I blinked a few times, staring at the seventh wonder.

Did the most powerful apparition just try to revoke my number after my powertrip? & then offer me protection?

& TO BE HIS ASSISTANT AT THAT?

Hanako stood there crouching next to me, his hand still extended out. I just stared at him in confusion. In wonder. In confusion. Hell, in every single emotion possible.

I was soon snapped out of it by him speaking, "So? Rouge?"

I slowly took his hand, & he helped me up. This was the start of a sealed deal, where I had no idea if I would truly regret it.

Hanako grinned, "I'm glad to see you take the offer. I should've found a human assistant, but having an old friend be my assistant - is even better!"

"Not friends." I huffed, crossing my arms & correcting him. Maybe I shouldn't be correcting the boy who just threatened to revoke my number, kill me, & then offered to protect me from eternal death...but hey, we all can't open up & be sunshine n' rainbows in one day, can we?

Hanako ignored my statement, continuing the deal. Pulling out his pants pocket a small red drawstring bag. Opening the drawstrings to the bag, between his finger were two transparent small circle objects. They shimmered in the sunlight that was just barely peeking over the horizon now.

"These, are mermaid scales." He began to explain, "These scales will intertwine our souls & our destinies. Luckily since we're dead, the curse that comes with these scales won't apply to us, so we'll skip that part. When you swallow this scale, you'll be under a deal of being my assistant, & on your way to fixing your wrongdoings. Are you ready?"

I looked between Hanako's smirking face, & the scales he held between his fingers. What else could I do? I didn't want to die all the way...I enjoyed being an apparition. So, I guess I had to become that little perv's assistant.

Gross. That's going to take some time to roll off the tongue fluently, without feeling the need to barf.

Hanako outreached his hand to me again, a single scale shimmering in his palm. I stared at it for a few minutes longer, before reaching out & taking it from him. I looked at him, his scale already resting on his tongue.

He gave a flirtatious look, his amber eyes shimmering with ambition & lust. A shiver shot up my back. In all honesty, I couldn't tell if it was uncomfortable or some other sort of feeling. I push it past me, not wanting to dig down into that depth of hell - & I brought the scale to my mouth.

Hanako's finally disappeared from his, with a quick smile followed with his normal smirk, that seemed a little too smug. I breathed in a little, before plopping the scale into my mouth. With a quick swallow, down my throat, it went into my empty stomach.

I crinkled my nose at the taste of it. It tasted of seawater, the saltiness so bitter it dried up my entire mouth. For being a ghost, this was the first time in forever I wanted to chug down a huge jug of water.

"The deal has been sealed!" Hanako exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air, "Thank you for lending me a hand Rouge-chan."

"NOPE!" I hissed, "No chan nor kun...it's too friendly, & way too formal."

He crossed his arms, a thinking expression coming upon his face, "Well, what should I call you?"

"Rouge."

Hanako rolled his eyes, floating over to me with his arms behind his back, "So your never gonna tell me your real name? Rouge is a little to formal if you ask me."

I stomped my foot, "NO! It's none of your business toilet-boy! & besides, we're partners, not friends!"

He snickered, poking me in the middle of my forehead, "Okay okay. Calm your temper, even though you look so cute mad~"

I growled flailing my arms to hit him, but he floated higher, laughing more & more at my sad attempt to smack him. This continued for a few more minutes before I finally stopped, crossing my arms. I pouted, my eyebrows furrowed.

Hanako wiped a pretend tear from his eye, holding his stomach from his laughter. His feet finally met the ground again, as he shoved his hands into his pants pockets, "Okay, lets' get back to business."

"What are we starting with?" I asked, still a little tense.

"Well, for your safety, I would like to remove your number."

I jumped, taken aback, "YOU JUST SAID YOU WEREN'T GOING TO KILL ME!"

Hanako chuckled, "No no, not in that way. I'll take away your number as no one can summon you right now. Your rumor will stay alive, & you'll still be alive."

"I'm good."

He raised an eyebrow, "You know I'm still your boss, correct?"

I held a breath in.

I did forget about that.

How did he become boss over me, is my question! I'm more mature than him! ...but I guess that crazed look in his eyes when he was serious, & the knife he weld really made him seem all business.

That would make more sense.

You know what...I see why he's the boss, but I will still - metaphorically - die mad about it.

"I...would like to still maintain my duties." I said through gritted teeth, "Boss."

He whistled, "Hmmm...okay. I'll think about it. I won't revoke your number right now, but you still won't be able to work. You're going to be my full-time assistant until we fix some things. Alrighty?"

Before I could rebut, he added on, "Or, I could just take the seal off you yorishiro right now."

I closed my mouth & just nodded, earning a happy & giddy Hanako cheer, "Okay! So, come with me."

Without another word, he walked past me into the school building. I stood there for a minute dumbfounded before I quickly - & dreadingly - followed behind him.

It wasn't my cup of tea to follow my boss, that I may or may not have had - or have, I'm still lost on that one - feelings for. He's a pervy little brat, who's mood changes quicker than a light switch turning off & on.

I'd say he creeped me the hell out if I wasn't dead, but seeming I am, he more of makes me feel uncomfortable at times.

As Hanako floated down the hallways & up the stairs humming some sort of tune I couldn't recognize, I dragged my human-ghost legs down the halls & up the stairs. It felt like forever that I had to listen to his jaunty humming, as he dragged me around the school. I guess it was better than him making fun of me, or opening his big blabbermouth.

"So, Rouge," Hanako spoke up, slowing down to float beside me.

Welp, I spoke too soon.

I continued to walk forward, crossing my arms, "Yes?"

"Why aren't you floating?"

"I like walking, it makes me feel normal."

He let out a little laugh, causing me to whip my head towards him to stare daggers into him. He quickly stopped. It was quiet for a few minutes before he began prodding again:

"Is it because you go undercover every day as a schoolgirl?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, as we both finally stopped, arriving at our destination, "& you know this how?"

Hanako grinned, "I am your boss after all. I have to know how your rumor works, after all, ya know?"

I chuckled, "Creepy~"

A smile crept to my face as his cheeks dusted a light pink. It quickly disappeared as flew close to my ear, "Are you flirting with me, Rou?"

I jumped a little at the sudden closeness. I instantly tried to smack him, incoherent jumbled words leaving my mouth. Mainly the words & phrases of: perv, you stalked me, why would I flirt with you, & many others that left my hotheaded mouth & I refuse to remember.

So much for keeping my cool.

He snickered as I continued to miss hitting him yet again, all flustered. Hanako floated past me & into his boundary that we were in front of:

The third story bathroom.