Ranma Half Moon chapter 49, A messy four way romance, part 1

Author's note: This episode happens during the Sailor Moon episode 29, A Messy Four Way Romance.

Makoto and Usagi walk together carrying groceries to Motoki's apartment.

Makoto smiles. I began my plan several days ago on the spur of the moment, but somehow, everything has fallen into place.

I "met cute" with Motoki in the rain and had him invite me over to cook and clean.

I cooked for him and found out that Motoki had a girlfriend named Reika, who was going to Africa to study natural science.

I used this girl friend angle to entice Usagi into coming along with me so that Usagi could try to win over Motoki.

Now, all Motoki has to do is leave Reika for Usagi (which would at least make Usagi happy) or reject Usagi so that Usagi can stop being hung up on Motoki and hang out with me.

"Motoki, you want to marry me? But, this is so sudden. I'm not emotionally prepared. But, if it is you, then it is all right." Usagi daydreams about kissing Motoki.

Outside of her daydream, Usagi is dangerously close to accidentally kissing Makoto.

Makoto frowns. Moe, it's not like I wouldn't want her to kiss me, but she should at least know what she's doing when she does it. "Usagi?"

"Oops, sorry Makoto."

Makoto and Usagi arrive at Motoki's.

"Makoto's here!"

Motoki opens the door. "Makoto! Welcome. I see you brought Usagi. That's great."

Usagi surveys Motoki's apartment. "Gee, Motoki, your apartment is so clean!"

Makoto sticks her tongue out in disgust. Yeah, no thanks to "slob of the year" Motoki.

"Usagi?"

Usagi blushes. Oh, no! He's going to ask me to marry him! "But, I'm not emotionally ready yet."

"You're not emotionally ready to cook? Amazing! You must be a perfectionist."

Cook?

"Come on Usagi, let's get started cooking."

"Okay, expert cook Usagi will help out!"

Motoki smiles. "I have studying I have to catch up on so I'll be at my desk if you need anything."

Usagi smiles. At least Motoki doesn't have to watch my incompetence at cooking.

"Usagi, please peel this carrot?"

"I don't like peeling."

Makoto's mouth twitches. Is Usagi a complete non-cook? That would be the worst. "How about dicing that onion?"

"If I dice the onion, my eyes will tear."

"Do you cook at your house?"

"No, my mother does all the cooking."

Makoto sighs. Still, this doesn't necessarily mean that Usagi wouldn't be fun to hang out with. She would just have to be especially patient in teaching her how to cook.

Makoto then remembers Usagi's grades. Or maybe I would cook and she would read manga and play video games? Ouch, that would be just like having a boyfriend. "How about washing the rice?"

"I'm not good at that."

Makoto smacks Usagi upside the head. It hurts me more that it hurt Usagi but I need to do something to snap Usagi out of being such a wuss. "You're unbelievable."

Usagi whimpers and starts helping out.

The phone rings. "Motoki here!"

Usagi and Makoto listen from around the corner.

The caller is Reika. "Motoki, I have made up my mind about going to Africa. I ..." Traffic noises obscure her words.

"Reika, it would be better if I talked to you in person."

Motoki hangs up and notices Usagi and Makoto spying on him. "Could you girls mind the fort? I have to go out and talk to Reika."

Usagi and Makoto look at each other, feeling punked out.

Motoki walks out.

Makoto sighs. "Well, we should at least make sure the food is okay."

Usagi nods.

"Just think of it as your first cooking lesson."

"I came here for romance, not cooking lessons."

"Usagi, a woman needs to be able to cook. The road to a man's heart is through his stomach."

"Though his stomach? But, I've never seen Tuxedo Kamen eat anything."

"I thought you loved Motoki?"

"I love them both!"

"Then learn to cook for Motoki."

"Okay."

Makoto droops her head. Usagi, Motoki, Reika and I. What a messy four way relationship.

...

Ranma-ko walks around the Cherry Tree Park. She was fifteen minutes early for her second date with Haruka.

But was it a date? Was it just two girls hanging out and having a good time?

"Excuse me, are you Saotome, Ranma?"

Startled, Ranma-ko turns around to see an older guy on one of the park benches. "Why, yes, I am. Why do you want to know?"

"A nice couple asked me to give you this letter. They said that I wouldn't be able to miss you because you have a long red braided ponytail and a nice set of ..."

Ranma glares at the older guy.

"... eyes."

Ranma smiles. "Well, thank you."

Ranma takes the letter and walks off into the wooded area of the park.

"Dear Ranma, I hope that you won't hate me for this, but I cannot take you out today."

"Do you remember our conversation last week? You said that you had someone who you were able to fight life's battles with. That powerfully moved me."

"You said that someone like that would find me, and she has. Now, my entire world has been turned upside down, but now I know that life has more meaning than just trying to the best that you can be."

"We might be doing a little traveling right now. Our paths might not cross again."

"However, ..."

TO BE CONTINUED!