Seeing a number of his hard hat wearing workers jabbering and pointing towards the construction site, the foreman knew there had to be a good reason. There had better be a good reason, because if the project was behind they'd get penalized on their contract.
Although there were a number of workers standing around jabbering, work was clearly getting done as the dump trucks were filling up with concrete.
Going up to the fifth floor of the gutted building revealed the cause of the disturbance. The building was now just a skeleton of steel and concrete with only a few bare but dead wires left. It wasn't that tall, so it was being done the old fashioned way with a wrecking ball instead of just dynamiting the skeleton to the ground.
Against the improbability of it all, there was a young man there jabbing his hand into the concrete wall of the building. Then after perforating the wall, the young man jabbed his hand in one last time and grabbed the rebar that was holding the reinforced concrete together. With that as a hand hold, the strange new employee knocked off a few loose chunks of concrete before tossing it down to land in the waiting dumptruck below.
In the moment he was watching the young man, he finished another section of wall. A series of quick jabs at the concrete created a seam of exposed rebar around another section of wall that was at least a meter square. Then as if it were perhaps only a basketball, it too was tossed down to join the previous chunk.
Sitting in the little trailer the engineers and overseers used when visiting the site, Ranma casually wiped his hands clean and tried to make himself presentable. The guy in a suit across from him made him a bit uncomfortable, but seemed to be nice enough. "So what did you wanna talk to me about?"
Nodding at the young man, the businessman poured them both a drink. "You skills are very impressive Saotome-san, but a bit out of place among the crew."
Being careful not to run his concrete dusted hands through his hair, Ranma tried to get at least one hand clean using the saniwipe. "That mean I can't work like that here?"
Considering the young man before him and the possibilities of what he could do, the businessman chose his words carefully. "Not on a site like this, but if you're really that good, there are special jobs."
Somewhat suspicious of the suit because of the way he was talking about special jobs, Ranma decided to bite cautiously. "What do ya mean by special jobs?"
Seeing that he now had the young man's attention, the company owner smiled. "We get paid big money to pull off miracles some times. Say an earthquake hits and does some major damage. They need to get the roads opened up to get supplies in. They need those same roads open to get in the big equipment to fix everything. Every day those roads are closed, people die because they don't get help, and the economy hemorrhages money because the businesses can't open. So, if we can provide the miracle and open the roads quickly, that contract is worth big money."
Nodding his head as images of being a thug were replaced by pulling people from the rubble of buildings, Ranma rapidly warmed up to the idea. "So, instead of regular day to day work, it's emergency type stuff?"
"Yes, I can't say when such work will come up of course, but it will pay big. If you can really do what they say you can, we'll bill you as whatever heavy equipment you replace. Of course, when we contact you, you'll have to show up for the job even if it's the dead of night."
"Cool, if I wanna get some training in and bust up some concrete and steel, you think you could arrange me a little of the regular demo work sometimes?"
"You're not upset at doing emergency work instead of regular work?"
"Nah man, I only got this job to cover up for making money in fighting tournaments. I'm still in school, so it's not like I could do this stuff regularly you know? Besides, I like the sound of that emergency work, sounds like doing something important."
Nodding, the businessman actually could respect that. "Alright, I'll arrange for you to get some safety training, sometimes demo work involves hazardous materials and they have to be disposed of properly, stuff like that. As for the demo side-work, if you let me know ahead of time, I should be able to set you up with a building you can demolish all by yourself. Once you're done with it, a regular crew can come in and sweep up the pieces."
Grinning widely, Ranma was trying and failing to contain his joy. Fresh training grounds for heavy training, some hero type stuff, and he got well paid for it all? "Sounds good. I think we have ourselves a deal then. Wanna go grab a bite someplace and celebrate?"
Not normally one to associate with a common laborer, the man hesitated, but this wasn't some common laborer. If things went well, he could be the ticket to getting big time contracts. "Sure, some time later tonight?"
Approaching the gate of the Tendou house, Ranma considered his problems. While it would be amusing to use money and legal solutions to deal with the various crazies in his life, that was a pleasant fantasy for the most part. Such things just weren't done in Japan, and there were a lot of more subtle things he could actually do to make things better. He would definitely need to be more careful in the future, and there were some things he could do with his money to make his life better.
One step at a time though.
Glancing up from her spot at the family table where she was tending to the teapot, Kasumi took notice of Ranma coming in from the odd job he'd apparently found. Since he was still in school it wasn't entirely proper for him to be doing such things, but there weren't really other options for the boy to scrounge up money for his gift giving ventures.
Of course, seeing as he was sweaty and wearing only a tank top with a towel around his shoulders left her curious as to just what sort of work he was supposedly doing.
"Heya Kasumi, you know a good place around here for me to get some decent clothes?"
Discretely admiring the play of muscles under gleaming if dirty skin, the housewife kept her pleasant smile in place. "Of course, what sort of clothes Ranma-kun?"
Looking around as he was apparently lost in thought, or perhaps tracking the movements of a ninja skulking around the second floor, Ranma slowly came to a decision. "Well, the sorta clothes I'd wear for going on a date with you I guess. Nice, but not that stupid suit and tie stuff. Kinda ya know, more relaxed."
A bit off center by the off handed date comment, Kasumi fumbled her answer. "Uh, well yes, I know a place Ranma-kun."
Apparently taking no note of her slip, the young man turned for the bath as if the issue were settled. "Alrighty then, I'll grab me a quick bath and then we can go do a bit of shopping."
Hand partway raised in protest, Kasumi let it rest on the table as Ranma was gone before she could question why she was going along. Oh well, it was a nice Sunday afternoon, perhaps it would be nice to go out on something that wasn't a grocery trip.
Half an hour later, Kasumi found herself admiring Ranma's form again. This time it was because he'd come out of the changing room in a complete outfit and he actually looked pretty good. It was fairly relaxed, with a stretchy blue-gray knit shirt under a black blazer with matching black pants. The simple change in wardrobe seemed to make the young man go from high schooler to college heart throb quickly.
"This look okay?"
Blushing lightly at that errant though, Kasumi nodded her head a bit more rapidly than normal for her.
Turning towards the saleswoman helping him pick out clothes based on Kasumi's brief suggestions, Ranma seemed to have a thought. "Cool, hey, got a dress that goes with this? Like something my date would wear?"
The saleslady quickly located a lavender strapless evening dress. "How about this sir?"
Ranma seemed to think it was appropriate, but not for the reason Kasumi had expected as he pointed at her. "Nice, you have one in her size?"
Not quite allowing herself to come to the obvious conclusion as it was unthinkable, Kasumi instead looked puzzled."My size?"
Ranma was apparently already imagining Kasumi in the dress as the salesgirl helpfully held it up to Kasumi. "Yeah, I was going to go to dinner by myself, but then I figured I'd take you. Be more fun for both of us that way, right?"
The unthinkable being set into motion by a casual Ranma caused Kasumi to skip a few mental beats as she tried to catch up. "...but, I can't wear this... I don't have anything to make a proper outfit for this dress."
Ranma thoughtfully nodded, having had first hand experience with female outfits himself. Well, even if it did cost a bit, it could be considered a nice present for Kasumi. That would be a good use for some of his money, and his mother had always been talking about how Kasumi needed to get out of the house on some dates.
So, Ranma turned to the salesgirl whom was having a very good day so far. "Alrighty then, matching lingerie and shoes first then."
Blinking in surprise, Nabiki noted Kasumi coming out of the bath, busily wrapping a towel around her still damp hair. It was a strange thing for Kasumi to come out of the bath in a bathrobe instead of being fully dressed. It was even odder for her older sister to be taking a bath early in the evening. Following in Kasumi's wake to see what was up brought the scent of lavender to Nabiki's nose, indicating that perhaps a bath oil had been used, meaning this was some sort of special occasion.
Stopping at Kasumi's door as her elder sister frantically moved about with a light blush, Nabiki took note of the shopping bags arrayed on the floor and bed. Smirking at the obvious but surprising conclusion, Nabiki put her smirk on as she prepared to tease Kasumi. "So, got a hot date tonight sis?"
Distractedly fluffing her hair in preparation for styling it, Kasumi's blush intensified. "Well, yes, and I need to get ready for it."
Drawn almost instinctively to the doorway, Akane peered in. "Kasumi's going on a date? I thought father was joking about arranging an omiai for her."
Kasumi remembered that with a pause, as she had also been of the opinion that her father was joking at the time. The thought of her father being serious about proposing an omiai with someone like that sent shivers through her under dressed body. That thought spurring her on got her to resume her rush to get ready for tonight, though thoughts of Ranma slowed her down once more.
Blinking, Akane had to wonder what that searching look Kasumi had just given her meant.
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(Posted Thu, 15 May 2008 06:56)
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