Chapter 3: Why would I do that?

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2

0 ~ 0 ~ 0

It's been a week since Ranma returned and asked her to marry him, like it's nothing serious. That stupid jerk...

However, she found out everything that he said was true, but who cares.

It's not her business. It's her father's, and it's for Kasumi and Nabiki's future. Not hers.

Who cares if he would marry one of her sisters or anyone else. She doesn't want to give a damn. All she knows is that she doesn't want to do anything with him.

She's contented with her life. Fixing cars. Restoring old cars. Kendo. Teaching homeless children. Working as proofreader and copywriter though, she's an IT graduate. She wanted to laugh upon realizing that none of her hobbies were connected to her chosen profession. None of her hobbies or job pays much either. But again, w ho cares?

To her annoyance, somebody pulled her out from underneath the car chassis when she was about to get her job done.

"What the - ...?" To her astonishment, it's Ranma! "What the hell are you doing in here?" she managed to ask, completely flustered.

"Nabiki let me in," he replied, smiling sweetly at her.

"That wretched wench..." she muttered. "What is it? I'm kinda busy here."

"Don't tell me you forget about my proposal?" He asked coolly, which made Akane lose hers.

"Proposal?!" she repeated indignantly. "Proposal, my ass." she spat while sitting up.

"What? You haven't thought about it? I told you that it's important and urgent. I need your answer right now."

"Wow!" her mouth fell open. "Just wow! Are you still pressing on this prank? Really?"

"You know very well that is not a prank, Akane. I'm serious here. I couldn't afford to play silly games, this is real life. It's like a matter of life and death for me and for your father as well. Why couldn't you take me as a man offering you a marriage proposal? Or as a businessman giving you a business opportunity?"

Akane smirked. "Then why don't you go and find somebody else who's willing? Why bother someone who's not willing?"

"Because you're the only girl I could afford to trust."

"Huh?!" she asked, dumbfounded. "Don't make me laugh."

"We have known each other since childhood. We've been friends. And..." he trailed off while his eyes wandered down her body.

"What are you looking at?" she asked, glaring at him. Then she remembered she was not wearing any bra underneath her white plain shirt. Her arms automatically crossed over her chest. "Pervert," she muttered.

Ranma smirked but looked away. "And I think it will be comfortable living with a fake wife that's flat-chested and tomboy like you."

"Ha-ha..." she faked a laugh while standing up and reaching out for her sweater and put it on. "Done." She announced.

"Why don't you just marry your girlfriend?"

"I don't have one." He replied while following her to the battered couch at the far side of the cottage.

"Marry the one you like?"

"I have none at the moment."

"Marry the one who's willing then?"

"That's the problem! There are so many girls who are more than willing." Akane rolled her eyes. "Marrying the girl who's willing would be just as annoying and problematic. If the girl likes me, for sure she'll be all clingy and... needy, if you know what I mean?" He said with a wink which made Akane's face cringe in disgusts.

"And what if the one who claimed to like me doesn't really like me but my money." He continued. "I don't think you know this truth, but nowadays, most girls don't after love anymore but mostly… they go for looks, fame and wealth, for which, unfortunately… I have everything." He said and gave her another nauseating wink again. "You see, those reasons would make it dangerous for me to marry those who are dying to do so."

Akane scowled at him but didn't say another word.

"Did you find out about your father's business?" he asked.

Akane nods.

"And?" he prompted.

"And?" She asked back, feigning ignorance.

"Don't you wanna help your father? I can help your father if you help me, you know?"

"Why don't you marry one of my sisters then?"

"Really, Akane? You're okay with that?"

"Why not? Kasumi and Nabiki are both beautiful. Kasumi's kind and warm and a chef. Nabiki's a bit mischievous, but she's a beauty queen."

"You're not willing to help me."

"And I guess, will never will." She added truthfully, and his pained expression looks like he's just been murdered. "Sorry," she muttered.

She doesn't want to do anything with him, not now, and not ever. His presence reminds her of how her existence is a failure and... "I really don't believe I'm the only choice you've got. I bet you got plenty."

"I get it. You're not willing to help me because of your personal reasons."

"It's not only that... I don't think father needs my help, the way he needs my sister's help." She said weakly, another ugly truth. "Why would I implicate myself where I'm not needed?" mostly asking herself.

"What about me? I need your help, Akane. I badly needed your help."

She shook her head. "I'm sure you'll soon find yourself a better bride, someone who's at your level and nothing less."

"Alright!" He said, raising his palm, looking pissed. He breathes out as if trying to calm himself.

After a moment or two, he stood up and said. "I guess I really don't have to be surprised if you're not going to help me when you're not even willing to help your own father." He then walked towards the cottage door. "Thanks for the inputs, anyway." Then he's gone.

"What happened?" Asked Kasumi, who suddenly appears at her doorstep, followed by Nabiki.

"Did he ask you to marry him? Did you say yes?" asked impatient Nabiki.

"Yes, and I said no," she replied, slightly confused.

"What?!" exclaimed both of her sisters.

"Are you crazy?!" screamed Nabiki.

"What's with you? Since when did you start having a concern with my affairs?" she retorted, feeling agitated.

Kasumi stood between them, gently pushing Nabiki away, and watched Akane with a concerned look. "Akane..." she started. "There's something I think you should know... father doesn't want us to tell you, but I really think you should."

"He told you not to tell me; why bother telling me?" she said, looking away, afraid that they could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Our father is not here because he's on a business trip..." Kasumi said. "He's not here because he needed medication and lots of rest." She continued as she looked up and met her eyes. "He's in the hospital right now, Akane." Kasumi's voice broke as tears filled her eyes. "His heart... these days... is not in good condition."

Her body trembled, and her knees shook upon hearing what Kasumi had to say. She had no idea.