With a New Heart: Homecoming
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.
The very next morning, Kanako was up. She knew she'd have to go back home this afternoon. She was a good houseguest, by keeping her room neat and clean. Keitaro came by and knocked on her door. She let him in, and he looked around. He was very impressed that she got in way before curfew. He also was impressed that she was making new friends. The thing that did make her a bit sad is that the following year, they would have graduated. Keitaro helped her pack and clean up. She did feel a bit homesick. For as much as she liked it here now...she had to get home. Keitaro also asked her about her assignments. She had gotten up extra early to complete them since she did go out last night. Kanako was still proud of Keitaro for taking things seriously, and putting others...to a point...above himself. Keitaro spoke up once they finished packing in silence.
"How did you like things here?" Keitaro asked.
"I did like it," Kanako said. "Honestly...I think I might get homesick coming to a boarding school like this."
"It's okay," Keitaro said. "That's only natural."
"Thank you," Kanako said. "If it's alright...I would like to get to the earliest bus."
"Well...dad will be pissed but I will get him a call," he said.
"They're up this early in the morning anyway," Kanako said.
"There's only one thing to do, turn in the key and the visitor's pass."
"Right, I have everything ready."
Keitaro helped Kanako with her bags. Emi saw. She decided she wanted to help. Though there were only two bags. She was disappointed that Kanako was leaving. She also understood why exactly she had to leave. Kanako saw everybody else. They knew she had to get home. Kanako did give each one a gift of a hair clip. She did let Emi hold on Rin's. These were from that cartoon series. Emi smiled. Lilly was the first to speak up. She knew what was going on.
"Have a safe trip back home," Lilly said.
"Thank you," Kanako said.
"It definitely will be slightly more boring without you," Rin said.
"We'll meet up again I'm sure of it!" Hanako said.
"Actually," Keitaro said, "the Festival will be coming up soon."
"That's right!" Emi said smiling. "She can visit us, play games and pig out on snacks!"
"That would be an expensive habit," Lilly said, trying to calm down Emi.
"It's okay," Kanako said.
"We have to get going," Keitaro said interrupting.
"Hey," Rin said, "I hope you do get on television randomly."
"I might," Kanako smiled. "I just need more practice and confidence.
Once they walked away from the group, and Kanako said her last goodbyes to the girls...Keitaro smiled. He did tell Kanako she was able to do anything she wished to do. She nodded and agreed. He also told her that it would mean hard work, but it would be worth it. Once they got to the office, Makoto was out. The secretary told them to wait; she would be gone for the better part of an hour. That was time that neither Keitaro, nor Kanako had. Though, by a stroke of luck, Makoto arrived. She nearly forgot about Keitaro and Kanako, until the secretary told her they were waiting. She understood and let them in her office. From there she wanted to see exactly how Kanako was doing.
"Kanako, how did you enjoy your stay at Yamaku," she asked.
"I have enjoyed it very much," Kanako said politely. "I do believe I have made new friends."
"That is great," Makoto said. "I know you may have other choices...but..."
"I have decided to keep this in mind," she said. "Once I'm eligible, then I can write an exam to come here."
"Well, you'd be one of the few non-disabled kids here," she said. "We do have very few kids without a physical disability here."
"I know," Kanako said. "I think some come to help out their friends in need."
"That's true enough," she said. "Keitaro, could you grab that box for me on that chair?"
Keitaro grabbed the box. Kanako gave up the dorm key, and the visitor's badge. It was something she knew it would come to. Makoto had a box of paperwork that needed to be taken care of. She let Keitaro and Kanako go on their way. After, Keitaro came to the bus station and he bid goodbye to his sister. He escorted her to the bus station, and he got her the first bus home. He bid her farewell until next time. Kanako did the same and she smiled. She was on the back of the bus comfortably. Keitaro got back to Yamaku just in time to help out the staff. After, he went to the track, and he saw Emi running. He did smile. No matter what, she'd run like there was no tomorrow. After she finished, she spotted him in the stands.
"Did Kanako make it to the bus safely?" Emi asked.
"She did," Keitaro answered.
"I wonder something...she seems to be strict," Emi noticed.
"She's not really that strict unless it's called for," Keitaro said. "Trust me...you'd known it...if you got on her bad side."
"I can say Lilly is probably the same way," Emi remarked.
"Probably, but I'm not going to speculate," he said. "You should head to the nurse's office."
"Aww, I wanted to play a bit longer?" she playfully pouted.
"I know he might send a spy to come get you."
"Hah! Knowing him he might do that on accident!"
She went directly to the nurse's office to take care of her prosthetic legs. Even though she's lost her legs in a car accident, she doesn't like to sit about. Keitaro reported to Mutou to get his new assignments. Mutou did however; want Keitaro to give the lecture at the beginning. He had something he had to take care of, though it just now came up. He wished it was done sooner. Keitaro was more than glad to take over for the lecture. Mutou was smart to type out his notes last night. He didn't want to struggle with his own handwriting, much less pass that affliction off to Keitaro. When the first bell rang, Keitaro had to make the announcement.
"Good morning class," He started, "I'll be filling in for Mr. Mutou briefly this morning."
The class got quiet with that declaration. Keitaro gave the lecture. He was nervous, but he got through with it. It was a long one. Mutou returned, though allowed Keitaro to finish it off. He took over for his assistant, and he assigned the group work. It always had to be turned in by the end of the class. After the class, Keitaro was concerned about Mutou. He decided to take him aside and talk to him. It was important, but not as what Keitaro thought.
"Yeah, somehow, the bank messed up my account," Mutou admitted.
"That's bad," Keitaro said. "You could have had everything frozen."
"I know, but it's taken care of now," he said. "It does get annoying being asked my mother's maiden name."
"Well, it did work out, and that's what counts."
"You're right, thank you for taking over for me," he said. "You really did save the class."
"You're welcome," Keitaro said. "To be fair I was nervous."
"I was the same way when I first started here," he said. "It'll give you confidence to speak in public that's for sure."
"Oh, I am wondering if I can have a specific date off," Keitaro said.
"For the entrance exams...that's not until way after the festival...but we will grant you that day."
"Thank you," Keitaro said. "Studying has been actually a lot easier."
"I'll tell you what," he said. "Being relaxed helps."
Keitaro understood very well. He took it seriously, but he was relaxed. He didn't want to bother to get upset about it. It wouldn't have helped his case out at all. When Keitaro got out of class, he checked his phone. Kanako sent him a text saying she returned home safely. Keitaro went on about his day unaware of what was going to happen. At the Hinata...Hina was thinking hard to try to get Keitaro back to the Hinata Inn. Naru was talking with her.
"So...he teaches at that Yamaku," Naru said.
"He's a teacher's assistant," Hina corrected.
"He is staying on campus, then," she continued.
"He is, some staff stays on campus," Hina answered.
"Then why exactly doesn't he want to come here?" Naru asked bluntly.
"That's what I want to find out," Hina said. She knew the answer, but she was playing coy.
"Maybe we should go and have a little 'talk' with him?" Naru asked.
"That certainly would help," Hina said, not fully aware what Naru meant by "talk".
"I think we all should go," Naru said.
"Hold on now," Hina said, "he'd get suspicious there."
"It has to be done," Naru said.
"When do you want to go?" Hina asked
"Tomorrow would be good," Naru answered.
After all of that, and Hina went to rest...Haruka took Naru aside. She wasn't too thrilled about what was going on. She didn't want anybody to go to jail. Naru thought that she wasn't going to be in trouble. She also thought that she'd be on her side. She was sorely mistaken. She was marched into the kitchen to explain herself. Haruka also wasn't willing to be hearing any excuses from Naru either.
"Naru...what are you and Hina planning?" Haruka demanded, taking a drag from her cigarette.
"We're going to have a 'talk' with Keitaro," Naru answered.
"If your 'talk' will get you in jail...then you shouldn't go," Haruka warned.
"Why not?"
"Because Yamaku is still a school and you still must have some sort of business to go there."
"It's not my fault that..."
"Are you going to say 'It's all Keitaro's fault'?"
Naru knew she was caught, and she got quiet. Haruka gave her one last warning to back off. When she went back to her shop, Naru decided she was going to do it anyway. The only person, who wasn't going to go along with the plan, was Kitsune. She had heard what was going on...and had already sent Keitaro a text message asking to call her back as soon as possible. She told him exactly when they were going to come. Keitaro, called back in the teachers offices. He did give Kitsune instructions.
"You better come here as soon as you can," Keitaro said.
"When...Yamaku's far away?" Kitsune answered.
"If you hurry you can make the last bus runs," Keitaro reminded.
"Right, let your boss know," she said.
After that, she was happy she was only in the teashop when Haruka heard her. Kitsune explained to Haruka her reason for going. She agreed, and closed the tea shop. She to go on the bus since it was quicker, and she didn't know her way to Yamaku. Little did anybody know...worlds were going to clash again. This time however, the ball was set in motion by Kitsune to help stop a bad thing from happening. All Kitsune knew...was that time was of the essence. She sent a quiet text to Keitaro to alert Makoto about what's going on. He sent one back, saying he would. Kitsune had to keep her phone on silent mode. It would have been bad if somebody she knew found out.