Akane lets herself get pulled down as well, coming to a thump on the sandy grass right next to Connie, laughing as well.

"Thanks," she repeats. "I-- really needed that, I think. It really does help to know that... I might not be as good as Ranma, but I had a better life than he did. Even with what happened to my mom and everything else. I mean, having to fight my way into school every day was awful, but it's not being wrapped in fish sausage and being tossed into a pit of hungry cats."