Alright.
I've been trying to avoid writing this fanfic until I've finished Gratuitous
self parts 4 and 5, but it stuck in my mind, blocking out everything else.
So, in order to rid myself of the mental block this story idea has caused,
I've decided to write it and post it, so that I can finally sleep at night
without thinking of it.


================

So Many Memories
(An A!MG shortfic)


	"Hi, I'm home."
	"Oh, hi, Keiichi! Dinner'll be ready soon."
	"No hurry." Keiichi took his shoes off and sat down on the porch in the
temple they were staying in. Really, he thought. She tries to do too much.
	He leaned back and lay down on the hardwood floor, resting his head in his
hands. Ah, this is the life, he thought. So what if I'm short? That's the
only thing I don't have going for me right now. I'm the number one drag
racer Nekomi Tech's got. I'm doing well in all my subjects, and best of all,
I'm living with goddesses!
	And yet...


	The breeze blew across the courtyard as Keiichi watched the sun set. A
random thought flashed in his mind. I wonder if we should go to the ocean
again this year. He smiled as he remebered last summer's fiasco. That Urd.
Because of her, I found myself hanging over Mishima Sayoko (which really
would'nt be so bad, if she weren't such a bitch). Boy, he thought, if that
love potion didn't wear off like it did, I'd....I'd....
	...What?


	"Keiichi, your bike's finished."
	"Thanks, Skuld."
	"Anytime." Skuld said as Keiichi smiled at her and brought the bike to the
garage. She shook her head sadly. "A while back, I would never have thought
of helping you out with anything, Keiichi," she said as soon as he was
beyond earshot. "Now...I feel like I have to. I have to make up for...for
everything. I have to. I understand now, and I'm sorry..." She continued
shaking her head as she entered the temple, he expression a mixture of guilt
and pity...


	Keiichi checked out his bike as he put it away, and grinned as he thought,
that Skuld. Always tinkering with the machinery. She even tried to fix up
Aoshima's bike so he'd win! At least, she told me she did.
	Keiichi smirked. At least I kicked that sleazeball Aoshima's butt during
that drag race! Yeah, that was great. Boy, it's a good thing his club's bike
blew out when it did, or...
	...or what?


	Why do I feel so empty? Why is that? My life is full! In fact, I go through
so much trouble just dealing with Urd and Skuld's mischief. Mishima Sayoko
keeps hitting on me, that's true, but I don't really pay any attention to her.
	Mishima Sayoko. God, she made him so mad. The way she was so sure of
herself. The way she came on to him like she was sure he'd fall fo her
tricks. Why couldn't she understand that he'd never fall for her, that he'd
never allow himself to be seduced by her, because...
	...because what?


	Keiichi came out from the makeshift garage he and Skuld and constructed
(actually, Urd wanted to help out, but you know Urd...) and looked up into
the fast-darkening sky. He smiled sadly, although he didn't know why.
	What is it about the sky that saddens me? That makes me feel this
bittersweet feeling? This feeling that I can't put a finger on...This
sadness that I feel that I cannot for the life of me discern the reason...
	"Hi, Keiichi!"
	"Oh, Megumi." He frowned slightly. "Don't tell me you're here for eats again?"
	"What's wrong with that? I'm your sister, Keiichi! Surely you can show some
hospitality for your own sister, can't you? Or are you afraid I'll find out
exactly what you're doing with these girls?"
	"Megumi! Get your mind out of the gutter!"
	"C'mon! It's not like I'm gonna tell mom you're living with girls! And
foreigners, yet."
	"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"
	"Sure, sure," said Megumi as she entered the temple.
	Darn that Megumi, thought Keiichi. Always butting in where she's not
wanted. Her intentions are good but...she meddles too much. Like that time...
	Keiichi repeatedly snapped his fingers. Like that time...


	"Hi, Urd!"
	"Hi, Megumi. Dinner's almost ready."
	"Okay!"
	Urd looked out at Keiichi. How cruel a man's fate can sometimes be, said
Urd. I want to tell you everything. I want to make you see, Keiichi. Whether
I'd be doing it so you'd know or so that I can get it off my chest...I don't
know. All I know is that I can't. I can't...


	"Keiichi! Dinner's ready!"
	"Okay!" Keiichi sighed as he gazed into the now-starlit sky. Memories, he
thought. The last year has been filled with memories. Good times, bad
times...I guess my only consolation is that I know I can take it all with me.
	He chuckled to himself. Like that time before Christmas, when I was working
by butt off, trying to raise money...If Urd didn't help me recover my
stamina like that, I would have never raised enough to...
	

	What was this emptiness? What was this feeling, gnawing at him from the
inside, threatening to eat him alive, and yet never revealing its identity...
	"Keiichi! Dinner's getting cold..."
	"Alright!" He tore himself away from looking up, and started for the dining
room. A gust of wind blew past, and Keiichi folded his arms. Boy, I'm glad I
wore this sweater today, he thought. I glad I even got this sweater! It was
warm and cozy, and from what Keiichi could tell, it was handknitted. Now,
when did I have the sense to get myself something like this...


	"KEIICHI!"
	"I'm coming, I'm coming." God, Keiichi thought. I hope it's not one of
those weird concoctions again. Urd always cooked the weirdest things...


	Somewhere on the courtyard floor, a ring lay, forgotten.



	TimeRunner, January 26, 1997
"Kimi ni zutto soban ittehoshi!"
		-Morisato Keiichi