IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Forty Three

Despite the positive resolution with Himawari and Tohru's acceptance of Kyo's true form, a sense of uneasiness continued to linger in Ryu's heart. She knew deep down that these peaceful moments were just the beginning, and that the days ahead would bring their own set of challenges and hardships.

Kyo felt a flicker of levity upon hearing Himawari's account, but his surprise turned to uncertainty as the child began crying about his cat form and her inability to hug him. It caught him off guard when she even pleaded with Ryu to hug him on her behalf, leaving him unsure of how to respond.

Ryu and Kyo shared a sense of discomfort at the thought of embracing each other. As siblings, their upbringing was marked by a lack of overt affection. Instead, their interactions were often laced with bickering and squabbles, which had silently become their unconventional way of expressing endearment.

Himawari pouted in disappointment at Ryu's swift rejection, but then she noticed a conflicting expression in her mother's eyes. Though Ryu appeared disgusted, her eyes seemed to communicate something else altogether.

Several days had flown by without any major upsets, and things seemed promising. Kyo had resumed his training at the dojo, committing to three days a week. Ryu found it slightly unexpected that he had reduced his training days, but a part of her suspected it might have something to do with Kyo wanting to maintain a balance between training and spending time with Tohru.

Though it may have been prematurely, Ryu couldn't help but ponder the possibility. There was no harm in considering the notion that her little brother might be developing feelings for Tohru. The thought brought a subtle smile to her lips.

Dragon chuckled and posed a question, "Certainly, it's not harmful, but have you thought about the possibility of a certain doctor yourself?"

Ryu flinched at the question, feeling both caught off guard and embarrassed. She briefly glanced around, knowing deep down that no one else could hear Dragon's words.

Nonetheless, she couldn't shake the impression that Dragon was somehow shouting out the thoughts she had been desperately attempting to push out of her mind.

Ryu muttered a soft protest, "Don't go there," trying to suppress the thoughts that Dragon's words had brought to the surface. Dragon clicked her tongue, choosing not to press the matter any further.

Ryu breathed a sigh of relief as the conversation was quickly diverted, but now she was slightly annoyed at the persistence of the question. Fortunately, her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden outburst of shouting.

Ryu approached the source of the racket, her initial worry giving way to a smile as she witnessed the scene unfold. Kagura's petite frame effortlessly dragged Kyo into the dojo, much to his vehement protest. Although Kyo showed his disdain for the situation, he couldn't bring himself to harm Kagura, knowing that the Boar of the Zodiac was a force to be reckoned with. The swift cat stood no chance against the boar's overwhelming strength.

Kyo's athleticism was undeniable. Quick and agile, he could dodge and weave with exceptional skill. But when it came to raw strength, there was no contest. Even Ryu had to acknowledge the chasmic gap between them in this regard.

Before she knew it, another week had gone by, with a sense of normalcy returning to their lives, along with the added presence of Kyo and the mended rift between him and Kazuma. This new dynamic also had a positive impact on Ryu's daily routine. With Kyo assisting in her teaching, she found herself with more free time than before.

One day, while Kyo was performing his volunteer duties, Kazuma began a conversation with Ryu about her future. He asked whether she was satisfied with her role at the dojo and inquired about any plans she had in store.

The discussion continued, leading to Kazuma expressing his concern by quizzing her on her college days and revealing his worry for her goals and aspirations.

Ryu lowered her hand that had been propping up her cheek, taking a few seconds to gaze at her adoptive father. Her thoughts were a noisy whirlwind inside her head, clamoring to be expressed, but her ability to articulate them seemed hindered. The words remained trapped, unable to take shape.

"I've long since given up that idea," Ryu responded slowly, diverting her gaze. She felt a pang of disappointment in her own words and the effortless way they slipped out, a bitter realization of the dreams she had once harbored.

Kazuma looked at her with a knowing expression before reaching over and grasping her hand. "Why can't you look me in the eyes as you say that?" he questioned gently. "If you truly believed it, you wouldn't turn away," he added, his tone firm but filled with concern.

"It's not—" Ryu attempted to withdraw her hand, but Kazuma's grip held firm, preventing her from doing so. Frustrated, she realized her attempt would only expose her dishonesty. Deep down, she didn't believe those words. She didn't think it was achievable anymore, despite the hard work she had put in. A sense of despair welled up within her, knowing that her own foolishness had derailed all her efforts.

"This may be harsh..." Kazuma continued, his tone firm yet tinged with sadness. "But if you insist on denying it, it's akin to blaming Himawari for it." Ryu immediately looked up, prepared to protest, but as she met his gaze, she could sense the weight of truth in his words. She faltered, realizing that his bluntness was an attempt to make her face the reality of the situation.

As the gravity of his words sunk in, Ryu realized that once again, he was right. She was tempted to make an excuse, using Himawari as a scapegoat. But as the realization took hold, she let out a frustrated groan and roughly ran her fingers through her hair, tousling it in frustration.

"Sometimes, I just hate it when you know how to get under my skin," Ryu stated, her words filled with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. Despite the frown on her face, her tone lacked real malice, revealing that her frustration was laced with a grudging acceptance.

Kazuma, astute as ever, read between the lines and recognized that her reaction was not as harsh as he had expected. He responded with a small chuckle.

Kazuma followed Ryu's gaze to the large bookshelf filled with books. "I wouldn't have brought this up," he began, "but I've noticed the way you linger on those books you've shelved." His hand gestured towards the books that filled the massive bookcase, which included not only Himawari's collection but also a separate section dedicated to the books from Ryu's college-prep days.

Ryu grumbled, her eyes narrowing as she muttered under her breath. She ruefully thought to herself that she never should have placed those books on the shelf, yet deep down, she could never bring herself to discard the books that Hatori had gifted her.

Those books held a special significance as gifts from Hatori, given to her upon her high school graduation. She had proved many teachers wrong, and these books felt like badges of honor, evidence of her achievements despite the odds stacked against her.

Ryu closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before looking at her adoptive father. A rare expression of gratitude appeared on her face as she spoke quietly. "I'll think about it more..." Kazuma's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting her words of appreciation. Instead of showing his astonishment, he simply tightened his grip on the hand he was still holding, expressing his silent understanding and support.

The moment was tender, with a silent understanding flowing between them. Kazuma held onto her hand, his grip conveying his unwavering belief in her. Ryu, for her part, acknowledged his support with a small nod, her gaze flickering with a mix of vulnerability and determination.