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 
                              P r e m i e r   F a n f i c t i o n

                                   by Robert Kwong
                                      ver 1.0
                                   Finished: June 05, 1998

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.
Book A and Book B chapters provides the events after Shin Kor I. This Book C
will bridge the gap between Shin Kor II and Shin Kor III.

HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories:
Book A and Book B and Prelude 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! I hope you enjoy reading it as I did
writing it. Thanks again.
Robert Kwong
Ark Productions -98-


Legend:
AK=Akane  Kasuga
KK=Kurumi Kasuga
MK=Manami Kasuga
KM=Koji Muroke

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


Interlude Book C: #1: Return to Heroes


Author's Note: Hi Everyone! I'm back writing the series again! Hopefully, I'll
have enough time to finish it in a timely fashion. The style of this book
would be slightly different. The initial few chapters will have the feel of
the PRELUDE chapters while the later chapters will recapture the serious
nature of HARDKOR. I will also be mixing in a few familar characters from
other series, but hopefully, it would be seemless so it doesn't affect the
overall story. Hope you have fun reading it!

And now, the story:

-Autumn 1994-

        Dear Okaasan,

        Just sending you this handwritten letter. Pretty neat huh? I just
        wanted to let you know how I am doing. I know I usually don't write at
        all, and even I feel awkward doing this since I spend most of my time
        communicating through electronic mail. But I guess it gives me a
        chance to practice my penmanship. What do you think?

        As for my summer job in Tokyo, it has been quite an experience! Things
        were very tense at the beginning. Especially with the wierd likes of
        Nagasi (She's the director) and JADE. (yes, the same one in the news)
        A deep personality conflict. Lots of personnel turnover also. Very
        bizarre. I felt sorry for Haroken-san for all the trouble he had to
        put up with. At least it wasn't all bad. I made friends with one of
        the dancers. Her name is Hikaru and she came all the way from New York
        in America. She appeared to be a well-traveled and experienced women.
        I even gave her some lessons on using the computer. (something I need
        to teach you and otousan when I get back). I think she and the Master
        had something going, but I couldn't be sure. However, thinking about
        it certainly made life at the office much more interesting. Don't
        worry; she's too old for me anyway. Too bad she had to leave
        mysteriously.

        I also met another nice girl at the office. Her name is Manami and she
        was the office assistant to Haroken-san. She's a great office
        organizer and she brews a wicked green tea! At least she was much
        nicer than her brutish sister Kurumi (I think.)

        As I am about to depart for college, I find it sad that things don't
        look too good for the play. After Hikaru left (she became the female
        lead), there has been costly delays and rewrites to the storyline all
        due to the fickle personality of Nagasi-san who is in control of
        things now. I wonder if this play would ever get off the ground. Too
        bad, because I had wanted to see it in full production before I left.
        Guess I'll never know.

        Speaking of which, I've already made all the arrangements, so don't
        you worry about it. Through #1's connections, I was able to land this
        really cheap place close to Tokyo U. I just hope it's not some dump
        with cockroaches or in some seedy neighborhood. I'll let you know once
        I get there. By the way, don't call me at my old number. I'll let you
        know the number once I move in.

        Last, #1's doing fine in his own oddball sort of way. Plus I'll meet
        up with Shijama-chan later so you can tell his okaasan not to worry.

        That's all for now.
                                                        Your Loving Son,
                                                           Muroke

"There. All finished!"

(* Knock Knock Knock *)

(#1 peers throught he door)

#1: Ready yet?

#2: Yes, just finishing up this letter to my okaasan. Just need to put the
stamp. My bags are already packed and ready to go.

#1: Jeez, why don't you just call her up and tell her directly?

#2: It's more personable writing a letter. And besides, I feel bad racking up
the long distance charges on your friend's long-distance bill.

#1: That? Don't have to worry; I'll handle him. He's a good guy about these
things. I'll talk to him later when he returns back from his trip this
afternoon.

#2: Good. Be sure to give him my deepest thanks for lending his apartment
suite for us to stay in these past few months.

#1: (indifferent) Sure. If you want to. Now let's get going now!

#2: Rogai!

[At XYZ Offices]

(*Buzz, Buzz*)

"Yes?"

"May I come in for a moment?"

"Yes, please do."

"Thank you Haroken-san."

(walks in)

(Ryusei leans back into his black executive chair)

"What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I filed away the last of the receipts and
other papers and that everything is in order."

R: I almost forgot that today is your last day, isn't it?

MK: Yes it is sir. I just wanted to let you know, on behalf of my sister
Kurumi who couldn't make it here today and me Manami, that it has been a
pleasure working for you. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. (does a
polite bow)

Ryusei: Please, Please. It should be I thanking you for your help in sorting
out the paperwork mess that Nagasi-san left behind. I commend you for that.
You will be very hard to replace. Are you sure you won't reconsider my offer
to work here part-time?

MK: Although your offer sounds very tempting, I'm afraid I have to put my
education first and work at it full-time. But I really appreciate the offer.

Ryusei: Well, at least I tried to persuade you. I don't lose too often.
Usually I can convince people to change their minds, but you have a strong
will. And I like your resoluteness. Are you going to Waseda University?

MK: Yes I am.

Ryusei: Good for you.

MK: If nothing else, I'll gather my stuff now.

Ryusei: There is one more thing. I forgot to give  you this.

(Hands her a silk envelope)

MK: What is this?

Ryusei: A little bonus of sorts, to reward your hard work.

(opens it up to find a wad of yen!)

MK: (stammers in shock) I-I-I can't take this!

R: Is something wrong? Is it too little?

MK: Nooo. Quite the contrary. It's quite excessive!

R: Come now. It's only money. Please accept it as a token of my appreciation.

MK: But...

(Ryusei rises up and firmly pushes the envelope into her hands. Finally Manami
nods in agreement)

(As she turns around to leave...)

MK: One more thing sir. Do you know if #2 will be coming in?

R: No; yesterday was his last day. Was there something you wanted to tell him?

MK: No,...not really. Thank you again.

[In the streets of Tokyo...]

#1: We're here.

#2: Thanks for the lift. Now where am I suppose to be headed towards?

(#1 points up to a 3 story wooden complex)

#2: You mean that? You've gotta be kidding!

#1: Nope. That's it.

#2: I didn't know such buildings still existed in Tokyo!

#1: It hardly does; Only a few remain. School tradition.

#2: Gawd it looks so old!

#1: Live with it. I'm going now. Ja!

#2: Hey! Wait a moment! How am I suppose to contact you? I don't even know
where you're going to live now!

#1: Don't trouble your head about it; just hit the books. If I need you, I'll
be in touch.

#2: But...

(*ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM*)

(the car races away towards Kan-etsu highway)

#2: Damn it! The nerve of that guy sometimes. Well I better go in and see how
bad it is...

[At the building complex]

(reads the lettering: Ryokurin Ryou)


KM: Name seems normal enough. I wonder if Shijama made it in already...

(enters the "lobby" and looks around)


KM: (Why is it so empty? Where is everyone?)

"Hello? Anyone in here?"

(a middle-aged woman peers out from a cubby hole)

"You're talkin' to me?"

KM: Yes, hello there! I'm renting one of the rooms here.

"Oh, another one of the boarders. I could tell from the looks of you. And
you're late!"

KM: Late? Late for what? There isn't anyone here!

"All the folks are gathered for the orientation. You better go immediately
before you miss any more. It's bad luck for a student to be late, especially
in the first year. You go now. I hold your bags in my office.

KM: (I didn't know of some orientation) But where is it?

"You do not know? Why it is at Ryokuto High right across from here.

KM: Ryo- what?

"Ryokuto High. Now get going! You're already late!"

(KM is pushed out into the street)

KM: (Ryokuto High. Strange place to be holding a rental orientation. I wonder
why they don't hold it at the place itself.)

[Back at the Twins house]

(Manami enters)

Kurumi: Hiya sis! You're back. Bring lunch?

MK: No. I guess I'll make some.

"Make enough for 2 more."

MK: Akane! You're here.

Akane: Yep. Me and my cretin brother are here.

MK: Kazuya, what are you reading?

Akane: He didn't start on his summer homework until last week and now he's
rushing to get it done.

Kazuya: Will ya all be quiet? I'm trying to work here.

Akane: S-O-R-R-Y!

Kazuya: Try not to think deep thoughts. Got it?

Kurumi: What?

Kazuya: Bingo!


[Ryokuto High School]

(#2 sneaks into the crowd)

KM: Gomen for being late. Did I miss much?

"Nah. Just the administrators going over policy."

"...we expect each one of you to do your part in making this place a clean and
healthy environment for all. This includes performing daily cleaning of the
rooms and the surrounding grounds. This lets you actively participate as one
unit to build up the spirit and cooperation of teamwork."

KM: (This seems a little odd request to make of the borders. Why the elaborate
pep talk?)

"...Be respectful to one another. Help each other out. You will be here with
each other for 4 years. Make it a pleasant experience for all. It would be a
challenge in the beginning. Towards the middle would be the grueling, toiling
years. You will need to exert your best effort just to keep up. At the end
though, it would be all worth it."

KM: (This is sounding stranger and stranger by the minute. How is he know if
we're going to stay that long?)

"...now in conclusion, we will divide each of you into your respective groups
and visit your respective rooms."

KM: (Finally about time!)

(One of the guides) "Alright everyone! Split up accordingly to the class
you're in! I'm taking count of Class D people. Class A to C is to the right of
my line. Else go towards the left sides.)

KM: Class? I didn't know that getting a room was like getting an airline seat!

"Hey, you look kind of lost. Need some help?"

KM: I don't know what "class" I'm suppose to be in.

"They didn't send you the room assignments?"

KM: Apparently not. By the way, I'm Koji Muroke.

"Please to meet you. I'm Tatsuya Youta."

KM: Hi Tatsuya-san. I am a little confused.

"About what?"

KM: I find it perplexing that they have different grades of rooms.

"Different grades? What do you mean?"

KM: I assumed that everyone would be getting the same quality room. I didn't
know that there were deluxe rooms and regular rooms. Makes me feel like living
in a hotel.

"What does the quality of the room have to do with anything?"

KM: It makes a lot of difference, in terms of studying and relaxation. You
could get one with a view or one that is too noisy and a whole lot of other
stuff.

"I suppose so. I never thought about it in those terms."

KM: At least I hope I get a nice, soft bed to sleep on.

"Beds? You won't find beds in the classroom. You must be talking about the
dorm rooms. I happen to live there as well."

KM: Classroom? So this whole orientation was about this school?

"Yes. What do you think it was?"

KM: Dorm orientation.

"Oh, so you live in the dorms too. So do I. Actually, they haven't given the
orientation yet. If we're in the same classes, maybe we can be in the same
study group there."

KM: But I don't attend this school.

"You don't? You certainly look like you can."

KM: Wait a minute. Are you saying that Ryokurin Ryou is the dormitory for the
students attending Ryokuto High?

"Yes. People tell me that it's been like that for nearly 75 years now."

KM: What? A high school boarding house!
(Oh my god! I made a big mistake! #1, I'm going to kill you!)

[During Lunch]

Kurumi: (mouth all greased over) (*puts down plate*) Mmmm! Good!

Manami: Glad you enjoyed it!

Kazuya: Yeah, much better than the food poisoning I have to gulp with my
sis's cooking.

Akane: Ignore the ignoramous monkey boy. He is representative of his species.
Speaking of which, can I count on your support in gathering up members?
Tomorrow is the big pledge drive for all the clubs on campus.

MK: For what club?

Akane: Why my Women's Libertion Club of course!

Kurumi: Do we get to beat and pound people?

Akane: Uh...maybe so. We could make you the enforcer of the club if anybody
gives us any trouble.

Kurumi: Goody! Then count me in! I'll put any troublemakers in my patented
Super Kurumi Headlock!

Akane: O - K ! How about you Manami?

MK: It sounds interesting but I...

Kazuya: She doesn't want to say it but she doesn't want to join your baka
club!

MK: Kazuya-chan!!!

Akane: Hey, is that right? I don't want to pressure you into helping your
fellow women and all so if you don't want to do it...

MK: Oh, alright! I guess I have no choice now.

Akane: (smiles) Good! Meet you two at 8:00am sharp! You can help me with the
banners and pamphlets.


[Back at Ryokurin Ryou]

(#2 angrily storms back in muttering)

KM: (I knew it was too good to be true.)

(He sees Zumi-san talking with a purpled-hair girl. Shijama sees him and
excuses himself.)

"Hi Muroke! I see you made it in! How are you doing?"

KM: Lousy. Gomen Shijama for dragging you into my mess.

Shijama: Now what are you talking about?

KM: This place. We rented the wrong place! It's for high school students!

Shijama: I know. Kisaragi-sempai was telling me just now.

KM: You do? Then why aren't you hopping mad at me?

Shijama: Why should I? We can still live here.

KM: Are you out of your mind? This is not the right school!

(purple hair girl approaches them)

"Is something the matter? You look agitated."

KM: Who are you?

"My name is Kisaragi Shun. I'm one of the coordinators in this house. Can I be
of assistance?"

KM: Yes there is a problem! Me and my friend here made a big mistake renting
from this place. We have no intention of attending the high school across the
street and would like our money back!

"Ah, I thought you looked like one of the regular high school dorm-ers but you
and your friend must be one of the 'special' group."

KM: Special group? What special group?

Shun: This house is one of the first of its kind to accomodate both the
neighboring high school occupants who want to live here and now university and
college students!

KM: A mixed environment? I never heard of such a thing! What would such a high
school of tradition do such a thing?

"You do it if that's the only way you can survive."

Shun: Suka-chan!

"Hello there. You two must be part of the new group of students coming in.
Allow me to introduce myself. Hasukawa Kazuya at your service."

(they shake hands and exhange their names)

"Please to meet you fellas. Shun and I and a couple of others are acting as
the coordinators for this house. Our jobs will be to act as the buffer between
the high school students living here and your group. We're were here during
our high school years and decided to stay on when they instituted the new
plan. So we have been on both sides of the fence. Hopefully, your experience
here is good. Welcome to Ryokurin Ryou."

Shun: That's so long to prounounce! Shouldn't we tell them to use the nickname
Gr...

"Don't mention that name! It has no meaning here anymore. (pause) I best be
going. Ja."

(hurriedly leaves)

Shijama: What's up with him? He sounded like a bored travel agent.

Shun: Oh it is something personal. But never mind him. He'll get over it. Do
you have any other questions to ask me?

MK: Yeah. I thought this was suppose to be an all-boys dorm. Why are you
living here? Are you his girlfriend?

Shun: (sigh) Here we go again. Please read this and it may explain the whole
thing.

(passes them 2 pieces of paper)

MK: (reading) I know it seems that I appear to be a girl...

Shijama:...but I am really a boy instead. I know that it is hard to believe...

MK: ...because of my long hair and high-pitched voice...

Shijama: ...but trust me, I'm am all male on the inside.

MK: But please do not make me prove it...

Shijama: ...for it can be quite embarrassing.

MK: ...thank you for your understanding.

Shun: (collects the paper) Thank god we got that out of the way. You don't
know how many times I have to explain my condition to everyone here.

MK: But I...

Shun: If you guys got your bags ready, I can show you to your rooms.

[Back to the penthouse apartment]

(A women wearing a straw hat and wearing a lei and carrying several bags
storms into the apartment.)

(#1 is sitting peacefully on the couch with his feet up on the table)

#1: Oh hello Kaori! I see that you made it back safe and sound.

"Where the hell were you!?! You were suppose to pick me up at the airport!"

#1: I wanted to, but I had to send off #2 to his new boarding place. And you
know how long the drive to Narita is. I didn't want to get stuck in traffic
going against the traffic. make you wait and worry.

(mockingly) "Oh, how considerate of you! But I did wait. Took me 4 hectic
hours to get here. And you know how expensive the cab fare is!"

#1: Still your our old whining self.


Kaori: Whine? Who are you calling a whiner? I don't whine. Not a bit. Not in
the least bit.

#1: Yes, yes. Whatever you say. So did you enjoy your trip to Hawaii?

Kaori: It should be I asking you what you did when I was away you lecherous
boy.

#1: You know I was a good boy this time; I had work to do, being part-time
babysitter.

Kaori: That's right! Can't ruin that innocent boy by bringing over all that
bawdy women you know.

#1: He'll be ruined soon enough by the looney house he's in now.

Kaori: What did you do to that poor boy?

#1: (flashes a devilish grin) I sent him to a house of wackos!

[Back at dorm house]

(In a very crowded room on the third floor of about 100 people)

"Welcome to Ryokurin Ryou boarding house.  My name is Kisaragi Shun. I will
present our little orientation about this house. We are known as the 'gold'
group of tenants here. The whole third floor will be your domain. The other
two floors will still cater to the students of the high school of which this
house was originally built for. But as a result of changing times, this house
has finally relaxed its regualations and have started and will continue to
open its doors for continuing lowerclassman, including college and university
attendees. We hope this environment would be enriching for both sides. I
myself and my roommate and fellow coordinator, Hasukawa Kazuya can speak from
experience since we have been boarding here since high school. Because we are
sharing the facilities together among a diverse range of students, there are
certain rules to be followed. Because this was orginally an all-boys dorm, we
do not allow any females to stay overnight. Also, in keeping with the policy,
only upperclass males will be allowed a chance to board in this house. But I'm
sure you are know that already. A strict curfew will still be enforced for the
lowerclassmen, but it will be slightly relaxed for us "gold" tenants because
of our senority and demands of our studies. Make sure you all are back in the
dorms by 1am, for that's how long our fore-basaan is willing to stay up before
she closes the gate. Other than that, there is no other strict regulations
other than to be courteous to one another and get a chance to know each other.
And what better way than to have lunch together! We will be holding an
informal buffet downstairs in the courtyard!


(Upon the mention of "buffet", everyone races out of that tiny room downstairs
towards the free food!)

(As the crowd quickly empties out, Shun takes a chance to stop by Room 204
where she sees Haskuawa staring blindly into a TV and operating a console
control)

"Suka-chan! Lunch is ready! Please come join everyone."

"Not now Shun. I'm in a middle of a fight with Locke. And I'm not hungry."

Shun: (Gosh Suka-chan. Why have you been so distant? Stop beating yourself
up.)


[Back to the penthouse apartment]

"I'm bushed!"

#1: You still haven't told me how your trip went.

"Hawaii was nice, but it was a business trip. I didn't have much time to have
fun. Around the clock survelliance is hard work! "

#1: I bet you did some survelliance alright, surveying and scoping out all 
the oiled, tanned muscle-bound adonis at the beaches.

Kaori: You wish! Mostly old sagging skin elder folks baring all to whom would
dare see. No, I did not engage in voyeuring, like you would. 

#1: So you didn't do anything at all while in Hawaii? What a waste

Kaori: Hey, I did have lots of time to work on my tan. 

#1: Next time, I'll show you how to have a good time.

Kaori: You mean me watching you have a good time. But enough about me.
So what did happen when I was gone?

#1: You wouldn't believe it. Loads of crap that me and #2...I mean Muroke that
we had to go through. Idiotic people and situations we had manuever around.

Kaori: So it was your typical Ryo situation.

#1: Yep. Too bad I attract that type of stuff.

Kaori: That's not the only thing you attract.

#1: Jealous still?

Kaori: As always and more so. I'm keeping an eye on you from now on since I'm
back.

#1: We're see.


[In the courtyard where there are tables with food on it]

(Muroke is sampling some of the suishi when he notices someone familiar out in
the streets)

(as he approaches the 2 figures, they both jump back in shock)

"WWHATT!! IT'S YOU"

Muroke: What the hell are you two doing here!?

"I as about to ask you the same thing. I almost didn't recognize you without
your sunglasses. Where the hell is the other guy?"

Muroke: You mean #1? I dunno. I'm not working for Haroken-san anymore.

"Who cares. Why are you bothering us for?"

Muroke: What are you guys doing in the middle of the street Mr...ummm...what
was your names again....

"You don't recoginize hentai's finest manga artist?"

Muroke: Hentai...Hentai....Hentai...Ah! You must be Hentai Hatta!

"Ping-Pong."


Muroke: And you must be Komatsu-san, his manager.

"That's right kid. You're not so dumb after all."

Muroke: Look whose talking. You're the ones standing alone here. You could get
hit by a car.

Komatsu: No way. Besides. We doing research.

Muroke: Research?

Hatta: Yeah man. For my new manga, 'Yurushite Agerie'.


Komatsu: We heard a hot tip that this place is where the 'Touch and Go' event
occurs.

Muroke: Touch and Go?

Komatsu: Maybe you're that dumb after all. Humph! It a ritual where the local
junior high school girls go and run past the males and touch them as they
race past them.

Hatta: Oh how wonderful it would be to be touched by a bunch of junior high
girls.

Komatsu: (starts to hug himself) Oh I know what you mean! All touchy touchy
feelie feelie!

Hatta: (licking his lips) I can't wait!

(voices from the other side of the buffet)

"Hey look over there! Is that who I think it is?"

"Hmm, he sure looks like that artist..."

"Yeah, I've seem some snippets in Jumbo Comics. That must beu Hatta Kazuya."

"I think it is him! Look at the way he wears his glasses."

"I've read all his hentai comics!"

"You think he'll sign autographs?"

"Yeah; maybe he'll draw some h-stuff for us."

"Wow! He's here? Let's go get him!"

Komatsu: (looking worried at the crowd of adolescent boys converging on them)
Uh oh.

Hatta: What is it? The girls are close by?

Komatsu: No! Worst! A mob of horny fanboys wanting to get your autograph. And
they're coming our way fast. Let's make a run for it!

Hatta: Damn it! I was hoping that a mob of girls would swarm by, but instead 
I'm running away from a mob of males!

[Back to the apartments]

#1: I'm back with the takeout. Done unpacking?

Kaori: Just about. You two made a mess of things here! And what did you do 
to the bathroom!? It makes me sick to think about it. (shudders)

#1: Pipe down and eat. You must be starving.

Kaori: I'm ok. I had something to eat while flying JAL. Speaking of which,
they showed a pretty funny movie during the flight; you would like it: 
Pulp Fiction.
//JAL=Japanese Airlines

#1: (munches on some takoyaki) Uh huh. What's it about?

Kaori: Oh, someone similar to you. A day into the life of a hitman. Some other  
bizarre things happen in the movie. You got to see it to trully understand
it. And John Travolta is sooo sexy.

#1: You're boring me with your idol talk. If you're not that hungry, why not
fill me in on some of the details you've found out already.

Kaori: Fine. You were never the patient one. Let's see...where should I begin.

#1: Try the beginning.

Kaori: Well, for startes, the guy I was tracking works for Yamazumi Kenetsu
Constructions. Seems to be an ordinary construction worker, but has had an 
inordinate amount of visits to the main administration building. Went to
the harbor to track the tankers of Kobayashi Shipping. Nothing was fishy
the first few months. But in the last month, on a weekly basis, there is a
discrepancy with the ship that was logged in and the actual ship in the
harbor. Making it more interesting is the fact that I saw him enter one of
Kobayashi's offices in my last week. I got some more stuff, but that's
dull technical stuff for you to delve into.

#1: Good girl. Sounds like you did a thorough job as usual. 


[Back to the boarding house]

Muroke: (narration) After everything settled down, everyone return back to
unpack their bags and rest after a long day. For me, I instead went along
with Shijama to attend a pre-orientation session at Tokyo University of
which both of us were attending. Shijama was my best friend from high school
back in Otaru, Hokkaido. Before that, I moved out of Hokkaido just after
my gradation to get a head start for college. Of course, I graduated early
the previous fall, so I was able to work a long while with Haroken-san, my
boss. Through #1's help, I was able to find this "cheap" alternative. I 
could have lived in the dormitory and nearby houses, but the pricing for 
those couldn't match the deal for the rooms here. Although I knew it was
too good to be true and that there had to be some strings attached. At least
I hoped my roommate was not some crazy person from hell.

(Muroke entering Room 312 with his bags in hand)

(He sees a person there already putting something together.)

Muroke: Hello there. 

(turns around) Oh hi there. You must be my roommate. My n-ame is Taku. 
Taku Morisaki.

Muroke: Koji Muroke here. Please to meet you.

Taku: I wasn' sure if you'r  going to show up so I took the liberty of 
unpacking some of my stuff'.

Muroke: No problem. I'm pretty late in getting here.

Taku: Before you do anything else, let get the sleeping arrangements settled.
Which part of the bunkbed do you want? Top or bottom'?

Muroke: Really doesn't matter to me.

Taku: You mind if I take the top then/

Muroke: No, go right ahead.

Taku: Thanks.

Muroke: What are you doing right now?

Taku: Just puttin' togther this telescope here. Is it ok for you?

Muroke: Sure, sure. Listen, I'm going to see how my friend is doing, so do 
you mind watching my stuff before I come back?

Taku: Sure thing. Don't forget your room key. (flips it to him)

Muroke: Got it. Thanks! See you later.


(pops over to room 304)

Muroke: Hey Shijama-kun. 

Shijama: Hey come in! 

Muroke: You're roommate didn't come in yet?

Shijama: Nope. Why are you hanging out here for? Don't you need to unpack?

Muroke: I do, but my roomie is installing something, so I didn't want to
bother him. So how do you like Tokyo so far?

Shijama: Well, it's certainy big and metropolitan. Not like we're used to
back in Hokkaido. 

Muroke: Don't be spooked by it! You're get use to it. I know I did.

Shijama: Lucky for you that you had a head start.

Muroke: (low whisper) So...? Did you bring the formula with you?

Shijama: You mean that?

Muroke: Yes, that.

Shijama: I did, but I made only a small batch because it is so volatile. I'll
need access to the chemist laboratoris to grow more of it.

Muroke: Ok. I better go and let you finish unpacking. See ya.


[Later that night...]

(everyone is sleeping. Shijama is alone in his room, his roommate apparently
a no-show) 

In the midst of the darkness, the door to 304 slowly creaks open to reveal...

Shijama: (half-asleep & opening his eyes) What? Ah!!! A GHOST!


[End of chapter 1]

------------
Explanation:
------------

Ryokurin Ryou: Name of the dorm/boarding house

Tatsuya Youta- High school student at Ryokuto High and living in the dorms.

Zumi Shijama- high school buddy of Koji Muroke back in Hokkaido who is now
attending Tokyo University. (Prelude Series)

Koji Muroke: Otherwise known as #2 in the Book A and Book B series of HARD
KOR. Also makes an appearance in Prelude.