IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Nine

Despite their busy schedules, Ryu made it a point to meet up with Kyo a few times a week, squeezing in any moment they could. However, with Ryu's responsibilities as an instructor at the dojo and with Kyo school obligations, they found their time together severely limited. With the specter of a potential summoning from Akito looming, Ryu was determined to make the most of her freedom while she still had it, cherishing every moment she spent with Kyo.

The weekend had arrived, and Ryu decided to take Himawari to a park to spend some quality time together. Although she wasn't quite ready to introduce her precious daughter to the rest of the group yet, Himawari understood. After all, explaining the truth and the risks involved had made even her hesitant.

...

Ryu's voice carried the weight of caution as she responded, "I don't want you to hate anyone, Himawari. But the head of the Sohma family isn't someone you can just have a casual conversation with. He is hot-tempered, and because of who your father is, you might be someone he'd rather keep locked away like the others."

Himawari's question hung in the air, laced with careful consideration. "Will I ever get to meet my papa?" she asked delicately, unsure of her right to ask such a question.

Ryu offered a warm smile and reached over to ruffle Himawari's hair. "Of course you'll meet him someday," she reassured her daughter. "But I'm not entirely sure he'll believe me if I tell him, or he'd be a fool if he didn't, considering your resemblance to him is undeniable."

Ryu gently touched Himawari's face as she continued, "You definitely inherited his facial features."

Himawari puffed her cheeks, determination in her voice. "If Papa doesn't believe you, then I don't need him as my father," she declared.

Ryu laughed softly as she poked Himawari's puffed cheeks. "When the time comes, we'll simply have to wait and see," she repeated, her heart filled with hopeful anticipation.

Himawari spoke softly and carefully, her words tinged with a hint of anxiety, "I...I want to wait to meet everyone, Mama. I don't want you or Sensei to be burdened."

Ryu's voice held a firm and protective quality as she reassured her daughter, "You are never a burden, Himawari. Never think that, but I promise I won't rush you to meet everyone either, because truthfully, I haven't fully gotten to know them yet. So, until I am completely sure they are trustworthy, we have no choice but to wait a bit longer."

Himawari nodded, a hint of excitement in her voice, "I'm okay with waiting for a while, but I really want to meet Uncle Kyo."

"You're in luck, then—" Ryu began, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

...

Ryu took a moment to observe her daughter playing happily with other children nearby. A sigh escaped her as she watched, her mind filled with past worries and concerns. When Himawari was born, she had harbored fears that the curse would still affect her daughter, like a lingering shadow. It was a relief to know that Himawari had dodged that fate and developed into a perfectly normal and healthy girl.