Chapter 3 - Can't you smile?
Keitaro got ready to leave the train as it neared Tokyo startion. He looked for that girl that he put his arm around to apologize once again, but she was no where to be seen.
"Where did she go...?" he asked himself quietly.
The train hummed to a stop at Tokyo station.
"Please leave in an orderly fashion. We hope you enjoyed your trip," said a voice from the train P.A.
Keitaro shuffled off the train and wiped his glasses. He waved for a taxi.
"Where to sir?" asked the taxi driver.
"To Hinata Sou please."
"Hmm... I can only dirve as close to the bridge. Is that fine?" he asked.
"Yes, thats fine."
Keitaro stuffed his belongings in the trunk and got in. The taxi zoomed off.
"So... why are you going to Hinata Sou?" asked the taxi driver.
"Well my grandma Hina is the kanrarin of Hinata Sou and she wanted me to come by for some reason," Keitaro replied.
"Ahhh... I see. Are you a Toudai student?"
Keitaro thought quickly. "It would hurt to lie," he thought.
"Yes, I'm a Toudai student, second year," he lied.
"Really?? My son is trying to get into Toudai. Unfortunatly, we don't have enough money to support him. He's very smart but..."
"Yes. My family had that problem too. But I got a scholarship to get myself into Toudai. I didn't need take the enterance exams," Keitaro lied again.
"Ahh.. I see... Well, we're here. Thats 234 yen."
Keitaro handed him the money and got his things. He looked across the bridge and saw a tall looming building.
"Thats Toudai... I'll get in this year..." said Keitaro.
He looked behind him and saw three old men. The town's council.
"Dreaming is not believing," said one of them.
Keitaro stared at him blankly and started walking towards a bench. He sat down and thought to himself. "He said... Dreaming is not believing... Does he mean that I'm just dreaming that I'll get into Toudai... and I'm not determined enough...?"
Keitaro was so caught up in thinking he didn't realize that the same girl he saw in the train sat down beside him again. She had a sad look on her face. Keitaro stopped thinking of the quote and saw her beside him.
"Hey... your that girl," he said.
The girl looked at him with blurry eyes.
"Hi...," she said shyly. She brushed her tears off with her shirt.
"How come your crying? Is something wrong...?" Keitaro asked.
'I'm moving soon... but I don't want to go. My parents are mad at each other, and they are getting a divorce. They want to get away from each other but... I don't want to go...," she said sobbing.
"Do you have any friends...?" he asked.
"No... nobody wants to be my friend... I'm not doing so well in school."
Keitaro looked at her carefully and said, "Well, I'll be your friend."
She looked at him in suprise. She blushed and thought, "How can someone be so kind...?"
"What is your name?" he asked.
"My name... my name is Shinobu-Chan Maehara," she said shyly.
"Ahhh... Well, my name is Keitaro Urashima. I'm a Toudai student," he lied.
Shinobu's eyes widened and said, 'Your a Toudai student... you must be very smart."
Shinobu became silient. She hasn't smilied once throughout the conversation. Keitaro looked at her solemn face.
"Shinobu... why don't you smile?" he asked.
Shinobu stared into Kietaro's eyes. "I'm sorry Keitaro-sempai... I didn't hear you..."
"Can't you smile?" Keitaro asked again.
Shinobu's eyes filled with tears again. "I'm sorry, but I must go," she said and ran off.
Keitaro watched curiously at her strange behaviour. All he could was feel sorry for her...
"You there! You evil man! Hurting an innocent girl's feelings! I ask you, does that make you feel good? You must be punished for your evil deed.," said a female voice in front of Keitaro.
Keitaro looked up and saw a kendo girl with a sword in her hand carrying a bag.
"What?! I don't understa-""
"Quiet! Prepare for your judgement!" she said and raised her sword.
"No! Ahhh!!!" exclmained Keitaro and he started running with his luggage.
"Zankusen!" she yelled slashing air with her sword towards Keitaro.
A massive wind energy hit Keitaro on the back and sent him flying throught the air.
"Ahhh!!" Keitaro screamed almost crying.
Keitaro landed in front of a large residential palace. He looked up and read the sign. "Hinata Sou... I'm finally here..."
He entered Hinata Sou and looked around. His grandma was no where to be seen. He saw a sign that said Hot Springs.
"I think I need to take a hot bath...." he thought and he entered the hot springs.