Yuuka's Gift

"Thanks for the flowers!" A customer cried out before leaving. This store is called "Lotus Land Flowers" and is run by none other than Yuuka Kazami. Her flowers are always healthy and taken care of with love. They are grown year round in a special Green House under her home that no one has seen but her and her most trusted friend, Alice. Her store is very close to the Lily Sisters Bakery and across the way from one of the "Boundary Industry" stores. A chain of various stores, hotels and supermarkets ran by the Yakumo Family. The district her shop is located in is called the 'Gift and Goods District'. It's very calm and inviting to all who come through. But when the Winter Season comes around, the stores are usually more active with customers walking through the snow to obtain the hand made and tended items for the holidays. The time this story takes is a few days before Christmas.

It's lunch break for the stores. Yuuka calmly flipped her sign to show she was out to lunch. She took one look around the store with her dark red eyes while letting a kettle boil water for some tea. She laid out a cloth on her counter and pulled one of her chairs to the other side. Just as she finished the final touch, Alice calmly invited herself inside. Alice Margatroid, owner of a small toy shop down the street, is well revered for her skills in doll making and putting that special 'Magic' in each one to make them seem alive. She lightly brushed off the snow from her golden blonde hair, hung her jacket on the rack and walked over to the counter.
"It's very cold out this year, Yuuka. Are you sure the boxes will keep the flowers warm on the way home?" Alice asked with concern. Yuuka's flowers could survive the cold for only a few minutes before they loose their color and bright mood. To which Yuuka smiled
"I am confident enough in my little ones that they will endure the harsh environment. To me, all my flowers have one job. To make people smile." The two sat at the counter to exchange words while letting the kettle boil. Alice looked into her bag to pull out two home made lunches. She neatly placed Yuuka's portion on her side as she explained
"Today's lunch is very special to keep you warm. It's chicken soup with garden vegetables and bay leaves. And I looked into making a small sandwich to go with it, so I went with a Panini sandwich with Prosciutto, Bocconcini and Romaine Lettuce. Careful, it's hot." The bowls before them contained the soup while the pressed sandwiches were wrapped in tinfoil to keep them warm. Yuuka smiled with joy as she went to the whistling kettle. As she poured the tea, Yuuka added to the conversation "You always amaze me when you cook lunch. I could never finish your meals in one sitting and I end up eating the rest after work.". She opened the tinfoil and inspect the small sandwich before her. One end was slanted as if cut at an angle. It was still warm to the touch. Yuuka was always envious of how well Alice could cook. But it was a good kind of jealousy. The two have been friends for a long time and many consider them closer. By just taking one bite of the sandwich, Yuuka was in heaven.
"Oh Alice. It's wonderful. I really wish I could eat all of it right now." She commented while taking another bite. Alice lightly blushed.
"T-thank you. I enjoy cooking for more than myself anyways, so it's not a problem." she sipped some tea before lightly taking one spoonful of chicken soup. The broth contained various vegetables and small pieces of chicken that was easy to digest. Their lunches were always calm and peaceful. But Alice asked Yuuka a question that day.
"Say. I was planning to hold a small party with some other friends. I was wondering if you would like to join me this year? I usually just give you a Christmas party the day before but I feel like you should join us this year. I know Suika is going to bring some pricy drinks. And Marisa said she had a new spell to try out later that night." Yuuka did not expect an invitation like that. For one, Yuuka was very awkward without another person by her side. Mainly Alice. She would come off as evil or one who likes to hurt people. But deep inside, she just was nervous. And on Christmas, Yuuka usually sleep that entire day off before going back to work. But this was Alice. Her best friend. She did not want to disappoint her at all.
"That sounds great! Oh, but I have to get a gift for everyone, don't I?" she rubbed the back of her neck. Alice shook her head.
"No. You just have to get a gift for me. Everyone already has their secret Santa, and I was able to male you my secret Santa." she smiled. But Yuuka found it a bit redundant. If she was known as the secret Santa, then there was no need to be secret about it. Either way, she nodded to get her a gift as lunch was ending.

She closed around her usual time of Seven at night. Yuuka tossed on her long brown jacket and wrapped her scarf around her neck. She turned off the lights, locked the door, and headed to the Main Shopping district. The wind was cold but not harsh. The lightly falling snow made the middle of the shopping district feel like the holidays. A tree sat in the middle, as big as a building. The lights lit the entire square with spirit and joy. Yuuka was unsure what Alice would like. The shops were filled with people and children looking for gifts. Yuuka had no idea what Alice would like more. But as she was lost in thought, She bumped into Marisa Kirisame. She is a magician who runs the Magic shop in the downtown district. Her wares are usually the best for medical but also for fun! Yuuka noticed the black and white witch carrying what looked like knitting tools and yarn.
"Watch where- Oh Yuuka! S-sorry about bumping into you! I was in a hurry!" Marisa quickly dusted herself off and checked her bag for anything missing. Yuuka was curious about her purchase.
"Marisa? Who are you getting a gift for?" Yuuka asked curiously. She knew that Alice and Marisa have been friends much longer and was a bit curious as to what she was doing. Marisa looked left and right like a thief before whispering to Yuuka.
"I am making a muffler for Reimu. She really needs a new one this year and I was hoping to snag a kiss under the mistletoe with her. If you catch my drift" Marisa grinned with delight. Yuuka backed up and looked annoyed. She simply said her goodbye before leaving the blonde hair with the witch hat in the snow. But she now had an Idea.
"I should make a doll for Alice. But the question is, what kind of doll?" Yuuka spoke to herself, wandering in another Toy Store to get some ideas. The dolls were either animals or human like. To her, they were creepy. The button eyes were not right and she felt as if they were made in a factory. She quickly exited the toy store before it got weird and noticed a tailoring shop. In the window, she could make out a woman with light purple hair under her hood while a man with a mustache was handling the counter. Her warm smile as she used a sewing machine with love and care. Yuuka took one deep breath and entered the shop. Only three customers were in at the moment when Yuuka walked through the doors. She looked at the workers and asked "Do you know anything about making dolls?" with a bit of force behind her voice. The woman stopped her sewing to look at Yuuka. She bowed.
"I take it you want to make one as a gift? Well there is not much time, so come on over. Unzan!" the woman called out to the man with a big beard to escort Yuuka to the back with her. He left them to handle the store and customers.

The woman in the hood greeted Yuuka.
"I am Ichirin Kumoi. And you are?" Yuuka looked around the back room. The various threads and needles organized by size and color made it clear she knew her stuff.
"I am Yuuka Kazami from the flower shop in Goods District." the instant Ichirin heard her name, she smiled with joy.
"Oh you are the flower vendor that Unzan bought the bouquet from! I have to say the instructions he handed me were strict but at least they look as wonderful as the day I got them." she looked over at the neatly kept group of wild flowers. The color shining brighter than the fabrics. Yuuka laughed nervously. She never had a person praise her work other than in her store. But Ichirin then returned to the topic at hand. She picked up a blank doll body from a box that Alice usually gives her to make doll clothing.
"Now then, I know who the doll is for already. Alice is usually one to receive hand made dolls from new customers or close friends. I for one gave her a small version of Unzan if he was a puff of purple cloud." Ichirin told Yuuka, getting the blank doll ready for her. Yuuka asked Ichirin if she could make the eyes look more realistic. Ichirin grinned.
"Well Yuuka. To make real like eyes, you would need to visit the Kirisame shop for a magical dust. But let's talk about that after the doll is made." Ichirin pulled up a small closet like box. Inside were various dresses made for the blank doll. Yuuka noticed one dress that almost looked similar to Alice's when she is off work, but the color is darker and this one had a red bowtie. Yuuka picked the dress up and measured it over the doll. She smiled lightly.
"This will do nicely." Yuuka commented while seeing the Wigs that Ichirin brought out. They all looked plain and unappealing to her, but Yuuka was very anxious to make it. After a good minute she found a very nice wig. Long blonde hair flowing from the back. She placed it on the doll's head, making sure it looked right. But yet something was missing...
"Ichirin. Do you have a hair bow to go with this doll?" she asked her. Ichirin did not say a word. She walked over to the various ribbon wheels, picking out a nice red fabric to match the small bow tie. She tied the bow in the wig, attempting to not ruin any hairs. With another look, the doll looked great but missing the facial features. Ichirin put the doll to the side to explain.
"Alright. Now that we got that done, you should head over to Marisa's shop and pick up that dust I was talking about. And make sure to tell her it's for a doll. Otherwise you might get the wrong one." Ichirin guided Yuuka to the store front and rang up the materials and items.
"Fifteen Thousand Yen? Oh...fine." Yuuka nearly caused an outburst. But she knew how expensive it would have been. It was for Alice. She handed the money to the big man named Unzan.
"I promise to get that dust too! So I will be back!" Yuuka shouted with some accidental anger in her throat.

Yuuka walked down the streets and into the downtown part of the city. She passed the bar and clubs before making it to the Kirisame Magic Shop. The exterior is like looking at an old lady's shack out in the countryside. It was really out of place. But Yuuka bravely entered the shop. Inside, it was as if she entered a new world. The walls were covered in various vials and trinkets. The counter had an old time cash register. And the layout showed many of the items on tables. Yuuka rang the bell on the counter to call for Marisa.
"Hold on a second! Just finishing...crap!" Marisa was fiddling with her gift in the back but ran to the counter post haste.
"Hey Yuuka! Finally going to buy something from my shop?" she grinned In a joking manner. Yuuka did not take it very well but did her best to explain.
"I need some dust for this doll I am making." Marisa then had to play with Yuuka.
"Oh? Yuuka is going to give Alice a doll? Oh my, I wonder what she would say? Maybe you would get a kiss?" Yuuka blushed at her last line before slamming her fist on the counter.
"Just get me the dust!" she shouted in embarrassment. Marisa told her to calm down as she handed her a bag of dust.
"Normally, no one knows of this dust by Ichirin. So I can just give it to you this one time." Yuuka thanked Marisa over and over as she bowed and headed to the door. The wind was picking up. The snow was now clearing up. Yuuka headed to the tailor shop to finish the doll up. By the time she got there, her doll was finished and all fixed up. Yuuka used the small bit of dust on it, seeing it did nothing.
"What? But Marisa gave me the dust?" she crunched the bag in her hand, a bit angered. Ichirin then assured her.
"You need to wait for it to work. By the time you give it to Alice, the doll should look more realistic." Yuuka nodded at her word and thanked the two before heading home herself.

Yuuka's home was out of the city and closer to the open land. It was a small house that could fit two people, but she preferred to live alone. Mainly due to her flower business. She left the present on the coffee table and walked down in the basement. She inspected the rows upon rows of flowers in her green house, picking out the dead ones and watering the ones that need it. She remembered the leftovers from lunch and heated the sandwich up.
"Alice does make some really good food." she commented while enjoying her small dinner. It was a typical end of the day for Yuuka. And she wanted nothing more.

The next morning, Yuuka woke up and prepared herself for the day before Christmas. Her shop would be closed on the eve of Christmas so she had time to enjoy herself. After putting on the warmest pants and shirt, she walked down the steps. On the coffee table, the gift seemed to of been opened! Yuuka nearly jumped off the stairs and inspected the damage. She thought the gift was opened from the outside. A noise was heard from the kitchen. Quietly, she turned her head around the corner and in her own shock, the doll was moving on it's own and cooking. Yuuka thought she was still tired but the doll was indeed moving on it's own. The doll hovered above the ground like some sort of fairy, setting the table and cooking the food. Yuuka made sure to not startle it by walking slowly.
"Hey." she lightly said to the doll. The doll dropped what it was doing and in it's shock shouted one word.
"Shanghai!" it bolted out of the kitchen as if it was frighten by the simple gesture. It flew into the living room where it noticed the mirror was crooked. It adjusted the mirror before floating off into the family room. The doll noticed the rug was not cleaned at all and took a vacuum to get the dirt out.
"It wants to...work?" Yuuka was really interested in the way it was cleaning her house already. She tried to talk to it once more.
"Hey. Do not be afraid. I am just wondering how you came to life." She asked without any realization the doll can not talk. It tilted it's head to the side and saying that word again.
"Shanghai?" Yuuka sighed. She sat on the couch but not before the doll moved a pillow behind her.
"Oh thanks. But you are going to be living with a friend of mine who also makes dolls." The doll floated down until it sat on the table and looked at Yuuka like a child.
"Shanghai?" Yuuka preceded to explain the details to the doll.
"My friend is named Alice. She runs a toy store down the street from my shop. We have been friends since she came into my store. She asked me about the city but I was very nervous. So I accidentally yelled at her for no reason, but she did not leave. She thought it was funny that I was acting like this. She teased me. It was the first time I could actually talk to a person and feel fine. Since then we have been meeting like friends and once a week we make lunch. We alternate cooks but it is Alice that makes the best meals. This year, I am invited to her party and she told me to get her a gift. That is where you come in. Oh right, I should give you a name." Yuuka looked and examined the doll for a nice name to give it.
"Shanghai!" the doll jumped up and stood on her toes. Her name was chosen from the start.
"S-shanghai? Isn't that the name of a place?" she wondered why the doll was saying the name instead of talking. Maybe it was the dust that Marisa got or maybe it was the clothing, but her name was chosen. Shanghai floated around the house, cleaning more than usual. With Yuuka having a day off, she decided it was time to meet with Alice and help with buying food for the party. That entire day, Alice handed out invitations to people she knew already. But even when holding the bags, Yuuka still felt like that doll might do something to her flowers. So the second she could put the groceries on the table for Alice, she excused herself and bolted out the door.

She rushed through the snow and out of the city to her home. She opened the door with force and shouted.
"Shanghai!" she was not there. Yuuka closed the front door and investigated the basement door. It was opened just a crack. So she went down into her Green room, where the doll was floating among it's own time. It was looking at the flowers and admiring the beauty. She seemed to of left it alone. But when she saw Yuuka...
"Shanghai!" she cried while flying into her arms. Yuuka had no time to react and just sighed at the moment. And later that night, Yuuka told Shanghai about the party and that she must be still while in the gift. Of course she agreed to it.
As the morning of Christmas arose, Yuuka spent her morning to find a nice outfit to bring to the party. She quickly chose her yellow and green sundress that she adored more over the rest. She turned to Shanghai and sat her near the box, giving her directions.
"Okay. I will be putting you in this box for a while. Please do your best to not move until Alice opens it. She is the one with short blonde hair and gold eyes. Will you be able to do that?" Shanghai nodded at the order, floating into the box and waiting for Yuuka to wrap it back up. Yuuka threw on a thick coat, her mittens and boots before taking the gift and walking out the door. Christmas Day, the stores were all closed. The only shops opened were the self service "Gap Machines". Yuuka walked through the empty shopping district and headed to Alice's Toy Shop. Yuuka took the staircase on the side to her apartment home above the shop. With a few knocks, Alice opened the door.

"Yuuka! Glad you came! We are waiting for Aya and Momiji to arrive but help yourself to the appetizers." Alice brought Yuuka in, helping her out of her coat. Yuuka noticed the gifts on the table, placing her gift with the others. She noticed the other people, knowing a few.
There was Marisa from her shop, talking to Reimu who ran the police station for the entire city. She was still in her uniform.
Sakuya and the Scarlet Sisters, Remilia and Flandre. The two are one of the richest people in the city. They live in a big mansion some way from the city. Sakuya is the head maid of the entire mansion, always following the sisters where they go. They were enjoying the tea that Alice made for them.
And of course, as Yuuka sat down on the couch a knock came on the door. Alice hurried to open it and the last two guests arrived. Aya, The anchorwoman from the news station and the weather girl Momiji. The two only brought some food instead of presents.
"So sorry about not getting anyone a gift. Aya was too busy to think of a gift with the snow coming down. Plus she was training the new co-anchor, Hatate Himekaidou." Momijo bowed as Aya placed the small dish of food on the coffee table. She smiled about the name.
"I really hope she can do well. She is young and more friendly with the new kids these days. Using the internet and what not." Aya mentioned as she noticed a new person to the party. Alice trotted over to Yuuka and introduced her to the sisters and news women.
"Everyone, This is Yuuka Kazami. She runs a flower shop nearby and really takes care of them." Remilia heard the name as she stood up. Her short size hid the fact she was a young adult.
"Ah, so you are Yuuka. Sakuya has been to your shop here and there for our centerpieces for the family get together. They always enjoyed your plant caring and wished to know what the secret was to keeping them so brightly colorful. Of course, a true artist can never share the magic they put in the art they make." Remilia took a sip of tea and took a tiny club sandwich to eat. Reimu and the rest shook her hand in a proper manner. Aya continued the conversation with Momiji.

"So, as I was speaking to Momiji on the way here, we thought of a fun game for the party. The game is called 'Shoot the Mistletoe '. It's where we hide the Mistletoe in one of eight boxes. Each of us takes a box and open it according to age. The ones with an empty box gets a number from one to four. The people who get Mistletoe will say a number and the two kiss each other. How about it?" Momiji slightly blushed at the game. Mostly part of the reason that she made it. Each girl blushed a bit but giggled at the idea. Yuuka however was nervous. If she kissed Alice, she could never look at her the same way. Alice clasped her hands together.
"That is a great idea to start the night off! Let me get some doll boxes from downstairs and the plastic Mistletoes." The girls were now Talking...
Alice came up with the closed boxes. She already put the numbers and mistletoes in each box, making sure to confuse herself as well. As they went around in order, Yuuka would be left with the last box. She held it in her lap as the girls sat a good distance from one another. Of course, Sakuya was only watching from afar. They each opened their boxes and the holders of the Mistletoes...
Aya, Alice, Reimu and Flandre. Yuuka looked down in her box and noted her number of three.
"This is a stupid idea..." she thought to herself as Flandre picked Number two. Marisa held her number up as the two puckered up. They did not even drink at all and they acted like drunks. Reimu looked at her box and sighed. She did not want to play a part and handed it to Sakuya who chose number one. Remilia held the Number one. But in that game so far, Yuuka looked at Reimu over at the snacks. She felt like she could have some fun but then noticed what she was doing. She was stuffing her pockets with food.
"Ungrateful..." Yuuka did not finish her words as she heard Alice call out for number three. Yuuka froze like ice then melted in embarrassment. She could not face her friend like this.
"Yuuka? Are you number three?" Alice asked Yuuka, her face very close to her's. Yuuka panicked in her moment "W-well I am but then I realized I kind of have bad breath, you know! Horrible onions and all!" leaving the group and entering the bathroom to face the mirror. She was panicking.

"Okay Yuuka. Focus. She is a good friend. It's not like it was fate to make her kiss you. It's just a game. Just a game..." She repeated to herself while splashing her warm face with cold water. She would leave the group to the game for a good while. She had to make herself more aware.
Just then, Alice shrieked. Yuuka nearly broke the door of it's hinges as she saw the sight before her.
Alice opened her gift early. She was giggling and having fun with the new doll she got. Yuuka was struck dumb.
"Oh Yuuka. This doll is amazing! It's moving and talking and everything!" Shanghai floated around Alice as she twirled in her matching skirt. Marisa and Aya shot teasing glares to Yuuka.
"Yuuka. It looks so well made."
"You know, I almost felt bad for Alice when you ditched her out of kissing, but this could get you bed time."
"Bed time? This is like a ring to her!" Yuuka blushed brighter than a street sign.
"I-i thought a lot about this gift. It is the first time you invited me to the Christmas party and we known each other for a good three and a half years. You are really my best friend after all." Yuuka admitted the truth. Alice instructed Shanghai to follow her over to Yuuka.
"Yuuka. You have no idea how much I wanted an animated doll. And this one is ever so cute. It can help in my stores and greet customers. This is more than enough. But I really did not mind if you did not get a gift. Cause you coming here was all I wanted from you."
Alice pulled Yuuka's face to her's, giving the kiss that she won in the game before. Marisa, Aya and Momiji were wooing over this little kiss. Remilia and Flandre just giggled at the two and Reimu only said "Attention Whore." to Alice.
Yuuka had nothing to say to it as she pulled away. Alice simply smiled like it was normal.
"Oh, and for ditching me earlier on that kiss, you will have to make a week's worth of lunches." The punishment was well deserved, but Yuuka did not care. All she cared was that Alice seemed so happy with the doll.

And thus the origin of Shanghai comes to a close. The toy shop owner was always excited to see the young ones interacting with Shanghai and even pulling off small shows to entertain them. Yuuka's cooking did get better but only by a margin. And since then, days were normal for them. With the addition of Shanghai.