Chapter 7: The Letter
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2
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7 Years Ago...
Despite feeling tired and hungry, Akane surveyed the distant hallway all over again, hoping to see Ranma Saotome, standing or passing by this time around... She had consumed her lunchtime and remaining energy running around, looking for him, but still couldn't find him.
She glanced at the glittery blue, scented stationery in her hand. She knew, in her heart, this might be her last chance. She might never find this courage or opportunity to confess, ever again.
Akane scanned the perimeter, deciding which part of the campus she hadn't tried searching yet.
"Hey, Akane! I've been looking all over for ya." She thought her heart just jumped out of her chest upon hearing that familiar voice. Slowly she turns around as Ranma walks over and stood in front of her, leaning his face over her tilted face.
"Yu-you, do?" She faltered, unable to believe what she had just heard.
Ranma answered her with his famous shit-eating grin. "Don't flatter yourself, loose woman." Poking her forehead with his finger.
She felt a sudden rush of blood through her head... And without even thinking, she crumpled her letter and threw it on his face. "Stupid jerk!" She spat, pushing him aside and walking past him.
Ranma was caught off guard but managed to catch the glittery, scented blue paper. Glittery? Scented? How could an uncute tomboy like her would own something like this?-
Still walking, Akane realized what she'd just THREW at RANMA!... "Oh, shit! MY LETTER!" She instantly makes a quick turn, only to see Ranma straightening her letter. Her heart sank at the sight. "NO!" She screamed while running back and leaping on him. Ranma catches her offhandedly with his body on the ground, his arms around her waist.
Her face burned in humiliation, with her own action and their compromising position that made her unconsciously bury her face deep into his chest.
"uh, ~ Akane..." he called, trying to get her attention, trying not to make any sudden moves.
"What!" She asked with her muffled voice. "Wait... hold on a second. I'll get up... just don't move." Akane propped up her arms and sat up, not wanting to look around or she'd die in shame.
Akane paled when she saw Ranma open the folded paper.
"Ranma, no... please?" She begged, almost a whisper, while looking around and found that his whole gang was watching.
"Akane?!" Ranma was totally bewildered. It was clearly etched on his beautiful face. "This, this is for me?" He asked, glancing at her terrified expression back to the letter.
He seemed, seemed... lost, for words? "What's the catch?" She growled while trying to pry the thing away from him.
Her action made Ranma snap back to reality. Not really knowing how to react, he burst out laughing. "Whoa! Akane!" He exclaimed, ignoring Akane's pleading eyes. "You wrote a love letter to me? Really?! Hahaha!" His company joined in with his laughter while the girls sneered at her.
Akane stood up and doubled the effort to snatch the letter away from him but he's way much taller and quicker than her. "Give it back to me, pervert!" She said.
"Huh? Pervert, you say." Ranma smirked, raising the letter above his head, now standing.
Unable to read the letter in peace, with her hovering around, Ranma climbs up the nearest tree in one swift movement, then looked down to her with a triumphant smile and started reading the letter. Still, to Akane's great horror, he read it aloud.
"Dear Ranma Saotome! Really, Akane? I'm dear to you?" He teased with a delighted grin pasted on his face. He seemed so thrilled that he didn't notice her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Since you're leaving, let me be honest with you, once and for all. You know that I'm not a big fan of your stupid face and annoying wit and talent. And I really thought that you're an idiot, kind of pervert, and jerk most of the time. You name calin' me a tomboy, violent, uncute, etcetera... honestly, hurt me."
Akane put her palms over her reddened face as he continued.
"And you, being around with those girls... well, does annoy me." Ranma read on.
She could hear them whispering behind her.
"But to me, you are like a real-life superhero. You are kind and warm to the right people. I like it every time you stand up for others and show how kind and thoughtful you really are on the inside; maybe that's why I like you. There, I said it... I like you. Don't laugh. Don't even put on that stupid grin of yours, or I'll smack your face."
"Please know that even though you will go to a faraway place, you'll always be close here in my heart. Take care always, and I hope... - oh, let's skip that line." He muttered. "Sincerely, Akane!" He concluded with a muffled voice as the crowd gathered applauded.
"Wow! Akane..." Ranma hopped down from the tree, then lifted his gaze from his crouch position, hoping to meet Akane's but to his dismay, he found her already gone.