IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Fifty Six

Over the course of a few days, Tohru and Kyo found themselves in a situation where they were deliberately separated from the rest of the group, with Shigure's message about Akito's presence in the area being the likely reason.

As Dragon came to the realization that her chances of encountering Akito were limited within the villa, she decided to join Tohru and Kyo. Despite her thorough exploration of their surroundings, she came up empty-handed, unable to locate any trace of the god.

Ordinarily, Kyo would express his usual annoyance with Dragon due to her control over his sister's body. However, on this occasion, he discovered that his irritation was less pronounced than usual.

Her presence created a diverting distraction, temporarily diverting his thoughts from his anxieties about Akito's presence in the vicinity.

The day passed without incident, with Tohru, Kyo, and Dragon taking a leisurely stroll on the beach. They strolled along the shoreline, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and engaging in casual conversation. The setting sun painted the sky in a palette of warm hues as the day drew to a close. With a few hours left until curfew, they made their way back to the villa, each silently contemplating the evening ahead.

As the evening progressed and twilight embraced the surroundings, Dragon decided to retire for the night.

The following day commenced its ritualistic routine, as the teens were once again summoned to meet with Akito, leaving Kyo, Tohru, and Dragon the task of keeping one another company yet again.

While Tohru busied herself in the kitchen, meticulously preparing lunch after their morning coastal escapade, both Kyo and Dragon made themselves comfortable at the table.

Dragon's voice broke the momentary silence, her irritation palpable as she muttered, "Seriously, that god is downright sadistic." She placed her palm on the table and fixed her gaze on Kyo with unwavering intensity.

Kyo let out a heavy sigh, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. "You won't get any argument from me," he replied, slumping back in his chair. "Akito's always been on the extreme side, and their antics never cease to amaze me in the worst ways possible."

Dragon shook her head in agreement, a sardonic grin playing on her lips. "You can say that again. His idea of 'fun' is downright twisted," she mused. "It's like he constantly finding new ways to push the limits of sanity."

Kyo ran a hand through his hair, his irritation evident in the gesture. "You're telling me," he muttered. "It's like he has a damn checklist of sadistic tactics. If there's a more messed up way to do something, Akito finds it."

Dragon chuckled dryly, a hint of disdain coloring her voice. "And he always seems to get off on it, like it feeds some sadistic streak within him," she observed, a mix of disgust and annoyance on her face. "It's unsettling how he revels in watching others squirm."

As their exchange ended on a shared note of annoyance towards Akito, Kyo let out a weary sigh, and the topic fizzled out. A brief period of silence lingered until Tohru's voice cut through, announcing that lunch was ready.

The moment Tohru's voice echoed through the space, signaling the completion of lunch, Kyo and Dragon instinctively rose from their seats, their irritation with Akito momentarily pushed aside.

They made their way to the dining area, the scent of food wafting through the air, momentarily distracting them from the annoyance that had consumed their conversation just a few moments ago.

As they settled down at the table, ready to enjoy the meal prepared by Tohru, the tension of their conversation about Akito slowly dissipated, momentarily replaced by the mundane task of feeding themselves.

Without any spoken agreement, they silently focused their attention on the food, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The act of eating became a distraction from recent events, offering a moment of respite from the ongoing tension and annoyance.

For the duration of the meal, the room remained silent, the only sounds coming from the clinking of utensils against plates. The atmosphere was punctuated only by the occasional scraping of chairs as one of them shifted position or the subtle sounds of swallowing food.

When they had all finished, Dragon leaned back in her chair, breaking the prolonged silence. "Tohru," she began, her voice tinged with genuine appreciation, "you outdid yourself again. The meal was truly remarkable."

Tohru beamed at the compliment, her smile radiant as ever. "Oh, it's nothing, really," she replied, a modest blush coloring her cheeks. "I just want to make sure you all are well-fed and happy."

Feeling a witty comment about not needing food on the tip of her tongue, Dragon momentarily thought of throwing it out there. As a spirit, food meant little to her, mere a way to pass the time. But realizing the potential for an awkward atmosphere, she decided to hold back, choosing to divert her thoughts elsewhere.

Shigure entered the kitchen with a sly smirk on his lips, pausing momentarily to assess the situation. "Ah, just the sight of full stomachs that makes me happy," he mused, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled in the room.

As Shigure sauntered into the kitchen, his smirk revealing his satisfaction at seeing everyone's satisfied countenances, he took a momentary pause to take in the scene. With a lighthearted tone, he remarked, "Ah, there's nothing more heartening than the sight of well-fed faces. It warms my soul."

Dragon abruptly rose from her seat, shooting a disapproving glare at Shigure before turning to address the teens. A forced smile appeared on her face as she declared, "As delightful as your company has been, I'd rather take a nosedive into a ditch than remain in the presence of this canine. My sincerest thanks to you, dear Tohru, for the meal, but I must bid farewell and distance myself from the mutt."

Shigure's demeanor remained unbothered as Dragon stood up, her frown visible on her face, and cast a glare in his direction. He casually leaned against the wall, amused by her reaction.

"Ah, my dear Dragon, your charm never ceases to captivate me," he said, his smirk widening. "I do enjoy your colorful expressions of affection."

Tohru, ever the mediator, smiled warmly at Dragon, while Kyo simply rolled his eyes at Shigure's antics.

Dragon let out a scoff, her irritation toward Shigure evident in her expression. "You know damn well that my affections extend nowhere near you," she retorted, her voice tinged with disdain.

Kyo, silently watching the exchange, couldn't help but mirror Dragon's sentiment, rolling his eyes at Shigure's continued attempts to rile her up.

Shigure chuckled, seemingly enjoying the friction between him and Dragon. "Oh, how you wound me so deeply," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Your hatred is just as sweet as your company."

Dragon crossed her arms, her scowl deepening as she shot him a glare. "You're insufferable," she muttered under her breath.

Shigure smirked, relishing in the exchange. "Insufferable, yet undeniably charming," he retorted, his smirk widening at her reaction. "You can't deny my irresistible charisma even when you try."

With a click of her tongue and a nod to the teens, Dragon shot a final scowl at Shigure before leaving the room in a huff.

Shigure chuckled as he watched Dragon storm out of the room, her scowling face etched in his memory. He directed his attention to the teens still seated at the table, his smirk ever present.

"Well, it seems our dear Dragon has a way with words," he quipped, his voice laced with amusement.

Kyo rolled his eyes once more, his annoyance evident in his expression. "You have a talent for pushing her buttons, that's for sure," he said, his voice tinged with resignation.