Chapter Text
Once everyone all went home, the two were finally alone. (Apart from Lin and Madoka, whom are now in Lin’s office.) Naru and Riria didn’t get enough time to catch up as he came back late, and they had to work out a plan for this case. Also they had to get up early to phone everyone to come to the office.
Riria and Naru were in his office, and Riria locked the door so Lin or Madoka, won’t barge in.
“I thought I told you to stay back home.” Naru didn’t waste any second.
“I know.” Riria gave him a sad smile. “But I wanted to come, and this time you didn’t get to stop me. Plus, didn’t you miss me.”
“Lillia…” Naru starts noticing at how upset she is.
Lillia is Riria’s real name, Lillia Uchida. Before coming here, she changed it to the Japanese version of her name. Luckily she already had a Japanese surname, so she didn’t need to change it. Her father was born here in Japan, and moved to England when he was ten. Then he met her mother at sixteen. Lillia’s mother is British, which makes Lillia half-British and half-Japanese.
At eight years old, Lillia met the Davis twins, Oliver and Eugene at school. It was Gene, who first went up to her, while Noll was standing way back, away from everyone, but keeping an eye on his brother. She could tell the two had a strong bond, but are totally the opposite in personality. Lillia and Gene got along right away, it took a few days for Noll. But since then, she became best friends with the twins. The three had the same interest with the paranormal, and all have psychic abilities. Lillia and Gene are both psychic mediums, who can see spirits and communicate with them. But Gene is what you call perfect medium. While Noll has psychometrist and PK, his PK abilities are too strong and dangerous for him to use them.
“Lillia, you knew I didn’t want you to come here.” Naru said folding his arms.
“I know.” Riria sighs. “Because, in case you found him, you don’t want me to see him. Plus you want me to stay in college.” Giving Naru a soft smile. “But I know the really reason why, because you wanted to protect me from being here.”
Naru tuts, but doesn’t deny it, as always. Slowly, he walks up to Riria, and she hugs him. Riria, Gene and his parents, are the only ones that are aloud to hug him.
“I’ve missed you.” Riria said, resting her head on his shoulder, As he nodded to say he too missed her. They stayed like that for a moment, before letting go of each other.
“Oh, before I forget, your mother told me to remind you to call them. You haven’t called them for a while. Your mother did seem to be upset about it, plus they’re also worried about you.” Riria tells him, and Naru gives her annoyed look. “Don’t give me that look mister. To be honest we all are worried for you.”
“They shouldn’t.” Naru mutters, seeing Riria given him a look to say, ‘don’t argue. “Fine, I’ll call them later.”
“Perfect, they would be so happy to hear from you….again.” Riria smiled at him. “Anyway, interesting crew you have here.”
“They’re too loud.” Naru said going back to sit at his desk, which then she notice a map with some dots marking on some places in Japan.
“But you do like them really.” Riria knows what’s in Naru’s heart.
“Whatever.”
Riria glances back at the map on the desk. “So, you’re not getting any closer to finding that lake.”
“None of the lakes I’ve looked weren’t anything like what I saw.” Riria could sense frustration from Naruto.
“You’ll find him.” Walking over to Naru and kiss his forehead. Naru gave her a small smile, before picking up his notes about the case.
~~~~
The next day, upon entering the mansion, they were greeted by the client’s representative.
“Welcome, and thank you for coming. My name is Ohashi.” The middle-age man introduced himself to them. “I have been given full authority in a matter. Your president is…?”
“Oh, that would be me.” Yasuhara steps forward “Shibuya Kazuya.”
“My name is Takigawa Houshou.”
“I’m Matsuzaki Ayako.”
“And I’m John Brown.”
“These four are my assistants.” Yasuhara added for the SPR employees next.
“I’m Taniyama Mai.” Mai was nervous to introduce herself.
“I’m Narumi Kazuo.” Naru introduced himself with a different name for this case.
Mai stared at him, like his some stranger to her. Riria was trying not laugh at Mai, seeing her expression.
Riria introduced herself next. “I’m Uchida Riria.” It taken hours for her and Madoka to convince Naru, to let her join with him for the case.
“My name is Lin Kaijo.” Lin said, everyone except Naru and Riria, reactions were surprised to hear Lin’s full name. Riria wasn’t surprised that Lin didn’t tell them his full name.
“Are you from China?” Ohashi asked politely.
“Hong Kong, originally.”
“What!?” Most of them grasp.
“Really!?” Mai asked in surprised, but widen her eyes as Lin narrowed his eyes at her. Riria felt bad for poor Mai, for not understanding the reason why Lin gave her that look. She remembered when her and the twins first met Lin, and the same thing happened, but they told him that was stupid. Well Gene showed more emotions towards it, than her and Naru.
“Well, that solves one mystery.” Takigawa whispers.
“Huh!?” Mai was confused at what Takigawa said.
“Nothing.”
“Please come this way.” Ohashi said, leading them far in the mansion.
Riria starts to follow Ohashi with the others. Ever since they entered the mansion, she noticed that they’re being watched from the spirits. They look a bit blurry to her at the moment. Also there is a scent of blood, she recognized from past cases. ‘Interesting.’ Riria thought, looking around, this place does give her the creeps.
Mai has also felt the same thing as Riria. But instead of seeing the spirits like Riria, she could sense they’re being watched. Plus she could smell something strange, like blood.
“What’s wrong?” Takigawa asked, seeing Mai walking slowly behind them.
“Oh…nothing.” Mai shakes her head before catching up to them.
“To begin.” Ohashi starts, once everyone gathered together, and seated at a long dining table, as some were seated on the armchairs near by. “I would like to introduce everyone whom I’ve asked to come.” He started with the person near him. “Igarashi Chie-sensei, a professor from Otoha University, and her assistant, Suzuki Naoko-sama. Hara Masako-sama, a medium.” Masako came with her own invitation, but will be working with SPR once the investigation starts. “Minami Reimei-sama, president of Minami Psychic Research Center…with his employees.” There were three employees standing behind Minami. “And their observer…Dr. Oliver Davis of the British Society of Psychic Research.” An older white man who looked to be middle-aged.
‘So, this is the impostor we’re looking for.’ Riria thought, taken a quick glance at Naru, who’s sitting at the table. To see him glaring at the suppose ‘Dr. Davis.’
“No way…?” Ayako asked, she and the others were shocked.
‘They really think his the real deal.’ Riria tutted.
“Whoa…” Mai said not believing at what she’s seeing. ‘So that’s Dr. Davis.’ Mai turned to Takigawa who was next to her, with a daze look at the man.
“…Bou-san?” Mai asked.
“Huh? What is it?” Takigawa snapped out of it.
“What the…you’re acting weird.” Mai said sweat-dropping.
Riria tried not to laugh at them, especially at Takigawa. ‘If only they knew, they’ve been working with the real Dr. Oliver Davis. This whole time.’
“During the course of your investigations on our behalf, you may stay here.” Ohashi continued. “You may retire or return to your quarters at anytime, but we cannot permit you to leave the premises. We ask that you please respect these conditions.”
“You can count on us!” Minami said with a proud smirk. After all, we have Dr. Davis”.
‘Oh shut up.’ Riria wanted to say out loud to him. Glancing over at Naru to see him looking unimpressed at Minami.
“That Minami-san is amazing. He surely knows many famous people.” Mai said as they started to set up base, in a room that has been provided for them.
“He sure does.” John agreed. “But I don’t know Dr. Davis personally.”
‘But you’ve been working with him this whole time.’ Riria thought again, with a grin.
“What’s with the grin?” Riria heard Naru whisper to her, so others won’t hear.
“The people you’ve found are amusing.”
“They’re to loud.” Naru huffed in annoyance.
Riria rolled her eyes at him, not even surprised at his same respond from the other day.
Checking the time, she notice it’s ten o’clock in the evening. Riria promised her mum to phone them today.
“I need to make a phone call to mum.” She tells Naru.
“Okay.” Naru nods at her. “But don’t leave the room.”
“I won’t, I’ll just be over there.” She points to a corner far away from the others.