Hey! The name's Aliya! Before you start reading this, I just wanted to let you know that this is one of my very first stories, so, sometimes the characters might not seem very in character… but I'm hoping to improve! Now, sit back and relax, you're in for a treat!
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Then and Back Again (A JSHK Story)
"Have you ever heard of the 8 Mysteries of the school? You haven't? Let me tell you about the most special one….."
"Wonder number 8: Mei Rin of the Rooftop."
They say that if you go to the far left corner of the rooftop at exactly 5:14pm, there will be a constellation in the shape of a sledgehammer up north in the sky. Pull on the red string on the fence three times, and recite: "Starry night, starry night. I call upon Mei Rin. As the stars glimmer, I shout at night, I call upon Mei Rin"- stars will appear in a pattern of footsteps coming towards you. A ghost-girl will slowly appear before your eyes, and she'll ask for your information. Do this and she'll grant you protection from evil of any sort for a week- with the price of a special item you have yet to collect in 24 hours. Fail, and you'll be forgotten from this world forever…
forever…
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The sound of the flapping of butterfly wings came to a halt when it arrived at its destination.
"Hello there, Mich"
The female apparition held out her finger to act as a porch for the butterfly.
The butterfly sat, and softly whispered the news into the girl's ear:
"1-A…mermaid…..danger…..girl."
"How long?"
"Five…..minutes…"
"Understood. You did a good job, Mich. Let's go."
The presumed girl darted to the mermaid's location, with her new goal being,
to eliminate them.
"-It'd be bad for business," Hanako said, in attempt to reason with the giant mermaid without any violence. Clearly, his plan failed when the mermaid attempted to shove the boy aside to collect her prey.
"Nonsense! You're in the way, brat!"
The beast of a mermaid pushed the male ghost aside, knocking him off his feet to land into the side of a desk, and chairs being crashed down.
"HAH! You impotent little brat! Move aside!" She waddled over to Nene's tank.
"Now, come to momm-"
They were quickly interrupted by a high female voice coming from behind.
"Hey, mermaid idiot! Look over here!" Said the girl.
The mermaid turned around slowly to face the direction of the voice. It was the female apparition, alongside her butterfly. She had a sledgehammer in her hand, and was ready to take down the beast as fast as possible.
"YOU-" the mermaid began, but was instantly smashed to pieces when the apparition's hammer got to her head first.
She fell back down on her feet, crouching to avoid injury. Standing up, she waved her hand while slinging her hammer over her right shoulder. "Bye-bye!" she said to the mermaid, who was halfway disappearing into the ground.
As the fish tank flew across the room, the female jumped up and caught it before hitting the ground.
"Gotcha!"
"EEEE!" Nene screamed in shock- her fins rapidly waving up and down.
Before hitting the ground, theunnamed female roughly made herself float, saving commotion. She put the tank on a desk next to Hanako.
Hanako stood up. He brushed the dust off his pants and let out a loud sigh. He fixed his collar and leaned on a desk.
"She's gone for now, but she's consistent and might show up again; we're gonna have to be on guard; She's pretty persistent. Well, at least we have some time to plan our next move. But for now, let's clean this up." The girl walked over to the pile of scales on the floor dropped by the mermaid and stashed them into her pocket.
Hanako gave a happy gasp. "Mei!" he said. With the blink of an eye, he was clinging on to her.
Mei gagged a little. Hanako grasped on to her neck a little too tight, so she was having trouble breathing.
"Hanako! T-that's a little tight…"
"Hmmm~? Oh. Sorry!" He let go of her and was back on his feet with his hands in the air in defense. He gave a slight smile.
Nene swam up to the top of the water.
"U-um.."
"Hmmmm~?" Mei looked over her shoulder at Nene and gave a kind of sadistic smile, which made her swim backwards a little.
"T-thanks for earlier…!" Nene struggled to speak.
Mei turned to Nene and widened her eyes. "Oh, no problem! Don't sweat it." She smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Nene calmed herself for a split second until she realized she was still a fish.
"H-Hanako, can you PLEEEEEASE turn me back now?" Nene pleaded. She hated being a fish. "I don't wanna spend my entire life as a fish with that seawitch!"
Hanako slowly made his way over to Nene. He gave her a sadistic look- dull, dark eyes and a creepy smile that went from ear to ear. He leaned over to Nene in the tank, his face so close to Nene's that she could hear him breathing.
"I warned you, didn't I? You didn't use it on your crush, why not?"
"H-huh?"
"Woah, what's goin on Shorty?" Mei made her way to Hanako and looked over his shoulder.
"I'm just wondering why Yashiro here didn't do what I asked of her…"
"I'm sorry!" Nene finally answered. She flapped her fins in distress. "I just…I realized that I never really liked Minamoto-senpai. I was in such a rush to be in a relationship that..I didn't think things through. I'm so selfish…"
Hanako narrowed his eyes and gave a slight frown. This made Nene panic a bit. Like the speed of light, Hanako was high above Nene, and poked at her small fish-face. He sadistically smiled, his eyes duller than a rock. Mei saw this look and knew something was going to happen, but she trusted the boy and stepped away from his shoulder.
"You humans read a lot of ghost stories, but you don't take them seriously until someone gets cursed. Didn't I tell you not to use it in the first place? I went out of my way to warn you, didn't I?" He leaned even closer and gave a bit of a smile. "But you. Did it. Anyway. You big dummy!"
"Dummy?!"
Hanako chuckled. He stepped away from the tank.
"Time out you two," Mei waved her hands in a way which told them to calm down. "Hana, don't be so harsh on Ojou. She's only human."
Hanako pointed right at Nene, who was still floating above the water. "That's the point. These humans don't-"
Mei put a hand on Hanako's shoulder. "Alright, king. We understand. Now, how about granting this girl's wish here?"
"Oh, right." Hanako stepped towards the tank once again. "You did say you wanted to turn back to normal, correct? That is your wish?"
Nene grew excited and flapped her fins. "H-huh? Oh, YES PLEASE! PLEASE TURN ME BACK! I DON'T WANNA BE A FISH ANYMORE!"
He flipped the scale that was in his hand and caught it. With the blink of an eye, Nene was back on her feet- water spilled all over.
"Your-"
Nene gasped. "YAAAY! IM BACK TO NORMAL AGAIN!" She put her hands in the air. Seconds later, she widely opened her eyes in realization and put her hands back down. "Oh yeah..uh..who are you, exactly?" she looked over at Mei.
"Me? Oh! I forgot to introduce myself!" Mei pointed her thumb to her chest. "I'm Wonder Number 8: Mei Rin of the Rooftop at your service! It's nice to meet ya!" She gave Nene a soft smile and shook her hand.
Nene said nothing but only widened her eyes even more. Their hands slipped apart from glanced behind her shoulder to meet Hanako's eyes. "So, Shorty, what's the plan?"
"The..plan? What plan?" The confused Nene stared blankly at the two.
"Oh, don't worry 'bout it, Ojou!" Mei assured. She put her face close to Nene's and booped her nose. "You don't wory about a thing. You'll see!" she chuckled.
Nene blinked a few times in mere surprise. "O-oh, okay." She tried to back away- she didn't like being very close to anyone much.
"Come to think of it, where have you been, Number 8?" Hanako asked. He ignored Mei's question to refrain from any suspicion.
"Lil ol me? Oh, I was just wandering the school as usual! Those pesky brats just LOVE to dirty up my rooftop!" Mei crossed her arms and made a pouty face.
Hanako giggled. "I was just worried that you didn't wanna see me~" He poked her continuously. Hanako and Mei usually spent time together since they had nothing to do.
"Shut up, I was doing my own thing, okay?"
"Awwww, are you sure you weren't out doing something pervy~" Hanako poked her arm a few times. "SHUT UP YOU PERV! I DID NOT!" the two continued to tease each other while Nene blankly watched from the side. Hair pulled, lots of tickles and teases later, Hanako stood up. He walked over to Nene and said,
"I almost forgot, Yashiro.."
"H-huh?"
Hanako gave a weird but creepy look to Nene which made her fall backwards a bit. Mei quickly took notice of this. "Woah, there, Shorty. What're you thinking.." She's been with Hanako most of her life- and when he makes that face, she knows he's up to no good. She held her right elbow with her left hand for support, with her right hand cupping her cheek. "C'mon, Hana. Cut it out."
At this point, Hanako's face was close to Yashiro's again, as he examined her face- which made her blush like crazy. She held on to the wall in fear. "H-Hanako, could you maybe..st-step back a bit.." The boy ignored this, and went on.
"You didn't use this on your crush, so now it is time for your payment. We will use this." He held up the scale.
"O-oh yeah…about that..wait, what?"
"Now, Hana," Mei walked over and grabbed Hanako in attempt to get him away from the poor Yashiro, buthe was ever so firm that she gave up, put her hands in the air and stepped back. "Don't do anything too harsh, alright?"
"I got it covered, Mei." Hanako assured. He nodded at Mei.
Mei sighed. "Alright, it's all yours."
Hanako turned back to Nene.
"Now…I'll have you pay me.." He put the scale up to his tongue.
"H-huh?"
"With your body…"
"HANA! WHAT THE HECK?!" Mei screamed. She had a slight crush on Hanako, since they were closer than ever. She grew flustered and a bit jealous, but all she did was stare at him in betrayal.
"h-HUUUUUUUUUH?! W-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE GONNA DO SOMETHING WEIRD TO ME!" Yashiro freaked out. She quickly turned cherry red and grabbed on to the wall as if her life depended on it.
Is he going to…AHHHH!
Mei was worried. Was her best friend whom she had been forever with, about to find a loved one and leave her? Not another person who she cared about to leave her…
"Hana, what're you about to do….?"
Hanako took the scale from his tongue and looked over at Mei.
"Awww, is lil Mei sad because I said such a thing?"
"Hana!"
"H-Hanako…WHAT'RE YOU GONNA DO TO ME?!" Nene grew impatient.
Hanako turned around and gave her a creepy stare, glanced back at Mei and turned to Yashiro one last time.
"…"
"…"
"Well…."
"…"
"…"
He gave a grin, put the scale up to his tongue again, then swallowed it.
"H-HUH?!"
"Hana! WHAT THE HECK?!" Mei took a step towards Hanako. She couldn't believe it.
"Across the border between this life and the next, we have been linked. I'm minimizing the curse's effects on you. There are things you will need to know about in the future, that you will figure out soon enough."
"T-things?"
Mei felt a bit sad and betrayed. Does he really plan on staying with this girl forever?
Hanako leaned closer to Nene. He always did this to tease people, yet Mei was still weirded out. She lightly punched his head.
"H-hey!"
Mei let out a quick sigh. "Hana, stop teasing the poor girl!" she tried to pull him away again, nothing happened.
"Hanako," She'd only use his full name when she would be serious.
Hanako turned his head to the side to face Mei. He gave her puppy eyes.
Great.
Really?
Puppy eyes?
Hanako held up both of his hands, in a way that silently told Mei everything is fine. She stepped back slowly and leaned on to the wall, glaring at them both. He turned back to face the flustered Yashiro.
"I want…."
Please…no….
"Your labor!" Hanako stepped back and chuckled lightly. He made an o sign with his hands.
"…what?"
"This is great! I've always wanted a human assistant! Yay! Now my bathrooms will be extra clean!" Hanako jumped up and down in excitement. He noticed the look on Nene's face.
"Ooooh~ Yashiro, you dirty daikon! Did you think I was gonna do something pervy to you~?" Hanako teased, poking Yashiro with one hand and the other slightly touching the bottom of his mouth. Nene elbowed Hanako's stomach in anger. He fell backwards and crash-landed into a few chairs and desks.
"No!" Nene immediately looked at her hands in disbelief. "Wait…did I just do that? But..you're a ghost! How can I touch you?!"
Hanako rubbed his head in pain. "Ugh….remember? I swallowed the scale which means we're both linked together."
"H-huh? Oh.."
A human assistant? No fair! Why does Hana always get everything…
"Hana! No fair…" Mei crossed her arms and made a pouty face. "I could use one of those…"
"Huh?" Nene stood still, grabbing her dress in nervousness.
Hanako giggled. "Don't worry, Mei, you'll find one soon enough!"
"Yeah right…well, just, don't do anything too weird.."
"Like what?" Hanako asked.
"You know…ugh. Nevermind!" Mei was too nervous to say it, as Hanako might get the impression that she's jealous.
Too late.
He floated over to Mei. Yashiro was relieved she could be free from that cell of the ghost's body.
"Awwww, is someone jealous I'm not paying too much attention to them at the moment~?" Hanako teased.
Mei's face blushed like crazy. She didn't want Hanako to figure out how she felt..at least not yet. Though she wasn't so crazy on the idea of crushes, when she was caught, all she could think about was Hanako and how much she loved him. She didn't like the idea of coming out about her feelings most of the time.
"Wait a minute…" Nene realized.
"Hm?" Both the ghosts stopped fighting for a moment and looked at Nene.
"Are you…." Nene gasped. "Mei-chan, are you….HANAKO KUN'S GIRLFRIEND?!" She made a fist and covered her mouth.
"W-WHAT?! W-why would you…s-say such a…thing?! Of course not! Can you guys cut it out?" Mei struggled to speak.
Hanako wrapped his arms sideways around Mei. With a baby voice, he said, "We aren't together?"
What?
Mei was now officially a cherry. Every single thought was restless, and she was red her entire body. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"Hmmm?" Hanako put his face right up to hers.
Mei smiled awkwardly. She calmed herself down. She was used to Hanako clinging her, but she didn't like it this time because of what was brought up.
Mei defended herself. "N-no, of course not! Who do you think I am..simping for a shorty like you? Heheh."
Nene did nothing but blinked a hundred times in surprise.
"Wh-"
"DING, DONG, DING DONG."
Hanako was interrupted by the bell.
Nene quickly shot up. "OH NO! I ALMOST FORGOT! GARDENING! IM GONNA BE LATE!" She quickly ran over to her locker to gather her supplies. As she ran out of the door, she looked back at the ghosts and waved her hand. "See you guys later! I gotta gooooo!"
"Bye-bye!" the two ghosts said, as they waved their hands.
And off she went.
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