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

c h a p t e r 2 3

'You're the one thing I don't hate right now.'

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞.
⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅

The first month came and went faster than both Hanako and Yashiro expected. Perhaps it was due to their constant pre-occupation of writing each other letters, much to the dismay of Tsukasa, their messenger. It was nearing Halloween on both the world of the living and the far shore. The spirits of that world celebrated Halloween even more than the living, as the whole holiday was centred around their kind.

It was only a few days away.

Hanako stalked through the endless rows of stalls, shops of sorts. Spirits and wonders sold intricate items in exchange for other random tidbits, and Hanako had managed to pickpocket enough rich-looking spirits for his mission today.

He smiled to himself as he eyed the ornaments, jewellery, candy and even just random items such as buttons. It was always an excitement at the far shore whenever one of these events came up. Hanako's eyes drifted from item to item, stall to stall. There was all too many choices. He continued on his adventure, searching for just the right thing.

It wasn't long until he came across a stall selling what seemed to be bracelets. It caught his eye and he stopped in his tracks. A few humanoid spirits were gathered around the stall, chattering and pointing. Hanako stepped closer to get a better look. They were delicate, beautiful and dainty with designs of roses, some skulls, leaves, you name it. They were made of what seemed to be a shiny metal, and some had colourful ceramic flowers attached.

One bracelet caught the boy's eye. It was small, but that con was overpowered by its beauty. It was silver, a bracelet made with tiny links of chain, a skull in the middle with dusty blue roses on either side, each holding what seemed to be a diamond-like jewel in its centre. The clasp was decorated with a simple but dainty arrow that fit through the hole and latched the bracelet shut.

Hanako thought for a moment. If this didn't scream 'Yashiro' he didn't know what did.

He snatched the bracelet up, holding it gently in his palm. He didn't dare tear his eyes away from it as he reached into his pocket and pulled out everything he had in it. He placed every valuable item onto the stall near the seller and turned on his heel to walk off. No doubt it was enough to pay for the bracelet. Hanako may have to go without the luxury of a donut for a couple of days without his earnings, but it was all worth it for this bracelet.

〜♡〜

Yashiro tied the orange bow on the small white box, before patting it and handing it to Tsukasa with a wide smile on her face.

"And don't eat it!"
"I won't!" Tsukasa giggled.

Inside the small white box was a donut. It had orange icing and was made to look like a pumpkin. Yashiro had found it at her local bakery and her eyes immediately lit up as she saw it, it was perfect for Hanako. Honestly, whenever she saw any donut she thought of him. Actually, she was always thinking about him. Yashiro shook her head but didn't let her feelings get her down.

"See you later, Nene!"
"Bye Tsukasa."

The two bid farewell as Tsukasa retreated once again to the far shore, ready to deliver another present to his brother from the lovesick girl. Tsukasa shivered at the two, it was too romantic for him and he found himself wishing that he never granted Hanako his wish in the first place.

〜♡〜

To Yashiro,
Look what I found at the stalls today! It's a bracelet for you. Hopefully this gift of jewellery doesn't give you too many flashbacks to your previous boyfriend and that stupid half-heart necklace. I guess this just reminded me of you. We have less than two months left of this. I cant wait to see you! Anyway, tell Tsuchigomori to stop confiscating the candy from the Mokke, a couple of them have visited me and been really mad, as if I could actually do anything. And besides, Mokke don't even have teeth. So I don't understand why Tsuchigomori is scared for their dental health. Weird old man. Don't tell him I said that last bit.
From, Hanako.

Yashiro held the small bracelet in her hand as her eyes scanned the paper, reading every word as if Hanako was there saying it to her. She was in her bedroom, the opportunity to open the gift only arising when Kou had finally stopped pestering her after school. She put the paper down on her bed next to her and held the bracelet out in front of her.

It really was beautiful. She loved it.

Yashiro could feel her emotions get the better of her though, staring at the bracelet. She pulled it close to her chest and dropped her head, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

It was such a beautiful present, and she was more than happy with it. It was just a shame that the person who gifted it to her wasn't there with her, by her side. He was ages away, banished to a whole other world entirely. Sure, the first month had gone by in a flash, but two months still felt like forever to Yashiro. She wept, holding the bracelet tight, holding it as if it was the last thing in the world.

Her and Hanako were truly connected.

Tears left streaks down her pink cheeks, not stopping. Though, Yashiro made no attempt to conceal her emotions again. The pile of letters was stacking up on the floor next to Yashiro's bed, each one adorned with the messy scrawl of the only boy she'd ever loved. She let out choked sobs and curled her knees into her chest, wishing for that distant feeling of Hanako's arms around her. The feeling was so old but so routine, and she knew that by the end of these three months she might have completely forgotten Hanako's touch.

The only ones left to console Yashiro now were Aoi, who had no clue about the situation at hand, Kou, who was quite protective and often a nuisance, Akane, who only had eyes for Aoi and wouldn't dare hug another girl, and oddly enough, Tsukasa.

Despite how annoying and distasteful Hanako's brother was, he didn't lack empathy. In fact, he had grown quite sympathetic for Yashiro. His brother Hanako was still hesitant to let Tsukasa close, but Yashiro had opened up a surprising amount and was open to Tsukasa's attempts to calm her on the days she felt down.

Tsukasa never told Hanako about his growing friendship with Yashiro. If he did, no doubt it wouldn't end well. Some things can't be hidden forever, though.

〜♡〜

(W/C: 1147) short again, sorry. Closer to Christmas... I actually have something planned for that. Please be patient, I know updates are slow rn! -M <3