- Ranma... - Tomiko called him, who was sitting in front of her.
- What ?
- Are you sure that this is a good ideia, me showing up here as a girl ?
- Yeah . Look, the teachers won't even notice it.
- And what about Akane ?
Akane was in the other side of the class, thinking : " Yesterday he left my house without even saying and today he doesn't show up ? Is he sick ? Or is he just... avoiding me ? Oh my god, did I do something wrong ?"
The bell rang, and as soon as the teacher left the class, a girl with brown hair carrying a big spatula come running toward Ranma and hugged him.
- Ranma, sweetie ! I missed you !
- Hey, Ukyo ! How was your trip ?
- It was wonderful ! I have learnt a lot of new recipies ! And to speak of it... - Ukyo got a lot of panflets that she was keeping and started distributing to the students. - Today there is a very special promotion at Ucchan's ! Everything 50 % discount ! Stop by after school !
After school, a group of students went to Ukyo's okonomiaki restaurant.
- You know... - Akane said to Tomiko, who was sitting next to her- you look a lot like my friend Tomiko. Are you by any chance his sister ?
She didn't answer. She turned her face and continued eating.
- Don't you know him ? Never heard of him ?
- N-no. Sorry. - she answered, nervous.
Everybody was eating and talking, and suddently the restaurant's door opened and a happy chinese girl appeared.
- Nihao, everybody !
- Shampoo ? - Ukyo went to her - What are you doing here ?
- Shampoo was delievering and saw Ukyo's restaurant very full. Ukyo's restaurant never full !
Ukyo looked at her , mad, but controled herself.
- Yep, now my restaurant is a success. What's the matter, Shampoo ? Afraid of losing costumers ?
Shampoo laughed.
- Everybody know that Cat Cafe way better then here ! Ranma likes Shampoo's food best, don't you, Ranma ? - she hugged him
- Huh ? What ? Keep me out of it ! - Ranma said, clumsy.
- Wait and see. - Shampoo left.
- Oh... that little... - Ukyo said, angry.
- Are they always like this ? - Tomiko asked Akane
- Definetly.
Suddently, another person showed up in the restaurant. He was puffy, tired and walking almost draggind himself.
- Ukyo... I... need... food...
- Hey, Ryoga ! Sit here with everybody !
Ryoga lift up his head, and realized that everybody was staring at him.
- Oh, everyone's here. Akane, Ranma, Tomiko...
- Huh ? - Akane said - did you just say Tomiko ?
Tomiko looked at him freaked out, and he realized that he had said too much.
- Ryoga ! Answer me !
He got nervous, not knowing what to say. Tomiko tried to sneek out, mas it didn't work. She stumbled on a boy and fell on the floor, and the cold water he was holding fell all on top of her.
Tomiko looked around, everybody was looking, impressed. But Akane's expression didn't show that, she looked disapointed. She got up and left the restaurant, in silence.
- Akane, wait ! - Tomiko went after her, as a boy - I'm sorry !
- Why didn't you tell me ? I was worried about you !
- Please, forgive me...
- Are you like Ranma, then ? Did you fell in a cursed spring too ?
- Well, yes..
- And even Ryoga knew that ! Everybody knew that, except for me !
- I thought that if I told you, you'd think I was a freak !
- Tomiko ! I would be the last person in the world to judge you ! My fiancé is like this, for crying out loud !
- Well, I.. wait, really ? - Tomiko's eyes sparkled - He really is your fiancé ? Oh my g...
- Tomiko ! Focus, here !
- Oh, sorry ! Please Akane, forgive me ! I really want to be your friend ! I promess you that I won't hide you anything else !
Akane relaxed.
- That's okay. I want to be your friend, too.
They hugged.
- Akane ! Tomiko ! Is everything alright ? - Ranma asked
- Yes !
- So are you coming back to the restaurant or not ?
They smiled, and returned to the restaurant.