One gloomy afternoon in London, Shaun Lee, a fourth-year PhD student doing research on astroparticle physics, was writing up his thesis in his office at university. Despite having achieved a lot during his three years of research, Shaun was still struggling to put everything together into a thesis.
"I should've started the habit of writing up in detail as I went along," thought Shaun to himself. "The notes I made in my first year were far too brief to trigger my memory on exactly what I've done. I guess I'll just start with my most recent work and work my way back. Hopefully, it'll all come back by the time I get there."
Suddenly, a notification popped up on his screen. An email from Tiffany, the ex-high school classmate of Shaun's sister, Claire.
"Wait, how did she find out about my email address? And what is she emailing me for?" wondered Shaun as he clicked open the attachment, revealing an electronic flight ticket to Tokyo.
Shaun barely had any time to reflect upon this when he received a call from his friend Jeffrey Donovan, who had been his flat mate at university and who was now working in a museum.
"Hey Shaun, did you receive Tiffany's email too?" enquired Jeffrey.
"Yup, just got the email," answered Shaun. "I've just been working on my thesis and I haven't read it yet. What's this all about?"
"Well, basically, Tiffany's father has invested in an international school in the suburbs of Tokyo and recently there were rumours that it's haunted. So, Tiffany's hiring us on behalf of her dad to investigate on this case. You interested?" said Jeff. In fact, outside of their respective careers, Shaun and Jeffrey worked as amateur detectives specialising in the investigation of supernatural activities.
"To be frank, Jeff, I'm neck-deep in my work that I don't have extra time to start any new cases at the moment. I've just about finished with the theory sections of my thesis but I've still got loads to do. It really isn't the perfect time for this. Wait, you're not interested, are you? I mean, it's Tiffany!" said Shaun, alluding to Jeffrey's tendency of avoiding anything to do with Tiffany.
"I know, I know! But we haven't had any cases for a while now so it'd be something new!" responded Jeffrey. "Anyhow, in my opinion, you'd really benefit from a break away from your work. You've been on that thesis of yours for two months already! C'mon Shaun, pretty please!"
"Fine! If you really wanna go! I know you just want to visit Japan again, you seem to have been enchanted by that country," joked Shaun.
"Yeah, I mean, who can resist Japan?" answered Jeffrey. "Taiwan and Japan are my two favourite countries in the world, so I'd never miss a chance to visit them. Besides, Tiffany's paying all our fees for us! Who'd say no to that?"
"Alright, it's decided then," said Shaun, who, deep down, secretly wanted to take a break, too. "Let's ask Bylthe. It seems like a case she'd be interested in." Blythe was Shaun's cousin, who was a university student.
"Great idea! I'm sure Tiffany wouldn't mind paying for an extra ticket. Besides, it's always a pleasure to have Blythe for company. In fact, she's almost like a member of our team now, since she has participated in every single one of our recent cases," replied Jeffrey, not attempting to conceal his obvious liking for the intelligent and charismatic Taiwanese girl.
Therefore, on the following morning, Shaun, Jeffrey and Blythe found themselves at the airport, queuing at the business class check-in counter, ready for their flight to Tokyo.
~To be Continued~
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