I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is a pigment of my weird imagination. I apologize in advance for all spelling and grammar mistakes.
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The U Project: Epilogue
The Conclusion
14
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'I live,'
---
"So… he survived," said the woman in an expensive suit, pacing around the great hall, her movements neither slow nor deliberate, deeply immersed in her own thoughts. She whispered gently, "Remarkable… he's simply remarkable,"
"Indeed," replied the man behind the vast mahogany desk, a commanding presence inside the room, his head bent on thick stack of papers, "The report in here says that he suffered first degree burns all over his body, not to mention different level of injuries he sustained from his duel with Mikael… but somehow… with all that… he recovered almost seventy percent faster than any normal human being ever recorded,"
A sigh.
"Am I right to assume that the second phase of The U Project is a success?" the woman asked tentatively.
The man looked up from the official documents sent to him by The Holy Council, smirked and replied, "Millions of tax payers' money spent, a number of personnel and foreign agents charged with conspiracy and are now facing Japanese judicial courts, tidal wave of inquiries from different media bases around the world…"
"The media can be controlled…" the woman interrupted; her eyes in deep frown.
"… nevertheless, it's still a nuisance. Greatly so… now that we have to deal with the sudden emergence of the papal investigation units from Rome,"
A pause.
The man removed his clear spectacles, placed it on the table, rubbed his temple and whispered, "I guess we have no choice but to conclude it as a success… The Holy Council made a point of what's left of The U Project and some necessary changes in the original plan to follow the will,"
A sigh.
"Keitaro Urashima… died six years ago in a plane crash on the northern beaches of Japan. He was subjected to The U Project, revived and lost all his memory… or as The Holy Council would say his 'soul'. He was code named K.U. 21 or Keyu Unetvicesima, Latin word for twenty-first. He was trained as a soldier for two years, then disappeared and The Holy Council lost contact with him, after two years he returned and apparently he has been searching his past… or his 'soul'. And by some unseen force or miracle he found them… he found the girls…"
The man flicked through the documents and added, "Naru Narusegawa, Shinobu Maehara, Kaolla Su, Mitsune Konno, Mutsumi Otohime and Motoko Aoyoma… quite a handful… really,"
The woman continued her assessment, "And so during those years he refused to reveal himself to them, to his former life, instead, he examined them, their lives, took notes and letters as preparation for his return… for the real Keitaro Urashima's return. The remaining years, he joined the CIA's Black Arrows to fight The Holy Council and its band of deadly assassins, working as a mole… then a month ago… again by unseen guidance of fate Keitaro Urashima has woken… Keyu Unetvicesima disappeared into the recesses of his mind leaving only his own clues and his unfinished fight…"
A pause.
"You're right… it is remarkable," the man took his glasses off again and started wiping it, "The Holy Council used him and subjected him to all stresses of violence as part of the will's prophecy… including that little battle at the warehouse…" he sighed with exasperation, "I never thought that working with priests could be this daunting… I mean… really? Do we have to put everything in a colossal or should I say biblical proportions?"
"Well… I'm already amazed that the government is working with the church… especially the United States and Rome…"
"Extraordinary circumstances beguile extraordinary bedfellows… we all want the same thing… and Keitaro Urashima is the key… the second phase of The U Project has proven that much…"
A pause.
Tall shadows crept into the room as the sun sets in.
The woman looked back, her face grim, asked, "Who's next on The Holy Council's list?"
A shuffle of paper.
A grunt.
"Kanako Urashima,"
---
"What are you planning to do now?" Keitaro asked without looking. A smile in his lips, a content look in his face, as he watched Shinobu gracefully accepted the rolled paper that symbolizes the success of her academic degree completion.
Tokyo University has not changed much in Keitaro's eyes. It has been six years since his last visit and to think that he left bowing to return to finally complete his chosen career and graduate. But he returned now as an audience to somebody else's graduation. He was a man out of his time.
I feel no regrets though… I did what was needed to be done. No regrets.
Karen watched him for a full minute before replying, "I'll go back to CIA at Langley. And prepare a report…"
Keitaro sighed.
As if to answer his obvious display of disapproval, Karen smiled and added, "Don't worry… I won't let them know your current status. Just like what you said the other night… Keyu is dead. CIA has no use of him now. I won't let anybody disturb you… I promise Keitaro,"
A pause.
The crowd cheered as the new batch of alumnae stood. There were several shouts and happy whistles. People started merging towards the platform to personally congratulate the graduates. The sun was shining brightly, wind blowing lightly over the Tokyo University open graduation celebration.
"No. Keyu isn't dead. He's alive and he will always be with us," Keitaro whispered after a while.
---
Motoko was the first to formally shake Shinobu's hand. They looked at each other for a moment, then forsaking any hint of etiquette they hugged and cried, unmindful of the surrounding people's stare and smiles.
"I'm so happy for you," Motoko said after regaining her composure.
"Thank you so much for your support Motoko-sempai," Shinobu was wiping her tears when Su grabbed her from the back screaming her congratulations, "Thank you so much to you too Su-chan!"
Naru and Mutsumi gave Shinobu flowers and banners. They chatted with her for a while before they gave way to Kitsune who was carrying a finely decorated single box of wine. It was beautifully prepared, complimented with a red bow.
"Thank you so much Mitsune-sempai," Shinobu bowed.
Kitsune smiled, "I know you're not the drinking type so I chose this. It's strong and sweet. Perfect for a girl like you,"
Haruka, Seta and Sara arrived with the van, carrying their own gifts and congratulatory bouquet of flowers, mixed with ancient stones and wooden carvings. And with them was Shinobu's mother and father carrying boxes of gifts.
Shinobu was red with happiness. To be surrounded with her loving friends and family. But somehow she felt incomplete. She couldn't help but to look around, waiting and hoping. Has he forgotten my special day? Sempai… have you?
"Looking for me?"
Shinobu's eyes widened. She turned.
"Sorry about this Shinobu, I was just busy tying things up," Keitaro laughed silly with his hand at the back of his head.
Shinobu, teary eyed, whispered shyly, "No… its okay… sempai… I'm just glad that you're here with us,"
Keitaro paused, smiled, and then approached Shinobu. He gently lifted her hand and placed a long brown envelope, said, "You deserve so much more. And I am so proud of what you've accomplished. I know that I'm lucky to know you and be your friend. Please… accept this small gift of mine, and… err… I suggest you read it when we get back at the Hinata… okay?"
Shinobu nodded, doing her best to hide her surprise and curiosity.
"Okay! Everyone! Let's head to the Hinata Apartments and get this party started!"
---
"Does it hurt?"
Keitaro turned in surprise. He was back in his room, redressing his healing burnt skin. The party was in full swing downstairs at the main living area. He could hear several shouts, cahoots and someone singing a very bad rendition of current top Japanese pop song.
"Mo… Motoko… um… I'm sorry that…" Keitaro stammered.
Motoko entered Keitaro's room, sliding the door gently behind her. Her eyes closed as if in contemplation of what she was planning to do. She whispered, "Oh… don't be silly… I should be the one apologizing for entering your room without your consent…" She approached Keitaro then slowly picked a roll of bandage, "Here… let me help you…"
"No… Motoko… honestly… I can do this alone… and I don't think it's proper for you to be here… what if somebody…"
"I don't care… let them think what they want to think…" Motoko retorted more of endearment than irritation, "Besides… I'd rather help you than watch a drunken Mutsumi make a fool of herself…"
Keitaro did not argue anymore. He turned his back towards her and let her do as she wished. They could hear light stomping and gale of laughter. Somebody was keeping everybody entertained. The karaoke music was louder than ever.
Motoko expertly removed layers of damp bandages around Keitaro's chest. Then after cleaning the healing wounds with extreme care, she passed a fresh layer of bandage across Keitaro's body. It was over in less than thirty minutes.
A sigh.
A pause.
Then Keitaro bowed and wore a new set of clothes. He smiled.
"Thank you Motoko,"
Motoko smiled and stood, prepared herself to leave, saying, "We better get back… we're the only ones not drunk so I think it would be best to catch up… and…"
Motoko was already sliding the door when she felt Keitaro's arms around her waist. Gentle, not forceful, but wanting, needing. She did not resist. She did not move. Her heart was beating fast, her breathing shallow, her blood boiling with intensity.
Motoko did not turn. Keitaro's hands went for her breasts, gently kneading. She managed to stifle a moan. Then her little resistance disappeared when she felt Keitaro's lips cross her open shoulders. She moaned, "Keitaro… please,"
And so Keitaro turned Motoko and kissed her lips. His right hand at the back of her neck, his left hand on the small of her back. They locked lips. Moaning all the while. Standing by the door. Drowning deep into the heat of their desire.
Motoko placed her arms around Keitaro's shoulders and pressed him closer to her, wanting to feel his body.
Then Keitaro gently pushed her back.
"I… I'm so sorry… Motoko… I…" Keitaro was gasping for air. His face flushed.
"No… well… um…" Motoko was trying her best to cool down. Her body was overwhelmingly hot.
A pause.
A sigh.
"I love you Motoko. Ever since you saved my life… ever since you pulled me out of my own death bed that night… I was so lost… so certain that I was dying," Keitaro stared deep into Motoko's eyes, willing her to see, to understand how she meant to him, "But you were there… it was your voice, calling me into the night… that gave me the will to live and fight on… but…"
Keitaro lowered his head, deep sadness eating through his heart and soul.
"I can't let anything happen to you or anybody… I want you… I need you… and I don't want to die wondering what it would have been like yet I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to be selfish and yes, I also want to be greedy with imminent pain that will happen to me. You and everybody else would say the past is not important… that it doesn't matter… it does… it really does… I… I'm sorry,"
Motoko sighed, placed her shaking hand on Keitaro's face, "Thank you. Thank you for letting me know, and I'm happy that you feel this way about me… although… it's sad… sad that fate has given us such painful circumstances… but my heart will never change… I tried long time ago… but I couldn't… I love you Keitaro… I really do," Tears running freely from her eyes, Motoko sobbed, "But please… I beg you… can you at least show me your love tonight…"
A pause.
They stared each other for a moment.
Then Keitaro reached out, looping his arms around Motoko's waist, tracing his finger on the side of her face, whispered, "You're beautiful Motoko… you always have…"
A sigh.
Then they kissed.
The party went on all night. It was morning the next day when everybody missed Keitaro and Motoko.
---
White. Everything was white.
Keitaro found himself in a hazy world. He could not see anything. Everything was white.
'Are you lost?' a voice.
Keitaro turned. He found himself staring at a tall thin man. The man has a short brown beard, matching his wavy hair, his lips thin and his face taut; it was a kind face though with compassionate eyes. He was wearing a long white robe.
'Are you lost?' the man repeated. There was a hint of concern in his voice. Deep sadness.
Keitaro cried. For some odd reason, he could not help himself but cry. He could not understand but somehow it was the only thing he could do to let out that tremendous grief locked inside his heart. He knew. He knew that he had lost everything. He had finally been released with all his pain.
A hand.
Keitaro looked up and found the man staring down on him.
The man whispered, 'Why are you crying?'
Keitaro sobbed, 'I… I missed my friends… I… I want to be with them… but now I can't…'
'Don't worry… I'll lead you back to them…'
'Huh? Can… can you do that?'
The man waved his hand and instantly Keitaro could see a winding road.
'Follow this road and you'll find your way back,'
'Thank… thank you mister… hey!' Keitaro shouted, 'You're bleeding!' he pointed on the man's hands, 'Why are you bleeding?'
The man smiled, 'It's because my children are suffering,' he turned and prepared to leave.
'Wait! Will I see you again?' Keitaro asked.
The man looked back, 'Yes you will, you'll know how to find me…'
'Huh? I… I don't understand… what do you mean?'
'Don't you remember? I told you how. I'll see you soon. In your own time. In your own land. Take care,'
'WAIT!'
"KEITARO! KEITARO! WAKE UP! PLEASE! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! PLEASE KEITARO! SAY SOMETHING!"
Keitaro opened his eyes.
He saw Motoko staring down on him. Her eyes red with tears.
"Motoko… what… what happened?" Keitaro said weakly.
Motoko gently placed her hands on Keitaro's burnt shoulder, whispered, "It will be alright… it will be alright… it's all over… Mikael died in the explosion. You survived… the rescue team will be here any moment now… just hang on… please… just hang on…"
Keitaro closed his eyes. He felt nothing. His body numbing, an incessant ringing in his ears, his vision starting to fade, yet his mind was clear as the night blue sky.
"I… I just want to see him again…"
---
'I'm alive… yet I don't know what I should do now my Lord,'
Lazarus asked
Jesus smiled to the man who has died and lived
'Live the life you deserve… and wait for me
for I have given you a gift… your faith has brought you back
into the land of the living…
you will find me against all odds
and we shall meet again,'
'I will wait my Lord; I will find you again,'
The U Project
The End
Author final words
Finally! I have finished this weird fiction of mine! And what a ride it was!
Thank you to all who has been part of this story. To your kind words of encouragement and criticism, I appreciate your effort. Even though you might feel unsatisfied, I tried my best with the romance between Keitaro and Motoko. I just hope it didn't sound like they literally jumped into each other… well with what happened to both of them… I guess they have a stronger bond now than before. I also hope that you figured out the meaning behind The U Project and The Holy Council.
I guess I confused so many people out there. And with this final chapter to wrap things up, I indicated as much as to what happened to the whole series. Well… there is another project somewhere.
Dedications
To all my reviewers, especially hinaguy, jennyjenai, tornado reviewer and kylaran, it seems that as long as I could see that you reviewed, it felt like I did a good job. To all fanfiction readers and writers, this is for all of you. To Katherine Ann Grey, the greatest critic of all, yes you're right… I WROTE IT!There is another project. I'm just wondering if anybody wants to read it. Anyways… I'll see you on the next fiction!
Cheers!
nivremous