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Nabiki was miserable.
Not to say her life here in Kyoto was bad, certainly. Her first semester was fine, the professors were competent, the campus was great, and it was certainly more conducive to learn in a place where she wasn’t in danger from being exploded, kidnapped, struck by flying debris, inadvertently roped into an elaborate revenge plot, or otherwise inconvenienced by the chaos that was living in Nerima ward. She had already begun building an interpersonal network amongst the student body too, so it wouldn’t be long before she had an income stream to replace the one she left behind in high school.
The problem was her love life, or lack thereof.
She sighed, staring forlornly at the photo in her hands. It was from just after graduation when she, Kikuko, and Ryonami had gone out on the town to celebrate. The throuple had piled into a photo booth at the start of the night, and everybody was still riding the high from getting their diplomas earlier that day. With their resources it had been trivial to get ahold of a couple bottles of sake, and they tied one on while seeing Tokyo with new eyes.
The night hadn’t ended quite as well. It turned out that Ryonami was harbouring feelings of resentment that she and Kikuko were leaving Tokyo, even though she knew for a fact that her application had been accepted for Kyoto University just like theirs were. Inexplicably, she’d gone with Tokyo Tech instead. They’d all tearfully sworn to maintain their bonds of sisterhood, even if distance made continuing their three-way relationship impractical.
Now, barely two months later, it seemed like that oath was well and truly broken. She’d noticed Kikuko growing distant, but had imagined it was the stress of starting a four year degree away from home. They still regularly saw one another - it was hard not to, considering they’d fallen right back into the information brokering routine upon moving to the dormitory, and even lived on the same floor - but they hadn’t been on a date for over a month now. Last night she finally managed to corner Kikuko at a house party, diverting her from her new friends under the pretense of business.
“What’s the scoop?” she’d asked as they’d ducked into a side hall. Despite their relative youth, one patented Ice Queen stare was enough to persuade the older partygoers to give them space.
“If anyone asks, I’m paging you for an update on Konno-san,” she began, referring to their classmate from Kita-Kamikoba, a village under threat by the eruption at Mount Unzen that had been on just about every news channel for the past two weeks. The brown haired girl took the subterfuge in stride like she always did. “What I really want to know is why you’ve been avoiding spending time with me. What’s going on?”
She’d looked at Nabiki like she didn’t know what she was talking about. “I’m not avoiding you, Tendou-san. We’re at this party right now, aren’t we?” The honorific felt lethally cold, as though she’d been stabbed in the belly.
“That’s not the same, and you know it. And another thing. We were on a first name basis since middle school, and now you’re acting like I’m nothing but your boss,” she’d countered with a hiss. “Honestly! We’re girlfriends! You owe me an explanation.”
Kikuko had looked her dead in the eye. “Alright, Nabiki-san, here’s how it is. The truth is that we’re grown women now. It’s one thing to play at being together as kids, but that’s not how the real world works. You and I both know it’s time to move on from childhood fantasies.” Her former lover shook her head despite the betrayed expression she’d worn. “Look, it’s not about you. What we and Ryonami had was special, but it was never meant to last. We were always going to go our separate ways and get husbands like normal people. Even you thought so or else you wouldn’tve taken on Saotome when Akane got cold feet, no matter how short lived that was.” It had seemed like she regretted bringing up the incident with her sister’s partner. It had remained a touchy spot since it had disrupted their relationship fairly early on, being the closest the trio had come to breaking up until graduation.
“Fine . If that is what you wish, that’s just fine. Go back to your friends for now, but be ready to make some calls. I’ll expect full details on Konno-san and anyone else whose families have been evacuated tomorrow.” Kikuko flinched like she’d been slapped when Nabiki turned on the full force of her Ice Queen persona. “Oh, and,” she added just as Kikuko had begun to slink away like a kicked puppy. “If you tell anyone about me, or if you use anything you’ve learned in confidence against me or mine, I will find out and you will live to regret it,” she promised, before very calmly making her exit despite the droplets of blood coming from her fists where her nails had bit in.
Nabiki rolled over and stared at the ceiling of her dorm room, photo face down, slowly opening and closing her hand as the scratches stung. She hadn’t wanted to threaten her ex like that, but…but nothing. It was done. Now she’d have to be prepared to make good on it, and in a way that wouldn’t implicate her as well. Nabiki had a file on the woman like she did with most people, but since they’d hooked up at the end of junior year at Furinkan it had gone un-updated. That meant using dirt on her family, and they weren’t terrible people, all things considered.
Nabiki was miserable.
The door to her room opened and in came Kanon Shiraishi, her roommate. “I’m home,” announced the woman dressed all in black despite the warmth that heralded June. She shot Nabiki a glance as she set down her things. “You look awful. Drink too much at your party last night?”
“No. They only had bad beer, so I didn’t bother. My next class is cancelled, anyway.”
“Mm. You want I should leave you alone, or is there something bothering you?”
“No, it’s fine.” She sat up, glancing at the tiny rainbow flag peeking from behind a Luna Sea poster. “...My girlfriend dumped me. She fed me the ‘We’re not kids anymore’ line.”
The androgynous woman sat down across from her. “Her, really? After all the noise she made about OCCUR, too,” she mused, then shrugged. “Sorry to hear that. You wanna go out tonight? There’s a thing at Lavendery Books. Maybe being around a bunch of other dykes would do you good.”
“I don’t know, perhaps.” The bookstore was fun when they held events, and they rarely carded. The subtle benefits of a counter-cultural establishment. Nabiki sat up. “I should probably call Ryonami, though.”
“Sure. There’s people in the common room, but they’re all watching the news. I don’t know what everyone’s so obsessed with it for. Seems kind of sick to me. Just waiting for a disaster so they can gasp and clutch their pearls while feeling relieved it’s not them.” Her counterpart flopped back on the bed and put her feet up on the wall, carefully avoiding the posters.
Nabiki shrugged. “People are addicted to spectacle. It doesn’t matter if there’s a tragedy behind it, so long as they can watch it unfold on the television. Challenger, Berlin Wall, doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad.”
“So cynical. I’m surprised you’re not in the crow tribe too,” Kanon said with a snicker.
“Don’t tempt me. I like the style, but my pocketbook doesn’t need a new wardrobe this soon after starting school. Speaking of which,” she plucked it off her desk, then stuffed it unceremoniously into the purse hanging from a hook by the foot of her bed. “I need to go buy a new phone card, unless they fixed the change machine.”
“Don’t bother. Here, take one of mine. It just got here today.” Her roommate sat up, then fished an envelope from her own purse and pulled out a new 1000 yen card. “My parents seem to think if they send me one every month I’ll be more likely to call, but I haven’t even used up the first one yet.”
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?” The other girl shrugged.
“Doesn’t come out of my wallet. It’s my father’s idea anyway, and I don’t relish sitting through another high and mighty “you’re so lucky you have this opportunity, I fought every day for the privilege to go to university” lecture every single time I call home. Besides, if he wants to waste the cash, he can do whatever he wants.”
She shook her head with a frown, wrinkling her nose slightly. Kanon’s blasé attitude towards money never failed to irk her. “Alright, but I’m treating this as a gift, thank you.”
She collected the card, then flipped open her planner to where she had written the class schedules of various important contacts. The first two entries after her own were Kikuko’s and Ryonami’s. It took effort to resist the urge to deface the former, and she scowled. She had more important things to do than indulge her anger in something so petty, anyway. Snatching up her purse, she headed for the door. “I’m going.”
“See you.” The other girl had already reclined again.
The middle Tendou purposefully chose the stairwell on the other side of the dormitory to avoid Ki - her ex’s room. The last thing she needed right now was that particular confrontation. Her little sister might have inherited the lion’s share of her mother’s temper, but Nabiki had to keep it in check through sheer force of will. It was all she could do to keep up the Ice Queen right now. Even so, she took the stairs in twos and threes, relishing the jolt of each landing.
The common room did indeed have a throng of people clustered around the television showing the news at the opposite end from the phones. She cast her eye around the gaggle of other freshmen, but didn’t see Kikuko. She exhaled in relief, then sat in one of the payphone booths and inserted Kanon’s gifted card before dialing.
The phone rang several times before a familiar voice picked up. “Hello?”
Nabiki felt a wave of stress evaporate, leaving her almost giddy to hear her friend. She mastered herself and answered. “Ryonami-chan, it’s Nabiki.”
“Hey Boss, what’s up?” She rolled her eyes.
“For the last time, stop calling me Boss. Even back at Furinkan you worked with me, not for me,” she chided. The woman on the other line laughed, and Nabiki’s gay little heart skipped a beat. She so missed that laugh.
“Yeah, but I like how it makes you pout. So, what’d you need, Nabs?”
There was no easy way to put it. “Last night, Kikuko dumped me. She didn’t even say she found someone else, just that she decided to go straight. I thought you should know.”
“Tch. Let me guess - “it’s not you or me, it’s just the world we live in”?“ she said and scoffed. Nabiki made an affirming noise, heart sinking. “I wondered if she’d get around to that. She was never as confident about being out as you or me.” Ryonami sounded irritated. “It’s why I was so surprised you two went off to Kyoto together. She actually told me months ago, but kept putting off telling you. Dunno if she was scared or just trying to make it work, but...”
Nabiki found herself white-knuckling the tiny table next to the phone. “Nabiki, are you still there?”
“Yes, yes I am, sorry. Just…upset. And pissed off she made me track her down and ask.”
“Yeah, I bet. You don’t get that little growl unless you’re good and pissed. I’m sorry for not saying, but she swore she’d come clean.” She paused. “What do you want to do now?”
Nabiki sighed and rubbed her face. “Now?...I don’t know. Maybe I should fire her. I’m not going to trust her anymore now that I know she can lie to me this well, that’s for certain.”
“Maybe hold off on that, Boss. She’s still our friend, and she knows the business almost as well as I did.”
“You’re not wrong, I just-!” she stopped as Kikuko emerged from the other stairwell, carrying a binder. She spotted Nabiki, then started her approach. The Ice Queen returned. “She just came into the commons, one second.” She lowered the handset and palmed the transmitter. “Yes?”
The brunette presented her prize. “I just got a list of everyone in our year who has family in Nagasaki from one of our contacts in administration. They’re already either safe or evacuated, except for the one circled in red who has a family member that is a firefighter. Do…you want me to solicit, or wait for them to come to us?”
Nabiki opened the binder and eyed the list. “Wait for them, standard rates. Offer the firefighter pro bono, but they probably already know.” She flipped it closed and handed it back. “Thank you, that will be all for now.”
“Nabiki-san, I…” Kikuko began, but stopped as Nabiki raised the phone.
“I’m on a long distance call. Can this wait?” The brunette nodded, chewed her lip for a moment, then quickly walked off to the cluster of students.
“I’m back. She had info for me about students in the area around Nagasaki. Everyone’s evacuated.”
“Oh, that’s good. Well, more pleasant topic - are you coming home for summer break?”
“I hadn’t made any plans yet. Actually, I’m in the middle of getting my sister out here for a quick visit before summer semester’s over. They think I’m doing them a favour, but I honestly just want company. What would you say to helping me run interference?”
“Fifty percent of whatever you’re making off the fiancée brigade.”
“Twenty.”
“Thirty three plus expenditures and you have to take me on a nice date.”
“Done.” The speed at which Nabiki agreed to the terms surprised herself. A shocked gasp rose up from the news watchers. “Ryo-chan, something’s happened. I need to go, but we’ll work out details soon.”
“Looking forward to it. I miss you, Boss.”
“Miss you too. Bye.” She hung up the receiver, then, twiddling the phone card, advanced on the crowd as a disaster unfolded on the television set. Paralytic dread hung over her fellow students, and she knew just how to capitalize on it. Kikuko saw her coming, and prodded one of their recent hires to get ready.
“Alright everyone, pocketbooks out. We’re starting a collection right here, right now. Donations are free, personalized messages are five hundred yen, and special requests are two thousand. First though, Konno-san, a moment if you will? I have information for you, no charge.”
Her sister all but leapt into Nabiki’s arms as she got off the train, very nearly bowling her over. “Oh my gosh, Nabiki-chan, I am so happy to see you!” Akane picked her up and spun her around, sending the remains of the snacks clutched desperately in one hand scattering in a wide arc across the platform.
“Can’t…breathe!...” she wheezed. Properly chastened, the raven haired girl set her back down and she slouched, gasping for breath. “Nice to see you too, little sis.”
“Jeez, tomboy, you’d think you hadn’t seen her for a year, huggin’ her like that,” came a high pitched voice. She looked up to see Ranma in girl form coming down the stairs of the railcar, hauling two gigantic suitcases like it was nothing. He was wearing one of her sleeveless tang shirts, but a skirt graced his legs instead of the usual slacks. Nabiki’s eyes quickly appraised the Saotome boy-girl. Despite being in his cursed form, he was wearing properly fitting clothes for once, even if they were merely a femme cut of his usual. However…
“Hey Ranma-kun. You’re looking properly contained today.” Akane quirked an eyebrow at the odd compliment, but Saotome’s cheeks coloured slightly and he looked away. “Aha! He IS wearing a bra. I wonder whose idea that was,” Nabiki mused as she drew herself back up.
“Actually, yes! Ranma, don’t be rude to my sister, say something, stupid.” In her excitement, Akane barely paused long enough for her fiancé to make an affirmative noise before she continued. “This whole trip he’s actually been nice to be around, and barely a jerk at all! It’s a good change of pace,” her sister said as she failed to catch the second meaning. “It’s actually been a nice day. Oh, you’ll never guess who we met up with on the train!”
As if on cue, a voice like crushed velvet caressed Nabiki’s ears. “Hey Boss.” She looked back at the train and gawked. An auburn haired angel in a half-torso denim jacket and a white belly shirt with rolled cuff denim shorts descended from the passenger car, curls glinting in fiery relief in the afternoon sunlight as they cascaded around her perfect shoulders, leather carryall slung over in one hand. The effect was complete as her ex took off her sunglasses. Nabiki’s heart did an acrobatic maneuver even the Saotome boy would have been hard pressed to imitate.
“It’s your friend, Ryonami-san! What a coincidence, you know?” Akane continued, oblivious to the look passing between the two. Out of the corner of her eye, Nabiki saw a smirk pop onto the features of a certain aquasexual redhead who had most certainly noticed. Her cheeks flushed lightly as he had the temerity to wink. “We’ve been catching up half the trip. It’s been nice!”
“Yo, Akane, we should go check in at the temple so we can drop off our luggage,” reminded Ranma. “Not that I can’t carry these all day or nothin’, but I wanna get something to eat that ain’t konbini food.” Nabiki held out a map of the city with locations marked.
“Here, I took the liberty of marking a few things - where you’re staying, where I live, where we’ll meet up today and tomorrow…” Akane started to reach for it, but hesitated.
“How much?” Her sister fixed her with a suspicious glare.
Nabiki feigned shock, putting her other hand to her chest. “You wound me! Would I charge my own sibling for something I suggested in the first place?”
“Yep,” snarked Ranma as he idly hefted their suitcases as though they were dumbbells. Ryonami chortled.
In spite of herself, Nabiki grinned. “You hush, both of you. For once, no charge. Your visiting is payment enough.”
“Not counting what we’re making off of the fiancée brigade, right Boss?” Ryonami gently brushed against her with a smirk. Her mind fizzled briefly.
“Annnyway let’s get out of the station. The subway is okay, but mostly you’ll be on buses,” she explained hastily.
“Sounds good to me. I’m kinda tired’a sitting on a train.” Ranma started for the exit, leaving Akane to scamper after. Nabiki rolled her eyes as the latter slapped the former on the back of her - his? - head, then turned to look at the other woman on the platform.
“Feels like it’s been forever, but it’s only actually been a few months,” said Ryonami.
Nabiki nodded. “Yes indeed. I’m loving the new style, Ryo.”
“I’m just happy you’re still rocking the classic, Nabs.” They regarded each other for a long moment before hugging. Nabiki snuck a kiss on Ryonami’s neck, and she tittered. “Missed you, Boss.”
“I missed you too. And, stop calling me that.”
“Not while it still gets a rise out of you, Boss .”
“Brat.” They giggled into each other like they were years younger.
“Hey, Nabiki, what’s the holdup?” called Akane. The erstwhile lovers broke apart and ran to catch up. It soon turned out the room Ryonami was staying at was on the same route as the other two, so they stuck together after all.
Catching a bus had been the easy part, and even getting seats together wasn’t difficult. Actually paying attention to her sister as she spilled all the latest gossip around town was hard. Part of it was because Ryonami kept “incidentally” touching her neck, squeezing her hip or brushing a boob on her arm as she leaned around Nabiki under the guise of talking to Akane while not leaving her bag on the floor, “forcing” her to sit too close. It wasn’t new to her - they and Kikuko all used to play this game in Nerima, trying to see who could keep a straight face the longest, and the Ice Queen always played to win. The part that made things actually challenging was the disturbingly aware grin Ranma was shooting her every time she squirmed even slightly.
“And the weird thing is, the most normal thing about Furinkan is Kunou doing his usual sonnet harassment routine! Did you know he was going to flunk last year? People are saying he tanked his grades in the last few semesters intentionally just so he had to do a repeat, can you believe it?” Her sister’s uncharacteristic rambling finally seemed to run its course, and she seemed to realize she’d been monopolizing the conversation. “That is to say, I’m just so glad to see you again, big sister! I’ve just missed you, you know?”
Nabiki chuckled. “I’ve missed you too.” Something had flickered across Ranma’s face just now when Akane mentioned their mutually amorous harasser, and he was now busily studying some of the advertising placards suspended from the ceiling. “Hey, Ranma-kun, you’ve hardly said a thing since you arrived. What’s new with you? Any new fiancées come calling, or old bitter rivals turned friends through the power of punching them in the face? New revelatory challenges threatening to overturn your day-to-day life?”
The last one got a reaction. The would-be boy jerked as if shocked, briefly shooting her a suspicious look before dissembling. She kept her face even, even if inside Nabiki was congratulating herself. There was definitely something going on with him, and even though the drama of Furinkan was no longer her monkeys nor her circus, it definitely tickled her sleuthing instincts. The oddest part was how Akane seemed to look relieved, which only made her fiancé’s reaction more interesting.
“No, the last one was while you were still home. Even my father had to run out of people to scam using me as the bait, I guess.” The buxom martial artist kicked back as he did his best to look unconcerned, hands behind his head in a familiar pose that only seemed to highlight how shapely he was looking in the chest, and another point went on the board in favour of Nabiki’s lingerie theory. “I’m just happy things are slowing down, or else I’m not sure how I would keep up with all the classwork. They’re really piling it on, y’know? Half the time I feel like I’m drowning in homework, and it’s only the first semester!”
Akane prodded her in the tummy and she jerked with a tiny noise. “Don’t sell yourself short, you smartass jock. You’ve been hitting the books almost as much as you’ve been training me!”
“And what have I got to show for it? Bruises on my brain as well as the rest of me, that’s what. It’s all I can do to keep ahead of you in the dojo the way you keep improving, you cute tomboy!” Nabiki and Ryonami looked at each other - this was new. They were still squabbling, but somehow it was playful instead, even complimentary. Her best friend leaned in.
“Is Ranma wearing makeup?” she asked in a whisper. Nabiki’s eyes scanned the martial artist’s face. It was quite subtle, but it was there, and nailed the “not wearing any” look. Saotome didn’t do anything by half measures.
She nodded slightly, trying to time it with a bump in the road. “Looks like, and it’s a good job. I’m pretty sure she’s wearing real lingerie too, not just a sports bra.”
“Your little sister doesn’t seem to have noticed, or they’ve somehow managed to get way closer in just a couple months. This trip just got more interesting. I’m even more glad I came,” Ryonami purred as she subtly squeezed Nabiki’s hip.
She jerked in the other’s arms. “Ah!-...’kay, the next stop is yours, lovebirds. Do you want us to leave you to get settled and meet up later, or should we stick around?”
The temple was just like every other one in the city - that is to say, quirky and distinct while not at all standing out from the long-standing municipal guidelines. As they checked in, Nabiki caught Ranma looking at her with a meaningful glance. She leaned in to her friend. “Hey, cover for me once we get to their room, okay?”
“Got it, Boss .” Her conspirator winked, and she scoffed.
The room was simple as accommodations went, but the walls were beautifully painted in murals that had to be at least Taisho era. “Hey Akane, help me check out their store for omiyage. I need to outdo my roommate without seeming too obvious about it and you’ve got just the off-the-cuff perspective I need.” They shared a wink and a nod before Ryonami lead her sister away.
“Let me know if anything looks good!” Ranma said as they left for the gift shop and they both stood and watched until the two rounded the corner. Nabiki gently put a hand on the back of her sister’s fiancé as he passed, feeling for and finding the band of the bra she was sure the other was wearing. The red haired martial artist jumped a little and whirled, clutching her hands together over her chest as she realized she’d been caught. “I-ah-you see, it-” he stammered.
“-looks good on you, Ranma…chan?” she trailed off on the honorific, turning his head slightly. The small girl squirmed at the compliment, blushing to her hairline. Nabiki gave him a steady look. “I’d have thought it was part of a disguise, but you’re always a lot louder with your getup when you’re trying to be sneaky. Don’t take this the wrong way, but…did you hit your head again?” Concern trickled into her voice near the end.
“No!...no, it’s…not like that. My head’s fine, it’s…look, Nabs, I need to ask a favour, or maybe two, okay? And, you have to promise you won’t be mad at me.” Despite his insistence, Nabiki couldn’t help but wonder at the demure young woman in front of her whose demeanor was at odds with his usual cocky street-wise self. “If I gotta pay, I will, but…” he said, producing a rolled up wad of bills from a pocket that couldn’t possibly have hidden it. She mastered the urge to boggle at the sight or at Ranma’s willingness to pay up front, glazing over the act of slight of hand. She wondered if he was finally picking up the Hidden Weapons tricks that the duck-cursed Amazon boy wielded.
“You know the rules. The cost depends entirely on what you’re asking for. So,” she paused, fixing her with a gaze that was two fifths Ice Queen. “What’s it going to be?”
She was surprised to see the diminutive martial artist trembling, and she almost regretted taking the mercenary track. “I-I … o-kay, so, funny thing about what you said before, but I remember that day now, and some … other stuff, too,” he began, twiddling her fingers in front of him and looking anywhere but at Nabiki.
“Should we sit? I know you’ve been on a train all day, but you look like you’re about to fall over, Ranma.” She gestured at the table dominating the middle of the floor, then marveled at how daintily her sister’s fiancé took a place across from her. The roll of bills vanished. “Now, explain what’s going on, please? What’s this about remembering things?”
“Thanks. Um. It’s a long story, but I’ve kind of put together some stuff about growing up that didn’t make sense before. Like, you see…” Nabiki gave him a stern look.
“If you don’t get somewhere with this, I’m going to start charging by the minute.”
“Ulp! L-look, I’m … I need to talk to Akane in private about something important, and I need your help.” He stared at the table.
“I figured, based on how we talked when we set up this visit of yours to begin with. I thought it’d be that you needed a romantic getaway so you could pop the question…” Nabiki trailed off. Ranma’s silence answered that as much as the short, sharp shake of her head. “...but that doesn’t seem to be it. So, here’s my price.” The wad of cash came back out. “No, put that away. You just have to promise me you’re not here to break my sister’s heart with a confession you’ve fallen for someone else, or something like that.”
Ranma’s head shot up. “No! No, it’s nothing like that, I swear! I wanna do right by her, I just, need her to know…” he trailed off, then swallowed hard. “O-okay, here’s how it is. Nabiki, you’re gay, right?” The question left her momentarily stunned, and she looked at Ranma with huge eyes. “A-and, gay people can tell when others are too, right?” The redhead prodded the tips of his forefingers together, unable to make eye contact.
“Er. Whew. Okay. One, it doesn’t actually work like that, Ranma. You can tell sometimes, but gaydar isn’t a real thing, just like recognizing like.” Nabiki pulled a forgotten can of barely-cool coffee from her purse and popped the top before taking a swig to disguise her surprise. “Where are you going with this?” Ranma trembled.
“I-I need to know if Akane likes girls!” he squeaked, blushing furiously.
“-! Ranma, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to help you speculate on the sexuality of my little sister!” she chided, glad that the redhead hadn’t called her on not answering the question about her own attraction to the fairer sex. “And even if I knew, I wouldn’t just out her. I wouldn’t do that to anyone, even if I was being offered real money.” She hesitated. “Well, maybe if they were a homophobic politician. But, what possibly made you want to ask me something like that?!” Ranma shrank and looked pale despite the even complexion rendered by her makeup. “Saotome!”
“B-because I’m a girl!” she said with a yelp. “Because I gotta know if…if she’ll still like me like this if I…when we talk,” she trailed off, looking very much like she was about to burst into tears. Nabiki shuffled around the table and hugged her. “E-everything’s been going so good, and we barely fight anymore, like really fight, and she’s the only one who seems to give a shit about how I feel about being engaged, and I really wanna marry her, but…”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I get it, now.” She found herself stroking her sister-in-law’s hair as Ranma sniffled into her shoulder. A lot of things over the past two years suddenly made sense. “No tears, now, okay? You’ll ruin your pretty makeup.” She sat back down next to the smaller girl. “Yes, by the way.”
“Huh?”
“Yes, I’m a dyke. You’re in good company.”
Ranma looked up at her and smiled, daubing away a darkened tear with a fingertip before it could do more damage to her eyeliner. A trace of mischief crept back into her features. “So, you and Ryonami, right?...” Nabiki’s cheeks burned.
“What’d I just say about outing people? For fuck’s sake, Ranma.” The two dissolved into relieved laughter. After a moment, they sat back from each other. “Okay, so here’s what you’re gonna do. Do you have that map handy? There’s this rise near where the festival is that’s a little steep for most people to bother with in fancy clothes,” she said, reaching for a pen.
Kyoto knew how to throw a good festival. The food was good and affordable, people were everywhere wearing gorgeous clothes including herself, and the atmosphere couldn’t be beat. Plus, her arm was entwined with the most beautiful woman in the city, if not Japan itself.
It was about a half an hour before sunset when her sister and her fiancée made themselves scarce. Nabiki waved encouragingly, and Ranma shot her a peace sign in return. Ryonami looked questioningly at her, but she winked. “You know the rules, Ryo. I will say this, though - Akane is about to have a lot to think about.”
The auburn haired bombshell in a red yukata snickered. “Yeah, I bet. Saotome wouldn’t get that dolled up for nothing.”
They moved down the festival grounds, away from the bulk of the crowds. “I’m really glad you’re here,” she said with a sigh.
“Me too. Say, since it’s in the air tonight…” Ryonami stopped, leading her off the path a little. “What if we talk about us a little?”
“I wondered if you’d ask.”
“So, here it is. I obviously still like you. I would’ve come here to Kyoto U, but Tech is my dad’s alma mater and it was a legacy thing, y’know?” she began her explanation with a furrowed brow, lips in a puckered frown. Nabiki nodded along, then tilted her head.
“Would you guess Ranma clocked us?” Her interjection made Ryonami’s face go blank, and she looked owlishly back at her.
“Buh?” Nabiki nodded as though the gorgeous woman said something thoughtful.
“I know, right? If Saotome can pick up on our chemistry, there’s nothing doing. We’ll just have to make it work, long distance or not.”
“Gah?”
“Yeah. I didn’t out you, but I think she noticed you playing the game all day. That, and probably some sort of Anything Goes queer detection technique.”
Ryonami scowled. “There’s no such thing…is there?” Nabiki looked neutral. They regarded each other for a long moment.
The corner of Nabiki’s mouth twitched, and Ryonami snorted. “Alright, you got me, good one Boss.” They dissolved into laughter, then pulled close. “As far as us, though?...I’m game to try if you are.”
The hug turned into a kiss, heedless of the odd looks they got from passersby as their worlds dissolved leaving only each other. Nabiki’s eyes fluttered open as she felt someone giving them more than a passing uncomfortable glance.
Not twenty meters away, Kikuko was standing by a food stall as her friends ordered, heedless of the scene across the way. Their eyes met across the intervening space. Nabiki’s slid away dismissively as she kissed her girlfriend again.
Nabiki was feeling fantastic.