Chapter Text
Not so long ago, Akane was late starting her daily jog, which frustrated her. As a result, her feet slammed down onto the sidewalk heavily with each step as she made her way through her usual route. The sidewalk was wet, so at least Akane had managed to avoid the morning rain. All because Yuka had called her right after breakfast, asking a million questions about Akane’s graduation plans.
And frankly, Akane had none.
She was pretty sure a proposal wasn’t coming. And she hadn’t bothered with any entrance exams, figuring she would start working at the dojo right away instead of heading to college. Her life would remain mostly the same as it always had, only now she would be teaching classes instead of taking them.
As she ran through the busy market street, she caught a whiff of a street vendor’s sweet potatoes. She was extra hungry lately. Maybe she wouldn’t make it until lunch.
“Oof!”
Akane slammed into a moving figure emerging from an alley. She stumbled back a few steps, but didn’t fall. The other person, however, fell back into a mud puddle where the sidewalk dipped down into the alley entrance.
“Sorry!” Akane said, bowing at the waist. “I wasn’t paying attention!”
She lifted her head to look at her unintended victim. A young man, around her age, long black hair pulled into a braid, wearing a red silk Chinese style shirt. He looked miserable, his face red, his eyes swollen, as if there was something happening to him way worse than falling in a mud puddle.
“It’s okay,” he mumbled, climbing to his feet slowly. He wiped mud off of the back of his pants and wiped his hands on the front of his thighs.
“I’m really clumsy,” said Akane, standing up straight again. “I feel awful.”
The young man stared at her with hangdog eyes. He was pale and shaky.
“Don’t,” he replied in a dry voice. He turned to walk away.
“Wait!” cried Akane. The young man turned and looked over his shoulder at her. She gave him a friendly smile. “Can I buy you a coffee or a slice of cake or something to make it up to you? There’s a dessert cafe right over there.”
The young man looked over in the direction she gestured across the street. His head moved slowly, as though it was a weight his neck wasn’t strong enough to hold.
He turned back to Akane.
“Okay.”
The two of them slid into a booth at the dessert cafe across from each other. Akane ordered a piece of cheesecake and the young man ordered a hot fudge sundae.
Akane smiled across the table as she handed the menu back to the server. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Uh—” He sat up straight and cleared his throat, but looked out the window next to their booth. “It’s Ranma.”
“Ranma?” Her grin grew. “That’s pretty unusual, isn’t it?"
He shrugged one shoulder without looking at her. “I guess.”
“My name’s a lot more common,” she said, trying to remain upbeat. “It’s Akane.”
Ranma finally turned to look at her. His stare was exhausted and intense at the same time. “It suits you.”
The server returned and set their desserts down in front of them. Akane started to slice into her cake with her fork and then hesitated.
“You know, I’m nosy, my whole family is nosy, really—”
“That so?” Ranma responded, his mouth half full of ice cream.
“But can I ask you something?”
He swallowed. “Sure, why not?”
“You look—” Akane dropped her smile. Softened her eyes. “You look like you’ve been crying. Did something happen?”
Ranma let his spoon rest in the sundae glass. Gave Akane that same tired stare. “I guess I just—I had a bad breakup. And I found out she—she’s got a new boyfriend that she’s really happy with, is all.”
“Oh,” replied Akane. “I’m sorry.”
Ranma shrugged again. Took another bite of ice cream. “It’s my fault, anyway. I was a real jerk. I never even told her—”
His voice trailed off and his gaze floated out of the window.
“Told her what?” Akane asked curiously.
He turned back to her, and his eyes suddenly focused with direct intent.
“I love you,” he replied. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t honest. But I loved you since the first day we met. You were strong, and smart, and kind, and always there for me. I wasn’t there for you, and I’m sorry. But I always loved you. And I always will.”
Akane’s eyes widened as he spoke, tears forming in the corners. She had never heard anyone sound so heartbroken.
She sniffled. Wiped her eyes. Smiled. “Pretty intense speech, huh?”
Ranma finally smiled in return, although only half of his mouth pulled up. “Yeah.”
Akane took a bite of her cheesecake. Desperately wanted to lighten the mood.
“So—” She blinked and looked up. “What do you do?”
“Do?”
“Do you work, or go to school?”
“Oh, I, uh—I don’t have a job or anything. But I’m a martial artist, I guess.”
“Really?” Akane leaned forward in excitement. “Me too! My family even owns a training hall! The Tendo dojo!”
“Really?” Ranma asked with a rueful smile.
“Yeah, you should come by sometime.” Akane took a large bite of her cheesecake.
“Maybe,” Ranma replied, letting out a wistful sigh.
Akane looked at her watch. “Ah, sorry. I have to go.”
“I understand,” Ranma said. “Thanks for the ice cream.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied, standing up and throwing money down on the table. “Sorry for knocking you into the puddle.”
“I’ve been knocked into worse puddles.”
Akane giggled as she stood at the edge of the table. “I really am sorry to rush out of here, but I have a lunch date with my boyfriend.”
The tired smile faded from Ranma’s face. “Right. It’s no problem."
Akane sighed and looked towards the door. “That is, if he shows up.”
Ranma raised one eyebrow. “You think he’s gonna stand you up?”
“I’m worried he’ll get lost. He has a terrible sense of direction.” Akane lifted one hand in a farewell wave. “Nice to meet you, Ranma.”
The smile returned. “You too, Akane.”
Ranma watched Akane leave the cafe, then watched through the window as she dashed down the street. He turned back to his half eaten sundae and lifted his spoon up and down, muttering to himself thoughtfully.
“The Tendo dojo, huh?”