Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina, I love this series, but it's not mine.

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The next morning was a normal one. Kitsune got a thrill out of Ryusei's "Lovely Angel" shirt, Motoko almost killed him, Mutsumi passed out a couple of times and everyone enjoyed a bountiful breakfast. Despite this, he knew that what he needed now was to finally get the account. After breakfast, Ryusei began his three part plan. Step one, arrange a meeting with the head of Kokusho Publishing. Step two, negotiate a contract. Step three, live happily ever after.

"I guess it's time to make the call. Now where's the phone? Ah. Here we go." After three rings, the receptionist answered the phone. "Kokusho Publishing, where dreams are printed, how may I help you?" "Yes, My name is Ryusei Tanaka. I'm calling to set up a meeting with the head of the company." "Oh, Mr. Tanaka, of course. Mr. Hitsuma was concerned when you didn't come to your last meeting. I'll see what I can do." Ryusei just knew he had a chance now. "Alright, just have him call back here. Good-bye now."

Ryusei began a series of happy dances. "I'm gonna get the account! Oh yeah!" This continued until he opened his eyes to see the girls trying to hold back their laughter.

"Guess what! They're gonna publish me! Isn't it great!" Su congratulated him with a dropkick to the face. "Ow! Is that really how you congratulate people!" Kitsune grabbed Su before she could do anymore harm. "I'll bet you're thrilled about this. So when do you start?" Ryusei scratched the back of his head. "Weeeeell. I haven't been confirmed about if I got the account yet." Everyone sweatdropped. "Well, we've got school to get to. Come on Su." Shinobu said as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. "I have to get back to training. Naru, I'll need your help studying for Toudai later." Motoko said as she headed up the stairs.

"Wait, she's going for Toudai? Just like you?" Ryusei asked quizically. Naru gave him a slap on the back. "Of course she is. Toudai is a great school after all. Besides, if Keitaro could get in, so can she. Now be sure to do your chores today."

Ryusei just smirked and went to go get the broom.

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"Three hours. I did it all in three hours." Ryusei moaned. "These hot springs really are fantastic. They really take the edge off. It's a good thing Naru left for Toudai earlier, I don't feel like getting pounded again."

Ryusei lazed about the hot springs until his skin began to prune. After drying off though, he heard something that made his heart go bonkers. "Riiiiiing! Riiiiiing!" In a flash he darted out of the springs to get to the phone, but Kitsune beat him to it."

"Hinata-sou, how may I help you? Ryusei?" Kitsune noticed Ryusei just standing their, waiting to see if it was for him. "It's for you." Ryusei's eyes lit up. "Mr. Hitsuma? Yes I can. How about "The Mystic Seahorse" at 5:00? All you can eat seafood. Alright. Bye now." Kitsune just stood their waiting to know what happened. He wrapped his arms around her and started crying. "I got the interview! I'm gonna be in Kokusho Publishing!" Kitsune just forced a smile. "That's great, but could you loosen the death-grip?"

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Ryusei stood outside the restaurant, waiting for the man who would change his life forever. But when they didn't show up on time he began to worry. "Maybe he doesn't know where the place is. Who am I kidding! He's not going to come! I'm such a loser!" "I'm five minutes late and you fall to pieces. You remind me of myself at your age." Ryusei turned around and saw an old man with green eyes and white hair formed into an afro. "Mr. Himitsu! Ahem, It is an honor to finally meet you." Himitsu walked up and patted him on the shoulder to show him his friendly nature. "You really need to relax sonny. Now let's go enjoy some seafood." Ryusei took a deep breath an entered the restaurant with the head of his dream job, knowing that he had the charisma and skill to get through this.

Hopefully.

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"I hope he gets back soon, that sake is calling to me. I have to drink!" said Kitsune as she taped the last streamer to the banister. "Don't worry, I'm sure it won't be long. Besides, when he returns from his interview we need to be here to congratulate him." said Naru. "Besides, if we let you drink now there won't be any left!" Su charged in with a plate of bananas. "I hope he's hungry, I whipped up these curry bananas extra special." Motoko sweatdropped. "Honestly Su, sometimes not even I can predict what you will do next." Shinobu yawned quietly. "I'm getting kinda tired. Can we have the party tommorow?" Mutsumi grabbed her cheeks and forced her to smile. "Nonsense. Never put off what you can do today. Besides, it would be rude to waste precious daylight." "It's 9:00 at night!" This came from Naru.

At that moment, Ryusei walked into the house.

"Surprise! Congratulations Ryusei!" yelled everyone in unison. Ryusei didn't respond. Instead, he headed up the stairs to his room. "Hey! We're throwing you a party you jerk! Get back here!" Naru yelled. She ran up the stairs to find out what was wrong with him.

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"Hey! What's your deal! We throw you a party and you blow us off! Are you just too good for us now or something?" Naru yelled. Ryusei turned around, so that Naru could see the tears flowing from his eyes. "I broke my promise to her. They're not going to publish me." Naru stood there, not knowing what to say.

"I'm just going to go to bed. Tell everyone I'm sorry."

Naru grabbed him by the hand firmly. "You can at least come down and tell them yourself. We worked so hard to have a party for you by the time you got back. You need to think of their feelings." Ryusei broke the death grip on his hand. "Thanks for trying , but I just need to sleep."

As he entered his room, Naru couldn't help but feel sad. Sad that he had broken a promise to someone who he obviously cared for. Naru knew just how tough it was to keep her promise to get into Toudai. Even after she failed and became a first-year ronin, she knew she would succeed and that she would finally keep her promise, no matter what.

"Goodnight, Ryusei."

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"That no good bum! How can he do this to us? I worked sober for him!" Kitsune said semi-drunkenly. "Something bad must have happened. I hope he's alright." said Shinobu in a concerned tone. Motoko just stood there with Su hanging of off her, but she too wasn't pleased with Ryusei's attitude. "Maybe the curry bananas will help." Su proclaimed as she pulled a tray of them from out of nowhere. Mutsumi clasped her hands and looked up at the stairs. "Hey, here comes Naru. Maybe she could shed some light on the subject."

As Naru descended the stairs, the other girls knew that it was bad news.

"He didn't get in." Naru said depressingly. Kitsune shook her head viciously. "But he's one of the greatest authors I know, I love his work more than anything else. Those Kokusho people are just a bunch of old farts, they wouldn't know talent if it bit them on the ass!"

Haruka placed her hand on Kitsune's shoulder. "Calm down. I expected this to happen. You should have too." Everyone was surprised by Haruka's remark. "Kokusho Publishing doesn't have very many clients, that's because they only accept the best fo the best. Ryusei just wasn't ready." The girls lowered their eyes in despair. "Just let him rest, get things together. I promise you that he'll be back to himself in no time."

Haruka took one last drag of her cigarette before she left the girls to clean up.

End Chapter 5