PRELUDE

      A reconstruction of events after the breakup to serve as background
        and explanation of present and future details in HARD |< O R.

		Send comments or flames to rok@uclink.berkeley.edu
			This file originally orignated from 
		http://ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html
                              by RoK
                              ver 1.0
                              Part A:12/23/95
				Part B:12/25/95
				Part C:12/27/95

Ichi:   //Rainy Night

Part A:
(Setting: Yuusaku is lying in bed, at home on a Friday night, leaning against
the wall. It is near the end of summer and he is alone in the house.  A
cricket just outside the window is busily chirping a love song.)


9:54. A typical Friday night for me. Alone and nowhere to go. Unlike the other
boys who were making out with their girlfriends in the park, I was cooped up
in the house by myself. A situation that has become all too familar. I would
rather be spending all my time with my love Hikaru. But Hikaru wasn't my
girlfriend; she never was.  What a loser I must be! Can't even muster enough
courage to ask her to be my girl. Why? Because she's going with Kyosuke. Well,
she was going with him, until now. The problem was, in her mind, she
still thought she was Kyosuke's girl. Even after he dumped her! Kyosuke! What
a baka jerk! If I could just get my hands on him, ... Lord knows I could
inflict heavy damage on him! (clenches fist) Arrgghhhhhhh! Makes me angry even
thinking about it.

[Ding from alarm clock]

10:00. Time for that Kung-fu flick.  That'll get my mind off those two
betraying lovebirds!

(Switches on TV with remote, gets up, goes to kitchen to pick up some
munchies. We see the opening of the Kung-fu movie with subtitles and hinting
of dubbing action (i.e. lips moving doesn't match words uttered))

Opening Movie Title: The Mad Monk versus the Hunan Hero!

[Yuusaku is sitting in bed, eating snacks, watching the movie.  He falls
asleep near the end, dreaming; a dream similar to the plotline of the movie]


Scene shows Yuusaku as the Hunan hero going into village to inquire about the
fair maiden Mei-Lan (Madoka) whom he has been commissioned to rescue.

"Excuse me innkeeper (Master of ABCB pub).  I was wondering if you can help me
out here.  My master, Go-Chan-ku has sent me, first deciple, to look for the
whereabouts of the fair maiden Mei-Lan.  I heard she could be found in these
parts.  Do you have information on her possible whereabouts?

"Oh please great hero, leave me alone!  If you know what's good for you, you
leave simple, quite village immediately! Before he comes back!"

"What are you talking about? You just spouting nonsense, old man.  Before who
comes back?"

"Him. The Mad Monk. The one who has been ravaging this village for several
months.  Everyone is afraid to talk for fear of what he might do to them! So
please go! Or else you'll get me and my family in trouble."

"Now listen here. I didn't come a long way to find this girl just to quit on
account of this monk. "

"No one is going to tell you anything. If you don't leave, I shall call the
constable on you!"

"Alright, alright! I can see I'm not going anywhere with you.  But tell this
mad monk, should he come by, that I'm looking for him."

(Leaves shop)

<Just my luck to get stuck talking with these silly villagers>

As he is about to leave up the street, we see a young, tough, boyish looking
fellow in blue clothing edging out from the corner  of the building.

"So, you want to know about the  mad monk, do you?"

[Turns around towards him]" Why yes I do? And who might you be?"

"I'm Li-Jen-Ka, head waiter for that crazy innkeeper you just met. I'm not as
chicken as he is."

"Please to  make your acquaintance, friend.  Now about that monk..."

"Talk doesn't come cheap, especially in these parts where money is
scarce."

[Laughs heartily] "I see where you getting at". [Takes out two silver coins
and tosses it  over] Is this enough for you?

"That will do for the time being.  What do you want to know?"

"Well first I want to know where I can find the girl Mei-Lan.  Second, I want
to know about this mad monk."

"It seems the two questions go hand in hand. You see, Mei-Lan has been
captured by the mad monk and is going to be his bride."

"Now look here; you better not try to feed me lies.  Everyone knows that
monks don't marry!"

"But this monk is crazy! And he's really not a monk; more of a sorcerer. But
he carries a strange staff just like a monk does."

"And where might I find this monk character?"

"Well, let's see, he last ransacked the village two days ago.  That was when
he captured Mei-Lan.  Now he probably would be back tonight for his party
before he marries her tomorrow morning. So that's when we will strike."

"We? Listen little boy; I don't recall entering a partnership with you and my
style is to work alone."

"You need me, whether you like it or not and don't call me little boy! I'm the
only person in this town who is willing to lend you a helping hand. And it
seems you will need all the help you can get, facing this mad monk, starting
with your ego! He has many henchmen of whom you will yet have to deal with.
All I ask in return for my services is five talons of gold."

[Hunan hero stares at boy for a moment] Alright boy. You drive a hard bargain.
I'll take you as my sidekick.  But I'll only pay after the girl is rescued.
So what's your plan?"

"Good enough for me.  Come back here in the alley after sunset.  From there,
we sneak into the brothel run by Mao-ping(Komatsu) and Deng-Dung (Hatta). The
mad monk should be stopping by there tonight."

"OK boy.  I'll meet you here at sunset."

[Next scene]

Hunan hero, after exploring about town and inquiring about monk, returns back
to the same location and find a beautiful woman there waiting for him.

"Excuse me miss.  I must be in the wrong location.  I was expecting someone
else."

"I know.  I'm Li-Jen-Ko! (Hikaru)"

"B-but you're a girl!"

"Yes I am.  What made you think otherwise?"

"You were dressed up as a boy before..."

"Yes. But you should not let appearances deceive you."

"Hey, look here.  I thought we were suppose to storm the brothel or ambush the
monk outside."

"No dummy! Do you want to get us killed before we're in his stronghold? That
would be very foolish. You heroes are so dense!"

"So what do you propose we do now?"

"We need to sneak into his fortress amid the hills before we can make our
move."

"Why didn't you tell me before! We could have gone to the fortress ourselves
and challenged this monk, instead of waiting till sundown."

"Again you prove your stupidity. The gate is magically enchanted.  Should you
have tried to enter the gate, it would have alerted the guards to your
presence immediately. Then you would have no chance at all to rescue the girl.

"So how are we suppose to sneak into the fortress? Pretend we're invisible and
walk right in?"

"Very funny.  I have another idea.  I'm going to the brothel to pass myself as
one of the call girls.  When I'm in, I'll open the back window for you to
sneak in.  Afterwards, you'll hide in one of the supply crates being brought
to the fortress for the festivities."

"Are you sure this plan of yours is going to work, little buddy?"

"Do you have any better ideas?"

"No, I guess not.  Well then, let's get going!"

[Scene at Brothel. Hunan hero makes his way towards the back of the brothel
while Li-Jen talks to Deng-Dung]

"Hi there good-looking.  I'm one of the new girls."

"Hmmmm.  Hi there little honey.  I've never seen you before.  You look almost
good enough to eat.  Mind if I have a sample?"

[Lets out silly girly laugh, turns head away in embarrasement, and gently taps
Deng-Dung's cheek]

"Ummm.  Now, now deary. You shouldn't say things like that.  What would the
customers think?"

"Let's say I'm 'breaking you in'!"

"My, who is that shadowly figure up ahead?"

"Why, its the mad monk! (Gets panicky) You better go inside right now and get
yourself ready. I have business to attend to."

[Inside, she passes Mao-ping who is layed out over the table with several
rice-wine bottles around him, stone-drunk. She stands nearby the door to
overhear the conversation. But instead of the imposing monk, we see a little
kid instead talking to Deng-Dung.]

"Greetings to you, exulted one.  Please excuse my brother for not coming out
to welcome your greatness.  I thought the mad monk would be here himself."

"No. I'm here on his behalf.  He has other business to attend to. Is the harem
and supplies ready?"

"Yes yes. The girls are ready and my men are in the process of loading the
crates onto the cart."

"Good.  Here's your payment. [Takes out small pouch of money and tosses it at
Deng's feet, spilling money all over]

[Deng on his hands and knees on the gorund to gather in the money] "Oh thank
you sir! Thank you for such generosity!"

"Now begone, swine, before I get in a bad mood and decide to kill you."

Li-Jen thinks: <I better go open the back door for him before it's too late!>

She lets in the Hunan hero and stashes him in one of the crates just as the
men are loading the last few crates.

"Gee, this last crate seems especially heavy!"

"That's because your arms are tired from carrying the other crates.  Now stop
moaning and get moving!"

(Grumble, grumble)

After traveling a long way up the hills, the group finally makes it up to the
fortress.  Our two heroes safely pass inside. We see the last of the crates
get dumped into the supply room next to the kitchen.

(A few moments after the men has left...)
"Ow!!!  My head is swelling from that impact.  Next time, I know better than
to trust a girl's plan!"

Gets out of crate and starts to snoop around.  Subdues a guard and drags him
into another room and changes clothing with him.

"Now this should makes things much easier."

Wanders into hallway and enters a dark room and gets knocked over the head.

"OWW! Not again! That hurts!"

"Oh, it's you! It's me, Li-Jen.  I thought you were someone else.  I manage to
sneak out from the harem."

"Well, you didn't have to hit me like that!"

"You looked like one of the guards and..."

"Ok.  No time for idle chatter.  Here's the plan.  We find the girl and sneak
out under the cover of night.  Should be very easy.  So where is she now?"

"She's in the room located on the right hand side down the hallway. But there
might be a trap.  No one is guarding her."

"Don't worry, little brother.  They probably figure no one could penetrate
their mighty fortress.  You stay here; I'll be back with the girl."

Tiptoes down the hallway, looks around and enters the room. Inside, he sees a
sleeping Mei-Lan.

"Hey lady! Wake up.  I'm the Hunan Hero and I've come to rescue you."

Unsuspectingly, our hero does not see the shadowly figure coming up from
behind him from the closet.

(WHOMP!)

"Urghh,.... not again..." [collapses to the floor]

"What! What have you done with him?"

Kid Kazuya: Just keeping out the intruders, that's what! Now you stay put
while I drag this ruffian to the dungeon. I'll let my monk master decide what
to do with him after the ceremony.  Don't want to ruin the happy festivities.
(evil laugh: ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa!)

Li-jen: Something must have happened to him.  It's been too long. I better go
and check.

Open crack of door and then stops as she sees Kid Kazuya dragging Hunan hero
amid the raucous sounds of the orgy.

"Oh no! I knew he couldn't do it by himself.  But what shall I do?"

[The next day...]

Hunan hero wakes up to the sound of the crowing rooster.

"Urghh, Arghhh, Owww! My head... Damn, I have a headache.  (looks around)
Where am I? What am I doing here? (hears music) Oh no! the cremony is going to
begin! I must stop this! But... (finds that hands and legs are tied up!)Damn!
If I could only get to my knife..."

Ceremony begins while Hunan hero struggles to twist his arms down from under
him in order to get to his knife, wedged inside his left boot.

"Urgh,.. a little more, more... Got it!"

(Cuts himself loose)

Looks out the dungeon window and then across through his cell at the sleeping
drunk guards.  One guard is asleep on the floor near his cell, with his keys
just out of arms's reach.  Now the hero is struggling to stretch himself to
reach the keys.  Ceremony proceeds further.

Bride to be is covered in the ceremonial bridal dress, wearing a headress
covering up the whole face and standing next to the mad monk. (Kyosuke!)

Priest is reciting the marriage mantras.

Hunan hero finally gets the keys, frees himself, and races into the courtyard
yelling "Stop this, stop this now!"  just when the marriage ceremony is almost
finished.

Monk: "Ahh, who do we have here?"

Kid Kazuya: He's the ruffian I captured last night and threw into the dungeon.
I was going to tell you about him after the ceremony.

Monk: Sooooooooooo.  He wants to have some fun...? I think I present my bride
to be with an early wedding present: his HEAD! Get  him guards!"

Fighting erupts betweenn Hunan Hero and 12 guards.  He easily subdues them
with his kung-fu.

"You have to do better than that if you want to get the best of me!"

"I will.  Send in the Twin Avengers!  (Manami and Kurumi)"

Hunan hero fights these twin girls with dual swords in both of their hands.
The hero gets knicked several times on his arms.  This only serves cause our
hero to go beserk.  He breaks all their swords and delivers fatal hits to both
twins simultaneously to knock them both out.

"Impressive.  But your time has run out.  Kamikaze Kid, get him!

Little kid jumps out to fight him.

"Listen kid. I have a score to settle with you!"

"Shut up fool! When I'm through with you, the vultures will be picking at your
decapitated corpse!"

Fight begins.  Kid invokes some kind of flash magic which enables him to
always behind our hero and attack from behind.  Clearly, our hero is
overmatched here and is getting the crap beaten out of him.  Soon, our hero is
sent flying into  a corner, where another blow would finish him.

Hero thinks to himself: If I don't rework my strategy, I'll be dead.  Somehow,
this kid can appear at my backside at will.  So I will have to anticipate the
attack and pretend I have eyes in the back of my head.

Invokes new strategy and kung-fu and is coming back, sending blows to the kid.
Frustrated, the kid makes the fatal mistake of appearing in front of the Hunan
hero where he is wasted immediately!

Monk: What?!? You defeated my best fighter! It's hard to find good help these
days. (Grunt!) I hate finishing the dirty work by myself."

Mad Monk waves staff and invokes special incantation and suddenly Hunan hero
is surrounded by mad monks  everywhere!

They converge on him, delivering blow after blow with the staff from all
directions as our hero frantically tries to fend off their attacks.

"(Evil Cackle) Ha ha ha ha haaaa. You are no match for the power of the MAD
MONK! I shall marry Mei-Lan and there's nothing you can do about it!"

Bride: Oh no you're not! [Removes headress]

Hunan Hero: Li-Jen!

Li-Jen: That's me in the flesh.  The real Mei-Lan is on her way back to the
village.

Monk: Huh? [looks her over]  Why, you're her younger sister!"

"Yes.  I foiled your evil plans and now you're going to pay!"

"Ha ha ha ha haaaa! It doesn't matter to me who I marry.  Since you are here,
I'll marry you instead, after I kill him!"

[This brief distraction allows the Hunan Hero time to recover and invoke his
specialty: the True Sight Kung-Fu Stance!]

Fighting continues now in favor of the Hunan Hero, who is able to distinguish
the real monk amid the phony phantoms.  He is beating the crap out of the
Monk. Finally, he delivers the critical blow which sends the mad monk reeling
back onto the steps.

"Give it up monk! You've lost.  All I want is the girl."

"Never! I won't give you the satisfaction of beating me."

Runs up the steps and grabs the girl, leading the two of them up near a
barrier shielding them from the cliffs out to the sea."

Monk: Now, if you don't swear allegieance to me, I shall kill her!"

"I don't think you will.  Let the girl go and I'll spare your life."

Monk: No.  Not another step closer.  Or I'll swear I'll kill  her!"

A struggle then ensures between Li-Jen and the monk.
Hunan hero sees his chance and runs up the steps, but it is too late.  She is
knocked  over into the descending sea cliffs.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Delivers knockout blow to monk and looks out over the cliffs.

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Part B

[We see Yuusaku violently sit up from his nightmare.]

I woke up, in a cold sweat.  That nightmare seemed so real. I shuddered as the
cold drafts of wind swirled around my room.  I could hear the buzzing static
of the TV, the chirping of the crickets, and the pitter-patter of the
raindrops dancing on the shingles in the background.  I felt this really bad
feeling, that something tragic had happened to Hikaru.  I couldn't explain it,
but it seemed like a cry for help.  I looked at my watch: 12:34. Too late to
call her. But I had to go and see her.  Just to be sure she was alright.  Yes,
I knew it was  another crazy stunt on my part.  But that was how much I cared
for Hikaru; even if it was a one-sided love on my part.
        I quickly put on my tan leather jacket and blue denim jeans. In my
haste, I forgot to bring an umbrella.  My mind wasn't concerned about those
little intricacies.  I was focused on whether Hikaru was alright or not.
Placing my helmet on, I revved up my motocycle for the journey ahead to
Hikaru's house.
        Her house wasn't far away from mine; just about ten-fifteen minutes
away. Her house was beautiful. Hikaru and her family had been living in that
house ever since she was born. When we were little, I would often come over
with Madoka to eat the delightful treats Mrs Hiyami would make for us. Just
outside the house, we would play tag and hide and go seek. Hikaru's house was
our stomping grounds by default. Madoka lived alone most of the time, with her
parents on tour, while I, being the youngest, went along with what they
wanted. It was fun while it lasted, until we were separated during the schools
months.  I went to a different elementary school than they did.  Only during
vacations did the 'gang' hook up again. Those were the happy times in my life.
I looked upon this venerable house for one last time. I only had a few precious
days left here in Tokyo,
        I looked up into her room; her light wasn't on.  In fact, all the
lights were off. Naturally, because everyone would be sleeping byt this time.
But I had to be sure.  So I climbed up the tree (also a favorite hiding spot
for me) leading up to her window and peered inside with my flashlight.
Luckily for me, no one saw me; else they would like I was some perverted
hentai like Komatsu and Hatta.  I shined the light across her bed.  No one was
there! I became doubly worried.  Where could she be at this time? And in this
weather?
        I climbed down and pondered the possiblities.  She could be staying at
Madoka-san's house. Not likely though, since Hikaru blames her for stealing
her boyfriend.  She might be at Kyosuke's house (grrrr!) but he'd probably
won't let her stay. But if I know Hikaru though, I bet she's the type of
person who would be obsessive enough to least try.  Better check it out for
sure though.

So I hopped back on my bike amid the drizzling rain and made my way towards
the Green Castle Apartments.

        There it was up ahead.  The habitat of my most hated enemy: Kasuga
'Casanova' Kyosuke.  The gigilo who has dibs on both my friends. The one who
couldn't make up his mind, so he decided to have both of them.  All these
years, I've been living in his shadow. I had planned to pursue Hikaru by
enrolling in the same junior high school as she did. The years before, we were
separated by attending different schools.  During the off years, I worked my
butt off to be big and strong -- I was determined to become the strongest man
in the world. I wanted to cast off my image of a scrawny, skinny, little boy
who couldn't defend himself as I appeared in Hikaru's eyes.  Incidentally,
that's how I met Hikaru and Madoka: as a result of my unmaniness. I was about
seven or eight (I think) when my family moved into the area. Being the new kid
caused me to be picked on by the bigger kids.  One day, while I was getting
beaten up by some bullies, Hikaru took pity on me. She had Madoka(who was a
giant at that time!) beat  those bullies off me. Hikaru and Madoka were great,
working side by side, delvering blow after blow at those bullies. I would be
forever indebted to Hikaru for her kind gesture towards this poor, sorry
looking boy. From that point on, we became the best of friends and I entered
their circle.
        I always wanted to make it up to them, being their personal slave. I
had made no other friends, being new and sorts, so I hung around them most of
the time. I did everything Hikaru and Madoka asked of me. Sure, they was abusive
and rough, but I took it in stride. That's why I never disobeyed any requests
from the two of them, especially from Hikaru.
        I had a strange attraction for Hikaru, probably attributable to puppy
love.  She knew it too, but I guess she didn't think I was her type: manly,
strong, and able to stand up for himself. She probably wasn't being very
serious when she promised that if I became strong enough, she would marry me.
However, being the foolish guy I am, I clung to that promise. I took up karate
lessons to build up my physique and strength.  I worked out at the gym on the
weights.  It was painful and it took away from my time to be with Madoka and
Hikaru. But I figured it was well worth the trouble; I was willing to do
anything for Hikaru's affections.
        That was until he entered the picture: Kyosuke. A name that rolls
bitterly off my lips. He literally swept Hikaru away before I even had a
chance to make a move. I was too late; all those years of isolating myself at
the gym had gone to waste. I was fit and strong, yes, but who cares? The real
prize was lost. She was already enterwined in the arms of another person and
I was powerless to do anything.
        Now when I have a chance to snare Hikaru again, with Kyosuke dumping
her, I get snake-bit again. The issue was time, a commodity I had precious
little of. My days here in this area was numbered; And I wasn't going to have
enough time to woo Hikaru, especially during her "mourning" period. How I
hated my cursed fortune!
        I turned my attention back to the issue at hand. I pulled over and
peered over to the side of the walkway. There, I saw Hikaru, sitting there
just outside the apartment, soaking wet from the rain, stone-faced, and
hunched down, her cheeks rested against her palms in depression.

"My God! Hikaru! What the hell are you doinghere? You have got to get home.
You'll catch a cold out in this rain.  Come on.  I'll take you home."

(moribund, monotonic tone)
"I'm not going, Yuu-kun. Just go home and leave me alone. Let me sulk."

"Come on Hikaru! You know I can't do that.  It's for your own good."

"I told you I'm not going!" (Crosses arms and looks away)

"Alright, alright, have it your way." (Takes off his jacket and drapes it over
her shoulders. Sits next to her on.)

(turns to him with a surprised look)
"What are you doing?"

"I can't help it if you're stubborn.  But I'm not going to let you sit there
and just suffer like this. You have a problem with me sitting here? You don't
own the sidewalk, do you?"

"Why, no...but why? Why are you doing this? After the way I've treated you?"

"It doesn't matter to me.  I'm used to your abuse anyway.  You were there for
me when I needed it long ago so now seems like the right time to return the
favor."

"Yuusaku Hino! You're stupid!"

"Too bad for me, I guess."

(Long pause.  Then Hikaru pulls the  jacket around her shoulders tighter)
"Thanks for the jacket."

"I'm glad you're wearing it. As long as I'm sure you're alright, then
everything's ok with me"

"I'm sorry about everything. It's just that I tried so hard to win him back. I
couldn't accept our breakup before. I thought it was a trick,... a test to see
if I was trully devoted to him or not. I called him daily,... sent him gifts
and letters.  Despite this, he wouldn't even acknowledge my existence. (tears
start to form in her eyes). Tonight was my final shot at him. I wanted to
confront him, face to face. I pleaded and begged him to take me back.  I asked
him what I did wrong. But he wouldn't answer.  He wanted to leave, but I
wouldn't let him. We struggled, but he pushed me away,... for good. (pause)
How could he do this to me after all we have been through!"

(breaks down and sobs on Yuusaku's left shoulder)

I froze for a moment, feeling unsure of what to do. I was caught totally off
guard. Of course, she was emotional before in discussing her problem with me,
but never like this. Hikaru had never been that physically close to me. Ever!
I didn't know what to do next.  I started to shake.  She must have been
really shakened up by the finality of the breakup to resort to finding
solace through me. So I couldn't chicken out now and run like I usually did
when I got nervous with Hikaru.  She needed a shoulder so cry on, so I had
to be strong, for the both of us. In an instant, everything came together
and instinctively, I knew what I had to do.  (I slowly placed my hands
around her shoulders to comfort her)

[whispers to himself only]
"I know the feeling, ... to be shunned by someone you love."

(Pull away camera shot showing Hikaru crying on Yuusaku's shoulder, with the
rain falling down)


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Part C

After that tender moment, I manage to coax Hikaru into leaving with me.  It
was very late, and the rain was picking up, so I decided to take her to my
place to stay for the night.

"Where are your parents now?"

"they're in Hokkaido now,... on a trip.  I convinced them to leave me here
to take care of the house."

"Oh, I see.."

"You wait here while I get some dry clothes for you to change into."

Hikaru scans around Yuusaku's messy room.  Hentai manga littering the top of
his desk along with other books and papers.  On the nightstand, she sees
many pictures of herself carefree and happy. At the end, is a shot of all
four of them at the beach.

<He must really like me.  I wonder why I never noticed it before.>

Yuusaku comes in with a bed sheets and clothes. 

"Here are the clothes. I'm going to change the bed sheets for you."

"Duomo. (Ahhh CHOO!)"

"Are you OK? I knew you're catch a cold staying out there in the rain that
long. Quickly change out of these clothes while I make some herbal tea for
you."

"Hai!"

(Yuusaku is surprised by her response, looks at her with a goofy face,
places hand behind head, and gives a stymied laugh as he leaves.)

"Ha - Ha -  ha ha ha." 

Hikaru: I wonder what was that all about?

(Inside bathroom, more reflection) <Hino is really a nice guy. He always
seem to be going out of his way on account of me.  I wonder what it could
mean?>

(Turns on shower faucet)

[Inside the kitchen, Yuusaku is dealing with his dual sides sitting on his
shoulders]


Evil Yuu: Hey big guy! Now's your big chance! You and her all alone in this
big, empty house. Think of the possibilities! If you act fast, you can catch
her on the rebound.  Easy pickings!

Angelic Yuu: Don't listen to him! Do you want to jeopardize your longtime
friendship with her by taking advantage of her in her unstable state? Not
very noble of you! Sure, you like her, but that's not the way to go about
it. Provide her with your support and understanding in her hour of need.
She will appreciate that more.  There will be time for wooing her later on.

Evil Yuu: Don't listen to that sissy talk! Men aren't suppose to be in touch
with their "sensitive" side.  Men take and grab what they like.  And you
like Hikaru.  Listen. You never had the guts to tell her how you really feel
about her, and now's your big chance.  If you blow this off, you'll never
have this opportunity again! She's in your territory, your bedroom! I would
"kill" for the chance being offered to you.

Angelic Yuu: It's not wrong to be good Yuusaku! Do the right thing. Control
your sexual urges and resist temptation. You will be a better person for it.

Evil Yuu: What good would that do? You want the quick strike, don't you? I
can feel it in you.  Don't resist it.  Do what comes naturally. Release your
carnal instincts!


(We see Yuusaku beginning to lean towards the Evil Yuu's point of view;
Angelic Yuu sensing defeat tries one last tactic)

Angelic Yuu: Do you want your beloved Hikaru-chan to hate you forever?
That's what you're risking if you follow his plan.

(Yuusaku snaps out of his trance)
"What was I thinking? (waves off Evil Yuu devil off his left shoulder)

Evil Yuu: Damn you! I almost had him!

Angelic Yuu: Good guys always win!

Evil Yuu: (voice trailing off as he is falling) But he'll never have her.
What a loser! <PUFF!>

(Kettle sounds)

Yuuskau: Whew! Good time to make that tea now!

[10 minutes later]

We see Yuusaku coming into the room carrying the tea just as Hikaru is
exiting the bathroom in her bra and panties. She walks up to wide eyed
Yuusaku who is frozen by the sight!

(Takes clothes off the bed) "Thanks for the pajamas.  I forgot to bring it
in with me.  How careless of me! I go in and change.  My, that tea smells
good! You can put it on the nightstand.  (looks at him) Is there something
wrong?"

(Tea set starts to shake) "N-n-no, of course not."

"OK then.  Goodnight!" (exits into bathroom again)

(outside in the living room, with Yuusaku sitting on the couch) I was amazed
at how calm and casual she was, standing there before me in only her
underwear. That was the most flesh I had ever saw of her. Had she been nude,
I would have totally freaked out and dropped the tea tray just from the
sheer shock. Actually, to tell you the truth, I have seen her nude before.
When we were little, I would accompnay Hikaru and Madoka to the public
paths. But that was different. They weren't "developed" back then; rather
flat-chested actually. But tough and scary to mess with. Here it was
different; Hikaru was already "blooming" into a delicate white flower whose
"distinctive" features stood out. Alas, though she appeared before me in her
undies, she must still think of me as her little brother.  That's why she
wasn't the least bit embarrassed.  I guess things will never change for the
better for me. Humph! Even after my attempts this summer to win her over
from Kyosuke.  I must be cursed.  Why did I even bother?

[End of Ichi]