SHG 2: Katawa Khristmas

*Author's note*
Hello everybody! The following story was done as a commission for SHG28, who has dedicated himself to providing a piece of artwork to accompany it! Though the artwork is not yet done, the story is finished, and we've determined to post the artwork when it's done. So, for now, please enjoy the story and have a very Merry Christmas!
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	Hanako woke up with a yawn. Her head buzzed with the faint recollection of dream, but it quickly passes as she sat up. The light from the sun reflecting off of the snow outside was bright in her room.

	She walked over to the window, still in her night gown, and surveyed the outside. The grounds of Yamaku were silent, though there were still tracks of where people had walked through the snow on the pathways. A small snowman was built in the quad, or at least it looked like a snowman. Maybe it was a snow-woman? Or a snow-goon? Hanako had heard of snow-goons before, the other kids at the orphanage had made them one year, to the chagrin of their caretaker.

	Hanako wasn’t all too interested in the snow-thing, so she shrugged and went over to her supplies. With a yawn, she stretched her back out, feeling the tension of the night’s sleep ebbing away. She’d slept in her simple pink night gown, as no other pajamas felt comfortable enough and it was worth the chill to be able to sleep well. She bent over, intent on finding a breakfast that she could cook herself, when she noticed the decoration hanging on her wall.

	The blue and white calendar was pictured with a winter wonderland on it. Several small cottages gave off a warm yellow glow as elves and reindeer played in the streets. Christmas lights hung all over the town, and the tree in the middle was as large as any of the houses. One structure, though, stood above all. A series of numbers decorated the town, and the number 25 stood at the tippy top of the tower, with a small door.

	Hanako went over to the calendar and opened the door marking the twenty-fifth day of December. She had been expecting a small piece of chocolate, as all the other doors had held chocolate, but this one seemed to contain something more. A small scrap of paper was inside of the door, wrapping a chocolate Santa Claus tightly. Hanako slowly took the piece of chocolate from the note, and then unfolded the note. Small brown spots covered the back, but thankfully they didn’t penetrate and Hanako recognized the clear handwriting of the man who had given her the calendar.

“I must admit, I am a fool,
One who has stumbled upon a jewel;
Months ago, I met the love of my life,
The woman who I hope one day to make my wife;
With this chocolate, your surprises aren’t done,
Come and find me, and we’ll have some fun ;)”

	The note was, unsurprisingly, awful. Hanako held it to her chest with a giddy smile, knowing that Hisao must have went out of his way to try and write it himself.

	She read it over again and again, a soft blush on her face. She pictured the boy laboring away just to create something of the like and to carefully open the door and wrap the chocolate piece in it. She wondered what he’d meant by fun… He was supposed to be spending Christmas with his family, in the city. Was it possible that he was actually here?

	Hanako was surprised to find that she’d begun kneeling, resting on her haunches as she’d contemplated the note. She hadn’t even really realized until she felt the bite of cold, snapping her back to her sense.
He couldn’t possibly mean…

	She hopped up from her spot on the floor and scampered excitedly over to her cell phone. Pulling it off of the charger, she flipped it open to see she’d gotten a text last night from Hisao after she’d fallen asleep.

	It was a simple “<3”, but it made the girl smile widely.

	She quickly typed into the phone, “Where are you?” and sent it. Then, she fell back into her bed, cozying herself underneath the covers, breakfast all but forgotten. She waited, and she waited, holding her phone in her hand and waiting for the response. She noticed with a slight laugh, that it was already past 11. She’d slept much later than usual, but today was Christmas.

	Hanako had grown used to Christmas alone. She knew it was meant to be a special holiday, a family holiday, but she didn’t really have a family… now, though, for the first time in years she had felt happy as the snow fell around them. She’d given Hisao a watch for Christmas, made him vow not to open it until Christmas day, but he’d told her her present wouldn’t be ready until then. Was this somehow related to that?

	Hanako got up from her bed and went to her dresser. She blushed as she opened her bottom drawer and had saw the outfit she had planned to wear for him before he had told her he was going to his parents' house. From it she pulled a red hat with a white ball of poof at the end. She blushed harder as she withdrew the dress that accompanied it, a form fitting red and white santa-dress, which hugged the body with a brown belt with a large golden buckle tied round the waist. She’d been so excited when she’d seen it, and even though it took her a moment to gather herself before purchasing the item, she’d been extremely proud of herself for doing so.

	She’d wanted so badly to dress up for her lover, for the man who’d proven such a boon to her self-love, and had been so disappointed when he was going home for Christmas. She wondered if this was his plan all along.

	The sing song ring of her text made her jump, startling her as she pictured herself with Hisao. She hopped over onto her bed and scooped up the device.

	“In the male dorms, waiting with your surprise ;)” was the reply.

	Hanako smiled happily, and raised the night gown over her head. She quickly changed into the Santa-girl outfit. It didn’t exactly cover much, as the skirt fell to just above mid-thigh. She looked outside, and giggled to herself at the idea that she’d need to warm up to her man just to not get frostbite.

	Deciding to be more practical, Hanako took off her black shoes and returned to the dresser. She pulled from it two extremely long white socks, pulling them up each leg so that they wrapped around all the way up to her thighs. They almost reached the skirt, but Hanako was resigned to the idea of showing off a little bit of extra skin, as long as it was for her man.

	She grabbed the red shrug that was to cover her arms whilst still leaving the dress to show off her upper chest and her neck, pulled the hat on tightly, and skipped merrily from the room.

	The female dorms were silent. Hanako didn’t meet a single person along the way to the entrance, and sped walked out the door.

	Snow had begun to fall. Hanako could feel the frozen water clinging to her outfit and her hair, and wrapped her arms tightly across herself as she shivered. The walkway was salted, and most of the snow had melted from it, though Hanako still took care to gingerly take her time in getting there, regretting not simply changing once she had arrived.

	The wind pushed into her face as she approached the male dorms, and she had to look down as snow fell into her eyes. It seemed to become harsher and harsher as the weather took a turn from peaceful to raging.

	A slam drew her eyes up, and she could make out Hisao standing in front of the men’s dorms with the door thrown open, beckoning her forwards. She hurried ahead, and was met with the wondrous feeling of heat blowing on her face as she crossed the threshold, with Hisao pulling the door shut behind her.

	Hanako turned to Hisao, a wide smile on her face to greet him.

	“So you’re the girl that he’s been telling us so much about!” Came a measured female voice. Hanako turned back towards the voice to see a woman with brown hair walking up to her from a side room. Hanako had overlooked the voices coming from the other room in her rush to get inside, though now they seemed festive and overly loud.

	“H-h-hello.” Hanako said, a blush quickly taking hold of her face.

	“Hanako, this is my mom.” Hisao said, wrapping his hand around Hanako whilst gesturing to the woman.

	“It’s good to meet you. Hisao insisted on coming here to throw this little shin-dig. Did you sleep in?” The woman asked.

	Hanako’s face lit up in a furious blush, and the urge to bolt from the room doubled and then tripled as she remembered what she was wearing, her hands tugging at the hem of her dress.

	“Umm I-I..”

	“Okay mom, there’s no need to give her the third degree.” Hisao said. Hanako winced. “She’s here now. Where’s dad?”

	“He’s in there, ‘sampling’ some of your friend’s egg nog.” She said with a dismissive wave towards the door.

	“Oh my god… Come on Hanako.” Hisao said, tugging her along. She followed, feeling Mrs. Nakai’s eyes boring into her. “Let’s make sure the old man doesn’t fall off his stool.”

	Hanako followed along behind Hisao and into the next room. As she did, a cheer rose from the room.

	“Merry Christmas!” Shouted a trio of female voices. Akira, Emi, and Misha all held up plastic cups in good cheer towards Hanako, who felt slightly better seeing the other girl’s outfits.

	Akira was in her usual suit, though with a small token of mistletoe pinned into the strips on her chest. She stood with a man that Hanako didn’t recognize, who wore a small smile.

	Emi wore a dress, striped red and white like a candy cane, and pair of thigh high stockings. She wore her hair down, and it waved to just beneath her shoulders. She sat with Rin, who looked as if she had painted her nose black and gave herself freckles to accompany the reindeer antlers she wore. The Red-head wore a Green and Red sweater, with the words “Ask me about my OTHER ugly sweater” printed on front.

	The third girl who cheered, wobbled slightly as she did, giggling ferociously. Misha had worn a Santa-dress much like Hanako’s, but with a black bowtie for a belt and black stockings that covered her legs. It also seemed a great deal tighter than Hanako’s was, as the girl’s cleavage was on full display, bouncing as she happily hoped. Her hair was done up in a curly fashion that seemed much more refined than the giggling girl seemed to be herself, as she took another deep pull of her cup. Shizune stood next to her bubbly friend, tugging on her arm to try and get her attention. It didn’t seem to be going well. Shizune wore a green and white dress, with hints of red to accompany her red and green elf hat. She didn’t seem to be taking part in the “festivities.”

	“M-m-Merry Christmas.” Hanako managed.

	“Hanako? Is that you?” Called a voice from the corner.

	Hanako let go of Hisao’s hand to hurry over to its location, recognizing the owner’s voice as that of her best friend. “Lilly!” She called happily as she saw the familiar long blonde hair.

	“LILLY!” Shouted a smartly-dressed man that was sitting at the table with the girl, raising a shot glass and pounding it back before slamming it on the table. Lilly raised her hand, laughing into it.

	“Hanako, come and meet Mr. Nakai. He’s challenged me to a bit of a contest.”

	“Oh god, dad, I left for five minutes.” Hisao pleaded, approaching the man.

	“Iiits not fair. She’s got German blood.”

	“Scottish.” Lilly corrected, smiling smugly as she raised a shot glass herself before gulping it and placing it on the table, head down. She looked slightly softer, her face less angular than Hanako had remembered, but then again who didn’t around Christmas. The drinking didn’t help, as her and Hisao’s father were apparently on there… Hanako counted the table quickly, and found that there were 6 empty shot glasses before each of the contestants, not counting the seventh that Lilly had just placed in front of her. Lilly, too, wore a Santa-girl dress, though she had no hat as her dress came with a furred red hood as well. Her brown belt and golden buckle was pulled tight on her waist.

	“Ish not fair!”

	“May I remind you that it was you that challenged me?” Lilly said, reaching for a Christmas tree shaped cookie that sat on a plate near the pair. Hanako reached out and took one as well, nibbling on it.

	“Ooo, this is really good.” She said.

	Lilly’s face lit up. “Why thank you, Hanako!” she happily exclaimed. “I made them myself.” She seemed entirely unaffected by the drinks that she had taken, whilst Hisao bent over his father who seemed ready to tip over. “Are you enjoying your holiday?” The blonde asked. “Would you like a glass of Egg Nog? I can fix you one myself.” She templed her fingers as something had apparently caught her attention. “Mr. Nakai, I haven’t heard you finish your next drink of Rum. Does this mean I have won our competition?”

	“Nooooot on your Arayan live.” Mr. Nakai said. It took Hanako a moment to realize he meant Aryan.

	Lilly smugly laughed. “Then, shall we continue? I. am. waiting.” She said, punctuating her sentences. Mr. Nakai reached out and took the shot glass in his shaking hand. He then motioned to Hisao, handing it to him. Hisao rolls his eyes and glowers at his father, who looks at him pleadingly.

	Hanako decided to go and sit on the couch, away from the… fun. She heard the shot glass plopped on the table behind her as she walked away, and Lilly say “Then let’s continue.”

	“Hello, Emi. Hello, Rin. Are you doing well?” Hanako said as she sat on the couch nearby the pair.

	“Hello Hanako!” Emi said enthusiastically smiling.

	“Neeeeigh.” Rin said.

	Hanako tilted her head. “Neigh?” She asked.

	“She’s a reindeer.” Emi explained “Isn’t that right Rin?”

	“Neigh.” Rin said, nodding her head. She then opened and clamped her mouth, shaking her antlers, which Hanako realized had bells hanging on them.

	“Oh, you hang on a second.” Emi said, lifting her drink from the table. She held it up to Rin, who leaned forwards to drink from it, but Emi pulled it back. “Now, say hi like a proper lady.”

	“But I’m not proper.” Rin protested. She pouted at Emi, who returned the pout. “Fine.” Rin relented. She turned to Hanako. “Hello, Hanako.” She greeted. “I am most excellent. I hope that you are well. May I drink now?” She said, turning back to Emi. Emi stuck her tongue out at the girl, but relented and held the cup up to her. Hanako smiled and giggled at the display, before standing to look for another group.

	She looked over towards Misha and Shizune. Given how Misha was now dancing around the elven dressed girl, who appeared to be having a pretty glum time, she decided to go over to Akira.

	“Oh, hey Hana.” Akira said with a wave as Hanako approached. “I love your dress.” She kindly said.

	Hanako slightly tilted her head, looking at herself. She’d planned on only showing this to Hisao… but, these people were her friends. She found herself minding less and less.

	“T-thank you. Akira.” Hanako said, bowing her head to the older girl.

	Akira made to introduced Hanako to her boyfriend, but Hanako missed his name as Hisao called out from the other section. “Alright, everybody! Now that we’re all here, we can start what we’ve all been waiting for! Presents!”

	There was a clamor of excitement from the party goers as the started over towards the couches and to a pile of gifts that were placed in the corner of the room. Hanako noticed Lilly catching onto Emi as she passed, leaving Hisao’s father seemingly passed out at the table. Hisao’s mother stood over the gifts handing them out. Hanako hurried over to Hisao.

	“I-I-I don’t… I don’t have any presents… I have one for you… and for Lilly in my room. I didn’t think…” she whispered to Hisao.

	“That’s okay, we planned for that. This was a surprise party for you, after all. Don’t worry, I signed your name along with mine on all the gifts.” Hisao said. Hanako took a moment before smiling and nodding, accepting the idea. “Take a seat over on the couch, and we’ll pass everything out. Okay?”

	Hanako nodded again and walked over to an open spot on the couch. Lilly sat next to her, sighing as she sat down. Emi came over to the blonde with a plastic cup, which she gratefully took.

	“A-are you enjoying the party, Lilly?” Hanako asked.

	Lilly’s face perked, as she must have not realized she had sat next to Hanako, but a soft smile gently took its place. “I am, very much. I hope you are as well. Hisao went to quite the lengths to arrange all of this, didn’t he?” Lilly asked.
Hanako didn’t respond, as she smiled to herself.

	Akira walked up to the pair. “Here ya go, Hana. Lilly and me got this one just for you.” She said. She handed Hanako a small rectangular box wrapped in purple and gold paper. Hanako saw Lilly smile as she sipped on her drink whilst Hanako gently undid the wrapping paper to the gift. The paper surrounded a small white box. Hanako pulled the lid off of it to find a gold necklace with a purple jewel encrusted into it. It sparkled beautifully in the light, and Hanako let her mouth fall open.

	“It’s beautiful…” She said in awe, forgetting for a moment where she was.

	“There was a 40 dollar limit, 80 since we combined, but you might not want to show that off just yet. Some people miiiight get jealous.” Akira said with a wink.

	“Besides, if we were to go a little overboard for anyone, it’d have to be for our best friend..” Lilly said, holding her hand out. Hanako took it, smiling widely, then pulled herself close to Lilly in a hug. She buried her face into the furry fabric of the other girl’s dress, as the other girl wrapped her arms around her, gently patting her head.

	“I love it. Thank you so much.” Hanako said. She then stood and repeated the gesture with Akira, the most contact the two had ever had. Her smile was so wide on her face at the kindness of the gesture. “I-I have a gift for you too, back at my dorm.”

	“Eh, don’t worry about it. Christmas spirit and all that. Unless it’s a few bottles of wine, then I mean Lilly would be all over that.”

	“Akira!” Lilly shouted reproachfully, which caused her sister to laugh which only deepened her pout. “You musn’t-”

	Hanako missed the rest of the conversation as a different pair of girls approached. Misha giddily swayed bouncing along as she was pulled forward by Shizune. Shizune snapped in front of Misha’s face, seemingly breaking the wall of drunkenness that seemed to have hold of Misha. She began signing to her.

	Misha’s eyebrow’s knit in concentration as she watched Shizune sign. Shizune snapped again, gesturing to Hanako, who Misha seemed to just notice that she was there.  “OH, hello Hannnaaako.” Misha said. “Are you having fuuuuuuun?” She laughed at herself, until Shizune snapped in her face again.

	She signed again, with Misha translating. “Miss. Ibarazaki.” Shizune, being deaf, did not seem to notice that Misha just called her by Emi’s last name. “I would like. I would like to… toooo… present? OH! PRESENTS!” Misha shouted. She hopped up and down, her generous breasts bouncing wildly and threatening to come out from her dress. “Yaaaay, presents! Oh, Hanako! Looky what I got for you!” Misha said, taking a pink box from Shizune. Shizune let out what Hanako took as a sigh and handed Hanako her own box. Hanako bowed her head towards each of the girls before unwrapping her presents.

	Hanako unwrapped Misha’s present first. The girl let out a large laugh when Hanako pulled from it a large stuffed white rabbit. It’s soft fur was nice, and it had an astounding color of blue eyes. Hanako held it to her chest tightly, which made Misha laugh harder. “Wahaha~ I’m glad you like it Hanachan!” The girl said. The affectionate usage of the name made Hanako blush, but she didn’t protest.

	From Shizune, Hanako unwrapped what seemed to be a mathematician’s set. It contained an abacas, an hour glass that you could change the center for differing times, and a calculator. Shizune tried to explain the gift, but gave up when she realized not only was Misha not paying attention, she’d wandered over to Lilly with the plate of Christmas cookies, sharing in the snack. Shizune rolled her eyes and motioned towards Hanako, smiling and giving a thumbs up, before going to join her friend.

	Hanako supposed that it was a nice hour glass…

	Hanako then noticed what was apparently a heated discussion occurring between the other remaining guests, Emi and Rin. Emi gestured wildly towards the other group and Hanako, whilst Rin just shrugged in an impassive way. Hanako felt staring was a bit rude, so she looked over towards Hisao’s father, who was now being patted on the back by his mom in a resigned fashion. Hisao saw her looking towards them and smiled at her. He held his hands up in a gesture that they’d been using lately, shaping his hands into a heart. Hanako smiled and returned the gesture.

	“Oookay!” Emi said, skipping up to Hanako. “Sorry about that! Umm, Rin FORGOT her present.”

	“No I didn’t.” Rin cut in.

	Emi continued on as if she didn’t hear her. “So she said she’ll make you a painting instead!” Emi didn’t even look at Rin. “Is there anything you want painted?”

	“U-umm… Well…” Hanako didn’t know what to say. She didn’t really plan on being met with such an option. After a moment, though, an idea seized in her mind. “I would like a painting of everyone here… just like they are. All celebrating and happy. I want to remember this… today. I-is that okay?”

	Rin nodded. “I can do this. I’ll need a day or two.” She twisted her head around, scanning the room. “And to find a good… Hmmmmm…” She wandered off. Emi remained behind.

	“Sorry about her. Here, this is from me.” Emi said, handing her her present. It was wrapped in green and blue wrapping, with a yellow ribbon. She watched as Hanako unwrapped it to find a nice pair of runner’s shoes and matching shorts and shirt, all purple and black. “I figured, you know, if you want, when the snow all melts, you and I could maybe try running together. I’d love to have a partner.” She held her hands clasped in front of her, swaying back and forth embarrassed. Hanako smiled and stood up.

	“I-I’d love to. That sounds fun.”

	Emi’s face lit up like fireworks and she jumped up and down. “Yay! Awesome! I-I mean, umm, that’s, you know, cool.” She said, catching herself. She blushed wildly. “I have to. Rin!? Don’t you dare try to climb that shelf!” Emi scurried off after her friend to try and prevent disaster.

	Finally, Hisao approached. “Well, this did not go as I expected.” He said, with a small laugh.

	“I-I didn’t think anyone would… I’m so… Thank you, Hisao.” Hanako said. She’d been trying to communicate that she’d never really thought the other girls cared. That her only friends in the world were Hisao and Lilly, and maybe Akira, but then… Today was just wonderful.

	“Don’t thank me. You haven’t even opened your present yet.” Hisao said. Hanako tilted her head, and he took her hand. He led her to the back of the room, to a large box shape that was wrapped in paper. There were several wires plugged into the walls and into the TV of the lounge from the object.

	Hanako looked to Hisao, who tilted his head towards the gift.

	“Go on, unwrap it.”

	Hesitantly, Hanako did. As she tore away the paper, she saw the center of the object was a black screen with a directional pad and a large on button which glowed red. On either side was a microphone. Hanako gasped when she realized what it was, and a few cheers went up as people watched her.

	“You got me a karaoke machine??” Hanako asked, feeling tears in her eyes. She flung her arms around Hisao, tightly hugging him. He laughed, returning her hug and picking her up and twirling her as she giggled. He placed her back down.

	“Let’s hear a duet!” Called Akira from the crowd, to a few cheers.

	Hanako blushed as the lights to the room dimmed.

	“We don’t have to if-”

	“I want to.” Hanako broke in. “I really, really, want to.”

	Hisao smiled and hit the on button to the device, taking a microphone from either side. The screen lit up and a list of songs came on. He moved to the side to allow Hanako to move the list over to duets, and to pick a song. Hanako laughed to herself at the enormous list of songs, some of which she didn’t recognize at all, before settling on one that fit the mood just right.

	Soft Piano tones began, setting the tune of the song, followed by the rising sound of violins. Hanako began to bob her hips to the music, her free arm snaking around Hisao as they both swayed.

“I really can’t stay” “But baby it’s cold outside”
“I’ve got to go away” “But baby it’s cold outside”

	Hisao gripped her waist, then stepped away, trying to do his best to look at the screen as well as her.

“This evening has been” “been hoping that you'd drop in”
“So very nice” “I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice”

	The pair serenaded each other, stepping closer and then farther away in a bit of dance.

“My mother will start to worry” “Beautiful what's your hurry?”
“My father will be pacing the floor” “Listen to the fireplace roar”
“So really I'd better scurry” “Beautiful please don't hurry”
“But maybe just a half a drink more” “Put some records on while I pour”

	The pair continued to dance and sing till the songs end, where they latched onto one another and shared a deep kiss, much to the approval of their make-shift crowd.

	It was at that moment that Hanako knew, without a doubt, that, painting or not, she would never forget this Christmas.