IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Seventeen

Hatori stood in stunned silence, struggling to process the revelation he had just learned. It was a brand new day since he had left Ryu's secret hidden for six and a half years. At first, he had held his composure when she confessed, but once Ryu departed, he was consumed by a surge of panic. Perhaps it was something he wished he had not discovered on his own, but he could not help the way his emotions flared.

Hatori's thoughts raced as he realized the implications of this revelation. He had no right—despite the involvement of his closest friends—to share it. Only Ryu had the right to disclose the truth, and despite its far-from-ideal nature, Hatori understood it from a perspective that no one else could truly comprehend.

Hatori couldn't help but reflect on the revelation that Ryu had erased their memories, knowing now that she herself was unaware of her pregnancy at the time. However, the situation was further complicated by the fact that historically, no one had ever regained their memories after they had been erased—except Hatori himself.

Hatori's unique immunity to memory erasure began to make sense to him now. Perhaps it was a natural defense developed to prevent users from erasing their own memories. The use of such powers already carried a heavy burden of guilt, and Hatori understood now that living with the consequences was an inevitable price to pay.

Hatori exhaled loudly, struggling to reign in his racing thoughts. However, before he could fully immerse himself in work, the door to his office slid open, revealing Shigure. The mischievous grin plastered on his friend's face betrayed the hint of trouble looming in the air.

Shigure entered with a cheerful song, holding a small paper gift bag, "This is your Valentine's chocolate, Hatori~!," he declared. Before he could continue with his usual antics, Hatori promptly slammed the door.

Just as Hatori turned away in annoyance, he heard a timid voice outside, "Oh, sorry, I was just kidding...Tohru gave you this."

"Idiot" Hatori muttered under his breath, already feeling a headache approaching.

Both men moved to the inner estate, where they were met by one of the maids and served tea before taking their seats at the table.

"She's a very kind person," Hatori mentioned, eyeing the gift bag carefully before placing it on the table before him.

"Yeah, she included yours, Momiji's and Hatsuharu's share in there," Shigure mentioned, humming with a smile on his face. "Oh right, today all four of them—Tohru, Yuki, Kyo, and Kagura—went on a date!"

Hatori had a sinking feeling that things would not go well, and he silently mused, "This can only end in a disaster." He took a seat with a contemplative expression, admitting, "This is a rather unforeseen development."

"Indeed, it is," Shigure acknowledged, his eyes closing in agreement. He then continued, "Regardless, I've heard something just earlier today."

Hatori looked up as Shigure's tone turned serious, "Akito told me you had a visitor yesterday."