"I'm leaving now", Yuki called to Tohru. It was the first day of classes, and he was eager to get an early start. Tohru put down the dish she was drying, and met him in the entryway. "Good luck!", she chirped, and reached up to give her husband a goodbye kiss. "Thanks, I'll see you at lunch" Yuki smiled and pressed his lips to hers. Then he threw his bag over his shoulder, and went out the door of the apartment, and down the stairs. Tohru watched him from the balcony as he walked towards the university. "Now what can I make special for lunch to celebrate?" she said to herself with a smile as she turned to go back inside.
Yuki made his way to the campus, map in hand. In his mind he pictureded the buildings and grounds he and Tohru had explored once they had settled into their apartment. He was nervous going to his first classes, but in an exhilarating way he had rarely experienced before. Six weeks of marriage with Tohru had already bred a new confidence in Yuki. He was beginning to believe his aspirations could be realized, and that his life was not a sorry joke after all. He entered the large auditorium for his first class- history, and found a seat near the front. Mostly, his schedule was filled with general requirements, but he did have an introductory course in Architecture the next hour, and he was looking forward to it.
Once his things were unpacked, Yuki sat back and glanced around the room. It was filling up with students, most of which were around his age. He didn't recognize anyone, and that suited him just fine. In a large class like that he could stay anonymous, and be lost in the crowd, but then he happened to notice a group of girls staring at him from across the aisle. They giggled and whispered when he made eye contact. Yuki turned away quickly with a sigh. "I don't know why, but I thought I would leave all that behind in high school", he thought to himself. He glanced down at the gold band on his left hand. The newly-weds had purchased it on their honeymoon as a sort of memento. It glinted in the fluorescent lights as Yuki twisted it on his finger, and he smiled to himself as he examined it thoughtfully. He felt confident the ring would help in warding off the would-be girl friends he hadn't anticipated encountering in college. Finally, it was time for class to begin. As the professor entered the stage area, Yuki pulled out his pen and readied to take notes. All thoughts of the giggling females had disappeared from his mind. He was completely focused, determined to make a success of this chance he had be given.
At the end of the hour, Yuki made his way to another building across the campus for his architecture class. He found the classroom, which was considerably smaller in comparison to the auditorium he had just left. Again he took a seat near the front and began to unpack. "Excuse me", he heard a voice above him. Yuki looked up to see two attractive young ladies standing over his desk. "I think we have history class together", the taller girl said, smiling coyly, "and it looks like we share this one as well". "My name is Ota, Chiaco, and this is my friend Yamamoto, Lyn", she gestured to the petite girl next to her. Yuki stifled an exasperated sigh and reciprocated the greeting. "My name is Sohma, Yuki. It's very nice to meet you Miss Ota, Miss Yamamoto", he tilted his head to them in a semi- bow. "Are you majoring in architecture as well?" Yuki asked politely. "Actually, Interior Design", Miss Ota continued. "This class is a required course, though", Miss Yamamoto added smiling. "Would you mind if we sit by you?" Chiaco asked with eagerness. Her voice sounded hopeful. "By all means", Yuki said against his better judgment, and gestured to the desks on one side of his chosen spot. He couldn't bring himself to be rude and chase them away. The girls happily settled into the desks on each side of him instead, and Yuki found himself suddenly surrounded. "Where are you from?", Miss Ota questioned, still smiling. "Tokyo", Yuki answered trying to interact as little as possible. "Really? Me too!", Miss Ota gushed. "Which high school did you go to?" "Kaibara High", he answered cryptically. She smiled, "I know where that is. We went to Torami! We were rivals then". She beamed at Yuki thinking she had found some common ground with him- a good start perhaps. Yuki just blinked uncomfortably at her. "Small world", he said. About that time the teacher strode into the room and started the class, for which Yuki was extremely grateful. The instructor introduced himself and called roll. When he got to Yuki's name he paused. "So you are our scholarship recipient", he slipped his glasses part way down his nose and peered over the edge of the frames at Yuki. "Impressive application", he continued. "I believe we can expect great things from you". "Thank you sir", Yuki answered politely. He felt uncomfortable having been singled out in that manner, even if it was deserved. His new found friends however, both beamed as if they somehow shared in the glow of Yuki's achievements, even though they had just met him.
Class consisted of going over the syllabus and the constraints and requirements of the course. Soon the hour was over. Yuki politely excused himself from the girls, and exited for his next class as quickly as he could. "See you Wednesday!" Miss Ota called after him. "I wonder if he'll be in any of our other classes", she said with excitement to her friend Sae. "He really is a hottie, isn't he?" Sae offered in support of her friend. "Yeah, and the first goal on my list of things to accomplish in college is to get a boyfriend", Chiaco said with a smirk. "You know, I wonder if he is one of the Sohmas", she continued. "You mean the wealthy Sohmas that are in the news sometimes?" Sae asked with wide eyes. "That's exactly the ones I mean. You know, my aunt works as a maid at the Sohma estate. I'll bet I can get some information out of her about him". Her eyes glinted mischievously. "Did you notice his ring though?" Sae pointed out warily. "It looks like he might be promised or something." "Well, I'm not going to let a little thing like that stand in my way", Chiaco said as her eyes narrowed, and she smiled an underhanded smile. "You are so bad", Sae said as they exited, and the two friends laughed wickedly as they went.
"I'm Home" Yuki called as he slipped off his shoes. "Wow, something smells great", he added. "Welcome home!" Tohru chirped from the kitchen. "Can I help?" Yuki offered as he stole his arms around her from behind, and kissed her neck. Tohru stood at the stove smiling. "How was your morning?", she queried, but he didn't answer her. Instead he continued to caress and kiss her, becoming more passionate by the second. "That's not helping", Tohru said teasingly, and she twisted around in his arms to face him. Their eyes met and reflected the devotion between them. "I missed you", Yuki murmured, and he kissed her lips firmly, and ran his hand up the side of her thigh and under her skirt. Tohru was starting to succumb, but she made one last attempt to dissuade him since his lunch hour was so short. "Don't you think you had better eat something?" she said breathlessly. "Absolutely", he said with a half smile, and led her away from the kitchen and down the hall to the bedroom.
"I'm so glad you came to visit me, Chiaco", her aunt smiled as she poured her a cup of tea. It was finally the weekend; the perfect time for her to work her plan and pay a visit to her aunt. "It's been awhile hasn't it Auntie", Chiaco smiled too, and sipped the warm brew. "You still work at the Sohma estate don't you?" she asked hopefully. "Why yes, I do", her aunt answered with dignity. "I have been with the Sohmas for twenty-seven years. They're very secretive people, and I feel honored to be entrusted with their care", she smiled with satisfaction and pride. "Then do you know a Yuki Sohma Auntie?" Chiaco leaned forward eagerly as she posed her question. A knowing smile passed over the aunt's face. "Ah, so you've met Master Yuki, have you? I knew you were both attending the same university, but the campus is so large I didn't think you would run into each other". "We have two classes together", Chiaco chirped enthusiastically. Her aunt smiled at her, and paused. "He's very handsome, isn't he", she said thoughtfully after a moment. Chiaco smiled, a little embarrassed at her aunt's perceptiveness. "The thing I want to know is, is he betrothed or anything?" Chiaco pressed, "Because he wears a gold ring on his left hand", she added. "No", Auntie frowned, a little perplexed, and looked down at her lap. "No, I'm sure he's not", she said quietly, "Akito-sama would not be likely to allow that, but even so…" her voice trailed off. She looked at her niece. "I have heard that master Yuki was very much in love during his last year of high school, but the girl's grandfather betrothed her to another, and she married last spring right after graduation". Her aunt widened her eyes for emphasis. "From what I'm told, master Yuki was so distressed; he left the country for several weeks, and has had little contact with anyone in the family since then. He must be broken-hearted over that event", she added wistfully. "Perhaps then, he needs someone to help him heal", Chiaco offered eagerly, "Someone lovely and kind". "And supportive and affectionate", her aunt added playfully. "Yes", Chiaco beamed, "and I think I know just the girl". She exchanged knowing glances with her aunt who smiled approvingly at her. "Do your best", she said as she stroked her niece's hair affectionately.
Yuki chewed on the cap of his highlighter, rapt concentration showed across his face. He paused in his reading to mark a passage, and then write a note in the margin of his textbook with his pencil. He was sitting at the dining table in the apartment with his architecture books all spread out in front of him. The first three weeks of school had passed quickly, and their first test was coming soon. Tohru came to the table with a tea tray. "Time for a study break", she chirped. Yuki sighed, and blinked his eyes into focusing on her. "Thank you", he said gratefully, and smiled as she poured him a cup. Yuki inhaled the vapors rising from his drink just before sipping. He watched Tohru busy herself in the kitchen as he enjoyed his cup of tea. A wave of contentment spread over him at the quiet scene. He had never had less in the way of worldly wealth, but he became keenly aware for the umpteenth time in the past few months that for the first time in his life he was truly happy. Tohru sat down across from him, and saw the look on his face. "What?", she smiled, and raised her cup. "Just this", Yuki shrugged. "It's nice just to be together". Tohru smiled at him. It was obvious she felt the same way.
A knock at the door broke the moment. They were both surprised to have visitors. Tohru jumped up and answered the door. "Hey", a low voice sounded from the entry way. "Ha-kun!", Tohru exclaimed, "Come in, come in!". "Haru! Hey! How's my favorite cut of beef doing?" Yuki stood up to greet him happily. Haru clasped Yuki on the shoulders with a grin, and immediately noticed the difference in him. His eyes were clear and sparkled with assurance. He had a ready smile, and seemed a little taller even somehow. Marriage was obviously agreeing with Yuki. "We were just having tea", Tohru offered, getting him a cup. "Thanks", Haru seated himself, "so how's school?" he turned to Yuki. "Fine, so far. I keep busy. How did you find the apartment?" Yuki queried as he returned to the table. "It was easy", Haru grinned. "Finding the campus took me most of the afternoon, but when I got here I went straight to the apartment with the jungle on the balcony". Haru was referring to the profusion of potted plants that were sunning themselves outside the sliding glass doors across from them. "I figured since you like growing things this must be the place", Haru added. "Well, the truth is Tohru is the one who takes care of them anymore. I just don't have time" Yuki shook his head. "But he's taught me well", Tohru chimed in with a smile. Will you be staying for dinner?", she asked invitingly, "I'll make Sukiaki". "I don't want to impose", Haru said politely. "Yeah, that's why you arrived just in time for it, right?" Yuki teased. "Well, I actually left this morning", Haru corrected, "but I do like Sukiaki", he grinned again. "Then I'll get busy", Tohru said cheerfully as she got up from the table to begin the dinner preparations.
The three had a nice visit over dinner. They found out Haru and Momichi were doing fairly well in their senior year of high school, although he had had a few run-ins with the new student body president, and Rin had been hired to work in a trendy boutique. Yuki talked a bit about his classes, but it was mostly lost on Haru. "That's OK Ha-kun. I don't understand much of it either", Tohru offered cheerily. After dinner Haru decided he had better get back to the house. "I don't want to keep you from your homework", he said to Yuki. "Thanks", Yuki replied and made a sour face at him. "Thank you so much for visiting", Tohru chirped. It was obvious she had been thrilled to have her first guest in her own home. "Come by any time", Yuki added.
"Um, Yuki, can I speak to you a minute before I go?" Haru asked hesitantly. He had an apprehensive look in his eyes. "Um, sure", Yuki answered as he glanced at Tohru and back to Haru, "I'll walk you out", he offered. Once outside, Haru's manner became even more serious. "What is it?", Yuki wondered. "Well, it's probably nothing, but I thought you ought to know", Haru began. "There's a rumor going around the main house that you're wearing a wedding ring these days". Yuki blinked at him in disbelief. Who would have known about that there? "Are you sure?" Yuki asked as he searched his mind for any possible breach of secrecy that may have occurred. "Yeah, but it probably isn't a big deal. Akito seems to have dismissed it as servants' gossip". Yuki looked serious now. "I have to go back there next weekend", he said quietly. "Well, just remember to take your ring off", Haru admonished. "Thanks Haru", Yuki said as he patted his cousin on the back. "See ya 'round, Yuki", Haru threw a wave over his shoulder and he mounted his bike to go.