H A R D |< O R PRELUDE Edition K i m a g u r e O r a n g e R o a d F a n f i c t i o n by Robert Kwong rk@soda.berkeley.edu ver 1.1 completed 10/21/96 revised 11/20/96 Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by the venerable Matsumoto Izumi. As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure Orange Orange Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the events following the breakup of Hikaru and Kyouske which sets the stage for Shin Kor and HARD Kor series. These stories were written in the attempt to clarify certain details assumed and to provide clues for future Hard Kor episodes. HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories: Book A and Book B chapters) http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html My SuperPage for the General Kimagure Orange Road enthusiast http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/Kor.html My contact email address for comments or further correspondence: rk@soda.berkeley.edu Feel free to email me your impressions and suggestions for the series. Beta readers always welcome. If you want new stories emailed to you, please e-mail me at the above address. Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR fanfic on the web! (8500 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -96- Legend: H=Hikaru Hiyami Y=Hino, Yuusaku Prelude: Kuu: Halloween Hijinx [At the Dance Studio] (Everyone on stage is dancing, except Hikaru who is staring out into blank space, thinking of someone. ) Director/Sensei: Hiyama-san! Wake up! Where's your mind today? You missed your cue again! H: Sorry sensei! I promise it won't happen again!(goes back into position) Dancer #1: What's up with her? Dancer #2: She been like a ditz these past weeks. No way she'll make the cut. (Hikaru stumbles and falls to the four) Director: Alright! Take 5! It obvious that some people need a break here... Dancer #1: (to Hikaru) Get with the program girl! Dancer #2: Yeah. You're embarrassing us! H: (head down) Gomen. I'm so sorry.... (Director walks over) Director: Hiyama-san. Is there a problem here? These last few sessions, you haven't really been concentrating very hard. H: (head down again) I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to. It's all my fault. Director: Now's not the time to be meek here! Either you want it or you don't! I hate to be frank here, but your last few outings have stunk, to put it bluntly. But it's not too late. There's still over a month left before I make out the final list of performers who will return next spring. But you'll have to get your act together soon, if you hope to have any chance for contention at all. Do you understand where I'm coming from? H: Hai Sensei! Director: Good. Just do your best. It was true. Ever since that incident, seeing Yuusaku with Kaori in that warehouse and seeing how irresponsible he has become sent me into a period of withdrawl. I gave Hino the silent treatment. But in doing so, I left myself open. I had no one to beat up on, no one to yell at, no one to take my mind off him. Yes, I admit it! I was still hung up over Sempai! No matter how hard I tried, I could not resist him. Pictures of him littered all around my room. So I had no choice. I didn't want to give in, but I had to. I was seduced into resorting to my pillar of strength: Darling. I thought there was still a glimmer of chance left. Maybe he changed his mind about the way he felt towards me. Maybe the time off between us made him miss me more. Abscence does make the heart grow fonder. Maybe he was just testing me, seeing if I would be faithful to him. Maybe, maybe, maybe. So I started writing to him, sending him packages, hoping he would respond back. I eagerly awaited for the mail daily, waiting for his letter. It never came. As each day passed, I became more and more despondent, sinking down into the deep bowels of depression. I had no one I could talk to; I was truly alone and wretched. What a pitiful creature I was! But what was I to do? All my studies and activities suffered as a result, except for my drawing class. From my dark visions, I would draw these moribund, sorrowful scenes. My art teacher was clearly impressed with my ability, but was worried about my choice of themes. She constantly tried to cajole me into drawing something more cheerful, but I didn't feel like it. Through my art, I was able to reflect some of the pain I was feeling, but not all of it, which was still entrapped within my dark, brooding heart. I drew a picture of a web, with a tiny, slinky figure trapped inside the middle. In the center of a web was a whirlpool, a vortex trying to suck me into some mysterious black hole. That hapless, stick figure was me. I myself was weaving the bonds which encased me inside. There was no crack, no hope for escape. No one to rescue me from the dark sea I was drowning myself in. I was at my lowest point. Would this be the end of me? [A week after the Post Office incident...] I finally understood everything now, once again. She could and would never ever be ever get rid of HIM from her system. Even now, she was trying to establish a long-distance relationship with him. But that was Hikaru. She was always so stubborn in these matters. She just would never give up. (Flashback to childhood scene in a fruit orchard...) Little H: Get down again. I want to try again! Little Y: (crouched on all 4's with Hikaru stepping on his back) Do I have to? It's the 20th you tried! Why don't you take the lower-hanging oranges instead? Little H: Because I want that shiny one there! I won't stop until I get it! Little Y: It's too high! Why don't you get Madoka-san to get it for you? Little H: NO! I want to do it myself. (at the end of the day, with little H and Y walking back) Little Y: (rubs his sore back) See! I told you couldn't get it! Little H: Shut up! We're try again tomorrow. Little Y: (slaps hand to forehead) Oh no... (End of flashback) I was still mad to learn she had been sending all those packages of goodies to my mortal enemy. First it was those specially made bento lunches and now this! What a fool I was! Now I was losing out to a memory. I mean, even when he wasn't even here, he's still beating me. How pathetic. I cursed up to the sky and I rode along the golden fields of the country road of the descending dusk. I did not sleep at all that night. The next day was my English midterm. [At school, in the halway, with Yuusaku lumbering about the hallway, he bumps into Muroke] Muroke: Hey! Watch it! Hino-san! Sorry! Hey, you look like a wreck. Isn't today your test? Y: Yeah, but I couldn't sleep. Muroke: You're not going to do well at all in that condition. Here. Take this. (hands him small package) Y: What's this? Muroke: My special pep pills. It'll keep you alert and awake. I use it all the time for those all-night cramming. Y: Is safe? Muroke: Yeah. It says on the label it's as safe as coffee. (looks at watch) Gotta go. Good luck and do your best! (dashes off) Y: (Empties entire 4-pill package into his mouth and tosses wrapper aside) I immediately felt a strange sensation. I jerked my head back in a whiplash-like fashion. I felt different, more alert that I have been my whole life. (Wrapper Instructions: Take 1 pill every 8 hours. Maybe have adverse side effects for people with allergic reactions and heart condition. Do not mix with alcohol. Do not take in mass quantities...) (We see a Dr Jekyl-Mr Hyde transformation in Yuusaku. He has this crazed look on his face. Somehow, he's not the same person anymore...) (We see Yuusaku flip through the pages of his English textbook, one after another in successive manner, as if super speed reading.) (Just as the test is about to begin, Ryoga pops in) Sensei: So you decided to join us for the first time this semester after all, Ryoga-kun? Ryoga: Yeah. I thought I'll show up for the test. (He calmly sauntered into a seat right across Yuusaku) Ryoga: (leans over to Yuusaku and whispers) Watch your back! He-he-he! (Yuusaku seems in a zone, seemingly even ignoring Ryoga's comments) Sensei: You have 45 minutes to complete the test. Keep your eyes on your own papers and... I was worried. I did not study the whole night, and I just quick crammed the last few minutes. But amazingly, the answers started coming to me. It was as if I had the textbook in front of me. I wonder what was going on. I never had this "photographic" memory ability before. Maybe it was those pills. I glared menacingly at Ryoga. What a fool! He was bound to fail; why he didn't even attend class. What was he trying to pull anyway with that... (We see Ryoga stand up and walk over to the teacher's desk with his test) Ryoga: Here you go. All finished. Sensei: (eyes him incredulously) Are you sure? Don't you want to check your answers? Ryoga: Why? They're all correct anyway. (cockily walks out) That guy! What nerve! What was he trying to prove anyway? Not only was he stupid, but arrogant! Well two can play that game. (A few minutes later, Yuusaku hands in his paper) Sensei: You too!? What's going on here? You're both not cheating, are you? Y: Cheating? No, of course not sensei. I just feel it today. Goodbye! (Out in the courtyard, 30 minutes before lunchtime) Y: (visibily shaking like a drug junkie) Whew! I gotta get rid of this extra energy I'm feeling! (starts to shadow-box in the open air) "There he is! Get him! " I was jumped from behind a tree. "What the hell!" I cried as I flung my assailant from behind. There were two more coming up towards me from the front in opposite directions. It was a 3 prong attack. And I recognized who they were. They were from the karate class, part of Ryoga's elite "guard", probably sent to get me on his orders. Normally, I don't stand a chance against 3 above-average fighters. But I was juiced up from the pills that it didn't matter. I also had all this excess, negative energy I had been feeling the night before sulking. Both together served to be a deadly combination. Those 3 never had a chance. I easily kicked their ass, flinging them back and forth. They didn't even land a blow on me. I was psyched, flowing with power. My battle apparently attracted a lot of attention, with students from all over the building peering out the window and cheering me on as I landed blow after blow on Ryoga's hated bullies. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hikaru looking amazed at my exploits. Principal :(storming forward) What is the meaning of this?! How dare you fight on school grounds! Ryoga: (coming out of hiding and intercepting him) Easy principal.Nothing to worry about. We all are in the karate club. We were just practicing, that's all. Principal: And what for? Ryoga: The meet that'll be coming in two weeks. The gym was in use, so we figured we practice here. We didn't know we would cause such an uproar. We were only doing it for the honor of the school. I know how much the karate city trials mean to you. That's why we decided to practice hard and long. Humble apologies. (bows) Principal: Is this true? (Ryoga signals fallen victims, wincing in pain, and they nod) Principal: Still, you've disturbed all the classes, so I want to see you all in my office. Especially you! (points to Yuusaku) I went to the principal's office, and heard an earful from him. He made it a point to tell me that he didn't like "thugs" from the "other side" stirring up trouble in this peaceful community of Otaru. And if I keep this up, that he personally make sure I get expelled. [Out of the principal's office] Y: Whew! Glad that was over! Kaori: Hello! (neck tackles him) Y: H-h-hi! What are you doing here? Kaori: Waiting up for you of course. You were so great today! What a stud muffin you are! Ryo was so stupid to send his boys against you. Now he'll be sorry. Y: (blushing) I'm really not that good. It just that I feel different today. Kaori: Say, would you take me to the Halloween dance tomorrow. I'm sure no one has asked you yet. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! (squeezes neck harder) Y: (arhh) Well, ok then. I don't see why not. Kaori: G-r-e-a-t! I wear a sexy costume, just for you! (puts a hand on her rear) Meet you at the party. Bye! Gotta go to work now! (prances off) Funny. I was never ever stalked by a girl before. I was usually the one doing the stalking. Did she really like me? I have to admit that she, despite being an annoying gnat at times, that she was slowly having her effect on me. So much like Madoka in a way... [At Karate Class sparing with Muroke] Muroke: That was a great fight you put on today! I watched the whole thing from above. Me and my classmates were rooting you on. Y: Thanks, I guess. Muroke: I didn't know you were that good! Y: Well, I am 2-dan. Muroke: You are? I didn't know that. Y: Yeah. I guess there's still a lot things about me you don't know about. Muroke: You know, it was strange. I could have sworn you were actually "glowing" at the end of the fight. Y: Glowing? Nahh...you gotta get your glasses checked. Must have been the sun that got in your eyes. Muroke: Could be. Been a while since I last checked my eyes. (oww!) Don't punch so hard! What's up with you anyway today? Say, do you still have those pep pills left? Y: Those? No. I swallowed the whole thing. Thanks. That really came in handy. Muroke: You did what? You consumed the whole package? Y: Yeah, what's wrong? Muroke: No wonder you were fighting so well! You're not suppose to take more than 1 for every 8 hours! Why with 4 tablets, you must be on cloud 9! Y: (spaced out look) Well I do feel a little light-headed. Say, where am I now? Muroke: Uh oh. Must be the side effects of the drug taking effect on you. Y: I thought you said it was safe! Muroke: Yeah, when taken in appropiate dosage! But 4 is lethal! It'll take at least a day and a half for the effects to wear off. You got to see the school nurse! Y: (change of personality) Leave me alone! I'm perfectly fine. (Other side of the gym) Aki: Say boss, why don't we jump that Hino-fink after practice! I want to get revenge on him for what he did to me today! Bento: Me too! Ryoga: Shut up! You had your chance! You guys should be ashamed of yourselves! You 3 are part of the team for gods' sake! I wanted to humiliate him in front of his girl, but you had to get your asses kicked by him. You call yourself men!? Aki: But it wasn't our fault boss. He must have been smokin' something, for he attacked us with us terrific power. I never experienced anything like it at all! Ryoga: Excuses, excuses, that's all I ever hear from ya lousy bums! Daisuke:"You after his girl, don't you?" Ryoga: Yeah, so what? I have my reasons. 'Flamingo Kid': (sitting on the mat, in a cast) I heard rumours that this kid is good from my contacts in Tokyo. I believe his rank is 2-dan and he was personally trained by some Ayukawa Madoka figure. Chiko: Her? I heard she's good! My cousin in a girl gang was roughed up by the likes of her. Ryoga: Ha! I have nothing to fear from him. I'm 1-Dan. But that's not the issue. I have another way of getting back at him. (Evil glint) Bento: What do you have in mind Boss? Ryoga: Like the American saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?" Aki: Huh? Ryoga: You'll see... (10 minutes before end of practice) Sensei: Hino-kun. Come here. I have something to discuss with you. Y: Yes Sensei. Sensei: You probably don't know this, but our first meet will be in about 2 weeks. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but under extraordinary circumstances, I am compelled. Y: Compelled to do what? Sensei: I'm going to insert you as part of the team that goes to compete in our division. You will be the backup alternate, of course. I don't put just anyone on the team unless they have undergone at least 1 semester of my training, but one of our prime members is hurt. Y: But why choose me? Why not choose someone else who been at it longer? Sensei: I would, but Ryoga-kun was adamant in choosing you. It seems you two are not the adversaries I once thought. Y: Him? He recommended me? Sensei: Yes, he said you passed some test or trial. I did ask him and he chose you. For me, I don't think you ready emotionally. But I won't force you if you don't want to. Y: No sensei I mean yes. I accept the challenge, of behalf of the club and dojo! I won't let you or the team down! Sensei: I don't care about that. Trophies or championships don't mean nothing to me. It's more important that you don't let yourself down. Well I have your decision, so I'll announced it at the end. Practice early and often and fight with honor. That is all I can expect from you. Y: Hai sensei! (Yuusaku exiting practice in a super supreme confident mood, from the news and the pills...) Y: Hikaru! What are you doing here? I'm surprised to see you! I hope you didn't wait here for me all this time, did you? H: No I didn't. I just got off dance practice myself. I just wanted to catch you before you left to thank you for retrieving my grammar book. My mama told me all about it. Domo. (bows) Y: (very suave, persuasive manner) Oh, it was nothing. Say, today's the end of all the midterms. And the Halloween dance is tomorrow. So if you're not busy, I was wondering if you will go with me. H: I don't really think it's appropiate for us to be doing such a thing... Y: (gazes in her eyes in a mesmerizing manner, and has a strange ambience to him) I REALLY WOULD WANT YOU THERE BESIDE ME. Please will you come with me. Please! I hope you're not still angry with me... H: (feeling strange flowing over her) Well I don't see why not? The tests are over and I haven't had fun in a long while. And you can be my bodyguard. Ok! Y: Great! I'll pick you up at your house. (walks in a snake-like motion to his motocycle) (A few moments later) H: [The next day at the Yuusaku residence, Yuusaku decked out in full white karate garb practicing karate on the deck in the orchard] Ojiisan: Yuu-kun! You're up very early today! Y: Good morning, Ojiisan. (bows) Ojiisan: My how big and tall and strong you have grown since you were last here. Why I'd remember when you were just a little boy. Y: That was years ago. I'm sorry we didn't come visit you more often. Ojiisan: Oh, I know how it is in the city and all. Once you're trapped there, it's hard to get out. I'm glad this temporary misfortune has brought us together once again. Y: It's good to be back in the mother country again. I like the change of pace here. Ojiisan: But I can tell you still miss the city. And all the friends you left behind. Y: Yes, it's true. Is it that obvious? Ojiisan: (hearty laugh) Once you've been in a place long enough, it becomes a part of you. And leaving it makes it all the much harder. Why, someday, I won't be here on this big, beautiful land of ours. Y: You shouldn't talk that way ojiisan. You will live a long, healthy life. Ojiisan: You young people are so naive sometimes. Wasting away your youth. Not realizing how precious the moments of life is until it's nearly gone. Only when you get to be as old as I am will you fully understand what I mean. But I am not afraid of "leaving" this earth. Why I relish it. The chance to be part of the land, once more. What could be more better than that? Why look at that peach tree over there? Y: Yeah. I remember seeing it there ever since I was very little. Ojiisan: Yes. I planted it when you first came to us. It was a young sapling, like you were. But now it has grown to be big and strong, just like you. And of fruit-bearing capability. It endures, day after day, season after season, accumulating new experiences. It will live and sustain for many prime years. And then it will wither away and become part of the land again. That is the fate for all living things. It is all part of the cycle. Do you understand? Y: I think so. Ojiisan: (laughing) I didn't mean to make you too depressed. You still have your youth and you should be happy. Yet something still weighs heavily on your mind. More than being homesick. Y: No, I just have a throbbing headache, that's all. I can't quite remember everything that happened yesterday. All I know is that I'm suppose to go practice my judo and go to Hikaru's house for some reason. That's all I recall. Ojiisan: You weren't drinking, did you? You know that alcohol doesn't mix well with our family. Y: No I didn't. It was something else. Ojiisan: Well you can't practice judo on a cloudy mind. Let me prepare for you an old concotion that has been passed down from generation to generation. A special green tea to remedy all ills and aches. Come! I'll show you how to make it. It's time I pass on the tradition. Y: Thank you Ojiisan. [Hikaru's house] (We see Hikaru going through her closet, throwing clothes to and fro. Her mother enters) Mrs Hiyama: What a messy room! I hope you're going to clean this up! H: Okaa-san! Can't you see I'm busy? Mrs Hiyama: I'm sorry! What are you doing anyway? H: I'm looking for a costume to wear for the Halloween dance tonight? Mrs Hiyama: Really? That's swell! You're finally adjusting. I was beginning to worry, with you moping around here so much. Who's the lucky boy? H: (shouting from closet) Well, if you must know, it's Yuusaku! Mrs Hiyama: Little Yuu-kun? What a perfect choice. I always liked that boy. H: It's not what you think! I'm only going with him because he probably needed a chaperone. Nothin more. Mrs Hiyama: Still, I think you two make the perfect couple. H: Mama! You know I don't think of Hino that way. Mrs Hiyama: Well I don't see why not. Why he and our families are on such good terms and you both know each other almost all your lives and... H: Will you drop it? Mrs Hiyama: Is it because you're still pining away for that Kasuga boy? H: Ma!!! Mrs Hiyama: I don't see why you still are after him. He's not nearly as strong as Hino. H: (pushes her out) Out, out, out! Mrs Hiyama: Well if you're looking for a costume, why not wear your princess outfit? H: Ma! You know that's too childish. I'm in the last year of high school. I need something more "mature". Now leave me alone and let me have some time to decide 'kay? Mrs Hiyama: Fine dear. But be sure to look good for Hino. I'll be taking pictures! H: Out! (slams door) [Muroke calling Yuusaku] Y: Hi Muroke. What's up? Muroke: I thought you should be the first to know: You got an B+ on your English test. Y: What? No way? That's great. But how do you know? Muroke: Conceptualy, it's very simple. All you have to do is hack your way into the teachers' database in the school computers and .. I really shouldn't be telling you this. All I know is that you got a B+. Y: I'm thoroughly amazed. Muroke: But wait till you hear this! That Ryoga-fink got an straight A on the test. Y: He did? That's can't be... Muroke: Yep. I was floored when I saw that too. Y: He must have cheated! Muroke: I wouldn't be surprised. Lowlife like him always resort to that type of chicanerous behavior. By the way,... are you still feeling ill from the pills I gave you? Y: So it was you who gave me it! You know it caused this incredible hangover and I don't remember much of anything yesterday. Muroke: You don't remember? That must have been some powerful side effect. Well, a LOT of stuff happened. Here's a recap. (summary of events) Y: Wow, I did that? Muroke: Yep, and you got on the karate team to boot. What a day for you! Y: Yeah, I guess so. Too bad I can't remember much of it. Muroke: Still feeling dizzy? Y: At first I was, but my heart cleared up with this special green tea my ojiisan prepared for me. This is some powerful stuff; just what I need to counteract the effect of those pills. Muroke: Say, are you going to that dance tonight? Y: Dance? What dance? Muroke: The Halloween dance, of course. You got a costume all prepared, right? Y: Tonight? Muroke: Yeah. What'll you be wearing? I'm going to come as Robin, Batman's sidekick. How about you? Y: Me...I haven't decided yet. Muroke: Well you better hurry! You only got a few scant hours to decide. I see you later. Bye. Y:< So that's why I'm going to Hikaru's house! I must have asked her out to the dance. But how did I get the nerve to ask her? And where am I going to get a costume?> Ojiisan: You look troubled Yuu-kun. The tea wasn't good? Y: No, no. Sorry Ojiisan. It's just that I'm in a dilemma right now. I'm suppose to go to this Halloween party, but I don't have a costume to wear! Ojiisan: (gleam in his eye) You don't worry. Let me take care of it. Y: How? Ojiisan: Come with me. (Enters some type of attic area above the house) Y: Wow! What is this place? I never knew you had a room up here. Ojiisan: Yes, that's where we store all the old stuff. Ahh. Here it is. (Comes to a rathen shabby looking chest) Here it is. Y: What is it? Ojiisan: My costumes from my old Kabuki days. Y: You were an actor? I didn't know that. Ojiisan: (laughs) Yes. That was when I was your age, young and vibrant. I didn't always wanted to be a fisherman forever. So I participated in the local Kabuki theater. (rubs beard) If I remember, I was quite good... Y: (smiles) You probably were. What's this? (picks up a red cloth) Ojiisan: Oh don't touch that! That doesn't go with the set. Here's something more interesting. (raises up costume) My old shogun outfit. It should fit you fine! Y: Domo ojiisan. You really saved me. Ojiisan: I'm glad that old people are still of use! Y: Ojiisan! (tosses red cloth back into chest) Ojiisan: I'm only playing with you. Y: I know. Ojiisan: Come! You still need to work on your form. Y: You know karate? Ojiisan: Nope. [Back at the rival high school...] (In an isolated clubhouse, within a wooded area) We see a sinister looking figure inside. Someone enters. "What is it? You have news for me?" "Yes. There is a new member on the karate team. A Hino Yuusaku." "Is that so? What is it to me?" "Nothing really. But Ryoga seems to be preoccupied with him. He might come in useful for us." "I see. Keep me informed. Anything more?" "No. That is all for now." "Then go!" "But uhh..." "What is it?" "I need more of the 'powder'. I seem to have run out" "What? You're gonna run me dry. But you've been a good little snitch. Here! (Tosses a small packet of white stuff over) Use it wisely! The next shipment will be a little late. Understand?" "Yes. Perfectly." "Good. (Br-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!)" [It is 6pm. Yuusaku arrives at the Hiyami home decked out in his shogun samurai costume] Y: Good evening, Hiyami-ka-san. Mrs Hiyama: My, what a polite boy you are. And why you're the handsome samurai tonight! Y: (blushing) why thank you. Mrs Hiyama: Hikaru will be down in a moment. Let me get my camera! (Hikaru descending down the stairs in a kimono, resembling a Japanese prncess) H: Mama! This is so silly! I don't believe you talked me into wearing this old garb! Y: (eyes in wonderment) Wah! Hikaru. You look so beautiful! H: (punches him in the arm) You're just saying that to make me feel better! Y: No I'm not! Honest! Mrs Hiyama: (Points camera at them) Say Cheese! (Hikaru stick out her tongue in a "beeda" manner while Yuusaku merely closes his eyes) Mrs Hiyama: Perfect! You two have fun now! H: (under her breath) I wish! Y: Why are you in such a bad mod? H: Just shut up and ride! Y: H: What did you say? Y: Me? Oh nothing! [They arrive at the party, with everyone dressed up in all assortments of costumes. We see ghosts, skeletons, Draculas, Frankeinsteins, and even a Bart Simpson!] Y: Uhh, I go get us some punch. "Hi" Y: (looks down) Hi Muroke! Nice outfit. But I thought you were coming as Robin. Muroke: I decided against it. Makes me look too much like a kid. Instead, I'll be a mad cyber-hacker. Y: You look more like a mad scientist. Muroke: I do? Then I gotta change into something else (exits to boys bathroom) Y: Geez. Some people... (Across the dance area...) Aki: Do you do it? Bento: Yeah. Spiked the whole punch. Now everyone's gonna have a fun time tonight. Both: He-he-he! Y: Here you go! H: I changed my mind. I'm not thirsty anymore. Y: Ok then. (gulps down his share; A strange transformation descends on him as he covers his face twisting in contortions. . Now he looks like the cool, confident Yuusaku now!) //i.e. like Jim Carrey in 'The Mask' Y: Hey, wanna dance? H: I don't feel in the mood! Y: Well I think you do. (grabs her and twists her arouund to the dance floor) H: Yuu-kun! You've never been that aggressive with me before. What has come over you? Y: Confidence, that's what. Now shut up and enjoy the dance. (twirls her) H: Woah! Where did you learn how to dance like that! Y: (cool) Natural ability, I guess. (mumurs from the crowd) "Wow, who is that couple?" "I don't know. but there're sure dancing up a storm!" "Hey, they're the new transfer students from Tokyo this semester" "No fair! They can get plenty of practice from all the fancy nightclubs there." [At Ryoga's house, 9:00pm] (snuggling in bed) Kaori: (stirring) (gutteral moan) What time is it? Ryoga: (pillow over his head) What? Get it yourself. "Bow-wow!" Kaori: Will you shut your dog up? He's giving me a headache. (looks at alarm clock) 9pm. That means I'm late to the dance. Ryoga: (groan) What the hell are you yapping at? Kaori: (gets up to change) My date with Hino, that's who. Ryoga: My, aren't we getting awfully "familiar" with him. Kaori: Hey! We didn't even do 'A' yet. Ryoga: Oh yeah? Back in the warehouse, it looked like you two were doing a pretty good imitation of 'C'. Kaori: Ahh, what do you know? You're just jealous, that's all. Ryoga: Jealouse of a high school student? Ha! That's the funniest line you've ever given me. Kaori: Just 'cause you're paying me to do this doesn't me I have to enjoy it. So. Are you coming along or not? Ryoga: What for? Kaori: I bet that cutesy Hiyama figure is there. Can't wait to get your claws on her, isn't that right, you big bad wolf. Ryoga: Once is enough for me tonight. But I'll come nonetheless. There's bound to be something trouble at a party like this. Kaori: If you're coming along, you have to dress up in something! Ryoga: Fine. How about as a black ninja? Kaori: Yeah. That's is your look, you rogue you! Ryoga: (kisses her) I love it when you talk that way. (embrace) [Back to the party...] H: (Huff puff) Give me a minute, willya? Y: Why? H: We've been dancing for over three hours straight now. Y: Why I feel I can dance all night. H: Well I'm going out to get a breath of fesh air. You can dance with someone else, for all I care. Muroke: Wow! What energy! That was amazing. Y: Thanks. Though I do feel a little funny. Muroke: Boy, do you smell. Hey, have you been drinking? I smell it on your breath. Y: No, I just had some punch. Muroke: (walks over to the punch bowl and smells it) Hey, someone dumped some alcohol in the punch. (looks around to see everyone a little tipsy and loose) Muroke: Hey! Everyone's drunk! (realizes something) Oh no! Those pills and the booze will form a synergenic reaction. And those pills haven't worn off him yet. I've got to warn him! Semapi!? Where'd he go? (Outside, along the wooded area, with Hikaru walking) (being scooped up) H: Hey! What's going on? (Yuusaku carrying her in her arms) Y: You did said your feet were tired. (walks along) H: Put me down this instant, Hino Yuusaku. I don't know what's gotten into you, but you've become quite the lech. Y: (sits on the bench right next to her and leans in close to her face) Am I? Does my boldness scare you? (puts his hand on her left shoulder) H: Hino! You're starting to spook me out! Is it because of the full moon? Y: Oh how your hair glitters in the sweet moonlight, exposing your glorious beauty. (plays with her hair) And your perfume, it smells so sexy... H: Perfume? what perfume? I'm not wearing any perfume. Y: Hikaru. There's something I need to tell you. I've been waiting my life to tell you this. It expresses exactly what I feel for you since the first time I met you. What I want to tell you is this: Suki..., Suki... "Oh honey! there you are! Someone told me I'll find you out here." (Hikaru edges away from Yuusaku's grasp.) H: What's going on here? Kaori: Sorry I'm late. Well don't you know? I'm Yuusaku-san's date! H: (angel of death stare to Yuusaku) why you two-timing sweettalker you. (*SLAPPPPPPP!*) (Sends Yuusaku flying into the bushes; also seems to have broken the trance over him) Y: Owww! Where am I? What am I doing here? (Ryoga rides up in his motocycle in his black ninja costume.) Ryoga: Hi there, Hikaru-san. How's it going? H: (miffed at Yuusaku) I want to go home now. Will you take me? Ryoga: Sure. Hop on. Let say the two of us blow this joint. H: fine with me. Y: (looks on as he sees Hikaru ride off with Ryoga) The black ninja! He's abducting the fair Lady Hikaru. I must stop him. Kaori: What are you talking about man? Don't you like my outfit? I do say you two kind of lok cute together back there. What were you trying to do back there? Get some kissey-kiss action? Y: My dream...how could it have become true... [End of Prelude chapter 9]