"Do you think he did something to provoke this person?" Akane was now looking into the strangely brief letter searching for some context but, there wasn't any it just said "Meet at the park I will be waiting"
Ranma was looking over Akane's shoulder towards Ringo "He did arrive here yesterday so there's no way he could've done anything."
Ringo's eyes pried open, progressively making the room warmer the wider they got. He sat blankly for a moment processing the reason for his nap before clenching his fist tight enough to pop his fingers. He stood tall, fire lit inside; and on his hair.
Holding his fist before his face Ringo chanted something in another language with his eyes closed as he then grabbed the note.
"Ringo do you know who did that to you?" Akane was still trying to find some sensibility to the violence
"Ah, yes, we go way back. They said they would challenge me if I was nearby..." He looked to the distance as if he were remembering the times.
"So then who are they" Ranma asked, since he knew a "few" people with the kind of dedication to wait that long for a challenge.
"If I must tell you..." there was a slight suspense as Ranma ran through the list of people who would've attacked him. Ringo shrugs and shakes his head half heartedly "I dunno."
Before Ranma call him out for the story he lead them on. Ringo was already half out the door "Where are you going!"
"You can read. cant you? I'm doubtful."
Ranma knocked Ringo on the back of his head "I can!" but shortly after he began cooling his hand off from the heat of the flame on Ringo's head.
"Then you know I'm going to the park for vengeance!" His hair was completely engulfed in flames as he stormed out of the shop. Ranma and Akane followed, curious of who attacked Ringo.
"Ranma. what if it was shampoo? she's violent enough to do it."
"It could be... but she is usually too busy to challenge strangers."
Before they could discuss any more potential culprits they had arrived at the park. Ringo was looking around for anyone slightly familiar the the person he had a glimpse of. The search was cut short when a girl in a fairly formal, casual outfit walked up to him. There were a few trinkets of femininity in what she wore. The blue sweater with a yellow star on the shoulder, khaki pants, and flat black shoes.
Her frosty brown hair would be shoulder length on the short side with flat bangs but most of it was tied back in a short, brush like style akin to a sasara.
"Are you Ringo Konotori?" Her tone was professional, a bit cold but without malice.
"I am. Are you the one who hit me in the face?" His tone was restrained and faintly heated. It could be described as a hand above an active stove : it was hot but would never burn unless touched.
"I apologize." her voice wavered just a little before returning to the prior professionalism "I am Yukue Fumei." she did a slight bow that Ringo subtly returns "your grand mother told me about you." she seemed to chuckle nervously for a moment glancing to the side briefly.
"I see." a puff of flame came from Ringo's head as he remembered he was supposed to be angry but the mood to fight lost him.
"I wanted to greet you personally so you could get to know-" suddenly her head was flicked three times between her deep blue eyes that seemed to be a bit faded shortly after. Ringo slows her fall and lays her on the grass.
He left with a blank, indifferent look to his face almost sighing as he left. "What did he do" Akane asked walking over to Yukue with a fair speed.
Ranma points at the new red spot on her forehead "He hit that pressure point with enough force to knock her unconscious."
"Do we leave her here?"
"She'll be fine."
Yukue sits up after waking up from her "grass nap" feeling strangely rejuvenated save for the burning sensation from where she was flicked. The sun was setting so before she collected her thoughts she decided to go home.
She glances at Ringo's shop which was next to her shop and the apartment her parents owned in which, she lived. She walked in to the tightly squeezed apartment of three floors. The first, had the basics three rooms, the counter off to the side with her brother standing behind it. He had smooth black hair and a monotone look to his face. He wore a white T shirt and cozy grey pants. But the young adult's expression brightened when Yukue walked in.
"Hey lil sis!" he turns to the room snug in the far back "Wait no-" Her hands were raised trying to stop what was coming "Yukue is home!" and like that, a machine had been activated.
'first the chairs' on cue, chairs fell down as if they were pushed *crash*
'then the desks...' wood scraped against the floor before stopping with a-*thud*
Before she could finish her last thoughts her parents rushed out of the room shoving each other side to side "Move fat ass!" the mother shouted as she elbowed her beloved's ribs
He grunted before shoving her through one of the doors "After you! Moron!" it was some twisted chivalry.
They brawled down the hall until halfway they shout in unison "Welcome home daughter!!" before attempting to tackle Yukue with a warm embrace. She would've dodged the assault but her brother held her in place "What are you-Gah!" she squealed
*Thud*
It was a family dog pile. Her father, Heiwa Fumei held her in an iron like grip of a hug. Her mother, Shizukesa Fumei gave her constant kisses while her brother, Omoide Fumei continued to keep her from resisting the affection.
"Gah-" She tried "I've had-" she failed "You'll kill me!" she strained, finally able to get her words out. The parent's paused as Yukue caught her breath "Are you alright now" Heiwa questioned, hand on Yukue's shoulder.
"Yea." she was breathing heavy "I'm alright-" They embraced her just as tightly for a moment longer before suddenly returning everything back to normal. The door was taped back together and put back on its hinges, The desk was slid back in place, and the chair was pulled out of the wall. Omoide went back behind the counter
"So. Did you meet that boy, Ms. tonic got you all excited about"
Yukue casted a glance at her brother as that burning tingle returned. "I did meet him." She was unforthcoming when she spoke. But it didn't matter.
"You got nervous and hit him didn't you?" It was more a statement rather than a question, almost like it happened before.
"Yea.." her head dropped
"And he got his revenge?" he was now looking at the mark on her forehead
She grumbled 'All he did was flick me three times and I fell over' that wasn't something she would say out loud though.
"Well you can explain why you hit him tomorrow" In just a moment the tenants came in a surge. They would avoid coming until they knew Yukue returned, since the owners... weren't too calm to say the least.
It was the next day nothing noteworthy about the weather save for the slight chill in the air. Yukue stood before Ringo's shop. She had a determined look as she stood before the door. "I'm coming in!" she announced, tone still cold but with more energy.
Ringo snapped around and stared at Yukue 'why did it get so hot' she thought waving her hand at her face; the cooling wind helped. she clears her throat "I wanted to explain why I attacked you the first time I was here-"
Ringo stood before her, arms crossed as he looked down at her "Well? why did you."
Yukue covers her forehead and shuffles back. "Well I used to freeze up when I flinch so my teacher trained me to commit to my flinches."
"Is that so..." he quickly lifts his hand towards Yukue's forehead. Her weird flinch took over as she almost punches him, but he grabbed her extended forearm with both hands.
He began twisting it with a subtle mischievous expression. Yukue went through a silent and confused agony 'you aren't the only one with a strange technique' She grabbed the hand that pointed at her while Ringo was busy laughing. "Huh?" She didn't waste a moment as she flicks his elbow on the spot. His lips were tucked and a small flame lit behind his head which, Yukue takes advantage of "Oh no, you're on fire." snagging a nearby towel over his head harshly "I'll help you" her tone was insincere the entire time. "Oh thank you very much!" He slapped her hand harshly just to leave another burning sting
"Ow what was that!?" she was shaking her hand at yet, another burning sensation "Does every thing you do burn!" her icy exterior finally cracked- or melted.
"It was just a high five, for helping put that fire out." he grinned smugly
"OH I SEE WHY DONT I~ RETURN THE FAVOR!!" She went for a palm strike but he caught it with his own palm before reflecting her out of the shop. She stumbled a bit but managed to stay on her feet as she now takes a stance. Yukue stomps "Hiyai!!" She charges straight on as the unspoken rule was set for palm strikes only. Ringo could've stepped to the side but instead he deflects her palm up and sweeps her up flipping her over. She lands with haste, flipping not being her strong suit, she stumbles. Ringo takes two small, cocky struts and already is in front of her before he feints a palm strike to the face just so he could laugh when Yukue throws a punch instead of raising her guard due to her flinch.
"Can't you guard?" he was irritatingly calm and Yukue dropped the first bead of sweat "Ugh!" she stomped before getting back into her sturdy stance. Three strikes were ducked under as he weaves to the left of a palm... uppercut. She spins to Ringo's left and uses the momentum for a strike but Ringo blocks it with his arm and slips his left hand behind her upper arm, and grabs her forearm with his right as he maneuvers behind her range of motion.
"Give up?" he was chuckling still having not broken a sweat while Yukue growled but hid her grin "No!" She tries to take advantage of the incomplete arm lock by turning her body so she could hit him. But when she tried to hit him he just spun her around before tossing her away. She stumbled again looking back at Ringo with haste but noticed that he was focused completely on her eyes his stance, an afterthought was insultingly loose. "S-Shouldn't you focus?" she glanced everywhere else but at Ringo's eyes unintentionally scanning his body "Like what you see?"
She profusely shut her eyes "N-No!"
"Well you should look." His voice was closer "H-Huh!?" when she opened he was way close, too close. She flailed wildly so he couldn't see her blush but Ringo didn't even put an effort to dodge he stood just out of range of the "weed whacker" just chuckling. Yukue paused, holding her hands in whatever position they were in while she was slightly leaned back. She peeked at Ringo who was still chuckling as she sheepishly joined in.
She scratched her head and Ringo crossed his arms "I guess you're going to be in debt" he joked Yukue was breathing heavily "Why... did you stare at my eyes?"
"Well it was a tactic to get your focus thrown off" Yukue chuckled a bit as her head lowered "Don't worry they look nice."
"H-hush..." she turned her eyes to the side as she stood up straight "Since I have a better opinion about you I'm curious, what were you going to say yesterday?"
"well I was wondering... I know a little about you because of your grandmother so, I would like to make it even." She was using one finger to scratch her head as she was looking away.
Ringo smirked and raised an eyebrow "Very well. but you pay."
"Alr-very well. there's an ice cream shop down there." she was shaking just the slightest.
"Oh the one with the couples discount!"
… "Really?!"
Yukue was thinking on the strange turn of events 'weren't we just fighting? and now, were going to a café?" but it was at the end of her thoughts when she realized they were already there and sitting. "Well? what would you like?" he seemed childishly excited about being here "Ah you came back!" The waiter seemed to remember Ringo "Would you like what you had last time?"
"Yes please!" Ringo's attitude made him seem 'small and cute' even if he was taller than Yukue she unknowingly grinned at Ringo which for once seemed to make him flustered as he looked down "Aren't you going to order?"
"oh-uh yea, lemon pudding please?" Her order made Ringo raise an eyebrow but he held his judgements back.
The waitress was gone and the two sat silently "So... what do you do?"
she jumped a little but answered "I sell clothes, some of which I make" she chuckled sheepishly.
"I see. were you forced to work there?"
"N-no my mother used to work here but the hotel got busy and she had to stay so I decided to run it" The thought of willingly working at a shop baffled Ringo but his attention shifted when the orders came.
"Your lemon pudding. and your chocolate sundae." When the waiter went out of sight for Ringo she gave a thumbs up to Yukue who just smiled softly.
"When did you start training?" Ringo takes a large scoop and downs it in one moment as if to savor as much as possible.
Yukue holds a spoonful of pudding up "At eight. but I kept having to switch mentors" she takes her first bite. The two glance at each other challengingly
"Why?" Ringo downs another scoop and uses his eyes to look up at Yukue and already has another scoop ready.
"My parents attacked them whenever I came back with the slightest bruise." she takes another quick bite.
"Oh I see." Ringo stopped eating half way for a moment when two girls walk in.
Yukue looks back with some pudding on her spoon "Do you know them?"
"She put me in a tornado." he waved his hands like it was nothing
"What?" Ringo had already continued eating as if he never said anything
"Do you want revenge?" she takes another quick bite, a bit faster this time.
"No. Its been two days I'm not that petty." he took another scoop.
Ranma and Akane took a double take when they saw Ringo and Yukue eating together like the bestest of friends.
"Speaking of knowing people, how do you know the waiter?"
"I crashed through the roof when she was serving coffee."
"So do you have a specific style or technique?"
"Not really, you?"
he downs another scoop. "A few." yukue waits before Ringo takes another scoop to race him,
"Like what?" She stabs the pudding harshly but lost the race. she grumbles silently. and Ringo chuckles
"The hot strikes, and the wicked hands."
"So you did burn me on purpose!"
"It was your fault" he sips a smaller, slightly melted scoop this time.
"And besides you made my elbow numb." he looked to the left before quickly returning to his sundae enthusiastically.
"Well those are just some things, not a style~!" her spoon surprisingly hits the bottom of her pudding bowl.
"Someone's hungry." Ringo takes his last scoop
"You were a scoop away. and besides you're upset I beat you this time!"
"I judged you first. I win"
"That doesn't even make sense!"
"Your just mad I beat you!" He had a mocking tone
"I will defeat you. next time-"
"Its on you."
"Fine, same time tomorrow." she stood up but Ringo pulled her back to the seat
"You pay, remember?" he chuckled on his way out but the waiter blocked the exit.
"You cant leave..." she snapped her fingers "without having the couple's split!" She dragged him back to his seat while Ranma and Akane nearly spat out their orders choking on it instead.
Two more employees place a massive bowl of ice cream on the table with a large heart shaped gummy on top, enough to share mind you. *Clang* the moment the two got their spoons they immediately clashed for the gummy glaring intensely at each other.
"There isn't enough for both of us. And I'm paying..."
"You invited me, and I was generous enough to give up some of my precious time. Its mine!"
They speak in unison "Fine then you have it"
Yukue reaches first but Ringo snatches it away and scarfs it down. "Slow poke."
Yukue grumbles And begins digging through the mound with her spoon. When Ringo reaches up, elbow over the table, Yukue jabs the same spot again wither her spoon making his elbow numb again.
As Yukue goes for a scoop Ringo slices through the ice cream and splits the spoon with his without knocking the ice cream over. "How clumsy you are. Breaking your spoon so quickly." he leaned to the side the mound just so she could see him grinning smugly.
"Ringo! I declare you my rival."
"Fine then!" Ringo stands up "Keep the rest." but before he left he held his hand toward the ice cream and makes it melt before bolting out of the shop.
Yukue sat there baffled, confused, and annoyed.