On a beautiful school day in Nerima, Japan, Ranma is in class, not paying attention to his teacher's maths lesson.
He is busy daydreaming about his coming fight this afternoon, which was issued by some unknown challenger.
Taking out the piece of paper the challenge was written on, Ranma reads it one more time, using his maths
textbook as a cover.
"To Ranma Saotome :
Ranma Saotome! You think you're good enough to challenge me!? I don't think so. Come to the deserted lot
near the Tendou Dojo after school if you think you're good enough to meet me face to face!
The date is on the fifteenth this month! Be there!
- A Challenger."
He looks over at the card one more time, then stuffs it into his pocket. Putting his book down, he starts to pay
some measure of attention to the teacher's words now. Looking at the clock on the wall above the blackboard, he
notices it's nearly time for school to end.
Ranma : (Thinking) "5....4....3....2....1...."
*RRiiiiiiiiinnng!*
The bell goes, and everyone jumps up in joy. Lunchboxes pop out, except for Ranma, who already ate his lunch
during lesson. Instead, he starts to rush out of class to meet his unknown challenger. Having told Akane about
the challenge he recieved a week ago, Ranma finds Akane waiting for him at his locker. Not speaking a word,
Ranma stuffs all his books into the locker and closes it. He walks down the hall, a little hurriedly, and leaves the
building. Shoving his way through the end-of-school crowd, Ranma starts to move faster and faster as he
anticipates a great fight today. The gate is in sight.
Ranma : "At last! I thought I'd never make it through!"
Kuno : "And you won't!"
Ranma leaps back just in time as Kuno comes flying out of nowhere, sword extended. Pulling his bokken to face
level, Kuno looks at Ranma and smirks.
Kuno : "Why in such a hurry, Ranma-sama? Afraid you'll have to fight me one more time....umhp!"
Kuno's last word is muffled out as Ranma leaps and lands on Kuno's face, flattening him. Landing on the floor,
Ranma leaps off Kuno's face and runs off, shouting.
Ranma : "Sorry, Sempai! I've got no time to waste with you! I've got more important people to fight!"
Akane runs after Ranma, pausing only long enough to look at Kuno, who is still lying on the floor, two dark foot
prints on his face. Shaking her head, she runs out the gate to follow Ranma.
Ranma is running towards the empty lot now, face grinning in anticipation as he wonders who to expect.
Ranma : (Thinking) "Who is it? Is it Mousse? Ryoga? Some friend of mine?"
The faces of a dozen people running though his head, Ranma finally sees the empty lot in sight as he runs, and
picks up the pace.
Ranma : "There it is! Time to see who my challenger is!"
He runs into the lot, and looks around. Akane comes following behind, and stands outside the lot, waiting. Ranma
looks around the entire lot, yet the only thing he sees are some loose bits of rubbish being thrown about by the
wind in a mini whirlwind. He scratches his head while Akane looks around cautiously.
Ranma : "Strange, if my information is correct, this SHOULD be the place...."
Mysterious Voice : "And it is, Ranma Saotome!"
Sensing a killer chi above him, Ranma leaps behind just in time to avoid a flying heel aimed at his head, and as the
shadowed figure lands, his heel makes a small crater in the soil. Looking up quickly, Ranma looks at the figure,
whose hair is flying about a little in the wind.
He is a good head taller than Ranma, and the loose ends of his cloth belt flutter in the wind. His clothes, a loose,
white, sleeveless gi, with a short sleeved green turtleneck sweater brings an image into Ranma's mind, but he can't
quite place it. He peers at the mysterious figure, but due to the position of the sun, Ranma can't see the
challenger's face clearly, and enteprets no more than a shadow. He does notice the shadowed figure's face grin,
however. This makes Ranma clearly nervous, and he gets into a fighting stance immediately, as Akane watches
from a distance.
Mysterious man : "Well, Ranma Saotome. Haven't met in a long time, eh?"
Ranma : "Who are you? What do you want? If you want to fight, then come on!"
The figure looks shocked at this prospect, then looks at Ranma curiously, with a hint of concern.
Mysterious man : "Ranma? Don't you recognize me? Don't you recognize your old friend? It's me, Shiyoru!"
It is Ranma's turn to look shocked, as he remembers the figure's oddly boyish voice, and remembers that only one
person so large could sound 15. Lowering his guard immediately, Ranma grins and looks at Shiyoru, who has
moved to let the sun shine on his face. He walks up to Shiyoru, and the two share a friendly hug. Then, parting,
Ranma gestures to Akane to come over, who jogs over quickly. Patting Shiyoru's shoulder, Ranma laughs.
Ranma : "Hey, Shiyoru! Long time no see! How's life treating you!?"
Shiyoru : "Yeah, it's not bad. I've managed to pick up a few skills in the months that I've been gone. Well, Ranma?
how's life treating you?"
Ranma : "Not bad.... even with all those crazy girls chasing me and all that."
The two laugh at some private joke, while Akane looks at Shiyoru, studying his features. Then she remembers
something. Coughing for attention, the two look at her, questioningly.
Shiyoru & Ranma : "Yes, Akane?"
Akane : "Say, Shiyoru.... what happened to your girlfriend... Porcerlain, was it? I thought she'd be with you."
Porcelain : "I am. Right here."
Akane and Ranma jump at the disembodied voice besides them, and then they notice something amiss, as the air
besides them starts to shimmer, and both gasp as the shimmering resolves into a tall teenage girl, somewhere
between Ranma's and Shiyoru's height, with slightly long hair tied up in a ponytail, gleaming raven black in the sunlight. She is wearing a simple a T-Shirt with jeans. Her most distinguishing feature, however, is her pale, cream
coloured skin which is absolutely smooth, like fine China, or Porcelain.... her chiseled features make her look
almost exotic and fragile, although she is every little bit as tough as Akane and then some. She walks over to
Shiyoru after appearing besides Akane, and the two share a quick peck before looking back at the two.
Shiyoru : "Well, Ranma, see you're still on good terms with Akane?"
Ranma : "And you're still with Porcelain."
Shiyoru : "Yeah, well, she's still tough as nails, and getting even more beautiful every day."
Porcelain gives Shiyoru a small bump on the shoulder.
Porcelain : "Come on, Shiyoru-kun. I'm older than you, but... don't flatter me like that!"
Shiyoru : "Ah, but my fair lady, 'tis true. Older or not by a year, it doesn't matter, does it?"
The two share a grin. Looking back at Ranma, Shiyoru nods.
Shiyoru : "Hey, Ranma. Why not go back to the Dojo first? I've not met your family in a while, and I'm itching to go
a round with you!"
Ranma : "Same here. Come on, let's go."
{Meeting the family again! Who's coming?}
The group of four start walking off, back towards the Tendou Dojo, chattering. While they walk, Ranma stays with
Shiyoru, while Akane and Porcelain talk about the things you'd expect them to talk about. They are walking by the
giant canal they always walk besides on the way home and to school as they talk.
Akane : (To Porcelain) "Say, Porcelain... I've been wondering how Shiyoru's been doing lately. Has he been
treating you well? Is he nice to you? Does he scold you? Or argue a lot?"
Porcelain : (Giggling) "Well... since you asked, I can say he's been pretty much the same since you last saw us.
He's just as wonderful and cute as before, and he treats me so well! We do argue sometimes... although
we always kiss and make up afterwards. Oh, how's Ranma been treating you?"
Akane looks surprised at that question. She blushes a little, which Porcelain takes to be a good sign of her feelings
of affection towards Ranma.
Porcelain : "Come on, Akane. You know what you feel towards him. Don't worry! You can tell me! I'm a girl too!"
(Although this isn't particularly true... if you read 'Yin and Yang have never been so troublesome!', you'll realize
that Porcelain was cursed by Nannichuan, and turns into a boy whenever soaked with cold water.)
Akane turns her head away for a while, as she thinks of what to say. Finally, she turns around and stammers a
little.
Akane : "Well..... Ranma's been really nice too, although not in the way you described your relation with Shiyoru.
We argue a lot, we fight a lot, but we still.... like each other enough."
Porcelain grins at Akane's reply with the kind of understanding only girls know. She pats Akane's shoulder in a
friendly manner, and smiles.
Porcelain : "Well, Akane. Don't worry. I'm sure he loves you very dearly. It's just a matter of time. Wait and see."
Meanwhile, Ranma and Shiyoru are also exchanging words. Laughing a little and slapping each other on the back
after sharing a few jokes after many months of not seeing each other. Finally, Ranma asks Shiyoru.
Ranma : "Hey, Shiyoru! Since you've been gone, I've been wondering where you've run off to to train yourself.
Just where DID you go, anyway?"
Shiyoru : "Ah... that. Well.... I went around the world.... I visited China, Russia, India, America, all these places and
some islands you won't want to know... actually, the only person I've met who's been able to teach me
anything was some crazy old coot on some strange island we passed on the way here!"
Ranma : "Hm... indeed? Well, what'd he teach you?"
Shiyoru : "You saw what Porcelain did earlier on...."
Ranma : "Invisibility?"
Shiyoru : "That and the ability to teleport yourself at will...."
Ranma : "Interesting. And besides that, were there any other people of interest?"
Shiyoru : "Well... in India, I met this strange, skinny fellow who practiced Yoga. He was so good at it he could
bend and stretch himself at will...."
Ranma : "You learnt from him?"
Shiyoru : "No. After going a few rounds with him, I decided being able to be tied up in knots wasn't my idea of a
good time. Especially not for him."
Ranma laughs at Shiyoru's little antic. They continue their boyish banter for a few more minutes, before the
Tendou Dojo comes into sight in front of them. Ranma points towards the Dojo and motions to the lagging girls
to hurry.
Ranma : "Oi! Hayaku! The Dojo's just in front!" (Hayaku means hurry up!)
Akane & Porcelain : "Coming, Ranma!"
The two girls pick up speed and catch up with the boys now. They walk up to the gates, and open them. Akane
walks in first, and shouts out into the house.
Akane : "Daddy, I'm home! And look who we met on the way home!"
The door to the house slides open as someone opens it. A head pops out from behind the partially opened
doorway, and looks at the group of four coming into the courtyard.
Kasumi : "Father! We have guests! I think it's Shiyoru and his girlfriend!"
From behind the house, Genma panda and Soun are having a game of Go, although both aren't enjoying it very
much. They are sweating and muttering under their breath, as they make their moves. Both show signs of fear and
anxiety while playing. Soun lifts his hand to move a piece.
Soun : "Here goes...."
Kasumi : "Father! We have guests! I think it's Shiyoru and his girlfriend!"
Soun : "Yaaah!"
Soun nearly jumps out of his skin when he hears Kasumi shouting from inside the house. Instead, he jumps into
the air, nearly knocking the Go board over and incidentally losing his piece in the mini garden near the backyard.
Breathing heavily for a while before regaining his composure, Soun shouts back.
Soun : "Coming, Kasumi-chan!"
Looking back at Genma, Soun bigsweats. The two look at each other for a while, then nod.
Soun : "Do you think she'll find out about the two when she comes?"
Genma (C) : "Better hope he doesn't stay."
Soun : "Yes. I'll try to get him to leave as early as possible."
Genma (C) : "When's she coming?"
Soun : "I don't remember.... where's that letter?"
Genma (C) : "Dunno. Better go out and deal with him first."
Soun : "I'm going."
He runs off into the house. The group of four have reached the doorway now, and as the door slides open, Soun
is standing there waiting with open arms and a smiling face.
Soun : "Welcome, Shiyoru! Nice you see you again after so many months! Come, come, come in and sit down! We
have much to talk about!"
Shiyoru : "Huh? Excuse me?"
Soun : "Come on, go in first! We can talk later! Kasumi? Go get our guests something to eat and drink. They must
be tired after travelling so far!"
Kasumi : "Yes, father." (Turns and leaves.)
The four people take off their shoes and walk into the living room, and all of them sit down. Kasumi comes out
with some snacks for their guests, and as they eat, Soun looks at Shiyoru.
Soun : "So, Shiyoru! How're you doing? A visit like this is so unexpected! Please, tell us why you came!"
Ranma and Shiyoru exchange looks, wondering why Soun is so eager to find out.
Shiyoru : "Soun? You don't seem well.... are you all right?"
Soun sweats at this. He shakes his head, putting on a false smile.
Soun : "Oh, no no no no no! I'm perfectly fine! I just want to know why you came today!"
Shiyoru looks at Akane, who simply shrugs. Ditto for Ranma. Finally, he himself shrugging, he replies.
Shiyoru : "Oh, for no particular reason. I just thought after not seeing Ranma for so long, I'd come back to see how
he's doing and catch up with old times! We're friends, after all."
Soun : "Oh! So it's like this! Thanks!"
Shiyoru : "Soun... are you SURE you're all right?"
Soun : "Yes yes yes yes yes! I'm fine! How long are you staying?"
Shiyoru : ".... I don't know. Maybe for a day, maybe a week."
Soun : "Right! Ok, enjoy your stay!"
Sweating and nodding, an over-enthusiastic Soun then gets up to leave. Before he moves though, he turns around
and tells Shiyoru.
Soun : "Well, Shiyoru! Since you're staying the night, you know where your quarters are! Good day!"
And with that, Soun walks off quickly. Ranma, Akane, Kasumi, Shiyoru and Porcelain look at each other in total
confusion.
Kasumi : "Strange... father seems so excited today...."
Ranma : "Yeah, and when he acts like that, it spells trouble."
Akane : "Oh, don't worry so much about it, Ranma! You know how daddy is!"
Ranma : "Maybe. But something strikes me as strange.... hmm... I wonder."
Shiyoru : "Oh, come on! Don't worry about it! He's probably just worrying about how much it's going to cost him
to repair the dojo again after this fight! After all, everytime I visit, we always end up trashing the dojo!"
Ranma : (Grinning) "Yeah, I guess so."
Shiyoru : "Oh, by the way, Kasumi. Where's Nabiki? Out conning some poor, unexpecting boy of his money?"
Kasumi : "I'm not sure, Shiyoru. She said she was going to some money-making convention at the Word Trade
building outside of town. She said she wouldn't be back until tonight."
Akane : "So that's why she didn't come home with us, hm? No wonder."
The group then goes back to finishing off their snacks. While they are enjoying the food and sharing some idle
chatter, Soun is busy walking towards the small yard out back of the house, where he and Genma were having a
game of Go until Kasumi called him. Genma panda is there, sitting on a stone, waiting for Soun to return. Upon
spotting him, Genma holds up a sign.
Genma (C) : "Hey, Soun! You took long enough! Well? Was it really Shiyoru?"
Soun : "Yes, Genma-san! What am I going to do?"
Genma (C) : "You aren't worried about repair costs, are you?"
Soun : "Who cares about that now!? I've got more pressing matters!"
Genma (C) : "Yeah.... that letter? I think you left it in your shirt somewhere."
Soun : "Did I? Where did I put it?"
Searching his clothes for the letter, Soun finds it in a pocket inside his shirt. Pulling it out, he opens it up again and
reads it, Genma peering over his shoulder.
"To Soun Tendou.
Dear Mr. Tendou, how are you? I hope all is fine at your place! I'll be coming over to visit you again
soon... I think around the fifteenth. I sincerely hope that Ranma and Genma will be at your place this time! I do
so miss them... and I've even gotten them something special this time! I'll be staying for a week at your place, so
I hope you don't mind.
-Wishing you good health and a long life, Nodoka Saotome."
Soun bigsweats after reading it again, as he realizes that the fifteenth is today. He turns to Genma, and looks very
worried.
Soun : "What am I going to do? If Nodoka finds Shiyoru here, she might assume HE'S Ranma.... or worse, if she
discovers his curse... he might..... no, Genma, don't even say it!"
Genma (C) : "Who's going to say it? I'm using sign language! I know, she might find out that Ranma is similarly
cursed... or she's going to make SHIYORU commit seppuku."
Soun : "What am I going to do? I don't want to harm Ranma OR Shiyoru!"
Genma (C) : "I don't know either."
Soun : "We've got to try to get Shiyoru to leave!"
Genma (C) : "For his own good."
Soun : "Come on."
The two walk off, grim determination on their faces. Taking purposeful strides towards the Dojo, Soun and Genma
advance.
{Things to do when you're too late.}
Back in the household, Ranma and Shiyoru have finished their snacks. Dusting his hands off, Ranma gestures to
Shiyoru.
Ranma : "Hey, Shiyoru. Wanna go a round now? I've been itching for one for quite a while."
Shiyoru : "Come on then! We'll see who's gonna get it this time!"
The two walk towards the dojo, trading old challenges at each other. Akane and Porcelain look at the two boys,
and with a smile, shake their heads in amusement.
Akane : "Well, time to see what those two'll do to the dojo this time."
Porcelain : "Time to see what those two will come up with this time TO destroy the dojo."
Giggling to each other, Porcelain and Akane get up to follow to two towards the dojo, to watch the show. As the
two boys slide the door to the dojo open, they see Genma and Soun, sitting in the middle of the dojo, grim looks
on their faces. Shiyoru and Ranma look surprised.
Shiyoru : "Oh, er... Mr Tendou! Mr Saotome! What are you two doing here?"
Soun looks up at Shiyoru, the severity of the situation showing on his face. Then he gets up and walks towards
Ranma.
Soun : "Ranma, I have something to say."
Ranma : "Soun, can't it wait until I've gone a round with Shiyoru? Surely it can't be THAT important!"
Genma takes a kettle of steaming water out and douses himself to speak. He walks up besides Soun and stares
down Ranma and Shiyoru.
Genma : "Ranma, this is more than important. This is a matter of life and death. Don't question us."
Ranma : "Pops, cut the crap. If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise...."
As Ranma says this, he picks up a bucket of water.
Ranma : "You can stay as a mute panda!" *Slosh!*
Soun leaps aside to avoid the deluge of water cascading over Genma. Then, looking back to the two, Soun
prepares himself for what he's about to say. He takes a deep breath and steadies himself.
Soun : "Ranma....."
Then he bursts out crying, Tears streaming down his face, he gets to his knees and starts kowtowing to Ranma,
pleading and sweating. After three kowtows to Ranma, Soun looks up at Ranma, stands up to face him, and starts
to talk, a little loudly, in his face.
Soun : "Ranma! Don't be frightened by what I'm about to say! I know this may shock you, and I'm sorry, but I want
your friend out of my house, as soon as possible! It's for his own good!"
*silence*.... a cricket chirps. Shiyoru is the first to wake up from this stupor. Looking at Soun, he points, unsure.
Ranma, Akane and Kasumi look aghast.
Shiyoru : "Y...y... you want me out of your house!? Why?"
Soun walks over to Shiyoru. He puts a hand on his shoulder, and shakes his head sadly.
Soun : "You wouldn't know even if I told you."
Shiyoru : "Try me."
Soun : "If you say so..... Ranma, this involves you too. This may be shocking, but.... Ranma, Nodoka is coming.
Today."
Ranma : "IIIEEEEEEE!!!"
*clunk!*. Ranma falls onto the floor, jerking spasmodically. Soun looks at Ranma sadly, while Shiyoru looks at
Akane with a questioning glance.
Shiyoru : "You're right, Soun. I don't know. Who IS Nodoka, and why did Ranma react so strongly to her name?"
To answer his question, Akane steps forward.
Akane : "Well, Shiyoru..... I'll tell you this. If Nodoka finds out about Ranma's curse, she'll make him do something
really bad."
Shiyoru : "And....?"
Akane : "Erm.... Well, Nodoka is Ranma's......"
Voice outside the gate : "Excuse me, is anybody home?"
Ranma immediately gets up, and Genma's furry face reveals an expression described only as pure fear. Both Ranma
and Genma blanch at the voice outside the gate, while Shiyoru looks around, confusedly. Akane, Kasumi and
Soun look at each other nervously. The voice calls out once more.
Voice outside the gate : "Excuse me, is anyone home?"
Immediately, Soun starts gesturing to Ranma to take a swim in his pond before he opens the gate. Ranma nods in
understanding. Soun then goes to get the gate, his two daughters trailing behind. Immediately, without conscious
thought, Ranma grabs Shiyoru by the neck and leaps towards the pond.
Soun : "Coming, Nodoka!"
Ranma : "Damn damn damn damn damn! Not now! Not so suddenly!"
Shiyoru : "WHOAH, Ranma! Let me go! What are you doing!!!!!?????"
Ranma flies towards the pond while Soun is *slowly* taking his time to walk to the gate.
Ranma : "Geronimo!"
Shiyoru : "Ahhhh!"
Landing in the pond with a colossal splash, both he and Shiyoru disappear into the water, while Porcelain, who
is still following the two, gets a faceful of the spray from the dive.
The result is Porcelain turning into a handsome guy sporting a classy ponytail, a muscular build, with pale,
cream coloured skin and pure, silverish, mirrorlike hair, which flashes in the sunlight.
As "Ranko" and "Shiyona" climb out of the pool, Shiyona, the light-chocolate brown haired, hazel-brown eyed,
tall, beautiful, pretty and buxom girl grabs Ranko by the collar and starts shaking her, almost shouting in her face.
The group consisting of Nodoka, Akane, Shiyona, Ranko and Glass walk out of the outer gates of the Tendou
household, all the while chatting and smiling at the prospect of having a good time shopping. Nodoka is holding
Shiyona's hand, talking to her about her own experiences as a transfer student, to get her to gain confidence to
ask others to become her friends so she won't feel so left out. Akane just looks on at the two, at a blushing
Shiyona and an enthusiastic Nodoka, and smiles, grinning at the humour of the situation. Meanwhile, Ranko and
Glass are discussing their plans to continue fooling Nodoka, while Ranko holds onto Glass' arm.
Glass : "So, how do you intend to keep fooling her?"
Ranko : "Act as we are now."
Glass : "What about school? She's more than likely guessing that we're going to school, not that we need to. But,
even if we go to school, it'll be in our cursed forms. I know the others at school know who we are, but
what are they going to think when we go.... like this?"
Ranko : "I have no idea. I guess you two can come to school in the things you two normally wear.... but as for an
explanation, it's going to get out as gossip, you know."
Glass : "So? How do you propose? We go there like this and get changed later?"
Ranko : "Why didn't I think of that? It'll be only for a week after all. She won't be at school to see us anyway."
Glass : "Apart from that, remember the last time we went to school?"
Ranko : "Oh yeah."
Ranko thinks back to the time when the principal tried cutting off Porcelain's hair when she was a guy, or when
Kuno chased after the two when they were girls in addition to herself and Akane, as well as all the other problems
they had with Gosunkugi and the rest of the gang when they went to school.
Ranko : "Guess you'll have to put up with it then. I don't want to die, you know."
Glass : "Don't worry, we'll do our best to put up with those jerks."
Ranko : "Thanks."
The group keeps walking, and soon enough, they reach the bus stop. Much to their dismay, however, it is packed
to full as several dozen students in uniform have gathered at the bus stop to take a bus to their school's annual
sports event. In fact, there are so many students, that the other commuters are all standing around OUTSIDE the
stop, waiting for their rides. Nodoka and the rest start to worry, as they realize that it'll take more than one bus to
carry all the students. However, they needn't have done so, actually.
The group reaches the bus stop, and, like the other commuters, wait outside the stop. The group takes a seat on a
flower bed's edge, placed near the bus stop for decorative purposes. But, as soon as they sit, a few chattering
boys turn around to look at the new arrivals. Their jaws drop, as they look at the group of pretty girls sitting there.
Boy's Voice #1 : "Hey, look over there."
Boy's Voice #2 : "Huh? Oh my......"
Boy's Voice #3 : "Those are the cutest babes I've ever laid eyes on!"
Boy's Voice #4 : "Yeah, wipe up your drool. We've still got our girlfriends to worry about."
Boy's Voice #2 : "Who cares about them? If we can get those girls....."
And this chatter has gotten the attention of the other students as well. One head, then another, and soon, the
whole stopload of heads have turned to look at the original group's point of discussion. Jaws drop, both boys' and
girls', as they spot the group gathered there.
Girl's Voice #1 : "My goodness! He is SOOOO cute!"
Girl's Voice #2 : "I think I'm going to drool now."
Girl's Voice #3 : "Isn't he handsome! That ponytail... wow! He looks like Steven Segall!"
Girl's Voice #4 : "Better looking, if you ask me!"
And so the entire group of students start changing their topics of conversation from their school's sporting event
to the group gathered besides the stop, sitting on the flower-bed's edge, with a nice bush of roses growing in it.
As it is, Nodoka and the rest just can't help but notice that they are recieving many, many stares from the group of
students, and they turn to look at the students gathered. Shiyona, particularly, acting the role of a shy and
reserved girl, forgets to rub that look off her face and as she looks, many mouths drip saliva, although Shiyona
is beginning to feel a little annoyed. The same reactions towards Glass from the girls, who are just ogling at him,
and his features. Just then, Nodoka spots a bus coming.
Nodoka : "Oh, my! A bus is coming."
Ranko : "Come on then, aunty! Why not take it?"
Nodoka : "I'm afraid we'll have to let the students on first. They did arrive first, didn't they?"
Catching the snippets of conversation between Nodoka and the unbelievably cute Ranko, the entire male
population at the bus stop nod at each other, knowingly. Then they start to pile out of the stop, and a
representative comes forwards towards the group. He walks up to Shiyona, and does a rather sloppy bow to her.
Boy's Voice #2 : "Excuse me? We've decided to let you on first, if you don't mind."
Unsure, Shiyona looks at Nodoka, who smiles and nods.
Nodoka : "Go ahead, this'll help your social skills a little, Shiyona dear."
Blushing, Shiyona looks up at the boy, who is staring at more than just her face. She smiles.
Shiyona : "Why... yes, thank you! We don't mind!"
Boy's Voice #2 : "Be our guest."
And then the bus pulls up to the stop, dropping off passengers. The female population of the student group is
beginning to board the bus, but then all of them stop when they see Glass walking up to them, ahead of the rest
of the group. He walks up to the girl nearest to the bus' entrance, and bows almost perfectly.
Glass : "Would the ladies mind letting us on board first?"
The girls nearest to him swoon over in absolute ecstasy. Glass looks at them, confusedly, not knowing that he had
such a powerful effect on girls before. Then he knocks his head, reminding himself that he *is* a girl, at least in his
original form.
Glass : (Thinking) "Stupid stupid stupid! Don't forget, you're a girl! And you love Shiyoru! You're just keeping this
up because you need to fool Nodoka! Ach, who're you kidding?"
Assisting the other girls in carrying away the unconscious forms of the first few girls, Glass bows to the rest as
the group boards the bus. He quickly turns around and hops onto the bus, as the door closes. The group then
goes to the window of the bus and waves a farewell to the absolutely smitten group of students, giggling or just
grinning. They wave back, screaming : "Goodbye!"
The bus starts its long journey to Ginza, Tokyo's biggest commercial center. Meanwhile, the group has taken its
place on the bus. Nodoka is still sitting besides Shiyona, Glass besides Ranko, while poor Akane is sitting besides
a snoring, drooling, sleeping man.
Akane : "Yucks. Why me?"
Nodoka is still giving Shiyona some words of encouragement, much like any other concerned mother would do for
their own children. Shiyona nods now and then, giggles once in a while, and smiles every so often, as Nodoka
gives her a lecture on how she herself coped with transfer student life.
Nodoka : "Well, Shiyona darling, when I first came to Tokyo, I was so scared, because of all the unfamiliar faces
that'd I seen. I was always by myself in the classroom, and always avoiding my other classmates,
simply because I didn't dare to talk to one of them."
Shiyona : "Well.... that's what I've been feeling lately...."
Nodoka : "Now, don't you worry. Sooner or later, a boy is going to take that extra step and actually walk up to
you. I know that boy will be the first person to help you break your reclusiveness, because that's what
happened to me....."
Shiyona : "Really?"
Nodoka : "Yes! That boy was named Genma Saotome.... I haven't told you about him, have I?"
Shiyona : ".....No, aunty!"
Nodoka : "Would you like to hear my story? It might help you in the future!" (Giggles)
Shiyona : "Ok, aunty!"
Of course, Shiyona already knows who Genma is, although she HAS to keep Nodoka from knowing. At any rate,
after hearing so many negative things about Genma from her friend Ranko, Shiyona is willing to listen to anything
positive Nodoka might have about Genma. While the two chat and giggle, smile and trade little 'girl talk' back and
forth, Ranko and Glass are looking with interest at the exchange. Ranko prods Glass' ribs.
Glass : "Yes, 'Ranko'?"
Ranko : "Say, er... 'Glass'..... does your.... 'boyfriend' always act like a girl? Does he even like being one? He seems
to be enjoying his role, you know...."
Glass catches Ranko's gist, as RanMA would never act so girlishly unless ABOSLUTELY forced to. Looking at
Shiyona acting like this so easily makes her uncomfortable. Glass laughs a little.
Glass : "Oh, that! Don't worry, 'Shiyona' isn't a pervert. Sure, she acts like a girl, and even on occasion likes being
one, although he still prefers to be a boy, but I don't love Shiyoru any less. Even I am not spared...."
Ranko : "You? A tomboy?"
Glass : "Don't start with that."
Ranko : "Right. Anyway, I just didn't think Shiyoru could so convincingly as a girl! I mean, giggles and all the little
girl talk! He does quite an impression of a girl!"
Glass : "Believe me, we've had some pretty hairy times together when our cursed forms were involved. We've had
a LOT of practice at this, although we don't have to like it. Trust me, you won't want to know what kind of
an act we can put up.
Ranko : "Top scores in Literature plays, then, eh?"
Glass : "Only the best."
The bus continues, undaunted, towards its destination, at Ginza. By the time the bus reaches the commercial
centre of Tokyo, it is nearly mid afternoon, and the merciless sun beats down on the group when they alight.
Shielding her eyes, Nodoka looks up at the sky.
Nodoka : "My, it is a hot day today! We'd better get under some shade fast!"
Looking around at the surrounding area, Nodoka sees a ladies' lingerine and garments shop just nearby their
unsheltered bus stop. She gets the groups' attention and points towards the store, Ranko sweating when she
realizes what store it is.
Nodoka : "Say, Ranko, Akane, Shiyona, it's been a while since we did this kind of shopping, why not go inside and
see what we can buy?"
Ranko sweats nervously at this, along with Shiyona, although they are fairly used to this. Akane just nods
happily.
Akane : "Sure, aunty! Why not?"
Ranko : "Er.... yes, aunty! But, what about... Glass?"
Nodoka looks at Glass, and puts a finger to her lip, wondering what to do about him.
Nodoka : "My, I hadn't thought of your boyfriend, Ranko. I don't think they'd like him inside the shop, even if he's
allowed in. What do we do?"
Ranko, seizing this opportunity to not enter the shop, speaks up before Glass can respond.
Ranko : "Oh, It's all right aunty! I can stay outside with him!": "Oh no no no, this won't do! It's so hot out here, your sweat might ruin your dress! Oh, no matter! Come
on in with us, Glass. We could always use an extra hand. I'm sure the ladies won't mind."
Glass : "If you wish."
Of course, Nodoka doesn't know that Glass is really a girl, so he has absolutely NO qualms about going in. Ranko
and Shiyona on the other hand... well, Shiyona isn't too objective to it, neither is Ranko, although they have their
reservations.As the group just piles into the store, Glass can see 'he' isn't the only man in the store, as other girls
have their boyfriends trailing them around, carrying huge bags and packages. However, he does realize that he is
the most attractive 'male' in the shop, and all eyes are on him. He sweats profusely, and loosens his T-Shirt's collar
a little, gulping. Shiyona and the other two girls notice this and giggle. They converge in a small group while
Nodoka tries to calm Glass down.
Shiyona : "Hee... never thought I'd see my own girlfriend nervous because of the attention from other girls!"
Ranko : "Yeah, never thought a girl could act like that....."
Akane : "Don't start Ranma. Call me a tomboy, I don't care, but call me something else...."
And to emphasize her point, Akane pulls a giant mallet from inside the space formed by the ring, and waves it
menacingly in Ranko's face. She gulps, and nods, getting the idea. Akane smiles, and shoves the mallet behind
her, causing it to disappear. Meanwhile, Nodoka has succeeded in calming Glass down, and a red-faced Glass is
now standing besides the sales counter, upon Nodoka's instructions. Ranko quickly walks up to Glass on the
pretence of wanting a final word between boyfriend/girlfriend. Ranko nudges Glass as he looks around the shop.
Whispering in Glass' ears, Ranko asks.
Ranko : "Hey, Porcelain, what's your bra size/shape?"
Glass looks wonderingly at Ranko, as his brain suddenly works out his female measurements. He looks unsure as
he answers Ranko.
Glass : "Er...... 'D' cup, size 30 at largest." (Hey, it's manga. What did you expect? I'm sorry.)
Ranko : "Right."
Glass : "Wait a minute, you aren't thinking of......"
Ranko : "You guessed it. I'm gonna get you something. Besides, I have *enough* of my own."
Glass : "But it's Nodoka's gift...."
Ranko : "Well..... I still can't stand wearing it."
Glass : (Raising his voice a little) "Well, I strongly suggest you buy a little less then. I have enough of my own."
Ranko : (Following as well) "I guess so, but you'd better keep some of them!"
This little bickering catches the attention of Nodoka, who walks over to the two "lovers". She seperates the two
with a stern look. They look up at her, then hang their heads in shame, faces burning red. She looks at the two
sternly for a while, then smiles.
Nodoka : "There now, don't fight. Lovers shouldn't bicker like that! Whatever it is, I'm sure it can be settled
peacefully!"
The two look up at her shamefacedly, then smile a little. They nod.
Ranko & Glass : "Sorry, Nodoka-san."
Then they look at each other.
Ranko & Glass : "Sorry, Ranko/Glass."
Nodoka : "There, that was so much better, wasn't it? Come on, Ranko! We're about to start shopping."
Ranko : "Coming, aunty!"
Ranko turns to leave, and gives Glass a "well, there's nothing better to do" look and shrugs. They both laugh a
short while before Ranko bounds after Nodoka. Glass chuckles a little and just sits there, staring dreamily at the
underwear, wondering what 'he' would look like wearing those underwear in his original girl form.
Meanwhile, the four girls are in the underwears department, taking a look around. While Akane and Nodoka look
perfectly comfortable around the underwear, as they go through what they want to buy, Shiyona and Ranko look
at each other rather uncomfortably, both still unused to the idea of actually choosing some really lacy underwear
to buy. While Akane and Nodoka go through some bras, Shiyona nudges Ranko.
Shiyona : (To Ranko) "Psst! Hey, Ranma!"
Ranko : "Yeah?"
Shiyona : "You don't look so well."
Ranko : "Of course I don't look well! I'm a guy for goodness' sakes! Oh, sure, I won't mind buying them, but I
won't be wearing them either! At least, not unless I absolutely need them!"
Shiyona : "Ah, but remember your promise...."
Ranko : "It wasn't my promise! It was my greedy slob of a father's!"
Shiyona : "Either way, you've got to play along, don't you?"
Ranko : "Yeah, well.... Shiyoru, just how often do you wear girls' underwear?"
Shiyona : "Believe me, travelling around the world gives me time to get used to this kind of thing, considering the
fact that I stay rather wet most of the time. Weather and all that."
Ranko : "Uh huh. So you're really wearing a bra now?! And panties?!"
Shiyona : "Simple cloth ones. Don't get your hair in a mess. I know the last time you saw me, I still hated this stuff.
Now I've gotten rather used to it. Kinda like you." (Grins maliciously.)
Ranko : "Ych, for your sake, I hope you don't actually *enjoy* being a girl. But you're right. I like to look good,
boy OR girl."
Shiyona : "I hope not either. Come on, Nodoka's calling us. Don't want to keep out favorite aunty waiting, eh?"
Ranko : "Yeah yeah." (In a very deadpanned voice.)
The two 'girls' walk over to Nodoka, who is holding up a small pile of fancy bras and panties. Akane has a cute
pair of bras she wants to try out. The two girls look at Nodoka happily.
Shiyona : "Yes, aunty Nodoka? You called?"
Nodoka : "Yes, I just picked out some of these, I thought that you might want to try them out and see which ones
you liked."
Ranko : (Aside) "Just like the last time.... just hope she doesn't give me a hot bath again!"
Nodoka : "Yes, Ranko? Did you say something?"
Ranko : "Huh!? Oh, no! I didn't say anything important!" (Very flusteredly.)
Nodoka : "Oh, good! Well, here you go. Try these on and tell me which ones you like, OK? My treat! Get Shiyona
to help, all right?"
She holds out the small pile to the two girls, offering it to them. Ranko and Shiyona look at each other, unsure,
before Shiyona reaches out and tentatively grabs the pile out of Nodoka's hands.
Nodoka : "Good. Now, since Shiyona here needs a little social help, why not you two girls share a dressing room
and get a little better introduced?"
The two look at each other, faces turning a pure, beet red. Their eyes grow wide, and they begin to sweat. But,
having no better choice, they quickly put on a false front. Smiling sweetly, the two look at Nodoka, giggling.
Ranko : "Ok, aunty! I'll do my best!"
Nodoka : "I know you will, Ranko dear. Go on, I still have to help Akane with hers. Meet me at the cashiers', ok?"
Shiyona & Ranko : "Yes aunty."
Nodoka gives them a last smile, then turns around to help Akane. Shiyona and Ranko make their way towards a
fairly large changing room, and once inside, they lock the door behind them. However, neither one of them makes
a move.
Ranko : ".... er.... what do we do now?"
Shiyona : "Guess we have to get undressed and try these on."
Ranko : "You know.... I've never seen....."
Shiyona : "Don't worry! We're still boys at heart, right!?"
Ranko : "Yeah...."
Shiyona : "Come on, where's that brotherly spirit then?"
Ranko : "Oh, all right. But only because of Nodoka!"
Shiyona : "Sure... whatever you say."
Dumping the pile on the ground, the two proceed to take off their blouses and skirts to try on the individual
articles, although a little hesitantly. Turning around so they don't have to look at each other, they try each one on
and appraise each other.
Ranko : "Not bad.... rather pretty. Nice hips."
Shiyona : "You're not bad yourself. Guess you never thought about looking at yourself in the mirror?"
Ranko : "Not yet...."
Shiyona : "Why not look? We've seen enough of ourselves anyway."
Ranko : "Whatever. I still think I hate wearing girls' underwear."
Shiyona : "Get used to it. Besides, you said you wanted to look good?"
The two girls continue assessing themselves, both by the mirror and each other. Through a little coaxing by
Shiyona, Ranko finally gets a few articles out, although they are simple by comparison to Shiyona's. Looking at
her markedly larger collection, Ranko is a little unnerved.
Ranko : "Say, Shiyoru, isn't that a little large for your collection?"
Shiyona : "Not all of this are for me, you know."
Ranko : "For Porcelain?"
Shiyona : "Yep. Can't let her suffer as a guy all the time. She deserves a little something special too, for her role."
Ranko : "Well, guess we've gotten all we need. Let's return the rest and meet mom at the cashiers'."
Then she keeps some of the underwear away, for returning.
Ranko : "Won't need these then. Hope mom doesn't mind paying."
Shiyona : "Just don't let her hear that."
The two then walk out of the changing room, dressed again, carrying two piles of underwear. Ranko goes to return
the unwanted ones, while Shiyona goes to the cashiers', where Akane and Nodoka are already waiting. Akane
spots Shiyona first, and waves.
Akane : "Hey, Shiyona! Over here!"
Shiyona : "Coming."
Ranko comes running up behind Shiyona as she dumps a small pile of underwear on the counter. While the
cashier at the counter tallies up the total, the three girls hold a small conference.
Akane : "Gee, Ranma, I didn't know you would actually buy some of this stuff!"
Ranko : "No more surprised that you have any feminine tastes at all!"
Akane : "Grr....." (She's getting angry.)
Shiyona : (Very hurriedly) "Akane, calm down! We don't want to fight in front of Ranma's mom!"
Akane : "You're right, Shiyona. Anyway, I didn't think you two boys'd buy so many!"
Shiyona : "Well, some of it's for Porcelain anyway."
Akane : "Oh, yeah. What about yourself?"
Shiyona : "Only what I need."
Akane : "And you, Ranma?"
Ranko : "As many as Shiyoru could coerce me into buying."
Shiyona : "Tsk tsk, 'coerce' is such a harsh word."
Ranko : "Any better suggestions?"
Shiyona : "Convince with difficulty maybe."
Just then, Glass walks over and taps the three on their shoulders. Nodoka is still haggling over the price with the
cashier though, and this gives them enough privacy to talk. Glass joins the mini-conference in a small corner.
Glass : "Shiyoru-kun, you got any for me? Hee."
Shiyona : "Of course I did. You're the real girl here anyway!"
Glass : "And you two are the real boys around here."
Ranko : "Or as far as we can become anyway."
Meanwhile, the bargaining battle between Nodoka and the cashier has been won, Nodoka pulling out a wad of
cash, slightly smaller than what it would've been originally. Carrying three bags of purchases, she calls out to
Glass to help carry the purchases. He does so quickly, without delay. Each bag has a small label, each label has a
name written on it. Shiyona's bag is the thickest, Ranko's the thinnest. Returning to the group, Nodoka looks at
Shiyona's bag and grins.
Nodoka : "Well, Shiyona, looks like you've got some tastes!"
Shiyona : "Nah.... not really."
Nodoka : "Well, that's that! Come on, I know a great boutique where we can get some nice clothes! I hope Ranko
and Shiyona are bonding well!"
Ranko and Shiyona look at each other, and grin sheepishly, blushing. Nodoka takes this as a good sign that
Shiyona is finally warming up. She smiles and gestures to the rest to follow her out of the shop. They nod, and
follow her out.
Nodoka : "All right, where was that shop....?"
As Nodoka looks around, finger on lip, thinking where the shop should be, Shiyona and Ranko start to shift
uncomfortably, still a little unused to their clothes. Akane and Glass see this and grin at each other, knowing what
the two must be feeling. The two nudge Ranko and Shiyona in the ribs. They turn around, looking at the two.
Ranko & Shiyona : "Yes?"
Glass : "Shiyoru, are you.... uncomfortable in that?"
Akane : "Ranma, you must be uncomfortable in that!"
They start to grin uncontrollably. Shiyona and Ranko look hurt. Then the two burst into straight out laughter.
Talking in low enough voices so Nodoka won't hear, Shiyona and Ranko ask in a hurt tone.
Shiyona & Ranko : "What's so funny? It's not that comfortable, you know."
Glass : (Between chuckles.) "S..sorry... we just thought.... maybe you two... might be unaccustomed to wearing
girl's clothes...!"
Shiyona : "Lucky you, girls. You two can still wear jeans and Ts and not feel out of place. You don't know how
hard it is on us GUYS to wear this and feel normal!"
Akane : "D..don't worry... *hee*.... at least.... we're getting a kick out of this! So it isn't so bad....!"
The two nearly roll on the floor laughing, while Shiyona and Ranko look deeply hurt.
Shiyona : "Bah, girls will be girls, and you two hardly fit the list."
Akane : "Much like father like son?"
Ranko : "Hey! That wasn't nice!"
Akane : "So? You aren't nice to me!"
Ranko : "Akane...."
However, common sense wins Shiyona and Glass over, as they see Akane and Ranko about to get into a fight.
They quickly step between the two and try their best to calm the two down.
Glass : "Calm down, Akane.... this was just a jest.... don't get angry!"
Shiyona : "Ranma, remember yourself now.... you don't want Nodoka to think...."
This appears to work, as the two quickly cool down, although not completely. Shiyona brings Ranko over to one
side to talk with her privately while Glass brings Akane over to the other side.
Shiyona : "Ranma, don't get angry. We both aren't used to this. You're not alone."
Ranko : "Well, easy for YOU to say! Your mom doesn't want you dead if you can't be a real man! And I feel so....
not myself wearing girls' clothes! I don't feel like a man!"
Shiyona : "You're a girl now, so don't forget that. You'll have to put up with this. I'm not complaining."
Ranko : "Hmph, if you aren't complaining, then I won't. Can't lose out to my junior!"
Shiyona : "That's my..... Ranko!" (Grins evilly.)
On Glass' side....
Glass : "Akane, calm down! I know you and Ranma bicker a lot, but at least try to put up with this! Besides, you
two are fiancees! You can't get angry at your own husband-to-be!"
Akane : "Who cares about that pervert! All he does is insult me at the drop of a hat!"
Glass : "You must remember, you do the same thing."
Akane "Et tu, Porcelain?"
Glass : "No! I'll admit it's our fault this time too!"
Akane : "Why's that!?"
Glass : "You know that boys' clothes are mostly unisexual clothes! Girls' clothes aren't! We've got to understand
that those two are BOYS wearing girls' clothes now! They've gotta be at least a LITTLE unused to them!"
Akane : "Yeah... well... I guess you're right. We've gotta think about how uncomfortable they are...."
Glass : "Least we can laugh, but not in their faces. Agreed?"
Akane : ":-). Agreed."
Just as the two finish their talks and get back together, Nodoka snaps her fingers as she remembers where the
shop is. Turning around, she finds the group as if they had never moved, grinning at each other. She smiles.
Nodoka : "Ok... I remember now! Come on! We'll have some ice cream after this!"
Ranko, Akane & Shiyona : "Hooray!"
Nodoka : "Come on... this way!"
Nodoka brings the small group towards a large shopping complex where the human traffic is the densest. Waiting
for the crowd to thin out a little before entering, Nodoka and the rest take an eyeful of the MASSIVE shopping
complex, full of people going about their business, and begin to chatter excitedly about what they're going to buy.
Of course, Shiyona and Ranko take very little part in this, and Nodoka constantly asks Glass what he thinks Ranko
would look nice in.
Glass : "Erm..... I don't really know...."
Nodoka : "Come on, at least try! You've got a good sense of dressing, as far as I can see... Come on, just give a
brief description."
Glass looks a little uncomfortable for this request, but nods his head, reluctantly. Looking over Ranko, his mind
goes over a schematic of her body, and runs a possible list of clothes to put on it. Using something like a jackpot
system in his head, he slowly stops and fits matching clothes on Ranko's schematic in his mind, and comes up
with a perfect answer.
Glass : "You know.... I think Ranko'd look nice in a mini-skirt, thigh length boots, long sleeved jacket, singlet
blouse, and pantyhose. And maybe a matching hat and her hair let loose."
Ranko blanches at the thought of losing her pigtail. Then starts to think about how unlike 'him' she'd look like and
shudders uncomfortably. Shiyona and Akane catch a glimpse of this and sympathises with Ranko, knowing how
bad it'd be for him/her. However, Nodoka doesn't notice Ranko's reaction, and simply nods. Then she flashes the
group a malicious smile.
Nodoka : "Maybe I'll follow Glass' advice... let's see, the boutique's this way."
She gestures to them to follow, smiling all the while. They follow her up multiple levels, in elevators and escalators,
and finally reach the boutique.
Nodoka : "Here we are!"
It is, fortunately, fairly empty. Nodoka nods to the group.
Nodoka : "Come on, then. Let's get some good things before they're all gone! Glass... if you don't mind?"
Glass : "No. I'll stay out here." (With a tinge of disappointment.)
The group follows her in. Shiyona looks at Ranko, whose face is pale.
Shiyona : "Ranma? Are you all right? You don't look so well. You look like it's the end of the world."
Ranko : "Yeah, of course I don't! I sometimes really wished that my mom didn't come looking for me at all. I can't
stand being in this boutique, I can't stand wearing these degrading clothes, and I can't stand my girl
body!"
Shiyona shares the same feelings, but deadpans her voice, trying to lighten the situation up.
Shiyona : "Uh huh, and what do you want to do? Tell Nodoka? Why not? Then at least you won't have to suffer
as a girl anymore."
Her voice is misinterpreted by Ranko.
Ranko : "Yeah, right! Maybe you're fool enough to want to die, but I don't! Maybe you're too used to being a girl!
Maybe Jusenkyo's taking its toll on you! Maybe you're turning into a real girl! Maybe you ARE a real
girl! Maybe you're losing your manhood!"
Ranko looks like the world revolves around her as she loses her temper all of a sudden, and starts telling Shiyona
off. Shiyona looks at her seriously, and glares at her angrily, and very hurt.
Shiyona : "What did you just say?"
Ranko : "You're losing your manhood, GIRL!"
Ranko's lose her temper completely, and begins calling Shiyona all sorts of insulting names.
Shiyona : "You..... just.... called me.... complete girl...!?"
Shiyona repeats Ranko's most recent insult in total and absolute seriousness. Ranko notices her dark expression.
Suddenly, her little world that has been revolving around her shatters and snaps her back to reality.
Ranko : (Thinking) "Oh no. What did I just do?"
{What happens when you pinch a nerve.}
Shiyoru looks very angry now, and the small arguing match has drawn a small crowd. A large crowd of women and
girls are staring at her, pointing and making comment. Shiyona bursts her bubble.
Shiyona : "What the *^#%!@*are you jerks looking at!? Never seen a girl angry, is it? GET LOST, busybodies!"
After this outburst, she suddenly notices the entire shopping complex deadly silent, as everyone stares at her,
dumbfounded. She suddenly realizes she's the centre of attention, and realizes what she's just said. Looking at
Glass, outside the shop, and the rest, she realizes that they are staring at her, shocked. At a loss for what to do,
she just blushes furiously, then in another burst of emotion, she starts to cry. Tears streaming out of her face, she
runs out of shop, leaps down to the first level of the mall, out the main entrance and down the street. Nodoka and
the rest start to run after her, down stairs and out the door, calling her name.
Nodoka, Akane, Ranko & Glass : "Shiyona...!"
As they run out of the mall, they spot her turning a round at the bend in the street. Moving at full pace now, the
group runs towards her, deftly and effectively avoiding, leaping, shoving and tackling anyone who gets in their
way. As they run, Ranko suddenly feels a pang of guilt go through her heart.
Ranko : (Thinking) "Shimatta! I shouldn't have said those things! Why did I lose my temper!?"
They turn a corner, and spot Shiyona just standing there, crying, people passing her looking concernedly.
Nodoka calls out loudly.
Nodoka : "Shiyona! There you are! What's wrong?"
Shiyona spots Nodoka, and Ranko behind her. She remembers Ranko's words, and Ranko's words come back to
her head.
"You GIRL!" "You're not a boy anymore!" "Losing your manhood!"
She starts running across the road, simply to avoid Ranko and her words. As she runs, she crosses a bus stop,
with a bus leaving. Right in front of her.
Glass : "Look OUT!!!"
Akane : "Danger!!!"
Ranko : "Oh....."
Shiyona turns her head only in time to see the bus converge on her.
*BOOOOHHHNNNNN!* *BLAM!*
Shiyona : "...ah!..."
All : "NO!"
They watch in horrid fascination as the bus slams full force into Shiyona's seemingly frail form, sending her flying
a small distance away, and landing on the street, shredding her sleeve as she slides on the road, arm first. Then,
she just lays there, still and bleeding, from her mouth and her entire side. The group and onlookers look on, aghast
at what had just happened. Then, springing into action, Glass runs over to Shiyona's side. He cradles her head in
his hands, calling her real name, wiping the blood off her face.
Glass : "Shiyoru! Shiyoru....! Are you all right!? Please, speak to me! Come on, you're stronger than that! I know
you are! Say something!"
Then Nodoka and the rest come running over, concern painted on their faces. Ranko looks VERY, VERY guilty at
what she has inevitably done, while Akane and Nodoka simply look shocked. A group of onlookers are gathering
around the accident site, looking and mumbling amongst themselves. Suddenly, one person takes out a mobile
phone and dials the emergency number. Glass continues to cradle Shiyona's head, sniffing and holding it close to
his own. Nodoka looks on, wondering why Ranko's boyfriend would show this much concern for this girl. She
looks at Ranko, who is tearing up at the eyes, with a guilty look.
Nodoka : "Ranko, what happened? Why... is Glass so.... concerned..... with Shiyona?"
Ranko looks up at Nodoka, shamefacedly. She hugs her, crying, as she explains between sobs.
Ranko : "M...Aunty..... Glass isn't my boyfriend. He.... he's Shiyona's!"
Stroking her hair, trying to comfort her, Nodoka nods solemnly.
Nodoka : "Was it because of that that she ran off like that...? Was it because I mistakenly assumed he was your
boyfriend that you two and Glass argued earlier on? Was it why she ran off?"
Not wanting to lie to Nodoka, but not wanting to risk her own life telling her the truth, Ranko tells her mother a
mostly-truth reply.
Ranko : "A...aunty.... yes..... we didn't want to.... break your heart.... so.... we agreed on this."
Nodoka : "Now, now, you silly girl! Why didn't you tell me? Even I make mistakes sometimes too, you know!"
Ranko : "Well... I thought that... maybe you'd like me to have a boyfriend at last.... you always were pestering me
to get one.... we thought that it would be the perfect chance to change roles when you.... came...."
In a way, this is a double meaning. Changing roles would be the change of roles.... of sexes and identities, the roles
of being new friends, as well as roles of being a son , not just changing the roles of boyfriend alone. Ranko/Ranma
reflects on this, and cries even more loudly than before, at this lie of a life she's leading. Nodoka, however, simply
takes this to be a sign of Ranko's guilt at having lied to her. Akane has gone over to try tending to Shiyona's
wounds, trying to see what injuries Shiyona's sustained. But, it isn't long before a siren is heard. Then several
sirens, as an ambulance and a patrol car arrive at the scene.
Voice #2 : "Looks like they're getting on better terms!"
Voice #3 : "Looks that way! Too bad. I was hoping...."
Voice #4 : "This is a miracle!"
And soon, the entire class is filled gossiping students commenting on how Akane and Ranma are actually getting
along, even before they know that Akane was going to start calling Ranma names. However, that chance is dashed
as the students start talking.
Dismissing the commotion, Ranma just goes back to his work. Akane simply turns red from fury, as the gossip
grows more and more flamboyant.
Voice #1 : "Maybe.... Akane and Ranma..... kissed!"
Voice #4 : "Maybe, they.... even....."
Voice #2 : "Perhaps worse! Maybe they already agreed to marry today or tomorrow!"
Voice #3 : "Should we ask them for invitations?"
Voice #4 : "Sounds good to me."
And all at once, Akane stands up, slowly, unable to stand it anymore. Everyone notices her rather dark features
and quickly quitens down. A reddish blue aura is surrounding her, signifying her seething rage. She slowly opens
her mouth to speak, and everyone takes a step back. WAY back.
Akane : "For ONCE in my life, I would PREFER it if you BIGMOUTHS DIDN'T start GOSSIPING and SPREADING
rumours about Ranma and ME around! It's BAD enough living with Kuno and being called names, but
having untrue SLANDER about me and Ranma is..... INTOLERABLE!"
As she shouts, everyone starts hanging on to anything they can find for dear life. Papers, pens, chalk, erasers,
and even tables and chairs are sent flying around the room in Akane's particularly vicious telling-off. However,
only one table remains untouched, both by the flying debris and by Akane's voice.
Ranma continues scribbling his mysterious intentions on the piece of white cardboard, oblivious to the
commotion. Kind of like the eye of a storm. Somebody flies towards his table, but slams into an invisible "calm
barrier" around Ranma, and as Ranma looks up to see who it is, he sees a pair of dark-ringed eyes staring back at
him, albeit rather blank.
Ranma : "Oh, hi, Gosunkugi."
Hinako : "All right, class! Settle down! We've got a lesson to do here!"
Child-Hinako comes into the class moments after Akane finishes shouting, and the moment she does, Akane
quickly shuts her mouth up and sits down, quietly. The class is completely quiet for a moment, and sounds can
be heard, both inside and outside the glass.
*criccckkk* *rustle* *scribble* *scribble*
It seems only Akane and Ranma are the only ones sitting, or , at least, the only ones still conscious and well after
that outburst. As Hinako surveys the damage caused, she shakes her head and sighs.
Hinako : "Oh, but before that, I want you people to get off that wall, and start rearranging the classroom's
furniture. I hate teaching in a messy class. Come on, get to work, before I you delinquents!"
This is enough for most of the students, as they start regaining consciousness and disentagling themselves from
the pile of tables, chairs, paper, pens, and other students to get out and start rearranging the furniture. The idea of
being drained dry of life-energy is more terrifying than feeling Akane's wrath, and only the truly out-cold studentsunable to regain enough consciousness to help out. Working at top speed, everyone starts rearranging the
furniture to begin classes. The only person not taking part, however, is Ranma. He is still calmly scribbling
something on that piece of cardboard, but with a coloured pencil now.
After the hasty rearrangement, the place looks as it was before a few minutes ago, although the imprints of certain
students are unceremoniously marked on the walls and pillars of the classroom, along with a few scraps of junk as
well as a few dirt marks and scuffs here and there. Hinako looks at the condition, and apparently satisfied, begins
her lesson.
Hinako : "And now.... we shall begin. Turn to page 42 of your reading books....."
Teaching for a little less than an hour into the lesson though, a candy and comic laden Child-Hinako notices that
Ranma hasn't been paying any attention to class at all. At first, she disregarded it, thinking he was writing notes
in his book, a first for him. However, as the class wore on, she noticed that he didn't even respond to his name
being called, and that he didn't have his book on his desk. Finally, she decides to give him some first-hand waking
up. She walks up to his table, pulling out a fifty yen coin while she's at it. Everyone notes this and retreats as far
back as possible from this chi-sucking monster.
Hinako : "Happo Gojuu en Satsu!"
Watching as Miss Hinako sucks up Ranma's chi, Akane blanches with horror. She nearly runs up to stop Miss
Hinako from doing so, only to be restrained by a dozen hands.
Akane : "Let.... me.... go!"
Voice #1 : "Akane! You don't want to end up drained too, do you!?"
Voice #2 : "Yeah! Think about what is worse! Just Ranma alone, or BOTH of you!?"
Seeing the point, and unable to break free of the now more than three dozen hands holding her back, Akane stops
struggling and sighs, resigned to see Ranma end up heavily drained of chi. However, as Hinako continues to use
her ability, everyone notices something, Hinako herself included.
Frost is seen forming on her, and her breath condenses in the air, as she turns into an icicle. A pretty one, but a
very solid one too.
Hinako : "Brrr.... what's.... happening?"
She immediately stops sucking his chi, and turns back into child-Hinako, as well as causing the ice to melt. All the
students are looking at Hinako, chattering.
Boy #1 : "It... didn't work! Hinako's Happo Gojuu-en Satsu has something wrong with it!"
Boy #2 : "...W... what? Wow! It must've fizzed out or something!"
Boy #3 : "Hey.... do you guys know what this means....?"
Boy #1 : "Do we! She can't harm us anymore! Whoppee!"
Hinako : "Says who!? Happo Gojuu-en satsu!"
Akane and some of the more sensible students quickly leap out of the way as Hinako turns on the group of
chattering students, and immediately, her skill works again. As the pile of weakened students fall to the floor, a
full figured Miss Hinako looks at them angrily.
Hinako : "Tsk tsk. Stupid delinquents! They don't know what's going on, do they?"
Getting up from her spot on the floor, Akane looks at Ranma, still calmly scribbling away, and at Miss Hinako,
whose chi-sucking skill didn't seem to affect him. As Miss Hinako walks back to her spot at her table, she looks at
the current conscious-student count, and only spots Akane, Ranma and several others, all girls.
Hinako : "Hmm... looks like we've got a class of only 10. I can't teach like this, it'd be a waste of time! I guess I
should wake them up, shouldn't I? Happo Tsurisen Gaeshi!"
*blam!*
Hinako releases her massive chi-fireball, blasting the small pile of students in the corner, and burning them. As a
bonus effect, it wakes them up, and they quickly scramble back to their places, blackened and burned.
Hinako : "Hm... looks like Ranma's in some sort of trance. Nevermind.... I'll deal with him later. For now, let's
continue our classes, shall we?"
Hinako continues teaching her class to a group of mostly black students, and is totally oblivious to the fact that
they are charred and in need of some first aid attention. Then again, neither are the students. As she teaches class,
Akane is looking at Ranma, STILL scribbling on his piece of cardboard.
Akane : (Thinking) "What's going on, Ranma? Why're you so.... unresponsive today?"
*riiinnnngg*
The bell goes, and everyone cheers and tosses books into the air as Hinako's lesson is over. Actually, today, they
have P.T, and they are having swimming lessons, which is why the europhic cheer comes more from the boys than
the girls, the girls-on-their-minds-only boys particularly loud at the chance to see Akane and especially Ranma
wearing swimsuits. Everyone grabs their stuff and walks off to their respective changing rooms. Akane lags a little,
as she notices Ranma didn't seem to hear the bell. But, as she is about to smack him on the head with a mallet, he
suddenly stops scribbling, and with a bang, slams down his pencil onto the table. Most of the people still in class
look at Ranma, in amazement, as he actually snaps out of his strange trancelike state.
Ranma : "There! All done!"
He turns to look at Akane, who quickly hides the mallet behind her, and tilts his head at a strange angle.
Ranma : "Akane? What lesson is it now?"
Akane : "..... you didn't hear the bell!?"
Ranma : "Er.... I.... don't think I was here much."
Akane : "It's P.T. We have swimming today."
Ranma sniggers as he hears the word, 'swimming'.
Ranma : "You mean, everyone BUT yourself has swimming today. You? Moves like a hammer in the water. Head
first!" *laugh*
Akane : "Well then.... lucky I saved this then!"
*BLAM!* *groan*
Akane brings her mallet flying full force into Ranma's head, who is too busy laughing to notice the mallet until it's
too late. Head breaking the table, Ranma is knocked out cold, and incidentally causes the cardboard card to fly
into the air, and into Akane's hands. She snatches it out of the air as the students walk over to Ranma, and begin
to pick him off and out of the ground. As they drag Ranma off to wake him, Akane looks at the card.
Akane's Friend : "Hey, Akane! It's P.T now! Hurry! You don't want to miss it!"
Akane : "Later... I'm coming later.... don't wait for me. You know what to do when that old hentai comes though,
don't you? <Hope Porcelain did her job.>"
Akane's Friend : "Yes, ma'am! We know and are preparing it even as I speak!"
Akane : "Good good.... go on now... I'll join you ASAP."
As Akane's friend runs off to the changing room, Akane is left alone in the classroom, looking at the card. She
reads the words, (actually neatly written, for once!), slowly reads them out aloud.
Akane : "To.... Shiyona..... (flipping the page over) Get well soon...... forgive me....... love you....... my fault.......
From.... Ranko!"
"So that's what Ranma was doing! He was making a get well and apology card to Shiyoru! No wonder he was
unaffected! His chi must've been so low along with his spirits, no wonder he was so icy to Hinako! And look at his
sketches!" Akane muses as she appreciates the sketches that Ranma drew.
Akane : (Thinking) "Didn't think he could draw flowers so well... here's a gardenia... a rose.... a lily.... wow! Some
bouquet! I didn't know he could draw at all!"
Then Akane looks at her watch. She sweats.
Akane : "Oh no! I've got 3 minutes to get to class before it starts! Hurry!"
Akane quickly stuffs the card into her bag, and runs off with it towards the changing room. Nearing it, she hears
nothing. She smiles, as she is finally convinced that Happosai is firmly trapped in that mountain.
Akane : (Thinking) "That Old Hentai's not getting out anytime soon!"
She quickly rushes in, and changes. Actually, most of the girls are still there though, waiting in their swimming
costumes, Ranma included. Although she's in a corner, back facing them all, changing into her costume. Akane
giggles a little.
Akane : (Thinking) "Poor Ranma, all part of the agreement though. He can't change in the guy's room, that's for
sure! They'd start drooling and trying to fondle him like that! He can't look at us too, though. Poor sot."
Then, one of her friends walk up to her, broomstick in hand. She salutes to Akane, albeit a little sloppily, and in
jest, Akane returns the salute equally sloppy.
Akane's Friend : "Status report, sir! Nothing to report, sir!"
Akane : "Don't worry.... I just wanted to confirm something. Looks like it's been confirmed."
Akane's Friend : "Huh? What's that?"
Akane : "That old pervert won't be coming back here for a *very* long time. I'm sure. Now, come on! Go! Tell the
instructor I'll be a little late!"
They all nod, and drop their weapons, running out the room, leaving onna-Ranma and Akane. As Akane changes,
she decides to get Ranma to talk, although why she's still staying in the room is beyond Akane.
Akane : "Ranma.... nice card."
Ranma quickly turns around, wiping tears from her eyes. Akane cringes in disgust.
Ranma (C) : "T...thanks..."
Akane : "Oh, come on now! Why're YOU crying!? You aren't blaming yourself too, are you!?"
Ranma (C) : "But I must! I was the one who stung Shiyoru's nerve!"
Akane : "Huh? What? You what?"
Ranma (C) : "I said... I...." (Obviously getting a little of herself back together.)
Instructor : "Oi! Ranma! Akane! Hurry up! The rest are waiting for you two slowpokes!"
Akane : (To the door.) "Coming, instructor!" (To Ranma-chan) "You'd better explain to me later after school!"
Finishing up, Ranma-chan and Akane open the door and head towards the swimming pool, in which Akane looks
at with only partial disdain.
Akane : "Will I remember my lessons...?"
A bolt runs through Ranma-chan's head and narrowly misses the water.
Ranma (C) : "<Forgot she took lessons!> Akane, don't tell me you forgot Shiyoru's lessons already!? It's only
been, what? Four months? admittedly, we've not seen you swim in a month, and none of them have at
all!"
Well... yeah. Shiyoru's been giving Akane MANY, MANY stressful hours of special training on HOW to swim,
during his last few visits. It goes something like this :
Spending more time on teaching Akane than breathing, Shiyoru took many painstaking days actually correcting
Akane's most basic mistakes, correcting her misinformed preconceptions. Then, after teaching her the actual
theories of swimming, he, against all hopes, brought Akane to the swimming pool to be tested. Akane still
remembers Ranma smirking at her and telling Shiyoru that "That hammerhead isn't going to be able to move an
inch, and if she does, I'll wear girls' clothing for an entire week!" while smashing Happosai into orbit at the same
time after he heard that.
Akane grins evilly at Ranma's face after being actually able to move.... two inches! Of course, at some expense of
the swimming pool, Shiyoru spent many more hours telling her, guiding her, screaming at her, and prompting her
to try harder and correcting even more mistakes which she didn't know she had. She remembers Shiyoru's ragged
, hagged and wretched appearance after so many weeks of painful torture, teaching her to swim. Then she thinks
of all the trouble he went through to teach her, and remembers him now, in the hospital, probably covered in wires
of all sorts.
However, this thought sends a shiver through her spine and she quickly disintergrates the thought from her mind
before anymore feelings can be brought to bear.
Akane : "Well, I'll show you, little miss one-incher!"
Akane grins as Ranma-chan remembers the nickname Akane gave to her when she lost the bet. She hated each
and every minute of her torture, having to wear girls' clothes for an entire week (of course as a girl), and was nearly
insane by the time it ended.
Ranma (C) : "For all our sakes, I hope you do."
Just as they walk towards the rest of the class, some of the guys run up to Ranma. One of them claps Ranma on
the shoulder, turning her head.
Guy : "Hey! Ranma! I heard Akane.... could swim!"
Ranma (C) : "Where'd you hear it from?"
Guy : "From him....." (Points to Gosunkugi.)
Ranma (C) : (Thinking) "Oh yucks! Akane's achievement was seen by that jerk? What a black mark!"
But the guy isn't finished yet.
Guy : "Who heard it from him..... who heard it from him..... who heard it from.... HIM!"
Ranma looks at where the finger is pointing, and comes up to see.... a disguised principal Kuno. Poorly disguised
as a beach parasol, the Principal's dark glasses and oversized body shape can be distinguished underneath that
poor metal alternative which he's using. He's shuffling up towards the class, and before Ranma can give him a
good kick to the butt, the principal pops up.
Principal : "Hello hello hello! Ha ha! Glad to see all my fit and trim students here for today's swimming lessons!"
He recieves a very dead response. Undeterred, he continues.
Principal : "Yes, you heard right! Akane can swim now!"
Murmurs from the crowd, mostly disbelieving. The principal goes on.
Principal : "All thanks to... ME! I taught her for....."
*B.L.A.M.!.!.!*
Principal Kuno is sent flying far, far, far into the sky, disappearing as a bright star in the daylight as Ranma and
Akane give him a hard uppercut and super split kick, respectively.
Ranma (C) : "You jerk! You didn't teach her! Shiyoru did! Now shut up and burn up on reentry! Better yet, don't
come back!"
People start applauding Ranma's and Akane's actions, but the instructor quietens the class down as he looks at
his watch. The students sit down, cross legged.
Instructor : "OK class! We're almost going to be late if we delay any longer! Now, I just heard that Akane could
swim? Is that true, Akane?"
Akane doesn't dare answer, as all her friends start poking her and jabbering to her. Then, Ranma decides to help
her along.
Ranma (C) : (Whispering into Akane's ear) "Hey, Akane! What's the matter, hammerhead? Scared you'll forget
your training and embarrass yourself in front of all of us?"
Akane gives Ranma an elbow to the head, then stands up.
Akane : "Don't call me that! Yes, coach! I can swim now!"
Gasps from the crowd. Akane's instructor looks skeptical. Murmuring follows.
Instructor : "If you don't mind, would you show us then? Any style, as long as you move without destroying the
pool. We don't want to skip swimming lessons for another two months."
Akane : "Gladly."
Akane bravely walks over to the pool's edge, a nervous and excited class watching. Taking a few deep breaths to
calm herself, Akane thinks.
Akane : (Thinking) "Calm down, relax. Deep breath, DIVE!"
Akane leaps into the pool gracefully. Or at least, as gracefully as a cannonball dive will allow. Splashing water all
over the class, everyone watches as Akane sinks beneath the water, surfacing bubbles the only thing that showed
she was ever there. Everyone expects her to at least come up, screaming and gasping for breath, and for Ranma to
save her.
No such luck.
In fact, as they look on, some of the boys start to chatter about how long Akane's been staying underwater, while
some of the girls start to look on concernedly. They turn to Ranma, sitting there, looking on nonchalantly.
Girl #1 : "Ranma... isn't Akane going to come up? She's gotta breath, you know."
Girl #2 : "Ranma... can Akane really swim?"
Girl #3 : "She's going to be all right, isn't she? Even she has some common sense...."
Akane : "Oi! Over here!"
Akane's voice is heard far away, and everyone immediately turns their attention from amongst themselves to the
source of the voice, far on the other side of the pool. They see Akane... floating, not thrashing, and actually
shouting more or less normally, except for a hint of excitement.
Guy #1 : "Look! It's Akane!"
Girl #1 : "She hasn't drowned yet!"
Guy #2 : "She's actually managed to swim to the other side!"
Girl #2 : "Underwater!"
Only Ranma is silent, silently grinning and thanking Shiyoru for his expended effort, while everyone holds a mini-
celebration in Akane's honour.
Ranma (C) : "Thanks, Shiyoru."
Back in the hospital, a doctor is examining Shiyona's unconscious form, looking at the monitors.
*bleep!*
Nurse : "Doctor! The patient's vital signs show a marked improvement!"
Doctor : "Like last night?"
Nurse : "As good."
{Visiting Hours... the announcement.}
Soon after P.T, an amazed and bewildered class along with a jubilant Akane and glad Ranma finish their last
classes for the day, surprisingly without a hitch, and are unpacking their lunch boxes after school in their class,
when they hear a commotion outside.
Voice : "Er... looking for Ranko and Akane?"
Female Voice : "Yes. I know they study here."
Voice : "Akane does.... but we don't know of any Ranko!"
Female Voice : "But I'm sure she studies here! I even saw her to school today! She MUST be here somewhere!"
Ranma and Akane bigsweat after realizing that the voice belongs to Nodoka.
Akane : "Quickly, Ranma! Change!"
Ranko : "Already done."
They turn their attentions back to the voices outside.
Voice : "Yes, madam. I can show you where Akane studies though. Here, this is her class. Maybe you can find out
about this 'Ranko' from her."
Female Voice : "Thank you."
Voice : "Er... anytime."
"Ranko" and Akane are happily eating lunch together as Nodoka walks into the class, carrying her cloth bundle.
Ranko sweats nervously as she spots the cloth wrapping... when she realizes that it isn't the correct shape. She
smiles pleasantly as she spots Nodoka walk towards them, incidentally drawing the stares of many other students
in the class. Then Ranko becomes the centre of attention.
As Nodoka reaches the table where Ranko and Akane are sitting, takes a seat besides their desk, setting down the
cloth-wrapped bundle on the desk in front of her, and turns the chair to face the two and is about to speak, one of
boys comes up behind Ranko and speaks into her ear.
Student : "Hey, Ranma! Since when'd you become Ranko?"
Ranko turns red from embarassment, then viciously shoots back at him.
Ranko : "None of your business! Bug off!"
The students listens to her and bugs off, returning to the group of friends much embarassed and much to the
teasing of his friends. Regaining her composure, she looks back at Nodoka, who has been watching the short
exchange between the two very attentively. She grins at Nodoka nervously, and quickly speaks to allay any fears
or suspicions before they surface to Nodoka's mind.
Ranko : "Heh heh.... er.... those boys are always a flirt, aren't they...?"
Nodoka : "Oh... yes. Oh, by the way, Ranko, Akane, we're going to see Shiyona today at the hospital, aren't we?"
Akane : "Yes, aunty."
However, before Nodoka can continue with the details into the visit, something is heard outside.
*pat* *pat* *pit* *pit* *SCREEEECCCHHH!!* *Bam!* *angry shouting* "Sorry! In a rush! Sumimasen! Gomen
nasai!"
"Whoah! Am I in the right class?" yells a silvery haired teenage boy as he runs into the room, a small bundle of
books and a lunchbox in his hands.
Nodoka turns to see who it is, and is pleasantly surprised.
Nodoka : "Oh! Glass! How nice! Looks like we won't have to look for you!"
Glass walks over to the group and takes a seat, sitting on the table instead, dumping his books on the chair. He
grabs his lunchbox and opens it, grabbing a sandwich out of it. Nodoka looks at the assembled group, and nods.
She talks while the other three are wolfing down lunch with lightning speed.
Nodoka : "Well... since you're all here, I guess I can give you the details of our visit today. I called the hospital
today, and they said Shiyona was doing fine. She should be out of the intensive care ward by the time
visiting hours start. We can visit her at ward 2-D."
Everyone lets out a collective sigh of relief after swallowing their food, especially Glass. Nodoka nods in
understanding at his concern for Shiyona, and lifts her cloth bundle.
Nodoka : "I got Shiyona some fruits and charms in here. I bought them at the temple.... I hope she really gets well
soon."
The other three : "We do too."
Nodoka looks at the clock on the classroom wall.
Nodoka : "Oh! It's nearly opening hours! Hurry up and finish. I'm really anxious to see if Shiyona's all right."
Everyone picks up the pace, and in a few short minutes, their lunchboxes are empty. Packing their stuff, the three
leave the classroom with Nodoka, leaving behind a group of very confused students, wondering just who Glass,
Ranko and Shiyona are.
*BLAM!*
Ryoga : "Koko wa... doko desu ka!?"
Within the school yard, Ryoga yells after he pops his way out of the ground, having being lost in some under-
ground cavern for half a week and burrowing his way through it, incidentally scaring a whole bunch of people who
then stare at the person who is pulling himself out of the concrete ground, and then looks around. He spots a few
familiar landmarks, not that they helped much in his navigation at any rate.
Ryoga : "Hmm... looks like... I'm in Nerima? Tokyo? Then....."
His eyes well up with tears, and his face turns into a mushy, soft face of love.
Ryoga : "I must be near Akane....."
*slosh!*
P-Chan : "Pquwweek!"
P-Chan looks around at what soaked him, and spots a pair of girls in the building at the window above him with an
empty bucket. He starts walking around, lost.
P-Chan : "Pquek!"
Akane : "P-Chan!"
P-Chan : "Qwuee? Squeee!"
Akane, walking out of the main building, spots P-Chan by the building, a giant backpack, umbrella and a small pile
of clothes which look familiar besides him. She asks the others to wait, and kneels down, hands open.
Akane : "Come on, P-Chan! We're going to visit Shiyona today! Maybe she can take a look at you too!"
Akane holds out her hands happily, P-Chan only too obliging to be held by Akane again. Ranko looks on, angry
and jealous.
Ranko : "Wonder what Ryoga is doing now...? Oh, there he is, silly me! Hi, P-Chan!"
Akane, carrying P-Chan in her hands, stands up and looks around, wonderingly.
Akane : "Huh? Ryoga? Where?"
Ranko : "Oh, nevermind.<Damn, she's dense!>"
Glass just snickers, and goes to the front gate to help Nodoka to flag down a taxicab that happens to be crossing
by. He opens the front door for Nodoka, and closes it after her. Then Ranko, Akane with P-Chan run out and pile
in.
"Here we are!" Nodoka exclaims as they reach the hospital. Paying the cabby, who incidentally was the one who
drove them to the hospital the first time, Glass apologizes for any past grievances and tells him to keep the change.
Complying only too eagerly, the cabby drives off quickly.
Walking into the hospital, Nodoka leads the group towards the elevator, and up to level 2. Everyone is excited at
the prospect of visiting Shiyona again, especially with the heartening news that she's doing fine. As the lift opens,
the group quickly piles out of the elevator, and Nodoka leads them towards ward 2-D, where the rest of the
household are waiting. Kasumi, Nabiki, Soun and Genma panda are all standing there, or sitting down, waiting for
them to arrive. Soun is the first to see them coming, and quickly stands up.
Soun : "Ahh, there they are! Good! Visiting time's just started, and they only allow four people in at a time! So I
think you four should go in! We'll be out here waiting for the news! Just don't take too long...."
Soun looks nervously at Nabiki, whose internal and external timers are running up numbers multiplied by yen.
Nodoka : "Don't worry! We won't be in there long!"
Soun : "Go on, the doctors said she showed signs of waking up."
Glass : "Then? What are we waiting for? Let's go in!"
The group of four enter a neat, white and sterile ward. While the whole room smells of disinfectants, like the rest
of the hospital, the atmosphere here is... sweeter, warmer. Nodoka and the rest notice that apart from Shiyona, the
entire ward is empty, save for a single doctor, apparently waiting for them
Ranko : "Some VIP."
Glass : (Whispering into Ranko's ear.) "She got an entire intensive care ward to herself last night, for goodness'
sakes!"
Ranko looks amazed as Glass tells her this, but quickly wipes it off her face. The doctor beckons to them to come
over. They walk, eagerly but not too quickly, towards the bed.
A hazy viewpoint, some pain. Half the vision is obscured, and some muffled sounds can be heard. Trying to get
up, feels stiff. Looks down, realises that body is in bandage. Stops moving, and simply listens for the source of
the sounds, eye(s) closed, managing to catch the gist of it.
"....she is!"
"Let's go see how she is!"
"Qwuee? Pokok!"
*pat* *pat* *pat* *pat*
"My God! She's in a horrible state!"
"Don't say that aunty! At least she's alive!"
"Doctor? How is she?"
"She'll be all right, she's the toughest girl I've ever treated before! Her internals, despites the estimated damage due
to that bus, were only damaged 57% below our estimated mark."
"Then... is there anything that we should know about?"
"She's making a full recovery, I'm glad to say. She can be discharged soon, but she'll have to watch herself."
*uuunnnnhhhh*
"Look! She's conscious!"
"Or at least, enough to make some noise."
"Qwueee?"
Shiyona manages to utter out another sound before shaking herself completely awake. As she opens her eyes
completely, she spots a whole group of unfamiliar people surrounding her. They mob her with questions.
Woman : "Are you all right, Shiyona?"
Pigtailed Girl : "Shiyona? You there?"
Ponytailed Boy : "Glad to see you're all right!"
Short Haired Girl : "How're you feeling?"
Herself : "Huh? What's going on? Where am I?"
Woman : "You're in the hospital, Shiyona."
Herself : "Hos..pital?"
Pigtailed Girl : "Yeah, you got hit with that bus with bad."
Herself : "Bus?"
Short Haired Girl : "Yeah! After you went crying off that day..."
Herself : "Wha...? Who are you people anyway? Who's Shiyona? Who am I?"
As soon as she asks this question, a pang of fear shoots through everyone, as they suddenly suspect something
seriously wrong. Ranko bends over the bed to stare into Shiyona's eyes. She looks at him quizzically. She waves a
hand in her face, checking for a response. She blinks. Or at least, her one visible eye blinks. Ranko proceeds to try
something else. Holding her unbandaged hand in her own, she looks at her closely and asks.
Ranko : "Girl.... do you know who you are?"
Shiyona : "I.... I.... er.... let me think....."
Shiyona starts racking her brains, lying on her bed as everyone looks on, the doctor scribbling notes on his
clipboard. She looks at the red haired pigtailed girl. She shakes her head as far as she can.
Shiyona : "N...no! I... don't remember....!"
Ranko lets go of her hand and turns around, to look at the rest of the group. She shakes his head sadly, and closes
her eyes for a while. Finally, she looks up and walks towards the group. Their worst fear is confirmed, and they all
know it even before she announces it.
Ranko : "Shiyona has amnesia."
{A fight between friends.}
"No...."
"Afraid so."
"What can we do now?"
As the group leaves the bed and walks over to a corner to discuss this, Glass remains behind, to stay with
Shiyona, testing her.
Glass : "Shiyona! Do you know who I am!?"
Shiyona : "Shiyona? Who's that?"
Glass : "...You're Shiyona! Don't you remember ANYTHING!?"
Shiyona : "N...no... I... can't remember a thing!"
Glass : "Let me try something."
He gently taps Shiyona's lower lip twice, then on her philtrum (which is that small depression under your nose and
above your upper lip.), on her nose and finally on her forehead. She blinks in surprise, once, twice, thrice, then
sneezes in the cutest way.
*achee!* *sniffle*
Glass grins and smiles, looking at Shiyona fondly. Everyone turns around as they hear her sneeze, and at a
grinning Glass.
Glass : "Looks like she hasn't forgotten everything... at least, not subconsciously."
The doctor walks up to Glass and asks.
Doctor : "Excuse me, mister..."
Glass : "Glass."
Doctor : "Mr. Glass, but what was it you did?"
Glass : "Oh... that... it's a little game we used to play.... for some reason, she'll sneeze when I do this...."
He repeats the motion of tapping her lower lip twice, her philtrum, her nose and then on her forehead. She blinks
three times again and sneezes, just as cutely as the first time. She looks annoyed.
*achee!* *sniffle*
The doctor removes his spectacles, wiping the mucus off it. While wiping with his handkerchief, he asks Glass to
accompany him to a corner. He tells the rest to leave. They leave. Making sure that everyone's gone, the doctor
talks privately to Glass.
Doctor : "You're her boyfriend, right?"
Glass : "Yes."
Doctor : "Good. From what I diagnosed, she's got quite a severe case of amnesia...."
Glass : "How bad is it?"
Doctor : "I don't know. Anyway, that game you played proves that she hasn't forgotten EVERYTHING.... at least,
not unconsciously. You may be that driving force who can help her on the road to recovery...."
Glass : "Anything for my darling Shiyona."
Doctor : "Your devotion is touching. All right... I'll see what I can do. Hang around, I'll have something within the
hour. If I can get her out, she'll be your responsibility, both in getting her memory back and her physical
recovery."
Glass : "All right."
Doctor : "Now, you'll have to leave. I have some things to attend to, and the patient needs her rest."
Glass : "Yes, doctor."
With a reassuring clap to his shoulder from the doctor, Glass walks out, face elated but determined. As he leaves,
the doctor pulls a earset out of his coat pocket and fits it into his ear. He taps it two times, and speaks into a mini
microphone built into it.
Doctor : "Lion 2, this is Lion 1.... we have help on the way."
Voice : "Roger that, Lion 1. We'll get her out tonight."
Doctor : "Change that order, Lion 2, make it within the hour, over."
Voice : "As good as done. Over and out."
Doctor : "Roger wilco." (This means acknowledged and out. Not that *sick* game from Sierra.)
Quickly stuffing his earpiece back into his coat pocket, the doctor walks out of the ward like as if nothing ever
happened.
Telling the rest to go back, Glass asks Akane and Ranko to stay behind. Nodoka insists on staying, but he tells
her that he has some very private business to talk to them about, and that she'll see Shiyona soon enough.
Reluctantly, Nodoka agrees and walks off, thinking about what to do for the rest of the afternoon.
At the cafeteria, Porcelain orders some real coffee for the three of them, telling the vendor that if he serves that car
lubricant of theirs, he'll sue for food poisoning. He quickly gets three cups of the real stuff, piping hot, and pays
the cashier. He walks over to the table where Ranma and Akane are sitting, waiting for him. He sets the tray down,
and over a cup of steaming hot coffee, Akane sets P-Chan down on the table and asks Porcelain.
Akane : "Porcelain, why'd you call us here? It's not like we couldn't talk in the hallway. We could still have hot
coffee there."
Ranma (C) : "Maybe the vending machines are afraid of you, Akane. That's why the one upstairs wouldn't work."
Akane : "...."
*bop*. Akane knocks Ranma with a small mallet. Porcelain looks at Ranma while she recovers. Then, he coughs
and clears his throat to get their attention. They look at him, expectantly.
Porcelain (C) : "I've got good news. The doctor said we might be able to bring Shiyoru home today."
Ranma (C) : "That's great! But..."
Porcelain (C) : "He said he'd get results within the hour. To get her out."
Akane : "Results?"
Porcelain (C) : "Clearance orders, wheelchairs, all that stuff I guess. And we're to help with her therapy, both
physically and mentally."
Ranma (C) : "I guess... I'll have to make up for what I did to him... it's the least I could do."
The two glare at her, and she withers under their stare.
Ranma (C) : "W... what?"
Akane : "Ranma, you said something about stinging Shiyoru's nerve earlier on....?"
Porcelain (C) : "Uh huh.... and what was that about doing something to him?"
They stare intensely at her, and she can feel the mini-Moko Takabishas emitted by their eyes on her. She looks at
the two, and hangs her head.
Ranma (C) : "Guess now's a time as good as any to tell you guys."
Ranma visibly braces herself for what she's about to say.
Ranma (C) : "You know that day we went to that mall?"
Both nod.
Ranma (C) : "Well.... you two know how much I hate dressing as a girl... so... I started complaining."
Akane and Porcelain nod in understanding.
"Uh huh. And, one of which had to do with your curses...." Akane starts, "Which stung Shiyoru's nerve."
Porcelain ends.
Both : "And because of that, he ran out on to the street to be slammed by a bus."
Ranma (C) : "Unfortunately so.... also because I lost my temper... and.... jibed him."
Akane slams his head with a fist, while Porcelain steps on it.
Akane : "Ranma no baka! You know Shiyoru's still young and sensitive about this!"
Porcelain (C) : "Ranma! Didn't we agree not to bring that topic up in front of Shiyoru!?"
Ranma-chan, barely coherent now, struggles up onto the chair, using the table for support.
Ranma (C) : "Y...yeah...."
Akane : "Then why'd you bring it up?"
Ranma (C) : "Er......"
Porcelain (C) : "Forgot yourself? Typical. All you guys are the same! Stupid, pigheaded egotistical jerks."
Ranma (C) : "Hey! Who's a boy here now!?"
Porcelain (C) : "At least I'm still the same in here!" (Clutching his chest.)
Ranma feels another temper surge rising through her, although she doesn't notice it.
Ranma (C) : "So what!? If you two hadn't come, we wouldn't have had this problem!"
Porcelain (C) : "And if you'd been a little more tolerant, we could've been all right now!"
The two begin an arguing match, their voices growing increasingly louder. They begin to attract the attention of
the everyone nearby, who actually hears them over the general din of the cafeteria. Akane backs off to let the two
argue, as their fight grows increasingly more intense.
Porcelain (C) : "And if you weren't so SCARED, you would've told Nodoka! Chicken! Pwoark pwoark!"
Ranma (C) : "Chicken what!? You sickening a$$! If only you'd plucked up the courage to tell Nodoka that we
weren't close to each other!"
Porcelain (C) : "What's that supposed to show!? Why did you toss Shiyoru into the pool in the first place then!?"
Ranma (C) : "What, and let Nodoka find out his secret if it rained!?"
Porcelain (C) : "At least he didn't promise to kill himself if discovered!"
Ranma (C) : "That was my lousy dad!"
Porcelain (C) : "Then you are ALL to blame, lousy male Saotomes! Chauvanist pigs!"
Ranma (C) : "Pigs!? Me!? Why not look at Ryoga!? Maybe you should've been HIS girlfriend! You don't deserve
Shiyoru at ALL!"
Porcelain (C) : "What did you say....? You....."
*S.L.A.P.!*
Porcelain gives Ranma-chan the tightest slap anyone's ever seen, felt, or heard. Ranma reels back from the blow,
clutching her red and quickly swelling cheek. Porcelain glares darkly at Ranma. A shadow falls across his eyes,
even though the cafeteria lights are shining straight onto his face.
Akane knows that look, and she knows it means that anyone caught in his wrath now had better be as good as
Ranma or else expect a serious crimp in their life-expectancy. Ranma notes the look too, and is desperately now
thinking about what to say.
Porcelain (C) : "You....."
Ranma (C) : "Porcelain! Calm down! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
P-Chan jumps off the table and leaps into Akane's arms, shivering. Everyone backs off. Way off. Some even run
out of the cafeteria to warn of an impending disaster.
