[KOR][FanFic] HARD|<OR Book V Act V Part (1/5) End of the Road?

[Robert Kwong]

Hello,

This is Kimagure Orange Road Fanfiction.
This is HARD|<oR fanfiction.
This is my last Book V titled 'Final Acts'.
This is ACT V Part 1/5 titled: End of the Road?

This is the final book of my HARD|<oR series. The format here will be
different from the rest of my books. Prelude & Books A-D can be
thought of as the "TV" episodes style. The Acts contained in the Book
V series can be considered the "Movie" or "OAV" edition of my
fanfiction series. As such, they do not follow a chapter system.

This is the final act of book V. However, it is split into 5 separate
parts, of which is very long in itself. Symbolically, I wanted it to
be explictly 5 Acts in total. Unfortunately, I had a lot more material
left, so I had to separate it into sub-parts for the final act V.
So there are 5 separate sub-parts for the final 5th ACT of Book V.
Hope that doesn't confuse you all out there!

Now onto HARD|<OR Book V Act V: (Part 1/5) End of the Road?

Enjoy!


----------------------------------------------------------------

R D |<
A O
H R
1
M E
O I
- V -

by
Robert Kwong
Completed June 30, 2001


"1 + 1 + 1 may never equal to 2, but 3 + 1 = 2 + 2."
Manami Kasuga

Act V Final Memories: The End of the Road?
Part One

Author's Note: I did not realize the enormity of the task before me to
complete this final act. Much like the developers of the game Shenmue, I
decided to split it up into a final 2 part conclusion. I hope you enjoy
this setup and the story.

[In the Bay Area]

We see Manami in her dorm room, slumped over a typewriter, with a half
typewritten piece of paper still in place.

We glance over and see a notebook page scribbled with notes and with
the headline circled: "Oz paper due tomorrow!"

Manami, muttering in her sleep: I think I can, I think I can.

(Scene transitions to a large green meadow.)

"Wake up, little one! It's time."

Manami: Time already? I haven't even finished yet.

"Of course we're not finished. We've only completed walking through the
orange brick road. Up ahead some more and we'll get to see the wizard!"

Manami: The wizard? What do you mean?

(She opens her eyes to see a Scarecrow, a Tinperson, and a Lioness)

Manami: Eyaa! Who are you? (looks at her clothing) Why am I dressed like
this?

Scarecrow: Now Dorothy, you must have had a nightmare. We all did.
But our dreams will be realized once we see the wizard.

Manami: Huhh? You look like my brother Kyosuke!

Scarecrow: I do? I'm flattered. But I'm not nearly as smart as your
brother. But I hope to be half as smart as you once the wizard grants
our wish.

Manami: And you Tinman, or I mean Tinperson. You look like Hikaru,
another friend I know. She is a dancer.

Tinperson: A dancer? I bet she has a lot of style and grace. Unlike my
mechanical self, moving monotonously without feeling or emotion. That's
what you do when you have no heart.

Manami: And you Lioness! You look like Madoka! But it doesn't make sense!
She's the most assertive person I know.

Lioness: Please don't point at me! You must be mistaken. I'm afraid now.
Let's go back!

Scarecrow: No way! We've made it this far. Don't worry Cowardly Lioness.
Once you meet the wizard, you'll get that courage you need.

Tinperson: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!

Manami: You go ahead. I'll walk behind you all. I need some time to
regroup myself.

(The group marches forward towards the Emerald City, with Manami
cuddling a cat in her arms)

Manami: So I'm stuck in my own dream based on the very book I was
reading for class. How freaky! But very interesting. This abroad
exchange program isn't so bad after all. And at least you're normal,
Toto. Or I say Totoro, since now you're a cat instead of a dog in the
real story. You look just like my pet cat Jingoro.

"Says who?"

Manami: You talked! ?

Toto: You act like you've never seen strange stuff before, Esper girl!

Manami: Hey, I recognize that voice. It sounds like...?

Toto: If you really want to know, my former incarnation used to be
Yuusaku Hino.

Manami: But you're...

Toto: Dead? Yes, quite so. I thought I could do better as an animal,
so I reincarnated as a cat. But just my luck that it had to be in your
dream.

Manami; Hey, that's strange. How come you know I'm an ESPer? And how
come you're so direct and blunt? The old Yuusaku would have had a hard
time formulating his thoughts, especially when he's around Hikaru.

Toto: I'm dead, y'know. You can't hide nothing from nether-spirits or
neko spirits in my case. And besides, I saw what a sap I was, so I
decided to be a big, lazy cat who sits on my ass all day, pouting with
an attitude.

Manami: Gee, that's quite a change. But there's still one thing I
don't get. How come you're aware of who you really are or once was?
Oniichan, Hikaru, and Madoka are acting lock-step in character.

Toto: That's cause they're living in their own individual shells, blinded
to reality. In fact, they can't understand what I'm saying. All they hear
is me meowing to you.

Manami: Is that so? Can I help them?

Toto: Sure. Get them to the wizard. Now drop me off here. I need to go
take a whiz by those poppies before meeting the wiz. Catch up with you
later.

Manami: Oh! Well okay. Bye now.

(Inside the Emerald City)

"WHO - SEEKS - AN AUDIENCE - WITH -THE GREAT - AND POWERFUL - WIZARD!?"

Manami: Hatta and Komatsu!

"What are you talking about? We're the wizard's attendants. Nobody sees
the wizard without going through us!

Lioness: They look scary! We're better leave now!

Tinperson: I'm shaking in my tins! Maybe the lioness is right.

Manami: No everyone! We have to finish what we started! We can't
stop in the middle. Not now! Not when we're so close. I know it's
scary, but I believe we can pull through if we stick together.

Scarecrow: I may not know much, but I believe she's right. I'm with her.

Tinperson: Me too! I felt nervous before, but suddenly, I don't feel so
bad now. Count me in!

Manami: And how about you?

Lioness: I uhh.....I....

"Meow"

Lioness: Eeek!!

Manami: Don't worry! That's just Totoro!

(picks him up)

Lioness: I knew that! I can't leave you all by yourselves.
Besides, I don't know what to do if I were by myself alone.

Scarecrow: That's the spirit, Lioness. Let's go now to see the Wizard.

Komatsu: Ahem! I don't remember letting you see the wizard. He is a
busy man. I can't let you be bothering him for trifling things.

Hatta: Hai, hai. Very busy. Can't go in. No way!

"You guys! I'm going to bust you up!"

Manami: Huh?

(We see a lady dressed with a mask and dressed up in what looks like
a wrestling costume!)

Manami: Kurumi? What are you doing here?

Kurumi: You're mistaken. I'm Glinda, the good witch of justice who will
pound some sense into them.

Komatsu: Oh, please forgive us, your greatness!

Hatta: We did not realize they were friends of yours.

(Both fall on their knees and bow)

"We're not worthy!"

Manami: How bizarre! What a peculiar dream. I wonder who else will pop up?

Kurumi: Now move on. You don't want to keep the Wiz man waiting.

(They enter through an archway leading into a long, foggy, dark hallway
chamber)

There, at the end they see a big giant dragon's head!

"WHO DARES SEEKS MY ETERNAL GREATNESS?"

Lioness: Eeek! I'm so scared!

Tinperson: Me too! I'm shaking in all my cylinders!

Scarecrow: (stammers) I-I-I....

Manami: You're the wizard?

"That I am!", snarls the wizard. "I am the great and powerful wizard
who can change into any creature of my choosing. I prefer this
form. Now state your business or begone!"

Manami: All of us need to ask a favor of you. Seeing that my friends
here are in a bit of a shock to meet you, I will speak for
them. Scarecrow here wants to have a brain. Tinperson wants a
heart. Lioness needs courage, and last, I want to get home.

"Is that all? How trivial."

Manami: So does that mean you're grant our wishes?

"Not exactly. I must test whether you are worthy or not. You must perform
a task for me."

Manami: Which is what?

"I see that you wear the power of the ruby red shoes. So I present a
even greater challenge to you. Bring me the staff of the Dragon Queen
of the East. She has become too much a peril to this land. Only then
shall I grant thine wishes."

Scarecrow: But that's impossible! Everyone knows she's the most evil
character in the land! What can we do?

"Enough! Now begone and don't return until you give me the staff!"

(*POOF!*)

They find themselves outside again in the woods.

Lioness: We're done for. There's no way we can retrieve the staff. Her
dark castle has lots of scary guards!

Manami: We mustn't lose hope now! Ah!!!

Out of the blue, there comes flying wvyverns!

Lioness: Watch out!

Manami: Ahh!

....


"Manami! Are you alright?"

Manami: What? Where am I?

"You must have been having a nightmare. You were yelling just now."

Manami: I was? Yes, I was. I'm sorry if I scared you.

"Don't worry about it. I'm more worried about you."

That was my roommate. Dana Kim, also part of the international
exchange program from Korea. She was wrapped in a towel, just
finishing her shower.

"You look like you got your paper done quite in time. "

I quickly glanced at my typewriter and amazingly saw my paper was all
typed up.

Dana: You're good at finishing things at the last minute.

Manami: I guess I am. (*Geez! Must be my subconscious Power! typing it
up for me again*)

She and I shared the same English writing class, but she was here for
her studies in Korean history. That was her major.

Dana: By the way, picked up our mail yesterday. Forgot to give you this.

She handed me a letter, with nippon markings on it. It was from Kurumi.

Dana: Must be from your folks back home. Have a good read. I'm getting
dressed.

Manami: What a coincidence. Was my dream and this letter from home
somewhat connected?


[Back in Japan]

(We see a decrepit Kyosuke, lying on the couch in the Ayukawa mansion,
looking like a bum, staring up at the ceiling fan.)

My world was collapsing right before my eyes. I was suffering from
extreme paranoia, mostly due to a lack of sleep. My mind pondering the
same question. Why did she leave me with our unborn baby on our
wedding day?

That was the mystery that haunted me till now since the New York
affair. Since then, I have done nothing but devote my efforts into
finding her. She, of course, was my Madoka. My purpose in life. My
light and joy. I found that her absence left a great void in my heart.
She was my everything; the cheerful yet gracefully sexy, beguiling
figure that dominated my thoughts as her sweet melodies danced merrily
through my head. This was the vision I had of her now. It was the only
thing keeping me going.

I was not in good health or spirits. I looked like a wreck, having
lost 20 pounds already. My hair was growing long, sprouting every
which way with reckless abandon; my eyes bloodshot, my face haggard
and gaunt, further burdened by the gristly beard falling from my
chin. I was plain dirty and a sorry sight to see. But I didn't
care. Nothing mattered anymore except my Madoka. I wondered where she
was. What was she doing? How was she keeping herself alive?

Shortly after her disappearance, I called up everyone I knew. Her
parents in Seattle, Hayakawa in Tokyo, her sister in L.A., and
countless others in my endless pursuit, but none knew what happened to
her. They, of course told me that if she contacted them, that I would
be the first person to know. There I was, vegetating in the mansion,
waiting for that very call with news of her whereabouts. But there was
nothing, and I was nothing now.

So here I was now, lying on the couch, staring at the baby grand piano
that she tickled the ivory keys with those sleek, slender fingers of
hers. I had to admit, I was on the verge of madness. Finding your
soul-mate and then losing her -- I couldn't begin to describe the pain
I felt inside.

Adding to the pain was news from Master that Genesis was
breaking up. Apparently, the concert in Central Park was their last
together. How ironic it felt. I didn't want to draw parallels to it. I
hoped that Madoka did not leave me to break up with me.

And then there was Hatta and Komatsu. They would crash my place and
hang out. Hatta and Komatsu would gloat about their success in
opening their new venture, the ABCB/Hungry Hatta hangout, attracting
not only the junior high and high school students, but also the
college crowd as well. They attributed the success to the tie-in of
Hatta's extremely popular manga Yurushite Agerie, where he would often
draw quick sketches and hand it out as a prize to the patrons. They
also were trying to lift my spirits by tempting me to go down to the
"swingers" clubs to bring a girl or two back to the love hotel. Of
course I declined their invitation. Those guys... but at least they
were open about it.

For Master, he was having a ball with his band buddies Pan and all
those other folks. He also kept in touch with Michiru Michiru for the
latest pulse on the jazz scene back in NYC. They were definitely cool,
swinging cats. Master's band was currently working on a solemn piece
in Madoka's honor.

For Kurumi, being separated from Manami has only made her more
dangerous! Without Manami to restrain her or keep an eye on her, she
enlisted into a wrestling venture and beat out all the top contenders
there. Now she was actively wrestling under the pseudonym: Twin
Terror. I was not surprised. Wrestling has always been her lifelong
ambition ever since she first saw it on TV. Now she had a chance to
pursue this opportunity.

But the one figure who visited me the most was ojiichan. Quite
surprising, given he was always away on vacation most of the time. And
the one topic he couldn't get enough of was the encounter with that
X-per villainess, Yayoi. He would ask for different details
everyday. There was something odd about his questions, like he was
hiding something from me on this matter. I couldn't put my finger on
it though.

Yet all I could do now was lie here, staring up at the wall, wondering
what can I do. Madoka use to call me her 'superman', but with all the
ESPer powers I have, I was helpless. I must be a moron.

(*Doorbell rings*)

Kyosuke: Geez, now who could this be now?

(*Ding Dong!*)

Kyosuke: Yes! I'm coming.

(As Kyosuke opens the door, he sees the face of a woman he has not seen
in awhile)

"Hello Kasuga-san!"

Kyosuke: Tamaki-san!

[Hokkaido]

We see a figure in front of a computer, intently typing away.

Hello everyone. Koji Muroke back in my home-town again. I was glad to be
back in the comforts of my own home, as opposed to the insane asylum of
Ryokurin Ryo, or the rabid pace of New York City. Here, I can get some
peace and quiet. Just the thing I need to finish up my role playing game
which I had been working on for so long.

It has been quite a while since that New York ordeal. I still wondered
what really happened on that ship. #2 just told me that there was a
shootout and that the Master was lost at sea during the battle. It was
really sad. I really thought that he and Hikaru-san would have a
future together, with him serving as her white knight to save her from
her abduction. But I guess it was not meant to be. It was more along
the lines of a tragic ending like Cyrano de Bergerac. Although I could
tell he was hiding some very important details from me. But I guess I
would never know now.

It was agreed that the New York Project would be my last obligation to
the Company. Especially since I had no Master to serve under
anymore. I was handsomely rewarded for my services. The whole gang
decided to split their own ways. XYZ Studios was no more. Hayakawa
decided to branch off and start his own agency called "Star
Studios". He manage to assume a lot of the accounts the Master had
procured prior. Nagasi was off in her own little world now, behaving
badly as a play-girl and drinking up the town. As for #2 and Kaori,
they decided to start their own little venture, down in the Shinjuki
area.

Now I had other concerns of my own. Shijama was off in his chemistry
jaunt, trying to perfect the ideal fuel chemical. Taku was back in
Koichi with his newly found girlfriend to spend the summer there. As
for me, I had a great deal on my mind for the upcoming semester. I had
a big decision to make. Whether I want to transfer out of Tokyo
University to a college in America. I believe my future was in
computer science. And the best computer science schools were currently
in the U.S. But more than anything, I wanted to be a game
developer. And that was why I was frantically finishing up my rpg.

Once I finished, I was planning a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area
to visit the local colleges there such as U.C. Berkeley and
Stanford. It would also give me a chance to visit my online rpg buddy
who was living in the area. He was willing to let me stay at his
place while I was over there. But most of all, I get to visit
Manami-san and see how she was doing there.

Based on the results of the trip, I would make my decision. Whether I
want to return back to another semester at Tokyo U and room up with
the loonies once more at Ryokurin Ryo and be close to my friends and
family, or to enter the great wide new world of America and immerse
myself into a totally different, but challenging environment, just
like Hikaru-san did. It indeed was a dilemma for me.

He picks up the teddy bear lying atop his monitor.

Muroke: Whaddya think Kumagarou-kun?

[Manami reading the letter]

Dear Manami-san,

This may seem quite unusual, but I wanted to write to you
formally to see how you were doing. I hope you are not too mad
at me for secretly entering you in the writing contest. Things
going well for you? I hope your family's crisis isn't
affecting your studies. As for me, I've been working on my
personal project of creating a computer role-playing game. I
almost have it done. I hope you are having fun in America.


Signed,
Koji Muroke

Manami: Hmmm, what family crisis is he talking about? I'd better talk to
Kurumi about this.

[Back in New York]

"Blessed Era, please forgive me. I have committed a sin so great that,
even if I were to bury myself for all eternity in the soil of this
beautiful country, it would not be erased...And yet I continue to
commit this sin every day. Even if it meant I would turn into the
seaweed that washes onto the shore, I could not stop loving Atlas."

I never knew how those simple lines would affect my life so much. And
that fateful night, I would never forget. It reaffirmed the feeling
which was hidden inside of me so long. But it was too late now. He was
gone, having saved me once again, sacrificing himself. I should have
been the sacrifice! I would have been so happy to go with him
together into that great unknown, swirling vortex to meet our
fate. Should we be consumed, so be it. At least we would be
together. But I guess nothing ever ends up perfectly. My friends
restrained me from that Siren's call of death. All was lost out at
sea. Now a great void remained, as if my heart was ripped out. I felt
empty, lacking much feeling and emotion.

To be a great performer, you have to be a great salesman at
times. Sometimes, you have those off-nights where you feel you don't
have it, So you have to improvise and "sell" your performance to the
audience. To put aside the day's problems in your personal life and
perform as a professional. That was the phase I was in now. But as
each day passes, it was getting harder and harder to hide the sorrow I
felt.

I wondered what would have been had I known the truth about Sempai
being an ESPer sooner. Everything would have turned out
differently. Me being bedazzled by that miracle half-court shot in the
gym; it was all a sham. I felt ashamed in a way. I ignored him because
of my childish worship of Kyosuke at the time. But second-guessing
didn't help now. It was all water under the bridge. But now, my
feelings were clear. No ambiguity or conflict inside of me. I knew now
that I was not in love with Kyosuke. My inferiority complex to Sempai
was gone. The slate was complete clean now for me. No Bruno. No
Sugizawa. No Kyosuke. And no Yuusaku.

I felt it was time to devote some attention to myself now. I felt it
was best right now to stay out of a relationship in the short term. I
no longer depended on a man's touch to keep me going. Now, I saw an
opportunity for me to start anew. The play 'Atlantean' has enjoyed
great success since its debut. Now, they wanted to open a West Coast
version of the play over in the Orpheum theater in San Francisco. So I
made the unusual request of being transferred there. I decided that I
need some separation from this city to reevaluate my priorities. A
change of scenary would aid in sorting myself out.

I had a hard time convincing my director to let me go. I had an even
harder time convincing Natalie to assume the role of the princess on a
full time basis. But in the end, they consented. They could see the
pain on my face backstage during practices and in-between scenes, so
they understood my plight. Today, they had a farewell party for
me. Even Allen James bought me a gift, which is quite surprising given
how much he was against me joining the cast in the first place. And
Norma Jacobs was very gracious with me, telling me that her sister
Anita Brussel, whom she visits now everyday at the hospital was making
great progress towards rehabilitation.

Now I was ready to go, with tickets in my hand, staring at all the
travel posters that was strewn all over my apartment, ready to bid
farewell to the Big Apple, a city which I have called home for the
past 5 years now. The memories and experiences here I would keep
forever inside of me.

[Down at Shinjuki]

Kaori: What's the matter with you?

#1: Dunno. I feel so frisky!

Kaori: You felt frisky everyday ever since our return from NYC!

#1: But of course! It's time for a new me. Being through with the
agency has liberated me. I'm off the 'venge stuff now. I'm a free man!

Kaori: Maybe this detective agency thing wasn't such a hot idea.

#1: Sure it is! Took awhile to fix this little baby up to usable
condition, but it's finally ready for le grande opening.

Kaori: Geez! I did all the work! You just sat there spinning your gun,
whistling away, while staring out the window.

#1: But of course! Lots of fine ladies out there! And if you look down
from the right angle, you can even look down their tops!

(*Smack!*)

#1: (rubbing the back of his head) What was that for?

Kaori: What a lech you've become! You were never like that in the
past. Always so cold and indifferent and aloof. Hell, even that lady
gave you the nickname of 'Lone Wolf'. But now, you're more like a
horny wolf!

#1: Yo, I'm making up for lost time. I was on a mission, so I kept to
myself. I needed focus. That's a past thing, and now I'm a man in the
present. Gotta scoop me up as many of those honeys. They dig the
sunglasses thing.

Kaori: And that's another thing! I thought you would stop wearing
those silly things after we were done with Haroken's operations.

#1: Gotta maintain my image. Mr Cool has checked in and won't be checking
out anytime soon.

Kaori: Well I'm checking out of here now! I need to get some supplies for
our new office. You keep watch here for me.

#1: Sure can. Three delectable honeys are on their way! They run a
cafe nearby and there sisters! Mmmmm, delicious! They'll gonna help me
celebrate our debut.

Kaori: Urgh! Shudder the thought!

(As she walks outside, she opens up her purse and pulls out a nearly
empty, unlabeled, small bottle that looks like a sake container. )

Kaori: Could this have something to do with his obnoxious behavior?

(*flashback*)

(On the plane flight back to Tokyo from New York)

Kaori: Where'd you get that? They haven't even passed out the drinks yet.

#1: It's a farewell gift from the little tyke, #2. A little pick me up
of some sorts.

Kaori: You're going to drink it now?

#1: Sure. He told me to only drink a teaspoon only at any one time and
only for special occasions when I want to get into the mood, but it
must be the kid inside of him. He's a bit too conservative. Given it's
a long flight, I could drink up the whole thing, I'll be out the whole
trip.

Kaori: Do whatever you want. Don't complain to me if you get a hangover.

#1: From just one bottle? You've gotta be kidding. Bottoms up!

(gulps nearly the whole thing)

#1 starts to twitch a bit, but then recedes into his seat, out cold.

Kaori: Gawd, that's some pretty strong stuff! Knocked him out in a few
seconds. #1 usually can hold his liquor and not show any signs of it.
But why does he have a big grin on his face? He hardly has any facial
expressions at all. I wonder what he's dreaming about?

(*end flashback*)

Kaori: Ever since we stepped off the flight into Tokyo, he's been a
cassanova since. It must be because of what's inside this bottle.
I should get a lab to examine this.


[In the Desert]

We see a lady is riding a red classic mustang convertible, with the
top down, wearing sunglasses and a scarf around her neck.

(The radio is playing...)

I took my love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
'til the landslide brought it down.

Oh, mirror in the sky - What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail the changin'...ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
I don't know...I don't know

Well I've been afraid of changin'
because I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder, even children get older
And I'm getting older too...

Was I afraid of change? Has the sands of time embolden me to
irrationality? That was what I was pondering these couple of months
now. There comes a point in your life where you ask yourself what is
the meaning of it all? That was what I was searching for now, on my
own. You may ask why do it by myself, given my present pregnancy
condition. I could have had the support of everyone around who loved
me. That was a good question that I couldn't even answer. But I knew
that I had to find it on my own. You have to wonder that the only way
to find answers to your innermost question is to do some soul
searching within yourself. To find out what is missing inside of me.
Hikaru did so with her life in moving to a foreign land to find
myself. I had to do the same myself. So here I am, wandering from town
to town, taking odd jobs here and there throughout my
travels. Experiencing different locales, attitudes, and outlooks on
life. From the northeast, to the south. From the south out into the
midwest. Through the plains and into the Rockies. Now all there was
left was to go west. Soon now, I would run out of territory to roam
and ponder. The real question was whether I dared to look. Did I have
the courage to stay out here indefinitely by myself until I found the
answer I was looking for? That is hard to say. I could take the easy
way out, getting married with Kyosuke, being a housewife, raising the
kids and growing old together with a family to raise. That was not a
horrible fate for any person. But there is a strong craving inside of
me that still has some doubts about that path of life. Would I be
satisfied with that? Or would I regret this later? It was that
nagging, persistent feeling that manifested itself within me a year
back ever since Kyosuke proposed to me. Now it has grown to be a full
blown irrationality causing me to run off on my own. And as I ride,
with reckless abandon, I feel the sands whip up behind me, reminding
me of the passing of time and how precious our existence is. What is
to be my destiny?

[Null dimension]

As I entered through, I saw a great bright flash, and then...

I was in free-fall, into a deep abyss, falling with no end in sight.

Entry into this vast unknown space has nulled my senses. Perhaps it
was too late for me. I probably was dead already. Now the portal will
never be sealed.

I looked up, and then down. But it was all the same. No horizon, no
nadir, Nothing at all. Just a blank feeling all around.

I thought of all the passing fragments of memory that I have recalled;
that which I sought which will be gone from me forever: my childhood,
my friends, my school days, my transformation, my dark days, and my
final hour.

The arduous days have passed by me. Is this what it is like
to experience death?

I saw the imagery of my concealed past circle around me, like falling
snowflakes. A hospital, the emergency room, a sense of out of being,
and then the reconnection again. Then the coma struck, stuck in a vast
dreamland, wandering amid the wastelands of one's creation, The dark
ages of my existence. And then the reawakening again, and
reconstruction. The new renaissance, relearning the lost arts,
rebuilding my intellect, learning new languages, reading the classics,
and acquiring new skills. From there, I explored my savagery, fighting
to the death and building my killer instinct. And finally, the
masquerade, leading a double identity and living two lives in direct
dichotomy to each other. The ying and yang -- the good and the bad
conflicting with each for balance. Fighting and killing through the
ranks to gain the trust of the kingpen. All for this one moment of
remembrance.

Those were my dark days. Then I realized that most of what I believed
my life was based on was a lie. I had no wife, and thus I had no
reason for revenge. I was, but a mere pawn in the bigger battle among
fatalistic forces. I had wasted all my effort for nothing. Except for
her. The one whose face was a blur, but slowly came into focus. Yes, I
would never forget that face. Much like Helen, whose face launched a
thousand ships and started the Trojan War, it was the search for
person behind that face, that picture that drove me. To the point of
insanity and breakdown. I wish I had found out sooner. But at least I
would always remember that face.

"You. Talking to oneself are you?"

Ryusei: Who said that?

"No speech is needed. Our thoughts are communicated to each other."

Ryusei:(looks down) I've stopped falling. But how? There is no ground
here.

"The same place you have been all along. Fall or no fall, it's all the
same."

Ryusei: You speak in riddles. Where am I now?

"You are in another realm now."

Ryusei: Where are you now?

"Behind you, above you, below you, and all around."

(A figure starts to materialize.)

Ryusei:You're that old man,...the monk in Hong Kong. But why are you here?

"I may appear like so, but that is not who I am. I assume many guises. I
chose a familiar form."

Ryusei: But why?

"This space have remained undisturbed for a millennium. You are my first
visitor in a long time."

Ryusei: Don't play games with me! If this is the underworld, then let me
know! And if you're the devil, then show your true self. There's nothing
to hide anymore.

"As you wish it."

(The old monk transforms into a shining, golden Buddha)

Ryusei: You....it's really you. The Buddha.

"I am but one of many and nothing more. But not the one you've envisioned."

This must be the after-life then. I must have perished in my attempts
to seal the rupture.

"Nooooo. (booms the thought). This is Nether. You are neither here nor
there."

Ryusei: I can't understand what you're saying.

"Few beings can ever understand. "

Ryusei: Then why am I here? Am I to be judged?

"Cruel sacrifice of your soul has Fate you choose. Why must the same road
you traverse? "

Ryusei: I fail to see what I've done wrong.

"Look. Former reincarnations of you."

(We see various scenes of life passing through, of the Morotoni age as
a bodyguard, of the Tokungawa period as an insurrectionist, and of the
Meiji period as a sword wielding samurai with a crimson garb. But the
most intriguing scene is where a guy jumps off somewhere. curiously,
the final scene shows a one-handed man, dressed in ancient chinese
traditional garb, jumping off a mountain top.)

Ryusei: It must be my nature. I can't help but repeat the same mistakes.

"The cycle must stop to continue on. Otherwise, both of you will be
separated forever."

Ryusei: You mean Hikaru? How? Tell me nothing will happen to her.

"Look on." (We now see images of Hikaru and her former reincarnations of
herself, ending with a woman dressed only in kimono white.)

"Where it all began, where it all end."

Ryusei: When? How? You must save her!

"Fate will decide. Fate and you."

Ryusei: Me? But how?

"You must return from where you once came from. One final
chance. Remember. Only when both assume the same fate will the cycle
of sorrow be broken."

Ryusei: (muttering) But how? How do I return?

(A woman's voice)
"Are you okay sir?"

(Ryusei comes to from his sleep and sees a beautiful blonde maiden's
face staring right back at him. )

Ryusei: Woah. Where am I? Is this heaven?

"(*giggles*). No silly. You are in the land of the Eloysian fields. You
are in my room. I hiding you out. I can't let my father know about you!"

Ryusei: But my heart...(looks down to see it bandaged up)

"Nana patched up your wound. You just rest here for now. I have to go.
I'll lock the door so no one can come in. I'll bring food later for you.
Bye bye."

(we see the girl, skipping out, wearing a white dress, and securely
locking a rather ornate looking oak door.)

Ryusei: Is this another dimension?

[Ayukawa mansion]

Kyosuke: (starts to clear up the empty beer cans on the table) I'm
sorry for the mess around here. I'm also sorry for my disheveled
appearance.

Aso Tamaki: (laughs) That's okay.

Kyosuke: Please sit down. You've become a big celebrity now, as the
Channel 2 evening news anchor.

Aso Tamaki: Thank you. It is certainly on a much larger scale than I
expected. Shiori Hayakawa has been a great help as my personal
assistant.

Kyosuke: Ah yes. She's Mitsuru's wife now. So what do I owe the
pleasure of this visit?

Aso Tamaki: I have a favor to ask of you, if you don't mind. It would
depend on your schedule, to see if you have time.

Kyosuke: Umm, doesn't seem to be anything in the immediate
present. What is your request?

Aso Tamaki: Remember when we were working together at that cable
station, that I was working on a side project, helping a professor
here do his research? I even left you a copy to read it.

Kyosuke: Oh yeah...Gomen, but I totally forgot about it. I'll get
around to reading it through.

Aso Tamaki: My request is regarding that. You know that this year is
the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Part of this research
project involves traveling overseas to Las Vegas to interview one of
the Japanese soldiers there who was part of that conflict of World War
II. I've corresponded with him over this past year and finally he has
agreed to be interviewed. His name is Osamu Ozawa, who comes from a
distinguished family line of samurai before. He was in the air-core
division. He was even a kamikaze pilot, but his plane was damaged
during takeoff. Days afterward, the war had ended. Later he took up
odd jobs here and there, including being a former TV director in
Osaka. Now, he's spending his days teaching art of Shoto-kan karate. I
would go myself, but I have this job now, so I would not have the time
to take off for this. So I'm hoping you can help me fill in.

Kyosuke: I'm flattered by the offer, but what exactly can I do?

Aso Tamaki: I got the feeling that you were more of the
photojournalist type who wanted to tackle the hard issues. I thought
this would be a worthwhile endeavor for you.

Kyosuke: But what can I do? I don't even know what questions to ask
him?

Aso Tamaki: You'll know. Once you read that paper, you will be flowing
with questions. I'll leave it all to you. And don't worry about the
equipment and travel accommodations. It will be all taken care of for
you. Once you finish the interview, you need to drop the footage off
in another location to another associate professor who is working on
this as well in California.

Kyosuke: Okay. I'll think about it. I'll let you know soon.

Aso Tamaki: That all I can ask for. By the way, where's is that sweet
lady I see you often with?

Kyosuke: Oh, umm....she's away on a long trip right now. I'm by myself.

Aso Tamaki: Well, give my regards to her.

Kyosuke: I will. Thank you for coming by.

(As Aso leaves...)

Kyosuke: Geez! Now where did I put that paper....

[At the Kasuga Residence]

Kurumi: Stay Jingoro!

Jingoro: Bwah!

Ojiichan: No, he won't go anywhere. Too fat and big. Need some exercise,
he does.

Kurumi: Good idea! How about this?

(uses the Power! to float and swing Jingoro in a circle, going faster and
faster and...)

Ojiichan: Not so fast!

Kurumi; Well ok. (she lets her hand down, and Jingoro stops on a dime and
then is dropped on the floor!)

Jingoro: (stars flying above his head)

Kazuya: Geez! I'm surprised that cat has survived so long!

Kurumi: 'course! Cat has nine lives.

Kazuya: Yeah, and I bet he's on his 8.99th life now.

Kurumi: Like you could do better? Jingoro became jumbo size when we
left him in your care on our trip.

Kazuya: Are you kidding? I hardly fed him at all. Ooops!

*Manami: You guys really! Can even care for yourselves, much less a cat!

Kurumi: Akane! Stop kidding around!

Akane: How'd you guess it was me?

Kurumi: You have to know that me and Manami are twins. We have that
psychic bond.

Akane: That I'll have to think of a better transformation to fool you
guys next time.

Ojiichan: Enough games. Everyone here I called for important meeting.

Obaachan: Oi, Oi!

Kazuya: Yeah ojiichan. What's the big thing?

Ojiichan: You know Madoka has been missing for some time. So we must
do something to help my hapless grandson.

Akane: You mean, like trick him? Like this?

(transforms into a gorgeous, sexy Madoka!)

Ojiichan: No, no. Not like that!

Akane: Well, whatever. (transforms back)

Ojiichan: We must combine our powers to search for her.

Kurumi: Why didn't you say so before?

Ojiichan: One problem. We need all the powers in our ESPer family. But
Manami-chan is not here.

Kurumi: Ooops!

Kazuya: What now?

Kurumi: I totally forgot to tell her about the situation!

Akane: Ah, that's just like you!

Kazuya: But how does combining our powers do anything at all?

Ojiichan: Madoka-chan has the precious talisman. It also can be used
to locate the wearer. But only limited range. I wanted to wait for
Manami to return home after her studies, but Kyosuke's condition is
getting worse. We need to try something.

Kazuya: But where is the slob now? Don't we need his Power! as well?

Ojiichan: We do and we do not. You must be of full mind and spirit in
order to perform this ceremony. Very dangerous. If not full
concentration, you break the bond and the Power! would go out of
control. All would be hurt badly. So best not to include him for now.

(*ring ring!*)

Kurumi: I got it! I got it! Mosh Moshi!

"Hello? Kurumi?"

Kurumi: Yeah? Oh, it's you sis!

Manami: Lucky guess. Now what is going on?

Kurumi: What do you mean?

Manami: I got this letter from my friend that there was some crisis in
our family.

Kurumi: Ummm, yeah.

Manami: So? What is it?

Kurumi: It seems like Madoka is missing.

Manami: Missing? You mean she was abducted?

Kurumi: No, no. I mean, she like wandered off from oniichan, and now
we don't know where she is!

Manami: Wandered off? How could this happen? When was this?

Kurumi: Right before we came back to Japan. Like right before we're
suppose to leave New York City.

Manami; Why didn't you tell me sooner?

Kurumi: Uhhh, ...I didn't want to worry you. That's right.
Hey, guess what? The whole family is here. Say hi guys!

All: "Hi Manami-chan!"

Manami: Oh. Hi Everyone. Now Kurumi, don't get off the subject...

Kurumi: We're doing something right now and we need your
help. So....ummm... we all going to fly over to your location to do
some type of ceremony to help find her, being that she's somewhere in
America. So we'll be coming over real soon. See ya.

Kazuya: Hey, what the hell? What trip?

Ojiichan: Hmm. Another vacation trip for us. Not a bad idea, right
obaachan?

Obaachan: Oi, oi!

Kurumi: Then it's settled! We're all going to meet with Manami in
California!

[The room]

(We see Ryusei still lying peacefully on the bed.)

I stared around the room. It reminded me of a castle, but with
blackened slabs of stone. A simple setup. There seemed to be a chest
at the front base of the bed. There was a table to the side, with a
lone candle atop it. There were some pictures of landscapes
hanging. It had a medieval feel to it.

Many hours had passed since she left. Many things raced through my
head. Did I travel back 500 years in time? And what place was I in?
And who was this girl I saw?

"My name is Wowena, if you're that curious?"

Ryusei: Who said that?

"(*giggle*) I did silly!"

(The maiden slowly materializes in front of him.)

Ryusei: H-h-how did you do that?

Wowena: Do what?

Ryusei: Everything!

Wowena: Reading your thoughts was simple. "Jumping" into here unseen
and then slowly appearing, that's hard!

Ryusei: You mean you have the Power!?

Wowena: Power!? Only those with the "Gift!" gets to play around.

Ryusei: The "Gift!"?

Wowena: That's what Nana calls it.

Ryusei: Where is this Nana person. I need to speak with...Urrrh.

(clutches his heart)

Wowena: You're still weak. You shouldn't talk now. Tomorrow, we'll go
see my Nana and she'll answer your questions.

[At Shijama's house attic]

We see Shijama Zumi in a white lab suit, pouring chemicals in beakers
as usual, and scribbling some formula down.

"Hey, Shijama! How are you doing?"

Shijama: Oh, hi Muroke.

Muroke: How's your research into that super fuel?

Shijama: Ohh, it's okay. I'm getting closer to make a breakthrough any
day now. So whatcha here for?

Muroke: Oh, just wanted to return your suitcase. Remember we had a
switcharoo?

Shijama: Oh, yeah. Where's your suitcase...?

Muroke: You already returned it to my mom when you came back.

Shijama: Oh yeah. So I did.

Muroke: I'll be going overseas soon.

Shijama: Where to?

Muroke: Northern California.

Shijama: Honto?

Muroke: Yes. I'm scouting the area.

Shijama: That's nice. Still thinking about "defecting" to the U.S.

Muroke: It's still on my mind.

Shijama: Whatever you decide, let me know. If you plan on staying, I
can let the guys at the dorm know.

Muroke: Sure. Is there anything you want me to get you over there?

Shijama: Now that you mention it, you can pick me up some Star Trek
the Next Generation tapes. As many as you can get.

Muroke: Anything else?

Shijama: Nah. I hope both of us find the thing we've been striving for
before the end of this summer.

Muroke: I know what you mean. I'll let you get back to your work.

Shijama: Okay. By the way, do you know what happened to my love potion
55? I thought I put it somewhere in the lab, but I can't find it.

Muroke: Ummm, I found it in your suitcase in New York, so I kinda gave
it away!

Shijama: You what! I was saving that for a hot date!

Muroke: Yeah, right, give me a break.

Shijama: I guess you're right. Whose the victim?

Muroke: He,he he. It's the old curmudgeon, #1. I gave it to him to spice
up his life a bit.

"Hello. Is Zumi-san here?"

(We see a girl, wearing glasses and a lab coat as well.)

Muroke: Eh? You weren't lying after all.

Shijama: (whispers) Shhh! I'm just helping her with her summer
course-work. So don't get any ideas!

Muroke: I won't if you won't. He he! I'll just excuse myself and leave
you two alone. Ja ne!

[On the Stanford campus] We see Manami sitting on the grass, reading a
book, as students are walking by, and a radio playing in the
background, playing an oldies station.

"...Paperback writer, Paperback writer!"

She was reading a book titled "A Catcher in the Rye."

What a lost cause. A troubled Holden Caufield, who is deeply
disturbed, mad at the whole world. I wonder if Madoka is feeling the
same way. Was that the reason she left my oniichan? What could she be
thinking?

But what do I know? Perhaps she felt the pressure after so many years,
balancing her friendship with Hikaru with her true feelings for
oniichan. Maybe that got to her. Being in a relationship presents a
whole new set of variables. Maybe she discovered some of oniichan's
disgusting habits and that got to her. It could be anything. Did I
know what it felt like to be in a relationship? I had dated several
times, but that was mostly for fun, double dating with Kurumi. I can't
say I had been in a serious relationship.

And then there was the little boy blue. Previously known as #2 and
later as Muroke Koji. Introverted, young child prodigy, and very
innocent. This year, he will turn 18, sophomore in college. I was
finishing up my senior year and wondering if I should go for my
masters' degree. And to think he was responsible for me being
here. All because of that writing contest he entered me in. I never
knew I had it in me.

Reading is one thing but writing...I found it to be my cup of tea.
For through writing, you wield the power to create. You can create
worlds of wonder or write short, simple stories of tried and true
themes. Oh what merriment it is to create something you can call your
own. That is the power of writing.

So now I always now keep a small notebook at my side, where I could
scribble on. The dream I had coupled with the letter and the news I
got from Kurumi, I felt an inspiration to write something. So I
started to write...

"1 + 1 + 1 may not equal to 2, but 3 + 1 = 2 + 2."

[In the room]

I was dreaming, at least I thought I was.

I dreamt I was a cat.

I was looking down at the pyramids. They look familiar like the Egyptian
pyramids, but somehow a bit different.

They were floating in the air! But they seemed to be dwarfed by what
seemed to be a super pyramid. A hundred times larger. So big that you
could only see the top of it, looking like an inverted 'V'.

I landed atop the zenith point of that super pyramid, as 4 other
smaller pyramids circles around it. As I did, I felt myself being
teleported inside.

The inner sanctum was an awe-inspiring sight. Lining the walls were
all sorts of gadgetry, with an array of mult-colored lights. But the
centerpiece was a vertical chamber which resembled more like a
vertical life-pod. All the machinery, like spider arms intersected
with that chamber. Surrounding the chamber were various stones with a
particular glow.

I landed in the arms of a young lady. She cuddled me in her arms.

"JJ, you're a bad cat! You know you shouldn't be wandering outside. People
can see you!"

Who was this lady that held me?

I felt the pressure of her breasts squeezed against me.

"Feeling better now?"

That was another voice. I then came to my senses as I felt something
snuggle up to me behind my back.

Ryusei: Eya!

"What's wrong?"

Ryusei: This! Why are you sleeping here with me Wowena?

Wowena: This is my bed. I can sleep in my own bed.

Ryusei: But not with me in it!

Wowena: (*giggle*) You're funny.

Ryusei: Ahem. Did we do anything?

Wowena: Like what?

Ryusei: Oh nothing. What time is it?

Wowena: Time? What is time?

Ryusei: You mean you don't have anything to keep track of time and dates?

Wowena: Dates? Time? I don't understand.

Ryusei: Forget it. What do you eat around here?

Wowena: We eat fish. Fish is good for you.

Ryusei: I'm sure it is. Can I have some?

Wowena: Okay. I'll take you to the kitchen.

She just grabbed me by the hand, while she was still in her white
nightgown, heading straight for the door. I thought we were going to
crash into it but...

We went straight through it! As if we were ghosts.

Ryusei: How did you do that?

Wowena: It's my secret. Tee hee! Now let's go.

Wowena explodes down the hall, dragging Ryusei along!

Ryusei: Arghhhhhhh!

[Walking back home]

"Hello Koji-san!"

Muroke: Hi Hino-ji-san!

"Here. Have a peach. They're in bloom this season."

I would typically visit Yuusaku Hino's grandfather from time to
time. The incident in high school made a huge impression on me. It was
that night which my friend Yuusaku died in a fiery heap over the
cliffs of Hokkaido. After having witness that horrific event, a bunch
of us were sent to the hospital for some minor cuts and bruises. It
was there, I heard those loud wailing from one of the nearby rooms. I
was curious, so I wandered near the door and peered through the small
window. I could hear the old man rant about 'his peach boy grandson'.

Later that week, at the funeral, I saw that very same old man! Then it
struck me that he must be Yuusaku's grandfather. I felt saddened by
his loss. After the ceremony, he came by and thanked me for attending
to pay my final respects, as one of Yuusaku's few friends.

Later in the fall as school started, as I rode my bike past the Hino's
residence along the way, I would notice the old man working in the
garden. Rumor has it that a miracle saved him from a heart attack,
and now he was taking steps to live a better life. One day, I stopped
by along the way and chatted with him. I'm not sure what compelled me
to do that. I was quite surprised he recognized me. I found during my
brief conversations that he was quite interesting. So during the
school year, I would make it a habit of visiting him every so often to
hear him tell his stories as a fisherman and the Japan of olden days.

So in a way, I took the place of Yuusaku, becoming his surrogate
grandson. I was more than happy to oblige him. Yuusaku was a loyal
friend, and that was because he had a good family upbringing.

"Is the peach tasty?"

Muroke: Yes, it is. Thank you.

"Are you studying very hard?"

Muroke: Yes, indeed sir. Tokyo University is certainly very
challenging.

"Good. Every person should get an education. I wasn't so lucky, but
that was a different time. "

Muroke: You shouldn't discount yourself just because you're a
fisherman. Every person has their abilities. Some might not be as
glamorous as others, but it's important nonetheless.

"(*hearty laugh*) You are still an innocent boy. But your words do
cheer this old man's heart."

Muroke: This peach tree seems quite big.

"It is indeed. I planted it the year I found Yuu-kun."

Muroke: Found?

"Yes. My grandson wasn't of Hino flesh and blood. I found him along
the riverbank, wrapped only in red blanket.

Muroke: Honto?

"Yes. Earlier, my daughter and son in law learned that they couldn't
conceive children from the doctor. It was quite devastating. So when I
found that baby, I knew it must be a gift from the gods. A Hino peach
boy miracle. Naturally, we adopted him into our family.

Muroke: Did Yuusaku ever know of his true origins?

"I cannot tell. I tried to tell him the truth when I was bedridden,
but he might have thought I was speaking gibberish. "

Muroke: Thank you for sharing that with me. I just dropped by to let
you know that I'm going away on a trip. I might consider studying
abroad.

"That's good news! You should always broaden your horizons."

(We hear a baby's cry from the house)

Muroke: Whose the baby?

"That must be Minami-chan. My daughter and son in law are in town this
week. She's the second miracle that have happened to us. About a
month after Yuusaku's passing, my daughter had her freak pregnancy.
The doctors could not explain it. But I know what happened. Yuusaku
must be watching over our family from the great beyond. Every day that
passes is a blessing for me.

Muroke: That's great! I'm happy for you and your family. I have to be
going.

"As do I. Good travels to you, Muroke-chan. "


[Outside ABCB/Hungry Hatta's]

Akane: Are you sure this is a good idea?

Kurumi: Yep. Hatta and Komatsu are loaded! They'll pay for our trip.

Akane: But wouldn't they want something in return?

Kurumi: I'm sure they do. But we can pay them back.

Akane: I don't want to even think about what they want for pay-back.
On second thoughts, you better ask by yourself. It feels creepy asking
them for anything.

Kurumi: Oh come on! They're not so bad! And if they misbehave, I'll
handle them. (pounds her fist.) Now let's go!

(inside, we see the remnants of the old ABCB, now adjoining to the new
burger eatery section. We also see scantily clad waitresses dressed in
the guise of Yurushite Agerite manga.)

We see Hatta busy at work drawing, while Komatsu was jabbering away on
the cell phone.

Komatsu: You want us to attend the Expo? Yep we'll make it. We got it
all taken care of. You can count on us sir! Yes, thank you! Ja!

Hatta: Who was that?

Komatsu: The editor of Shonen Jump! He wants to do a promotional gig.

Hatta: Where?

Komatsu: Internationally. In the United States.

Hatta: United States? Is that too far away?

Komatsu: Nah. Don't worry! It'll be fine.

Hatta: You must have been pulling a fast one over him. We haven't even
prepared yet!

Komatsu: Trust me. We can make it. Have I ever lied to you?

Hatta: Yes, you have. But what the hell. When is it?

Komatsu: Oh, it'll happen in a little over a week in a place called
Los Angeles. After that, we go to another place San Diego 2 weeks
after that.

Hatta: That's not enough time!

Komatsu: Hatta, think of the possibilities! We can do anything when
money and woman are involved. Once we go international, we'll make a
boatload of moola! And then the women will be crawling all over us!
I've also heard the woman there are bigger in every way.

Kurumi: Ahem! Excuse me guys!

Hatta: Oh, it's the twins!

Komatsu: You numb-skull! They ain't the twins! They're cousins. In
fact, their dimensions are 35...oops!

Kurumi: Hey! How the hell you know our dimensions?

Akane: Yeah. I would like to know that too. (pounds her fist into her
palm)

Komatsu: Now let's not go ballistic here in this establishment for no
reason.

Kurumi: Fine. We came to talk to you about another matter.

Komatsu: Well then, fine ladies. Shoot away. I'm all ears.

Kurumi: I overheard you mentioning that you were going over to America.

Komatsu: Yeah, for business. Some expo in California. We have a booth
booked already for us. Trouble is, we haven't prepared our stuff yet.

Akane: Then we might be able to help you.

Hatta: Like how?

Kurumi: We can accompany you and be your assistants.

Akane: Say what?

Komatsu: That sounds like a fine idea for you fine ladies. I can
picture it now! You can man the booth while we go ogle the honeys. I
mean - do our business.

Kurumi: Whatever. But on one condition.

Komatsu: What is that?

Kurumi: Akane doesn't go anywhere without her brother.
And you have to pay all of our expenses to get there.

Komatsu: But of course! We'll even pay for your meals and eat you
up. I mean eat with you.

Kurumi: Then it's settled. Let's go Akane!

Akane: (whispering) What did you just do? Are you sure it is safe to
be in the company of those lecherous wolves?

Kurumi: We'll only be helping them set up and watch their
booth. What's the worst that can happen?

[Back at the Ayukawa Mansion]

I was in the den, scrounging around.

And there I saw it. The red straw hat. The thing that started it all.
The very first gift I got from Madoka. Red was the appropriate color
to fit her vibrant personality and flowing self. I found it foolish
and funny how I thought it was a big red flying saucer the first time
I saw it circling through the air, round and round. Now only she was
running circles in my head.

I
wondered what would have happened had I not caught that hat as I
traversed the 99.5 steps up to our spot. Perhaps our paths wouldn't
have crossed. It was inconceivable, but possible. How one special
moment could spark a whole lifetime of memories. But now, that is all
I have left here. A memento of that happy memory.

As I lifted the red straw hat up, I found a stack of papers below. It
was the papers that Aso-san had given me a long time ago before she
left that cable station. I was meaning to get around reading it, but I
didn't have time. Now, I had time on my hands. I had not given her my
decision yet. Before I could, I needed to research my subject.

And so, there I was, wearing my red straw hat, staring at the large
stack of papers. But after reading the first few pages, I couldn't
believe my eyes!

[Back to the mysterious land]

We were gliding effortlessly through the hallway. without a sound, and
down into the kitchen. There, it looked quite spartan. A few
cupboards, a large wood-burning stove, and a small table.

Wowena: Some fish for you! I was saving it for the cat, but you can
have it.

(A plate comes floating and down on the table.)

Wowena: Here, let me heat it up for you.

(the plate starts to shake, and we see steam rising out of the fish)

Ryusei: Thank you. I'm deathly hungry. At this point, I'll eat anything.

(digs into the food)

(we hear giggling)

Ryusei: What's so funny?

Wowena: You have this funny mark in the middle of your eyes.

Ryusei: I do?

Wowena: See?

I saw the reflection of the mirror on the wall. Indeed, there was a
mark, a scar, a shape resembling a 'V' letter around my forehead.

Ryusei: So I do. I forgot about my scar. So how did you find me?

Wowena: I was helping Nana back to the sanctuary. We saw you lying on
the side of the trail, wounded badly. You looked like a injured
animal. Nana fixed you up a little, but I took you home and took care
of you.

Ryusei: That you did. It looks like she can help me answer some of my
questions. When are we going to see your Nana?

Wowena: Now! (skips around the table)

[At the Channel 2 station]

(Aso Tamaki has just finished her newscast for the day.)

"Aso, a gentleman is waiting to talk to you."

Aso Tamaki: Who is he?

"He calls himself Kasuga Kyosuke. I believe he was in the news some
months back."

Aso Tamaki: I see. Where is he now?

"He's waiting for you in your office now."

(As Aso enters, Kyosuke abruptly rises up from his chair.)

Kyosuke: What's the big idea?

Aso Tamaki: What are you talking about?

Kyosuke: This crap! (slams the stack of papers on her desk) Japan
starting the war in the Pacific? Japanese atrocities and cruelty
throughout the conquered territories of the Empire. And the biggest
lie of them all! Some Nanking massacre? This is highly defamatory
towards our country!

Aso Tamaki: I'm sorry you feel that way, but sometimes, you need
courage to go against the majority to stand up for what you believe
in.

Kyosuke: What are you talking about? The Japanese were the noble ones
in the war against the aggressor imperialists. There was no war
between Japan and the rest of Asia. Our country was trying to unite
all of Asia against the onslaught of the Western powers. It was the
United States that were the cruel ones, using the A-bomb on us twice!

Aso Tamaki: I certainly can't disagree with you there, but over there,
they publish that very fact in their texts. And I can understand why
you have this patriotic viewpoint. I've read the same history books as
you have. They claim the 'conflict' was a noble cause for the
betterment of all of Asia. A conflict to unite all of Asia as you put
it. But unfortunately, they left out many vital details that paint a
different picture. There is no nobility in subjecting people to
another's rule by force and torture.

Kyosuke: Nothing like that ever happened. Our country could not be
capable of that.

Aso Tamaki: Pity. Muroboshi will be rolling in his spirit

Kyosuke: What are you talking about?

Aso Tamaki: The author of the definitive guide of code and honor for
all warriors. He would be ashamed at the cowardly conduct of a regime
who not only justified their jingoistic actions, but also hide the
fact that they conducted mass genocide.

Kyosuke: How can this be? The genocide at Nanking cannot possibly be
true. Why are you on a mission to sling our great country's
reputation through the mud? Are you shooting for that big story to
boost your career?

Aso Tamaki: I resent that and you should know better than that. But I
don't blame you. A great many people in this great country of ours
shares a similar opinion to yours. But I can tell you this. I have
nothing to gain from this. You and I can argue over rhetoric on
whether these atrocities occurred or whether there existed a massacre
in Nanking or not but I let you form your own judgment for
yourself. Here.

Kyosuke: What is this?

Aso Tamaki: These are pictures taken by a German missionary during the
first few days of the Japanese occupation of Nanking. No words, no
written text, just pictures from an impartial bystander who had no
stake in this. The pictures don't lie, do they?

Kyosuke: I am a photographer, so I should know.

Aso Tamaki: Then you shall know. You must be warned firsthand about
the graphic nature of these pictures.

Kyosuke: I understand. My blood is not that thin.

(Here, we see very disturbing, blood-curdling pictures of decapitation
by a samurai sword, heads on sticks, and ditches with rows of bodies
inside ...)

Kyosuke: These pictures. They must be fake! I don't believe Japanese
soldiers are capable of doing this.

Aso Tamaki: I couldn't believe it myself until I saw it with my own
eyes.

Kyosuke: What are you trying to prove with these pictures? Or are you
trying to humiliate us Japanese?

Aso Tamaki: No; You may not see it, but I'm trying to help our people.

Kyosuke: How is exposing these past atrocities going to help anything?

Aso Tamaki: You of all people should know. Or have you forgotten what
is happening in Bosnia?

Kyosuke: Why does this have to do with Bosnia?

Aso Tamaki: Why did you go to Bosnia in the first place? Was it to
become a famous photographer?

Kyosuke: No! Of course not! I went in, risking my life to expose the
truth. To show the atrocities that were being committed that were
hidden by the prevailing government and...

Kyosuke suddenly stops in mid-sentence. "Oh."

Aso Tamaki: Now I think you are starting to realize my position in
this.

Kyosuke: I'm slowly beginning to understand now.

Aso Tamaki: Good. That is all I ask for. Without bias or prejudice,
you form your own opinions from the compilation of research that this
professor has done. I respect him a lot, despite the constant death
threats he gets from zealots who call him a traitor to our country.

Kyosuke: Why are you so keen on helping him conduct his research on
this matter?

Aso Tamaki: Remember I told you how I wanted to be a news-woman when I
grew up? It was all because of the first Japanese woman to do war
correspondence in Vietnam. That was my one big influence. Because of
it, I took the time to do research on the conflict when I was in
college. Did you know that the war was a black mark to the Americans
on the other side? They too don't cover the conflict in too much
detail in their history books, since it was very embarrassing to
them. But they have other avenues to explore the conflict through
different eyes. Most notably on something they call public broadcast
stations where they air documentaries. But over here, it's
different. To speak negatively on the whole World War II matter is
considered taboo. I would have in the dark on this matter as well,
blissfully ignorant had I not run across this during my Vietnam
research. One thing led to another and I hooked up with this professor
who shed some more light for me. I realized that once I started it, I
had to finish it. For I believe a good journalist always drives for
the truth to the end.

Kyosuke: No,...something's not right. I don't feel right doing this.
This is our country you're talking about. And despite what you may
feel is right, I don't want to have a hand in dishonoring our
nation. I'm sorry. I can't do this for you. I have to go now.

(Kyosuke rushes out of the office)

Aso Tamaki: I'm sorry too.

[On the reservation]

I had spent a week with the tribe there. Many a night before dusk, I
would sit in the wide open desert air, looking straight ahead and up
into the sunset, as far as the eye can see, the cactii off to the
side, amid the howling coyotes. But nothing. No inspiration. No
revelation.

I remembered the time I was in this type of setting before, about a
year back. In the Yucatan peninsula. Where I came here in aid of
Hikaru. I could remember the fear and the excitement. When I battled
Anita atop the pyramids, I felt an adrenaline rush. I felt that same
feeling again on the ship during the big confrontation. It was
intoxicating. My system felt alive again. It let me realize that
indeed something was missing. Did I lust for that rush? Was that the
thing I was missing? Or was it something more.

Shaman: You looked troubled, my child.

Madoka: I am. I've been here for many days, in an attempt to find the
answers I have been to many places in search for what I've been
looking for. I thought being in this community and experiencing nature
would help me find the way. But my mind is still clouded.

Shaman: We are all children of the earth. You are welcome to stay as
long as you like to find the answers you are looking for.

Madoka: What do you know?

Shaman: I am, but a guide for my people.

Madoka: You are indeed very wise and fortunate. You know your role
already. To serve your people.

Shaman: You must be true to yourself. And the other.

(looks down at her stomach)

Madoka: I understand. Thank you for your offer. I will consider it.

Shaman: May you find what is troubling you ,young one, old soul.

[On the trails]

(Ryusei and the fair maiden walk along the blackened. chaffed roads,
amid the barren landscape, with no vegetation in sight.)

Ryusei: Why is this place so dark?

Wowena: Nana says its always been like that. She calls me her little
sprite.

Ryusei: That's nice, but I'm more interested in what happened to all
the plants and trees here. It looks like a barren wasteland.

"The reason is because there is no sun."

Ryusei: Did you say that?

Wowena: You heard it too! Nana is talking in your head too?

Wowena: (points) There's Nana!

(We see an old lady, hunched over, walking with a cane, wearing all
black, with a hood over her head.)

Nana: You must be the stranger.

Ryusei: And you must be the Nana that Wowena was talking about. I've
been seeking you for quite some time now.

Nana: I know. You have questions. I can read your mind like a book.
Excuse the intrusion in your mind just now. It is far easier to
communicate in a telepathic fashion, but I haven't lost the ability to
speak.

Ryusei: So where are we know? In this place with no time and date?

Nana: This land we live here was once known as Oiloniis . It is but a
shadow of its former glory.

Wowena: New name new name is Eloysian, Eloysian.

Nana: Yes child. It is. The Eloysian fields. A fanciful name for this
darkened land.

Ryusei: Are you human? Or spirits?

Nana: (chuckles) You made an old woman smile. We are like regular
beings. We live and expire like all living creatures. See. (grabs a
hold of his hand) I am of flesh and blood.

Ryusei: But this girl here has exhibited some extraordinary abilities
that are quite unbelievable. I mean, we both went right through a door
together!

Wowena: Wasn't easy Nana! He is quite heavy to move!

Nana: She is of a special breed who possess the "Gift." As such, we
are known as the "Gifters". Wowena, among others like her, are the
only "flowers" left in this world. However, she is a wild flower at
best.

Wowena: A flower? What's a flower?

Ryusei: How unfortunate. How can such a fate befall on this world.?

Nana: Come inside and I can tell you stranger.

[At ABCB's]

Master: Kyosuke! Good of you to join us! Pan and the boys are in the
joint tonite. The usual for you?

Kyosuke: Thanks Master; make it a double.

Master: You won't be drinking your troubles away, are you?

Kyosuke: No, no, don't worry about that. Say, Master, what do you
think about the war?

Master: You mean war in general? My position is against war. Nothin'
good ever comes out of war.

Kyosuke: I didn't mean it that way...ah, it doesn't matter no more...

Master: But that's just my opinion.

(in walks Mitsuru Hayakawa, dressed in his typical fine white clothes.)

Kyosuke: What the hell are you doing here Hayakawa?

Hayakawa: Shiori tells me that you caused quite a stir down at the
station today. Apparently a shouting match with one of the anchors?

Kyosuke: So what if I did? What's it do you?

Hayakawa: You should realize that Aso Tamaki is one of my clients now.

Kyosuke: She is?

Hayakawa: Hai! Part of the Star Studios family. And if you to cause her
trouble, you will have to answer to me!

Kyosuke: Listen. We just had a difference of opinion on a particular
sensitive subject. Nothing more.

Hayakawa: I suppose the tables are turned on you.

Kyosuke: What do you mean?

Hayakawa: I saw the anxiety on Madoka's face for the time period you
were absent so long, and I see that same look on your face as
well. You must be worried sick about her. I would too if I had to be
away from my precious Shiori for any length of time. I empathise with
your plight. So if you please, don't give Tamaki-san any more grief
than it's worth.

Kyosuke: Don't worry; I have no intention of bothering her again.

(Another figure walks in to the door.)

Hayakawa: 'Izzy man!' Glad you can make it.

'Izzy': Always the pleasure. And you are here.

Kyosuke: Do I know you?

'Izzy': Yes and no. You've met my drunken self more times than I care
to mention.

Kyosuke: You do look vaguely familiar.

Hayakawa: So, speaking on the business, have you completed the story?

'Izzy': Yes. The screenplay is already done.

Hayakawa: Care to reveal some details?

'Izzy': It involves a young Japanese girl who goes to New York to
pursue her dreams making fine jewelry. There, she falls in love with
an older man, one who is only identifiable through his rolex
watch. Later though, they break up and she return back home to Japan
where she meets this curious stranger at the airport. There, her real
journey begins.

Hayakawa: Sounds like it has potential. Pass me the copy and I'll pass
it to the producers post haste.

'Izzy': I need to polish up a few details, especially the title.
Give me a few days.

Hayakawa: Whatever works for you.

'Izzy': By the way, please send my thanks to your friend.

Kyosuke: My friend?

'Izzy': I believe she mentioned you a couple of times we chatted. She
is the inspiration for this screenplay. She let me in on elaborate
details of her life in New York, of which I've tried to incorporate
into this story.

Kyosuke: Sure. If I ever get in contact with her, I'll let you know.

'Izzy': Arigatou.

(We see Master now, playing with Pan and the rest of his band part of
the piece titled: Madoka #1)

Kyosuke: Madoka, where are you? Are you letting me have a taste of my
own medicine for abandoning you during my endeavor in Bosnia?

[The sanctuary]

(We see rows of seats, much like what you would see in a church.)

(However, in the front is a different sight. )

It looked eerily similar to the chamber I saw in my dream. But without
the interconnecting tubes.

Wowena had disappeared. She was probably playing in the other rooms.

Nana: Sit down stranger. This is my humble abode.

Ryusei: Why is this place so decrepit?

Nana: This great assembly hall is slowly deteriorating. No one here
can maintain it. A day will come where it will be all gone.

Ryusei: Where should I start with my questions?

Nana: Begin where ever you like. Or where I should begin is to give
you a history of this land. There are few who have traversed
here. Your visit has broken the monotony that has been constant
throughout. You are in the land with no sun, no stars, no sky.
Ironic, since our people once came from the sky from far
beyond. Without the sun, we have no vegetation; just cold blackened
volcanic ashened ground. Without the stars as our guide, there is no
way to measure the passing of time. As such, we must age slowly, or we
can't tell anymore. I'm afraid to imagine how much time has really
passed.

Ryusei: If you have none of those things, how can you survive?

Nana: A wise observation. Our main source of fuel here is the
blackened coal reserves that is mined here. We use it for heating and
light. Our food is supplied from the fishes in the underwater
seas. Lastly, our air is supplied from the breakdown of the "black
water".

Ryusei: Black water?

Nana: One of the great mysteries of this land. Up in the volcanic
peaks, the molten hot lava clashes with the black water. That reaction
somehow creates the air we breathe. The black water also blocks the
lava from flowing down and destroying our villages.

Ryusei: How come you still know of the sun and of plants and flowers?

Nana: Silly child. When I was younger, I used to bask and play in the
meadows. Those were the golden days of our people. That was before
the Great Falling.

Ryusei: So, is this the land of the ESPers or Xpers? Or I suppose
those with the Power!, ...I mean the Gift! live here?

Nana: We Gifters are not the only peoples here. There is another who
plague us. They call themselves the Worlons. A barbaric race they
are. They serve to appease their deity they call Droon, a hideous
fire-breathing, flying lizard. They raid our villages riding on lower
Droons.

Ryusei: How did this happen?

Nana: How? A catastrophic event in the past, long, long ago. Our
civilization seeded its influence throughout the lands. Our disciples
built monuments in our honor. But the lust for power led to The Great
Falling.

Ryusei: I had a peculiar dream on my first night here. I saw all these
pyramids all around. And then this one giant pyramid. Are those the
monuments you speak of?

Nana: Highly probable stranger. Our former land of Oiloniis was known
as the floating continent.

Ryusei: So, was Oiloniis in actuality a spaceship? A giant spaceship?

Nana: Spaceship? That term is foreign for me.

Ryusei: Hmm, then could it fly?

Nana: The tale I heard from my mama was that Oiloniis had the ability
to traverse great distances in the air. But it was damaged during the
great migration. That is why instead, it floated on a great body of
water in another plane.

Ryusei: From what you're describing, it sounds a lot like the tale of
Atlantis.

Nana: I have not heard of that tale.

Ryusei: Forget it. Can you describe what happened in the Great Falling?

Nana: Oiloniis was powered by the Great Crystals which stored great
amounts of power to fuel the development of our land, including the
construction of the lower Pyramids. It also served as our main and
only source of power to keep the continent afloat. But alas, it all
ended. The power struggle led to the sabotage of our power source. It
created a great imbalance,leading to the destruction of the Great
Crystals. A rift was created, engulfing the epicenter and most of the
land around it. This is the land you see now. Before you lies the
remnants where the power was channeled from the Great Crystals.

Ryusei: So this rift might have made time and space unstable. That
could explain such mysteries as why the Atlantic is so stormy and
violent and the existence of the Bermuda triangle.

Nana: Again, you speak in a strange tongue stranger.

Ryusei: I'm sorry. I'm thinking of my own dimension's superstitions.
But why is that chamber there right in the middle? It looks like
it can house a human being inside.

Nana: That is where the power was processed. Only those with the Gift!
and those whose blood hailed from from the royal ancient family had
the ultimate power of channelling the energy of the crystals into
energy we can use. It was a psycho kinetic conversion. Thus, only a
few possess that ability and were dubbed the title of the
"Channelers".

Ryusei: So were you a "Channeler"?

Nana: (chuckles) I am highly Gifted!, but alas, no, I did not have that
ability. But my sister did. But that is a sad tale.

Ryusei: How come?

Nana: She was the greatest of Channelers our history has ever known,
and with her abilities, our civilization reached its zenith. Under her
power, the 5 great pyramids were created; each with a different
style. However, with great ability comes great ambition. She quarreled
with our father. She wanted to extend the hegemony of Oillonis to all
the lands beyond. She felt we were the greatest of creatures on that
plane and thus should rule all of it. My father wanted to keep to
ourselves and not interfere. She defied him, so secretly plotted to
launch the 5 pyramids into the far reaches. She succeeded, with her
followers inside the pyramids to spread the word of Oiloniis. But in
doing so, she destabilized the power of the Great Crystals, creating a
great imbalance. There was this violent reaction, and soon, we
realized that our land was about to be dissolve into the depths
below. Even she was powerless to do anything. So she ran away, jumping
into the sea. That was the last I saw of her.

Ryusei: What was her name?

Nana: Vovoi.

Ryusei: So what happened afterwards?

Nana: We tried to rescue as many of our people as possible. Some of
our loyal followers did escape. But soon, we realized it would be
impossible. So my father and mother and all those strong with the
Gift! joined together in a group communion to join their powers to
keep our land from sinking.

Ryusei: Did it work?

Nana: In a way, it did, but not in the way it was intended. Through
the combination of their powers, it destabilized the space around us,
creating the rift. The effect transported a great number of our
people, including me here to this new dimension of where we
reside. But those involved in the ritual were left behind to finish
off the ceremony, including my father and mother. I am the last
remnant of our royal bloodline.

Ryusei: What about Wowena?

Nana: She is but one of many orphans which I care for. She is the
wildest one of the bunch. But also, the most talented.

Ryusei: But she spoke of her father before. How can that be?

Nana: Her mind is so simple that she lives in a make-believe world
where she envisions both her parents to be alive.

Ryusei: Poor child. So how did you find me?

Nana: Wowena spotted you while we were taking our walk. You were lying
prone, unconscious, and wounded heavily.

Ryusei: So you did heal my wounds!

Nana: Yes. You would not be here speaking if I did not. I initially
did not want to help you, for I feared you were one of the Worlons.

Ryusei: But what changed your mind?

Nana: I can feel some of the power of the Gift! coursing through your
veins. No Worlon possess that ability. Stranger how your Gift! feels
noticeably different from the others. Nonetheless, I spared and healed
you with my Gift!.

Ryusei: Which brings me to my most important question. Is there a way to
return back to my own world?

Nana: That depends where you come from.

Ryusei: I entered this land through a portal of some sort from a place
we call Earth. Or through a self-induced "rift" as you would call it.

Nana: Self-induced? Who would be mad enough to attempt such a foolish
thing?

Ryusei: How history repeats itself. Your people fell due to corrupt
and lust for power, and the people in my world has succumbed to the
same fate, trying to open the rift to bring in those people who
possess the Gift! in a bid to conquer my world.

Nana: How true, how true. There is no easy answer to your question
stranger. My feeling is that you perhaps are doomed to stay in this
forsaken land forever.

Ryusei: Forever?

Wowena: Yah! Me and the stranger and play on and on and on!

(Wowena materializes out of hiding)

Ryusei: <Trapped here forever? Is this the fate the Old Man was talking
about?>

[Secret XIA Headquarters in Japan]

Kanuka Clancy enters the debriefing room, dressed in a smart black
dress, with a short hair doo, carrying her black briefcase.

I was nearing the end of this lengthly, arduous investigation.

An extensive, long debriefing process of the case relating to the
activities of the golden triangle triad Dragon clan. Spanning across
all of the continents, specializing in poaching all the treasures of
the world: rare animal horns, skins, and extracts; ancient artifacts
of antiquity. But their main funding staple was hallucinagenic drugs
known as the angel dust. Leading the way was the master criminal, the
Chameleon who never left a trace from his world-reknow heists. Later
revealed to be Ryusei Haroken, a talent agent in-cognito. In
conclusion, the final revelation proved to be the Black Dragon leader,
pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Originally suspected it to
be Goro Shimazaki, but later proved to be a fashion model named simply
Y. As for other information from Inspector Jackson, the man working
undercover for me, he could not explain the Dragon Clan headquarter
switch although later investigation showed that that particular
building level had two separate, distinct sections with two access
entrances through an auxiliary elevator shaft which was switch-able,
of which he went through.

I was among the handful few who had knowledge of this secret,
clandestine triad. Known only by the mark of the dragon, just flashing
its emblem would inspire fear into its adherents. But their greatest
secret was the X-per connection. The powers that enabled the triad to
conduct its operations for hundreds of years.

They were all intertwined together.

You may ask what is the X-per?

Simply put, they are those beings who possess extra powers beyond the
capabilities of a normal being.

Scientifically, it is the extra dna sequences that allows them to
magnify and control the magnetic field that all matter emit. With this
ability, it allows them to levitate objects by breaking down the
gravitic field surrounding the object. They also possess the ability
to teleport by subatomically altering the time-space around their
bodies to another location.

Some humans may accidentally acquire a subset of these powers through
mutation occurring genetically or artificially. We term these enhanced
abilities ESP. That is why they have some of the abilities described,
including the ability to see the future or read other people's minds.
However, none have the main ability of the X-per: the ability to
change shape and form. The final distinction is that while a mutated
human may possess some of the extra DNA sequences, the X-per contains
all of them.

In terms of my investigation of the subjects titled Kasuga1 and
Kasuga2, it is my belief that these are merely mutated humans rather
than true X-pers, despite the fact the first, younger subject contains
a significant amount of extra DNA sequences far above a normal person
with ESP, but below the prerequisite total. Given I do not have data
on the older Kasuga subject, but given their relation, it is my belief
that he too does not possess the complete sequences. Tracing their
family histories, there have been no accounts of any interferences or
incidents into governmental or political affairs and activities. I am
of the opinion that we may safely remove them off our watch-list for
now.

As the bulk of my investigation has come to an end, remnants of the
Clan still linger. The cleanup of the Blue, Yellow, and the White
Dragon's domains of influence is under way and nearly
complete. However, the Red Dragon was the one remaining force still
remaining, having conveniently escaped the trap.

I was entrusted to root out the final pieces of the Clan. There was
only one man I knew who could help me in that endeavor. But before I
could consult for his help, I needed to know what would be the next
step of the Red Dragon.

[At the old remnants of the XYZ Studios]

(It looks like the studios is being ransacked, with men, dressed in black
and wearing sunglasses carrying stuff)

(In the old office, a scantily dressed woman is sitting on the black
leather sofa still ruminating)

#3, #4, #5, #6: Oww! Our backs are hurting!

Nagasi: Shut up, you utterly worthless, incompetent fools! We need to clear
out all of the studios equipment by tonight! Now get moving and move some
more furniture you pathetic fools!

My life was ruined!

Curse my luck!

It was all Ryu-baby's fault! Who told him to kiss off the face of this
earth and leave this mess to me? Now all the creditors are hounding me
for their money!

That was the beginning of my problems when I came back. My sugar daddy
was busted in Thailand! A raid by Interpol no doubt. With him locked
away, I had no money coming my way.

That damn tax collector Ryoko Itakura! Now she was hunting me down for
estate taxes! Those tax agents are the worst blood suckers. They took
me for everything Ryusei ever had. Now my goons were loading
everything away from the studio to liquidate and get the money to pay
for the tax bill!

Now I was persona non grata! Nobody wants to be associated with me,
not even my old Yakuza contacts. They consider me "poison" in their
eyes.

I wasn't better in my own right. My own assets were slowly draining
away. No more splurging on shopping sprees. No more boy toy fun. My
means to survive were dwindling down. I had to sell nearly all my
outfits and shoes! Can you imagine the horror? Oh my gawd, my
shoes..... Why does this have to happen to me?

(Nagasi bursts out crying)

"Excuse me for interrupting you. May I have a word with you?"

(Nagasi looks up and sees a man dressed in temple clothing and a girl
with pinkish hair)

Nagasi: <Eeek! It's my cursed nemesis gang! What do they want?>

Temple boy: Are you Tezuka Nagisa?

Nagasi: Oh, you got the wrong person. I don't know of anyone by that name.
Absolutely, positively not.

Pink hair: Honto? Are you sure?

Nagasi: Yes I'm sure.

Temple boy: Cross your heart and hope to die sure?

Nagasi; Yet bet I'm sure! I am NA - GA - SI.

Pink hair: Are you sure you're not Shinobu's oneechan? Have you heard
of that name before? Shinobu? Shinobu, Shinobu, Shinobu!?

Nagasi: Arggh! (hands on both ears) SHIN - NO -BUUUU!!! Don't mention
that name again!!!

Temple boy: So you are Nagisa. Allow us to introduce ourselves.

Nagasi: I know who you goons are! Mitsuru Ikeda, public enemy #1. And
Shun Kisaragi, public enemy #2. You must been sent from the devil boy
himself to torment me!

Mitsuru: You seem to be in a lot of distress. You might be need of our
services at the temple.

Nagasi: You Ikeda cretin! Preaching your salvation crap to me! Well,
that's not going to work on me, I tell you!

Shun: Geez! Talk about being uptight! At least show some respect for
your oneechan!

Nagasi: Why should I?

Mitsuru: Don't you know what today is? It's the anniversary of his
passing.

Shun: Yeah. We thought that this year, you would join us for a
ceremony at the temple to offer our respects.

Nagasi: (cackles an evil, hysterical laugh) You think I'm going to
fall for that?

Mitsuru: Fall for what?

Nagasi: I may be slow, but I'm not stupid. It's another one of your
tricks! Your practical jokes. I can smell it! You're not going to
pull a fast one over me.

Mitsuru: I wish I was joking, but I'm not. A year to this day, Shinobu
jumped from the pier into Tokyo harbor. What compelled him to do so, I
don't know. He had his whole future ahead of him.

Shun: Please. It would mean a lot if you can participate as well.

Nagasi: What the hell? Nothing is left for me. I'll participate in
your little charade, just for old times' sake. Let's roll in the
Lincoln Continental. Let you bozos ride in it at least once before I
sell it.

Shun: (to Mitsuru) Boy, she is really bitter! Are you sure this was a
good idea?

Mitsuru: She needs to purge all the negativity she feels towards
Shinobu before she can attain closure. We shall help her.

(A week later...)

I had packed my bags and was ready to go. I had flew to Tokyo a few
days before to give my regards to Shun-san of Ryokurin Ryo. He was
still trying to lobby me to stay put here in Japan and assume manager
of the place they call "Greenwood." Tatsuya, the original one in line
got noticed by a baseball scout and jumped ship to train at the minor
league clubs. They wanted me specifically because of my young age
similar to the lower classmen and my higher college background. I was
flattered but unsure, so I politely let them know that he would have my
decision after my trip was done.

Right at the terminal, right when I was getting ready to check in, lo
and behold, I bump into the family of misfits.

"Hey, it's the pip-squeak!"

Muroke: Oh no! That's Manami's roughhousing sister. And the rest of her
family!

Ojiichan: Traveling too? Where to?

Muroke: I'm going to fly out to San Francisco.

Kazuya: I bet sunglasses guy is off to see Manami!

Akane: Kazuya! Don't be an annoying brat!

Kazuya: Bleah! (makes a face) I'm taller than him!

Ojiichan: Honto? We go there too. But later. We going to
Disneyland!

Akane: He means Los Angeles. We have some business to finish up.

"Ladies, ladies! Don't forget us!"

(We see Hatta and Komatsu rushing in, pushing a cart and carrying
their gear.)

Kurumi: It's about time you guys got here! Always waiting till the
last minute. The flight leaves in 15 minutes, you bozos!

Komatsu: Hey, you're our assistants! You're suppose to be helping us
carry the stuff!

Akane: But you can't bring all that stuff on the plane as carry on!
You can only bring aboard 2 bags. The rest have to be checked in.

Hatta: But that's on the other side! We won't make it in time!

Kurumi: You guys! Do I have to do everything? Fine.

(Kurumi grabs cart and starts pushing it at tremendous speeds, ducking
traffic left and right.)

Hatta: Gawd! She's scary!

Komatsu: But so kawaii!

(they both start to drool)

Akane: Ewww! Keep that away from me!

"JAL Flight number 50 to San Francisco now boarding."

Muroke: My flight's boarding now. Best of travels to you all.

[At Channel 2 station]

(We see Aso Tamaki finishing up another newscast. She walks back and
sees Kyosuke standing outside her office. He is looking quite
different, clean-shavened and cleaned up.)

Aso Tamaki: You've come back. Are you here to give me an earful again?

Kyosuke: No. Despite my objections to the subject material, I decided
to take you up on your offer.

Aso Tamaki: I don't understand. If you're so against it, why are you
accepting it?

Kyosuke: Gomen for being so headstrong. Strong subject material is not
my strong suit. I have to learn to put aside my personal biases,
especially for such a controversial subject as this. That should be
the job of a photojournalist. To be objective as much as possible. I
shouldn't forget that, but sometimes, I let my emotions get in the
way. And I still think you're dead wrong. But what do you and I know?
I'm willing to give this a chance. I wish to talk to this person
myself and get the facts and story straight for myself.

Aso Tamaki: Thank you for at least entertaining this endeavor. I'll
fill you in right now on who you have to meet and where to drop the
interview to. Please. We'll talk in my office.


[On the plane]

(Muroke is getting situated in his seat.)

It was going to be a long flight. It didn't help that "Attila the
Hun", Manami's twin roughneck sister Kurumi was going to be on the
same flight as well. To pass away the time, I decided to dive right
into Manami's story that I submitted for her. MMM

(*Author's note: The characters and story here are purely fictional. Any
resemblance is purely coincidental. And now, the story:)

(At the Green Castle Detective Agency)

(We see the PI, leaned back in his black swivel chair, his brown suede
fedora hat angled draped over his face, his legs up on the
coffee-stained desk, with a toothpick wiggling in the left corner of
his mouth)

It had been a slow day at the office -- real slow; so slow that a slug
would travel faster than the bead of sweat on my brow. For days now,
it has been like this, a long while since my last good paying gig. My
bills were piling up like cold, mushy flapjacks; my creditors hounding
me like a ruthless pack of hyenas. But so what. I just sat there,
alone in my dimly lit office, with daggers of light shimmering through
my faded, moth-ridden blinds.

A voice, crackling from the intercom, interrupted my lull. It was
Mami, my secretary.

"Hey Boss! There's a sweet-looking dame here looking to see you.

I instantly stirred from my chair.

"A dame, huh? Well I'll be the judge of that. Send her right in. On
second thoughts, give me a minute."

I straightened up my trench-coat, brushed my scruffy chin, and flipped
my fedora up. I quickly sank down the shot of gin on my desk, hastily
depositing the glass back to its original spot. That did the trick. I
was ready for the unexpected.

The door creaked as it was swung wide open. In sauntered this lady who
was a sight for sore eyes! She came in, head down, looking straight
into the timbers of the floor, her straw hat hiding most of her facial
features. I didn't want to be rude, so like a gentleman, I glanced at
her from the corner of my eye. I still got an eyeful, discerning that
she was decked out in a snappy rose-colored outfit which exposed all
the best parts: her nice long shapely legs which looked like it could
go on to Toledo; her long, shiny black hair spilling out of her straw
hat like jets of black gold, with a black-meshed veil hanging down,
but revealing her alluring green eyes. The staid, cold polluted air of
my office was suddenly aromated by her perfume, which smelled
deliciously expensive as was her white sequined-covered purse which
was pure Gucci. I could tell she was loaded, by the way she looked,
the way she walked, the way she presented herself. Yeah, I know what
you are saying. It doesn't take a dopey PI to figure that out. Any
bozo off the street could have picked that up. Still, I sensed an air
of mystery about her, and a big payday for me.

She looked around and saw me lying back in my chair, looking
aloof. Despite being dazzled by her charms and looks, I kept it
cool. That was my job.

(*Ahem*)

(In a deep, sexy voice)

"Excuse me, but I'm looking for a Mr Karson, the private eye."

"Who wants to know?"

"A widow, searching for answers."

I slowly roused myself up, taking my legs off the table one my one, and
laying my fedora next to the empty gin bottle.

"And who might you be?"

"Ascott is the name...Maljorie Ascott. "

"And what joe referred me to you?"

"Roman Rousseau told me you could be trusted into helping me."

Roman was the head honcho at the casinos. He was the bigshot in town,
running all the rackets. We had this unwritten, mutual
understanding. He kept out of my business, and I kept out of
his. Why'd he hook me up with this broad, I don't know.

"Ahh...him. I reckon that makes it okay. Please to make your acquaintance
maam. Please have a seat."

"Before I begin, do you mind if I light up?"

"As a matter of fact, I do mind. But what you do is your own
business. I'm not one to get in the way of my prospective clients. Go
right ahead."

She opened a gold cigarette case with a mysterious green dragon symbol
in the middle. Another fancy trinket she had. It was getting more and
more interesting.

"Allow me."

She nodded her head in approval and took a slow long puff before
exhaling.

(A ring of smoke circles by)

"Feeling better now?"

"Much."

"I am not one to lecture. Everyone nowadays have some sort of poison
they indulge in. Mine's gin. Would you care for a drink?"

"I fancy I do, if you don't mind. Bloody Mary."

"As you wish."

I walked over to the bar, mulling her request, making a drink that
fits her outfit. She could have painted the town red and then some.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

"Not too many veiled faces like you ever come by here. I'm not a private
eye, but I am a private investigator Kit Karson. What can I do for
you?"

I was intrigued by this shapely figure. My eyes stayed fixed on her,
mesmerized by those sweet curves which spun me round and round as she
sat down. Any other man would be eating out of her hand by now, but I
sat there calm and reserved. That's what I come to expect from this
business. You never know who to trust. For all I know, this vixen
could be a psychopathic killer. With her though, I felt good vibes.

She puffed away some more before crossing her legs, inching her skirt
higher and higher. The tension and the heat generated could have
melted any ordinary rube. Yet I maintained my cool.


"I think we're all comfortable now. Let's talk. What services of mine
do you require of me."

"Mr Karson..."

"Please. Everyone I know calls me Kit."

"If you insist, then Kit it is. This is my story. It all started with
a series of blackmail letters sent to my father several months ago. My
father is a important figure in this town, as his reputation precedes
him as the 'General'."

"Yes. I know all about him. A national, renown, military hero. 5 star
decorated veteran who turned his expertise towards the military
hi-tech complex. Founder of Ascott Industries or A.I. Currently in
retirement and seclusion."

"Very good. At first, we thought the letters were a prank. After all,
we do receive many chain letters asking our family for money. But
blackmail,... that was another matter. But my father informed me to
make nothing of it. He had nothing to hide. So for the most part, we
ignored the demands made in those letters."

"So now what?"

"I believe the blackmail request is genuine now."

"What leads you to that conclusion?"

"I received this yesterday." (Removes a yellow 8x11 manilla envelope.)

"Here. See for yourself."

I inspected the envelope, analyzing it front and back before opening
it. Inside was a photograph, of a very nude and explicit pose of a
young lady in a very uncompromising pose.

"The person you see in this photograph is my younger sister Hillary.
Apparently, the blackmailer is threatening to send this photo and
others to the tabloids unless we meet his demand of $50
G's. Otherwise, our family name will be ruined by this scandal."

"So what do you need me for? Just pay up and be done with it. You're
family has the cash. Should be pocket change for you folks."

"It is not as simple as you make it out to be. You see, my old man
doesn't even know about this photo. I've been handling all his affairs
ever since his stroke. In fact, he only knows of the first blackmail
letter. I've taken care of the rest ever since.

(takes a sip of her drink)

"And?..."

"I cannot draw from my family assets unless I get my old man's
approval. And he would suspect something if I did ask; despite his
stroke, he's still a cagey, cunning fella. You wouldn't normally hit
up on your old man for $50 G's unless you're in big trouble.

"I can see how he might get suspicious. But how about your own money
or connections? A lady like you should know plenty of powerful
big-wigs in this town."

"I have been asking around. But the money is due in two days. Even
with loans from my friends, I can only come up with $25 G's.

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to recover the negatives of all the pictures before this
despicable cur has his way."

"What makes you think I come cheap?"

"You may not be cheap, but you're the best, so I've been told. And
right now I need a sure thing."

"Don't believe everything you hear doll face. I'm good, but not that
good. But hearing this, I've decided to take the case. My fees are
$500 a day plus expenses. Sounds okay to you?

"Yes, that's fine. Here is $1000 now up front for the two days."

My eyes instantly lit up and I saw those hundred dollar bills she
procured from that purse. I kept myself from slobbering like an idiot.

"Thanks. Now, doll face. I would like to stop by this afternoon at
your location to ask a few questions, especially of your sister. Which
brings me to this question. What's her side of the story? How did she
get herself into this mess?"

"You have to understand this Kit. My sister is innocent but
ditzy. She's quite naive of the ways of the world and is susceptible
to being taken advantage of. About a week ago, she attended a gala
party down in the casinos. She got herself all boozed up and went away
with some unsavory figure. I found her at the Cat's Eye bar the next
morning. When I asked her what happened, she just laughed and giggled
and kept mumbling about 'those pretty little dollies. I want those
pretty golden-haired dollies.'"

"Is that all?"

"She did have this handkerchief on her when I found her. She does not
buy this brand."

It was while linen handkerchief with a monogrammed 'M'.

"Ok then. That'll be all. I'll be at your place at 2. See you in a bit."

I escorted her, watching her as she swaggered out the joint. I looked
out the through the blinds as she drove off in a black Bentley.

"Say boss! Where do I put these?"

Kit: Yo! What happened to Mami?

"As if you can't tell boss, she's done for the day! Noontime is
lunchtime. Here yer go boss! More bills."

(piles it on his desk)

"When are we getting paid?"

Kit: Soon, hon. I can feel this could be the big one.

"I believe it when I see the greenbacks. This hot dame client must be
loaded."

"Who told you?

"Mami did. Like you weren't scoping out that broad's assets. She
could light up all of uptown. So don't blow it buster!
If you need me, give me a holler! I'm doing my nails."

That was Kami, my other assistant. They were sisters and alternated
shifts, so they could work a real part-time job. They weren't the
sharpest broads, but they sure knew how to put a guy in his
place. Kami was the one with the attitude.

Time to hit the streets for some up and up. Two days only - today and
tomorrow to make it an open and shut case. It was a Friday, so I
figure the blackmailer would be spilling the beans one day before the
papers some out on Monday. This called for some serious PI work. Next
stop, Ravenwood, in the downtown area, haven for the
unmentionables. There was this one broad, Trudy was her name, that
worked the streets down there. Judging from these pictures, this was a
real perv at work, getting his jollies. Trudy would know who to direct
me to find this scum-bag.

I came up the usual corner on Eden and Wilder, where she shopped her
goods. She gave me this look as I walked up to her.

"What it er'll be Kitty? "

"I'm not here for the service, if that's what you're asking."

"'course not buster. You're too cheap for even that trench-coat."

"I love to banter with you some more doll, but that's not what I came
here for. I need to make a go around at a client's place, so needed to
scope some info first. Where would one go to get for a primo pervert
photographer around here?"

"Dirty pictures huh? Why? Interested in changing professions
and be a real private "dick"?

"I sooner eat my hat first. So you know or don't know?"

"I might know something, then again I might not.
A girl's gotta eat, y'know."

"This motivate you enough? (slips her a $20) "

"Yeah, for now. (sticks the money between her cleavage)
It's coming back to me now, as if I was peering into a crystal ball..."

"You can skip the theatrics. I don't want my fortune told."

"You're no fun. Cheap men are like that. The one to talk to is Wicked
Pete Jenkins. He runs the adult bookstore just 5 blocks up from
here. He is the man to peddle your porno. He would know all the hot
shot amateur snappers. Problem is, he ain't open till real late."

"Got it dollface. Save some of that loving for me."

"Slip me a Franklin next time and then we'll talk. Till that happens,
all you're getting is lip service from me. "

That Trudy was a real wise-ass who knew how to manipulate
the situation to her own advantage. But she was a survivor.
You need that hard edge in order to make it in this part of town.

Quite a change from Downtown to Uptown. The General lived all the way
up in the green hills. I rode up to this majestic mansion that would
make the President drool with envy. A sparkling, pearly-white citadel,
with white-washed, brick walls, and a polished, stainless, steel gate
smack in the middle. As I drove up to it with my pathetic excuse for a
clunker, the gates opened up for me automatically. Very high-class
stuff for this high-end job.

"Mr Karson. I'm glad you were able to make it out here."

"Miss Ascott, the pleasure is mine. Now where is this sister of yours?"

"She is in the Arboretum around the back of the house. She is alone."

"Where are you going?"

"I have to keep the General occupied while you talk to her. I don't
want him to suspect a thing."

I nodded in agreement and made my way to this greenhouse. I approached
it, feeling the humid, hot air, leaking through. Through the
transparent glass partitions, I saw the girl in pictures. She was
stooped over, staring at this orange monarch butterfly, perched atop
some poppies. She was another yummy treat for the eyes. Two inches
shorter than her sister, but still a buxom blonde dangling those
dangerous curves.

"Hi there. Did you come to see me?"

Kit: Yes. As a matter of fact I did. Your sister sent me.

"I like you."

Kit: Who doesn't like a man with a hat?

"He, he. You're funny. Wanna be my friend?"

Kit: Depends on what you can tell me.

"I can tell you my name is Hillary. What's yours?"

Kit: Joe. Joe Blow.

"I like that name. Very amusing."

Kit: You are too. Now listen. Let's be serious for a moment.
What can you tell me about these pictures?

(pulls the manilla packet and shows her the picture)

"I was being a bad girl then. Really bad."

Kit: Who took these pictures of you?

"Who? The drinky drink man."

Kit: What kind of answer is that?

"Honest. I ain't fibbing. I got free drinks from him all night. He
said I looked pretty."

Kit: Does this drinky man have a name?

"Oh yes. A big, long, long name. Maxmillian. So long. I told him
that. So I gave him a nickname. Maxi. He didn't like that at all! He
he!"

Kit: So this bozo knocked you up and took advantage of the situation by
taking these pictures of you. Where'd it go down?

"Why should I tell you? It's my secret."

Kit: Listen. It's important you tell me. I don't have much time to
play with you. So snap out of this and tell me where you guys went.

"You're being mean! I'm not talking to you anymore. Go away Joe Blow!"

She blew me off. Getting rough with her didn't help. Talking with her
gave me a headache as large as the Grand Canyon. I was getting outta
here fast, making due with the leads I got. Until...

"You there sonny! Who are you?"

It was the General sitting in his wheelchair. He didn't look as bad as
I thought, his long white hair tied up in a pony-tail and wearing a
purple robe. Right behind him was Maljorie.

Kit: No one of importance sir.

"I'll be the judge of that. "

"Father, he's from the county tax assessor."

"Is he?"

Kit: That I am sir. I've surveyed your property. I've done my work here
already. I'll be on my way.

"Not so fast. What is your estimate sonny boy?"

Kit: (grasping the manilla envelope) From these numbers, you will be paying
less tax.

"That's wonderful. For a change, the government is doing me a favor.
Care to stay for a drink? My treat.

Kit: That's kind of you sir, but I best be leaving now before I take
up any more of your time. I have to file these papers before the
offices close shop.

I sauntered back into my car, nodding back at Maljorie, playing into
her little charade as she wheeled the General back into the
house. That was too close for my stubby skin.

I felt sorry for Maljorie. She had a dim-wit of a sister to watch over
and the crippled General to care for. She was taking it upon herself
to manage the affairs of the proud Ascott family. But something was
not right. This gnawing feeling eating up inside it, my PI instincts
flaring up like a bonfire. I couldn't put my finger on it though.

I mulled over these cryptic clues, which seemed as clear as
hieroglyphics. All this talk was just a front. I aim to get down real
business -- the meat of the matter when I hook up with Wicked Pete,
porn peddler.

Right out of the corner of my eye, a funeral black vette, with tinted
windows, sped by me like a screaming bat out of hell. Must be in a big
hurry. I wonder why.

I approached the sleeze-infested row of shops to see a squad of coppers
outside Wicked Pete's. Something was up.

"Why you here, you shoeless bum?"

Kit: I was about to ask you the same thing, Mack.

Mack was the local DA in town. Mostly a figurehead for public viewing,
but manages to investigate some crimes when he has time. He and I were
rivals, so we don't see eye to eye on many things, especially our day
jobs.

Mack: Whatever it is, stay clear. A homicide is on the scene.

Kit: Whose the cadaver?

Mack: I wish it was your neck I was digging up. Too bad the poor sap
was the owner. Gunshot wound to the heart. Poor Pete bit the bullet.

That piece of info hit me like a ton of bricks. My main lead was dead,
and the cops were crawling all over the place. No time to pout. I knew
with a dame like Maljorie involved, the case would be far from being
open and shut. I still had the cash on me. And in this town, money
talks.

When I turned my back towards my car, I caught a glimpse of that black
vette up the block speeding away. It was too much of a coincidence.
Whoever was in that car knew something. And I was aiming to find out.

I kept a safe distance from him, not wanting to arouse his suspicion.
He weaved through towards the industrial part of town, down in the
oil refinery factory. It was getting harder to pick him up amid the