Time is a funny thing. Sometimes it seems to move slowly, other times, more quickly, and even at other moments it's almost as if it repeats itself. Even so, time is unavoidable and passes by no matter what, the current state ending and the next beginning. And as it ends, the events of the last moment settle onto people's shoulders and lend their experience, whether it's good or bad.
The two members of Muhyo and Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, along with their friends, are no exception, In fact, they carry more experience on their young shoulders then men five times their age.
Their names?Toru Muhyo and Jiro Kusano (Better known as Roji).
The amount of troubles both investigators have had to deal with is unfortunate. On their fated path, most would give in and take the easy route. However, these two have pressed on, standing strong in the face of all foes and adversity, offering a kind and helping hand to those who needed it.
But their journey is far from over and the pain they must face is great. Let's all pray they have what it takes to overcome it as we watch from the texts.
Many say Fate is cruel, but few know how cruel...
~~Chapter One~~
Just Another Day
Sunlight floated into the room from between the folds of closed curtains, casting golden beams of light across the floor and furniture before settling onto the form of a young boy. He dreamed away, draped across a desk and drooling slightly onto lightly drawn blueprints.
As if on a timer, when the clock turned six, he shifted, his soft brown eyes fluttering open. His arms reaching up as he surrendered to the need to stretch.
"Good morning, world," he yawned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Time for another day of work."
Looking at the one spot in the room where no sun reached, he smiled softly at his still peacefully sleeping employer, and pushed himself back into a sitting position. He sighed while straightening the haphazard pile of plans.
'I must have fallen asleep while working on the plans for my newest 'Super Fab Tech',' he thought as he slipped on his glasses and stood. 'I really should be more careful. If Muhyo had caught me he probably would have hit me with his book and then sent me to my proper bed, going on about how our job requires a sharp mind, and if I'm going to stay up late I might as well spend it studying because God knows I need it with testing so soon...'
With the scene running through his mind, he chuckled and walked to Muhyo's bedside. Leaning against the bed, he gently nudged his superior (in all but age), saying in a sing-song voice, "Good morning, Muhyo, time to wake up and get ready to work!"
The boy simply got pushed away by a forceful hand and the half-asleep muttering of, "Let me sleep, Roji, you scum..."
Frowning, Roji huffed in his irritation, hands on his hips much like a spoiled little Princess not getting her way.
"Don't give me that," he said. "You're the one who told me when to wake you so I'm just doing my job. Now get up while I go get dressed and make breakfast."
Muhyo churned out a peeved grunt as Roji skipped off to prepare the day's first meal.
The kitchen was his safe haven, no one ever entering without his permission. It was where some of his best creations came to life, despite trying to make a gourmet meal for picky eaters with his grocery budget!
After placing the old copper kettle on the stove, he quickly whipped up a breakfast of toast and honey for Muhyo, sweet milk rice* for himself. He was just finishing making tea when there was a loud knock at the door.
"I wonder who it could be so early in the morning," Roji mused as he put the honey on the toast. "Nana and Kenji normally wouldn't be up at this time, and we aren't open this early either. "
There was the quiet sound of fabric moving as Muhyo shifted out of his bed and changed at lighting speed (how he did so would always be one of the world's greatest mysteries to the young assistant). As Roji peered around the corner he watched as the shorter boy placed a stool down in front of the door. He sleepily stepped up onto it in order to see out of the tinted window.
" Heh heh heh... Looks like we have a client," the little genius said as he looked over at his assistant. "Did you misprint the times on the advertisements or something?"
"I don't think so... Maybe it's something urgent!" Roji shouted as he brought out the food. Seeing the sour look on Muhyo's face at the prospect of working so early made the assistant frown. "We can't just ignore them!"
"It's a 'her'. And yes we can." Grabbing his newest copy of Jabin he plopped down on the couch, taking a bite of his toast before dismissing Roji with a wave. He tried to ignore the pleading stare his assistant was giving him, but it was futile. "But, I'm awake anyway and you'll pester me endlessly if I just sit here, so might as well see her in."
"Yes, Muhyo!"
Roji immediately placed his own breakfast back on the table and ran a hand through his bed head before opening the door. But as soon as he did, an unexpected something slammed into his face.
"Oof," he grumbled, muffled from behind what he now understood to be a pad of paper. He pulled it away from his face and regained composure, looking through stars at the words written on the lined paper. On it was written...
Sorry if it's too early, but I
felt it'd be better not to wait
too long...
Setting a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of the notepad-wielding client (while also ignoring Muhyo's chuckling at his new bruise), the young clerk took his seat and smiled his most welcoming grin. Only then did he take note of her appearance.
She seemed fairly normal with long brown hair and bronze eyes, yet she hadn't said a single word out loud. Even when she'd apologized for hitting him with her note pad she'd written it out frantically on the paper. It was unusual, but then again so were a fair number of their clients(not to mention their friends...).
"Well, first things first: we should introduce ourselves!" Roji said at last, noticing that the young lady didn't seem to be too keen on initiating much. "I'm Jiro Kusano- but you can call me Roji- and this is the bureau's executor, Muhyo."
Muhyo only said, "Yo."
"Okay," Roji continued, "So what's your name and how may we help you?"
Nodding, the girl held up a finger as if asking for a moment, and after scribbling on her notepad, held up her reply. The words scrawled across the page were neat enough to be read, but messy enough to convey a sense of Urgency.
My name is Arora
Please hear me out and don't
tell me that this is more for the police.
I already dealt with them and it was one
of them who said it might be more of your
specialty. OK?
"That's fine," Roji started, but he was cut off by Muhyo with a typically blunt question that made him wince.
"Why don't you talk?"
"Muhyo!" the assistant scolded, slightly embarrassed at his employer's lack of people skills, but Arora began to wave her hands in a 'Calm down' motion and held up another note.
It's okay, I'm mute. This is my Voice.
I'm asked often enough that the question
doesn't bother me, and it is a valid
question.
"Feh," Muhyo muttered with a shrug. "Well fine, just hurry up and tell us what happened. It's early and I'm tired."
And with distant look creeping into her eyes, she 'told' them of the disaster that happened but a few hours ago, a few blocks away...
*When I wrote sweet milk rice I meant rice that had canned milk poured in the bowl with it and then sugar added. It is actually a really nice little meal my Grandmother showed me. Try it sometime! It may sound odd but you may like it.
Big thanks to my Beta Master_Of_Shiawase _Punch!
Yep, hello to all you Muhyo to Roji fans! As few as we seem to be... I hope this wasn't too discouraging for a first chapter. I think this is the longest opening chapter I've ever written...but still… They're always a pain to write and quite hard to do well. At least for me anyways. Next chapter will have a little more going on... Hopefully...XD
Although I want to strangle Muhyo for his pain-in-the-a$$ personality. It's so hard writing with him as a leading character. I actually did a few shorter stories with him and Roji trying to get the hang of 'em. (Although it didn't do much XD)
Please Read and Review for me! I'm always happy to receive suggestions and opinions on my work. ^^ Till next time.