A Package from Mother



A Package from Mother, also known as A Gift from Mom, is 386th chapter of the Ranma ½ manga it is also the first chapter of the Pill Box Arc.

Nodoka realizes that her bringing Ranma home has caused some problems for her son's relationship with Akane, and wants to try to patch things up. With summer vacation over and school starting once again, Nodoka asks Ranma to take a small gift to Akane in hopes she will have some use for it. Ranma agrees, until he realizes what is inside the tiny box... a ring!

Nodoka's Compensation
Ranma tells Nodoka that he's leaving for school. Nodoka, however, tells Ranma to wait a minute. She then asks Ranma to try and fix things between him and Akane as she's getting a bit worried. Nodoka also adds that she feels like she's responsible for the two of them being separated like this.

After grumbling slightly, Ranma tells Nodoka that it'll be alright as it's better to be here like a dutiful son should be, as opposed to mooching off the Tendos. However, as Ranma looks to see what Nodoka's response is, he realises she's gone to get something, meaning she didn't hear a thing he just said. Nodoka then returns with a small box and tells Ranma to give it to Akane as it's something she used for a while, and hopes Akane will like it as well.

Hurrying for school, Ranma wonders just what the box is. Meanwhile, Nabiki is walking with Akane and saying about how rude Ranma is for not even writing a single letter since returning to his mother's house. Akane just notes that it's been quieter since Ranma left and she doesn't mind that much, while thinking to herself that she'll see Ranma everyday at school so guesses she doesn't mind him not being as much.

Behind them, Ranma uses a lamppost so he can spot Akane and begins to wonder if she's still mad with him. He soon decides there's only one way to find out, so walks up behind Nabiki and Akane and quietly asks Akane how she's doing. Unfortunately, Nabiki loudly says that Ranma doesn't even seem to care if something happens to her (Akane) at all. Ranma doesn't notice this and continues by offering the box to Akane (his eyes are also closed so doesn't notice when Akane and Nabiki continue to walk away).

Ranma finally notices the pair aren't paying any attention to him. As Akane and Nabiki continue to talk to each other (with Nabiki repeatably stating that the relationship Akane and Ranma had being over), Ranma loudly shouts Akane's name so she actually hears him. Despite this, Kuno quickly appears and rushes over to Akane. When Kuno begins acting like his usual annoying self, Akane kicks him skyward.

However, after she kicks Kuno, Akane says to herself that the voice which called her name sounded like Ranma's. Ranma himself has ended up atop a roof thanks to Kuno and he quickly grabs the box before it falls off the roof. But when Ranma grabs the box it's opened, revealing the ring inside.

Ranma Tries Again
Having learned about the contents of the box, Ranma takes it to Nabiki for her opinion. Nabiki looks over the ring and identifies the ring as being gold plated. She then tries to take for herself, before Ranma interjects. Ranma then explains that he's giving to Akane on behalf of his mother. This information causes Nabiki to quickly decide that it must be an engagement ring. Ranma begins to sweat slightly at this news, but starts downplaying the situation by telling Nabiki that she's putting too much into this.

Nabiki then proceeds to just give the ring to Akane herself on Ranma's behalf, causing Ranma to panic more and tell Nabiki to wait a minute.

Cast in Order of Appearance

 * Ranma Saotome (male)
 * Nodoka Saotome
 * Akane Tendo
 * Nabiki Tendo
 * Tatewaki Kuno
 * Yuka and Sayuri
 * Happosai
 * Hikaru Gosunkugi
 * Ranma Saotome (female)