Okay, here's the last installment. I've redone the Tofu in a different direction as well.
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The office was small with only enough space available to house a tiny desk and two chairs. The older man had taken a seat and offered Ranma the same courtesy, but the pigtailed boy had opted to remain standing. He tried to bleed off at least some his restlessness by shifting weight from one foot to the other as he took in the charts plastered on the wall. A pungent mix of medicinal herbs hung in the air.
Ranma bit his lower lip. He had planned to stay out of KasumiÆs business, letting her work out her problems 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 if 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 hit Ranma with all the force of a freight train. ôHuh?ö he said, going slack jawed. He grappled with his indecision. 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 Emperor?! 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 business getting involved, but I still have feelings for her.ö
ôW-what?ö Ranma stuttered. ôThen why the heck did you dump her?ö
ôI didnÆt dump her. It ended, but I didnÆt dump her,ö he said, irritated, before breathing in deeply through the mouth. ôHow much do you know? ItÆs obvious youÆre at least aware that Kasumi and I had been seeing each other until recently.ö
What was this guy on? He didnÆt dump her but he still had feelings for her? This guy was nuttier than a trail ration!
Ranma tapped a finger on his arm as he thought. æWell, it doesnÆt seem like heÆs going to declare me a love rival or something silly like thatàÆ he thought.
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 breakup. 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 on his chair to plug in an electric kettle. ôCould you take a seat, please? This is going to be hard enough without having to look up at you while IÆm speaking.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 let my feelings for Kasumi wait before I finally acted on them?ö
Ranma looked at the doctor, a little annoyed. Was he trying to lord his familiarity with Kasumi over him? ôHow the heck am I supposed to know?ö
Sensing his mood, the doctor smiled. ôPlease donÆt be angry. 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 the pigtailed boy 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 she was in high school?!ö Ranma goggled.
ôLike I said, IÆm a coward. I was attracted by how well Kasumi 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. 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, she 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 KasumiÆs 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-long 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 had been delirious with happiness. I learned more about her as we dated. DonÆt get me wrong, Kasumi is a truly remarkable woman, Ranma. But as I fell deeper and deeper in love, I noticed that she could be so much more.ö
ôSo why didnÆt you help her?ö he asked, furrowing his brows, ôIf you thought she has so much potential.ö
ôI tried!ö Tofu said, not fully able to conceal his frustration. ôKasumi 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 Ranma heard the strain.
The doctor straightened in his seat and rubbed his shoulder. ôPeople donÆt change that easily. They get an idea and defend it with all they have-- even if the idea isnÆt beneficial.ö
ôDo you know what Kasumi 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!ö
A single tear trailed down the doctorÆs cheek, and he lifted his glasses to scrub the drop 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 the walls sheÆs built in order to survive her ordeal has also become a prison of her own creation.ö
ôSheÆs only nineteen, but canÆt be bothered to have interests or hobbies that arenÆt related to making a home. I did my best to convince her that she had to broaden her horizons. She would read any medical text I gave her, and listen attentively when I shared my healerÆs art, but she did so only to please me.ö
ôEven with all her study, not once had she shown any drive to put her own hard work to use. I thought that perhaps she wasnÆt interested in medicine, but the same happened with everything else I tried. She would learn and experience something only in so far as she thought it would make her as my partner, yet she herself would never strive to grow for her own sake.ö
ôWhenever I tried to explain this to her, sheÆd retreat even further into her cage. SheÆd simply smile and do what needed to be done with neither complaint nor satisfaction. Do you have any idea how terrible it is to speak to someone you love dearly and yet never truly be heard?ö
Tofu slumped in his chair. ôIÆm powerless, Ranma. I canÆt reach where Kasumi hides, and as such, I canÆt marry her. How could I when even asking for her hand is impossible?ö
Ranma closed his eyes at some point during TofuÆs speech. There was something not quite right about the whole argument. It took him some time to realize the course of the problem, and when he did the vein on his forehead began to throb visibly. When he finally opened them, the dead glare that he was directing at the doctor could have frozen helium. ôYouÆre a fool, Tofu.ö
The doctorÆs eyes narrowed and the roomÆs temperature seemed to lower around the both of them. ôWhat do you mean?ö he asked, his voice taking a dangerous edge that Ranma contemptuously ignored.
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 he could feel the manÆs breath. ôYou couldnÆt get through to her so you gave up? What sort of garbage is that?! YouÆre damn right youÆre a coward. If you really loved her, then keep trying to find another way to reach her! If you really think sheÆs that remarkable, then isnÆt she worth risking everything even if you fail? The rest are just pretty words and excuses.ö
He roughly shoved the doctor into his seat. 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 countenance stymied any attempt. 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.
123123
Kasumi felt like a hotpot stuffed overfull without being given the chance to be emptied. One moment, Tofu was inviting Ranma to his office, saying that they were going to have a talk and that there was nothing to worry about, and the next Ranma was screaming, accusing Tofu of being a fool, andà
She wanted to disappear, but considering she was currently being carried like a damsel, the only conceivable option was to disappear further into RanmaÆs arms.
An annoyingly insistent part of her suggested that wasnÆt such a bad idea.
In any case, this wouldnÆt do. TheyÆd walked in silence long enough. She wasnÆt ready to face what had happened at the clinic just yet.
She was looking for something to talk about, when a dull rattle brought the leather case back to her attention.
ôUmà Ranma?ö she ventured.
ôYeah?ö the pigtailed boy replied, pointedly avoiding her gaze.
ôWhatÆs in the case?ö
She felt RanmaÆs squeeze on the handle before he began to waffle, ôUhà itÆs a-- it wasà. ThatÆs a--ö He grimaced, and then a look of determination before he met her eyes and asked, ôDo you want to see?ö
KasumiÆs cheeks flushed mysteriously, and she nodded.
They walked a little more until Ranma found a streetlamp along a nice, clear section of concrete divider. He set her down carefully before crossing his legs in a seating position beside her and setting the leather case on his lap.
The latches were flicked open, and Kasumi watched the lid slowly lift to revealà.
Kasumi blinked in puzzlement. ôA doll?ö she wondered. Why would Ranma be carrying one of these around of all things? She just couldnÆt figure him out.
Ranma turned away. ôIt was supposed to be a peace offering,ö he said in a small voice.
ôFor whom?ö Kasumi tilted her head. Her brows knitted. ôRanma, were you picking on a little girl?ö
ôGack!ö The pigtailed boy clutched at his heart. ôNo! What kind of weirdo do you think I am?ö
The look Kasumi gave him in response must have told him that it was a very bad sort of weirdo because there was a hint of irritation in his voice when he said, ôItÆs for you, Dummy!ö
The statement really didnÆt compute, and overflowed KasumiÆs mental buffers so all she could output was a flat ôOhàö to his statement.
Ranma mussed his hair in frustration. ôI havenÆt been the best fiancÚ. Always makinÆ you mad and stuffà and I donÆt know a lot about girls so I asked for help.ö
The warmth that she felt in her heart towards the pigtailed boy pulsed, growing ever so slightly. He really was trying wasnÆt he? A small smile formed on her lips.
Then Kasumi felt a morbid sense of curiosity building, and she couldnÆt help her next question. ôWho did you ask for help?ö
ôàkiàno,ö he mumbled.
ôIÆm sorry, Ranma. I couldnÆt quite make that out.ö
ôTaàwakiàno,ö he repeated.
ôTawake no?ö Kasumi asked.
ôTatewaki Kuno!ö Ranma finally yelled, and then began panting as though his admission had been the equivalent of a lap around the city. ôHeÆs the one who I got advice from! IÆm new around here and he was the only one who was willing to talk, and heÆs not such a bad guy,ö he insisted, crossing his arms in defiance.
Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Blunder of Furinkan High, and the progenitor of one of the most botched attempts to woo a woman in the history of human society had been asked by Ranma for advice?! Kasumi felt something inside snap, and she started to giggle. It was all too much. She had to let go.
Before long, Ranma had stopped feeling embarrassed and she heard him laughing along with her.
Kasumi didnÆt stop, laughing even harder, from the belly, and with an abandon that she hadnÆt felt since her mother was alive. She felt it cleanse her, washing away the emotional detritus that had built over a decade, and while she wasnÆt completely clean, it was a start.
123123
They got underway with minimal fuss. Kasumi was now on his back with his inner elbows crooked under her thighs to prevent her from falling. He hadnÆt minded their original position, seeing as Kasumi was light enough that he could carry her in his sleep, and he told her as much, but she had insisted.
KasumiÆs one the hand was looped through the handle of the leather case. She had accepted it with puzzlingly heartfelt thanks, gently rejecting his offer to exchange the gift for something better.
Either way, his bungled attempts at getting the eldest Tendo daughter to forgive him had worked, and Ranma wasnÆt the type to quibble over results. He could sense that she was more relaxed, and was glad for it.
ôRanma,ö she said, ôWhat happened between you and doctor Tofu.ö
He grimaced. Maybe a little too relaxed. He wasnÆt good at emotional junk. Honestly, heÆd just as soon forget the whole thing and get on with life, but keeping everything on one side was what Tofu had done, and look how well that had turned out.
ôWe talked about why heà decided you should both stop seeing each other,ö he carefully stated. ôHe claimed you could be more, but that he had failed to reach you and wasnÆt worthy of being your partner. I canÆt remember what he said exactly, but thatÆs what I understood if IÆm reading between the lines right.ö The arm around his neck tightened, and it felt like a knife twisting into his heart.
Regardless, he continued, ôLook, Kasumi, I donÆt care about potential or any of that nonsense. Who you are now, I think thatÆs plenty.ö
He heard her breath catch. ôMay Ià May I ask another question?ö She sounded so meek and defenseless. Ranma silently cursed-- damn Tofu, and damn himself for causing of all this!
ôWhy do you go so far for me? We hardly even know each other and I havenÆt been very nice,ö there was a hint of apology in her voice, and Ranma took it for what it was.
He held his fingers out as far as he could without compromising his hold on Kasumi, and studied them solemnly. ôI have a technique called the Tasting of Hearts. ItÆs a mix of ki and a state of mind that gets channeled through to the tongue. It lets me appraise cooking talent. Sometimes, I get more than that, but the thing to remember is that the technique donÆt lie. I tried it on myself only once, and do you know what I tasted?ö
He felt Kasumi shake her head. ôI tasted a bitter, half-cooked flavor trying to stand on its own. It was petty, shallow, and a little fake. I learned too much of myself, and IÆve been trying to forget ever since,ö he said, walking around a dog who was busy marking its territory.
Ranma slowed his breathing in order to regain his center. ôThen I find you, and youÆre warm, and genuine, a little sharp, but full bodied like really good miso soup, and I thought æHey, even being the way I am, maybe it wonÆt be so bad if I were part of that.Æö
ôI think,ö Kasumi said, piercing through his building depression, ôyou might be too hard on yourself. Sometimes, I taste my own cooking and there seems to be something missing, but Father, Nabiki, and Akane smile and show me itÆs good anyway. IÆm not perfect, Ranma. Do you know how many men IÆve liked?ö
He tried to keep the jealousy out of his response. ôNo.ö
ôTwo. The first was when I was in my second year of high school. He was an upper classman. I watched him from afar, but never talked to him. A friend told me he had gone to his home town and would be returning on the last day of summer break. I donÆt remember why I decided then to confess, but I did. I wrote him a letter, and waited in the rain at the bus stop where he would be arriving.ö
ôIt was going to be perfect.ö Kasumi rested her head into the back of his. ôHe arrived at sunset, like an actor in a movie, he looked so handsomeà and at his side was his sweetheart. I didnÆt know it at the time but she was his childhood friend who heÆd been with since fifth grade. I hadnÆt been the only one who had eyes for him. If I had made even a little effort to find out more instead of daydreaming, the entire humiliating episode could have never happened.ö
ôAnd the second,ö she struggled to say, ôwas a neighborhood doctor. This time, I thought I had learned. I made some discrete inquiries, and he didnÆt have a girlfriend or a childhood friend. This time, the one I was interested in would come to me. I did all that I could to subtly catch his eye, and be what I thought was the ideal woman. I succeeded in catching his attention but failed in keeping it. Please donÆt say youÆre fake, Ranma. Because if you are, then what would you call a woman living a failed ideal?ö
æThe heck?!Æ Ranma mentally screamed. How could she think of herself that way? He was about to defend her from herself when was caught by the feel of her breasts brushing against his shoulder blades. ôBesidesàö
Before he could react, there was a swift movement.
*Paku*
Warm lips wrapped around his right earlobe, followed by a slight dental pressure. She had bitten him! He almost lost his footing and the veins in his nostrils struggled to hold the coming nosebleed at bay.
"Now I've tasted your heart too," Kasumi awkwardly said, clinging tightly to him so he couldnÆt turn around and see her face. ôAnd youÆre sweet.ö She yelped as Ranma came dangerously close to a faceplanting the both of them. The skin on his ear still remembered the feel of her.
ôPlease be more careful!ö She said in alarm.
ôItÆs your fault, you know,ö he said in mock annoyance.
ôOh my! How do you suppose that, Ranma?ö she asked, exuding nearly criminal levels of innocence.
He wasnÆt gonna win this was he? ôGrr,ö he growled, unable to muster much heat behind the sound.
They spend the rest of the time walking in companionable silence until the Tendo Dojo came into view.
ôàRanma?ö Kasumi said.
ôYeah?ö he answered.
ôIf they havenÆt called for takeout yet, could youà cook dinner?ö
ôSure,ö he said happily. It was great that Kasumi was starting to trust him enough to let him cook for her family. ôThe yattaiÆs parked beside the dojo, so I should have everything I need.ö
ôNot the yattai,ö she corrected.
RanmaÆs eyes widened, his heart nearly jumping out of his chest. ôYou mean--ö
ôOnly temporarily,ö she said quickly. ôItÆll take at least a week before I get used to moving on one leg. Then IÆm throwing you out again! It wonÆt be that easy to get into my kitchen, humph!ö
ôIÆll never understand you,ö he found himself mumbling.
ôI would hope not,ö came the voice from behind him with an uncharacteristically smug and satisfied air.
End Chapter 2
here are some snippets written by Rai-kun to torture me.
[Omake]
ôSoàö Ranma essayed, ôhow do I give her the doll?ö
Kuno nodded sagaciously. "Look her soulfully in the eyes, grab her by the shoulders, then get down on one knee--" he plays out his words by acting them out on a horrified Ranma.
"I'm just giving her a doll. Now get up you, kendo moron, or someone's going to see and think weird things!" Ranma said, trying to get his upper classman to stand.
Kuno paused then considered his position before nodding and releasing Ranma's hand. "I shall defer to your good judgment."
Akane walks around the corner, takes one look, and does a full 180 turn.
ô...I conceive that your foresight hath much merit, Friend Saotome.ö
[Omake]
Instinctively, he adjusted their position in mid-air so heÆd be the one taking the brunt of the impact.
*Thud*
A noseful of warm, perfumed softness greeted his heightened senses and Ranma couldn't help but let loose a small moan. It was echoed from above and followed with a sharp intake as a kidney punch bent him over and left him curling on the ground.
Kasumi closed the neckline of her top defensively as she worked herself in a circle to try and escape.
[Omake]
æKasumi?! Aw no!Æ Ranma threw his arms back in a desperate effort to stop himself. Unfortunately, the added mass of the giant knife strapped at his back and the largish leather case he was holding screwed up his balance, and he ended up draped all over Kasumi before they both fell.
He took a split second to adjust their position and, with a thundering crash, it was over. He rolled off of the stunned girl who stared at him with wide eyes.
"Thanks for breaking my fall, Kasumi.ö He said while dusting himself off. ôI might've damaged my knife, which would've sucked. Wouldn't want to scratch my precious little darling after all," Ranma added, patting his wrapped bundle affectionately.
Laterà.
"What happened, Boy?" Genma asked his son at the dinner table. "Love, apparently," he said, rubbing the band-aid on the bridge of his nose as he squinted at Kasumi with his lone unswollen eye. She refused to meet his gaze and humphed angrily.
[Omake]
"Why... Ranma, was it?" Tofu asked, garnering a stiff nod from the boy.
"It's certainly a pleasure to meet you." He took the boy's hand in his, dislocating fingers, a wrist, and an elbow in the process.
"Very nice indeed." He finished with a few shoulder pats that were the final nails on his targetÆs coffin.
"Right this way to my office for a little chat," Tofu said as he closed the door to the Emergency Exit, "and off you go."
