Chapter 2: You're the last person I would ever want to marry
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2
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Ranma finally made it outside the hall that's full of an absurdly eager crowd.
"Now, where did that tomboy go? I'm sure it's her," he muttered, as a recent photograph of Akane he received, and the girl who turned its back on him flashed through his mind.
He walked into the elevator and pressed the top floor button. He knew it was crazy to think he would still find her there but couldn't shake off the idea. It's where she always ends up whenever she sneaked out of those boring parties when they were young.
Ding! He exhaled as the elevator door opened. He steps out and walks towards the edge of the stairs that will lead him up to the rooftop. He felt his heart thumps crazier with every step he took. "For goodness, Ranma Saotome, it's just Akane!" he scolded himself.
His cold hand reached for the doorknob and took a deep breath before opening it. And there she is, sitting on the floor, looking his way. His face lights up to greet her but to his dismay, her hands automatically cover up her face.
"Akane..." he called out. He wished she wouldn't try to hide her pretty face. But, he still finds her actions amusing. This is so Akane. The sides of his lips curve up by thought.
"Tendo, Akane!" he tried again as he walked forward. "Akane."
"What!" she answered irritably, still not showing her face.
Without a word, he sat down by her side and stared at her bent form. His eyes wandered from her flat shoes, black skirt, white blouse up to her short black hair, where his blue eyes linger sadly.
Ah, Akane Tendo... He had dreamed of their reunion... in his head, a thousand times before, with thousand scenarios, but nothing like of this sort.
He had dreamt of her being astounded with his achievements and mesmerized with his irresistible charm.
He had dreamt of her delighted stare upon seeing his face... And hearing her sweet voice, speaking his name.
He even dreamt of her hugging him tightly, not running away.
He dreamt of her kissing his lips or cheeks as most girls try to do so.
But never, NEVER hiding her pretty face away from him!
Yes, he dreamt of a mature and ladylike Akane like how he grew and turned up to be a real gentleman, but it seems not the case. Her presence still feels exactly the way it was before. Yes, it's quite annoying, but he likes it just the same.
Suddenly, she removed her hands from her face and looked up to his side. Before he could do anything, his eyes were all caught up into her chocolate brown eyes.
His breathing and heartbeats stopped altogether, and had only recovered when her eyes blinked. "Hi!" he blurted out as he thought of what else to say. "I see that you still love to hide up here." Ugh! It should be "I love the way you look tonight." He groaned.
But looking at her, she's no good either, looking so dazed, uttering the word "Huh?"
He couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, which annoyed her. She then picked herself up and stomped away.
"You haven't changed at all," he commented, watching her dust her skirt. "You know, I've been trying to reach you for years but failed to do so. I only heard about you from some of our close friends and your sisters, once or twice from your father but never from you. That hurts, you know." Oh, God! What am I saying? Won't you cut to the chase already?! he scolded himself.
"Akane Tendo..." He breathes, concentrating hard on what he is about to say. "Marry me." He spouted with conviction. He means it.
"What?!"
"Marry me." He repeated and watched her cautiously as the message began to sink into her system.
Initially, her jaw drops, and her eyes open wider than a saucer. After a moment, they shrink into a thin slit as her surprised reaction turns into suspicion.
Moments later, her eyebrows drew close till they almost knitted together, then she speaks, "Really, Ranma Saotome? Is this your way of greeting someone you haven't met for a long time? Seriously, it's not funny. Not at all."
He knew it! "I badly wanted it to be a joke, but that's not the case. I'm serious, Akane. You must have heard from your father why my parents want me back here."
Her lips remained shut; he'll take it as a no. "They want me to get married. And that's ASAP, Akane."
"It seems to me that it's your problem. Why involve me?"
He laughs dryly. "Don't you know why your father brought you and your sisters here? He's hoping to marry me off on one of his daughters."
"Ha-ha." she faked a laugh. She didn't know her face paled, though.
"Then go asked your father." He dared, but she didn't move an inch.
"Marrying into my family would be beneficial to your father's business, that's why. Haven't you heard about your father's business? It's in a tough situation right now. His millions' worth of acquisition is in vain. Its revenue is relatively small and will mean a grave loss soon. That's why your father's desperate right now. Marrying me would mean saving your father."
Akane's glare turned on him.
"What? Do you think I'm kidding? Go on... confirm it. I'll be waiting."
"Of course, I will. But still, just so you know... You're the last person I would ever want to marry." She told him, whirled around, and walked away.
His head and shoulders sagged down low as she disappeared from his sight. This is not gonna be easy.