Trouble

Chapter 21

July

1:30 AM

I hear my phone ringing... but I don't want to get up to answer it. Ugh, it's still ringing. I reluctantly open my eyes and look over on my night stand. My phone was lit up and ringing. I frowned as I made an effort to grab it. "Hello?" I answered groggily.

"It's about time you answered!" I winced at the suddenly loud voice. It was Mai and she seemed mildly irritated. I groaned.

"It's 1:30 in the morning, what's the matter?" I asked trying to suppress a yawn, but it didn't work out so well. She sighed.

"Naru just finished talking to a client." She didn't speak as loudly as she did before. Thank goodness for that.

"How late did this client come?" I asked a bit surprised.

"We were about to close up shop, actually. But that's not important right now! He accepted a job to look at a TV studio. Apparently the people there are being possessed almost daily. So he wants your help." Mai said urgently.

"He couldn't have waited until later on today to ask me?" I whined. Yeah, I'll admit it. I didn't get to bed until about midnight because I ended up staying over at the Star Café. The dinner rush lasted longer than usual.

"No, this is serious, Aki." I could hear the scowl in her voice. "People are getting attacked." I sighed.

"Fine, what time do I have to be there?" She has no idea how bad I just want to say no and hang up right now.

"He wants us to meet up around 10 am." I could hear the smile in her voice. I groaned. It was Saturday and I wanted to sleep in some more. I guess I won't get to today.

"Okay..."

"See you then!" She said cheerfully before hanging up on me. I groaned louder this time and put my phone back on my nightstand. I'm going to slap her arm later. I promised to myself before attempting to go back to sleep. It didn't take me long.

Several hours later, I wake up and it's almost 9 am. I groaned. Why do I have to get up again? Oh yeah, there's a case and Naru wants me to be at the office at 10. And I have to slap Mai's arm too for waking me up so early. I thought smirking. I finally got around and had breakfast before rushing over to the office. That's so weird. Usually he has us meet up at 8, oh well. More sleep for me, I guess. I finally made it to the office, yawning slightly. "Good morning, Aki!" Mai greeted me grinning. I scowled at her and slapped her arm. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"For waking me up at 1:30 in the morning after I pretty much JUST got to bed." I grumbled before heading into the kitchenette to make me an iced coffee.

"Well, I didn't know that! I was just doing what Naru asked me to do." I seriously doubt he asked. He probably TOLD her to do it. "I'm sorry, okay?" I sighed and turned around to see her walking in.

"I forgive you, then." I said smiling.

"Now who's the one being mean?" She said pouting. I scoffed.

"It's still you." She gaped at me like a fish.

"How am I being mean, if you're the one who slapped my arm?" I grinned after taking a drink from my iced coffee. Nice and sugary sweet.

"Because I said so,"

"But that was weeks ago." She said pouting and crossing her arms. I knew she was referring to the night I literally ran into Kojima-san at the convenience store. Yeah, I haven't seen him since, unfortunately for me. I shrugged. She stuck her tongue out at me. Naru sighed from the other room. Mai and I shared a look before grinning. It wasn't long before everyone else got here.