H       A       R       D
				    |<      O       R

				interlude Edition

		     K i m a g u r e    O r a n g e     R o a d 
				   F a n f i c t i o n

				   by Robert Kwong
				      ver 1.0
				   Finished 9-20-98

Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by
the venerable Matsumoto Izumi.

As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure Orange
Orange Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the events following
the breakup of Hikaru and Kyousuke which sets the stage for Shin Kor and
HARD Kor series.  These stories were written in the attempt to clarify
certain details assumed and to provide clues for future Hard Kor episodes.
Book A and Book B chapters provides the events after Shin Kor I. This Book C
will bridge the gap between Shin Kor II and Shin Kor III.


HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories:
Book A and Book B chapters)
http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html

My SuperPage for the General Kimagure Orange Road enthusiast
http://www.animeyahoo.com

My contact email address for comments or further correspondence:
rk@soda.berkeley.edu

Feel free to email me your impressions and suggestions for the series. Beta
readers always welcome. If you want new stories emailed to you, please e-mail
me at the above address.

Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR fanfic
on the web! (31000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did
writing it. Thanks again.
Robert Kwong
Ark Productions -98-


Legend:
Akane     =  Akane  Kasuga
Kurumi    =  Kurumi Kasuga
Manami    =  Manami Kasuga
Muroke    =  Koji Muroke
Shijama   =  Shijama Zumi
Taku      =  Taku Morisaki
Shinohara =  Shinohara Asuma
Shun      =  Shun Kisaragi
Hasegawa  =  Hasegawa Kazuya


[]      - denotes scene changes
()      - indicates person thinking to himself
(**)    - indicates action or special effects.


Interlude: Chapter 5: Lover's Lament

[At the Kasuga home]

Kazuya: Whatcha beaming about?

Akane: Today is the big day! My first official Women's Liberation Club
meeting at Waseda! Isn't it exciting?

Kazuya: (bored) Yeah, swell. I just have another long, tedious day of Junior
High to endure.

Akane: Today will be the dawn of a new age for the new woman in Japan! I shall
sow the seeds of resistance into the minds of a generation of capable young
college women. This is just the beginning! Once I lead a successful launch of
the club , I envision starting chapters all across the colleges and
universities which will sprout out like wildfire. We shall be unstoppable.
We shall lead the way to a new Japan, where the men of this country shall
recognize and respect the Japanese woman . We won't stand to be second-class
citizens anymore!

"Akane! What with all that shouting?"

Akane: Gomen okaasan!

Kazuya: Yeah; she was just on her power trip just now.

"Kazuya. I think your friends is here to see you."

Kazuya: Eeek! It's the terrible twosome!

(We see both a cute brunette and blond girl standing across the doorway, with
both of them having their hands on their hips looking sternly at Kazuya)

"It's my turn to walk with him to school!"

"No, it's my turn!"

(They both yank at each of Kazuya's hands and drags him off)

Akane: Don't forget to take this you two. It'll tell you how to control the
offending man in your life.

(Two in unison) "Lucky!"

Kazuya: Argh! They're coming to take me away!

[Back at Ryokurin Ryo]

Muroke is standing outside the door of Shijama's room.

Muroke: (knocks) Shijama? Are you ready yet? We're gonna miss the train if you
don't hurry up?

Shijama: Give me a bit more time. Come in and wait for me.

(Muroke enters and sees Shinohara, Shijama's slighty odd, egotistical roommate
hard at work on a odd contraption of sorts. He is wearing a rag of a white
t-shirt with oil and dirt stains, sitting cross-legged, attaching some fur to
a small, cylindrical object.

Muroke: Don't you have class to go to?

Shinohara: Nope. Off in mornings. Start up in afternoon.

Muroke: Lucky you. What are you working on?

Shinohara: Anti-crowd control. For the meek-minded.


Muroke: Rather strange way to be spending your time. So are you in
mechanical engineering or something?

Shinohara: Nope. Poly Sci and advertising.

Shijama: Ok. I'm ready. Let's go.


Muroke: Talk to you later.

(Shinohara nods, without raising his head; his eyes still fixed on the
mechanical contraption he is working on.)

Muroke: Strange fellow to be rooming with.

Shijama: We have our boundaries. I leave him alone to work on his projects, he
lets me alone to work on my chem research. Hope that arrangement can last for
the semester. By the way, where's Taku-san?

Muroke: He left much earlier; has an astronomy class early morning.

[Back in Hawaii]

(Ryusei Haroken, sporting his trademark dark sunglasses and black Armani
suit exits out of the chauffeurred black limo.)

"We have been awaiting your arrival Haroken-san Ryusei."

Ryusei: Ah, Mishima-san I presume?

"You are correct. Please come with me. There is much to discuss.

Ryusei: I quite agree. Lead the way.

[Back to Ryokurin Ryo, Room 204]

Shun: Suka!

(We see a slumped over Hasukawa to the side of the floor, with gamepad still
in hand, with Setzer's theme playing in the background.)

Hasukawa: (mumbling in his sleep) Igarashi...

Shun: (bends over and lightly strikes Hasukawa's cheek) Suka-chan! Are you
alright? Speak to me!

Hasukawa: (half-heartily opens his eyes) I'm ok.

Shun: Are you sure? Maybe I should get your brother over here to examine you
just to be sure.

Hasukawa: No...don't. Gimme a moment...

Shun: You can't go on with these marathon gaming sessions Suka! It ain't
healthy.

Hasukawa: Yeah,...maybe you're right. But what can I do?

[On the subway]

(Kurumi is glossing through the latest pro-wrestling magazine while Manami is
engrossed in another of Sue Grafton's mystery novels.)

"My, my what a sight we have here."

(Manami glances up to see who is talking and sees Nagasi!)

Manami: Nagasi-san!

"So, from secretary back to the common life of school. Pity."

Kurumi: Eh? Who is she sis?

Manami: You forgot already? She works for Haroken-san. She was formerly
his personal assistant.

"That thankless job? Honey, am I glad you took over. But now
I'm the star performer in the show now."

Manami: So the play is finally going to be released?

"Of course not. I need to add a few more scene changes."

Kurumi: Figures. No wonder I didn't bother working so hard at that place.

Manami: Kurumi, be civil. (looks toward Nagasi) Curious we should be
finding you here on the train. I thought you usually go in first class in the
company car.

"True, true, my dear. Call this an exception. It is so interesting to see how
you common folk travel."

Kurumi: Good for you. Now what are you bothering us for?

"Ah, you must be the testy twin here. Yet my affairs does not concern you.
But you dear, (looks at Manami) you may be of use."

Manami: Is there something you want of me?

"Yes. Ryusei-kun always did have an eye for attracting good talent to the
office. Even though they always leave much too soon.
And I do need you to do me a small favor."

Manami: What do you need?

"I need to find the whereabouts of that cheeky youngster, #2. #1 is off on his
little project. Without Ryu-baby here to order him around, he's a wild animal.
Be that as it may, I'll can do fine without him. I only need the kid.
He knows about the special stuff around the studio. Do happen by
chance to know where he is living now?"

Kurumi: Now why would she know something like that?

"You do not know?"

Manami: Gomen, Miss Nagasi-san, but I'm not sure where he is right now. I left
a day before he did. He did not mention his whereabouts to me.

"Great pity for me. To think that you would actually be useful. Woe for me. "

(A man wearing dark sunglasses and wearing a black suit runs up)

"Madam! B called to say that C and D still is having trouble fixing up the
engine problems with the car."

"IS THAT SO!? Why can't you bums do anything right! What do I pay you guys
for A? To be yes-men?"

Man A: Yes maam. I mean no,..uhhh, we need to go at the next stop.

(as the train decelerates to the stop, Nagasi turns back to give a look back
at the twins)

"Ja girls. My adoring audience is awaiting me."

(gives them a mock wave)

Kurumi: Great! Just what we need on a Monday morning.

Manami: What are you griping at? She was targetting me, not you.

Kurumi: Yeah, yeah. I know I know. But it's always fun to step into a
potential fight! (rubs her fists together) And she did mention Lone Wolf! I
wonder how he's doing now...

Manami: (*sigh*) Don't you ever learn? 

[Back in New York]

(Hikaru is sitting prone on the bed, reading email on his Powerbook.)


	Dearest Hikaru-chan,

	How are you doing? I wanted to send you this email to let you know
	what has happened since you departed back to the US of A.
	I've finished my composition job for Haroken-san and am now teaching
	music class at the Tokyo Conservatory.

	Everyone else is going back to the school routine. Master's new pub is
	doing very good business. The musical variety acts is a big hit with
	the patrons. Everything is looking up for everyone.

	Anything new happening with you? Please let me know.

	Keep in touch,
	AYUKAWA Madoka

	p.s. K.K. wanted to let you know that he misses you too.

H: Ah Sempai. I miss you too. (gazes up at the partially finished painting)



[At the apartment building]

"Argh! He chewed up my favorite red pumps! That mutt must be shot!"

"Quiet Kaori! Taki's  sensitive."

"Sensitive? My foot! I never heard anything so ridiculous in my life!"

"You sure? This mish-mash case we're in comes pretty close."

Kaori: It's all your fault! You and your obsession to finding the truth.

"Maybe so. But I'm determined to follow this to the end."

Kaori: You're just lucky I'm the manager around here. Without those other
cases to work on, we're be broke!

"Good thing the master's out for a while so I can lay low and plan."

Kaori: Damn right! But I'm still confused.  Who controls what right now?

"Pay attention this time! This is going to be the last time I explain it to
you. Here is the recap of things while you were gone. The big kahoona left
Ryusei in charge of his operations here while he leisured in Thailand. Mighty
big risk to leave control to a young, inexperienced turk. There was three
objectives that he needed to accomplish. Hold the current territory,
fending off his enemies. When that was stabalized, expand the control and
power. Last, go abroad. Basic power plan for any organization. But it ain't
a walk in the park. Ryusei had to deal with his boss's bitter enemy, the
Shimazaki clan, headed by the elder boss Goro Shimazaki. Ryusei couldn't
approach him directly at first, so he went through an intermediary. Kobayahsi
Shipping lines's head guy. Ryusei's entertainment connections managed to land
him info that Kobayashi was looking for a possible suitor for his niece. So
Haroken used that to his advantage and got into the door that way. The deal
was for him to marry the neice and use the family ties to turn Kobyaashi as
our ally against Shimazaki. But Ryusei nearly ruined the whole thing by
pulling that fake marriage stunt with Hiyama-san.

Kaori: Who is she?

"You forgot already? (a wicked gleam flashes across his face) You'll love
this. She's the same girl you tussled with back in Hokkaido!"

Kaori: No way! How did she get involved in all of this?

"Long story. Much too long for this narrative. The plain facts is that she's
a dancer now. Haroken nearly lost control over her but he's back to
normal now. And back to my story, True to his skill, Ryu defused the explosive
situation and earned Kobayashi's help in the end.  Through Kobayashi's
recommendation, Haroken manage to get the ear of Shimazaki without any v
iolence. In addition, it  allowed  another shipping partner to help move the
'special' merchandise. "

Kaori: Ok. Got that now.  What's next?

"Later on, there were several secret talks with Goro. He tentatively agreed to
a cease-fire, but for a price. An initiation of sorts to test Ryusei's mettle.
To present him with the prized ancient artifact from Arabia. The famed jeweled
dagger reportedly used by Sinbad himself, although that's just one of the
myths to ciruclate. This was the most important phase; for Ryusei had to keep
appearances with the play while trying to figure out a way to obtain the
dagger."

Kaori: So if you rubbed the thing, would ya get 3 wishes?

"That's a magic lamp baka!"

Kaori: Fine. Sue me later. So what happened afterwards?

"It became a hell of a mess to deal with. Lucky for #2 to figure out an
elaborate scheme to throw them off track. After that caper, it would be off to
Hong Kong to work on securing the shipping travel routes from inspection for
the upcoming shipments later in the year. Mao has influence in the H.K. and
N.Y. ports. Another goal was to get needed capital for the next venture and
phase."

Kaori: And now?

"Ryusei is in Hawaii now to deal with the Yamazumi Kensetsu Construction firm
on obtaining their cooperation in a little land deal in Tokyo. They hold the
key to swaying some building officials to allowing the tearing down of certain
"dead" areas and erection of megaplexes."

Kaori: And now it's just you and me now to resume the investigation and the
search for truth.

(#1 nods)

Kaori: Ever thought we're like those secret agent types in the X-Files?

"You know I hate that show!"

Kaori: Gomen. But I saw all the rerun episodes while I slacked in Hawaii.
And we're so much like them! I'm like the Sculley type, being the straight,
down to earth no nonsense gal while you're the obsessive type who always
plays with his guns.


"There's a difference; I don't work for the law and I don't believe in little
green men."

Kaori: Still, I have to marvel how you guys did so much with me gone so long.

"Yep. I should send you off to Europe next so I can get some more work done!"

Kaori: Baka! (hits him on the back of the head)

[Afterschool at Waseda]

(in one of the small conference rooms)

(inside are about 50 women!)

(as the ladies are chatting amongst themselves, a distint, dark-haired woman,
dressed in black dress-suit peers around for her friend)

"Muto-chan! Over here."

"Gomen for my lateness Yumi-san."

"No, I was beginning to worry you weren't coming!"

"A promise is a promise."

"Good. I would feel freaky attending this type of thing alone."

"Seems to be a crowd here."

"Yah. Lots of repressed individuals here."

"Here's the speaker now."

(Manmi and Kurumi enter first, flanking Akane as if they were her bodyguards.
Akane enters and walks up to the podium proudly. She gently taps the microphone
for testing.)

Akane: (*Ahem*) Welcome, ladies and non-gentleman.

(Dead silence)

Akane: (getting nervous as she shuffles her notes) Umm, let us first start out
by passing out these flyers to illustrate the principles of our club.

(Manami and Kurumi disperses into the crowd and starts passing out the papers)

Akane: As you can see when you start reading this is that I've started this
club based on the mistreatment of woman by the males of our society. In your
cases, that would your boyfriends taking you for granted or not treating you
like an equal partner in the relationship. Am I right ladies?

"Yeah!" "Right on!" "My boyfriend's the pits!" "Men are pigs!"

Akane: (beaming) Yes ladies. I know what brutes men can be. I hope this club
would be a therupeutic forum for all of you to air all your grievances.

(*Scream*)

Akane: I know all of you excited but...

(*Eek!*) (*Help!*) (*Ugh!*)

Akane: I not sure what all this commotion is about...

"It's a mouse!!!"

"They're everywhere!"

(We hear screeching and chirping sounds surround the room from all sides, as
the girls all around start hopping and skipping and running out to escape the
scurrying, furry vernim!)

(Manami and Kurumi try to calm and restrain the group, but to no avail. In a
matter of minutes, the whole room is empty.)

Akane: (slumps into the folding chair in shocked disbelief) What just happened
here?

Kurumi: This is! (uses the Power! to levitate one of the mouse up in the air)

Manami: That was a mean trick for someone to play.

Akane: (shakes her fist) Someone was trying to sabotage my meeting. A male no
doubt!  I'm must find out who did this and crush him!

Kurumi: Guess there's no need to hold this up. (release the mouse)

(as the mouse drops, it makes a dull mettallic thud against the floor, spins
around for a while, then dies, with a puff of smoke)

Manami: Woah, that's no ordinary mouse! It's a robot mouse!

Kurumi: Kooky pranksters we have here. Now I'm really mad!

(The bright roar of the motorcycle stammers in the background, followed by a
howling, hyena-like laughter.)

Akane: I recognize that sound! It must be the same bakayoyo fool who ruined our
booth the first day!

[Back to Ryokurin Ryo]

(In the eating area, with most of the residents looking up at the TV
displaying the evening news)

(Muroke, Shijama, and Taku are sitting at a table eating)

(Shinohara comes crashing in and lets out a big, extended laugh as he sits
right at their table)

Shijama: Now what are you bawling at?

Shinohara: Ho,ho ho! This is too much! Girls. Such silly saps. Ha ha ha!

Muroke: You're not making much sense at all!

Shinohara: Boy I love myself. Broke up a silly sob session
ranting of sassy girls complaining about their boyfriends. Hilarious!

Shijama: Now what do you do now? Hey where're you're going?

Shinohara: Upstairs to freshen up and work on my next device.

(as he leaves)

Muroke: Strange fellow you're rooming with.

Shijama: You're telling me.

Taku: He harbors some sort of antipathy towards women, doesn't he?

Muroke: Sure does. Maybe he could use some of your love potion, right Shijama?

Shijama: You know that was by accident. But for our resident lunatic
roommate, I might be able to do something...

(later in the week)

[At the conservatory]

"Sensei! You were saying about the harmonics of that chord..."

Madoka: What Yuki-san?

"You were explaining the complex intriacacies of that passage."

Madoka: Yes, I was. Gomen.

(*bell rings*)

Madoka: Let me finish my thought next session. Don't forget to practice!

(as Madoka is gathering her things)

My mind was definitely wandering and focusing on different things. Days
before, I was shocked when Yukari and Shuu approached me with their
proposition for me. For me to act on as their consultant to advise them for
their transition of settling down here. They were growing tired of their
on-the-road act and wanted something different. Were they trying to tell me
something?

I had known Yukari all the way back when we were in our early teens. It was
during a rebellious points in my life. By this time, me and Hikaru were
separated from Yuusaku who went to another school. It was also the time that
my parents left full-time to pursue their careers as the prized musicians that
they were abroad. It was a chance of a lifetime for them and they wanted to
turn it down because they didn't want me entering one of the turbulent times
of my life alone without them. But I told them that I was used to it and for
them to not worry about me. I basically forced them to accept it on my behalf.
I told myself that I had to be a good, little soldier and to stick it out by
myself.

It was at this time that my cousin Shuu had just moved in and was attending a
nearby middle school. Shuu was new in town, so I dropped and made frequent
visits to him over by his school to see how he was doing. It was there in this
environment that I met Yukari.

She hung out outside alongside the school yards of the time, if she wasn't
already in detention. She was a rebel bordering on delinquency. She was
definitely with the "in" group. She cussed, kicked dirt in people's faces, and
even smoked!

Yukari was far from your goody-two shoes type. She was like me, being scrappy
and street-smart. She was only a few years older than me, but she seemed much
more mature. She was my idol. I had been agressive and tomboyish, but
definitely I was developing my physical attributes during this time. I began
to emulate everything about her; her dress, her walk, the way she behaved,
even hanging with the same group she did. She took an instant liking to me and
took me under her wing. I certainly learned a lot of "skills" a good girl
wouldn't want to have. Needless to say, this was my rebellion period and I was
a very BAD girl.

Now it has come full circle and the person I had admired before is coming to
me to ask for advice. That was why I was shocked for her to make such a
request of me.

Given her wishes, I talked to Master and arranged for her to do a few
stints at the ABCB just to get started. A lot of talented performers played
there and talent agents were beinning to get wind of this and were frequenting
the place more and more.

Today was going to be their first performance back in Tokyo. I was probably
more nervous for them than they were themselves. I desired so badly for them
to suceed. Sometimes, life is not fair to good people, but you do need that
lucky break.


[At Tokyo University]

(at the Role Playing Club)

(Muroke enters a chemistry lab)

Muroke: Shijama-san! Are you in here?

Shijama: Hey, nice of you to drop by here. (quickly mixes the contents of two
beakers he has in his hand into a cup.)

Muroke: Did you forget already? Today's the first meeting of the Role Playing
and Magic Users Club!

Shijama: Oh, yeah. Forget. Just let me mark my name of this container and put
it away. (scribbles away) So do you know where it is being held?

Muroke: Not too far. Just a floor down.

(as they are walking)

Shijama: So you brought all the materials with you?

Muroke: Of course. My official D&D rule book, my lucky token, and my 18-sided
dice. Hey, you forgot to take off your white lab coat.

Shijama: Oh yeah. How absent-minded of me. Well, we're there now. Let's go in.

(as they enter, they are amazed a half-lighted room with people all around
dressed up in various costumes)

Shijama: Are we in the wrong club?

Muroke: Uhh...let's ask. Excuse me, where are we?

"RPG Magic club. Hey you forgot your costume. And what are you suppose to be?"

Shijama: Ummm...mad scientist?

"Oh, I get it! Ha ha ha!"

Muroke: Woah...strange group. But then, they must be really hardcore; that
should make for some interesting competiton. Let's play!

[Back in New York]

(Hikaru is soundly drunk, after another drinking session with Shuri to relieve
her lonliness and boredom)

(She is lying, half-collapsed on the futon, muttering)

...another miserable day in my so-called life...ummm...I need some
companionship tonight to help me pass through another sad, lonely day...where
is a man when I need one...

"You shouldn't go beating youself up like that."

Hikaru: (looks around) W-w-who said that?

(*Meow*)

(Hikaru looks right above her head to see JG, her cat right above her standing
top the futon frame)

Hikaru: Boy, I must be really drunk! A talking cat...what am I thinking? Hey,
did I have this conversation before...

"You're thinking too narrow-minded right now. Try to look on the other side."

Hikaru: Oh god...I must really be going out of my mind. And I'm not asleep yet
like last time. Or am I?


"No you're not. You need to be your tough self during tough times. You
know  you have it in yourself. That is what makes you so special."

Hikaru: Y-y-you bet I'm special. So special that I can understand c-c-cats now.

"Happy you find humor in situation."

Hikaru: I don't know what to believe in this make-believe hallucination I'm
in, but I better make the best of it. What am I to do? Nothing encouraging on
the dance scene; still stuck in first gear. And I'm so alone by myself. Who
can I turn to?

"Remember those who love you. They are the only ones who can protect you now."

Hikaru: That's a joke! The people I love are either dead or takened already.
There's no hope for me...

"There's always hope if you let it inside you."

Hikaru: I wish I could believe that.

"In time of great despair, must never stop believing. Remember that."

Hikaru: (muttering...) Believe...believe...believe...(falls asleep)


[Shijama and Muroke walking back]

Shijama: Not a bad first meeting!

Muroke: Uh huh. Loads of fun. Costumes do really bring out a better sense of
play. I especially liked the guy in his necromancer outfit with the hood and
the skeleton mask.

Shijama: Say, isn't that Taku-san standing right in the middle of that
footbridge?

Muroke: Yeah, sure is. Wonder why he's out there just staring at the passing
cars?

Shijama: You haven't had time to get to know him.

Muroke: No, not really. I wonder if something is bugging him. Why don't you go
on ahead while I go check up on him.

Shijama: Ok. He's your roommate.


(Muroke crosses the footbridge and  approaches him)

Muroke: Taku-san? Is something the matter? You're not stargazing out here are
you?

(Taku continues to stare idly at the passing cars)

(Muroke leans out a bit and looks around to see if anything special is going
on, but to no avail)

Taku: This footbridge wasn't here before.

Muroke: Is that so? I wouldn't know, since I was not around this area at
the time.

(more moments of silence)

(Muroke grows tired of waiting for a reponse, so he just stands next to him 
and mimics his pose, with his shoulders perched on the railing cradling his 
whole body. After a while, the silence is broken)

Taku: Listen. Can you hear it?

Muroke: Hear what? It's just the traffic noise.

Taku: No, I hear something else.

Muroke: Like what?

Taku: The gentle gliding sounds of the wind as the cars pass by. A swishing
sound. Reminds me of the ocean waves back home.

Muroke: You must be homesick, aren't you?

Taku: Yes. I was struck by what Shinohara-san said the other day.

Muroke: You're bothered by comments made by that yahoo? You shouldn't take him
seriously.

Taku: No. I meant his remark about girlfriends complaining about their
boyfriends. It reminded me of the nature of my relationship with Rikky.

Muroke: Rikky-san?

Taku: She was the person I told you to help me look up. (chuckles) She was
certainly one to complain about everything and everyone. That's the lasting
impression she's left on me.

Muroke: So she must have meant a lot to you.

Taku: I'm not sure. She is a hard enigma to figure out. Perhaps because of our
different backgrounds. It must have been hard for her with her parents
divorced and her possessing that proud attitude of a Tokyo native.

Muroke: I don't seem to understand.

Taku: Different focuses for both of us. She came from a well-to-do family here
in Tokyo and despised moving to Kochi. Maybe it was a curse for me to come
from a very average family in such a rural atmosphere as I did. But I am not
ashamed. I had the ambition and desire to reach out for more to better our
family name; to do well in school and have a chance to attend one of the more
prestigious universities in Tokyo. She wanted so bad to be here to just run
away from her emotional struggles, but instead resigned herself to the local
U.  Maybe I should have been content with my lot and attended the local
university also.

Muroke: Wow, so you must really like her?

Taku: I'm intrigued by her. We spent but a few moments together. I just would
like the chance to know her better.

Muroke: I know the feeling. There's a girl I had the lucky opportunity to work
with that I wished I had the chance to interact with more.

Taku: We're just two miserable wretches, aren't we?

Muroke: Maybe so. But it does no good to stay out here all night and pick up a
nightly chill. There's a place I know of we can drop by at. Might soothe away
the longing for both of us.

[At the Shin ABCB]

(Shuu, Yukari, and the rest of the band are on stage performing)

(Hayakawa is here with Shiori, as they are chatting away with Madaka)

Shiori: Great of you to invite us to your cousin's debut in this club.

Madoka: Don't mention it.

Hayakawa: Speaking of which, where's your cavalier fiancee, Kasuga-san?

Madoka: He's a little late in getting here. But he should be here soon.

Shiori: So what is he working on right now?

Madoka: Nothing too big these days. He still taking it slow to decide what he
will pursue next.

Shiori: If he's still interested, I'm sure Tamura-san would be keen
in having Kasuga-san come back to the station.

Madoka: I'm sure he would be happy to know he has that option.

(at the other side of the bar is Hatta and Komatsu, and the resident drunk who
goes by the name 'Izzy')

(Yukari is performing one of her more soulful, sorrow tunes of the evening,
LOST LOVE)

Komatus: My, my, my, Yukari-san looks just as fine as ever in that skimpy
outfit of hers.

Hatta: I'll say. A bit taller than Madoka but boy check out the rack on that
broad!

Komatsu: Yah! Yum yum!

Hatta: Woof Woof! (wolf whistle calls)

'Izzy': H-h-have you guys no s-s-shame? Making lewd comments while the lady is
bring tears out of my heart?

Komatsu: Hey buddy! Stop talking to us! We didn't ask for your opinion!

Hatta: Hey man, what do you have to be sad about anyway to be ranting like
that?

'Izzy': I-I-I had a lost love once.

Komatsu: You? In love? In your condition?

Hatta: That's almost laughable.

'Izzy': It's true! Honest to goodness true. I ain't lyin' to you 'cause I'm
drunk! And drunk men don't tell lies.

Komatsu: If that's true, then tell us who she is?

'Izzy': I iz a respectable man, so I ain't r-r-revealin' her name to protect
her honor. She was such a swell gal. Could write like the wind. I admire her
ability. Who would have though that a screenplay writer  and a manga writer
could hit it off together? But it wouldn't last. She despised my alochol
breath and left me soon after. Boy, I miss N.Y.
(with that,he slumps onto the table)

Hatta: (to Komatsu) This guy is crazy; mistaken a city for a girl.

(Akane, Manami, and Kurumi are mingling amongst themselves)

(Akane is still fuming over the incident)

Manami: I still don't believe you haven't gotten over that incident.

Akane: Of course not! It just broils my blood of the evil men will do to
suppress the truth and spread their chauvnistic, egotistical ways.

Kurumi: So whatcha gonna do about it?

Akane: I don't know now, but whatever I come up with, my revenge shall be
exacted, slow and painfully.

(two guys enter the pub)

Kurumi; Hey Manami-chan! Doesn't that guy look familiar?

Manami: (looks over) Hey, that looks like #2!


[End of Chapter]