Copyright Notice:

	All characters and concepts that pertain to Ah! My Goddess are
copyrighted by Kosuke Fujishima.  The characters and concepts that 
pertain to Stepping Into Keiichi (Mika, Topper, and the like) are
copyrighted by b. b. brittain, 1997.  Copyrighted material not owned
by the author of this FanFiction story is used for entertainment 
purposes and Anime praisement only.  I.E. don't sue me, please? ^_^

	* * *


	Stepping into Keiichi
	by
	b. b. brittain

	An Ah! My Goddess FanFiction Story


	* Chapter 4 *


	Topper's jaw slowly slid downwards, as he looked at what 
his mind percieved to be Urd.  "I...I..." he mumbled, before closing 
his mouth quickly and started over.  "S-sure..."

	Makoto smiled softly, and walked over to Topper.  "I know a 
little place we can get something to drink.  We'll take my car, okay?"

	Topper nodded slowly, and let Makoto lead him to a jade green 
Honda Civic.  She already had her keys in her hand, and just raised 
her hand slightly so she could use the keychain/alarm to turn off the 
alarm and open the doors. As he got into the passenger side of the 
Civic, Makoto slipped in her side.  A few moments later, they were off.

	Topper sat quietly while the radio played some pop tune, while 
Makoto navigated the streets.  He glanced out at the evening 
cityscene, expecting it to be a long drive, but it was only ten or so 
minutes before Makoto pulled into a parking lot.  As she turned off 
the engine, Topper got out of the car and smiled a bit at their 
destination.

	Since Urd was impartial to sake, Topper had figured they would 
also head to a bar for a drink.  Instead, as Makoto led the way out 
of the parking lot and inside their destination, he was slightly 
surprised to find that they were entering a coffeehouse.  As they 
walked in, he noticed the name prominently displayed on the inner 
door: Rochambo.  He blinked, but continued to follow Makoto in.

	The room was scattered here and there with customers, and it 
was easy for Makoto to find an empty table for two near the back.  
She hung her purse from the backing of the chair, and sat down.  
Topper sat down in the chair opposite her, and looked about.  "I 
was expecting a bar..." he said, starting into conversation.

	Makoto gave him a soft smile.  "Unlike my character, I don't 
drink."  She added as an afterthought, "At least alchoholic 
beverages.  I'm very partial to tea."

	Topper smiled in return.  "Funny you should say that...I'm 
partial to earl grey myself."

	Makoto nodded, "Most of my family prefers tea.  Darjeeling, 
especially." She shrugged slightly and added in a soft laugh.  "An 
inheirited trait, they say."

	Topper grinned back, and turned as a waitress popped into view.  
He nodded over to Makoto, waiting for her to order. She looked at 
Topper a moment and said, "A darjeeling and an earl grey, is that 
okay for you?"

	Topper nodded, "Yes, please."  The waitress left, and Topper 
looked over to Makoto.  "So...what is it you wanted to talk to me 
about, Miss Tatoshi?"

	Makoto smiled and shook her head.  "Please, call me Makoto.  I 
was just curious to see how you were.  In a more informal setting 
than the studios, I mean.  I hope you don't mind?"

	Topper shook his head, smiling in return.  "No, not at all.  But 
only if we both know a little of each other by the end."

	Makoto nodded.  "Of course."  She leaned back in her chair, 
crossing her legs.  "The papers can be a bit misleading, as you well 
know.  I'd rather sit down and see for myself what the real Katawa 
Yoshio is like.  After all, we'll be together for most of the next few 
weeks."

	Topper nodded to that, though his mind sighed at the situation.  
"True enough.  It's rather hectic to get to know what others really 
are sometimes.  Oh, and call me T...Yoshi, please."

	Makoto nodded and Topper went on.  "I guess there's the aura of 
a playboy about me, hmm?"

	Makoto shrugged slightly.  "It happens.  Playing the dashing 
hero does that to some guys, either by their own hand or by the 
media."  She smiled slightly as she added, "I'm glad to see that it 
never took with you."

	Topper snorted.  "I'm not into that sort of thing.  I'm the 
type of person who stays with one girl.  It seems though, everyone's 
got their own ideas on that aspect of my life."

	Makoto chuckled.  "Then that rumor going around the crew about 
you and Miss Tikatsu are false?"

	"More like outdated."  Topper shrugged his shoulders.  "Lina 
and Y...I might have been something before, but right now, we're just 
close friends."

	At that moment, the waiter brought back two pots of tea, 
sliding them close to their owners.  They poured their tea into their 
cups and Makoto took her cup in both her hands, leaning back once more 
into her chair.

	"What do you think of Miss Inata," she asked, before taking a sip 
of her tea.

	Topper, who was stirring some sugar into his cup, shrugged 
again.  "Mika?  She's okay..." He held back the urge to blurt out that 
she was beautiful.  Old habits die hard.

	Makoto nodded.  "A first-timer, they're always fun to see.  But 
I hear she's got a lot of spark.  It's nice to see eagerness like that 
from the younger generations."  She smiled at Topper.  "It gets to 
be infectious."

	Topper chuckled at that. /Considering I'm from that said 
generation.../ "Well, I'll admit to the infectiousness.  I'm having 
fun with the filming."

	Makoto smirked and nodded.  "Well, hopefully that will carry 
over to the shooting at Kasuto Beach.  I'm looking forward to get back 
into the swing of things."

	Topper sipped his tea, an eyebrow raising at that comment.  "I 
take it you took a bit of time off then?"

	Makoto nodded, "A few years, to be exact.  Some other priorities 
in life came back into focus.  But, that happens."  She smiled wanly.  
"Not that I don't mind them.  It just makes me appreciate the times 
when I can step back in front of the camera."

	Topper grinned at her.  "I sense you like being in front of the 
camera?"

	Makoto tilted her head from side to side.  "I used to."  She 
paused a moment, before amending her comment.  "Actually, it's more 
that I liked it in years past than I do now.  But what really intrigues 
me now rather than before is that I like seeing the excitement in 
those around me, while filming.  There's a rush I see in others that 
went out of me a long time ago.  One could say, I like to get caught up 
in the flow."  She shrugged her shoulders again, and took another sip 
of her tea.

	Topper pursed his lips in thought as she spoke. /It sounds like 
she's been doing this for years...and considering how old Yoshi is and 
how he looks, who knows how old she is.  I'll have to ask others 
about it./ Topper nodded and said softly, "I'm sure that you won't 
be disappointed with this project."

	A grin creeped up on Makoto's lips.  "I'm beginning to agree, 
I must say..." She took another sip of her tea, before slipping her 
cup on the table.  She leaned back and slipped her hands into her lap.  
"Yes, yes, yes...Miss Inata will be most interesting.  College 
student, so I have heard.  And a first- timer...quite a catch."

	Topper nodded, smiling a little.  Makoto thought pensively about 
it for a few moments.  "I wonder if Miss Tikatsu is having a hard 
time keeping up with things.  She's started to slow down in the recent 
years, but that's expected of the older generations.  Maybe she'll 
finally settle down with someone too.  She is taken by someone, but I 
doubt she would admit to that."  She scooted her chair back and 
stood, smiling towards Topper.  "Excuse me, Yoshi.  I need to use 
the restroom."  With that, she turned and walked off to the 
bathroom, while Topper thought of her last words.

	/Something just doesn't add up.  If Lina's already with 
someone, why would she try to put the moves on me?  Somehow, she 
doesn't strike me as the two-timing sort, no matter how outlandish 
she might seem.../ Topper shook his head, and picked up his cup for 
another sip.

	* * *

	Topper awoke in his bed, and spent a few moments trying to slip 
back into sleep.  Failing, he turned to glance over at the clock on 
his nightstand.  It said 2:36.  He sighed softly, and slowly sat up. 
/Well, that leaves me about two hours of free time.  Gives me a decent 
bath at least.  And some time to think./

	He rustled out of bed, and walked over to the closet.  Picking 
out some clothes that suited him, namely a pair of green jeanshorts, 
a white tee-shirt, and a checkered flannel, he tossed it on the bed, 
and dragged himself to the bathroom.

	As he sat down on the stool, his mind started to turn. /What's 
the score now, Topper?  Two to one against?  Lina's wanting to 
score and Mika...well, she's ready to _kill_ me.  This is really 
turning into a real classic triangle here.  Home's not looking that 
bad right now.../

	He let out a laugh at the foreign thought, and started to 
scrub his body with soap.  He lathered up and washed, and as he 
jumped into the warm water of the tub, he shook his head. /This 
mixer this weekend.  It's gonna be trouble, I can feel it.  It 
doesn't matter if the casts of five different series are there, if 
Lina and Mika are there, I'm gonna get a tongue-lashing either 
way. Manohman...talk about your basic dilemmas./

	Topper decided to soak for a while, letting his worries drift 
into the water.  It took a bit of zoning out, but his mind turned 
to other thoughts.  Unfortunately whatever paths he took seemed to 
invariably turn back to his situation, leaving him to get out of the 
tub and get dressed.  Grabbing his keys and his script, he left 
his maison, heading for his car.

	He got in, let the top down, and as the motor started up, he 
leaned back in his seat. /Where should I go for brunch?  I wonder 
if they have a Cat Cafe around here...if they do I wonder if it's an 
actual eating establishment?/ He chuckled to himself and decided to 
just start driving for the studios, hoping to find a place along the 
way.  He found his sustenance about halfway to the studios, in what 
appeared to be the Crown Cafe.  And it definately was an actual 
eating establishment.

	* * *

	Topper finished talking with one of the motorcycle technicians 
at the end of the night, in the garage of the temple set.  The 
technician was giving him information about the racing motorcycles 
that would be used in the upcoming shoots some two weeks later, 
information Topper was appreciative for.  While Topper didn't own 
a motorcycle himself, he did ride one a few times with his friend 
Jake back home.

	There were good news and bad news to the information, 
however.  The good news was that a lot of the scenes to be done 
at the racetrack were done with extras.  Topper was very glad about 
that, seeing as he wasn't exactly sure that he'd be able to 
control a motorcycle with an engine as powerful as the one Keiichi 
would ride.  The bad news was, the final scenes in which Keiichi 
raced were specifically asked by Yoshi to be done by himself.  
Meaning, Topper had to do them now.

	From the conversation, Topper gleamed that Yoshi was very 
much into bikes.  That meant things didn't bode well for Topper, 
once those scenes came around.  So in anticipation, Topper asked 
about some times he could stop by the garage and the racetrack, for 
a bit of practicing.  The technician mentioned that the studio rented 
a week of time from the racetrack to stage the race shoots; 
hopefully ample enough time for Topper to get a crash course in 
riding the high-powered monstrosities, no pun intended.  As he 
walked out of the garage, his feelings were mixed, weighing heavily 
on the down side.

	As Topper passed by the shooting schedule next to the makeup 
trailer, he looked at the upcoming shoots.  Tomorrow was the last 
day of shooting for the first OVA, and that brought about a long 
sigh. /What a relief...one down, four to go./ The next day ended 
early, and someone underneath wrote �Production mixer, 8pm!'  He 
chuckled at that, and glanced over to the next week.

	The on-location shoots at Kasuto Beach took up all of next 
week, and the board said that they would be arriving Sunday morning 
for a day's rest before picking up with the third OVA at the temple 
set.  The racetrack scenes would take up the later part of that 
week.  Topper nodded to himself, as he looked over things. /It looks 
like we're almost back on schedule.  After tomorrow, we certainly 
will be, from the looks of things./ With that, he started for the 
parking lot, but not before catching a glimpse of Mika.

	She was talking with the director, by the front porch of 
the temple.  Topper took a moment to look at her, before sighing 
and continuing on to his car.  While on-camera, Mika was the ever 
sugary-sweet Belldandy, and things seemed to look fine.  But 
off-camera, Mika all but ignored Topper, answering only to the 
most essential requests; it was surprising that she could switch 
like that from one minute to the next.  Topper thought that the 
tension between them would have been evident, especially when 
looking at the playbacks of the filmings.  But instead the 
director praised both Mika and Topper on their fine acting 
skills.  He was either happily oblivious, or both Mika and 
Topper were better than Topper thought.

	As Topper got into his car, he glanced back towards the set 
for a few moments. /Maybe at the party she'll open up.  Or open me 
up with a knife.  Just so long's she stops giving me the silent 
treatment./ With that, he pulled out of the lot, and drove off 
towards home.

	* * *

	Finishing the task of tying his shoelaces with a small grunt, 
Topper sat up on his bed.  Shooting ended a bit later than everyone 
hoped for, and he was worried that he would be late to the mixer 
at the studios, but looking at the clock it read 7:28.  He'd be 
there just in time for the party to start.

	He stood and walked over into the bathroom to give himself 
one last look.  He searched through Yoshi's closet for a good 15 
minutes before he found something that he thought would look 
good.  It turned out to be a set of black slacks and a matching 
sportcoat, with a white silk shirt underneath.  As he glanced at 
the image of Yoshi, he nodded appreciatively. /I'd look a bit 
funny trying to pull this off, but Yoshi's definately making it work./

	Walking out of the bathroom, he picked up his keys on the 
nightstand and exited his maison.  He jumped into his car and drove 
off towards the studio.  He drove slowly though, trying to gather 
his thoughts along the way.

	/What happens at these things?  Do we dance, do we gossip...?  
I wonder if it's like all those Hollywood parties you keep hearing 
about on those entertainment shows?/

	As Topper pulled up to a stoplight, he pursed his lips. 
/How would Katawa do something like this?  Definately not the way I 
would.  The way he sounds like, he'd walk in and part the crowds with 
a wave of his hand.  That's definately not me.../

	He drove on and about 10 minutes later he pulled into the 
parking lot.  He slowly walked towards the set and as he got within 
sight of the door, he stopped himself to take a deep breath. /At 
any rate Topper, just play it heads up and close to the vest.  Keep 
your head, and watch for the incoming slaps.../

	Topper entered the set in which the mixer was located, which 
was actually the set in which they were filming for the past week.  
It was for the most part the same, cameras pulled aside and put 
away, leaving most of the floor clear of cables and the like.  
There were even some streamers here and there for festive decoration.  
Music was being played at the moment by a boombox from somewhere, 
but near one of the walls a band was setting up.  By the entrance 
there was a table with assorted fingerfoods, and a bar for drinks.  
By all appearances, Topper felt like he was back in high school, in 
yet another one of the dances they held from time to time.

	Scanning the mid-sized crowd here and there, he noticed a few 
people, mostly from different departments.  He decided to drift towards 
the bar by the food table and get a drink.  Dances in general made 
him rather nervous; he couldn't dance worth a lick, and crowds made 
him a bit uneasy.  But for some unfathomable reason, he seemed to 
always go to dances.

	Ordering a coke, Topper turned and looked out at the crowds.  
/I know I should get out there.  Katawa would just jump right in; 
stars do that sort of thing.  Damn, what I wouldn't give for the 
gift of gab right now.../

	Topper grabbed his coke and took a sip.  It didn't take long 
for people to realize he was there, and a few gave him a wave.  
He smiled briefly and waved back in turn, taking the occasional 
sip from his drink when the conversation from one of the groups 
close to him caught his attention.

	"Megumi played her, I swear!" one guy said to his three 
other buddies.

	"Don't be daft, she did not play Ranma."

	"Yes she did!  She played her right after what's her name, in that...damn,
I forgot.  But she played Ranma!"

	Topper's eyes slowly brightened.  Finally, something he might 
be able to join in!  He slowly scooted over towards the group and 
said softly, "Your friend's right you know.  Megumi played Ranma."

	The group turned towards Topper and quieted down quickly.  
"Are you sure, Mister Katawa?" one of them asked him.

	Topper nodded, grinning.  "If there's one thing I know, it's 
that Ranma was played by Ha..." he never finished his sentence as 
someone interrupted him.

	"You do mean Hakiko Akane, right?" Makoto said, glancing over 
towards Topper.  Topper looked at Makoto like she was a bit shy of a 
full deck but she continued, speaking to the others present.  
"Megumi portrayed Akane in the series, the funny footnote being 
that Akane wanted to play her namesake, but Megumi did as well.  
It turned out in the end that the squabbles between Megumi and 
Akane were almost as loud as what they were on-set."  She chuckled 
slightly.  "At least they were not as violent."

	The group nodded slowly in agreement to Makoto.  The first 
speaker saying, "That's right!  Thank you, Miss Tatoshi."  The 
second one poked the first in the ribs, smirking.  "Now, you know 
who sounds like her?  Rei..."

	Topper decided to slip from the group, moving back towards the 
bar.  Motioning for the barkeep, he decided to switch his coke for 
something a bit stronger, like a beer.

	Turning back to the crowds, he noticed Makoto leaving the 
group as well and moving towards him.  She was wearing a set of 
bluejeans with a long-sleeved white blouse.  It seemed a bit...
conservative to his eye, but then again Topper more often than not 
saw Makoto as Urd, not Makoto.

	/Gods above, just one break, huh?  Please?/ Topper pleaded 
in thought as Makoto slid next to him and ordered a soda.  "You're 
slipping." she said casually, turning to lean her elbows on the bar 
as she waited for her drink.

	Topper laughed weakly as he turned towards her.  "Yeah well, 
memory's not perfect still."

	"That'll pass.  Anyways, what brings you to the mixer?  You 
usually skip the cast festivities."

	Topper closed his eyes. /Thanks.../ he thought sourly.  
Opening them, he replied, "Well uh...Lina wanted me to show up.  I 
guess to catch up a bit more or something."  He shrugged and took a 
swig of his beer.

	Makoto reached over to grab her soda.  After taking a sip and 
scanning the crowd she said softly, "They're talking about you, you 
know.  The papers I mean.  They're saying you and her are together 
again."

	Topper blinked, his head turning back to Makoto.  "Huh?  
Why?"

	"Oh, that dinner at Escapades you had with her this past 
week.  It was on Entertainment Today last night."

	Groaning, Topper dropped his head.  "Great..." he mumbled.

	Makoto swirled her soda around a little before replying, 
"The paparazzi can be so droll sometimes.  Never a moment's rest 
if you're famous."

	Topper nodded slowly.  "I guess not." he mumbled, before 
taking another sip of his beer.

	Makoto nudged his arm with her elbow and smiled.  "Cheer 
up, Yoshio!  They probably have a source working there.  It's not 
like they knew you were going there, right?"

	"No, not that I know of.  Lina just mentioned it off the top 
of her head, I think."

	"Well, just remember one thing..." Makoto said, standing 
straight and turning towards Topper.  "Things you say or do affect 
others, whether you like it or not."

	Blinking, Topper turned towards Makoto.  "Pardon?"

	Makoto smiled warmly in return.  "Isn't that Mika over 
there?"  She pointed towards the entrance.  As Topper turned to 
look, Makoto moved off towards the other end of the set.

	"Yeah, that looks like her..." he said, turning back to the 
empty spot Makoto once held.  He sighed, and turned back towards the 
entrance. /She's about as cryptic as an Egyptian tomb.../ he 
thought wearily, before focusing on Mika.

	She was wearing a pair of bluejean shorts with a white 
haltertop.  Covering that was a loose grey hooded sweatshirt, 
zipped only partially up.  Topper hrmed as he took in Mika's 
appearance. /It seems I overdressed.../

	Mika started for a group near the center of the set, and 
Topper watched her traverse the floor.  He picked up his beer and 
started towards her, but his arm was suddenly yanked to the side, and 
him along with it.

	"Yoshio!  I knew you'd come if I asked!" the voice said, as 
the owner of the voice glomped onto his arm.  Topper slowly looked 
over to see Lina as the glomper.

	"Oh, heya Lina.  Yeah, well...er, I thought it'd be nice to 
come, seeing's I haven't been to one in quite a while." he said, 
before taking a swig of his beer.

	"We must dance, you know.  We haven't done that in a long 
time!  As soon as the band sets up...oh, let me go check on them!"  
With that, Lina disentangled herself from Topper's arm and rushed over 
towards the band.  Topper just turned back to the bar, set down his 
bottle and said, "Switch this to a Long Island Iced Tea, it's gonna be 
a long night..."

	The bartender, a veteran of such events, had already pulled 
out the stronger liquors when he saw Lina bounding away.  As he 
started to mix the liquors together, Topper turned to look at his 
prospects.  Lina was on one side of the room talking to the band.  
Topper shifted his head slightly and glanced at the other side of 
the room, where Mika was talking and laughing with what he thought was 
a group from the costume department.

	Topper turned back as the bartender finished his drink.  
Topper sipped from his glass a quarter way down, before turning 
back to the crowds. /Hopefully, Lina won't find me until after I 
talk to Mika.  Gods, I just need one break tonight, please?  And 
no sharp objects in the room would be a plus, too.../

	Topper slowly crossed the room, his eyes darting between 
opposite sides of the room.  He gulped down a quarter more of his 
drink before he got within earshot of Mika's group, and slid slowly 
behind two of the girls talking.

	It took a few moments for the group to realize who was 
eavesdropping before they gave him some room.  "Mister Katawa, we 
are very sorry!" One of them said, bowing her head.

	Topper held up his free hand and shook his head.  "Please, 
you don't need to be.  If I may, can I borrow Miss Inata for a 
few moments?" He turned his head towards Mika, who was eyeing him 
suspiciously in return.

	The group members nodded, and Topper thanked the group 
before motioning Mika to follow him to one of the tables situated 
around the center of the set.  Hesitating a moment, Mika decided 
to follow.  As Topper came to a free table, he pulled back the 
chair for Mika, who pursed her lips before sitting down.

	Topper sat in a seat opposite the small table and after a 
pause, started off.  "I know you're mad at me, but can you give me 
a chance to explain things at least?"

	Mika looked at Topper for a few moments, examining him 
carefully.  She then leaned back in her chair and said curtly, 
"Two minutes."

	Topper tilted his head from side to side.  "Fair enough."  
He took a deep breath before starting.  "Okay, here's how I see 
it.  You're mad at me because Lina dragged me to Escapades the 
other night, and it's looking like I'm living up to Yoshio's 
playboy image that's been on the papers.  And my story seems like 
an intricate pickup line, one to throw off the new girl on the 
block, instead of the real deal, while I go with Lina on the side, 
thereby having two girls in my pocket, with theoretically none the 
wiser, am I close?"

	Mika raised her eyebrows slightly, but her lips still portrayed 
a slight frown to them.  "Sounds about right to me." she said over 
the din of the crowds.

	Nodding, Topper continued on.  "But you yourself said that 
Lina and Yoshio had a long past, knowing each other for a very long 
time before now.  Could the dinner that other night be mistakenly 
construed as a date, when in fact the reason of the dinner was to 
catch up and to see if I was all right from the bumps I took the 
first day on the set?" Topper was starting to breath a little 
hard, from explaining things at a quick rate, to get under the two 
minutes.

	Mika scrunched up her eyebrows, as she thought for a 
moment.  "Bump, not bumps.  But continue..."

	Topper shook his head.  "Bumps, I got one right before 
exchanging with Yoshio.  Anyways, as I am seeing it, and experiencing 
it by the by, this whole thing can be explained as one gigantic series 
of misunderstandings, but the whole key can fit if I can prove to 
you what happened to me is true, which right now is close to 
impossible, given the circumstances that brought me here."  With 
that, he gulped down the rest of his drink and leaned back in his 
chair.

	Mika leaned back in her chair as well, looking at Topper 
curiously.  As she started to play with her hands in her lap, 
Topper looked back at Mika with similar curiosity. /Now what.../

	"One question..." Mika finally said, looking at Topper 
seriously.

	Topper suddenly sat straight up as he said, "Uh...yeah?"

	"Why me?"  She shook her head slightly.  "I mean, say if 
you were Yoshio, this would be a simple case of leading the new 
girl astray, and it's very easy to dismiss as just that.  In which 
case I'd most likely never talk to you outside the set again.

	"But, if you were this Topper who you say you are, then you'd 
have to prove you are Topper, in which case is near impossible, 
unless you could tell the future or something..." She glanced at 
Topper with another of her curious looks.  "You can't, can you?"

	"Uh...no, not that I'm aware of."

	"Well then.  As you can see, all I have to go on is your 
story, and you have to admit, that's one whopper of a tale, 
especially not having proof, right?"

	Topper nodded slowly, leaning forward and cradling his glass 
in his hands.  "True, true.  I'm just asking for the benefit of a 
doubt.  If you were trapped in a situation like mine, wouldn't you 
feel a bit out of sorts, not to mention come across as a bit odd 
in certain situations?  It's not like I can snap my fingers and 
make you bulieve me.  I'm just trying to make the best out of 
the weirdest situation of my life."

	Mika tilted her head from side to side, as Topper swished
ice cubes in his glass.  "I guess my two minutes are up by now."

	Mika nodded.  "Probably.  How about this, I'll give you the 
benefit of a doubt, if you can tell me two things."

	Topper shrugged.  "If I can."

	"Okay, first.  You said that we're all drawn in this thing 
called Anime.  If that's so, whose voice am I using?"

	Topper thought about it a moment.  "Oh, that's Inoue 
Kikuko."

	Mika smiled a little and chuckled.  "Never heard of her.  But 
it's still interesting to know.  Second question, you said that 
you've already seen the series.  How do you think we did?"

	Topper grinned a little.  "Now there's a thought.  I never 
thought if all those times I watched the series, I'd actually be 
seeing myself act, though through Yoshi's body, not to mention..."  
Topper blinked as he muttered, "Not to mention..."

	Mika cocked her head to the side slightly.  "Something 
wrong?"

	"I was about to say, not to mention the series was made 
about four years before I first watched it...say, what year is 
this anyways?"

	Mika blinked.  "It's 1993.  Why?"

	Topper blinked himself, before starting to laugh.  "Maybe I 
can tell the future..."

	Mika folded her arms as she glanced at Topper.  "Why, what 
year is it for you in your world?"

	Topper grinned at Mika.  "1997."

	Mika hrmed as she looked at Topper.  "Well, can you predict 
something that happens this year?"

	Topper thought for a few more moments.  "Er...that was a 
bit ago, you know.  Well...let's see...Audrey Hepburn died that year?"

	Mika shook her head.  "Already happened, in January 
actually.  Interesting that you brought that up, though.  
Strike one."

	Topper shrugged.  "Okay...speaking of baseball, Toronto'll 
win this year's world series."

	Mika shrugged.  "I'm not much of an American baseball fan."  
She grinned a bit though.  "But if I was, I'd know that they won 
last year.  That really isn't a fair test though.  Strike two.  
I don't suppose you know any Japanese events, do you?"

	Topper reached up to run his hand through his hair.  "Not 
really.  The only thing I know that happened in Japan around this 
time period that doesn't involve Anime is the Kobe earthquake..."

	Mika's grin slowly faded.  "W-what did you say?"

	Topper looked into his glass.  "It was a big earthquake that 
happened near Kobe...I dunno if it was in �93 or �95 though.  But 
it was like in January or something."

	Mika leaned forward in her chair.  "Yoshio...Topper...you'd 
better not be joking about something like this.  Nothing happened 
this January, so if it happens in 1995, I need to know."  Her face 
was a mixture of fear and anger, something Topper saw as he looked 
up upon hearing her words.

	"I wouldn't lie about something like that, Mika.  It was like 
a seven or something on the Richter scale.  Something like a 
thousand plus died."  Topper's eyes glimmered as he thought of 
something, and he frowned a bit himself.  "Your aunt...she lives 
in Kobe, I forgot.  I'm sorry.  But if you can believe anything I 
say to you until the day I die, believe that."

	Mika slowly sat up in her chair, looking at Topper.  Her 
features turned grim, as she said softly, "Well...you certainly 
try to make a point made, don't you."

	Topper shook his head.  "It's not that, Mika...you asked 
for a prediction.  It's not like I make events like that not 
happen..." He sighed and slowly stood.  "I'm sorry.  I truly 
am.  I was hoping to melt the ice a bit, but..."  He turned for 
the door.

	He walked towards the door, Mika blinking as he strode 
away.  She quickly stood up, and walked quickly over towards 
Topper.  As Topper exited through the doors to the set, Mika caught 
up to him and grabbed his arm.

	"Hey, you can't just leave like that!"

	Topper didn't turn around, but said over his shoulder, "Why 
not?"

	"Well, let's see.  You tell me my aunt's in danger in 
approximately a year and a half.  I don't know about you, but 
that's a pretty damn good reason!"

	Topper slowly turned around to look at Mika.  "I would think 
that wrecking your entire night by blurting that out would have 
been good enough reason _to_ leave.  Look, I've never been great at 
talking to women.  Hell, I don't even have what you'd call a friend 
that is a girl.  I think the only reason I can pull anything off 
right now is the fact that I can convince myself that if anything 
screws up, it won't be me, it'll be Yoshi.  This is hard enough as 
it is..."

	Mika slowly let go of Topper's arm and crossed her arms.  
"What's hard enough as it is?" her tone being one of concern.

	"Call it what you will, fanboy run amuck, geek loneliness, 
Anime-themed television vegetation syndrome.  I look at you, and 
I see Belldandy.  I talk to you, I hear Belldandy.  The only 
thing right now that holds me back from fainting on the floor 
like a Ryouga in a nosebleed moment is the fact that the words that 
you say are distinctly yours, not Belldandy.  You stand there, talk 
to me, and don't act either like the girls I know back home, or 
the Belldandy I've seen hundreds of times on the television..."  
He seemed as though he wanted to say something else, but let it 
go and turned.

	"I...see..." Mika muttered, as Topper walked down the road 
towards the parking lot.  Mika thought to give chase again, but 
shook her head.  Sighing, she slowly walked back into the set, her 
head hung low.

	Leaning back so Mika didn't see her stood Lina, peeking out 
once the coast was clear to look at the slowly shrinking form of 
Topper.  She couldn't hear what was being said as the noise from 
the band and crowds kept Mika's and Topper's conversation secret.  
But her face still switched between various emotions.  She was 
about to follow herself when someone slapped her back and called 
out a loud "Tikatsu!" It helped her immensely in causing her to 
fall on her face.

	Makoto looked concerned as she retracted her hand from the 
now empty air.  Looking down to Lina, she held out her hand.  "Oh, 
are you okay, dear?  I was hoping to ask if you'd sing for us 
tonight..."

	Lina smiled weakly and used Makoto's hand to help herself 
up.  "Oh, uh...sure, sure!  Lead the way!"

	Makoto just chuckled and shook her head, leading the way 
towards the band platform.

	Topper decided to drive home and top off the bottle of 
whiskey in Yoshio's kitchen cupboard, before following the wayward 
path of the pillow.  As far as he was concerned, he screwed up 
everything he could possibly have done that night.  He didn't 
resolve very much about anything, gave Mika a minor heart attack, 
and forgot Lina wanted to dance with him.  All things considered, if 
he got a hangover, he figured it would be a just revenge.

	The last thing he did think of as he drifted to slumber was 
what Makoto said.  �Things you say or do affect others, whether you 
like it or not.' /Boy, got that right, Makoto.../ He didn't have a 
headache when he woke up, which seemed to only compound his worries.

	* * *

	The flight to Kasuto Beach was made on a private jet, which 
left the local airport in the mid-afternoon.  Most of the main cast 
were on the jet and by way of passing, Topper met Wasumi Chiyoko, 
who played Sayoko.  She was yet another curve ball to Topper's 
unique viewpoint, as was the case right after takeoff.

	"Mister Katawa?"  Chiyoko asked, as she stepped into view of 
his seat.

	Topper turned in his chair to Chiyoko and smiled a little up 
to her.  "Miss...Wasumi, right?"

	Chiyoko nodded enthusiastically and grinned.  "Yes, yes it is!  
Can I join you for a little bit, Mister Katawa?"

	Topper seemed to have the luxury of having his side of rows 
all to himself and nodded to Chiyoko, motioning for her to take the 
empty seat next to him.

	Chiyoko sat down and immediately unloaded on Topper.
"OhMisterKatawa,IlovedyourmoviesIthinkthey'resoneat!Ireallywanttoget
yourautographbutIwasabitscaredbutoneofmyfriendssaidtogoforitsohere
Iam..."  Her cheeks started to blush as she looked down for a moment 
into her lap, where her hands were busying themselves at squeezing 
the life out of each other.  After a moment she looked up and said 
quite a bit slower, "Er...sorry..."

	Topper blinked as Chiyoko whooshed through her speech, not 
noticing until she blushed and looked down to what this was 
really about. /She's a fan...though man, if she has a crush on 
me, I'm gonna jump out the window.../ He shook his head as she 
finished, reaching over to place a hand on hers.  "H-hey, it's 
okay.  You don't have to be sorry, okay?"

	Still blushing furiously, Chiyoko looked up to Katawa.  
"B-but...I just made a fool of myself...I mean, we'll be working 
together and I...I..."

	Topper hrmed as he looked at Chiyoko, before giving her 
hand a pat.  "It's okay.  I'll be right back, okay?"

	Chiyoko nodded, and Topper stood, walking towards the rear 
of the jet.  He was rather grateful that Mika's and Lina's seats 
were a few rows in front of his, because he was avoiding them 
since the crew started to get together for the flight.  He knew 
he'd have to talk to them soon though.  Mika because of the shoot 
of course.  Lina was a bit different, since she was there to just 
relax a bit.  She was offered as an incentive a trip to the 
beach shoots as part of her agreement, one which she readily 
agreed to.  
	He sighed as he walked to the back, and noticed Makoto 
looking at him with a smirk.  He smiled back weakly before 
continuing on. /I hope that is a good smile.../ He finally reached 
his destination, the seat of the assistant director.

	After a few moments of conversation, the assistant went 
through her briefcase, and pulled out a glossy of Yoshio, as well 
as a marker.  He bowed his thanks, and moved back to his seat, 
where Chiyoko was waiting, still fumbling about with her hands on 
her lap.

	He sat down and looked at Chiyoko with his now common weak 
smile.  "Er...how do you want me to write this?"

	Chiyoko blushed more and looked down.  "To Chiyoko please, 
Mister Katawa.  Thank you so very much!"

	Topper nodded and looked back down to the picture of Yoshio.  
He admired it as he took off the cap to the marker.  After thinking 
for a few moments, he wrote �To Chiyoko, hoping your scenes go 
well, Katawa Yoshio'.  He hoped it didn't sound too cheesy since 
that was his first autograph, and he accidentally wrote a �T' 
instead of a �K' for Katawa.  He somehow managed to make it 
look like a flourished �K' though, so all things considered, it 
didn't look that bad.

	Topper held it towards Chiyoko, who gratefully accepted 
it.  "Ohthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Chiyoko chanted, before standing 
and bowing.  She made a very quick retreat, which left Topper to 
lean back in his chair and cap the marker. /A weird, but fun, 
experience.../ he thought with a contented sigh.

	"Your first, I take it?"

	Topper blinked and looked up to Mika, who was leaning an 
arm on the chair once occupied by Chiyoko.  Topper just nodded 
before turning to look at the seat in front of him.

	Mika pursed her lips at that, and paused a few moments.  
"Well..." she said softly.  "I wanted to ask you out to talk, 
after tomorrow's shoots.  If you're not busy that is."

	Topper glanced over to Mika, blinking.  "I...well...er..."

	"I'll take that as a yes then." she said with a chuckle, and 
turned to go back to her seat.  Topper kept blinking as he turned to 
look at the seat in front of him. /I got asked...for a date?  And 
an autograph.../

	Topper stayed in a rather incoherent state until the jet 
touched down on the island's runway, about an hour later.  At that 
time, everyone disembarked on the plane, a group of limousines 
awaiting the cast.  What Topper noticed though was a motorcycle 
parked by the limousines.  Another thing he noticed was that the 
attendant to the motorcycle walked towards him.

	"Your luggage will arrive at your home later this 
evening, Mister Katawa." The attendant said to him as he held out 
the keys to the motorcycle.

	"Oh...of course." he said, peering around the attendant to 
the motorcycle. /And this home is where?/ He glanced around as 
people started to walk to the limousines and finding the 
assistant, asked her about the motorcycle.

	"As per your contract, Mister Katawa, you asked that your 
residence while shooting here be your family's retreat." the 
assistant replied, looking at Topper curiously.

	"Oh, silly me.  It completely slipped my mind."  Topper 
smiled weakly and turned to glance at the motorcycle a moment 
before looking back to the assistant.  "Er...as long as we're on 
the subject of my mind..."

	The assistant sighed softly.  She knew what he was going to 
ask, and it really made her rather irate that these actors get 
paid so much more for being such imbeciles.  But she took it in 
stride and smiled to Topper, giving him the directions to the 
Katawa summer home.  He made his way to the bike as the assistant 
walked towards the last limousine, her plans for asking for a raise 
pushed into high gear in her mind.

	Topper straddled the motorcycle and put the keys in the 
ignition.  It was a slick motorcycle, and from his friend Jake back 
home, something like this rode like a dream.  He started up the 
engine and pulled out, passing the limousine convoy in only second 
gear.

	He sped along the road, following the directions for about 
thirty minutes, before coming up to the gates of a large estate.  
He put the bike in neutral and gazed up at the mansion, his mind 
drifting from his previous thoughts of how well he handled the ride 
over after two years of not riding, to just how much this whole estate 
would be worth.  Suddenly, the gates started to open and Topper blinked.

	"Master Yoshio, it is so good to see you again!  I am sorry 
about not opening the gates sooner, I will see you at the door!" 
the intercom blared to Topper's right side.  Topper tilted his head 
from side to side, and waited for the gates to open fully before 
putting the bike in gear and driving up the path to the front doors.

	He stopped between the doors and the large fountain that 
adorned the other side of the path, and got off the bike.  He started 
to admire the grounds once more when an older man hurried out of 
the mansion and stopped beside Topper.

	"Master Yoshio, did you have a wonderful trip?  I am glad you 
came!  It has been years since you came here last!  Here, here, come 
inside!  We already have a bed ready in case you wish a nap!"

	Topper smiled a little to the man.  "I...thank you.  I'm 
sorry, my memory's been a bit off since my accident..."

	"Oh, Teiko and I heard of your terrible accident on the 
television, very bad, very bad!  We will make every reservation to 
make your stay a relaxing one!  In case you can't remember, I'm 
Okiitsugu Jirou, the groundskeeper.  Teiko is my wife, who helps 
with the indoor duties.  She will help you on to your room."  
Jirou turned towards the house.  "Teiko?  Teiko??" he called into 
the mansion.

	An older woman bustled through the doors, holding her hands 
out wide.  "Master Yoshio, it's been so long!"  she exclaimed, 
before giving Topper a glomping hug.

	"I...it's been that, yes..." Topper managed to say through 
gritted teeth.

	Teiko let go of Topper and smiled happily.  "Miss Yasuko will 
be very happy to see you!"

	"Miss...Yasuko?" Topper asked curiously.

	"You really know how to take the fun out of a family reunion, 
older brother." a feminine voice said from the doorway.

	"Older...brother...?"  Topper turned to look at the owner of 
the voice.  Upon seeing her, he promptly fainted.

	Jirou and Teiko barely caught Topper as the woman walked 
towards the group.  "It must be the hair...he never did like me with 
hair this long..." she muttered, as she reached back to pull a lock 
of hair to admire, as the remaining long raven black tresses streamed 
down to her calves.  "You'd think he would have known I'd have to 
grow out my hair to play the part of Skuld." Yasuko just shook her 
head and helped the aging couple with their burden to the room 
that Topper would occupy.


----- ----- -----

	If you made it this far, my thanks. ^_^  Please, if you can
help me with providing some C&C, I would appreciate it so very much.
Arigatou!  Lasha and ja ne.

									Lany
______________________________________________________________________
Delany Brittain
  turtyl@montana.com		--Primary e-mail
  turtyl@selway.umt.edu	--Secondary e-mail
  turtyl@otaking.org		--For use in case of bounced e-mails.
-----
	"A pat on the back isn't that far away from a kick in the ass."
	  --Doug Flutie

http://www.megami.net/~turtyl/ --looking for a new home at the moment...