Density and Perception
Disclaimer: Akamatsu has the talent and I do not. Therefore any inkling of my owning of Love Hina can be thrown out the window. This is for fun, not money.
Note: Please, read and review. No flames please. At first glance this might seem like an overused theme, but as you get into the plot, it will reveal itself. Enjoy.
As the sun arose over the Hinata area, the rays struck the Hinata Sou, slowly unmasking the colors of the building from the vestiges of darkness, lighting up the building in morning colors. Mostly however, it was truly wonderful sight to see, especially for those who wake up early, like one David Hawklyn.
David nodded in appreciation of the sight granted his eyes, rechecking the remains of the ad he held in his hand. Looking up the hill at the place he had as a goal in mind before pressing the paper back into his waist-pack before taking hold of his large luggage back and starting forward again.
Somehow, he had managed to find the ad in a paper that he had read in a newspaper shop in America and had somehow came over to Japan without informing the landlord until he had gotten into Japan last night. Then, he'd spent part of the night on the train and the rest of the night dozing off on a bench for a while before deciding to walk over to Hinata Sou area.
Within the Sou, things were fairly usual. Shinobu had just woken up to start breakfast while Motoko had risen to her morning ritual. In Room 204, Keitaro slept.
"…In the morning, I will arrive…."
"Wha-" Keitaro woke up breathing hard, clearing his mind from the muddiness of sleep. Then he bowed his head, remembering…
-Begin Flashback
"Keitaro!, Phone call for you!"
"Thank you Motoko, I'll get it here…" He picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Yes, I'm calling about the room you have available-""Ah yes, the room is still available… Are you American?"
"Yes, I saw the ad in newspaper shop and decided to come over to Japan. I'm in Tokyo at the moment. I have enough to give you for a years worth of rent-"
Keitaro almost choked on that. Wow, a years worth of rent?! "Well, you don't need to pay that all up front…" He chuckled nervously, sweatdropping a bit as he continued, "Just first two months rent is fine. What else would you like to know?"
"Well, actually you should be telling me what I should know-""Ah yes, Gomen, I'm rather tired tonight."
"That's ok, I can relate to that."
"Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, for one, it's a mostly female dorm with quite an assortment of personalities…"
"Hmmm, female dorm… How come the ad didn't say that?""It was talked about, but I omitted that in the final wording, mainly to encourage and not discourage more tenants."
The voice on the other end seemed to nod, "Ah, tell me, how friendly are the tenants?"
Keitaro sweatdropped, "W-well, they might be a bit cold at first, but they'll adjust in time. Just don't do anything rash and it should be ok."
"Ok, thank you for the information, "My names Hawklyn, David Hawklyn. I'll see in the morning, maybe a while after dawn. See you then."
A dial tone chimed into existence as Hawklyn hang up, Keitaro hung up as well and turned around…
…To find Motoko gazing down at him almost masklike.
Keitaro panicked and sweatdropped, "M-Motoko… H-how-"
Frowning, Motoko came down the stairs toward him, "Urashima, who was that on the phone?"
Keitaro took a deep breath before replying, not noticing that Motoko didn't have her katana with her. "Oh that… was the new tenant, he'll be here in the morning." He sighed, knowing what Motoko was going to say next. What? Another perv-
"…Perverted lecherous male?! How dare you Urashima!" Motoko was rather incensed by what she had just heard, her eyes smoldered, and Keitaro bowed his head as he faced her.
"Gomen, Gomen Motoko-" A burning sensation across his cheeks as Motoko slapped him angrily.
"You're lucky tonight, its late and I do not wish to wake the others up. But remember Urashima, there will be a meeting in the morning… For you to explain your actions." She turned and walked back up the stairs, leaving a stunned landlord…
-End flashback
Keitaro shook his head and got dressed, preparing to and make ready one of the empty rooms for the new arrival. He went out into the hallway and started down the corridor, "Let's see, 206 seems open…"
A bit further down the hall… "207… 212 seems open, hmmm yes, 212 will be good…" He trailed off as he set to work preparing the room for occupation, mainly dusting the walls, floor and ceiling before going to get the sheets and blankets for the futon. Meaning that he had to go downstairs to the laundry room to get the clean sheets.
He was coming down the stairs when Naru called up to him, "Motoko's called a meeting baka! You're wanted down here." With that, she unceremoniously reached forward and began pulling him down the stairs and into the common area.
"Ah, there you are Urashima." Motoko stated in a voice that meant she was less then pleased to see him. "Now, perhaps you could tell us about this phone call you last night."
Keitaro scratched the back of his head, "Well," He looked and around at the attentive but less then pleased faces of Motoko and Naru as he continued, "You know how I told you all that the dorm needed more money for the bills right?"
Almost everyone nodded their heads in reply, "Go on." Naru said, her arms crossed with her left hand under her chin in a thoughtful but guarded manner.
Keitaro stumbled on, "I put an ad out for another tenant a week ago, and someone called last night to tell me that they-"
"Male or female Urashima?" The stone cold voice of Motoko sliced into his words, cutting them off almost as tho they had been an appendage.
Keitaro sweatdropped and looked down for a second, "Male,"
The room exploded into another debate over gender allowance, forcing Keitaro to raise his voice to hopefully get things quiet again.
"BUT HE OFFERED TO PAY FULL YEARS RENT UP FRONT!" This, as he hoped, quieted the uproar instantly, except for the small fact that everyone was now speechless.
"…A…Full…Years…Rent?" Marveled Kitsune, her eyes starting to conive and twinkle, "That must means he's loaded."
Meanwhile, outside the walls of the Hinata Sou, a figure finally made it to the top of the stairway and rested to catch his breath. "Ye gods, That sure would make a good exercise program." He paused again to take some water from a water bottle as he then looked up at his goal.
"Home stretch," He said as he started forward again, pulling his luggage along toward the front door. "Let's not quit now." He pulled his large suitcase up with him and turned to face the door, taking a deep breath, he knocked in his customary rhythm, then for good measure rang the doorbell.
A rhythmic knocking suddenly interrupted the reverie of the group inside, followed by a ringing of the doorbell they never knew they had.
"I got it," Keitaro went to the door and opened it, stepping to the side to allow the others to view the newcomer.
(Motoko's viewpoint)
As Keitaro opened the door and stood aside, Motoko came closer to view the newcomer's appearance. She could feel the others beside and behind her as she gazed upon him… Him, a male. She narrowed her gaze a bit.
The stranger was dressed in black boots, black jeans. He had what appeared to be a bag around his waist under which he had a black T-shirt on with a Nightwish logo on it. Underneath that he seemed to be wearing a turtleneck sweater, also happened to be black. Covering most of this was a black trenchcoat that had probably seen better days. Above his body, his head featured blue eyes and dark hair that was covered by a full brim hat.
The stranger bowed to Keitaro and the girls, "Hello, I've come to be your new tenant. The name is David Hawklyn."
"Please come in Hawklyn-san… We were just about to have breakfast."
David nodded, noting the variety of shoes near the door and sat on a bench to unlace his boots not noticing the girls staring at him as Keitaro summarized for them in Japanese.
"He is an American. Yes, I know, but he seems to have little compression of Japanese currently, so I would expect you to treat him respectfully as you can-"
"Well, make clear to him about the hot springs and all." Naru interjected as Keitaro pulled Hawklyn's lugguge in from outside.
David had undone one shoe and left it in front of him unknowingly right in Keitaro's way as he came in with the luggage. Keitaro was walking toward the dining area when his foot encountered a shoe which he started to fall, his hands going up in the air as he descended. His right hand just far enough that fingers brushed against Naru's breast as he went down, causing Naru's blood pressure to shoot skyward.
Keitaro felt a hand grab the back of his shirt when his nose was inches from hitting the floor only to be yanked back up to find himself looking at a very ticked off Naru. "Gomen! Gomen-"
"YOU PERVERT BAKA!" Naru swung her fist at him, sending him through the front door and nearly down to the street with her punch.
David witnessed this all, his eyes wide with astonishment, "Theselonica… Now, if you ladies will excuse me… I'll go find my room-"
The raven haired girl put a hand on his shoulder to restrain him. Which worked as he found himself gazing toward her with his head tilted inquiringly. "Yes?"
Motoko rested her hand on Hawklyn's shoulder, "There's still some things to talk over and discuss with you."
David arched an eyebrow at her, "In case you forget, I cant speak Japanese, or rather, I cant speak it very coherantly anyway, much less hear it properly."
Motoko removed her hand from his shoulder and waited for Keitaro to get back from outside, having not really understood what he said in the first place. "Gomen Hawklyn-san, in that case, please wait for Keitaro to return with us."
The hole in the front door let all within watch as Keitaro struggled up the stairs and came back in. Everyone then went into the common area to discuss the new tenant.
Naru sighed as she watched the new male take a seat with Keitaro beside him. She really wasn't too enthused about having another male around, but she just didn't feel like voicing her opinion because of the throat flue she was still getting over. She watched as Keitaro started to speak.
"Ok everyone, this is slightly different because the questions you ask him I will need to translate for him because he isn't well versed in Japanese. First, for his benefit, I will introduce you to him." He started pointing out people and naming off names while David nodded greeting as the introductions went around the room.
Naru watched his eyes as he was introduced to them, noticing they seemed to wander a bit, seeming to avoid eye contact. That's strange, I hope he's not a pervert like Keitaro is.
Meanwhile Kitsune smiled toward the new guy and winked playfully as Keitaro pointed her out to him. Yet the new tenant didn't seem to notice her flirtation, just briefly glanced over her and followed along with Keitaro's introductions. Hmmm, this one might be a challenge. Oh well, challenges are fun. She thouight to her self as she laughed inwardly, trying to think up a plan. Maybe I can get him to buy me sake.
From Motoko's point of view, the new male looked like a typical (according to her) male, and yet, because of Keitaro's presence. She had reluctantly kept her piece and not challenged the new tenant to a fight…yet. She noticed the stranger's eyes over her face, making eye contact with her and gazed coldly back at him thinking, Careful male, if I had my way you wouldn't be here.
Shinobu looked at the new tenant with a mixture of interest and anxiety, noticing his blue eyes and a gentle soft smile. She wondered for a moment as his blue eyes met her eyes before she glanced down shyly. I wonder what he likes to eat.
Kaolla Su seemed quiet, that is to say she was remaining still but in her eyes you could see how energetic she was so it almost seemed like she was everywhere even though she wasn't. She was assessing what the new tenant would warrant her inventions for testing. Yay! Another playmate!
Keitaro's speech was almost at an end, "…Anyway, now is the time to ask him your questions, but please, remember I must translate for him."
Right after he finished, Naru, Kitsune and Su all tried to speak at once causing confusion and a slightly amused expression to appear on Hawklyn's face. He spoke to Keitaro.
"Better to go round robin.. one at a time. Free for all questioning only boggles the mind."
Keitaro nodded and stood up to quiet the tumult of questions, afterwhich, he corrected himself. "Instead of that, let's go with one question from each person here, then we will repeat the process for those with further questions." He nodded to Kitsune, who was on his left, "What was your question?"
Kitsune smiled toward Hawklyn, "Well, how old are you?" Hmmm, he looks about 25 judging by the amount of stubble he has.
Hawklyn answered as Keitaro translated, "I'm nearing 22 years old." He smiled at her briefly as Keitaro addressed the person next to Kitsune, who happened to be Naru.
Naru made sure her face was expressionless as she opened her question to Hawklyn, "Are you a pervert?" She noticed Keitaro's face twitched a bit at her question and heard a resigned sigh from Shinobu.
Hawklyn tilted his head a bit at her inquiringly then answered with his eyes on hers, "Very direct aren't you? But that's ok as I appreciate directness in communication. I will admit that honestly my eyes will wander a bit at times, but my hands will not wander where they are not wanted. As for my eyes, they wander because I usually dislike eye contact, makes me feel uncomfortable especially extended eye contacct like I'm giving you right now. I don't like the feeling that you could be staring into my soul and seeing what you don't like there. As of now, far as perversion goes, there are enough females here that I must control my wandering sight or touch or else I might end up an "it"." He chuckled a bit with seriousness in his eyes. A pervert I am not madam. Seek to understand others before you assume and the world be a better place… Next." He flashed an annoyed look to the brunette and shook his head as he got in return before he looked at the next person in question, Motoko.
"What is your question Motoko?"
Motoko was still a little shocked at the length of answer the male had given to Naru, but asked a question anyway, since Naru had stolen her question. "Very well, What caused you to come over to Japan?"
Hawklyn smiled a bit, "Well, I wished to be in a different culture and experience new things. In a way Japanese life I think holds more to steadfast values that we Americans have so steadily declined to remain true to. That is mostly the reason I came here."
Motoko nodded, satisfied with the answer, Very interesting male, you speak the truth. I am surprised at you holding yourself to honor and decency.
"Su, your question please."
Su smiled rambunctiously at the new tenant, "Will you play with me?"
Keitaro decided some clarification was needed as Hawklyn arched an eyebrow at her, "Heh, uh, Su makes these inventions and she likes to have, usually me, test them out."
"Ahh." Hawklyn looked at the energetic girl, "Of course, after this is over and I get my stuff into my room."
Su smiled as Keitaro answered in translation for Hawklyn, "Yay! I'm gonna work on something for you to help test out!" With that she seemed to rocket out of the room.
Hawklyn tilted his head slightly then shook it in amusement, Energetic kid.
"Shinobu."
"Thank you Sempai…" Shinobu ducked her head a bit before realigning it as she asked, almost blurting the question out, "What do you like to eat?"
Hawklyn smiled as he heard the question, "Eating, that's another reason I came to Japan. My food allergy to major grains that were grown in America. Although I can handle in moderation, too much and who knows what will happen… So I have to be careful. So, as long as its not seafood other then tuna, salmon or trout also no ham or pork. I can eat it.
Shinobu's eyes widened at the foods he mention, Wow, well make that another trip to the store.
The table turned back to Kitsune for the next question, who decided to see how hard the guy could blush. "Are you a virgin."
Keitaro's eyes nearly blew out of his head as everyone turned to look at her with shock.
Only thing Hawklyn could gather from this display of shock was, This isn't gonna be good. Then Keitaro turned him, his face the color of a red apple as he translated and soon Hawklyn's face was that of a cherry. I was right. Looking over at the very amused questioner, noting that the person next to her was smirking a bit, he answered, "Another direct question, but yes, I'm still a virgin… Until I find the right one, I certainly hope it will stay that way. Next question please."
Naru decided to ask a less embarrassing question, "What do you do during your free time?"
Hawklyn thought a bit, "Computer games and such, writing poetry and stories, Looking at the stars, walks, hikes, and stuff like that. Next please."
Motoko decided to ask something about what he had commented about in his answer to Naru's first question. "What did you mean when you said seek to understand? I don't think I understand."
Hawklyn reguarded her with respect, or at least, something very much like it as he replied, "Seeking to understand is what perhaps would be better known as not putting the cart before the horse if you expect to go on a carriage ride." He watched her face as Keitaro translated for her benefit while he continued, "Say if you see the after effects of a car accident where the bus was hit and yet you arrest the bus driver without listening to anyone who actually saw what took place. I feel there are two sides to every story and you certainly don't wish to jump the gun making a wrong decision correct?" He paused till Motoko nodded, "So you understand now what I'm saying?"
"I believe so," Motoko hesitated a bit having the strangest feeling that what the male was trying to describe was not unlike what she and Naru did to Keitaro every day almost. "Is it judge not lest you be judged?"
"Close, say if your landlord here were to trip and fall while another tenant was meaning to go up the stairs when he crashed into them."
All three of the tenants listened with shock as the stranger told them a hypothetical example, or at least, he thought it was hypothetical as he used it, but they could see Keitaro as he translated was a bit shocked himself.
Hawklyn continued on with his example, "And the tenant screamed at the surprise of the impact and they were found by you in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. Tell me what you would do in that situation, the landlord landed on top of the tenant in a discourteous position. Again, what would you do?"
Motoko took a deep breathe, Almost sounds like what happened the other day. "Um, Well, I would probably assume the male was going to do something improper to the female and use my fighting skills to teach the male a lesson."
Hawklyn shakes his head, "You don't ask questions at all?" He inquired, frowning at her response and then sighing. "Another reason I came here was educational purposes. You help me out in what I need to learn and I help you out… Anyway, the point was that you need to ask questions, "What happened here?" is a good one. But anyway, I believe your food is getting cold and I'll leave you to eating while I go find my room."
Keitaro nodded as the others left to the dining room, "Oh, Hawklyn, your room will be room 212. I'm sure you can find it on your own. Second floor at the end of the hall."
Hawklyn bowed, "Thank you, I will go get settled in." He went to the bags that had been left by the stairs and picked up the smaller ones to first go find his room. This will certainly be an experience, but as I remembered before, I need to keep myself detatched, relationally from these people. He thought to himself as he strode down the hall, Looking for his room. "Hmmm, odd that theres a bunch of rooms open, here we go, room 212." He slid open the door and walked in, surveying the room.
There was a desk, a table and what looked like clean sheets on top of a fairly aged dresser beside a closet. He set his bags down and pulled out his laptop, which happened to be a reflective blue outside and set it on the desk. Unpacking the charger, he set that up and plugged it in. Then he went to get his big bag, bringing that up and then started to unpack his belongings, tossing stuff into the closet in a fairly orderly fashion. Eventually, he shoved his bag in the closet as well and sighed. Then looking at the rolled up futon, he decided to spread it out and take a nap.
Downstairs, breakfast was going on. Talk was also going on involving speculation about the new guy.
"So Naru, what do you think of the new tenant?" Ventured Kitsune with a suggestive tone to her voice as she ate her way through her breakfast, trying to ignore a dull pounding in her head from the night before.
Naru frowned at her housemate and long time friend, sighing inwardly, "My guess is he'll be like Keitaro-"
"Ahem." Keitaro glared at Naru for a moment, then sighed, going back to his eating.
Naru glared back at him, yet unable to continue as another voice spoke.
"Naru-sempai, why do you lump Keitaro and the stranger together? You clearly heard what his answer to both of our questions was. He is not like Urashima. I believe he is wiser and capable of better judgement."
Motoko interjected into the air before Naru could continue her verbal trot.
Naru blushed a bit, internally angry at Motoko for seeming to take the opposing side. "Motoko, they are both males. The new male will make a mistake sometime…"
In the midst of this discussion, Shinobu decided she was finished eating and went to the kitchen to clean the dishes. She looked behind her to see Keitaro following with his dishes where upon which she turned around a bit as she blushed a little, trying to beat back thoughts of indecency as she felt him come beside her to help with dishes.
Outside in the dining room, the remaining tenants were finished with their breakfasts and left for upstairs. Somehow, they all got ideas about going to see the new guy.
So Naru, Kitsune and Motoko tried to quietly investigate the new tenant, going from empty room to empty room till they found him…
(Note: I would really appreciate feedback and comments can give me tips on writing better. My style isn't that smooth or refined as yet so please, help me out with your comments. Thank you.)