Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ A Fragile Love ❯ Episode 6: Love Rekindled in the Heart ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A Fragile Love

OOOOOOOOOO

Episode 6: Rekindling the Old Love

Legend:

Word denotes character thought

Word denotes setting, time

-Word- denotes sound effect

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 3, 2000 AD, 8:15 AM

Location: Hinata-Sou

Inside the female swordsman's room, light made its way into her opening eyes. The birds' chirping woke her to a new day. She rubbed sleep off her eyes and opened her balcony window.

-WHOOSH-

Cherry blossom petals floated gracefully under the gentle breeze of the wind. Motoko watched them drifting far away. She embraced herself, remembering the warm embrace of Keitaro enveloping her last night.

This feeling… I've never felt like this before…

"-Sigh- I should make a fresh start for today with training then."

She went to the bathroom to shower up and change for her usual sword training.

OOOOOOOOOO

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Keitaro made last touches to breakfast. He brought it to the dining room table and set up the plates.

"Everybody! Breakfast is ready!" he announced.

-TAP- -TAP- -TAP- -TAP-

The girls' footsteps echoed as they walked downstairs to the dining room. A blur passed by them as the figure of Koalla Suu sat down on her seat and had a napkin wrapped around her neck, hands with spoon and fork, ready to eat.

"Breakfast!" she exclaimed delightfully, starting to help herself to the meal.

An anime-style teardrop was on Keitaro's head as he watched amused at her eating frenzy. He wondered how her small stomach was able to handle large servings of food. The rest of the girls helped themselves to the meal.

As he drank coffee he made, he darted his eyes at each of them, and marveled at their unique character that he each cared deeply. A small smile etched on his face.

I'm glad that I returned here. Seeing them makes my stay here worthwhile.

He shifted his gaze to Motoko and trained his eyes to her. As they traveled up and down on her, he couldn't help realize how beautiful she was.

She's beautiful. But, she needs a lot to improve, not in terms of her fighting skill.

He shrugged the thought off his mind and focused on finishing his meal.

"This is great, Keitaro! What do you call this?" Suu excitedly asked, pointing at her meal.

"It's just the same --- scrambled eggs, bacon, fried rice, and baked potatoes," the dorm manager replied.

"Even though it's the same thing, it still tastes good! Keep on cooking!" she said, raising her arm up to the air, with hand holding a fork. He nodded slowly and stifled a small laugh at her.

Mutsumi and Naru looked at his laughing face and smiled deep inside.

Shinobu looked on him admiringly and giggled.

Mitsune had a cheesy grin on her face as she was stirring up a plan for him.

Motoko noticed the cheerful aura emanating the atmosphere.

It looks like life's return to normal here in Hinata-Sou, now that Urashima is back. After all the damage I'd inflicted on him in the past, yet he still has the heart to forgive and forget.

I'm sure he didn't do this out of sympathy… you're becoming an interesting individual, Urashima.

She took a bite from her breakfast and felt her heart being slowly open to a new light. She stared at Keitaro and wondered.

Why does my heart feel strange?

"Sorry if breakfast's still the same thing. I'll try a different approach next time," Keitaro said to the girls. He checked the time on the wall clock in the room --- it read 8:40 AM. As he updated himself on the calendar, he realized it was a weekend.

Ah, Saturday, I see. Hmm, what to do?

He looked at Naru who was busily chatting with Mutsumi and furrowed his eyebrows in thought.

Maybe a trip to Toudai would suffice.

OOOOOOOOOO

After an hour, the girls were done with breakfast.

Naru stood up from her seat and carried her plate to the kitchen. As she returned, she checked the time.

Hmm, maybe now's a good time to get my course schedule.

Before she went to her room to get changed, Keitaro called her attention.

"Naru, do you have a minute?"

She turned around, looking startled at him.

"What is it, Keitaro?"

"Where are you planning to go today?"

"I'm going to Toudai to get my course schedule for my 2nd school year there. Why do you ask?"

Keitaro scratched the back of his head and grinned.

"I was wondering… might I come with you?"

Naru was little surprised by his question.

Why would he ask such a thing? Toudai is the university he had been aiming for the last 3 years!

"It's ok with me; you can come if you want to."

"Thanks. I'll go get changed and wait for you at the front gate of the dorm, ok?"

"Ok. I'll be getting dressed. Don't be late!"

She went to her room to change.

Keitaro proceeded to gather the dishes and clean up the dining table. He was caught off-guard as he noticed the table already cleared up of plates.

Huh? Funny, did they just vanish?

He went to the kitchen and saw Shinobu and Suu washing the dishes.

Well, that explains it.

He walked to them.

"Why are you both washing the dishes? It should be me doing the job."

They turned around and faced him.

"Sempai, you shouldn't be doing all of the household chores here. I insist that you take a break and relax," Shinobu said.

"Yeah, Keitaro, leave this to us! We'll get this job done right away!" Suu exclaimed in agreement.

Sigh… I guess it's no use persuading these two. I'll let them have their way then, Keitaro sighed.

"Ok, I guess you could make yourselves useful during this weekend. Thanks, I appreciate it you two," he ruffled Suu's hair and placed his hand on Shinobu's shoulder, smiling. Suu beamed with delight while Shinobu had a faint blush on her cheeks, and looked to faint on her sempai's touch volume.

As Keitaro then headed to his room to change, Motoko had a confused look on her face. Normally, the female swordsman's initial reaction would be to reach for her sword and whack Keitaro up into orbit, upon judging him to be doing something perverted to any of the girls in any sense.

However, her training with him last night soon came into mind, and she hesitated to draw her sword out. She then remembered his embrace.

I… I think that Urashima isn't being a pervert as I judged him to be.

Could I have been making hasty judgements?

My thoughts have suddenly become conflicting since that time with him last night.

A few minutes later, Keitaro returned. He wore a black raincoat over a buttoned up black polo with an undershirt, brown belt, black pants, and black leather shoes.

Mitsune whistled sexily at him.

Damn, he looks good on those clothes. Oh god, he's hot! I can't stand it!

She felt her cheeks blushed in embarrassment and covered them with her hands. Her eyes were going up and down over him, drinking every detail of him.

As for Motoko, his image blew her away. She placed her hand over her beating heart and struggled to control her emotions.

Oh, Urashima, do you see what you're doing to me?

I think… I'm falling in love with you.

Deep down, she wanted to feel his supportive embrace once again.

Keitaro checked himself on a wall mirror in the living room.

"Well, I guess this will do. I have to wait for Naru outside the front gate," he reminded himself.

"I'll be accompanying Naru to Toudai; she's going to get her course schedule. Can you tell her I'll be waiting outside the front gate?" he added.

"I'll inform Naru-sempai about it, Urashima. Rest assured," Motoko answered.

"Thanks Motoko. Are you going to train today? I suggest that you loosen up once in a while and not stay serious always. I prefer that you start your day with a smile, like I do," Keitaro winked at her and gave her a thumbs-up.

"Y-Yes, I think I'll try that, Urashima. Thanks," she replied with an awkward smile.

He then left to wait for Naru.

Mitsune sat next to her and playfully elbowed her on her side.

"Well, well! I wonder what you two were doing last night?"

Motoko stared at her in shock.

"W-W-What are you implying about, Mitsune?"

She wagged her finger at her.

"Tsk, tsk! It's no use hiding it Motoko; I heard about the ruckus last night. I didn't figure he had such skill to fight you! Unbelievable!"

The female swordsman covered the fox lady's mouth.

"Shh! I don't want the others to find out! Mitsune, please promise me not to let it out. This is between the both of us, understand?"

Mitsune nodded in reply and was able to talk again. She looked at her with a questioning eye.

"So it's true he defeated you?"

Motoko lowered her head down and closed her eyes in disgrace.

"Yes, he was able to defeat me with such a fighting skill I never witnessed before."

Just then, Naru came by dressed in a yellow sweatshirt, red skirt, short black socks, and black leather shoes. A nice white scarf was worn around her neck, and she carried a small backpack. She checked herself on the wall mirror in the living room and then faced the two.

"Well, I'm going now. Where's Keitaro?" she asked.

Her voice caught them in surprise.

"Y----------ah!" they exclaimed, jumping up from their seats. They turned facing her.

"Oh, Naru! Jeez, you gave us quite a scare just now. Keitaro is waiting outside at the front gate," Mitsune said.

"Oh, ok. Thanks!" she then left.

Motoko breathed a sign of relief.

"Whew… that was close. Will you please try to tone down your voice, Mitsune?" she sternly warned, hands on her hips.

"Sorry! Ok, ok, don't worry! Now, how did your duel, or should I say, training, started?" the fox lady asked, her eyes mirroring anxiety to hear out.

"-Sigh- Well, it happened like this, you see…" Motoko started, describing the event in detail she remembered.

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 3, 2000 AD, 9:30 AM

Location: Tokyo University

As Keitaro and Naru entered the university, the dorm manager couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia around him. His eyes darted left to right, remembering the memories of his pre-college days in his dream university.

It still looks the same when I first studied here.

He followed Naru walking to the registrar's office. She asked the registrar's assistant behind the counter.

"Excuse me, miss? I'm here to get my course schedule."

The assistant gave her a busy look.

"Yes? Oh, your course schedules?"

"Yes miss."

"Your name and school year here?"

"Naru Narusegawa, 2nd year."

The assistant typed in a few keys on a keyboard of the registrar's PC.

"Hmm… Naru… let me see… it looks like you've registered early for this school year. Hang on a second," she then printed out a course schedule and gave it to her, "Here you go."

"Thank you, miss," Naru politely thanked after receiving her course schedule. She turned around to see Keitaro observing the school notices on the nearby wallboard.

"Keitaro, what are you looking at the school notices for? You do remember them when you managed to enter here 2 years ago, right?" she asked.

Keitaro ran a hand through his hair before replying.

"Ha, ha, I was just feeling a little nostalgic at seeing the university I had tried so hard to enter," he looked at her with a guilty heart.

Should I let her know that I had already graduated college? I don't want to end up disappointing her.

"Keitaro… I know you're not planning to give up on that, right?" Naru asked with a confused look. He sighed once more and looked down on the floor.

"Naru… I think… there's something you should know."

"What could it be?"

His lips curved into a small smile.

"How about over a few drinks, then? My treat."

Naru could only wonder at his refusal to answer her question directly.

"Well, sure."

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 3, 2000 AD, 10:00 AM

Location: Hinata District, Matsui's Coffee Express

The two took their seats outside a coffee shop Keitaro suggested. Naru browsed over the provided small menu attached next to a small flower vase on their table, while Keitaro sat leisurely and took in the quiet atmosphere. A waiter arrived in front of them to take their order.

"Good afternoon. Welcome to Matsui's Coffee Express. Your order?"

"I'll have a cup of light-brewed coffee, please," Keitaro replied. He asked Naru.

"What about you? Do you want anything to drink?"

"Huh? Let me see, I'll take… a cup of hot chocolate please," she placed down the menu on their table.

"Will that be all?" the waiter checked.

"Yes please," Keitaro answered. The waiter disappeared inside the shop to fetch their order.

"Keitaro… why didn't you answer my question back before?" Naru started.

Could he be hiding something from me?

Keitaro closed his eyes in thought. He then opened them.

"Naru… I didn't want to keep this a secret from the rest of you back in the dorm, but I guess you all would know someday. You see, the reason why I didn't answer your question back there was that… I finished college already."

Naru's eyes turned wide with surprise.

"Y-You m-must be joking, right?"

He watched the sky and nodded sideways.

"I'm afraid not."

"But how can that be! Is there such a time period to finish college early?"

"Yes, there is such a thing. And it happened during my stay in America. I didn't make it clear to all of you back in the dorm after I arrived."

Naru stood up and slammed her hands on their table.

"Then what about Toudai? Don't you remember the promise we made, that we'd be studying together there?"

"…"

A tear escaped from her eye.

"You idiot… you were the reason why I was able to make it into Toudai. And here I thought you'd be able to catch up with me."

She sat down on her seat dejected. Keitaro stood up and wiped off her tear. Naru stared at him with surprise, her heart suddenly beating faster.

"Naru, I'm sorry for keeping this a secret. But I didn't want to disappoint either you or Mutsumi on waiting for me. I just… needed some time for myself. Please understand."

"Wait a minute, why did you include Mutsumi?"

Keitaro groaned deep inside upon realizing what he said.

"Well… to be honest, I remember clearly who my promised girls are. You two were they… Na-chan."

Naru felt her heart pausing for a moment.

“Did you just call me Na-chan?”

Keitaro slowly nodded, smile evident on his face. He reached for her hand and held it over with his. He gazed at her eyes and couldn't help but admire her character that he'd known since his first day as the manager of the dorm.

"I want you to know that you're a part of my heart. I never forgot our promise," he took out his pendant and opened it, showing her picture along with Mutsumi's.

"Kei-kun… -Sniff- you remembered… -Sniff-" Naru struggled her urge to cry, looking down on their clasped hands.

He does care for me all this time… I'm such a fool to haven not believed it!

"I'm sorry for all the beatings I gave you back then. -Sniff- I regarded you as a pervert, just like any normal guy around here."

Keitaro lifted her chin, staring at her pretty face. He held her hands firmly.

"Don't cry; I don't want to see anyone close to me in pain. I always want them with a smile, not a worry in the world."

"-Sniff- -Sniff- Kei-kun," Naru smiled back.

Just then, the waiter came by with their order, breaking the moment.

"Here you go, sir, miss,” he gave them their drinks. Keitaro stopped him before he could leave.

"Excuse me, but can you bring the check for our order? I'd like to pay early."

The waiter looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Certainly, sir."

As he turned around to do his customer's request, a realization hit him. He turned around and faced Keitaro.

"Pardon me, sir, but aren't you… Keitaro Urashima?"

Keitaro chuckled a bit, feeling a sense of déjà vu by the question.

It's just like the stewardess said in my flight going here.

"You're our regular customer in this coffee shop! Now I remember!" the waiter snapped his fingers in realization.

"You have a good memory… Reiji isn't it?” the dorm manager saw his name on the small tag pinned on his chest pocket. The waiter smiled, embarrassed by the compliment.

Suddenly, another voice called him.

"Reiji quit dawdling over there! We've got other customers to serve!"

It belonged to a middle-aged man in his 30s. He wore an apron over his white polo, showing the coffee shop's brand name and symbol. Aside from that, he wore black slacks that matched his leather shoes. He had somewhat of a potbelly, but looked jolly. He walked towards the three.

"Mr. Osame! Sorry sir! I was surprised to see our regular customer here!" Reiji the waiter remarked. Matsui Osame, the manager, noticed Keitaro and shook his head in surprise.

"Well, I'll be! It's nice seeing you, Mr. Urashima! My apologies if Reiji here interrupted your personal time with your lady friend here."

Keitaro smiled amicably.

"Ha, ha… it's no problem, Matsui-san. I'm little amazed that your waiters could still remember a regular customer in your coffee shop."

Naru stared at the scene in astonishment.

He's sure well known from the looks of it!

Reiji bowed to the dorm manager in apology.

"My apologies for the interruption, sir. I'll go get your check for your order," he went back inside the shop to get the check. Matsui laughed jovially at his retreating form.

"Reiji has been a hardworking lad; he's proud of his duties as a waiter. Despite the meager salary in the job, he still accepted it."

Keitaro stifled a small chuckle.

"I guess there aren't much people like him around who're devoted to their jobs. Nevertheless, I think he'll do well in your coffee shop, and maybe take over your place after your retirement, Matsui-san. Give him a bonus for his effort when the time comes."

"Hmm… I'll consider your recommendation. I guess I'll leave you two to each other, no? It was nice seeing you again," Matsui shook hands with Keitaro. He went inside the shop, laughing jovially.

Afterwards, Reiji came back with the check and handed it to Keitaro.

"Here's your check, Mr. Urashima. We hope to serve you again!"

He then returned once more inside the shop.

"What was that about?" Naru asked.

Keitaro studied the check and set it down on their table. He took out some bills from his wallet and clipped it on the check.

"Well, I'm a regular customer here in this coffee shop. This is one of the places I usually go to spend some time alone. It's nothing to ponder about."

"Wow… you know, you've changed, Keitaro."

He smiled once more.

"Well, let's not keep our drinks cold. By the way, can you tell me what you did when I was gone before?”

"I passed the entrance exam in Toudai after you left. It was all study, study for me, but it paid off. I managed to pass my 1st year and continue on, just what you saw me taking my course schedule for my 2nd year," Naru sipped her hot chocolate.

"It maybe dull sometimes, but college life isn't much of a workload to handle; it all depends on how you see and handle it. Even for me during my trip in America, college was no walk in the park, as some of my college classmates there used to describe it," Keitaro drank his coffee.

"Since when did you start drinking coffee? That looks odd to me," Naru wondered.

"Hmm… it became a usual drink for me when I studied in America. It really helped me well."

You wouldn't believe the sleepless nights I endured just to pass those subjects in the courses I choose. Yawn…

"Really; can you tell me more?"

“Sure.”

The two people traded stories of their activities with each other while enjoying their drinks.

Time seemed slow to them.

Deep down inside, Naru felt happiness taking over.

OOOOOOOOOO

Keitaro checked his watch for the time --- it read 12:00 PM.

"Time seems to fly by quick, huh, Naru?" he asked. Naru leaned over to him and saw the time.

"Yeah… that reminds me, I've something to do back home."

"Home? Do you mean your family?"

"No, you idiot, I meant the dorm. But I consider my family my second home to go to. Do you have something else to do?"

Keitaro thought over of his next plan.

I'll just go back with her to the dorm.

Home, huh?

I guess I could call Hinata-Sou that. I already checked the place for damages, but there were none as I hoped for.

The morning kiss he shared with Mitsune appeared in his mind.

I should go check up on Mitsune and see how she's doing.

"No, I don't have any plans for today. I'll walk you back to the dorm."

Naru felt a slight blush on her cheeks.

He's concerned over me… how sweet and thoughtful of him!

"Thank you, Keitaro."

They stood up from their seats and left, heading back home to the dorm.

OOOOOOOOOO

-HONK- -HONK-

The honks of a car sounded near the two young adults. Naru turned around to find Kentaro Sakata.

Handsome, rich, and popular, he was everything a girl could want. He considered Keitaro as a rival for competition in winning Naru's heart.

He waved at her and overtook them with his sports car.

Naru groaned, expecting the worst. She held onto Keitaro's arm and began to drag him along with her.

"Keitaro, let's get going."

"Hey, hey, what's the rush, Naru-chan? You're not going to even wave back and say 'hi' to me?" Kentaro asked, posing like a playboy. He grinned mischievously at her and got out of his car.

"Oh! Um, you see Kentaro, Keitaro and I need to return to the dorm right away. Sorry, but maybe next time, ok?" Naru said.

"Uh-uh! How about I take you out for a drive? Come on, don't be shy!" Kentaro reached for her arm and began to pull her to him.

A gleam of light seemed to shimmer from Keitaro's eyes.

"I'm sorry, but when she says no, she means it," he spoke.

"Stay out of this, Urashima. She's coming with me!" before Kentaro could pull her further his arm was held in a tight grip.

"Hmm… it seems that you need some persuasion to understand my point," Keitaro sarcastically replied.

"Humph! Do I have to remind you," Kentaro then whipped around to land a fist to his face, "to butt out!"

-WHOOSH-

In an instant, Keitaro blocked the punch. With his other hand, he twisted Kentaro's arm behind his back. He then shoved him toward his car.

-BAM-

"Ugh… so, do you want a fight, is it? Come on, then!" Kentaro challenged.

"-Sigh- If you say so, Kentaro," Keitaro replied.

The two males went to a nearby alley and took positions a close distance from each other. Naru watched with concern.

Please don't be hurt, Keitaro.

She clasped her hands and prayed for the dorm manager's sake.

Kentaro putted his arms up, fists clenched.

"All right tough guy, show me what you got!" he mocked.

Keitaro placed one hand behind his back. With his other hand, he ruffled through his hair and clicked his tongue.

"Not worth my time," he quietly said. This pissed off Kentaro.

"That does it! Take this!" he quickly lunged at him for a punch.

Keitaro closed his eyes and grinned. In one motion, he ducked, avoiding the punch and caught his arm. Then, he twisted it sideways.

"Yeow!" Kentaro winced in pain. Keitaro then delivered three quick kicks to his body in succession.

-BOOF- -BOOF- -BOOF-

Then letting go his opponent's arm, he did a turnaround kick that sent him flying back to a nearby pile of trash.

-CRASH-

"Damn! Since… -cough- when did you fight like that? -Cough- But I'm not done with you yet!" Kentaro got back up quickly and performed a jump kick towards him. He dodged it with ease and looked at him disappointed.

"Bad form, I say."

Kentaro was the aggressor while Keitaro was the defender. One man continuously attacked the other with all his might while he evaded his attacks smoothly in rhythm.

Naru watched the fight with awe.

"A-Amazing…"

Keitaro can fight, that's for sure! He seems to avoid Kentaro's attacks all the time! Wait a second, where did he learn how to fight like that?

Gritting his teeth, Kentaro desperately grabbed him.

"I got you! Huh?" he looked to see himself grabbing air.

"Where did you go? What!" he turned around to find his opponent delivering a backhand blow to his face.

-WHAM-

"Oof!"

"It's over," Keitaro announced, his eyes focused on his opponent. In one fluid motion, he delivered punches and kicks that seemed to be a blur for Kentaro to keep up.

-POW- -BOOF- -BOOF- -BOOF- -POW-

Each landed a hit from his face to his body. Kentaro seemed to look like a punching bag as he staggered on his feet to keep up his balance. Keitaro then threw him over his shoulder to another pile of trash.

-CRASH-

Kentaro was down for the count.

Keitaro wiped his hands. He ran one hand through his hair and sighed. He looked at his opponent's unconscious form and nodded his head sideways.

"This battle was over before it even started," he quietly stated, walking back to Naru.

"Keitaro, are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about him; he'll come about in a few hours. Come on, let's go home," he offered his arm to her.

"Home?" she accepted, holding onto his arm. He smiled at her and caressed her cheek with his hand.

"I mean, the dorm, right? Thanks for making me realize I have a place to go back to."

Naru felt her temperature rise upon his touch. She nodded and smiled back. Deep down, she was glad to be with him.

"I'm glad that you came back," she held onto him tighter than ever, never wanting to let go.

They then left the scene, heading back to Hinata-Sou.