TRUE FACE

Fruits Basket Fanfic.

Fruits Basket copyright Takaya Natsuki

True Face copyright Iland Girl

Chapter: 1: First Encounter

I stared at our joined hands for what felt like hours. As my gaze made its way back up to her eyes, I could see the look of pure hatred and joy at this struck deal.

"What's the matter? Backing out already? We can always get the clippers." She flicked her long hair over her shoulder as she spoke in her haughty tone. I felt a fire ignite in my eyes, my grip tightening on our joined hands.

"Who said I was backing out?" I snapped. She yanked her hand away and scowled. The others squealing in the background about the bargain struck.

"Fine then, let's make the rules. You have thirty days to make him confess to you, and either get it on camera or we must witness it. We won't interfere at all, we won't have to. Our prince will remain faithful." Her lips upturned into a smirk. "And when you lose, on the thirty-first day, I will personally take the clippers to your head and shave all of that hair off."

Well, I was never one to back down from a challenge, this was no different. I felt my own lips curl up into a smirk. Perhaps, at the time, had I known what would happen in the next thirty days, I might've called my losses and let my pride be wrecked. But I couldn't stop myself, because Yuki was just some guy I didn't even know yet. Someone who I didn't even know yet.

"You're on."

Mission: Gain love confession from target.

Timeframe: 29 days.

Target: Yuki Sohma.

The plan seemed simple enough. I was a pretty girl, with what others told me were black siren eyes, long straight black hair, creamy pale skin and a slim figure. Top it off with a double eyelid and I was what every girl wanted to look like, or at least what they said they wished they looked like. I knew I was very pretty, being attractive physically wasn't the challenge with this target.

No, the challenge was getting near the guy and finding out what he liked.

Yuki Sohma was a first year, but his popularity had followed him from an all-boys middle school into high school. His fan club worked fast and followed him around constantly. It was creepy to say the least, but I wasn't concerned with them. Rather, I was more invested in finding an opening. How did one get close to a local celebrity? The easy answer was to figure out his schedule and create an 'accidental' scenario in which we met. Fat chance of something happening organically in this day and age. I didn't want to approach him, not until I had more data at the very least.

I spent the better part of the day trying to avoid looking at Yuki Sohma too much. I didn't want to be labelled a fangirl, nor did I want him to catch me staring in the event I looked at him funny. Close to the end of the day I had also found out we were in the same classes. My classmates were also a bit strange, some of them acting like gangsters or talking like they were psychics, but nothing too bizarre. My only class separated from the prince of Kaibara was music, and after that it was time to head home. I figured any extra-curricular clubs could be joined later on once I had this whole Yuki Sohma thing behind me. I could decide with a clear mind what I wanted to do.

So, imagine my surprise when I came across a love confession to the fabled prince.

It was in the stairwell, so it wasn't like I had purposefully happened upon it. I was taking the longer route from the music hall on the third floor and had just decided to find the quieter routes out of school.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot return your feelings." Came a pretty yet soft voice from the stairwell. It sounded sweet and calming, even saying something like a rejection as though speaking about his favorite tea.

Well, it was a good thing he rejected her, otherwise I'd have to try and break them up as well.

I had a full intention of avoiding this interaction, and even as I heard the girl run off in tears, I waited a few moments before stepping around to continue down the stairwell.

Except Yuki Sohma was still there.

He looked a bit perturbed, as though uncertain what to make of the previous interaction. His gaze caught me as I took two steps down the flight of stairs before halting. A tiny bit of heat was brought to my face as I realized my mistake.

"Ah- sorry, I was trying not to interrupt." I lifted my voice into a soft lilt to sound a bit more appealing. Sohma's back straightened as he gave a soft smile- one that was way too soft and pretty for my taste yet didn't quite reach his eyes- and scratched the back of his neck.

"No I must apologize. I had thought everyone was gone home already." He spoke politely and formally, so I decided to match his tone and gave a light chuckle.

"It's fine, really. It must be hard getting so many confessions all the time, right?" I asked, then realized I was still a stranger to this guy and probably sounded a bit creepy. He looked a little taken aback so I added, "you are Yuki Sohma, right? The first year everybody has been talking about?"

He looked even more uncomfortable with that comment, breaking eye contact to look away.

"I suppose, though I can't say I expected this much attention." He admitted. I chuckled lightly.

"Well, if you ever need some peace and quiet, you're welcome to come and sit with me." I spoke softly, openly, but could tell there was something a bit odd about this little prince. Sohma looked back to me, his eyes a bit wide, but then a polite smile came onto his features.

"You're in my class, Mai Saitoshi was it?" He surprised me, having paid attention when attendance was called perhaps? My eyes widened a fraction, and I had to fight the snarky 'so the prince knows my name? I must be blessed' commentary from slipping between my lips. Instead, I gave a wide smile.

"That would be me, pleased to me you, Yuki Sohma."

Sohma nodded, looking just as tense as when we first began to speak, but I could tell he kept up appearances as much as I did. Not once had he looked more relaxed in my presence, not yet anyway.

The silence stretched between us, and I figured now was my time to head out. I opened my mouth to say as much, when Sohma beat me to it.

"I suppose I shouldn't keep you waiting here, are you heading to the front doors? I could walk you if you'd like?" He offered, though the straightness of his back didn't falter. I was tempted to say yes, but figured less time together meant more time for me to regroup and analyze his character from afar.

"I appreciate the offer, but there is no need. If you have other things to do, by all means, don't let me keep you." I said it so cheerfully I might've gotten a cavity from it. Sohma's smile lightened up a bit, but I could almost see a bit of relief behind his eyes.

"Then have a lovely evening, Saitoshi." He said in his honey smooth voice before we parted ways.

It was only when I finally got home to find the house empty that I let my posture sag a bit. I felt the weight of faking innocence falling heavy on my shoulders. I went to the mirror and wiped the little bit of makeup from my face. I had to admit, that was much more successful than I had initially expected it to be, however, it was only the first meeting. I had 28 days left, and I had to use them wisely.

Man I really don't know why I never updated this story, but I just started watching the reboot and fell in love with it again. Sorry for the stupidly long wait between chapters (if anyone is still reading this idk anymore) but I really loved the manga as a young teen, now im watching the reboot 11 years later. I tried to find my old chapter outline for the story and couldn't, but I do remember the ending! So let's see how it goes eh?

Thank you so much for reading! Chapters will likely be based upon 1 chapter for each of the 30 days that this fic takes place over. There will be something every day of their story and I am so excited to write the ending you have no idea.

See you soon!

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Iland Girl