Chapter 93

Dawn (Part 1) (の) is the ninety-third chapter of Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun by AidaIro.

Summary
Beneath a sakura tree, No. 6 sleeps. Sumire, joyed to see him, clasps his hand and calls out his name: "Hakubo!"

In contrast to her joy, No. 6 is startled by her appearance. He jumps to his feet and backs up against the tree, screaming. Sumire is displeased, remarking that he looks as though he's seen a ghost. She admits, however, that he must be feeling a bit of regret if he's reacting in this way.

Trying to cut to the chase, No. 6 asks her why she's here, still looking uneasy. Sumire dodges the question, commenting that she planned on going easy on him because he looked as though he'd suffered an unusually grievous injury, but she sees now that he seems to be fit and well.

Skittishly, No. 6 tries to hide from her behind the sakura tree. Sumire says he never knows when to quit, and wonders whether she should punish him or not. She chooses violence, and proceeds to tie him up and torture him by placing a heavy stone on his lap. (TLN: this practice is called Ishidaki, and is a torture method practiced during the Edo period in Japan.)

Staking a sign that says "This man left his wife behind for over 100 years" next to him, Sumire laments about how she had so many things she wanted to say and do to him if she ever saw him again, but can't seem to remember them anymore. No. 6 makes a snide remark that she has a lot of nerve saying something like that, but Sumire either didn't hear him or pretends not to.

Changing subjects, Sumire brings up that she met Sakura earlier, who she describes as someone No. 6 works for. She notes that Sakura was the one who gave No. 6 his position as one of the school mysteries of Kamome Academy. Then, Sumire says that Sakura told her that she intends on getting rid of the school mysteries, saying that there's no need for them, and no need to protect the mortal realm any longer. Sakura will return the seven seats to their original form.

In conclusion, Sumire explains that No. 6's final job is to destroy his yorishiro, AKA Sumire.

With a sad expression, Sumire says that Nene, the only person who can destroy her, would never destroy Sumire willingly, even if it was the only way for Nene to leave No. 6's boundary. She tells No. 6 that it's for that reason that he must persuade Nene to do it. She tells him it's his duty, so he must be able to do it.

After a beat of silence, No. 6 says that if Sumire is telling him to do so, then he'll do it. Smiling with closed eyes, Sumire says that he hasn't changed at all, and that it's like they've gone back in time to that night.

Getting along with things, Sumire tells him to come with her to look for Nene.

The two of them walk through a moonlit, deserted town, the same one Sumire grew up in. They can't find Nene, and all the food has been left out on the tables in the houses.

Sumire suddenly spots a familiar building, and starts to reminisce about how the two boys that lived there would always bully her by throwing mud balls at her, but No. 6 would always come to save her. Comically ruining the moment, No. 6 says that if he didn't do that, then she'd end up beating up those boys and tossing them into the manure. Sumire stares back blankly at him, before turning to notice a persimmon tree. She says that she would pick persimmons from that tree every year, and that No. 6 would help her hang them up to dry. No. 6 remembers that she once broke the branch of that same tree when she tried to steal persimmons from it, causing her to fall and him to run to her rescue. Sumire stares blankly back again, and No. 6 lets out a chuckle.

No. 6 begins to point out several things Sumire broke, from a water wheel, to a burnt down shed, and even a jizou statue. He seems to be having a good time. Sumire gets upset about how unsentimental he's being, and No. 6 gazes off fondly into the distance and says she's got a wild personality. Sumire is offended at being called "wild", and puts on a cutesy face to try to appeal to him, saying they were just mistakes and that she's a beautiful girl burdened with a tragic fate. Deadpan, No. 6 calls her shameless.

Despite their banter, they have a good time walking around the town. Sumire says it's really fun to walk through town with no one around, but with almost planned timing, a raindrop suddenly splats onto her head. A rain storm begins, and Sumire shrieks. The two of them find shelter in a dirt tunnel in the side of a hill in the woods.

Sumire stares out into the downpour of rain, hoping aloud that Nene found shelter. No. 6 is silent, drawing Sumire's attention. He's staring at the lightning, and recalls the fight he had with Kou. He tells Sumire that he met a kid from the Minamoto family outside of the boundary, and that the kid was reckless, weak, and wouldn't listen to anything No. 6 told him. No. 6 says that Kou told him he was going to make everyone happy by defeating No. 6, which No. 6 finds ridiculous. Still, some part of No. 6 wishes he could have the same spirit Kou had...

Surprised, Sumire asks him if he regrets "that time," and we see a flashback of the ceremony in which Sumire was sacrificed. No. 6 pauses for a long time to think, and eventually asks her if she really thinks that's true. Sumire is unimpressed that he took all that time to say something so unprofound, but with a good-natured sigh, she reasons that he's always been that way.

As the rain continues to pour, Sumire starts to squeeze the water out of her hair, and hefts up the bottom of her kimono. No. 6 reaches out a hand to her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and clutching her head. He asks her if he should take her.

Sumire stares at him, and he stares back. She breaks eye contact, and asks if he means it like taking her as a wife. Chuckling, she says that she won't be tricked by him, and says he must be lying.

No. 6 grabs her arm, dragging her in for a kiss. Wide-eyed, Sumire begins to blush, asking him what he's doing. In response, No. 6 kisses her again. His sharp teeth scrape against her skin, drawing blood. Breaking away once more, he cradles her head, telling her he's serious this time.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Shinigami-sama
 * Akane Sumire
 * Nanamine Sakura (mentioned)
 * Yashiro Nene (mentioned)
 * Minamoto Kou (flashback)

Events

 * Hakubo and Sumire kiss for the first time.