Upon learning about work's Christmas - or, Christmas Eve celebration in the Black Hawks - Shuri turned speechless. Then he tried to excuse himself out; after all, this particular time the Oaks used to have a party for the three of them, and it was impossible for him not to appear. Major Hyuuga, however, could be very persuasive:
"Come on, Shuri-kun! You have to be there. Otherwise Aya-tan will be upset, and we don't want him to be upset, do we?"
No, the definitely didn't want. Shuri gulped and quickly decided he preferred his father's reproaches and mother's wailing over Chief of Staff Ayanami's displeasure. He wasn't a suicide and, besides, he valued his position in this elite squad.
In the Black Hawks, they used to do everything by themselves - well, except for cleaning and laundry. If Shuri had expected he would come and be given everything on the plate, he was greatly mistaken. It seemed that the tradition of celebrating the Christmas together was long here - long enough to make the assignment clear. Kuroyuri and Haruse were in charge of preparing the tree and the decorations, and Katsuragi - the meal. Whatever Hyuuga and Konatsu took care of, remained unclear to Shuri - perhaps they engage in making the atmosphere. Especially between them two. Shuri, a rookie here, was made the errand boy, which didn't please him much, but he didn't dare to protest.
The Christmas Eve came surprisingly fast.
The spruce already stood in the common room; Kuroyuri and Haruse, their faces still flushed from the cold, were busy with the ornaments. After two hours the tree remained as it had been, but it was clear that they had never had a more beautiful angel in the Black Hawks, after Haruse had given in to his instincts and focused his decorative inclinations on Kuroyuri. Of course, Major Hyuuga had his own opinion about the angels in the Black Hawks... but they concluded a truce after having decided that Aya-tan surely wouldn't be happy about the slaughter during the Christmas Eve. Shuri didn't participate in the discussion, although he personally thought Konatsu and Kuroyuri were closer to the demons, no matter how innocent their looks were.
Katsuragi barricaded himself in the kitchen and kept sending Shuri off to shopping. After the third time, Shuri called home and provided the Colonel with at least five years stock. Katsuragi, however, was strict about the eggs: he used to buy them only in the convenience store round the corner, and thus Shuri, willy-nilly, had to visit the shop for the fourth time. Of the delinquents gathering at the entrance he had taken care right at the beginning, but to deal with the tedious clerk was a pain - after all, if he wanted to pay with ten thousand banknote, he had all the right to, didn't he?
And then... Even though Shuri had originally considered Christmas in the Black Hawks something abstract, in the end he had to agree that, compared with the usual atmosphere in the Oak residence, here was much more... pleasant. The meal was delicious; Katsuragi was an excellent cook. The tree had been ornamented, and even the gifts appeared under it. Chief of Staff Ayanami got a new cap ("It would suit you even more, Aya-tan!"), and Katsuragi - an exclusive edition of his favourite romance series (he started to read it while still by the table). Kuroyuri was happy about the set of Barsburg Army toy soldiers, while Haruse enriched himself with yet another book on growing up children. Hyuuga wore brand new sunglasses, and Konatsu fondled the new record kit. They both beamed - although Shuri suspected it had more to do with the greetings they had wished each other under the mistletoe some time before. He himself was given the cactus in the pot, and amazed at the warm feeling that filled him.
At midnight Ayanami spoke and wished his people all the best.
It was Christmas.