Chapter Twenty-Two
The rabbit clutched Tohru's hand as he sprinted toward the Main House.
"Momiji, slow down!" she urged, struggling to match his pace. "It's okay, really. You don't need to-"
No, the rabbit thought, refusing to quell his urgency. It's not okay.
Guilt overcame him as he snuck a glance at his friend. The scratches on her face weren't deep, but they were inflamed and still oozing blood. How did none of us see this coming? Tohru was an outsider who had been granted special treatment by the zodiac god. As such, it seemed inevitable that Ren would take an interest in her eventually. I've heard rumors of her violent tendencies. Still…
Until today, they'd been just that: rumors. But Momiji didn't underestimate her any longer. She is a dangerous person, maybe even more dangerous than Akito. Seeing for himself the sort of damage she was willing to inflict on a total stranger made him leery of what else she might be capable of. If she was willing to do something so awful publicly, what sorts of things might she do behind closed doors? To Akito? Momiji couldn't help noticing that Ren's actions were disturbingly reminiscent of some of the zodiac god's own behavior. He supposed that made sense, seeing as Ren had been the primary adult figure in Akito's life for the better part of a decade. The thought was almost enough to make Momiji feel sorry for him.
Once they were inside, the rabbit slowed to a brisk walk. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, still gripping Tohru's hand.
They made their way down the hall, and though she tried to hide it, Momiji detected a slight tremor in her voice as she answered. "Oh, I-I'm fine! A quick visit to Hatori, and I'll be as good as new!"
She laughed, the sound weak and unconvincing. Momiji frowned. "You don't need to pretend, Tohru. Being vulnerable doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."
Her eyes flickered with an emotion that Momiji couldn't quite place. "I'm sorry—I mean, you're right," she amended. "I shouldn't pretend I'm okay when I'm really not." She looked away, her voice lowering. "The truth is…I'm actually really scared."
Hearing that, Momiji's eyes grew soft. "It's okay," he said, still pulling her along. "We're all scared of Ren, even Akito."
She lifted a hand to touch the wound on her face. "That's the thing. It's not that I'm afraid of what she'll do to me. Even after what just happened, I…I'm not afraid for myself." She swallowed. "I'm afraid for-"
"Hey, you kids!"
Momiji froze. A woman with chestnut brown hair was coming toward them. She wore a pencil skirt and a collared white blouse, the ensemble making her look slim and professional. She smiled as she drew nearer. "Sorry!" she said when she took in his expression. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to say that Dr. Sohma isn't in his office right now, and since it looks like that's where you guys are headed…" She trailed off, her pretty green eyes homing in on Tohru's face. "Ouch," she said. "Those look like some nasty cuts. I can stitch them up for you, if you'd like. I'm certified in First Aid and have experience in…"
She broke off, chuckling, and Momiji blinked up at her in bewilderment. "Goodness, where are my manners? You don't even know who I am!" The woman stuck out her hand, and after a split-second of hesitation, Tohru shook it. "I'm Mae, Dr. Sohma's assistant. Please, come into my office and make yourselves at home."
Tohru's eyes flicked toward Momiji, who gave a small shrug. "I think she's trustworthy enough," he whispered. "But if you'd rather wait for Hari-"
"No, I'm all right." She steeled herself as she put on what Momiji assumed was supposed to be a brave face. The rabbit was about to remind her that she didn't need to do that sort of thing around him, but before he could, she took a deep breath and followed the woman into a small room at the end of the hall.
"Go on and have a seat." Mae gestured at two chairs that sat off to one side of the door. Momiji hopped into the one on the left, and Tohru slid into the other, folding her hands together neatly on her lap before taking a deep breath.
"Thank you," she said. "It's very kind of you to take time out of your busy day to help me."
Mae waved her off as she began gathering supplies from a small medicine cabinet near the back of the room. "I'm always happy to help someone in need! What happened, anyway?" she asked. "And don't tell me that you tripped and fell down the steps, because that's the oldest story in the book."
She's so kind, Momiji thought, his heart warming at the genuine compassion that she was showing Tohru, despite only having just met her. She bore a striking resemblance to Kana, Hatori's former receptionist, in both her appearance and her demeanor. I wonder if Hari has feelings for her. He realized in the next instant how unlikely that was. Losing Kana had cut Hatori to the bone, and somehow Momiji doubted the doctor would be eager to open himself up to the possibility of another heartbreak so soon.
Mae straightened, cradling a small white box in one hand, and Tohru squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Momiji couldn't tell which was making her more nervous: the impending procedure, or Mae's question.
"Oh, um…it was nothing, really. I was just walking through the gardens, and…"
"It's okay, Tohru," Momiji said when her voice tapered off. "You can tell her."
Tohru bit her lip, and Momiji reached out to squeeze her hand. Part of him wanted to assure her that she didn't need to say anything if she didn't want to. But another, stronger part of him wanted her to speak her truth. And so when her eyes met his, he nodded encouragingly. After a short moment, she nodded, too.
"Th-there…there was a woman who attacked me."
Mae's back straightened at once. "On the estate?" Her lips formed a grim line when Tohru didn't reply. She pulled out a piece of gauze, dabbing it with hydrogen peroxide before saying, "It isn't too late to call the police and file a report-"
"No," Tohru said, breaking off to wince at the sting of the cleaning agent. "I mean," she quickly resumed, "I would rather not do that. I don't want to cause any trouble for the Sohmas."
Mae stared at her, and Momiji thought for sure that she was going to object. But after several seconds she made a "hmm" noise and returned to her work.
Momiji gulped when it came time to administer the injection. He hated needles. They had a tendency to make him feel queasy. He shut his eyes, worrying for Tohru, though it appeared his friend was tougher than he was. Several seconds passed, and he didn't even hear her whimper.
"You're Momiji, aren't you?" Mae asked suddenly, to which the rabbit's eyes shot open.
"Um, yep," he said, blinking rapidly. "That's me!" He flashed her a bright smile in an attempt to conceal his surprise. How could this woman possibly know who I am? Even though she worked for Hatori, she most certainly was not in on the family secret. So then, how...?
"I see your little sister around all the time," Mae said, as if in answer to his unspoken question. "I ran into her today. She was looking for you-"
"I don't have a sister."
It broke his heart to say the words, but he knew that he had to. Because, as far as most of the Sohmas were concerned, he and Momo were not related. He had agreed to keep up this charade for his mother's sake, and so far no one seemed to have guessed the truth.
"Really?" Mae sounded baffled. "This little girl looks so much like you! I see her almost every morning on my walk here. I stop and talk to her sometimes. She's the sweetest thing."
Momiji swallowed. Hard. He was glad that Mae was so focused on stitching Tohru's wound. Otherwise, she likely would have been alarmed by how pale his face had grown. "What…what kinds of things do you guys talk about?"
"She told me there's a boy here on the estate named Momiji who takes violin lessons from the same instructor that she does." Mae seemed perfectly comfortable working and talking simultaneously. "I apologize. Now that I think of it, she never actually said that she was your sister. I just assumed, because the two of you look so alike. Anyway." She made the final stitch before turning to wink at him. "You've got yourself an admirer. She says she can hear you practicing in your room sometimes. By the way she talks, you're practically a master already!"
Momo…knows who I am? She pays enough attention to me to know that I play violin? Momiji's face felt hot, his vision blurring as tears welled in his eyes. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt constricted. This is better than anything I could have hoped for.
Tohru reached out to take his hand, and when Momiji looked at her, he saw that she was crying, too.
"Oh my goodness!" Mae had returned to her medicine cabinet, though she quickly rushed back to Tohru's side when she noticed the younger girl's tears. "What's wrong? It doesn't hurt anymore, does it? The anesthetic-"
"Don't worry," Momiji assured her, his voice thick, "it isn't you." He managed a tiny smile, and when he looked at Tohru again, he couldn't help giggling as a new thought suddenly occurred to him. Momo wants to be my friend, which means I can go to her now. I can talk to her!
His laughter only seemed to confuse Mae further. "Was it something I said? I hope hearing about the little girl didn't upset you."
Momiji giggled again. "On the contrary, it's done exactly the opposite." He wiped his face with the sleeve of his sweater. "You've given me hope. So…thank you, Mae. You are truly a kind person."
"Yes," Tohru agreed. "You have no idea what this means. It's wonderful. Truly wonderful." She smiled through her tears, and Mae watched her warily, unsure how to react.
"Um, excuse me," a strange voice said suddenly. "I don't mean to disturb you, but…by chance, is Dr. Hatori Sohma here?"
Momiji spun. A girl was peering at them from behind the door frame. She spoke softly, but there was a nervous energy radiating off of her. It reminded Momiji of a rubber band that had been stretched to nearly its breaking point. I wonder if she's all right.
Mae patted Tohru's shoulder before stepping forward to address the girl. "Actually, Dr. Sohma's out of his office. Perhaps this is something I can help you with? If not, you're welcome to wait for his return. Or, if it's an emergency, I can see about driving you to a hospital-"
"No!" the girl practically shouted. "Please, I…I can't wait. I have direct orders from the family head to fetch Dr. Hatori Sohma. If I fail him-"
"Akito?" Everyone turned to stare at Tohru as she shot to her feet. "The Sohma head sent you to get Hatori?" There was no mistaking the panic in her eyes as she searched the girl's face. "Is he all right? He hasn't fallen ill, has he?"
The girl flinched as Tohru drew nearer, and Momiji wasn't sure why—his friend was about as intimidating as a basket of puppies. Maybe she's unnerved by Tohru's intensity. Which, Momiji had to admit, was more than a little perplexing to him as well.
"N-no, the family head appeared to be in fine health," the girl said, and Tohru exhaled.
"What happened, then? Why did he ask for Hatori? Are you sure he's all right?"
Momiji gaped at her. He'd thought he was imagining it at first, but there was no mistaking the eagerness in her voice. She truly cares about Akito.
It wasn't any wonder, then, why the zodiac god had fallen in love with her.
Yes, the rabbit no longer had any doubts about what he'd seen at the summer home. Tohru could downplay the event all she wanted, but Momiji knew better. The zodiac god never touched anyone, except perhaps to strike them, but there hadn't been the slightest hint of malintent in his eyes that day. If anything, the way Akito had been gazing at Tohru reminded Momiji of how someone might look while viewing a breathtaking landscape: with complete and utter wonder. And he wasn't wrong. Tohru was amazing, the kindest, most generous person that Momiji had ever had the honor of knowing.
And that was why he worried for her.
He didn't imagine that she returned the zodiac god's feelings of affection. But…what if some day she did? Or rather, what if Akito forced those feelings on her? He didn't think it would be unlike the zodiac god to attempt such a thing, especially if he became desperate. Is his love for her even real? Or does he just find her fascinating? It was impossible to say for sure.
"I'm sure it's all right, Tohru," he said before turning to the girl with a questioning look. "What did Akito say? Why does he need Hari so urgently if he isn't sick?"
"Who's sick?" a male voice said from the hallway, and Momiji swore that there was a collective sigh of relief from everyone in the room.
"Hatori!" Tohru dashed forward. "Thank goodness you're here-"
The girl jumped in front of her. "Sir," she said in a rush, "the family head requests your immediate presence! He's with one of the zodiac-"
Hatori put up a hand, and Momiji didn't blame him. She was talking so fast that she was practically gasping for breath. "Slow down," the doctor said, his voice somehow simultaneously firm and gentle. "Now then, what's this about the family head requesting my presence?"
The girl bowed her head, abashed. "He's in the cat's confinement chamber, sir," she said, speaking much slower. "My mistress…she's been keeping one of the zodiac there."
Hatori's eyes went wide. "A zodiac member? Which one?"
"Isuzu, sir."
Hatori looked stricken, though his expression hardened in the next instant.
"Master Akito needs the key to the cell," the girl continued. "He says you might know where it is."
"I do." Hatori was already moving toward his office. Momiji and Tohru exchanged a glance before following, though they didn't get far before the doctor turned on them sharply. "You two stay here," he said. "I have very little idea what's going on, but if Ren is involved, there could be trouble."
Tohru was unperturbed by this. "Please, let me go with you," she said. "I'm worried for Isuzu-"
"We're all worried," Hatori cut her off as he produced a set of keys from one of his desk drawers. "But that isn't any reason to act rashly."
"Hari," Momiji chided. He's being too harsh, he thought, and the doctor seemed to realize this after a beat.
"I promise to take good care of Isuzu," he told Tohru in a slightly softer voice. "But please, you and Momiji do as I say and stay put." He eyed the recently stitched wound on her cheek. "What happened there?"
Tohru fidgeted, smoothing her hand over the brown spot of blood on her dress, as if trying to conceal it. "I was walking back from the gardens, and um…" She averted her gaze, voice wavering. "It's nothing. I'm fine."
Hatori's expression was incredulous. But instead of pressing, he sighed and shook his head. "Stay put. I'll come back soon, and once I do, I'll be sure to give a full report." He looked at the cut on her face again. "I'll be expecting one from you as well."
Hatori never hurried. He didn't have to, as his punctual nature had all but eliminated any need for urgency in his daily life. But the moment he'd exited the Main House that afternoon, he broke into a full-on run. His white shirt, normally crisp and free of wrinkles, was sweat-drenched within minutes, his tie escaping from where it had been neatly tucked into his vest as he pumped his arms. If Shigure could see me now, he thought, he'd laugh. Upon further reflection, however, he realized that this probably wasn't true. No, if Shigure were with him, he'd be running twice as fast.
For some time, Hatori had thought that Shigure saw Isuzu as another conquest, someone to be pursued and later discarded. But he no longer believed this to be the case. No, Shigure cared for Rin, and though the doctor still didn't know why, he supposed it didn't matter. Right now, the most important thing is getting to Isuzu and securing her safety.
He had to confess he found it odd that Ren had chosen to keep the horse in Kyo's confinement chamber. In truth, it was among the last places Hatori would've thought to look for a missing person. After all, most everyone on the estate who knew about it avoided it at all costs, including the zodiac god himself.
By then Hatori had reached his destination, and as he took in the small, run-down building, Ren's decision began to make more sense. The cat's confinement chamber was a filthy place, both from a literal and a spiritual standpoint, and there wasn't any doubt that this was a reflection of the older woman's feelings toward the horse. There's no way she doesn't know that Shigure and Isuzu have grown close. At the very least, Hatori knew that Ren was aware of Shigure's waning interest. She'd confessed as much to him during her appointment the previous afternoon. More than likely, this whole thing is just one giant overreaction on Ren's part. She'd probably kidnapped Isuzu in the hopes that Shigure would be less distracted with her out of the picture. I wonder if Ren intended on killing her. It seemed extreme, even by Ren's standards, but Hatori wouldn't put it past her, especially if everything that attendant had said was true.
What a brave young woman, he marveled. Not many who knew Ren would dare move against her, and the fact that this girl had was a testament to how badly she'd wanted to help.
The door to the chamber had been left slightly ajar, and Hatori rushed inside, only to come upon a very strange scene.
Isuzu was in the cell, and Akito was sitting near her on the other side. The zodiac god passed something to her through the bars—a glass of water, by the looks of it—and for a moment, Hatori just watched the exchange. It was almost surreal, seeing Akito caring for the horse rather than actively tormenting her. Odder still was the fact that Isuzu didn't look angry. Her eyes were bleary, her movements slow as she accepted the drink. Hatori had to wonder if she was simply too weak to be her normal, fiery self, or if the two of them had come to a truce in light of the circumstances. Either way, Hatori was almost positive a peaceful interaction between these two would not have been possible a mere few weeks back.
"Hatori!" Isuzu cried out when she saw him standing in the doorway. She jumped to her feet, though she must have stood too quickly, because a split-second later her knees buckled and she plummeted back down to the ground.
Hatori gasped and raced toward the cell, but Akito got there first. He thrust his hands through the bars, gripping her forearms. "You're too weak to stand," he murmured. He made sure that Isuzu was steady before turning to acknowledge the doctor with a curt nod. "Hatori, about damn time. Do you have-"
The doctor was already moving toward the cell, and Akito stepped back so that he could unlock it. "Are you all right, Isuzu?" Hatori asked, only to cringe inwardly for asking such a stupid question. "That is," he clarified, trying not to stare too long at her shorn hair, "do you have any injuries that need immediate attention?"
The girl shook her head. Hatori was about to ask a follow-up question, but before he could, Akito swept past him and into the cell. "Akito," the doctor said, "what are you-"
The zodiac god approached Isuzu, who tensed and shrunk back against the bars. "If you can barely stand on your own, then you're certainly not going to be able to walk," he said by means of explanation. But she just kept staring at him, and Akito sighed, the sound exasperated, as if he were speaking to an annoying younger sibling. Then, without warning, he bent slightly at the knees, placing one hand under her legs and the other behind her back.
"Hey! What do you think you're-"
The horse protested at exactly the same moment that Hatori said, "Akito, I don't think-"
Akito lifted Isuzu into his arms. "Let me do this, Hatori," he said as he carried her out of the cell.
The horse gaped at him. Now she looked angry, though Hatori thought that this was more a reflection of her discomfort than anything. "Put me down," she said. "I don't need-"
"You can't walk on your own," he reminded her gently.
"So?" she shot back. "Hatori's the doctor here!"
"Hatori may be a doctor, but he is not the one who was tasked with caring for you. That responsibility is mine." His gaze dropped to hers, and that's when he did something that, two weeks ago, Hatori would've never thought possible.
He apologized.
"I am sorry, Isuzu. I am sorry that I was not there to defend you when your family forsook you. I am sorry that instead of welcoming you into my own home, I mocked you, and took pleasure in it." Isuzu's face went slack, and Akito met her stare blankly. "I know that nothing I do will ever make up for the ways I've failed you. But just once, I would like to show you the kindness and compassion you deserve, and I will endeavor to do so whether you believe my actions to be sincere or not."
The horse blinked up at him, and though she didn't say anything, her thoughts couldn't have been more clear: Has he completely lost his mind?
Hatori bit back a grin. He understood entirely how she felt. Akito had taken him by surprise, too, and in more ways than one.
He was particularly shocked to find that the zodiac god possessed the strength required to carry a person of Isuzu's size without any need for assistance. The doctor had been gladdened by the sight at first. When he thought about it further, though, he remembered what he'd found while sifting through the family archives all those weeks ago, and he had to wonder: Is Akito actually growing stronger and healthier, or is this a sign that his end is near? There was no way of knowing for sure, and it was the uncertainty that troubled Hatori most of all.
"I assume you'd like to examine her in your office?" Akito prompted, and Hatori snapped back to the present. It did no good to think on such things. Thanks to Tohru, Akito had been in good spirits as of late, and the last thing the doctor wanted was dash what precious little happiness the girl had managed to give him.
"No," he answered, shaking his head. "She needs to be taken to the hospital, where she can be monitored and given fluids-"
"No." Isuzu's voice was a low growl, and Hatori's eyes cut to her. "I won't go back to that place," she said. "I won't-"
"It won't be for long," he assured her. "We need to make sure that you're not at risk for dehydration, and I can't do that from my office." He opened his phone to request a vehicle, and though Isuzu continued to protest, he ignored her. The call lasted only a few seconds, but by the time he'd turned around, Akito and Isuzu were already in the midst of an argument.
"As you just pointed out, Hatori is a doctor," the zodiac god was saying. By then he'd put the horse down, and though she was on her own two feet, she grudgingly allowed Akito to place an arm around her for support. "It is best to trust his judgment-"
"Oh, I trust him," Isuzu snapped. "It's you that I have a problem with!"
Hatori pocketed his cell phone, at once coming to a decision. "Akito, why don't you let me help Isuzu? I don't want you to overexert yourself-"
"Don't patronize me, Hatori," the zodiac god replied tersely. "I told you, I want to do this. Besides, you needn't worry. I am not tired."
The doctor was about to argue, but Isuzu beat him to it. "This doesn't make you good. You know that, right? Doing one good thing for someone doesn't negate all the harm you've caused."
"Yes." Akito's tone was grave. "I am well aware of that. But as I said, that's not what I'm doing. I'm helping you because I want to. I know that may be difficult for you to accept-"
"Difficult?" Isuzu snorted. "Try impossible."
She sounded furious, but Hatori didn't miss the way she pursed her lips together, her brow creasing slightly as she stared at the ground. She's at least considering that he may be telling the truth, maybe even hoping that he is.
And for now, Hatori supposed that was all any of them could do: hope.
It took some more convincing to get Isuzu to agree to be hospitalized, but once she was finally on her way, Hatori made the long trek back to the Main House.
"She'll be all right," he assured the zodiac god, who was walking beside him.
"Hm?" Akito blinked, his eyes far off, listless. "Oh. Yes, I know that."
He wasn't thinking about Isuzu. Hatori realized this almost right away. In fact, the incident appeared as if it couldn't have been further removed from the zodiac god's mind. But if that's the case, then why does he look so…solemn?
"I'm tired," Akito added, as if that were a sufficient explanation. And normally, it would be. But despite everything, Hatori thought something about the excuse rang false.
Once they'd reached the Main House, Hatori insisted on taking Akito's temperature, and though the zodiac god rolled his eyes and shook his head, he relented. They entered the office together, and it was only then that Hatori remembered he'd asked Honda to await his return. This is good, he thought, certain that Akito would be pleased to see Tohru. Perhaps she can help alleviate whatever it is that's been weighing on him so heavily.
But when the zodiac god caught sight of Tohru, he stopped dead in his tracks. He'd been distracted for most of their walk home, but now his eyes were wide and alert. He was gaping at her like she was the very last person in the world he'd expected to see—no, like she was the last person in the world he wanted to see.
"Akito?" Honda exclaimed, her face going white as a sheet.
The zodiac god said nothing in reply. Their gazes were so intent on one another that Hatori might as well have been invisible as he made his way toward the center of the room.
What on earth is going on here? Twenty–four hours ago, the pair had been seated together in the Main House's receiving room, and though Hatori had only overheard bits and pieces of their conversation, things had seemed to be going well. Could something have changed since then? He didn't see how, considering that Akito hadn't had any visitors all day.
Unless…
Unless Akito had gone and done something behind Hatori's back. He insisted on walking the gardens unaccompanied today, the doctor suddenly remembered. And then it hit him: Tohru said she was near the gardens when she was injured.
Now it made sense why Akito had been so adamant about venturing out alone. He must have arranged a meeting with her. But then…
His eyes shot to Tohru, to the stitched wounds on her cheek. He sucked in a breath. He didn't want to believe it was possible. Akito cares for Honda. The doctor knew this for an absolute fact. He wouldn't hurt her. He wouldn't…
Wouldn't he, though? The longer Hatori pondered the question, the less certain he felt.
Maybe they'd quarreled while they were walking through the gardens. Maybe Akito had lost control and lashed out. It was pure supposition, but it could certainly explain his current behavior.
"Your face…" The zodiac god stepped forward with one hand outstretched. He stopped when he was still at a respectful distance, allowing his arm to fall slowly back down to its side. "What happened?"
Hatori released a silent breath. It wasn't him. He didn't know how to account for the immense relief he felt at knowing this. Perhaps Shigure's optimism had rubbed off on him, despite the doctor's better judgment.
"What? Oh! Um, nothing," Tohru said hastily in response to the question. "It's just a scratch-"
"That," Akito said emphatically, "is not a scratch." He lifted his hand again, though at the last second he thought better of it. "Tell me what happened."
Hatori bit back a smirk. He's trying to be persistent without coming off as overly demanding. Again, he didn't want to get his hopes up too high, though the truth was, he could really get used to this version of Akito.
"Well," Tohru began, her eyes darting nervously to Hatori, "you see, I um…I was walking back from the gardens and..."
Hatori took the cue. "Honda can tell us both what happened later," he said briskly. "But for now, she should be getting home." He nodded apologetically at Tohru. "I'm sorry I asked you to stay. I didn't realize it would take so much time." He turned to Akito. "We will need to inform the others of Isuzu's hospitalization-"
"Isuzu is in the hospital?" Tohru cried, and Hatori turned to cast her a look of surprise. That's right. I forgot that she and Isuzu had grown close.
"She's all right," he assured her. "She may not even need to stay overnight. But she's malnourished, and I want to make sure she has enough fluids in her before-"
"Malnourished?" Tohru glanced back and forth between him and Akito, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. When neither of them said anything, she took a deep breath. "Which hospital is she at? I want to go. Right now."
It was the first time Hatori had ever heard Honda speak in a way that broached no argument. Akito even seemed to think so. "Of course," the zodiac god said. "Hatori, send for a vehicle at once."
"What?" Tohru shook her head. "Oh no, there's no need to go to such trouble! Just tell me which hospital she's at. I can walk-"
"No," Akito said firmly. When Tohru glanced at him with a stunned expression, he quickly added, "The hospital is halfway across the city."
She still looked like she wanted to protest, but Akito didn't let her. "I assure you, Miss Honda, you are not troubling anyone. Please, allow me to do this for you."
So it's Miss Honda now, is it? There could no longer be any doubt that something had happened between them in the gardens, and Hatori was relieved to find that it was likely nothing terrible. Nevertheless, it didn't appear to be anything good, either.
The pair seemed to have taken a step back from one another—no, make that two very big steps back—and he fully intended to ask Akito about it later, when they were alone.
Tohru also seemed to note that the zodiac god had used an honorific when he addressed her. She looked away, and though her hair covered most of her face, Hatori thought he saw a tinge of pink coloring her skin. "Thank you," she said. "That's…that's very kind."
Instead of responding, Akito just stared at her. There was a helplessness in his eyes, like he wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words. It was excruciating to witness, and after several moments, Hatori found he simply couldn't take it any longer. "Come with me, Honda," he said. "I'll get you set up with a driver so that you can go to the hospital."
She blinked at him, and there was no mistaking the relief in her voice as she breathed, "Oh, um, yes! That would be wonderful." She started toward the door, though in the next second, she glanced back at Akito. "Thank you for helping Isuzu," she said, and for the first time, Hatori saw warmth in her eyes. "You're a good person," she added in a small, almost inaudible voice.
But Akito heard her, and he scoffed. "No, I'm not. A few good acts don't erase a lifetime of pain and suffering."
It was almost exactly what Isuzu had said earlier, and while Hatori didn't necessarily disagree with the sentiment, Tohru opened her mouth to argue, as the doctor had suspected she would. He caught her eye before she could say anything, though, and when he nodded toward the door, she followed him into the hall.
"I'll be back soon," the doctor told Akito. "In the meantime, wait here. I'd like to speak with you about a few things." When the zodiac god gave no reply, Hatori left, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Tohru walked ahead, and though she didn't attempt to make conversation, Hatori noted that her back was stiff, her head seemingly locked in a forward-facing position. "Is everything all right?" he asked her. "I was under the impression that you and Akito were friends. But after that interaction, I can't help wondering…" He watched her, waiting, but her steps didn't falter. "Akito hasn't done anything to hurt you, has he?"
She spun so quickly that Hatori nearly ran right into her. "Ah!" she squealed, cheeks reddening as her hand shot out at once to prevent the collision. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to push you! It's just…if I ran into you, you might have transformed, and that would be bad-"
"It's all right," Hatori said, chuckling. "No harm done. Now then, what was it you were about to say? About Akito."
"A-Akito?" Pink flooded her cheeks again. "Er…nothing. I was only going to say that you don't need to be worried. He hasn't done anything to hurt me. I meant what I said to him just now. I think he's actually a really good person. He doesn't see it, but…I do."
Hatori considered this for a moment. "He's certainly trying," he conceded, "and I believe that's mostly due to your influence."
The redness in her cheeks grew more pronounced. "Oh, I don't know. I think he's always had the capacity for good. He just needed someone to help him see it." She gasped, covering her mouth, as if she'd caught herself uttering something scandalous. "I mean," she stammered, "I'm not saying I was that someone! I'm just saying-"
Hatori laughed again. "You can't give yourself credit for anything, can you? Make no mistake, you are absolutely the reason Akito has changed. Believe me, for years I tried getting through to him, as did countless others. But he never listened." He bowed his head. "You are a truly remarkable and courageous young woman. You know that, right?"
Instead of becoming embarrassed, Tohru glanced away, chewing on her lower lip. Hatori thought she looked guilty, like she thought he was giving her praise that she didn't deserve. "I don't know," she whispered. "All I know is that I want so badly for him to live. I want it more than…"
She trailed off as a black limousine came into view, bits of gravel crunching under its tires as it sidled up to the curb.
"Is…is that for me?" She glanced hesitantly at Hatori, who nodded.
"Akito told me to get you the best. And so, I've given you the best."
"Oh." She flushed again at the mention of Akito, wringing her hands. "It's just awfully fancy, don't you think? I mean, I don't want to be an imposition-"
Hatori nudged her toward the vehicle, grinning. "Say hello to Isuzu for me. Tell her I'll be down to see her later tonight."