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 1.1
				   Finished: February 16, 1999
				Corrected: April 2, 1999


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 attempt to bridge the gap between Shin Kor I and Shin Kor II.


HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories:
Prelude, 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! (35000 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.


Author's Note: Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! Now is a time to give
thanks. As this book draws to a close, I would like to take time out to
thank everyone for visiting my SuperKOR and HardKOR site. 100,000 visitors
and 35,000 visits to each page respectively was never what I expected in my
wildest dreams. I look forward to completing the final chapters in this book
and start work on the final book D. I'm going on a trip in about 2 weeks, so
I try to finish chapter 12 before end of February. After that, there will be
about a month delay in starting the new book. I hope you all can be patient.
And thanks for your patronage!

Book C: Interlude: Chapter 11: Sempai Spirit

[December 1994]


[At XYZ Studios]

Nagasi: (storms in) Did you do this?! (flings paper in her hands)

Ryusei: (places his fingers together and he slouches back in his
black leather executive chair and staring back at her behind his
black sunglasses) I see you received my note.

Nagasi: You can't do this to me! You can't cancel my play!

Ryusei: On the contrary; I am freeing you up for more bigger and
better things to come. I've enjoyed the modest run of success this
production has served up so far; it will help cover some of the
losses incurred abroad from your underhanded investments.

Nagasi: You can't punish me. Please Ryu-baby. Don't let this happen!

Ryusei: What's done is done. There is nothing I can do now. The production
will run its course through the end of this year. I have fully indulged
in my fanciful whim. Now I am ready to move on to more interesting
"projects". Are you?

Nagasi: You haven't heard the last of it! I'm going to go over your head!

Ryusei: If you must, do so. 

Nagasi: I will! (slams door)

Ryusei: 
(taps a manilla folder with some sensitive information inside)

[In New York City at Hikaru's apartment]

Hikaru: You feel a trip away from here would be good for me?

Shuri: I'm positive. Get your mind off this tense pressure.
You can't perform your best when you're all stressed out.
Otherwise, how can you reach your dreams, star-chan?

Hikaru: You gotta stop calling me that. It's feels embarrassing
coming from you.

Shuri: Not until you take up my advice, okay? You need to 
get away and clear your mind.

Hikaru: Maybe your're right. But where to?

Shuri: What about there? (points to travel poster on her wall
with beaches and sunset and a pyramid in the background)

Hikaru: You mean Mexico?

Shuri: Yeah, why not? Does it matter where you go?

Hikaru: I guess not. And it is an exotic place to go. Okay,
I decided that Mexico is where I'm going.

Shuri: Great! Let me worry about getting the ticket for you.
You just think about what you're going to bring!

Hikaru: I already have something in my mind: G-string and a toothbrush!

(both burst out in laughter)

[At the Shimazaki residence on Yakishima Island]

(Goro Shimazaki standing by the window, in the dimly-lit room. A shadow
appears on the window pane)

Goro:  So. You have come back to me. You have done well to return to
my service.

"As it should be. How goes your plans?"

Goro: Exactly as I have envisioned it. (clanks the metal balls in his hands)
My puppets have made up for your abscence. 

"There is another matter I require your attention."

Goro: Yes, I know of it. My agents inside the department are taking care of
it on your behalf.

"Thank you, my master. I wish to serve your greatness."

Goro: As you should be, my servant. There is another matter for us to discuss...

[Back at Ryokurin Ryo dorm]

Muroke: Hey Shijama! Glad I caught up with you. You seem to be busy later.

Shijama: Yes I am. What do you need? 

Muroke: Did you get a chance to look at that chemical sample I sent you?

Shijama: Yes I did.

Muroke: And???

Shijama: It is a curious mixture. Mostly it is composed of benzene rings
structure.

Muroke: Is that all? Anything else that is interesting about it?

Shijama: Only that it seems to be a composite of 2 mixtures. There are some
broken bonds with some strange chemical I have not seen before. Just only
trace amounts of this being surrounded by the benzene compound. I realy have
to be going now.

Muroke: Ok. I guess with finals coming up, you're swamped with work. Ja.

(Shijama just nods and leaves)

(Muroke walks back into his room muttering to himself)

Taku: What's wrong Koji-san?

Muroke: Ah, nothing. It's just that my friend Shijama is acting really funny ever
since he's been roommate to that Shinohara dude. I just hope he didn't do anything
freaky to him while he's asleep!

Taku: I admit Shinohara-san is a strange fellow. It would seem this environment,
this place has that effect on its occupants.

Muroke: Could be. I mean our neurotic RA's letting that Shinohara take care of
Exchange Day! Of all the people. Makes me think he's working on some mind-control
device and using it to secretly control my friend Shijama and everyone else in this
house. It's just a matter of time before he'll come for us!

Taku: I certainly hope that isn't the case. He might come around. 

Muroke: Are you kidding? Blasting the Super Monkey's music while
we were on the bus? What a punk!

Taku: Actually, I enjoyed the music.

Muroke: Oh no, not you too!

(*knock knock*)

Muroke: (*sigh*) Now what!?

(opens the door to see Tatsuya Youta)

Muroke: Oh, it's you again. Hi. Did you want to see the demo of graphics
program for the computer?

Youta: No, not right now, but thanks. Rather, Kisaragi-san wants me to tell
you to come downstairs quick to welcome back the supervisor from the hospital.

Muroke: Oh,...I guess it would be proper for us to go. Especially since 
we were involved in the incident which put him there in the first place.

Youta: You were? How?

Taku: The story is too long to go into right now. Perhaps another time.

(just outside at front gate)

Shun: Welcome back Suka! We've been awaiting your return.

Hasukawa: Gee thanks. It's hard to believe I stayed at the hospital so long.
I hope those juniors didn't give you too much trouble while I was away.

Shun: We managed. Come in quickly! Everyone is waiting.

"Ahem! Are you Kazuya Hasukawa?"

Hasukawa: Yes? Is there something you need?

"My name is Hito Ado. I work for the zoning commission. I believe you have
received the notices from our offices before?"

Shun: What is he talking about Suka?

Hasukawa: Don't worry about it; I'll handle it.

"I'm afraid it's too late for anything now. I have in my hands the notice
for this house."

Shun: What notice is he talking about?

"You folks best read it yourself. I have to survey the rest of this block."

Shun: Suka! What is going on!

Hasukawa: The new plan isn't working. The money we raised is only enough to
pay off the interest for the loan this semester.

Shun: (jaw drops) What? Why didn't you tell anyone?

Hasukawa: I thought I could take care of this myself.

Shun: Baka Suka! What would you thinking? We could have done something during
this time!

Hasuakawa: Yes, it's my fault. It's time for me to let everyone know the
truth. Come on. Let's get inside.



[At the Women's Club meeting at Waseda]

(Akane at the podium)

Akane: Thank you everyone for coming out for our final meeting this year.
Today, we will discuss the mental block placed on us by men on our abilities.
To cite an example, men naturally assume they are superior in physical sports
activities because in general, their genetics give them a bigger frame and
allow them to grow more muscle content faster. I'm a biochem major, so I
should know. For that claim, I'll give them that. But there lies the fault and
the problem. Because they possess a physical demeanor larger on average than
their female counterpart, they naturally assume and believe in their minds
that they are superior in every way to females in all endeavors. It's like
what we ladies like to call the "testrostrone getting to their big heads".

(giggles through the crowd)

It is this "cave-man" arrogance that we face as women around the world, but it
is more evident here in our Japanese homeland. Let's face it ladies. we don't
get the proper respect we deserve. In every situation when pitted against a
male, they will automatically take for granted that they are better than you
are. It is this type of snobbery that is preventing us Japanese females from
attaining the equal opportunity of chance in both the homes and the workplace.
The worst part is that they naturally assume this without a second thought.
Your boyfriends may be coddling you now, but observe how dominating they are
in your relationships. And it is not their faults to, for it was not directly
taught to them. Instead, it was sublimily ingrained in the heads by our
cultural interactions. That is why we need to reeducate them. I believe some
mental reconditioning is in order. And the only way to do it is to throw them
that we can be as capable in any event period. That is why I am inviting all
of you to attend a little competition we have with a rival boys dorm two weeks
from now just after finals. Please bring all your friends along for this
event! That's all for now. Don't forget to pick up a flyer!

(As Manami and Kurumi are passing out the flyers)

Akane: 


(in another part of the room)

"Thanks Yumi for dragging me out for this last meeting. I found it quite
enjoyable. This Akane Kasuga makes a lot of good points.

Yumi: You're very welcome. I knew you were into this stuff.

"Are you thinking of attending this competition?" (points to flyer)

Yumi: You're thinking of going too?

"Uh huh. It would be fun to see this wrestling slubfest as this paper
highlights."

Yumi: super! I thought you never took part in any un-ladylike activities
before.

"Not really. But perhaps that is what is wrong with me. I been much more of a
recluse ever since I've been out of touch with my mother in Kochi.

Yumi: And away from Taku also!"
"Yes, that talk today has given me an idea on my socially dysfunctional
behavior . Might explain my hangup with relationship.


(crowd responds with 'yeah, yeah')

Shun: What a novel idea!

Hasuakawa: Whatever you wish for me to do, I am resigned to it. It is the
least I can do.

Shinohara: As agreed upon before, you Kisaragi-san shall be the judge for this
event. Hai?

Shun: Yep. I'm gonna do it.

Shinohara: And you! (points to Muroke) You also will be one of the
contestants.

Muroke: Ha! Are you kidding? Not on your life!

Shinohara: Must I bring up the VCR favor?

Muroke: Argh! I remember. I did accept use of your equipment.

Taku: You're on the hook to owe him something, Koji-san.

Muroke: Fine, fine. I'll be in your baka contest, but that's it! I won't be a
party to any of your pranks.

Shinohara: It is settled then. Worry about housing after finals and drop on
into the slugfest match for the final days..


[A few weeks later]

[At the police department]

"Yo Jackson."

Jackson: Yeah, what Ken?

Ken: Forensics boys told me to pass you this.

Jackson: Thanks man. 

(opens the report and his cigarette hangs limp from his lips)

Jackson: 

[At the ABCB]

Kurumi: I hate to say this, but congrats to both of you of your comic deal.

Komatsu: I feel so touched hearing it from you. So do you want to congratulate
me in a special way?

Kurumi: Don't let it get to your head buster or else I might change my mind
and crack it!

Komatsu: Best leave forbidden fruit alone.

Hatta: Yep, this is just the beginning. Today Jumbo Comics, tomorrow my own
animated series!

Komatsu: And we'll include you twins are models of our inspiration for our
future stories.

Manami: Keep your ecchi fantasies to yourself if you don't mind.

Kurumi: Anyway, we got an appointment.

Hatta: You're not staying around for Hayakawa's big bash later here? Your
brother and his hot finance Madoka will be dropping by.

Manami: Maybe later on.

Komatsu: Suit yourself.

(in the other part of the bar)

'Izzy': Whatcha holdin'?

Master: This. Why this is a postcard I just received from one of my dear
friends Hikaru in New York.

'Izzy': Hickory, right?

Master: No sir. It's Hi-ka-ru Hi-ya-ma.

'Izzy': Oh,...yeah...I remember now...she was once part of my play...right?

Master: I believe that may have been the case.

'Izzy': You know her from long ago?

Master: Ever since she was in junior school with her friend Madoka.

'Izzy': She was part of my play also.

Master: Right again.

'Izzy': I...I hope I'm not imposing...but this Hikory lady sounds like she has
a....a ....a interestin' past. Being that she was part of the cast...I
wonderin' if you can give me a little insight on her.

Master: I'm not sure if I should be telling you anything. I aim to maintain
the privacy of my patron's private lives.

'Izzy': Ah come awn. Indulge a drunken writer. I'm just plain curious. She
sounds very fascinating. Young japanese girl, living by herself in the dreks
of the big Apple. Makes for an interestin' tale, don't you think? And besides;
I'll forget it anyway. So whaddya say?

Master: Your whining has gotten to me. Alright then. I'll tell you a little,
but only what is already known.

'Izzy': Thank ya very much.

[At Ikeda temple]

(we see Mitsuru, Hasukawa, and Shun sitting together.)

Twins: Sorry for our tardiness. Hope we are not late.

Mitsuru: No, no. You two are just in time for the tea ceremony.

Shun: (whispers to Ikeda) Was it necessary for me to come?

Mitsuru: Yeah. You're part of the original remaining gang. You have to be here
for Hasuakawa for his rite of passage to overcome his inner guilt and torment.

Shun: 

Akane: I'm here people!

(squeezes herself snugly next to Shun!)

Akane: Hope I'm not crowding you too much!

Shun: No, I'm fine thank you.

Mitsuru: Good! Welcome everyone to this special tea ceremony. Hopefully
everyone here at this table can use this to resolve any past difficulties that
had experienced. You three girls being here helps in the healing of Hasukawa's
most recent wound. But we are have common wounds to heal. Including me. Let me
the first one to make my resolution and give a toast to my good friend
Shinobu, the best student body president Greenwood has ever known. His sudden
passing was quite traumatic and unexpected. The old gang never really got
together to sit down and reflect on what Shinobu meant to us.  Things just
happen and we let it pass by wihtout proper closure. I am saying my fill
about the guy. He was a great practical joker  and mentor to the lower
division students, but most of all, a loyal friend. May his
memory and his spirit live within our hearts.  So here's to you Shinobu.
We, the brothers of the No-Brand Heroes, salute you one last time.

(raises cup of tea and gulps it)

[Back to the Shin ABCB]

(We see Kyosuke and Madoka there already)

Madoka: Enjoying Hayakawa's little holiday party?

Kyosuke: (sarcastic) Much.

Madoka: Who is that person over there? I've never seen her before.

Kyosuke: Ah, she came. Let me introduce you two.

(walks over)

Kyosuke: Miss Aso! Good of you to come! I'm glad you can make it.

Aso: I'm happy to make it. I'm sorry my husband couldn't attend. He's been
feeling under the weather.

Kyosuke: I'm sorry to hear that. Hope he recovers soon.

Madoka: (*Ahem*)

Kyosuke: Ah yes. And this is my finance Ayukawa Madoka.

Aso: A pleasure to meet you.

Madoka: Pleasure is mine. I hope Kyosuke is behaving himself at work.

Aso: Yes, he's been a delight to work with.


"Excuse me everyone! Hello? "

(It is Hayakawa up front with Shiori)


"Thank you all for coming down for my small get-together at this club. Thanks
Master. You all may already know this since I've blabbed it to practically
everyone, but for those still in the dark,  I just wanted to take the time to
announce my formal engagement to my future bride Shiori."

(*loud clapping*)

"Arrigatou, arrigatou. Many say it's been a long time coming or it's about
time that I get settled and I agree. Shiori has been my rock which I can lean
on during my most turbulent times and I can't imagine another more dependable
woman I would rather be with. She has been and always will be my guiding
light. And as my special engagement gift to her, I like to sing to her a little
something I put together, if you will indulge me.

(*loud cheering and whistles*)


	I know you waited so long for me,
	I was young and still seventeen,
	Stilling aiming for the F&F,
	Fame and fortune and glory three.

	But as the years pass me by,
	And you still here standing by my side,
	I knew that my lonely, empty heart,
	Had to be filled up with your sweet love.

	So now I make this pledge to you,
	To be yours and be true to you,
	Please make me the happiest guy,
	Just be mine, you and I.

	Love be true,
	Love be free,
	,
	.


[Back at the Twins House]

(walking towards the door)

Manami: That was an interesting ceremony.

Kurumi: Yeah. I hope it helped that guy I punched with his
problems of losing his girlfriend and his best friend. 

Manami: One of the most hard-lucked cases I've ever heard.

Kurumi: Hey, did you close the light?

Manami: Of course I did. 

Kurumi: Then why is it on now?

Manami: Could be anyone.

Kurumi: It be our oniichan crashing in or something. Or it
could be a burglar. Time for ESPer power!

(both Twins flash inside to the kitchen)

Kurumi: Coast is clear. You look out.

(As Manami glances out, she sees the familar newspaper pose)

Manami: Otou-san! you're home!

Takeshi: Manami, Kurumi. I was wondering where you two were.
Going out later as usual I assume.

Kurumi: Of course! We got a life, y'know. So why didn't you
tell us in advance you were coming back? 

Takeshi: I didn't want to trouble you two. I come and go
like the snap of my shutter.

Manami: I'm so glad you're back for the holidays.

Takeshi: I may be away now most of the time, but it is
important we spend the holidays among friends and family.
I made your late mother a promise that I would never miss
spending Christmas with the kids.

Manami: That's so sweet! 

Kurumi: So did you take a lot of interesting pictures?

Takeshi: You have to be the judge of that. I'm developing
some in the red room. 

Kurumi: Well otou-san. We'll go upstairs and change and be
going out.

Takeshi: So late? Where to?

Kurumi: We need to do a workout at the 24 hour gym in preparation
for our big battle tomorrow!


[Back to the Shin ABCB]

Yukari: (different, more serious tone) Madoka.

Madoka: Yes Yukari?

Yukari: In light of Hayakawa's annoucement, I wanted to let you know
that Shuu and I also decided to settle down.


M: That's wonderful news to hear. It's about time that cousin of mine make a
commitment for once in his life.

Yukari: There's another part to it. Because of that, we're quitting our
squatting gig.

M: That is surprising. What about the band's dream?

Yukari: That dream of ours, we still keep in our hearts. Those 4 years of
traveling about has been four of the most wonderful years of my life. It's an
experience we're never forget. But we know that we're not getting any younger
either, you know.

M: So what are you two going to do?

Yukari: It's not the end of the world That's why Shuu and I and the rest of
the band is going to work for TK Studios.

M: Ooh? That sounds exciting!

Yukari: He has been wooing our whole band secretly. We've going to help out in
terms of backup to other bands and song writing. A different way to get there.
Maybe our chance will come through this way.

M: It is certainly an exciting time. I know it will work out.
Congratulations to both of you.

Y: Arrigatou. The best part is that we can continue our weekly gig at Master's
place.We're his featured act, y'know. What's so funny?

M: (trying to cover her mouth) No. I was just imaging the look on Mitsuru's
face when you tell him that his arch rival just nabbed you guys.

Yukari: He does have a sourpuss look to him when he doesn't get want he wants.


(both ladies burst out in laughter)


[Next Day: Wrestling Day!]

(outside the courtyard of Ryokurin Ryo, we see the entire contingency
of the male borders on one side, with the 3 main contenders being Hasukawa,
Shinohara, and Muroke)

(On the other side, we see the girls' club members, with their 3 main contenders
being Akane, Kurumi, and Manami)


(boys chanting "Let's go men!")

(girls chanting "You go girl!")

(Shun walks over to Hasukawa)

Shun: Good luck Suka!

Hasukawa: Thanks. I need it! And good luck to both of you.

Shinohara: Luck has nothing to do with it.

Muroke: Mighty cocky thing for you to say.

Shinohara: The champion never doubts his ability.

Muroke: We're see about that.

Shun: (from a blowhorn) Hiya everyone! My name is Kisaragi Shun
and I will be the judge officiating this event. We have a clash
of the sexes to day with the white team led by Shinohara Asumo
versus the red team led by Kasuga Akane. 

(cheers and boos from both sides)

Shun: Today's event will be a throwback to the traditional sumo-wrestling.
Because we wish to simulate the exact conditions, we have required
each participant wear this flab suit. The object is each opponent
to knock each other off the circle. The first one to do so will 
be awarded a point for each match. The side to accumulate 2 points
shall be the victor for this event.

Kurumi: What? I didn't know it was to be this kind of wrestling!
I wanted to practice my Spinning-Clothesline! 

Akane: Just save for agression for later. I picked the genere and he
picked the type of wrestling. It doesn't matter what he choices. Put on
your suit. You're up first. Shinohara is going down!

(on the other side)

Hasukawa: What? I have to face that girl again who beat me up twice
already?

Shinohara: Don't let her get to you mentally. You're a man. You should
be able to handle her. 

Hasukawa: What are you talking about? I'm not an athlete. And she looks
quite mean.

Shinohara: Ready or not, you're going out there! (pushes him into the ring)

(Kurumi glares at Hasukawa who is daintly moving about in his flab suit)

Kurumi: Come on! Let's get on with it!

Hasukawa: Haven't you done enough damage to me already? 

Kurumi: Hey, it could be worse if it were real wrestling instead of this
stupid sumo stuff.

(Kurumi collides in her flab suit with Hasukawa; both wobble back and forth)

Kurumi: Woah, woah, woah, woah. Damn this heavy suit. 

Hasukawa: 
Woah!

(Kurumi bangs into Hasukawa a second time, sending him flying into the boys crowd!)

(*Ohhs and ahhs*)

Shun: We have a winner! (raises Kurumi's hand up)

Shinohara: Sweet mother of heaven! 
What wicked strength does that woman have in her?

Hasukawa: (head whizzing) She's like that Terra character I was
playing. ESPer power.

Shinohara: Lousy. Then it's all up to you Koji-san. You have to 
win this round or else I can't compete.

Muroke: What? I'm second.

Shinohara: The the straws were drawn. You against a Manami Kasuga.

Muroke: Manami-san!? How can I fight her?

(on the other side)

Akane: Way to go! Now it's your turn Manami.

Manami: Why do I have to be next? Why don't you go second?

Akane: No way silly. I'm saving the best for last, in case we need it.
I want to face off with Shinohara myself. He shall feel my tubby power.

Manami: So you want me to lose this round?

Akane: No, just do your best. We're win either way. Now go get'em.

(the combantants enter the ring)

Manami: So, you decided to compete on behalf of your gang here.

Muroke: You got the wrong idea! I am not in league with Shinohara. He
made me do it.

Manami: (hands flailing about and they circle each other) That's what
they all say. Always blaming someone else. Why don't you admit that
you're the one who sabotaged our meetings!

Muroke: Listen. I have no wish to fight you at all. There's been a gross
misrepresentation of the facts.

Manami: I don't want to hear about it! 
(bumps into Muroke nearly knocking him out)

Shinohara: (from the sidelines) Hey watch it! That was nearly close!

Muroke: I'm going to make you hear about it whether you like it or not.

(starts a rapid succession of bumps into Manami with his suit)

Shinohara: Go now. Keep going. You got her now.

(Manami and Muroke are now huffing and puffing from dragging the heavy
suits back and forth)

Muroke: (*Huff*) What Shinohara told you...(*huff*) was all a lie...

Manami: (*puff*) Why should I believe you?

Muroke: Because...(*huff*) I'm a good guy...(*heavy breathing*) and
because we worked together. You know I wouldn't do such a thing...

Manami: Then why are you doing this then? (*huff puff*) You contradict
yourself?

Muroke: Because I owe him something. I do this against my will. 

(*bang*)

Manami: Sure. Like I'm going to believe that ploy from you. You'll
say anything to save your skin.

Muroke: No,...I don't care. I show you how sincere I am.

(starts to sit down)

Shinohara: What are you doing? Stop!!!

(Muroke's momentum causes him to flop down on his butt, right on the
outside line)

Shun: You're out! That gives the victory and match to Team Red! The 
girls win! 

Shinohara: You stupid idiot! 

Akane: (walks over) Don't be a sore loser just because you lost to a girl!

Shinohara: It was your luck that my troops quit on me. I accept defeat for
today. Until next time. I'll shall issue you the challenge of my choosing.

Akane: Go ahead. There's nothing for us that can't be done.

Shinohara: I'm glad to hear of it. You shall hear from me soon. Let's
get out of here!

[Christmas Day:]

(Hasukawa is spending the holidays at his brother's place)

(*Ding Dong*)

Hasukawa: I'll get it!

(opens door to see a brown package out front. There is no writing on it except
for the initials K.S. )

Hasukawa: Is this for me? Has my initials...I'll open it up and see what's
inside.

(unwraps it to reveal a videogame cartridge. It has the look of a SNES rom and
the name on it says 'Chronotrigger')

Hasukawa: (looks outside and up into the sky)


[End of Chapter]