Usotsuki
By NatsuNoAme
Kon'nichi wa minna-san ! Missed me? I hope so! Wait, wait, wait, don't kill me yet! I know I disappeared for more than a week [and that's not good, right? ^_^;], but sessha has a very good reason for that! Actually, I have two reasons: first – I was out, travelling until last week and couldn't write 'til I got back home; and second – well, apparently so did my inspiration, and I had to wait it comes back to start writing again... [Writer's block for the second time in three chapters... that's gotta be a record...] ^_^;;;;;
BUT, the important part is: I'm back! And I have chapter 3 ready just for y'all! So what you're waiting for? Go on, read it, give me some reviews, flames, whatever. Just give sessha some sign that there's at least SOMEONE reading this.... please? ^_^
Chinmoku – maa, neechan não tenha nenhum treco! Pronto, o capítulo já tá aí....doomo! sessha wa dai shiawase de gozaru yo!
Erie Maxwell – thanks for your support Erie, for now on I'll try not to be so hard on myself alright? ^_^ I'm really happy to see that there IS someone reading – and liking – my ficcie, and that's more than I need... ["sessha's" being so polite today.... are you alright? – measure NatsuNoAme's forehead suspiciously, looking for some fever] I'm fine! Leave me alone, will ya? If I want to be polite with my readers, I *will* be polite with them, got it? [now, THAT'S more like you...] humph, stupid alter ego!
Ranma+Akane4Ever – thank you very much for your review!!! So you really think no one is OOC? Hey, one point to me! I was kinda worried about that, but you made me more calm [did I wrote it right?] about it... Another Ranma fic? Well, I haven't thought of anything like that yet, maybe when I finish this one... we'll see! Hey, and don't worry about those things! If you really wanna write something, just go for it! I mean, look at me: never wrote anything like it in my whole life, and already found out that people like my writing! [yeah, not a very good example... maybe Tesuka-chan would be a much better one... or maybe Chinmoku up there... or maybe...] ok, I got it! I got it!.......... -_-;;;
On with the story!
DISCLAIMER: Rumiko Takahashi-sama is the only genius behind all this craziness. Except for the craziness itself. That one belongs to me. ^_^
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Chapter 3 – Justifications and good-byes I
A week had passed since Ukyo and Ryouga's arrival at Nerima. Ukyo immediately ran to her business at the Okonomiyaki house and Ryouga... Well, let's just say that two days after his last fight with Ranma, Akane miraculously 'found' P-chan lost near her house, for Ranma's despair and jealously (not that he would ever admit that).
In the same week, Ranma finally got a break from his dreams with Akane, but only to be replaced by awful nightmares about his exams and how he would fail them all, and eventually be left behind by Akane, Nabiki and everyone else. Fortunately for him, Akane had promised, when they finished Highschool, that she would help him on his studies, by making studying sessions once or twice a week - especially now being a little more than ten days from their first tests.
It hasn't snowed yet, but winter was only beginning, meaning that the weather wasn't get any hotter (or would it be less colder?) than it already was. Ranma and Akane had passed the whole afternoon after course studying under a improvised kotatsu in the dojo, since the one in the living room was already been used by the rest of the family. With his back hurting from the position, and his brain aching for some rest, Ranma laid down with his back on the cold ground of the dojo, hands under his head. Akane merely lifted her eyes from the table to watch him.
- Tired already? - she asked him almost boringly, her eyes never leaving her papers.
- Yep. Gonna rest a little before going on. Wanna join me?
- No. Unlike you, I'm not willing to let my chances in getting in some college just because I'm too lazy.
Cold, direct and poison. That was an Akane more and more present each day, an Akane Ranma knew each day a little less. He sighed, watching the ceiling. He was too tired to argue with her. "Is like talking to a bitter Nabiki. No wonder they're sisters..."
Silence ruled over the dojo once more. Ranma kept watching the ceiling, enjoying his short break. He couldn't remember the last time he got this tired of studying. Actually, he couldn't remember caring for studies at all! The young fighter grinned with himself. Up until three, four years ago he couldn't care less for studies. But then he met her. And, for the first time in years, he could go to the same school for more than a semester.
Only he wasn't the best of the students, or had the patience to try. He was a fighter, period. For what that matters, that was all he would ever be. 'Never mind studies', his father would say, 'I'll teach you everything you have to know.' And, for a long time, Ranma believed in that.
But that was long ago. Before he almost failed a year in school, and before Akane volunteered herself to help him pass to the next grade (with the lame excuse that he wouldn't spoil more her reputation by being the iinazuke of a loser). She not only helped him to pass year, she also made him LIKE studying. What seemed to be a geek thing was actually getting his attention. Before he knew it, Ranma was fascinated with Ancient History, especially Chinese and Japanese, and all those histories about samurais and other fighters that made part of History. Before her help, he couldn't even think of finishing Highschool! Now he was studying to get into college, dearing to dream of having a career, other than the one he was always told to be. He looked at Akane, totally focused on her studies and smiled. He owed so much to her, loved her so much and she never had a clue, thanks to his shyness and huge fear of rejection. Of course, those are two things he would never EVER let anyone see, or it would crack his reputation. They had already discovered his 'cat-phobia', he wouldn't let they find other 'flaws' to add that.
Suddenly Akane stood up, and started to clean her side of the kotatsu. Ranma sat up, looking curiously at her.
- Whattcha doin'?
- Time's up. You would know that, if you didn't waste it 'taking a break' - Ranma look at the watch, realizing that he had spent way too much time thinking.
- Oops! Guess I lost track of time, ne? Hehehee - Akane watched her iinazuke laugh at himself in disbelief and started walking towards the dojo door.
- Uh, Akane?
- Yes?
- You think we have chances to get into college? I mean, with all these other people also trying hard and all.
Akane couldn't help herself but smiling. She stopped in front of the mid opened door before saying:
- Yes. That is, unless you stop daydreaming when you should e studying, you won't even pass the Central Exams.
- Ahn. - more silence. The blowing, cold wind could be heard outside the room.
- A-Akane?
- What?
- Thanks.
- Eh? - "He, he's THANKING me?" She turned around to look at him, expecting some laughs or anything else that would give him away and make she sees it was all a joke. Nothing. Instead, she saw him flushing. The two of them completely confused, Ranma looked down, his fingers playing with the ground.
- Ahn, I-I just thought... I mean, with you and all these studying sessions, I just wanted... you know...
- You're welcome. - was all she said before going back to the house, leaving Ranma behind.
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Inside her bedroom, Tendo Nabiki listened to her tape recorder, incredibly amused with the whole conversation in the dojo she had just heard. She turned it off, making a mental note to thank whoever invented the 'bug' later.
"Now, isn't this interesting? Maybe it's time for me to make a move..."
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As the days were passing by, a more friendly atmosphere was forming between Ranma and Akane again, since they were both passing through the same nightmare called Vestibular together. But, with this part of his life a little more settled, Ranma was getting more and more concerned about another thing: Ukyo. Since their arrival at Nerima, Ryouga was always present - too much present, for Ranma's opinion - and casually giving news about how Ukyo was, or why she didn't gave them a single visit. He usually said that she had too much to do at the Okonomiyaki house, and barely had some spare time to visit anyone. But all those excuses only made Ranma more worried about his old friend.
Not being able to hold his nature curiosity, he took his first opportunity during the weekend - when he didn't have to study - to visit Ukyo himself. The poor Akane, who only wanted a quiet and peaceful weekend, was forced to go with him by the rest of the family, after all she WAS his iinazuke and HAD to enjoy every moment they could have together... How she was getting sick of being at home everyday, all day long, she quickly agreed to go along with him.
So, with all the family cheering and wishing them a nice date, and a lot of other heavier comments Akane and Ranma wished to never hear again, they left to Ukyo's restaurant.
It wasn't even necessary going into the Okonomyiaki house to realize how much full it was. "Maybe that's why she never came visit us" Ranma thought to himself "Maybe she WAS too busy to leave the place..." But that was just a lame excuse, and even Ranma knew that. More suspicious than never, he entered the restaurant, Akane right after him.
Inside the house was more crowded that it looked from the outside. That place never had so many customers, and it still smelled and felt like the little comfortable Okonomyiaki house it has always been. Except for the owner. Akane found them a good seat, while Ranma went to the counter, trying to find Ukyo in that place full of people. When he realized it was almost impossible, Ranma just focused on getting his and Akane's order, but his voice died on his throat on the second he saw WHO was serving him this time:
- Pfff...ahahahahaaaa!!
- Done now? Are you gonna order something or did you just came here to laugh at me again?
Ryouga was on the other side of the counter, dressed in the restaurant uniform, just hating all of that. Ranma had to lean against the counter, laughing so loud that had taken the attention of at least half of the place, not to mention the long line right behind him. The young fighter took a few deep breaths before he could actually talk again.
- S-sorry man, it's just, hahaha, I mean, haha, you? Ryouga, the new waiter of the Okonomyiaki? Hahahahah.... aw c'mon, am I the only one who thinks that's funny? - the waiter stared back at him, veins popping out of his forehead.
- Look, the only reason I took this job is cuz I owe Ukyo for helping me on that trip, with money and everything. So now I'm helping her until she can handle the place by herself, ok?
- Yeah, yeah, you're totally right, P-chan... - Ranma wiped away his tears for laughing so much, enjoying that moment more than he though he would - I'll be serious, from now on.
- Great. Much better. Now, what do you want?
- Uh, lemme see... what can you tell me about the one with bacon? - Ranma said laughing again.
Ryouga was about to punch him when Akane appeared in the middle of what was becoming to be a very impatient crowd of customers.
- Ranma!!! I've been calling you for ten minutes! What the hell is... Ryouga? Is that you?
- Er... y-yes, Akane-san. How are you? - Ryouga couldn't get more flushed or embarrassed than that. Akane staring at him incredulously wasn't helping either.
- Fine...but, why are you in here? - Akane didn't know if she should laugh or worry about it.
- Yep, I know. It's kinda hard to picture Ryouga working in a restaurant without being part of the menu... - Ranma could almost feel their glares passing through his head like gunshots - what?
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Ukyo could hear the mess and complains from the kitchen. "Oh no, please, please, please don't tell me Ryouga-baby got confused again! I told him it would be better with he just helping me in the kitchen..." The noises were getting louder as one of the waitresses entered the kitchen:
- Er, Ukyo-san?
- Yes, Naoko-san?
- There's been a, uhm, slightly problem with one of the waiters in the counter and I, ahn, I think you should see it. - Ukyo sighed heavily while she cleaned her hands. She could almost feel sorry for the very embarrassed girl in front of her, responsible for Ryouga that day.
- Ok. Naoko-san, please watch the kitchen while I go check it, alright?
- H-hai. - she answered smiling with relief. After all, any other boss could have easily fired her for letting such a mess happens inside the restaurant.
Out of the kitchen, Ukyo felt like she was in hell. People complaining about the lack or very little service, more people arguing with each other about their places in the line and how long they've been waiting, and another group of people, the more aggressive one, arguing about something or someone Ukyo couldn't quite understand. And, in the middle of all that, a very, very pissed and confused Ryouga, who didn't seem to know what to do. Ukyo gaddered all her power of will to not just kick everybody out of her Okonomiyaki house and then kill a certain black-haired fighter/waiter. Instead, she calmed down the crowd by apologizing to them all with a free meal each. That is, after getting their attention, which required the best of her voice, a lot of her patience, and climbing on the counter, with shoes and all. Everything settled, Ukyo could breath again, and got down of the counter.
- Ryouga-kun, come see me in the kitchen, honey. NOW. - and then walked slowly back to the kitchen, making Ryouga shiver with the simple thought of what was coming for him inside there.
- U-chan?
She frozen for a second, before turning back to the voice's owner. They three were still in the same place: a very confused Ranma with Akane by his side trying to calm down a even more frightened Ryouga.
- Ran-chan? You're here?
- No, I'm out there... of course I'm here! You come back to Nerima, re-open your business, but do you care to even tell your friends about it? Nooooo!!! Just ignore us for almost two weeks!!!
Ranma would have gone like that all afternoon, if it wasn't for Akane's always present remarks on how childish he was being and was getting the customers attention again. Ryouga didn't even deared to move from his place, still waiting for Ukyo to explode over him. But Ukyo herself didn't know if she melted, frozen or joined the discussion.
- I'm sorry, Ran-chan, Akane-chan. You see, I'm very busy with all this movement in my restaurant, and Ryouga-kun told me you were studying...
- Yeah, right. Like I'm gonna believe in that. - he snorted right back at her.
- Er, why don't we all sit down and talk like normal people, just for a change? - Akane decided it was up to her bring some politeness into that conversation.
- You're right Akane-chan, but I can't really sit and talk to you right now... why don't you guys go home, and I visit you later? - said a smiling Ukyo. Inside, she just wanted her restaurant to stay in one piece. Unfortunately, none of them looked like believing in her.- Or, you can just sit there and wait for me to come, in about three and a half hours, when I close...
- Ok, I'll wait. It's not like I have much more to do anyway... - Ranma said, already going back to their seats.
- But Ranma... - Akane was ready to protest, but he didn't seem to listen anymore. - Fine, I give up. Do whatever you want, but I'm going home!
And with that, she said goodbye to Ukyo and Ryouga and left the Okonomiyaki house. Those last two went back to work, Ryouga now helping Ukyo in the kitchen, where she could monitorize him close.
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Almost four hours later, Ukyo was ready to close the restaurant, and stopped to check on Ranma. He was still there, sitting on the same place she left him. "Man, he IS stubborn!"
- Guess I can't get rid of you, huh? - she said sitting next to him, in a joking tone.
- Guess you can't. - he answered in the same tone. After a few minutes, he changed to a more serious one:
- U-chan, what's happening? You've been avoiding me since...
- Since the almost-wedding. - she completed sadly. Ukyo was staring the table, she was too ashamed to look at her friend.
- Yes. You went travelling right after that, didn't even said goodbye or told where you were going... I, I was worried about you. - Ukyo looked really surprised at him.
- You were?
- Yeah! I mean, you're my best friend, so why shouldn't I be?
In that moment all her last hopes fell. Ukyo now knew what she had to do, better than before.
- Friend... that's all I'll ever be for you, ne? - as low as she had said, it was still enough for Ranma to hear. But, no matter how much he hated it, there was no way he could answer that without hurting her feelings.
- Ukyo...
- No, don't worry about me, Ran-chan. I'm fine, really! I guess I always knew that, I just didn't want to see it... So when I heard that you and Akane were going to... marry... I, I don't know what came into me, I just HAD to stop it. Well, it seems to have worked after all. - heart-broken Ukyo completed ironically. She was gaddering all her strength to finish what she started.
- Yep. Probably better than you wanted... But it still doesn't explain why you ran away after that.
- Don't you get it Ranma? That's EXACTLY why I had to disappear! - she took some time before going on - After you found out that I was helping Ryouga, Shampoo, and everyone else to ruin your wedding, I kinda regret it. Maybe the others never bothered about getting caught, but I realized that I wasn't only losing a iinazuke, I was also losing a friend... I thought you would never even look at me again! I was so ashamed, and so lost that I had to find myself again. And I knew I could only do that on my own, so I went travelling all around Japan to see if I could find my answers... and maybe, even forgetting you.
- But, U-chan, I never blame you for anything! Yeah, I was kinda disappointed when I saw you with them, but then I realized that everyone had its share of guilty in that...
Silence. Ranma was more uncomfortable by the minutes. Not knowing how to talk about her feelings more clearly, he decided to try being a little indirect, something he was definetely NOT good at.
- So, uh, how was your trip? Did you... find what you were looking for? - Ukyo smiled at his question. "He can be such a sweetie when he wants to... If only he knew about it..."
- Yeah, I did.
- And... what's that?
- Enclosure.
- Ahn? - Ranma didn't quite understood what she said, but Ukyo seemed really satisfied about saying it. Seeing his friend smile again was enough for Ranma. - Soo, we're all right? We're friends again?
Ukyo gave Ranma a genuine smile before kissing him gently. Inside Ukyo was happy and sad at the same time. She was still heart-broken for letting him go, yes. But she finally had the power to end it all: all the fights, confusions and suffering. And, for that, she was more satisfied that she could ever be in months. She quickly broke it apart, since Ranma was so nervous he could hardly move, and left the table slowly enough only so he could hear her saying:
- Yeah, we're friends again. Bye Ranma.
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A few seconds after Ukyo disappeared inside her kitchen, the extremely confused and flushed Ranma got back to his senses. He got up slowly, trying to get it all, but only to freeze again.
- A-Akane?
Standing in the still open front door was Akane flushing furiously, veins popping out of her forehead with anger.
- RAAANMAAA......
"Uh, that can't be good!"
- Akane, I can explain....
He tried to go in her direction, looking for some sort of explanation to what she just saw, but only to see the bad idea it was.
- RANMA NO BAKA!!!! - a flying Ranma passed through the ceiling, straight into the night.
- Gomen!!!
End of chapter 3
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I think that's my longest chapter so far! Yay! Sessha's getting better! (I hope) Actually, this chapter was supposed to be longer [explaining why it has a 'I' beside the title], but when I saw how long it was getting I decided to split it in two... soo, now you'll have to wait until next chapter! ^_^
Hey, but that doesn't mean you can't review! 'Au contraire', I would be more than happy to see your review in there! Or flames, or opinions, or whatever!
Ah, right! Almost forgot: I finally got some more specific information about Japanese vestibular [and, after days of research I also remembered what the exact word was.... ^_^;;; My memory really sucks sometimes!] So, if you'd like these specific information, here it go!
Usually in Japan they have two phases for the vestibular:
The first phase is held on the first half of January, and consists of two days of a Central Exam. Those are all non-specific subjects, and have a total of 800 points.
After those two days of exams, the students bring a copy of their tests home and correct them by the answers published on newspapers (although most of the preparatory courses are also specialized on correcting for their students too). If the student sees he/she has enough points to go to the second phase - which is something about 600 points, I think - he/she sends his/hers inscription by mail to the chosen College.
The second, and last, phase is held on the second half of February, and consist of one single test. It is made of the specifics subjects and it may change by the college and course the student chose, or had enough points to.
The final results are published on boarders and/or walls of the colleges. If the student gets in, he/she has a few days to make his/hers inscription... not to mention celebrate!
Oh, and it's necessary to say that this vestibular is made only for public colleges, and that some may not do the same. It's NOT so necessary, but still interesting to say, that students who don't pass the exams after finishing Highschool and those preparatory courses are usually known as 'ronins' [I love a little of worthless info, don't you? ^_^ you don't? ok, sorry then.... ^_^;;]
Guess that's all for now....
Til next chapter minna-san! ^_^