Love Hina

Life as a Student

By: Belldandy'sKeiichi

Note: [any text in here is a thought text]

Note: {time will be mentioned in this bracket}

Author's Time: Woooo! I just got my grades back and I deserve a good break! Sorry, but I'll take a rest after this chapter...gotta brainstorm for the next chapter and so...

Disclaimer: You know the drill, I own Love Hina...

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~Review~

Keitaro Urashima made a promise to a little girl a long time ago at the Hinata House. The promise was that they will go to Tokyo U together. Keitaro studied, aimed, and took the exam for Tokyo U three times and failed all of them. While studying, he meets up with Naru, his study partner also aiming for Tokyo U, and Mutsumi, who has a memory about the promise that Keitaro made. Now, Keitaro and the gang finally got into Tokyo U. Thinking that his luck has finally change, disaster struck and he broke his leg, making him miss the whole school year. With no class credits, he couldn't move on with Naru and Mutsumi. In the finally attempt to reach happiness, Keitaro takes the placement exam for incoming sophomores and actually passes.

The first day class has started and Keitaro wanted to make a good first impression. In fact, his first impression was so good that everyone thought (mostly the girls) that he was a smart, handsome, incoming student that was applying. Unfortunately this bothered Naru, thinking that Keitaro's just messing around with them.

A couple of days have passed and in the whole sophomore class, Naru and Keitaro are the top students. They started to compete with each other, trying to get a better grade while trying to hide that they actually study and live together. This all comes crashing down when Ari, Naru's best friend, goes over to the Hinata House to study with Keitaro.

After finding out about Keitaro and Naru, Ari learned all about them, where they met, their personalities, what they are like, and along the topic, who they like...sorta. Now, it seems that Ari is part of the trio and it seems that there is something in Ari's mind that she can't shake out.

In an attempt to find out if Keitaro still like Naru or not, Ari ran through a couple of attempts to make Keitaro confess. But unfortunately, none of them really work or did the job. In the end of the day, Keitaro and Naru invited Ari to join their study group and as Ari was leaving, Naru notice that she dropped her note book. The note book was open and she accidentally saw something that changed her whole impression on Ari.

It seems that Ari, Naru's best friend, is hoping to find tutoring when Naru discovers that she isn't the brightest bulb but it seems that Ari has another secret that Naru doesn't know. Ari is in love with Naru's nutty, klutzy study partner, Keitaro.

Now the story continues...

Chapter 6: The Dating Game

More weeks have passed and Ari has been going to the Hinata House every day for some extra help from Keitaro, Naru, and occasionally Mutsumi if she isn't helping Haruka. Autumn was heading towards its final days and soon it was going to be winter. Of course, it would mean warmer clothing and a whole lot of snuggling... if you had a special someone...

"Man...What a night..." Keitaro said, getting up from his futon and putting his glasses on. He headed towards his window and opened it. Outside, the trees were changing colors and the wind was beginning to pick up. "Ahh...the signs of winter...and by the looks of things, I say It'll be a cold one..."

Keitaro walked out of his room and headed for the kitchen. And of course, still half asleep, he trips over his foot, making him fall down the stairs.

"You know Kei-kun, you have to be more careful while going down the stairs..." Mutsumi said, seeing the whole thing. She walked towards him and then ran right into the door post.

"You're the one that should be careful! Mutsumi...what are you doing here?" Keitaro asked.

"Well, someone wanted me to give you this letter...kinda spooky if you ask me. It's been sprayed with perfume and judging by the writing, I'd say it's from a girl" Mutsumi teases him.

"Hey! Give it here! Come on!" Keitaro said, trying to get the letter but Mutsumi stared to pull it away from him.

"My my, Kei-kun, it seems like you've become popular with the girls that they are asking you out..." Mutsumi continued to tease.

Finally Keitaro grabbed the letter and opened it. As he continued to read, his expressions when from happy, to confused, then back to happy again.

"Well Kei-kun? Who's it from?"

"Good question...wish I knew...It's signed anatomist, but they want me to go to the fountain near the train station at 2 o' clock..." Keitaro told her.

"What are you two looking at?" Naru sneaked on them. Keitaro and Mutsumi jumped back.

"Naru-san! Hiyo!" Mutsumi greeted her.

"Er...it's nothing Naru!" Keitaro said, hiding the letter. Naru just stared at them both.

"You two are weird...i'm going to get me some breakfast..." Naru told them, leaving.

"So what are you going to do Kei-kun?" Mutsumi asked, looking back at the letter.

"Well...they must have gone through the trouble of sending it...so the reasonable thing to do it go and tell this person that I can't..."

"Aww...what a waste, you know, it takes a lot of guts to send something like that..." Mutsumi told him. "Now if you don't mind...I think I'll get me some breakfast..." Mutsumi said, walking towards the kitchen, hitting the door post again.

"Mutsumi! Be careful!" Keitaro cried.

**

"Well, I'm all ready..." Keitaro said, looking at himself in the mirror. It was almost 2 o' clock and Keitaro was getting ready for his secret admirer. He placed his contacts in and he was off.

"Sempai! Where are you going?" Shinobu asked.

"Er...just out, have you guys seen Naru around?" Keitaro asked.

"I believe Naru went out...she didn't mention where she was going but she's not here." Motoko informed him.

"Alright, thanks Motoko...see you guys later..." Keitaro said to them as he left.

"You like Keitaro don't you Motoko!" Su said, poping out of nowhere.

"NO I DON'T!"

Keitaro made it just in time, 2 o' clock and he looked around.

[Hmm...typical people hanging out...but no one that looks like they are waiting for someone...Was this a cheep trick by Mutsumi? Is this how she gets her sick kicks? ...Nah, but still, who sent...HOLY!] Keitaro stopped in thought when he realized a familiar face. Naru was sitting on the fountain bench, looking out to the mountains. [O man...Naru must have written it. She really does love me...but why did she have to do it in a school girl fashion...why couldn't she just tell me in front of my face...Why am I complaining!] Keitaro thought, walking towards Naru when suddenly....

"...sorry to keep you waiting Keitaro..." a familiar voice said.

[Naru! Wait...i'm looking at her right now...if it isn't her then...] Keitaro thought, turing around. There stood Ari, wearing a coat and a long skirt.

"Hiya Keitaro, I can't believe you actually came!" Ari said to him.

"Er...yeah, no problem..." Keitaro said to her. [O no! I can't say no now! If I do, then she'll probably tell Naru and since they're close friends and all, Naru will pummel me to the ground...] "So...where are we going?"

"Well, I was hoping we can walk and get to know each other better." Ari told him.

"Sounds good, let's go." Keitaro said, walking out. They both walked together and started to talk.

[What's going on between Keitaro and Ari...] Naru wondered as she looked behind her. [I thought I was going to relax today...but judging on how Keitaro is...better follow them...] Naru thought...trying to reason with herself that she isn't really stalking them. So, Naru followed them.

**

"Thanks Keitaro" Ari said, taking the hot chocolate from the vendor.

"No problem Ari..." Keitaro told her, taking his hot chocolate and joining Ari outside. "Cold weather today huh?"

"Yeah, very cold. You know, weather is really unpredictable. Its sunny one day and the next day it's cold and foggy. But hey, what can you do its nature. You know, the weather is almost like life, unpredictable, good, bad..."

"Now that you motioned it..." Keitaro started. "You have a good point. Weather is like life itself. You'll never figure it out until you see it in front of your face. And..."

In a distance, Naru was peeking out of the bushes.

[Well, looks like nothing too extreme is going on...just talking...but wait, what are they talking about? Are they talking about me?] Naru thought and at that instant, both of them laughed. [Better not be...or else...God I can't stand this...I need to get closer!]

"Huh? Hey, I noticed that you're wearing some type of a fishing hook." Keitaro pointed out.

"Oh? Oh this?" Ari said, lifting her necklace which had a white, stone, fishing hook. "This? This is from Hawaii from the United States. A friend of mine went there and he gave this to me."

"He? Is he your boyfriend?" Keitaro asked.

"O no, he's just a friend. Actually, he is a good friend of mine and he also goes to Tokyo U."

"Really? Anyone I know?" Keitaro asked.

"Ryo Sochiro...know him?" Ari told him.

"Ryo...Ryo...nope, blank."

"Well, he's really great...he helps me often, we have fun together, and we always watch each other's backs. I really don't see him as a friend, but more like a brother...a brother I never had." Ari told him.

"Wow, you really care for him." Keitaro said, unaware on how he was tilting his hot chocolate. Accidentally, the chocolate tilted too much and spilled all over his pants. "Ahhh! MY PANTS! HOT! HOT!" Keitaro screamed.

"Keitaro! Calm down, here!" Ari said, handing him her some tissues.

"Ow...sorry about that...as you can plainly see, I really am a klutz..." Keitaro said, looking down.

"Awww, I don't see you as a klutz..." Ari said getting closer to him.

[Grr...Watch yourself Keitaro...Don't do anything you'll regret...] Naru said to herself.

Keitaro was still wiping his pants when someone came up to him with paper towels. "Here, looks like you need some..."

Keitaro turned around and saw a guy, about 5'1", black hair, and was wearing a thick jacket and blue jeans.

"Um...thank you...er..." Keitaro said, trying to figure out whose helping him.

"Ryo...Ryo Sochiro" He said.

"Ryo!?" Ari said.

"So you're Ryo..." Keitaro said to him, wiping himself dry.

"Ryo! Buddy!" Ari said, hugging him tight. "How you been?"

"I'm fine Ari..." He said, hugging her back. "But you know, you're little red-hair friend is watch you guys right?"

Keitaro turned to the nearest bush. "Naru! Are you there! Show yourself!"

Naru slowly stood up. "Um...what do you know catching you and Ari here...haha, I was just...um, looking for my pen I dropped!"

**

"So Ryo...how long have you known Ari?" Naru asked. There were all sitting at one table with hot chocolate, Keitaro with water.

"Well, I've known her since Kindergarten and..."

"No way! Since Kindergarten!" Keitaro said aloud.

"Yes, it's true. I've known Ryo since then and now. You could say that we became life long friends from the moment we met." Ari said, slowly she went and held Ryo's hand. Keitaro and Naru had imitate reactions.

"Are you two together!?" Naru asked in shock.

"Surprisingly...no. Ari! How many times have I told you to stop holding my hand?" Ryo said to her.

"Sorry cousin Ryo!" Ari said.

"You guys are cousins!" Keitaro said.

"Nope...Ari! For the last time, I'm not your cousin!" Ryo said.

"So? I don't care; I just want to call you that because I love you!" Ari said to him leaning against him. Again, more immediate reactions by Keitaro and Naru.

[She just confessed her love to him!] Naru thought.

[She just confessed her love to him! Why can't Naru be more like that...] Keitaro thought.

"Ari...you know I love you too..." He said back, wrapping his arms around her.

"How can you two not be a couple?!" Naru asked them.

"Well, we aren't, when you befriend someone like her. You can tell when someone tells you 'I love you' as a friend looking out for another friend and 'I love you' that's from the heart." Ryo said to them. "Plus she's always like this around me...dunno why though..."

They looked at the time and realized that they had to head home. So they said their good-byes and so Keitaro and Naru headed home together.

"Hey Naru...how come we can't be like that?" Keitaro asked.

"Because I can't trust you whenever you're around me. And besides! Why didn't you tell me you were going out with Ari!"

"Hey! I didn't know Ari was the one asking me out! And besides! It's none of your business!" Keitaro shouted back.

From afar...

"Heh, why can't we be like that Ari?" Ryo said, watching Keitaro and Naru fight.

"Because we care for each other a lot." Ari said, hugging him.

"Maybe you care a lot more..." Ryo said, trying to pry her off

End of Chapter 6

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It's almost December and the annual Tokyo U Christmas Ball is coming. Who's going to ask who out? Who knows... Until next time!