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 Oct 21, 1999

Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by
the venerable Matsumoto Izumi.

As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure Orange
Orange Road Series. This is the 4th book in my fanfiction series. The timeline
for this occurs after ShinKOR II novel and covers some details in Shin Kor III
and beyond.

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.geocities.com/Tokyo/2143/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! (40000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did
writing it. Thanks again.
Robert Kwong
Ark Productions -99-

Legend:
H = Hikaru Hiyama
M = Ayukawa Madoka
R = Ryusei Haroken
K = Kasuga Kyosuke

Akane = Akane Kasuga
Kurumi = Kurumi Kasuga
Manami = Manami Kasuga
Muroke = Koji Muroke
Shijama = Shijama Zumi
Taku = Taku Morisaki
Shinohara = Shinohara Asuma
Shun = Shun Kisaragi
Hasegawa = Hasegawa Kazuya
Tasuya = Tasuya Youta

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

Book D: Chapter 8: Prelude to Reckoning

[Outside the Shin ABCB]

Akane: Hey buster! (points to Shinohara)

Shinohara: (He looks up from his bike) Yeah? What?

Akane: You lucky bastard! You won this round of the competiton!

Shinohara: So ka? As I expected. So we are even now.

Akane: Let's end this petty affair once and for all. The final challenge to
decide everything!

Shinohara: Fine by me. Your pick.

Akane: The last challenge is the all-city motorcycle race. Winner takes all.

Shinohara: Agreed. We shall see who is the best gender yet!

Manami: Wow, I never saw such fire from Akane before.

Kurumi: Yeah Akane. You really told him off.

Akane: I just gotta do what a woman's got to do.

(as the girls storm off, Akane turns her head and looks back towards Shun)

Akane:

[The next day]

[At the Ayukawa mansion]

Spooky voice: "Madoka...Madoka...Why have you forsaken me?"

Madoka: SYUJIROU? Is that you? Are you a ghost trying to contact me? Please.
Where are you?

"I am all around you. I have been always with you in your memories. Search
your heart. That is where you will find me.

Madoka: Why have you chosen to contact me now? Why don't you rest your spirit?

"I am all alone. I need you by my side. Please come with me. Join me in my
realm."

Madoka: (stammers) I-I-I don't know if I can do that. I am in love with
another now.

"You cannot forget your first true love. You know you can't marry him as long
as I am lurking here."

Madoka: What are you saying? You are on the other side now! I can't even see
you!

"If you want to find me, you know where to look. Look closely...very
closely...

(We see a man, whose face is darkened, carrying a package and approaching
Madoka. And on it are the words "Yamazumi Kensetsu.")

Madoka suddenly wakes up!

Madoka: Yamazumi Ken-set-su.

[At Tokyo university]

Muroke: Why are you so bummed out today? We won the competition, right?

Taku Morisaki: I wonder if the price of victory was too high. I was dumped by
Rikakko.

Muroke: You mean that girl you were looking for all along? No way! But why?

Taku: It was all due to her Tokyo pride. She told me she couldn't go on seeing
me as long as I was in league with such a despicable misogynist as
Shinohara-san. I told her it was just a competition and nothing more, but she
wouldn't hear of it. She said that she was a loyal member of the group and it
would betray the trust of her fellow "sisters" by continuing to see me. So she
said that was that and she hung up.

Muroke: Man, that's rough. We talk more about this when I get back. In the
meantime, I have an appointment to keep!

[At XYZ Studios]

Nagasi: Here's your coffee, extra black with no sugar, just the way you like
it. You sure look like you need it. You look simply terrible!

Ryusei: For your information, I stayed up the whole night. As such, in my
present condition, I can be quite irritable and highly irrational.

Nagasi: Well, Excuuuseee me! I was about to suggest a massage and facial but
forget it! I know when I'm not appreciated. (turns her head) Lookee here. My
loverboy is back. Hi Syu-ji-rou!

(In enters Syujirou Mishima, who waves at Nagasi)

Mishima: You require my presence?

Ryusei: Yes, I do. I was looking for you. Excuse me for the other
day. There's a lot we need to catch up on. Leave us now Nagasi. We have
business to discuss.

[Kyosuke leaving for the Cable 12 station]

Kyosuke: Are you sure it's alright that I leave Madoka here with you guys?

Ojiichan: Ho, ho ho! You worry way too much grandson. You need to loosen up.
You're only young once.

Kyosuke: Well ok then. Tell Madoka when she wakes up that I'll be back soon.

Ojiichan: Ah hoi, hoi. We'll take care of the pretty angel for you.

[Hikaru in Hokkaido]

My plane touch down softly back amid the grassy surroundings of my beloved
homeland of Japan. As I exited the plane and breathed in the air, I felt a
certain surge of energy in my body, as if I was being renewed again. Yes, it
was great to be back on my old stomping grounds.

I chose this time to visit my parents in Hokkaido. I wasn't sure if I wanted
to go down to Tokyo to meet up with Madoka and Kyosuke. This was suppose to be
a relaxation retreat for me. I mean, it would be fun being with them. But I
wouldn't necessary get any rest at all. And they would be back to New York to
see me perform. After their wedding.

Madoka-san had written me email before that they were planning their nuptials
sometime in May, which was a wedding month. After she graduated from Waseda
with her Master's degree in the fine arts. I quickly congratulated her on her
good fortune. I was glad for both of them for finally deciding to tie the
knot. They were meant for each other. At least that's what I told myself
everytime my feeling for Kyosuke would creep up.

You might ask why I was still hung up on Kyosuke. Why I don't just get over
him and get on with my life. I have in some ways. I acknowledged our breakup
that fateful night. I kept my feelings for him bottled up and controlled. But
you can't just forget your first love overnight. But a part of me always would
yearn for him.

Sometimes, that part of me would manifest itself during critical situations.
Like the time he and I were all alone in the hotel. Or when I was kidnapped
and I had no-one to turn to. It was in those desperate situations that I would
think of him to come and save me. He was the closest living male friend I
knew.

But no more. With their marriage, I could finally close that chapter of us
together forever. I would be able to dance more confidently having that
closure. Then I can go on to bigger and better things.

Although I could not attend the wedding in person, because of my dance
schedule, and because I didn't want to cause a scene should I do something
rash, I instead got the bride and groom a gift. Courtesy of my encounter with
Miss Vera Wang. (taps the hatbox beside her inside the cab)

[At Cable Station 12]

Kyosuke: How are things Tamaki-san! And what's up with the glasses?

Aso Tamaki: Things are splendid Kyosuke! Here! Have some champagne.

Kysouke: What's the happy occasion?

Station director: Haven't you heard? Tamaki-chan just won the Aoki award for
excellence in journalism!

Kyosuke: She did? Congratulations! But how?

Station Director: The little documentary program profile based on your
photographs. Good job Tamaki-san!

Aso Tamaki: Arigatou, but the credit all belongs to you. (points to Kyosuke)

Kyosuke: What do you mean?

Aso Tamaki: Your pictures conveyed the true meaning of the conflict. I only
narrated.

Kyosuke: You may have done the profiling of the show. But you still deserve
all the credit. So how do you feel?

Aso Tamaki: It is still a shock to me, happening so sudden.

Station director: Tamaki was a dark horse among all the submittals.
Her piece was entered in at the last minute of judging.

Kyosuke: Well good for you. It must have made a good impression.

Aso Tamaki: You're too modest for your own good. We need to toast this
happy occasion for the station! Kumpai!

[At XYZ Studios]

Ryusei: This is the last of the blueprints. I want this built to exact
specifications.

Mishima: Our company will conform to your specifications.

Ryusei: What is the current progress of the area to be cleared?

Mishima: The zoning and environmental departments have given their approval
and the permits for the redevelopment. It was quite costly. In the end,
everyone got their cut.

Ryusei: And what else?

Mishima: The second phase is the procurement of the properties remaining on
the block. We have in our control 70% of all buildings. It is only a matter of
time the rest will sell out.

Ryusei: Excellent. And what of the demolition phase?

Mishima: Some delays may occur. It is near a school district, so great care
must be takened to tranport the equipment and to remove the debris from the
fallen buildings.

Ryusei: I don't care how you do it, but destroy the old buildings as fast as
you can. I like to lessen the likehood of intervention should some
bureaucrat get some religion.

Mishima: It is understood.

Ryusei: Good. You may go conduct your business now.

(pulls out a cigarette form his golden cigratte case with the dragon emblem on
it)

[Hokkaido]

I had arrived home to Hokkaido. Nothing really special happened. I greeted my
mama and papa-san and unloaded my luggage in my own room.

Still the same tense moments with mama-san, as to be expected. I had a better
time with Papa-san.

After some exchanges, I volunteered to out to the market to buy some food
materials. I was going to cook for them tonight.

As I was walking outside...

"Hikari-chan? You Hikaru Hiyama?"

I turned around and saw an old man, walking with a cane, trodding towards me.

"Honto! It is you!"

I didn't know who he was at first glance so I kind of freaked, but when I
took a closer look at him, I saw it was Yuusaku Hino's grandfather.

Hikaru: Hino Ojiichan!

"You come back to area again!"

Hikaru: Ah yes. I'm back from New York to visit up with my folks.

"Good child. So long, so long. Might you walk me back?

"I'll be honored to!"

[At Waseda University]

Manami is at a computer terminal, typing in some email, when she notices Akane
flashing by the door and then leaving.

Manami rushes out!

Manami: Wait up Akane! (enters the girls lavatory)

Akane: What? I wasn't looking for you!

Manami: You look troubled. I can feel it from far away. What's wrong?

Akane: Absolutely nothing I tell you. Nothing at all.

Manami: Something is bothering you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be acting this
strange. Come on. Fess up.

Akane: I tell you nothing is up. (looks into the mirror)

Manami: Your eyes look kind of puffy. Have you been crying?

Akane: No. Of course not. Tough girls don't cry.

ManamI: You have been crying! Don't try to hide it from you. I can see through
you. Something is really bothering you. I am here to listen. Please confide in
me.

Akane: Cruel irony to be talking to you about this here.

Manami: Who so?

Akane: Because it was here where I found out the shock of my life.

Manami: What was it?

Akane: Shun-san's true identity.

Manami: You mean...oh...I see....you thought he was a girl.

Akane: Well who wouldn't? The voice, the hair, he had the whole act down pat.
I feel so awful not being to see through that. It makes me hate men even more!

Manami: But there has to be more to it than that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have
been sobbing over it. Could it be that you have feelings for him?

Akane: That's preposterous. And that's none of your business.

Manami: I see. It must be eating you up inside that Shun, being a guy, is also
in full league with Shinohara's group now.

Akane: What I feel for him before is irrelevant. What matters now is the
ending of this conflict. I want to get on with this once and for all. I want
to rub Shinohara's face into the mud and make him eat dirt and beg for mercy!

Manami:

[At the sect place]

Zumi Shijama: We're here!

Koji Muroke: I can see that. Looks like some assembly hall.

Shijama: Well it should! That is where we are congregate and meditate.

"Shijama-kun. You brought a friend today."

Shijama: Yes, caremaster. He wishes to learn the supreme truth as well. Is it
alright that he attends?

"Anyone who wishes to seek the truth can attend. In the eyes of Asahara, we
are his children who are wandering lost. That is why we need his guidance."

Shijama: Here. I almost forgot. (hands him a box)

"Bless you my child. We will put it to good use."

Muroke: (whispers) What is that?

Shijama: Just a little something extra I got from the lab. They won't miss it.

Muroke:

Shijama: Come on now. Here.

(hands him a white robe)

Muroke: What's this?

Shijama: We need to wear this for the ceremony. You can leave your stuff here.
They will take it to the coatroom.

Muroke: If you say so. (pulls the hood over his head)

We walked along a hallway, and I was busy scanning the doors to and fro. We
finally came up to a big room where everyone was already gathered.

"Brothers! Enter and take your positions quickly, for the Supreme Truth waits
for no one."

(As people are entering, they take what looks like candy being handed out by
the attendant)

Muroke: Now what is this white thing?

Shijama: The blessed mint. It symbolizes our willingness to learn the truth.

Muroke: Does it?

Shijama: It helps the words that are spoken here resonate in our heads. (pops
it into his mouth and then looks at Muroke)

Muroke: Well ok. (puts it into his mouth as well)

Shijama: Here comes the Head Master.

"Welcome, my children! All who wish to learn the way must revere our great
leader Asahara-san, our founder. Today, we will discuss sacrifice. There are
times where we must sacrifice ourselves completely in order to attain the
greater truth. That is why we encourage donations to fund our operations here.
But in itself, sacrifice can be a salvation into attaining the inner truth. We
deceive ourselves by adorning ourselves with gawdy trinkets and clothes. Our
society has grown so decadent and superficial that you are judged more by what
you have and what you wear than the person you are inside. In giving up your
worldy possessions, you are left with yourself. From that standpoint, you can
begin the path to understanding who you are, not what you have.

But sacrifice alone is not enough! Unifying the sacrifices towards the one
goal intensifies the power of the truth. With each individual sacrifice, it
builds up the outer spirit which binds us. That outer spirit is the goodness
of Shoko Asahara, our founder and creator. In giving up as much of what we o
wn, we build up the strength of the overall one. The one who speaks to us.
The one we all feel. Yes, that is the little voice inside of you; that spirit
that makes us who we are. That is what the founder wants you to find.
The Supreme Truth within us all. Let us close our eyes and meditate now to
commence our search for the truth. Let it speak to you...let it come to you
naturally...So pray... Aum......

Muroke:

[Back to Hokkaido]

Hikaru: We're here.

Hino Grandfather: Arrigatou.

Hikaru: You're welcome. I was happy to walk with you.

Hino Grandfather: Might you come in for tea?

Hikaru: I would like to, but I have to be going.

Hino Grandfather: No trouble you then. But before you go, I'll give you gift.

Hikaru: No, you don't have to.

(The grandfather ignores her and proceeds up to a peach tree and plucks one of the fruit.
He then hands it to her)

Hikaru: A peach?

Hino Grandfather: I am foolish old man.

Hikaru: No, no. I like it. Just that no one has ever given me fruit as a gift before.

Hino Grandfather: It special fruit.

Hikaru: Really? How so?

Hino Grandfather: Tree is special in the heart. I remember my grandson from it.
Fruit from tree I planted for when Yuusaku first found.

Hikaru: Found? What do you mean?

Hino Grandfather: Oi, you know not. But alright let you know. You best friend, only friend
of Yuu. So I tell you secret.

Hikaru: What is the secret about Yuu-kun?

Hino Grandfather: Back when I fisherman, around this time, I found this wee babe floating
in basket in river. He was wrapped in red-orange cloth andlook only a few days old.
I took him and and contact the people in town, but they did not know who it belong to.
My daughter and son-in-law were there as well and they fell in love with him. So they took
him in and raised him like their son. When leave they went, I plant peach tree here to
remember boy I found.

Hikaru: Oh.....

Hino Grandfather: Hino spirit still lie within tree. So please take this fruit.

Hikaru: I shall. Thank for telling me this. I understand what he was feeling now.

As she walks away, she takes out the red-orange cloth that Yuusaku had given her on that
fateful fortnight, wrapping the peach in it.

Hikaru: Momotaro kid.

[Back to the sect place]

Muroke: (lowers the hood and wipes the sweat off his forehead) Woah! How did I
get pass those guards? Man, I can't be in this spy business!

"Come in #2. Come in!"

Muroke: (speaks into a transmitter in an exasperated voice) Will you lower
your tone!? You're going to blow my cover Kaori!

"Sorry pipsqueak. See anything suspicious?"

Muroke: Not yet. I'm just slipped out into the hallway. I'm going to do some
reconnaisance. Where's #1 anyway? He suppose to be my emergency backup in case
something goes wrong.

"He ain't here yet. You're on your own kid."

(*Rough*)

"Shut up mutt! Get your furry paws off of me!"

(Muroke switches off transmitter."

Muroke: I guess I'm really on my own now. Where to now?

[Back at Ayukawa mansion]

Kyosuke: I'm home!

(Sees ojiichan watching TV)

Kyosuke: Where's obaachan?

Ojiichan: Going to market. This Jirou Shogun talk show is a hoot! Non-stop
action!

Kyosuke: Where' Madoka?

Ojiichan: Should be upstairs.

Kyosuke: (yells out) Madoka!
That's strange. Is she playing with me?

(checks the den, the kitchen, the bedroom, and then the bathroom; last he
checks the driveway)

Kysouke: She's gone! How could you let her go?

Ojiichan: She is? I didn't notice.

(Kyosuke slaps his hand to his face)

[Sect hallway]

Muroke opens a door and closes it again.

Muroke: Nothing again. I'm beginning to think there's nothing really here. Last
door here.

(sees a sign on the door that says "Authorized Personnel Only"

Muroke: Gotta be careful here. (puts his ear against the door to listen for
sounds; tries to open it but find that it is locked)

Muroke: Time for super spy lockpick.

(takes out a pen and twists it to reveal a lockpick mechansm; sticks it into
the lock expertly and after a few jiggles, unlocks it)

Muroke: There we go. Let's see what we have here. Woah! Motherlode!

(sees a secret laboratory, with beakers and chemical appartus everywhere. )

Muroke: This is interesting! (takes out same pen which in reality also doubles
as a spy camera and starts to take pictures with it)

(see some papers with formulas written on it)

Muroke: A few snaps here wouldn't hurt.

(hears footsteps approaching)

Muroke:

(looks to and fro and then suddenly darts under the table)

(2 men enter)

"Curious. I thought I locked this door before Ieft."

"You should not be so lax with the security here."

"I understand Zenbata-san. But we are not here to trifle with particulars, are
we? "

"So what is the latest progress now?"

"Well using this formula here, we were able to extend the duration of the
containment compound here by another 20%. Now it should be able to last 25
minutes before complete breakdown."

"Good. (picks up the paper) Have you told anyone of this yet?"

"No,not yet."

"You don't need to. I will make the report on your behalf. Keep working on it
though."

"If you wish it, then it shall be. My only goal is to serve the great Shoko
Ashara. "

"As for security, I will take care of it. I will affix a deadbolt master lock
in front. "

Muroke:

[Shin ABCB]

Izzy: Urgh! Hangover...

Master: You didn't have anything to drink!

Izzy: That explains why then...

(phone rings)

Master: Hello? Ahh, Hikaru-chan! Good to hear your voice again. How are things
here? It's fine here. How are you? What? You're in Hokkaido now? Too bad you
can't come by the place here. I'm sure you're come when you're in town.

(in rushes Kyosuke)

Kyosuke: MASTER! Have you seen Madoka?

Izzy: Can't cha see he's on the phone with Hikaru?

Kyosuke: What? Hikaru is calling?

Master: (cups his hand over the receiver) You seem might anxious Kyosuke-kun.
Do you want to talk to her?

Kyosuke: Uh...yeah, sure. (takes the receiver) Hello? How are you doing
Hikaru? Didn't know you come back from Japan already. There's a matter I wish
to talk to you about, but I want to talk to you privately. Can I get your
address there? (gets a pen out of his pocket and starts to scribble on the
napkins) Ok. Got it. I have to go now.

(rushes out the door)

Izzy: He must still have the hots for her. What a juicy story this could be.
Makes me want to write again...

[At the sect's secret lab]

As the chemist departs the lab and locks it behind him...

Muroke: (switching on transmitter) Breaker, breaker. Big Mamma, come in.

Kaori: Finally back. What now?

Muroke: I'm trapped in what seems to be a lab area. And they locked the door
behind me. I need to get out of here! Is #1 there yet?

Kaori: Nah.

Muroke: I'm dead then.

Kaori: Cheer up! There must be a way out. Are there any windows?

Muroke: Nooo!

Kaori: Any other doors?

Muroke: Nope.

Kaori: There must be some opening around there. Look around your surroundings.

Muroke: The only thing I can see is just a vent.

Kaori: Then that's ya ticket out of there.

Muroke: But I don't know if I can fit through it or not. Or where it leads to?

Kaori: Better than getting trapped there.

Muroke: I guess so. Fine. (takes out pen again and presses a button which pops
out a screwdriver head at the top; uses it to unscrew the vent)

Muroke:

(crawls in and places the cover back on. takes out pen again and uses it as a
flashlight this time)

(crawls 15 meters and makes a right turn which eventually leads him to another
vent)

Muroke: Lucky! I'm arrived at the bathroom!

(removes cover and gets out)

Muroke: Better get back before I get discovered! (puts on hood again)

(*Smack!*)

(the bathroom door hits Muroke's cheek square!)

Muroke: Arrgh... (looks up in shock!)

"Excuse me. You need help?"

Muroke: No, no. I'm ok! Need to go back to mediate. Bye now!

[At Yamazumi Kensetsu main office]

(We see Inspector Jackson enter in.)

Jackson: This mystery man is as slippery as a worm. But I'll get to the bottom
of this.

Receptionist: May I help you?

Jackson: Yes...I was sent down from the police department to coordinate the
clearing of one of your construction sites. But they must have gotten their
names mixed up and I am at a loss for the person I suppose to be in contact's
name. But I believe he just came into town, and from the description at the
station, he has a stocky build, about 185 cm, with a stubble chin.

Receptionist: You must be speaking of Mishima-san, the construction manager.
He is currently not in right now. Might I take a message for you?

Jackson: That's ok. Can you right his name down for me so I don't forget? I'm
bad with names.

Receptionist: Certainly. He must be really popular today.

Jackson: What do you mean?

Receptionist: Another lady just dropped by before you inquiring about him as
well. She too gave almost a similar physical description of him. She left her
name and number instead. (points to paper on the desk)

Jackson turns his head to glance at the name on the paper: Ayukawa Madoka!

[Outside the Blackjack Cafe]

(Madoka is sitting outside in her red sports car, peering at it)

Madoka:

[Kyosuke walking along the streets]

Kyosuke: (walking with hands in his pocket, head slumped) Where could she be?
I check the conservatory, the university, and the park.

(sees the red sports car next to Blackjack Cafe)

Kyosuke: Madoka! There you are! But what are you hanging out here for?

(sees her looking longingly through the window of the cafe)

[Inside the van]

Kaori: You look frazzled kid!

Muroke: I feel like crap. My mouth still aches.

Kaori: Eugh! What's that?

Muroke: Some sort of mint. I spit it out when I got out. Tasted funny, so I
thought we should examine it.

"I'm back!"

Muroke: There you are #1! Where were you?

#1: Busy. So. What did you find?

Muroke: Kaori got the camera pen. You can examine the pictures yourself. For
myself, I'm retiring from the spy business. Oww! (rubs his cheek)

#1: Nasty blow you got there. Dentist drill time for you. Let me refer you to
one.

Muroke: Oh no! Not the drill!

[At Yakushima Island]

(inside the big, dark mansion atop a hill)

(We hear the metallic balls of Goro Shimazaki clanging in his hand, as he sits
in his study)

(We suddenly hear a rustling sound)

"I have returned, my master."

Goro: You best bring me good tidings.

"I have. The clan has finally formulated the formula."

Goro: I see. Who else knows of it?

"Only me and the master chemist."

Goro: Are you sure?

"I am positive."

Goro: Still, I cannot take any chances. We have no need for Asahara's
assistance no more. I suggest we dispose of him and his group, lest anyone
should possess the secret.

"You wish is my bidding. Phase Two shall begin."

Goro: Don't screw up like last time, or it may be your last time.

"Understood."

[At the Ayukawa Mansion]

Kyosuke: Is there something you want to talk to me about?

Madoka: Like what?

Kyosuke: Like why you ran off today. Was something troubling you?

Madoka: No. I just felt like going out. I was cooped up inside too long.

Kyosuke: You should let someone know next time?

Madoka: Why should I? I'm my own woman. I should be able to come and go as I
please.

Kyosuke: Yeah, but you're not been yourself these past few days. When you were
gone, I thought something bad might have happened to you.

Madoka: I don't need you to protect me all the time! I can fend for myself.

Kyosuke: I know, but I...

Madoka: I don't feel too well. Can you leave me alone now?

Kyosuke: Uhh, ok then. But if anything's the matter, feel free to find me.

Madoka: Noted. Goodbye now.

(bedroom door slams)

Kyosuke: What is wrong with you Madoka? Are you possessed or what? I've got to
get to the bottom of this. Maybe Hikaru might know something.

[Back at Ryokurin Ryo]

Taku: Are you alright?

Muroke: Nah. I'm feelin' lousy. (points to his swollen cheek) And what is that
drilling noise?

Taku: It's coming from Shinohara-san's and Shijama-san's room. Let's see what
they're up to.

(as they enter)

(They see Shinohara wearing a welder's mask and carrying a blowtorch)

Muroke: What are you doing?

Shinohara: What does it look like?

Muroke: Are you crazy? You're dismantling your Hawley!

Shinohara: It needs to be super-charged for the race.

Taku: You mean for the final challenge.

Shinohara: That's correct. I don't aim to lose.

Taku: Do you need some help?

Shinohara: No. It will be all by myself. One on one versus their champion.

Muroke: You're just reverting back to your selfish ways.

Shinohara: I don't need your amateur help.

Muroke: Suit yourself. If you want to lose alone by yourself, that's your
problem.

Shinohara: If you nothing more to say, then get out.

Muroke: Fine! I now when I'm not wanted!

(Sunday)

Kyosuke: Madoka hasn't talked to me in three days. I gotta find out what's the
matter.

Kyosuke: Ojiichan.

Ojiichan: What up?

Kyosuke: I need you to watch over this house and Madoka for me. I making a
little visit. I should be back soon.

Ojiichan: Hai hai Kyosuke. (watching baseball) Go Daiji go!

Kyosuke: Oh brother! Time to use the Power! (flashes and disappears)

[At the subway]

We see a mysterious maintenance worker walking along the abandon tracks. He
looks back, and we see it is the face of Colonel Kijama Zenbata!

[End of Chapter]