H A R D |< O R interlude Edition K i m a g u r e O r a n g e R o a d F a n f i c t i o n by Robert Kwong ver 1.0 Completed July 12, 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 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. Book A and Book B chapters provides the events after Shin Kor I. This Book C will bridge the gap between Shin Kor II and Shin Kor III. 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 e-mailed 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! (30000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -98- Legend: Akane = Akane Kasuga Kurumi = Kurumi Kasuga Manami = Manami Kasuga Koji = Koji Muroke [] - denotes scene changes () - indicates person thinking to himself (**) - indicates action or special effects. Interlude: Chapter 2: A Pocket Full of Tragedies [In the midst of the night at the boarding house] Shijama: Waaah! Waah! A ghost! A ghost! A ghost! (Minutes Later) (Door opens again) (light switch flips on) (Muroke is standing in the doorway, visibly shaking) Muroke: Why'd you have to b-b-buzz me for on the walkie talkie for? Shijama: A g-g-ghost! I saw a G-GHOST! Muroke: (jumps back) Ghost? Where? Shijama: At t-t-the doorway. Just n-n-now. Muroke: Gosh, I don't see anything here. Are you sure you saw something? Shijama: I d-d-did! I t-t-think I d-d-d-did. (Shun Kisaragi, one of the boarding house administrators appears at the door with a wild, spiked-up hairdo) (scared) "Sempai!" Shun: (stern) What do you think you two are doing, waking me up from my beauty sleep? Muroke: Gomen nasai for waking you up, but my friend here is having a little trouble sleeping. You know. Probably jitters on his first night away from home. He had a bad nightmare, didn't you? (gives him a wink) Shijama: N-n-no I d-d-didn't! It was not n-n-nightmare! I did see a ghost! Shun: (*YAWN*) Ghost you say? Is that all? Muroke: What do you mean is that all? Shun: We haven't had ghost problems in this place for over 3 years now. Muroke: What? Are you saying this place is haunted? Shun: Not really. I mean not lately. Muroke: Which is it? It is or it isn't? Shun: Sort of. Kind of. It's very hard to explain, but now it looks like no problem. No harm done. I tell you about the last incident some time later. I'm going to get back to sleep. And I want no more interruptions, understand? (in unison) Hai sempai! Shun: Konbawa! (in unison) Konbawa Sempai! Shun: (muttering) (As she walks away, a hidden shadow peers out from the other end of the hallway) [Back in New York] Evening time. (Hikaru is back in her apartment, lying on her bed, tapping at her Powerbook) (*There is a loud knocking at the door*) H: (English) Who is there? (Japanese) Guess who? H: (opens door) Shuri-chan! You're back! Shuri: Ping Pong! Just as I promised! (*They hug*) H: It's been so long. When did you get back? Shuri: It's only been about a month. I just got back a few hours ago. And guess what? My new apartment is right across from you! H: Really? That's wonderful! Now we can hangout at each other's place all the time. Shuri: Yeah, that would be so cool. Hey, what's that smell? H: Hmm? It wasn't me? Shuri: No. On your hands. Smells kind of like paint. What have you been doing? H: (wipes her hands and gives a half-hearted laugh) I doing some painting a few hours back. Didn't have time to wash it. Shuri: Honto? Neato! When did this happen? H: Right after I got back to the city. With you not around, I decided to take a few weekend courses in art class. Just a passing interest of mine. Shuri: Wow. Sounds like a hobby to me. I'm amazed at your initiative. You're going to be the next Picasso! Let me see what you've done! H: Uhh, not yet! Shuri: Come on! H: I'll let you see it when I'm done. Shuri: Party pooper! H: (slight bow) Gomen! Shuri: Gawd, I was just kidding! Get a grip on yourself. You need to have more self-confidence in yourself. H: You're right! I should. Shun: Speaking of which, I see you've made a new friend while I was away. H: New friend? Shun: That. (points to sleeping cat by the radiator) H: You mean JG? Yes. Since you weren't around, I needed something to keep me company around the apt. Seems so dead with just a single soul within its dreary confines. Shuri: Doesn't seem too frisky to me. I thought you would have gotten a cat similar to the one in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." H: Maybe. I just might get another cat to give JG some company. Shuri: If you get that type of cat, then we would have to start calling you "Hikaru-go-lightly". H: (smiles) Or maybe you can get one. Shuri: (giggles) No thanks! I have a hard enough time taking care of myself, let alone a cat. How'd you find him? H: Quite by accident. I was walking back from dance class and I saw this poor looking cat beside a vegetable crate near the restaurants. He peered back at me with those forlorn eyes. I don't know what came over me then, but I came over to take a look. His fur was mangled and he had that weathered, worn look to him. I had seen that look before. So I decided to take him in. Guess I'm a sucker for hard-luck cases. Shuri: But he's a stray! Did you get him checked? H: Sure I did. He in perfect health now thanks to some tender TLC. And he's only a little over 3 years old. That's what the vet told me. Shuri: JG. JG. Sounds like an odd name for a cat. H: Not really. One of my best friends had a cat with a similar name; I just abbreviated it. Shuri: Well, whatever. Let's blow this joint and find a place to drink and celebrate! H: Great! Let's go! [Breakfast at Ryokurin Ryou] Morisaki Taku: Ohaiyo Koji-san. I see that you didn't have a restful time last night. Muroke: Ohaiyo Taku-san. You're right. Did I disturb you? So sorry about that. It was my fault anyway. I gave my friend an invention of mine which is like a walkie talkie. Except I put in a vibrate mode like you see in a pager so he can signal me. Little did I know that I forgot that I set it to the maximum setting. I thought there was an earthquake or something! Didn't know he would use it in the middle of the night. Taku: No need to explain or apologize. It is understandable. You must be well acquainted with electronic items. Muroke: Me? yeah, I guess you can say so. I grew up using computers and taking things apart. My friend on the other hand is a whiz with chemicals. He's not some hack who haphazardly mixes stuff together to produce an unwanted reaction. He's a pro. He'll probably be Japan's budding scientific talents. And speaking of the devil, here he comes! Shijama: Man, you look terrible Shijama! Shijama: Thank you for stating the obvious. I could not sleep a wink last night. Not after what I saw and especially by myself last night. But I am ok now. Enduring all-nighters during my vast academic career has prepared my body for such a predicament. Give me a cup of the stiffest black coffee and a little of this concoction of mine and I will be back to my old self again. Hey, who's he? (points to Taku) Muroke: Oh, allow me to introduce you to each other. Taku Morisaki, meet my friend Zumi Shijama. (They shake hands and exchange pleasantries) Muroke: Both me and Shijama hail from Otaru, Hokkaido. Taku: You're from Hokkaido? Funny. I was just up in that area last summer. Shijama: You were? How amusing. Taku: Yes. I went to visit my aunt and uncle and worked part-time in their noodle shop. Shijama: I'm sorry for asking this, but I've noticed you speak with a slight accent different from the other people in this area that I've heard so far. Are you from Osaka? Taku: (laugh) No; further south. From Kochi. I hope my country tongue doesn't confuse you too much. Shijama: No; it sounds rather distinctive. I'm sure you've noticed we speak with a Hokkaidian accent. Except for Muroke, since he's been in Tokyo for a while. Muroke: Speaking of which, which school are you attending here? Taku: Tokyo University, majoring in astronomy. Shijama: Is that so? You're attending Tokyo U. So are we! Taku: So what are your majors? Shijama: Biochem of course! Muroke: For me, EECS. Still, it's strange. Shijama: What? Muroke: Why this boarding house decided to allow students from other universities and colleges to attend here. I wonder if we'll ever get to hear the story... [Upstairs...] (Shun is carrying a tray of food) Shun: Suka-chan! I brought your breakfast in today. (Hasegawa stares blindly at the TV, unemotional, playing his video game) Hasegawa: Arrigatou Shun. Leave it on the table. Shun: Suka! You shouldn't keep yourself cooped up in this room all the time! It ain't healthy. Maybe you should come down and at least eat with the new regulars to make them feel at home. Hasegawa: They don't need a phony like me telling them a lie like that. Because this isn't home, at least not for me. No; better I stay here and leave them alone. Shun: You can't be isolating yourself. You're the head admin! You're suppose to be on top of things, managing the activities of this boarding house. Me and the other guys have been covering for you, but we're not sure how long we can continue like this. You've got to snap out of your shell! Hasegawa: There is nothing I can do. Just leave me alone. Shun: I can't. Yesterday, we had an incident last night. One of the new guys claimed he saw a ghost. Hasegawa: Did he? Can't be. Must be in his head. Shun: That might be. But you have to remember the incident we had with the girl spirits. You think they've come back again? Hasegawa: No. Shun: How can you be so sure? Hasegawa: Because Shinobu is not here anymore. They only came because of him. Shun: That may be the case, but this could be new spirits. I was thinking we should ask Mitsuru-semapi to drop by and... Hasegawa: No! Do not involve him? Shun: But why Suka-chan? Hasegawa: I'm still the head of this damn house and if I say I don't want him here, then that's final! Shun: Damn it Suka-chan! This power thing has really gotten to your head! (storms out and slams door) [Back to XYZ Studios] Ryusei is all alone in his office. He is lying back in his chair, with his hand to his forehead, as if in discomfort. R: Urgh. These damn headaches are coming back! I wish I had some of Miss Manami's green tea right about now. "Yoo-hoo!" R: (flips chair around) Oh! It's you Nagasi. Nagasi: Not the proper greeting I was expecting, but I won't stay mad at you too long. R: (*groan*) What do you want now? Nagasi: The big guy has this to deliver to you. (takes an envelope out of her purse and flips it on his desk) R: Must be enjoying himself in his retreat in Thailand. Curious though why he sent it to you first. Nagasi: Because he likes me better. R: (smiles) More likely is that he wanted to maintain a separate path, going through you so people don't know my ties. You didn't read it, did you? Nagasi: Of course not! I'm a snoop, but not when it comes to his things. R: Good girl. How is the play going along? Nagasi: Great! I've whipped them into place to go along with the changes I've made. R: (mutters) it's a wonder anyone is left. Nagasi: What did you say? R: Nothing. This is satisfactory. Leave me alone now so I can read this. (*gasp*) Oww! This damn migraine! Nagasi: Those headaches coming back again? Here. Take this. (places a bottle of pills on the desk) R: (picks it up gingerly) What is this? Nagasi: They're my pain-killers. I use them all the time after my workouts, especially when my feet are killing me. R: I see. Guess it couldn't hurt. Get me a glass of water then. Nagasi: Love to, but I gotta run. I can hear Sugi baby calling me. R: Typical. Always leaving when there's work to be done. [Back to Hikaru's apartment] (Hikaru staggers back to the apartment, obviously visibly drunk from her wild, raucous celebration with Shuri. She flops on the bed on her back, exhausted. We hear the cat tiptoe into her bedroom. Inside, we see her room, with the cute alarm clock. To the side is a canvas with a beginnings of a painting atop it. (the cat leaps onto the bed around Hikaru's shoulder) "Meow." H: Not now, JG. Mommy's head is aching terribly. "Meow, meow." (cat starts to paw at her hair.) H: Naughty cat! Stop it! Do you want to be the center of attention all the time? The whole day has revolved around you. (flashback at the bar earlier tonight) Shuri: (with a beer in her hand) So Hik-chan, you mentioned you named your cat after your friend. H: No, no. You heard wrong. I named it after his cat. Shuri: Oh, it's a he? H: If you mean my friend, yes. He and his cat are both males. Shuri: How nice. I thought it might have been your friend Madoka who had the cat. H: She likes animals, but she doesn't keep a pet. Shuri: You know. I didn't know Sugizawa had a cat. H: It's not him I'm talking about. Kyosuke and his family are the ones who owns a cat. Shuri: K-y-o-s-u-k-e. So that's his name. Sounds very familiar for some reason... H: It should. His name was all over the news a few months ago when he was rescued by the U.N. Shuri: You mean that guy? The daredevil photographer? H: Bingo! That's the person. Shuri: Wow, I didn't know he was friends with you. It must be exciting to know a person like that. H: Yeah, I guess so. Shuri: Say, were you two ever close? H: What do you mean? Shuri: I mean how long have you known him? Were you guys ever boyfriend and girlfriend? H: I met him back in junior high. And in a way, we were going "steady" for a time. But later, we broke it off. That was about 3 years ago. We're just friends now. Shuri: Shit! If I knew you two knew each other, I would have had you introduce me to him. H: Sorry I didn't mention it before. Maybe when you go back to Japan, I'll pass you his address. Shuri: URGH! H: What? Something I said? Shuri: No, it's not you, but I never have been so glad to leave Japan. H: Why you say that? Shuri: My inlaws have been driving me crazy trying to hook me up with these ugly, stuck-up rich snobs who just want to paw over my body. I finally had enough of it and just left on my own. There seem to be no decent guys left around anymore. H: Tell me about it. Shuri: However, this Kyosuke sounds like my type of guy. Handsome and daring, like those heroes you read in those romance novels. Wonder if he's available... H: Forget it. He's already takened. Shuri: Really? Too bad. Is that why you two broke up? H: (gulps down a shot) Yeah. But it's ancient history now. Shuri: So who's the lucky girl? H: Dunno. And I don't want to talk about it. I think we've been talking a little too much. Let's drink. Shuri: Right on! Kumpai! [At Tokyo University] (At the registration area where the names of those attending are listed) Shijama: Ahh! Found my name. Muroke: Finally. I wonder what's keeping Taku-san? Shijama: He's way over there. Let's go find out. Muroke: Hello Taku-san. Find your name yet? Taku: I did already. Shijama: So why are you still looking? Taku: I'm looking for another friend of mine. Muroke: Koichi also? Must be a big gathering. What's his name? Taku: I'd rather try to find it myself. Muroke: Ok. We'll check out the clubs orientation outside. Ja ne. Taku: (waves hand) Ja. [At Waseda College] There is a whole swarm of clubs lined up along the walkway with each touting its merits. There is the Sports club, Glee club, International club, Christianity club, Buddhist Club, Islamic club, Atheist club, Chess club, Go Club, Astronomy club, Film club, Biking & Hiking club, motorcycle club, Sci-Fi club, poetry club, game club, movie club, computer club, engineer club, marital arts club, Nature club, Vegetarian club, Nationalist club, people's club, conspiracy club, sushi club, sake club, tofu & takoyaki club, anime & manga club, hentai club, jpop club, and last but not least, Akane's newly formed women's liberation club. Located at the end, we see Kurumi, Akane, and Kazuya there manning the booth. Manami is walking over, carrying a whole bunch of food on her. Kurumi: Manami! Finally you're here! I'm starving! Manami: How are the signups going? Akane: Lousy. I don't believe how many women have been brainwashed by the constant barrage of stereotypes to tell us that we, the female race are inferior to men and should be treated that way. Kazuya: No wonder. You girls whine way too much! Akane: You brat! Kazuya: It's true. The only girls that did come by just groaned and complained about their lousy boyfriends who they think had been cheating on them. Bored me to tears! I'm lucky I don't have to deal with the opposite sex. Akane: Oh yeah? I'll stick those 2 little cuties who's been after you all this time on you so fast that you won't have time to beg for mercy. Kazuya: You're a mean-spirited sister! Akane: Don't you forget it! I have to be strong in order to best represent the female race! Manami: Ummm, aren't you going a little overboard with this Akane? Akane: What do you mean? Don't tell me you're starting to doubt me too. Manami: No, no. Not like that. I mean you should take a more calmer approach to it. Shouting out slogans like "Males suck, women rule!" and "Fight the male pigs" out of a bullhorn won't really make people feel comfortable to approach our booth. Akane: So what are you suggesting? Manami: Just don't be so aggressive. Kurumi: I've got an idea! Kazuya, Manami, and Akane: (in unison) You do? Kurumi: Yeah. You need a gimmick. Akane: Do you know what she's talking about? Kazuya: Nope. Kurumi: Gather around. I'll tell you my plan. [Back to Tokyo University] Muroke and Shijama enter back into the administration building talking. Shijama: I've heard of a RPG club, but RPG & Magic Users club? I wonder what's that all about? Muroke: Dunno myself. Maybe we're get to wear magician's costumes and wave magic wands while we're playing the RPG game to better fit the mood. But whatever it is, we're signed up for it. Guess we'll find out at the meeting. Shijama: Poor Taku-san. He's still at it. Are you sure you can't help him out? Muroke: Maybe I can. (walks over) Muroke: Taku-san. How are you doing? Taku: (head drooping) Koji-san. You've returned. Muroke: Still searching? I thought you would have found it by now. Don't you know his major? Taku: No, not really. Muroke: It's going to take all day just to look through every name in these lists. I can look it up for you on the computer if you like. Taku: You can? Muroke: Of course. I just need a little bit of time to figure out what type of system they're using. But once I reach the database, then that's it. Of course, I would still need to know the name. Taku: (*sigh*) In tha case, the name to look for is Muto Rikkako. Muroke: Rikkako? Isn't that a girl's name... Taku: Yes, and don't ask. Muroke: I wasn't about to and I won't say another word. I'll get started on this for you. (walks over to the terminal) [Back at XYZ studios] (Hayakawa is in the house!) Hayakawa: Hey Bud! Hiya doing? Ryusei: Mitsuru. Just the person I wanted to see. Hayakawa: Let get going to the talent gig. I heard there's a really hot group called the 'Heartbreakers that I wanna hear. R: I'm afraid I won't be able to make it. In fact, I need to embark on another one of my side business trips. So I have to leave the musical side of things in your hands again. Hayakawa: Bummer man. How long this time? R: This is a bit longer. For about a month. Outside the country. Hayakawa: Must be something major this time. R: You can say it is. As for the play, (shakes his head) I don't know. This is the 6th time they've made changes to it. I'm not sure whether you want to handle it or leave Nagasi in charge. Hayakawa: No way man. I'm gonna stay as far away from her as possible. R: Perhaps that's the best way. I'm not sure what's costing me more; the cost overruns, or the assistants she hires. Hayakawa: Creepy cohorts to have around. At least they wear sunglasses just like you. R: (sardonic ha) Very amusing, Hayakawa. One other thing: keep an eye out on Madoka Ayukawa. Hayakawa: You bet I will! I've always kept an eye on her. R: So I've heard. Despite the changes to the play, she's already finished the score for it, so she really does not have anything more to do with the production. But I would like to find some way to keep her in our sphere of influence, if you know what I mean. Hayakawa: Uh-huh. Sure I do. I've been pestering her for months before on how great a talent she would be in the j-pop world, but she simply won't listen. R: What is holding her back? Why is she so resistant? Hayakawa: Something about artistic purity. Trouble is, the usual sell job won't work with her, because she's already rich and her parents are world famous. But mostly, it's that boyfriend of hers that is holding her back. R: Unfortunate, isn't it for a lady like her to waste away her talent? However, I do not wish to pressure her up front, for that's not my style. Well then, it's up to you to manipulate the situation so she will join us. Do anything in your power to ensure that. Hayakawa: Anything? R: Anything. After all, this is the music business we're in, and our future success and revenue depends on it. Hayakawa: It's gonna take some time to butter her up. And it will be hard to reach her, since she has a gig at the Tokyo Music Conservatory School this fall. R: A suggestion. The best way I've found in getting my way is to do extensive research on a person. I suggest you try to find out more about the elusive Ayukawa Madoka. Maybe something in her background might reveal a weakness we can take advantage of. Hayakawa: (pats his ponytail) Could do that. But that's gonna be hard work. I prefer to smooze with her. R: I know. But this flirtatious behavior you have towards her has been ineffective for the most part. Just try it my way and see. Hayakawa: I think about it. Look at the time. I gotta go. Ciao baby! R: Ja to you. [Inside the admin building] Taku: How are you doing Koji-san? Muroke: Afraid I've got some bad news for you. I couldn't find anyone by that name in the database. I tried several cross reference searches, and did find a few Mutos, but none going by that name. Taku: Thanks for your help anyway. I thought she might present herself as her surprise for me. Too bad I was wrong. Shijama: (comes over) You two looked very depressed. Didn't find what you were looking for? (both shake their heads) Muroke: [Back at Waseda College] (Kurumi is sitting behind the booth, wearing a funny wrap around her hair, while Akane is bellowing out the pitch) Akane: Step right up and get your free psychic reading! Compliments of the Women's Liberation Club. (There is a line of girls waiting!) Akane: (to Manami) Wow! I don't believe this is working! Manami: Me neither. We would have thought Kurumi could have come up with such an idea. Lucky we have Kazuya's mind reading talents. Kurumi: (with a "customer" speaking like a fortune-teller) So Midori, how are we doing today? I bet you want me to tell you about your boyfriend. "I do, I do." Kurumi: Let me see... (starts waving her hands over a fish bowl with goldfish in it!) There,...I see him now... His name is... Kazuya: (stooped underneath below the covered table) (*whisper*) Akuma. Kurumi: Akuma. Is that correct? "Ping pong! That's amazing! What else do you see?" Kurumi: Oh...this does not look good. "It doesn't? What? What is it? " Kurumi: Trouble...big trouble brewing in the future. "No, it can't be. " Kurumi: Humph. The vision is gone now. I suggest you sign up here and attend our meeting or else it would be too late for both of you. "Oh thank you for warning me! I'll be sure to come. I'll even get my girlfriends to come along." Manami: (hands her a phamplet) Arrigatou. Akane: (flashes a carsaleman smile and waves hand) Don't forget to spread the word! Kazuya: [End of Chapter 2]