Chapter 4 Later that afternoon
"Hey Ucchan" Ranma said as he entered Ukyo's restaurant. "Hi, Ranma-honey, one special coming up" Ukyo said with a bright smile.
Ranma stood lost in thought for a second 'No distractions, remember, no distractions, you didn't come here to eat, baka!' "No that's alright Ukyo, I just came to talk," Said Ranma. "Let's sit down over here."
'Uh oh, I don't think I'm going to like this,' she thought.
"Ukyo, I know you think you love me and all, but I don't love you that way. I think of you as a sister, that's all. I know this is going to hurt, but I can't return the love you have for me." Ukyo sat there, not believing what she was hearing.
"I thought I was your cute fiancée," Ukyo said, hearing that Ranma winced.
"I never wanted to hurt you, Ukyo, and that's why it took me so long to tell you how I really feel. You are my best friend and didn't want to lose you. But I can't lie to myself anymore. I can't be anything other than a friend, no matter how much you wish it were otherwise," he said.
Ukyo was crying softly. "Ranma, why are you telling me this now?" she said softly. 'First Shampoo, and now me, does that mean that he's picked Akane,' she thought.
"I finally decided what I needed to do to fix the mess my life is in," Ranma whispered. "Pop really messed up both of our lives when he ran off with your yatai. I've been thinking, and I talked to Mom and we both agree your engagement was fraudulent. That's Pop's fault, though, not yours, not mine, not your father's. I don't know how to fix everything for you, but, maybe, anyway, what I want you to consider is becoming my sister for real. I mean, if that's something that makes sense to you anyway. I can talk Mom into adopting you and that way at least some of the bargain our fathers made would be honored. That's the best that I can come up with anyway. After all, you would then be a Saotome, though it's not the way you wanted. Anyway, think about it, would you? I don't what to lose you as a friend, but you need to do what is right for yourself."
She looked at Ranma for a second, tears streaming down her face. Then she kissed him passionately. Ranma pulled away. "You didn't feel anything when I kissed you, did you? No sparks, no fireworks, nothing?" Ukyo said sadly.
"No, not what you wanted me to feel," Ranma replied with a sigh, "I'm sorry I led you on for so long, but I can't love you that way."
"Thanks, Ranma. I guess I always knew that was the way you felt, I've seen the way you look at Akane; you've never looked that way at me. I just didn't want to admit it to myself. Does this mean you've picked Akane?" she asked.
"No, I just decided I didn't want to lead anybody on anymore. It's time for us to all get a life, I guess," he replied.
"Ranma, I don't know what I want right now, I need to be alone with my thoughts, just leave, okay," Ukyo said.
Ranma looked at her for a second, then carefully reached over and hugged her. "Ukyo, just think about what I said, ok. You deserve to be happy, but I ain't the right guy for you, you know, sorry, Ucchan," he said. He started walking out the door, then turned, "Konatsu, take care of her."