IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Forty Two

The night wore on with no sign of Tohru and Kyo returning, causing Ryu to grow increasingly anxious. It was only her and Kazuma who remained awake in the house, both of them waiting anxiously for the two teenagers' return.

In the meantime, Ryu took the opportunity to tell Kazuma about her conversation with Himawari, sharing the contents of their heartfelt conversation.

"I never truly considered it from that perspective," Ryu admitted, her hand running through her hair as she leaned her cheek onto her propped-up knee. "When you first shared the story of your grandfather and Kyo's destiny, I initially saw it as a pitiful predicament. I didn't actively think about it because, deep down, I subconsciously avoided confronting the harsh reality."

She paused for a moment before resting her head on Kazuma's shoulder and he reached over holding one if her hands, finding comfort in his presence.

"I always told myself that the Sohma's issues were none of my concern," Ryu confessed, "though with everything unfolding, it's becoming harder to ignore. Even if I'm not bound by some god, I can't escape the truth. Looking back, I see that I've nearly broken myself in attempting to escape."

She let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle, adding, "I guess I've made it about myself again, huh?"

Kazuma's grip on her hand tightened slightly as he uttered the words, a hint of regret coloring his tone. "This is the first time I've heard you honestly voice your thoughts, you know?" he reiterated with a squeeze of her hand, before continuing in a sigh, "Forgive me for not being there for you as much as I have been for Kyo."

She could sense the weight of his guilt behind his words, a reflection of his regret for not being able to provide her with the same level of support and attention that he had given Kyo.

Ryu chuckled softly in response to his confession, not out of mockery but rather at her own reflection on the past.

"I admit that I felt a bit envious when we were younger," she shared, her voice tinged with a touch of humor, "but now, I understand. I realize why you need to spoil him, because Kyo lacks a firm foundation to keep moving forward."

"When I had Himawari, I found my reason," Ryu continued, a determination evident in her voice. "Facing the issues I tried to escape from is something I now know I can handle, all to protect her. It's difficult and I hit obstacles, but..."

Her words trailed off, her mind conjuring up faces – Hatori, Ayame, and even Shigure – each one carrying their own weight and significance in her present circumstances.

Despite the faint smile that tugged at her lips, Ryu concealed it within the cover of an embarrassed chuckle. However, she couldn't deny the focus her mind had settled on one of the three, the other two somehow becoming a secondary thought.

"I...uh..."  she began, lifting her head off his shoulder as she coughed slightly. "I know I can depend on others when things become too difficult. I wish I'd realized it earlier, but better late than never, right?"

She glanced at Kazuma, who looked slightly surprised. He chuckled softly and placed a hand on her head, saying nothing in response. A pang of guilt washed over him, knowing that while his guilt for Ryu was less burdensome than it was for Kyo, he wasn't certain if he was fulfilling the promise he had made when he adopted her.

Kazuma was still living with the truth he hadn't shared with Ryu, and the sight of her smiling face and playing the role of a grandfather to Himawari was quietly consuming him from within.

The weight of the unspoken truth loomed over him, creating a bittersweet feeling as he observed her.

...

The woman's words echoed firmly,"Kazuma, if something were to happen to me, please promise me that you'll protect Ryu."

Kazuma's response came as a faltering question, "Why does it feel as though you're already saying your farewells?"

The woman looked at him with soft eyes, her long hair flowing down her back as she held the infant gently in her arms. A gentle smile graced her lips as she spoke, her words carrying a hint of resignation.

"Life is uncertain, Kazuma," she said, "and it's better to be prepared, just in case."

He took a deep breath and nodded, his eyes locked on the infant in her arms. "I promise," he said, his voice firm and unwavering. "I'll protect Ryu, no matter what."

The woman's smile widened at his promise, a faint sense of relief passing through her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly, "I know I can trust you to keep her safe."

...

The weight of his guilt only grew heavier as Kazuma couldn't shake the feeling that he should have seen the pain in her eyes, that he could have done something to prevent what had happened. The realization left him feeling powerless and filled with a profound sense of regret.

Kazuma was indeed keeping a part of his promise, but the relentless guilt gnawed at him from within. Unbeknownst to him, his self-blame was only blinding him to the extent of his ability to uphold his commitment. The decision to reveal the secret to Ryu remained uncertain, caught in limbo.

The night continued in silence, the only sound being the pitter-patter of rain outside. The two of them sat in quiet contemplation, their gazes occasionally drifting in the direction where Tohru and Kyo had gone. Neither dared to voice their worries or hopes, as if acknowledging them aloud would drown their thoughts in the relentless downpour.

The first light of dawn began to appear, the rain gradually ceasing its patter. It seemed almost poetically fitting as the two adults heard the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps coming from the direction in which the teenagers had disappeared.

With the approach of the footsteps, Ryu's hands instinctively went up to her lips, tears clouding her vision. Kazuma, on the other hand, clung tighter to the Kyo's rosary beads, and as he stepped out under the slowly clearing sky, the water trickling down his face might have been more than just raindrops. Though it was difficult to tell, the likelihood of him crying in relief was undeniably high.

Coming into view was Tohru, her arms cradling the sleeping cat form of Kyo, a small but reassuring smile on her face. No words were spoken, but the sight alone said it all. She silently reassured the adults that everything was going to be alright.

Kazuma approached her halfway and gently took Kyo into his arms, and Tohru stood there, still wearing a smile. Despite her fears, she was determined to face Kyo head-on, come what may. With her eyes fixed on the future, she let out a small breath and felt a warm towel draped over her head. Looking up, she saw that it was Ryu, offering comfort with a tender gesture.

After Kazuma bowed his head in gratitude and disappeared into the house, Ryu let out a sob and wrapped her arms around Tohru, pulling her into an embrace from behind. Even with Ryu behind her, Tohru could only hug her around her arms, the two expressing their emotions and relief through the gesture.

"Thank you, Tohru...Thank you," Ryu repeated the words fervently, holding her tightly in her embrace. Each repetition carried a mixture of gratitude and relief, expressing the depth of her thankfulness for Tohru's actions.

As she continued to hug Tohru, Ryu's voice trembled with emotion, the words a heartfelt acknowledgement of the girl's brave and loving decision.