If I'd ever write a sequel to this story, it might have a scene with drunk Hanako. (or rather, tipsy Hanako) Her birthday party was a pretty funny part.No comments on Drunk Hanako? We need more drunk Hanako. One of the major things about being drunk is the lowering of inhibitions, and I think we get an interesting peek there when she's drunk of a side you'd never see of Hanako. Genuinly relaxed Hanako.
HOWEVER, for the rest of your post...the quote below is found in several lists containing myths about alcohol and alcoholism:
Hisao himself states while trying to get drunk Hanako to let go of him that he's not gonna read too much into her behavior, because while alcohol generally lowers inhibitions, different people react differently while drunk.Myth: When the alcoholic is drinking, he reveals his true personality.
Reality: Alcohol’s effect on the brain causes severe psychological and emotional distortions of the normal personality. Sobriety reveals the alcoholic’s true personality.
Is Hanako genuinely relaxed while drunk? Yeah, she is. The same would be true if someone stuffed her full of morphine. That says nothing about her true personality. Alcohol isn't called a mind altering drug for nothing.
I think what you see of Hanako during her route IS her true personality. She may have been a lot less skittish and a lot less cynical in the past, but her accident and what happened to her afterwards changed her personality. And with time, therapy and support, it may change again, this time for the better.
Sure, Hanako has a soft and sweet side under her jumpy and negative appearance. Both are part of her personality.