Chapter 3 Next Day
"Akane, it's a pretty day, why don't we go have a picnic in the park?" asked Kasumi, "I can put together a lunch for you, Ranma, Nabiki and myself."
"Sure, sis, I'd like that. It beats watching Father play shoji against Mr. Saotome," Nabiki said. Akane nodded, her face lighting up with a smile.
"That sounds like a good idea, Kasumi," Ranma said, "It wouldn't hurt for you to get out of the house more and have some fun, too. Do you need any help?" 'Man, Akane sure is cute when she smiles like that' he thought, "Oops," looking at the expression on Kasumi's face, "Did I say that out loud?" Kasumi just smiled and nodded. He smiled at the surprised expression on Akane's face as she blushed prettily. 'He thinks I'm cute, he thinks I'm cute…' her mind babbled. Nabiki was convulsing on the floor in silent laughter.
"Sure, Ranma, would you get the picnic baskets, they're in the cabinet," Kasumi said. 'That was a nice thing for Ranma to say, if he did that more often, things would be a lot better between them.'
Soon, the four of them were walking to the park, Ranma of course carrying the food, while the girls chatted. Ranma groaned to himself, up in the distance he saw the familiar sight of Shampoo on her bike making a delivery. As she got closer, she recognized who was walking toward her. Ranma started getting angry, and his battle aura began to show. She paled, turned her bike around and rode away. "Ranma, wasn't that Shampoo?" Nabiki asked.
"It sure looked like her," replied Akane.
"Come on, let's get to the park, these baskets are starting to get heavy," Ranma said, ignoring the question.
They reached the park, and found a nice shady spot where they could stretch out some blankets on the ground. Ranma happily put the baskets down, and Kasumi began to put out the picnic items. Ranma soon found himself sitting on the ground next to Akane, with Nabiki sitting across from him, showing off quite a bit of skin. Kasumi gracefully sat down, and starting handing out plates. Ranma was quite happily enjoying the view, in pleasant company, just relaxing, though he was careful not to stare too long at Nabiki.
Nabiki smirked at Ranma, knowing he was deliberately not looking at her, but she decided to keep quiet. They sat there quietly eating their meal, Ranma for once eating slowly to savor the food. 'It sure is nice not having to fight Pop over my meal, I hope this lasts, I could get used to this, having three pretty girls sitting with me, none of them glomping onto me or trying to make the others jealous' Ranma thought. He chuckled at that thought.
"Ranma, what are you laughing at?" Akane said quizzically.
"Oh, nothin' much, I was just thinking about how nice it was to be here with three girls, and none of them are glomping onto me, that it was very peaceful, and I kinda liked it," he replied, without thinking.
"You really don't like being pulled apart by your fiancées, do you?" Nabiki asked.
"No, I hate it to be honest, but I'm trying to fix some of it," Ranma replied.
"Does that explain why Shampoo turned and rode away when she saw you? I have to admit I'm surprised that she's not here." Kasumi asked.
"Maybe," Ranma admitted, "I told her yesterday that I didn't love her, and I would never marry her. Maybe this time it sunk in."
"Oh my!" Kasumi exclaimed, "She appears to be taking it well." "Hi, Ukyo, how are you doing today?" she said as Ukyo came walking up.
"Hi, Ranma-honey, Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi, looks like a nice picnic," Ukyo said, "Mind if I join you?" Akane looked angry for a second, and then moved over to make room for her, between her and Nabiki. Ukyo sat down.
"Ranma, I saw Shampoo not too long ago, she didn't look real happy to see me, do you know what's wrong with her?" she asked.
"Ranma basically told her to get out of his life," Akane said, 'Of course the fact that he was hugging me probably helped, too,' she thought.
'I don't like the sound of this, he's dumped Shampoo, and he is being nice to Akane, I need to break this up," thought Ukyo. "Well, if you decide you need some more food, come by Ucchans, later," she said.
"Maybe, I'm pretty full right now, believe it or not. Kasumi outdid herself today," Ranma replied with happy smile. 'Akane, don't get mad, please,' he thought.
'Hm, no reaction from either of them, really not good,' "Ok, well I need to get back, see you later," she said, using one of her cutest 'cute' fiancée looks. She stood up, making sure Ranma was watching, and she ambled away.
Ranma turned to look at Akane; she had a puzzled look on her face. He just shrugged, she smiled happily, 'He didn't go with her, he stayed here,' she thought.