This is my first attempt at a fanfic so I could use all the criticizm I
could get. First of all, I'm not a very good speller, but I did go through
with a spellchecker, though it might have missed grammer mistakes other
than the ones I ment to put in. One of my bigest concers is any cultural
errors I might have made. Please inform me of anything that might make my
story more believeable. Wait. This is Ranma. More believeable as a Ranma
story then.
Please visit my fanfic site at http://www.tstonramp.com/~crissik/index.html
where you can get all my latest stories, preview future works, and see some
of the background for my stories.
Ranma OWF
Toma K/9
by Eric "Crissik" Gondolf
crissik@tstonramp.com
Episode 6: Curse of the Cat Girl.
[Toma, Chris, Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga are traveling to a new restaurant
called the Catfish. They found a flier soon after they burned--I mean, the
theater mysteriously burned down.]
Chris: What exactly is in sushi anyway? It's not exactly the most popular
food in America. Isn't it just raw fish?
Toma: Actually, sushi is, "small rectangular blocks of seasoned rice,
topped with pieces of raw fish or other seafood, and hot Japanese
horseradish. These other ingredients may also be rolled into seaweed, or
combined in a bowl or lacquer box."
Chris: What? Did you just read that out of a book?
[Toma hides something behind his back.]
Toma: What? No. Why would you say that?
Chris: Sometimes you confuse me.
Toma: Good. I like to have an air of mystery.
Chris: Whatever.
Akane: Looks like this is the place.
[They look up and see the sigh for the restaurant. The sign is shaped like
a large catfish and the word catfish is written on it in the roman
alphabet. Another sign says "Grand Opening" in Kanji.]
Ranma: What does that say?
Chris: Catfish. I thought they taught English in Japanese Schools.
Ranma: We're just beginning English this year.
Chris: Oh. Sorry.
[They enter the building.]
Ranma: Woah. This looks like Ucchan's place. I wonder if they have the
same designer.
[The main room looks a lot like Ucchan, except in place of the large grill
is a chopping board with a sneeze guard. Along the bar is a small river
with little wooden boats that float past with orders on them. The place is
fairly packed. Akane spies five seats at the far end of the bar. Toma
takes the first seat, followed by Chris, Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga. After a
while the cook comes over. She is a young woman with light, red hair to
her shoulders. She has made herself look like a cat, including realistic
ears and teeth. She seems to be the only one working there.]
Woman: Hello. My name is Nora. How may I help you?
Toma: Pleased to meet you. Can we get a menu?
Nora: Right there on the wall behind me. I'll come back when you're
ready.
[The woman leaves the five alone and goes to the other end to the counter.]
Toma: [To Chris] There's something strange about her. Something I
instinctively don't like.
Chris: Instinct? That's something animals rely on more than humans. Sure
it's not your canine side talking?
Toma: Ssshhh. Keep your voice down. Nobody knows about Pochi.
Chris: Pochi?
Toma: Oh yeah, well, I kind of changed and Kasumi found me. I saved
myself by saying my dog form was my sister's pet. She gave me the name
Pochi.
Chris: Oh. You're not going to be like Ryoga now, are you?
Toma: Huh? What about Ryoga?
[Chris learned about Ryoga's curse while they were lost for a couple of
days and some of the things he did with that curse. Chris quickly explains
this to Toma.]
Toma: Oh. No, don't worry. I'm not a pervert.
Chris: Good thing too. Now, should we order?
[Nora returns and each orders a few pieces of sushi. Nora leaves again to
make their meals. Toma shivers.]
Toma: Maybe you're right, Chris. Those ears on her head look so real,
that maybe my subconscious thinks she really is a cat. Maybe it's a
side-effect of my curse. I need to find some way to remove this curse
soon. After all, my own cousin turns into a cat.
Chris: She what?
[Toma fills Chris in on all the other curses people have.]
Chris: I never knew so many people went to Jusenkyo.
Toma: And the fact they all ended up in Nerima seems even stranger.
Chris: I wonder how many other cursed people there are that we don't know
about.
Toma:Lets not find out. I want nothing to do with that place unless it's a
way to cure myself.
Chris: Me too.
[About that time, five boats come by with all their names written on the
paper sails. Their orders are on the decks.]
Akane: How cute. Kasumi would love this place.
Ranma: Whatever.
Ryoga: I agree, Akane. It's very cute.
Ranma: Kiss-up.
Ryoga: Shut up, Ranma.
Akane: What is wrong with you two?
Ranma: Wanna make me?
Ryoga: Alright, Ranma.
[Ranma and Ryoga get off the stools and face each other. Seconds later
Chris is in-between them.]
Chris: Can't we find some other way of settling your differences?
Ryoga: Unless it involves killing Ranma, I'm not interested.
[Chris stands with Ranma and Ryoga directly to his left and right.]
Chris: I didn't want to do this, but if you won't listen...Hokori Ken!
[Suddenly, Chris' arms are straight out to his sides and Ranma and Ryoga
are knocked to the floor.]
Chris: Now, can we sit down and eat like normal people?
Ranma: Well, just as long as one of us doesn't eat like a pig.
Ryoga: What was that?!
Chris: Hokori--!
Ranma and Ryoga: Alright. OK.
[They sit down and look sullenly at their food. Chris returns to his
seat.]
Toma: What was that?
Chris: That was the Hokori Ken, or Dust Punch. I learned it by dusting
tables by punching over them and creating enough wind to push the dust.
It's a great technique because it doesn't harm the object you're dusting
any. This is good for antiques that you don't want to touch, because the
human body produces a highly corrosive oil. Sure, it takes years before
the effects of this oil is noticed on things people have touched, but over
time the items begin to show wear. This is a reason card and stamp
collectors like to use tweezers to pick up their collections so that--
Toma: I get the idea.
Chris: Sorry. Sometimes I tend to ramble and cleaning things. I remember
one time that I was talking about how some people sometimes accidently use
regular dishwashing soap in their dishwasher instead of detergent. See,
dishwashing soap bubbles up more that detergent. You use soap in a
dishwasher and see just how air tight it is when suds flood your floor.
That reminds me of the time that Uncle and I--
Toma: Chris.
Chris: Huh?
Toma: You're doing it again.
Chris: Heh-heh. Sorry.
[Nora comes back.]
Nora: How are your orders?
Toma: [Sudden chill] Uh... F-fine.
Nora: Something wrong?
Toma: [Quickly] No. No. Not at all.
Nora: Hmm. Alright. Call if you need anything.
[She leaves again.]
Chris: You're sure you're alright?
Toma: Yeah. I just don't know what came over me. I just get the feeling
that she's a cat.
Chris: Oh come one. Ranma has a sever phobia of cats and you don't see him
freaking out, do you?
Toma: A phobia only works if that person knows the cause of the phobia is
around. You could blindfold a person with acrophobia and place them at the
top of Tokyo tower and they wouldn't be afraid. Ailurophobia is no
different.
Chris: How did you know it was called Ailurophobia?
Toma: Maybe I just need to splash some water in my face.
[Toma gets up and begins looking around for a restroom. Nora sees him and
stops.]
Nora: Need something?
Toma: Restroom. I need some water.
Nora: Well, the toilet is that way, but there's no sink in there. Why
don't you come into the kitchen. Just don't touch any of the food. Health
regulations.
Toma: Thanks.
[Toma follows her to the kitchen, still uneasy around her. She points him
to the sink and then proceeds to slice some fish. Toma turns the hot water
on a splashes his face.]
Toma: AH! Cold! [Pause] Oh no.
Nora: Sorry. I should have warned you. The water heater was broken when
I rested the place. A new one is sue next week. I could heat some up on
the stove for you, if you like.
[There's no response.]
Nora: Hello?
[Nora looks around for Toma. There's no sigh of him. She does find a
small puppy though.]
Nora: Yech. Who let you in here. Filthy beast. Get out. Shoo, shoo.
[Nora motions for him to leave. Pochi begins to back up and looks around
for some hot water. He sees some boiling on the stove, but he doubts Nora
will let him get close. Health regulations. Still, he has to try. So
what is some unknown person learns his secret. He'll just have to remember
not to bring Kasumi here. He makes a dash for the pot. Nora tries to grab
him but he is to quick. He leaps into the pot and back out before he can
become seriously burned. Before Nora's wide eyes, Pochi changes back to
Toma.]
Nora: It can't be...
Toma: Sorry about that. I guess you know my secret.
Nora: You're... You're...
Toma: A dog, yes.
Nora: No, I mean, you're my destined h-husband.
[Chris and the others are eating their meals quietly when they hear Toma
from the kitchen.]
Toma: I'm your WHAT!?!
[Ranma is caught off guard and begins choking. Chris gets up.]
Chris: I'll go see what's going on. You two take care of Ranma.
[Ryoga gins and slams one fist into his open palm.]
Chris: [Glares at Ryoga] You know what I mean.
Nora: The prophecy is true. You are the one chosen to by my husband.
Toma: What prophecy?
Nora: Lets begin with who I am. My name is Nora, and I am a Nekojin.
[From beneath Nora skirt, movement can be seen. Suddenly a tail comes out.
It is the same red as her hair.]
Toma: A Nekojin?
Nora: Yes, a cat person. I come from a village in China that was founded
by a group of people that fell into the Mao-nii-chuan, spring of drown cat,
at Jusenkyo. The curse became part of their DNA and their offspring were
half cat, but not in the way that they became cats when wet. They actually
had cat features. It has thinned out some over the years so that now only
the ears, teeth, and tail remain.
Toma: But what about this prophecy?
Nora: I'm getting to that. (He sure took the story of my tribe well.)
There was a prophecy set long ago that a cat-child would be born with red
hair that would marry a blue-haired dog- child.
Toma: That's it? Nothing archaic? No double meanings?
Nora: That's it. My tribe it's much on using big words.
Toma: Well it sounds pretty straight forward to me. I take it you're the
only one in your tribe with red hair?
Nora: You got it. More everyone else has black or brown.
[Chris comes running in.]
Chris: Toma. What's wrong?
Toma: Oh, Chris. You're just in time.
Chris: For what?
Toma: To catch me.
[Toma faints and Chris barely catches him.]
Nora: Now that's the kind of response I expected earlier.
[Toma wakes an hour later in the Tendo home. Soun, Kasumi, and Nora
surround him. Chris stands in te doorway, blocking everyone else. Soun is
crying.]
Soun: Son, you have some explaining to do.
Kasumi: Is it true that you want to marry this girl?
Nora: It's not a question of if he wants to or not. He must.
Soun: What does she mean must?! You didn't get her pregnant, did you?
Kasumi: Oh my.
Toma: What?!? Mr. Tendo, it's nothing like that.
Nora: Like I said, it's destined. We must marry.
Soun: I cannot allow this. Toma is to marry my daughter, Kasumi. This
was already agreed upon.
Nora: And, I cannot allow that. My destiny was forged centuries ago.
[Soun and Nora face each other. Lightning can be seen shooting between
their eyes.]
Kasumi: Oh my.
Nora: Very well. If you will not give up Toma voluntarily, I challenge
your daughter.
Soun: She accepts.
Toma: Wait a minute...
Soun: What will the event be?
Nora: Martial Arts Sushi Cooking.
Toma: You don't cook sushi.
Nora: Fine, Preparing. Martial Arts Sushi Preparing. Happy?
Soun: Agreed. Tomorrow at noon, at your restaurant.
Toma: Wait a minute. If I'm involved, then I want to be in the contest
too.
Nora: You? You can cook?
Toma: But of course.
Nora: (Hah. A man cook better than me. That'll be the day What the heck.
It's not like I'd be trying to marry him if it wasn't for the prophecy. I
doubt either of them can cook that well. Well, maybe the girl.) Very
well. Tomorrow at noon. You two had better get cozy tonight, because it
will be your last night together.
[She begins laughing and jumps off into the sunset.]
Ranma: Gee, that sure reminds me of Kodachi.
Chris: Oh! Kodachi!
[Chris takes off to the bath to get ready for tonight. Toma grabs Kasumi's
hands in his.]
Toma: Don't worry, Kasumi. There's no way we can loose.
Ranma: Are you so sure? You didn't try he cooking before. It's actually
very good, and I doubt she put all of her effort into it.
Toma: Don't worry. There's no way we can loose. One question though...
How is sushi prepared?
[Everyone except Kasumi falls on their faces. Kasumi just smiles.]
Kasumi: Come on. I'll teach you.
[They head off to the kitchen. Chris comes running by.]
Toma: Good luck.
[Chris waves thanks and leaves.]
[Chris waits nervously. Kuno contacted Toma later and said Kodachi would
meet Chris in the park. In one hand he holds a bouquet of roses. A black
bow-tie stands out on his usual blue shirt and overalls. After a while he
becomes bored and begins to examine his surroundings. Naturally, there are
a lot of threes and bushes. There are a few stone walls, most of which
have some sort of damage.]
Chris: (Hmm. Ranma must have been here.)
[Suddenly, Chris as assaulted by hundreds of black rose petals.]
Kodachi: AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AHA. I have arrived.
Chris: Uh, Kodachi...
Kodachi: You are the one my brother said had a message for me?
Chris: Message? No, I can to--
Kodachi: Flowers? For moi?
Chris: Uh, yeah.
Kodachi: They must be from my darling Ranma.
Chris: Not quite...
[But Kodachi is already wrapped up in her own illusion.]
Kodachi: Ranma darling. To afraid to deliver them personally. How noble
is thy spirit.
Chris: Actually--
Kodachi: I thank you, kind messenger. Please give these to my darling
Ranma.
[Kodachi takes Chris' bouquet of red roses and gives him another one of
black roses. Without another word, Kodachi leaps into the night.]
Chris: This might take a while.
[Chris sighs and heads back home.]
[Chris drags himself through the door and heads to the living room. He
passes the kitchen where Toma and Kasumi and still making sushi. He
wonders briefly where they got all the fish from. Toma and Kasumi hear
Chris' feet dragging against the floor.]
Kasumi: Oh, Chris. How did your date go.
[Chris just sighs.]
Toma: Hmm? I see she gave you some roses there. It must have gone well.
Chris: They're for Ranma.
Toma: Oh.
[Toma looks down, embarrassed at his observation and knowing he's just
rubbed it in Chris' face. Chris sighs again and heads to the living room.
A while latter the TV can be heard. Toma sighs now.]
Toma: [To himself] This might take a while.
[The next day at noon, Toma, Kasumi, Nabiki, Akane, Ranma, Chris, Ryoga,
Soun, Genma, and Tazuki gathered at the Catfish for the big cook-off. Nora
opens the doors fifteen minutes later and everyone crowds in. Nora has set
up three tables in the center of the room. On each table is a card with
the names of Kasumi, Nora, and Toma. Toma and Kasumi make their way to the
clearing in the middle of the room where Nora waits.]
Nora: So, you decided not to leave the country after all.
Toma: Huh?
Nora: You're late.
Toma: Late? We were waiting outside for you to open the doors.
Nora: You didn't think of trying them first?
Toma: [Smacks his fist into his open palm.] Oh yeah.
Nora: I've been waiting for fifteen minutes for you to open the doors.
Toma: I take it that everything else is ready then?
Nora: Yes. I even found a judge for the cooking.
Toma: How do I know that you didn't find someone that would vote for you?
Nora: Actually, he asked to be the judge. Apparently the knows Kasumi. I
thought you took could use that advantage before I chop you butts.
Toma: And who is this judge?
[Soun and Genma scream in fright.]
Toma: What's wrong with you two?
[They both point shaking hands. There stands a very short, balding man
wearing a purple uniform and a sticker on his chest that says "Judge" on
it.]
Soun: M-m-master!
Genma: W-w-where did you find him?
Nora: Attached to my chest. Do you really know him?
Tazuki: Did you mention your master?
[Tazuki notices Happosai grabbing at women in the crowd. His eyes narrow
and a glimmer appears.]
Tazuki: [With a cold voice] Happosai.
[Ranma grabs Happosai off a girl's chest, who mistakes Ranma for being an
accomplice of Happosai's and slugs him in the face. Ranma calmly takes the
blow and looks at Happosai.]
Ranma: And why did you volunteer for the job, you old freak?
Happosai: Ranma. I would have thought that you of all people would know by
now. How else can a man get a free meal and watch beautiful women cook.
Ranma: [Hand on his forehead] Of course.
Happosai: There is the lovely Kasumi and Nora. Where is the third lovely?
This 'Toma.' Odd name for a girl.
Ranma: Actually, Toma's not a--
[Tazuki rushes to Ranma and Happosai.]
Tazuki: Happosai! At least I've found you again.
Happosai: Hmm? Have we met?
Tazuki: I figured you wouldn't remember me. Maybe you remember the name
Yata instead.
Happosai: Yata?
Tazuki: Do you remember about fifteen years ago?
[Fifteen years ago in the Nerima Public Bath House. A young Tazuki is
scrubbing the bath floors with an older man. The names Tazuki and Yata are
sewn into their jumpsuits.]
Yata: Tazuki, are you ready for today?
Tazuki: Of course, Master Yata.
Yata: Ha-ha-ha. I've trained you well. Hopefully today we can at last
defeat Happosai and his disciples.
[Tazuki holds a hand broom and dustpan in each hand.]
Tazuki: I know we can do it.
[Yata puts his hand on Tazuki's shoulder. Suddenly a hint of sadness
appears in Tazuki's eyes.]
Tazuki: I heard what the manager said. About how if we can't stop
Happosai today, then you'll be fired.
Yata: Don't worry, my student. We can always train somewhere else if that
happens.
[Just then a crash is heard and several women scream.]
Happosai: Ha-ha-ha. I've got your panties! What a haul. Soun. Genma.
Hurry up and grab all you can.
Yata: Lets go.
Tazuki: Right.
[Yata and Tazuki charge to the woman's side of the baths, careful not to
stare at the female patrons.]
Yata: Happosai!
Happosai: Ah. Yata. Care to try me again?
Yata: I'll try again and again until I defeat you.
Happosai: Watching to many movies again?
Yata: Grr. Die, Happosai!
[Yata and Happosai charge each other. Tazuki on the other hand faces off
with Soun and Genma. They have gone though this every day for the past
month. Over the weeks, Soun, Genma, and Tazuki became friends. Tazuki
understands they can't go against their masters' wishes and instead of
fighting, have used the matches to spar. This day however is different.
Instead of sparring, the three watch the two masters, knowing this might be
their last match. Tazuki has also noticed a certain desperation that has
seemed to hover over his master all day. Soun and Genma has pulled popcorn
out from somewhere and are munching quietly. Tazuki watches with
anticipation. Yata and Happosai trade blows and techniques for several
minutes. Yata uses his Baburu Wana, but Happosai tosses his Happo Dai
Karin at just the right moment so it bursts the bubble. Moves like these
continue for several more minutes. Finally, Yata becomes desperate.]
Yata: I didn't want to use this...
Happosai: What'cha going to do? Scrub me clean?
Yata: Something like that. Kirei Haku!!!
[Yata extends both of his hands with the wrists facing each other and palms
out. In the foot of space between each hand, a one inch ball of white ki
appears. This begins to expand until it almost touches Yata's hands. At
that point it explodes into a huge blast of energy, easily ten feet in
diameter and infinite in length. It hits Happosai dead on and sends him
into the opposite wall. The blast does nothing to the surfaces it hits,
but Happosai's impact causes the wall to collapse. Too bad it's the
support wall. The entire building begins to collapse. Happosai gets up
from the rubble and brushes himself off.]
Happosai: How dare you!
[Happosai's battle aura appears as the entire building begins to shake
violently. The customers, most of them still naked, begin running out of
the building. Tazuki, Soun, and Genma begin the clear out. Happosai's
battle aura lashes out at Yata as the ceiling collapses. Tazuki, Soun, and
Genma leap out of the way to safety. Tazuki tries to run back in but Soun
and Genma hold him back.]
Tazuki: Master!
[The dust and smoke begins to clear. All three men are crying.]
Soun: He's gone.
Genma: We're free.
[The two begin to dance around happy until they notice Tazuki still
crying.]
Tazuki: Master Yata...
[A noise is heard and the three men look up as a form walks out of the
smoke. Happosai walks out and dusts himself off again.]
Happosai: Whew. That was close. Come on boys. Looks like we'll have to
find another place to train.
Soun and Genma: Yes, Master.
[They begin walking off, but Soun and Genma turn around.]
Soun: Tazuki...
Genma: We...
Tazuki: Go away.
Genma: But...
Tazuki: Leave!
[Soun places his hand on Tazuki's shoulder.]
Soun: If you need us, Tazuki, you know where I live. Don't be a stranger.
Tazuki: ... Thank you.
Happosai: Hurry up!
Soun and Genma: Yes, Master!
[Soun, Genma, and Happosai walk into the distance. Tazuki continues to
stare at the rubble.]
Tazuki: I never saw my master again after that day. He died in that
fight, because of you!
Happosai: I'm sorry. What was the name of that bath house? You see, we
went to a few dozen each day. It gets confusing through the years.
[Tazuki just stares with his jaw open and eyes wide.]
Tazuki: You-you don't remember my master? Or me?
Happosai: Hmm. [Deep in thought] Nope.
[Tazuki fumes.]
Tazuki: Die!
[Tazuki charges Happosai, who flips Tazuki through the ceiling with his
pipe.]
Happosai: Now, where is that girl, Toma?
Ranma: Toma's not a--
Announcer: And now, the moment you've all come to witness, the Martial
Arts Sushi Preparation contest. Now, our contestants: The owner of this
sushi bar, all the way from China, part human and part cat, may I present
Nora!
[Nora comes hopping in from the kitchen with her arms raised above her
head. Most of the in the audience begin cheering and letting out cat calls
(no pun intended). She takes her place behind the second table.]
Announcer: Next, coming all the way from the Tendo Dojo, our own
beloved Kasumi!
[Another cheer comes out as Kasumi walks out of the kitchen. Most everyone
already knows who Kasumi is around town. She smiles and thanks everyone
before taking her place behind the first table.]
Announcer: Finally, our last contestant was born in Japan, raised in
China, returned to japan, and is the prize of this event, Toma!
[Happosai's tongue falls out as he waits for Toma. Toma exits the kitchen
and Happosai's face immediately turns blue and he looks like he's going to
throw up. Ranma grins at Happosai's response and is silently glad he
didn't tell Happosai the truth about Toma. The crowd also cheers as Toma
walks calmly and unemotionally to his table, but this time it's mostly the
women that make the most noise.]
Announcer: All the contestants know the rules of this competition, but
we will recap them for the audience. Basically, make as much sushi as
possible using the ingredients provided within ten minutes. The judge will
then try each of the contestant's meals. Points will be awarded on speed,
skill, and taste.
Happosai: Yuck. I'm not eating a meal made by a guy.
Announcer: Is everyone ready? [Nods] Then...GO!
[Toma lets out a battle cry and begins hacking the fish into pieces.
Kasumi quietly begins cutting up her fish while humming to herself. Nora
tosses her fish into the air and flashes her knife around. Perfectly cut
pieces of fish fall to Nora's cutting board and she prepares the rice and
seaweed wrappings. A few minutes later, Nora is leading with twice as much
sushi made than even Toma, who is still hacking away as fast as he can.
Kasumi is still humming and making each piece perfect before moving on to
the next piece. A few more minutes later, the timer rings and everyone
stops. Kasumi has the least, but it is all neatly made and arranged in a
flower pattern on her plate. Nora's pile completely fills her plate.
Toma's sushi has a lot of sushi made, but it is crudely done and doesn't
equal Nora's amount. Happosai hops off his chair and walks over to Kasumi
first.]
Happosai: I believe I'll try Kasumi's first, as I know what a wonderful
cook she is.
Kasumi: That's so sweet of you, Grandfather Happosai.
[Happosai blushes a little. He examines Kasumi's food and then guzzles it
all down.]
Happosai: Hmm. [Licks some rice off his face] Very good. I give a full 10
for the skill involved in making this fine meal. It is one of your finest,
but it was not very much, so I must give a 5 for speed. Taste rates a high
8.
[Next, Happosai calmly walks over to Nora's table. He examine's the food
before swallowing it.]
Happosai: Mmm. Very nice. A 7 on taste, a 7 on skill and a 10 on speed.
[Happosai looks at Toma's food with disgust. Not one single piece of sushi
even comes close to the neatness of the other girls'. There is quite a
large amount, again, not as much as Nora had.]
Happosai: Hmm. I give a 8 on speed, but a 4 on skill.
[He carefully takes a piece and eats it. Suddenly a tear appears in his
eye. He grabs the rest of the plate a swallows it all.]
Happosai: How can this be? How can it be that you could cook better than
these two lovely young girls?
Toma: Ah, that's nothing. You should taste me mother's cooking.
Happosai: Is she pretty?
Toma: Huh?
[Akane runs forward and knocks Happosai on the head.]
Akane: So, what's the score?
Happosai: I must give a score of 13.
Announcer: So, the final score is: Kasumi has 23, Nora has 24, and Toma
wins with 25. A narrow victory. By the terms of the contest, Toma is now
engaged to...himself?
Nora: No fair! The scores for each event have to be no higher that 10.
Happosai: I'm the judge, I can make the scores whatever I want. [His eyes
glaze over] But, if you really want to win...
Nora: Forget it!
[Nora bunts Happosai to the same place he sent Tazuki. Nora then turns to
Kasumi.]
Nora: Don't think this means it's over. I am destined to marry Toma and I
will never give up.
Kasumi: Well, at least you're dedicated.
[Nora just stares at the smiling Kasumi with confusion. At this time,
Kasumi's family comes over and gathers Toma and Kasumi and carries them
home while congratulating them. Nora is left alone in her restaurant,
which is left in ruins after everyone leaves.]
Nora: No. I haven't given up. Not by far. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!
Eric "Toma/Crissik" Gondolf
crissik@tstonramp.com