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 1.0 Complete 7/7/97 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 Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the events following the breakup of Hikaru and Kyousuke 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! (18000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -97- Legend: H=Hikaru Hiyami Y=Hino, Yuusaku <> Indicates characters thinking to themselves * Denotes action [] Denotes change of events Prelude - Chapter JuGo (15): Mixed Feelings [Inside the park on a moonlit evening, with two people sitting in private on a bench overlooking a small pond, with the overhanging cherry blossom trees looming in the background accompanied by the soft chirping of crickets] (We see the guy in shadow profile only) "Hikaru. There's something I need to tell you." "Yes?" "Before I tell you this, I want you to promise me that whatever I'm going to say to you, it won't affect our friendship. Is that ok with you?" "B-b-but..." "Please promise me, for both of our sakes." "Ok. I promise. But you're sure acting very strange tonight. It's not like you." "(looking very serious) I know. But this occasion calls for it. (brief pause) We've known each other for a long time, ever since we were little, right? "Of course. Me, you, and Madoka." "Well, every since way back then, ...all these years -- I wanted to tell you this in person when I was ready, but something or someone has always gotten in the way. But now, I find it's my last chance to tell you this before it is too late." "(starts to look solemn and concerned) What is it, old friend? Are you dying?" "No...,well yes in a way. My heart has been dying for you all these years. I...I...I just wanted to say this very thing to you. Suk....suk...suk-iii "Well come on! Out with it! I haven't got all day!" (puts two fingers up lightly touching her lips) " I L - O - V - E Y O U ." (lets out a big sigh and hangs his head down). H: (looks off into the distance with a stunned look on her face) I see... "You probably hate me right now for doing this. I know you've always regarded me as the protective guardian,...the brother you never had and I was more than willing to protect you from all the evils in the world. But somehow, that was not enough for me. I needed more, you needed more, we both needed more. Remember at the playground lot during kindergarten when I asked you what it would take to get you to like me? "Yes I do. I said that I'll only be interested in you when you became big and strong and athletic enough." "Hai. Those words of yours burned inside of me like a mantra. I've always took these very words to heart, using it to drive me, push me to the limits. That was why I took up karate. For years, everyday, I had to endure all the bumps and cruises from the c onstant pounding I subjected my body to in order to perfect my craft. Despite the pain and agony,I kept telling myself it was all for you. However, my hopes of being with you were dashed when you went out with him. That was also when the old you died. (Hikaru starts to speak in protest,but he motions with his index finger) "Please let me finish. Before that time, you were a tough-minded, independent individual who could look after herself and take on the world. That was the woman I fell for. One who was self-reliant and who could stand up for herself and especially stick up for her friends. But later, you changed, becoming too artificial, too sweet, too dependent fawning over him in order to procure his affections. I've always envied him because of that. That's why I was intensely jealous of him. Every night, I would dream about you bestowing those very affections for me instead of him, but I knew I was too weak-minded. But I later realized that I didn't want that. I just wanted you. I didn't mind you being so cruel and crass around me, for you were not phony. For those few , brief moments, I could catch a glimpse of the old, tough self,... the real you. (She nods in agreement) I've realized I've said way too much already. I know you will always have a special place in your heart for him. I just hope that you can allow yourself...your heart a small place for me also. (She looks up stares into his eyes) "There's something I have been waiting to say to you also." (he holds her hands together) "What is it?" (*Ding*) "What's that sound?" (Hikaru looks helplessly around as the world around her melts before her very eyes as if the clock struck 12 in a Cinderella story) "Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!" (*BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ*) (Sound of the ringing alarm clock) (Beatles Song starts to play in the background) (Hikaru rouses from her sleep and sits up to see her bear Kumagaourou-kun on one side and the puppy Toto sleeping peacefully on the other) H: (grabs a hold of her teddy bear and hugs him tightly) Was it all just a dream? It seems so real and vivid. What was I going to say? (song wails in the background) "...and I love her..." [Back during the first week of school] Muroke: (waves hands) Hai Semapi! Over here. (runs up to him in the courtyard) Glad to see you looking good and well. How are you? Y: I'm not feeling too well at the moment. Muroke: Holiday blues, isn't it? Everyone gets it after holiday season. I heard you went on a trip to Tokyo over winter vacation. It must have been fun. How was it? Y: (not paying attention) Vacation? Yes, I did go on a trip. Muroke: (waiting) And??? Y: You mean the trip? (shrugs shoulders) It was ok. Muroke: Bet you got to meet your old friends again. Y: I guess I must have. But I don't quite seem to remember who at the moment. Muroke: You were probably swamped by all the attractions. There's so many interesting places to go in Tokyo. Why, even the Giants play there in the awesome Korakuen Stadium. Y: Giants? I didn't see no giants over there. Muroke: Nooo. I mean the baseball team. Well, forget about that. Did you go anywhere else? Y: Anywhere else? No. I didn't go anywhere else. My family just went back to the old neighborhood. Don't think we did much there. The time seemed to pass by so fast. Muroke: (pushes glasses up) Oh! I know what you mean. When i get caught up with a good role playing computer game, I can stay behind the monitor screen for hours and not even realize it. Sometimes, I stay as late as 8 or 9pm at night at the computer club slaying dragons or felling orcs. Y: Gomen Muroke. I have to go now. Muroke: What? So soon. That's ok. I'll talk to you ... (Yuusaku darts off) Muroke: ...later. Gee. I wonder why he was in such a rush? "Hi there. You're Yuusaku's friend, aren't you?" Muroke: (looks up) Yes, hi there. And you're that Hikaru girl he talks about. H: I guess I am. Did you see him around? Muroke: You just missed him. H: Damn. I really needed to see him. Guess I'll have to catch him at another time. Thanks anyway. Bye. (she darts off in the other direction) Muroke: (scratching his head) Golly...is people from the city act so capricious? [Back at Ryoga's apartment] (from TV news reporter) "...the cold, bitter winters of Hokkaido are often tempered with the joyous sounds of holiday festivities and celebrations. Yet we should all be aware of dangerous addictions which arise from this period to cure the depression of the season. Even during t hese festive days, we need to be vigilent and cautious. Inordinate consumption of alcohol leads to marked increase in traffic accidents. If you are unable to drive, please get a friend to drive you. Other forms of transportation include public transit or taxi. Make the roads safe for all. And last but not least, we need to safeguard our children from the foreign dangers. From a recent study released by the ministry, there is an alarming growth in drug use among Hokkaido teenagers. Socialogists cite many p ossible influences fueling this trend, including the exposure of American drug pop culture to the innocent minds of our youth. (*Click*) Kaori: Hey! I was watching that! Ryoga: Kuso! There those baka bakoyaros go again, covering up their asses and blaming the problem on outsiders. Kaori: God Ryo. Why you care what they say? They're just a bunch of old farts anyway. Ryoga: That's not the point. The problem is they're in power making the policy. I'm sick and tired of them being so high and mighty and saying that it's not the people's fault. Come on! We're not the victims here. We brought it upon ourselves. What are th ey trying to pull? They don't realize what's the real cause of drug use. Kaori: (puts her hands on her hips) Oh. So what makes you think you know it all? If you're so smart, what are the causes anyway? Ryoga: Easy. Pressure for students to perform in this tight-wound, competitive society of ours. Rebellion of youth. The need to escape from this crowded atmosphere. Kaori: And you happen to come up with all that off the top of your head? Royga: Hey, I'm not a total hack. They must think we young people are really stupid, with heads full of mush. That's what you get when living in such a paternalistic mindset. They're not on the streets as I was fighting this thing. It just sickens me that this type of thought still pervades our society. Kaori: Don't get too deep with me now. It's out of your character. Besides, there's nothin' you can do about it. You did the best you can. Ryoga: (raises his fist) True. I've done my part, but one person can't do it alone. If we only had a true leader who understood the true nature of the problem, then we might have a chance at this thing. Otherwise, we're lose more souls to this epidemic. Kaori: Ease off man! I think you've become a little too fanatical about this. Ryoga: Maybe so, but somebody has to say something. Kaori: Well then, you better keep it to yourself then. You wouldn't want to blow it. Ryoga: Ok. I'll cool down. Just get me a beer. (*Woof!*) Ryoga: (rubs Taki the dog) That's right boy. It'll be just you and me in front of the set watching sumo wrestling tonight! Kaori: Ugh! It just makes me want to hurl to see the bonding between you and man's best friend. How disgusting! (Taki growls menacing back at Kaori which causes her to lurch back) Ryoga: (pats Taki) Woah boy. Easy now. She was just jealous of you and our relationship. Kaori: No I was not! Ryoga: (shows hands in air) Whatever? Now where's that beer? [Second week of school...] I had been trying to track down Yuusaku all of last week, but I could never find him. It seemed as if he was trying to avoid me which was unusual for him. Usually, it's the other way around. Did he realize what I was going to say to him? Was he trying to hide away from that reality? But I wasn't the only person he was avoiding. He seemed to be avoiding everyone and skiriting all the school activities. I talked with Ryoga a bit and he told me that Yuusaku didn't even attend the spring opening karate class, so he thought he'd quit the club. I talked with his friend Muroke and he told me pretty much the same thing. The few times they would encounter each other, he could only get in a few words before Yuusaku would manage to slip out from the conversation and rush away. And he was nowher e to be found during lunchtime or afterschool, where he would race away on his motorcycle. It was as if he was shunning the whole world and keeping to himself, like I did before. But why? [Back in the chemistry lab] Muroke: Shijama-san! Shijama: (glasses resting gently on the bridge of his nose and holding a clipboard noting results of observing lab rats) Hiya Muroke. What is it you want from me now? Muroke: I'm concerned about my friend Yuusaku. He's been acting very reclusive. Shijama: You mean the big, tough guy from Tokyo? The one who accidentally got a whiff of my secret pheremone formula? Muroke: Yeah, that's the guy. I'm worried that he might be suffering some mental problems as a result of that forumla. Shijama: You don't say? I've been observing the same behavior myself. Muroke: You have? Why haven't you told me before? Shijama: A good scientists never discloses his findings until he has thoroughly tested his premise. Did you know that I spent the whole winter vacation observing the behavior of Muffy and Bilbo. (points to 2 white lab rats running about in a cage) Muroke: And what did you find out? Shijama: It seems that this pheremone formula I've developed has a remarkable pronounced effect on their senses. At first, it seemed to boost their agressiveness and decision-making. But the effects seemed to be short-termed. Eventually, they would relaps e back. Unfortunately, it also dulled their cognitive decision-making. Muroke: So you're saying they become disoriented and forgetful. Shijama: Precisely! Muroke: So what's the cure? Shijama: Cure? I haven't looked into that yet. I have yet to formulate my findings into a report. Muroke: Well get to work on it. My friends needs it real bad. (looks at his watch) Well look at the time. Gotta catch 4th period! Shijama: Why am I always taken for granted? [Kaori at the bar] Kaori: Hiya Ryo. You're looking blue today. Ryoga: (growls) Um. Damn right I'm mad! I'm so pissed! Gimme the usual, right away. And make it a double! Kaori: (takes out the whiskey and pours it into a shot bottle) A double eh? That must be some very bad news you got. What gives? Ryoga: Just had a little "chat" with our "esteemed" chief of ours. Seem he didn't appreciate our little miscue. He didn't see eye to eye with my tactics. I blew him off and he gave me the heave-ho. Effective immediately, he's pulling me off the case and a rranging for my immediate transfer. Kaori: I knew I should have came with you! Everyone knows how acidic your personality is. Ryoga: Well that's just too bad for them, isn't it? (gulps down the burning liquid gold) Ahhh. Let it go to hell! What do I care anyway? Kaori: You know you're just saying that. I know you care a lot more about this case than you're letting on. Ryoga: Yeah so what? It doesn't matter anymore. Kaori: How much time do you have left? Ryoga: Only a lousy two weeks. I just feel sorry I let my partner down a second time. Kaori: You can't be always beating yourself over his death. Ryoga: Doesn't matter. But I know this. My soul will be restless until I can find his killer. [To the secret confines of Toro] (We see Toro calmly smoking a cigarette in the clubhouse) (An informant enters) Toro: (coyly) Yes? "I've resumed tracking of the target after his return back." Toro: So what did you find out so far? "Suspect has shown a change of behavior from last term." Toro: So explain. "Before, he was following the subject Kaori Kinsu, relative of your rival Ryoga Kinsu. Now, since he got back, he's totally restricting himself to his home." Toro: Did you find out where he left before? "Based on rumors, Tokyo." Toro: (taps his finger on the table) So I see...This guy wants to play games with us. I need to know his allegiance once and for all. You know what to do. "Understood. The trap will be set." Toro: Once it's done, I'll make sure you get rewarded well. "Thank you master!" Toro: Now go! [Third week] I had decided this had gone on long enough. I was going to track down Yuusaku once and for all. He couldn't avoid everyone forever. Naturally, he was nowhere to be found during lunch period, but I secretly stowed away from class early and stood by his mot orcycle. (Yuusaku approaches her from behind, startling her as he hops onto his bike) H: Yuusaku! You scared me. Y: (puts on his helmet) Sorry. H: That's ok. There's something I want to talk about with you. Y: I would like to but I have a lot on my mind. Gomen Hikaru, but it would have to be later. I have to go now. H: But it's really urgent. Y: I doubt it. H: Can I come with you? Y: It's best you don't. I don't want to worry you with my family problems. Atikamess! (revs bikes and rides away) H: (wondering) Family problems? Is that the reason? [Back to the Hino House] Y: (runs into house and straps off helmet) Obaasan! Okaasan! I'm home! Okasan: You're home early again. Y: I better be. I wouldn't be a minute late. Anything I can do to help out? Okasan: Everything is under control dear. Obasan is out shopping now. You can help me bring the tea over. Y: (carries the tea set tray) Gladly. (walks across the hallway to a secluded section of the house) (Inside see Yuusaku's grandfather lying on a mat on the hardwood floor, with incense burning all around) Y: Grandfather? Are you awake now? Ojiisan: (gently stirs and turns his head towards Yuusaku) Yes. Now I am. Y: Sorry for disturbing your rest. Ojiisan: No matter. No good to forever sleep. (touches Yuusaku's slightly bandaged hand) How's your fists? Healing? //Detail from Prelude Story JuShi: The Choice Y: It's nothing. Just a scratch. You shouldn't worry about it. We should be more worried about your condition. Here. It's time now. Please take your pills. Ojiisan: Me? Little old me? I am just an insignificant housefly buzzing through the web of life wandering aimlessly. (laughs then coughs; Yuusaku quickly hands a cup of tea to him. Ojiisan slowly swallows the pills and sipps the tea) Y: You shouldn't say that about yourself. You know we all care all about you. Ojiisan: (*Sighs*) So it seems, so it seems. Y: I just knew we shouldn't have gone on that trip and left you and obaasan all by yourself. Ojiisan: (gently pats and cups his hands down Yuusaku's head and hair) Little one. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. These things happen. You have to accept it. Sickness and injury is reminder of how fragile life is,...to show we are not as powerful we think we are. So we must treasure precious time we have here and now, especially with those we love. Y: I don't care about any of that. Nothing matters to me anymore except to see you get well. Ojiisan: You and everyone has been watching over me for weeks now. You sacrifice too much for me already. You need to live your own life. Y: But... Ojiisan: You young only once. Don't waste it for me. Don't worry. I feel much stronger now than few weeks ago. And your obasan and okasan can help me when I need it. Y: You still don't look like your old self... Ojiisan: I need you to be strong for our family. And I want to see you compete in the spring tournament. Can you do that for me? Y: You know I cannot refuse you. I will try to fulfill your wish, but only if you promise me you will try to get well. Ojiisan: I will, I will. Y: Including taking your medicine on time? Ojiisan: Mighty strict grandson you are. Y: It's that or I'm staying here to watch over you untilyou get well. Ojiisan: Ok. Me won't give your obaasan hard time about bitter pills. Y: Good. [End of chapter JuGo]