Clumsy at Love
Chapter 39: Shelter in the midst of the storm
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½
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It had been a week since Akane returned home, and Ranma had no choice but to stay behind to finish the transition. He made sure to regularly send her messages day and night, and he also tried calling her once in a while, but without success.
Kasumi seemed to have stopped supporting him. She wouldn't let him talk to Akane, telling him to give her time and space she needed.
He wasn't sure if he could trust Nabiki, but he tried reaching out to her as well. She told him that Akane had moved out of the penthouse and warned him that she had been going out with Ryoga a lot recently.
Even if that wasn't true, that lie had certainly shaken his composure. He immediately packed his things and readied himself to fly back home.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ukyo's voice rang out as she entered his apartment. Lately, since Akane went home, Ukyo had been randomly showing up at his apartment. Like today.
"I'm flying back home," he informed her.
"Are you crazy? Do you want to be sued? Why would you destroy your life for someone who didn't give a damn care about you? She already left and wanted a life by herself, for herself."
He stopped packing and confronted the lady. "You made her go. What did you tell her?" He accused.
"The truth. About your dreams and ambitions that she's hindering because you're prioritizing her. You know what was her only response? 'You're an idiot'," Ukyo retorted without holding back.
"She doesn't care about you in the slightest," Ukyo continued. "She gladly went home and left you in my care. Let her go, Ranma. I didn't want to tell you this, but I think you should know. Akane ~ might be in love with someone else." She blurted out, watching as Ranma sunk down to the floor. "T~that's what she told me," she added. Something in Ranma's reaction told her that she had gone too far and that she might regret the lie she just told, but she was willing to do anything for him.
And then in the following days, Ukyo noticed that Ranma had been slowly killing himself. He overworked himself during the day and drowned his sorrows in alcohol at night. Until one day, she received an emergency call. Ranma's friends had rushed him to the hospital, and she had to call his parents to inform them of the situation.
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"Mom?" Ranma asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"Ranma? Oh, thank goodness you're awake," his mother's voice was a mix of relief and concern. "Genma, wake up. Ranma's awake. We need to call the doctor."
"What happened?" Ranma's voice held a touch of bewilderment as he looked around the hospital suite he found himself in.
"Don't worry, you're safe now. Everything will be okay," his mother assured him gently.
"Why don't you tell him?" Genma, his father, spoke up with a hint of frustration. "You've been in a coma for two days. It's alcohol poisoning due to excessive alcohol consumption."
"Genma, please," Nodoka interjected, her voice carrying a note of desperation.
"I already pressed the button," Genma responded with a grumble.
"Please, let him recover first," Nodoka pleaded, her voice filled with concern. Genma reluctantly agreed with another grumble.
"The doctor is here," the nurse announced, diverting their attention to the medical professional's arrival.
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"I can't believe this. You flew here all the way from Japan. I'm so shocked," he joked, a hint of amusement in his voice, after the doctors left and explained that he was out of danger.
"Why would that shock you? You're our son. Our only son," his mom replied with a loving tone.
"I'm sorry for making you worry. I'm facing some struggles, just like everyone else does. I guess I belong to the human species, too." he joked.
Nodoka exhaled, her tone softening. "Right. We heard from Akane. She explained everything. What the two of you have gone through, what you have accomplished, and what happened back then. Everything. You don't have to worry about anything now. We understand why you did everything you did, including your divorce."
"Divorce?" he asked, his shock and confusion evident. "I don't remember agreeing to that."
"Wasn't you're the one who sent those papers to her?" His father interjected, seeking clarification.
"I didn't—" he began, but immediately shut his mouth, clenching his teeth. It must have been Ukyo. His expression turned grim.
"You didn't?" His mother asked, urging him to continue.
"That's a mistake..." he simply said, giving no further details.
"I knew it," her mother exclaimed, relieved. "There's no way you'd let go of a sweet and loving girl like her. I always felt something wasn't right with your relationship with Akane, but I was wrong. I feel so relieve that there's someone out there who loves you and cares for you just as much as I do. Someone who's willing to protect and sacrifice everything for you."
"Wait, Mom... Are we talking talking about the same person?" he asked confused, wanting to laugh. "Are you talking about my wife? Akane?"
"Silly boy, who else?" Her mother reverted. "It still brings a smile to my face every time I remember how upset and angry she was when your father called you foolish and incompetent."
"She said you are a wonderful person whom she loved before and loves more than ever. I found it funny when she said she doesn't deserve someone like you. And I was utterly touched when she said that if letting you go was the only good thing she could do, she would do it repeatedly for you."
"Akane said that?" he asked, finding it hard to believe what he had just heard. "It doesn't make sense." his voice choked with emotion.
"I never heard such cheesy lines in real life. I thought they only exist in movies." his mother said while laughing softly.
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"What's been going on between you and Ranma?" Nabiki asked suddenly during the family dinner. "It's been a month and he hasn't returned. He used to ask about you constantly, but he suddenly stopped. And you've been acting strangely, working hard and spending a lot of time with Ryoga. What's the reason behind that?"
"I wanna know to," Kasumi chimed in.
"I heard Ranma's parents went to America weeks ago and have just returned," her father interjected, surprising everyone. Its her father that has something to say this time and she knew she couldn't stayed silent.
"We're separating. I've already signed the divorce papers he sent," she finally announced.
"What?!" They exclaimed in chorus.
"I'm sorry but that's just how it is. I'm not sure how our divorce will affect our company, so I'd like to apologize to all of you for any challenges our separation might bring."
Her father suddenly stood up and left the table, leaving them worried. He returned after a while with an envelope in his hand. "Ranma transferred the company shares he bought back to your name a month or two after your wedding. You own the largest share of our company."
He handed the documents to her, assuring them that they have nothing to worry about.
Ranma, as always, had it secured. She fought back the tears that were about to fall from her eyes but couldn't hold them in.
"Oh, Akane..." said Kasumi standing up from her chair and hugging her tightly.
"I don't believe Ranma would let you go just like that." Her father commented. "But whatever happened, remember, you are not alone. We're here if you need guidance and a listening ear."
"I know," she replied, smiling through her tears. "I'm sorry for making you worry about me, but I'll be okay, I promise." She tried to assured them.
Kasumi shook her head. "No, it's okay not to be okay sometimes. It's okay to ask help from us every now and then. You have us, your family by your side."
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She sat alone on the porch when Nabiki approached and handed her an ice-cold beer.
"Thanks," she muttered, surprised by her sister's unusual gesture.
"I have something to confess." Nabiki started as she occupied the empty chair in front of her, leaving her flustered.
"I might have said something to Ranma I shouldn't have. The last time he called, I told him that you moved out of his place and have been going out a lot with Ryoga."
"Promise, this time I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to unnerve him and come home here with you. We could tell that you've been feeling down and lonely even when you're smiling."
"Oh," was all she could utter. Somehow she felt her sister's sincerity behind her action.
"Oh? No further comment? No witty remarks? Just 'oh'?"
Akane just chuckled, appreciating Nabiki's candidness.
"What happened? Like father, I also couldn't believe Ranma would let you go just like that."
"I asked him to let me go."
Nabiki heaved a sigh. "I'm sure you had your reasons. But in any case you have doubts about Ranma's feelings for you ~"
But Akane cut her off. "I heard you have a new boyfriend. What he's like?"
"Well, first of all, he's incredibly wealthy..." Nabiki replied. "And then, hmm... I guess, that's all."
Akane chuckled. "What's up with that?"
"I'm certain that someday I'll learn to love someone just as I blindly loved an idiot before," Nabiki replied, surprising Akane.
"Hey, you have the only thing I ever wanted in my life and could never have. When I finally admitted my defeat, I was hoping you would treasure it, or else it would feel like you're stomping on me, looking down at my dream. I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I think he deserves a fair and square chance. After all, he's done so much for you... for us, and for goodness sake, he have loved you for so long." Said Nabiki.
"What?" Nabiki panicked as tears streamed down her cheeks. "What is it?"
Akane shook her head and wiped her tears. "I just thought, who are you?" she joked. "Whoever you are, get out of my sister's body!" she added, her voice a mixture of laughter and tears.