Chapter Text
(Two Years Earlier)
Dr. Oliver Davis,
My name is Sister Abbey of the Saint Francis Boy's Home. I am contacting you about something that has recently come to my attention. Recently some of my staff and a few of the children have been complaining about strange occurrences happening on the property, namely concerning a particular child within our care. Normally, I would not resort to such measures but I fear that I have no other options. Please understand that I do not wish to go any further with this through email. If you can call me at your earliest convenience, I can be reached at the number XXX-XXX-XXXX. I hope to hear from you soon. God be with you.
Sister Abbey
Naru scanned over the email a second time, his mind brimming with curiosity. Behind him, he could hear the click of the door knob as it opened but he was too focused to bother acknowledging the guest. Leaning back into his office chair, Naru glanced over to the office phone and debated on whether of not to make the call.
"Noll." A stack of papers were placed carefully on the corner of his desk. "The files you requested came in this morning. Madoka also wanted me to remind you about the fundraising event on Thursday evening at the college." Lin uttered to the young doctor. Naru internally winced. While those kind of events were necessary to continue their research, it didn't make them any more unpleasant.
"What do you have there?" Lin questioned. Naru could feel as the pressure of his hand pushed down on the top of chair. Naru looked up to the older man in amusement as he leaned over the top of him to look at the email. "A possible case. I was debating whether to tell Madoka first or call to discuss the matter further with the Sister." He replied. Lin only nodded. Naru could see he was in deep thought. Looking back to the computer, Naru once again contemplated the issue. Suddenly the pressure on the chair was gone and Naru could hear Lin step away.
"I will notify Madoka while you make the call. Just forward the message to her so that we can discuss it in her office without disturbing you." Lin replied.
Naru glanced over his shoulder and watched as the door closed behind him. Then doing as Lin asked, he forwarded the email to Madoka before grabbing the phone. He quickly punched the number and listened as the phone rang. Naru couldn't help as waited for the click the rising feeling inside him that told him that things were going to be changing very quickly soon.
(Present- Tuesday)
The sounds of laughs and screams echoed off of the playground. Mai watched as the children ran around, playing with each other. Thankfully it was almost lunch time and the father would be taking over for her soon. Mai glanced at her watch quickly. She only had five more minutes before Father Toujo came out. Scanning over the children once more, she noticed that Mikael and Yakoto were wandering off.
"Mikael! Yakoto! Please come back here." Mai called out. The boys stopped in their tracks, realizing that they had been caught. As they turned to looked at her with the puppy look written all over their faces, Mai gestured for them come back. "Now you two."
"Those two giving you trouble again."
Mai twisted around. "Father Toujo." Mai smiled at the older priest. "You still have a couple of minutes before it's your turn." Mai chuckled.
"I think for today it will be alright Mai. I can take over if you would like to head out earlier. If I remember correctly, didn't you need to meet up with Hara-san about this weekends travels." Father Toujo smiled kindly at her.
Mai couldn't be more grateful for this job at the church. Ever since John suggested it seven years ago, Father Tojou and the other parishioners have been nothing but good to her. Thanking the father, Mai waved goodbye to the children and headed into the church to grabbed her bag. On her way out, she stopped by the church kitchen and said her goodbyes to the Mimi and Yuko, the church's older two members of its child care program and some of the best cooks Mai has ever meet. This was Mai's last day until she returned week next Tuesday. As Masako's plus one, Mai was going to be attending the annual conference of Paranormal and Psychic Research in London. Now an international name in the paranormal field these days, Masako would sometimes receive invites to these kind of events.
After her original show ended four years ago, Masako had been quickly picked up by another show that travelled internationally to haunted places. Though she didn't do as many episodes, her name did however start to get out and she within two years she had become a respected psychic in the international paranormal community. She was often requested by groups to join their cases. She actually just got back from a 2 month trip in the States. Mai, on the other hand, couldn't exactly say the same for herself, but after SPR had been disbanded Masako did 'hire' her from time to time to come on cases with her and in cases like this weekend, Masako would invite her to different events as a friend. This event in particular was being hosted by the Society of Psychic Research.
As she crossed town to Masako's apartment, Mai couldn't help but wonder if he would be there.
"Are you all ready packed?" Masako asked as she closed the door behind Mai.
"For the most part. I just have a couple more things to pack and then I should be all good." Mai replied.
"Good." Walking over to her table, Masako grabbed a small packet. "Here is your boarding passes. Everything should be in there."
"Thanks Masako." Mai beamed. "And again thanks for inviting me."
Masako smiled back. "Well who else was I going to take to a psychic conference. I certainly couldn't go alone." Masako chuckled.
"You could have taken Yumimora-san." Mai teased.
Masako blushed at the mention of boyfriend's name. Shoving Mai's shoulder lightly she replied. "Yumimora would have been bored out of his mind during the conference." The blush across her cheeks only redden. "Besides, you need to leave the country every once in a while Mai." She muttered quietly. Mai grinned smugly at her friend. Tiptoeing up behind her, she wrapped her arms around Masako's chest. "You are the best."
"I know." She replied matter-of-factly. "Tea?" Mai nodded.
Within a few minutes the both of them were sitting in the living room, each with a cup a tea. They began to discuss the conference and possible sites to visit while in the London. The conference was being held Friday evening which left them a some time to explore London while they are there. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Mai asked. "Do you think we will run into him?" Masako went silent. Mai could see the pity within her eyes. "It's not like it's a big deal, you know I was just wondering what you thought."
"Mai, the great Dr. Oliver Davis wouldn't miss this. Or at least I doubt Mori-san would allow him too." She smiled. "The chance of running into him is high."
"I know." Mai sighed. "It's just after..." Masako placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You don't know if you are ready to see him again, right?" She could see it written all over Mai's face. Embarrassed about being caught, Mai turned her head down.
"A little." She muttered.
"Mai...if this is about what he said-" Masako began but Mai interceded. "Of course it is about what he said. I mean, wouldn't it be weird for you if the last thing he really said to you was 'Me or Gene?'." Mai paused, glancing out the window. Then almost as if she was speaking to herself, she whispered. "They disappeared before I even knew the answer." Mai thoughts drifted to the narcissistic genius and Masako could see that this conversation would only get worse.
"Enough about the him. Tell me, how is the new book coming along Kazai Kenji?" Masako smirked as she spoke Mai's pen name. Mai rolled her eyes. "Good. I'm about half way through now."
"When is your deadline?" Masako asked intriguingly.
"Not for a couple of months. Hopefully though I will have it done early." Mai replied. Masako nodded her head. "Good. And I better get to read it before you send it in."
Mai raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Oh?!"
"What?" Masako asked innocently. "I want to know what happens to Rie and Haku. You left them in a tight spot in the last one."
Mai chuckled. "I didn't know you were such a fan." This time Masako rolled her eyes, brushing off Mai completely. She grabbed her cup and took another sip of her tea. Mai smiled at her and did the same.
"Masako."
"Hm."
Mai looked at friend and smiled brightly. "I have a good feeling about this trip. Unsettling but good." Masako smiled back at her.
"Mai. We are going to fancy dinner with people who are either psychic or fascinated by psychics. Of course it will be good. What could go wrong?"