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Chapter 1: Trapped

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Author's Note: This story, if it has any romance, will be with a straight pairing (male/female).

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"No way, I'm not going to do that!"

"You can't refuse. I got you those tickets. For free too."

Keitaro grimaced. As much as he hated to admit it, Haitani was right. He owed him a lot but, this wasn't a simple request. It was one thing to ask him to bake a Valentine day dummy chocolate cake, but it was another to request that it be delivered directly to him while…while...

"I'm not doing it. Ask for something else."

Haitani shook his head furiously. "If I back out now, Shirai will win. I can't lose this bet."

"How about I ask one of the girls?"

Haitani rubbed the temple of his nose. "Keitaro, Shirai already knows about them. He'll know it's fake."

"Keitaro scratched the back of his head. "I guess you'll have to think of something else."

"Four hundred."

"What?"

"You owe me four hundred dollars. Will it be cash or check?"

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Keitaro's face was glowing red with embarrassment as he stared at himself in the full-length mirror. Haitani's apartment was small, but it was surprisingly clean and well-organized. However, that wasn't his main concern right now. What caught his attention was the person that stared back in the reflection.

She was a simply bewitching. Smooth skin and long black hair that cascaded down her shoulders gave her the appearance of a Japanese enchantress. She wore a loose light blue shirt along with dark blue jeans. Even with the large, square glasses, she was impressively pretty, as if she was a model in some high-end magazine. This would have been a good thing had it not been for the fact that she was actually a man.

Haitani came up behind Keitaro. "Mh, mh." He nodded his head as he placed his hand on his chin. "Impressive work if I do say so myself. My hard work paid off."

"Haitani, why do you have make-up and how did you know how to use it?"

Haitani laughed. "These things impress girls, right?"

"It does?"

"No, not really. The reactions weren't…positive."

Keitaro stared blankly at him. "Then how were you able to practice this if none of them liked it?"

"This was before I told any girls. I used some mannequins I got from work. Well, I also did some on myself, but that didn't work out so well." Haitani scratched his nose. "But you looked so feminine and you even had smooth skin like a girl so it was much easier.""I see…" Keitaro's expression darkened. "I'm not really manly, am I?"

"Ah!" Haitani had quickly noticed the sudden tension. "Don't get me wrong. You're dating that Naru girl so this shouldn't matter, right?"

Keitaro blushed, though his face did lighten up. "N-No, I'm not dating her."

"Really? Huh. I thought you were."

"No." Keitaro looked away a bit. "I like her, but I don't think she likes me."

"Well, cheer up." Haitani slapped Keitaro's back playfully. "There's more fish in the sea."

Keitaro put on a fake smile, but Haitani immediately saw through it.

"Let's go over the battle plan then," Haitani said to change the subject.

Keitaro nodded.

"While you're dressed as a girl, your name is…Keitaro-ko?"

"That's horrible."

"Keitaro. Kei." Haitani tapped his chin. "What about Keiko?"

Keitaro blinked. "That can work."

"Alright, you'll now be Keiko Urashima, no, Urashi," Haitani said as he racked his brain. "But you prefer to be called…Kei. By having a nickname too, it won't be suspicious if you don't respond correctly to either name. You can just say that you're used to being called the other name."

"I'm…Keiko Urashi."

"Remember, keep referring to yourself as female. Like how actors do it. Think like a girl, otherwise you'll make a mistake." Haitani rubbed his head as he tried to think of what else to address.

"Okay." Keitaro slowly nodded.

"This is serious, Keitaro. If you screw it up, I'm going to make you…make you…" Haitani pointed his finger at his friend. "Kiss Shinobu. On the lips. In a crowded public area too!"

Keitaro paled. "Isn't that a crime?"

Haitani's jaw dropped. "You can't be that dumb. Stop acting stupid!"

"I don't want to go to jail!"

"You won't go to jail for that."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh, maybe."

"I don't want to, I don't want to!"

"Then just don't screw up." Haitani rubbed his head. He could feel a headache coming on.

"Can't you give me a different punishment?"

"No. Just listen to my instructions and you'll do fine."

Keitaro slowly nodded with tears in the corner of his eyes. "Are you sure you can't change it?"

"I'm sure."

"Really, really sure?"

"Shut up and listen. Make sure to occasionally brush your hand through your hair. It's a habit some girls do, but it will allow you to check and adjust the wig if it is loose without looking out of place."

Keitaro nodded again as his mind processed the information.

"This will take the whole day. First, you'll give me the chocolate after cram class ends and then we will head out on a 'date'. But after we leave the building, we're done. We'll just go home."

"What if he figures out who I am?"

Haitani shrugged his shoulders. "Then you better ask if Shinobu is free on the weekend."

"Ack!"

"I'll need you to get used to acting female so it won't happen in the first place. Let's start now. Walk towards me." He backed away to make some space between him and Keitaro.

Keitaro raised an eyebrow, but he did as asked. He walked over to Haitani.

"No, no, no! Like this." Haitani sauntered over to the mirror in an elegant style that really did not fit his image at all.

Keitaro nodded his head and walked over to Haitani in a gait that seemed more suited to a tranquilized horse.

Haitani closed his eyes in irritation. "We'll just say that you're a bit of a tomboy."

Keitaro walked away from Haitani, though still in that horrible movement style.

"You can walk normally, Keitaro."

"Thank goodness." Keitaro moaned in relief and stretched his legs. "That was tiring."

"Yeah, I'm sure it was." Haitani said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. "Anyways, let's move on. While your voice is naturally higher pitch so it can come off as female, I think you should still practice. Say 'I love sushi.'"

"I…love sushi."

"Raise your voice."

"I love sushi."

"Not like that. It sounds too much like a falsetto voice. Like this: I love sushi."

"I love sushi."

"Better. Again."

"I love sushi."

"Good. Just need a bit higher."

"I love sushi."

Haitani smiled and raised his thumb up. "That sounds about right. Now try saying something else."

"I ate pork last night."

Haitani's smile became strained. "Looks like we're going to have to practice more." This was going was going to be a long day.

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"This is the third day and you still can't do it?"

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"No, that's wrong…again!"

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"How many days has it been? If you can't learn something like this, why are you applying for Tokyo University? You should have just gone to the same university as me and Shirai."

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"I did it? I did it! I did it!"

"Good. Now start practicing the next lesson, because you're bad at everything else."

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Keitaro wobbled through the doorway of the darkened Hinata dormitory. It was almost midnight. Everyone was probably asleep already. He had earlier put their worries about his lateness to rest by telling them that he had gotten a temporary part-time job to pay for some of the repairs.

The dorm manager sighed, pressing his back against the wall. He didn't like lying to his tenets, but telling them the truth of the situation was much worse. He could imagine the looks that they would give him and the trips on air-express that he would have to take for being a cross-dressing pervert. But at least, it paid off somewhat. He was as ready as he'll ever be for Valentine day tomorrow. There was only one thing left; he still needed to make the chocolate cake.

Slapping his cheeks to keep himself awake, Keitaro said, "Just a couple more hours and then I can get some rest." Breathing in deeply, he strode purposely towards the kitchen.

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Keitaro leaned his back against the wall opposite to the classroom door as he waited to be done. No, that was wrong. As she waited for Haitani's class to finally be done. While dressed like this, she had to refer to herself as a female even in her mind. Haitani said that this would keep both personalities divided and allow her to make fewer mistakes. Hopefully. Sighing softly, Keitaro—or rather, Kei—spoke to herself in a whisper.

"My name is Keiko Urashi." Kei bowed to the empty space in front of her. "But you can call me Kei." She grinned. It was perfect. All she had to do now was repeat it exactly like that.

Kei's grin quickly fell off her face. What exactly was she happy about? That she was imitating a girl better? If any of the girls at the dorm found out about this, he wasn't going to get away with a simple scolding. The mere thought of Naru's fist and Motoko's sword made him shiver in fright. Just because she had a high endurance didn't mean that it felt good!

Well, there was that time when...no, no! She promised herself that she would never think about that ever again. It never happened. Putting the thought out of her mind, Kei looked up…

…to find people already filtering out of the classroom. Some of them were even standing in the hallway, staring curiously at her. She felt a blush rising to her cheeks. T-They were staring at her, but they seemed to think that she's a girl. Somehow…somehow…

It felt really, really good.

Gah! What was she thinking? Knocking the knuckles of her fist against the side of her head, she tried to bash out the thoughts as she rushed past the students and entered the room.

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"Another sad Valentine day, isn't it, Haitani?" Shirai said, waving around a pencil as he stood next to Haitani's desk.

Haitani slouched over, letting his cheek touch the desk. "I'm sure someone will come."

Shirai shrugged his shoulder noncommittally. "You're way too optimistic. It'll be the same as every year. We'll just go home and—" He froze.

"Go home and what?"

"Haitani, look up."

Haitani turned his head so that he could see. In front of him was a very pretty girl with long black hair who held a box in front of her. Right on time.

"M-My name is K-Keiko Urai—I mean Keiko Urashi! Kei tried bowing, but she almost stumbled halfway through it. "B-But you can call me Kei-Kei! S-Sempai, please take this." Kei held out the box towards Haitani as she blushed furiously, though that completely from the embarrassment of doing this whole act. The rest of the people in the classroom were watching the spectacle, some with disbelief or jealousy while others with joyous curiosity.

Haitani scratched his head with one hand and accepted the box with the other. "Ah, thank you…Kei-Kei…" He opened up the box, which revealed a glamorous cake that would have been worth quite a bit of money if it were sold in a store.

"Ah! I mean, just Kei is fine. Sempai, I-I really l-like you. Please go on a date with me!" The last bit was practically yelled out in a fast talk. Kei bowed her head again as her cheeks reddened even more. Even though she felt like she did it badly, the people that were still in the classroom found it amusing and endearing at the same time.

Haitani slowly closed the box. "Um, that's…um…yes, sure, I'll go."

"W-When?"

"Now is good. Now is fine!"

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"Do you think he bought it?" Kei breathed out a sigh of relief as they walked out of the building. The wind felt really cool against her flushed face. She actually did it. Successfully too. The tension and stress that she had drained out of her body like a popped water balloon, leaving her feeling a little dizzy.

Haitani shrugged. "Probably. It's just Shirai."

Kei's happiness disappeared when she glanced back towards the building. "Then why is he following us."

Haitani froze. "Are you sure?" He turned around, and sure enough, Shirai was hiding in one of the nearby bushes near the entrance. Or at least he was trying to. Most of his bulky body was actually larger than the plants he was trying to surround himself with.

"He doesn't seem to notice that we're staring straight at him."

"Stop looking at him." The two turned away.

"What do we do now?"

Haitani sighed. "I guess we're going on a 'date' then."

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"You know, if you got a sex-change operation, nobody would ever be able to tell the difference."

Kei spat out her tea. "W-What?" Most of the drink was now on the table and Haitani but some of it dripped down her chin.

"Smile, smile. He may still be watching." Haitani said as he casually wiped his face with a napkin and sipped his tea. At a far table in the corner, Shirai was peeking at them over an opened menu.

However, Kei kept frowning. "Why did we have to go here?" They were currently seated at a table inside a tea shop. It wouldn't have mattered if it was any other tea shop, but this one was owned and operated by his aunt Haruka. Kei's eyes kept shifting towards his relative who was currently waiting on another table. She shook with fright at the thought of being recognized by her aunt.

"Shirai is attracted to Haruka so he might become distracted by her, letting us have an opportunity to slip away."

"I still don't like this."

"Your disguise is perfect. Just make sure you hold the tea cup with both hands and stick out your pinky to use it as a cushion so that when you place the cup on the table, it doesn't make a sound."

"Can we leave now?"

"Are you listening to me?" Haitani shook his head in exasperation. "Calm down before you ruin it."

Kei shrugged off the comment. "I am calm. I just need to use the restroom." She stood up from the table. Before she could take a step, Haitani grabbed her wrist.

"Women's."

"What?"

"Use the women's restroom."

"Ah ha, I knew that." To be honest, Kei had completely forgotten about that. "On second thought, maybe I shouldn't." The thought of going into the women's restroom made him suddenly not want to go at all.

"You need to use it so go. Just remember to…sit down and you should be fine." Haitani smirked.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Don't worry. I'll cheer you on from here."

"Right…" Kei moved from her seat into the aisle, but her mind was too occupied that she didn't notice the waitress until it was too late. She fell back as she bumped into the waitress.

"Ah…ah…it hurts." The waitress was clutching her ankle. The hot teapot that she was held was lying on its side, its content spilled over the ground and employee's pants and shoes.

Haruka rushed over. "What happened?"

"It was an accident. I bumped into her and we fell down." Kei bowed low. "I'm so sorry!"

Haruka frowned as she inspected the waitress's ankle. "Call an ambulance. Now."

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Keitaro felt bad. Really bad. It was an accident so he allowed to leave soon afterwards, but that didn't put the event out of his mind. Even the chocolates that he had gotten from the girls later that night didn't ease up the feelings of guilt over putting that waitress in the hospital.

"Augh." Keitaro scratched harshly at his scalp. He couldn't sleep like this. Pushing himself up to his feet, he made his way to the doorway and left his room. The hallway outside was quiet and almost too dark to see through, but that suited him just fine. Brushing his hand along the walls, he felt his way through the darkness and down the stairs. It was very late, but he needed to do this.

He eventually made his way over the phone on the first floor and dialed in a number. Bringing the receiver up to his ear, he patiently waited as he heard the click of someone answering the phone.

"Hello?"

"Aunt Haruka?"

"Keitaro? Why are you calling so late? It's nearly midnight."

"Umm." Keitaro licked his dry lips. "I heard about what happened at the shop earlier today. Is she fine?"

There was a small pause before Haruka finally asked, "How do you know that?"

"Some—some people were talking about it near the inn."

"I see." There was another small pause. "She had some third degree burns on her legs and her ankle was broken."

Keitaro clutched the phone tighter. "Will she be alright?"

"It'll take at least a month to heal."

"What's going to happen to the shop?"

"She was my only employee, but since I'm paying for her medical bills, I can't afford to find a replacement. I will manage by myself."

"What if I help out?"

"You're busy with your job as the manager. The girls won't appreciate me taking you away."

"I'm sure they'll understand."

There was a slight pause. "Keitaro, you have been to my shop a few times. Have you ever noticed any female customers?"

Keitaro thought back, but he could only remember a few in all his visits. "Some."

"But not much. Most of my customers are male patrons so they won't appreciate a waiter. I know you're trying to help, but there is nothing you can do."

"What if I help out in the back?"

"Stop it, Keitaro." Haruka yawned. "Now, let me go back to sleep." A click could be hard on the other end of the line.

Keitaro stood there, holding the receiver up even though the only sound coming from it was the dial tone. Slowly, he placed the phone down. Even though there was nothing he could do as Keitaro, maybe there was something he could do as Keiko.

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"Please help me!" Keitaro said, bowing his head.

"I got it, I got it," Haitani said, rubbing the side of his head as he stood in the doorway to his apartment. "Just get in here already before you attract the neighbor's attention." He moved to the side to let Keitaro in.

Keitaro nodded his head gratefully and entered the apartment. The inside was actually a lot messier than he remembered it being with empty bags and crumbs littering the place. There were even piles of unwashed clothes slung here and there.

"What happened here?"

"Can you lower your voice?" Haitani rubbed his forehead. "Well, last night, I got drunk off of Shirai's paycheck and I got back here somehow. I don't remember much what happened here last night."

"I see." Keitaro slowly nodded his head. He could fill in the gaps, and it wasn't pretty.

"I don't know about Shirai, but I still have a hangover."

"So that's what you won from the bet?"

Haitani smirked. "That's just one of my winnings. Now what can I do for you?"

"Teach me how to put on make-up and crossdress."

"Huh?"

Keitaro's face burned with a heavy blush. "I want you to teach me how to dress up as a girl."

Haitani raised an eyebrow. "I thought you hated being a girl."

"There…there's a reason I have to!" Keitaro's eyes lit up with determination.

Haitani scratched his hair. "You know, what I said about a sex-change was just a joke…"

"That's not it!"

Haitani looked confused for a moment before a suspicious grin appeared. "You plan to peep on the girls at the dorm. Oh, what a wonderful manager you are!"

"That's not it either!"

"Then what?"

"I need to work as a…waitress."

"Huh? Ah, you're feeling guilty about your Aunt's tea shop? That's so like you. But what does this have to do with…" Comprehension lit up Haitani's eyes. "Oh. Oh! A waitress, not a waiter. I see it now." He placed his hand on his chin.

"See what?" Keitaro asked nervously.

Haitani put both of his hands on Keitaro's shoulders. "You're such a good nephew."

"Actually, I'm not really her nephew."

"Hm?"

"It's complicated." Keitaro took a deep breath as he slowly thought how to explain it. "She was originally my cousin, but when she got adopted by Grandma Hina after her parents died, she was relisted as his aunt."

"Ah huh. I suppose that makes sense. Sort of."

"Anyways, you understand my situation?"

"Not at all," Haitani said with a shrug, but when he saw Keitaro's shoulders sag, he continued. "But I'll help you out anyways. My head hurts, but I think you can follow instructions well. Oh wait, that didn't work out well last time."

"I will do better this time!"

"Agh. Alright, alright, just stop yelling. Ow, my head…"

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"No, no, no, no. This is all wrong." Snatching up the brush out of Keitaro's hand, Haitani waved it in front of the dorm manager's face. "This is just plain horrible."

"I tried…" Keitaro said, though his now clown-like face made the statement seemed ludicrous.

"Wash off your face and try again. Use the cleanser."

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"It's…it's done." The sunset shone through the windows, bathing the room in its orange glow. Haitani looked even more worn out than before, something that had seemed impossible before.

"I did it," Kei said, staring into the face of Keiko who stared back in the reflection. She had finally learned how to do it.

"Congratulations. However, one day is only enough to know how to apply make-up to yourself. Don't try to change the methods too much for now."

Kei touched the face of the reflection in the mirror. "I did it." The words came out slowly, but with them was a sense of accomplishment.

"You seem pretty happy for someone that hates this."

Kei furiously shook her head. "No, I'm not happy. At all," she said, even though there was a smile plastered on her face.

"Right…I believe you…" Haitani checked his watch. "It's getting pretty late."

Kei spun to face Haitani. "What time is it?"

"Almost seven."

Kei's face paled. "The store is going to close soon. I have to hurry!"

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It was a hard day at work. Haruka fumbled with the keys as she struggled through her exhaustion. She had only one worker for financial reasons, but that past decision was something that she was now regretting. However, the store was never really that popular to warrant more employees. She had thought about hiring a temporary worker, but it would take a while to find one. It seemed unnecessary at first, though now that she had gone through an entire workday by herself, she knew that she needed some help.

First thing tomorrow, she'll make an ad and put it up. Placing the key into the door knob, she turned it and locked the store. With that done, she took out a cigarette and lit it. However, her enjoyment was prematurely interrupted. Hearing rushing footsteps behind her and the sound of heavy breathing, she took out the cigarette from her lips and turned around to find that it was the girl from yesterday.

Kei was bent over and holding her knees as she tried to catch her breath. Haruka couldn't hold back the deepening of her frown. She placed the lit cigarette into her mouth and took a deep breath.

"The shop is closed."

"Please…"

"Hm?"

"Please let me work here!"