H A R D |< O R Book D: The Book of Four 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 Finished July 20, 1999 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. This is the 4th book in my fanfiction series. The timeline for this occurs after ShinKOR II novel and covers some details in Shin Kor III and beyond. 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. Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR fanfic on the web! (38000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -99- Legend: H = Hikaru Hiyama M = Ayukawa Madoka R = Ryusei Haroken K = Kasuga Kyosuke Akane = Akane Kasuga Kurumi = Kurumi Kasuga Manami = Manami Kasuga Muroke = Koji Muroke Shijama = Shijama Zumi Taku = Taku Morisaki Shinohara = Shinohara Asuma Shun = Shun Kisaragi Hasegawa = Hasegawa Kazuya Tasuya = Tasuya Youta [] - denotes scene changes () - indicates person thinking to himself (**) - indicates action or special effects. Book D: The Book of Four Chapter 3: Adventures in Driving [At Yakushima Island] Ryusei is stopped by the guards at the entrance of this foreboding mansion. (We clear the clanking of 2 metal balls) Goro: Haroken-san. Good of you to drop by. Please. Come in. (Ryusei nods) We need to discuss amendments to the "venture." Goro: We will. But first, a drink. In my study. (to the guards) You may leave us now. R: To what do I owe this drink to? Goro: To steadfastness. (pours out a thick purplish, ghoulish looking liquid) This is yours. Cheers! (*CLANK!*) R: (makes a face) This is so bitter and foul! What is the meaning of this? Goro: (evil laugh) The meaning? A reminder. Things do not always flow as smoothly as one desires. In those times, allies drink the misfortune together. R: Is that your way of cheering me up? If that is so, then I am not amused. Goro: Ah, Haroken, you surprise me. R: That is not my aim. Now you are trying my patience. You've let a prized property slip through the cracks. Now what do you intend to do to resolve this land deal? Goro: Patience. It is indeed a virtue you need to master. All in good time. Things comes to those who calculate and wait. R: Are you trying to worm out of your end of the deal? Goro: Not at all. Come now and let us finish this. No need to worry. My agent is already at work now on a event. An event so shocking and horrifying that it will Tokyo to its knees! R: To that I will drink to. As long as our means are achieved. But no tricks. Goro: But of course. (evil sneer) [At Tokyo University] (Muroke is hanging around at his usual hangout: the computer lab!) (In comes a surprise visitor) "Hi Koji-san!" Muroke: (looks up from the screen) Taku-san? What are you doing here? Taku Morisaki: I came to ask a favor. Muroke: Sure. What is it? Taku: Remember how you did the lookup of my friend back in Kyoto? Muroke: Uh yeah. You're not going to tell anybody about that, right? What I did wasn't quite legal, y'know. Taku: Oh sure. I'll keep your secret. I was wondering if you could do that again to look up another person. Muroke: Oh sure. Who is it now? Taku: The lady we met back in Kyoto: Rikkako Muto. Muroke: Her? Hmm...I remember. I did a search before for her. Taku: Yes, but in the wrong area. That was why you couldn't find her. I am sure if you tried the Tokyo area, you'll find something. Muroke: Ok. Will get right on it. But why didn't you just ask her directly? Taku: I wanted to, but I didn't get a chance. Right after, we were interrupted by the Shinohara and that other woman. Muroke: You mean Akane-san. Yep, she can be a fiery hothead at times. But it'll take some time. There are scores of schools littered about in Tokyo. I have to search each and every directory. I'll give you an answer when we get back. Taku: Thanks! Appreciate it very much. Muroke: No problem. [Back at the Shin ABCB] (in walks in the new "macho men" Hatta and Komatsu sporting outfits like Miami Vice and wearing shades) Komatsu: We're bad! Hatta: Oh yeah! Komatsu: We are definitely the ... Hatta & Komatsu: --- MANGA KINGS---! Master: Hello fellows. What will it be? Komatsu: Don't you recognize us Master? (pulls down shades down to the rim of his nose) Master: (peers closely) Why, isn't it Komatsu-kun and Hatta-kun. I could barely make out your resemblance. Hatta: We're new men! Komatsu: Couldn't have said it better myself. Master: You two have been out for sometime. Must have been a wild trip. Hatta: It sure was! It was awesome! Komatsu: We were like celebrities! People were swarming to get our autographs. Hatta: What a rush! Who would have thought that my comic 'Yurushite Agerie' would make such a splash! Komatsu: But of course! I was the brains behind getting Jumbo Comics to back us up. Hatta: Right you are. It was a team effort. Komatsu: Oh yeah. Hatta: You wouldn't believe the publicity we got. Everywhere on our book tour, everyone wanted a piece of us. From Shinjuki to Kansai. Master: Good for you. Enjoy it while it lasts. Hatta: Hey, what does that mean? Master: Don't you know? Fame is always fleeting. Relish it while it lasts. Komatsu: Ah, don't worry about us. We're just rolling in it. Hatta: Sure am. Don't worry about us! Master: Since you two are doing so well, it wouldn't be too much to ask you fellows to collect your tab from last year? Hatta & Komatsu: Oops! [At Cable 12 Station] Kyosuke is sitting down, sorting some items. Someone comes up from behind him and covers his eyes. "Surprise! Guess who?" Kyosuke: Who could it be...Hori Chiemi? "Baka Kyosuke!" (tap on the head) Kyosuke: Ow! That really hurt Madoka! Madoka: That is what you get for playing with a woman. K: That'll teach me to be playful. So what's up? M: I was thinking that maybe we can do lunch. I am on my lunch break at the Conservatory, and I don't have to teach class until 2pm. K: Ah sure. Let's go. And by the way. There's something I wanted to ask you. M: And what would that be? K: There's going to be fund raising session at the station to help the victims from the Kobe earthquake. Can you come and help out? M: Of course. Definitely. I can round up a few others to help out. But we'll discuss it over lunch. [Back at Goro's mansion] (As Ryusei departs after the meeting) (A figure emerges from the shadows) "My master." Goro: What is your assessment? "His internal energy must be stronger than we thought. I am surprised he could leave on his own power after injesting that poison. Goro: Yes. With every test we administer, it only confirms our suspicions. "My master. Yet why do you still deal with him? We should cut him out now!" Goro: Oh, how little you know. We still have use for him. His connections to the Chameleon allows us to steal the impossible. And there is just one more artifact I need to obtain to complete the circle. I only need to satisfy his need before he will agree to another "run." "Do we have such a luxury to wait him out? He is getting dangerous and impatient. Such an enemy would strike unexpectedly." Goro: Perhaps. But he is petty-minded; only interested in money and power. He wants his reward for delivering the dagger. So I will give him what he wants. All in due time. An issue for me to resolve. What of your efforts? "The cult is actively recruiting all the best chemists in the country. They are heavily researching a way to replicate the "X" formula. Lots of tests, but little success so far." Goro: Then have them try harder! His operations suck into my money supply. If that fat bastard does not deliver, he would need to pray to save his neck from my wrath. I NEED that formula. "As you wish, my master. I leave you now." Goro: Begone. Bear better news before returning back. [#1 driving Ryusei back] #1: So boss. How was the powwow? R: Not good. Shimazaki gave me the runaround again. And to top it off, he offered me this thick, viscous purple liquid to ingest. Quite disgusting. #1: So more delays for the command base. I reckon that's gotta be a big downer for you. R: It is. But he assures me that he has everything under control. I'll see what his moves are in the next week before deciding what to do. [Back at Tokyo University] Muroke is staring at the computer screen. (*Ding*) Muroke: Good. The search is finally done. (copies something down). (*ding*) Muroke: Huh? Oh, an email. Just take a quick look before I go. Ah....(A big smile on his face) [Back at the Shin ABCB] [Akane and Twins arrive after school] Akane: Man, first day of the semester is rough! I definitely need to get a drink. Kurumi: Hey, is that Kazuya-chan up there on stage? Akane: What? What the hell is he doing up there? Manami: Looks like he's playing with the rest of the 'Heartbreakers.' Akane: Of course I can see that! There's Shuu, Shigi, and Ken. "Hello foxy ladies!" Akane: You guys are back! So soon? Komatsu: But of course. We couldn't keep you girls waiting. We aim to please and pleasure. Akane: Oh please. Now I really need a drink. Master. Get me a bloody mary, on the rocks. Master: Coming right up. (*groan*) "What all this racket?" Hatta: Now you're up! Izzy: Argh....you'll came back. Good. Buy me a drink. Komatsu: No problem man. We're super rich now, so we can afford to be charitable to the needy like you. Akane: We're not gonna hang around you guys like it's a locker room. Come on girls. Let's go to our table. We have business to discuss. [Back at Ryokurin Ryo] Muroke: Hey Taku! sorry I'm late. I know you are very anxious about knowing the whereabouts of your girlfriend. I was looking for Shijama but he was nowhere to be found. Taku: That is ok. So what did you find out? Muroke: Looks like she's attending a quaint U called Rikkyo. Rikkyo University. Kind of sounds like her name. Taku: Ah, so that's where she is. Muroke: Yep. So ends that little mystery. So you two are finally going to get together now, right? You've been kind of blue for some time now. Must be a relief finding her. Taku: I'm afraid it's not as simple as you put it. Muroke: Eh? More problems? She already have a boyfriend now? Taku: No, I mean I don't know. I mean, I don't know where I stand with her now. Muroke: But didn't you two have some talk to flesh out your feelings. Taku: Kind of. But we were interrupted, so we didn't get to the important issues. Muroke: So just call her up. Taku: But I don't know her number. Muroke: Oh. Ok. I'll look that up for you. Taku; You can do that? Muroke: Of course! Now you won't have any more excuses. [Back to the Shin ABCB] Akane: Hey, little boy! Finished playing your toy drums? Kazuya: Who're you're calling little? Akane: Why you, little brother. What the hell are you doing here at this time? Did you cut school? Kazuya: Nope. Our semester starts a week later. Akane: Oh, how good it was to be young. Manami: But why are you here then? Kazuya: Wanted to vent out my frustrations. Kurumi: From what? Kazuya: From watching Jingoro for you guys! It was so boring watching him! Akane: Ooops. Forgot we dumped him on you. Kazuya: That's right! Talked with Shuu and he let me fill in for Mitsuru on the drums for a while. Kurumi: Just like oniichan! I guess boys love to play the drums. Akane: Still, you shouldn't be here! You might pick up bad influences. Especially from those ecchi boys and the drunk with them. Kazuya: You mean 'Izzy'? Akane: You've talked with him? Kazuya: Not really. He seems to rant about the days when he was a writer. Manami: You actually believe him? Kazuya: Maybe. I know he wasn't lying, 'cause I read his mind. A pretty messed and mixed up guy. Akane: You have to go home now. Or else okaasan will yell at me for corrupting you. Kazuya: You already did. But who wants to hang out here now when YOU'RE here? Akane: Just scram. I take care of you later at home. Kazuya: That's what you think! Bleah!!! Akane: See! That's what I mean. See how men can be so irrational and childish? That's what we're up against. Manami: I don't think you can just isolate that to the male race. Akane: Well enough about him. We have to brainstorm what event to come up next. We're picking the event this time. [Beginning of February] (Muroke's narration) A couple of weeks had passed since that the hiking incident. There was a sort of quiet lull during that time which was good. There was time to let things settle down. Shinohara was busy in his room, blasting jpop music and tinkering with his next mechanical apparatus in his bid to best the women's team. This time around, it was Akane's team that would decide the event. I remember Shinohara muttering that it was just like a woman to make us wait. But I could care less. As long as he was out of my way which he was, then that would be fine with me. As for Hasukawa-san, he was slowly resuming his role as the head overseerer of the boarding house, as if he was trying to make amends for his past neglect. We appreciated the more hands-on approach he was adopting. I could tell Shun-san was happy, for it relieved him of many of the duties that he had to take up for Hasukawa. However, Hasukawa found it hard to kick the habit of playing videogames, and thus was thoroughly engrossed in the playing "Breath of Fire" on his SNES. I certainly know the feeling, having spent many sleepless nights hacking my way through many a RPG game. But this was different. Everyone was helping him out, taking rounds throughout different times of the day, to take the burden off his medical school studies. As for the lowerclassman, Tatsuya Youta, the young man who me and Taku met was busy organizing the rest of the gang in the timeless classic game of springtime baseball. Outside my window, I could hear the sounds of balls and strikes ringing through the air. Sometimes, I would take a peek outside and see him as the pitcher. Boy, he could through a wicked curve that would just paint the corners. It was a sight to see. Taku,...well what can I say? I could tell he was love-strucked. Ever since I found the phone number to the apartment where Rikkako Muto was staying at, he had this look on his face as if he was literally seeing stars. Guess he didn't anticipate the impact of cupid's arrow being mightier than a speeding comet through the cosmos. Although the strange part was that they hadn't had a chance to meet up together since that hiking trip. Of course, studies came first, or does it? Shijama, however, was another case. I don't know what was up with him. He used to be a very hyper person who was easily worked up over the littlest of distractions, but now, he's become a rather mellow, bland person. I thought it might be the stress getting to him and that he would return to his old self during a nice, long holiday vacation, but I was wrong. He even ditched going to the RPG club altogether, citing that he had busy work to do in the lab. But I was skeptical of that excuse. So one day, I decided to cut the RPG club and track him to see what he was up to. I placed a listening device on his briefcase. However, the device had a limited range, so I had to follow him. Like I suspected, he wasn't really staying at the lab to do work. Instead, he was going off-campus somewhere. So it was time to don my disguise and resume my role as super-spy #2! After several subway stops, he got off an exit along Shinjuki way. I tried to casually follow him, with a newspaper in hand. He stopped off in some building that looked like some old-fashioned style temples. I stood outside, trying to make out what was said. "Peace with you Zumi-san. Glad you could make it to another round of the Master's sermons." Shijama: Oh, I would never miss any of the meetings. He has brought to me an inner calm and peace I have not had in my life before. Muroke: Ok. But it's going to be tough trying to learn in such a big vehicle like that. Taku: I'll be extra careful. Muroke: Ok. Let's get you started on the basics... [At the Shin ABCB] Akane: Play? Manami: Yes. I think we should make the next competition more artistic. Akane: I don't know...whose going to write it up? Manami: Since I suggested it, I'll write it up for you. Akane: If that's the case, then I'll let Shun know. It would also be a perfect opportunity to spend some time with her to get to know her better. Perhaps I can lure him to our side. Manami: Uh oh. This sounds like trouble. [Kyosuke's narration] I was walking towards the station holding in my hand a part of myself that I wanted to put behind me forever. For it revealed a dark truth that I had buried deep within me. A wild side of youth and indiscretion. One that nearly consumed me. Now I wanted to get it into the open so I could find closure. Madoka and I were looking forward to getting married, after she had finished her courses to get her master degree in the bachelor arts. From there, we can begin our new life together, and it will be the end of my adventures. "So Kyosuke! What are you up to now?" K: Oh the usual Aso. Aso Tamaki: You can help out with this. (hands him a bag full of letters) K: What's this? Aso: It's all the donations from the fund-raising telethon! Hotori was taking care of it, but he's sick today. It's a slow day. Can you help out? K: Sure. No problem. I'm glad I could be of help. Aso: It should be I to thank you and your whole group. Your finance Madoka and all your family did a splendid job helping out answering the phones and passing out the flyers. It was a team effort. K: One other thing. I have a packet to pass to you. Aso: Packet? (eyes the package) What's in it? K: Open it up and you'll see. Aso: (takes out the contents) These photos...and these faces...these are your pictures takened from Bosnia? K: Yes they are. Now you can get a chance to emulate your idol. Aso: No, I can't, I simply cannot take these away from you. K: Please. It took me this long to gather enough courage to develop these. Now the whole country needs to see the human side of this conflict. I would be honored if you were the one to do the expose. Aso: I don't know what to say. K: Just give it some time. You'll know what to do then. [Driving Lessons] Taku: We've been driving around this lot for half an hour. When are we going to hit the real streets? Muroke: You shouldn't be so ambitious the first day! Taku: But...I wish to surprise Rikkako by driving her to a dinner date on Valentine. Muroke: Wow, very romantic. But highly unlikely. You don't even have a license or a vehicle. And I don't thing Shinohara would lend this limo to you twice. Taku: Perhaps you're right. Too foolish to dream. Muroke: (looking at his dejected expression) Let me tell you what. I'll help you work on getting the necessary stuff so it'll look like you're legit. Taku: You mean fake license? Muroke: Shhh! Not so loud! Like I said, I'll get it done for you so you'll won't get in trouble. Only thing left is the car and your driving ability. Let's start by getting you to drive once around the block. Taku: Rogai! (after a few rounds around the block) Muroke: Ok. Very good. Looks like you're getting the hang of it. (Just then, a kid on a skateboard comes flying by the street where Taku is about to turn) Taku: Wow! Watch out! (*Skreeeeeeecccchhhhhhhhhhhhhh*) [End of Chapter]