Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½.

Gamble

By Erzamarie

Ryoga's POV

This was my chance. I didn't believe it at first because it was too good to be true. But here I was one of the two remaining candidate for Akane's date. Of course, Ranma was the other one. He would often use the "I am her fiancé card" during these things as if being fiancé of a forced marriage had bearings. Ranma doesn't even treat Akane like a fiancée. And he had three more fiancées in addition to Akane.

I used to wonder what good deeds Ranma did in his past life for him to have a fiancée like Akane. I wanted to know because I will do it in this lifetime so I can be as lucky as him in the next life.

Fortunately, this time I was around Nerima during their party. If not for it, I would have been somewhere in Mt. Fuji getting lost. It was by luck that I came just in time but it was my effort and persistence that I made it this far.

As luck had been on my side, I was confident that I would win. Since Akane didn't choose and in order to finally declare the winner, a coin toss was agreed or rather Akane decided it to be. Everyone has a bet on either Ranma or me.

Everyone was excited to see the outcome. The anticipation of the losers and the bystanders were exhilarating. Akane too, had been moved by their excitement.

My opponent, Ranma, stood in the corner near the door when we were about to start. He wasn't his usual self. The usual loud and arrogant Ranma was silent. He didn't join the cheerfulness of the crowd but instead sulk in the corner.

Just when Akane tossed the coin up, Ranma chose to leave. Akane stared at his empty place before searching for him again. I knew this because I was staring at her the whole time. As I was looking at her, she continued to stare at someone else.

I hated Ranma for doing this to Akane, but I hated myself more for hoping a chance with her when I knew I had none. This game made me realized that this was not a gamble – this game was already won. She just didn't want to say it but she already had made her choice from the very beginning. I really didn't have a chance at all. It was just my delusion that made me believed that I did.

The crowd screamed as Nabiki caught the coin. Everyone was excited except for Akane. She blanked out for a while, and when Nabiki called her out to tell the result, Akane excused herself and left.

Nabiki opened her palm and revealed that it was a head. I won but it didn't feel like it. The excitement ebbed away as quickly as it started.

"Congratulations!" someone shouted.

Did I really won? I didn't feel like it. In fact, I lost that day.

Luck was really on my side but love was not.