Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ A Fragile Love ❯ Episode 1: Arrival ( Chapter 1 )

A Fragile Love

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Episode 1: Arrival

Legend

Word denotes character thought

Word denotes setting, time

-Word- denotes sound effect

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Timeline: June 1, 2000 AD; 1:30 PM, afternoon

Location: Tokyo International Airport

The aircraft touched down the runaway, taxing onto a nearby terminal gate. The arriving passengers proceeded to immigration to check in.

 

Carrying a black backpack containing few articles of clothing and personal necessities, Keitaro followed suit to check in. After passing through immigration, he went to the luggage area and retrieved his baggage that consisted of a sealed tight, medium-sized box tied with a rope containing a few valued possessions. He could feel his heart bursting with anticipation and anxiety being back at his home country.

 

Ah… it's good to be home.

 

As he came out from the arrivals terminal, he could see other passengers rushing to their loved ones, who were overjoyed and relieved to see them. His heart warmed at the touching sight.

 

He exited the airport and hailed for a taxi. As soon as he found one, he placed his luggage inside the trunk, closing it. Then, he got inside and closed the door. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

 

"Where to sir?" the taxi driver inquired.

 

Keitaro closed his eyes for a few seconds, picturing the dormitory where he spent the best times of his life. He then opened them and replied.

 

"To Hinata district. We're going to an all-girls dorm called Hinata-Sou."

 

"An all-girls dorm, sir? You sure?”

 

"Yes… is something wrong with that? "

 

"No sir, just checking."

 

The taxi driver flashed a grin to him on the overhead mirror. He then proceeded to his passenger's destination.

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Timeline: June 1, 2000 AD; 1:45 PM, afternoon

Location: Hinata District, Hinata Tea Shop

Haruka Urashima was enjoying a cup of freshly brewed tea. A newly lit cigarette rested on an astray. From her seated position, she looked at people walking about in the district.

 

"Another day passes by ever since my nephew left with that idiot Seta to America a year ago. He could have at least had a last chat with me before he left."

 

In her hand, a carefully folded paper lay. The paper happened to be a farewell letter to her.

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Dear Aunt Haruka,

 

To tell you the truth, I'd prefer to say this in person. But knowing you, you'd think up of something to persuade me to stay. Ever since you sent me that letter asking me to fill in as manager of Hinata Sou, I realized that my life would take a change for better or worst. Of course it was Grandma Hina who originally asked me that, but I felt that you were part of it.

 

Haruka-san (I know you'd bonk me in the head whenever I address you as 'Aunt'. The one stated is just for formality's sake), I've decided that I need a change of pace from this life as manager of an all-girls dorm. Not that I regret what I've gone through when I started the job, but I need to change myself. When I looked into myself on a mirror one day, I saw an old, fragile shell of myself that could break anytime. This, and with the realization that I'm just working my behind to keep the dorm financially stable, have made me rethink of what I should change in me.

 

I don't blame you or the girls for this. It's my fault, being a ronin who failed three times getting into Toudai because of a childhood promise. I guess it's just a dream now to me.

 

One day, I happened to stumble an opportunity when I encountered with Seta-san. He told me that he was planning to take an archeological trip to America, and asked if I wanted to come along, which I agreed after some thinking. Of course I informed him of my reasons, and he understood.

 

By the time you finish reading this, I'll be on a plane with Seta-san to America. I ask of you to find a replacement as manager of the dorm. If you can't find a suitable person, I suggest you fill in.

 

Please give my apologies to Grandma Hina. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to fulfill her request. Also give my regards and apologies to the girls. I don't want them to worry over me once I'm gone.

 

Thanks for everything, Haruka-san. Take care; I'm not sure whether I'll be returning or not.

Keitaro

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"…But then again, it's what you want to do, so I've got no right to interfere with your decision. You've have no idea how the girls took it… especially me," Haruka said to herself. She took the cigarette from the astray and inhaled it, blowing off puffy rings of cigarette smoke.

 

The afternoon sun shone brightly at her eyes, which were squinting from the light. The birds chirped livelier as they perched themselves on some buildings in the district.

 

I wonder why today is like this.

 

A taxi drove past by, but with a familiar looking passenger sat at the back seat. He watched the establishments in the district. As his eyes locked into hers, a smile etched on his face. He waved to her as he sped off from her view.

 

Her cigarette fell from her lips.

 

As her eyes observed the passenger's face, they opened slightly wide upon realization of his identity.

 

"? Hmm… he somehow looks familiar…"

 

Her brain registered his image in her mind.

 

"KEITARO!"

 

Her heart was beating faster than usual. Her lips curved slightly upwards.

 

You're back...

 

She quickly finished her tea and closed shop. She then rushed towards the dorm full speed, stepping on the fallen cigarette along the way.

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Timeline: June 1, 2000 AD; 1:55 PM, afternoon

Location: Hinata District, Hinata-Sou

The taxi arrived at front of the dorm gate. Keitaro paid the taxi driver and took out his luggage from the trunk and closed it. As he was about to step inside, the taxi driver spoke out to him.

 

"Excuse me for asking, but from the look of your face, I say that place means a lot to you."

 

Keitaro paused, taken in by the remark.

 

"Yeah it is."

 

"I've heard from Haruka, the tea shop owner we passed by before, that she had a nephew working there. You sort of resemble him.”

 

Keitaro chuckled softly, shaking his head. The taxi driver looked at him confused.

 

“Did I say something wrong?”

 

“Ha, ha, ha… no, I just felt like laughing.”

 

“?”

 

“It's been a while since I last came here though.”

 

“! You're him then!”

 

“No need to be surprised. The name's Keitaro Urashima. Please to meet you.”

 

The two men shook hands.

 

“Ah, so what Haruka said about you is true. I guess things seemed to change, huh?”

 

"Well, it was a matter of circumstance that the rules there changed thanks to grandma Hina, who originally owns the place."

 

Since when does he take an interest in my life? I suppose he's just having a friendly conversation with me. But I can't dawdle with him for long; Aunt Haruka is on her way here.

 

"You're probably thinking why I'm asking you questions concerning your involvement in the place. Allow me to introduce myself; I'm Makoto Kizuchi. I'm a regular customer at your aunt's teashop where we passed by some moments ago. Your aunt and I would sit together and talk for a while. She told me some bits about you. It sounds like you're well known in this district," Makoto smiled amicably at him. He was a particular old man, possibly in his mid 40s. His faint, white-black colored hair, pleasant smile, and experienced dark-brown eyes somewhat made Keitaro glad to meeting him.

 

Keitaro ruffled his hair back and forth as he smiled in slight embarrassment.

 

"I was just doing a favor requested by Grandma Hina, who wanted me to fill as manager of the dorm."

 

"Well, I heard mostly of your antics involving you being frequently knocked through portions of the building's walls and roof, or so I say."

 

An anime-style teardrop appeared on Keitaro's head as Makoto's words touched a nerve in his body.

 

"Aunt Haruka told you that? Typical…” he sighed, defeated.

 

"Ha, ha… it looks like she was right all along! Anyway, sorry to keep you waiting, you better go on about with your business. Give my regards to Haruka, Keitaro."

 

"Thank you, Makoto-san."

 

The two men shook hands again. Keitaro watched Makoto speed off.

 

He turned around and looked at the ascending steps leading to the dorm.

 

"This should be no problem. Alright, here I go then!"

 

Wearing his backpack and carrying his luggage, he proceeded to climb up the steps towards the dorm. He found the door locked and took out a spare key he had duplicated and saved for himself. Unlocking the door, he went inside and placed his things down on the floor.

 

"Hello!” he greeted, but finding nobody inside.

 

I guess they're busy somewhere else. Hmm… what to do now?

 

He rubbed his hands, looking for something to do.

 

"Ah, I know just the thing.”

 

He closed the door behind him.

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Two Hours Later

Six lovely ladies walked the steps to Hinata Sou.

 

"Another stressful day at class," grumbled the girl having light brown eyes and long, light brown hair. She ruffled through her shoulder length bangs of her hair with her hand. She felt the wind's light breeze flowing through her prep school dress.

 

"Ara, Ara… Naru you mustn't overwork yourself at your studies," said another girl in the group, placing a supportive pat on her shoulder. She had the same features as Naru, but in contrast to her color --- dark brown eyes and hair, and her shoulder length bangs of her hair thin as compared to Naru's thick ones. She wore an amicable smile as she adjusted her dress consisting of a closed dark green shirt covered by an apron-skirt. Her brown boots resonated with mild steps.

 

"Mutsumi's right, maybe you should take a break, sempai," said a girl supporting Mutsumi's advice. Her purple eyes mirrored a look of worry for her sempai. Upon first glance, she looked timid and shy. But once you got to know her close you can see that she was a sweet girl who tried to make everyone around her happy. She felt her school uniform skirt being blown by the wind, and she quickly held it back in place.

 

"How about we throw a blowout party to cheer up? I sure can use a drink right now," said a lady having a great body curve. One look at her face could remind that of a sly fox who was an all-around drinker and a common trickster who loved "playing" around with Keitaro back then. She pouted, showing her thirstiness.

 

"Party! Yeah, I'm starving!" exclaimed an enthusiastic girl jumping up with energy. One could wonder where she got the energy to stay active all the time. She seemed somewhat of a foreign exchange student; though we could never really find out 'which' country she came from. For a girl at her age, she had quite an appetite. She jumped onto Mitsune who yelped in surprise.

 

"Yaa! Watch it, Suu! Jeez, you can knock me flat on my back when you're jumping like that!" she exclaimed.

 

"Sorry!" Suu apologized, sticking her tongue out at her playfully. Mitsune laughed and ruffled her hair. She offered a piggyback ride to the energetic girl, who happily complied.

 

"Hmm… I agree with Shinobu, Naru-sempai. You should take a break for at least a while. But Mitsune's idea of throwing a party would be a change from our monotonous routine," said the female swordsman among the group. Her black eyes were closed in deep thought. Motoko laid her hand on her samurai sword attached firmly to her side. She had her other hand brush off the locks of her black hair.

 

"Well… maybe you all are right. I guess I could use a break for a change," Naru replied.

 

The group proceeded inside the dorm and went to the living room. As they sat down on the seats, Shinobu informed them.

 

"I'll make lunch everyone, so just sit tight and relax, ok?"

 

They nodded in response.

 

As she headed towards the kitchen to start her cooking, a whiff of cooked meals made its way to her nose, which caught her in surprise.

 

Hmm, I don't remember cooking early for lunch. Sniff… it smells good! Now wait a second… huh?

 

She followed the direction where the aroma came from --- the dining room --- and found lunch cooked already.

 

"Oh my! Everyone!" she squealed in surprise. The girls stood up from their seats and went to her. They followed the direction where her finger was pointing.

 

"Woah that was fast, Shinobu! I didn't know you were cooking for lunch early!" Mitsune exclaimed. Suu's mouth opened and drooled at the sight of tantalizing meals.

 

"I was about to cook just now until I found lunch made already here!" Shinobu protested.

 

A questioning look etched on Motoko's face. She felt suspicious and looked around the room.

 

"I sense that someone else walked in here before and made lunch before Shinobu."

 

She drew her sword from its sheath and assumed a fighting stance.

 

"What! That's impossible! I remembered Mutsumi locking the front door before we left! Could it be there's a burglar here?" Naru exclaimed. Everyone plastered herself close to Motoko.

 

"If there's an intruder here, we must be on guard. Stay close, everyone," the female swordsman warned. Naru took out a baseball bat from the closet near the front door.

 

The group walked cautiously around the floor. They checked their rooms upstairs and found nothing touched in their belongings. They didn't check Keitaro's room and presumed it to be empty, save for a sealed-tight medium sized box and a black backpack placed inside had they inspected there.

 

"Strange, our rooms haven't been searched. I wonder where the intruder could be," Motoko wondered. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her warrior's skirt.

 

"Hmm? Eek! T-T-Turtle!" she yelped in surprise.

 

The girls jumped at her screaming and clutched to themselves firmly, leaving Motoko carrying all of them. Her legs wobbled at the weight she was carrying.

 

-THUD-

 

The girls crashed onto the floor, tangling their body parts around each other. Mutsumi rubbed her aching bottom and saw what surprised the female swordsman.

 

"Ara, Ara… Motoko, it's only Tama-chan. We're sorry to jump from you like that, Tama-chan."

 

She gently scooped the small, flying turtle and cupped it with her hands.

 

"Figures… for a moment there I thought it was a mouse!" Mitsune exclaimed, rubbing her aching bottom.

 

The turtle flapped her flippers hurriedly.

 

"Miyu! Miyu!" it beamed.

 

"What is it, Tama-chan? Ah… I see," Mutsumi said. The rest of the girls (with the exception of Suu, who could also understand turtle language) gave her puzzled looks. "What she's saying is that she saw someone cooked lunch and after, went to the men's baths."

 

"Humph! We found him at last! Let's teach this burglar a lesson!" Naru exclaimed courageously. With Tama-chan settled on Mutsumi's shoulder, they went to the men's baths.

 

"How dare he use the baths for his benefit! A swift punishment to this intruder will do," Motoko remarked, unsheathing her sword.

 

They stopped from a distance and hid themselves among the rocks in the men's bath. Steam whiffed through the area, evident that the intruder was enjoying himself in the pool.

 

"On the count of three, Naru-sempai and I will charge at the intruder. The rest of you stay back, understand?" Motoko mouthed quietly at all the girls. They understood and nodded in reply.

 

"Naru-sempai, are you ready?" she asked Naru, who was hidden on the other rock along with Mitsune, Shinobu, Mutsumi, and Suu, and she nodded, clutching the baseball bat she held firmly.

 

"1… 2…"

 

As she was about to speak out '3', the intruder spoke up.

 

"Ah… I forgot how relaxing it was to take a bath here. I hope the girls enjoy the lunch I left ready. -Sigh- well, better get dressed and finish up."

 

-FUWUP-

 

A sound of a towel being picked up hanging from a branch was heard. Keitaro felt the girls' presence by sensing their ki, a spiritual concept of one's energy. He closed his eyes for a second, feeling two distinct ki animating in action.

 

An ambush…? Hmm… that has to be Naru and Motoko preparing for an attack.

 

Motoko paused as her ears picked up his voice earlier. She couldn't believe them at first, and waved her hand at Naru, motioning her to pause.

 

That voice… no… it can't be…

 

"…For once, I believe you girls are the perverts, invading a man's bath. No need to sneak up on me now," the manager spoke out, facing their direction. He chuckled inside, as he recalled the awkward, accidental times invading the girls' bath. Now, it seemed the tables were turned at them.

 

The girls jumped up in surprise and slowly came out of their hiding place. They looked to see an amazing, built body of the dorm manager wrapped from the waist down. His familiar dark-brown eyes studied them, while his black hair was ruffled. He was flashing a smile that melted the girls inside, who blushed realizing his near-bared state.

 

Naru took a step forward, observing his face. Her eyes widened.

 

"…Keitaro?"

 

Keitaro flicked under his chin with his thumb. He ran a hand through his wet hair.

 

“Hello, Naru.”

 

Her shocked lips curved upward, as she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She rushed up to him and encircling her arms around his body, relieved.