#tbhknatsuhiko

[drgnnova]

Chapter 6: Misaki stairs part 1 - Where is Tsukasa?

TW: suicide attempt

Tsukasa stood Infront of the stairs, the one mentioned in the rumors of the Misaki stairs. he touch the railing of the staircase, his eyes dull. he felt selfish for the thoughts in his mind, he was loved by so many of the students in the school but none of them understand him. his personality was completely fake, he lied like it was breathing. but he knew once he shows his true feelings, their support will instantly disappear and they'll turn against him. for Yugi Tsukasa, is a horrible and disgusting person inside.

he knew everyone around him like to keep secrets and lie directly to his face. he knew their father was lying when he would tell him and Amane that he was getting better, so he was less upset when their father 'suddenly' died. their mother, still overwhelmed with grief of her husband dying, took this as Tsukasa being heartless and a monster. screaming that, 'that isn't my son', 'you must be a heartless spirit possessing my son'!. luckily Sakura had been there to calm down the twins' mother, once his mother had come back to her senses, she hugged him as she cry and apologies.

some part of him thinks that his mother still feels that way about him, thinking all her smiles were fake and some part of him wondered if his mother would have been happier if he died instead of their father. he knows that his mother is lying when she says she ok, and happy to make them feel better, but it makes Tsukasa feels worst. because all the lies make him feel disgusting Inside.

some part of Tsukasa knows that Sakura is keeping a secret from him, but he could never figure out what this secret was. whenever he asked if she was keeping anything a secret from him, she would force a smile and say "nope, I wouldn't lie to you Tsukasa", but those words felt meaningless. he knew he was loved, but he never felt like someone's favorite, even when it came to his childhood friend Sakura.

Tsukasa knew from a young age, that the only person who wouldn't lie to him was Amane. but now he's starting to self doubt himself, Amane has been distant and secretive as of late. they had been the closest of close since they were babies, but that might be because of them being twins. he felt like he was being left behind by everyone, and he doesn't feel like he catch up to them. he feels like he in their shadow, unable to react with them.

he step up the stairs, his hands trembling on the railing as he took in a shaking breath. he step on the fourth step, like it was mentioned in the rumor. maybe the growing pain in his chest, and the ugliness of his heart will finally fade away once he vanishes from this world.

. . . (Earlier)

Amane had overslept this morning as he walked downstairs, Tsukasa was brushing hair while on call with Sakura and Natsuhiko. Amane walked over to the toaster, he was still stuck in his thoughts about the incident from yesterday with Mitsuba and Hanako. about how Mitsuba call Hanako a murderer, and that mysterious boy he saw. he buttered his toast, "AMANE!" suddenly Tsukasa yelled out.

"huh! are you okay, Tsukasa?!" Amane gasped, as he was brought back to his surrounding. Tsukasa looked annoyed as he put the brush back on the self.

Tsukasa sighed "I-I'm Okay! I said your names three times but you didn't react, is something bothering you?" he asked his older twin brother.

"Oh! Um…" Amane blush in embarrassment "nothing's bothering me. it's just I made a new friend yesterday. and have been thinking about him" he half lied, it wasn't necessarily a lie.

Tsukasa eyes widen, he didn't understand why that hurt him. maybe it was because Amane who used to tell him everything, didn't even tell him yesterday that he made a new friend. but Tsukasa force a smile on his face, the fake smile he typically uses when talking to his classmates and other students at school. "oh! your such a social butterfly this year Amane!" he joked, as he slapped Amane's back playfully.

"ow-!" Amane gasped, not expecting the slap. "I guess your right, Tsukasa." he blush, as he smile at those words from his younger brother.

but then Tsukasa put a hand under his chin, as if deep in thought "but you have been acting off since I told you the rumor about Hanako-San" Tsukasa pointed out, wondering if he could get a answer from Amane, that satisfied him and didn't make him sick in the stomach due to lies.

Amane look uncomfortable at the question, as he glance around nervously. it made Tsukasa sick to his stomach, is it because he's trying to lie to his face or is it because he's forcing answers out of his older twin brother when he not entitled to know everything about his brother. "oh" Tsukasa gasp, as he decide to drop the topic, knowing he didn't want Amane to hate him. "is it that you got yourself a girlfriend and didn't tell your little brother!" he crossed his arms as he put on a fake offended face.

Amane felt guilty for lying to his little brother, but he doesn't little brother involved with the supernatural. and a selfish part of him wants something that was his alone, something he didn't have to share with his brother. he didn't want a friend that only his friend because of Tsukasa, he wants to be able to do things that don't involve his brother. "I- I don't have a girlfriend, Tsukasa. I just want to… um hang out with my friend, he's a year younger than us" Amane smile nervously. at least with Mitsuba and Hanako, he won't be constantly compared to his little brother, and won't always be a outsider in the friend group. he knows it his own fault that he isn't as close with Sakura anymore, and he knows it his fault he's not friends with Natsuhiko.

"Okay." Tsukasa glanced away, and started to pack his lunch box. Sakura and Natsuhiko came to pick up the Yugi twins like usual.

Amane finally noticed that his mother wasn't in the kitchen, he felt horrible for not noticing since she always in the kitchen when him and Tsukasa are getting ready. "where's mum, Tsukasa?" Amane gasped as he quickly pack up his lunch box and brush his hair.

"did you forget?" Tsukasa smile, "mum's at a job interview today." he told his older brother.

Amane thought back on it, and then remembered when he came home yesterday. he had been exhausted, and his mum had explained that she wasn't going to be home in the morning because of a job interview while he headed straight to his and Tsukasa's shared room since they were little boys.

"hurry up, Kids or we'll be late" Natsuhiko smiles as he pushes his hair out of his eyes, only for the hair to get in his eyes again when Sakura harshly slapped him on the back of the head.

Amane grabbed the extra key, and headed out with Tsukasa and Tsukasa's friends. he locked the door behind them and then put the key into his pocket. Tsukasa smile as he put on his perfect act, as he talk with Sakura and Natsuhiko, once again Amane was too focused on Hanako, Mitsuba and the school's mysteries to get involved in their conversations.

. . .

some of the students had forced Tsukasa into joining the school's newspaper club, they kept begging until he had agreed. Tsukasa had grabbed Amane along with him, Amane was sitting at a desk alone while everyone surrounded Tsukasa. the boys and girls were blushing and smiling as they talk with Tsukasa, Amane just sighed as he glanced out the window. the students in the club hadn't got Tsukasa to join because they wanted him to help, it was because they were in love with Tsukasa. sometimes Amane is slightly jealous of how effortlessly his little brother gets everyone's attention, but at the same time he doesn't understand how Tsukasa can be so perfect and handle everyone's eyes on him all the time, does he ever fear messing up in front of them?

Amane was to distracted in his thoughts to noticed that Tsukasa has walked over to him. "AMANE!" he heard his brother call out, he looked over at his brother who was now, well has been standing Infront of his desk for a few minutes "are you listening?" he asked him.

he glanced down and then back at Tsukasa "I-I'm sorry." he replied, Tsukasa kept the fake smile on his face. he knew it was selfish to be upset over something as simple as this since he's loved in the school by almost if not all the student body.

Tsukasa playfully rolled his eyes, as he put a hand on his hip "you're always spacing out. were you lying this morning…" Tsukasa was saying, Amane gulp nervously thinking that his little brother might have catch up on the Hanako lie. "when you said you didn't have a girlfriend…?" Amane let out a sigh of relief, which confuse Tsukasa.

he wasn't used to his older brother being so down in the dumps, even thought he didn't know the full reason for why his brother was upset. he has picked up on the fact that Amane was more interested in the rumors as of late. at least their was one thing the two brothers can still talk about with each other "Oh! I just remember my conversation with Sakura-Chan this morning. she told me a new rumor" Tsukasa smile, he love talking about his interests and he was happy that Amane seem to love them as well now.

Amane looked up, his interest spiked. "No.2 of the seven mysteries - The Misaki stairs. you must never step on the fourth step of that staircase. if you break that rule, you'll be dragged to the world of the dead… and your body will be torn to thousands, if not ten of thousands of pieces. they say that at twilight the blood of its victims drips down the stairs, even though no one can see its source." Tsukasa was explaining the rumor to Amane, Amane face turn from a smile to a horrified look.

this rumor was even more horrifying then the Mokke's rumor, that means Amane will have to change it so no one will get hurt. but Amane was curious how or who Sakura were getting these rumors from. and he also wondered who was making such horrifying rumors, she knew Sakura wouldn't make the rumor herself even thought she and Tsukasa did scare Amane will rumors as a kid. "w-which staircase… is this?" Amane asked his younger brother, his voice shaking showing his obvious fear.

Tsukasa smile, a finger Infront of his face as he laughs a little "stairway B in front of the art room. lots of kids say they've seen the pools of bloooood!" he was saying, expecting a happy look on Amane's face, but instead he got a horrified look. Tsukasa glance down, a hand on his cheek as he sighed "Huh? I thought you liked these stories, Amane"

"I do! i love them!" Amane yelled out, and the smile on Tsukasa's face returned.

Amane was about to pack up his belongings when suddenly his younger brother grabbed ahold of both his hands. the students were leaving since the club activity was over now, and were cleaning up the room. "are you coming, Tsukasa-Kun?" one of the girls asked, blushing as she held her together.

"Nope. sorry i want to talk with Amane alone a little" Tsukasa told them, the girl nodded and the rest of the students left the room leaving only Amane and Tsukasa alone in the classroom to talk with each other. "I know you always hide your pain. and never ask for help, and believe people are lying to your face when they say they care", Amane frown as Tsukasa says these words, remembering how long it took him to open up to his homeroom teacher in middle school. and how he tries to put a strong face on around his mother and little brother, because he believe he's the man of the house after their father died. "so if you need to talk to me, please do. I want to make you feel better, like how you always try to make me feel better…" Tsukasa was saying with a smile on his face, trying to get Amane to open to him so then that they could go back to being the same again, and so that he didn't feel like Amane was leaving him behind.

Amane's eye widen, he had a look of gratefulness on his face for having such a supportive younger brother. but that wasn't the compete truth, Tsukasa is saying this like he never help Amane, but Tsukasa was the one always being strong for Amane when they were younger and Amane was Ill, after their father died. Tsukasa had tried everything to get Amane to smile again. "Tsukasa…" he was about to open up to Tsukasa, but then their homeroom teacher entered the room.

"there you are, Yugi-San" he said, once he spotted Tsukasa. "I have been looking everywhere for you" he smile. Amane was confuse on why their teacher was looking for Tsukasa, did Tsukasa get in trouble. no that doesn't sound like Tsukasa, is he getting a reward for being perfect like in middle school. Tsukasa always got chosen for rewards from our peers, because they all believe Tsukasa is perfect, apart of Amane believes Tsukasa is perfect, but another part the more logical part knows that no one is perfect and that includes Tsukasa as well. "oh, you're here too. i didn't notice" his teacher apologised.

Tsukasa was confuse as he look up, and rubbed the back of his head while smiling "I'm a bit forgetful teacher. why were you looking for me?" he asked.

"you have guidance counseling with me, in the art room" their teacher reminded Tsukasa, Amane looked up at Tsukasa slightly shock. he didn't know that Tsukasa was still going to the guidance counselor, their mum had made Tsukasa going to the guidance counselor since middle school because she believed Tsukasa had some kind of issue. Amane wondered why their mother hadn't put him in counselling after all the bullying he experience in middle school.

Tsukasa mask cracked slightly, as an annoyed expression cross his face since he hates going to guidance counselling. but then he quickly put the emotional mask on as he fakes a smile "that's right. silly me, it must have slipped my mind. I'll be right there!" he told the teacher, the teacher left the classroom.

"Amane, what were you saying?" Tsukasa asked, as he turned around to face his older brother.

Amane glanced away "nothing. I'm okay seriously, just worry about yourself okay" he answered, and he glance back at Tsukasa with a sadden and shock expression "I didn't know mum was still making you go to guidance counselling" he said.

"oh. yeah, she is." Tsukasa glanced down, but then a idea popped in his head to lighten the mood "since you like the rumors, I'll keep telling you the rumors that Sakura-Chan tells me" Tsukasa smiles genuinely for a second, and then it disappeared as soon as it appeared.

he started walk toward his teacher, but Amane grabbed his hand "worry about yourself. I'm okay Amane", Tsukasa eyes widen but then he smile, as he pushes Amane hand off.

. . .

Amane was waiting at the gate for his little brother, but after half an hour Tsukasa didn't appear. but then he noticed that Sakura and Natsuhiko weren't there too. he thought that Tsukasa and his friends must have left to walk home already, he had no right to be upset he had made them walk home without him before because of him staying back late, they probably assumed he was staying late again.

he walked home, he look down at his phone and he had no new messages. he open the door, and then place the spare key down on the table after closing the door behind him. he felt tired, so he went upstairs, he noticed his mother in her room, with the door slightly open. "Mum, I think I'll skip dinner tonight." he told her, his mother looked concerned.

"are you sure, Amane?" his mother asked him, walking over to him as she placed a hand on his forehead to check for a temperature.

Amane was confused by this action "what are you doing?" he asked, he had done nothing to indicate that he could possibly be sick.

"I was checking if you were sick. since your health is pretty frail Amane" His mother sounded worried, but this just left Amane confused. did his mother forget that he no longer suffers from the illness from his childhood.

Amane smile "I'm fine, Mum. just tried" he told her, she still look concerned, as she nodded her head. he walked to his room, closing the door behind him. he felt weird as he walked over to his bed, his head spinning. he fell asleep on his bed.

he woke up the next morning with a huge headache, but he choose to ignored it as he check the time on his phone. it was time to wake up, he turned to look at Tsukasa but then his eyes widen as he noticed that everything that belong to Tsukasa and his side of the room was gone. he got up, as he ran to his mum room. his mum wasn't in there, their was a note on her bedside table saying she had to go to work early this morning. he picked up the family photo, but Tsukasa wasn't in the photo. it was just him, his mother and father. he dropped the photo, as it shattered in pieces.

he got into his uniform in a godly speed, he ran down the stairs. he skipped breakfast, he ran outside his house and ran right into Sakura. "Hey, my lady isn't that your childhood friend?" Natsuhiko asked Sakura.

"Oh, You're up early this morning" Sakura smiled at Amane, but something felt off as he wondered why she hasn't questioned him about the whereabouts of Tsukasa.

and he was confuse by Natsuhiko, he knows about Amane so why is he speaking like he has only just meet him today. "Sakura-Chan, have you seen Tsukasa? his things are missing and the photos in our house are different" Amane asked, his voice shaking from worry.

Natsuhiko looked confuse "who's this Tsukasa kid?" he asked "I though my lady said you were a only child." Amane's eyes widen at Natsuhiko's words.

Amane noticed how Sakura's eyes widen, and she glanced away like she was keeping something from him. "Amane… I don't who this Tsukasa is" she answered.

Amane grabbed his phone out of his pocket, as he scrolled down the contact list. Tsukasa was no longer in his contact list. 'I should call mum' he thought as he clicked the contact labeled as mum. but then it said he couldn't contact this number because he needed to recharge his phone. he thought he will just go to the office and call his mum from there, he started running in the direction of the school "Amane, wait…!" he heard Sakura called out, her voice growing quieter as he ran further away.

he huff and puff as he finally made it to the school's ground. he walk pass his and Tsukasa's classroom on the way to the office, he took a peak inside and noticed that Tsukasa's desk that was beside his own was now gone. he was hoping he was overthinking, hallucinating or that this was just one big nightmare. he couldn't think of his life without his little brother who has been with him his whole life since they were twins.

their homeroom teacher bumped into Amane, startling Amane as he jumped back and hit his back against the wall of the hallway. "Yugi-San, is something bothering you?" the teacher asked, "you seem rather jumpy" he pointed out.

that reminded Amane that the last time he saw Tsukasa was when Tsukasa left to go to his guidance counselling "did Tsukasa ever make it to the art room yesterday for guidance counselling?" Amane asked his teacher, trying to hold on to hope.

"Tsukasa…?" he said out loud, clearly confused by the name. "I didn't do any guidance counselling yesterday. and there's nobody in our school with that name." those words that slip out of his teacher's mouth is what he feared.

Amane took in a shaky breath, right now he would be walking to school with Tsukasa, Sakura and Natsuhiko. "who's this Tsukasa-" his teacher tried to ask him, but he started running up the hallway to the office. "Yugi-San!" his teacher called out concern by how out of character Amane seems to be acting.

Amane barge into the school's office, shocking everyone there.. Amane felt sick to his stomach, to the principal Amane looked out of it. Amane look like he had learn horrible news like news of a lost one, he was close to tears as he holds his chest while panting. "Yugi-San, are you alright?" the principal asked, as she walks over to him.

she place a hand on his shoulder, and Amane glanced up at her. "C-can i call my mum?" he asked her. she takes a good look at him, even if he wasn't sick something was clearly wrong. children don't suddenly barge into the office like this. she reach over the desk to grab the school phone, she hands the phone to Amane and leaves him alone to talk to his mother for a little bit.

"is something wrong, Miss-"

Amane sighed in relief once he heard his mother on the other side of the phone, but then he realize he still hasn't ask her about Tsukasa. their still a possibility something is wrong with Tsukasa since Amane can't find him. "Mum-" he speaks up.

"Amane, dear is everything okay? you sound like something bad happen. are you getting bullied again, do i need to come to your school and pick you up?" Amane heard his mum's concern voice on the other side of the phone.

he took in a shaky breath, fearing the answer he might get if he ask his question. "that's not the Issue. Mum, I woke up and couldn't find Tsukasa. did he ever make it home last night?" he asked, holding the phone tightly as his hands tremble.

"Amane. what are you talking about? I don't have any other children, your a only child remember?" His mother reminded him, she sounded worried and was probably thinking that he was crazy at this point. "do you need me to pick you up. maybe you are too stressed out and have started to imagine things?"

his worst fears were starting to become a reality, "N-No I'm fine. I just had a weird and long dream last night where i had a twin brother named Tsukasa. I just have made myself believe it was true. sorry to bother you while you're at work." he apologizes.

"are you sure?" she asked him, wanting to make sure.

he nodded his head, but then remembered his mother can't see him nodding. "yep. I'm fine, you should get back to work." he was pushing that he was okay.

he heard his mother sigh on the other side of the phone. "Okay, I'm going to trust you on this. but I'll recharge your phone now so if at any point of today, if you aren't feeling well you can call me at any time for me to pick you up"

"Thank you, Mum. bye, I love you." he replied, smiling half genuinely and half fake.

a few seconds later, his mother replied "I love too, Dear. bye" he hung up after that and return the phone too the principal before the principal could question him he had left the office.

he was walking down the hallways, as he tries to figure out what could have happened to his brother for him to suddenly disappear like he never existed in this world in the first place. he walked right into someone, causing Amane to fall backwards and drop his phone on the ground. "I-I'm sorry…" Amane apologized.

he looked up at the guy he had ran into, he thought this guy looked familiar but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. the guy reach his hand out toward Amane, Amane nervously place his hand on top of the other's hand "No. I'm sorry." he replied "are you okay?" he asked Amane.

Amane gave a good look at the guy, he wondered if he was a guy that would be Hanako's type. this made him wondered how Hanako couldn't consider Amane, her type. he better than half the guys that Hanako been fawning over. "are you okay there?" Amane came to his senses. "ah back on earth I see. you dropped this." the blonde hair boy with the black headband told him as he handed Amane back his phone.

"Uh-" Amane blush in embarrassment as he grabbed his phone back from the blonde hair student. "Thank you very much…"

he help Amane to his feet, he was about to remember where he knew this guy from but then he remembered why he bumped into the student in the first place. he ran own the hallway, unaware of the paper crane attaching itself to him.

Amane realize where he had seen him before, it was a fellow classmate of him. how didn't he remember him, is that student really not that noticeable. the blonde hair boy name is Yamabuki Lemon, the only student Amane has seen Lemon interact with is the class representative Akane.

that didn't matter now though, what matter is getting his little brother back. Lemon watch as Amane ran down the hallway, he smiles and then walked the opposite way of Amane.

Next Chapter: Misaki stairs Part 2

[drgnnova]

Chapter 4: Mokke.

Amane and Tsukasa came home after their first day of school, Tsukasa had a hopeful look on his face "Hey, Amane. was the rumor true?" He asked his older twin brother.

"No" Amane lied as he hung his bag up, Tsukasa hang his bag beside Amane. Tsukasa had a disappointed look on his face, and it made Amane feel terrible about lying.

Tsukasa started making some afternoon tea for himself, a sandwich. Amane remembered how Hanako had shown him the old abandoned garden, and told him she wanted him to fix up the old garden near the old building and he couldn't say no because she did save him from the mermaid and turn him back into a human.

. . .

Amane sighed as he dig up the dead roots from flowers and vegetables that have been long dead since the garden was abandoned. "do you know why the gardening club is no more, Hanako-San?" Amane had asked her.

she had a sour expression at the question, "N-no…" he could tell it was a lie, but he knew it must be a sore topic if she reacted that way. he bit back his words, not wanting to lose the only friend he had other than Sakura and Tsukasa. he had lied Tsukasa and told him he was studying alone, and Tsukasa had believe him, and left to meet up with Sakura and Natsuhiko.

Amane put some small holes in the garden's soil, as he placed some the seeds that Hanako gave him into the holes. he smooth the soil over the holes, and walked over to get the watering can. he left to fill it up at a tap, he notice Sakura and Tsukasa nearby. Sakura rolled her eyes at Natsuhiko did something stupid. Tsukasa and Natsuhiko started playfully arguing, Sakura sighed as she cross her arm.

he quickly ran off before they could notice him at the water tap. he ran over to the old building's garden. he water the ground where the seed were "Maybe when the flowers bloom I can give some too Tsukasa and Sakura-Chan" Amane said out loud with a smile on his face.

"what about Natsuhiko-Senpai and Teru-Senpai?" Hanako ask as she sat down on the old worn down bench.

Amane sighed "I'm Embarrassed about the incident from yesterday, so no flowers for Minamoto-Senpai. and I haven't… gotten close to Natsuhiko-Senpai yet" he admitted, as he rub the back of his head while blushing in embarrassment.

after he was done with the garden, he went to class. "Amane-San" as he opened the door, Akane the class representative walked over to him. the class was still a bit empty since the bell for last period had only just started. "why are you dirty?" he asked as he grab Amane's shirt. there was dirt on his shirt and cheek.

"when i was coming back to class I tripped on the ground" he lied, he had actually got dirty in the garden.

Akane sighed "be more careful, Okay?" he reminded him, Amane nodded his head. Amane's eyes widen when Akane offered him a cloth to clean his cheek.

"thanks Akane-Kun" he smile, as he took the cloth from Akane, he wondered if he should have been more formal and refer to him with his last name instead of first name. but Akane didn't seem to care to much, so Amane force himself to not overthink about it.

Akane sat down at his own desk, Amane sat down his desk that was beside his twin brother Tsukasa. he rub the dirt from his cheek, and try to get as much dirt out of his shirt before class. "Amane!" Tsukasa yelled out as he ran over to Amane as soon as he got to class. he sat down beside his older brother.

"Hey, Tsukasa. how was lunch?" he asked his brother.

Tsukasa smile "Airhead-Senpai made a total fool of himself in front of Sakura-Chan yet again. and he keeps calling me a kid" he pouted at the end.

Amane laugh, and Tsukasa rolled his eyes.

Fuji walked over to the Yugi twins desks, Tsukasa looked up thinking he was there to speak with him since when their classmates come to their desk its to talk to Tsukasa. "Hey, Fuji-Kun" He smile.

"uh, hey Tsukasa. can i speak with Amane?" he asked Tsukasa.

Tsukasa's eyes widen, but then he nodded. "Fuji-Kun wants to speak with you, Amane!" he told Amane with a smile on his face.

"we're friends right, Amane?" he asked Amane, he smile while he pointed at himself.

Amane eyes widen "Su- Yeah! I mean Yeah we're friends!" he blush while he shuttered, he was shock. 'my first friend… that isn't Sakura-Chan.'.

"meet me at the classroom at dusk. I have some papers I'll need to organize for the student council, and having you there as company will actually make it enjoyable" he told Amane.

Tsukasa noticed Amane's smile, Amane quickly nodded his head "I'll be there, Fuji-Kun!" he told Fuji. Fuji smile and walked away.

"Tsukasa. you'll tell mum and Sakura-Chan that I'll be home late, won't you? I won't let this chance past me" he grabbed his little brother's hands together as he smile

Tsukasa wasn't used to this side of Amane, but he smile "Of course, Amane."

. . .

Amane walked into the classroom at the right time, the papers were on the desk but there was Fuji. he sat down and started organizing the papers for the student council, having the benefit of the doubt that Fuji will come. but as he watch the clock turn, he realize he got stood up by Fuji.

this wasn't the first time something like this happened. the students in middle school would use people pleasing to get him to do their homework. but it still hard none the less, Amane rubbed his eyes as he cries. he took in a shaky breath, as he rubbed the tears from his eyes. he remembered what the book said, to do a small a favor. he thought that maybe if he keeps doing this for Fuji. Fuji will come around and see him as an actual friend.

he finished organizing the papers for the student council, he went home once he was finished. when he open the door, Tsukasa got Amane's dinner out of the microwave for him. "How was the hang out with Fuji-Kun to organize papers?" Tsukasa ask with a smile, seeing his hopeful eyes, he couldn't bring himself to tell Tsukasa what Fuji had done.

he force a smile on his face "it was fun. i told him about my interest in Astronomy as well" Amane lied, Tsukasa handed the plate to Amane.

Amane sat down, and ate his dinner. a bored expression on his face, but then he remembered the time in the library with Hanako. he blush while smiling 'that was nice, i was so happy.'

. . .

he has been working for Hanako for a week after school ends, in the old garden. he sighed, as he rubbed the sweat from his forehead as the sun was on him as he plant some more seeds in the garden. Fuji had asked him to help with papers again "Hanako-San can I have the day off?" he asked Hanako.

"Nope" she smile, she was squatting while looking at the seeds that have started growing. she smile as she poke the sprout. "why did you even want a day off? i thought you said you have nothing to do after school?" She asked him as she stood up.

he glance away nervously "well it's to hang out with a friend" he admitted.

"you have other friends?" she asked him, as she tilted her in confusion.

Amane started shifting on his feet, he smile "Fuji-Kun wants me to help him with some papers" he told her, as he goes to take off his gardening gloves.

"and how is that any different than helping me with the garden?" she asked him.

Amane crossed his arms "you don't do anything" he told her bluntly.

"Does Fuji-Kun do anything?" Amane's eyes widen at Hanako's question.

he glance down, "it fine right. if i do small favours he'll want to be my friend for real, right?" he asked Hanako.

"ah, Jeez. he's just using you Amane. small favours are fine, but he's getting you to do a bunch of work because he's too lazy to do it and knows you'll do it" she told him.

Amane glanced up at her "you've probably fallen for those tricks, when you were alive huh?" he asked her, as he glanced at her.

"I did." she laugh bitterly. "that's why I know this hoping for change will make it hurt even more" she told him, he nodded his head in understanding.

he sat down, as he lead his head into his knees. "I knew it wouldn't change. I already had experience in middle school but i still wanted to hope…" he held back tears.

"Anyway i treat you must better don't i?" Hanako had a smile on her face, as she lay on her head top of his head, her hand hanging down his shoulders.

he rolled his eyes "You make me stay outside in the heat and dirt… I rather stay in the classroom by myself" he told her.

she pouted as she float away, he was still sitting there. thinking he had won, he was about to get up to leave until he heard the sound of water hitting the ground. Hanako had the hose and was moving closer to Amane. "FINE!" he yelled out as he jumped up and out of the way of the water. "I'LL DO THE GARDENING!" he yelled out.

she turned off the hose and smiled.

. . . Amane and Tsukasa were sitting together, "Ah" he gasped, as he touch his shirt where his tie should be but it wasn't there "My tie is gone!" he told Tsukasa, worried.

"you didn't leave it at home again, did you? Tsukasa asked, he looked at Amane "you use to sometimes forget it at home in middle school" he reminded his older twin brother.

Amane shook his head "no, i know i put it on this morning!" he replied, he looked under his desk but still he couldn't see his tie anywhere.

"Amane" Tsukasa lead his shoulder against Amane's shoulder, Amane turned to face him confused by his younger twin brother action. "Look around, have you notice that a lot of people are losing their stuff as of late?" he asked with a smile on his face.

Amane was about to open his mouth to speak, but then his teacher spoke up "Amane-San! read the first paragraph on page 15" he told him, and then he glance at Tsukasa "please stop bothering your brother, unless you want me to separate you both" he warned Tsukasa.

he stood up as he though about what Tsukasa said, their teacher cleared his throat "oh um-" Amane looked down to grab the book to read. his eyes widen when he noticed that the book and his other school equipment was gone from his desk. "huh?" he said confused.

"Maybe… the fairies showed up!" Tsukasa smiled as he lead against Amane again, Amane gave Tsukasa a look that told him to quiet his voice down a bit.

Amane usually wasn't interested much in the supernatural, but since he was now a assistant of an supernatural he guess it was only natural to show interest in the supernatural. he glance up at his younger twin brother with curious eyes "Fairies?" he asked.

"haven't you heard? everybody's been talking about them lately?" Tsukasa asked, Amane glance down he hadn't heard a thing about these fairies. was he really that unpopular that he didn't know the main talk of the school. or was it because he was busy with helping Hanako-San with the abandoned garden at the old building.

"the fairies 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 that happened to you? then you have been a victim of the fairies. but you must never look upon them because if you do…" Tsukasa was telling him the rumor as he creepily moves his fingers. Amane glance down at his tie, and realize that must have been what Tsukasa wanted to talk about before the teacher interrupt them. "… they will even take your life" he finishes the rumor.

Amane was about to react in fear, but then he thought this was most likely a rumor. why would there be a random supernatural that steals and kills people at the school.

Tsukasa wave his hand "but it just rumors you know. the Hanako-San wasn't true right meaning this one is unlikely to be true as well" he smile.

Amane sweat nervously as he remembered that he lied to Tsukasa about Hanako, and how if Hanako was real that means these rumors have a high chance of being true as well. "are you scared, Amane?" Tsukasa smirked.

When they younger, Tsukasa would get Sakura to tell him all about rumors so he could use them to scare Amane. and surely enough they used to scare them, but then afterwhile he got used to Tsukasa's hyper fixation on rumors and the supernatural that developed over time. going from something stupid to scare Amane to something that Tsukasa is overly interested in. much like Amane's love for Astronomy well more specifically his interest in the moon and going to the moon.

"I'm not scared, Tsukasa" Amene lied, he hoped this one was merely a rumor. but it wouldn't hurt to ask Hanako about this, but then he realize must already know since she had a Hakujoudai following him around since he left the garden.

Tsukasa smile widely "your such a terrible liar Amane, You-" he was laughing but then they went silent when they heard the other students complaining about their items going missing.

"Amane, wait!" he yelled out, as Amane ran out of the classroom. Tsukasa ran after his brother, he was going to run to the garden until he heard a commotion coming from the lockers.

the locker doors were gone "the locker doors are all gone!!" one of the students yelled out. "who would do that?"

"i don't know! i just looked up, and this is what i saw!" another student, a girl yelled back.

Amane gasped, as he move his hand up as he sweat nervously. 'I was hoping it was a coincidence but the locker doors also going missing, is too much. so it's really a supernatural's doing isn't there. I must find Hanako-San' she thought.

he was about to walk out of the crowd, Tsukasa went to go after him but the crowd was pushing and shoving Tsukasa around. in the struggle, someone cause Tsukasa to fall to the ground. "Tsukasa!" Amane yelled out, as he push through the always increasing crowd.

"Amane" Tsukasa smile, Amane kneel down as he starts to help his younger twin brother to his feet.

someone trip over Tsukasa, causing them to stumble and drop a open water bottle on Amane's head "hey, watch where you going!" Tsukasa yelled out to the guy.

"you shouldn't just be standing there in the middle of a moving crowd." the guy argued back, pushing Tsukasa back a little.

Tsukasa glared at him "just standing there. my brother was helping me since I got push over" he declared, as he crossed his arm.

"what brother?" the guy ask, now genuinely confused.

Tsukasa rolled his eyes "don't act like you didn't see him" Tsukasa turned around with a smile on his face ready to prove the guy wrong, reaching his hand out toward Amane. Amane was no where to be seen, Tsukasa smile turned into a frown as his arm lowered "Amane…"

"sorry, I'll get out of your way" Tsukasa bowed his head and force himself through the crowd. he glance around to see if he could see his brother out or in the crowd. but his brother, Amane seem to be nowhere in the hall.

. . .

Amane ran until he was no longer in eye sight of the other students, he ended up running all the way to the old building so there was no possible way for anyone to see him. scales were already growing on his skin from the cursed he shared with Hanako. 'your a terrible liar…' he remembered Tsukasa's words.

and a frown formed on his face, as he glanced down. he felt a pain in his chest, he hated lying to his younger brother. Tsukasa has always been there for him through his life, when Amane had fallen terribly Ill. Tsukasa stayed by his side, even missing special events and after school activities to keep Amane company. and how does he pay him back? by lying and running off.

'should I tell Tsukasa about Hanako-San…' he thought, he decided he will. he started to walk back but then Hakujoudai hit him in the head which reminded him that he still had those scales. 'I need to find something to dry off these scales… but there isn't anything here i can us…'

he noticed a convenient placed towel behind him, he grabbed the towel a he starts drying him to dry the scales dropping on him off. "a clean towel! yes! sorry to whoever dropped this, but I'm gonna borrow it" he said out loud like the owner could hear him.

then he saw someone's lunch box, he realize someone was looking for something like this before. and then he saw Hanitaro, 'isn't this Akane-Kun's, i should return this and the other stuff I've found…' he smile. "Of course it wasn't a spirit, why would it be. I can tell Tsukasa that-" he was saying, but he smile when he saw his tie on the ground with his book.

"My notebook, textbook and tie!" he yelled out, and then he laugh "I told you I didn't leave it behind at home, Tsukasa"

Amane ignored the Hakujoudai pulling at his short hair. he walk around a corner "why is everything gathered here, this is weird…" he pulled the door open "this some kind of prank taken to far…" he was saying, but then he saw a weird eye from inside the reference room.

"shit" he yelled out, as he jumped back and fell onto the ground. "so the rumors they were…" he gasped, more eyes appeared.

hands started to grab on his leg, he was to scared to move or try to escape from them. "You saw me"

his eyes flashed before his eyes, and he looked upon the fairies and remembered what Tsukasa has told him about this supernatural's rumor. 'I'm sorry for not spending much time with you Sakura-Chan, I'm sorry for lying Tsukasa, I'm sorry for not giving you a chance Airhead-Senpai… Hanako-San…'

'I don't want to die yet! I still need to go to the moon, I told Tsuchigomori-Sensei i would do it…'

he cowered in fear of the supernatural, he was stupid for not realizing it was a trap set up by the fairies. he remembered how his father told him to live a happy life, tears slip down his face 'I'm sorry I can't do that… Dad'

"chop them down, Hakujoudai!" he heard a familiar voice yell out, Hakujoudai flew toward where the supernatural and Amane were. it crash right into the supernatural, splitting it apart. "You're easily drawn to the supernatural, aren't you Amane?" Amane eyes widen as he looked up at Hanako with tearful eyes, his hands still on his head.

Hanako walked over to him, "You really need to be careful, you know" she says, Amane eyes widen when sees some bunny like creatures Infront of him. "these guys are Mokke. currently known as 'fairies' they're supernaturals that have been with humans since ancient times. performing small acts of theft and other mischief." she was explaining to him, as she place her hands on his shoulders.

"they look a lot different than they did a few minutes ago." he says as his eyes sparkle while he pokes at a Mokke.

Amane wondered why would supernaturals who are close to humans, would try to kill humans if they look at them. wouldn't there be a lot of cases if a bunch of students died at this school. "Mokke are weak, timid supernaturals. so when they attack, they have to get together like that and change form. which is exactly why they're not usually a type of supernatural that would attack people, but…" Hanako was explaining to him, if that's the case something horrible must have happened for them to suddenly attack people.

"we didn't want to kill her. but our story got changed" "we had no choice."

Amane eyes widen at the mention of story 'do they mean the rumors that Sakura-Chan and Tsukasa are always telling me about. I know Tsukasa didn't know about the rumors before Sakura-Chan' his eyes widen, as he starts to breath quickly 'could Sakura-Chan be the one who…'

"you're thinking are the stories, the rumors?" Hanako ask him as she smile. "then yes you would be correct"

she cleared her throat "I should probably tell you about the rumors right?" she laugh nervously. "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" she explained to him.

"disappear…" he voice out loud, The Mokke were enjoying themself as they ate candy from a bag. one of them was handing a candy to him.

he looked up when Hanako started speaking to him "Amane. would you change the Mokke rumors for us?" she asked him.

Amane was confuse as he tilted his head "change the rumors?"

"I am one of this school's seven mysteries. it is my duty to supervise all the supernaturals in this school and maintain proper relationships between us and the humans. I can't let dangerous supernatural killers stay here. i have no choice but to exterminate them. but you Amane, are human. you can help them by changing the rumors" Hanako explained to him.

Amane glance at the Mokke, they walked over to him. some of them carrying candy with them by using their ears like hands.

"please." "we're sorry about before." "we'll give you candy." "we've lived happily here for hundreds of years." "we want to stay." "we'll give you candy."

Hanako spoke up "I know i already asked… but they did almost kill you. so if you don't want to, we won't push it…"

"Sure!"

Amane held the bunnies in a hug, close to his chest as he smile "I'll do it. I'll change the rumors!" he agreed.

"… You're sure?" she asked, shock he agreed so easily to the request. she wondered if their was a special reason on why.

his eyes soften "yeah. these little Mokke guys, they remind me…"

"of the stories of the bunny on the moon!" he smile.

she stood there, shock by his reasoning. "that's all? even this came back to your interest in astronomy"

"Me and Tsukasa always wanted a bunny. and we're going to get one but then our father died… we never brought it up again." he admitted, as he hugs one of the Mokke.

Hanako gasp "that took a dark turn…"

"and they did scare me… but then you saved me, Hanako-San. I really thought i was going to die, I was ready to accept that fate. but then you came to my recuse just like with the mermaid thing before. thank You, Hanako-San" Amane smile "sure I don't really like gardening, but it not as boring as i thought it would be. and i really do appreciate what're done for me."

Hanako was silent after Amane's gratitude, she begun to walk up the stairs as Amane follow him. "Oh! I might be wrong but… Is this the important job you said you had for me when i was done with the garden?" he asked her.

"Yeah. but i wasn't planning to ask until even later" she admitted.

he smile "I knew it!" and he look at her curiously "does that mean I'm no longer working on the garden?" he asked her.

"Nope" she replied.

they walked onto the roof "do you really hate the garden so much. I think that better than what you originally thought i was going to ask you do" she smile.

"oh the toilets. that would have been so much worse" he made a fake gagging sound.

she laugh "I know right. who would want to cleaning the toilets. scrubbing them, and a bunch of other gross stuff. at least you have more choices when it comes to the garden" she says softly.

Amane stop in his footstep, this garden seems to mean a lot to Hanako. but I cant figure out why, did she use to be in the gardening club. if she was does that mean her real name would be in the gardening club records, would they still have those thought considering the gardening club has been shut down for years. or maybe that friend she and the mermaid mention use to be apart of the gardening club. would that be why she has a gardening shear as a weapon.

"I always look forward to hanging out with you in the garden" Hanako admitted, which brought him out of his thoughts.

his eyes widen, he wasn't used to someone enjoying his company and looking forward to seeing him. sure their was Tsukasa and Sakura, but this felt different. he blush, as a smile form on his lips "why?" he asked her.

"it quite boring without friends isn't it?" she asked him, but before he could answer she spoke up which made him realize it was a rhetorical question. "I was lonely until you came around. At first i didn't think much of you since you aren't my type at all…"

those words 'you aren't my type at all' felt like a stab to his chest. he grab his chest, as he gasp and took a step forward. "but even if we don't have the same interest, we were able to talk about our interest and talk like we've known each other for ages. I'm happy to know you're so comfortable talking to me about stuff… even some stuff come up out of nowhere in the worse times…" she admitted, and he blush in embarrassment at the last part.

"we get to hang out after school. I miss doing that with her… and we always talk about whatever, without worrying about the other person's reaction. it's like having a friend… and I guess in a way, it takes me back" she smile, as she place up at the sky, as if remembering about something.

his eyes widen, he was shock. he wasn't used to someone viewing him like that. that made him realize how stupid it was to wish for friendship with Fuji when he was clearly trying to use him like his old bullies in middle school. at least they didn't have the gut to pretend to be his friend. he was trying to hard for Fuji when Hanako was here. they talk about everything together, bicker and taunt each other like friends, help each other.

"Hanako-Chan" he says as he step forward and grabbed ahold of the back of her middle school's uniform. "that's what I'll call you, that way…" he smile as he stood beside her, both of them holding onto the rail. "it's more like we're friends, right?" he asked her.

her eyes widen, as she was silent for a moment taking everything in and then she smile. "have you decided on a new rumor?" she asked him.

"yup!"

. . .

he walked toward the students who've lost their things. he had a pile of candy in his hand, he usually struggle to talk to people since he overthinks about what to say. but right now he knows what to say, and he was motivated to help the Mokke. he can't let his social anxiety hold him down forever. he force a smile on his face "here." he says.

"Candy?" one of them asked, as they pick up a candy from his hands.

he nodded his head "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" he told them the new rumor, he thinks the past experiences have been given him a pinch of courage, but only a pinch.

"huh" "I had no idea"

he sighed in relief that they agreed so easily to the new rumor, he stood there in awkward silence. "I-I have to go now!" he yelled out while his face is red.

they watched him run toward the door "it is your club- but I heard Tsukasa say his brother isn't in a club" one of the girl was asking, but then the other girl spoke up over her. 'Tsukasa…'

"umm…" he stopped in his tracks, and then he turned around and was still a flustered mess "I'm going to see a friend, I guess?" he replied, but it was more like a question rather than a answer.

he ran out of the castle room and down the stairs, the girls looked out of the window as they see him running from inside. he was running toward the old building's garden. "to see a friend…"

"at the abandoned garden?"

. . .

someone was walking, until a Mokke walked right into their foot. "Hey. Pip-squeaks. you know a Hanako?" he asked them, but then he accidentally scared them away. "Ah! hey!" he tried to stop them.

"I guess I'll have to find her myself. this will be easy!" he declared. he got up onto the stair's rail "Just you wait, Hanako! I'm on my way to exorcise you!!" he yelled out, in a proud and overconfident tone.

he laughs, with his Exorcist weapon in his hand. but right now it was hidden as a umbrella as he laugh like a mad man.

Next chapter: Honorary Exorcist!

[drgnnova]

Chapter 3: Friends 101

Ps: most of the chapter is very different than the canon version. but near the end of the chapter (when the mermaid scale is first mentioned, it becomes very similar to canon because i didn't know how to do this part differently. if you really want you can skip the last part of the chapter)

"page 3: start a conversation by talking about your interests…"

Hanako and Amane were sitting in the school library, a book about Astronomy. "…" their was a awkward silence. "ah- this is embarrassing!" Amane face burn a deep shade of red, as he shove his face into his hands. "Minamoto-Senpai is going to think I'm some kind of weirdo for being into stars and the moon… maybe more people would like me if i like something more popular, like a sport" Amane told Hanako, a idea came into Hanako's mind as she smile.

"why are you interested in Astronomy?" Hanako asked him, moving closer to him.

Amane face was even redder out, in a different type of blush. 'why is she getting so close…' "Uh- My father used to be into Astronomy…" he admitted, when he brought up his dad he frown. Hanako was about to take back the question, when she noticed the frown thinking she stepped on a sore topic by accident. "as a child, I was very Sickly. so my father would always tell me stories about the moon and the stars and i guess that what started my interest" he smile, and Hanako sighed in relief. "and when me and my little brother… twin were 4. Tsukasa found a Lunar rock, he gave it to me and he wished on it for me to get better"

"i know it isn't real. but the fact Tsukasa said it was, made it special" Amane smile brightly.

Hanako lend on her hand, as she smile at Amane. "i guess the wish worked, huh?" she asked him, noticing he look like a healthy 15 year old boy.

"i suppose you're right. the doctors said it was miracle that i live and won my long fight against it" Amane glanced down. "it's nice to talk to someone about this that isn't Tsukasa and Sakura-Chan" he admitted.

Hanako tilt her head, "do you still have that Lunar Rock?" she asked, curious.

"No" he admitted bluntly. "I gave it to my junior high school's homeroom teacher, Tsuchigomori-Sensei" he explained to her, he thought he notice her react weirdly to the mention of Tsuchigomori's name, but her expression was back to normal before he had time to process so he decide not to pry.

Hanako stood up "I think it time's you try to talk to Teru-Senpai about your interest in Astronomy. since you were able to talk to me about it and some other personal stuff, and I'm a complete stranger. so how is one more stranger going to scare you?" she encourage him.

"yeah!" he yelled out.

after awhile of walking, they found Minamoto Teru. he was walking with some of his classmates, Amane and Hanako were hiding behind a corner, Amane sighed "I can see why you're into him, Hanako-San" he told her in defeat. "but how do i go about telling him of my interest in Astronomy…" he said out loud.

Teru was about to walk past them, "go!" Hanako whispered loudly at Amane, which startled Amane causing him to ran out Infront of Teru. Teru stop before he could walk into Amane, Amane glanced up at him.

"ah, you're that kid from the office" Teru said with a soft smile on his face.

Amane suddenly couldn't find the words to speak, he turned a bright shade of red out of embarrassment. he found it scary to talk about his interest, and being called a kid as a high schooler didn't help his overthinking that Teru didn't think highly of him. "Minamoto-Kun, is he going to say anything?" Amane was snapped out of his thoughts by one of Teru's classmates.

'I can't do it!'

"Are you okay? is their something you wanted, are you looking for…" Teru was asking, as he extended his hand toward Amane.

Amane turned and ran away, Hanako Face palm as she saw Amane ran past her. "such a weird kid." one of them said out of loud from beside Teru.

"that isn't very nice. he was probably just nervous" Teru spoke up for Amane.

.

.

.

Hanako found Amane sitting in the stairwell that was empty, he had his flustered face hidden by his knees. "I made a fool of myself, Infront of the student council president! he's probably going to spread rumours to the whole school!" he complain, holding back his tears.

"did your other bullies do that?" Hanako asked, sitting down beside him.

Amane took a shaky breath in, and straighten himself as he glanced at Hanako. "Yeah… their the reason why I consider my interest in Astronomy as stupid. the bullying got so bad that i would skip my classes." he admitted.

"I GOT SO FLUSTERED BACK THERE AND THEN RAN OFF! HE PROBALY THINKS I'M WEIRD!" he yelled out at Hanako, a girl just happened to enter the stairwell. she quickly walked down the stairs and left the stairwell with a concern look on her face.

Hanako got up and stretched her arms "actually about that someone called you wei-" as she was speaking, Amane blush in embarrassment as he hit himself in the forehead with his palm. "ird, but Teru-Senpai stood up for you, saying you were probably nervous" she finished her sentence, and Amane eyes widen, he wasn't used to a upperclassman standing up for him.

"so their still hope, so let's try another approach!" Hanako yelled out, raising her hand into the air.

Amane raised his hand into the air "Yeah, let's try again!" he yelled out. he heard someone clear their throat behind him, it was a lady and her group of friends. he blush in embarrassment as he realize they thought he was talking to him.

he smile a he leaves the stairwell to try again. Hanako had given him the courage to try again, but he'll try to avoid talking to loud and around people when talking to Hanako. he didn't want people thinking he talks to himself.

Hanako flick to a random page "Page 9: Do a small favor" she ran from the page, with a smile on her face.

"Can this book be even more Vague?" he asked her, she shrugged.

they stood there as they tried to think of a favor they could do for Teru, what could the president of the student council need help with. "let's go to the student council room!" Hanako yelled out.

Amane follow Hanako to the student council, he stop when he saw a sign on the door that reads 'Student Council members only, unless given permission' "I can't go into there" He told Hanako.

"your also not allow to go into the old building…" she reminded him, "and the girl's toilets but you did anyway…" and then Hanako gasp as she turn to face Amane. "could it be you're a pervert, Amane?" she asked him.

Amane eyes widen "I'm not a pervert" he told her, while blushing. she giggle as she phase through the door and into the student council room. Amane sighed, and open the door and close it behind him as he entered after her.

"so what's the favor I'm doing?" he asked Hanako.

Hanako smile "see that stack of papers? those are papers that Teru-Senpai has to finish. if we finish it for him, he won't have to." she explained to Amane.

Hanako hand him a sticky note "when you're done, right your name on this" she told him. Amane nervously sat down, some of the papers were from school clubs asking for more funds or requesting equipment from other clubs. Hanako and Amane discussed together and then wrote their replies down.

when they were done, Amane and Hanako left and hid nearby. Sakura and Teru entered, lunch time was almost over. if this fail, they'll have enough time to try one more thing. 'Tsukasa isn't with them… is he hanging out with Airhead-Senpai? are they already that close…?'.

Sakura walked over to the stack of papers, and her eyes widen. they all had written replies on them, but she know she and Teru hadn't done them. and the door had been open, meaning someone came in while they were gone. the note just said 'favor for Minamoto-Senpai', but their was no name on it. Sakura recognize the handwriting, it belong to Amane, but why would he mess around with the student council, well base on the note that didn't seem like his intent. "President someone wrote on the letters" she told him.

Teru looked at the papers, the ones he just came back with Sakura to finish before class. "seems like some of these respond are ones, i would write. so I'll send those ones out, and then I'll fix the ones I don't agree with. slightly less work for me" he told her.

Sakura nodded her head, she didn't reveal it was Amane. because he would still get in trouble with Teru and Sakura for entering without permission, even with good intentions. Hanako and Amane quickly left the surrounding area of the student council room. "wasn't a complete fail. huh" Hanako told Amane.

"If i didn't forget to write my name, i would have gotten into trouble. Hanako-San!" he yelled at her.

Amane walked away from her, he was upset that nothing seem to work. he decided to try talking about his interests again, it shouldn't be too scary. he had broken so many rules today, so why would talking to Minamoto-Senpai be scary?

he ran to the student council, took a peak inside. they were already gone, he was running he found Minamoto. he ran over to them, but he was going to fast to stop. he notice he wouldn't be able to stop intime, in front of him was the pink guy that Tsukasa girly face yesterday. "watch out!" Amane yelled out.

Amane's head ended up hitting him in the stomach, sending him flying down the stairs. Amane gasped as he covered his mouth in horror, he glanced over at Hanako, she had a weird horrified look on her face, as if this has happened before. Amane quickly ran away.

"Woah! some boy crashed into a boy from the middle school department!"

"heeey! the boy fell down the stairs! is he alright!!?"

Amane ran back to the old building girl's toilets. his head was hurting from the impact of slamming into the middle school's kid side. he still shock, it sent the boy flying down those stairs. "argh! this stupid book isn't helping!" he yelled out. "I thought you were a expert at this Hanako-San, why do you need a book to help?" he asked her.

"about that…" she laugh nervously "I'm a newbie at friendships" she admitted.

his eyes widen, "what do you mean you're a newbie!" he yelled out at her.

"I've only ever had one friend. and that because we were childhood friends since our family were friends!" she admitted, but then went quiet as she glanced away. "Wait!" she turned to face him "Why don't you ask him to be your friend?" she suggested.

Amane hit his head on the sink "you really are a newbie. if that work than 50% of the times, don't you think i would try that first?" he asked her.

"do you have anything else in your pockets?" he try to put his hand in her skirt, without thinking.

she jumped back, while blushing. "you really are a pervert!" she yelled out at him. he blush, as he crossed her arm.

"Don't make things weird. you're just a suspicious ghost is all. you say you make wishes, but all your ideas have just include every day objects!" he argued back.

a bag accidentally fell from her pocket, and he picked it up. "What's in here?" he asked her, but he didn't let her even start speaking before he open the bag and took one of them out of the small bag.

"oh those are for matchmaking…" she was saying, not thinking much of it.

he forgot matchmaking was for couples, and Hanako seem to realize as she tries to reach for him "Wait! Amane! don't!" she yelled out. "give those back!"

"waaaah!" she yelled out.

Amane had shove one of them into his mouth, "tell me how to use it!" Amane words were muffled by the thing in his mouth, he kept his hands covering his mouth.

"alright!" she yelled out. "They're mermaid scales. when two people ingest a scale from the same mermaid… a terrible curse will be placed upon them… but they will be bound together with a force like no other… it usually for romance"

he was about to say oh, but then he accidentally swallow the mermaid scale. "oh…" he said, as if this was the most normal occurrence to happen.

"AH! AMANE!" she started to panic "you shouldn't have put it in your mouth, before finding out what it is." she told him.

she reach for the bag, but Amane step back. she was confuse "I tried and tried so hard to make Minamoto-Senpai my friend. but nothing to work!" he yelled out. "Sure these scales are usually use for romance right, but their main focus is that they bound people together right!?" he yelled out.

he started running toward the door of the girl's toilet, with the bag in hand. "I was going to do it the hard way! but I'm using a shortcut now, I'll be his friend even if it means I've use a dirty trick like this!" Hanako's eyes widen as she watch him open the door. "no one will want to be my friend without the use of magic, or other factors like me being Tsukasa's brother!"

.

.

.

he ran until he found Minamoto Teru, he was currently sitting down on a bench as a lady came over to him. 'there he is' he hid behind the boxes. "uh… um… Minamoto-Kun! I've liked you since our first year!!" the girl confess to Teru. 'she could bring herself to confess to Minamoto-Senpai… but I couldn't bring myself to ask him to be my friend…'

Teru rubbed the back of his head, and glance away while blushing. he started second questioning himself, he wasn't throw away his morals for one friend right. what about what he said earlier, about Tsukasa and Sakura being better than fake friends from magic. "I'm sorry. i already have someone else that i like. I've liked them since forever, and i just can't be with someone else right now…" he was nicely rejecting them, letting them down easily without embarrassing them. "that's why… I'm sorry"

Hanako was right, Teru is nice. he rejected them so nicely, he would have let down him easy if he didn't want to be friends. so why did he make himself believe that Teru would become some horrible person if he didn't want to be his friend.

he glance down at the other mermaid scale in his hand, regretting his actions. he realize that anyone would have done it for him, he realize him and Hanako had been friends this whole time, since he told her about his interests. he saw his arm, they had grown scales 'the curse!'

he dropped, as he thought about everything. 'why? why did this happen to me? I… I've done all i could… No, I haven't. I didn't talk to anyone in middle school because of a few bullies… I didn't even tell Minamoto-Senpai my interest in Astronomy…' 'I thought that my little brother was just lucky for everyone loving him, but Tsukasa… he always spoke to the students in our class and didn't let other words cause him to shut himself off…' 'I even asked a ghost for help. I'm so selfish… I…'

'i deserve all of this… all of it'

"Got you!" he heard someone yell out.

he was suddenly underwater which confuse him "man, i almost didn't make it. any later and you would have dried out." he recognize the use now, it belonged to Hanako-San. he realize he could breath underwater. "I put in everything you'd need, Amane. I hope its to your liking" she told him.

"what's going on? what's happened to me?"

she stood in front of the mirror with a smile on her face, Amane look at the mirror and noticed he was a fish in a water tank that Hanako was holding. "Voila!"

he splashed around in the water "is my fishy enjoying his water tank?" she smirk.

"am not!" he yelled out. "WHY WOULD I BE HAPPY ABOUT TURNING INTO A FISH!" he splashed water at Hanako but it went right through her.

Yashiro chuckled "Remember, I'm a ghost?" she laughs. but then she frown "I though i told you, that it comes with a price. you've been inflicted with the curse of the mermaid. had you made someone else ingest the other scale, the curse's power would have split between the two of you. and you wouldn't have had completely turn into a fish. you would still be fish-like though. the mermaid scale only curses the person who ingests it. we called it a matchmaker because two people with the same curse are tied together with a strong bond. but you didn't do it, huh? why is that?" she asked him.

"I didn't really want Minamoto-Senpai to be my friend. I just wanted a friend that is just my friend… not Tsukasa's… just mine. but in the progress, my threw away my morals of wanting genuine friendship, i was going to force Minamoto-Senpai into being my friend, to make myself feel better… Anyone would been fine, I just want real friends that I could share my interest with… I was being selfish, I'm a terrible person.."

a creepy voice started being heard around the empty classroom. "now, now, such foolish creatures, these human are. be overjoyed, little boy. for you are now my servant. I'll make sure to treat you well." Hanako and Amane look around.

"so you're finally here. Mermaid!" Hanako yelled out.

Amane eye's widen, "this is a mermaid. it's here to retrieve it's new servant. but that's something i wont allow. it'd be bad for business" she told him.

The Mermaid hit Hanako "you're in the way, Bitch", Hanako crashed into the tables. Amane yelled out for Hanako "judging this young boy when you almost ate a mermaid scale yourself, but your friend stop you" Amane notice the hurt expression on Hanako's face, and wondered if it was the same friend she mention earlier.

"Pathetic! My life spans millennia. A mere School Wonder could never hope to best me!" she yelled out, Hanako was sitting their with a hand on her shoulder and a look of horror on her face. 'what happened to this friend of Hanako-San…?' "Now, come with me.", The Mermaid was about to get Amane, Amane screech in fear.

Hanako stood up, "wait a minute" the mermaid turned around when she heard Hanako's voice. "I know the problem of the Mermaid scales, which is why I tried to stop him. i didn't mean for it to come off as judging, but i didn't want to commit the same mistake i almost did." she explained, she walks closer to the mermaid.

"I haven't granted one of that boy's wishes yet. If you're going to take her, could you wait until I have?" she asked the mermaid.

the mermaid didn't back down, "Quiet! i will not have you order me around!" The Mermaid spoke up against her.

"is that so? well, i guess I'll just have to…" Hanako was saying, as she pulled out a garden shear out of herself. "resort to violence"

The Mermaid open it's huge mouth, but Hanako use the Garden Shear as scissors on the mermaid, slashing the Mermaid from both sides. "How could a mere fledging of a spirit like you possibly have this much power!?" the Mermaid yelled out "curse you school legend!" it disappeared.

Amane's tank fell, but Hanako was able to catch it in time. "gotcha!" she yelled out "well, the mermaid's gone, however. it looked really stubborn, so we probably haven't seen the last of him, we did manage to buy some time though, so I guess it's fine.

Amane started crying, "she; going to come back… does that mean she'll try to kidnap… if i hadn't made that wish".

"Don't think I'll let you off easily just because it was revealed that i Almost fell for the same trick" she was smiling softly, but then it turned into a creepy smile "I actually listen when someone warned me of the consequences" she smile down at him, putting her finger near Amane.

Amane spoke up "I didn't mean to swallow it" he reminded her.

"yeah but you idiotically put it into you mouth before asking me what it was. it's still on your head, I guess that book was right about you being a dummy" she insulted him. "maybe i should call you little mister stupid, from now on" she poke him.

she sighed "however. your Senpai didn't swallow the other scale. which means i can still grant a wish for you. do you wish to be human again? should you make that wish, I'd grant it for a price, of course" she gave him an offer.

"what's the price?" he asked her.

she shrugged "No idea. but at least, you'd be able to live a barely normal life. what do you think?" she asked him.

"c.. change me back, please! I'll do anything! make me human again! please, Hanako-San!" he was basically begging her.

Hanako flick the Mermaid scale with her finger, and then catch it. "That's what i wanted to hear. alright then" she put the mermaid scale on her tongue "I'll have you pay me back with your body" she swallowed the scale "I ended up still eating a mermaid scale one day…"

Amane transform back into a human, his clothes were soaked from the water of the tank. he lift the tank that fell on his head "now our fates are tied together… across the worlds of the living and the dead. I'll make it so the curse is split between us. in return, I will be taking your… Physical Labour" she finished her sentence.

"uh… what's that expression, did you take it the wrong way?" she tilted her head "YOU REALLY ARE A PERVERT, AMANE!" she yelled out, crossing her arms.

he shove her while blushing "you can't just phase it that way and then call me the pervert!" he yelled out. Hanako fell over and hit the desk "huh? I touched you Hanako-San" he cringed at how wrong that sounded as soon as it came out of his mouth.

she sighed "Didn't I just to tell you? our fates are now bound together. so treat me well, since I'm a lady you know" she reminded him.

"Yeah a lady with Daikon legs" he said under his breath.

she glared at him "I thought you said their cute!" she snapped at him, he blush "And I granted two of your wishes, So I don't want to see you being so bad mouthed toward me!" she yelled out at him, while crossing her arms.

"I did… Didn't I?" he said barely above a whisper, as he gets embarrassed "did you say two…?"

she smile as she grabs a hold of his hands "change me back into a human. and anybody would have been fine as long as their a real friend and aren't just friends with me because their Tsukasa's friend. wasn't that what you truly wanted?" she asked him. "I think the talk in the library about your interest and your dad, Also being bound to me. makes us friends, right?"

"friends…"

Hanako took a towel out of her pocket, "your scales will go away if you dry them" his eyes widen as he looked at his arm.