Fruits Basket

For Justice, Romance, and Good Health

OPENING NOTES: Greetings!! Welcome to Part Three of Case One. For those who have been waiting for the coming of Ayame's stage of the plan, then here it is. It's nothing much, really, but I hope you all enjoy even though I don't own Furuba!! Have fun reading!! :)


Case One: Yuki and Machi

Part Three: Ayame

Hatori Sohma flipped another page of his book, reading quietly in his room. Today was a lovely day, with the pretty, blue sky outside, the sun shining its brightest, and the birds chirping happily. Hatori had just come back from Akito's room, tending to the dizzy Sohma family head. He decided to sit down and read a book in his comfortable room.

Hatori sipped a little from his cup of tea and then set it down, flipping to another page of his book afterwards. He was almost ending the chapter when the phone rang. The shrill sound of the noisy phone was almost foreign to the calm man's ears. The dragon spirit slipped a bookmark on the page where he left off and answered, slightly annoyed, "Hello. This is Hatori Sohma speaking-"

"Yes, yes, I know it's you, Haa-san!" a voice cut off.

"Oh. Shigure," Hatori muttered, rolling his eyes. Why did Shigure have to interrupt his moment of peace? He was in the climax of the book he was reading! "What do you need?"

Shigure replied cheerfully, "I called you under circumstances of utter importance, yet it's not really about what I need, but about what Yuki needs."

"Ah. So this is about our stupid matchmaking plans."

"Don't call them stupid, Haa-san. They're quite successful actually. But yes, this is about our plans," Shigure said patiently, "I have come up with something that could make Yuki a happy man."

Hatori sighed, "Just tell me what it is."

"Well, I overheard Tohru talking to our dear friend Kyonkichi just a few minutes ago. They're having their annual junior-senior bonding day at school tomorrow. A junior student and a senior student have to spend time with each other during break time and free time. It's a high school unity thing the teachers came up with a few years back. That's why we didn't have it when we were at school," Shigure explained excitedly. He continued, "They only find out who they're paired up with on the day itself, which is tomorrow. I believe it's best if Yuki and Machi get partnered together. They can have a romantic day and-"

"One thing, Shigure… How can we make sure that they get paired up?"

"Think. Who do we know has authority over the seniors in Kaibara High?"

Hatori gasped and hissed threateningly, "No, Shigure, no! I am not letting you convince, talk to, or bribe Mayuko Shiraki about pairing them up! Never!"

A laugh was heard on the other end of the phone. "I'm not the one who has free time to go to Mayuko. Right now, Mitchan's trying to get me to finish my novel's final chapter today, and I'm far from it. I'm asking you to go to Mayuko to-"

"Oh, Shigure! I have to go; Akito just vomited and I have to help. Goodbye!" Hatori interrupted quickly, ending the call and turning off his cell phone. He sighed and sat back down, flipping open his book again. There was absolutely no way he was going to Mayuko Shiraki, Kaibara high school senior homeroom teacher, and ask her if she could do anything about the junior-senior activity pairings.

Hatori suddenly remembered that Shigure had a will of steel, and had a nagging feeling that the dog spirit had a back-up idea.


Ayame Sohma was lying down on his bed, bored. He was just staring outside the window, wondering why there were days wherein everything was perfect except for the fact that there was absolutely nothing to do.

In fact, Ayame was so, very, extremely bored that he jumped up from his bed, overjoyed, when his cell phone rang. He ran towards the table and answered perkily, "Yes? The wonderful Ayame Sohma speaking!! What pleasure do I owe you in this uneventful Thursday afternoon?"

"Aaya. You seem more hyper than usual. That's good because there's something I want you to do," Shigure said quickly, as if he was running away from something. Ayame heard yells on the other line, instantly guessing that Mitsuru was begging Shigure for another manuscript or something.

"There's something I need to do?! WHAT IS IT?!" Ayame shouted ecstatically, "I've been lying down on my bed for an hour doing nothing and-"

Mitsuru was heard screaming obscenities at Shigure and threatening suicide on the other line, and the dog spirit said quickly, "I overheard Tohru talking to Kyonkichi a while ago. They're having their annual junior-senior bonding day at school tomorrow. A junior student and a senior student have to spend time with each other during break time and free time. They only find out who they're paired up with on the day itself, which is tomorrow. I believe it's best if Yuki and Machi get partnered together."

"OUCH! PLEASE, MITCHAN, ONE MINUTE!" Shigure yelled exasperatedly. He turned to Ayame, "Go to Mayuko and convince her to somehow pair up Yuki and Machi!"

"Alright, sure, Gure-san. But what if I won't be able to convince her?"

"Make something up; you're good at that stuff! I'm asking you to do this because Hatori loves Mayuko very much-"

There were sounds that made it seem like Mitsuru was trying to yank the phone out of Shigure's hands. Ayame said to himself, "Shigure's asking me to do this because Hatori loves Mayuko very much?"

He shrugged when the call was ended and decided to call the Shiraki bookstore immediately. He called using the landline and found out that Mayuko was still at Kaibara. The snake spirit left a note for Mine at the door and ran off to the high school, thinking about picking Yuki up while he was there.

When he reached the school, he instantly went to the faculty room and knocked softly. The door was answered by none other than Mayuko Shiraki, and utter surprise was written all over her face when she saw Ayame Sohma standing in front of her.

"Ayame? What are you doing here?" she asked, bewildered, "Class hours are over, and if you're looking for Yuki, he hasn't left and is still in the council room."

"Yes, I came here to pick up Yuki, of course, but I also need to talk to you," Ayame explained, grinning at her. She excused herself from the other teachers and led him outside the building.

She looked up at him and said, "What do you want?"

"I hope you don't lose interest because of this but I came here on Shigure's and Hatori's request. They're both busy so I just had to ask this favor for them."

"A favor from you three?" Mayuko asked, wondering why the trio would need her help.

"Yes. Well, as you know, there is a junior-senior bonding activity tomorrow. My dear little brother, Yuki, has a close friend in the junior year, and I want-"

"Let me guess; you want me to put him and this person together for tomorrow?"

"Of course."

There was a small silence as Mayuko thought about it. "You're setting Yuki up with a girl, aren't you? It's just the kind of silly thing you and Shigure would do, though I have no idea how you could have pulled Hatori into this."

Ayame laughed. "No, you've got this the wrong way. Shigure, Hatori, and I just want the best for Yuki. We're concerned for his well-being, and this is the perfect opportunity for him and Machi Kuragi to get along."

"And you think I'll be willing to help- Wait, did you just say Machi Kuragi?"

"Yes, I did. Why?"

Mayuko said pensively, "Well, recently, she's been gossiped about to be a dangerous and destructive child. She broke numerous chalk boxes and destroyed the council room a few times. Some say she even tried to kill her baby brother."

"Those are all rumors and lies, and her brother's attempted murder was a misunderstanding," Ayame said, twirling a strand of his hair around his finger thoughtfully, "She has Atelophobia. Her parents don't know, and she doesn't want anyone to know as well, it seems. It's by her behavior and childhood. Her parents have always pushed her, and now Yuki is helping her cope. That's why we want Yuki and Machi to get paired up tomorrow. They're absolutely perfect for each other."

"Atelophobia? The fear of perfection? I knew that she and Kakeru Manabe have been against each other due to family inheritance problems, but I never knew that she was being pushed too hard. Poor girl…" Mayuko said, evidently shocked.

Ayame smirked. "So does that mean you'll help us?"

Mayuko paused and then said, "Fine. I'm doing this for Yuki and Machi, not for you and Shigure. Well, the pairs are chosen by random, and the paper with all of them is on the principal's desk already. He's out eating in the cafeteria, so I'll try to sneak in and make a few changes."

"That's good. Oh- and can you pair up Tohru and Momiji, and Kyo and Hatsuharu?"

"Why?" Mayuko asked curiously. Ayame was about to answer but then she changed her mind, cutting off, "Never mind. I don't want to know. I'll just do it. Anyway, Yuki should be done with his council work by now. You should go already."

"Alright. Now, I'll see you some other time; thank you very much for your help. Yuki's sure to be waiting for me to arrive," Ayame said dramatically, walking away. Mayuko shook her head. Same old Ayame.

He was about to go upstairs to the council room when he remembered the last thing he heard from Shigure ("I'm asking you to do this because Hatori loves Mayuko very much"). He turned and called back, "Oh, Mayuko! I almost forgot. Hatori loves you very much!"

The snake spirit then ran upstairs before he could see her shocked face. When he rounded the corner, he bumped straight into Yuki.

"Ouch!" they both cried out in unison.

Yuki looked up and was surprised to see his older brother. "Ayame! What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Yuki! My dear little brother, I have missed you very much! It seems that you are the last student here today. My, what a hardworking brother I have. Let me bring you home and-"

"You came here to bring me home?"

"Yes, of course."

They both chose to keep quiet while they went outside of the school. While walking back to Shigure's house, Ayame decided to speak. "So how was school today?"

"I'm more tired than ever. Student council work is piling up and I've been staying at school late recently. Hopefully, I'll get a break tomorrow," Yuki said.

"Ah… I see…" Ayame answered, "Well, when I was student council president, I had to deal with those things too. Gure-san and Tori-san had to wait for me almost everyday, but it was fun. We got to stop at bars, no-entry-buildings, and scary looking forests on the way home."

Yuki smiled at the things his older brother did. A few weeks ago, he would instantly scream at the snake spirit to go away, but he now learned to appreciate his brother more. Ever since he defended him from their mother during the Parent-Teacher Conference, Yuki and Ayame had started to become closer.

"You know, Nii-san… I envy you sometimes," Yuki finally said, after a short silence, "You had friends ever since you were a child, but I only started feeling less alone when Tohru came. For most of my life, I've always felt alone."

Ayame stared at Yuki disbelievingly. "Of course, I've never allowed my brilliant self to be alone most of the time," he said proudly, grinning.

Before Yuki could brand him as insensitive, he added quickly, "But that's not my point. My point is that you shouldn't be focused on the times you felt alone, but on the times you felt happy and with friends."

Yuki looked at his brother, waiting for more and hoping that he'd stay serious for the rest of the walk home.

Ayame continued, "Look at me. I've felt alone, stupid, and worthless for a few times in my life, but do you see me talking about that? No, you don't. It's all said and done. Right now, I'm thinking about my happiness in my shop with my close friend Mine. I only grieve over my curse when I need to, like when I feel cold and am about to turn into a snake. So to cut it short, just right back the wrong things that can still be undone, and then move along."

The two walked in silence for a few steps, and then Yuki said quietly, "Thank you, Nii-san. That actually made a lot of sense."

Ayame beamed. "Of course it made sense. I was the one who said it all. Well, now you know a little more about how my mind works. That really is a great honor, since very few know what I think about and-"

"Yes, yes, we're already here," Yuki cut off before his brother could say anything else. They entered Shigure's house, and saw Kyo and Tohru working on unfinished homework.

Tohru looked up and greeted them, "Welcome home, Yuki. Good evening, Ayame-"

"RAT BOY!" Kyo cut Tohru off and grabbed his book, shoving it up Yuki's face and yelling, "Tohru and I don't understand the homework! Help us now!"

Yuki rolled his eyes and sneered, "What makes you think I'll help you?"

Another fight ensued and Ayame smiled at how Yuki and Kyo destroyed Shigure's new front door. He turned to Tohru and greeted, "Oh hello, dear princess. Where's Shigure?"

Tohru replied cheerfully, "He's in his room. Mitsuru-san just left a few minutes ago with his work."

Ayame winked at her and went off to Shigure's room. He opened the door and announced, "Gure! I have arrived!"

Shigure looked up from his desk and grinned. "Aaya!!"

He stood up and walked over, putting an arm around his friend's shoulder. "So how was it?"

"Yuki was able to open up to me even more!" Ayame said happily. He added, "I was also able to convince Mayuko to pair Yuki and Machi together for tomorrow. I'm positive that tomorrow will be a happy day for our two unsuspecting victims."

"Ah. That's good. As I was cut off from our short call a while ago, I asked you to go there because Hatori didn't like the idea very much."

Ayame paused. "Was that what you said when Mitchan ended our call? 'I'm asking you to do this because Hatori didn't like the idea very much'?"

"Yeah, why?" Shigure asked, puzzled.

"I thought you said you were asking me to do it because Hatori loves Mayuko very much…" Ayame explained, laughing, "So when Mayuko asked why I came instead of you or Tori, I said that."

Shigure and Ayame laughed at the mistake and wondered what the high school teacher thought of that.

"Well, at least this stage of the plan was a success!" Shigure said, smiling, "I'll call Hatori and tell him the good news!"


Meanwhile, at the Shiraki home, Mayuko had just come home from Kaibara High. She instantly lay down on her bed, tired, and pondered on what Ayame told her previously that day.

Hatori Sohma, the 182 cm-tall, dark-haired, serious but caring Sohma family doctor, loved her, Mayuko Shiraki, the clumsy, boyish Kaibara high school senior homeroom teacher.

"Impossible," Mayuko said to herself, "Ayame must be joking. Yeah, that's it; he and Shigure are just pulling my pants."

She couldn't help but wish that Hatori Sohma really did love her. A girl could dream, and there was a chance.

Right?


Author's Note: Yeah. I bet you were expecting more. Just wait for the next chapter, you impatient animals. Oh yeah- Case One has five parts: Shigure, Hatori, Ayame, Machi, and Yuki. I hope people are still reading by then. OTL. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed so please review and/or favorite and/or alert!! Thank you!! :)

-Pasta W 19.