Ghost Hunters, Lies, & Money (Ghost Hunt Fanfiction)

In Which: Mai Crashes The Party

Day Eight

5:45pm

The Koku Inn

They say you should save the best for last...

Mai stood in her bathroom, her fingers fumbling with the zipper of the dress she had just slipped on.

The dress Niko had given her.

Succeeding in pulling the zipper all the way up, Mai stared at her reflection in the mirror. White, with flattering pleats that ran the length of it, the dress gave her the illusion of height. The bodice was cut straight across, laying against her collar bone which was exposed along with her shoulders and arms... inadvertently, Mai shivered. The sun having set, the scorching heat of the day was finally seeping out of the building.

Mai studied herself in the dress closely. Running her hands down the gauzy material, she tugged at the cinching at her waist. If the fit felt a little too tight, it was just her nerves. She was about to crash a party. Wearing Niko's dress.

Lingering in front of the mirror, imagining the looks and swirling rumors, Mai felt hesitation creep in. She glanced back through the open bathroom door, to a room that had...nothing. No pile of past dresses. Not even a change of clothes (curse Ayako and her laundry ideas).

Turning her back on her empty prospects, the invitation Nari had gifted Mai stared up at her from the bathroom counter, drawing her gaze. The actress had described the event as a black-tie affair. The last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself or her host.

Mai faced herself in the mirror, squaring her shoulders determinedly.

So what.

So what if the Kokus got the wrong idea (again)? So what if all of Nozomi whispered about her? It was all just hearsay.

This wasn't the first time Niko had been particularly helpful or kind to her, expecting nothing in return. She wouldn't over think it. She would wear the dress, and enjoy it in the spirit it was given. Friendly.

With this consoling thought, Mai focused her attention on rest of her look. This was where her conflicted feelings regarding the surprise Niko had left for her, turned to real gratefulness. In his generosity, he had thought of everything: shoes (white sandals), and even something for her hair. A flower crown, a gold band wrapped with delicate white roses.

Mindful the of time schedule she was on (it would be dinner soon), and of the impression she was about to make, Mai set to placing the flower crown on just so, debating if she should pull back the rest of her hair, fretting over her makeup...

Fortunately, a well timed knock pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.

Still struggling, her flower crown crooked— Mai left the bathroom. Opening her door, she stared with wide eyes at Ayako, taking in what she was wearing.

A kimono?

The surprise was mutual. They spoke at the same time.

"Where did you get that?"

Ayako quirked an eyebrow, observing Mai's dress.

"Another Tokyo gift?"

Knowing what the miko was insinuating, Mai fought off a blush.

"No."

"Ah, a Nozomi gift then."

That Ayako.