Seeing a string of yawns work it's way around the room Nabiki decided that it was best to call it a night. “Alright, now that the movie is over it's time to get some sleep, I have a few last details to cover then we can all get some rest.” Seeing looks of relief on several faces she continued. “Tomorrow is a Sunday, and therefore school-free. Even so I do not expect to see Ukyo or Shampoo until late evening, weekends are profitable for Ukyo and Elder Cologne will want some warning before Shampoo is given extended time off.”
Turning to address the chef specifically the bunny-girl informed her. “Mrs. Saotome will meet you at your shop very early tomorrow morning. She is an excellent cook and you will show her how to run the day to day operations of your business. She will be taking over for you most of this week to allow your participation in the game.” getting a slightly less then enthusiastic nod from the chef she moved on. “Shampoo, tell Elder Cologne that I have a couple of experienced waitresses lined up for her if she needs help this week in order to release you.” getting a much happier nod from Shampoo then Ukyo she laid out some last information. “Aside from Ukyo and Shampoo tomorrow, and gymnastic practices during the week for Kodachi, everyone is required to be here, in costume and role, at all times unless you have otherwise arranged with Ranma and myself. Most reasonable requests will be granted, and Kasumi and Shampoo are freed from this obligation while the rest of us are in school. Any failure to show up in a timely manner without a very good excuse will be met with punishment of some sort.” After receiving acknowledgements from everyone Nabiki quickly organized sleeping arrangements, putting Ranma next to Kasumi to prevent anything funny happening.
Soon there were only three still awake. Ranma lay staring at the ceiling, sorting through all that had happened, trying for once not to just live, and think, in the moment. He knew he needed to sort this out or the catastrophe he had expected would come with a vengeance and level more ruin and misery then ever before. Kasumi also stared at the ceiling, kept awake by the turmoil of Ranma's thoughts, desperately wanting to comfort him, but in so far over her head that she knew not how. The third alert mind belonged to another Tendo, the mastermind who had orchestrate the entire evening lay waiting. She knew Ranma would eventually speak, just as she knew she must answer, and answer with the truth, if what she hope to accomplish was to come to pass.
Soon enough the moment came, Ranma spoke a simple question which would demand a not-so-simple answer. He asked simply. “Why Nabiki?”.
She responded with a request for clarity. “Why what, why am I doing this?”
“Why are you doing this and...why are you acting so much differently?” the dual question confirmed his intent for one Tendo sister, and caused the elder to hold her breath hoping for an answer herself.
Nabiki sighed and responded. “I ask both of you, yes you too sis, to bear with me for it is not a simple or easy thing to explain, I believe this moment to be important to you both so I will answer truthfully and to my best ability. “
A startled Kasumi squeaked “Important to ME?!”
With another sigh Nabiki spoke once more. “Yes sis, I want you to listen to what I have to say, understand it, and then think on it. That is all I will say. Now, I suppose I will begin by making something clear. I do not think what I have done with my life was wrong. Someday that might change, but I wouldn't count on that day being soon. Having said that, I have, in recent times, decided that the results of my methods were unacceptable to me. While I have had a great deal of fun and pleasure, I have also ended up wholly alone. I have no friends, and even my family is weary of me. As time has passed I have come to realize that life is emptier when there is no one to share it with. I see Akane or Ranma, or even just the normal kids at school, telling stories to their friends, and I realize I miss that. Sure it's fun to bamboozle some fool out of his money, but I have no one to tell the story to, no one to laugh with me or respond with another story. I may be a loner through and through, but even a loner can appreciate having a friend or two. I've been slowly coming to this realization for a long time, but Ranma's bombastic, live-in-the-moment, impulsive approach to life was what really set the contrast for me. Here was someone so incredibly full of life that you can't help but be drawn in and fascinated. He effects everyone he meets, often not in a good way, but you really can't just ignore him. Having him around for so long finally forced me to realize what I was missing. Once I came to this realization I decided a change was in order...the only problem was I had outwitted myself into a corner and I could think of nothing to do, short of starting over, that would create the change I desired.”
Pausing to let this dilemma sink in for her audience she then continued. “Then Nodoka Saotome, bless her, came to me wanting me to help sort Ranma's problems. Here, finally, was the solution I has sought. An opportunity to change the equation so to speak, and to do so in such a way that the change effected would be lasting. It took a long time and a lot of work to find something that would suit everyone's needs, but I finally found it in these costumes and this plan. You see, of all the people I knew, I knew there were only two possessed of both an understanding of where I found myself, and the capacity to give me a second chance. Those two people are you Ranma Saotome, and you Kasumi Tendo. You both understand what it is like to be friendless and alone, and both of you are possessed of an unbelievable willingness to grant second chances...or forty-third chances as the case may be. Do no misunderstand me, I do not intend on becoming a different person. I am, basically, who I am. I have no desire to become a saint, and my ambitious nature is unlikely to change. The changes I want are as minor as they are meaningful, I want a few friends and I want to get out of the persona I've trapped myself in. This explains, for the most part, my behavior. As for why I chose the costume/harem idea specifically? Well for one thing the magical contract ensures you know I'm serious far more then any words. I get to do something new to help break me out of my rut. More, it also, properly managed, provides a way to help Ranma's fiancée problems. I've manipulated things in such a way that the costumes will encourage the girls to unlearn their worst behaviors. Akane's temper, Shampoo's disregard for others, Ukyo's insecurity, and Kodachi's insanity and superiority complex. So, there is your answer Ranma. I do hope to gain from all this but it is a gain that is difficult to measure, and it benefits you in more ways then one.”
Ranma pondered her words. As she had said, he understood what it was like to be friendless, few had been his friends over the years, even now his 'friends' largely wanted to kill or marry him, not exactly ideal. He could see what she was getting at, he could even see how she had managed to back herself into a corner with little chance of getting out. He could also see how the game would help her. But what I can't see in her explanation is the reason for her being so...clingy. Still her answer was far more honest and complete then I expected... “Alright Nabiki I believe you, I'm not sure yet that you've told me everything, but you told me more then I expected. I do understand, a little at least, where your coming from. You're also right about my willingness to give second chances. I can also see what you're doing with the fiancées, with you manging things it might even work. We can play out this game and see how it ends.” getting a relieved sigh and a thank you from Nabiki Ranma retreated into his own thoughts and was soon overcome by sleep.
Kasumi had barely heard a word of what Ranma said. This was not because he was quiet, or because she was uninterested in his response. No, it was because her sister's brutally honest words had reached deep past the armor of her heart and mind and struck violent sparks that set her a flame. She's right, she's right, and she is not the only one trapped by what she has become. She was right that I know what it is to be alone. Under appreciated and friendless, while I am well respected and loved in ways she is not, I have far less a future then she. I am as trapped as she, she has recognized this and offered me a way out, but do I dare take it? Wrapped in her own thoughts she lay awake for a long long time before giving into exhaustion and joining Ranma in the land of dreams.
Kasumi was not the only one awake for a long time with her own thoughts. As Ranma drifted off to sleep Nabiki was left to think. That had been harder for her then all the manipulation and crisis management of the night. She was not used to letting others see anything but a mask and found that telling the truth about her reasons had been draining in ways she had not expected. Glad it was over and gratified that her reading of Ranma was correct and she would be given her chance Nabiki spared a thought for her sister before giving in to the sandman. What will you make of what I have said, and what will you make of the chance I have freely given you? Choose wisely Onee-chan. With this last thought Nabiki drifted off to pleasant dreams that, for once, did not feature money.
Read the comments on this episode
(Posted Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:02)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.