Dr. Tofu Ono (Love Note)

## Plot

Shampoo stayed at Tofu’s clinic after Cologne shut down the restaurant to look into cupid. He was vaguely aware of what was going on until an upset Akane showed up and told him. This caused him to realize he hadn’t seen Kasumi in a while. Akane tried to run away only for Tofu to stop her. He told her that if she couldn’t trust her feelings anymore then perhaps it is time to look at what other qualities she wants.

When he returned to the clinic Shampoo asked him if he thought Ranma hated her. Unconvinced at his reflexive denial, Shampoo told him about her falling in love with Mousse and how upset she was at the thought of him trying to manipulate her. Given how many times she had done the same thing to ranma in the past.

Thinking about it for a moment he told her that Ranma wasn’t the type to hold grudges, and if he was truly upset he would have mentioned something. Shampoo thanked him for his answer, as she was leaving Tofu finally put it together that Ranma had fallen in love with Kasumi causing him to shout at Shampoo to wait. After a moment of puzzlement from Shampoo, Tofu sheepishly smiled and told her it was nothing.

Cologne soon returned distracting Shampoo from Tofu’s confusing behavior. Sadly she was only able to learn a few things about Cupid, only a little of it useful. Tofu asked if she would share what she learned, only to be told that she couldn’t exclude him as a suspect. He gave his word that he wasn’t and given what was happening with Kasumi the likelihood that he was cupid was low. Shampoo asked about Kasumi but was ignored.

Tofu went to prepare tea, as Cologne went into what she knew. About this time Nabiki had learned from Akane about Shampoo staying there so wrote there names do the fact Kasumi was no longer visiting him would be explained. Cologne seeing Tofu starting to become effected splashed Shampoo before she could as well.

Tofu and Cologne had been met every other day since the incident, and although there was basically nothing new to report, they decided it best to convene anyway, just in case Cupid tried to pull one of her memory erasing stunts on one or the other. Since they couldn’t be certain that Shampoo had been a target, and she couldn’t just stay in her cursed form forever it was decided that it would be best for her to fake affection for Tofu and hope Cupid thought he had succeeded. Cologne gave Tofu a potion to keep his love induced mania in check.

Tofu eventually decided to talk with Shampoo due to a combination of seeing how unhappy she was with this arrangement and worried about what she would do now that she knew about Kasumi. Both Cologne and Shampoo were quick to call him out foe ever thinking she’d hurt the eldest Tendo sister.

She also called him out for lying to her about Ranma, and while he tried to deny it using her exact words, but she wasn’t buying it. Defeated Tofu truthfully told her that her chances with Ranma were slim, her hunting him down and trying to kill him is not something easily forgotten, and when combined her other antics. He didn’t hate her, but. Seeing how depressed this answer made her he offered to help.

Since they all expressed a desire to aid in his investigation L invited Kuno, Kodachi, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Soun, Genma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, and Tofu to a high rise building. He met with Cologne first figuring it was best to meet with her before the others.

Those first meeting the man paused in some wonderment, particularly noting his odd sitting posture. However, this lasted only a moment before they all began to take seats. Though he still had doubts Ranma confirmed to Nabiki the only one aware that Trista was there that he was the man he met. L introduced himself as Ryuzaki and Kuno was the first to express gis doubt that L was who he claimed he was. L confirmed who he was, but also eased there doubts stated that even if he wasn’t he was at least speaking on behalf of L.

L agreed to allow them to help him, but he didn’t sugar coat the fact that fact that they were all still suspects, though he didn’t reveal his exact suspects. Nabiki kept her face neutral at this revelation. With that he laid down what he had deduced so far noting. L eyed each member of the group in turn, pausing particularly on Kasumi who was all smiles and seemed absolutely riveted on the conversation.

The first was that there were Two Cupids. Many repeated in surprise. Nabiki in particular could not help but frown at this revelation. Much to Nabiki’s annoyance he explained how Kasumi clued him in on how Cupid needs a name and face to affect you. As he was talking the second Cupid revealed themselves on Cupid’s arrow. The others wanted to rush to put a stop to it, but L protested that it was to dangerous to intervene the others rushed. The second Cupid introduced themselves as the real Cupid telling L that they would offer him a gift of their benevolence.

When the people gathered at the station started trying to batter there way in L called to have all broadcasts cut realizing that Cupid was still affecting them. With nothing else to to Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse, Akane, Shampoo Ukyo, Kodachi and Tatewaki went to the building to do what they could. Even Soun elbowed Genma and the pair joined in as well. Before they left L told them to everything that Cupid provided. Kasumi called out to them to be careful while beside her, Nabiki simply crossed her arms, a frown firmly locked on her face.

As expected it didn’t long for the worshipers of the third Cupid to find L’s building, with the more bold individuals shoving or otherwise attacking the other shutters in futility. Akane started to freak out a little when L told them they might be there for at least a week, which his assurance that it might be longer did nothing to calm her down. Nabiki just pulled out a book happy that she had brought reading material while Kasumi asked him if his divide would work.

A jealous Ranma pulled a reluctant Kasumi back towards the table with the others while suggesting that L get back to work. L watched the pair for a moment, then looked to Nabiki who was paying little mind to anything but her book. Dr Tofu also gave L a hard look as well, but quickly found something else to interest him when L noticed him. Shampoo held herself back, but was nonetheless annoyed at Ranma’s attentions to Kasumi. L pondered this as an opportunity but quickly dismissed it. With Akane in the room, as well as Mousse and Tofu, that angle would likely simply devolve into a fight.

When Watari told everyone that he laid refreshments in the cafeteria Mousse started asked Shampoo if she would like something only to be quickly told no before he could finish. This instantly caused Akane to glare at Shampoo from across the table. When Akane commented her relationship with Tofu Shampoo jumped to her feet furious at Akane accusing her of being unfaithful.

Akane jumped to her feet as well when Shampoo called her out on her numerous boyfriends. She started to deny it only for Shampoo to remind her of Kirin and Toma. Akane twitched at the mention of the two princes, pointing out that she had been kidnapped. Shampoo shot back, circling the table to confront Akane more directly and asked about Ryoga. Akane called Shampoo out stating that it was her who tricked Ryoga into dating her, only for her to to reply that the two seemed like lovers given how close the two were.

Akane practically started screaming and when Kuno tried to calm the two down they both clocked him sending him into the wall unconscious. Tofu and Mousse both took up the charge, quickly rushing in, Tofu to Shampoo, Mousse to Akane to separate the pair. Shampoo’s frustration was all too clear as Tofu led her away. He tried to calm her down as she expressed anger at Akane abuse of Ranma how she won’t let him be with someone else despite her seeming open contempt for him. The fact that Tofu claimed she was just a bit indecisive and that there was more nuance didn’t help matters. However even he couldn’t come up with an answer when Shampoo asked how Akane could call off the engagement in the heat of the moment. Tofu realized Shampoo was actually angry about Akane implying that she was unfaithful.

Changing the subject he asked Shampoo if she talked to Ranma. She told him how Ranma barely said anything after she apologized to him. Thinking to himself Tofu started to understand why so many people hated Ranma, but out loud he just suggested to Shampoo that Ranma couldn’t think of anything to say. Shampoo anger drained into uncertainty as she asked Tofu what she should do. He told her that she just had to keep on working on improving things with him. Seeing the doubt on Shampoo’s face Tofu went to go get her some food.

He came across Ranma asking Cologne what would happen to Shampoo if she failed to marry him. Cologne told him that the worst punishment Shampoo would receive is death. Ranma told Cologne to promise him if she does get some way of getting Shampoo clear. Cologne told him that she will take it without hesitation, but should he be required she’d tell him. With that Ranma returned to the others and she revealed that she knew that Tofu was there.

Seeing that he had been listening in she had him promise not to convey her options to Shampoo. He asked her if death was a possible when Shampoo first went home. It took Cologne a moment to realize he meant when she didn’t kill Ranma-chan and told him that it was and in fact Shampoo was expecting it. Clenching his teeth he asked if Shampoo could be saved if someone defeated Ranma and didn’t hesitate to affirm his believe that he could do it when Cologne asked. She told him no as that option was too easily exploited. Tofu brought up Mousse’s attempts only for Cologne to tell him that Mousse was an idiot who is willfully ignorant of the inner workings their laws.

Tofu asked if it was possible for her to just run away, but that was shot down as well as not only would it be admitting failure, but the amazons have was of tracking her down. She did mention that there might be some loopholes the first being to dispute the petition to change the law, the second would be to dispute the defeat. However both were just as unlikely to happen especially after the incident with the Reversal Jewel. Seeing that the trey he held had two serving she realized he was helping to keep Shampoo and Akane apart and decided to join him. she told Tofu to go and fetch a third serving. While he thought to himself that he wasn’t going to allow her to make him a replacement for Mousse but obediently returned the way he came to fetch another serving.

A rather hectic day was finally winding down at Tofu's clinic and with a moment of peace, and no scheduled appointments ahead, he took the time to brew some tea and relax. He was about half way through the process when he was interrupted by the arrival of Akane. Wanting someone to talk to she was about to tell him about Ryoga only to stop herself and ask him what kind of person he thought Ranma was.

While current circumstances were probably tainting his view Tofu answered that while Ranma was abrasive at his core he means well. Akane agreed but couldn’t figure weather or not him rather hurting himself then see someone else seriously hurt was a good thing or not. Tofu asked Akane about Ryoga and she told him everything from him being p-chan to Ranma’s reasoning for not telling her. She asked him if she was wrong for thinking that Ranma should of told her, to which Tofu reflexively responded not at all.

As Akane started to trail off again Tofu figured out what she was trying to say. How can a trait that seems so positive make her feel so betrayed. Hanging his head Tofu told her that it wasn’t a black and white issue as even selflessness had its limits. It was then that Tofu realizing that he might have ruined Akane and Ranma’s relationship tried to back peddle, telling Akane that he was sure Ranma never intended to hurt her. Sadly the damage was done, and he could just hand his head at a loss for what to say.

Akane thanked him and while he denied he did anything she admitted she just needed to sound off. Tofu waited until Akane left before he started to openly panic. He was brought out of his stupor by Shampoo. Shampoo had little sympathy for Akane when he told her why she had been there, and she just brightened at the revelation that this might be the end for her and Ranma relationship. Seeing that he wasn’t going to get much empathy from the Amazon he pointed out that it means that their parents will likely switch the engagement to Kasumi. This gave Shampoo pause and she told the doctor that he needed to tell Kasumi his true feelings. While initially reluctant Tofu agreed seeing this as his last chance.

Tofu decided to confess his feeling to Kasumi. Heading to the Tendo residence the well-constructed mental barriers he had built up with Shampoo started to break down, but Tofu held firm and asked to speak with Kasumi. His mind once again went for a loop when she agreed, and despite having practiced for a day and a half he forgot everything he wanted to say. Finally, Tofu decided to just wing it. Clearing his thoughts, he told Kasumi that he loved her. Now that he finally said it Tofu felt a bit of relief allowing him to press on. Kasumi stopped him before he could ask her out. It turns out that Shampoo had already told her, she had been meaning to talk to him but got distracted with all the chaos.

Tofu was left a stuttering mess when Kasumi told him she didn’t return his feelings. When he finally pulled himself together enough to ask her why she told him because of Cupid. For all they know the affects of Cupid don’t go away. She also realized why he always acted so funny around her after seeing him around Shampoo. Tofu tried to argue that he was getting better only for Kasumi to point out that it was because of Shampoo. He agreed only to immediately realize that it was reply as it just increased Kasumi's certainty. Talking more to herself Kasumi wondered if there was any difference between normal love and Cupid’s love.

Tofu almost lied that Shampoo didn’t believe that and in desperation he just told Kasumi he loved her again. While flattered Kasumi just didn’t feel the same way. Maybe before the whole Cupid situation she would have answered differently, but now she knew that being with Tofu was not what she is fated for. Tofu barely registered Kasumi’s words as she told him he’d be happier with Shampoo. Lost in his own sorrow he was dead to the world as he truly absorbed the rejection. He snapped back to reality when he heard the door in front of him had once more had been opened and closed, and Kasumi was now gone. She had said her words of farewell, but he had not even heard them. He contemplated pounding on the door and call her name like some crazed maniac. Luckily, he was better then that, instead he chose a random direction and walked off into the night.