𝐌𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧

2 - Astronauts in My House

"Cursed child, you've had yours! Stop being a pain in the butt, we're guests here!" Akane pushed Hanako's face away.

"Tsuchigomori told me I should strive for what I want. I'm not giving up on that donut!" Hanako held out his arms, trying to snatch the donut from Akane.

"You got it wrong, dumbface!"
Nene giggled. It's been quite a while since she had company. Yes, she texted Aoi everyday, but she couldn't help this joyous feeling. Afterall, making friends wasn't her forte.

Hanako turned to look at Nene. He smiled, making the young lady flustered.

"Yashiro, I've been wondering...why are you living here alone?" he asked.

"Stop asking her that," Akane punched him lightly.

"Heh. It's nothing personal, Akane-kun. You see, I'm a novelist. I came here to collect some peace so that I can write my novel. I asked my manager to send me 'somewhere peaceful', but I didn't expect that she'll send me to a deserted...village." Nene giggled.

"Your manager is weird," Hanako said.

"Well then, Yashiro-san, I believe that it's time for us to rest. We'll try our best to leave as soon as possible so we won't disturb your work. Now, you brat, let's go."

Akane dragged the whining Hanako, who wanted to linger around Nene and bombard her with a bunch of questions.

Nene waved, although she did not expect them to wave back, since they have climbed up the stairs. She sat down on her peculiarly comfortable couch. She closed her eyes.

She was piling her head up with thoughts regarding the recent incident. How could those two miss their original landing spot? If they were entrusted on a spacecraft alone, surely they were quite skilled? Hanako did say that it was an emergency landing, but Akane was the technician. And that man, Aoi Akane...his name was suspiciously similar to her best friend, Akane Aoi.

Ugh...

Why should they appear now? Nene needed to finish her manuscript. Well, not that she has even started yet. She shifted to a sleeping position, adding up more and more questions in her head, until she was drifted to sleep.

It felt like seconds, but an hour or so has definitely passed. Nene could feel a cool wind, as if someone was walking by. She kept her eyes shut.

"Who's that?" she whispered.
She could feel the figure passing by the back of the couch. It seemed to be heading towards the front door. She heard a click and knew that someone was trying to leave the house. As soon as she heard the second click, Nene rose from the couch and tiptoed her way to the front door. Next to the door was a window, where she tried to see who left the house, but the black view made her unable to.

Gathering up her courage, she slowly turned the door knob, as if it wouldn't make a sound, but it did anyway. She opened the door, and just as expected, it was pitch black. She navigated the room with her hands, and grabbed a flashlight. She needed to find either Akane or Hanako, whichever sneaked out this late.

Nene held up her phone and started walking cautiously. He must've gone to the spacecraft, right? Besides, that's the only place they're familiar with. She ran slightly, her steps as light as a feather. Once she reached the dark forest, she made the flashlight a little bit dimmer by covering it with her hands, so that she won't get caught, although it's supposed to be the other way around.

And she was right, a man seemed to be spotted by the spacecraft. Ah, she recognized those golden eyes. In this dark and cold night, his eyes still shined bright. It didn't require a long time before both noticed that the other noticed them(if that makes sense lol).

"Yashiro? What are you...?" Hanako jumped a bit.

"I really think I'm the one who should be asking. I know we're both aware of how late it is." Nene crossed her arms, trying to act cool.

"I know we're both aware of how cold it is. Go back inside, Yashiro. I just have to do something," Hanako sighed.

"No! I'll stay if you stay." She insisted. Truth was, she wad scared to go back. She gathered up all of her courage just to follow Hanako.

"Well, aren't you just in love with me," he teased.

A moment.

"Hanako-kun, is it alright if I call you that?" She tried to bring up a conversation. He seemed a little red.

"Sure."

"What are you doing right now?"

"Just here to collect some things, really." He said, pulling out a kitchen knife.

"Woah, be careful with that! Why on earth would you bring a knife on a rocket?"

He chuckled.

"It just gets boring in there sometimes."

"Ah, Hanako-kun, you mentioned someone called Tsuchigami? Tsugomi?"

"Tsuchigomori-sensei. But we like to call him Spider-sensei because he loves insects..."

"We? You mean, Akane-kun and yourself?"

"Oh, not just us two. I was referring to the whole A. S. S."

A dead silence.