Chapter Text
The three of them took seats at the table around Makoto. Mai couldn't help but think how small he looked as he sat there and stared at his hands in his lap.
"Only tell us what you feel comfortable saying, alright? You can take as much time as you need," Zoe said. Makoto nodded, but didn't look up.
Mai hesitantly reached out to put her hand on his shoulder in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. He flinched when she made contact. She looked at the others as she retracted her hand.
Makoto took a deep breath. "I slipped up once." His voice was small. "I thought someone had said something to me, but it was their thought. So I replied. They said I was crazy."
"You're not crazy," Mai said immediately.
Makoto nodded. "I know. I tried to fix it, but they wouldn't believe me. For a while, they left me alone. I could still hear what they thought of me."
Mai wanted to hug him, but she didn't want to push his boundaries.
Makoto opened his mouth to try to continue, but he couldn't seem to say anything.
"Did it get worse?" Zoe asked.
He nodded and found his voice again. "They started bullying me. They started hitting me and trying to wreck my stuff."
"Did you tell anyone?" Yasu asked.
"I tried. The teachers didn't do anything."
Zoe abruptly stood up. Yasu reached up to her shoulder and pushed her back into her seat.
"This isn't like England. Going and making a fuss isn't going to help things," Yasu reasoned.
"There must be something though," Zoe said.
"Trust me. It's not that easy," he said.
"I appreciate the thought," Makoto said with a barely present smile. "Kota has been my only friend for a while."
Zoe had calmed down some. "That's reasonable. He's something you can hold onto. A lifeline."
"But..." Mai said, but didn't want to finish her sentence. Yasu and Zoe both nodded solemnly.
"But it might be time to find something else," Yasu said.
"What...what do you mean?" Makoto asked.
"Kota is still a good spirit, but he's very attached to you," Zoe said. "There is a theory in our field that if a spirit sticks around with the living for too long, they gradually become more and more negative until they become vengeful. Our worry is that his attachment to you will speed that up."
Makoto stared at the table.
"We have a task to do here, Makoto," Mai said. "You don't have to be here when we do it, but we need to think about everyone's safety, including Kota's spirit."
"Take some time to think about it. We can try to help you with anything you need," Yasu offered.
Makoto nodded and said a quiet 'thank you' before he left the room.
"This isn't gonna be easy unless Makoto can help us," Yasu said. Mai and Zoe gave him odd looks. "Just a feeling," he shrugged.
"It makes sense," Mai said slowly.
"Yeah, but he's also gonna need time to process it. Kota can't stay, but it needs to be Makoto's decision how it happens," Zoe agreed.
"He'll be the only one who can talk him through it," Mai said.
They fell into a somber silence.
Naru announced his presence. "Mai."
"You just got some tea," she quipped.
"Nomura-Smith will be here soon. I want you and Hara-san to be ready to go in," Naru stated.
"Alright. I'll go get the thermometer," Mai answered as she stood.
"No need," he said. Mai gave him a look. "I want your impression of it. We can get readings later." He disappeared from the doorway.
Mai looked at the other two. They both shrugged. She followed after Naru.
"Ne, Naru!" she called. He stopped and turned toward her. "Makoto told us something just now."
He nodded for her to continue.
"He confided in us that he's being bullied at school."
"I know."
Mai looked at him in shock. "You know?"
"Mai, I grew up in an orphanage and some would consider Gene and myself to have been outcasts. I can see the signs."
Mai looked down. It wasn't something she had thought of.
"I have contingency plans if Makoto wants to participate with the cleansing or not. His presence would make it easier," Naru continued.
"But what about after Kota is gone?"
"They'll figure out a way to manage it." His words were blunt, but his tone was understanding.
Their attention was drawn to the front door. Naru walked over to greet him.
"Are you Mr.--er Shibuya-san? I'm Makoto's father, Jeff. I apologize we're only meeting now," he said.
"I assure you, either is fine," Naru said in English.
The man relaxed, but continued in Japanese. "How has Makoto been taking this?"
"Relatively well. He has been cooperative with us and understanding," Naru assured.
"I'm glad to hear that. You wanted to get in my office. Let me just make sure my papers are put away."
Naru nodded. He turned back to Mai. "Bring Hara-san and John, please."
Mai nodded. She ducked into the base. Luckily, they were both there. By the time they came back, Naru had stepped into the room.
Masako frowned. "The loneliness is intense," she said.
"It feels...empty?" Mai tried.
"You don't know?" Naru asked.
"I don't know what word I'm looking for," Mai returned.
Mai watched Naru as he lightly touched the wall closest to him. He dropped his hand and went to the window that faced the street. His shoulders tensed.
"It's like this room is vacant and lived in," Masako said looking around.
"At the same time?" John asked.
"I haven't felt this so strong before," Masako confirmed.
Naru turned back around.
"Did you see something, Naru?" Mai asked.
"Nothing we didn't already know," he answered.
"What's our next step? Kota hasn't reacted to us being in here," John said.
"I'm going to give Makoto until tomorrow to make his decision. I can't justify waiting longer than that," Naru said.
"If he doesn't respond to a cleansing, I don't think we'll be able to attempt a second one," Masako pointed out.
"I know. I'd prefer to not resort to exorcism."
Mai could hear what he didn't say. She hugged herself at the thought of them failing. Naru put a hand on her shoulder.
"We won't fail. I promise."