IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Forty Four

The tranquil morning was suddenly broken by a tired voice, which cut through the air, somewhat dampening the sound of the anime playing on the television. Four heads turned towards the newcomer, and they all saw Shigure emerge from his room, still rubbing sleep from his eyes as he let out a yawn.

"Morning..."

Tohru, ever the cheerful one, greeted Shigure with a warm smile. "Good morning," she said cheerfully.

Yuki, sipping his coffee, couldn't resist a dry comment. He regarded Shigure with a deadpan expression and suggested, "It's already evening, Shigure. Wouldn't it be wise to consider reorganizing your daily routine?"

Shigure dismissively brushed aside Yuki's comment with a casual wave. "I'm a writer, so it doesn't really matter when I sleep," he asserted matter-of-factly.

Kisa and Himawari, who had been engrossed in watching Mogeta, looked up at Shigure's approach. They nodded in acknowledgment, but Shigure had other plans. He skipped towards them, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Shigure chuckled mischievously as he observed the two girls. With a theatrical tone, he proclaimed, "Ehhh... Look at these adorable girls! They're just like Kisa and Hima~ Uncle will buy you some sweets."

Yuki, ever the rational one, frowned at Shigure's antics. He grumbled, "Either your lack of sleep has addled your mind, or you're just the irresponsible father we all know you to be."

Shigure shifted his attention to Kisa and enveloped her in a hug, his words addressed to Yuki. "Yuki is being his usual cold self, as always..."

Yuki, ever unimpressed, responded with a frown, his tone stern. "Let go of her, you'll pass your wretched germs onto her."

Shigure dramatically pulled away, a sly glint in his eyes as he turned his gaze toward Himawari.

The child sensing the shift in Shigure's gaze and heeding her mother's cautionary words, instinctively jumped in response.

"Not only should you exercise caution around Uncle Shigure, but it's wise to avoid him when he exhibits this look," Ryu mimicked Shigure's current expression, advising, "It typically indicates that he's planning something mischievous."

Himawari's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "What is it that Uncle Shigure usually does when he has this look in his eyes?"

Ryu continued, clarifying, "Normally, it's either him going in for a hug or preparing to make some pointless comment."

Shigure stood there, slightly taken aback by Himawari's perceptive ability to anticipate his actions. His arm, which had been in the motion of reaching out to grab her, froze mid-air. With a hint of disbelief, he remarked, "Now, I can certainly see you're your mother's child, Hima, but it's rather unnerving how quickly you picked up on that. Are you absolutely sure you aren't a—"