Keep on living dear

Chapter 4

Kou felt more than relieved that Tsuchigomori assured him but at the same time, an inch of guilt for not trusting Hanako's initial words. He shook it off anyway, from now on, he vowed to himself that he'd have faith in Hanako; for now, he'd just apologise to him in his head because he didn't want Hanako knowing he had gone to find out about his behaviour from someone other than Hanako himself.
This would be the last, little white lie. No more sneaking around.
But even so despite his relief, his chest still burned and his mind still felt unstable. Why? Something just wasn't right but he couldn't pinpoint it.
"Relax Kou."
He told himself. Today, he should try and have fun after all, it was the day of the comet sighting. Even if he wasn't feeling right, for senpai's sake, he should ignore the gut feeling and put on a mask even if it's temporary.
He takes a deep breath and adjusts his collar with confidence before walking into the old girl's bathroom -as expected, Yashiro was already there.

"Yo Senpai!"
He grins with that usual goofiness about him.

Yashiro:"You're here Kou kun!"

Hanako:"About time you came shounen, I have everything prepared already."
He smiles while messing around with some bags full to the brim.

"What's in those?
He points curiously.

Hanako:"Ah, well we can't have a sightseeing without snacks now can we? There's also a little camera here too for memory keepsake!"

Kou:"Right."
He responds meekly.

Hanako:"You okay?"
He says looking a slight bit concerned.

Kou:"I'm fine...uh I'm just wondering, it's 4 hours to 8pm isn't it? How are senpai and I supposed to stay here without getting caught?"

Hanako:"That's what you were worried about? Yashiro will you do us the honour of explaining?"

Yashiro:"Actually, no one patrols the old girls bathroom so if we stay here until everybody has left, they wouldn't have a clue. It's kinda rebellious isn't it? It's the first time I've done something like this."
She giggles.

Kou smiles at his amiable senpai. He enjoyed seeing her in a good mood. She seemed to be handling the situation way better than him. And so, his only concern should be keeping her like this-nothing else otherwise he felt like he'd regret paying heed to anything which would take up his mind other than her.

Kou:"Then, need help with setting up anything?"

...
Sakura combs her fingers through her short, green bob of hair, observing the large eyed boy mutter to himself all while making another "artistic piece" on the now brown-stained walls.

She sighs.
"Tsukasa."
Tsukasa:"What is it Sakura?"
He continues to stain the tinged wall.
Sakura:"You said "good things come to those who wait."
Tsukasa:"Uhuh."
Sakura:"But, what is the good thing that you'll obtain from this cruel plan of yours-is it revenge?"
She says dully.
Tsukasa takes his soiled hands down slowly but maintains his position, staring at the wall.
Tsukasa:"It's not particularly revenge."
Sakura:"Then-"
Tsukasa:"Sakura, lets say someone fell in love with someone else. Then they had children, but one day the children grew up and had to leave, wouldn't the parents want the best for them?"
Sakura:"Keep going."
Tsukasa:"So the parents watch how the children become more and more successful everyday and do their best to support and build them until they accomplish their dream: tell them that they're doing great! Or don't give up!"
Sakura:"Where are you going with this?"
She says impatiently. "Is that what you want?"
Tsukasa:"Exactly! Except it's the complete opposite of all of that."
Sakura:"You're hard to comprehend sometimes." She takes a sip of her tea but is jogged upon Tsukasa hugging her.
Sakura:"Must you do that right now?"
Tsukasa:"I'm just so excited and I can't contain it!"
Sakura:"I understand that you're excited but, must you use 'them'  for this cruel plan of yours? On top of that, involving that innocent kid is unnecessary."
Tsukasa:"But that's the thing, he's the perfect pawn. I can't do it without him actually. In fact, he's going to indirectly help us."
Sakura:"How are you sure that he'll give you the information you need?" She says taking another sip of tea.
Tsukasa:"Oh Sakura, it just takes a bit of manipulation and white lies."

...
Hanako:"Quick guys!" He floats ahead.
Yashiro:"It's a tad scary how silent and dark these hallways are at night."
Kou:"D-don't worry senpai, I'll protect you!"
He gulps holding her hand tightly.

Hanako turns around.
"Aren't you guys forgetting that I'M a ghost? So what is there that'd be scarier and more unknown than an apparition? Rest assured! I'm the honourable no.7! I'm not afraid of anything!"
He spins energetically.
Yashiro:"I almost forgot."
She sniggers.
Hanako:"Eh what's that supposed to mean?" He pouts.
Yashiro:"Nothing."
She holds in a laugh.
Hanako:"We're here!"
He exclaims upon reaching the doorway to the rooftops.
Kou:"But how are we going to open a locked door?"
Hanako straightens his posture proudly and brushes under his nose.
"Haku joudai! This is a command, fit through the gap and open the door from the other side!"
And just like that, they obey.
Kou:"You seriously had this planned out. That's indeed notable Hanako."
Hanako:"Praise me more!" He jokes.
"Now come on." He grabs Yashiro's hand with his right hand and Kou by his left and pulls them along out onto the rooftops of Kamome.

The sky is especially beautiful tonight; cool air making all three of them feel on top of the world.

"The comet sighting should happen anytime between 10 and 15 minutes later. So I'll set up."
He states while laying out a picnic blanket.
Kou:"Sh-Shall I guard the entrance just in case-"
Hanako:"Forget about that!"
He pulls them both next to him, causing them to lie back.
Yashiro:"Hanako kun?"
Hanako:"Just relax."
He says quietly, eyebrows creased just for a split second almost as if it never happened.

The trio lay silent for a while until Hanako breaks the silence once again.
Hanako sits up suddenly.
"Ne."
Kou:"What is it?"
Hanako:"Lets take a picture before the comet arrives!"
Yashiro:"Good idea!"
Hanako ruffles through the many bags they took along and pulls out a camera.
Kou:"Who will take the picture? I doubt even haku joudai could do that."
Hanako:"Yeah they probably couldn't, I'll just take one of you and Yashiro."
Yashiro:"Hanako kun that's unfair! Shouldn't we all take one together?"

Hanako chuckles.
"Again."

Yashiro:"Huh?"

Hanako:"You've forgotten again that I'm a ghost, I won't appear in it anyway."

Kou:"But..."

Hanako:"Okay move in a little closer. Ah not too close shounen."

Yashiro and Kou follow.

Hanako:"SE-NO!"

*Click

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Enjoy calm before the storm I guess

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