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May/December	By : thewriterwhocameinfromthecold Category: +G to L > Love Hina Views: 14880 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina or its associated characters. I am not profiting from this in any way.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Spring, a time for blooming flowers, nesting birds, and college hopefuls driven to the edge of sanity by months and months of preparation, all to get to that one point: the university entrance exam; the crucible in which they will pour all of their hard work, wishes, and desires to be submitted and examined without mercy by the dispassionate proctors who hold their futures in the palms of their hands. Keitaro had now faced this trial by fire for the third time. He had hoped that repeat exposure would inure him to the nervous pangs that seemed to haunt all but the most assured, but luck had not been with him. So he had trembled and shook all through the exam until the last call came for pencils down; and he emerged from the hall just as the adrenaline gave up. His stomach gave a nauseous turn, so he lurched over onto a bench across from the exam hall doorway, and sat with his head between his legs.
"Hey." Naru nudged his knee. "You look like you're going to be sick."
"Just a little panic attack," he said without looking up. "It's a time honoured tradition."
"Well, come on," she said and dragged him to the cafeteria to get him a coke. The sugar water did its work and Keitaro began to feel his jangled nerves subside. It occurred to him as he looked up, that this was the first time that she had ever bought him a drink. The nerdy, nervous part of him began to wonder how this might look to passing people. Did they look like a couple? Keitaro smiled, happier than expected at the thought. Then he realised that Naru was giggling to herself as she looked off to the side.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Nothing," Naru said between giggles.
"Then why are you laughing?" he said, beginning to giggle himself.
"I don't know. I've never felt this way before. This relieved. That it's over, I mean." She shook her head, and got up from the table. "I feel like dancing. Dance with me Keitaro."
He scoffed. "Here? Now?"
She giggled again. "Of course here. Don't be such a spoil sport," she said with a pout. "After all those months of accidentally pulling down my skirt, I figured you couldn't wait to get your hands on my body."
Was – Keitaro felt his throat grow dry – was she flirting with him?
She stuck out her tongue, yelling "Spoil sport!" and jogged out the door. He ran after her in time to see her do a small twirl on the concourse. "We're going to make it," she said when he caught up to her. "I can feel it."
Keitaro smiled. There was something infectious about this, the first carefree smile he'd seen on her face since before Christmas.
"Let's go somewhere," he said.
"Where?"
Keitaro shrugged. He'd spoken on the spur of the moment. He offered to take her to lunch, but Naru declined. After sitting in a chair all day, she wanted to stretch her legs. So they found a park and walked along a foot path next to a lake as they watched the boaters rowing past.
"Shinobu's crazy about you, you know?" she said, ending the long companionable silence.
What? Shinobu crazy about him? Was she being serious?
"You're kidding."
She gave him a searching look before concluding that, yes, he really was that clueless. "Do you really think girls make chocolates for a guy just because he's her landlord?"
Well, put like that…Why was she even bringing this up?
"No," he said scratching the back of his neck, "but I thought it was just because she liked me as, you know, an older brother."
Naru chuckled. "Boy, Kitsune had you pegged." He really wanted to ask her what that meant, but then she asked, "So what are you getting her for White Day?"
Ah, so that was it. He gave her a knowing look.
"Meaning, what am I getting you for White Day."
"Don't be ridiculous." She stared pointedly out the water.
Nope, he wasn't buying it for a second. Ritsuko had relaxed him enough so that he could at least recognise when Naru was trying to be cagey. Not that it was hard; whenever the subject of their friendship came up, she started acting like Akane Tendo.
Recalling the scene in the cafeteria, he decided that turnabout was fair play. "If you wanted me to give you something, all you had to do was ask."
"Who said anything about me?" she asked, still not looking at him. "I'm just concerned for Shinobu's feelings. That's all."
Not as fun a response as he'd been hoping. Now that he thought about it, he'd have to get working on White Day – though frankly, he was just thrilled to have a reason to participate for a change. He'd need to get obligation gifts for everybody, but Shinobu had made something for him, so it was only right that he respond in kind. Maybe he could make something for everyone and get it all done that way. It wouldn't be hard for a confectioner's son. Maybe some fruit dipped in white chocolate.
Ritsuko. He'd have to get something for Ritsuko too. A perverse shudder filled him as he thought of just what they could get up to with enough chocolate, but just as the fantasy began to get good, he felt Naru rapping on his forehead.
"Hey, what dirty little thoughts are you thinking in there?"
"Just trying to decide what your White Day gift should be," he replied. That ought to appease her.
"Oh." She started playing with her fingers. "You don't have to go much trouble. It's not like we're a couple or anything."
He shook his head as his Akane showed her blushing side. "No trouble. Hey," he asked on a whim, "do you like strawberries?"
Naru blinked. "Strawberries? Sure. Why?"
"You'll see."

They didn't have a double boiler; no problem; a bowl over a pot of water, a little heat and the chocolate melted just fine. Keitaro smiled to himself as he turned from the stove to the container of strawberries on the kitchen table. A quick wash and de-stemming, then a dip in the white chocolate, and – once the shell hardened – he could begin the decorations.
He snapped his fingers and pointed over his shoulder. "Touch that chocolate and I'll triple your rent, Kitsune."
Kitsune pouted, finger poised over the pot. "Stingy. So this is your big surprise?"
"It would have been," he said, slicing the stems off with a paring knife, "if you had stayed out of the kitchen like I asked."
"What, and miss you being all domestic and cute in that apron of yours?" She asked, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms. "You'll make someone a fine wife one day, Mr. Manager."
Keitaro dropped the prepared berries into a bowl. "Thank you," he said, ignoring the jab at his masculinity. "You're still not getting any."
She leapt from her perch and crushed herself against his arm. "Not even if I say please?" she asked in a baby voice.
Keitaro cast a frantic look at the door in fear that Naru or Motoko might happen upon the scene and send him flying. No one in sight. His head knew to get back to work, but his hips had other ideas.
"All right," he said with a world weary groan, "but it's coming out of your share."
Kitsune clapped her hands with a happy squeal.
He shook his head. "And don't go bragging about it, or I'll institute an alcohol ban on the premises."
She scowled. "Damn. I think I'm rubbing off on you."
"If you brag, they'll all be lining up, with Su first in line. You swear?"
Kitsune pantomimed zipping her lips, locking it, and throwing away the key.
Keitaro smiled and grabbed a strawberry. "Let the record reflect that the subject has duly sworn."
He dipped the berry into the white chocolate and held it in midair, waiting for the excess to run off.
"It'll take a little while to harden."
She shook her head. "I prefer them this way." She seized his hand, guided the berry to her lips, and took a healthy bite. Keitaro suppressed a shudder as she moaned and licked her lips. Damned tease. She swallowed the last of her snack and smirked. "Yep, you can stay, Mr. Manager," she called giving him a swat on the rear as she left.
One day, Keitaro swore, one day he'd be the one to get one over her and be sober enough to enjoy it.
He sought succour in his work and before long he set the tray of strawberries to cool in the fridge. Just then, he heard a knock at the front door and went to answer it. When he opened the door he froze in shook. Ritsuko was standing on the other side with a grim expression. A stammered "hello" was all Keitaro could manage as fear and confusion grappled. What was she doing here?
"Hello again, Mr. Urashima," Ritsuko said with great formality. "I've come to speak to my daughter."
Shinobu! Of course. Keitaro rolled his eyes at his fear as he led her inside to the sitting room, and left to find Shinobu. He found her doing homework in her room. She was surprised to hear that her mother was there.
"Why didn't she call?" the little chef wondered aloud as they walked downstairs together.
Keitaro shrugged. It had been over a week since he'd last met with Ritsuko, and she hadn't even intimated coming for a visit.
Shinobu greeted her mother with a smile and a hug and sat down next to her.
"I'll leave you to it," Keitaro said, turning to leave.
"Wait, Mr. Urashima." Ritsuko cleared her throat. "As Shinobu's landlord, this news concerns you as well."
That sounded ominous. Keitaro took a seat across from mother and daughter, and awaited what he was sure would be bad news.
"Shinobu," her mother said, "I've come here because there's something you should know that I couldn't say over the telephone."
"What is it?" Shinobu asked, tensing up. Keitaro grimaced. Even after all these months, the poor thing still expected the worst.
Ritsuko looked at her knees and took a deep breath. "I'm moving in with your grandmother Shinobu. I'm afraid things haven't been going as well as I hoped, and I'll have to leave Hinata for a while."
What she said after that never even entered Keitaro's ears. Leaving, Ritsuko was leaving. Not just her daughter, but him too. Why else would she ask him to hear this? No, she was one of the best parts of his life. She couldn't be leaving him.
"Pardon me for asking," he said with forced casual interest, "but just where is it you'll be living. So we know where to call in case of extraordinary circumstances."
"Nara," Shinobu said. She had grabbed hold of her mother's sleeve.
Nara? That was almost a four hour trip by train! Keitaro felt sick as he watched Ritsuko explain particulars to her daughter. It was really over, wasn't it? There was no way they could continue seeing each other if she was that far away.
He thanked her and made an excuse about making tea before retreating to the kitchen. He put the kettle on and took deep breaths as he stared into space. He wanted to cry. It just wasn't fair. Why, now when everything was finally starting to work out, was she disappearing from his life?
"Mr. Urashima?" Ritsuko was standing in the doorway.
Keitaro looked at his shoes. There were so many things he wanted say, but he couldn't allow any of them to be overheard. "Ms…I'm sorry, I just realised that in all this time I never asked your last name."
"Otonashi."
He forced a smile. "What can I do for you, Ms. Otonashi?"
She stepped in front of him, just close enough to still be in the bounds of propriety. "I wanted to thank you for looking after my daughter the way you have these past months." She risked grasping his hand. "It's meant more than you'll ever know."
Keitaro swallowed as he watched the movements of her lips, longing to trace them with his own. "I appreciate that, Ma'am. I'll continue to do my best. We all will."
"You have to know that I wouldn't leave…my daughter this way if I had a choice."
His eyes scoped the room for any signs of eavesdropping before squeezing her hand. "It must be hard." He let her go and went to the fridge to remove the tray of strawberries. He put several in a container and presented them to her.
"What are these?" she asked.
"Call it a parting gift. I made them myself."
Ritsuko stared at him, at the package. She looked round the room and grabbed his hand, bringing to her cheek. "Thank you." Her eyes glistened as she kissed his palm. "Thank you so much." Then she seemed to come back to herself, and pulled away.
"Go be with your daughter," he said, aching to hold her. "She needs you."
"You're right, Mr. Urashima." She bowed. "Thank you again."
Keitaro watched them go. Then he made tea and presented it to Ritsuko and Shinobu in the living room.
"Where are you going?" Naru called as he put on his shoes in the foyer.
"Out for a walk."
He walked an aimless path through the streets, seeing and hearing nothing. When he got back, Ritsuko would be gone – his fists clenched – probably forever. It just wasn't fair. He punched a drainpipe and winced as the pipe cut into his knuckle. He sucked on the bleeding wound.
Damn it all to hell.

The exam results had been posted. This was the day he would met his destiny. His heart had thundered in his chest as Naru and he pushed through the crowd. 110346, if that number was there then he would finally have achieved his dream. Tokyo U would be his, his promised girl within reach. Naru would be in reach. In the last week, the circles they had been making around each other seemed to be tightening. She smiled when she saw him and more often in general. She also seemed to be more relaxed around him now, and he with her. They'd been getting closer ever since Christmas, and her hands had lingered a little longer than necessary over his when her gave her White Day gift. She was less conscious of what she did or how she sat when they were alone together. In fact, he wondered if she hadn't meant for him to look at her legs those last few times around the kotatsu. A few months ago, he wouldn't have noticed; would have been too nervous to even acknowledge it in his mind. But now that he could see it, God she could be cute when she wanted to be.
Naru worried her lip as she sought her number on the board. She had a promise too, didn't she? She'd said as much one night while they were studying. Could she be the girl from that sandbox all those years ago? He shook his head. The idea was almost too fantastic to be credited: the same girl, under the same roof after fifteen years? They didn't make coincidences that long. And yet, as he thought about it, he realised that he wanted Naru to be that little girl. Things had been so lonely ever since Ritsuko's last visit. He dreamed about her some nights: warm, sultry dreams about going to her apartment again that ended just as things became passionate, leaving him alone and frustrated. Naru had been a Godsend these past few weeks, talking him out of solitary funks that she didn't understand. It would be so easy to fall in love with her, to fall for the girl who was fast becoming his best friend.
Now, though, he had to find his number. 110254, 110312, 110321, 110339…110348. He felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach. Failed…Again! How was this possible? All around, him people were cheering as they found their numbers, found their destiny. It made him want to throw up. Not again, God damn it, not again. He'd worked so hard, the hardest he'd ever worked on anything, and still he was denied. Why? What had he done wrong to deserve this fate? He fought to keep from sinking to his knees as the vision of his promise girl faded even further. He couldn't look over, couldn't bear to see Naru's shining face as she found her destiny on that board; but he forced himself. Once he got over the perfunctory congratulations, he could find some hole to die in.
Naru wasn't there. Where could she have gone? He searched right and left, but could find no sign of her in the crowd. It wasn't until he pushed through the people to get a better look that he saw her running down the concourse. A sense of déjà vu passed over him and his gave chase calling her name. Naru was better at running in heels than Ritsuko, so Keitaro was forced to call on his reserves to make up the extra ground. Christ, he was out of shape. He called out her name again, but she just kept running.
"Damn it, wait!" He broke into a sprint. She was only a few feet away now.
"Stay away from me!"
"Why? Talk to me!"
He lunged forward and caught her sleeve.
"No!" She struggled against him, but he held fast. She pivoted on her heel and slapped him hard across the cheek.
He recoiled, clutching his stinging face as his eyes teared up. "What the hell, Naru!"
"Stay away from me," she screamed heedless of passersby. "You disgust me. I can't stand the sight of you."
"Disgust you?" Was she angry at him because he failed? Hurt lanced through him. Wait, how could she have known? She didn't have his number.
"Yes, you and your weak-minded, wishy-washy work ethic. I've had to carry you every step of the way."
Rage flickered red around Keitaro's eyes. People were stopping to stare, but he didn't care. "Carry me? I've worked just as hard as you. What do you care anyway?"
"No, it had to be you. How else could this have happened to me? How else could I…I…"
In one horrible instant, he knew what she couldn't say. "You failed too?"
"Don't say it!" Hysterical tears were streaming down her face now. "I can't stand it. Especially from you."
He felt tears run down his cheeks. All that work for nothing, for both of them. He reached out to her. "Naru."
She slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me. I can't stand your hands on me. I hate you!"
Cold filled him, flooded from his heart to the tips of his fingers.
"Fine."
He turned and walked away. He broke into a run after a block. He had to see her. He remembered nothing of the journey, only felt thankful for the growing rain that camouflaged his tears. He got off the train, ran from the station to the familiar building and up the stairs. He fairly flung himself at the door and pounded on it. She had to be there.
A man with a rumpled white shirt and tie answered the door, opening it a crack. When he took in the sight of Keitaro on the other side, his eyes narrowed in wary confusion. "Yes?"
"Ritsuko Maeh…No, Ritsuko Otonashi."
"Don't know her."
"The woman who lives here." She couldn't be gone already.
"Oh, you mean the woman who used to live here. She's been gone for over week since I moved in here. Didn't she tell you she was moving?"
Keitaro felt the bottom drop out of his world. "She did," he said in a hollow voice, "I just didn't know it was so soon." He turned to go. There was nothing for him here.
"Are you all right?" the man called.
"Not even close."
He made it to the bottom of the stairs before his knees caved beneath him. He wept, heartbroken, on that step as the rain soaked into every part of him. Tokyo U, Naru, Ritsuko, it was all in ashes now. He had nothing left.
End of Part 1.
- 3
- 4
- 5
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May/December