The Fox and The Rabbit

“Tohru?” She felt the tremor in her voice but she just couldn’t help it. Her worst fears were coming to life. Everyone would know. They would find out her secret. And then she’d be an outsider, all over again. Her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest. “I, I don’t know what I am.” She felt the hot tears and though she tried not to let them fall, one managed to roll down her cheek.

Tohru rushed over. And before Aimi could turn away from the frail girl, she had her arms around her. Tohru’s embrace was warm and comforting. “Shhh, it’s okay, Aimi-chan. It’s okay. I’m here.”

Relief washed through Aimi like a tidal wave, dropping her to her knees. Tohru dropped with her, her arms still wrapped around her gently. Aimi drew in a ragged breath and sighed. Of course, it would be Tohru. She would be the one to choose to comfort instead of run. She wouldn’t be disgusted by her. Why would she, when she already knew about the Sohma curse?

“I can’t talk about it right now, Tohru-chan. I just can’t,” Aimi whispered.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it at all. Just know that I’m here.”

“Truly?” Aimi wiped her face on her sleeve and drew back so she could catch Tohru’s eyes. She hated how vulnerable she sounded but it didn’t matter. “You won’t run away screaming when I do weird stuff sometimes?”

Her friend shook her head and smiled. “Of course not. I’m always here if you need me.”

Aimi hugged her tightly and stood. Her usual, cheerful smile spread across her face. “Come on, we’re late for class. I don’t want to get you in trouble.” Offering her hand, she pulled Tohru to her feet and they walked, hand in hand, back to class.

 

The days passed and though Honda never brought up what happened on the roof, she would sometimes give Aimi this understanding smile. It was like a reassurance of their friendship. Aimi loved her for it. She grew closer to all her new friends, even joining a music club and making even more. After releasing her gift, her body felt replenished. If she could just release it a few more times during the year without anyone seeing, things would be okay.

One day when she returned home from school, she checked the mail and saw a letter for her father. Upon giving it to him, he sighed and shook his head. “They keep asking me to come to this conference in Kyoto and speak.”

“Why don’t you go?”

“It’s an overnight trip.”

“So?”

He glanced at her then and his eyes told her exactly why: he was afraid to leave her alone.

“No, dad, you should go! I’m fine here. If you don’t want me alone, I can ask Honda-san if I can stay the night with her. I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Didn’t you say she lived with a bunch of guys?”

Aimi lowered her brows. “Are you saying you don’t trust me around boys? Please, dad! Like that has ever been an issue before. Besides, I think of these guys as my brothers. If Tohru-chan can live with them without any weird sexual vibes, why couldn’t I stay one night?”

Daisuke blushed in embarrassment. Aimi had always been pretty straightforward when it came to these types of conversations. It was something he would never get used to, being the traditional, old-school man he was. If only his daughter would be more open about her inner demons…

“I suppose you’re right. I don’t mind if you stay with Honda-san at the Sohma residence for one night. Just make sure you don’t neglect your studies!”

Aimi smiled and hugged him. “Great! You can finally get out of this house for a while and be social again. You’ve been cooped up for far too long.” Her face grew solemn as she said quietly, “I don’t want to be the reason you don’t see people anymore. I want you to have friends too. Don’t let me hold you back.”

Her father crushed her to his solid chest. “You don’t hold me back, my dear. I was never a social flower like you to begin with. I’ve always been one to keep more to myself. Don’t ever think that you are keeping me from getting out. I just prefer to stay in!” His voice was light but she knew they were both avoiding the real topic. So she let it slide.

“Okay. But I want you to have fun, anyway! See some sights, have a few drinks, enjoy yourself. I’ll be here when you get back.”

Aimi walked away, leaving to go start on her homework but she turned back in the doorway. “I’ll be here when you get back,” she said again, her eyes boring into his. He understood her meaning and merely nodded his response.