This story takes place after Hanako's good ending. Rated M for eventual sex scenes, though nothing more explicit than the game itself. Thank you for reading.

* Homecoming *

It's amazing how much can change in two weeks.

A few days ago, Hanako and I both heard from Lilly, with welcome news: she was coming home. I'm still not sure if she sounded relieved or just tired, but I don't think it really matters.

What matters is she'll be back here soon, and . . . and we'll all have a lot of talking to do.

I woke up today to a text message from Akira, and found out a while later Hanako got the same one. 'Meet us at the airport, yeah? I got someone from work to drive my car over, so we can celebrate when Lilly and I get home.'

I can't help but wonder if some of that was wishful thinking on Akira's part. As crowded as the airport is, I don't know if she thought about whether or not Hanako would ever come here. But a lot has changed.

Hanako's here at the airport now, standing with me. Okay, she's mostly standing behind me, ducked down with her familiar hat pulled low. I can understand why she wants to stay as hidden as she can. We haven't been here long, and already enough people have walked past us to fill every classroom in Yamaku.

But she's here. And while she's holding onto me, as expected, she's holding my hand now, not just clinging to my arm. That makes all the difference.

Of course, with all the people rushing through and how low she's ducking, I doubt anyone passing by sees anything more behind me than hat and hair.

I keep my head up, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Lilly and Akira should be easy to spot. Their height and hair color means they'll stand out, even in this crowd of travelers.

I feel Hanako squeeze my hand, and look back at her. She still looks timid, but not scared. It doesn't seem like she's going to bolt at any moment. Lilly's going to be really surprised to find her here.

Hanako

"D-do you think their plane's landed by now?"

Hisao

"It should have. They have to go through customs and all that, so it might take them longer to get down here."

She doesn't say anything back, but I'm used to that. It's not the kind of silence that means she wants to say something but can't, or the kind that hurts. I can't read her all the time, but this one, I feel pretty confident about.

All the same, I can't help hoping Lilly and Akira get here soon. Standing in a crowd isn't going to get any easier for Hanako, and I can't help hoping no one bumps into me and hits my chest. What time did Akira say their plane landed again?

I check my watch, then hear someone yell out over the crowd.

Akira

"Oi! Hisao!"

I look up, and catch the glimpse I've been waiting for. A grin spreads across my face, and I turn to Hanako, see the small smile she's wearing. I squeeze her hand this time.

Hisao

"There they are. Let's go."

We press through the crowd, just enough to get to our friends. Lilly looks halfway exhausted, like she wishes her cane was good for supporting her. Even her ribbon seems wilted. Akira somehow looks like she just stepped out of that jazz club instead of off a half-day plane trip.

Akira

"Hey, you two. Good to see ya, glad you could make it."

Hisao

"Welcome home, Lilly, Akira."

Hanako

"Welcome home. How . . . how was your trip?"

Lilly stands up straighter at the sound of Hanako's voice, disbelief crossing her face. Akira must not have said she invited Hanako to come meet them; she must have wanted this to be a surprise. It clearly worked.

Lilly

"Hanako? You're here?"

I really, really wish Lilly could see the look on Hanako's face right now. Her smiles are rare enough, but always genuine, and this one could light up the entire airport. Akira's expression brightens, and then I catch her glancing down to where Hanako holds my hand.

Something devious flits into Akira's eyes, and I get a sudden sense of impending doom.

Hanako

"Akira told us we could come meet you. I . . . I didn't want to stay behind."

Hanako drops my hand and steps forward to hug Lilly, a rare public display from those two. I can tell how much they must have missed each other, just from the looks on their faces, and I can't help but smile. For just a moment, I feel like all is right with the world.

Then I catch the smirk Akira's shooting at me, and that feeling ends. Akira holds up one hand, points to Hanako, then me, then crosses two fingers together and raises an eyebrow.

I feel myself blush as I nod. Akira puts her hand over her mouth and shakes in silent laughter.

It's going to be a really long ride home. I can feel it.

Lilly and Hanako separate, and Hanako clings to her arm, the gesture familiar. Lilly smiles, and pats Hanako's hand with her own before looking in Akira's direction.

Lilly

"Shall we be off, then? I could use some rest."

Akira

"Been gone for two weeks, and all you want to do is sleep? C'mon, Lilly, we should celebrate! Besides, I'm sure these two have all kinds of things to talk about."

My eyes meet Hanako's, and we both start to blush. I don't think for a second Lilly will be upset about what happened. It's just not an easy thing to discuss. Especially with that phone conversation Lilly and I had.

Letting Hanako be by herself, not trying to protect her, that's one thing. Everything else that happened . . . that's another. That's a whole lot of another.

Lilly's frown gives me hope that we might get off the hook, at least for today.

Lilly

"I'm not even sure what time it is. I don't think I could-"

Akira

"It's a little after two, and you don't have class tomorrow. We can go for a quick drink or something before you plop back down in the dorm, yeah?"

An idea comes to me. Familiar surroundings sound like a really good idea right now.

Hisao

"We could go to the Shanghai. That's close to home."

Lilly gives a tired smile, and I let my breath out quickly. That was a little too close. Knowing Akira, she'd want to get us wine again, and I really don't want to talk about what's happened when any of us are drinking alcohol.

Especially Hanako, considering her less-than-stellar tolerance. I glance at her, and she nods, also looking a little relieved.

Lilly

"That sounds lovely. Thank you, Hisao."

Hisao

"No problem. We've both been studying so much lately, we haven't had time to do much."

Akira

"I bet."

Hanako tenses all at once, so much I can see it. There's no way Lilly didn't feel it. Between that and Akira's sly comment, Lilly has to know something's going on. Great.

Before I can say anything to distract everyone, Akira snags Lilly's bag from where it sits at her side and hands it to me.

Akira

"Give us a hand, Hisao? The guys from work should have the car brought around by now."

I pick up Lilly's bag, and Akira gives me another wink, along with a grin I can only describe as lecherous. My stomach starts to sink. She's not just going to ask how it happened. Oh no. She's going to ask for details.

It's going to be a really, really long ride home. I can just tell.