Chapter Text
September - First Week - Monday
Every kiss since the curry house in Setagaya has quieted a lot of things. Every kiss since then was more than just a kiss. It extended for periods that would be dizzying and made her forget. She wasn't sure if it was the lack of oxygen or something else.
Among those many things were the dreams. Mai had not remembered Gene's fear in weeks. She had not remembered what it felt like to drown. She had not felt like she was run over by a sedan.
For Naru, he had probably forgotten the basics of his qi-gong exercises. His PK had been at its best since Gene.
He had pieced it together after the many instances of physical contact with Mai Taniyama. He had a PhD in Parapsychology and he didn't like letting a problem go unsolved.
He had known through her connection with Gene—
A drop in his stomach had caused Mai to stop kissing him.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing." He said as he deepened the kiss.
Whatever it was had caused her to sync well with his PK. It seemed like physical contact caused neutralization of his PK.
It was a law of physics that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. His PK was devastating for the human body.
So where was it all going?
They had stopped; she pulled away. "I would like to do something productive now."
She was wearing the Cambridge University sweater over her home clothes and headed towards the table in his room to study. Naru was left on the bed to continue reading his book.
Mai felt something in the pit of her stomach— worry. She was getting used to naming these emotions that suddenly popped out of nowhere.
She turned to look at Naru and she saw it. The way his eyes furrowed — not Dostoevsky related. She then suddenly felt guilty about leaving the bed.
Mood contagion.
She grabbed her reading list from the desk and went back to the bed. She lay down beside him and continued reading. The weird feeling in her stomach quieted.
September - First Week - Wednesday
They were in SPR when the client had come in. It was a lakeside property in Fujikawa.
The client was already seated across from them. Mai was taking notes. Naru had started the interview.
"The lakehouse has been in our family for years." Touma Arisato, 35 years old, the eldest of 4 siblings. "I inherited it from my father when he passed away. We never used it much other than for vacation. There were always spooky stories from the caretakers but we never believed it."
"This summer, my family and I wanted to get away from the city. We decided to go to the property." He continued.
"It was fine until—" He drank from the teacup that Mai had prepared earlier.
Mai had stopped writing in her notes. The familiar flashes of headlights and the taste of metal started appearing in her mouth.
Naru had noticed this. He filed it for after the interview with the client.
"Until there was a scream in the forest and our four-year-old daughter, she almost walked into the lake. It's deep— We don't exactly know how deep but we were told to be cautious when swimming in it."
"How long have you been on the property?" Naru asked.
"Just about a week and half by now." Arisato-san replied. "The caretakers have gone home while me, my wife, our oldest son and daughter are the ones staying."
"Can we ask for an account from one of your caretakers?" Naru asked. "We would like to ask them about any activities prior to your arrival."
"I can arrange for Chie-san to talk to you." Touma-san affirmed. "She has mentioned something about how the lake looked like it had blood in the water but we thought it was just tales to stop the other caretakers' kids from approaching the lake."
Naru paused for a moment and looked at Mai from the corners of his eyes. She had already snapped out of her vision and continued taking her notes.
When Lin took over to discuss the terms of having SPR investigate, Naru had brought Mai into his office.
Mai had already anticipated this the moment the flashes came and she could feel unease at the same time. He noticed.
"It was vague." She said before he could get a word in. "I tasted blood. There were lights."
"What lights?"
Danger. Mai thought. If she revealed they were headlights, he would put the two together. This was not a conversation they should be having.
"Can I see your notes?" He felt the hesitation when Mai went silent for a while. She handed it to him.
He spotted it. A blank after her shorthand for the word lake. The exact moment she stopped writing. She had resumed by writing about the incident with the four-year-old daughter.
He looked up at her and saw her eyes were wide and she was biting her lip.
He sighed and decided to file this for later. He returned her notes.
September First Week - Friday
University was coming back in 2 weeks. She settled for doing the rest of her school work on the way to the location.
She had a feeling he already knew. Lake, lights, and the metallic taste. The guilt sat heavier than it should have.
She had glanced at Naru who was beside her. His hand found hers even in his sleep. He never slept on van rides.
Lin was driving and Madoka was talking animatedly in the front seat. Yasuhara was at their back on his laptop trying to summarize the information for the location. Masako was in Kyushu for a location shoot. John was back in Osaka for a charity event. Bou-san had a gig.
Ayako would catch up.
He'd mentioned it once— motion sickness and migraines. Now, he slept unguarded on the way to Fujikawa.
She had finished her readings when they arrived at the location.
The lakehouse was large but not overwhelmingly so. It had traditional Japanese architecture and a dock.
The forest was still green with only a few leaves turning autumn colors. The temperature was still warmer than autumn.
Arisato-san greeted them at the entrance with his wife and an old lady she assumed was Chie-san. He gave a tour of the lakehouse which was 2 stories. The first floor had a living room that opened up into a well-tended Japanese zen garden. The kitchen - dining area was clean and spacious and had a table for 6.
The second floor had 1 big master bedroom and 2 guest bedrooms. The Arisato family would be using the master bedroom while the 2 guest bedrooms would be used by the crew. Madoka and Mai were rooming in together while the guys were in one room.
They had let them use the living room as a temporary base. After the tour, they had begun setting up.
Naru and Lin had interviewed Chie-san in the living room. Mai was with the youngest of the Arisato family— Misaki Arisato, the four-year-old who almost went into the lake— in the master bedroom while the parents were showing Yasuhara and Madoka the areas where events had occurred.
Misaki was quiet and was coloring on a notepad an alarmingly shapeless black blob.
"Hi sweetie! What you got there?" She kneeled to the floor and smiled at the child who stared at her blankly.
The child had grabbed Mai's wrist with a force no four-year-old should have. It was starting to leave bruises.
Mai was looking straight into the child's eyes. She saw Chie-san with a menacing smile, blood in the water and collapsed.
When Mai collapsed, the child seemed to snap out of a trance and cried.
Minutes Earlier - The Living Room
Lin had pressed record. The interview started with an introduction.
"I am Kazuya Shibuya and this is my associate, Lin Koujo. We will be asking about the disturbances that have been happening lately." Naru said in his usual business monotone.
"Chie-san may we ask how long have you been working as a caretaker?" Naru asked. Lin took note of the interview with his laptop.
"I have been working for the Arisatos since I was around 25. I am now 65. Roughly around 40 years." She confirmed.
"In your 40 years of working with them have there been strange occurrences?"
"The lake has been here at the foot of the mountains for as long as I could remember. I live around the area. There's a saying around here."
Naru had felt something in him drop heavy. A tornado warning sounded in his body. The static coming back, a migraine incoming. He could hear the tinnitus.
"Anytime there is a disturbance, the lake takes a victim." Chie-san had said. This left a horrible aftertaste in his mouth.
"I think you should leave." Chie-san smiled in a way that did not quite fit her face.
They heard a thud and a cry from upstairs. Naru had already stood up before he heard.
He was already up the steps before he even decided to move.
When he opened the door, Misaki was alone.
The lights flickered overhead until he controlled his breathing.
Lin and Madoka arrived at the same time. Madoka had crouched down to comfort the crying child.
"Where's Mai?" Lin asked. Naru closed his eyes.
3 hours later
It had been 3 hours since anyone had last seen Mai Taniyama. No video feed had captured her so far.
Ayako had arrived as soon as she could after hearing of Mai's disappearance. She had started the exorcism on Chie-san and Misaki.
Naru had barked orders left and right.
Naru was externally trying to project that he had everything under control. His eyes focused. His tone colder. His replies sharper. The moment someone suggested something uneconomical he would shut them down and stare them down into quietness. Even the unperturbed Yasuhara flinched.
Madoka knew looking at how hard he gripped the mouse and the tightness of his jaw. He was unraveling inside.
She had not seen this look in a long time. The last time was when he found out Gene died.
Luella and Martin were not functioning. Lin and Madoka had every map of Japan's lakes on the table. Lin was starting to book the next flight to Narita.
They had obsessively run through the feeds of the bedroom. In the 2 minutes between their arrival and Mai collapsing she was dragged off the feed.
Lin's shiki had been actively looking around for Mai.
Madoka noticed how hard Naru was pinching the bridge of his nose— headache worsening.
Naru was about to attempt psychometry on her notes to locate her but with the temperature constantly dropping every few minutes around them, Lin advised not to add to the psychic load.
6:30 p.m. Another 3 hours later - Fujikawa - Arisato Lakehouse
Mai had not yet returned. Yasuhara had brought back information.
An old lady who used to live in the forest was forced out by Touma's father. They had found cursed effigies of the father, Misaki and somehow Mai as well, buried lakeside. There was one of Kazuya Shibuya, a pseudonym, which was why it did not work on Naru.
It was nearing 7 p.m. when Naru stood up from his chair and bolted out of the house. At the same time, Lin who was patrolling the lakeside had run towards the dock.
At the edge, Mai Taniyama had jumped.
Before the jump.
Mai felt herself wake up in the tool shed of the Arisato lake property. She felt that the environment was distorted. She went out of the shed. She saw black hair and blue eyes but forever seventeen.
Instead of the lakehouse property outside the shed, it was the astral plane where they'd usually meet.
Gene smiled sadly. "Don't trust what you see."
He faded before she could reach him. In the far distance she could see Misaki crying.
"Mai-san. Help me!" The child screamed.
Gene's warning echoed and she halted in her tracks.
The cry became louder, the child becoming more distressed.
Mai walked towards the child. Along the way, the ground dissolved from under her and she could feel herself enclosed in cold water
She knew this feeling.
She was underwater.
She was drowning.
Lin had seen Mai jump and two minutes after her, Noll had jumped in after her before he could even get anywhere near the docks of the lake.
Lin recognized it. The sway of the trees, a hurricane-like quality, the place they disappeared to, the epicenter.
Everyone was holding their breath. Madoka had already come out with Yasuhara and Ayako. She was looking everywhere then her eyes landed on the docks.
Mai could not move. She tried to hold her breath but eventually she could feel that the oxygen wasn't enough.
She opened her mouth out of panic and a rush of water went into her lungs.
Before she could pass out, she saw black hair and blue eyes.
A moment later Naru and Mai had emerged at the lakeside adjacent the docks. He laid Mai flat on the ground and kneeled beside her.
Airway. He tilted her head backwards.
Breathing. He listened for breaths. There were none. He looked for chest rise; there wasn't either.
There was a short pause before Mai stirred and started coughing. Lin, Madoka, and Ayako had arrived simultaneously.
Naru closed his eyes; relief passed through him. He sat on the ground next to her.
Ayako placed her on her side and continued assessing her.
Naru opened his eyes and looked away from the edge of the water.
Mai had already sat up when she looked at Naru. She felt relief then guilt too heavy for her to explain.
She saw he was trying to keep away from looking at the water. His brows furrowed. His entire body still.
Because when she was pulled out of the water, someone else was left behind.
The case wasn't over but Ayako had deemed Mai safe from drowning-induced lung injury and Naru from possible arrhythmia and cardiac arrest— PK use. They were sitting in the base with Mai thoroughly wrapped in three blankets in warmer clothes still in a daze. Yasuhara had taken over watching Misaki. Ayako was doing a final exorcism of the location.
Noll had also changed into a fresh set of clothes. He was sitting on the couch adjacent Mai. He was looking over case notes.
Madoka had decided to take over the investigation. She recognized the pattern, the quietness, the shutting people out.
"You two." Madoka pointed at their direction. "Go home."
Noll glared at Madoka. "There is a case we need to finish."
"Yes and you two are tired and emotionally compromised." She pointed out. "You both will be a liability at this state."
"Lin. Do you sense anything from Mai?" Madoka directed her attention to Lin who gave a firm shake of the head.
"No, I do not see any presence lingering around her." Lin confirmed with his shiki. "Matsuzaki has already covered the exorcism and the effigies were dealt with."
"The rest of the case is a mere overnight observation and figuring out the hexer." Madoka added.
"I am the lead investigator. I should see this case through." Naru had said firmly.
A sharp inhale from Madoka earned the attention of the whole room.
"Mai is tired Noll." She had switched to English and glared at Noll. Noll looked at Mai who was staring blankly at the coffee table.
"Go home before I tell Martin and he'll personally drag you back to England."
He gritted his teeth and looked away.
Madoka dragged Mai to the girls' bedroom leaving the blankets behind on the couch. She snapped out of her daze. She gave Mai a long hug.
Mai understood mid-hug— It wasn't only Naru who had lost Gene. Madoka had known the twins from a young age. She also had known Mai since she was a teen, since the Urado case.
"I'm glad you're safe." Madoka sighed into the hug.
Madoka helped her pack her belongings in silence. There was a quality to the quiet that was heavy and sad.
The two women had gotten back to the base. Naru already had Ayako's car keys in hand. She had lent her car to the two, instructing to leave it at the parking lot near SPR since Naru's was parked there.
Naru had gotten Mai's overnight travel bag wordlessly from her hands. Their hands brushing for a bit. She felt his skin ice cold.
He led her out of the house. He placed their bags in the trunk of the car. He opened the passenger seat first and let her in before getting in the driver's seat.
The drive back to SPR was 2 hours. Mai was gazing out the window and occasionally glancing at Naru.
She noted the grip on the steering wheel was tight and that he was glaring at the road.
She opened her mouth to say something— she closed it.
She watched the trees of Fujikawa fade into the concrete buildings of Tokyo. She looked at Naru's reflection in the window. She didn't know where he was directing that accusatory gaze.
They changed cars at SPR. Naru was putting their bags in the trunk and Mai was waiting for him by the passenger side door. Their gaze met for a while.
Mai gave a small smile. Naru released a soft sigh.
They drove to Minami-Aoyama.
At Minami-Aoyama
They arrived at around 11 p.m. at his apartment. He let her in first. She left her shoes at the entryway; he left his beside hers. He put their bags at the entryway. They would sort it out tomorrow.
"You should prepare for bed." He told her as he prepared tea. She nodded.
She grabbed the clothes she kept in his closet. She showered and it smelled of him — cedarwood and mint. She dressed for sleep.
She sat down on her side of the bed and waited for him to finish showering in the spare bathroom as she combed her hair. The cups of tea on the side table— earl grey and green tea.
Naru had sat beside her. She took his hand and looked at him. "I'm here."
He didn't say anything; he looked at the bruise forming on her wrist.
Mai looked into his eyes as if searching for something. The deep blue almost swallowing her. He closed his eyes.
She recalled dark hair and blue eyes underwater. She recalled headlights.
Mai felt tears escape.
He opened his eyes and he felt tears forming in his eyes. He slowly brought his hands to her face and touched his forehead to hers.
She thought about Gene's last thought— "I'm never going to see Noll again."
He thought about how only one person he lov— cared about emerged from the lake.
He paused and looked at her with all his restraint. She could back out now and forget about this in the morning. She could see the question in his hesitation and closed the gap.
Her brightly colored pajamas fell onto the floor with his. She drowned in the scent of cedarwood. He savored the taste of green tea.
By the time they finished, the tea had already gone cold—forgotten.