Keep on living dear

Chapter 20

Yashiro couldn't focus on what was happening in class at all. Yesterday's events engulfed her entirely. Hanako kun, she could have sworn was about to kiss her unless, she was reading too much into it.
Even at lunch time, she was in her own world, blocking out every noise and image around her; It was too intrusive.
Aoi:"Nene chan." A gentle voice calls.
Yashiro:"Aoi?"
Aoi:"Are you feeling ill?" She questions, talking behind her hands.
"You haven't eaten at all."
Yashiro:"Aoi, I can't." She pinches her face that's puffed out.
Aoi:"Ara Ara, so you are in love?"
Yashiro:"No!" She rests her head on the desk in frustration.
Aoi:"Nene chan, how long are you going to deny it?"
Yashiro:"Eh?"
Aoi:"I told you before that if you don't admit your feelings he could be swept away by another girl."
Yashiro:"Uhuh." She says skeptically.
If Aoi chan knew that what she's referring to is a dead person who's a pervert and juvenile, she'd change her mind.
Aoi:"Nene chan, I'm warning you."
Yashiro:"But Aoi, what about Akane kun? We're in the same boat no?"
Aoi:"Ma, I'll let you in on a secret. I do like him back."
Yashiro:"Aoi!?"
Aoi:"It's just entertaining watching him come up with new strategies. I should probably stop at some point though." She rubs her chin.
Yashiro:"Then why can't I do that?"
Aoi:"Because, you lie to yourself and I don't."
Yashiro:"I don't lie to myself." She pouts.
Aoi:"You're proving my point right now." She giggles.
Yashiro:"Ne!"
...
The bell sounds however, Yashiro can't bring herself to enter the old girls bathroom.
Why did he have to do that?
She squirms, pacing back and forth.
It's his fault and I bet he doesn't even realise what he's done.
And why did he even remember such a small detail about me?

Kou:"Senpai?" He causes her to screech and drop her things, her books scattering across the marble floor.
Yashiro:"K-Kou kun."
Kou:"I'm sorry." He kneels down.
Yashiro:"It's fine Kou kun." She kneels down too.
Kou:"Are you afraid of something? You seem like you're struggling to enter the bathroom."
Yashiro:"That? It's nothing." She waves her hands frantically.
Kou:"If anything is worrying you senpai, you could always tell me." He smiles.
Yashiro:"Thank you."
Kou:"Then are you ready to head inside?"
Yashiro:"Um, I think I'll come back in a while because-" She fidgets. "I can't... at the moment."
Kou:"I see. You gotta clear your head." He says empathetically.
Yashiro:"Yeah."
Kou:"No problem, I'll let Hanako know." He salutes with that usual reliability that surrounds him.
Yashiro:"Thank you again!" She shouts, running away with her head down.
...
Kou:"Ya Hanako."
Hanako:"Hey kid." His eyes remain fixated on the outside.
Kou:"Whatcha looking at?"
Hanako:"Yashiro doesn't want to come in here does she? She's avoiding me, probably."
Kou comes over the window to see a frenetic Yashiro walking back and forth.
Kou:"Why? Did you guys argue?"
Hanako:"Nope. Let's just say it's random and I have no idea."
Kou:"I...can relate." He huffs.
Mitsuba... I wish he'd tell me what I did.
Hanako:"Because of that girly looking kid isn't it?"
Kou:"How did you-"
Hanako:"Took a wild guess." He responds.
Kou:"Well, he got angry with me and I have no clue as to why." His mood can be seen visibly dropping, reminiscing the words Mitsuba said to him.
Hanako:"Ne, don't take it too hard."
Kou:"It's easier said than done."
Hanako:"That's true but you have to remember that broken hearts only last for a short time and before you know it, it'll all be a faded memory eventually turning into nothingness."
Kou:"I...suppose I should consider that."
Hanako:"You see, I actually have the best advice."
Kou:"But I still feel like crap." He smiles sadly.
Hanako:"Kid, you're not."
Kou:"I was expecting you to agree with me."
Hanako:"I'm always full of the unexpected. You should know that by now."
Kou:"Ah."

Hanako:"It's true that you're not experienced as an exorcist, though, you have other good points about you that I like. You're quite responsible, protective and patient."
Kou:"Hanako."
Hanako:"Thank goodness for that." He whispers.
Kou:"I guess?"
Hanako:"Anywho, you could go home today. I don't need help with cleaning." He pats his back.
Kou:"Sure thing. Shall I tell senpai?"
Hanako:"Nope, I want to scold her for avoiding me first and then she could go and 'play'."
Kou:"Got it. See ya Hanako!" He grins.
Hanako:"Bye Bye."
...
Meanwhile Yashiro has worked up the courage to return...somewhat. Her heart was still uneasy and she still felt weightless; Her head  in the clouds.
Yashiro:"Deep breaths. Nene pull yourself together!" She clenches her fists and walks in.
Yashiro:"Ha-Hanako kun hey." She waves.
Hanako:"Hey there, nervous little daikon."
Yashiro:"I-"
How come I don't feel angry? In fact I'm feeling happy!? What is this? What is this? I'm Ill again if I don't have to energy to provide a comeback.
Hanako:"Don't worry, you could go home today."
Yashiro:"Huh? Why?"
Hanako:"There's no work to be done and you're sick right?"
Yashiro:"Oh."
Why am I feeling disappointed?"
Hanako:"Oh and, I'm kidding. You're not a daikon. Sorry for teasing you all the time."
Yashiro:"It's not that serious... really."
Hanako:"Go on ahead Yashiro, and I'll see you tomorrow."
Yashiro:"But-"
Hanako:"Hmm?"
Yashiro:"Okay." She sighs.
Maybe it's better for me to chill out today. My mind is all over the place after all.
Yashiro:"Bye." She waves awkwardly and heads out the door.
...
A late evening means that the sky is dusted orange and gold. High temperature remain though so Yashiro has been walking awfully slow, hardly able to process her thoughts in such heat.
Akane:"Hey you-"
Yashiro:"Akane kun?"
Akane:"Here." She's greeted with a cold water bottle to the face, making her hairs stand. "It's hot today." He wipes his forehead.
Yashiro:"Th-Thank you Akane kun."
Akane:"Anytime."
Yashiro eyes him curiously as he takes his glasses off to de-cloud them.
Akane:"Is it that interesting for someone to clean their glasses Yashiro san?"
Yashiro:"No." She looks away.
Akane:"Then you want to ask me something?"
Yashiro:"Mm."
Akane:"Shoot."
Yashiro:"Do you...hate Hanako kun?"
Akane:"Hate?"
Yashiro:"I get the aura that you do, especially if he tags along with me in class."
Akane:"I don't exactly hate him."
Yashiro:"Oh."
Akane:"Do you hate him Yashiro san?"
Yashiro:"Course not!"
Akane:"Then do you love him?" He asks bluntly.
Yashiro:"No I don't! Why would you even consider that? Do we seem like a couple?" She runs on.
Akane:"No, but I thought it'd be natural for you two to be a couple"
Yashiro:"Why?"
Akane:"Do you know the story of a little mermaid?"
Yashiro:"A-ano are we talking about the same thing?"
Akane:"Yeah."
Yashiro:"Yes I'm familiar with the tale."
Akane:"Then there's your answer." He jumps on his bike.
Yashiro:"Akane kun? You can't just leave me with gaps like that!" She grabs onto the back of  his shirt.

Akane:"Yashiro san?"
Yashiro:"Please tell me what you mean because, I'm lost." She frowns.
"I'm sick of it, being kept in the dark by everyone. Kou, Hanako and now you too? I want someone to talk to me."  She clasps her broach.

Akane:"I see that you're persistent." He tuts.
"It can't be helped."

Yashiro lightens up.
Akane:"But, what I'm about to tell you does have something to do with a little mermaid but I'll twist some stuff so that it applies to real life."

Yashiro tilts her head.

Who's ready for the finale? :3