Fanf1cFan's notes: I liked this story enough to keep a copy when I first read it years ago. I'm glad I did, as I can no longer find the English version anywhere. Even though permission to reproduce it is embedded in the text, I thought it only polite to see if I could get confirmation via the old email address. To my surprise, Teisu replied and confirmed.

I don't know why Motoko's sister's name is Yumiko and not Tsuruko in this story. Feel free to mentally change it if it bothers you. I don't know much about the author, but if you enjoy Teisu's story, maybe a note saying so would be appreciated (ffnet filtered out the address but it's something like: Teisu AT my DOT host DOT net). . . But I would regret posting this if the author were to be flamed.

Motoko's Dilemma
From Teisu

As the Original Love Hina seems destined that Narusegawa and Keitaro will be the promised couple, (At least at this point) I offer for your consideration the following story. The characters are not mine. I gratefully acknowledge the writers and authors who brought this series to life, broadcast on TV Tokyo and to the myriad of people who brought it to me, sometimes within hours of the broadcast. As my understanding of Kanji is limited I cannot offer more credits than these. A viewing of all twenty-four episodes, plus the 2000 Christmas special would definitely help understand this story!
This story may be reproduced electronically as long as it is done in its complete form. Additional credits for the series writers,
producers and directors may be added below before the chapter title.

Teisu (.net)

Love Hina Part 1 Motoko's Dilemma - Trapped!

"Motoko-chan, you have trained hard and are well on the way of mastering the disciplines of our sect. Regretfully, we have had two of our champions badly wounded while fighting evil. Their strength has been lost and their fighting days are over. Their knowledge has not been lost; they have been re-assigned as teachers. Because you are strong, young and full of life and are in the direct line of past champions, it has been decided that you should take a husband and bear children to replace those recently lost."

"Husband!" Motoko looked up from the letter and scowled, "I will not call any man that!"
(Note: the same word is used for master in Japanese!)

Motoko was sitting on a small cushion at her desk in her room at the Hina Inn, the fierce horned armor in one corner, a small table and dresser against one wall. Her sword stand held her katana at arm's reach from her. She shook her hair and the black wave rippled and flowed on her back. The length was a tradition enforced by the village elders. Trimming was only allowed to keep it neat and from becoming a handicap. It was believed that part of her strength was in her hair.

Motoko turned back to the letter, "As times have changed, the elders have decided that you may choose your own husband from among the people, either the village you reside in, or the surrounding country.
He may be young or old, poor or rich, from noble or humble lines. Your heart will guide you." The elders will release a sizable dowry, should your circumstances require it, to have a house for your new family,
either here or within the surrounding countryside. "If you have not taken a husband within three moons, I will choose a husband for you."

Your sister,

Yumiko

"Onee-san". Motoko argued with the classic brushwork. "I am still in high school!"

"You graduate this spring." Motoko heard the answer from the inner self.

"What about college?"

"Oh, suddenly, you're interested in college?" Motoko heard a musical laugh as if from her sister.

Meditation was supposed to bring enlightenment and focus, and Motoko did not like the enlightenment that it was bringing.

It was decided, there was no way out, she was an obedient sister and member of the community. Her life had changed, and she was to become a wife -Kanai - literally, "the one within the house."

"Motoko-san! Dinner is ready!" Kaolla knocked and bounced in. Motoko ignored the behavior, as Kaolla was too childlike and innocent to actually think of offending anyone.
"Is it good news?" Kaolla turned the page upside down attempting to comprehend the ancient forms.

Shinobu had laid out her usual scrumptious meals, quite frugal in ingredients, but presented with a simplicity and elegance that made dining here preferable to fine restaurant. She was the cook and laundress, a hard job for a junior high student, but one she performed happily and well, in lieu of rent. Sometimes it was strange to see such a petite young girl carrying the heavy wet laundry up to the roof to dry, but the sparkle in her eyes quickly dispelled any doubt whether she belonged here. Her affection for Keitaro was clear,
although she denied it fervently as her cheeks blushed a bright pink.

"My stay here at the Hina Inn will end shortly," The conversation had turned to Motoko.

"Don't say that, you always come back." Kaolla protested.
"My village elders have decided the next path of my life."

"So you will be fighting evil like your sister." Keitaro interjected.

Motoko made the barest hint of a smile. The manager could be such an oaf, clumsy, and then wise beyond his years. A young man dedicated to a promise he could not keep, to a girl he could not remember. First,
it was believed that Mutsumi was the promised one, but she herself later denied it, but made no attempt to hide her affections for the young man. In spite of prompting by boys to take advantage of the situation and bed her, he had remained only a study partner. He was still, after 3 years, attempting to enter Tokyo University to meet his promised one there.

The thoughts turned further to the others at the table, Sarah the ward of Seta, the local professor, was a typical American, rude,
boisterous, destructive, but had started to learn how to be polite to everyone but Keitaro.

"Seconds, please." Keitaro got up and handed his bowl to Shinobu who ladled out more rice into it. Sitting down, Keitaro went sprawling as Sarah had artfully pulled the chair out from behind him. Finding himself staring up a skirt and then at the attractive face of a red-haired girl, he placed his hand in front of his eyes while apologizing profusely.

"There's no excuse for a pervert!" the hot-tempered Naru screamed as she kicked at Keitaro. Scrambling to his feet, Keitaro caught a roundhouse punch to the face.

Everyone else kept eating as Keitaro crashed through a room divider into the hall.

"Fight evil!" Motoko's inner voice screamed at her, so suddenly that she shot upright

"Motoko-chan? What are you doing?" Naru's way was blocked by the Kendo master, who held the sheathed katana in front her.

"If you attempt to pass, I will draw my sword." Motoko replied with fire flashing in her eyes.

"He's stupid and a lecher and there is no good quality in him."
Narusegawa yelled at Motoko, but decided not to force the issue.

"Keitaro-kun is kind, funny, generous, and is gentle with children."
Motoko replied without thinking. "Sarah caused his fall, and you knew it." Motoko continued. "You did not want to offend your old tutor, so you decided to punish an innocent person."
"He respects women, so he was unwilling to defend himself." Motoko concluded.

Narusegawa returned to her chair, very red in the face. She had never been treated this way before, but she carefully weighed the words of the sword-master, trying to reason out the obvious flaws in her statement. Failing on every point, she pouted and then resumed her dinner.

Shinobu fetched Keitaro's bowl still steaming and headed out of the room to find him.

"Going to the roof, " Motoko thought as she resumed her meal.

"An innocent was injured and you are just going to feed your face."
The inner voice prompted her again.

Motoko jumped and grabbed a towel and a handful of ice. Stopping by her room for her medical kit, she quickly found Keitaro perched on a distant part of the roof next to Shinobu.

" But, Senpai, you are still hungry," Shinobu protested while crying,
as he turned and shook his head, mostly to hide his own tears.
" It's all right, I'll be ok." Keitaro comforted the young girl.

"Urashima-senpai", Motoko sat on the other side next to him and gently held the ice filled cloth against his bruised face. Placing his hand to secure the ice pack, she began to unfasten his shirt.

"Motoko-san, this is improper." The young man protested.

"Be quiet or I will take it off by force." Motoko warned as Shinobu's eyes widened.

Keitaro nodded and the two ladies helped him out of his dark shirt.
Shinobu uttered a small cry when she discovered the blood on her hands. The evening was still warm as Motoko worked the splinters of wood out of his back with tweezers, and grimly noted numerous scars that she had never before seen. At her prompting, Keitaro went back to his room, crawled under a blanket and stripped, and although rather embarrassed, allowed Motoko to treat the wounds on his buttocks. Shinobu's eyes were very wide at a festering old wound from which Motoko lanced and drained the pus.
Coaxing the wood splinter from it, she applied a salve and a bandage.
"Urashima-kun, apply this to your wounds until they are healed,"
Motoko instructed. You may bathe regularly, as long as you re-apply the salve when you are done.

Motoko went back to her room and invited Shinobu in.
"Why, Senpai?" Shinobu queried. "I thought you barely tolerated him."

"I owe Urashima-senpai my life, he caught my arm and stopped me from falling from the roof. It is about time that I acknowledged the debt and began repayment."

"Why were you on the roof?" Shinobu was interested. "I never heard anyone mention this."

"I challenged him to a fight. I would not accept him as resident manager of a girl's dorm unless he could defeat me." Motoko colored at the thought. "He defeated me without a weapon, I slipped on the roof,
but he caught my hand and held my entire weight until I could climb on him to safety."

"Oh! So you are respectful enemies." Shinobu concluded.

"Motoko nodded while thinking. "I was furious, because looking at him made my heart race!"

Shinobu excused herself and closed the door. Motoko began her ritual of meditation and focus prior to a physical workout.

"Why did your heart race and your cheeks flush?" She questioned herself.
"I had a cold." Motoko hardly got the excuse out before summarily dismissing it.
"You didn't sneeze or cough. You sure didn't have a problem challenging an opponent!" She considered. "First love." She remembered the comments of the Hina village elders.
The wise old ones, who decided disputes and offered counsel to people,
had offered this explanation without being asked.

Her hakama seemed to get very tight on one side; Motoko got up and straightened the lower garment and her white gii. She looked at the red material in the classic clothing. It was red, always red. She preferred the color; she couldn't remember not having something red.
She thought back to a distant childhood and remembered a striped shirt of dark gray and white. She always wore that when her Dad delivered fish, and the red jumper. She tried to remember his face outside of the photographs. Failing to achieve more than a general impression,
she decided to try and recollect a specific event. For this she needed a trigger. "Hmm, what could it be, a specific delivery?" Motoko pondered the problem. Then she focused on the discipline of the sword and quieted her mind.

Motoko swung the practice sword expertly, "One, two, three," noting its precise speed and path. Fifty times, rest. Fifty more, rest. Fifty more.
Motoko concluded her exercise.

- - - Motoko rose, had breakfast and headed to school; Narusegawa, Mutsumi and Keitaro were still studying for the entrance exams to Tokyo University. Keitaro had gotten a B on the last practice exam and it was starting to look like he would actually make it.
Mutsumi would definitely make it, if she remembered to put her name on the exam, or didn't suffer a panic attack.
Narusegawa shouldn't have a problem either.
Motoko enjoyed the little thoughts while riding on the train.

"Sensei." Motoko looked at the headmaster.
"Aoyama-san." The head master looked at her. I have been asked to inquire about your desires to attend a university. As a Kendo champion, your skill is well known in the area."
"And I have to put up with groupies." Motoko thought silently as she nodded, accepting the statements, but puzzled as why these pronouncements were being made.
"A full four year scholarship is being offered to the regional Kendo amateur champion at Kyoto University. " The headmaster continued.
"Are you interested?"
Motoko hesitated at first and spoke directly to the issues. " I will become a bride within the next few months. If my being a married woman is not a problem then I will consider it." "I see," he said, "but there is nothing in the terms that would disqualify you if you are married."
"Who is the handsome groom?" The headmaster prompted.

"Motoko stared. "I would rather not talk about it right now."

"Have you not behaved properly?" The headmaster looked sternly at Motoko.

At first her eyes flashed, but reflecting on her answer to the previous questions, Motoko acknowledged the validity of the question.

"I have been instructed by my village to find a husband, or one will be chosen for me, " Motoko answered. "I honestly don't know who it is - yet." The headmaster sighed, "Very well, I'll process your application and schedule your interview with the coach of the martial arts teams.
The rest of the day was uneventful, the classes and the after school Kendo club went as planned. Then came the dreaded ride home. Motoko realized that the sheer number of persons made personal contact inevitable, but there were men and women who took advantage of the situation. Motoko had spent a Christmas Eve afternoon being confined and lectured by the police, for she had lashed blindly out when she was openly groped. She also remembered a little girl's expression at seeing her father hurt, so Motoko endured the humiliation of all but the most blatant acts. A hard look of disapproval and a firm "no!"
was as effective as a hand chop.

This time the person felt from between and around people, she was being felt, but could not identify anyone.

"A bride should preserve herself for her husband." The inner voice prompted.

Motoko waited for the grasp and then seized the hand. Gently, at first, and as the person struggled to pull back, Motoko exerted more pressure.

"Stop struggling, or I will break it." Motoko announced. You have offended my honor, and must apologize. Everyone looked at her in the press of people, there were six close to her, but still she couldn't identify the owner of the hand. She held it in a trap-like grip and decided to take the hand and its owner to the station police, at the next stop. As the train pulled in, Motoko secured her grip and left the train dragging the hapless individual with her.
"It hurts, Senpai."

Motoko whirled and looked straight in disbelief at one of her followers. The high school student grimaced in pain as Motoko had exerted enough pressure to almost break her fingers. Motoko released the hand and glared. "Explain your actions!"

"You are strong and beautiful, you do not concern yourself with men."
The student began." I wanted to touch you, to be with you."

Motoko held her hand up. "If you had approached me openly, it would have been one thing; but to feel me from secret, you are a pervert!"

"No!" The student cried. "Forgive me, I just want to be near you!"

"You can go where you want, I can't stop you. But, my body is not my own now, and is being held in trust for my betrothed." Motoko spoke in a quiet stern voice. "Should you touch me again, I will report you to the headmaster."

"You are going to take a husband?" The student stuttered in astonishment.

Motoko nodded as she boarded the next train, "And bear his children,
cook his meals, and run his house." She felt a great satisfaction at the dumbfounded look that resulted.

Dinner was without incident, Sarah was sullen but polite, and everyone else was his or her usual self. Mutsumi and Narusegawa discussed some of the study problems. Keitaro and Shinobu made light conversation about dinner. Motoko noticed with some satisfaction that his appetite was good. Shinobu had made some of his favorites, stressing the budget slightly.

"She'll make up for it, she always does." Keitaro's aunt had picked up the thought.

"Just two months until the exam for Tokyo U!" Mutsumi had commented.

"Are you going back to your village?"

"I applied for the Kendo scholarship at Kyoto University." If my application is accepted, I will be studying medicine there."

"What about Tokyo U? Wouldn't it be fun if we could go together?" The conversation was predictable.

Motoko shook her head, "It does not appear that it is my path, but yes, it would be nice."

School was the same, classes were uneventful, Kendo club was good, but when she exited, the usual fans and hangers-on were not there.

"Oh, there she is!" the little group approached. "Have you chosen your china? Where are you going to honeymoon?" Where did you meet him? It's so romantic!"

The questions and comments were non-stop. Motoko stared dumbly at a new group of fans.

The letter of acceptance arrived two weeks later, along with an invitation to visit the campus. A train ticket, a hotel voucher and a book of meal vouchers for the campus cafeteria and selected restaurants were included in the packet.

"Urashima-san", please accept this gift, Motoko handed him a medallion on a chain. The Kanji was an ancient form unfamiliar to him, but he accepted it.

"What's it for?" Keitaro eyed it warily.

"It wards off evil, it places you under the protection of my village priests. The priests pray specifically for the wearer." Motoko answered. "Wear it always, and you will be safe."

"Thank you," Keitaro bowed deeply, "I wish we could have become friends. Have a safe trip. But I have something for you."

She unrolled the offered scroll. It was a brush painting of the sea,
a shattered boulder and an expertly captured sunset. "Evil perished,
the person was safe." She read the Kanji title and smiled. She had mastered a major technique and destroyed the ghost there. She rolled up the drawing. "Thank you, I will treasure this."

Keitaro went inside, Motoko had asked for a ride to the train station in a small delivery truck. "If you hurry!" was the answer.

"A letter for Aoyama-san? She is leaving now. It looks important."
Keitaro dashed out the door and down the steps chasing after the van.

"Wait, don't leave me!" He shouted running after the van. He stumbled and fell.

She saw him get to his knees unhurt.
"Kei-kun, Bye-bye." The words were strange, like from a dream,
Motoko's eyes streamed tears, but it was strange not knowing why.

Her trip was uneventful. She checked into the hotel, did her exercises on the balcony, had her evening bath and went to sleep.

"Sensei". Motoko addressed the coach and handed him her letter. "You were designated as my guide and liaison during my visit and tour."

The man scanned the letter and frowned. "Just like the front office to volunteer my services! Well, young lady, as it is from my superior,
it takes precedence." He jumped to his feet and bowed. "I am at your service."

Motoko smiled. "Very nice!" she thought. A good sign." Motoko returned the bow, slightly deeper as she acknowledged a teacher and an elder.
There were few classically dressed students, so most did a backward glance at Motoko's hakama as the pair toured the campus.
After a nice lunch, the pair went to the gymnasium. "Let's see what you're made of!" The coach remarked, "you are a gem, but are you polished or rough?"

The coached eyed his opponent; the battle aura she exuded was quite remarkable. Was this the young high school student who he had just shown around the campus?

Haaaiiiyaaa! He rushed his opponent shouting, trying to use the occasion as a quick lesson, and a determination of what he had to work with.

Bang, bang. Bang, bang. The wooden swords clashed as the blows were expertly picked off. Motoko had glided out of his way and let his rush carry him by her. He was wide open and Motoko nailed him on the back of his knees collapsing him on the floor.

"My apologies, Sensei." Motoko bowed. I hope you are not injured."

About a half-hour later, the coach was very excited. "You are well polished indeed, your acceptance will almost guarantee a national title! Let's check out the living arrangements, now. The coach led her to a building.

"MAN IN THE HALL!" He announced in a loud voice. Young ladies peeked out; some doors were hurriedly closed. Making the announcement again,
he made his way to the dorm manager. "You will share the room with one of the other students, there are no private rooms on campus, my room closely resembles the others," she explained.

Motoko was puzzled. "What about my husband? I was specific in my requirements that my husband not present a problem."

The dorm manager looked apologetic. Sorry, this is a ladies-only dorm.
The married dorm is full, there is a waiting list, and there are no plans to convert or build any others."

"Let's go, I'm not going to take this nonsense." The coach headed towards the admissions building.

The coach carefully presented a copy of the application and acceptance letter in front of the dean. "We offered a four year scholarship for the champion and accepted this application which clearly states "Married."
"Not to allow her husband with her will be a insult to the two of them and the sacred institution itself!" The coach was dangerously close to being rude, but was equally in danger of losing a star athlete.

"Your concern is justified and has already been addressed."
The coach took his cue and was quiet.

"Aoyama-san," The dean addressed her, I see that you did not receive our dispatch in time, it would have made things easier.

"We understand that we made an offer, which you accepted. This constitutes a contract. We also came to realize that it is impossible for us to meet our obligations and ask you humbly to consider an alternative."

"What sort of alternative?" Motoko was wary.
"Well, there is a University with facilities for couples. It awarded a Judo scholarship to a single student who preferred to be in the Kyoto area. And there is a Kendo scholarship here at Kyoto with accommodations for a single with a student who needs married accommodations."

"So you are offering a trade?" Motoko smiled. "Very well done, no one loses face. A truly magnificent plan." Motoko bowed. "One question only, what is this University?"

"Tokyo."

"Accepted."

- - -

The letter clutched in his hand, Keitaro sobbed at the van shrinking in the distance. He was not hurt but was crying, sobbing so violently that he could not stand. Something profound had just happened. It was an over-whelming sense of grief and loss combined with a sense of discovery. Shinobu glanced out the kitchen window and saw him there still lying on the bridge. She quickly made her way down the stairs and helped him up. "What's wrong, Senpai?"

"I don't know, I just can't seem to stop crying."

His aunt ordered him to bed and handed him a large glass of sake. And he was asleep in minutes.

A few hours later he woke up. "I need to study." Keitaro got up and made his way to where Mutsumi and Narusegawa were working the next practice problem. As the two struggled with the calculus problem,
Keitaro read the text, hoping to be able to at least add a reasonable input to the solution. He wrote it down, first trying the most obvious methods and quickly abandoning them. "It's easy as pi," he muttered the old pun from trigonometry. Then he stared at the paper and the completed problem with solution. The two girls were still working on the problem, attempting to work a logarithmic method that looked promising.
"Keitaro!"

"Huh?" Keitaro looked up.
"Aren't you going to help?"

"Uh, the answer is sine(2x) plus cosine(2x) minus sine(2x) over cosine(2x) where x is not equal to pi over 4."

"NO WAY!" Narusegawa glanced at the worksheet.

"Kei-kun!" Mutsumi leaned over to look at the worksheet placing her rather large breasts against his arm. She saw how the problem was set up and worked it through in a minute, verifying the steps against his worksheet. Keitaro was sweating at the rather intimate contact.
Finally, leaning back, Mutsumi leaned back and smiled. "We had been working this problem all afternoon, and you solved it so easily!"
"It can't be - Keitaro-baka!" Naru refused to believe that he had solved it alone. But her face reddened as she glanced at how Keitaro had set up the problem.
"You worked on this before or while you weren't here!" Naru accused him.

"No, I was asleep."

"Yes, drunk and asleep!" She caught a whiff of the sake his aunt had used to sedate him.

Keitaro got up and left the room, Naru was getting angry and usually would hit him within 30 seconds once her face reddened.

Keitaro went downstairs to his room and studied, going through the problems. "I will work alone and do as many as I can until I hit one I can't solve. Then I will go back upstairs and rejoin the group." He thought to himself.
"Something is different." Keitaro thought as he worked though the first page, "my mind is more focused. I don't actually have any more knowledge, I just seem to be able to apply what I do have."

Shinobu called him to dinner and he was still studying. "Excuse me,
but would you just save me a bowl, I am busy." Shinobu brought it to him anyway, and he snatched bites while still studying.

It was about 8pm. Keitaro closed the workbook. "Well, that was a fruitful day." He made his way to the back of the Hina Inn, and turned on the ignition switch to the small tub there. The burner failed to light. "Great", he sighed, "I have a hot spring here and will have to use a public bath!"

"Keitaro! What are you doing here?" His old tormentors from high school waved and came over."

"The tub burner won't start."
"So, just take a dip in the women's spring."

"It's off limits to men, you both know that."

"We weren't talking about the bath!" The two chortled.

"I run a respectable house," he sputtered.

"Leave him alone." One old man spoke, glancing at the medallion around the young man's neck.

"You obviously don't know Keitaro is stupid, a lecher and is good for nothing." He is a third year Ronin as well, he doesn't even know when to give up."

"Keitaro-dono", the old man bowed and grabbed an ear of each of the two young men in each hand. The two antagonists found themselves blinking on the street and beginning to shiver in the night air.
Still wearing only towels, they found their personal effects were in a pile next to them.

"My apologies. I should have acted sooner rather than allow them to insult you." The man returned to the soaking pool and stayed a close,
but respectful distance away.

"Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"Why did you do that?"

"Shouldn't I come to the aid of a fellow villager?"

"I am from Tokyo."

"Well, you are marked as one of us, where did you get that medallion and chain?"

"Aoyama-san, she gave it to me before she left for Kyoto, she said that it would keep me safe."

"You even smell like us." The old man smiled.

Keitaro finished his soak and returned back to the Inn.

"Well, are you going to do any studying tonight?" Narusegawa admonished him. "You can't get into Tokyo U by sleeping yourself there."

"Hold on, I'll be right up." Keitaro went to his room and collected his workbook.

"Ok, while you were gone, we did five more," Narusegawa explained,
grabbing his workbook. How many did you manage?" She glanced at the pages, finding the problems and noticing the answers agreed. "Not bad,
she smiled at first and then her expression changed, first to puzzlement, then to wonder, then to blind rage.

"You jerk! You worked ALL of them!" Naru hauled back to strike him and suddenly was hit by a force much like a crashing wave. She found herself upside down against the far wall in a most unladylike pose; it took her a second to get oriented. Smoothing down her skirt and a quick glance at a blushing Keitaro revealed that he had indeed noticed her orientation. A quick check and she realized she was unhurt; maybe her modesty was a little bruised.

"What happened?" A look in the door answered the question. Motoko was holding her sword, and had used her ki - her life energy to strike her without harming her. The sword was a means of focusing the power in this instance.

"Motoko-san, what was that for?" Narusegawa spoke accusingly.

"I did not witness any behavior requiring punishment," Motoko spoke quietly. "If the manager is behaving badly, I suggest that you bring it to his aunt's attention or Hina-san's."

"Look at him! He leered at me and saw my underwear."

"He looked away immediately, which shows proper respect, but blushed as one would expect from a young man." Motoko responded in the same soft tones.

"If you wish to be together with this man, as you confessed this past Christmas Eve, I suggest that you have the decency to respect his feelings." Motoko whirled around and ran down the hall, feeling the flush of blood as her face reddened.

"Not again!" Motoko went to her room and shut the door. Sitting down she entered the meditative state. She recounted the first time she had seen Keitaro. She had seen his face and had gone weak in the knees. She had been unable to fight him on the roof. There was much more here, as her feelings had re-surfaced only yesterday.

"The van!" She mused. She remembered Keitaro running after it shouting "Don't leave me!" Then she remembered all the words she had spoken long ago, "Kei-kun! Bye-bye! Remember, Tokyo University." Then she remembered the driver, and clearly remembered her father looking at her, kind, concerned, unable to help her sadness. She held the face in her mind. It was a frame of reality preserved forever, the smell of the truck, the sound of the engine, she saw his strong rough hands,
and it all flooded back. "Domo arigato gozaimasu, Kei-chan; my father lives in my heart again! I remember now- Tokyo University!"

- - - "Shinobu-chan, I wish to share something with you in the strictest confidence." Motoko declared. "It directly concerns Urashima-senpai's happiness and his promised one."

"What about Naru-san?" Shinobu remembered the joy in his face when Narusegawa confessed her desire to be together with him, and the young man's confession that he loved her.

"I will not speak about this any more if you will not promise." Motoko declared.

"Motoko-san, I solemnly promise that I will hold everything you say in the strictest confidence." Shinobu looked very serious.

"I will start with the first part." Motoko declared, then you will tell me something you cannot tell anyone, this way, we establish a trust that cannot be broken."

"I... I have to get married." Motoko began.

"But you... you don't even have a boyfriend!" Shinobu glanced at Motoko's abdomen, a horrified expression on her face.

"I am so sorry," Motoko chuckled at the conclusion. "It's not like that at all; I have been ordered by the elders of my village to take a husband and raise a family."

"But you don't like men!" Shinobu blurted.

"Your turn."

Shinobu realized that a secret as deep as was revealed had to be told.
"Uh, I love Keitaro-senpai, andpretendtobehiswife!" She rattled it out, all at once. She looked down, violently blushing.

"That's not a secret!" Motoko smiled, "But I will accept your statement as it was truly difficult for you to say."

"There is one man I like." Motoko stated. "He is kind, generous,
respectful to women and kind to children."

"No!" Shinobu began to sob, "I want him. I will take care of him."

"He is an abused man and will continue to be beaten by the one he loves unless there is something stronger to pull him away from the abuser," Motoko offered. "I am asking you to help me save him."

"I take his dirty clothes to bed with me and enjoy the smell!" Shinobu continued to confess.

"I deceived him, and offered him a medallion from my village. It denotes a man pledged to marry. He wears it, thinking it is a good luck charm." Motoko responded, a lump in her throat.

"How can you save him? She beats him badly, and he is back next to her as if it is always his fault!" Shinobu stopped confessing much to Motoko's relief.

"I remembered something today, my father as a strong man, I remembered his face as clearly as I am looking at you, the smell of the fish and his sweat, the sound of the truck." Motoko confided.

"I am happy that you remembered." Shinobu looked at her questioningly;
it was not what she expected.

"There was a little boy running after the truck," Motoko's eyes started to fill. "He was my dear friend, and he was shouting. "Wait!
Don't leave me!" and then he fell down. I put my head out the window and yelled, "Kei-kun! Bye-bye! Remember, Tokyo University'. Motoko began to weep, and Shinobu began to cry.

"Motoko-san, I was most happy when I held him on Christmas Eve and when we had a date."

"Shinobu-chan, I am going to Tokyo University." Motoko showed her the acceptance letter and then Shinobu noticed the designation "married".

Shinobu stared hard, her tears running like a flood, "I believe that you are the promised one. You are the one destined to be his wife. I believe also that he will be the best husband a woman could ask for!"

Motoko held Shinobu closely as she would a younger sister. "Will you do me a favor?" Motoko asked.

"Sure." Shinobu sniffled back.

"Teach me how to cook?"

As the Original Love Hina seems destined that Narusegawa and Keitaro will be the promised couple, (At least at this point) I offer for your consideration the following story. The characters are not mine. I gratefully acknowledge the writers and authors who brought this series to life, broadcast on TV Tokyo and to the myriad of people who brought it to me, sometimes within hours of the broadcast. As my understanding of Kanji is limited I cannot offer more credits than these. A viewing of all twenty-four episodes, plus the year 2000 Christmas special would definitely help understand this story!

This story may be reproduced electronically as long as it is done in its complete form. Additional credits for the series writers,
producers and directors may be added below before the chapter title.

Teisu