Smile for me [TBHK/JSHK AU]

Chapter 3: Is it a deal?

"What do you want anyway?"

"Your assistant~"

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Kou overheard what she said and out of instinct, he and Hanako protectively blocked Yashiro

Yashiro stood there worried and clueless about what was happening

They heard a shuttering sound as Hoshiko snapped a photo of them. The girl looks at it for a moment, smiles at the three and giggles

Hoshiko: Aww that's adorable! Also don't worry I was only joking…

The two boys sighed in relief

Hoshiko: …Half joking

The two got caught off guard and almost stumbled over. Hanako points his knife at the girl while Yashiro was internally panicking

Hanako: What do you mean half joking?

Hoshiko: I just wanted a little help with my list that's all

Hanako: What list?

Hoshiko: Secret! I'll tell you but… only after she agrees

Hoshiko gives Yashiro a look that sent shivers down her spine. She tried to walk closer but Kou blocked her off. Hoshiko knocks him aside and reaches her hand to Yashiro

Hoshiko: So, what do you say Yashiro-san? Will you help me with my list?

Yashiro was startled. What was she supposed to do? Why her out of all people? 

The girl continued panicking. She didn't want to make the wrong decision. She tried to look for a second opinion from Hanako and Kou. Both of them responded "no" with a look of certainty. Yashiro could sense that the two were just as stressed as she was.

Yashiro didn't want to turn her down but she was thinking of the possibilities.

If she said yes, Hoshiko would be delighted but Hanako and Kou would be really disappointed and might not forgive her for it. On the other hand, if she said no…

It could lead to something far worse.

At this point, she's made her decision. Now, she's just hoping for the best.

Yashiro: I… I'll do it

Yashiro felt her heart sink. She felt like she made the wrong choice as Hanako and Kou looked really unhappy. As for Hoshiko, she was the brightest person in the area as she was radiating child-like excitement. 

Hoshiko: HOORAY!

She cheered

Hoshiko: Thanks for agreeing! I won't make you regret this!

[Yashiro's POV]

Hoshiko handed me the pictures she promised along with a folded piece of paper. I wonder if this is the list she was talking about. 

I opened the piece of paper. It definitely looked like a list but… she can't be serious, can she?

Yashiro: Uhmm… Hoshiko, is this the list you were talking about?

Hoshiko: Mm-hm

So she is serious… but this is a grocery list. Unless it's a hit list for food items...

Hoshiko: Oh, there's more written on the back

She pointed to the other side of the paper I was holding. I flipped it around to see a different list. There was a lot more written on the other side and some of them were already crossed out. I read one of the crossed out lines on the list and it said "meet an exorcist for the first time"