Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Rumor has it,”

“That there are 7 mysteries inside this school.”

“It is said that if you uncover the truth about these mysteries something will occur.”

“Oh, you don’t know them?

Okay I’ll tell you the most well known one.”

“Hanako-San of the Toilet."

“They say in the third stall of the 3rd floor boy’s bathroom you can find Hanako-San.

“A wish will be granted to anyone who can summon him. But in return, Hanako-San will take something dear from you..”

“To summon him, knock on the door three times and say Hanako-San, Hanako-San, are you there?”

Yugi Amane stood in front of the 3rd stall. All his life he hadn’t made a single friend. He only had his twin brother Tsukasa. He wanted to change that before his second year. Even if it's through supernatural ways… He knocked three times.. And spoke the words:

“Hanako-San, Hanako-San, are you there?”

“I am here!~” The door creaked open as he shut his eyes.

“A girl’s voice?” he thought to himself. He opened his eyes. It was simply an empty stall.
“Phew, it was just my imagination.” he sighed.

“Behind you~” he swung back, his hands went straight through the source of the voice. He fell backwards as he did so.

“Hehehe!” He opened his eyes once more. The source of the voice crouched in front of him asking:

“Are you alright?” Amane immediately backed up in the corner. He took in their appearance: short hair, an old girl’s school uniform, and wispy flying things.

“Are you a?..” “A ghost? I am,” she said. She sat on a surface and introduced herself.

“Hanako-San of the toilet! Nice to meet you!” she said. He felt confused.

“No.. Hanako-San is a boy.” He stated.

“Well that’s outdated.” she said.

“But besides my gender, everything else you heard about me is true.” She got down from the surface she was sitting on.

“I will grant you a wish but for a price.” Hanako changed her expression.

“So what's your wish?” she asked cheerfully.

“Are you…” Amane started.

“Are you sure you aren’t just some perverted ghost?

“Bye bye,”

“W-W-W-WA-WAIT A GIRL HANAKO IS SOO COOL!” he flailed his arms around in an attempt to get the ghost to come back.

“Okay what’s your name and wish?” She asked. Amane thought to himself how shallow this girl was.

“My name is Yugi Amane.. I want friends.” He said. He fiddled with his fingers as he said this.

“Yugi… friends.. Any sorta friendgroup in mind?” she asked.
“Yea I do, Kimaru and his friends actually. They seem so nice and cool!” He said, smiling at the thought.

“If that's what you wish for.. I’ll grant it,” she said. She started to dig in her uniform pocket as Amane beamed. This is it! He can finally have friends! He had been so lonely for the past 15 years Amane couldn't believe!-

100 WAYS TO MAKE FRIENDS

Amane looked down on the book.

“I thought you were going to use your ghost powers..” He said.

“Well, using powers beyond human understanding requires a larger price,” she said.

“So it is safer if we use this.” Amane sighed as Hanako cracked the big book open. “Well this is a ghost so things have to go well.” He thought to himself.

“Method 78: make small talk.”

SCENCE CHANGE

Amane and his new ghost pal sat by the corner hall. Kimaru and his friends were talking. They’re words slipped out so naturally. He let out a small puff of air seeing this.

”What’s the matter Yugi-Kun?” Hanako tilted her head at him. She crouched down next to him scrunching up her eyebrows as she inquired on what was troubling the boy.

”Well it’s just can’t seem to make friends like how they do.” He buried the lower part of his face in shame.

”You know, there was an incident when I was in elementary and I never made a friend because of it.” He said. It brought back memories thinking about it. The way the kids laughed at his was so… hurtful. She looked at him sympathetically.

”Well you’re going to get friends now!” She said. She got up and motioned for him to stand up.

”Go try to make small talk with him! Talk about gardening or something.” She said. He stood from his hiding spot taking a deep breath and..

”Hey! Who was suppos-“ A small crowd started to form around Kimaru and his friends. They pushed him out to the outer rink of the crowd as he fell back. Scooting away to avoid being trampled by the students.

”Hey do you have the homework answers?”

”Brooo what’s up!”

”Can we got to the school garden?”

”Let’s try using a different method,” Hanako knelt need to his.

”I got class though.” He said. The boy got up and started to walk. Hanako snickered resulting in the boy swiping his hands at him.

“That boy had been acting odd all day…”

OPERATION: COMFORT THEM

Amane and Hanako stood next to the classroom doorway. In there was Kimaru-Kun.

”Go comfort him! I made him loose his backpack!” The ghost whispered. Amane stepped into the classroom.

”Hey are you al-“

”Kimaruuu dudee what’s got you down today?” Kimaru’s friend came out of absolutely nowhere and dragged Kimaru out of there. The boy sighed as he watched this method fail. He turned back to Hanako. Showing her his annoyed expression. In response she just shrugged.

”New method.” The mystery said. She steadied herself as she stood.

OPERATION: CRASH INTO THEM AND HELP THEM UP

The duo was now once more at a corner hall. Kimaru and his friends were just around the corner. Talking about Kimaru’s latest confession. 
“Alright! On my mark, I want you to crash into them and help them up!” Amane nodded as the ghost counted down from three.

”Three, two, one, go!” He zoomed from the hall running until he crashed!

“A boy flew down the stairs!”

”Wait, is he ok?”

”How did he fly exactly?” He fled in classic Yugi Amane style.

”None of those methods worked!” The boy rubbed his forehead from the pain of hitting the boy.

”Ehehe..” Hanako fiddled with her fingers as Amane exclaimed,

”Don’t laugh!” Hanako floated around.

”I know,” she said. The ghost flew over him. The two faced eachother one on the ground and one in the air. She touched her finger to his forehead.

”Why don’t you ask them?” The boy’s expression changed as the ghost said this.

”Ask them? No way they’ll think I’m like those girls who fawn over them!” He said.

”Well that’s my best shot,”

”BEST SHOT?”

”So that is probably why everything felt odd for a ghost! All these methods had been way too normal and wholesome!” The ghost snickered.

”That’s me your lovely, wholesome Hanako-San!” The boy towered over the ghost as he growl at her.

”But I do have some non-wholesome things!” She started to throw things out her pockets as she searched.

”Ah here!” She pulled out a doll.

”What is this?” Amane asked.

”A kokeshi doll, it’s a boy.” She said.

”And?”

”It’s kinda sexy,” Amane walked over to the window and dropped the doll out of the window.

”AHH YUGI-KUN!” She ran to the window and bent over it trying to search for the doll outside. Amane sighed as he turned back. Something caught his eyes. He knelt down to pick it up. It was a small red bag tied by a red string. He pulled it revealing rough, shiny, objects. He turned to Hanako,

”Hanako, what is this?” He asked.

”Oh those are mermaid scales any two people who swallow it will have a bond like no other-“ they both realized what that meant.

”WAIT YUGI-KUN-“ Amane shoved the scale into his mouth and swallowed it. Hanako stopped in front of him,

”Yugi-Kun why did you swallow it! You are going to get cursed!” She waved her hands around the boy as if still trying to stop him.

”I’m okay with getting cursed if it means having friends!” He said. Hanako’s face expression changed as Amane turned his back.

”I thought you were suppose to grant wishes! You lied to me Hanako!” Amane ran off. He ran around the whole campus in search of Kimaru. Finally he stopped, he found him. Amane quickly stopped to catch his breath when he saw a lower classmate with Kimaru.

“Can we be friends, Kimaru-Senpai!” Amane’s eyes lowered. Well he can always get another one of the friend group to swallow the scale. He was about to walk away when he heard this:

“No. You are probably just seeking attention,” Kimaru said.

“No! I promise I’m not!” the lower classmate said.

“Stop lying. You just want to use me and my friends for how popular and cool we are compared to a nobody like you,” Kimaru laughed. Amane’s eyes widened at this. Is this what Kimaru really is like? If this was true then this isn’t the right person for Amane to become friends with.. He chose the wrong person.. 

“Crackle,” Amane lifted his arms up.

“Scales?..” He thought. Suddenly he felt himself fall to the floor as he throat closed in on itself taking away his breath. (Literally)

“Why me?”

“I didn’t know they were the wrong people…”

“No, I did this to myself..”

”I didn’t even listen to Hanako…”

”I’m so selfish..”

”Gotcha!” He slowly opened his eyes.

”Hanako?” He asked.

”I can breathe..?” He looked around. There was a house, sand, and glass.

”Look!” He followed. There he saw Hanako holding a fish tank. The fish was a deep reddish brown with a red string around its neck. Wait.. Was that fish.. Him?

“Wait! Why I’m I a fish!” He flapped around his new enclosure as Hanako stifled a laugh while smiling. She set down the tank.

”I told you didn’t I?” She said.

”Everything comes with a price.” Amane stopped his flapping as he listened to this.

”You’ve been inflicted by the mermaid’s curse.” She said.

”Is that why I’m a fish?” He asked.

”Yeah, fish are mermaid’s servants after all.”

”The scales only curse those who swallow it. If someone else swallowed it the curse would have been split between you two and you would not have been completely a fish.” Amane went quiet at this that would probably be much better than this.

”Though you will still have many fish like qualities,” nevermind.

”But, you didn’t use it huh. Why was that?”

”Well I found out that Kimaru was a straight up jerk and that I never really wanted to be his friend. I just wanted someone that I could have. That was my true wish..” He held back tears as he continued.

”I’m such a bad person..”

“NoW nOw DoN’t bE sAdDeNeD,” Hanako whipped around to the voice as Amane looked in himself. A big being with a fish’s body and a human’s face emerged from whatever place it came from.

”DoN’T fReT fOr NoW yOu ArE mY sErVaNt,”

”I wIlL mAkE sUrE I tReAt yOu wELL..”

“So you had finally arrived mermaid..” Hanako said.

”T-TH-THATS A FISH WITH A HUMAN FACE!” Amane exclaimed.

”It’s a mermaid. And it’s here to collect its new servant..” she said.

”But I can’t let that happen, it would be bad for business.” Amane breathed a small sigh of relief that was short lived as Hanako was thrown into more desks.

“OuT oF mY wAy BrAt,”

“Hanako!” He exclaimed. He swam to the front of the tank as she was sent flying.

”YoU aRe FeEbLe,” the mermaid said.

”I aM mOrE tHaN a ThOuSaNd YeArS oLd, A sChOoL gHoSt lIkE yOu wOn’T sTaNd a ChAnCe.”

”NoW cOmE wItH mE…” 

Amane swam away from the mermaid’s fins to the corner of his tank pushing as hard as he can in a vain attempt to break out of his tank.

”Wait,” Hanako stood once more despite the attack that sent him flying back.

”I had not grant that boy a wish yet. Before you take him can I grant him a wish?” The mermaid snapped back.

“SILENCE!” It yelled.

”YoU wIlL nOt oRdEr mE aRoUnD!..” Amane winced as it yelled.

”Is that so?” Hanako asked. She reached into her transparent body and pulled out a garden shovel not that different from the ones in the school garden.

”Then I will just have to resort to violence..” She said. She ran forward as the mermaid screamed. She raised the shovel with both hands and sliced through the mermaid as it shrieked.

”WHAT? HoW cOuLd A mErE FlEdgIng oF A sPiRiT hAvE tHiS mUcH pOwEr?!”

”CURSE YOU SCHOOL LEGEND!!!” The mermaid spiraled into nothingness. The force of the mermaid’s spiraling caused Amane’s tank to fall over.

”Gotcha!” Hanako exclaimed, as she caught his tank as Amane swiftly dropped back into it with a squeak.

“Seeing how stubborn it was. That is probably not the last of him.” She said. Hanako set down his tank on the nearest desk a satisfying

”clink!” playing out.

”What will happen to me Hanako? Is it going to come back? I’m such so selfish for making such a wish..” He spoke. He felt tears in the corner of his eyes form threatening to fall.

”Tehee!” Hanako stood over the tank, placing one hand on the desk using the other to point a finger at the fish.

”You aren’t getting anything by beating yourself up, I tried to stop you didn’t I? Baka..” She poked his little fish nose as he stifled a gasp.

“However, the other boy didn’t ingest the other scale so I can still grant you a wish.”

”Say, do you want to be human again?” Hanako asked. She placed her check in one hand holding another scale in the other.

“And what’s the price?” He asked.

”I don’t know but at least you can barely live a normal life,” she said.

“Please change me back into a human!” He said. He shook his little fish head as he said so. Hanako’s lips curled into a bigger smile.

”Then I will grant it..” She said. She flicked the scale into the air catching it with both hands. She placed it on her tounge with her right hand.

”Then you will have to pay me back with your body,” she said. She pulled the scale in with her tongue as she swallowed. The tank tipped over. There was a splash and a rattle followed by a loud thud.

“Ugh..” Amane slowly got on his kness. Pulling the fish tank up to show his eyes. He looked up to see Hanako leaning over him with a smile on her face.

”Now we are bonded together. Which means our fates are tied together..” Hanako leaned closer to the taller one. Amane sat back on his bottom as Hanako knelt down and got closer to him.

”In return I will be taking..” Is she going to say what he thought she was going to say….

”Your physical labor.” Hanako got up from her previous position leaving Amane on the floor speechless.

”Well that ended well,” she said.

”I was looking for a human assistance anyways.” She turned the upper half of her body to his. Putting her finger to her chin.

”Or were you taking this the wrong way Yugi-Kun?” She asked. The boy felt his face turn red. He quickly pushed the ghost to the ground in the moment.

”Ack!” She exclaimed as she fell backwards onto the ground.

”Wait did I just touch you?” Amane held his hands up realizing this.

”I thought I just told you our fates are tied together,” she said. She rubbed her head from the pain.

”So take good care of me. After all I just granted both of your wishes.” She said.

”Both?” He repeated. Hanako floated upwards. She approached the latter gently hold his wrists.

“Please change me back into a human and,”

”I just wanted someone I could have. Being bonded together is basically having them don’t you think?” She asked.

”Having.. them?” He said.

”Oh by the way, the scale will go away if you dry them. I would put a towel on it.” Hanako let go of her hold on his wrists. The boy lifted his arm up and sure enough, there was scales.

That was the day Yugi Amane met the mysterious Hanako-San.

Chapter Text

“Where do things go when they have been forgotten by everyone?”

”Do they fade out of existence?”

”No, in fact they are still here with us today..” 

“Had you ever heard the rumor of the faeries?..” The radio came to a stop at the click of a button. Inside the 3rd floor boys restroom was a boy.

”Hanako…” he spoke.

”Please let me go home for the day!” Yugi Amane clasped his hands together as the bucket of toilet cleaning supplies clanged against his arm.

”Nope!” The ghost floated towards the corner of the room as she picked up the mop as the boy plead.

”Pleaseee! Just for today I pinky swear!”

”Nope, I have a job for you to do so I need you to finish this as fast as you can!” The boy groaned as he was told this.

”Please Hanank-Hanako-San! All I do is clean now!” He walked the few inches between him and the ghost shaking her,

”Pleaseee Hanako-Sannn! Some one asked for me to hang outtt!”

”Hang out?” The ghost questioned. Amane stopped shaking the school mystery as she steadied herself.

”Fuji! He’s from my class, this will the the second time we hanged out together!”

”But when are you hanging out?” The ghost asked. She floated above the boy’s head holding the mop.

“Well if you insist,” Amane said.

”We are hanging out in an empty classroom organized papers for the school council. The first time me left. He must be bashful.” He deadpanned. The ghost looked on at him sympathetically.

”Yugi-Kun..” the ghost started.

”I’m pretty sure he’s just using you,” the assistant groaned as he squared near the wall. The ghost walked up to him kneeling behind him as she wrapped her arms around him. Head hovering over her left shoulder as she positioned his hands on the mop handle.

“Stay here Yugi-Kun, I promise I’ll treat you better,” the ghost said. She got a soft smile while saying this despite the playful aura that he got from those words. He pulled himself away from the ghost, hands on the mop.

”Hanako…” he started.

”If I had to choose the toilets or the paperwork, I’d choose the paperwork.” He deadpanned. Hanako expression drained as she let out a long

”ehhhh?” She turned around grabbing the fish tank Amane was in the week before.

”So, Yugi-Kun must really liked his fish tank huh? Com’on Haku-Joudai let’s go buy fish food.”

”Nevermind..” Amane said as he started mopping the floors.

THE NEXT DAY

It was a nice afternoon in Kamome Gakuren. Inside of a classroom Yugi Amane sat. He sighed as he rested his head on the cold desk using the book they were reading as a cover.

”Another day of toilet cleaning.” He thought. His eyes turned to Fuji from the side of him. He already knew that he will probably never be friends with Fuji. He turned back to his book.

”But honestly if anyone is using me it’s Hanako.. she literally placed a guard on me!” He thought. He eyed the wispy thing at his eyed wispy turning back to his book. If he really thought about it, Amane knew it was his fault. Thing is.. he still didn’t want to.

”Yugi-San, read the first paragraph on page 15,” Amane sat up straight as he was going to grab his book. But he felt only air. He looked down to she of his book had apparently silently fell down.

”Eh?” He looked down to see only the wood of the desk. His notebook, textbook, and even his pencil was gone! He sat back down to see his tie was missing as well.

“What the heck?” He said.

”Amane,” The boy looked up to see his twin brother. He was holding a water bottle.

”Do you think the faeries took it?” He asked. The two stared at each other for a bit. Tsukasa expecting a answer and Amane an explanation.

”You didn’t hear? Whenever you need something, do they always seem to disappear? Maybe the faeries took them.”

”But you cannot look at the faeries, never! Or they will take your life!…” Amane shivered hearing this.

”But it’s obviously just a silly rumor!” Amane let out a small puff of relief.

”Thing is, a lot of things had been going missing…” the twins turned their head to the rest of their class in unison.

”Where’s my lunch?”

”That sports towel senpai lent to me is gone..”

”Who took my watch?!” They turned back to eachother as the class bickered about their stuff.

”Hey Amane, do you think the faeries actually real?” He asked.

”Guys come look at this!” The twins got up, running to where the voice was coming from.

”Someone took the locker doors!” Heaps of things laid out for the open and some even on the floor. The students bickered among themselves.

”Who would do this? Did you?”

”No! I just looked up to this!”

”Ah!” The water bottle Tsukasa was holding dropped out off his hands. It crashed over Amane’s head and spilled all over him. (Tsukasa didn’t twist it all the way apparently…)

“Sorry Amane-“ Tsukasa turned to see his brother sprinting down the hall.

”Amane?..”

Amane paused. He heaved in deep breathes as he kneeled down holding onto a nearby table for surport.

”That was way to close..” he thought he removed his hand from the table to check for scales. Sure enough, there it was.

“Ack!-“ Haku-Joudai pushed itself into Amane’s head.

”Ok, ok, I’m going back!” He exclaimed as he stood.

”I need something to dry this with though.” He thought. He turned to glance behind him to see a lonely, clean towel on the ground. He kneeled down to it picking it up to dry his scales in delight.

“Yes! A towel!” He thought. He looked down the hall to see a lunch box.

”Wasn’t someone looking for one before?..” he thought. He stood as he started walking down the hall.

”Wait! That’s my tie!” He ran to pick the tie up. Loosely securing it around his neck. The assistant looked further down the hall to see his textbook and notebook, and a watch. He picked up his things as he walked turning the corner. Suddenly he heard rustling.

”Huh?” His walking slowed as he peered into the open doorway it came from. A black, monster kind of thing with many, many eyes looked back at him. He backed away in horror as it spoke,

”You saw me. You must never look upon the faeries or they will take your life..” The monster quickly towered over him as he shuffled backwards away from the thing.

”get them Haku-Joudai!” Haku-Joudai immediately rushed up to the beast. Slamming itself into the monsters side as Amane covered himself from the blast of air as it hitted it.

 ”Yugi-Kun.. You must want friends and to be involved in supernatural things huh.” Hanako appeared before him. Walking behind her assistant. She placed her hands on his shoulders.

”These guys are Mokke, aka the Faeries right now. They have been with humans for quite a bit of time committing small acts of theft and causing mischief.” Amane turned to one of the mokke as it jumped into his hand.

”They look a lot different from that monster they were before.” He said. The assistant poked at the mokke lightly.

”They are weak, and timid supernaturals so they have to bunch up like that and change form when they attack. But they aren’t the type to attack..” The mystery said.

”We didn’t want to kill him but our story got changed..” Amane tilted his head.

”Story?” He repeated.

”The rumors.” Hanako said.

”Most supernaturals can’t go against their rumors. Because if they did, then they will disappear from the near shore.” She explained.

”So they would disappear?..” Hanako nodded. The mokke pulled out a bag of candy taking one and eating it.

”Want one?” A mokke asked.

”Yugi-Kun.. Would you change the Mokke’s rumor for us?” She asked. Amane tilted his head at this.

”I am one of the seven mysteries, it is part of my duties to supervise the supernaturals of the school and maintain proper relationships between supernaturals and humans. I can’t let dangerous supernatural killers stay here so I have no choice but to exterminate them.” He said.

”But Yugi-Kun. You are a human so you can help them by changing the rumor.” Amane turned around to see the mokke

“please,”

”we’re sorry about before,”

”we’ll give you candy,”

”we have been here for thousands of years, we want to stay.” The mokke got teary eyed as they begged.

”Well you don’t have to do it,” Hanako said.

”They did try to kill you earlier-“

“I’ll do it!” Amane smiled as he held a mokke giving it candy. Hanako seemed surprised about it.

”Can you tell me why?” She asked. She floated around.

”They remind me a little of my little brother Tsukasa.” He said.

”Yeah they tried to kill me but you saved me. Thanks for that Hanako.”

”I don’t think I will ever learn to love toilet duty but I’m glad for what you had done for me.” Hanako smiled at him. She started to walk the stairs to the rooftop as Amane followed.

”Also, that thing you were talking about the other day, was this it?”

”Yeah but I wasn’t going to ask you until much later,” She said. Amane made a small victory in his head.

”Does this mean I don’t have to clean the toilets anymore?” He asked.

”Nope,”

”Aww..”

”You’re almost done but do you really hate it that much?” Hanako asked.

”Very few people enjoy scrubbing toilets.” He responded.

”Thats sad. I always look forward to it.” Amane looked through the doorway seeing Hanako looking out at the sky. The breeze softly blew her short hair backwards.

”Dong things with someone after school and just talking is like having a friend.”

”I don’t really know, it just takes me back.” She said. She rested her head on her hands as she said this.

”Hanako-Chan..” Hanako turned around surprised at the words. Amane stood next to the ghost as he said this.

”I’ll call you Hanako-Chan. That way it’s like we’re more like friends.” Hanako paused for a second before giving him a smile.

”Had you decided on a new rumor yet?” The ghost asked.

”I have!” He replied.

—-

“You lost something? That’s been happening a lot lately, it’s probably the faeries.” Two boys talked about the rumor.

”Here,” they turned to Amane.

”Candy?” They asked.

”Yeah! I heard that carrying around candy in case you run into one then they won’t kill you and stop taking your stuff.”

”I have to go now.” Amane walked away from the two.

”Oh, why though?” They asked.

”Oh well, I’m going to see a friend.”

”In the boy’s bathroom….?”

—-

The mokke happily carried candy into the hallway. They skipped with glee as they did so.

”Oof!”

“Hey, do you guys happen to know a Hanako”

”bye!”

”don’t know her!”

”Wha-Hey! Ugh!” He exclaimed. He tucked his pink hair behind his ear as he waved his staff.

“Whatever I can find her myself..”

”Watch out Hanako! Because I am on my way.. To exorcise you!”

“what is that guy talking about?…”

Chapter Text

It was a nice, sunny afternoon on the rooftop of Kamome Academy. Yugi Amane and the well known Hanako-San sat together holding a magazine.

”Hm, it would be nice if a person fell from the sky. Maybe I can be their friend!”

”Yugi-Kun..”

”I know the difference between fantasy and reality Hanako-Chan. But I’m literally an apparition’s assistant!” Hanako tilted her head, raising an eyebrow at the boy as he smiled fondly at the thought.

”It would be kind of nice.. especially when it’s night time!” He thought up the scenario. A nice person falls from the sky on a beautiful night. All for him!

”You don’t need these delusions, Yugi-Kun,” The ghost grabbed the magazine from the former fish. She tucked Amane’s hair behind his ear.

“Stay with me won’t you?” She asked.

”Stop it!” The ghost turned to look at who it came from as Amane looked back himself. From the school door was a boy. He had pink hair covering one eye with his back hair tied up in a small ponytail. He wore the middle school boys uniform and kitchen gloves with the last name MINAMOTO stitched into it. He wielded his staff as his eyebrows remained upturned as he pursed his lips.

”I am Mitsuba Sousuke of the 3rd year middle school division!..”

”Take your memory of my cuteness as your, your last sighting before you go to the afterlife!” Amane watched as Mitsuba ran at Hanako. The pink haired boy retracted his arms, as he whacked Hanako with his umbrella. Hanako held the umbrella in place with both hands.

“Well I don’t really plan to be exorcized today-” Electricity started to crackle.

“ZAP!” electricity bursted from the umbrella. Hanako sizzled as the electricity crackled.

“Ngh!” Hanako fell to the floor. Her body sizzled as Amane yelled out her name.

“Hanako-Chan!” Amane extended his hand to Hanako. Mitsuba pulled out a staff from his umbrella.

“T-This weapon has been in my mentor’s family for 100s of years!..” Mitsuba approached Hanako. He raised his staff and…

“Stop it!” Mitsuba tumbled backwards. He hopped back on his feet to meet Amane.

“What are you doing!” He stomped up to the older boy. Amane eyed the other making Mitsuba shrink back a bit.

“Don’t exorcize her!” he yelled.

“But I have too!... She’s like a super evil supernatural!” Mitsuba balled his hands into fists. His staff in his right with his hands to his side.

“Hanako cannot be evil! She even helped me!” Amane snapped back at Mitsuba, making him take a step back.

“Are you insane!? He’s not any kind of supernatural.” Mitsuba looked the older boy in the eye. He was serious. Amane took a small, shaky breath as he  looked back.

“It took all of Ko- my mentor’s grandma’s strength to seal her away. She is super evil, I mean look at that scary shovel she has! She used that same scary shovel to kill someone!” Amane’s eyes widened, but returned to normal. It probably wasn't true anyways.

“That’s not tru-”

“She’s fooling you loner-senpai! If you trust her, she’s gonna gut you like a fish-'' there was a soft thunk sound. Amane looked at the other boy. The younger’s face was ridden with fear as a garden shovel appeared at the pink haired boy’s chest. Amane’s eyes flicked back to behind himself. Hanako stood behind him, her hand on his shoulder for support. She remained unsmiling as she said,

“I was hoping to keep that a secret..” Mitsuba shrieked before he stumbled backwards away from the shovel’s dull tip. Amane spun backwards to see Hanako was already far.

“I was planning to keep it for only a bit longer.. Come here Haku-Joudai.” Hanako extended her hand for Haku-Joudai as it encircled her.

“You’re right, I did kill somebody before. But god told me, if I fulfill my duty here, then it will relieve me from my guilt.” Her white winter school uniform soon became one with a cape. The white cape flowed with the wind as she spoke:

“Which is why, I can’t let you exorcize me.” She held her shovel over her left shoulder as Mitsuba swallowed his fear.

“You.. You don’t even make sense!” He dove forward releasing electricity as Hanako ran across the railing. Bits of the ground came back up as Mitsuba yelled.

“Stay still y-you stupid ghost!” He ran towards Hanako staff in hand.

“Do you wear gloves cause it hurts your hands?” Hanako appeared besides the middle schooler.

“Eeekk!” Mitsuba shutted his eyes as he let out another electricity ball.

“S-see! You never learn!” the pink haired boy shouted. The dust cleared to reveal Hanako holding onto the staff.

“Wh-!” Hanako poked at him with the shovel with small “hyahs!” along the way as Mitsuba dodged them.

“Hey, can I borrow this for a second?” Hanako asked. Mitsuba started to tear up before exclaiming,

“I’m not going to let you take this!” the younger one tugged on the staff as Hanako looked at Mitsuba with a look that Amane could not describe. 

“I can do that,” Hanako said. She let go of the staff, making Mitsuba fall to the ground. The ghost then raised her shovel as if to deliver a killing bow and….

“I win!” The middle schooler opened his eyes. Hanako was sitting next to him holding his staff. Mitsuba blinked at the school mystery. His arm still shielding his forehead.

“I’m going to seal this away so it can’t hurt anyone now,” Hanako pulled out a big seal sticking it onto Mitsuba’s staff!

“Hey!” Mitsuba reached out his hand for his staff desperately.

The seal touched the staff sticking itself to it.

“AHH WHAT DID YOU DO?” Mitsuba scratched and picked at the seal.

“This staff is very special y'know!” He exclaimed. His eyes teary.

“Take it off you bully!”

“I’m not a bully! And, no, I won’t.” Hanako crossed her arms as Mitsuba made an angry sort of sound.

“Besides,” Hanako grabbed Mitsuba by the hand, pulling off the glove.

“The only reason you wear those gloves is because everything you use the staff it will zap you right?” Mitsuba snatched his hand back. Whispering something under his breath.

“I-I don’t care about what happens to me! As long as I can do what he left off on!” Mitsuba yelled. He quickly covered his mouth. Hanako turned her head. Looking at him,.

“No need to rush, you’ll make a great exorcist one day.” Hanako said.

“I’ll look forward to it.” Mitsuba blushed.

“Perver— OOF!” Hanako slammed her head into the boy right in his stomach. Mitsuba fell,  passing out.

“Hey! Are you alright?” Amane rushed forward, putting his hands onto the shorter’s shoulders.

“Of course I am,” she said.

“What about the staff?” He asked. He took his hands off Hanako’s shoulders looking around for the staff.

“So, You can get along with a murder Yugi-Kun?...” Hanak asked. There was a moment of silence that filled the air. The only sound was the wind and the birds that flew by.

“I’m joking,” Hanako walked past Amane.

“Just leave Mitsuba-Kun, I’m sure the next time he tries to exorcize me he won't be able to. But don’t worry, I enjoy the company.” Hanako said.

“Though things are probably going to get a lot livelier here.

—

“Have you heard?”

“There is a rule regarding the staircase.”

“You must never step on the fourth step.”

“Or you’ll be taken to the other side.”

Chapter Text

“Hanako-Chan said..”

“So you can get along with a murderer Yugi-Kun?...” Yugi Amane thought about these lines. At the time it seemed like Hanako was mad?.. No…

“Amane,” the assistant snapped back to reality. His younger twin brother stood next to him of him. It was after school, the twins had to make a poster for their classroom about space. Of course, they accepted it. Tsukasa held the purple marker in his right hand. Cupping his own face in the other. The highschooler looked down at the poster. Ah, he was making Tsukasa do most of the work. Whoops.

“Amane.. Were you listening to what I said?” Tsukasa asked. Amane blinked at his twin.

“Oh! Maybe you were thinking about that new constellation we found! Or maybe befriending someone! It always seems like you're staring into space, hehe.”  the older sighed before he started to outline the rocket ship.

“I wished,” he said. The younger tilted his head at his older brother. Before he perked up again,

“Amane, Amane! Had you heard about this one then?” he asked. 

“No.2 of the school mysteries. The Misaki Stairs.”

“You must never step on the fourth step,”

“If you break that rule you’ll be dragged down to the world of the dead! And your body will be ripped up to tiny little pieces!”

“Some kids say they saw bloooodd!” Amane froze.

“A-And which.. staircase is this at?” The older one asked.

“Staircase B, it's in front of the art room.” Tsukasa deadpanned. The twins stared at each other before Tsukasa tilted his head asking,

“Do you not like the stories?” he asked.

“I like them!” Amane insisted. And the fact was he did like them but… All of his brother’s stories have been coming true. Tsukasa smiled.

“Ok Amane!” He said, he held his twin’s hands.

“I also like them, so I’m happy you also liked them!” He said.

“Hey!” The twins turned to the doorway in unison. There stood their homeroom teacher.

“Don’t you remember? You, me, art room, at 4:30PM. Guidance counseling.” The teacher flapped out a paper. Tsukasa looked at the teacher for a second before letting go of his brother’s hands.

“Oh yeah,  I’m coming!” Tsukasa ran forward, following the teacher.

“Let's find more scary stories together, Amane!” He yelled back. The assistant looked down at the poster they were working on. It looked good. Better than last year’s by a long shot. He smiled knowing how happy Tsukasa would be when he saw it in the morning.

————

Amane yawned as he walked through the halls. Tsukasa wasn't there when he woke up today.

. “He must have gone to school early to finish the poster.” The assistant thought. The highschool arrived at homeroom to see no Tsukasa coloring away at the poster.

“Eh?” He looked around looking for it until he looked up. A few Mokke ate candy atop a cabinet. But no poster.

“Doesn't look like they took it.” He thought. He looked at his desk. Where Tsukasa’s desk once was was missing.

“Alright guys I’m starting homeroom,” The homeroom teacher walked in.

“Sensei! Have you seen the poster we were making?” Amane asked.

“Tsukasa and I were making it.” he added.

“The poster? Your classmate is working on it over there.” Amane looked over, surprised at what he saw. He was coloring lazily. Patches of purple were lighter than the other with terrible handwriting and the poster was barely even done!

“And Tsukasa?...” he asked. The teacher looked at him weird.

“There is nobody in this class by that name.” He said, Amane froze.

“Nobody?” He thought.

“That's impossible!” he thought to himself. He bursted out the door, running into the hallway as his homeroom teacher yelled at him to come back. The former fish panted as he whipped out his phone calling his missing twin’s phone number as he huffed.

“The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check number and..” He tapped off, confused on why everybody acted like his own twin didn't exist. He slowed down, catching his breath.

“I’ll call Ma, there is no way she won’t remember Tsukasa!” He thought. He went into his contacts list and called his mother. She picked up.

“Yes Amane?” she answered.

“Ma! Do you know where Tsukasa is? He isn’t at school today and..”

“ Are you alright sweetheart?” Amane came to a stop in his pacing.

“Amane… Who is Tsukasa?” The assistant lowered his phone as a sense of dread came over him.

“You know?... Your son Tsukasa, my twin brother?” he asked.

“Amane, you're an only child.” something was off about this. No way a mother would forget about her son. Then he remembered. That rumor Tsukasa told him about.

“Wasn’t he doing counseling with the teacher in the art room?” He thought to himself. Wait… THAT STAIRCASE IS IN FRONT IF THE ART ROOM! Amane ran forward. He needed to get to Hanako. Asap.

“Oof!” The highschooler crashed into someone. He fell backwards as his phone clattered out of his hands.

“Sorry,” a monotone, feminine, voice spoke. Amane rubbed his head as he sat up.

“Are you alright?” the girl offered him her hand. She was definitely older than him. With short green hair, the girl’s winter outfit, and sleepy eyes. Amane took her hand. She was around an inch taller than him.

“Here, you dropped this.” the girl handed him his phone.

“T-Thanks.” he said. He stared back at her as she walked away. She was pretty. But something felt odd.

“Ah! Wait, I'm supposed to be going to Hanako-Chan!” He ran the other direction as a black cran settled itself in his pocket.

————

“Vanished?” The school mystery sat on the bathroom windowsill. A big pot sat next to her, filled with soil with some carrot leaves poking out the top.

“Uhm…”

“You can’t just be uhming me right now! You were gone this morning and during lunch!” He pointed out. 

“Well why can’t you just tell the police?” The ghost asked. She brushed the leaves of the carrot with her hand.

“My answer to that is cause something is off about this.” The highschooler answered. His hands fell to his sides from their previous position.

“All the work he did on the poster, his desk, everything Tsukasa owned vanished.” He said.

Amane felt his heart sink as he spoke those words. He felt like he might never see Tsukasa again. He didn’t want that to happen.

“Hanakooooooo!” a voice called out. The duo whipped around. In the doorway was Mitsuba. He looked angry. Really angry. His teeth were clenched and tears of anger threatened to roll down his face. The pink-haired boy raised his staff, pointing it at Hanako.

“Y-y-you radish! What did you do with Yokoo and Satou!” he yelled. Hanako froze at the title.

“Did you just…” The ghost didn’t get to finish.

“You pervert! You want to do mean and perverted things with them right! Just like in a porno!” he yelled.

“But Hanako probably didn't do anything,” The assistant said. Mitsuba turned to him. He pulled his staff back to his chest and yelled,

“Then why can’t anyone remember them!” His voice cracked as he wiped his angry tears away on his arm. Hanako looked at Mitsuba  a expression that Amane couldn't describe before speaking,

“Students are disappearing and there is a rumor going around about staircases.. I think I know what this is about.” The ghost said. Mitsuba gripped his staff and was about to yell something before Amane cut him off.

“Yeah, but where did Tsukasa go?” he asked. The school mystery stared out of the window as if she was dazed.

“In this school there are seven locations that are connected to the netherworld.. The staircase is one of these locations. The students and your brother Tsukasa were probably taken there.” she said.

“Netherworld!?” Amane repeated.

“They are also called the boundaries. When a living human crosses their entire existence vanquishes.” She explained.

“But humans like you and Mitsuba-San are special and remember these folks.” She gestured to them as if presenting to a class about this matter.

“I heard of those scary places before…” Mitsuba said.

“Minamoto-Senpai told me about them. They are an ocean that connects two shores. He said that it's where scary things like supernaturals, spirits of dead people and things that have been forgotten go.” he further explained. The school mystery depressing nodded, proving it was correct. Amane stared at the ground. 

“Tsukasa was in the netherworld?....” he thought.

“Can… people who go there ever return?...” He asked Hanako. Hanako looked at him. She looked at his face and the way he stood.

“Don’t worry! Things will be alright!” she said.

“Afterall I have to maintain good relationships between humans and supernaturals, though you will be helping me, Yugi-Kun.” she said. The ghost’s assistant sighed at that.

“H-hey! Let me go too!” Mitusba got in between the two. His eyes shut as he exclaimed the words.

“Are you sure?..” The school mystery asked.

“Y-Yea! I will make sure the lost kids don’t get hurt by evil spirits like you!” the middle schooler claimed. He pointed at her.

“Ok, but you won’t be protected like my assistant here.” she said. Gesturing towards Amane.

“So don’t be surprised when you get turned into meat.” The ghost deadpanned.

“M-Meat?” Mitusba asked. Amane sighed as he tuned out the other two people. Thinking about Tsukasa.

“Tsukasa… I promise we’ll save you.”

—————

“Scary…” Mitsuba said. The trio looked at the staircase. Blood dripped onto the fourth step. It splashed as it pooled around the step as the trio looked on at it.

“So this is what Tsukasa was talking about.” The assistant thought.

“H-hey.. Is it alright if you two save Yokoo and Satou on your own?...” Mitsuba asked.

“Nope.” The ghost replied.

“Fine.. I’ll come.” he said.

“Well, let's get going.” Hanako said.

“One,” The assistant took the first step. He felt himself quiver with fear.

“Two.” The three of them took the next step. Mitsuba was at this point white as a ghost with his eyes squeezed shut.

“Three…” The assistant’s breath hitched a knot.

“Four.” Amane looked down. His right foot was on the fourth step now.

“Splash!” he felt himself be transported to a different place. He looked up. Lanterns filled the place as he saw many things. Water, a building, seals, and floating staircases. The place was beautiful as Amane’s eyes adjusted to the sight. 

“What is this?” Amane asked.

“The Misaki stairs.” The school mystery replied. She herself looked dazed by the beautiful sight before she looked down. Looking up again with a small smile on her face.

“Looks like he’s really getting to work!”

Chapter Text

—

“The second of the school mysteries, the Misaki Stairs. It lures students to the netherworld then rips the students to shreds.” The trio climbed the seemingly endless stairs as Hanako said this. Yugi Amane looked around the place as he climbed the stairs with Hanako. He took note of the lanterns and the amount of railings around the place.

How the lanterns softly lit the place up, the shrine like buildings that the water pooled against. 

“This is apparently the netherworld. The missing students should be hidden somewhere. Though not all in one piece that is.” Hanako said. Mitsuba’s eyebrows bunched up together as the ghost spoke those words. Gripping his staff tightly.

The ghost’s assistant turned his head all around. Noting how different the atmosphere is from the school. Mokke surrounded the place.

“This pathway is entirely underwater…” He thought to himself. Amane kneeled down, putting one finger under the water. It splashed upwards, making a part of the back on his hand and a small part of his forearm form into reddish brown scales. The assistant’s face warped into shock then regret.

He noted that he shouldn't trip here or he would turn into an underwater creature that was a fish.

“There’s nothing here…I-Isn’t there something that is supposed to pop out and rip us and my cute face apart?.” Mitsuba said. The middle schooler pulled his arms up to himself, shivering from the cold place dramatically.

“They don’t do it right away, y'know,” Hanako said.

“The anticipation is the funnn part!~” Hanako smiled at the two of them as Mitsuba stiffened up and Amane sighed.

“You're sick!” Mitsuba yelled. He pointed his staff at Hanako instinctively.

“Well, we are the Seven Mysteries after all. As the seven pillars that govern the supernaturals of this school, we have to be known to as many people as possible.” Hanako turned back around.

“It's why we scare people. After all, if you are scared by something, it would leave more of an impression then the something being nice to you right?” 

“But… No. 2 has gone too far. We  need to stop this nonsense asap.” Mitsuba and Amane looked at the ghost after her small speech.

“RRRING!” a loud ringing rang throughout the boundary. The three of them turned to the source of the sound. A singular phone sat on a pedestal. Ringing throughout the place. 

“Senpai?” Mitsuba turned around to see Amane picking up the phone.

“Anyone here?” 

“It’s Misaki..” The voice was the voice of a man. Mitsuba and Amane froze up.

“I have been teaching my students at the schoolhouse at the top of these stairs..”

“But I was killed, torn to pieces right where you stand.”

“Can you look for my body?..”

“Wait! Do you know a kid named Tsukasa?” Amane asked.

“First my arm… My right arm. The arm I used for writing chalk.”

“Do hurry, class starts soon.” the sound of a ringing phone filled the air.

“He hung up.” Mitsuba stated.

“Krrr” The trio turned to the sound. A big hourglass flipped into place as the sand started its slow pour down into the bottom half of the hourglass.

“We have a time limit too.” Amane commented. The assistant sighed before turning to his ghost friend.

“Hanako-Chan, do you think we can leave if we put the arm in there?” He said, He then pointed to a cabinet like box with the doors wide open.

“Well, I am unsure but something has to happen.” She said,

“L-let’s just forget it okay! It was probably a prank call anyways!” Mitsuba said.

“I wouldn't recommend that,” Hanako said.

“You see, us seven mysteries have our own domains in which we are unbeatable. In my case it would be the toilets.” Hanak lectured.

“You can’t tell what would happen if you step off path and anger no.2.. But it's not like I’ll stop you if you want to find out..” The ghost grinned as Mitsuba shuddered.

“Well, let's just look for that right arm! It should be a man’s right arm judging by the voice.” Amane said.

“Yeah I think I'll stick with that…” Mitsuba said. He let out a sigh.

“Great idea Yugi-Kun, maybe it will be fun for you guys to look for stuff.” Hanko said. She started to search through the drawers, rummaging through them for the arm.

“I mean look! I found this magazine.” The school mystery turned to the two others holding up a magazine. The magazine was full of posing men, all of them quite attractive.

“TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY YOU STUPID DAIKON!!!” Mitsuba lashed out at the ghost with his staff as Hanako dodged and giggled.

“I’ll look over here…” Amane said miserably. 

— —

The trio found their arms.

Amane found a mannequin’s right arm, Mitsuba a robot arm, (well he didn’t look too happy about it) and Hanako a wooden bicep.

Amane sighed,

“Come on you two..” he said.

“We are looking for a man’s right arm. Not a wooden bicep and a robot arm.” Amane lectured.

“Hehehehe!”

“Time’s up!”

“Time’s up!” a voice called. The place started to rattle as Amane almost lost his footing.

“W-What is going on?” Mitsuba called out. 

“The dolls!-”

“It’s time for class!” the dolls called out. The ghost assistant eyes went to the hourglass.

“The hourglass!” Amane called out. The two others looked to see the hourglass had ran out.

“Which one of you are running late?” 

“W-What the hell?...” Mitsuba muttered. His eyes were filled with fear as the three of them backed up from the now creepy environment.

“GET DOWN!” Hanako reached out for the other two as a large pair of floating scissors snapped at them. The three dodged in time to start running off the pair of scissors as it snipped and snapped at them.

“WAAAGH!” The three immediately ran in the other direction. Their hearts pumping and their feet stomping.

“It-It’s a dead end!” 

“Ack!” Amane suddenly stopped. He felt a grabbing at his ankle. He looked down. Many dolls with papers with the number “two” written on it covering their faces grabbed at his ankle. Not letting go.

“The tardy one is you.”

“YUGI!” Hanako screamed. Amane turned to Hanako as the giant pair of scissors snuck behind him.

“Huh?”

____

Chapter Text

I lost motivation again. Well, you’ll see the next chapter in like 4 months

edit: Ik it’s been more than four months but I find this fic quite boring to write that the moment, I’m busy and I’m focusing on my mental health. I’ll probably write more fics but just not focus on this one until I regain motivation