And since he wasn't volunteering any information, she felt it was about time to use those wiles. Stepping forward, so that Makoto could catch both of them on camera at the same time, she asked, "Sempai," making herself blush slightly as she withdrew her power from her amplifiers. The J.S.D.F. would be cordoning the area off, giving them a few minutes of privacy before she needed to risk her cover being blown.
"Er, yeah?" Ranma asked, looking at her askance, as Hotaru took one of his hands in her own, smiling brightly up at Nanami.
The technique Nanami had perfected was based on eye-contact, and responding to subtle queues in her target. She would lock-gazes, and then read as strongly as she could into her quarry's surface emotions, trying to project and draw desire to the surface.
She locked eyes with Ranma.
***
The Saotome brain is many things, but it is not weak. Even Genma was able to devise the Umisen-ken and the Yamasen-ken. His son's mind worked in a very different way from his own, but the basic model of Saotome brain is prioritized very carefully.
Those who are equipped with Saotome brains tend to enjoy sleep, eating, being around friends, the occasional drinks, and then, surprisingly low on their list, almost near the bottom, there's a note that says: "Sex drive to be added later."
While Genma's training had prioritized Ranma's mind a bit differently, such that he had placed honor and protection fairly higher on his own list, it was, generally speaking, still a Saotome brain. It wasn't to say that Ranma had no sex drive, as much as that he wasn't aware of it. And Nanami's powers worked entirely on his awareness.
What happened, then, is that Nanami's impulse entered the domain of the Saotome brain, looked around, gave the psychic equivalent of a shrug, and said, "I got nothing to work with here, Boss. I'm going home."
***
Ranma felt a moment of dizziness as the reporter stared into his eyes, and he thought -- for just a moment -- he saw a pink light flashing there. Her brown eyes suddenly widened, pupils dilating.
She smiled.
It suddenly occured to Ranma that she was kind of pretty, in the same way Nabiki was, if Nanami showed a bit more vibrancy and life ... and then the thought passed. She seemed nice.
He smiled back.
Her eyes managed to widen further, as her blush expanded from her cheeks to cover her entire face, and she stared at the ground, giggling quietly.
"Uh, did you have a question?" he asked, wondering what she had meant to ask.
"Yeah, no offense, Sugar, but we've got places to go," Ukyou added.
Nanami seemed to shake off a great mental burden, and giggled again. "Um," she mumbled. "I'm sorry, Sempai. Can ... I see you again?" She gazed up at Ranma adoringly, and he suddenly felt a twinge of apprehension. Was she hitting on him? In front of two of his former fiancees and his daughter?
"Ah!" Akane exclaimed. "You want that exclusive interview, don't you?"
"Y...yeah, exactly," Nanami said, smiling. "Pretty please, Sempai?"
"Does it have to be now?" Ranma asked, somewhat pained. "I'm hungry."
"N...no, it can be whenever you'd like," Nanami murmured. She suddenly blushed beet red, and managed to ask, "Are you ... busy tonight?"
"I don't think so," Ranma said slowly. "You just want to ask me some questions, right?" Nanami nodded quickly, though Ranma felt somehow uncomfortable at the gleam in her eyes. "Well, come on by the dojo later tonight." On a sudden impulse, he added, "These girls will probably be there too, if you want to ask them anything."
"Dojo?" Nanami asked. "Wait, Sempai, I haven't seen your business card! Where is your dojo?"
Ranma frowned, and said, "Well, it's not really my dojo, it's actually her father's," he explained, gesturing to Akane.
Nanami blinked, and asked, "Er, did you train ... for this ... at that dojo?"
"Yeah," he said. "That's where I learned the.... Er.... Yeah. That's the dojo I train at. It's the Tendo dojo, in Nerima. I'll see you some time tonight?"
"Yes!" Nanami cheered. "At, let's say ... sunset?"
Ranma looked at her strangely, and then nodded. "Okay," he said agreeably. Turning, he asked, "Ucchan? Akane? You want to watch? Er ... and is it okay for me to use the dojo?"
"I don't see Daddy complaining about the publicity," Akane said slowly.
A sudden light came on in Ukyou's eyes. "Ooh! Ranchan, can I be part of the interview? You gotta be sure to tell them about how we trained together when we were kids! And especially let them know where they can get the best okonomiyaki in Nerima!" She clapped her hands together delightedly. "Please?"
"Er," Ranma managed, blinking. "I don't see why not."
"You're the best!" she cheered, hugging Ranma.
"Hey!" Akane protested suddenly, causing Ranma to flinch. "I never thanked you for rescuing me." She hugged him from the other side.
Hotaru shrugged, seeing what looked like fun, and hugged him too. "My hero!" she added happily.
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(Posted Wed, 20 Jul 2005 16:47)
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