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It all went by too fast.
Nene's vision blurred and the next thing she knew, she was already collapsed on the ground. It was worth it.. she told herself while clutching herself.
Her head was spinning. She could feel a sharp pain on her chest. The smell of blood filled her senses.
Is this really it?
She could remember the things that happened earlier, still fresh from her memory. Hanako was attacked by a large bug, he had a hard time fighting it. The bug's legs were sharp, real sharp. It was going to stab him. The damned bug was going to stab Hanako-kun!
Hanako always teased her for doing such foolish things. Like getting herself involved with the supernaturals and always getting tricked by hot guys. But she was sure Hanako would be real mad at her for doing that. She can't just bear the fact that she couldn't help him so she—
"Yashiro!"
Before the bug was going to strike, she jumped in front of him, taking the blow. Nene swore that she saw Hanako's eyes turned red while finishing off the creature. Just like the time when he saved her from the mermaid.
┈
Nene felt herself being carried away by the familiar presence of the ghost boy she knew and grew to love.
Her eyelids were really heavy. Her breaths were ragged. Hanako carefully sets her down on the floor of the bathroom, his eyes were filled with tears. Next to him was Kou, already sobbing while tugging on his senpai's hand. They didn't expect that it would end this way.
"Kid, get Kako! Get Tsuchigomori! Damn it—Just get someone for help!"
Despite the rising panic Kou felt, he got up and ran to find the nearest school wonder.
Now being the only two left in the room, Hanako held Nene's hand, placing it on his cheek.
"Yashiro.. why would you—how could you—why..?"
He couldn't get any words out of his mouth. His only focus was on Nene's soft smile.
"Hanako-kun.."
Her voice was like a soft whisper, sending shivers down his spine.
"I'm sorry.." Her mouth quivers as tears start rolling down her cheeks.
Hanako couldn't bear seeing her like this. He gently caresses the hand on his cheek, placing a small kiss on her palm.
"I told you to be careful. I told you to stay back.." He was mad. He was not mad at her, but at himself. He should have been more alert. He should have been more cautious. He shouldn't have let this happen to his assistant.
"I know that look on your face." Nene leans her forehead to his. "Don't blame yourself, Hanako-kun. I was the one who was foolish."
Their faces was close, only mere inches apart. Hanako could feel her warmth slowly fading away. He wasn't ready to say good bye.
"Atleast I got to meet you, Hanako-kun. And Kou-kun too. I had a fun life, I had fun adventures with you guys."
Those words were like knives puncturing his heart. Has it been a year already? No. She still had time but why—
"Hanako-kun." He directed his attention to her again. "I want you to promise me something."
Hearing that, he snapped.
"Didn't you promise me to stay as my assistant until the end? I was still going to tell you so much, Yashiro! So much.."
He grabbed both her shoulders. "I wanted you to keep on living. I wanted to see you achieve your dreams." His voice was trembling. He wasn't sure on what to do. He knew this from the start. He knew that she was near death but it still caught him by surprise.
He stared at her ruby eyes. He always admired how they shine bright like the sun. How she always looks at him filled with adoration. How those eyes would put him into a trance if he stared at them too long. But now, they're slowly losing their color.
Nene was quiet. She didn't know what to say next. The only thing she came up with was bringing her lips to his.
It was a brief kiss, but it was enough to make Hanako a blushing mess. His amber eyes stared at her like she was the most fragile thing he laid eyes on. She loved how his eyes were like crescent moons, shining in the night sky. She adored every time he talks about the stars. Oh, how his face lights up whenever she asks about them.
But those eyes now were filled with pain and misery.
"Hanako-kun.." Nene continues. "Promise me something."
She looked at him with pure desperation. What could he possibly promise her? He was already dead. He was a ghost. A ghost bound to the school. He couldn't provide her any warmth. He couldn't provide her any gifts. He couldn't be someone that would make Nene happy. But..
But he couldn't say no to this girl. "Tell me, Yashiro. What is it?" He tried his best to give her a smile but it failed.
"When I'm gone, promise me to try and forgive yourself, Hanako-kun."
"What—"
"I'm not done yet." Her tone was serious. Hanako just looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"Promise me to stop believing that you don't deserve love anymore. You should start loving yourself again because.."
Her voice was getting quieter. Her words were barely audible. Her eyes began to close. Hanako cradled her body. His tears were already wetting Nene's cheeks. He didn't care if his clothes were already drenched in blood. He clutched Nene tightly, afraid that he may not be able to hear her last words.
Nene smiled at him for the last time. The sweetest smile just for him. Hanako felt his heart stopped—
"Because.. I love you, Amane Yugi. So you should too."