Thanks for the corrections!
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Tofu Ono folded the towel he had been using. With slow, deliberate movements, he gracefully hid how badly the news had unsettled him. æFiance?!Æ his inner-voice screamed before he exerted his hard-earned control. Adjusting his glasses, the doctor coached himself towards sober second thought, æGot to think about this logically, Tofu.Æ
The boy confronting him seemed to be younger than Kasumi by a couple of years. Had she found someone else so soon? He glanced at the eldest Tendo Sister who was hovering between meeting his gaze and hiding behind Akane. This didnÆt look at all like she had wanted to show off her fiancÚ for his rejection of her.
Tofu mentally kicked himself as soon as he caught what he had been thinking. Kasumi was a wonderful woman and far above such pettiness. He shifted his attention back to something Ranma said.
æAnything Goes? IsnÆt that the same style that Akane practices?Æ His eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he put the puzzle together.
Tofu smiled his broadest professional smile. ôIs that so?ö From the fierce protectiveness the pigtailed boy was exhibiting, he was fairly certain that someone had informed Ranma of what happened between him and Kasumi.
His unexpected lack of animosity gave the pigtailed boy pause. ôYeahà Pops and Mr. Tendo had a pact to join the Schools.ö As though remembering something, he blinked. ôForget that, Doc, KasumiÆs ankle is sprained, could you make sure it ainÆt anything serious?ö
ôHer ankle?ö he asked, suddenly more alert. While it was Ranma who had caused the distraction, mere posturing shouldnÆt have stopped him from fulfilling his oath as a doctor. ôI apologize. IÆve been negligent in my duty. Akane, would you be so good as to lay down your sister at the back? Any bed should be fine.ö
ôOkay, Doctor,ö Akane said, hurrying towards the examination room.
After delivering her passenger to the bed, the youngest Tendo daughter had immediately taken her leave, citing that she wouldnÆt be much use by staying since Ranma was already there and they could borrow a wheelchair for the way back.
Tofu gingerly prodded and pressed KasumiÆs foot, taking special care to watch her expression for any sign of discomfort.
ôHow bad is it, Doc?ö Ranma asked worriedly.
He hadnÆt missed the concern in the pigtailed boyÆs voice, and was relieved-- pact aside, the boy seemed to have genuine feelings for Kasumi.
ôThe outer ligament is partially torn and swollen,ö he answered, ôThis should help with the pain.ö He tapped a series of pressure points before gently placing her foot on the bed. Rolling on the stool he was sitting on, he grabbed bandages and a plastic brace from a nearby cabinet.
ôIÆm putting the joint under compression to prevent fluid from collecting further, and this gauntlet brace should help guard against aggravating the sprain. SheÆll be good as new in three to four weeks,ö he said, getting to work with bandaging and bracing KasumiÆs foot.
ôT-thank you, Doctor Tofu,ö his patient managed weakly. Even though he had broken it off, Tofu felt some of his control slip. He still had feelings for her, and this was in fact part of the reason for the request he was about to make.
ôThink nothing of it,ö he replied with a smile. ôI would like to have a word with your fiancÚ though, if itÆs alright with you?ö
She turned away, but gave a small nod.
He stood before bowing lightly from the waist, ôIÆm grateful, Kasumi.ö Tofu couldnÆt begin to imagine what was going through the young womanÆs mind at the moment. Anyone else in her situation would have done everything in their power to prevent their recent X from conversing with their even more recent fiancÚ. It was a testament to the eldest Tendo daughterÆs faith in people that allowed her to say yes.
Be that as it may, Tofu decided that he should say something to put her worries to rest. ôDonÆt worry, Kasumi. WeÆre only going to have a short man-to-man talk, nothing bad, I promise.ö
Turning his attention to Ranma he said, ôNow if you would accompany me in my office.ö
The pigtailed boyÆs crossed his arms, his gaze flickering to Kasumi for the briefest moment. ôAlright,ö he said, ôlead the way.ö
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The doctorÆs office was small with only enough space available to house the tiny desk and two chairs. The doctor had taken a seat and offered Ranma the same courtesy, but the pigtailed boy had opted to keep standing to bleed off at least some restlessness as he took in the charts plastered on the wall, and the pungent mix of medicinal herbs in the air.
Ranma bit his lower lip. He had planned to stay out of KasumiÆs business, letting her work out her problems with the man before him on her own terms, but he hadnÆt been able to control himself. It was so stupid-- heÆd completely forgotten that Kasumi was hurt. Did he even deserve to be with her when all he lost all perspective upon feeling threatened?
ôI donÆt want to keep her waiting long, so IÆll get straight to the point,ö the doctor said, meeting his eyes. ôDo you love Kasumi?ö
The directness of the question collided against Ranma with all the force of a freight train. ôHuh?ö he said, going slack jawed. Was the doctor trying to throw him off? If he was, it was working.
He grappled with his embarrassment. What did he really have to lose? At the very least, Tofu was facing him honorably, man to man.
ôI only met her yesterday, and I wonÆt use the word love that easily. But I like her. Being with her, even for a little while, makes me happy,ö he neglected to mention that he hadnÆt really succeeded in doing anything other than annoy the eldest Tendo daughter, but that wasnÆt any of the doctorÆs business.
Tofu nodded. ôI guess thatÆs a good enough answer.ö
Ranma prickled. The jerk was testing him! ôWho died and made you King?! Whether or not Kasumi and I get along ainÆt none of your concern!ö he said, swiping one hand at the air.
In response, the doctor lowered his head. ôYouÆre right,ö he said, ôI have no right, but I still have feelings for her.ö
ôW-what?ö Ranma stuttered. ôThen why the heck did you break it off?ö
Tofu sighed. ôHow much do you know? ItÆs obvious youÆre at least aware that Kasumi and I had been seeing each other until recently.ö
Figuring the best way to get to the bottom of things was to play along, Ranma considered the question. ôKasumiÆs been tight-lipped about the whole thing. AkaneÆs only told me that she came home crying after a date.ö
A sad smile formed on TofuÆs face. ôI suppose thatÆs to be expected. Sometimes, I wish she werenÆt so nice. She could have at least called me names.ö Shaking his head, Tofu addressed Ranma, ôKasumi probably wonÆt want what IÆm about to tell you to get out. I doubt she would even allow you to hear this if she were in here to stop me. Nonetheless, even if things donÆt work out between you and her, you seem like a decent sort.ö He swiveled his chair to plug in the electric kettle behind him. ôCould you take a seat, please? This is going to be hard enough without having to look up at you while IÆm saying it.ö
Ranma shrugged, his earlier restlessness had faded. Turning the chair so he could put his chest against the backrest, he took a seat.
Tofu opened a drawer, lifting out a tea set. ôKasumi regards me as a kind manà and I suppose I am. The quality she overlooked, however, is that IÆm also an incurable coward. Do you know how long I left my feeling for Kasumi to wait before I finally acted?ö
Ranma looked at the doctor, a little annoyed. Was he trying to lord his familiarity with Kasumi over him? ôHow am I supposed to know?ö
Sensing his mood, the doctor smiled. ôPlease donÆt be angry. IÆm not after Kasumi. IÆm only trying to make you understand why IÆm speaking with you right now, and itÆs complicated so I want to go through it in a way that avoids misunderstanding.ö
ôOkay,ö he said. ôSo how long?ö
ôThree years and five months,ö Tofu said abashedly. ôAnd it would have been even longer had my mother not come to visit.ö
ôSince Kasumi was in high school?!ö Ranma goggled.
ôLike I said, IÆm a coward. I was attracted by how well she took care of her family and her gentleness. SheÆs so young, and yet she was able to become the pillar that kept her family from crashing down. I wanted to be there for her. Every day, I said to myself that I would finally confess, but the day I followed through didnÆt come until my hand was forced.ö
The electric kettle buzzed. ôExcuse me for a moment,ö Tofu said, unplugging the appliance. A steaming cup was offered to Ranma. ôIÆd like to serve Kasumi some tea as well.ö
Ranma nodded silently. It took Tofu a couple of minutes to serve Kasumi tea before he was back at his desk. He heard them exchange a few muffled words, but couldnÆt make out anything intelligible.
ôThank you for your patience, where were we?ö Tofu asked.
ôYou were saying your hand was forced or somethinÆ,ö Ranma said.
ôOh, right. As strong as my mother is in spirit, sheÆs doesnÆt have unlimited time in this world. After fifteen years of waiting, my mother visited to make it clear that she wasnÆt going to be around forever. She was going to arrange a marriage between me and last yearÆs winner of Ms. All-Japan Pelvis.ö Tofu shuddered involuntarily at the memory. ôThe matchmaking photos alone are enough to make a man go celibate.ö
Ranma winced. ôI guess I canÆt blame ya.ö
Tofu cleared his throat. ôUnder the twin barrels of such an arrangement, I overcame my fear of confessing. Did Akane tell you that even her mere presence drove me to incoherence?ö
Ranma looked away. ôUhà yeah, something like that.ö
Tofu gave him a wry grin. ôI had to close the clinic for a month for a training trip to get over my condition. It was something I should have done years ago, yet it was only the threat of greater duress that got me to crawl out of my hole. It was hard, but I finally managed to get myself to a point where I could actually confess.ö
ôShe accepted my interest without the slightest hesitation. I was delirious with happiness. I learned more about her as we dated, sheÆs a truly remarkable woman, Ranma. But as I fell deeper and deeper in love, I noticed something about her. She wasnÆt ready for marriage.ö
Ranma nearly fell out of his chair. ôWhat?! YouÆve got to be kidding, Doc. SheÆs practically the one raising her own family right now!ö
Tofu shook his head. ôThatÆs precisely the point, Ranma. Kasumi was very young when Mrs. Tendo died, and she had to shoulder all that responsibility herself.ö The doctors squeezed his fists together so tightly it was audible.
ôDo you know what she said when I asked her what she wanted for her future, Ranma? She said that all she wanted was a faithful husband who would come home to her and her children every day! When I tried to press her for anything else, she couldnÆt answer! SheÆs only nineteen, and the extent of her dreams is being a housewife! She has no hobbies or interests that arenÆt related to making a home.ö
A single tear trailed down the doctorÆs cheek, and he lifted his glasses to wipe it away.
ôI never thought I could hate anyone so much until that day. Soun Tendo let himself wallow in his own grief instead of living for his daughters. That was when I decided that I couldnÆt marry her. I could provide her with everything she ever wanted-- it would have been so easy, but thatÆs not what she needs. Kasumi is strong, Ranma. No one whoÆs gone through what she has and come out as well as she has could be anything else. However, that doesnÆt change the fact that she could be so much more!ö
Ranma had his eyes closed while he was listening. There was something not quite right about the whole argument. It took him some time to realize where the problem was, and when he did the vein on his forehead began to bulge more and more with every passing syllable. When he finally opened his eyes, the dead glare that he was directing at the doctor could have frozen helium. ôYouÆre a fool, Tofu.ö
The doctor was taken aback. ôWhat do you mean?ö
Ranma cast his chair aside, climbed over the desk and grabbed the doctor by the front of his gi. Bringing their faces so close that they could feel each other breath. ôæShe could be more?Æ what sort of garbage is that?! YouÆre damn right youÆre a coward. If you really loved her, youÆd change yourself! Become the man you think she needs you to be! The rest are just pretty words and excuses.ö
He roughly shoved the doctor back. ôThanks, Doc. I know what kind of man I have to be now for Kasumi, and it sure as hell ainÆt you.ö
The pigtailed martial artist whirled around, stalked towards his fiancÚÆs bed, and lifted her princess style.
The woman in his arms seemed like she was about to protest, but one look at his expression must have stopped her. ôCÆmon, Kasumi. WeÆre done here,ö he said and made his way out of the building, pausing only to kneel down and get the leather case he had brought.
