Introducing:
Ranma ½ Fanfic Production:
A SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE…
Part Nine:
The streets were bustling with activity where shoppers bumped shoulders with the office workers during the late afternoon. Standing in a corner near the Harajuku train station, a pretty teenage girl looked up occasionally in attempt to hide her anxiety at her supposedly first date with a certain pig-tailed martial artiste.
Some occasionally whistles from obnoxious boys dressed flamboyantly tried the fiery tempered Akane as she struggled with murderous thoughts of punting them into the high airs of Tokyo with the courtesy of mallet-sama airlines.
Her brownish-gold eyes reflected impatience warring with rising doubts as the digital clock of a nearby skyscraper approaches one o'clock, the time arranged with Ranma for the meeting. Fingers fiddle nervously; Akane stared at the soft fabric of her blue sundress. Sweat was gathering at her neck and she hurriedly sweep off the dampness, mind filled with taunts that Ranma would sing whenever the tomboyish traits were displayed before him.
'Why are you dressed in like a girl in the first place? Your wide hips are hardly attractive in them. Just stick to your dogi. At least they suited your figure the most! After all, my girl-half can beat you any day!'
A tiny voice of reason broke gently in the middle of her insecurities, 'Stop being mean and judgmental of Ranma. Give him a chance! He did promise to come and make up for some of the comments made the other day.'
That same tiny voice has unknowingly been saving Ranma from more physical punishment when Akane felt that he deserved more than what she dished out for his insensitivity. However, the insecure girl has also underestimated that her restrain and forgiving nature had been just one of the reasons that Ranma stick out long in Tendo residence despite all the surrounding mayhem from battles and countless challenges.
Ranma stretched lazily after another round of never-ending battles with lost boy Ryouga. His confident smirk widen as the direction-challenged boy emerged from the Tendo pond in the form of his piglet self.
"Hah, your last round-about upper kick and thrust is no match to my Amakuriken. All these strength are not effective when ya cannot even land on me. Slow poke!" P-chan squeaked in outrage at the remark and tried to spring up and kicked his hooves, but Ranma merely snapped out his hand and stopped Ryouga. "Better luck next time!" Ranma sprung an airborne kick and the black piglet disappeared into the blue skies.
With a glance, Ranma saw that minute hand of the clock pointing at the eleventh digit; he suddenly recalled his meeting with Akane. 'Oh no! Now Akane is gonna be real pissed at me for being late!' With a mad dash, he jumped from rooftops to roof tops, and caught up with a leaving train at the Nerima station.
By the time Ranma arrive at Harajuku station, he had already been late for 20 minutes. A quick glance at the miffed face of his shorthaired appointed fiancée, Ranma nearly stumbled in his steps. The sunlight hitting her dark blue hair surrounding the fairness of her skin was a sight that caused many younger men around the streets to steal furtive glances. A sudden light breeze that fluttered the blue sundress around his innazuke's shapely thighs encouraged a young man who has been watching Akane for quite some time took a deep breath and tentatively approached the girl in the corner.
Ranma has never been blind to the attractiveness of Akane from the beginning. With too many attacks from both his and Akane's admirers, it had been crucial to hide any awareness so that additional trouble can be avoided. The audacity that that particular young man dared to take, Ranma felt a familiar constriction in his chest, allowed the momentarily stunned state to be brushed off and Ranma himself drew up to his full height and make his way to the waiting Akane.
Clearing his throat, the boyish new admirer of Akane stood before her and smiled. "Are you waiting for someone? I have noticed that you are waiting for more than half an hour and perhaps your friend isn't coming. I'm also ditch by my pal from our outing. May I treat you to lunch at the diner nearby?"
Before Akane could reply. Ranma interjected. "Well, if ya don't mind treating an extra person, we'll be glad to join ya!"
The startled man coughed in embarrassment and swept his gaze hurriedly. "Sorry, perhaps another day. I've spotted my pal up ahead!" A quick retreat and the stylish young man left the awkward scene.
Ranma stood smugly before a light punch from his fiancée interrupted his short taste of victory. "Baka! Why are you late? A martial arts practitioner should always keep his word."
Ranma shrugged sheepishly and averted his eyes from focusing on her. "The lost boy came around and wanted his usual share of my knuckle sandwich. I just cannot disappoint his effort to seek out a fight."
Akane sighed resignedly and signaled to a small restaurant tucked from the bustle of the streets. "Well, let's grab a bite there. Shall we?"
Ranma mentally sweated at his pathetic wallet with only 1000 yen. "Is it expensive?"
With a soft smile of understanding, Akane grabbed his arm and dragged him to cross the traffic. "Don't worry, I've got it covered. Nabiki had made reservations under her tab!" Ranma heaved a sigh of relief and Akane stifled her giggles as they stood in front of the restaurant's entrance.
(End of Chapter 9)
