Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“YASHIRO!!” Hanako shouted, trying to catch Yashiro’s attention.

“Huh?” Unbeknownst to her, a giant scissor appeared behind her as she turned her head towards Hanako.

It swooped towards Yashiro, aiming for her neck.

“Senpai!!” Kou shouted as he was trying to defend himself from the army of dolls.

The scissors' blades were a hair’s breadth from Yashiro’s neck. Out of fear, she closed her eyes shut.

“...shiro… Yashiro! Are you alright?” a familiar voice sounding out, giving her a firm but gentle tap on her shoulder.

“Hanako-kun!” She cried out, giving Hanako a hug. She then slowly opened her eyes. At first, it was a blur. Letting the light slowly seep into her sight after a prolonged period of squeezing her eyes tightly from fear.

“Kid, Yashiro’s awake.” Kou heaved a sigh of relief as he walked towards them. While Hanako was taking care of Yashiro, he was exploring the unknown place they had been teleported to.

“Hanako, where are we? This is definitely not the No. 2’s boundary," Kou asked.

Yashiro takes a look around the unknown place. There are many seats present in the area, with a big screen in front of them. Apparently, they are in a theater. “Aoi-chan! Where are you?” “I’m here, Akane-kun!” a purple-haired girl giggled at the ginger-haired glasses guy. “Nene! You’re here too?” Aoi ran towards her, hugging her. Yashiro embraced Aoi’s hug in relief as her best friend was back with her. At the sight of his crush, Akane’s cheeks redden with love.

“This does not look like the broadcasting room,” a green-haired girl nonchalantly spoke. Beside her, a handsome, tall guy with messy reddish-black hair and a Hanako lookalike is shown.

“Tsukasa! Is this one of your pranks?” Natsuhiko asked, eyeing him with suspicion since Tsukasa will always find ways to prank them when they least expect it.

“Nope! Natsuhiko, this isn't my doing.” Tsukasa's voice lowered in seriousness from his usual friendly tone.

‘Tsukasa…’ Hanako’s cheery face changed. Out of the people in the unknown theater room, Tsukasa is the last person on earth he wants to see or hear about. Ever. He felt every bone in his body trembling with guilt at the name of his twin ‘Tsukasa’.

“Tsuchigomori-sensei, do you know where we are?” Another handsome boy with fluffy, dirty blonde hair spoke. ‘I recognised that voice…’ Kou immediately knew whose voice it was. Beside the violet-haired professor, a blonde-haired woman with kitsune ornaments and a pink-haired, feminine-looking boy appeared.

“W-WHERE AM I!” the pink-haired boy shrieked, loud enough for Yako, Tsuchigomori, and Teru to hear. ‘This pink brat.’ Yako thought to herself in annoyance, trying not to show it on her face.

Teru glanced at him and Yako, sensing supernatural vibes from them. He was about to reach out to the hilt of his sword but was interrupted by a girl with short raven hair with glasses, dressed in an oversized black T-shirt and dark blue pants, showing up in the room. “Hello everyone! My name is Casey! Today, you guys are going to react to the future!” She exclaimed with excitement.

“WHAT!?” echoed in the theater room.

“...”

“Because something terrible will happen in the future. This will help you guys to prevent something bad from happening in the near future.” Casey explained.

The room became quiet, as if you could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere in the room darkened from what I said.

‘It seems that everyone understands the severity of the situation.’

Everyone went to their seats.

First row: Hanako, Yashiro and Kou
Second row: Akane, Aoi and Teru
Third row: Natsuhiko, Sakura and Tsukasa
Fourth row: Yako, Tsuchigomori and Mitsuba

After getting into their respective seats, the screen lit up.

Chapter Text

A red Haku-joudai appears on screen, followed by a green Haku-joudai. The red one moved to the left while the green one moved to the right, showing their school in the background. The left side of the school is ominously red to resemble at night whilst the right side of the school is normal colour to resemble in the daytime.

Both Kou and Yashiro felt chills run down their spine at how scary their school looked under the red light.

On the other hand, some others were fascinated at how their left side of the school was portrayed like that.

“Hey, come here. Have you heard the rumors? About the school’s Seven Wonders?” The camera zooms into Schoolgirl A, whispering.

The background shows seven light bulbs. Each of them has a Japanese character which shows numbers One to Seven in ascending order.

“You really haven’t?” The female voice sounded surprised.

“Oh, my gosh, well where do I start?” The female voice chirped.

“I’ll tell you the most famous one first.” At the same time, the light bulb with the number seven lit up, emitting a warm orange glow onto Schoolgirl A, telling a story to another schoolgirl.

“Yashiro, Boy look! I’m famous!” Hanako grinned.

Yashiro and Kou gave him a thumbs up.

“It’s the seventh of the Seven Wonders: Hanako, the Bathroom Ghost. S(he)’s on the third floor of the old building.” as she spoke, lowering her voice to make the tale sound more spooky. The camera zoomed into the reddish shaded school’s third floor. “In the third stall in the girls’ bathroom. You can go there and summon ‘her’ right now if you want!” The scene changes to the girls’ bathroom. “S(he)’ll grant you any wish~ no matter what it is!” a girl is shown opening the door. “But s(he)’ll take something precious from you in exchange, and you won’t know what it is until it’s too late.” The girl who stepped into the bathroom is revealed to be Yashiro Nene. She looked timidly around the bathroom. 

“To call ‘her’, knock three times.” Schoolgirl A instructed. Yashiro is shown knocking three times onto the third bathroom stall. “And then say…”

“Hanako, Hanako, Hanako. Are you in there?” Nene asked, her voice faltered. She prayed hard outside of the toilet door, hoping that the ritual works.

“Are you in there?” She begged.

[Door creaks open, leaving a small gap]

Yashiro slowly opened her eyes. Suddenly a hand emerged behind the door.

“Hello…”

Shiver ran down her spine. She then takes a peak at the person in the bathroom stall.

The door swing opened but to her horror, there was no one behind the door. 

Nene sighs in disappointment as she thought the ritual didn’t work.

“Okay. Hearing things.” She concluded. 

Out of nowhere, a hand firmly held Yashiro’s left shoulder.

“You summoned me?” Hanako eerily asked.

‘So She’s the one who actually managed to summon Hanako-san, that’s odd.’ Teru pondered, placing his hand at his chin.

‘How weird.’Akane thought consciously did the same action as Teru.

Teru and Akane look surprised at the fact that Yashiro manages to summon Hanako himself since the requirement to summon him is if the person has high spiritual energy like himself and Kou or is close to death.

“Hanako-kun! You really scared me there…” Yashiro remarked.

“Well I just want to make you feel welcome in the bathroom!” Hanako teased.

She pouted.

‘‘Amanee is here!’’ Tsukasa bubbled with excitement as his twin was here in the theater. Loud enough for Sakura and Natsuhiko to hear. His eyes sparked vividly at the on screen Hanako. Natsuhiko flashed a grin at Tsukasa.

Nene whimpers as she slowly looks to her left.

“E-eeek!” She jumped up and instinctively tried to slap Hanako but her hand phased through his face instead.

“NOO!” Nene gasps in embarrassment, squatting down with both her hands above her head. She just wants the floor to swallow her whole.

Hanako laughs in amusement.

“That sounds like a boy.” She realized.

“What’s the matter with you?” Hanako playfully asked.

Yashiro shouted loudly from shock moving away from Hanako.

“A see-through body. Ghostly orbs. A really old school uniform.”

“Y-you’re…” Yashiro stuttered.

“I’m a supernatural.” Hanako explained.

“No.7 of the school’s Seven mysteries. ‘Hanako-san of the toilet.’ Nice to meet you.” Hanako said, holding the tip of his hat and sitting on the toilet bowl.

“I thought ‘Hanako-san of the toilet’ is a girl?” Aoi questioned Hanako. After all, she heard rumors and read books about Hanako-san of the toilet being a female.

“Well…times have changed girl.” Hanako replied to Aoi.

“Wait. You’re Hanako-san?!N…No way!” still recovering from her shocking discovery. 

“Yeah. You rang?” Hanako innocently asked, doing a peace sign with both his fingers.

“I’m not stupid!” She retorted back.

“Where’s your bob haircut? And your red skirt? And you’re a boy.” she asked.

“That stuff’s just not in style anymore.” He claimed. “You can call me Hanako-kun if you want.” He teased.

‘Supernatural phenomena follow trends?!’ 

“Got a problem with it Yashiro?” Hanako defended.

“N-nope” She shook her head. 

“Yes, I’m a boy. But other than my gender, all the rumors you heard were true.” He verified.

“For the right price, I will grant the wish of whoever summons me.” He said. At the same time, both of his Haku-joudais appeared in his hands.

“You have a wish, Don’t you? So let’s hear it. What do you want?” Hanako prompted. 

“...And you’re sure… You’re not just some pervy creeper ghost?” She questions, doubting Hanako’s intentions.

“Senpai saying Facts!” Kou chimed in.

“Not you too kid…” Hanako looks at Kou in betrayal.

“...” 

“Forget it. Good-bye…” Hanako heartbrokenly left.

“Ouch, Yashiro…you hurt my feelings…” Hanako satirized, placing his hand at where his heart is, forcing his tears to come up to make her feel sorry about it even though it happened a long time ago and she had already made up for it. 

Kou silently giggled at what Hanako said.

“NO! I WAS KIDDING! I THINK A BOY HANAKO-SAN IS TOTALLY AWESOME!” Yashiro exclaimed.

“Awesome…” Hanako repeated that word.

“Oh my~I think that No.7’s ego meter shot up.” Yako whispered to Tsuchigomori. He nodded in agreement at her statement. 

“Okay. Tell me your name and wish! I’m ready!” Hanako regained his joyous self, pulling out a notebook and a pen.

‘He's surprisingly shallow.’ 

“Is this supposed to be a compliment?” Hanako asked Yashiro.

“Yes. I guess?” Yashiro shrugged.

A toothy grin pasted onto Hanako’s face.

“Yes sir! Nene Yashiro from class 1-A of the high school division! I want my crush to fall in love with me immediately!” Yashiro chirped, raising her hand.

“Yashiro. Got it. And your wish is romantic fulfillment…and the other party's name?” Hanako noted.

“Minamoto-Senpai. He's a second year! He's handsome, smart and he is nice to everyone. He's just amazing. He's the Prince of the whole school! Yashiro dreamily declared, showing a photo of Teru.

“My my, I am extremely flattered, Yashiro-san. Thank you for the confession.” Teru charmingly spoke. 

“Eep!” she yelped in surprise as she suddenly heard her crush’s voice, jumping up from her seat. Loud enough for everyone to hear it.

He gave his signature dreamy smile and a wink to Yashiro as she turned her head to face him.

“N-no p-problem…” Yashiro stammered, she felt the heat rising to her cheeks, blushing at Teru. She whipped her head back to face the screen. Covering her face with both her hands from embarrassment. ‘I wish the floor could open up and swallow me whole.’ 

Aoi giggled at the sight of that as she found it funny.

‘She’s so adorable when she giggles.’ Akane was mesmerized by her.

Hanako teased Yashiro about what just happened while Kou on the other hand tries to comfort Yashiro by patting her on the back. 

Tsuchigomori has a small smile plastered on his face. He too also found it funny while trying to remain professional.

Mitsuba ended up rolling on the floor, dying from laughter from what just happened.

Both Tsukasa and Natsuhiko laughed softly while Sakura remained expressionless, but she had a small smile on her face for a brief second.

“I see.” Hanako said as Yashiro showed the notebook to him.

“Got it. I'll grant your wish.”

“Yay!” Yashiro cheered.

“So how do you grant wishes, Hanako-san? Do you have, like, special magical items or something?” Yashiro asked. An image of Hanako using a crystal ball to grant wishes.

Aoi pays close attention to the screen as she is curious about how Hanako uses his supernatural powers. 

“I sure do. I have something incredible.”

‘Incredible?’

“Here.” Hanako taking out a How-to book.

Yashiro internally felt her heart shattered into a million pieces in disappointment.

Aoi's hopes went down the drain. She smiles in disappointment.

“...”

“Now,now.” 

“I think you already know this… but when you seek help from a supernatural being like me, you have to pay for a suitable price.” 

“If you want powers beyond human understanding, the price is going to be  that much greater. So we use this, which is much safer.” Hanako explained, holding the book up.

“But…what if I want those powers anyway?” Yashiro pleaded.

“Well then… I don't have any magic items. Sorry.” Hanako apologised while doing a cute pose.

“WHAT!!” Yashiro shrieked.

‘Is this really going to work..?’ She doubted.

“Do you ever doubt me and my methods?” Hanako asked Yashiro, wiggling his eyebrows.

‘Yes.’ She internally voices out her opinion, rolling her eyes and folding her arms.

Hanako noticed Yashiro’s worried expression.

“See Yashiro, I’m an extremely caring person.” Hanako proclaimed.

‘Let's see here…’

‘Hanako-san is a wish granting ghost. He must have granted tons of love wishes before I came along…’ raising her hopes.

Hanako opened the book. “ Method 78: Make use of your special skills.”

“Do you have any special skills?” He asked, closing the book.

The scene changes to the school garden.

“It's a field.” Hanako looks around in amazement.

‘The school really changed so much over the years since I last saw it fifty plus years ago!’ Hanako thought.

Tsuchigomori observed how Hanako looked on screen, just like a little child who first stepped into the outside world. He made a mental note to tell Hanako the other changes that happened in the school over 50 years.

“It's our school's practice garden!” Yashiro exclaimed. “But We're not an agricultural school, so it's small.” She sadly added.

‘How I wish that Our school had the budget for the expansion of the school’s garden.’ She sighed. 

“Is this your special skill, Yashiro?” He asked.

“I'm in the gardening club.” She proudly said as She braids her hair.

“My special skill is making things with dirt!!” She spoke with pride, showing off her gardening skill to Hanako.

“...”

“What's with the face?! I grow flowers! It's very feminine, okay?” She quickly defended herself.

“...But I guess… it isn't that cute…”

“Don't say that Nene-chan. I find gardening cute.” Aoi spoke up to comfort Yashiro.

“I also agreed with Aoi-Senpai! It makes you cute! ” Kou added.

“Thank you guys…” Yashiro almost felt tears swelling up in her eyes.

“?”

“I started gardening…because the boy I used to have a crush on said that he likes feminine girls. I took up cooking and sewing too. I decided to tell him how I felt after mastering the 3 skills.” Yashiro started inner monologuing.

“Senpai, you really shouldn't do all these just to please a guy.” Kou stated.

“Yeah. I agree with Minamoto-kouhai.” Akane commented.

She beamed at the words of comfort from Kou and Akane. However, She knows that it takes one to know another. She immediately linked whatever Akane agreed with to himself in her mind. 

“How long did you like the boy for?” Hanako questioned. His usual teasing tone was replaced with a gentle one.

“From the moment I got into the middle school division. I confessed my love for him one month ago.” The background shows young Yashiro.

“It took me three years. But…” The scene transitioned three years later. Yashiro and a faceless senior is shown.

Many of them except the young ones recognised that faceless senior.

“Huh? You love me? Who are you? Gross.” The senior ridiculed. 

Yashiro shut her eyes as she does not want to see her traumatising first confession of love. ‘Please…NO…anything but that…’ She hasn't forgotten about that incident. It has already been one month. One month. Everytime she tried to ignore it, it kept haunting her back. That senior already moved on. Why can’t she? She only managed to avoid breaking down in front of Hanako because she was at her comfort place, the school garden. Whenever she’s there, it calms her nerves, distracts her from pessimistic things. Was she not good enough for him? Is it because of her ‘Daikon legs’ Is it-

“Yashiro, is everything alright?” Hanako whispered, gently nudged her, snapping her out of her negative thoughts. She faced him, her eyes became watery. Kou noticed it too, glancing a concerned look at Hanako. 

“I-I…” she choked on her tears, soft enough for both Hanako and Kou to hear it.

“It’s okay not to be okay. You know?” Kou’s tone softened.

“We are friends, and friends stick together.” He knows that it is corny but he needs to say it. Right now Yashiro needs to hear that to comfort her, placing his hand gently on her back to assure her that they will always be there for her.

‘Friends, huh?’ Hanako likes that term.

“T-thank you g-guys…” Yashiro quietly sobbed, wiping her tears away. Calming herself down.

“Besides, you're so not my type. I mean, look at those chunky radish legs.” The camera then zooms in on her legs. 

Mitsuba snickered at the on screen Yashiro’s legs. ‘I've never seen anyone with these thick legs.’

Her entire world spiralled downwards. ‘Chunky radish legs’ on repeat. Comparing her to a mere radish with legs.

“But that was a while ago!! It totally doesn't bother me anymore!! She claimed. 

“It does bother you, doesn't it?” Hanako mused.

“IT DOES NOT!!” She blurted out. Her hands covering her eyes. 

“I mean, I'm all about Minamoto-Senpai now. I'm going to date an amazing guy like Senpai…and make that jerk see what he's missing!”

“Hmmm…so in other words… You'll take anyone huh?”Hanako concluded what she's saying.

“O..” She appears shocked by Hanako's conclusion.

“Come on Hanako-san, don't be silly! Of course I won't!” She brushed off his silly conclusion as she tended to the plants in the garden.

“So you say, but I'm guessing you don't know much about this Senpai of yours?” He hypothesised.

“Of course I do!” She affirmed.

“Then what's his given name?” He asked. Yashiro looked blankly at him.

“…”

She avoided His gaze. “Hey, There's a bug. I'll keep it to feed it to the koi.” She diverges away from the topic of love swiftly. She uses a chopstick to pick the insect up, dropping it into a clear container.

“Yashiro…”

‘Sighs. For crying out loud.’ He sighed in defeat in talking sense into her. He began rummaging through his old school uniform for something.

“Here.” He offered an empty valentine card and a rose decorated pen to her.

“?”

‘Why would he be carrying these around?” 

“I called it Operation present!!” “You’re gonna make something and give it to your Senpai.” a bouquet of flowers and a ‘i love you card’ materialises from Hanako’s imagination. He does his peace sign signature move.

‘Not very creative…’ Yashiro retorts back.

“But I tried that before…”

“It might not turn out the same way. You won't know until you try…since I'm betting on you don't see much of this guy anyway.”

“You do have a skill, so you might as well use it right?” When he spoke, Yashiro widened her eyes, wind caressing her hair.

‘K drama moments.’ Mitsuba thought and folded his arms. He felt his skin tingling from cringe.

“You worked hard to get to this point.” Hanako acknowledged.

“Hanako-san…” her eyes gleamed, clenching the gardening tool.

“Okay! I'll do my best.” Yashiro fired up. Hanako applauded and cheered her on in the background.

‘But I feel like it may be a little too sudden to confess my love, so…’ She considered it. She held both the heart shaped card and pen.

‘Maybe I'll just thank him for picking up my pencil box.’ An idea struck her. Yashiro remembered the time when Teru passed her back the pencil box she dropped on the floor.

‘‘So what are you making for him, Yashiro?” Hanako asked.

“That.” She pointed.

‘Ooh let's see.’ He was stunned.

“The look on his face is priceless!” Kou laughed.

[The next day]

There were students murmuring in the hallway and classroom.

“Mornin’. Is there something wrong?” Teru greeted. Before entering the classroom, he had observed students murmuring about something, pointing to his class.

“Minamoto.” One student greeted him back.

“Yeah. It's creepy. Look!” a student directed Him 

“On your desk…” Teru was stumped.

On Teru's desk, there were Summer vegetables and a heart shaped card.

‘Ah! So it's Yashiro’s doing.’ He finally solved the mystery of the vegetables on his desk.

“Thank you for the kind gesture Yashiro.” He chuckled.

Her face turned red in shame.

“No problem…” She answered sheepishly.

“Did you help a fox or something?” Someone asked as more students gathered around Teru’s table.

The word ‘fox’ struck her straight in the heart. ‘NOO! My intentions were mistaken for a fox!’ she internally yelled in her head. 

“No...” He recalled.

Both Hanako and Yashiro peeked behind the classroom door. She covered her face in embarrassment.

‘Eeep! So embarrassing…’ She admitted, feeling flustered.

Chapter Text

‘It's turned into an unsolved mystery…’ She looked defeated. Yashiro and Hanako walked down the school corridor.

“I think that was pretty good actually. It had the element of surprise.”

“IT'S NOT ‘GOOD’!”

“From a second He thought I was repaying a kindness. It wasn't good!!”

“I mean, I know I said Thank you in my message, but…”

‘A radish's Thank-you gift.’ An imagery of a radish holding a gift is shown. 

“WAAAAH!!!” She cried to Hanako but many students in the corridor were looking at her weirdly as they cannot see Hanako. They gave Yashiro a concerned look.

“I can't take it anymore… I'm quitting gardening…” she dejectedly spoke.

“Now, now, let's not be hasty. You have other skills.” He comforted her.

“Let's change gears!” He cheered, punching the air. Yashiro in the background said “Yeah!”

‘...So I pumped myself up, but…’

An [Operation button of love] card popped out.

Teru and a school girl are shown walking down the hallway. Suddenly, Teru's sleeve button is missing. 

“I found my chance and took it!” Hanako proudly said, holding Teru's missing button in one hand and a sewing kit in the other.

Teru slightly felt his blood boil at the sight of that but he hides it with a kitsune smile. ‘Count your days, No.7.’ Teru made a mental note. Akane somehow felt his anger at No.7 but decided to brush it off since it is none of his business.

Suddenly, shivers ran down Hanako’s spine but he ignored that unknown hunch.

“Sew it on for him and raise your affinity level!” He exclaimed. 

“Um, Minamoto-Senpai…” She yelled in the background but He did not hear her as his attention was on the missing button that was brought up by the school girl. 

“My apologies for ignoring you, Yashiro-san.” Teru sincerely apologised. ‘Minamoto-Senpai saying sorry? To me?’ ‘How charming…’ She blushed at the thought of it. 

“It's okay Minamoto-Senpai.” She exclaimed.

“Oh, Minamoto-Kun! You lost a button.” She observed. “You’re right. I wonder when that came off.” He spoke with inconvenience written on his face as he fiddled with the sleeve with the missing button.

Suddenly, a group of three students (Teru's fans) appeared in front of Teru and begged him to use their button.

‘Oh my.’ Both Yako and Tsuchigomori were taken aback by what they saw on screen, especially Yako as she had never seen this behaviour from humans before.

‘Absolute downbad fans.’ Mitsuba rolled his eyes.

‘‘I'm pretty sure that I'm way more handsome than him. Right Milady~” Natsuhiko attempts to flirt with Sakura by winking at her while Tsukasa fakes puking but watches it unfold.

Sakura rolls her eyes but since she is in a good mood, she'd entertain him.

“Yes.” She nonchalantly replied to him. Natsuhiko flashed a goofy grin at her, being pleased with her answer as always.

‘Fail’ they concluded. They quickly move away from the scene before it gets rowdy.

An [Operation Lunchbox] card popped up.

“Use those summer vegetables to make him lunch.” He encouraged her by providing her a cookbook for bento sets and a bento box.

“And it will be boring to make an ordinary lunch, so let's do a character bento.” Yashiro nodded at Hanako’s suggestion. She began cooking.

The scene shifts to the next day, showing Teru's classmate pointing at the bento set that Yashiro made on his desk.

He made a wolf whistle. “Oh! Is that from a girl? You lucky dog.” He chuckled at Teru.

Tsukasa snorted at what the classmate said.

Teru lifted the lid from the bento box. Inside, the contents emitted an ominous aura in it.

“I think someone dropped it. I'll take it to the lost and found.” Teru told his classmate and left the classroom.

“I WENT OVERBOARD!!” She realized.

“It's okay, Nene-chan! You'll improve.” Aoi encouraged her. 

“Thank you Ao-chan!” Nene said.

‘Fail’ they concluded again.

An [Operation corner of love] card popped up.

Yashiro is seen holding a box of chocolate while Hanako is reading the love book.

“When I give you the signal, you jump out from behind this corner.” Hanako instructed Yashiro. At the same time, Teru and Kou were seen walking together in the hallway.

‘Oh no…’ Yashiro groaned, remembering what happened at that point of time.

“...will be the signa…” 

“NOW!” Hanako signalled. Yashiro is seen zooming past Hanako at a speed of light.

“HEY! A girl from high school crashed into a boy from middle school!”

“The boy fell down the stairs. Is he gonna be okay?” One student asked in concern. Hanako's shocked face was shown.

Kou winced at how She haphazardly bumped into him, causing him to fall down the stairs.

He unconsciously rubbed the injured spot he received from Yashiro when he fell down.

“Were you okay? Sorry…I forgot to ask you…” Yashiro apologetically asked, her face flustered. “I'm fine, it's not a big deal.” Kou reassured her by giving her a thumbs up, accepting her apology.

‘Yikes…’ 

‘Fail.’ He concluded.

[At the girls’ bathroom]

Yashiro is seen with an injury on her forehead, on the verge of crying.

‘Ouch…’ Both Kou and Natsuhiko thought. They can feel the pain from the screen. It made Natsuhiko relate as he recalled the numerous times he got injured from Tsukasa’s pranks.

“Eh heh heh.” Hanako chuckled.

“Don't “Eh heh heh” me!”

“Besides, I think that we're being way too indirect. There must be a faster way.” 

“Hmm. Okay then.”

Hanako floats above Yashiro and touches her forehead. “Why don't you tell him you like him?” Hanako suggests.

“TELL H-!? I CAN'T DO THAT!” She shouted.

“Well, I'm a beginner here too. That's the only other idea I can come up with.” He admitted.

“A BE- BEGINNER!?” Yashiro was shocked.

“Well, you know… there aren't that many people who summon me, not that many people can.” Hanako confessed as he floated away from a stunned Yashiro.

“I thought there was something fishy about all this! You’re supposed to be a ghost, but you keep pulling out these everyday items, and your methods are all so wholesome.” Yashiro deduced. A book: methods of love-hundred strategies, veggies and sewing is shown. 

“That's me! Wholesome Hanako-san!” Hanako was flattered by what Yashiro said.

“NO, YOU’RE JUST A BEGINNER!” Yashiro declared.

“I-i have some not-so-wholesome items too.” He defended himself before Yashiro could pounce on him like an angry cat.

He dug out some random items from his jacket.

“Found it!” He exclaimed.

“Here.” holding out a doll at Yashiro’s face. It struck a nerve in her.

“What is this?” She asked.

“A Kokeshi doll.” Hanako explained.

“And?” 

“It's kind of suggestive.” Hanako added on.

Yashiro hurled the doll out of the toilet.

‘I really thought that my wish would come true.’ She sighed in disappointment.

While Hanako searched for the doll, Yashiro noticed a small bag on the floor and picked it up. ‘Did Hanako-san drop this?’ She opened the bag, inside it was 2 circular objects.

“Hanako-san, what's this?” She asked.

“That's match-making-” Hanako explained.

“Match-making?”Yashiro repeated these words, cutting Hanako’s explanation.

All the supernaturals and some students except Hanako, Mitsuba and Aoi recognised it.

Out of desperation, Yashiro puts the circular object in her mouth before Hanako could stop her.

“AAAAAAH!” Hanako yelled.

“Mm mrr mrrm mm mrrrm!! (Tell me how it works!!)”

“O-okay okay!” Hanako assured her in defeat.

“Those are mermaid scales. If two people swallow scales from the same mermaid… they will be placed under a dreadful curse…” a beautiful mermaid was shown.

“...but tied together by an extremely powerful bond.” He explained.

After he explained, Yashiro immediately swallowed the mermaid scale. 

‘Yashiro-ooooo!!!”

“I told you not to swallow it… I told you you'd be cursed…” He panicked.

“It's wise to heed Hanako’s words.” Tsuchigomori noting to Yashiro.

“Sorry…” she sheepishly apologise to Hanako.

“I don't care.” She said.

“Huh?”

“If it means Minamoto-Senpai and I can be a couple, then I don't care if I'm cursed.” She declared.

“Ugh! You did have a magic item!” She yelled.

“You’re a liar, Hanako-san!!” her voice sounded both in disappointment and upset.

Her words stabbed Hanako in realisation as he widened his eyes in shock.

“I've never seen No.7 like this before…” Yako whispered to Tsuchigomori. “Do you think that He likes her?” She added. “That could be possible…” He said.

Tsukasa also widened his eyes as well.  He had never seen his brother with that look on his face. A pinch of jealousy formed in his heart.

“...gh!” Yashiro ran out of the bathroom, leaving Hanako frozen there.

“...”

The scene shifts to the school building.

‘I…finally found him.’ Yashiro said, catching her breath.

Teru and another schoolgirl are seen together.

‘No, don't tell me…”

“Um…um…” The girl stuttered. Yashiro observed the girl's red face and slim legs.

Yashiro felt a pang of jealousy as she looked at the girl's slim legs on screen. She then glanced back down at hers. It made her a bit self conscious of her ‘radish’ legs.

“Minamoto-Kun…I…I've always loved you, ever since our first year!!” She confessed.

‘KYAAAAAA!!” Yashiro internally yelled.

‘Oh no! Oh no, oh no! No Senpai!!’ She hopes that he does not accept her confession.

“Uhh…” Teru opens his mouth.

‘I was so close…’

“Sorry. I'm in love with someone else.” Teru admitted.

He momentarily eyed Akane and quickly looked back at the screen before He notices it. Ever Since Akane became vice president, something has blossomed in his heart. The only way he's able to communicate with Akane other than school and council work is him teasing him about his love for Aoi.

“I have been for a long time. And I just…can't be with anyone else…” He stated.

“So I'm sorry.” He kindly rejected her.

Yashiro was shocked.

‘Senpai…is in love with someone else…’ She holds onto the bag which contains the mermaid scale behind her.

‘But if I have this…then it won't matter…’ She opened the bag and took out the scale.

‘You'll take anyone, huh?’ Hanako’s words echoed in her head. 

‘That's not…’ she recalled what she said to him.

She clenched tightly on the bag.

[‘Snap’ ‘crack’]

‘Huh?’ Those sounds broke her out of her thoughts.

‘What? What is this?’ Batches of fish scales appeared on her arms.

Some others were shocked at the fish scales breaking out on her arms.

Aoi gasps in fear, using both hands to cover Her mouth.

Akane quickly got up from his seat, trying to cover Aoi’s eyes, attempting to shield her from the horrible sight.

Unknowingly, Teru saw it and felt something sour in his heart. ‘What is this…feeling?’ He wondered.

Kou flinched at the monstrosity transformation Yashiro is going through.

On the other hand, Tsukasa grinned widely at how fascinating it is as he had never seen the curse in action for himself.

‘‘Ugh…!” She groaned in agony. More fish scales developed on her arms.

A silhouette of her is shown falling down.

‘Why? Why is this happening to me?’ She asked.

‘I worked so hard…no, I didn't.’ She starts to doubt her actions.

Two cards with the Senior's and Teru's silhouettes appeared.

‘I've hardly even talked to him. I didn't even try to get him to learn my name.’

Yashiro bit her lip after seeing her monologue revealed on screen, fiddling with the hems of her school skirt. Her expression on her face is unreadable. Her grip began to tighten at her skirt.

Both Kou and Hanako noticed it but they decided to give her space and kept quiet about it, making the atmosphere around them a little awkward. 

“You worked really hard to get to this point.” Hanako acknowledged.

‘I worked hard, he says. At what?’ Her uncertainty grew.

‘I put all my effort into the wrong thing…assuming it would pay off.’ The camera zooms at Yashiro watered the plant.

‘You really did work hard Yashiro…’ Hanako thought.

‘I even turned to the supernatural for help.’

‘I only ever think of myself, I…I did this to myself. All of it.’ She lamented. More scales are shown with an underwater picture.

“It's alright to be selfish you know? We all have our selfish desires at one point. It's okay to make mistakes as err is human. Treat this as a learning opportunity to grow and to become a better person, Senpai.” Kou reassured Yashiro by wrapping his arm around her. 

Kou's words made Yashiro feel warm and fuzzy inside. It touched her heart, reaching out for her.

Hanako also nodded his head in agreement with what Kou said. He does not know what comforting words to tell Yashiro but he was grateful for Kou to articulate the words out for him.

Both Tsuchigomori and Teru overheard Kou’s words of affirmation to Yashiro. A smile spread on their face as they were proud of Kou maturing.

“I-I… I will do better as a person!” Yashiro firmly declared, slowly regaining her optimism.

“Thank you so much Kou!” She said, hugging Kou to emphasise how much she appreciates his words.

Kou's face reddened when She hugged Him. He hugs Her back. A few seconds later, they break the hug.

“Now that's the Yashiro we know!” Hanako cheered as He ruffles her hair in enthusiasm. After a small bonding session among them, they continue to watch the events unfold on screen.

Chapter Text

“Found you!” A familiar voice could be heard. The camera shows from Yashiro’s point of view.

Yashiro heaved a sigh of relief at Hanako, leaning back onto the backrest of her seat. If it weren’t for him arriving at the scene, who knows what could have happened to her on that day. She gazed at Hanako for a short while, wanting to express her gratitude to him for saving her, but she couldn’t do it as if something was holding her back from speaking. She opened her mouth, but she kept her mouth shut before looking back at the screen.

‘Is this…water?” She thought.

“Boy, that was close. Any longer, and you would have dried out completely.” Hanako heaved a sigh of relief.

More water surrounds the area.

‘‘Blub.’’

‘I can breathe... Hanako-san?’

“I got everything you need, Yashiro. I hope you like it.” Hanako said. He is shown holding something like a rectangular container.

‘What is this? What happened to me?’ She wondered. She sees a toy house with seaweed.

‘Could it be what I think it is…’ Teru thought. He learned about the advantages, disadvantages, and curses of supernatural beings from his father when he was a child. Hence, being able to determine Yashiro's fate. 

“TA-DAAAH!” Hanako exclaimed in excitement, facing the mirror in the classroom and holding a tank with a fish in it, revealing the fish to be Yashiro.

‘WHAAAAAT!!?’ She widened her eyes in bewilderment. 

Aoi covered her mouth with both hands in disbelief at what she was witnessing. ‘Nene-chan…’ She sympathised. ‘That’s why She was being secretive with me.' She realized, as if something clicked in her head. She understood the reason, recounting back Nene’s odd behaviour around her at school.

‘Why am I a fish?’ She questioned while swimming frantically in the tank.

Sakura folded her arms and looked at the screen in amusement.

‘Milady looks so smart and elegant as always like this~’ Natsuhiko compliments internally, looking lovingly at her.

“Yay, she likes it!” Hanako innocently assumed based on Yashiro’s actions from what He had observed.

Yashiro shot an annoyed look at Hanako 

‘I do not!’ She retaliated in her head.

“I told you, didn’t I? That it comes with a price.” Hanako highlighted. He then placed the tank on the desk near the window.

“Yeah…” Yashiro muttered under her breath. She rubbed her head in an awkward manner. She has already learned her lesson. ‘Next time I won’t act so carelessly.’ She made a mental note for herself.

“You have been placed under the mermaid's curse.” Hanako said as he sat on the desk.

‘And that's why I'm a fish?’ Yashiro quipped, giving Hanako a curious look.

“Because fish are servants of the mermaids.” He explained.

‘That make so much sense.’ Kou thought as he learned something new from him, leaning forward to listen attentively to the onscreen Hanako.

‘‘...’’

“If you'd gotten someone to swallow the other scale, the curse would've been split between you two, and it wouldn't be as strong. So you probably wouldn't have turned all the way into a fish.” He added.

“But you would be somewhat fishlike.” He pointed to an image of an abomination of a fish head for a top with human legs at the bottom. Even as a fish, Yashiro can be seen being weirded out at the imagery.

Some people in the theater also have the same reaction as the on-screen fish Yashiro.

Yako hid her disgusted expression by closing her eyes for a short second before opening them back.

“All a mermaid scale does is curse whoever puts it in their mouth. But since people who are put under the same curse are stuck together by a special bond... we call it a match-maker.” He revealed how the mermaid scales ‘match-making’ process works. The camera shows two fish tied up with a rope to resemble a matchmaking bond and a halo on top, which means for eternity until death till they part.

Kou felt disturbed and flinched at the sight of the camera showing the two dead fish bonded together. He squirms in his seat but does it silently so that no one notices his discomfort.

Aoi also hides the fact that she too felt the same as Kou, but she manages that emotion better than him by masking it up with a tiny smile.

Hanako picked up the mermaid scale from the bag and held it. “So you didn't use it, huh? Why not?” He asked, looking at fish Yashiro.

‘‘... I don't love Senpai—not even close. I realized I was trying to use him. Everything you said was true, Hanako-san. I would have taken anyone if I could be part of a couple.” She admitted it. 

"I just want love. I didn't realize it until now, after I've caused all the trouble. I'm the worst.’’ She added despondently.

“I'm sorry for using you, Minamoto-Senpai.” Yashiro apologized profusely, standing up to face Teru. She doesn't want him to feel cheated. “I'm also sorry for playing with your feelings.” She added on.

‘Oooo, what a twist in the plot~’ Tsukasa deviously grinned, emphasising on the word ‘twist.’. 

Teru was slightly taken aback by Yashiro’s revelation. ‘‘It's fine, Yashiro-san. I'm glad that you now know that you don't need to force your feelings onto me for the sake of love.’’ He replied to her, hiding his astonishment from the twist.

Yashiro sat back down as a wave of relief washed over her. Just like Kou said, she will strive to be a better person. She won't let the past be an obstacle to her.

“Well, well, isn't that tragic?” An intimidating voice booms. Suddenly, the camera shook violently, and the classroom turned dark.

A few of them flinched at the booming voice as it scared them.

‘That almost gave me a heart attack!’ Kou thought as he put his hand at his chest.

Both Hanako and Yashiro looked at each other, knowing what happened that day.

‘Wh-what's happening?’ Yashiro wondered. Hanako looked alarmed.

“Humans truly are the most foolish creatures. But rejoice, little girl. You are now my slave.” 

Suddenly, a hole appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the classroom, causing some tables and chairs to fall. A red light was shown in the hole.

“I'll take very good care of you.” The intimidating voice claimed. 

Hanako went into a protective stance; his Haku-joudais appeared beside him, trying to protect Yashiro.

“So you came.” His tone became serious.

“Mermaid.”

The camera reveals the mermaid's appearance. The mermaid has dark blue hair that covers one eye and has the body of a giant fish. Her large red eye stared down at Hanako and fish Yashiro; she gave a terrifying smile, which showed her sharp teeth. Letting out a menacing laugh.

Mitsuba scrunched his face and faked puke at the sight of the mermaid’s appearance. ‘She's way too ugly to be a mermaid!’ He internally voiced his disgust. He satirically covered his eyes.

Tsuchigomori noticed it. ‘Could he be scared?’ 

“Hey kid, is everything alright?” He gently taps Mitsuba on the shoulder.

Mitsuba stopped the act and looked at him. “Yes, ermm…”

Tsuchigomori realized that he does not know his name. “I am Tsuchigomori-sensei, and you are?”

“Mitsuba.” He replies. “Yes, Tsuchigomori-sensei, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” He politely answered. Tsuchigomori nodded his head.

“That fish has a face!” Yashiro screams.

“That's a mermaid. It's come to collect its new servant.” Hanako said with a serious look.

“But I can't let you do that. It would be a detriment to my business.” Hanako slyly smiled.

“Out of my way, whelp!” The mermaid launched herself at Hanako, using her tail to slam him hard into some desks.

“You are weak! I have lived thousands of years.” The mermaid taunted. Yashiro swam to face Hanako, calling out his name.

“How adorably pathetic!” She jeered.

“A pitiful little school legend could never hope to beat me.” She mocked him. She cackled.

Hanako rolled his eyes in spite of that statement.

Hanako firmly grabbed his shoulder.

“...”

She slithered her way to Yashiro.

“Now, come along.” She reached for the tank with her claw and pressed her hand down firmly.  

‘Eeeek!’ Yashiro shrieked.

Yashiro shuddered as she vividly remembered how terrifying that was, recalling the moment the mermaid's huge crimson eye gazed down at her tiny aquatic body. 

Aoi helplessly watched her best friend about to be taken away by the mermaid. Fear slowly overcame her, covering her mouth.

“Is there something wrong, Ao-chan?” Akane quietly asked; he couldn't help but notice Aoi's helplessness.

“I- it's about Nene-chan. I know that she is now safe, but…” “It's fine now; Nene-chan is here. You guys should talk it out if there's time.” Akane reassured her by giving her a comforting smile. She felt the sincerity from his heart, but she thinks that it is just another method of showing affection that he picked up to win her heart. “Thank you, Akane-kun, but 12 points.” She teased.

‘Ack-’ Akane’s heart shattered, but at the same time, he cried tears of joy as it was above 10 points, higher than the ones that she gave him in school.

“Just a second.” Hanako said, interrupting the mermaid.

“Hmm?” The mermaid faced Hanako, lifting up the tank.

“I haven’t had a chance to grant the girl’s wish for summoning me.” He responded. 

“Let me finish my work, I’ll then leave you to yours?” Hanako attempts to bargain with the mermaid.

‘Supernaturals never change, always putting innocent human lives in danger.’ Teru frowned. He remembered that time when Kou defended Hanako's actions. Right on screen, it is rather evident that he is no different than a typical supernatural being who hurts and torments people. ‘Even if he were to change, it is unlikely to be permanent. Hopefully one day, Kou will open his eyes to see supernaturals' true nature. There's a reason why exorcists exist.’

Kou looked at the screen in dismay. ‘Hanako wouldn’t do that, would he? After all the time he spent with Yashiro was in vain?’ Doubt starts to envelop him. 'No, hopefully it’s not the case. I believe that Hanako have something up his sleeves.’ He hoped, dispelling his doubts. He wants to prove Teru wrong.

The mermaid considered it for a short second but declined it. She smiles ferociously, baring her teeth at him. “Silence! Don’t you dare presume to command me!”

“I didn’t. I asked.” He coldly replied, reaching out for the knife in his uniform jacket.

“But now… I have no choice but to use force,” brandishing his trusty knife and glaring at the mermaid.

Tsukasa's eyes twinkled with admiration at the way Hanako took his weapon out.

‘Amane looks so badass!’ He wowed at the screen in awe.

Kou heaved a sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness he protected her.’

“Such audacity!” She threw herself towards Hanako, attempting to devour him, but he swiftly dodged it.

He slashed a part of her body. As a result, some scales came off.

“That's Amane for you!” Tsukasa cheered, jumping up from his seat and punching the air with his fists. Natsuhiko ended up pulling Tsukasa down to his seat.

Every time Hanako hears Tsukasa's voice, the guilt builds up more in his heart, rendering him unable to speak. He bit his lip and averted his eyes to the ground. He sank in his seat.

“How could a puny supernatural who was born mere decades ago possibly have so much power…?” She felt fear surging through her entire body after seeing a part of her had been sliced off.

“Curse you, school mystery-yyy!” She cursed before disappearing with the hole.

The camera transitions to the tank falling down with Yashiro screaming.

“Score! Catch of the day!” Hanako swiftly caught the tank with both hands.

The lights went back on.

“She’s gone back to her realm for now.” Hanako confirmed, reassuring Yashiro.

“She’s pretty persistent, though. So we’ll see her again.” He said. “But at least we’ve bought ourselves some time to plan for our next move.” He put Yashiro’s mind at ease.

‘I don’t want to see her again.’ Yashiro gulped in fear. With Hanako by her side, she’ll be alright.

‘I don’t want to go through that again!’ She whined.

Yashiro nodded at her on-screen counterpart.

‘Can you keep her away?’ She pleaded. ‘I just can’t spend my life with that awful angry sea witch!’

‘This is all because I wanted a boy to like me.’ She professed. Hanako’s face softened, and he chuckled before his eyes turned as dark as night with a scary expression on his face.

Yashiro felt chills run down her spine; seeing Hanako with that face is more terrifying than the mermaid. She clearly recalled how dull his eyes looked in comparison to his usual bright ones.

“Humans love ghost stories, but they don’t take them seriously until someone gets cursed.” He chided her, pointing down at her.

Both Tsuchigomori and Yako agreed with Hanako. They can’t stand it when humans mindlessly invade their boundaries after summoning them, which causes them to be cursed as they didn’t follow the rules set for them.

“You think that every spell will work in your favor. I begged you not to eat that scale, didn’t I?” He poked the fish harshly.

“You did it anyway, you little dummy." Hanako playfully scolded her.

"But...you didn’t use the scale on your senpai. That means I can still grant you a wish.” Hanako commented, holding the scale.

“Do you want to go back to being a human?” Hanako asked.

“Huh?”

“If you make the wish, I’ll grant it. But for a price, of course.”

“Wh-what price?” She stuttered.

As Yashiro recalled, she was determined to escape the curse she had fallen into.  

The camera moves back to Hanako’s face. “Well, you know I can’t say until it’s done, but I will keep your life as normal as possible.” He said.

“Are you willing to take a risk?” He asked, and his haku-joudais joined him.

“Yes, please turn me back!” She begged. “I wish to be human again!” jumping in the water.

She was grateful that she was turned back into a human. “Thank you,Hanako-kun!” She smiled.

Hanako beams back at her thanks.

“Those are the magic words. Okay then.” He flicked the scale up in the air and swiped it before it landed on the ground.

“As for how you’ll be paying me back,” He placed the scale at the tip of his tongue suggestively.

“You’ll pay for this with your body.” His tone became seductive. His eyes gleamed sensuously as he swallowed it.

Yashiro blushed at what Hanako said. She covered her face to avoid Hanako’s gaze on her.

He giggled at her when he saw her blushing. 

“Am I that attractive?” Hanako playfully asked, poking fun at her.

“N-nope!” She briefly replied back.

‘What a pervert!’ Mitsuba grumbled, looking at the on-screen Hanako in disgust.

[Water splashes; Yashiro can be heard yelling at the back.] The camera facing the classroom shook.

The camera zooms out to show Yashiro sitting on the floor with the tank of her head, looking up at Hanako. He is shown bending over her.

‘Thank goodness Nene-chan is a human again.’ Aoi sighed in relief. After what has happened, she manages to ease the tension in her.

Akane was glad that Aoi was able to relax.

“As promised, I’ll minimize the curse’s effects on you. You and I have now been linked across the border between this life and the next.” A panel shows two mermaid scales that both Yashiro and Hanako swallow, joining together to form a heart.

‘Interesting, I have never seen a human and supernatural being bonded together by a curse.’ Teru mused. It's his first time seeing it on screen.

Hanako leaned forward, closing the gap between him and Yashiro. “It’s time to pay. I want…” His tone became provocative.

The off-screen Yashiro’s heated up from his words on screen. She figured out how dirty-minded she was.

“...your hard labor." Hanako innocently requested, doing an ‘ok’ sign. In the background, a construction sign is shown.

“Man, that all worked out perfectly. Right when I was wanting a human assistant too.” A panel of the classroom is shown, and Hanako’s laughter could be heard in the background. Another panel that has Yashiro in it slides in, revealing Yashiro’s reddened face.

“And you say I’m a pervert.” Hanako pouted at her.

“Who's the pervert now, Yashiro?” Hanako teasingly asked; it specifically targets her.

“It wasn't my fault that your tone let my thoughts run wild with that tone of yours!” She defended herself.

Kou silently snickered at their interactions, as he didn't want to feel Yashiro’s wrath after seeing her beat Hanako on screen.

“Did you think I meant something dirty, Yashiro?”

“You naughty li’l radish"—an image of a radish is shown with a blush on it. Before he could speak finish, Yashiro elbowed him hard at the chin area to knock him out of the idea.

‘‘Ouch.’’ He winced.

“You deserved it, Hanako-kun!” Yashiro said.

The camera shook at the impact of his fall. “Huh? Hanako-san, I can touch you.” Yashiro looked at her hands and back at him on the floor.

“I told you, didn’t I? Our fates are now entwined.” Hanako answered her while rubbing his head. The camera moves from Hanako to her hands, focusing at it.

“So nice to be me. I granted two of your wishes, after all.”

In disbelief, Yashiro's eyes widened. “Two?” She asked.

“Are supernaturals allowed to grant more than a wish?” Aoi asked. She never saw a supernatural granting more than one wish.

“Not really, but I'm a nice supernatural.” Hanako grinned.

Both Hanako and Yashiro’s fingers intertwined. The camera shifts to a red curtain flowing. It moves down to show both Hanako and Yashiro standing near it, sunlight seeping into the classroom, reflecting the rays onto her back, making the scene more romantic than it is.

“Isn't this romantic?” Hanako asked dreamily and wriggled his eyebrows, finding opportunities to tease Yashiro, his favorite and only human assistant.

“Shut up!” Yashiro said.

“You did say that you wanted somebody to share your feelings, didn’t you?” He questioned her, her hair carcass in the wind.

“Well, now that we’ve entered into a bond,” a panel of Hanako slide in.

“I’m sure we’ll share all sorts of things.” He said

Yashiro shyly turned her head away from the screen. She felt her heart race. ‘Is this love? Do I actually have feelings for Hanako-kun?’ She thought, her mind started to swirl in confusion.

"Um, that’s kind of stretching it.” She spoke up, expressing her worries.

‘That’s how we met. And where it all began. I became friends with a ghost boy in an empty classroom as he held my hands bythe red rays of twilight.’ She concluded. The camera zoomed out back at them then moved further away from them.

Out of the blue, Hanako’s voice rang out, and a panel of them popped up. “Oh, by the way, you should let those dry. The moisture makes them flare.”

Yashiro snapped out of her thoughts as his voice caught her off guard. She adjusted herself in her seat before continuing to watch.

“Huh?” She asked. The camera moves to her arm, which reveals the remaining scales are left.

She was stunned by that horrid sight and let out a loud scream. The camera zooms out of the school, and the curtains fall. The screen darkened.

"Is this the end?" Yashiro wondered, earning some ‘yeahs’ in agreement in the background.

“I have a feeling it isn't." Hanako firmly replied, crossing his arms like a detective.

The screen suddenly turned back on, revealing a broadcasting radio, and a familiar, cold female voice could be heard in the background.

"Look, my lady! It’s you!” Natsuhiko exclaimed.

Sakura hummed at it in response.

“Do you ever wonder where the things we’ve forgotten end up? Forgotten moments or souls?” Sakura broadcasted. The scene changes to a dark hallway in school.

“If we don’t remember them, does it mean they’re gone?” The camera shows quick flashes of school desks. “Or, are they still here in a new form,” the camera switches the scene to stationeries and sweets on the floor. “desperate for us to notice them?” It switches back to the red curtains before, unexpectedly, multiples of eyes open from it.

“Has anyone out there heard this story?” A female with green hair is shown to be Sakura on the microphone. “The one about Yousei.” An arm is also shown to transmit the broadcast. A dark-colored Haku-joudai appeared on screen for a split second before disappearing. 

Hanako's face was horrified at seeing the dark-shaded Haku-joudai. 

“Hanako-san, you there? You kinda spaced out.” Kou asks, tapping him on the shoulder.

“I’m fine, boy.” he replied.

‘Something is definitely bothering Hanako-san.’ Kou noted it in consideration, but he couldn’t pinpoint it.

Yashiro seemed to pick that detail from his expression. She gave Kou a concerned look.

The episode ends.

Chapter Text

“So, how did you guys find it?” A familiar female voice came from the seat behind Tsuchigomori, Yako, and Mitsuba.

Upon hearing Casey’s voice, all eyes are on her. She instantly straightened her posture to make herself more presentable to them.

“It's pretty good!” Hanako exclaimed, quickly wiping off the horrified expression on his face. He was aware that both Yashiro and Kou noticed his terrified countenance, and he knew that they were going to confront him, but he didn't want them to pressure him about it.

“Is Yashiro the main character?” He deduced, giving a smirk at the end. 

Casey was astonished by his deduction. “Yup, you’re correct!” She gave a small round of applause.

“I have a question: since we’re probably going to stay here for quite some time, what are we going to do about food?” Teru asked, clearing his throat. Some others also nodded their heads in unison for his query.

“And also a place to sleep.” Akane clarified, following up on Teru’s concern.

Casey snapped her fingers. Out of nowhere, a table of food appeared at the front of the screen. On the table, there are donuts and other snacks. There are also some drinks on the table.

‘DONUTS!’ Hanako’s eyes sparked with joy, and he jumped out of his seat. He then briskly walked towards the table at the front of the screen, grabbed the plain donuts, and rushed back to his seat. He took one big mouthful of the delicious donut in his hand.

Tsuchigomori smiled when he saw Hanako taking the donut at the front. ‘Somethings never change, do they.’ He mused. He recalled the time when Hanako, aka Amane, was a student in his former class. He remembered the times when he talked to him about his favorite things, like a friend, including his favourite food, donuts. Especially plain donuts.

“Senpai, do you want any snacks? I'm going to take some.” Kou offered, pointing to the table. Yashiro nodded her head. He got up from his seat and took sweet potato jellies for himself and a strawberry-flavored dorayaki for Yashiro, passing it to her upon returning to his seat.

Teru also went down with Akane to take some snacks. “Minamoto-kaichou, what's on your mind?” Akane asked quietly. “Hmm?” He hummed, innocently looking at him. “I kinda noticed-” “It's nothing.” He said it coldly but made it gentle at the same time, knowing what he's talking about. They took sweet potato-flavored biscuits and some chocolates and went back to their seats.

Natsuhiko helped Sakura to take Rakugen and black soybean senbei for himself and popcorn for Tsukasa since Amane isn't a snack.

Tsuchigomori and Mitsuba went down to take bekko candy and popcorn while also taking sweet bean jelly sandwiches for Yako.

Once everyone took what they needed from the table, Casey passed everyone a keycard per person.

“This keycard allows you to access the door at the back of the theater for bedrooms, toilets, and others.” She elaborated.

‘So that’s what behind the unknown door I noticed when we first arrived.’ Kou discovered it.

“Is there a kitchen?” Kou asked.

“Yup!” Casey exclaimed.

‘Nice!’ He cheered.

‘Can't wait for the boy to make me homemade donuts.’ Hanako schemingly thought, rubbing his hands together.

The screen lit up.

A card popped up, showing a picture of Hanako, Yashiro, and Kou together.

The scene starts off with a flashback. ‘Hanako-san said... “I’ve been wanting a human assistant.” ’ Yashiro monologues in her head. The camera shows both their fingers intertwined in a romantic setting from the previous episode.

She rolled her eyes at the scene.

‘It’s been a week, and I—’ The scene changes to the girls’ bathroom.

“Hanako-san, Hanako-san… PLEASE LET ME GO HOME FOR THE DAY!” Yashiro is seen in maid gear with a bucket of cleaning tools, begging Hanako.

Yashiro recalled how tiring cleaning the toilet was at first. She felt the phantom aches in her arms, which were caused by the scrubbing of the toilet floors, wiping the mirrors, and more. 

‘Poor senpai.’ Kou empathized. He went through a similar experience when he was younger.

“Nope!” Hanako cheerfully denied Yashiro’s request, showing a cross sign with his arms.

‘I've been cleaning toilets against my will.’

Aoi gave her best friend a sympathetic look. 

“Just today! Just for today I promise!” She begged again.

“Nope!” He replied. 

“Because I have a very important job I want you to do when you're done with this one. So I need you to finish up ASAP.” He added while holding the mop, emphasizing on the asap.

‘What could possibly be extremely important that he wants Senpai to do the job?’ Kou wondered.

“No…”

“In the week I've been your assistant, I clean, clean, and clean more bathrooms from the second end until they kick us off of the school grounds…” Yashiro is shown carrying a garbage bag and diligently cleaning toilets.

More people shot Yashiro a pitiful look, feeling bad for her.

‘Thank goodness mine is slightly better than hers.’ Akane remarked in his head, folding his arms. When he was chosen by No. 1 of the Seven Wonders as an assistant, aka ‘Present,’ he had to take care of Mirai and clean up after her mess every once in a while, unlike Nene-chan, who has to do chores every day after school.

“I've cleaned almost every bathroom in the entire school…” She said. 

“You may be eternally young, but I’m not! I’m in the prime of my life right now, and I could be missing my big chance today because of you!” She cried, shaking Hanako back and forth.

Tsuchigomori gave a small chuckle at Yashiro’s remark at Hanako.

‘Youth is indeed fleeting; too bad humans can't live forever in eternal youth.’ Yako mused.

“Chance for what?!” Hanako asked.

“Not trying to brag, but I got asked out on a second date by Fuji, the coolest guy in class!” Yashiro happily bragged, doing a cheese pose. In the background, Yashiro is shown with Fuji asking her out.

“And this’ll be our second date! We had a little rendezvous in the classroom at dusk when no one was around!” She cheerfully added on.

“Congrats, senpai!” Kou congratulated her.

“Congrats, Nene-chan!” Aoi also chimed in, being happy for her best friend.

“Thank you!” Yashiro replied, smiling widely at their words.

‘Why do I feel bitter on the inside?’ Hanako thought. His face became solemn as he clenched his fists in jealousy.

“A date!?” Hanako sounded shocked.

“So, hey, what're you gonna do on this ‘date’?” He asked, looking curiously at her as he floated behind her with a mop. 

“You really wanna know?” She dragged the letter e. “Well, since you insist!” She said, with hearts forming above her head.

Both Aoi and Kou showed interest in Yashiro's date, wanting to know more about it. 

“We're going to an empty classroom to organize papers for the student council.” An image of Yashiro being alone in the student council room is shown, stapling papers quietly.

‘Oof.’ Kou thought. He did not expect her date to be like that.

‘Eeh?’ Aoi looked at the screen in surprise. 

“That Fuji-kun. First he asks me out, then he disappears. He's so bashful.” She spoke gloomily.

“What exactly are you gonna be rendezvousing with Yashiro? Paper?” Hanako asked.

“I don't care! I may be just a woman of convenience for now, but this relationship will grow!” Yashiro coped as the camera shifted to her sitting on the ground.

‘Yashiro…’ Hanako glanced at her with a hint of sympathy. He knows that she is desperate for love, but she doesn’t need to go as far as deluding herself in love for a guy.

“Boy, you’re optimistic.” Hanako said.

“But I’m pretty sure he’s just using you, Yashiro.” Hanako spoke truthfully as he put the mop on the floor.

Several people in the room agreed with his online counterpart.

“Stay. Don’t go on this date.” Hanako’s tone deepens as he leans forward onto Yashiro from behind.

“I’ll treat you much better than that guy.” Hanako promised, grabbing her hands in his.

Yashiro blushed really hard at what Hanako said on-screen, screaming internally in her head. ‘Why must he sound this… hot?’ 

“Huh? Huh?” She was alarmed by his sudden intimidation.

“Hanako-san…” Yashiro spoke up. 

“If it's between cleaning the toilets with you or organizing papers by myself… I'll take the paperwork.” She politely rejected him, trying her best not to hurt his feelings.

Hanako was flabbergasted by her answer.

“Fine, I get it.” Hanako said.

“Yashiro must have missed breathing through gills, huh?” His tone sounded threatening. “Come here, Haku-joudai; let's go buy some fish food.” He said as he held the fish tank.

‘Amane has some good humor! We have so much more in common than he thinks!’ Tsukasa snickered at Hanako’s threat. Both Sakura and Natsuhiko could tell that he is having a good time here.

Mitsuba stifled a laugh at Hanako’s words.

“Hooray! I just love cleaning the bathrooms.” She exclaimed as she mopped the floor.

[The next day]

The camera shows the school bell ringing outside of school before shifting to a classroom filled with students and a teacher teaching.

‘Another day of toilet cleaning… I don't wanna…’ She whined.

Some others in the theater noticed Hanako’s haku-joudai beside Yashiro.

‘It's not like I really think things are going to work out with Fuji-kun…’ She admitted as she took a quick glance at Fuji.

‘...but if anyone's using me, it's Hanako-san.’ showing a flashback of him cheering her on.

‘Come to think of it, I don't think he's actually using me… but it's that I was rather delusional about Fuji loving me.’ She reflected.

‘Back then, was I too quick to blame Hanako?’ She wondered, briefly looking at him.

‘He even put a guard on me.’ She eyed the guard while she held her English textbook upright. ‘What did he call it? ....Haku-joudai?’ 

‘He wants me to clean everyday? I'm not Cinderella. I want to go to my club and hang out with my friends…’ Her doodles and her notebook are shown on screen.

‘...’ she remained silent.

‘Well, if you think about it, it's my fault everything turned out this way.’ A fish version of her appeared on screen.

‘If Hanako-san works me like a dog… I have only myself to blame.’ 

‘Nene-chan…’ Aoi has a worried expression on her face. 

‘I know that she's aware of her mistakes, but she doesn't need to bring herself down. I'll talk with her about it later during break.’ She gave herself a mental note.

Kou has the same thoughts as Aoi from the scene.

‘But I still don't wanna!!’ She lamented, slumping on her desk.

The camera shows the back of the classroom, underneath a classmate’s chair. There is an ominous blob with an eye staring at the camera.

Teru narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the screen. ‘Why wasn't I notified of this supernatural event?’ he wondered. ‘Maybe someone has already dealt with it before I could,’ he mused. He has an inkling that it's Yashiro who has dealt with it, but he was stumped at how She did it.

“Yashiro-san! Read the first paragraph on page 15,” her English teacher assigned, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Wah! Yes, sir.” She replied, quickly standing up from her seat. 

When she was about to read the paragraph. She froze on the spot in shock.

“Huh?”

‘My notebook, my textbook…even my pencil case…they were just here a minute ago… IT'S ALL GONE!’ She realized in horror.

She touched her blouse for her brooch, but it has also disappeared.

She was flabbergasted by it as she began to frantically flail her arms for her other belongings but found them missing.

“Yashiro-san?” Her teacher asked in concern.

"Gosh, I look like a clown doing that." Yashiro felt embarrassed as she pondered to herself.

Hanako stifled a laugh at her actions on-screen.

“Maybe…” Aoi started her conversation with Yashiro during break time in their classroom as she watered the plants.

“The Faeries showed up?” She asked.

“Haven’t you heard? Everybody’s been talking about them recently!” she said.

“Faeries?” Yashiro asked.

“The Faeries,” Aoi started.

“Have you ever lost something you were keeping a close eye on? Or had something that was always there vanish right when you needed it? Has something happened to you? Then you have been a victim of the Faeries. But you must never look upon them. Because if you do… they will even take your life.” Aoi spoke with a horrifying tone. 

Yashiro flinched at her story, looking afraid at Aoi.

At the same time, the Haku-joudai beside her is taking note of the rumor.

“Sorry, Nene-chan, for scaring you.” Aoi apologized, as she did not realize that it made her scared.

“It’s fine.” Yashiro replied, accepting her apology.

“Or so they say! Of course, it’s just a rumor.” Aoi returns to her usual cheery voice.

“Aww, is that all?” she asked.

“But lately—” she was interrupted.

“Hey, have you seen my lunchbox?” a student asked another student.

“Say what?”

“Things really have been going missing an awful lot,” she continued, looking at the chaos in the classroom and directing Yashiro’s attention to it. 

The camera shows many students whose items have gone missing out of nowhere.

Teru’s face became solemn from the situation on-screen. He was rather surprised that Akane was one of the victims of the Faeries.

Kou’s face also turned serious; he folded his arms and kept quiet.

The broadcasters, on the other hand, were proud of their work. 

“What if they really do exist? Faeries I mean!” She questions.

In the background, Lemon asks Akane what a Hanitaro is. He replied that it’s a Haniwa clay figure.

"Your usual comic relief." Sakura pondered. She has read books; many authors have employed this technique to temporarily lighten a serious issue.

“Oh, come on…” Yashiro brushed off the rumor.

“Guys! Come quick!” someone shouted from outside the classroom.

Both Yashiro and Aoi ran out of the classroom to see many people crowding around the lockers.

“THE LOCKERS DOORS ARE ALL GONE!!” The camera shows the lockers’ doors are missing, leaving the inside contents as they are.

“Who would do that?” one student raised his voice.

“I don’t know! I just looked up, and this is what I saw!” the other student said.

‘No person could possibly do this without anyone noticing. Don’t tell me it was…’ Yashiro’s face has a worried expression as a moment of realization hits her.

Unbeknownst to her, the ominous-looking blob slithered behind her.

Suddenly, something hit Aoi from the back, knocking her watering can out of her hand.

“Were you hurt, Ao-chan?” Akane asked, He hates seeing her being injured.

“Nope, I wasn’t hurt.” She replied with a smile at the end.

He heaved a sigh of relief.

The watering can landed on Yashiro’s head, water leaking down from it.

“EEEEK! NENE-CHAN!!” Aoi shrieked.

Aoi became flustered with embarrassment from that scene.

“Huh…?” She looked blankly at her.

“Something just bumped into my hand… I’m sorry! I’ll get something to dry it off…” She apologized, reassuring her.

Yashiro put her hand to her cheek as soon as she felt the scales popping up, dashing off somewhere, which stumped Aoi.

“Nene-chan?” she spoke with concern, holding on to the watering can.

Yashiro felt guilty about leaving Aoi by herself and not sharing her secret with her. She shuffled slightly in her seat.

‘Th-that was close…!!’ Yashiro assured herself in a corridor. The haku-joudai that Hanako sent followed her.

‘I knew it… I’m scaly.’ The camera shows the scales of her hand.

‘I would hate for anyone to see this… So I ended up running all the way to the old building,’ she thought to herself.

The moment the Haku-joudai detected something, it knocked her out of her reverie. “Ack! Just a— what?”

'I was correct that something was odd.' Hanako contemplated. He made the right decision by making the Haku-joudai tail her.

It brought her to the location of a suspicious noise.

When she saw nothing, she muttered, "G-guess I'll head back."

“But I have to do something about these scales first,” she noted. “I need something to fry up with…” Coincidentally, a towel appeared behind her. 

“WOAHH! CAN YOU DO MAGIC?” Tsukasa exclaimed with enthusiasm, jumping out from his seat.

“Shut up, you runt.” Natsuhiko mouthed, pulling him back to his seat.

“Huh?”

“Nope, it’s just a coincidence,” she answered.

“A clean towel! Yes! Sorry to whoever dropped this, but I’m gonna borrow it.” Her eyes sparked with joy as she kneeled down to pick it up.

When she turned her head, she noticed a lunchbox sitting on the ground. “A lunchbox? I feel like someone was looking for one of those…” she recalled.

‘So that’s where the missing items were.’ Teru mused.

“...Ummm… Are you… Hanitaro, by any chance?” The camera zooms to show Akane’s missing stuff.

"Thank you for finding Hanitaro, Nene-chan!" Akane expressed gratitude. 

“Ermm, no problem, Akane-kun!” she gave an answer. 

“My notebook and textbook! And my brooch!” She exclaimed in relief.

“What a relief. I just don’t feel right without these…” She followed a trail of missing items on the floor.

She took a peek in curiosity as she slowly approached the opened the door where the suspicious noise came from. 

The camera reveals a black figure behind it holding a candy. Its eye moved wildly. 

Aoi was taken aback by the black figure.

Mitsuba flinched in fear from it, squirming in his seat.

“Eep!” she screamed as she fell backwards.

The door became wide open.

"You. Saw. Me." the creature said as it grasped her leg.

'I was nearly done for...' Yashiro mused.

Before she knew about the Faerie's true identity, she was scared out of her wits by that form, which the broadcasters shaped from the rumors.

“You must never look upon the Faeries.” The distortion in their voice became louder. Yashiro was paralyzed in fear.

“If you do, they will take your life.” The creature bellowed as it grew in size, shadowing over her.

Kou wanted to say ‘watch out’ to the on-screen Yashiro, but he knew that the event was over as he came across the ‘Faeries’ aka the Mokkes, from the change of rumors, demanding leads about Hanako from them to exorcise him on his own.

Chapter Text

“Sic’em, haku-joudai!!” Hanako commanded. His haku-joudai moved at the speed of light towards the faeries, making a direct hit at the center.

Yashiro feels at ease every time Hanako shows up on-screen to save her. She was really lucky to have him by her side, being there for her regardless.

Yashiro ducked to avoid getting hit.

“You're easily drawn to pretty boys and supernaturals, aren't you, Yashiro?” He remarked, walking towards her. Something was seen falling in the background.

“Is this an insult, Hanako-kun?” Yashiro asked, glaring at him.

“Hmm… who knows?” He teased, pretending to shrug at her question.

“You really need to be careful, you know.” Hanako cautioned. Yashiro looked at him with tears in her eyes.

Both Tsuchigomori and, surprisingly, Teru found themselves seeing eye to eye with Hanako’s words.

‘I can’t believe that I’m agreeing with that Supernatural.’ Teru bitterly contemplated. As much as he hates supernaturals like Hanako, he coincided with him that Yashiro needs to stay safe, as the adventures that she has gone on are dangerous.

A few others also agreed that she was rather reckless, which is why she has to be careful. 

“Humans die pretty easily.” Hanako said with a smile, resting his cheek on his hand and squatting down to Yashiro. 

“Hanako, that’s a weird way to comfort Senpai.” Kou blatantly said, giving him a weirded-out expression.

‘Creepy.’ Mitsuba mused in fear. He slightly shuddered at his actions and his tone.

“Shut it, Boy. I tried my best, alright?” He whined.

“Okay?” His gaze softened.

“Hanako-san…” She said.

‘Once again, I am grateful for Hanako for saving me.’ Yashiro reiterated in her head. 

‘Even years of slaving away cleaning the school toilets can’t repay it,’ she mused. She felt guilty for making Hanako keep saving her.

‘He did it again. He saved me.’ She has gratitude in her eyes.

The atmosphere in the theater became a little serious.

Suddenly, something pink hit her hard on the head.

“Ow!” she yelled in pain.

Tsukasa and a few others snickered at that scene from the change in the atmosphere in the theater, relieving the small tension.

“Senpai, did it hurt?” Kou asked with concern.

“Nope!” she replied.

“Hm?” She hummed in curiosity as she lowered herself to see what hit her.

The camera shows her point of view, revealing what had hit her on the head.

A pink rabbit-like creature is shown.

“What is it? A rabbit?”

‘They are cute, but no as cute as me!’ Mitsuba thought, folding his arms. It was rather refreshing to see something adorable on-screen after looking at many ugly things.

Aoi’s eyes sparked in awe at the creature’s appearance. She has never seen such a cute supernatural in her life.

The camera showed more of these creatures. Each one of them differs from the other in terms of colour and details, apologizing with their ears down to Yashiro.

“These guys are Mokke.” Hanako introduced, placing his hands on her shoulders. More of the Mokkes are shown in the background.

A few, except for the seven wonders, cooed at the Mokkes as they found them really cute.

“Currently known as ‘Faeries.’ They’re supernaturals that have been with humans since ancient times, performing small acts of theft and other mischief,” he elaborated.

“They look a lot different than they did a few minutes ago,” she pointed out, and an image of the ominous-looking blob appeared. She then poked the Mokke at the cheek.

“Mokke are weak, timid supernaturals. So when they attack, they have to get together like that and change form.” Hanako further elaborates.

Aoi watches the screening in amazement at the information that Hanako has provided about the Mokkes, which were previously known as the Faeries. Her eyes sparked with curiosity, sitting up straight to pay attention whenever the online counterpart Hanako gave information about each supernatural. 

Akane was quite surprised as he just discovered Aoi's interest in the different supernatural beings who appeared on-screen. He felt ashamed of himself for not knowing about it sooner, resulting in him randomly adjusting his glasses. 

“Which is exactly why they're not usually a type of supernatural that would attack people, but…” More Mokkes appeared on the screen.

“We didn't want to kill her. But our story changed,” one of the Mokkes said with its ears down.

‘Huh. So it can talk after all,’ Kou satirically remarked. He was still salty from the interrogation with the Mokkes, as they refused to talk to him.

“We had no choice,” it said, crestfallen.

Yashiro gave the Mokkes a pitiful look. “Story?” She asked.

The pieces clicked together in Teru's and in some others' heads upon hearing the word ‘story.’

“The rumors,” Hanako answered as he floated behind her.

The scene changes to a teaching board.

“Most supernaturals can't go against their rumors. Because any supernatural that does something out of sync with its rumors will eventually disappear from the near shore.” Hanako can be seen holding a hand pointer, directing the attention to the students spreading the rumors, making the Mokke change in colour from the rumor.

‘The rumors made by the broadcasters.’ Teru’s lips thinned. ‘What could their goal be?’ He wondered.

‘What could Minamoto-san be thinking about this time…’ Akane wondered as he glanced at him. ‘Come to think of it, why do the broadcasters do this?’ He pondered.

“Disappear…” Yashiro repeated that word. 

The seven wonders internally shuddered from that truth. The fact is that if students were to spread rumors about them, they would have to act accordingly. If not, they would vanish.

Yako hated that reality, that restricted feeling. She furrowed her eyebrows and huffed.

The Mokkes are seen eating sweets. One of them offered one to Yashiro.

“...” she stares at them.

“Yashiro. Would you change the Mokke rumors for us?” Hanako offered.

“Change the rumors…?” Yashiro questions.

Hanako extended his hand.

“I am one of the school’s seven mysteries. It is my responsibility to supervise all supernaturals in this school and maintain proper relationships between us and the humans.” He declared. 

The theater's atmosphere changed a little to become more formal. 

“I can’t let dangerous supernatural killers stay here. I have no choice but to exterminate them.” He added. A picture of the mermaid popped up.

“But you, Yashiro, are human. You can help them by changing the rumors.” He highlighted. The camera zooms to Yashiro’s face.

“Please. We’re sorry about before.” A striped Mokke pleaded with her. “We’ll give you candy.” Another Mokke said.

‘Typical.’ Teru huffed as he gave an indifferent look at the Mokkes. He has his fair share of supernaturals pleading with him to spare them, apologizing to him, and vowing to him that they will not hurt humans. It irks him as it reminds him of how pathetic supernaturals look when they are at his mercy.

“We’ve lived happily here for hundreds of years,” Mokke added. “We want to stay,” it begged, giving her puppy eyes to convince her. “We’ll give you candy,” it reiterated.

“I know I already asked… But they almost killed you. So if you don’t want to, we won’t push it…” Hanako said.

“Sure!” she exclaimed quickly.

“I’ll do it. I’ll change the rumors and do whatever I can to help!” Yashiro came to her conclusion, hugging the Mokkes.

‘Senpai is so kind!’ Kou thought. He has always admired that trait of hers. That very same trait that made him develop a crush on her and helped him change.

Aoi beamed at her best friend. ‘How I wished that I were this kind on the inside, as the real me… Just like Nene-chan.’ She solemnly thought as she cupped her cheeks.

Sakura raised her eyebrow at what she said. ‘Fascinating.’ She mused.

Tsukasa begins to grin widely. 

Natsuhiko hummed in agreement with both of them. 

He put his arms behind his head and smirked. ‘So she was the one behind the change of rumor for the Mokke.’

‘So that's how it was dealt…’ Teru figured, placing a finger at his chin, smiling. 

“Yeah. These little Mokke guys, They remind me of my little White Inferno…” She shed a false tear.

“Sorry, what?” He clarified.

“White Inferno. A pet Hamster I once had. A picture of Mokke and her deceased hamster is shown eating a sunflower seed.

‘What a weird name for a hamster. Daikon-senpai sucks at naming,’ Mitsuba remarked, making a weirded-out expression on his face.

“That’s some name…”

Many of them in the theater wholeheartedly agreed with the fact that Yashiro is terrible at naming things, especially pets.

“It’s not that bad of a name, right?” She asked.

Tsuchigomori tries to find the best words without seeming negative as he says, "The name you came up with is relatively… unique for a hamster." 

“And they did scare me…” She admitted.

“... But then, you saved me, Hanako-san.”

“Just like with that mermaid thing before… Thank you, Hanako-san.” She expressed her gratitude.

Yashiro felt the weight had been lifted from her shoulders, as if it had vanished into thin air. 

“I don’t think I’ll ever learn to really love cleaning bathrooms. But I do appreciate what you’ve done for me.” She thanked.

“...”

“I might be wrong, but… is this the important job you said you had for me when I was done cleaning?” She deduced as she followed Hanako up the stairs.

“It was. But I’d originally planned to wait a little longer.” Hanako answered, getting closer to the door.

“I knew it! Yay!” she let out a small cheer.

“Does this mean… I’ve graduated from toilet duty?” Her eyes sparked with hope.

“Nope.”

“Aww…” She groaned.

She vividly remembered that her hopes were dashed as she didn’t graduate from her job.

“You’re almost done. But do you hate it that much?” he asked.

“Very few women in the world actually enjoy scrubbing toilets,” She replied.

“That’s too bad.” He then opened the door.

The sun hit Yashiro’s face. In front of her, Hanako was at the balcony. “ I always look forward to it.”

“Doing things with someone after school. Talking about whatever. It’s like having a friend…” Hanako revealed his intention.

In fact, he feels appreciative that Kou and Yashiro thought of him as a friend. Every moment they spend together on their excursions is something he treasures. He truly hopes that this will go on forever. He is also grateful to Tsuchigomori for being there as a friend and a form teacher during his time as a student.

“Thank you guys for being friends with me.” Hanako whispered to both of them.

“No problem, Hanako-kun.” Yashiro beamed brightly at him.

“That’s what friends are for!” Kou exclaimed.

“And… I don’t know. It just takes me back.” He reminisces. 

Yashiro noticed how vulnerable he looked when he was being truthful to her. She tugged his sleeve.

“Hanako-kun.” She spoke up. The moment their friendship blossomed.

She was happy to have brightened his day by referring to him as a friend. She enjoys watching him smile.

“That’s what I’ll call you. That way… It’s more like we’re friends, right?” She asks, joining him at the balcony.

Hanako was speechless for a second before giving a big smile at her and laughing together.

The wholesome moment changes the atmosphere in the theater, lightening up the mood by a tenfold.

“Have you decided on a new rumor?” He questioned.

“Yup!” she shouted in excitement; she couldn’t wait to tell her version. 

“Actually, it was already decided for me.” She begins to narrate her version of the Faeries rumor. 

Yashiro was proud of her version of the Faerie rumor, which helped the Mokke to peacefully live in the school. So that they can also coexist with humans and not harm them.

[In the school]

“You know how sometimes you keep losing things for no reason?” She asks. The camera shows two schoolgirls in the corridor.

“That’s because Faeries is trying to play games with you.” She explained.

“No way!” Schoolgirl A was in shock.

“Don’t tell me you lost something again. That happened a lot. Better hope it’s not the Faerie, or you could end up dead.” Student B said. 

“Huh?” 

“They say that if you see Faerie and look directly at it, it will take your life.” Yashiro continues to narrate as she walks towards the girls.

“However…” She offered them sweets.

“Candy?” Schoolgirl A voiced her doubts. 

“I heard it helps to carry one around in case you run into a faerie. Then they won’t kill you, and they’ll stop taking your things.” She explained further.

Hanako, Yako, and Tsuchigomori found her rumor more preferable than the one that was broadcasted, giving the Mokkes a second chance to live.

‘Her decision was admirable.’ Tsuchigomori gave a small smile.

‘Hmpf, It was rather commendable.’ Yako thought haughtily. 

“I have to go now.” Yashiro said as she rushed off.

“Is it your club? You've been awfully busy lately,” the student asked. 

“Umm….” 

“I'm going to see a friend. I guess?” 

Hanako gave a toothy grin to Yashiro. The word ‘friend’ has touched his heart multiple times.

“To see a friend…”

“In the bathroom?” 

‘Oh no! They would think that I went bonkers!’ She cried.

The Mokkes were shown on screen holding their candy to bring back to their spot.

Suddenly, one of the Mokkes bumped into someone's shoe, who was revealed to be Kou.

“Pip-squeaks. Do you know a Hanako?” He asked in a harsh tone, which startled them, causing them to flee.

‘I kinda acted like a jerk to them.’ He reflected. ‘I should probably give them more candy as an apology for my rudeness on that day.’ He made a mental note to himself. 

‘What's up with that big ass traffic light earing?’ Mitsuba snarked.

“Well then, I'll find him myself.” He pledged, grabbing his staff.

“Just as you wait, Hanako! I'm on my way to exorcise you!!” He vowed loudly.

He made an evil laugh at the staircase, which made a lot of people stare at him.

‘I looked borderline insane.’ Kou flatly observed, exaggerating it. 

“Boy, I like to see you try,” Hanako teased, pointing at him.

Just as he wanted to reply, he remembered that his embarrassing defeat would be shown on screen. ‘What would Teru-nii think about it?’ He wondered in dismay. He doesn't want him to be upset with him. The thought of it made him shuffle slightly in his seat.

Chapter Text

[The scene starts off with the school rooftop]

Both Hanako and Yashiro are seen seated on a picnic mat, reading a fantasy book together.

‘They look so cute together!’ Aoi observed. She gave a cheerful smile.

The camera focuses on the page, which shows a picture of a prince falling.

“Ahhh!” Yashiro squealed with delight.

“I don't suppose a hot guy would fall from the sky…” She fantasized, and Hanako blankly stared at her.

The thought of it made her giggle. ‘How I wish that really happen in real life.’ She puts both her hands on her cheeks and blushes. 

“Yashiro…” 

“Come on, I’m not really serious. I know the difference between fantasy and reality.” She sighed.

“But I am Supernatural’s assistant. I can’t help it if I end up hoping for a special encounter that leads to a special romance.” Yashiro remarked.

“Special?” Hanako echoed.

“Yeah, like in this movie…” She trailed. 

“Are you sure you aren’t getting your fantasy and reality mixed up?” Akane commented.

“Not you too!” Yashiro whined.

Their conversation made Aoi softly giggle in amusement.

[Nene-chan ♡ theater]

“Because of her noble pedigree, a lovely maiden (me) is taken captive by an evil spirit.”

“Suddenly, before her very eyes, a beautiful young man falls from the sky. In the brilliant show of power, he vanquishes the evil spirit, and he and the girl lived happily ever after…” She fantasized.

“Um, he's vanquishing me?”

“Yashiro, why am I the evil spirit?” He prompted.

“Umm… you're the first person… I mean, spirit is that which comes to mind.” She nervously structured her words.

Hanako tutted. ‘Touché.’

“No dangerous ideologies. Besides, you don't need those delusions, Yashiro.” He said, snatching the book from her.

“You have me.” He said, cupping Yashiro’s face.

‘Hanako-kun!’ She pouted internally.

“THAT’S FAR ENOUGH!!” Kou yelled from the rooftop, pointing his staff at Hanako.

“I finally found you, vile fiend!!” He said, leaping off the rooftop.

‘A boy from the sky…just like the one in the movie.’ She thought dreamily. 

He landed on the ground with a ‘superman’ stunt. “I'm a third-year in the Kamome academy middle school division…”

‘Dramatic much, geez.’ Mitsuba rolled his eyes. 

‘What's up with him?’ He grumbled.

‘It can't be! A beautiful young man's here for me…?’ Her eyes sparked.

‘Beautiful?’ Kou blushed from what the online counterpart Yashiro’s thoughts on the screen. 

“Eeeek! Kou-kun, are you alright?” Yashiro asked; she was worried about him due to his face reddening.

“Yup! I'm good.” He gave a short answer with a thumbs-up.

“Kou Minamoto at your service! Take your memory of me as a souvenir to the afterlife.” He introduced himself flamboyantly. 

‘Kou Minamoto… where have I heard that name from?’ Mitsuba pondered. He blamed himself for his amnesia. 

‘Whatever, I'll call him Hella-Lame, Traffic-Safety-Earring Boy.’ He gave up recalling and stuck with this name.

They stared at him.

“Someone you know, Hanako-kun? I think he can see you.” She questioned. 

“We exorcists are able to see supernaturals because of our powerful sixth sense and high spiritual level.” Teru explained to Yashiro.

“Ah! Thank you for the explanation, Minamoto-Senpai.” She thanked him.

“Well, we never met in person…” He gave her a confused look.

“… but he is from the Minamoto clan, right?” 

“That would be why he is able to see me.” He answered.

“The Minamoto clan…” He started.

“Well, you know, once upon a time…” Hanako started.

“Back when the nights were much darker than they are now… it was a time when they called us supernaturals “youkai,” and we had much stronger powers.” Images of yokai are shown.

“There were three that were feared above the others, believed to be even more powerful than the gods. They were the three great evil youkai of Japan.” The images of the three youkai are shown: the Shuten Douji, the Great Tengu, and the Nine-tailed Fox.

‘They look really intimidating.’ Yashiro flinched slightly upon looking at the image with fear.

Sakura was fascinated by the on-screen Hanako’s tale.

“One of those three was the evil oni of Mount Ooe, Shuten Douji. And he was slain by the exorcist extraordinaire, Minamoto No Yorimitsu.” A samurai is shown slaying the youkai.

Kou’s eyes visibly dazzled at his ancestor’s feats.

‘When could I be as amazing as him?’ He wondered.

Aoi took some mental notes on the background of the Minamoto clan, as it intrigued her.

“The ancestor of that young’un over there.” He smiled.

“Exactly!! You really know your stuff…” Kou huffed in surprise at the supernatural's knowledge.

“My ancestors left countless powerful, anti-evil artifacts for their descendants to use.” He explained.

“I will master them all and use them to protect people from vicious supernaturals like you.”

“That’s admirable.” Tsuchigomori commented with a small smile on his face. He had seen other exorcists use their skills for other purposes, such as for fame and recognition, not caring about civilians’ lives.

“Thank you, Tsuchigomori-sensei!” Kou expressed.

“That’s the calling of every boy born into the Minamoto clan!” He declared with pride.

“And so! I'm here to exorcise you!” He pointed his staff at Hanako.

“He's still here, so that means you clearly didn't exorcise him.” Sakura blurted out aloofly with a dead-panned face 

“Yeah, I know…” Kou answered.

“Prepared to die, Hanako!!” He lunged forward.

Hanako swiftly blocked his hit.

“Exorcise me, eh? I don't think you can pull it off.” He stated, grabbing his staff.

“You don't, do you?” Kou smirked.

“Well, too bad, Hanako.”

Bolts of lightning emitted from the staff, electrocuting Hanako in the process.

“Ngh.” He groaned. The crackling of electricity can be heard, making Hanako stagger before collapsing onto the floor.

Kou silently got up from his seat and swiftly moved to the vacant seat next to Hanako.

“Why did you purposely get yourself electrocuted?” Kou quietly asked Hanako, not letting anyone hear it.

“If I didn't, I wouldn't have been able to let your guard down, and you would've continued to gloat about your amateur skills.” Hanako frankly replied to his question. 

“When I first saw you, I knew you were an inexperienced exorcist, so I had to act dumb to make you think that you've won.” He elaborated.

“Ah, I see…” Kou said disappointment, looking down.

“Don't worry about it; I know that you will be a better exorcist in the future, and who knows, you'd probably be better than your brother.” Hanako reassured him, patting his back.

“You really think so?” Kou asked, looking at him with doubt.

“I'm sure about it, kid.” Hanako smiled with sincerity.

Kou’s eyes glistened with hope. “Thank you, Hanako.” He got up from the seat to return to his own.

“Kou-kun, what did you and Hanako-kun talk about?” Yashiro asked, tapping on his shoulder when he sat back down.

“Nothing important actually.” He briefly said,. Hanako’s words were etched in his head.

“Hanako-kun!” Yashiro called, running to him.

“This is an anti-evil artifact that has been handed down through my family for generations—the Raiteijou!” Kou exclaimed, wielding the staff with confidence.

“It's a spirit staff that turns its user's spirit energy into demon-vanquishing lightning that zaps evil.” He proclaimed.

“Kou, it's rather reckless of you to reveal our ancestry to supernaturals like him, you know.” Teru sternly commented, with a small hint of disgust at the word ‘supernatural’.

“He can use this information to his advantage.” He mildly chided, clearly referring to Kou’s sealed staff.

“Yes… I know… I've already learned from it, Teru-nii.” Kou answered. He could tell that Teru was upset despite it not being that obvious. 

“And you touched it with your bare hands! You must be pretty dense!” Kou said triumphantly.

An image of Hanako being covered with electricity, still groaning from the pain.

“It's over!” He yelled, thrusting his staff towards the supernatural on the ground.

“STOP!” Yashiro shouted, putting herself in front of Hanako to protect him, which made Kou stumble backwards.

“Whoa, watch out!”

“You stupid idiot! Don't just jump in front of…” he scolded Yashiro.

“...Me, dammit… uh, darn it, miss…” Kou awkwardly changed his way of speaking, softening his tone when he saw Yashiro.

“Uh, darn it, miss…” Mitsuba mimicked Kou mockingly, catching his attention.

“Hey! Stop—” Kou whipped his head to see Mitsuba. His eyes widened in shock, as if he just saw a ghost.

‘How’s he still alive? I’m pretty sure he died…’ He mused; a wave of relief washed over him.

“Hella-lame, Traffic-Safety-Earring Boy, you there?” Mitsuba asked as he was weirded out by him staring at him, making Kou snap out of his thoughts.

Kou and others were dumbfounded by the nickname Mitsuba gave him.

"Um, yes. Nevermind." He spoke swiftly, with a hint of uncertainty, avoiding eye contact with Mitsuba. He quickly sat down, taking some time to process Mitsuba's presence.

‘What kind of nickname is that?’ Yashiro wondered. She did not expect a meek and timid-looking guy to say such bold words.

“Uh… and you are…?” He prompted, ruffling his hair.

“Nene Yashiro, a first-year in the high school division. I'm Hanako-kun’s assistant and friend!” She defensively said, glaring at Kou.

“And if you do anything else mean to him, I'm gonna get really mad!” She warned.

“Huh…? Wait, but he is a super evil supernatural… and, uh… I have to exorcise him for the sake of our school…” Kou clarified the issue, trying his best to explain the situation. 

‘Is he truly an evil supernatural?’ Yashiro pondered deeply despite defending Hanako by saying that he isn’t evil.

"What does he mean by that?" Aoi questioned. She is confused by Kou's words.

Akane was about to explain to her, but Teru spoke first.

“You’ll see for yourself, Akane-san.” Teru said.

“Hanako-kun isn't a bad supernatural! He even helped me!” She evidenced. A flashback of Hanako and her is shown.

“Are you nuts—er, you've got it all wrong…miss!!” Kou established, grabbing her shoulders.

Some of them laughed from the scene.

“He's not just any supernatural.” Kou solemnly said. 

“It took all of my grandma's strength to seal away Hanako-san of the toilet. He's a really, really diabolical evil spirit.” He truthfully spoke.

A flashback of a shrine is shown in the background.

Aoi finally understood what Kou meant. She shot Yashiro a distressed look.

“And, look, he uses that carving knife for a weapon.” An image of Hanako with a knife behind his back is shown.

“That’s proof that he used it as a weapon while he was alive too.”

“He used that knife to take someone's life.” Kou's tone darkened. An image of someone's hand appeared on the screen.

“And that someone is me!” Tsukasa exclaimed, having a big grin plastered on his face and his eyes darkening.

Most of the people in the theater were horrified by what Tsukasa said; the atmosphere became grave.

“Isn’t it right, Amanee~?” Tsukasa’s words twist, giving everyone the chills from his tone.

All eyes are on him. Hanako bit his lip and fidgeted in discomfort from the unwanted attention he had gotten. 

If looks could kill, Hanako would have been dead the second time.

“No. You're lying…” Yashiro denied.

“He's fooling you, Senpai!” 

“You can't trust him!!” He shouted at Yashiro in an attempt to snap her out of the lie.

“You're just gonna be…another…” Before Kou could continue, a knife was raised at his throat.

“Aww…”

“My secret’s out.” Hanako's eyes dimmed, one arm wrapped around Yashiro by her shoulder.

‘Nene-chan is in danger!’ Aoi widened her eyes in fear and realization.

Teru solemnly looked at the screen. ‘Was this task a little difficult for Kou?’ He contemplated with doubt. ‘I should have a little more faith in him.’ He thought.

“!!” Both Kou and Yashiro were alarmed by the sudden change in Hanako.

“Haah… I was hoping to keep it to myself a while longer…” He sighed in disappointment, leaping to higher ground.

“Come here, Haku-joudai.” He called.

“You're right. I did kill a human being.” The Haku-joudai spiraled up his arm.

“Did you at least regret it?” Yashiro asked with distraught, as she was desperate for Hanako to prove to her that he had changed. The times that they have spent together—was it all for naught?

“...” Hanako remained silent; he looked down at the floor.

“But God told me that…” A cloak materialized on Hanako.

“If I can fulfill my duty here… it will erase my guilt.” He expressed, holding a part of his cloak.

His cloak fluttered in the air mysteriously and menacingly; he held his carving knife in his hand. His two Haku-joudais surround him.

‘Amane looks so cool!’ Tsukasa admired. He is enjoying the chaos he has sown in the room.

Chapter Text

“So, I can’t let you exorcise me. Sorry,” Hanako smirked, pointing the knife at Kou.

The tension in the theater is still present, but it has been temporarily relieved by the cryptic message that the on-screen Hanako said about his guilt.

“Did you truly feel remorseful from the death of Tsukasa in your hands?” Akane reiterated with skepticism, wanting to confirm his answer based on what he had interpreted.

“Yes. I really regret what I did.” Hanako expressed this honestly.

Tsukasa’s smile dropped. ‘Amane regretted it? That’s no fun,’ he whined, folding his arms.

Both Tsuchigomori and Yako look at each other for a short moment and are deep in thought about Hanako’s words. They have never seen him this honest and direct.

‘Was he that guilt-ridden by his act?’ Akane wondered, placing his hand at his chin.

“You don’t even make any sense,” Kou braced himself.

“Wait!!” he yelled as Hanako levitated away.

“DANGIT!” he cursed under his breath as Hanako kept dodging his attacks.

‘Even though I consider him a friend, this really irritates me.’ Kou crossed his arms and complained in his head. It was rather annoying to carry on that duck-and-goose chase during their fight.

Tsuchigomori pitied Kou for having to put up with Hanako’s antics. He has mixed feelings about the murder Hanako committed, but he gave him a second chance.

“Hold still…!” He shouted. 

Hanako noticed something.

“Hey, doesn’t that hurt your hand?” He asked, coming near ‌Kou's hand and pointing out his injury, which startled Kou and caught him by surprise.

‘Why did he suddenly brought it up?’ Teru questioned upon watching the scene.

‘Could this be a trick to catch Kou off guard?’ He pondered with doubt.

More electricity bolted from the staff.

“Mwah-ha-ha! You never learn!! This time, there won't be anything left of you!!” Kou cackled.

Hanako grabbed the staff, dispelling the lightning from the staff.

“!!” Kou widened his eyes in shock.

Both Mitsuba and Aoi stared astoundedly at the screen.

‘Wow. Take that, you Hella-lame, Traffic-Safety-Earring boy!’ Mitsuba snickered.

‘So he has other powers other than granting wishes.’ Aoi mused.

‘Wha—!? It didn’t work!!’ It stumped him.

“Whoa!!” He yelped, barely dodging the attack made by Hanako.

Hanako playfully swished his knife at Kou while still holding onto his staff, making Kou barely dodge his attacks.

“You should have cut the kid some slack.” Tsuchigomori voiced his thoughts.

“Hmm, nah.” Hanako blatantly said. He enjoyed toying with Kou in their fight.

“I really like this staff of yours, kid.” Hanako admitted.

“Give it to me, and I might let you go.” He struck a deal with him.

“Don't you dare look down on me…!” Kou yelled.

‘And I stand by it. Someday, I'll get better!’ Kou exclaimed in his head.

“I AIN'T GONNA RUN!!” Kou proclaimed, clenching his staff for his dear life.

“I guess it’s rather admirable.” Yako observed. 

“But not as admirable as Misaki.” She added.

“Oh.” Hanako blankly said. 

“Well, okay!” he exclaimed, letting go of the staff.

“Huh!?” Kou fell backward with a loud thud.

Even though it had already happened, Yashiro couldn’t help but silently giggle at that part.

When Kou heard Yashiro giggling, his face became flustered from embarrassment. “Not you too, Senpai.” He muttered.

“I’m sorry, Kou-kun!” She apologized.

Kou felt his face heating up. “It’s fine,” he said.

Suddenly, Hanako's hand grabbed his shoulder.

The camera shows Hanako raising his knife with a murderous glint in his eyes, attempting to stab Kou.

Yashiro shuddered from his soulless black eyes.

“Take that!” He said, flicking Kou’s forehead.

“Ow!” He yelped in pain.

“That actually hurts.” Kou grumbled, touching the spot where Hanako flicked him at.

“Heh.” Hanako gave him a goofy grin.

“I WIN!” Hanako cheered, holding Kou's staff while sitting on him.

“Wha—!?” He was surprised at his actions.

The camera zooms in on the seal that is Hanako’s hand.

“Well… I'll just seal this away so it doesn't hurt anyone.” He stated, pasting the seal on the staff.

“That’s rather kind of you, No— I mean, Hanako-san.” Akane spoke with a tiny hint of sarcasm, almost revealing his secret identity.

Aoi raised her eyebrow at Akane’s slipup.

“I am a nice ghost after all!” Hanako exclaimed.

The camera zoomed in on the image of the sealed staff.

“WAAAAH!!!” Kou screamed.

Some of them laughed at the scene, especially Mitsuba.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY FAMILY HEIRLOOM!!!?” He shrieked at Hanako, snatching his staff from him.

“AAAAAGH! IT WON'T COME OFF!” He desperately tried to peel the seal off, but to no avail.

“Take it off!!” he shouted.

“Don’t wanna.” Hanako playfully replied, covering his ears and pretending not to hear him.

‘Typical Hanako-kun.’ Yashiro sighed.

‘It was incredibly reckless of Kou to drop his staff.’ Teru observed with a stern expression. Due to Kou’s carelessness, he had gotten his staff sealed by Hanako.

“More importantly…” he started, yanking Kou’s hand, showing an injury.

“Thought so… It's like you have no idea how to use the spirit staff's power.” He analyzed, pressing on his wound, making Kou groan in pain.

Teru slightly widened his eyes at that information.

‘He needs more mastery of the Raiteijou.’ Teru noted, recomposing himself. ‘Maybe I should free up some time to help Kou hone his skills.’ Teru made a mental note to himself. 

‘Ooo~, an exorcist getting injured from his own weapon? How intriguing!’ Tsukasa mused, grinning deviously.

Both Sakura and Natsuhiko could feel something sinister brewing in Tsukasa’s mind.

“You zapped yourself every time you shot lightning from it.” He added.

“Using power you can't control will only lead to ruin…kid.” Hanako said as a Haku-joudai twirled around him.

Everyone in the room agreed with what online counterpart Hanako had pointed out.

“I agree; it will bring more cons than pros.” Sakura said.

“My lady is right as always!” Natsuhiko added.

“N-nobody asked you!” Kou retaliated.

“I don't care what happens to me...as long as I can protect everyone!” He declared nobility.

“Ooh, such passion! And no patience.” Hanako commented.

“It is good to have a selfless heart, but you need to have patience.” Tsuchigomori remarked.

“I concur with what Tsuchigomori-sensei said.” Teru spoke up.

“There's no need to rush. You'll make a fine exorcist one day.” Hanako said.

“You'll be so good, a little spirit like me will be a piece of cake to expel.” He added on, making Kou stare at him.

“I'll be looking forward to it,” Hanako sincerely said with a smile.

“I can’t wait to see your exorcist skills improve!” Yashiro cheered Kou on, agreeing with Hanako’s words that he would become a great exorcist someday.

“Thank you, Senpai.” He acknowledges.

“Looking forward to it? This is me exorcising you we're talking about. So why…?” He questioned him.

“... That said!” Kou looked skeptical.

“You're a total pushover right now!” Hanako teased, throwing a punch at Kou’s stomach.

“GAH!” 

Most of them were flabbergasted by the unanticipated punch from Hanako.

“Oof.” Mitsuba quietly said.

Kou winced from the pain.

“You jerk… that was…low…” Kou staggered from the impact before passing out.

He nodded at what his on-screen self said. 

“You played dirty, Hanako.” He pointed it out, as some others also agreed.

“I got to do what I got to do, you know?” Hanako shrugged.

The word “Winner!” popped up above Hanako.

“...” Yashiro took some time to process what had happened in front of her.

“Is he okay?” She asked as she ran to him.

“Yes, he’s just not one to give up easily, so he’s exhausted from the fight.” He said.

‘I’m glad that Hanako recognised my efforts.’ Kou was grateful.

Hanako gave him a gentle grin.

“He’ll be up soon,” he assured her as he walked away.

“What about this staff?” Yashiro asked, picking up the staff.

“Should we hide it now while he’s out? In case he tries to use it again,” she suggested.

“Hey!” Kou raised his voice slightly, loud enough to catch both Hanako’s and Yashiro’s attention.

“Why were you guys planning to hide my staff?” He interrogated them.

“Um…” Yashiro begins, trying to find the words to explain to him as nicely as possible.

“So that poor little me won’t get any more injuries.” Hanako joked, placing both hands on his cheeks.

Hanako turned his head. “Are you honestly worried about him exorcising me?”

“Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be? I don’t want to lose my friend!”

Yashiro looked elsewhere bashfully.

“Don’t worry, Senpai. I got the message.” Kou assured her, giving her a thumbs-up.

“I see.” He replied, causing Yashiro to stop talking.

He faced her. “You know the truth. But you’re willing to be friends with a murderer,” he spoke gravely.

“We are friends after all, aren’t we, Hanako-kun?” Yashiro beamed at Hanako.

“I’ll never break our friendship just because of that flaw.” She softly exclaimed.

Hanako gave her a smile. “Thank you, Yashiro,” he whispered with gratitude.

‘Nene-chan is so sweet!’ Aoi observed.

The camera shifts to Yashiro’s face.

“Well…” she begins.

“I’m kidding! Your face was gold.” Hanako waved it off.

“That boy’s gonna be fine, whether I like it or not.”

“Even if he does wake up and try to exorcise me, he’s not that skilled yet,” he truthfully answered.

“But at least it’ll be entertaining,” he admitted.

“That’s not to say something even more exciting won’t be coming our way very soon.” Hanako foreshadowed, walking away from Yashiro.

‘I thought it was better not to respond,’ she monologues.

‘Because even though he’s my friend and we work together daily, I had no idea what that meant,’ she continued. A flashback of the picnic was shown.

‘In fact, I don’t know much about him at all.” she ended her monologue. 

‘So that’s what all happened when I was knocked out.’ Kou thought.

Black and red flowers appeared at the bottom of the screen, and the curtains fell. 

The screen darkened.

Suddenly, the same broadcasting radio is seen on screen.

“How are you this evening?” Sakura broadcasted.

Whenever Sakura appears on the screen, Natsuhiko blushes, admiring her every move. He quickly calmed himself.

“I heard an interesting story recently.” The camera shows a staircase under a red light.

Yashiro and some others have gotten the chills from the eerie background.

“There’s a cursed staircase with an important rule that must never be broken.” A male student could be seen walking up the stairs.

“This rule forbids you from stepping on the fourth step.” The student stepped on the fourth step, and the floor rippled.

“Because if you do, you’ll be instantly teleported to the other side.” A place with lanterns hanging everywhere is shown.

‘My boundary?’ Yako questioned.

“Has anyone out there heard this story?” Sakura asks.

“The one about ‘The Misaki Stairs’.” An arm is also shown to transmit the broadcast. A dark-colored Haku-joudai appeared on screen for a split second before disappearing. 

The episode ends.

‘The rumors are about me this time.’ Yako thought.

Yashiro braced herself for what’s going to come next. The disappearance of her best friend, Aoi.

Chapter Text

“Do you guys need a break?” Casey asked.

Both Teru and Akane checked with everyone before replying with a yes.

“Okay,” Casey said. Everyone went off for their break to the room at the back of the theater.

Once they enter the room ‌using their keycard, they are all amazed by the size of the place.

“Whoa! The area is huge!” Hanako exclaimed in excitement. Everyone agreed with him.

Kou, Teru, and Akane checked out the kitchen. The broadcasters, Yako and Tsuchigomori, explore the area. Both Hanako and Mitsuba went elsewhere.

The area behind the theater has some bedrooms, a library, a kitchen, and a living room.

After some time, Aoi approached Yashiro. “Nene-chan, want to talk?” she asked with a pinch of seriousness and concern.

Her question surprised her. “Sure.” Yashiro nervously replied.

Aoi brought her to the toilet to talk for privacy.

“Nene-chan, regarding earlier…” Her voice softened. 

“I know that you are aware of the mistakes you made, but you don't have to bring yourself down because of it.” she went straight to the point. 

What Aoi said surprised Yashiro, causing her to look away to avoid Aoi's gaze. 

“I know, but that's all in the past now.” She purposely evaded it. 

“Nene-chan, you can tell me everything. I am here for you.” Aoi assured her, smiling.

Yashiro widened her eyes and gave a small smile. “Thank you, Ao-chan.” She said earnestly and hugged her.

“Anytime.” She replied as she hugged her back.

After some time, everyone returned ‌to their seats in the theater.

The screen lit up.

‘I kept replaying it over in my mind.’ Yashiro monologues.

“You know the truth. But you’re willing to be friends with a murderer.” Hanako solemnly said.

‘He said he was kidding, but the look on his face seemed… angry? No, it wasn’t intense enough to be anger.’ She observed.

“Hanako-kun…” Yashiro faintly said. She understands what it is like to be ridden with guilt, bringing oneself down.

‘That’s why she wasn’t paying attention to what I said that day.’ Aoi realized. 

‘It was more like…’ Before she could continue, a voice interrupted her train of thought. 

“Nene-chan! Are you listening?” Aoi asked, noticing Yashiro spacing out, holding a watering can.

Akane’s face became red, admiring Aoi’s beauty on the screen.

“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you!” She apologized.

“Don’t worry, I actually accepted your apology.” Aoi clarified with a wink.

Yashiro beamed, “Thank you, Ao-chan.”

“Really? You’re spacing out a lot lately. I’m starting to get kinda worried,” she spoke with concern.

“Or are you just lost in a daydream about a new crush?” She teasingly interrogates Yashiro as she tends to the plants in the classroom.

“No. But believe me, I wish that’s what it was.” she sighed.

“To be fair, you were thinking about a guy…” Aoi justified lightheartedly.

“True…” Yashiro found herself agreeing with her.

“Am I your crush?” Hanako pressed.

Yashiro’s face became flustered. “Ehh? N-nope.” She replied, shaking her head. Hanako chuckled softly.

“Oh! I know! Nene-chan, have you heard of this one?” Aoi attempts to cheer up Yashiro.

The scene transitions to red curtains opening.

“The Misaki Stairs.” Instead of Aoi, it was Sakura narrating the story in a static voice.

‘This time I am the one narrating the tale for Yashiro-san?’ Sakura noticed that little detail.

Yako listened to what Sakura had to narrate about her rumor.

The camera moves slowly to show the stairs.

“It’s said that you must never step on the fourth stair,” she warned.

“And if you happen to break that rule…”

“You’ll be dragged to the world of the dead.” Many hands are seen pulling a student who has broken that rule.

“...And your body will be torn to thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pieces.” Blood filled the screen with different body parts.

“They say that at twilight, the blood of its victims drips down the stairs, even though no one can see its source.”

Mitsuba shuddered at both the sight of the bloodied stairs and the thought of it.

‘My rumor was altered by her…’ Yako was in deep thought, recalling both Sakura and another person who is responsible for transmitting the rumor, and folded her arms. ‘But why?’ She wondered.

“Wh-which staircase is this…?” Yashiro frighteningly asked.

“I’m sure you’ve seen it. It’s ‌stairway B in front of the art room. Lots of kids say they’ve seen the pools of blood!” Aoi darkened her voice, dragging the letter ‘o’, which made her back away.

“Hey! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to upset you! I thought you liked creepy stories.”

“Yeah! I do! I love them!”

‘I do, but… lately all of Aoi’s stories have been true,’ she recalled the Mokkes.

“Well, they’re not really my stories. I’ve just heard from the PA system at school,” Aoi said, referring to the broadcast system.

The broadcasters are proud of their work.

Aoi gently grabbed her hands.

“Okay, good! I was worried I messed it up! I’ve never been that good at telling scary stories! I’ve been listening for more of them lately because I know they make you smile!” Aoi exclaimed.

‘That's very kind of her!’ Yashiro is incredibly appreciative of her best friend going above and beyond to make her happy.

The words spoken by the on-screen Aoi were echoed in a number of other individuals, particularly the students, as they hate to see their close ones feeling down. 

“Thanks, that’s sweet,” she expressed with gratitude.

‘No problem, Nene-chan!’ Aoi answered it internally, smiling sweetly at both the on-screen Yashiro and the real Yashiro.

“Hey!” a voice came. The camera showed their homeroom teacher, Nagisa-sensei, leaning at the doorframe, holding up a piece of paper.

‘He reminds me of Misaki...’ Yako mused, having a small smile on her face. 

“Akane-san, are you forgetting something?” Because my students never forget their appointments,” he brought up.

‘Next time, I won't forget Nagisa-sensei's appointment.’ Aoi made a mental note for herself.

“Career counseling meeting? Meet in the art room at 4:30? None of these ring a bell?” he reminded.

“That’s right! I’ll be right there!” she answered, letting go of Yashiro’s hands.

“Later, Nene-chan! Get better! Call me! I’ll find another scary story for you!” she waved before going off.

She waved back. ‘Thanks, Aoi… but you don’t have to go looking for scary stories for me.’

Something caught Yashiro’s eye. ‘Oh.’ Looking at the pot of flowers that Aoi tended to.

‘The flowers are blooming… Aoi will be so happy. She worked really hard to take care of them,’ she recognized.

‘I’ll tell her about it tomorrow,’ she noted.

Aoi widened her eyes in astonishment at Yashiro’s observation. ‘She wants to tell me that? I’m glad that my efforts were seen.’

The reason why she does her best to tend to the flowers in the classroom is because she wasn’t allowed to have plants of her own. Being in the school gardening club allowed her to enjoy doing her hobby, which is planting.

[The next day]

Students are seen going into the school.

"They're..." shocked Yashiro. The camera shows the empty tables where the plants used to be.

‘They’re gone! All the flowers! They’re gone!’ 

‘Wh-why!? Did someone put them away? Don’t tell me…’ Yashiro begins to panic, frantically looking around.

She whipped her head to see the Mokkes eating candy. “Was it you?” she asked.

‘Want one??’ One of the Mokkes offered candy.

‘Oh?’ she noticed that Aoi’s desk and chair had disappeared.

‘I know No. 2’s powers are strong but not this strong.’ Akane noted. ‘Must have been from the altered rumor made by her.’

‘I should have saved Ao-chan when I had the chance.’ He regretted not doing it. He swore to himself to protect Aoi at all costs, even if he was busy with something.

Teru has a grim expression on his face at the situation.

‘Over there. That’s where Aoi’s seat is supposed to be…’

“I’m starting homeroom, you guys!” their homeroom teacher announced, entering the classroom.

“Sensei! Um! The flowers that were there… Do you know where they went?” Yashiro asked.

“Flowers?” Their homeroom teacher is visibly confused.

“Aoi was on flower duty…” she mentioned.

“If you’re talking about the class flowers…” the homeroom teacher pointed to Yamabuki Lemon, who was watering the class plant.

“WH-WHAT IS THAT? WEED!?” she yelled.

‘Weed?’ Aoi was speechless at the state of the class plant. It disturbed her a lot.

Akane noticed her reaction to the condition of the class plant. ‘I should teach Lemon how to take care of the class plant should it be his turn.’ He took note so that Aoi would not be upset.

“He’s our summer flower duty guy. And… Aoi?”

“There’s nobody in our class… with that name.”

Yashiro stared in horror.

“Ao-chan, you’re going to be saved soon…” Yashiro ensured.

Kou also hoped the same, that he could save both Yakoo and Satou from No. 2’s clutches.

In the background, there were some students muttering about Aoi.

She darted out of the classroom. “Yashiro-san?” the teacher called.

As she ran, she took out her phone to search for Aoi’s number. ‘Aoi… Sensei too… What’s gotten into everyone!?’

She clicked on the caller.

“The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and…”

“...!?” she became increasingly worried.

‘I feel bad for doing that, making Nene-chan extremely worried about me.’ Aoi felt guilty.

“Nene-chan, I really apologize for making you anxious about me.” She apologized to her.

“It’s all right, Ao-chan. Hanako-kun, Kou-kun, and I are going to rescue you.” Yashiro accepted the apology.

Aoi looked delighted at her answer.

‘But, at the same time, if I disappear, no one will find out about my true self,’ she melancholically added.

An idea came to her. ‘I know. I’ll call her house…’

She dialed the house number. “Yes, Akane speaking,” the person on the phone said.

“Um, this is Nene! I guess Aoi isn’t at school today. Does she have a cold or—?”

“Excuse me?” the caller asked.

“We don’t have anyone by that name living here… Are you sure you have the right number?”

‘She’s not there!? No way… Even Aoi’s mom…’ She grew really concerned.

‘Everyone but Nene-chan has forgotten about me… Even my mum...,’ she thought, having an unreadable look on her face.

‘What could Ao-chan be thinking about?’ Akane wondered.

“Is there anything on your mind, Ao-chan?” He asked with concern, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Nope, Akane-kun,” she quickly composed her expression back to her usual smiley face.

“But, thank you for asking,” she spoke genuinely. 

“Five points,” she smiled at him.

Akane cried internally.

She then recalled what Aoi had told her the day before. “!!”

‘Oh yeah! Maybe Hanako-kun knows something…,’ she remembered.

On her way to the old school toilet, she bumped into Natsuhiko. “Eek!”

“Look, my lady. It’s me.” Natsuhiko spoke up charmingly.

“Yes, it’s you.” Sakura answered with a nod.

“Whoa!” he yelped. Her phone dropped onto the ground.

“I-I’m sorry…” she apologized profusely. He picked it up.

He extended his hand toward her, lifting her up.

“No, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Natsuhiko asked.

‘What?! He’s so hot!’ she squealed in her head.

“Why, thank you, Nene-chan!” He enthusiastically thanked her.

Yashiro’s cheeks redden. “No problem, Natsuhiko-senpai!”

‘Both Natsuhiko-senpai and Minamoto-senpai are so handsome!’ She squealed hard in her head; her “boy-crazy” is showing.

"Why is your face so red, Senpai?" Kou inquired.

She flinched at his question. “N-nothing!!” She quickly responded, waving both her arms in a rapid motion.

“Here, you dropped this.” He gave back her phone.

“Th-thank you very much…” she stammered, getting her phone.

‘What a wonderful gentleman…’ she mused, in admiration of love.

“What am I doing!? I have to find Hanako-kun!” she abruptly stopped daydreaming and ran off.

Unbeknownst to her, a dark origami crane flew into her pocket.

“You’re being tailed, Yashiro,” Hanako observed. 

She widened her eyes in horror. ‘How could I be this careless?’ she blamed herself.

"But, by whom?" he questioned.

The others, except for the broadcasters, were alarmed by it.

Natsuhiko glanced at something before leaving.

Hanako has his suspicions.

‘Could it be…’ Teru pondered.

[At the old school toilet]

“She’s vanished?” Hanako asked.

“Hmmm…” He was playing cards with the Mokkes.

“Don’t “Hmm” me!” Yashiro pouted.

“Come on, Hanako-kun! You were gone this morning and at lunch! Now look at what time it is…”

“Well, I’m a busy guy. Why don’t you report it to the police?” He suggested. 

“He was actually with me,” Tsuchigomori quietly said.

“Why must you expose me, Tsuchigomori?” Hanako whined.

‘How did Hanako come to know Tsuchigomori-sensei?’ Kou pondered.

“Cos there’s something weird about it…”

“Her flowers, her desk… Everything Aoi owned is gone. And everyone says they don’t know any Aoi.” 

“HANAKO!” Kou shouted as he appeared at the toilet door.

“Minamoto-kun? This is the girls’ bathroom…” Yashiro said.

“You pervert! Hella-lame, Traffic-Safety-Earring Boy!” Mitsuba spat.

“I’m not a pervert!” Kou defended himself.

“If I am one, include Hanako too!” he added.

“Hey!” Hanako yelled.

“It is the truth though…” Yashiro remarked.

Kou grabbed Hanako’s collar and shook him hard.

“You jerk! What did you do with my classmates, Yakoo and Satou!!?” Kou yelled.

‘Yakoo and Satou…’ Kou reminisced his two best friends before they disappeared.

“Wait… Just calm down…” Yashiro tried to meditate.

“This is obviously your doing!! Spreading those weird ghost stories!” He raised his voice as he shook Hanako violently.

“My bad, Hanako. Now that I know that you aren’t the one who spread these ghost stories.” Kou apologized.

“None taken, kid.” Hanako forgave Kou.

“But why would they want to spread false rumors about supernaturals?” He asked Hanako.

“Why is that so?” Yashiro repeated the question.

“Beats me, I don’t know their motives.” Hanako answered.

“Why doesn’t anybody remember them!!?” He asked.

Realization hit Yashiro. “You mean…!?”

In the meantime, the camera switches to face the Mokkes playing cards. “Nice hand!” one of them commented.

‘Since Amane plays with them, I'm gonna play with them cards too!’ Tsukasa noted, grinning.

He added it to his list of things to do when he is bored and when both Sakura and Natsuhiko are not around.

It then switches back to Hanako. “Vanishing students and rumors about a staircase, hm… You’re right. I do have an idea of what might be going on here.” Hanako figured it out, adjusting his collar.

“I KNEW IT! DAMN YOU…” Kou wields his staff.

“Where did Aoi go?” she swiftly brought up her hand and placed it on his shoulder to calm him down.

The camera zooms in on Hanako’s pensive look, then changes the location to the school at night with red windows.

“In this school… there are seven locations that connect to the netherworld.” He begins.

The image shows that staircase ominously. “The staircase is one of them.”

‘So the place where I went missing in is a netherworld?’ Aoi’s eyes sparked with curiosity, as it was the first time that she had heard of that word.

“The missing students were probably taken to the netherworld.” Some missing students and an arm are shown in a red background.

It changes back to the trio in the toilet. “The netherworld…?” Yashiro nervously questions him.

“It’s called the Boundary. When a living human being crosses it, their whole existence disappears. Although it looks like there are some special humans who aren’t affected, like you, Yashiro and the young’un here…” Hanako explained.

“The boundary… My brother told me about that.” Kou brought up that fact.

A picture of a shore appears. “It’s the ocean that connects the two shores… of this world and the netherworld.”

“He says the world where things end up when they have nowhere to go, spirits of the dead, supernaturals, and things that everyone's forgotten.” He elaborated further.

Aoi’s eyes sparked vividly at the abundance of knowledge on the screen.

Teru was proud of Kou remembering this information.

“Exactly. You're quite the knowledgeable young lad.” Hanako praised Kou, who was irked at him.

He secretly gave a tiny smile at the compliment made by the online counterpart Hanako.

“C-can the people who go there… ever come back?” Yashiro fearfully asked, with tears welling in her eyes.

“C'mon, don't make that face.” Hanako cupped her face, reassuring her.

“It's all right. I'll help them.” He promised her.

“I told you, didn’t I? I am No. 7 of the Seven Mysteries.” He said, squishing her cheeks.

“It’s my duty to maintain correct relationships between humans and supernaturals.” He reiterated as he pinched her cheeks.

“But of course, you'll be helping me, Yashiro.” He added, patting her head.

“Hanako-kun…” she quietly said.

“There, there, there.” He assured her.

“Thank you, Hanako-kun, for being there for me.” Yashiro conveyed her appreciation. 

“You’re welcome.” He gave a gentle grin.

“Hey!!!” Kou raised his voice, popping up in between them.

“What was that for? I was just getting to the good part.” Hanako whined, wriggling his fingers.

“Don't touch her, you freaking perv!! You were gonna take Senpai to the boundary, weren't you!?” He repeated what Hanako said, moving Yashiro far away from him.

“Well, yeah.” He answered.

“I'M GOING TOO!!” Kou declared, in front of her in a protective stance.

“I can't let you take Senpai to a dangerous place like that alone… I'LL PROTECT HER!!” 

‘I stand by it!’ Kou affirmed.

Teru smiled at his on-screen little brother.

“Okay… but you're not my assistant; you're on your own over there.” Hanako approved of him tagging along, walking towards them.

“Like I'd ever need your help!!” Kou brushed it off.

“Don't blame me if you end up as a piece of meat.” He eerily threatened. An image of niku meat came up.

“Piece of— you're kiddin—” He reiterated, offended by him.

“Bring it on, punk!” 

“Ah ha ha.” Hanako laughed at him.

“Geez…” Yashiro sighed at their petty commotion.

“HA! Daikon looks so done with you guys!” Tsukasa laughed hysterically.

‘Daikon?’ Yashiro echoed that word in disbelief, rolling her eyes.

She then has a sad look on her face as a memory of Aoi smiling joyously from her hard work of taking care of the plants.

‘Aoi, I promise we’ll save you.’ She swore.

The scene then changes to the location of the rumor of the stairs.

“Wha–?”

“What…is…this…?” They stared in horror at the blood dripping on the 4th step of the stairs.

Mitsuba was terrified of the scene, trembling from the blood dripping onto the steps. “It's not actually blood, right?” He rationalized.

“Who knows?” Hanako shrugged, responding to Mitsuba.

‘The victims’ blood at twilight…is this what she meant!? Aoi…’ Yashiro worriedly voiced internally.

‘I-I-I'm gonna protect Senpai, no matter what… and I'm going to exorcise this jerk while I'm at it!!’ Kou vowed.

“Kid, I highly doubt that you're gonna exorcise me if you're this scared.” Hanako stated.

“True…maybe I was too ambitious…” Kou realized, ruffling his hair.

‘...’ Hanako stayed silent.

“Okay… you ready? What was it again? Step on the fourth step?” Hanako asked.

“Ready, and! Ooone!” He chirped as the trio took a step on the first step.

“Twooo! Threee!” He continued to count. Yashiro nervously took the two steps.

“Four.” A splash was audible.

‘I'm gonna be turned into a meatball…!!’ She dreaded squeezing her eyes shut.

Yashiro was thankful that she didn't become a meatball.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up.

Lo and behold, a large torii gateway with many traditional ornaments stood before them.

“What is this place…?” She questions Hanako.

“The Misaki Stairs.” He replied mysteriously, adjusting his hat.

“Looks like she's really been going to town!” He said.

“She?” Kou picked up.

“No. 2 is a “she.” And she is here with us right now.” Hanako gleefully said.

What Hanako said made both Yashiro and Kou jump in their seats.

“Oh no, what is she going to do to us when she sees the arm we had submitted?” Kou lowered his voice to Yashiro.

"I'm not sure," she said tremblingly.

“This is why I told you guys to take it seriously…” she whispered.

‘Of course, I picked the best things in town!’ Yako mused proudly.

‘What No. 7 said about her is getting into her head.’ Tsuchigomori commented in his head as he took a glance at Yako, who had a smug expression.

As they walked through the gate, they saw dolls everywhere, on the ground and some tied to the ceiling with a rope. All of them have a Japanese character ‘number 2’ on a piece of paper that covers their entire face.

“No. 2 of the Seven Mysteries, The Misaki Stairs.” Hanako introduced as the trio climbed up the stairs, looking around the area.

“They lure students to the netherworld and tear their bodies into thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pieces…”

“This is the netherworld.” He said as they arrived.

“The missing students should be here somewhere… Although I can't guarantee their well-being.” He added on. 

Both Kou and Yashiro were aghast by their surroundings. “Here…?” She asked.

‘It really is another world.’ She noted, as the camera shows, where they are at. The location has many children's toys.

Kou got jump-scared by the jack-in-the-box.

Mitsuba burst out in laughter. ‘What a loser.’ He mocked.

A panel of a Mokke with a lighted candle popped up.

‘The whole atmosphere is completely different from the school…’ she observed, glancing everywhere.

Suddenly, a doll loomed close to her. “!”

‘Dolls…?’ She looked at them scarily. She almost felt her heart jumping out of her ribcage from shock.

‘The whole path is underwater…’ She looked down. 

‘This boundary— the sea between this life and the next.’ She squatted down to touch the water and swiftly removed it as scales formed on her hand.

‘The scales…!’ She quickly took out her handkerchief.

‘No wonder she panicky took it out.’ Kou linked the pieces together.

‘Poor Senpai, if only she told me about it before Casey transported us here, then I would've helped her.’ He reflected.

Kou looked at her. “Are you okay, Senpai? What’s wrong?”

It startled her. “It’s nothing. All good!” 

‘I-I have to be careful not to trip and fall here… or I’ll turn into a fish…’ She reminded herself, deflatedly. An image of her fish form came up. ‘I guess it’s safe to get just my feet wet…’ 

‘?’ Kou blinked blankly at her.

“Hey, Hanako!” He called out to a floating Hanako.

“There’s nothing here! I thought something was gonna tear us apart.” He blurted.

“They wouldn’t do it right away.” Hanako cautioned.

“Where’s the fun if you end it before it even starts?” He asked a rhetorical question.

Tsukasa agreed with the on-screen Amane wholeheartedly. It's no fun if they were to do things quickly.

“Whittling away at you… ever so slowly… that’s the fun part!” He spoke with a mocking, dark tone to scare both of them.

“You’re sick…” Kou remarked.

Both Teru and Akane nodded their heads.

“Well, yeah.”

Hanako stood in front of a torii gate with Haku-joudais. “We’re the Seven Mysteries. As the Seven Pillars that govern the supernaturals of this school. We must be known by as many people as possible.”

“That’s why we frighten people.”

“Also, with the help of spreading rumors about them helps too.” Natsuhiko inconspicuously mentioned it without anyone hearing it.

Sakura hummed at his answer.

“Think about it— nice creatures that do happy things or scary monsters that do terrible things…”

“The scary ones are muuuch more likely to make an impression, am I right?” He smiled.

Both of them stared at him.

An image of blood dripping on the stairs is shown.

“...Still, No. 2’s gone too far this time.” Images of the missing students, including Aoi, have their faces concealed with masks.

“No. 7 is being extremely serious about this matter. That’s rare.” Yako and Tsuchigomori perceived it with amusement.

“We have to put a stop to this nonsense immediately.” He firmly said.

Suddenly, a phone started ringing, making both Kou and Yashiro jump. They both turned around to see a telephone.

“A ph-phone…?” Yashiro stuttered. The phone continued to ring.

“Don’t!” Kou shouted as She carefully lifted up the handset of the phone.

“Um… Hi? Can you hear me? ” She spoke into the transmitter.

There was a brief silence before a female voice came. “Hello.”

“This is Misaki.” The receiver said.

“She said, “Misaki.” ” Yashiro relayed.

“As in the Stair Ghost? Just hang up!” Kou rashly said.

“I have a name, boy.” Yako sternly said, eyeing the on-screen Kou with anger.

Tsuchigomori found what his student called the fox funny.

“I have been teaching my students in the classroom at the top of these stairs.” Pictures of a female teacher are seen teaching the students. 

“That’s Misaki?” Yashiro asked, referring to the female teacher on the screen.

“Sort of.” Hanako didn’t want to divulge any further information.

“I adored my students, and they loved to learn.” Students enthusiastically raised their hands.

Tsuchigomori concurred; even though his students can be too much at times, he still loves them like a parent would.

“But the place that filled my life with joy is also the place where I died and was dismembered.” The picture of her shattered into many pieces.

“Right in the place where you are standing.” Yashiro is shown to be standing exactly at the spot and has a terrified expression on her face as she places the receiver near her ear.

Some others shuddered from that information.

“Say, would you… please look for my body?” She asked for a favor.

“I can’t do anything as I am now…” Her voice became softer.

“W-Wait! Where’s Aoi…?” She questioned the receiver.

“Nene-chan…” Aoi mumbled.

“First, my arm. My right arm.” The receiver specified as an arm is shown.

“That is the arm… I used to hold the chalk for writing letters.” 

“Do hurry. Class will be starting soon.” She urged, ending the call.

‘How well would they do in finding the parts for Misaki?’ Yako wondered; she has high hopes for them.

“She hung up…” Yashiro said sadly.

There is a creaking sound from the door at the end of the pathway in front of them.

An hourglass is flipped, and sand starts pouring down.

“...Hmph. So we have a time limit?” Kou examined.

“Do you think we can go on… if we put the arm there…?” She asked.

The camera moved to a Shinto shrine with a sign, ‘Place arm here.’

“Dunno? But I’m sure something will happen.” Hanako indicated.

“...” Yashiro contemplated for some seconds. 

“Forget it, Senpai! It was just a prank call. Let’s ignore it and keep going!” Kou exclaimed.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, kid.” Tsuchigomori said.

“Don’t worry, Sensei. I got it.” Kou assured him. 

“I wouldn’t recommend that.” Hanako actively discouraged him.

“See, we Seven Mysteries… each have our own domain. And in that domain, we’re unbeatable.” He explained.

“In my case, that domain would be the toilets.”

“But why the girls’ toilet in the old school, Crazy Knife?” Mitsuba asked in jest. He didn’t feel the need to say Hanako’s name. Moreover, he is usually seen with his knife, and he acts crazy, thus the name “Crazy Knife”.

‘It hurts to hear his voice.’ Kou downcastly admitted in his head. 

Hanako was amused with the nickname. “Well… It's just the rumors, I guess.” 

“There’s no telling what could happen if you step off the path and make her mad…” Hanako purposely edged Kou off the path.

He leaned forward to Kou’s shoulder. “But of course. I won’t stop you if you want to find out.” He prompted. He grimaced at Hanako’s words.

“For now, why don’t we just do what she asked and look for the arm? Based on the voice from the phone, it would be a woman’s right arm.” Yashiro nicely repeated what the voice instructed them to do.

“If you say so, Senpai…” He obeyed.

“Good idea. It can actually be pretty fun to look for stuff.” Hanako said as he dug through the drawer.

“See? Take a look at this, kid.” Hanako showed Kou a picture of a beautiful woman in provocative wear in the magazine.

Natsuhiko swiftly swapped seats with Sakura to cover Tsukasa’s eyes.

“Why did you cover my eyes for?” Tsukasa innocently asked him.

“This is something that you wouldn’t want to see.” He answered.

“I found some treasure.” He cheerily said.

“Don’t you dare corrupt my little brother with those fantasies of yours, you filthy supernatural.” Teru coldly warned, glaring at him. If looks could kill, Hanako would be dead meat.

Hanako gulped. “Y-yes, sir.”

Kou visibly snapped. “Take this seriously, dammit!!” He tried to hit him with his staff but missed.

Yashiro looked so done with their antics. “I’m going to go look over here.” She said, walking away.

“...” as she searched the boxes for a right female arm.

She glanced at them. “But you know. I do think it’s better to have something than nothing, hmm?” Hanako innocently said as he pushed the magazine to Kou’s face. 

“Cut it out! Close that thing!!” He yelled as he avoided seeing that page, running from Hanako as he chased him.

Hanako could feel Teru’s eyes drilling into his skull.

“Minamoto-kaichou…” Akane cautiously said. He felt Teru’s wrath physically.

“‘I’m a girl too, you know… ugh, boys.’ Yashiro pouted; she continued to search.

‘...Still…’

‘Maybe they really do prefer that kind of thing…!?’ She recalled the size of the bust from the magazine. Her eyes swirled with confusion.

The guys in the theater, except for Kou and Hanako, were surprised by that question.

‘EEK! So embarrassing!’ Her face reddened tenfold, shrinking in her seat. 

“I don’t.” Kou mumbled. 

“But I do.” Hanako smirked, wriggling his eyebrows.

“Hanako-kun!!!” Yashiro sulked.

Roses covered the top and bottom of the screen. High heels are seen walking. ‘Would my whole life change if I were bigger in some areas?’ She wondered.

The person wearing the high heels was revealed to be Yashiro, who is flaunting her bigger chest and guys surrounding her. 

‘Oh no! I forgot that imagination would be seen by everyone!’ Yashiro became flustered at that thought, covering her face.

She waved her arm to make that dream disappear. ‘N-no, stop it! You have to look for the arm…,’ she reminded herself.

Suddenly, something caught her eye. “Hm?”

“Th-that's…!!” Her eyes sparked, and she covered her mouth.

“What did you find, Nene-chan?” Aoi asked out of curiosity.

“U-um… I don’t want to talk about it,” she stumbled over her words bashfully.

[Arms: found]

“You bet!” Kou proudly displayed a muscular wooden arm.

Hanako laughed as he held the robot arm in the air.

“Are you pulling my leg right now?” She has a tired countenance, holding the correct arm, which is the mannequin’s arm.

Yako observed them with a solemn look.

“Does that fist pump look like a woman’s lost arm to you, Kou-kun? And you need to take this seriously, Hanako-kun!” Yashiro chided the two kneeling on the ground.

“This isn’t funny, guys!” She emphasized.

“Uh. Ummm…” Kou awkwardly averted his gaze away from her.

“Hey, Yashiro… I’m not sure how to bring this up, but…” Hanako fumbling his words.

“... Something seems weird about you.” He said.

“You think?” She asked, touching her visibly large chest.

Natsuhiko covered Tsukasa's eyes for the second time. “Just don’t ask.”

“Okay!” Tsukasa exclaimed.

Yashiro posed flamboyantly. “I’m pretty sure this is how I always am.”

“According to whom, I wonder?” Hanako doubts.

She did another pose to show off her newly altered appearance, but something fell from her school uniform.

An ultra-padded bra dropped onto the ground.

All of them stared in collective silence.

The theater also became dead silent, as if you could hear a pin drop.

‘WAAAAH! Can the ground just open up and swallow me whole!’ Yashiro pleaded frantically that her request be granted. Her face became extremely flustered, and she is on the verge of crying.

Both Kou and Hanako patted her back to calm her down. “There, there, Yashiro.” Hanako reassured her.

‘This is gold!’ Mitsuba laughed.

‘Is Yashiro-san perhaps insecure about her chest?’ Teru interpreted what he was seeing to compose himself.

Aoi stared blankly at it for some time. “Um…”

“It’s best not to question it, Ao-chan.” Akane spoke up.

Both Kou and Hanako briefly looked at each other.

“Senpai.”

“Yashiro.”

“WAAAH!” She yelped, throwing away the bra.

“Oh… That was just… Um, well, you know… It’s, um… not what you think…” She babbled.

Hanako placed his hand on her shoulder. “You’re beautiful just the way you are, kay?” Kou nodded his head in the background.

“You think so?” Yashiro spoke after Kou and Hanako managed to calm her down.

“Yup!” Kou said with a smile. Hanako nodded sincerely.

“Thank you, guys…” She gave them thanks. 

“WAAAAH!!!” She shrieked in embarrassment.

“Hee hee! Hee hee! Hee hee!” An evil laugh came.

“Time’s up! Time’s up!” It chimed. More evil laughs can be heard.

The atmosphere in the theater became serious.

‘They ran out of time.’ Yako folded her arms.

“Wh-what the—!?” Kou was surprised.

“The dolls are…!” Yashiro realized.

“It’s time for class.” The dolls creepily chimed in unison.

‘Scary.’ Mitsuba mused in fright.

“Class?” Kou readied his staff.

“Ah!” Yashiro gaps.

“Look! The hourglass has run out!” She pointed it out.

“So then… Does that mean we missed our chance to turn the arm in?” The camera moved to the Shinto shrine. 

“Which one of you is running late?” More dolls harmonized hauntingly in sync.

“If you wanna piece, come and get it! I’ll take you all down!” Kou taunted. Hanako took out his knife.

‘Kou’s playing hero…’ Teru mused grimly.

Suddenly, a large pair of open scissors emerged from the shadows, aiming for their necks.

“Duck!” Hanako shouted, pushing both Yashiro and Kou down by their heads.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief from the close shave.

“...” They locked eyes at the closed scissors.

“WAAAHGH!” they yelled in fear as the trio ran for their lives from the snapping scissors.

“Whoa! A dead end!”

“The tardy one…” a doll said. “Ack!” Yashiro yelped and turned her head.

“...Is you.” The same doll grabbed her ankle; the paper came off, revealing a monstrous face.

Yashiro remembered that part; the doll's small but firm and sharp grip dug into her ankle.

Its creepy black eyes locked onto her, baring its shark-like teeth at her, making her shiver in fear at the thought of it.

“EEK…!” she screamed in horror as more dolls reached out to her.

“YASHIRO!!” Hanako shouted as he was being held down by the army of dolls.

The blades of the scissors hovered over her head. “Huh…?”

It swooped towards Yashiro, aiming for her neck.

“Senpai!!” Kou shouted as he was trying to defend himself from the army of dolls.

The scissor’s blades were a hair’s breadth from Yashiro’s neck. Out of fear, she closed her eyes shut.

Most of the people in the theater are alarmed by the scene.

‘That’s where Kou-kun, Hanako-kun and I were before we were brought here.’ Yashiro recalled.

‘What is going to happen to me?’ She wondered.

‘Nene-chan, please be alright.’ Aoi hoped.

Chapter Text

‘Did… did I die?’ Yashiro trembled at that thought, her face pale.

‘My life can't end like this…’ She was on the verge of crying, her breath rapid.

Kou stroked her back in a circular motion to calm her. “Take slow, deep breaths, Senpai…”

“Yashiro…I won't let that happen to you, y'know…” Hanako softly tried to reassure her.

“I promised.” He swore, hugging her. Yashiro shakily lifted her arms to hug him back.

“T-Thank you…” she mumbled.

Hanako pulled Yashiro down just in time before the scissors could behead her.

Aoi was grateful to Hanako for saving Yashiro, heaving a sigh of relief.

“See, Yashiro, I kept my word.” Hanako grinned.

Yashiro has already calmed herself down using the advice the Kou gave. 

‘Hanako-kun…’ his actions touched her.

“Ha—Hanako-kun!” she gasped, holding his arm.

“Stay back.” Hanako said, gently pushing her.

He did an upper kick to the scissors, unscrewing the bolt from the scissors.

The scissors broke, dropping onto the ground.

“Woah!! Amane looks amazingly cool!!” Tsukasa bubbled.

‘I know right! I'm good at this!’ Hanako praised himself.

Tsukasa then continued to fanboy Hanako.

‘Not gonna lie but he looks awesome doing it!’ Mitsuba noted.

“You did it!” Yashiro cheered.

“No.” Hanako solemnly said. The scissors rose from the ground, returning to its original form.

“We're not out of the woods yet.” The scissors opened, brandishing its blades.

“How terrifying…” Mitsuba muttered under his breath. 

Unfortunately for him, Yako overheard his muttering.

“May I know what's terrifying, boy?” her voice was sharp.

“N-nothing, Miss.”  He squeaked.

“!!” She squeaked with fear as more dolls squirm towards her.

“Kid!” He called out, defending himself from the scissors’ blades.

“Don't order me around…! I'm already on it!” Kou huffed, hitting the dolls away from Yashiro.

The dolls dropped simultaneously. “Attaboy!” Hanako praised.

Kou cringes at his words but secretly likes his compliment. 

“Okay, Let's go.” Hanako lifted Yashiro up by her stomach.

“E-eh?” Yashiro was taken aback by his on-screen self's actions.

“It's faster that way.” Hanako shrugged.

“Huh!?” she yelped.

“Run away!” Hanako instructed Kou.

“But the door…!” Yashiro brought up.

Suddenly, something at the corner caught her eye.

It is revealed that the Mokkes were the ones that brought the arms.

“Thank goodness that the Mokkes were with us, if not, we were unable to make it out alive.” Yashiro was thankful.

Both Hanako and Kou agreed with her.

“Put the arm in that little shrine!” Hanako urged.

Kou swiftly took an arm and threw it into the Shinto shrine. The door slammed from the impact.

“All right!!” He fired up. 

In the background, Hanako cheered for his great throw.

“Your throw is pretty good, Kou!” Yashiro complimented with a beam.

“Thank you, Senpai!” Kou replied, ruffling his hair and slightly blushed.

After some seconds, the doors of the torii gate opened. 

“It's open!!” The trio ran to it, the gate shut behind them.

‘So they made it past the first stage,’ Yako noted.

‘I'm confident that they will be able to finish making a body for Misaki-san since No. 7 is with them.’ She mused. 

‘We managed to make it through the door.’ Yashiro monologues.

‘But it's just more stairs… And dolls…’ She noted.

‘And there's nobody here. Not Aoi, not any of the other kids…’ She became worried.

‘If we keep going, we will find them… won't we?’ She doubts.

“I'm sure that you, Minamoto-kouhai and Hanako will find Ao-chan and the other students there, Nene-chan.” Akane ensured her.

“Since they went missing there.” He added.

There was a sound of ringing, making her flinch.

“Another one…” Kou observed as they looked at the telephone ringing.

Yashiro slowly extended her hand toward the phone but Hanako picked it up in one swift motion.

‘What could No. 7 be brewing in that scheming head of his?’ Yako wondered, narrowing her eyes.

Tsuchigomori has the same thought as her as Hanako himself is unpredictable.

Hanako cleared his throat. “A-Yello?” He spoke into the transmitter.

“My left arm…” the caller said.

“Please find my left arm…” she pleaded.

The scene changes to a woman at a shrine.

“Every morning… Before class, I go to make an offering and say a prayer at the shrine.” She recounted.

It zoomed into the woman, praying. “I put my left and right hands together…”

The woman was revealed to be Yako. “... And pray for everyone's good health.”

“She… she's the lady who sits beside Tsuchigomori-sensei!” Kou realized.

Almost everyone's eyes were on Yako.

‘She's so pretty!’ Yashiro noted when she whipped her head to see who Kou was talking about.

Teru and Akane instantly identified who she truly was.

“Do hurry. Class—” Before she could continue, Hanako interrupted her.

“Hey, No. 2!” He smiled.

“Long time no chat. You… Do remember me, don't you?” His voice lowered.

“He better not ruin this for me.” Yako mouthed. 

Mitsuba felt the air around her drop, shuddering from it.

Yako hesitated from his voice.

“... Class will be starting soon.” She resumed as the camera shifted back to the trio.

“...” Both Kou and Yashiro stared at him.

“You know her?” She asked.

“Well… We're both seven mysteries, after all.”

‘No. 2 of the seven wonders.’ Teru frowned.

He is rather baffled at why the rumors were altered by the broadcasters, especially their motive or what could their goal possibly be, what would they gain from it?

“I just thought I'd say hi,” Hanako said.

The hourglass was flipped, and sand started pouring down.

“We're looking for arms again? Ugh, what a pain…” Kou grumbled as he scratched his head.

“Hey, Hanako!” The camera changes to Hanako observing the Mokkes.

“Isn't there some other way to deal with her!?” Kou asked in irritation.

“Some other way?” Hanako innocently prompted.

“You know, something we can use against her… like a weakness…” Kou rambled.

‘He's planning to use my yorishiro against me?’ Yako picked up, being surprised at his thought.

“There is.” Hanako answered. Both Yashiro and Kou widened their eyes in astonishment.

[Teach me, Hanako-kun: Divine yorishiro arc]

Hanako took out a pointer. “She definitely has a weakness.” Hanako confirmed.

The supernaturals and Teru immediately understood what Hanako was referring to.

“She's going to do it right? Milady?” Natsuhiko whispered to Sakura.

“Yes, she is.” Sakura answered. ‘All according to plan.’ 

Tsukasa smirked.

“Her divine yorishiro. That’s what it’s called.” Illustrations of question marks arrowing to the seven mysteries.

‘What could her yorishiro be?’ Yashiro wondered. 

“Those are what give us seven mysteries our power.” 

He took the toy monkey from the Mokke and removed one battery.

“You might say it’s something like a battery. If you destroy it, the school will be weakened significantly.” Hanako explained as he held the battery.

Aoi took note of this information.

“What is your yorishiro, Hanako?” Kou asked.

His question intrigued Yashiro and others.

A memory of Tsukasa flashed in Hanako’s head.

“Well, it’s a secret!” Hanako playfully said with a wink. 

“That’s it!!”

“So where do we find this divine… uh…” Kou fumbled his words.

“Norishiro!?” He asked. A paper tab for gluing is depicted in the image.

‘Lmao, he couldn't even remember the word “Yorishiro” .’ Mitsuba mocked.

Kou was slightly embarrassed by his mispronunciation.

“You mean yorishiro.” Yashiro reminded him.

“Yeah, yorishiro! Where is it!?” He shot the question at Hanako.

“In the innermost reaches of this boundary.” He grinned.

“Innermost…” Yashiro said.

“... reaches?” Kou completed her sentence.

“Where's that?” Aoi asked.

“The deepest part of the boundary, where the seven wonders hide their yorishiro.” Hanako explained.

“It's just what it sounds like—the place farthest inside the world. I suspect we'll find it far beyond that door,” Hanako reiterated.

The scene shifts to a torii gate with a sign “Misaki”.

“That’s the deepest part of the boundary?” Yashiro inquired.

“Yup!!” Hanako answered with a thumbs-up.

“At the top of this stairway…” He began.

“The top… which means…” Both Kou and Yashiro looked up at where Hanako was pointing at.

“Basically…”

“...” as the camera shows where he was directing them at; many flights of stairs spiraling upwards.

‘Oof, that sucks for them.’ Natsuhiko sympathized. He pitied the on-screen Yashiro and Kou.

Both Kou and Yashiro were stupefied by the numerous flights of stairs they had to climb up to reach the innermost reaches.

Yashiro was jealous at the fact that Hanako could float up the stairs without tiring himself while her and Kou had to walk.

“So who's excited to climb some stairs!?” Hanako punched the air in enthusiasm.

Kou and Yashiro dreaded their cheer.

‘After that…’ Yashiro monologues.

‘... we kept moving forward…’ the trio were searching for parts to submit. 

‘... looking for each body part the Misaki stairs asked us to find.’

“Next, my right leg…” Yako requested.

“My left leg…” the trio searched the vases.

“Why would the leg be in the vases?” Mitsuba spat.

“Who knows? It might be there or in random places.” Hanako responded. 

“My torso.” Hanako showed Yashiro a machinery top.

“Please treat this seriously, Hanako-kun…” Yashiro emphasized.

“It's great to have fun too! Loosen up!” He remarked lightheartedly.

“My eyes.” Hanako then showed Kou cartoon eye goggles which made him burst out in laughter.

‘I got closer to Hanako?’ Kou noticed.

“My ears.” The trio were being chased by the scissors.

They stared at each other while holding abc blocks with a Mokke bouncing.

“This is the last one… right?” Yashiro asked as she placed the arm in the Shinto shrine.

“It's over!!!” They cheered, high-fiving each other.

“She'll want her right toe nails next… ya think?” Hanako joked.

Yako felt infuriated by Hanako's joke but she masked her anger with a smile.

“Come on, that's getting way too detailed…” Yashiro felt crept out.

“It's opening!” Kou alerted the others as the heavy doors creaked.

The door fully opened, mist escaped from it, covering the trio's ankles.

‘I hope… it keeps going this well.’ Yashiro prayed.

‘I hope so too…’ Yashiro echoed her online counterpart's thoughts.

She wished and hoped that lady luck would be on their side to save their friends.

‘But I feel like something isn't right. Like…’ She became skeptical.

‘Yeah.’

‘If she's making us look for her body because she can't do anything without it…’

‘Then who in the world is making those phone calls…?’ She wondered.

“Is that lady even called “Misaki”?” both Yashiro and Kou pondered, huddled together to discuss.

They lowered their voices so that no one could hear their discussion.

“We know that that lady had been making those phone calls.” Kou observed. 

“I don't think that she's Misaki, could she be Misaki's lover or someone close to him?” Yashiro theorized.

Kou found her theory logical, nodding his head in agreement.

Hanako was confused at what both Kou and Yashiro were whispering about.

The trio entered the area. The ground was just water, reflecting their silhouettes.

“Is this…the innermost reaches?” Kou asked as he looked around his surroundings.

“I think so…” Hanako replied with uncertainty.

‘It definitely has a different vibe than everywhere else. Then…’ Yashiro contemplated.

“I agree, the innermost reaches are ironically more serene than the other parts of the boundary.” Sakura commented.

“Yup! Like what she said.” Natsuhiko chimed in.

Aoi got a flashback of her being dealt with by “Misaki”, shuddering from it.

‘... Is this where we find the yorishiro Hanako-kun told us about?’ She questions herself internally.

Her feet hit something hard.

She shuddered. ‘What…? Is something floating there?’

She kicked the object off the area, trying to see and hear for the object to land on the ground.

‘I can't see the bottom.’ She realized as she made her way to the edge.

“It will be scary to fall off the area.” Yashiro said with fear. She imagined herself falling off the area, shivering from it.

Some others agreed with her.

“Look over there!”

“Someone's there!” a person is seated on a chair.

“Th—That's…!!” Kou shouted in alarm. Both Yashiro and Hanako widened their eyes.

Upon closer observation, the person seated has a doll head, a muscular torso with a bra, a muscular wooden arm and a broom for an arm. It also has a tutu with a manikin leg and a bicycle wheel as a leg.

Some others laughed at the funny part as it was hideous to look at.

“...” Yako looked at the screen expressionlessly, wearing a pensive look on her face.

“It looks great, don't worry.” Yako commented with a smile. ‘As long as it doesn't topple then it is the perfect human body for Misaki.’ She mused.

Mitsuba has a weirded-out expression on his face as he eyed Yako. ‘How does that abomination look great!?’ He retorted internally.

“Really? Thank you, “Misaki-san” !” Yashiro was surprised at her comment.

“Are those all the parts we collected…?” Kou inquired with a weirded-out expression on his face.

“Yikes.” Hanako awkwardly responded.

‘Scary…’ Yashiro hid behind Hanako.

“You just had to give it those weird legs, kid.” He commented, pointing to Kou.

“Wha—!!? You're the one who said it didn't matter as long as we could keep going.” He defended himself.

“Aww… the bust size and left leg are so perfect, but…” Yashiro clasped her cheeks.

“Really? You'd be okay with a bust like this?” Hanako doubts her.

Suddenly, the water on the ground splashes with each step.

‘Footsteps!? And they're headed this way…’

‘Ah, I must have made my arrival to check on the body.’ Yako remarked.

“You finally made it.” A female voice came.

‘That voice…’ Yashiro realized.

‘That's the voice from the phone! I'm sure of it!’ She was certain.

[No. 2]

“She's No. 2 of the Seven Mysteries?” Yashiro couldn't contain her shock from the reveal.

“Yup! Like what's shown on the screen!” Hanako answered.

The revelation shows the woman to be Yako, who walks gracefully toward the trio with a lantern.

“Oooh…” the three were mesmerized by her beauty.

‘She's drop-dead gorgeous… Is this “Misaki-san”...?’ Yashiro pondered.

“Why thank you, Yashiro-san.” Yako softly thanked her. ‘All these years of shopping for human products paid off to enhance my beauty.’

“No problem,” Yashiro felt flustered. 

‘But I thought she didn't have a body…’

Yako abruptly ran past them and grabbed the person's shoulders.

“Uh, umm, about that doll…” Kou stammered.

“B-Believe it or not, we did try our best…” she stuttered.

“No worries, I know that you guys did your best despite the ‘setbacks’.” Yako reassured them even with the ‘setbacks’ in question.

Yako intensely eyed them with her expression darkened, scaring both Kou and Yashiro.

“What a wonderful body!” She exclaimed with excitement.

“...Huh?”

“Y-you’re okay with that?” 

“I was at such a loss, you see. I simply have no idea what human bodies are made of…” Yako explained.

“I always knew it was a good idea to ask humans about human things.” She said with gratitude, holding Yashiro’s hands.

‘She has never seen a human anatomy before?’ Yashiro picked up that detail.

“This is nothing like any of the other bodies I've had made. I'm sure it'll work this time.” She assured them.

‘ “This time”...?’ Yashiro discovered.

“Isn't that right, “Misaki”?” Yako queried, admiring the trio's creation.

‘She's just as obsessed as I remember.’ Tsuchigomori mused, recalling the times when they met up to talk. 

He then recounted the countless times that fox had brought about Misaki.

“Go on! Let me see you walk.” She blew at it.

The creation began to move, parts of it rattled in its movement.

The three were terrified of their work coming to life, while Yako looked joyous at it.

As it took its first step, it immediately collapsed.

“Oh, dear…” Yako said with disappointment.

She picked up the head. “Another failure. What a shame…”

‘She looks really scary.’ Yashiro squeaked in her head.

“Uh, um..” Yashiro nervously started.

“Have any other students been here?” She asked.

“Where might they be…?” She followed up with another question.

“Other? Oh… you're looking for the children who failed.” Yako's voice became cold.

“In that case—”

The area brightened behind Yako, the bodies of missing students piled on each other with scissors sticking out.

The atmosphere in the theater became grim.

Akane immediately scanned for Aoi in the pile of missing students who became lifeless puppets.

‘So that's what happened to me and those students who went missing.’ Aoi realized in aghast.

“They're all around—didn't you see them?” Her voice lowered.

“Ah…” Yashiro and Kou widened their eyes in horror. 

The camera zoomed in on one body. Aoi has a “No. 2” paper pasted on her face.

Some of them widened their eyes in horror at the scene.

‘Ao-chan!’ Akane was in disbelief. ‘It’s all my fault…’

Teru noticed him being more quiet than usual.

Yashiro covered her mouth, staring at the screen dumbfounded.

She was speechless, sitting frozen on her seat. Words couldn't convey her shock.

“Yashiro, Yashiro!” Hanako and Kou called, gently shaking her to come to her senses.

‘Nene-chan…’ Aoi became worried about her wellbeing. Seeing her best friend in shock scares her.

“Ah. Aaah…” Yashiro’s legs trembled.

“Cheer up, Nene-chan!” Aoi’s voice echoed in her head.

“Aoi!!” Yashiro cried as she ran to the body.

“Yashiro!!” Hanako called.

“Aoi!!! Aoi, wake up!” Yashiro’s voice cracked, shaking the body. Yako sighed in dissatisfaction.

‘Her ability to turn others into dolls is revolting.’ Teru bitterly mused.

“I try, and I try, but nothing ever works… I've had enough.” Yako said with a chill.

Yashiro lifted the body, tears swimming down her cheeks. 

The head snapped off the body, tumbling away.

“As for you three…”

“I will tear you apart, just as the rumors say.” Her tone became malicious.

“She can't help but to act according to her rumors?” Aoi observed.

“Yes, because we, supernaturals, are bound to it. If the rumors alter, then our behaviour will change.” Hanako quickly replied while trying to console Yashiro, who was still shaken by that traumatising scene.

The scissors appeared behind Yashiro, readying itself to cut her.

Kou swiftly used his arm to block the blade as he held the scared stiff Yashiro, obtaining a cut on his arm.

“Please be okay, Kou.” Teru quietly said.

‘Minamoto-kaichou seems worried.’ Akane noticed despite Teru’s poker face. He hung out with Teru long enough for him to know what his actual thoughts were.

Tsuchigomori was concerned about Kou.

“Senpai! Are you okay!?” He raised his voice, holding her shoulders.

Out of nowhere, the arm that was wounded turned into a doll's arm.

‘He has a few minutes before completely becomes a doll.’ Yako mused.

“Wh–wha—!?” 

“What the hell is this?!" Kou exclaimed in astonishment.

“... looks like if you get cut by those scissors, you turn into a doll.” Hanako observed as he deflected Yako's attack from Kou.

‘He still protected me despite him saying that he wouldn't.’ Kou noted.

“H-how are we supposed to fight it…?” Kou inquired, touching his doll arm.

“Wait, I got it!” The light bulb in his head lit up.

“Hanako! Do that thing you did! Transform and beat the shit out of her!” Kou referred to his fight with him.

“I can't.” Hanako simply said.

“Wha…!?”

“This is No. 2’s domain.” Yako maneuver her large scissors with ease while fighting Hanako.

“Unless I have her permission, I can't use Haku-joudai's power.” Hanako answered.

“Damn it.” Kou uttered.

“Yeah, it's that troublesome.” Hanako understands his reaction.

“It would be different if we'd destroyed her yorishiro but it doesn't seem to be here.” Hanako pointed his knife.

“Then what do we do!?” Kou panicked.

“I'll make you into a doll first.” Yako whispered into Kou’s ear. 

“Whoa!!” He barely dodged in time from her attack.

“Good reflexes, Kid.” Hanako complimented Kou.

“Thank you,” He replied. ‘It’s all thanks to Hanako who’ve helped me.’ He expressed his gratitude.

“You just keep her busy for a while!” Hanako assigned as he dashed off.

“Say wha—!?” Kou dodged another hit from Yako.

Hanako walked towards a crestfallen Yashiro, who is still hugging Aoi's doll body.

Many people in the theater shot her an empathetic look.

‘I gave Nene-chan a lot of stress.’ Aoi looked at her.

“Yashiro, stand up.” Hanako’s tone softened as he extended his hand out to her.

“...” Yashiro continued to sob while hugging.

“... Are you giving up?” Hanako somberly asked.

“Even though she's still alive?” Yashiro instantly looked up.

“What…?” Yashiro came to her senses.

“What do you mean by that, Hanako-kun?” her voice was soft.

“It will be explained on the screen.” Hanako said.

“This world is on the boundary between life and death. Nothing can come to life here, but nothing dies either.” 

“Just keep fighting for as long as it takes. Refuse to let her beat you, and you’ll win.” Hanako encouraged her.

His words of encouragement sparked in Yashiro. “You’re right, Hanako-kun.”

‘I shouldn’t have lost hope back there.’ She reflected.

Both Hanako and Kou smiled.

Yashiro wiped away her tears and reached out for his hand.

“Okay! I’ll do anything to get her back!” She declared, determined to help Aoi and the rest.

Hanako’s face darkened. “Do you mean that?” A sweat dropped from Yashiro.

Everyone in the room knows what that mischievous face meant.

‘Poor Nene-chan.’ Akane sent his condolences.

The camera transits to Yashiro being tied up by Hanako. ‘What the–?’

Mitsuba and Tsukasa snickered at that scene. 

“Tight knot, check. Strong rope, check.”

“Looks like we’re ready to go!” Hanako confirmed. 

“EEK!” Yashiro yelled in fear.

“Clearly the yorishiro isn’t here, which means this is not the deepest part.” The scene focuses on Kou keeping up with Yako’s attacks.

‘I think I'm slowly getting better in my skills.’ Kou noticed, he couldn’t wait to be as strong as his older brother.

‘Not bad, Kou.’ Teru smiled as he observed his fighting skills.

“So, I was thinking… If we’ve already explored the very top, that means our next destination is the bottom. Right?” Hanako concluded.

“Please don’t make me go without you.”Yashiro pleaded.

Hanako laughs before pushing her. “We're all counting on you.”

‘Hanako places his trust in me. I won’t let him down.’ She fired up after fully recovering from that ghastly moment. 

Yashiro screams at the top of her lungs as she falls off the area. 

“Bye!” Hanako said.

“The heck was that?” Kou asked upon hearing Yashiro’s screams and swiftly moved away from Yako's hit.

Her scissors got knocked away by Hanako, who came to Kou’s aid.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” He apologized.

“Thanks, but… wait, what did you do to Senpai?” 

“Don't worry about her. I did a thorough inspection before she left.” Hanako assured him as his Haku-joudais floated next to him.

“So she'll be fine. I think.” His assurance became uncertain.

“You think?” Kou was dumbfounded by his answer.

“Please don’t toy with my student’s feelings.” Tsuchigomori sighed at Hanako’s antics.

“No promises!” Hanako stuck his tongue out.

Yako menacingly approached them. “No need to fight, boys. There's plenty of me to go around.” She summoned two large scissors in both hands.

“I'd be happy to shred both of you at the same time.” 

“Get ready, now, and try to stall until Yashiro completes you-know-what.” Hanako instructed Kou, taking his knife out.

“Copy that.” He affirmed.

“Stay back! If you don't, I'm gonna… do something bad to you!” The screen became white.

“That sounds reassuring.” Mitsuba sarcastically remarked at his speech.

“Shut it! My future self didn’t have time to think about what he has to say.” Kou defended himself.