From the Diary of Ukyo Kuonji
June 5, 2022
I have to start with an explanation. I've been seeing a therapist these last few weeks since everyone else returned from China. I'm giving up on Ranma. Things have changed, and I'm one of the losers. I think Shampoo has noticed as well. The winner isn't who everyone thought. But that's not here and now. The important thing is that it isn't me. My therapist has challenged me to rediscover who I am. She said that by revisiting my own past I could very possibly move forward easier. So I'll do that as well as keep track of my day to day thoughts. This first entry will be quite long. I want to get my history down quick. It'll help keep me distracted during down time.
April 20, 2005. My birthdate. The day my life began. Of course I don't know much about this except what my father told me later. My mom died shortly after giving birth to me. My grandmother apparently came in and held me and gave me my first spatula. And another item. She was heard to say it was a family heirloom passed down to the first born daughter of each generation. She had to hold on to it until now since she only had my father. A small unassuming necklace. It has a thin, yet very strong, silver chain. On the chain is a silver round locket. It took me quite a while to find out what was inside. On the outside was a very beautiful and mesmerizing design. The raised triangle held within it a very detailed three part Ouroboros. On the back side is an etching of the Kanji of my name. The way it's written it truly means Temple of Eternity. Other than that, my toddler years were very mundane. I'd spend most days with my grandparents at the family restaurant. My father would travel with his cart to get more business by showing the family trade. Very old fashioned in this day and age, but effective. When I was five, I overheard an argument between my father and his parents. I don't really remember what was said, but I do know my father and I left the next day. From then until I was six, we travelled with the cart. That's when I met Ranma. And the Gambler King. After a short talk between my father and Mr. Saotome, it was agreed that as long as Ranma beat me in a game every day, he would get a free okonomiyaki. I could see my father starting to look very weary at the time. He seemed to cheer up only when he saw Ranma and I playing. After two months of our daily game, I was told I would be traveling with the Saotome as Ranma's fiancé. Unfortunately, that jackass father of his tricked him into leaving me behind but taking my father's cart. Without any way to support ourselves we returned home to my grandparents' house. Each day my father only got worse. He went to the doctor and it was revealed that he had a rare form of cancer. And that he wouldn't see the New Year. Being only almost seven, I blamed his health on the Saotome and the loss of the cart. I also remember the loss of face when my so called friends found out I had already lost a fiancé. So I turned to the family art. For two years I trained to perfect my technique. I focused and became able to create my families dish even against the pounding of the ocean waves. The grill I used was one left from my father's younger days. It became my meal ticket and life blood. I convinced a principal of a boys school to let me attend. That was almost a mistake. One of the other students found out my secret and continually tried to get me to date him.