Part 3: English Holds Many Secrets from Japanese Schoolboys
---------------------
Good morning class. I'm your new English teacher, Mr. Crawford.
Ranma wondered why Omi slapped his forehead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you see the redhead that just walked by? Daisuke asked Ranma at lunch. Was she hot or what? Do you know her? Can we have her?
No, I don't know her, Ranma said, irritated. Why don't you ask someone else?
But you always know who the hot babes are! C'mon, she's not another fiancée, is she?
Well, she is engaged to be married, in a way, Omi said quietly from Ranma's other side.
No way! You lucky! Hiroshi said, turning on Ranma.
Ow! Stop it! She's not my fiancée, you guys!
That's right. She's mine, the new English teacher said from behind them. Daisuke and Hiroshi, yes? You should have better manners.
It's okay, sir. They're like this all the time. I don't really mind, Ranma said.
They might hurt you.
Not me! I'm a martial artist.
No need to demonstrate. I understand, Crawford said, cutting him off. Just then, the redhead returned and laid a hand on his shoulder.
There you are! she said, reaching up to kiss his cheek. Did you sense the trouble these two were brewing too? ~Jei's upset.~
~Oh? What is it this time?~
~Well, I'm upset too. Why are you even working here?~
He shrugged. ~Secret suggested it. Why are we speaking aloud?~
Now she shrugged, and glanced at the quartet of boys nearby. ~To give them something to do. After all, they're supposed to be learning English, aren't they?~
~Yes, they are.~ He smiled and leaned down to kiss her cheek, returning the favor. ~You'd best be getting back. I don't want to have to resort to Maki.~
~See you tonight, then.~
~See you.~
What was that about? Daisuke whispered.
Crawford gave them a look. If you want to know my secrets, then work harder on your lessons. He left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Omi opened the door to the new Kitty in the House flower shop.
What is it?
Guess what? Maki caroled from behind Omi. We're here! She ran around the startled boy and leaped up onto Aya's back.
Maki, get down, Aya said calmly. Was this what you wanted to say?
Omi nodded. Crawford's the new English teacher and Ilde made an appearance too.
Schu came around and was being annoying earlier today, Yohji commented over his shoulder. How do these girls find out about us so fast?
Maybe because you poured on all your charm talking to the ones who came yesterday? Ken said dryly.
It's good for business, Aya said. If you're not buying anything, please leave!
Maki said. Even me? She'd yet to get down.
Even you.
Maki responded by tightening her hold on him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maki had been insistent enough that she wound up staying the night in the little apartment above the shop. She'd assured them cheerfully that Ilde knew not to expect her back. She'd also looked directly at Ken and winked.
He'd blushed, thinking of Jiita's words. If you try to run away, I'll make sure you won't be able to. He wondered what she was planning.
He found out the next morning, when she opened the door to his room at 3:00 am and told him, at gun point, that he would either marry her or die. He wisely chose to marry her. Jiita rewarded him with a kiss for that, then told him to get dressed and carried him off to find a priest.
So, when he opened up shop at 6:00, he was a married man. Women are strange, he muttered.
Hm? What do you mean? Yohji asked.
I thought that Jiita would hate marriage, given her first husband. But this morning, she just burst into my room and
Married you?
Yohji gaped. He had not been expecting that. So you're married now?
Ken looked glum. I don't understand her.
I don't think anyone does. Yohji said gently. Not even Schuldich or Ilde.
I do, Himitsu said, popping down from the ceiling and scaring them witless for a moment.
After recovering himself, Yohji gave her a dry look. You understand everyone, he said.
