(Previously: This is an alternate universe where the Jyuusenkyo springs
change minds as well as bodies, so Ranma's female form is a separate
personality who calls herself Ranko. Recently, she was splashed with
water from the Chiisuiton, which has locked her (or cured her, depending
on your perspective) in shape. A new student, Ukyou, has appeared at
Fuurinkan. He claims to be an old friend of Ranma's, and has asked Ranko
out on a date.)
TWILIGHT EXISTENCE
by Scott K. Jamison
(Ranma 1/2 and its associated characters created by Rumiko
Takahashi. No infringement is intended.)
Chapter Fifteen
As you've been reading the last few chapters, you may have come
to the conclusion that I was awfully selfish. And you'd be right.
Remember that while I looked like a teenager, and could usually pass for
one, I'd really only been alive for a month or so. I was still very much
a baby when it came to considering others' feelings, especially when they
weren't right there to remind me.
And I'd never even really met Ranma, so it was easy for me to
ignore his concerns.
The next few days are a bit of a blur as I look back. I remember
the unbelieving eyes of the boys at school staring at Ukyou, amazed he'd
gotten further than any of them had. Kunou challenged him to a duel, I
didn't see it, but I'm told Ukyou won handily with his okonomiyaki-style
martial arts.
The other girls were just full of advice, ranging from how much
makeup to wear, to how far to allow Ukyou to go on a first date.
I asked Kasumi about some of it, but she hadn't really
experienced much dating herself, and her mother had died before she could
get much advice. I wished my mother was available.
Akane was not much in evidence. Most of her time at home was
spent smashing things in the dojo, and when I did see her, she was
snappish with me.
At last the big day came. I asked everyone whether I should wear
the green skirt or the blue one, even Uncle Tendou.
"I'm sure you'll look fine in either," he said, looking as if he
were going to burst into tears any moment. "Take good care of her,
Nabiki."
I turned around, and there was Nabiki, in one of Akane's better
outfits. She smiled ruefully.
"Sorry kid, but the grownups decided you had to have a
chaperone. And in the mood Akane's in, you don't want it to be her.
Besides, who can pass up a free concert?" She looked at the skirts.
"Blue, I think."
I quickly changed and hurried back downstairs, almost running
into Father. A quick jolt of fear went through my heart. He wouldn't
try to stop me from going on this date, would he? He had spent most of
his time over at Dr. Toufuu's, supposedly working, but really mostly
hoping the doctor had a cure for the Chiisuiton.
He reached out and touched my shoulder. "Ranko."
"Y-yes, Father?"
"Be careful. I-I...just be careful." I'd never seen that look
in his eyes before. It looked like concern.
"I will, Father."
"That's my boy!" he roared, slapping me on the back.
"Fatherrr..." I growled.
"Time to go," announced Nabiki, taking my arm.
I had butterflies in my stomach all the way over to Ucchan's.
Nabiki tried to distract me by window shopping on the way, but I couldn't
keep track of which stores she was pointing to.
At last we arrived at the restaurant, where Ukyou was just
closing the place up. "Be with you in a moment!" he called.
I noticed a book on the counter, _Up the Walls of the World_ by
James Tiptree, Jr. It had a spaceship on the cover, so I made a note to
myself that Ukyou was a science fiction fan. I didn't know too much
about the subject; I was still working through the Tendou sisters'
collection of romance novels. And they'd taught me it was important to
find out a boy's interests so you could talk about them with him.
I was just about to pick up the book at look at the flyleaf when
Ukyou came out from behind the grill. "Ready!"
Then he took a look at who was with me, and his smile faded a
little. "Hello. I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Ukyou
Kuonji."
Nabiki smirked a little. "Nabiki Tendou, Akane's sister.
Pleased to meet the boy that has Ranko all in a tizzy."
"Delighted, I'm sure. Let's go, Ranko."
Our hands brushed as we left the restaurant, and I felt a little
excited. More excited, I should say. Ukyou locked up, and I took the
opportunity to look him over again. He was perhaps just a little
overdressed for the weather, with a high-collared shirt and light jacket,
but perhaps he thought it might cool later.
Nabiki whispered, "He is kind of handsome."
I whispered back, "Just remember, this is my date, not yours. No
draining his pocketbook."
Nabiki feigned a look of horror. "Moi? You wound me."
Ukyou took my arm, a bit forward of him, but I think he was
irritated by Nabiki's presence, and we went off.
The concert itself was quite nice, my first real exposure to jazz
music. It was a little difficult to follow at first, but Ukyou explained
how the improvisational nature of the music created a slightly different
experience each time a song was played or sung.
"Kind of like making okonomiyaki." He was a gentleman during the
performance, not pulling any of the stunts the other girls had warned me
to be on the lookout for. I was a little disappointed, but they'd all
assured me that boys who didn't rush things tended to be better at
staying in touch with a girl after the date.
I noticed several other students I recognized, but somehow missed
one familiar face until afterwards.
In fact, I failed to notice his presence until a bunch of roses
was thrust in my face.
"Ranko Tendou! Flowers to the fair, and a vision to my eyes."
It was Tatewaki, and if I thought Ukyou was overdressed, then I
was mistaken, for the upperclassman was wearing a tuxedo. And top hat.
And cape.
Nabiki burst into giggles. Ukyou stepped forward and was
frowning.
"Why, Upperclassman Kunou," I hurriedly said, "what ever are you
doing here?"
"I came to see you, most pleasant of the lilies of the valley.
For I knew that after such an inane excuse for entertainment, you surely
would want me to rescue you for a night of true romance." I had to give
him points for confidence.
"Well, you can buzz off now." Ukyou's voice was cold. "Ranko's
with me today."
"Nabiki's free," I suggested, wanting to head off a fight.
Tatewaki looked askance at my chaperone, still snickering at his
attire. "It is my experience that Nabiki Tendou is actually quite
expensive. When you change your mind, I shall be at the Chez l'Orange at
5:00. Fare you well!" He left me with the bouquet still balanced on my
arms.
"What a jackass!" proclaimed Ukyou, the moment Tatewaki passed
out of sight.
"Oh, he has his good points," assured Nabiki. "I suppose he'll
be off to bother Akane for a while."
We discussed Tatewaki's romantic obsessions a bit, leaving out
certain details.
"So he doesn't like Ranma, huh?" asked Ukyou.
"No, he thinks my brother is standing between him and Akane.
They get into fights a lot."
"Any word on your brother, by the way?"
"No, nothing yet." I felt another slight twinge of conscience,
but shrugged it off. It wasn't as though I could actually do anything to
bring Ranma back.
We ate at a yakisoba stand, and Ukyou gave us a quick lecture on
the right and wrong way to make noodles. Nabiki was bored stiff.
"Tell you what, Ukyou, if you promise to take Ranko straight
home, I'm going to head on over to that French place and see if good old
Kunou won't spring for dinner for me. Deal?"
Ukyou nodded. "Fine by me, Nabiki."
Nabiki dashed off (have I mentioned the girl loves food?) and
Ukyou visibly relaxed.
"Well, let's be getting on to your place then."
"So soon?" I was sorely disappointed.
"I did promise Nabiki," he pointed out. "Besides, I have to open
up the shop again for the evening crowd."
"Okay, I guess..." We walked silently for a while, and Ukyou
took my hand. I could hear my heart thumping.
"Ranko, would you like to go on another date sometime?"
"I sure would! Er, I mean, I would like that. Very much."
He smiled widely. "Great. Maybe we can even do it without
`training wheels' next time."
"I know." I sighed. "But I'm sure our fathers meant well."
"Not bloody likely," he mumbled. "She seems okay for someone
who's supposed to be such an ice maiden."
"Nabiki is a perfectly nice person once you get to know her.
Just be careful with your money."
We'd arrived in front of the gate to the Tendou house. I
hesitated a moment and turned towards Ukyou. "Well, I guess this is good
bye for now. I had a lovely time."
"Sure." Then his eyes left my face for a moment as though he'd
noticed something behind me. Before I could ask what it was, he grabbed
my shoulders and drew me into a kiss.
Ukyou kissed a lot better than Mikado. He really felt like he
meant it, that there was a true emotion in his kissing. And this time I
kissed back, which I think helped a lot.
I was vaguely aware of a strangled sound somewhere in the
distance, but I didn't care. For that moment, my entire world was where
our lips coincided.
Then he pulled away. "Thanks, Ranko, for everything! I'll call
soon!"
I waved until he was out of sight, then pulled myself together
and walked into the house.
For some reason, Father was lying in the doorway, eyes open but
not seeming to see anything. I had to step over him carefully.
"Is he all right, Kasumi?" I asked my theoretical sister-in-law.
"I'm sure he will be, Ranko. Lots of fathers feel a little
shocked the first time their daughter kisses a boy." We moved him into
the room, and made him comfortable to one side.
"Where's Nabiki?" asked Kasumi.
I explained the events of the day, and Kasumi smiled.
"I'm sure it will all work out for the best."
I looked past her, and saw that Akane had come in. She was
staring at me like she was angrier than I'd ever seen her before, but
before I could say anything, she spun on her heel and ran upstairs.
"I sure hope it does, Kasumi. I sure hope so."
TO BE CONTINUED
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