IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Sixteen

Ryu groaned as she was wrenched away from the darkness that had engulfed her. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes while battling the pain in her head and chest, she groggily took in her surroundings. Suddenly, awareness set in and she unleashed a torrent of colorful curses, remembering the events that had just transpired.

However, before continuing her colorful tirade, Ryu took a moment to observe her surroundings, realizing that she was not in the dojo but in a completely different place. The overwhelming presence of rubbing alcohol and latex assaulted her senses, causing her to wrinkle her nose in distaste.

Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, Ryu forced herself to sit up on the futon she was laying on. Despite her cautious movement, a wave of lightheadedness overcame her, but it fortunately subsided after a brief moment of stillness. Gathering her strength, she slowly cast aside the covers and stood up. With heavy steps, she made her way towards the single exit.

Ryu aggressively pushed open the sliding door and fixating her gaze on Hatori, who was seated at the desk. If one could describe her current state, she resembled an animal on the hunt, fiercely eyeing her target.

Hatori kept his composure, turning his chair slightly to face her. "You're awake—" he began, but before he could finish his words, Ryu seized his coat in a tight fist, her hands clenching around the immaculate white fabric of his doctor's attire with an air of anger.

Hatori's eyes widened as Ryu lashed out, her voice filled with anger. "You have some nerve, Hatori Sohma—some godforsaken nerve, thinking you can tamper with my memories!" He hung his head, a resigned expression crossing his face.

"So, it was useless...just as expected," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment and defeat.

Ryu's face fell, and she continued with a deadpan tone, "Don't tell me you were just testing the waters."

"It was merely out of—" Hatori sighed and directed his gaze towards Ryu's hands, still gripping his coat tightly. "First, could you please let go of me?" he requested.

Ryu clenched her fists tighter, responding with a hint of childish defiance, "I don't know. Every word you say just makes me angrier by the second."

Hatori attempted to speak, starting, "I understand it's a reasonable reaction—"

Ryu interrupted, her tone laced with a warning, "Choose your words wisely, Hatori... for your own sake."

Hatori straightened himself and tentatively placed his hands over Ryu's clenched fists. With a gentle touch, he patted them, and the soft contact caused her to loosen her grip on his coat. His voice was steady as he spoke.

"Listen, Ryu, when you tried to erase my memories all those years ago—"

Ryu's face paled, and her mouth tasted bitter as the words resonated in her ears. "Do you...remember—" Hatori lifted his head and met her gaze, nodding silently in response to her unfinished question.