Clumsy at Love
Chapter 10: The Day Ranma Departs
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2
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"Wow! "I don't mind" and "I don't care" in one sentence? That's just cruel. But, I'm sorry... I think you deserve it. You're just reaping what you sow. And it's long overdue... So, you better deal with it."
"You're just as cruel as her, you know?" he complained, which made the person from the other end of the line, laughs. "I thought time had at least lessened the anger I've caused her... but that doesn't seem to be the case. She still despises me just as the same, as if my crime had just happened yesterday."
"Well, you know what they say... Nothing can hate you more than the person who used to love you. But, you're not giving up, are you?"
"Certainly, not. My intentions were totally changed since day one of my return here," he said, recalling how Akane looked while sitting on the cold floor of their building's top floor. He hated the sight of her hair cropped so short while hating himself as much.
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7 Years Ago...
Ranma couldn't remember how many times he had read Akane's letter, but he never got tired of it. There was something about the letter that made his heart quite happy, a bit sad, and strangely warm. It's an unfamiliar feeling, but he likes it.
Then, he remembered how Akane reacted yesterday. It's odd how her reaction doesn't match what was written in her letter.
But I'm sure that it's her handwriting... He thought. And the way words were spoken, it was absolutely hers. "So, why the hell she looks offended when I read the letter? It's for me, for goodness sake! I had my name written on it. It means that it was meant for me to read! Stupid tomboy!" he muttered.
"Stop the car!" he demanded to their family driver for 20 years, Mr. Yama, who stepped on the car break and glanced at him from the rearview mirror.
"Let's go back to Furinkan."
"But you're flight is scheduled at 11:00 AM."
"That'll give me an hour of spare time, right?" he replied.
"But..."
"I'll just drop by. It'll be just a minute, I swear!"
The old driver shook his head but obeyed his young master's request. Ranma put out his mobile phone and dialed his friend's number.
"Kuno! Would you please go and get Akane? Have her waiting at the school gate. I'll be there in..." he checks his watch before continuing. "...in 8 minutes."
"What?" his friend asked, slightly confused, but after a while, he got what his friend was talking about. "Uh, okay! I'll go get her."
"Thanks!" he had to understand why she acted that way... the crying, and then running away... that seriously bothering him.
Ranma had been unconsciously tapping his feet when his phone rang.
"Is she already there?" he asked.
"Sorry but, she's not around. Her friends say she's not feeling well and did not go to school this morning."
Silence.
"Hello? Ranma?"
"Thank you, Kuno," he said, then dropped the call. "Mr. Yama, please drop me at the Tendo's residence instead?" he sincerely asked. I really can't go like this. I gotta see her at the very least.
"B~but, Young mas-..." the old man was about to object, but looking into Ranma's begging eyes, his heart melts. He seemed desperate. It's not the kind of expression you'll usually see from him. "But just a few minutes?" he ensured. Ranma agrees eagerly.
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~ Tendo's Residence ~
"Ranma?!" exclaimed shocked Kasumi when she saw him standing at their gate. "I thought today's your flight?"
"Y-yes..." he stuttered. "But, I had to see Akane first before I go."
"Akane?" Kasumi's brows twitched in confusion. She knew her sister and Ranma were friends, but it's more like frienemy. So, it's kind of, well... surprising for him to ask for Akane before leaving. "Okay. Come on in. I'll go and get her," she said before turning her back on him.
Ranma's gaze followed her till she was out of sight. Moments later, Kasumi returned without Akane on either side of her... or behind her back! Could it be...? Could it be she doesn't wanna see him? He felt his heart sink.
"Sorry, Ranma... But did the two of you fight?" Kasumi asked.
"Young master!" Mr. Yama suddenly steps in. "We've only got 30 minutes left," he said, and that's enough to bring Ranma back from the slump.
30 minutes.
"Kasumi? Would you mind letting me in? I really need to talk to her." he pleaded.
"Of course. This way..." she said, leading him in and stopping in front of the door with a signboard "Akane" written on it. Kasumi nodded to Ranma, mouthing him, "Good luck!" and left.
"Akane..." he called out while gently knocking on the door. "Akane, it's me." What the heck! Why am I tiptoeing like I'm guilty of something?
He drew one deep breath and... "Hey, Akane!" he called out louder while knocking even harder. "What the hell is your problem? I want you to tell me because I'm clueless here! Wasn't that letter meant for me to read? What are you getting angry about it?"
All of a sudden, Akane's bedroom door opened.
He was startled to see her long dark midnight hair cut short.
"Ah- Aka-..." she slapped his cheek with all her might.
"Jerk!" she yelled. "Don't ever appear in front of me ever again! I hate you!" tears flowing nonstop from her swollen eyes, then slammed the door shut right in his face.
He was too bewildered to react. She hates him. That just made things worse for him.
His phone beeps, and without bothering to read it, he starts to head down.
"Ranma..." Kasumi doesn't know what to say. She could clearly see the mark of Akane's palm on the face of the poor boy.
"Thank you for letting me in," he said, bowed his head, and continued dragging his feet.
He was about to get in the car when he saw a box filled with hair beside the trash outside Tendo's Residence. He picked it up and brought it with him, and only God knows why.