Kou was sweating—at least, more than he usually would from just walking next to Hanako. He had boldly declared that he would exorcise the ghost during their first meeting, but clearly things had gone south from there and one way or another...they had found themselves sort-of friends.

Well, he wasn't certain of Hanako's thoughts or feelings, but his bold declaration the other day was enough to keep him from asking. Kou's face turned dark red at the memory—Nene had been curious (perhaps someone had been messing with her) and confronted him alone about his feelings towards Hanako. Initially, he was going to deny and refute any possible rumors or suspicions, but it felt so wrong to lie to her about it so he spilled. Everything.

Even she was embarrassed by the end of his awkward rambling, but she wasn't rude or mean. In fact, he could remember how genuine Nene's smile looked when she told him that she would cheer them on. Kou was lucky he had such an understanding and caring upperclassman.

So, Kou found himself walking through the halls with the Honorable Number Seven of the school mysteries, both suffering immensely from the awkwardness of their small talk.

"Hey, kid."

"Hm?" Kou looked up, flinching at how close Hanako had gotten to his face; his cheeks began to burn almost immediately, and he could see a faint smirk cracking on the ghost's lips. "W-what?"

"You like me, right?"

"H-huh?!" The blond choked, slapping a hand over his lips as a means of hiding himself. His first thought went to Hanako pulling some sort of prank on him—it wouldn't be out of the ordinary. But still, it would be a cruel prank, even if they were both boys. "W-what the hell are you talking about...?"

Hanako hummed and chuckled at his response. It was definitely what he needed to lighten the mood between them. "Well, you're spending time with me now. All alone. Wouldn't you usually rather hang out with Nene or the other exorcist?"

He was right—usually Kou would avoid spending any time with Hanako were it not accompanied by a third party. But here he was, having snuck into the school after hours, simply to see the boy he formerly swore to destroy.

"Er...I just...realized I didn't know much about you, is all."

"Couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Hanako teased, watching Kou get riled up even more. "But, you know, I like you too, kid."

Kou, once again, flinched at his words. Before he could even say anything, Hanako was already reaching down to hold his cheeks in the palms of his hands; the latter was cold, but for some reason it only comforted Kou.

Their lips met for only a moment, and neither said another word.

"I know you heard me," Kou finally spoke up, hiding his lips behind the back of his hand. "I saw you. Rather, I saw you leaving."

"Aw, I gave myself away?" Hanako frowned, although he didn't sound sad at all; he had wanted Kou to see him, after all. "Boo-hoo."

The blond looked away, clicking his tongue. "I didn't hate it."

"Didn't hate what?"

"You bastard—the kiss! I didn't hate it."

Hanako grinned, sliding himself down to walk (as he could) next to Kou, leaning an elbow against his shoulder. "Really seems like we're classmates now, huh, Kou?"

Kou averted his gaze to the side, focusing on the passing windows of the different classrooms. The red from his cheeks had begun to spread down his neck and up to the tips of his ears. "A-aren't we more than that now?"

"Oh? What're you thinking then?"

"We—we're boyfriends now...right, Amane?" Hanako's eyes went wide as Kou spoke, but the blond only took the ghost's hand in his own, lacing their fingers together. "I mean, I like you and all..."

Hanako looked down, feeling the warmth in Kou's hand against his own; of course, there was a pang of disappointment in his chest. He could never be anything other than a ghost, a dead soul forever wandering the earth until he was allowed to pass.

The blond would keep aging without him and he would meet new people, find other interests, and (hopefully) move on from the school. He would have to leave Hanako behind at some point. That was just...a curse he had to deal with.

But...surely Hanako could indulge just a little, for now.

"Yeah. I like you too, Kou." He tightened his grip subtly, and leaned his head against the blond boy's shoulder as they walked. "I love you."