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Don't own Ranma, don't ever think I will haha...
Anyways thanks for all the reviews on this side project of mine, so far it's been positive and even as far as to interest some readers who aren't into AU to read my lil fic.
Hontoni-Arigato to you all...
H.A
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Chapter 2
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"Hey Kasumi…do you know who this belongs to?" asked one of the junior girls who had been assigned to do the clean up of the salon before closing.
That afternoon thankfully for Kasumi had been a quiet afternoon with barely any customers coming in asking for her by name.
Looking at the object Kasumi was about to answer when Mayu answered for her, "Hey…that's the cap of that really cute guy who came in this afternoon…"
The girl who held the cap quickly hugged it close to her chest and squealed, "It is? Gosh…I hear he was really cute from the others…only if half the guys who come in look as good as him I wouldn't mind…I could wash his hair for ever…don't you guys think so…guys?"
Hearing no reply and seeing how the others were now busy cleaning up, the youngest of the four girls looked over her shoulder she came face to face with a not to pleased looking Mrs. Emiko.
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These were the moments that Ranma was glad that he no longer took crime scenes pictures for a living, for in front of him was a two wheeled racing machine built to excellence.
It was brought up to his studio by the racing team who owned it who wanted Ranma to take some photos of their machine so they could put it into their corporate sponsors magazine.
Ranma was a moto-racing and also avid motorcycle enthusiast and as he slowly stalked around the machine trying to find the right angle to aim his lens at whereby even the average person could also appreciate the magnificence of the machine when there was a rather un-welcomed knock on his studio door, effectively breaking his concentration.
His eyes constantly trying hard to focus while alternating between his camera's viewfinder and the machine before him…
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"Kasumi…I want you to return this cap to its rightful owner…seeing as how you almost blinded him…with your carelessness…thus causing him to forget this…" were Mrs. Emiko exact words before she sent her out of the shop.
Gripping the cap in her hands but still careful enough not to bend it out of shape Kasumi roamed the shopping district looking for the name Ranma. Seeing as how she didn't know his family name she was hoping to get lucky on catching sight of at least his name on his shop, she hoped that Ranma at least had a shop somewhere…
After an hour or so of looking Kasumi was about to give up when she saw a familiar looking yellow bandana on a very familiar looking man who had just crossed the junction in front of her.
Kasumi picked up her pace and followed the man along the streets until she stood before a rather pastoral looking two storey building with a simple signboard 'Picturesque Studios' hung outside on the gate.
'Guess only one way to find out…'
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Kasumi upon entering was surprised to find the building rather empty and since she had lost sight of where the man she was following had gone off to she decided to just roam around hoping to get lucky and find someone.
After turning around the corridors she soon stumbled upon a door…
Ryoga who was standing behind Ranma trying to figure out what angles might work for this shot was about to lose hope on trying to figure out what angles he would use himself for this whole photo shot. He had just gotten back from the supply store with new stocks of film and batteries as well.
What he couldn't explain was how come he had the distinct feeling that he was being followed while he was going back…
Ranma was poised and ready to take a shot, his first picture in fact and just as he was about to take the picture…
Knock-Knock
The moment was gone and Ranma now looking displeased tried to regain the moment…
Ryoga quickly rushed over to the door to see who it was and as he opened the door, "Yes…can I help you, miss?"
Kasumi stood there shyly clutching the red baseball cap in-between her twiddling fingers, "Em…yes…is there a man named Ranma…here…?"
Ryoga looked at the girl and then looked over his shoulder to the young man a hidden a little way behind him, "He's busy right now…if you have any business with him why don't you come back a little later…"
Kasumi knew that she had to give Ranma back his cap and just as she was about to give the said object to Ryoga when suddenly a loud ringing tone echoed along the silent room.
Ranma now looking very annoyed decided to see for himself just who was at the door and was determined to give that particular person his piece of mind about intrusions and also to his friend and assistant about mobile phones…
"Ryoga…I thought I told you to keep your phone in silent mode during shoots…!" yelled Ranma out as he angrily walked over to the door.
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"Father…yes I know what time it is…yes…I'd be back in time to cook dinner and if I can't make it I'd buy some back okay…" whispered Kasumi hurriedly into her phone.
Ranma walking around the room's large partition covering the door noticed how Ryoga was standing there staring at the back of a young lady by the doorway who was wearing a starched white shirt with what looked like a black apron.
Ryoga turned around at hearing footsteps and seeing how Ranma's face was looking as if he wasn't expecting anyone cringed a little.
"Sorry, Ranma but this young lady wanted to see you about something…" he explained.
"Ryoga…you know that I don't…"
Kasumi hastily ended her call and turned back to the man who had greeted her with intent to pass the cap over to him but seeing Ranma standing there with his back facing her obviously giving a sound telling off to his friend.
"Like interruptions when I'm in the middle of a shoot…" pressed Ranma.
"Sorry to disturb you but it was my fault really…" Kasumi squeaked out from behind the duo.
Ranma hearing a voice over his back turned around to face this girl who wanted to see him and…
"Kasumi…san…?" Ranma uttered out in somewhat disbelief.
The girl bowed lightly and quickly held out to him what looked like the cap he had misplaced yesterday.
Accepting it into his hands, "Where did you find this?" he asked her puzzlingly, his left hand rubbing his left eye somewhat unconsciously.
"You sort of left it in the salon that day…" she responded.
Ryoga stood there beside the two stunned, wasn't Ranma just a few moments ago about to chew his head off but now he was acting like normal, well abnormal more like it. Ranma was actually acting shy...
Ranma scratched the back of his head goofily and ran his left hand invisibly over his left eye once more, "Oh…yeah…I did wear it in didn't I…? Thanks for bringing it back…err…how did you find this place anyway? I don't remember telling you where I worked."
Kasumi looked over to Ryoga and then back to Ranma, "Well I was walking around the whole square hoping to find a photo studio with your name or something and when I couldn't find a place that had your name I tried asking around but no luck there either. I was about to give up when I suddenly saw your friend walking along the street and followed him here…I'm really sorry that I disturbed you once again Ranma-san, really…I really should be going now…"
Ranma took a step closer to the girl and tired to reached out to Kasumi, "No…it's okay…really if you want you can stay a little longer…you can even watch me take a few pictures of something I'm working on…" he hesitatingly blurted out.
Ryoga's jaw dropped to the floor when he heard what Ranma had said. Not only was Ranma asking a girl to stay but he was asking her to watch him work, an offer he had never ever once extended out to anyone.
Kasumi bowed once more, "I'm sorry…but I can't stay here any longer…I mean…I can't stay to watch you work…I have to go home and cook dinner for my family…sorry." And with that Kasumi turned on her heels and walked away briskly.
It was now Ranma's turn to look as if he was just hit by something totally unexpected as he stared at the retreating girl down the hall. He stayed like that long after Kasumi had left and didn't even move a single facial muscle when Ryoga waved his hand in front of him.
"Hello…Ranma…Earth to Ranma…come in…?"
Ranma didn't respond.
'Her family…?' rang Ranma's inner thoughts.
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Ranma after sending Ryoga home for the night sat down despondently on the simple iron foldable chair in front of the machine that was his 'model' for the night. He couldn't get a single shot in for two hours now no matter how long he looked at the machine. He just couldn't put his mind into taking a single picture.
Looking at the time and noticing how late it was Ranma decided to call it a day and go home. He made sure everything was locked up before making his way out to the main door.
After locking the front doors firmly, Ranma made his way to the street and turned to his left and started walking but stopped on a dime when he heard something click softly underneath his feet.
Looking down Ranma noticed that he had kicked something plastic a little ahead of him. He then bent down to pick up the object and bringing it up he saw that it was a mobile phone…
By the color of the phone Ranma immediately could tell that it wasn't Ryoga's as he always preferred something in yellow.
'I wonder whose phone is this…'
Walking onwards along the street Ranma with phone in hand was still pondering who was it owner. He could have tried to browse the address book inside but that was a little intrusive.
Having walked all the way home Ranma entered his dark apartment and headed straight to the kitchen to get a glass of milk. With his glass of cold milk in hand Ranma then made his way into his darkroom and the first image he saw hanging on the empty line when he switched the lights on answered the question he had been asking himself.
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"Coming…" replied Kasumi as she rushed over to continue where Mayu had left off. It was a busy day for the salon and with a girl missing that morning due to sickness the others had to pick up the slack.
It had been a three hour marathon of washing, drying, styling and cutting for Kasumi without a single break in between. Not only was she tired from the work load she was tired from worrying about her phone.
Sure the phone was two years old but still it was money lost which on her tight budget meant that she could barely afford to replace it with a new one.
It took Kasumi another thirty minutes before the last customer left the salon and just as she was about to let her feet rest the familiar ringing of the bell on the front door signaled a customer had just walked in.
Closing her eyes hoping that it would not be a customer…
"Kasumi…! It's one of yours…" yelled Mayu.
Sighing Kasumi walked out to the front desk expecting to see one of her 'regulars'.
Pushing aside the curtain that separated the front desk and salon area, "Welcome, how may I…"
Kasumi stopped in mid-sentence once she saw who it was waiting for her…
"Morning Kasumi-san, hope I'm not interrupting…" excused Ranma.
The girl shook her head, "No…my last customer left a few minutes ago…" she sighed tiredly.
"That's good…oh…I think you dropped this last night…" as Ranma produced out of his side pocket a small foldable phone.
Kasumi quickly rushed over to Ranma and took the phone into her hands and checked to see if it was really hers…
"Don't worry I didn't look inside…I swear…your husband has nothing to worry about weirdoes calling you in the middle of the night…"
Mayu who was in the middle of the two then coughed loudly, "Husband…cough…? Kasumi…hack…since when…?" as she beat her chest trying to get a fresh breath of air into her lungs.
Kasumi shook her head furiously at Mayu and also Ranma, "I don't have a husband…I don't even have a boyfriend at the moment…" she stuttered out swiftly.
Ranma's expression lightened up considerably at her admission and felt a lot happier then he was last night for some mysterious reason.
"Oh…sorry…I just thought since last night you said you have to cook for your family…" began Ranma.
"My father and sisters…Ranma-san…they are my only family." clarified Kasumi.
Ranma grinned at his mistake, "Hehe…sorry…kinda jumped the gun there…eh…?"
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Sitting down on a small bench inside the small nearby park, Ranma who had asked Kasumi if she had eaten lunch earlier dug out the tuna sandwich that she had bought from the nearby convenience store and passed it to her.
"Have you been working there long…?" asked Ranma, breaking the quiet between the pair.
"This is my first month…if you could believe it…but to me seems like I've been working there for a whole year…"
"That rough huh…?" wondered Ranma openly with a small smile, sipping his warm coffee.
Looking over to him Kasumi shrugged her shoulders, "Sometimes but I don't mind…I need to work somewhere close by and this was it…"
"You're lucky you get to work close to home…I haven't been home for a good two years now…" admitted Ranma.
"Oh…you're not from around here, Ranma-san?"
Ranma nodded, "I'm from Izu…well my mother was from there my father was from around here…"
After they had ate in silence Ranma noticing that Kasumi's lunch time was nearing its end but not daring to look over to her desperately wanting to ask her if she mind if he walked her back but seeing as how Kasumi was now sound asleep on the bench with her head resting on her hand he didn't get to ask her.
Instead Ranma quietly brought his small backpack up to his lap and took out his every trusty and handy camera and primed it at the sleeping girl beside him.
Shot after shot as Ranma captured her sleeping face onto film, a smile growing on his face with each succeeding shot. And just as he finished the roll of film he was using a ringing tone echoed into the air.
Kasumi shot up on the bench, startled not only by the sound but by the unexpected vibration inside her apron pouch and looking around her sleepily…
"I guess that's the salon calling you to ask you to go back to work…" Ranma said out to her.
Kasumi quickly glanced down to her wristwatch and began to panic and looked back at Ranma, "Sorry I didn't wake you but I figured you could use the rest…you look like you didn't get much sleep last night…" he continued.
Ignoring the call and rejecting it, "I admit that I welcome the few extra minutes of sleep but I don't welcome the telling off I know I am going get from Mrs. Emiko for being late…" as she straightened herself out readying herself to get back to work.
Standing up himself mirroring her action, "Mind if I walk you back to the salon…?"
"It's alright Ranma-san…I know you got better things to do then to walk a very late girl to work…bye…" as she left after giving Ranma a smile and a bow.
Later that afternoon Ranma stood behind the counter eagerly waiting for his pictures to develop and as the first picture started to come out a smile crept to his face.
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"As usual Mr. Saotome a wonderful job with the pictures…I couldn't possibly ask for anything more other then these fantastic pictures of the bike…" bellowed Mr. Eizo, chief principle of Eizo Racing with a contented smile.
"Thank you Mr. Eizo…but it's always my pleasure to work with your bikes…their beauty makes my job easier…"
This brought a hearty chuckle from the graying man, "Ha-ha…well from what I hear from the local circuits not only are you good with a lens your pretty good on two wheels as well…say why don't you come by this weekend and take that baby out for a few turns round the track…" as he pointed over to the machine behind him.
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Kasumi as she had expected did receive a good long telling off from Mrs. Emiko about being late but it didn't bother her that much. She was rather enjoying the irregular periods of time that she had been spending with Ranma lately.
'But I can't enjoy them too much…I have to take care of my family firstly…'
"Nee-san, are we ready to eat yet I'm hungry…" wondered a short haired girl from the kitchen door.
"Yes…Akane I'd be done in five minutes...can you please call Nabiki down for dinner as well…"
"Sure thing…nee-san…" as Akane left, after a few seconds…
"NABIKI-NEESAN! DINNER"S READY!" bellowed a voice.
'Yes…family….' echoed a thought.
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"Say Ranma…what's up with you these past couple of days? I mean you were looking as if you were about to give up the ghost last night and not make today's deadline and when on my came up here I see Mr. Eizo was leaving as if he was the happiest man around…how do you do these things anyway?" wondered Ryoga as he slurped hard on his instant noodles.
"I dunno maybe I just needed the right kind of motivation…" he grinned cheekily to his friend.
After that small lunch with Kasumi, Ranma immediately set off to work with renewed spirit on taking the pictures of the Eizo racing bike. It only took him less then a short hour to have everything done with an hour to spare before the deadline even.
"Oh…I'm not your keeper so I don't want to be the one who keep tabs on you for your girlfriend okay…Ukyo's been calling the studio like for two days now…keeps on asking me where are you and why don't you call her…"
Ranma looking rather uninterested at the news, "Ryoga…Ucchan's not my girlfriend okay…we went out for a few snooty parties and a few lunches…nothing more…she's not my type…"
Ryoga stood up and walked away from the makeshift table of cardboard boxes, "Well why don't you tell her that then…she doesn't seem to think that you two aren't an item…"
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Kasumi dressed in a simple nightgown crawled into her bed and was about to switch off her bedside lamp shade when her mobile phone caught her eye. Taking it into her hands and gazing at it…
"I wouldn't have mind if he had taken a look inside and found my number…" she said to herself.
It took a few seconds before Kasumi caught the consciousness of words and quickly berated herself, "Come on Kasumi…he's good looking…a photographer…he must have girls falling to his feet…models most likely…what would he see in me…a lowly hairstylist who goes to work late…"
Her hand then idly reached out to turn out the small bedside lamp…
Ranma who was sitting out on his balcony looking up to the dark cloudy night sky above him poignantly, for he was a little confused about his own feelings for the past few days himself.
'Come on…what's wrong with me…ever since I've met Kasumi its like my senses have gone haywire…' he told himself.
Ranma wasn't one to easily get flustered as his job kind of required it. Taking photographs of gruesome crime scenes for a whole year before moving onto more beautiful and scenic subjects had steeled his senses so much so that nothing much could get to him.
But lately Kasumi seemed to have a rather uncanny effect on him and he didn't know why that was the case…
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