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‘I wonder what it would be like…’
Kasumi scrubs a bit harder, trying to get rid of that stubborn bit of food that just wouldn’t wash off. It’s been a few weeks now since Ranma had found and used those packets of Jusenkyou powder. As always, it didn’t work. Even still, Kasumi hasn’t stopped thinking about it since then. Off and on, whenever her mind had time to wander, she’d think back to it.
What would it be like? Surely, she’d have a harder life having to avoid the cold water in refreshments, filling pots as well as the ever-present pond in the garden. She’d worry about the hot water in her life too. Her tea, dishwashing, mopping and bathing.
But even despite all of that, she still wondered: What would it be like? What would she turn into?
What was so appealing about those packets? Like anyone living in the Tendo Dojo, she’s gotten very used to the Jusenkyou curse. After all, she was usually the one heating up the kettles. So, why did she want to experience it for herself?
Kasumi just sighs, setting the clean dishes to the side. She was done with that. She just had a quick wipe down of the countertops left. She takes her dish rag and gets to work again.
‘After all…’ Kasumi’s thoughts continue, barely faltering from the interruption.
She certainly hoped that Ranma had the right packet. He’s had to go through so much and it’d be nice if things worked out for him for once. But that would mean her suggestion to live a little and try it out… well, the Tendo sisters would all become brothers. That was a funny thought, wasn’t it? Of course, the joke would get stale quite quickly. She can’t imagine her sisters being happy with that.
From what Kasumi can tell of Nabiki, she would mind the change in her market and while she won’t admit it, she knows Nabiki likes looking good. Men can certainly look nice, but Nabiki had her preferences already. It wouldn’t be right to get in the way of that. As for Akane, she would enjoy it, right? She likes guy things and would stop being called uncute and a tomboy. She’s just be a boy, perhaps happier for it. Still, Akane does like some feminine things. She’s not as masculine as Ukyo can be at times.
And then herself… To be honest, she’d half forgotten about her role in all of this. She only sees herself in the mirror each morning, making sure everything is just as it should be. So, what would happen? Still, there might be some fun to have, living a completely different life for a while? She could always come back to being a woman when she got bored.
Kasumi stops her cleaning, seeing how she was just wiping down a counter that was already clean. She had to do something now… anything to distract her thoughts. She probably needed to clean the halls, check on the laundry, check every room of the house, but she usually has a schedule, a plan for all of this.
Her head’s too far in the clouds. She should stop daydreaming so much.
Eventually, Kasumi finds herself taking a basket of dirty clothes to the laundry room. She works hard to keep this house in order and she shouldn’t be spending her days daydreaming. Besides, what could she enjoy about being a guy?
If she were a guy, everything would change, wouldn’t it? She’d be the breadwinner and working to find a wife. She’d work an office job perhaps. Her typing was rather good, in fact. Computers continue to be a larger part of office work, so she’d be getting ahead of things.
Kasumi lets out a heavy sigh. These thoughts weren’t leaving her. She’ll just have to work through them. She decides now was the best time to clean the halls. Simple, mindless work.
She enjoyed these quiet moments. She loved how her family smiled and thanked her for all she did. She liked the simplicity, the domesticity of it all. Really, she couldn’t handle an office job, could she? It’s not the work of it. She bets she could handle that with some training, but it would be spending time away from home every day. Though, if someone made her lunches for her? That was a nice thought.
Still, it’d be putting herself in a blizzard to enjoy the warmth of a blanket. She could just spend the time inside.
And there was nothing wrong with being a housewife. She enjoyed the work, how it helped the people closest to her, and it gave everything a natural order. The house was alive and she helped tend to it. She should really pick up gardening more.
Yes, she liked things as they were. There was no need for change, no need for… spontaneity. No need for surprises or silly, reckless ideas.
Sometimes, she wishes she could drop a plate just to hear it shatter.
Sherds on the floor, scattered apart in all manner of sizes. It could be a beautiful sight, something brand new.
She didn’t drop things. You aren’t supposed to drop things.
And it would cause such an issue if her father heard. He’d worry about her, ask if she’s alright.
Everything was perfectly fine.
And then, he would head back to whatever he was doing.
She would be alone again.
With herself and the house.
Perhaps, Kasumi thought, she wants kids.
Perhaps, she wants a husband and kids to care for.
Perhaps…
She needs to stop cleaning the halls.
It was still early to be working on dinner. Right?
She checks the clock. 13:32.
She should clean her room. It was clean enough, sure, but…
Well, she wanted to go and even if she had nothing to clean, she needed to spend time there.
The door shuts behind her and Kasumi lets out a sigh she didn’t know she was keeping.
Kasumi was in her room. The room that she calls her own. Her bed, her dresser, her closet, her desk.
She misses school.
She never talks to her friends from school. They were off at college or training somewhere for some type of martial arts.
She was back at home.
She needed to lie down. She needed to let her mind rest.
Kasumi lays on top of the covers, eyes looking to the ceiling. She focuses on her breathing.
In… out… in… out…
Her body rises and lowers with each wave. This moment was out of place. She shouldn’t be here. She had things to do, a role to fill.
Her mother’s role.
She was Kasumi. But besides being a housewife-in-waiting, what was she?
The question seemed almost funny. It was so obvious, wasn’t it?
She was the eldest Tendo sister. She was the caretaker of the Tendo household.
The house wasn’t hers.
It was her father’s and in time, it would be Ranma’s.
Where would she go? What would she do? Would she find a husband by then? Would she just be hired on as staff?
She really needs to teach Akane how to cook.
She was alone.
Kasumi was alone.
Kasumi was thankful she wasn’t washing dishes. She might drop something. Her mind is on its own course as Kasumi is just the passenger.
Always passive.
The present doesn’t last longer than a day. Nerima might seem hectic, but it was so incredibly static.
It makes her forget how time has passed, how she’s a mature woman.
She likes her childish side, her humor and her hints of mischief.
But does she truly want to be a housewife?
She likes cleaning when she knows it’s hers. She likes the control it gives her and she likes how it makes the people she cares about happy.
But it’s usually in the husband’s name, isn’t it?
What a strange rule, Kasumi thinks. People assume she’s traditional in her beliefs, but she truly feels that men and women are equals. A woman could work in an office. A man could work at home.
A man… working at home…
Well, where would that put her?
It would put her right beside him. It could put her as him.
Really, her imagination can be so crazy. She lets out a short sigh, a quiet laugh at the absurdity.
A male housewife. A househusband.
It gave her such a warm feeling.
Kasumi Tendo as a househusband. Professional, talented, handsome. Strong, independent, capable. Sharply dressed, caring, easygoing.
That’s the type of man she’d want to marry.
A husband who cares, who could clean on his own, who…
She wouldn’t be cleaning the house if he did it.
She rarely looks in the mirror. Everything should be perfect.
If she saw him in the mirror?
If she was… him?
Knock, knock, knock!
Kasumi sits up in bed and just as quickly walks to the door.
He must have dozed off.
Nabiki was standing on the other side and she looks him up and down.
“Hm,” she notes. Nabiki could always ‘tell’, no matter what it was. “Been a while since you took a nap in the middle of the day.”
“Oh, well, you know…” Kasumi begins, noting how high his voice was. He clears his throat. It doesn’t change. “I had gotten things done early and was just feeling a bit tired.”
“Uh huh…” Nabiki could tell when people lie. But she knew better than to say it, “Well, you might want to head downstairs before Akane starts cooking.” Nabiki walks past to her room.
“Thank you, Nabiki.” Kasumi bows for just a moment before heading downstairs. Dinner would occupy his mind enough to keep this all far away from him.
After all, how could he be a man?