25

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"How many more times do I have to tell you guys that story! Are you not sick of hearing it by now!" I say as the three girls sit in front of me with eager eyes.

"Aw please! That's our favourite story of them all!" One whines, tugging on my sleeve as I roll my eyes defeated.

"Fine... but after that one I really have to get on with my training!" I say and they clap their hands excitedly. Just as I'm about to begin speaking, one of the Kakushi walk past and glare at the three girls making them yelp and run behind me.

"Come on you three enough messing around! Stop bothering the demon slayers and get back to work!" She scolds and the girls look at her sadly making me giggle.

"Go on you three... I can tell the story tonight hm?" I whisper the last part and they giggle before running away as the Kakushi sighs displeased. I laugh, sighing as I decide I should probably get on with my training before it gets too late.

"Haku stop!" I hear Miko's distant voice and muffled yelling. Confused, I poke my head around the corner of the wall to see Miko clinging onto Haku's shirt as they glare at each other. "I'm only trying to protect you when I say this isn't a good idea! Trust me please!" She says and Haku tries to pull his clothes away from her.

"I'm sick of just waiting around! You don't understand Miko let go of me!" He hisses and I furrow me eyebrows, walking over to the two.

"Whatcha arguing about?" I say tilting my head and the two both yelp and jump, relaxing when they see it's only me.

"N-Nothing! I was just telling Haku to... to not-"

"I need to talk to you Hanako! It's urgent!" Haku interrupts Miko and she punches his arm making him wince. I just stand there confused before shrugging.

"Of course you can always talk to me! What's up?" I say and he smiles before glaring at Miko, pushing her away from him and hurrying over to me. He grabs my hand, dragging me after him as I yelp and stumble after him.

"Haku!" Miko yells as he runs while still continuing to pull me behind him. I just giggle, giving in since I know personally how twins can never agree on something.

Haku takes me out to the flower garden of the demon slayer residence, and I take a seat on the veranda as he paces in front of me. I just swing my legs back and forth, patiently waiting for him to speak as he taps his chin and bites his lip with a perplexed look on his face.

"Haku is everything ok? You look more concerned than normal," I giggle and he seems to relax a little, laughing softly with me. He then clears his throat, bending down and picking a pale blue flower from the garden. He walks over and pauses for a moment, before gently placing the flower in my hair behind my ear. His actions take me by surprise for a moment, but I just smile nonetheless. "Thank you," I giggle and he clears his throat.

"It... it suits you!" He blurts out and I just continue to sit there amused. I've always seen Haku like a little brother of mine. He's so sweet and adorable and I've always enjoyed spending time with him. "I uh... I have something to tell you... but it's not easy for me to say..." He sounds concerned so I just nod, urging him to continue.

"Of course Haku, you know you can tell me anything!" I try to reassure him and he takes a breath, standing in front of me with his arms firmly by his side.

"H-Hanako... Ever since I've known you I've admired you!" He suddenly blurts out and I tilt my head. His face is bright red and I just blink.

"Oh... that's very kind thank you!" I say and he rubs his neck while chuckling awkwardly. "Is that it?" He deadpans at my words.

"W-what I mean is... Uh... I think that you're one of the strongest people I know, and there really is no other girl in the world quite like you! Not to mention... you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!" I just smile, going to thank him again but he interrupts me. "I always want to be around you because you constantly make me smile and make me feel like I can do anything... you make me want to become a stronger slayer so that I can protect you and so that you won't have to fight ever again!"

"Haku I..."

"H-Hanako... I love you!" My eyes widen as he clenches his fists by his sides, his chest puffed out as he holds his breath. "I love you! A-And when the time is right... Maybe when there's no more demons... I hope to get married to you and live a long and happy life together!" He bows to me and I sit there absolutely stunned.

Another marriage proposal!? What is happening!?

All this time I thought I was completely undesirable... and all of a sudden two men have proposed to me!? Something must be going wrong...

"Haku... I don't know what to say," I whisper and he stands, looking at me hopefully.

"D-Do you... feel the same way?" He mumbles and I look down to my hands in my lap. I take a deep breath and stand, taking his hands into mine as his eyes sparkle with hope.

"Haku... I'm sorry but I can't tell you that I feel the same way." I watch as the sparkle dims in his eyes, and his smile slowly fades making my heart break. "I do love you, I really do... just not in the way you love me. You are one of the most important people in my life and I care so much about you, but I just don't feel the way you want me to."

"C-Couldn't you grow to feel that way? Maybe if we... if we spent more time together I can prove to you that... that I can make you happy!" I give him a sad smile, holding his hands tighter.

"I don't doubt that you could make me happy, but it wouldn't be fair to you. I know my heart... and I know how I feel. I know one day though you'll meet someone who will be able to reciprocate your feelings because that is what you deserve Haku," I watch as his eyes grow glossy and he hastily pulls his hands from me. "Haku I-"

"I... Please excuse me..." he pushes past me making me turn with a frown.

"Haku!" I run after him, seeing Miko looking at him as he pushes past her and disappears down the hall. I feel my heart break as I look at Miko who returns the same expression.

"I tried to tell him not to... that you didn't feel the same way," she whispers and I stare at my feet in shame.

"I had no idea..."

"He tried making it obvious, but it's neither of your fault. He'll get over it eventually, he just needs some time to himself."

"Is there anything I can do? I don't want to lose our friendship..."

"He doesn't either, but I don't think he can be around you right now," I frown, hugging myself as thunder booms outside the residence. "I'll go check on him... goodnight Hanako," Miko says before running down the hall. I sigh, dragging my feet back to my own room while wiping a few escaped tears.

I don't know how things turned out this way. One minute me and Haku were fine, laughing together as friends. I had no idea he felt that way towards me, perhaps if I did I would've been able to do something about it so he wouldn't get as hurt.

I sit in the dim room, an oil lamp on the table as I slowly write all the words in my mind. Writing to him always makes me feel better, I feel as though I can clear my mind when I do so. I know though, that the thing that would really make me feel better, is being with him once more.

-

The sound of metal clanging and heavy rain fills Haganezuka's house. The thunder booms as lightning strikes and the small fire flickers providing some warmth and light. He's working quite peacefully, until squawking startles him and makes him look to the windowsill.

The crow sits there, shaking the water off it's feathers with a displeased look. He walks over, grinning at the birds puffy feathers as it glares at him in return.

"A letter!" It says and he takes it, looking back and noticing as the crow shivers.

"Why don't you... dry off by the fire..." He grumbles and Piiko scoffs.

"As if I'd spend a single second longer than necessary with the likes of you!" Haganezuka glares at it, waving his hand in dismissal.

"Fine! Fly back through the rain, see if I care!" It's silent as the two just stare at each other. Piiko then holds his head up proudly, flying into his home and settling next to the fire. He instantly relaxes, letting it warm him up as Haganezuka rolls his eyes.

He sits at his table, carefully unrolling the letter which was protected in a bag to prevent it getting wet. He already received a letter today, so this one is quite unexpected.

Dear Mr Haganezuka,I know I already sent a letter today so I'm sorry for bothering you, but I'm afraid something has happened and now I'm quite upset. Writing to you always makes me feel better, so read it or not I'd like to tell someone my feelings. A good friend of mine confessed something quite unexpected today. He made a marriage proposal to me which caught me quite off guard, because I had no idea he had those sorts of feelings for me. I don't feel the same way about him, so of course I had to turn him down, but I can't help but feel guilty for it. I have no doubt that he would make me happy, and I wish I loved him in that way, because I really do wish to get married one day. It's every girls dream to get married to someone she loves! I didn't think any man would have those feelings for me, so I feel a bit selfish in saying I was quite happy when he confessed.I just hope that he forgives me soon, otherwise I will have lost a very dear friend of mine. I'm sorry to dump all of this on you, and if you read it thank you! You must think of me as childish, to be so upset over something so silly! How do you feel about marriage Mr Haganezuka? Are you ever planning on marrying? Every day I pray that I'll meet my soulmate and live a long life with them, but perhaps I'll die to a demon before then! Oh well, whatever happens, happens. That's why I'll cherish my friendships now rather than dwell on what could be!That reminds me, how are you doing with the storm? I've never liked storms, thunder scares me. I suppose you'll tease me about that next time we're together. I'll have to find a weakness of yours to tease you about! That is if the great Mr Haganezuka has any... Anyway, I left you something to take your mind off the storm. Surprise! It's homemade mochi! I have yet to learn your favorite food, but when I do I promise to perfect it and make it for you whenever you want! I feel better already after writing to you... Take care Mr Haganezuka, I hope to see you soon!Hanako Nakahara!

He looks into the bag, pulling out the neatly wrapped mochi, feeling his heart grow warm despite the cold surrounding him. He was shocked to read that she had been offered another marriage proposal, and for a moment he grew worried wondering whether she accepted or not.

He was relieved when she said she hadn't. Whether the reasoning be that she wouldn't be able to write to him as often... or something a little deeper than that... he chose to brush the feeling away. He'll take her advice, and cherish what he has now.

So he eats the mochi contently, sitting in front of the fire with the peacefully sleeping crow.