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 P r e m i e r F a n f i c t i o n by Robert Kwong ver 1.0 Completed December 12, 1997 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 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. 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 on the web! 23000 visitors can't be wrong! I am just grateful that I have an audience to write for. It just goes to show you how entensible and how endearing the story of KOR is and the lasting impact it has. I just hope that I managed to capture that special "essence" which pervades KOR as I narrate the turn of events in their lives. Hope you appreciate my efforts and happy reading! Robert Kwong Ark Productions -97- Legend: H=Hikaru Hiyami Y=Hino, Yuusaku <> Indicates characters thinking to themselves (**) Denotes action [] Denotes change of events or next scene Prelude - Chapter NiJuSan (23) Disillusionment [At the chemistry lab near dusk] (2 flashlights moving to and fro in the dark) "Are you sure it's safe to come at this time?" "Of course. I know his habits. He doesn't work past 7:00pm. He's very punctual about these things. But what do you need to have access to the chem lab for?" "I need to pick up a few, select chemicals to mix up a wicked mixture." "Gee, to think that I thought you were just a big bully. Didn't know you were a chemist." "I'm not. Just in my line of work, you learn about these things." "What's that noise?" "Someone's coming. Quick! Turn off your flashlight!" (As door opens, ...) (*CLANK!*) (Sound of flashlight dropping to the floor.) "Ooops!" "Who's there?" (light switch on and whole room illuminates) "What the hell are you doing here! And who's he?" "I can explain everything Shijama." Shijama: You met you will. I'm glad I came back for my coat. Otherwise, I wouldn't have caught you two trying to steal my secrets! "Secrets? Ha! Don't think too highly of yourself." Shijama: Interesting new friend you made over there. Seems to have an attitude. "He's not my friend. I mean I'm helping him out." Shijama: What? You don't make any sense. "(*Sigh*) I guess I have to let you in on it too. Sit down. It will take a lot of explaining to do." [At Yuusaku's house] Y: Ojiisan! You're shouldn't be up! You haven't feeling well this past week. //note that this is yuusaku's grandfather now and not Kyosuke! Ojiisan: I've slept for nearly three days now. Too much sleep and too little air not good. Y: I've sorry for going off on the trip and leaving you here to suffer. OJiisan: Silly boy! What are you saying? You can't throw away living your life living for me. I can live and die on my own. Y: I'm sorry if I offended you. But you shouldn't talk about death so casually. Ojiisan: I'm old. Old people die. That's the facts of life. You. You're still young. You have your life to look forward to. Y: Please don't say that! You're only 71. There's a lot still you can do. Ojiisan: (gentle chuckle) And you just turned 18. How was your birthday? Y: It was the same as any other birthday. Sorry I couldn't spend it with you all. Ojiisan: Ha ha ha. Don't be sorry. We old people probably wouldn't be the right company for you. Did you celebrate with Hikaru during the trip instead? Y: Yes, kind of. Ojiisan: Did you do C? //A=Kissing, B=Petting, C=Sex, D=Pregnant! Y: Ojiisan! How can you have such a dirty mind? Ojiisan: Too bad. I guess you didn't. No fireworks on your ascent to manhood. Y: Ojiisan!?! Ojiisan: Then how was she in the play then? You did go see her? Y: Of course! And I tell you she was great! Dyanamite! I wish you could have attended. Ojiisan: I would have liked to see her too. But I'm afraid she might have excited me too much with her performance. Blame this old heart of mine for acting up again... Y: I shouldn't have gone on the trip if I knew you were in this condition... Ojiisan: No, no. Please don't say that. I would only feel bad if you didn't go. You can only have one senior trip. Once you miss it, you cannot make up. Y: Ojiisan. Ojiisan: Yes? Y: Can I ask you something about women? Ojiisan: (laughs) I guess that explains why you can't do C. So you having problems with the ladies again. Y: Kind of. I very confused by their behavior. First they act like they want nothing to do with you and later they act like they need you. Do you know why they act this way? Ojiisan: If I knew the answer, I would be a very rich man. No, it will be a natural mystery of women we men will never figure out. Y: Then what's the point? It's so frustrating to be a man! Ojiisan: That is our lot in life. But we have to be understanding to her needs despite their whimisical nature. Be honest with her. Honor your commitments. We need to be the constant they can reference from. Y: You mean we should follow through on all of our promises? Ojiisan: Yes. A man has his honor to abide by. Y: But we can get confused sometimes trying to understand the mixed signals they send out. Ojiisan: Oh, but that is the challenge! Try to be more udnerstanding. They may not act it, but they mean well. (*cough cough cough*) Y: Are you ok? Ojiisan: I'll be fine. (starts to lightly tap against his chest) Just my body reminding me that I need rest. I go retire now. Y: Good nite grandpa! Thanks for your midnight advice. [After Judo class] (Yuusaku approaches the remnants of Ryoga's gang) Aki: Hey man what are you doing here? Y: Does the offer still hold? Chiko: What offer? Y: Offer to be the leader. Daisuke: You mean you changed your mind? Y: After much thought, yes. I don't know why you guys want me as your leader, but it's up to you. Otherwise, I walk. Aki: Hey, hey. Don't be hasty! 'Course the offer still stands, right "Bento"? Bento: (grudgingly grumbles) Yeah, it does. Daisuke: Great! Y: I gotta warn you; I know nothing about being the head of a group. Bento: Don't make it sound so sissyish; you're a gang leader now! Don't worry my man! I'll show you everything I know. Daisuke: (under his breath) That will take 10 minutes. Bento: (*sneers*) What did you say? Daisuke: Nothin. Besides, it doesn't matter what you think. He's the new leader now. (points to Yuusaku) Aki: Yeah. I think it's time we celebrate! Let's go to Yoshida's! Y: (rolls his eyes) [At the dance studio] H: Thank you sensei for all the information about New York. Director: I'm happy to help you. But I'm curious. Why are you so interested all of a sudden. H: I've decided. Director: Decided? H: Yes. About a week ago, I was unsure the direction I wanted to take with my life. Now, I have no doubt now. I'm going to study dance in New York. Director: That's a mighty bold decision at this time. Have you trully thought it through? There's always college and there are good dance schools in Tokyo... H: No sensei. I don't feel like attending dance schools in Tokyo. To be perfectly blunt with you, it simply does not have the tradition and the prestige like New York does. If you want to strive to be the best, you need to go to the best place. And that place is NY. Director: I see that you thought it through already, so no use in trying to dissuade or encourage you. What am I saying, I did the same exact thing you did when I was in my 20's! And I don't regret my decision one bit. May you feel the same way about your decision. H: Thank you sensei. I'm glad to have your support. Director: Tell you what. Since you are so resolute and determined, I'll give a call to a couple of old friends in the big Apple and see if I can pull some arrangements for you. You just can't go there without any planning! H: You're so right. I really appreciate your help. Director: Don't mention it; it's the least I can do for my star! [At Yoshida's...] (Everyone is at the usual spot, but now Yuusaku occupies the head position at the table) Aki: 3 cheers for our new leader! "HERE HERE!" (*KUMPAI*) Chiko: With you on our side, there's no way we're lose the tournament! Daisuke: Yep! You're be able to face up against Ishiazaki's top goon. Bento: To the tournament! (*KUMPAI*) Y: Hey guys! Don't be too enthused! I can't go! "WHAT?!" Y: That's right. Haven't you been wondering why I haven't been attending Judo class? Eto: Yes, it does seem a little odd... Aki: We thought you were so good that you didn't need to go. Y: No; that's not the reason. It's because of my bum right arm which I injured in saving your butts against Toro. Sensei said it irreparablly damaged and that I can't the All-City finals! (*GROAN!*) Bento: Now we're lose for sure! Daisuke: Yeah, what are we going to do? Y: Now wait just a moment! I hope you guys weren't depending on me to win the tournament for you! Chiko: Umm...yes we were! Y: So is that all you wanted me to be leader for? To win your stinking tournament for you. Aki: That's part of it. But there's higher stakes. If we lose, we lose our "territory" in this area. Y: What do you mean? Aki: Under Ryoga's direction, we were able to wrest control of this downtown area from the Ishizaki gang. This place used to be more screwed up than it is now. Prostitutes roaming the streets, junkies smoking their stash in the alleys and that sort. Y: So you guys weren't the ones pushing the drugs! Eto: 'course not! We may be arrogant bullies, but we're not dope pushers! We may abuse our power, but we're not going to corrupt people's lives. Y: Ok, I get the picture. But I still don't understand about the significance of the tournament. Daisuke: It's an unwritten code we follow: both sides agree that whoever wins the tournament will gain control of this area. We won last year under the guidance of Ryoga, so that's why they don't bother us on this turf. But now we're doomed for this year! (Wails and moans of despair) Y: Now come on! You haven't even stepped into the circle and you all are already admitting defeat. You cannot base your hopes on just one person! We're a team! We got 5 perfectly healthy bodies who can participate in the tournament. Give yourselves some credit. I saw how you did at the last tournament. You are good. Don't let the other side intimidate you. Aki: That's right! We should have a little more pride in ourselves. Bento: Yeah. I hate to admit it, but he's right. We need to be a team. Eto: Let's do our salute for inspiration! Y: Salute? Aki: Our special gesture for our gang. It's easy to learn. Just follow this gesture. They all yell (*GO SAKURAI!*) [At the Hiyama house] "Hikaru. How was school?" H: Fine mama. Mama: Good news. Me called around and got you enrolled in 2 of finest cram schools. First cram school begin in early summer in Hokkaido and second one in Osaka afterwards. Once you done, you can begin taking entrance exams in Tokyo and... H: Mama! There's something I need to tell you. Mama: What is it dear? H: (lets a deep breath) I'm not going to cram school. Mama: You not going to cram school? How can you pass tests for college if you don't go to cram school? H: That's because I'm not going to college. Mama: You're not? I don't know why you don't want to go to college unless...Hikaru. You're not...(points to her stomach) H: (gives her a wide-eye look) Noooo Mama! You got the wrong idea! I'm not D! Mama: Thank god! But if not that then what? H: That is because I'm going abroad to learn dance. Mama: Dance? H: Yes. Dancing. Like ballet but more modern. (period of silence) H: So Mama. What do you think? Mama: How can dancing earn you good money? H: It's not about the money. It's about doing something that I love and enjoy. Mama: I don't like it! You should study, not play! H: It's not playing! It's a profession just like any other job! Mama: It is playing to me! Moving your body no good for future. Using your mind instead. Too much fun you want! H: I just want to do what I feel is right for my future. And I believe New York is the right place for me to study. Mama: You go to New York? In America? Noooo! Very bad! H: I don't see what's wrong with that! Mama: Go away from mother country is bad. Go to US is worse. Too many guns. People too racial. Look down on us. Don't be bad girl Hikaru. I forbid you to go! H: Mama! You're not being fair! Can't you understand? This is my dream! Mama: Then get bad dream out. No go. H: But.... Mama: No more from you. Go to room and think what I said. Get some sense into head. H: (muttering up the stairs) It's no fair! [At Toro Ishizaki's secret hideout] (Toro is sitting at the head of the table) (Three people enter) Toro: Yes? "We have news to report!" Toro: Go in order then. Underling A: I've been tailing the Sakurai gang like you wanted. It's true. The new transfer kid is the new leader. Toro: Just as I suspected. We will deal with him and his sorry band soon. Next. Underling B: The bikes has been acting strangely. I'm going to bring them in for a checkup. Toro: Good precaution. Make sure the bikes are running fine by the tournament. I have a special arrangent planned for my coronation. You, last go. Underling C: I've met secretly with our big buyer, nicknamed Ark Angel. Everything is planned. Once we go pick up the latest stash, we'll meet him at this location to make the money exchange. Toro: Excellent! Everything is going according to as planned. In a matter of days, I will be the master of this town! [At Muroke's place] Y: Hey Koji-chan! Thanks for letting me over at your house. Nice place you here. Muroke: Thank you. I'm glad you like the decor. We are really going to prepare for the tournament. You know it's less than a week away! Y: I told you already that I'm in no condition for the tournament. Muroke: Don't worry; there's no physical workout. Just mental. Y: What do you got there? Muroke: The tapes to all 3 Karate Kids! We're going to train in my specialty: the brain! Y: I don't see how this is going to help at all... Muroke: Of course it will! Not only do you have the capability to subdue your opponent, you need to outsmart him! Y: But I'm not going to the tournament! Muroke: I know. But just in case. Like they say in baseball, "It ain't over till it's over." Y: Oh brother! Muroke: I need to rewind these tapes. Let me put on some music. (Phil Collins "Against All Odds.") Y: You listen to American music? Muroke: I only follow some. Doesn't everyone? My favorite groups are Genesis and REM But enough about this. How was your trip? Y: It was rough going in the beginning but near the end it was fine. By the way, thanks for lending me the money to go on the trip. You've been a real pal. I promise that I'll pay you back the money. Muroke: Ah, you don't have to worry about that; it wasn't my money anyway. Y: It wasn't? Where did you get it? Muroke: Whoops! Y: Well? Who is it? Muroke: From..., from some guys. Y: Some guys? Which guys? Muroke: Ummm...I'm not suppose to tell you about that. It must have slipped out. Y: Well, you can tell me now. Muroke: But... Y: No buts! Come on. If you're my friend, you're tell me the truth. Muroke: Ah come on. It's no big deal. Does it matter who gave me the money? Y: Yes it does! So tell me. Muroke: Well, it came from those guys in judo class. The ones that were in Kinsu's gang. Y: Them? Why... Muroke: I guess they felt bad about your injury so they chipped in for your trip. Y: They did? Muroke: You're not angry? Y: No, of course not. I didn't realize that had it in them. I guess I was wrong about them after all. Although they still need a firm hand to guide them into the right direction. Muroke: What are you talking about? Y: Oh nothing. Is those videos ready yet? Muroke: Yeah! Let's watch and learn from Sensei Morita! [At the garage] "Hey Kao!" "Yeah boss?" "More bikes breaking down this week. Gotta couple more in today that needs looking at. Think you can handle it?" "Sure boss. But fixing them is another thing." "Well, I reckon they're have to wait. Do the best that you can. I going off now. You take care of the shop." "Hai boss! Go on. I handle it from here." (drives off in his white Daihatsu truck) (some moments later, another fancy vehicle drives up) (A tinted glass window rolls down) (We see sharply dressed man with a goatie and slicked back hair and gold jewelry all around his look peer out at the garage through his sunglasses) "Hey buddy! What's the problem? Need some work on your car? Or are you lost?" "No! Just looking around for some friends." (fancy car skids off) "Strange people popping up these days. And he left mud stain tracks behind. I wonder if it's similar to the sample I got..." [At the school laboratory] (We see Muroke and Shijama there now examing something through the microscope) Muroke: Find anything yet? Shijama: I didn't agree to be your forensics expert! Muroke: Come on! We need all the clues we can get! Shijama: It takes time to identify these soil samples. I need to do some more research to find out what region it possibly came from. Hold off that pesky shrew of yours! Muroke: She's not a shrew! Shijama: I knew you had something for her from the very start. But she had us all fooled. Muroke: But now you know what's really going on. Aren't you glad. Shijama: No. I was better being mad at you! Now I have to waste precious research time to perform this trivial analysis. Muroke: But the cause is just, isn't it? Shijama: Yes, I guess you can say so.Still, I feel there's something fishy about the whole situation. Muroke: You worry too much. Don't be that paranoid. Shijama: Don't say I didn't tell you so! [Next Day at Hiyama House] Mama: Hikaru! Come down now and meet our guest! H: No mama! I won't! Mama: Be a good girl and come. I order you! H: (grits her teeth and growls before marching downstairs. As she peers out below to see who it is, one word elapses from her lips: Yuu-kun...) Y: (huffing and puffing) Hiyama-kaasan. I came here as soon as I could. What's the emergency? Mama: Oh, the pain I go through as her mother. Little Yuu-chan, you are old friend. Please talk sense to her! Y: What do you mean? H: Mama! Don't involve Yuusaku in this! Mama: If you act like a baby, I bring in person to talk common sense. Y: Please calm down maam. I don't think yelling will get us anywhere. Mama: You're a good boy Yuu-chan. Too bad my daughter turn blind eye to you. Now she want to abandon whole family! Y: Honto? H: Mama! Mama: (sympathetic tone) Yes. She wants to leave her motherland to go to bad place. N-e-w Y-o-r-k C-i-t-y. Dirty, bad danger place. H: You're distorting the facts! How can you do this? Trying to pin Yuusaku against me? Mama: Tell her she being foolish. She making wrong choice. That she stay here and go to college. You her friend. Tell her. Y: But why does she want to go to New York anyway? Mama: go do silly dancing. Not good for her. You don't want her to leave here, do you? You won't see her if she go. Want her to stay close and near. Ne? Y: Yeah, of course, but... Mama: No more but! Tell her she wrong! Beg her to stay! Y: I would like to but how can I tell her to stay when I think she should go. Mama and Hikaru: Ne?!? Y: Yes, even though I would want her to stay near here, it's not my decision but hers. I know she would be very unhappy if she didn't pursue her true desire. Mrs Hiyama-san, I'm no expert but I think your daughter is a beautiful dancer with great potential. I think you should have seen that with your own eyes when she gave out that dazzling, showstopping performance at the play. I admire a person who has the guts to go out in the big, wide world and explore fully where this talent of hers will take her. Though it would be convenient for us if she didn't go, she has to decide what is the best opportunity for her. She's entering the first stages of adulthood now and should be treaed like one. Mama: Yuu-chan! I am shocked at you! You know America dangerous place to go to. Y: Yes, but New York is the perfect and only place where she can go to fulfill her dream. Yes, I know that it is a dangerous place to live in, but I think you raised your daughter to be tough enough to brave the dangers there. That is why I can't honestly tell her not to go. So please rethink the situation over. I wouldn't want to be the person who destroys her new-found dream. I think I said too much already. I better be going now. Bye! (runs out the door) [End of chapter]