Ghost of a Chance

Akane (Part 1)

"Let's see... you hear strange noises, and your dogs will uncharacteristically bark at nothing... Can I ask, when was the last time you had your plumbing inspected?" Hitomi asked the potential client politely. He was middle-aged and very nervous.

"It was... now that you mention it, I can't remember the last time I had a plumber in..." the man said.

"Sometimes compromised plumbing can make really strange noises," Hitomi said. "It's possible your dogs are also hearing it, but some of it is in a range that's difficult for human ears to pick up."

"You think my haunting is bad plumbing?" the man asked, skeptical.

"I think it would be best you hired a plumber to check it out for you first," Hitomi said. "If that doesn't stop the noises, please feel free to come back."

"Well... okay," the man said. He almost seemed disappointed. "I'll do that. Thank you for your time." He bowed.

"Thank you for considering us," Hitomi said, bowing to him. Mai escorted him out of the office with a reassuring smile, and Hitomi began cleaning up the tea and cake they had offered him.

"Another dud, huh?" Mai said, going over to help her. "It's been a month since we had a real case."

"Yes, you've been dangerously bored..." Hitomi said, looking around the office. It had started with one teddy bear that Mai brought in for younger clients to hold if they were scared and snowballed into a room that looked like it vomited up a lolita shop. She was sure Naru would hate it, but didn't see any harm in it while he wasn't there. Madoka was just as guilty for the office's current state as Mai. They had tried to create an environment where the customers could feel safe and comfortable, but she could tell most potential clients were often taken aback when they first saw it. The middle-aged man she had just been talking to had almost left when he saw it.

"I'm back with lunch," Yasuhara announced as he returned bearing a bag of sandwiches and bottled drinks.

"Yay!" Mai said, looking forward to her pork cutlet sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. Yasuhara handed it to her.

"Mozzarella and prosciutto with tomato, lettuce, olives, and zesty vinaigrette?" Yasuhara said, holding up the next sandwich.

"Mine," Hitomi said, accepting it from him.

"Did I hear something about lunch?" Madoka asked, poking her head out of Naru's office.

"It's here," Yasuhara said.

"Good. I'm starving," Madoka said, coming out to claim her sandwich. They all ate together at the table sitting on the lace-covered leather sofas. They were talking about different things and having a good time when the bell on the door rang as a troubled-looking young man who appeared to be in his early twenties walked in. He was a good-looking guy with brown hair and dark eyes.

"Uh..." he said when he saw them eating and the state of the office. "Sorry, I must have the wrong place..." He was about to leave, when Mai stood up.

"Shibuya Psychic Research, right?" Mai said.

"Yes..." he said, stopping.

"You're in the right place," Mai said, smiling. "How can we help you?"

"Uh..." He looked around the office again. "I'm not sure you can..."

"Why don't you tell us what's bothering you?" Hitomi said kindly. He looked at her, and then came over and sat down in an empty chair.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Matsumoto Hitomi, and you?" Hitomi asked.

"Hirako Tatsuya," he said. "Nice to meet you."