rk@soda.berkeley.edu
                               HARD |< O R
                             A novella by Robert Kwong


			This Chapter finished Oct 19,1995
				ver 1.15

Please read 
Disclaimer on http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html 1st
Email comments or flames to rk@soda.berkeley.edu
Based on characters by Izumi Matsumoto

As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure
Orange Road series. The turn of events and timeline depicted here occur
right after Shin Kor I, but before Shin Kor II. This is the graphic
reaccount of the adult lives of Madoka, Hikaru, and Kyosuke. Like the
Shin KOR novels, these stories contain adult themes, situations, and
language.Thus parental guidance is advised. Thus read with your own
discretion! 


Notes:  Phrases in < > are characters thinking to themselves.
        [] indicates scene changes
	** indicates special effects (fx)

BOOK A:

Chapter 1: Abduction

"Hello, you have reached the Ayukawa residence.  I'm not here right now..."
*Click*
(Phone placed back on receiver.)
<I wonder where she could be at this time...>

Today was certainly not my day.  Earlier that day, my friend Kyosuke left
my hotel room in a frenzied rush. Next, the airline called to inform me
that my flight has been delayed for two hours for some special event. And
now I can't even get Madoka on the phone! 

*Ring! Ring!*
<That's strange? Who could that be at this time?>
*Ring! Ring!*
"Mosh Moshi?"
"Hello?  Is this Miss Hikaru Hiyama?"
"Yes? Speaking."

"Good day to you Miss Hiyama.  Sorry to bother you, but there are two
gentlemen waiting for you in the lobby.  They informed us that they are
here to drive you to Narita airport, compliments of a Mr Mitsuru
Hayakawa." 

<Hmmm, that was kind of him to do. Probably felt bad for me not getting the
part.  Need to get Madoka to thank him for me.>

"Thank you very much for the message.  Please tell the two gentleman that
I'll be down there in ten minutes.  O.K.?  Domo.  Bye Bye!" 

(Looks at watch) "2:50 already! Damn!  My flight takes off at 3:30.  Now I
won't get a chance to talk to Madoka.  I better get going if I'm going to
make my flight.  Hurry hurry hurry!"

        Hikaru enters the bathroom one last time to freshen herself up. 
Her bags, already packed, are stacked on top of the bed.  Earlier that
morning, a young, scared Kyosuke hastily departed from her hotel room for
fear of what might happen between the two of them. 

        Meanwhile, in the lobby, the two odd looking men, wearing faded
dark black suits and tinted Rayban sunglasses, pace nonchalantly around a
small but quaint fountain situated off to the left side of the lobby near
the holding area. There, atop the fountain sat a shiny, bronze, laughing
Buddha statue grasping a fan. 


  The elevator opens, with Hikaru, looking stunningly beautiful in her
white springtime dress holding an aqua-marine bag in each hand.  The two
men stop dead in their tracks and turn towards her. 

"Hello there.  You must be the two men sent by Hayakawa.  Thanks for coming.
Could you wait a moment while I go and pay up my hotel bill?"

As one of the men relieves Hikaru of her baggage, the other says:
"Good day to you Miss Hiyama. You don't have to worry about the bill.  Its
been takened care of,  compliments of our master."

"What??"

"Please don't be surprised." (Gently places hand on her right elbow to
escort her forward) We better get a move on if we're to make your flight. 

(Looks at watch.  3:03.) "I guess your right.  Let's go!"

(She darts forward, leaving the guy who was nudging her stumbling as she
escapes his grasp. After a few steps though, she stops suddenly, causing
the same guy to quickly skid and lean back to avoid knocking her over.)

"I'm sorry." (Gazes over at fountain) "But I need to do something before I
go. It will only take a minute." 

She walks over to the fountain and takes a coin out of her purse.  She
closes her eyes momentarily as to make a wish.  After a long pause, with
her eyes still closed, she tosses the coin into the fountain. It lands
with a splash in the palm of the bronze Buddha. 

"OK.  I'm finished now.  Thank you for indulging me. Let us go now."


I walked slowly, dragging my feet, reluctant to leave the hotel. As I was
leaving the hotel, I reflected on the masquerade I was playing; putting
on my cheerful mask demeanor in order to conceal my true feelings:
sadness.  Sadness leaving my hometown Tokyo; sadness leaving my friends
behind again; sadness knowing Kyosuke would forever be linked with
Madoka; and sadness not paying my respects for 'him'. 

        But as an adult, I had to learn to hide my true feelings for the
sake of others. To hide the disappointment of rejection. To hide the
lonliness felt on those cold NY nights. To hide the hurt and pain in my
heart. No longer could I rely on my child-like innocence anymore. For I
was no longer a child. 


As Hikaru is about to depart through the hotel door, she looks back one last
time at the Buddha statue.  As she turns around to leave, we can see a glint
of light flashing off his teeth.

She is led to an awaiting white Lincoln Continental stretch limosine.
Clearly, Hikaru is impressed with the lavish accomadations accorded to
her.  Inside, she oohs and ahhs over the various amenities: A cellular
phone system , a satellite television set, and a mini bar with chilled
champagne and a silver tray of white-powdered coconut cookies. 

"Coconut cookies!  Those are my favorite!"

< I wonder how Mitsuru knew about my sweet tooth.  Probably Madoka mentioned
it to him while talking about me.>

"Miss Hiyama.  Please help yourself. You are free to use any of the services
provided. If you need anything, please use the intercom.

(Sound of black divider being raised up)

<I guess a little drink won't hurt>
(Pours out champagne and sips it)
"I wonder what's on at this time"
(Switch)

"And now the news.  Earlier today, missing photographer, Kasuga Kyosuke
arrived in Tokyo aboard a UN plane to an enthusiastic crowd of airline
officials and reporters.  Mr Kyosuke had been missing for weeks in the
Balkans and was rumored to be captured by one of the warring factions.
And now a word from the man himself. 

(Closeup shot showing Kyosuke with Madoka to his right and his father to his
left.  Behind him are the secondary group: Kurumi, Manami, Kazuya, Akane,
Master, Hatta and Komatsu. Around them are the airline officials.)

Kyosuke:I'm just so glad to be alive and to be back home with my family and
friends. I appreciate the support from my fellow countrymen. 

Reporter: What are your plans after this terrible ordeal?

Kyosuke: You know what? I think I'm going to go home and take a nice long
nap. (Accompanied by laughter and giggles from the crowd) Nooo, I'm just
kidding. Honestly, I haven't thought that far ahead. I think I'll stick
to taking things one step at a time. 


Reporter: How about...

Kyosuke: Sorry folks.  I really need to go right now.  Maybe I'll answer
your questions at another time when I feeling better.  Thanks. 

(while nibbling on a cookie...)

<I don't believe it!  That can't be the Kyosuke I met earlier.  This
Kyosuke looks much bigger and masculine.  Even his voice is deeper.  Is
my mind playing tricks on me, or did I just saw a ghost?  Well, no
matter: this new Kyosuke looks much improved and manly.  If he were by my
side last night, I wouldn't be able to resist him.  Too bad I'm leaving
though.  >

(Looks at watch: 3:10)
"I guess it worth a try..."
(Picks up cell phone and dials Madoka's mansion, hoping to have one last
chance to speak to her best friend before she leaves)

"Mosh moshi.  Ayukawa Madoka speaking.  How may I help you?"

"Madoka!  It's me.  Hikaru.  Boy, am I glad you're home.  I'm been trying
to reach you all morning!" 

That voice. How I haven't heard that voice, that dear voice close to my
heart in such a long time.  It was deja-vu. Oh how I missed that cheerful,
uplifting voice of Hikaru.

"Oh Hi.  It's been quite a long time since we last spoke."

"Yeah, I know.  I wanted to call you many times from NY, but you know how
expensive the phone bills are.  It's hard enough trying to save enough
money to live in NY. Anyhow, I just saw you and Kyosuke on TV today.  I
hope things are going well between the two of you." 

"Yes, yes. We just got home a while ago. In fact, we are going to have a
banquet with the whole gang later tonight.  Kyosuke and I would be
honored if you came." 

"I'm sorry Madoka, (sips some champagne), I really would like to come, but
right now, I'm on-route to Narita airport for my flight back to NY."

"But you just arrived here a few days ago.  Why so sudden?"

"I came to Tokyo actually to try out for a dance part, but I didn't get
it. So not wanting to bother with formalities, I decided it was best for
me to leave before I become too nostalgic, making it even harder for me
to leave. I'm just sorry that we couldn't meet. " 

"I'm sorry to hear that. "

"Btw, could you thank Hayakawa for me?"

"What for?"

"Well, it turns out that he was one of the judges for my audition. He
regretfully informed me that I didn't get the part even though he voted
for me. He was so nice about the whole thing that he even offered to
create another spot for me.  I gently refused him." 

"Why?"

"I didn't want him to pull any strings for me just because he knew me. 
It would have been unfair to the others who tried out.  Plus, I figured
he did it anyway as a favor to you." 

"Favor? He did talk to me about your audition earlier today. But I think he
had other intentions.  I hope he wasn't trying to pick you up. He still
is the ladies-man around here.

"No, no. You shouldn't misjudge him like that.  He actually a very nice guy,
and he was a perfect gentlemen during my meeting with him."

"I should hope so.  After all, he's still engaged to Shiori. Shiori is
such a nice girl. I wonder what she sees in him.  He sure is lucky to
have someone like her caring for him" 

(Takes another sip of champagne)
"Huh?  Whose Shiori?  You never mentioned her to me before?"

"Well, it's a long story. Remember a while back in high school Hayakawa
performed a concert here during his "teen idol" phase?  By a quirk of
fate, he happen to stumble upon his high school sweetheart at his old
high school. There, they rekindled their old feelings.  He was so moved
by the whole experience that he broadcasted live to his adoring female
fans his intention to renounced his teen idol status in pursuit of more
serious musical work. That special girl was Shiori." 

//Note this is referring to a event in the TV Anime Series and an OAV episode

"Wow!  That's so romantic.  So it was her.  But that was nearly five years
ago.  They're still engaged?"

"Yep.  They made a pledge not to get married until she was finished with
her education. She just graduated from the university majoring in
communications. Now this summer, she landed an internship at a local
broadcast station. After that, I can see wedding bells for them sometime
next spring. I hope she can hold out by then." 

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"Like a said before, Mitsuru still hasn't shaken off his lady-killer
tendencies from his pop-idol days.  Now they won't have much time to see
each this summer, since she'll probably be putting in long hours at the
radio station.  And with Hayakawa becoming a part-time agent, he'll
probably be swarmed by beautiful applicants like you :) That's why I was
worried whether he was flirting with you or not." 


"Madoka san, you really shouldn't doubt Mitsuru's character. And you
don't have to protect me anymore.  I'm a big girl now. You have to be
tough in order to survive in a jungle like NY." 

"I'm sorry, but to me, you're always be a sister to me.  I guess it's part of
my paranoid nature to be concern for the people I care about"

"You don't know how happy I am to hear that, coming from you, after all
that has happened during these past years.  Promise me we're be friends
forever... we won't let anyone come between us ever again, OK?" 

"I would like very much."

I wanted to talk to Kyosuke also, but thought better of it.

(Receiver slightly lowered away from her mouth) Hey! You're going the wrong
way.  I'm going to be late for my flight!
(Raises receiver back up again)
"I'm sorry Madoka-san.  The limo drivers Hayakawa sent me apparently don't
know their way around Tokyo.  I've gotta go.  Bye Bye!

"But Hikaru, where are you now..."
Click.


[Back inside the limo...]

(Funny scene ensures, with Hikaru playing with the master control center,
pressing buttons and flipping switches) (flips switch) "Hello? "  (press
button) "Hello?  Anyone there?" (presses another button, causing music to
play instead) "Nope.  Not this button" (flips another switch, causing TV
to retract back into its compartment) (Slapping the control center with
her hand!) "Aarrgh!  I can't get this to work! Now I won't make my
flight.  Where the hell are they taking me anyway?" 

(knocks at divider window several times.  No response)
"Soundproof also? This limosine is impressive!  But what am I going to do?"

I was about to use the cellular phone to call the police, but suddenly my
arms felt like dead weights. I started to feel drowsy, sleeply even.
Talking to Madoka along with drinking the champagne must have sapped away
much of my strength. The soft, hypnotic tones of piano music from the CD
was lulling me to sleep. I tried to fight the sensation, but slowly my
body gave in as I closed my eyes. Soon everything became hazy black ... 

[End of Chapter A1]