[Author's Note: Hey everyone! This chapter took me FOREVER to write! I had a major writer's block, but I finally finished it. I know that the story was starting to get kind of confusing with multiple scenes in that last chapter. I'm sorry about that, but I had to. Anyway, I hope the story is starting to get somewhat interesting and if not, please tell me! Kudos to all the reviewers that gave such helpful comments and reviews! I really appreciate it.]
I do not own Love Hina or its characters.
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Chapter 7: Emotions and Tears, Victory and Defeat
"So, do you think that he'll make up with you?" Motoko asked.
"I don't know…he can't imagine how much I want to get back with him," said the girl, "especially before school starts."
"School?" said Motoko.
"Yeah, I go to Tokyo U," she responded.
"You do?" she said in amazement, "I've got a few friends that just got in and are starting this year!"
"Oh really? I'm a junior," she said.
"A junior? Where do you live?" asked Motoko.
"I've been living in a dorm, but I really want to move somewhere else," she said.
"Why?" Motoko asked.
"I guess its because all anyone ever wants to do there is just get drunk and have parties," she said with a disgusted look on her face.
"I see…that sounds bad," responded Motoko.
"Yeah…"
"You know, we've been talking for about 45 minutes and we haven't even introduced ourselves," said Motoko, "my name is Aoyama Motoko."
"My name is Oishi Chika," she said.
"Its nice to meet you Chika-san," said Motoko with a smile.
"You too," she smiled back.
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This looks like a cool place… Shinobu thought to herself. She had just walked to a large hut, which looked to be a restaurant. A waiter came up to her and showed her to a small table with 1 chair on each end of the table. This looks like a fancy place…I'm glad Haruka gave me my first paycheck in cash this morning… She was handed a menu from the waiter, then he walked away. She looked up and down the menu, and found something tasty that she wanted. Wow…the price is pretty steep…oh well. I have plenty of money. As she started to fold her menu, she heard a voice from behind her.
"Shinobu!" yelled a voice.
She turned around and saw Kyoji standing near the entrance.
"I've been looking everywhere for you!" said Kyoji.
"Really?" she said blushing.
"Yeah…so…you getting something to eat?" he said.
"Yeah…my shift just ended, so…" Shinobu said quietly.
"Are you all by yourself?" asked Kyoji.
"Yeah…all my friends are busy…" she said.
"Care if I join you?" he asked.
"Sh-Sh-Sure…" she said blushing furiously.
"Okay," he said while sitting down, and picking up the menu.
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CRASH!
"SAARRAA!" yelled Haruka. She ran into the kitchen and saw Sara laying on the floor, with broken dishes, trays, and glasses around her. Food was scattered around her and all over her.
"Sara-chan…" said Haruka lowering her head.
"Sorry…I won't do it again," said Sara.
"Its okay…you can leave now," Haruka replied.
"No! Sara wants to help!" said Sara.
"Really? Well…okay, but this better not happen again," said Haruka.
"Okay! Thanks you so much!" said Sara.
"Now go out there and serve the customers," ordered Haruka.
"Okay!" said Sara. Sara ran out of the kitchen and into the restaurant area. She saw that Keitaro and Suu were already serving customers and taking orders. Customers just kept coming through the hut. Obviously, dinner time was approaching. She could also see Naru and Mutsumi through the kitchen window cooking. Sara ran up to a customer that was standing at the entrance and said,
"Welcome! Right this way!" she said as she led him to a table, "here is a menu, and I will be right back to take your order." She then ran up to another customer and helped them. Haruka watched from a distance and thought, Wow, Sara can really work hard and be polite if she really tries…I wonder why she wants to work so badly.
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"Okay! I will be there," said Kentaro.
"Good. Don't be late," Kitsune replied.
"Okay…well I'd better go get ready," said Kentaro.
Then Kitsune responded, "I'd better too. I'll see you there in one hour."
"Okay."
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"What time is it, Chika-san?" asked Motoko.
"It's around 5 o'clock," responded Chika.
"Oh no! I've got to go! Well, I'll see you around. Good luck tonight; I'm crossing my fingers for you," said Motoko smiling.
"Thank you so much! Goodbye!" replied Chika as Motoko got up and started walking in the direction of her hotel.
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"Mmmm…that was delicious," said Shinobu, finishing up her meal.
"Yeah, I'll definitely come here again," responded Kyoji.
"Kyoji-san, I had a good time, but I'm afraid I have to go," said Shinobu.
"Me too," he said, "ummm…Shinobu…how long will you be staying here at the beach?"
"Ummm…I'm not sure, why?" asked Shinobu.
"Well…" Kyoji said while looking at the floor. He raised his head and looked Shinobu in her deep blue eyes, and said,
"I like you a lot, Shinobu…do you want to do something tomorrow?" he asked blushing.
"Uh…umm…y-y…I mean…well…yes!" said Shinobu stumbling over her words.
"Great! I'll meet you at your hut around 6, okay?" he said happily.
"Okay! I'll see you tomorrow," she said as she started getting up and walking out of the restaurant.
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Shinobu, Motoko, and Kitsune all spotted each other walking toward the hotel and walked together.
"Where are Suu, Haruka, and Sara going to change at?" asked Shinobu.
"They have their clothing at the Tea House," responded Motoko.
"It's been quite a while since I've put on a 'wafuku (traditional Japanese clothing)'," said Kitsune.
"Yeah, speaking of which, we'd better hurry up and change so we're not late," said Motoko.
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In about a half an hour, Shinobu, Motoko, and Kitsune, and dressed into their wafukus and had just walked into the Tea House. Inside they saw Haruka, Suu, Sara, and Seta all dressed in their Japanese clothing.
"Good. You're all here on time," said Haruka, "now you all know your parts, right?"
"Yup," everyone responded.
"Okay. I've already sent Keitaro, Naru, and Mutsumi to the store to pick up a few things for me. I told them to stop by at the hotel and change into their wafukus on their way back. I told them that we we're having dinner, so they should look nice," said Haruka smiling at her mischievous plan, "so everyone do what they're supposed to."
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"Well, we've gotten everything on the list," said Keitaro while walking out of the Hinata grocery store with Naru and Mutsumi at his side.
"Didn't Haruka-san say to stop at the hotel and change into wafukus?" asked Mutsumi.
"Yeah, I think. I wonder what that's all about," said Keitaro.
"I haven't worn one of those since last summer," Naru said.
"I can't wait to wear mine! I haven't worn one since I was a little kid," added Mutsumi.
"Oh yeah. You weren't here last summer were you, Mutsumi?" asked Keitaro.
"Nope," Mustumi said smiling like always.
There was a long period of silence as they walked down the road that led back to the beach.
"Urashima-kun?" said Mutsumi.
"Yeah? What is it?" answered Keitaro.
"Did you ever think of where we will live while attending Tokyo U?" asked Mutsumi innocently.
Keitaro glanced over at Naru.
"I'm not sure. But it would be nice if we stayed together," said Keitaro.
"Yeah…" replied Mutsumi.
They continued walking and soon came to their hotel. They quickly dressed into their wafukus and were out the door of the hotel within the matter of minutes. In the distance they saw a figure running toward them. He was also dressed in a wafuku and wore glasses.
"Hey Seta! What's up?" Keitaro yelled to Seta and waved.
"Keitaro! Thank goodness I found you," said Seta out of breath.
"Why? What happened?" asked Naru.
"Its Haruka-san…she had a heart attack," said Seta.
"WHAT?" they all said in amazement.
"Yeah…it must be from all that smoking she does," replied Seta.
"Where are the others?" asked Mutsumi looking extremely worried.
"They're taking care of Haruka at the Tea House. Hurry, lets go!" said Seta.
How could this happen? This thought went through Keitaro, Mutsumi, and Naru's heads as they ran to the Tea House. How could this happen? Why Haruka-san? They soon arrived at the Tea House. All was dark, and no lights could be seen.
"Hello? Everyone?" asked Keitaro, speaking into the darkness. Suddenly, the lights popped on, and all around them everyone could be seen and they all yelled,
"SURPRISE!"
"What?" the three of them said.
"Surprise!" they said again.
"But…what about…Haruka…and the…heart attack?" said Keitaro.
"It was all a trick!" replied Kitsune with a smirk.
"But what is this all for?" asked Naru.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" they all yelled, "FOR MAKING IT INTO TOKYO U!"
"Oh, wow. Thanks a lot!" they responded.
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After recovering from the surprise, everyone sat down and started eating the delicious food that Shinobu had cooked.
"Before we eat," started Seta while standing up, "I would just like to say congrats to Naru, Keitaro, and Mutsumi. We have seen them studying for hours upon end, and after failing and failing time after time, they never gave up. And look where they are now! In just a couple months, they will be attending their ultimate destination, Tokyo U. Congratulations, new students of Tokyo U!"
Everyone clapped and began to eat. After the meal, and many compliments to Shinobu for her excellent cooking, the Tea House was reopened buffet-style. Crowds of people came in, and because of the buffet, no one had to work very hard. The sun was starting to set when the Tea House closed for the night.
After the long day, everyone was tired, and they started to head back to their hotel fairly early. When they were walking back, Kitsune looked toward the sea. The sun was setting beautifully, looking like it was crashing down into the sea. She looked closer and saw a man and a woman, holding each other in their arms on a blanket on the beach. Kitsune smiled and thought, Good for you Satoshi, good for you…Up ahead a little, Motoko was looking at the same couple smiling.
"Come on, Kitsune! Motoko!" yelled Naru from a distance.
"Coming!" Kitsune yelled back.
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3 AM…I can't sleep…what's wrong with me? Thought Keitaro, lying in bed, looking at the ceiling. I've got to get up and go for a walk. He got up and changed into some clothes and quietly walked out of his room. The hotel was all quiet, so he tiptoed out of the hotel and onto the beach. The beach was dark and empty. Not one person could be seen, just the dark sea, raging and roaring. He sat down in the sand, and stared at the sea. Minutes passed like hours and Keitaro just kept thinking to himself, I should be in a good mood right now…so why can't I sleep? Something is bothering me, but I don't know what it is.
About 15 minutes later, when Keitaro was just about to get from the sand, a hand touched his shoulder. He was shocked, but it was warm, and he couldn't help but be comforted. He turned his head to see Naru standing behind him, with her hand on his shoulder. She stepped up and sat next to him.
"Narusegawa? What are you doing here?" asked Keitaro.
"The same thing you are. I couldn't sleep," said Naru.
They talked for what it seemed like hours, about everything. They recounted the events that had happened that day, and the past year.
"I can't believe we actually made it," said Keitaro, "I think at first, I was too happy to even realize what had happened. But after what Seta said last night, I realize that I really did make it into Tokyo U. Narusegawa…"
"Yeah?" asked Naru.
Keitaro looked into her eyes and said, "Narusegawa…I still feel the same way I did about you before Christmas that one year.
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"I really should say it first…That's right, I should…Narusegawa, I love you!"
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"Keitaro…" said Narusegawa.
"Narusegawa…will you go out with me?" asked Keitaro.
"Keitaro…I…why…why did you have to say that?" said Naru.
"Huh?" said Keitaro puzzled.
"Keitaro…I feel the same way about you. But now is not the time. I've wanted to go out with you ever since we learned that we had gotten accepted. Now is not the time. School is starting soon, and…I have to concentrate hard, without any distractions," said Naru.
Tears started to trickle in Keitaro's eyes. Then he said,
"Narusegawa, I love you."
Naru began to cry as well. She got up and ran back into the hotel.
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[Author's Note: Wooh! I finally finished it! That was a long chapter, and the first that featured some action between Naru and Keitaro. Anyway, keep reviewing, and God Bless!]