𝕂𝕦𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕒𝕜𝕖-𝕆𝕟𝕟𝕒: 𝕛𝕙𝕤𝕜

二十六

『ᴇɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴏʀᴄɪꜱᴍ: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 26』

Hanako gripped onto your unconscious body as the two siblings argued with each other. He carefully stroked your hair gently as he breathed quietly, feeling your body doing the same as both of your breaths were in sync. Hanako wasn't going to lie: Minamoto Teru was a really scary person, and seeing you endure so much for him made him feel a sense of guilt and regret. He has come to the realization that there were many ways to tick you off. He won't forget the change in personality you had earlier, in fact, it was still haunting him even after the fight. Something about you changed and he doesn't know if it was good or bad.

Hanako brushed through your tangled locks as he witnessed Kou fight off Teru. The two were discussing whether or not to let you and Hanako go, but it seemed as if the decision was rather straightforward- Kou would be looking after you two from now on. The feeling of uneasiness does not leave Hanako's heart as he watched Teru walk away. His clothes were full of various stains, some were just dirt while the rest were blood, specifically yours.

It pained his heart to see the dark liquid spread across your body like a plague.

Hanako could feel the tips and sides of his fingers soak in blood as he caressed your body and hair. He frowned at the amount that was still coming out of you, it would be another day in the infirmary for you and another day of guilt. He hopes that this injury doesn't take too long to recover, No.2's boundary only took around a couple of hours but since it was Teru doing most of the internal damages, he fears that it might take a lot longer. He sighed as he saw Kou walk towards them.

"As if today, I'm keeping an eye on you two." He pushed down Hanako's cap while he let out a sound of protest, "I talked the big talk to Teru-nii. . . But you shouldn't know that I still don't trust you one bit!"

Hanako gently caressed the skin where the cap was pressed against as Kou continued talking, "if I catch you pulling even the tinniest of shenanigans, I'm gonna exorcise you on the spot! So keep that in mind!" The black-haired ghost could see glimmering sparkles shine around the optimistic middle schooler. It seemed if he really did want to protect him. . .

He tightened his grip around you further, looking away from Kou and staring at the floor. The middle schooler noticed the chance in atmosphere between them, "are. . . Are you still crying?" he asked.

Hanako smiled, "I'll be looking forward to it. . . Is what I'd like to say." Kou looked at him in shock. "But you've got a long way to go before you can exorcise me. . . If you're falling for a little trick like this." Hanako held up a bottle of fake tears, showing Kou that the entire scene he made was merely a joke.

"A-Are those fake tears?!"

"Yep! Let's hurry and bring Jiyuu to the infirmary kid, she's bleeding a lot!"

"Of course it's hopeless. . . " Yashiro sighed as she dropped the book in her hands and picked up another one, "I thought I might be able to find out something about Jiyuu-chan and Hanako-kun from some books. But it's all the same stuff I read in grade school. I guess it's not going to be that easy."

Yashiro stared at the huge pile of books that laid beside her. They were stacked so high it was difficult to even see the very top titles. Many of the books were either about urban legends or school stories that were only filled with nonsensical information. She felt disappointed at the number of books she had read with no ties towards you and Hanako. Perhaps the rumors that went around the school altered your appearance and personality greatly? Yashiro thought and doubted this suspicion because it was clear that you and Hanako had some sort of past that lead up to who you are today.

She flipped another page and read again, 'and as expected, there aren't any stories anywhere about a little girl Kuchisake-onna or a boy Hanako-san. It really is weird. . . Why are they the only ones?'

Yashiro jolted as she accidentally pushed the stack of books onto the ground, the loud bang echoing in the silent library. As Yashiro started to pick up some of the books, another hand poked her shoulder and offered her the last story.

"Thank you-"

The radish-haired girl noticed how gorgeous the other student was as she tucked a strand of green hair behind her ear. She had short hair with two small braids from opposite sides of her head, with two longer patches of hair flowing down like water on her chest. ". . . Very much." Yashiro looked flabbergasted at the sight of the girl.

"So you're interested in the Seven Mysteries?" The mysterious girl asked.

Your unconscious body was left within one of the empty beds of the infirmary. Your clothes were once again torn, but it seemed as if it was easily repairable as it was simple tears across the arms and chest. The blanket swept over your shoulders as you laid quiet on the bed, the sounds of birds chirping on nearby windows and the wind blowing against the curtains. While Hanako and Kou went to the bathroom to wash up and wait for Yashiro, it seemed as if another figure was approaching the side of your bed. He knew that he wasn't supposed to be here, but curiosity obstructed his plans.

His blue eyes staring down at you sleeping peacefully. As much as he hated supernaturals from the bottom of his heart, it was painfully obvious that your efforts of protecting Hanako were not in vain. It wasn't every day where you see a spirit protecting someone other than yourself. He may not forgive the actions you've made in the past, but he was able to see you in a different light.

It was very positive.

He doesn't know if you knew about the impact you had on other people, specifically Kou. Stories of you being able to protect him and the others ringing in his ear. He felt rather thankful for doing such good deeds, despite being a murderous spirit. You're protective and so was he, there might be something more to you than he originally thought. Perhaps you shared more traits with him, peaking his interests greatly.

However. . . His instincts are still crying out to him, telling him that there is something else malicious that was within you.

He brushed away various strands of hair from your face, showing your clear, (s/c) skin under the shining sun.