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

Apparition 8: Onto the next page

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

Not after long, you had heard about the the traumatizing incident regarding your mom. She apparently had an accident on the staircase, and her umbrella ended up puncturing one of her lungs. As you quietly sat there outside of the operator's room at the hospital, you stared at the floor with devoid eyes. Was this karma for all the things she's done to you?

Regardless, you didn't even shed a single tear when one of the surgeons relayed the tragic message that your stepmother had passed away. Were you relieved or sad? You couldn't tell anymore. All you thought about was where you were going. You were too reliant on adults and didn't know the first thing about taking care of yourself.

You held onto your uniform tightly.

'Why is life so cruel to me...?' Burying your face in your palms, a quiet sob left you. 'Did I do something wrong...?' There was no way things could get worse than this, right? The bad things come before fortune, at least that's what you tried to convince yourself all these years. 

Since you were drowning in despair, you didn't know someone was approaching you. But their presence was brought into light once you felt a cold sting touch your backhand. Shocked, you quickly shot up, a little convinced that it was a friendly apparition. To your surprise, there was a blond who kept one hand in his pocket, the other holding onto a cold can of strawberry-flavored soda. "Surprise?"

He knitted his eyebrows, clearly upset because of your tears. Sitting down beside you, he offered you the soda without wanting to listen to your humble refusal. "Judging from that look on your face, you must've received the news huh? I heard a few nurses talking about it on my way here..." Returning your eyes back down onto your lap, you eyed the soda in your hands. "Yes.."

Kou noticed your reply was a little stiff, and after that you were unresponsive for a few minutes or so. He could only assume there were many thoughts in your head, all of which were shackles weighing down on your conscious. 

More time had passed, and the two of you sat there in silence. It was in Kou's nature to try and cheer you up, and he had a few provocations in mind. "...So, about where you're going... are you sure you have no siblings or anything?" He inquired, noticing the light from your face had drained. You shook your head slowly. 

"No.. I have no one. My biological parents- well, my dad.. he... left me at an orphanage, and then his ex-wife had... ended up taking me in.." You went quiet, and so did he. But in time, your eyes shifted toward the male, your thumb caressing the smooth metal can. "Why are you asking me this? I thought I told you I have no one else to turn to..." 

Kou perked up, writing off your brief story so the atmosphere wouldn't get so gloomy. "Oh.. that's because..." He stood up, his back facing you with his arms behind his head. Leaving you to rot in anticipation, the male finally turned back around, a grin so lighthearted you didn't realize it made your heart skip a beat. 

"I didn't want anyone to think I ended up kidnapping ya!"

His words needed a bit of processing. As you thought you didn't know what he was getting at, you widened your eyes and suddenly jolted from your seat. "Are.. Are you saying...-" Happiness filled your body once Kou nodded his head. He stroked the crook of his neck with ease, his grin widening bit by bit. "My bro Teru and I talked to my family, and they decided to let you stay, at least until you're able to live on your own."

A tint of a euphoric red was not hard to miss on your skin. Collapsing into Kou's body, he was startled, but smiled upon hearing your cries. You appreciated both him and the chance he offered to you. If the two of you never crossed paths that day... you were sure you would've been lost without him. "Thank you.. Thank you so much, Kou... You're amazing.."