When Hanada is Drunk

The air was electric with excitement as Hanada and his friends entered the bustling nightclub. Neon lights flickered, casting vibrant hues across the dance floor, and the thumping bass of the music reverberated through the walls. It was the night of Kenta's birthday celebration, and everyone was ready to let loose.

"I still can't believe you convinced me to come here," Hanada said to Akari, his voice barely audible over the music.

"Come on, Hanada-kun! It'll be fun!" Akari shouted back, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You've been embracing your free spirit lately, so why stop now?"

Hanada laughed, feeling the infectious energy of the crowd seep into him. "Alright, alright. Let's have some fun."

They made their way to the bar, where Kenta was already in the midst of ordering a round of shots. He waved them over with a wide grin. "Hanada! Akari! Just in time. We're doing tequila shots!"

Hanada hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not? It's your birthday, Kenta."

They each took a shot, the fiery liquid burning its way down Hanada's throat. He coughed slightly, and Akari patted his back, laughing. "First one down! How do you feel?"

"Like I just swallowed a fireball," Hanada replied, his voice raspy but cheerful.

As the night progressed, Hanada found himself taking more shots, each one loosening his inhibitions a little further. He laughed and joked with his friends, feeling lighter and more carefree than he had in a long time.

At one point, Yui dragged him onto the dance floor, insisting he join her for a dance. Hanada, normally reserved and self-conscious, surprised himself by letting go and moving to the beat. He wasn't the best dancer, but he didn't care. The music pulsed through him, and he found himself laughing and enjoying the moment.

"You're doing great, Hanada-kun!" Yui shouted over the music, her smile wide and encouraging.

"Thanks, Yui! This is actually pretty fun!" Hanada shouted back, spinning clumsily but joyfully.

As the night wore on, Hanada's vision blurred slightly, and he felt a pleasant buzz enveloping him. He wandered back to the bar, where Akari was waiting with another drink. "Here you go, Hanada-kun. Try this one."

"What is it?" he asked, taking the glass.

"Just a little cocktail I thought you'd like," she replied with a mischievous grin.

Hanada took a sip and smiled. "This is really good! What's in it?"

"A little bit of everything," Akari said cryptically. "But mostly love."

Hanada laughed, feeling warmth spread through him. "You're amazing, Akari."

"You're pretty amazing yourself, Hanada-kun," she said, leaning in close. "I'm so glad you're having fun tonight."

"Me too," he said, looking into her eyes. "I didn't know I could have this much fun."

As they stood at the bar, a group of students from their university approached, recognizing Hanada. "Hanada! We didn't expect to see you here!" one of them shouted, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, man! You're always so serious. It's awesome to see you cutting loose!" another added.

Hanada smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "Thanks, guys. I'm trying something new."

"Well, you're doing great!" they cheered, raising their glasses to him.

The group decided to toast to Hanada's newfound freedom, and he found himself surrounded by laughter and friendship. It was a surreal experience, being the center of attention for something other than his academic achievements.

"Let's get another round!" Kenta shouted, his enthusiasm contagious.

They all raised their glasses, clinking them together with a collective cheer. As Hanada downed his drink, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He swayed slightly, and Akari steadied him with a laugh. "Easy there, Hanada-kun. Maybe you should take a break."

"Yeah, I think you're right," he said, grinning goofily. "But I'm having so much fun!"

"I'm glad to hear that," Akari said, her eyes twinkling. "Let's get some fresh air. Come on."

She led him outside to the club's rooftop terrace, where the cool night air helped clear his head a bit. They found a quiet corner and sat down, looking out over the city lights.

"This is nice," Hanada said, taking a deep breath. "I needed this."

"I know you did," Akari replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "You've been working so hard, carrying so much. It's good to see you let go."

Hanada wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "You've helped me so much, Akari. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be just fine, Hanada-kun. But I'm glad I can be here with you," she said softly.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the serenity of the moment. Hanada felt a profound sense of gratitude and happiness, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Hey, you two!" Yui's voice called out, breaking the silence. She and Kenta had followed them up to the terrace. "We're about to play some games downstairs. You in?"

Hanada looked at Akari, who smiled and nodded. "Sure, why not? Let's go," he said, standing up a bit unsteadily.

They headed back inside, where a lively game of "Never Have I Ever" was already underway. Hanada joined in, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. The game was notorious for revealing embarrassing secrets, but he was in the spirit of fun and ready for anything.

"Never have I ever... gone skinny dipping!" Yui declared, giggling.

Hanada laughed, taking a drink along with a few others. "That's one thing I haven't done."

"Me neither!" Akari added, sipping her drink.

The game continued, each round bringing more laughter and revelations. Hanada found himself sharing stories he'd never told anyone, feeling a sense of liberation in the honesty and vulnerability of the moment.

"Never have I ever... fallen in love," Kenta said with a sly grin, looking pointedly at Hanada and Akari.

Hanada paused, feeling a rush of emotion. He glanced at Akari, who was blushing but smiling. Slowly, they both took a drink, their eyes meeting in a moment of mutual understanding.

"Aw, you guys!" Yui exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "That's so sweet!"

Hanada felt a warmth spread through him, not just from the alcohol but from the realization of how much Akari meant to him. He leaned in and kissed her, a simple but heartfelt gesture that made his friends cheer.

"You two are adorable," Kenta said, raising his glass. "To Hanada and Akari!"

"To Hanada and Akari!" everyone echoed, raising their glasses in a toast.

The night continued in a blur of laughter, dancing, and camaraderie. Hanada felt a sense of belonging and happiness that he had rarely experienced before. It was a night he would never forget, a celebration of life, love, and friendship.

As the club began to close, they all stumbled out into the night, laughing and supporting each other. Hanada felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration, his mind buzzing with the memories of the evening.

"We should do this more often," Yui said, her voice slurred but happy. "This was the best night ever!"

"I agree," Hanada said, his arm around Akari. "We should definitely do this again."

They made their way back to campus, the cool night air sobering them up slightly. As they reached the dorms, Hanada and Akari said goodnight to their friends and headed to Hanada's room.

Inside, Hanada collapsed onto his bed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and contentment. Akari sat beside him, brushing a hand through his hair. "You did great tonight, Hanada-kun."

"Thanks, Akari. I had a lot of fun," he said, his voice drowsy. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," she said softly. "Get some rest. You deserve it."

Hanada closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of Akari's presence beside him. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a deep sense of peace and happiness, knowing that he had friends who cared about him and a girl who loved him.

The next morning, Hanada woke up with a slight headache but a heart full of happy memories. He looked over at Akari, who was still asleep beside him, and smiled. He felt incredibly lucky to have her in his life.

"Good morning," she mumbled, opening her eyes and smiling sleepily at him.

"Good morning," he replied, kissing her forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than I expected," she said with a laugh. "Last night was amazing."

"It really was," Hanada agreed. "Thank you for everything, Akari."

"Thank you, Hanada-kun," she said, snuggling closer. "For being you."

As they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, Hanada realized that he had truly become free-spirited. He had let go of his fears and embraced the joy and spontaneity that life had to offer. And he knew that, with Akari