Keitaro Levels Up!
Chapter 8:
Okay, this I can't let go...
Dear BrianDarksoul,
Sup? I'll start off with one simple statement... I HAVEN'T EVEN DECIDED THE &#$ING PAIRINGS YET! I'll decide if I get enough votes which people haven't been doing. Number 2, this has not nor will ever be a Naru ego-stroker. If you had read the manga you would know that Naru may not be the ideal girlfriend but is a mostly good person who may overreact a lot but also genuinely loves Keitaro. Also, you would see and know that in the MANGA, the girls all gave up their chances to be with Keitaro (look in the 9th volume) because they knew Naru and Keitaro loved each other. But, I don't blame you. On the surface, Naru is a supreme bitch. But... (this is a very large but) no one seems to want to wail on Motoko for abusing him as well. And what about Kitsune's teasing? I also remember instances where Shinobu beaned Keitaro in the head with a frying pan! And what about SU! The number of times he was blown up and/or nearly killed is in the triple digits! This you would know if you read the manga. Oh, and by the way, try watching what you type. Seriously... I've only seen that kind of crappy typing on AIM. Chjacter? Eesh.
P.S. Anybody who likes my writing can actually go and flame BrianDarkSoul's stuff Don't forget to mention that someone who writes porn doesn't write at all.
(Oh, and by the way, can anybody give me some info on The Dark Icon Writers? I have reviews from some of them. Oh, GYRAX, if you can read this, I'm a fan. Same goes for Dimitri.)
Keitaro finally began settling back into his normal life... or as normal as it could get. Su was still using Mecha-Tama designs on him, Kitsune was as flirtacious as ever, Motoko still wouldn't talk to him as usual, but Naru... Naru had seemed distant after she found out about his "condition".
He leaned on the railing that overlooked the steps leading up to Hinata House. Deep in thought he thought back to how different his life was when his other self piped up. "You are extremely sentimental, you know."
"Hey! Is it bad for a guy to reflect?"
"...You're acting like a woman."
"...Shut up!"
"Oh, please, Keitaro. I can read your every thought. You think that I'll ruin your chances of getting Naru."
"No... no... I mean, of course not! Naru's just... She's having a hard time dealing with me."
"Don't make me laugh. There are plenty of better women out there, Keitaro. Why waste your time with this one?"
"Because... because... I don't know."
"Heh."
"...Just go away for a while, okay? I need to think."
"As you wish."
"Hey, Kei-baby. Whatcha doin'?" Kitsune asked while slipping her arms around his waist.
Keitaro just stood there, his eyes watching the curves of the grain in the railing. "Just thinking..." he trailed off.
She squeezed him, not letting go and hoping he'd do something funny. "Worried about Naru, huh?" she questioned.
He facefaulted, "Am I that transparent?"
She giggled an let go of him, "Yes. And quit with the depression, hon. A cutie like you has nothing to worry about!"
His glasses fogged up and his cheeks burned. She tapped him on the nose, "Now that's the Keitaro I know," she said, beaming.
He smiled at her but quickly lost it as he heard the tromping of footsteps and a far off "KWEITAAAAAAROOOOOOO!"
He began shivering and turned around to meet his fate head-on. In a split second, all he could see was white and smell only cotton and could only think, "OHHHHHHHHH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!" before he passed out from blood loss.
Su wondered why he was on the floor while she straddled his head and asked Kitsune, "Why's Kei-chan bleeding?"
She facefaulted and told her, "Kei-chan's a bit overwhelmed right now."
Su just sat there straddling his face as a muffled voice said, "Fan't breaf."
"Huh?" Su said, oblivious.
She looked down as she was lifted up into the air by a slightly annoyed anti-Keitaro who was stylishly sporting broken glasses.
Su grabbed him and hugged him, "YAY! Robo-Kei-chan!"
He just sat up with Su still hanging on him. "Oh... Good Morning, Mitsune-san," he greeted nonchalantly. He picked up Su and put her on his back and proceeded to head downstairs with Su giggling happily.
Kitsune just stood there for a few seconds and shook her head, "Man, Naru... You sure do know how to pick 'em."
anti-Keitaro walked down the stairs with Su still riding on his shoulders. He passed by Naru and didn't say a word, scheming to get Keitaro away from her. He put down Su, much to her disappointment and leaned on the counter Naru was next to.
Naru blushed when she saw him, "Uh... Keitaro... what are you doing down here so early?"
He shrugged and slipped off his glasses, "I just wanted to enjoy the morning."
Naru blushed an even deeper red, 'How'd he get so mature...and why am I thinking about him!' she thought.
He noticed her blush and pushed it further, "You look very nice this morning, Naru."
She turned a deep scarlet and stuttered out, "R-R-Really?"
He nodded, turning on the charm.
She blushed even deeper, though now trying to hide it, "Thanks... You're really too sweet, Keitaro..."
He leaned in toward her, as if motioning to kiss her. Naru leaned in too in response... until he picked up the phone that was just behind her. "Oh, sorry Naru. I just wanted to grab the phone to check in with Seta on the dig." he said nonchalantly, walking away like nothing happened.
Naru fumed. "Kei... taaaaaaa... ROOOOOOOOO! HOW DARE YOU LEAD ME ON LIKE THAT!" She charged in for a Naru Punch, hoping to blast him out of the atmosphere.
He turned, anticipating her and ducked.
Naru gasped as she missed. 'Wait, only one person could do that...' she thought. She turned, "You! Impersonating Keitaro like that! I should... I should... OOOH!" she screamed before stomping off.
Anti-Keitaro just looked blank like usual, "Oh shoot. I didn't get her."
Evveryone else in the room sweatdropped. Haruka took a drag on her cigarette and asked him, "What's so funny about pissing Naru off?"
He shrugged, "It's not quite annoyance. I don't believe Naru is good enough to be with Keitaro. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to seperate them."
She looked at him inquisitively, "Why do you think you have the power to make those decisions?"
He tapped his head, "Keitaro, as much of a well-seeking person he is, isn't the brightest bulb in the box. Someone has to make the important decisions for him."
She flicked off the ashes of her cigarette into an ashtray on the counter, "Just as long as Keitaro knows what you're doing..."
A slightly evil grin came to his face as he reclined on the couch, "Of course."
She sweatdropped again, the situation becoming increasingly weirder.
Flipping on the TV, anti-Keitaro began channel-surfing as Haruka watched him with an air of suspicion. 'I don't trust him... But, for all we know he's just a part of Keitaro... a kind of scary part, granted, but a part of him no less,' she thought to herself, taking another drag.
"You know, Keitaro... We need to come up with a name for you. Your being... different... definitely deserves a distinction," she surmised.
"...Oratakei."
"Play on the backwards version of 'Keitaro.'"
"...Right. Maybe something simpler."
He sighed, "Perhaps something more traditional."
She shrugged.
"I choose... Takeshi."
"...Why's that?"
"I just like the name."
"Sounds a bit... boring. I mean, do you know how many boys in Japan have that name?"
He shrugged, "I like the name and that's that."
"You choice..."
"Quite true," he agreed as he switched off the TV and headed for the front door.
Haruka became a bit concerned, "Where are you going?"
He smiled at her, "I'm just going for a walk. Care to come along?"
She blushed for some reason. She then composed herself and managed to keep it long enough to decline.
He shrugged. "Suit yourself," he said, walking out.
He made his way down to the train station and rode into Tokyo. He looked at no one and made no motion to even make a noise. Occasionally, some girl might blush and make silent comments to her friends or some old lady might daintily smile at him. He sat in total silence, as if in a trance. The train stopped nearby Tokyo Square and he went out of the train as quickly as he could, although still preserving his near-robotic movements. He walked through Tokyo, glancing occasionally at the brightly glowing signs as the sun slowly slid below the horizon. He walked as with one who has no direction, the lights of the city guiding him thorugh a dance with no end...
He looked up as a beat-up sign came into his view. He had walked his way into the more run-down part of the city. The sign before him was old and had evidence of long grime and wear... but he could see it in his mind exactly like the day it was put up.
He pushed open the old and creaking door to reveal a group of old men playing poker.
One of them looked at him and took a puff of the cigarette that he held between his lips. Takeshi conitued to walk in and took a seat at the table.
None of the men bothered paying attention to him and kept playing. They finished their hand and Takeshi was the first to say anything, "Deal me in."
Another man who sat in the corner with his face covered by shadow spoke, "Young men like you shouldn't play this game."
"A man who cannot take risk is a man who cannot live."
"True. But a man who takes to many risks may become the victim of his trust in simple luck."
"But is it not also true that a man's luck may carry him?"
"...Heh. Deal him in."
-Whoa... mysterious stuff. Sorry about the short chapter but it took me long enough to just get THIS done. Well, I'll leave you guys hanging for now... But stay tuned for the next chapter where we reveal some of the secret history of the elusive enemy that Keitaro/Takeshi faces! Tanoshi mi ni!