Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Love Hina.
Chapter 25
Lobby of the Shichimura Apartment Complex
Keitaro was waiting for Nagisa as he was ready to spend the day with her. He was feeling happy and he was excited to take Nagisa to various places. As Keitaro waited patiently for Nagisa, he couldn't help but to think about how it came to be when he decided to do something to change the predicament he was in when he was in the Hinata Inn. He had believed that things would be better with the girls and that there would be nothing that he couldn't endure but he realized he was wrong and he couldn't handle the constant abuse, how Naru, his ex-girlfriend would not listen to what he had to say, and the fact that he felt he had no real help and he was grateful for the fact that it was Shinsuke Aoyama who gave him an option.
Flashback: One Month Ago
In the Hinata Inn, Keitaro was helping Shinobu get back on her feet.
"Keitaro, what do you think you're doing?" Naru asked in a dark cold tone.
Keitaro and Shinobu flinched as they turned to see Naru who was red with anger.
"N-Naru," Keitaro spoke with fear, "wait, this isn't what it looks like. Shinobu was about to trip and I caught her. I was just helping her, that all."
"Naru, it's true," Shinobu added, "I tripped and I would have fallen on my face. Please Naru, Senpai didn't do anything bad."
Naru gritted her teeth, "You're unbelievable Keitaro, you stand there lying to me and you even force Shinobu to go along with it, even though it's obvious that you're just trying to molest her again like always!"
"Naru, please!" Keitaro pleaded.
"Keitaro, you idiot!" Naru screamed as she rushed and uppercut Keitaro through the roof.
Keitaro ended up soaring through the sky screaming. Keitaro continued to soar in the air and felt depressed that once again Naru didn't listen and had already assumed that Keitaro was doing something perverted. Keitaro couldn't understand why Naru couldn't trust him. He thought that since they were a couple now, they would be some trust there but it seemed to Keitaro that things were no different and he was upset about that. Keitaro was starting to descend and he saw that he was going to land on a red car. Keitaro shook his head as he braced for impact. Keitaro's body slammed the top of the car breaking the roof of the car and shattering the windows and the windshield of the car. Keitaro gingerly got up and saw the damage done to the car and he was horrified. Keitaro got himself off of the roof of the car and looked at the damage done to by his own landing.
"Oh no," Keitaro said mortified, "This is someone's car and I messed it up."
"Ah, what the hell?" The voice of a man spoke angrily.
Keitaro flinched with worry and turned and it was Shinsuke and with him was his nephew-in-law, Hayato and they were both wearing suits.
"Hey you," Hayato spoke surprised, "did you actually fell from the sky?"
"Uh, y-yeah," Keitaro responded with a nervous chuckle.
"You find this funny?" Shinsuke asked upset and then looked at the car, "my car…"
"I'm so sorry," Keitaro said with remorse as he changed his tune.
Shinsuke and Hayato looked at Keitaro with concern.
"Are you all right young man?" Shinsuke asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Keitaro said with a nod.
"I'm shocked that you can stand," Hayato said.
"Yeah," Keitaro replied rubbing the back of his head.
"Still though, it will be best that you went to the hospital just to get checked out," Shinsuke suggested.
"That's not necessary," Keitaro assured, "I heal all the time."
"You heal all the time?" Hayato asked raising an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that? How is that possible?"
Shinsuke felt something peculiar about Keitaro as he narrowed his eyes and he felt a particular aura and it made him suspicious.
"Young man, what happened?" Shinsuke asked.
"Oh, um," Keitaro spoke nervously, "it's nothing to worry about, it's—"
"You fell on my car and damaged it, I would like to at least hear why this happened, I feel that I deserve to know that much."
Keitaro didn't want to mention how it happened and decided to redirect the issue of the man's car.
"I'm sorry that I damaged your car," Keitaro said, "look, regarding the damage, I'll find a way to pay for it."
"Don't worry about payment…I still want to know what happened."
Keitaro looked away, "U-Um, sorry but I can't."
Shinsuke sighed, "Will you at least tell me your name, young man."
"Right…it's Keitaro, Keitaro Urashima."
Shinsuke was surprised when he heard the name and Hayato wondered why his wife's uncle looked surprised.
"You're…Keitaro Urashima?" Shinsuke asked.
Keitaro nodded, "Yes."
Shinsuke cleared his throat and decided to ask, "Keitaro, would happen to be the son of Kyoshiro Urashima?"
Keitaro was surprised when he heard his father's name, "Wait, you know my father?"
"I've known him since college."
"Wow, um, that's a surprise," Keitaro grinned and rubbed the back of his head, "I didn't know you're a friend of my dad."
"We should get you to the hospital."
"No, really I'm fine," Keitaro assured, "look at me, no serious damage and I'm already healed up from all the cuts and bruises."
"Even so, we should still take you to the hospital, just to be on the safe side."
"Really, it's no big deal besides; I don't want to trouble you."
"I'm already troubled that you fell on my car, normally people die from such an impact and I'll feel more troubled if we don't get you to a hospital and I won't be able to relax if my friend's son doesn't get checked on for any internal injuries."
Keitaro wanted to argue a bit more and insist that it wasn't necessary but the man that was a friend of his father looked like he was not going to take no for a answer and he decided that he was going to listen and just give in.
"Okay, but…"
"But nothing, don't worry about it, I insist," Shinsuke said strongly not willing to hear otherwise.
Keitaro sighed and nodded, "Okay."
"By the way, my name is Shinsuke, Shinsuke Aoyama," Shinsuke motioned to Hayato, "this is my nephew-in-law, Hayato Aoyama."
Keitaro was surprised again when he heard the surname, "Aoyama…wait, are you…"
"Yes, I'm Tsuruko and Motoko's uncle and Hayato here is Tsuruko's husband."
"Oh…"
"It's nice to meet you," Hayato said, "I do remember Tsuruko mentioning you before. She mentioned how you been a help to Motoko."
"I have spoken to your father and your sister Kanako just recently," Shinsuke said, "I was told that you are currently living as the manager of your grandmother's inn, the same place where my niece Motoko resides and I've heard things."
Keitaro was speechless and didn't know what to say.
Shinsuke continued, "Be honest, what the hell happened to you that you ended up falling from the sky and landed on my car? Was it my niece Motoko, that girl Naru, or was it that foreign girl name Su and her inventions. Well, anyway let's get you to the hospital first, we talk all about it when we get there."
Keitaro chuckled nervously as he had his head down when he was being escorted to the hospital.
Flashback End
Keitaro sighed as he thought about his past. He couldn't help but to wish that he had realized all the things that he now knows a lot sooner. He also smiled and felt real glad to have met Shinsuke. It was still a shocked to him that he and his father had been friends since college. Keitaro couldn't help but to wonder if that fact had been known to him and to some other people in the Urashima family and in the Aoyama family, he wondered if things would have been different. Keitaro shook his head as he had no idea and he wasn't sure if he would ever know.
"Hey Keitaro, I'm ready," Nagisa's voice called out.
Nagisa came down and was wearing a dark blue shirt and miniskirt with a thin black belt, black knee socks, and brown boots and carried her small brown purse.
Keitaro turned to see Nagisa and he smiled, "Hey, Nagisa," Keitaro grinned with joy, "this is going to be great."
"I'm looking forward to it," Nagisa replied as she smiled as well.
The lobby door suddenly opened and someone came in and that someone was Nyamo.
"Keitaro," Nyamo spoke.
Keitaro and Nagisa were surprised upon hearing her voice and they turned and saw Nyamo.
"Nyamo?" Keitaro spoke, "Is that you?"
Nyamo was happy to see Keitaro as she rushed towards Keitaro and gave him a hug.
"Keitaro, Keitaro," Nyamo spoke happily.
Keitaro was surprised and happy at the same time to see Nyamo while Nagisa just blinked her eyes to see what appeared to her to be a young foreign girl being so friendly with Keitaro.
"Nyamo, it's good to see you again," Keitaro said happily and then had Nyamo release him as they looked at each other, "Nyamo, what brings you here?"
Nyamo smiled, "Well, I came to see you."
"I see," Keitaro smiled, "thank you."
Nyamo blushed and when Nagisa saw that she couldn't help but to twitch an eyebrow when she saw how friendly she was to Keitaro but shook her head and decided to smile and ask.
"Keitaro, who's this?" Nagisa asked in a polite tone.
"Oh, this is Nyamo," Keitaro looked at Nyamo, "Nyamo, this is Nagisa."
"Nagisa…oh, you're one of the people that Sensei told me about in his letter," Nyamo said.
"Sensei?" Keitaro and Nagisa asked simultaneously.
Ranma arrived and nodded when he saw Nyamo, "You're here Nyamo."
Keitaro, Nagisa, and Nyamo saw Ranma and Nyamo waved happily at Ranma.
"Sensei!" Nyamo spoke happily.
Nagisa and Keitaro were surprised.
"Nyamo, you two know each other?" Keitaro asked.
Nyamo nodded happily at Keitaro, "Yes."
"Yeah," Ranma replied, "it was before I came to live here. I had actually visited Parakeles Island."
"Oh," Keitaro spoke as he and Nagisa looked at each other and then back to Ranma and Nyamo who were all smiles.
"Wow, this is a huge turtle," Shinsuke's voice spoke surprised.
"Oh, so cute," Isana commented.
"Huh?" Nagisa spoke.
"Oh," Nyamo spoke as she rushed outside.
Keitaro, Nagisa, and Ranma went to follow her and when they went outside, they saw Nagisa's parents looking at the huge hot springs turtle and it was Gidget, Nyamo's pet with Isana blushing petting the turtle on the head and Shinsuke surprised and impressed to see how large Nyamo's pet was.
"Oh Mom, Dad," Nagisa spoke.
They turned to see Nagisa, Keitaro, Ranma, and Nyamo.
"Nagisa look," Isana said happily, "look how big and cute she is."
"She is," Nagisa said as she went to pet it as well.
Gidget liked the gesture and Nyamo was happy to what she was seeing and Keitaro smiled while Ranma was astonished in what they were seeing.
"They like your friend Nyamo," Ranma said to Nyamo.
Isana looked at Nyamo with a smile, "Is she your friend?"
"Yes, this Gidget," Nyamo said, "I'm Nyamo Namo, it's nice to meet you."
Isana took Nyamo's hand, "I'm Isana Aoyama and next to me is my husband Shinsuke. Ranma has told us about you."
"As he told me about you two as well," Nyamo bowed to the Aoyama couple, "thank you for being nice to Sensei and thank you for being there for Keitaro as well."
"Oh, you know Keitaro as well?" Shinsuke asked.
"Yes, I was informed about what had happened to him and I wanted to take the opportunity to see and make sure he was okay."
"Who told you?" Keitaro asked.
"Seta did," Nyamo answered looking at Keitaro.
"I see."
Nyamo held on to Keitaro's hand, surprising Keitaro and the others.
"Nyamo?" Keitaro said.
"I always knew…"
"Hmm?"
"I always knew that Naru was just horrible. I mean, with how I first saw her when she simply punched you, to me…she always seemed like a monster…I was so scared of her."
"It's okay," Keitaro assured, "you don't need to worry about Naru."
"You're right…because if she does come after you with the intent to harm you, I'll fight her. Sensei has been teaching me."
"Really?" Keitaro then looked at Ranma who nodded and then back to Nyamo, "Thank you Nyamo but you don't have to worry. I can defend myself," Keitaro looked at Nagisa, "Nagisa has been a big help."
Nyamo looked at Nagisa who smiled and nodded.
"I see," Nyamo said.
They had all talked a bit more and then Keitaro and Nagisa decided it was time for them to go. Isana waved happily at the two and Shinsuke gave a stern warning to Keitaro and the consequences should he make Nagisa feel miserable in which Isana gave her husband a bit of a scolding with Shinsuke saying there was nothing wrong making sure his daughter was treated with kindness and Keitaro chuckled nervously and Nagisa asking her father not to say such things as she assured that Keitaro would never do such things that would make her feel miserable and uncomfortable. Shinsuke and Isana went inside the building and Ranma and Nyamo looked on and Nyamo was happy that she talked with Keitaro again as she and Ranma were the only ones left still standing outside. Ranma suddenly felt a presence and he frowned.
"Nyamo," Ranma said.
"Huh?" Nyamo responded looked at Ranma.
"Time to dodge."
Ranma had Nyamo move and he dodged as a hammer suddenly appeared striking the ground. Nyamo was surprised as she stood next to Gidget and she saw a girl with short hair who looked to be the same age as Ranma and the girl was angry and she picked up the hammer.
Ranma shook his head when he saw the girl with annoyance.
"Why am I not surprised to see you here Akane?" Ranma asked annoyed.
"Akane?" Nyamo spoke surprised and then looked at Akane, "Then she's…?"
"Ranma, you're going to pay for what did to me and my sisters and…what you allowed happen to your own mother," Akane said with a glare, "you're the worse!"
"There you go again," Ranma said annoyed, "blaming me for something that I didn't do. You and your sisters set yourselves up for grief and as far as my mother is concern, she picked a fight and lost. It's her own damn fault."
"You despicable half-man perverted freak!" Akane clenched her teeth, "I'll show you!"
"You did it to yourself when you started trouble here and got arrested and worse you actually assaulted a police officer just because he simply 'got in your way'. I would have thought you would have been smarter than that and realized that you may get away with it in Nerima but it was not going to cut it here and then Nabiki tried to blackmail and that only got her in trouble when they countered against her and then Kasumi," Ranma shook her head and had a sad expression, "I would have thought that Kasumi would know better than to try to interfere with the police doing their job and all because she had to listen to our idiotic dads."
"Enough!" Akane roared angrily and charged at Ranma.
The pig-tailed boy sighed as he was able to read Akane's attack patterns and Nyamo was watching the exchange between Ranma and Akane and in her mind, Nyamo figured that Akane was just like Naru in way of refusing to take responsibility for their own faults. Akane swung the hammer towards Ranma but Ranma grabbed the hammer and punched it and shattered it. This surprised Akane and then she got into her stance and threw her punches at Ranma but Ranma was easily dodging all of her attacks.
"Stand still you bastard!" Akane demanded.
"Nope," Ranma simply replied.
Akane got even more irritated as Ranma continue to easily dodge all of Akane's attacks.
"Fight me coward!" Akane said.
"Please, you're not even worth wasting my energy on," Ranma replied.
Akane got even more upset, "So you still insist on not taking me seriously."
"How can I? You're not really much of a martial artist. My pupil Nyamo is more of a martial artist than you and I only started training her three months ago."
"How dare you!" Akane said angrily and she charged towards Ranma in a fitting rage, "I'll make you regret running your mouth and I'll avenge myself, my sisters, and your mother!"
"Pathetic," Ranma said in a calm tone.
Mutsumi's Apartment
Naru sat on the floor while Mutsumi was making something in the kitchen while Hina was using Mutsumi's phone talking to someone on the other line. Mutsumi then had two cups of tea and brought them with her and offered one to Naru.
"Here Naru," Mutsumi said.
"Oh, thank you," Naru said as she took the cup of tea and had a sip.
Mutsumi sipped her tea as well as she sat next to Naru.
Naru and Mutsumi took their time in enjoying their teas. After what seemed like a long silence, Mutsumi decided to speak.
"Naru, how are you feeling?" Mutsumi asked.
"Oh, I'm fine Mutsumi," Naru replied, "thanks for asking."
"That's good," Mutsumi said with a smile, "it looks like you're feeling a bit better."
"Do I…?" Naru asked looking at Mutsumi.
Mutsumi nodded with a smile, "Mmhm."
Naru looked down on the ground.
"You should be positive Naru," Mutsumi said, "I'm sure everything will be just fine."
"…Do you really know that for sure?" Naru asked.
"Huh?"
Naru scoffed as she felt upset and offended with everything that had happened recently.
"It seems that nothing is fine, everything has been one disaster after another for me," Naru said in a bitter tone, "First Keitaro had the nerve to abandoned his duties for the Hinata Inn, then he breaks up with me acting like he's the victim in what has been going on, then I get insulted my Keitaro's mother, and then Shinobu decides to insult me and Motoko just because Keitaro left, then I get evicted from the Hinata Inn by his despicable aunt, Marumi Urashima, I get forced to cut down on my studying time just to work in the Kuromitsu Inn, only to get treated unfairly, oh, oh, and to be insulted and betrayed by someone who I thought was my best friend, that drunken, gold-digging traitor Kitsune, and then I get arrested because of a couple's stupidity and now, I get expelled from Tokyo University, all by a plot set up by that despicable woman Chizuka and that filthy pervert Keitaro, so yeah, I can't help but to be skeptical right now if things are okay."
"Naru…" Mutsumi spoke with concern.
Naru took another sip of her tea.
"You shouldn't be so negative Naru," Hina said after she hung up the phone.
"Granny…" Naru spoke.
"Naru, listen—"
Hina was interrupted by a doorbell ring and when it was heard, Mutsumi smiled.
"Oh, it must be them," Mutsumi said as she went to the door.
"Them? Who?" Naru asked.
"I asked a couple of friends of mine to come over," Mutsumi answered.
Mutsumi opened and the door and smiled as she saw who it was and it was Chisato and Kagura. Naru was raised her eyebrows and wondered who were the two girls were that Mutsumi had made friends with and Hina's eyes widened as she was shocked to see them and it was not happy to see either of the two.
"Wha-what is this?" Hina asked, "Why are they here?"
Stair entrance of the Hinata Inn
Seta arrived at the stairs of the Hinata Inn and he looked up and saw someone about to enter the Hinata Teashop and it was the owner herself, Haruka. Seta took a deep breath and then went to and inside of the Hinata Teashop. Haruka heard the door open and turned to see and was surprised to see Seta.
"Oh, Seta," Haruka spoke.
"Hi Haruka," Seta greeted.
Haruka was silent for a bit and then spoke again, "Well, what would you like?"
"Um, actually I came to talk," Seta replied.
"Talk? Not order anything?" Haruka asked annoyed, "Well, what is it? If you're about to ask me to marry you again then—"
"No, no, no, no, no," Seta interrupted, "no Haruka, I assure you, I'm not here to ask your hand in marriage again. In fact, I actually came here to apologize to you."
"Really?" Haruka replied raising her eyebrow.
"Yes," Seta said with a nod and then sat on a stool and looked at Haruka with remorse, "Haruka, I'm sorry for continuing to…" Seta felt grim, "harass you to get you to marry me even when you made it clear that you didn't want to. I'm sorry for the fact that I was so obsessed with wanting to keep my word to Christina in my own way that I completely disregarded your own wishes and that I actually…" Seta had his head down in shame, "that I grievously misunderstood what Christina actually wanted."
"Seta…"
Seta had his hands together and he was filled with sadness.
"Christina had always felt bad," Seta continued, "when you left, you left heartbroken, like you felt betrayed. That always made us feel terrible, especially Christina," Seta gritted his teeth in sadness, "Christina…she believed that she was responsible."
"But she wasn't," Haruka said.
"I said the same thing to her but I guess I wasn't able to convince her."
Haruka felt sad as she had no idea that Christina was blaming herself and it made her feel terrible.
"I'm sorry Haruka," Seta said, "I'm sorry about everything."
"I'm sorry as well," Haruka said, "about Christina."
Seta was surprised, "Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong."
"For what happened to Christina. You were there for her in her final moments but I wasn't," Haruka had a sad expression, "I can't help but to feel rotten about it. I should have been there for her."
Seta shook her head, "Christina would never want you to blame yourself for what happened, I know that for sure."
"Seta…"
Haruka and Seta continued with their conversation and within the conversation, Seta informed Haruka about Sarah.
"You enrolled Sarah in St. Clavius?" Haruka asked surprised.
Seta nodded, "Yes."
"I see…"
"I didn't want to do but I didn't feel that I had a choice. Sarah was…out of control…and I'm part of the reason for that."
"Seta…I don't really think that's the case. If anything, it was the girls…especially Naru."
Seta sighed, "I don't know…I really didn't do much as a parent. I promise Christina that I would raise Sarah as well so that she would be kind and respectable like her but I failed and broke my promise to her."
Haruka wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to comfort Seta as she saw that he had a depressed expression on his face.
"Then there's Naru," Seta continued, "to think that all this time, she would interfere and the way she reacted."
"I should have done something about it as well," Haruka said, "if I had known that Naru and the others were interfering," Haruka shook her head with disgust, "and all because they believed that Keitaro would act perverted towards her," Haruka scoffed, "you know, Keitaro didn't really have perverted thoughts and tendencies but I'm starting to think that Naru and Motoko were the real perverts for the thoughts they had."
"It's just upsetting," Seta said, "I taught Naru martial arts as a way to defend herself and but she used what I taught her to victimize mostly Keitaro for no reason. I'm appalled."
Haruka rubbed Seta's left shoulder telling him not to be so hard on himself and Seta nodded and thanked Haruka for her comforting words.
"I'd like to place an order," Seta said, "One green tea please."
Haruka just blinked her eyes surprised and then smiled at Seta.
"Sure, one Green Tea coming up," Haruka obliged happily.
Seta smiled and felt a bit better as Haruka smiled as she went and made the tea. Seta was going to stick to what he was set to do and not ask Haruka to marry him but he did desire to start over with Haruka and be there for her as a friend. Seta also hoped that Sarah would change for the better even though he still felt guilty for not being the parent he should have been and resorted to sending Sarah to St. Clavius Academy.
Streets of Tokyo
Keitaro and Nagisa were walking on the sidewalk enjoying themselves having a conversation with each other. They soon arrived at a train station and purchased tickets and went to the train that was boarding. As Nagisa and Keitaro went inside and got seated next to a window, the conductor announced for the departure and the doors closed. Soon after, the train moved with Keitaro and Nagisa smiling as they were ready to go to a mall.
Maximum Security Prison
Su was sitting in her cell very depressed. She had been sitting there for a day ever since the incident she caused at the Kuromitsu Inn in Ikebukuro. Su was still unable to understand with everything that was going on and her mind has been occupied by the thoughts of Keitaro. She thought about Keitaro and how much fun she had with from greeting him by kicking him in the face to using her inventions and testing them on Keitaro for his immortality. Su believed that Keitaro would be around forever but ever since Keitaro left the Hinata Inn and made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her or the other girls, Su was not able to handle what she felt was loneliness of not having Keitaro around.
"Keitaro, you liar," Su said feeling bitter, "you said you would be with us forever," Su was having tears form in her eyes, "you broke your promise Keitaro…you liar."
Royal Palace, Molmol
Lamba Lu was in a room and he slammed documents on the table and glared at the man who was an average looking man who had silver hair and the man looked at the King of Molmol very nervously.
"Do you know what these are Prime Minister?" Lamba asked.
The Prime Minister looked at the documents and was just stayed silent and that just irritated the King of Molmol.
"So you plan to stay silent?" Lamba asked and then sighed angrily, "these documents contain all the orders of the nuclear reactors, weapons that include explosives, and all other materials that were shipped to the Molmol Embassy in Japan and I can see that you signed for all of them."
"Your Majesty…" The Prime Minister spoke.
"You knew what you were doing was wrong and yet you still did it. You went behind my back delivering these things knowing that it was against my decree. My question to you Prime Minister is why?"
"I'm sorry Your Majesty," The Prime Minister said with remorse, "it's just that Princess Kaolla begged me to do these things."
"And you just went and did it?" Lamba said in anger.
"I wanted to do what I could to help Princess Kaolla. She sounded lonely and homesick but she assured me that nothing was going to happen."
"But things did happen in Japan and I'm not just talking about the incident in one of the cities. I can't believe you complied for the kind of reason she gave you."
"I know and I'm sorry."
"Our country is suffering a major backlash as a result of what my sister has done," Lamba said upset, "Molmol's relations with Japan and other countries have been damaged," Lamba face palmed, "and the damage is so severe that it may never be repaired," Lamba looked at the Prime Minister with a glare, "and you damned us just like my sister did and for that, I will show you no mercy."
The Prime Minister got scared and looked at the king.
"Y-Your Majesty, w-what are you saying?" The Prime Minister asked.
Lamba narrowed his eyes at the Prime Minister.
Mutsumi's Apartment
Mutsumi was talking to Hina outside Mutsumi's apartment and Hina was very upset with the fact that Kagura and Chisato were in the apartment. While that that was happening, Chisato and Kagura were sitting with Naru in the apartment and Naru herself wondered who the two young ladies were and how they knew Mutsumi.
"You're Naru, right?" Kagura spoke, "Naru Narusegawa."
Naru looked at Kagura and Chisato and then she nodded, "Y-Yes, you two are Mutsumi's friends?"
"Yes," Chisato said with a smile, "Mutsumi told us about you."
"I see."
"Mutsumi told us that things have been real rough for you," Kagura said.
"Yeah, it really has."
"You must be facing many hardships right now," Chisato said.
At that point, Naru was looking at Chisato and Kagura very suspiciously.
"Now, now, no need to look at us like that," Kagura said, "in fact, from what Mutsumi has been telling us, we may actually be able to help you."
"Help me?" Naru asked, "What do you mean?"
"We understand that Mutsumi is trying to get you and Keitaro back together," Chisato said.
Naru got annoyed, "Oh really? Look, let me tell you what I have been telling Mutsumi, I want nothing to do with Keitaro. That pervert ruined my life and I don't want to be anywhere near that cowardly bastard. Listen, get rid of all the stupid notions that having me go back to Keitaro will make everything right for me because it won't."
"Yes, we know and we agree with you," Kagura said.
Naru was a bit surprised, "You do? But I thought that…"
"You thought that we just go along with what Mutsumi is planning," Chisato said with a grin, "Don't worry, we're not."
"Huh?" Naru asked confused.
"You feel betrayed, right?" Kagura asked.
"Betrayed?" Naru replied looking at Kagura.
"Yes, betrayed by your ex-boyfriend Keitaro. You must have given him the best years of your life but that wasn't enough for that pervert, was it?"
Naru shook her head, "No, it wasn't but how would you—"
"I went through the same thing."
Naru looked at Kagura surprised, "You did?"
"Yes, there was a boy that I knew and he was an idiot just like Keitaro. His sister begged me to let him stay in my house as a servant and I did felt sorry for him and so I allowed him to live with me in my manor as a servant. But he always did something that was perverted and annoyed me so I was forced to teach him a lesson. It was the same with you, right?"
"Y-Yeah," Naru replied, "were you ruined by this boy eventually?"
"Well, not by him but I was disgraced by some busybody people who just didn't understand."
"What do you mean?"
Kagura sighed, "Someone who I once considered a friend told me that she was sexually assaulted by him and I went to confront him about it and taught him a lesson and by lesson, I mean beat it out of him so that he would do it anymore. The thing is that turns out that my so-called friend lied about it and that idiot didn't really say anything about it."
"Oh, I see what you mean," Naru replied and she nodded crossed her arms, "I know someone who is the same way. She's a liar and drunk but even with all that, I still considered her to be my friend, my best friend but she betrayed me."
"Sounds like the same thing for me as well so you see Naru; I understand what you're going through."
"I see, th-thank you," Naru replied amazed.
"As do I," Chisato said, "I know what it's like to have your academic career stolen from you."
"What? Were you expelled from school as well?"
"Yes, I used to go to the same high school as Keitaro Urashima and his cousin Yoshinari Urashima and I was the top of my class. I had a scholarship and the option to go to any university that I wanted in all of Japan," Chisato frowned, "but that was destroyed by Yoshinari. As for Keitaro, I used to think of him as someone that was nice because he helped me once but now, he has turned his back on me."
"Why?" Naru asked.
"It has to do with his cousin, even though in the past, Yoshinari was vindictive towards Keitaro, Keitaro decides to be so nice to his cousin and just get in his good graces," Chisato had an expression as one who felt betrayed, "I had thought we were friends but Keitaro…when I came to see him and had Mutsumi telling that I was here, do you know what he said?"
"Uh, n-no, what?" Naru asked.
"He said that he didn't want to see me and that he didn't want to associate himself with me. He actually blamed me for what happened to him."
Naru was shocked, "I don't believe this. Keitaro blamed you?"
"Yes," Chisato said looking though she was hurt emotionally, "I was set up by Yoshinari and as a result, I was expelled from the high school that I went to and my scholarship was revoked and I was blacklisted in get in any college in Japan and my parents looked at me like I was disgraced. They were ashamed of me. My parents sent me to America to live with my relatives who treated me like a slave."
Naru was shocked and felt sorry for Chisato, "That's terrible. I can't believe this all happened to you."
"Yes and it was because Yoshinari said things that were not true and he set me up. When I tried to see Keitaro recently, from what we had learned, he actually blamed me because he was expelled and suddenly to him, it was my fault and his terrible cousin Yoshinari was the victim."
Naru clenched her fists and got upset hearing about Keitaro's cousin.
"The same kind of thing happened to me," Naru said.
"Yes, we know," Kagura said, "the fact that you were set up by Keitaro and one of the faculty members of Tokyo University, right?"
"That's right," Naru said and then thought of something, "say Kagura."
"Yes?"
"What about that idiot that you mentioned?"
"His name was Takeru."
"Was?" Naru asked raising an eyebrow.
"He died."
Naru was surprised, "Passed away? What happened?"
"When I confronted him with what happened, I got so angry at him that I…hit him…real hard and it," Kagura choked up, "it killed him."
Naru was horrified, "You killed him?"
Kagura nodded with a sad expression, "Yes, but it wasn't really my fault. I was lied to by someone I considered my friend and Takeru didn't say anything," Kagura had a sad expression, "it was an accident, a terrible accident."
"But you killed someone," Naru said mortified.
"It was an accident and a judge and a jury agreed the same way otherwise, I would be in jail by now."
"Yeah, I guess that would be true," Naru said as she thought about it.
"Unfortunately, I was still harassed afterwards by people and there was one who started it all and wouldn't even leave me in peace. It came to the point that I actually had to leave the country just to stop the harassments."
"Do you know who was it that started it?"
"It's a relative of your friend Motoko Aoyama, her name is Nagisa Aoyama."
"Nagisa…"
"Yes, she's the daughter of the man name Shinsuke Aoyama, who owns the building that your ex-boyfriend lives."
"Really?" Naru replied upset to hear the names.
"There's no doubt that Keitaro knows as well but considering his actions and the choices he made."
"And I bet he's just taking her side."
"Yes, in fact he's gotten real friendly with her."
Naru was shaking with anger, "That bastard, that's Motoko's cousin. That's just wrong!"
"Mutsumi wants to get Keitaro back together with you and as nice as Mutsumi is, it's not what you want, is it?"
"No, of course not," Naru said strongly.
"Would like to see Keitaro taking down from his high horse?" Chisato asked.
Naru looked at Chisato and Kagura surprised, "Taken down his high horse?"
"Surely you want Keitaro to realize that he messed up by betraying and breaking up with you and for destroying your dreams when you were expelled, right?"
"Yes."
"We want to do the same to Yoshinari and that girl Nagisa who ruined our lives as well."
"But how will that be possible?"
"We'll shame them and make feel and suffer the same humiliation that we felt."
"…I want to get back at Keitaro for what he did to me and not just for the things that happened recently but for everything that he did to me for all these years."
"We understand and we can help," Kagura assured.
"Okay…but what about Mutsumi? I'm not sure that it would be something that she would go for. After all, Mutsumi is kind of…well…" Naru crossed her arms.
"We know what you're saying and it is true but you let us worry about Mutsumi," Chisato assured with a smile, "we'll get her to understand."
Naru was feeling pleasant with what was proposed and grinned at idea of Keitaro being brought down and suffering shame. Naru wanted Keitaro to pay for all the grief that Naru had suffered and there were two people that she felt understood her and sympathize what she was going through.
"Okay, I'm willing to do whatever it takes," Naru said smiling at Kagura and Chisato.
Chisato and Kagura smiled as they looked at each other and they looked at Naru.
"Yoshinari made me miserable," Chisato said, "Nagisa made Kagura miserable, and Keitaro has made you miserable. We'll make them regret ruining our lives."
"Yes, absolutely," Kagura said.
"Let's do it," Naru said and then smiled, "I'm glad to have met you two, so what's the plan?"
"Right," Chisato said with a nod as she began to explain things to Naru.
Meanwhile, outside of Mutsumi's apartment, Hina was telling Mutsumi about Kagura and Chisato.
"You know Chisato and Kagura?" Mutsumi asked.
"Yes," Hina said.
"Oh," Mutsumi then smiled, "then maybe you can tell me how kind they are."
"I would…if they were kind," Hina then frowned, "but they not. In fact, they are rotten, disgusting witches."
Mutsumi was shocked, "Huh? G-Granny, what are you saying? Surely, you not saying the same thing that others have said as well."
"Mutsumi, I want you to cut your ties with them."
"You're saying that too?" Mutsumi asked upset.
"Too?"
"Haruka told me the same thing," Mutsumi frowned, "but I assure you, they have changed."
"Whether or not they've really change is irrelevant," Hina pointed out, "Kagura Hajime is a murderer and Chisato Ichimura is the reason why Keitaro suffered greatly. She even had the audacity to have her thugs harm my other grandson Yoshinari. They are terrible girls. I know as I had the misfortune in meeting both of them during my tour in America," Hina crossed her arms, "I know Kagura's father and Chisato's uncle."
"Granny, I…"
Hina sighed, "Look, I have to go to the courthouse but Mutsumi, get rid of them. They are not good people; they are not really your friends. Trust me on this, I know what I'm talking about."
Hina left to head to Hinata City Courthouse and Mutsumi frowned and looked down on the ground and then she shook her head.
"Granny, how could you say that?" Mutsumi said in low and sad tone, "I would have thought that you of all people would see."
Aoyama Residence, Kyoto
Motoko had just finished explaining things of what had occurred yesterday between herself and Keitaro.
"I see," Etsuko said.
"Yes," Motoko replied and looked at her grandmother, "Grandmother?"
"I'm disappointed Motoko that you went on the attack again against Keitaro Urashima."
"I know, I was just…I was just so upset and I acted…irrational."
Etsuko crossed her arms, "Indeed you did…but you realized, stopped, and actually made an apology."
Motoko nodded, "Yes, in truth, I had known that my actions in the past were wrong…but it was," Motoko felt sad and clenched her fists, "it was just hard for me to admit it."
"I see."
"Grandmother, please tell me."
"Hmm?"
"What should I do?"
"Motoko?"
"I have lost and have nothing but guilt ravaging my mind," Motoko looked at her grandmother with a pleading expression, "please tell me Grandmother, what should I do for now? What can I do to set things right for myself?"
Etsuko took to heart what her granddaughter asked and placed her hand on Motoko's shoulder with a sympathetic expression as she looked at Motoko.
"Motoko, that is something that you have to figure out on your own," Etsuko answered.
Motoko chuckled sadly and had her head down, "I figured that you would say that."
Motoko had felt sadness and thought about Keitaro. Motoko had the desire for Keitaro to consider and have passion for her like he once did for Naru. Motoko wished it so much but she felt sad as she figured that it was no longer possible and it was she also felt bad that Keitaro was probably give his love for her cousin Nagisa and that bothered Motoko. Motoko didn't want Keitaro to fall in love with Nagisa and she shook her head but she wondered that even if he didn't how could Motoko ever get Keitaro look at her way. She was reminded of all the things she did and remembered what Kanako once told her a while back.
Flashback
"I know at some point you were in love with my brother and you didn't think he was bad, so how come you have fallen in the same pattern?" Kanako asked.
"I'll say it again," Motoko replied annoyed, "I don't know what you're talking. It can't be helped that he's hopeless pervert."
"Do you really believe that…or do you believe that because Naru rants about it and a lot more ever since they got together?"
"What does Naru have anything to do with this?"
"Everything, when it comes to taking someone's word, you take Naru over Keitaro and I think I know why."
Motoko got curious, "…Fine, humor me, why do you think that?"
Kanako crossed her arms, "Like me, you were upset that my brother ultimately chose Naru. Over time, you started to feel resentment and whenever Naru complained about my brother, you took those rants as truth. It was easy for you take Naru's side because she, in your mind, would never mislead you."
Motoko shook her head, "That is not true."
"No, it is true, you really thought that you were okay to let my brother go but the truth is that you weren't and you lashed out on him whenever Naru spoke that my brother did something bad. I bet you wouldn't be this stupid if my brother chose you."
Flashback End
Motoko felt sad as much she hated to admit to it, she knew that Kanako was right in what she told her and she had her hand on her head and gritted her teeth in sadness. Later on, Motoko was walking with her grandmother in the Aoyama residence and they heard the phone ring. Etsuko went to the phone and answered it.
"Hello," Etsuko said on the receiver, "Aoyama residence."
The person on the other spoke and caused Etsuko to raise an eyebrow and look at Motoko.
"Yes, please hold," Etsuko said and then offered the phone to Motoko, "it's for you Motoko."
"Huh, me?" Motoko replied surprised and then took the phone, "Hello?"
"Are you Motoko Aoyama?" The voice of a woman on the other line asked.
"Yes I'm Motoko Aoyama."
"Thank goodness," The woman paused, "listen, I'm calling to warn you about an immediate danger."
"What?" Motoko replied shocked and it made Etsuko shocked and wondered what it was about, "What are you talking about?"
"You have to get to the Hinata City immediately," The woman said in urgency, "lives are in stake."
"What are you saying? Who is this?" Motoko asked getting a bit impatient.
"Right…my name is Mayako Oyame."
Motoko's eyes widened at the mention of the name.
Hinata City Mall
Keitaro and Nagisa arrived at a mall and they looked around trying to figure where to start first.
"Where do you want to start first Nagisa?" Keitaro asked.
Nagisa looked at a particular store and pointed with a smile, "Let's go there."
Keitaro and Nagisa went to a store that sold various cups, cooking utensils, and silverware and they were looking to see which ones to buy. Afterwards, Keitaro and Nagisa went to a clothing store and it was there that Nagisa was trying out various clothes and showing them to Keitaro who nodded and smiled at each one she was wearing saying that she was looked good in everyone that she tried on. She went on to continue try more clothes with the help of the sales associate there. Afterwards, they left with bags and headed to another place.
Keitaro and Nagisa saw an arcade and Nagisa was excited as her eyes shined. Keitaro chuckled lightly as Nagisa pointed the arcade. Keitaro nodded with a smile and they went inside the arcade. Nagisa was playing a fighting game and Keitaro was impressed with how skillful Nagisa was as she was able to AI of various opponents.
"You're really good at this Nagisa," Keitaro complimented.
"Heh, thank you," Nagisa said happily as she had just beaten the final boss of the game and then she looked at Keitaro, "do you want to try?"
"Oh uh, I'm not really good at this," Keitaro said with a chuckle.
"But you looked as though you wanted to play," Nagisa pointed.
Keitaro scratched the side of his head with his right index finger.
"You could tell, huh?"
"It was obvious to me with the way you were looking. I wouldn't have mind playing one round with you."
"I'm sure I'm not very good at them, at least not the way you are."
"Keitaro, just so you know, I wasn't good fighting games at the beginning but I kept practicing. Here, I can show you."
"Oh uh, it's okay Nagisa, you don't need to trouble yourself."
"It's no trouble; in fact, we can consider this as another lesson from me, your teacher."
"Huh, oh but I though you would only teach me swordsmanship."
Nagisa smiled, "Who said that? I didn't."
Keitaro was just awestruck with Nagisa and then Nagisa guided Keitaro through the fighting game and taught him moves of a fighting character. Keitaro was appreciative with what Nagisa was doing and Nagisa was having guiding Keitaro and giving him tips. They fought each other in a match in the fighting game and they both had fun. After some time, they left the arcade with Keitaro thanking Nagisa and Nagisa grinned and felt happy as she wrapped her arms around Keitaro, surprising Keitaro and then he smiled. They kept walking in the mall as they headed for their next destination.
They went in to a bookstore and they looked and checked out various books. Nagisa looked at a book and as she read it, she was hooked to it. Keitaro saw Nagisa getting hooked to a book and couldn't help but to smile and then he went to her.
"Nagisa," Keitaro spoke.
Nagisa was still reading and didn't hear what Keitaro was saying. Keitaro figured this would happen and then he put his hand on the page that Nagisa was reading, surprising her and made her look at Keitaro.
"Oh Keitaro," Nagisa spoke.
"I see you like this book," Keitaro said with a smile.
"Oh yeah, sorry I didn't mean to ignore you."
"Ah, don't worry about it. Think about getting it?"
"I would," Nagisa then had a sad expression, "but it's just that it out of my price range right now."
"Oh," Keitaro said and he looked at the price of the book and then thought about it and then nodded with a smile, "Tell you what, I'll buy it for you."
Nagisa was surprised, "Wait Keitaro, are you sure? You don't need to do that."
"It's no trouble Nagisa," Keitaro assured her, "I want to do this," Keitaro gave a warm smile, "consider it as a way of thanks for the arcade."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I want to do, so let me, please."
Nagisa was amazed at Keitaro's kindness and that he was willing to buy the book for her.
"Um okay, if that's what you want…" Nagisa replied as she blushed.
"Excellent, with that…" Keitaro said as he took the book and picked up bookmarker to place the page that Nagisa was reading.
Keitaro took them to the cashier purchased the book the book himself and then went back to Nagisa and gave her the book with the bookmarker and Nagisa smiled. Throughout the whole thing, Nagisa couldn't help but blush and smile at what Keitaro had just done for her. They were in the bookstore a bit more as Keitaro bought some books for himself as well. Afterwards, they left the mall and headed a museum and they went to the section of the Sengoku Period. Nagisa was looking at history regarding the samurai class with glee and Keitaro couldn't help but to smile at Nagisa.
"She really is fascinated with them, just like Kazuya," Keitaro said in his head, "it's just as Isana said."
Keitaro and Nagisa arrived at a movie theater and Keitaro asked Nagisa what movie she wanted to see. Nagisa looked and pointed at the poster of a movie that was showing and it was a romantic movie. Keitaro bought two tickets and they went in the theater. Inside the theater, they were watching the romance movie and Nagisa was hooked and watched every scene with Keitaro smiling happy that Nagisa was enjoying herself. As the movie continued to play, they were scenes that made Nagisa happy, then sad as she cried, then laughed, and then blushed as she was enjoying the scene where the couple in the movie embrace each other and kiss. Keitaro just looked and blushed and looked nervous. Nagisa just held Keitaro's hand without looking at him as she was still blushing with a smile watching. Keitaro was surprised and he looked at Nagisa as Nagisa looked back at Keitaro who was still blushing and had a warm smile. Keitaro was awestruck when he looked at Nagisa and couldn't help but to think how beautiful she looked with her smile. Keitaro felt his heart skip a beat. The two of them continued to watch the movie with smiles on their faces enjoying each other's company. After the movie was done, Keitaro and Nagisa left the theater.
"You really enjoyed yourself," Keitaro said with a smile.
"Yes, I did," Nagisa said with a smile and grabbed hold of Keitaro's hands, "let's go."
"Uh, y-yeah," Keitaro said with a smile.
A few hours later, they were in a restaurant and ordered some food and drinks for themselves.
"This has been a great day," Nagisa said with glee, "Keitaro, thank you so much for today."
"I should be the one thanking you Nagisa," Keitaro said with a smile, "you're the one that asked me and I really enjoyed myself, more than I ever had in a long time. Thank you so much Nagisa."
Nagisa just smiled and put her hand on her cheek, "You're very welcome, I'm so glad."
They continued with their conversations with laughs and giggles and then their orders arrived later on and they enjoyed their meals. They finished up and they decided to do one last thing for their day together and left the café and went to a park.
Hinata Park
They walked around in the park and enjoyed the view of many places in the park and then they stopped by and checked out the fountain that was shooting up water in a rhythm.
"Keitaro," Mitsune's voice spoke suddenly.
Keitaro and Nagisa were surprised and turned and they saw Mitsune who looked happy and nervous at the same time.
"Kitsune," Keitaro spoke.
Mitsune gave a small wave and a smile, "It's good to see you again. I mean that, I'm glad to see you and you look well."
"Um, yeah, you too," Keitaro responded.
"You're Kitsune, right?" Nagisa asked.
"Um, well yes and no."
"Huh?" Keitaro responded, "Yes and no?"
Mitsune nodded, "It is true that went by Kitsune as my nickname but I don't go by that anymore."
"Really?" Keitaro spoke as he and Nagisa were surprised.
"Yeah, so Keitaro, I would like it if you would refer to me as Mitsune."
"Your real name…"
"Yes," Mitsune nodded.
Keitaro nodded, "Okay, sure Mitsune."
Mitsune blushed and felt happy that Keitaro said her real name.
Hinata City Courthouse
Hina was talking with someone and it was a man with glasses and an average build.
Hina nodded, "Very well Ryuichi."
Hina then went to sit on a bench and then moments later, she saw someone that she was expecting and it was Marumi as she was making her way. Hina stood up and met with her daughter.
"Marumi," Hina said, "you're finally here."
Marumi nodded, "Yes Mom, I am."
Hina sighed, "Marumi listen, surely you can see that we really don't need to go through with this."
"Really Mom?" Marumi responded.
"Yes," Hina said and then she sighed, "I understand that you're upset with me and I admit, I did break my promise to you but you have to understand, I had a good reason to do it."
"Really?" Marumi said as she crossed her arms.
"Yes and it has to do with Yoko."
Marumi was shocked when her mother mentioned her late older sister, "What does Yoko have to do with this?"
"Everything Marumi, everything," Hina collected herself before continuing, "I'm sure you remember Marumi that I wasn't exactly…understanding with Yoko," Hina said, "I was always so hard on her and I didn't approve the things that your sister did such marrying that man Toji instead of marrying Shakiko's son, Sanji."
"Yeah, I remember," Marumi said, "it seemed that every time you and big sister would argue."
Hina sighed sadly and nodded, "Yoko and I didn't see eye to eye and then on that day she died in car accident…"
Marumi choked up a bit remembering that tragic day.
Hina continued, "On that day, Yoko wanted help and I refused even when she begged me. I didn't help Yoko and I actually drove her away when she needed help," Hina said with regret, "and then…" Hina choked up a bit, "two hours after that, Yoko was gone, died in that car crash…along with Toji."
"Mom…." Marumi said sad at that day that her older sister and brother-in-law died.
"Your father passed away when you kids were so little and then we lose Yoko," Hina sighed sadly, "for years I've asked myself why, why did this happen?"
Marumi was silent as her mother was explaining things.
"I wasn't there for her, for any of you when you were all growing, all I was doing was just running the inn and even more so since your father passed away."
"We never held that against you," Marumi pointed out, "we were understanding about that, me, Yoko, and Kyoshiro."
"Yes, but even so…Yoko had died and she and I never got along like we did in the past. I told myself that if I had been there for her, she would still be alive and Haruka would not have suffered losing both of her parents. Haruka was only seven years old when they died and I felt helpless. I wanted to do something so that Haruka could see that she was not alone so that's why I adopted her. It was my way to make up for not being there for Yoko, looking after her daughter, my granddaughter was the least I could do. It took a long time but Haruka was able to feel better over the years."
"I see," Marumi said.
"The Hinata Inn was left to me by my father, your grandfather, Keisuke Urashima and I did everything I could to make the thrive but then one day, I noticed two young girls that were troubled and they seemed lost."
"Two young girls?"
"Yes and they were Naru and Mitsune."
"Oh, those two."
"Yes, so I went to talk to them and they told me the trouble and hardship they had. Naru felt lost and depressed and she couldn't talk to her own parents as her father simply left her and her mother was too busy caring for her step-father and step-daughter and Mitsune had problems regarding her mother and how she was pressured to do something that didn't suit her. I found out that were having problems with their own families and they were depressed and didn't feel that had much option. I couldn't help but to be reminded of what happened between myself and Yoko and how I wasn't really there for you and Kyoshiro as well, especially more so since your father passed away and when I saw them and saw how depressed they looked, I decided to do something so that none of them would suffer the same terrible fate as Yoko. The Hinata Inn wasn't picking up much in guests during the time and so I decided to convert it into a dorm and not just any dorm."
"An all-girls dorm," Marumi said.
"Yes and it has worked out great," Hina said with smile, "they didn't feel alone and depressed, they had a place where they didn't feel burdened by anyone and if they had any problems or needed to talk to someone, they could come to me. It had been a huge help especially for Naru as she was finally able to trust someone and find someone who she felt would understand her. Over time, Su heard about the Hinata Inn and came from Molmol and then it was Motoko and then lastly, Shinobu."
"I see," Marumi said.
Hina cleared her throat, "The point I'm getting at Marumi is that the girls had been through a lot with where they were before and when I converted the Hinata Inn into an all-girls dormitory, they felt safe and were able to continue living and they made friends with each other and I was able to help them and they feel grateful for it. If I see a young girl in trouble, I would help them and have them live in the Hinata Inn as it was a safe environment. You know, a way to help them, something that I should have done to help Yoko when she needed me."
"And what about the antics that those girls were doing?" Marumi asked, "What about the fact that you never told us that you made changes to the Hinata Inn? What about the fact that all you seem to do is make excuses and cover for them when they do something that isn't right. Mom, your way of doing things has given them the mindset that they don't have to face the consequences for their terrible actions. From what's been happening from the Hinata Inn, you didn't really help them."
"Yes, I did," Hina insisted.
"No, you didn't. With everything that has happened recently and what you have learned from Keitaro no less, how can stand there and tell me that you have really helped them? How could you let have Keitaro take in charge of inn when you didn't really tell him anything. In fact, you never even told those girls about Keitaro beforehand. You knew he was going there when he left his parents' home and yet you didn't tell him that the inn was converted and for that, he was attacked and they demanded that he leave even though he's an Urashima which meant that he had every right to be in the property of our family."
"Marumi, why do you insist on bringing that up?" Hina replied upset, "And why do you insist that I repeat myself that it was all a misunderstanding?"
Marumi shook her head at what her mother was saying, "I see that you had good intentions on what you were trying to do but even so, your obsession with doing right for those girls has caused you to completely disregard everything else, including the promise you made to me and the fact that you manipulated one of your own grandchildren and placed him in a dangerous situation. Mom, I'm going to stop you before you do anymore damage to our family and those girls as well because quite frankly, you didn't really help them and it showed with what has been happening recently."
"Marumi…" Hina said with a frown.
"Of course, you're not the only one guilty of such thing."
Hina got upset and shook her head at Marumi.
"I see, so even after everything I told you, you still have intentions of keeping ownership of the Hinata Inn," Hina said upset.
"Yes and soon, I'll pass the ownership to Kanako."
"What?" Hina said shocked.
"That's right and just to let you know, Kanako gladly accepts and Keitaro fully supports it. I would just own the inn for the time being."
"Marumi, you…you haven't listened to a word I said."
"No Mom, I did, every word, right up to the end."
"Then why?"
"Because the way you went with things wasn't right? You say that the Hinata Inn was a safe environment but it wasn't safe for Keitaro and you were willing to ignore that."
"Don't you dare Marumi," Hina countered, "I was horrified with what I learned of what happened to Keitaro and I was not happy with them with the things they did but I know that they would not really actually cause real permanent harm to Keitaro," Hina shook her head, "they wouldn't do that. Yes, they were misunderstanding and they what they did was not right at all but they are not bad people. Why can't you see that?"
"Why can't you see that the way you did things were not for the best for anyone?"
Hina huffed, "Okay, I tried to talk some sense to you Marumi but it seems that all I really did was wasted my efforts. You won't win this, I'm taking the Hinata Inn back and things will be just like before. I won't let you take away the safe haven for the girls for your own vindictive vendetta and I'll make Keitaro see that he was wrong about what he has believed for the past few days."
Hina walked pass Marumi and Marumi just looked at her mother and shook her head.
"I know Yoko would not have agreed with what you've done Mom," Marumi said in a low tone, "the same can be said with Dad and Grandpa."
Yukina's Apartment
Shinobu was in the kitchen making dinner for herself and her aunt, Yukina. Yukina would be returning from her work soon and Shinobu wanted to have everything ready by the time her aunt returned. Shinobu looked over to the refrigerator and there were a note for herself to meet with Keitaro in a few days. Shinobu blushed as she recalled the time in the Hinata Inn that Keitaro and Shinobu made plans and it was to help Keitaro's parents in their bakery. Shinobu was excited to help Keitaro and looked at it as a great opportunity to not only meet and get to know Keitaro's parents, it was also a great opportunity to spend time with Keitaro. Shinobu was determined to let her feeling be known to Keitaro and wasn't going let anyone tell her that she was wrong to have harbor such feeling for him. It made her shook her head and wished that she had stood up for herself years ago in the time she spent in the Hinata Inn. There was a sudden doorbell ring and Shinobu wondered who it was as she went to answer the door.
"Just a minute," Shinobu said.
Shinobu opened the door and was shocked to see who it was as it was a woman with long brown hair tied to a ponytail who wore a sweater and a long gray skirt with brown shoes.
"M-Mom," Shinobu said surprised.
"So, it's true," Shinobu's mother said, "you are living here in your aunt's place," Shinobu's mother placed her hands on her hips, "I knew it was a bad idea to let you live in that horrible Hinata Inn. I can't believe I actually agreed to it but anyway, that no longer matters. Shinobu pack your things, you'll be living with me from now on."
Shinobu frowned, "That's not going to happen."
Shinobu's mother was surprised, "Excuse me? What did you say young lady?"
"It's not going to happen. I'm staying here with Aunt Yukina, I like it here."
"That's right Aki," Yukina said, "it's Shinobu's choice."
Aki and Shinobu looked and saw Yukina approaching them in her business suit and her work bag.
"Yukina," Aki said with a glare, "why didn't you inform me that my daughter was living with you?"
"Because Shinobu asked me not to and I had no problem going along with that. I have a question for you, how did you know that Shinobu was living with me. My brother Yasuhara isn't aware of this yet."
"It…" Aki looked away with frown, "it doesn't matter."
"Mom, please understand," Shinobu said, "I want to stay here with Aunt Yukina."
"Sh-Shinobu," Aki said looking at her daughter surprised and then she frowned again looking away from her daughter's gaze.
Hinata Park
Nagisa was looking at the fountain and then she looked behind her seeing Keitaro talking to Mitsune. Nagisa was a bit worried but she decided to trust Keitaro and then she looked at the fountain again and smiled. Meanwhile Keitaro was standing face to face with Mitsune, formerly known as Kitsune. Keitaro was surprised that she didn't want to go by Kitsune anymore but he had heard things about what she had been recently doing from his aunt and Shinobu.
"Keitaro, I'm so glad to see you again," Mitsune said.
"Yeah, sure," Keitaro said with a nod.
"I'm sure you never thought you see me again."
Um, well…" Keitaro lightly scratched his cheek, "I admit that's true."
"Well, that's understandable," Mitsune said as she put her arms behind her back and looked and saw Nagisa by the fountain, "so that's Nagisa, right? Motoko's cousin?"
Keitaro looked at Nagisa and smiled, "Yeah, that's her. She's been real understanding and helpful to me just like the rest of her family."
"I see…you two looked like you were enjoying each other's company."
"Well, yeah," Keitaro said with a nod.
Mitsune felt nervous but resolved herself to talk to Keitaro.
"I had heard about what you did Mitsune," Keitaro said suddenly.
"Huh?" Mitsune looked at Keitaro surprised.
"I was at the Hinata Inn and I spoke with my Aunt Marumi and I spoke with Shinobu as well," Keitaro smiled, "they've told me what you been doing and what they heard what you been doing in the Kuromitsu Inn."
"Oh," Mitsune blushed, "you were told, huh?"
"You were quite the hard worker there and you even went out of your way to seriously stop Su in what she was doing."
"Yeah, I was just doing what needed to done," Mitsune fidgeted and still blushing, "it's no big deal," Mitsune cleared her throat, "Keitaro."
"Yes?"
"I did a lot of thinking with the way you left the Hinata Inn and what you said in Tokyo University and what was said to me by your mother. I'm glad to see you okay Keitaro and I want to apologize to you for everything."
"Mitsune…"
Nagisa looked over to where Keitaro and Mitsune were and walked over so that she could hear what they were saying.
"Keitaro," Mitsune said, "I know that this would be hard to believe and I would understand that you would not have any reason to forgive me for everything that I have done to you," Mitsune paused a bit and then continued, "I just want you to know that I am truly sorry for what I've done to you, for all the tricks that I played on you, for all the times I would set you up to be on the receiving end of Naru and Motoko's wrath, and for taking advantage of your kindness and scamming you out of money. I know that what I've done in terrible and you didn't deserve the treatment that you suffered in the Hinata Inn."
"Are you being sincere?" Keitaro asked.
Mitsune nodded, "Yes, I know that I've hurt a lot of people in the past, you included and I know that I may not be forgiven for what I've done but even with all of that, I want to better myself and change and one of the ways I've started was not refer myself as Kitsune anymore. I'm done being the trickster."
"I see…"
"…Keitaro, if I had taken the time to see the toll it really took on you for all that you went through in the inn, I would have stopped. I know you may find this hard to believe this but I was really happy, really happy that you showed up in our lives and seeing that you were so kind, I grew fond of you…in fact, I just only wish that you…well…"
"Huh, what?"
Mitsune lightly bit her lower lip, "I really liked you Keitaro, in fact, I still do."
Keitaro was shocked and Nagisa was shocked as well hearing what Mitsune had just said.
Mitsune continued, "I fell in love with you Keitaro for some time but I forced myself to back off since I knew that you were in love with Naru."
"Mitsune…" Keitaro spoke still shocked.
"Anyway, I'm going to head back to Osaka and do everything I can to make amends with my mother for the trouble I caused her. In fact, I'm actually meeting with my brother Mitsunari here in the park."
"Oh, I see," Keitaro replied although he was still shocked with what Mitsune had confessed to him.
"Keitaro, when I come back here, I would like to start over, you and me," Mitsune put her hands together, "that is if you're willing to let me."
"Um Mitsune, I…"
"You don't really have to answer that right away. Just take the time and think about and I want to see you again and I want to decided base on my actions when I see you and then you decide if you want to have anything to do with me."
"I see…you thought about this a lot, haven't you?"
"Yes, I have and even if you…even if you don't feel for me the same way I feel for you, I want to start over with you. I want to do everything that I can to atone for everything terrible things I've done you. I really mean it."
"Mitsune," A man called.
Mitsune turned and saw someone who had slick back dirty blonde hair and wore a light brown business suit and he had a lean figure and was a male version of Mitsune.
"Oh Mitsunari," Mitsune called waving.
"Oh, is that your brother?" Keitaro asked.
"Yeah, my younger brother Mitsunari, he's a year younger than me."
"I see, come to think of it, I never knew anything about your family."
"True and it's because I kept quiet about it. I told Naru but not so much," Mitsune looked at Keitaro with a smile, "well, this is it for me. I have to go. Take care of yourself Keitaro and I wish you the best, I really mean it."
"I see," Keitaro nodded, "thank you Mitsune."
"You're welcome," Mitsune said with a smile and then looked at Nagisa, "Nagisa, please look after Keitaro. I may be out of line here but I hope you and your family continue to look after Keitaro."
"Don't worry," Nagisa said as she walked and stood next to Keitaro, "it's natural for friends to look out for each other."
Mitsune smiled and nodded, "Yes, you're right."
Mitsune turned around.
"Mitsune," Keitaro spoke.
"Hmm, yes Keitaro?" Mitsune replied as she turned to face him.
"I will definitely take in everything you had just said. I've also hurt people as well, people close to me so in a way, I'm no different from you. If you really meant what you said, then I'm willing to try, I would like to start over."
Mitsune was happy and had tears formed from her eyes as she opened them.
"I see. Thank you Keitaro," Mitsune said and then rushed and grabbed both of Keitaro's hands and looked at Keitaro with happiness and tears streaming down from her eyes, "thank you so much."
Keitaro was surprised and then smiled at Mitsune, "You're welcome and I hope you're able to work things out with your mother in Osaka."
Mitsune nodded, "I hope so too."
Afterwards, Mitsune waved goodbye happily to Keitaro and left the Hinata Park with her younger brother Mitsunari. Keitaro waved goodbye to Mitsune and Nagisa waved goodbye to Mitsune as well and then she looked at Keitaro and smiled.
Near the Shichimura Apartment Complex
Nagisa and Keitaro were returning to the apartment complex and they noticed that area around the front entrance there were small craters near them and wondered what happened. They decided that they would find out later and then they looked at each other with smiles.
"I had a great time," Nagisa said with a smile.
"Yeah, so did I," Keitaro replied with a smile as well, "thank you Nagisa."
"No, thank you Keitaro. I hope we can do it again."
"I would love to."
Nagisa smiled brightly, "Wonderful," Nagisa then thought of something, "oh!"
"Hmm?"
"There's one thing that I need to do."
"Huh?"
Nagisa suddenly went to Keitaro and planted a kiss on his cheek. Keitaro was surprised and looked at Nagisa who was blushing from the gesture that she just did.
"That's my way of showing my appreciation for the wonderful time. Well, I'm going on ahead."
Nagisa went inside the complex and Keitaro was still surprised and he blushed from the kiss that Nagisa gave him as he put his hand on the spot where Nagisa kissed him.
"Wow," Keitaro muttered feeling happy.
Unbeknownst to Keitaro, Ritsuko was watching Keitaro from a third floor window and had her clenched fist near where her heart was.
"Keitaro Urashima, he's a hundred times better than a certain bastard that I had fell for," Ritsuko said in a low tone.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Investigators question Keitaro and the former residents of the Hinata Inn for Su's actions and a plan for revenge is put into action.