Kimagure Orange College [Writer's foreword: This is the third episode of a fan-fict series based on the characters in Kimagure Orange Road. They are intended to take place after the movie, "I Want to Return to that Day", and follow the characters Kasuga Kyosuke and Ayukawa Madoka as they start the next phase of their lives in college. If you missed the previous episodes, notes about the new characters, and previous events are listed after the ending credits. In addition, previous episodes are available at the wpi.wpi.edu ftp site. One thing I would like to say up front: Although I and my co-writer have both graduated from college, our experience is in the American college system and culture. The span of our experience in the Japanese advanced education system is limited with what we can pick up watching anime, reading manga, and consulting with friends, pen pals and anime clubs. Any mistakes, inconsistencies, etc. are neither intentional nor are they meant to show disrespect for the Japanese education system. In fact, we would appreciate any constructive criticisms, corrections, and insight any readers might offer us. Mail all such letters, praises or flames to acombs@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu.] Episode 3 - Take me out to the ball game [Cut to a black screen. From the darkness, the viewer can hear the crack of a wooden bat, followed by the roar of a cheering crowd. As the picture brightens, we see a baseball fly across the screen as the camera pans across the green of a baseball diamond outfield. As the camera follows the progress of the ball, it stops and zooms in on the student seating section, where we see Kasuga and Ayukawa sitting together. Radios covering the game can be heard from the fans seated around them as they watch the players on the field...] Kasuga's Narration: It was the day of the opening spring baseball game. Ayukawa and I were spending the day together watching the college team compete against one of it's rival schools. Ordinarily, I would be happy to be spending the day with her. The only problem was who was playing on the field we were watching... Radio Announcer: One out in the top of the second inning, Hirata at the plate with a man on first. Runner goes, here's the pitch... and it's a line drive up the mid- Diving catch by Hayashibara! He's up, he throws, and guns the runner down at first! Ayukawa: [As the partisan crowd cheers] Wow! Did you see that double-play? Kasuga: [Fumes, then slightly sarcastically] Sure, great play... Ayukawa: You know, you're not making this game enjoyable for either of us acting like this... Kasuga: [To himself] Should have known it would turn out like this... [Cut back to earlier that morning. We see Kasuga and Ayukawa walking down a side street on the way to the game.] Kasuga: Are you sure there isn't another reason you want to go to the ballgame? Ayukawa: What are you talking about Kasuga-kun? Kasuga: Well, you were dancing pretty close with Hayashibara the other night. Ayukawa: [Sternly] Jealousy doesn't suit you well... Kasuga: Hrumph! [Continues walking, then to himself] Oh well...maybe he is handsome,. and maybe he is rich. [Face brightens a little as he fosters one small hope] But maybe he can't play ball at all... [Cut back to the present at the ballpark.] Radio Announcer: Bottom of the fourth, Waseda up by three. Hayashibara at the plate, men at the corners. There's the pitch... and it's a line drive down the left field gap. Sagawa and Nose come in to score for Butsumetsu University! Waseda's lead is cut to one as Hayashibara has two RBIs on a stand-up double! Kasuga: [Head sinks into his hands as the crowd around him erupts with a roar] So much for that idea...[His brooding is interrupted by money being pushed towards his face.] Ayukawa: [Hands him a couple of bills] Here, [slightly annoyed by his attitude] if you're not interested in watching the game, then go get me a soda. Kasuga: [Takes the bills] Uhh...hai...[leaves] Ayukawa: [Continues watching the game for a few minutes, then turns to where Kasuga was seated, where she sees a familiar face lifting up Kasuga's stadium seat cushion.] What do you think you're doing? Familiar face: Shhh! It'll cheer him up! Just to shake the blues! [Cut to under the stands. After standing in line for a few minutes, he reaches the front of the line.] Cashier: Thank you, o-kyaku-sama*! *Honored customer Kasuga: Uhh...hai. [Picks up the drinks and peanuts in a cardboard box.] Voice from behind him: Kasuga Kyosuke... [At the mention of his name, Kasuga turns around and sees the man who addressed him. The man is tall and thin. His black hair has a slicked-back appearance, and his eyes are small and calculating]. Kasuga: Eh? Have we met? New man: I would say so...if only in passing. Kasuga: [Looks at the guy and frowns] Well, now that you mention it, you do look familiar... New man: [Bows formally] I am your neighbor at the boarding house. I occupy Room No. 4. I couldn't help but notice you in the stands, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to come down and introduce myself personally. Kasuga: [Returns the bow] Uhh...hai, nice to meet you. New man: It's nice to see you're having a good time. Kasuga: I guess... New man: And the young lady with you...[Gauges Kasuga's reaction] I'm sure she's having a good time too... Kasuga: Err...right. [Suddenly realizes something] By the way, I never caught your name. New man: It's a poor mind that can only come up with one title to address a person...[pauses to let Kasuga digest on that little ambiguity] but for the sake of expediency, you may address me as Tanaka-san. [Turns to leave] I'm sure we'll see each other again. Kasuga: [Mutters to himself as he watches as Tanaka leaves.] Why do I always get the weirdoes...? [Cut back to the student seating section. Kasuga makes his way back to his row of seats.] Kasuga: Here...[Offers the drink, then looks across the field.] [Mutters almost to himself] Has he struck out yet? Ayukawa: [Takes the drink] You're acting like a fool. Kasuga: I'm no one's fool. [Sits down, only to be greeted with the sound of flatulence coming from under his seat.] [Crowd of people around the two of them immediately turns silent, then starts breaking out in controlled laughter under their breaths. Kasuga's face turns red as even Ayukawa can't suppress a slight chuckle.] Kasuga: [Stands back up and examines his stadium seat.] What the...! [Pulls out a red air bladder, with a ribbed blowhole. He then looks back and sees...] Kasamatsu...! Kasamatsu: Hi Kasuga! [removes the whoopee cushion] Kasuga: Don't you have something better to do, than annoy me? Kasamatsu: Well, I could go over to the next row and annoy the Miyasato twins, but playing jokes on them is hazardous to one's health. Kasuga: [Shakes his head and returns his attention to the game.] Radio Announcer: It's the bottom of the eighth, and Waseda has a one run lead, but Butsumetsu University is threatening with men on first and second. Hayashibara is standing at the plate. There's the pitch... and he sends it crashing towards South Korea! Hirata's going to need a visa to catch this one! It is...out of here, and there's nothing left but a vapor trail! Three runs in and Butsumetsu takes a two-run lead! Yamashita- kantoku* is heading out on the field and that may be it for Kajiyama as he gets shelled off the mound by a three run blast by Hayashibara! *Coach Kasuga: [To himself] Well, shoot! With all this hitting going on, it looks like this game's going take longer than I thought. If I don't watch the time, I'm gonna be late for my study session. [Looks at his watch.] Ayukawa: [Sees that Kasuga is a little fidgety.] What's wrong? Do you have to go somewhere? Kasuga: [Puts his hand behind his head and admits.] I'm suppose to be at a study session in a few minutes. Ayukawa: Fine, leave. You'll probably have more fun there than here... Kasuga Narration: Ouch! She's certainly ticked off... [As he gets up to leave] Maybe I have been acting like a jerk. ... [Cut to under the stadium seats. Kasuga is running through the vending area, and looks around for an exit.] Kasuga: [As he rounds a corner] No time to make it there on foot! I'm gonna have to use my power... [He continues down the stadium path to the bottom floor of the stadium.] Shoot! Still too many people! [Runs down into the bowels of the stadium and finally finds a quiet area underneath the stadium.] Finally! That alcove should do nicely...! [He steps around the corner into the alcove and concentrates. An instant later, he disappears. As the floating debris in the alcove flutter to a stop, the camera slowly pans to the left side of the passageway. A figure in the shadows comes to a stop. The figure looks over to where Kasuga was standing and frowns...] Figure in the shadows: Kasuga-san? [Cut to an alley behind Kasuga's boarding house. He appears out of nowhere, gets his bearings, and runs out of the alley and across the street. As he enters the boarding house, he takes his shoes off, then runs upstairs.] [Cut to Katsu's room. The camera shows a tight shot of a slanted glass tube with a quantity of coffee being held in check by a stopper valve. The valve is opened by Katsu, who lets a quantity of coffee dribble into an awaiting beaker. After the beaker is three-quarters full, he closes the valve and hands the beaker to Saito.] Katsu: Here you go. Black, right? Saito: Hai...[Looks at his watch] If Kasuga-san stayed for the game, he's gonna be late. We'd better start without him. Kimura: [Shakes her head vigorously] Nononononono...he'll be here! [Doleful look in her eyes] Kyosuke-kun wouldn't miss a study session! Katsu: [Sympathetically] Yeah...sure he wouldn't. [Smiles] We'll wait a little... [interrupted by a knock on his door. He gets up and opens the door.] Kasuga-san! Kasuga: Heh...sorry I'm late! Kimura: Kyosuke-kun! Kasuga: Errr...[Becomes visibly nervous] Katsu: [Whispers into Kasuga's ear] At least she's not calling you "Kyo-chan". Saito: Oh, now that we're all here, let me show you guys something before we start. [Reaches into his pack and pulls out a notebook computer.] Kimura: [Eyes light up] Wow...kawaii! Kasuga: [Visibly impressed] Very nice...where did you get it? Saito: [Proudly] My parents gave it to me as a celebration for making it into college. I programmed the first five chapters into a graphics database, so I can do a little illustrating with our study session. Katsu: [Looks at the screen] Say, where'd you get this program? I know a little about the software out there and I've never seen it before. Saito: Wrote it myself in my spare time... [Cut to later that night. Papers are strew across Katsu's tatami* floor, as the four students have long ago abandoned the small table, and are now lying in a variety of semi-prone positions on cushions scattered around the small room. Katsu, Kimura, and Kasuga are copying intently as Saito has the floor.] *Thick straw mats used to form the floor of a traditional Japanese room. Saito: ...second derivative gives us the formula for speed, defined as change of position over time. By taking the double integration of the provided formula, we can calculate the change of acceleration at any given point in time. [Lifts his head to check on the others] Follow me so far? [Writer's note: Again, don't bother trying to make any academic sense of this...:-)] Kimura: [Nods sharply] Um! Kasuga: [Points at a particularly challenging section] Well, I...[Knock on the door interrupts him.] Ehh? [Turns to Katsu] Are you expecting anyone else? Katsu: No...[Gets up and opens the door. When he does, his face flashes with recognition. Standing in the doorway is a tall slim young woman with long brown hair braided to one side. She looks to be in her late twenties. She's wearing an apron, and holding a flat tray of warm pastries.] Fujimoto-san! Fujimoto: Konbanwa Katsu-san! Eiji didn't feel like dessert, so I thought I'd see if any of you would like to take a quick study break! Katsu: Thank you very much. [Turns to the others] This is Fujimoto Mariko! She lives downstairs in No. 3. [Turns back towards Fujimoto] This is Saito Kenichi, Kimura Keiko, and Kasuga Kyosuke. Fujimoto: [Bows] Our new tenant, welcome! I hope you enjoy living here! Kasuga: Uhh...hai. Katsu: [Takes the offered sweets.] This was really nice of you. You didn't have to go to all the trouble. Fujimoto: [Smiles] Not at all! It's a pleasant change to see university students apply themselves! By the way, we're having a house-warming party for the new boarding house tenants. You're all invited to come! Kimura: YEAH! PARTY! Saito: Sounds like fun! [Cut to much later that night. By now, Saito and Kasuga are both putting their books away and getting ready to leave. Kimura has long ago fallen asleep and is curled in the corner of Katsu's room.] Saito: Well, I'd say we got a lot done tonight. How about we pick up on this next week? Kasuga: Right...[Covers his mouth to stifle a yawn] You coming to the party? Saito: Sure, I'm always up for partying. [Gestures to Kimura.] Help me get her up and I'll take her home. [He tries to rouse Kimura, but only succeeds in getting a moan of protest and a slight shift in her position. To everyone in the room, it is quite apparent that she is not getting up anytime soon.] Katsu: Why don't you just leave her here? I'll take her home in the morning. Saito: Are you sure? Katsu: Don't worry, she won't be any trouble. Saito: Alright...[Shrugs and leaves.] Kasuga: If you need anything, just bang on the wall, alright? Katsu: Sure. We'll be fine. [After both Saito and Kasuga leave, Katsu turns out the lights. He stands for a moment as the moonlight and night air comes through an open window.] Katsu: [Gently pulls a light blanket over Kimura.] Sleep well...Keiko-san... COMMERCIAL BREAK [Cut to next day to a literature class. The class is winding down and Kasuga is closing his notebook along with the rest of the class as the professor makes his closing announcements...] Professor: ...essays on romances and their influences in literature throughout history are due next week. Prepare to cite your sources. Dismissed! [The camera follows Kasuga as he walks from the lecture hall to the main undergraduate library. He walks over to the fiction literature section, but the viewer can see that his mind is on something other than his essay assignment...] Kasuga: [Muttering to himself] Damn...why didn't that guy just turn pro? Then he wouldn't be here and Ayukawa would never have met him... Voice from behind Kasuga: Probably because he wasn't such a good hitter in high-school... Kasuga: [Turns around] Saito-san...what are you doing here? Saito: Same thing you are, I'll bet. Great game yesterday, eh? You were talking about Hayashibara-san, weren't you? Kasuga: [Ignoring the question] You shouldn't eavesdrop...[Curiosity then gets the better of him] What did you mean when you said he wasn't a good hitter? Did you know him in high-school? Saito: No, but I knew of him. You see, when I was in high school, our school was in one of the fifty-one at Koshien*, and even though I can't play worth a damn, I was behind our team like most of my classmates. So, anyway, I remember reading a sports article on our upcoming game against Akigawa High, and I glanced at a column describing both our teams. It said that their team captain, Hayashibara, was an outstanding fielder, but a sporadic hitter. It listed him at .271 for the high school year. *Site for the Japan Senior High School Baseball Tournament Kasuga: So what happened? Saito: He went four for four, batted in seven runs, and single- handedly destroyed my high school team. Kasuga: And now he's here doing the same for the university team... Saito: He's probably a "late-bloomer". But I wanted to talk to you about something else. Kasuga: Go ahead... Saito: I noticed that you seem to have a way with girls, so... Kasuga: Now hold on! What do you mean by that? Saito: Well...just look how Kimura-san acts around you! You also mentioned Ayukawa-san. I mean, you got to know a few secrets you can share with me! Kasuga: Well, I really don't know much about girls. Sure I've had my...faults, and I tried to learn something from them, but... Saito: I really want to know! I'm embarrassed to admit it, but you know I've never gotten to "A". Kasuga: [Mildly irritated as the request brings back the memory of a recent stunt] Why don't you ask Kasamatsu-san? He seems to know a lot about getting to "A". Saito: [Notices Kasuga's mood] Come on, lighten up! You're not still sore about the other day, are you? [More seriously] Kasamatsu's a good friend of mine, but he doesn't know any more than I do about getting a date. Kasuga: Well... Saito: Well, first off, how do you go about introducing yourself to a girl? I mean, what do you say to her to get her attention? [Cut to several years ago, in Kasuga's memory.] Kasuga: If you continue to smoke like that, you won't be able to have a healthy baby...! Ayukawa: [Pulls her arm back and...] [Cut back to the school library as the memory of the slap snaps him back to the present.] Kasuga: [To himself] ...not exactly how Saito would want his first date to go, I guess... Saito: By the way, what are you looking for? Kasuga: Well, I have a literature assignment that needs some references to romances... Saito: Ha! I knew you were here to pick up a girl! Kasuga: [Shakes his head] You've got it all wrong! Kimura-san and I are just friends! Saito: Well since you're talking about her, [points towards one of the reading tables] look who's sitting over there. Kasuga: ... [Across the room on one of the reading tables is a stack of four romance novels. Seated next to one with her face buried in a fifth one is Kimura.] Saito: Well, what do I do now? Kasuga: [Pushes him forward] Go introduce yourself and ask her out! Saito: [Walks over and taps Kimura on the shoulder.] Uhh...konnichiwa Kimura-san! Kimura: [Lifts her head up from the book.] Ahh! Kyosuke-kun! [Drops her book, runs right past Saito, grabs Kyosuke at the waist and squeezes.] Saito: ... Kasuga: Err...Kimura-san! [He motions with his free hand to get her attention. When she looks up, she notices that everyone else in the library has stopped what they were doing, and are now looking at them.] Kimura: [Nose turns red with embarrassment, as she releases him.] Sorry...but I was so excited to see you! I haven't seen you since...well...last night! Kasuga: So Katsu got you home OK? Kimura: [Nods sharply] Um! [Notices Kasuga looking over her stack of books.] Did you want anything else? Kasuga: [Puts his hand behind his head] Well, I kind of needed a couple romance novels for my essay assignment, but since you're not done with those... Kimura: [Face lights up] It's OK! [Reaches from behind her chair and pulls out a stack of eighteen more novels. All of them have titles along the lines of "Remember My Love", "Do You Remember Love", and "Distant Heart"] You can have any of these! I'm done with them! Kasuga: [Surprised by the size of the stack] Y-you've read all of them? Kimura: [Eyes turn dreamy] Love and romance are so wonderful...[Looks directly at him] Don't you think...Kyo-chan? Kasuga: [Laughs nervously] Ahh...hai... [Picks out four of the offered books] Thanks for the books... [Look of panic spreads on his face as he turns around] Shoot! Is she talking about me? Saito: [Looks a little enviously at Kasuga as they walk towards the check-out counter] There, see? What is it with you and cute girls? Kasuga: ... [As they leave, the camera slowly zooms out, showing Kasuga checking his books out at the counter. From across the main lobby, we see Ayukawa standing quietly as she observed the exchange between Kasuga and Kimura.] Ayukawa: [Hears her own words from the previous morning, "Jealousy doesn't suit you well..." then, to herself as she leaves] ...and it doesn't suit me very well either... [Cut to Ayukawa's apartment. It's a few hours later as dusk settles on the city. She unlocks the front door, and enters. Setting her books down on the living room table, she picks up the phone and dials...] [Cut to Kasuga's boarding house. As the camera zooms into Kasuga's room, we see him leafing through the novels he checked out, occasionally making a notation on an index card.] Kasuga: Jeez...how does anyone take this stuff seriously? [He continues scribbling down notes, when the phone rings. He picks it up...] Hello? Ayukawa: Kasuga-kun... Kasuga: Ayukawa! Ayukawa: I'm glad I caught you. I've been thinking about what you said the other day at the ballpark. I think we need to take some time alone to be together for a while. What do you have planned tomorrow? Kasuga: Well...nothing... Ayukawa: How about we have a picnic then? Just the two of us. Kasuga: Great! Ayukawa: I'll meet you at your place tomorrow morning at eight o'clock. Kasuga: I'll be ready! [Remembering his behavior at the ballpark] And Ayukawa...I'm sorry I acted like a jerk... Ayukawa: I'll see you tomorrow...[Hangs up] Ikemoto: Ayukawa-chan! Ayukawa [Grates at the condescending tone, but stays civil] Hai...? Ikemoto: I'm going to be away on business for a few days, so you'll be on your own for a while. Ayukawa: [To herself] Great! Now I don't have to put up with you for a few days... [To Ikemoto] When should I expect you to return? Ikemoto: Next Friday. [Notices Ayukawa pulling some food out of the cabinet, along with a basket.] Are you going somewhere, Ayukawa-chan? Ayukawa: A picnic with a friend... Ikemoto: [More sincerely] Have a good time...[Leaves] Ayukawa: ... [Cut to Kasuga's boarding house. It's the next morning and the wind gently blows through the trees. As the camera zooms in on the center window in the upper floor, we can see Kasuga packing his provisions to meet Ayukawa. We hear a knock on the door.] Kasuga: [To himself] That must be Ayukawa. OK I'm coming. [He goes to the door, flips the lock, and swings the door open. The camera zooms in on his face as suddenly, his eyes go wide and his jaw drops. The camera swings around to show Kasuga's visitor, a bubbly smiling...] Hi...Hi...Hikaru-chan? [almost whispered] Hikaru: Darling! [Hikaru bursts through the doorway and tackle- hugs Kasuga. He stumbles backwards, trips on his futon, and falls back across it, as Hikaru ends up on top of him. She smiles down at him.] Darling! I missed you so much! [She shifts her head towards him, moving in for a kiss...] Kasuga: [Freezes momentarily, letting Hikaru almost bring their lips together, before, with a strangled...] NO! [He pushes Hikaru off of him and then scoots backwards into a corner of the room, looking like a trapped animal.] Hi...Hikaru-chan. What...? Why...? [shakes his head, trying to recover his senses.] Hikaru: [Sitting up] Darling. You're so cute when you're tongue- tied! [She starts to inch towards him once more.] Kasuga: [takes a deep breath and lifts his head to look straight at Hikaru.] No. Hikaru: [Stops moving towards Kasuga] No? Kasuga: No. This is wrong. I told you before, Hikaru-chan, it's over between us. Hikaru: [Still smiling, shaking her head] It can never be over! You'll always be my darling! Kasuga: [Now frowning, he holds out his arm towards Hikaru, with his palm in a vertical "stop" motion.] Stop it, Hikaru. I told you before. I love Ayukawa [pauses, collecting his thoughts momentarily] and she loves me. I'm sorry, but that's how it is. Now I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. [He folds his arms across his chest and sets his gaze on Hikaru, with a hardened look on his face.] Hikaru: [*Still* smiling] Hmm...well after hearing that, I can see my visit wasn't for nothing. [Her voice now seems to change, and she leans back.] You know Kyosuke, if I hadn't heard you say that myself, I would never have believed you capable of it. [Kasuga sags back against the wall, now totally confused, as Hikaru continues.] You always were the wimp of the family, but... Kasuga: Family? What are you talking about Hika...[His voice trails off as realization finally hits him. His eyes narrow at "Hikaru"] Akane... [with a slight growl] [Hikaru's form shimmers slightly, and vanishes, replaced by another familiar form.] Akane: [Chuckling] Hi, cousin! Long time no see! [Kasuga takes a deep breath, and then collapses back against the wall.] END CREDITS New Characters Designer/Writer Stephen Tsai Co-writer/plotter Andy Combs Pre-readers Ravi Konchigeri Derek Work Jim Ramberg Christian Gadeken Chung-Mau Cheng Robert Carragher Very special thanks to Hitoshi Doi A tip of the hat and a deep bow to Matsumoto Izumi for starting the whole thing If I left anyone off, my apologies. Any mistakes/embarrassing faux pas are entirely my own. If there is anything here you must flame, aim them at me and me alone. Thank you for taking the time to read this episode of my new series. If you are interested, previous episodes should be available at the wpi.wpi.edu ftp site. Assuming that I don't get flamed off the net, I've got the next episode in the works. If you have any story ideas, or general ideas, please send them. Any tidbits about the Japanese advanced education system will be especially looked at (see first writer's note). Hope you enjoyed it and thanks again! For the new readers: I'll be doing character profiles, major location descriptions, and situation updates on a rotating basis for each episode. If there is a particular character, place or event that you would like to know more about, and it is not being covered, don't hesitate to email me and I will send you either a note or a copy of the episode it is introduced. Focus on Saito Kenichi [Introduced in Episode 2]: One of Kyosuke's mathematics classmates, Saito is a freshman computer science major. One of the brightest and most studious members of his high school class, he was often considered the class nerd back in high school. This image was abetted by his considerable skill with computers. Now that he is in college, he is trying to explore new social horizons, which includes getting his first date. While in high school, he was a good friend to Kasamatsu Teriuihi; however, he smartly does not consider him a good guide for getting to know a girl. Not being one to argue with success, he turns to Kyosuke for advice. Visual Description: A thin guy with reddish-blond hair in bangs. He has an underdeveloped build and wears thin wire-rimmed glasses. Close anime comparisons include (but are not limited to) a grown- up Jean from Nadia, and Megane from Urusei Yatsura.