Disclaimer: I do not own School Rumble or any other properties mentioned in this story.
What you should know: This story begins during the events depicted on School Rumble Z 09. It is a Monkey Faction fic (Harem for those not used to the term). There would be some crossovers during the story but they are mainly cameos. It is not a sequel of my previous School Rumble Story (School Rumble: Final Rumble). Finally I would like to apologize if this story hurts your sensibilities.
School Rumble: Time Rumble
# 01
The Monkey and The Ancient Deity
It was a quiet afternoon…
Harima Kenji was relaxing inside the Tsukamoto home after delivering the latest chapter of his manga.
His manga…
A serialization that he began when he was still a high school student. In a time of dreams and joy… and heartbreak.
He was the only one at the house that afternoon, Sarah had left for church work, Ojou was in a family trip to a country that he couldn't even pronounce and Imouto-san was in America visiting… Tenma-chan.
He would have liked to go with her, see his lovely Tenma-chan, after so many years…
Even after all this time she still was the only one in his heart… He was sure that he would not meet anyone like her, ever.
But, alas, he wasn't the one she loved.
He had discovered that truth long ago but, even now, he found it hard to accept it.
And that was the reason why he didn't go with Imouto-san. He knew the she would not deny him the chance to go with her, even if his plane fare came out of her own pocket.
Hell! at this point he thought that even Ojou or Itoko would borrow him the money anyway (however, he knew that those two would use it against him… somehow).
But he had already had made up his mind. Tenma-chan happiness was always first. And if she had it with a semi-amnesic Karasuma… Then, so be it!
So he decided (much to the surprise of Imouto-san and Sarah) to stay. It wouldn't do any good to be around her… it would only increase his pain.
He had resigned to live alone, writing his manga, and continue growing. Realizing that love would never be an option for him…
And now that he thought about it he wasn't the only one going alone in the world…
Imouto-san and Ojou didn't seem in any hurry to date anybody either.
Both were busy studying in college, only had female friends, and hadn't seen them in the company of a man in a long time. It was very surprising for Ojou, who didn't seem to date anybody since they made public their engagement (it was false so no reason why she wouldn't date anybody) and for the life of him Harima could not remember a single time were he saw Imouto-san with other male besides his little brother…
Heck! The only constant male company that these two had was him!
"Uh! Could it really be true?…" Said Harima out loud when an idea popped in his head. "… But the more I think about it, the more it seems like the only chice… THEY DO NOT LIKE BOYS, THEY LIKE GIRLS!"
Even from far away, at that moment Eri and Yakumo had a familiar feeling… one that they had developed by being in the company of Harima Kenji for so long… one that they shared with Osakabe Itoko…
The feeling that Harima had just did or said something stupid…
"I see, it's like Itoko and Youko all over again… those two also did not date any boys after high school and the only male acquaintance that they had for a long time was me… It must be that my unconditional love to Tenma-chan has provided me of a 'non-available' and 'non-threatening' atmosphere to other females so they feel comfortable being around me… just like those animals in the documentaries on tv." Concluded Harima while convincing himself of what a smart guy he was for discovering the 'secret.'
But that last thought about Temna brought back his gloomy mood…
"My dear Tenma-chan… It seems that our love was not meant to be in this time. Maybe if I have done things different… If I had won your heart before Karasuma… Maybe we could be together…"
While thinking that Harima fell in a deep sleep…
"Harima…"
Who was that? They had just interrupted one of the most relaxing dreams that he had in a long time.
"Harima Kenji…"
"Go away!" Said Harima not opening his eyes and rolling around trying to call back the sweet blessing of unconsciousness.
"Harima Kenji! WAKE UP!"
"What the hell is the great idea of waking a tired man up? And Who the hell do you think… you… are?…" Harima questing, that began so energetic decreased its intensity when he realized the situation that he was in.
He was no longer on the Tsukamoto home. No. He was in what could only be described as a gigantic chamber with no visible end in sight…
But Harima was paying no attention to the place… his whole focus was on the gigantic… person?… monster?... creature?... whatever that was in front of him.
"Wh-Wh-Who are you?" Screamed Harima as soon as he recovered his voice.
"I am called Deus Ex Machina and I am the God of Space an Time!" Said the gigantic entity dressed in black with an powerful voice. "Harima Kenji, I've brought you here because…"
"Because your life time is coming to an end and you have chose me as your successor!" Said an excited Harima Kenji.
The deity sweat dropped.
"Uh… No."
"What a fool I made of myself." Said Harima while looking apologetic "Of course that you have not chosen me to be your successor…"
"Good." Said a more relaxed God.
"… I have to pass a test first!"
The sweat drop came back with a vengeance.
"Wonder what could it be? Maybe you'll give me a diary that reads the future and put me in a type of contest with other candidates?... Or maybe hunt aliens with special weaponry along with recently deceased people following a point system?... Or maybe you'll just trap me in a time loop with people of other universes and the one that finds the way to get out will be your successor?..." Said Harima while in a thinking position.
"Actually…" Said the God while looking puzzled to the man in front of him. "… I am not looking for a successor…"
"Eh… Then why did you bring me here?"
"To make you… an offer…"
"What offer?"
The god stood at full height dwarfing Harima even more and making his fear come back at full strength… Not even his editor was this big!
""I've seen your life…" Began the god "… And found it interesting… very interesting… and I have decided to grant you a special favor…"
"Really?" Said an exited Harima with absolutely no idea what could it be.
"I'll send you… BACK IN TIME!"
The god stood proud in front of Harima imagining how glad must be the man realizing the incredible and great favor that he was granting him…
"Eh?... How is that a special favor?"
The deity fell on his face creating a gigantic crack on the floor.
"You don't realize what an incredible opportunity this is?" Said Deus Ex Machina while recovering from the fall. "Just think about all the things that you could do all over again…"
"Having to go trough school?... Going trough puberty?... Having to look for a job?... AGAIN? Who would want to do that?"
The god face palmed.
"Think about the things that you could do differently, the ones that you could improve…"
"Forget it! I have had enough of the past! What the hell would be worth the effort to do everything all over again?"
A tick appeared on Deus Ex Machina forehead.
"Just think about the one thing that you want to change the most of your past… about what you regret the most… about what you could change…"
"Uhmm… nope, nothing comes to mind."
"Just… THINK!"
"Ok, ok, I'll think about it…" Said an scared Harima after feeling the menacing aura of the God… and hearing his last scream.
But no matter how much how he thought about it he could not find anything worthwhile in his past worth the hassle of going back in time and doing everything all over again. Besides, what was the case? He didn't got what he wanted in the first place! He never got his dear Tenma-cha…
"Wait a minute…"
And, bless be the heavens, the man saw the light.
"I could go back in time and win the heart of Tenama-chan even before she meets Karasuma! With my knowledge of the future I'll have a great advantage!"
A smile could be seen on Deus Ex Machina.
"Listen to my proposal, Harima Kenji. I will send you back one day before your fateful meeting with Tsukamoto Tenma. Is that good enough for you?"
"That would be more than enough! When do I leave?"
"Immediately, if you want. Unless there is something that you want to do before leaving…"
"Now that you mention it. I would like to say good bye to Imouto-san, her blond friend, Itoko, my little brother… Hell! Even Ojou! They have been good to me and I'll feel bad if I just leave like that."
"Have no worries. There is no need for farewells. I'll just turn back the time of your universe so they will go back in time too… the difference is that they won't have any memories of the future. The only one with that advantage will be you."
"Really?"
"Well, even without their memories some things might remain after the process… like the feelings in their hearts for example…" Said Deus with a knowing smile.
"That means…" Said Harima with a surprised expression.
"Yes…" Answered Deus.
"That the love that Tenma-chan has for me will still be there! I won't have to begin from zero! I will only have to make it grow!"
The deity didn't react surprised at this. Instead his smile grew even more… almost like he expected that answer…
"So… are you ready then?"
"I am! Let's do it!"
"Very well then… Good speed Harima Kenji! I wish you the best!" Said with a flourish the God of Space and Time. "But remember… since their feelings will remain a few things might happen… in a different way as you remember…"
"What do you mean?" Said Harima… while disappearing. "Hey! Wait a moment! What could be different?"
"You'll find it out… at its due time…" Where the final words that Harima heard before he disappeared completely.
"Now…" Said the deity to himself once he was alone again. "A successor? I really haven't thought about it… But now that he mentions it… Maybe it's time for my retirement…"
And with that thought Deus Ex Machina remained in his chamber… immobile… and plotting…
"What the…"
Harima Kenji regained consciousness in a very small, dirty… and familiar room.
"Could it be?" He said while looking at the mirror and finding a familiar although younger face.
"It is really true… I'm back… I have a second chance at Tenma-chan's love!"
He began to dance happily around the room but then suddenly stopped.
"Wait a moment… that guy said that a few things would be different this time… and that people might retain their feelings after going back in time… what if… what if…"
He left the room in a hurry.
"What if Tenma-chan's love for me make her go to the side street were we met and is attacked by that hoodlum with nobody to protect her?"
He ran towards the remembered place at an unbelievable speed.
"Tenma-chan! Please do not let our love make you something drastic! Please! Refrain your feelings and wait until tomorrow!"
Getting close to the place he could hear some hushed voices.
"Look what we have here…"
"Such a beauty!"
"Coming here, all alone, you can't blame us if we do something to you, can you?"
Harima stood in place surprised by what he heard.
"Those bastards, what are they planning to do to Tenma-chan?"
"Come here little one… come with us… It won't hurt… Much…"
Harima's blood boiled in anger.
"GET YOUR FILTHY PAWS OFF HER!"
Three grown men turned and saw Harima standing in the entrance of the side street.
"And what is it to you brat?"
"This is no place for noisy kids. Go away!"
"Yes, adults are talking here so Shoo! Shoo!"
"That girl… that girl…" Said Harima while getting closer. "THAT GIRL IS EVERYTHING TO ME!"
With that scream he jumped at the three men. Blind in anger.
At the end only Harima stood. The three attackers bleeding on the floor but still conscious.
'I remember perfectly that it was only one punk the one that attacked Tenma-chan… But now they were three… and very tough to boot!… Or maybe I am just that weak at this time of my life?... That bastard god really did not joke around when he said that some things would be different' Though Harima while getting his breath back. 'It doesn't matter anyway… I saved Tenma-chan… now I only have to be incredibly cool and I will win her affection!'
"Get up and get away from here you bastards!" Growled Harima while trying to look as intimidating as possible. "And let everybody know that this is girl is under my protection! If anybody dares to harm a single hair of her head they will have to deal with me! Harima Kenji!"
"Ha-Ha-Harima Kenji?" The men were surprised. They had heard rumors about a tough junior high delinquent with that name.
"SCRAM!" Yelled Harima.
The men didn't wait for a second warning before leaving at maximum speed.
'Ha! That covers the manly part…' thought Harima. 'Now I have to be a complete gentleman with Tenma-chan and I will have a great start! eat that Karasuma!'
"Sorry about that young lady but these low lives do not understand any other language that is not violence and rudeness. Are you okay?" Said Harima with as many manners as he could.
"Ye-yes… Th-thanks for helping me." Said the young girl in a soft voice.
"It's nothi…" Harima words died in his mouth when he saw the face of the girl he had saved.
She was not Tenma-chan, she was… she was…
"Imouto-San?"
# 1 ... Fin