Later that day, Mai had arranged to meet Takashi after his last lecture. She had texted him to let him know she had to talk to him about something, but he hadn't asked her about what after they'd met up. He walked along, chatting about the group project he had to do and how some people on the team wouldn't be pulling their weight. Mai trailed along behind mutely, waiting for him to ask what she wanted to talk about, or for him to stop talking long enough for her to get a word in edgewise.

Mai had met Takashi through some mutual friends at university. He was studying physics. It was interesting dating someone with a background in science when she herself was majoring in parapsychology. Initially, they seemed like an unlikely pair due to their differences, but Mai discovered that he loved ghost stories and they both liked the same kinds of books. Mai had always had a penchant for reading horror, mystery, and paranormal thrillers. Her and Takashi had spent a lot of time in each other's company just reading books, swapping them back and forth.

It had been awkward to start with because Mai hadn't had much dating experience whereas Takashi himself had had a small handful of girlfriends. She'd had a boyfriend in middle school when she was thirteen, which she didn't count, and her next relationship following that had been in college when she was eighteen. She'd then taken a gap year after college to work and save money before starting university. This meant she was a year older than Takashi, but they were both in their first year.

In the end, she just stopped walking, waiting for Takashi to turn around. Mai thought about England and tried to focus on which way her intuition was pointing. She hadn't spent much time honing it since SPR disbanded but she could usually feel it in her chest when it came to big decisions. She felt the responding thrum in her chest, strengthened her resolve and came to her conclusion. She felt determination fill her body as she raised her chin and focused her gaze on Takashi's back.

'I'm going to England for a year.'

Takashi spun around on his heel to turn to face her. To his credit, there was a brief flash of hurt across his face before it was replaced with disbelief. 'What?'

'I'm sorry to just blurt it out like that, I texted you that I wanted to talk, and not once have you asked what it's about.'

Takashi walked towards her and reached out a hand to stroke her cheek. She looked up into his deep brown eyes.

'I'm sorry, Mai-chan. I think I was talking so much because I'm worried that you're going to tell me you want to break up.'

Mai felt a stab of guilt in her chest.

'What's this about a year in England?'

'I've been... headhunted by a professor at a university in London, they're interested in having me do a year there as an exchange student.'

'Headhunted? You?'

Mai was hurt. 'What do you mean, 'you' like it's surprising that I could have been picked?'

Takashi shrugged. 'I don't know, you've got only got a part scholarship. There are other students in your class with full scholarships, right?'

'Well, yeah, but what's your point?' Mai was trying to hold back her anger, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. That he wasn't about to go where she thought he was.

'I just mean that students with full scholarships, wouldn't they look like better candidates, bring over more prestige?'

Well, it was true that Mai hadn't exactly been headhunted, and it was more in part from old connections and someone asking for a favour, but still, she was irked that he seemed to be implying she wasn't worthy of this.

'There are people in your class that are actually gifted, too, right?'

'What do you mean, 'actually gifted?!'' The top on her self-restraint was suddenly boiling over. She felt her fists clench at her side. The fact that Mai had difficultly manifesting her powers was a sore point with her and Takashi knew that.

'Oh, c'mon Mai-Chan, don't be like that, I mean, there are a couple of people who can move things with their mind, right? Bend spoons, that kind of thing. Whereas you...'

Can do nothing, the unfinished sentence rang through Mai's mind. 'You know what, that's it.'

Takashi tried to hold her shoulder, but she shook him off. 'For your information, one of the reasons I've been selected is because of the work I did with SPR, the Japanese branch of The British Society of Psychic Research. You might invalidate the work I did back then, but they certainly don't.' It wasn't the complete truth, but wasn't fully a lie, either. Takashi tried to interrupt, but Mai wasn't done. She shook her head. 'I was going to say we could keep in touch and see where things are between us when I come back but after this.' She shook her head. 'I don't need a boyfriend that invalidates me! We're done.'

With that Mai turned on her heel and marched off, ignoring his pleas for her to come back, to stay. The last thing she heard him shout was ' you unfeeling bitch!' and just those two words alone told Mai she'd done the right thing.

She felt lighter, and knowing her two best friends had her back, that was all that mattered.

Later that week, Mai finally managed to arrange to meet up with Ayako. During her time with SPR Mai's loneliness led her to cling to the family she felt like she found and although they didn't all stay in contact as much as Sixteen-year-old her would have liked, now that she was a bit older, she relished the contact she still had, five years on. She had appreciation for how life could get in the way. Especially as a student working part time, trying to balance her studies and a social life. Knowing that she had Naru to thank for her little family and the idea of seeing him again soon, she felt a tightening of anxiety in her chest.

Ayako had taken over her family's hospital and was working their full time, often juggling multiple roles, and taking on more overtime than Mai could count. She still found time to maintain her appearance, which Mai had a lot of respect for, as she looked down at her own, chipped, and flaked nails.

Houshou's band had taken off since SPR disbanded, and he was able to go back into it full time. He was often on the road, travelling and touring. Ayako and he had begun on and off dating, but between her work, his fans, and the travel, it made it difficult. They had currently broken up again, but the break ups never seemed to last more than a couple of weeks before they tried again. Houshou had hinted about finally calling it quits with the band, and Mai had hoped the pair could make a real go of it once he was back full time in Japan. Ayako didn't like the idea of him quitting the band for her, but for Houshou, the constant travelling from place to place, it was getting harder and harder to keep up with it.

As for John Brown, he'd moved back to Australia and Mai and him had fallen into a pen pal situation, exchanging letters with life updates every month or so, he was doing well and had entered the church again as a High Priest, performing exorcisms. Mai could tell from his letters that he was really making a difference in his community, and she knew for John, that was the thing he enjoyed doing most of all. Cleansing spirits, providing families with closure, helping troubled souls pass on and bringing people together.

Hara Masako was the hardest to keep in touch with, due to her status and schedule, and Mai at first didn't think they were that close, but little things that Hara did here and there, betrayed her own true feelings - showing Mai that Hara did really value her as a friend. The medium sent her a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers when she was finally accepted into university and she invited Mai as her exclusive plus one to award shows and events, hiring beautiful dresses and jewellery for Mai to wear. Mai always felt out of place at these events, like a gazelle on stilts next to her beautiful, poised, and elegant friend, but she was always thrilled to be invited.

Osamu Yasuhara was studying at a university on the other side of Tokyo, but they still tried to meet up for drinks, to blow off steam, and Osamu stopped her from becoming a full homebody at times in between her studies and work, even if it seemed that he only invited her out to make other girls jealous.

'I think it's time for a shopping trip.'

Mai looked up in surprise across the dinner table at Ayako. 'What?'

In answer, Ayako just waved a credit card in front of her, like that answered Mai's question.

Mai chuckled, 'That's your answer to me saying I'm going to England for a year?'

Ayako shrugged. 'It seems to me you've already made up your mind that this is what you want to do. Once you're determined to do something, it's very hard to stop you. But the weather over there this time of year is going to be bad, plus... I've been wanting you to update your wardrobe for ages.'

'Hey!' Mai cried out in mock offence. 'Is the way that I dress really so bad?'

Ayako considered this. 'I'm all for doing some thrift shopping, maybe, well actually, not at all, but your entire wardrobe is comprised of clothes grabbed in a rush at a charity shop and I know that top is one you wore whilst you worked at SPR. Five years ago. It's too small for you.'

'Ugh, okay, fine, I'm just bad with fashion, okay? And I'm a poor student.'

'And I have a credit card and impeccable taste.'

'...Fine, I can't win this fight.' Mai bowed her head forwards.

Ayako smiled. 'I'm so glad you've grown your hair out a bit, Mai.'

Mai reached out and touched her brown hair that was just brushing past her shoulders now. Ayako had encouraged her to grow it out and helped Mai find a routine to take care of it in a lower maintenance way. Mai was still resisting an urge to chop it back into a bob again. She liked her no maintenance bob. She'd cut it into the bob after her mum had passed away, hacking into it with a pair of scissors when she was eleven. She'd gone into school the next day with it lob-sided and one of her teachers evened it out for her. This was the longest her hair had been in years. Ayako had been delighted the day Mai had reached out to get a bit of help with learning how to do some light makeup and managing her hair.

'So, you aren't worried, at all, about me going to Japan?'

'Of course, I am, but from what you've said, the benefits outweigh the positives. I feel like your intuition has steered you this way. I'm just glad to hear you aren't going there solely for that jerk.'

'Ayako-'

'He was an ass, Mai; you can't deny that. Sometimes he was less of an ass to you, but I don't know what you saw in him, other than his pretty face, of course.'

'I'm worried Ayako, it's a lot of pressure. Luella really seems to think that I can have a positive impact on his life, that just the act of me being there will bring him out of his shell, but I just don't see how I'm going to have this magical effect on him. Yet she's doing all this in hope. I only knew him for a year when I was sixteen, we haven't had any contact in five years, it's so long.'

'If you're worried about the pressure Mai, when you speak to Luella again, explain to her that you're honoured for the opportunity to study abroad but that it's a lot, and that you're going for yourself. Any affect you may have on Oliver will be a happy bonus. If she understands that, then go. I've already decided I'm driving you to the airport.'

'But your work-'

'Will manage without me for one morning, I'm seeing you off, no buts.'

Mai pouted and puffed out her cheeks but was secretly grateful to Ayako.

'Also, Mai, you have a greater effect on people than you realise.'

'Ayako, did you just say something nice to me?'

Ayako blushed and pushed away from the table. 'If you're quite done, I think it's shopping time.'

Mai grinned from ear to ear and raced after Ayako's hastily retreating figure, a warmth bubbling up in her chest.

The next morning, Mai phoned Luella Davis. That weekend, she was packing.

As promised, Ayako took Mai to the airport, and despite it being early, Keiko and Michuru decided to join as well. Mai had been trying to be quiet around the house, to not wake the two girls up, but they'd woken up, pulled on the same clothes as yesterday, took a suitcase each, and followed Mai out the door to Ayako's awaiting car. Mai felt so much love at that moment. She was going to miss the three of them desperately.

Despite Keiko helping her a bit with some light makeup and picking a nice outfit for her to change into whilst they waited for her flight, Oliver was not there on the other side. His mum and dad were though.

Luella was holding up a sign that said, 'Welcome Mai Taniyama!'

Mai waved at the pair and called out. Martin met her part way and relieved her off her suitcases. She bowed slightly, 'Thank you, sir.'

Once she was in front of Luella, Luella reached out and took both of her hands. 'It's so lovely to finally meet you in person, Mai! Thank you for coming.'

Martin nodded at Mai, 'it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Taniyama, I have heard plenty about you from Luella. Pleased to have you with us.'

The first thing Mai felt upon meeting Luella and Martin was an overwhelming warmth. They were both caring, kind, and considerate people. It reminded Mai of the warmth she had felt growing up with her late parents. They both clearly loved each other, and Oliver, very much. She wondered what could make Oliver act so closed off towards such loving and warm parents, but then again, Oliver had always stubbornly remained an enigma to Mai. Then Luella said something that gave Mai a bit of insight.

'I'm sorry Noll isn't here right now, he's not happy with me, I had him go on a blind date last night that I arranged for him a couple of weeks ago.'

'Ah,' Mai thought. Mai could remember when Hara had tricked him with blackmail into going on dates with her and how much he had abhorred that, and then to find out his mum was trying to set him up?

'Mai, are you seeing anyone?'

Mai laughed awkwardly. 'I actually just went through a breakup.'

Mai was saved from explaining herself further by Martin stepping in. 'Luella, my dear, that's too far. She's been here five minutes.'

'I'm sorry, my dear, you're very pretty, and I've heard a lot about you from Lin and Mori. Lin especially spoke highly of you. I'm letting my imagination run away with me.'

'Lin spoke highly of me?' She could sort of understand maybe Mori speaking of her highly, and yes, whilst she had kept in touch with Lin, she wouldn't have expected it from him.

'Yes, my dear, as you know, he has a hatred of Japan and Japanese people due to the fact he's Chinese. Well at one point you told him that he shouldn't hate you for being Japanese and an orphan, and I don't know if you know, but Eugene said the exact same thing to him, so Lin began to develop a lot of respect for you. He had a lot of trust in your visions and your instincts.'

'Dear, did you ever tell Noll in the end who our guest is?'

Luella smiled and shook her head and Mai stopped dead in her tracks.

'Oliver doesn't know that I'm here? You didn't tell him?' She felt a fluttering of panic. It had been agreed that Mai would stay with them for a bit, get her bearings in a new country before she started looking for a place on her own. Luella had of course said she could stay for the full year without a problem. The idea that she was about to invade the house Oliver had been living in for a decade and a half and he had no idea she was coming?

'Luella... You should have told him.' Martin admonished. Luella just smirked in retaliation.

'I decided I wanted it to be a surprise.' In truth, Luella wanted to see Oliver's reaction at realising the guest was Mai, without any prior time to prepare or compose himself in advance. That would give her an indication of the state of play.

Once they'd arrived, Mai looked up at the house. It was a gorgeous property, over the low wall Mai could see a beautiful well-kept garden with a giant cherry tree off to the left. The house itself was in Tudor style with dark red brick and wooden beams running across the front. The windows were all big, bay windows, letting in plenty of light.

Luella gave one of Mai's suitcases to Martin. 'Take this inside and get Noll to take it to the guest room, please.' Martin walked away and Mai felt her panic flutter in her chest again.

Martin arrived inside the house and called for his son.

Oliver nodded and took the suitcase, but as soon as he touched the handle, a slew of images ran through his mind's eye, and he let go of it; the suitcase smashed into the linoleum floor. Before Martin could even react, Oliver had grabbed his jacket and rushed out.

Martin smiled as he put two and two together and realised that, as always, he was one step behind his wife. He shook his head ruefully, picked up the abandoned suitcase and wheeled it into the guest room himself.

A/N I know I said to expect weekend updates, but I'm going away this weekend so figured I'd give you the update early, before I go! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, thank you to everyone who has followed and reviewed this story so far, it's really appreciated. Please reach out with any comments or ideas you have or scenes you'd be interested in seeing and I'll see what I can do. Until next week, take care!