A/N: This is the sequel to Awkward Confessions and Sway. This was written prior to Awkward Confessions, but after Sway, which was my first fanfiction. So, this is the third in what I named the Trinity Soul Series.

Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.

August 22nd

Around ten in the morning, Mai got a call from Ayako asking if they could meet up. Mai had agreed, but told her she couldn't meet for long. They met in the park, grabbing some cool drinks as they caught up on what Ayako had been up to these past few months.

After paying for their beverages, they went to a bench and sat down. Ayako could barely contain the questions she had for Mai. After a few more pleasantries, she decided she couldn't wait anymore.

"So, Mai," Ayako began slyly, "how long have you two been an item?"

Ayako had heard it from Yasuhara when the group had been out getting drinks last night. The group felt bad that Mai was excluded from their outings, but, even though she was of age, Mai had told them she preferred not to drink. They all worried that, working with those two, Mai was turning into an isolated, abstinent old woman. Yasuhara had assured them that Mai was just fine, maybe even more than just fine. After whining about a broken heart, he dished the scoop.

Mai knew that Ayako was talking about her relationship with Lin and she had no doubt who Ayako had heard the rumors from.

"Well…" Mai trailed off, not quite sure of the answer.

She tilted her head slightly and paused for several moments to think.

"What?!" Ayako cried out. "You don't know? You weren't counting the days or something like that?"

Ayako was sure this was Mai's first relationship, so she assumed that Mai, still being a young girl, would count the days she had been with her first boyfriend.

"It's more that…" Mai hesitated, not feeling up to explaining the circumstances. "It's just not really clear."

"Ah, it's like that, then," Ayako mused. "Well then, when did you start doing things as a couple?"

"Such as?" Mai questioned.

"You know," Ayako began, "spending time outside of work, eating dinner together, etc."

"If it's like that," Mai said thoughtfully, "then a few years."

"A few years?!" Ayako exclaimed in disbelief.

Mai nodded. If she was going to put a date on it, it would have to be that. Even though she and Lin had only become sexually intimate within the last three months, they had been doing 'couple' activities for a while now. Although, most of those activities also included Naru.

In the time that the three had worked together, they had become, what Mai considered, a family. It had started with a few invitations from Lin to eat dinner with the pair. Eventually, the three had begun to eat meals together on a regular basis. Mai had even learned to cook meals catered to a vegetarian diet since it turned out that Lin and Naru weren't just picky eaters as she had originally thought.

Learning to cook for the pair made things easier, in relation to some cases, when the client was unable to accommodate their diet. After all, this particular diet wasn't very common in Japan and simply telling someone you're vegetarian or that you don't eat meat didn't always result in a vegetarian meal.

Regardless of all that, Mai often ended up sharing a quiet meal with just Lin. She found these moments to be very pleasant and her feelings for the quiet man blossomed over time into an intense love.

And then there were the times when Naru fell ill. Mai and Lin, acting the dutiful parents, would always nurse him back to recovery. Naru's health really was quite poor considering his low blood pressure and his anhidrosis. There was also the possibility that he might actually be anemic. Mai tried to ensure their meals always contained the nutrients they needed, but she suspected his poor health stemmed from malnutrition as a child, during a time before the twins had been adopted.

Naru's frequent sickness had led to some very long, emotional talks between Mai and Lin. They both worried over Naru's health constantly. Mai thought that, at least now, Lin had someone to share the burden of that worry with.

"Mai!" Ayako shouted, breaking Mai from her thoughts. "Why are you spacing out?"

"I was just thinking about all the time we've spent together," Mai replied calmly.

"That's sweet, but… a few years? You two must have been intimate for a while then, right?" Ayako questioned in a sisterly tone.

"Hmm…" Mai hummed thoughtfully. "No, not until just recently."

"Really? Geez, you talk as if it's nothing exciting at all," Ayako accused. "Wasn't there any anticipation at all?"

"We have quite the troublesome child," Mai said, feigning resentment.

"Eh?! Child?!" Ayako screeched in disbelief and worry.

"Yes," Mai said solemnly. "Naru is very demanding of his poor parents, but we're quite patient and understanding."

Mai was only joking, but Ayako didn't seem amused.

"It's scary the way you talk about it," Ayako replied warily.

"We figured it would happen when we had the time," Mai replied cheerfully. "Isn't that how marriages are sometimes?"

"You're very confident in your relationship," Ayako said sardonically.

"It's easy to be with a child who'll throw a tantrum if it doesn't work out as planned," Mai told her smugly.

"So it's a relationship of obligation, then?" Ayako asked doubtfully.

"Of course not!" Mai quickly replied.

"But doesn't it make you nervous what his parents will think?" Ayako questioned, trying to broach the subject gently.

Ayako had hit upon Mai's greatest worry. Lin's immediate family were a bit obstinate in their views of the Japanese. Actually, they hated the Japanese, and the British as well. And while Lin himself acknowledged this view as foolish in regards to interpersonal relationships, he had grown up with the constant reinforcement of this hatred. They had clashed on this issue before, although it only served to bring them closer. Still, disapproval from his family could be a potential deal breaker. Mai believed that Lin would forever be the dutiful son.

Sighing, Mai expressed her fears.

"It does worry me a bit," she admitted. "More than a bit, actually. We haven't discussed it, though. I'm not sure what his opinion on it would be."

Mai smiled sadly.

"I would hope that these feelings between us are stronger than familial disapproval," she said quietly.

"Feelings?" Ayako questioned.

"Of love," Mai clarified.

Ayako's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"It's that serious?" she asked.

Mai nodded solemnly. The sudden somber mood was discordant with the bright weather.

"We should go out to dinner sometime, all eight of us," Ayako said cheerfully in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"That sounds a bit bothersome, " Mai replied flatly, "but it would be nice to see everyone again. It's been a while."

Checking her watch for the time, Mai suddenly stood.

"I should go now," she announced.

"Wait! You aren't depressed, are you?" Ayako questioned worriedly.

"No, of course not." Mai responded, though she sounded subdued. "I'm just supposed to meet Naru and Lin-san."

"But it's Sunday, why are you— Wait a minute! You still refer to Lin in such a cold manner?"

Mai frowned

"It isn't like that," she insisted.

"All right, but don't be so sad, okay?"

"I won't," Mai promised, smiling as they parted ways.

~oOo~

When Mai returned to her apartment, she immediately called Lin.

"Hello?" Lin answered.

"Good Afternoon," Mai said happily.

She really missed him and was glad to hear his voice.

"Taniyama-san..." he exhaled softly.

Mai had to admit that even though it wasn't her given name, she loved the way he said it. It somehow meant so much to her.

"You sound tired," she joked.

"I was waiting for you to call," he admitted, "I wasn't sure when you'd come over."

There was a pause on the line.

"You are coming, right?"

"Of course," she reassured, "I was planning on phoning earlier, but Ayako wanted to meet up to chat."

"Anything wrong?" he asked.

"Not particularly," Mai replied indifferently. "She just heard a rumor."

"I see," Lin murmured. He had an idea of what it might be.

"It was fine," she reassured.

"Is that Mai?" came Naru's voice on the other end of the receiver.

There was a pause and the sound of movement, so she assumed Lin had simply nodded like usual.

"Tell her I'm hungry… and also, I need tea."

"How bothersome," Mai sighed.

"I agree," Lin replied.

She could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Are you going to tell her?" Naru asked petulantly.

"Taniyama-san, Naru says he is hungry and would like some tea," Lin relayed.

"We really do spoil him, don't we?" Mai said conspiratorially.

"Why do you still call her that," Naru questioned Lin.

"Because I respect her," Lin replied as though it was obvious.

"Just call her Mai," Naru told him with annoyance.

"I save that for special occasions..." Lin trailed off.

"..."

"..."

"Can you two stop talking about me like I'm not right here listening in," Mai asked, exasperated, wondering what looks the two were giving each other.

"Sorry… we miss you, Mai," Lin said quietly.

"Ugh!" Mai heard Naru exclaim, followed by the sound of his arms falling to his side after being thrown up in the air.

Mai laughed a little.

"Darling," Lin began, "our child is fed up. I thinking he's irritable from hunger."

"You two need to stop treating me like I'm your child!"

Mai couldn't stop her laughter. She loved teasing Naru, but it was the best when Lin did it.

"You guys didn't eat breakfast?"

"Something small," Lin replied. "We were waiting for you."

"Then I should go make lunch and fill the thermos. I'll be there in a bit."

"Be safe."

"I will. See you soon."

After ending the call, Mai went to the kitchen to make lunch. She couldn't help smiling the whole time. She loved the little family the three of them made. It was different from how she felt about the Irregulars. Lin and Naru just filled a void the others couldn't.