Hello all,

Sorry for the late release of this story. Unfortunately,
the university server holding my stories was down for
two weeks! It went back online last Friday. Hopefully,
it doesn't go down again so I can post my last story. 
Lucky I'm getting these stories archived later at raac. 

Anyway, this is Kimagure Orange Road Fanfiction.
This is HARD|From my stay under the desert sky, to neon lights of Vegas, to now the
city of stars. Where was I to begin here?

With every new destination I go to, I learn a different thing about
myself.  But the "madness" which began in New York had not left me. My
soul was crying out to me. One last plea to be true to myself. I had
to listen to the "music" in my heart.

I understood now what it felt like to be caught up with the "exctasy"
of the melody which struck Bach or Beethoven. To be in a trance with
the music, oblivious to everything external.

I wouldn't have done that with the old me, Ayukawa Madoka, repressing
my true ambition for all those years, bottled up with worry, anxiety,
and insecurity. Maybe the thought of marriage and normalcy weighed on
me.  Despite living alone independently by myself for all these years,
I was never really alone. I was surrounded by my good friends through
all these years. I didn't resent my parents for going abroad and
following their calling. In a way, I was following in their footsteps,
trying to find my calling as well.

But I knew it was going to be tough, for the life inside me limited
the time frame I had left to explore my inner being. The answers were
still not there yet.

As I looked upon the riches of Rodeo Drive, and the vacuous nature of
the Valley, I wondered whether the Great Siddhartha pondered the same
paradox.  Whether people were truly happy even when rich or
poor. Whether their day to day life was fulfilling in itself. I
remember one saying that variety is the spice of life. There, of
course many ways to express the question, but not one definitive
answer.

Was it the madness, the exctasy talking for me? Was I going delirious?
Or is there a purpose for the actions I have taken?

I have yet to find out, but I hope here would be my final stop.


[LA]

Komatsu: See you later Kyosuke family! We're spending our days in the
city of sin!

Kazuya: You're not going back to Japan?

Komatsu: Why bother? We got another convention to do in 2 weeks in
some place called San Diego for some comic book convention. It's
nearby LA due south.  In the meantime, me and the big man will be
whooping it up and gambling to our heart's content!

"We're coming along!"

Akane: Eh? Ojiichan? Have you gone out of your mind?

"Nope. This is our vacation! We can go anywhere we like. You kids are
welcome to tag along. Ne Obaachan?"

"Oi, Oi!"

Kurumi: Yippee! More time to watch wrestling in America!

Akane: Don't talk about that! I'm going to have nightmares about those
Big Mamas!

Kurumi: So big deal! I beat them even in your dreams!

Kazuya: (nudges Akane) Don't encourage her!

Akane: Fine! But we've already been to the Grand Canyon already!

Kazuya: Yeah, but we didn't hang out in Vegas.

Akane: Like Las Vegas is not the place for little kids to hang out.

Kazuya: Who are you calling little?

Komatsu: Speaking of which, where's my bud Hatta?

Kazuya: He's having another hentai session with that Takamotoishi
lady.

Komatsu: Not again! I'm going to have to get him myself.



[Back in Hong Kong]

"Yo!"

(tap on #1's shoulder)

#1: What gives...Hayakawa! What are you doing here?

Mitsuru Hayakawa: I was about to ask you the same thing. You not
entertaining ideas of stealing my clients now.

#1: Come on. I ain't that shallow. I'm here on my own business.

Hayakawa: (chuckles) I'm just messing with you. There's not too many
Japanese folks I know in these parts. Glad to see a familiar face,
even if it's yours.

#1: Very funny. You're keeping tabs on Haroken's former cliente?

Hayakawa: Of course. Agents may come and go, but the star cliente is
forever.  In addition, I'm here for a special Yo Yo Yo music
championship show. Namie and her entourage is here as well.

#1: Namie?

Hayakawa: You never heard of her? She's just Japan's next budding
music super-star.

#1: I remember my little buddy mentioning about her once.

Hayakawa: You must be out of the times. But I'll forgive you.

#1: Listen. I gotta be going.

Hayakawa: Me too. Oh, since you're here, you can have these. Tickets
for the show if you want to come.

#1: Sure. I bet I can get big bucks for these.

Hayakawa: Always the wise-guy. Ja!


[In another Chinatown]

I had rested a lot more since the mysterious Chan's visit. The old
couple pretty much left me alone, except to bring me herbal soup and
nutrients. I was already strong enough to walk about, but I was
confined in my room; the windows were barred like jail cells. I was a
captive. Thinking about the bits of information I had gathered, I
surmised I was some illegal stowaway on a slave ship from China. I was
probably one of a handful to survive the treacherous journey. My
delirium from months of travel probably caused my memory
loss. Although I knew my name, Sid Lee, I knew nothing else.  Perhaps
that was a good thing to have a clean slate, assuming I made it to the
promised land. But then again, the boat might have sank and made its
way back to Hong Kong. Either way, I was itching to get out of here
and find out myself.

Being able to walk on my own two legs now, I made my way to the
bathroom, stained by a few squashed cockroaches and other
buggers. Looking at the dusty mirror, I took a piece of toilet paper,
wetted it, and proceeded to make a small circle while cleaning
it. There, I caught the first glimpse of myself.

What I saw was quite foreign to me. I seem to be a man in my early
thirties, sporting some stubble on my chin, but with some nicks here
and there. That was strange to me, for I was sure that if I was on a
boat that long, I would be sporting a full beard. Did someone try to
shave for me while I was unconscious?

I always examined my chest area a bit, for I still felt a stinging
feeling around it all this time. Like a thousand scorpions had bitten
me or something, which could have happened aboard that squalor ship. I
looked at my overall body. It was still firm with muscle. That didn't
add up as well. I should have been weak and thin from my ordeal.

Then it dawned on me. Instead of being a refugee, I could have been
one of the slaver sailors! That was the only scenario I could think of
that could explain the whole thing. But if that was true, what was I
doing here, captive in this herbal shop?

It was then, I heard the barred door open, and a figure entering the
room.

"Mr Lee. I have come for you."

That was Chan's voice.


[Vegas dojo]

What was I, Kasuga Kyosuke doing?

I had been at the dojo nearly a week now, but I was not getting
anywhere.  I was starting to question whether I had it in me to be
even a decent investigative reporter at all.

Sure, Mr Osamu Ozawa was talking with me for short bits everyday. But
it wasn't pertaining to the matter which I was sent out for. He
rambled about his Shoto-kan karate, and the premise and principles
behind it. Every time I tried to steer away from the subject, he would
come back and talk about something else in his life. I still recorded
the conversations on my tape recorder. It was taking his
biography. Talking about all facets of his life, except his war-time
years.

We were talk about his director days. Then his business man days. We
would even talk about his family heritage and how his family came from
a samurai line, the Takeda. But we never even broach about his role in
the war. The very topic which I was sent here to interview him
specifically on.

Now, today, with my firm resolve to confront him on the issue, I found
out from one of his followers that he won't be seeing me while he
prepares his dojo for the annual tournament.

This was a bad thing. What was I to do? I thought about going back to
Japan and admitting defeat to Aso-san. But I was not a quitter. I
wasn't going to give up on Madoka, so I wasn't about to give up on
this first important assignment for me, despite how uncomfortable it
was for me. I was going to wait it out and wait for this tournament to
finish and confront Osamu-san to finish the war interview once and for
all.


[Back to the mystery man]

I saw this rather short and squat looking of a man come through the
door. He seemed to be in his mid fifties and carrying a bit of
weight. He was dressed in semi-traditional Chinese garb with the black
master outfit, and a knap sack at his side.

"So, who are you?"

"Questions are mine to ask, not you, Mr Sid Lee. Or do you have
another name?

"Of course its my name. I have no reason to lie."

"Ha ha. Spoken very true. If you believe yourself."

"I wish you will stop asking these riddles. What do you want from me?"

"A true man of the code, not to betray his roots. You, lost you look,
still in your eyes. That is good for me. Not good for you when they
find you.  It is time for you to come with me."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Make any difference to you?"

"As long as I can get fresh air outside, I don't care. But what are
you?"

"I am the Egg. "


[Muroke's journal]

My trip over to the United States here on the western side has been
quite an adventure as I expected. My good friend, Trebor was kind
enough to take time out to show me around the tech side of this
metropolis. I even had the chance to meet up with Manami-chan which is
a huge thrill for me. I look forward to every minute I can spend with
her, since she's following her dreams of being a literature writer. I,
on the other hand is pursuing my dream as well. That is, to be a world
class game programmer. I had visited some of the prestigious
universities around here which offer excellent computer science
courses and facilities. Next week, I'm going to visit the actual,
prominent game companies in the area. As for my experience here, I'm
trying to take in as much of the local culture here as possible. I'm
quite surprised at the diversity of events which exists here. I'm
still at the crossroads of whether I want to pursue my studies abroad
or go back to Tokyo U and manage the dorm at "Greenwood." I hope to
make a decision soon in the next few weeks.

Trebor: Hey Muroke! You better hurry down here quick! Big Trouble in
Little China is on!

[Stanford]

(We see Manami, wearing shades hanging low along the ridge of her
nose, with her, flipping her pencil in her hand, as if frustrated)

Dana: Is it too bright in here? I can pull down the shades.

Manami: Dana. Are you done with the Penelope portion of the
assignment?

Dana; No. Not yet.

Manami: I think it's hypocritical for Odysseus to be "sowing his oats"
while he his wife Penelope remains loyal to him, despite many suitors
for over 20 years.

Dana: I'm not surprised. I think it illustrates how strong a woman's
will can be if she truly believes in it.

Manami: I see your point. She must have had really strong will, for
many in her position would have given her husband up for dead and
would have remarried in order to keep the estate up and raise her son.

Dana: Sometimes, in dark times, one has only their faint glimmer of
faith and hope to carry them through.

Manami: That is very profound. Thanks for the input. How are you doing
on the final term paper about a hero?

Dana: Slowly making progress on it. And you?

Manami: I haven't even started on it! I think the tough part is coming
up with the subject to base the paper on.

Dana: Keep at it. Don't get discouraged. I'll see you later.

Manami: Bye.

I was definitely not myself. Not after that strange dream I had
involving the wizard of oz and Ojiichan. I felt a momentary connection
when connected within the ESPer link they had formed. I thought I felt
Madoka's pendant, but I didn't tell Ojiichan the whole story. I felt
another stronger force, dominating and clouding the vision. It felt
cold, dark, and foreign. I was curious, like a cat, and touched this
dark, cloudy mass. It crossed minds with mine for an instant. But that
brief contamination was slowly getting to me. I was getting moody and
edgy. I was trying to fight this "dark matter" in my mind as much as I
can. I was afraid if I explored it further, then it would further
dominate me. Stress from the final paper wasn't helping things. I hope
I'm not going crazy and suffering from multiple personalities.

(Manami takes off her sunglasses and rubs her eyes)


[Hong Kong]

I shimmied through the casinos with no luck in finding that old
bastard, Routa Kouji, which was a surprise. I remember the time he
ripped me off and won one of my prized guns, 'Mad Max' from me with a
straight flush.  I should have known better than to duel with a
professional gambler at poker.  I was going to make my way to the
gentleman's club when I came across a familiar scent of ceremonial
incense.

Haroken often frequented this area during the early days of his
ascension in the underworld. I would know; I secretly tracked him
behind the scenes.  I subconsciously was drawn to its fumes and
wandered down the street, known for its occult theme.

"Young gun, what awaits thy fortune today?"

I looked down and saw a pale, skinny, old man, dressed in monk
fashion.  He had a makeshift crystal ball in front of him.

#1: Not today, old timer.

"You will not find him in the fragrant bay."

#1: Who are you talking about?

"The man with the black ace. "

#1: Yeah, right. If he's not here, then where is he?

"Far, far away, across the golden waves in the golden city of lights."

#1: That doesn't tell me much. But here's a hk dollar for your
trouble.


[Back outside Chinatown]

"This is San Francisco?"

Chan: You surprised? No smog here, just fog. Here in the forbidden
city.

"Forbidden?"

Chan: For you it is. The eyes of the triad are everywhere. We got to
keep you under wraps, Mr Lee. Fuzzy memory here very dangerous here.

"You want information from me?"

Chan: You remember who you are already?

"No. I'm trying to figure out what you plan to do with me."

Chan: You're going to work for me to build up your weak body. A strong
body leads to strong chi.

"It's not that weak. But what will we be doing?"

Chan: Move crates from the truck into the store and quick. The grocers
here aren't too happy with slow service. Get to it now.

[Back in Hong Kong]

(#1 walking in the studios with tickets in hand.)

#1: Yo, Yo, Yo Music Show. Goofing off a bit won't hurt the XIA
pursuit of the Red Dragon triad. Routa's nowhere to be found, Should I
eschew Kanuka's advice and do my own thing to infiltrate them?

(in cantonese) What are you doing? You just ruined the scene we're
shooting!

(We see the room looks like a pugilistic kung fu set, with a set of
actors dressed up in ancient chinese clothing)

#1: What? I can't understand you! I'm Japanese! I need to go here!
(points to his tickets)

"Ai ya! It's down the hall. You messed up scene! Bad bad! We need
shoot again because of you!"

#1: Yeah, yeah. Whatever gives. My mistake. I'm going now.

(outside the door)

#1: What the hell was that all about? Didn't know what they were
babbling about, except they were pissed.

(looks at the signage outside the door)

'Set #8: 12 - 7pm Condor Heroes'

[Back in San Francisco]

I finished my final weekend rehearsal and took a hop on the muni. Late
Saturday, me and Vivan would hang out together and eat at a different
restaurant, which wasn't hard in this city. This time, we were going
to a russian place inside the heart of Russian Hill.

My mind was wandering as the bus slowly glided around the narrow
streets amid heavy foot traffic. As I glanced out the window, I caught
a glimpse of this muscular asian guy, moving a crate of oranges. As he
turned around, there was something about him that made me do a
double-take. I turned back to get a better look, but he had already
entered into the grocery store.  Hmm. Why did I get this strange
feeling tingling inside of me? He was just like any other guy on the
street. Why should he be any different from the others? Still, this
tingling sensation led me to have goose bumps which felt more like
hives. I had to get a hold of myself and regain my composure or else I
would look like a wreck to Vivian.

(on the street)

"I finished moving the last crate of oranges."

Chan: Good. Here. (tosses him an orange). Saved one for you.
Something for your trouble.

"You can have it back." (tosses it back to him)

Chan: What's wrong with it? A golden orange is very fortuitous.

"No. I don't like to eat oranges. It seems to bring back bad memories.
Where do we go next?"

Chan: A place where you can lay low for now. The herbal place was on
the verge of discovery. To avoid you being discovered, we need to move
you around.  Follow me into the alleyway.

[At the studios]

Hayakawa: Good to see that you were able to make it to the show. Even
if it isn't your cup of tea.

#1: Took me long enough to find this place!

Hayakawa: (*Chuckles*) Still your grumpy self. Don't worry. The show
is about to start.

Announcer: Yo, Yo, Yo folks! The special show you'all been waitin'
for! Hong Kong Hustle and Bustle Special! Guest starring Muffy, Kame
Kids, and the Okinawan sensation herself, Namie Amuro! And now, two
wild and crazy guys!  Super-Fly!

[Las Vegas]

Akane: Why are we here? This reeks of female exploitation!

Kazuya: It was either this or Death Valley. But I like it.  (*whisk at
a cocktail waitress*)

Akane: (*squeezes his head*) Watch where those eyes are wandering,
boy!

Kurumi: Hey, they have a boxing match here later tonight!

Akane: Where's Ojiichan?

Kazuya: Playing the slots. Too bad I'm too young to gamble.

Komatsu: Hello ladies.

(We see Hatta and Komatsu decked out in white jump-suits, with the
scarf and sunglasses like Elvis!)

Akane: (laughing) What are you two yahoos doing now? Auditioning to be
the king?

Komatsu: Very funny. But chicks dig the outfit. Or so my sources say.

Hatta: The rhinestones give it flavor. Which reminds me! I'm going to
try all the buffets in this town!

Kazuya: Hey, where that honey, Takamotoishi?

Hatta: She was attending the San Diego Comic con as well, so she's
hanging down in San Diego to see Sea World and stuff.

Kazuya: Say, wasn't she your sworn enemy?

Hatta: Ummmm,...things has a funny way of turning tables. Say, check
out that black dude at the craps table! He has a even gaudier costume
than we do!

(We see this big guy, wearing a purple leisure suit, with a white
ruffled shirt in the middle)

"Friend, not doing too well at the tables?"

"Yowie yeah! I down on my crap luck. Craps again!"

"Might I suggest keep your wrists still rather than snapping it?"

"My luck so down, I'm even losing my hand with the ladies. I'll give
it a try."

(He rolls a winner!)

"Hey man. Thanks for the tip. What are you? Japanese or something?"

"Close. I'm Chinese."

"Cool! I love Chinese food! I'm Zack. I feel a winning streak coming
on.  (punches his hands forward) YAW, YAW, YAW! Let it roll!"

Routa Kouji: 

[Back in the City]

Vivian: What's up girlfriend? Food got you sour?

Hikaru: No, this Russian food tastes good. I just have my mind on
something.

Vivian: I know what it is. Must be opening week jitterbugs. Boy, is
that so scary. It's like, the first time you go for an interview and
you have all this nervous energy, and you want to do something about
it, but you can't 'cause you're in the interview and the guy is right
across from you askin you questions. You might twitch a bit, as your
palms become even more sweaty, and you're afraid to shake the next
person's hand 'cause you're afraid he might get all grossed out and
all. I never like that. That's why I walk dogs. You put out an ad,
gain a rep, and people call you up or come to you.  I like it much
better that way.

Hikaru: It's that, but something else is eating at me.

Vivian: Whatever it may be, you better get it out of your system as
soon as possible. Like my momma said, you shouldn't keep things inside
of you, all bottled up, 'cause it'll just gnaw and chew, and scramble
all your guts up, till you're full of mush emotions, and then you're
not good for anything much. You see what I mean?

Hikaru: In a way, yes. Suppose you're right. Need to figure out what
this feeling is, and to flush it out of my system as soon as possible.

Vivian: Girl, you seem hung up on a man! Am I right?


Hikaru: A little bit.

Vivian: Woah, don't get me started! Lord knows how pitiful a creature
they are. Get him out of system asap! Like that musical goes, you
gotta 'wash that man right outta ya hair'. Ah do be do ba do da. You
got it?

Hikaru: Hai maam.


[In the middle of the Central Valley]

(*radio playing Landslide*)

I stopped at LA for a few days before moving on. My parents, were now
were living in Seattle, had lived in the LA, in the Orange County
area. I had almost moved over to the United States to stay in this
area with my parents before. Who stopped me? That boy. Yes, that silly
little boy, Kasuga-kun.  He became the center of my fragile
universe. My tough ego and exterior were melted by his bumbling,
kindness, despite his occasional bouts of ecchiness.

I thought he was my dream. A dream that came to me when I was a young,
tough tomboy who beat up others using a soccer ball, when a man, in
Kasuga's likeness, came to me, like a mirage and disappeared just as
quickly, as the wind. My Prince Charming. But one person cannot make a
dream. It was gnawing at me when Mishima returned. I thought he was my
dream as well. I was even willing to give up my virgin body to him. So
when that big day came in New York, I had this feeling of uncertainty
and doubt again. If Mishima wasn't the one, how could I be sure if
Kasuga was truly the one? Yet another side of me was debating, saying
me and Kasuga were tied together by the red string of fate. I couldn't
resolve the conflict, so I had been running. Like a sorry ronin,
shamed by her lack of allegiance.

Right after my note on the mirror, I took a train. To where it went, I
did not know. It was not as fast as the bullet trains back home. The
pace of the flashing images was slower. Passing through mountains,
small towns, daisy fields, and farmland allowed me to slowly reflect
and ponder.

When the train stopped, I was in the middle of the heartland. A
midwest town with the major metropolis just a few miles up, with the
Rocky Mountains to my back. A town where a stranger like me would
stick out like a sore thumb. Given my situation, many would have
freaked out. To me, I had a cold resolve. With the remaining cash I
had, I bought a guitar and found a boarding house. I did waitressing
jobs at night and played in this small club at night where the order
of the day was country, country, and more country. The only country
song I knew was, you guessed it - Country Road by John Denver. That
seem to soothe the ears of the patrons. So I did this for a few weeks
till I could build up my cash and decide what to do next.

I was thinking of getting some wheels, but it would take too long to
earn enough money for that. Then I saw her. The one calling to me:'69
fiery red Ford Mustang convertible. It had belong to Ma Jenkins who
headed the boarding house. I stumbled across it in the old shed. She
had kept it in memory of her deceased husband. He had a hobby by
fixing up old cars. Every day when I came back from work, I would
sneak a peek at it. She must have noticed. When it came time for me to
leave, she offered it to me as a farewell gift. I initially refused,
since I had intended to take a bus to the next town. She wouldn't hear
of it, so I finally gave in, promising her that I would repay her
gift.

With my new conveyance, I drove to many different small towns across
the country, sometimes doing just a couple day gigs. I eventually made
my way to the mesas where I lived among the Native Americans there,
where I was exposed to a mind-opening experience.

Having driven now to the westernmost part of this country, I had
nowhere else to go but up. I couldn't bear to stay in the same area as
Disneyland, where dreams come true, when I didn't even know what my
dream was. What ever happens ever after in those fairy tale stories?
When Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty finally meet the prince, does their
life just go into autopilot of everlasting happiness? What challenges
do they have left?

As so as I was driving through the Central Valley, with the top down,
alone along the stretch of road, with acres and acres of farmland
bountiful with fruits and vegetables alongside, it struck me. This
cornucopia of so plenty in the rural areas that California is known
for, contrasting that with the dark reality of many urban centers
filled with so much needy people . As I pondered that paradox, I
suddenly reached an epiphany. Of how it was like to go hungry.  I
remember that day in junior high where I had forgotten to get lunch
and it had been raining the whole day. I did not have breakfast as
well and I was starving. Then Kyosuke came along and had a extra
sandwich, to which he graciously offered it to me. The hunger combined
with the gesture made that sandwich the best tasting thing I had ever
eaten. Whether it was true or not did not matter. What counted was the
inner appreciation and thankfulness of a basic necessity of life for
which is taken for granted.

As the wind sprayed my hair back and forth with all its natural fury,
with my body infused with the warm glow of the special Kasuga pendant
around my neck, the instinctive nature to nurture, spurred on by my
preganacy was growing stronger and stronger, and when intermixed with
my wanderlust, gave birth to a new feeling inside me that sprung forth
in my mind, which for that very instant, I caught a glimpse of a
vision of my true calling.

[Hong Kong]

#1: Where in the world is Routa Kouji?

I would pistol whip that son of a gun with ole'Betsy once I got my
hands on him. He caused me enough grief as it is. I even endured a
game show or music show or mtv thing to pass the time. I visited the
casinos and the whore-houses; even the obscure quaint mah-jong
joints. Nada.

Now I'm back in the pits of death where this whole stupid thing
started. The whole mess I got poor Ryusei stuck in, because of my
blind thirst for revenge. It was hard to believe it was 4 years ago.

Another bloody match under way, blood money passing through dirty
hands.  The roars of the crowd awaiting the final death blow.

"Yo bud! Long time no see!"

#1: Hey, Johnny, how's it hanging?

"Loose of course. Lift the left to guard and jab. Pow!"

#1: What are you doing here in this hell-hole?

"Got wiped out at the casinos by Kouji, so I try my luck here. "

#1: You played with Kouji?

"Yep. I'm the dope. Should have known better. The audacity! He left in
a rush and beat me in a heap at poker. Now that rat is in America
raising hell there."

#1: He's in the US? Where?

"I dunno. Maybe Vegas or something. He does have a weakness for the
glitter of lights."

#1: That must be it! So that fortune teller man was right after all.
I owe you man.

"Better be careful! I'll hold you to it!"


(A few days later...)

[At Redwood City]

Trebor: How you like it here?

Muroke: So, this is Electronic Arts?

Trebor: Yeah...I'm excited too. They had some hits and misses, but
they're doing okay. I have a friend who works in the IT
department. That's how we are able to get in here!

Muroke: Wow, thanks for the connection.

Trebor: They're focusing more on the sports aspect of games nowadays
like Madden Football. All the game companies focus on their core
strengths.  Sierra does adventure games. Origin and Sir Tech does role
playing games.  Capcom does fighting games. And Squaresoft does
adventure role playing games.

Muroke: EA certainly has a long history, from their history of
products display.

Trebor: That's a testament to their longevity. The game industry is
very cyclical. Look at what happen to Atari and Commodore 64. Their
consoles went the way of the dodo bird. Now Nintendo is the king with
Sega as the bridesmaid. But who knows? Someone else would be king of
the road 5 years from now. That's why it's such a volatile industry.

Muroke: The programmers here look very stressed out right now.

Trebor: They should be. From what I hear, they've been on a 2 week
marathon to meet a deadline. Some of the guys have been here 18 hours
of day, working with the game testers to stamp out the bugs.

Muroke: You know about this?

Trebor: I did a stint as a game tester. Boy, I thought it was
heaven. Getting paid to play games. Every gamer's dream, or so it
seems. But the novelty of the idea wears out real fast. The problem is
you can't really play free-lance too much, before your job is to find
bugs. So you have to freakin' explore all these different combinations
which doesn't make it fun. Imagine you having to play the same level
hundreds of times until they fixed it and got it right. Now that is
hell.  I got out of that after 2 weeks.

Muroke: I can see the point you are trying to make. I had some friends
who helped me with some graphics with the game I developed. Before,
they had worked at an animation studio. They told me a similar
experience, with all the sketches and scenes being cranked out like a
assembly line. Luckily, the work for them is rewarding for now, but
they told me of others who got burned out by the experience.

Trebor: But don't let my talk dissuade you from anything. I know how
pumped up you are about being a game programmer.

Muroke: I still am. It's interesting to contrast game companies with
animation companies and how similar they are in terms of effort to
produce wide, diverse entertainment for the masses.

Trebor: Yep, that's heavy. Let's go the cafeteria and mull it over
there! I'm starving!

[Out in the desert]

Akane: Why did you drag us out here in this god-forsaken desert?

Kazuya: Yeah, we were kidding about Death Valley.

Kurumi: It says on the flyer that some karate competition is about to
start here!

Kazuya: Are you sure? The gates are locked here!

Kurumi: Let's use the Power! and flash in!

Akane: We can't do that!

"Hello there! Are you here for the karate competition?"

Akane: Uh oh. He's speaking English to us! What do we do?

Kurumi: We have to respond back! (to man) Please let us in!

"You must be from the Japan division. We have your quarters
ready. Wait for the gate to open."

(The gate opens)

Kazuya: Wow, I'm impressed! What did you say to them!

Kurumi: Me? I told them I was going to kick their butt if they didn't
let us in!


[At the Chinese grocery store]

(Hikaru is milling around, in between the oranges and the peaches
section right outside the front entrance, picking some fruit.)

Hikaru: 

(As she turns towards the curb facing Grant Street, she sees the
truck, about a half a block away, at another grocery store and that
strange man she saw from the other day, climbing into the passenger
seat, and the truck driving off.)

Hikaru: I gotta catch that truck!

"Wai! Stop! You go pay for fruits! No pay no go!"

Hikaru: I'm sorry, I don't need these...here you can take it back!

"Oh, you bad woman! Get out of my store."

Hikaru: I'm really sorry. (looks up to see the truck gone) Damn!

[Up in in a ranch]

"May the force be with you."

Muroke: Very funny Trebor.

Trebor: Hey, you got to speak the lingo here when you're in Skywalker
Ranch.  Home to ILM and Lucas-film and Lucas-Arts game division!

Muroke: The scenary here is simply breathtaking.

Trebor: I've always loved their games they turn out. Very engaging and
innovative. I especially loved Monkey Island and Loom.

Muroke: My friends back at home would be so jealous of me. They're
huge Star Wars fans!

Trebor: I guess we have it good here to have both Star Trek and Star
Wars.  I like both each in its own way. The allure of the mystical,
mysterious Force which pervades in every object of the universe and
the 2 sides aspect.  Those who have more "one" with the Force to let
it flow through them. It's like having super powers and being a
superhero. Much like those people you hear on those 'Ripley's Believe
It or Not' show  having those ESP powers.

Muroke: Can we go inside?

Trebor: Unfortunately not. Everything is hush hush and top secret
there.  I just wanted to show you the outside environment these guys
work in. It really helps in stirring their creative juices.

Muroke: Argh. I wish I had the Force so I can secretly go in and take
a look.

Trebor: Don't we all. Let's get a move on for the last destination.


[Inside the dojo]

I, Kasuga Kyosuke was enduring another mundane event. I couldn't
believe my infamous bad luck was returning to me. I couldn't even get
near Osamu-san because of the tournament. I kicked my legs back in my
room, looking through the window as they announced the
pre-introductions of all the various groups participating. I was quite
impressed with the sheer number of competitors in the field from
different parts of America and the world. No wonder the tournament
would take a week.

"From the mother country of our dear master of Japan, representing is
the Kasuga clan!"

Kyosuke: What in the world? (sticks his head out the window)

Ojiichan: Konichiwa! Konichiwa!  Mina, we are happy to be here!

Kurumi: Hai! Looking forward to kicking all of your butts!

Kyosuke: (*groans*) There goes the family name.


[The last stop]

Muroke: Where are we now?

Trebor: The final stop of our game company tour.

Muroke: Why, this is...

Trebor: Squaresoft. The home to all the Final Fantasy games.

Muroke: Wow, the mecca....

Trebor: This is one of their US subsidiaries. There's one in Hawaii as
well, which is closer to your neck of the woods. This is more of a
marketing arm here, but they have cool looking props here.

(japanese) "Little man, you're here as well?"

Muroke: Eh? (turns around). It's you! The guy from the airport.

"Gotcha! You got the bag on you as well. You brought a friend along
this time?"

Muroke: He was the one who bought me here. What are you doing here?

"I work here. What do you think?"

Muroke: You work for Squaresoft?

"I just told you that. Are you dense or what? That's not what I expect
from a Greenwood alum. Wait a minute, what am I thinking? I should be
expecting such denseness from a Greenwood alum. Pulling a 'Suka."

Muroke: Why are you so chummy with Hasukawa-san's name?

"I practically taught him everything he knew. He may be weak and
wallow in self-pity like a sad puppy, but I toughened him up."

Muroke: Are you sure? I never heard him talk about you at all! There's
Shun and even Ikeda-san who runs the temple, but I never heard of you!

"Those guys forgot about me already! That's gratitude for you! I'm
glad I skipped town 4 years ago."

Muroke: 4 years ago? Hey, is your full name Shinobu?

"If you want to be so formal, yeah. I prefer 'Shin', which is new, no
pun intended. Shin Tezuka at your service."

Muroke: Ohh, you're that guy. But everyone thinks you're dead!

"You got to be kidding me. Only my sis probably wishes I was out of
her way, but dying ain't my style. Especially, since I'm standing
right in front of you."

Muroke: But you left those shoes at the pier and...

"Oh, is that where are those dying rumors came from? I thought they
would understand my symbolism. I not one for long goodbyes, so I left
my Nike shoes behind for 'Suka to know that he was big enough to fill
my shoes. But I did leave him a note."

Muroke: Where?

"Why inside the shoes."

Muroke: Oh great. They probably threw those shoes already!"  Wait till
I tell the folks back home about you.

"You sure will! You're going to tell them that I'm working here as a
marketing director."

Muroke: Wow, you are! That's cool!

"Yeah, but it's not easy work like it sounds. It involves a lot of
traveling and dealing with difficult folks. But as I say to myself, if
you can tame the asylum of Greenwood, you can deal with anyone."

Muroke: Can I get a tour?

"Sure. Your friend can come along too. Follow me."

[Later that night]

Kyosuke: What are you doing here?

Kazuya: We didn't know you were in the neighborhood.

Kyosuke: I arrived a few days ago. What are you doing here? Shouldn't
you all be back in Japan?

Akane: We were about to ask you the same question!

Ojiichan: Kyosuke, you silly boy, we're the vacationing bunch.

Kurumi: You didn't help us at all for the seance to find Madoka-san!

Kyosuke: You've found Madoka?

Kazuya: 'Course not! We're just hanging out here now.

Kurumi: Oniichan, you're here to fight as well?

Akane: Ha! That weakling fight? Even I can beat him up.

Kyosuke; Now wait just a moment! I'm here on an investigative mission.
The head of this dojo is the one I'm interviewing.

Ojiichan: Fight or no fight, we have fun first.

Kyosuke: What about Madoka? What did you find out?

Ojiichan: Manami was the focal point. She felt Madoka's presence
nearby.

Kyosuke: But Manami is in California!

Akane: Duh! Of course she is. That should mean that Madoka should be
somewhere along what they call the West Coast.

Kyosuke: Her parents do live in Seattle now. Before that, they were in
L.A.  So it is not out of the realm of possibility that she could be
in between.

Ojiichan: No matter. We have to try again with Manami in person this
time.  Can get better location on pendant.

Kyosuke: She studying right now. She can't come down to perform the
ritual.

Ojiichan: It's true. So we go to her later. Worry less, party now!

Obaachan: Oi oi!

(They form a conga line and start to dance, with ojiichan leading the
way in his Hawaiian shirt.)

Kyosuke: Wait, wait, wait! This isn't the Caribbean!

All: Can't hear you! Can't hear you!

Kyosuke: (*groan*) ESPers do make strange company.


[In a San Francisco apartment]

I came home after missing that mystery man again. For a person where
the mysteries in my life was slowly fading, I wondered aloud what
challenges lie ahead of me. Tomorrow was another beginning, but also
another ending. Because after my tour here for the play was over, what
was I going to do next? That was the inevitable question in my
mind. Would I move back to New York to look for more dance
opportunities? Or maybe I move back to Japan to further pursue my
dance ambition near friends and family. Or maybe even go down to
Hollywood and try my luck there. It was a hard decision to make, even
before my beginning here has started.

Perhaps my fascination with that mystery man was merely a diversion to
avoid that lingering question in my mind. I do know that if I go back
home to Japan, my parents would be pressuring me to quickly get
married. I was getting up there in marriageable age and there is no
man in my life right now. They would probably arrange an oimai for me,
although I found the idea quite horrible, having spent so much time in
the US here and getting hooked on either being independent or finding
love the old-fashioned way.

But whatever I was going to do, I knew I couldn't decide it in one
night. I would have to just put it off another day and endure and
live, like a good friend told me. Besides, tomorrow was the grand
opening of the play. That was something to look forward to. So I shall
get a good night sleep and worry about it another day.

[Meanwhile, in another part of town]

(Inside a sweatshop clothing store)

"Lee, I see you built up strength these few days."

"Yep. Lifting heavy crates of fruits will do that for me. My back is
still sore like a thousand needles."

"You are recovering from embers of the flesh. Little time to recover,
but little time for you as well."

"Is this the new place we're staying tonight?"

(Nods). "We have a new job tomorrow."

"So is that what you call working off your debt?"

"It is capitalism, my friend. It is a land for the lazy, but a greater
land for those who work hard. We're merely following tradition our
ancestors took back in the 1849'ers. If your survive the boat trip,
you work off your debt until you become a free man. That is the
way. Lucky you not a woman.  Otherwise, straight to the brothels you
go!"

"Is that the real reason?"

"Be careful of what you say. That's an old Confucius saying. The wise
man speaks little; it is the foolish who don't know how to hold their
tongue. "

"I can take a hint. I'll shut my mouth."

"Do not worry. I won't abuse you. Listen with strict obedience and
you'll be rewarded. I'll be your big brother."

[The next day]

Kyosuke: You cannot be serious about fighting!

Kurumi: 'course I am!

Kyosuke: But you can't use your ESPer powers! Lord knows the trouble
you've caused in Japan and all the schools we had to transfer to! I'm
not about to start an incident here in America!

Kurumi: Oh, you're just a party pooper!

Kazuya: I don't mind watching the competition.

Akane: I do mind! Fighting is a man's barbaric nature. Same as boxing.

Ojiichan: I disagree. Karate in its highest form is a good form of
exercise and self-defense. And it's a Japanese export!

Akane: I can see your point, but would you call sumo wrestling an
exercise?  That's another Japanese fighting export as well.

Ojiichan: Ho, ho. Sumo and sushi go hand in hand. You need to
appreciate its rawness.

Kurumi: I don't care what you all say! I'm fighting!

Kyosuke: No. I will!

All: What?

Kyosuke: You heard me. Since I'm out here anyway, I might as well give
it a try. They did announce our family name during the pre-ceremonies.

Akane: But you don't know anything about karate!

Ojiichan: Don't worry. I can teach him.

Kurumi: You know karate?

Ojiichan: Hai! Similar to karate. In the village is the
"matta-watta-wo".

Kazuya: What does that mean?

Ojiichan: I don't know. It's what you say perform the movements.

(Everyone does a pratfall)

Kyosuke: Are you sure its safe to learn? You know I can't use my ESPer
powers.

Ojiichan: Don't worry; I cut it out. Just start chanting
"matta-watta-wo" in your head.

Kyosuke: Great! Why did I have to open up my big mouth!


[Back in Japan]

#1 back from Hong Kong at Narita, greeted by Kaori.

Kaori: About time you showed your scummy face back!

#1: Listen, I didn't come back to take your abuse!

Kaori: Fine! Where's the money?

#1: Money?

Kaori: Stupid. You took some job in Hong Kong. Don't tell me you
didn't get paid! Did you screw up the job?

#1: Oh, that job. Yeah, big time. I even caused some damages.

Kaori: Great! Sounds just like you! You're going to run our detective
agency into the ground before it even it has a chance.

#1: Don't blame me! Must be that chemical in my system you were
talking to me about.

Kaori: Don't worry; I bought a friend along. Shijama-kun, you can come
out now.

#1: Oh, Muroke's friend. Why'd you bring him along?

Shijama: Excuse me, but I feel bad that you accidentally ingested my
dangerous concoction. Who knows what side-effects it may have. Have
you had dizzy spells at all?

#1: Nope. Should I?

Shijama: I don't know. I'm still studying the effects, but its hard to
tell given the dosage concentration in your system. It might cause you
to have delusions as well.

#1: Delusions? You sure?

Shijama: All of this is conjecture of course. But I came up with a
temporary counteracting agent in the form of these small pills. Take
one if you feel a spell coming over you. (hands him a small bottle)

#1: Thanks. Did you bring my equipment I asked you?

Kaori: Right to the letter, but why would you need all this stuff?

#1: I talked to the employer, and to avoid paying for the uh damages I
caused in HK, I'm going to clean up another job for him in America.

Kaori: Traveling away so soon?

#1: Why you worried? Miss my face so soon?

Kaori: You wish! Who wants to see a scuzzy face like yours? Let's go
Shijama-kun. I don't want to waste any more time on this loser.

#1: Loser? That's a bit harsh Kaori!

Kaori: You know the routine. Don't come back until you get the money!

#1: Alright! (mutters) Just wants to go on another shopping spree at
the mall.

Kaori: What did you say?

#1: (waves both hands) Nothin'! I'm going now!

[Back to S.F.]

I was taking my morning shower before my opening later that day. As
the gyrating water pulsed around my naked body, the sensation brought
back vivid snapshots of my life. From the rainy day breakup with
Sempai to the swimming pool reunion and finally the traumatic
storm-ridden kidnaped voyage, the drops of water falling on me
reminded me how precarious our lives are.

I used to believe in destiny, but that was shattered when I broke up
with Sempai. I realized I was living in a happy delusion when we were
together.  Now I have been living listlessly, intermixed with sporadic
moments of fate intervening. Practicing and perfecting my skill
leading up to this moment.  Singular in my focus and attention was
first and foremost for the play was above anything else now. This time
around was much easier. I was the one training everyone. The cast on
the West Coast was much more cooperative, which made things sail
along. The only blemish was the incorrect signage they had for the
play listing my counterpart in New York, rather than my name. It was
already too late to correct it. At least they got the opening programs
correct.

This time around, I would be by myself; no support group of friends
there at my opening debut. I was worried that this opening wouldn't
have the same kick, no pun intended. Still, I felt a tingling in my
stomach, as I prepared to get ready. I rubbed the good luck charm that
Madoka made for me. It has always bought me good luck. I knew that
where-ever she was right now, she would be watching over me.

[In other part of town]

"Here on vacation?"

"No. I plan to stay here awhile. I have some unfinished business
here. Do you have local maps?"

"Yes we do. We also have these complimentary newspapers, Chronicle or
Examiner which has ads for longer term stay options."

"Thank you. I'm looking forward to my stay in the City."

[Stanford International House]

Dana: It's time to rise and shine. I'm done with the shower.

Manami: Is it that time already? Do we have class on Friday again?

Dana: Yes. Another morning session to attend. Once that has been
completed, we can go back into San Francisco for the play.

Manami; I nearly forgot! It is today starting at 4pm. My friend Hikaru
is staring in the same exact play in New York.

Dana: It would be interesting to see how this relates to our subject
material. Timing should not be a problem. We should have plenty of
time.

Manami: Oh, I wish we would have purchased tickets beforehand.

Dana; I did so already.

Manami; Wow, you're so prepared.

Dana: That's my nickname; Dutiful Dana.

[At the compound]

Kyosuke is dressed in white karate attire with the other Kasugas
practicing in a small dojo room.

(Kyosuke falls over again!)

Kyosuke: Ouch! My back is never going to hold out if I practice with
you!

Kazuya: Boy, do you suck!

Kurumi: I am the number "ichi-ban" in this family. Boy, oniichan you
are weak!

Akane: (giggles) Ah, go easy on him. He's probably weak from all that
booze and abuse he heaped on his body when he was in deep depression
over Madoka-san.

Kazuya: Funny you are helping him.

Akane: Nah. I just can't stop laughing at seeing him fall on his ass
all the time. If he doesn't stop, my stomach's going to be sore.

Kyosuke: Forget it then! I'm not going to do this!

Ojiichan: What a joker you are.

(An assistant comes in)

"You are rescheduled for tomorrow at match at 9am. Will you be ready?"

Ojiichan: Yes, yes, he will be.

(assistant bows and leaves)

Kyosuke: Why'd you have to do that for! I was about to tell him I was
going to drop out of this suicide match!

Kurumi: It's not suicide! The worst that can happen is that the guy
breaks all your bones, that's all.

Kazuya: Can I have your kidney after the match?

Kyosuke: Very funny. Someone get me out of here!


[Sunset District]

Muroke: (Groggy) Why am I still sleepy?

Trebor: Good afternoon. You finally woke up.

Muroke: What time is it!? Oww! What's this splitting headache?

Trebor: What's the matter? Worried about over-sleeping?

Muroke: What happened last night?

Trebor: You don't remember? Your buddy took us out for dinner at a
place called Minato's in J-town San Jose. You had a fair amount of
sake. Later, we all hopped on over to a karaoke bar where we sang the
night away. You really know how to belt out the tunes, though I
couldn't understand, since it was a J-pop song. I guess you Japanese
folks really know how to party.

Muroke: I did all that?

Trebor: Sure did buddy. Guess there's something to be said about
meeting your fellow countrymen. You must be homesick.

Muroke: I guess you're right. I didn't realize it.  Oh shoot! I
forgot!  The opening of Atlantean is today!

Trebor: It is? Let me check the Arts section of the
paper. At-lan-tean.  Oh okay. It is opening today. At the Orpheum
Theater. Starts at 4pm.  You want to go see it?

Muroke: Of course! My master's old beau is starring in it.

Trebor: Master?

Muroke: Oh, it's a long story. (looks at his watch) We gotta rush.


[At a restaurant]

"What are we doing here?"

"We done with lifting crates. We work here now."

"Oh, more work. I thought we were going to eat. So what do we do
here?"

"Here's a mop. Start cleaning floor before dinner crowd. We need it to
be spotless clean. "

[At the Orpheum Theater]

(Running from 2 sides of the street)

(Slight collision)

"Manami!"

"#2! I mean...uhhh...Muroke!"

Both: "What are you doing here?"

Muroke: Sorry for bumping into you. Trebor is getting the tickets. I
thought I run and save a place in line for him. How are you?

Manami: I'm fine and okay. I'm here with my roommate Dana. We're here
for the theme of the play. It is similar to what the lit class is
teaching right now. Right Dana?

Dana: Yes.

Muroke: You bought your tickets already?

Dana: Yes.

Muroke: You're much more prepared than we were. I was afraid I was
going to oversleep and miss the play altogether!

Dana: What's your interest in the play?

Muroke: Oh, I've seen the original back in New York. I was so
surprised how quickly it made it across to the other side of the coast
already. The dancer is someone we both kind of know. I wouldn't miss
her debut out here!

Manami: Really? I thought someone named Natalie Chan is the dancer
here from the billboard.

Muroke: Oh. I didn't notice that! From my BBS messages, I could have
sworn I saw a note from someone that she was out on the West Coast
edition of the play. I could be wrong.

Trebor: Muroke! I'm back with the tickets! Oh, and you have company!


(inside the theater)

Hikaru: You don't look too good Paul.

Paul: I get butterflies in my stomach at such events. You on the other
hand are as cool as a cucumber.

Hikaru: Thanks, but I'm feeling just as nervous as you do.

Paul: How do you do it? You must have been very scared your first time
in New York and the tough critics.

Hikaru: You do the best you can to block it out. For me, I try to
think of my favorite things that puts me in a good place. Once my mind
is occupied, I can start to relax which allows me to focus.

Paul: You don't get phased by all those eyes on you staring at your
every move?

Hikaru: You don't think about these things when you're zoned out. It
is what all performers hope to get. The spotlight for a while. All you
can do is enjoy it when it is on you and do your best for yourself and
the audience.

Paul: It may work for you, but I'm about to get a panic attack. I need
to go to the toilet now!

Paul was the worry-wort of the cast. He would worry about every little
thing from the costumes to the lighting. But boy, he was a good
dancer. He was the one playing the role of 'Atlas'.

"Oh Star-chan. Would you be a dear and fetch my headdress?"

Hikaru: Okay.

That was Janice. People around here nicknamed her 'Moonbeam', mostly
because of days during the '60's when she was wild and crazy. It did
took a toll on her, for she was forgetful of many things, including
how to get out of the building one time. The uncanny thing was,
despite these bouts of forgetfulness, she never forgot her lines. That
was her one saving grace.  Plus, she was very effusive and
affectionate towards all the cast members.  She played the role of
'Era'.

Director: People, people! Places and positions! Ready or not, here we
go.


Trebor: What were the odds that both you and she came. Did you plan
this, you sly devil?

Muroke: No. It was just coincidence, although I should have thought of
asking her.

Trebor: Too bad you can't sit next to her.

Muroke: (looks at program) It is Hiyama-san!

"Is that you Muroke?"

Muroke: Manami? You in the row in front of us?

"I guess so."

Dana: We should be quiet now. The play is about to start.

[Outside the restaurant]

I took a smoke outside the restaurant. Chan was gracious enough to
give me a Malboro. As the addictive nicotine streamed through my
bloodstream, I felt withdrawn and depressed. Why was I here?
Everything was all blank to me, except for my name. Sid Lee. I was
bilingual. I was shipwrecked and I am here now, part of some unknown
racket, a feeling are too familiar to me.

"Trinkets! Gold and jade trinkets! Pretty trinkets for sale!

It was a old street peddler.

"Kind sir. Care for my assortment of wares? Best selection."

"Listen. I don't have any money, so go bother someone else."

"You no bother, me no bother.

"I told you I have no money. "

"No trouble. You pay me later. I'm always on the streets. Here. This
will fit you well."

"A mini teddy bear pin? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Size no matter. Inside is good."

"You're wastin' your time with me. But thank you anyway. Since I took
it, I'll find a way to pay you back."

Chan: Break time's over. Time to get back to work.

"I'll be there in a minute. Sorry man, I've got to go. Eh, where'd you
go?"

[Back to the play]

(Muroke taps Manami on the shoulder)

Muroke: (whispers) Here's come the big line!

(Hikaru slightly freezes a bit, as if unnerved by a sudden glance into
the crowd, as if catching the eye of someone familiar. She pauses and
breathes deeply before uttering....

"Oh Blessed Era, please forgive me. For I have committed a sin so
great, so vast, so terrible that, even if I were to bury myself for
all of eternity in the soil of this beautiful country, it would not be
erased from memory...  And yet I continue to commit this sin every day
as long as I live. E ven if it meant I would turn into the seaweed
that washes onto the shore, I could not and would not stop loving
him!"

Muroke: Wow! That was a terrific delivery!

"Shshhhh!"

Muroke: Gomen.

[At the dojo]

(Kyosuke is resting on the side)

(Another party is coming in)

"All the practice areas are full. Can we use your area?"

Kyosuke: Go ahead. I'm done here.

"Thank you. Hey guys! Come on in!"

(We see a black guy with a green mohawk and purple trunks walk in with
another stocky individual, with six-pack abs and the build of a
lumberjack.)

"Hey Mr RK! Thanks for letting me spar with your chump, I mean champ
here.  I want to see how your karate kid stuff matches up with Thai
boxing."

"Mr Zack, the pleasure is mine. Seeing your fight in Vegas led me to
believe you will make a good practice partner for my champion Kahn,
who is much more than karate. He is versed in 14 different styles of
martial arts. But he will only utilize karate, since that is the form
in this tournament."

"Yoroshku, Kahn man. Let's spar!"

"Me no spar. Me fight or not fight."

"My client here is light on the English but heavy on the fist."

"I get you man. Hai ya! (mock karate chop) You 'Kahn' do it!"

(We see Zack deliver a colorful display of kicks and machine gun
punches followed by a series of leg sweeps. Kahn artfully dodges all
the blows. This goes on for 10 minutes.)

Zack: Hey man, I don't have all day for the rope a dope! Show me the
moves!

(Kahn looks over to the mystery man who nods his head)

Kahn then delivers this lightning fast blows that break Zack's guard,
followed by 2 chops to the legs that leaves Zack paralyzed. He then
delivers a blow around the windpipe followed by a finishing roundhouse
that totally levels Zack to the ground.

Kyosuke: Wow brother! That guy is scary!

Kahn: Kouji, we go!

Kazuya: Hey buddy! Who are you fighting?

Routa Kouji: Some Japanese chap from some Kasuga clan.

Kyosuke: Gulp! That's me!

[Backstage]

Janice: Something the matter deary?

Hikaru: I feel the shakes! A cold feeling which I have not felt for a
long time.

Janice: Child, you must be feeling the jitters. Even us experienced
actors get that on opening night.

Hikaru: Opening night. That must be it.

Janice; Yes, yes child. Just sleep on it after our big party tonite!

[In the viewing area]

Muroke: Wow, that was super! Hikaru danced superbly!

Manami: I quite agree. She danced the same way as she did in New York.

Muroke: Huh? How did you know?

Manami: Oh? Was I saying something?

Muroke: Never mind. I wonder if we could meet her backstage?

Trebor: I doubt it. They need to ensure some privacy.

Muroke: But we're her friends!

"Excuse me, but were you talking about the dancer in the show?"

Muroke: Yes, of course. Miss Hikaru Hiyama. She and I used to work
together back in Japan. I even saw her first premiere in New York. I
wondered if there was a chance to meet her backstage.

"Not now, but later, if you tag along with me. Come along. A friend of
HH is a friend of mine!"


[In the dressing room]

(Hikaru sees an envelope on her table)

She opens it to find a greeting card with a big teddy bear on it.

"Best wishes from your biggest fan."

Hikaru: Hmmm. I wonder who could this be from?

[At the Golden Dragon Restaurant]

Egg: Dinner time crowd begin to come. You be dishwasher! I be
busboy. Do not chip plates and cups Lee!

Lee: I know, I know. Don't treat me like a little boy.

Egg: Your hands are made for breaking things. Must train to treat
things properly. Understand?

Lee: (snarl) Okay.

Egg: You obey, you do well. Take silly pin off or you get it wet. Now
go.


(Outside the restaurant)

Hikaru is nestled among the rest of the cast members as they chat it
up.

"Miss Hiyama, it's good to see you once again."

Hikaru does a double take and turns around.

Hikaru: Who said that?

"Hey girlfriend! I brought of your friends along."

Hikaru: Vivian! Muroke, you're here too!

Muroke: Manami is here too! See! (points to her)

Hikaru: Is that you Manami-chan? I couldn't recognize you in your
shades and dark clothing. Is this a new look for you?

Manami: Oh, I'm experimenting with a new look Miss Hiyama. I mean
Hikaru.  Excuse me if I say some weird things tonight. I'm not feeling
myself lately.

Hikaru: I know the feeling! Come on in and we can catch up on old
times.

[At the compound]

Kyosuke walking to the steamy hot springs bath and soaking his aching
body inside.

"Greetings Mr Kasuga. Enjoying your stay here?"

Kyosuke: Osamu-san! I'm surprised I can meet up with you face to face.

"Honto? I was beginning to wonder why you stopped meeting me for the
interviews."

Kyosuke: Me stop? I talked to James and he said you were in isolation
to prepare for the tournament.

"Did he say that? I would have made time for you. James and my family
worry too much about me, trying to cut down on my workload. James
virtually runs the whole show now. I have been lending my name mostly
these past few years.  (*sigh*) Yes, I think this year, 1995, will be
my last year as head of this dojo. James would be a worthy successor."

Kyosuke: So you're retiring?

"You can say so. I still will be involved, but not on a full-time
basis. I have done my duty, and now is time for my family. Ah, but one
more thing to get off my chest. "

Kyosuke: It might seem to be a strange venue, but if you like, we can
begin part of the interview now if you like. I don't have my voice
recorder, so I have to rely on the good 'ole noggin to remember. It's
not everyday you get to see a Japanese style hot springs here in
America.

"A peaceful, soothing reminder of home, of which I hae been away too
long."

Kyosuke: What do you want to talk about?

"I'm getting old. I don't have too many years left in me. While there
is still strength in me, I want to pass something on to the new
generation.  Next month will mark 50 long years since the end of the
war.

Kyosuke; You mean WWII.

"Yes, I served in the Japanese Navy."

Kyosuke: I see. Please go on.

"It was the year 1944, where I was drafted into the Japanese Navy. Our
navy had suffered great losses at the hands of Americans, who were
slowly beginning to take back the islands we had conquered and
proceeding towards the motherland. I could have entered the war
earlier, but was haughty, thinking the Japanese navy was the greatest
in the world, given the early successes against the US. When the war
at sea took a turn, I felt a dire feeling. The only chance Japan had
left was the 'divine wind.'

Kyosuke: You mean the kamikaze.

"Yes, the kamikaze force was the last vestige of honor left for
Japan. Given my samurai family background, I was allowed to join this
corp at the outset.  Others who were not so fortunate to have a family
background as I had to go through a much more difficult road in order
to join. Those who distinguished themselves in battle made up most of
the company.  We trained off a secret base where we went through
solemn rituals of prayer and meditation to clam our mind and
emotions. Physically, we practiced in our old, beaten-up airplanes
which were the only things left. What we would do is to practice our
dive towards a designated target and pull up at the last possible
second. There were many casualties just from this exercise alone,
given not many had the timing and hand/eye coordination required. I
had at least survived the training.

Kyosuke: So, did you actually go on a mission?

"I did. The assignment was done by pulling lots of incense. Those who
pulled the short one got the go ahead. My lot was pulled on July 28,
1945, along with 4 others. That night, I was restless; I couldn't
sleep. I felt much like a condemned man awaiting his execution before
a firing squad. Many thoughts of my young life flashed inside my
head. My days of practicing the tea ceremony when I was a little
boy. The time me and my brother Jun were caught stealing a pig and
receiving ten lashes for it. My first exposure to Shotokan karate at
Hosei University under Master Funakoshi.  I thank the gods for
allowing me a chance to experience the joy, the pain,and the
mundane. Most depart the world through chance and fate. My departure
was predetermined, but an honorable death. There is nothing better
than to die for the cause of your country."

Kyosuke: So what happened on your flight?

"At 4:00am, on July 29, 1945 we began the final ceremony. Each of us
were presented with a small glass containing sake from the emperor
himself. I gulped mine down, zipped up my plane jacket, and proceeded
to board my aircraft and start up my engine. I saw the waving of the
flag to signal us to go soon afterwards. I slowly revved up my engines
and took off the landing strip towards my designated target. As I was
rising higher and higher, with just ocean blue waves below me and wide
blue sky above, I felt something wrong. The rest of the 4 planes had
flown past me. I was not catching up.  I felt a reverberation in my
cockpit and looked down at my instruments. One of my engines was
choking and sputtering and I was losing power fast. I felt a chill up
my spine, for I felt the inevitable coming sooner than I
anticipated. I was spiraling towards the ocean on my way towards a
disgraceful demise. I just pulled up as hard as I could on my yoke
control. That is the last thing I remembered."

Kyosuke: So you crashed into the ocean and survived?

"In the sequence of events, that how it went. I was out for 12
days. When I did wake up, I first thought I was in heaven. I couldn't
hear anything, and I couldn't see that well. It was a whitish
haze. Quickly, an acute pain in my chest and the shortness of my
breath and I realized where I really was: the hospital. Depression set
in."

Kyosuke: Why so?

"It meant I failed my mission. As a soldier, but more importantly, as
a samurai. I could not uphold my family's honor. Then, the turn of
events around me made me wish I had died in the hospital rather than
recover from my injuries."

Kyosuke: Are you talking about the end of the war?

"Precisely. The surrender by the Emperor himself. That was too much of
a shock to take. I had heard tales of soldiers committing hara-kiri,
either with the guns or the few who had their swords. I would have
done the same thing had I been able-bodied enough. But in my paralyzed
state, I could do nothing but lay in that bed and endure and suffer in
my mind. After the initial shock wore off after weeks of captivity in
my bed, I decided against committing suicide when I got well
enough. Japan's cities were in ruin. If I kill myself, who would be
there to rebuild them? It was a difficult decision at the time, but I
decided to swallow my pride and do the more honorably thing which was
to help my country rebuild in the wake of defeat."

Kyosuke: That's why you did so much work in TV arena, especially in
raising money for needy causes and charity. You even directed the
"Your Goodwill, Please." telethon show.

"Hai. I'm surprised you know that much about the show."

Kyosuke: My otousan would mention how he and my okaasan loved to watch
your shows. That's why I thought your name sounded familiar.

Yes, that was me. There may be uncertainty in the future, but helping
people gives one a sense of purpose. If I was able-bodied, I was going
to do the best I can to help people in any way I could. "

Kyosuke: May I ask then why you moved out from Japan and into the US?
Isn't it a bit ironic on your part, given your war-time experience?

"Quite the contrary. Japan might have lost the war, but both countries
gained in the aftermath. Some war veterans might still feel resentment
towards the US, but I don't. Sometimes, one's bitterest enemies may
turn out to be their most closest allies. The US occupation might not
have been pleasant, but at least we were not enslaved and doomed to
poverty. Millions of dollars was poured into Japan to rebuild it. When
I was directing, I had contact with many famous American celebrities
that generously lent their time to appear on my show to help in
raising money for the charities. When I heard there was an opportunity
to establish a karate school in the US, I jumped at the chance. That
is why I am here today. In a way, giving back and teaching the honor,
discipline, and tradition of karate to the masses here, especially the
young people."

Kyosuke: That's a very noble thing to do. What did you think of the
war in general today?

"A very tricky and sensitive subject What I think is this. It should
not be taken lightly. War is a madness which allows for killing
indiscriminately, without remorse. It doesn't matter which side you
were on. But different times have different attitudes. In those days,
war was honor. We, as the Emperor's loyal subjects, had our
duty. Especially as a young man, you jump at the chance to serve your
country in battle and distinguish yourself, regardless of the
reasons. There was no second guessing the matter at all. Being young,
we weren't heady enough to worry about the reasons. Not like over
here. No, here, in this land, they were torn and divided and protested
over Vietnam.

Kyosuke: Why do you choose to speak of the matter now instead of
before?

"I'm lazy as anyone else. Everyone has things they have been meaning
to do, but they put it off for as long as possible. I'm nearing the
end of my list.  I know that the more times passes, the more memory
fades away. I was but a few handful belonging to the notorious
Kamikaze squad who manage to survive or didn't committed suicide. I
know that I don't have too many years left in me. I agree to do this
interview originally with Tamaki-san for the sake of us Japanese
veterans with so few that are left. Whose right, whose wrong, I don't
care. I let people judge the accounts and different perspectives of
World War II on both sides. As long as the stories are written down
for another generation, I hope they will  not forget the sacrifices
people of this world have to make in order to live peacefully with
each other."

"Osamu! Time to turn in now!"

"It's the wife. I must depart now. There's some more I want to
say. Till we meet again."

[At the Golden Dragon Restaurant]

Hikaru: How did you know I was coming here?

Vivian: I showed them the way. I had a vibe from my crystals.  (points
to her necklace)

Muroke: What are the chances that me, Manami, and you would be in the
same place again, like back at XYZ studios. Too bad #1 isn't here.

Manami: I'm sure he is here in spirit, Miss Hiyama.

Hikaru: You don't have to be formal with me Manami-chan. You know you
can call me by my first name.

Muroke: She's just kidding you.

Manami: Sorry Hikaru. I feeling strange today.

Hikaru: Now that you mention it, I'm feeling the same way.

Vivian: Oh, don't tell me! It's "that" thing.

Muroke: What?

Vivian: Umm, you wouldn't understand Marky. It's a woman thing.

Muroke: It's Muroke!

Vivian: Ah, the good stuff is coming! King sized prawns.

(the waiter stuffs the dish right in front of Manami)

Manami: Uh, I really don't feel well now. I'm going to the restroom.

(She departs quickly)

Muroke: Something is really affecting Manami-chan. Hope it's not
contagious.

[In the Castro District]

"Are you here to look at the room?"

"Yes I am."

"Hi, name's Paul. Excuse my BO, I've been performing. I'm a dancer by
the way. Give me a minute to open up. Ah, there we go.  The room goes
for $450 a month plus utilities. I keep the place impeccably
clean. I'm not finicky about sharing stuff, but don't make a mess! I
absolutely hate that! Here's the room. The bathroom is shared but
clean. Take your time to look around. The kitchen where it is located
to your left. You're welcome to use the kitchen. I use it
sparingly. Ask me any questions you like. Give me a minute while I
change out of these clothes.

"Hmmm. Strange fellow, but laid-back. This could be my temporary
stomping ground."

[Back at the Golden Dragon Restaurant]

Egg: Time to change.

Lee: Change what?

Egg: You be busyboy now. I need to soak these hands.

Lee: Do I have to?

Egg: Yes. Go out now before the owner starts yelling.

Lee: Hai ya.

(right outside)

Hikaru: Vivian! You've been drinking too much!

Vivian: Look who's talking! You've drank as much as me!

Hikaru: I guess you're right.

Muroke: Are you two okay?

Hikaru: Not really. I over did it this time.

Muroke: Don't worry. Manami left earlier to catch her train back. I
can call my friend to help you two back home. I'll go to the pay
phone. Don't go anywhere!

(Muroke departs to the pay phone area just as Lee exits from the
kitchen, missing him)

(Lee walks by them towards a table besides them.)

Hikaru: I-i-i-it's him!

(face flops right on the table as Hikaru passes out)

[The next morning]

Kyosuke: Urgh. What a nightmare! I dreamed I was head-butted by that
vicious Kahn man till I was knocked senseless. Oww, my head aches just
thinking about it. Oh, my body! It's still so sore. I can't even raise
my arms up. I can't fight this guy in my present condition. I must
forfeit this match. Hey! What the? How come I'm tied up?

(tries to use the Power! to untie the ropes, but it doesn't work!)

Kyosuke: Eh? This is impossible! Did my Power! go as well? Who did
this to me?

(As he scoots his body up on the back of the bed, he gasps as he looks
into the mirror)

He sees another person's face reflecting back at him!


[End Book V PART 4]