AN: Hi guys! I'm so so so so so sorry! I know that I said that i'll update soon, but I had writer's block and a whole bunch of school work. I wouldn't be surprised if you were tired of waiting for updates. But, I've been receiving all your wonderful reviews and trust me they are really helpful! Thank you for those who have gave me ideas and suggestions! I will somehow incorporate them into my story, but please don't get angry with me if you do not see your ideas in the next couple chapters. Don't worry, I have my plans of using them somewhere further in the story so please be patient. Anyways enough about me, I hope you'll like this chapter. I focused it more on Mai, and we'll see Naru in the next chapter! Enjoy!

Mai bit her lips as she recalled what had happened in the afternoon.

The auburn sunlight peered into her room as it gradually dimmed, darkening her room. Mai sat next to her window, staring off into the space. It was all like a dream. Just a few hours ago she was a happy ignorant girl that knew nothing of what hid in the shadows of everyone's lives. But now, could she still say that? Now she felt like she understood that one saying people used to say: ignorance is bliss; what you don't know can't hurt you.

Could she really look into Naru's eyes like before and give that goofy smile of hers? She finally understood the meaning behind those cold, harsh, rejecting eyes: Gene's death had made Naru build a wall around himself to protect his heart from crumbling again. After all this time, she had complained about his behavior and now, she felt guilty.

How many times has she insensitively made a remark about how unsociable and heartless he was, and how hard it was for her to imagine if there was anyone who loved him or vice versa? How many times did she unknowingly hit that sore part of his past because of her words? Just how many?

It was probably more that anybody could count with their fingers and toes combined, more than the everlasting number that continues in pi, more than anything or anybody who could count in a million light years and….. yet Naru acted as if he was unaffected and dealt with her childish complaints and insults and even kept her hired. He was an adult. So different from her who was still a child in comparison.

Perhaps it would be better if I called in tomorrow sick. I don't think I'll be able to face Naru.

Yes, she knew, she was a coward, but this was who she was. How else would she be able to mask her guilt? She needed time to think and consider before jumping back into Naru's office and act as if she had heard nothing and was the same, simpleminded, happy Mai.

Mai broke from her thought and looked up at her wall the check her Kit-Cat clock. It read 10:30 pm. Shoot…I need to go to bed. Tomorrow's a school day. I'll think about this later. Frankly speaking, Mai just didn't want to think or deal with this sticky situation at this right minute. She walked over into her small bedroom and plopped on the bed, pulling the covers over her body as she drifted into her dreamless sleep.

2:29 pm

"Alright, class. Homework is to write a one page essay reflection on you views and opinions of the Industrialization of Japan," the teacher announced.

Right on cure, the bell rang, dismissing the last period of the school day.

Thank god. I'm so glad that was over. God, it was hell. Not only had the lecture been drab and slow, but her mind had been off school work, although her body was present, and instead on about Naru's issue. This morning she had failed to call his office, from a payphone, to inform Lin-san that she was sick and would take the say off; then she was planning to call after school until she realized that she needed those remaining pocket money to buy her lunch from the cafeteria.

Cursing silently under her breath, Mai shoved her papers and books in to her bag and briskly walked out of her classroom.

Staring at her leather school shoes, Mai watched the rocks (she had kicked) skip along the dried, sandy ground. Repeating this many times, as she approached the school gate, she failed to notice a certain man standing, waiting for her.

It was until she heard, "Taniyama-san?" she finally looked up.

There stood Hiro, wearing a white, loose polo shirt with the first buttons undone, and blue, faded denim jeans.

"Ah…Hiro-san…um, what bring you here?" Mai asked. Of all the places, she least expected to meet any of the Sky Point members here, at her school. Was he here to hear an answer from her right now? But it wasn't even a whole day yet!

Seeing Mai's confused face, Hiro responded, "Um…well, do you mind if we talk about this somewhere else?" He walked towards Mai and leaned into her ears whispering, "I think we're attracting too much attention."

Flustered at first, by the close proximity between the black haired boy and her and by the tickling, hot breath of the his, Mai's face turned beet red. She then became aware of the people, especially girls, giving the two curious looks, wondering who the mysterious, cute guy was and what his relationship is with Mai.

"Uh…L..let's relocate. I think that's a good idea," Mai stuttered as she unexpectedly grabbed Hiro's hand and led him out of school ground, only letting it go when they had reached a reasonable distance away from the school. Mai was even surprised about her boldness. Now if only she had the guts to do that with Naru. As her train of thought steered into Naru, she suddenly remembered her question. She whipped her body towards a surprised and taken back Hiro and bowed her head towards him.

"I'm so sorry, but I still don't have my answer yet! I mean I was thinking about it and I fell asleep an-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Hiro eased Mai, "I'm not here to hear your response yet. I mean it's not even a whole day. I'm just here because the Director wanted someone to check up on how you were faring after your talk with him, and Erik had other engagements he had to attend"

He chuckled softly seeing Mai's relieved face. "I see that you're very trouble and confused about this thing," Hiro commented.

Mai nodded, "Yes, I just don't know what I want to do. I mean, it's already hard enough to interact with that narcissistic boss of mine on a daily basis, and now this? How am I suppose to pretend like I don't know about him being the world renown Oliver Davis? I just feel like I'm lying to him, you know"

"It's hard, isn't it, not to mention real sudden. You weren't expecting any of this. Erik and I can relate. I mean when we first joined, boy were we dumbfounded or what. We didn't even know what the heck was going on and what people were talking about. It feels like you're thrown into some foreign country and is expected to communicate with the people without knowing the language," Hiro recounted.

"Exactly!" Mai exclaimed as she smiled in agreement.

She liked Hiro. He was understanding, nice, funny, and to top it off (she had to admit) even attractive. The only thing that was getting it the way of her developing a crush on him was her deep affections for Naru, but still Hiro was a better guy. He wasn't arrogant, first of all, unlike someone she knew, and he knew how to treat a troubled girl without making her feel less of herself. Although he did not talk a lot when they first met, she realized today that he was just being shy. All it took was a couple of exchanges before they would be able to familiarize themselves with one another.

Suddenly, it hit Mai that she forgot to call in sick. She asked Hiro, in a panic tone, if she could borrow a couple change to use the pay phone in order to call SPR. Once she received a sufficient amount of change to make a call, she hurried over to the nearest phone booth dialing SPR's number. By the second ring, Lin-san picked up.

"Shibuya Psychic Research," the Chinese man said.

"Ah, Lin-san it's Mai!" Mai blurted.

"Taniyama-san? Are you okay? Shouldn't you be here already?" Lin-san asked.

"Uh, well…I was wondering if I could have the day off because I kind of don't feel so great,"

"If you have the energy to talk right now, I suppose you have the energy to work," a familiar voice remarked. Oh shoot, it's Naru.

"I want you here in five minutes, Mai. You're already late as it is," Naru sternly declared.

"Bu-"

Mai winced as she heard a click on the other line and a dial tone. I'm so busted.

As Mai got out Hiro examined Mai's facial expression.

"Did he get you?" he asked.

"Oh

yah…he got me all right, and I'll be getting a good long lecture from him when I get there," Mai grimly said.

AU: Okay! Here it is! Like it? Hate it? Tell me your opinion! It would be great if you could click that button on the left and review! I'll take ideas and suggestions!

By the way,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday!

-ayachi-ch3rry