead. Mai had asked where Naru was and was told he had gone for a walk after identifying the body. Mai had immediately run to find him. Coming up to a clearing in the trees she spotted him standing up from a rock about to walk away. looking lost in thought. She called out to him but paused because asking him if he was alright didn't seem appropriate. Who would be alright after all he'd been through. Interrupting her thoughts Naru smiled slightly and quietly reassured her. She asked about his brother and learned they were twins. When Naru showed her a picture she was shocked by how similar they were! The only difference being in their facial expressions. Naru was his usual self, stoic as can be, while his brother, Gene, was smiling. She was reminded of 'Dream Naru'. Slightly embarrassed, she told him of the "Naru" in her dreams who, Oliver informed her, was actually Gene acting as her spirit guide. She was still reeling when she was told he was leaving for England and closing the office. Naru turned from her with a sad smile saying goodbye. Mai couldn't stand that look on his face. Couldn't let this be the end. In a rush she grabbed the back of his jacket and confessed to him. He was quiet for what seemed to be forever before barely whispering out, "Me or Gene?" In shock Mai had let go of him and gaped at him in disbelief. He looked at her for just a moment over his shoulder before walking away.
*RING RING RING RING*
Mai jumped out of her thoughts at the sound of her phone going off next to her. In her haste to grab it off her coffee table she fell off the couch; dropping her laptop on the floor, knocking her tea over on the table and hitting her funny bone in the process. "Ow, ow ,ow ,ow," Fumbling for her phone she hurries to answer.
"He-Hello?" breathing heavily through the pain Mai hears a sigh and she knows who called.
"Honestly Mai can you not even answer a phone properly?"
Laughing into the phone, Mai smiles, "Masako! It's been awhile. What can I do for you." Standing from her position on the floor with her phone to her ear, she sighs exasperatedly under her breath, and begins to straighten the mess she just made as Masako replied, "We saw each other yesterday. I wanted to talk to you about the next case we are shooting."
"Oh! We have another one already? We are really picking up. I'll be over in an hour? I have to shower. I got tea everywhere." Mai finishes in disdain while trying to dab the tea off her pant leg.
"I'm sure you did. No grace or manners. I'll see you in an hour. Don't be late.."
Huffing a laugh under her breath Mai moved towards the shower. Masako never changes, even if they were best friends now.
Mai was browsing through the science and research section of the bookstore when she saw him again. Oliver Davis' new book on Parapsychology and its effects on technology. She snorted to herself, of course he would write a book about that. Genuinely intrigued she picked it up and opened it to the dedication and smiled to herself. It was so him. It read 'Dedicated to the idiots who still question the capabilities of technology and the importance it has in researching parapsychology.' That was Naru alright. Well, Oliver, she shouldn't call him that anymore. Closing the book and flipping it over to his image on the back she walks to the counter.
"Wow Mai, buying the Big Bosses book?"
Smiling Mai looks over, "Now how could I do that. My small brain couldn't handle the information." She laughs with Yasu at the inside joke. Placing the book on the counter for the clerk with the money she asks, "Here to escort me to lunch?"
"Well of course young lady, what kind of man do you take me for? Youngin's these days don't understand how to properly treat a lady. When I was a boy my Father would have had my hide if I acted like they do now."
Taking the bag from the clerk she thanked him and looped her arm through Yasu's offered one. "Yasu, you know as well as I do you are not as angelic as you pretend to be." Giving him a look as Yasu had the gall to look offended.
Placing his hand to his chest in dramatic fashion he feigned hurt, "Mai-chan, you WOUND me!"
Playing along, to placate him she patted the arm she was linked with, "There, there my dear friend. Bou-san awaits us." Yasu lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Ah, yes. My love. My one and only." Laughing they both walked towards the cafe they were meeting at for lunch.
This place was their favorite. The group consisting of the old SPR members, minus the two in England of course, loved the hole in the wall place. The quaint family ran cafe was where they met for lunch the last day of each month. In the 4 and a half years since SPR disbanded it became the way they all kept up with each other. At first it had been a hard adjustment but slowly became the new normal. Yasu opened the door before bowing slightly, hand outward for Mai, "My lady?"
Laughing as the boy grinned she took his hand, "Why thank you sir." She walked in and, letting go of Yasu, she headed to their usual table. Waving at the daughter of the owners she sat down. Yasu sitting across from her. They discussed their current struggles and activities like her show and Yasu's Master -program when they heard a jovial voice interject, "Well, well, look who it is!" A hand ruffled Mai's hair as Bou-san sat down next to her. John and Ayako joining them as well. Groaning at the state of her now messy hair Mai gave the man an annoyed look while attempting to fix it.
"Now my love, how could you greet anyone else before me?!" Yasu exclaimed, reaching over to grab the monk's hands. Holding his hands up quickly in surrender his face slightly paler, "oh, sh-shounen…. Why do you always do that."
"That is because Yasuhara is still an immature child Takigawa-san."
"Masako, good to see you. You look even lovelier in person than on TV." Yasu responded with a wink not missing a beat.
Masako raised her brow before responding from behind her kimono clad hand, "You'd do well to keep to yourself." Ignoring his out-stretched hand Masako walked past to sit next to John who pulled her chair out for her. Sitting down she thanked him then turned to the group. "Hello, everyone." Everyone exchanged hellos as the waitress came over and took their orders. Monk and Mai scrambled to pick something.
Shaking her head Ayako smiled, "It never does change with this group does it." Sighing, Ayako looked to Mai and Masako, "You all are doing great. Your show is gaining a lot of popularity! It's playing almost every time I walk into a patient's room ."
"It really is! My sister called asking about you all. She even asked if I could get your autographs." John added sheepishly while smiling.
Mai smiled, "Of course they can John! I'd love to meet her sometime."
"I've told Mai-chan here," Yasu placed his hand on hers, patting it softly, "that there are plenty of young bachelors in my program interested in her after I let it slip that we were friends." Grinning wolfishly at Mai as she ripped her hand away, face red as a tomato.
"More like offered me out on a platter Yasu!" Glaring at him she explained, "He told his friends that I was available but just have a hard time understanding romantic advances."
"Well Mai, he may have a point." Giving Ayako a betrayed look as Masako agreed, "It is true Mai. There have been a few times on set a guy would flirt with Mai and she'd blow him off or be so oblivious she didn't know what the poor guy was doing."
Masako gave her a playful glare, "Pitiful really. If I didn't know any better I'd say she wants to be alone. The few dates you do go on never make it to a second." Mai turned red and shook head violently. Opening her mouth to deny the claim she was interrupted by John.
"I'm sure Mai just isn't interested at the moment." Mai smiled gratefully at the priest calming down.
"Speaking of relationships. Did anyone else see that Naru is engaged?" Ayako said. Why did she have to bring that up? Ayako was like a mother to her, really, she and Bou-san had even adopted her! The woman could just drive her crazy. It's like she had the ability to know exactly what Mai didn't want to discuss and make it impossible not to. Mai had forgotten all about that stupid article. The group glanced between Ayako and Mai as she continued, "Who would have thought that emotionally stunted boy would get married before the majority of us!"
Snickering Bou-san replied, "The reason you're married is because you had to. You were running out of time for…" He was cut off by Ayako smacking him with her purse from across the table.
Hit.
"Ow!"
Hit.
"You are older than me!"
Hit.
"OW! Stop it woman!"
Hit.
"And you're the one who married me!" Sitting back down with a huff Ayako fixed herself in her seat glaring at the monk who gripped his head with a pout.
"Children." Masako said with feigned irritation.
"I saw the article but it wasn't from any reputable sources and hasn't been confirmed by either family. So we can't be sure if it is true. This is the Big Boss." Yasu said.
"That is true. I'm sure he is a very eligible bachelor in Cambridge." Bou-san added. The waitress walked up with their food, already used to the rambunctious group.
"Enjoy!" As she walked off Bou-san continued.
"I wonder how Naru and Lin are doing. We haven't heard from them since they left."
"Well Mai-chan has been keeping up to date," Yasu supplied wiggling his brows, "she just purchased his latest book!"
Mai sighed, "I was interested in it Yasu. I do work in the field professionally now."
Yasu conceded "Ah, you are right! How could I forget? You and Masako are TV stars now!"
"You guys are the up and coming stars of the field. You might even give Naru a run for his money." Monk said, nudging Mai playfully. Smacking his arm away playfully Mai laughed.
"Okay, okay enough about me. How are you all doing?" She asked looking around the table at her friends. Well they were family really. As they ate, Mai sat and took in her found family, reflecting on how they have grown, as they brought each other up to date on their lives. Monk and Ayako may fight still but they have really mellowed out and found themselves in each other over the years. They got married and even adopted her. She had wanted to refuse at first but she already saw them as pseudo-parents so she caved and happily accepted. Monk was doing great in his band and Ayako was still working at her family hospital. John was like the older, level headed, brother. He still worked at the church from their Christmas Eve case. She loved visiting to help with the kids there when she had free time. Yasu is the younger, annoying, brother that really meant well. He was double-majoring in history and religion. He also used his spare time to make Mai's life difficult. Masako was the sister. They were best friends now even though they weren't always on the best terms but that's sisters for you. Masako had approached her not long after she graduated high school to start the show. Mai had been apprehensive at first but now she didn't regret her choice. She had found her place with her adopted family supporting her. They all still got together on occasion to solve cases here and there but they were never like before. Getting pulled from her thoughts she looked towards Monk. Blinking at him she said, "What?"
"We lost you there for a minute Jou-chan," moving his hand from her head he turned back to the table.
"Honestly Mai, still so spacey? I was telling everyone about the International Parapsychology conference we were invited to in a few months when Takigawa-san had to bring you back down to earth," Masako snarked. Ignoring her jab, just like a sister alright, and furrowing her brow Mai questioned, "The conference? We were invited? When were you going to tell me!"
"I just found out myself. We were invited as guests of BSPR. They are holding it this year in England." Masako looked around the table as the group took in the news. Everyone's faces were surprised but excited for the young women, well everyone except Mai. Mai's stomach dropped as her face fell before she quickly attempted to look as if she was excited. Who wouldn't be? It was an honor to be invited to the biggest gathering of Psychics and researchers in their field. It happened once every 5 years and only the best and most recognized of their field were invited. But all Mai could think about was where it was held. England. The one place on this earth that she wanted to avoid. He would attend for sure. If it was in America like it had been previously she would have happily accepted and gone because the likelihood of him going let alone running into him would have been minuscule compared to England. The place he lives and works. Not only that but BSPR is the company he works with and was the one hosting them for the conference.
"H-how exciting Masako!" Mai's strained smile cluing the group in.
Ever the saint John swooped in, "It is exciting! This is an amazing opportunity. Are you all planning to attend?"
"I haven't accepted yet. I wanted to talk with Mai and check our schedule first." Masako supplied behind a kimono clad hand. "But it is a great honor and would be rude to not accept without good reason." Looking from John over to Mai Masako continued. "Our schedule is currently free so unless Mai has something we will be accepting." Immediately panic spread through Mai. She has no clue what she wants to do. Damn Masako for being right, it would be rude to not accept it if there wasn't a good reason. She just needs a good reason.
"W-what about the recent case we got as a group it sounded serious! We can't just leave a client to suffer while we're gone."
Smiling at her attempt Yasu placed a hand on hers and quietly said, "Mai, you know I care for you like a sister. We also both know you are just trying to get out of it. We'', gesturing with his free hand to those at the table, "can take care of this little case just fine without you and Masako. It's nothing like the old cases at SPR."
Monk added, "We know that you're nervous about running into Naru but you don't need to be. You aren't the same high school girl we all met. You've grown and matured and even secured yourself a TV show!"
"The idiot monk is right for once, you are a capable medium and a beautiful young woman. Who knows Naru may take one look at you and fall head over heels," Ayako teased with a wink and a smile.
Huffing slightly at Ayako's comment she smiled, "You all are right. I'm not the same person I was. I'm established in my career and this conference is an important part of that. I probably won't even run into him with so many people there!" Trying to remain positive Mai finished her meal as the group helped the girls plan for their upcoming trip to England. She really hoped she could make it through this without opening the pandoras box of her true feelings. She'd kept them locked away this long, so if she can avoid him she can avoid them... right?