The day is cold and cloudy, it's afternoon on December 24th. A light layer of snow has been recently swept away by an old woman, clearing out the path to welcome guests into her humble home. After a very harsh life changing event in Yamanose, the Hazuki dojo is looking to brighten up their year by spending it with friends and family alike.
"Oh dear," Ine-san says to herself.
"What's wrong Ine-san?" Ryo, the heir of the Hazuki legacy, said.
Ine-San turned around slowly, not realizing her surrogate son was standing in the kitchen behind her.
"O-oh Ryo," She answered. "Oh it's nothing too serious, why don't you go and help Fuku-san with the decorations."
"It's already taken care of Ine-san, is there anything I can help with?" He replied.
"You don't have to worry about it Ryo. It's just that I forgot to pick up cookies and eggnog for the party. It's no trouble I'll just-"
"Oh is that all?" Ryo interrupted. "Please Ine-san, allow me to go and pick those up from the store."
Ine-san trembled a bit, she knew all too well how poor Ryo's time management was, if she sent him to do the job they would have to wait hours before the snacks would be at the party.
"It's fine Ryo, I should have picked them up earlier, so it's my responsibility."
"Ine-san, you do so much for us already, please allow me to do this for you."
Ine-san looked over the tall boy, she knew her heart couldn't say no to the youth.
"Oh okay," Ine-san said, "But please be quick Ryo, the guests will be coming soon."
"Of course." Replied Ryo.
As Ryo slid into his shoes Ine-san handed him some cash of the groceries, Ryo looked at his hand inquisitively.
"Is something the matter?" Ine-san asked.
"No," answered Ryo, "I just thought there would be more."
Ine-san grimaced, and Ryo left the house and made his way into town.
"I have to make things right," Ryo thought to himself. "Santa is depending on me to bring these cookies back home."
Ryo made it all the way to Sakuragaoka before his attention was first caught by the tall soda machine. His eyes glazed over and he licked his lips as he put a coin into the machine, punching the button for a can of Fruda grape. He stood tall as he downed the can, only stopping once to let out a sick belch, then finished his sugary sweet treat. Dunking the empty can into the bin next to the machine his eyes were met with a small gashapon machine. Like a moth to a flame Ryo placed a coin into it and turned the tumbler, releasing his prize. Inside was a tiny figure of the titular antagonist Dr. Eggman. Ryo smirked and pocketed his prize.
Since Abe Store was already closed for the holiday he had no choice but to make the walk to Dobuita, carefully sneaking past the Sakuragaoka Gossip Gaggle as to avoid their teasing about whether or not he made the naughty list, as well as asking about when he is going to find a girl and "settle down" whatever that means. On the long walk-through town Ryo noticed that the Funny Bear Burger was still open and he decided to pay his old friend a visit.
"Hello Motoyuki-san," greeted Ryo.
"Hi there," the burger chef replied, "What can I get for you?"
"I'll take one Funny Bear Burger, extra funny please."
The chef nodded and began flipping patties on the grill. Ryo looked around at all the holiday decorations that were set up in town, unaware of the sun slowly heading for the horizon line behind him. Soon enough Motoyuki presented the youth with his extra funny meal. Ryo paid and thanked the man before chowing down at the nearby table. After his delicious pre-party meal, he continued to walk down town and locked eyes (at least he assumed) with Tom, decked out in a Santa costume, dancing to his usual tunes.
"Tom" Ryo stated.
"Merry Christmas Ryoooo!" Tom shouted, trying to speak louder than his music. "What are you doing out? Did you come out to see me?"
"Not quite," Ryo bluntly stated, "I'm running an errand for Ine-san."
"Oh I see!" Shouted Tom. "How is Ine-san? It must be hard to live in that house without your father around."
"Uhm"
"Do you think I should go and pay her a visit?"
"Er"
"I'll have her try my special dog! It'll perk her right up!"
"Do you know any stores that are still open?" Ryo changed the subject.
"Yeah I do! The Tomato Convenience! Didn't you pass it on the way here?"
Ryo stared and shrugged. Tom gestured behind him, pointing him in the right direction. Ryo thanked Tom and walked off, not noticing Honey standing outside of the hot dog cart shivering in the cold, praying that her husband would let her go home.
All sorts of buzzes and whirls and other electronic sound effects were blaring as Ryo drifted around a corner on the Super Hang-On arcade machine. Determined to beat the current high score (set by him) he had dropped at least 500 yen into the game. Yuji, the owner, was visibly groaning. All he wanted was to shut down for the night but his own honor would be at stake if he closed early while there was a customer on the premises. Eventually Ryo showed mercy to the man as he finally was able to beat his current record, even though he did play a quick round of darts before heading out. As he exited the store, he nearly collided with Nozomi.
"Oh Ryo" she said startled, "What are you doing out in town? Isn't the Hazuki dojo hosting a Christmas party tonight?"
"That's why I'm here," Ryo said, "I'm just picking up a few things in town."
Nozomi stared past Ryo at the arcade he just exited, then looked back at him.
"Okay, well," Nozomi started, "Well since we're together I suppose there's no harm in it."
Nozomi reached into her bag and handed Ryo a wrapped present.
"I was going to give this to you at the party but there's no need to wait."
"Thank you Nozomi," Ryo stated as he began to unwrap the box. Inside was a framed photo of the two of them together. He admired it for a moment before putting it into his inventory, fumbled with his pockets and presented Nozomi with a small figure of Dr. Eggman. She took it and examined it for a moment.
"T-thank you," Nozomi said. "Anyway, you should probably go to the Tomato mart, it's the only place that's open this late."
"Alright," Replied Ryo. "I'll see you later Nozomi."
Ryo tank controlled himself around her and made a mad dash for the Tomato Convenience store, passing my Tom without a glance, who didn't miss a single beat in his dance routine. The sliding doors of the mart opened like magic, which somewhat amazed Ryo who approached the counter.
"What can we get for you?" The attendant asked.
Ryo finally picked up his precious eggnog and Christmas cookies, as well as a box of matches, a lightbulb, a caramel, some chocolate, some potato chips, a AA size battery, a C size battery, a candle, a can of tuna, some dried fish, a flashlight, some sliced fish, and a few cassettes, Antiquity Tree, Be-Witch, Boz Nov, Dandy Old Man, Destiny, Feel Tired Song Flower Girl, GoGo, Harbor Bar, Heart Beats, Hip De Hop, Like a Feeling, Linda, Liquor, MJQ, and NaNa. After filling out all the raffle tickets he was given for buying so much he won a few prizes, but unfortunately, he wasn't able to get the cassette player and he had no way to play his new collection. Maybe Santa will bring him one this year. Ryo thanks the attendant and left for home.
After a long establishing shot of a cutscene and the day had transitioned to night Ryo was finally able to enter his home, sliding his shoes off and carrying his "groceries" into the kitchen, where there were already many guests packed into the narrow rooms.
"I hope I'm not too late," Ryo asked as he began putting away his purchases. Ine-san did not reply to this.
"If it is no trouble Ryo," Ine-san began, "Could you please return the leftover yen?"
"Sorry Ine-san," Ryo replied, "It cost everything you gave me."
Ine-san looked at all the candies and cassette tapes that Ryo had acquired on his day trip, as well as a can of Jet Cola he must have picked up from one of the machines on his way back. Now that Ryo was home the party could finally begin proper. Everyone was enjoying themselves and indulging in casual conversation, talking about how the year had gone for them and what they hoped to accomplish in the next. Eventually the guests began to make their way home so they could prepare for their own Christmas mornings. Ryo watched Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, then left out some milk and cookies for the jolly red man and finally went to bed. The morning came and he was quick to jump out from under the covers, clad in a flannel pajama set he ran into the sitting room where their tree was. Inside he found presents all over the place, some marked for Ine-san, some for Fuku-san, and even some for himself. Ryo was especially proud of himself for steering clear of the naughty list, his father was always leading him to the path of enlightenment. The others soon joined him in sharing laughter and love with each other, despite everything they still had each other, and even though the murderous Lan-Di was still out there, Ryo was able to find peace in these simple times, if only for a moment.
The End