"Seriously, Ranma, are you sure about this?" Akane asked. "You didn't see the completed Shi Shi Hokodan. It's incredibly powerful. You could get hurt!"
"Powerful, schmowerful," Ranma smirked. "Doesn't matter how strong P-Chan's attack is. I've got the perfect counter. This'll be over in seconds. Lost boy won't even know what hit him."
Akane turned to Cologne. "Maybe he'll listen to you. I'm really worried about Ranma. About both of them!"
Cologne regarded Ryoga walking onto the field, as if in a pall of pure misery. "If son-in-law says he has a counter, I'm inclined to trust him. But if it will make you feel better, I will stop the fight if things get too out of hand."
"Hey there!" Ranma waved to the other fighter. "Hey, you seem a little down. You all right, buddy?"
Ryoga very slowly looked up at Ranma. "'All right'?" He spoke in a doleful tone. "I cast away all my happiness for this technique, and you ask if I'm all right? No. I'm not. I'm feeling very depressed, and that's how I'll beat you. Not that any of this matters." He looked back down. "What's the point?" Depressive ki was visibly emanating from him.
"You really sure you want to do this, Ryoga?"
"If I don't, then I've made myself miserable for nothing."
"But what if I don't want my best friend to get hurt?"
Ryoga looked him in the eyes again, surprised. "What?"
"You're the best friend I've ever had, Ryoga! The best friend I'll ever have!"
The ki started evaporating away. "You… you mean me?"
"Of course I do!" Ranma smiled. "You've always had my back. You've saved my life at least twice. I'd be dead if it weren't for you!"
"But, but…" Ryoga's hands were shaking slightly. "But I've hated you so much…"
"Ah, you know what they say. Hate is only confused love!"
"Wait, stop-you're trying to trick me! This is just like when you're a girl and you pretend to flirt with me!" The depressive ki gathered around him again.
"No tricks, Ryoga. No jokes. I love you, man."
"Lov… no!"
Ranma nodded, "Oh yeah." He started walking towards Ryoga with his arms out.
Ryoga stepped back, nervously. "What are you doing? No, get back!"
"Not gonna hurt you, buddy. You're practically my brother."
"You… you…" Ryoga's eyes were watering. "You'd better not be lying!"
"It's the truth, man. That's what you mean to me." When Ranma reached Ryoga, he hugged him. "You're safe, friend."
"'M sorry, Ranma," Ryoga bawled. "You're such a good guy." He buried his face in Ranma's shoulder, shaking with emotion.
Cologne closed her mouth, which had been hanging open. "Well now. Son-in-law never ceases to surprise me. I wasn't expecting that."
"That's the most beautiful thing…" Akane was in tears.
As were many of the other spectators. "I love it when men can be so open with their feelings!" "I thought I wanted to see a fight, but this is so much better." "My skin is clear, my crops are thriving, the sun is shining…" "I… I need to go tell my friends I love them." "I ship it."
On the field, Ryoga sobbed softly while Ranma patted him on the back. "L-love you too, Ranma."
"You're a good guy, Ryoga. Don't forget that."
This provoked more incoherent sobs from the lost boy.
Ranma smiled. 'Anything-Goes-Martial-Arts technique, cheer up the grumpy donkey,' he mouthed silently.
Hours later, all the spectators had left and the sky was dark. Ryoga continued hugging Ranma and crying. By this point, Ranma's entire left side was soaked through with tears.
Ranma's expression was resigned. 'Maybe I should have just let him beat me up.'