H       A       R       D
                                    |<      O       R

                                PRELUDE 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
                                    finished 1/24/97
                                      ver 1.0


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 Kyouske 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.
It would also be helpful to have read the previous stories to get a feel for
the flow of this novella.

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-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/Kor.html

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
sites on the web! (~12000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as much
as I did writing it. Thanks again.  Robert Kwong Ark Productions -97-

Legend:
H=Hikaru Hiyami
Y=Hino, Yuusaku



Prelude: JuIchi: Birthday Surprise

Part A:

(We see Yuusaku riding on his beatup motorcycle, riding recklessly through an
open lot nar the school grounds.)

"Pretty daring with that bike of yours. Amaterish though."

Y: Who's there?

Ryoga: (emerging from the shadows) It's your arch-nemesis of course.

Y: Kinsu! What the hell do you want!

Ryoga: Venting off a little steam, aren't we? That's not the way you address
your superior.

Y: Just leave me alone!

Ryoga: In your unstable mental state, you shouldn't be operating heavy
machinery.

Y: I do what I want so stay out of my business! (pops a wheelie on the bike)

Ryoga: Too bad for you. I make everyone's affairs my business.

Y: What kind of mind game are you trying to play on me? First you send your
goons after me and espite that, you get me onto the karate team. If you hated
my guts so much, you should have had it in for me.

Ryoga: Ah, but I do!  As for that incident, that was merely a test to see if
you were "worthy" to be on the team. And I don't care if you hate my guts as
the captain. If you feel intimidated by me, then you're more than welcome to
quit the team. It'll only confirm what I suspected all along: a quitter and a
loser!

(We see steam rising out of Yuusaku's head!)

Ryoga: Oh, I forgot to mention. That's why she's with me and not with you.
(coy tone) That is what you get with a winner like me.

Y: (explodes and inflamed with anger!) GRRR! Outta my way creep! (whizzes past
him in his bike)

[At the Hiyama Residence]
"Where are you off to now, Hikaru-chan?"

"Going out mama."

"You're not going to that dancing thing again, are you dear? Because I feel
you've been spending too much time on that and neglecting everything else.
Are you listening to me?"

H: (grabs a coconut cookie and wearing her headphones on her walkman) Missed
what you said mama. Gotta go! Will be back home this evening. Bye bye! (slams
door)

I was going to dance session again. I had been intensely practicing for the
past weeks now. Every since my rift with Yuusaku, I found no one else close
to turn to. All my companions had deserted me: Madoka, Kyosuke, and Yuu-kun.
I felt betrayed: I had no one to believe in anymore. All except my dancing.
That was the one thing I was holding on to -- the one sustaining me. It was
the lead role in the play "Downtown Cats" I was striving for. It was that of
a innocent soul who had great hopes and aspirations when entering NYC, and
wanted to take the city by storm. However, she comes to experience the
realities of living in the big city and the injustices of life itself.
Eventually she gets beaten down by the pressures around her and thus
succombes to it by being a hooker. I could emphasize with how she felt.
Somehow, I felt our two fates were entertwined. I was at the point where I
was about to lose all hope now. That was why I had to get this role.

For the past few weeks, I devoted my energies exclusively towards rehearsal
and hours of long, aching practice. My studies suffered because of it and my
parents weren't too happy to see a worn-out daughter around the house. They
come to view my fascination with dancing as a "pox". However, despite their
attempts to dissuade me from it, I kept at it, secretly if possible. I danced
with renewed enthusiasm, venting out my frustrations and anguish. It was
soothing...it was therapeutic...it was a-d-d-i-t-i-v-e. The passion for it
burned inside of me, driving me on; I was slowly become a slave to it. Never
had I focused on something so intently before. And it showed too. The
director was shocked at my amazing turnabout and new-found devotion to the
point that I was back in contention for the lead part. I was happy, but the
real test was coming up. Since the play was to be debuted early this spring,
final cuts for all the parts in the play were coming up, with auditions for
the last main part scheduled for the evening of the 15th. The day of my
birthday.  



[At the dojo]

(We see Yuusaku alone in the dojo, busily pounding away at a punching bag as
a means of releasing his stress.)

"Coming in for extra practice, eh?"

Y: (turns and quickly bows) Konichiwa sensei. Yes I was.

"You look like you beating a cow instead of fighting. Mushin, mushin are you
still."
//Mushin = No heart or mind

Y: Gomen sensei. I guess I was really paying that much attention to it. I was
just letting out my raw anger.

Sensei: Angry are we today? One should never fight when angry. Would break the
musubi. One must clear the mind and strike with Kime.
//Musubi=Harmony; Kime= Focus of Power

Y: I guess being angry doesn't justify senseless violence, even on a punching
bag.

Sensei: You understand now? Good. Now for some real practice. Keoskite!
(assumes attack stance) Hajime!
//Keoskite= Attention; Hajime=Begin

Y: (confused) W-w-w-hat?

(Matsumoto Sensei quickly strikes the unwitting Yuusaku and sends him reeling
to the floor mat on his back before he knew what hit him)

Y: Owww! Why'd you do that for sensei? I wasn't even ready...

Sensei: Yes, I know. You should always be ready for anything anytime. You
still have much to learn if you want to earn your place on the team.

Y: But sensei. Didn't you want me on the team?

Sensei: No. You too raw still. But have to put you on team due to injury.

Y: But doesn't my 2-dan rank count for anything?

Sensei: Rank matters very little when you are in the fighting circle. There,in
the fighting ground, the one with the most will and discipline will prevail.
Keep these words to heart.

Y: I think I understand. I will heed your wise words sensei. But it would
matter little since I'm just an alternate, so I probably won't see any action.

Sensei: Never talk that way. Always expect the unexpected. Be prepared always.
Now you take off now. Body and mind needs adequate rest. Too much
practice will do you no good. Practice enough and no more. Don't forget: the
meet is on November 15. Be here at the dojo in the morning and don't be
late. Good day.

The 15th of November this week. I had totally forgotten: Hikaru's birthday.
Although I suspect she was not in the mood to celebrate this year. As a
result of my foolhardy attempts to spy on her, I had not heard or seen her
for the past two weeks. And I didn't blame her for reacting the way she did.
I never realized how my jealously of her with other man would totally
consume me. Baka Baka me! Why was I such a screwup? Was I going to be
forever cursed with this one-sided love?

[At the dance studio]
"That was another fine practice Hikaru-chan."

H: Thank you sensei.

Director: I don't know if I told you this, but I'm really impressed with your
performance and hard work lately. To tell you the truth, I didn't think you
had a chance at any part, given your initial listless behavior. But I could
tell I was wrong. Dead wrong. I just wanted to praise you for all the time
and effort you put into this venture and to wish you good luck on the
auditions coming up.

H: Domo arrigato gozai-imasu! I'll take a short break and resume practice
again.

Director: But you've already practiced the whole morning already! You
shouldn't drain yourself. You need to learn to pace yourself. I suggest you
take the afternoon off and do something fun, to get your mind on something
else other than dance.

H: But Sensei...

Director: No buts! You know the old American saying of "All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy."

H: Sensei. Have you been to America before?

Director: Yes, a couple of times during trip to Hawaii and California.

H: I mean, have you been to New York?

Director: (smiles) Yes, when I was very young and foolish.

H: Do you mind telling me why you went? Was it for a dancing opportunity?

Director: No, I don't mind telling you at all. And yes, it was. I was
audacious way back in that time, and I wanted to pursue the artform of dance
in the highest form. NY is notoriously known as the dance capital of the
world, so what better place to go than there. I too was curious about America
and I wanted to go to a place with so much culture and variety.

H: How was it? Did you suceed?

Director: Well, I did my best, and I landed some small roles in some
off-Broadway gigs, but nothing major. Eventually, I became homesick and I
returned.

H: So you regret ever going there?

Director: No, not at all. I don't regret the experience one bit. Even though I
didn't achieve what I had set out initially, I learned other things about
people, human nature, and life in general. New York in itself is a whole
different world for exploration.

H: Wow, that must have been something, being out there all alone, all by
yourself.

Director: Well I did manage to make a few friends, of who I am still in
correspondence with.

H: Thanks sensei for taking the time to talk to me.

Director: Not at all. But why all the questions about New York? Are you
thinking of going there?

H: I don't know. Before all this ever started, I wasn't sure what I was going
to do with my life. That was until this play entered my life. I kind of got
caught up with the storyline, and that piqued my interest in that city of
where the setting takes place.

Director: I see...well I hope I made things a little clearer for you.

H: Yes you did. Arigatou.

Director: Now you better take off. You need the time off to unwind and
refresh yourself. So go out and have fun. And that's an order! (winks)

H: Ok sensei, if you say so. (winks back)

Director: Take care.

Part B:

(Yuusaku riding aimlessly on his motocycle)
Sunday. The only day of the week we get off, and I have absolutely nothing
to do. What a major bummer. I guess I could go home and study, but what a
waste it would be for this afternoon. 

(rides pass movie theater.)

Hmm. Maybe I can catch a movie to pass the afternoon. I wonder what's good...

(Movie Title: Touch- The Ace Without a Number)

Sounds interesting enough. I'll try it. (parks motorcycle and enters theater)

(Meanwhile, walking down the street...)

H: I wonder what I should do now? Hang out in the mall?Pick up a Shoujen
novel to read? (sees movie theater) Ahh...this looks interesting. Touch, the
movie...That would be a good way to pass the afternoon. (sees motorcycle)
Hmmm... that's Yuu-kun's motorbike. I wonder where he could be around here...

(Yuusaku is busy buying popcorn at the side while Hikaru enters the theater)

Y: Huh? (turns head but just misses Hikaru) Was that Hikaru? No, it couldn't
be. Must be my demented mind playing tricks on me.

(inside theater)

Y: (walking down the aisle) Yikes! That is Hikaru!

H: (looks around. Yuusaku lift up bucket of popcorn just in time to cover
his face) Huh? Strange people you find in a movie theater sometimes.

Y: I can get through this. As long as she doesn't see me, then that's fine.

(Movie starts)

Y: (sits down 2 rows behind Hikaru)(*Whew*) She didn't see me.
(puts down popcorn and starts to eat)

H: (out of the corner of her eye) So it was Yuusaku muddling about the
aisle. I wonder why he's here alone?

Y: <Oh, this seems like another sports story about baseball. Sounds
interesting...>

(From the movie...)

girl            Minami likes the pitcher!
boy A           Then I'm the pitcher!
boy B           No fair, I'm the pitcher!
girl            Then take turns.
boy A           Ok Kazuya, jan-ken-pon, ai-ko-de-sho, ai-ko-de-sho..
girl            Minami likes Kacchan!

Y: <Hmmm this looks like a triangle story among childhood friends.>

H: <Childhood friends and a rivalry between two brothers. Why does this seem
familiar. Sounds like me and Madoka.>

(Later on in the movie...)

Minami          Yeah.  I joined the baseball team too.  Stupid.
Tatsuya         I can't do anything about it.
Minami          I was happy because I thought that we can do
                baseball together.
Tatsuya         I can't do anything about it now..
Tatsuya         Ouch!
Kazuya          Are you all right?
Minami          You're stupid.
Tatsuya         Yeah, I'm stupid.

(slight pause)

Minami          Tatsuya is always doing stupid things..

H: <That Tatsuya is sure stupid for joining the boxing team. He's as
bull-headed as Yuusaku when he took up karate.>

Y: <I emphasize with Tatsuya, doing the noble thing by trying to stay outof
baseball to avoid a complication between Minami and his brother Kazuya.
Tatsuya reminds me a lot of Madoka and how she looked the other way to avoid
confronting her feelings about Kyosuke and to protect her "sister" Hikaru.>

(-movie-)
Little Kazuya          I promise I'll take you to the Koushien.

(Yuusaku flashback)

Little H: I promise I'll marry you if you become big and strong enough to
protect me.

(-movie-)
Minami          I like both you and Tacchan.  We were always together
                ever since we were little.  We can always be together
                from now on.  What's wrong with that.
Kazuya          Always..
Minami          Yeah.  Always, always, always!
Kazuya          Yeah..

H: <And always. Can the threes of us all ever get back together again?>

(-movie-)
Kazuya          Can I kiss you..
Minami          Huh?
Kazuya          Minami..
Kazuya          I love you..

Kazuya kissed Minami on the forehead.

Kazuya          Tomorrow, for sure..
Kazuya          I'll win.

Y: <Gee, I didn't know it was this easy. All along, I've been unable to open
up to Hikaru  my true feelings. Maybe honesty and sincerity is the best way.>

H: <How romantic! To be loved and wanted by so many.>

(-movie- At the stadium on the day of the championship baseball game)

Minami          Kacchan, what happened..
Minami          What..  happened..
Minami          Kacchan..  Tacchan..


Y: (tear drops down his cheek) <He's dead...I can't believe it...What does it
all mean? If I thought Kazuya symbolized Hikaru,...then could it be that my
dreams are prophetic? No, it can't be. It just can't! It's me...I'm the one
endangering Hikaru by probably putting all that pressure and stress on her.
I never realized it unitl now. But what was I going to do about it?>

H: (takes out embroidered patch from pocket)<Madoka-san...I never realized
how hard it would be without you here, with you so far away in another place.
But with your gift to me today, you can still be with me in spirit. I don't
want to lose touch with you,...or Yuu-kun.>

(-movie-)
coach           It's a forfeited game..
Minami          Even if we win this game..
Minami          I can't go..  I can't go to Koushien with Kacchan.

....

Yuko            Everyone, we have to continue the game!
Yuko            In the field, Kazuya hasn't given up yet.
                He's still going for it!


H: <That Ta-chan. So much like Hino, doing the honorable thing. He and Madoka,
(glances down at patch and over at Yuusaku)...my childhood friends,...they are
so special to me. I never realized how selfish I was to have taken their
friendship for granted for all this time until now. I thought I could do it
all alone, but I would only be throwing my childhood away. No,...we can and
will always be together forever. At least we must try.>

(-end of movie-)

Y: <What a tearjerker. (slumps down in his seat) Better wait for Hikaru to
exit out first so she doesn't see me by accident.>

(10 minutes later)

Usher: Excuse me, but the movie is already over.

Y: Sorry. I'm leaving now.

(exits out to see Hikaru standing besides his motorcycle)

Y: Hikaru-chan!

H: How long were you going to make me wait huh?

Y: You knew I was in there?

H: Of course I know, you blockhead!

(momentary silence)

Y: About the things I did...I'm very sorry. I was foolish to doubt your
judgement. You probably want me to leave you alone. I understand. Let me get
out of your way. (jumps onto motorcycle and gets ready to leave)

H: Wait!

Y: (turns back) What?

H: Watching that movie has gotten me thinking about our relationship.

Y: It has? (*Gulp*)

H: Yes, and I come to this conclusion.

Y: (*cough and cough*) (meek voice) And what might that be?

H: The friendships we make, we should always try to keep, especially the ones
we cherish.

Y: Oh, so that's what you're talking about. <Whew! I thought she was going to
talk about us.>

H: And another thing.

Y: What?

H: Promise me one thing.

Y: I'll try.

H: No matter what happens now or in the future, promise me you always be my
friend.

Y: (beams) Of course! But just be your friend?

H: Yes. And only my friend. Got that?

Y: I can live with that!

H: (smiles) I bet you can. Can you do one more thing for me?

Y: Anything. What?

H: Can you attend my tryout this Sunday?

Y: Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

H: Good. Now come on stupid and take me home!

Y: Yes maam!

Part 3:

[At school...]

Ryoga: Heard it was your birthday coming up. Congratulations!

H: Thanks, but how did you know?

Ryoga: I just know. I just wanted to offer my greetings early, since I have to
participate in our inter-rival karate meet on the same day.

H: Is Yuusaku going with you?

Ryoga: Of course.  He's on the team, allbeit as an alternate. Since
he won't have much to do for us on that day, he could be our towel boy.
(breaks out in laughter)


H: Well I have class. Gotta go.

H: <Why didn't he tell me? How is he going to make it?>

(Yuusaku in calculus class. Class is yet to start. )

Y: <Let's see my schedule for this week. Attend the competition on November
15,...and see Hikaru's tryout on Sunday...Eh! They're on the same day!!!
Baka! Why didn't I check before?> Aikes!

Muroke: Now what's wrong?

Y: I made a grave miscalcuation...

Muroke: Is it those differential equations again. How many times do I have 
to tell you not to ...

Y: IT'S NOT THAT! I accidentally schedules two things on the same day this
Sunday.

Muroke: I bet I know what it is! you probably promised Hikaru you'll attend
her birthday party, but you have that karate fight to go to. Is that right?

Y: Something like that. But how did you know when Hikaru's birthday is?

Muroke: Oh,...I just looked up her record with my computer that's all.

Y: That's private information you're tampering with!

Muroke: Oops, sorry...

Y: Well, can you find when does the dance tryouts for that play is going to
start?

Muroke: Why?

Y: Well, it's the least you can do...

Muroke: Well it starts at 3pm. Oh, I know...Hiyama-san is trying out for a
part there, right?

Y: Yeah.

Muroke: Then the scheduling fine. The karate fight starts at 1pm. It
shouldn't take that long to finish.

Y: I hope you're right.

Muroke: Since you're just an alternate, why not just ask Sensei Mastsumoto
to let you leave early. I'm sure he won't mind. 

Y: That's a good idea, thanks.

(Saturday evening at the Hino home)
Ojiichan: (working in the garden) Hi Yuu-chan. You're home early today.
(*cough, cough*)

Y: Are you ok, ojiichan?

Ojiichan: Yes, I'm fine. Just my asthma acting up on me again. 

Y: Want me to get you some tea?

Ojiichan: Later, later. Tell me how it's going between that kawaii Hikaru
and you.

Y: Ojiichan!

Ojiichan: You haven't been mistreating her, have you?

Y: Of course not!

Ojiichan: Then how come I don't see her coming over at all now?

Y: Oh, we're both busy with our studies. Karate really has taken a major
portion of my free time. Why tomorrow is the major competition with a
rival high school.

Ojiichan: Is that so? In that case, it's time I get you that special
something I've been saving up.
(disappears to retrieve something)


(That very Sunday...)

(At the dojo)
10:00am

Muroke: Today is a very beautiful day today.

Y: More like a tense day to me.

Muroke: you shouldn't get too worked up. I mean, it's not like you're going
to compete. It would be rough if you did, knowing it's her birthday and her
big tryout day.

Y: (irritated) You're not making things any easier...

Muroke: I'll shut my mouth then.

11:00am

Aki: We're here!

Ryoga: Time for a short meal. Short stuff. (points to Muroke) Go get us some
grub.

(Everyone laughs except Yuusaku)

Y: Why don't you just leave him alone? He's done nothing to you.

(Everyone oohs and ahhs)

"...he challengeing you boss."

"...kick his ass first..."

"...go get him..."

Sensei: Enough!  I will not have us fighting amongst ourselves.

Muroke: Don't worry about it. I'll get our meals. I'll be glad to help out
in any way.

Sensei: Good. Now let's do some preliminary warmups.

11:30

Muroke: The food's all ready guys! I placed it on the tables in the lobby,
so dig in!

1:00 pm

(Introductions being made...)
Announcer:...High School is in competition with...

Y: Gawd this is taking so long! Hurry up!

Announcer: ...High School.

(Ceremonial bow between the teams.)

(Yuusku glances over to the right at the big behemoth across the other side.)

Y: (To Bento) Who is that? 

Bento: Shut up! Leave me alone!

Y: I just asked a simple question.

Bento: Will you stop bothering me if I tell you?

Y: Yes.

Bento: That guy is Hunada-san. He's the big gorilla on their side and their
top fighter. 

Y: But he looks like a grown man! And almost twice as big as me!

Bento: Well he was a slow learner, so they "delayed" his progress. Besides,
don't let his size intimidate you. He's only 180 cm tall.

Y: Only! That's huge! I'm lucky I don't have to be in there.

1:30 (Competition starts)

Y: (shouting) Go, go, go! I think he's going to get him.

Daisuke: Of course. Ryoga's pared up with their weakest member.

Y: That's dumb. We should save him to fight their best one.

Daisuke: Quiet fool! You're not the captain! And what do you know about
strategy?

1:45

Y: Alright! We're up 2 matches out of a best of 5. We just need to win one
more then we can leave.

Chiko: Don't be too sure. We've only just begun to face their good members.

(Secretly in the lobby)

"Have you done it?"

"Yes. I doped the meals with the formula. Soon, it will take effect."

"Good work. Here's your reward. (Hands him a packet full of white powder).
I trust you'll put it to good use."

"But of course. (evil gleam)"

2:00 (At the auditorium...)

H: (practicing and feeling a little nervous)
<I wonder if Yuusaku is coming or not. Ryoga said that if things go well, they
should be finished by now, just in time for Yuusaku to come. But things are
not so ideal. Even though he's an alternate, I have a sneaking suspicion
he'll see some action. I hope he does well when given the chance.>

2:15

Y: You guys are a bunch of flakes!

Aki: Hey! Who are you to yell at us?

Ryoga: He's right. 

Chiko: Hey, why're you're taking his side for.

Ryoga: We should have ended it in the last match.

Daisuke: (rubs head as if experiencing a headache) I sorry boss. I didn't like
myself back there. It was a close match and I...

Ryoga: We ended up on the short end of the stick. Now it's tied 2-2. That
leaves it up to Bento, our lowest ranked (3-dan) versus their ace Hunada.
That means we're gonna lose. 

Bento: Don't give up hope boss. I'll try my (*OWW!*)

Ryoga: What is it now?

Bento: (rolls over) My stomach...

Announcer: And now the last match...

Aki: Oh shit! They're going to start the last match.

Sensei: (comes over) What's wrong?

Ryoga: Bento's gotten ill all of a sudden...

Sensei: Are you faking this? Are you too cowardly to go in there?

Bento: No, it's not like that. I...(*OWW*) My stomach...that food I ate...

Referree: Hey, you! The match is about to start. Get someone in there.

Ryoga: Time -Out!

(Sensei leads Bento to the lockeroom for medical attention)

Ryoga: (picks up Muroke by the shirt collar) What the hell did you do with the
food...

Muroke: (shaking) I-I-I didn't do nothin'! I just bought the stupid food.
Blame the cook if it was bad.

Ryoga: I'll take care of you later. Hino! Get ready.

Y: Me?

Ryoga: Yes you. You're the backup, aren't ya?

(Daisuke carrying Bento back out)

Aki: How are you feeling buddy?

Bento: Worse. (*Bleah!*) (Covers mouth and rushes out)

Chiko: Well there goes our chances now. We'll have to forfeit the last match.

Ryoga: You better not lose this fight!

Y: What? You expect me to beat that giant!? It's only a match.

Ryoga: You had better not lose. There are stakes higher than this that you
failed to realize...

(Rest of the Team): DO YOUR BEST!

Announcer: And now a substituion has been made...

(In the Ring)

Referee: There is a 3 minute time limit. The one leading or the first to reach
3 points will be declared the winner. One point deduction for illegal hits.
Begin!

Y: <I must win for Hikaru! Since he's so much bigger than me, then I must
utlilize my speed advantage.>
(rushes at opponent in a zig-zag pattern, confusing Hunada. Sends a kick that
surprises and downs Hunada)

Referee: Point scored for Hino-san. Score is 1 to 0.

Daisuke: (*Cheer*) He got a cheapo point off of him.

Aki: But it looks like it got Hunada really mad!

(Hunada sends a series of 10 straight various punching moves while Yuusaku is
frantically trying to deflect the blows.)

Chiko: Oh no! Watch out for that...

(A sudden roundhouse kick from Hunada sends Yuusaku flying on his back)

Y: (puts hand to small of back) Amitaba! My back...I feel slightly
paralyzed...but must get up...

Referee: Score is now tied 1 to 1.

Y: <I must get up!> (Yuusaku staggers to his feet)

(Hunada now rushes at him like a mad bull and sends a frontal punch that sends
Yuusaku reeling out of the ring)

Y: URGH!

Aki: Wow! I never seen Hunada fight so hard before.

Daisuke: He's beating the crap out of him. Not that I mind...

Chiko: It's no use. No one can get up from that. And there's a minute and a
half left. We're losers for sure!

Score is now in favor of Hunada, 2 to 1. One minute left.

Ryoga: GET UP YOU BASTARD!

Y: (in a slightly unconscious state) (mutters) Gomen Hikaru. I can't do it
for you today, even on your birthday...I must be a loser...

Daisuke: There's only 30 seconds left!

(Yuusaku crawls back to the ring...)

Ryoga: They're ahead on the score and time is waning down. They could just
wait it out and they'll win.

(Back at the auditorium)

(While practicing, Hikaru stops in mid-routine.)

H: Hino! There's something wrong...He's in trouble...

Rival coach: Now Hunada! Finish him!

(Aki, Chiko, Daisuke): WHAT?

Chiko: 15 seconds left!

        Hikaru: (folds hand together as in prayer) <Please protect my friend>

Hunada: YOU'RE HISTORY!

Y: (with a sudden new surge of energy) No, it's you who's history! (clenches
fist) <I'm going to give it ALL-YOU-CAN!!!!>

(Yuusaku does a twirl to avoid the punch jab and crouches and then up in a
spiral motion with a -

PUNCH!

(that sends Hunada reeling and to the mat)

Referee: Time has expired. Match is tie.

Muroke: Shocking! I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it!

Ryoga: He did it after all. We didn't lose.

3:15

H: There's one more person before me. Hino is not here...something bad must
have happened to him...

(end of routine)

"Now, the final person to try out of the lead role. Hikaru Hiyama. You're up
next."

(no one appears on the stage)

"Hikaru Hiyama. It is your turn. Please proceed to the stage."

(still no one appears)

"Hikaru Hiyama. This is your last call. Hikaru Hiyama."

Director: Is there a problem? Is she here?

"Yes. I last saw her in the back room."

Director: Check if she's in the bathroom.

"No need to. There she comes out now."

(Hikaru walks onto the stage, visibily shaking and very nervous)

Director: She doesn't look right for some reason. Something is troubling
her...

H: <Well here goes! Wish me luck Madoka-san!> (rubs the patch sewn onto her
costume)

(A whizzing sounds starts to emanate in the background)

Director: What the hell is that hideous sound?

*CRASH!*

(Motorcycle blasts through the doors and enters the auditorium. We see Ryoga
riding, with someone behind him.)

Director: What the hell is the meaning of this? Get this monstrosity out of my
stage.

Ryoga: Will do. But first, let me deposit my birthday present for that special
lady on stage.

(Helps a Yuusaku in bandages to the front seats)

H: Yuusaku!

(Yuusaku makes the 'V' gesture to her)

(Hikaru nods head in agreement)

H: (much more composed now) Im. Let's begin.

(Music begins and Hikaru begins to dance. It is trully a remarkable
transformation from where she began before. But now with all her friends
around her, she is dancing with ever more flair and skill.)

(Hikaru does her final, complicated sequence. She is almost finished until she
hits a wet spot on the floor)

H: Ahh!

Y: <Don't let her fall!>

H: (regains balance) <Woah! That was close. But I was sure I lost my balance.>

(music stops)

(Hikaru rushes to Yuusaku in the front seat)

H: Yuu-kun! What happened to you?

Y: (face bandaged up like in TV Christmas episode) You mean these bandages?
They're nothing. I just got a little banged up.

H: So you did get to compete.

Y: Yes. Lucky break for me I guess. (*Ouch*!)

H: Easy.

Y: So aren't you going to ask how I did?

H: I'm afraid to ask. You, like that Ta-chan guy in the movie probably
didn't win in your first bout here. Am I right?

Y: You're only half right. Even though I didn't win, I didn't lose either.
It was a a tie.

H: I'm not sure whether to feel happy or sad for you.

Y: Neither. I'm just glad to make it through. And I'm happy that I got a
chance to see you perform. You dance divinely.

H: Oh, you're just saying that just to make me feel good.

Y: I might have in the past, but its true. Oh, before I forget, here you go.
(fishes into pocket to retrieve something...)

(Flashback)
Ojiichan: I got it. (Hands him a red strip of cloth)

Y: What is this? 

Ojiichan: This is the silk red band that was tied around you when you
were just a baby. I was saving it all these years, waiting for the right
time to give it to you. Now is the time. You can tie it around your forehead
as a headband. And it is very lucky!

(-end of flashback)

Y: I'm sorry it isn't much as a birthday present, but this is my lucky red
band from childhood. Ojiichan tells me it's a magic good-luck charm. So
that's why I want you to have it. I think I was lucky today in the circle
because of it. That is why I want you to have it. You can tie it around
Kuma-bear as a bow tie if you like.

H: Nah. I think I'll use this as a bandanna. (takes off pins holding up
her hair, releasing her long, flowing hair. Then she ties it around her
forehead)

Y: Wow, you look very attractive with long hair.

H: (looks at herself in the mirror) Feels great. (touches embroidered path
and bandanna) Now all my friends can always be close to me always!

Y: Let's go back to your parents place to celebrate everyone's good fortune,
and especially your B-day!

[End of Prelude Chapter Ju Ichi]