The Returns and the New Arrivals ( Ghost Hunt )

Chapter 19

Mai's POV

After I stood up and stepped away from Naru, my mind still analyzing what was happening, something clicked in my head.

"Wait, how is Gene here? And did you know about this, Naru?"

Why would Naru keep this from me?

Gene stepped forward "I was never dead, just in a deep sleep. I don't really know how."

"Well, we would have known if you stayed in England until we found out what happened." Naru didn't seem mad, just worried for his brother's well being.

While they started arguing about Gene's surprise visit to Japan, I was still wondering why Naru kept this from me. Didn't he trust me? Or is it that he thinks I'm not worthy enough to know yet another secret he hid from us?

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, head lowered, tears falling, and fists clenched.

"Mai, it's not how you think it is. I-"

"You don't trust me. You didn't trust me at the beginning, and you don't trust me now. Naru, something as important as this is not kept from your girlfriend. Is this how it will always be? Will you keep hiding everything?"

Naru narrowed his eyes at me. I could feel the anger that I built inside of him, but I also saw hurt.

"So you would think I don't trust you? Do you still keep thinking that I hide things from you? That was a long time ago, Mai. I would have thought you'd be more capable of reasoning than that. Maybe I should treat you just as your understanding proves you should be treated." Every time he kept talking, my heart felt like it was squeezing hard until I felt I couldn't breathe.

Although I felt a big lump in my throat, I managed to ask him "Are you saying you will treat me as an unintelligent person? Am I only that to you?"

"No, Mai. I'm saying I should treat you as someone untrustworthy." His eyes, colder than ever, told me he meant what he said.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Alright, then. Since I'm not 'worthy' of your ever –shown trust, then don't even try to speak to me again because I might never understand what happens in your life. Or what happens in everything you do, or think, or say... because obviously even the person you say you love doesn't deserve to know anything. You know what? Keep it all to yourself. Go find someone who will 'understand' every time you keep something from them and every harsh word you say!" By the time I finished, I was shouting and crying.

I took a look at his widened eyes, turned around, and left the building with the only purpose to run towards my apartment. On my way downstairs, I bumped into Erick. I wasn't listening to what he said. I kept running down the stairs and towards my apartment.

Halfway there, though, I felt my knees grow weak from the tiredness I felt from crying and the hurt I felt. I couldn't stop now, not here where everybody can see me.

I walked for five more minutes on a different route, where I found an almost alone place to be. In the middle of it was a bench. I sat down, obviously tired from everything, then I continued to cry. I lay down on the bench, with my eyes closed and my arms hugging my legs. I did not think of the other SPR members, nor did I care if the ones at the office were worried. I stayed like that for a while, without knowledge of how much time had passed.

"Mai!" Shouted an out of breath voice. I opened my eyes and sat down looking around for the source of said voice.

Naru ran towards me. While he did, I noticed his tear stained cheeks and his red eyes. As he reached me, he opened his arms and crouched to my sitting level. He hugged me with all his might. Naru had one hand caressing my hair and his lips kissing my cheek tenderly. He continued to cry, saying between ragged breaths how he was sorry.

"Mai, I'm so sorry. I didn't really mean what I said back at the office. I was mad because you didn't trust me. I was hurt. But I realized that I hurt you even more when I spoke to you. I am really sorry. Please, please forgive me."

I still felt his tears run down my cheek, as he had his cheek against mine.

"I forgive you. I do because I really love you. But I still don't understand why you did not tell me about Gene. Do you really not trust me?"

Naru held my arms and looked at me directly in the eyes as his tears stopped. "Mai, you're the person I trust the most. I didn't tell you because I know how much you care for Gene, and I couldn't bear to create the illusion that Gene may be alive and might wake up one day then break it if my assumptions were incorrect. I didn't want to see you hurt again. I'm really sorry, I guess I should have told you anyways." He lowered his head.

"No, you had your reasons to keep it from me. I appreciate your concern for me, but from now on, please tell me if something important happens. I can handle it."

Naru looked at me again "So, will you forgive me?"

I asked him a question before I answered his "Will you forgive me for making assumptions?"

"Of course I will."

"So do I."

He smiled his rare smile, and wrapped his arms around me. Slowly, he moved his head until his forehead connected with mine. "I love you."

Before I could respond, he touched his lips with mine, and then gave me a full kiss. When he separated his lips from mine, he stared at me for a moment before speaking.

"Mai, will you travel to England with me to meet my parents?"

I felt surprised at the urgency in his words. "Yes, but when?"

"As soon as possible."

"Why are you so urgent about this? Why do you want me so badly to meet your parents?"

"Because I have plans for us that I want to fulfill."