[Fanfic] Daigakusei no Ranma - Episode 21

[Ranma Saotome]

These walls I live inside
Protect me from hatred and lies
And these walls have made me strong
But it's not where I belong

I hear you knocking but can't let you in
I don't know how it's gonna end
But these walls, they set me free
Kept me safe and sheltered me

Here's where the road begins
Got to reach out if I'm gonna win
Gotta know how - I'm old enough now
Never gonna feel this way again

No, I'm never gonna hide behind these walls again

+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+
| Daigakusei no Ranma |
| |
| Created by David Tai and Paul Gallegos |
| |
| Based on the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi |
+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+

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-= Episode 21: "Shocking Revelation! The Mystery Unfolds!" =-
===============================================================================

[A caustic haze settles across the Tokyo skyline, unhindered by its absent
nemesis, the wind. The whine of the cicadas cuts into the evening stillness as
a man lumbers onto his balcony with beer in hand, captivated by the heat mirage
and the setting sun. He leans heavily on the rusted railing, taking long drinks
from his can. Laughter from an inane sitcom echoes from his apartment as the
television entertains itself. His beer now empty, he crushes the can against
the rail and lets it fall into the alley far below.]

Man: Hiroe! [louder] Hiroe! Get out here!

[A frantic young woman runs through the apartment drying her hands on her
apron. She stops at the doorway to the balcony and looks questioningly at the
man.]

Hiroe: [heart racing] Yes...

Man: [turns around] What happened to dinner?

Hiroe: [panicked] Hai! It's almost ready!

Man: [impatiently] Well hurry it up, damn it! And get me another beer!

[Hiroe turns and runs back to the kitchen. She quickly returns with a beer.]

Man: What took you?!

[He swipes the beer from her shaking hands and opens it, but the alcohol has
absorbed too much motion and gushes from its container. Hiroe watches as
gravity carries the can to the floor, her heart falling with it as it tumbles
downward. His hand strikes her face, and momentarily, she is weightless.
A bonfire consumes her cheek in streams of fiery hot threads.]

Man: [screaming] Look what you've done! What the hell is wrong with you!?

[He fetches a beer from the kitchen and retreats to his balcony. As he turns
around to lean back against the balcony, he sees Hiroe lying on the floor
motionless.]

Man: Hiroe! [impatiently] Get over here!

[Hiroe looks up slowly, her cheeks stained with tears. The man shoots her a
dark look.]

Man: If you don't come here right now, I'll give you something to cry about!

[Hiroe sniffles softly, then gets to her feet. The man hops onto the railing
and sits there, swinging his feet. As she approaches, he begins to sway
slightly, the alcohol starting to take its effect. She looks nervously at him,
then at the floor before him, avoiding his eyes.]

Man: Better.

[The man takes a drink of his beer, and some lands on his shirt. He sighs, then
glares at Hiroe. She reaches out for his shirt just as he leans back to take
another swig of beer...]

Hiroe: [screaming] PAPA!!!

[The scene fades to white, then cuts to an overhead picture of the ground,
where Hiroe stands over the body, its limbs horribly twisted in a grotesque
pose. Several paramedics and police officers are surveying the area and taking
notes. As the scene fades to black, ten-year-old Izumi Yoshiba watches silently
from his bedroom window next door.]

* * *

[Friday morning. Ranma walks up the stairs to Hiroe's apartment.]

Ranma: [thinking] I hope she got the rest of the report typed up... I don't
want to fail this stupid assignment just because it wasn't typed.

[Ranma knocks twice on the door to Hiroe's apartment. Moments later, the door
opens and a surprised Hiroe stands in the doorway.]

Hiroe: [blinks] Ohayo gozaimasu... what are you doing here?

Ranma: Ohayo. [grins] I figured we should present our project together to the
prof's office in case he has any questions for us. [to himself] And to
make sure you finished...

Hiroe: [smiles] Good idea! Let me go get it and then we'll go. I was just
finishing up breakfast... would you like to come in for a sec while
I grab my things?

Ranma: [nods] Un.

[Ranma steps inside and closes the door behind him as Hiroe runs around
gathering her books and papers. After handing Ranma a small stack of typed
paper, Hiroe and Ranma leave the apartment, heading for the Mizunoikan campus.]

Ranma: So... [pauses] where were you yesterday during class?

Hiroe: [pauses] I was... with a friend.

Ranma: Oh. Well, you didn't miss much. The prof just did his usual boring
lecture.

Hiroe: Then I'm not going to worry about it. [giggles] I can always just copy
your notes.

[Hiroe grabs Ranma's notebook out of his open backpack and flips through it.]

Ranma: [blinks] Hey! Wait just a second here...

[Hiroe's expression turns into one of surprise as she realizes the entire
notebook is filled with doodling.]

Hiroe: Or... maybe not. [tosses notebook back at Ranma]

Ranma: [frowns] Oi! What's that supposed to mean?

Hiroe: [smiles] Nothing, nothing at all.

[Hiroe continues walking while Ranma stops to quickly stuff his notebook back
in his backpack and zip it up. He then takes off to catch up with Hiroe.]

* * *

[As they sit outside the professor's office, Ranma and Hiroe are having a very
animated conversation.]

Hiroe: ... and so, this guy couldn't buy a fight because of it.

Ranma: Really? All that because he kept throwing up in the ring?

Hiroe: [nods] Un.

Ranma: I don't believe it. Pro boxers don't throw up in the ring.

Hiroe: But... but I'm not lying! It's the truth!

Professor: [opening door and letting two students exit] Next! [looks at Ranma
and Hiroe]

Ranma & Hiroe: [standing up quickly] Hai!

[They enter the professor's office and sit down in the chairs in front of his
desk. He walks slowly around his desk, peering at their paper.]

Professor: [glancing through paper] This looks decent enough right off. At
least a "C", if not better, just based on presentation and length.
[looks at Hiroe and Ranma] You both will pass for sure, and if this
is as good as I expect, assuming you do well on the final, you'll
both receive "A"'s in my class for the semester. [sits down]

[Ranma and Hiroe both breathe sighs of relief at this. The professor rummages
through a drawer and then hands each a piece of paper.]

Professor: Here are the final exam questions. The exam will be two of those
five that I'll choose, so you'll want to prepare for all the
questions. [smiles and leans back in his chair] If you have any
questions, please see me after class or during my office hours.
[pauses] And Saotome, I'm glad to see you have successfully managed
to catch up.

Ranma: [nods] Hai, sensei. Arigato gozaimasu.

Professor: You know, you two are pretty lucky... if you'd been one minute
later, I'd have lowered your grade.

[Ranma and Hiroe look at each other with similar expressions of relief and
fear at the same time.]

Professor: ... but since you weren't, there's nothing to worry about! [smiles]
So, good luck with your studying and let me know if you have any
questions.

Hiroe: Arigato gozaimasu, sensei.

[The two get up and exit the professor's office just as two others are about
to knock. Ranma lets Hiroe go first, then closes the door behind himself.]

Professor: [in office] You're late! Your project is lowered one letter grade
immediately!

Ranma: [grins] Glad we made it here on time. I'd hate to be those two. [jerks
thumb back at office]

Hiroe: [nods] After all the work we did, I'm just glad we passed.

Ranma: Well, I guess we should get going...

Hiroe: Yeah, I'm already late for my other class anyway... I guess I'll see
you at the final, ne? [thinking] Besides, I have to figure out how
I'm going to tell Kenji...

Ranma: [nods] Sure...

Hiroe: Ja, sayonara, Saotome-kun...

[Hiroe smiles, then slowly walks away. Ranma stands in the hallway for a while,
watching her go.]

Ranma: [to himself] I guess that's that. [sighs] I really _should_ follow her,
but...

[Ranma puts his hands in his pockets, then walks outside.]

* * *

[Akane watches Hiroe enter the classroom and quickly sit at her desk in the
back of the room. Hiroe is visibly upset, and Akane stares for a long moment
at her before reverting her attention to the lecturer.]

Akane: [thinking] I wonder what happened to her?

[After the lecture, Akane waits at the door for Hiroe to leave the classroom.
She watches Hiroe slowly gather her books and notes, deliberately taking her
time, waiting for the other students to leave. Akane thinks for a moment, then
exits the classroom as well, preferring to wait just outside the door. Hiroe
finally walks out of the classroom, stopping just inside the doorway as she
notices Akane waiting for her.]

Akane: [questioningly] Mizuta-san?

Hiroe: Eh? [blinks] Aren't you... Saotome Akane, ne?

Akane: Hai. Ranma's... wife.

Hiroe: Un... [shifts uncomfortably]

Akane: Um, are you all right? You don't look too well...

Hiroe: Well, I ... [sighs] I've just got a lot on my mind, that's all.
[looks at her feet]

Akane: Hmm. Well, I'm hungry for lunch. How about we go somewhere to eat?

Hiroe: [looks up] That sounds ok...

Akane: Any ideas where?

Hiroe: Well, since I have to meet my boyfriend at 12:30... how about we just
go to the cafe I'm supposed to meet him at?

Akane: [smiles] Sure!

* * *

Akane: [thinking] When I agreed to go with Hiroe, I didn't think she'd come to
the Nekohanten... [sighs inwardly]

[Akane watches Shampoo bounce around the restaurant, flirting with the male
customers and smiling with the females. Akane returns her attention to Hiroe.]

Hiroe: What time is it again?

Akane: [looking at her watch] Um... 12:20. [pauses] Is there something going
on that I should know?

Hiroe: [shakes head] No... not really. Kenji and I always have lunch on
Fridays together, but today there's something I have to tell him...
[sighs] I guess I'm not really ready for this.

Akane: [thinking] She's going to dump Kenji... No wonder she's so nervous.
[out loud] Well, if you need someone to stay here with you...

Hiroe: [smiles slightly] Arigato, but really I'll be ok... I just needed some
moral support before I tell him.

Akane: [thinking] I was right! [out loud] Well, ok, if you're sure...

Hiroe: [nods] Hai. I am. [smiles]

[Kenji Urushibara enters the Nekohanten and is immediately greeted by Shampoo.
Hiroe notices Kenji at the door and unconsciously leans back in her chair.]

Hiroe: [sighs] He's early.

Akane: [getting up quickly] You sure you're ok?

Hiroe: [nods] Un. As ready as I'm going to be, I guess.

Akane: Ok... I'll see you later then.

[Akane gets up and heads for the door. Hiroe waves at Kenji, who sees her and
walks past Akane towards Hiroe's table. Akane watches him take the seat she
just vacated, then turns and sits at a nearby table.]

Shampoo: [walking up] What violent girl doing?

Akane: [evenly] None of your business.

Shampoo: Shampoo know anyway. No fireworks with you and Airen.

Akane: [glares] He had enough of the fireworks at the festival. [looks over
her shoulder at Hiroe and Kenji]

Shampoo: [smiles] Shampoo wait for her turn for fireworks! Then Airen be with
Shampoo!

Akane: Give it a rest already. Don't you have some tables to wait on or
something?

Shampoo: Hai. Shampoo waiting on violent girl to give up Airen.

Akane: [slaps forehead] Look, just get me a glass of water, ok?

Shampoo: [walking away] Need more than glass to cool off, but ok.

[Akane gives a final parting glare at Shampoo, then tries to listen in to
Hiroe and Kenji's conversation. However, the din in the restaurant makes
it hard to hear what either person is saying. Then Mousse appears next to
Akane, holding a pitcher of water and a glass.]

Akane: [looking up at Mousse] Do you think you should be carrying that around?

Mousse: [setting pitcher and glass on table] Why do you ask that?

Akane: [sighs exasperatedly] Over here, Mousse.

[Mousse peers at the chair he is talking to, then, unfazed, removes his glasses
from the top of his head and puts them on. Squinting through the lenses, he
turns to face Akane.]

Mousse: You do know that Shampoo is just trying to get you mad.

Akane: What else is new?

Mousse: [shrugs] What's really on your mind?

Akane: Well, you remember that festival on Monday night?

[Flash back to the Monday night previous...]

[Ranma, Hitomi, Ukyou, Makiko, Junko, and Megami all sit outside in
the park to watch the fireworks in the sky.]

Junko: [sighs] Why did Shirow have to pick TONIGHT to get sick?

Makiko: [pats Junko's arm] C'mon, it's not like he WANTED to be
sick. I'm sure he wanted to come.

Ukyou: [smiles] At least this means that the semester's almost over.
What are you going to do for break, Maki-chan?

Makiko: Going home. [shrugs] Don't know what else though. How about you,
Akiyama-san?

Hitomi: I don't know. I guess I could take the time off of work and
go home and visit... but I don't know if I should...

Makiko: Maybe it's a good idea to see your mom and dad again. After
all, when was the last time you saw them?

Hitomi: Maybe you're right...

[At that moment, several brilliant fireworks light up the sky, and
everyone stops talking to watch. After several minutes of this,
Ranma puts his arm around Hitomi.]

Ranma: [softly] Look, Akane... pretty nice, ne? [looks down at
Hitomi] urk! AAA! [jerks arm away] Uh... I mean... Um...

[Junko looks aghast, Ukyou only smiles.]

Ukyou: [thinking] Yeah, Ran-chan, I know you wish Akane was here too.

Mousse: ... so when he put his arm around Akiyama-san, he really did think it
was you.

Akane: Hai. Kawamura-san and Hitomi-chan told me afterwards...

[Flash back to Monday night previous...

[Akane, Makiko, and Hitomi sit in Ranma and Akane's apartment drinking
tea and chatting merrily about the night's previous events.]

Akane: [sighs] I wish I didn't have to have that paper finished by
Wednesday, otherwise I would've gone with you... it sounds
like it was great.

Hitomi: [grins] Yup. It was a lot of fun. I really should hang out
with you more often. I just wish that I didn't have to work
so many nights lately...

Makiko: Yeah, Akane, you really should've gone... you missed Megami's
fit when the fireworks first started. She thought that they
were burning the sky. Ukyou took her home when it was all over.
By then she was fast asleep.

Akane: Oh, kawaii! [grins]

Makiko: [giggles] And you also missed Ranma embarrassing himself...

Hitomi: [interrupting] Uh yeah, and I forgot to thank you, Kawamura-san
for your advice earlier this evening too...

Akane: Wait... Ranma embarrassed himself? [leans forward] How'd he do
it this time?

Makiko: Oh, when the fireworks were going pretty well, he put his arm
around Akiyama-san...

Akane: [blinks] He what!?

Makiko: Calm down, Akane... he thought it was you he was sitting next to.
Really, he did!

Hitomi: Yeah! He said "Look, Akane... pretty nice." I knew he didn't
mean to put his arm around me.

Makiko: Yeah, and he was pretty embarrassed about the whole thing. I mean,
he really did forget you weren't there!

Akane: ... so, yes I know about it.

Mousse: And you weren't upset with Ranma?

Akane: Well... I wasn't at first, but then after he came home from jogging...

[Flash back to Monday night previous...]

[Ranma and Akane's apartment.]

Ranma: Look, it's not my fault you had to stay here and write your
stupid paper all night instead of going with me.

Akane: Yeah, and I heard that you had your own "fun" there without me.

Ranma: Nani? [pauses] Oh... that.

Akane: Yes, "oh... that."

Ranma: Well, nothing happened.

Akane: I heard otherwise. Why don't you just tell me what happened?

Ranma: Because nothing happened!

Akane: ... anyway... he later told me that it was an accident, but all I really
wanted was an apology, nothing else...

Mousse: [nods] Well, I thought I should tell you in any case. Saotome may seem
to be chasing other girls, but one thing I know for sure is that he is
definitely devoted to you.

Akane: [smiles] Arigato, Mousse... that's the first nice thing I've heard all
day.

Mousse: [gets up] Anytime...

[There is a sound of breaking glass.]

Kenji: [loudly] HIROE!

[Both Mousse and Akane turn toward Kenji and Hiroe's table. Hiroe is holding
her hand, which is dripping blood onto the table. Kenji has stood up and is
trying to staunch the flow by tying a napkin around her hand. Both Mousse and
Akane rush over to the table.]

Kenji: We need to get her to a hospital!

[Taking a closer look, Akane notices that both of Kenji's hands are bloody,
as well as Hiroe's, though her hand is cut severely in several places. Shards
of glass litter the table and floor - the remnants of her water glass.]

Akane: [picking up Hiroe's backpack] Here, I'll go with you.

Mousse: [sighs] Looks like I'll clean up here.

[Hiroe remains expressionless, except for her wide-eyed blank look and her
slowly paling complexion. Kenji gently helps her to her feet, then quickly
escorts her to the door. Akane takes one last thoughtful glance back at the
table, then follows the two outside.]

* * *

[Ranma walks along the street, staring absent-mindedly at the cracks in the
sidewalk. Every so often, he glances up, noticing the surrounding buildings.
As he rounds a corner, he bumps into a shorter man who seems oddly familiar.]

Ranma: Sumimasen... wasn't paying attention... [blinks] Hey, you're...

Izumi: Yoshiba Izumi. Nice to see you again, Saotome-san.

Ranma: Uh, yeah...

Izumi: Hey, I have a question for you: have you seen Mizuta-san lately?
missed her at home, and have to talk to her about something.

Ranma: Well, I just turned in my project with her, then she went off to
class.

Izumi: Oh. [looks at watch] It's probably better to catch her later then.

Ranma: Really... [pauses] You know, I forgot to ask you, how long have you
known Mizuta-san?

Izumi: [grins] Ever since we were little. We used to live next door to each
other.

Ranma: You two must be pretty close then.

Izumi: Well, not really anymore. You know how it goes... things change.
[shrugs] Anyway, have you noticed anything weird about her lately?
She's kinda been freaking out lately.

Ranma: Well, you know, now that you mention it... she had some bruises on her
arms that I noticed Tuesday morning...

Izumi: Oh... those are probably my fault.

[Ranma blinks.]

Izumi: [sighs] I was with her Monday night at the festival. Urushibara must've
found out... I didn't mean for her to get hurt, I swear! I mean...
I still love her.

Ranma: You two used to be together?

Izumi: Hai, when we were both at Noumunoikan. Then we split up for a while, and
she met Urushibara. He graduated at the end of that semester and she
moved in with him. Mizuta-san and I used to go out every so often still,
just as friends of course, and she'd talk to me about stuff... [takes
deep breath] Then I found out that Urushibara was hurting her. I asked
her to leave him, but she wouldn't.

Ranma: [low tone] Wow. [thinking] Urushibara is abusing her, but the bruises
are his fault? I don't get it...

Izumi: [nods] Urushibara found out that she and I would go out every so often,
and he got jealous and told her to stop seeing me. Then he told her to
change schools. When I found that out, I transferred here as well so I
could keep an eye on her. [sighs] I still see her every so often, like
Monday night at the festival, but not as often as I'd like.

Ranma: Hmm...

Izumi: [looks at watch] Hey, I have to be somewhere in a bit... you doing
anything right now?

Ranma: [shakes head slowly] No... not at the moment.

Izumi: Why don't you come with me... we can talk on the way...

* * *

[At the local hospital's emergency room, Akane sits in a chair leaning forward,
her arms resting on her knees. She stares blankly at the floor in front of her,
seemingly not paying attention to Kenji, who is nervously pacing back and forth
in front of her.]

Akane: [thinking] Why the heck isn't he angry anymore? What's his problem?

[The double doors swing wide, allowing a nurse to enter the room pushing a
wheelchair. Hiroe sits in the chair, her wrist and hand bandaged tightly.]

Akane: Mizuta-san!

Kenji: [relieved] Hiroe! What'd they say? Are you all right?

Hiroe: [smiles weakly] I'm ok... the doctor said it was a deep cut, but as long
as I keep changing the bandages and don't flex it for a while, I won't
need stitches.

Akane: Whew! That's a relief.

Kenji: [angrily] When I get back to that cafe, I'm going to give that
manager a piece of my mind... serving customers shoddy glassware
like that...

Akane: [blinks] Uh... that's probably not a good idea...

Hiroe: She's right... [looks down] I... I have something to tell you.

Kenji: Nan desu ka?

Hiroe: I was trying to tell you this at the cafe... You know my father's
dead, ne? Well... I ... I did it. I kept it from you for so long,
but... but now I just had to tell you because you needed
to know... and before someone told you before I did. [looks down]
I just ... [starts to cry] I just hope you don't hate me for it...

Akane: [slowly] Oh no...

* * *

[Ranma and Izumi are walking along the street talking.]

Ranma: You know something else that I thought was interesting about this
whole thing was just yesterday I was walking by and saw you and
Mizuta-san talking...

Izumi: Really? [looks around, then back at Ranma]

Ranma: Yeah, I just wanted to know if you'd called the police yet.

Izumi: Oh! Um... well, the thing is that.. I don't think I can do it.

Ranma: Why the hell not? I mean, you work at an abuse center, ne?

Izumi: Because even if she's a murderer, I can't just turn her in... I care
about her too much.

Ranma: [suspiciously] Oh really...

Izumi: [swallows] Let me explain...

* * *

Kenji: I don't know if I can take all this...

Hiroe: [sniffles] What's wrong?

Kenji: [throws up his hands] Everything! Nothing! I don't know... first
the bruises and cuts, then this... I just want to know what's going
on, that's all!

Hiroe: But... I didn't know how to tell you... [looks at ground]

Kenji: [grabs Hiroe's shoulders] Hiroe, listen to me! You've got to stop
doing this to yourself! The cuts, the bruises, the scrapes... I've
watched you through all of this, and I just ... I just can't take
it anymore!!

Hiroe: [looks up at Kenji, tearfully] Kenji... it was just an accident, I
swear. The glass broke in my hands at the cafe because I was squeezing
it too hard... I didn't know how to tell you... [sniffles]

Kenji: Then how else are you getting all those bruises and cuts? I mean,
I followed you around campus a couple of times and I didn't see you
walk into anything or hurt yourself... but when I woke up Tuesday
morning and saw the bruises... it just makes me wonder.

[Hiroe simply looks at the ground and holds her bandaged hand close to her.]

Kenji: Why are you telling me this now, after all this time? Why didn't you
tell me before?

Hiroe: [sobbing] I... I wanted to tell you myself... [sniffle] Myself...
before you found out some other way... [sniffle] I... just had to.

Kenji: Hiroe... you could've told me before... I would've understood...

Akane: Mizuta-san, maybe we should go somewhere else to talk about all this?
I don't think the hospital is a very private place... [looks around]

Kenji: [nods] She's right. Let's get out of here, ok?

Hiroe: [nods slowly] H- hai.

* * *

[Last Monday night at Hiroe and Kenji's apartment. There are fireworks going
off in the background. Izumi stands in front of the door, arms folded over his
chest, tapping his foot impatiently.]

Izumi: [loudly] Hiroe-chan! Hayaku! I don't want to spend all Monday evening
waiting!

Hiroe's voice: [from within] Gomen! Chotto matte kudasai...

[Hiroe hurriedly opens the door and exits, locking it quickly behind her.]

Izumi: [impatiently] Come on... we're missing the fireworks!

Hiroe: [nods] Hai hai!

[The two walk toward the local park along with several others, all of whom
glance up at the sky to watch the fireworks display.]

Izumi: You really do need to break up with him, you know.

Hiroe: Why is that?

Izumi: He's not what you need in your life.

Hiroe: I'm not so sure you're right, Izumi. [pauses] Besides, I think that it
might be a better idea if we didn't see each other any more.

Izumi: [surprised] Nani?

Hiroe: I just think we'd both be better off if we didn't talk anymore. I can't
keep doing this anymore, Izumi.

Izumi: But why?

* * *

[Present-day. As Ranma and Izumi round the corner, Ranma spots Kenji and Hiroe
walking down the street with Akane. Ranma then notices Hiroe's bandaged hand.]

Ranma: What did he do to her?!

Izumi: Nani? [looks around] Saotome-san, what are... [sees Hiroe and Kenji]

[Ranma takes off, running straight at Kenji. He's within ten feet of the
threesome when Hiroe and Kenji first notice him.]

Ranma: [leaping at Kenji] That's it! You've had it!

Hiroe: [screams] No!!

* * *

[Last Monday.]

Hiroe: I can't keep seeing you anymore, Izumi, because it hurts too much. It
brings back too many memories. I need a change, and Kenji is just the
person for me. He understands me, and... and he loves me for who I am.

Izumi: He doesn't really understand you if you haven't told him...

Hiroe: [interrupts] I have my reasons for not telling him yet!

Izumi: [unperturbed] You don't really know who you are, do you then? You're
trying to be someone you're not!

Hiroe: I am NOT! I'm trying to change my life! Besides, you're not anything
special either... In fact, you're so worried about yourself that
sometimes I wonder why I was ever with you!

Izumi: Hey, I'm doing something about it! At least I'm helping people!

Hiroe: No, you just THINK you are! You just work at that shelter as some sort
of sick penance or something!

Izumi: [angrily] And what about YOU, murderer? You're so destructive, it's a
MIRACLE more people haven't been hurt!

* * *

[Present. Ranma's punch is deftly blocked as Akane steps in front of Kenji.]

Akane: [glaring] Don't! Kenji's not the one!

Ranma: [tries to move Akane] Get out of the way!

Akane: Ranma! He's not the one!

Ranma: Nani?

Akane: He's not the one that's been doing it! It was him! [points to Izumi]

Ranma: ...

Akane: [looks into Ranma's eyes] Trust me.

[Meanwhile, Izumi has caught up to Ranma and has begun yelling at Kenji.]

Izumi: [yelling] You leave her alone!

Kenji: [confused] Who the hell are you? What's it matter to you anyway?

Hiroe: [pleading] Izumi... please stop!

Izumi: [yelling] I swear I'm gonna kill you for what you've done to her!

Kenji: [angrily] Hey, back off! Hiroe's not your girlfriend!

[At this point, a crowd has started to form around the group.]

Hiroe: Izumi...

Kenji: Hiroe, who is this baka?! Isn't he your ex- or something?

Hiroe: That's Yoshiba Izumi... He's.. He's a childhood friend.

* * *

Hiroe's voice: Izumi and I had been friends since childhood. Both of our
fathers worked together, drank together, came home, and beat
their families. We clung to each other thinking we were the
only two people in the world like this...

[Flashback to Thursday morning on the Mizunoikan campus. Hiroe
is just exiting her classroom and almost walks past Izumi when
he reaches out and grabs her arm.]

Izumi: Hiroe, we need to talk.

Hiroe: Um, not now, Izumi. I need to get to class.

Izumi: It's kinda important. Can't you just wait a bit?

Hiroe: Look, I told you it's over. I'm not interested in you
that way anymore. [shrugs arm free] Besides, I need to
get going or I'll be late.

Izumi: Well, I really think it'd be in your best interests
to come with me. [pauses] Especially since it concerns
your boyfriend.

Hiroe: ... ok, but just for a bit.

[The two walk off, stopping behind a building away from the
rest of the campus crowds.]

Hiroe's voice: After my father died, I stayed with my sister's family, but I
continued at the same high school and remained friends with
Izumi. Sometimes though, Izumi would get mad at me... and hit
me. He always apologized though, so I always forgave him...

Izumi: Look, I'll make this simple. I'm going to tell him
about the murder if you won't come back to me.

Hiroe: No! You can't!

Izumi: Face it, he's going to lose respect for you and dump
you when he finds out, so it's better that you dump
him first.

Hiroe: You don't know him then... he wouldn't do that to me.

Izumi: [pauses] Then I guess the only thing left to do is
call the police. When they take you away, maybe then
he'll realize what kind of person you really are.

Hiroe: Please don't do this! He's the only thing I have
left in my life. If you take him away from me, I
have nothing!

Izumi: But it's wrong! It's all wrong! You should be with
me, not him!

Hiroe: The way you talk about him! You don't know him, and
you can't understand how much I love him. Don't take
him away from me!

[A long silence passes. Izumi's face is flushed bright red.]

Hiroe: I'm begging you. Don't call the police. Please. No one
has to know.

[Izumi shakes his head slowly with his eyes closed.]

Izumi: [slowly] I can't do that.

[At this, Hiroe bursts into tears.]

Hiroe: [sobs] Please... just stop!

[Izumi puts his hands on her shoulders, and Hiroe flinches in
pain. Shocked, Izumi immediately unhands her. Hiroe crouches
with her hands carefully crossed, cradling her arms, and
continues to cry. Her teardrops evaporate from the concrete
sidewalk as fast as they fall.]

Izumi: That would never have happened if you were with me all
along.

Hiroe: [looks up] Please, Izumi. Give up on me.

Hiroe's voice: He never did change though, even after we graduated high school
and went on to college. We started to grow apart, and then I
met Kenji. I fell in love with him, and Izumi and I slowly
stopped seeing each other as much, though from time to time
he'd ask to go out. Sometimes, though, he'd hit me again, and
finally I gave up and left. I hadn't seen him in awhile...
until Monday night.

Izumi: You have no idea what's going on, do you? You don't
know how much it hurts me! [pauses as more fireworks
go off in the background] You're so selfish, only
thinking of yourself but never anyone else.

Hiroe: Gomen... [starting to cry] Gomen...

Izumi: [angrily] That's not good enough! How many chances do you
think I'm going to give you anyway?

Hiroe's voice: Monday night... I just didn't know what to do. I just kind of
hoped it would all go away...

Hiroe: [crying] What else can I do?

Izumi: [angrily] Drop him! Leave him! LEAVE him!

Hiroe: [sobbing] I can't!

[Izumi grabs Hiroe by the arms roughly and shakes her back
and forth. Hiroe's head jerks backwards several times, then
hangs limply. Izumi lets her go and watches her crumple to
the ground shuddering in tears and gasps.]

* * *

Izumi: [angrily] Baka? Kono yaro...

[Izumi attacks Kenji, his punch seemingly a blur. Kenji closes his eyes
reflexively and turns his head. The punch never connects.]

Izumi: [outraged] NANI?!

[Ranma stands calmly behind Izumi, holding Izumi's arm back.]

Ranma: [shaking head] Nuh-uh.

Izumi: [glaring] Omae...

[Izumi turns forcibly on Ranma, lashing out with a kick intended to break ribs.
Ranma easily sidesteps, smiling. Izumi blinks once, then tries to grab Ranma's
shirt. Ranma grabs Izumi's hands at the wrists and twists, causing Izumi to cry
out in pain. Ranma then flips over Izumi, bringing both of Izumi's hands with
him, and pins them behind his head, locking them at the shoulder. He then
forces Izumi up against the wall of the building. Kenji, not two feet away,
stands in awe. The crowd that has gathered oohs and aahs with a smattering of
applause.]

Ranma: Why don't you just hang out for a while until we get this all
straightened out?

Izumi: [angrily] Let go of me!

Ranma: Um... no. [grins] I think you need to cool off a bit. [nods at Akane]

[Akane smiles and then turns to Hiroe.]

Akane: [calmly] I think it's time to let someone else know what's been
going on. [pats Hiroe's arm]

Hiroe: [slowly nods] Hai.

[Hiroe walks over to the nearby phone booth and inserts a phone card. She
dials briefly, then... ]

Hiroe: Moshi moshi... police? Hai... I ... [looks at bandaged hand, then
closes her eyes] I need some help.

* * *

[Sometime later, Ranma and Akane walk along the sidewalk, headed home.]

Akane: [quietly] Where do you think they'll take her?

Ranma: [shrugs] Crisis center, I 'spose. She'll be ok though... Urushibara-san
is with her. [sighs] She's gonna need a lot of help.

Akane: [nods] I hope they lock up that jerk for a long, long time.

Ranma: I don't think he'll be bothering her anymore, not after this.

Akane: [sighs] I'm just glad you didn't rearrange Urushibara's limbs.
[half-smiles] I thought for a moment you weren't listening to me.

Ranma: I had some suspicions about Yoshiba...

[Akane looks questioningly at Ranma.]

Ranma: ... ok, some SMALL suspicions. [pauses] It's a good thing you said
something though.

Akane: [quietly] Un... it's a matter of trust, ne?

Ranma: [nods] Hai.

[Akane looks at her shoes as they two continue walking.]

Ranma: Um... You know about Monday night... [pauses] Gomen... I really forgot
you weren't there... kinda habit I guess...

[Akane looks up at Ranma out of the corner of her eye.]

Ranma: Uh... I mean... habit to put an arm around you, not to forget things!

Akane: A habit you've been dreaming about lately, maybe?

Ranma: Well...

[Akane smirks, then reverts her attention to the sidewalk. The two continue
in silence until they reach the front steps of Maison Sabaku. Ranma opens the
front door to let Akane enter, and Hitomi rushes out.]

Hitomi: Ranma-kun! Akane-san!

Ranma: [stuttering] Hi- Hitomi-chan... [lets door close]

Akane: ...

Hitomi: Gomen ne... I didn't mean to surprise you! [grins] I was just on my
way out.

Ranma: Oh? Where to?

Hitomi: Well, since you guys were talking a while ago about that disco, I
thought I'd go check it out. Tonight's the first night I've been able
to get off work early enough to enjoy it! [looks at Akane, then back
at Ranma] Hey, do you two want to go? You could show me around!

Ranma: Well, I haven't gone in a while... and I _was_ pretty good...

[Akane clenches her fists tightly, getting ready to pound Ranma. She looks
down to see her white knuckles and stops, slowly unclenching her hands.]

Akane: [evenly] Ranma, I don't think we have time right now. We've got some
stuff to talk about first, ne?

[Ranma looks quizzically at Akane. Akane nods toward the apartment house, but
Ranma only looks confused. Then, a smile spreads slowly across his face, and
he nods in recognition.]

Ranma: [slowly] Haaaiiii. [to Hitomi] Gomen, but tonight's just not the night.
[pauses] Maybe sometime later we'll ALL go. [winks at Akane]

[Akane blinks, then slowly breaks into a smile.]

Hitomi: [nods] Ok! I'll see you two later!

[Hitomi takes off through the gate, leaving the two standing on the porch.]

Akane: [softly] C'mon, let's go in.

[Akane reaches out her hand, and Ranma grasps it with a smile. Ranma opens the
door for Akane again, and the two enter the building hand-in-hand.]

* * *

[Inside Room 4. Akane sits on the futon quietly with Ranma stretched out next
to her.]

Akane: Ranma...

Ranma: [not looking] Hmm?

Akane: Have you ever... [pauses] Have you ever wondered about us?

Ranma: What do you mean?

Akane: [turning to face Ranma] I mean... do you see me like that?

Ranma: [looking at Akane quizzically] Like what?

Akane: Like Ukyou said. Mean. Jealous. Tempermental. [pauses] Abusive.

Ranma: No, not like that.

Akane: [quietly] How do you see me then?

[Ranma does not respond. Akane folds her hands in her lap. Ranma gets up and
begins to pace.]

Ranma: Not like that at least. [pauses] I don't know where to begin.

Akane: [looking up] Well...?

Ranma: I don't really like it when you hit me. [pauses] Then again, it really
never hurts, either.

[Akane begins to turn red.]

Ranma: [quickly] No, no... I didn't mean it like that. [sighs] Lately, I've
been thinking about all of this, too. Y'know, looking back, I know
where I screwed up and where I probably deserved SOMETHING. Yet, there
were some times where I don't think I did anything wrong.

Akane: [softly] I know. [pauses] Gomen.

Ranma: Truth is, yeah, there've been times where I thought you were jealous
or tempermental, but I never once thought you were abusive. [pauses]
But I think that, sometimes, you did it just because you didn't know
how else to get my attention.

[Akane only nods.]

Ranma: But we've pretty much gotten through everything together, haven't we?
That should say something, at least. [stops pacing] Besides, it's been
a long semester. Maybe... [pauses, then smirks] Y'know, Sato would
probably love this.

Akane: [blinks] Nani?

Ranma: Well, I was just gonna say that maybe it's a sign from the gods that
something's gotta change.

Akane: [nods] Hai.

Ranma: We gotta start somewhere, ne?

Akane: Hai... [softly] it may not happen overnight, you know.

Ranma: Doesn't have to. As long as we work at it, we'll be ok.

Akane: I agree.

Ranma: Good. [grabs TV remote and sits down] There's a movie on, wanna watch?

Akane: [smiles] Sure.

[Akane snuggles up to Ranma and smiles as he puts his arm around her
shoulders.]

===============================================================================
finis.
===============================================================================

There's word on the street again
The rumours come flyin'
She's up to her old ways again
And another one is cryin'

No-one understands
She's a dif'rent person now
No-one lends a hand
To listen to her now

Days going by, hopelessness in your heart
Never look back, never break apart

Somebody loves you
Now and forever
And you're not alone now
If only you'll remember
That somebody loves you
Waiting patiently
Somebody loves you
Look and you will see
Somebody loves you ...
(Somebody)
Somebody like me.

===============================================================================

Credits :

Writers..............: J.
Paul Gallegos
David Tai
John Walter Biles
Jeffrey Paul Hosmer

Story Artists........: Anastasia Moreno
Jong Man Hwang

DnR Outsider's FAQ...: Jon K. Hayashi

Special Thanks to....: Robert DeLoura
Tanya Mundy

The Tucson Animation Screening Society (TASS)

And of course Rumiko Takahashi

+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+
| Copyright (c) 1996 Digital Knight Communications |
+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+
| "Ranma 1/2" and its characters Copyright (c) 1996 |
| Viz Communications, Inc., Shogakukan, Kitty Animation |
| and Rumiko Takahashi |
+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+

===============================================================================