Hanako

Hanako (花子), real name Yugi Amane (柚木普), is a ghost haunting Kamome Academy's old building's third-floor female toilet, third stall.

Hanako governs over the Seven Mysteries as the School Mystery Number 7.

He is the older twin brother of Yugi Tsukasa. As Amane, he previously attended the Kamome Academy as a student.

Appearance
Hanako is a short boy with choppy black hair and big amber eyes.

He wears a black gakuran with gold buttons, a white long-sleeved western shirt underneath, black shoes and red socks. The bottom of the gakuran shirt has red hems. He also wears a black hat with a gold emblem and red strings along the front seam to match his uniform. The underside of the hat is white. Hanako is often seen with and commands 2 white hakujoudai, with pink and blue circle markings respectively. Occasionally, he is seen wearing a matching long flowing black cape with gold and red collar and clasps, and a red underside. This cloak neutralizes spiritual lightning.

On his left cheek is a white seal with 封 (seal) written.

As a human, Hanako was seen wearing the old Kamome Gakuen school uniform - a white short-sleeved shirt with black pants. He was often seen covered in bruises and bandages. There was a cotton gauze on his left cheek, similar to where his seal would be.

Personality
Being the 7th school mystery and boss, Hanako maintains the balance in the relationship between humans and supernaturals of the school, and is often seen helping others around. Hanako is cheerful and childish, he likes to have fun. Rather mischievous, he enjoys teasing others. Although he is playfully perverted, he gets flustered easily. He appears to be somewhat sadistic as he happily threatened to turn Yako into fox udon but he is also kind as he constantly helps Nene and sincerely apologized when he hurt her feelings. According to Sakura, he is capricious and moody. Despite his childish persona, Yako and Tsuchigomori follow his orders. His personality has stayed the same as when he was human but he was very passionate about astronomy and even dreamed of being an astronaut which he no longer talks about.

When he's upset, which is usually due to being reminded of Tsukasa's death, he tends to find isolated locations such as the rooftop. In the presence of others, he is often shown smiling to mask negative emotions and can be described as a Stepford Smiler. Though he is always smiling at inappropriate times and seemed like he doesn't care about what is happening around him, his actions prove otherwise. He rarely talks about himself and it is hinted that this is because he fears revealing his past.

Hanako has expressed a great deal of affection and concern for other individuals, especially his human companions, despite denying so. This is shown when he cheers Nene up with a kiss and when he chased around the school to find the Mokke's hidden trinkets, which included Kou's earring. He also opens up considerably with their company, confessing that his favorite dessert is donuts, which surprised even Tsuchigomori.

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS
Only bits and pieces of his past has been revealed thus far.

Amane attended middle school at Kamome and had Tsuchigomori as his homeroom teacher. According to Tsuchigomori, Amane didn't have any friends and always came to school wounded ever since his first year at the school. Despite Tsuchigomori's questioning, Amane refused to reveal who the culprit was. Amane gave Tsuchigomori his "treasure", a rock that he believed was from space and stated that he decided to not go anywhere.

Amane's future was written in the books, he was to become a science teacher at Kamome Academy as an adult, but that changed and he ended up with the future of killing his own twin brother Tsukasa with a knife. Hanako himself died due to unknown causes not long after, tragically becoming a ghost and the only known person to change their future.

Hanako-san of the Toilet
Hanako first appears after Nene summons him. He introduces himself as "Hanako-san of the Toilet", a supernatural and No.7 of the school's Seven Mysteries. Contrary to the rumours, Hanako is a boy, though the rest of it is true: he can fulfil his summoner's wish in exchange for a price. He asks Nene for her wish (to have her feelings reciprocated by her crush, Teru) and agrees to help fulfil it, handing her a tattered book of love strategies. Hanako warns Nene that borrowing a supernatural's powers comes with a heavy price, and claims that he doesn't have such tools anyway. Reading from the love strategies book, he then asks Nene if she has any special skills.

Hanako follows Nene to the practice garden, where she reveals that her secret skill is gardening, though he seems unimpressed by this. After hearing Nene's story of why she started gardening, Hanako points out that Nene would be fine with anyone at all (though she denies this), and that she doesn't even know anything about Teru. When Nene tries to change the topic, Hanako pulls out a message card and pen for her to give a present with. Though Nene says that she's done that before, he encourages her to try again, since she's worked hard until now after all.

The next day, Hanako is watching with Nene as Teru finds the gift of summer vegetables on his desk, and tries to console her when her gift is misinterpreted, then suggests using her other skills. Hanako steals Teru's shirt cuff button so that Nene can fix it, and brings her a lunchbox and recipe book so she can make a character bento for Teru, but both strategies fail. Finally, he plans for Nene to collide with Teru at a corridor corner, but it also fails when Nene misses his signal and runs out too early.

The Confession Tree
When Nene is cleaning the toilet, Hanako asks her to meet him at the tree after school the next day.

At the tree, Hanako confesses to Nene and prompts her to reject him when she doesn't immediately to do. He takes down the Confession Tree when it reveals itself. Afterwards, he realises that Nene is crying because she hadn't realised it was a false confession, and explained that the kiss on her cheek had been a protection charm. Before Nene can leave, he catches her hand and apologises, asking her to stay until her tears stop.

The Young Exorcist Arc
Hanako is on the rooftop with Nene and Kou when Teru appears.

When Kou follows him the next day, Hanako is returning the Mokke's stolen items, and asks Kou to help him retrieve an item that the Mokke hid up on the round tower. He falls down the tower when Kou loses his grip in a gust of wind, and later returns Kou's earring which had been hidden there. However, when Kou declares he won't exorcise him, Hanako pushes him down and threatens him with the knife, until he is hit with lightning from behind by Teru.

Hanako attempts to defend himself against Teru, though he is unable to summon the hakujoudai due to the lightning cage, and Teru stabs him. When Teru tells him to give up and move on, Hanako retorts that he still has something to do here, and vanishing would only be a blessing. Kou saves Hanako before Teru can exorcise him, and Teru finally agrees to leave the matter to Kou. When Kou asks Hanako if he's still crying, Hanako reveals a bottle of eye drops, saying that Kou won't be able to exorcise him if he's tricked so easily.

The 4pm Bookstacks Arc
Hanako is mentioned several times early in the arc, though he does not appear until later. In the library, Nene wrongly assumes Sakura is Hanako's girlfriend based on her description of him. When Kou arrives at the toilet, he finds a message left by Hanako, saying that he's gone to a meeting. Hanako is mentioned multiple times in Nene's book from the 4pm bookstacks, including her contract with him, her poem after Hanako first takes off his cap, and finding out his true identity.

Hanako only appears in person when Kou and Nene are being pursued by the butterfly version of Nene. He takes it down easily before greeting Kou and Nene, then pushes them apart. Hanako then stops Tsuchigomori from bullying Kou and Nene for reading about the future, and finally introduces him as No.5 The 4PM Bookstacks. Hanako explains the Seven Mysteries' role in protecting the school's peace, and his suspicion that there is a betrayer among them, using a human assistant to change the supernaturals' rumours. He suggests temporarily removing the Seven Mysteries so there will be no risk of them going rogue, and asks for Tsuchigomori's yorishiro so Nene can destroy it. When Tsuchigomori agrees on the condition that Kou and Nene tell him their personal secrets, Hanako asks if Tsuchigomori will fight him otherwise. During the "fight", Hanako pats Nene after her made-up exchange diary with Teru is revealed, but otherwise stays uninvolved until Kou demands him to say something. Hanako asks if Tsuchigomori wants to hear his secrets and he declines, but Nene and Kou refuse to let go. Hanako finally admits to liking plain handmade donuts, though he reacts defensively at Tsuchigomori's comment. When Tsuchigomori opens the bookcases leading to his yorishiro, Hanako and Kou prepare to charge in but are stopped by Tsuchigomori, and Hanako tells Tsuchigomori to take care of his assistant before the bookcases close.

When Nene removes the seal from Tsuchigomori's lunar rock yorishiro, she sees a memory of Tsuchigomori and Amane in 1969.

When Nene wakes up in the infirmary, Tsuchigomori confirms that the person who'd changed his future was Hanako's past self, Amane.

After Tsuchigomori leaves, Hanako reappears with Kou and Yako, jumping onto the bed and thanking her for destroying the yorishiro.

Afterwards, Hanako confronts Tsuchigomori in the corridor, asking if he told Nene anything.

The Donuts
Hanako observes that Nene has been acting weirdly, not complaining about toilet cleaning, and not looking at him either.

He is also shown being upset when Kou told him that they wouldn't be cleaning the toilet that day, and sneezing while Nene is talking to Kou about him.

Hanako is overjoyed when Nene gives him the donuts as she is also acting normal.

The Little Mermaid Arc
Hanako is stunned by Tsukasa's appearance, and doesn't react until Nene shoves him out of the way. He slams Nene down onto the floor before finally coming to his senses and leaving.

When Nene goes to Tsuchigomori for advice, Hanako is revealed to be hiding behind a curtain in the room.

After the fishes pull Nene into the pool, Hanako catches her with a net before she can drink the mermaid's blood. He tells them that Nene likes him, regardless of how their world is like, and threatens to turn them into sashimi if they continue. Hanako then apologizes to Nene and thanks her, promising to tell her everything someday.

Mitsuba Arc
Hanako appears with Nene when Kou drags Mitsuba to the toilet, and suggests doing something about his lingering attachment. He tells Nene to stay away, and says that it'll merely increase his work slightly if something goes wrong.

Hanako is playing cards with Nene and the Mokke when the hakujoudai alert him, and he hurries out of the toilet, donning his cape.

Hanako stabs and slices through Mitsuba's changed form, pulling Kou away when he is released. He grabs Tsukasa, demanding to know why he did this, and breaks down when Tsukasa mentions the murder before disappearing. He tells Kou that death is the end and nothing can begin after it.

The Tea Party Arc
When Yashiro and Natsuhiko fall into the 'boundary', Hanako's voice is able to be heard through a radio that the Mokke's are carrying much to the relief of Yashiro. Hanako jokes about Yashiro's antics and how it is such a handful to have an assistant like her. As Yashiro explains the situation, she quickly apologizes to him before he resumes to help her. He explains about the place mentioning it is out of nowhere and is able to lead her back towards Hanako through the many doors. He carefully explains about the doors emphasizing that some doors are dangerous and she would have to be careful.

As Yashiro finds the door that she is seemingly familiar with, she meets the Hanako-kun when he was a human formerly known as Yugi Amane. After their short encounter, Hanako quickly sends her his way, catching her with a big smile on his face. Hanako notices Yashiro's odd clothing and presumes to change her into her school uniform which he is familiar seeing her in. He smiles welcoming Yashiro back happily.

The Three Clock Keepers Arc
Yashiro and Kou quickly explains the situation as Hanako mentions it is the work of a supernatural and explains how only one of the Seven Mysteries could have caused this. He quickly explains the Three Clock Keepers, one that can stop time, turn back time and move time forward.

Hanako explains why the Clock Keepers never wanted to see him again due to his dirty joke. Hanako mentions how one of the Keepers are hiding in the school as points towards a direction sensing a presence. He points towards Yashiro's class as Hanako explains how he finds Aoi a little suspicious. Hanako apologizes to Yashiro as he possesses her trying to seek information from Aoi using perverted gestures as Akane Aoi intimidates them before chasing 'Yashiro' and Kou. He presumes to hit 'Yashiro' as Hanako flies out of her body much to his surprise. After forming a temporary alliance with Akane, they watch Aoi in the auditorium before Hanako summons Hakujoudai using it to attack the stage lights as Yashiro watches in fear before Hanako reassures her everything is fine.

After luring School Mystery No.1, Akane presumes to attack Hanako. They decide to take it somewhere else as Akane explains the situation calling Yashiro and him similar in terms of their contracts. Akane calls Hanako a slimy, perverted brat as Hanako is shown to be relatively offended by this. They figure out the culprit of the time change is Mirai, the other Clock Keeper before Hanako points his knife towards Akane's neck calling them the ones that are behind the disturbances. Akane calls Hanako a thoughtless supernatural that has murdered someone as Yashiro defends him. They form a temporary team.

Hanako tells Kou not to let Mirai touch Yashiro. As Mirai flings herself towards Yashiro, Hanako is shown to be distressed. Mirai mentions about Yashiro's short lifespan, as Hanako hugs Yashiro in a way of protecting her. Hanako looked worried before smiling as he explained the situation. It is then known Hanako knew that Yashiro was going to die early due to the fact Yashiro was able to summon him in the first place. Hanako tells Kako, the Clock Keeper who can turn back time to bring it back to the state as it was in before. Hanako mentions that no matter what there is nothing he can do about Yashiro's life span.

Searching Arc
Hanako is seen in No.5 place at the start of the Arc hiding behind the curtains.

Yashiro is then seen trying to find Hanako, as she checks the practice garden which he was previous idling around in. She then finds Hanako at the school rooftop as he is shown to be lost in thought. He is shown to be surprised as she presumes to brag about 'her love letter'. Yashiro notices Hanako's behaviour as he explains that even though he is a ghost, they still have their worries. Yashiro being unaware of the situation she is in doesn't understand why Hanako is so down. Yashiro decides to cheer Hanako up the same way that he did for her. She proceeds to kiss Hanako on the cheek making him flustered as Hanako seemingly tries to kiss Yashiro on the lips before Kou enters yelling loudly.

Hanako thanks Yashiro for everything as Kou notices Yashiro melting because of the fact that 'her love letter' was addressed to Aoi.

First meeting
Hanako met Nene when she summoned him for a wish after hearing the rumours of the 7th school mystery. She is initially shocked when she sees that Hanako is actually male. Their fates became bound together when Hanako ingests the other mermaid scale in order to weaken the curse turning Nene into a fish after she wishes to be human again. Hanako then made Nene into his assistant since he granted her wish and made her clean the toilets after school. Nene complains about doing it but tolerates it as she is grateful for the times Hanako saved her from danger. Hanako reveals that he looks forward to it every day as it made him feel nostalgic and like he had a friend. Nene then calls him Hanako-kun instead of Hanako-san for the first time, signalling their friendship.

Hanako is occasionally flirtatious and teases her often. After kissing her on the cheek to cast a spell that temporarily wards supernaturals away and asking her to go out with him in order to lure out the confession tree, Nene becomes upset as she felt like her feelings were being played around with. Hanako then apologizes to her while taking his hat off and she thought that he looked like any other normal boy. Realizing how little she knew about him, she begins to seek to know more.

From then on, Hanako and Nene spend much of their time at school together solving problems caused by supernaturals. Nene tries to find out more about him while Hanako does his best to protect her. Despite not being human anymore, Nene has called Hanako her friend many times, which surprised others who are not fond of supernaturals.

After she learned about Amane from the memories recalled after destroying Tsuchigomori's yorishiro, Nene realizes for the first time that he really is dead which caused her to be awkward around him for some time. After giving him donuts, Nene decides to tell Hanako that he was "more trouble than it's worth" but that she will stick around him anyway because she liked Hanako as a friend. In the next chapter, Hanako thanked Nene, telling her that it was the first time a girl told him that she liked him, and opening up to her a bit more about his past, ending any awkwardness between them. Maybe due to fear of her finding out more or not being ready to tell her, he says that he will tell her more in the future and they made a pinky promise for her to stay as his assistant until that time comes.

Nene deeply trusts Hanako as she believes that he will help her and immediately calls his name during dangerous situations for help. Hanako, on the other hand, tries his best to let her live a happily life knowing that her lifespan is very short. It is implied that they may have romantic feelings. Nene has blushed several times such as when they held hands and she kissed him on the cheek after seeing that Hanako felt down. Hanako was upset when Nene and Kou were going to a festival outside of school since he couldn't leave school grounds and when he became Nene's classmate due to a school mystery, Hanako shyly asked her to go watch a movie with him. He also revealed that Nene was his type. In chapter 62, Hanako also teleported to where Akane was trying to kiss Nene to stop him.

Amane meeting Nene
Nene later first met Hanako's past self, Amane, in volume 5 while going through the doors that goes to different dimensions and time.She was surprised, but immediately showed concern to Amane who is bruised and injured, dashing towards him and asking if he is hurt, asked if he was crying.

Although Nene first met Amane while time traveling to 1969, it is shown that Amane first met Nene in 1964, where she time travelled to during the festival she was attending with Hanako and Kou. Previously, Hanako showed to be a little jealous towards Kou, but failed to genuinely compliment Nene in her yukata. There, Nene met a younger Amane in the festival alone. Nene showed her concern about Amane's fate to the young Amane, telling him that she is always rooting for him and kissed his forehead, causing him to become flustered.

In the end of the chapter, it was revealed that instead of wanting to be an astronaut, he wrote that he wishes to "meet Nene-oneesan again in the future". Aidairo later posted an image on twitter where they described the theme of volume 8 to be 'first love thief', implying that Nene was Hanako's first love.

Minamoto Kou
Kou’s more like a frenemy to Hanako.

Minamoto Teru
As Hanako is one of (and even the boss of) the 7 mysteries, Teru intends to exorcise him. However, he decided to leave the case to Kou.

In Chapter 10, due to Kou hesitating to exorcise Hanako, he immediately took the case to himself and tried to exorcise him.

Like other supernatural, Teru sees Hanako with hatred, even go as far as to describe him as "self-serving and violent". After Kou's persuasion, however, he stopped attempting to exorcise him, leaving his case entirely to his brother.

Hanako is clearly afraid of him from that memory, which is shown when he avoids older Kou in volume 6 due to him having similar looks to Teru.

Tsuchigomori
Tsuchigomori is one of the supernaturals who had a past history with Hanako-kun. Tsuchigomori has been teaching in Kamome Gakuen since a very long time, living as a supernatural in the school. He was his teacher and has a great deal of care towards him. Tsuchigomori was deeply impacted by Hanako's ability to change his pre-determined future, resulting in the No.5's yorishiro being a lunar rock.

Now with Hanako as the School Mystery Number 7, Hanako has command over the School Mysteries as a leader. They have a friendly relationship due to their shared past, though Hanako can intimidate Tsuchigomori into following his orders.

Aoi Akane
Akane hates both supernaturals and murderers. As a result, he deeply dislikes Hanako, and typically acts passive-aggressively (or even outright aggressively) towards him. In response, Hanako notes that people like Akane is his favorite type of human, and agrees to a temporary alliance to recapture Mirai after her escape.

Yugi Tsukasa
Tsukasa is Hanako's younger twin brother and the person he killed.

While Hanako feels considerable guilt over killing him, Tsukasa doesn't seem to bear any ill will towards his brother for it, though he doesn't hesitate to use it as leverage to manipulate the latter. He's always eager to meet up with Hanako, greeting him with huge smiles and hugs. He tells Hanako he loves him and asks to play together just like they used to. They have both been shown to react negatively to others interrupting their reunions.

The twins seem to have been close since they were young and often did activities together, such as watching TV and going to festivals. They are shown to be holding hands in a commemorative photo taken upon entering junior high.

As supernaturals, Hanako and Tsukasa have opposing beliefs - Hanako maintains the correct relationships between humans and supernaturals, while Tsukasa thinks they should just be however they want. In a conversation with Nene, Tsukasa describes themselves as being polar opposites and compares their current relationship to that of rivals or arch-nemeses.

Mokke
After "the Faeries" incident, Mokkes can be found following Hanako around, doing random tasks in the background. As Mokkes are petty thieves, Hanako has to return the missing items they've stolen from students, which includes Kou's earring.

According to Hanako's biggest concern, Mokkes keep beating him in the game of cards.

Command of Hakujoudai
Hanako typically commands the hakujoudai verbally by name, sometimes followed by instructions via words and/or gestures. Known uses of the hakujoudai include: However, he cannot use hakujoudai's powers in a territory commanded by another school mystery without their permission (as seen at the Misaki Stairs), though this can be overcome by destroying their yorishiro. Despite this, Hanako was shown using his hakujoudai's powers in the 4PM Bookstacks even prior to the destruction of Tsuchigomori's yorishiro, suggesting that he likely has Tsuchigomori's permission to do so. On the other hand, he was originally able to use the hakujoudai in Shijima's false world until she disallowed it by drawing.
 * Remotely monitoring Nene and following her around (Chapter 2).
 * Scattering the Mokke's monster form (Chapter 2).
 * Creating his cape, which appears to enhance Hanako's fighting ability and protect against the spirits staff's lightning (Chapter 3). It may have also allowed him to defeat the kodama in its Confession Tree form with one slash of his knife (Chapter 8).

The hakujoudai can also be prevented from coming to his aid by barriers, such as the lightning cage created by Teru.

Hanako is physically strong even without the hakujoudai's aid, as seen at the Misaki stairs, where he was able to temporarily destroy the scissors with a kick and fend its blades off with his knife.

Number 7's Powers
Little has been shown about Hanako's specific powers as No.7, besides being the leader of the Seven Mysteries. However, he is clearly a powerful fighter, to the extent where the mermaid expresses surprise that he is able to drive her back despite having only existed for several decades as a supernatural.

Hanako is able to suppress the mermaid curse on Nene to a very minimal extent, without either of them turning into a half-fish or displaying fish-like characteristics most of the time.

He is also able to place seals on items such as Kou's spirit staff, preventing him from using its full power. Kou has not been able to remove the seal, though Shijima was able to remove it in the false world.

Hanako placed a spell of protection on Yashiro by kissing her cheek, which later became visible with the number "seven" (七) after fending off the kodama's attack, suggesting that it may be connected to his power as No.7.

During the Faerie incident, Hanako explains that most supernaturals cannot defy from their rumours, or they will eventually disappear from this shore. However, he seems to be exempt from this despite his differences from the Hanako-san legend, and it is unclear if this is related to his power as a school mystery.

As one of the Seven Mysteries, Hanako has a duty to oversee all the supernaturals who exist in the school, and maintain correct relations between humans and supernaturals. Thus, Hanako technically has to eliminate dangerous supernaturals, but he can circumvent this by having Yashiro change the supernaturals' rumours so that they will not kill.

Hanako carries a kitchen knife as a weapon, which he is able to draw or dismiss at will, regardless of whether he can use the hakujoudai. Though Hanako usually wields the knife in his right hand, he has occasionally used it with his left hand as well.

TBA

Trivia

 * His favorite snack is donuts.
 * Hanako plays the card game Hanafuda with the Mokkes.
 * His biggest concern is that he can't beat the Mokkes at hanafuda.
 * Hanako likes cats, dogs, and rabbits. He thinks the Mokkes look like rabbits.
 * Hanako is really into the shape of people’s fingers.
 * His ideal figure is to be a giant monster attacking the city.
 * He is 150cm tall.
 * The first kanji of Hanako's name (花子) means "flower", and red flowers (possibly red camellias) are often associated with Hanako in the series.

Hanako/Image Gallery
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