Haunted

Fandom: Muhyo & Rouji Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (Muhyo to Rouji no Mahouritsu Soudan Jimusho)

Rating: Pg-15 / T

Genre: Supernatural/Humor/Romance

Characters and Pairing: Muhyo Toru/Kusano Jirou (Rouji), appearance of Nana, Yoichi, Kenji, Imai, and OCS (for the case), also mentions of other characters in M&R series

Summary: Muhyo and Rouji are asked to investigate a haunting in a school. Problem is, their client—the school principal, wants them to investigate quietly since the school reputation is at stake. And with massive paparazzi's latest attention to the 'haunting rumor', Muhyo and Rouji can't move as freely as they used to. Moreover, the school which they are about to investigate is an all girls' school! How are they going to solve this case this time?

Or,

That time Rouji has to wear a skirt to investigate an all girls' school by infiltrating as a new transfer student, much to Muhyo's sadistic glee and Nana's blatant amusement.


A/N: I can't believe I actually wrote this. But damn it, I was completely hooked (lined and sunk) by this series. I actually couldn't stop myself reading the entire 19 volumes of tankoubon instead of waiting for the anime like a normal person (yes, I read all the books in one go, can't you believe it?) But oh my god, all the shounen ai undertones in this supposedly shonen series are blatantly nagging my mind every time I read some vague sentences about Muhyo & Rouji's dynamic and interaction (and the artwork! I can't help thinking impure thoughts whenever the characters, especially Rouji, moan in pain every single time. Seriously, it looks a lot like he's enjoying it with the way he blushes! My god!). Worse, even Muhyo's teacher ships them so bad he calls their connection 'inseparable red strings of fate'. I am NOT exaggerating. It's in manga canon, holy shit!

Ahem. So, because I finished the books and I really, really like the characters and the series theme, I decided to make an appreciation fic for this series. I know, the fandom is quite minor right now, but regardless, I LOVE IT, and maybe if some of you read this fic and find it 'interesting' at least, you'll consider following this series as well (the anime is new, but the manga series is done, so no hanging there, dear readers).

Disclaimer: Muhyo & Rouji Bureau of Supernatural Investigation © Yoshiyuki Nishi

Warning: Some spoiler of the entire series (if you only watch the anime, since the setting of this fic is after the series), shounen ai or male/male relationship (in roundabout, humorous way, hopefully more humors instead of fluffs, but I am a sap, so… there might be fluff galore ahead *grins*), supernatural and general horror/haunting stuff, magical law and some their terminologies (which will be explained in after notes hopefully, if I don't forget), original characters (minor), etc… will be added as the story progresses.

This fan fiction shan't be more than few chapters… five tops, maybe. Well, if you want to give it a try, please proceed!


Haunted

© lunaryu~

Haunting 1: The New Case


It started with a phone call in Monday morning at the office.

Kusano Jirou, a. k. a. Rouji to most their friends and acquaintances, a 17 year old boy with warm amber eyes and messy blond hair, happily answered the phone, hoping they would get a new case so there would be decent income to pay for their next meal without him having to scrap the bottom of their refrigerator again.

"Good morning, Muhyo and Rouji's Magic Law Consultation Office, may I help you?" With cheery voice, as unsuspecting as he usually was, he greeted the potential client on the other line.

There was a throat clearing sound before a baritone voice replied. "Um, this is from St. Patricia Senior High School. I'd like to schedule a meeting between our school principal and the owner of your office?" The inflation of his tone at the end of his sentence told Rouji of his slight hesitation.

"Ah, that can be arranged. Whom am I speaking to?" Rouji asked, glancing slightly at the other side of the room where Muhyo's bed was situated. His younger boss was still sound asleep on it and Rouji had to smile softly seeing Muhyo's serene expression when he was in deep slumber. He was kind of cute when he wasn't throwing insults at Rouji's intelligence, or glaring, or sneering, or making creepy laughing noise.

Basically, he's only adorable when he's calm and quiet—Rouji's sweat dropped slightly at his rude thought. Well, Muhyo would probably kick him in the butt if he knew that Rouji even considered him cute, despite the discrepancy of his appearance and his age.

Muhyo's age was a bit of a mystery to even Rouji considering all his accomplishments, but he guessed he was no older than 15, even though Muhyo did look like he was still a child in elementary year after all, with short, small body and round face, big baby blue eyes and ebony hair that was shaped like a rooster' behind, or what Kenji dubbed as an onion head.

But Rooster head is funnier—Rouji couldn't help snickering quietly behind his hand, so as not to be heard by the person on the other line of the phone.

"Ah, pardon my rudeness," the voice in his earpiece brought Rouji back from his hilarious musing. "I am Wakashima Ryo, the principal's secretary. Am I speaking to the office owner?"

"No. I am Kusano Jirou, nicknamed Rouji, the owner's assistant, Wakashima-san." Rouji introduced himself proudly, rather beaming, actually, especially after his promotion from the second rank to the first rank assistant a few months back. "When will be good time for the principal to meet my employer in our office?" He asked further, deciding to be to the point if the principal wanted to be their client. They had to meet first and their office would be private and comfortable enough to 'consult' the client's problem.

"Will this afternoon be convenient? Around 2.30 p.m., maybe?" Apparently, Wakashima agreed that it would be best to meet in the office since he didn't suggest other places.

"Yes, that should be fine. We'll be waiting for your principal then, Wakashima-san," Rouji said in friendly, welcoming tone.

"Likewise, Kusano-san." Wakashima said before hanging up.

Rouji put the phone handle down before he made his way to the kitchen to make some late breakfast and a cup of coffee for Muhyo while humming.

Done with cooking some sunny side eggs along with vegetables stir-fry and a slice of bread, he arranged the breakfast on the table and went to wake up his boss with a cup of coffee on his hand. Forcibly waking Muhyo with shaking and yelling would only make the young executor grumpy. The best way to make the sleepy head rise from his deep inertia was by taunting him with the aroma of strong black coffee or food.

"Muhyo, wake up," Rouji said with normal volume while wafting the cup near the ebony haired boy's nose. A few seconds later, he saw the nose twitch.

Hook, line, sinker!—Rouji chuckled as Muhyo's hand shot upward at the cup's direction, but Rouji pulled his hand back to prevent Muhyo from grabbing the cup suddenly, especially when the coffee was still scalding hot. He wouldn't want for Muhyo to accidentally spill the coffee and hurt himself after all.

"Come on, sleepy head. Rise and shine! Breakfast is ready!" Rouji teased as Muhyo's brow furrowed slightly before his eyes gradually opened. He yawned widely before grumbling inaudibly, and then started to sit up, rubbing his bleary eyes.

Muhyo mechanically got down from his bed using the small wooden stairs at his bedside, and walked to the sitting area before he sat at the couch, facing the table where his food and coffee were. He inhaled the coffee aroma first before reaching the cup to drink slowly. His eyes were still half close as he sipped his drink.

Rouji took off the apron he used to cook earlier and folded it neatly before storing it at the cabinet near the door. Then he walked back to sit on the couch across of Muhyo.

"So, we got a phone call this morning. The principal of St. Patricia Senior High School would like to meet us at 2.30 p.m." Rouji reported. Muhyo didn't give him any verbal reaction except for a soft grunt, a sign that he was listening albeit only with one ear. "The secretary didn't mention what the problem was, but it was probably the usual thing." He continued.

"Hn," Muhyo acknowledged as he began to eat, still not looking at Rouji's direction.

"I wonder what kind of school St. Patricia is. Judging from the name, it seems to be a Catholic school. What do you think, Muhyo?" Rouji wondered loudly before he looked at his boss expectantly.

"Who knows? Why didn't you ask when you got the call?" Muhyo, already finished his breakfast, got down from the couch and walked to the bathroom, probably going to freshen up and change clothes.

"Aw, come on! Let's brain storm a bit, Muhyo. There's no fun in just asking for the answer," Rouji pouted. As usual Muhyo was disagreeable when he had just woken up. He was no fun at all.

Rouji heard his boss snort as he closed the door to the bathroom.

"Party pooper." Rouji thrust his tongue out at the bathroom door, and at the yell of 'I heard that!' from his boss, Rouji made an 'eep' noise while running to hide in his room.


~ # ~


In the afternoon~

"Um…" the middle aged woman sitting in front of Muhyo and Rouji, Akanari Azuza, stared at them with dubious expression. The principal's secretary, Wakashima Ryo—that was the name that Rouji had supplied Muhyo earlier, looked a tad uncomfortable, somehow.

Muhyo sighed, annoyed. For some reason this always happened whenever their clients were way older than Muhyo and Rouji. They always thought that they were too young and shouldn't they be at school?—or something on those lines.

Not that Muhyo cared about that. He was here for doing his job sending unwanted spirits to their deserved realms and not to make impression on his clients. If they had doubts about his capabilities, it was their problem. All Muhyo had to do was prove that he was the best in their line of work by doing his job better than anyone else.

"So, what is it that you want to consult us?" Muhyo crossed his fingers between his hands in front of his face while facing the older woman seriously.

Rouji made a choked noise behind him before he followed up Muhyo's speech with friendlier manner by introducing themselves first, much to Muhyo's exasperation. His assistant always had a way in ruining the peculiarity of their line of work.

"Pardon his rudeness, Principal Akanari. He's the owner of this office, Muhyo Toru. I'm his assistant, Kusano Jirou. We're well known as Muhyo and Rouji's Supernatural Investigation Bureau. We deal with all problems that have to do with supernatural beings."

"I see," the woman glanced at her secretary briefly before she faced Muhyo and Rouji again, still looking doubtful. "But aren't you too young to actually work?"

Muhyo growled lowly, narrowing his eyes in irritation as the issue was brought up on the table and Rouji seemed to be frantic as he explained, probably fearing Muhyo's increasingly bad mood.

"Ah, I understand your worry about the issue, Ma'am. But there's nothing to worry about professionalism in our part. We have license and everything. Our business is legit," Rouji smiled disarmingly at their client, albeit some beads of sweat rolling down his cheek.

"But still," the principal frowned some more and Muhyo let out a sneer as he spoke, running out of patience.

"If you're here just to critique our ages, then I suggest you to leave." He scoffed as he stood up, intending to open the door and kick their client out of his office as Rouji gasped.

"Muhyo! That's no way to talk to our client!" the blond scolded in mortification while the principal and her secretary widened their eyes in alarm at Muhyo brusqueness.

"Shut up. I don't have any patience to deal with skeptics." Muhyo glared at Rouji as he turned around and Rouji instantly moved to stop him (as always) by grabbing his arm and pleaded with his eyes, despite Muhyo's resistance, when their client spoke again.

"Wait, please. I'm sorry if I offend you, Muhyo-kun," Akanari sounded rather contrite and Muhyo stopped to glance at her. She looked pale, her expression worried. "I… we-we need your help," she continued, her voice trembling slightly as she looked down at the still steaming cup of tea that Rouji had served her on the table.

Muhyo considered her request for a minute before he glanced at Rouji who stared at her with sympathetic eyes. The older boy then turned to look at Muhyo with pleading eyes again and he caved. "Fine. At least I'll listen to your story." He grunted as he walked back to the couch and sat down.

Rouji beamed at him appreciatively then, sending Muhyo little hearts and stars from his sparkling eyes that Muhyo mostly tried to ignore with little success. Luckily he wasn't a blushing type of a guy, so the corners of his mouth barely twitched as he felt a strange flutter in his stomach at seeing Rouji's rather adorable expression. He resented the fact that he had become rather soft after spending time with Rouji all these years.

"So, what is it?" Muhyo asked their client once again, able to ignore Rouji's smile now that he had something else to focus on.

"Our school, St. Patricia is quite a renowned high school in Japan. We only accept the best students from middle schools all over the country. We have the latest and most advanced curriculum that prepares our students to excel the national examination, and 100% guarantee that they will get accepted in their college choice," she started, telling Muhyo and Rouji of how proud she was with their amazing high school. Typical. In other words her school was an elite and her students were children of mostly rich, influential families.

"But lately, some rumors are circling around the students, which distracted them from their studies," she continued.

"Rumors?" Rouji asked, urging her to continue with his mannerism.

"Yes, some students claimed that they saw a ghost in our school hall and some rooms." This time, her secretary answered, looking askance and displeased. "According to the report from their homeroom teacher, some students refused to come inside specific rooms at school, some even stopped coming to school because they were too afraid of this ghost." His frown deepened, his tone suggesting that he didn't believe those students' story and probably thought that all of these were bullshit.

"And only the students ever saw this 'ghost'?" Rouji asked further. Muhyo smirked, noticing that his assistant had become sharper in his instinct for asking the right question.

Wakashima huffed. "Certainly I've never seen such thing in my life."

Muhyo glanced at the principal then, maintaining his smirk. She had become increasingly paler as the story went. "What about you, Madam Principal?" he finally asked, and she flinched slightly in reaction to his voice. "Have you had any experience in meeting this entity?"

"I… I'm not sure of what I saw, but… last week afternoon, when I was about to go home, I felt presence watching from behind me as I walked the school corridor. When I turned around, there was this… shadow moving across the wall even though there was nothing solid that blocked the afternoon light from the open window," she told them. "Maybe it was just a trick of the afternoon light or something…"

She apparently still tried to bargain with her own rationality by denying what she saw as something, an entity, which she couldn't comprehend. It was a defense mechanism created by her own brain to protect her sanity. Muhyo could understand that much, but…

"Has anyone gotten hurt by this ghost?" Muhyo asked and the principal's face became ashen.

"I…" Principal Akanari widened her eyes and bit her lower lip, hesitating, her hands shaking.

"Has someone died?" Muhyo got somber now, his smirk disappearing.

"Actually," Wakashima spoke again, seemingly trying to save his principal from having to answer the difficult question. "A student died a few months back, right before the rumor started circulating." He looked at the still trembling principal, probably asking for permission to continue and she nodded, giving her assent. "She was Principal Akanari's daughter."

Rouji gasped in surprise, covering his mouth with one hand as he looked at the now sniffling Akanari. Muhyo only widened his eyes slightly before he narrowed his eyes again. "Is she the rumored ghost?"

"Yes," Principal Akanari answered softly, some beads of tears falling on her cheeks. "I don't know why the rumor of my daughter's ghost wandering around the school ground suddenly appeared. But, but if-if the ghost was really her… if by any chance her soul stayed behind… I need to know why she can't cross over to the other side…" She dried her tears as her voice got steadier. "I'd like you to investigate if the 'ghost' is really her."

"Huh?" Muhyo scrunched up his nose. "That's not in my—"

"Alright! Leave it to us!" Rouji suddenly exclaimed in full spirit before Muhyo could inform that 'investigating identity of a ghost' wasn't actually his job. His job was to send that ghost down to hell or to cross it over to the other side.

"Oi, Rouji!" Muhyo scowled, sending his assistant an annoyed glare.

Rouji apparently was cheeky enough to ignore him as he continued, "Please give us the detailed profile of your school and the blueprint, so we can start the investigation immediately!" His eyes even sparkled as he spoke, always so eager to please.

That idiot. Always jumping into the foray without planning!—A vein popped on Muhyo's head. And how dare he ignore me and accept a request without my consent!

Muhyo was this close to kick the blond, but he raised his eyebrows when the principal's secretary spoke.

"We'll be happy to give you information about our school, but our school has a lot of high profile students and their privacy is our first priority. Because of the haunting rumors, paparazzi has caught interest in our school and constantly stakes out and circles the school ground to squeeze more information like some kind of vultures. Our school reputation is also at stake here. We hope you will investigate quietly and keep this case under wrap, just between us here only."

"Huh?" Rouji tilted his head aside, looking confused. "Paparazzi?"

"Sheesh… it sounds more trouble than what it's worth," Muhyo sighed, suddenly getting virtual headache. "How are we supposed to investigate if we can't even ask around freely?"

"Oh! Maybe we can disguise ourselves as students, like our last case in high school with those three friends and a teacher's ghost?" Rouji smiled, thumping the side of his fist on his palm, like he had the greatest idea in the world.

There was a beat of silence in the room before—

"But, our school is an all girls' school…" Wakashima said, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.

"Eh?" Rouji widened his eyes as Muhyo snorted.

"Ah… Muhyo-kun is decidedly impossible, but with some makeover, Rouji-kun can probably pass to be our student," Akanari looked at Rouji with critical eyes as Rouji almost snapped his neck whirling his head to face her with shock and horror in his expression.

Muhyo couldn't help it. He exploded in gleeful, sadistic laughter as Rouji screeched "EEEEEEEEH?!"


~ # ~


"Pft—ahahahahahaha!"

Nana's loud laughter accompanied Muhyo's creepy snicker in the office as Rouji was inside the bathroom, changing clothes. His face felt like it was burning. He was so embarrassed that he couldn't help covering his face as he heard another raucous mirth from the teenage girl.

"Please don't laugh, you two! This is so not funny!" Rouji shouted at them from behind the door, still mortified and a bit annoyed that they didn't even try to hide their amusement at his predicament.

Besides, why do girls always wear clothes with such complicated accessories? This is a school uniform, right? Don't they have a standardized version instead of this… this frilly atrocity?!—Rouji scowled as he gave the uniform—hung with a hanger on the bathroom door—once-over.

Surely, it was a cute dress uniform. There were three layers of clothes; a thin layer of frilly white undershirt, a light brown one-piece dress with puffy and frilly bottom, and a button-less blazer that was puffed at the shoulder parts and reached only above chest part that would accentuate girls' asset if it was worn by girls.

'Worn by girls' were the key words.

"Do I have to absolutely wear this dress if I want to pose as a transfer student there?" Rouji couldn't help bemoaning as he bumped his forehead on the door intentionally.

"Stop whining, Rouji, and wear the damn skirt! It's the uniform!"

Muhyo's gleeful, sadistic snicker was heard again and Rouji's face heated once more. It had to be as red as tomato now. "Shut up, Muhyo! Why are you so cruel to me and allow this to happen?!" He couldn't help protesting, still a bit mad that Muhyo went along with this terrible plan even though his boss had to know that Rouji hated it.

"It's your idea in the first place, you dunce." Muhyo replied and Nana's amused whimpering came back as a loud belly-hurting peal of laughter once again at Muhyo's dead-pan tone. "It's your own fault for accepting the case without my authorization. It's my name and reputation that you risk by doing it, so take responsibilities for it till the end, you idiot."

"I know that already!" Rouji pouted, unable to argue with that. "But still! Why do I have to be a female student?" He continued whining.

"Because it's all girls' school, didn't you hear that secretary's words?" Muhyo retorted. Well, at least he wasn't laughing at Rouji anymore.

"Yeah, but there are positions other than students! Why can't I be a janitor or… or a school cafeteria boy or something?"

"You should have told them that before they sent the dress." Muhyo pointed and Rouji groaned once more at his own stupidity this time. "God, would you just stop complaining and wear the uniform already! It can't be that bad. I bet it will suit you just fine."

"Muhyo! Not helping! You're wounding my masculinity!" Rouji yelled louder and it seemed Muhyo was out of patience as he kicked open the bathroom door, causing Rouji to yelp in shock and embarrassment because he was half-naked already. "Why are you coming in?!"

"Just put on the dress. Or what, you want Nana to dress you?" Muhyo smirked and Rouji squeaked, completely indignant at how tactless his boss was.

"Fine! Alright! I'll wear it! Just get out, please!"

"You have five minutes before I sick Nana on you," Muhyo's smirk widened, looking very wicked now.

"Wha—what?! Muhyo, you demon! Devil! Green-blooded inhuman!"

Muhyo just laughed as he closed the door while Rouji continued name-calling Muhyo with every inhuman entities he could think of.


~ # ~


"But, seriously though, how come he gets into so many troubles despite his best intention all the time?" Nana was still giggling as Muhyo walked back to sit in front of her while Rouji was still name-calling him repeatedly from inside the bathroom.

That guy will pay for those name-callings twice as much—Muhyo were already plotting what kind of prank-punishment he would grace his assistant with later.

"Did you know this saying, 'A path to hell is carved with best intention'? It's the same as that but with 'Your mouth is your tiger' kind of risk," Muhyo smirked at the hazel eyed, brown haired busty girl in front of him. She was still giggling hard and holding her stomach. It looked like it was painful from too much laughing.

"But still! So hilarious! I can't wait to seeing Rouji-kun in a dress!" Nana apparently tried to hold back her delight, but utterly failed as she laughed again.

Muhyo didn't say anything, but he silently seconded her sentiment. It would be hilarious, indeed. He was kind of curious how the dress would suit his assistant. Rouji was, by no mean, an effeminate guy, but compared to other guys, he did look slenderer, and his loveable personality would probably enhance his guise as a girl.

Well, maybe not as pretty as Enchu, but still…

Rouji was kind of dense about things like that, but there were more and more girls that noticed him in an 'I could eat him alive' way. Sometimes they were subtle, but most times they were blatantly flirting with him even though Rouji never realized that they were. It was annoying since when they went out together, those type of girls would be around to try their luck in seducing his assistant, which often interfered with their work.

Even when Muhyo was glaring at them viciously, they wouldn't go away. He dreaded what they would do if Rouji went out by himself these days, even only to shop for groceries.

"But I understand about the St. Patricia Principal's worry about this case," Nana said, apparently having been satisfied with her laugh. She rested her cheek on her palm as she looked at Muhyo. "I am also interested in the haunting rumors of this school, you see, since it hit the news often these days. I tried to interview some of the students, and all the source I went to looked terrified out of their mind. They said the ghost often came in their dream that they were afraid to sleep at night in the dorm," she explained. "I tried to sneak into the school once, but the security guard found me and threw me out. I don't think there is any other way to go inside the school aside posing as one of their students or staff, but with our age, posing as students will be more plausible, especially if the principal helps with the paper works."

Muhyo nodded, agreeing silently as well, but… "Why do you still come here again, Nana? You're not our client anymore. Stop coming just to pass the time," Muhyo huffed, still annoyed that one of his rules were transgressed often by some people. Even though he perfectly knew these days that 'some people' were basically his circle of friends, he still liked to pretend that he was professional enough to enforce this rule even though it was just for show.

"Eeeh, isn't it okay? We're friends! I want to hang out with you two, you cheap-skate!" Nana pouted rather cutely with her stubborn big eyes. "Besides, I am a medium, hired specially by the Magic Law Association. So, technically we're a co-worker, Muhyo-san," she smirked, then probably thinking that she won the argument as Muhyo scowled at her.

"Your tenacity in stupidity astound me sometimes," Muhyo scoffed, closing his eyes, refusing to feel the elation at her freely offered friendship, despite what their line of work often did to her.

If not for getting kidnapped by entities, or being in constant danger of supernatural forces, Muhyo would like to cut ties with her so she could go back to be a normal teenage girl. Yet, her disposition as latent medium wouldn't allow that. Once she made contact of this side of world, she wouldn't be able to escape, so it was probably safer if she was in close contact with him and Rouji. At least that way, if something happened to her, they would be able to react in time to protect or to save her.

"Muhyo-san," Nana clicked the shutter of her prized Polaroid camera and Muhyo blinked at the flash as she took his picture.

"What are you doing?" Muhyo scowled at her, not understanding her impulse to take pictures whenever she went.

Nana grinned. "Your melancholic expression is too precious. I can't help but want to preserve it in a photograph!"

"Shut up." Muhyo huffed, frowning harder. No, he wasn't blushing. He wasn't, damn it!

"Aww, Muhyo-san is embarrassed!" Nana teased, grinning more widely.

"If you don't stop, I'm going to break your camera," he threatened, narrowing his gaze at her and she yelped and hugged her Polaroid to her chest instantly, as if to protect it from danger.

"You wouldn't dare!" She challenged, narrowing her gaze back.

"Try me," Muhyo lifted his hand and she immediately jumped out of the couch to back away from him, her camera still snug in her arms.

"Now, now, Muhyo-san, calm down," Nana was visibly sweating, apparently terrified that Muhyo would really make good of his threat.

Muhyo considered following to corner her, but the sound of the bathroom door clicking open halted his mind as he turned to face the bathroom. "Oh, finally. You're done changing?" Muhyo asked Rouji who hadn't come out.

It took more than a minute for the boy to get out of the bathroom after the door was open. When he did get out, in that warm creamy brown colored dress no less, Muhyo had to blink to make sure that whom he was seeing was really his assistant and not someone else.

Well, Rouji's face was Rouji's, even the blushing mess was his, but there was something surreal at seeing Rouji in girl's clothes.

The office room was silent then. Both Muhyo and Nana could only stare at the cross-dressing boy that he seemed very uncomfortable with their gaze. "What? Say something!" If it was possible, the blush on his face got even darker.

"Wow, Rouji-kun, you look cute!" Nana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"Well, it does suit him more than I expected," Muhyo tried to be cool as he commented, even though he was rather surprised at how good it looked on Rouji.

"I am not happy with those compliments!" Rouji pouted, which made him look even more adorable than he already was. His blond hair still looked messy but for some reason seemed to be fluffy enough to make everyone (Muhyo especially) want to pet it. His amber eyes were warm, big and round enough, making him seem sweet and gentle, his neck was quite long and looked pink right now, because his blush seemed to go down farther. Maybe he was a type of person that blushed with his entire body. It enticed Muhyo in a way he couldn't rationally explain. He wanted to see how far that blush would reach Rouji's body.

Muhyo shook his head slightly, trying not to flush himself with his surprisingly dirty thought. "It still lacks something though," Muhyo said as he got down from the couch and walked toward Rouji, circling the boy as soon as he was no more than half a meter from him.

"W-what?" Rouji looked wary and anxious, like Muhyo's opinion about him in a girl's clothes mattered to him the most. Rouji had this way of 'look' that frustrated Muhyo sometimes, that his assistant might still think himself as a burden to Muhyo, even though he already proved himself times and times again that Muhyo needed him more than anyone, because Rouji was his assistant, his most important partner in doing his job.

Muhyo stopped in front of Rouji, looking upward at his much taller assistant and waving down at him to kneel in front of him. Rouji gave him a puzzled look, but he did what Muhyo gestured him to do and knelt.

Muhyo reached his hand and his forefinger touched Rouji's neck right on his Adam apple. "Here, your Adam apple is still showing," His other hand went to Rouji's chest. "And this part's not busty enough," he smirked while Rouji's face got redder by the second before he exploded.

"Muhyo, you-pervert!" Rouji yelled in total mortification, trying to shove Muhyo away, but Muhyo already jumped back before Rouji's hands made contact with his body, expertly dodging the violent reaction he already expected from his assistant's embarrassment.

Muhyo snickered slightly as he turned to Nana and asked, "Can you do something about that messy hair of his and his lack of curve, Nana?"

"What?! Are you serious?! No way, Muhyo!" Rouji's tone was full of horror, but Muhyo (and Nana by extension) ignored him completely.

"Leave it to me!" Nana beamed and her sparking gaze immediately zeroed on Rouji like a predator's locking on its prey.

"Na-Nana-chan?" Rouji looked at Nana with pale face, apparently feeling very threatened by her hungry gaze.

"No problem, Rouji-kun. I have just these perfect things for you…!" Her breath was getting faster and even Muhyo was rather worried if he had sent Rouji to a real predator this time.

"NOOOOO!"

Rouji's wail was positively deafening, and some passerby might be surprised by it, but fortunately, no one kicked down their office door, mistaking his yell as a murder in progress.


~ # ~


"Ugh… Nana-chan, this is very uncomfortable," Rouji moaned pitifully as Nana put a corset on him and instructed him to take a deep breath.

"Endure it, Rouji-kun. This will give you the curve needed as a girl," Nana tightened the lace on the small of his back, and Rouji whined some more in slight pain. He had to have respect for modern day girls. He didn't know that putting on corset on one body was this hard. Moreover, they did it in daily basis! He couldn't imagine the suffering they had to put themselves into to look attractive when they went to impress someone they liked.

"This is painful, Nana-chan! I can hardly breathe!" Rouji complained.

"Take a deep breath and pace your breathing. It will get easier with time," Nana repeated and Rouji whined miserably, his face flushing with the effort to pace his breathe and Muhyo's eyes on them were not helping at all.

"Alright," Nana seemed to be done with putting the corset and rummaged her bag to fetch something else which looked like fake boobs when she brought the items out.

"What's that?" Rouji paled, intimidated beyond belief by the big lumps in skin color in Nana's hand.

"This is called a silicon bra. It will give your chest a boost for curve. It's a C-cup. Since you're quite tall and your shoulders are rather wide, it won't look too big, but proportionally will give an illusion that you have boobs, Rouji-kun." Nana grinned and Rouji groaned more while blushing, covering his face with his hands.

"Is it really necessary!?" He couldn't help screaming into his hands then, feeling ashamed that he had to do thorough makeover of himself for this job.

"It is. Do as she says, Rouji," Muhyo commented from the couch, not releasing his penetrating gaze from him, his smirk looking smug.

Rouji glared at his boss, wishing he had laser eyes to wipe that smug look on his face. "You're enjoying this too much, aren't you?"

"I am, definitely." Muhyo snickered creepily and Rouji had to look away before he could say something he would regret later.

"L-let's get this over with." Rouji turned to Nana and she nodded.

"Pay attention, so you can do this by yourself later," Nana warned.

"There's no way I will put this corset on daily." Rouji grimaced.

"Well, just for the first day, then, Rouji-kun. You move to the dorm today, right? Tomorrow you can forgo the corset, but you should wear the silicon bra to maintain the illusion." Nana compromised and Rouji could only sigh in resignation, his blush not receding in the slightest.

Nana put the bra on him and he put on the under shirt over it. Then the uniform and the blazer. He looked himself in a mirror and noticed the difference in his body-built immediately. Nana was right. He got curves now and it did look good on him which kind of depressed him slightly because he apparently passed as a girl completely this way.

"It looks good! Now, the hair!" Nana said as she rummaged in her bag some more, this time bringing out some hair gel, hair dryer, flattening tool and more hair tools that Rouji couldn't name.

Half an hour of flurry motion in taming Rouji's messy hair later, he could feel his hair soften in a way that make it fall down this time, and it was actually quite long because his hair reached the middle of his neck, curling inside.

"Huh, it looks amazingly good, but not long enough to cover the Adam apple," Nana looked serious as she put her finger on her chin, thinking. "Ah!" She seemed to find the solution as he rummaged her bag to fetch something.

"Is that a freaking choker?!" Rouji almost dropped his jaw as he stared at the offending lacy, dark colored accessory on Nana's hand.

"Hey now. This is a fashion choker, Rouji-kun. Don't be so scandalized. It's quite popular these days to warm your neck with this instead of a scarf," Nana huffed, sounding a bit defensive, like Rouji had offended her fashion choice. "And look, the color is in dark brown, it will complement the color of your uniform!" She continued as she stretched the bendy material. "It stretches quite easily as well, so it will be more comfortable than the real leather choker."

She put on the choker on him rather forcefully, but despite his initial aversion, Rouji finally relented because he didn't think he could win against her.

Then as a final touch, Nana put on a dark brown headband on him, with light-brown ribbons flowing down the end of the band and little yellow flowers adorning the top. "There you go! Look, Rouji-kun, you look extremely lovely! Right, Muhyo-san?" Nana giggled proudly of her work and Rouji hated to admit that he really made a very fine-looking girl when he looked at his reflection on the mirror. Damn it. He shouldn't be elated by her compliments, but it did for some reason.

Rouji waited for Muhyo to insult his lack of masculinity again, but his boss was keeping quiet. Rouji got curious of what Muhyo thought as he glanced at the shorter boy. There was something indecipherable in expression, but his blue eyes was trained on him and there was this soft glimmer in his eyes.

"Muhyo?" Rouji asked him, feeling kind of weird for some reason.

Muhyo gave him a small smile instead of his patented smirk. "You look good," he said, his tone sincere and somehow it made Rouji more embarrassed than Muhyo's usual teasing insult.

"W-what…?" Rouji was flustered and couldn't help opening his mouth more to stutter. "W-what the—what's with you, Muhyo?! Is this a new way to tease me? That's lame!" He laughed awkwardly and there was a twitch at Muhyo's left eye.

"Yes, you look good as a girl. No one will ever notice that you're a guy in disguise," Muhyo added, and for some reason he looked kind of pissed off suddenly as he insulted him.

"Muhyo, that's mean!" Rouji cried at that while Muhyo clicked his tongue and huffed, looking the other way. "Why are you suddenly in a bad mood!? I am the one who had to dress as a girl for this investigation, you know!" he protested more.

"I don't know what you're talking about, idiot." Muhyo then refused to look at him as he sulked on the couch.

"Sheesh, what's with you!?" Rouji huffed as well, getting annoyed for not understanding Muhyo's mood-swing.

Nana seemed intrigued though, as she stared at Muhyo's hard expression and then at Rouji consecutively. "Huh." She seemed to notice something.

"What is it, Nana-chan?" Rouji dried his tears with the hem of his blazer that instantly earned him a scolding from her to use a tissue instead.

"Manners, Rouji-kun! You're going to pose as a young lady from respected family, so you have to learn manners as one!" She exclaimed and Rouji groaned harder at that.

"Please spare me already!"


~ # ~


After the bustle of crash course about how to be a young lady by Nana and some of internet advice, Rouji was deemed 'ready enough' to invade the dorm of St. Patricia High School. As pre-arranged by the Principal Akanari that personally greeted him at the gate the next afternoon while he came out of a limousine (rented by the principal as well to show off Rouji's supposedly high status), Rouji was instantly famous by the wonder look of the students who were still at the school ground.

The rumor about the high profile transfer student already spread around the house when Rouji stepped inside the luxurious dorm. Principal Akanari and her secretary showed him around the living quarters after notifying the dorm head, a third year by the name of Shijo Yukari, the eldest daughter of Shijo corporation, the biggest trading company with over 100 office-branches in entire Japan.

"You must be quite a lady for our busy Principal to guide you herself," Shijo whispered as Akanari was still speaking in front of them when they walked together on the dorm corridor.

"Eh?" Rouji was surprised when he was suddenly addressed.

"She hasn't even introduced you to me, and she already shows you around our dorm." Shijo smiled, a hint of threatening vibe in her tone and aura, even her curving dark eyes seemed to be intimidating.

Rouji didn't like to think badly about people that he just met, but he got an impression that Shijo didn't like him. He smiled softly at her though, and it seemed to throw her for a loop.

"I suppose my parents are quite important," Rouji whispered back as softly as he appeared, "But 'I' by myself am still no one to our society, and I hope I can learn in this school to become someone in the future."

It was supposed to be lip-service, but Rouji meant every word he said. He was still no-one after all, but he intended to become someone, for Muhyo's sake.

Shijo was silent, looking at Rouji with wide eyes and she looked down, looking demure before she also smiled. "I like you determination," she said, and just like that, that intimidating sensation was gone from her and Rouji was glad that he made a friend in her in that moment.

After the dorm tour, Akanari told Shijo to give 'her daughter's room to Rouji, much to Shijo's surprised look. "Are you sure, Principal Akanari?" She looked kind of pale as she accepted the key room.

"Yes," the principal nodded to her seriously and then she looked upward at Rouji and smiled slightly at him. She walked toward him and touched his shoulder gently, yet firmly. "I am counting on you, Rouji-kun," she whispered lowly into his ear and he nodded.

After the principal left, Shijo turned to Rouji and gave him a tight smile. "I didn't catch your name earlier," she said, asking for his name without actually asking.

"Ah, I am Kusano Ji—Rouka," Rouji hastily corrected his almost miss. Jirou was not a girl's name after all. He was sweating slightly and his heart beat fast and loudly at the thought. It was day one and he almost blew his cover by accident. He had to focus more.

"Kusanoji-san, then," Shijo nodded. "As you already know, I am Shijo Yukari. The head dorm." She introduced herself politely. "Your room is this way, Kusanoji-san," she gestured for him to follow her and he walked by her side.

When they arrived at the room intended, Shijo put the key in the key-hole, but for some reason, her hand shook. Rouji noticed that she was paler than before and was about to ask what was wrong when a blood-curling scream reverberated the dorm.

Shijo dropped the key in surprise and Rouji snapped his head around, alerted immediately. "What's that?!"

"Oh! It's from the second year floor!" Shijo looked scared and Rouji grabbed her arm.

"Take me there!" Rouji said somberly.

Shijo looked stunned for a moment before she nodded. "This way!"

End of Haunting 1

Tbc…


A/N: Yeaaa… the first chapter, and it's already quite long. I hope the characterization isn't too off *laughs*. So, no strange terminologies yet, but they will probably come out in the second chapter. Anyway, what do you think of this chapter? Is it intriguing enough? Funny enough? I did tell you that the shounen ai is in round-about way, right? Probably there will be more fluffs in next chapter. Give me your thoughts on this?