12 Short Stories of Christmas
Story #1: The Amamiya Family
Narrator: 'Twas the days before Christmas, and all throughout Japan. Everyone was excited for the holidays and preparing holly jolly plans. We begin our series of tales in the Amamiya Household. So let's go inside, see what's up, and get out of the cold.
In the living room of the Amamiya Residence, we see the likes of Minato, Kimiko, Morgana, and Himari as the latter admires the decorations that were set up all around the room.
"Man, you guys know how to do Christmas right," Himari said as she and her friends admired the Amamiya Family Christmas Tree.
"Are you kidding," Minato said, "We love Christmas. Just as much, if not more, than Halloween."
"I sure wish I had as much Christmas spirit as you guys," Himari lamented.
"What's wrong, Himari?" Kimiko asked, "Is everything going okay with you and your parents this year?"
"Yeah, we're doing fine," Himari answered, "It's just that ever since I learned the truth about San-"
Before Himari could finish her sentence, Minato covered her mouth and they both looked over at Kimiko, as the eldest Amamiya child thinks that his nine-year old sister still believes in Santa Claus, and didn't want her to learn the truth this way.
"Minato, let Himari speak," Kimiko said, "I know Santa isn't real. I've known for about a year."
"Wait, what?!" Minato asked in amazement, "How?"
"Three words: 'Made in China'," Kimiko explained, "I may be naive, but I'm not stupid."
"I see," Minato said, "Alright, Himari, carry on."
"Anyway," Himari continued, "Ever since I learned the truth about Santa Claus, I don't really know how to go about celebrating this holiday. It just feels like another cold day to me. So, I've made it a personal quest this year to go around and ask others what the true meaning of Christmas is. Maybe that'll create a spark that'll reignite my passion for the holiday again."
"Well we can tell you what the true meaning of Christmas is to Minato and me," Kimiko said.
"Christmas is the time for family," Minato said, "You only get one, and every member of a family should take it upon themselves to spend at least one day every holiday season in each other's presence."
"But I see my family everyday," Himari said, "The only difference is that, again, it's cold outside."
"Well, do something different with your family that you wouldn't ordinarily do on any other day," Minato explained, "For example, one way that Kimiko and I spend time together is by taking Christmas pictures with our family for the Amamiya Family Christmas Card. Speaking of which, Kim, we'd better go find mom and Morgana and get ready to take the picture before dad gets home from work."
"You got it," Kimiko said with a nod.
Himari, not feeling a hundred percent on board with the advice Minato and Kimiko gave to her, makes her way to the front door, grabbing her coat and putting on her snow boots in the process.
"Well, thanks anyway, guys," Himari said as she opened the front door, "But I think I'm just going to keep asking around. Have fun with your holiday photoshoot."
"Bye, Himari," Minato and Kimiko waved as the brunette left the house.
As soon as Himari left, Ann and Morgana came into the living room holding a box filled with holiday stuff.
"What have you got there, mom?" Minato asked.
"A box of holiday supplies that I'd like to use for when we take our picture when your father gets home," Ann said as she opened up the box and took out some elf costumes, which she gave to her two kids, "You kids can be the elves."
Kimiko and Minato looked at each other with unsure expressions as Ann continues to dig through the box, pulling out a Santa Claus, a Mrs. Claus, and a reindeer costume.
"Morgana can be Rudolph," Ann said as she showed an annoyed looking Morgana the reindeer costume.
"Red nose, antlers, jingle bells. How embarrassing," Morgana complained to himself.
"And that leaves your father and me as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus," Ann said happily, "This is going to be our best family Christmas picture yet!"
"Uh, mom, don't you think this stuff is…humiliating?" Minato asked.
"No, it's cute," Ann said, "And it'll really tell anyone who sees us that we know how to celebrate Christmas."
"But if our friends, or anyone for that matter, sees us in these embarrassing costumes, they'll never let us live it down," Kimiko protested.
"Am I allowed to throw my hat in the ring, because I have an idea," Minato said, "Some of my classmates are going to Hawaii this Christmas. Maybe we can have a tropical themed Christmas Picture this year. We can wear Hawaiian shirts, bring out the pool toys, and I can run over to Hotaru's place and borrow his green screen so we can add in a beach background."
Ann, Kimiko, and Morgana just looked at him in complete silence after he gave his idea.
"Suddenly the red nose and antlers don't sound so bad," Morgana said to himself.
"As much as I love the beach, Minato, it really doesn't scream 'Christmas'," Kimiko said, "I mean, what, do people decorate palm trees instead of pine trees down there?"
"What, you think you have a better idea?" Minato said.
"Actually, yes," Kimiko began, "I say we all take a picture of us in the kitchen making gingerbread cookies! It's festive, it'll curb my craving for gingerbread cookies, it'll bring us together as a family, and-"
"It'll be messy," Ann said, cutting her daughter off, "My idea isn't that embarrassing, kids. It'll be fun."
"Lady Ann, I'd rather die than put that reindeer costume on, and you know Minato and Kimiko don't want to do this either," Morgana said, only for Ann to shush the cat.
"Come on, guys, my idea is the coolest," Minato said.
"And the one that fits the least with the season," Kimiko said, "Gingerbread, guys."
"No, costumes!" Ann said.
"Tropical!" Minato said.
"Gingerbread!" Kimiko said.
For the next few minutes, the mother and two children argued with each other over how the family Christmas picture should be taken. Eventually, Ren returns home from work to find his beloved family in discord.
"Hey, hey, hey," Ren called, ceasing his family's squabble, "What's going on here?"
"Well, dear, we can't seem to decide on how we should go about the family Christmas picture this year," Ann said, "So you know what, why don't you be the deciding vote. Do you want to do Christmas costumes for this year's picture?"
"A Hawaiian theme," Minato chimed in.
"Or have all of us make gingerbread cookies," Kimiko chimed in.
"Well, you've all come up with some brilliant ideas," Ren said as he reached into his pocket for something, "But I have an idea of my own that I think you'll all like. Come here."
Ren's family gathered around him as he took out his wallet. Out from his wallet came a picture of the first Christmas Ren and Ann spent together as a couple. They were both seen smiling and wearing Santa hats and festive sweaters, and holding mugs of hot chocolate. In between the two of them was Morgana.
"Is that you and mom and dad?" Minato asked.
"You both look so happy," Kimiko added.
"Yes," Ann said, "This was the first Christmas your father and I had together as a couple. It was one of my favorite Christmases."
"I think we should do a remake of this photo for this year," Ren said, "Only this time, we throw Minato and Kimiko into the mix to show everyone how far we've come since those days."
"I like it," Ann said as her children nodded, "It's festive."
"It's not embarrassing," Minato chimed in.
"And it'll bring us together as a family," Kimiko added.
"So it looks like we're all in agreement," Ren asked.
"Yes," Ann, Kimiko, and Minato said together.
"Alright," Ren said, "Let's slip on some sweaters and Santa hats, I'll make us some hot chocolate, and then we position ourselves in front of the Christmas tree so we can take this picture!"
"Okay!" Ann, Kimiko, and Minato cheered.
A few minutes later, with four mugs of hot chocolate prepared, and all four human members of the Amamiya family wearing their best Christmas sweater and Santa hat (Morgana has a small Santa hat of his own), the family gathers in front of the Christmas tree with a camera standing in front of them. A timer was counting down to take the picture.
"Cheese!" Ren, Ann, Kimiko, Minato, and Morgana said together as the picture was taken, proudly showcasing the Amamiya Family's happiness and overall Christmas spirit.
Story #2: Riku and Nariko
Narrator: Another successful picture, the Amamiya Family beaming with joy! But in another part of town, we see the troubles of the young Mishima boy.
In the start of this story, we see Riku pacing the floor of his living room, Yuuki, Futaba, and/or Mai nowhere in sight. Riku seems to be troubled about something. In his hands, Riku is seen holding his Funtendo Switch.
"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make," Riku said to himself as a knocking came at the door.
Riku went over to answer it to find Himari there waiting for him.
"Himari," Riku exclaimed, "What a nice surprise! What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping you could answer a question for me," Himari said.
"Fire away," Riku replied.
"What do you think the true meaning of Christmas is?" Himari asked.
"Isn't it obvious, Himari," Riku replied, "It's the gifts!"
"That sounds greedy," Himari said.
"Not just getting gifts, but giving them too," Riku explained, "Whether you drop off a toy at the local toy drive or you want to give your special someone that special something, you'll find that giving gifts can be more gratifying than getting them."
"Eh, I guess so," Himari said, still unsure she found her answer.
"Case in point," Riku continued, "I want to give Nariko something really nice. See, she has this elegant dress that she bought a few weeks ago. She saved up money for months to pay for it. But, she only had enough money for the dress and not the shoes that go with it. I want to get Nariko those shoes. Only one problem…I'm just as broke as her."
"So what are you going to do?" Himari asked.
Looking at the Funtendo Switch in his hands, Riku continued, "I'm going to go to the pawn shop soon to see if my Funtendo Switch can get me the money. And, if not, my parents said they can throw a couple of bucks my way if I need it. But selling my Switch should get me most of what I need."
"You're going to sell your Funtendo Switch!?" Himari asked, shocked, "But that's your favorite thing!"
"For Nariko…I'm willing to give up the whole world for her," Riku said.
"You two aren't even an item!" Himari exclaimed, "Why do you want to do this?"
All Riku could say as he put on his coat and winter shoes, video game console still in hand, was, "Christmas, Himari…Christmas."
With that, Riku left his home, leaving Himari alone in the Mishima Family living room.
"He's lucky I'm not a thief or I'd rob this place blind," Himari joked before she left as well.
Meanwhile, at the Watanabe Residence, Nariko was seen looking at the dress Riku mentioned. The frilly pink dress was currently on a hanger hanging from a hook on her bedroom door, and Kaito is right behind her, sitting on Nariko's bed.
"Are you sure you want to do this," Kaito asked, "You've saved up for months so you could buy this dress. Now you just want to give it away?"
"With good reason, Kaito," Nariko said, "Christmas is coming up, and Riku's been dying to get his hands on the new Super Marco RPG game that came out on the Funtendo Switch. I want to get it for him, but I spent every bit of yen I had on this dress. It took a lot of thinking, but I decided to sell this dress to the local pawn shop so I can get the funds necessary to buy Riku the game for Christmas. I'm willing to let it go."
"That's big of you, sis," Kaito said, "And I'm sure Riku will appreciate it, greatly."
"I know he will," Nariko said as she took the dress, still on its hanger, from its hook on her door, "He's my friend, and I know he'd do the same for me."
"You're going now?" Kaito asked.
"I'd like to before it gets too late," Nariko answered, "You know how mom and dad get when we're out by ourselves at night."
"I understand," Kaito said, "Goodbye sis, and good luck."
And so, Nariko took her dress downstairs, put on her winter clothes, and made the trek to the pawn shop.
Meanwhile, at said pawn shop, Riku was seen showing the owner his Funtendo Switch.
"So, uh, how much do you think you can give me for that?" Riku asked.
"Hmm," went the owner as he continued looking at the console, "I can give you ¥15,000 for this baby. How does that sound?"
"Perfect!" Riku exclaimed as the owner took the video game console and handed Riku his payment, "Thank you sir."
"Pleasure doing business with you," The owner smiled.
"To the shoe store!" Riku exclaimed as he bolted out of the pawn shop, taking a left when he ran out of the store.
From the right of the store, however, Nariko entered the scene. She entered the pawn shop and went straight for the counter, pink dress in hand. She placed it on the counter, causing the owner to look at her.
"Can I help you, miss?" The owner asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to know how much I can get for this," Nariko asked.
"Well, let's have a look," The pawn shop owner said as he examined the dress, "Hmm, perfect stitch work. Near-mint condition. I can give you ¥30,000 for this. Is that enough?"
"That's more than enough, sir, thank you!" Nariko said gratefully as he gave the 12 year old girl proper payment before putting the dress away in a nearby closet.
"Pleasure doing business with you, young lady," The pawn shop owner said, "Don't spend all that money in one place."
"I make no promises," Nariko said as she stared at the money before running out of the store in excitement, "Super Marco RPG, here I come!"
Once Nariko left the pawn shop, the owner leaned back in his chair, a proud expression on his face.
"All in a day's work," The pawn shop owner smiled.
Story #3: The Tanaka Family
Narrator: Nariko and Riku got the money they needed, leaving them a happy lad and lass. Meanwhile, a family of three was about to go get a Christmas tree; the family of Sumire, Ichiro, and Kas.
We see the three Tanakas, dressed up in their winter clothes, leaving out the front door of their home as they approach the family car.
"Oh, I love this time of year," Sumire said in a giddy tone, "Going out to the country and getting a Christmas tree has been a tradition ever since I was a little girl."
"It warms my heart to see you this happy, Sumi," Ichiro said, his wife's adorableness causing his heart to melt. Ichiro clicked a button on his car key that unlocked the car doors, "Alright, everyone get in."
"After me," Kas said as she opened the backseat to find Himari waiting there for her.
"Hey, guys," Himari greeted.
"Himari?!" Sumire, Ichiro, and Kas said in unison.
"What are you doing in our car?" Ichiro asked.
"I was hoping to catch you guys so you can answer a very important question for me," Himari said, "What is the true meaning of Christmas?"
"Well, Himari," Sumire said, "That question has a wide variety of answers. But we'll be happy to tell you what we think the true meaning of Christmas is."
"What is it?" Himari asked.
"The Christmas Tree," All three Tanakas said together.
"Getting and decorating a Christmas tree is my favorite part of the whole holiday," Sumire said, "Bringing it home and eagerly awaiting the branches to drop, the house smelling like fresh pine all the while. Oh, then we get to decorate it with colorful lights, shiny ornaments and garlands. The tree has to be the best part about Christmas."
"I see," Himari said, once again feeling as though she's coming out of the ordeal empty handed. She stepped out of the car and began to make her leave, "Well, thanks for giving me your twenty five cents, but I think I'm going to keep asking around?"
"Don't you want to come with us to help pick out our Christmas tree?" Kas asked.
"I'll pass, thanks though," Himari said as she walked off.
"Her loss," Sumire said with the shrug of her shoulders before turning to her husband, "Ichi, you drive, I give directions."
"Sounds fair," Ichiro said, "All aboard!"
With that, the family of three piled into the car and drove off for the countryside so they could get their Christmas tree.
The family drove out of Tokyo into the cold, but nonetheless natural beauty of the forest. As they drove, they took in the winter scenery. It wasn't everyday when they drove out of the city, so they wanted to take full advantage of this trip and see everything that Mother Nature had to offer.
"Hey, how about some Christmas music," Ichiro suggested as he turned the radio on for 'Jingle Bell Rock' to start coming through the speakers. With a smile, Ichiro smiled as he bopped his head to the beat of the music, "Aw yeah, this is Christmas music."
"Mmm, let's see what else is on," Sumire said as she changed to another station. This one playing the song 'Last Christmas'. Sumire got into the rhythm and started singing along, "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to someone special."
"What else is on," Kas wondered as she reached for the radio and changed to a channel that had 'All I Want for Christmas is You' playing, "Oh, baby, this is my jam!"
And, like mother, like daughter, Kas started to sing along to the music.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas," Kas sang, "There is just one thing I need! Don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree."
"This song's been number one on the charts for too long," Ichiro said as he changed the channel back to the one that had 'Jingle Bell Rock'.
As soon as he did that, however, Sumire changed the channel back to the one that had 'Last Christmas'. In turn, this caused Kas to change the channel back to the one that had 'All I Want for Christmas is You'. The family of three kept fighting for dominance over what song they'd be listening to until one of their hands slipped and tuned the radio into a fourth station that was playing Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 'Carol of the Bells'. Sumire, Ichiro, and Kas remained silent for a few seconds before they started to really get into the song; violently rocking their heads to the beat, holding up the sign of the horns with their hands, and air guitaring to the music.
Happy that they settled on a song they liked, the Tanakas pressed on into the Japanese Wilderness to find their Christmas tree.
Eventually, the three of them made it to the Christmas tree farm, where countless other families were gathered to pick out their tree for the holiday season.
"Here we are," Ichiro said as he, his wife, and his daughter disembarked from their vehicle.
"Alright, let's go get us our tree!" Kas said with excitement as she made her way into the farm.
"Why are you going that way, Kas, come on!" Sumire called out to her daughter, "We're going this way."
"But the Christmas tree farm is over there," Kas said pointing at the aforementioned farm behind her.
"Yoshizawa Family tradition," Sumire explained, "We'd always go into the woods to chop down a tree."
"I'm pretty sure we need a permit for that," Kas said.
"Right here," Ichiro said as he pulled a permit out from his pocket.
"Come on, let's go!" Sumire said as she and Ichiro continued to make their way into the woods.
"My parents are insane," Kas muttered to herself as she followed Sumire and Ichiro.
Some time later, the Tanakas were seen crossing the frozen wilderness. Sumire was leading the way, with Kas behind her, and Ichiro behind her.
"Mom, weren't Christmas tree farms invented so people didn't wander out into the middle of scenic nowhere and waste a whole day?" Kas asked.
"They invented Christmas tree farms because people forgot how to have a real, authentic Christmas and are happy with scrawny, dead, overpriced trees with needles that easily fall off," Sumire said.
"Darling, my toes are numb," Ichiro said.
"This is what my family did on Christmas, and it's what my dad's family did on Christmas," Sumire said, "Going out into the forest to chop down a Christmas tree has always been a Yoshizawa Family tradition, and it's one that I hope you'll pass down to your kids, Kas."
"Babe, I can't feel my legs," Ichiro said.
"Nothing says Christmas like finding that one special tree and chopping it down with your bare hands," Sumire continued.
"Sumi, I can't feel my hips," Ichiro complained.
"Mom, I think dad's going to die if we stay out here for much longer," Kas said.
"He'll be fine," Sumire said, "It's all part of the experience."
The family continued walking, shivering as they tried their best to ignore the urge to turn around and go home. They walked for just a few minutes more before they came to a clearing, and in the center of that clearing was, in Sumire's opinion, the perfect Christmas tree.
"There is is!" Sumire said in awe.
The tree in question was very tall and very wide. It had room for all of the Tanaka Family's ornaments and then some. The three Tanakas approached the tree and looked upon it, Sumire beaming from ear to ear.
"Kas, Ichiro, I give you the Tanaka Family Christmas Tree," Sumire said proudly.
"It looks great, mom," Kas said, "But don't you think it's a little big? Seriously, this thing won't even fit in our yard."
"It's not going in our yard, Kas," Sumire said, "It's going in our living room."
Kas just rolled her eyes, her worries about the tree falling on deaf ears.
"Isn't it beautiful, Ichi?" Sumire said as she wrapped an arm around her husband.
"I'd love to look at it, Sumi," Ichiro said with a shiver, "But there's a layer of ice covering my eyes right now and I can't see it properly. Seriously, everything looks like the inside of a kaleidoscope right now."
"It's okay, babe," Sumire said as she gave a kiss to her husband's cold cheek, "I'll drive us home and we'll have the heater on full blast."
"Thanks, babe," Ichiro said, "By the by, did either of you girls bring a saw so we can cut this tree down?"
And with that, Sumire's eyes widened as her smile turned into a frown.
"I knew I forgot something," Sumire lamented.
Some time later, the Tanakas are seen driving home with their Christmas tree tied onto the roof of their car…with the tree's roots still attached, bringing a large chunk of the ground with them in the process.
Later that night, after the family warms up by the fire, Sumire invited her father Shinichi Yoshizawa to help in cutting the tree's roots off before helping his daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law carry the voluminous tree inside. After getting the tree positioned onto its stand, there was only one thing left to do; cut off the ropes that were keeping the tree's branches up. As the four of them looked up at the tree, however, they noticed that the top of the tree was touching the ceiling.
"I'm glad you went above and beyond when getting a Christmas tree, Sumire," Shinichi said, "But I don't think there's enough room to put the angel on top."
"I'll make it work," Sumire said as she approached the tree, scissors in hand, ready to cut the ropes. "Dad, Kas, Ichiro, I give you the Tanaka Family Christmas Tree"
And with that, Sumire cut the ropes…but as soon as she did that, the branches opened up, knocking over furniture and breaking a nearby window in the process, as well as trapping Sumrie inside and knocking Shinichi, Ichiro, and Kas down to the floor.
"Babe," Ichiro cried as he ran over to the tree, reaching inside to pull his wife out.
When Ichiro freed his wife from within the tree, the red haired gymnast was covered in sap and pine needles.
"Are you alright," Ichiro asked.
"Never better," Sumire said as she looked at the tree, "It looks great. Granted there was a lot of sap, but it looks great."
"Uh, maybe we should get you cleaned up," Ichiro said before whispering in your ear, "And maybe I can join you."
Not wanting to turn down an erotic shower with her husband, Sumire turned to her daughter and father.
"Dad, do you mind taking Kas out for a little bit?" Sumire asked in an almost excited tone, "Ichiro and I are going to be a little busy for the next hour or two."
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I get it," Shinichi said, "Your daughter is in good hands with me."
"Great, thanks," Sumire said as she followed Ichiro upstairs to the master bathroom.
"I wonder what they're going to do up there?" Kas wondered.
"Let's just say that if they're not careful, you might be getting a little brother or sister this Christmas," Shinichi joked, "Come on, let's go get some dinner."
"Good idea, gramps," Kas said as she walked out of the house with her grandfather, giving her parents the alone time they needed.
Story #4: Hotaru
Narrator: The Tanakas have their tree, standing proud and tall. But the next morning, we see Hotaru Yajima, who is hitting his head against the wall.
True to what the narrator said, Hotaru was seen in his room hitting his head against the wall saying 'Come on, think! Think! Think! Think!'.
On a table next to him, Hotaru had some clay figures that he made himself, his video camera pointing right at them. He clearly has another film project planned, but he's not sure how to go about it. As Hotaru continued to bang his head against the wall, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," Hotaru said as he turned to face the door.
Himari Sakamoto was seen entering her friend's room.
"Hey, Hotaru," Himari greeted, "What's going on?"
"Nothing much," Hotaru said, "I'm just trying to come up with an idea for a Christmas film."
Himari looked at the table to find all of the clay figures that he had made in preparation for said Christmas film.
"Wow, Hotaru, these look great," Himari said, impressed, "Did you make these?"
"I had a little help from my mom, but for the most part, yes," Hotaru answered, "Now if only I could figure out what to do with them."
"Sounds like we both have problems in regards to this holiday season," Himari said, "You don't know what type of Christmas film to make, and I don't know what the true meaning of Christmas is."
"Take it from me, Himari," Hotaru said, "The true meaning of Christmas is turning on the T.V and finding all of the Christmas specials and movies playing, with the Frankin-Crass Specials (Rankin-Bass) being my all time favorites. That's actually what inspired me to take on this project of mine. I want to make a Christmas special on par with the ones they made, but all of the good ideas are taken and I can't seem to come up with a good idea of my own."
"Something will come to you, Hotaru," Himari said, "You've overcome worse cases of 'filmmaker's block' before."
"Thanks for believing in me, Himari," Hotaru smiled, "But to get back to your problem, that's what I recommend you do. Later, when you get home, sit yourself down in front of the T.V, get a nice hot beverage and some cookies, and turn on a nice Christmas movie."
"I'll give it a try," Himari said as she prepared to leave, "Thanks Hotaru."
As Himari left, Hotaru continued to try and think of a Christmas special that he could make.
"Let's see," Hotaru thought, "Oh, I know! I could have Santa come down with a cold and he'll have to miss Christmas and I'll call it 'The Year Without-'...crap, that's been done before."
…
"I got it!" Hotaru said coming up with another idea, "A story about a snowman that comes to life thanks to a magic hat and he plays with…No, dang! That's been done before!"
Trying to think of a new, creative Christmas special was taking a toll on Hotaru as he started to yawn.
"Trying to come up with a new idea is using up more of my energy than I thought," Hotaru said, "Maybe a quick nap will help."
With that, Hotaru got in his bed, pulled the covers up to his chin, and he closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Hotaru wakes up to find himself in a dream. In this dream, the world around him looked like the exact kind of 'winter wonderland' that the scarlet haired boy would see in his Frankin-Crass Christmas Specials, right down to everything looking like it was made out of clay…himself included.
"What the hell?!" Hotaru exclaimed as he looked at his 'clay-ified' body and the world around him, "What happened to my art style?! What is this place?!"
Suddenly, a brown haired elf garbed in blue comes out from behind a Christmas tree to greet Hotaru.
"Hello there, Hotaru," the elf greeted, "Welcome to Christmas Town!"
Hotaru turned around to face the elf.
"Who are you?" Hotaru asked.
"I'm a mental manifestation of all the Christmas joy you have inside you," The elf explained, "And I hear that you've been having a tough time trying to express that joy through film."
"What's it to you?" Hotaru asked.
"I'm here to help you come up with an idea so you can make the greatest Christmas Special Ever," The elf cheered.
"This is crazy," Hotaru said, "I'm going home. Where's the emergency exit in this dream?"
"Emergency exit?" The elf asked, curiously.
"Yeah, it's a dream," Hotaru said, "I can dream up whatever I want. Now help me find the way out."
Instead of helping Hotaru find a way out of his dream…the elf just spits on his shoe for virtually no good reason.
"What the hell was that for, you little blue brat!?" Hotaru asked, annoyed.
"That was for you to shut up, look, and listen," The elf said, "You're not leaving this dream until you've come up with an idea for your Christmas Special. Now, if you would, follow me."
Begrudgingly, Hotaru followed the brown haired elf into a nearby building. Once inside the building, Hotaru and the elf were met with a long hallway that had a red carpet. All along the walls were T.V screens that showcased all of Hotaru's memories regarding Christmas. The footage on the screens are shot in claymation too.
"What is this place?" Hotaru asked.
"Welcome to 'The Hall of Memories'!" The elf said, "Sometimes good writers and filmmakers need real life experiences to tell a compelling story. We're going to go over your life experiences so you can craft the best Christmas Special ever! Come right this way."
Hotaru followed the elf to the first of these T.V screens. This first one had Hotaru as a baby. Baby Hotaru was seen trying to open a gift. Hayato was helping him while Hifumi was recording them with a video camera; it was Hotaru's first Christmas. The look on Hotaru's face as he watches this suggests that he remembers this day and is likely his earliest memory.
"It's…it's my first Christmas," Hotaru said in awe.
On the T.V screen, Baby Hotaru and Hayato had finished opening up the gift, revealing a stuffed tiger plush toy inside. The scarlet haired baby was quick to cuddle up with it as Hifumi recorded her son enjoying his new toy.
"Mr. Fluffy Whiskers," Hotaru said, "I used to love him!"
"Let's keep it moving," The elf said as the duo went to the next screen over.
This second screen shows Hotaru, now eight years old, as he's at Cafe Leblanc with his family and friends, celebrating Christmas. While the adults are talking at the counter, Hotaru is showing his friends how to play Shogi. His friends don't seem to understand the concept of the game, but Himari is the only one who seems to have caught on as she's seen facing Hotaru in a match.
"I remember that," Hotaru said, "That was when I tried to teach my friends how to play Shogi when I got a new Shogi set that Christmas. They couldn't understand it to save their lives, but Himari was the only one who knew just what to do. She's actually a pretty good opponent, and she got better each time she played. You know, even though most of my friends nearly made me lose my patience that day, a part of me really enjoyed showing them one of my hobbies. Lord knows I've seen a fair share of their hobbies."
The elf and Hotaru walk over to the next screen which shows a 10-year old Hotaru carrying a remote control car to a Toy Drive donation box, and putting it inside before walking away.
"That was my first time donating a toy," Hotaru said, "I had heard about this toy drive my school was doing, so I looked around my room for toys that I didn't play with anymore, and that was when I found my RC car. I was so proud of myself that day. I wonder who has that car now? I hope whoever has it is taking real good care of it."
Hotaru and the elf walked over to the last screen, which shows Hotaru's most recent Christmas when he was 11-years old. In it, he was seen approaching Himari with a present, and Himari had a present of her own to give to him. The two kids exchange gifts and open them up. Hotaru had gotten Himari the new 'Hammer & Clink' game (Ratchet & Clank) while Himari had gotten Hotaru the 'Original Planet Wars Trilogy' box set, autographed by most of the main cast. Both 11 year olds were touched by each other's gifts and they gave each other a hug.
"Now that was a Christmas present," Hotaru said, "That Planet Wars Trilogy box set, to this day, is still the greatest gift I have ever received. I owe Himari big time for getting me that. But more than that, I was happy that I made Himari happy by getting her a game that she really wanted. I still remember coming over to her house and watching her beat the final boss. God, what a great memory. All of these are great memories."
"Do you understand what you have to do now?" The elf asked Hotaru.
"I think so, weird elf guy," Hotaru said, "Like you said, real life can write the plot of your stories sometimes. I think I'm going to take some of these memories and write a story around them."
"That's the spirit!" The elf cheered as he started to levitate off the ground, "Get to work, Hotaru, make us all proud! We know you can do it! We believe in you!"
In a flash of light, the elf was gone, leaving Hotaru alone in the 'Hall of Memories'.
Back in the real world, Hotaru wakes up from his nap and quickly gets out of bed.
"Let's get to work!" Hotaru said enthusiastically as he went straight for his camera and his clay figurines.
Fueled by previous happy memories, Hotaru set out to make a Christmas special based on his past Christmases. He wasn't sure how it would turn out, but one this was certain, his bout of 'filmmaker's block' has ended.
Stories #5-#8 are coming soon...