IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Thirty One

Hatori, Shigure, and Ayame sat on the deck of the cottage, engaged in a conversation that felt like it had lasted an entire morning. However, in reality, only a couple of hours had passed. Ayame had not bombarded them with an excessive number of questions, much to everyone's relief, especially Ryu. It seemed that Ayame had digested the confessions and refrained from asking unnecessary questions. This was undoubtedly a relief to Ryu, who found some respite from the potential intensity of the situation.

...

After about an hour had elapsed in the conversation, Hatori discreetly signaled his intention to excuse himself, silently responding to Ryu's pleading look. Understanding her unspoken request, he ascended the stairs to fetch Himawari from her room without protesting or asking unnecessary questions.

The majority of the discussion had come to a conclusion, but there was one final element remaining: Ayame's first meeting with Himawari. Ryu fidgeted anxiously in her seat, her focus heightened upon hearing the sound of approaching footsteps from the staircase.

Hatori led the way, with Himawari close behind, clutching his hand as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. However, the sight of the unfamiliar person in the room instantly woke her up. Her gaze flickered as she took in the new presence before her. Eventually, Shigure caught sight of her and waved, but Ayame, having his back turned, was unaware of the scene unfolding behind him. It wasn't until he turned his head and glimpsed the child next to Hatori that he reacted with surprise.

Ayame mused aloud, "I suppose there's no denying the truth now."

Despite his cautious choice of words, Ayame couldn't help but feel the weight of the dagger-like glare Ryu was directing at him. He introduced himself with a slight cough, his gaze briefly going to Hatori before returning to the child by his side.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, little one. I'm Ayame..."

Ryu rose from her seat and approached Himawari, her heart pounding with a mixture of emotions. As she spoke, she held the child's hands reassuringly.

"Ayame, I'd like you to meet Himawari. She is your daughter."

Himawari reacted to the revelation by grabbing Ryu's hands and hiding behind her, which prompted Ayame to wear a smile that seemed to falter slightly. Ryu, noticing Himawari's unexpected reaction, furrowed her brows in response, worried about the child's comfort in this situation.

Himawari, her face pressed against her mother's thigh, whispered softly, "I want to go outside to play. Can we go outside?"

Hatori and Ryu exchanged a concerned glance upon hearing Himawari's unexpected request. They silently questioned each other, wondering what prompted this sudden desire.

Hatori knelt down and gently touched Himawari's shoulder, his voice soft as he inquired, "What's the matter, Himawari?"

However, the child remained quiet, refusing to respond. Instead, she burrowed her face deeper into her mother's leg, displaying her unwillingness to engage.