Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ A Fragile Love ❯ Episode 14: Enter Kanako ( Chapter 14 )

A Fragile Love

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Due to demand from many readers, I hereby present this next episode!

 

My apologies for this very late update; I seemed to lack some enthusiasm in writing my stories (and also losing track of time). But to my amazement, it seemed that some reviewers kept clamoring me for next updates, burning a fire in me (and probably annoying me to no end during my sleep) to continue my stories.

 

I've had to keep checking some minor revisions for my stories. One factor pointed out by a reviewer was that there wasn't a detailed timeline for this story. After some minor tweaking (followed by a few curses on myself for not spotting it), from now on this episode up to the last, there will always be a detailed timeline and location. So I hope this pleases you, readers.

 

Well, aside from that, other major factors came into light as to why I presented this late update --- college, family, friends, PS2, etc.

 

Other from that, pleasant reading!

 

You're always welcome to voice out your comments, opinions, etc. regarding this story. Just keep those reviews coming!

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Episode 14: Enter Kanako

Legend

Word denotes character thought

Word denotes setting, time

-Word- denotes sound effect

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Timeline: June 6, 2000 AD, 1:15 AM

Location: Hinata District, Haruka's Tea Shop

“Kanako… is that really you? My, you've grown!” Haruka embraced her adopted niece with joy.

 

16 years ago, she heard word from her brother that he was adopting a daughter in his family, at his wife's request, who yearned to raise a girl. During her last letters to Keitaro, she found him mentioning Kanako from time to time, which gave Haruka mixed feelings.

 

“How did you know where to find me here in Japan?” she asked her relative. Kanako took out a small, folded piece of paper from inside her coat and unfolded it, showing the written words to her.

 

“I got permission from Grandma Hina if I could stay with my brother, whom she told me was working as manager of Hinata-Sou, an-all girls' dorm she's managing. Then she gave me the address of your tea shop in Hinata district.”

 

“Well, this was unexpected. Please come in, it must have been a tiring trip all the way here from America,” Haruka ushered her niece inside, who took her stuff along with her. Locking the front door after her, she led her upstairs to the manager's room.

 

“By the way, what's inside that cage you're carrying?” she asked, glancing at the animal cage Kanako was carrying.

 

Kanako set her stuff down, sitting down on Haruka's bed. She sighed with relief and composed herself.

 

“It's my pet cat, Kero,” she opened the cage door, letting her cat out, “Is it ok with you if I let him out for a while? He doesn't like being cooped up inside for a long time.”

 

“Meow…” the black, dark-brown eyed cat stretched itself happily to be out of confinement.

 

“No problem, as long as he doesn't mess anything up here,” Haruka noticed her unfinished paperwork and began arranging them. She placed them in a folder inside her desk drawer. She cleaned up the rest of the necessary stuff --- calculator, notebook, etc. Satisfied, she took her seat and eyed her niece.

 

“Why did you arrive here at this time?”

 

“Oh, I took the first flight available going to Tokyo early evening.”

 

“So how's Grandma Hina doing there?”

 

“She's very active, despite being at an old age. She likes to enjoy quiet days with herbal tea. She's planning to take a trip around the world.”

 

“Oh that? Yeah, she told me about it -snicker-. How are your studies going along?”

 

“High school's ok, but it gets me tired now and then. I'm in my 4th year now.”

 

Haruka beamed with pride, “Just one more year and you're in college, good work.”

 

The younger Urashima blushed little, embarrassed. She suddenly remembered something.

 

“Aunt Haruka, where's my brother?”

 

“He's in the dorm right now, but he's asleep obviously at this time.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Don't worry; I'll take you there to him first thing in the morning. But for now, you better rest here in my tea shop, ok?”

 

“Thank you,” Kanako embraced her aunt, who was surprised by her action. She embraced back.

 

“There's no need to be grateful, now. Well, use the bathroom and wash yourself up, then get some rest. I'll just check things downstairs and come back. Oh, you can sleep with me on my bed, if that's ok with you?”

 

Kanako blushed little on the last remark.

 

Haruka slapped herself mentally and corrected, “No, that's not what you're thinking, I mean share my bed.”

 

“Oh… -Giggle- then, good night, um, good morning, Aunt Haruka.”

 

“You too; now get going.”

 

Haruka left the manager's room and went downstairs back to the dining room, and resumed finishing up her herbal tea. After done with it, she cleaned and washed her cup, placing it after in a dish drainer. She headed upstairs to the bathroom to wash up, before heading to her bedroom and changing into sleeping attire consisting of a red tank top and light brown shorts. She hit the sack along with her niece, pulling the blanket close to their bodies.

 

Kanako was changed into overall purple pajamas and had washed up using the bathroom offered. She looked outside the bedroom window at the waning moon and stars.

 

“Brother… wait for me,” she muttered quietly, forcing her to slowly shut her eyes.

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Timeline: June 6, 2000 AD, 6:00 AM

Location: Hinata District, Hinata-Sou

Inside Keitaro's room, Motoko's sleeping form was slowly roused as she unconsciously roamed her hands on what was supposed to be Keitaro's chest. However, it was empty space she felt. The female swordsman slowly opened her eyes to find her beloved missing.

 

“Kei-kun?”

 

She removed the blanket from her body and slipped her feet into a pair of slippers that belonged to the dorm manager. She exited the room, closing quietly the door after her.

 

Where is he?

 

She noticed outside a nearby hallway window the rising sun, indicating a start of a new day. Suddenly, she felt a sudden burst of ki coming from the roof.

 

Can it be him? It must be.

 

She headed upstairs to the roof, careful not to wake up the other sleeping residents.

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Meanwhile on the roof, the dorm manager was up and about, doing training. It would seem that he was fighting by himself.

 

Well… actually fighting his `other' self literally.

 

This form of training, taught by his late mentor during his stay in the US, Freed Yamato, allowed him to spar with a shadow image of himself. It was a good lesson for Keitaro to learn his weaknesses and strengths of his fighting skill.

 

Remember, Keitaro, the greatest enemy any individual faces is he. It's a useful way for you to learn more about yourself, Freed's words echoed in his mind as he focused on fighting his copy.

 

The training, termed “shadow sparring”, required total concentration and focus on one's ki, or spiritual energy, that would able to project a person's shadow copy of himself existing in real-life.

 

Keitaro decided to stick with sword sparring, so he brought his reverse-edged sword for practice. His sword style of fighting was using a sword's scabbard with his left hand and the sword with his right hand (he's right-handed). The scabbard was used for defense, with the sword for offense.

 

Unlike the standard position of holding a sword with two hands, he preferred holding his upside-down with one hand --- the handle jutting upwards and the blade sticking out below.

 

Keitaro was dressed topless with black training pants and white socks. Ignoring the cold brought from the morning breeze, he began the training.

 

After the first 10 minutes of warm-ups, the dorm manager assumed a readied stance, eyeing his copy. He looked at it with a small grin.

 

Well… let's get it on.

 

The Keitaro copy smiled back at him, as if acknowledging his thought.

 

A leaf floated slowly down between them. As it touched the roof, the two Urashimas then charged at each other in an instant.

 

-SLASH-

 

-SWISH-

 

-SLASH-

 

-KATINK-

 

-SHWAAK-

 

Amidst the deadly, fluid strikes, the two Urashimas were a short distance from each other, frozen to the spot holding their sword by the handle, one knee down, and eyes closed.

 

Seconds passed by, with a breeze of wind breaking the silence.

 

Keitaro then opened his eyes.

 

In an instant, the copy perished in a whiff of wind.

 

-CLAP- -CLAP- -CLAP-

 

“Huh?” the dorm manager stood up and turned facing the sound's source. He saw Motoko standing nearby, who grabbed his attention by clapping her hands. Amazement filled on her face as she beamed with pride deep down, respecting his developing strength.

 

“That… was impressive, Kei-kun. It's no wonder I was beaten twice by you,” she complimented with a smirk.

 

Keitaro rubbed the back of his head with one hand, grinning with one eye closed, a little embarrassed at the compliment.

 

“Flattery won't get you nowhere, Motoko-chan. So you've been here watching me all this time?”

 

“-Giggle- No actually… I came up here when I felt your ki surging strong; I figured you were doing training. I was surprised that you weren't on your bed when I woke up.”

 

“I'm sorry about that. But I needed some training to warm me up; doing light stretches wasn't enough.”

 

Keitaro wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He walked up to Motoko.

 

“You should wash up. I'll be cooking breakfast for today.”

 

The female swordsman placed her arms around his neck, drawing him face-to-face with her, and giving a kiss on the lips. This elicited a small blush on his face.

 

“Err… Motoko?” he goofily asked. Motoko smiled.

 

“Thank you… for last night, Kei-kun,” she laid her head on his chest. The dorm manager regained little composure and embraced her, his chin resting on the top of her head.

 

“You're… welcome.”

 

Deep inside, he sighed with mixed feelings.

 

Having enjoyed the feeling of being held in his arms for a few seconds, Motoko slowly broke the embrace, stepping away from the dorm manager. She smiled at him once more, before turning around and heading back inside the dorm.

 

Keitaro couldn't help but notice her retreating form. His eyes instantly widened at the overall picture --- Motoko's sleeping attire to be exact. Having worn an oversized shirt, it somewhat showed her delectable curves…

 

“Whoa…” the dorm manager quietly said to himself, not noticing a small drool forming from his mouth.

 

It also showed her shapely, smooth creamy-like legs…

 

The small drool trickled out from Keitaro's mouth.

 

And it showed her cute behind…

 

I didn't know she'd have a cute ass!

 

Keitaro recovered his senses, shaking the thought off his mind. Feeling his dripping drool, he wiped it off with his right hand. He mentally slapped himself for having an arousing thought, and quickly looked back at Motoko if she noticed his behavior. Seeing her disappearing inside, he sighed with relief.

 

“God, what did I get myself into?”

 

Somewhere up the sky, fate was laughing its head off, as if hearing the thought.

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By 8 AM, the rest of the sleeping residents woke up, changed and refreshed. They headed downstairs to the dining room, following the trail of a deliciously smelled breakfast whiffing from there. They were surprised finding Motoko up and about, starting her breakfast with the dorm manager. The female swordsman was wearing her usual training clothes, while the dorm manager was wearing a blue shirt, baggy black shorts, and slippers.

 

“My, aren't you an early bird, Motoko?” Mitsune remarked with a raised eyebrow.

 

“Of course, it is part of my daily training to get up early and eat a healthy breakfast,” Motoko replied, placing a piece of lettuce inside her mouth. She was having Caesar's salad made by the dorm manager.

 

“Really… I think it must be our hunk of a dorm manager here doing his magic through his cooking, am I right?” the foxy lady added with a sly grin.

 

This elicited a small blush on the female swordsman's face, as she shrugged it off by continuing eating her salad.

 

“Good morning everyone, help yourselves to breakfast here,” Keitaro spoke, before sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee. He was already done with breakfast right after the rest of the girls arrived.

 

Today's breakfast composed of scrambled eggs, smoked sausages, English muffin (with white cheese spread), Caesar's salad, fried garlic-spiced rice, and pancakes topped with butter and syrup. Alongside for drinks were mineral water, orange juice, brewed/iced tea, and fresh milk.

 

“Wow! You sure can cook up a yummy breakfast, Keitaro -munch- -munch-!” Suu happily spoke, as she wolfed down in big servings of breakfast.

 

“Please eat slowly Suu or you might have a stomach-ache,” Mutsumi gently warned, taking a bite of pancake as well, “-chew- -chew- Delicious… you're a great cook, Kei-kun! You'd make a good husband one day.”

 

Keitaro chuckled a bit, embarrassed deep down by the compliment.

 

The rest of the girls eyed him with heartfelt smiles and blush, each picturing herself being a wife to the dorm manager. Keitaro noticed their trance state, and snapped them out of it by snapping his fingers.

 

“Um… are you all ok? You seem to be in a different world.”

 

The girls regained their composure after a few seconds with an “Oh!” and gave a short apology for their behavior.

 

“Oh… sorry about that, we were just thinking, that's all, sempai,” Shinobu spoke. This motioned the rest of the girls to resume eating.

 

Naru noticed the close proximity between Keitaro and Motoko, eyeing them warily.

 

It seems strange that Motoko is seated close to Keitaro… what's this mean? It's like she's changed from her old self since Keitaro's return from his trip to America.

 

Oh Keitaro… it looks like I'll have to fight my way to your heart.

 

On the other hand, Mitsune stole quick glances at them as she ate.

 

Well, well… I've got to hand it to you, Motoko; you're starting to open up to him. Unfortunately, I've already laid my claim to him. But don't think I'll let you beat me to him. Oh no, this battle has just begun, missy.

 

Wearing her trademark cheerful, carefree look, Mutsumi noticed the aura of growing competition for the dorm manager as she observed the other potential competitors.

 

Ara… my, I never imagined you'd be able to capture all our hearts here, Kei-kun. It looks like this won't be easy spending time alone with you like we used to back then.

 

However, I'm not to be taken lightly…

 

Shinobu also sensed the atmosphere of competition among the girls; however, she felt sad and envious.

 

Sempai… how can I make you see me as a woman, not just like a sister to you. I feel so left out. I envy Naru, Mitsune, Motoko, and Mutsumi-sempai; they're so well-endowed, and aren't afraid to be bold in showing their feelings to you, unlike me…

 

But, I must try.

 

Lastly, Suu took the time to think about her view on Keitaro as continued her eating frenzy.

 

Hmm… suddenly I'm getting a warm feeling when I notice Keitaro. Funny… I've never felt this way before.

 

But… nah… it just couldn't be?

 

As for the female swordsman, she felt happier deep down as she finished her salad.

 

This must be a wonderful day.

 

First, confessing my feelings to him and later finding out that he felt the same way as I after our second sparring; second, getting the chance to savor his taste in our first kiss; and now, able to sleep with him last night!

 

Oh Kami, I've never felt anymore happier.

 

Keitaro could feel the tense atmosphere around the dining room as he darted his eyes back and forth at each of the dorm residents. He felt his spirit dampening as his love problems were getting heavier each day. A small anime-styled sweatdrop was on his head.

 

What the hell did I get myself into?

 

-DING- -DONG-

 

As luck would have it (and heard his thought), opportunity appeared from the doorbell's sound. Keitaro placed down his cup of coffee on the dining table and stood up from his seat.

 

“I'll get it,” he walked up to the front door, opening it.

 

“Yes? Oh hi, Haruka-san, please come in… huh?”

 

-WHAM-

 

A girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere and leapt at him, wrapping her legs and arms around him.

 

“Brother!”

 

Taken by surprise, Keitaro quickly regained his senses and shifted his weight to balance himself to avoid falling down. He looked at the girl's face, trying to recognize her. He blinked his eyes twice until realization kicked in.

 

“No way… ha, ha, what a surprise!” he embraced back, ruffling her hair.

 

“Brother! I missed you so much!” Kanako joyfully exclaimed with a few tears on her eyes, taking in her brother's warm embrace.

 

Haruka watched the small reunion with a mixture of envy, happiness, and jealousy

 

I sure wish I could be in the same position as you, Kanako.

 

“There now… it's alright. There's no need to cry… um, can you untangle yourself from me? It's giving a wrong impression to the girls here, heh, heh…” Keitaro sheepishly pointed with his thumb behind him at the dorm residents giving his adopted sister evil, jealous looks.

 

Kanako pouted at them and disentangled her hold on him, getting up to her feet. She brushed off dust from her small skirt and moved her head around in a small circle, sweeping her pony-tailed hair along as she flicked it with her hand.

 

Keitaro quickly studied his sister's profile. She had grown much since their last time together; her height was almost equal to his. She wore a light-peach shirt with a small black jacket tied around her waist, medium orange skirt, short white socks, and brown leather shoes. Her raven-black hair had a ponytail, as well as having grown long. Her dark purple eyes seemed to brighten as they fixed on him.

 

She's beautiful…

 

“What the hell?” Keitaro said quietly to himself, shaking the thought off his head.

 

She's my adopted sister, for crying out loud! But still; I never thought I'd see her in that way.

 

“Brother? Is something wrong?” Kanako asked, concerned on his strange behavior just now.

 

“No, no, it's nothing, just had something on my mind, that's all, oh?” Keitaro noticed a black bag laid next to her right and an animal cage to her left.

 

“Your luggage, I presume?”

 

“Yeah, I took the first flight to Tokyo around early evening back in San Francisco. I arrived late morning in Aunt Haruka's Teashop and slept there. She took me to you here after breakfast.”

 

“Please come in, Kanako, Haruka-san,” Keitaro motioned his relatives to step inside the dorm, then turned his attention to the dorm residents, “Girls, I'll explain this later. Right now, you all finish breakfast, and we'll gather at the living room, ok?”

 

The dorm residents nodded in reply, and headed back to the dining room to finish their breakfast.

OOOOOOOOOO

After the girls were done with breakfast, everybody was gathered in the living room. They all took their seats, with the exception of Keitaro, who stood leaning against the wall, arms folded. He looked at each female in the room back and forth, and took a deep breath before starting.

 

“Well, now that everybody's here, I guess I'll begin. Girls, I forgot to mention to you all that I had a… sister, adopted to be exact. This is Kanako Urashima,” he gestured a wave of his hand to his sister.

 

“-Giggle- Hello everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you all,” Kanako waved at the dorm residents with a smile.

 

“Hi! I'm Shinobu Maehara, welcome!”

 

“Heyas! I'm Koalla Suu, but you can call me Suu instead.”

 

“Ara, Ara… I'm Mutsumi Otohime. Nice to meet you.”

 

“The name's Mitsune Konno, kiddo.”

 

“I'm Motoko Aoyama. Well met, I suppose.”

 

“…I'm Naru Narusegawa. Nice to meet you too.”

 

“Meow…” her pet cat Kero caught her owner's attention. Kanako approached the animal cage and bent down, opening it. The black cat happily leapt up to her shoulder, perched on it.

 

“It's so cute! Is it your pet, Kanako-sempai?” Shinobu asked, gently stroking the cat's head. Kero closed its eyes and meowed, seeming glad to receive affection and attention from the timid, gentle girl.

 

“Yeah, he is. His name is Kero. Brother gave him to me as a birthday present years ago,” Kanako looked at the dorm manager with a slight blush on her face. Keitaro smirked at her.

 

“'He'? So it's a boy then!”

 

“Myuh!”

 

Everybody looked around, to find the sudden, small voice belonging to the hot springs flying turtle, Tama-chan. Keitaro chuckled a bit as he petted her from his shoulder. Kanako looked at her strangely.

 

“Brother? Did that turtle… just fly now?”

 

“-Chuckle- Relax, Kanako. Tama-chan here is one unique flying turtle. Yes, she does, though I have absolutely no idea how she came to be here in the dorm. And one puzzling fact is how I can also understand what's she saying.”

 

“Really? Weird… but she seems friendly.”

 

“Don't worry about it. Ok, Tama-chan, go perch yourself on my sister's shoulder there. Let her pet you like I did,” the dorm manager asked the flying turtle, who nodded in reply before flying to his sister's shoulder, perching on it.

 

Kanako hesitantly petted the turtle's head, until seeing her face mirroring content and acceptance.

 

“-Giggle- You're so cute, Tama-chan; nice to meet you. Go back to Keitaro now.”

 

The flying turtle understood her words, flying back to her owner. Keitaro patted her twice on the head with a small smile. He looked back at the girls.

 

“Well, now that we're done with the introductions, any agendas you want to bring up?”

 

Haruka stood up from her seat.

 

“Yes. I wanted to talk personally with you about this, but since everyone's here, I guess there's no use hiding it.”

 

Keitaro gave her a raised eyebrow.

 

“And that would be?”

 

“…There's an annual fighting tournament held in June every year here in Hinata district. Various fighters here in Japan are gathered, and the tournament officials determine for them who their opponents are from among the participants. The main purpose of the tournament is just simple competition, formed to draw in tourists and also a tradition.”

 

Motoko stood up from her seat in disbelief.

 

“A fighting tournament? Then, that means…”

 

Haruka looked at her with a smirk and nodded.

 

“Your sister Tsuruko will join in. I've no doubt about it, since she likes a challenge, based from your duel with a few years ago. I'd be unsurprised if she already knew about the tournament and decide to pay her respects here as well.”

 

“Spirits help me…”

 

Keitaro watched the female swordsman amused. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

 

“-Chuckle- Relax, it's not like she's going to be hard on you. It'll be like a family visit.”

 

Motoko frowned with an anime-style teardrop on her head. She placed a hand on her forehead, shaking her head in worry.

 

“That's the thing, Urashima, I wouldn't know what to say, much less react if she stops by here.”

 

Haruka coughed a bit, getting attention.

 

“There one's thing you should know, Keitaro. Well… you see Tsuruko always joins in this tournament yearly, because she's the reigning champion. So… you interested? Some of the neighbors here in this district suggested to me to recommend you.”

 

Everybody else except Keitaro looked at her with gaping jaws in disbelief.

 

“WHAT!”

 

“Urashima-sempai, I'm worried!”

 

“-Whistle- oh boy… this seems to be one juicy news I've heard. Heh, heh, Motoko, looks like you've got tough competition if you join in. I don't know about you though, handsome.”

 

“Ara, Ara… my, this is a surprise.”

 

“Woah… sweet! Yeah, go Motoko, Keitaro! Fight!”

 

“Are you serious? I didn't know your sister was interested in that kind of stuff! Keitaro, you're not planning on joining, yes?”

 

“Well, at least my brother wouldn't think of joining in. It's not much purpose to fight there other for people to watch for entertainment.”

 

Keitaro folded his arms and contemplated. He looked at Haruka.

 

“Hmm… it doesn't sound that bad. Ok, I'm in.”

 

Everybody else looked at him with surprise.

 

“EH?”

 

Kanako approached her brother, clinging on to his side affectionately. This triggered evil, jealous eyes from the rest of the girls (including Haruka surprisingly) pointing daggers at her.

 

“Brother, are you sure about this? I still think it's not right. You might be injured! We're not sure how skilled they are.”

 

“Kanako, it's fine by me. You don't have to worry. Plus, I get to learn much from those fighters aside from a good dose of training.”

 

Haruka sighed, shaking her head in defeat and worry.

 

Keitaro… you have to be such a stubborn fool, making me worry like this.

 

But, that's one of those traits I like about you…

 

“I take it as a `yes' then? What about you, Motoko?”

 

Motoko clenched a fist tight. She nodded, shaking off her worry and dread out of her mind.

 

“I accept. I want to see if I can truly defeat my sister. Urashima… I won't hold back! I shall give everything I've got!”

 

Keitaro feigned a mock smirk at her and smiled.

 

“Oh? -Chuckle- Of course. I too shall give my best! I hope to fight with you in the finals.”

 

“The same goes to you too. Don't dare lose before me!”

 

Haruka shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

 

“The tournament will start at June 10, Saturday, beginning at 12 noon. I'll sign you two up as early as I can. Well, I better head back to my teashop. I leave your sister to you, Keitaro. Good day.”

 

The older Urashima turned around and left the room, heading back to her teashop. As the front door closed after her, Keitaro watched her retreating form.

 

Why am I feeling this way when she's around? Funny… I somehow felt a nostalgic feeling from her.

 

The dorm manager mentally slapped himself.

 

Idiot! She's your aunt for crying out loud!

 

That's a no-no! A crime! A sin!

 

“Ah----! That's not right!” he exclaimed, shaking his head, trying to purge out “sinful” thoughts of his aunt. The girls looked at him peculiarly.

OOOOOOOOOO

After numerous checking on possible spots for her quarters, Keitaro found out that there wasn't any available space in the dorm for Kanako to stay. The girls raised, rather, voiced out their objections on allowing the female Urashima to stay in their rooms, more likely not wanting her to interfere with their daily routines.

 

He couldn't send her back to his aunt, since it was a stupid idea, and could make an idiot out of himself, incurring his aunt's wrath.

 

Scratching his head, he sighed heavily, seeing only one last place. His eyes focused on one place inside the dorm.

 

The manager's room… his room.

 

“Of all places… but, I suppose it's for the best?” he quietly said to himself as he helped Kanako unpack her stuff in his room. It was decided then, but would need a lot of explaining to the girls, and appease their mood swings regarding Kanako.

 

It was good enough growing close with the girls, but the amount of fan-service consisting of eye-popping female anatomy (ahem), feminine scent reminiscing fresh flowers of any breed, and the frightening aspect of sexual “conference” hinting a high possibility occurring when alone with either one of the girls, would be any normal guy's dream come true.

 

For Keitaro, that was a different story.

 

Somehow the new change in him gave different results. And now, he found himself being the girls' object of affections.

 

As the dorm manager helped unpack his sister's belongings, she sat on his bed, twirling a lock of her raven-colored, long hair. She was changed in house clothes consisting of a peach shirt and dark-blue shorts. She looked around the room, observing the neatness quality shown all over.

 

“A little help, here, Kanako?” Keitaro asked amusingly, as he looked up to his sister for help in unpacking.

 

“-Giggle- Brother, obviously you don't need help with that.”

 

“Yeah, I know… -chuckle- just getting your attention. So what are you looking at?”

 

“Well, I'm amazed you keep your room so neat and organized.”

 

“That? I'm no neat freak, but I like my room to remain that way.”

 

“…Are you sure it's ok that I stay here in your room? The girls don't seem to like it, though.”

 

Keitaro finished unpacking her stuff and sat next to her. Kanako felt their skin brush up against each other, as their arms touched. A faint tinge of pink was on her cheeks as she looked at him.

 

“Hello? Kanako, what's wrong?”

 

Keitaro waved a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her admiring state. The female Urashima looked at him in slight embarrassment

 

“Um… it's nothing! Brother… do you know the reason why I came here to see you?”

 

“…Why's that?”

 

Kanako softly grabbed hold of his hand with hers. She bowed her head down, her face darkening, as she took her time choosing the right words.

 

“Brother… I love you.”

 

With that said, she encircled her hands around his neck, pulling him towards her for a kiss.

OOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOO

Timeline: June 6, 2000 AD, 1:00 PM

Location: San Francisco, California USA; Urashima Investigations

Inside the two-floor building of an investigation agency, chaos was everywhere. Office furniture was cluttered, broken apart, and scattered. Papers were littered on the floor.

 

Several guards were lied down, moderately injured. Signs of scuffle seemed to be apparent.

 

In the second floor, where the main office of Urashima Investigations was located, two figures were inside. Broken pieces of glass were all over the floor, and the same condition in the rest of the building applied here.

 

One of them was slumped against the wall, dressed in a white polo, black suspenders, pants, and leather shoes. His face was highlighted with a swelling on his left cheek, few broken teeth, and several small cuts. Blood slowly streamed from a small wound coming from his forehead. His short silver hair was unkempt, sweat trickling. His weary dark-brown eyes blinked partially, looking at a hazy picture of the overpowering assailant who mysteriously barged in. All-white clothing was worn on him. His face was blurry, but the injured man could make out a bright shade of blond, spiky hair.

 

“-Sigh- is this the best this agency has to offer? What a waste,” the assailant spoke disappointed to the injured man.

 

“-Cough- -cough- what… do… you want?”

 

“Eh? Simple. I want to meet with your boss, Keitaro Urashima. I was hoping to talk with him.”

 

“-Cough- talk? -Chuckle- you won't find him here. He just left on a vacation.”

 

-POW-

 

The assailant socked a right punch at the injured man, giving him a left black eye. He painfully craned his neck to look at his attacker mockingly.

 

“You still have strength for a joke? Some guard you are. Now, where is he?”

 

“Up your ass.”

 

-POW-

 

“What is it with you Americans and your vulgar language? So… detestable.”

 

“-SPIT- We were born with it, fool.”

 

-POW-

 

“Again please. But nicely.”

 

“I'm not his travel agent.”

 

-POW-

 

“-Sigh- This is getting tedious. Bah, anyway, I leave a message for your boss, should he return, which I'm hoping he will. The Crying Avengers aren't to be taken lightly, and we find his actions against our organization apprehensible. Anymore interference with our activities shall result in retribution.”

 

“Crying… Avengers? -Cough- What… kind… of… crappy… name is… that -cough-?”

 

The assailant turned around and walked out of the room. The injured man's vision on his retreating form was getting hazier as fatigue and pain knocked him out.

OOOOOOOOOO

15 minutes later

A woman approached the building. As her light-blue eyes saw the front door ajar, its glass broken, she fished out a mini-portable pistol from her right leg holster, her creamy, long right leg shown from the slit of her red long skirt. She composed herself and took a deep breath, getting serious. Adjusting a red blouse with her left hand, she slowly opened the door, carefully peeking inside.

 

Her dark-brown, long hair swayed slowly, matching her slow, cautious steps. She looked around left to right, aiming her gun at the expected unidentified intruder(s). She surveyed the damage.

 

What on earth happened here? Horrible.

 

She noticed the knocked out guards lying knocked-out and scattered all over the place. She went over to one and placed her fingers on his neck, checking his pulse. A faint throb confirmed he was breathing.

 

Good, he's still alive. So the rest are knocked-out like him. What about the main office?

 

Oh no!

 

Looking up the stairs leading to the main office on the second floor, she quickly climbed them. She saw the slumped figure of the injured man near the boss's table.

 

Approaching him, she noticed a peculiar insignia etched on the table surface. It showed a picture of a naked woman with a pair of feather-like wings extended. However, both were colored respectively in black and white. The woman also had her arms folded, looking like a mummy. Her eyes were closed, with small tears trickling down on her cheek. Her white long hair flowed to the left and right, seemingly to correspond with the wings.

 

“What kind of symbol is that?” she remarked to herself. She focused her attention on the injured man, kneeling down in front of him. She shook him slightly by the shoulders.

 

“Patrick! Patrick! It's me, Miho!”

 

The injured man, known as Patrick, groggily opened his eyes to find himself looking at a concerned beauty. He sheepishly smiled.

 

“You're… a sight… for sore eyes, beauty.”

 

The woman, Miho, rolled over her eyes and softly slapped him on the cheeks.

 

“Yeah sure… are you ok? Any fatal injuries?”

 

“…-Cough- -cough- nah, I got banged up. A… nutcase stormed in and took out the guards. I tried to take him on, but he's got exceptional martial arts. Claims to be from a whacked up organization called the Crying Avengers.”

 

“Crying… Avengers?”

 

Patrick noticed Miho's widened eyes as she took in those two words. He followed them pointing at the insignia etched on the desk surface. Squinting his eyes to get a better look, he sighed, shaking his head and adding a slap on the forehead.

 

“I hate to ruin the boss's vacation, but this is serious…”