School was called out for summer break and once again Shinobu Miyake was walking home alone. She held the strap of her schoolbag in reverence as the other students took off either on their own or in groups.

As they were leaving, her ex-boyfriend Ataru Moroboshi was making his rounds as a last ditch effort to scrounge up some girls' phone numbers, much to his current fiance's dismay.

Shinobu couldn't help but sigh to herself and pick up the pace before he could even get to her. He already had her number and knew where she lived but it wouldn't be unlike him to ask for another chance.

Besides, her love and adoration has passed onto somebody else.

The familiar sound of a jet arriving could be heard up above and Shinobu lifted her gaze. The jet had the logo of the Mendou Family Conglomerate, meaning only one thing.

Shuutaro was getting picked up from school.

He always arrived and left in such grand fashion that it stopped being surprising. The boy was rich and lived quite far from everyone else.

Despite Shinobu doing her best to gain his affections and sometimes succeeding, there is someone else always on his mind.

"Darling! Leave those girls alone!"

Lum.

The alien flew overhead to catch up to Ataru.

"Wait!" Ataru had shouted, sprinting away. "There's one last person! Shinobuuu!"

The girl could feel that he put his sights on her, eyes like daggers into her back. Shinobu stiffened before she started running like prey running away from her predator. "Leave me alone Ataru—!"

Her shouting beckoned some prying eyes, even Shuutaro looked over at the scene. However, he was unable to do anything. His family jet let down the rope ladder and as soon as he was on it, they lifted him up from the ground. The last thing Shinobu saw was his worrying gaze before he disappeared.

"Shinobu!" Ataru continued to call out. "Let's hang out this summer, yeah?"

"Not a chance!"

Lum managed to catch up and tagged along at the end of the chase. "You heard her Darling, now let's go!" She hurled a zap at the lecherous boy, giving Shinobu some time to escape.

She managed to walk all the way home without any problems, leaving her to her thoughts.

Oh Mendou, why must you be so infatuated with Lum. Ever since she arrived, it's like a spell was put onto Tombiki Town.

Then again, Shinobu wouldn't have met Shuutaro if Lum hadn't arrived.

After Shinobu got over Ataru and let Lum have him and vice versa, she couldn't stay mad at the alien girl. She had no interest in having Ataru for herself. It was all in the past now. The two girls have managed to forge something resembling a friendship between each other.

Shinobu had to remind herself that she still had a chance to win over Shuutaro. They spent so much time together.

Granted, it was time spent with Ataru and Lum but time nonetheless. On rare occasions they'd have a private moment but something would always ruin it.

Once Shinobu arrived at her house, she remembered to check the mail before entering. There wasn't much, but something on the top of the stack caught her eye.

It was a bright and colorful pamphlet with a snapshot of a tropical vista on the cover. In big, bold text, the title reads: Trouble in Paradise?

"Hmm." Shinobu tucked the other mail under her arm and perused through the pamphlet.

"Paid vacation... Down payment..." She skimmed the whole thing until something caught her eye. "Perfect for young couples in need of a push."

Shinobu gasped, nearly dropping everything she held.

"Perfect for young couples in need of a push!" The girl started running in place, excitement fueling her energy. She repeated the same phrase as she jogged up to her door and went inside. Quickly she toed off her shoes before entering further. Being in her socks slowed down her movement, causing her to slide on the wooden floor as she found herself by the home phone.

Like a machine, she inputted the number written in her heart.

"Hello, this is the Mendou Estate."

Shinobu's voice shuddered as she spoke. "This is Shinobu Miyake. Is... Shuutaro available?"

"I'll patch you through to him now."

Yes!

Shinobu's heart was rattling against her ribcage at the tone that followed after as she waited for Shuutaro to pick up.

"Miss Shinobu?"

The boy hasn't expected to receive a call from her, let alone at this hour. So soon after school ended, he would expect her to speak to him personally if she had something to say.

"Yes, it's me. I—"

"Are you okay? That Moroboshi didn't put his filthy paws on you, did he?"

If Shinobu wasn't mistaken, that sounded like genuine concern.

"No, I'm fine."

"Oh."

There was an awkward silence, only broken up by the sound of shifting. Shinobu imagined that Shuutaro was sitting somewhere, adjusting his weight. Suddenly Shinobu had the urge to blurt out.

"Perfect for young couples in need of a push!"

Immediately she bit down on her tongue, twisting the phone cord between her forefinger and thumb.

"...What?"

"Ahah... What I mean to say is..." Shinobu cleared her throat. "Would you like to go on vacation with me? It's a weeklong vacation and all you need to do is—"

"I'll take care of the expenses."

Now it was Shinobu's turn to say, "What?"

"I'll go with you."

"It'll be just the two of us," Shinobu clarified just in case. "Lum and Ataru won't be there. Not like the ski trip."

"Miss Shinobu." Shuutaro stated."How could I pass up such a humble request? I said I'll go with you regardless if Miss Lum or... Moroboshi are present."

Shinobu didn't know what to say. "Really?"

"Miss Shinobu," Shuutaro repeated. It sent a shiver up her spine. "Would it be really that hard to believe that I want to spend time with you... Alone?"

"So... I'll see you tomorrow then?"

His smile was so big, it was almost audible through the phone. "I'll be there."

It was a normal day in the Tendo Household. Ranma and Akane running about... Kuno was here for some reason, spouting sonnets while chasing after Akane who was chasing after Ranma.

But all that didn't matter to Nabiki Tendo. It was summer, and summer meant swindling.

However, fate had other plans.

Nabiki was sitting at the family table, counting yen. Like bullets, Ranma, Akane, and Kuno sped by using the table as a springboard.

Nabiki didn't know who dropped it, but a pamphlet flitted down and landed right in front of her.

"Trouble in Paradise, huh? This has to belong to Akane or Ranma."

She was just about to give it back when the amenities caught her eye.

Swimming pool, hot tub, bowling alley... On second thought—

"Kuno-baby," Nabiki called out gently. She held up the pamphlet in her hand and waved it around. "Take me to this, will ya?"

Moments later, Kuno arrived face flat into the table. Courtesy of Akane punching him after he caught up to her.

Weakly, he raised up his arm to snatch the pamphlet from Nabiki to no avail. She yanked it back and dangled it tauntingly. "It's a vacation. I need you to pay for it."

"Something tells me that I should not trust you." came Kuno's muffled voice.

"Gee, you think?"

Kuno turned his head so that his nose wasn't being crushed into the flat surface and faced Nabiki. "Why should I, Tatewaki 'Blue Thunder' Kuno, take you Nabiki Tendo on a vacation?"

Nabiki folded her hands and held them close to her chest, batting her eyelashes. "I heard that the Pigtailed Girl was going to be there."

"No she's n—"

Ranma had approached the two with Akane behind him, covering his mouth. The two shared a glance and nodded as Ranma understood what this could mean for them.

Of course, Kuno was oblivious to this little interaction and sprang up. Once again filled with life. "Pack your things, Nabiki Tendo! If you'd like, I shall help you—!"

Before he could go anywhere near her room, Nabiki stood in his way. "Thanks but no thanks. Last thing I need is for you to be snooping around my drawers."

"Very well then!" Kuno was unphased. "I'll return home immediately to get Sasuke to pack my belongings. Farewell Tendo family."

With that, he was gone.

Soun Tendo, the so called head of the household poked his head into the entryway. "Wait, Nabiki is going on vacation alone?"

"Kuno'll be there." Ranma responds.

Soun's words were choked up between sobs. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Don't worry daddy," Nabiki said as she strutted up towards her room. "Kuno-baby will take good care of me. Who knows, maybe we'll get eloped."

Her words were like daggers into her father's heart. The man sunk to the ground, clutching his chest.

Akane glared at her sister's back as she disappeared up the stairs. "Pay her no mind daddy, she's just joking. She only really wants to use Kuno for his money."

Ranma folded his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. "I for one am grateful to Nabiki for keeping that knucklehead busy. Maybe we'll finally get some peace around here."

"Oh Ranma!"

Akane and Ranma's faces paled.

"Was that...?"

"Shampoo?"

Akane thwacked Ranma in the back of the head. "Gee, thanks a lot Ranma! You jinxed it!"