COS51-56
"A Change of Scene"
September, 1998
by June "KaraOhki" Geraci
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 51
Mai was making breakfast when Mrs. Hayasuka came downstairs.
"You're up early, Mai. Where's Shiro?"
"He should be halfway to Nerima by now, Mom."
Mrs. Hayasuka accepted a cup of tea from her daughter and sat down, laughing softly.
"He'll have to find a way for me to meet that girl, Mai. I've never seen your brother behave this
way before, and I've seen him in love, or thinking that he's in love, many times."
*****
Mousse crept up behind Shampoo, reached around her, and held out a bouquet of flowers.
"For you, Shampoo. Happy New Year."
Shampoo was surprised, and answered Mousse kindly.
"Thank you, Mousse. Happy New Year."
"I'll look for my reward at midnight."
"Mousse?"
Mousse gave Shampoo what he considered to be a loving look, which made her very uneasy.
"You know that they say, Shampoo. You marry the man you kiss at midnight on New Year's."
Shampoo backed away a couple of steps.
"I told you, Mousse. I need time."
Mousse wanted to respond, but the phone began ringing, and Shampoo reached for it.
"Good afternoon. Nekohanten."
Shampoo's eyes widened when she heard Shiro's voice.
"Hello, Shampoo. Don't say anything. I'm at the Tendos'. Kasumi is going to call you later to
arrange for you to deliver New Year's dinner. Be sure you answer, and you deliver it. Okay?"
"Yes."
"Can you get away for a few minutes? I can meet you in the park."
Shampoo looked at Mousse, who was hovering nearby. There was no way she could get away on such a
busy day without his suspecting something.
"So sorry, we very busy right now."
Shiro chuckled before answering.
"I understand, Shampoo. I'll see you when you come tonight. Bye."
"Who was that, Shampoo? You shouldn't turn away customers."
Shampoo forced a laugh, and smiled at Mousse.
"It wasn't a customer, Mousse. It was a charity, asking for volunteers. Maybe I'll help them out
next time."
*****
Late that evening, Shampoo packed up the order. She'd cooked it herself, and had added several
special dishes that Kasumi hadn't ordered. She was very grateful for Kasumi's assistance and
friendship, and had been wondering how to begin to repay her. Shampoo was leaving the restaurant
when Cologne stopped her.
"This is the last delivery of the night, Shampoo. I'll start closing down."
"Okay, Great-Grandmother. I'll be back later."
"What do you mean, later? When?"
Cologne ran out of the Nekohanten, but Shampoo was gone.
Shiro was getting impatient. He'd been watching the clock for what seemed like years, waiting for
Shampoo's arrival. When the doorbell rang, he flew to the door, almost pushing Kasumi aside in his
eagerness.
"Sorry, Kasumi. Shampoo! Come in!."
Shiro took the food out of Shampoo's hands, and ushered her inside.
"Take off your coat, Shampoo. Eat with us."
Shampoo had been longing for, but not expecting, such an invitation, and sat down nervously. She
felt odd sitting at the Tendo table, and it was obvious that Soun and Nabiki didn't know what to say
to her, so she kept quiet. After a while, Kasumi and Shiro drew her into the conversation, and she
began to feel more comfortable.
Soun kept looking at Shiro and Shampoo as he ate. Meals from the Nekohanten were always wonderful,
but tonight's dishes were especially good, and there were some things that he knew Kasumi hadn't
ordered. When he saw the way Shampoo was looking at Shiro, he assumed she'd brought them for him.
Kasumi noticed her father observing the couple, and smiled. She'd noticed that he had been rather
depressed earlier in the day over her sister's absence, and this distraction was good for him.
When the meal was over, Shampoo started to help Kasumi clear the table, but Kasumi shook her head,
and pushed Shampoo toward Shiro.
"This will take me five minutes, Shampoo. No."
Shiro didn't waste any time.
"Come with me to the dojo, Shampoo. We'll talk."
*****
Shampoo took Shiro's outstretched hand, and walked with him. Kasumi had advised her to take her
time before making any decisions about him, but Shampoo felt so comfortable and happy with Shiro
that she ignored the advice, and followed her heart.
Shiro sat down on the polished floor of the dojo, pulling Shampoo down beside him. They talked
quietly of many things, while the minutes flew by. Eventually, Shampoo looked at the time, and
reluctantly started to get up.
"Sorry, Shiro. It late, and Great-Grandmother will worry."
Shiro reached out and restrained her.
"It's not quite midnight, Shampoo. Please stay until then."
Shampoo looked into Shiro's eyes, and relented. She'd rather be with him at midnight than Mousse.
She sat down again, and they watched the minutes tick toward midnight. When it came, Shampoo didn't
wait for Shiro to move first. Instead, she leaned toward him and kissed him softly. Then, before
he could stop her, she ran out of the dojo and back to the house.
Shiro caught up with her as she put on her coat. He put his on and walked her out of the house,
keeping tight hold of her hand.
"Shampoo, before you leave I need to tell you something. I love you."
Shiro put his hand to Shampoo's cheek, and kissed her lips. She remained silent, and he began to
worry.
"Aren't you going to say anything, Shampoo? Please talk to me."
"Shampoo not sure, Shiro. Need time. But...Shampoo happy."
Shampoo jumped onto her bicycle and pedaled off with a contented smile on her face.
*****
Mousse sat in the Nekohanten's dining room, staring out the window. Shampoo had disappeared again,
and he didn't know what to think. She'd been so kind to him that morning, so why was she avoiding
him now? When Shampoo appeared at the door, Mousse had it unlocked before she could take out her
key.
"Shampoo, I was worried about you!"
Shampoo was taken aback. This was not the greeting she'd expected.
"I'm fine, Mousse. No need to worry."
"You weren't here at midnight. I have something for you."
Before Shampoo could react, Mousse had enfolded her in his arms and kissed her.
"Remember what I said before, Shampoo? You marry the man you kiss at midnight on New Year's."
Shampoo pulled out Mousse's arms, and ran upstairs. He watched her retreat, smiling. Shampoo would
learn who she belonged to.
Upstairs, Shampoo looked at herself in the mirror as she removed her earrings. Mousse's words kept
echoing in her ears.
"You marry the man you kiss at midnight."
Shampoo smiled. Hopefully, for once in his life, Mousse was right.
Chapter 52
Miss Murata hung up the phone, and looked up at Mr. Nagata, who was standing by her side, looking
anxious.
"It's still busy. I'll try again later."
*****
Ranma finished his breakfast, listening to Akane talk to her father. Soun had phoned to wish them a
happy new year, and had been bending his daughter's ear for quite some time.
"Yes Daddy, we will. "Yes, I promise. I love you too."
Akane hung up the phone and sat down at the table, where her breakfast was rather cold. Ranma
grinned at her expression.
"What did you promise your father, Akane?"
"That we'll come home for a visit the next time we have a free weekend."
Ranma looked at the calendar, and back at his wife.
"He may have to wait a while, you know. You have rehearsals all the way up until the play starts,
and then it runs three weekends."
"I tried to explain that, but you know how Daddy is."
Ranma frowned, and hesitated. Akane probably wasn't going to like hearing him criticize her father.
Then again, he had the right to his opinion.
"Yeah, Akane, I know. He thinks we're two little kids who need to have their lives run for them."
Akane bristled, and Ranma waited for her to explode, but her face changed and she grinned at him
instead.
"You're right, Ranma. And your father is just like him. If we were living with him, he'd be
telling us what time to go to bed, what to eat for breakfast, and who knows what else."
Ranma started laughing, and could barely get his response out.
"You know what I'd tell him, don't you?"
They were trying to control their laughter enough to finish eating breakfast when the phone rang
again. When Ranma heard the voice on the other end of the line, he made a face at Akane.
"Hi, Pop. We were just talking about you."
*****
Akane felt around the sink for the last bowl, and Ranma's hands joined hers in the soap suds, and
closed around her fingers.
"Hey! Let go!"
"Why?"
"I'm not finished."
"Who cares?"
Ranma pulled Akane's hands out of the sink, and turned her towards him. When he began kissing her,
she wrapped her arms around his neck, soapsuds and all.
"You're right. Who cares?"
Then the phone rang again. Ranma reluctantly let Akane go, and reached for it.
"Akane, I don't care who that is, after I hang up I'm taking that thing off the hook! Hello? Oh,
hello Miss Murata. Yes, yes, I see. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Ranma hung up the phone and turned to Akane, who was drying her hands, and looking anywhere but at
him.
"I'm sorry, Akane, but they need me at the hospital."
"But Ranma, I thought you were off until next week."
"They have some kind of emergency, I think. Miss Murata said they would explain when I got there.
She said she tried to call yesterday, but we must have been out."
Ranma took his coat out of the closet, put it on, and started to button it. Akane just watched him.
This would be their first time apart since their wedding day. Ranma saw her expression, and
enclosed her in a hug.
"I'll be here for midnight, I promise. Keep the noodles warm."
Any reply Akane tried to make was muffled in Ranma's kiss.
*****
Ranma looked from Miss Murata's face to Mr. Nagata's face, trying to understand what they'd just
told him.
"You had Tomisawa arrested for stealing drugs?"
Mr. Nagata nodded.
"We've been experiencing shortages ever since he got promoted, Saotome. I began to suspect that it
was him, so Miss Murata and I reviewed the security tapes. At first we thought he was taking the
medication to sell them, but then we saw him taking them, sometimes by the handful. Tomisawa was
not only stealing the drugs, Saotome, but he was taking them on the job, and working impaired. It's
a wonder he didn't kill anyone by sending the wrong medication up to the floor, and I'm surprised he
didn't kill himself. We're going to see to it that he gets some help."
"You've proved yourself trustworthy, Saotome, and I'd like to start training you to assist me in
filling the medication orders. Of course, the increased responsibility would mean an increase in
your wages."
Mr. Nagata smiled at Ranma, and waited for his response.
"Thank you sir. I appreciate it."
As they walked toward the pharmacy, Mr. Nagata continued talking.
"I'm glad I found you home, Saotome. I realize it's a holiday, but we really needed you here."
Ranma shrugged his shoulders, and grinned, wondering how Mr. Nagata was going to take his next
remark.
"Actually, you interrupted my honeymoon, but if my wife can forgive you, so can I."
When Mr. Nagata heard the word "honeymoon", he looked very embarrassed.
"We'll have to find a way to make it up to the two of you later."
*****
Akane sat at the table, her mother's precious notebook in her hands. Her mother had written up a
New Year's menu, with explicit instructions for each dish. Akane looked at the words that had been
written so long ago, and wondered if her mother had planned for her to use the notebook some day to
cook for her husband.
Akane cut the quantities down to feed only two people, stopped, and changed the figures again so
that it would feed three. Ranma always ate enough for two men. She transferred everything onto her
checklists, and soon the kitchen was filled with the aromas of the various dishes. Akane sniffed
the air, and smiled in delight. Everything actually smelled good!
"Ranma had better get home in time for midnight."
*****
Ranma glanced at the clock, and was surprised to see that it was nearly eleven. He'd been so busy
that the hours had flown by. He had arrived in the middle of a shift, and had stayed on for the
next. The department was short-handed, and Mr. Nagata had also stayed to continue Ranma's training.
There was a lot to learn, and he was enjoying it. Ranma was cleaning up his work area when Mr.
Nagata approached.
"Can you stay a few minutes, Saotome? Some of the people on the next shift haven't arrived yet.
The snow must be holding them up."
"Snow? I hadn't noticed."
A glance out the window showed that it was snowing, but that not much had accumulated.
"It's not deep, Saotome, but it's slippery. I'll give you a lift home once everyone arrives."
"Thanks. I promised my wife I'd be home for midnight."
"I'll get you there."
"Would you mind if we made a stop on the way? That is, if the shop I need is still open."
*****
Akane set the table, and returned to the window. It was snowing harder, and Ranma was still not
home. She walked downstairs to the porch and was looking through the door when a car pulled up to
the curb and Ranma got out, carrying a small box. He ran up the steps, and Akane opened the porch
door for him.
"What are you doing out here, Akane? You must be frozen."
"I'm fine, Ranma. Come upstairs."
By the time Ranma got to the second floor he could smell the dinner Akane had made, and when he saw
the table he turned to her in surprise.
"You did all this for me, Akane?"
Akane put her arms around Ranma, and held him tightly.
"No, love. I did it for us. Ouch!"
Akane let go of Ranma. The box he was holding had become squeezed between them, and one corner was
slightly dented where it had poked Akane. Ranma handed it to her, then began to unbutton his coat.
"Go ahead and open it."
The box contained two yellow roses, which hadn't been damaged by Akane's hug. Akane put the roses
in water and set them on the table, and then confused Ranma by looking behind him, opening the door,
and looking down the stairs.
"Okay, where did you put him?"
"Put who?"
"My husband. The man I married prefers to fight with me rather than bring me flowers. You are an
impostor!"
Ranma caught Akane's hands in his, and pulled her towards him.
"So are you. My wife can't cook, and this kitchen smells wonderful. She's also uncute, unfeminine,
and a tomboy, and you don't fit that description. What do you have to say to that?
"Nothing. Just kiss me."
Chapter 53
The morning sun came in through the bedroom curtains, and Akane opened her eyes. When she saw the
time, she turned over and sleepily prodded Ranma.
"Ranma, wake up. You forgot to set the alarm."
Ranma groaned, and tried to pull the sheet over his head, but Akane held onto it.
"I don't have to go in until later. Did you forget? Let me sleep."
Akane rubbed her eyes, and came fully awake. Ranma had been working double shifts for several
days, and though he'd be the last person to admit it, he was tired. He finally had a chance to
sleep in, and Akane had woken him.
"I'm sorry, honey. Go to sleep."
Akane pushed back the blankets from her side, and started to get up, but Ranma reached for her and
pulled her back down beside him. When he kissed her, and pulled at the ribbons on her nightgown,
she raised her eyebrows at him.
"I thought you wanted me to let you sleep."
"I changed my mind."
Much later, Akane thought about getting up again.
"Are you hungry, Ranma?"
"Yes."
"I'll make breakfast."
Akane started to sit up, but Ranma's arms came up around her, preventing her from moving.
"Stay a few more minutes, Akane. After this weekend, we won't have too many chances to have a lazy
morning like this one."
"You're right, Ranma. I like having you all to myself."
"Honeymoons don't last forever, Akane."
"We can try."
*****
Ranma closed the porch door, and ran down the steps. He looked up and waved at Akane, who was
watching from the window, and started the walk to the hospital. The streets were beginning to fill
with students coming back to town after the holidays, and several blocks later he heard his name.
"Ranma, wait!"
Mishi caught up to him, somewhat out of breath.
"How are you? Where's Akane?"
"I'm fine, Mishi, but I can't stop - I'm on my way to work. Akane's at home."
"Oh, don't let me make you late. Do you think Akane would like some company?"
Ranma nodded, and continued on his way.
"I'm sure she'd love to see you, Mishi."
*****
Akane watched Ranma until he was out of sight, and went into the bedroom. She opened one of the
drawers of the bureau that she and Ranma shared, put away some clean laundry, and checked on the
little bottle she'd discovered hidden there. It appeared to be a little emptier than the last time
she'd looked at it. Akane sighed, and replaced the bottle where it belonged. Akane then opened the
bottom drawer, pulled a book out from beneath her sweaters, and took it to the desk.
Akane had kept a journal for several years, writing her thoughts and experiences in it regularly.
Since Ranma's return to work New Year's Eve, Akane had taken the opportunity to record their wedding
day, and the days following. She had finally finished when the doorbell rang.
Akane quickly shoved her journal back into the bureau, and ran downstairs. She was delighted to see
Mishi standing on the doorstep, and opened the door to hug her.
"Mishi! I'm so glad to see you! Come in."
The girls walked upstairs, talking away. Akane made a pot of tea, and answered all of Mishi's
questions about her wedding. Akane couldn't help laughing at the expression on her friend's face
when she told her about the mayhem that had occurred.
"You're making this up, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not. I don't know if the photographer caught everything that happened, but if he did,
you'll see it when we get our wedding album."
"But Akane, things like that don't happen!"
"They do at my house."
Akane sipped her tea, wondering. If Mishi was having difficulty believing this story, perhaps she
shouldn't tell her about the wedding that had been interrupted by guests throwing bombs. Some
stories were best left untold.
Chapter 54
Kuno packed his bags, and brought them downstairs. His sister's were already waiting in the
hallway, but she was nowhere in sight. That gave him some time to think.
Kuno was experiencing pangs of guilt. He'd known Ranma's secret for a long time, but had refused to
admit it publicly. That would have meant admitting to all that he had been chasing a woman who was
really a man. The scene in Ranma's apartment in Ube had been forced on him, and he had handled it
badly, rejecting a girl he truly admired.
"You're sick", he'd said to Nabiki, when in reality he was the one who had been acting sick. He'd
continued to act that way, by interfering in a wedding between two people who obviously loved one
another.
"I owe several people apologies."
Kuno put his head in his hands. Apologies were something members of the Kuno family rarely gave
anyone.
*****
The Nekohanten was having one of those lulls that sometimes occur between the lunch and dinner rush,
and Shampoo had nothing to do. She sat in the dining room, staring out the window, and Kasumi had
been looking in for some time before Shampoo's unfocused gaze locked on her. When Kasumi smiled at
her, Shampoo jumped up and ran outside.
Kasumi looked past Shampoo into the restaurant, and satisfied that on one could see her, produced
another letter from Shiro.
"Thank you, Kasumi. Shampoo sorry to be so much trouble."
"Don't be silly, Shampoo. This is no trouble at all. You don't look very busy this afternoon. Can
Cologne spare you for a couple of hours?"
Shampoo looked mystified. What could Kasumi want?"
"Shampoo think so. Why?"
"How would you like to go to a movie? I was feeling restless, and I'd like your company."
Shampoo nodded enthusiastically, and dragged Kasumi into the Nekohanten. She ran into the kitchen,
where Cologne was working on the evening's menu.
"Great-Grandmother, can you do without me for a while?"
"Why, Shampoo? Where do you want to go?"
"To a movie."
Cologne left the stove and approached Shampoo, looking rather confused.
"What made you decide to go to a movie all of a sudden?"
"Kasumi Tendo invited me."
Cologne didn't reply, being too amazed to think of a thing to say, and Kasumi appeared in the
kitchen doorway.
"Can you spare Shampoo for a while, ma'am? I hope it's not a bother."
Kasumi's magic worked, and Cologne found her voice.
"No bother at all, dear. Have a good time. Shampoo, be sure you get back before the evening crush
starts."
"Yes, Great-Grandmother."
*****
Cologne went back to the kitchen, and continued working. She found that she was having a great deal
of difficulty concentrating on what she was doing. In all the years they'd lived in Nerima, Shampoo
had never sought out female companionship. All of her focus had been on the pursuit of Ranma. Now
she was becoming friends with Kasumi Tendo, of all people.
Cologne wished that she could discuss the matter with Mousse, but he was in China. His aunt, who
was his last living relative, was very ill and not expected to recover. Mousse had gone home to
spend what time she had left with her.
Mousse had informed Cologne of the events of New Year's Eve, and had made it evident that he
interpreted Shampoo's acceptance of his kiss as acceptance of his courtship. Cologne was uncertain
of that, but Shampoo's meek attitude made her wonder. Either she was beginning to accept Mousse as
her future husband, or she was up to something.
Cologne hoped it was the former, for she planned to close the restaurant eventually, and take
Shampoo home. If Shampoo went home husbandless, having failed to marry Ranma, she faced the
possibility of being rejected by her Amazon sisters. However, if she went home with Mousse as a
properly subservient Amazon husband, her place would be secure.
Cologne turned down the heat under the soup, and went upstairs to get her writing paper. She stared
at the blank sheet for a few minutes, then picked up her pen and began to write.
"Dear Mousse,
The strangest thing has happened since you left. Shampoo seems to have become friends with Kasumi
Tendo.
I have an uncomfortable feeling that there is more to this friendship than there appears to be. I
will keep an eye on Shampoo, and if there is anything to report I will inform you."
*****
Kasumi and Shampoo emerged from the theater, blinking at the sunlight. Shampoo thanked Kasumi and
began to walk away, but Kasumi stopped her.
"We have a time for a cup of tea, don't we? You can read your letter."
Shampoo smiled and nodded, and soon was seated in a cafe, sipping her tea and reading her letter.
Kasumi watched Shampoo's expression soften as she read, and when she finished and put it aside, the
look in her eyes made Kasumi a little bit jealous. Shampoo looked so happy.
"Shiro writes from his mother's house, Kasumi. He on way back to Ube, for school. Shiro wants to
see Shampoo, me, again."
Shampoo looked frustrated.
"Wish Japanese better, Kasumi. Could not understand all of movie, and reading letters very hard."
"Have you considered school, Shampoo? There are night classes in Japanese."
Shampoo looked amazed.
"Shampoo never think about that, Kasumi. Would like that. Then Shampoo can talk and write good
Japanese to Shiro."
Shampoo's face fell.
"Would like to see him."
"He's welcome to stay with us any time, Shampoo. Then you can spend time together."
"Thank you, Kasumi. You are good friend, but Shampoo should not meet Shiro at Kasumi's house."
"Why not?"
"If Mousse or Great-Grandmother find out you helping Shampoo, they make trouble for you. Shampoo
does not want friend to have trouble."
Kasumi frowned, and sipped her tea.
"Shampoo, if I'd been concerned about trouble, I never would have agreed to deliver Shiro's letters
in the first place. I'm willing to take the risk. What are friends for?"
Chapter 55
Ranma and Akane's students were huddled in a corner of the gym, their heads bent over a piece of
paper. They were so interested in what they were reading that they didn't see the Saotomes enter,
and weren't aware of their presence until Ranma spoke.
"Good morning!"
Everyone jumped, and turned toward the sound of Ranma's voice. One of the young men hurriedly
stuffed the paper in his pocket, and they took their places so that the class could begin.
After a few minutes, Akane took one student aside.
"You're not extending your arms far enough. Watch me, and see how I follow through."
Akane demonstrated what she wanted her student to do, and he nodded and winked at her.
"Sure, beautiful. Anything you say."
Ranma stopped dead, and turned around to glare at him.
"You will treat my wife with respect in this class!"
After several painful moments of silence, the red-faced student hung his head.
"Yes, Sensei."
The class continued without incident, and the students found excuses to remain behind in the gym
after the Saotomes left. They pulled out the paper, and looked at each other.
"When did they get married? I thought they were just friends."
"I don't know, but someone should tell Saotome about this."
"I'm not going to be the one to tell him. Anyone else want to volunteer?"
There were no takers.
*****
"Akane! Akane, over here!"
Akane turned at the sound of Anne's voice, and joined her in the wings. Anne pulled a sheet of
paper from her tote bag and handed it to Akane.
"Here's your copy, Akane. Put it away before Yoshimi sees it."
"Thanks, Anne. Has anyone decided where we're going to practice yet? We can't do it here in the
theater."
"Actually, Akane, I was thinking of your apartment."
"Why?"
"Because if we practiced in one of the dorms, the secret would be out before the night was over."
Akane glanced down at Ranma, who was sitting in the auditorium watching the rehearsal.
"Then we'll have to let Ranma in on the secret, too. He's good at keeping secrets, Anne. I don't
think he'll mind having all of you over."
Anne put her hands on her hips, looking rather indignant.
"Don't tell me you have to ask his permission to have guests!"
"Don't be silly, Anne. Of course not! He's just not, um, well..."
Akane trailed off, and Anne stared.
"He's not what?"
"Comfortable being surrounded by girls."
"Some day you're going to have to explain that remark, Akane."
The rest of the Sailor Scouts approached, and Anne quickly distributed her papers to all of them
before Yoshimi could see. She'd just finished when Yoshimi called her.
"Anne, please stand on that mark. I want to test the lighting. Akane, I want you there. Kenji,
try the pink spot on Anne. Shin, I want a soft blue on Akane."
Kenji's voice floated down from above.
"I'm the only one up here, Yosh. Haven't seen Shin all day."
"That's not like him. He hasn't missed a rehearsal."
A thumping sound came from the wings, and everyone gasped as Shin hobbled onto the stage. His right
leg was encased in a splint, and he was leaning heavily on his crutches. Everyone dropped what they
were doing and rushed to him.
"What on earth happened!"
Shin looked rather embarrassed to be the center of attention, and turned red.
"I went skiing over the holidays with my family. Someone fell down right in front of me, and I
couldn't stop. I'm sorry, Yoshimi, but there's no way I'll be able to climb up to the catwalk with
these things."
Yoshimi put his hand to his forehead. Everyone in the club had a job to do, and he had no one left
to take Shin's place. It wasn't possible for Kenji to handle both sets of lights by himself.
"Need a volunteer?"
Yoshimi squinted past the footlights. Ranma was walking toward the stage.
"Saotome, right? Yes, thank you!"
Ranma shrugged.
"As long as I'm here, I might as well be useful."
Ranma climbed up to the catwalk, put the blue light on Akane, and the rehearsal continued.
Everyone was getting comfortable with their lines, and with Yoshimi's direction on where to stand,
and how to move. The only criticism he offered that evening was at Ranma.
"Hey, Saotome! This is Sailor Venus' big scene. Would you stop training the light on your
girlfriend and put it on her, please?
"Yeah, sorry."
*****
By the time they were finished it was rather late, and everyone was tired. They began putting on
their coats, and groaned when Yoshimi asked for their attention.
"One more thing, people. The art department has finished the drafts on the promotional poster and
playbill. Would you please look them over before you go? I'd appreciate any input."
The poster was passed from hand to hand, with many compliments for the artists. A few suggestions
were made to improve the playbill, and it was rather marked up by the time it got to Ranma and
Akane. Akane looked it over, and nodded approvingly.
"It looks like everyone caught all the mistakes, except one."
Akane took her pen and drew a line through the word "Tendo" on both the poster and playbill,
substituting "Saotome".
"Now they're perfect."
*****
Despite the cold weather and the lateness of the hour, the campus was crowded and noisy when Ranma
and Akane left the theater and started walking home. Once they'd left the campus behind them the
atmosphere changed to peace and quiet. Akane slipped her arm through Ranma's and yawned.
"I'm so tired, Ranma."
"It's going to be like this all week, Akane. If we're not working, we'll be at rehearsals, or
studying. I think Wednesday might be the only quiet evening we have."
"Well..."
Ranma heard Akane's tone, and knew something was coming.
"Well what?"
"Ranma, the girls are planning to come over Wednesday night. There's something we need to
practice."
"Which girls?"
"The other Sailor Scouts."
Ranma opened the porch door, and they started up the stairs.
"Why, Akane? Can't you practice at the theater?"
"This is something special, Ranma, and it's a secret. We can't do this on campus. You'll see on
Wednesday."
"Maybe not. I might go visit Shiro and let you have the place to yourself. Our kitchen will be
pretty crowded with five women in it."
"What about the secret, Ranma?"
"You should know me better, Akane. I won't tell anyone what you're up to if you don't want me to."
Chapter 56
While walking across campus the next morning, Ranma became aware that he and Akane were on the
receiving end of a lot of stares from male students they didn't know, and he couldn't understand
why. Ranma had experienced similar treatment at Furinkan High, but that was easily explained.
Akane had been very much sought after, and many of the male students at Furinkan High had never
accepted their engagement. As far as Ranma could tell, he hadn't done anything in Ube (yet) to
merit the sort of looks he was getting.
Akane didn't seem to be aware of what was happening, and appeared to be lost in thought. As they
separated, Ranma kissed Akane's cheek, and again felt the glares behind him. He involuntarily
shivered, and Akane's faraway expression vanished as she focused on him.
"Are you all right, honey?"
"I'm fine, Akane. See you at lunch."
Ranma quickly walked away, leaving Akane watching him with a puzzled look on her face. Something
was obviously bothering Ranma, and he didn't want to tell her about it. She hoped he wasn't
disturbed by the looks she'd been getting from some of the men as they walked across campus
together. Some of them made her feel as if she had nothing on.
Shiro was waiting for Ranma outside the science building, holding a piece of paper. He swallowed,
and nervously held it out to his friend.
"I think you should read this, Ranma. A couple of guys from the campus paper were handing them
out."
Ranma read the sheet, and looked up at his friend.
"How did we miss this, Shiro? This had to have started a few weeks ago."
"I guess we were just busy, Ranma. We spent a lot of time fixing up your place."
"Yeah, you're right."
Ranma looked at the paper again, and stuffed it into his backpack.
"Shiro, can you take notes for me? I'm going to show this to Akane before someone else does. She's
gonna explode."
Ranma waited only until Shiro had nodded before turning around and running back the way he had come.
*****
Akane was gathering her things together when one of the girls in her class looked toward the door.
"Who's that cute guy out there? I think he's either looking at me or you."
Akane looked up, smiled at Ranma, and turned back to her classmate.
"That's my husband."
Akane could see that Ranma looked impatient, and excused herself. When she reached him, he took her
arm and practically dragged her down the hallway.
"Ranma, stop! My next class is the other way."
"You're not going, Akane. There's something we have to talk about."
"Can't it wait?"
"No."
*****
Ten minutes later Akane sat in the cafeteria, waiting for Ranma to come back with their tea. He set
it in front of her, and removed a crumpled piece of paper from his pack.
"Akane, I wanted to be the one to show this to you, before you found out from somebody else."
Akane silently took the paper, and began to read. It was a ballot from the student newspaper, for
their annual "Most Beautiful Girls on Campus" poll. When Akane saw her name, the ballot fell from
her hands.
"Now I understand!"
Ranma was amazed that Akane hadn't begun yelling.
"Understand what, Akane?"
"The way some of the men on campus have been leering at me. It makes my skin crawl. Haven't you
noticed?"
Ranma shook his head, embarrassed.
"To tell you the truth, Akane, I had noticed something, but it wasn't that. Some of the guys have
been giving me the dirtiest looks whenever I'm with you."
Ranma looked at the ballot again, and pointed to a line he'd missed.
"This is for 'eligible girls', Akane, and it lists you as 'Tendo.' I think we should tell them
we're married, or you'll be going through the same thing you did at Furinkan High."
Ranma would have continued, but he suddenly became aware that Akane was beginning to glow. Her
temper had finally got the better of her.
"The sooner the better, Ranma. I don't want any part of this!"
Akane suddenly saw a mental image of the men of Sanna College waiting for her every morning, and
cringed.
"I don't want to fight the men off, Ranma. Not again."
Ranma looked grim.
"You wouldn't have to, Akane. I'd do it."
*****
When the Saotomes walked into the Journalism Club office, Akane was immediately surrounded by the
staff.
"Look who's here! The leader in the polls! You're sure to win, Miss Tendo."
"That's Mrs. Saotome, and I want my name off this ballot!"
The dead silence that followed was almost funny, as Ranma and Akane watched the faces of the young
men turn from shocked to embarrassed. The editor ran to the file cabinet, and took out a file.
"I'm sorry. We take nominations from men on campus, and the file we have on you shows you as
single, and living in the freshman dormitory. We don't accept nominations for married girls."
Ranma held up his hand to make him stop talking, and smiled.
"Don't blame yourself. We've only been married for three weeks."
Within a few minutes, all of the ballots with Akane's name on them had gone through the shredder,
and the members of the staff were gathered around the computer screen, editing it. Akane thanked
them, and the couple left the office. Ranma squeezed Akane's hand, and smiled at her.
"I'm glad we got that straightened out. It would have been much worse if we tried to fix it after
you won."
"You're right, Ranma, but I think there may be another problem."
"What?"
"I spotted the list of standings in the voting so far. The person in second place might not be too
pleased if she wins."
"Who is it?"
"Mishi."