Kasumi Tendo (Love Note)

**Kasumi Tendo** (天道 かすみ *Tendō Kasumi*) is the main protagonist of Love Note. After discovering the Love Note, she decided to use it to solve the various romantic problems in Nerima. The chaos she causes is eventually labelled by the people living in Japan as the work of "Cupid."

## Appearance

In general, Kasumi has been remarked as being beautiful. Usually described as a gentle homemaker with long brown hair kept in a ponytail.

## Character

Kasumi is characterized as a peaceful character in a cast of rather frantic people. She is invariably shown as cheerful and pleasant, seldom seeming fazed by the wild events that surround her. Once the lunacy subsides, she amiably helps to clean up any destruction, and generally seems content in working hard to take care of her family, the household and make any guests feel at home.

## History

Kasumi is the oldest daughter of Soun Tendo and the older sister of Nabiki and Akane.

## Plot

Kasumi was doing her usual routine of hanging the morning laundry when she discovers a mysterious notebook on the ground. Written on the cover are the words "Love Note". The Love Note's instructions state that if a human's name is written within it, that person shall fall in love. Thinking it must belong to either Akane or Nabiki she took it with her as she went shopping so it wouldn’t be left out. Seeing Jin Itsuki, a local fruit vendor, had a crush Kasumi decided to test the Love Note only for it to work much to her surprise.

Not sure if it was a coincidence or not she realized the Love Note is real, when she tried to use it to make Akane’s love line less complicated. When that didn’t pan out she decided not to use it until she fully understood what it could do so only used names she got from television. Kasumi then meets the previous owner of the Love Note, a Love Goddess named Trista. She initially tried to scare Kasumi, but upon realizing that she had already used it explained that she was very absent minded and only just realized that it was missing. Since Kaumi used the Love Note she was now its owner forcing her to stay there until Kasumi finds her true love. Trista went into details about the rule of the Love Note explaining its abilities and limitations as Kasumi explained to her how her attempts to fix everyone’s love lives had backfired.

After all Kasumi’s testing she felt that she was ready to start making some improvements. However her matchmaking attracted the attention of the master detective known as L. The first conflict between Light and L happens over the television, beginning with the broadcast of Linda Marsel. L places Linda as a decoy on television in order to trick Kasumi, with the network stating that the broadcast is worldwide.

Linda provokes Cupid by calling her "evil", and, in annoyance, Trista convinced her to make Linda fall in love with her translator Tora Hiso. Thinking the whole thing is over Kasumi went to prepare tea for Genma Saotome. Missing the real L revealing the fact that Linda Marsel was a decoy and challenging her.

Oblivious to all the attention she was getting from the police, Kasumi was happily humming to herself as she prepared dinner in the kitchen, Trista, as usual, at her side.

Trista tells Kasumi the purpose of the Love Note. For every moment that a person stays in love under a Love Goddesses influence, they get that same moment more youth, which is why a Love Goddess can remain young and beautiful for many years. In addition Trista explains to Kasumi that the Love Goddess have eyes that allow them to see any human's real name and the thread of fate connecting them to one another. In addition, a Love Goddess can make a deal with the owner of the Love Note to receive the "Love Goddess Eyes" in exchange for half of that human's self control, with Trista offering to make the deal. Kasumi refuses the deal, both agreeing that doubling her sex drive was not ideal.

Trista had grown annoyed with Kasumi as she was supposed to help her find her true love, which she couldn’t do with her keeping herself cooped up in the dojo. They were interrupted by the arrival of Nabiki who told Kasumi about her day and how everyone was trying to figure out who Cupid was. Nabiki pointed out how Kasumi hadn’t gone to see Dr Tofu in a while. She explained that he had been gone every time she went to the clinic knowing it was the work of the Love Note. She brought it up because she too had notice how much time she had been spending time at home.
She suggested she go out to see a movie with Ranma going so far as to say after awhile people would start suspecting that she was Cupid if she didn’t get out more.

On their date Ranma opened up to Kasumi about his fear that his fiancée’s love for him was the work of cupid. This caused her to be upset at keeping the fact she was cupid from him, which also caused her to start to seriously think about her feeling for Ranma.

Kasumi finally learned about the real L shortly before it was revealed that Cupid had caused hundreds of members of the department to fall in love, including the entire Cupid task force. In a panic Kasumi ran to her room to check up on the Love Note. As she and Trista tried to figure out what was going on they were interrupted by Nabiki who revealed that she was the second cupid.

Nabiki informed them about how she had accidentally touched the book shortly after Trista showed up. She wasn’t that worried about L figuring that her dealing with the police was the end of the matter. Though she did warn Kasumi to no longer use the book as she needed to lay low.

Though she tried to hide it Kasumi was very upset upon learning that Nabiki wrote Tofu and Shampoo’s name in the note. So she was miffed to find Nabiki trying to get info on the new waitress at the Nekohanten. When Maho didn’t call her Nabiki realized it was a fake name and that she must be working for L. This caused Nabiki to begin to panic and neither Kasumi nor Trista could calm her down. She finally relented when Trista discovered no surveillance but was still worried about the fact that L tracked them so far.

It was decided that it was best for the two to do nothing for now and hope that L loses interest. Kasumi could not fully hide her disappointment. The use of the note had become something of a routine for her, and having been denied it she was coming to miss it. With that Kasumi accidentally gave ownership of the note over to Nabiki, by telling her to keep it figuring she would hide it better. Having forgotten what was going on she left to go prepare dinner.

L finally confronted Kasumi while she was going about the shopping and was talking to Mr. Itsuki. Since she no longer remembered that she was Cupid she didn’t give the slightest hint of nervousness when he brought Cupid up. She even started telling him about the how Ranma and Akane were affected confusing L even more. He finally just came out and told who he was. Itsuki tensed at hearing this, while Kasumi merely blinked in surprise. He was actually how she pictured him, someone very reclusive and intelligent who would have odd personal habits.

Before the conversation could go any further Kasumi pulled L out of the way just as Ranma crashed into where they were having been punted there by Akane. At seeing Kasumi, Ranma’s angry demeanor quickly shifted to a nervous one, and then shifted to challenging upon noticing L’s proximity to her. This merely caused the detective to return a look of seeming boredom. Unlike Kasumi Ranma was skeptical that he was who he said he was.

Kasumi, L, and Ranma went to a restaurant to talk Kasumi remained oblivious to any implied meaning to L’s words as he explained to them his theories about Cupid. While Ranma just expressed his annoyance and frustration about everything that was going on. when Ranma sarcastically asked him how Cupid was pulling it off he told them that they needed a name and a face.

Kasumi ended up asking him why those people who are affected where Cupid would know both people’s names seem to not last as long. L had not thought of that and couldn’t hide his shock. Ranma decided to leave after this taking Kasumi with him. the two were greeted by Nabiki when they returned to the dojo who was shocked to learn that they had met L. This caused Kasumi to wonder if her sister was sick.

Ranma dismissed Nabiki’s question of what the three talked about. As he left Nabiki said she’s take a nap while Kasumi went to prepare dinner. When Shampoo came to the dojo to talk to Kasumi, he reflexively sized up her newest rival in love, before focusing on why she was there. Discarding Kasumi’s offer of juice or tea Shampoo asked her why she no longer visited Doctor Tofu. Caught off guard by Shampoo’s directness she honestly told her she didn’t know. When Kasumi asked her about their relationship she was quick to that they weren’t together, though she didn’t tell her the full truth for precaution’s sake.

With that Shampoo bluntly told Kasumi that she wasn’t to marry Ranma and that Tofu was in love with her. Kasumi was struck by this, and unable to respond for a moment. Finally though, she lowered her head and admitted that she had been avoiding him but agreed to think about seeing him. Shampoo frowned, the response less than she had hoped, but decided it was best to accept it for now. Before she left Shampoo told Kasumi that she knew about what cupid did to Ranma but didn’t hold it against her.

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.

When L received a letter from Cupid he once more gathered with the various residents of Nerima to tell them what had happened. He also informed them of his theory that the Cupid they knew from before was in fact two people. There were various degrees of surprise at hearing this.

Kasumi was the first to ask why the second Cupid never used such power until now. L figured that that there was some downside to it. Mousse was vehemently against agreeing as Cupid still needed reverse the damage the damage they had done. Upon being told that there was no evidence to date that Cupid can terminate love, only generate it he started banging his head on the table in frustration.

Kasumi got things back on track by asking L what he planned on doing. Given the seriousness of the situation L was inclined to agree so he told them to wait until he had more precise instruction on what to do. There was a variety of low key grumbles in response to this, but little else. When they returned he played for the others an audio of not only him denying Cupid’s request, but a recording of the second Cupid denying the new ones legitimacy. After hearing it several were shifting into various disquieted positions and expressions.

Ranma pointed out how this was also going to provoke Cupid’s fan club, but L had been expecting that even providing his address to the various news agencies. When Ranma called him out on his recklessness he assured him that he had made numerous security modifications for exactly this sort of scenario, and the police, while not part of the investigation, will nonetheless serve as crowd control. It would also allow him to use his equipment here to find a suspect pool from the gathered crowd.

Nabiki seemed skeptical given the number of people who most likely would come, but L believed that Cupid would stand out amongst the crowd. He asked them to stay at the building. They had come and gone numerous times and might be in danger as they could have been seen. The various Nerima residents looked at each other in consideration before Cologne took the initiative on behalf of herself, Shampoo and Mousse. This got the others to agree as well. He had Watari prepare them rooms as they waited for the official broadcast.

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.

L asked Kasumi if Akane and Shampoo would be okay. She told him that they usually get into such arguments much faster and were actually on rather good terms today. Crisis seemingly averted he asked Kasumi to discuss her insights into Cupid with him. Kasumi beamed as Nabiki, in earshot, just rolled her eyes. Within the building, Mariko was displayed on one of the monitors. To all the other occupants of the room, this was hardly notable, but Nabiki chose this moment to put aside her book and walk over to said monitors for a quick scan of them. However, she just as quickly shrugged and headed off to the bathroom. L silently watched this, but Kasumi quickly took back his attention.

Kasumi and L discussed the nature of the internet and how it would affect Cupid, namely that it would give other people more access to information on them. While he was dismissive L conceded that Kasumi had a point when she explained it to him. However he did decline her suggestion that he uses turn the peoples interest in Cupid back upon them as he wanted to find Cupid himself. There conversation was interrupted by the worshipers bombed their way in. Watari informed the group that someone had reached the network room and he believed they were trying to hack the system. As the worshipers began to break into the building everyone decided to go and stop them. L asked Ranma if he could stop those who were trying to hack into the system.

It was many hours later, deep into the night, when L finally gave the occupants of the building the go ahead to exit feeling it was safe to let them go back home. Ryoga opted to stay behind along with Ranma who realizing that Akane had figured out he knew chose not to risk it, but the Tendo family and Genma did return home.

Kasumi was just finishing up work when Tofu showed up and asked to speak with her in private. Kasumi said nothing when Tofu seemed to freeze up, she simply waited patiently as he reset himself with several more breaths. 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. Seeing that Tofu had become dead to the world Kasumi said her farewell and went back inside.