H A R D |< O R PRELUDE Edition K i m a g u r e O r a n g e R o a d P r e m i e r F a n f i c t i o n by Robert Kwong ver 1.1 Complete 5/31/97 Last Modified: 6/9/97 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! (17000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did writing it. Thanks again. Author's Notes: This particular story has a lot of dependencies on the events in Kimagure Orange College Episode #24. I encourage you to read that first before reading this prelude story. Please note the copyrights of Steven Tsai's fanfic. I make numerous references to specific parts of KOC#24 I'm drawing from, for I do not wish to impinge upon Steven's original work. Rather, I want to draw upon his timeline of events, and hopefully create a synergystic effect, combining his account of Madoka and Kasuga collegiate life, with my depiction of Hikaru's and Yuusaku's affairs in Hokkaido in the Prelude series. I hope you appreciate my efforts. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -97- Legend: H=Hikaru Hiyami Y=Hino, Yuusaku <> Indicates characters thinking to themselves * Denotes action [] Denotes change of events Prelude - JuShi: The Choice Yuusaku is seen riding in a train speeding merrily away along the beautiful, picaresque countryside of Japan. He looks out the window, in wonderment, his hand under his chin, lost away in daydream and flashback... [Flashback back to the End of Prelude Story #13] (Hikaru and Ryoga about 200 meters away at the clearing) (Kaori and Yuusaku standing beside a tree) (Kaori suddenly lunges towards him and sends both of them into the bushes) (*t-w-a-n-g-g-g-g!*) (Hikaru and Ryoga comes running towards them) (3 minutes later) (Yuusaku is lying in the lap of Kaori, briefly unconscious) (Kaori rubs his head) (Yuusaku comes to) Y: Oww!...(feels a large lump in the back of his head) Kaori: Gomen. I didn't mean to mean to hit you with my handbag. But we had to stay low. Y: Get low...what for...? Wait a moment (puzzled look)...what am I doing here with you? "You can come out from the bushes now!" Yuusaku and Kaori: Huh? "It's clear now." Kaori: Ryo! Y: (in disdain) Oh, it's him! (rishes out of the bushes to challenge him) Why you...oh Hikaru! You're here too. (starts to edge away) H: I see you had a fine time down there. Come on! Let's go! (grabs and drags him away by the cuff of his shirt collar) Y: Wait! Where are you taking me? What did I do? (continuing with the same scene) Ryoga: (stealthy pulls ninja star from out of the tree) Damn good they didn't see this. Kaori: Yeah! Lucky I saw it in time to duck my ass down low. (*Slap!*) (Kaori touches her tingling cheeks) Kaori: Why the hell you do that for? Ryoga: For screwing the whole operation up. (*Slap!!*) Ryoga: (stares back in disbelief) You hit me back? Why? Kaori: For getting me involved with this screwed-up operation in the first place. Ryoga: (sigh) I guess we both deserved what we got. Kaori: At least we got rid of these meddling two-some. Ryoga: You seem to be doing fine with loverboy back there. Should have known he would be the one to break our little sting operation. Kaori: Ha! You obviously got your facts skewed. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be ambushed by Toro's gang! I would have been in deep shit if it weren't for old daredevil to come to my rescue. Ryoga: What? How? Impossible! Kaori: Well believe it! I was waiting at the designated point when out of the blue, Toro's goons found me! I thought I was a goner! But the Yuu guy came out of the blue just in the nick of time and whisked me away. then we had this exciting chase scene, ...like the one you see in movies. You should have seen me, waving my anvil around, fending off each of the attackers, one by one. Then we sped on over to here. Then you came, and that's that. Ryoga: Apparently, you must have missed one of those goons. (displays ninja star to Kaori to reveal a small dragon emblem in the center) Kaori: That's their sign! Ryoga: Yes. A very bad sign. This and that Hino guy. Kaori: Well, whatever stuff he's on, it sure is boosting his confidence and ability. He drove that bike like a pro. But he's sure is acting weird. Ryoga: Perhaps I was wrong about him. Kaori: Really? Ryoga: No, of course not. Recken this his behavior is the work of some new designer drug that's rumored to be coming out on the streets. Apparently suppose to give you this super-duper high,...even super energy. What Japanese teenager wouldn't want that? And I bet this Hino guy might have been one of Toro's guinea pigs in his gang. Trouble is, you can't really control those on drugs. So he might have unwittingly went against them. How did he conviently come upon the scene? He must have come to join up with them, but then went berserk. Kaori: What about that? (points to the star) Ryoga: He's won for now. I suspected their clan all along. Now they are tied to this nefarious affair. Kaori: What about the girl? Ryoga: You mean Hiyama-san? She's clean. She was looking for that bozo also. Kaori: And you happen to bump into her, right? Ryoga: (gives her a dirty look) What do you mean by that? Kaori: Hey, you questioned him, but not her! Don't you find it odd that she also pops up at the scene? Ryoga: You're not saying... Kaori: that they're working as a team? Yes, that's possible. At least you have to consider the possibility. You got their profile. You can put 2 and 2 together. Ryoga: Just because they know each other doesn't mean they're aligned with 'Zaki! Kaori: Come on! You know her past. She hung around gangs herself before. Why is she so clean-cut innocent now? Don't you find that a little odd? //refers back to manga stories reflecting history of hikaru and madoka in gangs Ryoga: Ok! I'll be careful around her. I won't get too cocky. Kaori: Good! And another thing. I'm sorry for screwing up your failed bust attempt. Ryoga: And I'm sorry for hitting you. It was totally unprofessional of me. I'm glad you're safe now. I think the situation here has gotten a little too "hot" for you. I'm going to get you out of this operation. Kaori: Oh no you don't! We had a deal! I'm going to stick as close to you as crazy glue! Ryoga: But it's not safe for you here! (throws star down at the ground and looks away) I've already lost a friend. I don't want to lose another. Kaori: (clings to his shoulder) Oh Ryo... Ryoga: Please! I can't stand sentamentalism. Besides, there plenty of other "fish" out there for me to catch. Kaori: (pouty) Humph! Don't thinkI was going to get all mushy on you! (Returning back Hikaru and Yuusaku) Y: What's the matter? H: I say plenty, judging by how long you were with that hussy Kaori in the bushes. Y: Meeee? With her??? In the bushes??? I think you misunderstand. H: (angel of death look) LIKE HELL I DO! I SAW THE WHOLE THING! Y: (scratches head in disbelief) (end of flashback) That was what happened just before the end of the school term and the start of the winter session. Oddity and malady afflicted me and my mind. I couldn't understand why I didn't remember all these strange incidents that was happening to me. And now, I learn that my family, the Hinos were going with the Hiyamas back to Tokyo for vacation where this whole sordid affair started. They thought it would cheer us up to be back "home" again. Instead, both of us were glum and miserable. I never saw Hikaru have this blank, far-off look on her face before, as though she was trying to conceal her innermost feelings. I knew what it was and it made me angry thinking about it. Grr! I couldn't stand to face him either, my nemesis, Kasuga Kyousuke. The one who I knew I could never beat as a foe when it came to competing for Hikaru's heart. And now we're going back to that accursed place again where we certainly would bump into that bum. Oh, how my fist ached at the chance to pound him to a pulp for breaking my love's heart. [On the other side of the train, sits Hikaru, with Toto, the puppy sitting in her lap, staring aimlessly out the window.] I, Hikaru Hiyama, was returning back to the place of my beginnings - of joy and sorrow. The place where I met and lost my first love. The place which use to be a center of happiness for me but now represents a hall of shame. I wanted to protest going back, but I didn't want to disappoint my parents further. But now I've met my worst fears: confronting the two people who I loved and hated. I knew they were coming back into town from their first term from Waseda College. I didn't want to see them at all; I was still too fragile emotionally. Nonetheless, I had to face them. Our breakup was just too painful for everyone to let it end like this. And I could not act like a child in this situation. I guess this is part of the process of growing up -- to be mature enough and stand up against the face of adversity. [Back in Hokkaido in Ryoga's apartment] (Inside, we see Ryoga talking with a pompous, obese looking person in his late 40's wearing cheap polyester leisure suits and gold chains all around.) "Yo mon, this is a real happenin' place yu have her'e." Ryoga: Let's cut the bullshit. I asked you to come over for one reason. Since you're the top pimp in town... "'cuse me, but I no pimp as you call it. Rather, I'm a "purveyor of pleasure." Ryoga: You can call it what you will, but I know you run the largest love hotel in this area. What I want to know is when you will be getting next year's allotment of your "stash". "You mean the 'mood enhancers', don't you? Of course you know I'm going to say that I don't deal in such 'illegal' commodities." Ryoga: (gleams a wicked smile) Of course. But given a man with your stature and connections in town, hypothetical speaking, when would such a shipment be available? (smiles back with same evil glint) "If were're talkin' hypothetically, earliest be the end of the first month of the new year. You see, it a takes time to use up the remaining last year stash even with the holidays customers. Yu also need some "quality" time for bargining and arrangin' the proper deal for both sides. You can never be too cautious." Ryoga: "Sure, sure,...got to protect your..., I mean one's mutual interets first." "That's right mon. What I just said tho was based on my speculation. I don't deal with those stuff." Ryoga: (winks) Of course man. I believe ya. "Look at the time,...I'd better be goin', I need to be going back to my establishment. My girls are hopeless without me. Business gets brisk during the holdiays season. Wouldn't want them to screw it up. Ryoga: Fine of you to drop by. If you're in any trouble, you can call on me and my boys to come over and help ya out. Maybe me and the boys will drop over to your "fine" establishment in the near future to repay you back. "Me and my girls will be waitin'." (Kaori enters right when the pimp is about to leave) "Woah baby! You've got a fine mama here. (eyes her from top to bottom) Mighty fine indeed. Missie. Think you care to work for me?" Kaori: Buzz off buster! I'm already accounted for! "Hard to get type, are you? I just love your kind the best! (waves hand to Ryoga) Ja!" (Kaori slams the door ) Kaori: Why'd you let a shithead like him come here? Ryoga: You're talking about Mr Sleaze, aren't you? We had some unfinished business to take care of . Kaori: So what now? Ryoga: Well, I'm rounding up all my contacts around town. I need to track where all the supply is being distributed so I can find the central location. Kaori: Why didn't you just go over there and meet him there rather than bring him here? Ryoga: You're right; I should have. Then when I was finished, I could get to "sample" some of his girls. Kaori: RYO! (hand lurches towards her purse) Ryoga: Kidding! Just Kidding! No need to resort to violence again! Kaori: You better not mess with my mind again! Ryoga: Fine, fine. I was just having a little fun to beat away the holiday blues. Gawd, it's so depressing this time of year. (looks out the window at the downtown streets to see roughnecks, drunks, and other shady characters roam the street) Kaori: (curls up behind him) I'm sorry. (puts her hands on his shoulders) Let me comfort you tonight. (Ryoga silently nods) [Back in a little street called Orange Road...] We were back. In old familiar territory. The place of heartbreak for both of us. Sandwiched in between the busy holiday shoppers preparing for that festive day called Christmas. Hikaru seemed very glum amid this raucous commotion, as she blankly clung to my arm, as if I was her life preserver in this sea of sorrow she was wallowing in. As we wandered aimlessly through the streets, it started to lightly snow. I espied the familiar ABCB cafe and decided it would be a good place to drop by to say hi to Master and get warm from a hot drink. //next few scene correlate directly with kor#24 events As I led Hikaru into the familiar, warm, cozy confines of ABCB, I instantly detected a disturbance. As I peered across, I instantly recognized the cause. It was the demon bane himself: KYOUSUKE! My first instinct was to rush over there and punch his face in. However, Hikaru nudged me over, as if she saw nothing at all. She ordered something and I had the same. All this time, I kept glancing back at him. I sipped my drink. Yuck! Black coffee! What was Hikaru doing ordering such a bitter drink like that? Hey, where was she going now? (Hikaru's point of view now) I didn't expect to face them so soon. That wasn't the right place to meet. Inside my heart, I knew we would meet again, but I couldn't face him with her there. I didn't know quite how to handle it. I felt suffocated, with the 3 of us there. I knew I had to get out of there quick. I was about to lose it but I couldn't let them see how I was really feeling. Y: Hikaru! Wait up! Why are you walking so fast? H: I want to go back now! Y: Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Let's go back. [Back at the house of a friend...] Hino's Mom: There you are Yuu-kun. How was your walk with Hikaru? Did you two go back and revisited the old spots? Y: Kind of. Hino's Mom: Did you meet any of your old friends? Y: Not really. Maybe expect Madoka-san. But I'm not really sure; I was kind of distracted. Hino's Mom: Why is poor Hikaru-chan still looking so melancholy? We thought you and she would be thrilled being back here. Y: (sarcastic) Yeah, we're thrilled alright. I'm going out now. Hino's Mom: Ok dear. But be sure to be back for dinner. Y: (waves) I will. I went alone to wander along in the park nearby. (Sigh) I thought I was over these trivial love matters, but I guess I was emotionally affected by it as Hikaru was. Both of us bore the emotional scars caused by the philanderer, Mr Kyousuke. I wonder if we would ever heal. [That night...] (Murky, dreamlike sequence of Yuusaku) (We see a scene reminescent of a Shakespear play atmosphere but with traditional Japanese dress) (They are standing over a small footbridge over a smooth-flowing brook.) Hikaru (dressed in a kimono): (sorrowful voice) Why are you abondoning me, my lord? Don't you love me anymore? Kyosuke (in lord's outfit): Little star, I could never loved you the way you deserved because my heart was false. For it pangs for another. You deserve better than a cheat like me. Hikaru: (turns head away) This can't be. I cannot believe it. Nor can I ever blame you for anything, my lord. PLEASE! Take me along! I want to be with you, even if it means I be one of your concubines. Kyosuke: No, it cannot work out this way. I feel for you too much to allow you to endure such a miserable existence. I have to cast you free. It is better this way. We should say our goodbyes here. Hikaru: (shakes her head) No, I cannot accept what you're saying. (grabs hold of his shoulders) Please! Kyousuke: (turns head coldly) I've already made my decision. And I cannot go back on my word. Hikaru: (tilts head down) If you won't love me anymore, I will make sure my heart will love no one else. (takes a blunt object out of her garb) Goodbye, my love. See you in the spirit world. (*GLINT*) (Yuusaku wakes up just before the "slicing" action) (Shakes his head to get his bearings.) Y: Whew! Thank god that was a dream! Got me in a cold sweat! Now I have to go to the bathroom. (In passing the hallway, he notices Hikaru's door is open. He peers inside to see that she is gone.) Y: Huh? (goes into bathroom) Nope. Not here. (enters the kitchen and then the living room) Y: No, not here either. (looks across the shoe rack to reveal her slippers there and her shoes gone.) Y: Where could she could have gone at this time of day? Maybe she...no, she wouldn't! But I must make sure! (The Next Morning) (We see Hikaru walking alone along the streets, along the same path half a year ago on that faithful night) //refers back to the breakup scene I couldn't face him back at the cafe yesterday, but today, I must meet him, alone, face to face. On my own terms. As I neared those same steps at his apartment complex, I started counting. (*step*) 1, why was I doing this? (*step*) 2, why didn't he explain himself? (*step*) 3, why did he have to be so cold about the matter? (*step*) 4, why was I such a fool? (Hikaru reaches the bottom of the steps and sits down again, waiting for her sempai to emerge from the door ) //Exchange between Hikaru and Kyousuke in Koc #24 (Yuusaku, meanwhile, wanders aimlessly along the streets of his childhood where he once hanged out with Madoka and Hikaru) Y: Where could she have gone? I've gotta find her before she does anything rash. I could ask Madoka-san. Her house is just along the way. (Just then, he sees Kyousuke walking alone) Y: (clenches fists and starts to stalk him) There he was, meeting Madoka-san for breakfast. Boy was he surprised when I interrupted them abruptly and declared my intentions of physical assualt on him. I swung my mighty fists and landed a huge blow, right across his nose. Boy, did that feel so good! Four years I wanted to do that, but always was thwarted by Hikaru. But now, I had my chance and I took it full stride. He didn't know what hit him! Soon, my fists were stained with the blood flowing down his nose. I was surprised he was still standing! I probably went a little too easy on him. So I taunted him, imploring him to fight back, like a man. However, I wasn't prepared for his response. He refused to fight me back. Instead, he acknowledged his wrongs towards my beloved and kneeled down, his eyes closed and his head down, as if waiting for the executioner's axe to fall down on him. I raised my fists in rage and swung with all my might... (*S M A S H!!!*) He opened his eyes and saw that he was still alive. My fists, instead of being buried in his head, was now firmly engraved inside the collapsed concrete sidewalk. Madoka-san helped me dress up the bleeding from my own hands. With his blood, intermixed with my own, I felt a strange tinge of energy flow through my body, as if I was experiencing a carthartic experience. No longer did I felt this bitter animosity and jealously that flowed through my veins. In a strange way, I felt his pain in the matter, and in that way, my own pain was slowly drained away. I wanted to, but I couldn't view him as my mortal enemy anymore. Rather, I looked upon him as a fellow compatriot, with both of us suffering together from the casualties of love's two-edged arrow. Still, I yelled at him a bit more just for good measure. Afterwards, I went back to the house find Hikaru back again in her room, working on knitting some orange object. I guess she got bored and wanted to pass away the time here as soon as possible. She and I did not talk that day. [The fateful day comes. Events in the park in KOC#24 follow, with Hikaru airing out her feelings with Madoka and Kyousuke.] [Yuusaku is in the same park, looking for Hikaru again] (As he walks along, he bumps into a couple) "Watch where ya going!" Y: That voice, I heard it before. (turns around to see...) Y: Hey,...you're Shin'ichi! And you. (points to girl) You're Sayuri! What are you two doing together? Sayuri: Why are you here? I thought you transferred along with that prissy girl. Shin'ichi: Excuse us for a moment dear. Sayuri: Fine. He ruined the mood for both of us anyway. I'll be back, boo-boo bear. (walks away towards the pond) Y: (jerks his head) Boo Boo bear? Shin'ichi: Yeah, yeah. So what is it to you? At least she's my girlfriend. And I was going to make my move too, until you ruined things once again. Y: Gomen. I'm surprised you're seeing someone so soon. Shin'ichi: Oh, you mean Sayuri. Yeah, she's one fine catch. It great that all the competition graduated away. Too bad she's just as vain as before. But that's another story. So what brings you back to these parts? Y: I came back here for a visit with Hikaru. Shin'ichi: You mean that Hiyama girl. Yeah, I remember. We both were in a heated battle for her at one time. Y: Yeah, I remember. But we both didn't have a chance, did we? Shin'ichi: No, we didn't. High school love, ..you can't beat it, especially when you're not the person involved. But that must have changed, with you and her all to yourselves up there in that province of ...what was that... Y: Hokkaido. Shin'ichi: Right. That's the place. Y: I thought so too, but I'm not so lucky as you. Shin'ichi: Don't tell me that she's still hung up over that imbecile klunkhead,...what was his name... Y: Kyousuke. Shin'ichi: Yeah, yeah, that's the guy. I surprised you still waiting for her? Y: What do you mean? Shin'ichi: She's not your wife or anything. You're free to "go fishing" so to speak. If she's ain't going to bite on your hook, then just fish somewhere else. I had a temporary crush on her back then. But everyone gets over it. I know I did. You should too. Y: (gruff voice) Thanks, but I think I'll take my chances. Shin'ichi: Suit yourself. But a word of advice for you; either go for it, or cast her aside. But do someting quickly. But if you do nothing, it might be too late for both of you. (looks across to Sayuri) I've gotta go. Happy New Year to you! Y: Same to you. Bye. [Few Days Later] (Hikaru perspective; she and Yuusaku are walking towards the train station) I had a couple of days to think about the events which transpired in the park. Although, I didn't want to admit it at first, it felt good finally getting things out into the open. Feelings that were bottled up for so long were finally released. Although I still felt the pain, it was better to bear now, like a great weight lifted off of me. I finally was able to begin the process of healing. But first, there was one final "yoke" I had to cast aside before I could begin anew again. (looks at her watch) H:It's almost time! We have to hury!" (starts to run) Y: What the big rush anyway? 'Train bound for Tokyo departing!' I saw Hikaru rush up to them: Madoka and Kyousuke. Narrator: A few days later, Hikaru and Yuusaku left also, back to Hokkaido. As I, Hino Yuusaku sat on the train | As I, Hikaru Hiyama, sat next to my returning back to Hokkaido, I thought | longtime childhood companian, Hino about what Shin'ichi had told me. | Yuusaku, I thought about what they He was right. I couldn't let this | told me. How I was so inconsiderate loose string of destiny tying me and | of Yuu-kun's feelings towards me Hikaru together all these years linger| for all those years. Secretly, I any further. Either I had to "pull" | knew how he felt towards me, but I her in or break the connection. I | used my relationship with Sempai knew I couldn't be indecisive in this | to shield me from thinking about it. matter. When I came back, I would have| But they were right. Sooner or to make the choice. | later, I could not deny his feelings. | One way or another I had to make a | choice. [End of Prelude Ch P14]