MENTAL Deterioration. [Yandere! Hanako-kun X Reader]

Apparition 19: Deliverance

"Kou..?"

"K-Kou??"

"How much further are we going to walk like this..?" The both of you made strides along the sidewalk, Kou unresponsive and holding onto your wrist tightly while ensuring that you were following him.

You didn't know what's gotten into him... It was a surprising shift in his character. As the walking-- as well as silence-- seemed to go on forever, he slowed down before coming to a halt, refusing to turn around for the time being.

Where you two were located was on a grassy hill, with a local riverbank glistening from the evening's warm and vibrant reflection. You didn't have the time to evaluate your surroundings, since your concern outweighed your curiosity.

Finally, the boy started to turn around, his fists clenched and his eyes pinching closed. What accompanied this was his very dark shade of red that spread across his cheeks, and once his blue hues revealed themselves they instinctively avoided meeting yours.

"Stop confusing me!"

He caused a profuse amount of sweat from you. "H-Huh--"

Expectantly, he interrupted your sentence and slowly patted the heart of his uniform, signalling something. Someone so open-minded was being awfully vague.

"You.. You're confusing me... here.." For some reason, his words had yet to be processed by your conscious.. but once you soaked up his words, he continued furthermore. "Lately.. I've been getting false hope from you... Most of the time, you make me feel like I actually deserve you.."

He looked down, "I wanted to push these feelings away the best I could, but--.. When people like toilet-breath and Natsuhiko talk to you so flirtatiously... i-it ... makes me feel like I need to do something!"

Suddenly, you were calmed by the breeze kissing your skin. Your [H/C] hair guided by the wind, along with your uniform, the whistling breeze hushed the atmosphere for a second. "..You can call me selfish for telling that guy earlier that you have a boyfriend... I just couldn't help it.."

He then caressed the nape of his neck, his shy and ashamed eyes giving you a little peer. "I'm sorry... I know you must've been really confused, but I couldn't lie to you and tell you that I wasn't jealous..." Kou was too afraid of rejection to outright tell you how he felt, but to you-- it was as clear as day.

Excitement was getting the best of you, to the point you were prone to just throwing yourself at him. You never knew it until now; how badly you awaited this situation. Though, with your happiness.. came a powerful realization--

Teru.

You remembered his insistent behavior. He didn't want you to meddle between Kou and his dreams to become a exorcist.. Had he fixated on a relationship, the profession he admired would be crushed.

Worry developed in Kou's stomach once you looked down at your shoes. It voiced how hesitant you were. Perhaps it really was for the best to gulp down your feelings.

Reluctantly, you parted your lips, however only a stutter managed to leave you. "..I..." Your heart was already being torn apart by sadness, in spite of the fact that you hadn't uttered anything else yet.

"..I-I'm flattered, Kou.." The more you tried to prevent your tone from trembling, the worse it got for you. You clutched your uniform to keep your mind from falling apart. "But Teru had told me... not to fall in love with you for your sake..."

If you looked up at him, you were certain that you'd break down into a mess. Your sockets tried to contain your tears, yet even with your effort it still managed to slip down your face.