I knelt on the tatami, carefully gathering the broken tiles while Kyo and Yuki sat stiffly a few feet away. Kyo's orange ears twitched every time I moved a tile, tail flicking in irritation, while Yuki's calm, princely gaze didn't leave me, like he was silently judging my technique or lack thereof.
Tohru was moving about with surprising efficiency, picking up scraps and humming softly. "We'll have this cleaned up in no time," she said cheerfully, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
I finished my pile, stood up, and wiped my hands on my yukata. Turning to look at Kyo and Yuki, my chest suddenly lifted. "You two look… adorable!" I blurted, voice filled with the kind of fangirl awe I usually reserved for manga panels.
Kyo's ears flattened instantly, and his tail lashed like a whip. "What did you just say?!" he snapped, voice sharp even in his crouched, annoyed posture.
Yuki just stared at me, unblinking, like I'd spoken a riddle he couldn't solve.
Tohru tilted her head, frowning. "Wait…but how are you two… a cat and a mouse?"
Shigure, lounging in his usual relaxed pose near the doorway, clapped his hands together. "Ah, that would be the Sohma family curse," he explained casually, voice smooth but with that subtle undertone that made you pay attention. "Certain members transform into their Zodiac animals when triggered by the opposite gender. Surprise, stress, anger… touch… all that fun stuff. Kinda inconvenient, really."
Tohru froze. "…So that's what just happened?"
Shigure's eyes darkened slightly, sharp and almost cold. "Yes. And I sincerely hope neither of you mentions this to anyone. Understand?"
I gulped audibly, laughing nervously to cover my panic. "Of course! We won't!"
Why would I ever want to tell anyone this? I thought, glancing at Kyo crouched, looking simultaneously furious and vulnerable. He's not some character in a story anymore. He's real. And now, I have a secret that's completely mine.
Shigure gave a satisfied nod, then snapped his fingers. "Well, that's enough mystery for one morning. Poof!"
In a flash of smoke, both Kyo and Yuki transformed back into their human forms.
Kyo blinked in surprise, fur and tail gone, eyes still blazing orange with residual irritation. Yuki adjusted his sleeve, expression serene as ever they were both naked and now getting dressed again
My face caught fire. I whipped my head to the side, yelping, "O-oh! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to look!"
Kyo groaned, flopping into a chair like the world had personally betrayed him. "Tch. Whatever, stranger," he muttered, glaring at me as if I'd just ruined his entire morning.
Shigure, still lounging as if nothing had happened, stood. "Alright, everyone. Let's go downstairs and have breakfast. Tohru, start preparing!"
Tohru brightened instantly, a little sparkle in her eyes. "Yes! I'll get started right away!" She ran down the stairs, the wooden boards creaking softly under her quick steps.
I lingered at the top, unsure whether I should help. Shigure glanced at me, eyebrow slightly raised. "You're not going to help her?"
I met his gaze. "…See, Shigure… I'm just as bad at cooking as you are."
His eyes widened in genuine surprise. "How did what?!"
I choked on a laugh. "Hahaha! Nothing… just a guess!" I hurriedly headed down the stairs, muttering, what a naive girl, to myself. Shigure smiled faintly, shaking his head.
Yuki gave Shigure a small glance, voice low. "Don't get fascinated." Then he walked past, calm as ever, heading to the table.
Kyo muttered under his breath, tail flicking as he walked behind Yuki. "For the first time, I agree with him. They shouldn't even know what we are." He scowled at me briefly, then went down the stairs.
Shigure followed last, still smirking as if he'd orchestrated the entire chaotic scene for his own amusement.
At the table, Tohru was busy passing out breakfast: steaming rice, miso soup, tamagoyaki, and a small assortment of side dishes. I sat down with a smile, inhaling the comforting smells of a home that was slowly starting to feel like mine too.
"So…" Tohru looked up at me, beaming, "you two must also be going to school after this, right?"
Kyo and I answered in unison: "No."
We glanced at each other mid-word and froze.
"Oh?" Shigure's head tilted, amused. "Misaki, you don't go to school?" He gave Kyo a knowing glance but didn't comment further.
I shifted uncomfortably, face warm. "Well… you see… it's complicated."
Tohru's eyes widened with concern, her brows knitting slightly. I quickly added, "Don't worry, Tohru. It's not something big."
She didn't look convinced, but nodded anyway, giving me that soft, worried look that made my chest tighten.
Yuki tilted his head at me, expression calm yet thoughtful. "I see. Well… I bet your reasoning is better than going off for fighting practice in the mountains."
Kyo's head shot up, fury flashing across his face. "What did you just say?!" He leapt to his feet, scraping against the tatami. "You wanna go? Come outside! Let's settle this!"
Yuki exhaled softly, eyes closing briefly. "Fine. If you insist."
Kyo dashed for the door, a blur of orange energy and anger, while Yuki followed with measured, graceful strides.
Tohru blinked, glancing between the two of them. "Wait… fighting? Outside? In the morning?!" no u shouldn't!!
Shigure's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Yes. Let them burn off some energy. Kyo, after you've cooled down, you'll need to change."
I shook my head, smiling faintly at the absurdity of it all. This is something you see every day fighting in the fountain at sunrise, two high school boys with tempers that could level a building, and a calm Shigure watching like he's a spectator at a show it's all normal to me
Tohru peeked at me, voice soft. "Misaki-chan… are you going to watch?"
I shook my head. "Nah… I'll just… stay here. Make sure breakfast doesn't get wasted."
Shigure leaned back, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Wise choice. Sometimes survival means keeping your hands clean and your stomach full."
I chuckled, settling back in my seat, watching Kyo and Yuki disappear into the morning mist outside. Somehow, this bizarre, chaotic family, with all their curses, quirks, and fights, felt… like home.
And people whom I knew since long
And since I arrived in this world, I only been feeling happiness
surviving Kyo's temper, Yuki's stoic judgments, and Shigure's endless mischief it didn't even feel like a burden it was all soo good.