Jeffrey "OneShot" Wong Ranma 1/2: The least one can do (Opening scene: It's a beautiful Saturday morning. We are looking at the Tendo's home from across the street. Kasumi is sweeping the sidewalk in front. Akane, finishing her usual morning jog, stops to say good morning.) Kasumi: Good morning, Akane. How was your jog?(Smiles sweetly) Akane: (Feeling good)Good morning, Kasumi. It couldn't be better.(Smiles) Kasumi: (Still smiling)I'm glad to hear that. Akane: I hope Ranma isn't up yet. I'm having a fine day so far. Kasumi: Why don't you take a look?(Opens the gate for Akane to peek in) Akane: (Peeking in and seeing Ranma and Genma sparring)I should've known. (Inside, Ranma and Genma are sparring. Ranma is clearly having fun dodging all of Genma's attacks.) Ranma: (Still dodging)Come on old man, you're getting slow. Genma: I'm holding back.(Attacks some more) Ranma: I know you're trying your hardest. Just tell the truth.(Ducks) Genma: Fine then, I'll finish you off to teach you a lesson. Ranma: You'll try and finish me off that is. (Genma quickly lunges at Ranma, expecting to push him into the pond. Instead, Ranma just sidesteps to his left and sticks his foot out, tripping Genma into to pond face first.) Ranma: What a lame attack. Genma: (Resurfacing)Growl! (Akane, who walked in as the two fought, giggles at the sight. She is on the porch. Ranma turns to see who's laughing. Genma, seeing that Ranma is distracted, grabs him and pulls him into the pond with him. Akane giggles some more as Ranma-chan surfaces.) Ranma-chan: Hey old man....what did you do that for?!? Genma(Panda): Ranma-chan: ................ (Everyone is at the table eating breakfast. Ranma is back to his male form.) Akane: Ranma. Ranma: Yes? Akane: Have you seen P-chan today? Ranma: What do I care about that dumb pig? Akane: (Getting mad)P-chan not a dumb pig. P-chan: (From nowhere comes running up to Akane)Bwee! Akane: P-chan!(Picks up and hugs P-chan)Where have you been? P-chan: (Eyes big)Bwee! Ranma: Where did you come from? I thought I got rid of you!(Oh oh) Akane: (Now angry)What?!? Ranma: Oh no! Akane: (Taking a mallet out of nowhere)Ranma no....BAKA! (Akane hits Ranma with her mallet straight up into orbit. We see Ranma soar straight up into stratosphere and disappear. After few minutes, we see Ranma coming back down. He lands in a fountain in a nearby town.) Ranma-chan: (Getting out of the fountain)Damnit. Why does this always happen to me.(Looks around) Hmm......I don't recognize this town. (As Ranma, in girl form, is getting out of the fountain, a girl walks up to him.) Girl: Are you alright? Ranma-chan: Yeah(Looks up at girl and is stunned by her beauty) Girl: (Smiles)Here, let me help you.(Offers her hand) Ranma-chan: (Takes the girl's hand)Thanks. Girl: (Curious)Why were you in the fountain in the first place? Ranma-chan: I...uh...fell in by accident. Girl: You should be more careful. (Ranma-chan nods) Girl: You don't look familiar. Do you live around here? Ranma-chan: ....No....I moved to.....the town next door....not too long ago. Girl: I'm Shori. Shori Hyusa Ranma-chan: I'm.....Ranko. Ranko Saotome. Shori: Are you related to a guy named Ranma. Ranma-chan: I.....know someone in Nerima.....named Ranma Saotome, but.....I'm not related. You know.....Ranma? Shori: No. I saw him in this place called the Nekohanten. I never talked to him though. I wanted to though. Ranma-chan: Why didn't you? Shori: I'm too shy.....How about you? How do you know him? Ranma-chan: I...uh...met him in the park. Shori: You're lucky. Ranma-chan: (Confused)How so? Shori: You met Ranma. Ranma-chan: So. Shori: (Getting misty eyed)He's so handsome. Ranma-chan: (Smiles)You really think so? Shori: Yes, of course I do. All the other girls in town think so too. Ranma-chan: (Still smiling)They do? Shori: (Sees Ranma smiling)What's with the smile on your face? Ranma-chan: (Stops smiling)Oh.....nothing important. Shori: Come on.....what is it? Ranma-chan: Nothing. Shori: You were smiling when I started to talk about Ranma. Ranma-chan: I just never knew so many girls liked....him. Shori: (Smiles)You like him too. Ranma-chan: ........ Shori: How did you get to know him? Ranma-chan: I....saw him walking in the park one day.....and I walked up to him and....uh.....asked him for the time. Shori: You're so lucky....being able to walk right up to him and talking. Me. I'd be too nervous. Ranma-chan: Why should you be nervous? Shori: I wish I wasn't so shy. Just being in the same room with someone cute makes me nervous. Ranma-chan: You shouldn't. Shori: I know.....but that's the way I am. Ranma-chan: What would you do if he starts talking to you? Shori: Why would he? I'm just a regular girl. Besides, he has a fiance. Ranma-chan: (Remembering the earlier incident)So...that doesn't mean he can't talk to you. Shori: I guess you're right. Ranma-chan: Were you headed somewhere? I don't want to keep you busy. Shori: Me, I was heading towards the carnival to meet some friends. You're welcome to join us. Ranma-chan: Nah, don't worry about me. Shori: Come on. It'll be fun. You can tell all my friends you met Ranma. Ranma-chan: .......... (We are now at the carnival. It's a little past noon. Ranma-chan meet up with two girls, Shori is with him.) Shori: Akemi. Reia.(Gestures to Ranma-chan) This is Ranko. Akemi and Reia: Konnichiwa(Bows) Shori: Ranko.(Gestures to her two friends)This is Akemi and Reia Ranma-chan: G'afternoon(Bows) Shori: Well, now that we are introduced, let's have some fun. Ranma-chan: Like what? Akemi: Let's go on the merry-go-round Reia: Yeah, I'd like that. How about you Ranko? Ranma-chan: How about the roller coaster? Shori: I love the roller coaster. Akemi: Well, I still want to go on the merry-go-round. Reia: Same here. Shori: How about this? (Points at Akemi and Reia)You two go on the merry-go-round while Ranko and I go on the roller coaster. Akemi: Where should we meet? Shori: Right here. (Akemi and Reia both go there way while Ranma-chan and Shori go their own way. Half the day goes by without Ranma even noticing, a majority of it being with Shori since her friends have different tastes in rides than she does. Maybe Ranma-chan was having too much fun to notice. It's now later in the afternoon. Ranma-chan, Shori, Akemi, and Reia are back at their meeting place.) Akemi: Shori, I have to go. It's getting close to dinner now. Reia: Me too. Shori: Well, I guess I'll see you two tomorrow then. The next time we come here, we must compromise on rides so we can be together. Akemi: Sure thing. See you later Shori. It was nice meeting you Ranko. Reia: Same here. I hope you can hang out with us again. Bye Ranko. Ranma-chan and Shori: Bye. (The two girls leave. Now its only Ranma-chan and Shori.) Shori: Do you have to leave also? It's getting kind of late. Ranma-chan: Me....no. I have nowhere to go. Shori: Well I don't want to go home either. Would you like to go eat? I'll treat. Ranma-chan: Yeah, I'm starving, but you don't need to treat. I have enough for myself. Thanks anyway. Shori: Where would you like to go? Ranma-chan: (Not too familiar with the neighborhood)Um, you choose. Shori: I know this great place that serves the best Chinese food. Ranma-chan: Sure. Lead the way. (The two leave) (It's now evening. Ranma-chan and Shori have finished eating and are at a nearby park, sitting on a bench. They just sit and enjoy the sunset in the distant horizon.) Shori: Ranko. Ranma-chan: (Still looking at the horizon)Yes? Shori: Do you think I'm pretty? Ranma-chan: ............ (Shori was indeed pretty. Actually, she's gorgeous. Ranma-chan didn't know why a girl as pretty as her would ask a question like that. Even though he got used to being in her presence, it took him a few moments before he could answer.) Ranma-chan: (Looks at Shori)Of course you are. Why would you ask a question like that? Shori: I don't know. It's just that I get so nervous around guys. I think it's because subconsciously, I think I'm ugly. That's why I'm so shy. Ranma-chan: You're not ugly. I mean it. Shori: (Hugs Ranma-chan)Thanks, Ranko. It really means a lot to me. (Ranma-chan hugs back) Shori: The next time I try to talk to a guy, I'll think of what you said. (Shori and Ranma-chan stop hugging) Shori: Look.....it's getting late and I've got to be getting home now. Ranma-chan: Yeah, me too. Shori: (Gets up)It was rally nice meeting you. I really hope we can hang out again. Ranma-chan: (Gets up)Yeah, me too. Shori: Bye.(Walks off) Ranma-chan: Wait. Shori: (Turns around)Yes? Ranma-chan: Do you know where I can get some hot water? Shori: Yes. You can get it a the restaurant we just came out of. Ranma-chan: Thank you. Shori: Bye.(Walks off again) Ranma-chan: Bye.(Walks off towards the restaurant) (A few minutes has passed. We now see a slightly damp, male Ranma walking down the street.) Ranma: (Thinking)What a great day. I hope I can see her again.(Looks around)Where am I? How am I going to get home? I know, I'll ask Shori.(Turns around and runs off in that direction) (We now see Shori walking) Shori: (Thinking)I hope I can see Ranko again. I really liked hanging out with her. Maybe the next time I see her, I'll have a boyfriend. I'll have to thank her. Ranma: (Walks up to Shori)Hi. Shori: (Looks at Ranma)Hi(Thinking)That's Ranma! Ranma: (Remembering that he's now male)I'm Ranma. Ranma Saotome. Shori: (Nervously)I'm Shori. Shori Hyusa. Ranma: I'm....uh...lost. I was wondering, how do you get to Nerima? Shori: (Nervously)It's about a kilometer north of here. Ranma: Thank you. Would you like me to escort you home? It's very dangerous to be alone at night you know. Shori: Would you? Ranma: No problem.(Takes Shori's arm in his)Ready? Shori: (Blushing)Um...yes. (Ranma and Shori both head off down the road. Shori seems very relaxed now. Maybe because she's thinking of what Ranko said on her being pretty.) Ranma: Shori. Shori: Yes? Ranma: Can I ask you a question? Shori: Sure. Ranma: Do I feel tense to you? Shori: No. Why? Ranma: (Smiles)Because I get nervous around pretty girls. Shori: (Blushing)You think I'm pretty? Ranma: Of course I think you're pretty.(Smiles) Shori: (Leans her head against Ranma's shoulder)Thanks, it really means a lot to me. (Shori and Ranma continue down to road) (We are now at Shori's house. Ranma and Shori are in front.) Shori: Thank you. Ranma: No problem......you know what? Shori: What? Ranma: You aren't as tense as you were before. Shori: (Kisses Ranma on the cheek)I know. Thank you.(Goes in) (Ranma stands there for a second) Ranma: (Softly)It's the least I can do.(Turns around and heads home) (Opening scene: It's a beautiful Sunday morning. We are looking at the Tendo's home from across the street where we see Kasumi sweeping the sidewalk once again. We see Akane, finished her usual morning jog, stop to say good morning. They greet each other like they have every morning.) Kasumi: (Stops her sweeping)Good Morning. How was your jog?(Smiles sweetly) Akane: Morning, onesan. It went great.(Smiles) Kasumi: (Still smiling)I'm glad to hear that. Akane: (Changing the subject)You don't think Ranma would be up around now, do you? Kasumi: (Concerned)Yes, he is up. Is there something wrong? Akane: (Acting innocent)Well, not really. Kasumi: Come on, you can tell me. Akane: I'm just worried about Ranma, that's all. Kasumi: (Taking full interest in the conversation)Why's that? Akane: Last night, he didn't come home till very late. And when he did, he never told me why. All he did was go straight up to bed and go to sleep. Kasumi: (Smiles sweetly)Well, that's Ranma for you. Akane: Where's Ranma? Kasumi: Take a look for yourself(Opens the front gate for Akane to look through) (Inside, Ranma and Genma are, once again, sparring. Ranma is clearly having fun dodging all of Genma's attacks, but for some reason, his mind is somewhere else...more like his mind is on someone else.) Ranma: (Still dodging)C'mon. You can do better than that. Genma: (Stops to catch his breath)I'm just holding back. Ranma: Just face it, pops. You can't beat me.(starts attacking) (Ranma quickly lunges at Genma, hitting him in the stomach before he had a chance to react. Genma gets hit so hard that he is pushed backwards and falls into the pond.) Genma(Panda): Growl. Ranma: Hey pops, you're really getting slow. You should practice some more. Akane: (Entering the yard via the front gate)You shouldn't taunt your father like that, it isn't nice. Ranma: (Surprised)Akane, when did you get home? (Genma, seeing Ranma distracted, pulls him into the pond....just like yesterday. Ranma resurfaces in female form) Ranma-chan: (Soaking wet)That's twice you did that to me!(Punts the panda into orbit) Akane: (Smiling slightly)Here, let me help you out.(Offers her hand) Ranma-chan: Don't worry, I can get up by myself. I don't need help from a Uncute tomboy like you. Akane: (Getting angry)Ranma no BAKA! (Akane takes out a mallet and hits Ranma-chan, sending her flying into the wall. Ranma hits the wall and sticks there for a second before sliding down to the ground. Akane places her mallet back away and storms into the house.) Ranma-chan: (muffled because her mouth is plastered to the wall)Uncute tomboy. (Everyone is at the table eating breakfast. Ranma is back to his male form. Genma is there, in male form also. Apparently, he managed to find his way back home. Ranma seems a little bit steamed at Akane.) Nabiki: (Stops eating for a second)Hey Ranma, where were you yesterday? Ranma: Nowhere in particular. Nabiki: Then why did you get home so late? Ranma: I didn't know my way home. Akane hit me so hard that I didn't recognize the town I landed in. That's all. Akane: Well, I wouldn't have hit you if you didn't act like such an obnoxious jerk yesterday. (Ranma ignores her. He's still upset over what happened this morning.) (The family continues on eating. Once finished, Ranma gets up to leave.) Soun: Ranma, where are you going? Ranma: I'm just going out for a jog.(Leaves) Nabiki: Hey Akane, maybe you should go after him. He did look angry this morning. Akane: ............ Nabiki: (Jokingly)If you keep this up, maybe you lose him to another girl. Akane: (Not realizing what she's saying. Maybe she's in denial)See if I care. Besides, who would want a hentai like him? Nabiki: (Softly so Akane wouldn't hear)I betcha there's plenty. (Its now been about fifteen minutes after Ranma left for his jog. We see Ranma jogging down the street. He seems to be so upset at Akane that he doesn't realize that he jogged into another town. When he does, he sits down on a nearby bench to think. At that instant, the clouds gather, and it then it starts pouring.) Ranma-chan: (now in female form)Damn! I hope no one saw me change. (Ranma-chan looks around and sees no one nearby) Ranma-chan: Good, no one saw me. Well, I guess I better head home. (Ranma-chan gets up off the bench and proceeds to jog towards home...where ever it is. As he continues to jog, he never realizes that he's jogging further into the town.....until he sees a familiar looking Chinese restaurant.) Ranma-chan: Hey, that's the same restaurant where Shori and I ate last night. So that means I'm even further into the town. (The rain stops abruptly.) Ranma-chan: Well, at least the rain stopped.(Turns around to jog in the direction he came from. But before he could, he hears a familiar voice from across the street.) Voice: Ranko! (Ranma-chan looks towards where the voice originated. He realized that the person standing across the street was Shori. Shori was looking as beautiful as ever. She was holding an umbrella and was perfectly dry.) Ranma-chan: (Remembering he's in female form)Shori! Shori: (Running across the street, folding her umbrella and putting it away)You're soaked. Here, come with me(Grabs hold of Ranma-chan's hand) Ranma-chan: (Noticing how delicate Shori's hand feels in his hand)Where are we going? Shori: (Dragging Ranma-chan with her)To my house. We have to get you out of those soaking clothes and into dry ones before you catch a cold. Ranma-chan: (Trying to prevent his shivering)Don't worry, I'm fine.(Sneezes) Shori: (Smiling)Come on. Lets go. (Ranma-chan, knowing that there was no use hiding that fact that he was coming down with a cold, goes along with Shori towards her house.) (We are now in front of Shori's house. Ranma-chan and Shori are out front. Ranma-chan has a shocked look on his face. The house he was looking at was huge, like a mansion. Actually, it was a mansion.) Ranma-chan: Wow, I never realized how big your house was! Shori: (Giggling)Well, that's because you never came to my house before. (Ranma-chan was about to say that he did but realized he came there in male form when he escorted Shori home.) Shori: Let's go in.(Drags Ranma-chan along) (Inside, Ranma-chan is amazed to find such a beautifully furnished house. There were furniture there that looked like it would cost more than the home he lived in. He noticed that it had marble stairways leading to the second floor with a red carpet on it. There was a magnificent fireplace on one side of the room, and a grand piano on the other side.) Ranma-chan: (Looking around in awe)This place is huge. Shori: Well, my parents are rich, and they buy everything they see. Ranma-chan: What do they do? Shori: My dad is the CEO of Aido Airlines and my mom is the president of a textile corporation. Ranma-chan: Wow! You are definitely living the fine life. Shori: (A little bit sad)Not really. Ranma-chan: Why's that? Shori: The only thing that I get pleasure from is spending time with friends. All the other stuff I couldn't care less. (Ranma-chan sneezes again) Shori: Come on, let's go upstairs to my room so we can have you change. (Ranma-chan bites his lips to keep from laughing, having caught the double meaning of what Shori just said.) (Inside Shori's room, which is as well furnished as downstairs, Ranma- chan has fully changed, changed into some of Shori's clothes. Shori had taken Ranma-chan's wet clothes and gave it to a maid to have them dried.) Ranma-chan: (Thinking to himself)Man, the waist of these pants are actually loose around my waist. And it's also loose up by the chest. Shori: How's that? Does it fit? Ranma-chan: It fits fine.(Not bothering to tell Shori it was actually loose on him) Shori: Are you doing anything today? Were you going anywhere when I found you? Ranma-chan: Me?(Pointing to himself)I wasn't doing anything. I was just jogging when the rain started coming down. Shori: Do you like jogging? Ranma-chan: Yeah, why? Shori: I love jogging, especially when I fell depressed or angry. It always cheers me up right away. (Ranma-chan said nothing. He realized that his day had brightened ever since he started jogging this morning....the main reason was that he met Shori.) Shori: Would you like to go to the mall? Ranma-chan: Well, I guess that wouldn't hurt. Besides, I had nothing to do anyway. Shori: Good, let's go now.(Smiles happily) Besides, on the way there, I can tell you about who I met last night. (Ranma-chan smiles, knowing exactly who Shori met that night. It was someone who asked her for directions, escorted her home, and told her he felt tense being around pretty girls.) (We are now at the mall. Ranma-chan is still wearing Shori's clothes. Shori is right next to him, walking alongside.) Shori: Do you want to get anything eat? Ranma-chan: (Check his pockets for money, only to realize he left his money in his wet clothes)Oh no, I forgot to take the money out of my wet clothes. Shori: Don't worry, my treat. Ranma-chan: Don't bother, I'm not to hungry.(His stomach grumbles) Shori: (Pokes Ranma-chan)Oh, sure you're not(Giggles) Ranma-chan: Well, I pay you back. I promise. Shori: I bet you will. But don't worry about it. (The two head off towards the food court where they eat.) (As the two eat, two guys walked up to their table) Guy1: (Places hand on Ranma-chan's shoulder)Hi there, sweet stuff. How about you and I head off towards my place to have some fun. Ranma-chan: (Swats the guys hands away)Don't touch me. If you ever do that again, it'll be the last thing you do. Guy1: What would you do, hurt me? Ranma-chan: I'll do much more than hurt you. Guy2: (Places hand on Shori's shoulder and squeezes)Let's split this joint, toots. Shori: Please let go, you're hurting me. Ranma-chan: Don't touch her(Pushes Guy2 away from Shori) (Guy2 gets pushed so hard that he stumbles backwards into several tables and falls to the floor) Guy1: You'll pay for what you did to my friend!(Grabs Ranma-chan by his hair) Ranma: I told you to never touch me again! (Ranma-chan spins around and crescent kicks Guy1 in the jaw, sending him flying through the air and into several chairs and tables, unconscious) (Guy2 gets up off the floor and charges Ranma-chan. Ranma-chan steps forward and punches him square on the mouth, knocking him unconscious. By now, everyone around them are staring at the two girls.) Ranma-chan: Come on, we better get out of here.(Grabs hold of Shori's hand and runs towards the exit) (Ranma-chan and Shori are walking down the street towards Shori's house) Shori: Did you know who they were? Ranma-chan: Never saw them in my life. Shori: They were two bullies from my school. They always pick on me. Ranma-chan: (Shocked)What? Why would they do that? Shori: (Sad)I don't know. Maybe it's because they think up uptight and snotty. You know, because I'm rich. They also pick on the other girls who aren't so popular in school. The popular girls sometimes pick on me also. Ranma-chan: (Surprised)What? How can you not be popular in school? Shori: Most of the girls think of me as a spoiled brat. Ranma-chan: (Feeling sympathetic)Why don't you tell them that you're not? I'll vouch for you. Shori: Thanks, I appreciate the gesture. But those are the kind of guys who I would have to beat it into. Ranma-chan: (Smiles)I'll do that for you(Cracking his knuckles) Shori: (Tears starting to welt up in eyes)I wish I had a boyfriend who could do that for me. Ranma-chan: ...Um....what..about..that...Ranma you met last night. Shori: I wish he would be my boyfriend, but he has a fiance. Ranma-chan: ......... Shori: Look, thanks for your help, you know, with dealing them and all, but I'm going to have to deal with this by myself. (The two continue walking) (It is now late afternoon. Ranma-chan is back in his usual clothes, but this time, it's dry. Ranma-chan and Shori are in front of Shori's house.) Shori: Look, I had a great day. Do you want to do this again? Ranma-chan: Yeah, definitely.(Sighs)I just hope we won't meet those two guys again. Shori: Unfortunately for me, I'll most likely see them tomorrow, when I'm in school. Ranma-chan: Which school do you go to? Shori: (Curious)Hyaka High School. Why? Ranma-chan: Where's it located? Shori: About three blocks west of here. Why? Ranma: (Innocently)Just asking. Shori: Oh. Well, I had a great day. I'll see you some other time(Hugs Ranma-chan) (Ranma-chan holds her in his embrace for a few seconds, feeling the warmth of her body seep into his. At such close proximity, Ranma smelled her perfume, which he found intoxicating.) Shori: (Releases her embrace)I'll see you some other time.(Walks into her house) Ranma-chan: (Softly)A lot sooner than you expect. (Ranma-chan turns around and heads home) (Opening scene: It's a gorgeous Monday morning. We are in front of the Tendo's home. Outside, we see Kasumi sweeping the sidewalk like always. Akane, finished with her early morning jog, stops in front of the house.) Akane: Ohiyo onesan. Kasumi: Ohiyo gozaimasu, Akane. How was your jog? Akane: (Slightly sweaty)It went great. (Pauses a second to catch her breath) Akane: Is Ranma up yet? I don't want to be late for school. Kasumi: Yes, he's awake. Akane: (Shocked)Are you serious? Why'd he wake up so early? Kasumi: Well, I never had the chance to ask him. Akane: How come? Kasumi: Because when I went into his room to try and wake him, he wasn't there. Akane: Do you know where he went? Kasumi: No. I even asked Mr. Saotome. Akane: And what did he say? Kasumi: He said slept through it. He didn't even know when Ranma left. Akane: What a jerk! He leaves without telling me or anyone else where he's going. (We are now at Shori's house. Shori is in her well furnished room. She just woke up. She stretches and yawns, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.) Shori: (Depressed)I wish I don't have to go to school. Those two bullies are definitely going to be waiting for me.(Languidly gets out of bed and proceeds to get dressed.) (Ranma, in male form, is walking down the street towards Shori's house. He is holding a piece of paper he wrote that shows him the directions on how to get to her house. After several minutes of walking, Ranma stops in front of her house, easily recognizing it by its size.) Ranma: (Looks down at paper)Ok, now that I'm at Shori's house, I have to head three blocks west of here. (At that instant, Ranma notices two girls walking down the street. He realizes it was Reia and Akemi, the two girls he met at the amusement park two days ago. He quickly jumps behind a conveniently located bush. He watches as the two girls walk up to Shori's house and ring her doorbell. After a few moments, Shori, beautifully dressed in her school outfit, answers the door.) Shori: Ohiyo gozaimasu. Akemi and Reia: Ohiyo gozaimasu. Reia: Are you ready to go now? Shori: Do I have to go to school? Akemi: I know you don't want to go because of those two bullies, but what can you do? Shori: I can get a boyfriend and have him beat them up. Akemi: But you don't have a boyfriend. Shori: (Sighs)I know. Reia: Look, we better head off to school now if we don't want to be late. (The three girls head off for school) (Ranma hops back out of the bushes) Ranma: Don't worry Shori, you won't have to worry about those two bullies anymore. Not after I'm through with them. (Ranma jumps into the air and lands on the roof of a house. From there, he proceeds west towards Hyaka High School at high speed to intercept Shori before she and her friends get there first.) (We are now in front of Hyaka High School. We see Ranma jump off of a roof and land on the ground in front of the front gate. He leans up against the wall and waits for Shori to come running up the street. After a few minutes he sees her and her friends running towards the school in the far off distance.) Ranma: (Takes a deep breath)Well, here goes nothing.(Runs down the street towards Shori and her friends) (We see Shori, Akemi, and Reia running down the street) Shori: I swear, I met him. Reia: I don't believe you met Ranma? When did you see him? Shori: I saw him Saturday night. He escorted me home and everything. Akemi: (Dubiously)Get out of here! You're lying! Reia: Shori, look out! (Shori, who was in a mad rush, wasn't paying attention to what was in front of her. She crashes into Ranma and her schoolbag goes flying through the air, books flying everywhere. The two of them fall to the ground, Ranma intentionally falls backwards, using his own body to cushion Shori from the fall so she wouldn't get hurt.) Ranma: (Getting to his feet)Are you okay?(Acting embarrassed)I'm sorry. I wasn't looking at where I was going.(Offers his hand) Shori: (Takes his hand)It's all my fault.(Looks at who she bumped into) Ranma! Ranma: Hey, I know you.(Smiles)You're Shori Hyusa, right? Akemi: Oh my god! You weren't joking! Reia: No way! Shori: Yes, I'm Shori. Ranma: (Picking up her books)Look, I wish I could stay and talk to you some more, but I must be going.(Hands her the books) (Ranma runs off.....smiling) Akemi: I guess you weren't lying! Shori: (Happily)I told you.(Shoving her last book into her schoolbag)Let's get to school before we're late. I guess my day isn't going to be as bad as I thought. (The three girls run off towards the school) (Ranma runs down the street for several blocks before he stops) Ranma: (Taking a book out from under his shirt)Good thing Shori didn't see me take this.(Smiles) (Ranma walks over to a nearby bench and sits down in it, waiting patiently for afternoon to come around.) Ranma: (Looks at the book)I guess my school won't mind my being absent for one day. (After several hours pass, we see Ranma get off the bench and proceed down the street towards Hyaka High School.) (We are now in the high school cafeteria where we see Shori, Reia, Akemi, and two girls sitting together, talking to each other....about Ranma. The room is filled with people from all grades.) Girl: Are you serious? You three saw Ranma. Akemi: Ask Shori, she was the one who hung out with him Saturday night. Shori: (Blushing)Akemi! Reia: She sure did. He walked her home. Shori: (Blushing beet-red)Reia! AnotherGirl: Hey, who's that? (As the girls continue to chat away, the two bullies from the other day sits down on their table, each bully on either side of Shori.) Guy1: (Smiling wryly)Hey, where's your friend? Guy2: Yeah, I'm gonna teach her a lesson. Shori: Leave me alone. Guy1: What're ya gonna do, sic that red-headed girl after us? Guy2: Since you're so rich, you won't mind giving us some money.(Reaches into Shori's pocket) Akemi: Stop that!(Tries to push the guy away)Get away from my friend! Guy1: Hey, now she's got her friends sticking up for her.(Grabs Akemi's wrists and tightens)Maybe you're rich like Shori. Maybe you won't mind givin' me some of your money. Shori: Don't touch her! Leave her along! (On the other side of the cafeteria, Ranma was holding a book, looking around intently so he could return it to her.) Ranma: (Sees Shori)Shori!(Waves to her from across the room) (Everyone in the entire cafeteria stopped whatever they were doing to see who said that. All eyes rested on Ranma. After a few silent moments, whispers could be heard. The girls in that cafeteria were whispering to each other about who cute Ranma while the boys just glared at him. The boys weren't too thrilled by the fact that all the girls in the school thought Ranma, who was from another school, was cuter than they were.) Ranma: (Recognizes those two thugs from yesterday)Hey, what are you doing?!? Guy1: (Releases his grip of Akemi)It's none of ya damn business! Guy2: (Steps towards Ranma)Ya got a problem with that! Ranma: Yeah, I do! Guy1: Who the hell are you? Ranma: I'm Ranma Saotome. (Immediately, the room is filled with whispering...mostly among the girls) Ranma: (Ignoring the background whispering)Leave Shori alone! Guy1: And what if I don't? Ranma: I'll beat it into you to leave her alone then. Guy2: Oh really? (Guy1 whistles for his friends. Seven guys, who were gathered in the back of the room, walks up to the table, surrounding Ranma.) Guy1: (Smiles disdainfully)Now what're you gonna do? Ranma: Leave Shori alone and I won't hurt you. Guy1: You mean you don't want me doing this!(Hits Shori) (Ranma clocks the guy, sending him flying through the room. The guy hits a table and food goes flying everywhere.) Ranma: (Kneeling down by Shori's side)Are you okay?!? Shori: I..I'm...fine. Guy2: Get him! (All seven guys charge.) Ranma: (Smiles wryly)Okay, you asked for it! Guy2: You gonna pay for whatcha did to my buddy(Charges) (Ranma releases his ki and sends a massive tornado of power toward the ceiling. All eight bullies were sucked into the blast and was blown out in different directions, all unconscious) Ranma: (Turns back to Shori and helps her to her feet)Are you sure you're okay? Shori: (Slightly disoriented)Y...yes. Ranma: Stay here for a minute.(Walks off) (Everyone in the room watches as Ranma walks up to guy who struck Shori. They all see him grab the guy by the shirt collar and lift him up to his feet. The guy was unconscious. Ranma slaps the guy hard to bring him back to consciousness.) Guy: Huh....what the? (Ranma lifts the guy up off his feet and shoves him up against the wall, knocking the wind out of him) Guy: (Trying to break free of Ranma's grip)Let...go...of...me!(Punches Ranma in the mouth) Ranma: (Slight blood dripping from his lip)You'll pay for that! (Ranma throws the guy across the room, into another table, sending more food flying everywhere. The entire room is silent, everyone watching intently as Ranma walks up to the guy again and pick him up off the floor and slam him up against a wall again.) Guy: (Trying to free himself again)Someone....help...me! Ranma: I want you to apologize to Shori! Guy: W..w..what?!? Ranma: (Slaps the guy hard)I said apologize to her! Guy: (Feeling defeated)I'm sorry, Shori. Ranma: (Slaps the guy again)Say it so everyone could hear! Guy: (Starting to cry)I'm sorry Shori! Ranma: (Turns to Shori while still holding the guy off the floor)Is that good enough for you? (Shori nods towards Ranma, all starry eyed.) Ranma: (Turns back to the guy)I want you to tell her you'll never bother her again. Guy: (Crying)Shori, I'll never bother you again. I promise. Ranma: Tell everyone in this room that also. Guy: (Yelling out loud)I'll never bother Shori again! I promise! Ranma: Good! (Ranma, while still holding the guy, walks over to the a nearby window and throws him through it, sending glass flying everywhere. The guy falls to the ground, unconscious.) Ranma: (Walks over to Shori)I guess he won't be bothering you again. Shori: (Starry eyed)Uh...thanks....I really appreciate it. Ranma: I came here to give you this book.(Hands her a book) Shori: (Takes book)Oh...I've been looking for that. Thanks. Ranma: I'd really like to stay, but I've gotta run. Oh yeah....I forgot to say thanks for Saturday night. I really had a nice time talking to you. Shori: Thanks, Ranma. (Ranma leaves. After a short time, everyone in the cafeteria begins doing whatever they were doing before Ranma showed up. This time, all the girls rush up to Shori, surrounding her. All of them wanted to know how she knew Ranma.) Girl: How do you know Ranma? AnotherGirl: What did you two do on Saturday night? YetAnotherGirl: Please tell us. (Outside, we see Ranma looking towards Hyaka High School. After several minutes, we see him sigh out loud.) Ranma: (Softly saying to himself)Goodbye Shori. We'll meet again. (Ranma sighs one more time before turning around and heading off towards his own school) (Opening scene: It's now an early Tuesday morning. We are in front of the Tendo's home. The camera zooms in on a single open window on the second floor. The window leads to Akane's room. Inside, we see Akane sitting on her bed, leaning up against the wall, her legs tucked up against her chest. We realize that she's not alone. Nabiki is also in the room, sitting in a chair.) Akane: Ranma, that BAKA, came to school late yesterday. He showed up in class halfway through the day. Nabiki: That's strange. Kasumi told me he left early in the morning. I figured he was on his way to school. Akane: You know what's weird......after Ranma came into class late, he wasn't at all bother by the fact that he had to stand out in the hallway. When I saw him, he actually looked happy. Nabiki: Did you ask him why he was happy? Akane: Yeah, I did. He told me he was happy because he had a very enjoyable morning. And when I asked him what he meant by that, he said he didn't want to talk about it. Nabiki: That must've made you angry. What did you do after he said that? Akane: Nothing. There was nothing I could do. Nabiki: What? You never clobbered him. Akane: No, I didn't clobber him. Why should I, Nabiki? Nabiki: Akane, I know you better than you know yourself. You would've clobbered him. Now.....why didn't you? Akane: (Looking down)I don't know. I really don't know. Nabiki: (Thinking)I think I do...... Akane: Nabiki, when I looked at Ranma and asked him to please give me a real answer, he turned away, as if he didn't want to be around me anymore. Nabiki: Does it really matter? I mean, you yourself say you would never marry that 'baka'. Why should that effect you? Akane: ............... Nabiki: Look, whatever's going on between the two of you, I suggest you get it fixed, and fast.(Thinking)If you don't, you're going to lose him.....who knows....you might've lost him already. Akane: Nabiki, thanks.(Gets up to leave for Ranma's room) (Nabiki watches sullenly as Akane leaves) Nabiki: (Softly)Ranma, please don't hurt her...... (Inside Ranma's room, Ranma is getting ready for school. We watch as he gently places his books into his schoolbag. As he continues to do this, he starts daydreaming about how he had to bump into Shori in order to get a hold of one of her books so he could hand it back to her later on in the day. The thought brings a smile to Ranma's face.) Ranma: (Thinking to himself as he sighs out loud)Shori....... (There's a knock at the door, bringing Ranma out of his little reverie.) Ranma: Come in, the door's open. (Akane enters the room) Ranma: (Smiles)Hi Akane. Akane: (Takes in a deep breath)Ranma, is there something wrong? You've been acting different for the past few days. How come you never really talk to me anymore? Ranma: (Placing hand on her shoulder)Akane, nothing's wrong with me. I've been....busy for the past few days. That's all. Akane: But how come you never really talk to me anymore?(Thinking)You haven't called me a tomboy all day yesterday and this morning. Ranma: There isn't anything to talk about. C'mon, lets go downstairs and eat. Akane: Oh......Okay (We are now downstairs, in the dining area. We watch as Ranma and everyone else eat. We notice Ranma looking rather detached as he continues to eat. Akane tries to start a conversation with him, only to be rudely ignored. Nabiki watches all this with a sullen visage. After a few moment of watching this, Nabiki stands up.) Nabiki: I'm off to school(Turns to leave) Akane: Waitaminute, why're you leaving so early? We don't need usually leave for another fifteen minutes. Nabiki: I have to get some extra help, that's all. Bye(Thinking)I hope Akane and Ranma could get things sorted out when they walk to school together....without me being there.(Leaves) (We are now with Akane and Ranma as they walk to school together. Akane has a sad look and Ranma, who is actually walking next to her, doesn't notice. Akane turns towards Ranma but her words die before they leave her lips. Ranma is staring straight ahead, not paying any particular attention to Akane. He doesn't realize how much he's hurting her. They continue on walking, both saying nothing to each other. By the time they are halfway to school, Ranma finally looks at Akane. To his shock, he realizes that she seems on the verge of crying.) Ranma: (Concerned)Akane, are you all right? What's wrong? Akane: (Hiding her sadness)Yeah, I'm all right. And nothing's wrong. Ranma: (Stops walking, concern in his eyes)Akane........are you crying? Akane: (Wipes a tear away)No, why would I do that? Ranma: What's wrong? C'mon, you can tell me. Akane: ............ (Before Ranma could ask again, Shampoo, out of nowhere, comes into the scene and hugs Ranma in a tight embrace.) Ranma: Erk! Shampoo: Ranma take Shampoo on date.(Hugs tighter) Akane: (Getting mad)Humph! (As Ranma desperately tries to free himself from Shampoo's death grip, Akane starts to fume.) Ranma: Shampoo, I hafta get to school!(Tries to push her away) Shampoo: Ranma no go to school. Ranma take Shampoo on date. Akane: Ranma! Ranma: (Angry because of the distractions he's getting from Shampoo)What?!? Akane: Ranma Saotome, don't you dare speak to me in that kind of tone! (Before Ranma had a chance to apologize, Akane punts him into orbit right when he manages to free himself from Shampoo. Ranma goes soaring through the air and disappears, too far up for us to see. After a few moments, Ranma re-orbits, landing right into a familiar-looking fountain.) Ranma-chan: (Steaming)Argh!!! Why do I put up with this!?! Why do I hafta put up with Akane?!? She doesn't even let me explain! I try and be nice to her for a change and what does she do, she still hits me!!! I'm sick and tired of this....every single morning! I'm definitely going to give Akane _AND_ Shampoo a piece of my mind! (We watch as a soaking-wet Ranma-chan get out of the fountain. We watch Ranma-chan immediately recognize the fountain he fell in. It was the same fountain where he first met Shori. Memories of their encounter flood into Ranma-chan's mind. For some reason, Ranma-chan smiles at the memories. He now no longer seems mad.) Ranma-chan: I wonder how Shori is doin' right now.......she's most like better off than I am. Shori: Ranko! (Ranma-chan immediately recognizes that sweet voice that just said his name.....his female name. He turns around to face Shori. Shori stood before him, as beautiful as ever. She gives Ranma-chan a smile that seemed to melt his heart. For some reason, all that happened to him before was forgotten.) Shori: (Smiling happily while trying to suppress a giggle)Ranko, don't tell me you fell into the fountain again? Ranma-chan: (Trying to act embarrassed)Yeah....uh....I did. I guess I'm clumsy. Shori: Don't say that, Ranko. You're not clumsy. You're probably just having a bad day, ne? (The last sentence Shori said brought what had happened before back into Ranma-chan's head, causing him to fume inwardly......until he looked up at Shori.) Ranma-chan: That fountain just jumped in front of me from out of nowhere. (Shori giggles) Ranma-chan: (Thinking)God, she looks beautiful when she laughs(Laughs along with Shori) Shori: Are you busy? Ranma-chan: Well, not really. Why? Shori: Don't you have school? Ranma-chan: Yeah. Shori: Would you like to walk with me to school? Ranma-chan: Sure. I'd be glad to. (The two continue down the street towards Hyaka High School. For some reason, the fact that Ranma was soaking wet doesn't bother him at all. They continue down the street for several moments in silence before Shori spoke up.) Shori: Ranko, where do you go to school? Ranma-chan: Uh....Furinkan High. Shori: Ain't that the same school Ranma goes to? Ranma-chan: (Realizing)Oh...yeah, it is. Shori: Speaking of Ranma....you won't believe what happened yesterday.....I saw him again. Ranma-chan: (Trying to sound surprised)Really? Shori: Yeah, I accidentally bumped into him yesterday on my way to school. When we collided, all my books fell. Ranma was so sweet to help pick them up for me. After that, he asked me if he'd seen me before. Ranma-chan: (Saying as if he didn't know already)What did you say? Shori: I told him that we've met before and that he was the one who took me home a few nights ago. He then told me he wished he could talk to me more, but had to leave. Ranma-chan: Was that the last you saw of him? Shori: No....that's the great part. He later on showed up in my school to give me a book I dropped when I bumped into him. This was during lunch. He was great. What happened was that there was this guy who was picking on me. When Ranma saw what he was doing to me, he got angry and told the guy to leave me alone. It was great. He was protecting me as if he was my boyfriend. Ranma-chan: (Smiles)That's great! Shori: He beat that bully and his friends up and told them to never bother me again. For the rest of the day, none of them picked on me. All the girls who saw this came rushing towards me, asking me how Ranma was like. Ranma-chan: And what did you say? Shori: I couldn't say anything. I didn't even get to know him. Although I wish I could. He's so handsome. I wish he didn't have a fiancee. I'd love to go out with him for just one date. His fiancee must be lucky to have a guy like him to marry. Ranma-chan: ................ (The two arrive in front of Shori's high school.) Shori: Well, I guess I better head on in now. Thanks a lot for walking with me to school, I really appreciate it. Ranma-chan: No problem. I guess I best be going now. I'll see you later. (Turns to leave) Shori: Ranko. Ranma-chan: (Turning back around)What is it, Shori? Shori: If you ever see Ranma in school, can you please tell him I said arigato for all he's done in the past few days. Ranma-chan: I'll be sure he gets that message. Shori: And can you tell him that if he doesn't mind, I'd like to get to know him. I wish I could be near him. Ranma-chan: Okay. I'll see you later. Bye.(Leaves) Shori: Bye, Ranko. Thanks for walking with me to school.(Turns around and enters the school) (By now, Ranma's wet clothes have dried off. We watch Ranma head back towards his own school. As he continues down the road, he spies a coffee shop. We watch him enter. After a few minutes, a slightly damp male Ranma emerges from the store and continues his trek towards his school.) Ranma: (Recalling those last few words Shori said in his head)I wish I could be near him.(Softly to himself)Shori, you're a lot nearer to him than you expect. (With that said, Ranma heads off towards school, a smile on his face.) (Opening scene: It is now Tuesday afternoon. We are in front of Furinkan High School where we see a slightly damp, male Ranma finally arrive. Albeit he's late, he seems happy. Maybe it's the fact that he had met Shori earlier today that seemed to brighten his day. We see Ranma enter into the courtyard, which is filled with kids because it's now around lunchtime. We can see kids sitting under trees, enjoying their lunch while others are busy playing games. While most of the people were enjoying themselves, one wasn't. Sitting alone, under a tree, was Akane.) Akane: (Slowly eating her lunch)I wish Ranma was here so I can share this lunch with him(Sighs)He seemed to always like Kasumi's sandwiches. I wonder what happened to him. He should've been back a while ago. What's taking that him so long. That baka........... (Akane seems sad when she realized she was mad at Ranma...and for what. It wasn't his fault that Shampoo latched on to him like that. Why did she have to overreact? Akane felt an overwhelming sense of guilt at what she had done to him.) Akane: (Thinking)Why did I have to hit him? He's been nice to me for the whole morning. Not once had we gotten into an argument when we were eating. He was even nice enough to ask me what was wrong when he thought I was crying. I even saw it in his eyes....that concern he had for me. Ranma: (Softly)Hi Akane. (Akane came out of her reverie with a start. She thought she was alone. When looked up, she saw Ranma standing before her. For some unexplainable reason, Akane's heart started to flutter. It was as if she was glad to see him. She stares at him for several moments, not saying a word. As she continues to gaze at him, she realizes just how handsome a fellow Ranma really is.) Ranma: Can I sit next to you?(Smiles) Akane: Uh....sure. Ranma: (Sitting down)Arigato. (As Ranma sits next to her, Akane felt him accidentally brush up against her. That caused Akane's heart to beat faster. She knew it was an accident, but inwardly wished he had did that on purpose.) Akane: (Recalling what Nabiki said earlier)Look, whatever's going on between the two of you, I suggest you get it fixed, and fast.(Starts talking)Ranma, I want to apologize for hitting you earlier. Ranma: (Smiles)Don't worry about it, Akane....consider it forgotten. (Thinking)Besides, if she hadn't done that, I wouldn't have seen Shori today. What am I thinking? I shouldn't be thinking about Shori....not when I'm with Akane. I better change the subject before she asks me what took so long for me to get to school.(Begins to talk)Uh.....is it all right if I have a piece of your sandwich? Akane: (Smiles)Sure, I brought enough for two people. (Akane takes a sandwich out of her bag and hands it to Ranma. As she handed it to him, their hands accidentally touch. Akane could feel the warmth Ranma's hands generated. It felt more like a lover's caress rather than a brush against the hand. Ranma was unaware that he had even touched Akane. He was too busy trying to keep his eye contact away from her. He knew that if she asked him about his tardiness, there would be no way for him to lie right into those beautiful eyes that Akane has.) Ranma: (Taking a bite into his sandwich)Uh.....Arigato. (Akane reaches into her bag and takes out a napkin before Ranma notices.) Ranma: Can you please hand me a napkin? (Akane smiles as she hands it to him. After that, she reaches into her bag again and produces and bottle of soda. Once again, Ranma didn't notice.) Ranma: Uh...do you have anything to drink? (Akane hands Ranma the soda. Akane smiles inwardly to herself, happy that she knew Ranma so well. She knew exactly what he wanted even before he asked. The thought of knowing Ranma so well made Akane happy.) Ranma: You look like you're in a very good mood. Akane: (Smiles)Well....I have my reasons. Ranma: (Thinking)Wow, I never really noticed this, but Akane really looks kawaii when she smiles like that. Akane: Ranma. Ranma: What is it, Akane? Akane: (Thinking)If there's any chance of salvaging whatever relationship we have left, I best be doing it now.(Begins to talk)Um.....would you like to go somewhere else to eat? Ranma: (A little surprised at Akane's question)Uh......where should we go? Akane: We could go to Ukyo's. Ranma: Nah.......I'll stay here. I'm fine just where I am. You know what? Akane: What? Ranma: I can't think of one day where we spent lunch together like this. Now that we are.....I'd have to say I'm quite enjoying it. Akane: Really? Ranma: Yeah. It's so nice out.(Thinking)Besides, I think I like being with Akane as much as I like being with Shori....even if Akane is a tomboy and all.(Begins to talk)I would have to say this is a really enjoyable day. Akane: ..................... (As the two continue to eat, Ukyo appears out from nowhere, leaning up against the tree. In her hands, she's holding a okonomiyaki. She's dressed in her usual boy-like outfit with a white sash across her chest, her hair tied in a pony tail by a white bow. Her sudden appearance startles Ranma and Akane for a moment.) Ukyo: Hi Ran-chan.....hi Akane. Ranma: Hi Ukyo. How's everything goin'? Ukyo: Fine. Here, Ran-chan, I made this for you. (Ukyo kneels down and shows Ranma the delicious okonomiyaki she made. Ranma's mouth waters when he gets a big whiff of its aroma. When he takes a closer look at the food, he notices that his name was spelled on it in sauce.) Ranma: That looks delicious. Akane: (Getting angry)............ Ukyo: Go ahead, try it. I made it just for you, Ran-chan. Ranma: I think I will(Realizes Akane is still next to him)Uh.....better yet...I think I'll save it for later.....I'm not that hungry now.....I already ate. Akane: (slight anger in her voice)Go on, Ranma. I know you want to eat that. Ranma: (Getting nervous)Nah....I better not. Ukyo: Why not? You don't like my cooking? Ranma: No....it's not that. Akane: Humph! if you don't want me here to watch you while you eat, then I'll leave.(Gets up and leaves) Ranma: Akane! Akane: (Turning around)Go on, Ranma.....eat her okonomiyaki....see if I care! Ukyo: C'mon, Ran-chan. Just try it....I made it especially for you. I even added all the ingredients you like. Ranma: ............ Akane: Humph! (Akane angrily stomps into the school, not bothering to look back. Ranma tries to get up to go after her, but is stopped when Ukyo shoves the okonomiyaki in his face.) Ukyo: Just try it....I guarantee you'll like it. (Ranma sighs, knowing that there was no other way out. He takes hold of the okonomiyaki and starts eating it. At that moment, without Ranma noticing, Akane comes back out to say something else to him. But she stops when she sees Ranma eating the okonomiyaki. Her countenance turns from anger to sad and crestfallen. She realizes that she's losing Ranma. After a few moments of watching Ranma eat from afar, Akane sadly turns around and enters back into the school, her head hung low, her gaze on the floor. Inside, Akane happens to bump into her older sister, Nabiki.) Nabiki: (Notices Akane's saddened visage)Akane, are you all right? You look sad. Akane: (Fighting back tears)I'm fine, Nabiki. I'm just fine. Nabiki: C'mon, you can tell me what's wrong. It's me, Nabiki. What's the matter? Akane: Nothing. Nothing's the matter. (As Nabiki looks at Akane, she knew exactly what was bothering Akane so much. She knew that Akane realized that she's losing Ranma. Nabiki gently embraces Akane, who happily accepts the hug.) Akane: (Breaking down)I'm losing Ranma. He seems so distant from me whenever I try to talk to him. He doesn't talk to me half as much as he used to. Nabiki: Don't worry, Akane. Everything's goin' to be all right. Akane: Oh Nabiki, what have I done? Nabiki: .............. (Nabiki says nothing, knowing exactly what Akane had done wrong to deserve this.......she had taken Ranma for granted. At that moment, as Nabiki releases her embrace, the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. A whole mob of students enter the hallway Akane and Nabiki were in, all walking by them, not paying any particular attention to them. Akane gently wipes the tears from her eyes as Nabiki watches her with sympathy. As Akane finishes wiping the rest of her tears away, Ranma is seen entering the building, Ukyo holding on to his arm. Akane sees this and is about to cry again, but manages to control herself. Ranma and Ukyo end up walking by her, neither ones noticing her because there were so many students in the hallway at the time.) Ranma: Ukyo, do you have to latch on to me like that? Ukyo: Why shouldn't I? Afterall, we are engaged to be married. Ranma: ............... (Akane watched as Ukyo and Ranma walked by and enter into their classrooms. But before they did, Akane saw Ukyo give Ranma a great big hug before going into her classroom. Ranma stood there for a moment before he turned around and headed for his classroom.) Ranma: (Thinking)Where's Akane? I have to find her so I can apologize. (Continues down the hallway towards his own classroom, looking to and fro for Akane) Nabiki: Aren't you goin' to go after him.? Akane: (Acting mad)Why should I? Nabiki: Maybe because he's your fiancee. Akane: He's not my fiancee. Nabiki: (Thinking)He won't be for long if you keep hiding the fact that you like him.(Begins to talk)Okay, have it your way. But keep this in mind.....you will lose Ranma if you keep this up. Akane: Keep what up? Nabiki: The denial of you liking Ranma. Akane: I don't like Ranma. I never did. Nabiki: Fine. If you don't like him, then keep it that way. That would keep you from being hurt when you lose him. Bye.(Heads off for class) (Akane just stands there, not knowing what to do. Those few words that Nabiki said struck her where it counts....her heart. Akane stood there, pondering.) Akane: Why _am_ I in denial of liking Ranma? Why? Why do I have to overreact to every little thing he does? Why can't I just tell him my feeling for him? Why? How can it be so hard to say those few words? Maybe I better go and apologize to him for getting upset. At least that's a good way to start. (Akane, after sighing loudly, heads down the hallway in search of Ranma.) Akane: Ranma.....I'm not going to lose you. (Opening scene: It is three in the afternoon. We are in front of Furinkan High School. We hear a bell ring, signifying the end of the school day. We see a whole mob of students flood out into the courtyard, each one going their own separate way, some saying behind to say goodbye to their friends before leaving. We see two figures emerge from the mob of people and walk out through the front gate. We realize it's Akane and Ranma.) Ranma: (Hopping up on to a fence)Where's Nabiki? I haven't seen her all day. Akane: See told me she had to stay after school for some extra help. Nabiki: Akane, you and Ranma can go on home without me. Akane: How come? Nabiki: I want to stay after school so I can get some extra help. That's all.(Thinking)Besides, I want to leave them alone so they can sort things out. Ranma: Akane, are you still angry? You know....for what happened this morning. Akane: Me.....no, I'm fine. Why should I be mad? Ranma: That's true.....It's not like we're real finacees or anything. Akane: ............ (Silence follows as the two walk home. Neither one says a word to each other for several long moments. As they walk, Ranma doesn't seem to be paying too much attention to Akane, his thoughts elsewhere. Akane seems sad, but doesn't acknowledge it to Ranma. After they were halfway home, the silence is broken.) Ranma: Are you hungry?(Thinking)Maybe if I take her somewhere to eat, it'll help makes thing a little better between us. I guess I have been acting a little bit different for the past few days.) Akane: (Getting mad)Why? Are you hungry?.......shouldn't you be already full after eating Ukyo's okonomiyaki. Ranma: That's not what I meant. Akane: Then what was it you meant? The only time you and I go out to eat is when you're hungry. Ranma: Forget it then......just forget I ever asked. Akane: (Realizing she must've hurt Ranma's feelings)Ranma. Ranma: What? Akane: I'm.....sorry. I didn't mean to say that. Ranma: Lets just forget about it. Akane: ............... (The two continue on home, neither saying a word. We see the two walk up to the front gate of the Tendo's home. They both enter, Akane entering first as Ranma holds the gate open for her. Akane notices that Ranma has been acting a bit nice to her, but doesn't know why. She doesn't really care though. She seems to be enjoying the attention Ranma's giving her. As the two walk up towards the house, a little piglet emerges from nowhere. We realize it's P-chan. P-chan scurries through the front yard and hops right into Akane's open arms.) Akane: (Hugging her piglet tightly)P-chan, where have you been the past few days? P-chan: Bwee......(Sees Ranma and gives him a dirty look)Bwee! (Ranma ignores the pig. He knows hadn't done anything to him for several days. He knew it was P-chan's lousy sense of direction that kept him from showing up at the place for the past several days.) Akane: (Looks at P-chan)What's wrong, P-chan? P-chan: Bwee! Ranma: Hey, what's wrong with him? P-chan: Bwee(Struggles to get out of Akane's arms so he could bite Ranma) Akane: Why're you struggling like this, P-chan? (P-chan frees himself from Akane's arms and lunges at Ranma, rage in his eyes. Akane is unaware that P-chan was still fuming over what Ranma did to him several days ago. Ranma casually punts the pig into orbit.) Akane: Why'd you do that!?! Ranma: What do you mean why'd I do that?!? Ryo.....your pig was trying to bite me! Akane: So what?!? How dare you hit my sweet little P-chan!?!(Takes out a mallet) (Ranma sees Akane take the mallet out of nowhere. He takes a step back waving his arms in protest. Akane takes a swing at him, which Ranma barely avoids. Ranma, realizing Akane is seriously trying to hurt him, in a fit of rage, kicks the mallet out of Akane's hands.) Ranma: Enough! I've had enough of your mallet!(Remembers how mad he was when he got out of that fountain a day ago) I've been meaning to tell you something about you and your ways!!! (Akane becomes furious when she realizes Ranma just kicked her mallet out of her hands....her favorite mallet.) Akane: Ranma...no...BAKA(Punches Ranma into orbit) (We see Ranma soar high up into the sky, disappearing after several miles up. After a few moments, we see Ranma enter the orbit again, plummeting towards the terra firma. He lands, once again, in a familiar looking fountain. Ranma, now in female form, surfaces.) Ranma-chan: That's it!!! I've had enough!!! Shori: Had enough of what? Ranma-chan: (Not even realizing Shori is behind him)I've had enough of Akane! I can't stand that uncute tomboy! Shori: Who's Akane? Ranma-chan: (Noticing Shori)Uh......hi Shori. Shori: Hiya Ranko. What was it you've had enough with? Who's this Akane? Ranma-chan: Uh...nothing. Forget about it. Shori: (Offers her hand)You should get outta that fountain and outta those soaking wet clothes. You'll catch a cold. You're welcome to change at my house if you'd like. Ranma-chan: Really? Shori: (Smiling warmly)Sure, what're friends for. Ranma-chan: I better not. I don't want to impose. Shori: Impose? No, you won't be imposing. I'd love to have you come over again. It was so fun the first time around, you know, when we both went out to the mall together. And then, when you walked me to my school. Ranma-chan: Are you sure? Shori: Of course I'm sure(smiles sweetly) Ranma-chan(Thinking)God, she has a beautiful smile. I wish Akane has a smile as nice as hers(Says out loud)Jeez, what am I thinkin'?! Shori: Excuse me? Ranma-chan: Uh, nothing. Nevermind. Shori: Are you all right? You've been actin' a bit weird. Ranma-chan: (Scratching the back of his head)I have? Shori: Yeah, it seems like something's on your mind. Ranma-chan: (Smiles weakly)Well, I guess you could say that. Shori: (Takes Ranma-chan's hand)C'mon, we can talk about it on the way to my house. (Ranma notices how delicate and soft Shori's hand was to his touch as the two head for Shori's home. On the way there, they come across a group of guys. They were the same guys that Ranma had beaten up not too long ago at Shori's school. Ranma-chan gives every guy a dirty look as they pass them. They continue towards Shori's house silently. As they were nearing Shori's house, Shori speaks up.) Shori: Do you remember them? They were the same guys you beat up. Ranma-chan: Yeah, I remember beating them up at your school. Shori: (Stops)Excuse me? What did you say? I could've sworn you said you beat them up at my school. Ranma-chan: (Not realizing what he's saying)Yeah, don't you remember? Shori: I can't recall you ever coming to my school aside from the time when you walked me there. (Ranma-chan finally realizes he's supposed to be playing Ranko. He was totally unaware that he was in female form, even if he was soaking wet. His thoughts were on Shori, which hindered his thoughts of who he was supposed to be and what he was supposed to know.) Ranma-chan: Uh....I....uh....got into a fight with them after you went in. (Thinking)Yeah, that's a good excuse. Shori: Hmm, that's strange. They were in my class when I got there. They didn't even have bruises. Ranma-chan: Uh...can we please drop the subject? I....uh...prefer not to talk about fighting. Shori: Sure, consider it forgotten.(Smiles) Ranma-chan: (Sighs as he thinks to himself)That was close. (The two continue on towards Shori's house, Ranma obviously a bit relieved that that was over with. The two arrive at Shori's, and they enter.) (The then two immediately head up the marble stairway towards Shori's room. Inside Shori's well furnished room, Ranma changes out of his clothes and into Shori's clothes while Shori waited outside. Once again, Ranma noticed the clothes were actually loose on his body.) Shori: (Knocking)Have you changed yet? Ranma-chan: Yeah, you can c'mon in now. (Shori enters the room) Shori: I gave your clothes to the maid. She'll have them dry in no time. But until the meantime, you're stuck wearing my clothes, which seems to fit you quite nicely(Smiles) (Ranma smiles weakly. He doesn't like the fact that he is wearing women's clothing. But there was nothing he could do.) Shori: Are you doin' anything? I was wondering if you'd like to go out and get some food. (Ranma wasn't too hungry. Afterall, he ate a sandwich and an okonomiyaki earlier. He looks at Shori for a moment and notices that she is looking back at him intently. he knew that Shori was hoping he'd say yes.) (Ranma, unable to look into Shori's beautiful eyes and refuse, simply nods his head and smiles. there was no way he could refuse. besides, why would he. He enjoyed being with her, unlike Akane who kept harassing him. He actually enjoyed her company.) Shori: That's great! I'll treat. Ranma-chan: You don't need to treat. I have enough for myself. Thanks anyway. Shori: (Remembers)I should've known that already. You said that last time, you know, when we went to that restaurant after the carnival. (Ranma thinks back to that time, which had taken place only a few days ago. he could recall that day perfectly. That was the day he had met Shori, a day he would never forget.) Shori: (Grabs hold of Ranma's hand)C'mon, I know the greatest place where we could go. Chan-chan: Where? Shori: We can go to that Chinese restaurant across town. The Nekohanten if I'm correct. I heard the ramen's great. Ranma-chan: (Beads of sweat forming)The Nekohanten? I...uh...we can't! Shori: Why not? Ranma-chan: (Starting to sweat)Uh...I can't....um....the owner......hates me. Shori: Hate you? Why would they hate you? Ranma-chan: I got into a fight with the owner's daughter, Shampoo. Shori: He he, you seem to get into fights everywhere you go. I guess we better not go then. How about this place called Ucchan's. I heard the okonomiyaki's great. Ranma-chan: Can't go there either. Shori: Let me guess, fight? Ranma-chan: Um...yes....a fight. Shori: Is there any place you can go to? Ranma-chan: Yeah, I guess I can go to a restaurant anywhere in this town. Shori: (Runs out of her room, dragging Ranma with her)Oh, I know the greatest place where you and I can go. Ranma-chan: (Following suit)Where? Shori: That Chinese restaurant where we first ate out together, you know, right after the carnival. (The two leave Shori's house, heading towards the Chinese restaurant that they both ate at a few days ago. The two enter. An hour passes by and we see them emerge again. It's now evening. Ranma-chan and Shori, finished with eating, head down the street towards a nearby park. They come across a familiar looking bench. They just sit and enjoy the sunset in the distant horizon, just like the first time they had met.) Shori: Ranko. Ranma-chan: (Still looking at the horizon)Yes? Shori: Remember we sat here a few days ago, and I asked you if you thought I was pretty? Chan-chan: Yeah, I remember. Shori: Well, I never really told you this, but I'm really glad you and I met. Ever since I've met you, my life has been getting better and better.(Smiles) Ranma-chan: You know what, same here.(Smiles back) (The two together look towards the horizon, enjoying the sunset. Ranma sighs to himself, and leans back against the bench, closing his eyes. Shori leans back also, her head resting against his shoulder. She was imagining she was with Ranma, imagining she was leaning against his shoulder, not her friend, Ranko. Ranma was about to place his arm around Shori's shoulder until he realized he was in girl form. He didn't want people getting the wrong idea. He sat there, his arms at his side as Shori rested her head against his shoulder.) Shori: Ranko, I think I better get goin' home now. Ranma-chan: Same here. (Ranma and Shori got off the bench, Shori giving Ranma a big hug and a thank you.) Shori: Thanks, Ranko. I had a lovely time. We should do this more often. Chan-chan: Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. Shori: Well, goodbye.(Leaves for home) Chan-chan: Bye.(Turns around and heads towards his own home) (Ranma heads home, totally unaware that he is still wearing Shori's clothes.) (Opening scene: It is late at night. We are across the street, looking towards the Tendo's home. From the right, we see Ranma, still in female form, enter the scene. He's still dressed in Shori's clothes and is totally unaware of it. He walks up to the front gate, and is about to enter until he hears something moving from nearby. He drops back into a defensive stance.) Ranma-chan: Who's there? (A shadowy figure emerges from the bushes. Ranma relaxes when he realizes who it is. We realize it's Ryoga.) Ryoga: Ranma! I've waited all day for you to get back! Now you will pay for what you've done earlier!(Notices Ranma wearing female clothing)Ranma. Ranma-chan: Huh? Ryoga: Why're you wearing woman's clothing? Ranma-chan: (Realizes that he's still wearing Shori's clothes)Oh my god! (Ryoga, as he watches Ranma try and come up with a plausible excuse, begins to laugh. Soon, he starts wailing, tears forming around his eyes. The sight of Ranma in women's clothing was overwhelmingly funny.) Ranma-chan: Okay, Ryoga. I think that's enough. Ryoga: (Forgetting he was supposed to fight Ranma for what he did to him earlier)Why're you dressed like that? Ranma-chan: (Defensively)None of your business. Ryoga: (Smiles wryly)Heh, I guess you wouldn't want Akane to find out now, would ya? Ranma-chan: You wouldn't! Ryoga: (Calls out mischievously)Akane. Ranma-chan: (Already having enough)Ryoga, if you tell Akane about this, I'll tell her that you've been sleeping with her as P-chan. Ryoga: You wouldn't! Ranma-chan: (Smiles evilly)Try me. Ryoga: Fine, if you tell her about my secret, I'll tell her you've been seeing another girl behind her back. Ranma-chan: What? Ryoga: You heard me. I saw you with another girl today. Ranma-chan: (Starting to sweat)How much did you see? Ryoga: I saw enough. Ranma-chan: (Remembering what Akane did to him earlier)Go ahead and tell her. I don't really care anymore. Ryoga: What? Ranma-chan: (Getting angry)You heard me. I said go ahead and tell her. Ryoga: Do you have any idea what you're saying? Chan-chan: Look, let me level with you. I don't think I want this fiancee thing anymore. I don't think I want her as a fiancee. All she ever does is hit me, and I'm seriously getting sick and tired of it. Ryoga: What?! You're goin' to just dump Akane like that! I won't let that happen! I won't let you do that to her! Ranma-chan: Ryoga, listen to yourself. Do you have any idea what you're saying? Ryoga: Huh? Ranma-chan: Ryoga, I'm telling you I don't want Akane anymore. You could have her. Ryoga: How?! Why are you doing this?! Ranma-chan: (Sigh)I think I'm falling in love with someone else. Ryoga: ............... Ranma-chan: Look, like I said, I don't think I want this fiancee thing anymore. Ryoga: But what about Shampoo, Ukyo, and(Gulps)Kodachi? Ranma-chan: What about them? Ryoga: I don't think they'll take this lightly. Ranma-chan: ................ Ryoga: Well? Ranma-chan: Look, I'm not worried about that right now. Right now, I'm more concerned with gettin' into the house without bein' seen. If my dad saw me in this, he'll never let me live this down. Will you help me? Ryoga: ................ (The camera pans back as we see Ryoga reluctantly nod. Just before panning away we see both Ranma and Ryoga discreetly enter the house. We get a clear view of the stars as the camera pans across the night sky, stopping once it was on a particular familiar looking house. We realize it's Shori's house. The camera zooms in on the front gate just as Shori enters the scene. Shori leans against the outerwall that surrounds the extravagant house.) Shori: (Sighs)I wish Ranko and I could hang out more often. (As Shori leans against the wall, pondering about how nice an evening she had, she realizes that she never gave Ranko her clothes back.) Shori: (Thinking to herself)Oh no, I forgot to give her back her clothes. Oh well, I can't give 'em back now. It's too late. I guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow. (Shori heads into her home. Inside, we see one of the maids walk up to her. It's the same maid that Shori gave Ranma's clothes to earlier in the day) Housemaid: (Handing her a wallet)Miss Shori, when I didn't have the chance to give this to you. When I knocked on the door to your room, you had already left. Shori: (Surveying the wallet)Whose wallet is this? Housemaid: I found it in the clothes that you handed to me. I think it belongs to your friend. Shori: I better return it early tomorrow morning, before I go to school. I don't want Ranko worrying about where her wallet is when I have it all alone. Hm....strange though....Ranko is the only girl I know who carries a wallet. (Shori checks through the wallet for an address. After a couple of moments, she finds an address. She carefully puts the wallet in one of her pockets as she heads up the giant marble staircase towards her room. We never realize this, but if she had looked through that wallet for a couple moments longer, she would have came across a picture of her love interest, Ranma with his fiancee, Akane. The camera zooms back, showing us a clear view of Shori's home. We see the light in Shori's room go on. The camera stays on that window for a few moments. After a short time, we see the light go off. We realize Shori went to sleep. The camera pans back on to the Tendo's home, zooming in on a window with the lights on. We realize it's one of the livingroom windows. The camera zooms through the open window to show the interior of the room. Inside, we see Ranma, in male form and in his own clothes, and Ryoga sitting on the back porch, their backs to the camera.) Ryoga: So what're you goin' to do, Ranma? Ranma: I'm not too sure. I think I should let her know, but I don't know how she'll react. Ryoga: I betcha it isn't good. That's for sure. Personally, I think you're in a no-win situation. If you don't tell her, she'll find out sooner or later. And if you do, she'll probably hate you for it. Ranma: I guess you're right. I think the best thing I could do is hope for the best. I guess it'll be my fault for not having told her sooner.(Sighs)This is driving me nuts. I'm at a complete standstill here. Ryoga: I think it's best you tell her and get it over with. Ranma: I guess you're right. I think I should tell her tomorrow. Ryoga: Now that you've got that solved, what are you goin' to do about Akane? Ranma: ................... Ryoga: (Yawns)Look, I'm gettin' tired. I think I'm gonna get some sleep now. (We see Ryoga get up and walk out over towards the fishpond in the backyard. We see him jump in, and then surface in his piglet form. Ranma gives P-chan an icy stare, but the intensity is now gone. He's no longer bothered by the fact that P-chan is sleeping with Akane anymore. Besides, his thoughts were now on Shori....not Akane. As P-chan walked by, he stops to look up at Ranma. It seems P-chan was expecting to get attacked by a once jealous Ranma. Now that he doesn't attack, P-chan seems to feel a sense of nostalgia. Shaking his head, P-chan proceeded towards the stairs. Tonight doesn't seem to be much of a victory for P- chan considering he didn't have to battle Ranma to be with Akane. The fact that Ranma doesn't get jealous seems to bother the piglet considerably. Sighing, P-chan hops up the stairs to Akane's room.) (Ranma lies down on the porch, his arms outstretched from his body, his legs falling off the balcony, his feet planted on the ground. Thoughts of what to do are racing through his head. Plagued with questions, Ranma closes his eyes. As he lies there for several moments, he slowly starts drifting off closer and closer to sleep. After a few minutes, he falls asleep, completely unaware that he was still on the porch.) (It's now Wednesday morning. The scene opens with Ranma sleeping soundly on the porch he was on last night. We see a close-up of Ranma's face, which seems to be content. It seems he's having a pleasant dream of something...or maybe someone. Akane enters the scene as the camera pans back.) Akane: (Kicking Ranma gently in the ribs)Ranma, wake up. (Ranma continues on sleeping) Akane: (A bit louder)Ranma, wake up! (Ranma still continues on sleeping) (We see Akane stomp away, heading into the kitchen. After a few moments, we see her emerge with a large bucket of ice, cold water. She stands before the sleeping Ranma for a few moments, and then splashes him. Ranma, now in female form, wakes up in a mad panic.) Ranma-chan: Arghh!(Notices Akane holding a bucket)Why'd ya do that for?!? Akane: Baka, how else was I supposed to wake you up?! Ranma-chan: I'm sick and tired of this! If it isn't pops tryin' to get me wet, it's you! Why dontcha jus' leave me alone!(Stomps off towards the backyard) Akane: .............. (As Akane, dumbfounded, watches Ranma walk away, P-chan shows up out of nowhere. He happily hops up towards Akane's arms so she could catch him. But she never caught him, she too distracted by what Ranma had just said. P-chan lands on his snout with a loud thump before Akane realizes what she's done.) Akane: P-chan, I'm so sorry.(Picks P-chan up and cradles him)I didn't mean to let you hurt yourself like that.(Thinking)Did Ranma really mean by what he said? Does he really mean it? Does he not what me near him? (P-chan whimpers as he looks up at Akane. He realizes that she wasn't paying attention to him because her attention was on Ranma. Not wanting to be a substitute to Ranma's affections, P-chan wriggles free from Akane's grasp. He runs away as soon as his feet touches the floor.) Akane: P-chan, where're you going? (Akane gives chase as the little piglet runs out of the house. But once she stepped outside, P-chan was gone. She looks to and fro for her pet but finds no trace of him. Figuring he's hiding in the bushes, she checks the nearby foliage.) Akane: P-chan, I didn't mean to do that. I'm sorry. (But P-chan was nowhere to be found. After a short time, Akane abandons her fruitless effort to find him and heads back into the house, her head hung low. It was only morning, and she was already having a terrible day. How did everything go to ruin? She remembers Ranma getting mad at her for splashing water on him, but never this mad, not even close. All he would do is yell at her, which she could take because she was used to it. But now that Ranma is ostentatiously trying to avoid her, she doesn't know how to deal with that. Once Akane disappears into the house, the camera pans backwards to give a clear view of the entire house. We realize that P-chan is on top of the roof. The piglet seems to be in a depressed state of mind. After a few moments, P-chan hops through the nearby open bathroom window. After a few moments, we see Ryoga emerge, gracefully landing on the ground below, his backpack slung across one of his shoulders.) Ryoga: (Thinking to himself)Akane, I'll be goin' on a training mission now. To clear my mind and build up enough confidence to ask you out. When I do, you won't have to worry about that Ranma anymore for I will have your heart. Goodbye. (Ryoga walks to the front gate and gracefully hops over it. Little did he know that someone was on the other side. He ends up landing right in front of her, so close that their faces are only inches apart. Ryoga immediately realizes that it's the same girl that Ranma was with yesterday. She was absolutely beautiful....not as beautiful as Akane Ryoga tries to think to himself, much to no avail. Standing so close to her, he could smell this intoxicating fragrance to her, which made his knees feel weak. He quickly takes a step back.) Shori: (Bows)Ohiyo gozaimasu. I'm Shori. Ryoga: (Bows, but in an awkward motion)G-good m-morning. I'm....Ryoga. Shori: Is this where Ranko Saotome lives, Ryoga? Ryoga: Um...yeah.(Thinking to himself)Oh yeah, she doesn't know that Ranma and Ranko are the same person. Shori: (Produces a wallet from the schoolbag she was carrying)Ranko left her wallet at my place last night. I just wanted to return it to her.(Produces the clothes Ranma was wearing yesterday)Also, I want to return her clothes. (Ryoga blushes beet-red as he wonders why Shori has Ranma's clothes in the first place. To hide his embarrassment, Ryoga turns his back to her.) Ryoga: (Thinking)Could he have gone all the way with this girl? Why does she have his clothes? That cad! How can he do this to Akane? Shori: (Continuing on)When I saw Ranko, she was soaking wet....so I offered to let her wear my clothes. Anyway, is she in? I'd like to give these back to her. (Ryoga turns back to face Shori. His face is no longer beet-red. But once he looked into her beautiful eyes, he could feel a slight tinge of color coming back. But he couldn't worry about that now. He knew that if he told Shori Ranma was in, then all hell would break loose. He could picture the anarchy. Akane would find out about Ranma and Shori. Ranma would blame Ryoga for letting her find out and tell Akane that her pig was really Ryoga........) Ryoga: Um....he....she isn't in right now. She left for school already. You can give them to me and I'll hand them to him....her when I see her. Shori: Well, okay.(Hands Ryoga Ranma's attire and the wallet) Can you please tell her I stopped by and that I said thanks for yesterday? Ryoga: Oh...okay. I'll do that. (Just as Shori was about to turn around to leave, the front gate opens, and out steps Kasumi, much to Ryoga's dread.) Kasumi: (Smiles sweetly)Ohiyo gozaimasu, Ryoga.(Notices Shori)Good Morning. I'm Kasumi. Shori: Ohiyo gozaimasu. I'm Shori. It's nice to meet you. Kasumi: Are you a friend of Ryoga's? Shori: Actually, I'm a friend of Ranko. Are you her sister? Kasumi: Ranko? You must mean Ranma..... Ryoga: Kasumi! (By now, humungous beads of sweat are forming all over Ryoga's face. He had to do something.) Kasumi: What is it, Ryoga?(Notices the sweat)Oh my. You're drenched with sweat. You must be coming down with something....I'll go get you a towel. (Turns to Shori)I better get going now. Why don't you stop by someday for dinner. (Ryoga's face faults) Shori: I'd love to. (Ryoga falls to the ground from all those foreboding thoughts of destruction and beatings from Akane.) Kasumi: Oh my. (Kasumi kneels down and helps Ryoga to his feet, throwing one of his arms around her shoulder. She bows to Shori as Shori bows back in return. After that, Kasumi and Ryoga head back into the house as Shori heads of for her own school.) (Disaster adverted....at least for now.) (Opening scene: It is still Wednesday morning. The camera shows a clear bird's-eye-view of Nerima. The streets are replete with citizens, all of them heading towards work. The camera pans to a particular region of Nerima, zooming in on Ranma, whom happens to be walking towards school....alone.) Ranma: (Thinking to himself)Why did she have to go do that? Why couldn't she just wake me up like a normal person? It's as if she enjoys tormenting me. (As he walks down the street, a voice from the other side of the street distracts him from his little reverie) Shori: Ranma? Ranma: Huh? (Ranma turns his attention towards the voice, and he realizes it's Shori.) Ranma: Shori? (Shori gracefully crosses the street and walks up to Ranma. She comes so close to him that Ranma notices the tantalizing scent of her perfume. She looks up into Ranma's eyes, their faces so close that if they moved a few inches closer, they could....kiss. Just the thought gives Ranma goose bumps.) Ranma: (Realizing he's in his male form)W-what're you doin' here? D-don't you live in a neighboring town? Shori: I was just stopping by a friend's house. I had to drop something off. (Ranma just smiled, glad to be talking to Shori. He was totally unaware that Shori was referring to him and his clothes and wallet. He just disregarded the statement, figuring she was visiting one of her other friends, perhaps Akemi or Reia, but not him. He wasn't even aware that she shouldn't be in this town in the first place, not unless she was there to visit him or Ranko) Shori: Ranma? Ranma: Hm? Shori: (A bit nervous)Um....could you walk me to my school? Ranma: (Shocked)Um....sure. (Shori swallows the lump in her throat and places her arm around one of Ranma's arm. It seems she, too, was nervous. But when she held on to him, feeling the warmth from him, her nervousness subsided, yielding to happiness.) Ranma: (Nervously)Er.....um....... (Ranma wanted to tell Shori not to hold him like that, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out. He wanted to tell her that he couldn't afford to be spotted with her, for it would further complicate things with everyone else around him.......especially Akane. But being so close to her, smelling her intoxicating perfume, Ranma couldn't bear to let go of her.) Shori: (Happily)Ranma, can I tell you somethin'? Ranma: Um......sure. What is it? Shori: (A bit crestfallen, now having doubts)Nevermind. Ranma: ................. (The words were right at the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't say them. She wanted to tell him she had fallen madly in love with him. But she remembered he had a fiancee. She didn't want to cause any problems for him. Shori smiled slightly, knowing that being around Ranma was good enough for her....at least for now.) (The camera pans away from the two couple, and it zooms across the sky, stopping once it shows the Tendo home. It then zooms in on a particular second-story window. We realize it's the window to Akane's room. Inside, Akane is scrambling to pack her books away. We are in her room, listening to her as she rambled to herself.) Akane: Ranma, why'd you hafta go and leave me like that? So what if I splashed water on you! If I didn't, you would've never've woken up! Such an ungrateful...... (The words died before they left her mouth. She was about to say 'fiancee'. But why was she about to say that? Naturally, she would have said 'baka', but for some reason, that word had never entered her mind. What was happening to her? She would have been mad at Ranma for what he did....but she really wasn't. She was mad at herself. Hoping to distract herself from thoughts of Ranma, Akane looked at her watch and realized she was going to be late if she didn't head for school, and fast. Quickly, she finished her packing and ran out in a hurry.) (The camera follows Akane as she goes running through the streets and a high speed, practically running over the hapless citizens whom happen to be in her way. When she was nearing her school, we see Akane come to a sudden halt. She spotted Ranma...with another girl. We realize Akane spotted Shori, but couldn't make Shori's characteristics out for her back was turned towards Akane. Akane quickly ducks into a nearby alley, hopeful that Ranma wouldn't see her, peeking out at the couple ahead of her. She sees Ranma and the girl in deep conversation, noticing that Ranma is laughing out loud. A tear trickles down the side of Akane's face at the sight of that, for she finally realized what Nabiki meant in school that yesterday morning at home, when she was referring to why Ranma doesn't talk to her that much anymore.) Akane: Nabiki, when I looked at Ranma and asked him to please give me a real answer, he turned away, as if he didn't want to be around me anymore. Nabiki: Does it really matter? I mean, you yourself say you would never marry that 'baka'. Why should that effect you? Akane: ............... Nabiki: Look, whatever's going on between the two of you, I suggest you get it fixed, and fast.(Thinking)If you don't, you're going to lose him.....who knows....you might've lost him already. Akane: Nabiki, thanks.(Gets up to leave for Ranma's room) (Nabiki watches sullenly as Akane leaves) Nabiki: (Softly)Ranma, please don't hurt her...... (Feelings started to overwhelm Akane, feelings she never knew she had. Her thoughts were racing, her head began to swell, her knees started to buckle, and worst of all, her heart ached. Who was that girl? Why was Ranma talking to her? The tears started to flow freely, for Akane had started to sob. She places her hands over her face, hiding those tears, much to no avail. She huddles down low, her back against the wall, her arms around her legs, as if she were cradling herself, which was something she needed the most at that moment, to be held. Thoughts of Ranma being with that girl, talking to her, laughing with her, raced through Akane's mind at a mile a minute. She couldn't handle it anymore. Akane, ran out of the alley, racing back towards home, her face practically buried in her hands as she cried her heart out.) Akane: (To herself)Ranma.....Ranma no baka! (But she was lying to herself. She knew she was the one at fault. It had been her attitude towards him that made him leave her. She was the one who caused this to happen, all because she took Ranma, the one she truly did care for, for granted. Akane raced home, not even bothering to dodge the citizens in her way, plowing through them. She was too hurt to care, too hurt to give a damn. And above all that hurt, she was scared.....scared that she had finally lost him. All the while, Ranma, unaware of Akane's inner turmoil, continued on towards Shori's school with Shori still at his side.) Shori: (Realizing something)Oh no, I forgot somethin'! Ranma: What didja forget? Shori: I forgot two of my books. Would you mind coming with me to my house so I can fetch 'em before we continue on? Ranma: Um.....sure....no problem. (Together, Ranma went along with Shori towards her house. They arrived at her house within a few minutes, and they entered it, Ranma acting like he was seeing the inside of her house for the very first time. It was true though. He was seeing it for the first time....in his male form that is.) Shori: Can you please wait in the livingroom for a second? I'll be right back. (With that said, Shori raced up the marble stairway to retrieve her missing book, leaving Ranma all by his lonesome. Ranma studied livingroom, noticing just how expensive everything looked. The couch alone looked like it was worth the home he resided in. Ranma's gaze turned from the couch and on to the paintings that were carefully hung on the wall. If Ranma wasn't mistaken, he could have sworn he had seen some of those paintings in his Renaissance school textbook. One painting stood out the most to him. It was a painting of and middle aged-man in a dogi. He studied the picture, regarding just how real and meticulous the painting looked.) Shori: (On her way down the marble staircase, her books under her arm)That's my Daddy. Ranma: Why's he wearing a dogi? Shori: Well, before I was born, he was an expert martial artist. Ranma: (Interested)Really? Shori: But now that he works as the CEO for Aido Airline, he hasn't gotten much time to do what he loved most, teach martial arts. Ranma: Your dad's an instructor? Shori: He used to be. He plans on retiring soon and taking up teaching martial arts as his hobby. He already had a dojo built in the backyard. Ranma: (Genuinely interested)Really? Can we go see it? Shori: Sure. (Ranma and Shori head for the backyard through the house. Ranma is absolutely awed by the craftsmanship of the furniture laid about. He couldn't help but wonder just how great it would be to live in a home like this.) Shori: It's not all that great living in a house like this. Ranma: What? How did you know I was thinkin' that? Shori: I could just tell by lookin' at you. You're probably wonderin' how expensive some of the furniture is, ne? (Ranma blushed, embarrassed that she could read his thought so easily.) Shori: (Giggles)Don't worry, I haven't the slightest idea how much it's worth either. (Ranma and Shori exit the extravagant house into the backyard. There, once outside, Ranma's jaw drops at the shear sight of the dojo. It was magnificent, perfectly crafted, and larger than life. The dojo itself looked like one of those dojos from a long time ago, as if the dojo he was looking at was a reconstruction of one from back then. He had never seen a dojo so large and overpowering in his life.) Ranma: Wow! Shori: My dad will have this dojo up and runnin' in no time. But he needs some help. Ranma: Oh? Shori: Yeah, he can't teach all by himself. He needs other people to teach for him.(Turns to Ranma)You interested? Ranma: Huh? Shori: How would you like to work for my daddy? I know you have a talent in martial arts, especially when I saw you beat those guys at my school up a couple of days ago. Ranma: ................. Shori: No rush. Maybe you'll like to think about it. Ranma: I-I can't. Shori: You can't? How come? Ranma: I'm the heir to another martial arts school. I can't just leave it. Shori: Oh. Well.....if you ever have second thoughts, we'll be right here. Ranma: .................. Shori: (Notices the time)Oh my, look at the time. We better get goin'! (Ranma and Shori both rush through the gate in the backyard, both headed towards Shori's school. We watch them as they run down the street, disappearing once they round a corner. After a few moments, the scene changes to that of the Tendo home. Outside, we see Kasumi happily sweeping the front sidewalk, minding her own business. As she continues to sweep, we see Akane enter the scene from the right, stopping once Kasumi notices her.) Kasumi: Akane, what are you doing here? You're going to be late for school. Akane: (Fighting back tears)I want to skip school for today....I really don't feel too well. Kasumi: Oh my. Are you okay? Akane: No.....not really. Kasumi: What's the matter? Do you have a cold? Do you have a stomach ache? What is it? Akane: H-hai. I have a stomach ache. Anyway, I don't feel that well, and I would like to rest. (Akane really wanted to tell her sister what was wrong.....that it was her heart that ached, not her stomach. Kasumi gave Akane a very sympathetic gaze.) Kasumi: Okay, you go on inside. I'll make you a special home remedy for your stomach. Just get some rest. Akane: You really don't have to do that. (But before Kasumi had a chance to reply, Akane stormed through the front gate, through the front yard, and into the house. It seems Akane was about to break into another fit of weeping, and she didn't want her sister to see. Quickly, her face buried in her hands, Akane raced up the stairs and into her room. She didn't even notice Ryoga lying unconscious on the livingroom couch. Inside her room, she flops on to her bed, her face now buried in her pillow as she begins to cry, all her emotions coming out in tears.) Akane: (In between sobs)Ranma.....no.......baka! (She continues to cry for several minutes before it starts dying down. After a short moment, Akane stops crying, for she had finally cried herself to sleep.) (The scene changes to Shori's school. There, we see Ranma and Shori enter the scene, Shori's arm wrapped around one of Ranma's arm. Ranma doesn't seem to mind this anymore. Actually, he seems a bit happy about it. Once in front of the school, we see Ranma and Shori release their arms.) Shori: (Hugs Ranma compassionately and tightly)Ranma, thanks for walkin' me to school. I really appreciate it. It's been a great spendin' the morning with you. Ranma: (Smiles)Yeah, me too. (Before Shori released her embrace of Ranma, she tiptoed so her head was almost level with Ranma's, and gently kissed him. Ranma was about to pull away, but for some reason, he didn't. All that could be heard are the oohs and ahhs of the Shori's schoolmates as they witness what had just transpired. The girls look on with envy, envy that Shori was actually kissing Ranma, the one they all fantasized about when he came to Shori's rescue a few days ago. After a few moments, their lips parted, Ranma still savoring Shori's lips as she did his.) Shori: (Smiles)I guess that was a better way to say thank you. Ranma: (Smiles weakly)I-I guess so.(Laughs meekly) (Both Ranma and Shori laughs in unison. The laugher was harmless and good-natured. The camera pans away from them as we continue to hear their laughter, turning on to the clear morning sky. But deep in the background of that laughter...if one listened hard enough, one would hear Akane's silent crying echoing through the skies) (Opening scene: We are in front of Furinkan high. The courtyard is replete with students, all of them rushing toward their class. It is still Wednesday morning. Class is about to start. From the right, we see Ranma enter the scene, taking his time, not a care in the world.) Ranma: (Thinking to himself)Man, what a great morning.(Remembers Akane splashing him with cold water)Well, almost a great morning.(Thinks back to that kiss)Man, I can't believe Shori kissed me. God, that felt good. (Ranma had this warm feeling inside of him, like nothing could go wrong. He continues on towards his class, stopping in front of the school when Kuno steps out through the front door.) Kuno: I, Tatewaki Kuno, blue lightning of Furinkan High, shall rid this world of such evil.(Points bokken at Ranma)Sorcerer, I will vanquish thee. (Kuno charges Ranma, only to get punted into orbit by a well placed kick.) Ranma: Man, doesn't he ever give up.(Runs into school) (Ranma makes it to class at just the right moment. A second later, and he would have been in serious trouble. He quickly gets into his seat as class starts. He looks out the window in a dreamlike gaze, wondering how Shori was doing, still remembering the taste of her lips on his. In the background, the teacher was going through the attendance list.) Teacher: Ranma Saotome. Ranma: Here. (The teacher reads a couple more names before coming to Akane's.) Teacher: Akane Tendo. (There was silence. Akane wasn't there to answer. Ranma immediately looks toward Akane's desk, realizing that she hadn't been in class the whole time. He wanted to kick himself for not having noticed that. Had his mind been on Shori _that_ much? Ranma immediately turns towards a fellow student.) Ranma: Where's Akane? Student: I haven't seen her. And how would I know where she is? You're her fiancee. Is she sick or somethin'? (Upon hearing those words, Ranma's heart skipped a beat. Was Akane sick? She certainly didn't look sick when she splashed him with cold water, Ranma thought sourly.) Ranma: She probably forgot somethin' and went back to get it. (That's what he told himself, made himself try to believe. But deep down inside, he was dreading the thought that Akane might actually be sick. Why was he worried anyway? It wasn't as if he.....cared for her. Or was it?) (The morning goes by uneventful, the teacher putting half the class to sleep with his lecture on god-knows-what. Ranma would've been asleep a long time ago, but he kept thinking about Akane. As the morning progress, Ranma decides that if Akane really was sick at home, he'd pay her a visit when lunch comes around. When the lunch bell rings, Ranma races out of the classroom, heading straight for home, stopping once to pummel Kuno in the courtyard again. Upon reaching home, Ranma enters the house, noticing the unconscious Ryoga on the livingroom couch. Soun and Genma are nowhere to be seen. They were probably playing shougi in back.) Ranma: (Noticing Ryoga)Hmm....I wonder why he's here. Oh well, who cares.... (Ranma heads up the stairs, just as Kasumi was on her way down.) Kasumi: Ranma? What're you doin' here? Shouldn't you be in school also? Ranma: Also? Kasumi: Well, Akane didn't go to school today. Ranma: Is she upstairs? Kasumi: Hai. She said she had a stomach ache. Ranma: Is it all right if I go see her? Kasumi: Well, you better not. She's sleeping. She's been sleeping since this morning. Ranma: Oh. Okay. I guess I can see her later.(Turns to head back down the stairs and realizes the unconscious Ryoga)Why's Ryoga like that? Kasumi: I don't really know. He seemed a bit pale when I met Shori. I guess he was just exhausted. Ranma: Shori?! Kasumi: Do you know her? She said she was a friend of yours....well, more like a friend of the female you. Ranma: (Breathing a bit of relief)Oh. Kasumi: Is something the matter? Ranma: (Nervously)Oh...n-nothin'....n-nothin' at all. Kasumi: Well, anyway, you should get back to school now. We wouldn't want you to be late for class now. Ranma: I-I guess you're right. Bye. (Ranma leaves the house, thoughts racing through his head.) Ranma: (Thinking to himself)Shori told me earlier that she stopped by a friend's house. Was she talkin' about me? Why was she there in the first place? Oh man, did Akane find out? Is that why she was sick? I really hope not. I better go to Shori's school to find out what happened. But first, I hafta find some cold- (Before Ranma had a chance to finish his last thought, he gets splashed with water by a little old lady standing outside who was using a water bucket to wash the sidewalk. Sighing to himself, Ranma, now in his female form, heads off towards Shori's school) (We watch as Ranma runs off into he horizon, disappearing around a corner. With Ranma out of sight, the camera pans 180, resting on the Tendo home way off in the far off distance. The camera zooms forward to show us a close up of the house, raising up to shoot through a second story window, which leads to Akane's room. Inside, Akane was waking up. She seems refreshed, as if she had a good night's sleep. She steps up to her full-length mirror to see if her hair was okay. Upon seeing her reflection, she realizes that her face was still moist....from her tears. Upon realizing that, she remembers seeing Ranma with that other girl. Tears start to welt up again, she realizing that Ranma being with another girl was beyond her control, she realizing that it was probably her fault that drove him to that girl. Then, just as she was about to burst into tears again, there was a knock at the door.) Akane: (Wiping her tears cleanly away)Come in. There door's open. (To Akane's surprise, Ryoga opens the door. He stands in the doorway, a bit hesitant about entering. He had regained consciousness a short time ago and was trying to get out of the house.) Akane: Ryoga, what're you doin' here? Ryoga: (Nervously)Um....well....I'm kinda lost. (Akane laughs a bit. She knew Ryoga had a bad sense of direction. She gets up and walks up to him) Akane: Here(Takes hold of his arm)I'll help you with your way out. Ryoga: (Nervously)Um...uh...arigato. (We are now in front of Shori's school. Ranma, in his female form, casually walks into the courtyard. A lot of boys notice her. Some even try and hit on her, only to be brushed off with a deadly stare. Ranma waits there for a moment) Ranma-chan: (Talking to himself)C'mon Shori. Where are you? (Shori is seen as she exits the school. She's with her friends, Akemi and Reia. She notices her red-haired friend. Shori waves to him as Ranma reciprocates. Ranma gestures that he would like to talk to Shori) Shori: (Talking to her friends)Can you hold on for a sec? Ranko wants to speak to me. (She walks up to Ranma, a smile on her lips) Shori: Hiya, Ranko, how're ya doing? Didja get your clothes and wallet back? Ranma-chan: What? Shori: Yeah. I stopped by your house earlier today. Ranma-chan: (Sweating bullets)You did? Shori: Yeah. I met a boy named Ryoga. He said you had already left for school so he told me that he would deliver them for you. I handed him your things. Is he your boyfriend? Ranma-chan: Um.....yeah.(Thinking to himself)Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why did I say that?! Shori: (Continuing)I'd like to meet him. He seems like a nice guy. Anyway, I also met this woman. I think her name is Kasumi because I remember hearing Ryoga call her that. Ranma-chan: You did? Shori: We didn't really talk though. Is she your sister? Ranma-chan: Um....yeah(Thinking to himself)Oh man, what am I saying?! Shori: That's nice to hear because she invited me to come to dinner sometime in the future. Ranma-chan: She did?! Shori: Yeah. Is there something wrong with that? I thought she was being nice. I accepted of course since I figured it'd be nice to hang out again together. Ranma-chan: Um...you can't. Um...she cooks for our family, and she's very busy. I wouldn't want her to work harder than she already does. I hope...you can understand. Shori: I understand. (Ranma sighs. Disaster adverted) Shori: Um, are you doing anything tonight? Ranma-chan: Um, not really. Why? Shori: How would you like to come to dinner tonight? I know my parents would love to meet you. Ranma-chan: Sure. I would like that. Shori: (Turning around to leave)I'll see you at my house at around 8. Ranma-chan: Sure. Shori: (Right before heading off with her friends)And don't forget to bring your boyfriend. Ranma-chan: What?! Waitaminute!!! (But it was too late. Shori was already gone. She had disappeared around the back of the school.) Ranma-chan: Oh man, now what?(Sighs)I'll worry about that later. I better talk to Ryoga and hear his side of the story. (Ranma-chan runs off toward home. He reaches there after a short moment. But before he had the chance to open the front gate and enter, he heard some voices from behind it. He puts his ear against the gate and listens) Ryoga: T-thanks, Akane. I-I really a-appreciate your help. Akane: It's no problem. I'm glad I could help. Ranma-chan: (To herself)What the hell are they talkin' about?!(Continues listening) Ryoga: W-well, I better go now. Arigato. Akane: Bye. (Ranma realizes that the door was going to open. Not wanting to seem like a eavesdropper, Ranma quickly jumped behind some nearby bushes. He watches as the gate opens and Ryoga emerges. He could feel this anger welting up in him as he sees Ryoga talk to Akane for a short while before leaving. Akane didn't look at all sick, and that bugged Ranma. Did she stay home deliberately so she could be with Ryoga? Once Akane disappeared behind the gate, Ranma quickly jumped out of the bushes to follow Ryoga.) Ryoga: (To himself)Wow, I can't believe Akane actually helped me out. Ranma-chan: Hey, Ryoga. (Ryoga turns to face Ranma.) Ryoga: What do you want? Do you have any idea what I went through? Ranma-chan: I'm pretty sure I do. I talked to Shori earlier. So what happened? Ryoga: What happened?! I'll tell you what happened. When Shori showed up, I told her that you left so I had to offer to take your stuff for you. When I did, Kasumi shows up. I tried the best that I could to hiding who Shori was, but I don't remember much. All I remember is that everything went black after I heard Shori accepting Kasumi's invitation to dinner. The next thing I knew, I was in the livingroom. Ranma-chan: Don't worry about it. I managed to convince Shori not to come to dinner. Ryoga: So what are you going to do now? Ranma-chan: I'm goin' to dinner with her. And you're comin' with me. Ryoga: What?! Ranma-chan: (Kawaii-eyed)She invited me to dinner and I kinda accepted by accident. I also kinda said yes when she asked if you were my boyfriend. Now she wants me to bring my boyfriend with me to dinner. Ryoga: What!?! I'm not going to do it. Ranma-chan: C'mon. I need you to help me out. Ryoga: Why?!? Why should I help some two-timing cad like you?!? Ranma-chan: (Seriously)Because I....think I love Shori....and you can have Akane. Ryoga: ................... Ranma-chan: Don't you think it's already hard enough askin' you for help?! I want to do this, and you're the only one who can help. I want to be with her. Ryoga: .................. Ranma-chan: Okay, to let you know that I'm serious about my feelings, you can go out with Akane. I won't interfere. I promise. Ryoga: Y-you would do that for me? Ranma-chan: Hai. I know you already helped me out a lot by not telling Akane, but just do this favor for me. I'll even help you out with the date if you need it. Ryoga: Um......do you mean it? Ranma-chan: Yeah. Ryoga: Fine. I accept. (Fade to black) (Opening scene: It is Wednesday night. We are in front of the Tendo Dojo. The camera pans up toward Ranma's room. Inside, Ranma, in his female form, is looking through his closet for something to wear. Ryoga is sitting in the bed next to him.) Ryoga: (A bit nervous)Man, I can't believe I'm actually gonna go through with this. Ranma-chan: What do you mean? Ryoga: What do you think? I can't believe I'm actually going through with this. This is starting to sound like a bad idea. What will happen if Akane finds out? Ranma-chan: ..............(Sighs)Well, I'm not going worry about it. Ryoga: D-do you really mean that? Ranma-chan: ............... Ryoga: And how are you gonna keep this from everyone else? Ranma-chan: It doesn't really matter anymore. They're going to hafta deal with this. Ryoga: Aren't you scared about hurting their feelings? Ranma-chan: Well, what can I do about it? Everything in my life has been complicated. But ever since Shori showed up in my life, I feel like I'm thinkin' a lot more clearly.(Thinking)For once in my life, I know what I want. Ryoga: You've changed........ Ranma-chan: W-what do you mean? Ryoga: You just act differently now. Haven't you noticed? Ranma-chan: Yes, I have. Ryoga: ................. Ranma-chan: I don't know what happened, but when I found out Shori was being bullied in school by a few people, I was furious. Ryoga: That's perfectly natural...I'd get mad if someone picked on.... Ranma-chan: It's not that. It's the fact on what I actually did to them because of that. Ryoga: What did you do? Ranma-chan: I think I seriously hurt them. I made one of them say that he was sorry. And when I didn't think he was saying it loud enough, I hit him. I hit him a few times. I even threw one of them out a window while the window was closed. Ryoga: But why? That's not how a martial artist should act. Ranma-chan: I know........ Ryoga: (Sighs)Nevermind. Ranma-chan: (Changing subject)Well, are you ready? Do you remember the plan we came up with? Ryoga: Yeah. But still....I don't like it. I think we should use the plan I came up with. What are you gonna do if any of the girls see us? Ranma-chan: .................... Ryoga: You've never really thought this through, have you? (There's a knock at the door) Ranma-chan: (To Ryoga)Hide. No one knows you're here. And don't make a single noise. (Ranma shoves Ryoga into the closet and sits down in front of his desk and opens some books) Ranma-chan: C'min, (Akane enters) Ranma-chan: ................ Akane: W-whatcha doing? Ranma-chan: I-I'm doing my homework. Akane: Oh. (An awkward silence comes about) Ranma-chan: Akane. Akane: Yes? Ranma-chan: Um, are you okay? You weren't in school today. Akane: ................ Ranma-chan: I came back during lunch to check up on you. I wanted to see if you were okay. Akane: ................ Ranma-chan: Kasumi told me you were sleeping, so I left. Akane: S-she did? Ranma-chan: Yeah. (Awkward silence again) Ranma-chan: W-was there something you wanted to see me about? Akane: ................. (Ranma looks at Akane) Akane: N-nevermind(Turns around and leaves) Ranma-chan: ............. (Akane quickly closes the door behind her. She goes into her room, locking the door behind her. She sits down on her bed, wiping the tears forming in her eyes) Akane: Oh Ranma.....why don't you tell me? W-why can't I ask him? Why can't I ask him who that girl he was with was? Why? (She throws herself flat on the bed, her face in her pillow, as she begins to cry) (Inside Ranma's room) Ranma-chan: (Opening closet door)Okay, Ryoga, you can come out now. Ryoga: (Peeking out)Are you sure? Ranma-chan: Yeah. Ryoga: (Stepping out)Are you ready? Ranma-chan: Yeah. Let's go. Now don't forget, call me Ranko from now on. (Emphasizes on the 'Ranko') (Ranma Puts on his jacket) Ryoga: Okay. (Ryoga and Ranma both jump out of the window. They casually jump on to the roof where they proceeded toward Shori's home just a little ways off. The camera stays still as the two figures get smaller and smaller as they get farther away. Once out of sight, it pans 180 degrees back around to face the Tendo home. It zooms in on Akane's room) Akane: What am I going to do? I have to find out. I must. (She wipes the tears off her face and gets up off her bed. She leaves her room, determined to ask Ranma on who that girl was. She's now standing outside in the hallway.) Akane: I have to find out. (She knocks on Ranma's door) Akane: I have to. (There's no answer. Akane knocks again, and there's still no answer. She gently opens the door) Akane: Ranma? Are you in there? (She enters his room, only to find it empty) Akane: (Softly)Ranma...... (The scene changes to that of Shori's house. We are now in front of Shori's house, and we see Ranma and Ryoga enter the scene from the right.) Ryoga: This is Shori's house? It's huge! Are her parents wealthy or somethin'? Ranma-chan: Yeah. From what I remember, her mom works at some textile company and her dad is the CEO of Aido Airlines. Ryoga: Are you kidding me?! Her dad's the CEO of the largest airline in all of Japan?! Oh my god. Ranma-chan: Yeah. I was surprised also. I couldn't really believe it myself. Ryoga: And you met her how? Ranma-chan: Remember when I was picking on you a few days ago when you were as P-chan, and Akane hit me? Ryoga: What day was that? She did that almost every day. Ranma-chan: (Acidic voice)Yeah, she did(Calms down)Remember when she hit me the day after I turned you into a pig and tied you up and dropped you off in some forest. Ryoga: (Angrily)Yeah. I remember P-chan: (Eyes big)Bwee! Ranma: Where did you come from? I thought I got rid of you!(Oh oh) Akane: (Now angry)What?!? Ranma: Oh no! Akane: (Taking a mallet out of nowhere)Ranma no....BAKA! Ranma-chan: Well, after Akane hit me, I landed in a fountain. There, I met Shori. In a way, I should thank you and Akane. Ryoga: ................. Ranma-chan: Look, we better head in. Jus' stay with me. I don't want you wandering off inside of Shori's house. You'll never find your way back into the dining room. Ryoga: Okay. Remember, I'm going along with this plan because of the deal we have. You remember our deal, right? Ranma-chan: (Sighs)Yes, I remember. Ryoga: (Thinking)I can't believe it. He's not even trying to get out of it. (Ranma-chan rings the doorbell, which is answered my a butler. The butler introduces himself) Butler: Good evening. Please, allow me to take your jacket.(Takes Ranma's jacket) (Shori emerges on the top of the marble staircase as the butler disappears to hang Ranma's jacket up) Shori: Ranko, you're right on time. Ryoga: (Notices how beautiful Shori looks)Whoa.... Ranma-chan: (Whispers fiercely)Will you shut up?! Shori: (Toward Ryoga)Good evening, I'm Shori Hyusa. Ryoga: (Nervously)E-evening. M-my name's Ryoga. Ryoga Hibiki. Shori: My parents are both in the dojo. Please follow me(Heads toward back of house) (Ranma, Shori, and Ryoga exit in the backyard via the backdoor. They cross the vast backyard and stop in front of the dojo) Ryoga: Wow! Shori: (Giggles)That's the same thing Ranma said when he saw it. Ryoga: (Turns toward Ranma)You said that? Ranma-chan: (Sweating bullets)W-w-what are you t-talking about? S-she said _Ranma_ said that. Ryoga: I know. I heard her correctly. That's why I asked if you... (Ranma punches Ryoga in his face) Ryoga: (Getting angry)What did you do that for?! Ranma-chan: (Sweating)Um...I-I was tryin' to swat a fly. Shori: A fly? There aren't flies around this time of year. Ranma-chan: Can you hold on one second? I have to talk to my...um...boyfriend alone for a sec. Shori: Um...sure. (Ranma grabs hold of Ryoga's arms tightly as he pulls him off toward the side.) Ranma-chan: What do you think you're doing?! Ryoga: (Fuming)Why are you asking me that?! I should be asking you!! Why did you hit me?! I ought to... Ranma-chan: Do you have any idea what you said over there?! Ryoga: Yeah. I just asked you if that was what you said. Ranma-chan: Baka! Look at me! I'm a girl! She was referring to talking about the male side of me. Ryoga: (Sheepishly)G-gomen. Ranma-chan: Are you trying to ruin me?! Ryoga: I'm sorry. I forgot. Ranma-chan: ................. Ryoga: I won't do it again. I promise. Ranma-chan: You better not. Shori: (Calling out)Is everything all right? Ranma-chan: You stay here(Turning and walking toward Shori)Everything's fine. Shori: How come he thought you were Ranma? Ranma-chan: (Sweating)He heard you incorrectly. He thought you said my name, Ranko.(Laughs meekly)And y'know, Ranko sounds very similar to Ranma. Shori: I guess you're right. Well, forget I asked. It was a stupid question. Well, anyway, how about we go meet my parents. They're in the dojo now. Ranma-chan: Oh? Shori: Yes. My dad wants to add some more things to it, and he wants to check out what he could add. He's been thinking of adding a live-in section to the dojo. He's inside doing some measuring. My mom is in there helping him out. Ranma-chan: What's the live-in section for? Shori: I think it's for the sensei he hires. Although he says he likes to teach, he says he would like to know that there's someone here to help out with the teaching twenty-four hours a day, even if he doesn't need them that often. I guess he doesn't want to get overwhelmed. Ranma-chan: You mean if the sensei he hires will have a place to stay? Shori: Yes. And speaking of hiring, Ranma saw the dojo. I asked him if he was interested. Ranma-chan: (Slight smile)And what did he say? Shori: (A bit sad)He said he was the heir to another school.(Brightening up)But I told him if he was interested, we'd always be here. Ranma-chan: I think he'll be interested.(Thinking)If Soun found out, he would probably kick me out of the house, meaning I'll need someplace to stay. Shori: How come your boyfriend's standing there by himself? Ranma-chan: Oh, I told him to wait there. He...um...gets a bit nervous when meeting parents. Shori: He doesn't have to worry about them. They're the best. My mom and dad are very nice. Well, are you ready? Let's go in. Ranma-chan: Okay, I'll go get him. (Ranma walks over to Ryoga, whom is observing the shear sight of the dojo) Ranma-chan: Shori didn't realize a thing. Look, we're gonna go in the dojo now to see her parents. I want you to remember, don't call me Ranma. I'm Ranko. Ryoga: Okay, Ranko, I heard you correctly. Let's get this night over with as soon as possible. Ranma-chan: No...let's not. I would like to have a nice dinner with her. Ryoga: ............... Ranma-chan: Well, let's get going.(Faces Shori)Okay, Shori, let's go in. Shori: (Smiles warmly)Okay. Follow me.(Enters that dojo) Ranma-chan: C'mon, let's go, Ryoga. Ryoga: I'm right behind you, Ranma. (The scene fades to black as Ranma's voice could be heard echoing through the night) Ranma-chan: Baka!!! (Opening scene: It is now Thursday morning. We are in front of the Tendo dojo across the street where we see Akane enter the scene from the right. She seems finished with her usual morning jog. Kasumi is sweeping the sidewalk as always.) Kasumi: Ohiyo, Akane. Akane: Ohiyo. Kasumi: You seem to have finished your jog a lot later than usual. I was expecting you back over half hour ago. I was beginning to worry. Akane: Well, I wanted to take my time to today. I wanted to try out some new routes(Thinking)I also had a lot on my mind, especially about Ranma. Kasumi: Are you all right? Is something the matter? Akane: I-I'm fine. Thanks for asking though. Um...is Ranma up? Kasumi: Yes. He's in back practicing with his father. Akane: Arigato. (Akane opens the front gate and enters. Kasumi follows as she goes into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Akane sits in the livingroom where she watches Ranma and Genma from the window.) (The scene changes to show us the backyard where Ranma and Genma are sparring. Genma seems to be attacking Ranma at full force, while Ranma fights half-heartedly) Genma: What's a matter, boy? You seem distracted. Ranma: (Snapping out of his daze)Huh? What didja say? Genma: I said you seem distracted. Ranma: I don't wanna get into it. (It is the night before. We are at Shori's house where we see Ranma, in his female form, sitting at a large table with Ryoga, along with Shori and her parents. Shori's parents seem like very caring and loving couple. There are finished dinner plates scattered on the table. It seems everyone had had a great meal) Ranma-chan: (Still savoring the food)The food was delicious, Mrs. Hyusa. You're a terrific cook. Mrs. Hyusa: Anytime, dear. I had a delightful time getting to know you. You're a very sweet young girl. I'm glad Shori has a friend like you. Shori: (Slightly embarrassed)Mom.... Mr. Hyusa: (Toward Ryoga)So, Ryoga m'boy, aren't you a lucky fellow findin' someone as sweet as Ranko here? Ryoga: ............ Ranma-chan: (Forced laugh)Hee hee hee, Mr. Hyusa, you're embarrassing me (Thinking)God, I don't think I can keep this up for much longer. Mr. Hyusa: So, Ryoga, I noticed you seemed very intent on looking around the dojo when we were all in there. So, what do you and Ranko here think? Do you two like it? Ryoga: (Nervously)Um...it's a very nice dojo. It reminds me of those old, traditional dojos from back then. Mr. Hyusa: And what about you, Ranko? Ranma-chan: I like it a lot. Mr. Hyusa: You're welcome to come visit the dojo whenever you like. Since Shori here tells me that you're into martial arts, maybe you might be interested in teaching a couple of classes every here and there since Shori told me you're very good. Shori: But what about... Mr. Hyusa: I know, honey. I remember you mentioning this fellow, Ranma. I haven't forgotten. Since you told him I'm looking in hiring a sensei, I guess all we have to do is wait to see if he's interested. Ranma-chan: ............. Ryoga: ................ Shori: C'mon, Daddy, it's getting late now. I don't want Ranko and Ryoga to get in trouble if we keep them here too late. Mrs. Hyusa: Well, I guess you're right. It is getting kind of late now. Mr. Hyusa: (Looking at watch)You're right, honey. It is getting kind of late. Would you two like a ride home? Ranma-chan: I-it's okay. We can manage. I don't live that far away(Clenched his teeth)And besides...I h-have Ryoga here to p-protect me. (Ryoga looks a Ranma bemusedly) Shori: What's the matter, Ryoga? Ryoga: (Nervously)N-nothing. It's nothing at all. I-I wasn't expecting Ranma...Ranko to say that. Ranma-chan: (Thinking)Baka!! Listen to yourself!! Do you have any idea what you're saying?!(Begins to talk)Hee hee...he says that because since I know martial arts...he wasn't expecting me to say that. That's all... Ryoga: Actually, I meant to say that... Ranma-chan: C'mon, Ryoga(Clenches Ryoga's arm tightly)we better head on home now. It's getting late. Ryoga: (Sighs)Okay, Ranko. Whatever you say... Mr. Hyusa: Are you two sure you don't need a ride? I wouldn't mind giving you a ride home. I just bought a new car, and I would like to, you know, break her in. Ranma-chan: (Tempted)Um...no thanks you. We'll be all right. Shori: I'll walk you to the front gate. Ranma-chan: Okay. (Ranma, Ryoga, and Shori are now at the front gate. It is very dark out and slightly chilly) Shori: Here's your jacket. You forgot to ask my butler for it. Ranma-chan: I forgot about it. Arigato. Shori: Look, my parents aren't usually that way. Ranma-chan: What way? I didn't see anything wrong with them. Shori: I meant in the way they were acting. My parents always throw dinner parties, and they seemed to have gotten used to casual teasing because the people they work with tend to tease each other and they get into the act. I guess they forgot that it wasn't a dinner party tonight. I hope my dad didn't really embarrass you. Ranma-chan: Oh no. That's okay. I'm fine. Shori: Well, I better not keep you here later than it is. It was great having dinner with you and Ryoga. Arigato. Ranma-chan: We should be thanking you. It was a great dinner. I'm glad you invited me. Shori: Anytime. I hope we can do this again. Ranma-chan: Yeah. Shori: Well, see you later. Ranma-chan: Later. Ryoga: Bye, Shori. It was nice meeting you. Shori: Same here. I'm glad we met. Ryoga: Ja ne. (Ranma and Ryoga leave. It is quiet for several minutes on the way home. The silence is broken when Ryoga speaks) Ryoga: I guess tonight went pretty well. Ranma-chan: (Not looking at Ryoga)It went okay. I'm glad nothing really bad happened. Ryoga: Shori seems like a very nice girl. I guess I can see why you like her. Ranma-chan: .............. Ryoga: I noticed you seem interested in working for Mr. Hyusa. Are you going to take the job? Ranma-chan: .............. Ryoga: Aren't you going to say anything? Ranma-chan: (Facing Ryoga)Yeah. Thanks for helping me out tonight. (Ranma and Ryoga continue back toward the Tendo home, neither one saying another word) Ranma: (Stops sparring)Hey, pop. I have a question. Genma: (Stops also)What is it? Ranma: It's about mom. Genma: (Nervously)W-what about her? Ranma: Um, how did you know you were in love with her? Genma: What makes you bring this up? Ranma: I'm just asking. How old were you when you met mom? Genma: (Thinks for a second)Well, we met when we were young. Actually, I was around the same age as you now. Ranma: And... Genma: And what? Ranma: Well, did you know you love mom when you first met? Or did it take some time before you realized it? Genma: Well, I'll have to say I fell in love with your mom once I saw her. I knew that, without a doubt, that I wanted to be with her. Why are you asking this? Ranma: Nevermind. Don't worry about it. Genma: (Smiles)Is this about you and Akane? Ranma: What? Genma: It must be. You're interested to know if it's okay to finally find out you love her after such a long time. Well, all I have to say, it's perfectly okay for you. There were a few couples I knew that didn't know they loved each other until years after they first met. Ranma: ................ Genma: (Thinking)That's gotta be it. That's why my boy is asking me this. He now realizes he loves Akane and wants to know if it's normal after realizing this after so long a time. I can't wait to tell Soun.(Begins to talk)Is there anything else you would like to tell me? Ranma: I guess we talked enough then. That was all(Gets into battle stance)I guess we should continue practicing now. Genma: (Getting into battle stance)Good. I'm, not gonna go easy on you, boy. Ranma: (Back to his usual self)Ha, even if you go all out, it's still feels like you're going easy on me. Genma: Oh yeah? Ranma: (Shocked)Mom, what are you doing here?! (Genma instinctively jumps into the pond. His son was a goner, but he was hoping it wasn't too late for him. He resurfaces to see Ranma squatting over the edge of the pond) Ranma: You're so gullible, pop, it's unbelievable. (Before he knew what hit him, Ranma was soaking wet, and in his female form. He realizes that his father had just splashed him with water also) Genma(Panda): Ranma-chan: Why you?!(Punts Genma into orbit) (Ranma heads into the house. Despite what had happened, he still seems in a good mood. Inside, he sits down at the dining room table where breakfast has been laid out. He realizes there's no one around) Ranma-chan: W-where is everyone? Kasumi: (Entering the room)Nabiki ate already and went to school early. Father had to go to has to be at a town meeting today. I'm not too sure where your father is, Ranma, but I thought he was with you just a minute ago. Ranma-chan: So that means it's only going to be you, me, and Akane? Kasumi: (Smiles)It's only going to be you and Akane this morning. I have to return a book to Dr. Tofu this morning, and it's best that I return this to him before the office opens because, for some reason, when I show up while it's opened, it closes for the rest of the day after I leave. Ranma: So it's just me and Akane? Kasumi: Hai.(Places plate of food on table)Here you go. (Akane is standing just outside the room, against the wall, out of sight. She seems nervous. She takes a deep breath before entering the room) Kasumi: There you are, Akane. I was wondering where you went.(Looks at clock)Well, I better get going now. Bye.(Leaves) Akane: ................. Ranma-chan: Looks likes it going to be just you and me.(Starts eating) Akane: ................. Ranma-chan: (Noticing Akane is still standing)Aren't you going to eat? Akane: M-me? Y-yeah. I'm fine.(Sits down and starts eating)my, the food tastes delicious. Ranma-chan: Uh huh.(Continues eating) Akane: (Thinking)I guess now's the best time to ask him.(Begins to talk)Um, Ranma. Ranma-chan: (Looks up)Huh? Akane: N-nevermind.(Continues eating) Ranma-chan: What's the matter? Akane: N-nothing. Ranma-chan: ................ (An awkward silence ensures. After a few moments, Shampoo, showing up out of nowhere, enters the dining room, and glomps on to Ranma) Shampoo: Nihao!(Hugs Ranma fiercely)Ranma take Shampoo on date now. Ranma-chan: (Struggling to free himself)W-where did y-you come from?! Shampoo: Ranma no go school today. Shampoo want Ranma to take Shampoo on date. Ranma-chan: You've got to be kidding..... Ukyo: (Enters the room)Ranchan, where have you been? You haven't shown up at the restaurant for a few days now.(Notices Shampoo hugging her Ranma)Hey! Let go of my fiancee! He's mine! Ranma-chan: U-Ucchan.(Looks at Akane sheepishly)T-this isn't m-my fault. Akane: (Anger building).............. Ranma-chan: (Toward Shampoo and Ukyo)Look, I'd love to stay and chat, but Akane and I must go to school now. Shampoo: Ranma no go to school. Ranma take Shampoo on date. Ukyo: Get real, Shampoo. If Ranma's going t