I do not own Love Hina. Ken does. I'm just along for the ride.

(AN: In case anyone sees any resemblance to situations/dialogs I use and the Love Hina fanfic author Bugsy uses, that's because he and I correspond a lot. He previews my stuff and helps me keeps everyone in character, more or less. My thanks to ya, Bugsy (and yes, me and him are self-inserts in some of my stories. Slippy)

Love Hina – Boarding House Blues

Fanfic

Chapter One –

June 1st, Thursday Afternoon, Prep School

Naru looks up from the papers she is straightening. Everyone in the room is either talking to someone, or standing around, or looking out the windows.

Sensing a familiar stare, Naru looks over her shoulder and sees that Keitaro is looking at her again. "Hey, what are you looking at, idiot?"

Blushing, hands held up in front of him, he says, "I-I'm sorry."

"Hmph!" Naru tosses her shoulder and turns back to her papers. As she looks at them, she thinks (Ever since I started Prep School, that ronin has been staring at me. To make things worse, he has nearly the worst grades in the entire class! They say that he's failed the entrance exams twice already. Oooh, It's scary to think his stupidity might be catching. He's the 'bad grade leper' of the school, even if he does have cute eyes. . . . .")

Instinctively, the self-improvement side of Naru's brain walks over and whacks the compassionate side with a large paper fan, I have to get that fixed or it'll get me into trouble one of these days.

Without thinking, Naru says, under her breath "Lousy pervert." Feeling a hand on her left arm, Naru turns to her friend and tutor Mutsumi.

Mutsumi looks at Naru, then at the still embarrassed Keitaro placing his books into his backpack, and then back to Naru. In a loud but innocent voice she says "Oh my, was the pervert staring at you again, Naru?"

"M-Mutsumi, hush, keep your voice down. And where do you get off calling him a 'pervert'?"

"Oh, I thought that was what you just said he was."

The bell rings, and the other students start to scramble out of the classroom as Naru replies, "I may not like it when that idiot is looking at me, but when have I ever referred to him as a 'pervert'?"

"Oh my! Naru, just now you called Kei-kun a 'lousy pervert'! And for the last three nights, during study time, you've told me 'That pervert was staring at me again today!'."

Hearing a sharp intake of breath and then the laughter of half a dozen students, Naru dares a quick glance behind her. Keitaro is standing there, his head bowed in shame. Naru's classmates 

are pointing at him as they pass by, laughing "Look at the pervert!" "Hey, pervert, better watch it or Naru'll knock you into next week."

The last laughing student passes him, purposely bumping into his back, causing him to drop his backpack and its contents to the floor.

Naru stands, wondering if Keitaro is going to run away again. As she looks down, she sees his sketchbook fallen open to drawings of a girl with glasses. After a moment, Naru recognizes the girl. (That's ME!) Before she can stop herself, she steps towards Keitaro and angrily yells "You pervert!" pointing at the sketchbook "Who do you think you are, drawing people without their permission? What kind of, of, perverted, two-time ronin are you anyway?"

Backing away, he says "I'm sorry! Pulling her arm back, she releases a Naru-punch that sends Keitaro banking off two walls before landing next to his desk. The room is completely quite. Naru is stunned that she struck out in such anger at anyone, even that idiot. After a few seconds, Keitaro move to pick up his backpack. He stands, one hand holding his side, and slowly walks to the door.

Naru crosses her arms and stares at his back. Mutsumi asks "Oh, my, that seemed rather forceful, even for you. I hope you didn't hurt Kei-kun too badly."

"Keitaro? Why would I care what that, that ronin feels?" Keitaro's shoulders slump as he goes through the door. After a minute, Naru walks over. Looking both ways, she sees no sign of him. To herself, "Humph! That idiot! I don't care how he feels."

"Oh my, poor Kei-kun. He is kind of cute, you know. Do you think one of us should at least say we are sorry for how the others treated him?" Naru shakes her head and returns to get her books.

Mutsumi "No? Oh, well, I guess I can apologize to him tomorrow then." Mutsumi rummages around in her backpack. Finding what she wants, she asks Naru "Would you like to go back to the hotel and have some of my melons?"

Naru nods her head, but looks down the hallway for a few moments before retrieving her things.

Later that afternoon, at the Urashima residence

Keitaro sits on the couch, looking down at the sketchbook in his hands. (Why did I take this to school today? I didn't mean to hurt Narusegawa's feelings; it just fell open to that page.)

Sighing, he places the sketchbook into his pack. (Well, I guess it doesn't matter, anyways. She obviously hates me, and I'll never get the chance to apologize properly. She's definitely gonna make it into Tokyo U. this fall. Me, I'm struggling just to make it through prep school. I don't have a chance of making it if I can't get my grades up.)



Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Keitaro turns. Looking up, he doesn't see anyone "Down here, Keitaro." Following the voice, he sees Granny Hina standing beside him, a smile spread across her gentle face. "What's wrong, Keitaro? You look so sad?"

"Granny Hina, I didn't hear you come in. Please, sit down. Can I get you some tea?"

Pointing at the table, she says "Don't bother yourself, Keitaro, I've already brought some tea for us. Come, sit with me. We have a lot to discuss. I think I can put a smile on your face." She taps the folder in her hands.

Walking over to the table, they sit. As Granny Hina pours their tea, Keitaro waits for an explanation.

Sipping her tea, Granny Hina looks over at Keitaro and smiles. "You know, you really don't look that much different than when you used to play at Hinata as a child. You've grown into a fine young man."

Grinning, Keitaro replies "Well, at least I'm a little taller than when I played there. It's strange, I haven't thought about Hinata-sou for years, but I can still clearly see it in my mind. I was so sad when you closed it, I did have a lot of fun there."

"It pleases me that you remember Hinata so fondly. It proves that I have made the right choice." Placing the folder in his hands "Congratulations, Keitaro. You are now the manager of Hinata-sou. Go ahead, open it."

Opening the folder, Keitaro sees the title, bankbook, and deed papers for the old resort, all stamped with the name 'Keitaro Urashima, Manager'. Stunned, he turns to his grandmother. "I don't believe it!"

"It's true. Hinata-sou is yours to manage now."

"B-but, what am I supposed to do as the manager of the old inn?"

"I left you a small bank account. It's not much, but, if you desire, you can start renovating Hinata, maybe re-open it. It's been a while, and a lot needs to be done, so there won't be enough money to do the entire resort immediately. But, you should be able to earn enough the first year to fix up the rest."

Keitaro sits there staring at his grandmother. "Close you mouth dear, and pay attention. I already talked to your Aunt Haruka. She's agreed to assist you for a while, so you can work on the inn and get it ready for customers."

Taking his hands in hers, "Don't worry, Keitaro, I know you'll work it all out. You've never failed at anything you've put your mind to before. Besides, I know you are the best person to 

manage Hinata. You loved that place when you were a child, so I know you'll take good care of it."

"Granny Hina, I'm honored that you place so much trust in me. I won't let you down. I'll do Hinata-sou proud. I promise. You'll see."

"After a few months, if things are going well, you'll hear from me again. Sooner if you screw up. But, I'm positive you are going to manage Hinata-sou just fine."

Thursday evening

Keitaro has discussed his plans with his parents. They are concerned for him, because they know how much getting into Tokyo U. has meant to him.

"Father, Mother, I just have to face it. I'm nearly twenty years old, and I've failed the entrance exams twice. I'll never get into Tokyo U., and I don't really want to try going anywhere else."

Keishi Urashima looks at his son, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"No, it's not what I want. Not really. But, it's for the best. I have to stop chasing dreams sometimes. This way, I can keep my promise to the both of you to become self-sufficient. If I can get customers, that is."

Holding her son's hand, Yohko looks into his eyes. She smiles sadly, "That's isn't the real reason, is it? You're running away from something, from that girl, the one in your sketchbooks."

Keitaro scratches his ear, "W-well, no, mother. I mean, i-it's not like there is anything between us….." then in a whisper "or ever will be." With a slight smile forced on his face "Besides, why would a brainy owl-faced girl want to have anything to do with a four-eyed, two-time ronin like me, who can't even get up the nerve to string two sentences together in her presence? Anyway, she'll make it into Tokyo U. this semester for sure, and at my rate, I'll never see her again." He sighs "Dreams are sometimes just too hard to ever get fulfilled."

Yohko, "Don't ever give up on your dreams! You've always proven you can do anything if you just don't give up. Trust your feelings."

Keishi, "Your mother's right, Keitaro. You can run the old inn, and still go to Tokyo University. I'm sure that you'll find a way, somehow. Just follow your old mom's advice."

Keishi winks at his son as a Yohko –Punch sends him bouncing off the bookcase, the entertainment center, and over the couch, flying through the kitchen door. Keishi immediately walks out of the kitchen with a prepared tea tray "Would you like some tea, my dear? Keitaro?"



Keitaro stares at his mom, blowing on the back of her hand "Yes, if it wouldn't be too much of an effort, my love. " she smiles at Keitaro, "It's been a while, but he deserved it for that 'old mom' comment."."

Keitaro, still feeling low, looks at his mother and father "I'll try. I promise." As he accepts some tea, he remembers the way his father flew through the air after his mother hit him because of his seemingly innocent comment. Keitaro thinks (I hope that isn't something you inherit.)