A Made Bed
I felt terrible waking up next to Ranma.
I already knew I didn't deserve her after I hit her for no good reason last night, but now I was staring again. Maybe it's because she was really tense yesterday, and now she isn't? She looked so peaceful, a far cry from how she looked after I hurt her in an unimaginable way! I'm such a piece of tra-
“mnn…. AH! Sorry for not waking up on time! I’ll begin all sixt-”
“Ranma, calm down, it's just me.”
“Oh.”
“I- Have you needed to wake up before 5 AM before?”
“W-Well, uh, yknow, if I didn't…. my old man would make me do a few pushups…… and laps…. and pick a fight……….. then berate me…….”
“Oh my god that's terr-”
“A-anways! Why are you up so early? School doesn't start ‘til 7:30, right?”
I couldn't get mad at a desperate face like that cutting me off.
“I normally go for morning jogs. Do you wanna join me?”
“Sure.”
_______________________________________
There was somethin’ ‘bout a run that made me feel at peace in a way no trainin’ ever could. It was probably thanks to hatred wellin’ up every time I thought about martial arts trainin’. I guess right now it's funny. Old man was so misogynistic he raised me as a man to teach me his style of martial arts and I now hated doin’ both! Maybe one day I could go back to martial arts, once I haven't seen him in a long long time, or maybe they're ruined forever. Learnin’ yer whole life was a lie can do that I guess.
Akane had sat down on a bench in front of a large fountain creatin’ rainbows as its droplets flowed through the air.
“You know you can take a break right Ranma?”
I didn't notice until she pointed it out, but I was still joggin’ in place.
“Oh! Yes! ‘pologies, force a’ habit.”
“mhm”
The two of us took in the view for about a minute. The park was silent except for the slight ruffle of leaves. It let me clear my mind for once in my life.
“We should probably get going so you're not late for your first day.”
_______________________________________
A mental debate like no other.
After all, I am their information broker, what they believe they don't have to know is false.
But this was too juicy for me to want to keep to myself…
It could continue to spread a rumor that hurt my baby sister, but it could also make me a ton of money. I mean, she's obviously gay; she just won't except it yet. This could push her in the right direction, but it could also scare her away from the truth.
I sighed. There were too many ifs about this piece if information. If Akane-baby went to the right people, then maybe she'd get told that it's not weird or disgusting, but if she went to the wrong people…
It could get messy.
Very messy.
With how head-over-heals that little redhead is for her, if she said something terrible to Ranma-hon, I think the freeloader would run off.
But something compels me to get the freeloader to stay?
Goddamn emotions. I thought I was supposed to be the Ice Queen.
Oh that's just it. I sell the information then don't care what happens.
I need to stop caring about other people so much.
_______________________________________
“Here.”
Nabiki handed me a blue-green dress with a long-sleeved white blouse.
“What's this?”
“Your uniform. You know. For School?” Nabiki had swapped into a condescendin’ tone, but how was I supposed to know that? The only school uniforms I'd ever seen were the ones the boys used to wear at my old school.
Be polite. You're intruding’.
Be upset. ‘At's how you deal with annoyin’ bitches like ‘er.
Despite my instincts, I just stood there, my eyes rapidly blinkin’.
“Don't just stand there, freeloader. Go put the damned thing on.”
I manage to actually process that sentence, and began shufflin’ upstairs ‘til I got to the bathroom.
This was somethin’ I’d never got to wear before.
I pulled the blouse over my head, somehow figured out how to put on the dress, and looked into the mirror.
For the first time,
I felt pretty, standing there starin’ at the mirror in disbelief.
I had permission to do this. I could be myself.
I could actually learn somethin’ useful for once.
At an actual high school,
_______________________________________
The first street we'd passed had been deafening. I still hadn't apologized to Ranma and she looked like she was in a good mood. I didn't want to ruin her morning by reminding her, right? It was the right thing to do though. I knew it was the right thing to do and yet I
“Hey….. Ranma”
“Yeah?”
“I'm… I… I'm so… sorry…… aboutlastnight.”
I couldn't help but stumble. Obviously it was intentional right? Subconsciously intentional, that is. I obviously wanted to be seen as the victim right?
“You don't need to ‘pologize, ‘Kane. It wasn't a big deal.”
“What? I hit you! Of course that's a big deal! We're supposed to be friends and I-”
“Well I kiiiinda deserved it y’know.”
“Wh- huh? How????”
“I was eggin’ ya on, and I completely forgot it's different to say a girl likes another girl, than me just bein’ a guy flirtin’ with ya.”
I flustered at that comment, how the hell was I supposed to respond or process the fact that she was flirting with me!?
“But I probably still shouldn-”
“Wait Ranma, stay back for a second.”
“Huh? But isn't that the school?” She pointed over towards a tall beige building nearly covered in windows.
I sighed, “Just watch.”
I walked up to the steps that march up to the doors, and that's when the hentai horde came out of their disgusting, perverted holes to fight me. Again.
Someone may try to claim that this is good practice for the Anything-Goes style.
That person is dead wrong.
The boys of the horde are so simple minded, it's the same routine to beat them every time. Same one I used on the first day, and it has got to have happened at least fifty times since.
I had been in such a trance, I barely realized it when the boys had dispersed. Two people must've been talking behind me? I turned arou- Oh god.
“-The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School!”
“I'm Ranma Saotome, I've… gotta go…., bye.”
Kuno jumped from that dumb pillar he always stands on. “Stop! For what reason dost thou come walking in with my love, Akane Tendo!?”
I just, didn't give Ranma time to answer that question. Grabbing her hand, I rushed her inside the school, and dragged her to the classroom we'd be in together.
“Who the hell was that guy?”
“The most annoying boy of them all.”
“Oh yeah! That was awesome Akane how’d you-”
“It happens every day, I just have practice in getting them away from me I suppose.”
Our teacher walked in behind us, still her tiny child self.
“We have a new student today.”
“That's you! Ranma,” I whispered into her ear.
“oh!”
Sometimes I wonder what circumstances she's been raised in. Is this her first time going to school? Dealing with people other than her father?? I must've missed her introduction, because she was coming to sit down in the chair she had right next to me.
_______________________________________
It was nerve-wracking hearing people's murmurs ‘bout you, but it was even more nerve-wracking when they were all up right next to yer desk!
There was maybe ten people circled ‘round me, all asking me questions that I couldn't comprehend!
“Hey people give her some space! She's tensing up!” said some black-haired girl with a bright-red ribbon in her hair.
The people surrounding me quickly dispersed.
“I'm so sorry about them. I'm Sayuri, one of Akane’s friends.”
“Hi…..”
“Everyone! Back to your seats! Get out your Social Studies books, flip to page_ _ _ _ _”
_______________________________________
“Ranma!! Come sit with us on the roof!!”
Lunch had come before I realized. Sayuri took the first step up to lead us to the roof. There was another girl with incredibly long light brown hair following us. She also seemed to be close with Akane?
“So, are the rumors true?” she asked.
“What rumors, Yuka?” Akane shot back with a glare despite her defeated tone.
“That you're engaged to a giiiirl?”
I froze in place. How the hell did anyone know about that? Who told them? Wait.
“No, those ru-”
“Who told ya?” I asked, terrified of who could've been stalkin’ me or Akane or Kasumi or or or-
“Ranma! What the hell!” We had made it to the roof, and after a blow up like that, I was expectin’ her to hit me again.
“I knew it! Nabiki always knows what's going on!”
“Akane, you've always vehemently denied swinging that way, what happened?” Sayuri’s smirk was evident even within her voice.
“Nothing happened! It was our fathers! w-”
“Your fathers agreed to a same-sex marriage?”
“No! Th-”
“Yeah, actually.” Oh shit I didn't mean to let that out.
“What? He actually agreed to-? Is that why he raised you as a boy??”
“Your father did what!?” Sayuri had become incredibly invested into my story at this point. I didn't really wanna tell people how I grew up, but if she really wan’ed to know, maybe I could touch on it.
“I think so? He was huge into calling weak martial artists women, so that could've had to do with it, but he also could've just not trained me. Honestly that's the only way I see this going about.”
“Your life is like a real life TV show. What the heck, that's actually so weird! and interesting!” Sayuri had scooted closer to me despite Yuka clearly not wantin’ her to.
“Wait, so he expected you to marry a girl, even though you're a girl? Wh- H- …. Huh????” I'm not sure Yuka really cared ‘bout what I was sayin’, or if she was just trying to get back next to Sayuri, but either way she didn't show a ton of interest despite attempting to.
“...yeah?” That's what I just said. “Guess he got one thing right ‘bout me.”
“What?” Oh god
Oh my god I just realized what I said
Oh god how do I backpedal??? I just ruined my life!! It's over I'm done f-
Money exchanged hands from Yuka to Sayuri. “Yes! I always knew we'd find another one that goes here!”
Yuka just grumbled to herself.
The whole time, I had kept shooting glances over to Akane and she looked incredibly confused every time. This time her face lit with shock, anger, confusion, honestly any emotion you can think of. “I'm sorry? What?”
“Hm?” replied Yuka.
“Since when were you- and Ranma you're- and- huh? What??”
“Wait, you really didn't know?” Sayuri responded with panic and whipped her head over to look at Yuka. “Did we forget to tell her!?”
“Oh……… yeah we did. Yo Akane, me and Sayuri are gay for each other ok coolio donezo awesome.”
“What!?”
“Yeah I think we were afraid to tell you because of the way you respond whenever we suggest you like girls.”
Akane's face turned beet red. “Well yeah! That's me, not you guys. I guess I'm so shocked cause you two are just so…. normal.”
The three of us all grimaced in unison to her comment, though Yuka looked far more disgusted than I did.
“I always thought it was pretty normal, but I guess my life ain't been so normal, so…”
That was the last thing said on the roof that lunch period. Another 30 agonizin’ minutes went by before we just ended up returnin’ to class anyway.
_______________________________________
I had the entire rest of my day to think about how much I hurt my few long-time friends. Not only throughout classes I had a hard time paying attention to, but also on the way walking home. I didn't really want to talk to Ranma about any of this. After all, I'm sure she's upset at me as well. Though this is another thing I need to apologize for. If it goes anything like last time, she'll just try to blame herself, which is definitely not what I want her to do…
“So….. um… was thinkin’ ‘bout joinin’ a club.”
“oh, really?” I wasn't quite paying attention to her small talk, I was still figuring out what to do, because I didn't really believe what I said! It is normal! I swear! It's just.. I mean I'm not… like that…., but that doesn't mean it's not normal!
“Yeah, Yuka was talking to me about the cooking club, she said I might like it.”
“oh,” I said disappointedly for some reason? She's her own woman, she can do whatever she wants….., but at the same time, I kinda… wanna spend time with her…
Wait! What I want doesn't matter, because I wronged her! So, even though I'd love to spend every day for the rest of my l- THAT I CAN WITH HER, I can't because I'm a horrible person.
Wait, I'm not horrible. Right? Am I a bad person? I must be huh? I hurt people that's what I do! I'm terrible! I-
“-KANE!” I felt my arm being tugged backwards.
We were about to cross a street. I almost jumped in front of…. I almost….
“Watch where you're goin’! I ain't feelin’ like watchin’ you die right in front of me! Geez, how does someone who gets lost in thought all the time not think b‘fore crossin’ a road?”
The light turned green, and she stepped forward.
“Hey! I do not!”
“What was I talkin’ about b‘fore this?”
“Cooking or something like that.”
“sigh, no I asked if I should join the cookin’ club, because I also wanna spend time with you.”
She was thinking about that too?
“I mean, I'm not gonna be possessive over you or anything, you should do what you want.”
“Well I can't decide.”
“I'm your fiancée, shouldn't you get to know Yuka some more?”
“Oh she ain't in it, she just knows some people who are.”
“Well I- um…. y'know uh-”
“I'll just decide later.”
“oh, ok.”
I don't know why I'm so nervous about spending less time with her. I know I'll just see her at home. What's wrong with me?
_______________________________________
“Welcome home!”
“Hey Kasumi.”
“Where's Father?”
“He said something about a man named Genma, and then he left. He may be a while.”
“Oh…. Yeah, that’s my old man's name.” I had secretly hoped my old man would never even be looked for, lead alone found. It's only been a day and I feel so much better than I had on the road. Partly ‘cause I had a nice place t’ sleep, but mostly ‘cause my old man wasn't there to try and force me t’ be a guy.
“Ranma, are you ok?” Akane snapped me outta the weird trance I must've been in from hearing the old man’s name.
“Oh yeah, I'm good….. Fine……. anyways I'm gonna go do uh…. homework! see ya later!” I zipped up to our(?) room, desperately trying to avoid an awkward conversation about my father…..
Though, I do have homework that needs done.
_______________________________________
CRASH
Another 5 bricks broken, 10 more knocked down.
I can do better than that.
CRASH
6…….
I feel a lot better than I did before. I guess this is a pretty costly way to let out anger…. but at least this time I knew I wasn't overreacting.
Because I was mad at myself. For being a terrible friend.
Despite my best efforts the bricks always messed up my knuckles a little bit. Normally after 3 or so hits.
I'm not really sure how many times I hit bricks today.
After all, how could I ever get mad at someone else if I was a horrible person.
Someone opened the door.
“Akane, have you seen…. Oh my! What happened to your hands!?”
Kasumi ran over to me.
“Little sis, you have to be more careful with how many you do in one session!”
I actually looked at my knuckles. Deep red covered my hands, to the point you could barely see the place where a piece of white bone was visible…..
Kasumi ushered me out of the dojo and took me to the bathroom. I winced while she washed it, but something about the way she gently presses on the bandages soothed me and just made me feel better.
Her magic, as always.
She sighed. “Go take a bath before we eat, dinner's almost ready.”
I suppose I had to.
_______________________________________
“Ranma.”
“Yeah?”
“I just um…. Well I-”
“I can leave your room if you're uncomfortable…. I know I'm a lil’ weird but-”
“No! No! No No No! You're fine! I actually wanted to……….. apologise for what I said earlier.”
“Um alright….” She gets into the covers.
I yawn and lay down right next to Ranma. I'm not even sure why I said what I said….. honestly….. like I don't….. also….. have an…… approviation for the fssjmle fornnm,...... m saybd im a jesnian_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _