Abx20 here and back with a brand new installment to the 'Love Hina I will always love you' series
To Wittman the tiger ace: Thankyou for liking the story (: and apologize for the mistakes am trying to correct that up and will hopefully not make such errors in the future thank you again
Disclaimer: Mr. Ken Akamatsu is the owner of Love Hina I do not have any affiliation with it, I write this story for fun filled purposes so please do not kill me (Curse you you foul demon Akamatsu *raising fist in the air*)
Emphasis
Story
"Talking"
"Thinking"
(Me talking)
CHAPTER 14: THE DECISION
All the tenants standing in the room were filled with shock as to the sudden change of decision by Grandma Hina. They were all lost for words, their mouths were open but not a single word was heard.
After this brief moment of silence which felt like forever Grandma Hina finally spoke up to break the silence."You girls seem as if someone asked you to marry them" said Grandma Hina with a giggle.
The girls were still confused as to what happened in these few minutes. One minute Grandma Hina wasn't ready to listen to anything and close the dormitory down and the next she completely takes a U-turn and assigns Naru as the manager.
"Hello, it might be my age but I don't hear anyone in this room" Grandma Hina said as she walked up closer to the girls "And to believe that just a few seconds ago you girls were yaping your mouths off" she added.
Soon Haruka and Seta also joined the rest of them downstairs (don't get any bright ideas) and saw the jaw dropping expressions on everyone's face. "So, I believe you told them" asked Haruka "Yup, but these girls are as silent as the dead" she answered "Well I would be the same if we didn't had that talk earlier on" said Haruka
Finally Kitsune got back into her senses and spoke up, "Wait what the heck is going on?" asked Kitsune. Haruka, Seta and Grandma Hina's attention was soon diverted towards Kitsune "We had been ranting on and on about not closing the place down and when Naru finally got some sense knocked back into her, she took the same stand as we did and probably explained the same way and not only did you change your mind but you assinged her as the manager?" she added.
"Well you see..." before Haruka could say anything she was interrupted by Grandma Hina "I'll explain it to them" she said, "Alright, as you wish" Haruka answered. "But before that let me ateast sit down I am not as young as all of you now am I" Grandma Hina said with a smile as she sat down in a chair near by.
"So Grandma Hina mind telling us what's going on?" asked Motoko as she also regained the ability to speak. Grandma Hina became comfortable and began to speak "Very well what happened was...
Flasback:
"So, Hina what would you wanna talk about" asked Seta. Grandma Hina took a long breath to try and relax herself and began to speak "Well, I wanted to discuss about what to do with this place now" said Grandma Hina "What you wanted to discuss about, what happened to Keitaro was well inevitable I guess and most probably the right manager would be you" said Haruka "Even though she and I can't look eye to eye" she added "I know, no matter what everyone has to die someday" a small tear rolled down of Grandma Hina's eye "But time heals all pain and I have to do something about this place and given my age I don't think I can run this place" said Grandma Hina "Well, you know I have to run the tea shop otherwise I would've helped you out" said Haruka "Well why not assign Kanako, you did make her interim manager when Keitaro was with me at that excavation" said Seta "I know but Kanako is still young and she is not ready to take that responsibility" said Grandma Hina "And I even saw how she managed the place last time" she added "So, what do you feel should be done?" asked Haruka "Hmmmm, I think maybe it is time to close this place down" answered Grandma Hina as she lowered her head down "Wait, Hina are you sure about that, I mean just think about it, this place it is been there forever and has a lot of memories attached to it are you sure?" asked Seta "I am not sure Seta but if my plan doesn't work I might have to close this place" said Grandma Hina. Hearing the last part made Seta and Haruka's ears lift up "Wait what did you say, what plan?" asked Haruka "Yea I don't think you said anything about any plan?" added Seta. Grandma Hina slowly lifted her head with a clever smile on her face "I know, just was trying to test out my plan on you two before I am gonna try it on the rest of them" said Grandma Hina. Haruka and Seta looked at her with a confused look "So, what is this plan?" asked Haruka.
Before she could begin she knew someone was approaching her door, it was Shinobu who had come upstairs with the tea. Haruka opened the door and let her in, she placed the tray containing a kettle of tea and few cups on the floor "Shinobu good you got the tea I'll take it from here" said Haruka "Ohh no pr-proble..m Haruka I-I-I better g..get going now" said Shinobu as she scurried downstairs. They waited for her to get downstairs before they continued their conversation. After sensing that she was gone Grandma Hina continued as Haruka poured each of them tea
"Well, I might close this place down that's plan B but my main idea is to assign Naru as the new manager" said Grandma Hina "Naru? are you sure I mean she has suffered the most after what happened?" asked Haruka "I know but she is the only one responsible and has that leadership quality in her I can see it" said Grandma Hina "No offence but, seeing her current state, I don't think she will be the right candidate to run this place" said Seta "I know what you mean but this is where my plan comes into action, I will tell the girls as I had told both of you about closing this place down, they will react like you just did but chances are Naru might not as she is still shocked after what happened, but if she can come out of that state of mind and think about the importance of this place not only to her but the others as well, she will take responsibilty over her personal feelings and I will then assign her the new manager" said Grandma Hina
After breifly hearing Grandma Hina's plan Seta was the first to speak "So Hina do you think it's the right thing to do?" asked Seta taking a sip from his tea. "Yes my dear boy, i believe it should be like that" answered Grandma Hina. "Not trying to be negative here but how do you think everyone would feel about this?" asked Haruka. "I know what you mean butl they'll just have to accept it" answered Grandma Hina
Flashback ended:
"...and that's about it" said Grandma Hina as all the girls (especially Shinobu) felt really stupid. "So, how did you all like my master plan" asked Grandma Hina. None of the girls didn't know what to say, which to them felt like their whole world was falling apart, felt like a meer joke to the old resident.
"Now I know, how all of you are feeling, but I did what I felt right" said Grandma Hina as she walked towards Naru "I know that I have not made the wrond decision" she said as she took hold of Naru's hand "And I know you will not let me down, now if I am a bit tired and gonna go lie down, if anyone wants to talk to me they know where to find me" with that said Grandma Hina headed upstairs
"Naru you haven't said a word after Grandma Hina's decision" asked Shinobu. "Yea are you ok?" Motoko added. "Yea I am fine, I just, I need... I need to talk to Grandma Hina" Naru said as she rushed upstairs.
"Hmmm so, Naru is gonna manage this place" said the local vixen Ktisune "Well she did look after this place last time when before Kanako had arrived and took over" said Motoko "And also this time when Keitaro went away, but ofcourse with Haruka's watchful eye over us" said Shinobu. "Well I think Naru becoming the permanent manager of this place is the right decision" said Mutsumi "She is the smartest of us all, she is more responsible and cares about us form the bottom of her heart" she added
Upstairs:
Naru quickly ran up the stairs and was soon standing in front of Keitaro's room, looking at that door reminded her of all the antics that happened in that room.
Flashback:
"Keitaro are you in there?" asked a very cheery Naru "Hello Keitaro?" aain she asked but did not recieve any answer "I am coming in" Naru trying to give Keitaro a slight warning in an attempt to recieve an answer but did not. She didn't wait another moment and flung the dorr wide open to find nothing
"Huhhh where is he, I swore I heard him in here she walked inside the room but to no avail was there nothing inside "Hmmmm maybe it was just my imagination, he probably went outside" Naru thought but just as she was heading out the door something grabbed her from behind "EEEkkk..." before Naru could let out a screech her mouth was covered by a hand.
Naru tried to see who her assailant was and was relieved to see it was only Keitaro "Sssshhhhhhhhh, be quiet" Keitaro whispered into Naru's ear. Keitaro slowly removed his hand from her mouth "Keitaro wha..." Keitaro signaled her to be quiet "I said quiet Naru geez" Keitaro whispered. Naru released herself from Keitaro's hold "Keitaro what the heck are you doing?" asked Naru. Keitaro quickly went about and closed the room to his door. "Whew, well you see now that everyone knows about us being together, nobody leaves us alone" Keitaro said as he came closer to Naru "And I have been dying to spend some alone, quality time with my girlfriend" Naru quickly became crimson red as Keitaro crept closer and closer. "And with everybody around I don't think anybody would let us do something together alone" Keitaro said as he grabbed hold of Naru by her back, and slowly pulled her closer to him "Keitaro, I..." Naru tried to speak but was chocking for words "Keitaro what? don't you like me holding you like this?" asked Keitaro "No, no it's not that..." Keitaro again interrupting her "Than nothing, if you don't have a problem with any of this than that means you like it don't you" said a cheeky Keitaro. Naru as much as she wanted to stay like that could not utter out any words. Keitaro realized how nervous Naru was feeling in this situation, so to calm her down he kissed her. Naru also returned the gesture in the only way she knew by kissing him back. But alas this little romantic moment was short lived as they were interrupted by Sara and Su as they popped out of the hole between Keitaro and Naru's room.
"Hey guys what you doing?" asked Su "Yea, you guys making out or something?" Sara added. Hearing this made Naru push Keitaro away and punched him into the stratosphere "Huhhh, same old days, can't seem to geta break, oh well let's see if Naru breaks her own record this time" Keitaro thought as he flied sky high
Flashback ended:
"Ohhh Keitaro" Naru still lost in her thoughts soon realized the door being opened.
"Ohhh Naru, what are you doing here?" asked Grandma Hina "Ohhhh Grandma Hina sorry for disturbing you, I was just wondering if I could talk to you" said Naru as she bowed in apology "Ohhh not at all deary come on in" said Grandma Hina as she signaled Naru to come inside
"So, Naru what you wanted to talk about?" asked Grandma Hina as she sat down on. Naru didn't know how to start, which question should be asked first, "Ummm Grandma Hina..." before Naru could finish Grandma Hina knew what she wanted to say "Why I chose you to run this place?" she finished Naru's question for her. "Ummm, yea kinda, I don't know the exact words" said a hesitant Naru. "Well, deary you wanted to talk to me and here you are with no idea what to talk about" said Grandma Hina "Well, I know you are still confused of me making you the permament manager here, but I know of everyone you are the prime candidate to run this place" she added. "But Grandma Hina, I don't think I can, I mean temporarily it is fine, I manage it, but permanently is easier said that done, and after what has happened.." Naru tried to choke out the words but could not and tears started to form in her eyes (again)
"Naru, I know how you feel, but I know you have a pure heart, if anyone of them downstairs is in any sort of problem you will be the first one to try and find a solution for it" answered Grandma Hina "What happened is, well the circle of life, people have to die someday dear, in life you will recieve both happiness and grief, it's upto you to accept it and look towards the future".
Naru just sat their silently thinking about what Grandma Hina said. "She is right, people do have to move on but is it the right thing to do?" Naru questioned herself "Keitaro, has been the one person in my life, that no matter what has always loved me and should I just forget about him and move on?" "Naru everyhting alright?" asked Grandma Hina "Ohhhh nothing Grandma Hina" Naru was quik to reply. Grandma Hina got up and walked beside Naru and placed a hand on her shoulder "I know you must be devestated after that tragic event but you need to bes strong" said Grandma Hina "If you can't be strong for yourself, or everyone else down there then try to be strong for Keitaro" she added. Naru slowly got ot her feet "Thanks Grandma Hina for having this conversation" said Naru as she made her way out of the room.
Few moments later:
Naru made her way on the roof with many things just rumbling in her mind but she was concerened about the most important one "By what Grandma Hina said, should I just forget Keitaro and move on with my life" Naru asked herself
"No you pea-brain she didn't mean that" (return's the sub-consious) (still no jimmy the cricket though)
"But she said..."
"And I thought you were smart, but I guess getting into Tokyo U doesn't mean that you get automatically smart"
"Alright I get it"
"Hey, Keitaro might be smarter than you"
"Alright, enough with the insults"
"Fine, Grandma Hina meant that you should not let the death of Keitaro cloud your whole life, I know he meant the whole world to you and he should but you have to move forward in life"
"But, it's easier said than done, I can't live without him"
"Do it for him, do it for everyone down there with all their hopes on you now, do it for yourself. Let Keitaro live on through you"
"How I don't understand?"
"Typical, live your life, be happy but don't let Keitaro fade away"
"So, I gotta be strong because Keitaro would want that?"
"Exactly, stupid!"
Naru slowly raised her head and looked up at the sky
"Keitaro
maybe one day we'll find that place,
where you and I will be together
until then, I will be waiting,
I will be missing you,
and I will always love you"
ENDED
Wow, that chapter was tough, considering I had to do a couple of re-writes
This chapter, well clarify what actually Grandma Hina intended to do, and a really Naru moment. And all the readers might wanna kill me for still continuing this chapter in the same time, but do not fear the next chapter is gonna start in a new day :P
Hopefully all of you like this chapter, and before I am asked NO this is not the END
Please read, rate and review this chapter much appreciated thank you in advance
This is abx20 bidding farewell