Chapter 8

Spook 8: The Confession Tree (第八の怪：告白の木) is the eighth chapter of AidaIro's Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun.

Summary
Nene imagines a handsome prince offering her a kiss, only for him to turn into Hanako. Nene accidentally rejects him aloud, disturbing the class.

During gardening practice, Nene reflects on everything that has happened in the month since she met Hanako. She freaks out again upon recalling the kiss on her cheek, which was the first time she'd been kissed. Nene then suddenly wonders if it'd been because Hanako likes her, which might even be why he saved her from the mermaid. Aoi comes by then, and Nene talks to her inside the gardening building.

Aoi agrees that Hanako seems to like Nene, though Nene says that he isn't her type. Aoi suggests dating him as a trial anyway and tells Nene to be prepared since he will surely confess soon. Aoi then says that confessions are popular lately, pointing out the Confession Tree in the garden (although Nene does not recall it being there previously). According to the rumours, those who confess under the tree will be bonded together. Two people arrive under the Confession Tree right then: Akane and Lemon. To Aoi and Nene's confusion, Akane confesses to "Ao-chan" towards Lemon, who responds half-heartedly. Aoi guesses that it's a practice confession. She also points out that the have been more couples in class lately, almost all of whom confessed under the Confession Tree, and says that Nene might be called there soon too. Nene demurs, but blushes.

That evening, while Nene is cleaning the toilet, Hanako asks her to meet him under the Confession Tree after school the next day.

The next morning, Nene arrives to tell Aoi the news but instead finds Aoi in tears. After their practice confession yesterday, Akane and Lemon began to like each other, and have decided to start dating. Aoi is conflicted, even though has only ever liked Akane as a childhood friend.

By the end of school, Nene still has not been able to discuss with Aoi. As Nene walks to the practice garden, she considers how to respond to Hanako's expected confession. Hanako is already waiting under the tree, and promptly confesses to Nene, asking her to date him. Nene is excited at getting her first confession and first boyfriend until Hanako whispers instructions to quickly turn him down. Nene does so (belatedly), causing the Confession Tree to rebuke her, rising and revealing a face on its trunk. The Tree tries to attack Nene with a branch when she calls it gross but is foiled by Hanako's protection spell on her cheek.

Before the Tree could do any more harm, Hanako quickly reduces it to the size of a sapling. Hanako explains to Nene that the Tree is a supernatural called Kodama. The Kodama believes that love leads to happiness, thereby forcing anyone who confesses under it to become a couple. Hanako was using Nene to catch the supernatural as it only reveals itself in front of couples. Nene realizes her mistake and tries to console herself by telling herself that Hanako was never her type anyways.

As Hanako discusses with Nene about changing the school rumours, he notices her walking towards the school gates. He teases her for believing it's a real love confession until he sees Nene crying. Nene then slaps him and scolds him for confusing her feelings.

Hanako, realising he has hurt Nene, asks her to wait. When Nene asks for a reason to do so, he responds by removing his hat and grabbing her hand. He pulls her into a hug, telling her to stay until she's done crying. Nene agrees. She realizes that despite calling him a friend, she never tried to find more about Hanako or his past. At that very moment, Nene wishes to learn more about the supernatural she had made friends with.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Yashiro Nene
 * Hanako
 * Yamabuki Lemon
 * Mokke
 * Akane Aoi
 * Fuji Suzuto (cameo)
 * Aoi Akane
 * Minamoto Teru (cameo)
 * Kodama

Events

 * Hanako invites Nene to the confession tree.
 * Hanako acted to "confess" to Nene to lure out the confession tree.
 * Kodama, the confession tree, tries to attack Nene, but it fails due to a protection spell.
 * Hanako uses his knife to attack Kodama and reduces him to the size of a sapling.
 * Hanako takes his hat off for the first time as he apologizes for the misunderstanding.