SPR SERIES 2: Changes

A/N: Good day everyone! Abbie Davis is back with second installment of SPR Series. For those who waited for it, thank you so much. Warning: Slow updates with this one. School works bother me a lot. Most of my summer days would be spent on unwanted subjects. I did not fail any subjects, just for the record. Summer classes in my course Broadcast Journalism are required up to third year. I just have to endure it. So please bear with me.

To everyone who gave a good review and who liked and followed SPR Series 1, thank you so much. I know there were lapses and mistakes but that's part of learning. I learned a lot from those. For those who will read, those who are reading it right now and those who read it in the future, thank you. I just hope that you would put a review on it. :D

As for the story SPR Series 4, I don't think if I could update it sooner. Yes, it was meant as a fourth installment, judging its title. I just did it first because the idea might slip my mind again. I have to do its backbone at the mean time in order to retain the idea. Actually, I first conceptualized its story even before I did the first one. In the middle of writing SPR Series 4, the story of SPR Series 1 was born.

That's it. Thank you for keeping up with me.

Prologue

His midnight blue eyes focused in her chestnut ones. His smile was not the usual. He was sad or upset. Did she do something bad to make him sad or mad at her? What have she done? But nonetheless, I still have to smile at him. He just loves it when I do that isn't? I have to smile. Maybe this smile could make him less sad or mad.

"Mai I have to tell you something… I'm leaving." He said in that fearsome voice he used when he wants to dismiss her.

"You're leaving again. Why? Have I done something wrong? Where are you going?" I asked frantically. Yes, maybe… I did hurt him or something…

"Wake up." A distant voice said. So distant that I strained my ears to hear it. My focus on the man in front of me wavered because of the distant voice.

"I'm leaving…" The voice of the man in front of me said again. My eyes began to water. No! You can't just leave me like that. The nightmare comes back. No! Please, make this stop. I'm begging you! You can't do this to me. Please! If this is just another dream… please, just wake me up!

"Wake up."

"I'm leaving…"

"Wake up."

"I'm leaving…"

"Wake-"

"I'm l-"

"Wake up!"

Mai's eyes flew open and she shot up in her bed. She could feel her eyes stinging, tears running down in her cheeks. As she saw the sun light seeping in the curtains of her window, she sighed.

"Another bad dream again." She whispered. She let out another sigh and looked at her alarm clock. Too early. Then her gaze fell on the picture frame beside it. She smiled and took it.

"Naru, good morning." She whispered again in the thin air. Naru's face would be the first thing that she's looking for when she woke up that's why she put it beside her alarm clock.

It's been a year now since they first dated. That happened when he came back from England. Building a relationship with him is the least that she had expected but she wanted it so badly. He changed a bit when they got together. He's still the usual narcissist and uncanny teaser but he showed her the affection that is appropriate for a moment, just like on her 18th birthday. He's learning. And she's thankful that the change was not too much because she loved Naru for his old self.

All was going smoothly between the two of them but just a month ago, Naru announced that he would be going back to England to settle some affairs with the British SPR. Mai was surprised. Naru hasn't said a word about it to her. Later that day, Naru told her that his father was asking help from him on managing the company's research facilities because he was a sick at the moment. His father cannot entrust it to anyone so he has to do it.

"When will you come back?" she asked softly.

"When father gets better. A month from now, perhaps…" Naru replied in his business tone.

Mai's heart started to race. What if he's just saying it to pacify her heart? What if that's not the real reason? She's afraid that he would leave her again. "WILL you come back?" she asked as she looked at her feet, emphasizing the word WILL.

Surprised at her tone, Naru hugged her. "I am coming back to you. I promised that I would not leave you again. Hold on to that." He assured her as he kissed the top of her head…

On the day he left, Mai started to have that nightmare that he was leaving her. She sighed. They were exchanging e-mails every now and then but she would not tell him about the dream. She doesn't want him to worry about her.

She looked at the wall. Her monthly calendar was there. It's been a month… Maybe he would come back so that the dream would stop… She sighed again… "I'll just go to school. I would just have to focus on studying… I would be graduating soon. I have to get good grades. So I should stop whining…" She told herself as she got up from the bed.

Fifteen minutes later, she was out of her apartment dressed in her school uniform walking on the road leading to Shirouko Academy. Speaking of the school, she owes a lot to it. Her scholarship, fame and awards from contests would not happen if the school did not support her. Plus, she owes them SPR's reunion. The case of the haunting in Shirouko Academy, her school, brought the group and her together.

She reached the school where many students are walking on the pathway towards the building. She continued her thoughts about the previous case as she reached her classroom and sat on her chair beside the window overlooking at the pathway. Her classmates were talking loudly to each other. She just ignored them. The case was solved but the lives involved in it were changed.

Matsumoto Shin was still in jail, serving his first year inside. She was visiting him regularly, living up to her promise. The students do not know about his situation because the school said that Shin decided to study overseas. When she told him about it, he just laughed. When she asked him why he laughed, he said nothing. Mai smiled. At least he did not forget how to laugh on things.

Haneda Sakura transferred into another school as the last school year ended. Mai did not hear a thing from her since then.

Sawada Sakuro was devastated at first after he broke up with Sakura but he slowly came back to his normal self as the year ended. The ex-lovers haven't talk to each other but both know that it was for the best. He was now a part-timer of SPR so he would not feel lonely when he doesn't have to do anything. Sakuro was still the student council's president but it's his last term that's why he was so busy for the school's activities. He also asked Mai to be his supporter. And that's mean that she would be his personal assistant and secretary. That's why she was also busy at school.

As for the SPR group, a lot have changed since the last cases.

Ayako's still a doctor but she was also now a part-time professor teaching neurology at a medical university. Her relationship with Bou-san is still intact and going strong though their antics and childish ways would be the cause of their arguments.

Bou-san's still a bass guitarist in his so-called famous band. Yes, the band was a bit famous now. They just released their first major album and a lot of people were buying it. Unbelievable. Bou-san composed a couple of songs inside it and one is made for Ayako. How sweet.

Masako was still doing her TV show but she started to take it slow as she is going to graduate also this year, same as Mai. They were now best of friends as both of them would confide to each other when they have problems (Ayako felt left out because of this and was having tantrums as they she see the two of them giggling). But until now, the mystery guy Masako is talking about is still a mystery to her.

John is still a priest, doing exorcisms and blessings. He would fly to Australia occasionally to visit his parents but he would always go back here. He was now handling two orphanages and churches and he asked her if he could sing with church's choir if she has some time to spare. She said okay. But what puzzled Mai was that John was asking about Masako a lot for some time.

Yasuhara… Well, the university student was studying well. They haven't got to see each other a lot. He took up business management and he was really doing well with it. The last time they saw each other, Yasuhara discussed about the things that he did- seminars, conventions, business strategies (which made her nose bleed). He talked with his eyes shining s bright that Mai could feel that he would be successful after he finished the course. The worst thing that Yasuhara had told her was that his girlfriend broke up with her because he doesn't have enough time for her plus she was jealous of Mai and Masako. The girlfriend saw the three of them at a mall buying a gift for Bou-san's birthday. Mai just chuckled.

Lin. The ever stoic Lin. Well, he hasn't change a lot but he acts like her father sometimes especially when she and Naru is arguing. Still in his laptop but not so long now. Why? Because a certain girl named Mori Madoka came back from England to be SPR's acting president while Naru is there. Who would have thought that Lin like Madoka before… At least they are together now.

Madoka. After a long time, they met again and Mai was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug. Madoka changed a lot. Her wavy hair was longer and she dressed less formal clothes which showed her curves perfectly without appearing obscene. Maybe the change is for Lin. After work, the two of them would go to Lin's apartment. Lin decides that she would stay with him to lessen the expenses charged on BPR (British Psychic Research). Madoka agreed with it, saying that she doesn't have any choice. But the truth is, they just both want to be together.

As for her, she's still working as a part-time model and Naru's assistant at SPR. She would still get some injuries during cases but mostly minors because Naru's protecting her by watching her every movement so that he would know if she would be endanger. As a student, a lot of student were still admiring her- chocolates and flowers were present though they know she already have a boyfriend. Teachers were always getting her for art contests… The ghost hunt club was missing her already since she was always busy with the contests… She would really be busier now that Sakuro "hire" her as an assistant.

She sighed and gazed outside the window. She already had a lot of things to do yet she still has time to think about Naru. Naru has been busy last week that he has sent a couple of short messages to her saying that he was a little busy and that… but nothing mentioned about coming back… She already misses him so much… And she wants the dream to stop. It's bothering her a lot…

"Why the long face, Mai-sama?" a mocking voice asked her, distracting her from her thoughts.

She doesn't have to turn around to know that it is Sakuro but she faced him. He is sitting beside her, his right hand under his right cheek supporting his head, his elbow on the top of the desk. Unfortunately, they were classmates for their last year.

"He hasn't come back…" Mai trailed off. She's not in the mood to tease Sakuro.

Sakuro nodded absently. He knows who she is talking about. "Well… Maybe he was a lot busy there. He would come back soon, don't worry." He comforts her.

Mai just nodded and went back to gazing outside, ignoring Sakuro.

Sakuro was worried of her. She's not like this before. It was very unusual since even before Naru came back from England, she wasn't looking very down like this. She was always cheerful despite of the loneliness she felt. But today is different. She was really depressed over Naru's absence a lot. She was expecting him to be back after a month and a month had already passed. Sakuro have to do something. He took out his phone and typed…

"Hey, Mai's depressed… SO MUCH. She was really waiting for Naru to come back. I'm worried."

He sent it to the members of SPR- Ayako, Bou-san, Masako, John, Yasuhara, Lin and Madoka.

As Mai was still ignoring him, Madoka replied.

"Don't worry she'll be fine later." she replied.

Sakuro was curious. "That's it? No words of comfort? Plus, how could you say that?" he replied.

Madoka replied fast. "Trust me. Just be there outside the school after classes are dismissed. :D make sure she doesn't go to other place, ok? Don't tell her about it for now. *_*"

Sakuro smiled… He already has an idea.

(After school – at the pathway)

Mai stopped walking as she saw Sakuro following her. "Hey, why are you following me?" Mai shouted irritably at Sakuro. Eventually, Mai got back to her usual self.

"I'm just making sure your safe." Sakuro replied sheepishly.

"Stop it. Did they tell you to watch my every move?" Mai asked irritably. The truth is she is not comfortable with it. Naru would always follow her, just like what Sakuro is doing but in a less embarrassing way. She would just remember that Naru is not here…

"No. I'm doing this in my own will." Sakuro said proudly. He knows that Mai is going to meet someone. He overheard her talking about a fashion event on the phone awhile ago.

"Why?"

"I just want to."

Mai rolled her eyes. "If you are falling in love with me and you are starting to court me again, better stop it because Naru would totally bring you to hell."

"Hell no!" Sakuro said. "I'm not courting you again. Never."

"Then why are you following me?"

"I want to keep you safe until Naru's return. That's it." he lied.

"Crap. You don't have to. I can totally take care of myself. Don't follow me anymore. I'm just going to meet with a Mimi-chan." Mai said as she walked again. "We are being hired as models for the Ellis' collection. And you don't have to be my bodyguard. I'm perfectly fine."

Sakuro looked alarmed. "Hey, you can't go anywhere." He said abruptly.

Mai stopped walking. They have reached the gate now. Sakuro wanted to cover his mouth. Mai maybe retarded sometime but she's not that foolish. She would beat the crap out of him now. This is meant to be a surprise for her…

She faced him with a questioning glare. "And why can't I?"

Sakuro prayed that they would come now. "Uhm… because…"

"Because…" Mai probed him.

"Because…" Sakuro trailed of as the familiar sound of a vehicle is heard. Mai turned around to see who came. The van of SPR is here. She turned to face Sakuro. "Is that the reason?" she asked him as she pointed on the van where Madoka, Lin, Ayako, Bou-san, John, Yasuhara and Masako emerged.

"Yes. They said they wanted to see you so I should keep you here as long as I can." Sakuro replied. Another vehicle had stopped just behind the SPR van but Mai did not recognize it so she assumed that it was just another car.

"Mai-chan!" Madoka called her as they approached her.

"Why are you here?" Mai asked gently as she smiled slowly.

"We heard that you were depressed the whole day." Bou-san answered, smirking.

"Who-" then she realized. "Sakuro…"

"I'm sorry Mai. I was worried." Sakuro replied.

Mai was stunned. She looked around her… on her family smiling at her. Of course, they were all here because they were worried of her.

"I'm so sorry." Mai said. "I worried everyone, didn't I?" as tears started to form in the corner of her eyes.

Ayako put a motherly hug around her. "Don't worry too much Mai." She said in a motherly voice. "You'll be fine."

Just as Mai was about to reply, a voice that she knows very well is heard.

"Mai."

Mai's eyes widened. She turned towards the direction of the voice. Midnight blue eyes…

"Would you keep on staring at me like an idiot?" he asked. Then he smirked.

Mai's smile widened. "Naru…" she whispered. She ran towards him to hug him. Naru rolled his eyes but he returned her hug. The group snickered. Though they have already seen them lovey-dovey, they could still not get used to it since Naru still have his narcissistic ways.

"You really missed me that much?" Naru asked softly, loud enough for her to hear. "You made them come here, even Yasuhara."

Mai nodded, unable to say anymore because she was too happy. She buried her face on his chest, savouring his scent. Finally, he's here. She won't be lonely anymore. She won't be missing him… She won't be afraid that he would leave her again… Now that he's here, she wondered now why she was afraid that he would not come back. What's the word for it? But maybe because of the dream…

"I won't be going anywhere." Naru reassured her again. "I'm keeping my promise because I would benefit from it very well. When I'm away from you, I think of you all the time and I'm worried that you might do something reckless that could take you away from me too far... I'm already attached to you, Mai. So even if get away from you, I would always come back to you."

Mai looked up at him to see his face. He meant it. She knows that he meant it. And yes… now she knows that both of them are attached to each other… that's it. That's why she's so afraid.

She finally smiled. "Welcome home." She said happily as Naru smiled to her.

At the background, Madoka was shocked. "He smiled…" she pointed out.

Yasuhara laughed. "Only when Mai is around…"

The group watched the two of them happily. Finally Mai's going to be back to her old self.

Masako watched Mai closely. "Something's off with her." She said. Even though Mai is smiling whole heartedly at Naru's arms, she could feel that Mai is being troubled by something dark… The thing that she felt when Mai is having a precognition… She saw it before. Mai's aura would turn like this…

The others turned to look at her. "What do you mean?" John asked curiously.

"I think we would have a case in the following days." Masako answered absent-mindedly.