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The following Monday after meeting Tsuchigomori was a strange one, there was an off-putting vibe that welcomed you when you walked into the washroom to clean. The day after Nene destroyed Tsuchigomori's yorishiro, she had told you about everything she saw.

     Hanako's past self, Yugi Amane. The boy came to school everyday injured, had poor grades, had a single friend and was an outcast to his classmates. Destined to become a science teacher because of his love of astronomy, his future changed and he suddenly died.

     When Nene decided to confide in you about her new findings, you were confused. The boy you saw everyday was a cheerful ghost who always trying to make everyone happy, what happened back then for things to end up like this?

>>

     It was quiet, an absolute uncomfortable silence that filled the washroom with tension when you and Nene walked in. Hanako sat on the window ledge, eyeing you down as you awkwardly grabbed a mop.

     "How was your day?" Hanako asked with crossed arms, tapping his finger on arm as he did so.

     "It was good," you briefly replied. Nene responded with a similar answer as she grabbed a ragged cloth, the two of you began to clean

     Hanako hummed and intently stared you down, "is that so?"

     Briefly, you turned back and examined his face. Furrowed eyebrows and a scrunched nose, he seemed to be deep in thought. Nodding slowly, you returned to your duties.

     Hanako cleared his throat, "Tsuchigomori didn't like, say anything weird to you Nene?" At this, Nene looked over at the ghost with minimal movement. 

     Nene and you shared eye contact for a few seconds before she looked back at the ghost. "No, he didn't really say anything weird.." Nene replied hesitantly, "is there something wrong?"

     "Huh? Oh, no." Hanako was quick to respond, "nothing." With the unconvincing reply from the toilet ghost, the day ended.

>>

    Tuesday was by far, the most peaceful day you have had since school started. Not a single rumor flitted around the building, this was something you could get used to. A wave of nostalgia filled you as you walked down the halls, weaving your way around the crowds of people. It was almost hard to believe that you used to roam these halls without having to worry about some kind of supernatural harassing you.

    In fact — the day was going by almost too well which aroused your suspicion, but shortly after the negative thoughts that flooded your head you relaxed your shoulders. Good days do happen after all.

     The bell rung for the end of the day and Nene wanted to have a look at how her plants were growing before toilet cleaning, you agreed to go with her.

     "Look at them! They're starting to sprout!" Nene cried happily, she tugged your sleeve and you looked over. Indeed, there was a small green leaf protruding from the ground.

     "Oh! I see them!" You crouched down to have a better look at them, being careful to not fall forward onto the new buds. 

     "Hey!" Kou called from behind the two of you, you turned to see him approaching and stood up. Nene and you waved him a hello.

     "Is it time for toilet duty already?" Nene asked, Kou rubbed the back of his necks.

     "Actually, I have a favor to ask you guys.."

>>

    The home economics lab was a complete mess, there was batter mixture all over the counters, some kind of dark crisps scattered on a pile of unorganized plates throughout the room. As well as a pot of hot oil settling over a high flame, the oil was filled to the brim of the pot and you could see a small drop of oil run down the side of the pot.

     The home economics lab nearly went down in flames, you were flabbergasted at the mess the lab beheld.. She tiptoed her way over to you by the stove, unsure of which path to take as the floor was a complete catastrophe.

     "Kou, surely you and your brother couldn't have done all this?" You asked him, he awkwardly laughed and scratched his neck. He gave no reply, only looking away from your gaze. 

     "Well! Let's start off by cleaning the lab so that Mr. Tsuchigomori doesn't see this!" Nene cheered optimisticly, you and Kou gave an enthusiastic pump in the air.

>>

     "Don't use the mixer, you have to mix it with a spatula gently!" You called out from your seat by the table before turning back towards the table you were cleaning.

     Nene and Kou looked at you, the younger male stretched his neck towards the book and flipped a few pages. "Oh, she's right!" Kou said, Nene pushed the mixer to the side and began to mix the batter.

     Nene turned her head towards you, "have you made donuts before (Y/N)?"

     You furrowed your eyebrows,  "No, I don't think I have. It just, came to mind?"

     After finally scraping some kind of burnt mixture off the table, you figured you would leave the donut making to your friends.

     "Hanako might be pretty lonely right now so I'll go clean the washroom for us now okay?" You said, sliding a finger down the clean table, pleased at the smooth surface. 

     "Oh! Thank you!" Nene called out to you as you left the room, Kou waved a good bye.

>>

     Poking your head into the washroom, you were surprised to see nobody in there. Taking a step back, you decided to make your way to the roof. There weren't many places you could check in this building that you hadn't checked already. 

     As you opened the roof doors, you were met with a gush of wind and noticed Hanako staring into the sky. He turned as soon as he noticed another presence, his eyes widened. "(Y/N)?"

     Giving a wave and a small smile, you walked towards him. "What are you doing up here?"

     Watching you approach him, he smiled before giving a reply, "I'm just thinking about how much things have changed." 

     The male turned back around, "they look like they're having fun."

     You peered off the roof to see what he was referring to, noticing he was looking at students who were off the school property, laughing while walking, they were going home most likely.

     Turning your attention back at your friend, your eyes drooped slightly. Noticing the subtle sadness in his eyes, a look of nostalgia. "Yeah, they do."

     Hanako coughed, "well, what'd you need?"

    "Well, Nene and Kou are busy with something so I figured I would clean the toilets to keep you company but you weren't there." 

     Hanako brightened up and put both of his arms on your shoulders, "anything else you wanted to do alone with me?"

     You tilted your head, "what do you—"  You scowled at him and shrugged his hands off your shoulders, he grinned and released his hold on you.

     Before you could comment on his perverted behavior, you felt an eerie presence.

     It almost seemed like the weather changed, from a clear sunny sky to a cloudy day with a cold breeze that washed your skin with uneasiness. The wind changed, whipping your hair and uniform against each other. A black crane flickered among the wind towards you and Hanako.

     Hanako narrowed his eyes and swiftly pushed you behind him, with a hand reaching into his coat. Startled at his reaction, your breathing hitched and you clutched at the ends of your sleeves.

     "Oh there you are!" A muffled voice spoke out, you looked at the source of the noise past Hanako's shoulders. "Oh wow! That knife sure takes me back!"

     You could see Hanako's shoulders tense and the grip on his knife slowly yield, the paper crane slowly shifting larger.

     Your eyes widened as a being emerged from the darkness, a being with the appearance of a smiling Hanako. "What..?" You stammered, backing away from Hanako and the new being.

     The copy of Hanako tilted his head to look at you, his eyes widened and his lips turned up even more. "Oh wow! It is true! You're here too!"

     Fear crept into your bones and you felt yourself unable to move or speak, the unfamiliar being looked away from you and back at Hanako.

     "Did you miss me?" They said, placing a hand on Hanako's cheek. 

     "I-I.." Hanako stumbled on his words, and you could feel your legs slowly start to give out.

author's note

hi there!! i swear i'm still alive, i'm taking online school now because of the pandemic so you would think i would update more but a lot less instead, some of you may have noticed but I did edit the first couple of chapters. anyway, here's the chapter i finally finished from 3 months ago! i haven't properly read through it and edit it, but i can do that later.

1435-ish words