Love Hina
Ever After
By: Belldandy'sKeiichi
Note: [any text in here is a thought text]
Author's Time: New twist in the story now huh? Ok...let's see...i've been playing GTA: Vice City...but nothing new...! Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was the middle of the night, it was a full moon and everyone was asleep. Keitaro and Naru were asleep together with Keli asleep from afar, Shinobu knocked out from lack of sleep, and room 202 was unoccupied. On the balcony, Kai was leaning against the guard rail as he looked at the full moon. Kate walked up the stairs to the balcony and saw Kai looking at the moon. She slowly approached him and stood next to him.
"Hello Taro...nice to see you again..." Kate said to him
"Good to see you again....Bell..."
Chapter 9: The Past Meets the Present
"Rumor has it that you didn't make into Tokyo U..." Bell said to him, leaning against the guard rail.
"Well rumor has it that you didn't accept their proposal..." Kai said back to her. They stared at each other.
"Heh, looks like we're both in the same boat then huh..." Bell sighed.
"So, you're going by your first name here?" Kai asked.
"Yeah...they'll remember my name better...and I see that you're going by your nick name..." Bell said.
"You bet..." Again, there was silence.
"So...staring at the moon again?" She asked him.
"Yup..."
"O...I see...you know, I've been doing the same thing ever since I left...you still think that it represents dreams and hopes?"
"Yup..." Again, silence.
"I don't get it...I thought that we would have a lot to say...but...I can't think of a thing to say!" Bell said to him.
"Heh, maybe because we don't have a lot to say. All we really did after we left the shelter was study and try to get into Tokyo U..." Kai said. They laughed.
"You're right...there isn't much to talk about..." Bell agreed.
"Hmm...but hey, I got something to ask you. Why didn't you go to Tokyo U when you had the chance?" He wanted to know.
"Silly rabbit, I was going to go to Tokyo U WITH you, remember?"
"Heh, you haven't changed a bit have you?" Kai asked Bell.
"What do you mean?"
"You're still that lovable, neat, and cute girl that I remember..." He said to her.
"Aww, that's so sweet...you haven't changed a bit..." She said, smiling.
"Heh, that's what you think..."
"What do you mean?"
"You know Bell...ever since you left. I...I just couldn't stop feeling hurt. Even thought we promise to see each other again...I was afraid that we weren't. But if I fall in love again, I know that someday this pain will come again...so I became afraid of love..." He said, closing his eyes.
"Is that how you feel now? Are you still afraid of love?" Bell wanted to know.
"To be perfectly honest...yes. Yes I am. I've convinced myself that love; even thought it feels great...there will be a time that it will hurt so much in the end." Bell thought for a minute.
"Does...Does that mean you're not in love with me anymore?" She asked him.
"I'm...I'm not sure...I've known you all my life. From the time we were in school to know. I've known you for so long that you've become part of my life. So big that I don't want you to leave by my side...but now I'm...I'm just not sure..." He said, placing his head on the rail. Bell placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It still sounds like you're still living the rules of an orphan..." She said to him.
"I have to live by them Bell, it got me this far in life alone..." He said.
"Well, I won't force you to do anything...I just want you to know that my feelings haven't changed. I still love you." Bell told him, walking downstairs.
"Bell!" Bell stopped and turned around.
"Yes?"
"Shinobu, a girl that is also studying for the entrance exams, don't tell her that you're Bell..." Kai said.
"But why not..."
"Just...don't tell her..."
**
The alarm when off in Shinobu's room and she instantly got up.
"Alright! I'm ready today! After I get breakfast ready I'm going to hit the books!" She said, walking out of her room. Instantly, she slipped on the floor.
"Kyaahh! Not again!" She screamed and closed her eyes. She waited for the impact but it just didn't come. Shinobu opened her eyes again and the floor was two inches from her nose. She turned her head and saw Kai standing there with a good grasp of her shirt.
"Careful now...floor's been cleaned and waxed..." He said, bringing her to her feet.
"T-Thanks a lot Kai!" She said.
"O, and be careful when you go down the stairs also...they're so clean that you can see your reflection..." He warned her, walking to the kitchen.
[Believe me Shinobu...I have experience by my side...] Shinobu stood there for awhile.
"Wow, who could have all that time to clean the whole place like this...ack! Kate!" She said, running towards the kitchen, making sure she didn't fall. When we reached there, she saw Kate with an apron on and a yellow bandana on her head. Kai was already seated, eating breakfast.
"Hiya Shinobu, I already have breakfast made and freshly squeezed orange juice ready." Kate smiled. Shinobu just stood there with a sweat drop on her head.
[Now that's freaky...I don't even squeeze orange juice...she's so neat that...that it's scary!] Shinobu walked over to Kai and sat next to him.
"Wow...this girl is really neat...literally..." She said to him.
"You're telling me...she even cooks great food like you do." Kai said to her.
"Hey Taro? You like your eggs scrambled right?" Kate asked. Suddely, Shinobu's head shot up. Kate and Kai just realized what happened.
"Urm...Yes! KEItaro likes his eggs scrambled. Mine too, Bell..." Kai mumbled.
"Huh?"
"Er! I said: Mine, Two bell...peppers! Yeah! Peppers!" Bell and Kai both laughed nervously as Shinobu ate slower. Kate made a face at Kai and he gave a face back at her.
"Well, I think I'll go for a walk..." Kate said, taking off her apron and walking out the door.
"Hey! Kate, wait up! Can I tag along also?" Shinobu asked, joining her. Kai sat there alone.
"That was a close one..." He said to himself. Just then, he heard a door close from the second floor.
"Ah...what a day..." Keitaro's voice called.
"Uh oh...hope Keitaro's careful walking down here..."
"Ahhhh!" Keitaro's voice yelled, falling down the stairs.
"Yo Keitaro, careful ok? The floor's been cleaned." Kai called, hoping Keitaro could hear him.
"Kinda late for that...don't you think?"
**
"So Kate, tell me about yourself. Or, at lease what you haven't told me already." Shinobu asked, walking side by side with Kate.
"Like what do you like to know?" Kate asked.
"Well, um...how about your philosophy on love?" She asked. Kate looked at her for a minute.
"You think that's a weird question to asked?" Shinobu said to her.
"Not really. But why you asked?" She said to her.
"Well, you know Kai right? Well, he is also applying for Tokyo U and he told me he doesn't believe in love! Isn't that crazy?" Shinobu laughed.
"Well, I suppose...I mean, he has gone through a lot. Losing his family, his foster parents, his friends and his true love; I would probably feel the same way." Kate said to her.
"Wait a minute...how did you know all that already?" She asked her.
"Erk! Um...H-He told me. Yeah, we talked yesterday and told me the whole thing." Kate quickly said, sweat drops coming from her head.
"O...well, aren't you going to answer my question? What is your philosophy on love?"
"Ah yes. Well, I believe that every human on earth has a mate. That each person was made for only one person to love. It just a matter of finding that person across the world that's going to be difficult. But I also believe in fate. That fate will one day bring that o so special to you and you'll live happily ever after." Kate said to her.
"Wow, that's really in depth. Did you meet your 'special someone' yet?" Shinobu asked. Kate let out a sigh.
"I thought I did..." She said to her. Shinobu was quiet.
"Um...nevermind...let's go this way." Kate told her, turning into a narrow alley.
"But, I'm not even sure where this is going. You might want to stick to the road and..." Shinobu said but was cut off.
"Don't worry about it. I know where I'm going..." She said. They waked up the alley, turning and hiking and walking through fences and on the other end, was a view of the whole city.
"Wow, of all the years I've been here...I didn't know this place existed..." Shinobu said in amazement. They were standing on a grassy hill that had paces of flowers blooming. The whole city was visible as they continued to look out. They could easily see the Hinata Inn and the Hinata Café.
"This place was my secret getaway when I was young. Everyday I would go here just to relax and pick the flowers now and then. This place has been a secret for years...and so far. Only three people know about this place. Me, you, and the person I thought was my 'special someone'." Kate said, smiling as she continued to look at the city.
"What happened to him?"
"Well...something came up. And we had to go our separate ways. We didn't want to leave each other...but we had to. I haven't seen him ever since." She lied as best as she could on the last part without choking. "But hey, forget about it will you? That's a long time ago. Come on, let's go back." Kate told her.
"Alright..."
**
"Hey, Keitaro? You home?" Seta called from the entrance of the Hinata Inn.
"Hey, what's up Seta?" Keitaro said, walking to him. Along came Naru with Keli and Kate.
"O, what do we have here....Keitaro, your daughter is absolutely foxy." Seta said, holding Kate's hand.
"No no no Seta! That's not her! This is her!" Naru said, handing him Keli. Seta looked at her for a moment.
"Like I said Keitaro, your daughter is absolutely foxy." He winked.
"Ok Keli! That's enough time with grandpa Seta!" Naru quickly said, snatching her back.
"Grandpa?! O never mind...Keitaro, do you know where Haruaka is?" He asked him.
"She should be at the Café. Isn't she?" Keitaro asked him back. Seta rubbed his head.
"O yeah...heh, that's where she's always at..." He said as everyone fell over.
"Well! I'll catch you later!" Seta called running off.
"Wait! Was that it!" Keitaro yelled.
"That Seta...sometimes dumber that a bag of hammers...." Keitaro said, walking off. Naru looked at Keli.
"Foxy huh? Well, you should be Keli. You inherit mommy's hair, her eyes, and her looks! Of course I'm not letting you date 'til your twenty-five! Ha!" She laughed, tickling Keli.
**
"Is it, 34xc?" Shinobu asked.
"Nope..." Kai said to her. It was about ten p.m. and Kai was testing Shinobu.
"Hmm...33xc?"
"Wrong..."
"Ah....35xc?"
"Shinobu! It's a biology question! Not a calculus question!" Kai yelled at her, lying down on the sofa.
"O...I'm sorry Kai...it's just that I was up all night studying...guess I'm really wiped out tonight..." She said to him, sitting on the arm of the sofa.
"You know, you should watch your health. You can't just pull all nighters whenever you want. It will take a toll on you if you're not careful." He said to her. Suddenly, Shinobu started to sway.
"Shinobu! Are you ok?"
"Yeah...I suddenly go dizzy is all..." She said, rubbing her head.
"See...this is what I'm talking about. If you're not careful, you could....huh?" Kai cut his sentence short when he noticed that Shinobu suddenly toppled over on top of him.
"Shinobu! Shinobu! Are you ok!" He yelled. All he heard was a light snore.
"Wonderful...she fell asleep and I'm her pillow...better not wake her..." He said, slowly closing his eyes. A few minutes later, Mutsumi walked in and saw Shinobu and Kai.
"Fu fu fu...how cute...." She said. "Mutsumi? What are you doing here this late? Well, not really late...but still.." Keitaro asked.
"Nothing really Kei-kun. Haruka told me to take the rest of the night off...kinda strange if you ask me." Mutsumi said to him. "Look! I brought over some watermelon!" She said, holding up a watermelon.
"Er...that's great and all, but most of the guys are asleep right now..." Keitaro laughed.
"Why are you still up?"
"Me? O just making some last minute repairs is all..." [Actually, Naru started to kick in her sleep again...but I'm not telling her that...] Keitaro thought to himself.
"O my, I forgot to remove my apron..." She said, looking down at her body.
"Give it here, I'll return it. I have to say hi to my aunt once in a while right?" He said, taking the apron and walking outside.
**
It was a starry, crescent moon night as Keitaro walked down the endless steps that lead to the Hinata Inn. He walked into the café and looked around.
"That's odd...no one seems to be here...Haruka? You here!" He called. To his surprise, Haruka was here and she walked down the stairs towards him.
"God...do you have to talk so loudly...?" She said, rubbing her head.
"Heh, sorry. Just returning an apron is all." He said.
"Thanks...want some tea before you go?" She asked.
"Um...sure, why not." Keitaro thanked her as he sat down on the couch. As he sat, he felt something in between the cushions. He reached under and pulled out a bra.
"Um...yours? You know, you should really put these kinds of things in your room..." He said as Haruka snatched the bra away from him. Out of curiously, he reached again and this time...pulled out a white jacket. He held it outstretched and took a long look at it.
"Kinda big for mine...hey, you know who's this is?" Keitaro asked her as she suddenly dropped her bra.
"Give it to me!" She said, cashing him.
"Whoa! What's your problem?" He asked her. Then it just hit him. He placed two and two together.
"Whoa...I didn't think that you're still dating Aunt! So who is it? Is there name writin on the tag?" He asked, inspecting the jacket.
"Keitaro! For the love of God! Don't read the tag!" She yelled at him as he got closer to the tag. Just then, he stopped.
"Heh...fine...if it's that important to you then..."
"Huh? Company? Hey! I wonder where I lost that!" Seta said, standing at the doorway, pointing at the white jacket.
End of Chapter 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several months have passed and Christmas is just around the corner! Keitaro is sworn to a secret and is faced with a problem that will affect the rest of his life. And as Christmas wishes are passed and love is express, will Shinobu be alone for another Christmas? Next time, Chapter 10: A Snowy Beginning
Ever After
By: Belldandy'sKeiichi
Note: [any text in here is a thought text]
Author's Time: New twist in the story now huh? Ok...let's see...i've been playing GTA: Vice City...but nothing new...! Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was the middle of the night, it was a full moon and everyone was asleep. Keitaro and Naru were asleep together with Keli asleep from afar, Shinobu knocked out from lack of sleep, and room 202 was unoccupied. On the balcony, Kai was leaning against the guard rail as he looked at the full moon. Kate walked up the stairs to the balcony and saw Kai looking at the moon. She slowly approached him and stood next to him.
"Hello Taro...nice to see you again..." Kate said to him
"Good to see you again....Bell..."
Chapter 9: The Past Meets the Present
"Rumor has it that you didn't make into Tokyo U..." Bell said to him, leaning against the guard rail.
"Well rumor has it that you didn't accept their proposal..." Kai said back to her. They stared at each other.
"Heh, looks like we're both in the same boat then huh..." Bell sighed.
"So, you're going by your first name here?" Kai asked.
"Yeah...they'll remember my name better...and I see that you're going by your nick name..." Bell said.
"You bet..." Again, there was silence.
"So...staring at the moon again?" She asked him.
"Yup..."
"O...I see...you know, I've been doing the same thing ever since I left...you still think that it represents dreams and hopes?"
"Yup..." Again, silence.
"I don't get it...I thought that we would have a lot to say...but...I can't think of a thing to say!" Bell said to him.
"Heh, maybe because we don't have a lot to say. All we really did after we left the shelter was study and try to get into Tokyo U..." Kai said. They laughed.
"You're right...there isn't much to talk about..." Bell agreed.
"Hmm...but hey, I got something to ask you. Why didn't you go to Tokyo U when you had the chance?" He wanted to know.
"Silly rabbit, I was going to go to Tokyo U WITH you, remember?"
"Heh, you haven't changed a bit have you?" Kai asked Bell.
"What do you mean?"
"You're still that lovable, neat, and cute girl that I remember..." He said to her.
"Aww, that's so sweet...you haven't changed a bit..." She said, smiling.
"Heh, that's what you think..."
"What do you mean?"
"You know Bell...ever since you left. I...I just couldn't stop feeling hurt. Even thought we promise to see each other again...I was afraid that we weren't. But if I fall in love again, I know that someday this pain will come again...so I became afraid of love..." He said, closing his eyes.
"Is that how you feel now? Are you still afraid of love?" Bell wanted to know.
"To be perfectly honest...yes. Yes I am. I've convinced myself that love; even thought it feels great...there will be a time that it will hurt so much in the end." Bell thought for a minute.
"Does...Does that mean you're not in love with me anymore?" She asked him.
"I'm...I'm not sure...I've known you all my life. From the time we were in school to know. I've known you for so long that you've become part of my life. So big that I don't want you to leave by my side...but now I'm...I'm just not sure..." He said, placing his head on the rail. Bell placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It still sounds like you're still living the rules of an orphan..." She said to him.
"I have to live by them Bell, it got me this far in life alone..." He said.
"Well, I won't force you to do anything...I just want you to know that my feelings haven't changed. I still love you." Bell told him, walking downstairs.
"Bell!" Bell stopped and turned around.
"Yes?"
"Shinobu, a girl that is also studying for the entrance exams, don't tell her that you're Bell..." Kai said.
"But why not..."
"Just...don't tell her..."
**
The alarm when off in Shinobu's room and she instantly got up.
"Alright! I'm ready today! After I get breakfast ready I'm going to hit the books!" She said, walking out of her room. Instantly, she slipped on the floor.
"Kyaahh! Not again!" She screamed and closed her eyes. She waited for the impact but it just didn't come. Shinobu opened her eyes again and the floor was two inches from her nose. She turned her head and saw Kai standing there with a good grasp of her shirt.
"Careful now...floor's been cleaned and waxed..." He said, bringing her to her feet.
"T-Thanks a lot Kai!" She said.
"O, and be careful when you go down the stairs also...they're so clean that you can see your reflection..." He warned her, walking to the kitchen.
[Believe me Shinobu...I have experience by my side...] Shinobu stood there for awhile.
"Wow, who could have all that time to clean the whole place like this...ack! Kate!" She said, running towards the kitchen, making sure she didn't fall. When we reached there, she saw Kate with an apron on and a yellow bandana on her head. Kai was already seated, eating breakfast.
"Hiya Shinobu, I already have breakfast made and freshly squeezed orange juice ready." Kate smiled. Shinobu just stood there with a sweat drop on her head.
[Now that's freaky...I don't even squeeze orange juice...she's so neat that...that it's scary!] Shinobu walked over to Kai and sat next to him.
"Wow...this girl is really neat...literally..." She said to him.
"You're telling me...she even cooks great food like you do." Kai said to her.
"Hey Taro? You like your eggs scrambled right?" Kate asked. Suddely, Shinobu's head shot up. Kate and Kai just realized what happened.
"Urm...Yes! KEItaro likes his eggs scrambled. Mine too, Bell..." Kai mumbled.
"Huh?"
"Er! I said: Mine, Two bell...peppers! Yeah! Peppers!" Bell and Kai both laughed nervously as Shinobu ate slower. Kate made a face at Kai and he gave a face back at her.
"Well, I think I'll go for a walk..." Kate said, taking off her apron and walking out the door.
"Hey! Kate, wait up! Can I tag along also?" Shinobu asked, joining her. Kai sat there alone.
"That was a close one..." He said to himself. Just then, he heard a door close from the second floor.
"Ah...what a day..." Keitaro's voice called.
"Uh oh...hope Keitaro's careful walking down here..."
"Ahhhh!" Keitaro's voice yelled, falling down the stairs.
"Yo Keitaro, careful ok? The floor's been cleaned." Kai called, hoping Keitaro could hear him.
"Kinda late for that...don't you think?"
**
"So Kate, tell me about yourself. Or, at lease what you haven't told me already." Shinobu asked, walking side by side with Kate.
"Like what do you like to know?" Kate asked.
"Well, um...how about your philosophy on love?" She asked. Kate looked at her for a minute.
"You think that's a weird question to asked?" Shinobu said to her.
"Not really. But why you asked?" She said to her.
"Well, you know Kai right? Well, he is also applying for Tokyo U and he told me he doesn't believe in love! Isn't that crazy?" Shinobu laughed.
"Well, I suppose...I mean, he has gone through a lot. Losing his family, his foster parents, his friends and his true love; I would probably feel the same way." Kate said to her.
"Wait a minute...how did you know all that already?" She asked her.
"Erk! Um...H-He told me. Yeah, we talked yesterday and told me the whole thing." Kate quickly said, sweat drops coming from her head.
"O...well, aren't you going to answer my question? What is your philosophy on love?"
"Ah yes. Well, I believe that every human on earth has a mate. That each person was made for only one person to love. It just a matter of finding that person across the world that's going to be difficult. But I also believe in fate. That fate will one day bring that o so special to you and you'll live happily ever after." Kate said to her.
"Wow, that's really in depth. Did you meet your 'special someone' yet?" Shinobu asked. Kate let out a sigh.
"I thought I did..." She said to her. Shinobu was quiet.
"Um...nevermind...let's go this way." Kate told her, turning into a narrow alley.
"But, I'm not even sure where this is going. You might want to stick to the road and..." Shinobu said but was cut off.
"Don't worry about it. I know where I'm going..." She said. They waked up the alley, turning and hiking and walking through fences and on the other end, was a view of the whole city.
"Wow, of all the years I've been here...I didn't know this place existed..." Shinobu said in amazement. They were standing on a grassy hill that had paces of flowers blooming. The whole city was visible as they continued to look out. They could easily see the Hinata Inn and the Hinata Café.
"This place was my secret getaway when I was young. Everyday I would go here just to relax and pick the flowers now and then. This place has been a secret for years...and so far. Only three people know about this place. Me, you, and the person I thought was my 'special someone'." Kate said, smiling as she continued to look at the city.
"What happened to him?"
"Well...something came up. And we had to go our separate ways. We didn't want to leave each other...but we had to. I haven't seen him ever since." She lied as best as she could on the last part without choking. "But hey, forget about it will you? That's a long time ago. Come on, let's go back." Kate told her.
"Alright..."
**
"Hey, Keitaro? You home?" Seta called from the entrance of the Hinata Inn.
"Hey, what's up Seta?" Keitaro said, walking to him. Along came Naru with Keli and Kate.
"O, what do we have here....Keitaro, your daughter is absolutely foxy." Seta said, holding Kate's hand.
"No no no Seta! That's not her! This is her!" Naru said, handing him Keli. Seta looked at her for a moment.
"Like I said Keitaro, your daughter is absolutely foxy." He winked.
"Ok Keli! That's enough time with grandpa Seta!" Naru quickly said, snatching her back.
"Grandpa?! O never mind...Keitaro, do you know where Haruaka is?" He asked him.
"She should be at the Café. Isn't she?" Keitaro asked him back. Seta rubbed his head.
"O yeah...heh, that's where she's always at..." He said as everyone fell over.
"Well! I'll catch you later!" Seta called running off.
"Wait! Was that it!" Keitaro yelled.
"That Seta...sometimes dumber that a bag of hammers...." Keitaro said, walking off. Naru looked at Keli.
"Foxy huh? Well, you should be Keli. You inherit mommy's hair, her eyes, and her looks! Of course I'm not letting you date 'til your twenty-five! Ha!" She laughed, tickling Keli.
**
"Is it, 34xc?" Shinobu asked.
"Nope..." Kai said to her. It was about ten p.m. and Kai was testing Shinobu.
"Hmm...33xc?"
"Wrong..."
"Ah....35xc?"
"Shinobu! It's a biology question! Not a calculus question!" Kai yelled at her, lying down on the sofa.
"O...I'm sorry Kai...it's just that I was up all night studying...guess I'm really wiped out tonight..." She said to him, sitting on the arm of the sofa.
"You know, you should watch your health. You can't just pull all nighters whenever you want. It will take a toll on you if you're not careful." He said to her. Suddenly, Shinobu started to sway.
"Shinobu! Are you ok?"
"Yeah...I suddenly go dizzy is all..." She said, rubbing her head.
"See...this is what I'm talking about. If you're not careful, you could....huh?" Kai cut his sentence short when he noticed that Shinobu suddenly toppled over on top of him.
"Shinobu! Shinobu! Are you ok!" He yelled. All he heard was a light snore.
"Wonderful...she fell asleep and I'm her pillow...better not wake her..." He said, slowly closing his eyes. A few minutes later, Mutsumi walked in and saw Shinobu and Kai.
"Fu fu fu...how cute...." She said. "Mutsumi? What are you doing here this late? Well, not really late...but still.." Keitaro asked.
"Nothing really Kei-kun. Haruka told me to take the rest of the night off...kinda strange if you ask me." Mutsumi said to him. "Look! I brought over some watermelon!" She said, holding up a watermelon.
"Er...that's great and all, but most of the guys are asleep right now..." Keitaro laughed.
"Why are you still up?"
"Me? O just making some last minute repairs is all..." [Actually, Naru started to kick in her sleep again...but I'm not telling her that...] Keitaro thought to himself.
"O my, I forgot to remove my apron..." She said, looking down at her body.
"Give it here, I'll return it. I have to say hi to my aunt once in a while right?" He said, taking the apron and walking outside.
**
It was a starry, crescent moon night as Keitaro walked down the endless steps that lead to the Hinata Inn. He walked into the café and looked around.
"That's odd...no one seems to be here...Haruka? You here!" He called. To his surprise, Haruka was here and she walked down the stairs towards him.
"God...do you have to talk so loudly...?" She said, rubbing her head.
"Heh, sorry. Just returning an apron is all." He said.
"Thanks...want some tea before you go?" She asked.
"Um...sure, why not." Keitaro thanked her as he sat down on the couch. As he sat, he felt something in between the cushions. He reached under and pulled out a bra.
"Um...yours? You know, you should really put these kinds of things in your room..." He said as Haruka snatched the bra away from him. Out of curiously, he reached again and this time...pulled out a white jacket. He held it outstretched and took a long look at it.
"Kinda big for mine...hey, you know who's this is?" Keitaro asked her as she suddenly dropped her bra.
"Give it to me!" She said, cashing him.
"Whoa! What's your problem?" He asked her. Then it just hit him. He placed two and two together.
"Whoa...I didn't think that you're still dating Aunt! So who is it? Is there name writin on the tag?" He asked, inspecting the jacket.
"Keitaro! For the love of God! Don't read the tag!" She yelled at him as he got closer to the tag. Just then, he stopped.
"Heh...fine...if it's that important to you then..."
"Huh? Company? Hey! I wonder where I lost that!" Seta said, standing at the doorway, pointing at the white jacket.
End of Chapter 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several months have passed and Christmas is just around the corner! Keitaro is sworn to a secret and is faced with a problem that will affect the rest of his life. And as Christmas wishes are passed and love is express, will Shinobu be alone for another Christmas? Next time, Chapter 10: A Snowy Beginning