Akane looked herself over. It was as presentable as she could expect to get, given the circumstances. She didn’t really have too much practice with doing makeup, so the cuts and such to her face were going to have to stay. Wearing a green turtleneck sweater and a pair of black jeans, however, she was able to hide most of the bruises and the stretchy cloth bandage she wore wrapped around her rib cage. She won the fight against Mr. Saotome, but she didn’t want to let on just how much it had hurt to do so.

The bus’ pneumatic brakes squealed and hissed as the vehicle lurched to a stop, and Akane stood, shouldering her backpack with a grimace and making her way to the door. She didn’t have far to go, because as soon as the bus cleared the street, she saw the person she’d come to visit standing just outside the front door of the Phoenix with a broom. The redhead was wearing a red dress with short sleeves and a flared, knee-length skirt, with a wide black belt fitting it nicely to her frame.

“Hey there, cute stuff.”

Ranko turned with a gasp. “Akane! I’ve been so worried!” She dropped the broom, running the few steps to meet her with a hug. Akane dropped her bag on the sidewalk, grunting and wincing as her girlfriend crashed into her body, but wrapping her arms around her nonetheless.

Ranko pulled back, hearing her pained reaction, a concerned expression on her face. “Akane? Are you alright? What happened?” She looked the taller girl over carefully. I got her hurt, because I wanted something. I sent her into the lion’s den because I was afraid to go, she admonished herself.

The black-haired girl in the green sweater grinned. “That’s sensei Akane to you.”

An audible gasp followed. “You… you did it? You beat him!?”

Akane’s pixie haircut bobbed as she nodded. “Thanks to you, you little sneak. Don’t get tickled, huh?”

Her surreptitious teacher grinned. “So, it worked, then?”

Akane laughed, putting her arm around the shorter girl’s shoulder. “It did. I can’t believe you, teaching me with tickles rather than a fire.”

Ranko beamed. “And swapping in your competitive nature and stubbornness for battle energy.”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

The newly-minted sensei groaned mockingly. “Oh, using that against me now, are we?” Her smile was too bright to hide behind her mock anger. “But seriously, thanks. You should have seen your dad’s face when I yelled final attack – I think he might have shit his gi.”

The slender girl in the red dress laughed. “I would have paid to see that! But, it’s done?”

A nod and a satisfied smirk came in reply. “I am officially no longer engaged to that pervert Ranma Saotome, and my dad has given me permission to date whoever I want.”

Ranko giggled, wrapping her arms around Akane’s neck gently. “Thank goodness. That guy was a real jerk! You’re better off without him.” She nuzzled her cheek against Akane’s sternum, the top of her head nestling under her chin. “I think we both are.”

Akane laughed, wrapping her arms around Ranko’s waist. “Anything interesting happen here since I was gone?”

The smaller girl gasped. She was so preoccupied with Akane’s victory that she hadn’t shared her own news. “Maaaaaybe…” She blushed coyly.

“Well, spill it already!”

“So, there might be a talent agent coming to see me on Friday.” Ranko bit her lip, a little shyly.

Akane blinked. “Wait… what?”

Ranko looked up at her with sincerity and hope in her eyes. “I might get to sing for a living, Akane.” She smiled wistfully. “Ever since, you know, all of this, I haven’t really been sure what I wanted to do with myself. But, I feel so at home up there with a microphone in my hand. I didn’t dare to dream I could make a career out of it, but this guy seems to think maybe I can. I’m almost afraid to get my hopes up.”

“Of course you can, if you work at it! Some of the things I’ve seen you do defy all sense of reason, but when you make up your mind to do something, you always find a way. I believe in you, Ranko.” Akane squeezed her tight against her aching chest.

The shorter girl nuzzled into Akane’s arms again. It felt so good to be surrounded by people who believed in her. If it kept up, she thought she might just start believing in herself again, too. “Thanks. You have no idea what it means to hear you say that, sensei.”

Akane laughed heartily. “So, what do we do to get you ready for your audition?”

Ranko shrugged. “Mei’s helping pick songs, and, gods help me, Izumi is out at the mall picking out something for me to wear. Then, it’s just about dealing with all these butterflies in my stomach.”

Akane laughed loudly. “Well, if there’s one part of you that’s gotten tougher since you’ve known me, it’s your stomach!”

“Hey, you said it, not me!” The pair tittered together for a moment. “Speaking of which, come on inside. Let’s get you something to eat.”