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 0.9 Complete 8/16/97 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! I am particular proud that my HardKor Page has passed the 20000 milestone. Who would have thought that many people would care about a simple little fanfic? It just goes to show you the popularity of KOR and the enthusiasm and zeal of its fans have in keeping the spirit alive. Originally, I wrote the stories as a way to give back to KOR and the profound effect in had in introducing me to anime. It opened the "road" for me to experience the joys and wonders of the anime universe. I hope you enjoy reading this fanfiction as much as I did writing it. For me, I nearing the end in writing the conclusion chapters for my Prelude Series and Book B series. I hope I don't disappoint you all with the finale. Thanks again and take care. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -97- Legend: H=Hikaru Hiyami Y=Hino, Yuusaku <> Indicates characters thinking to themselves * Denotes action [] Denotes change of events or next scene Prelude - Chapter JuRoku (16): Moving On [Hikaru's house] (We hear Hikaru lying in bed on her stomach grumbling, listening to some loud American music) H: (to herself) That good for nothing cur! Trying to avoid me like I'm the pox! What's the big idea? Especially when I'm going to tell him something important. "Hi-ka-ru! Who is it this time you're angry with?" H: Papa! (gets off bed and quickly turns off music;then puts her hands on her hips) You're not suppose to sneak up on me like that! And especially in my bedroom! For a moment, I thought you were some peeping tom. Papa: Sorry dear. Couldn't help myself but that's part of my job as a parent. Checking up on you. And I can see that you're quite upset. H: You bet I am! You men are all the same. So inconsiderate! Papa: (hehe) I can see you're not having your way with the boys again. (strokes his chin) Let me see...who is it you're mad at this time? Could it be that new boy your mother has been telling me about? H: D-a-a-d-d-d! That's private! Papa: Probably not. Too early for you to get mad at him so soon. Must be another fellow. And there's only one hapless boy I know that can make you so angry. H: (puts her hands over her ears) Don't say it! Papa: I won't little one. But I find it strange the way you young people behave about these matters. H: (crosses her arms) I don't see anything strange at all at the way I act. Papa: It seems to me that if you wanted to talk to him, why don't you give him a call? H: Papa! You have a lot to learn about teenagers. Girls simply don't make the first move. Papa: Oh...is that so? And I thought I was old-fashioned! H: (aloof tone) And I have nothing to say to him anyway. Papa: Sounded like you had plenty to say to him before. H: That's was different. I was venting. And that was so mean of you to catch a girl at her most private moment. Why did you come up to my room anyway? Papa: This. (reveals a pair of chewed up slippers) I believe we all know who did this. H: (hangs head down) Gomen otou-san. I'm sorry Toto chewed up your favorite pair of slippers. Papa: No matter. I can always get a new pair. I'm just disappointed at your handling of the dog so far. Originally, I was very reluctant to let you keep him in the house. It's a huge responsiblity to maintain a pet. But you promised me you would take the initiative of taking care of him and training him. H: I know I did sir. I promise it won't happen again. Papa: Taking care of a living being is not an easy thing. You have to give it care and attention it needs. You can't be fascinated with it in the beginning and then neglect it later on. It needs to be cared and nutured. That's why I let you keep him. I was hoping it would instill in you a new found responsibility. H: I sorry Dad. I'm really sorry. Papa: It's partially my fault. I know in the past I've spoiled you immensely, getting whatever you wanted. However, a live creature is much different from a toy. You can't just put it away once you get bored with it. There are some things you cannot take for granted. I hope you understand what I'm saying. H: Hai! I promise I will give my best effort from now on in looking after Toto. Papa: Good! Then you can come downstairs with me. H: What for? Papa: For your first lesson in responsiblity. H: Lesson? Papa: Yes. You get to experience one of the "joys" of owning a dog. H: Which is? Papa: To clean the little "accident" Toto has left for you. Enjoy! H: (smirks) Eugh!! [Yuusaku goes back to Teacher's lounge] Y: (to a teacher) Is Sensei Matsumoto here? "He's over there." (points to far corner of the room) (The sensei is reading a classical text) Y: (looks at formerly injured hand) Umm...sensei. (Sensei cocks his head and glances at Yuusaku) Sensei: Yes? Do I know you? Y: Yes. I'm Hino Yuusaku, the transfer student from last term. I'm used to attend the karate club. Sensei: Vaguely of you I remember. What do you want? Y: I know it is quite late now, but I was wondering if I could join the club again? Sensei: Attend again you want? Why do you wish so? Y: The reason why I couldn't go was because I injured my hand. And because of other personal reasons. But my hand is all healed up now and I'm ready. Sensei: Excuses you have I don't care. Turn away student I never done before. You may attend if you want to. Y: Thank you sensei. Thanks for giving me a second chance. Sensei: One question for you I do have. Y: What do you want to know? Sensei: Serious about this or not are you? Y: Yes, of course I am. I will do my best. Sensei: Then extra work will you do? Y: Yes. I have to catch up with the rest of the group. I am more than committed. Sensei: Behind everyone you are. Catching up you have to do. Y: I have to go. Thanks again. Sensei: (nods) [Afterschool in the study hall] H: Thanks again for tutoring me with my English. Oliver Twist is such a hard book to assign us. Ryoga: No prob. (glances out in the hallway) H: Why are you looking around the hallway? Ryoga: Me? I just wanted to look out for the boys. I have a rep to protect, you know. H: Oh, I see... By the way. I have a question for you. Ryoga: Yeah, what is it? Shoot. H: Is Yuusaku in any of your classes? Ryoga: You mean that guy? How should I know. I never attend the classes anyway. That reminds me. I have something to tell you. H: What is it? Ryoga: I can't tutor you anymore. You gotta find someone else. H: Why can't you? Ryoga: Me and Kaori and thinking of blowing this joint in about a week or two. H: You mean drop out of school? Ryoga: Yeah, that's right. School was never right for me anyway. I don't know why I'd even bother signing up. H: I'm sorry to hear that. Ryoga: Hey...no need to be glum. It's not like I'm dying or anything like that. Just that you and mean live in two different worlds, that's all. I just have to go my own way. Just wanted to let you know in advance. H: Thanks, it's ok. I think. I want to do something to repay you for the help. Ryoga: No need. Just be on the straight and narrow, unlike me. H: You're not as bad as you look. Sure you act all tough and bad, but on the inside you really have a heart of gold. Ryoga: Damn good the boys aren't here to hear this. They'll puke if they heard that about me. Gotta be going now. H: Hey look! Kaori's over there! Ryoga: (whizzes head in the other direction) Where? (Hikaru gives a quick peck on Ryoga's cheek and runs off!!!) H: Thanks again! You have been a great tutor! Don't you forget about me. Ryoga: (touches his cheek lightly) (puts hands in his leather jacket and walks away) (on the other end of the hallway, with Yuusaku exiting the teacher's lounge, witnessing the whole thing) Y: (sigh) I guess she has made her choice. I should have known already. But I guess that its good I know now. At least she's through with Kyousuke and moving on. And she seems to be genuinely happy in a long while. I'm glad for her. (At the opposite end of the hallway, another shadowly figure witnesses the whole thing and darting off) [Yuusaku riding his motorcycle] I came back from my trip with Hikaru realizing that I had to make a decision. I thought about it long and hard during the train ride back. It was to be the most important choice to make in my young life. To find out whether both of us was ready to take the next step together. Then it happened. When we arrived back at my grandparents home, I was surprised to just see grandma there alone. She looked like she had been crying and immediately I sensed something deeply wrong. We found out why she was crying. Ojiisan had a heart attack and was being held in the intensive ward in the hospital. It happened a week after we left on our trip. Ojiisan was in the yard doing some gardening work near the peach tree. Then obaasan a sharp, quick cry. She rushed out and saw him clutching his chest violently. Luckily, she did not panic and dialed 1-1-9 immediately. The ambulance came and quickly rushed him to the hospital where they operated on him. The operation took over 8 hours. Obaasan stayed at the hospital for 3 days straight before hospital officials advised her to go home and get some rest for her own health. She did, but she spent most of the time crying. I was so shakened up and grief-stricken upon hearing the news that I didn't know what to think. I began to zone out all the events that had happened before. All I could think of was ojiichan. The first thing we all did was rush over to the hospital to see him. Otousan talked to the doctor a bit. he informed us that grandpa was out of the critical stage, but was still unconscious. He allowed us to visit him, but not to disturb him. We entered the very still, dimly lit room. It was eeriely quiet except for the metronome of the heartbeat monitor beeping in the background. The air was cool and sterile. I hated hospital rooms, but especially this one. For usually, it was the prelude to death. We approached his bed and gazed sadly at his unmoving body. He was in some sort of coma. The doctors didn't when he would ever wake up. It could even be years. The prospect scared me. To see someone wither away in his unconscious state. I wanted to help him but I felt so helpless. What could anyone do now for him? We stayed as long as we could until the nurse came in to tell us that visiting hours was over. So we all bade our farewells. I was the last one. While the nurse wasn't looking, I wrapped my warm hand around his cold palm and wished he would recover soon before letting go. "Y-y-y-u u u. Is that you?" I was so shocked to hear him utter my name. Immediately, the nurse called the doctor in. I looked over and saw some stirring from him as he open his eyes slightly. "Yuu-kun. C-c-closer." I leaned my head over right over his face so he could see me. He was trying to raise his hand so I helped him and brought it up to my cheek. The doctor came in so I had to leave. Y: Sorry now. I have to go. As we were escorted out, we waited outside as a few hours passed. The doctor came by and confirmed the miraculous turnabout of my grandfather's condition. He never seen such a quick recovery from a comatose condition ever. He remarked the bonds between our family must be really strong for him to want to come back. 3 days later, ojiisan was back at home where everyone have been diligently watching and looking over him ever since. That was why I shunned all my classmates and friends, including Muroke. And even Hikaru. It made me realize one thing. There are a lot more things in life than love alone. I needed to put into balance the priorities of my life. Seeing Hikaru today involved with another person left me relieved in a way. I was worried how I was going to handle the delicate situation betwen us. The old me would have been insanely jealous, especially with her going out with my rival. But now I was indifferent for now all that mattered was Hikaru's happiness. If I was not the one to provide her with that happiness, then I should step out of the way gracefully. Now I wanted to fulfill my grandfather's wish. To see me at the city karate tournament. I had been involved in the sport of karate for nearly 10 yesrs. I was a certified 2-dan, but I had yet to achieve the elusive 1-dan black belt status. Through thick and thin, karate had been the one constant I could count on. When Ojiisan would come over to Tokyo to visit us, he always wanted me to show him my latest move or look at my trophies. Unfortunately, all of them were second place finishes. That was the one blemish on my record: never winning the big one. I knew he was proud of me, but I felt ashamed never netting 1st place. Now I wanted have a good showing at this year's tournament for him. But first I had to get myself back to training and conditioning. I had been off for nearly 2 months now. But first, I had to pay my respects. I veered my motorcycle near the fron entrance of the temple. This was some famous historical site where a famous battle occurred, but I don't quite remember the details. I was never good at history. I made an offering and glanced up at all the different buddhas around. Then I closed my eyes and mumbled a quick prayer. Y; Thank you up there for the miracle you bestowed upon our family in restoring my grandfather's health. Please bless our house for continued well-being and prosperity. Thank you again. (Yuusaku bows 3 times and then lights one incense and sticks it in the holding pot) [At Toro's secret hideout] (Guy enters the "domain") Toro: Oh, it's you again. What news do you have for me now? "I have something that you can use against our common adversary, Ryoga Kinsu." Toro: You do? E x c e l l e n t. What is it? "It's seems that that he has a new love interest and he has been secretly seeing her. I couldn't confirm it in the beginning but today I'm am sure." Toro: (places fingers together) Good. Now we have extra pawns to play with. Everything is going according to as planned. How about the other task? "I couldn't do anything since he was skipping the practices. But now, I have reason to believe that our wild card will be returning to the fold shortly. Toro: Even better. Soon, I will be controlling the lifeblood of this town's young saps. How splendid! (echos an resonanting evil laugh) "One small request?" Toro: Yes? What do you want? "An advance on my stash?" Toro: Of course. You've served me well. I have something "extra" special just for you. (carefully takes out a small translucent package with some white stuff inside) Toro: It's a new batch I'll be introducing on the streets shortly. It's double the dose for double the pleasure. Enjoy. "I will. Thank you." (leaves) Toro: Ha ha ha! Once he has done my bidding, I shall be rid of him at the same time. [At Hikaru's house] (loud American rock and roll music blaring from Hikaru's room) //Born to be Wild! Mama: Hi-ka-ru! Will you turn that down!? How you suppose to study with all noise here? H: Okaasan! This is part of my learning. It's for English class. Mama: Why you be so fascinated with that language? Japanese is much more superior, elegant language than English. H: But that's what they speak in America. Mama: America? Who cares? Too dirty. H: I might take a vacation there someday. Like to New York City. There lots of attractions in New York. Like Broadway and ballet. Mama: Tokyo much bigger than New York. And New York very dangerous. Must be in large groups for sight seeing. H: I'll keep that in mind. Mama: Now be a good girl and study hard. Me and otousan searching for good cram school for you. Must go to good college. H: Yes mama. [At the bar downtown] (Ryoga and the boys taking a drink) Ryoga: Kaori! What's the holdup! Bring on the drinks! Kaori: Hold your horses, will ya? How was I suppose to know you're going to bring the whole gang here. Aki: Gee boss. Awfully nice of you to hold this farewell party. Ryoga: Hey, no need to get sentimental here. Bento: But what will become of us when you go? Who will lead us know against Toro's rival group now? Kaori: (dumps tray of drinks of table) Self serve. Get it yourself. Ryoga: Thanks babe. (to the boys) You guys will do fine. I wasn't here that long either. Just a little over a term, so there's not much to miss about me. Besides, I get too tired of staying in a place too long. That's my style. Gotta move on. (chugs down a drink) Ahh. Good spirits. Chiko: But we were nobody before you came along. We were pushed around by Toro's thugs, especially by Hunada-san. Ryoga: Gawd! You guys are beginning to sound like the pansy babies I saw when I first met you all. Have some dignity, will ya? You're are on the karate team. And you're united as a group. You're more than a match for them goons. Daisuke: Yeah. That's right! That should count for something. Aki: Yep! We're not going to let anyone get the best of us! We're going to kick Toro and his gang's butt! Bento: (raises glass) Let's drink! Kumpai! (*DOG/WOOF HOWWLLLLLLL*) Ryoga: Hey Kaori baby! Bring something for Taki here. I sense he knows he's missing all the fun. Kaori: Get a drink for that mutt? You've got to be kidding. Ryoga: Hey! This dog ain't a mutt. He happens to be from the best breeds in Siberia or somewhere in that area. And he's part wolf. And don't you know how cold is it there? I bet ya they give their dogs drinks all the time to keep them warm. Kaori: You're crazy! But you're pay for it off your tab. Ryoga: Go ahead. (to the boys) By the way, where is the Flamingo Kid? Aki: Dunno. He was suppose to be here. Why? Ryoga: Well, I was going to announce something with him here, but I guess it can wait. [In the lockerroom] (A mysterious figure is busy trying to open a particular locker ) "Kinsu Ryoga! Don't think you can leave this school so easily without dealing with me! I will never forget the humiliation you've dealt me in front of everyone. You have disgraced me for the last time. I will finally get my revenge on all you transfer rejects!" [End of Chapter 16]