Cursed or Not (I don't care) [Fruits Basket fanfic]

08. Stay close to me

Important note: I'm not a native english speaker (nor a professional writer), and though I feel kind of comfortable with it, my level is far from being bilingual. Even so, I wanted to write this story in english so it can be reached by more people (specially Furuba fans). Please let me know any typo or mistake that I can have done in the comments of each chapter so I can polish it as much as possible. Thanks in advance and please enjoy it!

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When the sun hit the window Nao started to awake and rubbed her eyes with her fists. She slowly straightened up on the bed and stretched her body. When she remembered where she was and realized that Shigure wasn't there anymore, she felt like all the previous day was just a dream she had because of the fever. Nao freaked out a bit, but then saw the note he left in the nightstand. "I have a couple of things to do this morning but it won't take long. If you are feeling better when you wake up please get ready, I'll pass to pick you up a bit later to walk home together". She felt relieved that it wasn't a dream after all.

Although Nao wasn't feeling 100% recovered, she didn't want to stay any longer at that place. She took a shower, got dressed and picked up her things. The idea of going back to Shigure's place actually made her very happy. But she instantly reconsidered. "No. I should not get carried away. Shigure and Akito are in a relationship after all. I need to finish with these silly ideas. I definitely need to find a job and my own place as soon as possible..."

To get her mind busy while waiting for Shigure she decided to go downstairs to arrange the payment with the landlady and return the key of the room. Besides, it would be better to wait outside as the weather was really nice that day.

She knocked on the door of the old woman, and no long after she opened.

- Ahh, it's you. Good morning - said the grandma, kindly

- Good morning m'am - Nao bowed politely - I'm leaving today, so here is the key and could you please tell me how much do I owe you?

- Oh dear, your boyfriend have already paid the room earlier. You don't need to pay anything else. - she took the key and smiled - I hope you enjoyed your stay.

Nao's face turned so red that she had to abruptly said goodbye to the landlady so she could leave immediately to avoid the embarrassment. She had forgotten the part of the conversation they had yesterday regarding the purpose of those kind of places.

She decided to take a walk through the nearby streets, although that neighbourhood did not seem to be the safest of the city at night, during the day had a peculiar charm. With all the small business opening, lifelong neighbours stopping to greet each other and the little bustle of a weekday, it seemed a very vivid place. She didn't want to walk very far tho, to not lose sight of the apartment building where Shigure was going to return for her. She waited in a bench, thinking about all what have happened in just a couple of days. Looking at it with perspective, it was somewhat crazy. Well, as much as a magic curse affecting a family by transforming them into animals could be. Also, in just over a week she will have to start attending a new University. She had truly made many life changes in a very short time to fulfil what she felt was her mission. When thinking about all this stuff a shiny black car suddenly stopped in front of her. A tall young man dressed with a black suit got out of the driver's seat and was approaching her. Nao took a moment to realize that the young man was, in fact, Shigure. She had never seen him dressed with anything other than traditional clothes. He looked mature and... very attractive. "No!" She shook her head to erase that kind of thoughts from her mind and walked towards him.

- What's with that clothes? You look... different - asked Nao, curious.

- It's a disguise. - replied, a bit annoyed for having to dress like that.