Summary

Ever since Naru turned down Mai's confession, Mai was left heartbroken and 5 years had passed. Mai was now not the Mai we know anymore, she's different, both physically and spiritually.

What would she do when Naru comes back and ask her to work with him again?

Disclaimer: I do not own ghost hunt or any of the characters~

- Dream -

Darkness concealed me. Everything was black, not even a hint of light came into my vision. I don't know where I was but one thing for sure I know, I am having one of those dreams. Suddenly a ray of light flashed right before me.

It blinded me for a second.

Slowly, I opened my eyes… I was… in a room. A room designed with traditional Japanese designs, the floor was covered in tatami1, detailed carvings were seen on the wooden doorframes, and delicate, but elegant antiques were located above the cabinets. Though the design of the room was simple, it was still luxurious.

As I was looking around the room with admiration, the door suddenly opened, creating a loud 'bang'. I whipped my head over the door and saw a tall man, masculine, wearing a traditional Japanese kimono, screaming in anger, obviously pissed. The man entered the room, and shortly after that a woman came in, her long brown locks swaying freely behind her back.

"How could you do this to me!? To us!?" the man shouted

"My dear, please! Listen to me!" the woman tried to explain, her tone was full of anxiousness.

"Shut up Sumire! I do not want to hear any of your excuses! How could you? You're a disgrace!" The man fumed.

"Ryoutarou, I have said for a millionth times! It was a big misunderstanding!" Sumire talked back

… Jeez, what happened here?

"I have seen it with my own eyes Sumire! With my own eyes!" tears started to form in his eyes. "I can't believe you anymore!" his anger seemed to have crossed the line, suddenly he grabbed the nearby antique, which seems to be a porcelain pot, without any word, he smashed the pot to the woman's head. The last thing I saw before waking up was a pool of blood.

- Reality -

I jolted up, heart pounding like crazy, what was that? The dream? Oh my gosh, I seriously felt like I'm about to throw up. I quickly ran towards the bathroom of my small apartment, and did my thing; I threw up.

After washing my face, I looked upon my reflection on the mirror. My hair was no longer short, it was already around my waist, my figure changed, it seems to look curvier.

Ever since Naru… no, ever since Oliver Davis left me heartbroken, left me in pain, I changed. I realized that I was being such a fool, liking someone who had less emotion than a brick. I felt extremely stupid, and I hated being stupid. So I changed, I felt that if I change, I don't have to feel pain anymore. So I closed my heart.

I refused to talk to the other SPR members after our last case, more precisely I didn't want to. Though Bou-san and Ayako tried to call me and came to my apartment several times, I refuse to answer them. It was just too much. I needed some space back then. But now, I'm just afraid that I would open my heart. I don't want to feel pain anymore.

Being alone was not so bad after all; I could do anything by myself, without concerning other people's eye, without concerning other people's opinion.

As I prepared breakfast, I heard knocks from the front door, as I ignored the knock, suddenly I heard a scream

"JOU-CHANNN! RISE AND SHINE IT'S MORNING ALREADYYY! OPEN THE DOOR FOR ME PLEASE!" … It was definitely Bou- san. I continued to ignore the scream I heard the door clicked.

Did he manage to open my door this time?

I walked slowly leaving the kitchen, as I turn to face the door, it wasn't Bou-san I saw, in return I saw a pair of indigo eyes gazing at me, those eyes, that had turned me down coldly, those eyes that showed no emotion was staring at me, after 5 years.

Dumbfounded, I stared at him with wide eyes.

"Naru…"

Glossary

1. Tatami: A type of Japanese mat made from rice straw.