Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Ayame's New Assistant ❯ Ch 3: How to Find the Way Out ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Fruits Basket. I'm afraid though that not all wishes come true.

 

A/N: Life has been so incredibly busy lately, that I haven't had time to update. I wasn't even quite sure if anyone liked my story! But with over a hundred views of my story, I'm confident enough to post another chapter. So without further ado!

 

~.~

 

Chapter Three: How to Find the Way Out

 

The rest of the school day went without a problem, for Himawari was able to fit right in with Tohru and her friends. Arisa had taken a liking to her, Saki mentioned something about her having pleasant waves, Yuki treated her in his princely manner, and Kyou had ignored her completely. Himawari was worried that she had done something wrong to upset him, but Tohru had reassured her that he was only embarrassed for his earlier actions still. It would probably take him a day or two to get over it. Even after he did, he wouldn't be the most social guy in the world anyways.

 

Himawari had just finished placing a few of her new textbooks into her locker and closed the door. She needed to retrieve her street shoes and put away the shoes for school when she came to a fork in the hallway.

 

“Now let's see…is it right or left? Or maybe forward…ah! I don't remember!” the blonde panicked, realizing that the school seemed to be emptying fast and she'd be the only one left soon if she didn't hurry up.

 

Continuing to worry, Himawari was about to choose a random direction to follow when a person turned the corner and came into view. His face was dull, but he had a sort of calmness to him as he strolled down the hallway with his hands jabbed into his pockets and no backpack or school work on his person whatsoever.

 

But what really stuck out was his hair and eyes. His eyes were a light grey that reminded Himawari of the color of the sky during a light rainfall. And his hair! White on the top with black roots. It was so…bizarre. Yet extremely fascinating at the same time. It was surprising he was allowed to get away with it. He nonchalantly walked past her before she managed to say anything, too engrossed in watching him.

 

“E-excuse me!” Himawari called after him.

 

The boy stopped moving, then turned around with the same blank expression.

 

“Yes?”

 

“You wouldn't happen to know where the front door of the school is, would you?”

 

“No.”

 

So he didn't know either? Well at least she wasn't the only one! Though this didn't really help her dilemma, she soon realized.

 

“Oh. So…are you new here too?” she asked.

 

“No.”

 

Now this was even odder.

 

“So…you're not new to this school.”

 

“No.”

 

“But you don't know where the front of the school is.”

 

“Right.”

 

“Then where were you going?”

 

“Trying to find the front door of the school.”

 

Well, that made sense. Even still, this simple conversation was wearing poor Himawari out. Could this guy get any more confusing?

 

“Well then…do you mind if we search together? Maybe we'll find it faster that way,” the blonde suggested.

 

The boy stared at her silently before taking a few more steps towards her. Himawari couldn't read his face, nor figure out what he was doing or thinking. And so she stood still, waiting for a reply.

 

“You remind me of someone. What's your name?” he finally asked.

 

“Samuels Himawari,” she replied.

 

“So you're that new American chick in Yuki's class…” the boy with bi-colored hair commented.

 

“Yes!” Himawari smiled, “Ayame-san's younger brother!”

 

“You know Ayame too?”

 

She was about to answer, when she thought over the question once more. Uotani Arisa had mentioned something before…

“Are you…another Sohma?” she inquired.

 

The boy nodded. “Sohma Hatsuharu. That's me.”

 

Another Sohma! That made three in one day. Even if the family was supposedly a big one, Himawari felt like she was going to meet all of them in one day!

 

“Well Hatsuharu-san, Ayame-san is my new boss. I'll be working at his shop starting tomorrow,” she stated, answering his previous question.

 

A thoughtful expression vaguely showed through Haru's dull stare. “Ayame's shop, huh? You're a weird one alright.”

 

Himawari smiled and laughed softly. “That's what I'm told.”

 

-.-

 

The two then began their search for the front door of the school together, sharing a light conversation with one another. Hatsuharu talked about his sense of direction (or lack of), and Himawari spoke of how she managed to receive her new job. It took about fifteen minutes before they managed to find a door that resembled what they had been searching for.

 

Outside, the duo was confronted with a smiling blonde boy, rocking back and forth on his feet patiently. When he turned to them, his smile grew and he ran over.

 

“Haru! There you are!” he yelled happily.

 

He was incredibly cute! Himawari couldn't help but let a smile form on her lips. Yet, he looked awfully young to be wearing the same uniform as her. Just how old was he anyways?

 

“I…got lost,” Haru stated simply.

 

“That's what I thought,” Momiji giggled before noticing there was someone else there. He let out a small gasp, and shifted his attention. “You must be Himawari-chan!”

 

Surprised and a bit taken aback, Himawari nodded. “Yes I am!”

 

“Oh, wonderful! Tohru told me all about you before she headed off to work. I'm so happy to meet you. I'm Sohma Momiji!”

 

Goodness. Another Sohma? Uotani hadn't been kidding in the least!

 

“It's nice to meet you too, Momiji-san!” Himawari smiled back.

 

-.-

 

“So just take a turn here, and another left after that, and your house should be on that street.”

 

“Arigatou, Momiji-san,” Himawari bowed. “I don't think I would have figured my way without you.

 

Momiji smiled. “No problem! And I'll see you tomorrow at school, okay? Make sure to find me!”

 

Himawari laughed. “I will, don't worry. It was nice meeting you, Momiji-san, Hatsuharu-san!”

 

The two cousins gave their farewells and disappeared out of sight. Himawari took a deep breath before following the instructions Momiji had given her.

 

Today had certainly not turned out the way she had expected. And yet, this was the most fun she had had in a while.

 

~.~

 

A/N: Well! It was good to write that after such a long hiatus. I hope you all enjoyed reading it too.

 

Hopefully Himawari will be able to work tomorrow too! It'll be interesting to see how her personality fits in at the shop.

 

Thank you for reading!