Jhim sat down on the floor next to my table. "This place doesn't look much different from my place," he said, surveying his surroundings.

"Gee, you think it might have something to do with the fact we live in the same building?" I said as I opened the mini-fridge. "Ah, here we are," I announced, taking out a box. "Cuisine styled leftovers, straight from the kitchen of Kasumi Tendo." I opened the box up and let the aroma float around a bit. "You, my friend, are in for a treat!"

I brought two plates to the table and laid the box in the middle. "Bon Appetite!"

Jhim dug in with vigor, thoroughly enjoying the cold leftovers. "This is good stuff," he said.

"Yep, even cold it's good!" I said. "You want something to drink?" Jhim shook his head and continued to eat. "Glad you like it," I said.

A minute or so later, when Jhim was done eating, we started to talk. "So what's your story?" I asked. "How'd you get here?"

Jhim sighed. "I'm not sure. One minute, I was just studying for my algebra test when that witch, Shinde, shows up and takes me here," he said.

"Shinde? Is she some sort of Japanese witch?" I asked.

"I'm not really sure, but I'm assuming she is. She sure did look like one," he said. "How bout you? What's the SIC?"

"Well, as far as I know," I said, getting up to get a soda. "SIC is a giant corporation that places SI's in whatever division," I said.

"Kinda like ?" Jhim said.

"Exactly, only a hell lot more surreal. I mean, I was brought there on a giant roller coaster that appeared out of nowhere," I said, reaching into the fridge to get a can of soda. "Downloading the story into a server just doesn't do it for em I guess."

"Really?" Jhim said as I sat down at the table. "Well, how come I got a witch, and you got a company?"

I shrugged. "Maybe the witch works for SI. That would it explain it," I said. "So, what are you going to do about Martial Arts?" I asked, taking a swig of my drink.

Jhim sighed and rested his head on the table. "I've been thinking about that, but I can't come up with anything. I'm starting to think I will have to enroll in the dojo," he said.

"What's so bad about the dojo?" I asked. Jhim looked up at me like I was insane.

"Considering that more than half of the story takes place there, I'd rather look at all my other options," he said.

"Well, you could join the kendo club," I said.

Jhim blanched. "How 'bout not?" he said.

"I still think you should join the dojo," I said. "It'd be like covering the story from two sides."

"Well, what are you doing about it?" Jhim asked.

I smirked and pulled my purse out from a corner. "Check this out," I said, opening up my purse. I reached in and pulled out my Algebra II text book, my notebook, and my pencil, placing them all on the table. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot," I said as I pulled out a tub of vanilla ice cream. "Ice cream?"

Jhim sat there, mouth agape. "What the hell?"

"Comedic physics, advance level six," I said. "Not really level six, I'm not sure it really has levels… but I have gotten pretty good at it."

"So how does this solve the Martial Arts problem for you?" Jhim asked.

"Well, technically it doesn't, but I'm more of a weapons girl so this would solve the problem of storage," I said, pulling out two bowls and spoons.

"What weapon are you going to use?" Jhim asked.

I paused, a dark look on my face. "I…" Jhim leaned in, trying to listen. "Hadn't thought of that yet," I said. Jhim face faulted all over the table.

"What do you mean you hadn't thought of it?" he asked incredulously.

"Oh calm down man, I'll think of something soon. In the mean-time, what are you gonna do?" I handed him a bowl of ice cream with a spoon and proceeded to work on my own dessert.

Jhim took a spoonful of ice cream. "I don't know, but I'll think of something soon."

It had been at least two months since I discovered the other SI. Life had been going pretty smoothly for me. I had begun to practice sling-shot shooting, deciding this was the easiest and the most fun form of weaponry there ever was. And I wouldn't get arrested.

The rest of my time was divided between my friends and schoolwork. I never really talked to Jhim, except when we bumped into each other at the apartment's laundry mat or something like that. I'd ask him about the martial arts every time and all he ever did was shrug, then change the topic. I still had the feeling that he was laughing at me silently every time I saw him which irked me to no end. Granted, he had been acting more, well, nice, but there were still sometimes I wanted to throttle the boy.

In speaking of throttle, Yuka practically jumped me when she found out I had him over for dinner.

"YOU DID WHAT?!" was the phrase that I recall.

"Rizu, I thought you said you hated boys," Akane said, a little shocked herself.

"Guys, come on! The dude lives next to me! I mean, right next to me," I said. "Besides, he's just a friend and not a very good one at that."

"So because he lives next to you, you invited him over?" Sayuri said.

"For dinner! My god, y'all are over-reacting," I said. "It was business!"

Sayuri raised her eyebrow at this. "Business? What type of business?"

I sighed. "Look, that's my problem. But I can tell you right here and now, I DON'T want him."

"Wait, you live next to him?" Yuka asked. "Oh my god, I so need to come over!"

So that was solved quickly and easily.

The only problem that I had was waiting for Ranma. I was beginning to think the boy was never going to show.

One day I called up Akane to ask her about a homework assignment (Kotori wasn't in this particular class). "Yeah, sure I have it. Come on over," she said cheerfully. A voice spoke at the other end that sounded like Kasumi and Akane spoke back agreement. "Hey, do you wanna stay over for dinner?"

"Yeah, I'll be over in a bit." I said.

It didn't take me very long to walk over to the Tendo's and I knocked on the door, for formalities. "Akane?" I said, poking my head in. "You in here?"

"Out back!" Akane's voice called from the back yard. I took off my clonkers and headed out into the back yard. Akane was on the porch, just tying the belt off on her gi. "Hey, I'm about to go practice with Dad's new student," she said. "You wanna watch?"

"Eh, sure, why not?" I said.

"This is the first time I've sparred him since he enrolled so it should be interesting," she said.

"Nah, ten bucks it'll be like every morning," I said.

Akane shrugged and opened the door and bowed slightly. I did the same (I distinctly remembered my dad yelling at me because if it) and followed her in. It was a nice simple room, like the ones I used to practice in. But my attention was more diverted by the occupants.

Mr. Tendo was instructing Jhim on some sort of a kick (don't know, not particularly interested). When Akane entered, they paused and nodded to her, but Jhim just about froze when he spotted me.

I smirked at him. "Hey Jhim," I said cheerfully.

"Hey," he said, a little shaken that I was there. "What're you doing here?"

"Eh, just stopped by to get some homework," I said.

"Akane, Chimofu," Mr. Tendo said. "Would you like to start?"

Jhim looked at me for a second before nodding. I sat up against the wall and crossed my legs. This was going to be good.

"Begin!"

For a friendly sparring match, Jhim did pretty well although he never once landed a hit on Akane. But that was to be expected, considering who it was he was fighting. Akane was quite clearly holding back but Jhim did block a few hits.

With one final punch, Jhim was knocked on his butt and Mr. Tendo called time. "Good job," Akane said, offering Jhim a hand up.

"Thanks," he said, letting her help him up.

I clapped and stood up. "Yay Jhim!"

"Thanks, Rizu," he said. "So why are you here again?"

"I think the more important question is how long have you been studying under Mr. Tendo?" I asked.

"Chimofu here has been studying with us for at least two months now," Mr. Tendo said. "He's getting pretty talented too."

I smiled at Jhim sweetly. "Cool," I said.

Akane looked at me suspiciously. "Hey Rizu, let's go get that homework you came here for," she said.

"Okay," I said. "Good to see you Jhim," I said, walking out the door.

Once we were safely inside, Akane turned to me. "Okay, what's going on?" she asked.

"What are you talking about?" I said.

"You being all friendly with Chimofu back there. And why do you call him 'Jim'?" she asked.

"Because he looks like a Jhim. Chimofu sounds just kinda stupid to me."

"So why are you being so nice? I thought you hated him," she said.

"Hey, I never said I hated him!" I said. "And I could say the same thing for you, Miss 'Good Job'."

"It's what you do after you fight an opponent. You congratulate them on a job well done," she said. "Besides, he's not determined to date me."

"Good point. And besides, I already told you, he's just a friend," I said.

"What are you talking about?" Jhim said from behind us. Akane and I jumped, not expecting Jhim to show up while we were talking about him.

"Jeez man! Give us a heart-attack why don'cha?" I said, clutching my chest. "Sides, weren't you practicing?"

"No, Mr. Tendo told me the lesson was done," he said.

"Oh Chimofu," Kasumi said, poking her head out of the kitchen. "Would you like to join us for dinner? Rizu is staying too," she said.

"Oh, it's okay. I think I'll just…"

"Aw come on man," I said. "Stay with us, Kasumi's cooking is to die for!"

"Yeah Chimofu," Nabiki said, stepping out of the house. "Why don't you stay?"

Poor Jhim looked around him, surrounded by pushy women, I almost laughed out loud. "Uh, sure then, I'll stay," he said.

"Alright!" I said. "Come on Akane, I need to get that homework." And so we left Jhim to the mercy of Nabiki, but only for a little bit.

"That was so much fun!" I said, stretching my arms. "But man am I tired."

"Yeah, that was kinda fun," Jhim said, following close behind me. He held a box of leftovers Kasumi had given him, while my leftovers were in my Twighlight Zone purse. "I haven't had a decent dinner at someone's house in ages."

"What about at my place?" I asked.

He shrugged. "It was cold, and you didn't make it." I shrugged and continued to walk.

"Hey, what's with not telling me you enrolled at the dojo huh?" I asked, turning around to face him. "I must've asked you like ten times what you were doing about it."

Jhim shrugged. "I wanted to make a big comeback when I kicked Kuno's butt," he said, with a trace of bitterness.

I rolled my eyes. "I swear, what is it with boys? They just can't lose or something," I said.

"No, I just don't want to lose to an idiot like him," Jhim said.

I shrugged. "You know what? I've spent half a year here and I still haven't run into the guy," I said. "Hell, I haven't even seen him much."

Jhim looked at me sideways and raised his eyebrow. "Are you serious? You haven't even talked to him?" he asked.

"Yep, although I'm not counting on it lasting much longer," I said. My luck was never that good. "Speaking of, how long do you think it'll be till Ranma gets here? I'm tired of waiting."

Jhim sighed. "Yeah, but I'm enjoying the calm before the storm," he said. "I haven't been here as long as you have. I'm still training." He sighed and held his head. "What are you using for a weapon now a days?" he asked.

"Huh?" I said. "Oh, I'm using a sling-shot."

"A sling-shot?" he asked. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. I've been working on my aim at home," I said. "Don't worry Jhim, I know what I'm doing."

Jhim winced. "Look, Liz, we need to work something out. I'm Chimofu now, and you're Rizu," he said. "So it would be highly appreciated if you started to call me Chimofu when we're in public okay?"

I sighed. "But, Chimofu sounds so silly! Besides, no one's gonna care if I call you Jhim, heck everyone else might start calling you Jhim. Wouldn't that be nice?" I said.

Jhim shook his head. "How old are you?" he asked.

"What, like in the real world?" I said. "I'm fifteen."

"Of course," he said. "All the stupidity of a freshman."

"And you have all the arrogance of a senior," I retorted.

"I'm not a senior, I'm a freshman in college," he defended.

"So then, didn't you just call yourself stupid?"

Jhim stopped for a second, then shook his head. "No, I was referring to the idiots in high school."

I gritted my teeth. "Look man, I'm really starting to dislike you again. Just because you're a few years older doesn't mean you're any better than me, got it?"

Jhim cocked an eyebrow at me again. "You're weird you know that? One minute you're happy, then the next you're really pissy."

"Heh, blame it on the raging hormones," I said as we approached the apartment building. "I just really don't like it when people act like they're better than me because they're older than me. Just strikes a cord with me."

"If you want people to treat you like you're older," Jhim said. "Then act like it."

"I never said I wanted people to treat me like I'm older," I said as we began to walk up the stairs. "I just said I don't like it when they act like they're better. There is a difference, at least to me."

"Whatever," Jhim said, shaking his head. We walked up to our respective doors and fumbled for keys.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," I said.

"Yeah, see ya," he said.

"Hold on." Jhim looked back at me as he was walking into the apartment. "Call me if you find out anything about Ranma."

Jhim nodded and then closed the door. I walked into my apartment and switched on the lights. Sometimes, I just wish that guy had more tact. If he didn't change his tune soon, I was going to have to take up Akane's mallet-happy ways of negotiation.

Sunday morning quickly turned into Sunday afternoon for me as I slept through it. I was rudely awakened by a clap of thunder right outside my room. Slowly but surely, I rose from my bed and walked over to the kitchen. I started the coffee maker and walked over to the window. The rain was pouring down in torrents, making it almost impossible to see down to the street.

But I could see the street. What I saw wasa giant panda running down the street after a small girl, around my age from what I could tell. They paused in the street to spar for a moment, before the panda knocked out the girl, slung her over it's shoulder, and left.

I stood at the window until I heard the little coffee maker beep, bringing me back to reality. I shook my head as I poured myself a mug of coffee. It was too early for this.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"I'm coming, I'm coming," I said, dropping the book I was reading. It was still raining hard, and I had decided to just hang around the apartment in my pj bottoms and slippers.

I opened the door to a very wet and slightly annoyed Jhim. "He's here," he said. "Ranma's here."

"Didcha see him?" I asked, letting Jhim into the apartment. "Where was he?"

"Technically, he was a she," Jhim said, taking off his shoes and wet socks. "And she was unconscious, strung over a panda's shoulder."

I walked over to the cabinet and turned back to Jhim. "You like coffee?"

Jhim nodded and sat down at the table. "I was out shopping in the district when I saw Gemna walking by with Ranma hung over his shoulder," he said. "Didn't look like he was in much of a hurry either."

"Figure he knocked Ranma pretty good eh?" I said, pouring coffee into two mugs. "How do you like your drink?"

"One sugar pack, a little cream," he said. I nodded and added said ingredients. "Anyway, I figure he'll be in school tomorrow."

"Yep, if Akane doesn't kill him," I said. Suddenly a thought hit me. "Hey, do you think we could stop Akane from walking in on him?"

Jhim seemed to ponder the option before shaking his head. "No, I think we better let things play out. Something's gonna screw it up anyway, wither we stop it or not."

I sighed and mixed some chocolate syrup into my coffee. I was still not used to drinking this stuff all the time but was determined to like it. "I figured you'd say that." I walked over and handed him his mug and sat down across from him. "So what are you gonna do? With Ranma around, do you think you can get revenge on Kuno that easily?"

Jhim shook his head. "No, that's gonna have to wait. I'm not even close to his level yet, and it's gonna get really hectic around here anyway."

"Well, don't you think you should strike now?" I said. "I mean, before he gets any better?"

Jhim's face portrayed his frustrated emotions. "I'll get him back. Don't worry about it."

I smiled. "Dude, I hardly worry about anything."

Jhim took a drink and sighed happily. "This is good stuff."

"I'm glad," I said, drinking some of the hot liquid. I could feel the muscles in my face twitching from the flavor. At least it had chocolate.

Jhim noticed my face spasm and laughed. "Not used to coffee?" he said. "Why are you drinking it?"

I glared at him. "Shut up."

"Trying to act older?" he said teasingly. Oh, don't I wish I had a mallet!

Trying to change the subject, I put down the mug. "I'll call Akane tonight to see how things went."

"You're going to call her?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

I waved my hand as if clearing the air. "Relax man, I'm not gonna do anything that'll screw up the plot like you said. I just wanna hear what happened from her point of view."

"You know what happened through her point of view," Jhim said dangerously.

I looked him in eye and frowned. "Look man. Akane's my friend and after a night like this, she's gonna want someone to vent to."

"Are you sure she'll talk to you?" Jhim said.

"No, but I'm gonna try anyway."

Jhim shrugged although he still looked like he was against the idea. "It's not like I can stop you," he said.

I smiled broadly. "Now you're getting it!" I said. "You ready for tomorrow?"

Jhim looked at me and smiled. "As ready as I'll ever be."

I raised my mug in the air and Jhim did the same. With a clink of mugs, I announced "Here's Ranma!"

When I first read the series, I really didn't like Ranma because I thought he was being a jerk to Akane. I guess it was the fact that I was a girl that made me think that Akane was the one in the right. But after reading lots of fanfics and lots of summaries, I reread the story and discovered that Akane was also in the wrong. So, no matter what Jhim had said, I was going to call her and try to get her to forgive Ranma (or at least like him a little). Although I had some serious doubts it was going to work. Hell, I knew it wasn't going to work, even if she did tell me what was going on.

That night around nine, I picked up the phone and dialed the Tendo's. Kasumi was the one to answer it. "Hello, Tendo residence," she said cheerfully.

"Hi Kasumi, its Rizu. Is Akane there?" I said.

"Yes she is. Just a second," she said. I could hear her calling Akane to the phone and soon I heard the ever cheerful voice of Akane.

"Hello?" she said, veiled anger lining her voice.

"Hey Akane, how's it going?" I said cheerfully.

"Fine," she said begrudgingly. "Couldn't be better."

"You don't sound fine," I said. "Something happen?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," Akane said angrily.

"Okay, you don't have to," I said. "So how was your day?"

"I swear it's not like it's my fault or anything!" Akane said. I smiled to myself. I wasn't sure that trick would work.

"What's not your fault?" I said innocently.

Akane huffed angrily. "It's so stupid. Dad's friend dropped by today with his son." She spat out the last word with venom attached. "God, he's so stupid!"

"What'd he do?" I asked.

"He just… argh!"

I sat down against the wall. This was going to take a while. "Hon, take a deep breath. Don't have a cow."

Akane sighed on the other end of the phone. "Fine, fine," she said, still a little angry.

"Now tell me without going loco, what happened?" I said.

"It's just, this guy is so stupid!" she said.

"How is that different from every other guy you talk about?" I said. "When you talk about them that is."

There was a long pause at the other end, as if Akane were debating telling me something. "You can keep a secret right?" she said quietly.

"Yeah, but are you sure Nabiki won't hear you?" I said.

"She already knows," Akane said. She took a deep breath. "The pervert saw me."

I raised my eyebrow although I knew she couldn't see me. "Really? How'd that happen?"

"I kinda walked in on him," she said quietly.

"Doing what?" I asked, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

"He was taking a bath!" she said defensively. "I didn't know he was in there and I was going to take a bath…" She trailed off.

"Oh, so that's how it happened. Didcha smack him?" I said.

"No! I was too afraid!"

I scoffed. "You? Afraid of a guy? Get outta town!"

"Oh shut up, it gets worse!" she snapped.

"Worse? How could it get worse?" I asked. I already knew of course but Akane didn't know that.

"I'm engaged to the pervert!" she snapped.

I fake gasped. "You're kidding me!"

"No! My dad and his dad arranged it before I was even born!"

"That's so not cool!"

"I know!" Akane sighed. "But they're not backing out. I'm stuck with this guy until I can think of a way out of it."

I sighed, then smirked evilly. "Is he cute?" I couldn't resist.

"No!" was her automatic reply. "Well, I guess so, I wouldn't know. I was sort of distracted."

"By what?" I said, my voice suggesting something I knew she didn't mean.

"Not that!" she burst. "What are you thinking?!"

I laughed. "Sorry, it was there. But really hon, don't you think you should make nice with this guy?" I said. "I mean, you're gonna be his fiancé until further notice. You could at least try to get along."

"With that pervert?! No way!"

I sighed. Oh well, I tried. "Hey, why don't you go take a bath or something? Calm yourself down, ya know. You're way too stressed," I said.

Akane sighed. "Yeah, you're right. Hey, you won't tell anyone about this will you?"

"Cross my heart and hope to get engaged." Akane laughed half heartedly at my attempt at humor.

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"See ya! And try not to mutilate him before we get a look at him," I said.

"I'll try."

With that, I hung up and banged my head against the wall. Trying to reason with a pissed off girl was always an energy draining job. But at least the story was in motion. I laughed bitterly when I realized something. I just guaranteed that Ranma was going to walk in on Akane.