Hurrying up the stairs, she was nearly to the room when something slammed into her, throwing her into the wall. Dazed, she passed out.

Chapter Three

Mai came to as a light was shined in her eyes. Wincing, she tried to turn her head, only for someone to lock their hands around it. She heard Lin's voice.

"No concussion."

"The spirit isn't at rest. It could have killed her. I never should have let her go down to the spring on her own." Naru spoke softly to Lin.

When the light was removed from her eyes, Mai blinked rapidly, taking in her surroundings. She's back in the base, everyone surrounding her. Even Kuroda has returned.

"What happened?" Mai tried to sit up. Letting go of her head, Naru grabbed her shoulders and helped her.

"The hall camera recorded you being thrown." Naru explained. When Mai could sit up on her own, he let go and went to kneel in front of her.

"Then, we failed." Mai looked back at him sadly. "What will we do, now."

"We'll simply continue to try." John gave her a comforting smile. "Somehow, we'll figure this out."

"For now, I want you to rest." Naru put a hand on her shoulder, trying to get her to lay back down. Mai fought him for a second, then gave in. At this point in the evening, it's reasonable for everyone to sleep. Maybe, she can have a helpful dream.

"I'll try." She rolled onto her side on the futon that had been laid out for her. Naru covered her with a blanket. Curling up under it, Mai tried and failed to sleep. "I can't sleep. Not now, knowing it's still not finished. Has anyone informed Mrs Shimizu?"

"Yes." Lin told her.

Naru got up and pulled another futon out of the closet. Rolling it out beside hers, he sat up in it, leaning against the wall with a book. "Try to rest. I'll be right here."

Mai smiled and closed her eyes. Within twenty minutes or so, she started to drift off. The last thing she registered as she did so was the sound of thunder rumbling outside.

Mai opened her eyes to find she was standing in front of the onsen. It looked different, somehow. Less polished than it is, today. Ryochi took her hand.

"This is all for you, Hoshiko. I hope you'll be happy, here."

While a feeling of gratefulness settled inside her, one of discomfort did as well, particularly when the man put an arm around her. Looking to the side, she spotted Yosuke, dressed in a festive blue gentleman's kimono. She felt her heart soar at the sight.

The scene changed to the inside of a bed chamber. Mai was laying flat on a futon as Ryochi climbed over her. He smiled without warmth.

"You'll give me a son, soon. We just have to keep trying."

Her skin prickled as he reached to open her kimono. Before that scene could get any more vivid, it shifted to the garden outside the onsen.

Mai was seated on a stone bench, under a cherry blossom tree. Beside her sat Yosuke. He had her hands in his.

"I've always loved you, Hoshiko, ever since we were children."

"I love you, Yosuke. Please...take me away from here."

"My brother would hunt us down."

The scenery around her morphed to the bedroom, again. This time, she was lying in the futon next to Yosuke. She placed a hand on the side of his face.

"I'm pregnant...It's yours. I just know it."

The look of happiness on his handsome face made her smile. Leaning in, they kissed one another.

The next scene was a familiar one. Hoshiko on her knees of the room, Ryochi towering over her, Yosuke dead just in view. Tears poured down her face.

Next, she saw Ryochi digging with a shovel at the base of a large rock. An elderly woman stood nearby, holding a lantern to light the darkness for him.

The woman spoke. "There's an illness attacking families in the area. We'll say they died of it. No son of mine will be condemned for this. She was a cheating whore."

Mai watched from the sides as Hoshiko and Yosuke were thrown into the hole. Before they were buried, a talisman was placed in with them. Mai stared at the symbols, unable to understand them. Her heart ached for the dead lovers.

Mai woke. Her heart was full of sadness. Poor Hoshiko...forced to marry a man she didn't love. She died for her love. A love she couldn't help but feel. And Yosuke...he wanted to rescue her, but was trapped under his brother's thumb. How different would their story have been in the modern day, when marriage for love is a lot more common?

Mai sat up. She found everyone else had gone to sleep. Going to kneel at the table, Mai found her notebook and began writing the details of the dream. She wrote the symbols as best as she could remember them. When she finished, she climbed back into bed and tried to go back to sleep.

The next morning, everyone looked over Mai's notebook, trying to decipher the symbols. Naru took a picture and sent them to Yasuhara. While they waited, Monk tried to guess.

"These look so familiar. I can't quite put my finger on them. I think this particular symbol means 'to bind'."

Naru furrowed his brows. "They're bound to their grave."

"Maybe."

Yasuhara called them back. "It's definitely a form of old Japanese folk magic. Its intended purpose is to keep a spirit from moving on. To trap them in their sins. It's usually reserved for burials following executions."

Mai nodded. "They were definitely executed."

Naru pointed at the drawing of the grave Mai had made. "If we took you into the forest, could you find it?"

"I'll try. I'm not entirely sure."

Everyone got up and headed downstairs, for breakfast. As soon as they'd eaten, they prepared to head out. It'd started raining in the night and was still going. Mai accepted an umbrella and headed outside. The group made their way through the garden and into the woods.

They searched, but could not find anything. After a couple hours, Mai began to get cold and they headed back inside.

"That was miserable." Monk shook out his umbrella before stepping inside with everyone else.

"I'm sorry. Everything looks so different." Mai fretted.

"Hey, you tried. We don't expect anything more." Monk reassured her. "Let's try again when the rain stops."

With nothing else that they could do, everyone headed back upstairs to wait out the storm.

The rain didn't officially stop until close to seven. With limited time before sunset, they hurried back into the forest. It took nearly all the time they had. Eventually, Mai stumbled upon the same boulder from the dream. She pointed. "Right there."

Taking the shovels provided by Mrs Shimizu, Monk and Lin got to work on digging. The sun set over the horizon. Naru shined a flashlight for them, his eyes peeled for any activity.

"We're out of time." Naru went to stand by Mai.

"Almost there!" Monk called from inside the hole, about three feet deep.

"We're lucky no roots grew to block the grave." Lin said.

Mai's skin prickled. "He's here!"

"Got it!" Monk held up a strange stone tablet with the symbols Mai had seen in her dream. It was remarkably well preserved, since the burial had kept it from the elements. Lifting up his knee, Monk broke the thin tablet over it. Wind began to whip around, coming from around them and up from the grave.

Monk and Lin hurried out of the grave. John put a hand on Kuroda and Masako's backs, ready to defend them. Mai gasped as the spirit of Ryochi became visible to them. He looked...fearful...as the spirits of Hoshiko and Yosuke came up from the grave.

They both locked their arms around Ryochi and dragged him back into the grave. The the breaking of a seal, something seemed to snap. With it, all the static in the air vanished.

Mai sank to her knees, overwhelmed. "It's...gone. His spirit is no longer here..."

Masako looked down at the hole. "We've removed the talisman blocking their spirits from moving on. Despite the hatred holding Ryochi here, he was no match for Hoshiko, Yosuke and their rage. They dragged his soul to the afterlife."

Naru knelt beside Mai and helped her up. Wrapping a firm arm around her waist, he helped her back to the onsen. As they stepped over the threshold, Mai felt true relief. It's truly finished.

Mrs Shimizu was so grateful, she offered SPR the chance to stay as long as they wanted as honored guests. After everything that's happened, few wanted to take her up on it. Taking their pay, they returned to Tokyo.

Mai finally got to see Ayako after the case. She looked surprisingly calm, if not a little tired. She'd given it days of thought and had decided to keep the baby. Once her own shock faded, Mai was happy for her and excited for a chance to be an aunt.

Soon after the case wrapped up, it came time for Monk to go back out on the road with his band and John was recalled back to Australia for the Summer. Yasuhara decided to participate in a Summer program for his school and Masako got caught up in her tv program.

Mai herself decided to spend her down time starting a blog, documenting her cases. This brought her a lot of joy, getting to share her experiences with the world. Her readers quickly grew in a short amount of time. Within a couple weeks, she had about a thousand people reading her little case stories.

"It's kind of cute." Ayako teased Mai. "You've got a fan base. Monk will be impressed."

"Are you still not talking to him?" Mai sat beside Ayako on the couch.

"I will, eventually." Ayako crossed her arms. "I can't believe he agreed to go back out on the road."

"You weren't talking to him before that." Mai reminded her.

The older shrine maiden grimaced. "Well...I guess I've been a little too annoyed to talk to him about things."

"He's the father." Mai nudged Ayako's shoulder. "He'll want to be involved. Right now, he's giving you space to think."

"Oh, please. He couldn't wait to go touring with his band." Ayako pouted.

"It's only for a month." Mai's phone rang. She answered it. "Hey, Kuroda."

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!"

"Slow down, what happened?"

"I ran into Hiro! He asked me out for coffee!"

Mai grinned. "That's amazing! You must be so excited. How did it happen? When? Where?"

"I saw him at the mall, while I was looking for case appropriate clothes. He hugged me and we got to talking. He said I looked great. Can you believe that?"

"I certainly can." Mai got up and went to sit in her room, to give Ayako some quiet. "You sell yourself short. Of course he asked you out."

"We're going to meet back at the mall, so we can go to that little coffee shop near that stationary store...Will you come with me?"

"On your date?"

"No! Well, kind of. It would just make me feel better if I knew you were in the mall."

"Sure, I can do that. When is your date?"

"In a few days, at two in the afternoon."

"I'll walk around the mall during your date. You can call me when it's over."

"Thank you! Seriously!" Kuroda hung up shortly after.

Sitting her phone aside, Mai pulled her computer up onto her lap and wrote another entry on her blog, talking about some of the finer details of their most recent case.

When the day came for Kuroda's date with Hiro, Mai helped her dress, encouraging her to borrow some of her clothes. In the end, Kuroda put on a jean skirt and a flattering peach colored blouse. She stood in front of the mirror in Mai's room, tugging at the skirt.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable in this."

Mai fished out a pair of leggings that would compliment the blouse. "Wear these."

Kuroda smiled gratefully and put them on. Turning this way and that, she smiled. "This is a really pretty top."

"It gives you some nice color." Mai offered Kuroda some lip gloss. Kuroda waved it off.

Well, I guess I'm ready."

"Good, cause it's gonna take us a bit to get there by bus."

The girls headed out and Mai locked up behind them. She hooked her little wallet to the lanyard with her key on it and followed Kuroda out to the street. Catching the first bus they came across, they managed to make it to the mall with a few minutes to spare.

Kuroda paused just inside. "There he is...God, I'm nervous."

"Don't be. You've known Hiro for years. You've talked to him, before. Just treat this like any other conversation."

"But, this isn't 'any other conversation'. This is a date. Right? This is a date?"

"Seems like one." Mai bumped her hip into Kuroda's. "Now, go get him."

Swallowing audibly, Kuroda walked forward. Mai quickly ducked into a clothing shop and stayed there until the couple had walked off, together. She was about to head for the food court when she bumped into the last person she expected to see.

"Keiko!" Mai's jaw nearly dropped in surprise.

She looked back at Mai, spooked. "Mai. I didn't know you shopped here."

Mai looked around. The clothes are a little different than her usual style. "I'm just looking around, I guess."

Biting her lip nervously, Keiko turned to leave. "I gotta go."

"Wait!" Mai hurried to catch up to her. Keiko paused. "Look...I know things haven't been the best between us, but I miss you. Can't we still talk?"

"Why would you want to? All we ever do is fight." Keiko nervously stared at her feet, a slight glare forming. It didn't last. "I miss you, too."

Mai smiled. "Do you want to maybe grab a snack? My treat."

Keiko hesitated a moment before nodding. "Sure."

With more than a little awkwardness between them, the two walked to the food court. Choosing cookies and some lemonades, they sat at a table across from one another.

Mai tried to keep the conversation going. "My team's been on a bit of a break, lately, so I've been writing a blog."

Keiko smiled. "I'm glad you're still writing. You're really good at it."

"What have you been up to?"

"Applying for colleges, mostly. I've gotten a couple acceptance letters."

"Congratulations! I have, too. Though, I'm still waiting on my number one pick. I've applied to a program in England that focuses on paranormal studies and psychic research. If all goes well, they'll invite me for an in person interview and it'll go from there."

Keiko looked surprised. "Wow. I didn't know they had programs like that. I suppose that would really suit you and your interests."

Mai's smile became strained. After everything Keiko has witnessed, does she now believe Mai about her abilities? She believes in ghosts, now, but what else? "Um...do you still talk to Michiru?"

"As often as I can. She's made some friends in Osaka. She seems happier."

Mai looked sadly at her lemonade. "She doesn't answer my calls, anymore."

"She doesn't always answer mine, either." Keiko shrugged.

They fell into an awkward silence after that. Mai worried her lip. "I don't suppose you'd like to go shopping or something? It might be fun."

Keiko shrugged and agreed. Finishing their cookies, they tossed their trash and got up to do some shopping. About two hours after first running into each other, Mai's phone rang. Keiko looked at the screen. "You still talking to Kuroda?"

"Yes." Mai answered carefully, guarded. She's not sure how Keiko would react to the news Kuroda is here with Hiro, on a date.

"I should go." Keiko backed away. "I'll...call you."

Mai wanted to stop her, but figured she'd wasted enough of her time. Sighing, she answered Kuroda's call before meeting her by the coffee shop.

"How'd the date go?"

"Really good." Kuroda smiled in a lovesick fashion. "He's asked me out to dinner tomorrow night."

"I'd better not go on that one, if it's all the same." Mai smiled, happy for her. "I ran into Keiko."

"How'd it go?" Kuroda looked surprised.

"Pretty well. We hung out until you called. She said she'd call me."

An alarm on Mai's phone went off. Kuroda smiled. "That your date reminder? I think you mentioned going over to Naru's."

"Yeah." Mai's smile took over her face. "He's going to cook for me, again."

"Then, we better get you home." Kuroda offered her arm. Mai hooked hers around it and the two left the mall together.

Later that evening, as seven o'clock rolled around, Naru called.

"Hey, you're late." Mai checked the clock in Ayako's living room.

"I'm afraid something's come up. We'll have to postpone."

Mai frowned. "Oh? What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Lin just has some work for me. I'd better get it out of the way before the weekend. That way, I can see you."

She pouted. "I guess I'll see you later, then."

"On Friday, at eleven."

"It's a date." Mai smiled. When he hung up, she plopped down on the couch, bummed. It's looking like she'll be alone for the evening. Ayako's been putting in more hours at the hospital to prepare for the baby and everyone else is either busy or not in Tokyo.

Mai turned on the tv and tried to watch it for a while, only to get bored. Turning it off, she fetched her computer and went to sit on the couch with it. Opening her blog, she found she had a private message.

Private Message:

I have to say how much I love your blog. Your job seems incredible and gives me ideas of what I want to do with my own life. It's been great seeing things through your eyes. It gives me faith in my own experiences to know there's someone out there that not only sees ghosts, but interacts with them. -Kimoi31

Mai smiled, pleased she'd made such an impact on a reader.

Private Message:

I'm so honored to hear that. Each paranormal experience makes such a big impact on me. I can imagine it's the same for you. I'd love to hear about your experiences. -MaiT

He responded within twenty minutes with a detailed encounter from his school days. It encouraged Mai to share more of our own stories. Before she knew it, they were about fifteen messages in and Ayako was coming home.

Ayako yawned. "You're still up."

Mai looked at the time, surprised. "Oh. It's that late? I still haven't cooked."

"Just make something for yourself. I'm gonna get some sleep." Rubbing her stomach, Ayako left for her room.

Saying goodbye to Kimoi, she shut her computer and hurried into the kitchen. She chose to make a quick microwavable meal. Eating, she went right to bed.

That Friday, Naru picked Mai up right at eleven. They headed into Shibuya district, to a Science museum Mai had found online. She figured it would hold a bit more of Naru's interest, if only just.

"It's got really high ratings. I'm sure you'll love it."

Naru took took a right turn. "I'm sure it will be fine. I hope you found some way to entertain yourself the other day."

"I did. I took Kuroda to the mall, so she could go on a date with Hiro. I also met up with Keiko."

"I thought the two of you were no longer talking."

Mai didn't miss the slightly disapproving tone in his voice. "Well, I guess we are, now."

"I only advise you to be careful." Naru parked. "This appears to be the place."

Mai hopped out of Naru's Mazda before he could come to open her door. He caught up to her a few steps away from the car. "It looks big."

"Biggest in the city, I believe you mentioned." Heading inside, they bought their tickets and began to look around. After about an hour of Mai leading the way, Naru finally stopped them at a section of planets. "This was my brother's preferred Scientific study, outside of the paranormal. He believed planets had an effect on the way we behave."

Mai nodded. "Astrology."

"A Science with little grounding in reality, often used by charlatans to scam unwitting people out of their hard-earned money."

Mai nearly rolled her eyes. "Some people say the same thing about the paranormal. If Gene believed in it, it must have some basis in fact. Maybe the planets really do have some kind of impact."

Naru didn't argue with her. Taking his hand, Mai led him to the next exhibit. After they'd explored everything, they stopped at a gift shop. Mai admired a little selection of key chains at the front counter, particularly the moon. Picking it up, Naru purchased it for her and helped her put it on her lanyard.

They went to grab a late lunch after that. They ended their date with a walk through a local park.

"We may have another case coming up." Naru explained.

"What are the details?" The last two weeks have been rather dull. It would be nice to get back to work, Mai thought.

"An older man just passed away. His family is certain he's still haunting his home. It might be rather simple, but they're offering a modest sum for our efforts."

"It's better than nothing." Mai shrugged. "I'm up for anything. I've been so bored."

He smirked. "That blog of yours not keeping your entertained enough?"

She blinked. "How do you know? I only told Ayako and Kuroda."

"It was fairly easy to find." He took her hand. "Careful about the information you put on the internet."

"I only gave my first name. I use pseudonyms for everyone else and haven't even mentioned which paranormal investigation company I work for."

He nodded. "That's acceptable."

Leaving the park, they got in the Mazda and Naru took her home. She paused to kiss him in the car. It made her think of the time he took her to his house and kissed her on the couch. Would things reach that point, again?

"Do you want to come in?" She asked, her cheeks flushed.

He smirked. "Trying to get me alone?"

Her face got redder. "N-no."

He got out of the car. "Very well."

He circled around to open her door and helped her out. Heading upstairs, they found the apartment empty. Ayako must have already left. He looked around.

"This is the first time you've seen the inside of Ayako's apartment, I think."

"It is. It's rather...cheerful."

"Not everything can be all dark and gloomy." Mai teased him.

He pulled her to him by her hand. Running a hand across her cheek, he kissed her. "I suppose not."

Mai stood on her toes and deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. He pulled her flush against him, his hands locked around her waist. While the kiss contained some passion, it lacked the heat Mai was looking for. When he pulled away, Mai pouted.

He smirked, his eyes holding humor. Mai blushed again. "What?"

"You're signaling your thoughts very loudly."

She looked away. "I can't help it. When you kiss me like that, it's hard to think."

He pulled her back in for a kiss. Mai held onto him tightly, practically daring him to pull away. She licked his lower lip. After a moment's hesitation, he opened his mouth for her. She tried not to let her shyness get the best of her as she tentatively explored his mouth.

His shoulders started to shake with silent laughter. "You'd think you were traversing a minefield."

Mai sighed, her face heated. "I'm trying my best."

He tilted her chin up with his finger. "I'm only teasing you. Relax."

She smiled nervously. He resumed the kiss, taking control, this time. He picked her up and carried her over to the couch, sitting her on his lap, just like last time. Keeping one hand on the back of her head, he put the other on her waist, squeezing slightly. She let out a shaky breath.

He stuck his tongue in her mouth, moving slowly, showing her how to. She copied his movements, her arms locked around his neck. In a show of rare boldness, she brought her hands up and buried her fingers in his hair. She felt him smirk into the kiss. Trailing his mouth along her jaw, he kissed down her neck, paying particular attention to her pulse point. She bit her lip.

He paused at the junction between her neck and shoulder, blocked by her short sleeved shirt. Kissing back up, he returned to her lips. She experimented by kissing his neck. He tilted his head. She tried licked his neck. She thought she heard a soft breath come out of him, but couldn't be sure.

Reaching up to grip her wrists, he gently pushed her away. His eyes were very dark, with some emotion she couldn't quite decipher.

Mai looked up at him, confused. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. But, we'd better stop." His eyes flit down to look at her lips.

"Why?"

He raised his brows in surprise. "Is there something in particular you'd like to try?"

Her face lit up. "Not necessarily..."

"I don't believe Matsuzaki would appreciate me compromising you at all, let alone in her apartment."

Mai chewed her lip, trying to calm herself down. He's right.

"Will we?"

She asked it before she could stop herself. He looked into her eyes, trying to read them. "Will we, what?"

She licked her lips. "Will we...ever?"

He smirked. "It seems likely at the rate we're going. If it's something you think you want, I can work to make it happen."

Her breathing became uneven, again. She pulled him back in for a kiss. He gently grabbed her face and pulled her away. His eyes said it all.

Not yet.

When her body settled enough to accept that, she became shy, again. "I'm sorry."

"You've nothing to be sorry for." He brushed her hair out of her face.

"You..." She bit her lip. "...make it sound like we're doing everything we do simply because I want it."

He smirked. The humor reached his eyes. "You're concerned I don't actually want to be with you that way?"

Blushing, she nodded. "I don't want to push for something you don't actually want."

She gasped as he wrapped a hand around her neck and pulled her back in, crashing his lips to hers. He kissed her with so much passion, she forgot how to breath. When he pulled away, she was panting for air.

"Does that alleviate some of your worry?"

She shakily nodded her head. Her chest heaved with the effort it took her to breathe. He wants her. He wants her as much as she wants him. But, he's careful. Likely for her sake. And he's right to be. When things eventually reach that point, she wants to be ready. No hesitation. While eight months is a long time, it's perhaps a little soon to be going to bed, together.

To both their embarrassment, Ayako unlocked the door and came right in. She scowled at their current positions. Standing, Naru placed Mai on her feet.

"I'll be going." He kissed Mai's cheek and left.

Shutting the door behind him, Ayako grabbed her stomach. "You know, that's how this begins."

Mai blushed. "It's not like that!"

She stared into Mai's eyes for a moment. Satisfied with what she saw, she nodded. "Good."

"You're home early." Mai checked the time.

"And a good thing, apparently." Ayako sighed. "I had to leave early. My morning sickness is getting more and more out of control."

"Can I do anything for you? Broth, crackers?" Mai headed for the kitchen.

"No!" Ayako immediately rushed for the bathroom at the mere mention of food.

Mai grimaced, feeling bad. "I'm sorry!"

Figuring she'd better leave her be, Mai excused herself to her room and got on the computer. She had a message from Kimoi.

Private Message:

Hey! You busy? Thought I could tell you about the time I got trapped in a basement with a spirit! -Kimoi31

Smiling, Mai replied. She continued to talk to them for the next couple hours until it got late enough for dinner. Getting off the computer, Mai made some soup, figuring Ayako could have some when she's up for it. After she ate, she settled down for a movie.

Mai looked around the SPR van as they pulled into the drive of their client's house. With most of the regular team busy with other things, it left only Naru, Ayako, Kuroda, Lin and herself. But, the case seems simple. A quick investigation to confirm or deny their suspicions, then a cleansing ceremony performed by Ayako.

Getting out of the van, Mai stood with the others while Naru took care of greetings. Inside, they were permitted to set up their equipment in the dining room of the smaller house.

"Hello. I'm Minoko. My grandfather's name was Tachi. He lived to be eighty-seven." The young woman explained. "During the later years of his life, he seemed content. But, after he died, the haunting started. Something is clearly keeping him here. I just want to help him move on."

Naru looked to Mai. Closing her eyes, she took in the tone of the room. She felt...something. "It's faint. I'm not certain. Perhaps, if you could show me to a room he spent a significant amount of time in."

"Of course."

They headed into the living room. The woman gestured towards the couch. Even from here, Mai could see an indent, as if someone were sitting there. She took a careful step forward. An overwhelming feeling of urgency took over.

"He's here." Mai looked to Naru. "It's like he's trying to convey something. It feels important."

Naru nodded. "Perhaps a seance."

Everyone agreed. Heading into the dining room, Naru sent Lin out for the EMF reader, not bothering with the remainder of the equipment. They set themselves up around the table, closing the curtains and shutting off the lights. Minoko lit a couple candles before joining them.

Ayako let out a slowly breath. "Tachi, we call to you. Are you there? We wish to speak to you. Tell us what keeps you in this house."

Ayako continued to try and call him for a while. The longer it took, the more anxious Minoko became. "He's not answering."

"He may not answer verbally. Spirits can be subtle." Naru told her.

The candles in the center of the table flickers as if a rush of air entered the room, but the doors and windows were tightly closed.

"Tachi, if you're here, blow out a candle." Ayako called. On cue, one candle was snuffed out. Relighting it, she smiled. "Good. We're here to listen to you. You can communicate with us through these candles. Blow out the pink candle for yes and the blue candle for no. Do you have something to share with your granddaughter?"

Tachi blew out the pink candle. Minoko gasped. "Oh my god..."

"Is it a farewell message?" Ayako asked as she lit the candle. The pink candle went out, again. Ayako pulled out a notepad and pen. "Tachi, I ask you to guide my hand. Whatever message you have to Minoko, I'll make sure she knows."

It took a little bit. Eventually, Ayako's hand began to move, forming large numbers on the page. Tachi wrote ten in total, followed by the word 'board'.

Minoko covered her mouth. "That's my grandfather's handwriting...I recognize the way he draws his twos and fives."

The pen popped out of Ayako's hand and clacked on the table. As quickly as the seance began, it ended. Both candles snuffed out, leaving the room in darkness. Mai felt as if something had fled, not just the room, but the whole house.

Mai blinked rapidly as Lin turned on the lights. "I feel...nothing. It's as if he left his message and left."

Ayako held up the page for Minoko to take. "Do these numbers make any sense to you?"

Her eyes widened. "Yes! I work in a bank. Those look like the serial numbers for a lock box. And 'board'...I remember him mentioning a floor board was loose in his room."

She rushed from the room. When she returned, she had a key in hand. Mai looked it over as it was handed to her. "He must have left something behind, but died before he could tell anybody."

Minoko took the key back. "I don't know how to thank you. You've solved this so quickly! Perhaps, my grandfather left money. It would be welcome blessing, after everything I've spent to bury him."

"Do you wish for us to keep surveillance for the night?" Naru asked her.

She shook her head. "No. You've been very helpful. I won't waist any more of your time. The money will be transferred by the end of the day."

Everyone stepped back outside, Lin returned the EMF reader to the car. They didn't even have to use it. Mai couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. That was a very simple case. Sitting back in the van, she checked her phone. She had a notification from her blog. Her eyes widened. She has six messages from Kimoi.

Private Message:

Hey! How's your day? -Kimoi31

Private Message:

Hello? Busy? -Kimoi31

Private Message:

Sorry to message so much. I had a question. How would you feel about meeting? I live in Tokyo, too. -Kimoi31

Private Message:

Are you ignoring me? -Kimoi31

Private Message:

I'll stop messaging and give you a chance to respond. I was just reading your latest blog entry. It was great! -Kimoi31

Private Message:

Please don't ignore me. -Kimoi31

Mai felt her stomach knot up a little. Why is he messaging her like this? He's been very patient, so far. What's changed?

"Mai, are you alright?" Ayako asked her as she took her own seat in the back of the van.

"Yeah." She put her phone away. It's probably nothing. He might be having a bad day and it's making him more insecure. It's not like he said anything mean. He did ask to meet in person...That can't happen. Naru would kill her if he found out she did something so risky.

"If you're sure." Ayako made a noise of discomfort. "Sitting up in that chair for so long was murder. First thing I'm getting, soon as this baby is born, is a massage."

"You'll be waiting eight months for that." Mai reached over to gently pat Ayako's belly. "I'm sorry."

Ayako smiled. "I'm so grateful to have you living with me. It's going to make the first few months after the birth bearable. You sure you're okay with living with a crying baby?"

"Babies are cute. I'm happy to help."

They left the house after that, heading back for SPR. On the way, Mai replied to Kimoi.

Private Message:

I'm sorry I've been MIA. I just finished up another case. It's been rather simple. Hardly worth another entry. -MaiT

Private Message:

Hey! It's no problem. Sorry about earlier. So, what do you think? Want to meet up? We could get coffee and pick each other's brains. It'll be fun. -Kimoi31

Mai nervously bit her lip.

Private Message:

I'm sorry, Kimoi. I don't meet strangers off the internet. I'm more than happy to keep messaging you. -MaiT

Private Message:

Why? I promise I'm not a creep or anything. I just think you're really cool. -Kimoi31

Mai put her phone back in her pocket. She doesn't want to disappoint him, but meeting in person just can't happen.

Later that evening, as Mai was getting out of the shower, her phone lit up on the counter, nearly vibrating into the sink. She checked it.

Private Message:

Full truth...I think I really like you. We have so much in common. It feels wrong not to see where this goes. -Kimoi31

Mai sat on the closed toilet seat in her towel, her face pale, despite the hot shower pinking her skin. This has gotten out of hand. She has to get him to understand. Thinking through her message, she replied.

Private Message:

Kimoi, you've been so nice this past week. I don't want to hurt you but I do have a boyfriend. Please understand. I think it would be best if we stopped messaging privately. -MaiT

Mai sat her phone down, sniffing a little. That felt so mean...He's really a nice guy, but this has gone on long enough. If he's expecting something more, it's best not to get his hopes up by continuing to talk to him.

Getting dressed in her pajamas, Mai retired to her room. She ended up getting so distracted by writing on her computer, she didn't even open up her web browser. After that, she went straight to bed.