Wish You Were HereForward:
   As always, my thanks and gratitude to the genius Matsumoto for creating such 
  pliable characters for me to shape to my evil will ( insert meniacal laughter 
  here ). Please do remember while you read this that it is only for fun, and I 
  do not mean it to be taken very seriously, although it might not be as 
  offensive as others that I've released.
   Distribution, as always, is at the whim of the reader, and is not meant, nor 
  purposefully distributed for profit, or gain. Or more to the point, these 
  characters are not mine, only the situations they have been put into. And 
  thus, all copyrights, real or imagined, are differed to their original 
  holders. 



Wish You Were Here



 Madoka sat in the corner of the ABCB, staring woefully into the space before 
her as she nursed the drink she cupped in her hands. Her eyes but mere hollow, 
black lined orbs as she directed her gaze to the dark, cold liquid that splashed 
about in the glass. She pulled the tumbler to her lips and drank deeply, her 
eyes closed in the sweet agony of the liquor as it burned at her throat 
slightly, then her stomach, spreading through her body in a warm, carefree glow. 

 She pulled the glass from her lips as she gulped down the last drop of liquor 
from the glass, her mind pushing away the pain that still lurked at the border 
of her thoughts, tormenting her in the darkness of the night, through the 
blanket of her intoxicated lethargy. 
 "Why?" she asked aloud, her head hanging limply between her shoulders as she 
opened her eyes to the inscecent prodding of the cars that sped by outside the 
Pub. "Why didn't I just...", her throat constricting around the words as they 
came to her mind, bringing with them the visions that she so longed to forget. 
 She could see the two of them in her mind, see Kyousuke as he knelt before 
Hikaru, holding her hand in his and offering her what could have been, 'Might 
have been...!' Ayukawa's mind brought forth, raising her hopes. But it was 
impossible. A fifty yen coin did not shine like a diamond, nor did it fit about 
a girl's finger. That she knew. And with that knowledge, was crushed once more, 
brought down to the depths of her anger, her rage... at herself. 
 There wasn't anything she could do now, it was done. She had finally kept her 
promise to Hikaru through her inaction. 'But,' she reminded herself, 'who was to 
say that he would choose to listen...' she pondered woefully as she pulled her 
eyes up to the sky to gaze longingly at the sky, looking, longing for at least 
some sign of hope, of a reason to keep her faith in the future among the stars. 

 Kyousuke woke slowly to the world that morning, his eyes dazed by sleep as his 
hand searched the bedside table for the screaming alarm clock that clogged his 
thoughts with it's cry. Finding it's edges with his fingertips he raised a heavy 
hand and slapped at the infernal device, longing for the rest he had known 
through the night in his dreams, for the reality of the day that faced him was 
much too much for him to stand. 
 He pushed himself up, out of the bed, rubbing his eyes harshly as he did so to 
wipe away the daze of his sleep. He stumbled across the room, one hand reaching 
for the doorknob he knew to be there as he yawned wide, his eyes shut to the 
world, still heavy with sleep, and the slight tinge of liquor. 
 He somehow found his way to the bathroom and ran the sink full, beginning his 
preparations for the day when his father tapped on the door, "Kyousukye?" he 
called lightly, his voice somewhat troubled, "Kyousuke," pushing the door open 
slowly, "talk with me for a bit, would you?" 

 Ayukawa stood alone behind a tree facing the walkway she knew Kyousuke had to 
pass to get to school. They had met at that tree many a time on their way to 
school as to lessen the loneliness both of them felt at the beginning of another 
day in their third year. It brightened both of their spirits to feel some 
company with the onslaught of yet more studies added each day to the upcoming 
mid-terms. But today she was here for another reason, which she wasn't too sure 
she really approved of. 
 But that, as much as it plagued her mind, seemed almost out of her control. She 
couldn't help but feel the way she did. It wasn't her fault, she was just a 
victim of circumstance, and this, this was just another event that was fated to 
happen. She didn't really believe that. 
 But as Kyousuke walked toward her, with his pack slung over his shoulder and 
his head hanging low between his shoulders, she could not but wish it were true. 
Nevertheless, she had questioned it enough. It was time to act. 

 Kyousuke stumbled along the walkway, his eyes half-closed as his feet found the 
way that he was so accustomed to. He had not had a good morning. With everyone 
in his family looking at him like he was insane, or close to it -other than 
Kurumi-chan of course, who thought it was a great idea- and giving him advice he 
would never take, nor want to hear again in his lifetime, he stumbled through 
the basics of his preperations for the day, standing true to what must be done, 
for their sake. For even if they did not understand, could not, he could at 
least give them this. 
 "We'll move!" Manami-chan had screamed at him, pleading with her older brother, 
"no one need know! We could pack tonight and be gone by dusk!" 
 "She's right." his father ammended, "No one would remember the names, or the 
odd habits of thier neihbors after a month or two." trying desperately to show 
his son that he did have an option. 
 "No!" Kyousuke had responded, his eyes fierce as he looked up from his meager 
breakfast, "This is our home, this is where we stay." then dropped his eyes to 
the egg over medium that sat untouched on his plate, gazing at it almost 
sulkily, "Your lives are here..." as he stood, his body moving almost jerkily, 
trying to shape himself by the words he spoke, "and I won't have you give that 
up for my mistake, not anymore." and turned his back to the family he cared so 
much for and headed for the door. 
 Kyosuke closed the door behind him, letting his family sit and stare as the 
reality of his decision hit them, and the concequences that they now must face, 
as a family. 
 "Eh?" Kurumi chimed, peircing through the somber mood of the breakfast table. 
"I don't see what the problem is." 
 "Kurumi!" Manami exclaimed, her ire raised by the all too naive statement. 
 "Well," Kurumi pouted, drawn in on herself, "I'd kind of like to have 
Hikaru-chan as a sister." 
 He had been right to do it, been firm in his principles, had been a man. And 
besides, he could never leave. Ayukawa is here. 

 Ayukawa sat and watched, unsure of what to do as she saw him stumble closer, 
feeling the glow she had always felt in his presence, and smiled softly, her 
eyes warm on his figure as she crept out from the cover of the trees, mentally 
poising herself for what she had to do, for her own sake. But first, she had to 
find the words. 
 Ayukawa stepped forward slightly, forcing her body into motion then stopping 
abrubtly as she heard the tell "Sempai!!" of Hikaru-chan's approach. Her heart 
thudded heavily in her chest as she watched on, taking in the always amazing 
sight of Hikaru flying through the air directly into Kyousuke's arms. Her heart 
stopped, suspended in that moment as she saw Kyousuke's eyes raise to the soft 
bundle he carried in his arms, and the smile he gave her. 
 Ayukawa drew herself back quickly, pressing her back to the tree, letting it 
hide her from their sight as they passed by, chirping happily to one another as 
the tears she had held in for so long dripped slowly down to wet her whitened 
lips, "Kasuga-kun..." 

 Kyousuke sat in his regular seat, his mind uneasy as he scanned the room around 
him. Ayukawa usually walked to school with him, and yet, she had failed to meet 
him this morning. He could not help but feel guilty. As somehow, his descision, 
although necessary, would cause trouble with the freindship they had once had, 
then forced the though firmly from his mind. He had no right to think of such 
things now. Most especially not now, after all that had happened. 
 And so, he straitened his seat behind the desk and forced his eyes away from 
her desk, letting his hands figit freely with the books that cluttered his desk. 
After all, he had no time to think of such things now. He had a future to think 
about, and with that future... MID-TERMS!! 
 But he could not force his mind into the corners which he needed it to be, and 
with the help of his most faithful annoyance -"Kasuga!" Komatsu called from the 
doorway, "I heard the news!" as he smiled malisciouly, slapping Kyousuke firmly 
on his back, "You lucky wolf!"- his mind was once again back on what troubled 
him, and all those about him. "How did you ever get her to agree?!" he queried, 
placing himself in his usual seat to the right of Kyousuke, "After all, it's not 
easy to catch one as cute as Hikaru-chan!" 
 "Komatsu..." Kyousuke grumbled angrily at the intrusion. 
 "Now, now, freind," Komatsu replied, holding his hands wide before him, "No 
offense meant, but tell me," Komatsu continued conspiritorially, moving in 
close, "how far did you get after you popped the question?" 
 "Koooomaaaatssuuuuuu!!" Kyousuke sprung out of his chair, anger flaring in his 
eyes. 
 "Hey!" Komatsu replied as he jumped back. "Aren't we grumpy this morining." 
then straitening himself in his chair, "See if I tell you the first time I get 
laid." then, as his words registered in his mind, "Hahahahahahah! I mean the 
next time! The NEXT time I get laid. Ahahahahahahah!!" his eyes scanning the 
crowd about them nervously. After all, he had a reputation to uphold. 
 But Kyousuke's spirits could not be lifted by even Komatsu's idiocy, which 
usually worked. 'Damn it!' he raged to himself, 'Where the hell is Ayukawa?!' 

 "Ahh!" Master chimed merrily as Ayukawa closed the door to the pub behind her, 
his hands busy wiping the water from a small tumbler. "Ohayo, Madoka-kun." 
flashing her a bright smile. 
 "Ohayo." Ayukawa responded, hiding her redened eyes from his gaze as she 
rounded the counter, heading for the employee locker room. 
 Master's eyes followed her as she crossed his path, then up to the analog clock 
he kept on the wall above the east wall. "Hmmm....." 
 Ayukawa dressed quickly for the day ahead of her, pulling the straps of the 
smock about her hips and tying them firmly, but not too tightly about her waist, 
after all, it promised to be a very long day. 
 She was out in moments, rounding the corner, ready to do her share of the work 
that was laid out for the two of them working the early shift to find Master's 
eyes resting on her with a puzzled expression drawn across his face. "Aren't you 
a bit early?" his eyes darting to the clock, then back to her. 
 "Oh," Ayukawa responded, round eyed and trying to come up with a good lie. "I 
talked to you about it last week, remember?" testing the waters, "I needed the 
hours so I asked you if I could work a full shift today." sweating slightly. 
 "Ahh!" Master stated as he thought back through the last week. He most 
definately didn't remember anything of the sort, but if that was what she 
wanted, well, that was how it was. "Yes, now I remember.", nodding slightly. He 
had noticed something wrong when she had come in, and now, to lie to him, 
something she had done but one other time, meant it was something serious. It 
was best, he decided, to wait. To confront her now would null any chance of 
being of help. "Well," he began, raising his hands out of the soapy dishwater 
before him, "you can help me do the dishes to start." 
 "Hai." she smiled, almost bouncing to his side to lose herself in work, her 
heart already starting to recover from the scene she had witnessed earlier in 
the morning. Yes, this is just what she needed. A few hours of good old 
mind-numbing work. 

 Kyousuke walked on down the street, his feet scraping the pavement beneath him 
as he hung his head in thought. He had been trouble throughout the day of 
Ayukawa's mysterious absence from school. He had sat in his chair all day, 
staring at her desk, wondering where she might be, and with whom, never 
forgetting to remind hiself that it was no longer any of his business. 
 He had even, quite skillfully, skipped lunch with Hikaru, and with a bit of 
Power, went to her home to see if - for whatever reason- she needed him. But she 
wasn't there, or at least, chose not to answer the door when he rang. 
 'So she wasn't at school,' he chided himself, 'that didn't mean anything. 
Ayukawa's skipped before.' trying to force the thoughts that howled in his mind 
away. 'But if she wasn't at school, and she wasn't at home...' his eyes wide as 
he came to the conclusion, then forcing his head down in anger. There wasn't 
anything he could do about THAT. 'She can be with anyone she wants to!' he 
raged, 'After all, I've go Hikaru-chan!' forcing his stance wide as he pushed 
his chest out, proclaiming to all about him his virility, then, as quickly as 
his anger surged, it died, leaving him with only the shell of his once firm 
conviction. 'Yeah...' 
 And so he walked on, the pit of his stomach aching with the loneliness that had 
plagued him throughout the days that had passed since he had finalized his 
decision with that one act. The act that dictated the life he would lead for as 
long as time would give him. But he wished, how he wished... 
 He stopped in his tracks as the realization caught him and stared at the ground 
before him. 'Of course!' he proclaimed to himself, 'It's so simple!' as he found 
in his mind the one place he had not looked. The one place Ayukawa was sure to 
be! "Yoshi!" he called aloud, sprinting quickly to the corner and rounding the 
bush that hid the alley from the street. 
 FZZZZZT! Sizzle, sizzle. 
 "Mamma! Mamma!" a little girl not yet the age of six called as she peered out 
the window of her second floor apartment, her finger pointing down into the 
alley below, "That man disappeared!" 
 "Now Rumiko," her mother began, her features firm, "I've told you to stop 
telling tales." then turned her attention back to the piles of dishes that had 
collected since the night before. 
 "But..." Rumiko responded, her eyes still gazing down upon the spot where she 
had seen the man flash out of sight, chewing her thumb worriedly. 

 Ayukawa pulled the cloth across the bar, giving the cream formica a thin sheen 
of water as she tried desperately to keep her mind off the pain in her shoulders 
and ankles. It had been quite a long time since she had spent all day on her 
feet. It had been but eight hours since she had arrived at the ABCB, but her 
body was already feeling the tasks of the day. 
 She pushed the cloth into the sink, pulling it up again as she squeezed the 
water from it. She had done much today, and plenty of reason to be tired after 
what was normally just the beginning of her work-day. She had worked hard all 
day, the ache in the arches of her feet, and the numerous scrapes, aches, pains, 
and knots in her muscles was proof of that, but nevertheless, she felt 
wonderful. She couldn't remember when she had felt so carefree, lost in the 
tasks of running the pub. She could remember the last time she felt like this, 
and it was true, it had been quite a while. 
 Kasuga had been helping out that weekend, the first weekend he had ever worked 
here, as a matter of fact. 'Sort of a 'partner in crime.'' she pondered merrily 
as she tossed the rag down on the now spotless bar, a soft smile making it's way 
across her features. 
 The two of them had been mopping up after the day when Master brought out a 
bottle of his special stock he saved for those few times he wished to 
'entertain' -she pondered the word with a giggle. Master's 'entertaining' was 
mostly done alone after he had had a small brawl with his wife and didn't want 
to go home, though he usually kept it to one stiff one and a filler of tap 
water. But this night was special because of his two new employees, both of 
which in their last year of Junior High, and still most definately not allowed 
to hold part time jobs. 
 Master had left early that night, leaving the two of them to lock up the rest 
of a small bottle of his prime stock and enough ice and time to be sure they 
would not walk home stumbling. He had seemed so close that night, almost close 
enough to touch, and she had felt like touching him. To just once know that she 
wasn't alone in the world. 
 Sometimes, in the middle of the night, she had wished she did as she held her 
pillow close, imagining it to be him. She just wished that things... could be 
different. And with that thought she dropped her eyes to the wall of windows 
before her, her features no longer smiling with the numbness of her days toils. 
She couldn't help but feel sad as two young lovers passed by, holding hands. She 
could almost make out the smile on the girl's face through the blinds that 
choked the light of the sun, but her eyes were caught by the sillouette of a 
young man as he ran past the two, heading for the door. 
 "Kasuga!" she proclaimed aloud, her heart thumping wildly in her chest as her 
mouth dropped open in panic. Why was he here? What would she say? She didn't 
know the answers! She had no idea what to say to the man that she wanted, the 
man she loved! Who could not, she knew, accept what she felt. 

 "Grandfather!" Manami exploded, throwing her arms around the old man that stood 
in the doorway. "So good to see you!" she continued, letting go of him and 
letting Kurumi have her chance at a not-so heart-felt hug, being still angry 
about the plot that was developing before her very eyes. "Come in! Come in!" 
 "Oh!" the twins grandfather began, following them into the modest living room 
with a small overnight bag hanging from his right hand. "Thank you, thank you. 
It's so good to see you all after," he paused, looking up to the ceiling, "how 
long has it been?" his eyes coming to rest on Takashi, gently prodding the man 
with an elbow. 
 "Ahhahahahaha!" Takahashi responded, one hand behind his head. "Quite some 
time!" sweat dripping from his forehead, "We really must have you by more often! 
Hahahaha!" 
 "Un," the twin's grandfather responded, nodding approvingly, "you must." then 
moving over to the couch that lined the west wall and placing his bag on the 
cusion, "Now where is that troublesome grandchild of mine?" 

 Kasuga flung the door open before him, his eyes wide with the anticipation that 
rushed through his body as he stopped in his tracks, his mouth wide as his 
jagged breath scraped it's way past his throat. And there, in the doorway to the 
ABCB, the latticed door pushing lightly at his behind as he faced Ayukawa, 
stunned. 
 He had found her, here. Had thought that was what he wanted, but now, as he 
looked upon her, her eyes wide in the smae panic that he felt, he couldn't think 
of a thing to say. Wasn't sure if he could. He pushed one foot forward with much 
effort, letting the door hiss closed behind him as he raised his hand, trying to 
force the words, WHAT WORDS! out of his throat, "Ah...." 
 But she did not hear even that as she turned her back to him, letting her hair 
swoosh around her neck as not to let him see the pain through the angered 
expression she had chosen to show him, accentuating her act with an icy, 
"Hmmph." 
 Master stood at the corner of the bar, just outside the door to the kitchen as 
the two sparred, Ayukawa flipping her hair over her shoulder in victory not 
giving him a second chance to see all that she -hopefully- hid within' her eyes. 
"Hmmm..." Master mumbled to himself, his greasy hand scratching at his chin. 
'Strange...' he finished, to himself only as Kasuga, head hung low, turned to 
the door and pushed it open before him. He knew now, words were of no use. 
 Ayukawa's ears perked as she heard his hand rest on the door plate, her eyes 
flashing wide as she felt him turn his head, taking one long look at her back, 
knowing almost instinctively it would be the last. Tomorrow? There was no 
tomorrow for her, not now, not ever.... if Kasuga was gone. 
 She turned about quickly, her eyes scanning the door for that oh so familiar 
visage, but the door chime told the tale before she had fully turned. He was 
gone. 
 Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes began to water as she she looked 
through the window, nothing... He was no where to be seen. 'Gone.' she thought 
to herself, the word running over and over in her mind as she gripped the bar 
helplessly, holding on to it as if it were his hand. How had they had so much, 
yet nothing at all?! "How could he leave me...?" she cried breathlessly, too low 
for anyone but her to hear, or so she thought. 

 "Kurumi," her grandfather chided, "you really must see the seriousness of the 
situation." his hands resting on his knees as he spoke to her from the end of 
the couch. "Kyousuke is naturally a stupid person. For him to even let her see 
his powers is beyond belief, but to admit it by offering to marry her for the 
price of her silence, well... as I said, your brother is a fool." 
 "BUT WHY?!" Kurumi howled, stamping her foot firmly on the floor, sending a 
slight tremor through the building. "She's nice enough!" 
 "Nice," her father cut in, "true enough. But it is the same that will 
eventually let ou the secret that we all keep," he continued, catching Kurumi's 
attention fully, "and not one day of rest shall he see." his index finger 
standing strait before him as he concluded his explanation. 
 "Now do you see?" Manami queried her sister, her arms coming to rest around the 
forlorn girl before her as Kurumi stared blankly at the scene before her. 
 Kurumi, her head hung low, sniffled slightly, then turned solemnly to the 
three, her eyes watering slightly as she saw in her mind the life her brother 
would lead if Hikaru suceeded in catching her brother, "Maybe your right." 
wiping her eyes with the cuff of her blouse, "But... but... All I wanted was her 
to be my SISTER!!" 
 (insert standard pratfall) 
 Manami, being the first to recover, stared dully into her sister's forlorn 
gaze, caught unawares by her sister's outburst, "You mean...." pointing an 
accusing finger in Kurumi's direction. 
 Kurumi, studying her toes as she fumbled nervously with her hands, letting out 
a pityfull 'sniff' as she nodded in response. "I tipped over the flagpole..." 
she let out, her voice almost inaudible against the incessant buzz of the late 
spring evening as she cast her mind back, recalling the events of a few days 
ago. "I saw them fighting, and began to wonder if they really, really wanted to 
be together. 
 "Oniichan had been hanging on Madoka-san when we were drinking..." 
 "Kurumi!" her father bellowed, aghast. "You were drinking?!" 
 "Otoosan!!" Manami howled, casting a very icy glare her father's way, 
effectively shutting him up, then turning her gaze back to a sniveling Kurumi. 
 Kurumi, feeling the ice in her sister's glare, drew her eyes back to the carpet 
beneath her and continued soberly, "And... and not paying any attention to 
Hikaru-san. When Hikaru-san got mad, I got mad, because I like Hikaru-san, and 
we got along together so much better than me and Madoka-san, and I just thought 
that if I could get Oniichan to tell her that he loved her, well, that would be 
that. So I followed them home two days ago and leaned a telephone pole over just 
when they were walking under it and it went strait down, but not where it should 
of..." 
 "And...!" Manami continued for her sister, prodding her with another patented 
'death' look. 
 "And..." Kurumi began, letting out another sniffle, "and Hikaru-chan was in the 
way, so I yelled, and the next thing I knew the telephone pole was on the ground 
and Oniichan and Hikaru-chan were no where in sight." she finished, looking up 
at the rest of her family with a lost look on her face, her mouth wide with the 
words she couldn't bring to voice, mentally asking them for forgiveness, anger, 
denial, SOMETHING! 
 Clack, clack!! The door sounded as it closed in it's jam, effectively saving 
Kurumi's life, but not from the look that pinned her to the wall. "We'll talk of 
this later." her father commanded as he looked to the door to see Kyousuke 
pushing his shoes off wearily. "Kyousuke!" he called, catching the boy's 
attention, "Come here for a minute, would you?" 

 Master stood at the corner of the kitchen, watching on as Ayukawa slunk down 
the bar, her back to the door remembering all the times he had seen the young 
woman throughout the years he had known her, the small child she was so long 
ago, the tom-boyish little girl she had grown into, and the striking young woman 
she was now. And thought, throughout the times he had seen her cry -though there 
had been few- he had never seen her break down. And now, at long last, it was 
here. He had never wished to see the loss he saw now in her crumpled form, had 
never wished to see the tears run down her face in streams. He could only think 
he had guessed wrong when he had assumed that the two had fought over some 
trifle, which was what it had seemed to be. No, this was much more serious. 
 he stepped over to her, kneeling down beside her as he placed a consoling hand 
on her shoulder, "Madoka-kun..." trying to shake her out of her sloth with the 
name. Then again, "Madoka-kun.", but for some reason, she was lost. He tried 
once more, but this time, "Ayukawa." 
 Ayukawa looked to him, her attention caught by the familiar, almost nickname 
only one person she knew ever used, and found not Kasuga, but the compassionate 
eyes of Master. "Oh, Master!" she cried aloud, and threw her arms about his 
neck, needing now more than ever the placating feel of an embrace. This was more 
than she had ever expected, more than she had ever thought would happen. 
 "There, now." Master sighed, stroking her hair, trying to placate the young 
woman in his arms. "It's allright." he called, smiling brightly for her as he 
tried to calm her tears as Ayukawa tried desperately to control the throws of 
anguish that ran through her body. She must stop this infernal whining! She was 
starting to remind herself of Hikaru! 
 She caught herself as another burst of tears was about to send her body into 
another rapture and tried conciously to calm herself, and suceeded. Although a 
bit shakey, she was no longer hysterical. "Now," Master began, gazing at her 
with kind eyes, "tell me what happened." 
 And as she began to tell her tale, she could not but feel better, for now at 
least someone knew. Her story would not die in her alone. 

 "NANI?!" Kyousuke exclaimed, his eyes wide as he let what was said soak into 
his mind. Was it possible? To travel back in time to fix something that he had 
done. To somehow change what had happened?! That is truely what he heard, but he 
could not believe it. Could conceive it, true, he had done it before, but that 
had no purpose. And what of Ayukawa? And Hikaru? What would happen if he failed, 
or somehow miscalculated? What if... what if Hikaru didn't make it out from 
under that telephone pole? What if he had already gone back, and made the 
mistake already? Letting Hikaru see his power? Would it not nullify this future 
if he did not go back now to change things?! 'I don't know!!' he screamed to 
himself, clutching his head in his hands, caught within' the descision. 
 And what OF Ayukawa? She hated him now, had always had, he guessed, from the 
way she had treated him. Was there any use in going back? He struggled for the 
answer, yet found none. Lost in confusion he sat as the four of them looked upon 
him, waiting for his answer. And so, he made his choice, regretfully. 

 Master trotted down the street towards the Kasuga apartment, his mind working 
quickly through what he had seen and what he had heard, and, of course, what he 
was going to say. He couldn't just come out and tell the boy that it was a bad 
mistake to marry Hikaru-chan now because it was Ayukawa, who -in his mind- 
really loved him. 'I mean,' he added to himself, 'after the way he had acted, 
it's sure that he would not take it well. Or, at least, not the way to get the 
boy to do what I want him to do.' 
 He stopped midstride and stared down at the pavement beneath him, noticing the 
first of many steps into the building where Kasuga lived as he screamed in his 
mind, 'i must come up with a plan!' scratching his chin. But for the life of 
him, no, for the life of Madoka-kun, he could not think of a one that would suit 
his purposes. 
 "Che." he sounded aloud, and pushed his foot forward, up the first step, 
pushing the double glass doors out of his way. He'd just have to wing it. 

 "No," he said miserably. There was no use kidding himself. He had been lucky 
that it had happened. He had Hikaru now, forever. He was sure of that. He didn't 
need... 'Ayukawa...' 
 "What do you mean 'NO'!" Manami bellowed, snapping to her feet, "What are you, 
oniichan, stupid?!" even her maliscious taunt unable to rouse his head. "You 
know what kind of person Hikaru is! It's only a matter of time before she gives 
us all away!" stomping over to stand directly in front of him. 
 "I..." Kyousuke began, his voice low, yet gaining volume with every word, 
"will... not... run.... AWAY!!" as he glared back into her icy stare, his eyes 
flashing with a quiet anger. "Besides," he continued, flicking his gaze away, 
"there's no need to go back." his thoughts turning to Ayukawa, the sight of her 
back at the ABCB, the icy stare she had given him. 'No need at all...' he added 
to himself. Without Ayukawa, he didn't have the will to fight. 
 Manami readied herself for another burst as a nock at the door cut her off, 
catching her a stride away from belting her sometimes stubborn older brother. 
She checked herself, her eyes darting toward the annoyance at the door as the 
tap tap came again. She glanced to a meekly cowering Kurumi and nudged her 
toward the door, readying herself to resume her stride. "Onii-chan!" she 
proclaimed, her feet firmly set before him as she thumped her hands down on her 
hips, proceeding to ball him out any way she could think of. 
 Kurumi cracked the door open slightly, peering out through the slim passage at 
the bearded man who stood outside the door, her eyes growing wider as she 
realized who he was, "Master!" her voice catching the attention of all in the 
room. 
 "Uh," Master replied weakly, peering through the now open door before him at 
the unmistakable scene. "Ohayo." waving slightly at the astonished family. 
 "Master." Kyousuke replied, springing up from his seat opposite a now very 
puzzled Manami, then working his way toward the door, "What brings you here?" 
offering a hand inside. 
 "Ah, domo." Master replied, closing the door behind him as he entered, then 
facing Kyousuke squarely, his eyes nailing Kyousuke with a somber look, "To be 
truthful, Kasuga-kun, I came to speak to you." 
 "Un." Kyousuke nodded, leading Master into a more explicit answer. 
 "Well," Master answered the polite inquiry, his eyes scanning the croud about 
him, then leaning to the young man conspiritorialy, "It's... it's a private 
matter." 
 "Oh! Of course." Kyousuke responded, "Please, follow me." turning about 
quickly, now more puzzled than ever, but too eager to hear what the man had to 
say to ask as he led the man into his room, closing the door behind him. "Now," 
Kyousuke began, offering the man a seat, "what can I do for you?" 
 'Now or never.' Master breathed to himself, now set on a tactic, "It's about 
Ayukawa. She..." his eyes scaning Kasuga, catching the glint of interest he had 
only hoped for. 'Yes!' he thought as he continued, 'I knew I was right.' "Well, 
she's not in very good shape at all, you see." 
 "Eh?!" Kyousuke blurted, his eyes wide with panic, "Is... Is she okay?!" 
clinging desperately to the man's hands. 
 "Oh, no!" Master laughed aloud, "Nothing like that!" he continued, controlling 
his laughter as Kyousuke relinguished his grip, wiping the sweat from his brow, 
"But..." then pausing to be sure he had the young man's interest, "it's 
something much more serious than that..." hoping that he would ask the question 
he knew was on the young man's mind. 
 "More.." Kyousuke repeated, his face drawn, "serious?" 
 "Yes," Master commented, now sure of his success, "She's love-sick you see." 
letting his words trail off into silence, his hands resting behind his head 
lazily. 
 "Oh," Kyousuke said as the words sunk in, his morose attitude returning 
quickly, "I see." his head drooping slightly between his shoulders as he 
askedthe question that gave the pain that he had ran from throughout the day. 
"What can I do?" 
 "Eh?" Master queried, caught unawares by the young man's naivete. Then, slowly, 
came to realize... the scene in the pub... the way he looked at her... then 
without a word. 'Ohhhh!!' he bellowed in his mind, then began to laugh 
hysterically, his gut caught in painful spasms as he tried desperately to 
control the humor that racked his body, "Marry her, you fool!" continuing to 
laugh. 
 "EH??!!" 
 "It's hahahahahahahah it's hahahahahhoho you hohhohohohohoho she hahahahahaha 
loves! Hohohohooohahahahahahaha!" most definately amused by the outcome. He had 
never thought...! 
(*sound fx of writer snickering) 
 Kyousuke, caught between the very real anger he felt at the writer and the rest 
of the cast, and the ever increasing need to run to Ayukawa hesitated only 
slightly, then ran. As fast as he could he ran, for his life, and hers, 'Ours.' 
sprinting past his hysterically chuckling family to the door of his house, and 
out, down the hall, and there, he jumped, feeling the brush of the breeze fly 
through his hair as he fell down the length of the steps, his mind caught in the 
intense regret that he nevertheless felt, "Forgive me.... Hikaru." 

 The light of the early morning sun shone through the tall trees that lined the 
street, spraying golden rays of sunshine across a flowing black mane that 
billowed lazily within the light breeze. Ayukawa, her eyes looking up to the 
mass of leaves that clouded most of the new day's light, couldn't help but think 
that this day would be a good one. And as Hikaru and Kasuga strolled up to her, 
light in their eyes, and smiling happily at the third in the triangle only two 
of them knew exhisted, she slipped her arm through Kasuga's and couldn't help 
but agree with her previous speculation. 'Yes,' she thought, he eyes smiling at 
Kasuga as her ears picked up the dance of Hikaru's voice, 'this day is going to 
be a great one.' 


 Thanks for reading, and I do hope you enjoyed it. Please look for other titles 
available from Fifth Way. 
The Seduction Of Ataru - UY/DP/Ranma crossover Lemon 
Something In Your Eyes - KOR Finale' 
Side Tails - KOR Lemon 
Aggressiveness Kyousuke! The Wild Frying Pan Experience! - KOR Lemon 
Wish You Were Here - KOR Episode 
To Be A Star - KOR Episode 
Not So Much Troubled - KOR Episode in ancient times 
For more info please e-mail me at mattj@icnet.net