With a New Heart: A Different Point of View

By

triviatrap1982

I do not own Love Hina, or Katawa Shoujo. Love Hina is owned by Ken Akamatsu. Katawa Shoujo is owned by Four Leaf Studios.

Keitaro had come back to his dorm. He got himself ready to go, when his phone went off. It was his dad. Keitaro answered the phone quickly. He explained to his dad exactly what they needed to talk about. Mr. Urashima was beyond surprised that Keitaro was adamant about this. He decided the best would be for Keitaro to stay the night at home. Tomorrow was a busy time for them at the bakery. He understood. Keitaro knew he'd have to catch a bus back to Metro Tokyo as soon as possible. He did pack an overnight bag, and then locked his dorm room door, when he had everything. He ran into Makoto who was in the common area. She needed to talk to the dorm leader to remind him about the procedures. Keitaro waited until she was finished. After he spoke up, though he surprised her.

"Keitaro is something the matter?" she asked.

"Actually, I will have to leave now," Keitaro said.

"Why are you going so soon?" she asked confused.

"It's still a weekday," Keitaro said. "My parents can ill-afford to waste time."

"What are their occupations?" she asked.

"They run a bakery," Keitaro answered directly.

"Oh...so you're THAT Keitaro Urashima," the dorm leader said.

"That's quite enough, Saito!" Makoto hissed.

The dorm leader he backed off. He knew not to push his luck. She also knew from the tone of his voice he had something more to say. She had to cut it off right away. After that, Keitaro explained his situation. This is the only time where he could personally talk to everybody. It was his father's idea. She nodded and let him go. Keitaro went to the bus station, and he was in time. The bus back home came rather quickly. Keitaro grabbed his things and went on the bus, then paid his fare. He took his seat, and sat quietly. Keitaro never did send text messages, or talked on the phone in this situation. He figured it'd been beyond rude to do so. Once he was there in the city...he made his way to the Bakery. He was allowed to go in through the back, since his father was expecting him.

"Dad, good to see you," Keitaro said bowing.

"It's good to see you again too," he answered.

"How have things been going?"

"Things have been going well," Keitaro said. "It's very...fun to work there to tell the truth."

"I heard Yamaku had some kids at the end of their rope," Keitaro's mother said coming in.

"They are," Keitaro said. "I was floored when I heard this...but it is a fact of life."

"Are there healthy kids at the school?" his mother asked.

"Yes, there are actually," Keitaro said.

"Oh, I didn't know that," she said.

"Yeah, I do have one in my class who interprets for a deaf student," Keitaro said.

"How about you?" His father asked. "Are you learning sign language?"

"I am," Keitaro said. "I've been learning through books and video...and even the students too."

Kanako came in, with her cat Kuro. Kuro meowed happily. He knew that Keitaro was a very different person. Keitaro then looked and he remembered the real reason why he was here. He had to talk to everybody. He didn't want to interrupt their work schedule to talk. He also knew that slow times were beyond rare. Either way, he had everybody in the dining room. He sat down, and he talked about how much change has been going for him. He was very much taking responsibility for his actions. Something that surprised even Kanako. Still...she wanted to see exactly for herself how Keitaro was acting at his job.

"Keitaro," Kanako said. "I do wish to come with you to Yamaku."

"That will be possible," Keitaro answered. "They are having a festival coming up."

"That's a great time for us to come and visit you on campus," their parents said.

"Actually, Kanako...you might get into Yamaku if you really wanted to," Keitaro said. He knew that she would have to take her high school entrance exams soon.

"I actually would still like to visit," Kanako said.

"I think I can square it with my bosses," Keitaro said.

"That would be a wonderful Idea," Keitaro's father said.

Keitaro then continued to talk about how things have been going for the week. At first, the situation was surreal. Now, it is very normal for him. For his family it is quite striking that he is starting to make these changes this quickly. Keitaro also announced he wasn't going to try for Tokyo University. Instead he was going to try for Waseda instead. This really floored his parents. Keitaro knew those entrance exams after Yamaku's culture festival. He also knew that he was taking in a lot of new information quickly than he did at the cram school. It seemed like he needed also a change of environment. Kanako straight out asked if he was going to continue his science courses. Keitaro answered very quickly.

"I'm going to be changing my majors to the arts," Keitaro announced.

"That's sudden," his parents said.

"I've been thinking about it for a while," Keitaro said.

"I know why," Kanako said. "He's really good at art."

His parents nodded at the sudden realization that Keitaro's starting to grow up. They recognized he still had a lot more to learn. However...he's not being hard-headed about it. He actually is listening to sound advice. After the talk, Keitaro went to his bedroom. His parents made sure it at least still had his bed. He laid on the bed thinking abut how things had turned out. He also was quite determined not to mess it up. He was snapped out of his thoughts by Kanako who still wanted to talk to him. Keitaro sat up, and he let her into his bedroom. He let her sit on the desk chair and she quickly got to the point.

"Keitaro...I am still quite skeptical," She said straight out.

"I understand," Keitaro said. "That actually is reasonable."

"You really don't get it do you?" Kanako asked.

"I don't actually," Keitaro admitted. "I do have a clue as to why you're skeptical."

"What is it?" she asked directly.

"Everything from the past that I have done," Keitaro said. "Worst of all, everything in the past I've done against you."

"That is correct...that is why I want to come with you to Yamaku tomorrow...when you leave."

"Wouldn't your school need to be notified right away?" Keitaro asked. "I don't want you to miss classes."

"They can," she said.

"Plus, it will cost you a day and a half," Keitaro warned.

"I'm well aware," Kanako accepted.

Keitaro looked on his watch. Thankfully, he was able to get a hold of Kanako's principal. He wasn't too thrilled that she'll miss a day. He did note the procedure. Kanako had to do that day's work wherever she was at. This meant that she probably would have to stay a little bit longer than she needed. Kanako was well prepared for that when Keitaro told her what needed to happen. She already had the next two day's work ready to go. He nodded impressed.

"Kanako...you're well organized," Keitaro said.

"Thank you," Kanako said, "I knew I would be away from campus for a tiny bit."

"I did soften the blow when I explained it was a school visit," Keitaro informed.

"I had a feeling," she said.

"Yes, so you'll have to be up very early," Keitaro said.

"Why?!"

"I have to get back," Keitaro said.

"Oh, that makes sense," Kanako blushed.

"I'm not sure if this is all," Keitaro said.

"It is..." she said.

Keitaro felt the sadness in her voice. He decided he was going to do all he could to make sure she was able to come out to Yamaku when she was able to. Kanako came onto the bed, though wearing her Pajamas, and she lay down. Keitaro took his glasses off. He was quite tired, and needed all the rest he could get. He set his alarm for 4:30 a.m. He yawned and he fell asleep with Kanako by his side. A few hours later. Keitaro woke up a lot earlier than 4:30. It was about 4:15 when he got up to get ready to go. Kanako felt he was gone. She woke up, and it was about the same time. Keitaro did make himself and Kanako breakfast after he was dressed, and cleaned up. She came down to the table. She was packed and ready to go.

"Keitaro...when does the first bus arrive?" she asked.

"It arrives at 6:15," Keitaro answered. "Mom and dad know we're going to leave."

"Okay, that is what I wanted to make sure of," she said.

"Let's eat up," Keitaro said. "I sent a text a head to have a room ready for you."

"Which dorms will I be staying at?" Kanako asked.

"You'll be in the girls' dorm," he answered.

"It's segregated?"

"Yes, because these still are high school kids."

"Oh, okay...I get it now,"

Keitaro finished eating his breakfast. Kanako did so as well. Keitaro went and he washed the breakfast dishes. His parents got up at about six to get the bakery ready and to have breakfast. both told their parents where they were going. They let them go. They made it to the bus terminal just in time as it was loading in. Keitaro and Kanako had their bags, and paid for the trip back to the Yamaku Campus. It actually was a very short trip, since it was an early bus. Once there, it was already 6:45, and Keitaro was able to get in. The Nurse was waiting up. He saw Kanako, and smiled. Keitaro introduced them.

"It's nice to meet you," The nurse said.

"Thank you," Kanako said bowing. "It's a pleasure."

"I hope your school visit will go well," he said with a smile.

"Is there any important things waiting for me?" Keitaro asked.

"Oh yes," he said. "Makoto is up; you should probably see her in her office."

"Thank you very much," Keitaro said.

He led Kanako to the administrative building. This building was quite large, and Kanako felt the impact. There were quite a few offices here. Also the swimming pools were here for athletic and Therapeutic uses. Keitaro came into the office, and announced himself. He introduced Kanako to her, and she smiled. She had them take a seat. Keitaro explained that Kanako wanted to spend the day to shadow him to see what he's been doing. Of course, Motoko knew she was skeptical, but allowed it. She handed Motoko a visitor's pass, it was red for vesting students. She also handed a dorm key to her. Keitaro did speak up.

"Ma'am," Keitaro started, "I never did get to ask you one important question."

"What's that?" Makoto returned.

"Exactly, how did you become blind in the first place?" he asked bluntly.

Kanako looked at Keitaro white as a ghost. Makoto calmed her down. Though she was blind, she could tell that Motoko thought Keitaro was being rude. Though, she was actually shocked. This was the very first time in years anybody has asked her about that. She sighed she knew she would have to re-live that most painful part of her life. She also knew that this was also the most cherished part of her life. She decided she was going to get down to it.