Disclaimer: I don't have anything to do with Love Hina, not…one…bit.
Chapter 19
Living Room of the Urashima Residence
Keitaro sat on a couch facing his parents and his sister.
"It is like I said, I owe you all an apology for my behavior," Keitaro started, "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry for being stubborn and basically being selfish and not helping out around here and for not seeing the big picture like you tried to show me. Also Dad, I'm sorry for the things I said to you when you visited me. I didn't believe that my choice was wrong and that I was able to get in Tokyo University but it was a huge price for me to get accepted and my goal and reasons for Tokyo U was really for naught and made me realize that I did put myself in unnecessary hardships and I did realize that you and Mom tried to make me see that there were other options but I was too narrow-minded to even give it consideration."
The parents and sister of Keitaro were amazed.
"Keitaro…" Nanami spoke, "you really mean it?"
Keitaro nodded, "Yeah Mom, I mean it, I'm so sorry that it took me so long to realize and I'm ashamed of myself for it," Keitaro turned to Kanako, "Kanako, I'm sorry for basically betraying you and not being much of a brother to you."
"Keitaro…you don't really need to apologize," Kanako tried to assure her brother.
Keitaro shook his head, "No, I do need to apologize to you. Even with your…well…unconventional way of doing things, I know that you always cared about me and placed importance to my well-being which more than I can actually say for myself. I'm especially sorry for letting Naru ruin our chance to work things out and basically turning my back on you and not really realizing it, even though, I may not agree with some of the ways you did things and I'm sure you could have found some other ways of doing things."
"Keitaro…well, maybe, but I don't regret my actions."
"Well, regardless, I'm still sorry for not being much of a brother to you," Keitaro looked at his parents, "Mom and Dad, I'm sorry that I was not much of help around with the bakery and was ungrateful to you both."
Kyoshiro, Nanami, and Kanako looked at each other and back at Keitaro.
"Keitaro, we really appreciate you coming here and making your apologies," Kyoshiro said.
"Yes, and we admit that even though we only wanted to help you and we would never really toss you out of the street, there may have been ways we could have addressed the issues better," Nanami said, "also, I understand that you didn't want me to say and do things to those girls but Keitaro I also hope you to understand that I did it because I wanted them to know that I won't let them try to force you to go back to them and that I did because you're my son and as your mother, I'm willing to do what I can do to keep you from being harmed by their actions and I'll be honest with you, I don't regret with what I did."
Keitaro nodded, "Yeah, I know and I do understand Mom."
"I'm glad that we can talk like this Keitaro," Kanako said with a smile and with Kuro meowing happily.
Keitaro looked at his family and was really amazed, "You are really are good people and I can't believed that I was so selfish and not realize it until now."
"Keitaro, it's fine, really," Nanami said, "I'm just glad of the things you said."
"I want to start over with all of you," Keitaro declared, "If you want, I want to start over again."
"To start over?" Kyoshiro spoke and then looked at his wife and daughter.
Kanako smiled, "I don't mind at all…"
"Kanako…" Nanami spoke.
"Nanami…" Kyoshiro spoke.
Nanami smiled and nodded, "I don't see the problem with it."
"Then let's start over again," Kyoshiro said.
Keitaro smiled and was grateful, "Thank you all of you."
The four members of the Urashima family kept having conversations and went on talking about many things.
A Café Somewhere
Mutsumi was sitting in a table with Chisato and Kagura. They had just gotten their orders and were having a good time.
"This is wonderful Chisato," Mutsumi said cheerfully, "it's nice to hear that you went to high school with Keitaro and that he was nice to you and tried to help to out. I'm sorry that Keitaro's cousin, Yoshinari didn't see it that way."
"Yeah," Chisato said as she sipped her beverage, "I was just about to return that book too but then my two so-called idiot friends insisted that they would help me but it just made things worse. I was expelled from school, lost my scholarship and blacklisted from getting into any college in Japan. My parents kicked me out of the house and I had to live with my relatives in America and go to high school and college there. It was horrible," Chisato had an expression that showed she was upset.
"That's too bad," Mutsumi said with pity, "at least I know that Keitaro tried to help, he really is a nice guy…but now, he's changed and saying things that he doesn't really mean."
"Tell us Mutsumi, how do you know Keitaro Urashima?" Kagura asked.
"Oh, well, I've actually known Keitaro since we were children and we played together at his grandmother's inn."
"The Hinata Inn, right?" Chisato asked.
"Yes, that's right."
"I heard that place got converted to an all-girls dormitory," Kagura said.
Mutsumi nodded, "Yes, that's true. In fact, Keitaro was actually the dorm manager there."
This surprised Chisato and Kagura as they looked at each other and then back to Mutsumi.
"Seriously?" Chisato spoke, "Keitaro was a manger of an all-girls dorm?"
"Yes…" Mutsumi then became sad, "if fact, he actually got along with them real well and was even in a relationship with one of the residents name Naru. They were a wonderful couple but then…"
"But then…?"
Mutsumi shook her head sadly, "I'm still unable to understand Keitaro's reasoning but he has decided to abandon his responsibilities and betray Naru and the other tenants and now things are not well."
"Oh, I see, do you know where he is now?" Kagura asked.
"Apparently, Keitaro now lives in an apartment building that is owned by one of the tenants', Motoko's relative name Shinsuke."
"Shinsuke…?" Chisato asked.
"Yes, Shinsuke Aoyama."
"Shinsuke Aoyama, Nagisa's father?" Kagura asked surprised.
Mutsumi looked at Kagura, "Oh, do you know them?"
"Well, I do know his daughter Nagisa."
"Really, are you friends with her?"
"No, I'm not."
"How come?"
Kagura shook her head, "That doesn't matter."
"Mutsumi, how would you like it if we were to help you out?" Chisato asked.
"Help me, what do you mean Chisato?" Mutsumi asked.
"I mean would you like it if we helped you get Keitaro to come to his senses?"
"Come to his senses?"
"You feel that Keitaro isn't acting like his usual self, do you believe that there are people who are influencing him?"
Mutsumi nodded, "Yes, do you believe that as well?"
"That's what it sounds like. Believe me, I can understand it, there are some selfish people who like change people for their own gain."
"Yes," Mutsumi felt relieved, "thank goodness, for a moment, I thought that only Granny Hina and I felt that way but it seems like you understand as well."
"Not to worry," Kagura said, "we know what's going on, there's no doubt that Nagisa Aoyama and Keitaro's cousin, Yoshinari are part of the reason why Keitaro is, well, betraying you and your friends. We can help you out by setting them straight."
"You will? Will you help me help Keitaro?" Mutsumi asked being hopeful.
Chisato nodded, "Yes…but Mutsumi, you have to understand that for this to work, you have do exactly what we say and only then, things will be set right again. So what do you say?"
Mutsumi nodded, "If it will help Keitaro see that he's being rash and have things set things right again, I'll do it," Mutsumi smiled with joy, "thank you so much Kagura and Chisato, you two are such nice people. I'm sure we will all be good friends."
Mutsumi then took a sip of her beverage, not noticing the sinister grins that were on Chisato and Kagura's faces. The two looked at each for a moment and looked back at Mutsumi who was feeling happy and enjoying her beverage.
Council Room in Kyoto
"Motoko, what's the meaning of this?" Etsuko asked holding up on the novels Motoko wrote with a glare.
"Uh…well…I…" Motoko didn't know what to say as she never imagined that her novels would be exposed to the council.
Tsuruko looked at Motoko and then decided to speak up, "Grandmother, allow me to explain."
Motoko looked at Tsuruko with a clear upset expression, "Sister…"
Tsuruko ignored her and continued, "These were given to me by one of Motoko's former dorm mates, Mitsune 'Kitsune' Konno."
"Kitsune you say, as in fox?" Hirosuke asked.
"Yes father, anyway, it was at the time that Motoko and her other dorm mates were being evicted out of the Hinata Inn by the new owner name Marumi Urashima. While Motoko was packing, Kitsune came to me with a serious expression and presented me and Hayato the novels she wrote."
"Why would she do that?" Fumiko asked curiously, "How did she get her hands on them?"
"She told us that Motoko left them with Kitsune in her own room."
Motoko was embarrassed, she had forgotten about the time she showed Kitsune her novels in order to get her opinion when Kitsune found her out.
Hayato spoke, "She also explained to us that she couldn't stand the fact that while Motoko would talk about how men were just perverts in every way that she would turn and write sexual theme novels and the theme would be of Keitaro Urashima, the same man she has accused of being a sexual predator and would say that she would always go being perverted to women. Plus, she said that she was disgusted at the fact that Motoko actually slapped one of her former dorm mates, Shinobu for expressing how she felt and was willing to do nothing while Shinobu was being attacked by another former dorm mate, the girl named Naru Narusegawa."
This surprised everyone in the council room and Motoko was getting angry hearing what was being said.
"Wait, one of her dorm mates was being attacked and Motoko stood by, watched, and did nothing?" the third council member asked shocked.
"Yes…"
"Motoko, how could you say that you would protect your dorm mates when it sounds like you would do the opposite?"
"Wait, let me explain," Motoko spoke, "first of, anything that Kitsune says cannot be taken seriously."
"Why is that?" Etsuko asked.
"Kitsune is a compulsive liar. She would say and do things just to get people riled up and trick people into situations. It's why she's nicknamed Kitsune as she would lie and play tricks on others and would do it for her own amusement. I can't count how many times she would trick me and the others just for cheap thrills. She is also not to be taken seriously because she would go out every night in bars and get her drunk and do nothing but spend money on alcohol and bet on horse races. She just lies around the dorm and doesn't do anything to apply herself. She claims to be a writer but she has not written anything and hasn't gotten anything publish. So really, she's nothing more than a disgrace and an embarrassment."
"It's real interesting Motoko," Tsuruko commented, "you seem to know a lot about this Kitsune girl and her bad habits, and yet, you as someone who's supposed to be act with honor as a user of the arts of the God Cry School would go along with her tricks every time. Someone who would buy into her lies as you say."
Motoko was taken back at what Tsuruko said, "Uh, well I…"
"This is quite disgraceful," the fourth council member said, "here you were talking about what a shameless woman this Kitsune girl is and yet it was just then that you said that you were protecting your dorm mates and that women were not susceptible to sexual desires."
"You actually slapped this Shinobu girl for saying something to that is most likely true and you have the nerve to say you were not being dishonorable," the second council member commented.
"Really, such hypocritical attitude is not something to be tolerated," the first council member."
"This kind of behavior is an embarrassment and a disgrace to the God Cry School."
"That's not it at all," Motoko insisted losing her composure and surprising everyone in the room.
"Motoko?" Etsuko asked surprised.
"Not a single one of you understand," Motoko said upset.
"What, what is it we don't understand?" Etsuko asked angry that Motoko would say something like that.
"None of you really have a clue for how it is," Motoko said, "I try so hard to be suited to be the heir of the God Cry School and be the best swordswoman and there are things you don't understand."
"What are you complaining about?" the third council member asked.
"It's the pressure, the pressure of being you all expect me to be and to fill the shoes when someone who abandoned her responsibilities."
"Motoko, what are you talking about?" Tsuruko asked.
Motoko looked at her older sister with narrow eyes, "I'm talking about you, my elder sister."
"Me? What are you talking about?"
"I had to take the responsibility of being the next leader of the God Cry School, the duty that should have been yours Tsuruko," Motoko paused for a moment, "you turned your back on your responsibilities and choose to be a submissive woman to that man," Motoko pointed at Hayato.
"You're blaming Tsuruko and Hayato for this?" Hirosuke asked.
"Don't you all see? If Tsuruko hadn't let herself be submitted to a man, she would still be the heir of our school and she would not have lost her self-respect. She didn't need to be married, what she did was selfish. It was because of this marriage that I saw how Hayato and how men in general are really are. Hayato controls Tsuruko and every time I see how men react to women, I can't help but to be reminded that how things are with Tsuruko. If my sister hadn't abandoned her duties, I wouldn't have taken her place and wouldn't have to deal with those that don't understand how things are."
"Motoko…" Fumiko spoke.
"My time in Tokyo and in the Hinata Inn especially, I met people who understood me and agreed with me. I used my sword to protect those that would hurt them even though one of them is actually now ungrateful. Shinobu is ungrateful and allowed herself to fall prey to that weak male Urashima. It's true, I did slap her and it is true that I did nothing when Naru was doing what I believe was teaching her a lesson. The girl said that she hated us when I told her some advice and then she says that we were all at fault that Urashima was a coward and abandoned his responsibilities. She insulted all of us, I felt that if she wanted to be ungrateful and act like she knew better than us then she was going to have to go on her own and not expect us to be sympathetic towards her."
"What of the novels you wrote?" Etsuko asked.
"Those…I admit, I'm ashamed that I wrote them. I meant to destroy them because I knew they were a distraction but with all that was going on, I…admit that I had completely forgotten them and they are the sign of my weakness at the time but now, I'm more resolved than ever with my training as well as my education."
There was a bit of silence in the room and Motoko looked around to see the expressions of the her grandmother and the council of elders and then she looked at the expressions of her parents, Hirosuke and Fumiko, and they were not happy and then when she looked at the expressions of her sister Tsuruko and her brother-in-law, Hayato, they were both giving her death glares. Motoko resolved herself and felt that if he got nervous with those glares, it would be another way for her sister to win.
"You're not going to intimidate me any longer, sister," Motoko said a quiet tone with resolve.
"Motoko, was it really hard for you to be the heir of the God Cry School?" Etsuko asked.
"To be honest Grandmother, yes," Motoko answered, "but I understand that it's my duty and unlike a certain someone, I wouldn't abandon it on a whim."
Tsuruko twitched angrily at what Motoko said.
"If that was the case, why did say that it would be no problem and why didn't you say anything about how you felt before?"
"I thought that it would be best if I didn't."
"Because none of us would understand as you say."
"Well…that's…I just figured that I just accept it and be a better example. When I was named the next heir, I swore that I wouldn't end up like my sister and that is that I wouldn't let some man stray me from my path."
Etsuko and the other council members looked at each other with serious expressions and they whispered to each other and they discussed and they reached the same conclusion. They got back to their positions and looked at Motoko.
"Well, with what had been said, Motoko, I and the rest of the council of elders have reached a decision."
Yes?" Motoko said hoping that they would see her side of thing.
The four council members nodded to Etsuko and the old Aoyama woman sighed.
"Motoko, I am very sorry about this," Etsuko said.
This surprised Hirosuke, Fumiko, Tsuruko, and Hayato.
"Mother?" Hirosuke spoke.
"You're apologizing?" Fumiko spoke.
"Grandmother…what are you…?" Tsuruko spoke.
"No way, don't tell me that you're actually accepting Motoko's reasons and for what she has done?" Hayato asked.
"You four, be quiet and let me finish," Etsuko berated.
Motoko thought that her grandmother understood and was feeling happy on the inside.
"Does that mean you, the council members, understood?" Motoko asked being hopeful.
"We're indeed sorry Motoko" Etsuko paused for a bit, "sorry for thinking we can could believe you be respectable heir of the God Cry School and failing to realize that all in all, you are simply too immature and not just in practicing the art of the God Cry School but also in general of how you acted when you were in Tokyo."
Motoko was shocked at what was just said, "Wait…what?"
"Motoko, after what we've have learned and the nonsense that you have just been spewing, it saddens me to say that you, Motoko Aoyama, do not have the right to lead the God Cry School."
"Wait Grandmother, that…that's not…"
"Motoko, this is the decision we have made, you are hereby stripped of your right of succession. Honestly granddaughter, did you really think we would accept the childish nonsense you were talking about? It seems that your stay at the Hinata Inn has really done nothing right for you."
"But Grandmother, I don't understand."
"Oh, you actually don't understand why?" Etsuko sighed, "Fine, here are the reasons and also, you will have to atone for your actions. I admit that we are also at fault as well."
Motoko was upset at what was heard and thought that it was a nightmare.
In front of the Urashima Residence/Bakery
Keitaro stepped out of his parents' place with his parents and sister as well as her cat Kuro walking with him.
"Well, I'm going now," Keitaro said.
"Keitaro, make sure you come by again, okay?" Nanami said.
Keitaro nodded happily, "Sure, I will Mom and thank you."
"You take care of yourself son," Kyoshiro spoke smiling.
"Sure Dad."
"Keitaro…" Kanako spoke.
Keitaro put his hand on Kanako's head, "I'll see you again Kanako."
Kanako smiled, "Yeah, see you soon brother."
Keitaro stepped back and bowed to his family, "Thank you again Mom, Dad, Kanako, I'm grateful to all and again, I'm sorry."
"Keitaro, that's enough, you already apologize," Kyoshiro replied.
"I know, but still…"
Nanami went to put her hand on her son's shoulder, "Keitaro, just stop, we already been through this. No matter how things get, we will always love you. Parents will always love their children, no matter what. Family will be there for you in the end; at least, that's how it should be."
"Mom…" Keitaro smiled, "I see that now…thank you…all of you."
Nanami, Kyoshiro, and Kanako smiled.
In front of the Shichimura Apartment Complex
After some time, Keitaro left his parents' place and returned. He was felt grateful on how things turned out.
"I will spend some time with them again. Hmm, maybe I can set up a get together. I'll see if I can even have Shinsuke and his family to be a part of it as well," Keitaro said in a low voice.
Keitaro then saw two people outside talking. He saw it was Nagisa and the other was Tamaki, the woman he saw arguing with her brother earlier in the hall.
"So your brother came by earlier," Nagisa said.
Tamaki nodded upset, "He insisted that I come home but he's still willing to let that rotten friend of his stay with him and want me to try to work things out with him. It's really pissing me off."
Nagisa sighed, "He doesn't get it."
"He's the worse," Tamaki added.
Nagisa saw Keitaro and smiled and waved, "Oh, hey Keitaro, you're back."
Tamaki looked at where Nagisa was looking and saw Keitaro.
Keitaro waved, "Hi Nagisa and hello to you too Tamaki."
Tamaki was confused, "I'm sorry but who are you?"
"Oh right, this is the first time you've met," Nagisa said, "this is Keitaro, he's a new resident here and is also working in the building."
"Oh, is that so?"
"It's nice to meet you Tamaki," Keitaro greeted.
"Um, yeah, same here but how did you know my name?"
Um, well," Keitaro had a serious look, "well, the truth is, I saw you and your brother and heard your conversations."
Tamaki and Nagisa were surprised.
"You saw that?" Nagisa asked.
"Yes…"
Tamaki got upset, "You saw what was happening and you didn't do anything about it?"
Keitaro was taken back, "I'm sorry, should I have done something about it? It looked like you were able to handle it on your own."
Tamaki was taken back again and then shook her head, "Never mind, I'm being silly, forget I said anything."
Keitaro got a bit worried, "Um, I don't know if you know this but your brother said he would try again tomorrow."
Tamaki looked at Keitaro and then sighed, "Well, then I'll just have to tell him again and if he insist on not leaving me alone, I'll have to do something about it."
Keitaro nodded in agreement.
"Tamaki…" Nagisa spoke.
"…I'm going back, I have a lot of studying to do," Tamaki said as she went inside to go back to her apartment.
Nagisa and Keitaro watched as Tamaki went inside.
"Keitaro, you're having dinner with Ritsuko in her apartment, aren't you?" Nagisa asked.
"Oh, yeah, she invited me. I'm going to go get change and see her," Keitaro answered.
"Um Keitaro…"
"Hmm, yes Nagisa?"
"Um…" Nagisa paused and then shook her head and looked away, "it's nothing really."
Keitaro got a bit concerned, "Nagisa, are you okay?"
"Of course I'm okay, why wouldn't I be?"
Keitaro put his hand on Nagisa's shoulder surprising the young Aoyama woman, "Are you sure? If there's anything that is bothering you or you just want to talk, please don't hesitate. It's the least that I can do for what you and your family have done for me. I care about you Nagisa and I would hate it if something or someone was bothering you."
Nagisa was a bit stunned but then smiled and turned to Keitaro, "I appreciate it and don't worry, nothing is really bothering but I'll let you know if there is."
Keitaro nodded satisfied with Nagisa's answer, "Okay, I'll be going now." Keitaro was about to leave.
"Um, Keitaro?" Nagisa spoke.
Keitaro stopped and looked at Nagisa, "Hmm?"
"Um…Keitaro, would you like to…well…spend a day with me?"
Keitaro was surprised, "You mean, just me and you for a whole day?"
"Um…yes…" Nagisa felt a bit nervous.
Keitaro was feeling nervous as well, "Um, sure, if you don't mind spending a day with me?"
"Of course…that is if you don't want to…"
"No, no, I do, I'm just surprised. I would love to Nagisa."
Nagisa was happy, "We'll start with some training first and there are some moves I want to teach you and then well…"
Keitaro nodded happily, "I'm looking forward to it Nagisa. Oh, can we do it the day after tomorrow. I promised your brother that I would hang out with him and his friends and I need to see my Aunt Marumi."
Nagisa nodded, "Of course, no problem."
"Great, I'm really looking forward to it Nagisa," Keitaro said as he went inside the building.
Nagisa sighed and put her hand over her heart.
"Well, that was interesting," a female voice said.
Nagisa was surprised and turned to see it was her mother, Isana who was holding her workbag.
"M-Mom!" Nagisa spoke.
Isana smiled at her daughter, "My, I didn't realize you and Keitaro were so close."
Nagisa blushed, "I…well…he's a good friend, a good close friend to me."
Isana smiled warmly, "Thank goodness."
"Hmm?"
"I've been worried about you for some time Nagisa."
Nagisa was confused, "Worried about me?"
"You haven't been so happy and outgoing ever since…ever since your friend Takeru died."
Nagisa was surprised and looked down, "…I guess so."
Isana hugged her daughter, much to Nagisa's surprise.
"M-Mom…" Nagisa spoke.
"You father and I want to see you happy," Isana said.
"…Thank you, Mom." Nagisa said with a smile.
Ritsuko's Apartment
The doorbell rings and Ritsuko, who was wearing her silk navy blue dress, went to answer the door. When she did, Keitaro appeared before her wearing a dark gray dress shirt, black slacks, and black dress shoes.
"Hello Keitaro," Ritsuko greeted.
"Hi Ritsuko," Keitaro greeted back with a grin.
"Well come on in."
"Thank you," Keitaro replied gratefully as he let himself in Ritsuko's apartment, taking his shoes off.
Keitaro sits in the table and looks at the various dishes that were prepared and he couldn't help but to be amazed and impressed.
Ritsuko saw Keitaro's expression and was pleased, "I can see that like what I've prepared.
"Y-Yeah," Keitaro responded, "this is incredible Ritsuko."
Ritsuko went to sit across from Keitaro, "You're going to love this."
Keitaro was happy, "Heh, I'm sure I will. Ritsuko, thank you so much for inviting me, I really appreciate it."
Ritsuko smiled warmly, "Well thank you Keitaro for accepting my invitation."
Kuromitsu Inn
Su saw something on her monitor was shocked and felt pale. She didn't know why it was happening and she didn't like what was going on. Su decided to call back her machine but then something suddenly happened and lost the signal of the machine. Su was pressing buttons but was getting no response.
"What's going on?" Su asked upset, "How could this happen?"
Su goes inside of the room she was staying with Hina, Kitsune, and Naru and tries to remain calm. Kitsune sees Su and wonders about her behavior.
"Su looks nervous," Kitsune said in her head, "I wonder what's bothering her?"
"How did they know?" Su asked in her head, "No, there's nothing to really worry about," Su then smiled, "it's not like anything will really happen…but still, I wonder how they find out about my inventions?"
Next Day in Tokyo University
Naru was walking in the halls to get to her class. Naru was upset about what happened yesterday and felt that there were people who were being unfair towards her. As Naru kept walking, she couldn't help but to notice that that there were people who were looking at her weird and even some who were whispering to each other as they quickly walked away. Naru looked around and was confused. She didn't know what was going on but she thought that it was nothing and concluded that people were just being weird today. Afterwards, Naru arrives to her first class of the day and takes her seat in the front row and bringing out her materials. Naru looks around and see that a couple of students in the class are whispering and taking little glances at Naru. Naru was getting bothered by this and wondered what was going on but then noticed more people walking in the classroom and one of them was Keitaro. Naru wondered if Keitaro was going to even look at her but Keitaro didn't even bother with a glance and actually went to go sit in the back of the room, much to Naru's surprise since Keitaro would normally sit next to her or at least three chairs from her.
"Keitaro, you bastard…" Naru thought with venom as she stared at Keitaro who was just sitting down and getting his materials out ready for the lecture.
Keitaro glanced at Naru which caused Naru to gasp and quickly turn her head to the front of the class with a low grunt. The professor came into the class to get started and Naru was fuming about her ex-boyfriend.
"Stupid Keitaro," Naru thought angrily, "who the hell does he think he is?"
Shinobu and Su's High School
It was during the first period that Shinobu and Su were in class. Shinobu glanced on her right side and saw Su glaring at her and sticking her tongue out at her. Shinobu rolled her eyes and shook her head and then just continued looking at the front and listening to the teacher.
"Stupid Shinobu," Su said in a low tone while still glaring at her, "telling us that she hates us and saying terrible things about me and the others, saying I have illusions and telling me to grow up, saying that I should stop looking for something that doesn't exist. Shinobu, you're so stupid, you would never understand, I thought you would be happy that I would have the means to get big brother Keitaro back but instead-"
"Kaolla!" the female teacher said in an upset tone and caused Su to jump from her chair a little surprised.
Su looked around and saw the teacher glaring at her and her classmates laughing and poking fun at her and she tried to play through it, "Oh hello," Su stuck her tongue out gave herself little soft bop on her head in which the students laughed except for Shinobu who just shook her head at her former friend's typical antics.
The teacher was not amused, "Instead of wasting time here playing around and doing stupid unproductive things, how about you actually take your time in my class seriously," the teacher berated, "I don't care if you are a genius, it doesn't excuse you of disrupting my class. You want to act silly, do it when my class is over."
"O-Okay…I'm sorry," Su replied sheepishly and blushed from embarrassment as the other students except for Shinobu were poking fun at her.
"All right, that's enough out of the rest of you, let's get back to the topic," the teacher said as she continued with her lecture.
Shinobu looked at Su and spoke in a whisper, "So immature Su and it's the same kind thing you've been told. Honestly, accept the fact that you can't act like a child forever…at least before you're time here is over."
Su heard what Shinobu said and looked at her as Shinobu quickly turned her attention. Su didn't like what Shinobu had just said to her and that got her angry as she puffed her cheek but what also bother her was when Shinobu also said before her time was over. Su didn't know what she meant by that but then after a few moments, she recalled what she saw in her monitor last night and started to suspect Shinobu.
"Shinobu, was it you?" Su asked in her head.
Tokyo University, Seta's Office
Keitaro finished his class and was meeting with Seta and he handed Seta a piece of paper. When Seta looked at the paper Seta was not happy. Meanwhile Naru was on her way to Seta and talk to him and when she got there, she saw him with Keitaro. Naru quickly hid herself in the corner and see what the two of them were talking.
"So this is your decision Keitaro," Seta spoke.
"Yeah, it is," Keitaro answered.
Naru wondered what was going on.
"Is there any chance that I can change your mind?" Seta asked being hopeful.
"No, there isn't. I made up my mind Seta; I believe that this is the best. I'm resigning as your assistant Seta."
Naru was shocked at what she heard, she couldn't believe that Keitaro was quitting as Seta's worker and she wondered why.
"It has something to do with what I told you yesterday, right?" Seta asked.
"That's part of it," Keitaro answered.
"Yesterday?" Naru thought, "What did Seta say to Keitaro yesterday?"
"I see, so tell me Keitaro, what do you intend to do now?" Seta asked.
"I'm going to change my major. I'll change it to something that I'm really passionate about," Keitaro answered, "I thought that I would be passionate with Archeology but that doesn't seem to be the case and to be honest, I believe I was pursuing Archeology for the wrong reasons."
"Keitaro…" Seta was sad that his favorite worker was leaving him but at the same time he understood considering what he confessed to Keitaro yesterday, "I understand Keitaro and I wish you luck in your future endeavors," Seta said with a smile, "I really do."
"Thank you Seta…well; I better go…I'll see you around."
"Yeah, see you around Keitaro."
Keitaro sighed being annoyed and Seta wondered.
"Keitaro, what's wrong?" Seta asked concerned.
"Hang on Seta," Keitaro said as he turned around, "it's not nice to eavesdrop, Naru."
Naru was surprised and Seta was surprised as well as Naru appeared before Keitaro and Seta.
"Naru, what bring you here?" Seta asked.
Naru looked at Keitaro, "How did you know?"
"I knew you were there from the beginning," Keitaro said as he started to leave.
Naru just looked at Keitaro as he left and Naru shook her head.
"Naru, why are you here?" Seta asked.
Naru turned to Seta and composed herself, "Seta, I want to talk you."
"Really, about what?"
"Well, you see-"
"Naru Narusegawa," a faculty member called.
Naru turned to see a female faculty member with short wavy brown hair, brown eyes wearing glasses, and wearing gray formal attire.
"Oh, Ida," Naru spoke surprised to see one of her teachers and one of the faculty member of Education.
"Naru, I need to see you in my office right now," Ida said.
"Um, can this wait? I need to tell Seta something."
"This can't wait; we need to talk right now about a serious matter."
"What?"
"Naru, just go ahead," Seta said, "I'm sure whatever it is you want to tell me can wait."
"But…" Naru wanted to insist that she wanted to tell Seta but after a moment, she went against it, "Fine…"
Naru left with Ida.
In front of Tokyo University
Keitaro was walking out of the campus and he looked around and then continued walking.
"Keitaro!" Mutsumi's voice heard.
Keitaro stopped and sighed and then saw Mutsumi rushing to him.
"Mutsumi…"
Mutsumi stopped and looked at Keitaro happily, "Hi Keitaro."
"What do you want? I told you that I didn't want to be near you."
Mutsumi didn't like what Keitaro said, "Oh Keitaro, still acting so cold."
"What do you want Mutsumi? I'm very busy at the moment."
"Well, would you be too busy to see an old friend?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I met someone who went to high school with you."
Keitaro raised his eyebrow, "Who?"
"Chisato, Chisato Ichimura," Mutsumi smiled.
Keitaro was shocked remembering the name, "What, she's here?"
Mutsumi smiled, "That's right, she wants to see you. She just wants to talk you again."
"Not interested," Keitaro said with a scowl.
Mutsumi was taken back, "What? Why?"
"I'm busy and I don't have time for a social call with her and besides, I regret helping her and I was wrong to do so."
"But Keitaro why? Chisato is an old friend of yours, isn't she? Also what do you mean you regret helping her?"
"Mutsumi, all I'm going to say that she's not a friend, anyway, I have to go."
Keitaro headed out but Mutsumi got in front of Keitaro, "Keitaro, stop. Why are you being this way? She just wants to have a nice chat with and you're just going to leave without even saying hi to her?"
"Yep, you tell her that I'm busy and that I really don't want to associate with her," Keitaro said and he left pass Mutsumi, who was too surprised at Keitaro's response.
"I don't believe this," Mutsumi spoke.
"Well, it's worse than I thought," Chisato said as she showed up.
"Chisato, I'm sorry, it seems that Keitaro…"
"Don't worry, we'll have another chance, it's no big deal," Chisato put up a warm smile but on the inside, she was annoyed, "What the hell is going on? Why the hell is Yoshinari's cousin avoiding me? I would have thought he would be glad to see me. I won't stop, I will have my revenge and he's part of my plan for my revenge."
Ida's Office
Naru sat in the chair and Ida sat in her desk.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Naru asked, "I thought we discussed what I need for my credentials to become a teacher and I'm following through of the classes I need to take."
"It's not that," Ida said.
Naru raised her eyebrow, "Then, what is it?"
"Naru, I heard that yesterday, you were about to commit assault on someone in the cafeteria."
Naru was shocked, "What are you talking about? What do you mean by committing assault on someone?"
"In the cafeteria, you were about to punch someone, another student, you know, brown hair, glasses, does that ring a bell? You were talking to him yesterday and he was about to walk away when you were about to punch him."
"What? Wait, when…" Naru thought about and had just remembered the conversation she had with Keitaro and remembering what happened, "Oh…you mean when I was talking to that idiot Keitaro."
Ida raised her eyebrow, "Idiot?"
Naru nodded, "Yes, that idiot Keitaro."
Ida sighed, "You do know that you can't really assault people on campus, right?"
Naru was taken back, "Oh, well, I can explain about that."
"Yes Naru, explain why you were about you about do something unwarranted."
"Unwarranted, no, he was being arrogant and a jerk and he said terrible things to me and my friends, he even went as far as insulting his own grandmother. I…just wanted him stop and teach him some manners."
"And you thought that if you had actually been able to punch him, you would have accomplish that," Ida said with a look that showed she was disappointed with Naru.
Naru didn't like the look she was getting, "I just wanted him to stop and show him that he can't be so disrespectful. It wasn't anything new, he does say and do terrible things all the time and I would have to show him that he can't do that, especially being pervert."
Ida sighed and shook her head, "Naru, I really don't what's going on with you and this Keitaro person. What I do know is that you're hard working student and you prepare yourself to achieve your goals, however, you have to understand that you could've gotten in a whole lot of trouble. I don't know what you do outside campus but here, that kind of action is not tolerated. I helped you with setting up an educational goal so that you can graduate and prepare for your teaching credentials but that can be all gone if you're not careful."
"But…"
"It's because you're such a hard working student that I smooth things over for you, otherwise, you would have been seeing someone else about your actions and your actions would have already been taken in a serious matter, plus it seems that this Keitaro person didn't decide to take action for what you were about to do; do you understand what I'm saying?"
Naru felt sheepish, "Yes…I understand," she balled her fists upset.
"That's all I wanted to talk you about, please think carefully on your actions. You're a student of Tokyo University, therefore there are certain things you can and cannot do on campus. If something like this happens again, the next time, you'll most likely be facing with the disciplinary committee and even the Board of Directors so please Naru, be very mindful of what you do."
"I will Ida," Naru said as she got up and left her office and as she left she had her thoughts about what happened yesterday.
Flashback: Yesterday in the Cafeteria
Naru was shocked, "Why would you say that? Your grandmother is a kind old lady who thinks you're a good person, not to mention she helped all of us when we needed a place to stay and you when you got kicked out by your own parents despite my concerns of you staying over to the inn."
"No, she is not a kind person," Keitaro rebuked, "She is someone who plays with people's lives and would hide the truth from others if it suited her, even from her own family members. She knew from all those years about my so-called promise but she kept it from me. She didn't tell me that she changed the place to an all-girls dorm and I'm sure she didn't tell any of you girls about me and now I'm convince that she had my sister Kanako go with her just so she wouldn't interfere."
"Keitaro…even if that's the case and I'm sure she had her reasons that still doesn't give you the right to treat your grandmother horrible."
"She was horrible to me and you girls as well for not being straight with us and that also goes for Mutsumi as well for not telling me the truth from the beginning and it just shows that Mutsumi was being cruel as well."
"Keitaro, take that back now," Naru demanded gradually losing her temper.
"No, I will not apologize for what I said because it's all true," Keitaro countered as he began to walk away again.
Naru couldn't take anymore, "I tried to be reasonable with you and this is how you repay me...you bastard!"
Naru had lost her cool and went to charge at Keitaro with the intent to give one of her patent Naru Punches. But when her fist went to was just close to Keitaro's head, something happened that completely caught her by surprise, her fist was stopped when Keitaro quickly turned and caught her fist with his hand stopping the attack.
"Naru, Naru, Naru, aren't you embarrassed of acting like this. This is the behavior of a bully, a thug, a delinquent," Keitaro said with a disappointing expression, "You seriously need some help because this is just going to get you into a real trouble if keeping acting like a barbaric moron."
"How dare you…how dare you talk to me that way," Naru replied still shocked that Keitaro caught her fist and the things he had just said to her.
"Naru, look around."
Naru did looked around and saw that there were people staring at her. There some whispers, most about the way Naru had just acting and wondering why she was acting like the way she did. There was even someone who just looked at Naru and then went somewhere abruptly. Naru was shocked as she looked around and felt embarrassed.
"Naru, you need to realize that the world doesn't revolve around you and that this behavior of yours is just going to cost you in the end. You were about to hit me just because I wouldn't give in to what you ask just like always. Thank you so much for once again for making me see the kind of person you really are," Keitaro said.
Naru didn't know what to do anymore as she realized it had become a lost cause and with the whispers and the stares she was getting from other students, the only thing she could come up with at the moment, she ran out of the cafeteria feeling embarrassed and humiliated.
Flashback End
It was still humiliating to Naru about what happened, "I guess this explains why there are people were giving strange looks today," Naru went to her usual mindset, "This is another thing that Keitaro is at fault for, I wouldn't have been so humiliated if it wasn't for him."
Hinata Park
Keitaro arrived and walked around in Hinata Park. He was enjoying the scene in the park and felt at peace and it helped that he was by himself. Keitaro approach a bench and sat on the bench. Keitaro took a deep breath and had his thoughts together.
"I'll go to the Hinata Inn," Keitaro said in his head, "if Aunt Marumi is there, I can help her by supporting her…it's better this way, she is more capable of running the inn then I would but I wonder how she's going to do with her company that she's running…well, I don't think I need to worry, Aunt Marumi is a smart woman and this will be my chance to apologize to her and Yoshinari for my actions in the past," Keitaro and got up, "I better get ready and go see Shirai and Haitani as well and see if they would be willing to meet my new friends."
"Senpai? Senpai, is that you?" Shinobu's voice spoke.
Keitaro was surprised and turned to see Shinobu in her high school uniform holding her school bag.
"Shinobu…" Keitaro spoke.
Shinobu smiled, "Hi Senpai, um, how are you?"
"I'm okay, and you, how are doing?"
"I'm doing a lot better actually."
"That's good."
"Yeah, actually, I'm staying somewhere else."
"Really, is that so?"
"Yes, my Aunt Yukina, actually, I decided to stay somewhere else before your aunt evicted us."
"Before?"
Shinobu nodded, "Yeah…with our last meeting, you left in a hurry because you felt that it would only be a matter time before Naru and the others would show up and even accuse you of being 'perverted'."
Keitaro nodded, "Pretty much, I mean, I've been followed around before, I didn't get any real privacy."
Shinobu nodded in agreement, "Yes, I'm sorry about that and you were right to leave when you did because they did show up afterwards, it's was terrible. A lot has happened since then but like you, I realized that Naru, Motoko, Kitsune, Su, and even Mutsumi were not really my friends at all."
Keitaro was surprised to hear this, "Shinobu…"
Shinobu looked at Keitaro with a serious expression, "I'm so sorry Senpai."
Keitaro was taken back, "For what?"
"For my contribution in making your life hard in the Hinata Inn, even though, I never cause any harm to you, I know that when I ran away crying, that would always lead you to pain by Naru and Motoko and yet, I would say nothing and would just keep quiet or just follow along with what was going, for this I'm really sorry Senpai."
"Shinobu…"
"I was upset about the things that happened ever since you left but then I started to look back on things and the things you said and even the things that your mother said and I realized that it was all true."
Shinobu continued on and told Keitaro what had been happened the last time she and Keitaro saw each other.
Kuromitsu Inn
Kitsune was in her own kimono and already working and setting the rooms and trays for the people that were coming in later on. Shakiko watched as Kitsune was working real hard and was impressed. Shakiko went to Hina, who was at the front desk and looked at the clock.
"Hina," Shakiko spoke.
"Yes Shakiko?" Hina replied.
"There is something I want to talk to you about."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"It about what you told me about your inn and Keitaro."
Hina raised her eyebrow, "What about them? I already told you what happened."
"Yes, you did but there are some things that I have a hard time understanding."
Hina was getting suspicious and looked at Shakiko, "What are you trying to say Shakiko?"
"Well-"
"Grandma, are you here?" the voice of Shakiko's granddaughter, Hikaru called.
"Over here Hikaru," Shakiko responded.
The young woman showed up and smiled, Hikaru was lean young woman with brownish red hair that went to her upper back and wore a light blue shirt, blue high water pants, and red sneakers.
"Grandma, Mr. Todo wants to discuss with you about the guests that will be coming, he wants to get your approval on certain items," Hikaru said.
Shakiko put her hand on her chin thinking and then nodded, "All right, I'll be right there," she then looked at Hina, "we'll talk about this later Hina, oh, if those two get back from school before I finish with some business, call for Hikaru and she'll assign them to their duties," she looked at Hikaru, "Hikaru, I'll be counting on you, get change and get ready as well."
"You got it Grandma," Hikaru said as Shakiko left.
Hikaru looked at Hina, "I have a question for you Granny Hina."
"Yes Hikaru, what is it?" Hina replied with a smile.
"I see that girl, Mitsune is working very hard, she's very focus, so I wonder, are the other two who will be back just as hard working as she is?"
"Oh absolutely," Hina said proudly, "Naru and Kaolla are just as hard working, you'll see."
"Hmm, guess I will."
Hikaru left and when she did, Hina did wonder why Hikaru was asking such a question but decided to drop the concern for now and decided to make a phone call. The phone rang for a moment and then someone answered.
"Hello?" a man's voice answered.
"Hello Ryuichi, it's me," Hina said.
"Ms. Urashima, hi."
Hina sighed, "You better have a good excuse as to how you manage to fail to get the deed to the Hinata Inn back from my daughter."
"Oh…uh well, you see," Ryuichi on the other line sighed, "my apologies."
"Why didn't you call me the moment you failed?"
"I'm really sorry about this Ms. Urashima."
"Yes, so am I. Anyway, I wonder if you can do something else for me."
"Yes, I'm assuming that…," Ryuichi said.
"That's right," Hina said knowing what Ryuichi was about to say, "I'll need your help if I'm going to fight to get the Hinata Inn back. I can't allow my daughter to keep control of it. That's supposed to go to my grandson Keitaro."
Hinata Inn
Marumi was going around the inn. She was on the cell phone with someone that worked in her company.
"That's excellent," Marumi said, "go ahead and run with it, now the agenda with for the day after tomorrow."
"Yes ma'am," a woman's voice said on the other line, "Our clients from Germany, the UK, Nigeria, and America will be arriving at the Tokyo Airport at noon."
"Excellent, hopefully, with the Hinata Inn that will still be my control, we can actually provide them a place to stay."
"Speaking of which ma'am, what do you plan to do with the Hinata Inn?"
"I'm thinking about making it an inn for not only for people here but also an inn for when our clients from around the world come here, they will have a place to rest as well."
I see, very well ma'am, shall I send you the report via fax?"
"Yes, please do."
"Understood ma'am."
Marumi hung up her cell phone and when she did she saw something flying around. She was surprised and saw a flying turtle that went to her and greeted her with one of its flippers.
"Muuuu…" the flying turtle greeted.
"Oh, hello Tama, how are you?" Marumi greeted with a smile as she put her cell away and put her hands out.
Tama landed on Marumi's hands and smiled.
"Oh, you're so cute," Marumi said with a blush.
There was a knock on the door and Marumi wondered who it.
"Hmm, who's there?"
Marumi walked to the door with Tama flying a bit and landed on Marumi's head. When Marumi opened the door, she was surprised to see the person. It was someone she hadn't seen since her son's graduation of Waseda University. It was her brother's son, her nephew, Keitaro.
"Hi Aunt Marumi," Keitaro greeted nervously, "long time, no see."
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my nephew Keitaro," Marumi replied and she crossed her arms with Tama raising her flipper greeted Keitaro as well.
Keitaro was surprised to see Tama, "Oh hi Tama," Keitaro smiled, "I see you and Aunt Marumi are getting along well."
"Yes, I'm very fond on this little turtle, so Keitaro, what brings you back here?" Marumi asked with a serious look.
Kuromitsu Inn
Shakiko was in the lobby and looked at her clock and saw that it was five minutes before three when Su arrived.
"Oh, there you Kaolla," Shakiko spoke.
Su greeted Shakiko with a mock salute and a smile, "Kaolla Su, reporting for duty!"
"Right...hold on for a moment," Shakiko turned to her right, "Hikaru!"
Hikaru came wearing her kimono, "Yes Grandma?"
"Kaolla is here, take her with you and have her begin."
"Sure Grandma," Hikaru replied and looked at Su, "come with me, I'll get you started."
"Kaolla, Hikaru will be directing you so do exactly what she says."
"Okay!" Su replied and left with Hikaru.
Shakiko looked outside and saw Hina talking to a man. She didn't know who that was but Shakiko got suspicious. Kitsune came with a box.
"Excuse me, Ms. Kuromitsu?" Kitsune spoke.
Shakiko turned to Kitsune, "Yes Mitsune? Oh, you have the box," Shakiko went to check the contents of the box and nodded, "Good, this is it."
"Okay, where would you like these?"
"Take them to my room, I'll sort them later."
Kitsune nodded, "Okay."
Twenty minutes later, there were people that were coming in as well and they were all employees of the Kuromitsu Inn. They all greeted their boss with Shakiko greeted them back. They immediately went to go get change and started to get ready to do their duties.
It was then that Naru had arrived and she sighed.
"Oh good, you're here Naru," Shakiko spoke.
Naru nodded, "I'm ready to get started."
Shakiko nodded and saw Hikaru, "Hikaru, take Naru to have her change," Shakiko turned to Naru, "Naru, you will begin immediately."
Naru nodded, "Okay."
Naru went with Hikaru. Hina came back inside and went to the front desk.
"Hina, who was the man you were talking to?" Shakiko asked.
"That's Ryuichi Tomaru; he used to work for me in my inn years back. I was discussing things with him to get my inn back."
"Hina, if your daughter did take the inn illegally as you say, why haven't you gone to the authorities?"
Hina was shocked, "W-What?"
Meanwhile, Naru had just gotten change and she was in her kimono with her hair tied in a bun. Hikaru nodded and directed Naru to follow her for her task. They went to the kitchen and Hikaru was greeted by the cooks.
"Naru, you will be assisting the cooks until the guests arrive," Hikaru said.
Naru was a bit surprised, "Wait, I won't be helping with setting up the rooms?"
"It's been taken care of, that Mitsune person took care of it already."
Naru was surprised, "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Hikaru smiled, "it's amazing, she actually got up 5:30 in morning and immediately asked my grandmother if she could go ahead and set up the rooms and cleaned most of the areas. We were quite surprised that she had it done when she did. It made things a lot easier."
Hikaru was happy about but Naru was not pleased.
"Are you sure about that?" Naru asked.
Hikaru was a bit confused, "What do you mean?"
"Did she really do an acceptable job and by herself?"
"…You sound like you don't trust her."
"I'm just saying she could have tricked someone in doing the work for her and taken credit for it."
Hikaru, waved it off, "That's impossible, the only ones who were here at the time was her, my grandmother, Hina, Mr. Todo, and our one guest who practically lives here, Kotaro. Besides, nothing escapes from my grandmother's watchful eyes, if Mitsune did do anything that was not right, my grandmother would have known."
Naru frowned, "Oh…I see…"
Hikaru got curious, "What's going on? I was told you and Mitsune were friends and yet, you're acting like you have contempt of her."
"She's just not trustworthy, that all."
"Really, why do you-" Hikaru shook her head, "you know what, that doesn't really matter right now. Help out our cooks with what they need for now and when the guests get here, you will help serve them."
"All right," Naru said as Hikaru left.
"Hey," one of the cooks said.
"Uh yes?" Naru spoke.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Naru."
"Okay Naru, I have a box in the back of my van. My van is opened and is at the back side of the inn, I want you to go grab that box."
"Uh sure, I'm on it."
It was then that Su had returned carrying two bowls, one had chopped bananas and the other had chopped strawberries and they were covered with aluminum on top of them.
"I'm back," Su announced.
"Oh, you're back," the second cook said as he went to take the bowls from Su.
Su giggled and saw Naru, "Hiya Naru."
"Hello Su, I see you're working hard," Naru greeted.
"Yep, I'm doing my best, it going to be fun."
"Well, I don't know…"
"Oh c'mon Naru, it will be fun, plus I have an idea how we can make things more fun here."
Naru raised her eyebrow, "Su, what do you mean?"
Meanwhile, Todo, the head cook was looking at the banana and strawberry cuts and was not happy what he saw. The other three cooks went to him to see what was wrong.
"Todo, what's wrong?" one of the cooks asked.
Todo was just mad and pointed at the bowls, "Take a look, what do you guys see?"
The other three cooks looked at the bowls and were shocked at what they saw.
"What the hell?" the first cook spoke.
"I know we had more than that in the bowls yesterday," the second cook said.
"Todo, do you think that…?" the third cook asked.
Todo knew what the third cook was going to ask and nodded, "Yes."
Todo and the other three cooks turned to Su and Naru and were annoyed to see them still having their conversation.
"Hey, you two, this isn't time to be having your little conversations and Naru, why aren't getting what you were asked get?" Todo said.
Naru was taken back, "I-I'll go get them. I was just telling Su that-"
"We have a lot to work to do so don't waste time chattering away, go get that box now," the second cook demanded.
"Hey, you don't need to be rude!"
"Just go or do I need to report you to Hikaru and Miss Shakiko?" Todo said glaring at Naru.
"Okay, okay, I'm going," Naru said as she left to go get the box.
"Kaolla, come here."
Su went to Todo, "What is it? Is there something else you like me to get?"
The first and third cook showed the bowls to Su.
"Kaolla, there are supposed to be a certain amount of strawberry and banana cuts in these bowls but we noticed some of them are missing. Do you know what happened?"
Su just looked at the bowls and at the cooks who were upset, "I don't know what happened to them."
One of the cooks narrowed his eyes at Su, "You were the last person with them, so maybe you like to answer that question again."
"I really don't know what happened," Su said shifting her eyes.
"Hey, it's not nice to blame Su for what happened," Naru interjected coming back in the kitchen, "for all we know, you guys may have miscounted and realized you came up short yourselves and are now trying to pass the blame on Su."
"You got some nerve saying that and weren't you asked to go get that box, so what are doing back here?" the first cook replied.
"I'm not going to let you four accuse Su of something that was most likely your fault."
"Why you…" Todo was angry.
"What's going on here?" Shakiko's voice spoke as she came in the kitchen.
"Miss Shakiko."
"What's wrong?"
Todo went to Shakiko, "Ma'am, we're short on the banana and the strawberry cuts that we made yesterday."
"They tried to blame Su for it just because she carried them to them," Naru said as Su looked away.
"Really?" Shakiko said, "Kaolla, come here."
"Yes?" Su said as she went to Shakiko.
"What happened?"
"Well, I was bringing the bowls of the fruits they asked and then they say that some of them were gone," Su said with an innocent look.
Shakiko looked at Su for a moment and narrowed her eyes, "Kaolla, open your mouth."
"Huh?"
"I said open your mouth."
"Shakiko, this is not something you should-" Naru tried to say.
"Naru, be quiet and why are you here? Were you not given a task, we only have a half hour before the guests arrive and you're just standing around?"
"I'm not just standing around," Naru insisted.
"Go Naru," Shakiko turned to Su again, "Kaolla open your mouth right now."
"Uh…okay," Su reluctantly complied and Shakiko looked at Su's mouth and shook her head.
"Kaolla, it's not nice to lie, you ate some of the bananas and strawberries."
"What?" Naru asked surprised.
"Naru, get moving now!" Shakiko demanded, "If I see you not working, I'll have you booted out here immediately. I can't stand people who waste their time here when they're supposed to be working."
"I'm going, I'm going," Naru said as she immediately left to get the box she was asked to retrieve.
Shakiko looked at Su, "Kaolla, I'm able to tell because I could see the traces of those strawberry and banana cuts in your mouth and the smell of them from the coating that was mixed in them."
Su was surprised and felt embarrassed, "Hee, hee, I guess you could. I'm sorry; they just look so tasty so I couldn't help myself."
"Why did you lie about it?"
"I…didn't think that it would make a difference if some were gone and I knew they would be mad if they found out…heh, heh…"
Su saw that Shakiko, Todo, and the three cooks were giving her death glares.
"You think this is funny, do you have any idea what an inconvenience you just caused?" Todo asked angry.
Su was getting nervous and it was not looking good for her.
"Kaolla, you're coming with me right now," Shakiko said and then turned to her workers, "you gentlemen do what you can. I'll see if we can get extras or something we can compensate for them."
"Okay," Todo said as he and the other cooks went to continued to prepare the meals.
Shakiko with Su following her nervously left the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Naru was at the back side of inn getting the box that was in the van. It was heavy and Naru had struggled a little to carry it.
"Naru, do you want help with that?" Kitsune said as Naru turned to see Kitsune.
Naru frowned, "Not from you, I'm fine thank you very much."
Kitsune shrugged, "I can't believe Su did what she did. She should realize that she can't do things like that."
Naru was surprised and looked at Kitsune, "You saw what happened?"
"I just happened to pass by. Oh well, I should see if they're anything else they need help with.
Naru narrowed her eyes at Kitsune, "I'm amaze you can just pretend."
Kitsune stopped and looked at Naru, "What's that suppose to mean?"
Naru put the box down and pointed at Kitsune, "You can go ahead and pretend that you're being a hard and obedient worker here but it's only a matter time before you slip up and when you do, I'll be right there to see you and show other people that you are nothing more but a lazy, scheming drunk who flaunts her body for a free ride. That's all you are and you're disgusting."
Kitsune just looked at Naru and then went up to her and when she did, she gave Naru a hard slap across the face. Naru was surprised and stumbled a bit due to the slap across a face and looked at Kitsune surprised while holding her slapped cheek.
"Naru, you really are a stupid, arrogant, cowardly bitch," Kitsune said with her eyes opened and they were cold.
Naru had never seen Kitsune look at her like that before and was still surprised that Kitsune actually slapped her, "You slapped me? You actually slapped me? How dare you slap me! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"I'm going; I shouldn't have bothered talking to you. You just make sure you don't do anything stupid like Su did," Kitsune said as she walked away.
"Hold it Kitsune, you think you can just slap me and get away with it. Hey stop, I'm talking to you!" Kitsune already left and out of sight and Naru was seething and was red in anger, "That bitch…I can't believe she had the nerve to slap me."
Molmol Embassy
Amalla Su was meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan.
"Please Prime Minister, I'm asking you, let us deal with my sister. Please don't let the police and the JSDF handle this matter."
The Prime Minister just sighed and looked at Amalla, "Do you even understand the seriousness of the situation?"
Amalla nodded, "Yes, I do and I know my sister had done things she should not have never done. My country will see to it that she will be punished so please I'm asking you to please allow us to handle the situation."
"Princess Amalla Su, if you really want to handle the situation regarding Princess Kaolla, then I suggest you and your people get to her first because as of right now, the police and the JSDF are about ready to make their move, they were given the go ahead. They only delay because you asked and pleaded but now, they were given permission to move."
Amalla was surprised and it was not good for her as she knew that if they didn't find Kaolla first, the Japanese authorities would and if that happened, the end result would be bad and it would also be a backlash to her entire country, the Kingdom of Molmol. Amalla decided that she needed to act fast.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The guests for the Kuromitsu Inn arrive, Keitaro talks to Marumi and Yoshinari for the first time in years, other events will occur, what will happen with Keitaro and the others? Find out in the next chapter of For His Own Sake.
