Chapter 32: Hospitality for Keima
Hana stood near the front entrance, pushing the doorbell. Heihachi's mother opened the door, covering her mouth.
"Oh… Are you another one of Heihachi's friend?"
Hana nodded her head.
"I guess you could put it that way…"
She turned away from Hana, closing the door behind. A few minutes later, Heihachi opened the door, blinking at Hana.
"Umm… what are you doing here?"
She closed her eyes, folding her arms.
"Keima's sick today. I'll be the one helping you out for today…"
Heihahci continued blinking.
"Umm… are you okay with this?"
Hana slowly opened her left eyes, lifting up her eyebrow.
"…what?"
Heihachi scratched his head, feeling his cheeks blushing.
"Well… I am pursuing the girl of my dreams… but if you feel objected by-"
Hana turned away from Heihachi, shaking her head.
"I don't take interest in you if that's what you saying… now are you coming or what?"
Heihachi pouted his lips in sadness. …Rejected…
Tenri gazed through the window, placing her hands on her cheeks. She sighed, waiting for the opposite window to open up. It feels like I haven't seen him for 2 years… Now I'm not sure what to do anymore… Her doppelganger stood near Tenri, folding her arms.
"It's quite depressing watching you like this all the time…"
Tenri turned her head, gazing upon its identical face.
"But I can't exactly help that… I always try to get closer to Keima-kun…"
The doppelganger sighed.
"Why don't you just make him go near you more often?"
Tenri blinked at it in confusion.
"Umm… what do you mean by that exactly?"
It pulled her body away from the window, levelling its head to hers.
"It's about time you take initiations! You must confess to him today!"
Tenri's body froze, feeling her body growing colder. She slowly widened her eyes, feeling her face growing red.
"C-c-confess?"
She jumped away from her doppelganger, resting her tummy on her bed. She pushed her head using her pillow, hiding her face from shame.
"B… but we're j-just friends! I… I don't want to do this so suddenly…"
The doppelganger shook its head.
"And now you're making excuses… have you learned nothing form what we have accomplished together? We've created enough events for us to confess! What more do I need to do for you?"
Tenri sighed, feeling her eyes misty.
"I… I don't think this is the right time anyway…"
The doppelganger lifted the pillow off Tenri.
"Then tell me, when is the right time for you?"
Tenri turned her head around, gazing upon the doppelganger's serious face.
"I… I don't know… maybe… maybe he won't accept the confession no matter what I do…"
It threw the pillow back on the bed, walking to the window. She rested her elbows on the windowsill, placing her hands on her cheeks.
"Nonsense! No boy should ever do so! I see no reason that boy of yours would ever refuse…"
Tenri lifted her body up, facing the doppelganger.
"K… Keima-kun is no one's girlfriend… he… he has his own life at another world…"
The doppelganger rolled its eyes.
"So you choose to sacrifice those desires for his happiness? It's not healthy for you to do so!"
It walked away from the window, pulling Tenri out of her bed. She waved her arms around, screaming and moaning in protest. The doppelganger rolled its eyes as they leave the bedroom.
"We're going to his house whether you like it or not!"
Tenri gazed upon the door, whimpering quietly to herself. Wh… why am I here by myself? An image of a note on a table appeared inside her mind. Never thought my mother would need to leave the house early… I… I don't know if I should do this… Mari swung open the door, standing in front of Tenri. She closed her eyes and grinned at Tenri.
"Tenri-chan! Nice to meet you again!"
Tenri nodded back, smiling at her.
"Umm… IS Keima-kun inside?"
Mari turned her head away from Tenri, placing her hands on her lips.
"He's sick today… and I'm kinda worried about him if I go out to buy some medicine and talk to one of his teachers… I hope he won't-"
"Perhaps I could take care of him…"
Mari's body froze, making Tenri widen her eyes. W… what have I done? Mari let out a nervous chuckle, slowly turned her head around.
"Don't you have school today?"
Tenri scratched her head, chuckling nervously. I… I never done something like this before… especially when it's on a Tuesday…
"Th… today's no school day…"
Mari slowly nodded her head. She reformed a smile on her face before walking out of the house.
"Well I suppose you could look after him! The two of you are friends after all…"
Tenri entered the house and sighed. I… I don't know if I should do this… She climbed through the stars, tilting her head down. Well… I guess I'm here now… I… I'll see what I could do… She opened the door in front of her, leading her to Keima's bedroom. She watched Keima struggled around, screaming in pain.
"That damn mother of mine! I need to get out of this some-"
His eyes shifted to Tenri, blinking at her.
"T… Tenri?"
Tenri blushed her cheeks, smiling at him.
"K… Keima-kun…"
He lifted his head up.
"What are you doing here?"
Tenri scratched her head, chuckling nervously.
"Umm… I heard that you got sick so… I… I wanted to help you…"
"So you wouldn't mind if I tell you to untie me at once, right?"
Tenri leaned towards him, pulling the chains off him. He lifted his body up, making Tenri's heart thump quickly. He lifted himself off his bed, walking away from her.
"Since you're in charge of me, go downstairs and see if my mother comes back."
She placed her hands on his shoulders, preventing him form leaving the room.
"But… don't you need to rest? You don't look well…"
Keima sighed. I really want to finish my games first. I don't want this kind of opportunity to disappear before I get back to solving problems… He turned his head around, smiling at her.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
He walked away from Tenri, leaving his room. She crossed her lips, placing her hands on her chest. Perhaps I'll keep a closer eye on him…
Hana sat at her desk, placing her hands on her cheeks. I need to find a way to get out of here just for one day… I don't want to miss out on this opportunity today… An image of Keima appeared inside her mind, making her cheeks redden. I wonder what I could do when I arrive at his house though… Her mind fluttered off, taking her to another place. She found herself standing inside Keima's room, watching him cough loudly. He turned his head around, smiling at her.
"Th… thank god you're here…"
He coughed out more before Hana stood near him.
"Don't talk too much. You need to take it easy for now."
Hana knelt on the floor, lifting up a damp towel. She placed it on his forehead, making him sigh in relief.
"B… before you came here… I... I thought I wouldn't make it…"
Hana formed a smile on her face.
"Don't be silly…. You just needed someone to take care of you…"
Keima shifted his eyes to hers, watching them glimmer. His cheeks reddened.
"Y… your eyes…"
Hana blinked at him.
"Umm… what about them?"
Keima quickly averted his eyes and sighed.
"Nothing…"
Hana snapped out of her daydream, hearing the class bell ring.
"The assignment is due tomorrow. Get them done before Friday."
She watched students get off their desks, chatting amongst each other.
"That's when Mai High Fest begins, right?"
"I'm so excited for it!"
"The bonfire night will also be awesome!"
Hana placed her hands near her chin, humming to herself. A bonfire they say… isn't that where couples would go to? Perhaps I could make him fall for me more…
"Hana-chan. Can I talk to you for a moment?"
She turned her head to Kumuro, noticing him standing near her. She sighed, lifting herself off the chair. She lifted herself off her desk before leaving the classroom. Kumuro followed after her, standing outside the corridors.
"Have you seen Keima buddy?"
She blinked at Kumuro in confusion.
"What makes you think I would know?"
Kumuro scratched his head, chuckling nervously.
"Well… it's just that… you and Keima buddy seemed to be together quite often…"
Hana widened her eyes, feeling her cheeks redden. She scratched her head, closing her eyes and chuckling nervously.
"It… it's not like we're very close to each other…"
She pulled her hand off her head, folding her arms.
"So how are you and Amika going today?"
Kumuro crossed his lips.
"Well…"
Hana sighed at him.
"You didn't make up to her, didn't you?"
He held his hands out, swivelling left and right.
"No no! We are together now!"
"Then… what's the problem this time?"
Kumuro faced away from her, placing his hands on his chin. S… should I tell her my problems? Well… she is my childhood friend after all…
"Well… it's just that… we somehow don't feel comfortable around each other anymore…"
Hana cocked her eyebrows.
"What do you mean exactly?"
Kumuro sighed.
"After we decided to go out together, her friends showed up… the two of us didn't even look at each other ever since…"
Hana grinned sinisterly.
"You silly boy! There's actually nothing wrong there!"
Kumuro turned around, blinking at her.
"..really?"
She nodded her head.
"Since the two of you have never been in a relationship, it's quite common that the two of you don't feel comfortable around each other as more than friends…"
"Then… how do I overcome that?"
Hana Placed her finger on her lips, humming to herself.
"Well… you obviously need to get used to the new relationship your in… perhaps tell yourself to make more eye contact with her. Try to make her feel comfortable around you too…"
Kumuro slowly nodded his head.
"I… I'm not sure about it…"
Hana lowered her eyelids. Why do I get the feeling that I need to help him first?
Kumuro and Hana sat on the bench, facing each other. He crossed his lips, sweating nervously.
"A…are you sure this will work?"
Hana nodded her head.
"Just visualise me as Amika and then try to have a conversation…"
Hana's head distorted, transforming into Amika. Kumuro stuttered anxiously, feeling his heart beating quickly.
"Y-y-you l-l-look so g-g-good today A… a…"
Kumuro turned his head away from Hana, whimpering in shame.
"I can't do this! I don't know why!"
Hana closed her eyes and sighed. Maybe it's a bad idea to help him in the first place…
"You can't be like this you know… the two of you are together now."
Kumuro sighed.
"… I know… but it's my first time having a girlfriend and all…"
Hana lifted her watch up, gazing upon it. I'm wasting time here… perhaps now's the best time to go… She lifted herself off the bench, strolling away from Kumuro.
"If you're gonna continue like this, I'll may as well take my leave…"
Kumuro turned his head, blinking at Hana.
"Where are you going?"
Hana's body froze. She closed her eyes, chuckling nervously.
"Well umm… I… I have to meet up with other friends of mine…"
She slowly opened her eyes, finding Kumuro smiling at her.
"I'm glad that you're making more friends at school! I want to see some of those friends of yours!"
She gasped, taking a step back.
"A… about that… they're not really used to other students at school like you… they are… umm… they particularly prefer people they're used to… I'm sure you would understand… right?"
Kumuro nodded his head.
"I can just go with you and see if I can make them feel comfortable around me."
Hana sighed, shaking her head.
"I don't think it'll work…"
Great… I forgot how persistent he could be at time… She extended her hands out, pointing at a random direction.
"Hey, isn't that Amika-chan over there?"
Kumuro widened his eyes, turning his head around.
"Where?"
He blinked at the clear blue skies. Umm… I'm not quite sure she's there… As he turned away from the sky, he found himself standing alone.
"Where did Hana-chan go?"
Hana hid behind a tree, peering at Kodoma wearing an army uniform. He gritted his teeth in anger, clenching his fist tightly.
"'You've done a good job being on duty! Perhaps you would like to take tomorrow's shift too…' Why do I always have to take this role? Why can't that damn bitch take some of the shares? It's her idea in the first place!"
Hana sighed, turning her head away from him. So the teachers still intended to guard the gate, huh? Just my luck… I thought I would be able to get past him easily… She closed her eyes, dreaming of Keima standing next to her. Just as I have found an opportunity to make him fall for me, I have to deal with a few obstacles…
"Hana-chan. What are you doing there?"
She opened her eyes, finding Chihiro and Ayumi standing in front of her. And now there are more obstacles to take care of…
"I'm just standing outside, relishing this beautiful sunny day…"
Chihiro placed her hands on Hana's shoulders, smiling at her.
"Are you just gonna stand there by yourself? That's no fun doing so!"
Ayumi leaned forward, smiling at Hana.
"Why don't you sit with us for lunch? We want to hear more about you!"
Hana chuckled nervously, breaking sweat on her face. Well I am quite popular at my school… there's no reason to bump into other people who wanted my attention.
"I'm quite flattered by your offer… however…"
"There you are, Hana-chan! Are those your new friends you made?"
Chihiro and Ayumi turned around, blinking at them.
"What do you want follower?"
"Do you know this girl?"
Kumuro nodded his head.
"She and I are childhood friends. We used to be in the same elementary school before we went our separate ways in middle school…"
Chihiro closed her eyes, folding her arms.
"I don't believe you! Since when do you have connections with rich people like her?"
She turned her head, facing away from Kumuro.
"Is this true you're friends with him?"
She opened her eyes, blinking at the tree. Ayumi turned her head around, scratching her head.
"Where did she go?"
Kumuro crossed his lips. Why does she disappear like this? It's like she wanted to avoid me…
"Maybe this follower scared her away. Well he did get that contagious disease from that Otamegane!"
Tenri opened the door, creeping through the room. She gazed upon the shelves filled with game cases. It's been a few hours since he's in there… Maybe I should check up on him…
"Are you just gonna let that opportunity slip past you again?"
She turned around, finding the doppelganger folding her arms. She sighed, shifting her eyes to the floor.
"W… why do you have to be here again?"
The doppelganger turned her head, gazing upon the TV screens hanging on the wall.
"How rude of him to ignore you like this! I really think he should be taught a lesson!"
Tenri's cheeks blushed slightly.
"H… he's fine…"
The doppelganger walked away from her, glaring at Keima sitting inside his 'cockpit'.
"I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind…"
Tenir grabbed its body, closing her eyes.
"Don't! I don't to make a fool of myself!"
It gritted its teeth, trying to pull free from Tenri's grasp.
"You… are not… fooling… anyone! Let go!"
"I… I'm fine like this! Please… I don't want to make this any worse…"
"Tenri, are you in my room?"
The doppelganger disappeared, making Tenri open her eyes. Keima turned his head around, revealing his droopy face. She widened her eyes in fear, covering her lips with her hands. K-keima-kun! Keima blinked at Tenri in confusion.
"What's the matter?"
Tenri closed her eyes, scratching her head.
"Umm… it's nothing…"
She stood next to him, leaning forward.
"You… you should take some break for a while…"
He faced away from Tenri, gazing upon the screens.
"As long as I have my games, I'm fine."
She sighed, crossing his lips. Should I intervene him? He might be reaching his peak of playing like this…
"Besides, didn't I tell you to watch over?"
Suddenly, Keima's sneezed. He wiped his nose with his arm and sniffed. Tenri pulled Keima out of his seat, waving his arms around.
"Hey! I'm not done with other games!"
Tenri closed her eyes and sighed again. Keima-kun can be a bit stubborn sometimes. Inside his bedroom,she placed Keima on the bed, pulling his blanket over. Keima lifted his body upright, glaring at her.
"I don't need anyone to babysit me! I'm going back!"
He stood up straight, placing his hands on his hips. He then collapsed on the ground, making Tenri cover her mouth.
"Are you alright Keima-kun?"
She rotated his body around, making him rest on his back. She placed her hands on his forehead, making her heart beat faster. Her cheeks reddened, feeling her body shivering.
"I'll bring you a warm towel…"
She stood up from the ground before leaving the room. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, making her widen her eyes. K… Keima's mum is back? She turned her ehad, gazing upon the lower corridors. Sh… should I answer it? She climbed down the stairs, crossing her lips. It's not like I want to disrespect her… She turned the knob around, pulling the door towards her. She blinked at Hana standing in front of her.
"W… what are you doing here?"
Hana widened her eyes in disbelief. She… she had beaten me to him? Wait a minute…
"M-m-me? Wh-wh-what are you doing here?"
Tenri turned away form Hana, scratching her head. Wh… what should I say to her?
"Umm… there was no school today… so-"
"You're only here for Keima, aren't you?"
Hana glared at Tenri, making her widen her eyes. She… she found out! Hana strolled past Tenri, climbing upstairs.
"I'm not gonna let some so-called friend take him away from me!"
Tenri watched Hana climbing up the stairs. She closed her eyes and sighed. She turned around, closing the door shut. W… what can I do? I… I lost my chance…
"Don't give up Tenri!"
Tenri turned her head to the doppelganger, watching it grasp her shoulders tightly. It dragged Tenri up the stairs, making her wave her arms around.
"The war has only just begun…"
Author's Note: Sorry for the very late submission... I guess it's official... I may not be able to post more chapters regularly... it's been fun writing this series, but every time I tried finishing a chapter, I seemed to lost more will to keep going... Perhaps one day, I'll be able to zoom through the rest of the chapters very quickly... for now, this will now be on hitatus...
At the moment, check out my abridged series if you are keen to watch something new:
.com/user/SSDrWh0
I'm very sorry it has to come to this. As I said, maybe one day I'll come back...