Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ A Fragile Love ❯ Episode 9: Hurt ( Chapter 9 )

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

A Fragile Love

OOOOOOOOOO

Episode 9: Hurt

Legend

Word denotes character thought

Word denotes setting, time

-Word- denotes sound effect

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 5, 2000 AD, 4:00 PM

Location: A dojo in Tokyo University

"Again!"

-SWISH-

"Again!"

-SWISH- -SWISH-

"Again!"

-SWISH- -SWISH- -SWISH-

"Alright, that concludes training for today, everybody. Good job. I want more firm strokes next time!" the sensei exclaimed at his kendo students.

"Yes, sensei!" they bellowed. The sensei left for his office.

The students gathered their gear and headed to their respective locker rooms to change and shower. Motoko was among the girls as she entered the girls' locker room. The female students began to shower and change into their school uniforms.

"Ouch… I tell you, my hands ache," a fellow classmate complained, holding her hands gingerly.

"Sensei's not that strict, so be thankful for that. Didn't you tell me before that you liked kendo, Minami?" Motoko spoke to her.

"Well, yes. It's this routine; I don't know how long I can keep up," the classmate named Minami said.

"You don't need to worry. Just balance your schedule and learn to appreciate it. You'll get used to it."

"Thanks, Motoko. Huh?"

"What is it?"

Minami peeked outside a window. She noticed a group of school-uniformed girls waiting. Two of them were holding a banner saying "Motoko Aoyama Fan Club".

"It's your fan squad; they're gathering outside, waiting for you as usual," she snickered. Motoko groaned at the remark.

Them again. Sigh… how was I made an idol to them?

She quickly showered and changed into her Toudai School uniform.

After Keitaro's absence two years ago, she started studying in Toudai wishing she and Keitaro would come back and finish together.

Why didn't he start studying to enter here? Or was it that he came here for a vacation? He's hiding something; I have to know what it is.

"You sure are in a hurry, Motoko. A date?" Minami teased.

Motoko waved off her teasing with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"N-No, it's not a date. Um… something important, that's all!"

"-Giggle- And why are you blushing then?"

"O-Oh…"

"Sure... -giggle- well take care then."

"Thanks!"

Motoko left the dojo and started making a mad dash to Hinata-Sou as a head start. She didn't go unnoticed however.

"MOTOKO-SEMPAI!" her "fan club" yelled gleefully, running after her. She looked back at them as she ran.

Huff, puff, I have to lose them! Why me, kami?

Passerby wondered with confused looks why a schoolgirl was running away from a mob of female admirers and fans.

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 5, 2000 AD, 4:10 PM

Location: Hinata-Sou

Naru walked up to Keitaro's room and knocked on his door.

-KNOCK- -KNOCK-

"Yes, Naru?" Keitaro asked from within.

Judging from her ki, she seems to be bothered with something.

Deep inside Naru jumped in surprise.

H-How did he know it was me? He's really starting to turn mysterious.

"Yeah, it's me. Am I disturbing you?"

"No, it's ok. Please come in."

Naru opened the door and walked in, closing it after her. She found Keitaro wearing white socks, white sweatpants, and light blue shirt.

"Keitaro? How did you it was me knocking outside the door?"

The manager chuckled at her question.

"I just guessed it was you, that's all. What can I do for you?"

Naru sat on a pillow cushion. She cast her eyes on the floor, looking at her hands playing with each other.

How do I start?

"Keitaro? I wanted to say something to you. I've really found hard to keep this in me for so long. I… I…"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if I could… um… "

"Huh?"

Keitaro smiled and stifled a small laugh.

"You mean like a date?"

Naru was taken back by the remark. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks as she tried hard to maintain her composure.

"W-Well, y-yeah; I want to spend some time with you."

She turned away from him and controlled her willpower to stop her blushing. Keitaro observed the girl in front of him.

Do I love her like I used to before?

Sure she was the first girl I've had my heart on, but I left with a broken heart at that time.

But should I give her a chance to make up?

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Opening them after a few seconds, he placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and slowly turned her around facing him.

"Naru, I'd love to. But if it's today, I'm sorry; I have an appointment with Motoko."

Naru was disappointed.

"Oh… okay."

"I tell you what; I'll take you out to dinner in Friday, after your classes. Is it ok with you?”

She nodded in approval.

"Cool. Anything else you want to talk to me about?"

She was hesitant at first, but gathered her courage as she spoke.

"Just this…"

She pressed her lips against his, her hands pressed against his chest.

Keitaro was taken by surprise. He responded back with a deeper kiss as he enveloped his arms around her body, drawing her to him. He was even more surprised when he felt her tongue probing inside, flickering against his.

To Naru, she felt pure happiness.

I can't believe I'm sharing a kiss with Keitaro. Oh kami…

She then decided to do the unexpected by removing his shirt as she made out with him. She stared in awe at his built chest.

His body is so well built. Oh…

OOOOOOOOOO

Keitaro's mind pondered to continue on or stop. It was divided by his good and bad persona.

'Good' Keitaro: Is she serious? She wants to take it to the next level? Whoa… too fast!

'Evil' Keitaro: Are you kidding? She's giving you a chance to do it! Go!

'Good' Keitaro: Oh no, you don't! Shame on you if you do!

'Evil' Keitaro: Ah… shut up! Don't listen to this goody-goody idiot!

'Good' Keitaro: What about Motoko? She's expecting a practice with you today!

'Evil' Keitaro: The more, the merrier! Invite her in when she comes! Oh yeah, a threesome!

'Good' Keitaro: No, Keitaro. I thought you were changed, matured now. Do what's right.

OOOOOOOOOO

Keitaro felt his head throbbing.

Blast this headache. I can't do this to her!

OOOOOOOOOO

'Good' Keitaro smiled and danced happily around 'Evil' Keitaro, who threw his arms up in defeat and sighed.

OOOOOOOOOO

Keitaro forced himself to break the kiss.

"No… this isn't right, Naru."

Naru looked at him teary-eyed.

"Keitaro?"

"I can't, this seems too forward."

"You… idiot!" she slapped him on the face.

-SLAP-

"Don't you realize how much I miss you? Even after you left back then, I hoped, prayed, and wished that you'd returned home. I want to give myself to you as a token of my love and now you reject me! You hate me!"

She covered her face with her hands as she cried. Keitaro kicked himself mentally for his remark.

Why is love so complicated, God?

He wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her.

"I'm sorry… you seem to misunderstood what I said. I don't hate you. You were my first love and will always be. It's just that we're about to rush into sex right now after a simple kiss. I want to take things slow between us.”

Naru choked a sob as she listened to his every word.

"-Sniff- Then how do you feel about me?"

Keitaro lifted her face, meeting her eye-to-eye. Her eyes were beginning to turn little red from crying. He wiped off her tears.

"I do love you."

"Oh Keitaro!"

Naru cried with joy as she hugged him tighter than ever. Then, she kissed him once more.

-TAP- -TAP- -TAP-

Keitaro's door was knocked and it opened slightly.

"Urashima? Are you ready to go---" Motoko's words were cut short as she stared in shock at the two people kissing.

Naru sempai… and Urashima…

Keitaro, startled to see Motoko, quickly broke off the kiss. Naru was confused for a moment until she saw the female swordsman.

"Motoko? Er… is there something you need from me?" the dorm manager broke the silence. The female swordsman turned her face to passive.

"I… apologize for disturbing you and Naru-san. Was this… a bad time?"

Naru looked down on the floor, blushing.

"N-no Motoko, um… I was just telling my feelings to him… that's all. I'm sorry, Keitaro."

She left immediately for her room with mixed feelings.

Motoko turned around, walking to her room. She managed to keep her face passive, but Naru's remark was breaking down her emotional walls quickly.

"Motoko, wait!" Keitaro exclaimed, catching up to her. He laid a hand on her shoulder to stop.

"Motoko…"

"Urashima, it is okay… I came at a bad time."

"No, um… Naru and I were having a talk; I was comforting her. And about our training, I was hoping we go on with it."

Motoko felt little hope from his remark.

Is he speaking the truth? Or is it just not to make me feel bad? I… I don't know.

"…Very well. Please… get ready, and wait for me downstairs."

Keitaro kicked himself inside.

Damn… Naru pounces over me and Motoko finds out! I detect a hint of sadness in her voice.

I shouldn't have let Naru go far back there.

"Okay then."

He slowly turned around from the female swordsman and gave one last look at her, before heading to his room.

-CLOSE-

As Keitaro's door closed behind him, a tear ran down on Motoko's cheek as she forced herself to walk to her room to change.

OOOOOOOOOO

In her room, Naru contemplated on her moment with the manager as she lied down on her bed, holding on to Liddo-kun, the stuffed toy in the promise.

Keitaro… I don't want to lose you, now that I realized how much you mean to me.

Do I love you? At first, I thought you were a pervert. But now, you're different. Keitaro…

Naru stifled a sob, closing her eyes to sleep.

OOOOOOOOOO

Inside the manager's room, Keitaro finished changing into his training clothes for another training with Motoko tonight.

He wore the same clothes in his last practice with her, but with black all over. He tightened his black battle gloves and checked his reverse-edged sword. He saw a small image of himself reflected from the sword but noticed his eyes showing a glimpse of sadness and confusion.

Motoko-chan; I must not think about this now, or this might affect the practice.

He sheathed the sword, strapping it to his right side. He placed his wallet and the dorm keys on a small bag and tied it firmly to his left side. He checked himself on a mirror one last time and went downstairs to wait for Motoko.

OOOOOOOOOO

Minutes later.

Keitaro checked his watch for the time --- 6:00 PM. He was seated in the living room waiting for Motoko.

I wonder what's taking Motoko long to get ready? This isn't like her to be late.

The female swordsman came downstairs wearing her usual training clothes, her sword strapped to her side.

"Ah, Urashima, you're prepared."

Keitaro faced her and nodded.

"Yes, I am. Shall we go?"

"Of course."

As they were about to leave, Shinobu noticed them.

"Urashima-sempai, Motoko-sempai, where are you two going?" she asked.

Keitaro gave an easygoing smile.

"Motoko-chan is taking me outside for training. Don't worry; we'll be back for dinner."

Shinobu was swept away by his look.

Urashima-sempai looks handsome in those clothes… oh… hmm? Motoko-sempai looks a little sad, I wonder why?

Before she could ask further, the two left, closing the front door after them. Mitsune came downstairs, looking around.

"Huh? Who was it, Shinobu?" she asked, scratching her head.

"Mitsune-sempai; Urashima and Motoko-sempai left. They're going for training, Urashima-sempai told me."

The fox lady raised an eyebrow.

If Motoko is having another "practice" with Keitaro…

I'm getting a nagging feeling about this.

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 5, 2000 AD, 6:15 PM

Location: Hinata Park

Keitaro and Motoko walked inside the abandoned park. As the manager walked quietly behind her, his eyes scanned around in caution.

Hmm… nothing suspicious here, looks like we have this park to ourselves.

"This is where you want us to train, Motoko?" he asked. The female swordsman nodded in reply.

Something's wrong with her. I have a bad feeling about this. What?

Motoko stopped, forcing Keitaro to cease walking.

"Urashima… please walk away from me within a distance."

"…Very well."

Keitaro did as she instructed and was a distance away from her.

Motoko balled her hands into shaking fists as the image of Naru kissing the manager popped inside her mind.

I… cannot do this.

How can I fall in love with this man?

Naru-sempai loves him deeply.

But I can't turn back, for I asked him this.

My feelings… are confusing my mind, body, and heart.

She unclenched her hands and assumed a fighting stance. She locked her eyes with Keitaro and unsheathed her sword.

"Urashima… draw your sword!"

Keitaro unsheathed his reverse-edged sword with his right hand and pointed it downwards to the ground. He covered partly his face with his left hand, watching her.

The two faced each other.

Motoko felt anger slowly seeping in her. This anger mirrored her emotional frustration for the manager.

Urashima…

She gritted her teeth, her eye misting a tear running on her cheek.

Keitaro wondered.

Motoko… you're… crying.

A gentle breeze of the wind went through, rustling the two swordsmen's clothes.

A sakura-cherry blossom petal floated slowly to the ground between them. As it touched the ground, Motoko uttered out a battle cry and rushed towards the manager.

"Ha------!"