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Hanako hated this time of year. And not for the reason most people do.
He had nothing against the constant Christmas carols being sung, the bright colorful lights decorating almost everyones house, or even the talk of children excited for what presents they will receive on Christmas day. No, he despised this time of year because of how cold it was and the memories it brung.
As a ghost he was used to having no body warmth but even so he could never get used to winter. He felt as though he was being submerged in ice cold water and couldn’t escape. It didn’t help that the night before it had snowed four inches, his hakojadi got so cold they froze and fell to the ground unable to move. He did the only thing he could do to try and keep warm, he curled up in the corner of the bathroom and sat there shivering.
But since he couldn’t do anything to distract him from the memories it only made everything worse.
Old memories he thought he had forgotten flooded his brain. The memories of his Mom baking special holiday cookies or even his Dad setting up the freshly cut pine tree in the living room. The holly hanging right above the front door. The times Tsukasa would wake him up at the crack of dawn because Santa had come. Watching as Tsukasa impatiently tore open all of his gifts with glee. Spending hours outside sledding down hills with their old wooden sled that barley had enough room for both of them. Having to chase Tsukasa down after he stuffed his mouth full of snow. To be honest he mostly had nothing but happy memories around Christmas time but it still hurt.
He wasn’t sure exactly why. Maybe it’s because it was because all those happy memories were gone and he’d never get to have that again.
He’d never get to see his parents again.
Or maybe because those were the few good memories he had of his past.
By now he thought he wouldn’t feel this way. It had been fifty years since he became a ghost, yet it still hurt him like how it did in the beginning.
In the beginning he was different. Much different. He couldn’t even pretend to be happy or smile. The very thought of his family made him want to vomit. He watched with his very own eyes as he killed his little brother and then himself right after. Taking away his parents only children.
There were multiple times Tsuchigomori would try to reach out to him but Hanako always ignored him. He isolated himself in the bathroom for almost two decades. After it seemed he was back to his cherry self again, except he wasn’t. And never had. Although Tsuchigomori was the only school wonder who knew what he was like before he died, the others eventually could tell, or at least most of them.
Fifty years later and he still couldn’t seem to get past the loneliness this time of year always brought. The only part of his family left was his brother but he could never look his brother in the eye after killing him. Plus the Tsukasa now is different than his little brother was in the past. So like every year he stayed huddled up in the bathroom corner hoping this year wouldn’t be as miserable as the last.
It was the day before Christmas break and every kid was buzzing from excitement. That is except Yashiro.
Normally she couldn’t help but imagine scenarios where she would get kissed under the falling snow and after her dream prince (who may or may not be a certain ghost that haunts the girl’s bathroom) would snuggle up under blankets with her. Sipping hot chocolate and watching a romantic Christmas movie together, it all seemed like a dream come true. Any other day she’d be swooning over those thoughts but not today.
It was the 5th year her parents had to miss Christmas because of a work trip. In the past she didn’t mind, having the house to herself seemed like a dream come true. But she soon began to get sick of her little holiday routine. All she wanted was to spend Christmas was someone for a change. Unfortunately finding someone to spend Christmas with wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
Yashiro knew if she asked Aoi and Kou they would let her stay over at their places in a heartbeat but she didn’t want to be a bother. It also didn’t help that all her relatives lived so far away. It seemed that no matter how much she wished she could spend Christmas with someone it just wasn’t going to happen. She might as well spend the last day before Christmas break cleaning the bathroom for Hanako.
“Nene are you okay?” Aoi, her best friend since middle school asked.
“Hm?” Yashiro turned her head and noticed her and Aoi were the only ones left in the classroom.
“The bell just rang. You’ve been staring out the window all class period.” Had she really been zoned out for that long?
“Oh I was just thinking about Christmas.” She replied. It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“You must be pretty excited, huh?”
“Yeah.” But that was. Now did she want to lie to her best friend? Of course not, but she didn’t want to bring Aoi’s holiday cheer down all because she couldn’t stand being lonely for a Christmas.
“So you have any special plans for this Christmas?”
“Uh well I think me and my family will do what we do every year. Open presents, then watch a Christmas movie or two, eat some Christmas dinner, just normal stuff.”
“Well that sounds like a lot of fun.”
“It sure is. So what are you doing this Christmas?”
“Well this year I’ll be going skiing with my family. We’ll even be staying in this cute little cabin that my grandma owns.”
“Really?”
“Yup. Well I should probably leave, I need to get home soon so I can pack. I’ll see you after the break Nene!” Aoi waved, skipping out of the room.
“Wait no! Don’t….” But it was too late Aoi had already left. “Leave me yet.” Yashiro sighed. She then got up and trudged her way out the empty classroom. It didn’t take long for her to bump into Kou who just so happened to be waiting for her outside of class.
“Hey Sempai! I’m going to be a little late to bathroom duty. I have to help Yokoo and Satou with something real quick. Is that okay?”
“Yeah of course.”
“Thanks! I’ll make sure to finish as quickly as I can. I can’t leave you with Hanako for too long, he might try and make you clean the whole bathroom by yourself.” He said as he ran off towards one of the classrooms down the hall.
Hanako…..
Although she wouldn’t admit it out loud she was worried for Hanako. Normally he would have checked up on her by now but there was no sign of him. She even asked Tsuchigomori during lunch and he didn’t even give her a proper reply.
But now there was only one place he could be (actually two places counting the roof top but she was hoping she wouldn’t have to go out into the cold to find him) and that was the bathroom. And for once in her life she was actually excited to help clean the bathroom.
“Hi Hanako-kun! Kou-kun said he might be a while, so do you want me to start now…?” She began to say as she enter the bathroom but quickly paused as she stared at Hanako. “What’s wrong? Why are you hiding in the corner?” She placed down her backpack and began to slowly walk towards him.
“Y-Yashiro.” He tried saying without chattering his teeth but failed regardless.
“Why are you in the corner?” She repeated.
“No reason.” But he didn’t look at her. No he wouldn’t look at her. Something was going on.
“I’m pretty sure there is a reason.”
“No….”
“Fine. Now where do you want me to start?”
“You don’t have to cl-clean today.”
“Oh are we dealing with a rouge supernatural today?” If there was a rouge supernatural on the lose that meant she could stay longer. Although she didn’t hear any rumors from Aoi so maybe it was a small one. A smile spread across her face as she thought of all the possibilities it could be.
“No. It’s the holiday’s so I thought I’d let you go home early.” Her smile vanished immediately as she could feel her stomach drop.
“The holidays haven’t started yet. Plus the sinks look like they need to be scrubbed so I don’t mind staying.”
“The sinks look fine to-to me.”
“What about the floor, the least I could do is mop it. And while I’m here I might as well clean the mirrors. Oh and I could-“
“Yashiro.” He looked up, completely facing Yashiro for the first time since she came in. “I said you can leave.”
“What if I dont want to?” Heavy silence fell upon the room, making Yashiro regret her decision to even say anything.
“When have you not wanted to skip out on cleaning the bathroom?” Hanako finally spoke up.
“Just please let me stay. Even just for a little bit, I just really don’t want to go home yet.”
“Fine. You can stay for a bit.”
“Really?!”
“Just as long as you are quiet and leave early.”
“Oh…” She should have known better than to hope for the best, but at least now she wasn’t alone.
As she was mopping the floors she noticed something in the corner of her eye. Hanako was shivering. Then it clicked with her. Him curled up into the corner, the chattering teeth, and now the shivering. He was freezing!
“Here.” She placed the mop down and took off her coat. He immediately shook his head and pushed the coat away.
“It’s y-yours, aren’t you c-cold?”
“I’ll be fine, I’m more worried about you.”
“No.” He firmly denied her offer but she ignored him and draped her large coat around him. He tried to take it off of him but didn’t get very far before Yashiro stepped in and wrapped it around him again, but this time she sat next to him with the coat around her as well.
She was close. A little too close, but in that moment he couldn’t care less because her body warmth was drawing him in. He hugged her resting his head in the crook of her neck. Yashiro grew flustered as he snuggled closer to her, so close there was no more room left between them. “You’re so warm~”
“H…Hanako-kun?!”
“Yashiro! I’m so sorry I don’t know what came over me!” What on Earth was he doing?! Had he completely lost his mind? Pushing himself off of her he started to inch away only to be surprised by her grabbing his hand.
“It’s all good. Plus I don’t mind it too much.” He blinked a few times trying to fully take in what she just said.
“You…don’t mind it?”
“No. I sorta liked it as well.”
“My what a dirty daikon you are~” He instinctively replied expecting her to react like usual. Only she didn’t. She didn’t hit him or scream ‘I’m not a daikon’ pushing him away. No, she pulled him closer into a hug.
“Shut up.” He couldn’t believe his eyes. Did she really buried her face into his chest? And was that blush on the tips of her ears?!
In an instant he felt like he was on fire. She barely did anything yet here he was blushing over something so juvenile.
“So why did you want to stay and clean?” He calmly asked.
“Well maybe I like spending time with you.” She mumbled, still not lifting her head up from his chest.
“Very funny, now what’s the real reason you want to stay here?”
“Because the second I go home I’m going to be lonely. Plus I actually do like spending time with you.” Ignoring his dead heart that felt as though it fluttered upon hearing the last sentence, he placed his hand on her head. He then started playing with her hair, hoping it’d not only soothe her but also distract himself.
“I’m sure it won’t be that bad. I’m sure you can survive a week or two without seeing your friends.”
“It’s not that. I’m going to be completely alone again this Christmas.”
“Your parents won’t be there?”
“No.”
“What about your siblings?”
“I’m an only child.”
“Oh. Well why don’t you stay at a friends place?”
“Because I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”
“Yashiro, you could never be a burden.” Slowly Yashiro looked up at Hanako with tears forming in her eyes. He couldn’t help but think of them as tiny stars that fell from her eyes each time she blinked.
“You really think that?”
“Of course I do.”
“I guess it’s too late to ask any of my friends anyway.” She softly says, wiping her eyes.
“How’s that?”
“All of them already left. Well except Kou but I don’t know where he is.”
“We could go find him if you want.” He hoped that wasn’t the case. Oh how he hoped she would just stay with him and only him, but he knew hoping and wishing on shooting stars would do no good.
“Actually I was wondering if it’d be alright if I spent my Christmas here?” Could she read his mind? Or maybe she actually did hope the same.
“As in with me? At school?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“First off you can’t seriously think I’d leave you here all by yourself. Second of all the people at this school, I’d like to spend my Christmas with you.”
“But what about Teru? If you ask Kou he’d one hundred percent agree to you spending Christmas with them. And you’d get to be closer to him. Hanging out with me would only make you further away from your crush.”
“Thats not true.” She replied as she sat in his lap and moved her arms so they’d be around his neck. “Right now is the closest I’ve ever been to my crush.”
“Wait…? You mean me?!” She nodded in response. “But why? When? How?”
“That can wait till later. I would like to kiss you, if that’s alright?”
“Yes.” That was all she needed to hear before placing her lips on his. His cold lips meeting her warm ones created such an unusual sensation that sent shivers up their spines. When they finally separated they both rested their foreheads onto each other and gazed into the others eyes.
“So is that a yes to me staying over for Christmas?” Yashiro practically giggled.
“You can spend everyday with me if that’s what you want.” He grinned.
He didn’t know how she did it but somehow Yashiro made the holidays much more bearable for him. As long as it was just them together he thought maybe he’d have the best Christmas yet.
Unknown to both Yashiro and Hanako there was someone else there. Someone who heard everything. The blond exorcist who heard everything closed the bathroom door as softly as he could before bolting away.
Kou knew this would happen one day. He knew there was nothing he could do to change the fact Yashiro and Hanako loved each other. Knowing this he still selfishly had hoped Yashiro didn’t like Hanako. Maybe instead she’d like him, even just a little. He’d curse at himself for every hope and wish he’d make because he was their friend. He wasn’t supposed to think like that, he was supposed to support them instead.
He knew how they felt for each other for a while, yet it still pained him.
“Hey lame traffic safety earring boy!” A pink hair ghost shouted as he stood in front of Kou, who sat on the stairs by the entrance.
“I’m not in the mood right now Mitsuba.”
“What’s got you all upset?” He looked over to see Mitsuba had taken a seat besides him. For some reason as he looked into Mitsuba’s big pink eyes he felt safe, as if he wouldn’t judge what he had to say.
“Have you ever liked someone so much even though they obviously don’t like you?”
“No because everyone adores me.”
“I knew asking you was going to be pointless.” Kou said as he started to stand up.
“Wait.”
“…?”
“….I have experienced something like that, yeah.” Now that took Kou by surprise. He didn’t think Mitsuba could ever experience an one sided love.
“What did you do about it?” He asked sitting back down.
“Nothing yet.” The word yet meant he still liked this person. Kou racked his brain buy couldn’t think of anyone who Mitsuba would like. Who could it possibly be?
“Who are they?”
“That’s personal!” Mitsuba yelled, almost sounding surprised by the question.
“Geez forgive me for asking one little question. I thought we were opening up to each other.” Kou huffed.
“I just don’t want to say who.” He replied in a softer tone.
“Would it make it any better if I tell you who I like?”
“I already know who you like.”
“How?!”
“It’s so obvious, everyone knows.”
“Everyone?” Did Yashiro know?! Was she to scared to ruin their friendship to say anything?
“Well except miss daikon legs herself.” For a moment he almost let out a sigh if it wasn’t for Mitsuba’s rude nickname he gave her.
“Dont call her that!”
“I can call her what I want to call her!”
“Why do you always make fun of her?”
“Why do you care so much about her? It’s not like she’s anything special.”
“Why does it matter to you if I care about her?”
“BecauseImightmaybelikeyou.” Mitsuba murmured, looking down at his lap while he fidgeted with his sleeves. He couldn’t have possibly heard him correctly. There was no way Mitsuba of all people actually liked him, right?!
“What?”
“I said I like you, Idiot! What do your ears need to be cleaned out?”
“M-me?!” Kou practically shouted. He stared at Mitsuba who’s face was almost the same color as his hair. He had never seen Mitsuba like this. It was the first time Kou had absolutely no idea what to say or do.
“Well are you going to do anything other than stare at me, moron?!”
“I…”
“This is stupid. I’m leaving!” But before Mitsuba could stand up Kou grabbed his wrist. “What are you-?” So many questions filled his head. Like why him? Or why did his heart flip upon hearing those words? Or more importantly why did he felt the urge to say he felt the same?
Kou didn’t know what he was doing. It was like he was on autopilot. So when he pulled Mitsuba closer and kissed him it was a surprise to the both of them.
Wasn’t he supposed to like Yashiro? If so why was he kissing Mitsuba? And why did he like it?
It was only a matter of time when Mitsuba pulled away. His mouth agape and eyes widened, obviously taken back by what just happened. After a few seconds Mitsuba cleared his throat.
“When I asked if you were going to do something I didn’t mean for you to kiss me you perv!”
“Perv?! How am I a pervert?”
“You kissed me without my permission!”
“Sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have kissed you then.” Kou didn’t know why he felt so upset at the thought of Mitsuba not wanting to kiss him. It was such a strange thing to suddenly unlock all these feelings you didn’t know you had.
“Wait I didn’t mean I didn’t like it….”
“Really?”
“I just was surprised. So does the kiss mean you like me back?”
“I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t hate the idea of dating you. So maybe?” He replied scratching the back of his neck, glancing away.
“I guess even you can’t resist this pretty face.”
“Shut up before I change my mind.”
“No wait don’t do that! I’m sorry.”
“You’re so easy to mess with.” Kou chuckled as he ruffled Mitsuba’s hair.
“Kou!” Teru called, making them both jump back from their close distance.
“Oh well I guess I should get going.” Kou said but didn’t try and make an effort to leave.
“Yeah.”
“I’m going to take time to think about how I really feel about….us over break. Is that okay?” The word ‘us’ felt weird in Kou’s mouth, not necessarily bad but different.
“It’s your choice, I honestly couldn’t care less.”
“You are no good at lying, you know that?”
“Kou where are you?” Teru called once more.
“Bye. I’ll see you after break.” Kou said before racing off towards Teru.
“Where were you?” Teru asked wrapping his arm around his little brother.
“I was just talking to someone important.”
“Someone important? Like a crush?” He smiled.
“I-I dont know if I’d consider them a crush I mean sure I like them but maybe not in that way or maybe I do….? I don’t know I’m so confused.”
“What’s there to be confused about?”
“I’m just not sure if I like them is all.”
“Hmm well maybe you should give it some thought over break.”
“Yeah.” Kou replied as he continued to walk along side Teru. It wasn’t long before they made it home to Tiara tackling them into hugs. Tired, Kou immediately ran into his room and plopped down onto his bed with a groan.
Why did his feelings have to be so complicated? Like Yesterday if you asked him if he felt any romantic feelings for Mitsuba he would have laughed and said there was absolutely no way. But now….now he had no idea what to feel. How could he suddenly go from not liking him to liking him so much he’d straight out kiss him? And what made things even more confusing was that he actually enjoyed the kiss.
Maybe he liked him the whole time but only realized it now? Because despite all of the things Kou finds annoying about him he couldn’t say he was all that bad.
Mitsuba can be considerate at times and he likes how he feels like he can be himself with him and not pretend to be someone he’s not. Kou would be lying if he said he also wasn’t fun to be around and although he’d never admit it out loud he does find him sorta attractive. (Only sorta, of course) Not to mention he hates seeing Mitsuba sad or lonely. And maybe once or twice when his hand grazed his or they’d hug he’d feel his heart thump so hard in his ribcage like it was threatening to jump out.
Is that normal to feel for a friend?
Then again he never felt that way towards Hanako, Yokoo, or Satou. So he supposed it really wasn’t.
In that case he liked Sousuke Mitsuba. Even just thinking that made his stomach swarm with butterflies. He sat up and placed a finger on his mouth. He wondered how it would feel to say it.
“I like Sousuke Mitsuba.” He tried out loud. Dare he say it he actually liked how the words felt leaving his tongue.
“I like Sousuke Mitsuba.” He said again but this time he was more confident with his words.
“I like Sousuke Mit-!”
“Hey Kou when are you-?” Teru began to say as he barged into the room.
“Ahhh!” Kou screamed tumbling off his bed.“Teru!! What are you doing in here?!” Flustered he began scrambling to get back onto his feet. Of all times he could check up on him he had to do it now?!
“I just wanted to ask when you’re planning on making dinner.”
“Probably later.”
“Okay, I’ll leave then.” He said grabbing the door handle and slowly closing the door behind him. “Unless you have something you want to tell me?” He suddenly swung the door back open.
“Nope!”
“You sure?” Teru squinted his eyes staring him down.
“Positive!”
“Okay…..” Kou held his breath until the second Teru closed his door. It’s probably for the best to not say that out loud again, Kou thought to himself as he fell backwards onto his bed. He couldn’t deny how it felt to say it out loud though. Now he wondered what it’d be like to tell Mitsuba how he felt.
He quickly grabbed the nearest pillow and buried his flustered face in it. Maybe he was going too fast, he just realized his feelings for him today so he should probably wait to confess. But then again he’d already have to wait a week until he’d get to see Mitsuba again, and that already felt like forever away. Plus he now knows Mitsuba likes him back and Mitsuba will be waiting for an answer after break.
It was decided right then and there he will confess, even if part of him was scared he’d be rushing things. The only thing to do now was wait a week. It was only a week, anybody could wait that long. He could one hundred percent wait until then.
That was a huge lie. He could not wait. He was already halfway through winter break and he was losing his mind. He couldn’t take it anymore he had to tell him right then and there.
“Where are you going?” Teru asked as Kou tossed on a jacket.
“I’m visiting a friend.”
“How long are you going to be out?”
“I’m not sure but I’ll text you when I’m heading back.” He replied slipping his last shoe on and heading out the door. “Bye! See you later.”
It took longer than he expected to get to the school but once he was there he almost decided to leave immediately. Was this a bad idea? Would Mitsuba laugh in his face because of how impulsive he was being? He took a deep breath in and pushed all of his fears away as he reached for the school doors. Surprisingly they weren’t locked. (That’s weird the janitors usually lock them when school is on break)
The school seemed different. It was too quite. Too empty. He didn’t like this one bit. He ran to the nearest empty bathroom and looked into the mirror. Here goes nothing.
“Mitsuba.” He called but no response came. A few minutes later and the silence started to worry him. Why wasn’t he responding? “Mitsuba?”
Then a horrible horrible thought hit him. Was he with Tsukasa? Was that evil murderous spirit keeping him captive?! That was enough to make hi-
“What are you doing here?” Mitsuba asked accidentally scaring Kou so bad Kou thought his skeleton jumped out of his skin.
“Dont scare me like that!”
“I didn’t do anything you’re the one who easily jumps at anything.”
“I am not!”
“Then why’d you get scared? All I did was ask a simple question.”
“You popped out of- you know what that’s not why I came here. I came here to talk to you.”
“Me? Well I’m flattered but I’m a very busy person.”
“Fine I’ll just leave then.”
“No! I didn’t mean it, stay!”
“If you insist.” Kou replied. “I came here to tell you that I have made up my mind.”
“You made up your mind?”
“I know how I truly feel about you.”
“Go on…”
He could do it. It was just four simple words. Why was he so nervous over something like this? He cleared his throat and stepped forward taking Mitsuba’s hands in his.
“I-I like you back!”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Well there’s one problem.”
“What?” Oh no did he change his mind? Did Kou take so long to tell him how he truly felt that Mitsuba didn’t like him anymore?
“I dont date idiots who wear lame traffic safety earrings.” Mitsuba answered as he looked away making a funny face. No he obviously still liked him, he was just being an annoying idiot.
“Oh really?”
“Yes and there’s nothing you can do to change that.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes absolutely…….” Mitsuba squeaked once he opened his eyes and realized how close Kou was. There was maybe two inches between them, if that. Kou placed his hand on Mitsuba’s cheek.
“Can I uh can I k-“ But Kou was cut off by Mitsuba pressing his lips onto Kou’s. At first he was taken back but he slowly melted into the kiss as it deepened. Neither of them knew how long it lasted for but when they broke apart it felt too short.
“So um have I changed your mind yet?” Kou asked while smiling like an absolute fool.
“I’ll consider it.” Kou rolled his eyes but the smile remained on his face.
Weirdly enough because of Mitsuba, Kou had completely forgotten all about what happened with Yashiro and Hanako. And now? Well now even if you reminded him Kou wouldn’t find it nearly as important as the person right in front of him.