Hanako - Signed and Dated

The landscape of the city slides past the window as we roll down the street, the sound of a faint jazz melody keeping the silence at bay. Akira and Lilly both hum along with the tune despite being visibly fatigued after our long day. Akira has discarded her jacket and loosened her tie, and it would seem that Lilly hasn't adjusted her ponytail in at least a few hours. Hanako, who is sitting in the back seat beside me, shares the same appearance. Her long, dark hair is in dire need of a brushing after a long day of running around in the heat, though this doesn't seem to bother her in the least as she leans against the door, chin resting in her hand while she gazes out the window.

We've been out since seven this morning, and it's almost four. I wasn't really planning to do much today so the time doesn't feel lost, especially since all I've ever done on my birthday is sit around, watch movies, and sometimes order pizza. I never had any big birthday parties, never invited friends over and had game days, nothing of the sort -- I just never really thought of my birthday as special, it's always felt like just another day of the year, except now I could say I was a year older. Was thirteen, not fourteen.

Was eighteen, now nineteen.

Hanako and Lilly didn't share my sentiments on my birthday being just another day, however; the second they caught wind of it, I was woken up at the crack of dawn and whisked away in Akira's car. 'Money isn't an issue' they said, and then we sped off through the city.

Funnily enough, Akira and Lilly drove all the way over just to celebrate with us. Maybe they've had nothing to do in Scotland and wanted something exciting to mark their time back in Japan. Though most of the day was spent just getting our bearings in the city, finding places that even I didn't know about despite growing up here...

“So, is it here or the next block over? I don't know this place too well.” Akira asks.

...Thankfully, we're back in the part of town that I do know well: the suburbs. The streets I jaywalked, the rows of identical houses I often failed to distinguish from one another, and the parks I ran up and down, all as a kid.

Akira catches me nodding in the rear view mirror, and the car slows to a halt in front of my childhood home.

Although she doesn't turn around, Lilly's voice is clear and pointed. “You two will stay safe, right?” She asks, more out of a need to tease us with what little time she has than out of concern.

“I mean, we're going straight home. Not like there's much room for-”

“She was referring to the other kind of safe.” Akira interjects, glancing over her shoulder with that same devilish smirk.

Oh. That.

Both of them let out a giggle as I realize what they meant, my face tinting red in embarrassment. Hanako shares this gesture, fidgeting anxiously in an attempt to come up with a response.

“Well, shall we be going?” Lilly says before either of us can speak up, although the looks on both of our faces are probably enough to explain it.

“Yeah, it's about that time." Akira says, glancing back at the dash clock. "At any rate, don't go causing any accidents. Your birthday will be a lot more 'fun' that way.” She adds with a quick grin.

We both wave goodbye, unable to keep a level head as we're practically called out by both of the Satou sisters. I mean, yeah, it's obvious that we've been doing... that. It was pretty much confirmed that Lilly could hear 'things' through the wall as well, but still, it's not particularly comfortable being put on the spot like that.

The dark-haired girl next to me would seem to agree; I can almost imagine the clouds of steam puffing out of her ears with how red her face is.

“I think we should get going as well.”

She takes a few seconds to snap out of her flustered spell before nodding and locking hands with me, that warm smile sneaking back onto her face the closer we get to my home.

“How are you liking your birthday so far?” she asks.

Well, first we went to an amusement park, where I got to watch Akira ride every roller coaster while Lilly, Hanako, and I sat by, either too terrified to join her or physically unable of taking that kind of stress. Then we ran around the mall for a while, where we got to watch Akira, and Hanako by extension, try on every swimsuit in the department store, all with the older Satou snarking about the low quality of the suits there.

Eventually we wound up at Karaoke, where I was subjected to Akira singing Queen. It balanced out when Hanako finally relaxed and turned out to have the most beautiful singing voice of anyone there, even the group of choir kids the next room over. I think my ears close to melted when she started Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra. Certainly better than Akira's attempt at Queen.

From there, we were driven back home. Home for both of us, that is, seeing as how the dark-haired girl beside me decided to take up residence with me, rather than taking Akira's much more generous offer.

Not that I mind sharing. At all.

Actually, I feel a little uneasy going to sleep without those slender arms wrapped around my waist, her her head nestled against my chest. It's only been about a week, but I guess it's easy to make a habit out of something like sleeping with a cute girl.

But anyway,

“It was pretty nice. First time I've ever really gone out and done anything for my birthday.”

“It was mostly Akira's ideas though...” she replies with a smile.

“Well it was still nice. You were there, so it's better than any of my previous birthdays.”

Hanako jumps a little before glowing a bright red once more, idle syllables stammering out of her mouth as she tries to think of a way to respond.

Yesssss, I love when she reacts like that. This is a true man's pleasure. It's enough to make my heart flutter.

“I-I-I'm glad you l-liked it.”

It doesn't take long for the Nakai residence to roll into sight, barely set apart in plainness from the other houses on the long road. Its design is about as generic as it gets: white walls, wooden door with a brass handle set evenly between two windows. But regardless of its lack of uniqueness, it's still home.

The bolt lock clicks with satisfaction upon devouring my key, opening with a slight creak to Hanako and I. The inside is just as lacking in décor as the outside. Hardwood floors, a few miscellaneous pictures hanging on the hallway wall, and a plain entertainment center; one sofa, one recliner, a coffee table, and an old CRT TV.

The lack of parents has left a degree of silence in the house, with my Dad on a business trip and my Mom visiting her grandparents up north.

“What do you want to watch tonight?”

“Whatever you want.”

For the past three days, the only occupants here have been Hanako and I. Three days of laying around the house watching TV, reading, wandering the city, staring at the night sky, and anything else a young couple with nothing to do can find to entertain themselves.

I plop down on the couch next to my dark-haired companion as she flips through the channels, not seeming to find anything interesting or even remotely watchable. We manage to settle on a show about a crazy tanned man with a wild haircut trying to convince the watcher that Stonehenge was built by aliens.

“What time is it?” I ask.

“Four-thirty.” she replies.

I make a show out of stretching and somehow falling over into her lap, wrapping my arms around her waist as I nestle my head against her thighs.

“Sleepy?” She asks with a giggle, running her fingers through my hair.

“Just feeling a little nap." I counter, flashing her a sly smile.

My hand slithers out from around her, fingertips wiggling in curiosity as I poke Hanako in the side.

“Ah-”

I do it again, and again, and again, deriving some kind of borderline perverse satisfaction from watching her wriggle around in my grasp.

“H-Hisao! W-What are you-”

Her objections are covered up by entertained giggles as my fingers wag about against her sides, tickling her into submission as I try to crawl on top of her.

However, she blocks one of my hands and attempts to fight back with the other, wiggling her index finger back and forth on my belly. The tides of battle quickly turn as she forces herself onto me, poking and prodding my abdomen with a playful fervor.

Our play seems to get a little too energetic at one point, when we wind up rolling onto the floor, Hanako on top. In spite of that, the lack of adult supervision or self control ensures that we wind up right back in the fray, digits searching over each other for the most sensitive or ticklish spots.

“Hey n-haha, that's cheap!” I comment as her hand slithers up my shirt, her touch prodding at my bare ribs.

She's got a frail build that feels like I could break it just by laying on top of her, but that doesn't seem to stop me at this point. I roll on top of her and counter, sliding my fingers up her shirt and poking at her belly, feeling a strange bliss as her yelps and giggles roll across my eardrums.

We continue on and on, rolling over one another countless times until we finally tire out, her exhausted figure lying on top of mine. While I'm incapacitated by fatigue, Hanako takes the chance to crawl up and plant a small kiss on my lips, her amethyst-tinted eyes gazing into mine as she says “happy birthday, Hisao.”

“Ah, thanks.” I respond.

The ensuing silence is no less than awkward, although easily solved by shortening the distance between our lips. Of course, for the 3 minutes I spend locked in her grasp, I come up with a remarkably low number of things to say.

“So, uh, what now?” I ask.

Rather than a confused 'I'm not sure', Hanako jerks back a little as if she were hiding something, trying to think of the right words to say.

“U-um...do you want to open your present?”

“Present? You didn't have to get me anything.” I respond.

“I w-wanted to get you something...”

Oh god. Those eyes, that flustered expression, the way she fidgets around, all of her nervous mannerisms. I must be the luckiest man alive.

“Well, I can't really say no to that.” I answer.

Without another word, she climbs onto her feet and paces over to my bedroom, trying to steel her resolve but only becoming more and more flustered as she goes. Once inside, she closes the door behind her and locks it, with only the sound of clothing brushing past skin giving me a hint as to what to expect.

It has to be something else, she'd never use 'that' as a present or a reward. At least, I don't think she would.

Would she?

We've never really done 'that' for...recreational purposes. Really, it only happens under certain circumstances, 'one thing led to another' situations and the like. It's more fulfilling that way, in my opinion. Better than just stripping down naked because there's nothing else to do, anyway.

At any rate, it only takes Hanako a couple of minutes to get her present ready, and soon the door creaks open, her anxious gaze meeting mine as she peeks out.

“U-um...”

Is that...

Is that a pair of cat ears on her head?

“C-can you come in here?” she asks.

That is a pair of cat ears. They even match the color of her hair.

My entire body freezes up as I run the list of possibilities in my mind. However, before I can finish thinking, I rise onto my feet and pace over to my room, stiff as a machine.

Reality slows to a halt as I step into my room, my sight being overloaded with the image of Hanako in...

I'm going to die tonight, aren't I? I can already feel my heart seizing up.

Fluffy black cat ears, tube top, and hot pants. Complimented by a pair of white furry wristbands and a choker with a bell on it. Her pale skin contrasts nicely with the dark fabric, the curves and contours of her frame showcased by the lack of coverage from her 'outfit'.

Hanako doesn't speak a word as my eyes travel up and down her figure, clad in what can only be described as the bane of every adolescent male with a costume fetish.

I've seen her as a french maid, a cowgirl, a bellydancer, and a variety of other costumes, both more and less showy. But this...

I don't know what it is, but there's something different here.

A black cat suit. If she so much as meows, my brain is going to ex-

“N...N...Nyaa~?”

OhgodwhatisthisIdonteven.

“Hanako...did you really?”

“I-I saw it at the costume store a few days ago. A... Akira bought it for me.”

Sponsor to underage drinking AND lascivious outfits. Truly a role model for us all.

I can't really complain though. I mean, honestly, Hanako does look good as a catgirl. A lot better than in my daydreams at any rate.

She takes a few cautious steps up to me, clenching her hands together in front of herself and avoiding eye contact. The sound of the bell on her neck ringing is enough to make her blush even more, and it's clear that she's trying to avoid making any noise as her pace slows down even more. “Um... d-do you like it?”

I nod on impulse, barely able to keep my hands to myself. “Where do you even find stuff like this?” I ask while sauntering over to her and brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes, tempted to feel the pair of faux ears sitting on her head.

“The costume store at the mall.” She answers in a hushed tone, taking my hand and guiding it along her cheek. “Y-You know, the one we went to last time.”

She urges me back towards the bed with a gentle tug, trying not to force things along even though her hand is shaking like she's impatient. I follow her back, nudging her back onto the bed before crawling on top of her.

She's almost as tall as Lilly, but her frame feels small, like she might shatter if I place my hand in the wrong place. Her gentle grasp tightens around my wrist as my hand glides along the tender skin of her waist, bare between the furry pieces of her costume.

I lean in even further, letting my lips trail along her jawbone. Heat radiates off of her face and I can hear her breath quickening, washing along my cheek.

I whisper in her ear. “Do you consent to this sexual encounter?”

Her entire body freezes up and she jerks back, confused. “W-W-W-What?”

“You didn't hear me?” I follow, pulling away and looking at her while I fish through my pocket. “Do you consent to this sexual encounter? I don't want you thinking I raped you.”

The look she gives me falls somewhere between baffled and frustrated. “What are you t-talking about, Hisao? W-We've done this before, where is this coming from...?”

Apparently it isn't obvious, so I have to make it more clear – I fish my consent form out of my pocket and hold it out for her. It's a good thing I keep one of these on me now, otherwise we'd run into even more problems. “You have to sign at the bottom if you want to have sex, otherwise it's rape.”

She tilts her head, expression frozen in heavy confusion. “I... I have to w-what?”

I step over to my desk, across the room, and fish out a pen for her. “Here, just sign at the bottom if you give consent.”

“I-Isn't it enough that I put this on?” She asks, gesturing to the thin, fuzzy bra covering her chest and little else. Her eyes droop and she crosses her arms, suddenly feeling even more self conscious about what she's wearing. “W-Where is this coming from, Hisao?”

“I'm just covering all my bases, because I don't want to rape you.” I respond. I hold out the pen and paper for her, already beginning to feel a little impatient with all of the confusion.

Hanako opens her mouth to speak, but little else comes out past the bewildered stutters. She slowly reaches out for the consent form, glancing up at me with something of a pout, as if she thinks I'd play a joke on her over something this serious. After a few more moments she hands the two items back to me, with the document signed at the bottom.

“Theeeeere we go.” I smile, reading it over to make sure I didn't make any mistakes while writing it up. “This isn't legally binding, though. I have to go get this notarized.”

At this, her expression drops even more, and she starts giving me pointed glares. “I-It's not even enough that I signed it?”

“Of course not.” I scoff, folding it up and putting it in my back pocket. “If I got taken to court for raping you, they'd think this was forged, or I made you sign it under duress. I need to get someone else to sign off on it. Is the bank still open?”

We both glance over to the digital clock on my nightstand, which reads four forty-five in the afternoon. I immediately bolt for the door, intent on catching someone at the notary before it closes. Hanako continues to glare at me in a potent mixture of confusion and frustration, saying nothing as I disappear around the corner.

“I'll be right back.” I call out over my shoulder. “We can still have sex, I just gotta make sure I don't rape you.”