The Story Continued (Ghost Hunt)

Chapter 33

The next view Mai saw wasn't Yoru. Not even the darkness. Quite the opposite, it was white. Ah, the ceiling. She was lying down. She tried to move. Then to get up. Even tho she tried to do it as slowly as possible she still felt pain around her forehead. She touched it and felt what seemed to be a bandage. "What the hell happened?" She whispered. Mai then noticed another presence next to her. She slowly turned her head and saw Naru sitting on a chair next to her. It looked like he was sleeping. And that was also when she realized her own hand was being held by Naru's. Her cheeks flushed she however decided to ignore it for now. "Just how sleep-deprived is he to fall asleep in the infirmary? And in a seating position?" She said out loud. Next, she felt Naru move a bit, following that his eyes opened. They widened just for a split second as he saw Mai in front of him. The grip on Mai's hand tightened. "Are you ok? Does it hurt?" He asked calmly. Mai smiled. "A little. What happened?"

"I don't know yet. But I'm glad you are fine. The nurse had a look at your wound. It's not that serious but you might experience some more headaches." He stated gently touching her bandage. "Thank you for staying with me." The girl kept smiling. "It feels nice to be cared for like that." she whispered, lost in the moment, feeling Naru's hand holding hers.

"Mai, do you still like me?" What...did he just say? This question just escaped his mouth. He did not mean to ask. Damn the adrenaline rush.

What the hell was she supposed to say in this situation? And even if she answered what would he do? They were in the middle of a case. Before he managed to dismiss his statement Mai looked away embarrassed and asked: "Why are you asking right now? Why are you asking anyway? I do. I told you I do. I like you. No. I probably love it. Aren't I obvious?" She wasn't sure what to think. She thought he knew. And what was he going to do about it anyway? Mai just kept talking hoping Naru wouldn't answer any of her questions. Once Mai found the courage she looked up to see Naru smiling at her. "Are you that happy to hear that someone likes you, you narcissist?" She said jokingly. "Yes, very." The boy agreed. "Because Mai-" He started. Mai wanted to hear his reason this time. But as he was about to go on the door to the infirmary opened and Masako walked in. "Mai, are you ok?" She asked as she noticed the girl was awake. Masako also noticed the expression on her friend's face and how quickly she moved away from Naru. Masako tried her best not to show the smirk appearing on her face. "I'm fine. Nothing serious." The girl answered. Masako then showed her the baseball and explained where she got it from. "How is it possible that no one saw it hit her?" Naru asked as Masako was done with the explanation. Masako shook her head.

"Where is the rest?" Mai asked.

"They are setting up the cameras." Masako answered her question.

"Already? How long was I asleep?" The chatting continued.

"Well, the classes ended an hour ago."

"Did I miss something?"

"Yeah. You missed Madoka teaching us English."

"Really? I wanted to see that."

Naru watched the girls chat happily and felt an urgent need to stop them. He had no idea why but he had to. "Masako, how far are they with the equipment? I want them to hurry up so that we can head to the hotel and let Mai have a proper rest."

"They are finishing up. That's why I'm here." Masako responded but Naru was adamant about making her leave. "Then can you go and inform them that we will be leaving soon?" Masako headed towards the door. She was mad about having to walk all the way back again but was happy to leave Mai and Naru alone. "Sure"

"Leave?" Mai asked and Naru nodded in response. "We decided to leave the cameras here and then remove them in the morning. We will stay overnight only on weekends or weekends." He hoped deep inside this case wouldn't take that long. "This way we all will get some sleep." The girl nodded. "I see. Let's go then. They might be already waiting outside." Mai said as she got up and with a little help from Naru started to walk toward the door.

"Naru, I like you." She smiled at the boy.

"I heard you the first time. In fact, it was hard not to. Why say it again?" Naru asked confused as they stopped walking.

"I just wanted to say it." Mai answered noticing a change in the boy's reaction to her words. He wasn't indifferent to her words anymore.

The two of them arrived outside where the rest of the group was waiting. "Mai, are you ok?" Ayako ran up to the girl as soon as she saw her. Bou-san followed. Both were worried about the girl. "I'm fine." She answered. "It doesn't hurt that much."

"Let us help you to the van then. We have to get as much sleep as possible because we have to be back here by six to remove the cameras." Takigawa explained as they helped Mai to the car and soon after left the school grounds. On their way down the hill, Mai told Ayako and the monk about the different people in her class and all the things that happened. Masako was walking next to her listening to the conversation. "I almost forgot." She said suddenly and then called out to the two boys in front of her. "Gene! Yasu! I hope you didn't forget." The both of them slowly turned around. "Forget what?" Ayako asked confused. Masako smiled. "You will see once we arrive at the hotel." The boys turned back knowing there was no way out. "It's your fault." Yasu said suddenly. "Yeah, I know. Sorry." Yasu meant what he said more jokingly but he might have hurt Gene there. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that." Yasu started. "You don't have to do it you know." he added. "It's you who doesn't have to do it, Yasu. You got mixed up in this because of me. I guess I took the jokes too far."

"Gene! Get into the van!" Naru called out to his brother. The two boys didn't even notice they already arrived. It was time to part. "Coming!" Gene yelled back then turned to Yasu. "See you later I guess." He then disappeared inside the van. Soon Yasu too was inside the other van.

Once inside, Gene did not think about what was going to happen later as his attention got caught by a weirdly acting Mai. "Mai, are you ok?" He asked the girl. "Y-Yeah." Well, this answer did not convince him. "What did you do to her?" He asked addressing his brother. Naru decided to close his book and join the conversation. "Me?" He asked ignoring the glare Gene was giving him. "Nothing? But I could do something like this." He smirked and leaned to kiss the girl on the cheek. "Naru!" Mai yelled covering her cheek with her hand. Gene's mouth fell open. So did Madoka's. The woman was looking at the teens from the corner of her eye but not believing what she saw. She turned around. "Why did you do it?" Mai asked embarrassed. "Why? Do I need a reason?" He kept smirking. Seeing more of Mai's reaction made him want to do it one more time. "Are you kidding me!?" Mai yelled. If there was a way to rip that smirk off of his face. She knew he was doing it just to tease her. "I should have recorded it. I feel bad for the others who couldn't witness this scene." Gene said looking at Madoka. "I wish I could send it to Luella. She won't believe me without proof." The woman added.