Disclaimer: I don't own Love Hina.
A/N: My own computer's hard drive is broken and I have to replace the damn thing. I don't know when I'll be able to afford having it fix and to make it happen and ended up burrowing my mother's computer to make this chapter. I'll write outlines for my fics and see how that goes although I had already did that for one of them already. Anyway, here is the chapter.
Backfire
Keitaro and Miyabi were facing Ryuichi outside the Shinka Restaurant. Ryuichi still couldn't believe that he was caught but he figured that maybe Keitaro would understand in what he and Hina were trying to do. Ryuichi looked at Miyabi and was glaring at her, remembering what happened with his friend.
"Who are you and why have you been following us?" Keitaro asked bringing Ryuichi to his attention.
Ryuichi looked at Keitaro and wanted to know, "How long have you known that I was following you?"
"We've known since the train station," Miyabi answered.
"We've noticed that you kept staring at us, you tried to be sneaking but we noticed you," Keitaro added.
Ryuichi was surprised, "I…see…you two are very sharp to have noticed in what I was doing."
"Now back to the topic," Keitaro said, "why were you following me and my girlfriend?"
Ryuichi sighed, "All right, I'll tell you. I did to actually protect you Keitaro Urashima."
Keitaro and Miyabi were shocked from what they heard.
"Protect Keitaro? From what?" Miyabi asked.
Ryuichi glared at Miyabi, "From you, Miyabi Aizawa."
"Excuse me?" Miyabi asked shocked.
Keitaro stood beside Miyabi glaring at Ryuichi, "What the hell are you on about?"
Ryuichi continued, "My name is Ryuichi Tomaru. I used to work for your grandmother at the Hinata Inn."
"My grandmother…"
"Yes, your grandmother called me concerned about you and that you might be influenced and she asked me to keep an eye on you."
"You've got to be kidding me…" Keitaro said irritated at what was going on.
"Listen Keitaro, your girlfriend is really a horrible person who takes pleasure in destroying lives."
"Hey wait a minute…" Miyabi spoke angry.
"Don't try to deny it, I know all about you."
"What do you mean?" Keitaro asked.
"Keitaro, listen, what I'm about to tell you may be hard for you to hear but it is the absolute truth. Miyabi Aizawa is someone who takes pleasure in destroying lives. There was a school teacher she had a crush on and she deluded herself in thinking that this school teacher felt the same way about her, however, she found out that he already had a fiancé. She couldn't handle it and instead just understanding and move on, she decided to destroy his life by using his hobby of photography and created picture of him 'taking advantage of her' and had everyone buy into that disgusting lie."
Keitaro looked at Miyabi who had her head down. Ryuichi figured that Keitaro was starting to understand.
"What is also bad about this is that she had this Takumi kid beat up that school teacher, who by the way is Ogi and good friend of mine, and just made things worse. Takumi was expelled from Holy Forest Academy and Ogi was fired from his teaching job and even lost his fiancé because she bought in the lies that Miyabi concocted. It's too bad too; I was going to be his best man at his wedding." Ryuichi pointed at Miyabi, "do you see now Keitaro, she destroyed not one but two lives and she even led her classmates to viciously bully teachers and all because she couldn't handle be rejected. It's deplorable."
"So that's it," Keitaro said and looked at Miyabi again.
"Keitaro, I know this is hard but this is the truth. Listen, your grandmother asked me to bring you to her so that she could help you get through this," Ryuichi said as he put his hand on Keitaro shoulder.
"Ryuichi, right? That's your name," Keitaro spoke still looking at Miyabi.
"That's right," Ryuichi replied with a smile.
"You are a damn fool."
Ryuichi was surprised taking his hand off Keitaro's shoulder, "Wh-what?"
Keitaro looked at Ryuichi angry, "I said you're a damn fool. You're a fool just following my grandmother's wish without realizing what's really going on."
"What do you mean? Ryuichi asked taken back.
"My grandmother, Hina Urashima wants me run her inn just for her plans that she has in mind for my life and I refuse to simply go along with it so now my grandmother is looking for anything or anyone to use as an excuse to interfere with my life and trying to get me to go along with it."
"Wait Keitaro, your grandmother is kind lady who is just looking out for you," Ryuichi defended.
"Oh wow, I've heard that before," Keitaro responded sarcastically.
"Keitaro, you don't know what you're saying."
"No, it is you who doesn't know. I'm not being influence by anyone and you wasted your time 'looking out for me'. I'm capable of taking care of myself and I don't need someone who blindly takes request from a selfish old woman who is my grandmother to help me."
Ryuichi was shocked to hear the things that Keitaro said and looked at Miyabi who had her head up and looked at Ryuichi.
"Keitaro, what you're saying is wrong and also it doesn't change what I said about your girlfriend here, she-"
"Don't bother," Keitaro interrupted.
Ryuichi was starting to get upset, "What do you mean don't bother?"
Keitaro went and wrapped his arm around Miyabi causing her to blush and smiling looking at Keitaro.
Ryuichi didn't like what he saw, "Keitaro, I told you, she's a horrible person, she-"
"I already know," Keitaro interrupted Ryuichi again.
"You what?" Ryuichi was surprised again.
"I was already aware about Miyabi's past and the things she's done."
"You already know?"
"That's right, I've known about her past before we started going out."
Ryuichi couldn't believe it, "You know what she did in the past and yet you are still willing to have a relationship with this girl, why?"
"Because she changed," Keitaro said and looked at Miyabi who nodded, "it is true that Miyabi did get a teacher fired and it's true that she led her class a vendetta against teacher but there is things you got wrong."
"What?"
"She wanted to simply shame your friend because he purposely misled her. He toyed with her emotions and invited her to his home just to introduce her to his former fiancé when he was fully aware that she had feeling for him."
"That's a lie, I can't believe you say such lies," Ryuichi said.
"No, it's true," Miyabi said, "it's true that the things I've done were wrong and I've regretted the things I've done. I just wanted to shame Ogi for what he did but my plan went out of control and it ended up in a terrible mess that even got Takumi getting expelled because I didn't think that Takumi would take matters into his own hand and actually physically assault Ogi. I never wanted that to happen but it did and I have to live with what I did. I told Keitaro all of this when he asked me out and honestly, I thought he would walk away from me, not wanted to see me anymore," Miyabi looked and smiled at Keitaro who smiled back, "but he accepted me and my past."
"People make mistakes and will do things that are wrong but if they are willing to try to make amends and are willing to change their ways, then it's a whole different matter."
"This can't be…" Ryuichi spoke, not willing to accept what he heard.
"I expected that you wouldn't believe us but if that's the case, why don't you ask Ogi himself?"
"What?"
"Ogi confessed to my old teacher, who didn't take what he said well," Miyabi said and smiled when she remembered learning that her old teacher, Onizuka pummeled Ogi when he confessed.
"That can't be…"
"He didn't mind telling my former teacher, Onizuka and since you're his friend, I bet he won't mind telling you."
"She's right," Keitaro spoke, "so go ahead, ask your friend Ogi."
Ryuichi was stunned to hear all the things he told and decided to talk to not only Hina but also his friend Ogi.
In front of the Urashima Bakery/Residence
Haruka and the girls of the Hinata Inn were being driven out of the bakery by the angry Urashima couple, Kyoshiro and Nanami, as well as the angry adopted Urashima, Kanako. Haruka was upset about what was happening and girls, save for Shinobu felt like they were treated unfairly because of a mistake while Shinobu herself felt horrible because she believed that they had caused unnecessary trouble.
Haruka faced Kyoshiro and Nanami, "Kyoshiro, Nanami, again, I'm really sorry for what happened."
"You actually expect us to buy it?" Kyoshiro responded in anger.
"It's amazing that none of them are apologizing for their behaviors," Nanami added giving death glares to the girls.
The Hinata Girls didn't say anything almost all of them felt that they didn't do anything wrong.
Nanami sighed irritated, "You make sure you never come around here again. Do you understand, never come here again."
"Haruka, that includes you," Kyoshiro said, "you are no longer welcomed here."
Haruka couldn't believe it, "You can't be serious."
"I'm absolutely serious Haruka; since it is now obvious to me you also don't really care about Keitaro."
"That's not fair, I do," Haruka countered.
"No, you don't," Nanami said, "also; we will make sure you compensate for the brownies that your gaijin friend ate."
Nanami was glaring at Su who actually became nervous due to Nanami's glare.
"You all should leave right now and stay away from my brother Keitaro," Kanako said with Kuro hissing at them.
Naru couldn't take it anymore and decided to say something, "Look, we're sorry that Su ate those brownies but we were just trying to help Granny Hina."
"What nonsense," Kyoshiro countered, "it is foolish and my mother does have other options but she refuses to even consider them and I find it sad that you're all are okay with what she's doing and trying pull…such blind loyalty to someone who being selfish and didn't really tell you girls anything."
"You brats make me sick," Nanami added, "it's despicable that you think you can judge my son when the truth is that none of you really know him and when you met with him for, what, ten minutes and you all have the audacity to act like you know him and judge him unfairly simply because you all really don't have any real respect for others. From what Keitaro said and things you said and acted, you're not as clever as you all think you are."
The girls and even Haruka got offended at what Nanami said.
"How could you say that?" Naru spoke with anger, "you don't know us either."
"Is it because of that son of yours," Motoko added, "we don't need the mother of that vile male saying things like that, you don't know what you're talking about."
"Just where do you get off saying those things to us," Kitsune added.
"Yeah, and you should be happy, your brownies were delicious, they were tasty, I just wish you made more."
"Su, it was still wrong what you did," Shinobu admonished.
"Ahh Shinobu, it's okay…"
"That's enough, all of you. We're leaving right now," Haruka declared.
Naru, Kitsune, and Motoko didn't want it to end yet.
"But Haruka, we still-" Naru tried to say her point.
"I said we're leaving, don't argue with me on this," Haruka interrupted glaring at the girls.
Naru and the others decided not to argue Haruka on it and complied.
"I'm really sorry about this, this wasn't supposed to be like this," Haruka said looking at Kyoshiro, Nanami, and Kanako.
"Just leave right now," Kyoshiro said.
Haruka was sad and left with the girls following Haruka. Shinobu looked back as the Urashimas went back inside. Shinobu wonders on some of the things and doubt was starting to go on her mind.
"Shinobu," Naru called out bringing Shinobu her attention, "what are you doing? C'mon."
"Oh right, I'm coming," Shinobu responded and rushed to catch up.
Living Room of the Urashima Residence
"The nerve of them," Nanami ranted, "coming here wanting Keitaro to be the inn manager while insulting him and us for that matter.
"Yes, just who do they think they are?" Kanako added.
Kuro meowed and jumped on one of the sofas.
"You know what's really going on, don't you Kyoshiro?" Nanami said to her husband.
Kyoshiro sighed, "Yes, I think so," the son of Hina Urashima decided on something regarding the situation, "I should make some calls."
Nanami nodded, "And while you're doing that, I'll have to let our customers know that they won't get their brownies on time."
Kyoshiro sighed, "They certainly won't be happy. I just hope we don't lose them as customers because of it."
Kanako stayed quiet but she was planning something and Kuro looked at Kanako curiously.
"I wonder what you're thinking about," Kuro said in his head.
Hinata Inn
Hina Urashima was looking at the booklet that had information of houses and apartments in Tokyo. After looking through, she found out of the person that own the apartment building that Keitaro plans to live and learning the full name of the owner who's friends with her son Kyoshiro. She was surprised to learn that the owner of the apartment building that Keitaro was planning to live is named Shinsuke Aoyama. It surprised Hina that Kyoshiro was friends with someone who's actually a relative of Motoko. She wondered why she didn't know about and why Kyoshiro never told her. She decided that she would find out later and decided start her plan.
"I know where that building is now; I'll simply talk to this Shinsuke person and convince him that it would be better for Keitaro to live here in the Hinata Inn. I'll tell him about Motoko, I'm sure he'll understand if I tell him about his niece," The phone suddenly rings and Hina wonders who it is and answers the phone, "Hello, this is the Hinata Inn, this is Hina Urashima speaking."
Hina hears Ryuichi on the line, "Oh Ryuichi, so how are things proceeding?"
Ryuichi says something and when he does, Hina starts to frown, "Ryuichi, what's the meaning of this?"
Hinata Park
Haruka and the girls decide to stop at the park and are still frustrated with what happened.
"This is really been horrible, this was not supposed to happen," Haruka said upset.
"Hey Haruka, are you mad?" Su asked.
Haruka glared at the girls which made the girls nervous, "Yes, I'm mad. Su, what you did was horrible. You don't just eat something that's not your to begin with and the rest of you did not help things at all."
"Wh-what?" Naru spoke, "but Haruka, it wasn't really our fault. They insulted us and they actually agree with that jerk Keitaro."
"I'm starting to think that Urashima got his arrogant attitude from his own parents," Motoko added.
"Will you two just shut up," Haruka demanded, "stop talking like you know everything. You don't."
Naru and Motoko were taken back what Haruka said to them.
"Haruka, we know you're upset with what happen but try to take it easy," Kitsune said.
Haruka shook her head, "I'm going to have a smoke."
Haruka walked off and the girls looked at Haruka as she walked off bringing out one of her cigarettes and the girls didn't like how Haruka reacted to them.
"Well, that was definitely unpleasant," Kitsune said.
"Haruka is mad…Haruka is mad," Su said upset that Haruka was actually mad at her.
"This is bad, this is really bad," Shinobu said upset.
"It doesn't really matter," Naru said.
This surprised the other girls.
"Naru, how can you say that it doesn't matter," Kitsune said, "we got kicked out of Keitaro's parents' house."
"Yeah but remember, we went there to talk and convince Keitaro himself, not his parents and certainly not that sister of his."
"That's true," Motoko said, "Urashima himself is the one we went to see."
"But still, what happen was not right," Shinobu said upset, "when Keitaro get to his parents, they'll tell him what happen and I doubt that he will be happy with us. Even if we were to talk to him again, he won't be happy to see us again."
"Hey Shinobu, don't worry about too much, it will be fine," Naru said.
"How?
"We'll be able to work things out," Motoko said.
"I wonder, is it really worth it? Trying to talk to Granny's grandson again, will it actually make things okay?" Shinobu asked.
None of the girls said anything, Su was bitter about what happened and Naru as well as Motoko and Kitsune truthfully didn't have the answer of what Shinobu was asking.
"We're doing this for Granny Hina," Motoko said, "that's all that really matters."
"That's right, we can do this, that jerk will have to see that Granny is the one who he should help, even if I disagree with her decision."
Shinobu shook her head sadly as it really didn't answer her question.
Kitsune sighed and looked to her left and when she did, she saw a couple and she recognized the guy, she saw Keitaro and saw a young woman with him in whom she presumed was his girlfriend.
"Hey girls, look, it's Keitaro," Kitsune said.
The other girls looked at where Kitsune was pointing and they saw them.
"So that the woman that has the misfortune to be with Urashima," Motoko commented.
Meanwhile, Haruka was sitting on a bench smoking a cigarette trying to be calm.
"This has been a real bad day so far," Haruka shook her head, "I've should have just gone on my own and now Kyoshiro…" Haruka didn't finish what she said and felt upset and was about to lose her nerve again.
Shinobu runs to Haruka, "Haruka…Haruka…"
Haruka sees Shinobu, "What is it Shinobu?"
Shinobu stops in front of Haruka and catches her breath, "We saw him."
"Who?"
"Keitaro and we think that's his girlfriend with him."
"Haruka was surprised, "Where?"
"Follow me Haruka and I'll show you."
"Okay," Haruka said as she put out her cigarette and followed Shinobu.
Meanwhile Keitaro and Miyabi were enjoying walking in the park walking hand to hand.
"This is very nice," Miyabi said smiling.
Keitaro smiled as well, "Yeah, it sure is."
Miyabi leaned herself to Keitaro and the young Urashima wrapped his arm around Miyabi. Keitaro enjoyed walking with his girlfriend and was feeling better than he was earlier when Ryuichi Tomaru interrupted their date a bit. All of a sudden, Miyabi and Keitaro hear female voices calling Keitaro's name, they look around and they see Haruka and the Hinata Girls and Keitaro is not happy to see them.
"Keitaro, who are they?" Miyabi asked raising her eyebrow.
Keitaro sighed, "Troublemakers."
In front of the Hinata Teashop
A man with short light brown hair, brown eyes, and wearing a suit looks at the Hinata Teashop.
"This must be the place," the man said as he goes inside.
Inside the Hinata Teashop
The man looks around see people working and some customers and a woman with short red hair, blue eyes, and wearing a long blue dress and the Hinata Teashop apron with sandals approaches the man.
"Welcome, would you like a table or perhaps a sit by the counter?" the woman asked.
"Actually, I'm looking for Haruka Urashima, is she in?" the man asked.
"Oh, actually, Haruka stepped out, saying that she had a family matter to take care of."
"Hmm, very well then," the man said and then he stepped out of the teashop.
Back in front of the Hinata Teashop
The man sighs, "I wonder where she went."
Hina walked down the stairs and sees the man, "You seem like you're looking for something or someone."
The man turned to see Hina who was smiling at him.
"Oh hello, um, yes, you're right, I'm looking for someone."
"Oh, so you are, well, I'm Hina Urashima, I own the establishment up there," Hina was pointing at the Hinata Inn, "maybe I can help you in some way."
The man looked at the Hinata Inn and Hina again, "I see, so you're Hina Urashima."
"Oh, you've heard of me."
"Somewhat…I'm Kenji Tsuda, I'm looking for your granddaughter, Haruka Urashima, do you know where she went?"
Hina shook her head, "No I don't, are you a friend of her by chance?"
The man shook his head, "No, I'm not," the man pulls out a document from his jacket pocket, "I came to give this to her."
"What is that?" Hina asked.
"This is basically informing her that she is being sued," Kenji simply stated.
Hina is shocked at what she just heard, "What? Wait, what is this about? Why is Haruka being sued? Who filed a lawsuit against her?"
"I will only tell with Haruka being present, otherwise, I will not divulge the details of the lawsuit."
Hinata Park
Keitaro and his girlfriend Miyabi were facing the Hinata Girls and Haruka and Keitaro was irritated in what was going on.
"What the hell do you all want?" Keitaro asked upset.
"We came to see you jerk," Naru responded in anger.
"See me about what?"
"We came to ask you to please take the job as the manager of the Hinata Inn in place of Granny," Kitsune said.
Keitaro couldn't believe it, "You have got to be kidding me."
"This is no joke Urashima," Motoko said glaring at Keitaro.
"I made it clear to all of you and to my grandmother that will not, absolutely not run the Hinata Inn. I thought you would all get that and why are you all here to try to convince me anyway. None of you liked the idea anyway so why are you here to try to get me to run the inn."
"We came to help Granny and she really feels that you should be the one even if we don't agree with it."
"Did Granny put you all up to this?"
"No, we're here on our own," Haruka said, "Granny doesn't even know."
Keitaro was shaking his head, "You're all annoying, you know that, don't you?"
"How dare you!" Naru lost her temper.
"You got some nerve Urashima!" Motoko was about ready to draw her sword.
"Naru and Motoko, stop right now!" Haruka demanded.
"But Haruka-" Naru tried to say.
"I said stop because if you don't, you'll be dealing with me and you know it won't be pleasant."
Naru and Motoko didn't like and decided to stand down.
"Keitaro, what the hell is going on?" Miyabi whispered to Keitaro.
"This is my grandmother's fault," Keitaro whispered back to Miyabi, "It seems she didn't get the message. Seems like I'll have to try again and warn what will happen if she doesn't let go."
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Keitaro talks to Hina and gives her a serious warning and Haruka learns of the lawsuit that has been filed against her and Shinobu starts questioning her situation and her time in the Hinata Inn.