Magical Interludes:  A Day In The Life 
Fanfic by J.K. Hayashi 
 
******************************************* 
For continuity purposes, the last manga that is 'valid' is the 
"Happodaikarin" storyline (assume roughly end of Volume 5 of the 
Viz translation). 
 
The story so far: 
Magic has come into the world based on scientific principles.  The 
unlocking of major talents seemed to be linked to the appearance of 
'Vortices', people who were at the center of energy/magic storms. The 
fifth vortex, Ranma Saotome, managed to draw three 'daughters' into 
his reality from other universes.  The three sixteen year-olds (Ayuki, 
Keiko, and Midori) came under the care of Nodoka Saotome.  Both 
families are living in the Tendo Dojo while the Saotomes prepare to 
move to their new house. 
 
It is the January 16th of Ranma and Akane's sophomore year... 
******************************************* 
 
Episode I:  Keiko 
 
When Akane asks if anyone wants the last of her "Crispy Tuna Fish" 
I'm already out the door and headed for school.  I think poor Daddy 
got tagged because I saw Akane step on his foot just before I left.  
Much as I've grown to love her, and even though she has gotten 
better these two weeks under 'Ba-chan's direction, Akane's cooking is 
still to be avoided if possible. 
 
Mother calls out my name and I wait for her to catch up.  I have to 
remind myself that Nabiki isn't really my mother, any more than 
Ranma is my daddy, but they feel the same to me.  She asks me (since 
I am going there anyway) to pick up a packet at her investment 
company after school, since she'll be busy debating Kuno for the 
upcoming Student Body President Elections. 
 
I've only been here two weeks and already I can't stand him.  I'm 
pretty sure that Kuno's the reason the guys are too scared to talk to 
me, much less ask me out.  I'd like to talk to Kasumi about the 
problem, but she won't be back from her honeymoon until tonight. 
 
I have a soft spot for Auntie Kasumi.  She didn't have to with four 
children of her own, but she insisted on taking me and my brother in 
after Kodachi Kuno poisoned my parents.  She is just the same as I 
remember, only younger.  In fact, Midori says Kasumi is the same 
that she remembers.  I suppose that Auntie Kasumi is Auntie Kasumi 
no matter what universe she's from. 
 
As I reach the school it seems that Kuno is still convinced that if he 
beats me that I would go on a date with him.  Ha!  His only good 
point seems to be that he recovers pretty fast.  He hasn't even figured 
out that Daddy is his "pig-tailed goddess" even though we spent ten 
minutes dumping hot and cold water on him.  He would only yell that 
it was some sort of trick we were playing on him. 
 
He has even started to pay attention to Mother now that her martial 
skill are developing.  He must have a fetish for martial artists.  
Weird.  As he hasn't attempted anything in the past week, I thought 
he finally gave up.  It seems I was wrong. 
 
Kuno swings his bokken at me and I use a variant of Happosai's 
momentum trick to lever him into the ground a couple of times (I saw 
that inspector do the same thing on New Year's Eve).  He must be 
pretty stupid because all he had to do to stop from getting hurt was let 
go.  He's just lucky I wasn't Ayuki.  She'd stomp on him a few times 
just for good measure. 
 
Mother goes off to her classroom and I sit at my desk, opening my 
schoolbag.  I review my planned investment portfolio.  Given the 
current world situation, it seems wise to keep out of any foreign 
investments.  And strictly speaking, it isn't just my money.  Ayuki 
and Midori are letting me use some of their portion of the calendar 
sales and Mother is letting me use part of her share. 
 
All the other students in the classroom suddenly rush into the hallway 
and start looking down at the courtyard.  I jump to a point above 
them to get a good view and then return to my seat.  It was just Ayuki 
stomping Kuno a few times for good measure. 
 
*************** 
 
The bell rings and the teacher introduces a new transfer student to the 
class.  It is (Ayuki's boyfriend) Ryoga, with his guide dog.  
Transferring to Furinkan was my idea, though Ayuki certainly helped 
Ryoga's parents make the decision.  I think they were just happy that 
Ryoga found someone that accepted his misdirectional tendencies 
(this was before they went shopping and disappeared again - why 
they also don't have guide dogs is beyond me).  I was able to arrange 
a job for Ryoga with a construction company demolishing old 
concrete walls by having him show them the "Breaking Point".  They 
were quite astounded. 
 
If there is a reason that martial artists tend to get involved with other 
martial artists it is undoubtedly people like Kuno.  Once Kuno found 
out that Ayuki and Ryoga were seeing each other, he reacts the same 
way to him as he does to Daddy.  Of course, things haven't gone very 
far between them as Ryoga tends to spout blood and lose 
consciousness when things get too intimate.  A little hand-holding 
and an occasional kiss from what Ayuki tells me. 
 
The big topic of conversation at school is usually how far Ranma and 
Akane have gone.  I don't really care.  I can tell that they love each 
other.  That's all I need to know.  When I first arrived I wished that 
Daddy and Mother would get back together again, but they don't love 
each other.  Just before they left on their second honeymoon cruise, 
Mother told me that "sometimes married couples need some time 
alone to fall in love again", and we talked about love for the rest of 
the night. 
 
I miss her.  And Daddy.  And my brother and cousins and friends. 
 
We all do.  I think that's one of the reasons we (me and Ayuki and 
Midori) got along so well.  Much as living here is a dream, we all lost 
something in coming here. 
 
At least Uk-chan came back with Midori from her visit to her 
parents.  I like her.  I only wish she'd find someone special so that 
she'd be happy.  I also wish I'd find someone special.  Doesn't seem 
like that'll happen anytime soon, unfortunately. 
 
*************** 
 
In class we talk about world events.  Its been just a month since 'The 
Chaos' started, and things are a mess.  Since most major cities were 
paralyzed for two weeks with riots, the shipping schedules are off.  
The government's thinking of rationing food until the deficit is 
caught up.  Taiwan has declared independence and applied for United 
Nations membership, but China has been too busy with revolution to 
notice.  The most prominent chinese warlord is the leader of the 
"Musk Dynasty", which is about all we know about him. 
 
I just hope Auntie and Uncle make it back all right.  They're 
supposed to return from their honeymoon trip this afternoon.  At least 
they only went to Hawaii.  The rest of America has had real 
problems.  Splinter groups and terrorists have all seized on the 
opportunity to raise havoc and they haven't stopped. 
 
I think things are going to be bad.  We've come to rely on the modern 
world too much, and we aren't prepared to deal with a break in the 
supply lines any more.  It won't be as bad in the third world countries 
at the source, but could get out of hand the more urban an area is.  I 
don't say this in class.  I don't think they're prepared to hear it.  I 
talked to 'Ba-chan a couple of days ago and we've been quietly 
building up our reserves at home. 
 
*************** 
 
At the mid-morning break I sit with everyone in the schoolyard.  Its a 
little chilly, but still warmer than New Year's.  After arranging with 
Ayuki to make sure that Ryoga gets to the construction company after 
school, she says that she's going to start work at the Cat Cafe.  Its true 
that since Mousse left for China they've needed help, but I think that 
Ayuki just wants to be close to Shampoo.  Its the same with Midori.  
She's kept on working at Uc-chan's even though we've completed the 
deal we made with Uk-chan. 
 
I have to laugh to myself at how Daddy seems to remain the topic of 
conversation among all the other students.  He's too tired to get 
anywhere with Akane.  As soon as school finishes he has to help 
Grandpas working on our new house (since 'Ba-chan wants to move 
in after next week), then return to the dojo to teach his beginner's 
class, and then do his homework!  I don't know how he found time to 
develop that "Tiger's Roar" technique.  Ayuki's trying to teach it to 
me and Midori (the big blast version), but I'm another week or so 
away from perfecting it.  I think she's also trying to teach it to Ryoga. 
 
*************** 
 
Lunch goes by pretty quietly, especially by Furinkan High standards.  
I can tell Mother has something planned for her debate because she 
arranges for Daddy and Akane to be there. 
 
*************** 
 
After school finishes I head over to the first investment office that I'm 
considering.  Mother's debate looks like its turning into an event, 
judging from the crowd heading over to the auditorium.  I reach the 
station and take a short train trip to the business district.   
 
When I meet the broker, I can tell he's condescendingly amused at 
my age.  I put him in his place when he tries to latch me onto a 
beginner's account, and tell him my investment choices.  He's 
surprised and tries to counsel me out of some of them.  His 
unprofessional nature (he keeps trying to look up my skirt!) really 
disgusts me and I walk out of the office. 
 
Really!  What did he think he was dealing with?  A kept housewife or 
a ignorant schoolgirl?  In business they'll cut your throat if you make 
a mistake. 
 
After all my walking (and jumping) in downtown Tokyo, I end up 
deciding to use the same broker as Mother. 
 
I take the train back to Nerima with Mother's envelope in my 
schoolbag. 
 
*************** 
 
Kasumi's home!  I run up and hug her as she sits in the living room 
with Uncle Tofu.  She's a little surprised, but she returns it.  I forgot 
that we aren't as close here as we used to be.  I talked to her some, 
before the marriage, but we were both busy. 
 
I step back and look at her.  She has a gorgeous tan that really brings 
out a glow to her face. 
 
I wish it was summer so I could get a tan like that.  The boys would 
go crazy! 
 
Kasumi tells us about the places she went to on her honeymoon and it 
sounds so nice.  It's soon time for dinner and everyone except Ayuki 
and Midori are there.  I give Mother her envelope.  I can tell Daddy is 
mad at her for some reason, and it probably has something to do with 
him being in girl form (and probably Kuno as well). 
 
*************** 
 
Mother knocks at my door.  I look up from my homework. 
 
Nabiki:  "So... what did you think?" 
Keiko:  "About what?" 
 
Mother waves the envelope in her hand and sits down next to me on 
the futon. 
 
Keiko:  "What is it?" 
Nabiki:  "You didn't look at it?" 
Keiko:  "No.  Should I have?  You never said to." 
Nabiki:  "That's why I had it unsealed." 
 
I take the envelope and look at the papers inside.  Its a financial 
investigation on Inspector Muramoto.  I look it over. 
 
Keiko:  "Mother, are you really going to..." 
Nabiki:  "I don't know.  I wanted to know what you thought about 
	him.  I mean, he comes around every so often and talks to 
	Daddy and the Saotomes.  And when I see him it seems that 
	he's looking at me like he's interested, but he never says 
	anything except for being polite." 
Keiko:  "But do you love him?" 
Nabiki:  "I don't know him.  I'm not like Akane, falling in love with 
	the guy my Daddy engaged me to.  Or Kasumi, with 
	someone who's loved me forever.  I'm not very lovable." 
Keiko:  "You are!" 
Nabiki:  "I'm not.  I've been on plenty of dates, but it was never love.  
	I think if they really loved me, they never would have let me 
	take advantage of them.  All they wanted was to be the guy 
	that 'bagged Nabiki Tendo'." 
Keiko:  "Mother, you told me that love was the most wonderful thing 
	that could happen to me, and that when I was in love, I 
	would know it." 
Nabiki:  "Do you think there's anything wrong with him?" 
 
I think about the inspector.  There's nothing that 'feels' wrong about 
him, nothing that rubs me the wrong way (like there is with Kuno).  I 
tell Mother what I feel.  Mother gets up to leave. 
 
Keiko:  "Are you going to talk to him?" 
Nabiki:  "I don't know.  Besides, you're the one that grabbed his ass." 
 
I blush when Mother brings that incident up.  It was funny at the 
time, and it still is funny when I recall how he jumped. 
 
Keiko:  "Why was Daddy mad at you?" 
Nabiki:  "Oh.  I had one of my classmates dump cold water on him 
	when he and Akane walked in during the debate.  Kuno 
	immediately jumped onto him and Akane and they punched 
	him back into his podium, then left." 
Keiko:  "Did you have to take advantage of Daddy, though?" 
Nabiki:  "Probably not.  Kuno yelled out that 'women aren't suited for 
	politics'.  He can't go about making stupid statements like 
	that and expect to get elected." 
Keiko:  "Did you apologize to Daddy, yet?" 
Nabiki:  "Oh, he knows.  He must have suspected when I asked him 
	to show up." 
Keiko:  "So you haven't." 
Nabiki:  "Is it that important to you, Keiko?" 
Keiko:  "I don't him to be mad at you.  I don't want to have to choose 
	between you." 
 
Mother looks indecisive, biting on her lip. 
 
Nabiki:  "OK.  I'll apologize right after he finishes his class." 
Keiko:  "Thank you, Mother." 
 
I hug her and she leaves the room. 
 
*************** 
 
I try out Kasumi's gifts with the others (except for Daddy).  Mother 
and Daddy seem to have made up, so I'm happy. 
 
I wonder how the boys would react to the "all-over" tan that we're 
supposed to get.  They'd probably think that we're nudists or 
something.  We all laugh as we put them away into our drawers. 
 
*************** 
 
Midori and Ayuki lie next to me as we cover ourselves in our futons.  
I've been thinking about Mother.  Will she really ask him out?  What 
will that make us? 
 
As I close my eyes I realize I've been thinking about it too long.  
Ayuki's starting to snore. 
 
****************************finis Day In The Life, Episode I 
 
[Author's Note:  "Day In The Life" is a three-episode series that is 
designed to be a sequel to "December's End", occuring two weeks 
after the end of the latter.]