Four Days, Three Nights (Ghost Hunt Fanfiction)

Meet The Parents

Ayako frowned in her sleep. She was dreaming of sunbathing on the beach, but the sun was too hot. She was sweating, but when she tried to get up and move to the shade, she couldn't. Something invisible was holding her down.

Ayako groaned, and her eyes fluttered open. There was a dizzying moment of confusion, the miko attempting to recall her surroundings, but then it all came back- the client, the case, the fake dating, the bed sharing...

Monk.

It was still dark, even to Ayako's adjusted eyes, definitely before dawn- way too early for her to be up- but she could see the shape of the man beside her. Even more than that- she could feel him. The invisible line they had drawn when they went to sleep had been crossed.

Sometime in the night, Bou-san had kicked off the sheet he was using and had gravitated towards Ayako, but he didn't steal her blanket- instead he rolled right over it, essentially pinning her under her blanket, and one heavy arm that rested across her waist. His head was nestled right up next to hers, sharing her pillow.

Ayako laid there staring at the ceiling as her tired brain caught up with these facts. Her first thought was one of relief.

Huh. He doesn't snore.

Then the miko was moving, unconcerned if she disturbed him, she began shoving the monk to his side. It took more force than she would have thought, eventually having to resort to using her legs- but he never woke.

Sweaty from the exertion of moving the monk's dead weight, Ayako threw off her blanket, turned over, and with one last kick at the man behind her, fell back to sleep.

The next time Ayako opened her eyes, it was bright outside. Early morning light was filtering through the slats in the blinds. The miko blinked, groggy- it was still way too early for her to be up- but something had caught her attention. A smell too divine to ignore.

Coffee?

Ayako sat up in bed and turned to find a small tray on the night stand next to her head. On the tray was a fresh cup of coffee- still hot- as well as all the add ins, and a small plate of fresh fruit. Ayako recalled the pension's receptionist telling them that all breakfast items were self-serve, which meant this tray had to have been brought there. With a spoiled grin, Ayako turned back to her left to pinch the monk in gratitude, but the bed was empty.

He's actually up?

With a generous swallow of coffee, groaning about ungodly hours, Ayako got out of bed, threw on the pension's robe, and wandered out of the bedroom to find her partner- coffee cup in tow.

It didn't take her long to find him. Staring across the sitting room, she could see the front porch door was propped open. Shirtless and barefoot, sat Bou-san, facing the beach. His hands were in a meditative pose, positioned on his knees, which were crossed underneath him.

Ayako sipped her coffee, wondering if she should intrude, surprised at her own tact- but then the decision was made for her.

"You should take a picture, it will last longer."

The miko scoffed and came to lean against the porch door frame.

"You really are a monk from Mount Kōya."

"Surprised?"

"I've had my doubts. The long hair wasn't enough to sell me. Is sunrise mediation usual for you?"

"I needed to clear my mind."

The miko rolled her eyes,

"From what? We're on beach in Jeju."