Chapter Text
[AKANE]
“We made it.”
“Thank you!”
“Kyaaa!!!”
Akane hugged her two besties one more time before going down from the tiny stage of their group’s booth. Singing was rather tiring so she sat on the small, long sofa that surrounded three walls of the room. The fourth wall had the door, and their private Karaoke set up! She relished in the applause, taking a well-needed sip of her fresh Jasmin tea.
Her heart soared after the song, all while being surrounded by people she liked. The one with a braid has a complicated ‘like’ label, though. But even he clapped his hands, sitting close to Daisuke and Hiroshi.
The six friends chatted and laughed for a while too many balloons floated and bumped almost everywhere next to all six of them in the room. Some of the floaty globes had even gotten mixed up on the low tables filled with cheap yet delicious food, including finished cake plates, and drinks –all proper for 17-year-olds, of course. She’d been dreaming of singing properly out loud the full ‘How’s it’s Done’ from the K-Pop Demon Hunter’s musical. Its songs had stayed rent-free in her brain for weeks, making this event perfectly on spot.
How did this type of Birthday party idea come up? Whatever! She loved it.
It almost didn’t bother all the bad jokes from Ranma ‘So, WHAT is done?’ to a point it wasn't even funny. The first time had been funny either, really. All the same, that was their deal.
Tease.
Poke.
Fight.
Protect and support too… but that part had not been agreed to, just acted upon. Come to think of it, what was their relationship?
Being seated in the middle, Sayuri grabbed Akane’s and Ranma’s arms to pull them towards her. “Why don’t you two try the duet now? It’s the song that comes next in the K-pop movie.”
Liar. The next song in the movie wasn’t the duet. Everyone could see her friend’s intentions…
“Oh yes, perfect for the double birthday couple to celebrate!”
And there went Daisuke with another push on reality… The guy knew they were having two separate birthday parties, right? Because Ranma and Akane happened to be different people with different birthdays! One day after the other, but still! And not exactly a couple either.
“Ugh, please stop!” Akane declared, frustrated yet blushing a bit at the idea.
At the same time, Ranma had gotten away from Sayuri’s hold. “Tsk, Akane doesn’t need me. She’s not as good as me, but she can sing for guys. Right, tomboy?”
“Ranma you im-!!!” The words that would have come after that wouldn’t have been apt for children, but he cut her.
“What!?” He moved his torso forward and batted his eyelashes most annoyingly. “You wanna sing together?”
Yes?
“Absolutely NOT! And you know what, you’re right, I don’t need you!” She yelled at him as she went to the stage again. “I can do that one all on my own and much better than you’d do it!!”
Instead of taking the bait or insulting her further, the guy smiled mischievously and just sat back on the bench. Odd, but whatever. It worked better to ignore him at times. She touched up the remote to play the duet song “Free” from Kpop Demon Hunters, taking a deep breath to get in the mood. Akane would HAVE a lovely birthday!
Unlike his, yesterday, since he’d been harassed by anyone in Nerima with dangerous presents. Ok, maybe another deep breath. In… Out… That’s it. Almost calmed.
The soft piano started to play, and she soon had everyone in the room focused on her. Or maybe not, she was avoiding checking Ranma.
A woman sang the first part, so Akane used her natural voice first.
(Akane)
I tried to hide but something broke
I tried to smile, I was suffocating though
But here with you, I can finally breathe
you're good for me
I've been hoping to change, now I know we can change
But I won't if you're not by my side
What if we both tried fighting what we're running from?
We can't fix it if we never face it
What if we find a way to escape it?
The music didn’t speak of love, and the lines didn’t fit her exactly.
However, the characters of the musical were revealing their fears and hopes at that point. Open and vulnerable with each other, for good. And she loved that concept. Okay, yes, Akane envied that concept…
But to what use?
She shared a strange and contradictory relationship with Ranma. Never mind things kept extremely vague in any romantic aspect. Even after so much time sharing a roof and going through countless adventures together!
Akane had started to crave change for some time. Yet the guy didn’t seem ready to be break their day-to-day messy balance. Acting like a much younger teen, or escaping from saying a single nice thing. Sometimes he’d say or do something actually touching towards her, just to retract it! More so if they happened to have any public around. Then, he’d likely insult her.
Like today, he’d seemed happy to go on this outing without making too many insensitive jokes. He’d applauded at all songs in what had seemed a genuine way while keeping checking on her at all times. Those gray-blue eyes held some care in them, if you squinted…
Even so, he wouldn’t hold back regular barbs. The stupid things coming from his mouth at times! Had she invented their mutual affection in her mind?
Aaaalright, focus again. Enjoy the song.
She was getting close to the part when the man’s voice started, right after a post-chorus with fairly high notes.
[RANMA]
Looking at Akane singing, giving it her best, he held back a giggle.
No, Ranma didn't do such thing as ‘giggle’. Ehem! And yet excitement bubbled inside him, no denial about that. Making sure they’d end up at a karaoke right on her birthday had turned out to be child’s play. Just with high school friends. No family nor wanna-be-partners for anyone. GLORIOUS!
Ranma looked to his side again and grinned. Sayuri was loosely holding one of the wireless mics right next to him. Perfect, really.
Meanwhile, his cute fiancée had already started the chorus. Some more lines and…there!
(A)
Free, Free
Akane closed her eyes at that part, as usual. Pulling off the notes with that pretty and smart face of hers. But, instead of silently admiring her, Ranma used that precise moment to grab the mic from his seat neighbour and stood up.
The man’s part that came afterwards was pretty cool with, some rap-like lines and everything. Honest to himself, he knew he’d enjoy all this. He’d nail this surprise!
[AKANE]
She opened her eyes after the post-chorus and blinked twice at seeing Ranma standing with a mic in his hands. Their four friends sitting on the benches also stared at the guy with wide eyes. Some with a smile, hyped for the possibility of witnessing a level up to the event’s entertainment.
Distracted, Akane hadn’t gotten to say a syllable of the next verse, the man’s part, when Ranma started singing in the right timing. He wouldn’t get scouted for K-pop –nor J-pop– idol roles. But his voice was nothing to be ashamed of either. Add the natural cockiness and charm fueled by his stupid pride, and the jerk managed to captivate everyone's attention.
She couldn’t take her eyes off his face herself.
(Ranma)
Ooh, time goes by, and I lose perspective
It's just easy when I'm with you, no one sees me the way you do
I don't trust it, but I want to, I keep coming back to…
Her heart fluttered at seeing and listening to him publicly singing a song she loved for her –something about open feelings. Acting like the character in the movie while slowly walking towards her between purple, pink, and blue balloons?! She put a hand on her chest. I’m going to die!
Akane was still open-mouthed when she noticed him motioning to her with quick hand moves, internationally meaning ‘Come on! Come on!’
Oh, right, this upcoming verse we need to sing it together!
(Akane+Ranma)
Why does it feel right every time I let you in?
Why does it feel like I can tell you anything? We could be free, free
We can't fix it if we never face it
Let the past be the past 'til it's weightless
Akane felt herself let go completely, also mimicking the movie's actions (minus flying). Forgetting the audience in the room. She’d become lost in the music as well as in Ranma’s eyes. They remained trained on hers, showing unequivocal joy.
(A+R)
We could be free, free
Oh, so take my hand, it's open (Free, free)
What if we heal what's broken? (Free, free)
Ranma and Akane held hands. They got closer to each other.
So close they touch their foreheads together. He closed his eyes as they concluded the song from a single microphone.
Is Ranma serious? Did he just open up to me at last?
Their friends erupted in applause as Ranma and Akane naturally separated each other. They needed to catch their breath after the demanding vocal work they’d just performed.
Happy tears had started to form in her eyes when he swiftly turned towards their friends. The picture of confidence, bowing dramatically to them. Ranma faced Akane again then, with a big cocky smile. One of those smug ones where one side of his mouth lifted a bit higher than the other.
“See? I’m better. But Happy Birthday!” He put his tongue out, playfully.
Akane’s heart stopped.
No…
Ranma had been good. Too good. All attractive and apparently emotional while singing together one of her favourite songs. Just for some ‘who’s better’ childish competition no one really cared about!
The best birthday present in the worst package EVER.
Because he hadn’t meant a word of what he’d sung. His touch hadn’t been real. All signs of open liking? An extremely selfish act to show off.
“Akane?” He frowned, probably wondering why she stood frozen.
Though even their friends had gone quiet since he’s showed his tongue to Akane. Had he fooled them too when he'd sung?
Whatever the case, only ice cold ire ran through her veins.
[RANMA]
Huh?!
Ranma stood dumbfounded, facing the karaoke booth’s door that Akane had left open as she’d stormed out.
Why hadn’t she said ‘thank you’? Instead, she’d gotten really pissed. At what? That he sang better male songs with an actual male body? Nonsense. Also… Hadn’t she had fun?? He’d had fun! More than he’d admit out loud. Teaming together, holding hands… pretty lovely.
“Classic Ranma…”
“I can’t believe it…”
“You dumb fool!”
His friends had strong opinions, apparently, but Ranma didn’t react until they all shouted at once:
“GO AFTER HER!”
In principle, he hated doing what he was told to do. Did anyone?
Then, he did worry at the deeper-than-usual hurt he’d glimpsed in Akane's eyes before she’d left. So, he grabbed his own school backpack plus Akane’s, and rushed out to look after her. He made some balloons explode in his haste, startling himself stupidly.
It didn’t help calm down his nerves that he’d had to peek inside the door windows of dozens of booths nine floors. Then splashing himself back and forth with different temp waters so he could call out for her in all bathrooms. Low, very low. But some anxiety was starting to run through his veins. She was nowhere to be found. And stepping outside of the huge karaoke building didn’t bring solace. Even Nerima got busy and crowded at that hour of the evening and near the train station. Many commuted from their jobs or schools, some just going out for fun.
Darn it! Why did I wait so long to go after her?
He looked up. The karaoke building he’d just left stood taller than the others around it, so he ran towards its side to the open-air emergency stairs with hopes that an aerial view would help him. As he’d been using a quick lateral jump floor to floor through the outer rails –making a ruckus of metallic sound– Ranma almost missed her.
He stilled himself on top of the rail guard, crouched to look at Akane. The girl sat on the seventh floor stairs, arms around her knees, and leaned her body forward to rest her head down.
His heart constricted at the view.
Is she crying?
“I’m not crying” She pulled her back straight and looked up at him with a frown. Not crying.
“But you’re… angry?”
Akane rolled her eyes and looked away, still hugging her knees in a tense posture.
Ranma kept looking at her for a little while in silence. Despite the grimness of their location, the sunset tones around them looked well on her in her summer uniform. Add the warm breeze, and it brought him back to that first time when he’d seen the short hairstyle.
She’d smiled so beautifully at him then.
“I’m sorry.” He apologized softly.
“For what?” She hadn’t lowered the defensive tone a bit.
After giving it a thought again and coming up with nothing specific, Ranma just shrugged.
Akane sighed deeply, stood, and pushed him into the open air behind him.
