Robert Kwong
28th January 2005, 04:25 AM
Hello again,
I didn't anticipate not having enough room for my title posts.
So I've abbreviate it to fit everything in. Hope it comes up
right this time. Anyway, here's Book C Chapter 10: Exchanges.
Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H A R D
|< O R
interlude Edition
K i m a g u r e O r a n g e R o a d
F a n f i c t i o n
by Robert Kwong
ver 1.0
Finished: 2-01-99
Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by
the venerable Matsumoto Izumi.
As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure
Orange Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the
events following the breakup of Hikaru and Kyousuke which sets the
stage for Shin Kor and HARD Kor series. These stories were written in
the attempt to clarify certain details assumed and to provide clues
for future Hard Kor episodes. Book A and Book B chapters provides the
events after Shin Kor I. This Book C will attempt to bridge the gap
between Shin Kor I and Shin Kor II.
HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories: Prelude, Book A
and Book B chapters)
http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html
My SuperPage for the General Kimagure Orange Road enthusiast
http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/Kor.html
My contact email address for comments or further correspondence:
rk@soda.berkeley.edu
Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR
fanfic on the web! (33000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it
as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -98-
Legend:
-------
Akane = Akane Kasuga Kurumi = Kurumi Kasuga Manami = Manami Kasuga
Muroke = Koji Muroke Shijama = Shijama Zumi Taku = Taku Morisaki
Shinohara = Shinohara Asuma
Shun = Shun Kisaragi Hasegawa = Hasegawa Kazuya
[] - denotes scene changes () - indicates person thinking to himself
(**) - indicates action or special effects.
Book C: Interlude: Chapter 10: Exchanges
[Back in the hospital]
Hasukawa: I feel groggy now.
Kurumi: Gomen for hitting you again.
Manami: You need to keep your aggressive tendencies under control.
(Hasukawa falls unconscious again)
Mitsuru: (starts to eye Kurumi over and rubs his chin) I still can't
believe your voice and Miya's sound so similar.
Kurumi: Who the hell is this Miya-san?
Mitsuru: Old Miya-chan? She used to be his girlfriend before she
dumped him. Now he's been heartbroken ever since.
Manami: That sounds so sad.
Kurumi: Yeah, but that's my problem.
Mitsuru: (puts his arms to his chest) My heart also goes out for the
little munchkin.
Kurumi: Aww, too bad! But still no reason for touchin' me!
Mitsuru: I'm sure you're right. Say ladies. I have an interesting idea
for you two.
Manami: Uh oh.
Mitsuru: What's the matter? You haven't heard what I have to say.
Manami: That's the point. Something strange is going to happen.
[Outside the room]
Shinohara: Ah, arrived finally. Exceeded my expectations of you
females.
Shun: Hey! What's up with you two?
Akane: This is something between the two of us.
Shun: Well I'd better stay out of the way. I'm going to see how Suka's
doing. (enters the room)
Shinohara: Shun-san won't be in our way now. Say your peace.
Akane: Oh, I'll tell you what I'm feeling right now, you chauvinistic
pig! You and all you scummy men in this country are the problem!
Looking down on the opposite sex.
Shinohara: Petulant girl. You are unworthy to talk to me.
Akane: If you called me down here just to have a insult, shouting
match, then I'm leaving!
Shinohara: Leave if you must. I was right. You girls are too inferior
to take up the challenge.
Akane: Challenge? You want a fight? Is that why you chose a hospital
to meet? Well, I'm game! Let's go! I'll take you on any day!
Convenient place to ship your caucus after I smack your hide!
Shinohara: Ha. What insolence. Violence is not my ploy. Instead, I
declare a challenge of events. Your group versus mine. To see whose is
superior.
Akane: Event Challenge. Why for?
Shinohara: Aren't you keen on proving the worth of you womankind?
Akane: Yes, of course. But not against the likes of you. I rather
spread our cause through more word of mouth.
Shinohara: Directly what I'm opposed to. I won't let you spread this
guerilla dogma any further. I am upholding my duty to quell your
insurgent group. So I say it again. I officially challenge you. (takes
off a motorcycle glove and throws it to the ground)
Akane: (picks up the glove). If that's the way it's going to be, then
I gladly accept your pitiful challenge. And you will LOSE!
Shinohara: We're see who are the losers.
Akane: So what the hell is the challenge, you fool! And what are the
stakes?
Shinohara: Your pride as a woman for one. And stakes to match the
risk. A series of 5 separate events to test the worth of each
group. Each side is allowed 2 events of their choosing, with a final
fifth event tiebreaker, if necessary. The consequences are the life or
death of your group. If you lose, you agree to completely disband your
group and cease the spread of your infidel talk.
Akane: And if I win? Why should I want to get serious about this?
Shinohara: Your prize, in the unlikely event of your triumph will be
my personal transfer out of Waseda. I will cease all activities
launched at your group. I shall not stain my family's name and remain
in a school where such ideology exists.
Akane: You're on sucker! And I get to choose the first event.
Shinohara: If you wish. I, as a chivalrous man shall allow you, the
lady to go first.
(Just as Akane is declaring the first event for the clash of the
titans, Shun, Mitsuru, and the Twins come out)
Shinohara: An interesting choice. I accept.
Akane: And another thing! I want Shun to be the judge!
Shinohara: If you wish.
Shun: Eh? What's going on?
[At the luxury apartment house]
"Hiya Taki-boy!"
(Muroke is petting Taki the dog inside #1's and his friend's
apartment.)
Muroke: Long time since I've been back here.
#1: Missed this place already? I would if I were you.
Muroke: Hey, I have a score to settle with you #1! You screwed me up
by hooking me with that crazy, hybrid dormitory.
#1: Yo, you wanted cheap, you have to put up with weird.
Muroke: How'd you find out about a place like that?
#1: Oh, a friend of mine who was a border there years ago referred me.
But that's not why I brought you here.
Muroke: Yeah. You still haven't told me why'd you plucked me out of
the blue.
#1: A matter of grave concern. I need your handy skills and
connections to trace the chemical reagent located on this cloth.
Muroke: Hey, this is nearly all burned up!
#1: That's why I need your help! Will you do it or not!?
Muroke: But why ask me? Can you find someone else to analyze it?
#1: I could. But there is rather hush, hush, and I would like to
keep it quiet.
Muroke: You must have obtained this illegally, didn't you?
#1: Whatever my methods does not matter. So are you in?
Muroke: Alright, alright! I guess I can first isolate a sample and get
Shijama to examine the contents. Where'd Kaori-san gone to?
#1: She trying to butter up the folks down in the "department" to try
to find out more details about the fire.
[At the Ayukawa Mansion]
Kyosuke: So what do you think?
Madoka: (chugging a Heinekin) I think that you're an extremely lucky
boy, Kasuga-kun. Do you always get propositioned by beautiful woman
whenever I am away?
K: Madoka!
M: I'm just teasing. I suppose your foray into Bosnia wasn't
altogether a wasted trip. It's made you into something of a celebrity.
K: I guess it did, though I didn't ask for it. That wasn't my
intention for going.
M: Stop groveling and go call Miss Aso.
K: You're all for it?
M: Yes. Now go before she changes her mind like I would if I gave it a
second thought. (*winks*)
K: Now you're just being cruel.
M: It's only been a few hours for me. Give me a few days and I'll be
cheeky instead.
K: <I guess that trip back to Seattle to visit her parents was a good
tangent for you after all>
[Back in New York]
"Knock knock!"
Shuri: W-w-what?
Hikaru: (walks into Shuri's apartment) Did I startle you?
Shuri: No, no. Why you ask?
Hikaru: That's not your typical response whenever I come over. You
seemed surprised to see me. Something come up?
Shuri: Oh no. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Honest.
Hikaru: Now I know something is up! You're not feeling your perky
self. Are you still bummed out by the audition?
Shuri: Oh? Yeah, that's it. Major bummer that was.
Hikaru: And to think I came over to blab about my problems.
Shuri: You have problems? I can't see why you be the one with
problems. You're still in the running.
Hikaru: I know. It's an awkward feeling for me to be a semi-finalist,
after having so many rejections in my life.
Shuri: If you say so. I guess we can both cheer each other up, I
suppose. But let's drink first and talk later!
[The Next Day]
[At the Cable Station]
(Kyosuke walks in)
Old woman at the desk : Yes? Can I help you?
Kyosuke: I'm looking for Miss Aso?
"She's in back room with the others."
K: Arrigatou.
(enters to see everyone huddled around the TV, while Aso Tamaki is
preparing her bag)
Kyosuke: Ah, Miss Aso. Regarding the offer...
Aso: You've decided to accept, ne?
Kyosuke: Yes, and I...
Aso: Here. (flips him the bag). No time for chit-chat. You can
accompany me on your first assignment.
Kyosuke: Wow, so fast!?
Aso: That's the nature of the business. The scoop does not wait for
anyone. You can also carry this. (hands him a TV camera). Follow
me. We'll take the scooter.
Kyosuke: What's the hurry?
Aso: Fire last afternoon at Tojo penitentiary.
Kyosuke: So why the rush to get there? Are we a little too late to
cover the story?
Aso: (puts on her helmet and hands Kyosuke one) Not at all! Being a
small news station allows us more time in relaying the news. Better
than trying to compete with the super stations to get to the scene. By
this time now, all the big-shot TV stations' crews and staff should be
leaving the scene, leaving us plenty of room to talk with the
secondary people.
Kyosuke: I see your point. So you get a different angle on the
situation, instead of the conventional take given by the other
stations.
Aso: Precisely. I see I will be enjoying working side by side with
you.
[Back at the Tokyo Police Station]
(A voice bellows out)
"J-a-c-k-son! Get into my office right now!"
Jackson: Great! What does he want now?
(enters to see a short, balding middle-aged man with a frown on his
face and a cigar lying in the ashtray)
Jackson: Yes, Chief Nogami. You wanted to see me?
Chief: I assume you heard about the fire yesterday at the Tojo pen?
Jackson: I may have had a whiff of the news pass my way.
Chief: And do you know which scumbag you just put away is at this
joint?
Jackson: I do reckon that you're referrin' to the Colonel?
Chief: Yes, I am. I'm glad my making you an inspector hasn't dulled
your senses yet.
Jackson: So what does this hafta do with me?
Chief: It seems that your Colonel Kijama Zanbata was in involved with
the fire, since it happened in his cell holding area!
Jackson: I still don't see what this has to do with me.
Chief: There is a problem. We have 2 missing inmates, but found only
one body in the fire that's charred beyond recognition. Zanbata and
another guy are missing. Need to do DNA testing for positive ID. Till
then, that presents a problem...
Jackson: You don't know whose body it is.
Chief: Listen. I'm not taking any chances on having the Colonel
ravaging on the streets of Tokyo. You know how this guy operates, so I
want you on the case.
Jackson: My gut feelin' tells me he's loose. If you assign to me, I'll
take it!
Chief: Here. Forensics report. (flips him a booklet) In it, you're
find that the metal latches were melted away by a foreign chemical.
Boys down in the lab still doing tests.
Jackson: Ok chief. I take it up from here.
[Back at Ryokurin Ryo boarding house]
Shun: Ohayoo!
Old Lady Caretaker: Ohayoo Gozamashita. How is Hasukawa-san doing?
Shun: He progressing fine! He was so stressed out and all that he
really needed the rest. By tomorrow Sunday, he should be out and
ready. I'm going to see him now.
"Very good. But if you will be away, then who will be managing
Exchange Day today?"
Shun: Exchange Day? It's today?!?
"It says so on the schedule that was passed out."
Shun: Sona! It is today!
Exchange Day. Planned for the end of November two weeks before the
finals of the semester. Designed to give a breather for both lower and
upper classman before the cramming session begins. Also allows both
sides of the resident body to get together, with the upperclassmen
passing advice to those still in high school. Supposedly, me and Suka
was suppose to responsible for the planning of it this week, but it
totally slipped my mind since this week, I was visiting Suka-chan in
the hospital. Oh, what shall I do?
"Yo, Kisaragi-san."
Shun: Huh? It's you Shinohara-san. Is there something you wanted?
Shinohara: Go on and see the head guy. Today will be my concern. I'll
take care of Exchange Day for you.
Shun: But I can't exactly let you be in charge of this. It's not in
the rules...
Shinohara: Exchange Day suppose to be communication between all the
bodies in this house. In your stead, I am taking charge of today's
proceedings. I believe you will find the agenda I have planned
thorough and complete. (hands her a piece of paper)
Shun: Wow, you planned all this in advance?
Shinohara: Yes maam. I mean yes sir! My prior military training has
prepared me for such an undertaking. Allow me to take the reins.
Shun: Military training? Didn't know about that. But since you have
made all the arrangements, and I have nothing prepared, I guess it
wouldn't hurt for you to head this. But no stunts or screwups on your
part, understand?
Shinohara: Understood Sir!
Shun: <Boy, this Shinohara Asuma can be a complexing guy to figure
out. >
[Upstairs]
Taku: Hey Muroke-san, where are you going?
Muroke: Out. Why?
Taku: I neglected to tell you that we're suppose to volunteer as part
of Exchange Day.
Muroke: Exchange Day?
Taku: Yeah. Shinohara discussed it with all the upperclassmen on this
floor when you were gone away. We interact and participate with our
counterparts downstairs in a group outing to form better community
relationships in this house.
Muroke: Is that for real?
Taku: I'm afraid so. But it shouldn't be so bad. It sounds like a good
idea.
Muroke: And Shinohara is in charge of this?
Taku: Afraid so. Looks like he's taken charge of things.
Muroke: I don't believe it! Hasn't that jerk caused enough trouble in
this house? Is this some kind of trick?
Taku: I dunno.
(*knock knock*)
Muroke: Eh, it's you again!
"Tatsuya Youta at your service. Our group is waiting outside."
Taku: I guess you don't have any choice now!
Muroke: You mean we're paired up with you guys?
Tatsuya Youta: That's what it stated on this sheet.
Muroke: Ok, okay. I guess we're going. Let's get this over with.
[At the prison]
"Hey, no reporters beyond this point!"
Aso: I understand officer. But at least let me do my intro here. I'll
be sure to behave.
"Well make it fast."
(Aso motions with her hand to Kyosuke to roll tape)
Aso: (puts microphone up to her mouth) Aso Tamaki reporting outside of
Tojo Penitentiary one day after the mysterious fire which caused
moderate damage. Outside, you can still see residual smoke coming out
of the building. Details are still sketchy, as the authorities have
not released any information on possible injuries or deaths for both
inmates or guards.
(Aso motions to cut)
Kyosuke: That seems simple enough.
Aso: That's just the beginning. We are not finished here yet.
Kyosuke: What else are we going to do?
Aso: There! We're going to talk to that sanitation man over there.
Let's hurry before that noisy guard catches us.
(Both Aso and Kyosuke run behind the big dump truck to escape
detection)
Aso: Excuse me sir. What do you do here?
"You're talking to me? What do you want?"
Aso: We work for a small cable tv station, and we just wanted to do a
spotlight on the little people in the community. Would it be all right
if we asked you a few questions?
"Me? You want to interview me?"
Aso: Yes. Will you accept? (bats her eyebrows)
"Okie dokie. Ask away."
(Kyosuke starts shooting)
Aso: What do you do here?
"I'm a sanitation engineer. I've been working here for over 10 years."
Aso: I see, and what exactly is your job duties?
"I'm responsible for hauling all the trash from this facility twice a
day. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon."
Aso: And about what times are they?
"Oh, it varies, but I usually come in the mornings at 10am and later
in the afternoon at 4 pm."
Aso: I'm just curious. Your job routine must be fairly regular and
routine over these years.
"Yes it has."
Aso: How about yesterday? Were you happen to be around when the fire
broke out?
"Oh no. I was lucky. I was just through the outside gates when I heard
shouts. I didn't know what the commotion was at the time until I came
home and saw the evening news. It was then I figured out it was
probably that fire."
Aso: About what time was that?
"Since it was in the afternoon, I'll say 4:10 to 4:15."
Aso: Well, that has been a fascinating account of your job. Thank you
for sharing the details with us, Mr...
"Herada. Herada Kenji."
Aso: Thank you very much for providing us this community outlook
Terada-san. (shakes his hand)
[At the hospital]
Shun: Suka! You're up and about.
Hasukawa: Yes. I finally getting around. How long have I been in here?
Shun: About a week.
Hasukawa: That long?
Shun: You were out most of the time. You were in bad shape physically.
Hasukawa: (*sigh*) I was a jerk, wasn't I?
Shun: You were just depressed. I would be too if a girl dumped me.
Hasukawa: No, but you don't know the rest of the story.
Shun: Rest of story?
Hasukawa: It was that very summer day when I received the letter from
Igarashi.
Hasukawa: Right after I received the letter, I immediately took the
subway over to her place. But when I arrived there, I noticed it was
empty. I rang the bell and banged on the door for the longest time,
but to no avail. That's when it hit me that it was finally over. That
she had moved out earlier and didn't want to see me again.
Shun: So you knew already that she moved?
Hasukawa: Yes. But I tried to put on a brave face in light of the
situation with Ryokurin Ryo, so I phased out and devoted all my
efforts to getting it through. It enabled me to forget her for a while
and I thought I was ok. I wanted to save our beloved Greenwood at all
costs from the land developers. That's when the news about Shinobu
hit me like a double whammy.
Shun: Hai; we were all shocked by the news.
Hasukawa: I just didn't believe that Shinobu was capable of committing
such an act onto himself.
Shun: It was so sad. Just his shoes and a note left on the dock by
Tokyo Bay.
Hasukawa: I just went the situation over and over again in my
head. Why? Why did this have to happen to the Greenwood gang? Why must
I be plagued by all this misfortune. It got to the point that my mind
couldn't take those two tragic events emotionally anymore. I became a
shell of myself and regressed.
Shun: So that's why you were so obsessive about that SNES and that
game. It was Shinobu-sempai's final gift to you.
Hasukawa: My high school graduation gift. He knew I didn't play
computer games nor was interested in it. But he brought it for me,
just like the antagonist he was. He told me that this Final Fantasy 6
game will teach me some valuable lessons that I could take with me. I
thought he was his crazy self at the time. Learning life lessons from
a game? Absurd.
Shun: So then why did you take it up?
Hasukawa: In deference to his memory. It was his final gift for me, so
I owed it to him to find out that meaning.
Shun: Well, I certainly have to give you credit for sticking to your
word. Your fanatical resolve nearly killed you!
Hasukawa: I know.
Shun: So, did you learn anything at all?
Hasukawa: I think so. The characters in the game come from all walks
of life and from different backgrounds, much like the makeup of our
Greenwood family. There King Edward and his zany brother Sabin. I
know the feeling of having a odd brother. There's Locke, the thief and
Celes the wizard turned good. There's the ninja and his dog along
with the dancing Mogi. Plus the old cleric and his granddaughter
painter. And the noble warrior Cyan. And countless others. And oh, I
forgot the most important one of them all: Terra, the ESPer.
Shun: ESPer?
Hasukawa: You know; people with extraordinary sensory powers. Playing
each character throughout different scenarios in the game enabled me
to understand the tragedies and sacrifices that occur even to the best
of us. But despite all that, the most important lesson of all.
Shun: What's that?
Hasukawa: If you stick together with your friends, you will be able to
get through anything.
[During the expedition]
Muroke: Where's Shijama?
Taku: You mean Zumi-san? I believe he's with Shinohara's group.
Muroke: Where is he taking everyone anyway?
Taku: I think we're here. Look.
(Points up to Gainux headquarters!)
Muroke: An anime production studio?
(to the front led by Shinohara and Shijama)
Shinohara: Yo Shijama-san. Are you feeling well?
Shijama: I'll get by. What up with the sweatshirt?
Shinohara: It represents my Star Trek, the REAL generation tag. The
best Trek movie so far, Movie II: Wrath of Khan and the Project
Genesis.
Shijama: I can read that. Why wear it here?
Shinohara: It is appropriate for the theme of this trip. Gainux
studios is the renown studios for first-class sci-fi anime. Space
Fortress Honnemaise, Gunnmbuster, and Nadesico: Mystery of the Blue
Seas is just a listing of their renown releases. In addition, they
produced the classic Otaka yo VidgirlAI.
Shijama: Forgive me for me lacking in anime knowledge.
(woman at desk addresses him)
"Excuse me. But why do you have a crowd of people at our facility?"
Shinohara: Sorry, but I phoned Yamaga-san yesterday. He is expecting
us.
"And you are?"
Shinohara: Excuse me for not introducing myself. I am Asuma Shinohara.
"Ah Shinohara-san! Forgive me for not recognizing your likeness. I
notify Yamaga immediately."
Shijama: How'd they know you?
Shinohara: Family history.
(out comes out a man in a slick black armani suit and mousse hair)
Yamaga: Asuma! Long time no see. (shakes hands)
Shinohara: Likewise.
Yamaga: Before I forget, be sure to give your father my regards in
letting us visit his factory for our designers to do the sketches of
the prototypes. It's been invaluable.
Shinohara: I'll pass the word to father.
Yamaga: I see you brought an entourage with you.
Shinohara: Would that be a problem?
Yamaga: No, as long as you can get them to be in a line. Come with me
and I'll give you a mini-tour of this complex.
(back to Taku and Muroke)
Tatsuya Youta: I've always wanted to visit Gainux Studios!
Muroke: You have? It's just like any other animation studio.
Youta: It may be, but it's been a dream of mine to be one of the
animation drawers for an anime.
Muroke: You draw?
Youta: A little in my spare time, when I'm not playing any sports.
Muroke: That's good to have a hobby. For me, I play around with
computers.
Youta: That sounds neat.
Muroke: Yeah. There's even drawings programs for the computer. Since
you seem to be our resident artist in the house, I guess you can drop
by our room and I can show you. Be sure to bring along some of your
samples also.
Youta: Sounds nice.
(back to front of the group) Yamaga: ...and this area is what we
affectionately call our "warroom". Here is where a bunch of us get
together to brainstorm and get an idea of the focus of the series we
are working on. As you see now, there's a group inside now...
(inside the warroom)
"Damn it, why does this name thing always have to be the hardest thing
to come up with?"
"It always is y'know."
"What do we have so far?"
"Let's see, judging by the clipboard with all the key words of this
series, we have Apostle Prophecy, Angel in Red, and the Menace
Phantom.
"Hate it, hate it, and hate it."
"Any ideas people? Creative juices flowing people?"
"How about Nervo Shock?"
"Interesting. We keep that on the table. Any more?"
"Instead of Nervo, why not try Nuvo?"
"Nuvo Shock?"
"Replace Shock with Evangelist?"
"Then you get Nuvo Evangelist."
"Too preachy man! And it doesn't sound cool."
"Then if we twist the phrase to be Neo Evangelion?"
"Has a certain ring to it. Though something is still missing..."
"What are you talking about? It's adequate."
"No man, I mean it's that haiku thing. You need that one extra word to
give it that *UMPH*! Otherwise it's not complete. What could that word
be...
(everyone puts their hand to their chins in thought)
(A plastic arrow flies across the room, sticking to the window where
Shinohara's group is watching.)
"Sorry. Accidental trigger."
"Hey, that's it!"
"What?"
(guy points to the arrow which is stuck to the window and pointing at
"Genesis" word on Shinohara's sweatshirt.)
[At the Shin ABCB]
Aso: Thanks for treating me for a drink!
Kyosuke: My pleasure. That was some day today for me.
Aso: (giggles)
Kyosuke: What?
Aso: I remember the charge I got when I went out on my first
assignment. I had to cover a dog show. I was all nervous and jittery
before then, but when it came time for me, I relaxed. A big adrenaline
rush to my head.
Kyosuke: Yeah. I guess the first time for anything is special. And the
way you handled that situation was very refreshing. It would have
never occurred to me to talk with the garbage guy. How'd you know?
Aso: It's all comes from here. (pats her stomach) You have to trust
your gut feeling if you want to be a reporter.
Kyosuke: Is that so?
Aso: Having a level of respect for everyone doesn't hurt
either. You'll be surprised how informative maintenance workers can
be. Big-shot reporters from the superstations don't want to deal with
them because they don't want to get their hands "dirty".
Kyosuke: I see your point.
Aso: Although I wouldn't mind getting my chance to hit it at the
big-time.
Kyosuke: Well then, here's to you: Aso Tamaki: Ace Reporter.
Aso: Thanks! Cheers!
"Whose the reporter? Get them out of my face!"
Aso: What? (turns around)
Pan: Gomen for the disturbance. That's 'Izzy', our resident drunk. He
seems to be out of tune for the moment...
Izzy: No Ima not! I jist don't want no stinkin' reporters around me!
Kyosuke: Say, let's go across...
Aso: Wait! I want to listen to what he has to say. (to Izzy) Yes. I'm
a reporter. What's that to you?
Izzy: Reporters are just no-good disaster mongers who have no regard
to people.
Kyosuke: Now wait just a moment here, ...
Aso: Let him finish. What do you base that on?
Izzy: My whole life was ruined by a scumbag reporter. I believe
J-J-Johnny was his name. He was afta dirt to further his career. He
twisted my words ab...ab...about my dis-en....chantment with da drama
writing biz and got me fired and blacklisted. Oh, so sad, so sad....
(slumps down again)
Kyosuke: He out for tonight.
Aso: That's a shame. I could really hear the bitterness and pain in
his voice.
(across the bar sits Akane, Kurumi, and Manami)
Twins: We'e got big news!
Akane: I've got big news!
All: Who goes first then?
Manami: Why don't you go ahead first Akane?
Akane: Nah, you guys go first.
Kurumi: Come on Akane. By the way you're beaming, you look like you're
going to explode if you hold it in any longer.
Akane: Well ok then. I'll go first. You know the big showdown meeting
with that Shinohara creep?
Kurumi: Yeah so?
Akane: I've agreed on you two and our women's group's behalf to accept
his challenge?
Manami: Challenge? What challenge are you talking about?
Akane: Challenge that he issued to me. I wasn't about to show
weakness. It's like the battle of the sexes. Five events to determine
who is the superior race.
Manami: Sort of like an Equality Olympics?
Akane: Precisely. And the first showdown event will be in two weeks,
after finals. I took the liberty of naming the event.
Kurumi: So what are we competing at?
Akane: Your favorite: Wrestling!
[End of Chapter]
I didn't anticipate not having enough room for my title posts.
So I've abbreviate it to fit everything in. Hope it comes up
right this time. Anyway, here's Book C Chapter 10: Exchanges.
Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H A R D
|< O R
interlude Edition
K i m a g u r e O r a n g e R o a d
F a n f i c t i o n
by Robert Kwong
ver 1.0
Finished: 2-01-99
Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by
the venerable Matsumoto Izumi.
As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure
Orange Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the
events following the breakup of Hikaru and Kyousuke which sets the
stage for Shin Kor and HARD Kor series. These stories were written in
the attempt to clarify certain details assumed and to provide clues
for future Hard Kor episodes. Book A and Book B chapters provides the
events after Shin Kor I. This Book C will attempt to bridge the gap
between Shin Kor I and Shin Kor II.
HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories: Prelude, Book A
and Book B chapters)
http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html
My SuperPage for the General Kimagure Orange Road enthusiast
http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/Kor.html
My contact email address for comments or further correspondence:
rk@soda.berkeley.edu
Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR
fanfic on the web! (33000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it
as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -98-
Legend:
-------
Akane = Akane Kasuga Kurumi = Kurumi Kasuga Manami = Manami Kasuga
Muroke = Koji Muroke Shijama = Shijama Zumi Taku = Taku Morisaki
Shinohara = Shinohara Asuma
Shun = Shun Kisaragi Hasegawa = Hasegawa Kazuya
[] - denotes scene changes () - indicates person thinking to himself
(**) - indicates action or special effects.
Book C: Interlude: Chapter 10: Exchanges
[Back in the hospital]
Hasukawa: I feel groggy now.
Kurumi: Gomen for hitting you again.
Manami: You need to keep your aggressive tendencies under control.
(Hasukawa falls unconscious again)
Mitsuru: (starts to eye Kurumi over and rubs his chin) I still can't
believe your voice and Miya's sound so similar.
Kurumi: Who the hell is this Miya-san?
Mitsuru: Old Miya-chan? She used to be his girlfriend before she
dumped him. Now he's been heartbroken ever since.
Manami: That sounds so sad.
Kurumi: Yeah, but that's my problem.
Mitsuru: (puts his arms to his chest) My heart also goes out for the
little munchkin.
Kurumi: Aww, too bad! But still no reason for touchin' me!
Mitsuru: I'm sure you're right. Say ladies. I have an interesting idea
for you two.
Manami: Uh oh.
Mitsuru: What's the matter? You haven't heard what I have to say.
Manami: That's the point. Something strange is going to happen.
[Outside the room]
Shinohara: Ah, arrived finally. Exceeded my expectations of you
females.
Shun: Hey! What's up with you two?
Akane: This is something between the two of us.
Shun: Well I'd better stay out of the way. I'm going to see how Suka's
doing. (enters the room)
Shinohara: Shun-san won't be in our way now. Say your peace.
Akane: Oh, I'll tell you what I'm feeling right now, you chauvinistic
pig! You and all you scummy men in this country are the problem!
Looking down on the opposite sex.
Shinohara: Petulant girl. You are unworthy to talk to me.
Akane: If you called me down here just to have a insult, shouting
match, then I'm leaving!
Shinohara: Leave if you must. I was right. You girls are too inferior
to take up the challenge.
Akane: Challenge? You want a fight? Is that why you chose a hospital
to meet? Well, I'm game! Let's go! I'll take you on any day!
Convenient place to ship your caucus after I smack your hide!
Shinohara: Ha. What insolence. Violence is not my ploy. Instead, I
declare a challenge of events. Your group versus mine. To see whose is
superior.
Akane: Event Challenge. Why for?
Shinohara: Aren't you keen on proving the worth of you womankind?
Akane: Yes, of course. But not against the likes of you. I rather
spread our cause through more word of mouth.
Shinohara: Directly what I'm opposed to. I won't let you spread this
guerilla dogma any further. I am upholding my duty to quell your
insurgent group. So I say it again. I officially challenge you. (takes
off a motorcycle glove and throws it to the ground)
Akane: (picks up the glove). If that's the way it's going to be, then
I gladly accept your pitiful challenge. And you will LOSE!
Shinohara: We're see who are the losers.
Akane: So what the hell is the challenge, you fool! And what are the
stakes?
Shinohara: Your pride as a woman for one. And stakes to match the
risk. A series of 5 separate events to test the worth of each
group. Each side is allowed 2 events of their choosing, with a final
fifth event tiebreaker, if necessary. The consequences are the life or
death of your group. If you lose, you agree to completely disband your
group and cease the spread of your infidel talk.
Akane: And if I win? Why should I want to get serious about this?
Shinohara: Your prize, in the unlikely event of your triumph will be
my personal transfer out of Waseda. I will cease all activities
launched at your group. I shall not stain my family's name and remain
in a school where such ideology exists.
Akane: You're on sucker! And I get to choose the first event.
Shinohara: If you wish. I, as a chivalrous man shall allow you, the
lady to go first.
(Just as Akane is declaring the first event for the clash of the
titans, Shun, Mitsuru, and the Twins come out)
Shinohara: An interesting choice. I accept.
Akane: And another thing! I want Shun to be the judge!
Shinohara: If you wish.
Shun: Eh? What's going on?
[At the luxury apartment house]
"Hiya Taki-boy!"
(Muroke is petting Taki the dog inside #1's and his friend's
apartment.)
Muroke: Long time since I've been back here.
#1: Missed this place already? I would if I were you.
Muroke: Hey, I have a score to settle with you #1! You screwed me up
by hooking me with that crazy, hybrid dormitory.
#1: Yo, you wanted cheap, you have to put up with weird.
Muroke: How'd you find out about a place like that?
#1: Oh, a friend of mine who was a border there years ago referred me.
But that's not why I brought you here.
Muroke: Yeah. You still haven't told me why'd you plucked me out of
the blue.
#1: A matter of grave concern. I need your handy skills and
connections to trace the chemical reagent located on this cloth.
Muroke: Hey, this is nearly all burned up!
#1: That's why I need your help! Will you do it or not!?
Muroke: But why ask me? Can you find someone else to analyze it?
#1: I could. But there is rather hush, hush, and I would like to
keep it quiet.
Muroke: You must have obtained this illegally, didn't you?
#1: Whatever my methods does not matter. So are you in?
Muroke: Alright, alright! I guess I can first isolate a sample and get
Shijama to examine the contents. Where'd Kaori-san gone to?
#1: She trying to butter up the folks down in the "department" to try
to find out more details about the fire.
[At the Ayukawa Mansion]
Kyosuke: So what do you think?
Madoka: (chugging a Heinekin) I think that you're an extremely lucky
boy, Kasuga-kun. Do you always get propositioned by beautiful woman
whenever I am away?
K: Madoka!
M: I'm just teasing. I suppose your foray into Bosnia wasn't
altogether a wasted trip. It's made you into something of a celebrity.
K: I guess it did, though I didn't ask for it. That wasn't my
intention for going.
M: Stop groveling and go call Miss Aso.
K: You're all for it?
M: Yes. Now go before she changes her mind like I would if I gave it a
second thought. (*winks*)
K: Now you're just being cruel.
M: It's only been a few hours for me. Give me a few days and I'll be
cheeky instead.
K: <I guess that trip back to Seattle to visit her parents was a good
tangent for you after all>
[Back in New York]
"Knock knock!"
Shuri: W-w-what?
Hikaru: (walks into Shuri's apartment) Did I startle you?
Shuri: No, no. Why you ask?
Hikaru: That's not your typical response whenever I come over. You
seemed surprised to see me. Something come up?
Shuri: Oh no. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Honest.
Hikaru: Now I know something is up! You're not feeling your perky
self. Are you still bummed out by the audition?
Shuri: Oh? Yeah, that's it. Major bummer that was.
Hikaru: And to think I came over to blab about my problems.
Shuri: You have problems? I can't see why you be the one with
problems. You're still in the running.
Hikaru: I know. It's an awkward feeling for me to be a semi-finalist,
after having so many rejections in my life.
Shuri: If you say so. I guess we can both cheer each other up, I
suppose. But let's drink first and talk later!
[The Next Day]
[At the Cable Station]
(Kyosuke walks in)
Old woman at the desk : Yes? Can I help you?
Kyosuke: I'm looking for Miss Aso?
"She's in back room with the others."
K: Arrigatou.
(enters to see everyone huddled around the TV, while Aso Tamaki is
preparing her bag)
Kyosuke: Ah, Miss Aso. Regarding the offer...
Aso: You've decided to accept, ne?
Kyosuke: Yes, and I...
Aso: Here. (flips him the bag). No time for chit-chat. You can
accompany me on your first assignment.
Kyosuke: Wow, so fast!?
Aso: That's the nature of the business. The scoop does not wait for
anyone. You can also carry this. (hands him a TV camera). Follow
me. We'll take the scooter.
Kyosuke: What's the hurry?
Aso: Fire last afternoon at Tojo penitentiary.
Kyosuke: So why the rush to get there? Are we a little too late to
cover the story?
Aso: (puts on her helmet and hands Kyosuke one) Not at all! Being a
small news station allows us more time in relaying the news. Better
than trying to compete with the super stations to get to the scene. By
this time now, all the big-shot TV stations' crews and staff should be
leaving the scene, leaving us plenty of room to talk with the
secondary people.
Kyosuke: I see your point. So you get a different angle on the
situation, instead of the conventional take given by the other
stations.
Aso: Precisely. I see I will be enjoying working side by side with
you.
[Back at the Tokyo Police Station]
(A voice bellows out)
"J-a-c-k-son! Get into my office right now!"
Jackson: Great! What does he want now?
(enters to see a short, balding middle-aged man with a frown on his
face and a cigar lying in the ashtray)
Jackson: Yes, Chief Nogami. You wanted to see me?
Chief: I assume you heard about the fire yesterday at the Tojo pen?
Jackson: I may have had a whiff of the news pass my way.
Chief: And do you know which scumbag you just put away is at this
joint?
Jackson: I do reckon that you're referrin' to the Colonel?
Chief: Yes, I am. I'm glad my making you an inspector hasn't dulled
your senses yet.
Jackson: So what does this hafta do with me?
Chief: It seems that your Colonel Kijama Zanbata was in involved with
the fire, since it happened in his cell holding area!
Jackson: I still don't see what this has to do with me.
Chief: There is a problem. We have 2 missing inmates, but found only
one body in the fire that's charred beyond recognition. Zanbata and
another guy are missing. Need to do DNA testing for positive ID. Till
then, that presents a problem...
Jackson: You don't know whose body it is.
Chief: Listen. I'm not taking any chances on having the Colonel
ravaging on the streets of Tokyo. You know how this guy operates, so I
want you on the case.
Jackson: My gut feelin' tells me he's loose. If you assign to me, I'll
take it!
Chief: Here. Forensics report. (flips him a booklet) In it, you're
find that the metal latches were melted away by a foreign chemical.
Boys down in the lab still doing tests.
Jackson: Ok chief. I take it up from here.
[Back at Ryokurin Ryo boarding house]
Shun: Ohayoo!
Old Lady Caretaker: Ohayoo Gozamashita. How is Hasukawa-san doing?
Shun: He progressing fine! He was so stressed out and all that he
really needed the rest. By tomorrow Sunday, he should be out and
ready. I'm going to see him now.
"Very good. But if you will be away, then who will be managing
Exchange Day today?"
Shun: Exchange Day? It's today?!?
"It says so on the schedule that was passed out."
Shun: Sona! It is today!
Exchange Day. Planned for the end of November two weeks before the
finals of the semester. Designed to give a breather for both lower and
upper classman before the cramming session begins. Also allows both
sides of the resident body to get together, with the upperclassmen
passing advice to those still in high school. Supposedly, me and Suka
was suppose to responsible for the planning of it this week, but it
totally slipped my mind since this week, I was visiting Suka-chan in
the hospital. Oh, what shall I do?
"Yo, Kisaragi-san."
Shun: Huh? It's you Shinohara-san. Is there something you wanted?
Shinohara: Go on and see the head guy. Today will be my concern. I'll
take care of Exchange Day for you.
Shun: But I can't exactly let you be in charge of this. It's not in
the rules...
Shinohara: Exchange Day suppose to be communication between all the
bodies in this house. In your stead, I am taking charge of today's
proceedings. I believe you will find the agenda I have planned
thorough and complete. (hands her a piece of paper)
Shun: Wow, you planned all this in advance?
Shinohara: Yes maam. I mean yes sir! My prior military training has
prepared me for such an undertaking. Allow me to take the reins.
Shun: Military training? Didn't know about that. But since you have
made all the arrangements, and I have nothing prepared, I guess it
wouldn't hurt for you to head this. But no stunts or screwups on your
part, understand?
Shinohara: Understood Sir!
Shun: <Boy, this Shinohara Asuma can be a complexing guy to figure
out. >
[Upstairs]
Taku: Hey Muroke-san, where are you going?
Muroke: Out. Why?
Taku: I neglected to tell you that we're suppose to volunteer as part
of Exchange Day.
Muroke: Exchange Day?
Taku: Yeah. Shinohara discussed it with all the upperclassmen on this
floor when you were gone away. We interact and participate with our
counterparts downstairs in a group outing to form better community
relationships in this house.
Muroke: Is that for real?
Taku: I'm afraid so. But it shouldn't be so bad. It sounds like a good
idea.
Muroke: And Shinohara is in charge of this?
Taku: Afraid so. Looks like he's taken charge of things.
Muroke: I don't believe it! Hasn't that jerk caused enough trouble in
this house? Is this some kind of trick?
Taku: I dunno.
(*knock knock*)
Muroke: Eh, it's you again!
"Tatsuya Youta at your service. Our group is waiting outside."
Taku: I guess you don't have any choice now!
Muroke: You mean we're paired up with you guys?
Tatsuya Youta: That's what it stated on this sheet.
Muroke: Ok, okay. I guess we're going. Let's get this over with.
[At the prison]
"Hey, no reporters beyond this point!"
Aso: I understand officer. But at least let me do my intro here. I'll
be sure to behave.
"Well make it fast."
(Aso motions with her hand to Kyosuke to roll tape)
Aso: (puts microphone up to her mouth) Aso Tamaki reporting outside of
Tojo Penitentiary one day after the mysterious fire which caused
moderate damage. Outside, you can still see residual smoke coming out
of the building. Details are still sketchy, as the authorities have
not released any information on possible injuries or deaths for both
inmates or guards.
(Aso motions to cut)
Kyosuke: That seems simple enough.
Aso: That's just the beginning. We are not finished here yet.
Kyosuke: What else are we going to do?
Aso: There! We're going to talk to that sanitation man over there.
Let's hurry before that noisy guard catches us.
(Both Aso and Kyosuke run behind the big dump truck to escape
detection)
Aso: Excuse me sir. What do you do here?
"You're talking to me? What do you want?"
Aso: We work for a small cable tv station, and we just wanted to do a
spotlight on the little people in the community. Would it be all right
if we asked you a few questions?
"Me? You want to interview me?"
Aso: Yes. Will you accept? (bats her eyebrows)
"Okie dokie. Ask away."
(Kyosuke starts shooting)
Aso: What do you do here?
"I'm a sanitation engineer. I've been working here for over 10 years."
Aso: I see, and what exactly is your job duties?
"I'm responsible for hauling all the trash from this facility twice a
day. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon."
Aso: And about what times are they?
"Oh, it varies, but I usually come in the mornings at 10am and later
in the afternoon at 4 pm."
Aso: I'm just curious. Your job routine must be fairly regular and
routine over these years.
"Yes it has."
Aso: How about yesterday? Were you happen to be around when the fire
broke out?
"Oh no. I was lucky. I was just through the outside gates when I heard
shouts. I didn't know what the commotion was at the time until I came
home and saw the evening news. It was then I figured out it was
probably that fire."
Aso: About what time was that?
"Since it was in the afternoon, I'll say 4:10 to 4:15."
Aso: Well, that has been a fascinating account of your job. Thank you
for sharing the details with us, Mr...
"Herada. Herada Kenji."
Aso: Thank you very much for providing us this community outlook
Terada-san. (shakes his hand)
[At the hospital]
Shun: Suka! You're up and about.
Hasukawa: Yes. I finally getting around. How long have I been in here?
Shun: About a week.
Hasukawa: That long?
Shun: You were out most of the time. You were in bad shape physically.
Hasukawa: (*sigh*) I was a jerk, wasn't I?
Shun: You were just depressed. I would be too if a girl dumped me.
Hasukawa: No, but you don't know the rest of the story.
Shun: Rest of story?
Hasukawa: It was that very summer day when I received the letter from
Igarashi.
Hasukawa: Right after I received the letter, I immediately took the
subway over to her place. But when I arrived there, I noticed it was
empty. I rang the bell and banged on the door for the longest time,
but to no avail. That's when it hit me that it was finally over. That
she had moved out earlier and didn't want to see me again.
Shun: So you knew already that she moved?
Hasukawa: Yes. But I tried to put on a brave face in light of the
situation with Ryokurin Ryo, so I phased out and devoted all my
efforts to getting it through. It enabled me to forget her for a while
and I thought I was ok. I wanted to save our beloved Greenwood at all
costs from the land developers. That's when the news about Shinobu
hit me like a double whammy.
Shun: Hai; we were all shocked by the news.
Hasukawa: I just didn't believe that Shinobu was capable of committing
such an act onto himself.
Shun: It was so sad. Just his shoes and a note left on the dock by
Tokyo Bay.
Hasukawa: I just went the situation over and over again in my
head. Why? Why did this have to happen to the Greenwood gang? Why must
I be plagued by all this misfortune. It got to the point that my mind
couldn't take those two tragic events emotionally anymore. I became a
shell of myself and regressed.
Shun: So that's why you were so obsessive about that SNES and that
game. It was Shinobu-sempai's final gift to you.
Hasukawa: My high school graduation gift. He knew I didn't play
computer games nor was interested in it. But he brought it for me,
just like the antagonist he was. He told me that this Final Fantasy 6
game will teach me some valuable lessons that I could take with me. I
thought he was his crazy self at the time. Learning life lessons from
a game? Absurd.
Shun: So then why did you take it up?
Hasukawa: In deference to his memory. It was his final gift for me, so
I owed it to him to find out that meaning.
Shun: Well, I certainly have to give you credit for sticking to your
word. Your fanatical resolve nearly killed you!
Hasukawa: I know.
Shun: So, did you learn anything at all?
Hasukawa: I think so. The characters in the game come from all walks
of life and from different backgrounds, much like the makeup of our
Greenwood family. There King Edward and his zany brother Sabin. I
know the feeling of having a odd brother. There's Locke, the thief and
Celes the wizard turned good. There's the ninja and his dog along
with the dancing Mogi. Plus the old cleric and his granddaughter
painter. And the noble warrior Cyan. And countless others. And oh, I
forgot the most important one of them all: Terra, the ESPer.
Shun: ESPer?
Hasukawa: You know; people with extraordinary sensory powers. Playing
each character throughout different scenarios in the game enabled me
to understand the tragedies and sacrifices that occur even to the best
of us. But despite all that, the most important lesson of all.
Shun: What's that?
Hasukawa: If you stick together with your friends, you will be able to
get through anything.
[During the expedition]
Muroke: Where's Shijama?
Taku: You mean Zumi-san? I believe he's with Shinohara's group.
Muroke: Where is he taking everyone anyway?
Taku: I think we're here. Look.
(Points up to Gainux headquarters!)
Muroke: An anime production studio?
(to the front led by Shinohara and Shijama)
Shinohara: Yo Shijama-san. Are you feeling well?
Shijama: I'll get by. What up with the sweatshirt?
Shinohara: It represents my Star Trek, the REAL generation tag. The
best Trek movie so far, Movie II: Wrath of Khan and the Project
Genesis.
Shijama: I can read that. Why wear it here?
Shinohara: It is appropriate for the theme of this trip. Gainux
studios is the renown studios for first-class sci-fi anime. Space
Fortress Honnemaise, Gunnmbuster, and Nadesico: Mystery of the Blue
Seas is just a listing of their renown releases. In addition, they
produced the classic Otaka yo VidgirlAI.
Shijama: Forgive me for me lacking in anime knowledge.
(woman at desk addresses him)
"Excuse me. But why do you have a crowd of people at our facility?"
Shinohara: Sorry, but I phoned Yamaga-san yesterday. He is expecting
us.
"And you are?"
Shinohara: Excuse me for not introducing myself. I am Asuma Shinohara.
"Ah Shinohara-san! Forgive me for not recognizing your likeness. I
notify Yamaga immediately."
Shijama: How'd they know you?
Shinohara: Family history.
(out comes out a man in a slick black armani suit and mousse hair)
Yamaga: Asuma! Long time no see. (shakes hands)
Shinohara: Likewise.
Yamaga: Before I forget, be sure to give your father my regards in
letting us visit his factory for our designers to do the sketches of
the prototypes. It's been invaluable.
Shinohara: I'll pass the word to father.
Yamaga: I see you brought an entourage with you.
Shinohara: Would that be a problem?
Yamaga: No, as long as you can get them to be in a line. Come with me
and I'll give you a mini-tour of this complex.
(back to Taku and Muroke)
Tatsuya Youta: I've always wanted to visit Gainux Studios!
Muroke: You have? It's just like any other animation studio.
Youta: It may be, but it's been a dream of mine to be one of the
animation drawers for an anime.
Muroke: You draw?
Youta: A little in my spare time, when I'm not playing any sports.
Muroke: That's good to have a hobby. For me, I play around with
computers.
Youta: That sounds neat.
Muroke: Yeah. There's even drawings programs for the computer. Since
you seem to be our resident artist in the house, I guess you can drop
by our room and I can show you. Be sure to bring along some of your
samples also.
Youta: Sounds nice.
(back to front of the group) Yamaga: ...and this area is what we
affectionately call our "warroom". Here is where a bunch of us get
together to brainstorm and get an idea of the focus of the series we
are working on. As you see now, there's a group inside now...
(inside the warroom)
"Damn it, why does this name thing always have to be the hardest thing
to come up with?"
"It always is y'know."
"What do we have so far?"
"Let's see, judging by the clipboard with all the key words of this
series, we have Apostle Prophecy, Angel in Red, and the Menace
Phantom.
"Hate it, hate it, and hate it."
"Any ideas people? Creative juices flowing people?"
"How about Nervo Shock?"
"Interesting. We keep that on the table. Any more?"
"Instead of Nervo, why not try Nuvo?"
"Nuvo Shock?"
"Replace Shock with Evangelist?"
"Then you get Nuvo Evangelist."
"Too preachy man! And it doesn't sound cool."
"Then if we twist the phrase to be Neo Evangelion?"
"Has a certain ring to it. Though something is still missing..."
"What are you talking about? It's adequate."
"No man, I mean it's that haiku thing. You need that one extra word to
give it that *UMPH*! Otherwise it's not complete. What could that word
be...
(everyone puts their hand to their chins in thought)
(A plastic arrow flies across the room, sticking to the window where
Shinohara's group is watching.)
"Sorry. Accidental trigger."
"Hey, that's it!"
"What?"
(guy points to the arrow which is stuck to the window and pointing at
"Genesis" word on Shinohara's sweatshirt.)
[At the Shin ABCB]
Aso: Thanks for treating me for a drink!
Kyosuke: My pleasure. That was some day today for me.
Aso: (giggles)
Kyosuke: What?
Aso: I remember the charge I got when I went out on my first
assignment. I had to cover a dog show. I was all nervous and jittery
before then, but when it came time for me, I relaxed. A big adrenaline
rush to my head.
Kyosuke: Yeah. I guess the first time for anything is special. And the
way you handled that situation was very refreshing. It would have
never occurred to me to talk with the garbage guy. How'd you know?
Aso: It's all comes from here. (pats her stomach) You have to trust
your gut feeling if you want to be a reporter.
Kyosuke: Is that so?
Aso: Having a level of respect for everyone doesn't hurt
either. You'll be surprised how informative maintenance workers can
be. Big-shot reporters from the superstations don't want to deal with
them because they don't want to get their hands "dirty".
Kyosuke: I see your point.
Aso: Although I wouldn't mind getting my chance to hit it at the
big-time.
Kyosuke: Well then, here's to you: Aso Tamaki: Ace Reporter.
Aso: Thanks! Cheers!
"Whose the reporter? Get them out of my face!"
Aso: What? (turns around)
Pan: Gomen for the disturbance. That's 'Izzy', our resident drunk. He
seems to be out of tune for the moment...
Izzy: No Ima not! I jist don't want no stinkin' reporters around me!
Kyosuke: Say, let's go across...
Aso: Wait! I want to listen to what he has to say. (to Izzy) Yes. I'm
a reporter. What's that to you?
Izzy: Reporters are just no-good disaster mongers who have no regard
to people.
Kyosuke: Now wait just a moment here, ...
Aso: Let him finish. What do you base that on?
Izzy: My whole life was ruined by a scumbag reporter. I believe
J-J-Johnny was his name. He was afta dirt to further his career. He
twisted my words ab...ab...about my dis-en....chantment with da drama
writing biz and got me fired and blacklisted. Oh, so sad, so sad....
(slumps down again)
Kyosuke: He out for tonight.
Aso: That's a shame. I could really hear the bitterness and pain in
his voice.
(across the bar sits Akane, Kurumi, and Manami)
Twins: We'e got big news!
Akane: I've got big news!
All: Who goes first then?
Manami: Why don't you go ahead first Akane?
Akane: Nah, you guys go first.
Kurumi: Come on Akane. By the way you're beaming, you look like you're
going to explode if you hold it in any longer.
Akane: Well ok then. I'll go first. You know the big showdown meeting
with that Shinohara creep?
Kurumi: Yeah so?
Akane: I've agreed on you two and our women's group's behalf to accept
his challenge?
Manami: Challenge? What challenge are you talking about?
Akane: Challenge that he issued to me. I wasn't about to show
weakness. It's like the battle of the sexes. Five events to determine
who is the superior race.
Manami: Sort of like an Equality Olympics?
Akane: Precisely. And the first showdown event will be in two weeks,
after finals. I took the liberty of naming the event.
Kurumi: So what are we competing at?
Akane: Your favorite: Wrestling!
[End of Chapter]