Keep on living dear

Chapter 7

Hanako strolled along, not expecting a sudden, rough hand to tug him hard into a concealed space. Without thinking, he braces himself, feeling for his knife until he hears a deep voice say:"Wait."
The apparition meets the cold eyes of Teru.
Hanako places his hand on his chest despite not having a beating heart to prove his anxiousness.
Hanako:"Oh it's just you, you scared m-"
Teru:"Cut the crap."  He pushes him against the wall, eyes fiery with anger.

"Calm down Minamoto kaichou." An autumn- haired boy with just as orange-brown eyes exclaims.
Teru grits his teeth but eventually lets Hanako go.
Hanako adjusts his collar.
"You're exactly like the shounen, or should I say the shounen is just like you." He jokes. "You guys sure do like throwing me around."

Akane looks over to Teru, and instantly sees that he's not at all amused.
He sighs.
Hanako:"So, what's the big idea?" He asks with in a passive aggressive tone.
It's not exceptionally ideal to be pushed around like that.
Akane:"Actually-"
Teru:"Let me talk, Aoi." He puts his hand up.
Akane:"Go ahead."
He gives up, and slaps his hands together.

Hanako:"So? Did I do anything to aggravate you, or are you just being rude?"
Teru:"Aggravate." He breathes out, face still steaming.
Hanako:"Okay, tell me kid."
Teru:"Yesterday."
Hanako:"I need more than one word."
Teru:"Kou-my little brother."

Hanako catches on.
"Ah. Because he was at school overnight? I didn't know he had a curfew."

Teru:"With something as repulsive like you; you can't be trusted. What are you using him for? And Yashiro san too?"
Akane:"Minamoto kaichou, I don't genuinely like him either but aren't you going a bit too far?"
Teru glimpses at him threateningly.
Akane:"Got it." He snaps his fingers and keeps his mouth shut.
Hanako:"Why do you keep assuming that I can't want to hang out with them normally?"
Teru laughs apathetically.
Hanako:"What's the joke?"

Teru:"Why? You want to know why?"
Hanako nods his head with a half frown, half smile.
Teru:"Because you're a filthy, sadistic murderer who probably gets pleasure from torturing people slowly, until they die on both the inside and out. That's why. You can't repent and you're incapable of caring for anyone but yourself."

Akane:"Minamoto kaichou..."

Hanako:....

Akane:"Uh um. Apparition san, what he's trying to say is that he's worried about his brother." He says bluntly, though, it's obvious he's sort of pitiful.

Teru:"Don't sugar coat it." He whispers.

Hanako:"I-It's true that I'm repulsive and a murderer-I know that, even I hate myself."
He clenches his fists.

Hanako:"But...do not assume that I can't care for anyone but myself. Excuse me." He whispers and walks away.

Teru:"I'm not finished talking to you!" He shouts.

Hanako:"Don't worry, I remember our deal." He moves faster.

...

Kou tread down the hallways. He was in a state of euphoria today. The weather was great. Yesterday was fun. Mitsuba wanted to be friends again. What more could he ask for?
Then he spotted a familiar figure rushing down his path.

Kou runs up to catch up with him.
"Ya Hanako!" He slaps his hand on his shoulder in a friendly manner.

Hanako turns to see him.
"Ah shounen, I don't have time to talk right now- I have to see Tsuchigomori sensei." He storms away but Kou runs up to him again.

Kou:"Hanako, did something happen?"

Hanako stops for a moment.
A wide smirk across his face as usual.

"What makes you think that! Eh the shounen is worried about me, how unusual!"
He chuckles.

Kou:"Hanako your face...were you-?"

Hanako:"Course not. it's the heat making my face swell up. I'll catch up with you later!" He salutes before descending through the crowd.

Kou creases his eyebrows. What is going on? No really?

That state of calm could only last so long. It was already over. What a shame.

Possibly, Mitsuba may be in the school gardens like he he said. Kou wasn't getting answers from anybody-there's literally no one to talk to.
It'll be insensitive to constantly bring up his worries to senpai right? When she has her own. And Hanako isn't going to tell him anything anytime soon. Teru Nii would most likely get infuriated if Kou mentioned even a speck of Hanako.

It can't be helped.
Mitsuba is the only one to turn to now and that's upsetting when he really should have had other close friends to talk to.
But none of which would understand the world of exorcists and ghosts.
Kou decides to go to the garden. Mitsuba being there at this time of need sounds far- fetched but he was.
Kou:"Mitsuba!" He shouts, running up to him.

Mitsuba:"Lame traffic safety earring, you're here?"

Kou:"You too?" He pants with his hand on his knees.

Mitsuba:"What's the problem?"

Kou collects himself.
"A lot."

Mitsuba folds his arms.
"Why does it have to be a lot?" He grumbles.
"That's problematic for me."

Kou:"You probably don't want to hear it right?"

Mitsuba:"No, go ahead." He huffs but let's at least sit down if you're telling me your life story."

Kou:"Gladly."
...
Kou:"So I have this friend called Hanako."

Mitsuba:"You mean crazy knife?" He shivers.

Kou:"Uh yeah."

Mitsuba:"S-So whats up with him?"

Kou:"Lately, he's been bombarding senpai and I with activities."

Mitsuba:"Daikon senpai?"

Kou:"That's what you call her? Ugh never mind that. So he's been bombarding us with activities and sneaking around."

Mitsuba:"Sneaking around?"

Kou:"Yeah. He's keeping things to himself. I'm sure of it but I'm trying to respect his privacy."

Mitsuba:"If you ask me, he may not trust you."

Kou sits up.
"Hah? Why do you say that?"

Mitsuba didn't expect Kou to appear that hurt.
"I mean, w-why else would he not tell you what's going on? That's not like a friend at all if you ask me."

Kou:"You really think that?"

Mitsuba:"It's just a theory but there's a possibility that he's plotting against you. Would you have any idea why?"

Kou:"I never thought about it that way."

Mitsuba:"Tell you what, if you find out a bit more about him and tell me, I'd tell you my theories depending on the information you give. I'm good at that kind of stuff-I have experience."

Kou:"I don't assume he's plotting against me but...I'll think about it."

Mitsuba:"But you shouldn't let it get you so down. Be the lame, pervert you've always been."

Kou:"Hey!"