My, My, Imai! Vol. I

Imai:
Imai had little trouble sleeping that night, and even though she had gone to bed quite late, she was up and functioning, as usual, with the sun. And, as usual, she sat on the porch with her brother, awaiting the appointment.

The silence between them was deafening to Imai's ears. She felt the heavy tension rising, and she knew that Akito was angry with her for something. She just didn't know what.

And it happened, as it usually did, with soft but angry tones. Those tones frightened her to no end.

Akito:
"You came in late last night. Where were you?"

Imai:
"I had tea in the kitchen."

Akito:
"And why couldn't you simply have it in here like you normally do?"

Imai:
"I didn't want to wake you."

Akito:
"You were with someone... I heard you talking."

Imai:
"Hatori-san was with me in the kitchen. We were discussing medicine."

Akito:
"I don't want you talking to him anymore."

Imai:
"Why not?"

It was a question that she should not have asked. No matter that it was out of curiosity than for any form of defiance. But the heavy anger that seeped from Akito like a palpable miasma exploded; the cannonball of his anger slamming her hard.

It wasn't typical that she'd be beaten in the mornings, but the typical thumps and screams that came from their shared room were loud and thunderous, shaking the walls and the very foundation of the house in which the brutal tyranny took place.

Akito:
"You have no right to question me! You're a filthy animal! You don't deserve to walk the same grounds as SHE did!"

Imai:
It was as typical as the beatings could get, and by now, the servants had learned to not interfere. But Imai could no longer help it. No matter how hard she tried to fight back the urge and the desire to fight back, to push her sibling away from her as he brought down his hate upon her, she buckled and splayed both hands on her brother's shoulders, shoving him harshly away.

The room was suddenly silent.

Perhaps it had ended now that it was time for Akito's appointment?

Hatori:
The noise was something that any Sohma would get used to, or anyone else that happened to work in the main house. There was not a soul connected to the strange family curse that did not know of Akito's tantrums or experience it first hand.

And it was through the such noise that Hatori made his way down the halls calmly, for he was never a man to be frantic in any sort of situation. Akito hardly came to see him in his office, so it had been become routine that Hatori would bring his office to him, and it was in the middle of this rampage the boy had gone off in that the doctor pulled open the bedroom door and announced his presence.

"Akito-san. It's time for your appointment."

And it was perhaps the first time that anyone had interrupted the chaos in a long while, though Hatori didn't see it as counting when Akito was now on his time. If he was worried about Imai, he didn't show it or speak anything of it-- acting as if nothing inhumane was happening behind the rice paper walls at all. It was for her sake, lest she get her brother's wrath all over again later.

Akito:
For the split second between cutting off all source of air in his sister's throat completely and being so horribly interrupted by Hatori, he was caught off-guard. He'd had his hands firmly set around the younger girl's throat.

So close. Close, but no cigar. He'd handle it later. He had all the time in the world to make his sister suffer for having shoved him away like she had. What an insolent, ungrateful little maggot she was, to have the nerve to push away his just punishment for her sin.

He turned his eyes to Hatori, looking almost as though he would leap out at the doctor for having interrupted. Really, the man should know better... But he was right. It was time for his appointment. With a gruff growl, he pulled his hands from the girl's throat, and stood, kicking her for good measure. Hopefully she'd crawl away, he didn't want to look at her anymore.

He stalked angrily away from the girl, pulling his drooping robe back over his pale shoulder before easing himself to sit on a cushion.

"... Make it quick."

Hatori:
The demand to make it fast either wasn't heard or completely disregarded. It happened to be the latter of those two that morning. Hatori wasn't in the mood to bend to Akito all that much, nor would he speed through any examination in case of overlooking something on accident.

With his bag in hand, the doctor took his usual spot beside the house's head and began to take out anything he would need for the steps that came next. Not a glance was given in Imai's direction, either. Hatori was so detached and indifferent from the whole ordeal; impossible to tell what he was thinking or feeling.

First thing's first. He had a listen to Akito's heart, then began to see how the rest of his body worked out.

Imai:
It was better that Hatori pay her no attention, for if he even gave a hint that he was even thinking about looking in her direction, she would get it badly from Akito... And he might, too. The entire house was indifferent to the near-instances of death, the beatings, the torture. Everyone in the house turned their heads and looked the other way, and it was always better like that; it was always so much easier for those on the receiving end of Akito's punishments.

Akito:
Akito checked out as usual, save for the fact that his heartbeat had caused him to break out into a terribly cold sweat and slight heaving of breath. He seemed to be paying much more attention to his sister than to what Hatori was doing, however. And he seemed pleased when she finally got up and left for the garden. Good. She was back to herself again... He'd beaten a little more sense into her, and he'd beat more into her later. But for now, he was tired; too tired to deal with his ugly, murdering sister for the moment. He wanted breakfast and a good rest before he taught her another lesson.

Hatori:
"You're over exerting yourself," said Hatori casually, folding up his stethoscope and putting it back in his bag.
"I suggest the usual: hot meals and plenty of rest. Not too much activity."

Which included throwing people around like a madman and pitching wild tantrums as if he were two.

Through his peripheral vision, he was able to catch a blur of Imai's figure heading out the door, but kept his eyes forward on Akito as he moved to help him pull up his robes.

"I'll have hot soup prepared for you and brought up right away with tea."

Hatori was moving to stand up now, saying nothing more than he had to. Akito never was and never would be interested in small talk with any of the family members, and Hatori himself had no interest. He had one of the dirtiest jobs of them all to do, and it was nothing to do with physician work.

Akito:
Akito said nothing as he continued to sit. He paid little attention to what Hatori was saying, for he was still silently stewing over his sibling. He had nothing to say to either one of them, and while Hatori was partly responsible for his anger, it was all directed at his sister. If Hatori had not come in for the appointment, he may very well have killed off the little maggot and she'd be rotting for having killed their mother. He'd take care of her later.

Imai:
Meanwhile, Imai sat in the garden... A little worse for wear. She'd long wiped away the blood from her lip, but a nasty bruise was already flowering on her cheek, and her sides and neck were hurting. It wasn't so bad. It could have been much worse if Hatori had not walked in like he had, and she might not have come out so well from it. She had silently thanked him for being prompt in arrival for the appointment, but she was still berating herself for having the audacity to push her brother away... She'd even knocked him down. She felt quite bad for it, for he was frail, like she was, and she might have broken something. She'd been glad that she hadn't, really; she would've have regretted her actions more than she already was.

Hatori:
It was hard to say if he felt bad or not with how his cold eyes and stoic expression never changed. He was always so blank and cool-headed when responding to chaos, which was no different when he made move to take his leave. His work with Akito was through, and he only lingered long enough to make sure the house's head was tucked back into bed with breakfast to come soon.

His destination: Well, it appeared to be back to his study, but he was going the 'round about way to get out into the gardens without being suspicious. It sounded like a whole lot had gone on in that room before he arrived, and he wanted to make sure there was no major damage done to the poor girl. She always had the right to refuse to see him, too, though Hatori wouldn't let too awfully much stand in his way when it came to doing his job and taking care of the people he was supposed to.

Imai:
There hadn't been a great deal done to her, but her lip had been split. Every so often, past her usual, spaced-out daze, she would raise the sleeve of her robe and wipe away the blood that trickled down. She all but had it smeared across her face, which did little to help the bruise forming there. Her neck was swollen and red, and the marks of her brother's hands still lay there.

With how she sat in the same, exact spot in the gardens, it was a surprise that the grass had not died in that spot. It was, however, slightly and permanently bent due to all the time she spent there. Perhaps the grass was still growing to serve as a softer cushion for her tiny, broken body. And at least the fish in the small pond nearby were still alive, so that she could watch them swim about, and on better days feed them.

She said nothing to Hatori as he came by, but rather she sat as she always did; blank-faced and battered. It really was a sad waste to watch such a bright star slowly lose its light.

Hatori:
While passing through his office, as an afterthought, he had been thoughtful enough to pick a pack of frozen, blue gel from the mini refrigerator he kept there for medicines that had to be in a cooler environment. He had wrapped it with paper towels for now, and gently pressed it to Imai's lip after he came to a stop by her side and crouched down.

Nothing was said, though he tried not to startle her, expressionless eyes already surveying the damage. Nothing that he could see just like that appeared to be broken, but it could be a different story internally. The only thing that came from the good doctor then was a soft sigh, for he couldn't quite fathom himself why things had to be this way. Though, that would be the existent of his turmoil, for he wasn't exactly the type to angst, even if he happened to be one of the only people that had a good reason for it.

Imai:
She wasn't very startled by his presence... More like numbed to it. The only sign that he might have surprised her was the hard blink she offered when the cool stuff was pressed to her lip. She blankly stared ahead, blinking away the tears of pain that had been forming the entire time through; some were still drying on her cheeks.

"Thank you, Hatori-san. The swelling will go down soon."

She knew this my simple experience with the matter. It was a surprise that she still had lips left from how often she'd gotten them split by the head of the family. Lifting her hand, Imai didn't bother to notice the soft brush of her flesh to his own when she took the medicine from his hand to hold it to her lip for herself. She was tired, and in need of a bath and a change of clothes; the blood was drying on her sleeve, and it was certain that it would be ruined due to her insistent wiping. At least the bleeding had stopped by this time.

She said nothing more to him for the moment, locking herself away in her mind in hopes of blocking out the horror of the world around her. She looked like she needed a vacation... A change of scenery.

Hatori:
"I know we've already had your appointment," he spoke finally, face still bland but a little something along the lines of concern hinting in the darkest gleam of his eyes,
"but I could have a look at anything you think I may need to."

In other words, it was his 'round about way of inquiring to inspect for a broken, cracked or bruised anything on her body. Though, he didn't exactly force her into anything she didn't want to have, reaching into his pocket and offering a silk hanky to use instead of her sleeves. Those were easier to clean and dispose of than entire outfits of one's wardrobe.

Imai:
With the offer of an inspection, she inwardly winced, balking at the very idea of being poked and prodded at. But she wouldn't refuse him...

Besides... He'd offered her a hanky.

With the production of the offered object, her eyes trailed to him, catching his own before lowering to the item he offered. Mustering a smile, even though it hurt her poor lip to do so, she set the medicine down in her lap before taking the handkerchief. Imai wiped away the tears on her cheeks, not ashamed of them in any manner, before pausing.

She normally wouldn't feel so guilty as to use an offered handkerchief... But it was silk, and even though the family was rich and powerful, it wouldn't be frugal of her to sully such a nice article. Besides, it even had his initials printed on it!

"... Are you sure you want me using this, Hatori-san? It's a nice handkerchief..."

Hatori:
He shrugged in reply, looking like a spider with his long limbs folded up as they were to keep him in a crouch beside her. He was actually pretty tall and bordering on the lanky side. His strength wasn't to be underestimated, for the dragon of the Zodiac resided inside of him-- Despite how harmless his changed form may appear. Well, that would be all fine if he were the warrior type, anyhow.

"I have others," he said without hesitation, tipping his head to examine the bruises forming upon the girl's neck.

They no doubt looked worse than what they were, as injuries of that nature usually did, but her complaining of a sore neck already had him wary of it.

"Where does it hurt most?"

Here's to hoping the rest of what may be found were just bruises that would heal in less time than breaks or fractures. Even sprains.

Imai:
She nodded faintly, for her neck hurt quite a bit, before raising the hanky to her lip to rid it of the blood. When she was finished, she set the cloth in her lap before putting the medicine back to her lip. She made no move at all, but allowed her eyes to follow him as he inspected.

**He really is a good doctor..**.

"... My neck, around my shoulders. It hurts to move it."

Nothing else hurt, but she was certain that she had a nasty case of whiplash... Or something to that effect. She didn't think that anything was broken, but she never knew that the muscles in her side existed until they'd begun to ache. Everything was just bruises and cuts; it wasn't anything worse than she'd had before on various occasions.

At least she hadn't been pushed out of a window or partially blinded by broken pottery; for that, she was grateful.

Hatori:
He was to hoping, also, that Imai would never have to go through any of that herself.

"I don't think it's too bad," said Hatori, warm fingertips just barely pressed against the discolored flesh beneath the collar of the robes she wore.
"At the most other than bruises, just a strain. I have a brace you could wear."

The support was what she needed, for with the assistance to hold her head up and limited mobility, it would heal faster and with less complications that could happen if left alone.

Hatori never let his hands linger longer than they had to upon her body, and he took the right back when he had finished what he was doing. The pain killers she had already would take care of the dirty work of getting rid of the discomfort.

Imai:
Ick... A brace. She didn't like those things, they always made her look so silly, and it made bathing and getting dressed much harder. But she didn't want to have anymore damage done to her body than that which had already been done.

But she felt uncomfortable. Not due to the pain in her neck and sides and lip, but rather due to her brother. He had never attempted taking her life before, and she did not want to face him again so soon. She gave a faint nod, accepting the offer (or prescription?) of the brace before speaking.

"May I stay with you for awhile, Hatori-san?"

Her reasons should have been clear enough, she didn't want to face Akito again... At least not for the moment; she wanted to give him time to settle down before she faced him again. Besides... She wanted to lie down in a safe place; every time she closed her eyes, she felt as though she were falling backwards with her brain as the center of gravity for the sensation.

Hatori:
Perfectly clear. Hatori himself hadn't exactly rushed back to see Akito after all that had happened took place. Even to this day, the time given to the head of the Sohma family was all business related. He, as cold as he came off to be, had a soft spot in his heart that wouldn't allow him to let her to go back just yet even if she wanted to.

Without a yes or no given verbally, the doctor's actions was his answer, and he scooped her up easily in his arms and stood with little to no effort at all. There was no sense in having her walk with the condition her body was in. Hatori had broad shoulders, too, and they were perfect to rest one's head upon should they be suffering from a sore neck.

In his study, he had roll out mats tucked away in his closet and there was one with Imai's name written all over it.

Imai:
She had never been carried before... At least not that she could remember, and with Hatori's action of picking her up, as though he were some sort of prince, she almost swooned despite the fact that she felt next-to-nothing for him in any manner save for the fact that he was her doctor.

And, yes, his shoulders were broad, and looked very comfortable, so Imai wasted no time in letting her head rest on the nearest one. With her hands tucked safely in her lap, she closed her eyes. She had never felt more glad to have this damned curse as she was, now, or else his princely/doctor-like actions, and his comfy shoulder-pillow, wouldn't be possible.

His heartbeat was steady, and she had never felt more safe than she did when he carried her. And such a feeling of security was long missed in her cursed soul. If his arms offered such a feeling, then she was certain that staying with him for awhile would be just the same.

Imai's breath puffed softly against the flesh of Hatori's neck before evening out to a slow and easy pace. She'd fallen asleep before he'd even reached his office! His arms held a tranquilizing effect on the young girl, and she could not help it; she was exhausted and sore... And safe. Shoulders slumped and dead weight set in, and yet she was as light as a feather in the doctor's strong and capable arms; he had lifted heavier, it was certain.

Hatori:
He wasn't exactly sure what to do with her first, having not anticipated having her fall asleep like that in his arms in just the short distance from the garden to his office. She needed to be put down either way, which was when he got the idea of rolling his leather chair from behind his desk with the toe of his shoe to set her gentle down in.

From there, he went about setting up the mat upon the floor, making it as comfortable as possible with the padding and foam pillow like those that come off air planes. He was sure to set it up in a sunny spot to keep her warm with the thin-knit blanket.

And if the setting her down in the chair didn't wake her, then he would move to switch her places so she could lay out comfortably on the bed there in his office while he poked around for the brace he'd promised and prescribed back in the garden.

Imai:
No, she had been sound asleep, even when he set her in his chair. At least she didn't drool.

The groaning of the leather did not wake her, nor did the shift in positions as he set her in the comfortable, well-used seating arrangement. And even as he scooped her up once more to placed her on the mat, she remained quite 'out'. She had been exhausted; her late night talk with him, early morning rise, and the energy that Akito had drained from her had taken its toll on the young rooster. And it might have been better that way. She had been losing sleep, as of late, and the nap she'd be getting might do better for her health than any medicine could.

Her dreams were simple and easy, and the warmth of the blanket doubled with the sun only made the dreams more potent and more real.

She dreamed of idly strolling through the gardens with an endless amount of energy. The feeling of grass between her bared toes was the most wonderful feeling! And the sun was so bright and the air was so warm that she felt as though she could never leave the sights, sounds, and smells of the place. This was her secret place, a garden that nobody knew about; that only she could enter. None could find it unless she wanted them to, and that included her brother. In here, she was free of the bonds he held with her and he was a million miles away. The birds flew carelessly about the cloudless sky, and she knew that she was truly safe in her secret dream-garden.

Hatori:
When Imai was situated, Hatori took his chair, though stopped himself after taking a single step to push it back in towards his desk. Instead, he moved it to the side entrance that lead to the gardens, pulling open the sliding door framed with rice paper towards the open halls about the outside of the house and sat down in it there. The wheels had hardly made a sound on the wooden floor, and the furniture's creaks were small.

From here, he could have himself a much needed cigarette without filling his study with smoke and bothering Imai with it. Click went the sound of his lighter after rustling of fabric of him taking it and the pack from his pockets, and then the steady inhale and exhale of the first, savored puff. Instantly he was at ease and took to watching the sakura blossoms sway, sprinkling down on the ground like nature's blanket as he simply relaxed and unknowingly kept the sleeping girl feeling safe with his presence alone and unaware of her dreaming.

Imai:
Imai remained peacefully asleep, snugly curled into the blankets with golden eyes shut, pale face calm, and fiery hair creating a halo about her head and cheeks. She continued to sleep for several hours before she finally opened her eyes. Feathery lashes parted to reveal the world around her. Tiredly, she let her eyes trail about before they fell on the wheels of Hatori's office chair.

She instantly felt ashamed for having fallen asleep so easily before he had even gotten out of the garden, but his presence had been so comforting, so gentle that she could not have possibly helped herself. Raising her eyes higher, she saw that he was still seated in the chair... How long had he been there? How long had she been asleep?

"... Hatori-san..?"

Meekly, Imai called out to him before sitting up, the blankets slipping from her tiny body to crumple at her waist. She was still tired, and she might have slept longer, but it was a miracle that she had even fallen asleep during the daytime hours; she hardly ever slept after sunrise.

She could smell the fresh smoke from his recent cigarette... Probably his third or fourth within the hour, knowing Hatori... But she did not mind it so much as she thought she would. Shigure's smoking bothered her more.

Rubbing her eyes in a nearly childlike fashion, she made a soft groan before letting forth a great yawn and a wake-up shiver.

Hatori:
Hatori didn't answer, and he had a good reason for not doing so, too. He had fallen asleep himself, tucked into his study chair comfortably with the warm sunshine of that afternoon as his blanket. The tranquility was just too irresistible and Imai's breathing had a hand, lulling him while the birds chirped merrily.

He had been there the entire time, however, only dozing lightly until he heard his name called, cutting through the haze that settled around his brain. His head lifted, cold eyes cracking open, but then closed as he tipped slightly in the opposite direction. Restless nights often lead to him sneaking naps when he thought no one was watching, which was another way he spent his alone time cooped up in his office; one of the little things that made him appear more human.

Imai:
She'd seen that he was asleep when she lowered her hands from her eyes, ceasing the rubbing. She smiled a bit, feeling sorry for having awakened him.

He looked very peaceful when he slept, and he looked far more human than he usually did; he always looked so cold and uncaring, as though nothing in the world mattered anymore.

**I don't think that's very far from the truth. He lost the woman he loved... Had to erase the very memories that he had created. I don't know if I should think that 'it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all'…**

She doubted that such a phrase was true on Hatori's part. Even if he had been cold and indifferent before he met Kanna, he was even more so now because he didn't want it to happen again.

Slowly, Imai stood up, straightening her robe and moving to collect and fold the blankets of the bedroll he'd set out for her.

"... I'm sorry I woke you up, Hatori-san. If you'd like to get more rest, I can leave..."

She finished rolling up the bedroll after speaking her polite apology, carefully lifting the bedding, she toed open the closet door and set it all inside as neatly as possible.

Hatori:
The doctor leaned forward then, blinking as he became more awake and less fuzzy to everything around him. Turning, his chair creaked as he rested his gaze upon her from over his shoulder and the leather back of the furniture piece.

"You don't have to do that."

Though it wasn't exactly clear if he was talking about leaving or rolling up the bed mat she'd been sleeping upon. He never did say, even as he finally stood and started to wheel he own sleeping spot back into place. Once that was done, he was at the sliding door, resting a forearm against it while staring a moment out at the gardens, then pulling it shut with a soft slap of the wooden end coming flush with the frame, cutting off the sun light.

Imai:
And just as he didn't say, she didn't know what he'd meant by that. Imai stood by the closet as though she were awaiting some sort of order of dismissal from her cousin. She'd put away the bedding anyway, so she wasn't sure if he wanted her to leave or not.

In all honesty, she didn't want to leave at all. She wanted to stay with him for awhile longer, for she was still very uneasy about seeing her brother so soon. Besides... He may not know it, but he gave her a feeling of comfort and security; not just because he was the dragon, or that he was her doctor... But she simply couldn't put her finger on it. She felt safer with him than she even did with Shigure.

It puzzled her, and said confusion showed on her features as she found her toes more interesting to look at than Hatori's face. But she decided to break the subtle tension, as well as the silence. She had to; it was drowning her, but she didn't want to leave yet.

"Thank you... For letting me stay, Hatori-san. And... I'm sorry I'm such a bother."

Hatori:
"It's not a bother," said Hatori in reply, appearing to have meant that Imai didn't have to leave or put away the bedding as he turned back around.

He stood tall before the door, bangs draping over the impaired eye with his hands folding to tuck themselves in the pockets of his pants. His face was just as placid as always; impossible to tell what he was thinking as he watched. It was eerie in it's own way, though perhaps not as much so to those who were accustomed to having such a blank stare concentrated right on them.

Imai:
At his words, Imai raised her eyes to him and offered a faint smile; the second one in as many days. He should count himself lucky.

"I'm glad. You're a very kind man, Hatori-san; I'm glad you're my doctor."

She was uncertain as to why she was being as open with her thoughts as she was, but she felt that perhaps it wasn't so bad when it was somebody you thought you could trust. Shigure trusted Hatori, so why couldn't she? Imai didn't think that Hatori would laugh at her, or run and tell Akito that she was in his office... So far, Hatori had done nothing to make her distrust him, and until he betrayed that slight trust, it would only continue to grow.

It was then that something caught her eye on his bookshelf. Sure, there were plenty of medical books on that shelf, from what she could see... But she could also see a good few others. One, in particular, she recognized right away, and what little energy she had sparked to life as she fidgeted, trying to keep her excitement in check.

"... M... May I look at your books?"

She looked as though she were suppressing the urge to simply run to the bookcase and look at every book he owned. Really, who would've thought she could get so excited over paper and lettering?

Hatori:
Hatori seemed a little surprised by both the praising statement and the questions, fine brows lifted up over his odd, narrow eyes. That's as far as the expression change went, however, making it questionable if the other muscles in his face were working.

"If you wish."

He had no idea what sort of interest Imai might have when it came to his collection of medical books, though the shelves weren't full with only that genre. The doctor also had one or two volumes of random mystery series and even a novel or three of fantasy. One could only stand so much work at a time, and Hatori was no exception. Reading was a wonderful escape, especially when it had nothing to do with your occupation.

Keeping his spot in front of his desk, the doctor folded his arms over his chest and watched her.

Imai:
She smiled again, this time the expression much broader than before as she made her way to the bookcase to look at the books. She loved books, and she rarely got to read them anymore, so she was understandably excited about it. She looked at every title, as though actually paying attention to the myriad of medical books.

"Gure-ni-san used to bring me books when he was in school, and used to let me read his school books, too."

Which was true. It was often that Shigure would sneak her books from the library for her to read, and sometimes wouldn't come to school with the proper books due to his forgetting to get them back from Imai when she was a child.

"You've got so many... You've read them all?"

She looked over her shoulder at the doctor, a lively spark flitting in her eyes. Her secret love of reading finally revealed; it was probably the reason she got along so well with Shigure in the first place... The dog liked to tell her stories. One just had to hope he wasn't telling her the dirty ones.

Hatori:
"Most of them," he answered after momentarily looking a little disturbed that Imai had read books of any sort that Shigure had lent to her.

But, with the way she seemed to be unfazed as he talked about that, he figured they couldn't have been too bad. --Unless she was able to mask it that well.

Leaning back on his desk, Hatori crossed one ankle over the other and reached in his pockets to fish out another cigarette. He was unaccustomed to having visitors in his office that weren't there for medical needs.

"If you want," he said in-between a drag, letting the sour smoke seep from his mouth with his words,
"you may read them, too."

In other words, Hatori was opening his office up to her, since Akito might raise questions if she were to take his things back to the other rooms. The least obvious, the less the punishment, though either way had consequences, because that was just how Akito was.

Imai:
"R... Really? You would let me read your books?"

She looked thoroughly excited over the idea, which was strange to see with the usually listless girl; the spark in her eyes ignited further, and the smile on her face grew broader, showing her perfect row of white teeth. She really was pretty when she smiled; she should do it far more often.

"Th--thank you so much..!"

She gave a low and polite bow, and had she been Tohru, she might've hit her head on something, but the grace of the Sohma family was good to her in that aspect.