MENTAL Deterioration. [Yandere! Hanako-kun X Reader]

Apparition 4: Battle

*Please note that I have not read the TBHK Manga, so please refrain from commenting spoilers within the comments section. Thank you!

Throughout the rest of your cleaning session, Hanako stayed quiet. Surprisingly. You noticed that it was right after you mentioned Kou, your new friend and underclassmen. You thought it was because he had better things to focus on, such as gazing through the window intently.

Since he was so ruminative, you decided to leave him alone for the time being, up until you finished cleaning. "Hanako?" You spoke to him. He turned his head to face you, appearing completely fine than minutes prior. "What is it, [L/N]?"

You clenched the broom in your hand. You had your every thought in order, yet your tongue refused to relay them. "So.. um... did I do anything wrong? You've gotten really silent, and it really worries me..." You whispered. Feeling insecure, Hanako eyed you skeptically, wondering if he should answer you honestly. He didn't reply for a minute, causing your mood to plummet.

After a while, he smiled lightly, and this time you can tell it was more attested than the others. It was gentle, and what made it better was the fact that it was reserved for your eyes and yours only. "Don't be silly, you didn't do anything. I've just been thinking about that friend you mentioned earlier... You made him sound really nice, so I want to meet him."

He was lying between his teeth.

Sure, he was curious about the guy, but he wanted your company rather than anyone else's. There was no exceptions, either. He didn't know where this greed originated from, but he didn't necessarily mind it. It's been a while since he's had friend... because of that he wasn't keen on letting you go so easily. He wasn't being selfish, just... tactical.

Your eyes lit up because of Hanako's words. Was he really being honest? You had no time to evaluate however, since you were so elated. "You've already met him! He was that blond with blue eyes who passed me his lunch box. Do you remember?" The apparition knew, in an instant, who you were talking about. He lowered his eyes.

"Him..?" Hanako replied in a whisper, turning his eyes back onto you. He looked somewhat concerned, and this urged you in wanting him to speak his mind. "Yes him! But is there.. something wrong..?" Maybe he was beginning to feel a natural bit of caution?

Hanako, as usual, removed himself off of the window sill whenever he was provoked. He pressed his hands against your shoulders, squeezing it to the point you felt startled. Dread suddenly fell over you, Hanako's demeanor went a little cold, and the look in his eyes worsened the sensation. "...I get a weird feeling about him. So ... just be careful."

You looked confused. how could he possibly get a strange feeling from him? It was like he knew you enough to infer what you were going to say next. He'd release his grip from your shoulders. "You might've noticed it..."

"...But we locked eyes."

Eyes widening, a snippet of your memory was recovered. You did recall the moment you saw his eyes lead elsewhere only for a split second. The fact that Kou saw him was admittedly, very weird, but maybe there was a reason behind it? Perhaps Kou didn't even spot the bathroom ghost at all?

So then, was it just a coincidence?

It was far too fortuitous to be one.

While you looked down in disbelief, you tried to think back to his face, holding your breath in the process. The fact that he could see Hanako was astonishing, however it brought so much anxiety over your shoulders...

There was an urge to search for answers, resulting in the pivot of your heel. Since it was after school hours, there was a high chance that he might've went home. With that in mind, no matter how hopeful you were... it's not like he was bound to barge in through the door.