The day dragged on, its rhythm slow and monotonous. Ukyo moved through her routine like a ghost—chopping vegetables with mechanical precision, scrubbing dishes until her hands turned red, and retreating to the onsen in a futile attempt to wash away the unease clinging to her. The steam rose around her, curling into the air like whispered secrets, but today, it offered no solace. Her thoughts kept circling back to him.

Ranma.

What was he doing right now? Probably causing some kind of chaos, knowing him. Or maybe he was training, pushing himself harder than anyone else would dare. She could almost picture it—the way his brow furrowed in concentration, the way he moved with that effortless grace, even when he was sweating and covered in dirt. A small smile tugged at her lips, but it faded quickly. She hadn't seen him in weeks. Not since… well, not since she saw him and Akane together.

Her chest tightened. Why did she even care? He was probably holding hands with Akane, going on dates and having a good time together, not giving her a second thought. The thought stung more than she cared to admit.

Her mind shifted, almost against her will, to someone else. Ryoga. That idiot. She hadn't seen him all day. Not a glimpse, not a word. The silence gnawed at her, sharp and insistent. She replayed their last conversation in her mind, the way his shoulders had stiffened, the way his eyes had darted away from hers, as if her offer had been a trap rather than a lifeline. Had she pushed him too hard? And here she thought she was offering a good deal. "Ugh, whatever! That idiot can do what he wants!" she muttered under her breath, slamming the last pot onto the drying rack with a clatter. Her hands trembled slightly, and she wiped them on her apron, trying to shake off the frustration. She stepped away from the kitchen, her feet carrying her upstairs before she even realized it. Her room was her sanctuary, but today, even the familiar walls felt suffocating. The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, only to freeze at the sight of the sun dipping low on the horizon. The golden light spilled across the floor, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch toward her like accusing fingers. She hadn't even noticed how late it had gotten.

Ryoga had spent the afternoon wandering the inn like a ghost, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallways. His mind was a tangled mess of frustration and doubt, each step heavier than the last. He had been trying—trying—to find Ukyo's room all morning, but the corridors seemed to twist and shift around him, mocking his efforts. By the time the sun began to set, his legs ached, and his patience had worn thin.

He turned a corner and nearly collided with Haruko, who was carrying a stack of fresh linens. She blinked at him, her expression worried as she took in his disheveled appearance.

"Mr. Hibiki," she said, her voice warm but tinged with concern. "Are you alright? You look like you've been running in circles."

Ryoga's face flushed, and he bowed stiffly. "I—I'm fine. I was just… looking for Ukyo's room."

Haruko raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Ukyo's room? It's right behind you, dear."

Ryoga turned slowly, his eyes landing on the brown door marked109. He bowed lightly as he muttered a quick thank-you, avoiding her gaze. Haruko chuckled softly and wished him a good night before disappearing down the hallway.

Ryoga stared at the door. He exhaled a shaky breath, his hand hovering over the knob. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, heavy and unrelenting. He had spent hours turning her offer over in his mind, rejecting it at first, then circling back to it like a moth drawn to a flame. She was right, and that was the hardest part to swallow. Heneededthis. He needed her help. But his stomach twisted, and his feet refused to move. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his knock,he told —

The door creaked open before he could finish the thought. Ukyo stood there, her hair loose and falling past her shoulders without its usual ribbon. The fading sunlight framed her silhouette, casting a warm glow around her. He quickly darted his eyes away.

Ukyo's crossed her arms, leaning sideways against the door. Her voice was steady, laced with a mix of surprise and irritation. "Look who finally showed up."

"I've been thinking. About what you said."

Ukyo's expression relaxed, the irritation melting into something softer, though her arms remained crossed tightly over her chest. She studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if trying to piece together the puzzle of his presence. "Yeah? And?"

Ryoga's throat felt like sandpaper. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his fingers twitching at his sides. "I'll stay and go with you."

Ukyo's lips twitched, a flicker of something—amusement? Relief?—passing over her face. She stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. "Well, don't just stand there like a lost puppy. Come in."

Ryoga hesitated, his feet rooted to the spot for a moment longer before he finally stepped inside. The room was warm, the faint scent of lavender and something sweet—pancakes, maybe—hanging in the air. It was nothing like the cold, impersonal spaces he usually found himself in. This felt lived-in, safe. His eyes darted around, taking in the neatly arranged furniture, the small stack of cookbooks on the table, the faint smudge of flour on the counter. It was so… her.

Ukyo motioned to a chair, and Ryoga sat down stiffly, his hands gripping the edge of the seat like it might disappear beneath him. She settled across from him, her robe still pulled tightly around her, though her posture had relaxed. Her eyes never left his face, searching for something he couldn't quite name.

"So," she said finally, her voice softer now, "you've decided to take me up on my offer?"

Ryoga nodded, his gaze dropping to his hands. "I guess I don't have much of a choice."

Ukyo snorted, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You always have a choice, sugar. You just finally made the right one."

He bristled at her tone, his shoulders tightening. "I don't need your sarcasm, Ukyo."

Her smirk faded, replaced by something more genuine. "I'm not being sarcastic. I'm just saying… It's okay to admit you need help. You don't have to do everything alone."

Ryoga's jaw was clenched, his fingers digging into the fabric of his pants. "I'm not… I'm not good at this. I am not used to travelling with someone."

Ukyo leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. "You don't have to be good at it. Besides, it's just me. We've teamed up a lot before, remember?"

He looked up at her then, his eyes searching hers for any hint of mockery. But all he saw was sincerity and something else—something that made he couldn't quite name. Was it pity? He looked away quickly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just promise me I'll get back to—-"

"Akane. I know, and you have my word, Ryoga Hibiki." She reached out, her hand hovering for a handshake. Ryoga took her hand, his grip steady and sure. It wasn't just a handshake—- it was a promise. A deal. Brief but deliberate, the gesture lingered for half a second longer than necessary before they released, the deal silently sealed.

Ryoga nodded slowly, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his own exhaustion. "Okay."

Ukyo smiled, a small, genuine thing that made something in his chest loosen just a little. "Good. Now, get some rest. You look like you haven't slept in days."

He got to his feet, his movements a little stiff, and started toward the door. Just as his hand brushed the frame, Ukyo's voice stopped him.

"Ryoga."

He glanced back. "Yeah?"

Ukyo hesitated, her lips parting like she was about to say something else—something heavier. But then she forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You've made the right choice."

Ryoga frowned, his gaze lingering on her a beat too long. There was something in her voice, something he couldn't quite place. Pity? Looks something like pity.

He said nothing and, without another word, slipped into the hallway. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving him in the dim light. For the first time in a long while, the weight on his shoulders felt heavier… even if he couldn't figure out why.

Ryoga stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door of Ukyo's room, his mind still reeling from their conversation. Her words echoed in his head, mingling with the faint scent of lavender that lingered in the air. He hadn't expected her to be so… understanding. But what was that 'you've made the right choice' statement about?

With this pact with Ukyo, he was sure that he would be back with Akane in no time. And that was all that mattered.

His room was just down the hall, but the walk felt longer than it should have. The weight of their agreement pressed on him, a strange mix of relief and unease. He wasn't used to relying on anyone, let alone someone like Ukyo. She was sharp-tongued and unpredictable, but there was a sincerity in her that he couldn't ignore. It made him wonder if he'd misjudged her all along.

Back in her room, Ukyo sat on the edge of her bed. She hadn't expected him to actually show up, let alone agree to her offer. There was something about the way he'd looked at her—determined yet hesitant. Although they had their moments of teaming up here and there, they are not exactly close. Far from it. Their relationship relied on them being useful to each other and nothing else.