Daydreamer: I have the manga series till the 15th book here! I love Fruits Basket! My goal is to have the whole set of Fruits Basket comics! (I'm crazy? NOT! HAHA!)
Chapter 17 – First times
Toyoko woke up with her hands holding on tightly to her diary. Wish me luck…I need the luck, today. Please, don't be so cruel to me; I don't have much time left.
Toyoko, Mingzashi, Ritza and Shimaya had breakfast together, though none of them said much. They had sensed Toyoko's nervousness, and were much curious why. Finally, Mingzashi broke the silence.
"Toyoko?"
"Yes?" she replied absent-mindedly.
"Your body is here, but your mind isn't. Penny for your thoughts?"
Toyoko shook her head and gave a shrilly laugh. It was obvious that she was extremely nervous about something.
"Well, I was just worried that my plan might not work and I won't be able to break the curse, you know," she confessed at last.
"Hey," Shimaya shrugged. "None of us are perfect! If it doesn't work, at least you tried."
"Yeah," Ritza joined in. "It's alright! We've got your back! I'm sure the other cursed Sohmas does too! Except Akito, that is."
"Akito's my main problem!" Toyoko replied, still feeling down.
Mingzashi was just about to say something when Hatori came in. He was smiling. Sort of. A rare smile that only Ritza had seen before while the others were not used to.
"What are you doing here?" Mingzashi said accusingly.
"I have good news. Akito is asking for you, Toyoko," Hatori replied.
"That's supposed to be good news?" Mingzashi asked.
Hatori nodded. "Akito now seem more… happy." Hatori seemed excited and happy. Which was rare for someone like him. He seemed to have realized it, and wiped the smile from his face. He went back to his cool image and bowed.
"Toyoko, please."
Toyoko nodded and got up. "See you girls tonight, in my room, okay?"
All three nodded obediently.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
In came Toyoko. She was smiling. She had forced herself to be in a happy mood. For Akito?
"Hello, good morning, Akito! Today we are going to do painting! Your room!" She exclaimed.
Akito's face clouded up. "That is the only thing I can't agree to. NO WAY!"
Toyoko just shrugged. "Don't care. I'll give you three choices. Yellow, red or purple. Choose one for your room."
"I. SAID. NO!"
"Now, now, Akito, you don't want me to blackmail you again, do you?"
He knew he was beaten. "Purple, then."
"Great!" Toyoko said and pulled his hand. "Come on, we got to get the paint."
"You go get it."
"Dream on!"
"And you can dream on me getting u to paint MY room that I don't want to paint!"
"Now, now. I'm going to pull you up. One, two, THREE!"
Toyoko tugged hard at Akito, and finally pulled him up. He sat down immediately again. He was beginning to enjoy himself. Slightly. Toyoko tried again, and this time pulled him into a hug so he would not fall backwards again.
As he fell into her arms, he was stunned. So was Toyoko. They stayed that way for almost a minute, before Akito pulled away.
"Fine."
Toyoko was still stunned. This was the first time she had come in body contact with Akito, and she never thought it would leave her so breathless.
"Let's go!" Akito tugged hard at her hand. The first time he reached out to grab her hand. First time…
Akito, for the first time, was nervous. In a weird way. What was this feeling? Warm… Did he know that word? Warm… He felt a sudden happiness that came just as quickly as it went.
"Akito…" He felt himself being pulled into another hug again. He did not struggle. He couldn't wait to get that feeling again. Warm…
Toyoko did not know what overcame her. She felt that need to touch Akito, to be with him. She moved before she had time to think. This wasn't supposed to happen, was it?
She had wanted to hang on tighter, but Akito pushed her away.
"Go get the paint."
For the first time, she listened and obeyed him. She went to get the paint. Are there any more first times?
Akito watched her leave. He sank down. He felt cold. He had always been cold. But now he had a taste of warmth, he felt ever so much colder. He wanted Toyoko back. He wanted her by his side.
But another voice came. No you don't… it said. You don't want her, you have me. You can't! You are cold and heartless, just like me. I won't let you go that easily. You'll suffer. You'll…
But that voice was fading as Toyoko appeared. As she came closer, the voice had vanished. He felt the warmth coming again. He loved the feeling. He got up, and for the first time, a happy smile was on his face.
They painted the room in silence.
All right, I know I'm a lousy writer! Akito shouldn't be that soft, I know. But let's just have it that way, okay? Forgive! I'm the writer here! Ok, ok. Sorry if I updated late! Lots of things to do! Going crazy! I like Akito this way, he is "softening"! You know, I could have updated this like... FIVE days ago? My computer broke down... Blame the computer, don't blame me. THANK YOU!