✓ | WITHERED BONDS, shigure sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Forty

Kira opened the door to the living room after returning home after she finished her duties. She stood in place as her head turned down to seeing Kazuma.

"Oh, Kazuma, you have arrived," Kira announced making the older male turn to her and smile gently.

"Good afternoon, Kira,"

"I would ask how are you, but we did just speak a few hours ago on the phone," Kira said indifferently

"Ah, yes," He said mildly, trying not to be intimidated. The thing was that regardless of being the older one, he had always been daunted by her and Akito, considering their positions as the head of the family.

He tried his best not to show it since he was told by Kira, that Tohru was unaware of the position she held.

Kira had somehow put two-and-two together at his sudden stiffness and she looked up to Tohru who seemed confused with the situation.

Shigure followed Kira's line of sight and he used the chance to change the atmosphere," Oh Tohru, this is Kazuma Sohma, He is not only Kyo's teacher, but he also teaches Yuki, Kagura and Hatsuharu martial arts"

Tohru bowed as she hugged the tea tray in her arms," Y-Yes! Of course! Hi, my name is Tohru Honda"

Kazuma followed in tow of bowing," Nice to meet you, Tohru" He then fell silent before looking up at her," So I heard...you know about the curse"

She tilted her head for a bit and nodded," Why...Yes"

"Is that so?" Kazuma said distantly and an uncomfortable silence took over

"Kyo, don't just sit there in the corner, say something. It's been a while since you've last seen him, right?" Kira turned to him and he looked at her startled," Aren't you glad to at least see him?"

Kyo jerked in place," Of course not...!" His eyes widened as he shared a glance to Yuki who was not facing his direction and stood up abruptly and walked past everyone leaving the living room.

"Ah, Kyo" Shigure called but the male did not respond

Kazuma stood up slowly," Where is Kyo's room?"

Tohru turned to him, "Um...Ah! It's on the second floor on the right...I can lead you the way"

The older male shook his head and smiled," That's all right, I can find it by myself,"

Shigure chuckled leaning on his palm," That's so like him"

"It really is!" Kagura said while giggling

Shigure turned to Kira who had slipped away, making him know she knew something.

He eventually did get his answer later that night when Kazuma approached him.

"Tonight, I will be taking 'that' off and it may cause some commotion, so I would like to apologize in advance"

Shigure looked down the balcony and sighed, "Not at all, but why did you decide to do that?"

"When...When I saw his face today...I think that she may be able to open his heart and accept him. This is the best time to do it and this is the best way to prove my idea"

"But, where is no guarantee that this would work, right? Even if she accepts him, there is a possibility that Kyo will reject her...that would devastate him, he maybe will even never smile again. Are you truly willing to risk all of that?"

Kazuma let out a chuckle as he turned to Shigure," You know, Kira said the same exact thing"

Shigure finally turned to face him," What?"

"Are you willing to risk all of that?" Kazuma repeated the question," He then proceeded to say this-"

"Tohru would be shocked no doubt and she would react as one would, but regardless of that-She will go after him, she will chase after him and even if she is scared, she will face it head-on. She will try to understand...actually no she will keep trying until she does-Tohru Honda, is one girl that will never give up even if it ends up killing her,"

Shigure was speechless at the words that Kazuma had told him. In fact, he was envious that she said that to Kazuma because whenever he tried to evoke her about Tohru, Kira would brush him off.

He fell silent at the information and while he did sometimes see Kira go soft when Tohru was around-he had to admit he always thought it was just an act, but for her to even speak up for Tohru had him not so sure if he knew Kira as much as he thought he did.