25 Days of Macadamia Nuts

by zanganito

The school of Tendo Mushin Macadamia has one rule, "keep smiling." And with the approach of the holidays, Otae and Shinpachi will discover what happens as certain memories slowly melt away, like the chocolate covering on a chocolate-covered macadamia nut. *Spoilers for season 6*

19. MADAO

19: MADAO

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Normally, by this time of year, Hasegawa drinks himself into oblivion. Some days are harder than others to be alone, and the holidays seem designed to make him feel miserable. Couples walk hand in hand down the street, children laugh and play with their parents, and friends invite each other over for dinner or hot chocolate.

This year is different. He might not have his family or job back yet, and he still sleeps on a bench in the park, but he has hope. Every day he practices with his friends at the dojo. While Gintoki might have brought him nothing but bad luck in the past, he seems different when he's teaching his students The lessons are hard, but Hasegawa and the others slowly notice that they're techniques are improving. And as he finishes another hard day of practice, Hasegawa almost feels like hanging Christmas lights in the streets instead of wanting to hang himself this year.