Got Change?
By Lord Raa
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Disclaim-me-do: I’m too alive to die!
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Part 3
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After his rest, Ranma walked down to where his father was talking with Soun Tendo.
“Ah, there you are, Ranma-kun,” the moustachioed man smiled. “Please, sit down and tell me about yourself.”
“I’m not sure what there is to say, Mr. Tendo,” Ranma said, taking up a place on the porch next to the older men.
“Would you like some tea? Kasumi,” Soun called out. “Could you bring us some more tea out?”
Kasumi quickly emerged with a fresh pot of tea and some snacks. She was curious about the young man, but was too polite to ask direct questions.
“Thank you for the offer, Mr. Tendo, but I’m not thirsty,” the pigtailed man said apologetically.
“There’s no need to be polite, Ranma-kun,” Kasumi insisted as she poured four cups of tea. “You must need some refreshment after your journey.”
“Well, maybe some tea,” Ranma conceded. “But what would you like to know about me, Mr. Tendo?”
“Well, what are your hobbies?”
The Changeling pondered that question for a moment. “Well, I haven’t really had time to find out what I like doing, Mr. Tendo. I’ve spent most of the last twelve years learning how to fight.”
‘That doesn’t seem very interesting,’ Kasumi mused. ‘Perhaps Akane or Nabiki will have more in common with Ranma-kun?’
“Although,” Ranma added, “I did enjoy the travelling. Some of the views from the mountaintop temples were stunning.”
“Do you think you could draw one of them?” Soun asked, hoping that some artistic talent would make him a more attractive suitor for one of his daughters.
“I think so,” the pigtailed man nodded. “I don’t have any paper or pencils though...”
“Don’t worry, Ranma-kun, I’ll find you some,” Kasumi smiled.
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Nabiki was surprised when her elder sister asked to have some paper and borrow a few pencils.
“Sure thing, Kasumi, but what do you need them for?”
“It’s for Ranma-kun, he’s going to try drawing some scenes from his memory,” the homemaker answered. “Father insisted.”
“Well, there’s a surprise,” Nabiki muttered, already fathoming out her father’s cunning plan. “Still, it might be nice to have a cute boyfriend who can do things other than beat people up.”
“So you think he’s cute, do you?” Kasumi asked, a teasing smile on her lips.
“I’ve seen uglier men,” the short-haired sister countered neutrally. She was about to hand over the pencils but paused for a moment. “But you seem quite interested in what Ranma can draw...”
Kasumi fumbled for words. “Well... it’s what Father wanted...”
“I see,” Nabiki drawled before finally handing over the pencils. “Here you go, but I reserve the right to sell the drawings off. It’s my paper and pencils he’s using after all.”
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Ranma tapped his thumbs on the table as he tried to decide which temple view he should attempt to draw for Mr. Tendo.
“Well?” the moustachioed man asked, unable to keep the expectancy from his voice.
“...” the pigtailed man turned to face his host. “I think I’ll try the view from above the Shankuku temple in Kyoto. This could take some time.”
Picking up a pencil and sheet of paper, Ranma started to sketch out the basic positions of the temple, its surrounding water feature and trees.
Soun wasn’t sure what to make of the light pencil strokes Ranma was making, but decided that he should leave him to work on his drawing. Turning to Genma, he asked, “How about a game of go, old friend?”
“A fine idea, Tendo-kun.”
Five minutes later, Ranma growled in frustration.
“Is something the matter, Ranma-kun?” Kasumi asked, peering around the door frame.
“It’s not quite right,” the martial artist complained. “I drew the wrong type of tree in the background. I only remembered that the hackberries are on the north side of the grounds after I started to add the larch copse.”
Ranma was about to screw up the paper and start again when Kasumi stopped him. “Let me see, Ranma-kun.”
“But it’s wrong.”
“Please,” the homemaker asked. “At least let me see how the rest of the picture is.”
“Fine,” the pigtailed martial artist sighed. “Revel in my mistakes if it makes you happy.”
The brunette frowned at Ranma’s attitude before turning her attention to the pencil drawing. “Oh my... I haven’t seen anything like this before.”
“Yeah, I know,” Ranma sighed. “You don’t have to rub it in.”
“That’s not what I meant, Ranma-kun,” Kasumi gently chided. “This is a fantastic drawing.”
“But the order of the trees is wrong,” the Changeling said before standing up to leave. “And Order is the most important thing in the universe.”
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Akane was training alone in the dojo. Her mind turned to Ranma and how he was supposed to be getting engaged to her or one of her sisters. The pigtailed young man’s insistence on waiting until he knew them better seemed to put the brakes on her father’s plans.
‘Perhaps he’s not like the boys at school?’ she mused as she paused in her stacking up of some old bricks.
But there was a nagging doubt in her mind that something wasn’t quite right with Ranma.
It annoyed her and she vented her frustration on the stack of bricks, breaking them easily.
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Nabiki decided to see what sort of artist Ranma was. Art supplies weren’t exactly expensive, but she wasn’t a charity. If Ranma wanted paper for doodling, he’d have to get it himself.
However, if his art was worth a damn, then she might be able to work out a deal to keep him in paper for a slice of his commissions.
Quietly walking down the stairs, the short-haired Tendo walked to where Kasumi was admiring a picture.
“So, what’s he capable of, Kasumi?”
“Oh, you surprised me, Nabiki,” the elder sister replied. She held the paper to let Nabiki get a better look.
The mercenary sister examined the picture closely. The way everything seemed to be the right size for the distance from the main building gave the drawing an almost photographic feel.
Nabiki let out a whistle. “Not bad at all.”
“Ranma-kun isn’t happy with it though,” Kasumi replied. “He said that the trees are the wrong sort, that he forgot which ones went where.”
“If you say so. Wait, these actually are different types of tree,” Nabiki said, holding the picture closer. “So, when was Ranma last here?”
“Five years ago,” a male voice answered from behind the sisters.
“Ranma-kun, you surprised us,” the homemaker said. “Five years is a long time for remembering little details.”
“So, Ranma-kun, how are you at drawing people?” Nabiki asked. “I think there could be a market for portraits.”
Ranma gestured for a clean sheet of paper and a pencil.
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Five minutes later, there was a sketch of Nabiki’s face in perfect detail, right down to the texture on her lips.
Holding the paper against the short-haired sister’s face, Ranma asked Kasumi what she thought about it.
“It’s... it’s perfect,” the homemaker answered.
“Let me see,” Nabiki insisted, grabbing the portrait and striding off to the nearest mirror.
Upon putting the sketch in line with her own reflection, the mercenary girl was stunned at the likeness Ranma had created. It was only the fact that it was in pencil that marked it out as not being a reflection.
“And he did this without looking up at me...”
One word entered Nabiki’s mind at that revelation. “Kerching!”
Sauntering back to where Ranma and Kasumi were standing, the middle sister smiled at the pigtailed man. “So, Ranma-kun,” she said as she placed a hand on his shoulder, “How do you want to make some money?”
“What are you planning?”
“Well, I just thought that it would be a shame to allow your artistic skills to go to waste. I might know of a way how we can put them to good use. How do you feel about doing commissions?” Nabiki asked. “I’m sure that you know that people at school like to have pictures of their boyfriends and girlfriends and photographs can feel a bit... impersonal, if you know what I mean.”
“What sort of cut are you asking for?” Ranma asked, suddenly wondering why he was reminded of a word when dealing with Nabiki.
“Well, I feel that 40 percent is a good place to start negotiating.”
“How much are you planning to charge for a portrait?”
“A thousand yen for a quick pencil sketch like this one, but prices go up if they want more.”
The Changeling smiled. “Let’s say that I can do five sketches at lunchtime. Your cut for doing very little would be two thousand yen. That doesn’t seem very fair, does it?”
“Like I said, it was a starting point for our negotiations,” Nabiki smiled. “What if the supplies came out of my share?”
“Thirty percent and you pay for the supplies. That’s my final offer.”
“Done,” the middle sister said, extending a hand to shake on the deal.
“Of course, you should realise that if you try to cross me on anything, you will regret it,” Ranma warned in a neutral tone. He started to smile as he added, “But of course, we won’t ever have to worry about that, will we?”
“N-no, of course not,” Nabiki answered. ‘Just what have I gotten myself into?’
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The following morning, Kasumi frowned when she saw that Ranma wasn’t joining them for breakfast. She turned to Genma. “Saotome-san, there’s something I don’t understand; does Ranma-kun have special dietary needs? He doesn’t seem to be at all interested in food.”
The portly man winced slightly. “It’s a complicated situation, Kasumi.”
He noticed that he was the centre of attention. “It’s not my place to talk about someone’s personal details like that.”
“No, it’s not,” Ranma said from the doorway. He took a seat and poured himself a cup of tea. “I appreciate your concern, but I value my privacy. Please do not pry further.”
Akane was beginning to get a better understanding on why she didn’t like Ranma. Sure, he hadn’t acted like any of the boys at school, but he had remained aloof and distant. It was, in her opinion, unsettling for someone to behave like that.
‘Just what are you hiding, Ranma?’ she asked herself.
“Well, now that we’ve got that sorted, what’s the plan for today?” the pigtailed martial artist asked, savouring the warmth from his teacup.
“School,” Genma answered.
“Yes, it would help you get to know Akane and Nabiki better,” Soun chimed in.
“I see,” Ranma drawled. He cast a look at his father, who nodded once. “Ok, I’ll go to school with Akane and Nabiki.”
Placing his teacup on the table, Changeling stood up and left to prepare his things.
“I must admit that I was expecting more of a fight, Saotome-kun,” Soun confided.
“Yes, but remember that sometimes you have to do what you’re told to,” Genma replied. ‘Ranma is planning something, but what?’
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On the way to school, Ranma asked Nabiki and Akane about Furinkan and its denizens.
“The faculty is fairly easy going,” Nabiki answered as they stopped at a pedestrian crossing. The signal to cross started and the trio approached the school gates. “But there are one or two things you should watch out for.”
“Oh?”
“Akane Tendo, date me!”
“Akane Tendo, accept my love!”
“Akane Tendo, we can be together at last!”
The Changeling turned to the younger sister and gave her a questioning look. “What are they talking about?”
“It’s some stupid thing that’s none of your business!” Akane said charging in to unleash some righteous fury upon the crowd of hormonal boys.
As Hurricane Akane swept through the majority of the male student body, Ranma turned to Nabiki. “Perhaps you can explain to me what’s going on here?”
“See that guy there with the bokken?” the mercenary girl asked.
“Yes.”
“He said that if you wanted to date Akane, you had to defeat her in combat first.”
“That’s possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” the pigtailed man said. “So, how come all these people are doing what that guy says?”
“Because they’re all idiots,” Nabiki sighed.
Akane had finished demolishing the untrained horde and sighed tiredly. “Every day this happens.”
“Alas, but I cannot deny that their endeavours would be worth any suffering,” the bokken carrying boy said, standing in what he considered to be a heroic pose.
“Kuno-sempai,” the Tendo heir muttered.
“My beauteous Akane Tendo, how are you this fine morning?” Kuno asked, flashing the girl of his dreams a winning smile.
“I’d be better if you left me alone, Kuno,” Akane spat.
“But the Heavens themselves would weep were I to abandon our sacred courting ritual! If I defeat you, I will allow you to date me.”
“Now I see,” Ranma said calling out.
“And what is it that you do see?” Kuno demanded, hoping to deal with this interloper quickly.
“We haven’t been introduced, so I shan’t be discussing any of my thoughts with you. Good day, Sir,” Ranma said striding towards the main entrance.
Tatewaki Kuno, the self-titled Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School was surprised at the attitude of the newcomer. Did he have no idea to whom he was talking to? Could he not appreciate the beauty of the fierce tigress that is Akane Tendo?
“You there! Who are you?!”
“I’m Ranma Saotome,” the Changeling answered, turning to face his inquisitor. “That is all I am willing to tell the likes of you.”
“The likes of me?!” the kendoist demanded, his face turning purple with rage. “How dare you? Do you know who I am?”
“No, and I do not care to change that fact,” Ranma said not bothering to turn back to face Kuno. “I have to register for class.”
Nabiki was surprised that Ranma has acted like this. Given his history as a martial artist, she’d expected him to be more confrontational and fight Kuno. ‘Interesting.’
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Ranma stood before his new classmates and introduced himself.
“Pleased to meet you all,” he said with a polite bow.
“Wait, I saw you walking to school with Akane and Nabiki Tendo, how do you know them?!” a voice called out from the back of the classroom.
“Our fathers are old friends; they trained under the same master,” the Changeling answered.
“So are you staying at her house?” another voice asked.
“It is none of your concern. Besides, she’s made it clear that she’s not interested in me.”
Fifteen pairs of female eyes turned to Akane, all asking the same question: “Why not?”
“Hey, I only just met him,” Akane said, shrinking into her seat.
“It’s true, but unlike some people around these parts, I don’t pursue people who have made it perfectly clear that they’re not interested in me,” Ranma said, directing his comments at the male portion of the class. “Now, if we have finished our little question and answer session, perhaps we can get to the important business of learning?”
“Indeed, Saotome-kun,” the teacher said. “Pick an empty seat, we’re all here today.”
“Thank you, Sensei,” the pigtailed youth bowed before heading to a window seat.
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In Nabiki’s classroom, Tatewaki Kuno was ranting about the pretentiousness of the new student.
“How dare he show such disrespect to his sempai? I must teach him a lesson!” the kendoist declared. “Nabiki Tendo, tell me what you know about him.”
“He doesn’t seem to like you,” the mercenary girl smirked.
“Clearly, but I must know more about this insolent man if I am to teach him a lesson. Since you walked to school with him, you must know something about him,” Kuno said, reaching for his wallet. “What can you tell me for two thousand yen?”
Pocketing the money, Nabiki smiled. “Well, I can tell you that he was recently in China. That he’s supposed to be a skilled martial artist. I haven’t seen him in action, so I don’t know how good he actually is. Also, he doesn’t eat much and he’s pretty good at drawing.”
“Hmm,” the kendoist nodded. “And how do you know about his eating habits?”
“He’s staying at our place for the time being.”
“What?! Under the same roof as Akane?! I cannot allow such a thing!” Kuno declared, jumping to his feet.
“Kuno, outside,” the teacher ordered, pointing to the hallway.
The Blue Thunder sprinted down the corridor to Akane’s classroom, intent of dispensing the Justice of the Heavens™.
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Ranma sat attentively at his desk. He’d been making a good impression with his teacher thanks to his intelligent questions and answers.
It made Akane wonder what sort of person he was. She would admit that she hadn’t been friendly towards him, and that she hadn’t been thrilled to learn about the planned engagement, but now that it became clear that Ranma wasn’t just someone who’d blindly follow Kuno like the rest of the boys at school.
No, Ranma was his own man.
Though the question remained: what sort of man was he?
As the teacher was about to ask someone to answer a question on algebra, the door slid open, almost jumping off its rail.
“SAOTOME!” Kuno bellowed. “I see your plan and I will not allow you to continue to sleep under the same roof as Akane Tendo! Prepare to taste my blade of justice!”
“No,” Ranma said pointedly. He turned back to the teacher. “Please continue, Sensei.”
“How dare you ignore me?!” the kendoist demanded, rushing to Ranma’s window seat.
In one fluid motion, Ranma stood up from his chair, picked Kuno up by the throat and pinned him against the glass.
“How dare you interrupt this lesson?” the pigtailed martial artist countered, continuing to apply pressure on the kendoist’s carotid artery. “I’m just getting to grips with algebra and I don’t need blithering idiots to come charging in and disrupting the class. Apologise to Honda-sensei and the rest of the class.”
“I...”
“Apologise,” Ranma ordered, increasing the pressure on Kuno’s neck.
“F-f-forgive my intrusion, H-Honda-sensei,” Kuno gasped.
“That’s better. Now leave,” the Changeling said, allowing his opponent to drop to the floor.
The kendoist scrambled to his feet and rushed out.
“I apologise as well, Honda-sensei,” Ranma bowed. “Please continue with the lesson.”
“R-right,” the bespectacled man nodded.
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At lunchtime, Furinkan was abuzz with gossip about the new student Ranma Saotome and how he had dealt with Kuno’s interrupting his class.
Ranma was sitting under a tree and casually observing the rest of the students when Nabiki approached him.
“Hi there, Ranma,” she smiled. “Someone asked me if you’re willing to draw their portrait.”
The Changeling turned to look at the brunette and smiled. “I would be if I had some paper and something to draw with.”
“Here,” the middle Tendo said, handing over a sketchpad and tin of pencils. “Come on, Yuki-chan, how can Ranma draw you if he can’t see you?”
A girl with her long black hair in a single ponytail blushed shyly as she was moved into Ranma’s view.
“And how do you want me to draw you?”
“I don’t know,” Yuki answered, her cheeks reddening further.
“Hmm... let’s try this...”
Five minutes of furious pencil strokes later, Ranma turned the sketchpad around to reveal Yuki grooming a pony with a brush. “Is this what you were after?”
“Yes,” the raven-haired girl squealed happily. “Thank you!”
“Not bad at all, Saotome,” Nabiki smiled as Yuki skipped away.
Another student approached the pair, this time it was a boy.
“Hi,” he said, trying not to sound nervous. “I hear you can draw pictures?”
“I can,” Ranma nodded.
“Can you draw me a picture of a girl?”
“Not without the girl’s permission,” the artist answered. “It’s not right to just start drawing people’s likenesses without their permission.”
“O-oh.”
“That said, I could probably draw someone who doesn’t exist. That would cost extra though,” Ranma shrugged. “Five thousand yen.”
“O-ok,” the customer nodded as he reached for his wallet. “Can you draw me a cute girl with a nice body at the beach?”
“Yes,” the Changeling nodded as he started his next commission.
After the customer had left clutching his picture of a girl dressed in a daring one-piece swimsuit, Ranma turned to Nabiki. “I don’t mean to be rude, but where’s my 4200 yen?”
“What?” Nabiki asked, distracted by some movement from across the yard.
“One thousand yen for a basic sketch and five thousand for the original commission makes six thousand yen. Minus your cut of 30 percent,” the martial artist explained. “That was our deal.”
“Oh, yes, sorry,” the mercenary girl winced. “It’s just that...”
“YOU!”
“...Kuno is coming over here.”
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To be continued...