Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
The vehicle glided slowly along the rural road, winding between green hills and endless rice fields swaying in the wind. The air, unlike the heavy city air, felt purer, carrying a damp scent of earth and foliage that slipped in through the slightly open windows. Nabiki Tendo gazed absentmindedly at the landscape from the back seat, her elbow resting on the window and her chin cradled in the palm of her hand.
“Great…” she murmured with irony, watching a group of farmers wave cheerfully at the passing car. “Exactly where I always dreamed of being: in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rice fields.”
In her imagination, the alternative scene felt almost cruel in comparison. She could be reclining on a lounge chair at her summer home, a wide-brimmed hat shielding her from the sun, the sea breeze caressing her face, and, of course, a couple of handsome young men attending to her with a chilled cocktail. Some would call her crazy for sunbathing in the middle of spring, but the weather was just perfect. Instead, she was trapped in a car, heading toward a forgotten village that barely appeared on maps.
She couldn’t help but recall how it had all started. After the real estate crisis of the late eighties, many Japanese went bankrupt. Houses, land, even commercial properties were auctioned off at absurdly low prices. Most people saw ruins and debts; Nabiki, who had secured significant earnings from her investments as a teenager, saw huge opportunities. Living in Tokyo, the real estate crisis had barely affected her, so she had to use her skills to acquire properties cheaply and sell them for a profit. She expanded rapidly, eventually reaching other areas in Japan that had been hit hard by the crisis, acquiring properties at rock-bottom prices. Buy low, sell high—the snowball gradually turned into a fortune. By the time she was twenty-eight, she no longer needed to handle it herself. She had established her own company, with employees managing the tedious parts: negotiations, contracts, clients. She merely supervised from afar, enjoying her life in Tokyo, surrounded by luxury.
But now she was there, far from all that, because one of those employees had failed. The deal with Mr. Matsunaga, owner of an old ryokan on the outskirts of a forgotten village called Ashikawa, had fallen through. And Nabiki despised failure—especially when it threatened the name of the company she owned. If you want something done right, do it yourself, she thought.
The irony was that, while planning to acquire that ryokan, she would have to stay in it. Sleep within walls that would soon be hers. It wasn’t the first time she had done this, of course; business was full of ironies.
The soft murmur of an acoustic guitar broke the silence, followed by a male voice singing serenely:
“There are blessings all around you…”
“Open your eyes…”
“Turn that off,” she said coldly, barely turning her head toward the driver.
The man, nervous, stammered:
“Y-yes, Miss Tendo. I-I’m sorry.”
The music cut off immediately, leaving the car in a heavy silence, broken only by the roar of the engine and the tires drumming against the asphalt. Nabiki returned her gaze to the window, a faint grimace on her lips.
“Miss Nabiki, would you like some water?” asked her assistant, a young woman in a suit, attempting, unsuccessfully, to ease the tension.
Kaori Tanaka, her new assistant. She was only twenty-two, her face carrying a nervous expression framed by round glasses that constantly slipped down the bridge of her nose. Her mouth was set in a tight line, as if the entire trip were an exam upon which her future depended.
Nabiki glanced at her from the corner of her eye, raising one eyebrow.
“Water? What I need is a ticket back to civilization.”
The assistant smiled nervously, unsure of how to respond. The woman she worked for was hardly easy to please, especially when things slipped out of her control.
Nabiki sighed, leaning back in her seat.
“I really don’t understand… what kind of person turns down an offer as generous as mine? An old, half-ruined ryokan in a village where the biggest news of the day is probably someone finding a toad bigger than yesterday’s… I was offering a golden escape.”
The assistant cleared her throat softly.
“They say Mr. Matsunaga is… complicated. Very tied to his traditions, not willing to negotiate.”
“Complicated is my middle name,” Nabiki replied with a hint of arrogance, though a slight irritation stirred in her stomach. “But we’ll see who’s more stubborn.”
For a moment, silence filled the vehicle, broken only by the hum of the engine and the wheels rolling over the asphalt. Nabiki used the pause to measure her assistant: the tremor in her fingers as she held the pen against her freshly opened notebook, the way she tried to maintain composure despite her insecurity.
She’s green, Nabiki thought coldly, though without disdain. She knew how to recognize potential when she saw it, and this girl had it. She just needed to see how the pieces moved on the real board.
With a soft sigh, Nabiki reached out and snapped Kaori’s notebook shut with a smooth but firm motion.
“Stop reviewing statistics. It’s clear Matsunaga isn’t interested in numbers… he’s interested in people.” She fixed her gaze on her assistant, who blinked in surprise. “Today, what matters isn’t on these pages, Kaori, it’s in how we’re going to read him.”
Kaori nodded quickly, as if she’d received a vital instruction, and tucked the notebook into her bag. Nabiki turned her gaze back to the window. In the distance, the first wooden houses of the village were already coming into view.
The car came to a stop on a curve, giving her a clear view of the cluster of houses that would be her destination. Dark-tiled roofs, some wooden houses with modest gardens, and, in the background, a larger, well-kept building: the ryokan she intended to purchase. Despite herself, Nabiki noticed a certain charm in the place—a sense of calm that stood in stark contrast to the constant noise of Tokyo.
She shook her head immediately, as if dismissing the thought.
“Rural charm… bah, that doesn’t pay the bills,” she muttered under her breath.
The car started moving again, and Nabiki straightened her back, ready for what lay ahead. She wasn’t about to let a stubborn old man derail her plans.
The vehicle stopped in front of the ryokan, a two-story building with dark roofs curving at the edges, moss creeping in some corners. The wooden gate, worn by years but sturdy, was flanked by paper lanterns whose characters glowed softly in the sunset light. Around them, a Japanese garden stretched out with almost ceremonial precision: carefully placed rocks, a pond with orange koi, and the gentle murmur of a small stream running through the grounds.
Nabiki stepped out of the car. She adjusted her gray blazer with broad shoulders in a swift motion, flicking away an invisible speck of dust. Her knee-length plaid skirt fell with an air of elegance and practicality, and her black heels clicked briefly against the stone path. Her immaculate white shirt provided the perfect contrast, projecting the image of professionalism she wielded like armor.
Kaori followed, carrying a bulging folder and a bag of documents. Her hair was pulled back in a simple bun, and her sober suit contrasted with Nabiki’s natural sophistication. She walked a step faster, trying to keep pace with her boss.
“All right,” Nabiki murmured, “time to see if this old man really knows the value of what he owns.”
Kaori nodded silently and followed her.
Inside, they were greeted by the warm scent of tatami and a quiet interrupted only by the soft sound of water in the garden. A young woman in a kimono bowed deeply and guided them to a spacious room, bathed in golden light streaming through the shōji. The tea was already set on a low table.
Mr. Matsunaga appeared shortly after. He was a man in his seventies, standing straight and walking with a firm step despite his age. His dark blue kimono was impeccably maintained, and his eyes, though kind, held a glint that spoke of an unyielding will. He bowed respectfully.
“Welcome, Miss Tendo. It is an honor to receive you in my humble establishment.”
Nabiki returned the gesture with a brief, precise bow, more out of protocol than genuine courtesy. She seated herself in front of him with measured calm, crossing her legs beneath the table. Kaori, a little stiff, sat slightly behind her.
The tea exuded a soft aroma of toasted leaves, filling the room with a quiet warmth. Nabiki picked up her cup carefully.
“Your ryokan is… very welcoming, Mr. Matsunaga,” she commented in a calculated tone, testing the waters.
The elder inclined his head without losing his sober smile.
“I’m glad you notice. Every corner here has been cared for by generations. We seek not grandeur, but harmony.”
Kaori, silently behind Nabiki, observed closely. Nabiki allowed herself a slight nod, letting the comment linger in the air for a few seconds before continuing.
“Harmony,” she repeated, slowly turning the cup between her hands. “It’s an admirable concept, but also difficult to maintain in times like these.”
The old man looked at her with that serenity Nabiki recognized as dangerous. He’s not someone easy to rattle, she thought.
“Harmony endures when it is not mistaken for comfort,” Matsunaga replied, taking a sip of tea. “Sometimes it requires giving up certain things, even when they seem appealing.”
Nabiki offered the faintest smile, showing a hint of irony.
“And yet, Mr. Matsunaga, giving up can also mean losing opportunities. You have kept this place standing for decades—that is admirable. But maintaining is not always enough. Times change… people do too. And what seems stable today may be an impossible burden tomorrow.”
The elder did not answer immediately. He breathed in calmly, as if savoring not only the tea but also her words. Finally, he set down his cup.
“Stability is not given by money, Miss Tendo. It is given by purpose.”
A brief silence fell. Kaori nervously fiddled with her pen inside the folder, but Nabiki, unperturbed, leaned forward with a more serious expression.
“Purpose without resources is barely an ideal,” she said, her voice low but firm. “And ideals, with all due respect, don’t pay salaries, nor much else—and it’s clear that there’s barely enough money here to maintain this place.”
Matsunaga smiled faintly, as one might listen to someone young and passionate.
“You speak with the conviction of someone who has seen many figures. I speak with the conviction of someone who has seen many generations.”
Nabiki felt a subtle challenge in his words, and knew it was time to lay her cards on the table. With a measured gesture, she opened the folder Kaori had placed on the table, and turned a few documents toward Matsunaga.
“Here is my proposal.” Her tone took on the cadence of absolute confidence. “I offer a price that exceeds the market value by forty percent. And not only that: my company commits to preserving the ryokan’s name, its architecture, and the garden. There will be no modern hotel with neon lights where you see tradition. There will be continuity. Only with a secured future.”
Kaori slid the papers toward Matsunaga with a slight bow. The elder looked at them but did not reach out.
“And what will happen when I am no longer here?” he asked calmly. “Who will ensure that those promises are not broken over time?”
Nabiki folded her hands on the table, staring at him intently.
“That is the advantage of a contract. Tradition is protected with words and commitment, yes, but also with clauses that prevent it from being corrupted. If you sign with me, you will have guarantees that what is now your legacy will continue to be respected. I give you my word.”
For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of hesitation in the old man’s eyes. But immediately, his stone-like calm returned.
“Miss Tendo, you speak with great eloquence, and I have no doubt that your reputation is well-earned. Yet, I do not know if I should trust your words. Your company has already passed through other villages like this one: in Nagano, Toyama, Hokkaidō, Gifu, and several more. In all of them, the ryokans ended up being demolished, replaced by large hotels that quickly forgot those vague promises to preserve family traditions and local culture. I know I am not the first to want to protect the heritage of this land… and I am certain I will not be the last.”
Nabiki was taken aback; she had not expected that the old man would be so well-informed. How on earth did he know all of that?
“I can see the surprise on your face, Miss Tendo,” the man continued, calm and steady. “Perhaps most of the villagers here do not know who you are or what you do, but I must take care of my business. And for that, I need to be very well informed about those who try to take it over.”
The words landed heavily. Nabiki had underestimated the old man; she hadn’t expected a challenge like this. She took a deep breath to regain her composure, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and allowed herself a slight shift in strategy.
“Mr. Matsunaga, I am not here to take anything from you. I am here to offer a lifeline. You can rest, stop worrying, and still preserve the essence of what you love. You can enjoy your old age without having to maintain this place—what I offer is a unique opportunity.”
The elder watched her for a long moment, silent. Nabiki held his gaze, knowing this duel was not one of numbers, but of convictions. Finally, Matsunaga inclined his head and offered the faintest smile.
“I appreciate your candor. But my decision has already been made.”
Nabiki’s heart skipped a beat, though on her face only a slight raise of an eyebrow appeared.
“Already made? Even before evaluating my proposal?”
“I have evaluated it, even before seeing it on this table,” he said, his voice firm but not aggressive. “I will not sell.”
Kaori’s eyes widened in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected such resoluteness. Nabiki maintained her composure.
“Then why, may I ask, did you agree to meet me?”
The old man leaned back, interlacing his hands over his knees.
“Because I respect your effort, and I respect your work. But I must be firm. I will not sell if it means undoing years of tradition and family culture. I hope that one day, you may understand what that means.”
Silence filled the room, broken only by the murmur of water in the garden.
“And I will tell you one more thing,” Matsunaga added, with a calm that brooked no reply. “You are not the only one interested. There is another person who also desires this ryokan. Not with numbers, but with a purpose I understand to be closer to what this place represents. Nothing has been decided yet, but if one day I yield, it will be to someone who can continue what has been woven here, not replace it.”
Nabiki closed the folder with a sharp, controlled snap. She smiled with the coldness she wielded like armor.
“Then I hope, for everyone’s sake, that this other person is up to the standards you defend.”
Matsunaga nodded.
"That’s what I’m hoping for as well. In two weeks, I’ll make a decision regarding that offer.”
He rose calmly and bowed respectfully.
“In the meantime, Miss Tendo, enjoy your stay at my ryokan. You will now be shown to your rooms.”
The polite, final statement fell like an unbreakable seal. Nabiki responded with a brief, precise bow. Kaori gathered the documents with trembling hands.
The soft creak of the tatami accompanied Nabiki and Kaori’s steps as they were led down a corridor lit with paper lanterns. The young woman in kimono guiding them moved with silent grace, as if floating above the floor. Outside, the murmur of the garden stream reached them muffled through the wooden walls.
“Your rooms are prepared,” the young woman said with a slight bow. “We will also send for your luggage from the car.”
Nabiki nodded with a controlled gesture. Her face remained calm, but Matsunaga’s words still echoed inside her. It was strange to feel defeated—a taste she rarely experienced.
The sliding doors opened to reveal two traditional rooms, with futons carefully spread over the tatami, low tables with minimalist floral arrangements, and folding screens painted with mountain landscapes. The air smelled of aged wood and fresh flowers.
“Please, if you need anything, do not hesitate to call us,” the young woman added, bowing once more before withdrawing.
Kaori set the folder on the low table and collapsed onto the cushions with a sigh.
“Miss Nabiki…” she began cautiously, “what are we going to do now?”
Nabiki removed her blazer with a slow movement, folded it carefully, and set it aside. Her expression remained the same as always: calm, almost indifferent.
“We have two weeks,” she replied naturally. “It’s not the first time I’ve faced someone stubborn.”
Kaori looked at her with some confusion.
“Two weeks to convince Matsunaga-san? But… he was so clear in his rejection…”
Nabiki settled onto the cushion, resting her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand.
“Kaori, do you remember what I told you in the car?” she asked in a measured tone.
“That Matsunaga doesn’t follow statistics, but people?”
“Exactly.” Nabiki gave a half-smile. “That means there’s still an open door. We just have to find which one.”
Kaori lowered her gaze, hesitant, then mustered the courage to ask what had been on her mind.
“Excuse me for insisting, but… why this place? I mean, with so many businesses available, with so many properties in Tokyo and other cities… why a ryokan in this mountain village, here in Yamanashi?”
Nabiki studied her for a moment in silence, as if weighing whether it was worth answering honestly. Finally, she spoke slowly, almost as if giving a lesson.
“Tell me, Kaori… what do you see when you look out that window?”
The assistant turned. Through the shōji opening, the undulating line of green mountains appeared, tinted with warm hues by the setting sun.
“I see… mountains,” Kaori blinked. “A beautiful view, yes, but…”
“Mountains that attract hikers,” Nabiki interrupted softly, giving her a hint.
Kaori’s eyes widened slightly as she understood.
“Ah… of course, hikers, tourists looking for nature…”
“And not just that.” Nabiki tapped her fingers lightly on the table. “Nearby there are hot springs. And a little further on, one of the country’s largest amusement parks: Fuji-Q.”
Kaori’s expression brightened.
“So… this place is a strategic point.”
Nabiki nodded, pleased that her assistant had reached the conclusion.
“Exactly. This ryokan isn’t just a forgotten inn. It’s a gold mine waiting to be tapped. A modern hotel of, say, ten floors or more… with a rooftop restaurant and rooms with panoramic views. People would pay ridiculous amounts to stay here.”
Kaori remained silent for a few seconds, processing the scale of the idea. Finally, she murmured,
“I see… it’s an enormous source of income.”
“Exactly.” Nabiki picked up her tea cup left on the table and took a slow sip, as if everything had already been decided in her mind.
But Kaori quickly returned to reality.
“So… what do we do? Matsunaga-san doesn’t seem like someone who will yield easily, not to mention there’s another interested party competing with us.”
Before Nabiki could respond, a soft knock came at the sliding door. The same young woman in kimono who had greeted them entered carrying a tray of wagashi sweets. She bowed and set it on the table.
“Forgive my intrusion, but I overheard part of your conversation,” she said in a low, almost timid voice.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? And exactly which part did you hear?”
The young woman lowered her eyes respectfully.
“That you are looking for a way to convince Mr. Matsunaga. If you allow me… there might be a way.”
Kaori straightened immediately. Nabiki, however, kept her tone neutral.
“I’m listening.”
“There is someone in the village,” the young woman said. “A teacher at the elementary school. He arrived a few years ago, and Mr. Matsunaga values him as if he were a son. If anyone can make him change his mind, it’s him.”
Nabiki narrowed her eyes, evaluating the information.
“And why are you telling me this?”
The young woman took a deep breath before answering.
“Because Mr. Matsunaga deserves to rest. His only son passed away six years ago. He has no heirs or family. I don’t want him to spend his remaining days alone, tied to a ryokan that slowly consumes him.”
Nabiki remained silent. A brief flicker of empathy crossed her gaze, though she quickly hid it beneath her professional mask.
“I understand.” She nodded slowly. “What is this teacher’s name?”
“Kaiyo. The elementary school is in the center of the village.”
Nabiki gave the faintest smile.
“Thank you for the information.”
The young woman bowed and left silently.
Kaori looked at her boss expectantly.
“Shall we go see him?”
“Of course!” Nabiki rose, adjusting her blazer. “A door has just opened for us. We have a unique opportunity; we just need to convince this teacher, and this little-town ryokan will be in our hands.”
Within minutes, they were back in the vehicle, their luggage already set in their rooms. The driver took them to the center of the village, where the elementary school rose modestly, with light gray concrete walls and windows wide open, letting out the sounds of children’s voices fading with the evening.
The entrance was marked by a simple gate. To one side, a sign with hand-painted characters announced: Ashikawa Mainichi Onkei Elementary School.
“Ashikawa Daily Blessings Elementary School?” Nabiki rolled her eyes in annoyance. If only those two weeks would vanish already, so she could return to her original plan—her summer house, sunbathing on the beaches of Okinawa, and the comfortable life she truly deserved.
Upon entering, they were greeted by a middle-aged woman in the administrative area. She wore a simple outfit with a light apron over it, giving her a maternal air. They asked for the principal, and after a brief pause, she indicated where her office was.
The hallway of the administrative section smelled of freshly printed paper and cheap disinfectant—a combination Nabiki found oddly pleasant: bureaucracy always had that particular scent. Kaori walked beside her.
“Here it is,” Kaori said, pointing to a door with a neat sign: “Principal’s Office.”
The young woman knocked gently. From inside came the voice of an older woman, deep but welcoming.
“Come in.”
They entered a spacious office, filled with plants climbing the shelves and a wooden desk showing the wear of many years. Behind it, a woman with perfectly tied gray hair in a bun and thick-framed glasses looked up and smiled.
“Principal Michiko?” Nabiki asked.
“Well, well…” the principal murmured, narrowing her eyes with a playful sparkle. “What do we have here? Two charming young ladies from the big city. What brings you such an honor?”
“B-but how…?” Kaori asked, incredulous.
“Kaori, just look at what we’re carrying and how we’re dressed. We practically scream ‘outsiders from Tokyo.’”
“I-I see…” Kaori stammered, bowing respectfully. “Principal, sorry for the trouble. We came because… well, we wanted to ask…”
“We’re here looking for Kaiyo-sensei,” Nabiki interrupted.
The mischievous gleam in the woman’s eyes intensified at the name. She brought a hand to her chin and let out a small, almost teasing laugh.
“Kaiyo, huh?” she repeated, savoring the word. “Finally! Someone asking about him. I thought it would never happen.”
Nabiki arched an eyebrow, amused by the woman’s playful tone.
“Is he really that unusual?” she asked with feigned innocence.
The principal laughed, the sound echoing through the office.
“My dear, that man lives for his students and his classes. He doesn’t allow himself a single break. Always buried in exams, evaluations, as if nothing else in the world exists. Of all the women who have shown interest in him, not one has ever even managed to take him on a date. Sometimes I think he doesn’t even like women.”
Kaori let out a soft laugh, and Nabiki… well, she felt a strange premonition.
“You’ll see, he’ll get nervous… It’s the first time anyone has requested his presence. He’s in the shokuinshitsu, the teachers’ lounge. I’ll go fetch him right away.” The principal left through the door.
Nabiki and Kaori exchanged intrigued glances. Before leaving, the woman added in a teasing tone:
“I’ll tell him that two very beautiful young ladies have come looking for him. Let’s see if he finally shows any interest in a woman.”
A few minutes later, from the nearby hallway, a male voice protested:
“Did you really interrupt me from grading exams for something like this?”
The voice resonated in Nabiki’s ears, sending a shiver down her spine. It sounded familiar. Very familiar.
The woman replied, laughing:
“Oh, come on, Kaiyo. Don’t be such a killjoy. Maybe it’s time you stopped living only for your students. Who knows… perhaps these young ladies will manage to pull you out of your routine.”
The door opened, and the woman entered accompanied by a tall man, broad-shouldered and athletic. His hair was tied back in a long braid. When he looked up, Nabiki saw his face and those unmistakable blue eyes.
The world seemed to pause for a moment.
“Allow me to introduce you,” said the principal, smiling with full complicity, “this is Professor Kaiyo… and, it seems, his reputation precedes him more than he realizes.”
Nabiki froze, surprise etched across her face. Because standing in front of her was…
RANMA?!