Clumsy at Love
Chapter 13: Falling for Brand New Ranma
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2
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"What?! You made her sign a contract? You're so harsh!" he winced, hearing that from the original owner of that written agreement. He just did some modifications to fit it with Akane.
"She doesn't seem to mind," he replied.
"Well, it depends on what's written in it. Do you mind telling me?"
"Well, I've indicated there that she needs to respond to whatever means of communication I come up with."
The lady from the other end of the line chuckled. "I knew it! You're just bothered she's ignoring your calls."
"But it's not only that." he retorted.
"Whatever." She said, still laughing. "I have a meeting in a short while. Let's continue later."
"Okay." He then clicks the end button, feeling more depressed than ever.
2-year contract, huh? He's that desperate. Luring her into a forced marriage so that he could have his chance for forgiveness that he's been yearning for. But would that time be enough when he's already been trying hard all this time without any outcome?
He remembered trying to reach her in every possible way he could, just not going back in person, or his parents would kill him. He recalled sending her letters, emails, and gifts alternately, as much as he could. And because an unknown number was blocked on her phone, he contacted her family and friends instead to get through to her. Still, that heartless tomboy kept on ignoring him every time, and that went on for years.
Until one day, he felt tired and gave up trying all of a sudden. He decided to focus on himself first. He studied hard, worked hard, and even groomed himself to be a perfect gentleman he failed to be in front of Akane. Silently hoping someday, he'll awe her with accomplishments and the person he becomes to cover up his mess.
But he came back to realize that no matter how much time passed by, no matter how perfect he turned himself into, it doesn't matter to the girl he doesn't understand why mattered to him too much.
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Akane's routine returned to normal after Aunt Hinako dismissed her from their wedding-related activities.
For a week now, she's been spending her day in her room, doing her pending editing jobs. When she's tired, she visits her garage to work on something while listening to old music. During the evenings, she read books or practices kendo to beat herself out.
She also decided to resume spending weekends at the orphanage outside the city, where she read books and taught kendo to the homeless kids.
But last night, Ranma came for a visit causing her to sleep late, wake up late, and now she's running late.
"Good morning, Ranma," said Kasumi when he got up from the sofa in the living room.
"Good morning." he greeted back while stifling a yawn.
"You're awake." Akane chimed in as she descended from the last step of the stair.
Ranma's eyes fell on her, and smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, good morning. I'm sorry I fell asleep last night."
"I'm not shocked at all," she said. When he told her that he would rest a bit before going home, she knew he would fall asleep.
"Why don't you bring him to the kitchen to eat breakfast?" asked Kasumi.
"Could you do it for me, Kasumi? I had to go now..."
"Oh, that's right. Today's the day the kids at the orphanage will have a kendo competition. Alright, you go on ahead and leave Ranma to me." she said, waving her off.
She turned to Ranma but was surprised to find him up on his feet. "I'll drive you there," he said.
"Thanks, but it's the opposite direction of where you're going."
He stopped, considering his appointments for the day. "No worries, I'll still drive you there."
"But it's outside the town."
"I still insist on coming with you," he told her.
"Coming with me?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'll skip work today." He said, removing his watch and putting it down on the center table, beside his wallet.
"How about your breakfast?" asked Akane.
"I'll grab one on the way," he said. "But let me wash my face first. It'll not take long, I promise."
"Okay." she agreed but was bewildered when he suddenly rushed up and got inside her room.
"What the ~ " He's going to use her bathroom!
Kasumi chuckled. "What's the matter? He's your fiance any..."
Before Kasumi could finish her sentence, Akane was already at the bottom of the staircase, following Ranma.
When she got into her room, her eyes first laid at the blue crew neck sweatshirt lying on her bed, then to the open bathroom occupied by Ranma whose busy washing his face using her facial cleanser.
After a while, he pulled from the rock the same yellow towel she used after the shower. And before she could react, he used the towel to dry his damped face.
"Akane... How long were you standing there? You shouldn't come up to assist ~ " he stopped noticing the girl he was talking to was in a state of shock.
"That's... ma~ a used towel." she stuttered, trying to look away from the gorgeous, half-naked body in front of her.
He looked at the towel he had just used and got what she meant.
He wanted to laugh at her comical reaction but decided he shouldn't. His attention then was distracted by her pretty face, which is now a combination of different shades of red. It's a lovely sight to see that he couldn't help himself touching it... and pinching it ever so lightly as to not to hurt her.
"I'm sorry for using your towel, okay?" he murmured, his voice low and rough as he withdrew his hand from her hot cheek and put the towel over her shoulder, then turned to pick up his shirt.
Akane, who then froze like a statue, had finally come back to her senses and fled for her life as he moved away.
As the door shuts behind her, she stops and tries to catch her breath. Her heart is beating wildly against her chest. What was that? What the hell did just happen? Did his hot body just make her dizzy? He's not even completely naked!
And did I just ogle on him? On his face?! She covered her face in shame, feeling the wet towel he used in her hand; she immediately tossed it away.
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To her relief, he didn't use the incident to torment her, as he used to when they were young. It's like he never realized what happened to her.
He just stayed beside her all day, silently observing, occasionally talking while playing with the kids. And after the event she organized was done, he ordered pizza for everyone, which made the kids really crazy happy. And for the first time since he returned to the country, there's finally one single moment that she forgets the fact that she hates him. It feels like he is an entirely different person.
He even drives her home.
"Thank you for everything you did today. I've never seen that kind of look on their faces before. They really look happy." Well, he deserved that thank you. She told herself.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for letting me come and enjoy the day with you. I badly needed this kind of break from work, you know."
"I particularly loved the moment that that one kid cried while trying to kick me when I told him I'm gonna be your husband."
"You shouldn't have told the kid those useless details."
"He's the one who started it." he retorted. "He asked me if you were my girlfriend. I told him no. He was so happy and arrogant about it that it got into my nerves. So, I had to say it, to wipe off that annoying goofy grin pasted on his dumb face, haha! You should have seen it..." he told her in between his laughter. "How his happy face transformed into pain. It's an ugly sight, but it's the funniest thing I've ever seen, hahaha. It's priceless."
Akane shook her head, trying not to laugh as well. "You're awful."
She stopped, sensing there was something wrong. His cheerful face. The sound of his laughter... It seems that they're working magic to her heart... like it's melting her defenses.
"Let's call it a day." she blurted out, out of panic.
He stopped, a little confused with the way she said it. "What? Aren't you going to invite me in for a cup of tea or something?" He asked, testing her.
She shook her head a little too much. "What's the matter?" he asked, worried.
She shook her head again, this time a little restrained. I think... I'm just tired." She said. "Well, then... goodbye." She hushed, then turned and sprinted away.
"Why do I feel like I did something wrong?" He shouted, making her stop on her track. "Tell me, what did I do this time?"
"It's my fault, alright." She said, not looking back. "Just leave me alone for now." Then bolted into their gate.