The Dawn of a New Day
At Ryozanpaku, life had returned to normal.
Or rather, it resembled their usual life quite a bit, if not for the fact that everyone, to varying degrees, was rather downhearted.
Since the Shimpaku boys had been saved from that fatal shipwreck a couple of days earlier, when they were intercepted by a wooden boat from Ryozanpaku that was pedal-powered (with Sakaki and Apachai pedaling to move it), many things had changed.
The government had taken custody of the members of the Yami, captured during the confrontation at the port, and they were locked up at Big Lock, the international mega-prison designed specifically for them.
Since both Akisame and Saiga had worked with various governments to increase security measures, it was even likely that the prisoners would remain there for a long time.
The other henchmen, meaning the guards, sailors, and scientists captured at the port on the second ship, all ended up in regular prisons. However, Akisame thought it unwise to let the government get their hands on the Jenazad Formula for Mind Control, so after briefly analyzing it, he poured all the liquid into the sea, before the Secret Services arrived.
The hostages, on the other hand, had all been freed from their crystal coffins and were doing fairly well. After being observed and speaking with the police, they were free to return home (under police escort).
In particular, the three girls who had been taken hostage to hinder the Nerima group, namely Shampoo, Ukyo, and Kodachi, had talked at length with Mousse, Ryoga, and Kuno before going home, though they were a bit bewildered by the whole situation. Akisame would have sworn the boys were greatly relieved.
As for the rest of the Blades and Disciples present on the Poseidon, nothing more was known. Neither of them, nor the sailors who had escaped first, nor the guards who had escaped in the meantime. It was still very likely they had all survived.
For the same reason, no one knew what happened to Ogata. It was possible to assume, however, that after such a checkmate, the relationship between the Armed Division and the Yami's Empty Handed Division was definitively compromised.
When the Ryozanpaku members had the opportunity, they met Cologne (which sparked a lot of curiosity in Kensei, who invited her to the Hakubi restaurant in the future to have a nice chat among high-level practitioners and fellow nationals), who confirmed that Mikumo had fled when she realized continuing the battle would have been pointless, and she had let her go for the same reason.
The Ryozanpaku members were quite surprised that the old lady had been able to fight her without even getting a scratch, thus confirming what Mousse had said about her.
Cologne even went so far as to thank Ryozanpaku, and Mousse himself, for freeing her granddaughter, and promised future help if similar situations arose. Then she left, promising to visit them again sometime.
Once the boys arrived in Japan, they were relieved to return to their families, although they were all saddened by the uncertainty about Ranma's fate. The same sentiment weighed on the hearts of Ryozanpaku, but at least in front of them, the Masters remained certain everything had gone well, not to depress them any further.
The meeting between Kensei and Renka was particularly touching, but even the Eight Valkyrie, freed shortly before, all broke into tears when they saw Freya again.
As for Takeda, his kidnapping had caused the most scandal because his girlfriend, the former Yomi member Rachel Stanley, had seen him disappear and had moved heaven and earth to find him. And as everyone knew, she wasn't exactly a very moderate person.
Adding to this, both her Master, Diego Carlo, the Smiling Steel Fist, Grand Master of Pro Wrestling, and his, James Shiba, Grand Master of Underground Boxing, had gotten involved to find him, and... let's just say both were larger-than-life characters, so it was much better for everyone that he had returned safe and sound.
Kisara expressed only the desire to see her parents again, something she felt a great need for at the time. Kenichi and Miu promised to tell her everything once she decided to come to Ryozanpaku.
Nijima was desperate because those from Yami had first stolen and then destroyed the valuable information about them that he had painstakingly gathered over many years.
Kenichi comforted him by saying this meant they recognized his danger as an opponent, and he was lucky they hadn't killed him. He could always start over.
Additionally, though he didn't show it, he was thrilled to see his "subordinates" again (and all the other lackeys, like Kamioka, swore he was very worried when he learned about the kidnappings).
Akisame, in particular, gave pagers to all the hostages, even those who weren't familiar with Ryozanpaku, to monitor their positions from his computer in case the enemies tried something again.
Kenichi got a pleasant surprise when, after returning to land, he was able to see his friend Ryuto Asamiya. He had completed his undercover mission on Saiga's behalf and had come to say goodbye. The two talked for a long time about many things, but what exactly they discussed was only known to them.
A few days later, the members of Ryozanpaku had to take stock of what had happened.
It had been one of the most severe crises they had ever faced, and if it hadn't been for a series of exceptional circumstances and external help, they wouldn't have made it.
On one hand, it was comforting to have so many new allies; on the other, it was necessary to prevent such a situation from repeating itself.
Hayato, for his part, apologized to the other members for having pursued Ranma out of jealousy over his niece, inadvertently starting it all.
This led to two very important changes.
Saiga was reinstated as an official member of Ryozanpaku and stayed for more than a month, much to Miu's delight, although he had to leave afterward to continue overseeing the Shadows, promising to balance his duties between that and his responsibilities toward the dojo and his daughter.
Secondly, Kenichi, Miu, and Renka were promoted to full members, with the right to attend all meetings, access to all informations, and vote on all decisions.
Miu, among others, seemed particularly satisfied with this. Never again would something go wrong because of a lack of sharing between them.
The emotional damage from the events of the past few days was more difficult to overcome.
Kenichi and Renka, despite everything, had a lot to say to each other, and Kenichi had much to apologize for. The two young people spoke for a long time in private, and no one heard what they said, but in the end, it seemed that Renka, despite their relationship being over, had forgiven him (but, of course, she didn't give up on beating him up a little for making her suffer).
Nor did this automatically make it easier to mend things between Miu and Kenichi.
Despite the fact that they had spoken and rationally weren't upset with each other, knowing that the other, for whom they had feelings, had been physically involved with someone else for months (in both cases, people they cared about, which made it harder to get upset) complicated the rapprochement.
It wasn't that they didn't talk or anything; it was just that there was always hesitation, distance, and a lack of spontaneity. When trust is broken, it's hard to go back.
One of the Masters wisely observed that nothing irreparable had happened, but only time would heal all wounds.
The other members of the Shimpaku Alliance (after the misadventure, they were even more united, partly because, instinctively, in the first few weeks after the event, they felt uncomfortable going out alone) had been briefed by Kensei on all the various entanglements, and understandably, the story caused a certain degree of astonishment.
At the same time, almost everyone was worried and sad about the uncertainty regarding Ranma's fate, which complicated matters.
It was a bit hard for Kenichi to hold Miu accountable for "sleeping with Ranma" without thinking about the fact that their friend had fought to save them and was probably at the bottom of the ocean, just as it was hard for the Shinpaku to ask the blonde for more details for the same reason.
And of course, having slept for months with Renka, he couldn't exactly point his finger, either.
Miu, during this period when everyone seemed interested in her private life, found comfort in Renka (even though, instinctively, she felt resentment toward her, knowing she had been with Kenichi); the Chinese girl, despite going through something similar—albeit to a lesser degree—proved to be a true friend to her and the only one who could understand what it felt like to have her private life splashed all over the place like that.
By the way, Renka didn't know Ranma's secret, but it was Kensei who told her the whole story. He realized he wasn't spending enough time with his daughter and decided he would do something to make up for it.
As if everything else weren't enough, the unpleasant task of telling Kisara the truth about Ranma fell to Miu and Kenichi. The girl, who had more or less guessed something, was still shocked by the whole story, and various emotions flickered across her face: dismay, resentment, tenderness, affection, despair.
She wanted to be angry with him, but she couldn't, because at that moment, more than anything else, sadness prevailed.
Time passed, and life seemed to slowly return to normal.
One fine morning in late May, everyone at Ryozampaku saw Mousse, Ryoga, and Kuno appear in the garden, heavy backpacks on their shoulders.
Since the incident, they had rarely been seen at the dojo, except for occasional training sessions, and no one really knew how they had taken the news of their friend's disappearance.
"Huh? Mousse-kun, what are you guys doing?" Kenichi asked.
"First of all, drop the '-kun,' it gives me chills. Secondly, it's pretty obvious: we're leaving."
"What? You're leaving Ryozampaku? But why?" Miu protested.
"Isn't it obvious? We're going to look for Ranma," Ryoga stated.
"Ranma? But…"
"Hmm… so the time has come, hasn't it?" Akisame interjected, unsurprised as if he had seen it coming.
"Yes, Master, that's right. Thank you for everything you've done for me," Mousse added with a bow. "But we've discussed it, and this is our decision."
"In the end… you are his oldest acquaintances," Kensei echoed.
"Exactly, and as such, we didn't believe for a second the story that Ranma disappeared at sea," Ryoga continued. "If you really think that after having him at Ryozampaku for ten months, then despite everything, you don't know him at all. That guy wouldn't die even if he were wrapped in barbed wire and buried under ten meters of concrete. So, there's only one explanation: he's somewhere, and we'll find him."
Everyone watched them in silence.
"But, Ryoga… why do you have that rope tied around your waist?" Kenichi asked, puzzled.
"AH, THIS? UHM, WELL, THIS IS…" Ryoga stammered, losing his composure and breaking into a nervous sweat.
"It's to keep this sucker from getting lost, obviously," Kuno scoffed. "Since he's traveling with us, we tied him to our backpacks to make sure he doesn't say he's heading to Okinawa and end up dragging us to Hokkaido instead."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SUCKER? Maybe it's actually to stop you from wasting our time by throwing yourself at every girl between Hawaii and Korea!"
"You wanna fight?"
"Whenever and wherever you want."
"CUT IT OUT! You're both suckers all the same, are you happy now?" Mousse scolded them. "Now, let's focus on the mission."
The three boys respectfully bid farewell to all the Masters, but, naturally, their most heartfelt goodbyes were to their respective instructors.
Kuno gifted a bouquet of red roses to Shigure, who accepted it with a slight blush—but he also gave smaller bouquets of blue roses to Renka and yellow roses to Miu.
Meanwhile, Apachai bawled like a fountain at the thought of Ryoga leaving and squeezed him in a bone-crushing hug. Mousse, who trained under more than one Master, greeted everyone with a certain formality but also with sincere gratitude.
"So, boys, you've chosen your path," Hayato said. "You did well; a life devoted to friendship is never a wasted life. I can only wish you good luck."
Before they left—after promising they would return to train at Ryozampaku in the future—Mousse had a surprise while saying goodbye to Renka.
The girl, while no one was looking, gave him a big smile and slipped an envelope into his hand.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Oh, just a little something," she replied. "It's the phone number of a private line, with two separate extensions: one in a room of this dojo and the other in a room at a restaurant in the city's Chinatown. Maybe, when you have time, you could call that number… just to chat."
Mousse stood there for a moment, eyes wide.
"I… I don't know," he finally said, looking away. "There's someone in my life… I gave up chasing her long ago, but at the same time… I can't forget her."
"The same goes for me," the girl replied. "I spent two years of my life chasing an impossible dream, and now I understand… maybe, though, it's time to stay wide awake… to look at the things in front of us, not the ones behind. Think about it."
Later, as the three boys walked away (followed at a distance, it was noted, by two slender Chinese girls—none other than Pink and Link), Kenichi couldn't help but reflect on the meaning of friendship.
At the Shinpaku Alliance, things were proceeding as usual. They were all still a little down about Ranma. On top of that, Kisara hadn't been seen at the headquarters since their return.
An unexpected visit, however, took everyone by surprise.
"Hey, guys! What's with the long faces? You shouldn't be slacking off!"
"KENICHI!" they all shouted in unison.
"You old rascal, I'm glad to see you! But what brings you here?" Takeda asked.
"Oh, well, nothing in particular! Let's just say I've recently been thinking about something… about friendship and the different ways of showing it.
I realized that… for a long time, thinking I was protecting you, I actually shut you out of my life. I trained at Ryozampaku, and you trained here.
But that didn't help you—in fact, it probably hurt you.
And then you showed, once again, that you can hold your own. So I thought: why not change the system? When I'm not busy at Ryozampaku… I'll be here training with you. That way, we can see each other much more often."
Everyone's faces lit up, surprised but thrilled. And happy.
On June 6th, as he had been doing weekly, Sakaki rode his motorcycle to visit Nodoka Saotome.
He stood there, sunglasses on, nervously turning his helmet in his hands. The woman had her back to him, tending to the flowers in her small backyard garden with a pair of pruning shears.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Shio-kun. But it really isn't necessary for you to visit me so often, I mean it." She seemed serene, as if she didn't have a care in the world.
"Well, but in a way, I HAVE to, ma'am. First of all, I feel it's my duty to check that everything is okay. And then… well, I have to confirm that, unfortunately… despite all our searches… for now…"
"You have no news of Ranma? Oh, but you really shouldn't worry about something so trivial," Nodoka said, snipping off a dry leaf.
"But… ma'am—"
"Shio-kun," Nodoka said, turning to look him in the eyes with a gentle smile, "I am the wife of a Martial Arts Master and the mother of another. Believe me when I say that if something had happened to my son… I would know, I would feel it in my bones. It's very sweet of you all to worry about me, but…"
"Well, the thing is… as I was saying, Ranma fought terrible enemies to protect his friends… and we are all very proud of him… but…"
"In other words," the woman continued as she resumed tending to her garden, "you're telling me that he acted as a true man should?"
"I... would say so." "I'm glad."
Sakaki frowned.
I don't understand... I don't understand this woman... Is it possible that she knows something and doesn't want to reveal it? That she has sensed this is a security issue?
Sakaki couldn't know that the reason Mrs. Saotome was so cheerful was that, as per their agreement, three days after Ranma's departure, she had returned to the bush he had indicated (the same one where he hid hot and cold water when training Kisara). There, he had hidden a backpack with clothes, supplies, and money, to retrieve in case of an unexpected departure. If something serious had happened to him, he wouldn't have been able to come back for it. Three days later, the backpack was gone.
Additionally, on the past May 8th, an anonymous note had been delivered for Mother's Day.
"Alright, ma'am, I'll leave you to your duties. I will update you if there are any news." "Oh, feel free to visit anytime, Shio-kun. I always enjoy your company."
When Sakaki had left, Nodoka remembered she still had to check the mail.
After all, this wasn't just another ordinary day.
That same morning, at Ryozanpaku, as often happened, Kenichi and Miu seemed depressed. Renka popped out of a door and scolded them.
"Well? What's with those gloomy faces? Do you think that staying sad will help anyone?"
"But Renka-san, we..."
"You're worried about Ranma, I know. So what? Do you really think he could have died that easily? Damn it, we made it out, there were plenty of lifeboats available... His friends are convinced he's alive, and you two have told the Shinpaku you know him better than anyone else here... was that a lie?"
Miu trembled a little. "W-well, no, but... it's been more than a month... forty days exactly, to be precise, and he hasn't shown up... I wonder why."
"Ugh! You two are smart, yet sometimes you can be so dense," the Chinese girl protested.
"It's OBVIOUS that Ranma can't come back here right now. He took out a member of Yami and kicked another one in the face. He was one of the main reasons for one of their biggest failures... It's clear that, right now, he fears they might hunt him down.
That the people close to him might be in danger if he even pokes his head out. So he's staying away, for our sake! It's so obvious!
It's exactly what I would have done, or what the Masters would have done in a similar situation."
"Yeah, maybe you're right..."
It's true, Ranma surely... aside from us, who live surrounded by the members of Ryozanpaku... he's definitely worried about his mother... If he went back to her and then started disappearing for half a day every time to work or train... he'd be putting a big target on her back...
"Even so... we'd still like confirmation that..."
"DAMN IT!" someone shouted just outside the gate. It was Sakaki's voice.
As one, the three youths and all the other Masters, who had appeared from various parts of the dojo, rushed to see.
The karateka with the scar on his face was still there, in front of the mailbox, his expression frozen in shock.
And with good reason: inside the mailbox, there were about seven envelopes.
And the sender was Ranma.
The initial excitement gave way to a more careful analysis.
Akisame insisted on examining the envelopes before anyone else opened them, for security reasons. First, he scanned them with X-rays using his equipment to ensure they didn't contain bombs or anything else, then with other devices to check for poisons or similar substances mixed into the paper.
Finally, once he confirmed it wasn't a trap, he checked that they weren't sophisticated forgeries. It could very well have been a Yami trick. It wasn't their usual modus operandi, but who knew... Lately, they had been operating differently.
He only had one sample of Ranma's handwriting: his signature on the receipts for his months of training payments at Ryozanpaku.
He scrutinized and compared the handwriting on the addresses and sender section with that signature for a good half hour (which was particularly nerve-wracking for everyone else) before finally stating that there was a good probability, about 95%, that those envelopes had indeed been sent by Ranma Saotome.
"But it's strange," Akisame said, standing in the center of the room, waving the envelopes like fans, with the air of Sherlock Holmes and clearly enjoying the audience's attention.
"These envelopes... they all have postmarks and the addresses of the locations they were sent from... all around the same time, about a week ago... but look at the addresses!"
"What's wrong with them? Give me that!" barked Sakaki, burning with curiosity, and after all, he was the investigation expert.
"But... these addresses... the envelopes were sent from... very different places in Japan... hours of travel apart... Fukuoka, Kawasaki, Morioka, Nagasaki, Kyoto, Niigata, and Kobe?* What does this mean? How..."
Tsk... so he's gotten smart...
"EH? So what? They're not from him? It's a trick?"
"Or he traveled from place to place."
"Or maybe the dates are fake."
"Or... someone helped him?"
"Gentlemen. GENTLEMEN!" Hayato restored order.
"There's no point in overthinking this; the important thing is that he really wrote them. Anyway, whatever he did, it was an ingenious precaution.
Even if Yami intercepted our mail, they wouldn't be able to track down Ranma's current location. Who are they addressed to? I suggest we open them."
"Let's see... One is just addressed to Ryozanpaku... I suppose that means us Masters... Then there are... one each for Kenichi, Miu, and Renka. One is addressed to the Nerima guys, I guess he means Ryoga, Mousse, and Kuno, who just left. One is for the Shinpaku. And the last one... is for Saiga."
"Yes, and I bet that right now, some other familiar faces are getting surprises in their mail," Kensei said, flashing his best smile. "I suggest we open the one addressed to us, and then the kids can read their letters in private."
They were all gathered in the central hall: Kenichi, Miu, Renka (each holding their own letters, burning with twice the curiosity at the thought of having to wait to read them), Sakaki, Apachai, Shigure (with Tochoumaru on her shoulder, putting on tiny reading glasses), Kensei, Hayato, and Akisame, who took on the task of reading the letter aloud.
"To all members of Ryozanpaku; first of all, I want to confirm that I am not dead.
I suppose you were already quite sure of this, but I must have left you in doubt, and I wouldn't want Sakaki to become too sentimental."
"Tsk! That little bastard! He's even making fun of me," grumbled the subject, who, however, had just let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Secondly," he continued, "I must sincerely apologize to all of you for not giving any news sooner and for making you worry. Believe me when I say that it was never my intention, and I truly regret it."
Even Akisame paused his reading for a moment. It was rare for Ranma to apologize to anyone for anything.
"If I've calculated correctly, this letter should reach you about forty days after my disappearance at sea. If it actually arrives on June 6th, it would be quite a coincidence because that's also my birthday."
The group flinched at the news.
"His birthday? Today?" Miu exclaimed.
"But he never told us the date," Renka reflected.
"Actually," Kenichi weighed in, "he arrived last year around July… so his birthday had already passed."
"There are a few things I need to tell you, but I imagine you're curious to know how I managed to survive on the ship. Ogata had no intention of fighting me and disappeared.
I have no idea what happened to him, but I bet he made it out as well. However, even then, the main hall staircase had collapsed, and the Poseidon was taking on water. I couldn't reach safety by jumping—the railing was too far.
Luckily, I still had all the gifts you gave me on my promotion day. One of the ones I hadn't used yet was the grappling rope designed by Tochoumaru. It was just the right length, so I was able to save myself and reach the corridor."
"So… he saved himself… thanks to… Tochoumaru," Shigure said proudly.
The little mouse puffed out his chest and put on a pair of shiny sunglasses.
"At that point, I followed the corridor, cleared by the Elder, to the outside, where the lifeboats were, which, as you know, were equipped to allow a person to survive for several days. The others must have left not long before. I lowered the lifeboat into the sea just in time before the ship sank."
Everyone remained silent for another moment.
"The rest wasn't too difficult, honestly. The waves were annoying, but once the hurricane was over the next day, my only concern was making myself visible to a passing boat so I wouldn't be adrift for weeks. Fortunately, among your gifts were Ryoga's compass—I never thought that blockhead would give me something so useful—and the Elder's mini telescope. When I spotted a fishing boat—Japanese, no less—I used the telescope's lens to send light signals, and they came to rescue me."
[FLASHBACK—FORTY DAYS EARLIER:
ACTUALLY, what Ranma isn't telling them is that he made sure to be found by the rescuers in his female form, wearing only a few scant rags he had found in the lifeboat, while his belongings were tied up in a bundle.
When they found him, he was in a seductive pose, saying in a sultry voice,
"Oh, my heroes! Thank goodness you found me! I was so scared…"
This was for extra safety—to prevent the fishermen from deciding they didn't have time to save shipwrecked people and abandoning him; or worse, making him wait weeks or months until their fishing trip was over before taking him back to Japan.
Instead, by batting his eyelashes, he got them to do exactly what he wanted.]
"Those fishermen were kind enough to make a detour and bring me back to Japan, where I managed to return just three days after sneaking onto the Poseidon."
"At that point, however, our paths had to part, and I'm sure you can all imagine why: after what I've done, I'm certain that Yami will come after me. That means that anyone near me—and even more so those I care about, but who can't be with me all the time—would be in danger because of me."
"I couldn't allow that, so I decided to disappear, at least for a while, to wait until things settled down."
"Thanks to Sakaki's teachings, I understand how those who track people think, so I believe I'm capable of doing the opposite—not being found by them."
"As for my current life, I think I'll be changing identities, locations, and jobs frequently, but you don't have to worry about that—it'll be an opportunity to try something new.
When I arrived at Ryozanpaku, I was unsure whether or not to continue letting martial arts be the center of my life."
"The conclusion I reached was that they are, but they're still not everything. So, for a change, earning my living by doing something else, traveling, seeing places, and meeting people won't be so bad."
"To be honest, this is the first time in my life that I've experienced this kind of freedom. I was always dragged from place to place by my father for training—I never got to choose what I wanted to do.
Last year, I wandered aimlessly.
Today, I can wander because the whole world is something to discover, and I want to enjoy it to the fullest. There's a difference—a big one, I believe."
"The ten months I spent at Ryozanpaku with all of you were, without hesitation, some of the happiest of my life. Not only did I receive training at a level I couldn't even dream of, not only did I feel completely comfortable with all of you, but I also formed bonds with people in ways I never thought possible before."
Everyone's faces brightened a little.
"Not only that, but many other good things in my life—making peace with Ryoga, getting to know and hanging out with the guys from the Shinpaku Alliance, becoming Kisara's master—things that helped me grow as a person, wouldn't have happened if I hadn't come to Ryozanpaku."
"There, I also got to experience what the world of TRUE martial arts is like—a ruthless world where every move must be calculated and every consequence considered, because there are enemies who don't play around and who threaten people's lives and happiness. You have to take a side, decide where you stand, and I did: I stand on MY side, and that's it."
"Maybe, with this awareness, I can be a better martial artist and a better man—and above all, do what's right, both for myself and for others."
"Lastly, I want to apologize for having—although unintentionally—caused some conflicts within the dojo. I have written a separate letter for each of those involved."
"For now, I can only say that I've been through worse, and they are certainly no less capable than me. The bonds that unite them are something special, so I am sure they will find a way to resolve everything."
The three young ones were starting to get emotional.
"My final dedications go to each Master who has trained or accompanied me—even briefly—on this journey, which is certainly not over. I still plan to learn from you all, and even to defeat you all, eventually. But for now, it has had to be put on hold for an indefinite time."
"After all, if life were already predetermined, it would be too boring. So instead of lamenting what is lost, one should be grateful for having experienced it and open to whatever surprises the universe decides to bring."
"Apachai: You might think you weren't my favorite, but the truth is that you don't need to be a Master and Student to be friends, and we are. You have a special quality—a mysterious aura that makes people feel calm. You share that with a sweet girl from my hometown who takes care of her family—the most improbable similarity in the world, yet… maybe the world needs people who bring smiles to others, especially those who need them most. So, I thank you for being that person for Ryoga, even more than for being his Master. That blockhead tends to get depressed, so maybe Muay Thai isn't the only thing you can teach him. Keep looking after him, if you can."
Shigure: After a rough start, I'm glad to have had you as my Master, and above all, I'm glad that you trust me. I hope I have repaid that trust—I believe no one took care of the Shinpaku more than you—and that I have made you proud as a Disciple: since the Blades are tough opponents, I was only able to face Mihail thanks to the experience I gained with you.
I ask you to keep putting your trust in others: I'm not exactly the best example of this myself, but I've noticed that when trust is rewarded, it's an invaluable feeling.
PS: Tochoumaru, you are the best little friend anyone could wish for. Thanks again.
PPS: The grappling hook is amazing. I love it.
Akisame: You are the person who has taught me more than anyone else to believe in myself, and I know it may sound strange coming from someone considered full of himself and arrogant.
The truth is, being the best had always been my life's goal—until it wasn't anymore—and then I wondered what my purpose really was.
Now I've realized that taking control of your own existence and deciding what to do with it is more important than just being dragged along by events and reacting to them. This shift in perspective could work wonders. That's why I thank you.
I've also noticed the positive effect it has had on Mousse to find someone similar to him, and I can only be happy about it.
Kensei: Our beginnings weren't the best, yet over time, you became the Master I was most in sync with, for various reasons. We both have complicated lives, and we both have immersed ourselves in traditions and legends that would seem absurd to others, so it's nice to talk to someone who can understand.
As a fighter, I think I resemble you more than the others, so you've had a great influence on my style. In other ways, your teachings have been immensely useful to me, especially in understanding how to become a Master myself for Kisara.
This alone would be enough to make me grateful to you for life. That said, I once met an old pervert who did nothing but annoy others, and I'd hate for you to end up like him.
There at Ryozanpaku, you have your daughter with you, a girl who is a true gem: spend more time with her.
Sakaki: What can I say? I could write for weeks, and that's not my strong suit, but maybe you think that words aren't necessary between men.
Maybe you're right, but our weekend adventures, your lessons on being a detective, your own trust that I could do it, as well as your tendency to push me beyond my limits and make me think outside the box, have had a deeper impact on me than I can describe.
And most of all, you helped me put my heart in order and understand what kind of person I really want to be and how I should live my life—if I don't want to make myself miserable and want to break free from the chains of the past.
That means immensely more than any other lesson you could have given me, and considering how much you're worth as a Master, I'd say that's no small feat.
Finally, Hayato.
It feels strange to write these words to you after you tried to turn me into mincemeat, but I have to thank you. More than anyone, you understood that the talented and arrogant boy who arrived here almost a year ago was lost, without a purpose in life, and you believed that keeping him at Ryozanpaku could help him, and that he, in turn, could help others. Bet won. Basically, you taught me what it means to have FAITH.
Until now, I only relied on my fists, but now I understand that ideals—even if they differ—friends, and the change we bring to the world are just as important.
Each of us plays their part, hopes to leave the world better than they found it, and then entrusts someone else with the task of continuing. I understand that better now because, having a Disciple, it's the same for me.
As for all of you, I believe Ryozanpaku is in good hands.
The Disciples you are training are good people, worthy of trust, and they have both heart and talent: before you know it, they'll be ready to take your place.
As you once told me, I still don't set limits for myself because the only limit is my imagination. And I've realized I have more of it than I thought.
Again, to everyone, I'm sorry I can't be there with you in person and to see your faces right now—I don't think I've ever written this much, not even in school—or that the last time you saw me, I wasn't exactly making myself proud.
After all, as I told Kenichi and Miu on the ship, this isn't a goodbye, but a see-you-later: I've learned that only mountains don't move, and with that awareness, I know for sure that we'll see each other again.
Sincerely,
Ranma Saotome"
For a long moment, everyone remained silent, contemplating what had just been read.
The students were moved and did not hide it.
The Masters had a mix of relief, pride, and tenderness reflected on their faces.
Each of the Disciples hesitated a little to open the envelope with the letter that Ranma had sent them personally. For different reasons.
All except Renka. She had no reason for any strange paranoia about what she might find written inside. She was a straightforward person and burned with curiosity.
So she opened it and went behind the dojo to read it.
"Dear Renka," the letter said, "actually, maybe 'dear' is too formal, don't you think?" it continued on the next line, "but as you can imagine, writing isn't my strong suit. I wrote and rewrote these letters dozens of times before I was satisfied, and in the end, I sealed them before I could change my mind again."
The twin-braided Chinese girl stifled a laugh.
Typical Ranma.
"As I was saying, the last time we saw each other, the situation wasn't the best.
To be honest, I realize that all I've done is give you advice, but I'm not sure I'm the best person to do that: it's not like my personal life is all that great, so I might have given you the wrong suggestions, and if so, I'm sorry.
However, if there's one thing I've noticed—maybe the very reason for our relationship, the reason we get along instinctively—it's that we're very similar.
We're practical, straightforward (though gossipers would say brutal), good at analyzing problems, we come from dynasties that have practiced martial arts for generations, we grew up immersed in this environment, and we don't worry too much about details.
However, we're a bit more reserved when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex: love is much more complicated than martial arts, not everything is a problem to be solved.
Precisely because we share a similar approach to life, we connected, and believe me when I say that even though you're not the first female friend I've had in my life, I'm glad and honored that you are my friend—and relieved that in this case, we are just friends, without any ulterior motives like has happened to me in the past; I'll explain better what I mean another time—and because I see some of my struggles in you, I wish I could have done more for you."
Since you're a strong girl, I know you'll get over this disappointment as well.
In the meantime, if it makes you feel better, give Kenichi an extra punch from me for making you suffer. What can I say? He's a good guy, but sometimes he can be such a hardhead…
As for the rest, I'm entrusting the other Ryozanpaku Disciples to you. They're all capable, but they have a tendency to charge headfirst into danger. They need someone with a good head on their shoulders who can think and plan before acting.
Until next time, Ranma"
Kenichi hesitated just a bit before opening his letter. His relationship with Ranma had been a rollercoaster.
It had started as nearly nonexistent, then worsened after their duel due to their differing views on martial arts. However, after the holidays, Ranma had reorganized his training and had a flower box and a library installed in the new dojo for Kenichi, unexpectedly showing that he cared about him.
From there, things had improved, and soon Ranma became friends with all the members of the Shinpaku Alliance. They had spent a lot of time together, time for which Ranma had said he was grateful.
However, the pigtailed boy had his secrets: he had been training Kisara without telling anyone (because he was embarrassed to do so in his female form) and, more importantly, he had been sleeping with Miu for four months.
This had caused a fallout for everyone, yet Ranma had still risked his life to save the Shinpaku. When they had said their goodbyes on the ship, it seemed like everything was resolved—Miu, their differences in martial arts philosophy…
And yet, since they had returned, they realized that the aftershocks of the two broken relationships between the four of them continued to complicate their lives. More than anything, the elephant in the room was the uncertainty surrounding Ranma's fate.
Now that they were sure he was alive, how would his words impact their lives? Would they improve or complicate the situation? And without even being able to respond, given his absence.
"To hell with it! If he saw me like this, he'd make fun of me," Kenichi finally burst out. "If there's one thing I've learned from him, it's to be more confident. Actually, ever since I came to Ryozanpaku, I've chosen to always move forward in life. There's only one way to clear up this doubt."
"Kenichi," the letter began, "I imagine you have a lot of things you would have liked to say to me, and this is certainly not the best way.
Without a doubt, our relationship has been rocky, though I'm glad that, in the end, we parted as friends.
On the ship, I realized something—how much what happened between me and Miu upset you, and how deep your feelings for her were.
I did something I don't do often: I tried to put myself in someone else's shoes (which is hard for me because usually, no one tries to put themselves in mine).
And I realized that if something like that had happened to me with the girl you know, I wouldn't have taken it well either.
At the same time, I have no intention of apologizing: both Miu and I are adults, and what happened between us was consensual.
However, I do want to emphasize that we both knew it couldn't last and were prepared for that.
To be honest, when I first arrived at Ryozanpaku and heard her speak about you with admiration, I felt a certain irritation. You're probably higher in her heart than you think.
I sincerely believe that you, she, and Renka are the future pillars of Ryozanpaku and that you are worthy of taking the place of the current Masters one day.
To do that, though, you will first have to put your hearts in order. I know it will be difficult because, even where I come from, there have been situations where feelings mixed with duty, making everything harder.
But you all have an advantage: you've been on the same side from the beginning, and you won't forget that when it counts.
Often, watching you, I've had the impression of seeing myself and the others a few years ago. Maybe, where we failed, you still have a chance.
The rest of us in Nerima burned our chances at love to the ground. But perhaps using this experience to help someone else can be a way to atone.
Sometimes I feel like believing in fate again and that we all have a chance to be happy.
I also have to thank you again for introducing me to the guys in the Shimpaku Alliance. They are a cheerful, rowdy bunch, and among them, for once in my life, I felt a hint of normalcy.
I hope none of you are stubborn enough to feel guilty for what happened to me—it was my choice, and I'd make it again.
To be honest, this is something I think I learned from you: fighting for the good of others. Just as you might have learned something from me—or at least, I hope.
We're very different, yet I've realized that this isn't a bad thing, or at least that it isn't necessary to be the same to understand each other.
Everyone has beliefs and ideals they fight for, and all choices deserve respect.
Everyone has their own path in life to follow, and they must see it through to the end.
The people we meet along the way walk part of the journey with us. Maybe we'll see them again, maybe we won't, but if the relationship was meaningful, something of them stays with us forever.
Kenichi, you have a light that inspires people and pushes them to be better.
Try never to lose it. It will be worth it, I'm sure.
Now that you've found your answer regarding martial arts, you have even more motivation to keep going. I didn't ask what it is, but I think I know.
Since I started training Kisara, I've learned that giving back what I've received, feeling part of something bigger than myself, can be very fulfilling.
Hurry up and become a Master, so you can experience it too
Ranma Saotome"
Kenichi finished reading, deeply moved.
"That idiot… he was always so reserved… When had he finally learnt to express his feelings?"
Miu was the one who waited the longest before opening her envelope.
To make absolutely sure no one disturbed her, she was in her room.
She looked around—yes, the same room where she and Ranma had…
She shook her head and pushed that thought away.
She needed to focus. Find the courage to do this.
The fact was, that idiot had made her worry again. And now that she knew he was alive… a lot of emotions were stirring inside her.
Truthfully, she knew what she felt. What she felt for Ranma wasn't love. Not romantic love, at least—not the kind that makes your knees weak and your heart race while you wait for them to return.
That was what she felt for…
But was it really still like that? Even after he and Renka…
And he, how did he see her now, knowing that…?
She felt dirty. On one hand, she didn't regret anything; it was something she had wanted. On the other hand, she felt ashamed and feared others' judgment.
Before, in that month and a half, she was ashamed of being ashamed. Doing this while Ranma was missing felt at least disrespectful to him.
But now he was alive, and yet he was far away, still sacrificing himself for them, and at the same time, once again, avoiding the responsibility of fixing everything.
What would she find in the letter?
The solution to their problems?
Or something that would tangle everything up even more?
She braced herself, swallowed, and opened the letter.
"Dear Miu,
If I know you at all, right now you're tormenting yourself over all the messes I left behind because you're way too responsible and are probably feeling a thousand pangs of guilt."
"Damn him!" the girl exclaimed, a nerve visibly twitching on her temple. But then, she burst into a liberating laugh.
He really knew her well.
"I realize it because I'm the same way. We're both bright on the outside but introverted deep down. We never quite know how we should act and always doubt what we do, at least when it comes to our relationships with others.
It's an aspect of myself that I'm trying to work on—or at least, I hope I've improved a little in the months I've spent with all of you. I hope I've become more fluid with people.
As for you, you've been through so much, and believe me when I say that while it's always normal to doubt yourself—it's the only way to truly improve—spending too much time wallowing in doubt leads nowhere.
Trust me, I've tried living with guilt and regrets, and it's not a good way to live.
You guys are lucky: you have so many people who care about you, who always have your back. You can always count on each other.
Maybe that's what real friends are: people you never truly have to apologize to because they know you well enough to understand your actions.
These relationships are often tested, and I understand that. In fact, as you know, both I and the others from Nerima are survivors of another kind of shipwreck—not physical, but emotional.
The breaking of relationships that had lasted for years, that seemed perfect, but in the end, didn't work out.
That's why I say you should put things in perspective, even when problems seem insurmountable.
As your grandfather told me, we shouldn't pray to never face obstacles, but rather to have the tools to overcome them. And you do have them.
Forcing things, rushing relationships is always a mistake—I've been through that, and it only pushes away what could have come naturally.
Maybe what happened between us will cause you some trouble in the immediate future, and that's unfortunate, but that doesn't mean that taking a step back and reflecting with a cool head won't have positive effects in the long run.
Maybe you and Kenichi needed this—to have different experiences, to understand what you truly want in life.
To understand who you are first, and only then, what kind of person is right for you.
In the end, what is meant for you will find a way to reach you.
But even what isn't meant for you… can still be pleasant. It can teach you something about yourself and about others.
What we had was beautiful, on many levels: mental, emotional, and… physical.
I know you're blushing as you read this, but I assure you, the same goes for me.
I'm surprised I even wrote it, to be honest.
At one time, I wouldn't have known how to say something like that.
At one time, I wouldn't have known how to write letters like this in general, talking about… feelings, things I've always somewhat neglected in life.
Maybe you can't grow beyond a certain level as a martial artist if you don't grow as a human being.
Maybe someone who doesn't know who they are or what they believe in can't truly develop themselves to their full potential.
In fact, I've noticed that almost all the Grand Masters, beyond their strength, have deeply developed and rooted convictions.
A person, to truly become great, doesn't just need strength, intelligence, or talent—above all, needs a strong motivation.
And as I write this, I can finally see what the Masters see in Kenichi. And for the first time, I see it too.
I, on the other hand, still don't know what I believe in, but I'm discovering it little by little.
Maybe I'm becoming a little more open with others. In the past, that always ended up backfiring on me, whereas today, the main drawback is that I'm far from the people I care about.
And I am far from them, and they suffer because of it.
It's strange to think that someone cares about me—I'm not used to it.
But when I still doubt it, when I start thinking that solitude is my natural state and that everything I touch is destined to turn to ash, as has happened in the past, I look at the graduation gifts you all gave me.
And I feel all of you here with me.
And I know I have a place to return to, someday.
It's a nice feeling, I admit.
Returning to you all means returning to you. I don't know what the situation will be like when that happens, but whatever it is, I will accept it, and I will be happy for you.
There was something beautiful between us, something necessary for both of us to grow, but, as I told you on the ship, it wasn't meant to last. And that's okay—it doesn't make it any less meaningful.
I don't weep that it has ended, i'm happy that it happened.
It's almost poetic, don't you think? The beauty of a moment that lasts only an instant and then fades, like cherry blossoms falling…
I've never shared many of the old mental fixations of our Japan, but maybe I'm starting to understand a little.
Anyway, it doesn't matter in what form love for a person manifests—it can change and transform, but what matters is that it doesn't disappear.
In one form or another, it remains.
Wherever I am in the world, I will know that there is another person like me, who has felt the same things and who is fighting to make their way in life.
And knowing that will bring me comfort, just as it did the first time I realized it: that I am not alone.
One is never truly alone as long as they think of someone and have someone thinking of them.
I wish you all the best, Miu Furinji, my friend.
Until next time.
Ranma"
Miu stared at the letter for an indeterminate amount of time.
Warm tears fell onto the bed.
Then she clutched the letter to her chest and shook her head.
"Of course we will keep… we will all keep… thinking about you… but don't make us wait too long."
Then she looked out the window. Sunbeams shone through, the sky was blue, the leaves were green, and the birds were chirping.
The world kept moving forward, unaware of their problems.
And what was a problem today, perhaps tomorrow would pass.
Maybe there was always a new day to look forward to, after all.
Nodoka Saotome took out the letter sent from Nagoya with deep emotion, which was almost immediately contained by a sort of calm contemplation, a satisfaction in seeing her predictions come true.
Her faith in her son was absolute.
She didn't know exactly what had happened, and she didn't care—it had to be something big, and she understood well that men had their secrets.
She only cared about two things: that Ranma was well, and that he was behaving honorably.
As she opened the envelope, she also thought of a third thing: she was happy that Ranma was thinking of her.
"Okaa-san (NDA: "mother" said in a respectful manner)
As promised, I went to try and resolve the issue, and as you know, I couldn't return.
By now, the people at Ryozampaku must have informed you of my disappearance, and I bet, if I know him even a little, that Sakaki is visiting you regularly.
I hope you liked the Mother's Day card, and most of all, I hope it arrived on time.
I can't tell you in a letter the exact reasons why I had to leave, which are connected to the initial problem, but are actually different: it is still a security matter, but I imagine you wouldn't be interested in the details.
What I wanted to tell you, though, is that I fought.
Like a worthy Heir of the Saotome School. Like your son.
And I did what I thought was right. I protected my friends.
I hope you know how important it is to me that you are proud of me.
Though I don't think you even realize how much your trust means to me. It gives me strength, it gives me conviction. It allows me to take another step forward every time I think I must stop.
I've been thinking about it again lately. About what you told me about courage.
Maybe I always felt I had excessive duties to fulfill and that you would have been disappointed in me if I failed. I was afraid of failure.
But now I know I can do anything, and that these very doubts were holding me back.
Fear is normal. Fear is the measure of the greatness of our goals. If they don't scare us, they aren't big enough.
Courage, on the other hand, is the measure of our convictions. If they aren't strong enough, we will never succeed in anything, even if we have the potential.
I thought I should never show my fear.
Now I understand that accepting it is the only way to overcome it.
Those who can overcome their fears can do anything. Like protecting the people they love.
At Ryozanpaku, with Kenichi, Miu, Renka, and their other friends, I found people to care about. As you noticed, I was able to start over.
And now that I know starting over is possible, leaving them doesn't weigh on me as much as it should.
The same goes for you, dear mother: for too long in our lives, we have been separated, and unfortunately, for an indefinite period, we will have to be apart again.
Yet, the words we exchanged comfort me, and I always carry them with me.
It's as if you are with me, at every moment. A sign of your affection, more tangible than any gift.
I will reach out every time I can and will continue to behave in a way that makes you proud of me.
This thought will be enough to guide me every time the path becomes dark.
I love you, mother. Yours, Ranma"
Nodoka held the letter to her chest. "My Ranma... has truly become a man."
Sakaki Shio had gone to the post office box where he received job requests as a detective, bodyguard, and bounty hunter.
Among the various offers, he found a strange little card. The postmark said it came from Naha, on the island of Okinawa.*
On the front, had been drawn a chibi face of a boy with a big tuft of black hair and a Chinese-style pigtail.
"Ranma?" he thought doubtfully.
He opened the little card. It was folded, and as it unfolded, various small notes fell down one after another, revealing only a part of the message each time.
The first note was the most densely written and said:
"I know I shouldn't have favorites, but after all, we spent more time together than with anyone else and had a deeper relationship.
It felt right to give you a little extra something, but most of all, to privately tell you my answer to your words from that day.
You were right.
For a long time, I was too obsessed with winning, as if it were the only thing in life.
But I've found many other things. I understand it better now that I'm far away.
At the same time, as you also said, there are situations where winning is necessary. Like on that ship. Maybe the two ideas can coexist."
The second note unfolded.
"Post Scriptum: That being said, before I come back, make sure you don't get beaten by Hongo again. I really care about that ;P"
Sakaki gritted his teeth.
"That brat..."
Then the third note unfolded.
"PPS: And anyway, next time we fight, I'll win."
Sakaki snorted, amused.
Then the fourth and final note unfolded.
"PPPS: And anyway... thanks again for everything."
Sakaki relaxed.
He looked up and smiled.
It wasn't his usual smirk. It was a real smile.
"Kisara, there's mail! Will you get it?" her father asked.
"Yeah, okay," the girl said, lifting her gaze from her books. She had just sat down again after helping her mother with housework, but all in all, she didn't mind delaying a little longer.
Lately, she was struggling to concentrate on studying.
When she picked up the envelope, she noticed it was addressed to her and came from Sapporo.
"For me? But I don't know anyone in..."
Then, for a moment, her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly opened it and stared at it, standing still in the middle of the large yard, halfway back to the house.
It's his... it's really his...
She trembled a little and hesitated. Inside were all the answers she sought... whatever they were. Suddenly, she wasn't sure if she really wanted to read them.
The story that Kenichi and Miu had told her was already crazy enough. Cursed Springs, people turning into animals, etc.
But what she truly didn't know was how Ranma really felt. Why he did what he did.
Then she thought back to their last moment on the ship.
That smile, as he told her, "Well done."
She opened the letter and read it.
"Kisara, If you're reading this letter, it means you've found the courage to do so. I'm glad about that.
Recently, I've had time to reflect on the meaning of courage and its implications. There are many ways to show it, both big and small.
As you know, circumstances beyond my control prevented me from giving you all the explanations in person. By now, I'm sure Kenichi and Miu have told you everything. At least, everything they know.
As peculiar as my condition may be, and still a source of shame for me, I imagine the real answers you're seeking from me are different."
The girl swallowed and continued reading.
"Why did I agree to be your teacher? Why did I lie to you all that time? If I lied about my identity, does that mean all the things we said to each other, all the moments we shared, were also false?
It's not easy to answer these questions... because for a long time, I didn't know the answers myself.
I wish I could say that I'm someone who never lies, but unfortunately, when you have a complicated life like mine, it happens more often than I'd like.
In this particular case, it's hard to say what the truth is because, like me, it is changeable.
Something that starts one way can evolve into something else.
I've experienced this before, to be honest. Rivalries turning into friendships. Antipathies turning into feelings. And feelings turning into disasters.
The original reason I accepted to train you was money. In that regard, both versions align.
And it's true that I was annoyed by your persistence and hoped you would give up.
But you didn't. You persevered. Again. And again. And again.
And at some point, I don't even know when or how, I started rooting for you.
I wanted you to succeed. I committed to training you not just because I had to, but because I wanted to.
You earned my respect. You, with your stubbornness, your bad temper, and your absurd ideas about men and women... ideas that I, by my very existence, could disprove.
You, Kisara. You, who have spent your whole life trying to find your identity. And you needed someone to help you. To give you the push you needed to truly shine.
Training at Ryozanpaku made me realize something. How lucky I was to have a great trainer like my father, instead of training as a self-taught martial artist like Ryoga, for example.
Kenichi, thanks to the help of his Masters, has reached incredible heights in a very short time.
And so I understood. No matter how skilled, we always need the help of others.
And I had received so much help. And now, I was giving it back to someone else.
Martial arts are like that: they endure because they are passed down, and they grow because they are innovated. By now, even Kenichi must have realized this. We pass on what came before us to those who come after us.
Just like they wanted me to do by having me manage the Tendo dojo. Just like your parents want to do with you and your family business.
For the first time, I understood the meaning behind it all. I ran away from my destiny only to find myself right back where I started.
Doing what I once refused to do. Train someone for a living.
But this time, I was doing it by choice, not because I was forced to. And I discovered that I liked doing it. And that I was good at it. Thanks to you, I realized something very important about myself, and for that, I am grateful.
At the same time, this could never have happened if you hadn't been you. If it had been someone else, it wouldn't have worked.
We are similar, Kisara. I don't like talking about destiny—mine tends to be particularly ironic—but I don't believe our meeting was purely coincidental. You remind me of myself in some ways, and in others, you remind me of someone completely different whom I once knew.
But first, I must make something clear.
Even though I turn into a girl, my personality doesn't change. As a result, even as a woman, I never truly understood women.
Maybe I should have. I should have tried to put myself in their shoes emotionally, not just physically. Understanding them would have certainly saved me a lot of trouble.
And yet, maybe even a blockhead like me can understand a little something. Especially listening to you and that other person I knew.
Being a woman isn't easy. But it's even harder to be a woman and want to do things that are usually done by men.
In some ways, I never questioned it—I know plenty of female martial artists who managed to be tough while staying feminine at the same time—but at the same time, for some people, it can be a problem.
Having to choose between one thing and another. Being told you can't do something. That you can't be something. Or doing it anyway but struggling internally. Not being able to express both sides of yourself properly.
In the end, I'm lucky. I have one soul in two different bodies. I can't imagine what it must be like to have two souls in one body.
Feeling expectations. Not being comfortable with yourself. Wanting to be a little more of one thing in certain situations and a little more of the other in others. Feeling judged by others because we first judge ourselves and, as a result, fail to project to the world who we truly are.
Through you, I've come to better understand the struggles of that other person as well. She was a tomboy in some ways and wanted to be more feminine but couldn't quite manage it.
Even though she had a huge heart. At the same time, she wasn't as skilled in martial arts as she wanted to be because she hadn't been trained thoroughly enough... but in any case, she wouldn't have inherited the family dojo since she was a woman.
I think you understand why I'm telling you this.
Kisara, I don't think you have to choose. Do what feels right to you. Follow your instincts.
You've always been as free as the cats you love so much, and you always will be, even if you were locked in a prison, because true freedom is a state of mind.
And I want you to know that everything Ranko told you about herself and me was true. Those were all real things that happened to me. On that, I never lied to you—I couldn't have.
To be honest, I never thought I would be able to open up like that to someone; maybe it was because I was in female form.
I've never revealed my feelings as much as I should have, but perhaps, pretending to be someone else made it easier.
But then I saw how strong people can be when they've made peace with themselves. Men shouldn't be afraid to show their emotions. I lost something great because I couldn't."
And women should be able to be strong without being considered any less of a woman for it. Of this, I am sure. After all, you know Miu and Renka as well, and it's not a problem for them.
Kisara, make peace with yourself. It's the only battle you will never win because it's the only battle you shouldn't be fighting.
If no one from the outside is setting limits on you… then don't set them on yourself.
As for me, I wasn't lying when I said I believed in you. And I still do.
I hope you're not disappointed that you had a man as a Master all this time.
As you admitted on the ship—and as I told you from the very first day—wanting a female Master was a foolish and unnecessary limitation.
Men and women are different, but both can offer something to others, and it's not like they can't learn something from each other.
For what it's worth, I am proud to have had you as my Student. As the Elder used to say, Masters sometimes learn from their Students, and it's true: the experience of teaching can bring invaluable satisfaction."
Kisara sat in the grass, reading the letter as if hypnotized. Tears streamed from her eyes like fountains, and she didn't even feel ashamed of it, which was unusual for her.
"P.S.: The fact that I had to leave to prevent Yami from targeting any of you in retaliation doesn't mean our relationship is over.
Since you can't pay me if you don't know where I am, I'll keep an open credit account for you… but enclosed in this letter, inside the envelope, are some sheets with your training plan for the next three months. Don't slack off just because I'm not around!"
Kisara's eyes widened, her face cycled through ten different expressions, and then she burst into heartfelt laughter, then became emotional again, got angry, and then laughed once more for a long time.
"That's all, I think. Further instructions will follow. For now, don't look for me. I don't know how or when, but we will definitely see each other again. Until then… Good luck."
Kisara finished wiping her tears and pulled out the training sheets. Then she lifted her gaze to the sky, towards the shining sun.
"And good luck to you… Master."
It's a beautiful mid June morning. The sun is shining, but scattered clouds make it bearable.
Or maybe it's because they're in a beautiful green valley, at the foot of the Japanese mountains. On the outskirts of a village that must be a well-known tourist destination, judging by the abundance of hotels, there is a large open space with about fifty food stands.
A tempting aroma of food drifts from them, and indeed, tourists crowd around to buy something to eat, to snack on while strolling, or to take away. And it's no surprise, given the giant banner at the entrance to the area:
SUMMER CAMP - TOTSUKI ACADEMY
The most prestigious culinary school in Japan.
Various boys and girls bustle enthusiastically to serve the numerous customers, gaining practical experience in what will one day be their profession.
And exceptionally, just like the previous year, the new headmistress of the Academy has allowed external interns—who are not students of Totsuki but have passed a taste test conducted by the students themselves—to assist in handling the large number of customers.
A fusion cuisine stall is very crowded when one of these interns steps out to take orders.
"Good morning, sir! What would you like?"
The girl has a teasing smile worthy of an advertisement. A large tuft of red hair ends in a Chinese-style pigtail. She wears a short-sleeved, Chinese-style outfit with matching pants, bright yellow with black polka dots.
"Two plates of Mian* with shrimp and vegetables! Coming right up!"
At the end of the long day, the girl wipes the sweat from her forehead with her wrist and sighs.
"Phew! Another day done," she says when she hears a "MEOW!" behind her.
She turns around and sees a small gray kitten approaching. No doubt it was drawn by the smell of food scraps.
She tosses a leftover shrimp to the ground, and the kitten hungrily devours it. Then she crouches down and starts petting it, scratching its head.
Funny how things change… not long ago, I would have jumped to the other side of the street at the sight of this little guy… I guess I have Kisara to thank for that. I overcame my trauma to save her*
It had been so long since I could do this, because of the old man…
Yeah, I wonder how he's doing? During these months at Ryozanpaku, I've often found myself thinking like him, putting myself in the shoes of a teacher.
The girl smiled.
When I get the chance… I think I'll pay Dad a visit…
"E-ehm! Ranko-san?"
The girl stands up and turns around. "Yes, Megumi-san?"
Tadokoro Megumi, Tenth Seat of Totsuki, looks very cute in her white and blue kimono. Her black hair is braided in a long plait resting on her right shoulder, and she holds a clipboard.
"I was told you worked well again today. Congratulations."
"Heh! I've seen worse."
"I can believe it. Still, if I may say, it's strange to think that twin siblings share the same passion and talent for food. Though, when Ranma came to us last year, he wasn't as good at cooking as you are. Now that I think about it, he never even told us he had a twin sister. That's odd…"
"AHAHAH! -(badly acted)- well, you know how it is, we Saotome twins are pretty reserved… and besides, I wasn't that good either, once.
Ranma himself gave me lessons—he improved thanks to what he learned working at your summer camp last year.
Speaking of which, he thanks you. He's often managed to impress some of his friends these past months thanks to the experience he gained with you…"
"Oh, he may not have been that great, but he could make okonomiyaki pretty well! I remember it was actually with an okonomiyaki that he impressed us all, passing the test to become an intern!
And when he told us he had learned to make them from a friend, we looked for her, and now she works part-time with us, teaching first-year students how to make okonomiyaki and helping the Japanese street food club.
We only call her as a consultant two or three times a year, but it's worth it."
Well, I'm happy for Ukyo, she deserves it… come to think of it, she never misses a business opportunity…
"Anyway, what did you need to tell me, Tadokoro?"
"Huh? Oh, right, of course. It's about those two favors you asked us."
Ranko's gaze sharpened as she listened in silence.
"First, I wanted to confirm that our students who went home for the summer holidays have all completed the task you requested.
They mailed your letters, timing them so they would all arrive together on the scheduled day. The Japanese postal system is very efficient."
"Good, I hope you thanked them for me."
"Of course," Megumi confirmed with a broad smile.
"The second thing concerns your request for letters of recommendation to work in restaurants, diners, and inns affiliated with Totsuki, across various parts of Japan.
After seeing you in action for a few weeks, we agreed, and I think those places will be happy to have you with them."
"Even though we don't understand why you never want to stay in one place for more than a few weeks..."
"Well, you see, Megumi, I'm the type who gets bored easily... and besides, this way I'll get to experience different types of cuisine and become even better..."
"Yeah, that's true. However, to do this, you need to take care of some bureaucratic formalities.
Legally speaking, there's no issue with using either of your parents' last names, but...
well, if you don't want to use the name Saotome for your own reasons... you should tell us the other one."
Ranko hesitated for a moment. It was true, she hadn't told them yet.
Of course, she couldn't use the Saotome surname; her enemies knew it, even though none of them knew about the transformation, which gave her a significant advantage.
But she wasn't used to using her mother's last name yet.
"Takahashi... my mother's last name is Takahashi."
EPILOGUE
At the Ryozanpaku, there was a general assembly while the three new aspiring disciples stood in the middle of the courtyard.
Shampoo, Ukyo, and Kodachi cast determined looks as they awaited the Masters' response.
"Hmm... so, you all want to train here?" Akisame asked for confirmation.
"Of course we do," Ukyo answered for all three, "we never want something like that to happen again, like when we were kidnapped and used as hostages.*
We talked to those three, and they confirmed that this is the right place to train if you want to improve quickly."
"Shampoo won't let those from Yami get away with it next time!" the lavender-haired Chinese girl confirmed.
"When my beloved Ranma returns from his sorrowful exile," added Kodachi dreamily, "he must find a woman worthy of him."
Everyone could see how determined they were.
At the same time, they reeked of trouble from a mile away.
Kenichi started thinking that if Ranma was used to being around people like them—not to mention Ryoga, Mousse, and Kuno—it was no wonder he felt completely at ease even with the Masters' eccentricities.
"Hmm... your great-grandmother Cologne vouched for you, Shampoo," Kensei intervened, "and you two also seem like the kind of people who can train here, but... if we accept you, you must follow our rules.
First of all, in this dojo, we follow the Saving Fist, so not only can you not kill anyone, but you must not even try...
Second, I have been told that you were all rivals for Ranma's heart... who, by the way, is not here now... and since we have already seen what happens when personal feelings interfere with training, we will be very strict about this.
Either you behave and get along, or you're out. Is that clear?"
"Yes." "Of course!" "Alright!"
At that moment, the Elder spoke up. "Ohoh, then it's decided. After all, it will be interesting to have additional female representation at Ryozanpaku. There's already Miu and Renka, but..."
Just then, the heavy dojo gate emited a sound.
Someone was knocking on it and asking for Ranma.
THE END (for now...)
Author's Note
And we have truly reached the end. Guys, I won't deny it, this was tough. I wrote the first chapter years ago, and it was Chapter 4, "Ranma vs Kenichi," almost as a writing exercise, as someone who loves both manga and rereads them often, but even then, I placed it within a broader context.
I started working seriously on this fanfiction SEPTEMBER 2023.
I began publishing it on an Italian site in DECEMBER 2023.
I maintained a hellish publishing pace, almost a chapter a week, ending it in May 2024.
Then i spent another SEVEN months translating it and publishing it in English.
This fanfiction has kept me company through a difficult period in my life, a time of changes, much like those the characters experience, but it has been a source of comfort.
Having a hobby and, at the same time, a fixed commitment to meet disciplined me and helped me in other ways too. I truly hope you enjoyed it even half as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Also, if you did, here's my heartfelt advice: REREAD IT.
Yes, the chapters are long, but some chapters are best appreciated when read in blocks, like 27-28-29 with the fights, or others where you can notice references and how things mentioned much earlier to come true later.
Creating all this challenged me in various ways.
Yet i'm really, really prod of the result.
This last chapter exceeded my expectations when i wrote it; i didn't thought possible to find good enough words to each person Ranma contacted. Yet i believe i have.
Maybe the things he writes in his letters are a bit sentimental and OOC but consider that:
He has been through two very intense years; he has grown and matured.
He wouldn't be able to express the same things face to face: writing makes it easier.
He has had time to reflect calmly on his relationships with everyone and wants to give them comfort despite the distance.
Was it hard for me to write them for him? Extremely. The inspiration just wouldn't come. But I am satisfied.
What can I say? This work is a labor of love for these two manga and a continuation of both stories.
For Ranma, there would be room to write a prequel, explaining how everything went wrong in Nerima, and as you can see now, there are further sequels that could be made. If
I ever have a year off without work, maybe I'll do it XD
I have a PROJECT, that i probably could call RANMA PROJECT: Ranma's story continues normally, until shit happens and he and Akane break up (1st fanfic, even though you guys have read partially the reasons), then something ELSE happening to Ranma after that (n 2), then THIS fanfic (n3), the first true crossover, and then at least three others, including some other Crossover of Ranma with different series.
If i'm lucky, i twill take me 10 years.
Speaking of which, this last chapter has a mini-crossover with Shokugeki No Soma: it was something I had in mind for a long time.
Because, in the end, why was Ranma so good at cooking as soon as he arrived at Ryozanpaku? (my first chapters showed that quite often).
He had learned there; an explanation was needed.
And now, after spending most of his time as a man, he has to remain a woman to go into hiding.
That Ranma travels around Japan, trying something other than martial arts, serves as both a means to keep his friends (and especially his mother) safe from Yami's retaliation, a narrative excuse to distance him from Ryozanpaku (his journey there is complete), and a way for him to finally explore the world freely for once.
I tried to bring everyone's arcs to a conclusion, even if the personal relationships remain unresolved.
I didn't pair up Miu and Kenichi because it wouldn't have been very believable, but despite what happened, they still feel something for each other, not for Ranma and Renka.
The latter shows some sympathy for Mousse. Personally, I was never a big fan of the Mousse-Shampoo pairing; different paths should be explored.
Shampoo, Ukyo, and Kodachi want to train at Ryozampaku.
Someone should write a fanfiction about that, don't you think? Maybe title it "Girls of Ryozampaku"... coming sooner or later
And yes, I know, I'm cruel. Writing the last scene and then ending the fanfiction ;P
I want to read your reviews. Especially those who have never reviewed before
P.S.: Yes, obviously, I couldn't resist adding that inside joke. Takahashi IS Ranma's mother, after all.
Glossary
*: Okinawa (the birthplace of Karate, see also Naha, mentioned later) is an island in the Ryukyu archipelago. It is part of Japan but is located in the tropics, near Taiwan. Hokkaido, on the other hand, is the northernmost and coldest region of Japan, in the Siberian Sea.
*: Ranma and Nodoka make this agreement in chapter 22.
*: These are all locations in Japan that are very far apart, like the others mentioned afterward. I didn't write the letter to the Shimpaku guys, but Ranma did; theirs came from Kobe.
* : I decided that Ranma should be a Gemini, which is somewhat ironic since he transforms into a different version of himself, but also astrologically appropriate if you read the description of the sign.
*Mian: Chinese noodles.
*: Ranma overcame his fear of cats in chapter 25 to save Kisara from Mihail.
*: Maybe it was overlooked, but in chapter 23, these three were kidnapped by Yami to be used as hostages against Ryoga, Mousse, and Kuno.