Yakusoku
Introduction
"Make sure that you're not blooming when someone tells you to bloom, and that you're realizing your potential at your own will."
- Megumi Hayashiraba
Disclaimer:
All characters and story arcs of the Love Hina manga are property of Akamatsu Ken, and the associated publishing house.
Chapter Three: Itsu Made Mo (As Long as it Takes)
"This...this is Hinata Sou"
A young auburn haired girl in a robe walked down the silent hallways of Hinata Sou as the cool autumn wisped cherry blossoms down the hallway. The young girl was frail and her mother sent her here doctors had told her that it would be better for her to be near the sea because of her asthma and her mother knew someone named Urashima Hina that would take care of her. The frail girl wandered aimlessly through the inn, lost, her large brown eyes show her fear as she tried to find her friends through the snow of blossoms.
"Kei-kun! Mu-chan! Where are you guys? Don't leave me all alone."
The sound of a child's laughter echoed through the empty hallways. The young girl, stopped, her eyes roaming and her eyes searching to find out where the soft laughter came from. It came from the playground they'd visited so often before. Kei-kun and Na-chan sat in a large sandbox with a Liddo-kun patting the last clumps of sand on the pile. The toddler's eyes lit up in joy.
"Kei-kun, Mu-chan, I found you guys. Kei...wah!"
The girl fell to the floor on her face but she could still here the voices of Mu-chan and Kei-kun.
"Ow!"
"...Guess what Kei-kun? I heard from Na-chan's papa that...if two people who love one another can enter Tokyo University...they will live happily ever after."
Mu-chan hugged her Liddo-kun tightly as she leaned over Liddo-kun and looked into his eyes. Then she pushed herself forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Kei-kun, let's both go to Tokyo University."
Kei felt his face grow hot; then after touching his burning cheek stared at the blushing girl. Kei held out his pinky as well, and locked it with hers.
"O...Ok!"
The auburn haired girl found herself laying in a futon as Kei and Mu made their promise. She reached her tiny hand out, a soft stream of tears running down her face.
"Wait...I'll go too...Mu-chan...Kei-kun...Can't you hear me? Kei-kun...Wait...I made Toudai too. Don't leave me out...wait...MU-CHAN! KEI-KUN!"
A young boy held a girl's hand as they walked together into the flurry of blossoms. They stared into each other's eyes as they walked, their youthful laughter piercing the soft slumber of an autumn morning. And a young girl lay sick, watching the two disappear without her. .... "Keitaro...don't leave me!"
I sat up in my bed with a gasp, a single tear formed at the edge of eye. Outside the bedroom, a flood of light filtered in through the flowers and the birds chirped quietly. I raised my hand to wipe away the tears when I noticed everyone staring at me. Realizing the outburst I had just made, I covered my mouth to stop any more embarrassing outbursts from streaming out. But it was too late; Su and Sara were standing over a body of a collapsed Shinobu, fanning her. Motoko just twitched her eyebrows, still in shock, and Kitsune held her hand to her chin, deep in more mischievous schemes of what to do with my recent outburst.
"Are you feeling better, Na-chan?"
"Mutsumi-san, what are you doing here?"
I was still slightly weak so Mutsumi held me up in her arms and then gave me a kiss, without a split second of reluctance, Mutsumi closed in, pressing her lips to mine. Even though I was caught off guard by Mutsumi's frankness, I did not resist as her lips moved over mine and as soon we let go of each other's lips, we found ourselves surrounded by a small semi-circle of girls.
Kitsune sat down next to me, her usually smiling self, her eyes open in one of those rare occasions. I knew she was up to something, sitting next to me this; it was generally uncomfortable like this. She smiled wryly as she spoke.
"Hehe...I thought you liked Keitaro, you know, with that short little outburst but now it seems you may have competition with Mutsumi. Or maybe you've given up on Keitaro and concentrated on Mutsumi?"
"Naru-sempai, you can't possibly entertain the thoughts of lust with our kanrinin, Keitaro? He is a klutz, a third year ronin, and there are very few redeeming qualities if any about him."
"Oh, Motoko, than why did you fail the practice examination at you high school? That looks like you will be on the path that will make you a ronin just like Keitaro. Hehe...a warrior as a ronin, a ronin warrior! Keitaro would get a kick out of this if he knew."
"Shhh...Su, I don't that to get around to Keitaro. That would be too embarrassing."
I decided to get up and wash, but I stopped from throwing my blanket off my body when I realized I was wearing next to nothing under my blanket. I wore nothing but my birthday suit, my yellow sweater and red skirt were hanging on the back of my chair at my desk. I couldn't remember what happened last night except for the fact Keitaro and I sat together on the steps on the tea shop. My blood pressure began to rise as I thought of the possibilities of last night. Did we...did he...no, he doesn't have the backbone. I mean I would prefer if he gave me a kiss, an aishiteru (i love you) before taking me to bed. No, no, I can't be thinking like that.
"Kitsune, Motoko, why am I near naked like this?"
"Who knows, you tell us...Hmm...I wonder what were you and Keitaro doing out together last night? Finally expressing your feelings, huh, huh?"
"Aww...Naru-chan beat me to it already?"
"Mutsumi, Naru, don't let Kitsune fool both of you like that. You fell asleep last night and then it began to rain so Keitaro carried you back to the inn. We changed you out of your wet clothes so you would not contract pneumonia of the flu. Don't worry; we kept him out of the room while we changed you."
"Oh..."
"Gasp...Naru-sempai, you couldn't have honestly wished that you and Keitaro would do such things together? Could you...?"
I sat quietly as like a pack of wolves surrounding a weakened prey, the rest of the girls sat quietly, their eyes wide anticipating a confession. Not now, not to them, I wouldn't be cornered for an answer like this. Before I could answer, Keitaro appeared in the door way. He stared at the semi circle that surrounded Mutsumi and me and saw that she still held me in her arms. Before I realized what I was doing, I was running towards Keitaro with nothing but a blanket covering my body.
"Na...Na-ru...What are you doing dressed like that?"
"Keitaro, just come with me. I need to talk to you about something."
"Something...what something...is it about us?"
I pulled his arm, his eyes turned, staring at the girls, mouthing what is going on, why is Naru dragging me down the stairs. I didn't hear any responses and when we go to the roof, we stopped because we didn't see any of the other girls around us so we could talk privately.
"At first I just dragged you along to get away from the rest of the residents, but I really do need to talk to you about something, about us, where we are, where we will go."
Looking up at the sky from atop the roof. The sunlight is bright and the sight of the sky I filled my body with energy. The morning dew still hung over the ground like a blanket. I took notice of the feelings in my heart that are dried up and thirsting; and suddenly stopped in my tracks. In the streets of Hinata below, where everyone is busy, where everyone is alive, I tried to walk a little more slowly.
I felt his hands behind me on my shoulder, his hands gently massaging. I felt my breath shorten as his fingers twisted in cascading hair, his breath smelling my hair. His lips moved closed to my cheek and he whispered, "Aishiteru. You already know I feel about you. I'm just waiting for you to come out with your feelings."
I wriggled my shoulders out of his grasp, walking towards the edge of the roof.
"Keitaro...you know when we first made that promise that we would get into Tokyo University together. It took us so long for that to take the first step. But when you broke your leg at the freshman welcoming ceremony, I thought it was over. But then I thought long and hard about us. I realized then that I can't quit. How can I ever give up when the journey took so long? I've decided to take a semester off and go overseas so we can enter Tokyo University together like we promised. I said that I would wait for you, will you wait for me now?"
"No matter where you are and what you're doing, I'm thinking about you. If the sky opened up for me, and the mountain disappeared, If the seas ran dry, turned to dust and the sun refused to rise I would still find my way, by the light I see in your eyes, the world I know fades away but you stay. Naru, you will always stay with me, in my heart, wherever you go. As long as it takes, I will be there for you, if you're there for me."
I laughed in and ran into his arms. I gave him a hug with one hand, while with the other; I rearranged the clothespin to stop the blanket from falling down. 'As long as it takes, I will be there for you, if you're there for me.'
"Yes, Keitaro, as long as it takes, I will be there for you, if you're there for me."
I felt a cold draft over my body when I realized that the clothespin had come off the blanket and I was revealed to Keitaro in the glistening sun in all my glory. He stared at him, seeing him hold both hands to his nostrils as he backpedaled to get away, but instead went straight into Motoko who I guess was coming to practice her kendo. Before I could get my punishment in, Motoko had already sent him flying through Hinata, screaming my name the trail of blood streaming out, clearly marking his trajectory. Motoko then picked up the blanket that had fallen at my feet and handed it to me.
"Naru-sempai, are you alright."
"Yes...thank you Motoko."
I stared at him as he flew, with a soft laugh.
End of Chapter Three
Notes :
I was out of town this weekend. I had finished the chapter on Thursday but since we left the following day, I didn't have a chance or the time to upload the chapter. Even though I took a while to upload it, it's still the shortest of the chapters that I have written so far. Chapter four might take longer because I need to watch some anime and read some manga that I have been too lazy to look at so far.
Just to let you guys know, it was a rather eventful weekend for me, between getting a hand smashed in the door and getting hit in the ribs during a baseball game with a fastball, I managed to get in good eating and barbecuing and a good view of fireworks. I hope everyone else out there had the same fun weekend without all the physical injuries like me. I'm fine, though my hand is still sore, who knows maybe some of Keitaro's immortality and healing ability is rubbing off on me and I'll be fine shortly. *laughs* I wish!
Well, some more song lyrics placed in the chapter, as always. This time, for the first time so far, a song that isn't from Love Hina. This week, I placed the entire first verse from the song from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sung by Coco Lee titled "A Love Before Time" in one of Keitaro's replies near the end.
A Love Before Time
If the sky opened up for me
and the mountains disappeared
If the seas ran dry, turned to dust
and the sun refused to rise
I would still find my way
by the light I see in your eyes
The world I know fades away
but you stay.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - End title song (English version)
Performed by Coco Lee
Introduction
- Megumi Hayashiraba
Disclaimer:
All characters and story arcs of the Love Hina manga are property of Akamatsu Ken, and the associated publishing house.
Chapter Three: Itsu Made Mo (As Long as it Takes)
"This...this is Hinata Sou"
A young auburn haired girl in a robe walked down the silent hallways of Hinata Sou as the cool autumn wisped cherry blossoms down the hallway. The young girl was frail and her mother sent her here doctors had told her that it would be better for her to be near the sea because of her asthma and her mother knew someone named Urashima Hina that would take care of her. The frail girl wandered aimlessly through the inn, lost, her large brown eyes show her fear as she tried to find her friends through the snow of blossoms.
"Kei-kun! Mu-chan! Where are you guys? Don't leave me all alone."
The sound of a child's laughter echoed through the empty hallways. The young girl, stopped, her eyes roaming and her eyes searching to find out where the soft laughter came from. It came from the playground they'd visited so often before. Kei-kun and Na-chan sat in a large sandbox with a Liddo-kun patting the last clumps of sand on the pile. The toddler's eyes lit up in joy.
"Kei-kun, Mu-chan, I found you guys. Kei...wah!"
The girl fell to the floor on her face but she could still here the voices of Mu-chan and Kei-kun.
"Ow!"
"...Guess what Kei-kun? I heard from Na-chan's papa that...if two people who love one another can enter Tokyo University...they will live happily ever after."
Mu-chan hugged her Liddo-kun tightly as she leaned over Liddo-kun and looked into his eyes. Then she pushed herself forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Kei-kun, let's both go to Tokyo University."
Kei felt his face grow hot; then after touching his burning cheek stared at the blushing girl. Kei held out his pinky as well, and locked it with hers.
"O...Ok!"
The auburn haired girl found herself laying in a futon as Kei and Mu made their promise. She reached her tiny hand out, a soft stream of tears running down her face.
"Wait...I'll go too...Mu-chan...Kei-kun...Can't you hear me? Kei-kun...Wait...I made Toudai too. Don't leave me out...wait...MU-CHAN! KEI-KUN!"
A young boy held a girl's hand as they walked together into the flurry of blossoms. They stared into each other's eyes as they walked, their youthful laughter piercing the soft slumber of an autumn morning. And a young girl lay sick, watching the two disappear without her. .... "Keitaro...don't leave me!"
I sat up in my bed with a gasp, a single tear formed at the edge of eye. Outside the bedroom, a flood of light filtered in through the flowers and the birds chirped quietly. I raised my hand to wipe away the tears when I noticed everyone staring at me. Realizing the outburst I had just made, I covered my mouth to stop any more embarrassing outbursts from streaming out. But it was too late; Su and Sara were standing over a body of a collapsed Shinobu, fanning her. Motoko just twitched her eyebrows, still in shock, and Kitsune held her hand to her chin, deep in more mischievous schemes of what to do with my recent outburst.
"Are you feeling better, Na-chan?"
"Mutsumi-san, what are you doing here?"
I was still slightly weak so Mutsumi held me up in her arms and then gave me a kiss, without a split second of reluctance, Mutsumi closed in, pressing her lips to mine. Even though I was caught off guard by Mutsumi's frankness, I did not resist as her lips moved over mine and as soon we let go of each other's lips, we found ourselves surrounded by a small semi-circle of girls.
Kitsune sat down next to me, her usually smiling self, her eyes open in one of those rare occasions. I knew she was up to something, sitting next to me this; it was generally uncomfortable like this. She smiled wryly as she spoke.
"Hehe...I thought you liked Keitaro, you know, with that short little outburst but now it seems you may have competition with Mutsumi. Or maybe you've given up on Keitaro and concentrated on Mutsumi?"
"Naru-sempai, you can't possibly entertain the thoughts of lust with our kanrinin, Keitaro? He is a klutz, a third year ronin, and there are very few redeeming qualities if any about him."
"Oh, Motoko, than why did you fail the practice examination at you high school? That looks like you will be on the path that will make you a ronin just like Keitaro. Hehe...a warrior as a ronin, a ronin warrior! Keitaro would get a kick out of this if he knew."
"Shhh...Su, I don't that to get around to Keitaro. That would be too embarrassing."
I decided to get up and wash, but I stopped from throwing my blanket off my body when I realized I was wearing next to nothing under my blanket. I wore nothing but my birthday suit, my yellow sweater and red skirt were hanging on the back of my chair at my desk. I couldn't remember what happened last night except for the fact Keitaro and I sat together on the steps on the tea shop. My blood pressure began to rise as I thought of the possibilities of last night. Did we...did he...no, he doesn't have the backbone. I mean I would prefer if he gave me a kiss, an aishiteru (i love you) before taking me to bed. No, no, I can't be thinking like that.
"Kitsune, Motoko, why am I near naked like this?"
"Who knows, you tell us...Hmm...I wonder what were you and Keitaro doing out together last night? Finally expressing your feelings, huh, huh?"
"Aww...Naru-chan beat me to it already?"
"Mutsumi, Naru, don't let Kitsune fool both of you like that. You fell asleep last night and then it began to rain so Keitaro carried you back to the inn. We changed you out of your wet clothes so you would not contract pneumonia of the flu. Don't worry; we kept him out of the room while we changed you."
"Oh..."
"Gasp...Naru-sempai, you couldn't have honestly wished that you and Keitaro would do such things together? Could you...?"
I sat quietly as like a pack of wolves surrounding a weakened prey, the rest of the girls sat quietly, their eyes wide anticipating a confession. Not now, not to them, I wouldn't be cornered for an answer like this. Before I could answer, Keitaro appeared in the door way. He stared at the semi circle that surrounded Mutsumi and me and saw that she still held me in her arms. Before I realized what I was doing, I was running towards Keitaro with nothing but a blanket covering my body.
"Na...Na-ru...What are you doing dressed like that?"
"Keitaro, just come with me. I need to talk to you about something."
"Something...what something...is it about us?"
I pulled his arm, his eyes turned, staring at the girls, mouthing what is going on, why is Naru dragging me down the stairs. I didn't hear any responses and when we go to the roof, we stopped because we didn't see any of the other girls around us so we could talk privately.
"At first I just dragged you along to get away from the rest of the residents, but I really do need to talk to you about something, about us, where we are, where we will go."
Looking up at the sky from atop the roof. The sunlight is bright and the sight of the sky I filled my body with energy. The morning dew still hung over the ground like a blanket. I took notice of the feelings in my heart that are dried up and thirsting; and suddenly stopped in my tracks. In the streets of Hinata below, where everyone is busy, where everyone is alive, I tried to walk a little more slowly.
I felt his hands behind me on my shoulder, his hands gently massaging. I felt my breath shorten as his fingers twisted in cascading hair, his breath smelling my hair. His lips moved closed to my cheek and he whispered, "Aishiteru. You already know I feel about you. I'm just waiting for you to come out with your feelings."
I wriggled my shoulders out of his grasp, walking towards the edge of the roof.
"Keitaro...you know when we first made that promise that we would get into Tokyo University together. It took us so long for that to take the first step. But when you broke your leg at the freshman welcoming ceremony, I thought it was over. But then I thought long and hard about us. I realized then that I can't quit. How can I ever give up when the journey took so long? I've decided to take a semester off and go overseas so we can enter Tokyo University together like we promised. I said that I would wait for you, will you wait for me now?"
"No matter where you are and what you're doing, I'm thinking about you. If the sky opened up for me, and the mountain disappeared, If the seas ran dry, turned to dust and the sun refused to rise I would still find my way, by the light I see in your eyes, the world I know fades away but you stay. Naru, you will always stay with me, in my heart, wherever you go. As long as it takes, I will be there for you, if you're there for me."
I laughed in and ran into his arms. I gave him a hug with one hand, while with the other; I rearranged the clothespin to stop the blanket from falling down. 'As long as it takes, I will be there for you, if you're there for me.'
"Yes, Keitaro, as long as it takes, I will be there for you, if you're there for me."
I felt a cold draft over my body when I realized that the clothespin had come off the blanket and I was revealed to Keitaro in the glistening sun in all my glory. He stared at him, seeing him hold both hands to his nostrils as he backpedaled to get away, but instead went straight into Motoko who I guess was coming to practice her kendo. Before I could get my punishment in, Motoko had already sent him flying through Hinata, screaming my name the trail of blood streaming out, clearly marking his trajectory. Motoko then picked up the blanket that had fallen at my feet and handed it to me.
"Naru-sempai, are you alright."
"Yes...thank you Motoko."
I stared at him as he flew, with a soft laugh.
End of Chapter Three
Notes :
I was out of town this weekend. I had finished the chapter on Thursday but since we left the following day, I didn't have a chance or the time to upload the chapter. Even though I took a while to upload it, it's still the shortest of the chapters that I have written so far. Chapter four might take longer because I need to watch some anime and read some manga that I have been too lazy to look at so far.
Just to let you guys know, it was a rather eventful weekend for me, between getting a hand smashed in the door and getting hit in the ribs during a baseball game with a fastball, I managed to get in good eating and barbecuing and a good view of fireworks. I hope everyone else out there had the same fun weekend without all the physical injuries like me. I'm fine, though my hand is still sore, who knows maybe some of Keitaro's immortality and healing ability is rubbing off on me and I'll be fine shortly. *laughs* I wish!
Well, some more song lyrics placed in the chapter, as always. This time, for the first time so far, a song that isn't from Love Hina. This week, I placed the entire first verse from the song from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sung by Coco Lee titled "A Love Before Time" in one of Keitaro's replies near the end.
If the sky opened up for me
and the mountains disappeared
If the seas ran dry, turned to dust
and the sun refused to rise
I would still find my way
by the light I see in your eyes
The world I know fades away
but you stay.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - End title song (English version)
Performed by Coco Lee
