>From the Scriviner:
	No, this doesn't mean that RpM is finishing the First Season already, it
just means that we came up with a cast we liked so much it just demanded to
be written. But since he was busy he passed it on to me and boy does htis
feel like it's gonna be fun. :) If the first season was mad, the second
will be confusing. If you don't understand, you will once you read on...
heh. Anyway, enough talk, read on!

- - - 

	During the past season things had changed considerably over at the Nippon
Broadcasting Network. It was now successful rather than merely booming. It
might have been attributed in part to the huge success of their new show
last summer... 
	The meeting of the central programming board was a very somber and deadly
serious affair. The room had no exterior windows or central lighting. It
was also so cold that breathing was enough to cause a slight fog to emerge
from people's lips...
	Each seat at the meeting table had it's own lighting. Sort of. This
wouldn't have been so bad if it were the cheerful kind that lit up a good
portion of the room... unfortunately these were harsh spotlights which
focused upward, somewhere around the chin of whoever was seated at the
chairs, highlighting the shadows of the faces of the board. The result?
Wonderfully dramatic mood lighting. Except for the painful drawback. 
	Except for their chins, everyone in the boardroom was freezing. Those
tended to get severely burnt. It gave entirely new meaning to the term five
o'clock shadow. This did not make for particularly cheerful meetings. Every
single member of the central programming board wore dark suits with severe
cuts... they were all somewhat distinctive... men of impressive stature
within the company.
	A fat old man in totally unnecessary dark shades at the head of the table
said to the rest of the men in the room, "This meeting is now in session,
gentlemen. The matter for discussion is whether or not we intend to option
a second season of the 'Real World: Tokyo' show."
	A hawk-nosed man with a whiny, grating voice interjected, "Consider,
chairman after what happened at the end of the first season... it might be
foolish for us to enter into another such fiasco."
	"On the othew hand," lisped a granite-faced man, "The watings we gawnewed
from ouw fiwst season were totawwy beyond ouw highest expectations."
	The hawk-nosed man asked the granite-faced man pointedly, "Yes, but the
cost!"
	"It was just one house," casually remarked a youthful man with a messy
thatch of brown hair. "I mean, it should be easy enough for us to choose
people for this season who won't be quite so... destructive." He grinned,
"I mean... this company has grown quite a bit since then."
	A long-faced man with a droning, monotonous voice replied, "He has a
point. We cannot turn down the potential advertising this could pull in for
us. The returns far outweigh the cost of a single house and the
environs..."
	"I still say it leaves us open to potential lawsuit..." whined the
hawk-faced man.
	The man at the other end of the table with a beard but no mustache kept
himself positioned leaning forward in his chair to avoid frying his chin
with the spotlight. His tie was beginning to smolder, but he ignored it. He
quietly rested his elbows on the table, and his chin on his gloved hands as
he cleared his throat, "Gentlemen, it would appear that we are more or less
all in agreement, save for our one dissenter."
	The hawk-faced man sputtered, "But the risks..!"
	The fat man in the shades, the chairman, nodded sagely. "Agreed. I see no
need to even put this to a vote. The second season of 'The Real World:
Tokyo' will begin shooting within the month."
	The fat man nodded to the bearded man, "You are charged with locating the
new residents for this season. And make sure we are covered or it will be
your head on the platter."
	The bearded man nodded, "Understood, Mr. Chairman."
	The hawk-faced man glared darkly at the bearded man.
	"I hearby call this meeting to a close." The fat man rumbled, "Now... let
us get back to the business of destroying our opposition."
	The lights shut off indicating that the meeting had indeed come to an end.
	"Hey... is that the door?"
	"No..! Ow!"
	"Caweful..!"
	"That's my nose you're pulling on!"
	"It's here somewhere..."
	"Argh!" <crash>
	Of course... overly dramatic board rooms do make for very difficult places
to leave if there are no lights to see the door by.
=======================================================================
=The Surreal World=
The 2nd Season

First Episode: Welcome to Nerima

Written by the Scriviner
Based on the Surreal World 
by RpM
Written with his permission.
=======================================================================
	Shun Kisaragi finished packing the last of the luggage. It was
mid-afternoon on the first day of summer vacation and the Greenwood Dorm
was sweltering. Shun jumped up and down on the last bag a few times, to
flatten it and pack the luggage inside properly. 
	Shun brushed aside long strands of pink hair as the second huge bag was
finally shut. This was one of the few times Shun regretted having such long
hair. It kept getting in the way. But then again, Shun thought with a
slight giggle, it's a price one has to pay to look so good.
	This, admittedly, was true enough. Long straight pink hair, delicate
features, a slender build... all summing up to a very attractive package.
Shun looked to all the world to be a very pretty and friendly sixteen year
old girl. This was not entirely true of course... but appearances could be
decieving.	Shun's best friend and room mate, Kazuya Hasukawa, stepped into
the room and shouldered one of the large bags with a little difficulty.
"Shun, d'you have everything ready? I've got one of the lowerclassmen
holding a cab for us downstairs."
	Shun nodded, grabbing the other large bag and dusting the numerous
footprints off of the sides, "Yup. All packed and ready, Suka-chan. Let's
get going." 
	The two roommates made their way out of their dorm room. Other residents,
also preparing to leave for the summer, nodded greetings to the two of
them. Hardly surprising, since Haukawa was the dorm president... and
Shun... was... well, Shun. It would be difficult for Shun to not have been
noticed at an all male dorm.
	"I still can't believe how lucky you are Shun," Hasukawa said as they
started down the stairs, "You get to be on TV... I'm sort of surprised that
you aren't going home for the summer though."
	"Well, I sort of talked my family into it. Besides, I figure I could use a
break..." Shun replied, smiling cutely.
	Hasukawa looked mildly concerned, "I still remember all of the weird stuff
that happened on that show last season..."
	"Oh, you mean with the girl?" Shun asked, "Don't worry, I'll be fine.
This'll be great."
	"If you say so, Shun." Hasukawa replied gloomily.
	Shun looked at him, puzzled, "What's the matter with you?"
	"Hmmm? Oh, nothing's wrong... it's just..."
	"You're going home for this summer?"
	Hasukawa nodded, "Yup... back to my brother's home..."
	"I thought you'd gotten over your brother's wife?" teased Shun, "Or is it
NOT being able to see Mia-chan this summer?"
	"Nevermind..."
	Shun giggled, giving Hasukawa a slap on the shoulder, "Lighten up a
little..." There was a brief pause before Shun continued, pouting slightly,
"Although I do wish Mitsuru-sempai and Shinobu-sempai hadn't rushed off so
suddenly..."
	"Well, Shinobu apparently had some kind of family crisis, he sorta dragged
Mitsuru along. They did apologize about it..."
	"Still..." Shun replied, still pouting, "By the way, I want to thank you
for helping me move my stuff to the house..."
	Hasukawa grinned a little, "Why not? Besides, if it turns out that you're
going to be living with a girl who looks like Urd from last season, I want
to know where the house is."
	Shun laughed easily... This was definitely going to be an interesting
summer.
- - -
	Akane Kasuga collapsed heavily onto her bed. She was a pretty enough
sixteen year old girl, her shoulder length brown hair tied off in a
ponytail. She was slender, but she also had a good figure. She was
currently wearing a pair of shorts and a tanktop to beat the heat. It
wasn't working too well. She was sweating. 
	She wasn't drop dead gorgeous, but she had a certain... something... to
her... a certain appeal. In all likelihood, there were no small number of
men who were interested in her... unfortunately for them, she wasn't into
that...
	She had a decision to make, and she wasn't too happy about being forced to
choose. She'd already had her summer vacation planned out... but her plans
were thrown into disarray by a single letter.
	In hand, she had the letter addressed to her from the Nippon Broadcasting
Network... it was basically an invitation to become part of the 'Real
World: Tokyo' TV show. They were offering to pay for the house, the
utilities, plus the signing fee... but that wasn't the important part... it
was the chance to be seen on TV! There were going to be TV cameras set up
all over the house, except for the bathrooms and bedrooms to capture what
EVERYONE was doing...
	 She stared idly at the letter, struggling with herself. Under normal
circumstances there wouldn't have been any sort of problem whatsoever...
but she'd been planning on a visit to her cousin Kyosuke's home... and a
visit... to HER.
	Kasuga shifted her gaze to the ceiling immediately above her bed... there
was an 8 foot by six foot blown up photo of Madoka Ayukawa... a woman who,
in Akane's own words, was her 'ideal person'. Akane had intended to spend
the summer at her cousin, Kyosuke's, home... it gave her the prefect excuse
to be near Madoka, all summer long, since she was usually with Kyosuke
anyway. When he wasn't with his girlfriend... during those times, Akane
could have Madoka all to herself... She smiled vaguely, that had been the
original plan... 
	She looked at the letter again. Her cousin had been invited to the last
season's show... he called it a fun time... he also claimed that after a
while you forgot about the cameras entirely. The show was a chance to get
discovered... always a consideration for any aspiring actress.  Not to
mention the possible recognition that came with the role. After all, plenty
of people were bound to see the show... and last she'd heard, at least two
of the people who'd been invited to the first season had been offered movie
deals... 
	Possible fame, wealth, an acting career, plus the definite free
rent/utilities and the signing fee... weighed against a summer with Madoka.
She thought about it some more... the house that she'd be staying in
wouldn't be THAT far from Madoka's neighborhood... a small smile began to
appear on Kasuga's features. 
	She suddenly floated up off her bed and hugged the photo on the ceiling,
sighing happily... this was probably going to be a summer to remember after
all.
- - -
	At a small teashop somewhere in the suburbs of Tokyo,	Junta Momonari
grinned excitedly as he reread the letter he'd received from the Nippon
Broadcasting Network to Ami.
	"They're saying I get to appear on TV and all I have to do is live in this
house with a bunch of other people for a couple of months!" He gushed.
"There's a signing fee they're giving me, and they're even paying for the
rent and the utilities on the place and everything."
	Junta seemed to be a fairly normal young man of sixteen. His dark hair was
unruly and not even the most assiduous brushing could force it to come down
from its accustomed spikiness. While not quite handsome, it had to be
admitted that he did look cute, in a gormless and somewhat nebbishy kind of
way, distinguished slightly by a mole under each eye.
	His companion smiled amiably at him. She was a pretty, sweet looking girl
also of around sixteen with short brown hair. She was a waitress at the
teashop, but it was a slow day, she was on her break, and her boss liked
Junta. "So does this mean you won't be helping your parents out this
summer?"
	Junta nodded, "Yup. I've talked to mom about it and she says she can spare
me. Just as long I greet her on the show or something... and maybe wear a
T-shirt with the store's logo and stuff, but she's probably kidding." He
thought about it for a moment, "At least I think she was kidding..."
	"I guess that's good..." Ami replied distantly, her eyes focusing on a
point a few inches to the right and behind Junta's face.
	He looked down at the letter again, not noticing, "Yeah... its only a
short ride away so I can probably still visit the rest of the time..."
	"Really?" Ami asked, brightening slightly.
	Junta smiled at her, "Well, if it weren't I might've turned it down... you
know..." he stammered, "Wouldn't want to... um... you know... I'd probably
miss you and stuff..."
	Ami giggled a little, "Nice to see you haven't forgotten me."
	Junta reddened slightly. "I wouldn't do that!"
	"Well, I've seen this show before... last season there were all these
really pretty girls living in the house with the guys. What are you going
to do then, Momonari, hmmm?" Ami asked pointedly, half joking.
	Junta thought about pretty girls. His imagination, unfortunately was too
good for his own good... thoughts of pretty faces, sparkling eyes, flashing
thighs, lovely pert bosoms flashed through his head... His face suddenly
turned greenish and sickly as he clapped a hand quickly over his mouth...
"Ergh..."
	Ami chuckled, "Hopeless..."
	Junta fought down the urge to vomit... his cheeks requiring color slowly
before he finally managed to smile weakly back at Ami.
	The two of them had been getting along quite well since... the incident.
Admittedly, he hardly remembered what had happened, but she remembered it
well enough for both of them. Ami had been alert the whole time for any
possible relapse in Momnari, but thus far he'd shown no signs of it. His
girl allergy had been reduced considerably, as an apparent side effect, but
it still left Ami worried. She still had her doubts about Karin Aoi's
competence and the cure she'd given Junta, so she kept a close eye on him
to make sure. 
	But even as the two smiled at each other, a small part of Junta Momonari's
mind that had been walled off since the... incident... was clamoring. It
knew it would only be a matter of time before HE once again had freedom...
away from Ami... where there would be so many women for the choosing... the
small part of Junta's brain gave the mental equivalent of a grin. Momonari
was a genetic time bomb just waiting for the chance to blow. And what
better place than in a house so far from his usual stomping grounds? Who
could possibly stop him there? And Ami did say something about... pretty
girls? The small part of Junta's brain murmured to itself... this was going
to be a fun summer indeed.
- - -
	Ryuunosuke Fujinami finished wiping down the tables and chairs of the
recently renovated New Hama Teashop, at around ten in the morning, just in
time for their fifth 'Grand Reopening' this month. It was always recently
renovated. Ryu's dad had the place renovated practically every week or so.
Considering that the restaurant was located in notorious Tomobiki district,
this was hardly surprising. Between the UFO landings, rampaging demons,
oni, monsters, alien invasions and the frequent spats between the infamous
Ataru Moroboshi and his volatile alien fiance Lum, most buildings in the
area had a life expectancy of about 3 months. Construction in the Tomobiki
district was a thriving business.
	Ryu was getting tired of it all. The elder Fujinami had been on Ryu's case
all morning about not working hard enough. Which was laughable when you
consider that Ryuunosuke had been working since dawn and hadn't even had a
single break yet. Not to mention that this was the summer break when most
other kids were just goofing off... Ryu never had a chance to goof off...
or just relax. It was always work.
	A chance glimpse in one of the teashop's new mirrors caused Ryu to wince
internally. The image reflected was that of a somewhat sweaty, if
undeniably handsome young man of around seventeen. A shock of unruly black
hair and gray eyes to complement him. A loose fitting T-shirt and blue
jeans to complete the picture. Ryu glared at the reflection. It was a much
hated image.
	Ryu sighed heavily, stalking to the front door to turn the sign and pick
up the mail which had been waiting there for the past few hours. It was
probably all bills again, which would set the elder Fujinami off on a new
bout of ranting and raving about working harder... not that the old fool
would actually do too much of that work himself. He was probably in his
room... asleep again. Ryu was getting SO very tired of it all.
	The mail did indeed prove to be largely bills... except for the last
letter. It was an invitation to appear on a TV show. Ryu gaped in shock.
This was it! This was precisely the break that the teen needed. It offered
free rent and utlities for a few months, at a house somewhere in the Nerima
district. It wasn't that far away, but far enough from the Elder Fujinami
that Ryu's long held dreams of wearing feminine underwear and pretty
dresses could become reality! So what if it would be mostly under TV
scrutiny? According to the letter, there wouldn't be any cameras in the
bathrooms and the bed rooms... that was good enough! Not to mention that it
was close enough so that the Elder Fujinami wouldn't worry about Ryu, but
also far enough away from the man's ideas regarding the way a 'dutiful son'
should look and act!
	Ryu gave the piece of paper another look then smiled wryly... it was a
nice enough fantasy... but there was always more work to be done. It wasn't
as if the elder Fujinami was likely to allow Ryu to go, anyway. And idiot
or not, that idiot was still Ryu's father.
	There was a sudden sound from the door, just as Ryu made to crumple the
paper, intending to throw it away. Ryu turned just in time to see a moving
blur with brown hair dash into the teashop screaming lovingly,
"Ryuuuunosuke-chaaan!!!"
	Ryu sidestepped quickly, just as the form of Ataru Moroboshi, body poised
for a full body contact grapple careened into the teashop... this was
followed closely by Lum, who began to rake the place with bolts of
lightning all intended for Ataru... all of which he handily avoided...
where Lum went, of course followed the four Lum Stormtroopers, carrying
mallets... and Shutaro Mendo, waving his sword... and Rei, who was a
tiger-bull at the time... and where Rei went followed Ran, who had her
bazooka... followed by... erhm... let us say simply that in short order...
the New Hama teashop was in dire need of remodeling once again.
	It was a few minutes later when Ryuunosuke had cleared out the
combatants... the elder Fujinami having slept through the disturbance...
that Ryu surveyed the damage. In hand was still clutched the slightly
crumpled invitation from NBN... 
	"THAT did it!" Ryu's face was twisted into a half-mad scowl, a hand raised
to look at the invitation again, "I'm going to have a relaxing summer, even
if it kills me!"
	And with that, Ryu stalked into the living quarters behind the shop to
talk to the elder Fujinami... thoughts awhirl... images of pastel pink
dresses and lacy underwear foremost in mind.
- - -
	The beautiful, darkly tanned woman set her tea down in front of her and
brushed back her dark green hair, "That's basically it, you two. Haruka
absolutely MUST accept the invitation from NBN when it arrives. Alone.
Otherwise, something very bad will happen."
	She gave the young couple across from her a level stare.
	Haruka Tenou frowned, arms crossed and leaning back in the easy chair.
Haruka a tall, confident, handsome blonde. A racecar driver by trade... but
secretly one of a small selct group who's task was to protect a very
important individual. Haruka faced down ravening monsters, careening down
race tracks at ridiculous speeds, reincarnated extra-terrestrial princesses
as a matter of course, but this was different. This was separation from
Michiru... the woman Haruka loved. "I still don't have to like this,
Setsuna. I know you've got this entire 'oracular-see-the-future-thing'
going for you, but why do I have to leave Michiru?"
	Michiru shifted slightly where she was sitting on the couch's armrest and
put a hand on Haruka's arm. She adjusted her dress nervously as she spoke,
"Well, I don't like it much either, Haruka... but if Setsuna says its
necessary, I guess it is. I'm going to miss you."
	"Well, I can call home can't I?" Haruka asked Setsuna.
	Setsuna replied, "That would be alright. But you must... I repeat MUST
stay apart during the duration of the show." She saw the expressions on the
pair's faces and relented slightly, looking thoughtful, "Well... I guess...
it might be possible to risk letting you see each other on weekends... I
mean my vision didn't... erhm... nevermind."
	"Are you really sure this invitation thing is even going to arrive?"
Haruka asked.
	Setsuna returned a level stare, "Have I been wrong before?"
	Michiru merely stared at Haruka worriedly...
	Haruka on the other hand was merely annoyed... the entire vacation shot to
ruins... this was going to be one lousy summer.
- - -
	Yusaku Godai flipped through his mail... he was having another tense
episode with his landlady and wasn't really in any mood to deal with it.
She was in another of her moods again and the tennis coach was apparently
trying to put the moves on her... again. Godai, college graduate and
somewhat wishy-washy tenant of Maison Ikkoku, wanted to step in and try to
keep the coach away from Kyoko, his landlady... if only he and Kyoko were
currently on speaking terms...
	He sighed as he glanced at the senders on each envelope... junk... junk...
junk... bill... bill... junk... bill... bill for junk... a letter from the
Nippon Broadcasting Network... Hey!
	Godai tore the letter open hurriedly... he'd applied for a job there a
while back, and they never did get around to sending him back a reply...
while his job as a teacher was alright, it certainly left a lot to be
desired... Godai's expression changed from happiness to complete bafflement
as he read the invitation to be involved in 'The Real World: Tokyo' TV
show... 
	He scanned the paper as his eyes suddenly latched on certain key
phrases... 'Complete rent, power and utilities paid in full by NBN each
month', 'Signing fee', 'House located in the Nerima district', 'Privacy
ensured in certain areas of the house'...
	This could be his chance to have a vacation! Away from all of his annoying
neighbors! Away from all of the tension! Away from... Kyoko..? He had to
stop that line of thought... that was NOT a good thing.
	He heard a voice suddenly murmur near his ear, "Well, well, well, young
Godai. Isn't this a fortunate development for you."
	Godai screamed and leapt to the other side of the room, his face a mask of
terror. Until he realized who had spoken. It was a man near his
mid-thirties, his black hair slicked back and wearing a gray suit, which
had not only seen better days, but was also serving as a repository for
plaster dust. It was Godai's neighbor, Yotsuya.
	"Oh. It's just you." Godai muttered, calming down.
	"Godai, is it merely my imagination or do I note a certain lack of
enthusiasm in your voice regarding my pressence?"
	"Gee, you have to ask?" Godai returned peevishly. "What're you doing in my
room?"
	"I had intended to summon the rest of the tenants of Maison Ikkoku for a
party within your quarters, however, I caught sight of your invitation
before I had a chance to do so. Tell me... are you planning on going?"
	Godai crossed his arms and looked pointedly in the other direction,
"What's it to you, anyway?"
	Yotsuya lifted a finger and smiled at Godai, "Well... surely you could not
imagine trying to leave yet again. Surely you remember the last few fiascos
which transpired as a result of your intending to move away?"
	Godai winced, "Yeah... okay, so maybe those didn't work out... but this is
just temporary..."
	"Ahhh... so you'd merely like to leave our lovely young manager a little
extra space is it?" Yotsuya asked.
	"T-t-that's not it!" Godai sputtered.
	Yotsuya waved a negligent hand, "Surely you realize the moment you leave
the vicinity, the good coach Mitaka will immediately move in on our dear
manager... not to mention your own problems..."
	"What are you babbling about?!"
	"Well... for instance, what would happen if... merely for the sake of
argument... that Kozue decided to show up at the house while they were
filming you, hmmm?"
	"Gah..."
	Yotsuya smiled, pressing forward, "I'm certain the manager would not
appreciate the two of you flirting on television... where anyone could
watch you."
	"I don't flirt with Ko--" 
	"And what if, oh... say, Yagami, were to show up? What would her father
think if it became public knowledge that you... a teacher... were carrying
on an illicit affair with one of your students? What would the whole of
Japan think?"
	"It's not an illicit affa--" Godai replied weakly, eyes bugging...
	"Then remember how many gorgeous women there were on the first season of
this show? I'm certain you watched it... I believe you found 'Urd' to be
quite attractive... I imagine they shall be choosing women just as
exquisite as those of the first season... I'm sure you remember how jealous
our dear manager gets at times...
	Yotsuya grinned in satisfaction as Godai cowered. He said in a friendly
tone, "Therefore, I relieve you of this burden and hazard upon your
self..." before snatching the invitation from Godai's nerveless fingers and
tucking it into his coat pocket. "After all, what are friends for?"
	He grinned as he stepped out into the corridor... Godai, in his room was
only beginning to come to his senses. Yotsuya glanced at the letter,
"Ahh... a vacation, how lovely. I shall be sharing the house with six other
people... I'm certain this promises to be a rather entertaining summer."
- - -
	Ukyou Kuonji buttoned up her shirt and gave herself a quick glance in the
mirror. She wasn't in any mood to be feminine and it showed. She was very
attractive in a certain androgynous fashion. Long brown hair, straight and
gathered in a ponytail. She was in a loose button up long-sleeved shirt and
slacks, which hid her slender figure, giving the illusion of masculine
bulk. Truth be told, Ukyou looked remarkably like a handsome young man. An
illusion that she was gladly fostering once again. Events having been what
they were.
	She hadn't forgotten how crazed she'd gotten when she'd heard about Ranma
and Akane's wedding... nor had she forgotten how embarrassed she'd been
after having tried to kill the bride to stop the ceremony... or how Ranma
had looked at Akane, then at her after he'd regained consciousness. Ukyou
sighed. She wasn't stupid or blind, except perhaps blinded by love... Ukyou
didn't want to give up on him... it made her a quitter... but she didn't
want to humiliate herself any further.
	She picked up the letter from NBN off her dresser. The one inviting 'Mr.'
Ukyou Kuonji to be part of The Real World: Tokyo TV show. She smiled
slightly as she folded the letter and tucked it into her back pocket. If
they were expecting a Mister Kuonji, that's what they would get. 
	She was trying not to think of accepting the invitation as a form of
running away. It wasn't. Not quite. It was still within the vicinity. The
house was apparently closer to the opposite edge of Nerima, so she could
still visit with no difficulty if she wanted to... if she wanted to... She
was trying to compare it to what Ryouga had said when she's seen him
last... That he was taking a long journey to clear his mind. That's what
she needed. A long spell without Ranma to perhaps get her to start thinking
clearly again.
	She hoped it would help.
	She glanced out the window into the alley. She'd prepared the yattai to
bring along with her, and most of her luggage had already been loaded into
the compartments under it. Standing next to it, was a very beautiful
individual, with long hair and a radiant expression, demurely clad in a
kimono. Konatsu Kenzan, was practically Ukyou's only employee of any
regularity, and one of the best ninja girls around, if but for one slight
physical flaw. Konatsu used to work for Ukyou for less than minimum wage,
but recently, Ukyou had relented and given the ninja a fairly generous
salary. It was worth it, Konatsu was a good draw for customers, and
recently, thanks to Ukyou's patience and a lot of work, Konatsu had shown
considerably more promise in handling business matters. Ukyou had a few
doubts about leaving the restaurant proper in Konatsu's hands, but it
didn't seem right to shut it down in the middle of the season. She didn't
want to have anything to do with the restaurant for a while, if it weren't
necessary. She was trying to make something of a clean break. But she still
wanted to be close enough in case she changed her mind.
	Ukyou jumped out of the window and landed next to Konatsu. Konatsu bowed
deeply in greeting, "Ukyou-sama. The okonomiyaki cart is prepared as you
have requested. Would you wish me to do anything more before you leave?"
	"No, Sugar. I guess that's about it. You're going to be on your own for a
couple of months." Ukyou grinned, "You feel up to it?"
	Konatsu nodded, "Yes, Ukyou-sama... although I wish you didn't have to
go."
	"Don't feel ready yet? Don't worry, you can do this! You can handle it. I
trust you." Ukyou smiled.
	Konatsu blushed, bringing a hand up to cover it, "Thank you for your
confidence, but I was thinking more along the lines that I would miss
you..."
	It was Ukyou's turn to blush... she knew that Konatsu was in love with
her... and while she wasn't in love with the ninja, she'd grown very fond
of Konatsu. "I'll miss you too, Sugar." 
	Ukyou took hold of the yattai's handles and pulled it into position,
preparing to exit the alley. "If you run into any trouble at all, you know
the phone number to the place, right?"
	Konatsu bowed low again, "Yes, Ukyou-sama! I'll do you proud!"
	Ukyou favored Konatsu with a last smiled as she turned out of the alley,
"I'm sure you will Sugar," She gave him a peck on the cheek just as she
left, "You have yourself a good summer. I'm sure I will."
- - - 
	In the outskirts of the Nerima district of Tokyo, Kintaro Oe, newly hired
camera man for NBN's The Real World Tokyo TV show fussed with his uniform.
He addressed the harsh looking gentleman in dark glasses and a beard, but
no mustache, "Um... sir, is the outfit really needed?"
	The other man narrowed his eyes, "If you don't want the job, Mr. Oe, I'm
certain we can find someone else who is."
	"No, no, no, that's not it, sir!" Kintaro replied laughing nervously,
"It's just a little odd."
	"Company policy Mr. Oe," The man replied stiffly, "You are to have as
little interaction with the current season's cast as the last cameraman did
with the season before. This is about their lives. Not their lives with
you. Am I clear?"
	"Er, yessir."
	The man glanced out the window then added, "And you'd best park your bike
properly. It wouldn't do for it to be caught on television, since it is
something of yours and not theirs."
	"Yessir."
	"Good. They should be arriving soon. Their letters already briefed them on
what is expected of them. For this instance, you may interact with them to
the extent of having them introduce themselves to the camera and to lead
them to the possible rooms, but any further... interaction will be dealt
with... harshly."
	There was something about the way the man said... 'harshly' that made
Kintaro's blood run cold. "Um... yessir."
	The man gave a curt nod and walked out, "Don't forget your hood." He
called as he stepped through the doorway.
	"Yessir," Kintaro replied hurriedly slipping the hood on as the man
entered the limo parked on the street and left.
	Kintaro sighed. Well, he thought, this summer ought to prove to be a
learning experience.
- - -
	Unnoticed by either the man or Kintaro was one Mr. Yotsuya, in his gray
suit and fedora breaking into the house through the back door. He had
overheard that the other tenants would be arriving soon and he had only a
little time to prepare... but he was ready. He had a power drill handy... 
- - -
	Ryuunosuke hefted the large bag and walked past the gates of the large
well appointed house. It was in fairly good repair, and it looked roomy
enough... 
	Ryu noted the racing bike parked just inside the gate and rechecked the
address on the letter... Yup, this looked like it alright. Ryu knocked on
the door.
	It was opened by a sinister figure dressed all in black... even to a black
hood which hid it's face... it said, "Your name, please," in low sinister
tones, muffled by the hood even as it aimed some sort of arcane device at
Ryu's face.
Caught by surprise, Ryu gave a startled cry and whirled the bag around,
striking the figure full in the face, knocking it over. It gave a strangled
cry... 
	"What the heck..?" Ryu asked, hefting the bag menacingly at the now
cringing figure which apparently was in... a... kuroko uniform? Ryu noted
oddly enough that it also carried... a camera?
	"Don't hit me!" The figure muttered groggily under its hood, "I'm the
cameraman! I knew this thing was a bad idea."
	"Oh, sorry." Ryu replied, bending over the figure to help it up,
profoundly embarrassed, "So this is the place for the TV thing?"
	"No problem... um... yeah it is. You're one of the new cast right?" The
cameraman asked as he was helped up. He continued to keep the camera aimed
at the Ryu's face.
	"Yeah, that's right. Hey, is that thing on already?"
	The cameraman nodded as he straightened up, "Why don't you give us your
name and tell the camera a little bit about yourself? I'm not supposed to
talk to you folks, but I have to ask that." He added.
	"Oh, sure. My name's Ryuunosuke Fujinami. I'm a student at Tomobiki high
school and I work part time at the New Hama tea shop, in the Tomobiki area.
I'm here because I figured I deserved a little vacation... of yeah... " Ryu
made a slight face and added in a bored voice, "For the best tea ever, come
on down to the New Hama teashop, the grand reopening will be in two weeks."
	Ryu continued confidentially to the camreaman, "I had to promise my dad
I'd say something about our Teashop every couple of days. It was the only
way he'd let me go here."
	The cameraman nodded sympathetically and wondered what the company's stand
on free advertising was.
	"Is anyone else here yet?" Ryu asked.
	The cameraman shook his head along with the camera.
	"So where am I staying?"
	"Just pick a room I guess." The cameraman swung his head to the side,
indicating the hallway beyond the living room, the camera swung in the same
direction as well, "There's four rooms on the ground floor and four more on
the second floor."
	Ryuunosuke nodded and hefted the bag again.
	"Hello, is this where they're filming The Real World?" asked a feminine
voice outside.
	Both the cameraman and Ryu turned to find a lovely pink haired individual
in a pastel yellow sweater and bluejeans, accompanied by a somewhat tired
looking boy with orange hair. Both were carrying large suitcases.
	The cameraman nodded.
	"Hey, both of you on the show, too?" Ryu asked.
	The pink haired individual giggled, "No, just me. I'm Shun Kisaragi, this
is Kazuya Hasukawa, he's just helping me move in."
	"Ryuunosuke Fujinami, nice to meet you guys. I guess we're housemates."
	Shun smiled, "Yeah. I guess we are. Nice to meet you too."
	"Hi," Hasukawa replied.
	Shun turned to Hasukawa, "I guess that's far enough, Suka-chan. I can take
it from here. I really appreciate this."
	"Hey, no trouble at all." Hasukawa said grinning a little as he turned a
nervous eye to the camera, "Is that thing on?"
	The cameraman nodded again, remembering to keep his mouth shut as much as
possible.
	Hasukawa waved nervously. Shun bounced in front of it and smiled broadly,
"Really? Wow! Cool! Can I greet people?"
	The cameraman hadn't been told not to let them, so he nodded...  needless
to say all this while the camera had been nodding with him.	
	Shun waved happily into the camera, "Hi, to Mitsuru-sempai,
Shinobu-sempai, and everybody else back at Greenwood! Hi mom! Hi dad! Hi
Reina!" shun looked around the camera the guy holding it and asked, "Um...
Why are you in the kuroko outfit?"
	"It's... um... part of the job..." he replied, "I'm not supposed to talk
to you guys much, so try not to address me too much, or look directly at
the camera... er... I'm supposed to ask you to say a little about
yourself..." Underneath the hood however, the camera man's features were
twisting somewhat into a grin, as the thoughts of how cute Shun looked
flashed through his mind... and of how cute Shun would probably be in a
bikini... or flimsy sleepwear...
	"Oh, well... I'm Shun Kisaragi, but I said that already." Shun put an arm
around the mildly embarassed Hasukawa "And This is my roommate and best
friend, Kazuya Hasukawa, but I call him Suka-chan."
	The cameraman's heart fell... she's already got a boyfriend... damn...
	"We're both high school juniors." Shun grinned suddenly, "Say... don't you
want to say hi to anybody, Suka-chan?" Shun said meaningfully, digging a
knuckle into his ribs...
	"Er... ah... I'd better get back to the dorm, they're expecting me at home
in a little while," Kazuya said moving a little away from Shun as he moved
back to the parked cab.
	"Okay!" Shun called after him, waving, "Don't forget to write okay?!"
	"Sure thing!" Hasukawa called back as he entered the cab.
	Shun walked through the door carrying both suitcases and smiled at
Ryuunosuke, "So, where do I stay?"
	"Well," Ryu replied jerking a thumb at the camera, "He said that there's
four rooms on the ground floor and four more on the second floor..."
	"Okay." Shun smiled.
	"Hey, I hope you don't think I'm nosey or anything but are you and that
guy..."
	"Suka-chan?"
	"Yeah... you two are... um... close?"
	Shun nodded happily, "Yeah we've been living together for a couple of
terms now..."
	The camera man's jaw dropped, so young and yet... so... so... worldly...
and frank about such matters!
	"So you're not in the market for a guy, right?" Ryu asked somewhat
bluntly.
	Shun giggled loudly, "Of course not!"
	Ryu looked relieved. Well this was one girl for certain I don't have to
worry about falling for me... that would definitely be awkward, Ryu
thought, She looks pretty happy with her boyfriend...
	"D'you want to take adjoining rooms?" Shun asked finally.
	"Sure," Ryu grinned "Why not?" As the two of them walked into the house.
The cameraman followed... the focus of his camera every so often drifting
down to catch a view of Shun's posterior as they made walked.
	Ryu turned to glance at the cameraman, barely catching him as he quickly
shifted his focus once again to their backs, "Are you going to be following
us around all the time?"
	Shun also turned to look at him too, "Well, I guess we'll just have to get
used to it."
- - -
	"Hey, this room looks okay..." Ryu said after a glance.
	"Yeah, I guess so. You want this one or should I take it?"
	"You can have it if you like." Ryu replied.
	"Thanks," Shun replied cheerfully, tossing the suitcases on the bed.
	The cameraman hovered behind them catching a good shot of the clean and
fairly large bedroom beyond.
	"Excuse me." A voice said pointedly behind them.
	All three turned, the kuroko nearly knocking the Ryu over with the camera.
	"I have taken this room already," The dapper man in a suit and fedora
continued, "But if you insist upon it I shall be more than happy to move."
	"Really?" Shun asked, "Sorry, I didn't know."
	"Perfectly all right." The man replied.
	"Hey, I thought you said I was the first one here?" Ryu asked the
cameraman.
	The kuroko shrugged, "Hey, I didn't see him come in..." he focused the
camera on the man's face who took a moment to pose, tipping his hat at a
somewhat jaunty angle.
	"Perfectly all right, young sir. I came in through the back door. Of
course he didn't see me." He took a moment to look over the kuroko outfit,
"Although I must say, your taste in clothing--"
	"Hey, it's a job uniform okay?!" The cameraman sputtered.
	"So what's your name?" Shun asked.
	The man grinned clasping his hands behind his back, "I am Yotsuya. Pleased
to make your acquiantance... I'm certain we can sort out this room matter
with little difficulty."
	"Hope so." Ryu answered, arms crossed.
	Behind him, Yotsuya quietly coiled up the cord of the power drill. The
bathroom was simple enough to set up, but it certainly wouldn't do to
distress his new neighbors unnecessarily.
- - -
	"Is this it?" Junta asked for what must've been the fiftieth time. He and
Ami were on their bicycles, Junta's few possessions were lashed to the rack
behind his seat.
	"Let me see that address again." Ami said, snatching the paper from
Junta's fingers. "It looks like it."
	Junta smiled, "Well, let's go in and ask."
	Ami peered at the front door and noticed someone already ringing the
doorbell. "Hey, I guess one of your neighbors is here already."
	"Hmmm?" Junta asked as he unloaded his gear.
	The pair walked up the steps to see an attractive girl with short hair
tied off in a ponytail waiting impatiently at the door. She was dressed in
a tanktop and denim cutoffs... Junta had to do his best not to look.
	"Hi there!" the girl said.
	Ami smiled back, while Junta cowered behind her, waving shyly.
	"Here for the TV show?" the girl asked.
	"He is." Ami jerked a thumb at Junta, who was keeping his eyes anywhere
but on the new girl... "I'm just helping him move in."
	"Cool. I'm Akane Kasuga.You are?"
	"I'm Ami. This is Junta," she said as she stepped aside slightly to let
him come into view. Junta gave a timid wave then dived behind Ami again.
	"Kind of shy isn't he?" Akane giggled. 
	Ami got a sour look on her face, "Not all the time, that's when I worry."
	"Ohhh... he's your boyfriend?"
	"I am not!" Junta blurted standing up suddenly. He got another good look
at Akane... her long legs... slender body... his face suddenly turned a
mild green as he ducked behind Ami again.
	Ami rolled her eyes, "No, he's not... we're just friends..."
	Akane's next statement was cut off by the door being opened and a camera
lens suddenly pushed into her face.
	"GAHHH!" the girl screamed as she whapped the camera to one side, "What
the hell?!"
	"Is this going to happen every single time I open the door?" the kuroko
muttered.
	Ami peered at the man, "Who... or what are you?"
	"I'm the cameraman." The kuroko responded without much enthusiasm, "You
guys here for the Real World: Tokyo TV show right?"
	Underneath his mask, the cameraman's eyes widened in delight, "Whoa... two
more babes for the house!" Without meaning too, his camera began to rove
slowly up and down their bodies...
	Junta continued to cower.
	"In any case, you guys are supposed to tell the camera a little about
yourselves... you know where you're from, why you're here, what're your
measurements... what you would like to do with some whipped cream..." 
	The three teens could notice a thin trickle of drool leaking out from
under the kuroko's hood.
	Junta jumped out from where he was cowering behind Ami and frowned into
the camera, "Hey... what sort of perverted question is that?!"
	The kuroko took a startled step back, "Where'd you come from?"
	Junta rolled his sleeve up, "Why I ought to..."
	Akane elbowed Ami, "Mmmm... quite a man when he gets riled up, huh?"
	"You don't know the half of it..." Ami replied distractedly.
	Junta overheard the conversation and stopped, sputtering and blushing
simultaneously, "Hey... um... not really... er...
	Akane laughed lightly, "He's pretty cute when he gets all steamed up don't
you think?"
	Ami's distraction faded slightly as she fixed a frown at Akane, "Excuse
me?"
	Junta suddenly stopped stammering and blushing as he straightened up. His
gaze was fixed on Akane... who wasn't looking in his direction...
	The kuroko kept recording. Ahhh... she's a playful one, that one... the
kuroko thought, keeping the camera on Akane.
	"I thought you two weren't an item?" Akane asked innocently.
	"That's not the point..." Ami began to say but she noticed that something
odd was beginning to happen to Junta... his body seemed to be produce tiny
little sparkles... and he had that weird look in his eyes...
	"Momonari!" Ami said sharply, causing Junta to blink and turn in her
direction. The glitters faded and Ami blinked her own eyes as if to clear
them... that could've just been her imagination... She strode over to him,
grabbing his collar as she whispered into his ear, "You'd better not cause
anybody any trouble, got that?"
	Junta nodded helplessly.
	Akane smiled lightly, "Sorry, sorry... I was just kidding. I'm not
interested in him, okay? No need to get so possessive..."
	Ami frowned at Akane one last time before she turned on her heel and
strode out...
	"What just happened?" Junta asked, baffled...
- - -
	The camera followed Junta and Akane in, Junta walked well ahead of Akane,
and was obviously trying not to look at her. The cameraman on the other
hand was pretty shameless about panning downwards... 
	The doorbell rang suddenly. Junta ignored it, making his way to the rooms.
	The kuroko muttered, "Aw nuts..."
	"Fine, I'll get it." Akane said turning around to face the cameraman. In
immediate response the camera panned downward, catching a good view of
Akane's cleavage. Akane frowned at him for a moment then shoved him roughly
out of her way as she moved to open the door...
	A voice suddenly called out from the other side of the door, "Is anyone
home?"
	Akane Kasuga's heart fell... that voice... she flung the door open and
shouted, "Madoka!" as she rushed out, barelling into the person standing in
front of the door. The two fell in a tangle of limbs caught by the
cameraman who's only thought at the moment was, "Oh if only that were
MEEEEEE..."
	Akane lifted her head up, her legs still entangled somewhat with the
person she'd run into, "Madoka, it's so good to see-- you're not Madoka."
	A rather shocked looking boy of about seventeen was sprawled under Akane,
"Uh... no, I'm not..."
	Akane noted that he was pretty good looking... long brown hair... good
clothes, neat looking... so cute... and he sounds so much like Madoka...
pretty firm stomach under me too... but he's a guy... but he's so cute...
that voice...
	The two picked themselves up with some difficulty... "This is so
embarrassing," Akane said, blushing slightly...
	"Er... no problem... I'm Ukyou Kuonji by the way."
	"Uk-you Ku-onji..." Akane sighed, giving Ukyou a goofy smile, "Such a nice
name..."
	"Um... thanks." Ukyou said, somewhat leery.
	Akane grabbed onto Ukyou's arm rubbing her cheek lightly against the
shoulder, "My name's Akane Kasuga. Anything you can think of, to let me
make it up to you, just tell me." It was practically half invitation...
	Ukyou gulped nervously, "Er... sure... you could let go of my arm..."
Akane was pressing her front against Ukyou's arm already... it wasn't
disgusting or anything... but it was very embarrassing and uncomfortable.
Great, Ukyou thought, I'm not on TV five minutes and already I've got a
weirdo clamped onto me.
	Ukyou's face suddenly darkened slightly, "Your name's Akane?"
	Akane released Ukyou reluctantly, "Yes... is something the matter?"
	"Nothing." Ukyou said brusquely, picking up the fallen suitcase, "Just a
bad memory."
	Akane watched in confusion as Ukyou pushed past her, moving angrily into
the house...
	The cameraman wondered what was going on, but decided to worry about it
later, as his current position gave him a wonderful view of Akane's legs...
- - -
	Haruka pulled the car into the house's driveway, still carrying the same
dark expression. Michiru smiled lightly at Haurka, a hand resting on the
blonde's arm, "It's not that bad."
	"Maybe, but I don't have to like it." Haruka grumbled. "Here's the place,
I guess."
	"Yes." 
	The couple stepped out of the car and Haruka shouldered the duffel bag
Michiru had packed. "I still don't see WHY..."
	"You know Setsuna wouldn't do something like that on a whim, Haruka."
	Haruka grinned playfully and touched a finger to Michiru's lips, "Heh...
for all we know she's just doing this to get some time alone with you."
	Michiru colored, "Haruka! I don't think she's into other girls..."
	"Only one way to find out," Haurka continued playfully, "Besides, it ought
to be a good enough payback for getting me stuck out here."
	"Now, now... what are you going to do if she does turn out to be into
women?" Michiru asked playfully. "Think you could share me with someone
else?"
	Haruka laughed, "Touche."
	The door opened suddenly, pretty young girl with long pink hair smiled up
at Haruka, "Hello! Are you here for the TV show?" Behind her, a man in a
kuroko outfit aimed the camera.
	"Yeah, yeah." Haruka replied gruffly, "I guess this is the place, huh?"
	The pink haired girl nodded, "Yup. Heard your car coming up the doorway,
so I thought I'd greet you. Pretty much everyone else is here already and
they're picking out rooms, you're the last one."
	Michiru smiled, "See, Haruka? It doesn't look like it's going to be that
bad." Although her smiled was veiled slightly as she took a very good look
at the girl... pretty... very pretty... Haruka had better not try anything
on her... weird... she looks... familiar for some reason...
	The girl's eyes widened when she heard Michiru's voice... she pushed past
Haruka, mouth agape in surprise, "Michiru-chan, is that you?!"
	Michiru also stood back in surprise as she finally recognized the pink
haired girl, "Shun? Shun Kisaragi?!"
	Shun nodded happily taking Michiru's hands, "Yes, it's been so long. I
thought I'd never see you again!"
	"Same here. What are you..?"
	"I'm here for the TV show too!"
	"Ahem." Haruka said finally, with much impatient foot tapping and crossed
arms, "Anyone care to tell me what's going on?"
	Michiru blushed lightly and Shun looked up at Haruka curiously.
	"Er... Haruka... this is an old friend of mine Shun Kisaragi... Their
family owns an inn where I stayed a couple of years ago..."
	Shun grinned, "Yeah. We spent the whole summer together, it was great..."
	"I see..." Haruka said slowly, around pursed lips, "Old friends... huh?"
	Shun nodded happily... Michiru looked at Haruka carefully, looking for any
possible signs of a blow up... 
	Haruka said in a low and dangerous tone, "Well, nice to meet you then,
Shun. I'm Haruka Tenoh. Michiru's boyfriend."
	"Ohh... oh." Shun turned to Michiru with a slightly forced smile on his
lips, "That's good to hear... you've found someone, I mean..."
	"Er... um... yes..." 
	The kuroko wisely enough kept silent and recorded the full thirty seconds
of awkward silence.
	Shun brightened up suddenly and smiled at both, "Well... in any case,
we've still got two rooms to spare, if both of you are going to be..."
	"Actually, it's just Haruka who'll be staying..." Michiru said.
	Haruka glowered at Shun.
	"Er... well... right this way, Haruka..." Shun finally said after a while.
	Michiru waved to both of them as they stepped into the house, "I'll call."
She took a last nervous glance at the house as she entered to car. Setsuna
may have been right. She had a bad feeling about all of this...

- - -

End Ch. 1

	Next post will have which person is from which series, but I hope that
I've given sufficient background for each person to prevent general
confusion from reigning...