𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗘 ; ʜᴀɴᴀɴᴇɴᴇ ✓

3. 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨

NUMBER THREE:

—

When you'd take a look at Hanako, the first thing you'd always notice are his eyes, shining, shimmering, splendid — and it's not just because of proper manners to maintain eye contact, his eyes are ironically eye-catching, like pinpricks in the dark.

Yashiro knew that those irises shaped in a crescent moon are colored amber, but she prefers to call it gold. Call it poetic reasons but Yashiro's real reason is that gold fits him more. It's like treasure you've dug out after scratching through dirt slowly, nails filled with bruises and mud, arms limp, legs dirtied, but it's all worth it in the end when you find what you've needed — once you learn more about Hanako, you just can't help but fall deep. And Yashiro's speaking from experience.

When she first met him, his whole self was pale, he was tired, and lonely. Then when he and Yashiro became closer, he became happier, livelier, and his eyes definitely got brighter. The radish-legged girl just can't help but adore those pair of golden eyes.

There are times when he is hard to read: he's not telling what's bothering him, he is distant, and quiet, but you'll find those hidden emotions in his eyes — it's always in his eyes. Hanako had a habit of avoiding eye contact when he's feeling sad, which helps Yashiro a lot so that she can comfort him immediately because he needs it.

There also are times when his emotions are crystal clear, he isn't afraid to show that he's happy, he's amused, he's angry. When he's feeling mischievous, he'll wear that stupid Cheshire Cat grin, and then his eyes would have a glint that would mean he's up to no good. Yashiro pretends she hates it when he does that, but she's just trying to hide the fact that her cheeks were scorching hotter and brighter than the sun.

One of the things Yashiro loves about his eyes — and this might come to a surprise — is when it goes soft. Like the time Yashiro held his hand in his, placed it close to where her heart is, and wished with pleading eyes, Hanako smiled and there was fondness in his eyes that made Yashiro's head spin and her heart to do summersaults in her chest. It made her feel things she didn't even know Hanako could pull out of her.

Hanako always had a passion for the moon, as Yashiro have noticed and gathered from the time she had a glimpse of his past. He loves astronomy, then and now. But he didn't want to dive in too far with his passion, because he promised he's not going anywhere. Yashiro had always thought his eyes were like the moon.

In the sea of the midnight skies, sprinkled with dots of stars, there's the golden moon, shining brighter than the rest, in all of its radiant glory. Hanako's eyes reminded her of that. Just one glance at his orbs and you'll be set in a free trip to the lovely world of space.

But she was stupid to think of that, because Hanako's eyes are way prettier than the moon itself!

Because the owner of those eyes is a boy who's been scarred from his past, and swore to himself and the Gods above he'd atone for his sins — he's the boy who has the purest heart even if he didn't believe it (and he's a pervert so maybe it really is hard to believe), he's the boy who would always come to her rescue, the boy who always protected his friends from danger. Those eyes have shown a lot of pain, sadness, but the most important is happiness.

So the third in the list of things she loves about Hanako: are his golden eyes, because it's beautiful. It's a masterpiece.

—

Yashiro had planned to visit Hanako to figure more about what else she loves about him with a smile on her face. She walked over to the all-too familiar bathroom with a slight skip in her steps, hair flowing behind her as she hummed a tune.

"Are you sure, boy?"

Yashiro stopped right beside the door, and hid away. That was definitely Hanako's voice. She tried to calm her breathing, but her heart was beating too loud it's a mystery why he doesn't hear it at all, because it's ringing in her ears.

"I'm more than sure!" A voice all but screamed, almost frustrated. That was definitely Kou. "Hanako, don't you think it's time, anyway? You've been keeping this for too long, it's only a matter of time before senpai realizes you're acting weird."

Me? Yashiro echoed in the back of her mind, blinking in confusion. She did actually think he was acting weird — he's getting fidgety, and would always look away when Yashiro catches him staring at her. Maybe something was bothering him? Well, if that's the case, then Yashiro will try to inconspicuously ask him later.

She walked away a bit, before skipping towards the door again, making sure her steps were loud and clear so that they won't think Yashiro heard what they were saying. She made a dramatic act of animatedly knocking before opening the door, and sure enough, Hanako and Kou was standing there, eyes wide.

"Senpai!" Kou yelped. "Oh, you must've came late!" Yashiro pretended to tilt her head curiously and frown, making Kou sputter. "Alright, senpai! I'll just leave you two alone, yeah?"

"Kou-kun—"

Kou ran past Yashiro, waving his arms after shouting his goodbye. What a weird guy. Yashiro turned back to Hanako, who still had wide eyes, but there was a new detail Yashiro noticed: Hanako was red in the face when they made eye contact.

"Hello!" Yashiro smiled, almost reaching her ears.

Hanako relaxed and returned the smile, eyes soft the way Yashiro liked it. He blew out a sigh. "Hey, Yashiro."