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"Time's moving so much slower lately"
The sun's rays peeked through the colorful windows of the girls' bathroom, painting the room with light and leaving faint rainbow glimmers in their wake.
It was part of their routine for the blonde to visit him, almost as an excuse to dust, and he, for his part, looked forward to their reunion every day.
He felt like he was dying inside when she wasn't by his side; the nights seemed endless without her smile, and he dreamed of having her by his side just to tease her or tell a silly joke when he hugged her.
The seconds felt long, so long that he swore it was an eternity, but he didn't care as long as she kept him company. The dark-haired man watched his secretary, who was mopping the floor with a mop, leaving a damp trail and giving off a sweet scent, removing every speck of dust.
It was still early, but so many hours of classes had left her completely exhausted; she longed to take a break and breathe some fresh air.
"Hanako, could I take a break? I've been cleaning all day..." Her voice is soft, with a slight hint of exhaustion.
"Are you already trying to abandon me so quickly?" The younger man's hands move towards his own chest, pretending to be hurt by her words. "Cheer up, Yashiro! You can't leave yet without leaving this place as clean as a sun."
Nene grumbles, reluctantly continuing with her homework. She loved the ghost's company, and even though she won't admit it out loud, she always misses him when she goes to class, but right now she missed being able to do other things: tending to her plant crops, chatting with Aoi, or just seeing the cute boys in the hallways. Anything was better than spending hours cleaning a bathroom.
With a damp cloth, she began to clean the mirrors; her hands already had mermaid scales from spending too much time in the water. She let out a long sigh.
She pours some disinfectant on the dirty mirror and wipes it again, her actions stop when she sees the ghost's reflection. She smiled, he looked like a fool in that old-fashioned uniform, even the mokkes were playing with his cap
«He looks cute...» She thought.
"It's like the world's playing a joke."
Hanako threw down one card among the many, while the mokkes thought about how to turn the game around. They made small bets with candy to make things more interesting, because what better than a sweet reward, heh... good pun
The deck was worn around the edges, but luckily its face cards looked almost intact: spades, clubs, hearts, and what were supposed to be diamonds.
"Ha! Checkmate!" He threw down a combo of seven completely disordered spades, raised his arms in victory, the little creatures laughed among themselves and threw down a reverse card. He snorted in defeat.
He mutters things under his breath as he begins to shuffle the damn cards, one after another. It would be more fun if the mokkes didn't cheat so much in each game. «Maybe it would be more fun to play with Yashiro» he thought.
He raises his gaze for a second appreciating the beautiful presence of the blonde, the rays of light helped to highlight even more the light blue color of her mermaid scales, they combine so well with her pretty green locks. Her skin looks so soft... He loves to intertwine his hands with hers.
Wait...
What was he thinking?
The mokkes nudge him slightly in the arm, causing Hanako to blink a few times, returning to reality.
"I-I was just checking for any dirty tricks from us." He adjusts his cap, still a little nervous, and begins dealing the cards.
Now there was a pile of cards scattered across the surface where they played. They tried to read each other's minds to guess what number their opponent would have. Any word could be a disaster because it would reveal information to their opponents.
The mokkes take their turn, taking several ards from the ghost; he now only has three.
"Two of diamonds! Diamonds! Diamonds!" They repeated in shrill voices.
"Nope! Go fishing."
Perfect, it's his moment. It was finally his turn. He thought about which card he should hit, even though he didn't have much choice. Maybe this time he should bend the rules slightly; after all, they always do it.
Surreptitiously, he looked up, trying to scan the numbers on the pink cards, managing to notice a nine of clubs. Perfect, this time he wouldn't lose so easily.
He muttered his masterstroke, but his restless eyes stopped him when he saw Nene. Those ruby eyes, with their beautiful, special sparkle, mesmerized him, simply making him feel alive.
"Laughing at me for falling foolishly again."
Had he ever noticed those tiny moles that adorned her cute face? They were like small stars scattered in space, shimmering in the sky with their own light.
Details that couldn't escape his amber eyes, like seeing her tender smile reflected in her beautiful pearls, appreciating the soft color of her lips, and perhaps one day being lucky enough to kiss the one who had him completely captivated.
"Hanako-kun?" She smiled nervously.
His cheeks burned bright red, she had discovered him. His face turned quickly, and his gaze focused on the small specters watching him curiously.
Hanako partially covers his face with the cards. feeling as if his heart might explode at any moment.
"Do you have the four of hearts...?"
He asked for the first thing that came to mind, trying to control the trembling of his voice and even forgetting how to breathe. He felt like he was dying, again, from nerves.
He prayed they hadn't noticed.
The mokkes shook their heads and pointed with their ears toward the pile of cards for the ghost to take several.
Nene laughed sweetly, still a little confused, feeling her cheeks flush slightly, but she continued with her arduous cleaning task. Luckily, only the bathroom doors remained to be cleaned.
"But something's different, with you."
Since when was it so difficult to concentrate on a simple game of cards? It had always been easy when he was with Nene and Kou, or even with those same mokkes. What made this situation different?
It's not as if being alone with her made him nervous, thinking up jokes just to hear her lovely laugh.
Thinking about how perfectly their hands would fit together, intertwined, as they gazed at the starry sky, the fireflies' sweet melody filling the air, just inches apart.
Much less would he think about how much he longed to spend a school day by her side, helping her with her homework, or simply sitting at her desk and admiring her beautiful silhouette.
No, no.
Of course not.
It would be impossible. Wouldn't it?
"Traffic on Sunset doesn't affect me.
I'm just unusually composed."
He lets out a heavy sigh and throws down the cards, resigned to defeat. He didn't care about losing a bunch of candy. He needed to calm his chaotic thoughts, his feelings.
"I finally finished cleaning! God, I'm so exhausted I could die of fatigue." She wipes the sweat from her forehead and squeals with joy.
She throws her handkerchief and broom to the floor; she doesn't want to hear the word 'cleaning' again for a long time, or at least until tomorrow. Some mokkes approach her, offering candy, still happy with their recent reward.
She can't help but notice the silence between them. It's feels strange, he usually jokes with her or throws himself at her. Perhaps he was hurt that she celebrated leaving so soon, or maybe now he thinks she'll never return. That kind of thought gnaws at Nene's mind.
Nene shakes her head. Maybe she should apologize to him. Her steps are soft. She tilts her head to see his face, her long hair falls like a waterfall.
"Hanako-kun...?" She pronounces his name gently. He seems to be staring off into the distance.
"Ah...?"
He looks away from the colorful window, emerging from his trance for a second, but his hands don't leave the warm glass. They remain silent for a moment, one lost in his own thoughts and the other trying to figure out how to break the ice.
The blonde looks away, notices the cards lying beside her, picks them up, and decides to joke to lighten the mood.
"I didn't think you were the type to get angry over a card game."
Hanako frowns, puzzled, until he remembers that moment in the game, when his impulsive thoughts took over. He snorts, amused, abandoning all seriousness; over his dead body would he tell her he lost because he was cheesy.
"Obviously, I let them win on purpose" Hanako jokes, and begins to float slowly toward her. Perhaps he needed his dose of teasing his beloved assistant to get back to normal.
"I didn't know you liked watching me, Yashiro~~" He continues, humming playfully in a childish tone.
"You do it too, silly."
"Huh...? You don't deny it~"
The ghost sneers, amused, getting closer and closer to the girl, slowly closing the distance between them.
Nene crosses her arms, embarrassed. She can't deny that she sometimes watches him from afar. She notices him encroaching on her personal space, feeling his captivating gaze on her, which makes her nervous.
She takes a step back, but slips when she steps on the damp handkerchief lying on the floor. Her body lurches backward, and she lets out a squeal, bracing for a hard fall. On impulse, Hanako catches her by the waist and holds her hand, preventing her from getting hurt.
"That is until I touch you and I can't pretend."
They were very close, their faces just inches apart. He prayed his actions wouldn't betray his powerful desire to kiss her. He couldn't tear his gaze away; he was completely lost in her eyes and her long eyelashes that fluttered like butterflies.
Nene felt lost in those honey-colored eyes that reminded them of the moon, so mysterious, yet so radiant.
Their hands intertwined without them realizing it. The beautiful contrast of cool and warm sent a gentle tingle through their skin; they never wanted to let go.
"I lose myself again, I do."
He could smell the sweet vanilla scent of her silky, fluffy hair. Sometimes he was grateful her bangs were so short so he could appreciate all the wonderful features of her pretty face. Her delicate eyebrows, the pastel pink tones that sometimes graced her cheeks. Hanako resisted the urge to cover her forehead with soft kisses.
Since when did he become so romantic and cheesy? He doesn't know, but he does know who's responsible, and he loves her with all his heart.
"I'm all in, I'm falling.
Can't get back up."
It takes them a long time to realize the situation. They both pull apart, visibly embarrassed, their hearts pounding. They tremble inside, terrified that they've ruined their relationship by letting their feelings get the better of them. They overthink it, but for some reason, they don't feel any regret.
They don't want to make things awkward. They feel butterflies fluttering across the room and settling in their hearts. They turn away, avoiding each other's eyes.
"I-I think I'll go to the garden to check on my plants..."
"Y-yeah... I think I'll get some fresh air too..."
"Can't think right, too tongue-tied.
It must be love."
They went their separate ways, but shared the same thought. Their bodies felt restless and filled with emotion. They both wished that time had lasted for all eternity, because it was as if their souls had met in an inexplicable, magical connection.
Is it normal for my heart to feel desperate for you?
After several days of not speaking to each other except for routine matters, they mutually decided not to bring up the subject again; a few glances were enough for them to understand.
But despite their powerful desires, they kept them under control, hiding their urge to shout their love with innocent jokes and teasing.
"Friends asking me where I've been hiding
I'm losin' hours in your eyes."
That day was different, as Hanako's absence was noticeable in the girls' bathroom. No one dared ask anything at first, but after a few long, lonely hours, Kou and Nene began asking their ghost friends. No one could find him.
They both avoided going near the student council room, fearing something might have happened to him. Besides, they seemed very busy; exams were approaching, and they had a lot of paperwork to sort out
They decided to visit Tsuchigomori-sensei. As soon as they opened the door, they were greeted by a wave of smoke that made them wrinkle their noses. The teacher avoided answering much, only saying that the seventh was doing a 'morning patrol' as if that made any sense, but they accepted the explanation with relief.
"Lost in your wonderland, I hope I'm never found.
There's no one else around, tonight."
And of course that was just a cheap excuse the leader of the Seven Mysteries used when he needed to be alone. He really wanted to understand why his heart had suddenly started acting differently.
The ghost's hands rested on the railing of the academy's roof, his grip tightening in an instant, his throat pricking.
He never cared who lived or who died. That was his duty after all, to keep everyone under control and if anything threatened the tranquility of the academy he had to eliminate it.
He did it only to please God and get a wish in return. He had always been like that, selfish.
But... why did he now feel he could sacrifice everything he had built for an assistant who, naive in a school romance, decided to entwine her life with his?
Hanako needed to protect her from all evil, he wanted to protect her. He wished he could give her his soul and ease every worry in that little head of hers. To build a future with her. A future he no longer possessed.
He shakes his hair, trying to clear his head of the many thoughts that overwhelm him. His head rests on his arms, gazing at the horizon, his gaze lost in the garden he appreciates every day, and he sighs.
The flowers and vegetables have a radiant color, indicating how healthy they are; the eldest always dedicated a portion of her precious time to caring for them properly. He feels himself relaxing.
Perhaps he should take a closer look. No. Hanako gently pats his face; he must fulfill his role. There must be a reason God appointed him leader of the school mysteries.
"I'm not so used to being happy
Now I just float down every street."
He slowly descended the academy stairs, wandering around and checking with a fleeting glance that everything was as usual. The mokkes were up to their little tricks, the specters were outside the safe zone, and the mysteries were in their respective places, harming the students.
Although deep down he was grateful that everything was in order, he felt her body couldn't handle the fight. His mind was out of sorts today, and maybe forever, because of the blonde.
Hanako stepped outside, feeling the soft, cool and suffocating air against his transparent body.
The shouts of young people playing soccer as a sport could be heard in the distance. He didn't care, to be honest. The ghost only had one mission in mind, and nothing was going to interrupt it.
His steps halt as he recognizes that familiar place. He can't help but smile at the sight of Nene, as delicate and captivating as ever. He longs to approach her, to stay with her until evening falls and it's time to go home. To remain by her side until the seeds he recently planted in his precious garden grow into strong trees, but he can't afford that luxury.
He doesn't deserve to be happy. After all, he's a murderer, his hands stained with blood.
Oh...
But she...
She's the complete opposite of him.
He wants to protect that beautiful smile forever, to prevent anyone from hurting her or laying their claws on her pretty, sensitive heart.
"You made a sappy, stupid thing out of me" he huffs, muttering under his breath with a laugh. He can't believe the romantic, corny person he's become since meeting her.
"The kind I swore I'd never be."
He'd always told himself he shouldn't interfere with fate. Not again. There was a line between the living and the dead that should never be crossed; he'd known that from the start.
Maybe he should break the rules for a few seconds. Hanako took a few steps forward, his hands hidden in his pockets, his voice soft, almost a whisper. "Hey Yashiro"
Nene jumped in fright, almost pulling out her precious carrots. She gasped for air and smiled at the ghost.
*Hanako-kun! What are you doing here? I thought you were on your morning patrol." She wiped some of the sweat from her forehead, but her gloves left a little dirt behind.
"Mmm, yes, but I have to check that my precious assistant isn't in trouble as usual."
Before she could say anything, he crouched down beside Nene and gently brushed away any specks of dust from her soft face. She blinked a few times and thanked him, continuing to weed the weeds that threatened her poor vegetables.
Hanako rested her head on her hand, gazing intently at her, chuckling inwardly as she noticed Nene wrinkling her nose and puffing out her cheeks in concentration. How he wished he could get close enough to kiss her.
"I'm awake inside a dream."
Her scent remained intact despite the pervasive smell of wet grass. He could perfectly identify her strawberry cologne with a subtle hint of vanilla. Hanako didn't know how long he'd memorized those details, but what he did know was that they were hard to forget, etched on his skin like a memory for all eternity.
Perhaps it wasn't so bad to live for a moment immersed in ignorance, to think that all the bad things had been a small nightmare from which he'd managed to awaken.
Just... Just this once, he would close his eyes and live this dream. Later he could worry about his remaining time, about the rest of the world, but right now he only wanted to be with her.
Even if he was deceiving himself, even if it left a lifelong scar that would always ache at the memory.
Just this once, he would be awake within a dream.
This must be love.