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It was no secret, to much of Hotarubi, that the seemingly lazy Vice Captain did happen to have a bit of a weakness to certain things. His friends, of course, a good nap, and that weird (scary) haunted doll that seems to enjoy lingering around him from time to time.
Though, he liked each to a varying degree.
Haku Kusanagi liked finding a good place for a midday nap. The sound of rain patter and the scent of the lakeside foliage, wisteria blossoms and dew, soothing any worry into a peaceful lull.
Haku Kusanagi liked having tea with his friends, chatting through reports or free afternoons with the Captain around the tea table. Late nights, early mornings, midday gaps in his schedule…it was common to find him there in the tea room.
He liked (so some say) to spend time around that anomalous biwa that often inhabited the dorms. Recording scenery with its ambiance, the notes sending…many others back to their respective rooms. (He seemed to enjoy it though, so…to each their own?)
But oh, how there was one person who stood out above the rest. One person, who surpassed every one of his ‘likes,’ and made a home right in his heart.
Haku Kusanagi liked spending time with his friends. But he absolutely loved spending time with you.
Even the blind were known to be able to point out just how enchanted by you Haku was. How his entire demeanour shifted to welcome your presence, easily bringing you as close to his side as either of you dared. The deaf able to pick up on how he softened when it came to you. How his teasing lilt gentled into pure affection (though the teasing was always eager to make itself known as soon as you were properly greeted.)
It was, quite possibly, the worst kept secret in Hotarubi.
In truthfulness, it probably wasn’t much pf any sort of relief to know that the captain, Subaru Kagami, was one of Haku’s most supportive allies when it came to matters of your heart, and your wellbeing. Many already falling victim to the retelling of some story of your day with his Vice Captain.
Nowhere seemed safe.
Whatever spirits resided around Hotarubi came in close second, the rest of the house have long come to agree, what with the way things hovered around the two of you whenever you came to visit. Mostly that (creepy) doll, floating along beside the two of you often.
When it came to you, Haku Kusanagi was about as transparent as glass was to a bird. His casual (some say not-so-casual) flirtations from before had become something softer, just as his sharp smirk and lopsided grin had also softened, becoming something fonder. A…domestication, of sorts. Something that gave him love, and gave him security, softening every jagged edge and wary tact.
The worst part wasn’t the sight of the Vice Captain becoming so docile whenever you were around. That could at least pass off as charming, or wholesome, to passersby.
No…it was the fact that the Vice Captain seemingly had no idea. No clue whatsoever, just how docile he had become around you.
That was the painful part.
…Well. At least everyone was in agreement that the two of you were quite cute together.