I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is an experience I'd like to share. For all grammar and spelling mistakes, I apologize in advance.
Life as it is
Three
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Saturday Night – Grand Reunion Hall
TO ALL TOKYO UNIVERSITY ALUMNI WE WELCOME YOU! WELCOME TO THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY ALUMNI GRAND REUNION!
All I could say is WOW! Definitely… this is one of the most exciting nights of my life. Have you ever felt that massive anticipation? I could feel weird tingling inside my skin. I can't stop smiling at everybody. It's just like coming back home… only this time… there are heaps of people around you.
Everybody looks so – glamorous. I mean everybody's here looking their very best. Women are wearing sparkly, sexy, trendy dresses while the men are in their best formal or dinner suits. I myself am wearing my usual signature attire (when I say signature – it's something that most people would say – that's the Keitaro look /wink/) – black turtle necked long sleeves shirt and pants topped with white Armani coat. Oh well… what can you say? It's a simple fashion but I guess I don't really want to stand out like the others.
It's so bright. Flashy head lights were everywhere. The night breeze was pleasant, not too cold and just a tad warm, the night sky cloudless, moonless and clear, decorated with stars like diamonds. It feels so – romantic.
Sigh. I feel nostalgic just looking around. Can you believe it? I'm here. I'm back, here at Tokyo U.
Tokyo University. My dream… my passion. Everything started at Tokyo U… and maybe tonight… everything might end in it as well.
After passing the entrance exams at Tokyo U my life became heavily complicated. It was really weird. I thought that I was in a relationship with Narusegawa but then she confessed to me that she just wanted me as a friend. I should have let go back then… I should have taken it as it is… but my seething broken heart doesn't want to give up. I mean… can anyone blame me? Can anyone say – you did something really stupid? How can I teach my fickle confidence to believe in myself and just move on?
For so many years… Narusegawa had somehow made me feel a little hopeful… that will all my hard work… she'll learn to love me. And for so long I held on to that hope no matter how harsh she was with me, no matter how cruel she was with every little mistake that I do, no matter how many times she broke my mind, body and soul, I still loved her for who she was. I was afraid of letting go… I was afraid that if I give up I will have to start all over again with someone else… I was so afraid… will you let go if you've already given everything you have to that special someone?
But in the end… I became a broken man. I've had enough. I felt nothing… heart numb and emotionless with one ultimate resolve – I will leave Narusegawa and everything else that reminds me of her.
And so I left Hinata Apartments to study overseas for the second time. I packed my bag, gave Narusegawa and the other girls normal and routine farewells with promise to return and all (including Narusegawa's tearful episode… it almost melted my resolve but I held fast… I will not give in to her, not this time). I asked Narusegawa one last time – 'Do you love me?' and then she answered 'I will tell you when you come back,'
I never came back. I never looked back.
Until now.
Sigh. Yep. Everything started with Tokyo U… tonight… it might end in it as well.
"Is everything okay?" Mutsumi was looking at me with her usual charming smile.
I can't help myself but smile with her and I answered, "Nothing… I just feel a little bit… nostalgic,"
"Really? Well… Tokyo U hasn't changed much… except for few renovations and additional school buildings… although I must say… this place has become a little bit livelier for the past few years…"
"Oh?"
"Yes… students are becoming more and more active… they share their personal lives with the university… and so the head teachers provided additional recreational facilities to help them cope up with their ever changing moods…"
I don't know what came to me. I don't even understand why I did it. For some reason… I found my hand around Mutsumi's shoulders. Her face was a few inches away from mine… I could see the apprehension in her eyes… but all I could think of at that exact moment was her lips… her red thin lips… parted just a little bit. I drew in… braced myself… then I kissed her. Tasted her warmth.
But then reason came into my mind few seconds too late. I came to my senses… I quickly but ever so gently pushed her back.
"I'm so sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" I pleaded combined with deep bows, "I didn't mean to…"
"You didn't mean what Kei-kun?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Tell me what it is that you didn't mean Kei-kun?" Mutsumi was flashing her usual clueless smiles but I could see something different in her eyes. No. I could feel it.
"I didn't mean to kiss you…"
"Then what was that kiss for Kei-kun? Why kiss me if you don't mean to kiss me?"
"I… I…" Why? Why in the world did I do that? Why? Is it because I'm lonely? Is it because I missed her? Is it because I'm just plain desperate to feel wanted again… just like before? I closed my eyes. I couldn't look into Mutsumi's searching eyes. The truth is… I'm desperate for any sign of feeling. I was deprived of it for so long.
Narusegawa.
My God… it's all coming back again.
Why did I ever come to this reunion in the first place? I should have stayed in Massachusetts. I will only end up hurting everybody else.
"It's okay Kei-kun… I just wanted to know… that's all. You don't have to close yourself, you know, I've always been here for you," Mutsumi gave me light tap on my shoulder, "We better get going Kei-kun… I'm sure everybody will be glad to see you again!"
Mutsumi grabbed my arm again and literally dragged me.
We passed other friends that we've met before. Some school mates when I was still doing my second term. Professors and instructors that I've been with. Some additional constructions that weren't there when I left.
And finally I found myself looking at a collection of girls just behind the refreshments table. Actually… they were more like… women. And for the life of me… I couldn't recognize any of them.
"Hello everybody… look who's with me," Mutsumi shouted cheerfully securing her arm in mine making sure I won't have a chance to bolt out of her side.
Honestly… I was about to. I was doing that silly dance, shuffling my feet around. I feel so uncomfortable.
They turned.
I was astonished.
They have all changed.
"Sempai!"
"Hei there Keitaro!"
"I see that you have made it in time Urashima,"
"How's the flight mister former manager!"
For a moment I was at lost for words. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to feel. I feel happy, surprised and painfully embarrassed with myself. Here in front of me was a collection of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, considering that I've seen my fair share travelling around the world. But all the beauty that mankind and nature could give me was nothing in compared to what I'm seeing now. I just don't believe that they were the same girls that I've met at the Hinata Apartments before!
Shinobu has grown taller. Her blue hair is shoulder length, her face flawlessly pampered, wearing a very cute black dress complemented with a short skirt. She's looking at me with the same big lovely eyes and sweet smile.
Kaolla has grown taller too. Her blonde hair shoulder length, tied neatly in a bun, her fair brown skin glowing luxuriously. She's winking at me with the same playfulness she gave me before although this time her eyes were that of a calculating person.
Kitsune looks a bit more glamorous than her usual raunchy style. She's still sporting the short hair look, wearing a dress that shows her flawless shoulders. I bet any man she touched would quickly melt in her hands.
Motoko have absolutely flabbergasted me. Her black luxurious hair lay neatly down, wearing a black long skirt almost the same as Mutsumi's although hers have these intricate silver designs on the side. She's staring at me with a smile. Although… it's a different smile. It felt something… I just couldn't put my finger on it. But I felt it before. Weird.
I'm supposed to say something – something smart so as not to look stupid. I can't make a mistake in front of these heavenly girls. And so I feigned that I wasn't surprised with what I'm seeing now… cleared my throat a little bit and said the very first thing that came to mind, "Howsitgoingmate?"
WHAT IN THE HELL?
HOWSITGOINGMATE?
HOW STUPID AM I?
The girls were giving me that worried look. I was probably blushing like hell and at that moment I just want to crawl down on a hole on the ground and just die, if not for Mutsumi's strong hold, I could have bolted out of her and just disappear somewhere.
And so I just reverted to my old self (geez… didn't I just did that?) put my hand at the back of my head and laughed myself silly.
"Sorry about that! I didn't mean to confuse you… it's some sort of a… of a… a greeting that I've learned during my trip…"
Thankfully, Kitsune perked everything up, "Really? What country did that greeting came from Keitaro?"
"It's some sort of a country greeting from Australia…"
"Australia?" Kaolla asked while sipping her glass of champagne, decorated with a tiny banana on stick.
"You've been to Australia sempai… how is it in there?" Shinobu added, holding her glass of red wine.
"What was that drawl again? Haw-sa-go-wing-met?" Kitsune piped in, clearly amused on how everything turned out.
And so we started from there. Mutsumi felt a little bit trusting with me when we all started laughing about an episode that happened to me while I'm on my expedition at the Australian outback. She let go of my arm eventually and then returned to offer me a glass of chardonnay. It was becoming a pleasant evening after all.
You know… all that time, I couldn't help but notice Motoko looking at me. She didn't join our conversation; she just sat there, listening to our stories and all, just laughing along with us. She was awfully quiet. And what was the weirdest thing is that she's actually looking at me. Something's going on.
"Remember the time sempai always drop in at the hot springs when we're taking a bath?" Shinobu began a topic that wasn't exactly on my memorable list. But she was having a good time nevertheless, so what could a few embarrassing experiences do?
"Yeah… Keitaro usually gives this lame excuse that he slipped or something…" Kitsune flamed.
"Hei! That's not fair… I did slip! Honest!" I know it's futile but I should give it a try.
"Eh? Don't tell me you slip all the time? And only when we're around?" Kitsune laughed.
"Keitaro is a pervert… he always perv on us!" Kaolla doesn't seem to mind the implications of what she's saying and all the while I couldn't help but look around Motoko for her sword.
"Kaolla that's not fair! I honestly didn't mean to peek on you gals!" Oh well… it's worth taking a shot.
Then Motoko placed her glass gently down, looked straight at me and gave her first input of the night, "I think Urashima did nothing but fantasize all of us,"
"That's not it Motoko…" I said with a smile. I don't want to get into trouble again.
And there it was.
I saw it.
Motoko's actually smiling about it. She's just staring at me with a smile. Her lips thinned. Her eyes penetrating. I was mesmerised by her. And I also noticed the way she moved her hand on her exposed legs.
I gulped.
What's going on Motoko?
You better be careful Keitaro! Cheers!
nivremous
On behalf of Keitaro, thanks to all those who gave a review.