Chapter 4

The Misaki Stairs Part 1 (ミサキ　の) is the fourth chapter of Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun by AidaIro.

Summary
Nene is still thinking about Hanako's words when Aoi calls her name. As they tend to the classroom's plants, Aoi comments that Nene has been distracted recently. To cheer her up, Aoi tells her the rumour of No.2 The Misaki Stairs, about the staircase in front of the art room. Their teacher then arrives to remind Aoi of her career guidance meeting at the art room. After Aoi hurries off, Nene notices that the flowers have bloomed and decides to tell Aoi about it tomorrow. The next morning, Nene arrives to find that all traces of Aoi have disappeared. No one else remembers Aoi, not even her mother. Recalling the rumour about the stairs, Nene decides to seek out Hanako, but collides with Natsuhiko in the hallway. A black origami swan (later revealed to be a kokujoudai) then hides in Nene's pocket without her noticing.

However, Nene only manages to tell Hanako about Aoi's disappearance that evening, as he had been absent before. Kou arrives next to confront Hanako, as Yokoo and Satou from his class have also disappeared. Hanako explains that the staircase is one of the seven places in school that connect to a boundary, and that the missing students have been brought. Living people who go astray there will have their very existence erased, though slightly exceptional humans like Nene and Kou seem to be unaffected. Kou describes what he has heard about the boundary from Teru: a sea that connects the two shores, it is a world of the dead or supernaturals with no place to go, and things forgotten by everyone.

Hanako seems impressed at Kou's knowledge. He also reassures Nene that he will help, as it is his duty as No.7, though he also needs her assistance. Kou interrupts the moment, and declares that he will go as well to protect Nene, even when Hanako says he won't protect him. The trio arrive at the stairs to see blood dripping down, as described in the rumour. They climb to the fourth step, and are transported to the Misaki Stairs.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Hanako
 * Yashiro Nene
 * Akane Aoi
 * Nagisa
 * Mokke
 * Hyuuga Natsuhiko
 * Minamoto Kou