Tsukasa Yugi - Blog Posts

Random question if you were to want to make a foil/opposite/the yin or yang, character of Amane/Hanako Yugi what you think they be

Nene-chan and Tsukasa combined; Amane already has foils

Where Amane is filled with secrets and refuses to speak his heart, Tsukasa speaks his heart fearlessly

and where Amane is hopeless, Nene-chan is filled with hope

a good story has its foil baked into the plot! its characters will exemplify the different philosophies!

we don't need to invent anything new!

Because I have a feeling when school is in full swing and Hanako-kun has a moment alone with Tsukasa, I have a feeling he's going to ask, "Why are you doing this?" I hate you, you're not my brother" In this situation I have the impression that Hanako-kun will get angry and it will be at that moment that Tsukasa will unload all her feelings on him saying that he's the one I've always hated him. That's my theory how do you think that will be the moment when Tsukasa really reveals his true feelings

I guess just the once, I will answer one of these, which I typically would delete ....

without any malice directed at you, but with simply opposing ideologies, know I feel this with conviction: you, and everyone who thinks this are as incredibly wrong about the manga as you could possibly be. You'll be confused and disappointed until the very last page.

The Yugi are deeply in love with each other. Everything Tsukasa does is out of boundless love for Amane, and a wish to know him. Everything Amane has done is originating from his love for Tsukasa. Even his love for Nene-chan, derives in some way in the way she reminds him of his naive, childish, gullible, clumsy, playful little brother, who he spent his childhood with.

The core concepts in this manga are love, devotion, attachment, enduring everything and accepting any outcome, because you love somebody. It doesn't matter if they push you away (Aoi), if they could never return it (Hakubo), if they're beyond hope (Sakura), hurt you (Tsukasa), or change (Amane, Mitsuba)-- they are still the person you love. As long as there is something there, it is worth loving, it is worth believing in.

There cannot be a message about hate, or someone lost and corrupted beyond saving, as Iro-sensei is honestly too soft and sentimental for this. A reveal about hate would not be narratively interesting, thematic, or satisfying. The concept of shooting a big gun at Tsukasa at the end of this, or the Yugi hating eachother, is 100% impossible. Really I think that!

You may as well 'theorize' that Mitsuba is a lost cause, or 'theorize' that Hakubo never loved Sumire, or 'theorize' that loving Aoi is wrong of Akane, or 'theorize' that Nene will have to destroy the too-far-gone Hanako with her bare hands, lol.

What senseless things! Silly nonsense. Why do some people think hate is so important?

Tsukasa has no secret.

Here are his true feelings:

but I don't know why I'm saying anything ... you must not listen to a word I say! Ho hum ...

Amane fixing the clock and finally Tsukasa also appeared in the Showa Era.

I don't like the pose Tsukasa is in.

Maybe that's why Amane doesn't remember why he wanted to fix the clock. Tsukasa could erase what he was doing it for. The strange thing is that when he looked at the clock, he remembered coming and fixing the clock, but he couldn't remember why. That particular memory had been erased from his mind. It's possible that Tsukasa erased that memory from him then.

Considering how important it was for Amane to fix it , he must have known something was really bad will happaned and maybe Tsukasa was involved? Was he trying to stop something bad? Knowing it was coming.. or he wanted to solve a problem he had in a different way not by murder... I previously wrote that Amane must have had a really special reason to kill Tsukasa, and I keep coming back to the thought that possibly the clock is related to the murder case.

Amane knew/suspected that Tsukasa wasn't a "normal" human and possibly also knew about the existence of supernaturals at the school.

I wonder what the life of the twins was like when the mother returned from the temple with her son, after all, she did not get help so she went with the conviction that it was "not her son"

I have a feeling that Tsukasa helped Amane make the choice to kill him. Amane was forced to kill Tsukasa for some good reason.

The festival that is about to take place may be a shock for Amane to recall some events... and possibly get Amane backstory or backstory related to this event...

It seems that something really bad is going to happen and it's possible that the same thing is about to happen in the Shouwa era.

Tsukasa mostly confuses hate with love. Amane is also guilty that Tsukasa thinks so.

Amane used a word that is often confusing for the Japanese, I guess. In English, "Isn't it obvious?" It was supposed to be an acknowledgment that "Yes, Tsukasa I love you", but Tsukasa understood it as hatred. There was a huge misunderstanding between Tsukasa and Amane. Amane for Tsukasa wasn't very clear, and Tsukasa misunderstood.

Amane is really in bad words, he prefers to express it with deeds... which he has shown many times.

Amane pushes Tsukasa away in this scene, not because she hates him, but because she's sick of being sick and wants to be like Tsukasa and play with him. After all, Amane is 4 years old here... he found out that he will die 100%... He had enough of everything and took out his anger and frustration on Tsukasa. Still, Tsukasa could take it as Amane could be without him if only he was healthy. Which is absolute bullshit and another misunderstanding between the twins.

But...I honestly don't think Tsukasa really believes that Amane hates him. Tsukasa is his Yorshiro, so Tsukasa must see that he is the most important person in Amane's life and also that way Amane look at Tsukasa in p.p arc

This scene is just beautiful! But Tsukasa doesn't see those eyes looking at him with love and admiration! Why Tsukasa???

AidaIro always gives hints that Amane loves Tsukasa and chapter 95 was a big confirmation. I deduced that there is no doubt that these two love each other, but both have communication and understanding problems each other

I don’t know if it’s a light shade but the tsubaki also looks pink which can symbolize longing

Which makes sense because they are brothers, amane and tsukasa seem to have a strong and obviously long relationship so it more of a reason to have the yearning desire to join him once everything is finally over since amane just doesn’t want to go on without tsukasa.

All more reason amane needs to face tsukasa, fight and destroy him not for tsukasa but also for amane himself,to let go as well to free tsukasa from being his yorishiro and maybe amane finally releasing himself as a mystery.

If that even makes sense but HEY that’s just a theory a TBHK THEORY

Good finding! It would fit, but I checked in the program and it is not pink as I wrote in the post … it is bright red.

I wouldn't write something I wasn't sure about.

I used the color picker and it comes out red. The only one flower I missed is white, it's actually yellow

so yellow mean "longing" that means Amane loves and miss Tsukasa....

Even I was fooled by the shading… (I know I should have checked, but I was sure it was white), I won't do it again. I'm so sorry 😭

Either way, the flowers have positive meanings and it shows how these two love each other!

This is the most important thing for me. I love Amane and I think both Amane and Tsukasa are the best in this series and I'm glad that AidaIro shows more clearly that these two love each other.

can agree with the first part, but not the second. Amane seems to have a plan from the start. And from the beginning he used Nene to pursue it, only at that time he fell in love and changed, knowing that Yashiro's fate is not indifferent to him. What is Amane's true wish?, what is he really planning?, what is his deal with God? It's not that easy. Amane also has a plan he was going to give up on, but Tsukasa persuaded him to go ahead with his original plan. I want to know if his original plan is related to Tsukasa and what is Amane's true original wish. Saving Nene's life was the second sincere desire and wish, what about the 1st? I want to know!

Mmm o

How about amane waiting to join tsukasa once he fulfilled his duties or once the TBHK series is over (it’s kinda simple I know) he actually might fight against and destroy him but that’s my opinion.

Intersting....

These flowers… They look like Tsubaki in other words "Camellias"

I did the colors to make sure the flowers look pink.. it's actually a bright red and white.

Red camellia means love, white camellia means waiting.

The red camellia symbolizes Amane's love for Tsukasa. I wonder what the symbolism of the white "wait" means. Waiting for what? I'm curious.

It's really amazing that AidaIro has shown again that Amane loves Tsukasa in another amazing way,they said "Amane loves Tsukasa,don't hate him"

Tsukasa looks so calm.. He trusts Amane so much.

They love each other so much!❤️💜

I think it needed for tsukasa to be destroyed by amane not just for tsukasa but also for himself (wanted to put the past behind him metaphorically? I really don’t know ) if that even makes sense

Just gonna say I feel like I suck at storytelling (stupid of me for being this optimistic)

side cover of vol.19

Amane is standing over Tsukasa… what Amane's thinks? What does his face look like?..

I want to know,AidaIro!!!!

and also... Tsukasa has a seal. that means… that Tsukasa will be destroyed by Amane?

Or it just doesn't matter and it's just the back cover?

Do you think amane has autism ( even as hanako), and signs he shown autism?

Same with tsukasa doesn’t he seem like he has ADHD or even shown signs to that?

I don't think! I heard about it. Twitter was full of it. There is no evidence that Amane is an autistic boy. AidaIro has not confirmed this, but it has been assumed that he is "autistic", which I personally find disgusting to give him a disease just because someone thinks he is.

The fact that Amane didn't play with his friends seemed to be his choice. And personally he said that "he would like to have a friend like he used to" maybe he was talking about his brother, maybe he was talking about someone else. Amane definitely expressed a desire to befriend Yashiro in Chapter 2. He missed a normal life and longed to have human contact, to have a friend.

Of course, Amane has problems with expressing feelings, but he does it with actions, which he has shown more than once and I'm sure he will show more times. For me, actions speak louder than words…

Tsukasa, first i haven't heard of this. The fact that Tsukasa is chaotic but has no ADHD symptoms…

It's so annoying… Amane was already terminally ill.

for me, none of the twins have any of these symptoms of either disease. AidaIro didn't confirm these rude statements.

It's just fanon… false rumors.. no official confirmation of it.

Have you or people found out what amane illness was when he was 4?

Amane... was sick.. in age 4,cause little Tsukasa said about it. He showed that Amane was terminally ill

Amane was going to die…

and Tsukasa sacrificed his life for Amane's health.

The manga is the main source of this information.

Arc Red House Chapter.78

SAME !

Also NO.4 seijima mei is also an example of cruel gossip and rumors I mean Darn watching people straight up lie about her creator’s death that is beyond mess up! Not just over dramatic but beyond judge mental

One of the thing I realized when reading then rereading TBHK is that rumors are cruel and i hate it when people talk about others without even to try to know or understand just being over dramatic and it’s stupid even as a victim in elementary also yes it was depressing



I agree in 100%. What's even worse is how supernaturals can get rid of their own Yorshiro and I'm talking about people who are precious to them. example is poor Sumire didn't mind what no.6 did to her and also Amane.

Tsukasa is literally happy at the thought of Amane will kill him a second time in future as you can see and how much he cares. Amane on the other side is devastated. Tsukasa has achieved his goal and Amane won't back down.

I find killing loved ones a second time more cruel.

Poor Amane:(

The Yugi twins in TBHK were born in 1955 that means their Chinese zodiac is the wood ram.

I’ll leave the rest that read this fine some connections

THE KEYCHAINS ARE HERE

LOOK AT THEMMMMM

Lord help me this took 23 hours to mske

How tf do I not have carpal tunnel yet

The death of a dream

I think for the first time I will talk about Shijima, even if her story is one of the ones that moves me the most.

Seeing her trying for the last time to do what she loves the most, and trying to immortalize it with lines and colors on paper. The tower, crooked, as if representing her trying to use all the effort she has to stay upright, even if the tower could fall at any moment. And even if it did fall, she would still be there, inside that tower, where her happiness would live.

Her desire to be happy didn't exactly only create another world, but another version of herself, because in her eyes the world is good and she was the one who couldn't keep up, so she recreated herself in a world where it would be possible to be happy, even in a tower about to fall.

Imagining herself in another world, in another place… in a place where she could be herself, even if it wasn't real, still brought joy.

Shijima's story also reminds me of the first Harry Potter book. The orphan boy who one day found a magic mirror that reflected what he most desired. He saw his parents, who had died to save him when he was a baby.

illustration by TomScribble

And Harry went there every night and day, over and over again, to be by their side, to see them smile for the first and countless times. Until Dumbledore, the professor, discovered and told him that dreams bring us joy, take us to the sweetest and deepest pleasure of living what we could never.

But it wasn't worth it to always be dreaming and forgetting to live.

At that time, it didn't make sense to me. Who would choose to stay in the real world? But the truth is that dreaming kills your hopes little by little.

Until you have none left.

Mei dreamed that Shijima would live, she did what had to be done, she stayed in the dream that Shijima made for her, but she never came back.

The wish that she had lost hope.

Tsukasa gave her the freedom to finally have enough strength to stop dreaming.

Shijima never stopped smiling, not because she was resigned to death, but because she knew that the dream would one day come to an end, but she wanted at least one version of her to be happy.

The tower, Shijima's last painting, was the representation of the happiness that she wanted to immortalize.

She was happy while she was alive, and she became eternal in the form that she loved most, painting.

Stopping dreaming is so hard. Watching the world fall apart makes it feel like you're falling apart with it. But it's necessary.

It's better to stop dreaming before you lose hope.

When hope dies, not even the world of dreams makes sense anymore.

Nothing does.

One day Harry Potter would realize that his parents were already dead, and he would have died with them if he had just kept dreaming about something he could never have.

But, just like Shijima, he knew the right moment to break the world of dreams. The boy who found the magic mirror that had been hidden in the deepest part of the castle, for having killed the hope of so many others.

Mei thought that "killing" Shijima would be the best way to break the dream

But killing her would bring nothing but negative feelings. Killing a dream won't bring you peace.

Accepting that it was good while it lasted will bring you true freedom. Like what actually happened.

She accepted that the dream was over, and went to face reality. Shijima accepted death, and Mei accepted that she is the part of Shijima that she wanted to live and be remembered, no matter how she was remembered.

I love how Aidairo make reality so raw and strong and how it reflects so well on them. How Amane "killed" his dreams, when he lost hope, how he quickly realized that the world was fake.

Because that happiness was so unreal to him.

Even if Mei had put him in a world where it would be just him and Tsukasa, happy as it should have been in the past, he would have known it was fake.

Because he no longer had hope, he killed hope when he raised the knife to Tsukasa.

When he spent so much time trying to change the past, trying to make things work out, trying to save his brother at all costs and at any sacrifice.

When he realized that going to the moon was no longer possible.

When he decided not to go anywhere.

He didn't give Tsukasa his freedom, like Mei gave Shijima - even if forced initially - or, Tsukasa himself didn't give Amane the freedom to leave, when he decided to sacrifice himself.

Amane was supposed to die.

Shijima was supposed to die.

But dreams made they postpone it.

In the end, reality still came.

And it's never easy. But at least accepting it completely is less painful than dreaming and losing everything in the end.

Seeing that none of it was real.

You're now drowning in reality and embracing the pain of a dream that never happened, but that you miss. And since that dream never came true, you lose hope.

What's there for you now besides reality?

It doesn't matter, you're not going anywhere.

Like Dumbledore said,

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live”

Sometimes, it takes a while to accept even that.

But it's needed.

tbhk/jshk appreciation post

i don’t know how popular it is right now but I think everyone should read the tbhk/jshk series at some point. probably my top manga reccomendation. the art style is absolutely beautiful and i am absolutely amazed by every panel. not to mention the covers. the story itself is so compelling as well. also (semi-canon) lgbt representation. it’s for the gays. if you can’t purchase a copy the whole series is translated on https://hanako-kun.net. please give it a try and maybe tell me what you think. my friend forced me to read it and i am absolutely obsessed. also the mangaka aren’t problematic so that’s a plus.

I just wanted to try this au from kous pov (what’s happening to him in the middle school division, heavily inspired by the reblog I had gotten from that post, it had me thinking and I haven’t posted anything in a while).

Kou’s life in the middle school part of the summer camp was going to be miserable, the entire summer was like a never ending horror plot of a crappy scary movie. Maybe he was being a little dramatic, sue him. The summer camp was known for its many scary stories and rumors,a 13 year old by the name Mitsuba Sousuke is said to haunt the lake at night and if you are to swim there at night he will break your neck and you will drown an agonizing death down the lake, he is said to have drowned in the lake in the middle of the night unexpectedly slipping on the deck, hitting his head and breaking his neck in the summer of ‘75, another one is that a ghost Hanako-San haunts the infamous cabin 101 (nobody ever tries to get that cabin, cause all the students that either died later on or ran out screaming for there life). Hanako was said to have commited suicide in that same cabin in the 60’s. Many rumors spiraling around that.

Lucky Kou cause that’s the cabin he ended up getting, but his new ‘roommate’ was no match for him, by terms that no matter how hard Hanako tried (to which Kou found out wasn’t a girl) he couldn’t scare him. Later on, Kou learned that Hanako was actually was a very goofy and smiley ghost. Kou later on met Mitsuba (who had his same cabin when he was alive) because he and Hanako played cards along with the Mokke and gossiped and complained about all the other ghosts haunting the middle school part, which he found out that the middle school division was the only place haunted by the ghosts and supernaturals of the entire summer camp (and the lake, and the hiking trails are full of Mokke if you can see them)

Kou also found out Mitsuba wasn’t as scary as the rumors, in fact he was cocky and annoying. He found his summer camp quite enjoyable until he experienced his own horrors, seeing his brother try to kill Akane many times (for some unfathmable reason, Hanako seemed afraid of Akane but at the same time he admired him, Mitsuba’s eyes sparkled in admiration as well but when Kou questioned it he quickly denied it) the pretty lady with the large ankles that he sees walking down the path in front of the cabins at night that always flashes him a smile (he never sees her in the daylight) and finally, the weird boy who looks strikingly familiar to Hanako named Tsukasa, he’s plotting something, he keeps following him everywhere and soon enough the loud speakers throughout the summer camp every day or so keep reciting the same sentences.

I once again have another terukaneaoi au (I love these losers so much) it's a camp au with a bit of a twist. (not really tbh)

It's the summer of 89 and all the parents are excited to send all their children to summer camp, which Aoi and Teru happened to get sent to (Kou comes along as well but is quickly separated by Teru because of his age, the camp is massive and is divided up by grade school, middle school, and high school) Aoi and Teru both have a goal set in mind, both don't quite know each other despite going to the same highschool but both are determined to kill one of the high schoolers in there camp and choose the same target, Akane.

Teru has a messed up mind, he's sadistic and violent and he hides behind a carefully built facade of a kind and thoughtful person so he can keep others from suspecting him, he's an exorcist, he's exorcised humanoid supernaturals, and he's always wondered since a young age what it would be like to kill one of his kind, the kind he has to protect. Aoi is the same way, she parallels Teru even if they are different in ways, she's watched horror movies, never seemingly reactive to them, she used to kill small animals and scrap them in an empty book when she was a young child. Her mother seemingly worried sent her to therapy and pressured her to be normal, she needs to kill something bigger, her curiosity is simply too much to handle and she wonders if they will react the same way when killed like in the movies.

They figured camp would be the perfect place to kill someone at, and so they chose carefully, meticulously, as after day one they decided Akane was the perfect target. He seemed quite quiet and reserved and they quickly tried to become closer to him, and tried to get him to trust them, (Teru and Aoi bumped heads many times, sharing glares as they begged for Akane's attention) They quickly realized he might have not been the best target, he was suspicious and wary of them, on the border of disliking them (although he was more fond of Aoi) he was very helpful and usually a lot of people were talking to him or asking for help, he was constantly surrounded by people, going back and forth to people. He was athletic and a lot stronger than they expected (They were both sure he'd be quite tricky to kill, but both thought a challenge could be fun)

So, they both kept trying, they eventually became a known trio within the camp, Teru and Aoi started trying to attempt to murder him many times without him knowing but withdrawing because the two were becoming quite attached to him.

Is this like a magical girl au thingy?

I don't know, it gives me magical girl vibes.

UM WHAT. WHAT. I AM FLABBERGASTED. SHAKING AND CRYING RN. TSUKASA???? UMMMM

I took WAY too long on these goobers (worth it though!!)

Chapter 7 — “Forbidden.”

Summary : Days pass from the Hell of Mirrors incident, you can’t stop thinking about it. Hanako is no help, so what better option than to drag Kou with you!

Warnings : Not much, minor cursing here and there, reader going a bit manic and expressing signs of PTSD at some point, obvious implications that reader is female (ex. Use of she/her pronouns, etc.), mood swing-ish reader.

( A / N ) : I tried not to procrastinate but I got busy with work and stuff so I didn’t have much time. I didn’t let myself sleep tonight till I got this out. I will try my best to be more consistent with chapters and at least get these things posted every other week. This is proofread so enjoy!

Prev. >>> Next (not available yet)

A couple days have passed since the Hell of Mirrors incident, and you’ve tried to find for another way back in. You tried every mirror possible, but none would budge. Hanako didn’t care much either, he said to just leave it alone for now and they’d figure it out another time.

Even Kou seemed a little odd about it. He wanted to see Mitsuba too, but it was like at the same time he was avoiding it. Part of you understood him though, you knew what it felt like to be forgotten before, and it was certainly not a good feeling.

“Can you hand me the sugar?” Satou asked, looking over at you.

You finally had snapped out of your thoughts, “Sorry, what was that?”

Satou chuckles “The sugar, can you pass it to me?” He repeats.

“Oh, yeah.” You nod, eyes scanning over the counter before finding the sugar. “Sure.” You grabbed the bag of sugar, and a measuring cup.

“We need one and a half cups of sugar.” Kou mumbled, eyes scanning over the list of instructions.

You nodded, and scooped up a cup of sugar.

Satou looked over at Kou, and Kou only shrugged.

“(Y/N), are you okay? You seem a bit zoned out..” Satou finally spoke.

“Yeah, just tired.” You excused, pouring the sugar. It was more than just being ‘tired’ — you were anxious. You wanted to see Mitsuba again, talk to him. But you didn’t know where to find him — and the Hell of Mirrors was not an option anymore because you couldn’t get in. Maybe you could ask Yako again?

“(Y/N).” Satou panicked “T-That’s too much sugar.” He yelped, quickly taking the measuring cup from your hands.

Flinching, you snapped back to reality “Shit— I’m sorry..” You muttered, pinching the bridge of your nose with a sigh.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Satou frowned, putting a hand on your shoulder “Usually you’re the one who’s the most focused out of all of us.”

“Yeah, I am, don’t worry about me okay?” You assured him with your signature smile “I’m just tired.”

Satou eyed you suspiciously, then glanced over at Kou who in turn only shrugged his shoulders. He then sighed, letting his hand drop back to his side.

“We’re your friends, don’t forget that okay?” Satou offered you a smile “So don’t feel like you have to hide anything from us. If you’re not feeling good you can tell us.”

“I know, I know,” You sighed, leaning forward and propping your elbows on the counter, burying your hands in your hair “—I’m okay, I promise. If I’m not, you guys are the first people I’m going to.”

Satou was skeptical but didn’t push the topic, nodding and going back to the batter. “We need to put in a little bit more of each ingredient to make up for the extra sugar.”

There you stood, in front of the mirror in the girl’s bathroom. Your hands holding onto the sink, staring into the mirror as if doing so would magically bring Mitsuba back.

“How long has she been there?” Yashiro asked, walking in through the bathroom doors and setting her bag down by the entrance.

“A while.” Hanako shrugged, he’s too busy playing hanafuda with the mokke again to care.

“Well you’re no help.” Yashiro sighed, walking behind you and placing a hand on your shoulder.

Your gaze didn’t falter, staring intensely at the mirror. “You think Yako will help me get in again?” You asked before Yashiro could get a chance to speak.

Yashiro raised an eyebrow “Again? By yourself? I-I don’t think..”

“I dunno, I don’t think so.” Hanako shrugged a second time.

You frowned, finally turning around to look at Hanako instead “Are you sure?”

“I doubt it but you can try.” Hanako simply replied, glancing up from his cards for a second to look at you before focusing back on his game. “She probably will if you keep asking her to the point of annoying her, go give it a try.”

Yashiro looked between the both of you “I.. um.. she shouldn’t be going alone, if that Tsukasa guy shows up, she could get seriously hurt or something.”

“Then get the kid to go with her.” Hanako suggested “I’m sure she’ll be fine. That Mitsuba.. (Y/N) was the only one he was trying so hard not to hurt.” He noted, “So I’m sure she’ll be fine. Worst case scenario, Mitsuba will probably just send her out again.”

“But—“ Yashiro tried to protest, concerned for your safety.

“Okay, thanks Hanako, bye.” You shouted as you grabbed your bag and ran out the door.

Yashiro frowns “Hanako, and if she gets seriously hurt?” She would feel responsible, having gotten close to you since the whole spiritual thing, she saw you as her younger sister.

“She won’t, she’ll be fine.” Hanako assured, placing his cards face down onto the space next to him and standing up “Now come on, you have to get to cleaning toilets!” He beamed, teasingly nudging her.

Yashiro’s frown deepened.

“Kou, Kou, Kou!” You called out, running up to said boy, who was currently with Satou and Yokoo.

“Oh, hey (Y/N)!” Yokoo hums, smiling at you with his signature smile.

“Hey Yokoo, Kou, come with me I need to do something.” You grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, tugging on it.

“(Y/N), are you okay?” Satou asked, raising an eyebrow at your eager.. whatever it was.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine.” You half heartedly answered, brushing them off. “Now let’s go!” You began practically dragging Kou with you, who in turn yelped.

“Oh okay..” Yokoo muttered, glancing at Satou.

“No idea, she was like this earlier, except zoned out.” Satou shrugged. “And she wouldn’t budge when I asked her what’s wrong.”

Yokoo pursed his lips, obvious concern written all over his face. “She.. it’s gonna affect her not letting anyone know.”

“Yeah.. I know. I tried getting her to open up but she kept saying it was nothing. It may just be nothing, but we’ve known her for a while to notice this pattern.” Satou mumbled. “I just hope it doesn’t get as bad as last time..”

“Let’s not look too much into now though. If she’s not okay, we have to trust she’ll come to one of us or all of us. And if she says she is we have to trust her on it, even if we think she isn’t.” Yokoo shrugged, fidgeting with his sleeves.

“Yeah I guess you’re right,” Satou sighed “I just wish she’d tell us what’s going on.”

.

.

“So what are we doing exactly?” Kou asks, trying to keep up as you sped through the halls.

“Yako, we’re going to Yako.” You look behind at him for a moment before looking straight ahead again “I wanna see Mitsuba again.”

Kou flinched and froze in his tracks, making you stop as well. He pursed his lips.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, you didn’t try to pull him along — not wanting to force him.

Kou frowns, looking away. “What’s the point if that guy won’t remember me anyways?” He mumbled, pulling his sleeve from your grasp.

Your gaze softened “Kou.. just because he didn’t recognize you doesn’t mean he doesn’t remember you.” You sighed, moving to wrap your arms around his torso.

Kou went stiff momentarily, then relaxed, his arms coming around to wrap around your waist as he buried his face into your shoulder, trying his best not to stain your school uniform with his tears — his shoulders trembled.

“I’ve got you.” You assured, leaning your head on top of his. “I promise, we’ll get him to remember you.”

Kou chuckled dryly “You can’t make that promise you know.”

“I know,” you smiled “—but I sure as heck can try to fulfill it.”

Kou took a deep breath, smiling. “So then what’s holding us up?” He asks, wiping the last of his tears with his wrist “Let’s go find us a kitsune.” He grinned.

“Nope, nuh uh, I won’t do it.” Yako frowned, crossing her little fox arms across her chest. “I only did it for number seven because it was emergency — I’m not gonna do it just say cause you say so.”

“But this is an emergency.” You insisted.

Kou joined in “Yeah, we’re on a mission to—“

“Find that ghost boy friend of yours? If he doesn’t wanna let you in you know he’s not gonna.” Yako sighs, trying to make herself comfy in the bookshelves.

“Yako, please. I.. I know you probably wouldn’t understand but this is important.” You pleaded, “All we wanna know is if he’s okay.”

Yako paused for a moment, thinking deeply on whether she should or shouldn’t. “Hmm..” she hums, her eyes shifting from you to Kou and then back to you. “Fine, but this is the last time I help you.” She sighed, finally giving in.

You and Kou both smiled widely, glancing at each other and looking at Yako again. “Thank you so much!”

“Don’t mention it, but this is the only time I’ll be helping you out!” Yako insists, when really she has a soft spot for the two and she definitely would do it again.

.

.

“Well, here we are.” Yako hummed, back to the liquid mirror-like portal from before.

You brought your hands up to slide them across the surface, watching it create ripples under your fingertips. “Last time we were here I got sucked in.” You mumble, dipping your hand in the mirror and flexing your fingers before removing your hand and letting it rest at your side again.

“Not this time, fortunately for you.” Yako pointed out, you hadn’t gotten forced in.

“So..” you turned your gaze to Kou “Here goes nothing, right?”

“Yeah.” Kou nodded, taking a deep breath in.

Three…

Two..

One.

Suddenly you were falling, reflections all around you with people — no, they weren’t people — entities of people you both knew laughing and mocking you both. Kou reached for you, holding you close to him as he protected your head. It started to get brighter and it felt like you were getting closer and closer to the bottom. That was what it felt like, until..

“Jeez, are you trying to get yourself killed?” A familiar voice scoffed.

You both found yourselves caught in the hand of a bony limb as it moved you towards one of the floors, and that’s when you saw him.

“Mitsuba!” You immediately cried, running towards him and throwing your arms around him.

“H-Hey, I get I’m cute and all but there’s no need to cling to me you perv!” The boy in question yelps, but there’s no denying the way he reluctantly wrapped his arms around her waist and the flush of his cheeks.

“He didn’t hurt you did he?” You asked, bombarding the poor ghost with loads of questions “Why didn’t you let me back in you jerk.” You pouted, punching his shoulder.

“Ow, ow, ow! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Mitsuba laughs, feigning hurt. “And no, I’m not hurt.”

“Good, you better not be.” You sighed in relief, letting yourself relax a bit.

Mitsuba looked behind you to Kou “Oh.” He muttered, making eye contact with the other “It’s you again.”

“Yeah, it’s me again.” Kou repeated, shifting from one foot to the other a bit awkwardly.

“What.. what’re you guys even doing here?” Mitsuba asked, gently grabbing you by the shoulders to push you off a bit.

“I dunno, we just wanted to visit I guess?” You shrugged, it was an obvious lie and a good cover up but Mitsuba seemed to buy it.

“Visit the Hell of Mirrors? Really?” Mitsuba lets a laugh-like scoff slip past his lips. “Yeah this isn’t really the type of place you’d want to visit.”

“..definitely.” You nod, “Okay fine, truthfully we just wanted to see you.”

“We?” Mitsuba inquired, raising an eyebrow as he looked between the two of you.

“You remember Kou, right?” You asked, grabbing Kou’s arm and linking it with yours. “He was your friend too.”

Mitsuba narrowed his eyes at Kou and frowned “Sorry, doesn’t ring a bell.”

Kou sighed, rubbing his forehead “Figured.”

Boy.. this might take a while.

.

.

The three of you ended up talking to pass the time, flipping through the pages of the yearbook from which Mitsuba had photographed the pictures within it, all that he did not seem to remember.

“Hey um.. earlier you guys mentioned something about Tsukasa doing something bad to me.. what’d he do?” Mitsuba asked suddenly, making the both of you look at him. “I mean, he’s the one who brought me back here so I wouldn’t disappear.. he can be mean and scary sometimes but he won’t hurt me.” And then at each other.

“Um..” you looked a little uncomfortable, shifting around in your spot. “It’s complicated I guess.”

“It’s really hard to explain, I have no idea how to put it in words.” Kou was equally uncomfortable.

“What? It can’t be that bad?” Mitsuba laughs, but his smile faltered as he realized you two weren’t joking. “Was it?”

You decided to be the one to tell him, taking a deep breath. “It was just after I got you to remember me, the day after, actually.” You began, fidgeting with your sleeves. “We were altogether trying to figure out your ‘unfinished business’ as Kou called it.”

“To help you cross over to the afterlife.” Kou added.

You nodded along “You had told us it was a probably a picture, so we got your camera and we went around different parts of the school to take pictures.” You continued “It was funny, especially since most of the time you were basically just bullying Kou.” You giggled.

Mitsuba smiled, yeah that did sound like something he would’ve done.

“I think I have the pictures? I don’t think I ever gave them back to Kou.” You admit, fishing into the pocket of your shirt, and there were the pictures in question. “Here, see for yourself.” You hand them over to Mitsuba.

Who in turn tenderly grabs them, looking at each of them individually.

The pictures varied. Some were genuinely beautiful, and the ones he took when he was messing with Kou made him have to stifle his laughter.

Mitsuba laughs “Yeah you’re right, I probably did bully him. And had a blast doing it.” He smiles, showing you guys the photo where — he assumed — he was trying to take a photo of some kittens and Kou ended up getting attacked by their mother.

You giggled at the memory, while Kou only pouted.

Mitsuba froze as he saw the picture of you and Kou, and his gaze softened. You looked so pretty to him, and.. there was Kou too, I guess. He stared a bit mesmerized but then cleared his throat, handing them back over to you. “A-And then what? You two didn’t do anything dirty to me did you?” He teased.

“No you pervert, we didn’t.” You sighed, but smiled fondly nonetheless. “We ended up going inside cause it started to rain, and probably gonna leave at that point since school had already finished by then. But that’s when Tsukasa found us.” You had to clutch onto your stomach to prevent yourself from throwing up, the nausea already settling itself in. “The rest of it was a blur. All I can remember was feeling a bit scared. No, that’s an understatement.”

“I was absolutely terrified.”

“He said something about how you left without his ‘permission’ and you looked scared too.” You continued, feeling your hands start to tremble, to which you clearly balled them into fists to stop them from shaking. “He..” the squelching noise and the sound of Mitsuba’s cry rung in your ears. “He hurt you.”

Mitsuba flinched “Hurt me?” He repeated in question, reaching forward to try to hold your hand, seeing as though you were shaking and you looked like you were about to cry. The second his fingertips brushed your knuckles, it all flooded back to him. The empty feeling he felt, the pain, the shock, the fear. It was drowning him. He quickly stood up. “No, no, no that’s not true, not true.” He mumbled to himself, backing up as he buried a hand in his hair.

“I blacked out after I yelled at him, he knocked me out when I tried to attack him.” You admit, voice trembling and small.

Mitsuba’s head whipped around to Kou, eyes watering. “Is he gonna hurt me again?”

“No, don’t worry Mitsuba.”

The two of you froze, Mitsuba flinched.

“I’m not here to hurt you, remember? I brought you back so I could grant your wish.” Tsukasa grinned from ear-to-ear, swinging his legs as he sat on top of the railing. He hopped off, inching closer to Mitsuba.

You stood up immediately, though your legs were shaky, willing yourself to stand next to Mitsuba, stretching out an arm in front of him. “I won’t let you hurt him again.”

“(Y/N)..” As much as Mitsuba admired your bravery, if Tsukasa was really as dangerous as you two claimed he is, he doesn’t want you to get hurt either.

“That’s funny,” A child-like giggle left Tsukasa’s lips. It didn’t last long though, quickly etching into a frown. “What makes you think you’re strong enough to stand against me?” He asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “Mitsuba, kick them out if you don’t want me to deal with them.”

“B-But Tsukasa..” Mitsuba protests.

“Mitsuba.”

Without another word, Mitsuba did as he was told, sending you both away. Just like the first time, you were dragged out through the mirrors. Yours and Kou’s protests fell on deaf ears.

“From now on, you can’t talk to them, ‘kay Mitsuba?” Tsukasa spoke commandingly, frowning upon said boy like a mother scolding her child.

Mitsuba flinched, mouth agape “But—”

Tsukasa didn’t let him finish “No buts. Do you understand?”

Mitsuba hung his head low in response. “Yeah, I got it.”

“Dude, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me right now.” You groaned in frustration, standing perched up on the sink and slamming your fists into the mirror.

“Hey, hey, let’s calm down a bit okay?” Kou yelped, “If we break something, Hanako will be upset.” He warns.

“Like hell if I care,” you frowned, turning around slightly to glance at him.

“Kid, what the—“ Hanako stood there dumbfounded. He sighed, floating up behind you and picking you up from under your arms.

“Put me down!” You protest, squirming in his hold.

Hanako dragged your squirming figure to a corner, setting you down. “Time out.”

“Time out?” You scoffed “I’m not a kid.”

Hanako hugged you, ruffling your hair. “You’re not, I know. Just cool off.”

You huffed, crossing your arms.

Kou frowns “He’s right, just sit still. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“This is stupid.” You retorted.

.

.

It wasn’t long before Yashiro arrived for her daily bathroom-cleaning duties, setting her bag down by the door. “What.. happened.”

It was definitely a strange sight. Kou and Hanako were just sitting with the mokke and playing hanafuda, and you were sitting in the corner just drawing shapes on the floor with your finger.

Kou sighed, setting his cards down for a moment. “Long story short, we got Yako to take us back into the Hell of Mirrors, we talked with Mitsuba, and just when he finally realized Tsukasa came back and forced him to kick us out. (Y/N) got on the sink and starting banging on the mirror again so Hanako put her in time out.”

Yashiro gave you a pitiful look. “(Y/N)..”

“I need to get back in there, there’s no telling what that thing might do to Mitsuba.” You speak before she could get a chance to.

“And there’s no telling what he might do to you if you’re not careful.” Hanako frowned “Kid, I care about you. Don’t go doing anything stupid that can get you hurt or possibly even killed. You can’t go up against a supernatural as dangerous as Tsukasa.”

You groan in frustration, burying your hands in your hair. “It’s all so infuriating. I want to do something about it, but I can’t do anything. I feel so useless.” You mumble.

“I know the feeling.” Hanako replied sympathetically, putting his cards down to put a hand on your shoulder. “I was scared too, when Yashiro got dragged into the Hell of Mirrors. I felt useless because I couldn’t get in, I couldn’t do anything, really.” He rambled on. “If you’re going to get into trouble like that, at least have a plan, and an exit route.”

“You didn’t have a plan going to save Yashiro.” You scoffed, but a smile found its way onto your lips.

“You get what I meant.” Hanako pouted, playfully shoving your shoulder. “Don’t dive head first into danger. Make a plan and then you can.”

“But you did it.” You quipped with a smirk, nudging him.

“Cause I can’t technically can’t ‘die’ a second time.” Hanako frowns, ruffling up your hair “You can. Be careful, figure something out and then you can try, okay?” He sighs “That boy will be alright, Tsukasa probably won’t destroy something that has the potential to destroy us.”

“Probably? That’s reassuring.” You snort sarcastically.

“I’m serious. Focus on one thing at a time.” Hanako groans, scolding you.

“Hanako’s right, you two could’ve gotten seriously hurt going in there alone without a plan.” Yashiro sighed, leaning on the bathroom stall door. “Tsukasa is dangerous from what I can tell, there’s no way you can beat him if he was able to kill number 3 in his own boundary.”

“I guess..” you mutter, standing up and crossing your arms.

“You guess? He knocked you out when you tried to interfere with him and Mitsuba.” Kou narrowed his eyes down at you, “They’re both right, no more dragging me with you if you don’t have a plan. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Fine, fine, jeez. I’m not a baby.” You whined, a pout resting on your lips.

“No but you are reckless, and incredibly selfless.” Yashiro smiles.

“Uhh thanks?” You trail with an awkward smile.

“I don’t think that’s a compliment.” Hanako snorts.

As you both quickly got into your usual playful banter, Yashiro turned to Kou.

“Hey, keep an eye on her please.” Yashiro asks, her voice spilling with concern “I don’t want her to get hurt. I’m sure none of us do.”

Kou nodded “I will, I promise.”

.

.

It was getting harder and harder to sleep at night. Tossing and turning in bed, trying to get Mitsuba off of your mind but it wasn’t easy. He’s okay, they assured you, but why did you feel like he might be in deeper danger than he started? You need a plan, and fast. But what can you do? Tsukasa won’t allow you near him, and Kou will probably keep an eye on you for awhile to make sure you don’t go manic from the whole ordeal. But.. Kou’s not watching you at night, is he?

( A / N ) : Finally got this done!

Tag list : @tr-mha-fan

“Come back to me, I’ll wait for you.”

Devastated and exhausted, you were still mourning losing Mitsuba a second time. You refused to get out of bed, and only did when Teru asked you to because your grades were a mess. Kou decided to show you the photos Mitsuba had took before. The incident. You tried spending most of your time with Yokoo and Satou, who didn’t really know why you were upset but still tried to comfort you. After the you did your part of helping them get rid of the hands, you thought you were done with supernaturals for the day. But when Kou dragged you off saying Yashiro had gone missing, and you needed to enter some boundary and he wanted you there. You kind of had to tag along. But unexpectedly, you find someone there.

Warnings: Cursing, reader feeling like shit (‘m sorry about that), comforting from Yokoo and Satou, Kou also sorta feeling like shit, your aunt trying to help you out of bed but still keep you safe, some angst again, etc,.

(A/N) : Last chapter of Act I!! Hope you enjoy it. I’ve been feeling like absolute shit these past few days so writing this to distract myself has made me feel so much better. I’m pretty sure this is proofread but if there’s anything wrong with it lmk!!

Prev. << Next end of Act I

You couldn’t bring yourself to get out of bed, not for anything. Not even after the countless times Yokoo and Satou begged you to come, not after Yashiro came over to try and get you up, not even after your aunt talked to you about it.

You just couldn’t.

You’d spent more nights crying than you could ever count, and kept thinking back to that moment. The squelching noise, that scream. It all haunted you like there was no tomorrow.

Your aunt had to bring you in food, and make sure you actually ate it. She sat with you while you cried about it, and she hugged you through it. She even called in sick from work to stay at home just for a day to comfort you.

“Shhh.. hey it’s okay.” She tried to reassure for the nth time this day.

You didn’t seem to be getting better.

“It’s not okay! There should’ve been something I could’ve done! Something I didn’t do.” You cried into your pillow, eyes red and puffy from all your tears.

She pursed her lips, not knowing what to do to comfort you. Nothing seemed to help. All she could do was make sure you ate and drink a little water. And of course make sure you didn’t do anything stupid, she was still a bit paranoid from what happened.

Out of no where, there was a knock on the door.

“Ah.. I’ll go get it.” She said, giving you one last pitiful glance before heading downstairs.

“Hey is (Y/N) here?” You heard someone say.

“Yeah she’s upstairs in her room.” Your aunt replied.

“Okay thank you.” They answered.

You heard footsteps, and groaned.

“Look Yokoo, I already said I don’t want to get up—“

“It’s not Yokoo.” Teru chuckled.

He walked over to your bed and sat with you.

“You doing okay? You and Kou both seem really out of it.” He asked, moving his hand to rub soothing circles in your back.

“No.” Was all you could answer, knowing how he felt about spirits you knew you probably shouldn’t tell him why.

“Listen, you need to come back to school. Your grades are plummeting so bad right now, and your friends miss you a lot.” Teru explained, making you lightly chuckle.

“Great, thanks so much for adding more stress! I thought it was impossible but somehow you did.” You answered sarcastically with a sigh.

He only playfully rolled his eyes, “Look, if it helps anything—I’ll help you with your missing work.”

“Just please come back to school? We all miss you a lot. And I think both you and Kou could use some support.” He pleaded, his pretty blue eyes sparkled with determination to get you out of bed.

You groaned, falling back onto your bed.

“I don’t know..” you mumbled.

“I won’t try to exorcise Hanako for..” he paused “a few days.”

You snorted, shaking your head with a fond smile.

“Deal.”

He smiled.

“Okay. It’s only 9:20, so you still have time to get to school. Even if it’s late, don’t worry I’ll excuse you.” He assured, “so get ready and I’ll walk you to school.”

You sighed as you got out of bed, and he went to wait downstairs for you.

You got dressed, and went into the bathroom to wash your face and do the rest of your skincare routine so you didn’t look like you’d been crying so much, and after you were satisfied that you didn’t look like a total mess as bad, you walked downstairs to find Teru.

He was sitting on the couch, just scrolling around on his phone. You went to go out on your shoes, and swung your backpack over your shoulder. He turned his phone off and stood up.

“You ready?” He asked.

“Yeah.”

.

.

Teru walked you into the middle school divison, and quickly took you with him to the student council room.

“Hang on, wait one second let me just do something real quick.” He hummed, unlocking his computer and opened what seemed to be an attendance sheet and marked your name off as ‘excused tardy’.

“Okay, ‘m gonna go drop you off at class and tell the teacher that you were late cause of my fault.” He explained, already leading you towards your second period class.

He opened the door for you and allowed you in, and went to go whisper something to the teacher. Yokoo looked at you excitedly, and Satou smiled upon seeing you. You didn’t see Kou in his seat, so you assumed he was out with Hanako and Yashiro.

“What made you feel like getting up out of bed?” Yokoo asked curiously.

“Are you hungry? I have some sweets with me.” Satou asked, digging around in his backpack to look for said sweets.

“Teru dragged me out of bed.” You exaggerated with a sigh, leaning against Yokoo dramatically.

Satou just shook his head with a smile, and Yokoo played along pretending to catch you.

“Well did you sleep good at least?” Yokoo asked.

You paused for a moment.

“..Definitely.”

“Liar.” Satou sighed “Here, have some.” He said, offering you some of his sweets.

You took a few, thanking Satou.

“You seemed pretty down enough to not come to school for a few days.. you hadn’t been that down since Mitsuba—“ Yokoo stopped himself.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry.” He winced apologetically, realizing what he just brought up.

You pursed your lips, but you couldn’t get mad at Yokoo. You knew he and Satou were only worried and meant no harm.

“It’s fine, but can someone catch me up on what we’re learning? I’m a little lost.” You chuckled nervously, trying lighten up the mood—trying to forget about Mitsuba.

“Yeah, no problem!” Yokoo chirped.

Yokoo and Satou explained the lesson for you, letting you copy down their notes so you wouldn’t fall too behind. You groaned as you leaned back in your seat, already hating how much you missed in your absence.

“Where’s Kou by the way?” You asked, sitting back up after a few more moments.

“Oh him? All he said is he’d be busy, I don’t think he’s been in class at all.” Satou hummed.

“You should probably go see him, he didn’t look too good.” Yokoo suggested, kicking his feet lightly.

“I will after class.”

.

.

The bell had long since rung, and kids rushed out to their next class. Yokoo and Satou had said their goodbyes and told you they’d see you at lunch, so you were trying to get your stuff altogether.

“Don’t think of running off with those cockroaches.” Teru sighed as he waited by the door for you.

You jumped a bit, not really expecting him to wait for you after class.

“They aren’t cockroaches..” you mumbled, slinging your backpack over your shoulder and he gave you a look that said ‘are you sure about that?’.

You sighed, “Okay, maybe some are. But they aren’t all.” you tried to explain.

You paused, biting your lip a bit “But I’m not gonna do anything having to do with the supernatural anytime soon, so I won’t run off.”

Teru gave you a satisfied smile.

“Why are you even here? Are you going to make sure I don’t skip off to Hanako and the others or?” You trailed off.

“No,” Teru denied “I was actually here to pick you up.”

“I talked to the teachers and let them know you’d be with me for the rest of the day,” he hummed.

“Working on your missing assignments.”

You groaned as you made your way towards the door, looking at Teru with pleading eyes as if it would convince him to just let you go with the others. He smiled and shook his head fondly, leading you towards the student council room.

“Oh and by the way,” he said opening the door for you “I let Kou know you’re here so I’m sure he’ll stop by soon.”

“Soon like now?” Kou asked as he entered the student council room.

“I thought you’d stop by later but yeah, soon.” Teru confirmed with a hum.

“Can I borrow (Y/N)?” Kou asked, leaning against the doorframe.

“For what?” Teru asked.

“Something.” Was all Kou managed to mutter.

“No, sorry. After she finishes at least half of this work,” Teru emphasized, referring to the small stack of packets and papers that you thought to be your missing assignments “then you can take her for a bit.”

You groaned, flopping down on the seat in front of Teri’s desk.

“So mean.” Kou mumbled with a pout, walking out.

“So,” Teru cleared his throat, dropping a small stack of papers in front of you “let’s get started.”

You pouted with a whine, letting your head fall forward and hitting the desk in frustration.

.

.

The bell had rung a fourth time since you’ve gotten there, and it was now time for lunch.

“Well, your a little bit close to halfway done.” Teru mumbled holding up a pinch of the paperwork, holding it up to examine it.

Kou burst through the door, swinging it open.

“It’s lunch time now, and I’m pretty sure (Y/N)’s hungry.” Kou said, trying to indirectly hint if it was okay to borrow you now.

“Go ahead but be back right after.” Teru instructed, and you just pouted with a nod.

“Great,” Kou mumbled, grabbing hold of your wrist “will definitely—“ he sprinted out with you “not.”

Kou laughed a bit, but when he noticed you didn’t seem to even smile his expression dropped.

He came to a stop, at the staircase leading up to the roof, sitting down on a bench nearby.

“You doing okay?” Kou asked.

“Not really.” You muttered, sitting by him.

“Well I have something to show you.” Kou smiled, bringing something from his backpack’s front pocket.

He took it out gingerly, as if it was the most fragilest of glass and would break with even the slightest wrong look.

They were Mitsuba’s developed pictures.

“I had them printed out as soon as I could..” he whispered, though he didn’t know why if it was just the two of you “I already looked at them last night, but—“ his voice cracked a bit as he chuckled lightly “I thought you might want to see them too.”

He carefully handed the small stack of photos to you, and you—just as carefully—took them.

There were many pictures.

Some were meant to be funny, and others were genuinely beautiful.

Like when Kou got attacked by the mother cat when he tried grabbing one of it’s kitten’s. Or when Mitsuba took that photo of Kou while he was standing on his shoulders.

There were also some like the birds nest, and of some he took while in the school garden. But the one that made you tear up—

Was the one he took of you and Kou.

You grit your teeth in frustration, in anger—thinking back to that moment.

“I’ll make that asshole pay one way or another.” You say through a choked out sob.

Kou looked at you with a solemn face, pursing his lips before placing a comforting hand on your shoulder “And I’ll be there to help you when you do.”

You looked at him, and he looked at you. And for the first time since you both had met, you didn’t laugh at the eye contact. Instead, your eyes welled up with regretful tears, tears of grievance at its finest.

“Oh, there you two are!” Yokoo exclaimed gleefully, practically skipping towards you both as Satou trailed behind him.

“What’re you two weirdo’s doing?” Satou joked, sitting beside you as Yokoo sat on the other side of Kou.

Yokoo shot him a glare after realizing you and Kou were on the verge of tears, and Satou immediately took the hint that now wasn’t the time for that.

“Wanna tell us what’s going on?” Satou finally said after a few moments of silence.

Yokoo pursed his lips when he got no answer from either of you, so he spoke up too.

“Look, whatever you both are going through. You can tell us, you know that right?” Yokoo asked, but continued after still the both of you didn’t answer “Just know we’re here for you. Whatever you guys are going through, we’ll get through it altogether.” he looked over at Satou “Right, Satou?”

“Yeah of course. We’re all friends, and as friends we have to look out for each other.” Satou agreed with a hum.

There was a few more seconds of silence before anyone spoke again.

“You ever know that feeling…” you finally managed to croak out after a while longer “when you thought you finally found something you lost a long while ago, someon—“ you stopped yourself before continuing “something very special to you, and then for someone to just. Snatch it out of your hands?”

Kou lightly chuckled, but it came out sadder than he intended “And when you actually got to see another side of a person you just met, and got to know them better—only for them to disappear the next second?”

Satou and Yokoo exchanged glances, as if they were trying to communicate with each other to see what you guys meant by that. But they found themselves empty minded.

“I don’t necessarily understand,” Yokoo started, already hugging Kou to provide some sort of comfort “but I know whatever it is. It’s really tough for you to be feeling like this.”

“Yeah,” Satou confirmed, hugging you too, connecting with Yokoo to form a group hug “we’re your friends. And as your friends we wanna tell you that you don’t have to go through this alone.”

And just then, you broke down in tears, babbling about how you lost someone so special to you a second time and this time you’ll never get them back. Kou followed soon after, except he just silently cried.

“Shhh.. there, there.” Yokoo whispered “Let it all out.”

The two boys hugged you both as you cried, comforting you in silence.

“God you guys are the best.” You hiccuped with a small chuckle that came out more as a sob.

Satou smiled, and Yokoo just replied “We know.”

.

.

After a while longer, the bell rang again. You, Satou, Kou, and Yokoo had been talking, the two mostly trying to distract you guys from crying—trying to get a smile out of you.

From around the corner, Teru came and you groaned.

“C’mon, it’s time to get back to your missing work.” Teru hummed, leaning against the wall as he waited for you to get up.

You pouted, but got up and said your goodbyes.

“You didn’t actually eat,” Teru began as you started walking back to the student council room “did you?”

And as if on cue, your stomach rumbled, and you flushed out of embarrassment. Teru sighed, turning in a different direction.

“Let’s get you something to eat.. I think I might have a spare lunch in the office.” Teru explained.

And he did, luckily for you. After taking one bite, you almost immediately recognized it as Kou’s cooking—and practically gobbled up the rest of it.

“Woah, slow down your going to end up choking.” Teru laughed.

“But it’s Kou’s cooking!” You pouted, taking another bite “You could never.”

“Okay that was ONE time.” Teru groaned, remembering how he nearly burnt down their kitchen.

“Yeah, that ‘ONE’ time was a near death experience for me.” You sighed dramatically, making Teru smile.

“It’s good to see your somewhat better now.” He hummed.

“What do you mean?” You asked, taking one last bite of the delicious lunch Kou prepared.

“I mean, your not as gloomy right now as you were earlier.” He smiled, ruffling your hair.

You swatted his hands away from your hair, “Must’ve been the magic of Kou’s cooking.”

“Must’ve.” Teru agreed, “Now that I know you won’t be complaining about an empty stomach,” he dropped the rest of your missing assignments in front of you “we can finish this.”

“So mean to me.”

.

.

For the next few days you tried to get over it. But I mean, you couldn’t, really. If you thought losing someone the first time was hard, imagine losing them a second time. Yokoo and Satou tried to help too, they kept you busy, and Yokoo even found out some way to let you in his soccer practice to ‘blow off some steam’ as he put it.

“God, I don’t understand how you’re able to do this for what?” You asked, taking a sip from the water bottle Yokoo had given you, to which he replied “About an hour and a half.”

“I can’t even last ten minutes.” You chuckled lightly.

“But you’re distracted, right?” He asked, gently nudging you with his shoulder.

You smiled, “I am actually.”

He smiled right back, “Then that’s all that matters.”

“Now c’mon, let’s go back to practice—“ Yokoo got up and beckoned you towards him, when Kou came along “Sorry Yokoo but I REALLY need to borrow. (Y/N) for a bit.”

“Okay, see you later then (Y/N).” Yokoo exclaimed as he ran back to the rest of his teammates.

“See ya!” You shouted after him.

“What is it?” You asked, turning around to Kou.

“There’s a bunch of hands, just popping around everywhere.” Kou explained “Hanako suggested we play with them so they’ll go away, so far it’s worked.”

“What is that have to do with me?” You sighed.

Kou gave you a playfully glare, rolling his eyes fondly.

“We could use the extra hands.” He hummed, making you chuckle a bit.

“Don’t you already have a lot?” You joked. “Need more hands to get rid of the extra hands.” You snorted.

“Well will you help?” Kou asked, he paused before adding “I know you’re trying to take a break from anything supernatural right now but we could use the help.”

You thought about it for a second, but gave in when you saw the pleading look in his eyes.

“Fine.” You sighed, making Kou cheer.

.

.

“That should be the last of them!” Hanako exclaimed, jumping around in the air excitedly.

“Whew.” You say, slumping against one of the bathroom stall doors.

Out of no where, a hand appeared from the bathroom mirror, and Yashiro approached it.

“Just one left!” Yashiro informed, looking back at it.

“That actually wore me out..” Hanako whined, making you chuckle “one of those guys hit me.”

You ‘coughed’, “Sounds like a major skill issue.” which earned you a playful glare from Hanako.

“Most of the pictures are all cleaned up too.” Kou confirmed, flipping through the yearbook.

“Wait..” Kou paused “now that I look at it.. you’re wearing a different uniform in this picture.”

“That’s from last year!” Yashiro chirped, looking over Kou’s shoulder to see better “When I was in middle school.”

“Cool!” Kou exclaimed.

“But wow,” he then continued “these are really good pictures.”

“Yeah! We had a kid from the photography club take them,” Yashiro hummed “I’m pretty sure his name should be on the last page.”

You and Kou gave each other a hesitant look, and you walked over to check too. And there it was.

Mitsuba Sousuke.

Out of no where, the hand from the mirror grabbed Yashiro’s wrist, and she hummed “What is it?”

“Have you decided what you want to pl—“ the hand cut her off, a mouth morphed onto its figure.

“Come to this side.”

It began to drag her inside the mirror.

“Yashiro!” Both Hanako and Kou panicked.

“Hanako!” Yashiro managed to yelp out.

Said ghost boy quickly got up “Grab my—“ but it was too late, his fingers just barely skimmed hers as she was sucked into the mirror like some type of portal.

“She’s…” Kou paused.

“gone.” I mumbled, and as if on cue—a droplet of water fell from the sink faucet.

Panicked, Kou got up and shouted “I’m coming Yashiro!” As he tried to force himself through the mirror.

“Kid! Stop it kid! Bad kid!” Hanako yelled, grabbing Kou from under his arms to pull him away from the mirror, making you giggle a bit at the way Hanako was referring to Kou as ‘kid’ “Don’t break the mirror!”

“That’s a boundary..” Hanako began to explain “specifically number 3’s”

“School mystery number three?” Kou asked.

“Yes.” Hanako muttered in agreement.

“I mean there’s a really only one supernatural mirror leading to this place—“ Hanako got interrupted.

“The hell of mirrors, right?” You asked “I don’t know how I know that but I do.”

“Yeah, so it has to be this one.” Hanako informed before sighing “I would like to go with her immediately but..” he paused.

“To put it simply, when you go into number 3’s boundary it attacks you.. with things you don’t want to see. Things you’re afraid of.” He looked at you both before continuing “In other words, the strength of the boundary changes based on who’s inside. If I’m not careful, I could make it stronger just by going I’m there.”

But you and Kou weren’t really paying attention, you were both looking at the yearbook Mitsuba had taken pictures for.

“Hey have you two been listening to me at all?” Hanako whined, grabbing onto your shoulders.

In a panic, Kou shut the book at faced him “You were telling us about how filthy your mind is sir!”

That alone made you burst into laughter as Hanako stared in disbelief, then muttered “Yeah well.. I won’t deny that.”

“We have to figure out what to do and fast.” Kou sighed, you felt bad seeing him look so worried for Yashiro’s safety.

“Yeah.” Hanako mumbled.

“Because number 3’s approach is most likely going to depend on what Yashiro is afraid of.” You mumbled, earning a shocked glance from Hanako which turned into a smirk.

“Hey you’re a quick learner aren’t you?” He teased “You caught on faster than Mr. Exorcist here.”

“I know you said you didn’t want anything to do with the supernatural or ghosts for a while, but I think Mr. Tsuchigomori might know something.” Hanako rambled.

“So can you please help?” They asked.

“Please?” Kou begged “For your favorite exorcist.”

“And your favorite apparition.” Hanako added with a sly grin.

“Who said you two were my favorites?” You asked sarcastically, but still smiled.

“Alright fine, but if he doesn’t know something I won’t be helping out.” You finally gave in.

Hanako and Kou both cheered, jumping around like children anxious to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.

.

.

Yashiro’s yelp seemed to echo aimlessly around the dimly lit room, hands began to sprout from the floor. She winced as she was met with something, something wet.

“Water!” She panicked, scrambling to her feet.

Little scale-like pieces began to emerge on her soft skin as she went on to see where she was at, or more so who’s boundary she was in.

Thump, thump, thump.

Footsteps? She thought, swiftly turning her head in panic that something dangerous might’ve been lingering in the dark.

“Hello?” she called, trying to see what she could in the dark room.

She saw a figure, one she thought was feminine, but upon closer examination she found it was a boy. More so, a middle school boy. His eyes looked a bit sunken, as the hands surrounded him. He tilted his head up, to look at her.

“Who are you?” She asked, tilting her head as well to get a better view of him.

Yashiro had a million questions running through her head, who was this boy? Was he a ghost? What’s he doing here? She was dragged out of her trance when said boy was towering over her.

Now that he was closer, Yashiro realized how he looked and a blush covered her face. His rosy eyes startled silently at her, before speaking up.

“You..” he called.

“Yes?” Yashiro panicked, standing up straight.

The boy looked left, then right, before sighing. His once innocent look was replaced with a taunting smirk.

“..have pretty fat ankles, huh?”

Yashiro froze in place, a bit dumbfounded that someone so adorable would say something so vulgar.

The boy sighed, crossing his arms.

“Aww, I thought someone was finally here to help me, but it’s just some horseradish..”

“I-I’m not a horseradish!” Yashiro retorted defensively with a pout.

“Yeah yeah whatever.” Mitsuba sighed.

Yashiro kept asking questions, and Mitsuba didn’t have any intention to answer much or any of them, so he walked to the door at the end of the corridor and opened it.

He then walked over to Yashiro and grabbed her by the little accessories on her belt. “This way.” He said.

“This is one of the boundary’s of the seven mysteries..” he explained after a while “the hell of mirrors.”

“Or..” he paused, stopping in his tracks to look at Yashiro with an unsure look “I guess that’s it’s name.”

“But that’s all I know.”

Yashiro looked around in amazement, everywhere she turned there were mirrors of different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. But there was one thing they all had in common.

They all had an eerie feeling to it, it sent shivers down Yashiro’s spine.

“There’re mirrors.. everywhere.” She mumbled in awe.

“Yeah, I can see that Ms. Obvious.” Mitsuba sighed, playfully rolling his eyes.

But Yashiro wasn’t paying enough attention to care, she was too busy thinking.

“I’m Mitsuba.”

Yashiro made a small ‘huh?’ noise before turning to look at him.

“I’m stuck here and I have no idea to get out of this mess.” He complained, slumping down against the railings.

“Mitsuba? You’re..” she paused, eyeing him curiously “from the middle school division, right?”

“Are you a ghost? And..” she paused to look at him “have we met somewhere?”

“I..” he paused, swallowing the lump in his throat “don’t know.”

“Who cares? None of that matters now anyways.” He sighed, his rosy eyes flinched a bit, as if maybe trying to hold back tears.

“I guess we’ll have to get out of this place first! But..” she paused “why did you bring me here?”

Mitsuba didn’t say anything for a moment or two, clearing his throat and pointing at the hands still sprouting from the floor.

“Well I wanted someone who could help me,” he explained “so I asked them to find someone for me.”

The hands excitedly exclaimed a small “yeah!” popping around enthusiastically.

“Are they friends of yours, Mitsuba?” Yashiro asked sweetly, bending down to shake their hands.

Mitsuba scoffed with an offended expression.

“Are you suggesting I’m friends with my right hand??” He shouted “Would you please not be so vulgar!”

“I didn’t say they were right hands..” Yashiro mumbled, looking over at a few left hands.

“Besides..” Mitsuba sighed “the only friend I can remember, is..”

He looked at Yashiro and then away.

“Wait why am I telling you this?” Mitsuba scoffed.

“Who is it?” Yashiro asked.

“What do you mean?” Mitsuba replied, tilting his head a bit to show his confusion.

“Your friend,” she insisted “the one you could remember?”

“It’s..” he looked hesitant to tell her, but then thought she might know where to find her, so she gave in.

“Her name’s (Y/N)..” he whispered, Yashiro just managed to hear.

“(Y/N)?” Yashiro repeated.

“Yeah.. it’s kind of a weird story. I don’t know why she’s the only one I remember. I just remember waking up, no memory of anything or anyone.”

“Just her.”

Yashiro gave him a pitiful look, and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Well,” she began “first let’s get out of here. And then, I think I might have an idea of where she might be.” she said with a smile.

“Really?” He asked excitedly, shooting up from his slouching position.

“Of course.” Yashiro confirmed.

“Well then..” he mumbled, looking up at Yashiro, leaning his head down on his arms and batting his pretty eyelashes at her “will you help me out of here?”

Yashiro felt a pang in her heart, to her, Mitsuba looked like an innocent puppy. And when he saw that look of awe in her eyes, he knew his charm worked.

“I can’t make any promises,” she cleared her throat “but this isn’t my first time in a place like this. So I’m sure we can find our way out somehow.”

“God..” he smiled softly “thank you, Yashiro.”

Yashiro put her hand over her chest, her eyes tearing up dramatically as she gushed over him.

“What is it?” Mitsuba asked innocently.

“O-Oh..” Yashiro stuttered “it’s nothing!”

She turned her head away with a smile, and each time she wasn’t looking, Mitsuba made a face to mock her.

.

.

They continued to walk aimlessly around the boundary, looking at all the mirrors as they passed by.

“Mitsuba,” Yashiro spoke up after a while, uncomfortable with the silence “this is your first time in a boundary, right?” she then gave him a proud smile “Not to brag or anything, but this is my fourth time in one!”

“It is my first time..” Mitsuba admited “but—“

“Then as your upper-classman, or- err.. woman? I’ll teach you all about boundaries!” She exclaimed excitedly, grabbing his sleeve-covered hand with her own.

———

After a while of Yashiro explaining the basic understanding of a boundary as they further explored the place, Mitsuba nodded and ‘okay’ed’ everything she said.

“Woah.” He mumbled in astonishment at the new information he was given.

Before Yashiro could make a proud remark, he snickered “You seem to know an awful lot about this for a living person.”

“Scary..” he said, backing away in ‘fear’ playfully.

.

.

The three of you made your way to the library where Mr. Tsuchigomori usually would be. Not giving him a chance to ask why you all are there, you begin to all try to explain at once.

“Wait, back up a few steps. One at a time.” He sighs, almost like a father telling his children to wait their turn to talk.

Before either you or Hanako get the chance to speak first, Kou beats you both to it—and explains the whole situation.

“Why are you even bothering me with this..?” Mr. Tsuchigomori groaned, rubbing his forehead as if it will soothe the annoying headache the three of you were to him.

“Because!” Hanako wailed “It’s been two hours since they took Yashiro! And I can’t get into number 3’s boundary!”

“Yeah!” You sighed with a pout, very much worried for your friend.

“The kids and I even tried begging on our hands and knees for number 3 to let us in! But it didn’t work!” Hanako cried, dramatically flapping his arms all over the place.

You smacked the back of his head “Stop that, we didn’t even go that far.” you groaned.

“But still! We would’ve if it meant number 3 would let us in!” Hanako wailed yet again, clinging to your sleeve.

“Please spider-face!” Kou finally exclaimed after seeing a moment from where he could talk.

The sudden name made you snort, clasping a hand over your mouth to stop yourself from bursting into laughter. Kou smiled, seeing as this had been the first time you’d smiled since the incident with Mistuba.

“It’s Mr...” Hanako corrected.

“Whatever! Mr. Spider Face!” Kou yet again exclaimed, clasping his hands together as if to beg, making you finally let your strained laughter flow from your lips.

“Yes! Please help us Mr. Spider Face!” You snickered, doing the same gesture as Kou, you both were now laughing maniacally at this point.

“You little..” Mr. Tsuchigomori sighed, you swore you saw his eyebrow twitching.

“I can’t let Yashiro get hurt..” Hanako spoke up, after having going silent for a while.

You and Kou both turned to him, confused by the sincerity in his voice. The Hanako you knew to be flirtatious and a pervert and sometimes even a jerk, being serious for once? It was a sight to see for sure.

“Tell me Mr. Tsuchigomori..” he uttered, finally looking up after staring at the seemingly more interesting floor for so long “won’t you help us?”

Even the disguised supernatural looked shocked to see the ghost so genuine, so with a sigh, he got up.

“Well, I do have an idea.” He hummed, walking over to a specific bookshelf.

He moved a couple of books to reveal Yako snoozing on the bookshelf. Effortlessly, he grabbed her, and tossed her over to Hanako—who luckily caught her. You, Kou, and Hanako looked down at the Nogitsune in Hanako’s arms.

“Number 2?” Hanako asked “Why?”

“Hear me out.” Mr. Tsuchigomori sighed, sitting back down at his desk “The seven mysteries boundaries each serve to oversee a certain aspect of the school.”

“My ‘book stacks’ manage records, the clock keepers manage ‘time’, and number 2 manages ‘space.” He explained “If you go through her boundary you can get pretty much anywhere in the school.”

“That includes number 3’s boundary?” You asked, looking down at Yako.

“Pretty much.” Mr. Tsuchigomori sighed.

“But I thought Yashiro busted up her boundary?” Kou asked.

“Oh Kou.. poor, sweet, dumb little Kou.” You snickered, making said boy glare at you, more like aggressively side-eyeing you.

Mr. Tsuchigomori shook his head with a fond smile, before continuing “Oh that.. all she really did was take her right to manage it. The boundary itself is still existing. But with its overseer gone.. it’s probably a mess.”

“Isn’t that right echinococcus?” He snickered, making the latter snap up with a growl.

“Shut up emo spider!” Yako retorted, making you snicker.

“Emo spider..” you snorted in an almost whisper.

“And why should I even help you! I could care less what happens to your assistant!” Yako crossed her arms, turning her head with a ‘hmph!’.

“Beecause we’re your favorites?” You asked hopefully, but she didn’t seem to budge.

“Kitsune udon.” Hanako spoke, holding up his butcher knife as if to threaten her.

“Huh?” Yako gasped offendedly “I- It’s not even my problem!”

“Udon.”

“Fine..” Yako finally huffed, knowing Hanako wouldn’t go through with it—but still wanted to help him out.

.

.

.

“Let’s see…” Yako hummed, walking towards the bottom of the stairs.

“This is it right?” Kou asked.

“You’re kidding right?” You asked in disbelief, giving Kou a ‘are you stupid?’ look.

“Hey I was just making sure!” Kou whined, elbowing you in the side, which resulted in you two giggling and playfully shoving each other.

“Here we go!” Yako sung, breaking your guys’s laughter “One,” one at a time you were taking steps up the stairs “two,” and another “three..”

“Four.”

The Misaki Stairs were nothing new to you, you had come here with the trio before in search for Yashiro’s friend, Aoi. And hearing that it had been all out of whack since Yashiro destroyed it’s yoshiro, you weren’t surprised to look out into the distance and for the large empty void to be staring right back at you.

Though it was filled with pretty flowers to the brim, and sunny skies something still felt off. Like something was out of place.

“It’s..” Hanako marveled, staring out in disbelief.

“Woah!” Kou grinned, looking around like a child trying to pick which ride to go on first at an amusement park “It’s so pretty now!”

“Yeah..” you murmured, not being able to shake off the eerie feeling it gave you, but seeing as the other two seemed at ease—you tried your best to forget about it.

“I’ll show you to number 3’s boundary,” Yako hummed, now in human form “just keep up.”

The “click-clack” and “tut-tut” of your shoes against the stairs as you climbed was the only thing to fill the silence. You looked down from the stairs, only to be met with a void. It was empty. So empty it made you shiver, so you moved your focus elsewhere. Perhaps towards the flowers at the bottom of the stairs…

“Hey fox lady?” Kou finally spoke up, breaking the  deafening silence.

“What do you want stupid brat?” Yako spat, not turning back to even glance at him as he spoke.

“You know how before your rumor changed and you went totally crazy?” Kou asked, making you widen your eyes at the insensitive comment and elbow his side, making him glare at you as he winced “and you attacked me and the other students.”

“You like bringing up unpleasant memories, don’t you?” Yako scoffed, but you didn’t miss the way she winced at the mention of the things she had done before “What’s your point?”

“Oh it’s just.. I was wondering what that felt like.” Kou mumbled, now feeling unsure if it was okay to ask, though he felt the need to.

“What? Why would you wanna know that?! Talk about poor taste!” Yako yapped, turning to glare at Kou “I knew Misaki was the only human worth answering! The rest are lower than insects!”

Feeling a bit of pity, and knowing how curious he must have been cause you were too you placed a gentle hand on Kou’s shoulder and spoke. “Hey, give him a break. I understand what he said might have been a tad insensitive but..” you paused, looking down at the ground “recently, we had a friend of ours go a bit berserk after his rumor changed. And we- I mean Kou’s just curious if when your rumor changed, was it still you?”

“They’re kinda like you, huh number 2?” Hanako chuckled, but Yako kept her back to you three.

“Well..” Yako finally murmured as you all continued up the steps “it didn’t feel good, at least when I look back at it now. But..” she paused, and she looked unsure if she should continue, but when she looked at you two who were listening so intently, she couldn’t help but continue “It was definitely me. It was just a side of me that I kept bottled up, and it was forced out of me. That’s all.”

“Okay..” Kou mumbled, clearly unsure. You didn’t miss how his eyes shifted back down to the yearbook in his hands, and you patted his shoulder, as if to tell him I know how you feel.

“So if you tried to say something to your friend, even if he didn’t understand it, it still probably reached him.” That alone gave Kou hope, maybe. Just maybe, that last encounter with Mitsuba, he was able to talk to him.

“It doesn’t matter how warped he is.” Yako continued, seeing how he seemed a bit confused “or even if he changed form or shape.”

“That boy.. is still that boy.”

Just as you were about to ask a question of your own, Yako and Hanako—who were walking in front of you, stopped walking. “We’re here.” Yako announced.

“I assume our chat is over?” She hummed in more of a question, but then added “We’ve arrived, number 3’s boundary is straight through here.”

“Is that a mirror?” Kou asked, poking the frame.

“I don’t know.. looks kind of eerie to me. Hanako mumbled, floating above it as he exclaimed it closely.

“Yeah.. I mean..” you murmured, running your finger along the glass when you felt a force pulling you in.

You let out a surprised yelp as you were engulfed by the mirror’s glass, leaving the three in disbelief.

“Just so you know.. I’m not going further than here.”

You landed in some unknown place with a “oomph”, the place was filled with mirrors. You heard a loud yelp in what you could have only recognized as Yashiro’s voice.

“Oh right, your supposed to be nice to girls.”

You turned with teary eyes from the bright light that filled the room to find the voice, and you felt yourself freeze when you realized it was Tsukasa.

The ghost, no. The vicious supernatural who tore Mitsuba from you.

You watched as Yashiro fell to ground in deep slumber, she looked awfully peaceful given the circumstances and situation they were in. When Tsukasa got up, your eyes wandered to where Mitsuba was at.

“Now, time for you to eat up Mitsu!” Tsukasa chirped, his voice was sickeningly sweet but it made shivers run down your spine, as he held what looked like to be a heart in his hands.

“No, NO! PLEASE, NO!” Mitsuba cried, trying to back away from the entity.

Mitsuba’s eyes widened in shock when he noticed you were there, and you didn’t miss that hopeful glint in his eyes when you made eye contact, hopeful that you would save him.

“(Y/N)!” He cried, trying to get Tsukasa’s bloodied hands off of him, tears streaming down his soft skin “PLEASE, HELP ME!”

You don’t know what came over you, but you found yourself rushing over in attempt to strangle Tsukasa, but he threw you off of him effortlessly.

“Get—“ you coughed “GET AWAY FROM HIM!”

Tsukasa looked unfazed, his expression void of any emotion but it still made you shake with fear, not of what he would do to you, but of what he would do to Mitsuba.

“Now, eat up.” Tsukasa mumbled, his voice was low, and sounded inhumane. Distorted and horrifying. You wanted to get up, fight Tsukasa, and save Mitsuba. But this was no fairytale, so with a pounding headache—you watched as Tsukasa forcefully fed Mitsuba what you thought to be number 3’s heart, due to the entity that laid lifeless beside them with teary eyes.

You began to cry, feeling helpless. Tsukasa got up, walking towards you. You saw as Mitsuba looked distorted too, but he was still Mitsuba nonetheless.

“No-NO! PLEASE DON’T HURT HER! I’LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT JUST PLEASE—“

A loud “WHAM” shook the room and two boys you could only recognize as Hanako and Kou came crashing down screaming like little girls. Kou was the first to get up, his eyes wandered to your shaking form, but you weren’t crying out of fear of Tsukasa—who he saw standing in-front of you—but when he followed your eyes to where they wandered, he realized why.

“..Mitsuba..?”

(A/N) : Oml, Act I is finished!! My hands are cramping from all the typing and I lost lots of sleep but that’s fine! But busy with French lessons but I still had time for this. This will be proofread and (hopefully) posted as well as the other chapters in Act I, tomorrow evening. Have a good day/evening/afternoon/night, and stay hydrated!! Eat smth too if you haven’t!