Chapter Text

The Art of the Standing Cat

[タチ][Tachi]

You can do it! Just march in there and say it!

No reason to delay it.

Akane!

…

Well, yes, maybe just another lap around the neighborhood, to get that stress out. But no delays after that. You know Nabiki will be fine with it. She’s been joking about it for years.

You’re gonna be fine.

Think about what you talked about with Yuka and Sayuri. Remember how they helped you understand yourself. Yes, it might have been a tad embarrassing to learn that Yuka already had a girlfriend, especially in the way it happened, but they both were very nice to you about it! And supportive!

So, you’re not alone now. And it can’t go worse than it did for Sayuri, right? Her parents didn't throw her out, only cut her allowance. So what if her father no longer speaks with her? Her mother is still very nice to all of you.

When it comes to Soun… You’re sure Nabiki would help with Dad. It might cost you, but she’s not gonna leave you hanging. Right? Right. Good.

Your dad could be better, but you're sure he's not going to stop treating you like a daughter, should you…

Don’t think about Kasumi.

Just run and don’t think about your oldest sister.

It’s not like she made you change yourself all those years ago. It’s fine. You’re fine.

It doesn’t mean that you have to drop everything and go back to the old ways that Kasumi never approved of, you can stay as this new Akane and keep all that you’ve changed… except that one tiny thing.

Or, well, a big thing!

What if you cut your hair, too? What would she say then?

Or… she might not do anything. Kasumi never said anything about Nabiki, after all. But maybe that’s because Nabiki never listens to anyone… and Kasumi might not know Nabiki’s jokes are of any actual substance. And maybe you’re reading too much into it, too? 

Maybe it’s just you?

No, Akane, don’t spiral.

Kami, girl, get a hold of yourself. You just ran past the Dojo again, instead of heading inside.

Nabiki’s jokes aren’t just jokes. You understand that. You’ve got an ally there already. She's annoying, but she has your back.

Sure, she might prove an expensive ally, but she’ll have to help you. When it comes to Dad, you trust her.

You think you can handle Kasumi. She’s not gonna do anything to you, either way. Just… disapprove. You can’t handle her disapproval. Or can you?

No, wait, there’s nothing wrong with you. If she disapproves, that’s on her. Good! Concentrate on that and press on.

You can do it. Just stop, turn back and head right inside.

Yes! That’s right.

You got this. You got this.

“I’m home!” Great. Project that confidence, Akane!

Now, head right into the house. And tell them.

Or, sure, go up to your room instead and get in your gi. Your gi makes you more confident, which means it’s gonna be easier to go through with everything.

Maybe a drop of training before you do it. 

Just a smidge.

…

How long has it been? You’re stalling again, Akane. You need to go and-

“Nabiki!” you blurt out your older sister's name, as she approaches.

The pile of blocks shatters under your fist. It’s not as therapeutic as you hoped for.

You have prepared a speech, remember? Maybe tell them one by one instead?

Yeah, that’s a good idea!

“... go, Akane.” Wait, Nabiki’s already speaking. Before you managed to collect yourself. “No wonder the boys all think you’re weird.”

You’re not weird! Just different! Tell her.

“Why should I care?” Good start! “The world doesn’t revolve around boys, Nabiki. Especially not for me.”

Nailed it! Nailed it? Wait, why isn’t she reacting?

You need something stronger! Something like-

“...this wouldn’t interest you.” Nabiki is talking about something else now.

What?

…

Fiancé?

…

No no no no. You have to tell them. Now.

You're all in one place, now’s the best chance for it. Just-

What’s that about the Tendo family legacy?

Yeah, that’s definitely not happening.

“Don’t we have some say in who we marry?” you demand. It’s not like you ever could marry a girl! Dumb laws!

It’s a good point, but not exactly what you’ve been trying to prepare yourself for. But maybe it can be used to segue into something more…

Your dad ignores both your completely reasonable point and Kasumi’s insistence on seeing this weird boy before deciding anything.

You’re definitely, one hundred percent not on board with any of it.

Just need to put it into words. And say it.

Or, yeah, you can just waffle about, waiting for that inspiration, sure…

At least you’re trying to think of something good! Effort matters!

Maybe when that Ranma comes, you can say it then? Who cares about the opinion of these two other people… You don't know them at all. What if they gossip? What if they tell someone else?

Shit. They might tell someone else.

Didn’t you think that through already? You were planning on everyone knowing, eventually. So what if that happens a few days sooner?

One way to evade them telling anyone, is to do it yourself, first!

Just need the exact - right - perfect words. Just that.

Easy?

…

“So this panda just decided to visit! Happens all the time!” These aren’t your perfect words, but at this point you’ve half given up on the whole thing.

And there's a huge panda inside, delivering a person. Because that's just a thing that can happen.

You’ll have to tell Yuka and Sayuri that you couldn’t do it.

And that… Saotome Ranma… they’re…

A girl?

What?

Nabiki’s right, she is quite cute!

Take a deep breath, Akane, you’re staring too much.

She’s looking back at you.

Don’t panic. Don’t!

Now that you’re in touch with yourself more, you should really know better. That lightness of step, that hitched breath. That’s just you finding a girl cute. It’s normal. For you.

Normal. Not weird, not perverted.

Just a thing that happens.

Stay calm, Akane.

No, Kasumi can’t have noticed. Why are you worrying about her noticing? Kasumi’s not even looking your way, she's taking care of Dad.

Shouldn’t you be worrying about your dad too, and not eyeing the exotic red hair of the guest?

Kami, you hope she stays for a few days.

You’re staring again.

Maybe you should stop Nabiki, at least? She’s clearly having too much fun at the redhead’s expense. And she’s enjoying it way too much for her not to be at least a little like you. But she’s also very rude, and that’s inappropriate and you should intervene and-

Too late, Ranma already demanded that she stop.

What if… you both got away from this mess?

“Hey, want to join me in the dojo?” you try. “I’m Akane. You want to be…” you hesitate, “...friends?”

Ranma smiles back. Oh wow, you don’t have anything under control at all, do you? One smile and your knees feel weak.

The Dojo is in the other building, and the way there is obvious, but you still consider taking her hand en route. You don't know if it's for her benefit or for yours, but you can bet anything that they would be soft to touch.

No, Akane, you can’t be weird to your guest on her first day here. Is holding hands weird? Other girls do it all the time. Nabiki certainly did more than hold hands with a girl!

But it would be different than holding hands with a friend. You’d know. You can’t help but keep stealing glances at the pretty redhead, and wishing you were braver, and could reach out and grab her hand.

And you’re already there.

Just smile, Akane. All is well. No need to panic.

Just offer a little match. Don’t get your foot in your mouth. Don’t accidentally kick her in the face. 

All simple, everyday stuff.

…

Wow, she’s good.

None of your attacks connect!

And she’s not even trying to hit you back.

Why isn’t she fighting back? Does… she know? Does she see how you can't muster your whole strength? Does she realize how she's making you dance for a tiniest chance to grab onto her? 

Maybe she’s a little like you?

Does she know that if you actually catch her in a grapple, you're not sure if you could let go?

You blush, as your next attack misses by even wider margin.

That smile. She has to have noticed.

What do you do? Try to win at all costs? Retreat and regroup?

No, Akane, don’t overdo it!

You pull your punch at the last moment, but it still connects with the wall, cracking it. At the same time, the girl leaps right over you, tapping the back of your head once.

She giggles, and then laughs.

It’s a wonderful sound. You can’t help but join in.

“Wow, you’re pretty… pretty good, that is,” you breathe out, trying to not get too lost in that moment of cheer. “I’m so glad you’re a girl.”

“Huh?”

If there had been no letter today, you would have definitely done it. Told everyone.

If there had been no Saotomes in your home, you wouldn’t have been afraid of some weird engagement to a non-existent boy and said your truth then and there.

“I’d really hate to lose to a boy!” you say, instead of pouring all that anxiety out. Then, you lean back onto the wall, borrowing the dojo’s strength.

You can’t read the other girl’s expression. Worried, maybe?

Just say it.

“I don’t… er.. you know that some girls like boys,” you say. “I don’t.”

“Huh?”

“I was gonna tell my family today,” you say. Maybe this pretty redhead will leave in the morning. Maybe telling her will push you in the corner and make you finally make that final leap of faith, and tell everyone. Maybe she likes you too?

“Tell them what?” Why doesn’t she get it? You have been talking as plainly as possible!

You can’t have it all be for nothing.

“I like girls!” you shout out, right at her face. “Pretty girls like you, not boys! Never boys!”

“Oh.” The girl looks very… uncomfortable with all this. She does mouth the word ‘pretty’ back at you, clearly blindsided by your choice of words.

Did you make a mistake? No. No way back now.

“Is that… allowed?” Ranma asks, absolutely red in her face. Cute as a button.

You can’t help but laugh at the innocence of the question.

“Yes. There's no one giving permissions for who you like, it just happens. Just… please, can you let me be the one to tell others? After I take a bath?” Just another small delay before you have to say it to Kasumi’s face.

You hope you’re not gonna be left to fend for yourself completely. Now, this wonderful girl will know, and she'll be there, and maybe that will be just the right kind of push to get you through it.

Somehow.

“Ah… sure,” your guest replies.

Yes!

“You’re only the third one who knows,” you overshare. Your hands are twitching. “Maybe fourth, since Nabiki’s been making jokes at my expense for years. She might have known even earlier than I did. Figures!”

“I won’t tell.”

“Thank you.” You say, and sigh. The weight on your shoulders feels weirdly lighter, but the world outside the dojo is even more threatening than it was. Just believe in yourself. You got this.

“It’s good that you know now,” you say. “I’ll know I’ve got someone watching my back as I do it.”

“Of- of course!” the girl says. “I’ll be there.”

Now, only a quick bath and… you’ll have to do it. No way back. Not when you promised to do it to Ranma.

“I’ll understand if you don’t want to share the bath,” you say, as an afterthought, “with a pervert like me.”

No, Akane! You talked about this with Yuka and Sayuri, there’s nothing weird or perverted about this! But it’s out there now. Can’t take it back, even if you want to! Oh how you want to take it back…

The redhead's face is almost on fire, she’s blushing so brightly.

You shuffle outside. Maybe running away in this one case is justified.

You can’t see your own face, but you can feel it heating up the evening’s air.

You ruined it all.

No, you didn’t! You took a first, brave step!

Outed yourself to a pretty stranger! Because she smiled at you!

Akane. You absolutely useless lesbian.