Fruits Basket: v. 9 by Natsuki Takaya
Yuki arrives early to a student council meeting only to come upon the two newest members: the annoyingly talkative Manabe Kakeru and quiet/docile Kuragi Machi. Yuuki takes an immediate disliking to this brash, egotistical guy and is suspicious as to why Machi was going through the council documents...Still, Yuuki can't get out of his head how Manabe said he was "a fun guy"...Uo-chan meets Kureno, a guy she met at the convenience store, during her lunch hour and they go out for lunch. She gets upset that he has the attitude that their meeting together and whatnot is useless. But he apologizes for not thinking before speaking...and admits that he, too, wanted to see her again. He leaves with an affectionate gesture but little does she know that Kureno's involved with Akito...?! We take a peek into Hanajima's past and how her ability to hear people's thoughts spelled loneliness and torment for her. One day she kills a bully with her mind powers and the escalating bullyism drives her to transfer...to Tohru's school! Though at first weirded out by Tohru's and Uo-chan's open and chatty behavior, after Tohru accepts her despite witnessing her accidentally use her mind-powers again, all is well! Tohru gets to visit Kyou's master's house. As Kyou helps Tohru prepare their lunch, his master goes out to meet with Kyou's father!! The man hates his son, Kyou, vehemently blaming everything on him. But Kyou's master calmly replies that the boy's changed, and its the Father that is the monster and vowing to himself to remain the protector of Kyou...Momoji stops by to invite everyone to an outing at their holiday villa the following day. Just as Tohru is starting to tell Kyou about the origin of her old, red cap, a piece of wood comes hurtling through the window! On the other side is Rin who has something to talk to Shigure...but what could it be?