The Story Continued (Ghost Hunt)

Chapter 2

Before the two of them left Lin promised to close the office as he also was about to leave. Naru drove them to his apartment. "I thought you lived with Lin." Mai said standing in the hallway. "I did before but he was planning on moving in with Madoka so he ranted his own apartment. It's not that far away from here." Mai was listening to Naru talk but at the same time, she was taking in everything she saw in the apartment.

"Hmmmm. Naru, you really won't tell me why you've changed?" The curiosity got the better of the girl as she started their conversation from before. "Did I really change that much?" The boy asked as they both headed to the kitchen. "Hmmm. Not that much. It's just that you are much nicer than before. I would've never imagined being invited to your place to eat." Mai answered as she started preparing the tea. Each time having to ask where what was placed. Maybe it's because the two of them spend a lot of time together in the SPR office but Mai felt almost instantly at home in the boy's apartment. It had a very similar atmosphere.

Naru also started preparing dinner. "Well, it's not like I'm nice to everyone. I can be like this because it's you." he said not realizing what words just left his mouth. Mai was glad that they were standing back to back. This way he couldn't see her blush. "Is there a reason why you are more comfortable around me?" Mai asked cursing herself in her thought for this question. "Don't tell me it's because I'm stupid or something like that." She quickly added. That made sense to her.

Naru just rolled his eyes. He wasn't gonna say much more about this matter.

"Anyway, I didn't know you could cook. I always assumed you ate at some fine restaurants." Mai commented trying to keep the conversation going.

"Mai, you think too much. For your information I'm skilled at everything I do," he answered wondering what picture of him lives in Mai's mind.

"Of course you are." She rolled her eyes knowing the boy was probably right.

As the cooking process took a little longer Mai decided to take a tour around the apartment. Naru just let the girl run around not trying to stop her. "Found anything interesting?" he asked as he found Mai in the living room. "You watch TV?" She asked ignoring Naru's question. Naru nodded. "Documentaries"

"Of course..." Mai said turning the TV on. "Weather warning?"

Naru looked at the TV knowing his brother had to fly that night. At that point, Mai was standing by the window watching a large branch fall from a tree in the park across the street. "I guess it won't stop anytime soon. What should I do?" The girl was talking to herself when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "It's obvious that you're staying here. Certainly not leaving." Naru said a little mad as he knew what the girl was thinking. "But..I don't want to be a problem."

"You're not. I asked you to come, remember?" Naru said in a stern voice.

Mai still looked uncomfortable which made Naru want to tease her. He leaned closer and whispered. "We'll have to sleep in the same room once the case starts anyway."

A blush appeared on Mai's face. "You...You're doing it on purpose."

Naru shrugged with a smirk on his face.

The two of them ate dinner and Naru found a T-shirt Mai could sleep in. The girl then went to take a shower. Once she came back she spotted Naru reading a book. "What are you doing?" She asked. "Looking at you." Naru answered smirking as he looked up to meet her gaze. "Funny." the girl said sarcastically. "If you're tired you can use the room at the end of the hallway," Naru said. "You have a guest room? I thought I was sleeping on the sofa." Mai said.

"I don't, you'll be using my room."

"And you?"

"I'll take the sofa."

"But Naru, that's not fair. I'm spending the night here unannounced. I'll sleep on the sofa." The girl said feeling guilty.

Naru sighed. "Are you sure? This sofa isn't as comfortable as it seems." He was concerned for the girl. It was his fault that she had to spend the night at his place and it was making her uncomfortable. Mai nodded.

It was already way past midnight when Naru woke up to silent sobbing. As he got out of bed and his room the noise became louder and suddenly stopped as he entered the living room. "Mai?" he asked. Nothing. "Mai, I heard you." He said as he noticed a movement on the sofa. His only light source was the moonlight shining through the window so he couldn't see much. The rain must have stopped. "Yes?" Mai answered quietly her voice shaking. As he thought it was her crying. "What happened?" He asked as he sat on the sofa beside her. "I had a dream." She started feeling embarrassed about it.

"More like a nightmare. What was it about?" He wasn't good at this. "My parents." Mai answered. "Sometimes I can't help but miss them." Mai sighed.

Naru didn't know how to make the girl feel better. He took her hand and decided to stay with her for some time. Mai suddenly laughed. "Naru, is this your way of dealing with a crying person?" Naru sighed. "Is there a problem?"

"No. I suddenly feel better." She said still laughing. Her laugh getting fainter.

The next thing Mai knew she was being hugged by Naru. Her face was buried in his chest. The room was filled with sunlight. Naru had stayed with her and eventually fallen asleep. The girl quietly got up and left to get herself ready. She was standing in front of the bathroom mirror. "He is gonna be the end of me." She said looking at her flushed face. Meanwhile, Naru was lying on his back watching the ceiling. "I'm gonna kill Gene for his ideas." he said as he placed his arm over his face. "She is gonna be the end of me."