ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ MONK ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
"So this is the park?" Bou-san and Mai gathered around by the entrance of the park, looking around the peaceful atmosphere of the park filled that's filled with families and twitterpated couples playing around the park.
Bou-san lightly sniffed, his face contorting in doubt. "Are you sure there are evil spirits in here?— I wouldn't want to do an exorcism in a peaceful place like this... It would feel so awkward." The sight of how calm and joyful the atmosphere was made Bou-san squirm at destroying such a scenery with something serious such as an exorcism.
He seriously doubted the rumors.
Just to make sure, Bou-san turned to the quiet psychic staring at Naru's back, a familiar glint in her dark eyes. The boss turning away from the crew as he fiddled at the phone in his hand.
"Masako, do you feel any spirits around?" Bou-san asked, gaining half of Masako's attention.
"-Yes I do feel something...but nothing harmful..." Masako distractedly conveyed, her eyes moving towards Naru's direction as she finished.
The sight of the girl's obvious attraction to Naru made Bou-san sweat drop. 'Young people these days...'
~~~
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ NARU ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Having enough of Masako's stares, Bou-san was curious and glanced at Naru, who remained quiet— however not entirely oblivious to Masako's stare as he could feel it oozing behind him. Naru just chose to ignore it.
Ignoring things that isn't deemed important is Naru's usual reaction in life, he lived the quotation. A realist. Only paying attention on what is at hand.
But nevertheless he continued typing on his phone, the very thing that is at hand as it chimed once more, his face turning dark as he read the computerized letters on his screen.
» »PrincessSmilesALot: Subject: Sucks to be you~ (σ≧▽≦)σ « «
:You could have avoided all of this if you have agreed on my proposition tehee~
Naru tightened his hold on his phone, not hearing the slight crack it emitted as the sight of her message irked him in a way he could never put into words.
"-By the way, I know why we're here but is it really true?" Bou-san asked Mai behind him. Feeling something ominous coming over.
Naru heard Masako reply to Bou-san's question, but his gaze went back on the screen of his phone.
"Apparently so... I also heard the phenomenon only occurs when they shoot that type of scene."
Naru frowned, before sending back his reply first and placing the phone back on his pocket.
"But I can't believe that kind of phenomena only happen to couples..." Mai worriedly spoke up, her eyes glancing at the serene park were dozens of people walked by. 'They all look so peaceful...'
"Well you know what they say, 'pour water to break them up.' " Bou-san pointed out, receiving a sheepish smile from Mai.
"...That's a good one..."
"We don't know for sure if it's a psychic phenomenon yet." Naru spoke after finally turning to face Mai and the others.
"We're here to find out, right?" Bou-san asked, his smile hesitant and twitching taking in Naru's gloomy expression. 'Wow, the Chief's in a really bad mood...'
"That's the problem..." Masako spoke up, her eyes lit in something mischievous.
If she saw Naru's dark expression— well, she didn't bother to face it and continued.
"-The phenomenon only occurs in that one particular circumstance. So that means we need to come up with a plan..."
"A plan..?" Mai innocently perked, 'Why am I getting a bad feeling with this plan?'
Masako hid her smile, lifting her kimono sleeve to produce grace. "It'll be easy— all we have to do is break off into two couples—"
"A- a decoy....?" Mai smiled, her smile slowly turning close to a drool. "...Heh..."
Ignoring the drooling girls present at the group, Naru spoke out his own opinion.
"I'm not up for that idea." Naru said as direct as he could, the usual response. Of course, he was completely honest, not really up for idiotically pretending when they could instead investigate further in the area that could gain them much faster information. "-Instead I think we should—"
"—Right, Naru?" Masako chimed, her smile beaming
'Hey, now this could be an opportunity for me to get a date with Naru!?' Mai thought to herself after assessing the idea. Perking up, she waved her hand.
"I'm in! I'm in!" Mai cut Naru off before he could finish. The sudden cut off made Naru think, his eyes lowered to the ground as he inwardly sighed.
~~~
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ AKEMI ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Somewhere in a black car, Akemi sat quietly next to her aunt, facing two men that her aunt managed to meet because of a new project set up for Akemi and her aunt's inspirations.
Here they were, discussing about the designated location that is suitable for her Aunt's brand new photoshoot.
PING!—
An automatic smile spread across her soft lips as she read a message.
»» StingyWizard: Replied Subject: Sucks to be you~ (σ≧▽≦)σ « «
:Just get here now.
Seeing Naru's message, Akemi could already tell how bad Naru's mood is right now and the thought of Mai getting all the anger or somebody else in the crew made Akemi feel bad. Slight, but still there.
So with a small cough, Akemi tried to get the adult's attention. "Where would our photo-shoot be?"
The businessman perked, glad to gain Akemi's attention in some way. "It's on a park— you're gonna love it!— both of you. It is total sunshine over there!" The businessman said as he gestured for Akemi and her aunt.
Akemi let out a wry smile as it turns out they are going to be at the same park as Naru.
So she went ahead and sent him a message,
» »From: PrincessSmilesALot: To: StingyWizard « «
:'(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ No~
~~~
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ MAI ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
"Now that I think about it— Mai, shouldn't Akemi be here?"
Mai perked up straight while her pouted lips sucked back in to her skin, almost an automatic reaction from hearing a simple name.
The sight of her strange reaction made the Monk loosely smile at Mai.
'The total mention of Akemi-sempai literally brings out the lady in me...her constant reminder of being more lady-like paid off...' Mai gave a sheepish sweat drop, her glaring seized from the two people picking out their destination to wait, which was only to seat on a bench in front of hers and the monk.
'Masako— tch! So lucky!' Mai flared.
Mai just found out that the "plan" Masako thought was really just a cunning little ploy for the psychic to get her famous thin hands on Naru, and the thought of being bested by her made Mai sick.
"Ojou-sama— I mean Akemi-sempai is excused today, something about her school and job making her busy..."
'Or maybe her fight with Naru made her disappear...' Mai continued in her thoughts, not really knowing.
"Hmm... That's too bad... She would be really helpful right now finishing this case a lot faster..." Bou-san then turned slightly to the side, avoiding Mai's gaze as his eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "-This may be part of your job but you'd still rather be with a younger guy, wouldn't you?" Bou-san cried, taking a sip of the can of juice he bought for him and Mai.
"Old man is sad. I'm crying..." The monk continued to act and Mai panicked, leading out stutters as she tries to assure Bou-san.
"No! That's not true!" Mai shook her head. " -Naru wouldn't be as nice as you are!"
"You don't know what to do with a good-looking man, do you?" Bou-san teased, the act long gone and non-existent before something caught his eye— more like someone.
"Hey...isn't that Akemi?" Mai turned to glance right where the monk pointed and her eyes widened at the sight of the beautiful person standing amongst two more other beautiful people.
They practically glittered as they walked together, Akemi and another woman clung arms and were walking along the park with light conversations, the woman next to Akemi held some authority in her gaze with dyed red curls that reaches below her chin and matching purple eyes, however more darkly sharp and strict compared to Akemi's bright and clear ones. The woman stood a few inches shorter than Akemi even with heels.
While a man stood behind them with perfectly combed brown hair and brown eyes, dark tanned skin with a jaw sculped perfectly sharp and a height a few inches taller than Akemi, walking along wearing designer clothes and the other man with them seemed to be twice his age, who continued to point around and ordering other people with them— particularly to a man holding a huge camera.
The sight of them had Mai in awe, recognizing that the man Akemi was with is a rising model in his early 20s on a magazine she read at the Office and the woman Akemi was clinging unto is a well-known fashion designer, Maruyama Minako.
The very person that gave Akemi's title of being the heiress, her Maternal Aunt.
Another female came up out of nowhere, which Mai knew to be Akemi's loyal guard, if she was correct her name is Kikyo. A person Mai rarely had the chance to talk to, reminding the high schooler another certain someone that remains quiet by the side lines.
Mai observed as Kikyo whispered something to Akemi's ear before the heiress smiled and clasped her hands unto her guard— letting go of her Aunt's and walking straight towards Naru and Masako.
Leaving behind her Aunt and the others.
'Everything would be alright...' Mai sweat dropped as she and Bou-san stood up to meet her sempai. Already feeling the air turn cold as Mai watched her sempai lift a hand as if to stop Naru when the cold boss actually stood up as she neared.
"Took you long enough—" Naru started but was once again cut off,
"Unfortunately..." Akemi smiled, "I'm not here for the case. My Aunt's photo-shoot just happened to be in the same place and I wanted to see how you guys were doing..."
'...right?' Mai gulped, the air around them somewhat freezing as Naru and Akemi stared at each other.
One passive, the other smiling but both glaring. Challenging each other.
In her eyes, Mai felt as if they were glaring lightning strikes that could damage the earth. None of them were seriously backing off.
"Ojou-sama! The shooting will start in 10 minutes!" One of the staff yelled, gaining their attention, Akemi turned and responding a polite 'Okay~' before turning back to face Naru, her gaze softened as she waited for some kind of response from the Boss.
It wasn't until a few seconds later with no one relenting, Akemi hummed. "— I better get going then..."
Mai thought that that was it as Akemi turned around, walking away from them without as much turning to look back.
Well that was until Naru sighed, finally relenting. "Fine."
Akemi paused.
~~~
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ AKEMI MAI ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Lifting a hand in her lips, Akemi tilted her head to glance behind her despite it only being a dark blur but she manages with a teasing glint.
"...Hai...?" She drawled, making Naru sigh once more— tucking his folder under his arms and walked towards Akemi.
Actually passing her and her guard ahead without hesitation. "I'll speak with your Aunt concerning your schedule..."
Behind him, Akemi hopped with a light 'Yes!' under her breath, pumping her fist with a wide smile.
Mai blinked.
So did the others as they don't understand what is going on.
Unknown to them all, the reason for the dispute of the two was because of Akemi's wish for Naru to act as her boss just for one instance.
{Start of Flashback...
"It is none of my concern on whatever it is you do on your daily life." Naru once again repeated, placing his books and folders back on their place after gazing on the papers for their content as Akemi stood behind him holding her phone by her chest, fuming.
"Naru... Can't you just say that we're gonna be busy next week with a case, please?" Akemi wryly pleaded. Her brow twitching, trying to keep her patient reputation as long as she can. "-I can actually recommend dozens of places that have massive paranormal activity as payment."
Just for 3 minutes. That's all Naru needed to do. A second to take the phone, a few minutes maybe two to tell Akemi's aunt that she won't be available by a specific date as proof of her claims and 30 seconds to end it and Akemi would praise the handsome boy for another 30 seconds after ending the call.
That was all he needed to do, but apparently the narcissist thought of it as a waste of time, especially when there are actually no cases to busy on.
"Like I said, it is none of my business— it is not my right to lie to your Aunt all because you don't want to go on a social meeting—"
Akemi inwardly sighed.
"I would've preferred it to be a social meeting...but I guess I was unfortunate enough for it to be a date kind of meet..."
Naru paused. Frowning, he went back to what was keeping him occupied at the moment. Reading a paragraph that he for sure already memorized a dozen of times as he can't seem to move on from it right after Akemi came in his office to plead.
Akemi had enough of meeting rising to fame individuals that would either pretend to be the greatest gentleman on all Japan when really, he doesn't have enough brains to hold a conversation besides talking about different pose styles in camera and facial care. Either that or the obnoxious ones that she desperately cannot stand and yet still try to get to know them just to be polite. But of course, she knew that not all of them were the same— some of her Aunt's bachelor of choice were actually kind and humble but these past few days, actually long before that, Akemi couldn't find it in herself to keep going on dates she knew was pointless.
After all, she prefers intelligence with a straightforward professionalism, not fame and media. Mature and mysterious, knows the difference between separating logic and emotional relations, dependable in a way. Bonus points if he's good on the eyes— but that would no longer matter as Akemi's eyes are soon diminishing with only the unnatural on her sights.
So why would she date others when her total type was right here ignoring her pleas. Stubborn and focused on his work. Admirable but not at the moment.
"You are a total Ravenclaw..." Akemi sighed, taking note of his focus, books and cleverness first. Akemi defeatedly smiled before leaving Naru's office quietly with a tinge of hopelessness.
'I guess I have to endure another session of expensive restaurants and boring topics...' Akemi thought as she closed the office door.
BLAG—!
End of Flasback}
The cold atmosphere that Mai felt diminished as if it didn't exist. Her gaze dazed as Akemi finished her photo-shoot before joining the case afterwards.
Mai took note of how natural it all seemed,
Akemi twirled around on where she stood dozens of times, the photographer capturing every movement with gusto.
Akemi waltzed and displayed every outfit that her Aunt made, her expression easily slipping to neutral and grace as the theme for the photos were Love of Summer and Winter, a mix and match. Doing her job as one of the most known models in Japan with her story quite a catch.
Mai remembered it as if she were there, Akemi's life story bloomed in the media back then to other high schoolers with naive dreams of young innocence, the dream wanting to be in fame.
A foreign French father and a famous actress as a mother while Akemi's Aunt, Minako began her journey as a fashion designer. The Maruyama's were already well-known for their furniture business but Maruyama Minako bloomed as she took over their clothing line of kimonos from their maternal side.
It wasn't until a few years after Maruyama Akemi appeared in the world did the news of her parent's car accident was reported throughout Japan. The Leading actress that every generation loved was gone and the media focused on the lineage left behind.
Maruyama Akemi.
In hopes to make her niece happy as Maruyama Minako doesn't have any of her own children to spoil, she spoiled Akemi with clothing instead— made by her very own hands as Akemi's stand-in mother wanting the little girl to at least feel comfortable and ways from the pain of losing her parents. The Japan may have lost a leading actress, The Maruyama clan may have lost a daughter and sibling but Akemi lost both her parents and so the whole family tried to be with her in some way. However, the original clothes were worn by Akemi at the peak of her news reporting and the clothes caught their attention.
The 11- year old Akemi was deemed Heiress at her beauty, she flourished and rose to the top in a manner of days and her Aunt Minako's clothing line became famous, close to competing with international brands, the Maruyama clothing line that mixed Japanese culture and international fashion— clothes that shows stylish up to date grace and conservation.
"Sorry it took so long..." Akemi bowed to Mai and the others, the photo-shoot already finished.
"I had to make sure the couple shoot didn't happen..." Akemi laughed, ignoring the pout her Aunt held back at the shoot actually wanting Akemi and the rising model to get to know each other.
But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore after Naru spoke to Minako with a simple "-Good day to you ma'am—"
Akemi's aunt practically glittered at the end of her conversation with Naru, and the beautiful girl found it highly concerning about how easy her Aunt complied.
But nevertheless Akemi delighted her win.
"...A total Slytherin," Akemi heard Naru mutter to her as they walk back to the incomplete crew. "-using anything to your advantage...getting what you want..." He sighs, the day already making him tired.
Naru seemed to sigh a lot today, but Akemi took note that he wasn't as annoyed or angry compared on the last few days. 'That's good...wait what?'
Her eyes widened as she stopped her steps with Naru continuing on ahead, the man didn't even bother to look back.
her lips formed uncontrollable giggles as she processed Naru's words. "...Who knew the Wizard is a total wizard fan?"