Keep on living dear

Chapter 5

The next Monday, the air was mild and light making the students wearier than usual. Yashiro was on the brink of sleep in class, her eyes struggling to keep open. At some point she succumbed to her tiredness and let them close but opened them again in response to someone or something poking her cheek again and again ever so gently.
As her vision came in to focus, she spotted the ghost sitting on the sill of the window which in an instant woke her up properly.
Stopping herself from talking aloud, she quickly skims through her book for an empty page and discreetly writes in an attempt not to catch sensei's attention.

Why are you here Hanako kun?

Hanako:"I wanted to see you!" He stretches his arms out.

But you would have seen me after school! I could get in trouble if sensei sees that I'm not listening.

Hanako:"It's true that you could get in trouble but, you're wrong about the other thing."

Yashiro looks at him questioningly.

What do you mean?

Hanako yawns.
"I'm going to go see Tsuchigomori sensei later and I think maybe you could have a break today. So I came to tell you that you could go home and to tell the shounen too.

Yashiro raises one brow and begins to write again:
But

Hanako:"I've gotta go! Bye Bye Yashiro!"

Yashiro lets him leave since , of course, she can't call out for someone invisible in the middle of class like a madman. Akane glances over to her but realising she is aware of his stare, glues his eyes back to the front of the classroom where sensei is teaching.
Should she ask Akane what was up? Was he mad at her? Or Hanako kun? She couldn't read him.
...
Meanwhile, Hanako made his way to Tsuchigomori observing how beautiful it was outside while doing so until he felt himself bump into a hard chest.
"Ouch."he rubs his head and raises his head to meet the gaze of the person he stumbled upon.
"S-sorry."
He says hastily once he recognises the boy who has a similar appearance to Kou but is only built larger.
Hanako shakes his head and attempts to go on his way but is halted when the boy pulls him back by his arm.
Hanako:"A-Ano I really have to go now, I don't have time for hassles so can you-"
Teru:"Wait up. I need to talk to you."
Hanako:"But I-"
Seeing that Teru wasn't taking any objections or excuses, Hanako went silent and eventually let himself be dragged along. If he had to fight he had to fight.

The two reach the rooftops of the school ,where it's quiet, but Teru doesn't release his grip.
Hanako:"Uhhh."
Teru:"You're lucky I'm not out to exorcist you today." He says out of the blue.
Hanako:"Then-"
He tries halfheartedly to shake of Teru's grip with a nervous smile.
Teru:"Kou seems to really look out for Yashiro san huh?"
Hanako:...
Teru:"Lets get this straight."
He lets go of Hanako.
Teru:"I don't trust you."
Hanako frowns.
Teru:" I can tell that you're a blatant liar. Is it compulsive?"
Hanako:"Why do you assume that?" He smiles.

Teru:"Kou:I can tell he's troubled and usually It's easier to tell at the mention of you. His faith in you is too high. Why would it be when you've been reticent? If you two were that close, I feel like Kou would know what you were-"
Hanako:"Then, what makes you think he doesn't know?"
Teru:"I saw you talking to Yashiro san and your body language said everything. You didn't even wait to see anything else she was going to say."
Hanako:"So?"
Teru:"So the thought came to me, if you could act like that to her, you probably do the same to Kou or anybody else for that matter."
Hanako:"That's quite impressive."
Teru scowls.
"But even now, you're lying."

Hanako:"Eh how? What am I lying about?"

Teru:"Tch, I'm not going to spell it out for you, you filthy apparition when you clearly already know.
All I could say is everything about you right this moment is fake-the fakest thing I've ever seen in my life. In fact, I don't know how Yashiro san and Kou haven't noticed. I'll admit that it's scary how you're able to do it so easily- I almost believed you; you've done this before haven't you?"

Hanako:"I don't understand."

Teru:"How do you do it? What are your motives?"

Hanako shakes his head slowly with a perplexity.

"I'm sorry kid but I really don't know what you're talking about. Can you explain?"

Teru:"Even now, your acting is very realistic. You're able to compose yourself despite being put on the spot when others may have broken down as soon as they were called out."

Hanako:"Look kid, you'll have to tell me what you're talking about for me to understand. This conversation won't work if we aren't on the same track."

Teru:"Fine. If you wish to be Jekyll, I won't force the truth out of you. At least for now but I don't know how long you could keep that up."

Teru turns around.

"Just to let you know, the only reason I haven't exorcised you is because I have information that I may need-I haven't given up. But as soon as it's done, I'll have you die a second time and this time, I'll ensure you never come back."
He begins to walk away.

Hanako sighs.

"Now before I was interrupted, I'm pretty sure I was heading to Tsuchigomori sensei. Let's go Haku joudai."
...
Oh, you're here to annoy me again huh?
* **** ******* ** **** **
It can't be helped I guess.
** ******
...
Kou:"So Hanako said he wasn't coming back today?"
Yashiro:" Mm." She nods.
"So he said we could go home."

Kou:"Oh." He rubs his chin.
It's okay Kou, you said you'd leave him to his own devices and not try to get involved.
Yashiro taps his shoulder.

"Shall we walk home together?"
Kou's eyes light up.
Leave it to senpai to calm his train of thought.

Kou:"Sure senpai."

The two walk, watching the sky that's now dusted the colour of rusted iron.

Kou:"Hey senpai."
Yashiro:"What is it Kou?"
Kou hesitates for a minute.
"Are you not scared?"
Yashiro continues to look at the sky.
"No."
Kou:"H-how come?"
Yashiro:"Because there's no point in obsessing over it if it can't be changed. Also, I've been having a lot of fun lately and it's getting warmer. The weather just puts you in a good mood you know."

Kou:"Ah."
He should think like that too. Be brave like Yashiro and Hanako-it'll work out whatever fate has in store or so he wanted to desperately deem to be true.

The next day~

*loud footsteps

Hanako:"I'M BACK!" He jumps onto Yashiro, clinging onto her like he always does.

Yashiro:"Careful there! What's with all that energy?"

Kou:"What? Did you go into the other girls bathroom?"

Hanako:"What!? I mean indeed that'd be good news but-"
He ponders to himself.

Yashiro:"Boys are ridiculous."
She tuts to herself.

Hanako:"That's not it though!"

Kou:"Tell us then."

Hanako:"Can we have a sleepover at the school on tomorrow please? We could investigate anywhere we want almost like a treasure hunt."

Kou:"But why?"

Hanako:"Because that's what youngsters do! Explore and hang out with friends! Be a bit rebellious."