-Ten-Faced Paladin
Love Hina Redux By Ten-Faced Paladin Chapter 12: Happy or Unhappy?
The residents of Hinata House were being a little bit on the relaxed side for the time being. The previous night, they had thrown a party for Keitaro and Naru who were supposed the write their first set of exams today. It was their centre test which they had to pass if they wanted to take the actual Tokyo U exam.
The party itself had started off pretty well, until Keitaro and Naru started asking each other questions. Everyone else assumed it was a trvia contest. Su and Kitsune immediately turned it into a strip contest which really didn't turn out too well. Everyone woke up the next morning in a daze when both Tokyo U applicants ran out the door screaming they were late.
Shinobu was currently cleaning the kitchen while Kitsune was leaning on the counter.
"Do you think Naru and Sempai got there on time?" she asked worriedly.
"Of course they did," Kitsune smiled. "They weren't that late were they?"
Before Shinobu could even reply, they could hear the door opening to Hinata House. Everyone congregated to thhe front doors and saw Keitaro and Naru walking inside.
"Welcome home!" Shinbou greeted with a shy smile.
"Heyas!" Su cheered happily.
"How were the first days of your examination?" asked Motoko.
"I thought we weren't going to make it," Keitaro laughed. "It was pretty tense for a while."
"Crap," Kitsune grimaced. "We held you back that much?"
"It wasn't you guys," Naru reassured. "We just missed the bus really."
"That wasn't the worst part," Keitaro continued. "We actually managed to get ourselves locked in a delivery truck that we mistook as a bus."
"How does one make that mistake?" asked a slightly stunned Motoko.
Keitaro and Naru both fidgited embarrasedly.
"Well," Naru reluctantly spoke. "The truck had centre on it so we thought it was a special bus. It kind of degraded from there."
"Did you get there?" asked Shinobu.
"Actually, yeah." Keitaro smiled. "Turns out the truck was delivering to Hinata University. That was where we were being tested."
"Wow!" Su smiled. "Lucky!"
"Yeah," Naru nodded. "Can we actually sit down now?"
"Well, come on in!" Kitsune laughed.
Everyone came into the living room as Naaru and Keitaro dropped their bags by the couch. As they sat down, Shinobu came into the room with a tray of snacks and tea. Both the Tokyo U aspirants then began to explain how the entire exam went for them. keitaro felt that he hadn't done horribly while Naru felt confident with what she wrote. After a while, Keitaro and Naru went up to their rooms to study before going to bed. They had another set of exams to go through tomorrow and they didn't want to be caught by surprise.
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Naru stretched after finally finishing her last exam. It was the next day and there wasn't a mad scramble to get to the bus that morning.
"Ahhh," she sighed. "Not bad. Not bad at all. I wonder how he did?"
She looked over to Keitaro and saw that he was leaning over on his desk. He looked like he was totally burnt out. Naru felt slightly worried about him.
"I feel totally bleached for some reason," Keitaro sighed. "I'm not feeling really confident about this one."
Naru shook her head, "Look, don't start being down on yourself now. The exams are over so don't bother thinking about it. We won't know the answer until we finish scoring them."
"Ahh, you're right," Keitaro nodded as he sat straight. "It's just that it kinda went downhill after this point for me."
"Well, history is not going to repeat itself," Naru smirked confidentaly. "Now come on. We have to score ourselves tonight and I don't want to do it on an empty stomach."
"Sure," Keitaro laughed. "Me neither. Lead the way."
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The sun had set again and everyone had finished eating their dinner. Su finished with her usual happy smile while patting her stomach. Keitaro finished his last bite and put down his chopsticks.
"Well," he sighed. "That's enough goofing off for me. Sorry for not helping with the dishes tonight Shinobu, but I have to grade my test."
"Th-that's okay Sempai," Shinobu blushed. "I hope you do well."
"Thanks Shinobu," Keitaro smiled as he took to the stairs.
"Grading himself?" asked Kitsune. "What's he talking about Naru?"
"You thre a party for us over this and you don't know?" Naru asked incrediously. "Okay, I'll explain this once. The centre test is what we go through to see if we can take the actual entrance exam. We write the centre exam, but the prep school doesn't tell us what we got. We have to look at the newspaper where they publish the answers and we grade ourselves. If we pass we can send the results away and get our exam tickets for the real thing."
"Kids in Japan have it tough," Su giggled.
"I..guess I get it," Kitsune shrugged. "Don't really think I'll go through with it though."
"With that said, I'm off," Naru smiled. "See you guys later."
She then took to the stairs as well. Over the next while, everyone in Hinata House was more quiet than any other time. Even Su was quiet as she enjoyed tinkering with some kind of gadget she whipped up. Motoko sat in a medative pose as she waited for her fiends. Kitsune felt nervous enough for both of her friends as she lay on the couch, not touching the bottle of sake she brought out. Shinobu was frantic in keeping herself busy, looking for things to do.
After about an hour, or even longer, Naru finally came back down. She had a bright smile on her face as she gave her friends a thumbs-up.
"That's my girl," Kitsune smirked. "Brainy as ever!"
Motoko looked up to the stairs where Keitaro had yet to come back down.
"Do you think Urashima could pass?" Motoko asked with slight concern.
"I think he's more than capable," Naru replied. "As long as he scores somewhere in the six-hundreds then he'll probably be fine."
"I hope so," Shinobu murmured. "Sempai's worked really hard."
"Yeah," Kitsune nodded. "It wouldn't be the same if he was all depressed."
Upstairs, Keitaro had just finished scoring himself. All that he needed to do was tally the score. His eyes roved over the sheet and his eyes widened as he finally got the final score. If he was a smoking type, he would have lit one up at this point. He wasn't though so he didn't. He just fell back while holding the tally in his hands.
"I don't believe it," he laughed. "690! That tops last year's score easily. I can't believe it!"
He just sat back and laughed. he was in such a good mood he just couldn't help it. He checked the cut-off rate and knew that he passed easily. The day was going great for him after all. He thought he had blown a good chunk of the exam, but it turned out all right after all.
Outside his room, the other residents were outside his door. They didn't exactly hear his words, but they could hear the noises he was making. It sounded like laughter of despair. Each of the girls felt their hearts sink when they heard it. It seemed to them that their landlord was going to be a ronin for the third time.
"Oh no stud," Kitsune whispered.
"Sempai," Shinobu whimpered.
"It can't be," Motoko whispered.
"Keitaro sounds happy," Su giggled.
"Oh Keitaro," Naru muttered looking downcast.
None of the girls knew what to do at the moment. They all knew that if Keitaro was going to end up as a third-year ronin, it would really hurt him. Even if not all of them were ready to admit it, seeing Keitaro hurt so much would end up hurting them as well.
"I think he finally snapped," Naru mumbled.
"I think he may actually try to take his life over this," Motoko commented with a tremble in her voice.
"What?" Kitsune and Shinobu shrieked.
"it makes sense when you think about it," Naru agreed. "His entire world just came crashing down for a third time. He doesn't even have a girlfriend or anyone to help his pain either. Who wouldn't be suicidal?"
"Bu-bu-but there has to be something we can do!" Shinobu sobbed.
Any further speculation was halted when Keitaro's doors oened wide and the male in question stepped out with a huge smile on his face.
"Oh, you're all here," Keitaro laughed. "Guess what!"
All the girls, except for Su, had an image on an obituary on Keitaro run through their minds.
"Uh...sorry Keitaro," Naru said hurredly. "Can't talk. Gotta study!"
"Yeah, I've gotta go!" Kitsune added.
"I have to train!" Motoko nodded.
The girls then broke into a run away from him. Su was dragged away by Motoko. Shinobu was the only one left there. She looked around frntically for a means of escape. She just didn't want to hear her crush's dreams breaking.
Keitaro finally noticed her and turned to her with a huge smile, "Hey Shinobu! Guess what!"
Shinobu did something that was unexpected to him. Her eyes started pooling with unshed tears and a red flush came to her face.
"Uh...you okay Shinobu?" Keitaro asked in concern.
Shinobu's eyes pooled with even more tears before she finally broke into a run with a strained sob. Keitaro was so shocked by the development that he didn't even go after her right away. After a moment, he finally caught his senses and started following her.
Kitsune and Motoko were hiding near a corner when they saw Shinobu run past, crying with all her might.
"So he failed after all," Kitsune sighed sadly. "Oh man."
"It seems so," Motoko nodded. "What are we to do about it?"
Their speculation was halted as Keitaro came running into view. He glanced and saw both girls leaning against the wall.
"Kitsune! Motoko!" he spoke.
"Yiiii!" both girls shrieked in surprise.
"Have you two seen Shinobu?" he asked. "She seemed really upset about something and I want to make sure she's okay."
"Uh...uh..I think she went to the bathroom! Yeah," Kitsune spoke hastily. "Come to think of it, I have to go too! I'm gonna explode!"
"I have to go practice Urashima!" Motoko spoke with equal haste. "Do not disturb me!"
Both girls then bolted from him. Keitaro watched them go with a look of confusion. He just couldn't figure out why everyone was acting so wierd all of a sudden.
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All the girls had called a meeting up in the attic. They knew Keitaro wasn't going to be there so they all knew it was going to be safe. Su was actually playing a video game while the entire meeting was going on.
"It's worse than we thought," Motoko sighed. "He seems to be in complete denial."
"Not good," Kitsune agreed. "He might off himself at any time."
"Bu-but-but-but there has to be something we can do!" Shinobu sobbed. "I feel so bad for Sempai. Even when he was hurting he cared about how I felt."
"Yeah, he's really sweet. We have to show him we care about him as much as he does about us." Kitsune nodded. 'Besides, this might be my chance to really get close with him.'
Unknown to her, Motoko was having similar thoughts, 'Urashima will no doubt be in need of someone to lean on. Perhaps that will be a role I can fill.'
Naru just had her head leaning in her hand which she had propped on her knee, "Now hold on.Who says that he wanted to kill himself anyway?"
"Oh come on Naru," Kitsune remarked. "You heard him going on in his room. The guy is clearly depressed right now. We have to cheer him up."
"But...but how?" asked Shinobu.
Kitsune put her hand to her chin as her familiar foxy grin came to her face. No doubt she had been planning this already.
"Oh I think I have an idea," she smirked.
Naru sweatdropped. No doubt Keitaro was going to be in for a surprise.
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Keitaro at the moment was walking along the halls of Hinata House, trying to find someone to tell his good news to.
"Just what is up with everyone?" he asked himself out loud. "They've been acting really wierd since I finished grading myself. I know I didn't fail, but everyone seemed really on edge for some reason. It was like they thought I went crazy or something."
Keitaro did actually think he had failed for a moment, but he checked the cut-off rate and found that he was well above it. So he was now sure that he didn't fail. He just couldn't figure out why thee girls were acting all strange.
"Maybe it's PMS," Keitaro laughed to himself. "I've heard girls do wierd things when that time rolls around."
Truth was, Keitaro knew better. He just couldn't fathom what was going on with the girls and he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to. Any further thought was cut off as Shinobu came around the corner with a healthy blush on her face and a tine with bathing supplies in her hands.
"Hey Shinobu," Keitaro smiled. "Feeling better?"
"Um..yes Sempai," Shinobu nodded shyly. "Uh..can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Keitaro smiled. "Ask away."
Shinobu's blush deepened as her eyes became hidden by her hair, "I-I was going to take a bath and uh..wouldyouliketojoinme?"
If Keitaro was expecting any kind of question, that was not it. He stared blankly at the younger girl before his mouth was finally able to move again. Sadly, it was another minute before his brain could properly use it again.
"Excuse me?" Keitaro gaped. "I think I had something in my ear. Did you just ask me if I wanted to take a bath with you?"
"Uh-huh," Shinobu nodded meekly. "Please? I-I don't want to go in alone."
Keitaro rubbed the back of his neck as a blush came to his face. He normally would have suggested she go ask Kitsune or someone, but he couldn't really bring himself to say no to Shinobu.
"Ahh," Keitaro sighed in defeat. "I'll do it on two conditions. I'm wearing swim trunks and I'm also going to be at the far side of the springs where I can't see you. Is that okay?"
"Uh-huh," Shinobu hiccuped, her blush growing deeper.
With that, she ran towards the hot springs. Keitaro shook his head as he began heading for his room for his swim gear. The whole time he walked, he wondered if he really was turning into a pervert or not. He grabbed his shorts and headed to the change room. He knocked on the door and no answer came.
'No one there," he reasoned. 'Might as well get this over with.'
He walked into the change room and quickly got into his swimming shorts. As he finished putting his things into a bin, Shinobu timidly walked into the room wearing a towel. Keitaro caught a glimpse of her, but was sure to turn away completely.
"Um, everything's ready Sempai," she whispered.
"Okay Shinobu," Keitaro nodded. "Thanks."
When Shinobu exited, Keitaro waited a moment before finally heading outside himself. As he finally stepped into the open air, he looked straight ahead only to turn crimson and avert his gaze.
Ahead of him was something most guys only dream about. All of the residents were ahead of him donned in nothing but towels and were sitting on some benches thay had brought in or just standing. Naru was the only one who was still clothed.
"Did I hit my head or something?" he asked out loud. "Since when do you girls invite me into the springs with the rest of you?"
"Always the gentleman," Kitsune giggled. "This is a special occasion stud. You are allowed to look at us you know."
"Only if the towels are secured and that's a unanimous decision," Keitaro replied, eyes not leaving the ground.
"I give you permission," Motoko spoke.
"Look all you want," Su giggled.
"It's okay with me Sempai," Shinobu spoke timidly.
Sighing deeply, Keitaro slowly looked straight up. He was met by Kitsune's smirking face.
"Now you're in for a real treat stud," she smirked.
She then signaled the other toweld girls, and ina single moment, they all dropped their towels. Keitaro thought his heart stopped before it suddenly dawned on him. They were all wearing bathing suits underneath their towels.
"Man," Keitaro sighed. "You almost gave me a heart-attack!"
"Almost?" Kitsune pouted. "Then I'm not working hard enough. Time for the cheer-up party to get started!"
"Cheer-up party?" Keitaro asked.
Before he could ask what the cheer-up party was for, Kitsune yanked him over to one of the benches and handed him a cup of sake.
"Drink up stud," She smiled as she leaned on his shoulder, her eyes opening slightly. "You need all the comfort you can get."
"I do?" Keitaro asked, now very confused.
"Well sure," Kitsune commented while sliding closer to him. "I mean, failing the centre test and all must be pretty tough."
"Fail?" Keitaro asked. "What are you-"
He was suddenly cut off as Motoko grabbed his arm and yanked him away.
"Come with me Urashima," she spoke, a blush on her face. "I will give you a massage."
"Huh-wha?" Keitaro remarked.
Keitaro really didn't have much time to react before Motoko put him down on a towel and promptly sat on his back. Her hands then began kneading into his back. Despite the obvious pain of her hands pressing so hard into his back, it wasn't that bad actually. He'd never had a girl in a swimsuit give him a massage before.
"You're quite tense Urashima," Motoko commented offhandedly.
"I 'ack' never noticed," Keitro groaned as Motoko hit a soft spot on his back.
After Motoko finished, Keitaro stood up feeling a lot better. Seeing his opportunity, he sat next to Naru who was with the drinks.
"No that I'm complaining, but what's this party for?" Keitaro asked, his confusion apparent.
"You are so dense sometimes," Naru frowned. "This is a party to cheer you up. I mean, you failed the centre test after all."
"I did, did I?" Keitaro asked suspiciously. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the cut-off somewhere in the upper 500's?"
"Yeah, it was," Naru comfirmed. "Why?"
"Thought so," Keitaro smiled. "I scored a 690. I passed the exam."
"What?" Naru shrieked as she stood up. "You passed!"
Unknown to them, everyone else had frozen around them.
"Yeah, I did," Keitaro nodded. "I tried to tell you all, but for some reason you all kept avoiding me."
Everything went quiet for a moment. Only the movement of the water could be heard. The silence was broken when Kitsune began to giggle while Su quickly joined in.
"Well don't I feel dumb," Kitsune giggled. "We thought you failed."
"What made you think that?" Keitaro asked.
"We heard you laughing to yourself in your room," Motoko sighed, feeling quite foolish. "It sounded as if you were on the verge of tears."
Keitaro snorted laugh. He didn't want to laugh at his friends because they went through so much trouble to set this up. Shinobu actually sighed with relief as she heard the news. Her sempai's dream was still alive after all.
"I really appreciate all this," Keitaro smiled. "I'm glad I've got friends like you who would do this for me."
Blushes came to the girls faces in various degree's, except for Su anyway.
"Aw, you'd do the same for us stud," Kitsune smiled. "I guess this is a 'congratulations' party now."
"Sure you don't want me to leave?" Keitaro asked. "I mean, with all the bathing suit stuff. You really aren't trying to cheer me up anymore."
"Do not be foolish Urashima," Motoko spoke. "We gave you permission."
"Besides, we're all out here anyway," Kitsune shrugged.
"Yay! Pool party!" Su shrieked with joy.
"I have snacks ready," Shinobu smiled as she held out a tray.
So the 'cheer-up Keitaro' party turned into a 'Congratulations Naru and Keitaro' party. Even when everyone was having fun, Keitaro was still keeping a sharp eye on where he put his hands and tried not to stare at any of the girls. They partied into the night since there weren't any exams the next day.
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The next day came and Keitaro managed to get himself out of bed and down to his cram school where the results were posted.As he saw them, Naru caught up with him to check the results as well.
"How d'you like that?" he smiled. "I knew I passed!"
"Yeah," naru nodded. "So did I. Now to study for the real thing,"
Keitaro groaned as he looked down at the ground. He was in such a good mood, he had forgotten about that.
To Be Continued
A/N: Chpater 12! I skipped the Run! Centre Test! chapter because there wasn't much to change. So I decided to cram it into this one. I want to thank everyone who has been reading and reviewing my stories. I worked hard on them and I really appreciate the positive feedback. You guys make it all worth it! Thanks!