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"Y/N-chan has been acting so weird lately... Ever since we caught a glimpse Hanako-Kun's past in the 4 O'clock library..."

Yashiro bit the end of her pink pen, gingerly peeking across the classroom where you sat.

"We've both been unnaturally uncomfortable around Hanako-kun, but I can't help but think there's something I don't know. The way she left the school that night, she looked so troubled."

"...Y/N-chan, what exactly did Tsuchigomori Sensei say to you?"

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School ended quickly for you. Most of the students and teachers trailed out the class, leaving the quiet atmosphere to act as a breeding ground for your worries. Absentmindedly, you fiddled with the pages of your book, looking at the words more than actually reading them.

What could be so important that Hanako-kun would keep from me..? I hate prying, but if it has something to do with my abilities...

Outwardly, you sighed and closed your novel in frustration. This gave a specific cream-haired girl the opportunity to grasp your attention.

"Y/N-chan, can you join me in the field today?"

"Oh, alright.." You tried to put on your best smile, the last thing you wanted to do was create tension between your friends. It's best that you kept it to yourself for now. Yashiro's face brightened at this, and little by little her anxiety faded.

"Great! I'd like your help with some things."

Nodding your head, you placed your book in your bag and stood up.

"Of course, but like I said before... gardening isn't my strong suit."

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"You don't have to do anything! It just looked like you had a lot on your mind... Whenever I'm thinking about stuff, I come here."

Yashiro smiled nervously while tugging on her work gloves. You chuckled to yourself and grabbed a pair as well, signaling to Yashiro that you didn't mind doing a bit of fieldwork. She gripped a nearby gardening tool and raised it high above her head, swinging it down in a quick, rough motion. After three minutes, she grabbed another tool and began swiping harshly at a couple of green plants nearby.

The mokke, who had followed the two of you out into the field, became fearful. Dodging her dangerous swipes left and right, they tried their hardest to take cover in a safe place near you.

"Uhm... Nene-chan...?" You mumbled with a slightly worried expression.

"Are you sure that working so aggressively is great for thinking about things?"

You held a couple of the nearby Mokke closely, while the others gathered at your feet. They all shook in fear when watching her work.

"Ah--" Yashiro stopped her yard work abruptly, looking over her shoulder slightly to look at you, a bright shade of red took residence on her cheeks.

"Kya!! Y/N-Chan!! I totally forgot you were here!"

"I'm a normal girl! I swear!!" She gripped your shoulders firmly and shook you rapidly, launching the Mokke you were holding into the sky and scaring off the ones at your feet.

"It's okay to be a little weird, I find it fun sometimes. You're hard-working attitude always inspires me, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." Despite the girl's chaotic behavior, you kept joyfully calm and placed your hands on her shoulders as well.

Admiration welled up in Yashiro's eyes as she stared back at you. An embarrassed smile replaced the frown on her face and she bashfully itched her cheek.

"I was supposed to comfort you... But you always beat me to it, Y/N-chan."

"Comfort me...?"

Yashiro nodded with a serious look.

"I won't pry, but you looked upset about what Tsuchigomori said to you the night we returned from the 4 O'clock library. You don't have to face your problems alone. You're my friend! Friends help each other."

The birds chirping and the leaves rustling filled in the silence between the two of you. All of your worries faded away in the current moment and you couldn't help but smile. It was a bright, genuine smile.

"Right, we have each other's backs!"

The two of you had a mutual understanding of each other and quietly got back to working in the field. You watched Yashiro as she took great care of the plants, learning new techniques and even finding memorable insects.

"Wooow~! You take care of this field, Senpai? I always wondered who tended it."

A familiar voice snagged your attention, the closer the sound of footsteps got, their aura and soul connection with you became stronger, more apparent.

"Minamoto-kun! What are you doing here?" You asked happily, which made the blonde boy stop unexpectedly.

"Y-Y/N-senpai! You are a part of the gardening club too?" Kou asked shyly, his cheeks growing redder the longer you stared at him.

"Sadly, no. I'm just here to keep Nene-chan company." You replied with a fond smile.

Soon enough he got over his bashfulness and squatted down next to you. Yashiro looked a bit confused, and couldn't keep her questions to herself for much longer.

"Why are you here? Oh, is it bathroom cleaning time already? Are you here to call me?"

"Oh... I wanted to ask for a favor from the two of you."

"A favor?" Yashiro questioned.

You leaned in closer, interested in what this favor might be. You watched as Kou looked down shyly, scratching his slightly colored cheeks.

"Umm... Do either of you know how to make donuts?"

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"Man, thank goodness you two are so good at cooking! I've been cooking with my big bro, but I'm hopeless."

A small drop of sweat slid down your cheek as you looked around the filthy Home Ec. Room. You weren't a complete ace at baking, but you knew that even an okay baker couldn't make this kind of a mess.

"I kinda made a mess of it." Kou finished, rubbing the back of his head with an optimistic smile.

"Kinda" is an understatement..." Both you and Yashiro thought in unison, gaping at the mess with uneasy expressions.

"Oh, and don't worry about cleaning the bathroom today. I talked it over with Hanako!"

"Okay. Thank you..." Yashiro mumbled, seemingly too engulfed in the mess to care much.

With a sigh, you pick up one of the frightened Mokke. While gently caressing it between its ears you pull out a small piece of candy to apologize for the trouble.

"We should start cleaning up first, I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt because of the chaos." You stated, grabbing a discarded wash rag.

"O-Okay!" Kou agreed.

With a ton of elbow grease and teamwork, the Home Ec. Room became clean once again. You were practically done with the finishing touches when Yashiro spoke up again.

"Still, why donuts?"

"Huh?! W-Well... M-My sister! I have a little sister. She suddenly started whining that she wanted donuts. S-So I reserved this room, a-and..."

The blonde boy began to ramble on incoherently, he seemed a little more nervous when talking about this topic. You only smiled and began to gather up the ingredients.

"You don't have to be nervous. If it's for your sister, of course we'll help!"

You and Kou watched Yashiro as she began to make the batter for the donuts. It was exciting for you because it was your first time baking donuts, you usually make small treats in your spare time for spirits in your neighborhood. Making it with your close friends created a new feeling, however.

"Mhm! We've been feeling a bit nervous around Hanako-kun lately."

Yashiro passed the bowl to you once she finished her part of the recipe, you gently grabbed the spoon and began to stir slowly. The room became quiet as Kou looked at the two of you silently, a small frown formed on your face when Hanako's name was brought up, but you tried your hardest to hide it.

"I-It's not like he did anything to me! A-And he's super duper fond of Y/N-chan, so he wouldn't hurt her! We didn't fight or anything like that, so don't worry!" Yashiro started rambling, filling in the silence nervously.

"I-I'm not one hundred percent sure about how Y/N-chan feels, but I speak for myself when I say I've been a little uncomfortable."

"Had Yashiro noticed the entire time? Ah... I hope I didn't make her feel bad with the way I have been acting." Your frown deepens a bit the more you think about it.

Your hand movement continuously slowed until you barely moved the spoon in the bowl. Suddenly you felt a warm presence close behind you.

"Hold on. Try stirring like this."

The movement of the spoon increased with the help of a calloused, but warm hand guiding yours. Yashiro leaned in closer towards you as well, her shoulder pressed against yours, and pointed at a picture in the recipe book.

"Wow, you're right. But wait... I thought you were bad at cooking."

"It gets exhausting sometimes, huh?" Ignoring her words, Kou continued speaking.

You focused more on his words rather than the stirring, his voice was extremely close to your ear as he spoke. It seemed like he was more immersed in the stirring, but his words were meant for both you and Yashiro.

"Suddenly learning about your clan and being able to see things that you couldn't before."

"I've always known about my clan's legacy, and I was always able to see the apparitions. It still sometimes gets to me, though."

Kou leaned forward a bit to smile at you, your eyes widened a bit...

"I'll listen to you grumble or whatever if you like! I may not be too reliable, but I'm always on your side, Senpais!"

A sudden rush of happiness and comradery washed over you and you couldn't help but return the optimistic smile the blonde-haired boy gave you.

"Thank you, Minamoto-kun! I'm so thankful to have you as a friend." You beamed brightly.

"Yeah... Thanks, Minamoto-kun... But can I ask you a small favor?"

"Hm? What's up?" Kou asked, unaware of why the cream-haired girl looked so sheepish.

"Could you... Please give Y/N-chan some personal space?"

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