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 Completed Jan 4,1998 Corrections July 10,1998 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.animeyahoo.com 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! 24000 visitors can't be wrong! I am just grateful that I have an audience to write for. It just goes to show you how entensible and how endearing the story of KOR is and the lasting impact it has. I just hope that I managed to capture that special "essence" which pervades KOR as I narrate the turn of events in their lives. Hope you appreciate my efforts and happy reading! 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 NiJuNi (24) Bye Bye Hikaru Pie [At the director's office] H: You wanted to see me sensei? Director: Yes Hiyama-chan. I have good news to report. H: You do? Director: Yes. All the arrangements have been made. H: They have? Really? Director: Uh huh. I called around my old acquaintances in the Village. I'm surprised they still remember me. They were more than willing to help out when I told them of your story. H: (with weighted anticipation) Andddd? Director: (smiles) I manage to find a nice dancing school for you to attend. There's still room for you at a small but quaint dancing school named Actors Studio College. H: Honto? Director: Yes, and there's more. They were also kind enough to assist in searching for some decent, affordable housing in the big city for you. My friend Bill heard from his friend that an apartment would be opening up in the next two weeks. It's small but at least it has indoor plumbing. He said he can hold it for you until then. That is if you're still interested. If not, then we can call the whole thing off... H: No sensei! I wouldn't dream of backing of. Yes. I definitely sure that I will be going to New York. (flashback to ...) [Hiyama House] (*Knock Knock*) H: Who is it? "Can I come in?" H: Of course Papa. What's is it? Papa: I came to talk with you about your decision not to attend college and instead go abroad to study. H: Oh, not you too... Papa: Now Hikaru. Don't be quick to judge me too. I've already discussed the matter with your mother. H: And you agree with her right? Papa: I do agree with several points she brings up. Like you are too young and inexperienced to be living in a foreign country on our own. And that this is an impulsive thing. But I wanted to hear it from you. How serious are you about this dance? Is this just one of your new fads or is this a true commitment? H: I know I'm been quite irresponsible and fleeting in the past and I can't promise you that I won't make any more dumb, rash decisions. But this is different. It's about my future and I've given it a lot of thought. It something I feel strongly about. Papa: Then why not study here? Why go abroad? H: If you want to strive to be the best, you have to go to the best place for training. And like it or not, that happens to be in America. I know there's a lot of bad things and temptations over there, but you just have to trust me. I'm planning on staying a year to see how things work out. If I'm no good at all, then I'll just have to accept it. But I can't live with myself if I didn't even try. And if I don't have your support, then that's fine. I'll just do it on my own. Papa: So I see... H: I'm sorry it had to come down to this. I'm sorry if my decision hurts you and everyone else I care for. Papa: Don't be Hikaru. Although I would like to see you attend college, it is not my decision to make. You're an adult now and can make decision on your own. We, both your mama and I will have to act like adults ourselves and respect your decision. But I don't want you to go over there half-heartedly without giving it a good effort. That is why I'm giving you your graduation present early. (hands her an envelope) (Inside is a check for 1,000,000 yen!) Papa: This should cover you for the first year. We were saving this money inside a trust fund for your college education. But it would be better suited for this purpose. In a year, hopefully, you would have made your decision. Good luck and give it your best effort. H: I will Papa and thank you. (hugs her dad) Papa: (pats her head) Now Hikaru; no need to get emotional here. I go downstairs and try to talk to your mama some more. (Hikaru lifts up Toto, her puppy and merrily circles around her room) H: We did it, we did it boy! I was so happy I wanted to tell the whole world! But especially, I wanted to tell Madoka and Kyousuke. To tell them I'm really finally doing it and that I don't need to depend on them anymore. But then doubts entered my mind. Was I ready to contact them again? I gotten this far without them. No, I was not ready. I couldn't face them again until I made something of myself. Then they could be proud of me. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to go to New York. To prove myself. To do a lot of growing up. But until then, no way I could call them up about the good news. But I still wanted them to know. That's when I thought of calling up Master at ABCB's and letting him know the news. I know he would tell them. [At Study hall] Muroke: And you take the differential of this part and you can solve this part of the partial integral. Hino-san? Are you listening to me? Y: Huh? What? Muroke: Where's your head? I was just explaining how to solve this part of the equation. Y: You were? Gomen. Could you go over it again? Muroke: Sure. But you have to focus much better if you expect to pass the Calculus final. Y: Yeah. I know. I know you don't have too much time in your busy schedule. But I'm feeling out of it right now. (person rushes in) "Koji! There you are. I've been looking all over for you. I've made an important discovery." Y: You and him are friends again? Muroke: Yep. Long story. Tell you later. How about we reschdule this? Y: That would be good. Muroke: Then I'll see you later. (Muroke exits with Shijama) My brain was racked with all sort of confused emotions. My grandfather's wavering health. My break-dead finals which I had to pass to get my high school diploma. My involvement with the Sakurai gang. The upcoming tournament. But most of all, Hikaru leaving for New York... I admit it came as a shock when I first heard it from her okaasan. But what shocked me was what I said afterwards supporting her. Her mama was right; I did want to be near where she was. Sure, I knew my grades were lousy, and that probably I couldn't attend college for the first two years, but at least I could attend a ronin school like my distant cousin. And I could drop by where she was and at least see her maybe once or twice a week. But now she wants move out of the country. I would never see her then. That's why I didn't believe what I was saying at that time. Was I a fool or was it my heart talking for me? I could never muster up the words to tell her exactly how I felt about her when we were alone together, and yet I,...I of all people had the audacity to be vocal in encouraging her to go. I mean if I had said something negative to oppose it, I'm sure I would have put doubts in Hikaru's mind. But I didn't. (*Sigh*) A loser I will forever be making those mistakes. Starting a few nights ago, I had those same recurring bad nightmares of Hikaru being abducted by a black ninja, and I, as a samurai lord was powerless to do anything because I was bounded by honor. Eventually, she was casted off a deep chasm of dark void by that treacherous black ninja. Now I was wondering if that black ninja itself was her traveling to New York in a different guise, and once she goes, I would never see her again. Now it seems my worst fears were being realized. [Back to the chemistry lab] Muroke: Now what was so important that you wanted to see me immediately? Shijama: Elementary, my dear Koji-san. The new samples you provided me provided me with new clues as to the origin of this mud. There is a match between the samples from the bikes and this one. Lucky for you, there has been intermittant showers this past two weeks. Muroke: So? Where is it from? Shijama: As to exact location, that I could not tell you. I need access to geographical data containing the various soil acidity levels in the region before I can speculating. Muroke: Is that all? I can get that info to you in a jiffy. It'll take me some time to hack into the national geological computers. I'll go do it now. Find me in the computer lab. [Back at the garage] (Yuusaku rides up in the loaner bike) Y: Hi Kaori; how's it going? Kaori: Shhh! You're not suppose to be calling me by my real name. Y: Then what should I call you? Kaori: Kao for short. That's a guy's name. I am suppose to be a mechanic. Y: You're a woman of many talents fixing cars and bikes and such. Kaori: Don't try to flatter me; I've heard it all before. Y: Don't worry; I'm not trying to hit on you. It's just that it's a shame to see that your talent couldn't be put more to good use like your studies and such instead of being a grease monkey. I guess some people like you and I don't have the chance. Life can be unfair. Kaori: What are you saying? It's hopeless for me, but how can you say that about yourself? You're a bright kid with a square head on your shoulders. You should have a bright future to look ahead to. Y: (mock laugh) Funny. You don't realize how similar a situation we're both in. Kaori: What's eating at you? Problems with the gang? Y: No, no. Actually the guys been great once you get to know them. They bawdy and rude at times, but guys will be guys. Kaori: Then what? You sound real down. Y: Oh nothing. Just a lot of things to worry about, that's all. Pressure from parents and such about your future. I guess you don't have that problem since you live on your own. Kaori: I have my own problems to worry about. Did you come all the way down to just bitch about the world? Y: No. Just wondering how's the repairs on my bike was going? Kaori: It's going. I'll have it ready just in time for summer cruising. Y: Thanks for all you've done for me. Kaori: No sweat man. Comes with the territory. Owe you one. I gotta go. Customer waiting up front. Y: Ok. I'll leave you alone. (As he departs, he sees a bicycle.) Y: [At the bar] (A guy comes out all drunk) "Hey bud. I need to talk to you." "Whhaaat? (swings wildly around) You're t-t-talkin to meeee?" "Yeah." (pulls him by the back and drags him into the alley) "Heyyy! No neeeeed to get r-r-rouggghhhh! Whhhhaaaat arreeee youuuu?" "Take a close look." "Oh! I knoooowww youuu. You're the a-a-angel man. What's happening?" "I need some info from you." "Y' know. Y-y-ou'vvve beeen the m-m-monneeyyy man for us. Whada ya wanna know?" "I need to see your boss." "You mean T-t-toro? He don't wanna see you. He doesn't want to be seen doing the dirty deeeed. Keeps him clean with the police, y'see? "I don't care to see him either. I want to see your real supplier." "Y'mean where he gets his stash from? W-w-why that's...that's....private." "I'll make it worth your while." (flashes some yen) "Now ya talkin. (snatches the money) But Shimazaki ain't gonna like this a bit if I spill the beans. Maybe after our big deal this Sunday. Then we can talk. " "I want to just pay him a little visit, understand? Mono a mono." "Master don't wanna see you. Get me in t-t-trouble." "That's fine. Then I'll have to take all this away. Too bad" "W-w-wait a m-m-minute. C-ccc..C-an't we talk about this?" "No info, no money!" "Well what I can tell you is you'llll n-n-nnever find it. It m-m-moves a lot. "What is that suppose to mean?" "I dunno,...you figure it out...where's my money?" "Here. It's all yours." "T-t-thank you very m-m-uch... (collapes among the garbage) "So you need this card. But I still don't know where this location is. Gotta think of a way before my time is up." [The Next Day] Y: Hey Muroke! Muroke: Hi semapi. What's up? Y: Just wanted to know if you went by the garage down the road from here? Muroke: Me? Why should I? Y: Oh, just wondering. Thought I saw you bike there but I could be wrong. Muroke: Well there's plenty of bikes that look mine. Do you still need help on Calculus? You know the final's tomorrow. Y: That's ok. I think I can manage it on my own, thanks. Well I'll be seeing you. (enters chemistry lab) Muroke: Shijama: Now what? Muroke: Oh? I was just coming in to see how the analysis was going. Shijama: Well the data you provided me was just a starting point. I'm running some regression analysis on your computers. But they are sure are slow. Muroke: I know. But the V-20 processor can only go so fast. Shijama: Are you sure any of this is going to help? Muroke: Yeah. You gotta have faith in the system. [Near the end Killer Finals Week] Y: Last final to go. Calculus. Hope that extra studying and Muroke's tutoring help. (After the grueling 3 hour exam) Y: (walks out from the exam room) Whew! (*Yawns*) That was not so bad. Makes it easy when your head is clear. Better than my English oratory exam. So nervous about misprouncing the words. (sees his parents in the hallway waiting for him) Y: Mother. Father. What are you two doing here? Father: It's your ojiisan. He's just suffered another heart attack. This one was more severe than the one he suffered earlier. He just had emergency surgury but the doctors say he doesn't have too long to live. The words struck me like a rain of bricks falling upon me. Kind, gentle ojiisan who has always encouraged me. And now whose life was being tugged upon by the Grim Reaper. It seemed too shocking to believe. It sounded like a page from an O' Henry story, an American author whose stories we read in English class. Of all people who realize how precious life was and how important it was to live it to the fullest, now his life was being takened away much too soon. My heart just sank as I sat in the car on route to the hospital. There he was, in the hospital room, strapped up to the life support system, with the cup around his mouth and IV connected to his arm. The doctors said he had 2 or 3 days at most to live. It crushed me to see him strapped up to that machinery, unable to do anything about it. I knew this was not the way he wanted to go out. He wanted a natural, peaceful passing in his sleep. But now, he won't get his final wish. After about 6 hours, my family wanted to go back home, but I refused and they respected my wishes. They knew how close I was to him. So I was the only one waiting in his room, hoping against hope that a miracle could happen.I was praying to up above to the great Buddha for my grandfather's life. I didn't know when I fell asleep in my chair, but I was suddenly awokened by a sharp wind outside. Then I heard a low dulcet tone. "y u u s a k u." I didn't know where it was coming from at first. I thought it was a ghost of some sort, and then the worst fears struck me. Ojiisan had already died and was a ghost now talking to me. I quickly ran to his bed, sobbing, fearing to see the flatlines of the heart monitor. But it still ticked, all be it very slowly and weakly. I saw it was ojiisan talking, very softly, his eyes partially opened. I was overjoyed to see that he was partially conscious. I had wanted to go and alert the doctors, but I was afraid he might slip back into unconsciousness. So I came closer, placing my ear right next to his mouth to hear what he had to say to me. "time short for me" I nodded. "must tell you...you truth...before too late..." Y: What truth? What truth are you talking about? "you...I found you...by riverbed..." Y: What are you talking about? "you not true blood...you adopted..." Y: Adopted? Are you saying I'm adopted? You must be kidding! This is a serious matter. Please don't joke with me now ojiisan. "no no...me tell truth now...before I go...ribbon...tie you...when baby..." Y: No...No...this can't be true...I can't believe it... "...found you...by river...in basket...forgive me..." (slips back into unconsciousneess) Yuusaku runs out out of the hospital. [Saturday: At Hikaru's house] (phone rings; HIkaru picks it up) H: Mosh Moshi? "Hikaru? Is that you?" H: Mrs Hino-ka san! How are you? You don't sound too good. "I'm not. I'm sorry dear for my shaky voice, but have you seen Yuusaku at all today?" H: Actually, no I haven't. The lsat time I saw him was probably in school. Why? "Well he was suppose to be at the hospital. His grandfather is in a termainal state." H: I'm sorry to hear that. My condolences. "Thank you. But oow we can't find him anywhere. We don't know where he's run off to. We're afraid it's because of his grandfather's condition that's caused him to be distressed and run off. I fear for my son's safetly. I don't know what he might do in his emotional state." H: I understand the situation. I'll go out and try to find him. If I find anything, I'll let you know. "Thank you Hikaru. Thank you so much. Bye bye now." (just as Hikaru hangs up, the phone rings again) H: Mosh Moshi? "Hello? May I speak to Hikaru Hiyama?" H: This is she? How may I help you? "Hi, you might not know me, but I'm Koji Muroke. I'm sort of a friend of Hino Yuusaku. He was suppose to meet the group today for a meeting before the karate competition, but he hasn't arrived yet. I tried calling his home, but the line is busy. Since you two know each other, I was hoping you might know where he is?" H: Actually, I don't know. But if I do see him, I'll let him know. "Thank you. Goodbye." H: Hino, Hino, Hino. Where could you be now? [Toro's headquarters] Toro: This weekend will mark the beginning of our glorious campaign! Tomorrow, we will finally kill off the pitiful Sakurai High weaklings at the All-City! "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! Kill, Kill, Kill!" Toro: And after that, we'll go mob downtown and crash the whole area to let them know whose the new master there! "SMASH, SMASH, SMASH! BASH, BASH, BASH!" Toro: And finally, when we are done there, we will spread our reign of terror and corrupt all the youth in the area with our "candy". Then no one will be strong enough to oppose us! "TORO, TORO, TORO! Master, Master, Master! [At the temple] (A large, laughing Buddha statue lies in the center) (Yuusaku is on his knees, crying, and looks up at the idol in anger) "Why? Why did you make my life like this? With no true identity? To hurt all the people I care for? Why didn't you reveal the truth sooner? Why all the false illusions you sent me in my dreams? Why? Why don't you answer me? Now I am trully ruined and alone, with no ties to the past or present. You are so cruel to subject me to this fate. I HATE YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME! I HATE YOU! "You shouldn't talk that way to powers you don't understand." Y: Who the hell...you! What the hell are you doing here? H: I came on my own. Everyone is looking for you. You got us all worried. Y: How the hell did you know I was here? H: This is Hikaru you're talking to. I had a hunch you would be here. I remembered these places was where you would run to as sanctuary from your troubles when you were a kid. Although I was afraid to go in myself, I observed you from the outside. Y: So you were spying on me? But I don't care now. Just leave. Leave me alone. H: No. You're coming with me. Y: I have no one to come back to. There's nothing for me now. H: How can you say that? Your grandfather is on his death-bed and all you can do pout here. I don't understand. Why don't you come back? Y: It does not concern you. I have my reasons. And I'm not going back. H: But it does concern me. Anything that affects my friends affect me,...espcially those in need. Y: I don't need your help! Just get out! Leave me alone. H: No. Not until I give you this. (hands him an ornate orange-red strip of cloth) Y: What's this? H: It's the bandanna you gave me silly. Don't you remember. Y: I know what it is. But why are you giving this to me? It's yours. H: Yes, but I'm giving it back to you. You need it more than I do now. This was what helped restored the faith in myself and my friends. I hope it will do the same for you now in your hour of need. Y: (throws it on the ground to the side) Stupid piece of cloth! What is it going to do anyway? It's what got me into this mess in the first place. H: Sitting here sulking and bitching to the world about how unfair it is isn't going to do you a whole lot of good. You can't hide here all day moping, trying to run away and escape. There's too many people out there that are depending on you. Your friends, family, and a whole bunch more. But especially your judo team members. They're counting on you to help guide them. Y: Ah they don't need me. They can get along fine. And I can't compete anyway. So what's the point? H: The point is that you are their leader! They need you there for your guidance and leadership. You can't let them down! Y: Screw them! Everyone can go to hell for all I care! <*SLAP!*) Y: (shocked look on his face; dumbfounded) You hit me?!? H: Yes I did. If that didn't knock some sense into you, than nothing will. I can't stand to see a quitter who gives up on himself and betrays others' trust. Sayonara! (picks up dirtied bandanna and storms off) [Back at Hikaru's house] (In her bedroom) (Hikaru is finishing up the painting she has been working on for several months. We see the previously discarded bandanna hanging from the side corner of the painting. Finally, we see the finished product. It depicts a scene in the mountains and a small structure there. Inside the structure is a samurai warrior, dressed in plain white clothing, and wearing a red headband, practicing karate inside, as a geisha girl observes peers secretly from outside. H: (closes her eyes in prayer and folds her hands together) Please restore Yuu-kun's faith in himself and the world. [At the all-city karate competiton] (The team from Sakurai High is roughing it on their own, with no Sensei Matsumoto and no Yuusaku. ) Bento: We're going to lose! Chiko: But Sensei never comes at all. He leaves it up to the head of the group to do that type of stuff. Bento: Yeah, and that's that Hino-san guy. Where is he now? What a cop out he is. Daisuke: Hey! We made it this far without Sensei or him. Bento: That's because we're facing the weak competiton. Our muscle lets us overpower the weaker schools. But not against Ishizaki's group. (Announcer: And now we are approaching the final matches which will decide which school will be all-city champions. ) (matches progress as usual. Toro Ishizaki's group is there with their menacing band of goons lead by head goon Hunada-san who bares their teeth at the them. Things are looking bad for the Sakurai group as they are quickly down 2-1 in team competition and are losing the 4th match.) Daisuke: Come on Eto! You can do it! Bento; Just forget it. It's hopeless. He's already down 2 - 1. Just one more point and they got the match. Daisuke: With an attitude like that, we definitely going to lose! Aki: Oh no! (covers his eyes) (Eto is driven out of bounds and is given a warning from the judge) Aki: That was a close one. Chiko: What we need is a miracle! (A stir goes through the crowd which arouses the interest of both "waring camps". Soon, as the figure emerges, we see it is that of Yuusaku!) Toro: What is that fool doing here? (Toro's man is distracted and Eto comes in and knocks him down for a surprise point) "Score is now tied 2 to 2." (Yuusaku's appearance suddenly infuses new energy into Eto and the whole team. His opponent makes a good stab with his right hand, but Eto just goes right through him for the final point.) "Point and match to Sakurai team. Final Score 3-2. Team Score now is 2 to 2" (Toro slams his towel to the ground) Chiko: Alright! Now we have a chance! Aki: What made you come back? Y: I remember my ojiisan's advice to me. He said that: "The road to truth lies on a thousand paths, but only you can choose which path to proceed on." I decided not to travel on the quitter's path anymore. [At the same time, ...] Kaori: Are you sure this is the place? Muroke: Yep. The computer pinpointed this as the most likely candidate where those soil samples came from, based on proximity. Kaori: Then I explore the area to see if I can turn up anything. You stay back here. We're communicate through this walkie talkie. If there's trouble for me, contact the police and tell them to come here. Muroke: Roger! [At a parking lot in another part of town] (The 4 personal agents of Toro is there) Underling A: The Ark Angel guy is a little late, isn't he? Underling C: He could be running a little late. Underling B: Do you think he suspects something? Underling D: No way. The plan is perfect. Once we get the money, we'll jump him and keep both the money and the drugs. Then we can sell the drugs ourselves and make more money. Underling A: Good going. But if he doesn't show up in the next 15 minutes, then I'm suspecting there's a problem here. [Back to Kaori] Kaori: No structures in this place; Just rocks and trees and dirt. How could this possibly be the right area? (trips over a branch) Kaori: Yeck! Mighty careless of me. But how did this get in the way? (moves aside some covering branches to reveal some tire tracks!) Kaori: Must be from the rain storm. Someone is trying to hide this. I wonder where this leads to? [Back to the tournament] Aki: Their main guy is up next for the final round: the dreaded Hunada-san!" Daisuke: Come on Hino-san! You can do it for us. Y: I'm not going up there. (everyone) W h a a a t t t !!!?!!! Y: I can't go because of my injury. Eto: Then we're doomed. Y: No you're not. We are a team. And we need to support each other because we are a team. That is why we're here. Daisuke: That means Bento has to go up as planned. Bento: No Way! I don't even stand a chance! (takes a glance over at Toro's side dressed up in black uniforms; Hunada growls at him) Y: Yes you do. A much better chance than I would. As long as you have the strength and ability and the desire, then you can do anything. You got to have confidence in yourself. Bento: Easy for you to say! You're not the one going in there! Y: This is not my fight. It never has and it never will be. Only a true member of your team who's been through this conflict is deserving. That is the right way. If you really want to win it, you have to win it for yourself and for everyone. I have faith in you Bento-san. We all do. (puts his hand on his shoulder to give him support) Bento: If you put it that way, I guess I have nothing to lose if I don't try. Y: That's the spirit! Go in the circle and show him! (Shift back to snooping Kaori) (comes to a clearing and sees...) Kaori: That truck we were tracking! So that's where it was. No wonder we couldn't find it in such a remote area like this! (Back to the tournament) (*Haw!*) (Bento falls down to the mat!) Score is 1 to 0! "Come on Bento! You can do better than that!" Y: Use your defense to attack! (As Hunada is coming with a right punch, Bento goes for the upper body) (*SMACK!*) "Simultaneous hit! Point for both sides! Score is 2 to 1." Toro: Hunada! Finish him off! (Back to the clearing) Kaori: (takes out her walkie talkie and talks into it) Hello Muroke? Come in. It's me Kinsu. Listen, I need to tell you this. "I think I'll take that." (Kaori turns around and sees a man pointing a gun at her!) (Tournament) (Bento is driven out of the circle) "Warning! Running out of the ring. Next time will be a point infraction." Bento: I don't stand a chance! Y: (comes over and whispers to him) He'll probably try to finish you off the same way he did to me last time. He give you a bull rush. All you need to do is sidestep and deliver the blow. Understand? Bento: Ok! But if it doesn't work... Y: Just do it! Bento: Hai! (salutes and gets back in) "Positions...Ready....Fight!" (Hunada rushes him as predicted and Bento sidesteps him too slowly and both get there feet tangled; but he manages to deliver the kick blow) "Point white side! Score is now 2 to 2!" White Side: Woo hoo! Come on Bento! Just 1 more point. (Hunada creeps back to his corner while Toro glares at him) Hunada: Sorry boss! Toro: Just shut and listen. No fancy stuff. Just pound the head and finish him! Understand? Hunada: (nods) (in the other corner) Bento: (huffing and puffing) I'm so exhausted! And hungry! Aki: Come on! You can't think of food at this time! Y: Just don't lose your head in there. And attack down. Daisuke: If you get it done, I'll buy you dinner! (back to clearing) (Kaori has her hands behind her head and is being led away ) "Don't turn around." Kaori: How can I with you sticking that gun behind me head? "Don't get cheeky with me girl. I could get trigger-happy." Kaori: What are you going to do with me? "I'll let the Master decide that." Kaori: Where are you taking me? "You'll find out." [Parking Lot] Underling D: 15 minutes late. Where is he? Underling A: This is not good. Me and B will stay here. You two go and check back at the point. (back to the action!) (Bento is busy defending the avalanche of blows raining down at him from Hunada-san) Bento: Arrggghhhhh!!!! Eto: He doesn't look like he can hold up much longer! Daisuke: I didn't believe he can made it this far! Aki: Looks like he won't last any longer! His legs are wobbling... (switching back) (Kaori is led to the head guy who is talking to someone else) "Who is this?" "Master. We found her snooping around." "So...a pretty lady among our midsts. Who are you?" Kaori: Why don't you find out yourself? "Disrespectful, aren't you?" (*SLAP!*) "I hate disrespectful woman." Kaori: You fucked bastard! "You curse too. We just have to find a way to keep you silent forever. "What shall I do with her?" "Dispose of her properly. Now get her out of my sight!" (Back to the tournament) (Hunada is toying with his opponent, exhausting Bento, leaving him breathless) Toro: Enough of this! End it now! Hunada: (turns his head) W-W-What? Y: NOW! Get him! (Bento lands a surprise suckerpunch) (Huanda looks down at Bento with his fist at his stomach) "Winner! Sakurai side. Score 3 to 2! End of match and tournament!" (Back to Kaori) (At the river) "You're pretty. Too bad I have to kill you." Kaori: Just shut up and get it over with! "If you say so." (holds gun about 2 feet away from her head and makes her kneel) (*BANG!*) Kaori: (*Bang! Bang!*) (Kaori opens her eyes and turns around to see her assailant run away) Kaori: What the hell... (A strange figure emerges from the distance, wearing sunglasses) Kaori: Ryo! How long were you going to let me hang back there? "Long enough. Hold still." (puts down gun to cut ropes with knife) "We gotta get outta here now. That guy is going come back with..." (*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*) (A bullet rains from the distance!) (Ryoga pushes Kaori to the ground, expertly rolls over and picks up his gun and returns fire) Ryoga: Shit! They have machine guns! Kaori: Looks like we're done for! We'll outgunned and we'll pinned in! Ryoga: Gotta move! (leads Kaori by hand just skirting the bullets) (sirens in the background) Kaori: The police? How did they know? Ryoga: Who cares? Look over there! Kaori: There's the big truck they've been using for the operations! It's getting away! Ryoga: Not if I can help it! Kaori: There's no way you can get it! It's too far. Ryoga: Nothing too far for this baby. (aims his trusty sidewinder and the silver bullet pierces one of the tires. It causes the truck to swerve, smacking it against the nearby trees) [At Yoshida's] (A wild party is going on. After the whole team carries off Bento as today's hero, they go off to the bar to celebrate their monumental victory over the rival gang) Daisuke: A toast to Bento-san! I admit it! I was skeptical of our chances before today, but he made a believer out to me! Here's to Bento! (Cheer! Cheer! Yay! Yay!) (SPEECH! SPEECH!) Bento: Ah come on guys! Let let me drink and be happy! Aki: You're not getting off the hook that easily! Bento: Well ok. I am with you guys. We may be divided on many things, but as a team, we remained united. But it took an outsider of the group to make me realize that. And he had as much to do with our victory as anyone else. So I wish to toast Hino Yuusaku, our tranfer student, the real leader here. Hino-san? (looks around for him) (outside, Yuusaku has already slipped out) Y: (*sigh*) My work here is done. (He sees Muroke running up to him!) Y: Koji-san! What's wrong? You look like a wreck! Muroke: (*HUFF PUFF HUFF PUFF*) You gotta....come to...hospital....Kaori and group....got hurt... Y: What? When? Why? Muroke: Just come, ok? Y: Sure. I'll be right there. [Back at Toro's headquarters] Toro: (chewing out Hunada in front of the whole gang) You stupid idiot. You had to play around, didn't you? Hunada: I'm sorry....so sorry boss. It's that transfer student's fault. Toro: Excuses, excuses! (Underling A, B, C, D rushes in) Toro: What is it with you guys? Underling A: Apologies but more bad news to report. Your cousin and your aide has been infiltrated by the cops! Toro: (hands head down) This can't be happening to me...this day was suppose to be my greatest victory...but instead it's become my biggest defeat! How can this be....HOW CAN THIS BE!?!?!?! Underling B: What are you orders, sir? Toro: I WANT REVENGE! YOU ALL HEAR! I WANT REVENGE NNOOWWWWW! [Sario's house] H: Thanks again for agreeing to take my dog Toto. Sario: No need to thank me! I love dogs! I'll be sure to take good care of him for you. H: Thank you. Duomo Arrigatou! Bye Toto! (*rough, rough, rough*) (As she is walking along the streets) (A group of motorcycles approach her!) (Hikaru starts to run suspecting something, but it is too late! She is scooped up by one of the riders) H: Let me go! Help!!!! [In the hospital room] (Music playing in the background: FreeFalling by Tom Petty) (Inside, he sees Kaori sitting next to Ryoga, who has a cast on his right arm) Y: Kaori! Are you alright? I heard the news from Koji-san. Kaori: Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks to him. If he didn't call the police when I lost contact with him, we would have been goners. (Yuusaku turns to Ryoga) Y: Why are you doing back here? I thought you split for Tokyo. Ryoga: Didn't reckon you were so eager to dispose of me. But I guess I had it coming the way I treated you like crap. Y: That's putting it mildly. You put my life through hell! Kaori: Hey bud! Lay off him! He took a bullet for me! I find it so touching... Ryoga: Cut it out! A man's gotta have his pride, you know. Kaori: Why you ungrateful fiend... Y: I don't know what crazy game you're playing, but thanks for saving Kaori's life. Arrigatou. (bows) Ryoga: No sweat. Saving her ass out of trouble is my specialty. Kaori: Ryo! (hits his injured arm!) Ryoga: Oww! That's what you get for being nice. Y: I give up. Ryoga: What? Give what up? Y: Give up Hikaru to you. I know I'm not the right person for her. And I think she's taking a liking to you since you two spent so much time together. I assume that's why you left because you two were getting too close together. Ryoga: Listen bud. I don't know what signals you've been watching, but its not like that between the two of us. Kaori: I would hope not! Y: You don't have to put on the act for my sake. I've seen it with my own eyes. You're the ideal guy for her: good-looking, strong, and independent-minded. I finally realized it when I found out she was going to New York. Only such a character could make the impact on her like you did. Ryoga: Now hold on man... Y: There's more. I've come to the realization that all that matters to me is Hikaru's happiness. Of course, it would be nice if she could feel happy with me, but of course we know that can never happen. She could never fall in love with me now knowing what I know. She views me too much as a brotherly figure for that. I finally come to a point where I don't feel jealous anymore if she's with another person. Before, I grew insanely jealous when she was with Kyousuke and I tried everything in my power to break them up, but it didn't work. Finally, when they did break up through no part of mine, I saw the deep sadness poor Hikaru-chan fell into being alone and that hurt me even more. I would rather have them stay together if I knew it would come to this. I know you two have a chance together so I am not going to stand in the way. As long as she is happy being with you, then I'm content. That's why I'm asking you to accompany her to New York. You're not tied down to anything and you're a bad boy, so you'll fit in. I would never feel at ease knowing she is all alone by herself in a foreign city. Ryoga: Woah man! Now you really got the wrong idea. I'm not interested in her. I already have someone that I have to look after. Which reminds me of something. (reaches inside his jacket to get something out) Ryoga: Here. I think this belongs to you all along, but this time you earned it. (it is the picture of Hikaru in a swimsuit) //See my HardKOR homepage front pic to see that picture! Y: Why are you giving me this? Ryoga: To fulfill an obligation. I did say that if you could defeat me, that I'll return it back to you. Y: But I did not defeat you at all! Ryoga: There's where you're wrong man. You defeated me the worst possible way. You drove me out of town, look after Kaori for me, and took up the leadership role of my gang. I call that a defeat for me. And I think someone else deserves your attention. This is only to remind you. Y: Then I have nothing to say. Except to thank you. (bows) (Muroke rushes in) Muroke: Oh my god! Oh my god! Kaori: Now what's wrong? Muroke: H-H-Hiyama-san! She's been kidnapped by Toro's gang! Ryoga: Are you sure? Muroke: But here's the ransom note! And they included a ribbon with it! Kaori: (Reads note.) Looks like it's true. They say to meet him by the cliffs. Y: Let me see...(takes a look at the ribbon and sees that it is the same red-orange ribbon/bandanna that Yuusaku gave her on her birthday!) Y: (rushes out the door) Muroke: Hey wait! Where're you going? Come back! Kaori: What does he think he's doing? And what are you doing? Ryoga: Getting dressed. I'm going! Kaori: But in your condition... Ryoga: This is more important now! Now help me up so we can sneak past the hospital attendants! [At the cliffsides] (Toro's gang is there in force, starting bonfires and circling the area, humming and cranking up their motorcycles in a menacing fashion. Hikaru is being held by the brute Huanda!) (Ryoga, riding behind Kaori on her motorcycle first arrive on the scene.) Toro: (crazy, maniacal tone) So you finally came! I knew you had a hand in this, Ryoga Kinsu! And now I have your girl! Too bad it's just you and her. I'll have my boys finish you two off while she watches! (roaring in the background is another set of motorcycles. In comes the rest of the Sakurai gang including Aki, Bento, Chiko, Daisuke, and Eto.) Bento: Hey boss! Heard about the news and decided to crash in! Daisuke: Yeah! We're not going to let these thugs push us around! This is our town! Toro: (evil laugh) You assholes spoiled my party once already! This is no fun, ...I might as well kick the girl off the cliff game! Ryoga: Wait Listen! It's me you want. Leave everyone else out of this! One on one. you and me! Toro: You Ryoga with one arm? (evil laugh) I've already fallen for that trick before. I'll make you suffer forever by letting you see her die right in front of your eyes! (A thunderous roar comes from the background as a lone Yamaha motorcycle comes onto the scene by itself. Its rider is cladded in a black leather jacket. As he takes his helmet off, we see he is wearing sunglasses. He takes those off to reveal... Kaori: YUUSAKU! H: YUU-KUN! Toro: Oh, the coward has come in now. This is just perfect! You're just in time. Now Everyone is here to see the finale. (Muroke arrives on the scene with his bicycle) Muroke: (breathless) What's happening? Aki: Shhh! (points to the developing scene) Toro: This will be my final revenge! (He grabs Hikaru and starts towards the edge of the cliff) Y: (eyes burning with redness) TORO ISHIZAKI! I have come, as the leader of my gang as you requested in your note! Ryoga: What the hell is he doing? H: Yuu-kun! (Toro stops dead in his tracks) Y: You want revenge, don't you? I don't think killing her would quench your thirst for revenge, would it? Toro: What are you saying? Y: (smiles) Your desire for revenge runs much deeper than that. And you wouldn't risk losing face in front of all your men by sacrificing a mere woman, would you. That would be the cowardly way. I defeated you...my team defeated you...and you can't stand that, can you? Toro: SHUT UP! Y: And it's eating you up inside, isn't it? You want to get me, don't you? I ruined all your plans. I a mere transfer student bested the likes of you! Toro: SHUT UP! I SAID SHUT UP! Y: The only way to satisfy your revenge is to get me, isn't it? WELL IS IT? Toro: Yesssss....I want your life!!! Y: If you want it, then that's fine! I'll bet my life against hers! H: Noooooo! Toro: (crazed voice) Yessss...that would be the ultimate revenge. But you're a coward. Y: That's what you think. But if you want a shot at me, then you'll have to release the girl! Toro: Ahhh...you're trying to trick me, isn't it? Y: I give you my word. But if revenge matters so little to you, then I'll find someone else with more balls! Toro: You think I can't? I'll show you! Release the girl! Hunada: But Boss... Toro: Don't make me repeat myself! (Hunada unties Hikaru and the two meet halfway) (Yuusaku and Hikaru hug as she sobs profusely on his black leather jacket) Y: Are you ok? Did they hurt you? H: Not yet. Y: Good. Here. I think you should take this before I forget. You need this more than I do where you going. New York can be a tough place and you need all the breaks you can get. (gives her the red bandanna!) H: But I thought.... Y: Yes. I did throw it away when you offered it. I should have takened it. I'm just lucky I have a second chance and a change of heart. You were right. It came in handy today. I harnessed the faith you instilled into it to help me restore my faith. Please think of me when you wear it when you are in New York. H: (tears streaming) I'm not going anywhere! Y: Oh yes you are! H: (*sobs*) Noooo. Y: Yesss. You have to. It's been your dream. You just didn't know it until now. But now you finaly know. So you have to go. Do you understand? Promise me you'll go no matter what. H: I can't... Y: (looks at her with hurtful eyes) There's not much time. PLEASE! H: (looks away) I...I promise. I swear. There's something else I need to tell you. Y: (*gazes deeply into her eyes*) I think I know what you're going to say. I wanted to tell you the same thing my whole life but now by the way we are looking at each other, I realize I don't have to say the words. (Yuusaku hands her to Ryoga and Muroke) Y: Please take care of her for me. (both nod) H: (lunges out despite being restrained by them) WAIT! DON'T GO! DON'T DO IT! DON'T LEAVE ME NOW... Y: (revs up motorcycle) Goodbye and wish me luck my Hikaru darling! Y: I will always be with you! (Hikaru clutches the red bandanna tightly) (zooms away) Y: H: Noooooooo.... (Hikaru tries to chase him but she is held back by the other members) (Yuusaku rides in the Toro's circle) Y: I'm here now! What are you waiting for? Toro: Just deciding what I shall do with you. Since you were too cowardly to face my best man at the tournament today, I decided that we have the real tournament here! Except I make the rules. And the rules is everything goes! Whoever wins this deathmatch of mine will own this town! Hunada! Get him! (Hunada rushes him from behind on his motorcycle and knocks Yuusaku off!) Y: (lying on the ground) My back...argh...... Crowd: COME ON! HINO-SAN! GET UP! DON'T LET HIM BEAT YOU! YOU CAN FIGHT HIM! YOU CAN DO IT! (Yuusaku staggers to his feet, but is hit square in the stomach by Hunada's crowbar) (Yuusaku lies on the ground again, bracing his hands on the muddied ground, and rises again) (A light rain starts to fall) (This time, Hunada, like riding a chariot, swings around on his motorcycle and land his most vicious blow right across Yuusaku's chest!) (Yuusaku is now lying flat on his back, coughing up blood) Toro: You're were right! I am enjoying this revenge much better. H: (violently shakes) You can't let him do this! Do something! Stop this insanity! Ryoga: He gave his word. There's nothing more we can do for him. Muroke: (cupping his hands) Defend yourself Hino-san! Remember Ryu from Street Fighter! Don't give up! Y: (gasping for breath and half unconscious) Oh god. I can't fight him like this! I can't even fight at all! How can I stand a chance? (quick flashback) Sensei: One blow versus many is enough when struck at precisely the right time, right moment. It is to be felt and sensed. Only those who choose to listen within will know when is the right time. Y: (looks at his hands mixed with mud and blood) Now must be the time. Here and now is where I must make my last stand. (with amazing determination, Yuusaku rises once more.) Toro: (mockingly claps his hands) A noble effort. You even surprise me. But your time has run out. (Yuusaku legs is wobbling as Hunada comes in for the final pass. He swings at Yuusaku's head. He curls down to avoid blow and springs up to deliver an uppercut punch to drive Hunada off his bike) (Hunada squirms briefly but is knocked out) Muroke: He did it! Ryoga: Yes! I knew he could. Kaori: But watch out for the sneak attack! (Toro rushes Yuusaku from behind a bat!!!) (Yuusaku turns but catches part of the bat and holds on and jumps onto the bike with Toro!) (They fighting hand to hand, struggling while the bike races towards the cliff's edge) Toro: Let go! Y: (hand in his face) No way! (struggle over the bat) H: STOP THIS! (the bat flies down and collides with part of the wheel) (The motorcycle stars to reverberate!) Toro: Damn you! The brakes don't work! Y: Let go of me! Jump off the bike you baka fool! Toro: No! I want my revenge! Both of us die! Y: NO! CRAZY FOOL! I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU! (Right at the last second, Yuusaku pushes Toro off the bike as the bike sails over the cliffside) Y: (looking back at Hikaru for the last time) Bye bye, Hikaru pie. (we hear a sardonic laugh over the sea cliff sides before hearing the crash and explosion of the motorcycle along the sea rocks) [The Next Day: At the hospital] Doctor: It's a miracle sir! I don't believe Mr Hino-san. You stood less than a 20% chance to live. But you beat the odds. Sir...why are your crying? Ojiisan: I know my grandson is gone from this earth now. I was on death's wake but he came before me, his spirit standing right next to me and holding my hand. I felt a surge of energy from him. That foolish boy died to save me... (puts his head in his hands) [Later that week...] [Funeral Service] (People standing around a cemetary) "We are gathered here together to honor a young individual whose life was takened from us before it had a chance to get started. Despite his brief stay in this plane, he was able to touch everyone in his own special way. He faced a lot of torment and hardships in his life and was able to overcome them except this one. But now he is a better place, may god rest his soul." (Meanwhile, in a JAL airline bound for New York) (Hikaru is listening on her Sony walkman to a tape that Ryoga gave her) (She looks out the plane window at the clouds in the skies) H: < OR Saga, which is the same as the TV episode run. Will I write any more stories? That's hard to say given my busy schedule. I have some ideas for future stories to clear up major loose ends left behind by Book B, Shin Kor II, and Shin Kor III, but that depends on the interest level. After nearly a two year stint, here ends the Prelude edition of my HardKOR series. Why did I write it? I don't know why, but I do know there was a severe gap between what happened to Hikaru when she moved to Hokkaido and the start of the Shin KOR I novel when she ended up in New York. I was wondered what triggered her to make such a bold move. Certainly, one can argue that her success in the lead role of the Downtown Cats musical at the end of KOR Movie I was what propelled her. But she certainly could have studied in Japan rather than decide abruptly to move into a foreign land. There had to be more than meets the eye. So here, I present you my interpretation of what caused her to go to New York, not only to meet her own dream but to fulfill another. Certainly, I think it is more interesting that way and I hope you see it that way too. Last, I decided to give Yuusaku a grand exit, at the suggestion of an irate reader for me killing him off. Actually, it was not my fault; he was not included in the Shin KOR novels outlined by Matsumoto because he "forgot" about him. So I saw it fit to dispose of him as a way of being consistent with the Shin Novels. It might be argued that he, like Hikaru, starcrossed sufferers, has been mistreated and maligned throughout the series (both manga and anime) by both the author and readers, even though he played an instrumental part in the series to be simply ignored. But unfortunately, he was the "odd man out" so they say. Here was my way of redeeming him before his final moments. He was, I feel, an interesting enough character for growth and development to be simply passed off as a dumb, tough brute as some might view him. Yet he seemed too small. too weak-looking, almost ordinary to be so strong as he is described. Yet his only redeeming feature is his brown hair which could be the source of his strength. It seems that characters with brown hair are the strongest physical wise (Kurumi and Yuusaku). Secretly, I think of all the characters in KOR, that Matsumoto identifies most with Yuusaku. Having seen a picture of Matsumoto swimming, he and Yuusaku look strangely alike, sharing a similar body archetype. Through Yuusaku, he is like a spectator on the sideline trying unsuccessfully to warn Hikaru of the impending tragedy. (via the kappa caricature in the manga) And now, here it ends, at least for the final chapter in the adolescent years of Hikaru and Yuusaku and their kimagure, capricious ways.