Chapter Text
Mai clicked the submit button after typing a review for the latest chapter of Keiko’s fanfic.
She sat back in her chair and heaved a sigh.
There was nothing else left to read. Michiru posted a drabble collection, but Mai had already finished reading (and reviewing it!) within two hours. Hopefully the huge amount of reviews from her would put a smile to their faces.
Mai stretched her arms before clicking to the front page of GhostChannelers.com. According to Michiru and Keiko the majority of the fandom congregated on this site to post and read fanfiction of "Ghost of the Channel". It had been only a month she was made to read the entire “Ghost of the Channel” novel series.
Ghost of the Channel was a popular horror and mystery series written by Luella Davis and Martin Davis, a wife and husband team. The story was about two paranormal investigation teams in Germany and Britain; one storyline followed the brilliant scientist Alexander Sauer, and the other one focused on a fresh amateur named Lucas Johnstone. The two young men solved cases with their respective teams, but both were visited in their dreams by ghost named Marianne...
The book series took turns between the two paranormal teams. The last volume focused on Alexander’s team. Unfortunately, it was released over a decade ago and ended on a gigantic cliff-hanger.
Mai groaned.
This is pure hell. Why did Michiru and Keiko drag me into this?
She clicked around on the website, hoping to quench her thirst.
Fortunately, there were plenty of fics… Nearly two decades had passed, after all. But where to start?
She spotted the link ‘message board’ in the menu, and clicked on it.
Michiru had recommended one author, but it was probably a good idea to ask the regulars on this site. …And Mai didn’t mind making more friends who liked the series. Hopefully, everyone was nice and friendly.
She clicked ‘New thread’ and typed her introduction message.
Thread:: New to the fandom!
After posting it, Mai clicked the tab away and read some assigned literature for a university course.
An hour later she returned to the thread and found a few replies waiting for her.
Wow, they were so quick and responsive!
Madoka and Gene seemed really nice. Lin didn’t seem chatty, but at least he took the time to welcome her. Mai remembered seeing Yasuhara among Michiru and Keiko’s other reviews. His reviews were quite enthusiastic and helpful, if she recalled correctly. He seemed rather friendly, but his last question made her frown. She hadn’t quite decided on anything yet.
Then Mai realized that she’d forgotten to ask for recommendations.
Mai looked at the clock. It was time for dinner. She left her seat and went to the kitchen.
After she finished cooking her meal, Mai returned with a plate of steaming fried rice in front of the computer.
An entire conversation had occurred while she was away from the keyboard.
Mai wasn’t sure what to think of these two yet.
Nevertheless, she noted the names and titles down.
- OliverD
- Melting a Cold Heart by Masako
- When Time Stood Still by Ayako
Mai replied, but…
She was completely ignored! Mai was beginning to have doubts about this fandom.
Luckily, Gene came to the rescue. Mai was beginning to like that guy. He seemed really nice!
Takigawa brought up a good point though. She had a broad interest, but there were specific genres that tugged her heartstrings.
Takigawa replied quickly, and proved to be quite helpful.
Mai gaped.
So Masako was also active on the forums. She had to tell Michiru about this!
JohnB was recommended by three people… That must mean he was good. As for OliverD, what kind of fics did he write anyway? Oh well, she would look him up later. No need to rush.
She frowned at Ayako’s message though. What did she mean by that?
Then JohnB himself arrived.
Mai leaned forward. Oh, it’s John! …But who were they talking about?!
Then another reply came, but it was neither from John or Ayako.
Sakauchi’s one shot… Mai looked at the time. She had yet to start her homework. Perhaps she would read it later this night before bedtime…
But… Yasuhara was quite persistent. Exactly why was it so important? Mai decided not to think about it much. She had to admit she was playing around with some ideas in her head, but… writing them out was a completely different beast.
Then came the responses she did not quite expect.
You-know-who? Who is you-know-who? What would she find out soon?
Her irritation rose.
Mai decided to reply with one last message and leave it at that.
Mai pasted the sticky note on the table.
- OliverD
- Melting a Cold Heart by Masako
- When Time Stood Still by Ayako
- JohnB
- Yasuhara
- Sakauchi’s one shot
She got the recommendations she wanted.
Gene returned to his laptop after eating dinner and scrolled down Mai's thread.
“Great.”
“What?”
Noll barely turned his head in the kitchen. He was washing the dishes.
Gene sighed.
“A new girl made an introduction thread and they’re already talking about you-know-who.”
“Really.”
He sounded disinterested as usual.
Gene slumped down into his seat. Why did life have to turn out this way?