One common recurring theme you may have noticed with this writer in his works surrounding Ranma 1/2 is the perception that the fanbase has upon the series. This is, in part, born from the fact that his initial fandom when joining Internet discussions was this particular franchise. Upon entering discussions, he would often find himself wondering if he had read the same series, watched the same show as others within the discussion - and then came to realise that his own perception had been skewed considerably as well from what the original source repeatedly demonstrated.
We call it fanon. The main cast is struck by it repeatedly, from all manner of angles. Akane is neither as nice as she's portrayed, nor quite as vicious. Ranma does not talk like a hick, even if his manner of speech is a bit rough by Japanese standards. Perceptions like those warp discussion considerably. This is well known. Recognised, acknowledged, and yet the fanon is too ingrained to remove.
And so, we turn our attention to Kodachi Kuno. An understated victim of this as well, though in a peculiar way. In particular, she if often thought of as one of Ranma's girls - and for fair reason. She's introduced early and regularly participates in the 'jump him' bits when comedy insists upon bodies to torment him with.
However, the word 'regularly' is doing a fair bit of heavy lifting. After her introductory arc she's absent for a considerable amount of time. Ryoga? Reappears straight away. Shampoo? Gone for an arc, but she's back pretty sharpish (especially when considering she'd have had to travel from Furinkan to Jusenkyo and back again).
Ah, but Kodachi? She appears in volume two, but then disappears until volume 9 (or, if you're using the Viz release, 7). That's quite a while to be absent, and she doesn't exactly become a regular, per se, after that. Perhaps, at most, appearing on a page or two, rarely getting her own arc. Yet there she is, persistently utilised despite everyone in the fandom acknowledging that she basically stands no chance at all.
A sign of how interesting she is, in terms of personality and aesthetic. She is remembered as one of the central members of the Ranma romantic ensemble because the concept of Kodachi is so immediately legible.
"Ohohohoho!"
And, yes, the laughter does make it quite difficult to forget her as well. Look at her now, prancing across the Furinkan rooftop, whipping a ribbon around her head. An odd mood had struck her from nowhere. It was much earlier in the timeline, still, compared to her 'second' appearance within the story. Perhaps we could blame a butterfly flapping its wings somewhere, which prompted her to do something different than we're used to. Or perhaps it is the will of the writer to have some fun with her.
Whatever the case may be: She's on her way to the Tendo dojo, for no other reason than to torment - er, that is to say, flirt with - our gallant hero, her handsome knight, her prince charming, her unobtainable prize, Ranma Saotome.
Little realising that her prize is even less obtainable now than he usually would be.
In any event: She lands atop a nearby roof instead of heading inside. This is not spying, do note. It's not peeping, or anything vulgar like that. Far from it. A Kuno would not indulge in - Actually, her brother might. But she would not! She was performing reconnaissance. She wanted to be assured that the pigtailed girl and Akane Tendo were not around to distract her dear, sweet, beloved Ranma.
It's a gesture of romance, not perversion. It is a sweet longing from afar she is indulging in, to let her heart go pitter patter, rather than anything so vulgar as mere physical gratification.
"There he i~is~" Kodachi chirped to herself, wishing dearly that she'd brought her camera. He was training in the garden with his shirt off, goodness. Working up a sweat - but this was a pure and innocent reconnaissance mission, of course. She should obviously watch him for a little longer. To make sure she had a clean understanding of his... fighting style. His stamina, physical condition, etc, so she could tell what he was capable of for their time together. A responsible prospective bride must conduct a thorough assessment of her future husband's capabilities.
She patted at her leotard. Hrm, yes, it was riding up high on her waist... the material wasn't quite developing into a thong at the moment - which was for the best, at least for now. She didn't want to give him the wrong impression by jumping upon him while scantily clad! Not yet, at any rate!
"Nihao!"
But then she heard it. A sound. A wicked sound that sent a chill down her spine. Another girl had appeared out of nowhere. Some busty, cute minx frolicking and skipping along towards her darling Ranma, a girl with purple hair and a figure that... Dammit, Kodachi couldn't quite bring herself to think she wasn't cute!
Akane Tendo and the mysterious pigtailed girl were one matter. This was a rivalry she did not need! Of course, there was sense to it. Naturally, the prize she sought, the prince she had fallen for, would be desired by others as well. It's said in economics that the most expensive things are often those rarest things most desired, regardless of their form or function. And what could be rarer than a boy like Ranma? A handsome, athletic martial artist. A peerless fighter. A charming young man with a remarkable physique, capable of feats of strength and agility that would put lesser men to shame.
Yes, as she was accepting this, accepting the fight and the struggle that would surely follow, she saw something interesting happening.
The mysterious girl flashed Ranma, and said something to him. The boy stumbled, but caught himself - but before he could react further, the mystery girl had tucked her girls away again.
Kodachi blinked slowly, drinking it in. Huh? She thought she must have imagined it, but then - to her surprise, it happened again. Then again. Then again and again. From this distance, Kodachi could not hear what was being said. She could tell that Ranma was surprised every time it happened, but then when she stopped doing it - his expression returned to normal. Or close to normal. He was still blushing considerably, but still -
What the hell is this?
Her noble brow creased and furrowed. The girl started to spar with Ranma next, occasionally flashing him in the middle of their bout and then immediately putting them away again.
This was... proving to be quite bizarre. Kodachi had a vague feeling that she should step in. Surely she ought to do something about this. This was her darling Ranma, after all, being flirted with by some foreign minx who had apparently decided that personal boundaries were an optional social convention.
And yet... Every time Kodachi looked at the pretty girl's face, something deep within her battle instincts screamed -
DO NOT!
<b><i><u>NO SERIOUSLY, DO NOT!</u></i></b>
As confident as she was in her martial abilities... Yes, she could tell at a glance that the girl was skilled. Her darling Ranma was more talented in fighting, to be certain, but that girl was also a complete monster.
Her reconnaissance had provided her with quite useful information. It seemed there was another pest to get rid of, which of course, Kodachi would do in... all fairness.
Ohohohoho!
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