Debt, love… Fight!

Spring.

The next morning, I find a box in front of my door.

Sometimes the landlady forgets and leaves things in the hallway, but this doesn’t seem to be like that.

The box bears a famous sports brand logo. I pick it up curiously and hold my breath to discover a pair of new sneakers, black with gold details, of course in my size.

I know exactly who the culprit is, yet I can’t help but try them on and practically moan with delight when my feet feel like they’re walking on clouds.

That busybody… I do a turn. I want to run in them right now. I hop a few times on the spot and smile; they’re not only comfortable, they’re also beautiful.

I can imagine him going out shopping on Sunday, right after I abandoned him in agony at the gym. He didn’t hold a grudge and kept thinking about my needs.

And I… I got angry.

I don’t want to waste time on something as trivial as analyzing my feelings, because thinking about them too much confuses me.

I tie my hair in a tight braid (but not as tight as the one he usually wears) and go out to try on my gift. I guess I owe him another big one; there are so many already that I don’t know how to begin to repay them. I jog a few blocks, and for the first time in a while, my steps linger at my old home.

It’s been so long since I’ve been inside, and I miss it so much… but I cannot give into temptation. It would be so easy to jump over the wall, but I really don’t feel like having to deal with Kuno and another of his visits. That’s when I see the sign.

«For Sale,» and right below it a phone number and a logo of a real estate agency.

I feel a weight on my chest, and gravity pulls me down until I’m sitting on the floor, unable to tear my eyes away from something so incongruous. So wrong. 

No, the house is mine. It’ll be mine when I give him the money. He promised it to me.

Kuno Tatewaki has money to spare. What does an old, abandoned property matter to him? Why is he suddenly in a hurry to sell?!

It quickly dawns on me. He’s tired of chasing me, now he wants me to chase him.

I grit my teeth, I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to fight.

.

..

…

The gym is open, and Ranma and Ryu are practicing inside. They both stop and stare when they see me appear, agitated, with fire in my eyes. I leave my new sneakers at the entrance and without saying a word, I head to the punching bag and begin hitting it with all my might, kicking and punching, one after the other, without pads or gloves.

I feel the movement behind me, but I honestly don’t care. I just want to hit, I want to hurt and be hurt, I want to break my hands while screaming in helplessness.

Ranma grabs the bag and glances nervously toward the entrance.

«You didn’t like them,» he whispers with a frown, and for a moment I don’t know what he’s talking about.

He looks guilty, and I feel a knot in my stomach and a heaviness in my heart.

«I love them,» I reply, stopping hitting the bag and giving him a sad smile. The idiot shouldn’t have even bothered, and he thinks he’s upset me. How can that be? «I really love them.»

«Yeah?»

«This isn’t because of you.»

He is quiet for a few moments, debating whether to believe me or not.

«At least put on some gloves,» he says, still holding the bag, gesturing toward the box of equipment.

And he leaves me, goes back to training with his brother. I see them exchange words and evasive glances; I know they’re talking about me.

I go get some gloves, put on the smallest ones I can find, and start hitting again with all my might. Twenty minutes in, I’m exhausted. A fight is breaking out behind me, and for the first time, I pay attention to them.

They’re overwhelming, two forces of nature. Their enormous bodies fill the space as they hit and dodge, and the worst part is that they find it entertaining. They end up falling to the ground, and to my surprise, Ryu traps Ranma in a hand-and-leg lock that makes my sensei give up. I wouldn’t be able to do that in a million years.

I take off my gloves. I still have plenty of time to get to the restaurant, but since I’m not scheduled to open today, I don’t plan to. Shinnosuke is still acting strangely towards me, but I find that I’m not really bothered by it. I’m staying firm.

And with Ranma… Something stirs inside me, something sharp.

He looks up as he gets up from the mat, but I avoid his eyes. I have no right to be angry; he’s always been good to me, too good. He seems determined to make my chaotic messy life much better.

It’s childish to be hurt because he’s popular. Obviously, he’s a grown man, a tremendous fighter. It’s illogical that he doesn’t have someone: But he doesn’t have one, or he doesn’t want one, and he made it clear that I shouldn’t be jealous.

How bold.

He thinks I’m jealous, and it makes my cheeks burn and my knees tremble. He and I don’t have that kind of relationship. I don’t actually like him “like him”… Well, a little. But only a little.

It’s a small, tiny thing, an annoyance I can control.

I hide behind the punching bag, thinking that maybe today I’ll also be hit by Ryu, or worse, a grappling session with Ranma.

In both cases, I end up kissing the canvas, but one of them is much more dangerous for my nerves. If he holds me in that absurdly sexy way again, I think I’ll scream.

I hear Ryu laughing and talking between gasps.

“I’d better leave for today. I know when I’m third wheeling.»

«Do you?» my sensei replies humorously. They both say goodbye with high fives. I understand they’re brothers, but they’re also best friends. Ryu waves at me before walking out the door, and we’re alone again.

It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve been alone, but for some reason I feel like there’s something different about this silence. Weird tension in the air.

Ranma scratches the back of his neck; he seems shy now. He didn’t seem shy when he knocked me onto my back yesterday. I shake my head, trying to push that moment away from my thoughts.

«Do you want to spar?» he asks hesitantly, and I feel like he’s actually asking me something else, but I can’t figure out what.

«I want to fight on Friday,» I declare, moving away from the bag, and I see his blue eyes suddenly widen; he’s all flustered even though he tries to hide it.

«It’s not time yet.»

«Just make it happen, tell Taro I want to test myself,» I protest proudly.

«You can fight, but not against her.»

He doesn’t realize how the mere mention of her existence offends me. I look at him disdainfully before crossing my arms.

«There are more fighters I can fight,» I declare firmly.

Ranma grunts but nods. That comforts me, as if his approval somehow reaffirms my intentions. He knows I can win, and that fills me with confidence. The hard training is helping, and today more than ever I feel the urge to get even, to settle a score; I need a lot of money.

«We’ll be training more hours this week; you gotta be ready.»

I nod and spend the morning perfecting my speed. Afterward, we practice direct punches, but Ranma is careful not to suggest grabs, which I find oddly relieving.

I say goodbye a while later when my phone alarm goes off; I have to start my shift at the restaurant. I’m in a hurry, so I take a quick shower in the gym’s restrooms. They’re not too clean, but the hot water is comforting and manages to get rid of the sweat.

When I get out, he looks at me with a frown, sighs, and closes his eyes tightly before overpowering me with them again. Their blueness is so beautiful it should be illegal.

«I’ll see you later?» he asks softly, with a smile as sad as mine.

«I have…I have plans today,» I say evasively, because I don’t want him to be part of what I have planned. I’m going to face Kuno, and I don’t want to get him into any more trouble than he already is. Ranma lowers his gaze, looking disgruntled, almost hurt.

«Fine,» he replies simply, and then heads to the back of the gym to give the punching bag a second beating.

.

..

…

The shift at the restaurant feels light compared to Saturday. Shinnosuke opened today and stares at me resentfully, but I glare back at him fiercely, so he decides not to say a word. He hasn’t come close to me, keeping everything strictly professional. 

That takes a weight off of me, because I’ve discovered I don’t want him like that anymore. It’s not that I don’t find him handsome, but as the days go by, it’s as if his presence in my head fades away, and any approach makes me uncomfortable.

When six o’clock rolls around, I take off my apron and inform Mrs. O. that I’ll be leaving early today. Shinnosuke pulls a face at me from the bar.

«Are you going with that guy?» he says surprisingly, with sad eyes.

«No, I have to run some errands.»

«Good,» he shrugs. I don’t feel like arguing with him, but he’s been acting like a jerk lately.

«But if I was meeting Ranma, it wouldn’t be any of your business either,» I inform him, grabbing my coat. Luckily, there are only two diners at the back of the room right now, and they don’t seem to be paying attention to us.

«He’s not a good influence on you.»

«Are we going to talk about what’s good for me again?»

Shinnosuke sighs.

«Got a minute?»

I raise an eyebrow, because until now, that kind of proposition was unthinkable. Mr. «Too Busy» has never asked me for even a moment other than to cover a shift.

«I don’t think I have time,» I say proudly.

«Please,» he begs, and I can’t help it; I’m weak to his plea. There’s no harm in talking, right?

«Just ten minutes.»

Shinnosuke smiles and gestures for me to follow him toward the alleyway where the back door to the kitchen is. We walk around the restaurant, and I cross my arms while he looks around, as if afraid someone might appear at any moment.

«That guy isn’t exactly good news. I’ve been digging around, and I think he’s involved in shady stuff. Illegal stuff,» he states, looking at me straight in the eyes and grabbing me by the shoulders, as if to emphasize his words. I don’t know how I manage to not laugh in his face.

«I’ll keep that in mind.»

«He may be involved with the ya-ku-za,» he spells out, emphasizing the word.

«Thanks for the warning, but I can take care of myself.» I try not to sound too condescending about his sudden concern for my life and the new company I keep.

«You don’t understand! He’ll ruin you.»

«Ruin me?» I repeat, because I have trouble understanding. Shinnosuke nods stiffly, his fingers digging into my shoulders as he leans over me.

«You’re a good girl, friendly and cheerful. You’re always willing to help others, and ever since that guy came into your life, you changed. I can’t recognize you anymore. I… I liked the other Akane better.»

His cheeks get pink, and I feel mine do too. If he’d only said that a few weeks ago, I would have fainted in his arms, begging for the flicker of a touch. But now this whole situation seems dumb, because right now, there’s something way more important in my life than whether Shinnosuke likes me or not. For the first time in years, I feel better about myself than ever.

«Shinnosuke, that’s not…»

«I love you,» he gasps suddenly, making me look up, feeling frozen. «I love you,» he repeats, in case I didn’t get it right the first time.

My heart beats wildly in my chest as Shinnosuke looms over me, ready to finish what he started the other day. I feel my back hit the wall as his fingers tighten their grip on my shoulders. I could easily break free, and yet I feel paralyzed.

I was popular in high school, loved by my classmates, idolized by the boys, but everything changed when my family fell into disgrace. Word spread about my father’s problems, the misery at home, and suddenly all my friends turned their backs on me, all the love letters stopped arriving in my locker. The world seemed to ignore my presence, until today.

Today is the first time someone has told me they love me in a long time, and it feels strange. A churning in my gut, a nail in my brain.

I feel his lips on mine before I can react. My mind goes blank as I stiffen, my blood freezing in my veins. I push him away, and he stares at me, bewildered, as if I’m the one who’s gone crazy.

Trembling all over, I run without looking back.

.

..

…

I arrive in front of the Kuno mansion before seven. The original plan was to get on a bus, but I ran so fast that now I’m here, exhausted and confused.

I’m not a shy high school girl anymore; I’m a grown woman who shouldn’t run away from a declaration of love and a kiss. A kiss.

I bring my hand to my mouth, feeling gravity pulling me in; his lips were stiff, his mouth tense and hot. I can still feel his fingers digging into my skin, the smell of old food from the alley dumpsters, the disconnection from myself as soon as his lips touched mine.

He didn’t ask my permission; he just did it, expecting a positive response from me. That makes me angry. My first kiss should have been much more timid and gentle; it should have felt very different.

I’ve never been kissed before. Has Ranma kissed many girls? I’m sure he has. I’m sure he knows how to kiss.

My stomach lurches at the thought of Ranma finding us in the alley. Would he have gotten angry like the other day? Or would he have turned away? Either way, I can’t even express the amount of relief I feel that I told him not to come today.

He worries too much, but not like Shinnosuke. He does it in a way that’s endearing. Almost too good to be true, if it’s happening to me.

I ring the mansion’s doorbell and wait, trying to put aside my very recent problems with men, and kisses, and rolling around on mats.

The sterile voice of one of her many servants answers.

«I’m Akane Tendô, I want to see Kuno Tatewaki right now,» I announce, and the gate opens before me with an electric click.

I burst in, furious. This is the second time I’ve entered the wolf’s den. The first time was over seven years ago, when I was barely finishing high school and our house was foreclosed. At the main entrance, a woman greets me and tells me to follow her, and of course I do. But she doesn’t lead me to the office like that time. Instead, she leads me through the intricate corridors on the ground floor to what appears to be an annex building. It’s very similar to my dojo, but it’s equipped with large spotlights and a new tatami floor, ventilation equipment, and top-of-the-line weight machines. And there I find one of God’s favorite mistakes. Kodachi smiles at me as she abandons one of the machines. She’s wearing her odious gymnastics leggings and seems more than happy to see me again.

«The commoner is visiting,» she purrs as she wraps a towel around her neck. «Tatewaki is away for a few days, but you may discuss any and all matters with me.»

«You can’t sell my house!» I blurt out. She smiles with those small, never not painted red lips.

«Oh? Sorry, you’ll have to be more specific. I own too many properties. Which dilapidated shack are we talking about?»

«Don’t play dumb with me, Kodachi. We have a deal. I just came to remind you of it» I say, angrily crossing my arms and watching that odious woman begin to stretch.

«Ah, but there’s a deadline, and from what I’ve seen, it’s coming up soon. I’m just trying to find a buyer, because as you well know, property depreciates if it’s not properly maintained.»

«What deadline?» I ask, feeling my blood run cold for the second time today. «Don’t make things up.»

«I suppose my brother has been turning a blind eye to you, but I’m not that magnanimous. Pay now, or say goodbye.»

If Kodachi thinks she can intimidate me with her words, she hasn’t yet learned who she’s talking to.

«When he gets back, tell Kuno I want to talk to him,» I conclude, ignoring her and turning away. I don’t have time to waste on that piece of…

I hear her laugh with satisfaction, and it’s that hateful cackle that stirs something inside me. The laughter in the hallway outside Ranma’s locker room sounded the same, all those mouths that hurt and mock me, all those who see me as powerless. Kodachi isn’t going to laugh at me again. I clench my fists and look at her defiantly.

«Do you want to fight?»

She smiles slyly and runs her tongue over her lips.

«I thought you’d never ask.»

.

..

…

I limp home. That bitch cheated, but truth be told, I think she ended up a lot worse than me. She attacked me with nets, threw knives hidden in clubs, hit me with a rope stuffed with chains, the floor opened up beneath me, and I almost drowned in a freaking pool she had hidden under the gym floor. But when I managed to get her, I got her good.

I smile, feeling slightly satisfied.

My nose is dripping with bloody water, and my right ankle is sore. I also got a blow to the temple and a cut on my leg.

I should go see Tofu, but I don’t want to worry Kasumi. I have bandages and band-aids at home, and I guess falling into a pool qualifies as a swim, right?

My lovely new sneakers are soaked,  making a squashy noise as I walk,  leaving small puddles in my wake. This week is off to a terrible start.

.

..

…

Ranma stares at me, stunned, as if he really can’t believe what his eyes are seeing.

«What the hell happened to you?!» he shouts from outside my door.

He’s standing there, as if he has every right to wait for me in the hallway. I guess someone left the front entrance open again.

I managed to bandage my leg and tried to cover the bruises on my face with band-aids and a little makeup. What I can’t hide in any way are the lashes from the chains on my back and against one of my arms. I wore a long-sleeved shirt to train today, and I have no intention of taking it off. My ankle is also bandaged, and the knuckles on my right hand are pretty bruised, but it was worth it.

I take a breath, trying to think of a good excuse, but my brain goes blank.

«I ran into a friend,» I say, grabbing my new sneakers. I left them overnight to dry, and they’re still a little damp, but still a lot better than wearing my old ones.

«Is this what you had to do yesterday? Get into a fight without me knowing?» he says accusingly while crossing his arms, looking hurt.

«I didn’t think I was going to get into a fight,» I reply, although the truth is, I’ve never had an encounter with Kodachi that didn’t end violently.

«You should be more careful with your friends,» he says, narrowing his eyes, knowing I’m hiding something, and for a moment I think he’s going to insist, but he doesn’t. He walks out in front of me, and I can tell from the tension in his back, his clenched fists, and his tight jaw that he’s annoyed with me.

He gives me a furious glance before starting my usual jog. I follow as best I can, but after barely a kilometer, I feel like the pain in my ankle is going to kill me. I stop with a groan and bring my hand to my swollen limb. He also stops a few feet away, doesn’t even gasp, and looks at me gravely before retracing his steps.

«Are you hurt?» he asks, bending down and looking at my ankle, then curses and stands up to his full height with gritted teeth. «You have a sprain! And you’ll be fighting in three days!»

I huff, annoyed. I don’t know why he’s so angry if the only one who’s hurt is me.

«My brother-in-law is a doctor, I’ll go see him.»

Ranma is fuming, putting his hands on his hips and piercing me with those eyes the color of storms.

«Are you going to tell me what you’re up to?»

I swallow, bitterness rising in my mouth. It’s not like I’ve got anything to gain by hiding it; he already knows my weakness.

«They’re selling my house,» I say quietly, and as I tell him, my voice cracks. Again, I feel like I’m going to burst into tears in front of him, releasing the anguish that’s been with me for the past few hours, the desperation.

Ranma stares at me, mute, but his brow remains deeply furrowed, as if an invitation for me to go on.

«They put it up for sale, so yesterday I went to see the guy I made the deal with, but it didn’t exactly go well.» I try to smile.

«Did he put his hands on you?» he asks in a voice from beyond the grave, his whole body vibrating and trembling in time with him.

«N-no. I had a fight with his sister; I always fight with her. If you think I’m beat up, you should see her.»

My sensei opens his mouth in disbelief and closes it again, pinching the bridge of his nose in despair.

«I’ll cancel the fight,» he concludes.

«No! I need the money!»

«You need to stay alive.»

«I’ll be fine, I can do this!»

«That’s your damn problem, you think you can handle everything on your own! That’s why you are where you are, working yourself to the bone, and getting into needless fights. If you keep this up, you’ll end up burnt out or worse.»

«When I get my house back…»

«It’s too much money, Akane,» he says, giving me a reality check that hits like a wallop. All while saying my name in an intimate way.

I ignore him and start limping toward the gym. If I can’t run, at least I can lift weights.

.

..

…

Ranma has been sulking at the counter for an hour. We trained separately, and after re-bandaging my foot, I started my shift at the restaurant. He showed up a while later and stood there, grumpy and not ordering anything, following me with a disturbed look in his eye.

The worst part is Shinnosuke’s attitude, who seems strangely confident and in a good mood. Obviously, he hasn’t mentioned yesterday, although he did look at me with some apprehension because of the new band-aids on my face.

He’s walked past Ranma several times, giving him a little smile, and that only made my sensei more angry. Once again, the tension between those two could be cut with a knife, and I don’t know how to explain to my fellow waiter that if they come to blows, he’ll get the beating of his life.

I try to remain oblivious to the hurricane of testosterone around me until a new customer arrives. He’s a tall, muscular man, and he wouldn’t attract so much attention if he wasn’t wearing a police uniform. I stand up straight, suddenly recognizing him. He’s the same one who chased us a few days ago. I hope I’m not in trouble, or at least Ranma isn’t.

My sensei looks at him incredulously, and the policeman sits next to him at the bar. They exchange a few disdainful colorful words, but I approach him like I would any other customer. I stand on the other side of the bar and give him my best smile.

«Good afternoon, what would you like to order?» I ask.

The policeman stares at me without blinking, as if frozen or rebooting, for more than ten seconds. Ranma nudges him with his elbow.

«Wake up, idiot,» he says, squinting at him. The policeman clears his throat, and I see his cheeks blush, while I tilt my head, confused.

«I… I… uh… food, yes. I want to eat. Food. I came to eat. Food.» he stammers without taking his eyes off me, then loosens his tie. «I’m Police Inspector Ryoga Hibiki.» He introduces himself with a formal nod.

«She doesn’t care who you are, lame-ass!» shouts Ranma, who seems as annoyed as he is stupefied.

«Can I interest you in today’s special?» I dare ask into his bright brown eyes. He smiles at me, and I see his prominent fangs poking out at the corner of his lips. Then he sighs and nods. Ranma slaps him, and I’m shocked, he’s acting like he’s besties with the police officer. 

They argue in whispered tones as I walk away, what a weird friendship, and take the order to the kitchen. I also order a bowl for Ranma too, because he’s not going to spend the afternoon staring at me without eating anything. Besides, I know his appetite well, and after last time I don’t think he’ll have the courage to leave his ramen untouched.

I return a few minutes later and place a crab and egg ramen bowl in front of each one, accompanied by a wakame salad with cucumber.

The inspector gives me another dazzling smile, and then I feel his brow furrow slowly as he looks at the band-aids on my face.

«Miss, are you hurt?» he asks, interested, and I shyly tuck my hair behind my ear before lying.

«I fell down the stairs.»

«Oh, that explains it, of course.»

«You’re out of your fucking mind!» Ranma shouts indignantly, slamming his fist on the table, making other diners jump. I don’t know what’s going on between those two, but I have to stop it immediately.

«You can call me Akane, and please, I am begging you not to make a scene,» I grit out, staring daggers at Ranma, who’s too dumb to heed the warning.

«Of course, I’ll take care of this nefarious gang member,» the officer says, pointing at Ranma, who can’t help but roll his eyes, as if begging a deity for a little more patience.

I ignore them and continue working, clearing plates from some tables and taking them to Shinnosuke, who smiles smugly at me.

«Are you doing anything tonight?» he asks, and I can’t help but stare at him in disbelief. Today, all the men around me seem to have lost their minds.

«Sleep,» I answer stiffly.

«I thought maybe I could invite you to dinner.»

It seems today’s plan from the men in my life is to make me scream from sheer frustration. I don’t want to hurt Shinnosuke’s feelings, but right now, his interest in me doesn’t really fit with my agenda, and also, the kiss was awful.

«I think it’s kinda late for that, plus I have to close today”. 

He looks at me, aggrieved, but I don’t have the patience to explain it to him, especially if he’s not smart enough to understand it on his own.

He told me he loved me like someone wants new clothes or tea. Do you think I’ve never dealt with an emotional manipulator? My father used those same words of love while pawning the kitchen appliances. As soon as he uttered those words, something changed inside me; like taking off a blindfold. How screwed up am I that a confession of love feels like an insult?

I turn and go back to the living room. Ranma and the policeman have become entangled in a kind of silent struggle to see who can finish their plate the fastest, and suddenly I have the terrible impression of being surrounded by boys who, developmentally, are basically eight years old. 

They both bang their bowls on the counter at the same time, and if they pull off one more stupid thing, I’m sending them outside to play so they’ll stop bothering me. Luckily, they both stand up after exchanging a few words. Ranma making a series of gestures I don’t understand. The policeman turns to me and bows.

«I’ll come back every day, Akane,» he says, looking at me with flushed cheeks, earning another head slap from my sensei, who grabs him by the shirt and drags him outside.

With such disrespect for authority, I hope he doesn’t end up in custody.

.

..

…

I have no choice but to pay a quick visit to my sister and brother-in-law, because the pain in my ankle is starting to become unbearable. I know, I need to rest, get ice, and avoid spending eight hours at the restaurant or training, but I can’t afford any of that right now.

Tofu treats me patiently and doesn’t ask questions. I’ve managed to cover most of my bruises with a layer of makeup. It was a bit pricey, but I consider it a long-term investment.

Kasumi hands me some containers full of food and seems concerned about my work schedule. I don’t say anything about the old dojo; it would only worry her unnecessarily.

I know I can fix it. I’m sure that crazy Kodachi has done everything behind Kuno’s back, taking advantage of his absence. I just have to wait for him to return from his trip to renegotiate the terms of our agreement. I could even pay him an advance.

The next few days fly by in a flurry of routine, work, and training. I have another intensive session with Ryu, and before I know it, it’s Friday.

Returning to the pit makes me feel anxious, restless, and excited in equal measure. Ranma has been strangely quiet and absent these past few days. He’s told me he doesn’t know who my opponent will be, but he suspects Taro wants a good show.

I work half a day at the restaurant and leave early, ignoring Shinnosuke’s pouting. I grab my sports bag and take a bus to the port. My sensei insisted we go together this time, and that’s fine with me, especially since I don’t want to have another run-in with Shampoo.

I crack my knuckles, firmly convinced that that Chinese girl will regret threatening me one day.

When I get off the bus, Ranma is at the bus stop, waiting for me. He greets me with a nod and a hint of a smile, but he seems anxious. I think he’s worried again.

«Throw quick punches and stay out of the way,» he reminds me, «use the wire fence to move, and if your opponent uses weapons, make sure the blows are from long range, no grappling.»

«I know,» I nod as we wander through the port and the night falls upon us with its blanket of darkness. Before I know it, we’ve passed through the hidden entrance and are inside that hole, with the music blaring and cigarette smoke filling the air.

My sensei leads me towards the locker room hallway, but this time we enter the dressing room without incident. In fact, the place feels strangely deserted, and I have a feeling Ranma had something to do with it.

I don’t want to admit it, but  I’m shaking with nerves. I put my things aside and take off my jacket, starting to move my muscles to warm up. Ranma looks at me silently and takes something out of his pocket. He approaches me with a slight hesitation, and I look at him questioningly.

«I had thought that…» he says, raising his eyes with his head bowed, and showing me the two small colored hairpins I put on him just a week ago for his match. «I forgot to give them back to you,» he concludes, and with a delicacy that has nothing to do with his broad shoulders and his enormous hands, he opens the small clips and gently runs them through my hair, holding them with a couple of fingers before leaving them anchored.

The touch seems subtle, tenuous. He moves away, but a warm, tingly sensation coursing through me remains. 

I smile nervously as I bring my fingers to the hairpins. And then his expression changes, his brow furrows, and it goes from shyness to something else. He moves closer to me, not giving me the slightest space, and I see him do something strange. His right thumb rests on my left shoulder, with his other hand he does the same, and then he places his fingers one by one on my skin, precisely and methodically.

I don’t understand until it’s too late, and I know it from his puzzled eyes, from the fury I sense deep within his pupils. He presses the tips of his fingers against the bruises Shinnosuke left me, and I clench my jaw as I avoid his gaze, embarrassed.

«Who?» he roars slowly and dangerously. He’s not asking me, he’s demanding to know.

I shouldn’t have worn an off-the-shoulder top, but I thought there was just a hint of a yellowish reflection with traces of green on the surface. I naively thought Ranma wouldn’t notice, but of course he did; he’s always paying attention.

«Tell me it wasn’t that half-assed waiter,» he gasps.

I flinch involuntarily, and that’s enough to confirm all his suspicions. Ranma leans over me, releases my bruised shoulders, and I know I have to say something, or he’s sure to kill Shinnosuke.

«We argued, but I’m sure he didn’t mean to…»

«Oh, of course he did,» he interrupts.

«You’re not listening.»

«I thought you could deal with him. Shake him off.» His voice is deep and sounds like he’s dragging her over sharp stones.

I swallow and confront him. I’m sure if I tell him the whole truth, we’ll have a fight, and I’m tired of that.

«He won’t do that again. I’ve already taken care of it,» I say, leaving the locker room and the conversation. But he sticks close to me, and continues talking.

«What do you mean by that?!»

«You were right!» I turn sharply, and he almost runs into me. My hair hits him, he’s so close. «You were right, he was taking advantage! When I refused to do him favors, he thought I was stupid enough to fall for his lies, and he told me… He told me…»

Ranma’s shadow covers me as the sound of the pit filters around us. His eyes are open, and he’s unnaturally still, hanging on my words.

«It doesn’t matter,» I conclude, biting my tongue and walking towards the fighting area, but he grabs my hand and spins me around, and I practically crash into his enormous chest. He smells like sandalwood.

«What did he say?» Again, it isn’t exactly a question. This man is dangerous to all my senses; to my ego, to my pride… to my heart.

«He said he loved me, but it’s not true,» I smile sadly, and Ranma seems to tremble as he stares at me with wide eyes. “I’m used to that, to people telling me they love me before hurting me. I’m not that naive, you know?”

His expression seems to soften for a moment.

«Akane…» he begins, but I feel like if I let him continue, he’ll uncover something I’ve worked so hard to hide. I don’t want him to see me cry again, especially before a fight. I shake my head and walk toward the pool, letting go of his hand, abandoning the safety of his enormous body, all its clamorous, overwhelming warmth.

I go down the stairs, and he follows me, but this time he remains silent, and I’m grateful for that. I wouldn’t be able to hear him over all the commotion anyway. When I reach the bottom of the pool, I give him one last, pressing look. The sensation is completely different from the first time; this time, everything feels so much more real.

«She’s bigger than you,» he says, crossing his arms, lifting his chin in a gesture that denotes absolute confidence. «But you can beat her.»

I smile back, understanding that’s all I need: for him to trust me.

I step onto the mat and my ears fill with screams. Tarô introduces us; she’s a huge, muscular fighter, and of course, she doesn’t speak Japanese either. I swallow and get into a defensive stance.

.

..

…

Five minutes later, I’m panting but unharmed. She hasn’t managed to reach me with any of the blows she’s thrown, and somewhere above my head, I hear the bellows of old Happosai, proudly cheering me on. The spotlights prevent me from seeing anything besides my enemy, but I’m sure my sensei is keeping an eye on me, and that he, too, has reason to be pleased.

I push back my hair, which sticks to my back and face with sweat. She launches herself at me again, with all her clumsy, slow power. I spin around, but just as I’ve managed to get free, she tugs at my head, and I realize with dread that she’s just grabbed me by the ponytail. I do the worst thing I can do in these situations: I try to wriggle free by grabbing her hands, but she knows she’s got the advantage and pulls me like a doll, trying to slam me against the fence.

I manage to brace my legs in time and spin around, screaming because she fucking doesn’t let go of me. My long hair spins completely around her hand and I’m stuck to her fist, which she shakes, trying to hit me in the face.

I hear Ranma shout something, but I’m too busy trying not to lose my teeth. In a moment of carelessness, I manage to stomp on her brutally, and she finally lets go. I gasp and think I must look more like a plucked chicken than a person. The twat loosens her hand, and I see she’s ripped out a handful of my hair. I’m going to make her pay for that.

I grit my teeth in frustration; I must end this as soon as possible. I know she’s tired of chasing me, so I take advantage of the wire fence, take a running start and climb on her back until I wrap my legs around her neck, and from there I turn and take her with me to the ground, where she falls, and after squeezing with my thighs for a few seconds she finally gives up and stops struggling.

I rise panting, exhausted, and victorious. I don’t have a single wound, even though everything feels in pain from the strain. The cage opens, and I run toward Ranma. I’m not thinking straight; I only know that I’m throwing myself at him, devoid of all inhibition, filled with adrenaline and exhilaration.

«She didn’t even touch you!» he laughs as he lifts me up and spins me in the air, and I laugh like  crazy too, like I don’t remember doing in years, maybe more than a decade. Everything is spinning, and he has me, oh boy, does he have me.

He stops after the sixth or tenth spin—I don’t even know—and looks up at me with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. I smile too until my face hurts, and he lowers me back to the ground, among the crowd of arms and strangers. Ryu catches me and hugs me in a friendly way. He says something I don’t understand, and I nod, swollen, invincible. The two escort me back to the dressing room where I know my long-awaited reward awaits me.

.

..

…

I took a shower, but my ears are still ringing. My hair is tangled beyond belief. I tried to brush it, but I finally tied it in something like a braid while digging out the colorful hairpins out of the tangle of brown hair.

Tarô appears a while later with Happosai, and hands me a bag, which I take with a grateful nod. He says something about hoping to see me more often, but Ranma growls at him like a guard dog, and he heads off the way he came, with the old man and his bodyguard. I don’t want to seem desperate, but as soon as they leave, I count the money and notice, disappointed, that there isn’t as much as there was the first time. Ryu and Ranma lean over my shoulders like two gossiping old women.

«Nine hundred thousand,» I announce with a half-smile. They nod, having expected it.

«That’s still almost a million yen for a fight,» Ryu says. Ranma seems to agree with the conclusion.

«I need a lot more,» I sigh. «Well, I think it’s time to…»

«Wait a minute,» Ryu raises his hand and interrupts whatever I was going to say, looking at me indignant. «Let’s celebrate, you’ve earned it.»

«I did what?» I repeat, stunned.

«When you win a fight, you have to celebrate, don’t you agree, little brother?» he says, putting an arm around my sensei’s shoulders, and Ranma snorts as if he’s heard that bullshit too many times.

«If she’s tired, you shouldn’t force her.» He fully supports me.

«Nonsense! Akane, how long has it been since you’ve been out partying?» he asks seriously, and I blink and avoid his gaze.

«Partying…? I always have to work the next morning, so…»

Now they’re both looking at me. Ryu has started rubbing his temples, and Ranma is shaking his head.

«You know it’s not a sin to have fun? To live a little!?» he asks, aggrieved. «We should settle this right now. We’re going out to celebrate, and you’re coming.»

Before I can protest further, Ryu drags me out of the pit, and Ranma reluctantly follows. Before I can do anything to stop it, my sensei’s brother hails a taxi to take us to the apartment they share.

I stand in the doorway, momentarily self-conscious. Ryu practically pushes me inside, and I take off my shiny new sneakers and leave them in the hall. I walk in small steps, examining the place.

It’s a spacious, clean apartment. There are no walls between the kitchen and living room; everything is part of the same space. There’s a Western sofa, and instead of a konatsu, there’s only a space for high chairs by the kitchen counter. It smells clean, the floor shines. I can’t help but think that, despite appearances, those two are very tidy.

I scan everything with eager eyes. Ryu hurries down the hallway, and Ranma falls in behind me, silent and shifting his weight from one foot to the other. I turn to look at him and find him blushing, avoiding eye contact.

«It’s not much, but it’s comfortable,» he says, and he’s being extremely modest, because compared to my room in the guesthouse, this is a palace.

Being able to stretch my arms out without hitting a wall feels like a luxury. I hope one day I can have my own apartment; I think what they have is truly admirable. I’m about to let him know when Ryu reappears in the hallway and shoves a mess of clothes in my hands.

«Some of that should work for you. You can change in Ranma’s room.»

«What?» I ask, confused.

«What?!» Ranma bursts out behind me.

«I was thinking of donating them or something. They’re all the clothes Suzuka left behind when she dumped me.» He shrugs, then looks thoughtful. «Or was it Azusa?»

«Are you giving her your ex-girlfriends’ clothes?» Ranma interrupts, perplexed.

«She can’t go out drinking in leggings. I mean, she could, but I don’t recommend it,» he reasons, and I blush at the comment.

«Where are you saying I can change?» I fuss with the ball of clothes in my hands. They give off a floral scent, perhaps too strong for my taste.

«Ranma will be delighted if you use his room, won’t he, baby brother?»

«I’m going to strangle you.»

Ryu laughs and heads for the fridge. I watch him casually sip a beer as Ranma subtly leads me down the hallway, and I, heart racing and head in the clouds, follow.

It’s a large apartment. He shows me the restroom and bathroom (with a bathtub!), then leads me into his room. I’m overwhelmed as his scent invades my nostrils, and I scan every corner of the room with eager eyes.

He has a large bed with a dark leather headboard. There are shelves with some small trophies and several books—I guess they’re about martial arts, though I think I see others about organizing and cooking. He has a closet that takes up one entire wall, with black-covered wooden doors. There’s a large, upright mirror in one corner, as well as a nightstand with an oversized lamp and a small box with some earrings. Only his room could fit three like mine, and he keeps it clean, unadorned, austere.

I can’t help but think this space is a bit like him: it has a wild, slightly deterring appeal, but it’s also warm and peaceful. The bed seems to insistently call me to fall into it and try, for the first time in years, a real mattress instead of my worn futon.

I hold my breath as he watches me, clearly nervous about my judgment.

«You have a very big bed,» I point out in the most absurd way possible.

«Yes,» he nods cautiously. «I do.»

«Can I lie down?»

Ranma chokes on his own saliva and coughs desperately. I drop my clothes and bag on the bed and go over to help him, patting him on the back.

«Are you trying to kill me?!» he asks in a strangled voice when he finishes coughing. He looks at me with wide eyes, upset.

«I’m just saying it looks very comfortable, and I’ve been using the same uncomfortable futon for years,» I try to explain, and he grunts as if I’m giving him a headache.

«You can’t just walk into a man’s room and say that!» he says, trying to make a point, and I look at him in confusion.

«This is my first time in someone else’s room. Sorry if I don’t know the protocol!»

«You dummy, why are you like this??» he moans, throwing his hands up to his face. «Just get changed!»

«I will!»

«Good!» he exclaims, taking the door and leaving, slamming it behind him.

«Fine!» I reply, not knowing why the hell I’m yelling, or why he just called me a dummy. I walk back to the bed and untangle the mess of clothes, discarding several T-shirts and what I assume are pants, but they directly violate the concept of Japanese decency. I decide to try on a military green, tight-knit dress. I check the door before undressing and slipping into the garment. Ryu’s last girlfriend must have been a very similar size to me. I look in the mirror to discover a disheveled girl wearing a tight dress that shows off my butt too much and whose length barely covers half my thighs. At least it doesn’t have cleavage; it goes up to my neck, revealing my arms and a wide triangle of skin on my back.

For a moment, I feel like I’ve grown ten years younger, like I’m back home, stealing clothes from Kasumi and Nabiki (though neither of them would be caught dead wearing something like this). I look at myself, slightly blushing. I’ve seen girls dress like this on the street, but I never considered myself one of them. I’ve always been too busy to do silly things like go out at night, have fun, or have friends.

I sit on the edge of the bed and check that the mattress is as comfortable as it looks, but I resist rolling around like a little girl escaping to her parents’ room. I need to brush my hair, and besides, what little makeup I have is in my room, so I’ll have to do without.

I wander timidly down the hallway until I return to the living room, where I find the two whispering together. Ranma seems indignant while Ryu laughs. When they notice my presence, they both stand up straight, like two perfect soldiers waiting for their sergeant to inspect them.

They look at me. Ryu nudges Ranma, who stomps Ryu’s foot in return. They whisper something again, and I timidly tuck a stray strand behind my ear.

«I need to brush my hair. Do you happen to have a…»

«Yes,» Ranma says, and I see his eyes dart nervously over me, lingering a few moments too long on my exposed thighs, and it makes me feel embarrassingly pleased. «Yes,» he repeats in a thick voice, heading for the bathroom. I follow him and stand near the door. He hands me a brush (his brush?), and I begin to struggle with the tightly wound braid.

Ranma clicks his tongue and stands behind me.

«Wait, wait. You’re going to hurt yourself,» he says, grabbing my hair and pulling lightly to begin untangling the mess of knots. Suddenly, he stops, and I swear I hear him mutter «damn,» but so quietly that I can’t help but think I imagined it. He tugs at my hair again, separates it into strands, and runs his fingers firmly and gently, untangling the knots. I close my eyes for a moment, swept away by the incredible feeling the gesture brings me. I didn’t even remember how good it feels when someone else touches your hair.

I can’t help but smile slightly, and a telltale sigh escapes my lips. He stops immediately.

«M-maybe you should cut it,» I hear him say. He steps away from me and leans against the opposite wall. I have the vague feeling that if he could, he’d even make a hole to get even further away.

I grab the thick mane of hair and throw it over my shoulder, thoughtfully starting to brush it.

«Do you like it shorter?» I ask. The hallway is dark, and yet I’m pretty sure he’s blushing.

«It doesn’t matter what I like! I’m talking about the fight; you almost lost today just because of that.»

I know he’s right, but I can’t help pouting as I finish untangling it with the brush. I’ve always had this absurd notion that I looked more feminine this way, that maybe people would like me a little more.

«You two! If you’re done making eyes at each other, I’ll remind you I’m starving!» Ryu yells from the doorway, and I jump in dismay, though no more than my sensei, who rushes out. I hear laughter and some kind of fight as I put down the brush and go out to meet him. Ryu rolls his eyes as he points at me. «Ranma, you are being inconsiderate! Please lend Akane one of those oversized jackets from your closet, she’s going to be cold.”

Ranma looks at his brother, and I know that look shared between them says much more than he ever could with simple words. He walks briskly to his room and returns with a dark red zip-up sweatshirt, which he unceremoniously hands me.

«Ready then,» Ryu smiles, finally satisfied.

.

..

…

The people around us are laughing and drinking. There’s music playing, though not loud enough to interfere with our conversation. In fact, the most annoying thing is the group of salarymen next to us, singing and climbing on tables. Just now, one of them started wiggling like a worm on the floor, while another pretended to whip him with an imaginary whip. The two women with them (who I’m pretty sure are poor, long-suffering office colleagues) stopped laughing at their jokes a while ago and keep glancing in our direction.

The worst part is that Ryu seems beyond delighted with their attention.

We’re in a typical Japanese izakaya, where everything is cheap, crowded, chaotic, and absolutely delicious. I’ve had a beer and already feel dizzy, although I’ve tried to compensate by devouring every serving Ranma puts in front of me.

«We can leave whenever you want,» he says for the second time, and I think he’s trying to be nice, but I’m having so much fun that right now he just seems like a bore. Although a gorgeous bore.

«Stop being so lame,» Ryu protests, ordering a second round of drinks. When the waitress places a huge mug of beer in front of me, I can’t help but feel a slight pang of dread, which I quickly deal with when my stomach growls and I stuff a hot, tender piece of fried fish into my mouth.

Then I empty my drink almost halfway, and Ryu shouts excitedly.

«That’s our girl!» he says, toasting with his own mug and taking a deep gulp himself.

«Ours?» asks Ranma while I grab a piece of chicken and eat it with my fingers, who knows where I left my chopsticks.

«We both train her; she’s our student. Could you stop being such a possessive psycho for seven seconds and relax a little?”

I lick my fingers, oblivious to their conversation, my head in the clouds and my stomach full.

«It’s hot,» I sigh, shrugging off my jacket, leaving it at my elbows, and starting to fan myself with my hands.

«You’ve had too much to drink,» Ranma complains. Ryu clears his throat, grabs his mug of beer, and without any hesitation sits at the next table and starts talking to the two bored girls.

I reach for a napkin because my fingers are sticky, and I smile as I look at Ranma’s brother and point with my chin.

«Ryu’s a flirt.» I think my way of speaking must be slightly funny, or maybe it’s the dispossessed lack of inhibition the alcohol brings me; the fact is that the statement makes Ranma laugh.

«He doesn’t do as well as you might think.»

«He has no luck with women?»

«He always likes the ones who are terrible for him.»

«And you?» I ask, surprising myself. My heart races as he lowers his gaze, threateningly.

«Me?…I… I don’t think you have the capacity to handle that topic right now.»

I blink, because I think he just called me stupid, but in a very subtle way.

«I’m like Ryu. I’m always going to choose men who don’t want me,» I say, leaning on the table, feeling exhausted. I’m talking too much, and at some point I should stop, but I’ve lost control of my reasoning, and my brain and tongue are no longer a team. «First it was my brother-in-law, which is stupid, because he was my brother-in-law. But he was so kind to me…»

Ranma watches, deathly quiet, still as a hunter in the bush, alert for the slightest noise.

«Then there was all that debt stuff and… Well, my teenage years went to shit. The police showed up at school one day, and there were tons of rumors. Up until then, I had tons of suitors, and they all left. Every. Single. One. And those who didn’t, tried to take advantage.»

«Ummh,» Ranma sips his beer and clenches his jaw. He’s as tense as a bowstring, but I can’t stop. I’m tumbling down a slope where the finish line is wallowing in a million layers of self-pity.

«And that asshole Shinnosuke…» I raise my head indignantly. «What kind of first kiss was that?»

Ranma spits out his beer, and half the izakaya turns to look at him, because he’s coughing like he’s going to die. Even I freak out, and for the second time today, I start patting him on the back. He slowly calms down and wipes his chin. He stands up and doesn’t even look at me.

«I’m going to get some fresh air,» he says in a strangled voice. I stay where I am, gradually realizing that perhaps I haven’t explained myself well, and little by little, a horrible weight takes over my entire being. Anxiety shakes me as I stand up and go in search of Ranma. I button up his jacket and go outside, where I find the enormous fighter staring up at the sky, thoughtful.

.

..

…

Huge thanks, again and always, to our lifesaver Dani for doing such an amazing job translating this chapter!

Don’t forget to leave us your comments and thoughts—that’s our only reward, and it keeps us motivated to keep creating.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Poor Ranma, maybe it’s wrong to say this, but I find it so much fun to make him suffer. I especially love this chapter, mainly because the flirting between them gets really intense, while at the same time Akane starts finding herself in deep water in more than one sense. I hope you enjoyed it. Isabel has made some WONDERFUL illustrations, full of color and detail, so descriptive and perfect that it feels like she pulled them straight out of my head. I’ll never be able to express how magical it still feels to have embarked on this project with her.

Thanks also to my betas, to whom I keep giving a huge amount of work that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay, not even by treating them to dinner and several rounds of mojitos… But I’m going to try. And of course, thank you to Danisita, whose wonderful translation allows this project to reach so many more people. I really enjoy reading the fic in English, it feels like it was written by someone else, someone more talented than me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And of course, thank you all for supporting us and for keeping on reading.

Lum

ILLUSTRATOR’S NOTE:

We’re back after a long hiatus… and we’re coming back with this amazing chapter. Those two at the end, UUUUFFF pure fire! 🔥🔥

We’re looking forward to your comments here on the page (it costs you nothing to leave them, remember, it’s our only reward). Thank you so much for reading! :)))

Isa