Quick Author's Note:
Hi guys/gals! In the end, i've opted for a quicker publishing of the next chapter.
Going 2 weeks in Japan, i won't update again until 25, BUT i didn't want to leave you guys hanging so much on the cliffhanger, so...you will be hanging on another, more juicy ;)
If you have not read chapter 15 yet, be warned.
The Point of No Return
For a couple of days, the matter concerning Ryoga didn't have any further repercussions.
Ranma continued going to the Ryozanpaku for training as usual, mainly because Ryoga was still recovering from his injuries and wasn't causing any disturbances.
The vow of secrecy that the Masters and Kenichi had taken, however, created further complications for them.
Indeed, Miu and Renka had only been given a vague explanation for a very specific reason: if it came out that Ryoga could transform into a piglet, they'd have to reveal the whole story about the Cursed Springs, and inevitably, the truth about Ranma would also be exposed to the two girls.
So, they simply explained that Ryoga was an old friend of Ranma's, but there had been a major fallout between them because they both loved the same woman, who happened to be closer to Ranma. The revelation of a dark secret of Ryoga's, which Ranma had protected, ended up destroying his relationship with her.
The boy with the pigtail was furious with Ryoga, especially since Ryoga had attacked him with murderous intent, possessed by the Dou Ki. Concerning this, however, the Masters had claimed they could help.
The two girls were quite struck by this and didn't know what to think. The boy with the bandana seemed like a good person and even appeared deeply ashamed of himself, almost wanting to disappear. So, even though they felt a lot of sympathy for Ranma, and certainly some resentment for what he had suffered, they were inclined to view the matter as a sort of tragedy.
Now, at least, Ranma's past was a bit clearer: the fact that he had completely cut ties with his old life and refused to talk about it… it all made sense. The end of a love story and the breakdown of a friendship were perfectly understandable reasons.
However, Miu was disturbed for reasons she couldn't quite explain.
Apparently, Ryoga was unable to control the Dou Ki and often entered what they had started calling Ashura Mode.
Miu could empathize with this situation.
Thinking that Ranma might despise him made her recall how she had attacked Ranma on their first day. The thought distressed her.
Did he think the same of me?
No, I wouldn't say so. I had the chance to talk to him afterward, and he didn't hold a grudge.
But still… it must have brought back unpleasant memories for him.
He had, in fact, told me he'd encountered someone in Ashura Mode before… so it must have been Ryoga.
But now… will Ranma-kun leave if Ryoga stays here?
It's not fair; we all care about him, we feel good around him, and he's been a great help to us…
Would he really leave as if we didn't mean anything to him?
And then… without even telling us the real reason…
All I know is that because of Ryoga, Ranma lost a girl's love.
So… does he still think about her?
And… they haven't told us exactly what happened.
Kenichi and the Masters seem to know a lot more than they've told me and Renka.
Why was the secret kept only from us?
Why is everyone at the Ryozanpaku playing along with Ranma?
It's not fair.
Doesn't Ranma trust us?
Doesn't he trust ME?
All of this reminds me… of that other matter everyone's evasive about.
The red-haired girl.
In this case, too… Ranma is keeping a secret, and everyone is covering for him, for some reason.
I'm not crazy. The girl with the red hair exists.
Damn it, Renka saw her, Kisara saw her, and Ranma himself confirmed he knew her.
Surely… the girl I saw that night at the port… is the same one they were talking about.
The same one I faced that day… when Ranma came here… I fought against both of them.
Then only Ranma stayed to train.
And everyone agreed to hide that girl's existence from me.
Why?
And since then, she's reappeared in our lives many times.
Always in suspicious ways, I must add.
In these weeks, I haven't really had the courage to ask Ranma for the truth.
But I have the feeling he wouldn't answer me.
He has so many secrets.
He's barely around in the afternoons anymore.
He has a part-time job, apparently.
But why won't he tell us what he does?
Is he ashamed? Is it something shady?
I… would never force anyone to reveal their secrets to me, but here… it concerns our safety.
And it's not just that.
It's a matter of… trust.
Ranma… knows almost everything about me by now.
But I realize I know almost nothing about him.
Do I really matter so little?
I'll uncover his secrets.
Starting with the red-haired girl.
Whatever it takes.
That Wednesday afternoon, Kisara had to skip training because of a commitment with her parents, so Ranma stayed at the Ryozanpaku, observing the training sessions.
He realized everyone was happy to see him, as if they had missed him since he had been busy in the afternoons with his "part-time job." He felt a little bad for neglecting them, but he truly didn't know what else he could do.
Moreover, the thought of never seeing him again if he left because of Ryoga was unpleasant to everyone.
The Masters didn't know how to handle the situation. Ranma was being stubborn, but it wasn't their place to make decisions for others. Still, his departure would negatively impact the other students.
Ranma noticed that Miu, strangely, seemed a bit cold and distant toward him, and he couldn't imagine why.
Is she upset because of what she's been told about me and Ryoga?
Because I threatened to leave?
Or is it for some other reason?
The boy with the pigtail realized that he, too, didn't want to leave them because of Ryoga.
It would mean losing a SECOND family, after the one he had already lost in Nerima, for the same reason.
But he didn't really think that would happen; he was sure that idiot, feeling so guilty, would leave soon, and everything would return to normal.
Eventually, though, he'd have to explain his afternoon absences. Maybe he could say that…
"Um… Ranma-kun? Can I ask you something?"
"Huh? Yeah, sure, Renka. Go ahead."
The Chinese girl had just finished a training session with Kenichi, where they had tried, unsuccessfully, to improve their teamwork, and they were taking a short break. Her eyes were downcast, embarrassed, and even her pigtails drooped downward, like the ears of a scolded animal.
"For example, I… wanted to ask you if… you might know an effective way to fight as a duo with someone. Like… as you may have seen, Kenichi and I have no coordination. Zero. And it's… well, it's causing me problems, for… various reasons, as you already know."
"Oh… well, I… would like to help, but I'm not exactly an expert in this kind of thing…"
"It's just that—Renka continued, eager to vent her frustration—Miu and Kenichi have known each other for so long! They've fought together so many times, and against each other so many times! Kenichi and I don't have that history, or that connection.
And it's… frustrating because… well, at the very least, Kenichi and I are both Sei fighters… while Miu is a Dou fighter… so we should, in theory, be more compatible. Well, and since you're also a Sei fighter, I thought maybe… you'd have some advice."
"Wait… maybe… there IS something I can suggest…"
"Really? Please, tell me!"
Ranma remembered what Kokin and Hermit had done to him. Communicating through Ki signals, transforming it into electrical impulses they exchanged like radio transmitters.
Something only Sei fighters could do.
It was worth a shot… "Well, it's not exactly a technique I know, but something I've seen used… against me… but it was very effective. Basically, it's about…"
From the back of the yard, the blonde girl watched Ranma talking to Renka, who seemed overjoyed. And it bothered her.
"All right, I'll try that,"
Renka concluded. Then, as she was hopping back toward Kenichi, she turned around for a moment to the ponytailed boy and said,
"Anyway, Ranma-kun, for what it's worth… it would really be a shame if you left Ryozanpaku."
Ranma was pleasantly surprised. Even though he had known Renka for a short time, he realized that, in some ways, their relationship felt like what he might have had with a younger sister, if he'd ever had one.
And after all… it was true. He didn't WANT to leave them…
On Thursday, Ranko had forced Kisara to do walking lunges, first forward, then backward, and finally laterally, with heavy weights strapped to her ankles.
After finishing the training, she told her to keep the weights on for the rest of the day, even for normal walking.
On Friday, however, when she saw her arriving with the weights, she had her take them off and, with a satisfied grin, said: "All right, now that you've completed this, I'll teach you… how to move by jumping from rooftop to rooftop.
You've probably seen some people doing that… like Miu, or maybe Kenichi, or their Masters, right?"
"Huh? Yes! Yes, of course!—the girl's eyes sparkled. I… didn't think I'd be ready yet."
"Well, if you're not ready, at worst, you'll fall down."
"What?"
"Just kidding! If you fall, I'll catch you! Seriously, if I didn't think you could handle it, I wouldn't have suggested it."
Kisara blushed a little, half from the trust and half from the embarrassment of that "I'll catch you."
Soon they moved away from the training field and climbed onto the roof of a nearby house.
"Okay, look, it's like this: you need to use all your strength to… sort of… kick the surface you're standing on. But instead of transferring the force into the object, like to break it, you have to…"
CRASH!
Kisara had done just that and created a hole in the roof of the building—luckily abandoned—getting her leg stuck inside.
"Kisara! I'd really appreciate it if, before messing up like a fool, you'd at least let me finish explaining!"
Ranko yelled, beads of embarrassment flying.
"Eheh… sure, Sensei, sorry about that."
"Umpf! So, as I was saying, you have to kick off the ground, but at the same time keep your body light and flexible. That way, the recoil will give you a boost that lets you leap forward."
"Oh, I see. So I have to kick with all my strength, but then instead of using the force to push an enemy back, it will push me forward."
"Exactly, it's like… OOOH, now I get it!"
"Huh? What is it, Sensei?"
That technique. Kenichi's technique, Koroi Nuki… it's based on this principle… that old bastard Hayato…
"Are you okay, Sensei?"
"Yes, I just remembered something. Let's get started."
After a few attempts where Ranko had to hold her hand, Kisara was more or less able to grasp the concept, and she began leaping from one building to another alongside her, eventually managing to do it on her own, without any assistance.
"It's… it's amazing… it feels like flying!"
Is this what it means to be… special? No, to be… free… like cats? Is this how Miu usually feels?
Miu was in a bad mood. For many reasons.
She was upset with Ryoga—whom she had never even spoken to yet—because his arrival threatened to drive Ranma away from Ryozanpaku.
She felt resentment toward Kenichi and the Masters for hiding the red-haired girl from her.
If she couldn't even trust them…?
Naturally, she was irritated with Ranma. For all his secrets.
For wanting to leave them.
For so long, they had seemed close… was it all a lie?
She was also irritated because the day before, Renka and Kenichi had suddenly started working together perfectly, which seemed to have brought them also emotionally closer.
And finally, she knew that skipping training with Shigure, even if under the promise to make up for it another day, would cost her.
But it was the only chance she had to investigate the red-haired girl.
The only lead was Kisara. She had seemed OBSESSED with her. And maybe, in the end, she had managed to find her. But if that girl really was ambiguous… could Kisara be in danger?
She could only go to her friend and ask her face-to-face. She hadn't had the courage to do it during one of their outings. But she would do it now.
And that's when she saw them. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, side by side. Kisara looked thrilled, and the red-haired girl was turned toward her, as if monitoring her progress.
They seemed to get along. The blonde girl's heart sank, and she crouched behind a tree.
When the two had passed her spot, she jumped onto the rooftops herself to follow them, keeping a safe distance and making sure not to be noticed. The two women continued for a couple of hours, and Miu had to admit that Kisara—who had always had a natural talent for acrobatics—was now able to move across rooftops better than Kenichi, though not quite as well as she could.
Still following them from afar, she saw them head toward an old courtyard—actually located at the back of Kisara's parents' huge estate—that seemed equipped as a… training ground?
Then… from a distance, she couldn't hear what they were saying, but they seemed to have said their goodbyes and went off in different directions.
For a moment, Miu was torn about which of the two to follow: Kisara, to warn her of the possible danger, or the mysterious girl, to learn more? B
ut it was only a moment: she knew where Kisara lived, while she might never have another chance to see the red-haired girl in person.
You do exist, sweetie. I'm not crazy. And this time, you won't escape.
She kept following her from a distance, but then the girl slipped into another abandoned area, disappearing behind a bush.
Miu waited for a bit, but when she didn't see her anymore, she took the risk of sneaking in as well. Only she wasn't there anymore.
"Damn it, it can't end like this!"
She jumped onto a rooftop and started looking frantically in all directions to figure out where she might have gone.
And that's when she SAW HIM.
There was no mistaking it: just a few dozen meters away, Ranma Saotome was walking down the street, carrying a bucket and a jug under his arm.
Miu sped up and appeared in front of him.
"Ranma!"
"Miu!—the boy looked surprised to see her—I didn't expect to see you here. Didn't you have training with Shigure this afternoon?"
"Forget about Shigure for now—she began, in an interrogative tone—rather, answer one of my questions."
The pigtailed boy seemed to swallow nervously and break into a cold sweat.
"I want to know… who the redhaired girl is.
What her real intentions are.
What kind of relationship you have with her.
Why she's always surrounded by so much mystery."
At first, the boy with the pigtail seemed shocked, and Miu knew she had hit the mark. But then he recovered and, with his usual sarcasm, said:
"Well, that's not just ONE question."
"And also, most importantly—Miu ignored the interruption—I DEMAND to know WHY that girl was also at Ryozanpaku the day you arrived.
Yes, I remember it, don't try to deny it. I want to understand HOW you managed to convince everyone to lie to me about it.
I also want to know what kind of relationship she has with Kisara. Kisara is my friend, and I don't trust knowing she's spending time with someone so shady.
Yes, shady—she preempted a protest from the boy with the pigtail—you think I don't know? That she was also there, that night, at the port? And yet, right after that, she vanished.
Just like she did earlier, for that matter. Seems to be her specialty."
Ranma had practically gone pale and didn't know what to say.
"And then—the blonde added, more calmly but with a curious look—what are you doing walking around with a bucket and a jug?"
"What now? Can't a person do whatever they please? Anything else you want to know?-started Ranma, irritated and sarcastic, as always-My shoe size? The recipe for my secret sauce? What's with this interrogation?"
"Don't try to change the subject!" Miu exclaimed, increasingly irritated. Tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. She continued,
"I… don't understand you. I thought… that you trusted me. By now… you know almost everything about me. And yet… it feels like I don't know you at all. Every minute, a new surprise comes up.
And now it seems like you're leaving because of Ryoga… as if we don't matter to you at all.
While the person who's haunted my dreams for months is somehow tied to a dear friend of mine. I want to protect her.
But I don't know what to think anymore. I don't know who to trust anymore.
If even Kenichi and the Masters lied to me…"
Ranma felt a pang of guilt upon seeing her like this.
He realized he had hurt her unintentionally.
Once again, he was making that mistake.
"They never lied to you—Ranma quickly clarified, with distress in his eyes—and neither did I.
At most… we may have omitted certain things.
And we certainly didn't do it because of a lack of… respect… or affection… for you. Quite the opposite.
Sometimes… you try to spare the people you care about from pain.
And besides, even if we can choose to reveal our own secrets, we don't have the right to reveal someone else's."
Damn, this situation is so similar to…
Miu thought back to all the time she hadn't known the truth about her father. Hayato hadn't told her that he held Saiga responsible for her mother Shizuha's death, and he had certainly done so to protect her, to keep her from losing her mind from the pain.
Even though it later turned out that the real culprit was Senzui from the Kuremisago clan. Then she shook herself out of it.
"Oh, really? So keeping secrets from those close to you… is a good approach? From what little… YOU HAD CONDESCENDED TO TELL ME, it seems to me… that last time, with Ryoga… doing that didn't turn out so well."
Ranma took the hit. On one hand, it was a low blow; on the other, he had it coming.
Miu regretted what she said the moment it slipped from her lips. But it was too late.
Ranma looked extremely conflicted, experiencing various emotions at once. Finally, he said,
"You're right. There are quite a few things that didn't go as I wanted. Anyway, I can answer your questions this way: that girl's name is Ranko, and you're right, she's very close to me, though not in a—urgh!—romantic or anything like that way.
I guarantee she's not a threat to anyone, least of all Kisara. As far as I know, Kisara… managed to convince her to become her Master and train her to improve. Ranko's only goal is to make some money from this activity.
I assure you… there's nothing else for you to worry about. Is there anything else?"
Miu widened her eyes at hearing that Ranko was training Kisara, but in fact, it fit with what she had seen. Yet she wasn't satisfied.
"Of course, there IS more. You haven't really answered… well, almost none of what I asked. You're just asking me to trust you."
"That's right. I… understand that you feel… I don't even know how to describe it.
But I know I've never given you reason to doubt me, and I assure you this time is no different."
"I… would like to believe you."
"It's your choice to do so or not," the pigtailed boy declared, and he resumed walking toward his home.
Miu was frustrated. She felt excluded. Once again.
Like when, as a child, everyone thought she was strange.
But now it was different. Because the one excluding her was someone she trusted.
And the situation was flipped: instead of feeling "special," she felt like the last wheel on the cart because everyone seemed to know the truth except her.
Kisara heard someone knocking at the door and went to open it. It was almost dinner time.
"Miu? What are you doing here? Did something happen?"
"Hi Kisara, I… no, nothing's happened… yet. Can I talk to you in private for a minute?"
The girl stepped outside and closed the door halfway. "Sure, tell me."
"Well, I… heard… that you're training with a girl… that red-haired girl you were looking for a while ago… named Ranko."
"What? How do you know that? It's supposed to be a secret from everyone!"
"Well, I… for one thing, I saw you today."
"You saw us? On the rooftops?"
"Yes. Well, don't get me wrong, it's not like I was spying on you. I saw you both leaping from one roof to another and followed you.
Actually, I already wanted to talk to you about her. Then, when you split up, I tried to tail her, but I lost her. And then… I spoke to Ranma."
"Ranma?—Kisara was increasingly confused—but he… he shouldn't know that Ranko is training me. At least, I think so, but who knows, anything's possible with those two…"
"With those two?"
"Yeah, uff, they… listen, Miu, it's complicated, I… had to promise not to talk about it to anyone. It was one of the conditions to train with that woman. She seems almost obsessively concerned with privacy, for some strange reason."
"Really? Because I… think that woman has something to hide, and… I'm investigating her. Honestly… I was a bit worried to find out you were with her. I feared… something might happen to you."
"Miu! Well, thanks for your concern, but I assure you… Ranko isn't a threat to me… well, apart from the intensity of some of the training, I mean—and here she burst into genuine laughter—but I have to admit it works! I'm getting stronger and stronger!" she added, with a particular light in her eyes.
"Mmmh... really? In fact... most of the times she was seen... she was always helping someone, fighting on the right side... or—" here Miu thought back to when SHE had attacked her, "—she was defending herself, but... I don't understand why both Ranma and Ranko seem so obsessed with secrecy. First of all, what's the nature of their relationship?"
"Well, actually... yeah, she didn't reveal this to me, after all, but Ranma did, so telling you doesn't break any of my promises. She and Ranma... are twin siblings."
"What?"
"It's true. Or at least, that's what they told me. But they don't seem to get along, or rather, Ranko seems to be a rebel who only does whatever she pleases—which, honestly, I find appealing—and Ranma doesn't think she's reliable. And, in fact, they look shockingly alike, dress the same way, and even fight in a similar style."
"But... if the explanation is that simple... what's the point of...?"
"Ah, don't ask me! I've given up trying to understand the weirdness of those two! I'm just happy to have gotten what I wanted and I'll do whatever it takes not to lose it."
Kisara then grabbed Miu's hands. "Miu! Please! Don't do anything that might make Ranko reconsider training me! She's... extremely capricious. She insists on complete secrecy, and if she found out I told you, she'd kick me out! I really need her!"
"I... of course, Kisara, I promise you."
That Saturday evening, Ranma was sitting on his bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking. He felt confused. Too many things were happening all at once, and he couldn't make sense of it all.
He realized that, out of everything, Miu's suspicions and the... frustration she felt over his evasiveness not only made him feel guilty but troubled him more than Ryoga's presence at Ryozanpaku.
Speaking of which, that idiot had to be fully recovered by now, so soon, he would have to make a final decision, depending on what the Masters had decided.
In his heart, he wasn't entirely sure. He understood that they weren't the type to refuse help to someone in need and lived by the philosophy that everyone was responsible for their own choices. So, in the end, it wasn't impossible they'd choose to let Ryoga stay.
If that happened, would he have to go through with it?
Leave such a wonderful place to train? Leave all his friends?
Or stay and break his word? Let Ryoga have his way?
Pride... when it's a reflection of self-respect, it's good... but in other cases?
A flash of Miu, holding back tears as she spoke, crossed his mind.
He hated seeing girls cry. Even more so, the thought of being the cause.
If he ended up leaving... would he never clear up the misunderstanding with her?
Would he never see her again? Never train together?
Would she always remember him poorly because of this?
Why does my life always have to be so complicated?
Just then, he heard someone knocking... on the window.
He went to open it and saw a tiny mouse holding a miniature map and a little torch strapped to its back.
It was Tochoumaru.
"Mom, I'm heading out!" he called towards the stairs.
"Alright, but let me know if you're not coming back for dinner," Nodoka called back.
The pigtailed boy leapt off the balcony after closing the window and followed Shigure's little mouse through a maze of alleyways that seemed to lead him toward the Ryozanpaku neighborhood, but not exactly to the dojo.
In fact, after about twenty minutes, he found himself in an overgrown field a couple of kilometers, as the crow flies, from the House of the Strongest.
Tochoumaru sat obediently on a tin can, as if instructed to wait until whatever happened next was over, before carrying out any further tasks.
In the field, next to a pitched tent and a small campfire, with his back turned, stood Ryoga.
The pigtailed boy froze for a moment.
Why had they brought him here to talk to Ryoga? Was this meeting set up without his consent?
The bandana-wearing boy turned calmly.
"Welcome, Ranma. Sorry for the secrecy."
"What am I doing here?" Ranma asked coldly.
"I asked the Ryozanpaku Masters for a favor, and they were kind enough to help me. I figured you wouldn't want to talk to me if I asked myself."
"Tsk! As if..."
"I assure you, they did it mostly for your sake.
You see, Ranma, your... ultimatum put them in a difficult spot. I've only been there for a few days, but it's clear they all care about you very much and would be sad to see you leave.
On the other hand, they live by a moral code that obliges them to help those in need, and they won't let me go without... let's say, healing me, despite the lack of esteem they have for me after you told them about my... exploits.
So, they found themselves at an impasse—if I may say so, because of your stubbornness—and they agreed that the only possible solution was for us to resolve this ourselves."
"Oh, really? And how do you want to resolve it? A game of dice?"
"Please, be serious. I know you have every right to be angry with me.
But right now, we need to talk about important things.
And first of all, I want to make one thing clear: if, in the end, you still want me to, I will step aside.
I don't want to ruin what you have with those people, and with one word from you, I'll leave for good, even without receiving their help."
Ranma seemed slightly softened.
"Alright, I'm listening."
"Thank you, I... honestly, I've thought about this moment for a long time.
It's been over a year since we last saw each other, and... I've spent almost all that time alone in the mountains, meditating.
I've reflected on everything that's happened in my life, on everything I've said or done. And when I realized the magnitude of my mistakes, I started... searching for you.
To be able to say this.
Ranma, I... I'm sorry.
Everything you said the other night... no matter how painful... no matter how full of resentment... was absolutely true.
And I'm ashamed of it. Deeply ashamed.
Of the person I was, of the things I did.
I liked to think of myself as thoughtful and sensitive, noble at heart, and I tended to paint you as an insensitive fool who could never be serious. But that was never the truth.
I... I'm a coward.
All I ever did was avoid and postpone anything in my life that was difficult or unpleasant or... that required me to do something I wasn't ready for.
And I never had the courage to look inside and understand... that I am my own worst enemy.
Often... it was easier... to direct criticism outward... blame others for what happened... find a scapegoat for everything.
And that's... what I did to you.
What we all did to you back in Nerima, to be precise.
And the fact that you were a decent person, shy in your own way, and never held a grudge... made it easier for us.
For so long... I blamed you for everything wrong in my life.
The duel, my curse, the fact that I couldn't be with Akane...
But really... each of those things was my own fault.
And I think... deep down, I knew that, even then.
Because I kept sabotaging myself. Maybe, deep down... I didn't think I deserved it. To be truly happy.
It was more comforting to tell myself comforting lies and postpone everything until tomorrow.
'I'll be happy when... I'll be happy if...' but never having THE COURAGE to try to be happy for real. Hoping that the solution would come from outside, like magic. Like winning the lottery.
I actually won that lottery. Her name is Akari.
But I knew I didn't truly deserve her. That's why I never accepted her love.
Because to earn something… you have to work… fight for it.
Only then will it have true value.
And I have to tell you something else, Ranma.
You have always… been an example to me.
To all of us in Nerima, I think.
No matter what happened to you, you never gave up. You always kept improving and overcoming every challenge, believing in your abilities instead of looking for shortcuts like the rest of us.
And unlike us, you also tried to… keep a moral compass.
To do the right thing, not the easy thing.
To think of others and not just yourself.
And you forgave us even when we didn't deserve it. So we expected to get away with everything forever.
Maybe I've always been… petty. I envied you… and hated you… because I wanted to be like you… but I didn't have the strength.
Maybe… that's the truth.
You have to improve yourself first. If you don't, you'll never be able to make others happy.
I… I never wanted to ruin your lives. Yours, Akane's, everyone's.
But it happened. Because of one dirty lie, the last in an endless series.
We should never lie to those we care about. Not even hide the truth from them, if there's even any difference between the two.
I know how much it cost you to protect my secret from Akane. And I never wanted… of all the reasons she might have had to leave you… for it to be that one.
You and Akane were made for each other, Ranma, I see that now.
It hurts me to know you're not together.
When you find someone important, you shouldn't let anything come between you.
And I know I can never repay you for what you lost, but… I have to tell you!
I want you to know!
Ever since… you protected me and Mousse in the battle against Herb, on Mount Horai… even though you had just discovered we intended to betray you… I…
I think I've changed as a person. Or at least I've wanted to change; I'm still working on it.
I… whatever good is in me… it's thanks to you. So, thank you, Ranma.
Maybe I don't deserve your friendship, but… you make me want to be a better person."
Ryoga had fallen to his knees as he spoke, crying openly.
Ranma had tears in his eyes as he listened.
He knelt down on one knee and took one of Ryoga's hands in his.
The week started off better than it ended.
The Masters were thrilled to hear that Ranma wouldn't be leaving after all and that they could still help Ryoga.
Ryoga asked if, besides treatment to control his Dou Ki, he could also train at the Ryozampaku.
He was told that yes, he could, but first Akisame subjected him to the same treatment he had inflicted on Ranma: osteopathy to unlock his joints—and he was MUCH stiffer than Ranma, both in general and specifically, after a whole year without training—then muscle massage to release emotions, which left him plagued by terrible nightmares for a couple of days, though perhaps less severe since he had managed to reconcile with Ranma beforehand.
Finally, Kensei performed the acupuncture to reconnect him with his Ki circulatory system and limit its use until he could control it through positive emotions.
In the end, it was Apachai who wanted to take him on as a student.
The giant had been sad to have no one to train aside from Kenichi, and he was glad to help someone who, like him, used Dou Ki and had a style of muscular, hard, and direct combat.
However, unlike Apachai, Ryoga was too unbalanced and relied TOO much on strength and not enough on finesse.
One of the first exercises the Thai fighter had him do was juggling bricks and bowling balls, a skill Apachai sometimes demonstrated himself.
For Ryoga, who did not have dexterity as his strong suit, it was quite a struggle at first—often dropping the weights on his own head—but that only proved he needed it and that it was the right path.
But many other significant events took place that week.
Though relieved that Ranma wasn't leaving, Miu hadn't given up on her plans.
If her guess was right, Ranko and Kisara trained together every day at the same time. So, on Monday, Miu skipped gymnastics club with an excuse, went to train at Ryozampaku an hour early, finished ahead of schedule (since the previous Saturday, Shigure had put her through a grueling workout for skipping Friday's session, and Miu didn't dare suggest more changes), and left the dojo saying she had an appointment, asking Kensei to handle dinner.
Hayato and Akisame suspected something, but said nothing.
The blonde girl made her way to the spot where she last lost sight of Ranko, figuring she would return there once she finished training Kisara; and she was right.
This time Ranko couldn't escape her, as Miu intercepted her before she could slip into the bush—which Miu had checked, and it contained an empty bucket and a pitcher of hot water, the very items she'd seen Ranma carrying the previous Friday—and confronted her, determined not to mention Kisara to avoid causing her friend trouble.
Ranko's eyes widened when she saw Miu blocking her path to the makeshift hiding spot, confirming to the blonde that the mysterious redhead had indeed seen her before.
Damn. She discovered the hiding place.
"So we meet again… Ranko, or whatever you call yourself."
The red-haired girl tried to deny it. But she was objectively a terrible liar.
"W-what are you talking about? I… I don't know you."
"Enough with the lies," Miu said threateningly, getting into a fighting stance and releasing her Ki.
"You know exactly who I am, even if our first meeting was less than friendly. But I assure you it will seem like tea with the Queen compared to what will happen if you keep lying."
"Lying… about what? I haven't even said anything yet."
"Then start talking. I want to know your name, your connection to Ranma, what you know about Ryozampaku, and why you showed up at the battle at the port a few weeks ago."
Now how do I get out of this? Do I play it tough?
"Tsk! And what if I refuse?"
"Let's just say you might want to reconsider your life choices."
"Hmm… really? But if you do remember our first meeting, then you should also remember…
…THAT I'M STRONGER THAN YOU!"
The redhead declared, dashing forward.
"OH, WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT. I'VE BEEN TRAINING A LOT TOO, YOU KNOW!"
Miu began unleashing a flurry of lightning-fast kicks at Ranko, trying to keep her at a distance and using her longer legs to her advantage.
The redhead didn't seem too troubled as she blocked and parried the attacks.
At most, she seemed… surprised? As if she hadn't expected this level of skill?
Damn… she's gotten stronger since she sparred with me every day. What kind of training did the Elder put her through? I have to make her think I don't know her style… but also dodge her without striking back… and if she's improved again, this won't be easy.
Ranko leapt over Miu to deliver an axe kick to her shoulder, but Miu seemed to anticipate it: she stopped the kicking barrage, sidestepped slightly with a half-spin, and countered by punching the redhead's calf.
Techniques for countering airborne opponents: Hayato MUST have taught her these.
Ranko took the hit to her leg and, smoothly and continuously, moved in a supernatural way, performing a backward flip as if she had a foothold in the air and landing crouched on the ground.
Lightning-fast, Miu dropped low and attacked again with a knee strike, which Ranko dodged, instantly shifting a meter to the left without changing position, leaving a half-faded afterimage in her previous spot.
In quick succession, the blonde extended her reach to strike with the back of her fist in a wide motion, only to see Ranko bend backward, avoiding the attack. But in that awkward position, she seemed vulnerable, so Miu used her right leg to deliver a sidekick.
Ranko seemed to vanish: in reality, she had let herself fall backward and rolled half a turn to the left, standing up right behind Miu.
Miu, not caught off guard, swung a backward heel kick, moving upward, while using her hands to stay balanced in a handstand.
Ranko slid backward as if on skates, then dashed forward to sweep Miu's supporting hands with her leg, causing her to fall on her back.
But immediately, to avoid giving Ranko any advantage, Miu started spinning on her back like a breakdancer, swinging her limbs wildly in all directions.
Ranko skipped over the whirling kicks as if jumping rope.
With a twist, Miu got back to her feet, striking a pose that resembled a fierce animal, one leg bent, the other extended, and one hand planted on the ground. Ranko could feel her Ki rising.
From that stance, Miu used her arm as a pivot, spinning half a turn and using her straight leg like a whip to sweep at Ranko's supporting leg.
Ranko countered by dropping into a lunge, blocking the kick with her knee and thigh instead of her ankle, effectively halting the attack.
But from that low position, she was more vulnerable: Miu lunged forward, aiming a palm strike at Ranko's face.
Sweeping kicks and strikes to vital points... she's using Silat!
With unreal speed, Ranko caught Miu's arm with both hands, then sprang up, wrapping her legs around Miu's shoulder, and twisted, bringing her opponent to the ground while locking her arm in an armbar. The blonde was shocked.
How is it possible that I got trapped in a joint lock?
But as Miu increased her Ki output even more, she found a way to break free.
Gradually, she stood back up, lifting Ranko still clinging to her arm, then spun around, aiming to slam her opponent into a nearby lamppost.
Ranko let go, extending her arms to grab the post, swinging around it like an acrobat and using the momentum to launch herself back at Miu with a dropkick.
Miu caught her feet mid-air, pivoted to the right, and hurled her toward the stone wall on the opposite side of the street.
Ranko performed a series of mid-air flips, like a baseball being pitched, and landed on the wall feet first. She bent her legs, storing energy, then released it, propelling herself back at Miu, seemingly about to punch her in the stomach with both fists.
Miu braced herself, crouching and shielding her torso with her arms and elbows, but at the last second, Ranko changed tactics.
She spread her arms, grabbed Miu by the shoulders, vaulted over her head with a forward flip, landed, and used the momentum to toss Miu into the bush where she had prepared her hiding spot, basically executing a wrestling powerbomb... and she ended up burnt with the hot water she'd set up, judging by the scream.
But it was the distraction Ranko needed: she leapt onto a nearby rooftop and dashed away, zigzagging to avoid being followed.
What a mess, Ranma, great job. How could I have been dumb enough not to change hiding spots after what happened on Friday?
Was I so distracted by Ryoga's situation? Or maybe I just didn't think Miu would... I thought she trusted me... but no, of course she didn't anymore.
I always find a way to ruin everything; it's a natural Saotome family talent.
Miu returned home, drenched and furious. Neither Kenichi nor Kensei dared to make any remarks or ask any questions.
She ate dinner in her room and demanded to be left alone, and her request was honored.
She was angry, confused, and disappointed. Mad at everyone for not telling her about Ranko, at Ranma for not trusting her, at Ranko for being so defiant, and at herself for losing. A thousand problems swirled in her head, and she had no solution.
She decided to take a shower to clear her thoughts.
Ranma returned to his mother's house in female form, mumbling something about an accident on the way without specifying what kind and jumped into the shower before dinner. He needed to think.
Usually, the feel of hot water running through his hair relaxed him. But not this time.
Everything was falling apart.
Miu had seemed cold lately, but he hadn't imagined it was because she had suspicions about Ranko—he didn't even recall their first fight clearly—much less that she had seen Ranko at the harbor.
To her, it should have been just a name, part of Kisara's ramblings that night at the Shinpaku Alliance. But last Friday, she had confronted him.
And he felt like something inside him had shattered. He hated seeing her so distrustful. He hated lying to her.
He hated lying, period. If it were up to him, he would never do it.
No, that wasn't true—he did it when he was too ashamed to admit something openly.
Damn it, now what? Would she try to turn Kisara against him? Would he lose his job as her teacher?
Just when I had JUST settled things with Ryoga... nothing can EVER go right for more than FIVE minutes, can it?
Wait... Ryoga? Among all the things he had said...
"You have to improve yourself first. If you don't, you can never make others happy."
"We should never lie to the people we love. Not even hide the truth, if there's any difference between the two."
"When you find someone important, you shouldn't let anything get in the way."
"Do the right thing, not the easy thing. Think of others, not just yourself."
Umpf. Yeah. It's painfully obvious. There's only one possible solution.
Who would've ever thought that the moron would've been the one to suggest me to right path?
He turned off the water. Now he knew what he had to do.
"Mom, I'll be going out after dinner. I just remembered I have an errand."
Miu returned to her room after her shower, dressed in the top half of her pajamas. Her hair was loose, and steam still rose from her skin.
She had calmed down a bit. After all, at least she'd made progress. On Friday, she had uncovered more about Ranko. Today, she'd even confronted her.
From now on, there would be no pretending. Tomorrow, she would get the truth from someone, even if it meant taking Kenichi and Ranma and...
TAP! TAP!
Miu nearly had a heart attack.
She thought the surprises for the day were over, but she could never have expected this: Ranko, standing at her windowsill, knocking on HER window.
How... how does she even know which one is my window, to begin with?
Ranko revealed herself calmly and kept her hands open, as if to show she wasn't a threat. Then, slowly and deliberately, she took hold of the window from the outside, unlatched it, and lifted it gently.
Miu was paralyzed by surprise and a primal kind of wariness, but it wasn't fear. It was more like shock, an inability to comprehend what was happening.
Yet, she did nothing, as if her instincts were telling her that the redhead had no ill intentions.
When the window was raised, Ranko stepped inside — again, moving with calculated slowness, avoiding sudden movements — and entered Miu's room.
Miu couldn't help but notice, once again, the presence of a bucket of water and two jugs of hot water, which Ranko was holding under each arm. She placed them on the ground with deliberate care.
Miu still looked as though she had seen a ghost and couldn't believe her eyes.
Ranko raised a hand in a calming gesture, placed a finger over her lips, then turned to close the window quietly. Finally, she faced Miu again.
"Sorry for intruding," she began softly, "but after what happened this afternoon… I needed to talk to you privately, and this seemed like the best way."
"I… I don't know what to say. I have… so many questions. Does this mean you're finally willing to answer them?"
"Yes. I'll answer ALL your questions, I promise."
Something didn't add up for Miu.
It was ten in the evening. No later than six-thirty, this girl had beaten her… humiliated her… making it look easy… appearing to try hard but not actually using her real strength… only to run away.
All just to avoid speaking to her.
And now… what had changed her mind so quickly?
"This… doesn't make any sense. No, wait… did you… talk to Ranma?"
"In a way," the redhead admitted. Then she raised a hand to forestall any objections. "Like I said, I'll explain everything. But first, let me say something, Miu: I want to apologize for what happened today.
I shouldn't have accepted your challenge and fought you just to avoid telling you the truth. But I have to admit, you caught me off guard."
"That makes two of us. But… why… from the way you speak, it sounds like… we already know each other?"
The girl gave a bitter smile.
"Oh, that's because we DO know each other.
We have for quite some time now.
See, it's not that I wanted to… keep this from you, but… well, when you see, you'll understand."
Ranko picked up one of the two jugs of hot water and slowly raised it over her head.
"Brace yourself, because what you're about to see might… shock you, I realize."
She poured the boiling water over her head, and within seconds… she seemed to deflate, then stretch and grow sturdier… and standing before Miu, in her room, was none other than Ranma Saotome, his black hair in its usual bangs and with a sorrowful smile.
"Ra-Ranma? But how… what?"
Satellites and galaxies spun in Miu's head, trying to piece together what she had just seen.
"Uh… you didn't faint, like I was afraid you might. It wouldn't have been unusual, you know. But, well, you're a strong-spirited girl."
He smiled weakly. "This is the truth, Miu. Ranko, the Red-Haired Girl… doesn't exist, never has… it's always been me, Ranma.
No, wait, don't misunderstand.
I was born a man, have always been a man, and I don't have any odd tendencies. What you just saw is… a transformation. Literally, magic."
"MAGIC ?"
"Yes. A curse, to be precise. It's not something I can control."
"I… I don't understand. Are you saying that… magic, curses… are real?"
"Unfortunately, yes, and I'm the proof. In fact, this isn't even the only one I've come across, but… one thing at a time. You see, about four years ago, when I was in China training with my father…"
Miu had listened to the entire story, enraptured.
"It's really incredible. So, those items…"
"Yes, I need them to change my appearance if necessary. Normally, I prefer not to do it, unless it's by accident. No offense, but I HATE turning into a woman."
Miu couldn't blame him.
What if she were the one turning into a man? The mere thought gave her chills.
"But… so… every time I've seen or heard about Ranko… that was always you?"
"Exactly. When I came to Ryozanpaku and we fought while you were in Ashura mode, I was a man.
Then I… well, tripped over Tochoumaru — Miu noticed Ranma looked embarrassed admitting that — and transformed, breaking a water barrel in the process.
So your last memories were of Ranma-girl, even though at first, you told me you didn't remember anything. You really did face both, but we were still one."
"Yes… at first, I didn't remember… then, over time… I got flashes…"
"And then, Kenichi and the Masters saw me, so I had to tell them everything. You were unconscious and didn't hear any of it.
Even afterward, I didn't know whether they'd told you, but I later found out they chose not to.
I suppose they didn't want to… shock you further, given your state.
I appreciated their thoughtfulness in respecting my privacy, but… please don't be angry with them about it."
"I… no, of course not."
But that wasn't entirely true.
"There's nothing they'd do that wasn't for my own good" she had said a few months ago. Now, she wasn't so sure.
It was strange to think she couldn't fully trust even Kenichi.
Sure, it wasn't HIS secret…so he felt not outing Ranma… the same convoluted logic Ranma had with Ryoga…
Men and their misplaced sense of honor. I'll never understand them.
"And so," the heir of the Furinji clan resumed, "all those other times… when you saved Renka, Kisara, and Rachel from the Chinese mafia, when I saw you on the ship…"
"That was always me, yes. On the ship, I transformed because I fell into the sea. Then, inside, I heated some water to turn back."
"And… Kisara? Does she… know?"
"Nooo, of course not," Ranma raised his voice and waved his hands, "She doesn't know, and she mustn't find out.
She… well, she's obsessed with the idea that her Master must be a woman," he explained, noticing Miu's astonishment.
"She saw 'Ranko' fight, and then she wouldn't stop pestering me to teach her martial arts."
Miu let out a laugh. "Yes, that does sound exactly like something Kisara-san would do."
"Precisely. In the end, I agreed, since she's well-off and pays very well. But to train her, I had to transform and retransform every single day.
And I did it in the afternoon, which is why you all stopped seeing me at Ryozanpaku and why I couldn't tell you the truth about what I was doing, even though… well, I felt bad about it," he added with a remorseful look.
All of Miu's doubts and suspicions dissolved like snow under the sun.
"I… I feel a little guilty for doubting you. Thinking back, I didn't have any actual reasons to think Ranko was… evil.
It's just that… her presence seemed so… suspicious. And I HAD to figure out why… she appeared in my memories."
"I get it, don't worry," Ranma replied, conciliatory. "Relax, Miu, you have nothing to blame yourself for. If anything… I should be the one apologizing.
I never really meant to… lie to you, or… deceive you… I mean it.
It's just that… I prefer to keep this whole thing as secret as possible because… well, because I'm ashamed of it."
"And then... well, when I arrived here... they mentioned to you what happened with Ryoga, and... I'll calmly explain everything about that story too, some other day... he was also cursed, and that was the cause of everything... the others couldn't tell you the truth about our fight without revealing my secret as well... so Renka also got added to the list of people I'll have to apologize to, one day or another...
as I was saying, when I arrived here... my previous life had been shattered... broken into pieces.
And I... had really hoped... to be able to start over from scratch, to turn over a new leaf. And so... since transformations were the cause of everything... I would have preferred that no one knew... that they didn't consider me... strange. Different."
The blonde watched him for a long moment.
"You thought that I would have considered you strange?"
"Well, not exactly. I'm not saying you're an intolerant person, but... by pure chance, you didn't know, and I thought: well, better that way.
And then... I really wanted to leave everything behind. Forget.
Try to improve, to be a different person.
Maybe not repeat the same mistakes.
But instead... it seems I keep making the same ones over and over.
Paradoxically, it was Ryoga who made me realize that.
He... the other day, he apologized, and I understood that he really wants to change. And I... have to try to do the same."
Miu stayed silent for a good minute.
There were so many things to process. She could hardly believe it.
"Sorry, I know I'm asking a lot, but... can I..."
"Don't worry. I brought two on purpose," the boy smiled at her.
Ranma repeated the process, wetting himself with cold water and shrinking down to become "Ranko" once more.
Miu looked feverish as she observed her and even... well, touched her a bit to verify that she was indeed a woman, that she hadn't just had a hallucination.
Then, in an awkward silence, Ranma drenched himself again with hot water and once more loomed over Miu by a good ten centimeters.
The girl no longer had any doubts.
She was shocked by the revelation she had received that evening, by an entire new world—magic EXISTED—that had unfolded in her life.
And yet, while her heart pounded, a small, insistent thought made its way to the back of her mind.
"But then…WHY?" she voiced aloud.
"Sorry, what?"
"Why did you do it?
Tell me the truth... if you're so ashamed of it?
If you don't want it to be known?
You could have... kept the secret somehow.
Made up plausible excuses.
Stuck with the twin sister story, like you did with Kisara.
Why did you decide to reveal it specifically to me?"
Ranma remained silent for a long time.
He didn't know what to answer.
Or did he?
"Because—he began, a bit uncertain—the twin sister story, as plausible as it is—actually, I should have started using it much earlier—might have worked at most with Kisara; who is a really great girl, mind you, but not exactly the brightest in the bunch; and also because it wouldn't have justified Ranma's afternoon absences from Ryozampaku.
Nor would it have explained Ranko's appearance on the ship, and only for a few seconds.
Or the Masters' conspiracy of silence regarding the events of the first day.
Actually, no... that's not true.
Those are all good reasons, but... they're not the actual reason."
Miu looked at him intently. "Then what's the main reason?"
Ranma sighed.
"You see, Miu... practically EVERYONE who knows about my curse... found out by accident, seeing it happen, and I had to explain to them afterward WHAT they had seen, and WHY it was happening.
You're... the first person I've told voluntarily, without being forced to."
I'm the first person...
"And... why?"
"Because," Ranma continued, making a visible effort, "I realized this secret was dividing us, that it was ruining our relationship.
And... I didn't want that to happen.
But I knew this time it was entirely my fault.
So, I made a choice.
Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on the concept of responsibility.
A dear friend made me realize…having frieds makes life sweeter.
Another, wise, friend enlightened me about avoiding the same mistakes of the past.
And a friend I had quarreled with reminded me... that secrets divide people.
Once... I cared a lot about a certain someone.
But I lost that person. Because of a secret.
I... didn't want to lose you, too."
For a long moment, no one said anything.
Even the air seemed heavy.
Then Miu took a step forward, automatically.
Then a second.
Before either of them could realize what was happening, Miu threw her arms around Ranma's neck and kissed him.
First tenderly, then passionately.
Ranma found himself returning the kiss.
Soon, they were clinging to each other.
All the barriers had fallen, there were no hesitations or doubts. They just surrendered to their desires.
Soon the kisses intensified.
Ranma held Miu around her waist, but soon his hands began to explore her curves.
The blonde girl began unbuttoning his shirt, frantically.
And then they went for the bed.
Author's Note
;)
Make of that what you want.
First: it exists an uncensored, longer version of the final scene, but i was told that this site takes down these kind of chapters, regardless of rating, and i didn't want to risk the whole fic for it. I may give you suggestions on how to read it somewhere else, since i will post the fanfic on other sites, OR repost the chapters if i receive assurance there's no risk.
Second: some of you thought (and it was my fault as a narrator, of course), that Ranma was getting too close to Miu, too soon, in the first chapters, but my intention had always been not to have anything happen between them...until this certain moment.
They DID found kinship, they DID get closer, they DID felt something, but it would've otherwise remained unexpressed.
Ranma doing this for Miu not to lose her has been the detail that pushed them together.
Now, the solution of Ryoga's situation (btw, him apologizing was unusual, but also the only way to solve it) has brought, accidentally, to this new development, since Ranma realized he should be honest with people he cares about.
But what now? Kenichi? And all the others?
Things will get more complex with personal relationships...
People will continue training...
Mysteries will begin to unfold, leading to a confrontation down the line...
The fanfic was exactly halfway last chapter, so there's still a long way to go