Chapter Text
Disclaimer: I don’t own My Hero Academia. It belongs to Kōhei Horikoshi, Shonen Jump, and Studio Bones.
.ೃ࿔*:･💂🏻🩰🎄🕯❄️✧｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡₊˚✧💂🏻🩰🎄❄🕯.ೃ࿔*:･
Snowflakes fluttered in flurries like dancers performing a pirouette. They spun so carelessly, swayed by the will of the wind, before landing against the snow. The people outside paid no mind as they hurried along to their next destination, bundled in several layers of fabric to combatant against the bitter cold. Only one person was fixated on the snowfall while cleaning a window. After the glass was cleared of dust, the girl could see her brown eyes staring back at her.
Ochako Uraraka was a maid who spent her days and nights working at the Matryoshka Tea House. She had been working there for the past five years since she was thirteen. Many would consider her very lucky to have landed a job at the city’s best tea establishment, but that was not the case.
The Matryoshka Tea House was once owned and founded by a kindly old woman who wanted to run a place where all the city’s children could drink the finest tea and eat the most delectable sweets. Sadly, that tradition did not continue after she passed away. The new owner, a younger, far shrewder businesswoman, saw what the previous owner had done as nothing more than charity and not profitable in the slightest. She revamped the way things were done by increasing the prices of all the food and drinks, and even went as far as to include an admittance fee just to enter the establishment. Thus, making it impossible for impoverished families to enjoy any of the fancy tea or desserts, and only allowing rich families to indulge. Sadly, when some of the older employees protested the unjust changes, they were dismissed by the owner and replaced with someone who quickly learned not to ask questions.
Ochako learned to keep her head down if she wanted to remain employed. She needed to, not just for her sake nowadays.
“Wow.” A soft voice drew Ochako from her task to look who had spoken. Her expressionless face quickly morphed into a soft smile.
A girl no older than seven gazed in awe at a tall glass case. Her maid uniform looked far looser than the one Ochako wore due to it being a size larger than the small child needed. Her long white hair was tied in a small black ribbon, unlike Ochako’s short bob-cut. “The toys are so pretty.”
“They sure are, Eri,” Ochako agreed. “But they’re very fragile, so only the guests are allowed to touch them.”
“I wish I had a doll like the one inside the case,” little Eri said, looking longingly at one toy that was made of pure crystal. It resembled a girl with multi-colored hair and teal eyes.
“How many times have I told you not to touch the glass!”
Both Ochako and Eri jumped back in alarm, and the former paled after seeing the Madame with her arms crossed, glaring at the two.
Madame Chitose strode across the empty dining hall and stood before the maids bearing them a sour expression. “Those toys are worth more than either of you will ever make in your lives.”
“I’m sorry,” Eri wailed, her red eyes brimming with tears.
“It’s okay, she didn’t even touch the glass,” Ochako said, getting between Eri and the fuming Madame.
“She breathed on it. It counts.”
Ochako repressed a sigh. “I promise to wipe it clean after I’m done with the windows.” When she saw that her boss remained upset, she implored, “Please, Madame. Eri’s new. She is still learning her place.”
“See to it she doesn’t make a careless mistake again, Miss Uraraka. Or I’ll do worse than docking your pay.”
The brunette swallowed, knowing exactly what the threat entailed.
“I want this whole room spotless before the doors open at 11. Understand?”
Both girls nodded and responded with the customary yes. They waited to resume their chores after they could no longer hear the clicks from Madame Chitose’s heels. Ochako pulled up her rag and went back to the window, moving in the same circular motions she was doing before.
“We’d better get back to work, Eri. We still have half an hour before the shop opens.” When Ochako didn’t hear any wiping besides her own rag, she turned to face Eri, who was still crying. Ochako dropped what she was doing and rushed over to the little girl’s side, using the lower part of her apron to dab the tears away.
“I’m-I’m sorry,” Eri wept.
“For what?”
“You-you got yelled at because of me.”
So that’s what got her upset? Ochako pushed one of Eri’s bangs behind her ear as she comforted her. “It wasn’t your fault. Madame Chitose always gets frazzled right before Christmas. She usually tries to find any excuse to blow off steam and goes after any maids who don’t look like they’re working hard enough. Or if it looks like they’re making a mess, in your case.”
Eri had stopped crying but maintained a sad frown. “I don’t think the other maids like me very much.”
Ochako raised her eyebrows in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Eri bunched up the ends of her skirt as she looked to the ground. “The other maids say I’m slowing you down.”
Of course, they would say something like that. Ochako puffed her cheeks. She never had a good relationship with any of the newer maids that Madame Chitose hired. All of them acted cattily and superior to Ochako, even though they all came from the same low social standing. “They’re just jealous I have such a sweet and helpful assistant like you.”
Eri blinked in surprise. “They are?”
Ochako made a noise of affirmation.
That was only partially the truth, though. When Eri was first brought to the tea house, a lot of rumors spread about where the young waif came from. Some speculated that she was a child born out of wedlock, and her mother didn’t wish to keep her. Or that she was an orphan like Ochako. None of that mattered to the brunette. She made it her mission not to be bothered by what other people said and took young Eri under her wing, knowing she’d need someone to show her the ropes like she once did when she first arrived.
“Now, how about we get this room all cleaned up, and we’ll see about having a nice cup of warm non-alcoholic apple cider back in the kitchen?”
“Can mine have extra cinnamon?” Eri asked, perking up at the mention of her favorite winter beverage.
Ochako giggled. “We’ll see what we can do.”
.ೃ࿔*:･💂🏻🩰🎄🕯❄️✧｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡₊˚✧💂🏻🩰🎄❄🕯.ೃ࿔*:･
When Ochako and Eri were eventually done (and shared a mug of cider, “With extra cinnamon!”), the two returned to the maids’ quarters to get a quick breakfast before the guests were to arrive. Unsurprisingly, everyone was all in a tizzy getting themselves ready and making sure their uniforms all looked presentable. Though some were probably going a little overboard in looking nice.
“Why are you brushing your hair again, Junko? It looks fine,” Ochako said to a girl a few years older than her.
Junko, who hadn’t turned away from the small mirror she stood in front of, frowned in annoyance at Ochako’s question. “Didn’t you hear? Madame Chitose isn’t going to be handing out gifts this year.”
Ochako felt her whole world stop turning while something lodged inside her throat. “But we always got a present on Christmas Eve,” she choked.
Another maid, named Itsuka Kendo, who was much nicer to Ochako, explained in a gentler voice. “That was when the old madame ran the place. Madame Chitose insists we can’t spend money on “frivolous things” this year. Her words, not mine.”
Ochako felt her eyes starting to water. “I was really hoping that all of us would get at least one gift.”
Junko rolled her eyes at her. “Oh, grow up, Uraraka. If you really want to make some extra money, flirt with the guests. I heard the one with that birthmark on his forehead is coming tonight, and he’s loaded.”
“He’s a friend of the Madame’s and has one Hell of a temper. I’d avoid him if I were you,” Itsuka advised the rude eighteen-year-old.
As Junko started to argue with the redheaded maid, Ochako tried her hardest to keep her breath steady while absorbing the bad news. No gifts? But I told Eri she’d be getting a present from Father Christmas for being so good this year, Ochako thought, her heart breaking at the thought of no presents for the little girl.
Well, that simply won’t do. If the Madame wasn’t going to give out gifts or a bonus for Christmas, Ochako would just make a present for Eri. Or better yet, give her a hand-me-down.
Ochako went to the bed inside the room that all the maids shared and looked through her meager belongings. She didn’t have many things on her, except for two: her Mother’s locket, which she always wore after her death, and a doll fashioned from used rags that her parents had made for what ended up being the last Christmas they shared. It wasn’t a beautiful doll made of crystal, but surely Eri would love it all the same.
Ochako gave the ragdoll a quick looksee and decided it would work as a gift after she cleaned it up and perhaps sewn it a dress from newer cloth.
Yes, Ochako would make sure this was going to be a Merry Christmas. At least for Eri.
.ೃ࿔*:･💂🏻🩰🎄🕯❄️✧｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡₊˚✧💂🏻🩰🎄❄🕯.ೃ࿔*:･
If anyone were asked which business in the city looked the most like Christmas, they would readily answer the Matryoshka Tea House. Garlands of bright green holly hung on every arch, doorway, and mantle. Red and green ribbons were tied along the chair legs with bows tied on the back of each chair within the dining rooms. Candles softly glowed above the ceiling, giving each room a cozy atmosphere in contrast to the harsh brightness of the gas lamps burning outside. Inside the main hall, was where a splendid banquet table was set up, filled with many savory and sweet foods that the kitchen staff had worked tirelessly for days just for this night. There were, of course, many children running around without their parents, obliviously getting in other people’s way while either chasing after each other or playing with whatever new toy they got for the holiday.
Ochako had just dealt with her third collision with a six-year-old when the head maid instructed her to help with putting the guests’ coats and hats away into the armoire. Ochako wasn’t at all displeased with the request, as it gave her the excuse to go to the front door to see if someone she knew had arrived yet.
“I wonder if it’s him,” she whispered.
Eri followed Ochako close behind and mustered a confused face. “Who?
Ochako smiled secretly at the girl. “A good friend.”
Due to how popular the tea house it was logical that there would be regular customers who came back every other day or year, in the case of the annual Christmas Eve party. There was one guest in particular who hadn’t missed a single December 24th since Ochako started working there. Why, she could remember that night so well.
It was over an hour after the Madame expected the last guest to arrive when a loud knock at the door surprised them all. Ochako was the closest to the main entrance, so she was the one to open the door. As soon as she opened the door and was greeted with the sight of a frail-looking gentleman holding a jack-in-the-box that sprang out, giving Ochako a heart attack. The man apologized for frightening her and offered her a bag of sugar plum candies. After sharing a laugh, the two became good friends when the man properly introduced himself.
Toshinori Yagi was well into his sixties, though it was debatable due to how emaciated he appeared, along with having sunken eyes. Some of the maids whispered amongst themselves, comparing him to a walking corpse, but Ochako brushed their words aside. She thought Toshinori was eccentric, but a kindhearted man who loved giving out little trinkets to kids. It also didn’t hurt that he was one of the few patrons who generously tipped the staff. But it was never the money or the gifts that Ochako looked forward to every Christmas Eve. Her favorite pastime with Mr. Yagi was the stories he liked to share with anyone who lent an ear.
“Ah, Miss Uraraka, as you can see, I AM HERE! It’s good to see you again on this fine Christmas Eve,” Toshinori himself happily greeted Ochako when she found him at the threshold of the tea shop.
“It’s good to see you, too, Mr. Yagi,” she replied with the same sincerity.
“And who might be your little friend? Unless your shadow gained a corporeal form,” Mr. Yagi teased.
Ochako had noticed since she and Eri arrived in the corridor that the light-haired girl clung behind her. Her shyness was on full display.
Ochako offered the child a reassuring smile. “It’s alright, Eri. He’s the good friend I mentioned before. I promise Mr. Yagi’s very nice.”
Despite it causing some minor discomfort, Mr. Yagi bent one knee and kneeled, so he looked far less intimidating to the young girl. “Your name is Eri, is that right?”
“Uh-huh.” Eri nodded, hesitantly.
The blond man then sported a wide, toothy grin. “I think I have something here that should turn that frown upside down.” Mr. Yagi pulled something out from one of his pockets from his oversized coat, presenting her a present with red wrapping paper and a big pink ribbon.
Eri’s eyes widened into saucers when she saw the brightly colored box. She glanced up at Ochako, silently asking for guidance. Ochako smiled sweetly at the girl and nodded her head, encouraging her to accept the gift. Eri uttered a small thank you after being promptly by Ochako and opened the lid. Once she saw what was inside the little girl’s jaw dropped dramatically as she found herself holding a pure white stuffed unicorn plush toy possessing a long mane made up of the colors of the rainbow.
“It’s a unicorn! I love it,” Eri shouted, jumping jubilantly while holding her new gift.
“I’m glad you do,” Mr. Yagi said to the overjoyed girl.
Ochako beamed, pleased to see Eri smiling as she so rarely did. But then a frown appeared as a new thought came to her. “How did you know she liked unicorns?” It wasn’t the first time she saw him give the exact gift a child wanted without knowing anything about them.
Much to her chagrin, Toshinori only smiled and winked. “It’s my special magical power.”
“You always say that,” she replied, shaking her head. Her slightly irritated mood went away when Mr. Yagi bestowed upon her a wrapped present of her own. This time it was covered in evergreen paper and had gold ribbon tied in a bow at the center.
“Don’t you think I’m a little old for dolls, Mr. Yagi?” Ochako asked after he handed her a present.
“You’re never too old for gifts, Miss Uraraka,” Toshinori said with utmost seriousness. “And this isn’t an ordinary toy.”
Ochako raised a brow before she slowly unboxed her gift. Inside was something Ochako couldn’t make heads or tails of because she’d never seen anything like it in all her life.
Nestled in soft tissue paper was a wooden figure. The object was carved with the appearance of a young man dressed in a red uniform with bright golden buttons, shiny black boots, a sword strapped to his side, and what appeared to be an odd, flat white cape sticking out. The little man had no hat on to abstract his messy green curls, which fanned around his face but did nothing to hide the noticeable freckles painted along his ruby-red cheeks. Despite having strangely proportioned limbs and an oversized head, Ochako only saw the honest and kind expression on the doll’s face, and with a big grin not unlike Mr. Yagi’s. She was also drawn to his bright green eyes, seeing how lovely they looked under the candlelight. Almost like they appeared to be glowing.
“What is it?” Eri’s question snapped Ochako back to reality.
“This, Young Eri, is a nutcracker,” Mr. Yagi explained to her and for Ochako’s benefit.
“I’ve never seen a nutcracker like this before,” Ochako noted. The ones she was used to seeing were metal levers used by the kitchen staff to crack walnuts and the occasional macadamia nut.
“Would you like to see how it works?” Mr. Yagi offered. After both girls nodded, he pulled out a small walnut from his front pocket and placed it inside the nutcracker’s mouth. He then pushed the white cape down, which turned out to be connected to the nutcracker’s jaw, allowing it to close and crush the shell in an instant.
“Wow!” Eri gasped while Ochako stared in awe.
Mr. Yagi then flicked the remaining shell pieces away and gave each girl half of the walnut, which they happily ate.
“Thank you for the wonderful gift, Mr. Yagi,” Ochako said gratefully while holding onto her nutcracker. Just then, someone sharply knocked themselves against her, causing the brunette to drop the nutcracker accidentally. The nutcracker fell onto the floor with a resounding crack! Ochako turned to see who was responsible and saw a smug-looking Junko, before quickly changing her expression to pretend to look ashamed.
“Whoops.”
“Junko, how could you!” she accused the older girl after picking up her nutcracker from the floor. To Ochako’s dismay, she found the nutcracker’s right arm limp and no longer upwards like his left one still was.
“Are you seriously crying over a broken doll? If it weren’t ugly, I’d feel sorrier for breaking it. I will gladly put it in the kindling pile for you where it rightfully belongs.”
“No, it’s mine!” Ochako protested, clutching the nutcracker closer to her chest. “He just needs a sling, that’s all.”
“He?” Junko laughed incredulously. “You’re treating the toy as if it were alive. You really should learn to stop acting like a child.” The maid cruelly laughed a second time before leaving the three alone.
“Poor Mr. Nutcracker.” Eri stared sorrowfully at the doll.
“Don’t worry, Young Eri.” Mr. Yagi pulled out a crimson handkerchief and asked Ochako if he could hold the nutcracker for a second. When she obliged, he carefully wrapped the cloth across the nutcracker’s busted arm. “Ochako is correct that all he needs is a sling. There. He’ll be right as rain before you know it.” Mr. Yagi paused, giving Ochako a curious smile. “But I must admit, you are making quite a fuss over a rather plain-looking toy. He’s not very appealing to look at.”
Ochako frowned as she took the nutcracker back. “Well, I bet even if you dressed in the same outfit as the nutcracker, you wouldn’t be as charming looking as him.”
It took Ochako less than a moment to realize what she just said.
“Oh, gosh! Forgive me, I don’t know what came over me!”
However, instead of being offended, Mr. Yagi let out a full, hearty laugh before it turned into a watery cough. Ochako and Eri looked on with worry, but he assured the girls he was fine.
“So, I’m assuming you have taken a liking to the nutcracker?” he asked, with a teasing glint.
Ochako suddenly became embarrassed. “I’m not sure. I mean, I think the nutcracker has very honest eyes and a nice smile. He doesn’t look that bad. To me, at least.”
“There was a time when the nutcracker did look rather decent instead of this uncanny façade.”
“Really?” Ochako and Eri asked, intrigued.
Mr. Yagi grinned. “Yes. I would gladly tell you two the tale of the Nutcracker, the Mouse King, and the Hard Nut.”
“Wait, now there’s a Mouse King and a hard nut?” Ochako asked, flummoxed.
“It’s quite the tale, and I’ll need someplace comfortable to sit.”
“Oh.” Ochako deflated. “I don’t think the Madame will allow Eri and me to listen if it’s a long story.”
Eri frowned, saddened.
Mr. Yagi waved away the girl’s concern. “Leave Madame Chitose to me, and I’ll make sure neither of you gets in any trouble.”
After talking it over with the Madame (as well as paying her a large tip to compensate the woman), Mr. Yagi, Ochako, and Eri sat down by a fireplace and situated themselves on a big chair and couch, respectively.
“Now, it’s time for me to tell you two the tale of the Nutcracker, the Mouse King, and the Hard Nut…”
End of Chapter I
Q-A: Another MHA fic less than two days after I posted my other one? And it being one that I haven't completed yet? Am I crazy, or do I like to torture myself and my readers?
Yes. XD
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