・↷ 𝙟𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙮, 𝙟𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙮. . . ₊ ˚.⁀➷ (hananene)

c h a p t e r 1 7

'I don't think I knew what love was until I met you.'

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧.
⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅

Tsuchigomori was tasked with looking after Yashiro.

Tsukasa had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, but nevertheless he was expected. Hanako didn't like confrontation with his brother, and he didn't like crossing his path, either. But for Yashiro's sake, he had to get him off his back. For now.

"You know, you could do way better than her, her ankles are so fat!" Tsukasa joked.

Hanako clenched his jaw but didn't say a word. Conflict would only make the situation worse. The two were walking down the hallway, off to who knows where. Hanako was just glad to get him away from Yashiro for the time being.

"She seems stupid too, from my past encounters with her..."

Tsukasa sighed. It was clear to Hanako that he was only insulting Yashiro to get a reaction out of him.

"Oh well, if that's your type then that's your type. I hope I'm invited to the wedding!"
"Shut up."

Tsukasa grinned as Hanako silently swore at himself for giving a reaction.

"Oh? Relationship troubles? You don't want to marry her?"
"No I- no, we have only been dating for a week, just- shut up about marriage and stuff." He hissed. Tsukasa stopped in his tracks. Hanako turned around, a couple steps ahead.

"A week?" His face was riddled with utter shock.
"You've been dating for a week, and you never thought to tell me?"

Hanako didn't know what to say in response to that. Did that aggravate him? Even though he was Hanako's twin, Tsukasa's emotions were sometimes rather difficult to read.

"I guess you just really hate me, huh..." Tsukasa lowered his head and sulked.

Hanako almost felt guilty. Almost. He didn't say anything. This was just Tsukasa's sick way of manipulating Hanako's emotions. And he was used to it by now.

"Oh well!" Tsukasa's demeanour completely changed from sorrow back to his cheery- oddly cheery- self. Hanako wasn't surprised. He sighed.

"You know, your relationship will never work."
"I already know that."
"I could change that."

Hanako's head snapped up to look at the other boy.

"I grant wishes for the dead. And what are you?"
Hanako stayed silent. He was sceptical, but could this really make his relationship with Yashiro work? Tsukasa smiled his eerily cheery smile.

"Exactly. You're dead. I could always grant you a wish. At a cost, of course."
"I don't want your stupid wishes."

Hanako turned on his heel and started walking down the corridor.

"What-?" Tsukasa hurried to catch up with him.

"Come on, I could grant you anything! You could spend eternity with her! Would that be just great?"

Hanako knew he wanted to spend forever with Yashiro, but he also knew not to be swayed by Tsukasa's manipulative words. There would be a cost. No doubt a heavy one.

"I just want you to stay away from her, okay?" Hanako snapped. Tsukasa looked shocked.

"Is that your wish? If so, you have a price to pay."
"No it's not a wish! You just need to stay away from her and not cause any trouble!"
"Sounds like a wish to me..." Tsukasa stroked his chin as if he was thinking.

Hanako stopped and turned to face his brother.

"If you don't just- stay away, then I'll force you to!"
"Oh? Threatening me?"
"Cant you just leave me alone for once?"
"Amane, you know I love you-"
"Don't call me that." He spoke through gritted teeth.

"You're my brother after all, you can't expect me to just up and leave you!"
"Yes you can!"
"I don't want to though!" Tsukasa whined.

Hanako dropped his head into his hands, his hat almost falling off his head as he did so.

Tsukasa was a pain, and Hanako hated him for it.

〜♡〜

Yashiro bit her nails, anxious for class to end. She stared at the clock, mindlessly ticking on the wall. Only a few more minutes until lunch break.

Hanako had been gone for quite a while now, and ever since he left, Tsuchigomori, her teacher at the time, had been eyeing the door. Yashiro assumed he knew that Tsukasa had been there. She sighed and stared out of the window beside her. Everything was so normal, trees swayed in the wind, their brown leaves flaking off and fluttering to the floor. Just like every year.

It was incredible how much Yashiro's life had changed due to a school ghost. The world around her had stayed the exact same, but inside, her life had taken such a drastic turn. Not a bad one, at least.

She wondered how Hanako was doing. He had left with Tsukasa, and Yashiro knew the two weren't on the best terms.

The bell rang, jolting Yashiro out of her trance. She sat upright and grabbed her bag as quickly as she could, and stood up, rushing to leave the classroom.

"Hey, Nene, I thought you said we would eat lunch in here today!"
"Not right now Aoi, I'll be right back!"

Aoi stared at her friend blankly. Maybe Itsuki had left such an impact on her that she had somehow developed schizophrenia. Aoi shook her head. No, Yashiro was just weird.

〜♡〜

Yashiro shoved open the door to the bathroom, desperate to see Hanako. A million thoughts rushed through her mind. Was he ok? Did Tsukasa hurt him? Is he even here?

Her heart rate slowed down, her breathing regulating, as she saw him, sitting on the windowsill, staring out into the courtyard below.

Hanako turned his head to meet the frantic face of Yashiro. His face melted into concern and confusion, and immediately hopped off the windowsill and stepped over to Yashiro.

She sighed and stepped into his arms, holding him as tight as she could.

"Hey, hey, are you okay?" He asked.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes- why?"
"Okay."

Yashiro went silent, holding onto Hanako. He stared ahead at the door behind her, confusion turning into calm. He smiled gently and held her back.

"You don't need to worry about Tsukasa, ok?"
Yashiro hummed in response.

"I know you don't like him." She whispered.
"Yeah well, it's okay."

Hanako twirled a piece of Yashiro's hair in between his fingers, grateful to have her here with him.

"If you see him around, let me know."
"I will."

Yashiro pulled back with a smile, Hanako's arms still lingering on her waist.

"I said I'd have lunch in the classroom with Aoi today. I have to go."
"Mm. Okay."

It was a brief encounter, but Yashiro felt satisfied that Hanako really was okay, and that's all the mattered to her. She opened the door, her hand becoming connected to Hanako's. She smiled before he let it go, watching her wave discreetly as she retreated down the hall. As always, a sweet smile and a rosy tint was plastered on his face.

He turned to go back into the bathroom, until he saw him, again. Waving at him and grinning from down the hall. It startled Hanako. Tsukasa giggled and made hearts with his hands, almost mocking Yashiro and Hanako. Hanako shot him an angry glare and shut the door to the bathroom, leaning against it with his back.

Tsukasa would get tired of this soon enough, right?

〜♡〜

(W/C: 1214) ugh, I feel like these chapters are too short. Anyway, here's your chapter! Im sorry I haven't been updating my other books as regularly, my mental state isn't 100% right now, but it's okay. I'll try and update them soon. Thanks for reading. -M <3