Sept 24th

12:30 pm

Case 1 – Day 1

Mai went out to the van to grab the bento boxes she had kept behind her seat. Not that Oliver deserved lunch after she told him he couldn't have tea he became a grouchy old bear. Of course this was no different from the norm, but it was beginning to make her very aggravated. Mai sighed as she realized him making her aggravated was pretty normal also. Of course, that itself made the situation even more annoying. She nearly groaned aloud when she realized that despite the amount of time between them, and the years of growth they both went through it seemed unfortunately that nothing had changed regarding their work dynamic.

Everyone was waiting in a sitting room they set up as base for this case. The monitors were set up but the cameras weren't hooked up to anything as of yet. Of course this was another subject Oliver decided to get into a stink about. It wasn't that he was outwardly throwing a tantrum but for him it was close. He was outwardly huffing in his annoyance.

When Noll saw Mai bring in several bento boxes he became concerned. He never liked to admit his avoidance for Japanese cuisine. It wasn't that he disliked it or anything. He just was accustomed to eating British cuisine. Because of this Noll barely could hold chopsticks. He excelled in everything he did and he had gotten better when he was last in Japan. But he hated to admit his shortcomings, and his lack of practice would probably show when he attempted to wield the utensils.

Noll watched Mai with hesitant eyes. She outright glared at him and approached Gene. He watched on annoyed while she whispered to Gene and handed him something. When Gene approached him, Noll floundered for a second with his emotions then curiosity won out over his momentary annoyance with his brother. His twin smiled his friendly grin and handed Noll something. Noll attempted to hide his surprise when he looked at the object he now held in his hand. Mai had given both Gene and himself a plastic fork to eat with.

Noll turned and nodded to Mai. He told himself that he would not show how he admired her consideration for others. She proceeded to pass out the food. She included a sample of everything on each team member's plate. Each person got three onigiri (rice balls), tamagoyaki (japanese omelet), oshinko (pickled cabbage), nikuman (steamed pork buns) and a tempura mix. The tempura mix consisted of: sakana (fish), Ebi (shrimp), kabocha (japanese pumpkin), and satsumaimo (sweet potato). Noll was surprised at how delicious everything smelled. He was still apprehensive, at least the only things he truly needed the fork for would be the tamagoyaki and the oshinko. Everything else he could technically eat with his hands. Finally it was his stomach that decided to make the decision for him and growled loud enough it echoed in the quiet room. He felt his cheeks redden slightly and gave in to sample the meal Mai made.

Noll of course knew that Mai was talented in many things. Even if he would tease her about a lack of intelligence in the past. She had some life experience that even Noll could say he lacked a bit of himself. Noll could of course cook for himself. In fact he cooked quite a bit when he was last in Japan. That was how he was able to avoid using chopsticks quite most of the time. He never truly expected Mai would have a grasp of domestic arts. So when he sampled the food and became immersed with the delicious flavor he was shocked. In fact he had to bite his lip to keep the moan of satisfaction from escaping. He quickly attempted to recompose his standoffish expression.

Gene and Madoka both witnessed the momentary slip of his normally detached expressed. They smirked at each other nodding in affirmation that they both were aware of his failure to stay composed. Gene and Madoka would talk later but in the meantime they were each speculating over their own assessment of the situation.

As everyone settled into their meal the team discussed what they had learned from the Hisakawa couple. Mai momentarily lost focus on the case itself and started teetering on about the baby. Outwardly Noll showcased annoyance, inwardly he began to wonder about what kind of mother she would make. He didn't let that subject enter his thoughts for long however. He didn't want to begin to imagine who the father of the child would be, and about her life with that male in question.

When Oliver gave her a look she became refocused on the job. They talked about the events that Haruka had experienced, and the things the couple had learned. "I planned on calling the company hired for renovations after lunch and seeing if we could set up a meeting with the staff that had their own incidents in the house."

Mai was annoyed with how Oliver took over the plans but she couldn't fault him for the good idea. She shrugged off her annoyance with his domineering personality. "I think that's a good idea. Ayako and Monk you both focus on doing the preliminary temperature checks and setting up cameras for the downstairs. Gene and I are going to take the upstairs and take care of the preliminaries up there. I definitely think we should focus both sound and video in the master bedroom."

Noll didn't like the idea of Gene and Mai going off together somewhere alone. But he couldn't really keep it from happening. I mean what kind of premise could he propose to the two to cease them from working together? More importantly though what exactly had him so sore about the idea? Was it maybe that same sense that Mai would realize all along that it was Gene she loved? Gene had told him time again that neither of the two felt that way about one another. But for some reason there was always a shred of doubt that made him perceive that it could be true.

Instead of showing his exasperation at that reoccurring thought. Noll showed his annoyance with the fact that the particular job procedure in question had not being performed already. "Really, Mai you should have had Ayako and Monk setting up the cameras and doing temperature checks while we were interviewing the Hisakawas."

Mai felt her face flush and her ears turn red. She was getting really tired of his domineering personality, even if it was his normal character trait. "Again, Na-" she took a deep breath before continuing, "Oliver, my team are not your employees. You do not condone us for doing things differently. You hired us to help. We are helping. We do things a certain way for a reason."

Noll looked at her. He prompted her with her eyes to continue but when she didn't do so on her own he asked, "What would the reasons be?"

Mai blew out a puff of air. She was unaware of how some of her hair had fallen from the knot she wore on top of her head, and how it now tried to curl around the curve of her face. She didn't notice how Oliver deeply inhaled his breath. No, Mai composed herself to answer his question. "First of all, while we were interviewing the couple Ayako and Monk took a tour of the building. They now know the layout of the building, but I am sure if we still needed it we could probably ask the Hisakawas for a copy of the floor plan. If it were a building like a school or hospital we would already have the floor plan so that wouldn't be necessary. But this perusal over the building helps us in the decision making process on where cameras should go in the rooms we put them up in. A side benefit is that when it comes to a residential case I find that the owners of said property are more open when we talk to them before we put up our mechanical gadgets and gizmos."

"Hmm, I see you acquired a degree of intellect over the years." Mai seethed at him which had Noll inwardly chuckling. Luckily his trademark pensive look, with his finger cupping his chin, covered the slight momentary quirk of his lips.

Gene got up from his seat to stand next to Mai. "I'll grab the equipment then we can go start our work."

Gene had said he wanted to talk to her but he hadn't yet opened himself up for discussion. They had set up cameras and done temperature checks for all of the rooms except for two. The ones that would be the nursery and the master bedroom.

As they entered the nursery Mai squealed at how the room was decorated. Talking with the Hisakawas she assumed they hadn't done anything with the room yet. The sight before her proved they were able to get some things put on the walls. Instead of going for pink like many baby girl's rooms they went for bright colors. There were brightly colored teddy bears splashed around the room. One particular picture where a teddy bear was dancing made Mai giggle. She turned to her companion when Gene cleared his throat.

"Sorry, I've been avoiding the talk I wanted to have with you. That was the whole purpose of us pairing off together too." He ran his hand through the hair at the back of his head.

"It's okay I figured you would open up when you were ready. So, what did you want to talk to me so earnestly about?" She stood in front of him and poked him in the ribs.

Gene chuckled at her childish antics. Yes, if she were his little sister this is exactly how he would expect her to treat him. "So, I know you are still having dreams, Mai."

Mai nodded. "Yeah, I think I would be pretty worthless to the team if I didn't."

Gene hated when she did that to herself. "I disagree. I feel like without you this team probably would not exist. I am sure you are the one that suggested forming this team to begin with, and the orphanage."

Mai nodded in agreement before reconsidering his words, "The orphanage was partially at John's suggestion. I mean I quickly agreed and made it my own plan to follow through with but he definitely deserves some credit in that regard."

"Either way, let's not dwell on our self worth right now okay?"

The way Gene said that had Mai concerned. He didn't sound like his sympathetic and cheerful self for a moment. When he turned his trademark grin toward her face she quickly disregarded this, thinking maybe it was a trick of the lighting. "So, how is it you know I dream? I didn't tell you..."

"No, you didn't tell me. I...I know I'm no longer your spiritual guide anymore, Mai. But we are still linked. I can still view your dreams. But, I'm always an outsider. I hate not being able to help you like I used to."

"Well that explains why I sense your presence when I dream." Mai sighed. "I do feel calmer when I feel you near so in a way you still help a bit."

"But it's like I'm chained and can't...gah Mai...I can't protect you and I hate that!"

Mai was sure there was more. This news didn't surprise her in the least so he had to drop another bombshell, right? "There's more..."

It wasn't a question and Gene didn't take it that way. He nodded back at her. "Yeah, since I have came out of a coma the link Noll and I share has increased. A majority of the emotions I feel, Noll does also and vice versa. So when I dream about you..."

"He knows about it..."

Gene nodded his eyes clouding over in worry.

"What does he know about exactly?"

Gene shook his head. "He doesn't see the dreams also. If he did...well I think we would have been back in Japan long ago. But Mai, this most recent dream...it scared you more then I have ever seen..."

"I don't know about that. I mean the Urado case was pretty terrifying."

"Yes, and that definitely was up there on a fear level. But I felt like there was something more with this most recent dream."

"It was like a horror movie creature come to life. During the dream from the Urado case, when the men dragged me into that room I could feel their flesh. When those skeletal hands touched me...it was just really creepy. Plus, the big cloaked figure, he threatened more then my own safety..."

Yes, that definitely made sense to Gene.

"Does Na, sorry I mean, Oliver know about that dream?"

"No, but I was excessively worried after that one. He won't openly admit it about the reasons we are here in Japan. I really don't think those reasons actually involve this case much. Yes, the case fell into Noll's hands, and yes he decided to take it. I believe his reasoning for taking it was because it brought us back to protect you."

Mai's belief level in Gene's explanation was low. It was mostly to keep her from having hopes of a possible future with Naru. She told herself that she couldn't ever fully believe something her heart hoped when it came to Naru unless he admitted it to her himself. If she admitted he worried about her then she would let her feelings of love for him engulf her again. She couldn't afford for it to be one sided. Her heart wouldn't be able to take it. It was bandaged and bruised after she tried to repair it the first time.

The pair moved on to the master bedroom. Gene had to excuse himself though because he had to use the "loo." Mai chuckled and assured him that she would be fine.

Mai had the camera set up fast. Once it started streaming a feed to the monitors at base she waved her hand. The sound wasn't set up yet but she mouthed, "Hi Lin!" to the camera anyways.

As Mai was putting on the finishing touches for the sound equipment she felt a shiver run down her spine. There across from her a ghostly apparition appeared. It was a woman dressed in a bright red kimono. Her style of dress suggested she had probably lived during the time of the Edo period. She would have struck Mai as once being beautiful except for the fact that the ghost was reaching for Mai. The apparition's eyes bulged from her face unnaturally. Mai screamed when she felt a cold solid hand grasp her arm painfully. Then suddenly Mai was enveloped in darkness.