Disclaimer: Megatokyo and associated characters are copyright Fred Gallagher. .com
I claim nothing.

Kimi Sae Ireba (Love Hina End Theme)
Lyrics and translation borrowed from

---

I'M A DREAMER
yoake no hikari sosogu ka no chi wa doko?

"I'm a dreamer.
Where does the light of dawn pour down?"

---

The night was hard and lonely in Otaku City. As the rain poured down outside, and the time came and went when distant fanboys cried "RELOAD!" and hit the forums like stampeding cattle. As Makoto-rin lay curled up on the floor, she clutched her head tightly, whimpering, in too much pain to even cry out.

It helped a little to read the forums, to touch the hopes and dreams of the people that even now caused her distress. What she did, she did for them. And for her father.

But tonight, unlike most nights, she was truly alone.

"Ukyo-san... help..."

---

I'M A DREAMER
Honojiroi sono hohoemi, douka sawarasete

"I'm a dreamer.
Dimly white, that smile touched me somehow."

---

In the midst of her pain, the server-rin felt another connection. It was Dom, uploading the strip. As she read the file, she could see the 4-koma take shape alongside Kimiko's mysteriously smile.

Kimiko looked different tonight, like a big sister who knew something she didn't.

Huddling in the dark, Makoto wondered what it was.

---

koko wa hi no ataranai basho
hitorikiri de naku toki no himitsu no basho
sakebu youni namae yobunda
kimi ga inakerya, kimi sae ireba

"That sunshine doesn't touch this place,
this secret place where you can cry all alone.
As if I were screaming, I call out your name,
If you weren't here; if you were here."

---

The upload stopped, and far-away Dom disconnected. Piro would stay and chat sometimes, but Dom wouldn't. Who could say why? But the worst was far from over.

It was more than a race to see the strip first. In chat rooms far and near, fans would tell their friends of the strip's arrival, and they would come - some to see the strips, others to post in the forums.

No, the night was far from over. From the darkened heart of Otaku City, Makoto cried out once again.

"Piro-papa... Ukyo-san..."

---

kitto iku yo, hi no ataru basho
kono mama ja owarenai, yakusoku ga aru
tooi michi, hitosuji no michi
kimi ga inakerya, kimi sae ireba

"Surely, I'll go to that place where the sunshine touches.
It can't end like this; we still have promises.
That far off path, that straight path,
If you weren't here; if you were here."

---

Some hours later, after the reloaders, after the chat room rush, Makoto browsed the forums where the fans were talking about Otakon. They had brought back with them stories and pictures, such things as Makoto had never seen or done. The pain from the night's work still echoed in her head, and she wished once again that she could meet them, meet anyone, see anything beyond the climate controled shelter of her colocation in Otaku City.

But the fans needed her.

With Ukyo gone, with Piro offline, it was such a lonely job.

As she browsed, a sound clicked in the background. The door leading to the outside - that portal of hope through which she might one day pass - was opening.

A familiar voice. Friendly, welcome, and seldom heard. "Makoto-rin? Are you awake?"

"Piro-papa!"

---

kitto iku yo, hi no ataru basho
kono mama ja owarenai, yakusoku ga aru
tooi michi, hitosuji no hikari
kimi ga iru kara, kimi sae ireba

"Surely, I'll go to that place where the sunshine touches.
It can't end like this; we still have promises.
That far off road, that beam of light...
Because you are here; If only you were here."

---

Nobody could have doubted the joy in the little girl's face as she ran to meet him, embraced him, and tore into the nikuman he had brought. There was so much to say, and never enough time. Makoto was still full of questions when Ukyo appeared through the door, straining under the weight of a blue haired girl.

"Ne, Papa... Is she..."

Piro nodded. "Yes. She is."

It was only a few minutes later that all of the connections were established, but it felt like days. Eventually, Nayuki yawned long and loud, then opened her eyes.

"Hi! I'm Nayuki!"

Perhaps this was what Kimiko smiled for.

"I'm Makoto. Wanna be friends?"