Notes: So Mai in my story is going to be a little OOC. This is Mai x Gene. Just stick with it. It will tell the story of a truly desperate soul searching to save another.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt. Period. If I did, the romance would have been more fleshed out and Mai wouldn't have been so childish all the time.

Chapter 12

For a long moment, Mai and Gene stood in the middle of the street, wrapped in each other's arms, the world around them fading into nothing. The connection between them hummed softly, a fragile thread that had somehow endured the impossible. Mai held him tightly, as if letting go would mean losing him all over again.

Gene, though still confused, could feel the intensity of the moment. It was like a missing piece had fallen into place, and though he didn't know why or how, he trusted it. He trusted her.

After a few minutes, Mai slowly pulled back, her eyes brimming with tears but shining with relief. She studied his face, memorizing every detail, her heart pounding in her chest. He was here—alive, real. Her wish had worked. But now the reality of it was starting to sink in.

"Gene…" she began softly, her voice trembling as she searched for the right words. "I can't believe it. I—I didn't know if this would work. But you're here."

Gene's brow furrowed slightly, his hands still resting on her shoulders, steady but unsure. "Mai, I—I don't understand. What's happening? Why are you so sure about all of this?"

Mai bit her lip, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. How could she explain it all? How could she make him understand when he didn't remember what she did—when he didn't carry the weight of the past as she did?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "You don't remember, do you?" she asked gently.

Gene shook his head, his expression both concerned and confused. "I don't… I don't know what I'm supposed to remember. I woke up this morning, and everything felt off—like something had shifted. I didn't think much of it until I saw you, but now… I know something is different. I just don't know what."

Mai nodded, understanding. It made sense that he wouldn't remember the way she did. After all, she was the one who had made the wish, who had taken the risk to turn back time. Gene had been brought back, but his memories of the events leading up to his death—and everything that had happened after—were still locked away.

"I'm going to try to explain," Mai said softly, guiding him toward a nearby park where they could sit and talk without the noise of the city. Gene followed her, trusting her instincts even though the confusion still weighed heavily on his mind.

They found a bench under a large tree, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Mai sat down first, Gene beside her, and for a moment, they were both quiet, the weight of everything they needed to say hanging in the air between them.

"I know this is going to sound strange," Mai began, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her jacket, "but you… you died, Gene. A long time ago."

Gene's eyes widened, but he stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. Something inside him urged him to listen, to trust her.

"I didn't know you when you were alive," she continued, her voice soft but steady. "I met you after—when you were a spirit. You were my guide, my protector… even though I didn't realize it at first. You were always there, in my dreams, helping me. And over time, we became connected—more than just in my dreams. I… I realized that you were someone important to me. And I couldn't stand the idea of losing you."

Gene blinked, his mind struggling to process what she was saying. None of this felt familiar, but at the same time, it didn't feel wrong. There was something about Mai's presence, about the way she spoke, that resonated deep inside him.

"Mai…" he said softly, his voice full of uncertainty. "I don't remember any of this."

She smiled sadly, nodding. "I didn't think you would. I made a wish, Gene. I… I asked to turn back time so I could save you. So you wouldn't have to die. And it worked, but now—now we're here, and you don't remember any of it."

Gene took a deep breath, trying to make sense of it all. "You made a wish? You brought me back?"

Mai nodded again, her eyes filled with hope and sorrow. "Yes. I couldn't just let you go. I had to try."

Gene was quiet for a long time, staring at the ground as he processed everything she had told him. It was hard to believe—impossible, really—but the way Mai spoke, the way she looked at him… it felt real. And though he couldn't remember what she had said, he couldn't deny the deep sense of trust and familiarity that welled up inside him when he was with her.

"I don't know why," he said finally, his voice quiet, "but I believe you."

Mai's breath hitched, relief washing over her. She hadn't expected him to believe her so easily, but Gene had always been different. He had always understood her, even when no one else did.

"You do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Gene nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "Yeah. I don't remember everything you're talking about, but I feel it. I feel like I know you. And… I trust you."

Tears filled Mai's eyes again, and she quickly wiped them away. "Thank you. That's all I needed—for you to trust me."

Gene smiled softly, reaching out to take her hand. "So… what now? What do we do?"

Mai took a deep breath, her mind already racing with possibilities. "We figure it out. I don't know what's going to happen next, but we'll figure it out together."

Gene nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "Together."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of the conversation settling between them. The park was quiet, the sounds of the city distant, and for the first time in a long while, Mai felt a sense of peace. It wasn't over, not by a long shot. But they were here, together, and that was enough for now.

"There's something else," Gene said suddenly, his brow furrowed in thought. "Even though I don't remember everything, I've been having this feeling all morning—like I'm supposed to do something. Like I'm supposed to change something."

Mai's eyes widened. "You've been feeling that too?"

Gene nodded. "Yeah. I didn't understand it at first, but now… maybe it has to do with what you've done. Maybe that feeling is part of all this."

Mai considered that for a moment, her mind working to piece together the implications. "Maybe… maybe it's part of the time shift. I mean, I changed the past, so maybe there are things you're meant to do now that you didn't get to do before."

Gene's expression grew thoughtful. "Maybe. I don't know, but it feels important."

Mai nodded, feeling the same urgency stirring within her. They weren't done yet. There was still something out there—something they needed to face together. But at least now, she had him by her side.

"We'll figure it out," Mai said, her voice filled with quiet determination. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."

Gene smiled at her, the confusion and uncertainty still there but tempered by a growing sense of trust. "Yeah. We will."

As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm light over the city, Gene and Mai sat together on that park bench, knowing that the road ahead would be full of challenges. But for now, they were together. And that was enough.

A/N: I swear I'll finish this! lol Here's chapter 12 done! Sorry it took so long!