A/N- Well, it's finally time for the crossover to happen. That's right, this is the chapter. Now, I hope that it satisfies you, the reader. There was speculation that a certain young god would be the one to grant the wish; all that I have to say to that is... hehehe, read this chapter. No, remember, earlier I stated that Keiichi followed his wife to watch how she handled her powers in the Mortal Realm, in the granting of wishes, as a means of training for him. So, the answer is, Bell will be the one doing the granting, yet there is a reason for his being there.
Also, of note is the recent changes to the canon manga, what with the group going to the Demon Realm to help Hild, and the revelations and changes brought about therein. The whole wish is remanded and then altered drastically - with possible far-reaching consequences - at the behest of Belldandy herself. This is done as a way to defeat their enemy, as well as possibly a way to correct some bad wording that the original wish contained, that held certain things up in regards their relationship. I will not be incorporating any of this in my fics, as they diverge drastically from the original story line in the manga, since I wrote my first fic before the current arc changed the whole aspect of their relationship.
Now, I'm sure that you didn't log in to see my comments, so I will leave you to the story.
/
/
/
Chapter 3 – All It Takes Is A Wish!
/
Hinata-sou
Haruka stared at the pair before her, her mind still trying to wrap itself around the bomb that they had just dropped in her lap, dumbfounded. Her cigarette hung limply in her mouth, her hand mere inches from lighting it, the lighter burning absently, both all but forgotten in the wake of the revelation.
'Break off the engagement'? When did this happen? True, I half suspected that they would have major problems, but this soon…
Gaining a bit of her composure back, as well as completing the act of igniting the cancer stick in her lips, she shook herself slightly to release her frozen state, then spoke evenly.
"So, what brought on this decision," she asked, as if only discussing the next day's weather. "I thought you were in love, happy. Wasn't she the girl of your promise?"
The two young people shifted uncomfortably, not quite wanting to meet each others eyes. Finally, Keitaro spoke up again, while rubbing the back of his neck.
"We did… do… love each other, but the relationship isn't working out for us. We have many things in common, but," and he stole a glance at the girl he had pursued for almost twenty years, ever since that fateful promise was uttered in the sandbox when he was five years old, "well, it's not working out. We've both changed just too much. There are too many differences that are coming between us. We both feel, however, that we want to keep our friendship, and that if we back away at this point we can do that. We may not be a couple anymore, but there is nothing stopping us from maintaining our friendship. So many people feel that once you take the step to being a couple, that you can never go back, but that just isn't so. We still care for each other, but we're not making it together."
He looked over at Naru when he finished, then down at his hands, which were wringing his shirt in his lap. Naru returned his look briefly, then turned to Haruka.
"Haruka-san, please understand, that promise that we made – we're not breaking the spirit of it. What we promised was that we would make it into Todai together and live happily ever after. Now, we did make it into Todai at the same time; however, if you want to be picky, I actually started school before Keitaro, while he was dealing with his broken leg. Technically, we entered together, but the thing about it is, the promise never stated that we had to be a couple. That thinking only came about as we got older, and we assumed that we had to be a couple to achieve our goals."
"After we admitted our feelings for one another, things got better for a time, and we enjoyed the perks of being a couple – but, before long, it got worse again. Habits die hard, especially when my clumsiness comes into the mix. For a while, the attacks eased up, at least while no one else was around; yet, before long, the distrust, uncertainty, even jealousy, all reared their heads again, bringing her temper back out" Keitaro smiled apologetically at the girl who was now his ex-girlfriend, as she hung her head in sadness and shame. "Sorry, Naru. I know this is all difficult for you; it's not any easier on me. Anyway," and he turned back to his cousin, "we sat down and talked about it – not without a good bit of tears and pain – and came to the conclusion, mutually, that we valued our friendship too much to force ourselves to try to continue on such a destructive path. We still have feelings for one another – we always will – but, we just aren't working out as a couple. Naru is trying to curb her temper, but…" and he shrugged his shoulders, raising his hands, palms up in defeat.
"I will still work on my temper, as well as my habit of jumping to conclusions, but it just wasn't working out how we expected, our being together. Keitaro is still the same loveable, caring person he was all those years ago, even if he is a lot clumsier, but I've changed so much from back then."
Haruka listened in silence. The truth was, she had expected something of the sort to happen, sooner or later. Her cousin had a bad case of 'accidental' problems, and Naru had that nasty habit of coming to the wrong conclusions about Keitaro and his motivations (about all men, for that matter) – only to launch him skyward again and again. She lost track of the number of times that her cousin dragged his butt back up the stairs leading to the Hinata-sou, a disheveled mess, after one of her accusatory 'punishments'.
She closed her eyes, sighed and addressed the two younger people before her.
"If this is truly your decision, then I will support you in any way possible. It will not be an easy thing to go back to 'just being friends', to see the other with someone new eventually. I will ask that you both continue working on your friendship, for the sake of each other, and the peace and tranquility of the rest of the girls up there. I know that the promise is still there between you, as well as the friendship that the two of you have shared for so long, even being separated as you were, and that is a precious thing. I do hope that you can put aside your judgmental ways, Naru, and see that Keitaro isn't like you have portrayed him for all this time."
The girl broke in at this point. "I know that I was wrong, as Motoko had realized herself some time ago. It just took me longer to see it. He's not really a pervert – at least most of the time – even if he does have those kinds of thoughts like any other guy – and he doesn't mean for all those things to happen. For these reasons, I feel really sorry and terrible for the way that I've treated him since he arrived here. He really didn't deserve all that. He really is the most kindhearted, caring, and forgiving person that I've ever known. Unfortunately, because of how hard it is to change habits and ways of thinking, we just didn't work out as a couple."
The café owner smiled at her younger female companion, surprised to hear such a confession from Naru, the girl who was notorious for being wishy-washy in her feelings, who held them in at all costs – who had been one of her cousin's most vocal opponents. It had driven several people nuts trying to work out her feelings for the young manager of the Hinata-sou – his sister included. She thought back to the days and weeks, even months, when her indecisive attitude had hurt Keitaro so much, as he waited, waited, and waited even longer to find out her true feelings for him – hoping against the tide to hear her words accepting his feelings and, ultimately, returning them. He had bared his soul to her, every ounce of who he was, to tell her how he felt. It wasn't easy since he usually had such a hard time expressing himself – especially to the opposite sex.
"You're right about that. Keitaro has always readily forgiven, helped, and cared for everyone, especially those he loves – blood relatives or not, doesn't matter. That is one of his most endearing qualities, along with his ability to show those emotions so unconditionally. Whoever does finally match with him will be a lucky girl, indeed. I only hope that she is as good to and for you as you are for all those around you, Keitaro."
Keitaro blushed and tried to look anywhere but at the two women at the table. They each smiled kindly at him and grabbed a hand, holding and squeezing them gently until he met their gazes. Each held his eyes a moment before broadening their smiles for the young man whom held a special spot in their hearts. His face burned under such scrutiny, and he quickly turned away again. His heart was breaking – had been for some time now, ever since the time that he realized that things would not work out with his 'promised girl'. Logically, this move made the most sense, breaking it off while their friendship could be salvaged; however, emotionally he was drowning in despair. Many were the nights recently that he found himself crying himself to sleep, his sense of loss overwhelming in it's intensity. No one was aware of this fact, not even Naru (who had spent her fair share of sob-filled nights) who lived above him and was normally able to hear whatever was going on in the room below hers.
Quietly, Naru slipped the ring from her finger, to hand it back to the man who had pursued her affections for four long years, facing any challenge, even to chasing her across Japan, to fulfill a promise nineteen years old now. She held her hand out to him, palm up, the ring glittering in the waning light of the day, as tears of her own ran unchecked down her cheeks.
"K-Keitaro, y-you should… have this b-back. It was yours to give to…"
"No, Naru," he cut in, a sad smile forming. "That ring is yours, always. It was meant for you alone. Keep it as a memento of our time together, and as a sign of our continued friendship, and of the family that I consider us." He gently closed her fingers over the metal band with his own hand, holding her hand within both of his, "Please, Naru, keep it."
She gave a soft half-sob, wrapping him in her arms, crying into his shoulder, letting out all the pent-up sorrow that she had tried to bottle away. Finally, when she was able to compose herself somewhat once again, she pulled away, wiping her streaked face with her sleeve. She smiled a little as she stood up.
"Thank you, Haruka, for listening and supporting us. I should head back to the dorm, as should you, Keitaro."
She was closing the door behind her when the shop's owner spoke up again.
"You really need to tell Granny Hina about this, considering the insanity that ensued over you and the dorm when the girls found out about Hina's plan for you and the dorm, as well as the conditions stipulated."
Keitaro groaned dramatically, dropping his head to the table in memory, banging it there a couple of times. How could he have forgotten the mad chase scene where he had taken off with Seta in that Cessna, to be followed to Molmol by the other residents when they found out that he was to get full ownership of the dorms when he got married? How could he forget being kidnapped and tied up by Su, the princess of said country, and her attempts to force the marriage? And then, there were the confessions of each and every girl, from the rambunctious Su, to shy Shinobu, and all the way to Motoko.
"I'll make the call in the morning, Haruka-san. I'm more than a little emotionally and physically drained at the moment. Right now, all I want is dinner, a hot bath, and my bed. I'll get her number from you tomorrow so that I can contact her. I only hope that Kanako isn't with her at the moment. If she were to find out about this, it would be another fiasco. I know she is due to return to help run the place again eventually, but we both know how she would respond."
Haruka hugged her nephew in sympathy for a moment, then released him.
"Yeah, we do. Also, I'm glad that it will be you contacting Hina. It needs to be you in this instance."
/
Mitsune was sitting on the couch in the common room when her best friend entered the dorms. She could tell that the younger girl had been crying, but couldn't get any information out of her when she tried to question her. She only turned from the resident Fox and ran to her room.
Several minutes later, a dejected Keitaro walked in through the front door, moving like some automaton.
"Hey, Keitaro!"
"Hey, Mitsune," he said without emotion.
Hearing Shinobu moving about within the kitchen, he called out to her. Her head peeked out around the door jam in acknowledgement.
"Sempai?" she asked, using her old term of address for the man.
"How long would you say we have before dinner is ready, Shinobu-chan?"
"Roughly forty-five minutes or so," came the instant reply.
"Thank you. I'm going to take a bath, then. Can you send a plate to my room, Shinobu-chan? I… I really want to be alone tonight."
"Okay, Sempai," she said, her brow furrowing at his actions and request. Then, as her mind began to take on a life of it's own, her cheeks reddened and she pulled back into the safety of her chosen domain.
Mitsune didn't miss the flow of emotions during the interchange, nor the reactions of the younger homemaker. Her actions and responses were also caught by another set of eyes as they had been descending the stairs.
/
Shinobu had just finished setting the table for dinner and returned to the kitchen to begin it when she heard the front door open and close, followed by Mitsune's questioning of them about what was wrong, but no answer seemed to be forthcoming, save the sounds of feet fleeing up the stairs and a tenant's door being closed. It could only have been one of two people, Sempai or Naru-sempai, as all the other residents were inside and about the dorm. A few minutes later, the front door admitted another person, to be greeted by the other girl.
"Hey, Mitsune."
Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't missed the dead way those two words were spoken. Were the couple fighting again, another dispute of some sort? Considering the current circumstances, it would appear that Naru was ignoring the ex-ronin again, upset over some perceived wrong on his part. She frowned as she contemplated the 'couple's' so-called 'relationship'.
"Shinobu-chan?" She quickly put on a bright smile to cover the expression that had settled upon her features.
"Sempai?"
"How long would you say we have before dinner is ready, Shinobu-chan?"
She did a quick calculation and answered.
"Roughly forty-five minutes."
The love of her life thanked her and announced that he was taking a bath and to send his dinner to his room. As he spoke, her mind drifted off to a scene of him settling into the barrel that was his private bath, of her moving up behind him to climb in behind him and wrap her arms about his shoulders. He turned around to face her, raising his hand to cup her cheek…
Shinobu snapped back to reality, her face burning hotly at her imaginings, and she returned to her preparations, hoping that no one had seen her.
"Still got the hots for Keitaro, Shinobu-chan?"
The eighteen-year old nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice in her ear, so obviously enjoying her discomfort.
"Ahhh!" Pant, Pant! "Don't scare me like that!"
"Aww, Shi-no-bu-chan, you're just sooo adorable when you're like this. So, tell me, just how much have you grown in the last five years, huh?" and Mitsune reached around her, grasping her chest in her hands. "Is this what you want Kei-ta-ro to do to you, Shinobu-chan?" she drawled with a leer, before busting out in laughter.
"Kitsune! Stop it, s-stop it!"
The girl's face was beet-red in embarrassment, struggling to disentangle herself from the prankster's grasp. Kitsune, for her part, was by now howling with mirth, as she continued to tease the teenager. Before she could escape, however, a blond-haired ball of energy bounded into the room, pouncing on the chef.
"Shinomu! Still in love with Keitaros, eh?!"
"S-stop it, b-both of you! I'm t-trying to finish supper!"
The two girls finally ease off their antics, allowing the homemaker to get back to the dishes on the stove before their contents could burn.
"Yes, I do," she finally admitted after a minute, steeling herself for yet another round of ribbing.
A gentle hand patted her on her shoulder, surprising her in it's calm support.
"We all care about him, Shinobu-chan. Unfortunately, I think there may be problems between our loveable manager and his girlfriend… again," and Mitsune sighed.
Su looked from one of her friends to the other, with a look of playful innocence.
"Whaddaya mean-means?"
"How so?" Shinobu interjected at the same moment.
"I don't know if either of you noticed, but both of them are in pretty bad shape. Keitaro put on a brave face and a smile, but I saw him before he did, and before you two saw him. Likewise, we all know that Naru is terrible at hiding her feelings, even if she doesn't admit to them. Anyway, our kanrinin was not his normal self. He seemed… lost, sad."
"I agree with your assessment, Konno-san," a new voice said from the doorway. "I saw them both on my way down from my meditation and practice. Neither of them appeared to be in a good mood. Does anyone here have a clue as to the cause of the current problem?"
Those assembled looked about, slowly shaking their heads to the negative. With a slight dismissive gesture of her hand, Motoko continued.
"It was probably Keitaro's fault in some way, most likely another accident, and she blew up at him again."
The diminutive chef's blood boiled almost instantly at the statement, then turned to face the kendoka.
"Why does everything have to be Sempai's fault? Is he so low in your opinion that you refuse to actually look at him, his actions, or consider his feelings?"
Clamping her mouth shut, ashamed of her outburst, she spun back to her duties with great industry.
"I apologize, Shinobu-chan I did not mean for it to sound that way, I was merely stating that which is normally claimed by Naru-sempai. I know for a fact that he is not that way, and most of his actions are not acts of perversion, nor are they done on purpose. Furthermore, as with each of you, I too admitted my feelings for him. We all stepped aside for Naru, as Keitaro developed feelings for her and, much as she is loath to say, she has for him as well. He has time and again shown how much we all mean to him, being kind, considerate, and protective of us – even if he does screw up on a regular basis."
She at this point went to the refrigerator to get a drink, then started for her room. Before exiting the kitchen, she bowed to the others, then moved away with purpose, while the other girls stared after her.
/
Narusegawa Naru sat at her desk, staring at the band that lay dejectedly in the middle of it. Tears streamed down her face to fall unheeded to her lap.
I can't believe this, all that time of being chased by him, after finding out that we knew one another as kids and made that promise, and then telling Granny all that stuff, and now we are through as a couple. What's more, he's always played the part of the gentleman, despite all his accidents, and we wouldn't listen – I wouldn't listen. He has always been kind, protective, loving, and forgiving of our shortcomings – to the point of taking all of the blame upon himself. He even told me to keep this ring, which was his proposal ring to me. He didn't let me give it back to him.
However, it didn't work out between us, and as much as I don't like to admit it, I was the one most at fault, most of the blame lies at my own feet. My temper, as well as my insecurities and wishy-washy ways, was as much a factor – if not more so – than our incompatibility. I changed just too much from that little girl that I used to be when I made that promise to little Kei-kun.
Keitaro, I am so sorry! I know that you are in agony, and that you will do anything in your power to hide it away, bottle it up, so as to spare the rest of us the same pain, myself included. It's just who you are. I only hope that you find the right person for you before long – before you fall too far. I wish that you would let us help bear some of your burdens and pains, but that's not you, and we are partially to blame for that as well.
As if only just realizing that she was crying as well, Naru pulled a tissue from the box in the corner of her desk and began wiping her face, dabbing at her eyes. It wouldn't do to show up at the dinner table with a tear stained face: it would raise too many difficult questions. Standing and sniffling a bit, she consciously picked up and slid the ring upon her left ring finger, then made her way to the small attached bathroom to wash her face off.
I'll do what I can to try to avoid any embarrassing questions pertaining to us. I will have to put up a happy front for the time being, until we decide to make it public that we are no longer together.
Sighing in resignation, the light brown-haired girl opened her room's door and stepped into the hall, turning to head towards the dining room.
/
Keitaro awoke the next morning, to a clock that read 5:03, almost more tired than he had been the night before. The young man had slept fitfully, waking up frequently to the most empty feeling that he had ever experienced. Each time that consciousness came to him, he fell deeper and deeper into that absolute emptiness, that black hole that threatened to consume his soul in it's entirety. He ended up crying himself back to sleep, curled in a fetal position, each and every time.
Why do I go on? How do I go on? There's nothing left to reach for, now. I got into Tokyo University with Naru, the girl of my promise. I've found archeology to be the thing that I want to do, although it doesn't hold any appeal for me right now. Naru, who I thought I would be spending the rest of my life with, and I are no longer together. We may still be friends, family even, but I can't just bury these feelings that I've had for her for four years, overnight. How do I cope? What and how do I tell the others – not to mention Granny Hina, who pulled so many strings to get us together in the first place? She even said that she would deed the Hinata-sou to the both of us jointly.
He began to weep anew, burying his face in the palms of his hands. After some time, he went to his private bathroom to rinse his face. He knew that he couldn't skip breakfast, though he desperately wanted to. Dinner the night before had been strained, to say the least, even though he wasn't at the table. He could hear the tension in the muffled voices that drifted to his room. He was certain that everyone was aware that something was amiss, what with the prolonged periods of silence, punctuated only occasionally by fits of forced conversation.
Dressing in his old standby of a plain t-shirt and jeans, Keitaro straightened his shoulders and then stowed his futon. Taking a ragged breath, which almost sounded like a sob unto itself, and looking over his room, making sure that everything was in it's place, he stepped out to place the call to his grandmother, a call he dreaded.
/
Naru woke and couldn't get back to sleep. She stared at the ceiling of her room for the better part of an hour, her thoughts in shambles, peace of mind escaping her. She finally decided to get up and do something, rather than wallow in the mire that was her emotional state. Rising, she dressed in a simple, dark skirt and a slightly lighter top. As she finished, she heard a soft noise coming from the room below hers. Curious, but with a sense of trepidation, the brunette lifted the board with Liddo-kun quietly, just enough to peek down below through the hole connecting the two rooms. What met her eyes tore at her, causing her own eyes to begin to water again. There, sitting in his futon, was Keitaro, and as she watched, he drew his knees up and wrapped his arms around them, laying his face on his knees, only to start weeping. She heard the soft sound of his sorrow as he tried to muffle it, not wanting to alert anyone else – especially the girl in the room above his. She wanted so much to jump down there to comfort him, and nearly did, even going so far as to start reaching her hand towards him and opening her mouth to call to him; yet, she hesitated, then slowly replaced the board and stuffed animal.
If I go down there now, all will have been in vain. I may still be his friend, but it would be just too awkward for me to do this right now. I should try to see if one of the others could heal him on the inside, to fill that void, but who. And, really, is it my place? But then, what about the one in me? What about someone for me?
With a heavy conscience, she too left her room for the front door, walking outside and down the long staircase and heading for a nearby park to do some thinking of her own.
/
Shinobu was awake earlier than the rest of the residents, with the possible exception of Motoko, who rose early to perform her morning training exercises. She knew that she had to prepare breakfast for the others who lived in the dorms, but yesterday's worries weighed heavily upon her mind. Worst of all was the knowledge that her beloved Keitaro-sempai was in some sort of pain, which, as was his norm, he attempted to hide from the girls. Due to the fact that he did all in his power to assure the happiness of the girls, he hadn't opened up to any of them – not even her – to explain whatever the problem was. The previous night's dinner had been rough, with Naru dropping into oppressive silences and missing much that went on about her. She bore an obviously faked smile plastered on her face for the benefit of the others in the room; yet her eyes bespoke a different story altogether, one of great pain and sorrow, whenever she fell into one of those frequent silences.
Those who were older still treated her, Su, and Sarah as if they were little kids, even though she herself was now eighteen years old. They were well old enough to handle most situations that could arise – whether they were emotional, social, or adult in nature. She was painfully reminded of this fact as she recalled the events of ten or eleven weeks before, when she had lost her temper at how her Sempai was being treated, and then when the others acted as if she was still some little girl who couldn't stand on her own two feet and make her own choices. Naru and Motoko still insisted that they needed to 'protect' the three younger girls from Keitaro.
Sometimes they are just too much!
Shinobu was startled out of her musings by the sound of a door softly sliding open and then shut again, but she could tell that it wasn't Motoko's door from the sound. She hopped from her bed and threw on a robe, during which time she heard the front door close. Rushing from her room, she stopped at one of the large windows facing the front stairway just in time to see Naru begin her descent down that impossibly long flight. Curious, she returned to her room to dress, contemplating the circumstances that she was witness to. Usually, she would see Motoko up second, so that she could begin her early morning practice session, and then Su would scamper down the stairs to await breakfast at the table while munching on a banana bunch. Following that, Shinobu would wake Keitaro and then Naru, so that they could start their day, just in time to make the breakfast table, as Mitsune and Sarah made their own groggy ways downstairs. For Naru to be up so early, not to mention leaving the Hinata…
The young chef had only taken the first few steps down the stairs towards the kitchen when her Sempai's door opened, letting forth an obviously distraught kanrinin. At a complete loss, she could only silently pad along behind him and hide around the corner of the common room where he was approaching the phone. She watched as he extracted a sheet of paper from his pocket, studied it for a moment, then picked up the receiver and began to dial.
"H-hello, Granny."
"Yeah, it has been a while. It is also good to hear your voice, as well."
"Well, to be honest, not too well. That's what I wanted to call and talk to you about."
"Yeah, I was just about to explain. Please, bear with me, as this won't be easy.
"I know why you set me up as the kanrinin of the Hinata-sou, what with my promise girl, Na-Narusagawa, being here and all; and I do appreciate all that you have done for me over the years, helping me out with a place to stay, work and income, all that. Also, everyone here has been such good friends to me, helping me out – even to the point of becoming just like family to me. In fact, I would give anything for each and every one of them, just so long as they are safe and happy.
"H-however, I have to say… I have to…" he began to break down, his eyes moistening, and he took a ragged breath, trying to force his emotions back under control. "I… needed to tell you… that N-Naru an-and I… are breaking up, Granny."
Shinobu's eyes flew wide, and her hand was instantly at her mouth, smothering the gasp that escaped.
Sempai and Naru, breaking up?! Her thoughts were interrupted as he continued.
"Yes, G-Granny, you heard correctly."
"Nonono!" he quickly stammered at whatever she said. "It's nothing like that! Neither of us has been unfaithful; there were just too many… differences – on both sides. Besides, you are quite aware of her temper and… tendencies."
"Yeah, as I said, she was getting better for a time, but then she began to backslide. I just don't feel safe, what with always worrying about whether or not I will say or do something that will set her off again, day after day. It's nearly a daily occurrence that I get a free tour of Hinata Springs via one of her punches, once again."
"No, I still love her, and will allow her to stay, but… we just won't be together as a couple."
"It was a mutual decision, Granny. We both want to stay as friends, family even, and felt that trying to force it to continue would destroy that. We'll still honor the promise, just not as a couple. Also, she will get a councilor to help her gain control of her temper. We just aren't… I don't know… compatible? Is that the word I want?"
"No, we haven't told the others, yet." Keitaro closed his weary eyes, which held a look that made him look far older and more world weary than ever should have graced one of his age. He continued quietly, almost too quiet for Shinobu to hear. "I don't even know how or when we will tell them. Soon, for sure, but the question is when would be the best time. I chased her for so long, trying to win her love – and by the way, the feelings are still there, for the both of us – but we only fell apart as a couple in the end. I spent my whole life, from the age of five, pining after my 'promise girl', only to find out that she and I aren't good for each other, that we both have changed so drastically from our memories. I have no social skills to speak of because of that – I was so focused on Todai and her that I didn't learn how to interact socially before now. Now… now, all I can wonder… is, who… who w-would accept m-me… as I am n-now…" He fell to the floor, as if his legs were no longer able to hold his weight, fresh sobs wracking his frame. "G-granny, d-do you know h-how hard… it w-was to… even g-get her to look at m-me, let alone… admit having f-feelings for me?"
"You say that, but… but… I-I'm s-sorry! I've got… to go for a wh-while. I'll call a little l-later."
"Y-yeah, after the others are gone."
"I love you. Too, Granny. I'll call in a while. Bye."
Keitaro held the phone to his ear a bit longer, then lowered it and clutched it tightly to his chest, as if it were a lifeline. His choked sobs reached the ears of the girl around the corner, ripping her heart out of her chest. After several minutes, he returned the phone to it's base and shuffled his way to the front door, unwittingly following the example of his ex-fiancée, exiting the dorms and slowly leaving the Hinata-sou behind, in search of a quiet, secluded spot to himself.
The dark-haired girl was frozen in place, shock riveting her to the spot. She had not moved a muscle since hearing the announcement. Her mind spun a mile a minute in an attempt to absorb what she had just heard, the full impact of that choked admission, the full implications of what had transpired. Behind her, a soft exhalation of a held breath broke her immobility, as she spun about to see who had joined her in her clandestine eavesdropping.
"So, that is the problem. I had expected this, eventually, actually," Motoko stated as she stared at her feet in thought. She then looked up at Shinobu as if only then realizing that she stood in front of her. "We all knew that something was wrong, but to be this…"
Tentatively, as if the mere act of speaking would break the world apart, the homemaker spoke.
"What do you mean, 'eventually'?"
The kendoka studied the face of her companion through slightly narrowed eyes for a brief time before answering. She kept her eyes focused intently as she spoke.
"There is a saying that I have heard bandied about: Opposites Attract. In this instance, though, the couple in question are like night and day, and that saying does not apply, unfortunately. Think about it for a minute. Urashima… Keitaro, is polite to a fault, put's everyone else's well-being ahead of his own health and happiness, is kind, generous, with a warm, welcoming personality. Naru, on the other hand, is abrasive much of the time, does not trust others easily, is temperamental in the extreme – all of this mostly towards men, I might add, much as I was not long ago, before Keitaro arrived – is violent towards almost all others, and her emotions are barely held in check, wont to change in a moment's notice. We are friends, but, like all others, she has many faults, only hers are harder to work around and the majority have to deal with men. I know for a fact that we both are working on our own problems, and Urashima has helped a great deal in that regard, even with his accident-prone life. However, that change is a very slow, difficult process.
"Also, having to live day-to-day, wondering when the next beating would come is very difficult, not to mention mentally taxing. Such worrying will eventually turn one against the person who attacks so mercilessly. As I stated, both of us are attempting to alter our thinking and actions, but it is not easy to change years' worth of habits. Add to that the fact that Urashima is accident-prone, so every accident, every slip, every wrong word, move, or touch, could set Narusegawa off at any moment. We have all seen this.
"So, when I said that 'I expected this, eventually', I was only stating that I could not truly see this relationship as working, with the way that the two of them are. If they married, how do you see the marriage working out? What do you see happening to them down the road?"
Shinobu stood there in thought for a few minutes, mulling over what was just revealed to her. She cautiously answered, with a bit of a guarded air.
"Sempai… Sempai would become the whipping boy, subject to Naru-sempai's temper. He would eventually become unhappy."
"Correct. We know that he would never think of divorcing her, that is the type person he is. Instead, he would take the abuse, keep telling himself that he deserves it, that he's the one at fault, and keep trying to please her. She would never learn any differently.
"I care for Narusegawa-sempai as a sister, and have come to care a great deal for Urashima, but I feel that this outcome was inevitable, for them both to find happiness – even as I supported them as a couple."
"Ano, I think that I understand, now," the younger girl stated quietly. She contemplated a moment longer, then her expression turned anxious. "Motoko-sempai, I'm really worried about Sempai – what he said about feeling like no one could love him, as well as how his eyes and expression looked towards the end, there. You don't think he would do anything… drastic, do you?"
"I caught that, too, and it troubles me greatly. I fear that much of what I used to say to him, along with some others of us, have left him more vulnerable to depression, as well as… darker… thoughts." She continued staring at the door to the outside world, as if just by willing it, she could conjure up the saddened subject of their conversation.
"!" was all that registered on Shinobu's face, accompanied by a gasp.
/
Valkyrie Training Grounds
"Keiichi-san, today you do not report to me; instead I have been instructed to have you report to your wife, as per Kami-sama's orders. If I am correct, she is being briefed as we speak. You should hurry along; it's bad manners to keep a woman waiting, and even worse when it's Belldandy!" Lind teased. "Especially as this is Kami-sama's directions."
The Valkyrie smiled at her little quip at Keiichi's expense, then burst out in loud guffaws as his face noticeably paled and he all but sprinted to the gate to teleport away.
The gate deposited him at the main industrial complex of buildings and he proceeded to weave his way among the throngs of beings going about their own business. He finally arrived at the appropriate building and went in through the front doors. The receptionist goddess merely glanced up at his arrival, smiled warmly at him when she recognized his mop of slightly messy hair, and waved him on through. He followed the now-familiar route to where his wife's station was and found Belldandy perusing a computer file on a floating screen made of light. She had a small frown on her face, her brow furrowed, and he could sense worry in her mind's 'tone'.
"Belldandy, love? What's going on? What's the matter?" he inquired as he approached her. She acknowledged his arrival with a quick glance and brief, forced smile, and a small nod, before returning her attention to the file on her screen.
Keiichi patiently waited a few minutes for her to finish what she was doing and for her to finally speak. He recognized the look on her face, not to mention the worry. Whoever was in that file had a very rough life, and was in bad shape at this moment. If he was to hazard a guess, the person was feeling lonely, unwanted, unworthy of being wanted by anyone, and was only a step away from contemplating a certain permanent solution to their problems. Belldandy being who she was, she was highly attuned to others' emotional states, and even reading about these things got to her badly at times.
After several minutes, she spoke as she scrolled back to the top of the file.
"Kami-sama has requested that you accompany me on a call today. I had better brief you on the particulars of the situation quickly, as the call should be arriving shortly. If Yggdrasil is correct, my phone should be ringing within ten to fifteen minutes, and you need to understand as much as possible before then. I may need your help on this one, and to do so you need to know what has transpired up to this point. To that end, please listen carefully and memorize all that I tell you. Let us begin with…"
/
Hinata-sou
Everyone else was out at the moment, either off to schooling (most of the girls), or out goofing off (Mitsune). Keitaro finished what he had started to keep himself busy until the others had left, namely washing the onsen, and had decided to take the day off from Todai to take care of other things. Wiping sweat from his face with a hand towel, he entered the common room and picked up the phone to call his grandmother back. Looking at the piece of paper again, he began dialing the number written thereon. He finished and listened almost impatiently as it rang twice and then was answered. He opened his mouth to speak, when...
"You have reached the Goddess Relief Office, Belldandy speaking," he heard, and his mind locked up, before looking back to the sheet of paper and mentally reviewing the numbers he had pressed on the phone. "We will be right over to receive your wish in your home. Please be patient for a moment."
*CLICK*
Wha?! What was that, just now? What's going on, and who was that just now? What was she talking about?
A bluish glow off to his side caught his attention. Turning towards the light, Keitaro noticed that one of the mirrors was emitting a soft, blue radiance that filled the room. Out of the midst of that radiance, through the mirror, floated a very beautiful woman, who appeared to be about thirty years of age, and yet ageless at the same time, with alluring blue eyes, long, light-brown hair, and a smile that lit the room in a way that the light couldn't. Following on her heels was a man, roughly the same apparent age, with dark hair and eyes, and with the same timeless quality in his eyes. Both had strange markings on their faces.
The woman wore an expression of infinite kindness, understanding, happiness, and patience. She was dressed in a white dress with a blue over-cloak trimmed in a yellow triangle pattern. It seemed to flow and billow in a wind caused by her exit from the mirror.
The man wore a simple pair of pants, loose enough to allow ease of movement, and a tight shirt that fit across his muscled physique tightly. Upon his wrists and upper arms sat four bands that resembled platinum with gold filigree in intricate patterning. He had an easy smile that seemed to draw you in, along with an air of mirth, which danced within his eyes, as well as a note of sadness when he looked over Keitaro.
They both appeared with simple slippers on their feet, as if expecting to be inside a residence. Suddenly, as if snapping out of a daze, Keitaro shot backwards, away from the pair that just materialized before him from out of the reflective surface of the mirror. He was startled by the rippling giggles from the female, like chimes, and the hearty chuckles from the man as they looked at each other.
"This is certainly a familiar scene, isn't it, Belldandy! Remind you of anyone in particular, love?" he said with a wry grin.
"Indeed!" and her smile deepened as she turned back to the cowering manager.
The man strode forward with a disarming smile curling his mouth as he held out his hand to aid Keitaro in rising. Keitaro hesitantly accepted the extended hand and allowed himself to be lifted to his feet.
"I apologize for startling you so. My name is Morisato Keiichi."
"And I am Belldandy, Goddess First Class, Category Two, Unlimited."
Keitaro recognized the woman's voice as that of the person on the phone not three minutes prior.
"Ummm… uh… I… I'm Urashima K-Keitaro. P-pleased to meet y-you."
He reached back to rub the back of his head, and when he looked back up, the man named Keiichi was mimicking his action. They both realized this at the same time, paused, and then the humor of the situation hit them and they both burst out in laughter – the first real laugh from Keitaro in a while.
"Urashima-san, as I stated on the phone, we have come to grant you one wish. There are very stringent guidelines in our selection of recipients, and you have met them. Your kindness and willingness to help others is your greatest strengths, and also your greatest downfall. Because of your kind, generous, helpful nature, you tend to be taken advantage of and run roughshod over on a regular basis. This, coupled with the horrible luck that has plagued you since childhood, has generated a situation that we simply could not overlook."
At this, the female known as Belldandy looked at the man beside her, a knowing expression in her eyes, along with a small wry smile. She turned her attention back to Keitaro.
"Because of this, Yggdrasil, our computer system in Heaven, has approved you for a single wish. Keep in mind that it is one wish only. We can grant you just about anything you could wish for, with but a few exceptions – which include things like the destruction of the world, the death of someone, or similar… unsavory, wishes. However, you could ask for things such as wealth, fame, happiness, or just about anything else, and we should be able to accommodate you."
"Heh, what if I wished for you to stay with me, since you seem to be the kindest, most beautiful woman I've ever met?" he blurted out, then blushed horribly. "S-sorry! P-please d-don't be mad!" he blustered, ducked, and cowered in the corner, his hands covering his head in fear of 'punishment' for his outburst.
To his absolute amazement, the two beings suddenly burst out in honest, cheerful, laughter, not derisive or mocking. When he looked up, they were looking at each other as if sharing a private joke. After a minute, they wiped tears of mirth from their eyes, and the man strode over to him and helped him to his feet.
"Dear heart, he really is much as I was back then, isn't he? Don't worry, Urashima-san, it's nothing bad, really. I can now see why Kami-sama sent me along, love. This young man is in a similar situation to what I was years ago – nervous around women, low social skills with them, even to the extent that you have barely had one girlfriend in all this time, and that only a recent thing. You, however have a few advantages over what I went through. You actually have girls around you who are interested in you, have had several 'dates' with them already, and have had a girlfriend.
"Perhaps we should have a seat; I have a bit of a tale to tell you, which should help out a little. It will also explain our… outburst, a moment ago.
"First things first, let me reintroduce us," at which point he smiled adoringly at the woman, a gleam in his eyes. "I am Morisato Keiichi, God Second Class, Limited, and this is my wife," he slightly emphasized the word, "Morisato Belldandy. No, no, don't apologize or get embarrassed! We didn't clarify that earlier, and you have no idea how often she gets that question or wish," Keiichi finished with a chuckle. "Actually, I'm to blame for some new rules and regulations when it comes to wish granting," the god said with a bit of embarrassment himself, while scratching the back of his head.
They sat down at the dining table, and Belldandy asked: "Do you mind if I make some tea for us? I know what Shinobu-chan has in here and where she keeps everything stored. Besides, Keiichi-san can begin without me."
At a wordless nod, she entered the kitchen and began to remove the required items from cupboards as if she had lived there her whole life. First, she found the teapot, along with the tea bulb for steeping the hot beverage; then, much to Keitaro's surprise and chagrin, she extricated the sealed tin of tea from it's hidden spot where Shinobu had placed it so that others wouldn't get their hands on it. It was an expensive tin that his aunt was only able to stock on occasion. This one had been a gift from him to the chef.
Keitaro's attention was drawn away from the efficient, beautifully singing, woman in the other room, by the voice of Keiichi.
"She's always like that – has been for as long as I have known her. Oh, don't worry. I saw that look when she grabbed that tin; everything will be fine. Shinobu-chan won't be upset."
"Wait, wait! How do you know about Shinobu, let alone her name? And what about me?"
"Heaven has detailed records of everyone on Earth in the Yggdrasil computer. However, I promised a bit of a story." He waved away any further questions as he said this.
"I was a lot like you, some fifteen years ago. It was 1988, and I was living in a men's dorm at Nekomi Tech, a no-girls-allowed rule in effect for the dorm, no money to speak of, and absolutely zero hope of ever having a girlfriend. I looked the same then as I do now – forgettable face, bushy eyebrows, no money as I stated, lanky build, and no luck whatsoever – except horribly bad luck.
"I was taken advantage of on almost a daily basis, and I didn't have the courage to stand up to it, besides needing the room to stay in. As it was, I ended up stuck in the dorm that evening, while my sempais went out partying – ostensibly to drum up new members for the Auto Club, and some much-needed influx of money for it. Like you, I picked up the phone to call someone, only to end up hearing Belldandy's lovely voice on the other end of the line. Now, what we were laughing about when we first arrived, was your reaction – it perfectly mimicked mine, all those years ago. Just as earlier, she explained that I had earned one wish, and only one. At first, I thought my sempais had put her up to it, as a jest, due to my lack of… female companionship, and complete lack of any prospects in that department.
"Now, I thought about it for a bit, while she tried to convince me that she was legitimate, and of her sincerity. In a moment of rashness, without really believing her, I blurted out: 'I want a goddess like you to stay by my side forever'." At this point, both males chuckled, and Belldandy giggled from the kitchen, at the parallels. "Imagine my astonishment when she looked at me and simply said: 'Your wish is granted'! For the next three years, we lived together, eventually being joined by her two sisters – one wanting to push us further together, and the other trying to stop it – a cat/demon named Welsper, and visited by many others.
"Even after three years of living under the same roof, our relationship had not progressed much. As I said, her older sister was determined that it would, one way or another, while her younger was just as adamant that it didn't."
The goddess entered at this point with the three cups of tea on a tray, handing one to each of them, and then taking a seat herself, with her cup. Keiichi continued after taking an appreciative sip.
"About three and a half years after her granting of my wish, something happened – an accident, if you will – that finally gave our relationship the push it needed to move forward. We were married soon after, and have been together since."
So, as you see, Keitaro-san, we were not laughing at you or your thoughts, only at the similarities between them and my Keiichi-san. His wish caused a lot of revisions to the granting parameters. One of the most notable changes, was that I am exempt from any wish that would directly affect my marriage – so no other 'I wish for you to stay by my side' wishes, or the like."
"So, are… are you a human?"
"That's a bit more difficult. Suffice it to say that I was very much human, up to the point of that accident I mentioned, just like you. A lot has happened – some good, some not so much so."
"Anyway, we have arrived here to grant you one wish, as we initially stated, Urashima-san."
"Please, don't be so formal," he said, distractedly. "It's a little unnerving. Just Keitaro will do; I prefer to be more informal."
"I am sorry, Urashima-san, but at the moment we are in the midst of formal business. The contract containing your wish is a formal document, and until it is finished and closed, I cannot accede to your request on this matter. New rules and all," Belldandy added with a smile.
Keitaro thought for a while. Meanwhile, the goddess stood and retrieved a fourth teacup from the cabinet, causing him to wonder what was going on.
So, I could ask for just about anything, huh? If I wanted wealth, I could fix this place up and buy about anything I wanted. He imagined the Hinata-sou remodeled, himself on a yacht, celebrities… No, that would only cause more problems than it solved. Popularity? Nah, same results. Power? What would I do with that?
He stood up to pace the floor, deep in thought. The two deities remained seated, sipping the tea in their cups. They watched him silently, listening to the directions his thoughts were taking. Belldandy had been out of practice at doing this, since she had only recently resumed her duties, and Keiichi was just learning. It was becoming easier for the pair of them, the more they did it.
Keitaro had turned back about for another pass by the table, when his foot caught on it's leg and he plunged forward to land on his face. As he fell, he launched the cup he was holding, with the last bit of the tea in it, flying for who-knows-where. When he recovered his footing, he saw just where it landed – smack dab on Belldandy's dress. Neither Keiichi nor she had stopped it, mouths opened in utter surprise at his accident and the results.
"Oh, Kami-sama! I'm sorry, it was an accident! I didn't mean to!"
"We know," said Keiichi as he shook himself out of his stupor, donning a disarming smile. "We saw what happened, as well as our knowledge of you and your… nature. It just caught us off guard. Truthfully, I'm surprised that it hasn't manifested itself before now, though we have been sitting for the most part. There's no need for hysterics, we're not going to attack you or punish you for a simple accident. I understand your reaction, though, considering your past experiences."
Belldandy set her cup down, stood, and started muttering a small spell, causing her to glow a moment. When done, there was no trace of the spill on her dress. She lifted the teapot and refilled their teacups, cocked her head to the side a moment, grinned a small smile, and proceeded to fill the fourth cup. She then brought it to the kitchen sink, washed it out, then set it to drying, before retaking her seat.
Both Keiichi and Belldandy felt the determined set of Keitaro's emotions at the same moment, and knew that he had decided on his wish.
"I've decided on my wish," he announced. "So often, I've been 'punished' for my clumsiness, not to mention it causing no end to my problems. In fact, so many of my problems could be avoided or eliminated altogether if I didn't have to deal with this. My wish is this: I wish that my clumsiness would go away, that I would not have to worry about it anymore."
The kanrinin watched in fascination as the goddess stood up and became perfectly still. All sound seemed to fall away as she raised her head to look towards the sky. Suddenly, she floated off the ground and the elongated diamond design on her forehead began to glow. A stiff breeze started to flow through the dining room, and then a bright blue light lanced out of the diamond like a laser, blowing through the flooring and, presumably, the roof, straight to the sky. After about ten seconds, it disappeared, as did the wind, and she settled back to the floor gentle as a feather, then smiled.
"Wish accepted," she stated with an air of finality.
Two words, as simple as that.
"Oh, before our other guest arrives, I need to do something."
The woman began to sing in a language that Keitaro did not recognize, and the holes puncturing the upper floors and ceiling mended themselves, as if they never existed. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she began a second verse. Keitaro couldn't explain it, but there were numerous groans throughout the house, before it once more quieted down, with a feeling of rejuvenation permeating the place that he couldn't explain.
"What did you do? What was that?"
"I repaired the damage that I caused, as well as the rest of the Hinata-sou. It really is grateful to you, you know – even with all the new holes that get put in it so often. It knows that you care for it and appreciates it. The only hole that I left was the one in your room, though I have evened up the edges and made it a little safer. It seemed to hold a lot of significance to you and another.
"Anyway, let us sit and finish our tea. We are about to have another guest join us."
Keitaro heard footsteps descending the staircase from the upper floors and became confused. Everyone had left for one reason or other, so there should not have been anyone up there. Mitsune had gone to the store to 'resupply', after hitting him up for money of course; the others were in their various schools; Haruka was down in the Tea Shop. Seta was off on another dig, and Sarah had weaseled her way into joining him for this one, though Haruka opted to stay here this time (something about keeping Mitsune in line and working an honest day's work). This was a bit odd, as Seta had taken a more permanent role as teacher at Todai since getting married, though he still got the itch to be in the field every now and then.
Thinking of his aunt's marriage to his mentor, with the problems that they still dealt with like any other pair, brought his mind crashing back into the despair over his own love life – or lack thereof. His thoughts began to spiral once more into that all-encompassing blackness, threatening to consume his sanity, when his musings were cut short by Belldandy's words.
"Ah, Peorth! I have been expecting you. Have you finished your wish-granting successfully?"
"I have, indeed. Yet another successful wish."
Keitaro gawked at the new arrival, who had just descended the stairs from the previously deserted upper floors. She was beautiful, with shoulder-length dark hair, brown eyes, and was clothed in the skimpiest thing that he had ever seen any woman wear in public – with the exception of a bikini. He really couldn't describe the outfit, which appeared to be a bikini bottom, some sort of top, and covered with a leather… something. With a great force of will, he tore his eyes away from her, once he realized that he had been staring open-mouthed at her.
"W-where d-did y-y-you come f-from? How d-did you get upstairs?"
"It is quite okay. My name is Peorth, Goddess First Class, Category Two, as with Belldandy. As to how I came to be here, and upstairs, I arrived through the lens of someone's camera. That is my medium of travel, much like Belldandy and Keiichi use mirrors."
The newest arrival seated herself and picked up the teacup offered to her. She sipped from it and smiled appreciatively at the flavor.
"As wonderful as always, Belldandy. Thank you. So how has your job gone?" She glanced at Keitaro, who was attempting to follow the new conversation.
"Very well, thank you. He has made his wish, and we were just finishing the cleanup – namely fixing the holes that we caused and the like – just before you arrived. Before we leave, Keiichi-san and I will visit Keitaro-san's cousin down the hill, to replace what we used of the tea that was stored here. It was a bit of an expensive one, after all. After that, we will be done here."
"You don't have to do that ," Keitaro objected.
"No, it's quite alright. We used the last of Shinobu-chan's private stock, so it is only fitting that we replace such an expensive thing."
He backed down as he absorbed the words. Shinobu served this tea to him quite often, even with it being expensive, and he figured that she served it to everyone else, as well.
"Oh, no, Keitaro-san! Shinobu-chan reserves this particular tea for you and herself alone!" Belldandy told him.
"Do you read minds, as well?" he exclaimed.
"Only while on official business. What I said, though, is the truth. She does much for you, alone, that she does not do for the others of the dorms."
Standing up, Keiichi placed a tender hand on his wife's forearm, and said: "I'm going on down to the Tea House to purchase the requisite stock. I shall be back in about ten minutes. You and Peorth finish up here, then we can depart – before the others arrive."
"Hai, Keiichi-san. These are the teas that I used…"
Once his wife told him the correct tea, he exited the building and began the trek down the stairs, a little nervous about leaving the young man alone with the two goddesses – more so Peorth than Belldandy, but he figured that his wife could keep her contemporary in line for ten minutes. Peorth could be… problematic, when she got worked up.
The young god stepped through the front door of the Tea Shop and made his way to the bar stools. He smiled about at the faces that met his eye; he did draw quite a bit of attention, with his attire and his physique what they were now. He caught a whiff of cigarette smoke and about-faced to meet the stoic expression of the establishment's proprietor. His smile fell a bit as he saw the cancer agent hanging from her lips, but decided that it was not his place to comment.
"How may I help you, sir?" she asked in an even tone, lacking any emotion.
"I am here to purchase some of your fine teas. I was referred here by the manager of the Hinata-sou, at the top of the hill."
Her eyebrows arched only slightly in interest, and he caught it in amusement.
"Really? And how do you know Keitaro?"
"Business transaction. Afterward, I inquired on where to procure some fine tea, and he referred me to your establishment."
"I see; and which teas do you require?"
She showed him to the selections that she kept out front to be available to her everyday customers. He perused them for a couple of minutes.
"I would like a half tin of each of these three here. In addition, I would like a half tin of each of these two, as well as a full tin of each of them." He quickly and quietly rattled off the two that Belldandy sent him after. She looked on in surprise.
"I don't keep those out front! How do you… no, no, wait – Keitaro sent you here, and he knows that I keep a few more expensive brands in back."
"Yes, this is so. Will this be a problem?"
"No, I will be back in just a minute with your order. I must say, you have excellent taste, sir, and expensive. I appreciate your business greatly."
"I have a further request, if you will. Could you please wrap the full tins, as they will be going to a wonderful person?"
"Certainly. Please wait a minute longer."
Soon, the tea was bundled, the not-inconsiderable amount of money changed hands, and Keiichi was opening the front door to step outside.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you. Please be well, Haruka-san."
Before she could say anything, or register that she hadn't given her name to the man, he was out the door and on his way.
Keiichi arrived to find Keitaro and the two goddesses still at the table, though the dishes had been cleared and washed, to be returned to their respective places before leaving finally.
"Belldandy, I have what you sent me for, plus a few teas for our own stock."
He held up the bag of tins for his wife to inspect, then turned and held out the two bundled tins to Keitaro.
"As our business here is concluded, shall we be off?"
He held out his hand and Belldandy gingerly laid hers upon it and he raised her from her chair. He then performed the same courtesy for the other goddess.
"I hope that you find your joy in life once more, Keitaro-san. You are truly a good man, and have faced such sorrow and pain. I sincerely hope things work out well for you."
"It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for stopping in… and the… rest. As it is, I have a phone call to make, that I have put off for a little too long. Not that I blame you, but I do need to call Granny Hina."
"In that case, we will leave you to it. Please be well, and do not give up hope," Keiichi said.
With that, the couple reached for the mirror, which responded with the same blue glow as before, and disappeared into it. Peorth slipped upstairs and performed the same actions in her own medium.
Keitaro turned once more to the phone, sadness and sorrow once again closing in to threaten him. The silence was oppressive in the ensuing few moments, before he dialed the number again.
"Hello, again, Granny…"