Before the Seven Mysteries (Amane x Reader) {Abandoned}

∙Sixteen∙

    Akari sighed, putting her head down and pinching the bridge of her nose. "Tch, what did I say about bein' formal? Drop it, I'm with ya, Amane." 

    She waved her hand, and the box dissolved into ashes, folding in on itself like a wave breaking on the shore. The particles drifted off in a swift breeze, leaving subtle traces of what once stood. (Y/N) was sprawled on the ground, the book she had been reading drifting away just like everything else that had been there. She cursed it as the fragments were whisked away, before standing up and dusting herself off.

    The slightly less disheveled spirit straightened her collar and tie, and she looked pointedly to the cause of her irritation. "Y'know, that's a little rude. Give me some warning next time."

    "That's not very polite way to speak to your host, Hanako."

    "It's also not very polite to dump your guests onto the ground, Akari."

    The two grinned at each other, each stepping forward and clasping the other's forearm while Amane watched their interaction with interest. He couldn't help but see the two as old friends greeting each other like they had fought countless battles together. But they only met less than an hour ago.

    "Welcome to the council, Number Four. I'm glad you're with us."

    "Sure thing, Seven, but just so you know if you act all fancy and formal to me again, I'm kickin' your ass." (Y/N) chuckled and nodded.

    "Yeah yeah, I gotcha." The spirits released each other.

    "You know where to find me if you need me, but you two best be off now." Akari turned her attention to the boy. "Amane, keep yourself safe, and keep doin' what you're doin'. Y'hear? You'll do good for this school and for the people you're with while you're here. See ya around kid."

    (Y/N) floated behind Amane, resting her elbows on his shoulders and poking her head to one side so she could still see Akari. Her and Amane both waved, and were met with a blinding flash of dark orange. They felt the mesh of the boundary tugging against them, then both were returned under the flickering art room light. The only thing that seemed to have changed was the dim light that trickled inside from the windows. Amane suddenly felt (Y/N) squeezing him tightly from behind —where she had already been— and stifling an excited shout.

    "We did it! She's with us now and she'll help us out! It all went so smoothly and you must've done some awesome sweet-talking to seal the deal." He felt her loosen her grip slightly. The ghost buried her face in the crook of his neck, and he did everything to stop the heat rising in his cheeks, to no avail. The girl embracing him took in a deep breath, calming her mind to speak softly. "I couldn't have done this without you, Amane. You know that right?"

    He sputtered for a few moments, happy that she couldn't see his brightening blush, before nervously laughing it off. "I—It was all you, really. She just wanted to know what I thought of you and if you could be trusted, so I told her. Akari did say though that she was already sold on the idea, just wanted to know a bit about you." He would've shrugged, but the ghostly girl still clung to him. "All I did was spread around the rumor that you made, and if it weren't for being bonded to you, even that wouldn't have worked so well."

    (Y/N) frowned. "Stop being so humble. You make it sound like you're just a tool so I can get what I want." She floated around in front of him, putting her hands on his shoulders. "The plans might be mine, but I can't do any of this without you. I'll listen to what you have to say as long as you're keeping us both on track. This whole thing is going to be a team effort, and we're partners. Got it?"

    "Y—yeah, I got it Hana-chan." He avoided her gaze, embarrassed by how close she was to him. The girl flashed a bright smile at him.

    "Good! Now, you should probably get going home before you get in trouble or anything. My parents were always getting onto me about being out late and I'm sure yours do, too," she told him, then spun him around and began to walk him down the path to the exit, but he resisted.