Chapter Text
Picnic Table Area...
Kuno, Ryoga, Momoka, Sasuke, Giorgia, Ryota, Ryoko, Miu, Hou, Kiku, Nuwa, Long, and Laohu arrived at the picnic table area. The lanterns above cast warm light over the wooden tables.
Momoka held Ryoga’s hand tightly, her head lowered, her wet bangs sticking to her cheeks. Ryoga stayed close, protective. Kuno walked beside them, posture stiff with anger. The moment they arrived, Kasumi rushed forward.
“Momoka!” She wrapped Momoka in a gentle hug. “Are you okay, dear?”
Momoka’s voice trembled. “I… I don’t know…”
“Come sit. You need to rest.”
Momoka sat down slowly, still holding Ryoga’s hand. “Where’s Pops and Mr. Tendo…?” Nabiki approached, arms crossed, phone in hand. “They’re playing some game. But you need a break. Especially after what Mikado said.”
Momoka blinked. “Huh…?”
Nabiki smirked. “A little birdie told everyone.” Miu raised her hand proudly. “Aka me!”
“Miu…”
“I couldn’t keep quiet! Everyone needed to know!”
“And they should be arriving in about...”
A voice cut Giorgia off before she could finish her sentence.
“MOMOKA!”
The rest of the Saotome Clan arrived, including Ringo, Murakumo, and Renka. Ranma sprinted forward and hugged Momoka tightly. “I saw Miu’s text! Mikado is gonna pay for what he said! Where is that sparkly freak?!”
Kuno lifted his chin proudly. “Fear not, Ranma Saotome. I sent that arrogant bastard straight to the heavens. Though at this point, he may be headed to hell.”
“Damn it! I should’ve been there!”
“Agree! I wanna smack him with apples!”
Murakumo frowned deeply. “I cannot believe someone would speak to a lady that way…” Nobume stepped forward, raising a hand. “Everyone. Simmer down. Emotions are high, but we must calm ourselves before doing something we regret.” She turned to Momoka. “Momoka… how are you feeling?”
Momoka looked exhausted. “Tired… drained… I don’t know… I’m still processing everything…”
Yelena nodded. “Understandable.”
“Take deep breaths.”
Chiyuki opened her black mini purse with golden accents and pulled out a tissue. “Here. Use this.”
“Thank you…”
She wiped her eyes, her hands trembling. Akane clenched her fists. “I can’t believe Mikado would say something like that…”
Satomi looked down, ashamed. “I never thought he’d stoop this low…” Icelyn exclaimed, “Yeah! That was just plain insulting!”
Solene chimes in, “An insult to every lady in the world!”
Tamayo nodded. “Agreed. Insulting and demeaning.”
Nabiki smirked. “Want me to dig up some juicy secrets on Mikado? I have my ways.”
Nobume turns to Nabiki. “Let’s not go too far, Nabiki.”
Nabiki shrugged. “Offer stands.” Kasumi clapped her hands gently. “For now, let’s all relax and give Momoka some space.”
“Okay, Kasumi.”
“I’ll get a bottle of water.”
“Thank you.”
Nobume walked off toward the drink stall.
Everyone else stayed close, forming a protective circle around Momoka. A wall of friends. A wall of fiancées. A wall of family. Momoka looked up at all of them. Their worried faces, their clenched fists, their fierce loyalty. For the first time since Mikado’s words hit her like a blade, she didn’t feel alone.
Soun and Genma finally arrived, laughing loudly from whatever game they had been playing... until they saw the massive group gathered around the picnic tables. Momoka sat between Ryoga and Kuno, taking slow, shaky breaths. Qǐzhòngjī guided her breathing with calm gestures, while Nobume held a bottle of water to Momoka’s lips.
“What’s going on?”
“Did something happen?”
Nabiki didn’t even look up from her phone. “You wanna know, Daddy? I’ve got the whole thing right here.” She held up her phone so Soun and Genma could read Miu’s text. Soun’s face fell immediately. “He said THAT to Momoka…?”
“Yup.”
Genma waved his hands dismissively. “Now now! Come on, Soun! You know how boys are! They say things that...” Soun slammed his hands on the table. “Don’t even THINK of downplaying this, Genma! This is serious!”
“Ranma is a boy! Have you forgotten that?!”
“I haven’t, old friend! But LOOK at her! She’s clearly shaken, and you’re trying to brush it off?!”
Rikka stepped forward, glaring. “He’s right, Mr. Saotome! Who cares if Momoka is a boy or a girl?! The point is Mikado said something hurtful!”
Satomi chimes in, “Exactly!”
Ringo jabbed a finger at Genma. “And YOU! Ya' tricked my pa into an engagement promise! Do ya' know how hard it is to make fresh apple cider?!” Murakumo crossed her arms. “And the mask.” Renka stomped her foot. “And the taiko drum my mom gave you! Murakumo and I deserve an apology!”
Soun pointed dramatically. “GENMA~!” Genma panicked. “Now hold on! I’m sorry! I was desperate! I needed supplies and... well...!”
“You’re lucky we’re comforting Momoka instead of pummeling you.”
Renka cracked her knuckles. “But don’t worry! If this keeps up, I’ll make you into my living taiko drum!”
“PLEASE DON’T! I’m too old to be anyone’s taiko drum!”
Murakumo stepped forward, awkward but sincere. “Momoka… um… I know we just met… but… you shouldn’t listen to what Mikado said.” Hana nodded firmly. "Yeah! He’s wrong! Completely wrong!” Solene placed a hand over her heart. “If he thinks he can speak to you that way, then he is gravely mistaken.”
Ranma cracked his knuckles. “Just wait until Mikado challenges me to a rematch! I’ll kick his ass ten times harder!” Ryoga smirked. “And we won’t stop until the Golden Pair has a 950‑losing streak.”
“HELL yeah.”
Kuno gently stroked Momoka’s pink hair. “Do not fear, your highness. You are safe with us. If Mikado Sanzenin insults you again, inform me and I shall punish him severely.” Kodachi looked away, arms crossed. She only cared about Ranma-sama… but if Ranma wanted her help, she would assist without hesitation.
Ryoko leaned forward. “Once you calm down, we can watch the fireworks together.” Ryota grinned. “Yeah!” Momoka blinked. “Fireworks…?”
The idea sounded… nice. Warm. Distracting. Safe. Surrounded by the Saotome Clan, the Tendos, her fiancées, Ryoga, and Kuno… Momoka felt something loosen in her chest. She felt… protected.
Kodachi suddenly grabbed Ranma’s arm. “Fireworks! Ranma-sama, let us watch them together!” Akane glared. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Kodachi.”
“Whatever.”
Ranma groaned. “Please don’t fight…”
Momoka let out a tiny laugh. The first since the incident. And just like that, the tension began to ease.