Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ Decision-making is Never Easy ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2:

Her True Feelings

 

Keitaro brought his tool box to the downstairs toilet. He reluctantly opened the door and saw that the leak was worse than he expected, as the water was already ankle deep.

 

“*sigh* What in the world happened here? Why didn't Kitsune tell me about this earlier? By the looks of it, this has been going on for a while now. Never mind. Let's just clean this mess up so I can do the rest of the chores.” Thought Keitaro. He picked up his tools and began to fix the leak.

 

Meanwhile, in another part of the Hinata Apartments, Naru was busying herself with preparing for her class the next day. Or so she claims to be.

 

“How long has it been already? Five years? Don't the rules say that it's the guy that's supposed to make the first move? Are those rules even applicable nowadays? I really like him…I think. But I don't know why I'm holding back.” Naru contemplated. It was true that she liked Keitaro a lot. So much so that she wouldn't mind giving up her career just to be with him. Naru reached over for her Liddo-kun doll and held it tightly against her body. What she wouldn't do just so she and Keitaro could embrace like this. “I've got to tell him sooner rather than later or else someone might get to him first.” She shook that thought out of her head. She could never imagine HER Keitaro holding another girl, other than her. “Oh Keitaro…” Naru said softly ”if only you knew. And if only I had the guts to actually tell you.”

 

As Naru drifted off to sleep, Keitaro finally emerged from his task. He began to prepare to fix the roof when he noticed Motoko sitting in the middle of the roof deck. “Hey… That's weird. Shouldn't she be practicing her sword swings?” Keitaro thought to himself. He had never seen the warrior look so sad, except for when she was defeated by her sister all those years ago. Yet her eyes reflected that same sorrow she displayed three years ago. She gave a long sigh and looked at her sword, then laid it down right next to her.

 

“Urashima, why is it that I always have to hurt you. It doesn't do me any good. It's not like I enjoy sending you into orbit everyday. It's all your fault. I never had to deal with this before you came. I think I'm starting to fall in love with you.” She thought reluctantly. “But I know I can't have you. You belong to Naru. But how I wish that I could be the one to receive your love instead.”

 

“Are you okay?” a voice behind her said softly

 

She nearly jumped at the sound of the voice and turned around to see Keitaro with that trademark grin plastered on his face.

 

“U..Urashima. W…what are you doing here?” Motoko stuttered, silently relieved she had been thinking inside her head rather than talking out loud.

 

“Umm… I live here?” Keitaro answered sarcastically “And I have to fix the roof. The roof shingles have gotten loose. So loose, in fact, that it would be dangerous to whoever is standing below. But enough about me. What's wrong? I haven't seen you this sad since Tsuruko broke your sword.”

 

“Th…that's none of your business Urashima!” snapped Motoko

 

“Of course it is. I'm the manager. And it's my duty to keep my tenants happy. Besides, I don't wanna see you sad like this.” Keitaro answered calmly. After all it was the truth. He genuinely cared for each girl that lived here in the apartment and he never wanted to see any of them sad. Motoko blushed slightly, then noticing her blush, she quickly rose to her feet, picked up her sword and began to walk away

 

“I told you, it's none of your business Urashima. Leave me alone.” Motoko replied coldly.

 

Keitaro watched the warrior walk down the stairs and wondered what he said could have said to upset Motoko. Oh well. At least she didn't knock me into orbit this time. I might as well get on with the chores.” Keitaro thought to himself as he stood up and climbed onto the roof.

 

Motoko hurriedly walked to her room and closed the door. As soon as it was closed and locked, she slumped to the floor, her face beet-red. “Ugh. There I go again. I didn't mean to sound so cold. After all, he wasn't doing anything wrong. He just wanted to see if I was ok. I feel so stupid. Why do I keep denying my feelings for him? It's just so frustrating. Naru, it's not fair. Why is it that you're the one that Urashima likes? And how come you don't even try to do anything about it? Don't you like him? It's not fair.” Motoko cried inside her head as small tears began to form on her eyes. “It's just not fair.”

 

Later that evening, Keitaro retired to his room. He flipped on the light in his room and noticed the letter from his parents lying on his table. “I've forgotten all about that. Guess I'll have to deal with this sooner or later. But really, I can't possibly bring myself to do so in six months.” Keitaro picked up the letter and removed his clothes in order to take a bath. As soon as his body was submerged, he let out a low sigh of relief. He felt his muscles relax as he let the warmth of the bath soothe his aching body. Now that his head was clear, he read the letter once again:

 

Dear Keitaro,

 

How are you son? I've heard from your Aunt that although you graduated from Todai, you have yet to find a stable amount of income, nor have you found yourself a girlfriend. Keitaro, your father and I aren't exactly going to live forever. It's a good thing that Kanako agreed to run the sweets store. But our main concern right now is YOU. Keitaro, before we die, we want to know that you're in the capable hands of a girl, a girl who would take care and love you. Keitaro, we just want the best for you. So, when your father and I get back from our trip, we want you to at least be engaged to a wonderful woman. Someone independent and strong-willed, yet gentle and loving, but most importantly, someone who will be able to take care of you. You have six months to do this. If not, we'll have you marry Kanako and you must run the sweets shop together. Good luck sweetheart.

 

Love,

Mom

 

 

“*sigh* How in the world do I always seem to find myself in these kinds of situations? This is just too much pressure on my part. How do my parents expect me to win a girl over in six months, when I've been trying to do that with Narusegawa for five years?!” Keitaro miserably thought. “It's just not fair. Why does this happen to me?”

 

He got out of the bath and put on a change of clothes. “Maybe I need a drink. It'll help me clear my mind.” He thought as he left his room to head for the kitchen. As he neared his destination, he saw a small beam of light coming from the refrigerator. “Hmmm… someone must have had the same idea as I did.” Keitaro thought. He slowly approached the kitchen and saw the familiar light brown hair of the girl he adored. He silently walked beside her with a hopeful look on his face. “Maybe… maybe this is my chance.”

 

“*ahem* Can't sleep huh?” Keitaro said in a shaky voice.

 

Keitaro's sudden speaking startled Naru as she almost gave a scream of surprise, but was fortunately prevented by Keitaro's hand.

 

“Shhh! Do you want to wake everyone up?” Keitaro asked. He knew that if Naru screamed and the other tenants saw them alone in the dark, he'd be labled a pervert and would be bashed by Motoko and end up who knows where.

 

“WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?!” Naru said angrily in a hushed tone. She knew that she shouldn't make too much noise. “You didn't have to sneak up on me like that! You scared me.”

 

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.” Keitaro immediately said. “It's just that…I was just wondering what you were doing here. I mean it's kinda late already.” Keitaro said, obviously trying hard to strike up a casual conversation.

 

“I couldn't sleep, so I decided to find something warm to drink. Maybe it'll help.” Naru told him. She relaxed. She knew Keitaro didn't mean to surprise her.

 

“Actually, I was down here for the same reason. Would you want some hot cocoa? Come on. I'll even throw in the really tiny marshmallows.” Keitaro said, almost in a pleading-like tone.

 

Naru smiled. She could sense the effort Keitaro was putting into this. “Maybe this is a good time to tell him.” She nodded a yes to Keitaro then said “Alright. Thanks. I'll be by the steps ok? Bring them there when they're ready. I'll be waiting.” She said with a smile and walked towards the steps that led into town. Keitaro couldn't help but smile when she turned around. “This could be my chance! If ever I do have to be married in six months, I do hope it's going to be with her. I really do.” Keitaro thought as he prepared two hot cocoas. He added the tiny marshmallows and brought them out to the steps.

 

 

Author Notes: I'm sorry that it hasn't really gone too far yet. I'm kinda saving it for the later chapters. Oh yeah! Let's pretend that Keitaro never told Naru how he really felt and vice versa. Hope to have chapter 3 up soon.