Keep on living dear

Chapter 10

The next morning at about 10am , Yashiro and Kou had headed home, however, there was no sight of Hanako so they left without goodbyes.
As soon as Yashiro got home, she flopped onto her bed and buried her face into her plushie. She felt unusual but she couldn't pinpoint what it was but, it was as if she was in fight or flight mode. Perhaps she could talk to Aoi chan about it?
Since the morning was sunny and mild, the droplets of water that was left behind yesterday had already vanished, leaving behind a fresh scent; a lovely day-so Aoi shouldn't mind right?
Yashiro drags her head up and reaches for her mobile.
N e   A o i   c h a n. ,  w i l l   y o u c o m e 
o v e r t o d a y?
There had to be some sort of explanation.
...
Any penumbra of Kamome was possessed by a certain lively ghost; too lively. A ghost that takes delight watching any living thing struggle for its dear life.
Sakura:"Shouldn't you leave it alone Tsukasa?" She huffs.
Tsukasa hums, squeezing a baby bird by its fragile neck and then relaxing his fingers only to do it again harder;
It's desperate cheeps filling the room as it brawls for air.
Tsukasa:"Sakura!" He says gleefully while continuing his 'game'.
Sakura:"What is it?"
Tsukasa:"My plan could start real soon now! Isn't that great!?"
Sakura:"Already? You're not going to wait a little longer?"
Tsukasa:"I can't, because I can't stand waiting anymore. I've got enough information."
Sakura:"Oh, is that so?" She says unenthusiastically.

Tsukasa cackles in his shrill voice, spinning around in mid air.
"Surprise Amane!" He shouts, guffawing even louder.
Tsukasa:"He's going to be so shocked and confused! Ah imagining his face is getting me super excited!"
Sakura:"Yeah."
Tsukasa:"I did say I'd play with him again. Right!? Right!? Right!?"
He pokes Sakura repeatedly.
Sakura:"You sure did."

Natushiko and Mitsuba enter the picture but before they could ask about all the hard laughter, they cover their eyes in sync and turn the other way.

Tsukasa:"Eh? What's the problem?"

Mitsuba retches.

Natsuhiko:"Chibi." He retches too.
"That-"
He retches again.

Sakura sighs.
"I told you, you should leave it alone, it's gonna-"
*squelch*
Sakura:"Explode."
Tsukasa:"Oh?" He brings his hand up to his face.
"Oops, and I was having fun with that." He sulks; his hand holding a now deformed, squashed piece of the tiny body- it's eyes dilated and it's body twisted like a tree stump. Once white, now defiled and painted russet.
Tsukasa:"Whatever, I guess I could just explore the insides."
...
Aoi:"So what's wrong Nene chan? Did someone reject your confession?" She leans her face into her cupped hand.
Yashiro:"No, it's nothing like that. If I'm being truthful, I don't know myself."
Aoi:"Nene chan." She squints her eyes, trying to think of a way to solve this.
Aoi:"I got it!" She hits her fist on her palm.
Yashiro:"Got what?"
Aoi:"Tell me your symptoms." She puts her finger up.
Yashiro:"Symptoms? She buries her mouth into her pillow.
Aoi:"That's right!"
Yashiro:"Well, my heart is beating really fast."
Aoi:"Uh huh."
Yashiro:"And my face won't go back to normal, it's been red since this morning."
Aoi:"Nene chan-" she puts her hand out.
Yashiro:"And then when I think about him it really pisses me off!" She scowls.
Aoi:"S-so it is a boy after all?"
Yashiro:"Huh? Did I say...that?"
Aoi giggles
"You did."
Yashiro gasps.

Aoi:"I think I know what's wrong but why does he piss you off?"
Yashiro:"Because I don't understand him."
Aoi:"Why not?"
Yashiro:"He's teases me all the time so I don't know what's real from his casual teasing."
Aoi:"Teases you? How?"
Yashiro:"Like call me a daikon or a pervert." She grumbles.
Aoi:"Dai-kon?"
Yashiro:"Ugh, I'm sorry Aoi; I've gone crazy." She stretches.
Aoi:"Nene chan I want to hear more though."
She taps her shoulder.
Yashiro:"Well...he checks up on me a lot but I can't tell if he's serious."
Aoi:"Ma! How adorable."
Yashiro:"A-adorable!?"
Aoi:"What else?"
Yashiro:"And nowadays when he hugs me I can't think."
Aoi:"How cute is that!? He gives you hugs? Are you sure you're not going out Nene chan?"
Yashiro:"EH!? Course not!"
Aoi:"Then are you in love with-?"
Yashiro:"Aoi don't say that!" She covers her mouth. I'm ill, I must be ill."
"Ah Sorry."
Aoi chuckles.
"Nene chan why won't you face the truth?"
Yashiro:"I'm not lying-I'm not in love with him. He's not even my type and he's-"
Dead.
Aoi:"Doesn't seem like it to me."
Yashiro:"Why?"
Aoi:"Because you're still blushing." She smiles.
Yashiro:"I think I have a fever. Oh what should I do?" She covers her face.
Aoi:"Hmm. Tell you what Nene chan, don't dwell on it so much. Only time would tell and if it cracks out that you are in love with him, don't miss your chance to tell him otherwise he'd get swept away by someone else!"

Yashiro:"Aoi..."
But the chance that he gets swept away is below 0. He's dead.
Yashiro:"Mm."

Aoi:"Speaking of which, you haven't told me much about what he's like Nene chan. Is he older or younger?"
Yashiro:"Both."
Aoi:"A-ano...?"
Yashiro:"No I mean-I don't know." She mumbles into her pillow.
Aoi:"And you're telling me your not attracted to him in the slightest? What does he look like?"
Yashiro:"His eyes are..."
All she could remember was accidentally meeting his yesterday.
.
.
.
Aoi:"Nene chan?"
Yashiro:"Wait, I'm zoning out-Aoi chan, what's going on!?"
Aoi:"Nene chan you've got it bad."
Yashiro:"I don't! I'm pretty sure I don't! It's the heat."
Aoi:"I know how to confirm it! Do you wish you could see him now if you could?"

Yashiro:"Nope. In fact, I don't want to see him at all."
...
Monday arrives and Yashiro carries on her same routine and settles down in her seat. It's 10 minutes until class officially starts so she's studying outside, her mind processing what Aoi chan had said.
Hanako:"Yo!"
The dark haired ghost faces her from upside down.
Yashiro becomes startled but refrains from reacting. Instead, she sinks her face into her desk.
Hanako:"Yashiro?"
Yashiro:"Sorry but, leave me alone Hanako kun." She breathes out.
Hanako:"Did I upset you?"
Yashiro:"No, I just-"
Hanako:"Is is because I kissed you on your head on Friday!?"
Yashiro:"HAH!?" She lifts her head up, finally looking at him.
Some of her classmates glance at her suspiciously, so she quietens down out of embarrassment.
Hanako:"Is it because I told the shounen that your cup size was getting bigger? Did he tell you?"
Yashiro's face puffs out turning as red as a cherry.
He continues.
Hanako:"Is it because of that time you jumped up on the windows sill and I saw your-"
Yashiro:"RISE!"
She shouts. Its slightly early to chant it but she does it anyway.
Yashiro:"BOW!"
She shuts her eyes.
Yashiro:"AND BE SEATED!"
She shakes, her body fiery with heat and her face stained red.
She could die right now.

Sensei:"Thank you...Yashiro san."
Yashiro:"A-anytime." She hides her face behind her textbook, giggles filling the classroom.
Hanako sighs.
"Okay, okay I'll go."
Yashiro:"Mm."
The largest detail she forgot to mention is that he's a full blown pervert.
Hanako mopes and then leaves not taking notice of the two sepia eyes watching him.
Akane:"Sensei!" His hand shoots up.
Yashiro peeks at him from behind her notebook.
Akane:"I have a student meeting I must attend." He says earnestly.
Sensei:"You may."