IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Twenty Two

Ryu furrowed her brows as a headache began to form, her mind spinning with the influx of newfound knowledge. A pang of regret washed over her for ever making the decision to seek answers from Dragon, as they now consumed her thoughts.

...

As Dragon revealed the answer, Ryu's expression fell, and disbelief washed over her face. She could hardly fathom the idea of "soulmates," considering it a farce.

"Soulmates..." Ryu echoed softly, her voice carrying a hint of skepticism and disbelief. "You can't be serious..."

Dragon chuckled at the look on her face, finding her expression amusing. "Ah, I see you aren't convinced," they stated, unable to suppress a smirk.

Dragon continued, their smirk still present as they provided further explanation. "It's not like you're forced to be together," they explained, "but it's an innate instinct within your hearts. Your souls are the only ones that truly understand each other's pain, which is why you will instinctively seek each other out."

"Unrealistic and pathetic," Ryu retorted, her hand waving dismissively. "I don't buy it. Those words coming from your mouth sound like a pathetic excuse."

Dragon chuckled, the smirk still in place as he replied, "Your words may deny it, but your heart speaks the truth."

Ryu's gaze was resolute as she faced Dragon, her expression firm. "I won't ever give in to those instincts," she declared, her words fueled by determination.

"Oh?" Dragon raised an eyebrow, their smirk widening as they responded, "Are you so confident about that? Love tends to be quite stubborn."

Ryu gritted her teeth at Dragon's response, her determination unwavering. "I'm certain," she replied firmly. "Love may be stubborn, but so am I. I won't let some silly instinct dictate my actions."

"Oh my," Dragon chuckled, finding Ryu's stubbornness rather amusing. "You're quite the feisty one, aren't you? You think love is a mere instinct that you can so easily resist?"

...

Ryu groaned in frustration, her pen clattering onto her desk as she shook her head in an attempt to forget her conversation with Dragon. She had been trying to focus on reviewing some forms for the dojo, but her concentration was shattered.

In a moment of frustration, she flung herself onto the ground and began rolling around, searching for a way to release her pent-up emotions.

Shigure's voice broke the silence, his tone carrying a hint of amusement, "Did I come at a bad time?"

Ryu's body went still as she heard him, her palms growing clammy. From her inverted viewpoint, she rose to her feet and hastily assumed her previous sitting position.