Love Hina – Restoration to a Time Past
Fanfic by Steven Biggs
Chapter Three – Empty House
Tuesday Morning.
Haruka walks into the dining room as the girls are having breakfast. Naru asks Shinobu to set another place at the table for her. As they continue eating, Haruka breaks the news of the remodeling plans.
"Something came up and we're going to start some renovation work on the inn tomorrow. I'm afraid that all of you will need to be ready to leave in the morning. But, before you start to complain, I have the keys to rooms at an apartment near here. All of you can stay there until the work is done, since your lease covers you while remodeling is taking place."
Kitsune pours some more soup into her bowl and glances at her.
"But what'll happen to us after that? Ya'll said we can't live here without a manager."
"Maybe I can talk to Keitaro before then and convince him to come back."
Motoko shakes her head.
"That possibility seems remote. I do not believe there is anything that will entice him to return except the eviction of all the current residents."
Naru looks at Haruka.
"How long will the work take?"
"About two to three weeks. The older buildings will be reopened and used for tourists."
Shinobu, keeping to their plan, wrings her hands.
"Aaauuuuu! If Hinata-sou isn't going to be a dormitory for girls anymore, my parents won't let me stay here. I'm really gonna have to leave!"
Su grabs a banana from the table.
"I don't wants to take baths with icky old guys! I'd rather go back home and work on my tan. I'm getting' kinda pale."
Motoko pokes at her salad.
"Perhaps it is time for me to pursue broader experiences for my training. I must become more adept before I return to Kyoto."
Kitsune leans back and stretches her arms above her head.
"Maybe I'll do some traveling too. It'll help give me new ideas for my writing."
Haruka looks back and forth at the girls, unable to think of anything to say to keep them from leaving, when she obviously can't reveal Keitaro's plans. Naru sets her fork on her plate and sighs.
"If I had a job around her, I could get by. But there aren't many positions available this close to the holidays. And if everyone else leaves, I don't think I'd stay anyway."
Shinobu sniffles and wipes a tear from her cheek.
"I wouldn't mind working at a bakery or something. The only thing I can do well is cook."
Motoko nods her head.
"It is very tedious looking for employment in times like these. Personally, I would prefer to be more self-sufficient, and not need to rely upon my school to continue covering all my expenses."
Su finishes eating her banana.
"Me too! Uh, what Motoko said!"
Seeing what she believes to be an opening, Haruka falls for their ploy and clears her throat.
"Well, after the work is completed, we will need to hire a staff. I'd be happy to accept applications from all of you. That is, if you don't mind staying here."
Kitsune looks up at her.
"Do ya'll plan to provide room and board to the hired help?"
"Yes, that is part of the job offer."
Haruka places some help wanted flyers on the table.
"You can look these over and if you see a position that you like, just let me know. Since all of you are already familiar with Hinata-sou, it'll be a big factor in your favor."
They finish breakfast and Haruka heads back to her Tea Shop. Naru watches her walk down the steps and then returns to the common room. The girls look at each other for a few seconds and then start jumping and shaking hands. Naru sits on the couch and laughs.
"That was easy! Haruka-san seemed almost desperate to keep us here! Since we already know what jobs we want, we should get her our applications today."
Kitsune pours a glass of sake and leans back on the couch.
"Won't Keitaro-san be surprised!"
The girls turn in their applications to Haruka and pack their bags. Items to big to take along are moved into the storage room. They all file out of Hinata-sou and walk down the steps, waving to Haruka as they pass the Tea Shop. Keitaro, staying hidden behind the door, watches them leave. After they turn the corner, Haruka enters and looks at Keitaro.
"Well, they've gone to the apartments. You can start the renovations anytime."
Keitaro goes to the telephone and places a few calls. Within the hour, dozens of vehicles and scores of workers descend on Hinata-sou. The common room is transformed into the command center for the repair operation; drawings, material samples, and a huge timeline chart cover tables and walls.
Walking through the buildings with the contractor, Keitaro points out areas that need repair or replacement. They eventually arrive in his room and the contractor points to the hole in the ceiling. He writes down the manager's instructions and they move on to the other rooms.
Over the next few days, the echoes of hammering, sawing, and sanding create a harmony of noise, the sounds of Hinata-sou being restored to her full glory. After the initial flurry of activity, electricians arrive and rewire the old lines. Plumbers come next, repairing all leaks and reinforcing the pipes leading to the hot spring. They lay long sections of underground pipes, providing a path for diverting some of the natural hot spring waters to the two new hot springs being prepared behind the renovated resort rooms. A common, ceramic-tiled bath is restored on the first floor, leading to separate springs for male and female customers.
A little more than a week into the renovations, the contractor points out a passageway that one of the workers discovered in the common room. Keitaro makes his way into the new area and inspects the rooms and corridors. Seeing that they are inn relatively good condition, he decides against having any work performed there. He does find an exquisitely crafted mannequin in one of the rooms and decides to use it to decorate the entry to the inn. The artisans build an ornate, glass cabinet to house the doll. One of them suggests bolting a pole to the doll to allow it to stand, but Keitaro wants to leave it in the sitting position that he found it, unwilling to damage it in any way. On the top of the cabinet, he specifies a plaque with the name Moe on it, since that was on a small slip of paper taped to the door where he found the mannequin.
During the last week of the repair operation, a crew arrives and completely repaints the exterior of all the buildings. Keitaro and the contractor make circuits of the facility, looking for any minor work that needs to be completed. The heating sub-contractor arrives and installs a new boiler in the resort building. He suggests that the boiler in the main building be replaced, but Keitaro decides to leave it as it is, saying that he likes working on it himself.
The landscaping crew arrives, and in one day they erase all traces of the heavy machinery that have moved across the grounds. Shrubbery, trees, and flowerbeds are planted, along with stone paths leading to each of the buildings.
Friday Afternoon.
On the final day of work, after he bids farewell to the contractor and his crew, Keitaro and his aunt stand on the roof of the inn, overlooking the new Hinata-sou. Haruka pats Keitaro on the shoulder.
"You've done a wonderful job, Keitaro. And, the Tea Shop never looked better. You really should think about being an architect when you make it into Toudai."
He smiles as he looks over the grounds.
"I'm really happy how it turned out. It's just as I imagined. I hope that Granny Hina likes what I've done to the Inn."
"I am very proud of you, Keitaro!"
They turn around. Walking along the peak of the roof is Granny Hina. She claps her hands together in applause to Keitaro's work. A tall man in a white lab coat walks alongside her. Haruka stares at the man.
"Seta?"
Keitaro looks at his aunt.
"Is he a friend of your's?"
"Sort of. This is Seta, he's an archeologists working at Toudai. Seta, this is my nephew Keitaro."
Seta waves at them.
"Nice to meet you, Keitaro. Hello Haruka. You're looking healthy."
She adjusts her cigarette holder.
"Two years, and all you can say is that I'm looking healthy?"
"You are aging very well."
Seta doubles over as Haruka drives her elbow into his stomach. Hina pats Keitaro on the arm.
"How are you doing, Keitaro? Haruka told me that Motoko-chan was a little rough on you."
He places a hand on his head.
"I'm fine! All this work seems to be good for me. I hardly even notice it while I'm busy. I'm really happy to see you, and I'm glad you like the restoration."
The old woman looks out over the land.
"Ah, this brings back memories. We haven't used this inn as a resort for over fifteen years. It was too much trouble for me to do myself. Tell me, what about the girls? Are you planning to kick them out?"
He stares at his grandmother.
"I would never do that! I'm still their manager, after all. I'm responsible for them."
She smiles at him.
"I knew that you were the right choice. You make me proud. Keitaro."
Hina turns and watches as Haruka stomps on Seta, obviously reacting to another of his misplaced comments. She smiles at them.
"Ah, a young couple in love. Keitaro, have you given any thought to starting a family? There are quite a few pretty girls here at Hinata-sou."
He blushes and turns his head.
"Well, I haven't made it into Toudai yet, and I still need to find a stable job. I want to make sure that I can be a good provider first."
"You will be very well off with Hinata-sou being a resort once more."
"That's true, but I still need to keep my promise and make it into Toudai. Also, I want to continue improving myself."
She looks sideways at him.
"You could sell Hinata-sou for a very tidy profit."
"Never!"
"Never?"
He shakes his head.
"Hinata-sou is, well, it's like family. I could never part with it."
Haruka, finished with her assault on Seta walks over.
"I have some applicants for the positions. If you feel up to it today, I can send them over for interviews."
Keitaro nods his head.
"I'd like to fill the staff as quickly as possible. I plan to have the grand re-opening a week from today and the staff will need to have their crews ready by then."
Haruka looks at Hina.
"I'll need Granny Hina's help to screen them, and then I'll send them up to you. They should arrive around four o'clock. By the way, Seta has a proposition for you from Toudai. Granny Hina and I think it would be good if you hear him out."
A few minutes later, Keitaro and Seta sit in the common room. Seta sips some coffee and looks around the inn.
"This place looks great! You've done a good job."
"Thank you, Seta-san. Have you known Granny Hina for long?"
"Not really. I met her a few weeks ago while I was overseas on a dig. I was surprised to find out that she was Haruka's grandmother."
Keitaro leans forward.
"Are you really a professor at Toudai? I've been trying to get in there for the past few years!"
"I sure am. I teach history and archeology. That is, when I'm not out on an excavation. Speaking of that, Hina-san mentioned that there are a lot of old caves under Hinata-sou and Toudai has been wanting to send a team there for years, but she always turned them down."
"If she doesn't want anyone digging stuff up, why should I agree?"
"Hina-san said that she was waiting for you to be the manager before agreeing to it. I don't know why, but that's what she told me."
Keitaro nods his head.
"I guess it would be okay. I kind of envy you. It must be fun to find old stuff like that."
Seta looks at him intently.
"Say, I have an idea. Why don't you work with us?"
"But, I'm not even a student at Toudai!"
"That's okay! I can hire anyone I want as an assistant. Since you own this land, I thought I'd offer you the job, part-time of course. You can even use the experience as credit when you make it into Toudai!"
Keitaro smiles.
"That would be great! Thanks, Seta-san!"
"Okay, part-timer! I'll get back with you on the details, since you're pretty busy with re-opening the inn. I'd like to do a preliminary survey before Christmas, if you don't mind."
Keitaro eagerly nods his head.
"Fine, fantastic! Let me know if you need anything. You can use one of the rooms here, free of charge!'
Seta slaps him on the shoulder.
"That's great! Say, you don't happen to practice martial arts, do you?"
Keitaro shakes his head.
"Not really. Not unless you count the times Motoko-chan attacks me."
Seta nods again.
"Tell you what. In exchange for the free rent, how about I give you some lessons?"
Keitaro's eyes brighten.
"You got a deal!"
They shake hands and Seta tells him that he will be back in a few days with the contract. Keitaro walks around the inn, marveling at how good the building now looks. He returns to his room and goes over the paperwork, signing catering contracts for keeping the kitchen supplied. Suddenly, he leaps from his chair as the telephone rings. He looks around for a few moments before remembering that he had phone service installed in all the rooms. He lifts the receiver.
"Urashima Keitaro speaking."
"Keitaro, this is Haruka. Granny Hina and I are sending the first applicant up right now."
"I'll go wait in the common room!"
"No need. I told them that you'd be in the manager's room. Just wait for them there."
"Okay, Haruka-san. Thanks for your help."
He sets the handset back in its holder and straightens the paperwork on his desk. He checks the pitcher on the kotatsu table to ensure it is full of tea and waits. Presently there is a knock. He walks over and slides the door open.
"Hello, I'm Urashima Keit . . ."
His mouth drops open and blood spurts from his nostrils.
End of Chapter Three.
Fanfic by Steven Biggs
Chapter Three – Empty House
Tuesday Morning.
Haruka walks into the dining room as the girls are having breakfast. Naru asks Shinobu to set another place at the table for her. As they continue eating, Haruka breaks the news of the remodeling plans.
"Something came up and we're going to start some renovation work on the inn tomorrow. I'm afraid that all of you will need to be ready to leave in the morning. But, before you start to complain, I have the keys to rooms at an apartment near here. All of you can stay there until the work is done, since your lease covers you while remodeling is taking place."
Kitsune pours some more soup into her bowl and glances at her.
"But what'll happen to us after that? Ya'll said we can't live here without a manager."
"Maybe I can talk to Keitaro before then and convince him to come back."
Motoko shakes her head.
"That possibility seems remote. I do not believe there is anything that will entice him to return except the eviction of all the current residents."
Naru looks at Haruka.
"How long will the work take?"
"About two to three weeks. The older buildings will be reopened and used for tourists."
Shinobu, keeping to their plan, wrings her hands.
"Aaauuuuu! If Hinata-sou isn't going to be a dormitory for girls anymore, my parents won't let me stay here. I'm really gonna have to leave!"
Su grabs a banana from the table.
"I don't wants to take baths with icky old guys! I'd rather go back home and work on my tan. I'm getting' kinda pale."
Motoko pokes at her salad.
"Perhaps it is time for me to pursue broader experiences for my training. I must become more adept before I return to Kyoto."
Kitsune leans back and stretches her arms above her head.
"Maybe I'll do some traveling too. It'll help give me new ideas for my writing."
Haruka looks back and forth at the girls, unable to think of anything to say to keep them from leaving, when she obviously can't reveal Keitaro's plans. Naru sets her fork on her plate and sighs.
"If I had a job around her, I could get by. But there aren't many positions available this close to the holidays. And if everyone else leaves, I don't think I'd stay anyway."
Shinobu sniffles and wipes a tear from her cheek.
"I wouldn't mind working at a bakery or something. The only thing I can do well is cook."
Motoko nods her head.
"It is very tedious looking for employment in times like these. Personally, I would prefer to be more self-sufficient, and not need to rely upon my school to continue covering all my expenses."
Su finishes eating her banana.
"Me too! Uh, what Motoko said!"
Seeing what she believes to be an opening, Haruka falls for their ploy and clears her throat.
"Well, after the work is completed, we will need to hire a staff. I'd be happy to accept applications from all of you. That is, if you don't mind staying here."
Kitsune looks up at her.
"Do ya'll plan to provide room and board to the hired help?"
"Yes, that is part of the job offer."
Haruka places some help wanted flyers on the table.
"You can look these over and if you see a position that you like, just let me know. Since all of you are already familiar with Hinata-sou, it'll be a big factor in your favor."
They finish breakfast and Haruka heads back to her Tea Shop. Naru watches her walk down the steps and then returns to the common room. The girls look at each other for a few seconds and then start jumping and shaking hands. Naru sits on the couch and laughs.
"That was easy! Haruka-san seemed almost desperate to keep us here! Since we already know what jobs we want, we should get her our applications today."
Kitsune pours a glass of sake and leans back on the couch.
"Won't Keitaro-san be surprised!"
The girls turn in their applications to Haruka and pack their bags. Items to big to take along are moved into the storage room. They all file out of Hinata-sou and walk down the steps, waving to Haruka as they pass the Tea Shop. Keitaro, staying hidden behind the door, watches them leave. After they turn the corner, Haruka enters and looks at Keitaro.
"Well, they've gone to the apartments. You can start the renovations anytime."
Keitaro goes to the telephone and places a few calls. Within the hour, dozens of vehicles and scores of workers descend on Hinata-sou. The common room is transformed into the command center for the repair operation; drawings, material samples, and a huge timeline chart cover tables and walls.
Walking through the buildings with the contractor, Keitaro points out areas that need repair or replacement. They eventually arrive in his room and the contractor points to the hole in the ceiling. He writes down the manager's instructions and they move on to the other rooms.
Over the next few days, the echoes of hammering, sawing, and sanding create a harmony of noise, the sounds of Hinata-sou being restored to her full glory. After the initial flurry of activity, electricians arrive and rewire the old lines. Plumbers come next, repairing all leaks and reinforcing the pipes leading to the hot spring. They lay long sections of underground pipes, providing a path for diverting some of the natural hot spring waters to the two new hot springs being prepared behind the renovated resort rooms. A common, ceramic-tiled bath is restored on the first floor, leading to separate springs for male and female customers.
A little more than a week into the renovations, the contractor points out a passageway that one of the workers discovered in the common room. Keitaro makes his way into the new area and inspects the rooms and corridors. Seeing that they are inn relatively good condition, he decides against having any work performed there. He does find an exquisitely crafted mannequin in one of the rooms and decides to use it to decorate the entry to the inn. The artisans build an ornate, glass cabinet to house the doll. One of them suggests bolting a pole to the doll to allow it to stand, but Keitaro wants to leave it in the sitting position that he found it, unwilling to damage it in any way. On the top of the cabinet, he specifies a plaque with the name Moe on it, since that was on a small slip of paper taped to the door where he found the mannequin.
During the last week of the repair operation, a crew arrives and completely repaints the exterior of all the buildings. Keitaro and the contractor make circuits of the facility, looking for any minor work that needs to be completed. The heating sub-contractor arrives and installs a new boiler in the resort building. He suggests that the boiler in the main building be replaced, but Keitaro decides to leave it as it is, saying that he likes working on it himself.
The landscaping crew arrives, and in one day they erase all traces of the heavy machinery that have moved across the grounds. Shrubbery, trees, and flowerbeds are planted, along with stone paths leading to each of the buildings.
Friday Afternoon.
On the final day of work, after he bids farewell to the contractor and his crew, Keitaro and his aunt stand on the roof of the inn, overlooking the new Hinata-sou. Haruka pats Keitaro on the shoulder.
"You've done a wonderful job, Keitaro. And, the Tea Shop never looked better. You really should think about being an architect when you make it into Toudai."
He smiles as he looks over the grounds.
"I'm really happy how it turned out. It's just as I imagined. I hope that Granny Hina likes what I've done to the Inn."
"I am very proud of you, Keitaro!"
They turn around. Walking along the peak of the roof is Granny Hina. She claps her hands together in applause to Keitaro's work. A tall man in a white lab coat walks alongside her. Haruka stares at the man.
"Seta?"
Keitaro looks at his aunt.
"Is he a friend of your's?"
"Sort of. This is Seta, he's an archeologists working at Toudai. Seta, this is my nephew Keitaro."
Seta waves at them.
"Nice to meet you, Keitaro. Hello Haruka. You're looking healthy."
She adjusts her cigarette holder.
"Two years, and all you can say is that I'm looking healthy?"
"You are aging very well."
Seta doubles over as Haruka drives her elbow into his stomach. Hina pats Keitaro on the arm.
"How are you doing, Keitaro? Haruka told me that Motoko-chan was a little rough on you."
He places a hand on his head.
"I'm fine! All this work seems to be good for me. I hardly even notice it while I'm busy. I'm really happy to see you, and I'm glad you like the restoration."
The old woman looks out over the land.
"Ah, this brings back memories. We haven't used this inn as a resort for over fifteen years. It was too much trouble for me to do myself. Tell me, what about the girls? Are you planning to kick them out?"
He stares at his grandmother.
"I would never do that! I'm still their manager, after all. I'm responsible for them."
She smiles at him.
"I knew that you were the right choice. You make me proud. Keitaro."
Hina turns and watches as Haruka stomps on Seta, obviously reacting to another of his misplaced comments. She smiles at them.
"Ah, a young couple in love. Keitaro, have you given any thought to starting a family? There are quite a few pretty girls here at Hinata-sou."
He blushes and turns his head.
"Well, I haven't made it into Toudai yet, and I still need to find a stable job. I want to make sure that I can be a good provider first."
"You will be very well off with Hinata-sou being a resort once more."
"That's true, but I still need to keep my promise and make it into Toudai. Also, I want to continue improving myself."
She looks sideways at him.
"You could sell Hinata-sou for a very tidy profit."
"Never!"
"Never?"
He shakes his head.
"Hinata-sou is, well, it's like family. I could never part with it."
Haruka, finished with her assault on Seta walks over.
"I have some applicants for the positions. If you feel up to it today, I can send them over for interviews."
Keitaro nods his head.
"I'd like to fill the staff as quickly as possible. I plan to have the grand re-opening a week from today and the staff will need to have their crews ready by then."
Haruka looks at Hina.
"I'll need Granny Hina's help to screen them, and then I'll send them up to you. They should arrive around four o'clock. By the way, Seta has a proposition for you from Toudai. Granny Hina and I think it would be good if you hear him out."
A few minutes later, Keitaro and Seta sit in the common room. Seta sips some coffee and looks around the inn.
"This place looks great! You've done a good job."
"Thank you, Seta-san. Have you known Granny Hina for long?"
"Not really. I met her a few weeks ago while I was overseas on a dig. I was surprised to find out that she was Haruka's grandmother."
Keitaro leans forward.
"Are you really a professor at Toudai? I've been trying to get in there for the past few years!"
"I sure am. I teach history and archeology. That is, when I'm not out on an excavation. Speaking of that, Hina-san mentioned that there are a lot of old caves under Hinata-sou and Toudai has been wanting to send a team there for years, but she always turned them down."
"If she doesn't want anyone digging stuff up, why should I agree?"
"Hina-san said that she was waiting for you to be the manager before agreeing to it. I don't know why, but that's what she told me."
Keitaro nods his head.
"I guess it would be okay. I kind of envy you. It must be fun to find old stuff like that."
Seta looks at him intently.
"Say, I have an idea. Why don't you work with us?"
"But, I'm not even a student at Toudai!"
"That's okay! I can hire anyone I want as an assistant. Since you own this land, I thought I'd offer you the job, part-time of course. You can even use the experience as credit when you make it into Toudai!"
Keitaro smiles.
"That would be great! Thanks, Seta-san!"
"Okay, part-timer! I'll get back with you on the details, since you're pretty busy with re-opening the inn. I'd like to do a preliminary survey before Christmas, if you don't mind."
Keitaro eagerly nods his head.
"Fine, fantastic! Let me know if you need anything. You can use one of the rooms here, free of charge!'
Seta slaps him on the shoulder.
"That's great! Say, you don't happen to practice martial arts, do you?"
Keitaro shakes his head.
"Not really. Not unless you count the times Motoko-chan attacks me."
Seta nods again.
"Tell you what. In exchange for the free rent, how about I give you some lessons?"
Keitaro's eyes brighten.
"You got a deal!"
They shake hands and Seta tells him that he will be back in a few days with the contract. Keitaro walks around the inn, marveling at how good the building now looks. He returns to his room and goes over the paperwork, signing catering contracts for keeping the kitchen supplied. Suddenly, he leaps from his chair as the telephone rings. He looks around for a few moments before remembering that he had phone service installed in all the rooms. He lifts the receiver.
"Urashima Keitaro speaking."
"Keitaro, this is Haruka. Granny Hina and I are sending the first applicant up right now."
"I'll go wait in the common room!"
"No need. I told them that you'd be in the manager's room. Just wait for them there."
"Okay, Haruka-san. Thanks for your help."
He sets the handset back in its holder and straightens the paperwork on his desk. He checks the pitcher on the kotatsu table to ensure it is full of tea and waits. Presently there is a knock. He walks over and slides the door open.
"Hello, I'm Urashima Keit . . ."
His mouth drops open and blood spurts from his nostrils.
End of Chapter Three.
