It's a lot shorter than the previous chapters, but I didn't want to ramble on about it. I want to let these words sink in. Hm… let's see how that turns out…

Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Then out

Mom… I've been such a fool. I've always been.

I've known all along… that I could never stay here.

But… I've always found myself thinking that… the Sohma's… were my family.

When I think about the way I feel whenever we sat and enjoyed a meal together…

Or how we smiled and laughed with each other…

Or even just the simple 'I'm home' when I come back from school…

They really did feel like my family.

And I thought we could always stay together…

But I guess I was wrong. Just like what everybody else used to say.

A riceball doesn't belong in a fruits basket.