With a New Heart: Unexpected Surprises
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.
Kanako had taken the seat at the empty desk as other students had filed in. She noted that there were quite a lot of students who had different disabilities. She also noted that there was not one student with any mental or emotional disabilities. She still kept in mind that even they had their bad days. Keitaro had taken notes at the front of the class, as Mutou was giving his lecture. Then, he assigned the kids to group work. Mutou had to keep Kanako out of group work. Keitaro gave her a worksheet. This wasn't middle school-level science. This is actually high school-level science. Kanako looked over the paper, and decided to give it a try. Mutou was worried, but Keitaro calmed him down. Keitaro wasn't going to insult Kanako's intelligence. After the class was over, Kanako gave Keitaro the same work sheet that the other students were doing. He looked it over and was impressed.
"I never doubted you could do this at all," Keitaro said.
"Thank you," Kanako said, "I'm rather surprised you gave me this worksheet.'
"I didn't want you to just sit around bored," Keitaro mentioned.
"That is true," Kanako said.
"I do have a little time before the next class," Keitaro mentioned.
"Oh, is it a short ten Minutes?" Kanako asked.
"It's the same," Keitaro said. "You would be surprised."
Kanako didn't get his cryptic message. She shrugged it off. She decided to leave the room to the restroom. She had to at least freshen up before going back to class. She did make adjustments to her dress, and just only nodded. When she came out, she nearly was bowled over by Emi. She was in a rush to get back to her home room. Kanako was a bit ticked at the incident. However, she looked and saw Keitaro stop Emi again. He had scolded her once before. This time, Emi turned pale; when Keitaro informed her she nearly bowled somebody over. Emi rushed over to Kanako, and profusely apologized.
"I'm so sorry," Emi apologized, quickly and genuinely.
"It's okay," Kanako said with a smile.
"He's your brother right?" Emi asked.
"Yes he is," Kanako spoke up.
"I should have listened to him the first time..." she said. "He did scold me once before, and I forgot."
"You probably should save the running for gym class, and track," Kanako said nervously.
"Well, true...I am on the track team," Emi said. "I'll show you my running blades later."
Kanako smiled. Emi really was remorseful. She did, however, like Kanako. She decided she was going to get to know her...even if she just only was a visitor. The day after that was very uneventful. Kanako was disappointed that she had to sit there in other classes, but got enough to know that Keitaro wasn't playing around. She also got a feeling that something wasn't sitting quite right. Keitaro got the same feeling something wasn't right. He wasn't exactly sure what it was...but he felt like he had to investigate what was happening. After classes, Keitaro decided he was going to go to town to get a new sketchbook and pencils for himself. He has gotten used to taking the 20 minute walk to and from town, and he got the direct route memorized. He had Kanako with him. She looked to him.
"Are you usually allowed off campus?" Kanako asked.
"I am," he said, "just after class is all."
"Wait...do a lot of the staff stay on campus?" Kanako asked.
"Outside of the nurses and doctors here...not many," Keitaro answered honestly.
"What about the students?" Kanako asked.
"They're allowed off of campus as well," he said.
"Oh, okay...this is a traditional boarding school," Kanako answered.
"Yes, though keep in mind the situation," Keitaro warned.
She nodded. She remembered this was a school for kids with physical disabilities only. She also remembered that some of these kids probably would not be alive past graduation. They made it do the town and to the shops. Keitaro went to pick up his art supplies. He did offer Kanako to buy her something. It would be a bit rude not to. Kanako brought a few Sailor Moon notebooks, mechanical pencils, and rulers. After he paid for everything, he didn't think he'd run into anybody. He bumped into Mutsumi, who somehow, was just randomly there. She remembered Keitaro from when they were kids.
"Mutsumi, is that you?" Keitaro asked.
"Oh, Keitaro, it's been a while," Mutsumi said.
"What brought you over to this part of Tokyo?" Keitaro asked.
"I seemed to have gotten lost again," Mutsumi admitted.
Kanako tilted her head. She wasn't exactly sure what was going on. Keitaro wasn't entirely sure on what was going on either. He also braced himself. He knew if she brought up that promise...he'd have to tell her straight out that he rejects it. He knows that this kind of promise wasn't binding to begin with. He also got the feeling that the promise was transferred to somebody else who wouldn't remember it either. He did half-expect Mutsumi to bring it up...and she did so rather explicitly.
"Keitaro...do you remember...?" she started.
"I do," he answered. "I rejected that promise."
"W-Why would you do that?" she asked turning pale.
"It wouldn't work out in the end for me," he answered honestly, and forcefully."
"But...wouldn't you be unhappy?" Mutsumi asked.
"No, far from it," Keitaro returned. "I'm actually am happier that I walked way from that promise."
"What about...?" Mutsumi started.
"Keep in mind, we were five," Keitaro repeated. "Those kinds of promises mean nothing."
Keitaro had cut down Mutsumi's arguments to shreds. This is the first time she's seen him this blunt. Keitaro wasn't going to give ground, and she knew it. Kanako heard the exchange. She knew that Keitaro was right. She had heard about this from Hina, but felt it was stupid. Keitaro walked away from it, knowing it was worthless. It still was up to this girl, Mutsumi Otohime, to try to move on from it. It seems she still is forceful about it. Keitaro still had more questions for her. One of which was very important. Mutsumi still was insistent about that promise. Keitaro had to shut it down...and he had to shut it down right this second.
"Mutsumi, question..." Keitaro started. "Exactly whom was supposed to be that promised girl?"
"It was supposed to have been Naru Narusegawa," she answered.
"I have the feeling it was transferred onto this girl...and she won't remember it," Keitaro confronted.
"Oh...you're right..." Mutsumi admitted.
"So this poor girl...who was about 2...ended up getting a promise pushed on her?"
"Yes...she did," Mutsumi answered honestly.
"I see...that's exactly why I rejected that promise...I don't people to get hurt," Keitaro returned.
Mutsumi had a very tough time trying to get Keitaro to see her side of the story. It wasn't in the cards...Keitaro did continue to listen to her. However, whatever compassion he might have had for her...evaporated. He knew at this point he had to set her straight. Kanako still watched the exchange. She had never seen Keitaro be this forceful. When everything was said and done, Keitaro had some blunt words of advice for Mutsumi. She really wasn't going to like what he was going to say.
"You are going to have to get over yourself," Keitaro said.
"Keitaro..." she started. "I just was only thinking of you..."
"That's the kind of thing that has made me upset," Keitaro stated bluntly. "Had you asked me how I really felt...I'd not have been as disappointed?"
"But..." Mutsumi tried to continue.
"Also...you have two choices...let go of the promise," Keitaro stated, "or lose everything from it."
Mutsumi went silent; however Kanako has heard enough and spoke up.
"You need to heed his words," Kanako said. "Way too many good people had fallen into that trap."
"That's exactly as I've said," Keitaro returned.
"Oh...okay..." Mutsumi said.
She silently left having to hold back tears. She knew Keitaro was right. She needed to change, or get destroyed by that promise. Keitaro wondered if he was too rough with her. That was natural since he had ended the foolishness. Kanako noticed his subtle change in mood. She knew he felt bad. She reassured him that everything would be okay. They headed back to the school, where Keitaro saw Rin hard at work on the mural. He looked over with it with a loving, but critical, eye. He noticed the subtle mistakes that she made. Was it intentional, or was it not intentional. Emi came back to help and she noticed Keitaro and Kanako.
"Hey you two!" Emi greeted. "My captain cancelled track practice."
"Hey there," Keitaro said, "You're here to help too?"
"Yeah," Emi said, "It was rough getting into these cover-alls."
"Oh, Mr. Urashima...I didn't know you had a visitor," Rin said. She looked up to Kanako.
"This is my younger sister Kanako Urashima," Keitaro introduced to Rin.
"Yeah she'll be with us for a couple of days," Emi said happily.
"Keitaro, I hope you don't take this the wrong way...but your sister looks like one of those action anime heroines," Rin said randomly.
"I'm not upset at all with that," Keitaro smiled.
Kanako blushed. This was the first time she has been compared to that. Still, she didn't know how to take it. Keitaro calmed her down. Rin just went on about her work. She knew that Keitaro wasn't there to be judgmental, or to feed her a line. He actually gave his honest opinion. He still kept quiet, he knew she'd notice those mistakes sooner or later. After she was done, she noticed them and frowned. Emi thought she did a good job. Still, Keitaro let Rin point out the mistakes, and correct them if needed. Rin had an idea. She handed Keitaro, and Kanako a fine brush to fill in some of the spots of the same color. After a few minutes, Rin now was satisfied.
"That's now a job well done," Emi said.
"It is," Rin said finally giving a slight smile.
"You know Rin," Keitaro said. "I think you will go far after graduation."
"You do?" Rin asked surprised.
"I do," Keitaro said honestly. "You take your passions seriously."
"Yeah," Emi said, "If it weren't for that...you'd probably go crazy..."
"Well thanks," Rin said blushing, "still, I know I'm a perfectionist."
"Don't expect to be perfect," Kanako spoke up. "Just do your absolute best."
Rin took Kanako's advice to heart. She did wonder about Kanako. What made her tick? What were her interests? What were her pet peeves? She surely decided she wasn't going to ask Keitaro. That would not have been fun at all. In fact, she quickly hatched a plan to have Kanako hang out with herself and Emi in the dorms for a couple of hours. After Keitaro helped clean up the paint supplies, Rin had put her plan into action.
"Keitaro," Rin said matter-of-factly, "I think I should hang out with your sister."
"That's actually not a bad idea," Keitaro said. "Just stay out of trouble."
"We will," Rin said.
'What is going on?' Emi thought.
"I'll need to put my things away," Kanako said.
"I'll come with you," Emi returned.
"Right, I'll help Rin put the paint supplies away, and then check in with the boss," Keitaro mentioned.
The four went along their way. Emi came to Kanako's dorm, since she was a guest. She looked and she saw a picture of her and her family. She wanted to know more about her. Kanako placed her things on the desk and noticed the pig-tailed girl holding the picture. She smiled. She was honest in telling Emi she was adopted by the Urashima years ago. She can't remember when since she was so young. Emi Nodded and put the picture down. She also saw a picture of a cat on Kanako's shoulder sleeping. She has dealt with cats before, but could never get them to sleep on her shoulder at all.
"That's my pet cat Kuro," Kanako replied.
"He's so cute," Emi said happily.
"He is," she said. "He's very well-behaved."
"Wow, I guess I am mean when it comes to cats then..." Emi said sadly.
"You just have to learn to deal with them at their level," Kanako said encouraging her.
After they went to her dorm, as Kanako made sure she locked the door. They came to Emi's dorm and she unlocked it, and let Kanako in. Rin was going to be a little bit late. She was getting help from Keitaro to put the art supplies away. After a few minutes, Rin came back. Emi closed the door for her when she came to the floor and sat down. Kanako didn't know exactly what was going on...but she was going to roll with it. However, she was going to find out a lot about herself, and her new friends.