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 Oct 31, 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! (40000 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 9: Tokyo Disaster Story

[Otaru, Hokkaido]

(*ring ring*)

Hikaru: Mosh Moshi? Hiyama residence. Hikaru speaking.

"Good. It's me. Kyosuke."

Hikaru: Sempai! It's good to hear your voice again. What's up?

Kyosuke: I just wanted to know you were there.

Hikaru: I am. Staying at my parents house.

Kyosuke: How long are you planning to stay there?

Hikaru: About 2 weeks before I take off again. Why do you ask?

Kyosuke: Just wondering. Sorry Madoka hasn't had a chance to speak to
you yet.  She's been feeling under the weather lately.

Hikaru: I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're taking good care of her.

Kyosuke: I am trying the best I can. I just wanted to let you know
that you are still an important part of her life.

Hikaru: I'm glad to hear that.

Kyosuke: What are you doing today? Thinking of going out?

Hikaru: It is a weekend, so I might stop off at the amusement park.

Kyosuke: Which one?

Hikaru: You know. The one with the new Screaming Scarlet Roller
Coaster.

Kyosuke: Alright then. Keep in touch. I'll talk to you later.

Hikaru: Bye bye sempai.

[At Shin ABCB]

Kyosuke: Master. Thanks for letting me use your phone.

(Master nods, while cleaning the glasses.)

Izzy: (laying on the counter) You people sure are an interesting
bunch.

Kyosuke: Uh...thanks I guess.

Izzy: Stop hidin' ya true feelins and you be ok.

Kyosuke: Thanks for the advice buddy. Master, see you later.

[Ayukawa mansion]

(*Phone rings*)

(Ojiichan is on the couch soundly asleep)

(Obbasan is out to the market buying stuff)

(Madoka is in the shower)

(We hear the voice answering machine)

"Ayukawa residence. Please leave a message."

"Mado-chan? I received your message. Please don't be shocked at
hearing my voice again. You are a resourceful woman to be able to
track me down. You must have a lot of questions for me. As I for you
as well. If you have time, we could get together. I'm currently
staying at the Aoyama Dori. It's up to you now to make the next
move. Adieu, my Mado-chan. "

(*click*)

[On the road again...]

"KYOSUKE!"

Kyosuke: What? (looks around)

"KYOSUKE!"

Kyosuke: <There's no one around yelling. I must be hearing things.>

"KYOSUKE!"

Kyosuke: <Oh no! Now a ghost is haunting me as well.>

"Can you hear me? Ojiichan calling."

Kyosuke: <What? How come you're talking inside my head?>

"You can hear me. Good. The reception is good."

Kyosuke: <How is this happening?>

Ojiichan: <More secret of the ESPer clan. Using the ESPer psychic
channel to send you my thoughts.>

Kyosuke: <Another power? Great.>

Ojiichan: <Only when you are old enough then you have this power to
"call up" other ESPers. You younguns can only receive thoughts. >

Kyosuke: <Why are you choosing to contact me now?>

Ojiichan: <I just thought of something while I was asleep. You have to
do something if you wish to protect and save Madoka-san from that
haunting spirit.>

Kyosuke: <Well that I want to do. What is it?>

Ojiichan: <You must go back in time before you ever met Madoka. A time
where Madoka and the spirit were once whole.>

Kyosuke: <But I thought it was dangerous jumping back in time. Any
little change could change the present as I know it! That's why I
don't dare jump back in time.>

Ojiichan: <This is special circumstance. To save Madoka. You must find
out what cause these events.>

Kyosuke: <But how am I suppose to know what time period?>

Ojiichan: <You must find someone who also knew Madoka at the time. So
they can guide you to the right period.>

Kyosuke: <Hikaru. She would know. I was just on my way to see her. But
I can't. She doesn't know I have the Power!. It would freak her out if
I started wishing her back and forth in time. >

Ojiichan: <Silly boy. Just wipe out her memory after she showed you.>

"Hey, will you stop with all the chattering? You're bothering me!>

Ojiichan: <Kazuya. Stop nosing on other people's thoughts.>

"Not my fault. I'm trying to study here."

Kyosuke: <Time to sign off then before we disturb these psychic
airwaves any further. I'll get right on it!>

Ojiichan: <One last thing. When you're back in the past, you need your
younger self to attain Buddhahood. That will help in combating these
spirit demons. You only pure when you're young.>

Kyosuke: <Got it. Signing off now.>

[At XYZ Studios]

Nagasi: What's wrong with you now?

Ryusei: This blasted, blistering headache. It's ripping my head apart.

Nagasi: Not those some recurring headaches again.

Ryusei: It could be. It feels like a thousand voices in my head
banging on me.

Nagasi: Honey, whatcha expect? Staying up way past your bedtime and
pushin' ya body to the limit ain't healthy.

Ryusei: I have a purpose to my madness.

Nagasi: You'd better be, or else my 'Uncle' will be mighty pissed.

Ryusei: He left me in charge, not you!

Nagasi: Don't be so testy with me. I'm on your side, remember?

Ryusei: Sorry. I must be edgy. But rest assured, the zone will be
established and the goods will be shipped.

Nagasi: I know you will; you always come through. How about letting my
magic fingers give you a nice back rub Ryu baby?

Ryusei: No thanks. My body is numb as it is. But some pain-killers
wouldn't hurt.

Nagasi: Your hurtin'?  I'll pick it on my way to the beauty
parlor. Ja!

[Later in the afternoon...]

We see Madoka, sitting prone on her bed, pressing the message reply on
her answering machine, rehearing the message, over and over again.

Madoka: <Syujirou-sempai. Are you really real? Or are you just
tormenting me?  There is no other way to know. I must see you with my
own eyes. I must see who you really are.>


[In Hokkaido]

We see Hikaru is at the amusement park, enjoying the roller-coaster
ride "Screaming Scarlet", yelling at the top of her lungs!

We see Kyosuke wandering about in the park!

Kyosuke: I finally made it here. (props himself next to a nearby tree)
Need to rest a bit. Using the Power! to travel long distances is going
to wear my body out! (looks up at the roller coaster and sees Hikaru)

Kyosuke: How am I going to approach Hikaru and ask her to help me out?
There's no good way to go about it. I must just go and do it. Here
goes!

(a sudden whirlpool appears at the apex of the coaster, and as
Hikaru's car passes through it....

Hikaru: (eyes half closed) Wheeee....Woahhh!

(We see a psychedelic sparkle of lights)

Hikaru: What's happening? This isn't part of the ride.

(She feels someone clasp her hand)

Hikaru: Sempai!

Kyosuke: Hi Hikaru-chan. I hope I didn't scare you.

Hikaru: What are we doing here? Is this a dream?

Kyosuke: In a way, it is. Hikaru, I have to tell you this. I am an
ESPer.

Hikaru: ESPer? Honto?

Kyosuke: Yes, and I need your help. I need to find out who is Mishima
Syuujirou

Hikaru: (gasps) Him....

Kyosuke: So you do know him...

Hikaru: Why yes Sempai...he was the first man she was serious about
before she met you.

Kyosuke: He is? Oh,...so he was her old flame. How many years ago was
it?

Hikaru: It was about a year before you came to our high school.

Kyosuke: 7 years. Ok. There's where we're going next.

Hikaru: We are? How?

Kyosuke: Time travel. We'll going back to see exactly what happened.

Hikaru: Wow, SUGOI! I never had this much fun with you before!

Kyosuke: Hang on!


[At the apartment]

Kaori: How are the results that the pipsqueak got?

#1: Undetermined. The boys at the lab still examining the photos. But
this baby is another thing. (holds up a plastic bag with the white
mint inside)

Kaori: Euwww! Don't gross me out. What is it?

#1: A complicated solution you can't pronounce. Once ingested, it
makes the recipient inducive towards suggestive thoughts.

Kaori: So,it's like for brainwashing?

#1: You can say that.

Kaori: Sounds like a cult to me. No wonder his little buddy kept going
back.

#1: From what #2 was telling me what he overheard, it seems they had
a breakthrough. We must find out what it was before it is too late.

[Back to the time trip]

Hikaru: Here! Stop!

Kyosuke: Where?

Hikaru: There!

Here we see 2 biker gang groups facing each other nearby Tokyo
Chinatown.

Kyosuke: Them?

Hikaru: Yes. That was the life me and Madoka were into. Before we were
reformed by you.

Kyosuke: So ka...

We see the dueling combatants swinging sticks and bats and attacking
each other in a big fight.

Kyosuke: Biker gang. So that's where Madoka gets her wildness.

Hikaru: Hey, I was like that too Sempai!

Kyosuke: You were, but both of you changed for the better. But where
is that Mishima character.

Hikaru: The battle is almost over. You'll soon see who it is.

The biker gang in black circles around and pumps their fists in
shouts, as the biker gang in red speed away.

The figure in the center, a stocky fellow lifts off his helmet to
reveal his face, rather chiseled and distinguished, with a skimmed
hair cut.

Kyosuke: So that's the guy. Man, he looks like a man!

Hikaru: Isn't he so dreamy?

Kyosuke: (crosses his arms) Well, he's ok. But I don't see the big
deal about him.

Hikaru: You don't? That's too bad.

Kyosuke: Hey, where are they going now?

Hikaru: If I remember correctly, they will go back to a cafe.

Kyosuke: Which one?

Hikaru: The Blackjack cafe, or course!

Kyosuke: So that's why Madoka was standing out there. Let's go there
now!

[Back at Ryokurin Ryo]

Muroke: How are you coping Taku-san?

Taku Morisaki: I could be better.

Muroke: Still feeling the break-up blues?

Taku: I'm not sure what I'll do now.

Muroke: You just need to lay low for a while. Who knows? Something up
there may change things. (points outside the window)

Taku: I don't think it's in the stars for me. How's your mouth?

Muroke: Still the same. I'm going to miss the morning classes tomorrow
to have the dentist appointment.

Taku: So we're both feeling our own different pain.

Muroke: You can say that again! (oww!) (rubs his cheek)

[At the Blackjack cafe in the past]

Hikaru: Here we are.

Kyosuke: This sure looks like a happening place back then.

Hikaru: All the bad dudes and bad trash use to hang out
here. Including us.

Kyosuke: I see. Who runs this place anyway?

Hikaru: Mishima Ryoko-san. She's the older sister of Syuujirou.

Kyosuke: Ah, so there's the connection. I wonder if she runs the place
still.

Hikaru: Sempai, sempai. There we are.

Kyosuke: Well, I gotta say, you look like a wild spitfire. But
Madoka...

We see Madoka, decked out in her black school uniform, looking cool
and wild, with her long raven hair flowing outwards.

As Mishima enters, we see Madoka rush into his arms.

Madoka: Syuujirou. You're hurt! What happened?

Mishima: It's nothin', Mado-chan. Just a scrape. Just go and get me a
drink.

Madoka: Hai Syuuji.

Kyosuke: I never seen Madoka so obedient before.

Hikaru: This is so cool! Seeing the past replay again.

Kyosuke: We have to go.

Hikaru: Huh? Where?

Kyosuke: To find my old self.  I need to pass a message.

[Ryokurin Ryo]

Taku: What are you smiling about?

Muroke: Oh, just finished reading my email. Have you seen Shijama?

Taku: Nah. I thought he left early morning.

Muroke: I know. That's what worries me. I have this uneasy feeling.

[Back to the past]

Kyosuke: We're not here yet.

Hikaru: Here where?

Kyosuke: At the correct time period. Me and my family don't come to
Tokyo till a few days later.

Hikaru: What for?

Kyosuke: We had to transfer to another school after my baka sister
Kurumi ran the 100 meter dash in 2 seconds! She doesn't do a good job
hiding the Power!.

Hikaru: Oh, so that's why you moved here to Tokyo.

Kyosuke: Say, why are these gangs fighting?

Hikaru: Let me think...ah yes. I'm not exactly sure, but the rumor I
heard at the time was that big, bad Mishima was sleeping with the
enemy.

Kyosuke: He was?

Hikaru: But that's not the worst part. She was a spy from the rival
gang!

Kyosuke: How despicable! I didn't Madoka went for guys like that!

Hikaru: She didn't know. You know how tough Madoka was. No one would
dare approach her at all. They feared her and if not, then they feared
Mishima-san.

Kyosuke: You didn't tell her?

Hikaru: I didn't think it would matter after the incident.

Kyosuke: What incident?

Hikaru: (ignoring him) Is that you and your family?

Kyosuke: Your right. We were just looking for a new residency and
stopped by the Chinatown to shop around. Which reminds me of something
ojiichan told me.  I have a task to complete. Better get it over with.

"Let's go into that temple and pray to our new house!"

Takashi: An excellent idea, Kyosuke. Let us go in everyone.

Past Kyosuke: Me? I didn't say anything, otousan!

Kurumi: Oniichan is day-talkin' again!

Past Kyosuke: What the hell are you talking about?

Kurumi: Always blurting out idiotic stuff without realizing it!

Past Kyosuke: Why you!? (runs after Kurumi)

Hikaru: (giggles) You were a mischievous child back then.

Kyosuke: I may have been. But you never had to put up with my two
sisters.  They can drive you up the wall! Ah good. They went in.

We see the Kasuga family enter the temple to perform a religious
Buddhist ceremony.

Hikaru: Look at the scene there.

Back at the Blackjack cafe, we see Madoka running out.

Kyosuke: Let's follow her!

We see Madoka run over to a nearby warehouse.

We see Mishima Syuujirou lying next to some packing boxes, slumped
over, helmet to the side, his head bloodied, his bike overturned,
injured from the fighting.

Kyosuke: Man, he looks real bad.

Madoka arrives on the scene and spots Syuujirou.

Kyosuke: Man, she's fast!

Madoka: Syuuji-sempai! What happened to you! Let me help you.

(takes out a handkerchief and starts to wipe the blood from his
forehead)

Syuujirou: Don't worry about me. I'll be alright. Only a flesh wound.

Madoka: I feel so helpless. Syuujirou. Please hold me.

(We see Madoka throw her body at Syujirou, her head lying on his
chest)

Kyosuke grits his teeth upon seeing this scene.

Hikaru: Sempai! Are you alright?

Kyosuke: I'll be fine. I am just surprised that I never knew this side
to Madoka before.

(Then Madoka breaks out of the embrace, looks deep into Syuujirou's
eyes, and starts stripping, slowly removing her top)

Kyosuke: K-ya! What does she think she is doing!

Hikaru: Wow, so uninhibited!

Syuujirou: (stops her hand) No Mado-chan. Not like this.

Madoka: But...

Syuujirou: This place is dangerous. Go, before you get hurt.

(some guys on bike comes riding in!)

"S'Jirou! The fighting has spread downtown! They have us pinned in!"

Syuujirou: I got it. Let's go get them boys!

(hoists up his bike again and looks back at Madoka)

Syuujirou: Wait for me, ok? We will finish what we started.

(he rides away)

Kyosuke: What the hell does he mean by that!?

Hikaru: Quick! Let's go follow them!

Madoka: Noooo! Don't go!

(She runs after them, picking up his helmet)

[Down in Yokohama Chinatown alleyway]

(Here, we see that the fighting has intensified. Several of the black
jacket riders are pinned in)

(We then see Syuujirou sweep and break through their lines)

Syuujirou: Go! I'll hold them off.

"But S'jirou!"

Syuujirou: No arguments! I got you into this, so it's my
responsibility.

Kyosuke: Despite being a sleazebag, I have to admit he is noble.

Hikaru: Hey, you're here too!

(We see the Kasuga walking out of a Chinese restaurant)

Kurumi: What does your fortune cookie say?

Manami: It says: "Prepare for life's little surprises."

(We then see Syuujirou's bike lurch into some overturned garbage cans,
throwing him headfirst from his bike, without his helmet.)

(As his head is about to make impact with the asphalt, we suddenly see
him float for a second before landing with a thud on the pavement on
his back)

(We hear the sirens from the ambulance and police blaring in the
background)

Hikaru: What happened?

Kyosuke: I think I understand now. I saved him.

Hikaru: You did?

Kyosuke: I just remember now. We just walk out of the restaurant, and
when I saw that man flying, I instinctively used the Power! to break
his fall to save his life. It was a split-second decision.

Hikaru: Wow! What irony. One boyfriend saves another.

Kyosuke: I think it's time to go back now. Thank you for your help
Hikaru. But I can't let you remember any of this. So....

(Kyosuke gently touches her forehead with his finger; a flash of light
emanates from it...)

"Miss! Miss! Are you alright?"

Hikaru: What? Where am I?

"We found you in the coaster car unconscious. You must have passed out
from the excitement of the ride."

Hikaru: I suppose you're right. (rubs her head) What a funny dream I
had. Too bad I can't remember any of it.

[The next day...]

Muroke: (tip-toes out of his room) Better not wake Taku-san.

(he walks over to Shijama and Shinohara's room)

Muroke: Hi? Shijama?

Shinohara: He has not returned.

(Muroke sees Shinohara working on the bike)

Muroke: You're up and early this morning to work on your bike.

Shinohara: Morning? It's not night?

Muroke: You need to pull up your shades and see the sun! Don't tell me
you stayed overnight!

Shinohara: I did. So what.

Muroke: Don't you have classes to go? People need rest y'know.

Shinohara: Economics and Marketing 101 can wait. I work on my bike to
win on my own without interference.

Muroke: Is that what this is all about? You're still obsessing with
this silly boy versus girl match.

Shinohara: This match is not silly. Only you all are silly.

Muroke: Man, I regret ever helping you at all with that play.

Shinohara: None of you should have helped. It cheapened my victory. I
would lose my honor if those girls found out the circumstances.

Muroke: Boy, you must be a loner! Well, who cares about you then? But
sooner or later, you're going to find out that you can't do it on your
own. That you will need to work with people. I have no time to argue
with you now. Goodbye!

(slams the door behind him)

[In the limo]

Ryusei: What is the holdup?

#1: The usual morning commuter jam. What do you know? Here's is the
little munchkin.

Ryusei: Who are you speaking of?

#1: Koji-kun, my short-stuff former sidekick. Let me honk him up.

(gives a series of car honks)

(Muroke looks over)

Muroke: White Continental. Must be #1 playing with me. I'll just give
him a quick wave and be on my way.

(as he descends down into the subway, looking at his watch)

Muroke: Kuso! 8:15! I'm going to miss the train! That jerk delayed me!

(At the bottom of the stairs, he looks up at the station clock: 8:16)

Muroke: The train is about to leave. There's no way I can make
it. Might as well recharge my fare card.

(As the clock is about to strike 8:17am...)

[Back at Yakushima Island]

(Goro Shimazaki gleams into his collection of assorted artifacts; they
are a collection of various weapons from antiquity arranged in a
circular pattern)

"Only a little longer and my collection will be complete. You will
submit to me HAROKEN-san. You cannot escape my trap. I will be waiting
for you. But for now, I shall enjoy Tokyo festering!"

[Madoka driving in her red sports car]

Whoever you are, I am finally going to confront you. To find out if
you are myth or man. But if you are really my Mishima-sempai, then
what next? No, I cannot think that way. I mustn't think at all. When
the time comes, I'll know what to say.  I hope I have the courage to
say it.

[At the train station]

While Muroke is purchasing his fare card, the clock ticks 8:17am.

Soon after, we hear a series of explosions!

Muroke: What the?

A roar of screams and shouts suddenly erupts amid the screeching of
the subway train as it brakes abruptly.

Smoke starts to emanate throughout the station.

A wave of frenzied folks stampede their way to the turn-stiles and
outright pandemonium has erupted!

Muroke: (running) What's going on? (*cough, cough*) The smoke...is
toxic...




[At Tokyo General]

(A hospital administrator addresses a group of young, hopeful interns
from Tokyo University)

"Irraishime!  This is your first step in becoming the future doctors
of Japan!  During your work-study here as interns, you will be
assisting the nurses in their day to day duties. Observe the
procedural process during an operation.  In general, get a feel of
life at the hospital. Through this tried and true method, we shall
make you the best doctors!"

Taisuke: (whispers) Gee, you think we'll ever see any real action
here?

Hasukawa Kazuya: Probably not. We're just interns. And it's probably
quiet at a hospital. It's not like you see on TV. Unlike the boarding
house I live in.  It's a looney bin.

"Make way for the patients!"

(A flood of carts rush in)

"Nurse Takako! What is the emergency?"

"Major disaster downtown doctor! Every hospital in the city is
swamped"

"Interns! This is an extraordinary situation. It's where you have to
prove your mettle in the medical profession. No time to observe and
look around now. We have to throw you into the fire now.

Nurse: Come on, let's go people! Don't dawdle! Everyone pair up with a
nurse.

[At the Ayukawa mansion]

"K-Yo-suke!"

Kyosuke: What? Madoka? (opens his eyes to see his grandfather!)

Kyosuke: (lurches back) What are you doing here? (looks around)
Where's Madoka?

Ojiichan: She left already. You sleep much too late.

Kyosuke: I have good reason! I used too much of the Power! to travel
back and forth to Hokkaido. In addition, I had to time travel
back. That would wear out any ESPer!

Ojiichan: Oh, you young people today. Too lax. Why when I was your
age...

Kyosuke: (interrupts) I would like to hear all about it, but why did
you barge in here for?

Ojiichan: Oh ah yes, yes. There ceremony. Did you perform it when you
went back?

Kyosuke: Of course. You didn't think I would bungle this, did you?

Ojiichan: Well...

Kyosuke: Ok. I shouldn't have asked. I know my track record. But I did
it this time.  What next?

Ojiichan: Time to do some ghostbusting now. Since you attain the
blessing in the past, then means you are officially blessed now. You
know have the capability of confronting your lover's ghost.

Kyosuke: But what do I have to do?

Ojiichan: You have to go find the ghost. If it's Madoka's ghost, I
believe it should be following Madoka wherever she goes. Find her and
you should be able to sense the spirit. (looks at watch) Time for the
Jirou Shogun Show!

(*teleports out!*)

Kyosuke: Madoka's probably out to class. I'll catch her later. I'll
see what's up at the station.


[At the Tokyo police precinct]

(Inspector Jackson walking back to his desk holding a file)

Jackson: I finally got the scoop on you, mystery man. Mishima
Syuujirou. I shall find out what you are up to and what's your
connection with this whole affair. (looks around) Hey, where's
everyone?

"What are you still doing here?"

Jackson: Chief Nogami!

"Get your ass along with the rest down there!"

Jackson: 'xcuse me?

"What are you, braindead? Didn't you hear? A disaster has struck the
Tokyo subway system!  All units are instructed to bring their masks
for fear of some containment. You're my chief investigator! Get
on. I'll take this from you." (snatches the file from him)

Jackson: But I was...

"Not another word. Whatever case this file contains is now on
hold. This incident has the highest priority now. Understood?"

Jackson: Hai chief! (salutes) I'll do my best!  <Lucky bastard! I'll
find out who you really are sooner or later)

[Back at Tokyo General]

(various voices echoing in the operating and emergency rooms)

"Smoke inoculation..."  "...cuts and bruises..."  "...third degree
burns to the arms ..."  "...convulsions arising from..."

Hasukawa wipes the sweat off his forehead, as he has his hands full
busy treating a patient for bruises.)

Hasukawa: He's clear and stable! Get me the next patient!

(We see the next patient is Muroke Koji!)

Hasukawa: Koji-san! You were hurt too?

Muroke: It's not too bad; just feeling a little dizzy breathing the
fumes.

Hasukawa: Let me have a look at you nonetheless. (puts a stethoscope
near his heart) Now breathe normally.

Muroke: I didn't know you work here.

Hasukawa: I don't. It the first day of my work-study here. It's the
natural extension of my extensive medical education.

Muroke: Aww!

Hasukawa: What is it? Chest pains?

Muroke: No; my tooth. I was suppose to go to a dental appointment.

Hasukawa: Can't help you in that department. There. You seem to be
fine. Can you tell me what happened out there?

Muroke: It was so sudden.  Struck out of nowhere. It was like this...

[In the streets at 9:30 am]

Kyosuke: What's all the commotion about?

"Kyosuke! Over here!"

(He sees a woman waving at him. It is Aso Tamaki from Channel 12 news)

Kyosuke: Aso-san! I was going to meet you at the station. What's going
on?

Aso Tamaki: Didn't you hear? There was a gas attack in the subway!

Kyosuke: Really?

Aso Tamaki: I need your help here. The camera I brought along with me
was damaged along the way. Run back and fetch another one.

Kyosuke: Ok. But wouldn't it be too late?

Aso Tamaki: Just get back as fast as you can. We can hope for the
best.

"Kyosuke-san? Is that you?"

Kyosuke: Shiori!? What are you doing here?

Shiori: Same thing as everyone else. To get in on this ground-breaking
news.

Aso Tamaki: What's the matter? Why are you still here?

Kyosuke: Gomen. I was chatting with an old colleague here at TTV
Studios. She is soon to be Shiori Kazuto. Shiori, this is Aso Tamaki,
lead reporter for Cable 12.

Shiori: I like to stop and chat but I can see you're busy. I myself is
looking for our lead reporter. Not sure how he is going to make it to
the scene with this logjam here.

(from the radio transmitter)

"Shiori! We're going on the air for a live shot in 60 seconds!"

Shiori: But the reporter hasn't arrived yet!

"I don't care; improvise!"

Kyosuke: Hey, Shiori. I have an idea.

Shiori: I'm all ears.

Kyosuke: It seems we're missing our camera. And you're missing your
reporter. So why not we help each other out? Aso. Do you want to fill
in?

Aso: You mean me? This sounds highly unorthodox.

Shiori: At the moment, I don't really care who does the reporting. I
implore you to do it. Our station would be greatly indebted to you.

Kyosuke: Come on Aso. You can do it.

Aso: But this is so different from broadcasting to a few hundred
people to broadcasting to millions. What if I mess up?

Kyosuke: No you won't. You'll knock 'em dead. I have confidence in
you.

"20 seconds Shiori!"

Shiori: (waves her hands) Come on. What's your decision?

Aso: (breaths a huge sigh) OK. I'll do it. What do I have to do?

Shiori: Take this cover sheet. This is the intro and the facts we know
right now.

"...and we have it in five,...four...,three...,two...and ....

"Hello. This is TAMAKI Aso reporting for Johnny Oh live in downtown
Tokyo at the site of the explosion which rocked the subway system and
emitted a foreign agent into the air. Police have cleared the area
within a 500 meter radius around the epicenter, while paramedics and
her crews frantically rush the injured for treatment. We don't have
confirmed figures of casualties, but it could run into the
thousands. We will update the situation as it progresses. For Channel
5 news, back to you.

[On the other side, where the police are investigating]

"Better be careful Inspector. Here's your gas mask."

Inspector Jackson: Why thank you Saeko. You seem to be in a more
hospitable mood.

Saeko Nogami: We all have our duties as police officers to uphold the
law and protecting the general welfare of the public. I'm directing my
negative energies towards the punks who did this.

Inspector Jackson: I'm glad I'm not the recipient of your wrath for a
change.  What's the word?

Saeko Nogami: From eyewitness accounts, shortly after the 8:15am train
began to depart, there was a series of small explosions along the
track. The conductor engineer immediately triggered the emergency
brake, causing a derailment. But that was not the worst part.

Inspector Jackson: So what is?

Saeko Nogami: The explosions leaked out some foreign chemical
reagent. From the preliminary reports from the on-field forensics
people, they believe it is some form of nerve gas. Capable of
destroying the nervous system and causing convulsions and epileptic
shock depending on the exposure levels.

Inspector Jackson: Poison gas? This sounds like chemical germ warfare.

Saeko Nogami: Yes. Isn't that sickening? To happen here instead on
some battlefield.  Simply disgusting. I want to punish those who are
involved.

Inspector Jackson: I know how you feel. I think this must be the work
of some terrorist group.

Saeko Nogami: One other thing; we've nabbed 2 of the suspects who
claims they were involved.  We confiscated their van and found
chemicals inside.

Inspector Jackson: Good. Let me handle the questioning of them.

Saeko Nogami: I was saving them for you. I am not in the right
emotional mood for questioning.  I was afraid I would be the
executioner of them myself.

Inspector Jackson: Where are they now?

Saeko Nogami: They're being detained in that building over there. When
the situation quiets down, we'll move them.

Inspector Jackson: And make sure any details of this investigation
leaks out to the public.

Saeko Nogami: As to be expected. I'll be sure to have the other
officers look the other way if you decide to be the "bad cop".

Inspector Jackson: (smiles) I have my brass knuckles ready.

[At the Aoyami Dori]

Madoka walks around in the lobby, and sees the laughing, golden Buddha
there, next to the flowing fountain.

Madoka: <I've been here before. This is the same hotel that Hikaru
stayed at before.>

(walks up to the counter)

Madoka: Excuse me miss. Can I ask if a Mishima Syuujirou is staying
here?

"Let me check maam." (taps in the computer) "Yes he is. He is staying
at room 444. Do you want me to ring his room?"

Madoka: That's ok. I am waiting for him to come down. I wanted to
double-check that I was in the right hotel. Thank you very much.

(a voice from behind her surprises her)

"Mado-chan. Is that you?"

Madoka: (turns around cautiously) Syuujirou? Is that really you?

"Yes. I'm here."

(Madoka touches his arms)

Madoka: You're whole.

Syuujirou: (chuckles) Of course. I am of pure flesh and
blood. Although it might appear as if I was a ghost stepping back into
your life.

Madoka: The thought had crossed my mind.

Syuujirou: Still the same Mado-chan who scares easily of the passing
spirits.  Come. You must have many questions for me. As I have for you
as well. Let us eat and talk.

Madoka: But it's not quite lunch yet.

Syuujirou: Brunch then. Upstairs in the hotel restaurant. What do you
say?

Madoka: A little food in the stomach wouldn't hurt.

Syuujirou: Then let us go then. Time's a wastin'.

[Back to the interrogation]

Inspector Jackson: So you two are the perpetrators of this heinous,
barbaric act.  Any of you want to confess now and save me the trouble,
or do I have to beat it out of you?

"What are we afraid of?"

"We have nothing to hide!"

"Yes, we are proud to claim responsibility. Our group will bury all
you infidels."

Inspector Jackson: Which group are you talking of?

"Why the group founded by the venerable Shoko Asahara, our divine
spiritual leader.  He is the one who will bring us to the promise
land."

"Yes. By purging those who oppose us, we can attain a more perfect
order."

"Our ranks are growing strong by the day. Through our efforts, we
shall lead a new Japan where our devotion to Asahara can only be
challenged by that of the Emperor himself.

Inspector Jackson: Fanatical fiends. I've heard enough. Take them
away.

"Asahara's order shall live FOREVER!"

(Jackson motions to the police officer)

Jackson: Get me everything you have on this Shoko Asahara's order on
the double.  And pass the results only to me. Is that understood?


[Back to the streets]


Shiori: Nice of you to be treating us today Kyosuke.

Kyosuke: How can I resist taking two beautiful ladies out to lunch?
Besides, my stomach is growling.

Aso Tamaki: Looks like your girlfriend is having a fun time herself.

Kyosuke: What do you mean?

Aso Tamaki: See for yourself.

(points up to restaurant cafe window on the second floor, where we can
see Madoka and Mishima at a table talking)

[End of chapter]