The Story Continued (Ghost Hunt)

Chapter 35

Dead silence was filling the room. No one dared to move. Gene and Yasu were just staring at each other while the girls tried to process what had happened. Did they succeed? Did they fail? What were they even trying to achieve? Did they go too far? Mai was the first to get herself together. She quickly grabbed Masako and signaled for Madoka and Ayako to follow them to leave the room. "We will leave you two alone for now." She excused herself before closing the door.

"What happened just now?" Madoka asked still unsure. "Masako either did them a big favor or..." Ayako didn't want to end her sentence. "Why me only? You were in on this too!" The girl protested. "You're right. I also didn't think Yasu would react like that." Madoka agreed. "Let's wait and see how it will turn out." She then turned around and started walking away. Still, a bit concerned about the boys Mai hesitated to join the woman. She however knew there was no point in going back in there now. In the end, she followed her friends.

Meanwhile, Yasu decided to break the silence as the two boys stared at each other in shock. "L-Look, I'm sorry for yelling...and calling you a coward." He stuttered. "No, it's ok. I'm sure you had a reason." Gene answered. "But why a coward?" He asked curiously. "It's because...you...." Yasu started as if to explain but couldn't continue. Gene smirked "Why are you blushing?" The boy cut him off.

"You're doing this on purpose..." Yasu stated staring at the boy not believing he was able to tease him even in this situation. "Look, I'm sorry. I truly like you but I was too scared to make the first move and then irritated by that. I guess I projected my feelings onto you. I'm the one that's a coward." Yasu explained after taking a deep breath.

Gene shook his head. "Not exactly. It's the same for me so you were right for calling me out. We had some 'moments' but I was never sure if they meant anything."

"The love potion?" Yasu quickly cut in. Joking.

Gene sighed. "The love potion." He answered laughing. "Plus we don't know each other that long. I just joined SPR and didn't want to make things awkward if anything happened." Gene then continued. "I'm a huge coward but for a moment let me be brave ok?" He looked Yasu straight in the eyes. "I have a huge crush on you. Please go out with me and let me fall in love with you completely." Gene's smirk disappeared from his face as soon as he spoke about being brave.

"Nah." Yasu answered bluntly.

"Huh?" Genes eyes widened.

"I don't want a coward for a boyfriend." The boy stated as he moved to sit in the armchair putting one of his legs over the other and crossing his arms. He was back to his usual personality. Gene smirked as he rushed forward to where Yasu was sitting. He leaned over the boy placing a kiss on his lips. Yasu almost got caught up in the kiss but started to protest to prove his point. The protest being fighting for dominance. But in the end, he gave up. Not long after Gene pulled back. "You will date me. Got it?" He said in what was supposed to be a scary tone but instead made Yasu laugh. "Yeah. You win."

Gene smiled. "Let's go and tell Mai. She's probably worried." The boy started.

"Yeah, she will be happy I finally confessed." Yasu agreed. Gene looked confused as Yasu took him by the hand. "Wait, Mai knew you liked me? And what do you mean you confessed? Clearly, I was the one who asked you out."

"Yes, she knew. And no I can't agree with you on that one." Yasu confirmed. "I don't need you to agree. That's the truth." Gene smirked. "Also, Mai knew that I liked you too. Couldn't she have said anything?" The boy informed as he thought back to when he was asking Mai for advice."She probably had a good laugh..." He added as they left the room not knowing that the whole situation was mostly frustrating for Mai.

Naru sat in the armchair. Book closed in his lap. Next to the chair was Mai, sitting on the floor. She rushed into the room to tell Naru what had happened and while doing so she got tired. Why is it that she sat on the floor instead of the bed that was only a few feet away? No one knows. "Then Yasu yelled at him calling him a coward." She explained to her boss. Naru was properly paying attention to what she was saying. Not so long ago he wouldn't even look up from his book and now he was looking at her while she was talking and listening to the story. "Naru? What are you thinking about?" Mai asked.

"Nothing. What happened after?"

"After that Yasu kissed him. It got a bit awkward so we left. I hope everything will be fine." Mai's energetic voice kinda died at the end of the sentence. She was getting worried for her two friends again. "I'm sure it will. Now excuse me, I have to write to my mother." Naru answered as he got up from the chair. "Mother?" Lin, Madoka and Mai said in union. "Did the sun rise from the west? You never call or text your mother first. We always have to force you." Madoka said in disbelief. Naru however ignored her and continued typing on his phone. What he was about to do was petty, he knew. But as petty as it was it might have been the only chance to get back at Gene for all the time he teased Naru in front of their parents. "So you were thinking about something else!" Mai said offended.

"Calm down, I was listening to you properly." He felt the need to reassure the girl.

Not even a minute after Naru sent the mail his phone started ringing. Yes, it was his mother. Nuru felt like he had no energy to deal with all the questions she was about to ask so he put the phone on the side table. He did not even blink as Mai already had his phone in her hands and pressed the green button. She then silently gave the phone to Naru. As expected the woman started asking a lot of questions and Naru had no choice but to try and answer them. 'I don't know' was not an option.

Knowing the call was going to last longer Naru sat on the edge of the bed next to where Mai was already sitting. Because of that Mai could now hear Naru's mother's voice coming from the phone. She also heard the faint and very elegant sneeze of the woman, if one can call a sneeze elegant that is. Well, this one certainly was.

"Bless you." Mai said instinctively.

"Noll, Is this a girl I heard?" Luella's voice suddenly became excited. Naru sighed. "Yes mother, it's Mai, we are on a case right now."

"Mai? The girl Gene was talking about?" She got even more excited. She was hearing about the same girl over and over again. She had so much hope. "Yes, how many assistants named Mai do you think I have." Naru answered giving a small sigh again. Mai didn't really know what was going on but felt a little guilty towards Naru for some, to her, unknown reason. She gave Naru a small apologetic look. "I can't wait to meet the girl. I heard nothing but great things about her from Gene and Madoka. I'm happy we will see each other soon." Luella exclaimed. Naru was surprised at the sudden news. "What do you mean 'see each other soon' ?" He asked. "Madoka didn't tell you? Ask her, I have to call Gene." With this, the woman hung up.

"Madoka, is there something you have to tell me?" The young boss asked in a deep voice. If it was any other person than Madoka they might have been given a not-so-small fright.