Thus far Ranma's week — the week after the whole Kodachi fight and Shampoo thing — had been... not bad, necessarily, but not great. Fortunately, Kodachi had only missed the first day of the week, and looked just as good as always when she showed up on Tuesday. Like, health wise, not… well, she looked good in other ways too, but… Well, anyways, Kodachi seemed fine. But they hadn't exactly resolved everything between each other, so anytime Chie and Kodachi interacted, it felt… awkward. Like neither of them was entirely sure how to act around the other. In her heart, Chie knew that they just needed to sit down and talk it out, but… well doing so at school didn't seem like a good idea, they could be overheard. Chie could invite Kodachi out somewhere, like an ice cream shop or something, but that would kind of be like asking her on a date, right? And that was… Chie couldn't handle that… And even if she somehow could, what would Akane think?

Akane. That was a whole other issue. Since the morning that Shampoo had run off, Akane had actually been… surprisingly nice. And she hadn't mentioned Shampoo even once. But their interactions… If talking to Kodachi right now felt awkward, then talking to Akane felt downright excruciating. Chie had so many things she wanted to say, knew that she should say, even… but she wasn't sure how to get them out, and, in some cases, she wasn't sure if it was actually, like… right for her to say? Shampoo had specifically told Chie not to tell Akane about that stuff they'd talked about in the middle of the night, so to respect her, Chie shouldn't… but then, it would help Akane understand, and be less hurt and sad, probably. Which Chie knew she was, even if she was putting on a happy face lately… So maybe…

"Ranko? It's lunchtime, and you're staring at nothing like a weirdo. Did you not hear the chime?" Yuka said, hovering over Ranko like a beleaguered parent. A little ways behind her, Sayuri looked at Chie like a concerned parent. They were still calling her Ranko, since Chie had yet to figure out how to broach the topic of a name change. She had enough on her mind as it was.

"S-sorry, just daydreamin'," Chie said, getting out of her seat.

"Are you sure? If something's bothering you, you can tell us," Sayuri said, her tone similar to one Chie'd heard many times from Kasumi.

Waving a hand, Chie said, "Nah, nah, I'm good! Let's go!"

Yuka and Sayuri gave each other a quick glance, but fortunately, they didn't argue.

-b-

"Ah, Saotome! You are… doing well, I assume?" Kodachi said, her smile shrinking and becoming subdued, as though she was guarding her emotions.

"Yeah, um…. really well, yeah," Chie said, nodding her head two or three times too many.

Eyes casting about nervously, Kodachi said, "It is… um... What I mean to say is, this institution we attend! It is… a very fine one, don't you think?"

"...Yes?"

"Right! Well. I shall be off!" Kodachi said, shuffling away as quickly as she could.

That was… well it wasn't the worst interaction they'd had this week. At least Kodachi hadn't talked about the weather for two full minutes.

"That was actually painful to watch. That's it, I can't take this anymore!" Yuka said, rounding a corner that Chie hadn't known she was hiding behind. Unsurprisingly, Sayuri followed soon after. "What in the heck is going on between you three!?"

"Three?"

"You and Akane have been strange around each other too," Sayuri said, looking even more worried than before.

"Which really sucks, since we have lunch with you two all the time."

Lightly batting at Yuka's shoulder, Sayuri said, "That's hardly the point. We're worried about you three! Did something happen over the weekend?"

Damn… Chie should've known she wouldn't be able to hide this from these two. It'd been obvious they knew something was up for a while now, but she had allowed herself to dream that they just… wouldn't say anything. Which was a futile dream to have, knowing Yuka.

"I, um… well, Kodachi and I fought…"

"What!?" Yuka said, her eyes going wide and then immediately narrowing. "Like, physically?"

"Well, yeah, on Sunday-"

"Wasn't Ranma and Kodachi fighting on Sunday?" Sayuri said, cocking her head. "I could've sworn that's what Akane had said…"

Pushing down the panic Chie felt at having forgotten such a crucial detail, she said, "Ah, y-yeah, they did! She and I… well, it was because of that… He's my brother, ya know, so…"

Sharing one of their strange knowing glances, Yuka and Sayuri both nodded. "Of course," the latter said.

"But, uh… well after, we were kinda talkin', but we didn't get all the way through before someone else interrupted… And well, I don't wanna get into it, but because of that person Akane and I fought… like with words, I mean. And I guess it's not just that person's fault, it's kinda mine too, but-"

"You three need to talk," Sayuri said, more firmly than she usually said things.

She wasn't wrong, but… "I'm not… I dunno what ta say, or where, 'cause it doesn't seem like we could do it at school…"

Waving a hand, Yuka said, "Don't worry about it. We'll talk to Akane, and get something set up. Soon."

-b-

Very soon, it turned out. That very same day, about half an hour after school, Chie found herself in that same café that she'd seen Akane and Kodachi in a while back. They'd had an unfortunate run-in on the way to the café that had greatly soured Chie's mood. Fortunately, she was currently scarfing down several sweet treats that Akane had bought her in an undisguised effort to cheer Chie up. Since the café was apparently going out of business, Akane had been able to get Chie quite a few sweets, which almost made up for things.

"But I don't understand, why does she hate cats so much?" Kodachi said, sitting next to Akane in the booth opposite Chie.

Giving a small shrug, Akane said, "She just keeps telling me that she 'doesn't wanna talk about it.'"

Chie nodded her head up and down vigorously.

"You seem to love them, though," Kodachi said with a short giggle. "You couldn't seem to stop yourself from petting every one of them."

"What can I say? Cats are adorable."

Literally growling, Chie shook her head back and forth. Calling even one of those demons cute was absurd, let alone a whole pack of the things.

"Well, since it's a sensitive topic, perhaps we can talk a little about that Shampoo woman?" Kodachi said. Chie and Akane both immediately averted their eyes. "...Ah. That one is also sensitive. I… I just wished to know whether you two were alright or not." She pressed a hand to her chest, where Shampoo had shoved her. "That woman did a number on me with but a single blow… You both look alright now, but…"

"I'm fine," Chie said, still avoiding eye contact.

"We both are," Akane said. Chie could feel Akane trying to catch her eye, but ignored it. "I got hit a few times, but nothing too bad. I even had Dr. Tofu check on Monday, just to be sure."

"Ah, good! I confess it's worrying to hear that you got hit at all, but if you're both fine-"

"Chie."

Chie's eyes darted over to Akane. Something about Akane's tone tore through the redhead's reluctance like tissue paper.

"I've been thinking about it, and I was… I might've pushed too hard." Despite the clear discomfort on her face, Akane retained eye contact. "So, I wanted to apologize. Shampoo just… she really pushed my buttons. But… well, you've had most of this week to think about it. You don't have to make a decision, but… could we talk about it? Your feelings for her?"

Despite the clear surprise on her face, Kodachi remained quiet.

"...Thanks, 'Kane," Chie said, immediately following it with a sigh. "I, uh… I do have some feelings for her, yeah, but… it's complicated? And I dunno if I really understand it all, and also Shampoo didn't want me ta talk to you about it, but… Well, I can explain my side, at least…"

Both the girls across the booth looked incredibly confused. Sighing again, Chie decided to just continue, rather than wait for comment.

"So, look, that night when Shampoo an' I shared a room, I tried ta explain ta her that I wasn't sure 'bout this whole 'marriage' thing, an' maybe we could just start as friends. But… but guys, when I said that, for a moment she looked totally terrified. She said she 'couldn't go back,' an' when I asked her 'bout that… well she said it was hard ta explain in Japanese, but she tried, an' she told me not ta tell you so I don't think I should tell ya even though I only understood a little bit of it?"

"That is fine, dear, we would not ask you to break her confidence," Kodachi said softly. Akane nodded in agreement.

"But so, yeah, I mean… I felt for her, ya know? I still wasn't sure 'bout gettin' married, but I didn't want her ta hafta go back if she didn't want to, so… And, I mean, I was worried 'bout gettin' killed by her too, of course. If I accidentally turned back to Ranma in front of her. And, well… I'm not used ta bein', uh… to a girl bein' so affectionate. It was overwhelmin'. I mean, even you, Kodachi, it's mostly been words an' stuff, but Shampoo was just, like… all over me. An'… I mean I didn't totally hate it, I guess, so… Sorry, 'Kane."

Letting out a long, slow breath, Akane said, "It's fine, Chie. I get it. And I guess I feel a little bad for her too, after all that. She was still a total jerk, but… I get why me pushing you to choose was hard. Even harder than I'd imagined."

"If Shampoo were to appear before us once more, and were willing to listen to reason, mayhaps we could talk and together arrive at a solution to her woes?" Kodachi said.

The other two girls agreed. "But she's gone for now. Hasn't shown up again since she ran off," Akane said, crossing her arms. "So we should table that for now. We've got… a lot of other things to talk about. You and Chie in particular, hm?"

"Yes!" Kodachi shouted, as though a dam of emotion she'd been holding back had suddenly burst. Bowing so quickly and deeply that she smacked her head against the table, she said, "My dear Rank - ahem, Chie - I am so deeply, deeply sorry for the way I have treated you! True, I did not know that it was you, but that is no excuse! I have acted dishonorably and, more than that, wickedly."

Deeply uncomfortable, Chie pushed lightly at the fluffy top of Kodachi's head, urging her to sit up. "Thanks, but please, stop yellin' and stop layin' on the table…"

Sitting back up, faced scrunched in determination, Kodachi grabbed Chie's hand and continued, speaking in a stage whisper, "I confess, my heart still yearns desperately for both you and my dear Akane, but I understand if you are unwilling to accept my love, given how much I have wronged you." Gripping Chie's hand even tighter, tears in her eyes, Kodachi said, "It is my dearest wish that we can, at the very least, remain friends. In either form you take this time. I am willing to undergo any penance that must be done in order to return to your good graces, should you require it!"

Chie's thoughts raged in her head like a storm. On the one hand, she actually really enjoyed Kodachi's pledges of love, but on the other hand… her side itched. Though…well, Kodachi hadn't known…

"It's fine!" Chie said, not directly meeting Kodachi's gaze. "I mean, we can definitely be friends, at least, and you did some, uh… mean stuff, I guess? But it's all in the past."

"Chie."

Again her eyes darted over to Akane, who gave her a stern look. "I can see your other hand grabbing your side." To Chie's surprise, she realized Akane was right. When had that happened? Akane's tone turned comforting as she said, "I know it's hard, but… please. Be honest."

Making an effort to look Kodachi in the eyes this time, Chie swallowed and said, "I… I still feel the ghost of pain in my side, from when you cut it with that trick bokken. And when I look at you, I… my emotions are all over tha place. I like how much you've always loved this side'a me… but then when I was in my other form… you were so mean. Like, constantly. It's, um… confusin.'"

Retracting her hands, eyes downcast, Kodachi said, "Yes. That is more than fair. I… I truly am sorry for how I acted. Few truly deserve that sort of ire, least of all you. If you don't want-"

"I-I do like you, though!" Chie said, with a big, genuine smile. "I'm not sure I'm ready for actually datin' you… Not now, at least, ya know? But, uh… we can hang out more, for sure!"

Kodachi's entire face brightened, and her smile went wide. "Yes, certainly! And I was thinking… Perhaps, if you are agreeable, we could spar sometime? In either form! I can forgo a bokken at all, if you desire!"

"Yeah, that sounds good!"

"Not to interrupt - you two are adorable - but, well…" Akane closed her eyes and took a big breath, then said, "I'm committed to being more honest with myself now. About my feelings, about who I am…"

"So you're finally admitting you're a lesbian?" Chie said with a smirk.

Raising her eyebrows, Akane said, "Well… yes, actually."

The smirk disappeared from Chie's face. "…Oh. Um. Well… con…grats?"

"Yes, congratulations, truly!" Kodachi said with a short, quiet clap.

Grinning, Akane said, "Hah, thanks! But that's… not actually what I wanted to say." She turned in the booth, to more directly face Kodachi, who seemed both surprised and confused. "Kodachi? I wanted…" She took another deep breath. "I wanted to ask: if you're still interested, would you like to be my girlfriend?"

The ear-piercing shriek of excitement from Kodachi that immediately followed Akane's question nearly got the three of them tossed out of the café. Akane ordered a few more sweets to smooth things over, and a few minutes later, after Kodachi had finally regained her composure and had stopped saying "Yes, yes, a million times yes!" over and over, Akane turned to Chie.

"I probably should've asked this before, but I forgot… Are you okay with this? We're technically fiancées, afterall."

"Ah, it's fine! That's just somethin' our dads decided. I'm not gonna get jealous or nothin'. I mean, you both like me too, so…" After a beat of silence, Chie's eyes went wide, and she said, "I-I mean, Kodachi likes me too, not-"

"It's fine, Chie." Taking Kodachi's arm in hers, Akane grinned. "I do like you. I know we're already engaged, but… do you want to date too?"

Face going beet red, Chie's eyes bored holes into the plate her original treats had been on. "I-I-I, um… I don't… I mean… maybe, but I…"

"No pressure!" Akane said, with a gorgeous smile that made Chie's heart flutter. "But the offer's on the table, if you ever want to talk to me about it."

"'K-kay…."

The conversation went silent for a bit, as the trio ate treats and the new couple leaned against one another happily. Eventually, Kodachi tore her eyes away from her new girlfriend to look back at Chie.

"We were interrupted earlier, by the feline issue, but your name change!" Kodachi's eyes practically sparkled, though whether this was because her girlfriend was still holding her arm, or because she felt passionately about the name change topic, Chie wasn't sure. "You only today told me, but have yet to tell the rest of your friends, let alone the school at large. But! I would like to offer my assistance in spreading the word!"

"Oh!" Chie said, surprised that Kodachi hadn't asked her why she was changing her name. "Thanks, that's… that's really good of you!"

"And I just wanted to say, if anyone is refusing to accept the change, I'll make them… reconsider," Akane said, with a small shake of her fist and a smirk.

"Thanks, 'Kane," Chie said, with a smile that she forcefully minimized. Truthfully, she was feeling very warm and fuzzy right now, but she didn't want to actually admit as much. It felt… embarrassing. So that was just for her for now. But also… all this support was making her think that maybe she might end up going to school as Ranma even less frequently now. Hm… it might be fine to admit that much, at least?

"I… I think I might only go ta school as Ranma like… one day a week now." She looked at the other two with hope in her eyes. "You think I could get away with that?"

Shrugging, Akane said, "The teachers already think his spotty attendance is weird. I don't see how that'd be any less weird."

"I can talk to my mother. She can ensure the teachers do not worry about such matters!" Kodachi said. "Though I do have to ask… how do you pull off that look, dear Chie? It is so instantaneous, and with a noticeable height difference and convincing chest and everything!"

Chie sighed. They'd tried to convince Kodachi that the change was a magic curse for about half the walk over here, but the girl steadfastly refused to believe it. 'Magic isn't real,' she'd said. 'I've checked.'

"Kodachi, I've told ya it's magic," Chie said, not expecting it to work.

"Fine, fine! Keep your secrets."

"Really, Kodachi, she's telling the truth!" Akane said.

"Et tu, Akane? But it's fine!" Squeezing Akane's arm, she said, "It is Chie's secret to give. I can only hope that, once we have become better friends, she will bestow it upon me."

Locking eyes, Chie and Akane exchanged looks of fond exasperation. They'd both managed to talk through so many of their issues… it was fine if this particular one couldn't be fixed quite yet. Hopefully Kodachi would believe them eventually.

On the way home, after having parted ways with Kodachi, Akane practically skipped next to Chie, who couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're pretty happy 'bout the whole girlfriend thing, huh?"

"It feels great, yeah!" Akane said, voice almost sing-song. Chie wasn't sure she'd ever seen Akane quite so cheerful. It was a sight she definitely wanted to see more often.

"S-so you, uh… you were serious about offerin' ta date me, too?" Chie said, voice tentative, face unsure.

Taking a big step, Akane got in front of Chie and bent down, moving her face close. "Yes. Very serious."

Ignoring the heat in her face and the drumming of her heart, Chie said, "W-well, I'm… I still don't think I'm… ready for that yet? But, um…" Chie found herself really appreciating the effort Akane must have gone through to be as honest as she'd been today. "I think that, eventually, I'd like to? Just not now. Does that… make sense?"

With another blindingly beautiful smile, Akane raised up to her full height again and nodded. "Yes, of course! Take your time! The last thing I want is you trying to date me before you're ready."

Beaming, Chie said, "Thanks, 'Kane. You're… I really meant it when I told Shampoo that you're important ta me, you know?"

"I do know."

They started walking again, at first in silence. But after a minute or two, Chie said, "Do you… wanna hold hands, maybe?"

Wordlessly, Akane reached out and linked hands with Chie, and the two of them continued holding hands the rest of the way home.