COS32-38
"A Change of Scene" chapters 32-38
1998, June "KaraOhki" Geraci ([email protected])
The characters from Ranma 1/2 in this fiction are the creations of Rumiko Takahashi, and
borrowed without her permission. This story was written for non-commercial purposes only.
Chapter 32
Ranma and Akane walked up the porch steps of a three story house just off campus. Akane looked at
the house, and felt doubtful.
"Are you sure this is the right address, Ranma? This looks much too nice."
Ranma handed her the letter.
"This is it, Akane."
Akane rang the bell on the porch, and they smiled at the older woman who came to the door.
"We're here to see the apartment, ma'am. My name is Ranma Saotome, and this is my fiancee, Akane
Tendo."
"Come in, come in. The apartment is on the third floor. My husband converted the attic into rooms
many years ago, and students have been renting it ever since."
They followed her up the stairs, and she unlocked the door and let them go in first. It was easy to
tell the place had been an attic, for it still had slanted ceilings, some of which Ranma had to duck
under as they walked through. The apartment consisted of a large kitchen, a small bedroom, and
bath. There were a table and chairs in the kitchen in addition to the appliances, and a small bureau
in the very tiny bedroom. The furniture was worn from many years of students living there, but it
would do. They did notice that there was some damage to the walls, and that some of the tatamis
needed replacing. The woman noticed where they were looking, and nodded.
"I'll replace the mats, of course, and if you're willing to do the painting yourselves, I'll pay for
the paint. I made a mistake with my last tenants."
"What do you mean, ma'am?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I am Mrs. Takai. I've always rented these rooms to married
couples referred by student housing, but I made the mistake of renting to people the college didn't
send. You can see the damage they did, and the downstairs neighbor was always complaining about the
noise. From now on, I'll stick with the young people the college sends me. They've always been
quiet, well-behaved couples."
Ranma could see without asking that Akane wanted the rooms. He did too, but couldn't help wondering
if they would be able to live up to Mrs. Takai's expectations, since neither he or Akane had ever
been particularly quiet or well-behaved. He pushed the thought aside, and within a few minutes Mrs.
Takai was on her way downstairs to get them each a key.
While she was downstairs, Ranma walked Akane to the window to enjoy the view.
"It's not very fancy, Akane, but I like this place."
*****
Ranma pointed to the shop window, and turned to Akane.
"What do you think of that one, Akane? I think it's the perfect size for our bedroom."
Akane looked at the futon, and nodded.
"I think you're right, Ranma. So you prefer a futon to a bed?"
"Do you want to drag a bed up two flights of stairs?"
Akane's response was to take Ranma's arm and pull him into the store. They didn't have a problem
choosing a futon, but choosing a covering for it and curtains to match was a different story, and
they had to learn rather quickly to compromise, especially after the argument they nearly started
had the salesman quivering at the other end of the store. After picking everything else they needed
and arranging delivery, the couple found a place to have lunch.
"Akane, do you have paper in your bag?"
"Yes, right here."
"Okay, we need to make a list of everything else we need to do."
They sat together making the list, and then reviewed it.
"Akane, it looks like we can be ready by the time we break for the holidays. We can get married
when we get home, right before the new year."
Akane looked troubled, and Ranma wondered what she was thinking when she didn't reply. Finally, she
sighed.
"No, Ranma. I don't want to get married at home. Someone will find a way to interfere with us
again. Can't we find a way to get our folks up here?"
"Akane! You're getting paranoid about this! If we tell my mother and Kasumi what we're planning,
and let them make very simple arrangements at home, it will work out."
"Then we can't tell Daddy, Ranma. He'd want to make a fuss."
"So would Pop, sweetheart. We'll keep it a secret a little longer, but eventually, we will have to
tell them."
*****
Ranma had lost track of time, and left Akane at the restaurant door to go to work. Akane stopped
off at the dormitory for her mail, which included a letter from Kasumi, and returned to Mishi's
apartment. Before she could change her mind, Akane sat down and answered her sister's letter,
telling her about her wedding plans.
Ranma got back to the dormitory late, and found Shiro studying. Shiro greeted Ranma quietly, and
listened while Ranma told him about the rooms he and Akane had found, and their plans. Ranma could
see that something was on his roommate's mind, and waited for him to speak
up.
"Ranma, I need a favor from you."
"What's up, Shiro?"
"I went to see Shampoo today, and her great-grandmother threw me out. She doesn't want me to see
her."
Ranma's eyes widened, and he sat down quickly.
"Whoa! Back up a minute. You went all the way to Nerima?"
"Yes."
"And Shampoo wants to see you?"
"She said as a friend only, for now. But Ranma, I think she really needs one. I'd like to write to
her, but I can't send letters to the Nekohanten. Who in Nerima could hand deliver letters for me?"
Ranma had an immediate answer.
"Akane's sister, Kasumi. No one would suspect a thing."
"Why not?"
"Because Kasumi is such a sweet thing that no one would imagine that she could do something
devious."
Shiro saw a hole in Ranma's plan.
"Then wouldn't she say no, Ranma?"
"Kasumi is sweet, but she's also a romantic. I think she'll say yes if we ask her. You can put
your letters to Shampoo into the ones Akane sends to her sister. We'll talk to her."
Chapter 33
Akane and Mishi sat up late that night, choosing which of Mishi's designs Akane wanted for her
kimono, while Mishi listened to Akane's concerns about the isdom of having another
wedding at home. Having no idea what had happened the previous year, Mishi was at a loss to
understand why Akane was so worried, but let her friend talk.
Mishi was sleeping soundly when there was a soft knock on the apartment door. Akane heard it and
quickly left the sofa bed to go to the door.
"Ranma, what are you doing here so early? Mishi is asleep."
"I'm sorry, Akane. There's something I wanted to tell you. Will you go to breakfast with me?"
Okay, Ranma. Would you fold up the couch while I dress?"
Akane retreated to the bathroom to dress, and soon she and Ranma left for breakfast. Akane waited
until they were served before she asked Ranma what was on his mind.
"What was so important, Ranma?"
"It's Shiro, Akane. He went all the way to Nerima yesterday to see Shampoo."
Akane retrieved her dropped chopsticks, and listened wide-eyed as Ranma told her the rest of the
story, and asked her to call Kasumi.
"I think she'll help, Ranma. But you have to admit I was right about Shiro. He was much more
interested in Shampoo than you thought."
"Don't rub it in, Akane."
*****
Kasumi was putting a load of clothes in the washer when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Sis. How are you?"
"Akane! I'm fine, dear. Is anything wrong?"
"No, Kasumi...but you'd better sit down."
Kasumi sat down quickly.
All right, Akane. Tell me."
"Ranma and I are getting married."
Akane heard a gasp, and then there were a few moments of complete silence.
"Father will be so pleased when I tell him."
"No, Kasumi. You mustn't tell Daddy."
"Why not, Akane? He'll want to start planning your wedding."
"I wrote you a letter. You should get it soon, and then you'll understand. Let's just say that
Ranma and I want to keep things as simple as possible. But I called because I need
you to do someone a favor."
"Who, Akane?"
"Shampoo."
This time Akane heard a squeak from her sister, and continued before Kasumi could interrupt.
"Just listen, Sis. Ranma's roommate Shiro is very interested in her, but Cologne doesn't approve.
If I sent you his letters, would you get them to Shampoo for him?"
Kasumi couldn't speak for a few moments, and then her first comment was a question, as Akane had
anticipated.
"You want me to be a go-between?"
"Right."
Kasumi suddenly laughed.
"I'd love to, Akane. It sounds like fun. I can't believe Shampoo would be interested in someone
other than Ranma, though."
"She knows we're getting married, Sis. Besides, she claims she just wants Shiro as a friend. I'm
not sure whether or not to believe that."
"We'll have to wait and see, Akane. But I want to talk about you and Ranma. Does his mother know?"
"Not yet. He's going to call her today."
*****
Nodoka hung up the phone and went back to what she was doing, which was dusting the house. Her
hands worked automatically as she went over the conversation she'd just had with her son. It was
about time he and Akane got married.
Genma walked into the living room, and found his wife smiling broadly and humming to herself as she
dusted.
"Are you all right?"
"Of course I am. Why?"
"You don't usually look this happy when you're cleaning the house."
"That's because I don't like cleaning up the fur you shed all over the place."
*****
"Why did I let you talk me into this, Akane?"
Ranma wobbled onto the ice and held Akane's hand, trying not to fall down.
"Just relax, Ranma. You can learn to skate."
"I didn't last time."
Akane looked exasperated.
"That's because all you could think about was beating Sanzenin. This time it's just us."
After Akane had dragged him around the rink a few times, Ranma felt confident enough to try a few
steps on his own. He traveled a few feet before falling, and Akane helped him up.
"I don't get it, Ranma. If you can balance on a fence, why can't you balance on skates?"
Akane had carefully worded her question to sting Ranma in a vulnerable place - his pride - and he
pulled his hands out of hers.
"Just step back, Akane. I'll do it."
Akane leaned on the wall, and watched Ranma concentrate. She knew that once he'd made up his mind
to learn something, nothing would stop him. Fifteen minutes later, they were skating together, hand
in hand.
"I knew you could do it, Ranma."
"Akane, now that I've learned to skate, when will you learn to swim?"
Akane shivered, and refused to meet Ranma's eyes.
"Does it really frighten you that much?"
Akane's response was almost too quiet to be heard.
"Yes."
"Someday I'll teach you, Akane, and then you won't have to be afraid of the water."
Akane was spared the task of replying when she heard her name being called, and turned to see Toshi
skating up.
"Kodachi's gone, Akane She left this morning."
Akane smiled at her fiance, and turned back to Toshi.
"That's wonderful, Toshi. I'll move back this afternoon."
Ranma helped Akane carry her belongings back to her dormitory, and she slept well that night. If
she had known that more trouble was on that way, she wouldn't have closed her eyes.
Chapter 34
Akane climbed the stairs to the apartment, her arms full of packages.
The door was open when Ranma arrived, to find Akane kneeling on the kitchen counter re-lining the
shelves.
"Why did you leave the door open, Akane?"
"I'm trying to air the room out, Ranma."
Ranma sniffed, and wrinkled his nose. "What is that?"
"It's the cleaner I had to use on the cabinets. They looked like no one's cleaned them in a long
time, and I'm not putting my new dishes in a dirty cabinet."
Ranma looked in the cabinets under the counter and reached for the cleaner.
"I see what you mean, Akane. I'll take care of these."
Before Ranma could start cleaning, the doorbell rang, and he ran downstairs to answer it. He came
back upstairs a short time later with the delivery people, who'd brought their futon and the other
items they'd purchased over the weekend. Ranma left everything in the bedroom and went back to
work, only to be interrupted again when the paint Mrs. Takai had ordered was delivered.
*****
Shiro was in the middle of a letter to Shampoo, and was rather annoyed when someone started knocking
on his door. Whoever was there was pounding on it as if he meant to break it down. Shiro put down
his pen, and opened the door to find a stranger standing there.
"Where is Saotome?"
"He and Akane are at their apartment."
Shiro watched as the young man looked amazed, and then infuriated. He grabbed Shiro, and shook him.
"Take me there, now!"
*****
Toshi was on her way out when she noticed a young woman knocking on Akane's door.
"Akane isn't there. I think she and Ranma are at their place."
"Is this some kind of a joke?"
"No, why should it be?"
The young woman regained her composure.
"Never mind. Can you tell me how to get there?"
*****
Akane opened the box of dishes, and began putting them into the cabinet. She glanced down at Ranma,
but all she could see was the lower half of him protruding from the cabinet. She smiled, enjoying
the view, and went back to work. Shortly afterward, Ranma emerged from the cabinet.
"All done, Akane. Do you want the pots and pans in here?"
"Yes, Ranma. I'll help you."
Ranma lifted Akane down from the counter and she turned to the table to get the pots, but Ranma
stopped her.
"I think we need a break, Akane. Did you pick up anything to drink?"
Akane nodded, and pulled two bottles of beer from the refrigerator. Ranma sat down, and Akane sat in
his lap, handing him one of the bottles.
"There are more chairs, Akane."
Akane looked disappointed, and started to get up, but Ranma restrained her.
"Just kidding, sweetheart."
Akane sipped her beer, glanced at Ranma, and giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Your hair is full of dust, Ranma. It must have been a real mess under there."
Akane brushed the dust out of Ranma's hair. She began to withdraw her hand, but changed her mind
and put it behind his head, and drew him closer to kiss him. Ranma took both bottles and put them
on the table so that he could use both arms to hold Akane and kiss her again. Neither of them heard
the footsteps on the stairs, and it wasn't until they opened their eyes that they realized they
weren't alone.
Chapter 35
Kuno and Nabiki stood in the doorway. Nabiki looked utterly amazed, and Kuno looked furious.
Without asking for permission, Kuno walked in, glaring at Ranma. Nabiki looked apologetic, and
followed him inside. Akane blushed, and started to get up, but Ranma held her firmly, not allowing
her to leave his lap. Akane stopped struggling, and greeted her sister.
"Nabiki."
"Akane."
Kuno finally got his mouth working, and directed all of his attention to Ranma.
"What a scene of depravity I have walked in on, Saotome. How could you take advantage of a young
girl's innocence like this!"
Ranma exchanged glances with his fiancee, and sighed. Trust Kuno to jump to conclusions, as usual.
"Just what do you mean by that remark, Kuno?"
Kuno gestured at the beer.
"Getting her alone up here, and plying her with alcohol. You disgust me, Saotome, and that's not
the only reason."
Kuno looked too furious to continue, and Ranma got impatient with him.
"Do you have something else to say, Kuno?"
"What did you do to my sister, Saotome?"
"I didn't do anything to her, Kuno."
"Don't lie to me. Kodachi arrived in Morioka yesterday, saying that she was transferring to my
college. When I asked her why, she became hysterical, and said to ask you. What have you done?"
Ranma closed his eyes in exasperation, and opened them again to see Akane looking at him. There was
no need for words between them. Ranma knew that sooner or later Kodachi would tell her brother what
she'd seen, and felt that it was time for the truth to come out.
"Kuno, please sit down. This may take some explaining. Akane, we'll need the teakettle."
Akane left Ranma's lap, put the kettle on the stove, and rejoined the group sitting at the table.
Then Ranma began his story.
"Kuno, your sister has been following me all over campus since I arrived. When I told her I
wouldn't go out with her, she threatened Akane."
Kuno looked to Akane for confirmation, and she nodded. He frowned, and turned his attention back to
Ranma.
"The other night, Kodachi attacked Akane, and cut her with her ribbon."
"How do you know?"
"I was there."
Kuno rose from his chair in a fury.
"Don't tell me that you and Akane were--"
Akane interrupted.
"No, Kuno."
Kuno sat again, and folded his arms.
"What then, Saotome? I suppose you hit my sister."
"Absolutely not. I don't hit girls. Akane was able to handle your sister by herself, but Kodachi saw
something that upset her, and that's why she left Sanna College."
Kuno had been following everything Ranma related very closely, but couldn't understand his last
statement.
"What did she see?"
"This."
Ranma got up, walked to the sink, and ran a glass of cold water. Akane had guessed what he
intended, and was not surprised to see him pour it over himself, but Nabiki gasped.
Kuno blinked, and then got up. He walked all around Ranma, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"Pigtailed girl? Saotome, you are the pigtailed girl? No, this is some sort of an illusion."
Akane picked up the steaming teakettle, and walked to Ranma's side.
"No, Kuno. What you see is real. Watch."
Akane poured the water, and Ranma yelped.
"I'm sorry, honey. Too hot?"
Kuno's mouth fell open when Ranma changed back, and he said nothing. Nabiki, however, was more
interested in what she'd heard her sister call Ranma, and repeated it.
"Honey?"
Kuno's expression changed, and it was obvious to the girls that Ranma was in grave danger.
"Saotome, you have deceived me all of these years! You and my pigtailed girl are one and the same
person! How many times did you laugh at me behind my back? You even allowed me to
tell you that I loved you. You are a monster that does not deserve to live--I will smite you here
and now!"
Akane grabbed Kuno's arm, and made him look at her.
"Please, Kuno, listen to me. Ranma is under a curse--it's not his fault. Please don't hurt him."
Kuno shook her off impatiently.
"No, Akane. You cannot even consider marrying this pervert. It is bad enough that he has taken
advantage of you, but he is unnatural, a monster!"
He took a step toward Ranma, and stopped. Ranma watched Kuno's expression change, and wondered what
he was thinking. He was prepared to fight him if necessary, but didn't like to think what the
kitchen would look like afterwards. Then Kuno backed away, looking ill.
"No. I will not dirty my hands on you. This is no place for a member of the Kuno family. Nabiki, get
up. We're leaving."
"No."
"What? "
"I said no."
Kuno looked at Nabiki for a few seconds, and turned his back on her.
"It's obvious to me that the two of you are sick, if you choose to associate with this, with this
thing!"
He left without saying good bye, slamming the door behind him, and they heard his steps going down
the stairs.
Nabiki gasped, and turned pale. Akane quickly went to her side, and put her arm around her.
Nabiki grabbed Akane's hand, and held it tightly for a few seconds. Then she took a deep breath, and
looked from Akane to Ranma.
"Akane, Ranma, I had to make a choice. I couldn't side with Kuno if it meant rejecting the two of
you."
Akane got her sister a glass of water, placing it into her hands.
"Drink this, Sis. You'll feel better. I'm so sorry Kuno treated you so badly."
Nabiki sipped her water, looking thoughtful.
"Maybe I'm better off, Akane. Could you imagine my having Kodachi as a sister-in-law?"
Akane smiled. If her sister's sense of humor had survived, she would be all right.
Ranma hadn't spoken in some time. He'd stood there, and let Kuno abuse him, and had only listened
while Akane defended him. Finally he put his hand on Nabiki's shoulder.
"Nabiki, thank you for sticking by us. Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine, Ranma, just confused."
"About what?"
Nabiki put down her glass, and directed her eyes to Akane.
"What's this 'honey' business, Akane, and why are the two of you living together?"
"Excuse me?"
"No excuses, Akane. I heard you. You called Ranma 'honey', and it's obvious that this apartment
belongs to the both of you. How long has this been going on?
"Since graduation day, Sis. "
"WHAT?"
Akane giggled, and moved closer to Ranma, who put his arm around her.
"You insisted that we were putting on an act, Sis, so we let you think so, but we're not living
here, not yet anyway."
Nabiki looked at Ranma and Akane in amazement.
"I never thought you could fool me like that. But would you explain the 'not yet', please?"
Ranma sat down next to Nabiki.
"We're getting married at the end of the month."
Nabiki looked hurt.
"And when were you going to tell us?"
"We weren't."
"What?"
Akane hurried to explain.
"Kasumi and Auntie Saotome are making the arrangements at home, Sis. Can you keep the secret with
us?"
"I don't understand why, but I will. I can't say I approve. After all, Akane, the bigger the
wedding, the better the gifts. You'll miss out."
Chapter 36
Shiro stood on the sidewalk, worrying. He'd walked the young man to Ranma's house, and they had
just arrived when a girl came running up behind them.
"Kuno, wait for me!"
The young man had turned, and looked at her coldly.
"Did you know of this, Nabiki?"
"No, nothing."
The two had gone inside without speaking to Shiro, who remained on the sidewalk, unwilling to go
back to campus. He'd caught the name Kuno, and realized that Kodachi's brother had arrived in town.
He was also positive that the young woman was a Tendo. When Kuno came back down and stormed past
him, Shiro decided to go up and see what was going on.
Ranma and Akane were showing Nabiki around the apartment when there was a knock on the door. Nabiki
immediately turned around, looking hopeful.
"Maybe Kuno calmed down and came back."
When Ranma opened the door to find Shiro there, he welcomed him in.
"What are you doing here, Shiro? I thought you had a letter to write."
"I've been downstairs for a while, Ranma. I walked Kuno here."
"Oh. So that's how he found us."
Shiro opened his mouth to ask what was going on, but Ranma stopped him with a look.
"Shiro, this is Nabiki, Akane's sister. Are you girls hungry?"
Akane nodded.
"I am. What about you, Sis?"
"Me too, Akane. I haven't had anything since Kuno and I had lunch on the train."
"Come on Shiro, let's go get some takeout."
*****
When they got downstairs, Ranma started talking.
"Sorry to drag you out of there like that, Shiro, but I think Akane needs some time alone with her
sister."
"What happened up there, Ranma? Kuno looked like he was ready to kill someone."
As they walked, Ranma related the story to Shiro.
*****
"Akane, I still don't get it. Why are you and Ranma planning such a quiet wedding? Daddy would
love to give you a big one, you know that."
"Yes, Nabiki, I know, and that's the problem. You know what happened last time. Do you think Ranma
and I want that kind of trouble?"
Nabiki frowned, remembering the events of the previous year.
"What makes you think it will happen again?"
"I'm just worried it might. The less people that know about it, the less chance of someone
interfering. I tried to talk Ranma into getting married here in Ube, just the two of us, but he
wouldn't hear of it."
"Why not, Akane?"
"He didn't want to hurt our parents' feelings, and I guess he's right."
Nabiki reached out her hand, and felt her sister's forehead.
"No fever. You must be serious. Akane, when did you start listening to Ranma? Don't tell me you're
going to be one of those obedient little wives. You wouldn't last a month."
Akane couldn't help laughing.
"Who, me? Trust me, Nabiki, Ranma and I still have our fights. But do you understand, Sis? I
can't bear the thought of going through what happened last year again. This time, Ranma and I don't
intend to be interfered with."
"I'm not sure, Akane. I think you're making too much of this."
The door opened, and Ranma walked in with Shiro, carrying a couple of pizzas. Ranma looked at the
clock, and then at Nabiki.
"Are you going to stay over at the dorm with Akane, Nabiki? It's a long ride back."
"I don't think so, Ranma. I can get some sleep on the train. There's an early morning class I
don't want to miss. As it is, Kuno and I skipped today's classes to come see you."
Nabiki wanted to discuss the wedding, but chose to speak on neutral subjects as they ate dinner.
After cleaning up, they locked the apartment and went downstairs, where Shiro excused himself.
"I've got to go, Ranma. I want to finish that letter. Good night."
Ranma, Akane and Nabiki started the walk to the train station. Nabiki didn't wait long to start
talking.
"Ranma, I still can't agree with your plans for a small wedding. You only get married once, and I
think you should go all out and have a big reception."
"Yeah, Nabiki, and then someone would blow it up. Akane could have been killed last time--doesn't
that concern you a little?"
Nabiki was furious at Ranma, and started to yell at him.
"Of course I care, Ranma. Akane is my sister!"
Akane immediately got between them.
"Stop it, you two!"
She turned to Ranma, and took both of his hands.
"Please, Ranma, don't fight with Nabiki."
"Are you taking her side, Akane?"
"Ranma! Just listen, please?"
Ranma restrained himself, and waited to see what Akane would say to her sister.
"Sis, you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't try to tell us what to
do, Ranma and I looked hard at our options before we made this decision, and we made it
together. You can't get between us, because we won't let you."
Nabiki was silent, and watched as Ranma, who was still holding her sister's hands, pulled her close.
Her expression softened, and she finally smiled.
"Okay Sis. You win. Ranma, I'm sorry. But there's one thing I have to say."
"What's that, Nabiki?"
"You'd better tell Daddy before he finds out same other way, or he'll be very hurt."
Akane sighed, and looked down at the sidewalk. They'd gone another block before she replied.
"That's what Ranma says too, Sis. I'll call him soon."
Chapter 37
Ranma breathed a sigh of relief when Nabiki's train pulled out of the station. Despite her
agreement not to interfere in his and Akane's business, she'd spent much of her visit giving them
her opinions.
Ranma had a Sci-Fi club meeting, and talked Akane into accompanying him. She was tired, and would
have preferred Ranma to skip the meeting and spend some quiet time with her, but he especially
wanted to see the episodes of the X-Files they were going to show. Everyone had settled down, and
they were about to play the tape, when Takashi came in. He too had brought a guest, and Akane
stiffened when she saw Ukyo, and whispered to Ranma.
"I'm sorry we came, Ranma. We had enough of our past haunting us today."
Takashi introduced Ukyo around, and watched curiously as she and Akane greeted one another.
"Do you two know each other?"
Ukyo flushed.
"Yes, we went to high school together."
"Then you must know Ranma, too."
Before Ukyo could respond, everyone started to shush them.
"Talk later, the show's going on!"
While they watched the program, Ranma and Akane kept glancing to the side at Ukyo and Takashi. They
seemed intent on watching the program, and weren't looking back. After a while,
Ranma was too interested in watching the episode to look any more, and didn't glance over again
until they were changing tapes between episodes. Then he poked Akane.
"Akane, look at them."
Akane glanced over quickly, and then her eyes met Ranma's.
"They're holding hands, Ranma."
"That's what I wanted you to see, honey."
Afterward, everyone sat around discussing what they'd watched, and Takashi wandered over to where
Ranma and Akane were sitting. He sat down next to them, making Akane look uncomfortable. After
hesitating briefly, Ukyo quietly joined him. Takashi smiled at Akane, and gestured at the
television.
"What did you think of the program?"
"Strange, I guess, but I liked it."
Another club member sat down with them, to talk to Ranma.
"Who's your guest, Ranma?"
"This is my fiancee, Akane Tendo."
Ranma waited for Ukyo to object, as she usually did, but nothing happened. In fact, she looked
rather unconcerned. Ranma looked at his watch, and got up.
"We'd better go, it's getting late. Good night."
Takashi also rose, taking Ukyo's hand.
"I'll walk you home, Ukyo."
"You don't have to, Takashi."
Takashi looked at Ukyo, shaking his head.
"It's late, Ukyo, and you shouldn't wander around alone. I'll walk you."
They all went out the door together, and then the two couples separated.
"Ranma, Takashi is awfully possessive, isn't he?"
"I'd say so, Akane, considering they just met the day we were all running at the track."
"How do you know that?"
"I heard him say so to Ichiro."
*****
Ranma and Akane met the next morning to practice, but this time they met on the soccer field instead
of the gym. Akane had nearly perfected the technique Ranma was teaching her, and an outdoor
practice area was needed. It wasn't light out yet when they met, and some time later the students
in nearby dormitories were awakened by a flash of light and the sound of a small
explosion.
"Akane, you did it!"
Akane looked at her hands, and at Ranma.
"I'm glad you weren't in the way, Ranma. How could you think I'd use something like that on you?"
"How can you ask, Akane? The way we used to get along?"
Akane laughed, and linked arms with her fiance, walking toward the cafeteria.
"I suppose you're right."
Ranma stopped walking to kiss Akane, and then pulled an envelope from his pocket.
"Would you get this to Kasumi, please?"
"For Shampoo?"
"Yes."
Akane looked at the letter curiously.
"I wonder what it's about."
"That's none of our business, Akane."
Akane nodded, and changed the subject.
"You have to work this afternoon, don't you?"
"Yes, why?"
"So do I. I guess we won't be able to start painting until Thursday."
Ranma looked confused.
"What's wrong with tomorrow evening, Akane? We're both off."
"I have rehearsal."
"Damn, I forgot. Maybe I'll go up to the apartment and get started without you."
"You don't mind?"
Ranma stopped walking, and Akane could see that he was little bit disturbed.
"Why should I mind? Don't be uncute, Akane."
*****
Ranma finished going over his notes from the day's classes, and got up to put on his jacket. Shiro
looked up from his studying.
"Where are you going, Ranma?"
"To work."
"Oh, it's a work night? I thought you might be going to your place, and I wanted to come along."
"Why, Shiro?"
"I noticed that the furniture in your apartment has seen better days. I wanted to see what kind of
wood it is."
"Well it is very old, Shiro. What did you have in mind?"
"Refinishing furniture is a hobby of mine. Maybe we can strip it down and re-stain it."
Ranma raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then smiled at his friend.
"Can you come with me tomorrow, Shiro? I'm going to start painting."
"Sure, I'll help."
Chapter 38
Akane sat at the kitchen table, studying. She heard footsteps on the stairs, and moments later Ranma
entered the apartment. He kissed Akane, put his books on the table, and looked at the stove.
"You made dinner? I thought we were getting takeout."
"My last class was canceled, so I had time to cook. It's one of the meals we learned in class, so
it should be okay."
Ranma looked skeptical, until he spotted the checklist on the counter.
"If you used this, it should be non-toxic."
Akane made a face at Ranma, then laughed and changed the subject.
"How did you get so much done last night, Ranma? I can't believe you painted the bathroom and the
bedroom all by yourself."
"I didn't, Akane. Shiro helped me."
"Oh, I see."
Akane got up, and pulled Ranma into the bedroom.
"I wanted you to look at the bureau, Ranma. Do you remember these scrape marks being here before?
Some of the paint is gone."
"Shiro did that, Akane. He's going to re-finish the furniture for us."
"But Ranma, he's already doing too much. He told me he wants to give us our flowers, and he helped
paint. I feel like we're taking advantage of him."
Ranma held up both hands, and shrugged.
"I tried to tell him that last night, but Shiro said it would be fun. Working with wood is his
hobby. When his sister got married, Shiro made her kitchen set as a gift."
They walked back into the kitchen to set the table for dinner, and Ranma spotted something he'd
missed before.
"The telephone's here! Now you can call your father."
Akane hesitated, and started to take the dishes out of the cupboard.
"After dinner."
Ranma took the dishes from her, and pushed her toward the phone.
"Now, Akane."
*****
Akane hung up the phone, and reached for her purse. She took out a bottle of Tylenol, and opened
it.
"I should have known, Ranma. All Daddy can talk about is how his little girl deserves the best
wedding he can give her."
"But Akane, I heard you tell him that Mom and Kasumi have everything under control?"
"Yes, Ranma, but he asked Kasumi for a copy of the guest list, and you should have heard him when he
read it. It sounds like he wants to invite at least three times as many people as we planned."
"Well, don't worry about it, sweetheart. This time we won't allow anyone to interfere. Hand me the
phone, would you? I have to call Pop."
Ranma ate quietly for a few minutes, while Akane watched him anxiously.
"What's wrong, Ranma? Don't you like it?"
Ranma looked blank for a second, and then looked down at his plate.
"It's not the dinner, Akane--you did a great job. It's Pop. He said he was going to call your
father and help with the plans. He was annoyed with Mom and Kasumi for not telling them. I don't
think either of them will listen to us."
"Then I'm glad we waited so long to tell them, Ranma. How much can they accomplish in just two
weeks?"
*****
Shampoo was feeling rather down. She hadn't heard from Shiro, and despite her statement that she
would find a way to see him, hadn't thought of how to do so. She sighed, looked out the window, and
realized someone was looking in. Kasumi smiled at Shampoo, and by a tilt of her head made it plain
that she wanted Shampoo to come outside.
Shampoo didn't want her great-grandmother to know she was going outside, and left without her coat,
shivering a little in the cold.
"Hello, Kasumi. You looking for me?"
Kasumi looked a little nervous, but still smiled.
"Yes, Shampoo. This is for you."
She produced an envelope from her purse, which Shampoo quickly tucked into her apron pocket.
"From Shiro?"
"Yes."
Shampoo's eyes shone.
"Thank you, Kasumi. How you get it?"
"Akane sent it, dear."
Shampoo's look indicated how amazed she was, and then the pain she thought she'd conquered returned.
It wasn't as devastating as it had been a few days ago, but it still hurt.
"Shampoo go in now. Tell Akane thank you."
Shampoo had to wait until she could get up to her room to read the letter from Shiro. It was a
short, casual letter, bringing her up to date on what he was up to. Shiro wasn't pushing
anything further than friendship, which surprised her. Except for Ranma, who had never shown her
anything but disinterest, most of the men she'd met were very aggressive, like Mousse. The
fact that Shiro was showing respect for her desire for friendship only surprised her a great deal.
Shiro wrote of Ranma and Akane's success in finding a place to live, and their wedding plans.
Shampoo was surprised that he'd done so, and felt a rush of gratitude. It was good of
Shiro to tell her rather than allow her to find out through rumor, which would be more painful.
Shiro concluded his letter expressing concern for her well-being, and asking her to write him back.
Friday morning, Shiro got a letter from Shampoo. She thanked him for writing to her, and assured
him that she was well, despite having to put up with Mousse's unwelcome attention.
Then she surprised him.
"Shiro, Shampoo have Saturday off. Am going into city, to visit aquarium. If Shiro can meet
Shampoo there, would like that very much. Will be there at 10:00."
Shiro re-read the last paragraph of the letter several times. He'd have to get up very early to get
into Tokyo for 10 a.m., but there was no way he would disappoint Shampoo.