Ukyo had just locked the front door of her restaurant when someone knocked on it. For her surprise it was Ranma. "What are you doing here? Isn't Akane still in the hospital?"
Ranma ignored her question: "Can you fix me a quick okonomiyaki?"
Ukyo took out her things and started cooking again. Ranma had always eaten a lot but this time it felt like he was trying to fill himself with okonomiyaki from head to toe.

"Ran-chan, did something happen?" Ukyo finally asked. Ranma stopped stuffing food down his throat. Without looking at Ukyo's face, he quietly said:"Ucchan.. there's something I have to tell you."
"You're getting married, aren't you?" Ukyo said.
Ranma looked at Ukyo with surprise on his face.
"You thought I didn't know? I've known that for a long time that you're not going to choose me," Ukyo laughed, "of course it hurt a little before, but now I'm used to it."

Ranma was speechless. Ukyo patted his shoulder and said sincerely: "I'm sure you and Akane will be the happiest couple in the world." Ranma's face dropped. Ukyo was thinking he and Akane were getting married?
"I'm marrying Shampoo," Ranma said with emotionless voice. Ukyo stopped her doings: "You what?!"
Ranma tried to say it out loud again, yet he didn't find enough strength. Saying it out loud felt like drinking poison.
"Shampoo? You are marrying Shampoo?! But you love Akane!"
"I have to," was all he could say. Quickly Ukyo checked his temperature and eyes.
"No, there's no curse," Ranma said after Ukyo had finished.
"But then why? I know you don't love her!"

It surprised Ranma that Ukyo was so affected by his decision – even her eyes were watery. Yet he couldn't give an explanation to her – after all in order to protect Akane he had decided to leave for good. It was best if people didn't interrupt – or else Akane was in danger again.
"It was Shampoo behind Akane's curse?"
Ranma was surprised that Ukyo actually thought it out.
"It was, wasn't it? And to get the cure you sacrificed yourself?" Ukyo was a lot smarter than Ranma had thought.
"It's the only thing I could do," Ranma said.
"Oh I am so going to kill that Chinese bitch!" Ukyo already took her spatula and began to run towards the door, but Ranma stopped her: "No! That is exactly why I didn't want to tell you the truth! If people were to find out that I'm doing it for Akane, then everyone will try to interrupt it! But it only means that Shampoo has more reasons to try to kill her again! I can't let that happen!"
Ukyo let the spatula drop to the ground: "But…" She was unable to finish her sentence as tears broke her. She hugged Ranma tightly as her tears fell down.
"Ucchan… I have a favour to ask. Don't tell Akane about why I'm doing this."