'Naru, a life'
Disclaimer: Ken Akamatsu wrote 'Love Hina' and he owns the rights. This tale written for fun, and I seek no re-dress from it.
Writer's note: Just something I cobbled together from an old story to show what life would be like for Naru if she had passed her entrance exam the first time and went home to attend Tokyo University. This will be her story.
-Chapter 1-
This would be a good place to start our story.
A beautiful woman had meticulously cleaned her apartment.
The reason, she waited for an old friend to stop by after work.
There was not much to tidy up, because her place was usually ruthlessly spotless even though it was a bit larger than the average Japanese apartment. She lived in a newer development.
But this person had something special on her mind to discuss with her friend.
Her name was Narusegawa Naru and she was a teacher who enjoyed the school where she taught at. The place was a private academy where upper income-based children went to receive a topnotch start before they transitioned on over to a good university. She was an instructor on the high school side, and to her, just being there was very rewarding. But she believed something was missing in her life, and that was what she wanted to discuss with that friend.
Knock! Knock!
"Coming, be right there," said Naru as a smile crossed her face. 'Right on time,' she added to herself.
At her small foyer, she opened the front door.
The sunny visage of her guest meant it could be only one person.
"Mutsumi, how are you? Come in. Come in," said Naru in a friendly, almost breathless manner. The smile on her face was almost as brilliant.
After Mutsumi stepped inside, she took off her shoes and put on some guest slippers.
Since it was warm outside, there was no coat for her to hang up. So, Naru took her arm and led her farther inside.
"Excellent, Naru," gushed the Okinawan at how Naru had decorated her place, "This is a very nice condo you have, and in such a beautiful neighborhood too."
On her desk and bookshelf, Naru had little tokens scattered around from the places that she had visited from her travels around the country.
This was the first time that Mutsumi had been there, although they had e-mailed each other for quite a long time. Many years in fact.
"Thanks, Mutsumi," said Naru. The two sat on together on the couch in her main room.
A pitcher of iced tea sat on a tray, along with two glasses and some light snacks.
While Naru poured the tea, she made her query, "How are Keitaro and the others doing?"
Having eaten at her for a long time, she got right to the heart of the matter. It was something Naru needed to lay at rest.
"Whoa," replied Mutsumi little surprised, "I like this as we shall dispense with the unfinished history first."
"Gomen," said Naru as she set the pitcher down and took a sip of her drink, "I just want to get that water under the bridge more than anything. I've had a good life, but they were a part of it for a few months."
Nodding that she understood her reasoning, Mutsumi said, "Well, where to start? People first then. I'm a charge nurse in the Children's Ward at Tokyo University Hospital. I have had a good career there so far; Keitaro is doing extremely well, especially after his Imouto moved in and straightened out the books at the Hinata. He, thanks to Kanako, is now a fabulously wealthy man and had also received his MBA from Tokyo U. Not married, he has relationships with several of the women who live there." A pause to see if there was any reaction to the news, since there was none, she continued. "Children too." Another pause, nothing. "I have one with him and am pregnant with a second."
Another pause, as Naru interrupted her and said, "Omedetō nasai."
Mutsumi smiled and asked, "Do you remember, Motoko?"
Naru nodded and smiled.
"Well, she finally defeated her Onee-san and when she did, openly declared her love for Keitaro," said Mutsumi who went on, "She has two children with him and is a very successful romance novelist. Shinobu-chan graduated from the Toudai culinary program and Keitaro hired her to be the head chef at the Hinata. She is pregnant with her first. Oh yes, Kaolla also has done a marvelous job on the security and surveillance systems with Motoko being the head of security. You would not recognize her, as she is taller, calmer and extremely beautiful now. With raising children and her writing, Motoko also teaches martial arts at the re-opened dojo with Haruka and Kanako. Sarah, Noriyasu's daughter is at the Tokyo U art school after having passed the entrance exam. Another new resident is Maeda Ema, she too is at university, but attends one in Yokohama."
"And Kitsune?" asked Naru having noticed that she had left out the Fox.
"Oh, sorry," responded Mutsumi, "I get a little jealous of her sometimes and forget how close she is to Keitaro. Sober now, as she will not allow any alcohol at the Hinata, Kitsune has become Keitaro's closest confidant after his Imouto. Like Kaolla, you would not recognize her as she has become a very serious and hardworking woman. The reason I get jealous of her is the she shares a bed with Keitaro now and the rest of us rotate in and out of his unoccupied side. She was the one who suggested hiring on staff and nannies for the children. Kanako would tease her and say that she was finally living up to her potential. Kitsune even hired a full-time staff for Haruka's old teashop."
She finished in her usual breathless manner and watched at how fascinated Naru had become with the news. Most of it was brand new to the brunette.
"It sounds like it's been busy at the old place, but what I really want to know is how Kei-kun is doing?" asked Naru. She bit her lower lip and tilted her head down slightly.
"That is a story all of its own," replied the Okinawan, "You see, Naru-chan. Kei-kun took it somewhat hard when you left. He cried and was depressed for quite a while. But Kitsune was there, so along with Motoko, Kaolla and Shinobu, they listened to and comforted him when he needed it. Later, I stepped in, and when we found out that Sarah had come into the picture, we all decided to share him by agreement. Yes, we have all given ourselves to him freely. I feel bad about telling you this, but you went home after passing the entrance exam and decided not to look back. So, what do you want to do now all these years later Naru?"
Naru did not really know how to process all of this information. She almost started to cry when she thought that Keitaro had truly forgotten about her. Tears formed on the edge of her beautiful eyes and sobs started to hit her. She leaned into Mutsumi and cried as the Okinawan wrapped up the brunette in her arms.
"Naru, all may not be lost," said Mutsumi as she comforted her oldest friend, "Both you and Kei-kun both have come a long way. If you were to come to the Hinata I'm sure that he and the others would understand."
"I'd like that very much Mutsumi," Naru said who pulled back so she could look into Mutsumi's eyes.
"So, enough about the Hinata crew. How are you doing, Naru?" asked Mutsumi in return. She was interested in what the other woman had to say.
After she wiped her eyes and blew her nose, Naru started right in, "After I passed the Tokyo University and left the Hinata, I went home. My mother accepted me back with open arms and was glad to have me back. My step-sister Mei was great in helping me settle down by just being there and listening to me rant on for a while. My step-father was a great shoulder to cry on and very supportive. So, since I did not have the distractions of the Hinata anymore, school was all I concentrated on. I didn't date at all, as my Toudai studies were my life and I had very little else on my plate at that time. It was actually a very good time for me as it helped me to grow up. Also on a happy note, Mei graduated both junior and senior high school with top honors making it into Tokyo U on her first try as well. She's also just received her degree and is going for her Master's in Chemistry. After I graduated from there, I applied for a teaching position at a private co-ed academy that had an opening. Surprisingly, I was accepted to be on their staff by the school's Principal and the Chairman of the Board. Must be that I graduated from Tokyo U with honors, who knows? I am now teaching second- and third-year English and Japanese. I moved into this apartment shortly afterwards, got a car and travel a lot on my free weekends. That's about all there is." Her tears have dried and a smile had returned to her lovely face.
"Good, good, it's great to see that you've got a handle on things along with a good job," said Mutsumi with a quick smile, but her face straightened when she asked, "But one thing though, did you ever learn to reign in that vicious temper of yours Na-chan?" Asked matter-of-factly, she used a familiar honorific.
"Yeah, I finally did," answered Naru happily, "I was taking a psychology course in my second year at Toudai, which was taught by an older board-certified psychiatrist. After grading one of my exams, the Kyōju said he could help me because he saw that I was having some anger issues. Since he had retired from that profession, he said he'd help me for free if I had the time. I consented as he patiently listened to all of my rants and diatribes on how I blamed everyone else for what was happening in my life, instead of just living it. He taught me to how center myself through Buddhist teachings. So later, I converted to Buddhism even though I had been brought up a Roman Catholic, and since that time, I haven't lost my temper even once."
"That alone I believe will help you to reconcile with Kei-kun and the others," Mutsumi said with a smile, "I, for one, am glad to hear how you have put the old Naru to rest and that a new Naru has come out. Maybe you could come with me sometime to the Hinata when you're ready and we'll see Kei-kun together. Okay, Naru?" She then hugged Naru who returned it.
"I want that more than anything, even if it's just to close a painful chapter in my life," said a very happy brunette.
For the rest of their visit together, the two talked of lighter matters about the Hinata, their respective jobs and Naru's apartment.
-End of chapter-