The sound of the Halloween party downstairs rings throughout the building, somehow working through multiple floors and permeating into my room despite being in the lobby.

I’d love to attend, but I’ve put off doing these assignments for long enough, and I might somehow flunk out of class on homework grades. Such is life as an attentive student.

Of course, since I can’t go to the distraction, it turns out the distraction wants to come to me. A couple of sharp knocks on the door almost send me flipping out of my chair in surprise. I’d rather ignore it, since it’s probably a couple of clowns thinking that students have money to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters.

The knocks persist, however, reaching the point where whoever is on the other side of the door is so desperate to see me that the raps don’t stop, resulting in an endless stream of tapping like some sort of human metronome.

Of all the possibilities it could be, there’s only one that matters. And, well, it can’t be Hanako, since she knows to just open the door and let herself in, and she has my spare key for when it’s locked.

Regardless, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to let up any time soon; so I decide to hop out of my chair and address the problem, yanking my door open in the most intimidating fashion I can muster.

“What?!” I yell at the doorway.

“Dude, you’ve got to check this out.”

“I’ve got to check what out?”

Before me stands Kenji, dressed in some sort of absurd tribal gear, with…

Wait, no, I recognize that outfit.

“Dhalsim?” I ask.

“Hell yeah, son.” he responds, crossing his arms in triumph.

Frayed yellow pants, oversized bracelets, red markings up his forehead, with his messy black hair slicked back. I’d wonder if he was wearing colorless contacts if he wasn’t still sporting those thick spectacles. He’s even got the necklace with three nearly authentic-looking skulls on it.

It looks decent, but he’s not dark-skinned enough to really pull it off. I’d give it a solid seven out of ten if this were some sort of contest.

“Why didn’t you do the earrings?”

“What? Do I look like the kind of namby-pamby priss that would go out and get his ears pierced? Earrings are for women, Hisao.”

“…But the character you’re dressed up as wears earrings. Why wouldn’t you go for one-hundred percent?”

“When you’ve got this much style, you don’t need one-hundred percent, man.” he counters. “So, uh, you got any candy for such an awesome costume?”

“Aren’t you a little too old for trick-or-treating?”

“Hisao, you’re never too old for free stuff. Free candy qualifies as free stuff.”

“Well don’t screw up my door too bad, since all I’ve really got for you is some pocket lint and discarded bottle caps.” I return.

“Psh, figures. Everyone’s only out for themselves these days. Not one soul has a single morsel of sugary sweetness to spare for the guy who spent four hours putting his costume together. What a state we’ve entered as humanity.”

“You could have just spent the money from your costume on the candy itself, and probably come out with a bigger haul as well.” I respond.

“Surely you understand what Halloween is about. I can go out and just buy candy any other time of year; now is the time when there’s no shame in dressing up as fictional or otherwise non-standard figures and holding total strangers’ stockpile of candy ransom with the state of cleanliness of his house as leverage.” he argues.

It’s at this point that I notice the pillowcase clutched at his side, its emptiness making me feel a little sympathetic.

“…So why are you making such a big deal out of the candy, then?”

“If a man can’t make a big deal about candy, then what can he make a big deal out of?” Kenji starts. “Women’s rights? What, should I go kiss up to some hairy feminist, licking the ground she walks out of the feeble, desperate hope that someday I’ll be rewarded? This is a harsh world we live in, Hisao.”

“Why stand we here idle? What is it that high-schoolers wish? What would they have? Is chocolate so dear, or taffy so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of feminism and domination? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me candy or give me death!” he concludes, giving an inspiring of his fist and empty pillowcase.

I have no idea where he gets this idea that candy and women’s rights are related, but that was a rather impressive speech.

“Alas, I can’t exactly make candy appear out of thin air. Do I have to kill you now?” I answer.

“Nah, it’s cool. I’ll just go knock on all these other doors.” he replies. “I don’t think there are any diabetics on this floor, so I don’t have to risk looking like an asshole just yet.”

With that, he disappears down the hallway and around the corner, leaving only an aura of confusion to indicate that he was ever there. Keeping that in mind; I shut the door and return to my homework, content to forget that the encounter ever happened.

I return to my desk, ready to devote the rest of my night to this damned literature homework. Although I’m only able to solve a couple of problems before I hear a few more knocks on the door, this time in a quieter fashion, however.

There’s no need to answer the door this time, because the dark-haired girl on the other end lets herself in.

“T-Trick or treat.” she mutters as her head pokes in, making sure that I approve before sliding in and shutting the door behind her.

“Well good evening, Hanako. How are you enjoying Halloween?” I ask.

“It’s fun. S-Some of the people downstairs had really nice costumes.” she replies.

“Yeah, I saw a pretty good Dhalsim just a while ago. I bet you could outdo all of them, though.”

My comment leaves her flustered, a cute smile emerging on her face as she takes a seat on my bed.

I’m actually left wondering why she’s gone without a costume, tonight. I mean, some of her outfits are a little… unfit for public, but I think she could easily best everyone in that cowgirl getup. Rather than any dazzling clothes, she’s been roaming the school grounds in just her school uniform.

“Now that I think about it, where’s your costume, Hanako?”

At my question, she becomes even more flustered, fidgeting in every which way as she tries to put the right words together.

“U-um… do you want to see it?”

“Well, of course.” I answer.

She’s brought her bookbag, so I’m sure she’s keeping it in there, no doubt too shy to just walk around in it.

Actually, shyness may not play much of a part in it, since if she isn’t already wearing it; it’s no doubt one of the more… showy outfits in her collection.

“T-turn around.” she mutters, fingers shaking with anxiety as she plays with the top button of her blouse.

I oblige, picking my chair up and facing the opposite wall, my imagination already running wild with all of the possibilities.

“You can use the bathroom to change, if you want.” I comment.

Her only reply is a nervous “there’s no need…” as the shuffling of buttons unclasping and zippers unzipping follows, my ears tickled by the ever-harmonious sound of clothing sliding across bare skin.

As usual, Hanako proves to be rather fast in and out of her clothes, and I’m only left waiting for a few minutes before a gentle tap on my shoulder invites me to turn around.

Turning around, however, can prove to be a fatal act in the presence of this girl.

“W-What do you think?” she asks, hands clasped together with anxiety.

Well, nothing at the moment, since the image of the girl before me dressed in such a thing has taken priority over anything and everything that could be going through my head.

There’s a discarded female’s uniform and an open book-bag.

Furry black tube top with matching bottoms that do nothing to hide the curves and contours of her gorgeous figure.

Long, fluffy tail, the sight of which entices my hands to touch it.

Bare feet and hands; with fuzzy bracelets clasped around her wrists and ankles.

A collar complete with small bell, jingling at the slightest of her movements.

And it’s all topped off with a pair of cat ears, which even match the color of her hair.

“When did you pick this one up?” I ask. At this point I’m just trying to stall; maybe with enough time I’ll be able to pick out words deep enough to describe the spectacle before me proper.

“A-Akira bought it for me…” she answers.

Sponsor to underage drinking and lascivious clothing -- truly a role model and an inspiration to us all.

“Well… I like it.” I reply, unable to think of anything else to say.

The sides of her mouth curve up into a blissful smile and she relaxes bit by bit, even against my inability to look away from her body.

Everything that isn’t covered by black fur is bare. The silky pallor of her long legs leading up to a smooth belly untouched by any blemish, rounded off at a pair of narrow shoulders and highlighted by a cute expression. Not to say the covered parts aren’t just as breath-taking, considering the prominence of her ‘curves’ in such an outfit.

I wouldn't say it makes her more beautiful than she already is, but there's just some clothes that really steal a man's sense away. The only thing that could make it better is if...

“How can you wear the costume if you're not going to act the part?”

Hanako tilts her head as she tries to think of what I could mean before becoming even more flustered, the pale tint of her face becoming flushed with crimson.

“N-Nyaa~?”

Yeeeeessssssss.

“Now I feel a little guilty that I don’t have a costume as well.” I comment.

“Ah, you d-don’t need to wear one for me.” she replies, fidgeting.

“Oh c’mon, you’re always dressing up for me, but I never return the favor. I can’t help but feel bad about something like that.”

Her eyes dart back and forth between her bag and my head, as if mulling something over.

“Close your eyes.”

“Alright.” I answer, letting my eyelids shut.

There’s some more shuffling before Hanako steps up in front of me and slides something onto my head.

“T-There we go.”

My hand climbs up to my scalp as I feel around to try and find out what she put on my head. They’re fuzzy, and I get the impression that there’s two triangles on either hemisphere of my skull, like…

“Now we can both be kitties.” she concludes, correcting my guess before I can even make it.

“You have two pairs of these?”

She nods her head, becoming a little flustered.

I poke at the faux cat-ears a few more times, having to resist the urge to take them off and check if they’re also the same color as my hair.

“Nyan?” I mutter before bursting into laughter at the sheer absurdity of what I just said.

“N-no, it's 'nyaaaa~.'” Hanako counters, taking the cute pose to match.

Hnnnng~.

She steps up behind me before laying her chin on my shoulder, rubbing her cheek against mine as she tries to imitate a feline’s purr.

“H-Hey, you're almost too good at this.”

As if all that weren't enough, she takes my compliment as a reason to go even further. She turns to me before gathering up all of her resolve-

Sticking her tongue out-

And running the tip along my cheek, a cute ‘nyaa~’ following thereafter. The tingling sensation left on the side of my face sends wave of indescribable euphoria through my mind, turning my brain to ooze.

There are no words for what just happened.

Because there are none needed.

Before any attempts at awkward justification or reconciliation can spring from her mouth; I turn and lean in, settling my lips into hers. The warmth of her lithe fingers comes to a rest against the sides of my face as she reciprocates in an instant.

It takes only a few moments for instinct to take over; her slender hands grasping mine as she pulls away and tugs me over to the bed.

I take a minor detour on the way; the satisfying click of a locked door concluding my business. I then turn and hop onto the mattress, barely able to contain my anticipation as the dark-haired girl climbs on top of me; our lips connecting once more as her hands fly to the top button of my shirt.

The next few buttons follow as my arms wrap around her back, the texture of her smooth, creamy skin gracing my touch. A light moan escapes her throat as the tips of my fingers slither up and down the crevasse of her back.

My shirt is confiscated and thrown to the floor before she lifts my undershirt up and over my head, nearly pulling the cat ears off in the process. Her fingers glide across my sternum, caressing the scarring on my chest as her hands work their way down to my hips.

As soon as my belt is undone; I grab her shoulders and roll over on top of her, planting a few smooches against the nape of her neck. Her heartbeat intensifies as my hand slithers up the silkiness of her belly and under her top.

“A-Ah~.”

A satisfied sigh rolls out from between her lips as the palm of my hand envelops her breast, squeezing and fondling its supple warmth. She tries to steady herself against my shoulders as I pinch her nipple between my thumb and index finger, her cute sigh turning into a startled gasp.

I grip the fuzzy fabric of her costume top, lifting it up and off of her body before tossing it to the side. Her breath quickens as I leave a trail of kisses all the way down her chest, grazing the pink nub of her breast with the tip of my tongue. Her feet dig into the sheets as she tenses up against my lips, a long moan escaping her throat as she runs her fingers through my hair.

The soft texture of her bust fills my head with bliss, driving my hands to caress and massage the warmth of her chest.

However, it isn't long before either of us is unable to control our desires, with Hanako nudging me toward her hips with a feeble push. I work my way around her slender figure, her dark eyes focused on me as I leave a line of smooches all the way down to her pelvis.

I hook my fingers around the elastic of her costume bottoms, tugging downward and revealing the heavenly space between her legs. With my mental-restraint already tossed out the window; my lips come to rest against her womanhood; a long ecstatic moan sauntering out of her mouth as the tip of my tongue makes contact.

“Nnh~ aaahn~.”

Her moans escalate in volume for every centimeter I plunge into her. Her back arches and her hips quiver against my touch, legs shaking in bliss as my tongue undulates against her insides.

I work my way in and out of her, my mouth becoming familiar with every inch of her lower-half as instinct takes the wheel. My tongue slides up the slit between her legs, gliding around the pink nub at the tip before taking it into my lips and sucking with vigor.

I leave one last kiss between her hips before climbing back up and meeting her lips. Her fingers fumble around with the zipper of my pants for a bit before giving them an anxious tug. I sit up and let them slide off of my hips, flinging them in the opposite direction as both Hanako and I yank my boxers down.

Hanako grips the bedsheets as I position myself between her legs, her eyes gliding up and down my figure in anticipation. She welcomes me into her embrace as I nudge myself into her, motivated by the feeling of her warm breath against my cheek and the sound of her blissful cries against my ear.

I’m soon trapped in as she wraps her legs around me, squeezing her thighs against my hips as she tightens all around me. The tingling of her fingernails against my back grows rougher and rougher as I inch my way in, resulting in a stinging pain on my shoulders as soon once I plunge all the way into her.

It takes all of my strength to slide out, with her form tensing up around me while I try to find a steady rhythm. Her breath quickens as I work my way in and out of her hips, each thrust sending waves of warm bliss through my head.

We’re able to maintain a slow enough speed for our lips to meet once more, having to stop every few seconds to catch our breath. She frees one hand from my shoulder and grabs hold of mine, our fingers interlocking as I begin to pick up the pace.

Each blissful cry increases in intensity as the rhythm increases, the force of my thrusts causing the bed the rock back and forth. I lay my head on her shoulder and push onward, unable to keep myself restrained. Sprinkled amidst the sounds of adolescent pleasure is an idle jingling, for some strange reason.

Her grip around my hand tightens the closer and closer we come to arriving at climax, hips undulating against mine with each successive push and pull. I try to contain myself for as long as possible, clenching my eyes shut in ecstasy as I roll up to the edge.

Of course, our restraint proves to be insufficient as Hanako’s head tilts back, gasping in pleasure as our moans eclipse together. I plunge into her one final time as she tightens around me like a vice, every muscle in my body tensing up as my mind is overwhelmed by sheer euphoria

I allow myself to flop down beside her, chest heaving in exhaustion as I try to catch my breath.

Beside me lies an equally tired Hanako, her skin glazed with sweat and her complexion flushed. Dark, silky tendrils of hair spread every which way in a disheveled manner. Her form glistens in the dim light of the desk lamp, radiating raw beauty in every way I can imagine.

She musters the strength to turn onto her side and face me, the corners of her mouth curled up into a satisfied smile. Before anything else even has a chance to enter my mind; the words “I love you” burst from my mouth.

“I love you too, Hisao.” Hanako responds without hesitation.

She reaches over and turns my desk lamp off, darkening the room. Moonlight bleeds in through the blinds, indicating that night is already well on its way.

I grab the covers and pull them over my exposed form, holding the blanket up until Hanako inches her way in and into my open arms. She pulls herself closer before laying her head against my chest, the curtains of sleep ready to close tonight's play.

“We should take the cat ears off first.” I comment, laughing as I realize that we're still wearing the stupid things.

Hanako feels around her head and lets out a giggle as she tugs the band from her hair, laying on the bed beside the pillow. I do the same, noting that it is in fact the same color as my hair before tossing it onto my desk.