Keep on living dear

Chapter 1

The air was cold. Not only because of the weather but because of the aura. Kou gritted his teeth while clenching onto his family heirloom. Yashiro clang onto her left arm, picking at the skin. Her face may as well be called expressionless. And well, the honourable no.7 only fiddled with his hat, smiling as if he wasn't aware of the situation or awkwardness.

Yashiro curled her toes and squeezed her arm tighter, trying to muster up courage to speak. She pulled her dried lips apart, and attempted to form a sentence.

Yashiro:"Hana-"

Kou:"Hanako." He interrupts.

Yashiro sinks her head back into her shoulders and continues to pick at her skin again.

Hanako:"Hmm?" He hums while pretending to fix something on his hat.

Kou:"Why would you hide something like this for so long?" He whispers through this gritted teeth.

Hanako:"Well... who wants to know that they're going to die? Wouldn't that make them live on the thought, stopping them from enjoying the little time they have left?"
He says nonchalantly.

Rage. So much rage. Footsteps nearing before a large hand grips the apparition by the collar with no care.

Yashiro:"Kou kun!?"
She takes a step forwards.

Kou:"STAY BACK!"
His tone was like nothing Yashiro had ever heard before. It was deafening, frightening and warned her that he was with no doubt serious.

Her knees buckled and her arms dropped to the side.
Kou:"HOW COULD YOU!?"
Hanako smirks.
"What? What is it huh? You're just a kid so you don't understand anything and even if you did, you can't do anything about it."

Kou:"Tch. Why you little!"
Hanako remains not phased even when the rough knuckles get closer to bestow a blow.

Yashiro:"DON'T KOU KUN!"
She holds onto his free arm. Hiccups of cries escaping her vocal chords. Tears soaking his school shirt, her head jerking with pent up emotions.

Kou:"But senpai-"

Yashiro blurts out a series of incomprehensible words, showered with her cries. It made Kou soften though.
He trails his eyes back to the apparition before pulling him close and throwing him backwards, again with no care.

Kou:"I'm leaving." He lowers his head, picks up his heirloom and storms out.
Yashiro continues to bawl, standing in the middle of the room looking helpless, wiping the tears away even though they're unremitting.

Hanako lifts himself up and puts his hat on, adjusting it on his head.
"Don't cry Yashiro." He walks over and embraces her.

Yashiro:"Why? Why would you do that?"

Hanako:"I'm sorry...I know you're scared."

Yashiro:"That's not it!" She pulls away irritatedly.

Hanako:"I'm sorry?"

Yashiro:"You and Kou are supposed to be friends and now you're mad at eachother!"

Hanako:"Yashiro I-"

Yashiro:"I just want you guys to act as normal!" She shouts passionately, squinting her eyes.

Hanako:"B-but Yashiro, you're going to die."
There's no other way to put it. There's no point sugarcoating it.

Yashiro:"I don't care!"

Hanako:"But you won't be able to graduate."

Yashiro:"It doesn't matter!"

Hanako:"You won't be able to grow up o-or get married or experience life."

Yashiro:"I told you it doesn't matter!"

Hanako:"But-"

Yashiro:"Please...can't we just carry on as normal?" She sniffs-eyes shaking with hope.

Hanako hesitantly reaches out to pat her head before trailing his hands to her wet cheeks.
"I got it."

Yashiro relaxes her shoulders.
Hanako begins wiping the tears away.
"So please don't cry. I'll apologise to the shounen tomorrow."

Yashiro:"Promise?"

Hanako:"Promise."

Short chapter to start with but things will progress. Be prepared for angst and feels etc if you're interested ;)