It looks like the Hawaiian Islands have been interesting so far but Kyosukes travels are still continuing, Who knows what his journey will bring him...? Well you'll just have to read to find out!

As always the feedback is appreciated. I'm always interesting to see what peoples thoughts are.. Hard to believe over 100 folks are following this story but I'll try to update soon than in the past. -DjTenki

legal jargon:

I do not own Oriemo or any characters related to light novels, manga, or anime...but I love the story so here we are...

Chapter 16: Sun, Surf and Time to Think... Who Knew that Bruno was a Shrink?!

Kyousuke:

Sunrise.. That's where I find myself wide awake and down at the beach near Bruno's house. I had spent the last forty eight hours in all kinds of situations I didn't expect. First off I found out that Bruno being a few years older than myself was my equal in martial arts. This surprised me greatly, after our spar a few days ago it ended in a stalemate. Secondly I found that Bruno was a good tour guide.. and after we woke up yesterday he showed me around to the many shop that weren't tourist traps and I spent a little of the pay I had earned, I also ate every meal at his parents restaurant. I was able to get to know both Onno and Manu a lot better and it just reinforced the fact that they were just all around great people.

After that he wanted to show me his "strategy" he called it for picking up the ladies.. as he stated, "Watch and learn Kyosuke.. Watch and learn." Which I did watch to my amusement and his disaster as girl after girl turned him down for roughly the next hour...I did have to hand it to him though.. he was persistent! . What I didn't notice were the two foreign girls watching me with predatory stares.. and while I sat there they approached me asking if I was free and could hang out... Bruno was fluster by this as he looked over to see them hitting on me! I was surprised but in the end my heart just wasn't into it..so I politely declined to the dismay of Bruno as he made a sullen face... We then moved on to more sightseeing of his home island. I felt my two days here had been a good experience, but I couldn't shake the pain that seemed to reside in my chest...No I think it was after that little incident that these feelings had brought me out here this morning.

The golds and oranges were now spreading far and wide across the horizon as I sat there on my rock watching wave after wave roll in. I wasn't the only one a fair amount of surfers were out in the waves catching a ride.. It helped a little to take my mind off the picture in my hand... I looked down at the smiling face of Kirino and the shiny golden hair that surrounded her perfect little face. The soft pink lipstick surrounding that model smile and those blue eyes that seem to suck me in...siiighhh yeah this is a bit rough...

It was obvious to me and I hated to admit it but this morning the sunrise just didn't compare with the face in that picture. I was beginning to see that I was starting to miss Kirino.. but then there were the thoughts of my parents.. while my anger had lessened to a great degree about their lies it wasn't anywhere near gone so to me it still felt right to continue my journey and that was what I was going to do.

I figured as I sat there still looking at Kirinos picture I probably had another two weeks before I made it to America, but when I arrived I wondered just what should I do.. I mean I can probably go find my uncle but I wasn't sure if he'd keep my coming there a secret. I mean all I would need would be for Kirino to catch wind of where I am at and all hell would break loose. I mean she got mad at me when I tried to dodge the life counseling thing and again when I stood up for her collection with dad...and boy was he pissed. my head ached just remembering it...

One thing though I was sure of I needed more time to truly sort out my feelings about possibly having a fiance? I mean an arranged marriage in this day and age.. its not like were in the Meiji era right? Its the freaking twenty first century for god sake! I could feel my anger rising again as I thought about that topic... I closed my eyes and breathed in the salty air trying to calm back down. It was then that I was startled free from my thoughts..

"I see you still have the picture out man..you missing her today?" I jumped as Bruno made his way up quietly and took a seat on the rock across from me sitting Indian style with a grin plastered on his face. I huffed at him giving him a sideways glare... so maybe yeah I was missing her but I didn't want it thrown in my face sheesh..

"Well I mean its not like its any secret between us right?" I said with a grin of my own. Bruno reached a hand out for me to give him the picture, so I nodded and handed it over.. He stared at it again and after a minute or two as I sat back on the rock he let out a soft long whistle.. I raised an eyebrow. 'Geez man I think she gets hotter every time I look at this, I'd sure like to meet some models like her. you are soooo lucky Kyosuke.." He said with a grin as he handed me back the picture..

I chuckled and shook my head, "If you only knew how rough her personality is I really am not sure you'd want to date a model man.. The prideful glares and Tch noises she makes when shes mad. Also Bruno you make her mad enough and she will resort to physical violence! I'm serious.. Plus shes very demanding! I mean I have been around Kirino all her life you know. We went from years of barely even acknowledging each other to some kind of understanding and that only happened recently." Bruno cocked his head in confusion.. "Really the face you were making when I walked up looked like one of longing for sure or was I not getting the right vibe there? I mean if shes such a handful then why are you so taken with her? Sounds like she is more trouble than she is worth right?" he said with a serious face..

I tilted my head thinking about it.. "I mean really your probably right with all the things that happened to me with her and all that aggression... any other guy would probably have told her to take a flying..." Bruno raised an eyebrow and held up a hand.."Let me finish Bruno... but in that same instance are all my thoughts of how girly and cute she can be.. and some ah more err private moments we might have shared and the fact that I just can't see myself with any other girl.. so yeah despite all of her faults I do care a lot about her." This made Bruno smile and chuckle..

I lowered my voice conspiratorially and spoke again, "Its just Bruno its hard for me to decide where caring about her as a brother stops and as a guy begins.. that seems to be my problem, I'm stuck in thinking of her as my sister and I'm not sure I can break it..." I sighed with a frown in frustration. "Look Kyosuke its simple, if you care for her the way you say you do then you just have to decide deep down that you can look past all that and see her for what she is...the girl you like and not the sister you thought she was... its as simple as that." He made it seem so matter of factly, but I still wasn't totally convinced I mean when she and I come face to face now how in the world am I supposed to act around her? Before I felt that I could contain my feeling because we were brother and sister but now I might just do something an eighteen year old guy would do and I wasn't sure I was comfortable with that..

"You know in the end Kyosuke I expect a favor from you for all this hospitality man.." He said with a grin. "What kind of favor you asking for?" I said with skepticism.. "Well even if I don't make it over to Japan I expect you to come back here and visit me with your model fiance and have her bring friends! I want to meet some hot girls seriously man.." I just shook my head and laughed.. "Be careful what you ask for Bruno, because I know two more girls and you might get more than you can bargain for.." as he raised an eye brow at me..

"Well anythings got to be better than my current situation and there models right? How bad could they really be?" he said with a shrug.. Obviously he hadn't listen to a word I said...great...well I did warn him... "Well anyway enough of this talking about feelings crap you turning into a girl Kyosuke? Let go get something to eat before Cliff comes and maybe just maybe I can whoop your ass before you have to head out.." He said as he got up.. "Well for that comment sir after I eat.. Challenge accepted.." Yep Bruno was in for a world of pain... after I had my pancakes of course...

Two hours Later...

Well those pancakes were awesome and after I had eaten my fill Bruno and I hit his training area one last time for some hands on combat and once again... We stalled out after giving each other a decent beat down.. I thought for sure I could take him out with some of the moves I had used at the tournament but to no avail... "Man Kyosuke I'm going to be feeling these bruises for a few weeks I think.." he said rubbing his side.

"Shoot Bruno I have to go back to work today man and I bet this sore feeling wont go away for about the same amount of time as well." I said with my own grin. It was then that Cliff pulled up to Bruno's house and stopped. "Hey Kosaka did you have a good time?" I nodded. "Well that's good to hear but its time to head back out to sea, we got work to do." Cliff said with a large smile on his face as he nodded to Bruno. "Hey Cliff thanks for bringing this guy by I had a good time with him even if he is a ladies man!" I shook my head and glared at Bruno. "Yeah yeah very funny I'll see ya around Bruno thanks for a good couple of days, I appreciated it" as I smiled and shook hand with my new found friend.

Before I was about to leave I decided to give Bruno a little going away present.. I felt it couldn't hurt. "Hey Bruno if you do ever make it over to Japan here's my address and phone number, stop by for a visit and I'll try to repay your kindness." Bruno raised an eyebrow and took the slip of paper from me. "Yeah Kyosuke I'd like that who knows I might take you up on that offer." I nodded and headed back to the Jurrasic park Jeep.. really tiger stripes...

Cliff smiled as I got in and waved to Bruno and we headed back down the hill and onto the Highway. "So Kyosukes you seem a bit better did the island here agree with ya?" I nodded, "Yeah Cliff I really wasn't to sure what to expect here but I made some friends, saw some sights and tried to clear my head some.." Cliff nodded at my statement and seemed to be satisfied with my answer.

"That's good to hear Kyosuke, A bit of leave does that for all crew members on a ship like mine. If we don't get away from it from time to time we just might all go crazy!" as he laughed. "Well at least now I think the rest of this trip will be a bit easier for you Kosaka you seem to have your head on straighter...Lets get to it."

I nodded face full of determination, at least now I knew what I was getting into getting back on the Bulldog.. but Cliff was right these last two days had help clear my head up some and maybe just maybe by the time I got to America I might just have the answers I was looking for... It was then we pulled back thru the gate at the port waving to the very large guard and up to the bulldog.. as as before Salty, Art and Carl were all standing there waiting for us to board... Yep I'm sure that this next few weeks won't be nearly the hell I went through in the last few...but who knows as my life had shown me...time and time again I could always be wrong...